Anti-apoptotic effect of banhasasim-tang on chronic acid reflux esophagitis

AIM To evaluate the anti-apoptotic effect of banhasasimtang(BHSST) on chronic acid reflux esophagitis(CARE) using a rat model.METHODS A surgically-induced CARE model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats. The modeled rats were divided into a treatment group or untreated group, and given BHSST(1 g/kg body weight per day) or water, respectively, for 15 consecutive days(n = 7 each group). Changes in expression of proteins related to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH) oxidase and apoptosis were assessed by western blotting. Changes in esophageal pathology were analyzed by gross and histological examinations.RESULTS The CARE exposure modeled rats showed increased levels of the NADPH oxidase subunit, NOX4 and p47 phox in the esophagus. The BHSST treatment completely resolved these CARE-related increases. The CARE rats also showed markers of cytokine stress, including elevated levels of TNF-α and reactive oxygen species as well as of the consequent increase in JNK activation, and subsequent decrease in pro-survival gene expression, such as of Bcl-2. BHSST treatment resolved the CARE-related changes. BHSST also exerted an antiapoptotic effect, as evidenced by altered expression of the apoptosis-related genes for bax, cytochrome c,and caspase 3. Finally, the BHSST treatment markedly ameliorated the CARE-related esophageal mucosal ulcerations. CONCLUSION In the rat model of CARE, BHSST can suppress development of esophageal mucosal ulceration via regulation of reactive oxygen species-dependent apoptosis.

Taraxacum offlcinale protects against cholecystokinin-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

AIM: Taraxacum officinale (TO) has been frequently used as a remedy for inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TO on cholecystokinin (CCK)-octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis in rats.METHODS: TO at 10 mg/kg was orally administered, followed by 75 μg/kg CCK octapeptide injected subcutaneously three times after 1, 3 and 5 h. This whole procedure was repeated for 5 d. We determined the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, the levels of pancreatic HSP60 and HSP72, and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Repeated CCK octapeptide treatment resulted in typical laboratory and morphological changes of experimentally-induced pancreatitis.RESULTS: TO significantly decreased the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio in CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis. TO also increased the pancreatic levels of HSP60 and HSP72. Additionally, the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α decreased in the animals treated with TO.CONCLUSION: TO may have a protective effect against CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis.

Bawu Decoction(八物汤) Ameliorates Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats

Objective：To evaluate the efficacy of Bawu Decoction（八物汤,BWD,Palmul-tang in Korean）against benign prostatic hyperplasia（BPH）.Methods：Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups,with 6 rats in each group.The 4 study groups included sham-operated group（CON）,BPH model group,finasteride-treated group,and BWD-treated group.All the groups except CON group received a subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/kg of testosterone,while CON group received saline.Finasteride at a dose of 5 mg/kg was administered to the finasteride-treated group for a period of 4 weeks.BWD group received BWD at a dose of 200 mg/kg for 4 weeks.The prostatic weight,prostate weight to body weight ratio,relative prostate weight ratio,serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone（DHT）level,and histological analysis of prostatic tissue were analyzed.Results：Compared to BPH model group,BWD administration was associated with reductions in prostatic weight,prostate and relative prostate weight ratio weight to body weight ratio（P〈0.05）.The concentration of serum testosterone and DHT were higher in BPH group compared with CON group（P〈0.05）.Administration of finasteride and BWD suppressed the elevation of serum testosterone and DHT levels significantly（both P〈0.05）.In addition,BWD suppressed the growth of prostatic tissue（P〈0.05）.Conclusion：BWD has suppressant effects on development of BPH through inhibition of serum testosterone and DHT.