The Anti-emetic Effect of Banhasasim-tang Intravenous Herbal Acupuncture in MTX-induced Rat-Pica Model

Article information

J Korean Med. 2017;38(1):34-45
Publication date (electronic) : 2017 March 31
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.17004
1Department of Meridian & Acupoints, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University
Correspondence to: 임윤경(Yun-Kyoung Yim), Department of Meridian & Acupoints, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University, #12407, 62, Daehak-ro, Dong-gu, Daejeon, 34520, Republic of Korea., Tel: +82-42-280-2610, E-mail: docwindy@dju.kr
Received 2017 February 1; Revised 2017 March 17; Accepted 2017 March 17.

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the effect of banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) on emesis induced by chemotherapy in rats.

Methods

This study used methotrexate(MTX)-induced Rat-Pica model. The rats were randomly allocated into seven groups; normal group, two saline groups, four Banhasasim-tang(BST) groups (groups treated with BST-IVHA). All the experimental animals except those in the normal group were injected with MTX. Those in the pre-treatment groups were treated with saline injection (saline group) or BST-IVHA (BST group) before MTX injection. Those in the post-treatment groups were treated with saline injection or BST-IVHA after MTX injection. Two different dosages of BST-IVHA solution (low dose; BST-1 group, high dose; BST-2 group) were used. The changes in body weight, food intake, and kaolin consumption at 24h, 48h, and 60h were monitored and analyzed.

Results

1. No significant change was found in body weight. 2. The food intake at 48h was increased significantly in the BST-1 pre-treatment group(19.89±0.01g) compared to the pre-saline group(18.68±0.26g). 3. The kaolin consumption was significantly decreased in the BST-1 pre-treatment group at 24h(0.24±0.02g) and 60h(0.36±0.14g), in the BST-2 pre-treatment group at 48h(0.02±0.01g) and 60h(0.80±0.31g) compared to the pre-saline group(24h:0.81±0.37g, 48h:0.76±0.43g, 60h:1.56±0.03g). The kaolin consumption was also significantly decreased in the in the BST-1 post-treatment group at 24h(0.05±0.02g), 48h(0.64±0.06g) and 60h(0.14±0.05g), in the BST-2 post-treatment group at 48h(0.01±0.01g) and 60h(0.01±0.01g) compared to the post-saline group(24h:0.51±0.4g, 48h:3.58±0.33g, 60h:2.5±0.2g).

Conclusions

BST-IVHA showed an anti-emetic effect in MTX-induced rat-pica model. This result suggests that BST-IVHA could be an effective treatment for chemotherapy-induced emesis.

Fig. 1

Body weight change after MTX injection in pre-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) 24h before and right before MTX injection. Body weight change was monitored every 24 hours after MTX injection.

Normal : No treatment

Pre-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Fig. 2

Body weight change after MTX injection in post-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) right after and 24h after MTX injection. Body weight change was monitored every 24 hours after MTX injection.

Normal : No treatment

Post-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Fig. 3

Food intake after MTX injection in pre-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) 24h before and right before MTX injection. Food intake was monitored 24h, 48h, and 60h after MTX injection. Each value and vertical bar represent mean±S.D. (n=5)

Normal : No treatment

Pre-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

** : P<0.01, vs normal group by Mann-Whitney U Test

† : P<0.05 vs saline group by Mann-Whitney U Test

Fig. 4

Food intake after MTX injection in post-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) right after and 24h after MTX injection. Food intake was monitored 24h, 48h, and 60h after MTX injection. Each value and vertical bar represent mean±S.D. (n=5)

Normal : No treatment

Post-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

** : P<0.01, * : P<0.05 vs normal group by Mann-Whitney U Test

Fig. 5

Kaolin consumption after MTX injection in pre-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) 24h before and right before MTX injection. Kaolin intake was monitored 24h, 48h, and 60h after MTX injection. Each value and vertical bar represent mean±S.D. (n=5)

Normal : No treatment

Pre-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

*** : P<0.001, * : P<0.05 vs normal group by Mann-Whitney U Test

† : P<0.05 vs saline group by Mann-Whitney U Test

Fig. 6

Kaolin consumption after MTX injection in post-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) right after and 24h after MTX injection. Kaolin intake was monitored 24h, 48h, and 60h after MTX injection. Each value and vertical bar represent mean±S.D. (n=5)

Normal : No treatment

Post-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

*** : P<0.001 vs normal group by Mann-Whitney U Test

† : P<0.05 vs saline group by Mann-Whitney U Test

The Compositions of Banhasasim-tang(BST)

Group Assignment

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Body weight change after MTX injection in pre-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) 24h before and right before MTX injection. Body weight change was monitored every 24 hours after MTX injection.

Normal : No treatment

Pre-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Fig. 2

Body weight change after MTX injection in post-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) right after and 24h after MTX injection. Body weight change was monitored every 24 hours after MTX injection.

Normal : No treatment

Post-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Fig. 3

Food intake after MTX injection in pre-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) 24h before and right before MTX injection. Food intake was monitored 24h, 48h, and 60h after MTX injection. Each value and vertical bar represent mean±S.D. (n=5)

Normal : No treatment

Pre-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

** : P<0.01, vs normal group by Mann-Whitney U Test

† : P<0.05 vs saline group by Mann-Whitney U Test

Fig. 4

Food intake after MTX injection in post-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) right after and 24h after MTX injection. Food intake was monitored 24h, 48h, and 60h after MTX injection. Each value and vertical bar represent mean±S.D. (n=5)

Normal : No treatment

Post-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

** : P<0.01, * : P<0.05 vs normal group by Mann-Whitney U Test

Fig. 5

Kaolin consumption after MTX injection in pre-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) 24h before and right before MTX injection. Kaolin intake was monitored 24h, 48h, and 60h after MTX injection. Each value and vertical bar represent mean±S.D. (n=5)

Normal : No treatment

Pre-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Pre-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h before MTX (20mg/kg) injection

*** : P<0.001, * : P<0.05 vs normal group by Mann-Whitney U Test

† : P<0.05 vs saline group by Mann-Whitney U Test

Fig. 6

Kaolin consumption after MTX injection in post-treatment groups

Rats were treated with Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture (BST-IVHA) right after and 24h after MTX injection. Kaolin intake was monitored 24h, 48h, and 60h after MTX injection. Each value and vertical bar represent mean±S.D. (n=5)

Normal : No treatment

Post-Saline : treated with saline (0.4ml) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-1 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.028g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

Post-BST-2 : treated with BST-IVHA (0.4ml, 0.138g/kg) 0h and 24h after MTX (20mg/kg) injection

*** : P<0.001 vs normal group by Mann-Whitney U Test

† : P<0.05 vs saline group by Mann-Whitney U Test

Table 1

The Compositions of Banhasasim-tang(BST)

Herbs Pharmacognostic name Dose(g)
半夏 Pinellia ternate Breitenbach 8
黃芩 Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi 6
人蔘 Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer 6
甘草 Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer 6
乾薑 Zingiber officinale Roscoe 4
黃連 Coptis japonica Makino 2
生薑 Zingiber officinale Roscoe 4
大棗 Zizyphus jujuba Miller var. inermis Rehder 4
Total amount 40

Table 2

Group Assignment

Group Treatment
Normal No treatment

pre-treatment groups Pre-Saline Saline injection + MTX

Pre-BST-1 BST-IVHA (0.028g/kg) + MTX

Pre-BST-2 BST-IVHA (0.138g/kg) + MTX

post-treatment groups Post-Saline MTX + Saline injection

Post-BST-1 MTX + BST-IVHA (0.028g/kg)

Post-BST-2 MTX + BST-IVHA (0.138g/kg)

BST-IVHA : Banhasasim-tang intravenous herbal acupuncture