[Effect of Astragalus injection in promoting IEC-6 cell differentiation through activating ornithine decarboxylase].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanism of Astragalus injection (AI) in repairing mucous membrane by observing its effects on the proliferation, differentiation, migration as well as on intracellular content of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and polyamine in rat's small intestinal crypt-like cell line (IEC-6) in vitro.


METHODS
AI was added in the IEC-6 cells after they had been cultured for 24 hours. Twelve hours after adding AI, the cells were collected to test the ODC mRNA level, ODC protein, ODC activity and the intracellular content of putrescine. Twenty-four hours after adding AI, the condition of cell proliferation and differentiation was observed. Another group of IEC-6 cells were injured after being cultured for 72 hours, and AI was added, the cell migration was observed at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after medication.


RESULTS
AI could inhibit IEC-6 cell proliferation, promote the cell differentiation, but with no apparent effect on injured IEC-6 cell migratin. AI of 62.5-250 micrograms/ml concentration could increase the ODC mRNA level, as compared with control, the difference was significant (P < 0.05-0.01). ODC activity and intracellular content of putrescine could be gradually increased by AI in a dose-dependant manner. No effect of AI was shown on ODC protein in various dosage of AI groups.


CONCLUSIONS
AI could promote IEC-6 cell differentiation by means of inducing the ODC activity and biosynthesis of polyamine, but without significant effect on cell migration.
Zhang
Zi-li
ZL
Institute of Spleen and Stomach, Guangzhou University of TCM, Guangzhou 510405.
Chen
Wei-wen
WW
D000818:Animals; D027883:Astragalus Plant; D027885:Astragalus propinquus; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011700:Putrescine / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C027492:Huang Qi; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase; D011700:Putrescine