Effects of Kaixin Powder on melatonin receptor expression and (125)I-Mel binding affinity in a rat model of depression.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Kaixin Powder (, KXP) on melatonin receptor (MR) expression and (125)I-Mel binding affinity in a depression rat model. METHODS: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: a blank control group, model group, ramelteon group, KXP high-dosage group (HKXP), medium-dosage group (MKXP) and low-dosage group (LKXP). To establish the depression model, all groups except the blank control group were singly housed and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress. Weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test were used to evaluate induction of depression. KXP at 260, 130 and 65 mg/(kg•d) was also respectively administered to the rats in the HKXP, MKXP and LKXP groups for 21 days. Ramelteon [0.83 mg/(kg•d)] was given to the positive drug control group. An equivalent volume of physiological saline was given to the blank and model groups. The liquid chip method was used to measure the concentration of plasma melatonin (MT). Mel1a (MT1) and Mel1b (MT2) expression levels were determined by Western blotting. In addition, a radioactive ligand-binding assay was used to analyze the specific binding properties and dynamic characteristics between MR and (125)I-Mel. RESULTS: The results of weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test showed that our model successfully produced depressive symptoms and depressive-like behavior. The concentration of plasma MT in the model group decreased significantly at night but increased in the MKXP group (P<0.05). The HKXP group showed significantly increased expression of MT1 (P<0.05); however, the expression of MT2 in all groups exhibited no significant differences (P>0.05). The maximum binding capacity (B(max)) for specific binding between MR and 125I-Mel in the MKXP group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found in the equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) of each group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: KXP may have a similar effect as ramelteon. KXP improved depressive-like behavior by increasing the concentration of plasma MT and MT1 expression, thereby increasing three B(max) of MR to achieve the desired antidepressant effect.

[Effect of banxia xiexin decoction on leptin and endothelin-1 of gastric ulcer rat and the optimal combination screening of active components].

OBJECTIVE: To select the optimal combination of five active component of Banxia Xiexin Decoction on gastric ulcer rat, and observe its effect on Leptin and ET-1. METHODS: Eighty-seven SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, sham-operated group and acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer group, omeprazole group as a positive control, five active components (glycyrrhetic acid, beta-sitosterol, berberine, baicalin and ginsenoside) of Banxia Xiexin Decoction were divided into groups by L16 orthogonal design. The ulcer area, and the content of Leptin and ET-1, and the mRNA expression level of both were detected. RESULTS: Among the sixteen orthogonal design groups, the ulcer area of these groups using both beta-sitosterol and berberine was the smallest (P < 0.05), the content of Leptin of these groups using both glycyrrhetic acid and ginsenoside was the highest in blood serum (P < 0.05), the group using glycyrrhetic acid had the minimum concentration of ET-1 in blood plasma. Compared with model group, berberine could raise the mRNA expression level of Leptin (P < 0.01), and beta-sitosterol could lower the mRNA expression level of ET-1 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis of gastric ulcer may be related with the down-regulation of concentration and mRNA expression level of Leptin, and upregulation of concentration and mRNA expression level of ET-1, the active components in Banxia Xiexin Decoction may upregulated Leptin and inhibit ET-1 to accelerate the healing of gastric ulcer.