Anti-atherosclerotic function of Astragali Radix extract: downregulation of adhesion molecules in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is considered to be a chronic inflammatory disease. Astragali Radix extract (ARE) is one of the major active ingredients extracted from the root of Astragalus membranaceus Bge. Although ARE has an anti-inflammatory function, its anti-atherosclerotic effects and mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. METHODS: Murine endothelial SVEC4-10 cells were pretreated with different doses of ARE at different times prior to induction with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Cell adhesion assays were performed using THP-1 cells and assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses to detect the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), phosphorylated inhibitor of κB (p-iκB) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. We also examined the effect of ARE on atherosclerosis in the aortic endothelium of apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. RESULTS: TNF-α strongly increased the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 accompanied by increased expression of p-iκB and NF-κB proteins. However, the expression levels of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were reduced by ARE in dose- and time-dependent manners, with the strongest effect at a dose of 120 µg/ml incubated for 4 h. This was accompanied by significantly decreased expression of p-iκB and inhibited activation of NF-κB. Immunofluorescence analysis also revealed that oral administration of ARE resulted in downregulation of adhesion molecules and decreased expression of macrophages in the aortic endothelium of apoE(-/-) mice. ARE could suppress the inflammatory reaction and inhibit the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in apoE(-/-) mice. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that ARE might be an effective anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis, possibly acting via the decreased expression of adhesion molecules.

[Effects of astragali radix extract on matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression and atherosclerotic plaque formation in aorta of apolipoprotein E deficient mice fed with high fat diet].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of astragali radix extract on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in aortic atherosclerotic plaques of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (ApoE-/-). METHODS: Male 8-week-old ApoE-/- mice fed with high fat diet were randomly divided into four groups (n=12 each): control group (saline 0.2 ml/d), atorvastatin group (atorvastatin 10 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)), low-dose astragali radix extract group (1.25 g×kg(-1)×d(-1)) and high-dose astragali radix extract group (5 g×kg(-1)×d(-1)). After 12 weeks, serum oxLDL was measured by the method of ELISA. The formation of atherosclerotic plaque was determined in HE and oil red O stained aortic slice. The expressions of macrophage and MMP-9 in the aortic plaque were detected by immune fluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining method. RESULTS: Similarly as atorvastatin, astragali radix extract significantly decreased the level of serum oxLDL in ApoE-/-1 mice in a dose-dependent manner. The level of oxLDL in the high-dose astragali radix extract group [(5.2±6.1) µg/ml] was significantly lower than that in the control group [(15.8±5.4) µg/ml, P<0.01]. The area of atherosclerosis plaques was smaller (17.24%±4.22% vs. 49.87%±9.37%, P<0.01) and the penetration degree of plaques in the arterial wall was relieved in the high-dose astragali radix extract group compared to those in the control group (P<0.01). The expressions of Mac3 in atherosclerosis plaques of the high-dose astragali radix extract group was also significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.01). The mean absorbance value of the expression of MMP-9 in the high-dose astragali radix extract group (0.0154±0.0014)was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.0263±0.0065) (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Similar as atorvastatin, astragali radix extract can dose-dependently inhibit the expression of MMP-9 and the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque in ApoE-/- mouse, probably by reducing the serum oxLDL, inhibiting macrophage infiltration, migration and secretion of MMP-9.

Structurally diverse isoquinoline and amide alkaloids with dopamine D2 receptor antagonism from Corydalis bungeana.

Four new isoquinoline alkaloids including a benzophenanthridine alkaloid (1), a morphine derivative (2), a narceine-type alkaloid (3) and a simple isoquinoline alkaloid (4), a new amide alkaloid (5) and a new phthalic acid derivative (6), together with eleven known alkaloids (7-17) were obtained from the whole herbs extract of Corydalis bungeana Turcz. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data analysis including HRESIMS, NMR and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and ECD calculation. Compounds 1-17 were evaluated for dopamine D2 receptor activity in CHO-D2 cells. Among them, 16 showed the highest antagonistic activity on the D2 receptor with an IC50 value of 2.04 ± 0.01 µM. Compounds 14 and 15 exhibited moderate antagonism with IC50 values of 13.66 ± 2.28 and 31.72 ± 2.52 µM, respectively.

Corybungines A-K: Isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis bungeana with dopamine D2 receptor activity.

Eleven undescribed isoquinoline alkaloids corybungines A-K including a protoberberine-type alkaloid, an isoquinoline alkaloid with a unique 6-norprotoberberine skeleton, one 13,14-seco-protoberberine-type alkaloid, two 1a,14-seco-protoberberine-type alkaloids with a 4-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy moiety and six aporphine alkaloids, together with seven known alkaloids, have been isolated from the whole herb extract of Corydalis bungeana Turcz. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated based on an analysis of spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. (R)-stephanine displayed high antagonistic activity against the dopamine D2 receptor with an IC50 value of 0.85 ± 0.09 µM in CHO-D2 cells. Additionally, corybungines D, F, H, (R)-roemerine, (R)-vireakine and (R)-tuduranine showed moderate D2 antagonism (IC50 5.20-26.07 µM). The preliminary structure-activity relationships (SARs) of aporphine alkaloids were discussed.

[Effects of effective components compatibility of aqueous extracts of Salviae Miltiorrhizae and Rhizoma Chuanxiong on rat myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of effective components compatibility of aqueous extracts of Salviae Miltiorrhizae and Rhizoma Chuanxiong on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, Guanxinning injection group and effective components of aqueous extracts from Salviae Miltiorrhizae and Rhizoma Chuanxiong salvianolic low dose group and high dose group, with 10 rats in each group. The myocardial I/R injury model was reproduced by ligation of the left anterior descending artery, and the experimental drugs were injected intravenously via femoral vein at 10 minutes after ligation. 2.88 g/kg Guanxinning injection was given in Guanxinning group, and 2.43 g/kg or 4.86 g/kg effective components of aqueous extracts of Salviae Miltiorrhizae and Rhizoma Chuanxiong salvianolic was given in low dose group and high dose group, respectively, and equal volume of normal saline was given in sham group and model group. The anesthetic rats were sacrificed 40 minutes after ischemia and 120 minutes of reperfusion. Blood samples were collected before rats were sacrificed. The contents of serum troponin T (cTnT) and MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) were determined, 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1 alpha) (6-keto-PGF(1 alpha)), thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)) and platelet aggregation rate in blood plasma were assessed, and the degree of myocardial infarction in rats was determined. RESULTS: The myocardial infarction size in combined Salviae Miltiorrhizae and Rhizoma Chuanxiong low dose group and high dose group [(23.0+/-3.8)%, (20.8+/-4.7)%] were lower significantly than that in model group [(29.1+/-3.2)%, P<0.05 and P<0.01], the contents of serum cTnT [(0.78+/-0.29) mg/L, (0.76+/-0.29) mg/L] and CK-MB [(891.5+/-252.5) U/L, (759.5+/-191.3) U/L] were lower significantly than those in model group [(1.04+/-0.14) mg/L, (1 268.2+/-256.5) U/L, all P<0.05]. The level of 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha) was higher significantly in high dose of the combination group than that in model group [(206.7+/-35.6) ng/L vs. (138.6+/-28.9) ng/L, P<0.05], and platelet aggregation rate was inhibited significantly [(49.4+/-9.3)% vs. (77.1+/-16.7)%, P<0.05]. CONCLUSION: Effective components compatibility of aqueous extracts from Salviae Miltiorrhizae and Rhizoma Chuanxiong may reduce significantly the size of myocardial infarct and blood content of myocardial enzyme CK-MB and cTnT, and increase the ratio of 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha)/TXB(2), thus reducing myocardial I/R injury.

Three novel terpenoids from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa.

Investigation of the EtOH extract of the rhizomes of Curcuma longa led to the isolation of two new sesquiterpenes, 2-methoxy-5-hydroxybisabola-3,10-diene-9-one (1) and 2,8-epoxy-5-hydroxybisabola-3,10-diene-9-one (2), one new monoterpene, 2-(2,5-dihydroxy-4-methylcyclohex-3-enyl)propanoic acid (3), together with five known sesquiterpenes (4-8). Among the known compounds, bisacurone A (5) and 4-methylene-5-hydroxybisabola-2,10-diene-9-one (6) were isolated from C. longa and genus Curcuma for the first time, respectively. Their structures were established on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses including HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, IR spectra, and by comparison of their spectral data with those of related compounds.

Steroids from Saussurea ussuriensis.

One novel and seven known steroids were isolated from the alcohol extract of the whole plant of Saussurea ussuriensis. The structure of the new compound was elucidated as stigmast-5-en-3beta,7alpha,22-triol (1) by spectroscopic methods including intensive 2D NMR techniques (H1-H1 COSY, gHSQC, gHMBC) and HR-SI-MS and the known compounds were identified on the basis of comparing their NMR data with those of corresponding compounds in the literature.

Orthogonal separation on one beta-cyclodextrin column by switching reversed-phase liquid chromatography and hydrophilic interaction chromatography.

A dual retention combined with reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) has been observed on beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) bonded stationary phase. A typical U-shaped retention curve was achieved owing to dual retention mechanism. Based on this observation, a beta-CD column can be operated under reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) modes. Two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) analysis can be realized on just a beta-CD column by switching these two different separation modes. In this study, off-line 2D-LC analysis for a natural product was carried out to prove the orthogonal separation between RP-LC and HILIC modes on a Click beta-CD column. Herba Hedyotis Diffusae, the whole grass of Hedyotis Diffusae wild was extracted with water, pretreated with macroporous resin and then first separated at RP-LC mode on the Click beta-CD column to obtain successive fractions, which were then reanalyzed at HILIC mode on the same Click beta-CD column. The result proved that both separation modes on the Click beta-CD column have good retention and peak shape, and these two separation modes have good orthogonality. 2D-LC analysis revealed abundant information in the natural product. Especially numerous minor components were enriched and separated. The mobile phase used in RP-LC and HILIC modes can be same and the switch between these two separation modes is easily realized by changing the ratio of the acetonitrile and water. Hence the mobile phase in this 2D-LC system is completely compatible. This advantage makes this combination is an appropriate 2D-LC method for the solutes having retention at both separation modes.

Fingerprint analysis of Ligusticum chuanxiong using hydrophilic interaction chromatography and reversed-phase liquid chromatography.

Fingerprint analysis is considered one of the most powerful approaches to quality control in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). In this study, a binary chromatographic fingerprint analysis was developed using hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) and reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) to gain more chemical information about polar compounds and weakly polar compounds. This method was used to construct a chromatographic fingerprint of Ligusticum chuanxiong. The two chromatographic methods demonstrated good precision, reproducibility, and stability, with relative standard deviations of <2% for retention time and 7% for peak area for both HILIC and RPLC separations. Data from the analysis of 14 samples by HILIC and RPLC were processed with similarity analysis, with correlation coefficients and congruence coefficients. This binary fingerprint analysis, using two chromatographic modes, is a powerful tool for characterizing the quality of samples, and can be used for the comprehensive quality control of TCMs.

Two new isoflavone glycosides from Pueraria lobata.

Two new isoflavone diglycosides, formononetin 8-C-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and formononetin 8-C-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), were isolated from the roots of Pueraria lobata, together with four known compounds, 4'-methoxypuerarin (3), daidzin (4), genistin (5), and daidzein (6). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by the spectroscopic methods.