Griffipavixanthone from Garcinia oblongifolia champ induces cell apoptosis in human non-small-cell lung cancer H520 cells in vitro.

Griffipavixanthone (GPX) is a dimeric xanthone which was isolated in a systematic investigation of Garcinia oblongifolia Champ. In this study, we investigate the effect of GPX on cell proliferation and apoptosis on human Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells in vitro and determine the mechanisms of its action. GPX inhibited the growth of H520 cells in dose- and time-dependent manners, with IC50 values of 3.03 ± 0.21 µM at 48 h. The morphologic characteristics of apoptosis and apoptotic bodies were observed by fluorescence microscope and transmission electron microscope. In addition, Annexin V/PI double staining assay revealed that cells in early stage of apoptosis were significantly increased upon GPX treatment dose-dependently. Rh123 staining assay indicated that GPX reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential. DCFH-DA staining revealed that intracellular ROS increased with GPX treatment. Moreover, GPX cleaved and activated caspase-3. In summary, this study showed that GPX inhibited H520 cell proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manner. Further mechanistic study indicated that GPX induced cell apoptosis through mitochondrial apoptotic pathway accompanying with ROS production. Our results demonstrate the potential application of GPX as an anti-non-small cell lung cancer agent.

Overexpression of IL-3Rα on CD34+CD38- stem cells defines leukemia-initiating cells in Fanconi anemia AML.

Patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) have a high risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this study, we attempted to identify cell-surface markers for leukemia-initiating cells in FA-AML patients. We found that the IL-3 receptor-α (IL-3Rα) is a promising candidate as an leukemia-initiating cell-specific antigen for FA-AML. Whereas IL-3Rα expression is undetectable on normal CD34(+)CD38(-) HSCs, it is overexpressed on CD34(+)CD38(-) cells from FA patients with AML. We examined the leukemia-initiating cell activity of IL-3Rα-positive FA-AML cells in a "humanized" FA xenotransplant model in which we separated AML cells into IL-3Rα-positive and IL-3Rα-negative CD34 fractions and transplanted them into irradiated recipient mice. In all 3 FA-AML samples, only IL-3Rα-positive cells showed significant levels of engraftment and developed leukemia in the recipient mice. The FA CD34(+)IL-3Rα(+) blasts isolated from leukemic mice exhibited hypersensitivity to IL-3 deprivation and JAK2-STAT5 overactivation after IL-3 treatment. Finally, treatment of FA CD34(+)IL-3Rα(+) blasts with an IL-3Rα-neutralizing antibody inhibited IL-3-mediated proliferation and STAT5 activation. These results demonstrate that IL-3Rα is a cell-surface marker present on FA-AML leukemia-initiating cells and may be a valuable therapeutic target.

[Effects and mechanisms of Herba dendrobii on rats with stomach-heat syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Herba dendrobii on rats with stomach-heat syndrome and to explore the mechanisms. METHOD: Rats were fed with decoction of Rhizoma Zingiberis for 15 continuous days to induce the model of stomach-heat syndrome. After modeling, Herba Dendrobii (HD) decoction were given (in the doses of 1.5, 0.75 g x kg(-1) respectively) for 10 days. After treatment, amount of the daily diet, volume and absorbance of urine, pellet number and moistness of excrement, color and coating degree of tongue were recorded; the body thermal effects were detected with thermal texture maps (TTM) system; the biochemical indexes of blood reflecting the physiological function of stomach, including thromboxaneB2 (TXB2), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha(6-keto-PGF1alpha), motilin (MTL), gastrin (Gas), somatostation (SS), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured by radio immunoassay; and the histological changes of gastric mucosa were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stain. RESULT: The model rat had yellow coating and red tongues (P < 0.05). The amount of daily diet were increased (over 10%), urine volume and excrement pellet number were decreased (over 10%). The their urine color became deep (P < 0.01) and their excrement became dry. The temperatures in head, neck, left fore-armpit, chest, up-abdomen, mid-abdomen of the model rats were raised up (difference > 0.5 degrees C or difference > 1.0 degree C ). The content of 6-keto-PGF1alpha in blood of model rats decreased evidently (P < 0.01), and the contents of MTL, Gas and IL-8 increased conspicuously (P < 0.01). The histological changes of gastric mucosa in the model rats were as follows: diffuse congestion, infiltration of neutrophil, less secretion, decrease of the number of chief and parietal cells, etc (P < 0. 05 or P < 0.01). After treatment with HD, except the daily food weight, the temperatures in head, neck and chest, the content of MTL and the number of chief cells, the other indexes observed above were improved noticeably (difference > 0.5 RC or difference > 1.0 degree C, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The reason why HD relieves the general symptom and sign the gastric mucosa of rats with stomach-heat syndrome is that HD can increase 6-keto-PGF1alpha and decrease IL-8, Gas, TXB2 in their blood.

[BP model for relation between anti-aging and four natures, five flavors and meridian tropism of Chinese prescription medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a scientific, rapid anti-aging prediction model. METHOD: According to the institutional principle of Chinese prescription medicine and by using the theory and method of artificial neural network, a BP model was built up to cope with the relation between anti-aging and four natures, five flavors as well as meridian tropism of Chinese medicinal herbs. RESULT: The accuracy that the model predicted the prescription's anti-aging index of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) was 93. 33%. CONCLUSION: The model can predict the efficacy of anti-aging prescription very well.

[Studies on chemical constituents from twigs of Morus atropurpurea].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the twigs of Morus atropurpurea. METHOD: The compounds of the EtOAc fraction were isolated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel, polyamide, Sephadex LH -20, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence (MS, NMR). RESULT: Eleven compounds were identified as mulberrin (1), cyclomulberrin (2), morusin (3), cyclomorusin (4), 2', 4',4, 2"-tetrahydroxy-3'-{3"-methylbut-3"-enyl-}-chalcone (5), mulberrofran G (6), scopoletin (7), moruchalcone A (8), kaempferol (9), ursolic acid (10), beta-daucosterol (11). CONCLUSION: Except compounds 9 and 11, all the other compounds were obtained from M. atropurpurea for the first time.

[Study on lipid-regulating function for the extracts and their prescriptions from Semen Cassiae and fructus crataegi].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of lipid-regulating function for extracts and their prescriptions from Semen Cassiae and Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N. E. Br. on serum lipid of hyperlipidema mice. METHODS: 1 week after being administered with extract of Semen Cassiae, extract of Crataegus pinatifida Bge. var. major N. E. Br. and different proportion mixture of them (180 mg/ kg), mice were treated with ip 75% fresh yelkfluid. The contents of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, apo AI and apo B were observed after 24 h. RESULTS: The levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and apoB in therapeutic group were lower than those in hyperlipidemic model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), especially in different proportion mixture groups. CONCLUSION: Lipid-regulating active part of Semen Cassiae and Crataegus pinatifida Bge. var. major N. E. Br. might inhibit hyperlipidemic formation, and mixture groups were more effective than those of its single extract.

[Physiological effects of cold and cool Chinese herbal medicine of channel tropism of stomach on rats with stomach-heat syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: Stomach physiological effects of channel tropism of stomach, cold & cool Chinese herbal medicine on rats with stomach-heat syndrome were studied. METHOD: Using water decoction of warm &heat medicine, Rhizoma Zingiberis to feed rats for 15 days continuously, causing the stomach-heat sydrome model, then decoction of Rhizoma Coptidis, Herba Taraxaci, Fractus Aurantii Immaturus was used to feed rats for 10 days, respectively. Biochemical indexes of blood reflecting the physiological function of stomach, including thromboxaneB2 (TXB2), 6-keto-PGF(1alpha), Gastrin (Gas), Motilin (MTL), and Somatostation (SS) were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULT: Symptom of stomach-heat syndrome prevailed in body of rats after filled with decoction of Rhizoma Zingiberis, values of TXB2/6-keto-PGF(1alpha), MTL, and Gas in blood raised up evidently, compared with the control (P < 0.05), but values of 6-keto-PGF(1alpha). decreased conspicuously (P < 0.05). After treated with decoction of Rhizoma Coptidis, Herba Taraxaci or Fractus Aurantii Immaturus for 10 days, respectively. Symptoms of stomach heat syndrome were eliminated or alleviated, values of 6-keto-PGF(1alpha), and SS in blood elevated at different degrees, and those of TXB2, TXB2/6-keto-PGF(1alpha), MTL, and Gas felled down at different degrees. Difference of efficacy existed at different groups, group of Rhizoma Coptidis was the strongest, group of Herba Taraxaci was the second, group of Fractus Aurantii Immaturus was the third. Efficacy of medicine in groups with high dosage was stronger than those with low dosage. CONCLUSION: Channel tropism of stomach, cold and cool Chinese herbal medicine could improve the physiological functions of stomach effectively, and the efficacy concerns with the degree of their cold and cool characteristics.

[Effect of protein and anthraquinone glucosides from Semen Cassia on learning and memory capacity and related substances of senile mice induced by D-galactose].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate actions of protein and anthraquinone glucosides from Semen Cassia on learning and memory capacity and related substances of senile mice induced by D-galactose. METHOD: The subacute senile mouse models induced by injection of D-galactose subcutaneously were used. RESULT: Protein and anthraquinone glucosides from Semen Cassia could improve the learning and memory capacity of senile mice. Protein and anthraquinone glucosides from Semen Cassia not only inhibited the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) in cerebrum of senile mice, but also enhanced the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cerebrum and lessened the lipofuscin (LF) in liver tissue of senile mice. Protein from Semen Cassia could reduce the content of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in cerebrum of senile mice. CONCLUSION: Protein and anthraquinone glucosides from Semen Cassia could improve the learning and memory capacity of senile mice and delay aging.

[Analysis of anthraquinones in serum and urine after oral administration of semen Cassiae].

OBJECTIVE: To analysie the anthraquinones absorbed into serum by different animals (or human beings) after oral administration of Semen Cassiae. METHOD: Anthraquinones in serum and urine of rats and urine of healthy men after taking Semen Cassiae orally were detected with HPLC. RESULT: Only some of the anthraquinones were absorbed into serum. There were differences in absorption and metabolism of anthraquinones between rats and men and some new anthraquinones were produced in the process. CONCLUSION: Anthraquinones absorbed into serum by the experimental animals or men should become target for researching into active compounds of anthraquinones in Semen Cassiae.

[Effect of protein and anthraquinone glucosides from cassia seed on serum lipid of hyperlipidemia rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of protein and anthraquinone glucosides from cassia seed on serum lipid of hyperlipidemia rats. METHOD: The rat hyperlipidemia model was set up by ig lipid emulsion. The effects of the protein 0.25 and 1 mg.kg-1. d-1, the anthraquinone glucosides 5 and 20 mg.kg-1.d-1, and the protein 0.25 mg.kg-1.d-1 plus the anthracene glucosides 5 mg.kg-1.d-1 on total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) in serum of the rats were determined. RESULT: The protein 1 mg.kg-1.d-1, the anthraquinone glucosides 20 mg.kg-1.d-1 reduced the raised TC, TG, LDL-C of hyperlipidemia rats (P < 0.05). The above indexes could also be reduced by the protein 0.25 mg.kg-1.d-1 plus the anthraquinone glucosides 5 mg.kg-1.d-1(P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Protein and anthraquinone glucosides from cassia seed can lower TC, TG, LDL-C of hyperlipidemia rats.