Effects of Dangshen root extract serum on intracellular free calcium in gastric parietal cells of dissociated rats.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of Dangshen root extract on intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca2+] i of parietal cells.


METHODS
The Dangshen-containing serum was obtained from rat blood after a continuously five days' feeding with Dangshen root extract of three doses and parietal cells were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats; [Ca2+] i in single cells was measured by confocal microscope loaded with Fluo3-AM as fluorensent indicator; The change of [Ca2+] i was represented by fluorensent intensity (FI).


RESULTS
There were differences in the FI of [Ca2+] i increased by gastrin both between high and control group and between middle and control group (P < 0.05). But no difference was found between low and control groups (P > 0.05). And time to peak of FI, it was not found any difference between any two of the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Dangshen-containing serum can inhibit the intracellular [Ca2+] i increase induced by gastrin in a dose-dependent manner and it may be one of the mechanisms of its reduction on acid secretion which has a close relation with the formation of ulcerous diseases.
Piwei Institute, Guangzhou University of TCM, Guangzhou 510405.
Feng
F
Sui
Rujun
R
Wang
Jianhua
J
Wang
Yanwu
Y
Li
Qun
Q
Du
Yanli
Y
Wu
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D029745:Codonopsis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010295:Parietal Cells, Gastric / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D002118:Calcium