Evaluation on the Pharmacological Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine SiJunZiTang on Stress-Induced Peptic Ulcers

Chiu-Mei Chen,Chien-Ying Lee,Hung-Che Shih,Po-Jung Lin,Chin-Lang Hsieh

doi:10.1155/2013/186076

Abstract

Purpose. To explore the effects of SiJunZiTang (SJZT) on central neurotransmitters and the inhibition of HCl hypersecretion, along with the role of the vagus nerve. From this, the effects of SJZT and its constituent ingredients on inhibiting stress-induced peptic ulcers will be determined. Methods. Methods used to determine SJZT's effectiveness included (1) measuring the antipeptic ulcer effects of varying combinations of the constituents of SJZT; (2) evaluations of monoamine (MA) level in the brain; and (3) measuring the effects of longer-term SJZT treatment. Results. Comparing the control and experimental groups where the rats' vagus nerves were not cut after taking SJZT orally (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg), the volume of enterogastric juice, free HCl and total acidity all reduce dose-dependently. The group administered SJZT at 1000 mg/kg showed significant reductions (P < 0.05). For the experimental groups where the vagus nerves were cut, a comparison with the control group suggests that the group receiving SJZT (500 mg/kg) orally for 21 days demonstrated a cure rate of 34.53%. Conclusion. The results display a correlation between the therapeutic effects of SJZT on stress-induced peptic ulcers and central neurotransmitter levels. Further to this, SJZT can inhibit the hypersecretion of HCl in the stomach, thus inhibiting stress-induced peptic ulcers.

Highlights

The occurrence of self-reported ulcer over a nine-year period was more likely in subjects who reported any of several concrete life stressors or psychological distress at baseline
The goal of this study was to better understand the correlation between the inhibitory effects of SJZT on hypersecretion of free HCl, and how the pharmacological effect of SJZT could inhibit stress-induced peptic ulcers, and whether this was associated with the central neurotransmitters, such as dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), and the different combinations of its ingredients on stress-induced peptic ulcers
The rats were fed with maintenance diet (Altromin 1320) and housed in a room of specific pathogen-free (SPF) facility of the Experimental Animal Center of Chung Shan Medical University, in which the room temperature maintained at 25 ± 1∘C, relative humidity 55 ± 5%, air change rate 12 times/hour, and the artificial light application time was from 07:00 to 19:00

Summary

Introduction

The occurrence of self-reported ulcer over a nine-year period was more likely in subjects who reported any of several concrete life stressors or psychological distress at baseline. The ulcerogenic effects of stress have been shown to be robust enough to survive adjustment for behavioral and physical confounding factors [1]. True stress ulcers are primarily superficial gastric fundus lesions that occur in the clinical setting of severe shock, trauma, burns, and sepsis, especially peritonitis. SiJunZiTang (SJZT) is a basic prescription, consisting of four components: Ginseng Radix, Poria Cocos, Atractylodis Rhizoma, and Glycyrrhizae Radix. SJZT is a common Chinese herbal prescription, tonifying the spleen and stomach, is traditionally used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in oriental countries. The antiulcer activities of SJZT have been mentioned in recent research [2]. The antiulcer mechanism of SJZT is not clear.

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Conclusion