[A Chinese herbal compound induces neurotrophy in astrocyte by a new study method called "cerebrospinal fluid pharmacology in Chinese materia medica"].
OBJECTIVE
To find a effective method by which the potency of Chinese materia medica (CMM) on the central nervous system (CNS) could be correctly investigated.


METHODS
The cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) and serum after oral CMM 1 to 1.5 hours was gained and then added into the astrocyte cell culture medium. After 48 h, the above medium was in proportion transferred to the neuron culture medium. Typan blue staining, LDH and MTT test were utilized to observe the drug effect on the neuron survival.


RESULTS
The serum, but not the CSF, showed the toxicity on the astrocyte. MTT test on the neuron survival showed that the OD492nm value in the CMM group was higher than the other groups (P < 0.05). The astrocyte medium stimulated by the CSF including CMM could promote the neuron axon growth.


CONCLUSIONS
If observing the CMM potency on CNS in vitro, the CSF was better than the serum, we called it "Cerebrospinal Fluid Pharmacology in Chinese Materia Medica". Furthermore, the CMM could induce the neurotrophy of astrocyte.
Mei
J
J
Tianjin College of Traditiondl Chinese Medicine, 300193.
Zhang
B
B
Lu
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid; D003470:Culture Media; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats
D003470:Culture Media; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor