Effects of total iridoid glycosides of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis rats induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet through regulation of lipid metabolism

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of total iridoid glycosides of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora(TIGP)on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH).Methods:SD rats were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet for 8 weeks to establish NASH.TIGP were given orally at doses of 20,40 and 80 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks.Triglycerides assay(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),fasting plasma glucose(FPG),fasting insulin(FINS),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),chemokine-1(MCP-1),leptin(LEP)in serum were tested.TG,TC,superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),and free fatty acid(FFA)in liver tissue were determined by colorimetric methods.Steatosis of hepatocytes and inflammation was performed by pathological examination.Results:The results showed that TIGP significantly decreased TC,TG and FFA in liver tissue,increased SOD activity,decreased MDA content,decreased serum levels of TG,TC,HDL-C/LDL-C,ALT,AST,GLU,HOMA-IR,TNF-αand LEP,and in addition,improved steatosis of liver cells compared to NASH.Conclusion:TIGP had anti-fatty liver effect against NASH rats induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet.Its mechanism was related to the regulation of lipid metabolism and reduction of insulin resistance,through inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Effects of Puerarin on Experimental Model of Retinal Vein Occlusion in Rats

Objective To establish a model of retinal vein occlusion（RVO）in rats and to study the effect of puerarin on ischemic retinal disease and the corresponding mechanism.Methods RVO was induced in 10 adult male Sprague-Dawley（SD）rats by laser photothrombosis.Retinal blood flow was examined before and after 1 h of the operation,and model rats with the retinal vein blood flow decreasing by 50%compared to the basic value were chosen and then puerarins（20,40,and 80 mg/kg）were given.The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF）,interleukin-1β（IL-1β）,and nitric oxide（NO）were analyzed.In addition,the histopathology of RVO-eyes was performed.Results RVO-eyes displayed the signs of retinal damage and ischemia on Doppler Flowmeter and histopathology.Puerarin（20,40,and 80 mg/kg）increased blood flow by 9.3%（P〈0.05）,33.1%（P〈0.001）,and 41.5%（P〈0.001）,respectively.On the other hand,the histological changes were less severe at different degrees,relieving the symptoms such as edematous and thick neuroretinal layers,lax,edematous,and disorganized optic fibers layers,swollen and confused inner and outer nuclear layer.Besides,dose-dependent decrease of VEGF and IL-1βand increase of NO in vitreous fluid were observed,with respect to the model group.Conclusion A rat model of laser photochemical-induced RVO is established and a decrease in the retinal blood flow and histological damage is detected.The puerarin has therapeutic benefit in the rat model of RVO,through the pathway of neovascularization,anti-inflammation,and increase of NO.

Effect of Chinese Patent Medicine Naodesheng against Repeated Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia in Mice

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and possible mechanisms of Chinese ptent medicine Naodesheng（NDS） on repeated transient global cerebral ischemia（GCI） in mice. Methods The repeated transient GCI mice were induced by bilateral carotid arteries ligation, and were randomly divided into model group, Sham group without arteries ligation, NDS groups（1.25 and 2.5 g/kg） and positive control（vinpocetine 3.1 mg/kg, VP） group. After oral administration once daily for successive 7 d, the transient GCI was induced. The degree of neurological deficit, histological changes, and neurons loss in the hippocampus were evaluated. In order to investigate the possible mechanisms, the oxidative stress and inflammatory factor were measured after 24 h of GCI. Comparison among multiple groups was performed with one-way analysis of variance（ANOVA）. Results NDS could significantly alleviate the neurological function impairment, histological injury, and neurons loss, increase the superoxide dismutase（SOD） activity, decrease the content of malondialdehyde（MDA）, and reduce inflammatory factor in the ischemic brain tissue. Conclusion NDS could significantly reduce brain injury induced by global ischemia, and its mechanism is closely associated with anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation.

Neuroprotective effect of Sanqi Tongshuan Tablets on sequelae post-stroke in rats

Objective: To identify the therapeutic effect and possible mechanisms of Chinese medicine Sanqi Tongshuan Tablets(SQTS) on sequelae post-stroke in rats.Methods: The rat cerebral ischemia sequelae post-stroke models were successfully induced by blocking the middle cerebral artery with electric coagulator after the seventh week and balance beam test ≤ 4. The rats were then received with SQTS(0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg) and Naodesheng(NDS, 1.24 g/kg), Vinpocetine(VP,1.55 mg/kg) for 30 d. The beam-walking test and shuttle test were performed before and after 10, 20, and 30 d of administration. In addition, histopathology changes and GAP-43, GFAP were measured by H&E staining and immunohistochemisty.Results: The model displayed signs of brain damage on motor function, learning and memory function and histopathology. After 30 d of treatment, SQTS at different doses(0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg) restored the beam-walking scores by 21.7%(P > 0.05), 30.4%(P > 0.05), and 39.1%(P < 0.05); Decreased electric shock by 35.0%(P > 0.05), 50.0%(P > 0.05), and 75.0%(P < 0.05), respectively. On the other hand, the histological changes were less severe and the GAP-43 expression increased in hippocampal CA1 and cortical region.Conclusion: SQTS showed therapeutic benefits on sequelae post-stroke in rats, which might be through the pathway of regeneration or neuroplasticity.