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Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Angelicae Dahurica(Hoffm.)Benth.&Hook.f.ex Franch.&Sav combined with Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. has been widely used as herb-pairs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat migraine headache and cataract, but the underlying compatibility mechanism of the two herbs remains unknown. Aim of study: In the present work, we investigated the additive or synergistic effects of absorption behavior of Radix Angelicae dahuricae extracts on baicalin, and the absorption-enhancing mechanism of Radix Angelicae dahuricae extracts on baicalin. Materials and methods: Total coumarins (Cou) and volatile oil (VO), as the two main components of Radix Angelicae dahuricae, were extracted by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) further treated with liquid–liquid separation method. The absorption behavior was investigated by applying the everted gut sac technique and in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion method. Results and conclusions: The results showed that both the Cou and the VO could improve the intestinal absorption of baicalin in vivo, and had synergistic action the enhanced absorption of baicalin. Since verapamil did not affect the P app and K a of baicalin significantly, we concluded that the absorption of Baicalin could not be an active transportation in dependent of P-glycoprotein-Mediated efflux systems. Based on intestinal absorption of drug studying was one of the efficacious methods to clarify the compatibility of principles of herb-pairs. The everted gut sac technique and in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion technique model were the effective methods to study the absorption of drug, the application of the animal model to investigating the absorption of herb–drug interactions or other relevant research purposes is envisioned. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim of study: Yuanhu Zhitong prescription that consists of Corydalis yanhusuo and Radix Angelicae dahuricae has been used for the treatment of gastralgia, costalgia, headache and dysmenorrhea in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Our previous studies demonstrated that Corydalis alkaloid (CA, derived from the root of Corydalis yanhusu) had potent analgesic properties, and the total coumarins of Angelica dahurica (Cou) and volatile oil (VO) that derived from the root of Radix Angelicae dahuricae all could increase the analgesic effect of CA. The major objective of this paper was to investigate the mechanism that leading the analgesia of CA increased by Cou and (or) VO. Materials and methods: : The relationship between analgesic effect of CA and the plasma concentration of Dl-tetrahydropalmatine (dl-THP, active component of CA) was assayed in mice writhing test. The CA (34, 68 and 134mg/kg) reduced the nociception by acetic acid intraperitoneal injection in a dose-dependent manner, and there was a significant linear relationship between the analgesic effect of CA and the plasma concentration of dl-THP. Then the plasma concentration of dl-THP at different time intervals in rats after oral administration of CA, CA–Cou, CA–VO and CA–Cou–VO were examined by using HPLC. Results and conclusion: : The results indicated that Cou and (or) VO raised the plasma concentration of dl-THP prominently. In conclusion, the reason that Radix Angelica dahurica extracts reinforced the analgesic effects of Corydalis alkaloid was related to the improvement of the plasma concentration of dl-THP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ischemic stroke is a common issue that severely affects the human health. Between the central nervous system and the enteric system, the " Gut-Brain " axis, the bidirectional connection involved in the neuro-immuno-endocrine network, is crucial for the occurrence and development of ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke can lead to change in the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal hormones, which will then reversely affect the disease development. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has unique advantages with reference to the treatment for ischemic stroke. The latest research revealed that a significant portion of medicines and prescriptions of TCM exert their therapeutic effects by improving the gut microbiota and regulating the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones. The present review summarized the Chinese medicines that play a therapeutic role in cerebral ischemia through regulating the "Gut-Brain" axis and described the corresponding mechanisms. This study attempts to provide reference for clinical selection of Chinese medicines and helps better understand the relevant mechanisms of action. [Display omitted] • Traditional Chinese medicine treatment can significantly improve the neurological injury of IS through the gut-brain axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Angelicae Dahurica (Hoffm.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Franch. & Sav combined with Radix Scutellariae baicalensis Georgi has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an antipyretic analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that the compatible application of these two drugs is an effective treatment for hepatitis. A previous study indicated that a Radix Angelicae Dahuricae extract enhanced the intestinal absorption of the baicalin found in Radix Scutellariae; however, the underlying compatibility mechanism of these two herbs remains unknown. In this study, we further examined the effect of a Radix Angelicae Dahuricae extract on the absorption and transport properties of baicalin in a Caco-2 cell model to determine the compatibility mechanism of these two herbs. Aim of the study: The aim of this work was to study the transport properties of baicalin in Radix Scutellariae across cell membranes and the effects of a Radix Angelicae Dahuricae extract on baicalin absorption using the well-characterized, human-based intestinal Caco-2 cell model. Materials and methods: We assessed the absorption, bidirectional transport and toxicity of baicalin using a range of parameters, including drug concentration, pH, a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor (Verapamil), an MRP inhibitor (MK-571) and EDTA-Na2 (tight junction modulator). Next, we studied the influence of a Radix Angelicae Dahuricae extract on the transport of baicalin under the same conditions. Drug concentration was measured by HPLC, and the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) and apparent permeability ratio (PDR) were subsequently calculated. Results: The results showed that baicalin is non-toxic within a concentration range of 800µg/mL to 4800µg/mL. The transport of baicalin showed time and concentration dependence. The absorption of baicalin was optimal at pH 7.4 in 37°C; however, the absorption decreased at 4°C. The Papp of baicalin transport through the Caco-2 cell monolayer model was altered when specific inhibitors of P-gp or MRP were added to the cells. However, there was no significant difference in the PDR value. The Papp of baicalin improved when it was combined with the Radix Angelicae Dahuricae extract. The influence of EDTA-Na2 on the transport of baicalin showed that the permeability of baicalin significantly increased. The result further indicated that the mechanism of baicalin intestinal absorption in the Caco-2 cell monolayer involves passive transcellular diffusion. Conclusions: Passive diffusion is the main mode of intestinal absorption of bacalin and it involved in the efflux of proteins. The enhanced intestinal absorption of baicalin by Radix Angelicae Dahuricae can be due to opening of the tight junctions between cells and inhibition of MRP efflux protein expression or function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]