Effects of L.F04,the Active Fraction of Lycopus lucidus, on Erythrocytes Rheological Property

Objective: To study the effects of L.F04, the active fraction of Lycopus lucidus, on erythrocytes rheological property so as to investigate its mechanism in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Method: The effects of L.F04 (used for treatment for 10 days in different dosages) on deformability, aggregation and membrane liquidity of erythrocytes (MLE) as well as whole blood apparent viscosity (η_b) were examined on the basis of rat model of blood-stasis syndrome induced by venous injection of high molecular weight dextran. Result: As compared with the normal control group, the model group's RBC deformability and MLE were lower, and the aggregation of erythrocytes and η_b were higher. Compared with the model group, both L.F04 0.612g/kg and 0.306g/kg showed significant effect in improving deformability and inhibiting aggregation of red blood cells (RBC) and reducing blood viscosity. The trend of improving MLE was also shown. Conclusion: L.F04 could significantly improve the abnormal rheological property of erythrocytes.

Effect of Lycopus lucidus Turcz.supplementation on gut microflora and short chain fatty acid composition in Crj:CD-1 mice

We investigated the diversity and composition of microflora in feces of Lycopus lucidus Turcz.-fed mice.In addition,we evaluated the production of major cytokines(Interleukin-6 and-10)which are related to inflammation and fatty acid composition of several tissues.16S ribosomal DNA sequencing-based microbiome taxonomic profiling analysis was performed utilizing the EzBioCloud data base.Male mice fed on L.lucidus showed a significantly reduced number of lactic acid bacteria and coliform in the feces compared with the control group(p<0.05).16S rDNA sequencing analysis of fecal samples showed that L.lucidus supplementation decreased the community of harmful microflora(Enterobacteriaceae including Escherichia coli and Bacteroides sp.)in feces compared with the control group(p<0.05).There were no significant differences in mRNA expression of cytokine IL-6 and IL-10 between the control and L.lucidus fed groups.The fecal fatty acid composition in the L.lucidus group had percentages of 4:0,6:0,8:0 and 10:0 in the intestine but those short chain fatty acids were not detected in the control group.Our results showed that L.lucidus supplementation influenced gut environment by decreasing harmful microflora and increased the percentages of several short fatty acids.