Gosha‐jinki‐gan reduces transmitter proteins and sensory receptors associated with C fiber activation induced by acetic acid in rat urinary bladder

Abstract

Aims: We determined if Gosha-jinki-gan, a traditional Chinese herbal mixture, reduced the presence of the tachykinins neurokinin A, neurokinin B, and substance P, as well as the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and P2X3 purine receptors that are functionally associated with C fibers in the urinary bladder. Methods: Thirty-six female rats were fed with either a standard diet or one supplemented with 1.08% Gosha-jinki-gan. After 4 weeks, the urinary bladders were instilled with either saline or 0.1% acetic acid. After 30 minutes, the bladders were removed and expression of the tachykinins and the TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors was determined by immunohistochemistry and mRNA expression. Results: In rats fed with the standard diet, the tachykinins and the TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors expressed nearby or within urothelium of the acetic acid-treated rats increased compared with the saline-instilled rats. In rats pretreated with Gosha-jinki-gan, the tachykinins and the TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors in the acetic acid-treated rats also increased compared with the saline-instilled rats. However, with the instillation of acetic acid, the tachykinins and the TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors of Gosha-jinki-gan pretreated rats decreased compared with standard diet fed rats. The mRNA expression levels of neurokinin A, substance P, and the TRPV1 receptor in acetic acid-treated Gosha-jinki-gan pretreated rats were lower than that in acetic acid-treated standard diet fed rats. Gosha-jinki-gan did not destroy nerve fibers within the bladders. Conclusions: Gosha-jinki-gan partially reduced the tachykinins and TRPV1 and P2X3 purine receptors without destroying the nerve fibers.(247/250 words) 3

Comparative Study of Vasodilatation Induced by Rokumigan, Hachimijiogan, and Goshajinkigan in the Rat Aorta

“…Both drugs also resolve urinary abnormalities such as frequent urination or lower urinary tract symptoms [1,2]. Hachimijiogan relaxes acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contraction of isolated rat bladder strips [3], while goshajinkigan has been shown to be very effective for overactive bladder (OAB) in male [4] and female patients [5], through regulation of bladder activity via the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems [6] and suppression of C-fiber activation [7]. Therefore, the indications of both drugs are very similar, although goshajinkigan is relatively useful for elderly individuals suffering from low back pain and leg pain [1].…”

The Kampo Medicine Goshajinkigan Prevents Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Docetaxel

“…The second is that GJG promotes nitric oxide production, and thus, improves the circulation and the blood supply to the nerves. In addition, it was reported that GJG reduced the expression levels of transmitter proteins and sensory receptors associated with C-fiber activation (Imamura et al, 2008). This effect might be one of the mechanisms by which GJG prevents taxaneinduced neuropathy.…”

Beneficial Effects of Gosha-jinki-gan and Green Tea Extract in Rats With Chemical Cystitis

“…storage dysfunction (19). Tokunaga et al reported that the administration of GJG to patients with urinary disturbance significantly decreased the frequency of urination (8).…”

“…Hachi-mijio-gan (HE), a traditional Chinese herbal preparation that was shown to have a similar composition to GJG, modulated an imbalance toward Th1 predominance in MRL/lpr mice through the inhibition of IL-12 production and ameliorated autoimmune disorders (32). In addition, tachykinins are involved in inflammation and GJG reduced the level of tachykinins associated with C-fiber activation induced by acetic acid in rat urinary bladders (19). The antioxidant effect of GJG has been reported previously (10).…”