formulation of a gavage decoction using traditional chinese medicine and its administration into mice

Herb Decoction Formulation and Gavage Standardization in Osteosarcoma Mice

Decoction formula is the most commonly used dosage form of the traditional Chinese medicine and the liquid medicinal drugs1,2. The decoction formula of traditional Chinese medicine is processed by decocting the herbs in water after being soaked, followed by filtering to discard the dregs.
Because the decoction formula can be individualized based on clinical necessities, especially in line with the characteristics of evidence-based treatment in traditional Chinese medicine, this dosage form via trans-oral administration has been applied in clinical practice for thousands of years with specific and irreplaceable advantages3,4. The quality of the decoction formula is directly related to the clinical efficacy.&#160;Therefore, the decoction formula must be prepared based on the principles for the standardized decoction methods to ensure the active ingredients are maximally extracted and protected3. Meanwhile, decoction-ready medicines are the main form of raw Chinese herbs used in clinical practice; the quality standards and production methods of prescribed decoction-ready medicines must comply with the provisions of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia2. Moreover, the prescribed decoction-ready medicines must be soaked in cold drinking water for at least 30 min before being decocted in a special pharmaceutical pot by heating5. Studies have shown that most of the active ingredients can be extracted by decocting for two times, and the&#160;Code of Practice for the Administration of Decoction Rooms of Traditional Chinese Medicines in Medical Institutions also prescribes decoction to be done twice4,6,7. If special Chinese herbs, such as one with hard texture or tonics, are prescribed, the decoction time is recommended to be extended. The decoction utensils and storage containers that directly come in contact with the decoction formula, starting from the container in which the prescribed decoction-ready medicines are soaked, should be chemically stable and have lids, such as casseroles, ceramics, glass and stainless steel. However, aluminum and ordinary plastic products should not be used, while iron and other corrosive utensils should be prohibited to avoid possible chemical reactions, which will reduce therapeutic efficacy and even produce harmful effects4,6,7.
Due to the limitations of performing clinical experiments, small animals bearing the human diseases, such as mice, are often used in medical research to explore the therapeutic efficacy and comprehensive mechanisms of different interventions including the decoction formula of traditional Chinese medicine8,9; however, unlike humans, the decoction formulas should be prepared every day, mixed together, and freshly administered 2x a day in clinical practice. Animals are unable to voluntarily take their medications on time with the required dosage, and most of the animal experiments related to traditional Chinese medicine are gavage-based oral administration of the decoction formulas at present. The decoction formulas used for in vivo animal experiments should be prepared in advance, aliquoted, stored at -20 &#176;C and thawed just before use3,4,10. Moreover, substandard animal immobilization and gavage needle manipulation increase the risk of unnecessary injuries and negative emotions. Therefore, as an important method of trans-oral drug delivery, the skilled gavage technique is particularly important to avoid possible esophageal injury and drug spillage, thus ensuring that each model animal receives an equal amount of prescribed herbal medicine to achieve accurate experimental results. Here, we provide a gavage protocol for the decoction formula of traditional Chinese medicine.

Author Spotlight: Standardized Herbal Decoction Protocol for Enhanced Animal Studies

Gavage Strategy for Decoction Formula of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Osteosarcoma Model Mice

This study provides a detailed and standardized protocol for about precaution preparation under gradual operation that's providing a reference for those in need. Our research ensures that each animal is dosed equally to produce accurate results. Our study aims to maximize the animal protection and improve the reliability of results from studies of about Decoction formulations.

Formulation of a Gavage Decoction Using Traditional Chinese Medicine and its Administration into Mice

formulation-gavage-decoction-using-traditional-chinese-medicine-its

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Decoction formula is the most commonly used dosage form in traditional Chinese medicine and applied in clinical practice for thousands of years by trans-oral administration, which is characterized by quick effect, easy absorption, and individualized treatment based on the specific syndromes of patients. The quality of the decoction formula is directly responsible for the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine; therefore, the standardization process of the decoction formula is important to avoid differences in decoction quality caused by subjective factors. Meanwhile, due to the limitations of performing clinical experiments, small animals bearing human diseases, such as mice, are often used in medical research to explore the therapeutic efficacy and comprehensive mechanisms of different interventions, including the decoction formula for traditional Chinese medicine.&#160;Consequently, as an important trans-oral administration method, the skilled gavage technique is particularly important to avoid potential esophagus damage and drug spillage, which will ensure an equal amount of medicine being administered to each model animal, leading to accurate experimental results. Furthermore, the standardized method of decoction formula preparation and skilled gavage strategy are necessary to protect animal welfare and minimize the number of animals used. Here, we reported a detailed standardization process of the decoction formula and gavage technique with Yiqi Jiedu decoction in osteosarcoma mouse model as an example. The efficacy was evaluated by the tumor volume. This protocol will maximize animal protection and improve the reliability of research data, therefore providing effective strategies for future investigating therapeutic efficacy and molecular mechanisms of decoction formula for traditional Chinese medicine in vivo.

The protocol provides a detailed standardization process of decoction formula and gavage technique with Yiqi Jiedu decoction in the osteosarcoma mouse model as an example. It describes animal protection and improves reliability of research data, providing effective strategies for investigating therapeutic efficacy and molecular mechanisms of decoction formulas in vivo.