Effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction on NF-κB/MuRFl expression in rats with denervated tibial muscle atrophy

Abstract

We aim to study the effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction (Astragali Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Pheretima, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Carthami Flos and Persicae Semen) on NF-κB/MuRFl signaling pathway in the denervated tibial muscle atrophy of rats and explore its protection mechanisms. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to common peroneal nerve crush models of 5 mm injury, and then were randomly divided into six groups for daily intragastric administration of drugs： sham operation group, model group, Buyang Huanwu decoction high, middle and low dose groups, and mecobalamin group (as a positive control). After drug administration for 10 days and 21 days, the gene and protein expression levels of NF-κB and MuRFl in the tibial muscle of rats were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The results showed that, as compared with the model group, RNA and protein expression levels of NF-κB and MuRF1 were significantly reduced in Buyang Huanwu decoction middle and high-dose groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). These results indicated that Buyang Huanwu decoction could inhibit ubiquitin proteasome system probably by activating NF-κB/MuRF1 signal pathway to protect the denervated tibial muscle atrophy of rats.