The effect of angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) on the production of reactive oxygen specie (ROS), the capability of total anti-oxidant (T-AOC), and the expression of p16 in mRNA level in mice hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were observed to explore the underlying mechanism that ASP delay aging of HSCs in vivo.C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group, aging group, and the above groups treated with ASP. Mice were uniformly explored in X-ray (3.0 Gy/8 F) to erect model of aging. Normal and aging ASP intervention groups mice were treated with ASP by intragastric administration, while normal and aging groups were treated with equal-volume NS during X-ray irradiation. Mice HSCs were isolated by magnetic cell sorting and cultured in vitro. Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal) staining was used to detect aging HSCs. Cell cycles analysis and CFU-Mix cultivation were used to evaluate the capability of self-renewing and colony forming in HSCs. The production of ROS in HSCs was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis and immunofluorescence assess, respectively. T-AOC was detected by chemical colorimetric method. The expression of p16 was determined by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).Exogenous X-ray irradiation induced HSCs aging was compared with normal group without irradiation. Biological feature of HSCs in aging group with X-ray irradiation as follows: The percentage of SA-beta-Gal positive cells, the ratio of G1 stages and the production of ROS were significantly increased , the expression of p16 in mRNA level was also upregulated. The capacility of colony forming and T-AOC in HSCs were decreased. ASP could significantly decrease the percentage of SA-beta-Gal positive cells, the ratio of G1 stages and the production of ROS in HSCs, and downregulate the expression of p16 in mRNA level in HSCs contrast to aging group without ASP treatment. In addition, ASP could remarkably increase T-AOC and the capacility of colony forming in HSCs compared with aging group without ASP treatment.X-ray (3.0 Gy/8 F) could induce mice HSCs aging. ASP could delay senescence HSCs aging which maybe partly ascribed to the inhibition of oxidative damage and the downregulation of p16 mRNA expression.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), in which inflammation has been implicated playing important roles, is one of the most common diabetes complications. Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang (DBT), an aqueous extract of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelica sinensis, is a classical prescription in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating inflammation and ischemic diseases. Here, we investigated the effects of a modified recipe of DBT, with addition of Panax notoginseng, in treating diabetic retinopathy. An aqueous extract of Radix Astragali, Radix Angelica sinensis, and Panax notoginseng (RRP) was given to Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats and streptozotocin-induced Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Leukostasis, vascular leakage, and acellular capillaries in retinal vasculature of animals were determined. Expression of retinal inflammatory biomarkers was assessed. We found that RRP reduced leukostasis, acellular capillaries, and vascular leakage compared to diabetic control rats. We also found that RRP decreased the expression of inflammatory factors including IL-1 β , IL-6, TNF- α , NF- κ B, MCP-1, ICAM-1, or VCAM-1 in the retinas of GK rats and reversed high glucose-induced inhibition of endothelial cell migration and proliferation in vitro. We conclude that RRP has a potent effect in preventing the pathogenesis and/or progression of DR and thus may serve as a promising nontoxic therapeutic approach of DR.

The promotion of blood vessel initiation and growth plays an important role in the realization of therapeutic vascularization and regeneration of functional tissues. Astragalus membranaceus and angelica sinensis are commonly used traditional Chinese medicines for enriching the blood. In the current study astragaloside IV (AT, the main active ingredient of astragalus) and ferulic acid (FA, the main ingredient of angelica) were loaded into electrospun fibrous scaffolds to provide abundant and sustained biological factors required to initiate vascularization and bring it to maturity. The cell viability after AT and FA treatment was dose-dependent with an optimal concentration of around 50 μg/mL, and the most significant synergistic effect was demonstrated for the combined treatment with AT and FA with the ratio of 7/3 on both primary endothelial and smooth muscle cells. The in vitro release study showed that the amount of AT and FA release could be regulated by their loading amount and ratios in electrospun fibers. The localized and sustained codelivery of AT and FA indicated significantly high cell viability and secretion of extracellular matrices for both endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and induced significantly high densities of vascular structures after subcutaneous implantation. The most significant angiogenesis promotion with few inflammatory reactions was demonstrated for electrospun fibers containing AT and FA with the ratio of 7/3. It was suggested that the integration of the synergistic effect of Chinese medicine into electrospun fibrous scaffolds should provide clinical relevance for therapeutic vascularization, full vascularization in engineered tissues, and regeneration of blood vessel substitutes.

The root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (abbreviated as AS) (Danggui) has a long history in Asian herbal medicine. Recently, it was demonstrated that AS possesses anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activities. Because the transcription factor Nrf2 mediates the expression of many cellular anti-oxidative stress genes, including genes that are involved in phase II drug metabolism and anti-oxidative stress, this study sought to investigate whether pure compounds from AS or an AS extract could activate antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated gene expression and induce anti-inflammatory activities. Z-Ligustilide (Ligu), 3-butylidenephthalide (Buty) and CO2 supercritical fluid-extracted lipophilic AS extract (SFE) were tested in HepG2-C8 cells stabilized with ARE luciferase reporter gene. Ligu and Buty caused significant toxicity only at 100 μM. All three of the samples induced ARE-luciferase activity; however, SFE at 8.5 µg/mL induced ARE-luciferase activity 2-3 fold more potently than did either of the pure compounds. SFE also significantly increased the endogenous mRNA of Nrf2 and the Nrf2 target anti-oxidative gene NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1 (NQO1). The protein expression of NQO1 was also significantly induced by SFE. In RAW 264.7 cells, SFE suppressed LPS-induced IL-1β and TNF-α expression about 2 fold stronger than sulforaphane, whereas both the pure compounds and SFE suppressed inflammatory nitric oxide (NO) production. In summary, our study demonstrates that AS has anti-inflammatory effects and activates the Nrf2 pathway, which protects against oxidative stress. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

To evaluate the quality of Angelica sinensis based on Grey incidence degree method.Grey model was set up by determining four main compositions contained in the samples.The result of quality evaluation on 21 samples by this model was as same as that of genuine medicinal materials.Grey incidence degree method and the model can be used to evaluate the quality of Angelica sinensis.

To study the variation of the biomass of the root and active components of Angelica sinensis during different growth periods.27 batches of Angelica sinensis were harvested from different growth periods, and the biomass of underground parts were determined; The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for determining the contents of Z-ligustilide and n-Butylidenephthalide in essential oil of Radix Angelicae Sinensis.The average contents of n-Butylidenephthalide and Z-ligustilide were more than 1% and 40% in the total essential oil of Radix Angelicae sinensis respectively. Their contents showed larger difference during different growth period.The contents of Z-ligustilide and n-Butylidenephthalide of Radix Angelicae Sinensis is closely related to their growth period.

In the present study, the Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) extraction procedure was optimized by an L9 (3(4)) orthogonal array experimental design (OAD) with four factors at three levels. Under the optimal extraction condition (extraction time 180 min, ratio of water to solid 6, extraction temperature 100°C, and extraction number 4), extraction yield of ASP was 5.6%. Rabbits were fed for 40 days with A. sinensis polysaccharides at a dose of 150 or 300 mg/kg body weight, respectively. At the end of 40 days, animals received cerebral ischemia reperfusion operation. CT perfusion imaging (CTP) analysis showed that rCBF and rCBV were significantly increased, whereas rMTT and rTTP were decreased in the ischemia cerebral tissue compared to CIR group rabbits. ASP significantly decreased oxidative damage, and increased antioxidant enzymes activities in brains of CIR animals. Moreover, ASP significantly enhanced the Ach, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+),Mg2(+)-ATPase and glucose levels, decreased AChE activity in brain tissue of the experimental animals. These results suggest a potent role of ASP in protection of brain oxidative injury in CIR animals.

Extraction of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) was optimized by the utilization of response surface methodology, RSM. Through the analysis, extraction time and water/solid were found to be the most significant factors. Based on contour plots and variance analysis, optimum operational conditions for maximizing polysaccharides yield (5.6%) were found to be extraction time 130 min, water/solid 5, and extraction number 5. A. sinensis polysaccharides (150 and 300 mg/kg) were administered for 15 days. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical parameters. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransfere (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were significantly restored toward normalization by the extracts (150 and 300 mg/kg body weight). ASP (150 and 300 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes. It can be concluded that ASP possesses significant protective effect against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). This protective effect appears due to ASP antioxidant properties.

The article aims to review various Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) with both osteogenic and angiogenic effects, alone and in combination, and to consider whether these TCMs promote osteogenesis via angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Each of the TCMs involving in osteogenesis was searched through PubMed and CBMdisc using its Latin name and English name, and keywords such as 'osteogenesis', 'bone', 'osteoblast', 'angiogenesis', 'VEGF' were used. A total of 241 articles were screened from PubMed and CBMdisc. The articles were only chosen if they discussed the relationship of the TCMs with bone formation and/or angiogenesis. Twenty-seven articles were chosen, of which 16 were in English and 11 were in Chinese with English abstract. As a result, the TCMs (Danshen or Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Danggui or Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge or Huangqi, and Ge Gan or Puerarin radix) that have a relationship with both osteogenesis and angiogenesis were screened out. It is found that the aforementioned TCMs enhance angiogenesis and osteogenesis. They show a positive effect on bone formation, and the possible mechanisms may be related to their ability to promote angiogenesis via an effect on substances such as VEGF. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Roots of (Danggui) have been used in promoting blood circulation as herbal medicine for over 2000 years in China. Another species of roots called is being used in Korea. To reveal the efficiency of different roots, the chemical and biological properties of roots from different cultivated regions were compared. Roots of contained higher levels of ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, and senkyunolide A, while high amounts of butylphthalide and Z-butylenephthalide were found in roots. The extracts deriving from roots showed better effects in osteogenic and estrogenic properties than that of from China. However, this difference was markedly reduced when the roots were being prepared in a Chinese herbal decoction together with Astragali Radix as Danggui Buxue Tang. In contrast, the herbal decoction prepared from roots showed better responses in cell cultures. In addition, the extracts of roots showed strong cell toxicity both as single herb and as Danggui Buxue Tang. This result revealed the distinct properties of roots from China and Korea suggesting the specific usage of herb in preparing a unique herbal decoction.