Investigating the acute and sub-acute toxicity of medicinal Cuscuta chinensis Lam plant.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (Convolvulaceae) had received growing attention as a traditional medicinal herb widely used for treating female impotence, abortion, male reproductive system disease and cardiovascular diseases, respectively. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study investigated the acute and sub-acute toxicities of C. chinensis water extract (CLW) in the ICR mice model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Various doses of CLW (1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg) were administered consecutively for 14 days to evaluate the acute toxicity level with examine mortality, general behavior, body weight, food and water intake of the mice. At the end of treatmet, macroscopic observation of the skin and major internal organs in the abdominal part and organ coefficients were taken. The same doses were administered daily for 28 days to determine the sub-acute toxicity level with examine mortality, general behavior, body weight, food and water intake of the mice. At the end of treatmet, macroscopical examination of organs, tissues, cavities, organ coefficients, pathology, hematological and biochemical parameters were carried out. RESULTS: The acute toxicity test results revealed an LD 50 of over 5000 mg/kg for CLW. Similarly, no CLW-related mortality and severe toxicities were experienced in the sub-acute study. However, the treatment of CLW had a reducing effect on body weight of both male and female mice, and feed intake in female mice at the all tested doses (1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg). Moreover, significant effects in organ coefficients of brain, liver, lung, testis and thymus became apparent due to CLW mainly at the 2500 and 5000 mg/kg. The hematological analysis result showed a significant decrease in platelets, lymphocytes, and hematocrit. In contrast, a significant increase in the neutrophils was observed in the CLW treated groups (2500 and 5000 mg/kg). Biochemical test results showed a significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels while decreasing albumin, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels after treatment of CLW mostly at the doses of 2500 and 5000 mg/kg. Mild liver toxicity in both sexes treated with 5000 mg/kg of CLW was recorded in the histopathological analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results suggested that CLW is safe at its dose lower than 1250 mg/kg, although liver toxicity from daily use may be a matter of concern.

Suppression of pathological ocular neovascularization by a small molecule, SU1498.

Selective inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), particularly VEGFR-2, is an efficient method for the treatment of ocular neovascularization. SU1498 is a specific inhibitor of VEGFR-2. In this study, we investigated the role of SU1498 in ocular neovascularization. Administration of SU1498 did not show any cytotoxicity and tissue toxicity at the tested concentrations. Administration of SU1498 reduced the size and thickness of choroidal neovascularization and decreased the mean length and mean number of corneal neovascular vessels induced by alkali burn. Pretreatment of SU1498 significantly reduced the proliferation, migration, and tube formation ability of HUVECs. SU1498 played the anti-angiogenic role through the regulation of p38-MAPK signaling. Taken together, inhibition of VEGFR-2 by SU1498 provides a novel therapeutic approach for ocular neovascularization.

[Clinical features of imported schistosomiasis mansoni in Beijing City：a report of 6 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features of 6 patients with imported schistosomiasis mansoni, including the epidemic history, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and therapeutic effect, so as to provide references for improving the levels of diagnosis and treatment of physicians. METHODS: The clinical data of 6 patients with imported schistosomiasis mansoni from January 2009 to July 2016 were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: All the 6 imported patients with schistosomiasis mansoni had a clear history of cercarial infested water exposure. The main manifestations were continuous fever and eosinophilia. Three (50%) patients were accompanied with diarrhea. Anti-Schistosoma japonicum IgG antibody were cross positive in 2 (33.3%) patients, while live eggs of S. mansoni were explored in intestinal mucosa specimens of all the patients. CD3+CD8+ T cell ratio was decreased significantly but B cell ratio was elevated in all the patients, and the main immunoglobulin of the patients was IgG. Hydroperitoneum and splenomegaly signs were discovered by abdominal ultrasonography in 16.6% (1/6) of the patients. Multiple liver nodules and wall thickening of rectum and sigmoid colon were revealed by pelvic MR scan in 16.6% (1/6) of the patients. Colitis was found in all the patients, and 66.6% (4/6) of the patients were combined with multiple colonic ulcers by the electronic colonoscopy examination. Chronic inflammation and eosinophil infiltration were found in all the patients by rectum pathology. All 6 patients were cured with chemotherapy named praziquantel. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive analysis of clinical data including epidemiological history, specific manifestations, laboratory tests and intestinal mucosa pathology may be benefit of the management of schistosomiasis mansoni.