Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001 Oct; 21(10): 754-6.

[Effect of rhubarb on intestinal immune associated secretion in healthy mice and in burn mice]

Chen XL, Huang XL, Wu H.

First Affiliated Hospital, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of rhubarb (sennosides) in protecting intestinal muco-membranous barrier by observing the change of intestinal immune associated secretion (IIAS) in mice before and after burn and the enhancing effect of rhubarb on it in healthy and in burn mice. METHODS: Bal b/c mice were divided into 4 groups. Group A (n = 8), untreated healthy mice; Group B (n = 11), healthy mice treated with 10% rhubarb decoction 12 ml/kg, once every 6 hrs; Group C (n = 7), the mice with 30% back full-thickness burn and no treatment was given; Group D (n = 9), the mice with 30% back full-thickness burn and treated with 10% rhubarb decoction 12 ml/kg, once every 6 hrs. The animals were killed 24 hrs after burn, the intestinal juice was collected after intestinal lavage, and centrifuged for determination of IgA, total protein, C3 and high density lipoprotein. RESULTS: IgA content in intestinal juice of Group A, B, C and D were 93.5 +/- 13.7 mg/L, 150.8 +/- 44.6 mg/L, 43.4 +/- 21.5 mg/L and 59.8 +/- 19.3 mg/L respectively, suggesting that it was significantly reduced by burn (P < 0.05), while rhubarb decoction could increase it in either healthy or burn mice (P < 0.05). The other immune associated substance, such as total protein, C3 and high density lipoprotein in intestinal juice were also increased significantly after rhubarb decoction treatment. CONCLUSION: Rhubarb could increase the reduced intestinal juice IgA content in mice caused by burn, it may be an important mechanism of rhubarb in protecting muco-membranous barrier.