Acteoside and Isoacteoside Protect Amyloid ß Peptide Induced Cytotoxicity, Cognitive Deficit and Neurochemical Disturbances In Vitro and In Vivo.

Acteoside and isoacteoside, two phenylethanoid glycosides, coexist in some plants. This study investigates the memory-improving and cytoprotective effects of acteoside and isoacteoside in amyloid ß peptide 1-42 (Aß 1-42)-infused rats and Aß 1-42-treated SH-SY5Y cells. It further elucidates the role of amyloid cascade and central neuronal function in these effects. Acteoside and isoacteoside ameliorated cognitive deficits, decreased amyloid deposition, and reversed central cholinergic dysfunction that were caused by Aß 1-42 in rats. Acteoside and isoacteoside further decreased extracellular Aß 1-40 production and restored the cell viability that was decreased by Aß 1-42 in SH-SY5Y cells. Acteoside and isoacteoside also promoted Aß 1-40 degradation and inhibited Aß 1-42 oligomerization in vitro. However, the memory-improving and cytoprotective effects of isoacteoside exceeded those of acteoside. Isoacteoside promoted exploratory behavior and restored cortical and hippocampal dopamine levels, but acteoside did not. We suggest that acteoside and isoacteoside ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction that was caused by Aß 1-42 by blocking amyloid deposition via preventing amyloid oligomerization, and reversing central neuronal function via counteracting amyloid cytotoxicity.

Cytotoxic effect of triterpenoids from the root bark of Hibiscus syriacus.

In this study, 4 new triterpenoids-3ß- acetoxy-olean-11-en,28,13ß-olide (1), 3ß- acetoxy-11α,12α-epoxy-olean-28,13ß-olide (2), 19α-epi-betulin (3), and 20, 28-epoxy-17ß,19ß-lupan-3ß-ol (4)-and 12 known compounds, were isolated from the root bark of Hibiscus syriacus L. by using acetone extraction. Their structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic analysis. To investigate cytotoxicity, A549 human lung cancer cells were exposed to the extract and the compounds identified from it. Significantly reduced cell viability was observed with betulin-3-caffeate (12) (IC50, 4.3 µM). The results of this study indicate that betulin-3-caffeate (12) identified from H. syriacus L. may warrant further investigation for potential as anticancer therapies.

Müllerianosis of ureter: a rare cause of hydronephrosis.

Müllerianosis of the urinary tract is a very rare and morphologically complex tumor-like lesion. It is composed of several types of müllerian-type lesions, including endometriosis, endocervicosis, and endosalpingiosis. We present a case of ureteral müllerianosis in woman with a history of a cesarean section about 20 years previously but with silent clinical symptoms. She was treated with segmental ureteral resection, followed by ureteroureteral anastomosis. The pathogenesis and treatment of this lesion are discussed.

Immunosuppressive flavones and lignans from Bupleurum scorzonerifolium.

Two lignans, isochaihulactone and chaihunaphthone, together with eleven known compounds were isolated from the root of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral evidence. In biological testing, eugenin and saikochromone potently inhibited CD28-costimulated activation of human peripheral blood T cells.