“Qi-Invigoration” Action of <em>Codonopsis pilosula</em> Polysaccharide Through Altering Mitochondrial Bioenergetics
Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Background: Codonopsis pilosula (CP) is one of the most popular Qi-invigorating herbal medicines and has been extensively used to promote health and vitality in China for a long time. C. pilosula polysaccharide (CPP) is the principal active components of CP, which is considered as the reason for CP widespread application. However, there are not revealed that CPP exert a Qi-invigoration effect by protecting mitochondria and/or improving mitochondrial function in the existing traditional Chinese medicine theories. Methods: Herein, we extracted CPP from C. pilosula and investigated the effects of CPP on energy metabolism and mitochondrial protection. Based on the mice chronic hypoxia model for imitating the “Qi” deficiency state of the human body in traditional Chinese medicine, which was administered with CPP by oral gavage daily for 10 days, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain, mitochondrial respiratory function, the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in liver cells were assayed. Adenylate energy charge (AEC), total adenylate pool (TAP), ATP/ADP, and ATP/AMP ratios were calculated. Results: CPP could inhibit the formation of MDA in mice brains, decrease oxygen consuming rate and respiratory control ratio (RCR) of liver mitochondria, increase levels of ATP, TAP and AEC in liver cells under chronic hypoxia condition. Conclusion: Overall, CPP can invigorate “Qi” by improving mitochondrial energy metabolism and bioenergetic levels.