Herba Cistanche extract enhances mitochondrial glutathione status and respiration in rat hearts, with possible induction of uncoupling proteins

β‐Sitosterol Enhances Cellular Glutathione Redox Cycling by Reactive Oxygen Species Generated From Mitochondrial Respiration: Protection Against Oxidant Injury in H9c2 Cells and Rat Hearts

“…Previous experimental findings have demonstrated that 'Yang-invigorating' Chinese tonic herbs invariably increase ATP-GC in both isolated rat hearts ex vivo (Leung and Ko, 2008;Siu and Ko, 2010) and H9c2 cells in situ (Wong et al, 2011). Using an ATP-GC assay as activity monitor, we successfully isolated a semi-purified fraction, HCF1, from Herba Cistanches (Wong and Ko, 2013).…”

“…Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that HCF1, a semi‐purified fraction isolated from an ethanol extract of Herba Cistanches, protected against oxidant injury in H9c2 cells and in rat hearts (Siu and Ko, ). The findings showed that HCF1 enhanced mitochondrial electron transport and caused a concomitant increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.…”

Herba Cistanches stimulates cellular glutathione redox cycling by reactive oxygen species generated from mitochondrial respiration in H9c2 cardiomyocytes

“…Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that a "Yang-invigorating" Chinese tonic herb, Herba Cistanches the dried whole plant of Cistanche deserticola Y.C. Ma (Orobanchaceae) (Moriya et al, 1995a,b), enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and antioxidant capacity in rat hearts (Leung & Ko, 2008;Siu & Ko, 2010). The beneficial effect of Herba Cistanches was associated with protection against myocardial I/R in rats (Siu & Ko, 2010).…”

“…Ma (Orobanchaceae) (Moriya et al, 1995a,b), enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and antioxidant capacity in rat hearts (Leung & Ko, 2008;Siu & Ko, 2010). The beneficial effect of Herba Cistanches was associated with protection against myocardial I/R in rats (Siu & Ko, 2010). However, the active ingredient(s) and mechanism underlying the…”

Ursolic-Acid-Enriched Herba Cynomorii Extract Protects against Oxidant Injury in H9c2 Cells and Rat Myocardium by Increasing Mitochondrial ATP Generation Capacity and Enhancing Cellular Glutathione Redox Cycling, Possibly through Mitochondrial Uncoupling

“…Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated the ability of Yang tonic herbs to increase mitochondrial ATP-GC, which is associated with an increased activity of the mitochondrial electron transport system [13]. In addition to upregulating mitochondrial functional capacity, Yang tonic herbs/formulas have also been shown to enhance cellular/mitochondrial antioxidant status [14] and also decrease mitochondrial coupling efficiency [15], thereby protecting against oxidant injury in various tissues of rats [16, 17]. …”