Effects and Mechanism of Astragaloside (AS-IV) on SCF/c-Kit Pathway in Colon Tissues of Slow Transit Constipation (STC) Rats

The objective was to investigate the effects and mechanism of astragaloside (AS-IV) in slow transit constipation (STC) rats. A total of 60 SPF grade SD rats were randomized into NC group (5 males and 5 females) and the model group (25 males and 25 females). After stopping the previous intervention for 7 days, the model group, low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose AS-IV groups, PD group and NC group were treated by difference methods. RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and WB assay were used to detect the expression levels of SCF and c-Kit in the colon tissue samples. The intestinal propulsion rate of model group was significantly decreased compared with that of NC group (P < 0.05). Compared with that of model group, the intestinal propulsion rate of LD, MD, HD and PD groups were significantly improved (P < 0.05, respectively). By RT-PCR, IHC and WB assay, the SCF and c-Kit gene and proteins expressions were significantly depressed in model group compared with those in NC group (P < 0.05, respectively); the AS-IV supplement, the SCF and c-Kit gene and proteins expressions were significantly stimulated compared with model group (P < 0.05, respectively). In conclusion, AS-IV acts by stimulating SCF/c-Kit pathway in colon tissues to treat STC in vivo study.