BackgroundAsthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation, leading to structura1 changes in the airway, collectively termed airway remodeling. Airway remodeling is thought to contribute to airway hyper responsiveness and irreversible airflow limitation. The combination of Herba Epimedii (HE) and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) decoction and the systemic administration of glucocorticoids (GC) had a synergistic inhibitory action on airway inflammation in the asthmatic model rats. However, the effects of the combination on airway remodeling have not been studied and compared. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the co-administration of combined extracts of HE and FLL with inhaled GC (budesonide) on airway remodeling in the rat asthmatic model induced by ovalbumin (OVA).MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats were sensitized to intraperitoneal OVA followed by repetitive OVA challenge for 7 weeks. Treatments included extracts of HE and FLL (Extracts for short, 100 mg/kg by gastric perfusion), budesonide (1 mg budesonide suspension in 50 ml sterile physiological saline, 3 rats in an ultrasonic nebulizer by nebulized inhabation with a flow of 1.6 ml/min for 30 min), and co-administration of extracts of HE and FLL with budesonide (Co-administration for short) for 4 weeks. Lung histomorphometry and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell count were assessed 24 h after the final OVA challenge. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IgE were measured by ELISA. Expressions of Collagen I and Collagen III were tested by immunohistology. Expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF) -β1, TGF-β2 and Smads mRNA were measured by quantitative real-time PCR.ResultsExtracts, budesonide and Co-administration significantly reduced allergen-induced increases in the serum levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IgE, the number of eosinophils in BALF, goblet cell hyperplasia, Collagen III integral optical density (IOD) and the mRNA expression of TGF-β2 and Smad2. Extracts and Co-administration could depress the IOD level of Collagen I and the positive area of Collagen I and Collagen III. Budesonide and Co-administration significantly alleviated the thickening of airway wall. Only Co-administration significantly decreased collagen deposition according to the morphometry of Masson’s-stained lung sections, the thickening of airway smooth muscle layer, the number of lymphocytes in BALF and the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3, and this was associated with a significant increase in levels of Smad7 mRNA.ConclusionsThe findings suggested that the combination of budesonide and the herbal extracts had a better synergistic effect on airway remodeling in OVA-reduced asthma rats than the single use of budesonide.
BackgroundThe decoction combination of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi has been used to treat osteoporosis for almost 50 years by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. However, it is unclear what specific effects this combination of herbs has on the skeleton. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the combined extracts from Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi on the bone turnover and bone mineral content in a rat model of osteoporosis induced by retinoic acid.MethodsFifty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the normal control group, osteoporosis model group, or treatment groups in which osteoporosis was induced and then the combined extracts of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi were administered at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks via oral gavage. The rat osteoporosis model was induced by intragastric administration of 70 mg/kg/day of retinoic acid for 2 weeks. Bone turnover markers, bone biomechanical properties, and the calcium and phosphorus content of the right tibia and serum were measured.ResultsThe retinoic acid administration decreased the bone mass and the contents of calcium and phosphorus in the bone mineral, weakened the biomechanical properties, and increased bone turnover by stimulating bone resorption and collagen metabolism. Treatment with the combined extracts of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi significantly mitigated the effects of osteoporosis on the rats by decreasing bone metabolism, improving the bone mineral content, and increasing the biomechanical properties.ConclusionsThe results of this study highlight the anti-osteoporosis effects of the combined extracts of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi. These findings may contribute to the development of natural anti-osteoporosis herbal medicines.
The combination of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi has been used to treat osteoporosis for almost 50 years by Professor Shizeng Li, a famous doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, it is unclear whether the combination of the effective constituents of the two herbs may have a protective influence on the skeleton. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the combination extracts of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi on rat model of osteoporosis induced by retinoic acid by gavage. With administrations of the combination extracts of the two herbs (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day) via oral gavage for 3 weeks, bone mineral density (BMD), femur histomorphometry, some sex hormones, and sex hormone receptors were measured. Results showed that the combined extracts could increase BMD, affect bone histomorphometry, coordinate the sex hormones at the level of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis, and increase the protein and mRNA expressions of sex hormone receptors. The findings suggested that the combination extracts of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi might be beneficial as an alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
This study aimed to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms of active ingredients of Epimedii Folium (EF) and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (LLF) combined with Budesonide (Bun) in asthmatic rats. Rats were divided into 5 groups, including normal group, asthma model group, Bun group, group of active ingredients of EL and LLF (EL), and group of coadministration of Bun with EL (Bun&EL). The asthmatic model was prepared by ovalbumin sensitizing and challenging. Lymphocyte apoptosis, GR protein and binding, and the protein and mRNA of GRα, GRβ, and HSP90 were tested. The results showed that Bun&EL ① markedly increased lymphocyte apoptosis, GR and HSP90 protein, and GR binding in BALF and ② enhanced the expressions of GRα and HSP90 and the ratio of GRα to GRβ or to HSP90 both in protein and in mRNA levels in lung, ③ while decrease occurred in GRβ mRNA and the mRNA ratio of GRβ to HSP90 compared with asthma or Bun group. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between GRα and GRβ in protein level, or between GRα and HSP90 both in protein and in mRNA levels. EL may effectively enhance the sensitivity of asthmatic rats to Bun via balancing GR/HSP90. And these findings will be beneficial for the treatment of asthma in the future.
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