Cepharanthine synergistically promotes methylprednisolone pharmacodynamics against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells possibly via regulation of P-glycoprotein/glucocorticoid receptor translocation.

BACKGROUND: Cepharanthin® alone or in combination with glucocorticoid (GC) has been used to treat chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) since the 1990s. Cepharanthine (CEP) is one of the main active components of Cepharanthin®. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of CEP on GC pharmacodynamics on immune cells and analyse the possible action mechanism of their interactions. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), T lymphocytic leukemia MOLT-4 cells and daunorubicin resistant MOLT-4 cells (MOLT-4/DNR) were used to evaluate the pharmacodynamics and molecular mechanisms. Drug pharmacodynamics was evaluated by WST-8 assay. P-glycoprotein function was examined by rhodamine 123 assay. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines were detected by flow cytometry. P-glycoprotein expression and GC receptor translocation were examined by Western blot. RESULTS: CEP synergistically increased methylprednisolone (MP) efficacy with the suppressive effect on the cell viability of PBMCs. 0.3 and 1 µM of CEP significantly inhibited P-glycoprotein efflux function of CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, and lymphocytes (P<0.05). 0.03~3 µM of CEP also inhibited the P-glycoprotein efflux function in MOLT-4/DNR cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.001). However, 0.03~3 µM of CEP did not influence P-glycoprotein expression. 0.03~0.3 µM of CEP significantly increased the GC receptor distribution from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in a concentration-dependent manner in MOLT-4/DNR cells. The combination did not influence the frequency of CD4+, CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells or the secretion of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines from PBMCs. In contrast, CEP alone at 1 µM decreased the percentage of CD4+ T cell significantly (P<0.01). It also inhibited the secretion of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. CONCLUSIONS: CEP synergistically promoted MP pharmacodynamics to decrease the cell viability of the mitogen-activated PBMCs, possibly via inhibiting P-glycoprotein function and potentiating GC receptor translocation. The present study provides new evidence of the therapeutic effect of Cepharanthin® alone or in combination with GC for the management of chronic ITP.

Semisynthesis of Antitrypanosomal p-Quinone Analog Possesing the Komaroviquinone Pharmacophore.

A p-quinone analog having the komaroviquinone pharmacophore fused with a more conformationally flexible cycloheptane ring, was semisynthesized from natural demethlsalvicanol isolated from Perovskia abrotanoides via four steps in 26% overall yield. The IC50 for the antitrypanosomal activity of the analog was 0.55 µM.

Preparation of Tenuifolin from Polygala senega L. Root Using a Hydrolytic Continuous Flow System under High-Temperature, High-Pressure Conditions.

An improved process for preparing tenuifolin (presenegenin 3-ß-d-glucopyranoside) from the root of Polygala senega L. was developed. A crude saponin mixture extracted from P. senega was subjected to hydrolysis, and the reactivity of compounds in the extract was controlled by utilizing the combination of a flow reactor and experimental design. In addition, column chromatography with HP 20, a synthetic polystyrenic adsorbent, allowed the gram-scale preparation of tenuifolin in a continuous manner with fewer steps. This approach shortens the total time required for gram-scale preparation from 16 to 5 h in a continuous manner while improving the yield from 0.59% to 2.08% (w/w).

Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications of tetrandrine and cepharanthine in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and autoimmune diseases.

Inappropriately activated T cells mediate autoimmune diseases and T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Glucocorticoid and chemotherapeutic agents have largely extended lives of these patients. However, serious side effects and drug resistance often limit the prognosis of considerable number of the patients. The efficient treatment of autoimmune diseases or T-ALL with drug resistance remains an important unmet demand clinically. Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids tetrandrine and cepharanthine have been applied for the treatment of certain types of autoimmune diseases and cancers, while studies on their action mechanisms and their further applications combined with glucocorticoids or chemotherapeutic agents remains to be expanded. This review introduced molecular mechanisms of tetrandrine and cepharanthine in T cells, including their therapeutic implications. Both tetrandrine and cepharnthine influence the growth of activated T cells via several kinds of signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, caspase cascades, cell cycle, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR. According to recent preclinical and clinical studies, P-glycoprotein inhibitory effect of tetrandrine and cepharnthine could play a significant role on T cell-involved refractory diseases. Therefore, tetrandrine or cepharanthine combined with glucocorticoid or other anti-leukemia drugs would bring a new hope for patients with glucocorticoid-resistant autoimmune disease or refractory T-ALL accompanied with functional P-glycoprotein. In conclusion, bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids tetrandrine and cepharanthine can regulate several signaling pathways in abnormally activated T cells with low toxicity. Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids deserve to be paid more attention as a lead compound to develop new drugs for the treatment of T cell-involved diseases in the future.

Pyogenic psoas abscess on the dorsal side, and bacterial meningitis and spinal epidural abscess on the ventral side, both of which were induced by spontaneous discitis in a patient with diabetes mellitus: A case report.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients are immunocompromised, particularly under poorly controlled conditions, and thereby they could develop rare inflammatory diseases, such as spontaneous discitis, pyogenic psoas abscess, spinal epidural abscess and bacterial meningitis. Herein we report a pyogenic psoas abscess on the dorsal side, and bacterial meningitis and spinal epidural abscess on the ventral side, both of which were induced by spontaneous discitis in a patient with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. This case was very rare and interesting, because we successfully treated various infections with antibiotics over a long period of time, complicated by hyperglycemic crises, although the patient suffered severe bone destruction and required rehabilitation for a long time.

Effects of sinomenine on the proliferation, cytokine production, and regulatory T-cell frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Sinomenine (SN) is a plant-derived alkaloid isolated from Caulis Sinomenii. It has been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) nearly 20 years ago. To investigate the anti-RA mechanism of SN, a lot of scholars reported the immunosuppressive effect of SN on T lymphocytes. We continued to evaluate the suppressive function of SN by using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from RA patients. As the positive control, 10 ng/ml of methylprednisolone (MP) showed the antiproliferation effect on mitogen-activated PBMCs of RA patients significantly (*p < .05). Meanwhile, MP decreased the frequency of CD4+ CD25+ T cells and suppressed the secretion of inflammatory Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines such as IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. However, SN at concentrations of 0.3-30 µM, showed little suppressive effects on the proliferation of PBMCs of RA patients. We did not observe any suppressive effects of SN on percentages of CD4+ T cells and CD4+ CD25+ T cells in the mitogen-activated PBMCs of RA patients. The influence of SN on the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells was also limited. Finally, even 30 µM of SN did not influence the secretion of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine significantly. The present study provided evidence that anti-RA mechanism of SN seems not to be related with the suppressive effects on peripheral T cells.

Absolute configuration of tetrandrine and isotetrandrine influences their anti-proliferation effects in human T cells via different regulation of NF-κB.

Natural compound tetrandrine was reported to inhibit the proliferation of T cells by inhibiting activation of NF-κB. Chemically, isotetrandrine differs from tetrandrine only in the stereochemistry at the chiral centers. The present study aimed to compare their anti-proliferation effects on human T cells with a focus on NF-κB. The IC50 values of tetrandrine against MOLT-4 cells, MOLT-4/DNR cells, and concanavalin A-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy subjects and dialysis patients were 4.43 ± 0.22, 3.62 ± 0.22, 1.91 ± 0.22 and 3.03 ± 0.28 µM, respectively. Whereas, the IC50 values of isotetrandrine against the above immune cells were 2.19 ± 0.27, 2.28 ± 0.33, 1.29 ± 0.14 and 1.55 ± 0.26 µM, respectively. The inhibitory effect of isotetrandrine against the proliferation of T cells was stronger than that of tetrandrine significantly (p < 0.05). Molecular mechanism investigation showed that 10 µM of isotetrandrine largely decreased the expression of p-NF-κB and NF-κB in both MOLT-4 and MOLT-4/DNR T cells (p < 0.05), whereas 10 µM of tetrandrine slightly inhibited the phosphorylation of p-NF-κB with little influence on the expression of NF-κB. Taken together, absolute configurations of tetrandrine and isotetrandrine are suggested to influence on their anti-proliferation effects in human T cells via different regulation of NF-κB.

Methylprednisolone potentiates tetrandrine pharmacodynamics against human T lymphoblastoid leukemia MOLT-4 cells via regulation of NF-κB activation and cell cycle transition.

Low response to glucocorticoid (GC) predicts therapeutic failure in acute T lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). The efficient and safe strategies are still required for the treatment of relapsed T-ALL. Our previous study revealed that tetrandrine induces apoptosis in human T lymphoblastoid leukemia cells possibly via activation of NF-κB. GCs are recognized as typical NF-κB inhibitors and are used for the treatment of T-ALL patients. In the present study, we examined whether methylprednisolone (MP) potentiates the cytotoxic effect of tetrandrine (TET) via NF-κB regulation by using human T lymphoblastoid leukemia MOLT-4 cells. WST-8 assay data showed that nM grade of MP increased cytotoxicity of TET against MOLT-4 cells in vitro. This effect seemed to be related to the potentiation of TET action by MP to induce apoptosis. Meanwhile, the combination also impeded the transition of cell cycle from G0/G1 phase to S phase. However, the regulation effect of this combination on cell cycle had no relationship with cyclin signaling pathway, since the drug-combination did not influence on the expression of cyclin A2/B1/D1 in MOLT-4 cells. On the other hand, the combination significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB (p < 0.01). These results suggest that nM grade of MP potentiates the cytotoxic effect of TET possibly via regulation of NF-κB activation and "G0/G1 to S" phase transition in human T lymphoblastoid leukemia MOLT-4 cells. Combination of TET and MP may provide a new therapeutic strategy for relapsed T-ALL.

Effects of Child-Pugh B Cirrhosis on Pharmacokinetics of Tofogliflozin, a New Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter (SGLT2) Inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Tofogliflozin is a highly selective sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. A mass balance study with combinations of microdoses revealed that tofogliflozin has high oral bioavailability (97.5%) and that tofogliflozin in circulation is eliminated primarily by metabolic pathways, with the liver playing a prominent role in elimination. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of moderate hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of tofogliflozin and on the pharmacodynamics (urinary glucose excretion [UGE]). METHODS: In an open-label, parallel-group study, 17 subjects (9 with moderate hepatic impairment [Child-Pugh Class B, score 7-9] and 8 healthy) received a single oral dose of 40 mg tofogliflozin. Plasma and urine concentrations of tofogliflozin were determined. Accumulated UGE, adverse events, and physiological and laboratory test data were monitored. RESULTS: Geometric mean ratio (GMR; geometric mean value for subjects with moderate hepatic impairment / geometric mean value for healthy subjects) of Cmax was 1.47 and GMR of AUCinf was 1.70. Moderate hepatic impairment had only a little effect on tmax and CLR but it prolonged MRT. The levels of cumulative UGE were similar between the 2 groups. No clinically significant adverse events, laboratory test values, or physiological test values were observed in any subject. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate hepatic impairment increased Cmax and AUCinf of tofogliflozin by 47% and 70%, respectively. This increase in tofogliflozin exposure did not increase UGE in hepatically impaired subjects. A single oral dose of 40 mg tofogliflozin was well tolerated, supporting dose adjustment is unnecessary even in moderately hepatically impaired subjects.

Tetrandrine enhances glucocorticoid receptor translocation possibly via inhibition of P-glycoprotein in daunorubicin-resistant human T lymphoblastoid leukemia cells.

Glucocorticoids are used as anticancer and immunosuppressive agents, whereas glucocorticoid resistance has been observed in a significant fraction of patients due to overexpression of P-glycoprotein encoded by multi-drug resistance-1 gene. Tetrandrine is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from traditional herb Fangji. According to our previous report, tetrandrine potentiated glucocorticoid pharmacodynamics partially via inhibiting P-glycoprotein function. In the present study, we investigated whether glucocorticoid receptor translocation was influenced indirectly by tetrandrine via P-glycoprotein inhibition, using human T lymphoblastoid leukemia MOLT-4 cell line with little P-glycoprotein expression and its multidrug resistant sub-line MOLT-4/DNR exhibiting a large amount of P-glycoprotein. Molecular mechanism investigation suggested that overexpressed P-glycoprotein weakened the glucocorticoid receptor translocation in MOLT-4/DNR cells comparing with the parent MOLT-4 cells. Our data also suggested that tetrandrine enhanced nuclear glucocorticoid receptor translocation in MOLT-4/DNR cells indirectly by dual influences on P-glycoprotein, inhibiting the efflux function and downregulating the protein expression. Therefore, tetrandrine potentiated the cytotoxic effect of methylprednisolone against MOLT-4/DNR cells with less effects on MOLT-4 cells. These effects of tetrandrine were suggested to be beneficial for the treatment of glucocorticoid resistant diseases induced by the overexpression of P-glycoprotein.

Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids and P-glycoprotein function: A structure activity relationship study.

Conflicts with the notion that specific substrate interactions were required in the control of reaction path in active transport systems, P-glycoprotein showed extraordinarily low specificity. Therefore, overexpression P-glycoprotein excluded a large number of anticancer agents from cancer cells, and multidrug resistance happened. Several kinds of bisbenzylisoqunoline alkaloids were reported to modulate P-glycoprotein function and reverse drug resistance. In order to provide more information for their structure activity relationship on P-glycoprotein function, the effects of tetrandrine, isotetrandrine, fangchinoline, berbamine, dauricine, cepharanthine and armepavine on the P-glycoprotein function were compared by using daunorubicin-resistant leukemia MOLT-4 cells in the present study. Among them, tetrandrine exhibited the strongest P-glycoprotein inhibitory effect, followed with fangchinoline and cepharanthine, and subsequently with berbamine or isotetrandrine. However, dauricine and armepavine showed little influence on the P-glycoprotein function. These data revealed that the 18-membered ring of the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids maintained the P-glycoprotein inhibitory activity, suggesting that double isoquinoline units connected by two oxygen bridges were indispensable. Moreover, stereo-configuration of bisbenzylisoquinoline 3D structures determined their inhibitory activities, which provided a new viewpoint to recognize the specificity of binding pocket in P-glycoprotein. Our data also indicated that 3D chemical structure was more sensitive than 2D to predict the P-glycoprotein inhibitory-potencies of bisbenzylisoqunoline alkaloids.

Cytotoxic effects of vitamins K1, K2, and K3 against human T lymphoblastoid leukemia cells through apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate cytotoxic effects of vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), vitamin K2 (menaquinones), and vitamin K3 (menadione) against human T lymphoblastoid leukemia cells, Jurkat T cells, MOLT-4 cells, and P-glycoprotein-expressing multidrug-resistant MOLT-4/DNR cells. Vitamins K2 and K3, but not vitamin K1, reduced viabilities of Jurkat, MOLT-4, and MOLT-4/DNR cells. The influence potency of vitamin K3 was larger than that of vitamin K2 in all of the three cell lines. MOLT-4/DNR cells seemed to be more sensitive toward the effects of vitamins K2 and K3. The cytotoxicity of vitamins K2 and K3 on these leukemia cells seems to be related to apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest. Vitamin K2 and K3 treatment induced cleavage of PARP obviously. Moreover, vitamins K2 and K3 specifically down-regulated the expressions of cyclin A2 in all of the three cell lines. However, the effects of vitamins K2 and K3 on the cell cycle profiling in Jurkat, MOLT-4, and MOLT-4/DNR cells varied with the cell type. Vitamins K2 and K3 also decreased the viability of mitogen-activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our observations suggest that vitamins K2 and K3 have bilateral cytotoxic effects on activated human peripheral lymphocytes and the human leukemic T cells.

Antimalarial alkaloid from Hypoestes forskaolii.

Following on from previous studies, we brought further our quest for anti-malarial agents isolated from plants grown in the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. Methanolic extracts were prepared from eighteen Saudi plants and then tested in vitro to assess their anti-malarial effects on Plasmodium falciparum K1, (a chloroquine-resistant strain) as well as their cytotoxicity on MRC5 (human diploid embryonic lung cell line) cells. Moderate anti-malarial activity was observed in extracts prepared from Hypoestes forskaolii (Vahl) R. Br. (IC50 value of 5.5 µg/ml) and Rhus retinorrhaea (IC50: 7.71 µg/ml). The remaining sixteen plant extracts appeared to be inactive (IC50 > 12.5 µg/ml). A novel phenanthro-quinolizidine alkaloid, 15ß-hydroxycryptopleurine-N-oxide, was isolated from H. forskaolii using bio-guided fractionation procedures. Chloroquine-resistant (K1) and chloroquine-sensitive (FCR3) strains of P. falciparum appeared very sensitive to the anti-malarial activity of 15ß-hydroxycryptopleurine-N-oxide, giving IC50 of 6.11 and 5.13 nM respectively. It showed cytotoxicity against MRC5 "IC50 of 24.45 nM" with selectivity indices of 4.0 and 4.76 against K1 and FCR3 strains, respectively. It is our understanding that this is the first account on phenanthro-quinolizidine alkaloids anti-malarial activity on a chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum strain.

Tetrandrine and cepharanthine induce apoptosis through caspase cascade regulation, cell cycle arrest, MAPK activation and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal modification in glucocorticoid resistant human leukemia Jurkat T cells.

Tetrandrine (TET) and cepharanthine (CEP) are two bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids isolated from the traditional herbs. Recent molecular investigations firmly supported that TET or CEP would be a potential candidate for cancer chemotherapy. Prognosis of patients with glucocorticoid resistant T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) remains poor; here we examined the anti-T-ALL effects of TET and CEP and the underlying mechanism by using the glucocorticoid resistant human leukemia Jurkat T cell line in vitro. TET and CEP significantly inhibited cell viabilities and induced apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent manner. Further investigations showed that TET or CEP not only upregulated the expression of initiator caspases such as caspase-8 and 9, but also increased the expression of effector caspases such as caspase-3 and 6. As the important markers of apoptosis, p53 and Bax were both upregulated by the treatment of TET and CEP. However, TET and CEP paradoxically increased the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Mcl-1, and activated the survival protein NF-κB, leading to high expression of p-NF-κB. Cell cycle arrest at S phase accompanied by increase in the amounts of cyclin A2 and cyclin B1, and decrease in cylcin D1 amount in cells treated with TET or CEP will be another possible mechanism. During the process of apoptosis in Jurkat T cells, treatment with TET or CEP also increased the phosphorylation of JNK and p38. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway modification appears to play significant role in the Jurkat T cell apoptosis induced by TET or CEP. Moreover, TET and CEP seemed to downregulate the expressions of p-PI3K and mTOR in an independent way from Akt, since these two drugs strongly stimulated the p-Akt expression. These results provide fundamental insights into the clinical application of TET or CEP for the treatment of patients with relapsed T-ALL.

In vivo metabolic profiles of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang, a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription, in rats by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry.

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription (TCMP), has been extensively used for conditioning sub-health status and diseases caused by spleen-qi deficiency in China for over 700 years. BZYQT is prevalent not only in China, but also in Japan and South Korea for the clinical treatment of chronic diseases, such as fatigue, tuberculosis and loss of appetite after surgery. However, due to a lack of research on the holistic metabolism of BZYQT, the in vivo bioactive components of BZYQT remain unclear, hindering further study of its in vivo mechanism of action and quality control. In the present study, a four-step integrated strategy based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was established to systematically screen the in vivo xenobiotics of BZYQT. Ultimately, a total of 162 xenobiotics (59 prototypes and 103 metabolites) were identified or tentatively characterized, including 48 in plasma, 147 in urine and 58 in feces, while the in vivo metabolic profile of atractylenolide III (a major component of BZYQT) was elucidated for the first time. The xenobiotics of BZYQT mainly included flavonoids from Astragali Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Citrus reticulatae Pericarpium; lactones from Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma; and triterpenoid saponins from Cimicifugae Rhizoma. After oral administration, BZYQT-related components underwent diverse metabolic pathways. Among them, flavonoids mainly underwent glucuronidation, sulfation and demethylation, while lactones mainly underwent hydroxylation and acetylcysteine conjugation, and deglycosylation was the major metabolic reaction of saponins. Our investigation gives a comprehensive analysis of the metabolic characteristics of BZYQT and will provide an important basis for further studying the pharmacokinetics of BZYQT to explore its in vivo disposal features and discover its in vivo bioactive components.

Mucosal immunomodulatory evaluation and chemical profile elucidation of a classical traditional Chinese formula, Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE: With fast development and high pace life in modern society, autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease had become increasingly common. Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription (TCMP), has been used for 700 years mainly in Eastern Asia countries for the treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory disorder, and weakness after serious diseases. These diseases were proved to be closely related to human immune system, among which, mucosal immune system is the largest immune system. So it is necessary to discover the mucosal immune related bioactive components of BZYQT. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the mucosal immunomodulatory bioactivity of BZYQT and ingredients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peyer's patches were collected from mice administrated orally with BZYQT, its related Octadecylsilane (ODS) fractions and polysaccharide part. Productions of several cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-γ from T lymphocytes were tested with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by Peyer's patch cells ex vivo experiments. Chemical profile including low molecular part and polysaccharide part were investigated. Low molecular part of BZYQT and related ODS fractions were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) based on LC-MS information from self-established compound library. exclusion chromatography, and chemical property has been analyzed. RESULT: Three-days' administration of BZYQT enhanced productions of IL-4 and IFN-γ in T lymphocytes of Peyer's patches in addition to IL-2. Some hydrophobic low molecular weight fractions (30%, 70% and 100% MeOH ODS fraction), which were fractionated from BZYQT by ODS column chromatography, showed enhancing or suppressive effects on productions of IL-2, IL-4 or IL-5 in T lymphocytes of Peyer's patches after oral administration. Besides, 161 components from hydrophobic low molecular weight fractions of BZYQT were unequivocally identified or tentatively characterized by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS according to retention time behaviors and fragments, and most of them were flavonoids and saponins from Glycyrrhizae Radix, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, and Cimicifugae Rhizoma. Polysaccharide part was separated and purified both by anion-exchange and size. BZYQT also contained at least one neutral and three weakly or strongly acidic polysaccharides, and analysis of their chemical properties indicated that a neutral polysaccharide was glucan, and acidic polysaccharides possessed heteroglycan and pectic arabinogalactan features. Murine administration of polysaccharide fractions of BZYQT induced different changes on functions of T lymphocytes in Peyer's patches from hydrophobic low molecular weight fractions. By experiment using intranasally-immunized mice, BZYQT negatively regulated antibody response in lung as combinatorial actions of its low molecular weight ingredients and polysaccharides. CONCLUSION: BZYQT contains several low and macromolecular weight ingredients, which affect to immune-function of T lymphocytes in Peyer's patches, and the formula expresses its regulative activity on lower respiratory immune system through combinatorial actions of these ingredients on immunocompetent cells in Peyer's patches.

Plant-derived alkaloid sinomenine potentiates glucocorticoid pharmacodynamics in mitogen-activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by regulating the translocation of glucocorticoid receptor.

Sinomenine has been used as an antirheumatic drug in China. Glucocorticoid combined with sinomenine could be an alternative therapeutic approach. In this study, we evaluated the sinomenine potential effect on glucocorticoid pharmacodynamics in vitro using a human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture system. We also disclosed the possible action mechanism of sinomenine with a focus on P-glycoprotein function and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) translocation into nucleus. The median (range) of methylprednisolone IC50 values against the PBMC proliferation was 3.18 (0.45-6.81) ng/mL, whereas the median (range) IC50 values of methylprednisolone combined with 0.03, 0.3, 3, and 30 µM sinomenine were 1.85 (0.05-5.15), 0.83 (0.10-3.90), 0.56(0.09-1.62), and 0.59(0.05-1.30) ng/mL, respectively. Sinomenine significantly decreased the IC50 values of methylprednisolone and enhanced the immunosuppressive effect of methylprednisolone (p < 0.05). Sinomenine alone regulated the GR translocation in both Jurkat T cells and normal human PBMCs, and the combination of sinomenine and methylprednisolone showed stronger GR-modulatory activity than methylprednisolone alone. Thus, the additive effect of sinomenine to promote the methylprednisolone immunosuppressive efficacy was suggested to be related to nuclear GR-translocation. However, sinomenine did not significantly inhibit the P-glycoprotein function in the activated PBMCs, suggesting that sinomenine's additive effect seemed to be unrelated with the P-glycoprotein inhibition.

Peyer's patch-immunomodulating glucans from sugar cane enhance protective immunity through stimulation of the hemopoietic system.

The aim of the present study was chemical clarification of in vitro Peyer's patch-immunomodulating polysaccharides in sugar cane molasses, and evaluation of in vivo modulating activity on immune function of T lymphocytes in Peyer's patches and on microenvironment of hemopoietic system. Five kinds of glucans, comprising of dextranase-sensitive and activity-related d-glucosyl moieties, were purified as in vitro Peyer's patch-immunomodulating polysaccharides from the molasses. Oral administration of a glucan-enriched subfraction induced IL-2 and GM-CSF-producing T lymphocytes in Peyer's patches, resulting in enhancement of IL-6 production in a hemopoietic microenvironment to boost neutrophil numbers in the peripheral blood stream. Oral administration of purified glucan or glucan-enrich sub-fraction of sugar cane reduced the number of Plasmodium berghei- or P. yoelii-infected erythrocytes in a murine infection model, using polysaccharide alone or via co-administration with the antimalarial drug, artesunate. These results suggested that Peyer's patch-immunomodulating glucans enhanced protective immunity through axis of Peyer's patches-hemopoietic system.