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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine >

2022 , Vol. 42 >Issue 3: 364 - 371

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20220225.002

Research Article

Efficacy of Kushen decoction (苦参汤) on high-fat-diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats

  • Jiri Mutu ZHANG ,
  • Shilong LIANG ,
  • Peng NIE ,
  • Yong’an LIAO ,
  • Qinying AI ,
  • Xiaojun YAN ,
  • Hongning LIU ,
  • Yanhua JI ,
  • Zhijun ZENG
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  • 1 Research Center for Differention and Development of TCM Basic Theory, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of TCM Etiopathogenisis, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
    2 Mongolian Medical College, Inner Mongolia Minzu Uaniversity, Tongliao 028000, China
JI Yanhua and ZENG Zhijun, Research Center for Differention and Development of TCM Basic Theory, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of TCM Etiopathogenisis, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China. 20162018@jxutcm.edu.cn and zhijunzeng@aliyun.com

Accepted date: 2021-11-17

  Online published: 2022-02-25

Supported by

Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(81760787);China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2017M622101);Scientific Foundation of the Education Department of Jiangxi Province(GJJ190643);Traditional Chinese Medicine Scientific Research Subject of Jiangxi Province(2019A111);Traditional Chinese Medicine Scientific Research Subject of Jiangxi Province(2019B110);Health and Family Planning Commission of Jiangxi Province(20195651);Health and Family Planning Commission of Jiangxi Province(20203766);Health and Family Planning Commission of Jiangxi Province(20203773);Health and Family Planning Commission of Jiangxi Province(202131047);Health and Family Planning Commission of Jiangxi Province(202131054);Collaborative Innovation of Modern Science and Technology and Industrial Development of Jiangxi National Traditional Medicine(Gan Jiao Gao Zi, [2013] No. 109);Jiangxi middle-aged and young backbone Talents Project of traditional Chinese medicine(Gan TCM Ke Jiao Zi [2021] No. 2);Specialized Research Fund for the First-Class Discipline of Chinese Herb from Jiangxi Province(JXSYLXK-ZHYAO111);Key Discipline Project of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine(2013jzzdxk069)

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of action of Kushen decoction on high-fat-diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats using RNA-seq technology.

METHODS: The efficacy of a Kushen decoction (苦参汤), at a concentration of 1 mL/g of crude medicine prepared according to the method commonly used in clinical practice, was investigated on 24 specific pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats. Liver tissues were compared using RNA-Seq technology. The differentially expressed genes were further investigated by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR and Western blot (WB).

RESULTS: Serum triglycerides (TG), liver low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), body weight, body length, and Lee’s index were significantly increased in the untreated hyperlipidemia-induced group (model) compared with the control group, whereas liver high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly decreased. Serum TG, liver LDL-C, bodyweight, and Lee’s index were decreased in the high-dose Kushen decoction group (HDKS) compared with the model group, whereas liver HDL-C was significantly increased. Similarly, liver TG tended to decline in the HDKS group. Comparison of the gene expression profiles in the livers from different groups indicated that the Kushen decoction significantly affected metabolic pathways, PPAR signalling pathway, and circadian rhythm (Q ≤ 0.05), with the genes ARNTL, PER3, and CLOCK being differentially expressed. qPCR and WB analysis confirmed the differential expression of the genes discovered by transcriptomics analysis.

CONCLUSION: The Kushen decoction may achieve a lipid-lowering effect on hyperlipidemic rats by regulating metabolic pathways and the circadian rhythm pathway and in particular, their related genes ARNTL, PER3, and CLOCK.

Key words： liver; hyperlipidemias; RNA-seq; transcriptome; Kushen decoction

Cite this article

Jiri Mutu ZHANG , Shilong LIANG , Peng NIE , Yong’an LIAO , Qinying AI , Xiaojun YAN , Hongning LIU , Yanhua JI , Zhijun ZENG . Efficacy of Kushen decoction (苦参汤) on high-fat-diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2022 , 42(3) : 364 -371 . DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20220225.002

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