Integrated pharmacology reveals the mechanism of action of Bu-Shen-Tong-Du prescription against collagen-induced arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. Bu-Shen-Tong-Du prescription (BSP) has traditionally been used in to treat RA but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we explored the potential mechanisms of BSP in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats, a classic animal model of RA.

Vasorelaxant effect of taurine is diminished by tetraethylammonium in rat isolated arteries.

Although the vasorelaxant effects of taurine have been studied in rabbit ear artery, rat isolated aorta and mesenteric artery, its pharmacological properties in other vascular beds and underlying mechanism(s) are still not well clarified. The present study was designed to observe the effects of taurine on the contractions induced by depolarization and phenylephrine in rat isolated aortic, renal and mesenteric arterial rings, and to get an insight into its mechanism(s). Arterial rings were suspended in organ baths and tension was recorded isometrically.