Abstract
In the present study, two cell-based systems for assessing Yang and Yin activities were for the first time used to investigate the effect of ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA). The results indicated that while UA was only active in the Yang assay, OA produced activity in the Yin assay. The Yang/Yin activity of UA/OA may be attributed to their distinct molecular structures, which confer their differential ability to interact with mitochondrial membrane or cellular membrane lipids, with resultant membrane fluidization and potentiation of biological responses.
Highlights
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, diseases are caused by an imbalance of Yang and Yin in the body, and Chinese tonifying herbs have long been used to correct the bodily imbalance of Yang and Yin by Yang-invigoration and Yin-nourishment, respectively [1]
We aimed for the first time to investigate whether the difference in structural features between Ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) is causally related to the elicitation of Yang and Yin activity, as assessed by mitochondrial adenosine 5’ triphosphate disodium salt (ATP) generation capacity in cultured H9c2 cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proliferation in isolated mouse splenocytes, respectively
Two cell-based assays for assessing Yang-invigorating and Yin-nourishing activities in Chinese tonifying herbs were used to investigate the effects of UA and OA, which are stereoisomers and biologically active triterpenoids found in Cynormorii herba and Ligustri fructus in traditional Chinese medicine
Summary
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, diseases are caused by an imbalance of Yang and Yin in the body, and Chinese tonifying herbs have long been used to correct the bodily imbalance of Yang and Yin by Yang-invigoration and Yin-nourishment, respectively [1]. Ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA), which are active components of Cynomorri herba (a Yang-invigorating herb) and Ligustri fructus (a Yin-nourishing herb), respectively [2], are triterpenoids found in edible plants and other herbs [3]. Recent studies in our laboratory have developed cell-based pharmacological assays for Yang-invigorating and Yin-nourishing activities in Chinese tonifying herbs [4] [5]. We aimed for the first time to investigate whether the difference in structural features between UA and OA is causally related to the elicitation of Yang and Yin activity, as assessed by mitochondrial ATP generation capacity in cultured H9c2 cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proliferation in isolated mouse splenocytes, respectively. The possible involvement of alterations in cellular/mitochondrial membrane fluidity in causing Yang and Yin activity was examined by pre-incubating cells with cholesterol which reduces membrane fluidity [6]
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