Comparative study on the gastrointestinal- and immune- regulation functions of Hedysari Radix Paeparata Cum Melle and Astragali Radix Praeparata cum Melle in rats with spleen-qi deficiency, based on fuzzy matter-element analysis

Pharm Biol. 2022 Dec;60(1):1237-1254. doi: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2086990.

Abstract

Context: Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (HRPCM) and Astragali Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (ARPCM) are used interchangeably in clinics to treat spleen-qi deficiency (SQD) symptom mainly including gastrointestinal dysfunction and decreased immunity, which has unknown differences in efficacy.

Objective: To investigate the differences between HRPCM and ARPCM on intervening gastrointestinal- and immune-function with SQD syndrome.

Materials and methods: After the SQD model was established, the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into nine groups (n = 10): normal; model; Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi Pills; 18.9, 12.6 and 6.3 g/kg dose groups of HRPCM and ARPCM. Gastrointestinal function including d-xylose, gastrin, amylase vasoactive intestinal peptide, motilin, pepsin, H+/K+-ATPase, Na+/K+-ATPase, sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and immune function including spleen and thymus index, blood routine, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgA, IgG and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) were detected. Finally, the efficacy differences were analysed comprehensively by the fuzzy matter-element method.

Results: In regulating immune, the doses differences in efficacy between HRPCM and ARPCM showed in the high-dose (18.9 g/kg), but there were no differences in the middle- and low- dose (12.6 and 6.37 g/kg); the efficacy differences were primarily reflected in levels of IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IgM in serum, and the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IFN-γ in the spleen. In regulating gastrointestinal, the efficacy differences were primarily reflected in the levels of D-xylose, MTL, and GAS in serum, and the mRNA and protein expression of SGLT1 and GLUT2 in jejunum and ileum.

Discussion and conclusions: HRPCM is more effective than ARPCM on regulating gastrointestinal function and immune function with SQD syndrome. Therefore, we propose that HRPCM should be mainly used to treat SQD syndrome in the future.

Keywords: Traditional Chinese medicinal herb; gastrointestinal dysfunction; immune disorders; mathematical language; the efficacy difference; tonifying middle and replenishing qi.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • Animals
  • Astragalus Plant*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal* / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-6
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Spleen
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
  • Xylose / pharmacology

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Interleukin-6
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Xylose
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81960713, 82160750], Gansu Provincial Education Department Industrial Support Plan Project [2021CYZC-21], the Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Engineering Research Center Open Fund of Gansu [ZYGY202003], Gansu Provincial Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology Plan (Innovation Base and Talent Plan) Basic Research Innovation Group Project [21JR7RA569].