Effects of traditional Chinese herbal medicine San-HuangXie-Xin-Tang on gastrointestinal motility in mice

AIM: To investigate the effects of San-Huang-Xie-XinTang(SHXXT), a herbal product used in traditional Chinese medicine, on gastrointestinal(GI) motility in mice.METHODS: The in vivo effects of SHXXT on GI motility were investigated by measuring the intestinal transit rates(ITRs) using Evans blue in normal mice and in mice with experimentally induced GI motility dysfunction(GMD).RESULTS: In normal ICR mice, ITRs were significantly and dose-dependently increased by SHXXT(0.1-1 g/kg). GMD was induced by injecting acetic acid or streptozotocin intraperitoneally. The ITRs of GMD mice were significantly reduced compared to normal mice, and these reductions were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by SHXXT(0.1-1 g/kg).CONCLUSION: These results suggest that SHXXT is a novel candidate for the development of a prokinetic agent that may prevent or alleviate GMD.

Effects of Lizhong Tang on cultured mouse small intestine interstitial cells of Cajal

AIM:To investigate the effects of Lizhong Tang,an herbal product used in traditional Chinese medicine,on mouse small intestine interstitial cells of Cajal(ICCs).METHODS:Enzymatic digestions were used to dissociate ICCs from mouse small intestine tissues.The ICCs were morphologically distinct from other cell types in culture and were identified using phase contrast microscopy after verification with anti c-kit antibody.A whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record potentials(current clamp) from cultured ICCs.All of the experiments were performed at 30-32 ℃.RESULTS:ICCs generated pacemaker potentials,and Lizhong Tang produced membrane depolarization in current-clamp mode.The application of flufenamic acid(a nonselective cation channel blocker) abolished the generation of pacemaker potentials by Lizhong Tang.Pretreatment with thapsigargin(a Ca 2+-ATPase inhibi-tor in the endoplasmic reticulum) also abolished the generation of pacemaker potentials by Lizhong Tang.However,pacemaker potentials were completely abolished in the presence of an external Ca 2+-free solution,and under this condition,Lizhong Tang induced membrane depolarizations.Furthermore,When GDPβ-S(1 mmol/L) was in the pipette solution,Lizhong Tang still induced membrane depolarizations.In addition,membrane depolarizations were not inhibited by chelerythrine or calphostin C,which are protein kinase C inhibitors,but were inhibited by U-73122,an active phospholipase C inhibitors.CONCLUSION:These results suggest that Lizhong Tang might affect gastrointestinal motility by modulating pacemaker activity in interstitial cells of Cajal.

Modulatory effects of the fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. on the function of atopic dermatitis-related calcium channels,Orai1 and TRPV3

Objective: To examine the effects of Tribulus terrestris L.(T. terrestris) extract on the modulation of calcium channels to evaluate its use in topical agents for treatment of atopic dermatitis.Methods: The 70% methanol extract of T. terrestris was prepared. Human HEK293 T cells with over-expressed calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1(Orai1),transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, or transient receptor potential vanilloid 3(TRPV3)were treated with T. terrestris extract. Modulation of ion channels was measured using a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique.Results: T. terrestris extract(100 mg/m L) significantly inhibited Orai1 activity in Orai1-stromal interaction molecule 1 co-overexpressed HEK293 T cells. In addition, T. terrestris extract significantly increased the TRPV3 activity compared with 2-Aminoethyl diphenylborinate(100 mmol/L), which induces the full activation of TRPV3.Conclusions: Our results suggest that T. terrestris extract may have a therapeutic potential for recovery of abnormal skin barrier pathologies in atopic dermatitis through modulating the activities of calcium ion channels, Orai1 and TRPV3. This is the first study to report the modulatory effect of a medicinal plant on the function of ion channels in skin barrier.

Comparative effects of artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa stimulating Zhongwan(CV 12) on body temperature in healthy participants:a cross-over single-blind randomized study

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy,safety,satisfaction,discomfort and patient preference of moxa cones of artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa.METHODS:This comparative study of moxibustion treatment with Artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa cone stimulating Zhongwan(CV 12) is a cross-over single-blinded,randomized clinical trial.A total of 40 healthy subjects(24 males and 16females) participated in this study.Two subjects dropped out of the trial.Thirty-eight subjects were treated with Artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa cones for 30 min in a cross-over design.After treatment,the patients underwent a 30 minute waiting period,and then the temperatures at Tanzhong(CV 17),Zhongwan(CV 12) and Guanyuan(CV 4) were measured using digital infrared thermal imaging.RESULTS:After the use of Artemisia vulgaris moxa,the patients' body temperatures were slightly lowered at Tanzhong(CV 17),Zhongwan(CV 12)and Guanyuan(CV 4),but the changes were not statistically significant.After the use of charcoal moxa,the patients' body temperatures were somewhat increased at Zhongwan(CV 12) and Guanyuan(CV 4),but the changes were not statistically significant.After Artemisia vulgaris moxa use,the body temperature difference between Zhongwan(CV 12) and Guanyuan(CV 4)was significantly increased.After charcoal moxa use,the body temperature difference between Tanzhong(CV 17) and Zhongwan(CV 12) was significantly decreased in males and in the whole group.This change was caused by the difference in the moxibustion type and by gender differences.CONCLUSION:This pilot study found that moxibustion did not raise the body temperature,but temperature differences between acupoints were affected.Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed for the effect of moxibustion on body temperature.