Resveratrol and cardiovascular health--promising therapeutic or hopeless illusion?

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a natural polyphenolic compound that exists in Polygonum cuspidatum, grapes, peanuts and berries, as well as their manufactured products, especially red wine. Resveratrol is a pharmacologically active compound that interacts with multiple targets in a variety of cardiovascular disease models to exert protective effects or induce a reduction in cardiovascular risks parameters. This review attempts to primarily serve to summarize the current research findings regarding the putative cardioprotective effects of resveratrol and the molecular pathways underlying these effects. One intent is to hopefully provide a relatively comprehensive resource for clues that may prompt ideas for additional mechanistic studies which might further elucidate and strengthen the role of the stilbene family of compounds in cardiovascular disease and cardioprotection. Model systems that incorporate a significant functional association with tissues outside of the cardiovascular system proper, such as adipose (cell culture, obesity models) and pancreatic (diabetes) tissues, were reviewed, and the molecular pathways and/or targets related to these models and influenced by resveratrol are discussed. Because the body of work encompassing the stilbenes and other phytochemicals in the context of longevity and the ability to presumably mitigate a plethora of afflictions is replete with conflicting information and controversy, especially so with respect to the human response, we tried to remain as neutral as possible in compiling and presenting the more current data with minimal commentary, permitting the reader free reign to extract the knowledge most helpful to their own investigations.

Emodin elicits cytotoxicity in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through inducing apoptosis.

This study investigated the mechanism of the cytotoxic effect of emodin, an active anthraquinone, on human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. In vitro growth inhibition and suppression on colony forming were used to evaluate the effects of emodin on A549 cells. Emodin's ability in changing the expressions of apoptosis-related genes was studied by real-time RT-PCR. Emodin could significantly inhibit the growth of A549 cells with IC50 = 16.85 µg/ml (~60 µM). It also concentration dependently inhibited the colony-forming ability of A549 cells with IC50 = 7.60 µg/ml (~30 µM). Hallmarks of apoptosis, such as single-strand DNA breakage and DNA fragmentation, were observed in A549 cells treated with emodin. Emodin (72 h) treatment could up-regulate the gene expression of FASL (p < 0.05) and down-regulate the gene expression of C-MYC (p < 0.01), but induce no significant changes in the gene expressions of MCL1, GAPDH, BAX and CCND1. These results suggest that emodin could induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in A549 cells through modifying the extrinsic apoptotic pathways and the induction of cell cycle arrest.

Discrimination between Leave of Apocynum venetum and Its Adulterant, A. pictum Based on Antioxidant Assay and Chemical Profiles Combined with Multivariate Statistical Analysis.

An integrated approach including chemical and biological assessments was developed to investigate the differences between Apocynum venetum L. (AV) and its adulterant, Apocynum pictum Schrenk (AP). Ten flavonoids were tentatively identified by ultra-visible and mass spectra data. The chemical component, hyperoside, was identified as a critical parameter for discrimination of two species from the results of principal component analysis (PCA) and quantitative analysis. The anti-oxidative power of the herbal extracts were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and H2O2-induced cell damage on LO2 cells. The results of the biological assays suggested that the chemical differences between AV and AP do lead to difference in activity and AV is demonstrated to have higher anti-oxidant activity.

Semen Astragali Complanati: an ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacological review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Semen Astragali Complanati (SAC), the dried ripe seed of Flatstem Milkvetch (Astragalus complanatus Bunge) (Leguminosae), is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating muscle, liver, kidney, blood, skin and reproductive system diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant information about SAC was gathered via "Google Scholar", "ISI Web of Knowledge", "PubMed", "ScienceDirect", "Medline Plus", "ACS", "CNKI" and "Wiley Online Library" and from books in local libraries. RESULTS: The major contents of SAC include fatty acids, amino acids, polysaccharides, flavonoids, triterpene glycosides and trace elements. Previous scientific studies have reported that SAC exhibits a number of therapeutic effects on chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and cancers. It has been found that flavonoids are the main bioactive component in SAC. However most of the previous studies have shown the effects brought by the total flavonoid fraction extracted from SAC only; further studies are warranted for the biological effects produced by individual components. There are only a few studies on the toxicity of SAC and the overall results show that its toxicity is quite low or even non-existent. CONCLUSIONS: SAC is a valuable TCM herb with multiple pharmacological effects for treating some chronic diseases. More studies on SAC will help us to have a better understanding of its pharmacological mechanisms so as to provide more scientific evidence to explain its traditional uses, identify its therapeutic potential on other diseases and understand its possible harmful effects. Based on previous studies, it is easy to identify that antioxidant effect of SAC might play an important role on its pharmacological effects. Studying the effects of SAC on handling intracellular reactive oxygen species may be a potential direction to help understanding the molecular mechanisms of SAC on preventing and/or treating chronic diseases.

A review of the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of raphani semen.

The dried ripe seed of Raphanus sativus L., commonly known as radish seed (or Raphani Semen), is used as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat constipation, chronic tracheitis, and hypertension. The major active compounds in Raphani Semen are alkaloids, glucosinolates, brassinosteroids, and flavonoids. Fatty acids are its main nutritional contents. Raphani Semen has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, constipation, and cough. So far, there is no report about the adverse/toxic effects of this herb on humans. However, Raphani Semen processed by roasting was reported to exhibit some adverse effects on mice. Additionally, erucic acid, the main fatty acid in Raphani Semen, was shown to enhance the toxicity of doxorubicin. Thus, Raphani Semen has a potential risk of causing toxicity and drug interaction. In summary, Raphani Semen is a valuable TCM herb with multiple pharmacological effects. More studies on Raphani Semen could help better understand its pharmacological mechanisms so as to provide clear scientific evidence to explain its traditional uses, to identify its therapeutic potential on other diseases, and to understand its possible harmful effects.