• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.243-249
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• 2004

KBPT is the fortified prescription of Bang-pung-tong-sung-san(BPTS) by adding Spatholobi Clulis and Salviae Miltiorrzae Radix. BPTS prescription has been utilized in oriental medicine for the treatments of vascular diseases including hypertension, stroke, and arteriosclerosis. Yet, the overall mechanism underlying its activity at the cellular levels remains unknown. Using spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model, we investigated whether the KBPTS has an effect on the pathophysiological parameters related to hypertension. Pretreatment of SHR with KBPTS was found to lower blood pressure and heartbeat rate. Levels of aldosterone. dopamine, and epinephrine were found to be significantly reduced in the serum of KBPTS-treated SHR. Histological examination of adrenal cortex and superior aorta showed that tissues from KBPTS-treated SHR rats were more intact and cleaner compared to saline-treated control. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) protein in adrenal gland, aorta, myocardial tissue, and kidneys were higher in KBPTS-treated animals than control group. The present data suggest that KBPTS may play a role in normalizing cardiovascular function in SHR by controlling hypertension-related blood factors and superoxide stressors.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
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• pp.265-273
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• 2004

KBPTS is the fortified prescription of Bang-pung-tong-sung-san (BPTS) by adding Spatholobi Clulis and Salviae Miltiorrzae Radix. BPTS prescription has been used in Qriental medicine for the treatments of vascular diseases including hypertension, stroke, and arteriosclerosis, and nervous system diseases. Yet, the overall mechanism underlying its activity at the cellular levels remains unknown. To investigate the protective role of KBPTS on brain functions, noxious stimulations were applied to neurons in vitro and in vivo. KBPTS pretreatment in cultured cortical neurons of albino ICR mice rescued death caused by AMPA, NMDA, and kainate as well as by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and ferrous chloride (Fe/sup 2+/) treatments. Furthermore, KBPTS promoted animal's recovery from coma induced by a sublethal dose of KCN and improved survival by a lethal dose of KCN. To examine its physiological effects on the nervous system, we induced ischemia in the Sprague-Dawley rat's brain by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Neurological examination showed that KBPTS reduced the time which is required for the animal after MCA occlusion to respond in terms of forelimb and hindlimb movement$. Histological examination revealed that KBPTS reduced ischemic area and edema rate and also protected neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus from ischemic damage. Thus, the present data suggest that KBPTS may play an important role in protecting neuronal cells from external noxious stimulations.