Herb formula "Fufangqishe-Pill" prevents upright posture-induced intervertebral disc degeneration at the lumbar in rats

J Pharmacol Sci. 2010;113(1):23-31. doi: 10.1254/jphs.09231fp.

Abstract

Degeneration of the lumbar spine plays an important role in most chronic low back pain. Prevention of lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is therefore a high research priority. Both our previous multicenter clinical trials and pharmacological research showed that Fufangqishe-Pill (FFQSP), a newly patented traditional Chinese medicine, could effectively relieve the symptoms of neck pain and prevent cervical degeneration. To clarify the effect of FFQSP on lumbar IVD degeneration, we applied a lumbar IVD degeneration rat model induced by prolonged upright posture. Pretreatment of FFQSP for one month prevented the histological changes indicating IVD disorganization; increased type II-collagen level, decreased type X-collagen protein level, and increased Col2alpha1 mRNA expression at all time points; and decreased Col10alpha1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP13, and Interleukin (IL)-1beta mRNA expression induced by upright posture for 7 and 9 months. These results suggest that FFQSP prevents lumbar IVD degeneration induced by upright posture. FFQSP is a promising medicine for lumbar IVD degeneration disease.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Collagen Type II / metabolism
  • Collagen Type X / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / drug therapy*
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / metabolism
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / pathology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / metabolism
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Actins
  • Collagen Type II
  • Collagen Type X
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • fufangqishe-pill
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 3