Effects of Liuwei Dihuang decoction and its compatible prescriptions on the function of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in senescence-accelerated mouse

OBJECTIVE To investigate age-related functional change of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis in senescence accelerated mouse(SAM)and the effects of Liuwei Dihuang decoction(LW)and its San-bu(three tonics)and San-xie(three eliminators)components on the function of HPA axis.METHODS Male SAM-resistance/1(SAMR1)and SAM-prone/8(SAMP8)at the ages of 6and 12 months old were used.SAMP8 were orally administered with LW,three tonics and three eliminators at the doses of 10,6.4and 3.6g·kg-1·d-1,respectively,for consecutive 60 d.Serum level of CORT was assayed with ELISA method.The levels of hypothalamic CRH and pituitary ACTH was determined with radioimmunoassay.RESULTS The levels of hypothalamic CRH,pituitary ACTH and serous CORT were much higher in 6 and 12 months old SAMP8 than those in age-matched SAMR1,which suggested the abnormal function of HPA axis in SAMP8.Oral administration of LW and three tonics significantly decreased the level of hypothalamic CRH of 6 and 12 months old SAMP8,and reduced the levels of pituitary ACTH and serous CORT of 6 month old SAMP8.Three eliminators significantly decreased the level of hypothalamic CRH of 6 months old SAMP8.The results indicated that oral administration of LW,three tonics and three eliminators improved the function of HPA axis of SAMP8.CONCLUSION The results showed the hyperactivity of HPA axis of SAMP8,and LW improved the hyperactivity of 6 month old SAMP8.Three tonics and three eliminators had similar effects as LW,which had better effect after compatibility.