[Development of Tripterygium glycosides nano-carries based on "nanoemulsion-gels" and its pharmacodynamics].

The aim of this study is to develop the Tripterygium glycosides nanoemulsion gels and investigate its pharmacodynamics. Oleic acid was used as oil phase, polyoxyethylene castor oil as surfaetant, and 1,2-propanediol as cosurfactant to screen the formula of Tripterygium glycoside nanoemulsion using the pseudo-temary phase diagrams. Then the nanoemulsion gels was prepared. The ICR mouse ears were sensitazated by 7% DNCB, and then were excited by 0.3% DNCB to stimulate the model of mouse chronic dermatitis and eczema. The concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-8 in mouse blood were determined by ELISA. The results showed that Tripterygium glycosides nanoemulsion gels could significantly inhibit the swelling of mouse ears(P < 0.01) and ameliorate the edama and erythema of model mouse ears skin. Also it could significantly decrease the expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 in model mouse blood. Tripterygium glycosides nanoemulsion gels had a good therapeutic effect on mouse model of dermatitis and eczema. It was expected to provide a new and long-acting exterernal preparation for the treatment of dermatitis and eczema.

[Effects of Liuweidihuang pills on pancreatic islet structure in OLETF rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Liuweidihuang pills on pancreatic islet structure in OLETF (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty) rats. METHODS: Forty male OLETF rats were divided randomly into Liuweidihuang pills group (Liuwei group) and control group (n=20). Ten male LETO rats were used as normal control group (LETO group). The rats in Liuwei group were given Liuweidihuang pills at the daily dose of 2.4 mg/kg intragastrically since the age of 8 weeks. Blood glucose was determined by OGTT. The rats were sacrificed at 8, 32 and 40 weeks and the pancreatic tissue was isolated to examine the morphological changes of the pancreas by HE staining and Masson trichrome staining. RESULTS: As the age of the rats increased, the pancreatic islets in the control group gradually showed fibrosis and islet atrophy, which were not found in Liuwei group. Masson staining visualized no fibrosis in Liuwei group. No significant pathological change occurred in the pancreatic islet of LETO rats. The rats in Liuwei group developed diabetes since 30 weeks of age and the incidence was 28.6% at 40 weeks, significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Liuweidihuang pills can prevent degeneration of the pancreatic islets in spontaneous OLETF rats.

[Effect of Liuweidihuang pills in preventing diabetes mellitus in OLETF rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Liuweidihuang pills in preventing diabetes in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. METHODS: Forty male OLETF rats were randomized equally into Liuweidihuang pill group and control group, with 10 male LETO rats as the normal control group. In Liuweidihuang pill group, the rats were given the pills intragastrically at the daily dose of 2.4 mg/kg since 8 weeks of age, and the rats in the other two groups received water instead. Blood glucose of the rats was determined by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and the body weight and food intake were monitored on a weekly basis. At 8, 32 and 40 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the expression level of adiponectin mRNA in the adipose tissue was detected using RT-PCR. RESULTS: Treatment with Liuweidihuang pills significantly lowered the increment of the blood glucose and postponed the onset of hyperglycemia in the rats. Compared with the control group, the rats in Liuweidihuang pill group showed significantly increased expression of adiponectin mRNA in the adipose tissue. The rats receiving Liuweidihuang pills developed diabetes at 30 weeks of age with an incidence of 28.6% at 40 weeks, significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Liuweidihuang pills can significantly increase the expression of adiponectin mRNA in the adipose tissue and decrease the incidence of type 2 diabetes in OLETF rats.

[Liuweidihuang pills reduces visceral fat deposition in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Liuweidihuang pills (LP) on visceral fat deposition in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. METHODS: Forty male OLETF rats were randomly divided into LP group and control group (n=20 per group), and 10 male Long-evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as normal controls. The rats in LP group were given LP(2.4 mg/kg) daily by intragastric administration since the age of 8 weeks, and those in the other two groups were given water of the same volume by intragastric administration. Blood glucose of all the rats was determined by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and visceral fat deposition examined after the rats were sacrificed. RESULTS: OLETF rats had obviously greater amount of visceral fat than LETO rats (P<0.05) and administration of LP ameliorated the increment of visceral fat deposition in this type 2 diabetic model, producing significant effect at the age of 40 weeks (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: LP may effectively decrease visceral fat deposition in OLETF rats.

[Effects of liuwei dihuang pills on expressions of apoptosis-related genes bcl-2 and Bax in pancreas of OLETF rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Liuwei Dihuang Pills (LWDHP) on expressions of apoptosis-related genes bcl-2 and Bax in pancreas of OLETF rats. METHODS: Forty male OLETF rats were randomly divided into LWDHP-treated group and untreated group. Another ten male LETO rats were included in normal control group. OLETF rats in the LWDHP-treated group were given LWDHP (2.4 g.kg(-1).d(-1)) orally since the age of 8 weeks and the rats in the other two groups were given distilled water orally. Body weights of rats were recorded weekly and blood glucose concentration was determined by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Pancreas weights were recorded after rats were killed and the expression levels of bcl-2 mRNA and Bax mRNA were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: In the LWDHP-treated group, the expression of bcl-2 mRNA in the pancreas of rats at the age of 40 weeks (1.25+/-0.07) was much higher than that in the untreated group (1.01+/-0.16), P<0.01. Bax mRNA level in the LWDHP-treated group (0.57+/-0.11) was obviously lower than that in the untreated group (1.18+/-0.28), P<0.01. There was no significant difference of pancreas-to-body weight ratios between the LWDHP-treated group and the untreated group. The ability of glucose tolerance was improved in the LWDHP-treated group. CONCLUSION: LWDHP can up-regulate the expression of bcl-2 and down-regulate the expression of Bax at transcription level, which maybe contribute to the anti-apoptosis effects of LWDHP.