Effects of Lu-Do-Huang Extract (LDHE) on Apoptosis Induction in Human Hep3B Cells.

Lu-Do-Huang (Pracparatum mungo) is a fermented mung bean [corrected] (Vigna radiata) and has long been used as a traditional and functional food in Traditional Chinese Medicine, especially for treating a variety of liver disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate the apoptotic effects of Lu-Do-Huang ethanol extract (LDHE) on Hep3B cells, a human hepatoma cell line. A variety of cellular assays, flow cytometry and immunoblotting were used. Our results showed that LDHE significantly inhibited Hep3B cells growth. Additionally, the cell cycle assay showed that LDHE prevented Hep3B cell entry into S phase and led to an arrest of Hep3B cells in the G0/G1 phase. LDHE induced Hep3B cells to undergo apoptosis as determined through Hep3B cell morphology changes, increase of apoptotic bodies, apoptotic cells, DNA fragmentations and caspase activity. We further examined the protein expression of TRADD, FADD, and Bax to verify the possible apoptotic pathways. The results indicated that LDHE-induced apoptosis in Hep3B cells might be mediated [corrected] by an extrinsic signaling pathway leading to an induction of apoptosis in Hep3B cells. In conclusion, LDHE induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in Hep3B cells. Our data provide the evidences regarding the anti-hepatoma potential of LDHE in Hep3B cells.

Molecular basis for the targeted binding of RGD-containing peptide to integrin αVß3.

Integrin αVß3-targeting peptides with an exposed arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) sequence play a crucial role in targeted anticancer drug delivery. The effects of RGD-containing peptide structure and quantity on mechanism of targeted binding of RGD-containing peptide to integrin αVß3 were studied intensively at the molecular level via molecular dynamic simulations. Targeted recognization was mainly driven by the electrostatic interactions between the residues in RGD and the metal ions in integrin αVß3, and cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartate-phenylalanine-valine (RGDFV) peptide appeared to be a better vector than the linear RGD-containing peptides. In addition, the optimal molar concentration ratio of RGD peptides to integrin αVß3 appeared to be 2:1. These results will help improve the current understanding on the mechanism of interactions between RGD and integrin αVß3, and promote the application prospects of RGD-based vectors in tumor imaging, diagnosis, and cancer therapy.

The effectiveness of health promotion education programs for community elderly.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of health promotion education programs for a group of elderly residents in a community. A one group pre- and post-test design was used in this study. Nurses, dietitians, and physical education teachers worked collaboratively to provide a series of comprehensive, integrated education programs. Course content included healthy life style and health promotion, disease prevention, nutrition, exercise, and medication education. A total of 140 elderly participated in this study. Ninety- seven subjects attended all of the education programs. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Information about demographics, health status, health promotion knowledge and behaviors was included. The health promotion behavior data were collected twice. The initial data set was collected prior to the first course and the second after the fifth course. Health promotion knowledge was assessed pre- and post-test in the second, third, and fourth courses. The research findings revealed that the education programs were effective in improving elderly health promotion knowledge and behaviors. The scores for health promotion knowledge and positive health behaviors were high among subjects who were aged 65-69 years, were married, lived with family members and had higher education levels. The results could be used as a reference in future health promotion education in the community.