Qing-Hua Song

Effects of Astragali root and Hedysari root on the murine B and T cell differentiation.

It has traditionally been known in Asian countries that the Astragali and Hedysari roots have similar beneficial effects. They have been applied in clinical practice for immunological diseases, we investigated their effects on specific antibody production, B cells and T cells in BALB/c mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA). Both the Astragali and Hedysari roots reduced the production of IgG2a in the primary response to OVA. Hedysari root reduced the production of IgG2a in the secondary response. Both reduced the production of IgM, suppressed IL-6 production in spleen cells. It was presumed that the suppression of IgG2a production was induced by the suppression of IL-6, which is an antibody production inducer. It was found that the Hedysari root increased the B cells and activated them, and the Astragali root also tended to increase them. In addition, Hedysari root decreased the proportions of IFN-gamma-producing cells in splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes. It was shown that the Astragali and Hedysari roots could act as a growth factor of B cells by increasing the proportion of the total B cells and activated B cells. In conclusion, both the Astragali and Hedysari roots showed the same actions, but the latter was more effective.

Pancreatic islet regeneration by ephedrine in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

In this experiment, we investigated the effects of crude Ephedrae herba, alkaloid extract of Ephedrae herba and 1-ephedrine, a major alkaloid component, on diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ). The alkaloid extract and 1-ephedrine showed suppression on the hyperglycemia. The suppression by Ephedrae herba of hyperglycemia may therefore be due to 1-ephedrine. Furthermore, we found that Ephedrae herba, alkaloid and 1-ephedrine promoted the regeneration of pancreas islets following atrophy induced by STZ. It is therefore suggested that Ephedrae herba may regenerate atrophied pancreatic islets, restore the secretion of insulin, and thus correct hyperglycemia.

Hepatoprotective effects of Inula britannica on hepatic injury in mice.

Inula britannica, a Kampo medicine, is prepared from the heads of Compositae plants such as Inula britannica L., which has been used clinically as a remedy for nausea, hiccup and excessive sputum. Here it is shown that administration of Inula britannica improves the survival rate of mice with hepatic injury induced by LPS/PA. It is also suggested that administration of Inula britannica significantly reduces the fluctuation in the amount of cytokine in the spleen of mice with hepatic injuries, and that the Th1/Th2 control effect is related to the inhibitory action of Inula britannica against hepatic injury. In vitro testing suggests that Inula britannica suppresses Th1 differentiation and induces Th2 differentiation by inhibiting the production of macrophage IL‐12 and promoting the production of IL‐10, thus showing the immunological effect of hepatic injury inhibition by affecting the balance between Th1 and Th2. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of Inula Britannica on the Production of Antibodies and Cytokines and on T Cell Differentiation in C57BL/6 Mice Immunized by Ovalbumin

In this study, we investigated the effects of Inula Britannica on the production of antibodies against ovalbumin, and the differentiation of T cells, in C57BL/6 mice. The oral administration of Inula Britannica suppressed IL-4 and IL-6 production in lymphocytes collected from an inguinal lymph node in the immunized leg. On the other hand, the intraperitoneal administration of Inula Britannica suppressed IgG1 production, the ratio of IFN-gamma+IL-4-/IFN-gamma-IL-4+ cells and cytokine production of IL-6. It was presumed that the effects of Inula Britannica on the production of antibodies were induced by regulation of the balance of Th1 and Th2. Further, IL-4 and IL-6 production by lymphocytes collected from an inguinal lymph node in the immunized leg were suppressed, and therefore production of antibodies was suppressed.

Preventive Effect of Ninjin-to (Ren-Shen-Tang), a Kampo (Japanese Traditional) Formulation, on Spontaneous Autoimmune Diabetes in Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) Mice

We previously found that ingestion of an extract of Ninjin‐to (NJT; Ren‐Shen‐Tang) suppressed the development of autoimmune diabetes in C57BL/KsJ mice induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin. To verify this effects on spontaneous autoimmune diabetes, the effects of NJT on NOD mice were investigated in the present study. NJT, provided in drinking water (0.25%, 450 mg/kg/day) from 6 weeks of age, significantly prevented the incidence of spontaneous diabetes in female NOD mice at 30 weeks of age (2/10) compared with that of the controls (7/10), with no effects on body growth or food intake. Even in non‐diabetic mice, the blood glucose levels of the NOD controls gradually increased with age, while such increase in NJT‐treated mice was significantly suppressed by preventing any deficiency of glucose tolerance. NJT also significantly suppressed the progression of insulitis, which causes insulin deficiency and diabetes. It is well known that NOD mice develop insulitis and diabetes because of their Th1‐dominant autoimmune response. IFN‐γ production from splenic T lymphocytes stimulated with anti‐CD3 monoclonal antibodies was increased, whereas IL‐4 production was decreased in NOD controls compared to age‐ and sex‐matched normal ICR mice. NJT‐treatment reduced these deviations of cytokine production in NOD mice. These data all suggest that NJT can prevent spontaneous insulitis and diabetes by the modification of deviated cytokine production in NOD mice.

Effect of Kampo Herbal Medicines on Murine Water Metabolism in a Microgravity Environment

To determine the possibility of new applications of Oriental medicines, we examined the changes in water metabolism of mice that underwent microgravity and were treated with Kampo medicines. Male ICR mice were used in this experiment. Eight extracts of Kampo herbal medicines were dissolved in water and added to the drinking water administered to mice at 1 g/kg body weight for two days. The microgravity experiment was performed at the Japan Microgravity Center. We used a drop-shaft type microgravity experimental system with a free fall of 490 m. Before the drop, 7 ml of physiological saline was injected intraperitoneally. Under fasting and dehydration, body weights were measured and loss of body weight was calculated as urine. Blood samples were collected 24 hours after the microgravity experiment, and the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in plasma related to water metabolism was measured by the radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. Heat shock protein in the spleen was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosolvent assay (ELISA) method. In the Hachimi-jio-gan and Hochu-ekki-to groups in microgravity, a decrease of urine was observed, which significantly suppressed the increase of ADH due to microgravity. Hachimi-jio-gan reduced the content of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 in the spleen. It is suggested that Hachimi-jio-gan and Hochu-ekki-to could be used as water metabolism adjustment reagents in a space environment. Furthermore, it is suggested that Hachimi-jio-gan could ease the stresses caused by microgravity. The physiological changes resulting from a microgravity environment are serious problems for space flight. Pre-treatment with Kampo medicines is expected to prevent, ease and treat these problems.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicines on Murine Bone Metabolism in a Microgravity Environment

We investigated the effects of three traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions on changes of bone metabolism in mice, using a gravity device to produce a microgravity environment. We found that Hochu-ekki-to (TJ-41) and Hachimi-jio-gan (TJ-7) suppress the increase in the ratio of serum Ca/P and the increase of calcium in urine. Moreover, TJ-41 and Shin-bu-to (TJ-30) reversed the increase of alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and TJ-41 also reversed the decrease of estradiol in the serum. The mechanism may be that the traditional Chinese medicines increased estradiol, causing the decrease of ALP, which induced the changes of Ca and P in serum, leading to a decreased excretion of Ca in urine. In this study, TJ-41 was effective in every parameter while TJ-7 and TJ-30 was effective on some parameters, showing that traditional Chinese medicines have specificities in the space environment. In conclusion, this study suggests that some traditional Chinese medicines may be beneficial for adaptation to a space environment.

Effects of Hokoei-to (Pugongying-Tang), a Kampo formula, on monoamine content in brain regions and mitogenic activity of splenic lymphocytes in ovariectomized mice

Hokoei-to (pugongying-tang) is one of the Kampo formulae clinically used for gynecological disturbances such as lack of lactation and mammary swelling. We investigated the effect of hokoei-to on the nervous and immune systems in ovariectomized mice as a climacteric disorder model. Hokoei-to suppressed the decrease of monoamines in the ventral hippocampus and dorsal hippocampus of ovariectomized mice. It was shown that the hokoei-to could improve the metabolic turnover of dopamine. The mitogenic activity of lymphocytes in the spleen was reduced after ovariectomy; a suppression of this reduced activity was observed in the group given hokoei-to.