[Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on ACE2 and TNF-alpha in rats with post-myocardial infarction-ventricular remodeling].

OBJECTIVE: To research the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on angiotensin-converting enzymes 2 ( ACE2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in rats with post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodeling. METHODS: Models of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were produced by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery, 24 hours after operation the rats were randomly divided into control and experiment groups, then respectively administrated with NS, fosinopril and low, middle and high dosage of PNS for four consecutive weeks. To observe effects of PNS on malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), ACE2 and TNF-alpha in rats with post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodeling. RESULTS: Compared with NS group, MDA significantly decreased, the activity of GSH-Px significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), NO of the high-dose PNS group decreased (P < 0.05), Compared with the NS group, ACE2 increased and TNF-a significantly decreased in low-dose PNS group, middle and high-dose groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PNS can stimulate ACE2 to inhibit the expression of TNF-alpha and enhance the antioxidance. PNS can reduce pathological injury of cardiac myocytes in myocardial ischemia and cardiac muscle, which can improve ventricular remodeling.

[The immunomodulatory effects of sijunzi decoction and its disassembled prescription on D-galactose-induced aging mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the immunomodulatory effects of codonopsis, atractylodes macrocephala, tuceahoe, broiled licorice and sijunzi decoction on D-galactose-induced aging mice. METHODS: The models of aging mice were induced by D-galactose, the garlands and splenic lymphocyte transformation test (MTT) were used to determine the ability of erythrocytes immune and lymphocytes conversion; The content of maleic dialdehyde (MDA), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione pemfidase (GSH-Px) in serum were detected. RESULTS: Sijunzi decoction and its disassembled prescription codonopsis could significantly increase the ability of T lymphocyte transformation (P<0.05); Atractylodes macrocephala and sijunzi decoction could significantly enhance C(3b) garlands ratio (P<0.05) and decrease IC garlands ratio (P<0.05) on D-galactose-induced aging mice. Sijunzi decoction significantly increased the activity of SOD and GSH-Px (P<0.01), and decreased the content of MDA in serum (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Sijunzi decoction and its disassembled prescription codonopsis, atractylodes macrocephala can improve the immunomodulatory effects on D-galactose-induced aging mice; but tuceahoe and broiled licorice have no obvious effects.

[Effects of total glucosides of paeony on enhancing insulin sensitivity and antagonizing nonalcoholic fatty liver in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathological changes of blood glucose, serum lipid, insulin resistance, liver function, liver cell denaturalization of total glucosides of paeony on nonalcoholic fatty liver rats caused by insulin resistance and discuss the acting mechanism. METHOD: Adult SD rats were maintained on high-fat-sugar-salt diet for 56 days. In the 57th day, their fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 2-hours blood glucose after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT-2 hBG) were mensurated, according to which and the weight the rats were divided randomly into nonalcoholic fatty liver model group, metformin group (0.2 g x kg(-1)) and total glucosides of paeony group (high dosage 0.15 g x kg(-1), low dosage 0.05 g x kg(-1)). All the rats were still administered the same diet and given different drugs by intragastric administration for 28 days. In the 29th day, all of them were killed and the blood was sampled to measure the levels of blood glucose [FBG, OGTT-2 hBG, fasting insulin (Fins)] and serum lipid [free fatty acids (FFA), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], then the HOMA insulin resistance index (HOMA-IRI, fasting glucosexinsulin) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were counted. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholinesterase (ChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured also. Livers were weighed and collected to be observed the pathological changes. RESULT: Compared with normal group, in nonalcoholic fatty liver model group the levels of Fins and IRI were increased obviously (P < 0.01), ISI were decreased (P < 0.01), FFA, TG, TC, LDL-C were increased (P < 0.01), HDL-C were decreased (P < 0.05); the content of MDA were increased (P < 0.05), the activities of SOD were decreased (P < 0.01); AST, ALT and ChE were increased (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01), the pathological changes of liver fat were severe (P < 0.01). In glucosides of paeony group and metformin group, hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistence were resisted (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01); the levels of FFA, TG, TC, LDL-C were decreased and HDL-C were increased (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01); the activities of AST, ALT, ChE were decreased (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01) and SOD were increased (P < 0.01). The contents of MDA were decreased (P < 0.05). The levels of FBG and 2 hBG in metformin group were decreased but in total glucosides of paeony group were not decreased obviously. CONCLUSION: Total glucosides of paeony may protect liver function and modulate serum lipid for the fatty liver rats caused by insulin resistance, and its action mechanism may be concerned with enhancing insulin sensitivity and antioxidative ability, decreasing serum lipid.

[The experimental study of Radix Puerariae inhibiting glycation in rats induced by D-galactose].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Radix Puerariae on protein glycation in model rats induced by D-galactose. METHODS: The model rats of protein glycatin were induced by intraperitoneal administration of D-galactose (150 mg/kg) for 8 weeks, and all rats were treated by Radix Puerariae (High dose 300 mg/kg, Middle dose 150 mg/kg, Low dose 75 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. The activity of aldose reductase in red blood cells, the content of fructosamine in serum, the amount of glycohaemoglobin and advanced glycation end-products, the level of insulin in serum, the activity of superoxide dismutase and the amount of maleic dialdehyde were measured. RESULTS: High dose and middle dose of Radix Puerariae could decrease the level of blood glucose and the activity of aldose reductase in red blood cells, inhibit the formation of glycation products significantly in model rats induced by D-galactose (P < 0.01), increase insulin sensitivity and activity of superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) and decrease the amount of maleic dialdehyde (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Puerariae can significantly inhibit glycation reaction in rats induced by D-galactose.

[Effects of Panax notoginsenoside on TNF-alpha and MMP-2 expressions in rats with post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodeling and the mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Panax notoginsenoside (PNS) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) expressions in rats with post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodeling and explore the mechanism. METHODS: Rat models of acute infarction ventricular (AMI) were established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Twenty-four hours after the operation, the rats were randomized into control and experimental groups for intragastric administration of normal saline (control), fosinopril and PNS at the low, medium and high doses for 4 consecutive weeks. The effects of PNS on the cardiac function index including the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), ejection fraction (EF), percentage of left ventricular systole (FS), mitral early diastolic flow velocity mouth (MV), and heart rate (HR) were observed, and the changes in TNF-alpha and MMP-2 expression were detected after post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodeling. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, PNS at the medium and high doses produced significant improvements in the EF, FS and MV of the rats (P<0.01 or 0.05). TNF-alpha and MMP-2 expressions were significantly decreased by PNS treatment at low, medium and high doses (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: PNS can inhibit or reduce the expression of TNF-alpha and MMP-2, thereby enhancing left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions, decreasing peripheral resistance, and improving the cardiac function of rats with post-myocardial infarction left ventricular remodeling.

[Effects of Chansu injection on transplanting-tumor models S180 in mice and human colon cancer HT-29 in nude mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the antitumor effects of Chansu injection on transplanting- tumor of S(180 ) in mice and human colon cancer HT-29 in nude mice. METHODS: Using transplanting- tumor models of S(180 ) in mice and human colon cancer HT-29 in nude mice,the tumor inhibitive ratio(IR) of Chansu injection was determined and apoptosis was microscopically observed. RESULTS: Compared with tumor-negative control groups, IR at different dosage of Chansu in models of S(180) and HT-29 was 19.1% - 38.2% and 9.5% - 15.8% respectively,there was a dose-dependent relationship in models of S ( 180) (P< 0.05) and HT- 29 (P> 0.05). The tumor growth was markedly inhibited by cyclophosphamide (CTX) in model of S( 180) with IR of 70.7% and in model of HT-29 with IR of 67.1%, compared with control groups, both P< 0.01; apoptosis induced by CTX was markedly observed by in microscope examination. No significant side effects were shown in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Chansu injection can significantly inhibit tumor growth in model of S(180), but not in model of HT- 29. Different type of tumor has different drug-sensitivity.