Comparative Study of Hwangnyeonhaedok-tang and Geongangbuja-tang on the Plasma Hormones Level in Mice Exposed to Cold Stress

ABSTRACT Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Hwangnyeonhaedok-tang (HH) and Geongang- buja-tang (GB) on the plasma hormone level in mice exposed to cold stress. HH and GB are the representative prescriptions of cold and hot property, respectively. Methods : We established cold condition by confining ICR mice to a 4°C cage for 24 hours, ICR mice were given a HH (100, 300, 1000 mg/kg) or GB (100, 300, 1000 mg/kg) extract orally twice a day for three consecutive days. From the second day, they were given cold stress (4°C) for twenty four hours. To measure the plasma corticosterone, insulin, thyroxine, epinephrine and norepinephrine levels of mice, their blood samples were collected from cardiac puncture, immediately centrifuged at 4°C. The protein level of HSP70 and JNK was examined using western blot analysis in cortex and hypothalamus. Results : Oral administration of GB more significantly reduced plasma corticosterone level raised by cold stress than HH. Gardeniae Fructus (CJ), the constituent of HH, significantly increased the thyroxine level. Western blot analysis showed that cold stress-induced Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression was increased by HH and GB, HH decreased JNK expression and GB increased JNK expression dose-depently in hypothalamus. Scutellariae Radix (HG), Zingiberis Rhizoma (GG) and Aconiti Tuber (BJ) decreased HSP70 in hypothalamus and GG, BJ decreased HSP70 in cortex as well. Conclusions : These results suggest Geongangbuja-tang (GB) is more effective for ameliorating the stress response caused by cold stress.