The Mechanism of Cornus officinalis Total Glycosides and Cornus Polysaccharide on Myocardial Protection in Rats with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective: To investigate effects of Cornus officinalis Total Glycosides (COTG) and Cornus Polysaccharide (CP) on myocardial protection and on expression of mitochondria biogenesis related gene of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats, Materials and Methods: Ninety-six SD rats of SPF level were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham operation group, model group, preventive treatment group, COTG treatment group, CP treatment group, and there were 12 cases in each one. By legating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery method, acute myocardial infarction model was established. The rat of sham operation group and model group was intragastric administered with physiological saline;other groups were given with corresponding drugs. The cardiac function, the myocardial infarct area, the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis genes such as PGC-1α, PGC-1β, NRF-1mRNA and GSK-3β mRNA, GSK-3β Protein Expression were analyzed. Results: The results revealed that compared with model group, myocardial infarction size, LVDs, LVDd, LVESV, LVEDP, and -dp/dt decreased;LVSP increased in preventive treatment group, COTG treatment group, and CP treatment group (p < 0.05);LVEDV increased in preventive treatment group (p < 0.05), PGC 1 alpha, and PGC 1 beta;the NRF-1 mRNA expression increased in preventive treatment group, COTG treatment group, and CP treatment group (p < 0.05). Compared with CP and COTG treatment group, PGClpha, beta PGC 1, the NRF-1 mRNA expression increased in preventive treatment group (p < 0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, GSK-3 beta mRNA and protein expression increased in model group, preventive treatment group, COTG treatment group, and CP treatment group (p < 0.05). Compared with model group, GSK-3 beta mRNA expression reduced in preventive treatment group, COTG treatment group, and CP treatment group (p Cornus officinalis total glycosides and Cornus polysaccharides can effectively protect myocardial mitochondria of acute myocardial infarction rats by activating GSK-3β signaling pathways, and reduce the myocardial infarct size, which has great significance for improving cardiac function.

The Effect of Cangfudaotan Tang on Expression of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (oatp4a1) in Rat Ovary and Uterus Tissues of Obese PCOS

Objective: The objective is to explore the effect of Cangfudaotan Tang on expression of organic anion transporting polypeptide (oatp4a1) in ovary and uterus tissues in rats with obese polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods: Poresky method and high fat diet were used to build obese PCOS rat models. The PCOS rat models were randomized into model control group, metformin group, the low dose Cangfudaotan Tang group and the high dose Cangfudaotan Tang group with 10 rats in each group. The metformin group was treated with metformin 43 mg/100g intragastric administration for two weeks, and the high dose Cangfudaotan Tang group and the low dose Cangfudaotan Tang group were given Cangfudaotan Tang 5.68 g/kg/d and 1.42 g/kg/d intragastric administration respectively for two weeks. Then the rats were anesthetized. Each rat was taken ovary and uterus tissues, and the expression of oatp4a1 Protein was detected in the tissues by using Western Blot techniques. The level of sex hormones as testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and luteinizing hormone (LH) and insulin resistance were detected by ELLISA techniques. Results: The expression of oatp4a1 in rat ovary and uterus tissue of model group was down-regulated compared to blank control group (p ≤ 0.05). The expression of oatp4a1 in ovary and uterus tissue of treatment group was up-regulated compared to model group (p < 0.05). The metformin group and the high does Cangfudaotan group were more apparent, while there was no statistical significance between the metformin group and the high dose Cangfudaotan group. Moreover, the model PCOS group had higher serum T, LH/FSH (p < 0.01) and lower E2 level (p < 0.01) compared to normal group. After treatment, serum T, LH (p < 0.01) and LH/FSH (P < 0.01) were decreased in metformin group and Cangfudaotan Tang group (p < 0.01) compared with those in PCOS model group. However, there was no significantly difference in serum T, LH, LH/FSH and E2 between metformin group and the high dose Cangfudaotan Tang group. Conclusion: The mechanism of Cangfudaotan Tang treatment of obese PCOS may be correlated to oatp4a1 by transportation and transformation of phlegmy dampness and regulating the levels of sex hormone.

Effects of Cornus Officinal Is Total Glycoside on Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis and Calcium Overload after Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury in Rats

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of Cornus officinalis Total Glycosides (COTG) on myocardial protection, by studying effects of COTG on cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation and calcium concentration in rats. Methods: The myocardial cells of born 1-3d SD rats were isolated by enzyme digestion, cultured for 3 days. Cells were divided into five groups: Control group, H/R group, Cornus officinalis Total Glycosides low-dose group (LDG), Cornus officinalis Total Glycosides middle-dose group (MDG) and Cornus officinalis Total Glycosides high-dose group (HDG). Three drug groups were pretreated with different doses of Cornus officinalis Total Glycosides before hypoxia/reoxygenation treatment. The apoptotic rate was determined by flow cytometry assay, the intracellular free calcium concentration was examined by flow cytometry, and the ultrastructure of myocardial cells was observed under transmission electron microscope. Results: The results revealed that Cornus officinalis Total Glycosides pretreatment decreased apoptosis rate, but the effect of lower dosage is not significant. Furthermore, Cornus officinalis Total Glycosides can attenuate mitochondrial calcium overload, improve mitochondrial morphology and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis caused by H/R. Conclusion: Cornus officinalis Total Glycosides pretreatment can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and calcium overload during H/R injury. However, the underlying mechanisms require us to further study.

Effects of Cangfudaotan Tang on Expression of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (oatp2b1) in Liver and Kidney Tissues of Rats with Phlegm Dampness Type Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Objective: To explore the effect of Cangfudaotan Tang on phlegm dampness type of PCOS and the role of oatp2b1 in transportation and transformation of phlegm dampness. Methods: 36 SD female rats were randomly divided into three groups: blank control group, model group and Cangfudaotan Tang group, 12 cases in each one. After PCOS rat models were made, rats of Cangfudaotan Tang group were treated with Cangfudaotan Tang (1.42 g/kg/d) by intragastric administration for 14 days;blank control and model group were given with isodose saline. The expression of oatp2b1 mRNA/Protein in liver and kidney tissues was measured and the level of testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone(LH), Serum total cholesterol (TG), Triacylglycerols (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were detected at the same time. Results: Compared with blank control group, the expression of oatp2b1 mRNA and the level of TC, TG, LDL, LH, FSH, T in model group were significantly increased (P < 0. 05), while the level of HDL was significantly decreased (P < 0. 05);compared with model group, the expression of oatp2b1 mRNA and the level of TC, TG, LDL in Cangfudaotan Tang group were significantly lowered (P < 0.05);the level of HDL was significantly higher;the oatp2b1 protein in kidney and liver tissues had different degrees of expression, while there was no statistical significance among the three groups. Conclusions: Oatp2b1 might be one of the material bases participating in transportation and transformation of phlegmy dampness. The mechanism of Cangfudaotan Tang treating phlegm dampness type of PCOS may be achieved by regulating the expression of oatp2b1.