Therapeutic Effects Of Radix Astragali On Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Of Spleen Deficiency Type In Rats

Aim To study the mechanism for therapeutic effects of Radix Astragali on the established rat models of chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG) of spleen deficiency type and to provide the experimental data for clinic.Methods 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1. Control (C) group, 6 normal rats fed under the same condition. 2. CAG group, 6 established rats models of chronic gastritis damaged by long-term oral administration of 2% saccylic acid combined with disorder administration and exhaustion. 3. Vitacoenzyme (V) group, 6 rats models were given vitacoenzyme tablets for 21d. 4. Radix Astragali (RA) group, 6 rats models were given Radix Astragali soup for 21d. The rats behavior, regular bio-markers of the blood sample and gastric juice, immunefunction and the expressions of iNOS - mRNA, SDH, LDH, ANAE, ACP and glycogen were examined by insitu hybridization and cytochemistry in each group respectively.Results When compared with the C group, the features/results were found in the CAG group as follows. 1. The rat body weight was reduced markedly with general weakness. 2. In the blood the content of hemoglobin, Fe, Zn, Mg, SOD, IgG and the clearance of carbon particles were decreased, while the ratio of Cu/Zn and MDA was increased. 3. In the gastric juice the pH value enhanced, the pepsin activity and the excretion of D-xylose declined. 4. The content of SIgA was decreased in the intestinal juice. 5. In the fine structure the gastric mucosae became atrophy andthinner with obvious erosion and more inflammatory cells. 6. The expressions of SDH. LDH, ANAE, ACP and glycogen were weaker, while the expression of iNOS gene was stronger. There were significant differences in all above parameters between the CAG group and C group, between the RA group and V group. P< 0.05.Conclusions The therapeutic effects of Radix Astragali predominated over Vitacoenzyme and could improve each symptom and sign of CAG almost recover to the normal level mainly through up-regulation of SDH, LDH, ANAE, ACP expressions and glycogen storage; down-regulation of iNOS expression and promotion of immune function.