[Effects of coumarins from cnidium monnieri on the function of pituitary-adrenocortical axis in kidney yang deficiency rats].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of Cnidium monnieri in Kidney Yang Deficiency rats.

METHODS

Rats were injected intraperitoneally with hydrocortisone acetate to replicate the animal model of Kidney Yang Deficiency. Osthol, total-coumarins (TCR) from the fruit of Cnidium monnieri and positive control drug (PCD) were administered orally to model rats. The plasma levels of corticosterone (B), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), renin (PRA), angiotensin-II (AT-II) and aldosterone (ALD) were determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

Compared with those in normal rats, the levels of B and ACTH in the plasma of model rats lowered significantly (P < 0.01), the levels of B and ACTH of treatment groups were higher than those of model group, while the levels of PRA, AT-II and ALD had no significant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The osthol, TCR have the effects in protecting and strengthening the function of pituitary-adrenocortex axis.