Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of compounds isolated from the rhizome of Ophiopogon japonicas.

BACKGROUND: Ophiopogon japonicas (L.f) Ker-Gawl has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to cure acute and chronic inflammation and cardiovascular diseases including thrombotic diseases for thousands of years. Previous phytochemical studies showed that O. japonicus contained compounds with anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to identify and isolate compounds with anti-inflammatory activity from the rhizome of O. japonicas. METHODS: Compounds were isolated by various column chromatography and their structures were identified in terms of nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (NMR) and mass spectrum (MS). To measure the anti-inflammatory effects of thirteen compounds in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, we used the following methods: cell viability assay, nitric oxide assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real-time PCR analysis and western blotting analysis. RESULTS: One new and twelve known compounds (mainly homoisoflavonoids) were extracted from O. japonicas, in which 4'-O-Demethylophiopogonanone E (10) was considered as a new compound, additionally, compounds 4-O-(2-Hydroxy-1- hydroxymethylethyl)-dihydroconiferyl alcohol (2) and 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-(2', 4'-dihydroxybenzyl) chroman-4-one (12) were isolated from the rhizome of O. japonicas for the first time. The isolated compounds Oleic acid (3), Palmitic acid (4), desmethylisoophiopogonone B [5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4'-hydroxybenzyl)-8- methyl- chromone] (5), 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-(4'-hydroxybenzyl) chromone (7) and 10 significantly suppressed the production of NO in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Especially compound 10 showed the strongest effect against the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß and IL-6 with the IC50 value of 32.5 ± 3.5 µg/mL and 13.4 ± 2.3 µg/mL, respectively. Further analysis elucidated that the anti-inflammatory activity of compound 10 might be exerted through inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK in MAPK signaling pathways to decrease NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that 4'-O-Demethylophiopogonanone E can be considered as a potential source of therapeutic medicine for inflammatory diseases.

[Purification of complicated industrial organic waste gas by complex absorption].

Complicated industrial organic waste gas with the characteristics of low concentration,high wind volume containing inorganic dust and oil was employed the research object by complex absorption. Complex absorption mechanism, process flow, purification equipment and engineering application were studied. Three different surfactants were prepared for the composite absorbent to purify exhaust gas loaded with toluene and butyl acetate, respectively. Results show that the low surface tension of the composite absorbent can improve the removal efficiency of toluene and butyl acetate. With the advantages of the water film, swirl plate and fill absorption device, efficient absorption equipment was developed for the treatment of complicated industrial organic waste gas. It is with superiorities of simple structure, small size, anti-jam and high mass transfer. Based on absorption technology, waste gas treatment process integrated with heating stripping, burning and anaerobic and other processes, so that emissions of waste gas and absorption solution could meet the discharge standards. The technology has been put into practice, such as manufacturing and spraying enterprises.

Relationship between growth hormone (GH) pulses in the peripheral circulation and GH-releasing hormone and somatostatin profiles in the cerebrospinal fluid of goats.

Growth hormone (GH) is secreted in a pulsatile manner, but the underlying mechanisms of GH pulse generation remain to be resolved. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between GH pulses in the peripheral circulation and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SRIF) profiles in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of male goats. The effects of an intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin and ghrelin were also analyzed. Blood and CSF samples were collected every 15 min for 8 hr from the jugular vein and third ventricle, respectively. GH pulsatility in the goat was found to consist of distinct large pulses of 5 hr periodicity and small pulses of 1 hr periodicity. GHRH and SRIF in the CSF fluctuated in a pulsatile manner with 1 hr periodicity, and most of the descending phase of SRIF pulses were associated with the initiation of GH pulses. Icv injections of NPY, galanin and ghrelin stimulated GHRH release without affecting SRIF release. In addition, NPY suppressed, and galanin and ghrelin induced large GH pulses, although ghrelin was much more effective than galanin. These results suggest that an hourly fall in SRIF is involved in generating intrinsic circhoral rhythm of GH pulsatility. The mechanisms underlying the generation of large GH pulses of 5 hr periodicity remain unknown, while direct action of NPY and/or ghrelin on the pituitary might be involved.