Tongqiaohuoxue decoction ameliorates obesity-induced inflammation and the prothrombotic state by regulating adiponectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. (4th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Soon-Hee; Park, Hee-Sook; Hong, Moon Ju; Yoo, Ji Young; Lee, Hoyoung; Lee, Ju Ah; Hur, Jinyoung; Kwon, Dae Young; Kim, Myung-Sunny
• Is Part Of: Journal of ethnopharmacology. Volume 192(2016)
• Page Start: 201
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2016-11-04
• Subjects: THD Tongqiaohuoxue decoction -- HFD high-fat diet -- HFD+THD THD-treated mice on a HFD -- PAI-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 -- TNF tumor necrosis factor -- MCP-1 monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 -- IL interleukin -- TG triglyceride -- tPA tissue-type plasminogen activator -- GTT glucose tolerance test -- CLS crown-like structure -- IR insulin receptor -- IRS-1 insulin receptor substrate 1 -- Glut glucose transporter; Tongqiaohuoxue decoction -- Inflammation -- Obesity -- Prothrombotic state -- Adiponectin; Ethnopharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosie -- Périodiques; Herbes -- Périodiques; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.07.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-8741

Abstract

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Tongqiaohuoxue decoction (THD), a water extract of a mixture of eight species of medicinal herbs, has been used for the treatment of blood stasis and hypercoagulation in traditional East Asian medicine since 18th century. Aim of the study: To investigate the in vivo efficacy of THD using high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice with chronic inflammation and a prothrombotic state as an early vascular model. Materials and methods: THD was prepared by hot water extraction and freeze-drying. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups. Group 1 (NC) mice were fed normal chow. Mice in group 2 (HFD) and 3 (HFD+THD) were fed with HFD for 12 weeks. In addition, Group 3 mice were administered with 100 mg/kg body weight THD for 4 weeks after onset of obesity by HFD for 8 weeks. Glucose tolerance tests and histological tissue examinations were performed. The levels of adipokines, inflammatory markers, and prothrombotic markers were assessed. Results: The oral administration of THD for 4 weeks had no effect on the liver, adipose tissue, or total body weight when the HFD and HFD+THD groups were compared. Nevertheless, mice treated in THD interestingly showed a significant increase in adiponectin in blood and adipose tissue. To verify the effect of THD on adiponectin, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with THD; it stimulated adiponectin production in a dose-dependent manner. In the HFD+THD group, pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly down-regulated in the blood, adipose tissue, and liver. Insulin resistance was also notably improved by THD. Simultaneously, THD significantly reduced plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels in serum, adipose tissue, and liver. Fibrin deposition and tPA activity, downstream targets of PAI-1, were also notably reduced in the HFD+THD group compared to the HFD group. Conclusions: THD improved obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance by increasing adiponectin production. Additionally, THD administration exerted an anti-thrombotic effect through the regulation of PAI-1 and fibrinolysis. This study demonstrates the efficacy of a traditional East Asian medicine by providing scientific evidence and suggesting a possible mechanism of action. Graphical abstract: