Solid-state-cultured mycelium of Antrodia camphorata exerts potential neuroprotective activities against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced toxicity in PC12 cells.

Antrodia camphorata (A. camphorata) is an edible fungus containing various bioactive compounds generally used for health benefits. This study aimed to explore the potential neuroprotective activities of solid-state-cultured mycelium of A. camphorata (SCMAC) against Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as the underlying mechanism using an in vitro 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PC12 cell model. The results showed that SCMAC extracts alleviated cell toxicity induced by 6-OHDA and the loss of dopaminergic neurons, which was confirmed by the increase of cell viabilities, inhibition of cell apoptosis, the upregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) levels and the downregulation of α-Synuclein level. After purification, 11 compounds were identified by the NMR technique, including a quinone, four phenolic acid derivatives, three ubiquinone derivatives, two alkaloids, and a triterpenoid. The present study suggests that SCMAC could be an attractive candidate for the prevention or treatment of PD. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Parkinson's disease seriously affects the lifetime and quality of the elder population for a long history. Long-term consumption of L-DOPA will result in side effects, such as developing abnormal involuntary movements called dyskinesia. This study showed that natural SCMAC extracts could be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorder.

Evaluation of hepatocyteprotective and anti-hepatitis B virus properties of Cichoric acid from Cichorium intybus leaves in cell culture.

Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. To date, there is still no complete cure for chronic hepatitis B. Natural caffeic acid analogues possess prominent antiviral activity, especially anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) and anti-human immunodeficiency virus effects. Cichoric acid is a caffeic acid derivative from Cichorium intybus. In the study, the anti-hepatitis B property of cichoric acid was evaluated by the D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced normal human HL-7702 hepatocyte injury model, the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV)-infected duck fetal hepatocytes and the HBV-transfected cell line HepG2.2.15 cells, respectively. The results showed that cichoric acid attenuated significantly D-GalN-induced HL-7702 hepatocyte injury at 10-100 µg/mL and produced a maximum protection rate of 56.26%. Moreover, cichoric acid at 1-100 µg/mL inhibited markedly DHBV DNA replication in infected duck fetal hepatocytes. Also, cichoric acid at 10-100 µg/mL reduced significantly the hepatitis B surface and envelope antigen levels in HepG2.2.15 cells and produced the maximum inhibition rates of 79.94% and 76.41%, respectively. Meanwhile, test compound at 50-100 µg/mL inhibited markedly HBV DNA replication. In conclusion, this study verifies the anti-hepatitis B effect of cichoric acid from Cichorium intybus leaves. In addition, cichoric acid could be used to design the antiviral agents.

Taraxacum mongolicum extract exhibits a protective effect on hepatocytes and an antiviral effect against hepatitis B virus in animal and human cells.

In order to validate the antiviral effect against hepatitis B virus (HBV) of Taraxacum mongolicum (T. mongolicum), the protective effect on hepatocytes, and antiviral properties against duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) and HBV of T. mongolicum extract (TME) were evaluated in chemically-injured neonatal rat hepatocytes, DHBV-infected duck fetal hepatocytes and HBV-transfected HepG2.2.15 cells, respectively. The results demonstrated that TME at 50-100 µg/ml improved D-galactosamine (D-GalN), thioacetamide (TAA) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-injured rat hepatocytes, and produced protection rates of 42.2, 34.6 and 43.8% at 100 µg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, TME at 1-100 µg/ml markedly inhibited DHBV DNA replication. Additionally, TME at 25-100 µg/ml reduced HBsAg and HBeAg levels and produced inhibition rates of 91.39 and 91.72% at 100 µg/ml, respectively. TME markedly inhibited HBV DNA replication at 25-100 µg/ml. The results demonstrate the potent antiviral effect of T. mongolicum against HBV effect. The protective of TME effect on hepatocytes may be achieved by its ability to ameliorate oxidative stress. The antiviral properties of TME may contribute to blocking protein synthesis steps and DNA replication. Furthermore, major components of TME were quantificationally analyzed. These data provide scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of TME in the treatment of hepatitis.

Blood anticoagulation and antiplatelet activity of green tea (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) in mice.

EGC was prepared from green tea polyphenols through column chromatography of a polyamide (3.6 × 40 cm). Three dosages of EGC (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 g kg(-1) d(-1)) were ingested respectively by ICR mice via gavage. Compared with the control group, group EGC0.5 (dosage, 0. 5 g kg(-1) d(-1)) and group EGC1.0 (dosage, 1.0 g kg(-1) d(-1)) presented significant inhibition on platelet aggregation in mice accompanied by 18.4 and 25.6% of inhibition ratio, respectively. The bleeding times (BT) of mice in group EGC0.5 and group EGC1.0 were significantly prolonged (P < 0.01) as well as blood clotting time (BCT) in group EGC1.0 (P < 0.05). All three dosages of EGC prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) significantly (P < 0.01), but had no prominent effect on prothrombin time (PT) and fibrinogen level which indicated that the anticoagulation of EGC could not be attributed to the level decrease of coagulation factor such as fibrinogen. The results demonstrated that EGC had prominent antiplatelet activity and blood anticoagulation in a dose-dependent manner.