The Effect of Dansamtongmek-tang and Dansamsengmek-san on Hyperlipidemia and Brain & Cell Damage by Hypoxia

단삼통맥탕(丹蔘通脈湯)과 단삼생맥산(丹蔘生脈散)이 고지혈증 및 Hypoxia로 유발된 뇌손상과 세포손상에 미치는 영향

Background and Aims: Dansamtongmek-tang (DSTMT) and Dansamsengmek-san (DSSMS) have been used for many years as therapeutic agents for the acute stage of cerebrovascular disease, hypertension and hyperlipidemia in Oriental medicine, but the effects of DSTMT and DSSMS on hyperlipidemia and safety for cell damage are not yet well-known. This study was done to investigate the effects of DSTMT and DSSMS on hyperlipidemia. Methods: In vivo test: after administering DSTMT and DSSMS to SHR and ICR occurred hyperlipidemia for 3 weeks, we analyzed body weight, cholesterol levels. TG, HDL-chol, LDL-chol, LDH in plasma, brain, liver and kidney tissue, and DNA by RT-PCR. In vitro test: after administering DSTMT and DSSMS to human hepatocellular carcinoma in hypoxia, we observed cell cohesion by light microscope, analyzed the inflow of Ca2+ by confocal laser scanning microscope and DNA by RT-PCR. Results: DSTMT significantly decreased the levels of triglyceride and increased the levels of HDL-cholesterol in SHR, and significantly decreased the levels of LDL-cholesterol and body weight and increased the levels of HDL-cholesterol in ICR. DSSMS significantly decreased body weight, total cholesterol levels, LDL-cholesterol, LDH and cardiac risk factor (CRE) in SHR and significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, LDH and CRF in ICR. DSTMT had an effect on protecting cells from damage by inhibiting production of p53 mRNA, and in DSSMS, by inhibiting production of p53 mRNA and p21 mRNA after hypoxia. DSTMT effectively blocked off Ca2+ at low density, but DSSMS effectively blocked off Ca2+ at high density. Both DSTMT and DSSMS had an effect on inhibiting lipid metabolism by blocking off production of apo B mRNA. Conclusions: These results suggest that DSTMT and DSSMS might be usefully applied for treatment of hyperlipidemia and suppression of brain damage.