[Shichimotsu-koka-to prevents stroke and changes free-radical-related enzymes in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP)].

Abstract

Shichimotsu-koka-to, a Chinese herb, is a medicine prescribed to treat patients with hypertension. We investigated the effects of Shichimotsu-koka-to on the lesions of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). The SHRSP were given 1% or 2% Shichimotsu-koka-to solution (1 g/kg/day or 2 g/kg/day) instead of drinking water from 8 to 42 weeks of age. When the 2 g/kg/day Shichimotsu-koka-to was chronically administered to the SHRSP, their life span was significantly prolonged by prevention of stroke, but there was no effect on blood pressure. The Shichimotsu-koka-to treatment decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the cytosol of the cerebral cortex and increased SOD activities in the cytosol of the brain stem. The treatment with 2 g/kg/day Shichimotsu-koka-to decreased xanthine oxidase (XOD) activities in the cytosol of the cerebral cortex, and Shichimotsu-koka-to quenched superoxide anion (O2-) as determined by electron spin resonance analysis in vitro. In addition, SOD activities in the cytosol of the cerebral cortex of SHRSP not administered Shichimotsu-koka-to were increased by the drug in vitro. XOD activities in the cytosol of the cerebral cortex of SHRSP not administered Shichimotsu-koka-to were inhibited by this herb in vitro. These results suggest that these preventive effects of Shichimotsu-koka-to on the stroke in SHRSP are due its ability to scavenge O2- and to inhibit O2- production by the hypoxanthine-XOD system in the cytosol of the cerebral cortex.

• Authors: Y Higuchi, K Yamashita, K Taniyama, M Satake, M Ozaki
• Journal: Nihon yakurigaku zasshi. Folia pharmacologica Japonica (Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi) Vol. 108 Issue 1 Pg. 13-22 (Jul 1996) ISSN: 0015-5691 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 8810492 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Free Radical Scavengers
• Free Radicals
• Superoxides
• Superoxide Dismutase
• Xanthine Oxidase

Topics

• Animals
• Brain (metabolism)
• Cerebrovascular Disorders (prevention & control)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Free Radical Scavengers (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Free Radicals (metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred SHR
• Superoxide Dismutase (metabolism)
• Superoxides (metabolism)
• Xanthine Oxidase (metabolism)