Effects of Radix Astragali and Its Split Components on Gene Expression Profiles Related to Water Metabolism in Rats with the Dampness Stagnancy due to Spleen Deficiency Syndrome.

Wen-Xiao Zhao,Shi-Jun Wang,Xu-Ming Ji,Hai-Qiang Jiang,Tong Wang,Ning Cui,Xiao-Chun Han,Bing-Bing Han

doi:10.1155/2017/4946031

Abstract

Radix Astragali (RA) with slight sweet and warm property is a significant “qi tonifying” herb; it is indicated for the syndrome of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency (DSSD). The purpose of this research was to explore effects of RA and its split components on gene expression profiles related to water metabolism in rats with the DSSD syndrome for identifying components representing property and flavor of RA. The results indicated that RA and its split components, especially polysaccharides component, significantly increased the body weight and the urine volume and decreased the water load index of model rats. Our data also indicated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to water metabolism involved secretion, ion transport, water homeostasis, regulation of body fluid levels, and water channel activity; the expression of AQP1, AQP3, AQP4, AQP5, AQP6, and AQP8 was improved; calcium, cAMP, MAPK, PPAR, AMPK, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway may be related to water metabolism. In general, results indicate that RA and its split components could promote water metabolism in rats with the DSSD syndrome via regulating the expression of AQPs, which reflected sweet-warm properties of RA. Effects of the polysaccharides component are better than others.

Highlights

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Chinese herbal medicines have four properties and five flavors, and various properties and flavors of herbs exert different effects
We tried to explore split components representing property and flavor of Radix Astragali (RA) through studying effects of RA and its split components on gene expression profiles related to water metabolism in rats with the DSSD syndrome based on the property and flavor theory
Results showed that RA decoction and its split components increased the body weight of rats with the DSSD syndrome, decreased the water load index, and increased the urine volume in different degree, especially the polysaccharides component

Summary

Introduction

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Chinese herbal medicines have four properties and five flavors, and various properties and flavors of herbs exert different effects. The action of a herbal medicine is always not one but many [1]. The property and flavor theory is a guideline for using the herbal medicines. The property of a Chinese medicinal herb affects material and energy metabolism. The material basis of the property and flavor of a herbal medicine can be split [2]. We tried to explore split components representing property and flavor of RA through studying effects of RA and its split components on gene expression profiles related to water metabolism in rats with the DSSD syndrome based on the property and flavor theory

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion