[Effect of Ligusticum and its two main components on muscle atrophy in a hind limb unloaded rat model].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of Ligusticum and its two components (Sodium Ferulate and Ligustrazine as main efficacy components in Ligusticum for invigorating blood circulation) on muscle atrophy in a hind limb unloaded rat model.


METHODS
The tail-suspended rats were subjected to a 14-days disuse, immunohistochemistry and hemorheology were used to study the effects of medicines on soleus muscle.


RESULTS
Compared with HLU+ W: (1) The CSA of soleus type I fibers in HLU + SfH and HLU+ TmpH increased by 37.3% and 39.4% respectively (P < 0.05). (2) Expression level of MHC II were inhibited in all treatment groups (P < 0.01). (3) Expression of MHC II in nuclear bag 2 fiber were altered from positive to negative. (4) The blood viscosity in low shear rates decreased obviously (P < 0.01), even near to control.


CONCLUSIONS
Ligusticum and its two main efficacy components (Sodium Ferulate and Ligustrazine) can prevent soleus atrophy induced by disuse, and Sodium Ferulate and Ligustrazine in high dose showed most efficacy.
Cao
Jin
J
College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
Gao
Yun-fang
YF
Liu
Kun
K
D000818:Animals; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D018056:Hemorheology; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension; D030004:Ligusticum / Q000737:chemistry*; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains / Q000378:metabolism; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D003373:Coumaric Acids; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D011719:Pyrazines; C004999:ferulic acid; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains; C017953:tetramethylpyrazine