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Comparative study on effects of Xiaoyao Powder (逍遥散) and its modified prescription on plasma metabolomics of rats with chronic immobilization stress

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Abstract

Objective

To determine the changes in the levels of endogenous metabolites in rats with chronic immobilization stress (CIS) taking Xiaoyao Powder (逍遥散, XYP) and its modified prescription version, which lacks the volatile oils extracted from Herba Menthae.

Methods

Twenty-four experimental male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each: control, model, XYP-1 (containing volatile oils from Herba Menthae), and XYP-2 (lacking volatile oils). All rats except control group rats were subjected to CIS 3 h per day for 21 consecutive days. Groups XYP-1 and XYP-2 were given the extracted XYS with or without volatile oils (3.854 g/kg; suspended in distilled water) via gavage 1 h before CIS each day for 21 days. Rats were anesthetized using intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium (40 mg/kg) on the 22nd day. Observations were made using a Varian INOVA 600 MHz NMR spectrometer at 27 °C. Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) and longitudinal eddy-delay (LED) were applied, resulting in spectra showing only the signals from micro- and macro-metabolites.

Results

Compared to controls, rats subjected to CIS showed increased levels of plasma metabolites, such as acetic acid, choline, N-glycoprotein (NAC), saturated fatty acid, and blood sugars. Levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and unsaturated fatty acids were decreased. The biochemical effects of XYS were characterized by elevated levels of VLDL, LDL, threonine, methionine, and glutamic acid in plasma.

Conclusion

Some common and characteristic metabolites on the anti-CIS of XYP and its modified prescription were obtained. The metabolomics technology is a valuable tool and may be used to identify the specific metabolites and potential biomarkers of therapeutic effect of Chinese medicinal prescriptions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pre-clinical Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China

    He-gu Luo  (罗和古), Jia-xu Chen  (陈家旭), Guang-xin Yue  (岳广欣), Jie Ding  (丁 杰), Xin Zhao  (赵 歆) & Zhen-zhi Meng  (蒙缜之)

  2. National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, 100850, China

    Qi Zhang  (张 琪) & Xian-zhong Yan  (颜贤忠)

  3. Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    Han-ting Zhang  (张汉霆)

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  1. He-gu Luo  (罗和古)
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  2. Jia-xu Chen  (陈家旭)
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  3. Qi Zhang  (张 琪)
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  4. Guang-xin Yue  (岳广欣)
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  5. Jie Ding  (丁 杰)
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  6. Han-ting Zhang  (张汉霆)
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  7. Xian-zhong Yan  (颜贤忠)
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  8. Xin Zhao  (赵 歆)
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  9. Zhen-zhi Meng  (蒙缜之)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jia-xu Chen  (陈家旭).

Additional information

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30672578), China National Funds for Distinguished Young Scientists (No. 30825046), and Program for Innovative Research Team in Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (No. 2011CXTD-07)

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Luo, Hg., Chen, Jx., Zhang, Q. et al. Comparative study on effects of Xiaoyao Powder (逍遥散) and its modified prescription on plasma metabolomics of rats with chronic immobilization stress. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 19, 610–615 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-012-1092-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-012-1092-0

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