peoniflorin and Hypertension

Paeoniflorin (PF) is a main bioactive component of the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pal, and previous investigations suggest that it may impact cardiac remodeling in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) via the MAPK signaling pathway. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the impacts of paeoniflorin cardiac function in SHR rats. Cardiac function and blood pressure were observed using echocardiography and non-invasive tail pressure gauge. Heart histopathology was assessed by histological staining and transmission electron microscopy. Genomic sequencing was performed and signaling pathway enrichment analyzed the function of differentially expressed genes(DEGs). Biochemical kits were used to analyze the serum level of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1. qRT-PCR proved the mRNA expression of Ngfr, Grin2b, and Ntf4. MAPK pathways were determined via western blot. Paeoniflorin decreased blood pressure and increased hemodynamic indexes. 131 DEGs were identified (SHR vs. PF), and mainly enriched on the MAPK signaling pathway. Paeoniflorin reduced IL-6, MCP-1, Ngfr, Grin2b, and Ntf4, and also decreased p-JNK, p-Erk1/2, and p-p38 proteins compared with the SHR group. Paeoniflorin attenuated cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, and inflammation, and subsequently improved LV function. In conclusion, the cardioprotective role of paeoniflorin was associated with the inhibition of MAPK signaling pathway.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Blood Pressure; Gene Regulatory Networks; Glucosides; Hypertension; Male; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Monoterpenes; Paeonia; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Ventricular Remodeling

Forty-three pregnant spontaneously hypertensive rats were administered 1.5% saline and divided into 2 groups: The experimental group of 21 rats and the control group of 22 rats. The animals in the experimental group were administered daily 500 mg/kg of Tokishakuyakusan. No drug was administered to the animals in the control group. Systolic blood pressure measured from 4 to 18 days of pregnancy was similar in both the experimental and control groups. Mean (+/- S.E.) levels of blood viscosity in the experimental group measured on the 19th day of pregnancy were 13.6 +/- 1.6 centipoise (cp) at a shear rate of 0.5/sec and 3.5 +/- 0.1 cp at a shear rate of 230/sec and were significantly lower than those of the control group (19.1 +/- 1.6 cp at 0.5/sec, p less than 0.02; 4.4 +/- 0.2 cp at 230/sec, p less than 0.001). There were observed no significant differences in hematocrit, erythrocyte deformability and fibrinogen levels between two groups. There was observed no significant difference between the mean number in the litter in the 2 groups. The mean weight of the fetuses in the experimental group delivered on the 19th day of pregnancy was 2.4 +/- 0.1 g, being significantly heavier than that of the control group (2.0 +/- 0.0 g) (p less than 0.01). These results indicated that Tokishakuyakusan accelerated development of fetuses of hypertensive rats by utero-placental circulatory improvement which was caused by decreased maternal blood viscosity.

Topics: Animals; Benzoates; Bridged-Ring Compounds; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Female; Glucosides; Glycosides; Hypertension; Medicine, East Asian Traditional; Monoterpenes; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR