Hypoglycemic Effect of Radix Et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae,Guixi Green Tea and Their Compatibility on Mice

[Objectives]To explore the hypoglycemic effect of Radix Et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae,Guixi green tea and their compatibility on mice,so as to provide more options for the adjuvant treatment of diabetes and improve the comprehensive utilization value of Guixi green tea.[Methods]After being fed adaptively for 7 d,60 SPF-grade male mice were intraperitoneally injected with alloxouracil(180 mg/kg)to induce hyperglycemia model,from which 35 mice with a successful model were selected.They were randomly divided into 5 groups(Danshen group,green tea group,compatible group,positive control group and blank control group),with 7 animals in each group.The mice in all groups were administered according to the dose of 200 mg/kg once a day for 15 d.After the last administration,their body weight was measured on the 15 th day after fasting for 12 h,and their fasting blood glucose was measured by tail clipping.[Results]After modeling,the mice in each group showed typical hyperglycemia symptoms,namely obvious polydipsia,polyphagia,polyuria and weight loss.Compared with the blank control group,Danshen group and green tea group had obvious hypoglycemic effect(P<0.05),and compatible group had significant hypoglycemic effect(P<0.01).Compared with the blank control group,the weight loss of diabetic mice could also be inhibited in green tea group and compatible group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Danshen,Guixi green tea and their compatibility had the effect of lowering blood sugar,among which the compatible group had the most obvious effect.

Study on Tanshinone Extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. Dregs

[Objective]The aim was to extract tanshinone from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. dregs and to determine tanshinone components. [Method]Organic solvent method was adopted to extract tanshinone from S. miltiorrhiza dregs and TLC was used to determine the optimum extraction solvent. The components of tanshinone were measured with HPLC. [Result]Ether was the best solvent to extract tanshinone from S. miltiorrhiza dregs. After water immersion,dry dregs of S. miltiorrhiza and Panax notoginseng were extracted with ethanol to obtain fat-soluble extracts. Then with ether as the solvent for Soxhlet extraction,the yield of crude tanshinone was 2.17%. The HPLC detection showed that the contents of tanshinone Ⅱ A,methylene tanshinquinone,cryptotanshinone,tanshinone Ⅰ were 3.62%,1.02%,2.56%,2.75% respectively. [Conclusion]The components of tanshinone in S. miltiorrhiza dregs were basically the same as tanshinone in medicine S. miltiorrhiza. S. miltiorrhiza dregs could be used as a kind of tanshinone resource,which has the value of development and utilization.

Investigation on Genetic Characteristics of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. by Using cpSSR Technology

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the genetic characteristics of Salvia miltiorrhiza by using cpSSR （chloroplast microsatellites） molecular marker method. [Method] Twelve pairs of SSR primers with ideal cpSSR amplification result, good repeatability and clear amplification bands were selected for cpSSR detection and analysis of S. miltiorrhiza samples from 31 sampling locations in 25 counties of 8 provinces in China. [Result] S. miltiorrhiza shows an overall medium level in the cytoplasmic inheritance （cpSSR） and varying degrees of differences in the regions. Based on Shannon’s Information index （I） and Nei’s genetic diversity index, the cytoplasmic genetic diversity in different provinces shows a decreasing order of Shanxi, Henan, Shandong, Hebei, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Anhui. Genetic variations of S. miltiorrhiza in eight provinces were found mainly among populations. Gene flow among populations with in a province is less than that among different provinces. [Conclusion] Comprehensive analysis shows that S. miltiorrhiza cultivated in genuine producing areas and traditional main producing areas are mainly introduced from the local before introduction of some foreign germplasm resources during cultivation. The exchange of S. miltiorrhiza germplasm resources exists very early among genuine producing areas such as Sichuan, Shandong and Henan, while S. miltiorrhiza germplasm resources in new producing areas are mainly introduced from genuine producing areas. However, no geographical correlation was observed in the genetic differentiation, which further reveals that there is a wide range of genetic exchange among S. miltiorrhiza germplasm resources in China, resulting from the artificial introduction from allopatry.

Effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba on neuronal regeneration following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

BACKGROUND： Subsequent to cerebral ischemic injury, endogenous neural stem cells are activated, but ischemia-induced neuronal loss is not compensated by ischemic injury-induced neural regeneration. Salvia （S.） miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba （Baihua Danshen, a Chinese herbal medicine） could enhance learning and memory functions, as well as promote neural regeneration. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of S. miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba on recovery from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the influence on neuronal regeneration and differentiation. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled, animal experiments were performed at the Experimental Animal Center and Neurobiology Laboratory of Taishan Medical College in September of 2006. MATERIALS： S. miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba was provided by Taishan Medical College Botanic Garden, Taian, China; dl-3n-butylphthalide （NBP） soft capsule was purchased from NBP Pharmaceutical, Shijiazhuang, China; mouse anti-bromodeoxyuridine antibody, rabbit anti-NF200 antibody, and bromodeoxyuridine were purchased from Sigma, Louis, MO, USA; Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/PI apoptosis kit was purchased from Nanjing Comissariado Biological Technology Development, Nanjing, China. METHODS： Adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham surgery, model （cerebral ischemia and reperfusion, without administration）, S. miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba, and NBP groups. Following establishment of the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model, S. miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba or NBP （1 mL/100 g） was respectively perfused at 30 minutes following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Alterations in cerebral blood flow before and after ischemia/reperfusion, NF200- and bromodeoxyuridine-double positive cells in striatum of affected tissues, as well as neuronal apoptosis rate at days 5 and 7 following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. RESULTS： Subsequent to cerebral ischemia reperfusion, cerebral blood flow was reduced. Following treatment with S. miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba, cerebral blood flow significantly increased （P 〈 0.05）. NBP treatment was inferior to S. miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba with regard to stabilization of cerebral blood flow （P 〈 0.05）. S. miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba significantly increased the number of newly formed neurons in rats following cerebral ischemia （P 〈 0.05） and significantly reduced neuronal apoptosis （P 〈 0.05）, with no significant difference compared with NBP treatment （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： S. miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba significantly increased cerebral blood flow, reduced neuronal apoptosis, and promoted neuronal regeneration in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion impairment.

Visualizing the spatial distribution and alteration of metabolites in continuously cropped Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge using MALDI-MSI

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge(SMB)has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.Growing clinical usage has led to a huge demand for artificial planting of SMB.Thus,continuous cropping of SMB is an important challenge that needs to be addressed.Continuous cropping can alter the metabolic profile of plants,resulting in poor growth and low yield.In this study,we tried to image the spatial location and variation of endogenous metabolites in continuously cropped SMB using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging(MALDIMSI).Spatially resolved expressions of tanshinones,salvianolic acids,polyamines,phenolic acids,amino acids,and oligosaccharides in normal and continuously cropped SMB roots were compared.The expressions of dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ,tanshinone Ⅱ A,dehydromiltirone,miltirone,dehydrotanshinone ⅡA,spermine,salvianolic acid B/E,tetrasaccharide,and pentasaccharide in continuously cropped SMB roots were much lower than those in normal roots.There was little difference in the expressions of caffeic acid and salvianolic acid A in normal and continuously cropped SMB roots.Ferulic acid was more widely distributed in xylem of normal SMB but strongly expressed in xylem,phloem,and cambium of continuously cropped SMB.The spatially resolved metabolite information enhances our understanding of the metabolic signature of continuously cropped SMB and also provides insights into the metabolic effects of continuous cropping in other plants.

Progress in research into the mechanism of Radix salviae miltiorrhizae in treatment of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common acute abdomen with high mortality, multiple complications and complicated causes. There is no effective therapy for AP. Radix salviae miltiorrhizae (Danshen), a traditional herbal medicine, has a low price and a wide range of clinical applications. It is effective to promote blood flow, eliminate stagnancy, and relieve pain. It is also found to be effective in treating AP. We reviewed the progress in research into the mechanism of Radix salviae miltiorrhizae in treatment of AP. DATA SOURCES: An english-language literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1988-2005) on Radix salviae miltiorrhizae (Danshen) and acute pancreatitis. RESULTS: The mechanisms of Danshen in the treatment of AP include improvement of microcirculatory disturbances; elimination of oxygen free radicals; modulation of the metabolism of lipid inflammatory mediator; and blocking of calcium inflow and prevention of calcium overload.CONCLUSION: Danshen can effectively reduce the mortality and complications of AP.

Experimental Study on the Preventive Mechanism of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Against Atherosclerosis in Rabbits Models

Summary: The preventive mechanism of salviae miltiorrhizae (SM) against experimental atherosclerosis (AS) in rabbits models was investigated. The experimental AS rabbit models were reproduced by feeding the high cholesterol diet. The changes of atherosclerotic plaques in normal group, model group and SM treated group were observed. The levels of serum TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C were determined. The immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2, Bax and IL-6 proteins in atherosclerotic plaques. The results showed that the level of serum TG in SM treated group was significantly lower than in model group (P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the expression of Bcl-2, Bax and IL-6 in model group was significantly higher than in normal group. In the SM group, the expression of Bcl-2 protein was up-regulated and that of Bax was down-regulated. It was suggested that SM could inhibit formation of AS in experimental rabbits. To decrease the expression of Bax and increase the expression of Bcl-2 protein may be one of the mechanisms of SM against atherosclerosis.

Effect of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and the Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The effects of salvia miltiorrhiza Bge (SMB) on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the left ventricle of spontaneously hypertensive rats and the action mechanism were investigated. Normal Wistar-kyoto (WKY) rats were used as negative control, and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomly assigned to receive pla- cebo or SMB. SMB (1 g/kg·d) was injected intraperitoneally for 12 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were measured. HE, VG and immunohistochemical staining combined with computed morphometry were employed to evaluate the cardiomyocyte size, diameter, the collagen volume fraction (CVF), perivascular circumferential area (PVCA), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in the left ventricular tissue. The results showed, as compared with WKY rats, the SBP, LVMI, cardiomyocyte size, diameter, CVF, PCVA, and TNF-α expression were increased markedly in the 20-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats. SMB decreased LVMI (P<0.01), size of cardiomyocytes (P<0.01), collagen volume fraction (P<0.01), perivascular circum- ferential area (P<0.01), and TNF-α expression (P<0.01), but had no effect on SBP (P>0.05). It was suggested that chronic administration of SMB could inhibit and reverse the development of LVH in spontaneously hypertensive rats independent of BP. TNF-α may be involved in the reversal mecha- nism of LVH by SMB.

Gastric mucosal injury due to hemorrhagic reperfusion and efficacy of Salvia miltiorrhizae extract F and cimetidine

AIM: To observe the gastric mucosal injury caused by hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion and to compare the effect between Salvia miltiorrhizae extract F (SEF) and cimetidine (CI) on it. METHODS: A model of hemorrhage/reperfusion injury was produced by Itoh method. Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: 0.9% sodium chloride treatment group (NS group), SEF treatment group (SEF group), and CI treatment group (CI group). Saline, SEF and CI were injected respectively. The index of gastric mucosal lesions (IGML) was expressed as the percentage of lesion area in the gastric mucosa. The degree of gastric mucosal lesions was categorized into grades 0, 1, 2, 3. Atom absorption method was used to measure the intracellular calcium content. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure the concentrations of prostaglandins. RESULTS: IGML (%) and grade 3 (%) were 23.18±6.82, 58.44±9.07 in NS group, 4.42±1.39, 20.32±6.95 in SEF group and 3.74±1.56, 23.12±5.09 in CI group, and the above parameters in SEF group and CI group decreased significantly (IGML: SEF vs NS, t=6.712, P=0.000<0.01; CI vs NS, t=6.943, P=0.000<0.01; grade 3: SEF vs HS, t=8.386, P=0.000; CI vs HS, t=8.411, P= 0.000), but the grade 0 and grade 1 damage in SEF group (22.05±5.96, 34.12±8.12) and CI group (18.54±4.82, 30.15±7.12) were markedly higher than those in NS group (3.01±1.01, 8.35±1.95; grade 0: SEF vs HS, t=8.434, P=0.000<0.01; CI vs NS, t=7.950, P=0.000<0.01; grade 1: SEF vs NS, t =8.422, P=0.000<0.01; CI vs NS, t=8.448, P=0.000<0.01). The intracellular calcium content (μg/mg) in SEF group (0.104±0.015) and CI group (0.102±0.010) was markedly lower than that in NS group (0.131±0.019, SEF vs NS, t=2.463, P=0.038<0.05; CI vs HS, t=3.056, P=0.017<0.05). The levels (pg/mg) of PGE_2, 6-keto-PGF_(1α) and 6-keto-PGF_(1α)/TXB_2 were 540±183, 714±124,17.38±5.93 in NS group and 581±168, 737±102, 19.04±8.03 in CI group, 760±192,1 248±158, 33.42±9.24 in SEF group, and the above parameters in SEF group markedly raised (PGE_2: SEF vs NS, t=2.282, P=0.046<0.05; SEF vs CI, t=2.265, P=0.047<0.05; 6-keto-PGF_(1α): SEF vs NS, t=6.583, P=0.000<0.000; SEF vs CI, t=6.708, P=0.000<0.01; 6-keto-PGF_(1α)/TXB_2: SEF vs NS, t=3.963, P=0.003<0.001; SEF vs Cl, t=3.243, P=0.009<0.01), whereas TXB_2 level in SEF group (45.37±7.54) was obviously lower than that in NS group (58.28±6.74, t=3.086, P=0.014<0.05) and CI group (54.32±6.89, t=2.265, P=0.047<0.05). No significant difference was shown between NS group and CI group (PGE_2: t=0.414, P=0.688>0.05; 6-keto-PGF_(1α): t=0.310, P=0.763>0.05; TXB_2: t=1.099, P=0.298>0.05; 6-keto-PGF_(1α)/TXB_2: t=0.372, P=0.718>0.05). CONCLUSION: Both SEF and CI could inhibit reperfusioninduced injury in gastric mucosa, but with different mechanisms. SEF could not only enhance the protective effect of gastric mucosa, but also abate the injury factors, while CI can only abate the injury factors.

Salviae miltiorrhizae ameliorates cirrhosis and portal hypertension by inhibiting nitric oxide in cirrhotic rats

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Salviae miltiorrhizae on cirrhosis and portal hyperiension by inhibiting nitric oxide synthase type Ⅱ (NOSⅡ) in rats. METHODS: Real time RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of NOSII mRNA. The enzymatic activity of nitric oxide synthase and the circulating levels of nitric oxide (NO), systemic and portal hemodynamics, and quantification of cirrhosis were measured with highly sensitive methods. Traditional Chinese medicine was utilized to treat cirrhotic rats and the function of NO was evaluated. Double-blind method was applied in the experiment constantly. RESULTS: The concentration of NO increased markedly at all stages of cirrhosis, and so did the enzymatic activity of NOS, antl the iNOSmRNA expressed greatly. Meanwhile the portal-venous-pressure (PVP), portal-venous-now (PVF) increased significantly. NO, Nos and iNOSmHNA were positively correlated to the quanlity of hepatic fihrosis. Salviae Miltiorrhizae significantly inhibited NO production and inhibited the expression of iNOSmRNA. CONCLUSIONS: The increased hepatic expression of NoSIⅡ is one of the important factors causing cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Salviae Miltiorrhizae significantly ameliorates cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Clinical study of adjuvant therapy on ischemic stroke with salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine

Objective: To study the effect of adjuvant therapy with salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine injection on neural function injury, degree of oxidative stress reaction, chemotactic factor and adhesion molecule in patients with ischemic stroke. <br> Methods: Patients with ischemic stroke admitted in our hospital from August 2013 to October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into conventional treatment (CT) group receiving conventional treatment and traditional Chinese medicine auxiliary (TCMA) group receiving adjuvant therapy with salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine injection. After the treatment of the first month and the third month, serum was collected to detect the contents of nerve injury molecules, oxidative stress parameters, chemotactic factor and adhesion molecule. <br> Results: After the 4-week treatment, the contents of serum neuron specific enolase, S100 calcium-binding protein B, heart-type fatty acid binding protein, malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,CD40,CD40 ligand, vascular endothelial cadherin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 in patients ofTCMA group were all significantly lower than those of CT group, and the contents of superoxidase dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly higher than those of CT group. After the 8-week treatment, the contents of serum neuron specific enolase, S100 calcium-binding protein B, heart-type fatty acid binding protein, malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,CD40, CD40 ligand, vascular endothelial cadherin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 in patients ofTCMA group were all significantly lower than those of CT group and the contents of superoxidase dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly higher than those of CT group. <br> Conclusions: Adjuvant therapy with salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine injection can alleviate the neural function injury, inhibit oxidative stress reaction and the generation of chemotactic factor and adhesion molecule in patients with ischemic stroke, which is an effective medicine for treating ischemic stroke.

Molecular Identification of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. and Its Adulterants Based on ITS2 Sequences

[ Objectives] The study was conducted to investigate the molecular identification of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. and its adulterants by DNA barcoding andspecific primer PCR. [ Methods] With ITS2 sequenceas DNA barcode, the materials were amplified by PCR and sequenced, and the NJ phylogenetic tree was constructed. The secondary structure of ITS2 was predicted by database and its website established by Koetschan et al. , and the self-designed primers were used to carry out specific primer PCR identification. [Results] ITS2 sequence length was around 470 bp. The results of cluster analysis showed that S. miltiorrhiza Bge. and its adulterants were clustered on different branches and showed monophyly. The comparison of secondary structure showed that S. miltiorrhiza Bge. had little differences from S. przewalskii, while there were significant differences from A. lappa in the number, size and location of stem-loop and the rotation angle of the spiral arm from the central ring. The specific primers could distinguish the S. miltiorrhiza Bge. and its counterfeits by PCR technique. [Conclusions] DNA barcoding and specific primer PCR are effective in distinguishing S. miltiorrhiza Bge. and its adulterants, and it has an important application foreground in the identification of Chinese herbal medicines.

Effect of salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine hydrochloride injection on axonal regeneration and nerve growth factor expression in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury

BACKGROUND： Studies have shown that both salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine can promote protein expression of nerve growth factor （NGF） and regeneration of peripheral nerve. OBJECTIVE： To verify the effect of salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine hydrochloride injection on axonal regeneration and NGF protein expression in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Institute of Bioengineering of Jinan University from July to December 2008. MATERIALS： Salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine hydrochloride injection （containing 20 mg salviae miJtiorrhizae and 100 mg ligustrazine per 100 mL injection） was provided by Guizhou Baite Pharmaceutical, China; salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine decoctions （containing 1 g raw drug per 1 mL decoction） were provided by Guangzhou Baiyunshan Factory for Traditional Chinese Medicine, China; rabbit-anti-rat NGF monoclonal antibody was provided by Beijing Biosynthesis Biotechnology, China. METHODS： A total of 80 healthy, male, Sprague Dawley rats were used to establish a sciatic nerve injury model via neurotomy, and were then randomly assigned to 4 groups： salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine hydrochloride injection group （intraperitoneal injection of 35 mL/kg per day salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine hydrochloride injection）, saIviae miltiorrhizae group （intragastric peffusion of 2 mL salviae miltiorrhizae）, ligustrazine group （intragastric peffusion of 2 mL ligustrazine）, and model group （intraperitoneal injection of 35 mL/kg per day saline）, with 20 rats in each group. Thereafter, rats in each group were then divided into 4 subgroups according to varying time points of 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-surgery, with 5 rats in each subgroup. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Axons were quantified using chromotrope 2R-brilliant green and silver staining combined with image analysis to calculate the axonal regeneration rate; NGF expression was detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis; toe interspace was measured by behavior at 4 and 8 weeks. RESULTS： With increasing time after sciatic nerve expression, and toe interspace gradually increased njury, the axonal regeneration rate, NGF protein At 4 and 8 weeks post-surgery, axonal regeneration rate and NGF protein expression were significantly increased in the injured tissue of the salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine hydrochloride injection, salviae miltiorrhizae, and ligustrazine groups, compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）, and toe interspace was remarkably enlarged （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）, especially in the salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine hydrochloride injection group. CONCLUSION： Salviae miltiorrhizae and ligustrazine hydrochloride injection promoted axonal regeneration and NGF protein expression in the injured sciatic nerve, and also enhanced neurofunctional recovery. Its effect was superior to salviae miltiorrhizae or ligustrazine alone.

Effects of salvia miltiorrhiza bge on myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats

Objective: To study the effects of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge (SMB) on myocardial fibrosis in hypertension in rats. Methods: Normal Wistar kyoto rats served as negative control (group A) . The rats with hypertension were divided into 2 groups: the hypertension group (group B) which served as the positive control and the SMB-treated hypertension group (group C). The effects of SMB on the systolic pressure, the myocardial content of aldosterone (ALD) and nitric oxide (NO) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the myocardium were detected. Results: The systolic pressure of the rats of group C showed no marked change after the administration of SMB and showed no difference from that of the rats of group B. The content of collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ of the left ventricle, the collagen Ⅰ /collagen Ⅲ ratio and the content-of ALD were lower in group C than in group B and higher in group C than in group A. The content of NO and the activity of SOD in the myocardium were higher in group C than in group B and lower in group C than in group A. Conclusion: It was concluded that SMB was able to prevent or reverse the progress of myocardial fibrosis resulting from hypertension. The mechanism of this effect of SMB might be due to the fact that SMB can decrease the collagen synthesis and ALD content and increase collagen decomposition, NO content and SOD activity in the myocardium.

Protective effect and possible mechanisms of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies

Objective:To explore the protective effect and potential mechanisms of danshen root(Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.,S.miltiorrhiza) and its extracts for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods:Preclinical studies of S.miltiorrhiza and its extracts on DN were systematically searched in nine databases.The primary outcomes were blood glucose,kidney function,proteinuria,and renal histopathology.The secondary outcomes included the related mechanisms.The methodological quality of animal studies was assessed based on the risk of bias tool of the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation(SYRCLE) for animal studies.Meta-analysis was performed using R software(version 4.1.2).Results:Twenty-nine animal experimental studies that met the eligibility criteria were included in this study.Compared to the control group,S.miltiorrhiza reduced the serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,24-h urine protein,24-h urine albumin,blood glucose,and kidney index(kidney weight/body weight),and alleviated renal pathological damage.In terms of the mechanism of action,compared to the control group,S.miltiorrhiza reduced the levels of transforming growth factor β1,collagen Ⅳ,malondialdehyde,tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin-6,and monocyte/macrophage(ED-1),and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase,glutathione peroxidase,nuclear factor E2-related factor 2,and heme oxygenase-1.Conclusion:The existing evidence shows that S.miltiorrhiza has beneficial effects on the animal model of DN,and its mechanism is mainly related to improving kidney fibrosis,oxidative stress,and inflammatory response.

Effects of Lycii Fructus and Salviae Miltiorrhizae on the Syndrome of Deficiency with Blood Stasis in RCS(rdy-/-, p-/-) Rats with Retinitis Pigmentosa: An Intervention Study

Objective To investigate the effects of Lycii Fructus(LF,Gou Qi Zi,枸杞子)and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Ex Rhizoma(SM,Dan Shen,丹参)on the syndrome of deficiency with blood stasis in the RCS(rdy-/-,p-/-)rats with retinitis pigmentosa(RP).Methods A total of 32 RCS(rdy-/-,p-/-)rats were divided into 4 groups(equal amounts of female and male rats in each group):model group treated with 0.9%normal saline,LF group treated with LF formula granules,SM group treated with SM formula granules,and LF and SM(L·S)group treated with LF and SM formula granules.Eight RCS(rdy+/+,p+/+)rats(4 males and 4 females)were treated with 0.9%normal saline to serve as blank group.The contents of E2,PG,P-Selectin,plasma viscosity,whole blood relative index of the high shear rate and fibrinogen content in plasma,and the content of cAMP and cGMP in retinal homogenate were detected.The retina was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Results The contents of E2,PG,P-Selectin,plasma viscosity,whole blood relative index of the high shear rate,and fibrinogen content in the plasma of L·S group significantly differed from those of model group(P<0.01),but were similar to those of blank group.The contents of cAMP and cGMP in the retinal homogenate of L·S group significantly differed from those in model group(P<0.01)but were similar to those in blank group(P>0.05).Conclusions LF and SM can effectively treat retinitis pigmentosa by ameliorating the syndrome of deficiency with blood stasis.

Simultaneous Determination of Four Phenolic Acids in Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae Formula Granules by QAMS

[Objectives]This study aimed to establish a QAMS(quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker)method for simultaneous determination of four phenolic acids,salvianolic acid B,tanshinol,lithospermic acid and rosmarinic acid in Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae by HPLC and conduct methodological investigation.[Methods]Salvianolic acid B,with moderate retention time,good resolution,great response value and easy availability was selected as the internal standard,and the relative retention values and relative correction factors between tanshinol,rosmarinic acid,lithospermic acid and salvianolic acid B were established.The results of QAMS were compared with those of external standard method to verify the accuracy and applicability of QAMS.[Results]There were no significant differences between the calculated values of QAMS and the measured values of external standard method.The relative deviation was less than 3%,and the relative correction factors obtained from the experiment were credible.[Conclusions]QAMS can be used to determine the contents of phenolic acids in Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae formula granules.

The Inhibitory Effect of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae on Hypoxic Structural Remodeling of Intra－acinarPulmonary Arteries

The inhibitory effect of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM) on hypoxic structural remodeling of intra-acinar pulmonary arteries (IAPA) was observed by light and electron microscopy and morphometry. It was found that RSM can not only dilate IAPA and relieve the hypoxic injuries to endothelia cells,but also inhibit the active muscularization of IAPA in the hypoxic animals, suggesting that RSM plays a very important role in inhibiting structural remodeling of IAPA and pulmonary hypertension.

EFFECT OF RADIX SALVIAE MILTIORRHIZAE ON GROWTH OF ISOLATED CELLS FROM EMBRYONIC CHICKEN FRONTAL BONE CULTURED IN VITRO (A HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY) Ⅱ.THE DEVELOPMENT AND MATURATION OF OSTEOBLAST-LIKE CELLS

The isolated osteoblast-like cells from embryonic chicken frontal bone werecultured in vitro and histochemical methods adopted to observe the effect of RadixSalviac Miltiorrhizae (RSM) on proliferation, differentiation, and osteogenic capacity ofthese cells. It was found that: 1. The mitosis and proliferation of the osteoblast-like cellscould be accelerated by RSM, resulting in increased density of the cells in RSM groupas compared with the control. 2. After 48 h, the pseudopodia stretched out and drew backactively in osteoblast-like cells in RSM group. Small particles produced in the cells weresecreted through exocytosis to the extracellular medium. However, in the control group,the capacity to form and secrete these particles was limited. These particles showed posi-tive Alcian blue staining in Alcian blue-Sirius red reaction, so they were acidmucopolysaccharide particles. 3. The osteoblast-like cells could secrete vesicular particles 3micra in diameter. These vesicular particles could be stained with Alcian blue in earlystage, then they could be stained with Sirius red, and finally by Alizarin red S. Thesevesicular particles could aggregate and fuse around the cell colonies, forming bonenodules and bone flakes. The quantity and volume of the bone nodules and flakes inRSM group were larger than in the control group. 4. The bone nodules and flakes couldbe labeled vitally with tetracycline, and show strong yellow fluorescence under thefluorescence microscope. Therefore, these substances were the newly formed bone sub-stances.

EFFECT OF RADIX SALVIAE MILTIORRHIZAE ON THE PROCOAGULANT AND FIBRINOLYTIC ACTIVITIES INDUCED BY ENDOTOXIN-TREATED BOVINE ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

Effect of endotoxin, and endotoxin plus Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae （RSM） on bovine aortic endothelial cells （BAECs） for the production of tissue factor （TF）, plasminogen activator （PA） and plasminogen activator inhibitor （PAI） activities as well as prostacyclin （PGI2） content were studied. Stimulation of BAECs with endotoxin （1 μg/ ml） increased the expression of cell surface TF activity, the secretions of PAI activity and PGI2 content. However, PA activity in endotoxin-treated groups didn’t change significantly in comparison with that of the control. RSM could stimulate the secretion of PA activity and prevent the increase in TF and PAI activities from endotoxin-treated BAECs. However, there was no significant difference in PGI2 production between endotoxin-and endotoxin+RSM-treated BAECs. These results indicated that increased procoagulant function and decreased fibrinolytic activity of endothelial cells （ECs） might be one of the mechanisms of DIC in gram-negative septicemia and RSM would be a very important thug in the prevention and the treatment of DIC in gram-negative sepsis.