Objective： To investigate the relationship between tissue distributions of modified Wuzi Yanzong prescription（加味五子衍宗方, MWP） in rats and meridian tropism theory. Methods： A high-performance liquid chromatography with Fourier transform-mass spectrometry（HPLC-FT） method was used to identify the metabolites of MWP in different tissues of rats after continued oral administration of MWP for 7 days. The relationship between MWP and meridian tropism theory was studied according to the tissue distributions of the metabolites of MWP in rats and the relevant literature. Results： Nineteen metabolites, mainly flavanoid compounds, were detected in the different rat tissues and classified to each herb in MWP. Further, it was able to establish that the tissue distributions of the metabolites of MWP were consistent with the descriptions of meridian tropism of MWP available in literature, this result might be useful in clarifying the mechanism of MWP on meridian tropism. In the long run, these data might provide scientific evidence of the meridian tropism theory to further promote the reasonable, effective utilization, and modernization of Chinese medicine. Conclusion： The tissue distributions of MWP in vivo were consistent with the descriptions of meridian tropism of MWP.
WANG Lin-linLI Wei-weiWU Cai-shengZHANG Jin-lanSONG Yi-xiangSONG Fang-jiaoFU HongLIU Geng-xinWANG Xue-mei
＂Qi＂ and ＂blood＂ are two essential concepts in Chinese medicine （CM）. As qi is intangible, the concept of qi is still controversial between CM and Western medicine. However, the endogenous hydrogen sulfide （H2S） and other gaseous signaling molecules provides a new approach for understanding the essence of qi in CM. Blood stasis syndrome is a common syndrome in CM. According to the CM theory, the incidence of blood stasis syndrome is closely correlated to the reckless movement of qi, as qi and blood are inseparable in regulating physiological functions. In recent years, more and more evidences suggest a close correlation between blood stasis syndrome and microcirculation dysfunction. In this paper, we discuss the relationship between endogenous H2S and blood stasis syndrome based on qi-blood theory of CM. We found that endogenous H2S maybe a material basis in concept of qi in CM, while dysfunctional microcirculation is the pathological basis of the blood stasis syndrome. As qi is closely associated with incidence and progression of blood stasis syndrome, endogenous H2S may play an important role in preventing and treating the blood stasis syndrome by improving the function of microcimulation.
