Bak Foong Pills induce an analgesic effect by inhibiting nociception via the somatostatin pathway in mice

Abstract

Dysmenorrhoea, defined as cramping pain in the lower abdomen occurring before or during menstruation, affects, to varying degrees, up to 90% of women of child-bearing age. We investigated whether BFP (Bak Foong Pills), a traditional Chinese medicine treatment for dysmenorrhoea, possesses analgesic properties. Results showed that BFP was able to significantly reduce pain responses following subchronic treatment for 3 days, but not following acute (1 h) treatment in response to acetic acid-induced writhing in C57/B6 mice. The analgesic effect was not due to inhibition of COX (cyclo-oxygenase) activity, evidenced by the lack of inhibition of prostacyclin and PGE2 (prostaglandin E2) production. Molecular analysis revealed that BFP treatment modulated the expression of a number of genes in the spinal cord of mice subjected to acetic acid writhing. RT-PCR (reverse transcription-PCR) analysis of spinal cord samples showed that both sst4 (somatostatin receptor 4) and sst2 receptor mRNA, but not μOR (μ-opiate receptor) and NK1 (neurokinin-1) receptor mRNA, were down-regulated following BFP treatment, thus implicating somatostatin involvement in BFP-induced analgesia. Administration of c-som (cyclo-somatostatin), a somatostatin antagonist, prior to acetic acid-induced writhing inhibited the analgesic effect. Thus subchronic treatment with BFP has anti-nociceptive qualities mediated via the somatostatin pathway.

Bak Foong pills combined with metformin in the treatment of a polycystic ovarian syndrome rat model

“…Thus, it could be presumed that it could basically reduce the androgen levels and biological activities, thus promoting follicular development and improving the ovulation dysfunction. The Chinese pharmaceutical company Beijing Tongrentang uses pure breed black-bone chickens as the raw materials for BFP, combined with 19 other medical herbs that nourish the Yin and reinforce the kidney (28)(29)(30). The prescription has the bioactivities of enriching and coagulating the blood, regulating lipids, relieving pain, estrogen or androgen-like effects, corticotropin-like effects and anti-fatigue effects.…”

A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies on the Efficacy of Herbal Medicines for Primary Dysmenorrhea

“…Rapidly synthesized PG exerts a direct effect on the myometrium, causing the uterine musculature to contract, resulting in constriction of small endometrial blood vessels, tissue ischemia, endometrial disintegration, bleeding, and pain [ 23 ]. In this review, shakuyaku-kanzo-to [ 24 ], Dang-Gui-Sha-Yao-San (PGF 2 α ) [ 25 ], Bak Foong pills (PGE 2 ) [ 26 ], and individual and combined extract of Commiphora myrrha and Boswellia carterii (PGE 2 ) [ 27 ] were proven to be effective in reducing PG levels.…”

“…Somatostatin receptors, which have been implicated in the modulation of nociceptive signals at the level of the spinal cord and are known to be either colocalized or in close proximity to substance P-containing neurons, are differentially regulated during acute and chronic inflammation [ 51 , 52 ]. In this review, Bak Foong pills [ 26 ] stimulated somatostatin receptors, implying that herbal medicines have antinociceptive qualities mediated via the somatostatin pathway.…”

Tetramethylpyrazine Improves Cognitive Function of Alzheimer’s Disease Mice by Regulating SSTR4 Ubiquitination

“… 15 Moreover, it has been reported that a traditional Chinese medicine can interact with SSTR4 to exert analgesic effect. 16 Additionally, ubiquitination is crucial for cell survival and differentiation, as well as innate and adaptive immunity in cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. 17 Yu et al reported that PSD-93, a postsynaptic scaffold protein, may reduce its ubiquitination and increase the expression of SSTR4 by binding with SSTR4, thereby reducing the content of Aβ and improving the cognitive impairment of AD model mice.…”