Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Da-Cheng-Qi decoction in the liver of rats with severe acute pancreatitis

AIM To explore the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Da-Cheng-Qi decoction(DCQD) in the liver of rats with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) based on an herbal recipe tissue pharmacology hypothesis.METHODS Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group(SOG); a model group(MG); and low-, median- and high-dose treatment groups(LDG, MDG, and HDG, respectively). Different dosages(6, 12 and 24 g/kg for the LDG, MDG, and HDG, respectively) of DCQD were administered to the rats with SAP. The tissue concentrations of aloeemodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, honokiol, rheo chrysophanol, magnolol, hesperidin, naringenin and naringin in the liver of the treated rats were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Alanine transaminase(ALT) and aspartate transaminase(AST) in serum, inflammatory mediators in the liver and pathological scores were evaluated.RESULTS The major components of DCQD were detected in the liver, and their concentrations increased dosedependently. The high dose of DCQD showed a maximal effect in ameliorating the pathological damages, decreasing the pro-inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin(IL)-6 and increasing anti-inflammatory mediators IL-4 and IL-10 in the liver. The pathological scores in the pancreas for the MG were significantly higher than those for the SOG(P < 0.05). DCQD could reduce the pathological scores in the pancreas and liver of the rats with SAP, especially in the HDG. Compared to the SOG, the ALT and AST levels in serum were higher in the MG(P < 0.05), while there was no statistical difference in the MG and HDG.CONCLUSION DCQD could alleviate liver damage by altering the inflammatory response in rats with SAP based on the liver distribution of its components.

Optimal timing for the oral administration of DaCheng-Qi decoction based on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic targeting of the pancreas in rats with acute pancreatitis

AIM To identify the optimal oral dosing time of Da-Cheng-Qi decoction(DCQD) in rats with acute pancreatitis(AP) based on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters.METHODS First, 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a sham-operated group [NG(a)] and three model groups [4 h G(a), 12 h G(a) and 24 h G(a)]. The NG(a) and model groups were administered DCQD(10 g/kg.BW) intragastrically at 4 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h, respectively, after AP models induced by 3% sodium taurocholate. Plasma samples were collected from the tails at 10 min, 20 min, 40 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h and 24 h after a single dosing with DCQD. Plasma and pancreatic tissue concentrations of the major components of DCQD were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy. The pharmacokinetic parameters and serum amylase were detected and compared. Second, rats were divided into a sham-operated group [NG(b)] and three treatment groups [4 h G(b), 12 h G(b) and 24 h G(b)] with three corresponding control groups [MG(b)s]. Blood and pancreatic tissues were collected 24 h after a single dosing with DCQD. Serum amylase, inflammatory cytokines and pathological scores of pancreatic tissues were detected and compared.RESULTS The concentrations of emodin, naringin, honokiol, naringenin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol and rheochrysidin in the 12 h G(a) group were higher than those in the 4 h G(a) group in the pancreatic tissues(P < 0.05). The area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to the time of the last measurable concentration values(AUC0→t) for rhein, chrysophanol, magnolol and naringin in the 12 h G(a) group were larger than those in the 4 h G(a) or 24 h G(a) groups. The 12 h G(a) group had a higher Cmax than the other two model groups. The IL-10 levels in the 12 h G(b) and 24 h G(b) groups were higher than in the MG(b)s(96.55 ± 7.84 vs 77.46 ± 7.42, 251.22 ± 16.15 vs 99.72 ± 4.7 respectively, P < 0.05), while in the 24 h G(b) group, the IL-10 level was higher than in the other two treatment groups(251.22 ± 16.15 vs 154.41 ± 12.09/96.55 ± 7.84, P < 0.05). The IL-6 levels displayed a decrease in the 4 h G(b) and 12 h G(b) groups compared to theMG(b)s(89.99 ± 4.61 vs 147.91 ± 4.36, 90.82 ± 5.34 vs 171.44 ± 13.43, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Late-time dosing may have higher concentrations of the most major components of DCQD, with better pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antiinflammation than early-time dosing, which showed the late time to be the optimal dosing time of DCQD for AP.

Therapeutic Effect of Chinese Herbal Ointment Liu-He-Dan in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis

INTRODUCTION Severe acute pancreatitis (AP) remains a challenge in clinical practice,and there are no internationally agreed specific therapies,Severe AP typically presents with epigastric pain,abdominal distention,vomiting,and constipation at the early stage and is similar to the Yangming-Fushi syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).The Chinese herbal ointment Liu-He-Dan (LHD) has been adapted for the treatment of AP with Yangming-Fushi syndrome externally on belly for many years in our hospital.However,the potential mechanism of LHD in the treatment of severeAP has not been elucidated.