An aminocaproic acid-grafted chitosan derivative with superior antibacterial and hemostatic properties for the prevention of secondary bleeding.

Uncontrolled bleeding is one of the leading causes of human mortality. Existing hemostatic materials or techniques cannot meet the clinical requirements for safe and effective hemostasis. The development of novel hemostatic materials has always been of great interest. Chitosan hydrochloride (CSH), a derivative of chitin, is extensively used on wounds as an antibacterial and hemostatic agent. However, the formation of intra- or intermolecular hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl and amino groups limits its water solubility and dissolution rate and affects its effectiveness in promoting coagulation. Herein, we covalently grafted aminocaproic acid (AA) to the hydroxyl and amino groups of CSH via ester and amide bonds, respectively. The solubility of CSH in water (25 °C) was 11.39 ± 0.98 % (w/v), whereas the AA-grafted CSH (CSH-AA) reached 32.34 ± 1.23 % (w/v). Moreover, the dissolution rate of CSH-AA in water was 6.46 times higher than that of CSH. Subsequent studies proved that CSH-AA is non-toxic, biodegradable, and has superior antibacterial and hemostatic properties to CSH. Additionally, anti-plasmin activity can be exerted by the dissociated AA from the CSH-AA backbone, which can help to lessen secondary bleeding.

Neuroprotective effects of macamide from maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on corticosterone-induced hippocampal impairments through its anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and synaptic protection properties.

The present study aims to investigate the protective effects of N-(3-methoxybenzyl)-(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadecatrienamide (M 18:3) on corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity. A neurotoxic model was established by subcutaneous injection of corticosterone (40 mg per kg bw) for 21 days. Depressive behaviors (the percentage of sucrose consumption, the immobility time in the forced swimming test, and the total distance in the open field test) were observed. The levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, and the numbers of positive cells of doublecortin and bromodeoxyuridine in the hippocampus were measured. The density of hippocampal neurons was calculated. The morphological changes of hippocampal neurons (the density of dendritic spines, the dendritic length, and the area and volume of dendritic cell bodies) were observed. The expression levels of synaptophysin, synapsin I, and postsynaptic density protein 95 were measured. Behavioral experiments showed that M 18:3 (5 and 25 mg per kg bw) could remarkably improve the depressive behaviors. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that M 18:3 could considerably reduce hippocampal neuroinflammation and increase hippocampal neurotrophy. Nissl staining showed that M 18:3 could remarkably improve the corticosterone-induced decrease in the hippocampal neuron density. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that M 18:3 could considerably promote hippocampal neurogenesis. Golgi staining showed that M 18:3 could remarkably improve the corticosterone-induced changes in the hippocampal dendritic structure. Western blotting showed that M 18:3 could considerably increase the expression levels of synaptic-structure-related proteins in the hippocampus. In conclusion, the protective effects of M 18:3 may be attributed to the anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and synaptic protection properties.

N-(3-Methozybenzyl)-(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadecatrienamide from maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) ameliorates corticosterone-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

This study investigated the protective effects of maca ethanol extract (EEM) and N-(3-methozybenzyl)-(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadecatrienamide (M 18:3) on corticosterone (CORT)-induced testicular toxicity. Male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. Except for the control group, CORT (40 mg per kg·bw) was injected subcutaneously for 21 consecutive days to induce testicular toxicity. 1 h before CORT injection, the rats were treated with EEM (400 mg per kg·bw) and M 18:3 (5 mg per kg·bw, 25 mg per kg·bw) by gavage, except for the control group and model group. Epididymal sperm and biochemical, and histological parameters were evaluated for the protective effects of the drugs. EEM (400 mg per kg·bw) and M 18:3 (5 mg per kg·bw, 25 mg per kg·bw) increased the sperm concentration and sperm motility, decreased the production of abnormal sperms, and increased the number of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes in the seminiferous tubules of CORT-induced rats. Moreover, EEM and M 18:3 decreased the MDA levels and the positive expression rates of TUNEL, whereas they increased the activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GST, and the contents of GSH in the testicles of CORT-induced rats. Furthermore, EEM and M 18:3 alleviated CORT-induced reduction in the positive expression rates of PCNA and Ki67 in the testicles of rats. Besides, EEM and M 18:3 reduced the expression levels of Keap-1 and increased the expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, γ-GCS, and NQO1 in the testicles of CORT-induced rats. In summary, the protective effects of EEM and M 18:3 may be attributed to their anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties.

Safety evaluation and protective effects of ethanolic extract from maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) against corticosterone and H2O2 induced neurotoxicity.

Maca has been traditionally used to enhance sexual behavior and fertility. Recently, maca's neuroprotective effects have been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the ethanol extract of maca (EEM) (100 mg/kg/bw, 200 mg/kg/bw, 400 mg/kg/bw, p.o.) exerted neuroprotective effects in corticosterone (CORT)-induced (40 mg/kg/bw, s.c.) rats, to determine the neuroprotective effects of EEM (12.5, 25, 50 µg/ml) and macamides in H2O2-induced (50 µM) PC12 cells. The acute toxicity (2000 mg/kg/bw, p.o.) and subacute toxicity (200 mg/kg/bw, 500 mg/kg/bw, 1000 mg/kg/bw, p.o.) of EEM were evaluated by mouse models. EEM reversed CORT-induced abnormal behaviors, reduced the contents of TNF-α, IL-6 in hippocampi, and increased the positive cells of doublecortin (DCX), bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and DCX + BrdU in the hippocampus of rats. Moreover, EEM and 4 macamides remarkably increased the cell viability in H2O2-induced PC12 cells. EEM promoted the phosphorylation of IκBα and p65, suppressed the NF-κB activation, and inhibited the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and their mRNA levels in H2O2-induced PC12 cells. In conclusion, EEM could exert neuroprotective effects in CORT-induced rats and in H2O2-induced PC12 cells. Moreover, EEM did not present relevant toxicity after exposure to single and repeated doses.

The ameliorative effect of the Pyracantha fortuneana (Maxim.) H. L. Li extract on intestinal barrier dysfunction through modulating glycolipid digestion and gut microbiota in high fat diet-fed rats.

Pyracantha fortuneana fruits are consumed as a dietary supplement in China and attenuate obesity and metabolic disorders. Obesity is known to be associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction driven by hyperglycemia and gut dysbiosis. However, whether the health benefits of P. fortuneana fruits are linked with the intestinal barrier function (IBF) remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the restorative effects of P. fortuneana fruit extract (PFE) on the IBF. Sprague Dawley rats were fed with a chow, a high-fat diet (HFD), or a PFE-supplemented diet for 8 weeks. Results showed that PFE intervention ameliorated HFD-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction by attenuating impaired structural integrity, reducing the elevated lactulose/mannitol ratio, and improving the mRNA and protein expression levels of tight junction proteins in HFD-fed rats. The ameliorations were associated with a beneficial effect on glycolipid homeostasis, as evidenced from the PFE decreasing intestinal absorptive capacity based on the d-xylose excretory rate, lowering the expression of GLUT2 and inhibiting digestive enzyme activities. The proanthocyanidins in the PFE showed greater in vitro inhibition on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase compared with triterpenoid saponins. Furthermore, the ameliorations on the IBF were also associated with effects on the microbial composition based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Several bacterial groups, which were linked with gut barrier integrity, were modulated after PFE administration, that is, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and S24-7 were elevated and the HFD-induced increase in Clostridia, Ruminococcaceae, Oscillospira, and Flexispira was restored. These data provide evidence for the ameliorative effect of the PFE on diet-induced intestinal barrier functional alternations in association with its capacity to modulate glycolipid digestion and gut microbiota in HFD-fed obese rats.

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory properties of the active constituents in Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of pulmonary diseases.

Ginkgo biloba has long been used in ancient China for the treatment of cough, asthma, and other lung diseases. However, the active constituents in G. biloba for pulmonary disease treatment remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory active constituents in G. biloba and clarify their associated molecular mechanisms. The biological effects of different G. biloba extracts were evaluated in an ovalbumin-induced allergic mouse model. Anti-inflammatory compounds were present in the ethyl acetate phase of the extract, which were analysed by HPLC-MS. Biflavones were identified as the main compounds, which were further evaluated by docking calculations. Leukocyte elastase showed a high fit score with ginkgetin, one of the identified biflavones. The lowest binding free energy was -6.69 kcal mol-1. The effects of biflavones were investigated in vivo and in vitro. Ginkgetin markedly suppressed the abnormal expression of the Akt and p38 pathways in human neutrophil elastase (HNE)-stimulated A549 cells. Biflavones also decreased MUC5AC mRNA expression in HNE-stimulated A549 cells and the allergic mouse model. Inflammatory cells (neutrophils) and cytokines (IL-8) also decreased in mice treated with biflavones. The results suggest that G. biloba biflavones could inhibit the activity of leukocyte elastase. This in turn implicates G. biloba as a functional food for the treatment of airway inflammation.

Topoisomerases inhibitory activities and DNA binding properties of 9-methoxycamptothecin from Nothapodytes nimmoniana (J. Graham) Mabberly.

We have reported previously that 9-methoxycamptothecin (MCPT) showed significant antitumor activity in vitro. Here, agarose gel electrophoresis experiments were performed to evaluate MCPT's unwinding ability toward plasmid DNA and inhibitory activities against topoisomerases (Topo) I and II. Binding properties of MCPT to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were evaluated by UV-vis, melting temperature, fluorescence, circular dichroism methodologies and molecular docking technique. Results showed that MCPT at 100 µM inhibited Topo I activity, but had no effect on Topo II. Studies on the binding properties indicated that minor groove binding was the most probable binding mode of MCPT to DNA. The abilities of MCPT to act as Topo I inhibitor and minor groove binding agent may be related to its strong antitumor activity.

Efficacy of Aeschynomene indica L. leaves for wound healing and isolation of active constituent.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In traditional Chinese medicine, the aerial parts of Aeschynomene indica L. (AIL) have been used for wound healing, and to treat urinary tract infection, hepatitis, enteritis, dysentery, nyctalopia, conjunctivitis, urticaria, and furuncle. However, no scientific investigation has been conducted on its wound healing potential. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effects of AIL extract on wound healing, isolate the active constituent and reveal the possible mechanism of enhancing wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The circular excision wound healing model was used to evaluate in vivo wound-healing activity. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was applied to assess inflammatory cells infiltration, angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, collagen remodeling, and skin appendages generation. Sirius red-picric acid staining was employed for quantitative analysis of the ratio of collagen I/III. Immunohistochemical staining for CD68, CCR7 (CD197), CD163, TGF-ß1 and α-SMA was performed to determine macrophages phenotypes transition (M1-to-M2) and prove the scar-improving effect of AIL on wound healing. RESULTS: We successfully isolated the active constituent (Sub-Fr0.2) for wound healing from AIL extract, circular excision wound healing experiment and hematoxylin & eosin staining showed Sub-Fr0.2 has a significant promoting effect on wound healing. Results of sirius red-picric acid staining demonstrated a reduced ratio of collagen I/III in the Sub-Fr0.2 group as compared with the vehicle group. Immunohistochemical staining for CD68, CCR7 (CD197), and CD163 in the Sub-Fr0.2 group exhibited an elevated speed of macrophages transiting from M1 phenotype to M2 phenotype, when compared with the vehicle group. Besides, the expression of TGF-ß1 and α-SMA were inhibited on wounds treated with the ointment containing Sub-Fr0.2. CONCLUSION: Leaves of AIL and its active constituent (Sub-Fr0.2) effectively promoted wound healing and reduced scar formation, this efficacy might be exerted by accelerating macrophages phenotypes transition and inhibiting TGF-ß1 and α-SMA expression.

Rosehip Oil Promotes Excisional Wound Healing by Accelerating the Phenotypic Transition of Macrophages.

Poor wound healing is a major and global threat to public health. Efforts have been made to better understand the underlying mechanisms and develop effective remedies, though the advancements that have been made are still limited. As there are no effective and generally applicable therapies available for skin injuries and fibrosis, it is urgent to develop new drugs and therapies that facilitate wound healing and effectively improve scars. In this study, GC-MS analysis was performed to identify the chemical composition of rosehip oil. The excisional wound healing model and the carrageenan-induced paw edema method were respectively applied to evaluate the wound healing activity and anti-inflammatory activity of rosehip oil. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess the pathological changes of sections, and Sirius-red staining was performed to analyze the ratio of collagen I/III in wound tissues. Immunohistological staining for CD68, CCR7 (CD197), CD163, TGF-ß1, and α-SMA was applied to determine the macrophage phenotypes transition (M1-to-M2) and demonstrate the scar-improving efficacy of rosehip oil on wound healing. Results showed that rosehip oil significantly promoted wound healing and effectively improved scars. This efficacy might be exerted by accelerating the macrophage phenotypes transition and inhibiting the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Protective effects of macamides from Lepidium meyenii Walp. against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells.

Maca has attracted considerable attention owing to its neuroprotective effects in vitro and vivo. Macamides, a series of nonpolar and long-chain fatty acid N-benzylamides, are considered unique constituents in maca. This study investigated the protective effects of ethanol extracts of maca (EEM) and macamides on corticosterone-induced (CORT) neurotoxicity in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. CORT reduced cell viability and increased LDH release, intracellular ROS levels, and MMP decline rate, and induced mitochondrial apoptosis. However, pretreatment with EEM and macamides ameliorated CORT-induced neurotoxicity. EEM increased the cell viability and reduced the LDH release. M 18:1, M 18:2, and M 18:3 increased cell viability and reduced LDH release and intracellular ROS generation. M 18:2 and M 18:3 inhibited MMP reduction and reduced the Bax/Bcl-2 ratios. M 18:1 reduced the intracellular ROS without affecting other factors. Moreover, M 18:3 prevented CORT-induced mitochondrial apoptosis, restrained the expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins, namely, Bax, cytochrome C, cleaved-caspase-3, and cleaved-PARP, and increased the expression levels of Bcl-2. In addition, M 18:3 increased Akt phosphorylation and the ability of M 18:3 to protect against CORT-induced cytotoxicity was remarkably reduced by LY294002, a PI3K phosphorylation inhibitor. M 18:3 also elevated the phosphorylation of CREB and activated the BDNF protein levels in CORT-induced PC12 cells. In conclusion, macamides, especially M 18:3, exert protective effects on CORT-induced PC12 cells. The cellular mechanism of M 18:3 against CORT-induced cytotoxicity may involve inhibition of mitochondrial apoptosis, and activation of Akt and CREB phosphorylation. Overall, macamides may potentially treat neuronal damage induced by CORT.

Effect of ethanolic extract of Lepidium meyenii Walp on serum hormone levels in ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of long-term ethanol extract of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on serum hormone levels in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and compare them with the effect of diethylstilbestrol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized or sham operated. Both sham and OVX control groups (n = 10, respectively) received the vehicle. The remaining OVX rats were oral administrated with ethanol extract of Maca (0.096, or 0.24g/kg; n = 10, respectively) and diethylstilbestrol (0.05 mg/kg; n = 10). The treatment continued for 28 weeks. At week 12 and week 28, the blood of rats was collected and serum hormone levels, including estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: At week 12, the levels of serum E2 were slightly higher in Maca groups than that in OVX group; T levels were significantly decreased; and FSH levels were advanced slightly in Maca groups than that in sham group. After 28 weeks administration, serum E2 levels in Maca-treated animals did not differ significantly from sham control, the low dose of Maca increased serum E2 levels, and Maca prevented increase in serum FSH levels compared with OVX group. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term Maca supply modulates endocrine hormone balance in OVX rats, especially it decreases enhanced FSH levels. It is proposed that Maca may become a potential choice for postmenopausal women.

Rapamycin represses myotube hypertrophy and preserves viability of C2C12 cells during myogenesis in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Rapamycin (RAPA) has been successfully used for myoblast allotransplantation in X chromosome-linked muscular dystrophy mice. However, the mechanism of skeletal myogenesis, particularly in starved condition by RAPA, remains elusive. For this reason, we investigated the effect of RAPA on C2C12 myogenesis in serum-starved condition. METHODS: Serum-free treated C2C12 cells were mimicked as skeletal myogenesis in nutrition shortage microenvironment. A methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to investigate different RAPA concentrations on serum-free treated C2C12 cells and the following assays were used to detect the characteristic of C2C12 myogenesis by RAPA in vitro. RESULTS: We found that 150 ng/mL of RAPA did not significantly suppress the viability of C2C12 differentiated cells by MTT assay. The RAPA concentration could protect myoblast serum-starved cells effectively from apoptosis through flow cytometry and retain myogenic regulatory factors through quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. However, RAPA significantly suppressed cell migration in wound healing assay (P<0.05). Morphological analyses indicated that RAPA also significantly suppressed myotube hypertrophy in serum-starved C2C12 cells. Western blot analysis revealed that the ratio of phosphate extracellular signal-regulated kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase and the protein level of p-Akt decreased in the proliferation medium and in the differentiation medium, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that myoblast cells are sensitive to RAPA under a serum-starved microenvironment. As an immunosuppressive agent, RAPA shall be used as a considering dosage and as a safe strategy for future myoblast allotransplantation.

Novel method utilizing microbial treatment for cleaner production of diosgenin from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. Wright (DZW).

A novel method utilizing microbial treatment for cleaner production of diosgenin from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. Wright (DZW) was presented. A new Bacillus pumilus HR19, which has the great ability to secrete pectinase, was screened and applied in the microbial treatment. Low-pressure steam expansion pretreatment (LSEP) was employed in advance to assist microbial treatment efficiently in releasing saponins, which are the precursors of diosgenin. Compared with the traditional process of acid hydrolysis, this novel process reduced the consumptions of water, acid and organic solvent by more than 92.5%, 97.0%, 97.0%, respectively, while simultaneously increasing the diosgenin yield by 6.21%. In addition, the microbial treatment was more efficient than enzymatic treatment, which arised from that microorganisms could be induced to secrete related enzymes by the compositions of DZW and relieve product inhibition by utilizing enzyme hydrolysates.

Skin secretion and shedding is a good source for non-destructive genetic sampling in the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus).

A non-destructive method of collecting samples for DNA analysis of the Chinese giant salamander is described and validated. DNA was extracted from the skin secretion and shedding using a Chelex-based method, and partial 12S rRNA gene sequences were amplified and sequenced. Sequences from skin secretion and shedding were cross-checked against the reported sequences from liver and were found to be identical. This method provides a non-destructive way of carrying out larger studies of the genetics of rare amphibians and may be of general use for genetic-based field studies of amphibians.

TNFα and Fas/FasL pathways are involved in 9-Methoxycamptothecin-induced apoptosis in cancer cells with oxidative stress and G2/M cell cycle arrest.

9-Methoxycamptothecin (MCPT) has been recently reported to have a strong anticancer activity. However, its detailed mechanism of action in human cancer cells has not been well clarified. The results showed that MCPT induced cytotoxicity in seven human cancer cell lines in a dose dependent manner after 72h, with A2780 and Hela cell lines more sensitive, so the two cell lines were chosen to do further studies. MCPT induced strong G2/M arrest in both A2780 cells and Hela cells after 24h, following by substantial sub-G1 arrest (indicating apoptosis). The apoptosis was verified by staining with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide. ROS generation increased significantly in MCPT-induced apoptosis. Meanwhile, the apoptosis appeared to be dependent on caspase-3, -8 and -9 in A2780 cells, and caspase-3 in Hela cells. In addition, MCPT induced up-regulation expression of most of seventeen genes in both cell lines. Western blot verified that changes of TNFα, Fas, P53 and P27 protein level were consistent with their gene expression changes. Taken together, MCPT plays an important role in tumor growth suppression by inducing apoptosis in both cell lines via extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, and has the potential to be developed into an antitumor agent.

Major biological activities of the skin secretion of the Chinese giant salamander, Andrias davidianus.

Amphibian skin can produce abundant secretion which contains many bioactive compounds. In this work, skin secretion of the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) was obtained by mild electrical stimulation of the dorsal skin surface, and the main physiopathological properties of the secretion were described. Intraperitoneal administration of the skin secretion caused lethal effects in mice. Low doses of the skin secretion induced significant systemic and local effects like edema and nociception in mice. The activities of phospholipase A2 and proteolytic enzyme were likely related to the physiopathological activities observed. The work proved the complex toxic effects of the Chinese giant salamander skin secretion and provided clues to study its physiological function further.

Extracts of Lycoris aurea induce apoptosis in murine sarcoma S180 cells.

Lycoris species have been known since long ago as a multi-utility ethnomedicinal herbal in China. It has been reported to exhibit a number of properties such as anticancer, neuroprotective, and antibacterial activities. In the present study, the anticancer efficacy of dichloromethane extracts of Lycoris aurea (DELA), was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro using murine sarcoma 180 cells. To evaluate the effects of DELA on apoptotic cell death, flow cytometry and Western blotting were performed. DELA demonstrated promising inhibition effects on sarcoma 180 cells in vitro and a 53.49% inhibitory rate on cancer cells in vivo. DELA treatment increased thymus indices and spleen indices in vivo, indicating that it reduced tumours, but did not damage the main immune organs. The DELA-evoked increase in apoptotic cell death was accompanied by occurrence of cleaved caspase-3 and decreases in the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. Further purification and LCMS analysis showed DELA contained homolycorine, 2α-hydroxyoduline, oduline, hippeastrine, 2α-hydroxy-6-O- methyloduline, and 2α-methoxy-6-O-methyloduline. These results indicate that DELA exerted its anticancer effects, at least in part, by inducing cancer cell apoptosis and thus can be considered as a potential candidate agent for treatment of cancer.

9-methoxycamptothecin from Nothapodytes foetida induces apoptosis in murine sarcoma S180 cells.

9-Methoxycamptothecin (MCPT) was found to have antitumour activities through topoisomerase inhibition. However, the type of cell death induced in the tumour cells treated with MCPT was not elucidated. In this study, MCPT and camptothecin were isolated from Nothapodytes foetida distributed in Hubei Province, China and identified by NMR spectroscopy. MCPT was tested by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay using camptothecin as reference. Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide double staining and real-time PCR were also performed. The IC50 value was (0.385 +/- 0.08) microM. The apoptosis rates increased from 9.5% to 17.27%, 30.14%, and 66.46% with an increase in MCPT concentrations from 0, 0.19, 0.38, to 0.95 microM, respectively. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 also increased from 1 to 1.61, 2.43, and 4.57, respectively. Bax and Bcl-2 are crucial to the mitochondria pathway. The results indicate that the mitochondria pathway may be involed in MCPT-induced murine sarcoma S180 apoptosis.

Factors influencing glabridin stability.

Glabridin, a polyphenolic isoflavan of Glycyrrhiza glabra, has shown a variety of pharmaceutical properties. We have previously studied the isolation of glabridin using macroporous resin and found that it is partially degraded, giving a dark color. To illustrate the degradation of glabridin, the present work studied the stability of glabridin under various conditions. Licorice extract containing about 20% glabridin, obtained from G. glabra by silica gel column chromatography, was used in the stability study. Seven different factors (temperature, illumination, humidity, pH, solvent, oxygen, and oxidant) were studied and content changes were determined through HPLC analysis. Except for oxygen, all the above factors had an effect on the stability of glabridin, with illumination being the main one. Moreover, the interactions between temperature and pH, temperature and humidity, and illumination and pH can promote the degradation of glabridin. In conclusion, we suggest that a dark, dry and airtight environment provides the optimized condition for the long-term storage of glabridin.

Anti-inflammatory effects of leaf and twig of Tripterygium wilfordii on paw edema in mice.

The root of Tripterygium wilfordii (TWH) is a traditional Chinese herb used to treat the immune-related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, whereas the leaf and twig of TWH was considered useless and discarded. We performed a study on the anti-inflammatory effects on the leaf and twig portion agent using carrageenan- and adjuvant-induced paw edema in rats. They showed a marked inhibitory effect on edema in both models of inflammation in rats, at the dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, especially on secondary immunological arthritis. Based on this study, we confirmed that the leaf and twig of TWH is a potentially useful drug suitable for further evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis and can replace root of TWH.