Abstract
Da-Cheng-Qi-Decoction (DCQD) has been used in the treatment of acute pancreatitis (AP) in China for many years. The aim of the current study was to examine the principal ingredient rhubarb of DCQD and its potential link to the pancreatic repair effects in rats with AP. The pancreatitis was induced in SD rats by intraperitoneal injections of cerulein. The results showed that rhubarb significantly increased blood perfusion of pancreatic tissue, reversed mitochondrial damage, and promoted pancreatic acinar and stellate cell proliferation. In addition, the rhein (from rhubarb) had high distribution in pancreas tissue and protected mitochondria in AR42J cells via the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and activity inhibition of AMPK (P < 0.05). The results provide some preclinical evidence on the protective effects of DCQD for the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Rhein is regarded to be the active compound of rhubarb and can be expected to be a new compound for the treatment of AP.
Highlights
Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a very serious systemic disease without any effective treatments
In AP, inflammation of the pancreatic cells leads to elevated levels of plasma amylase
Plasma amylase was significantly higher in the AP model than that in rats of the sham group
Summary
Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a very serious systemic disease without any effective treatments. Patients usually presented with a reduction in the severity of the condition and a quicker normalization of pancreatic biochemical markers and morphology verified by CT after treatment with DCQD [6, 7]. It markedly reduced pseudocyst formation and promoted the absorption of pancreatic ascites during pancreatic recovery [8, 9]. All these clinical phenomena indicate that DCQD can effectively improve pancreatic regeneration, the active components of the formula DCQD were not clear
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
