Evolution of acupoint nomenclature: on the basis of the analysis of medical bamboo slips / 中国针灸

Many theories of acupuncture and moxibustion and treatment experience are described in the medical bamboo slips. In this paper, based on the records of () of medical bamboo slips, focusing on the questions on the nomenclature of acupoints and meridians, by the comparison of the descriptions in ( ') with other unearthed medical literature, the evolution on the nomenclature was sorted out and the rules and significance of such evolution were explored. In comparison between the evolution of the acupoint names on the head and face and that on the four limbs, the changing modes were presented and analyzed. Finally, the nomenclature of meridians and that of acupoints were compared to infer the potential factors of their own features. This preliminary exploration reflects the important significance of the comparative study of medical bamboo slips in the literature interpretation, concept understanding and theory evolution rules of meridians and acupoints.

Sasa veitchii extract protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice

BACKGROUND@#The current study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Sasa veitchii extract (SE) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced liver fibrosis in mice.@*METHODS@#Male C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with CCl dissolved in olive oil (1 g/kg) twice per week for 8 weeks. SE (0.1 mL) was administered orally once per day throughout the study, and body weight was measured weekly. Seventy-two hours after the final CCl injection, mice were euthanized and plasma samples were collected. The liver and kidneys were collected and weighed.@*RESULTS@#CCl administration increased liver weight, decreased body weight, elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase and increased liver oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and glutathione). These increases were attenuated by SE treatment. Overexpression of tumor necrosis factor-α was also reversed following SE treatment. Furthermore, CCl-induced increases in α-smooth muscle actin, a marker for hepatic fibrosis, were attenuated in mice treated with SE. Moreover, SE inhibited CCl-induced nuclear translocation of hepatic nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).@*CONCLUSION@#These results suggested that SE prevented CCl-induced hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Effect of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai Extracts and its Constituent p-coumaric Acid on the Apoptosis of Human Cancer Cell Lines

Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai leaves contain a mixture of polysaccharides, amino acids, and polyphenols, which mediate various biological activities. For efficient utilization of its leaf, we reported the preparation procedure for phytochemical-rich extract (PRE) using the leaf residue, which was by-product of hot water extraction. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of PRE and its major constituent, p-coumaric acid,on the growth of several human cancer cell lines (MKN-74, MKN-45, SNU-1, SNU-16, and HL-60). The ethyl acetate fraction of PRE and p-coumaric acid significantly inhibited the proliferation of MKN-74 and HL-60 cells, respectively, and induced cell apoptosis, down-regulated Bcl-2 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase levels, and up-regulated those of Bax and caspase-3. These results show the potential utility of S. quelpaertensis Nakai leaves in cancer prevention.

Effects of climate and forest structure on palms, bromeliads and bamboos in Atlantic Forest fragments of Northeastern Brazil / Efeitos do clima e da estrutura da vegetação em palmeiras, bromélias e bambus em fragmentos de Mata Atlântica no nordeste brasileiro

Abstract Palms, bromeliads and bamboos are key elements of tropical forests and understanding the effects of climate, anthropogenic pressure and forest structure on these groups is crucial to forecast structural changes in tropical forests. Therefore, we investigated the effects of these factors on the abundance of these groups in 22 Atlantic forest fragments of Northeastern Brazil. Abundance of bromeliads and bamboos were assessed through indexes. Palms were counted within a radius of 20 m. We also obtained measures of vegetation structure, fragment size, annual precipitation, precipitation seasonality and human population density. We tested the effects of these predictors on plant groups using path analysis. Palm abundance was higher in taller forests with larger trees, closed canopy and sparse understory, which may be a result of the presence of seed dispersers and specific attributes of local palm species. Bromeliads were negatively affected by both annual precipitation and precipitation seasonality, what may reflect adaptations of these plants to use water efficiently, but also the need to capture water in a regular basis. Bamboos were not related to any predictor variable. As climate and forest structure affected the abundance of bromeliads and palms, human-induced climatic changes and disturbances in forest structure may modify the abundance of these groups. In addition, soil properties and direct measurements of human disturbance should be used in future studies in order to improve the predictability of models about plant groups in Northeastern Atlantic Forest.

Resumo Palmeiras, bromélias e bambus são importantes elementos das florestas tropicais e, entender os efeitos do clima, pressão antrópica e estrutura da floresta nesses grupos é crucial para prever alterações estruturais em florestas tropicais. Portanto, nós investigamos os efeitos desses fatores na abundância desses grupos vegetais em 22 fragmentos de Mata Atlântica no nordeste brasileiro. Abundâncias de bromélias e bambus foram registradas através de índices. Palmeiras foram contadas em um raio de 20 m. Nós também obtemos medidas da estrutura da vegetação, tamanho de fragmento, precipitação anual, sazonalidade na precipitação e densidade populacional humana. Nós testamos os efeitos desses preditores nos grupos vegetais através de análises de caminhos. A abundância de palmeiras foi maior em florestas mais altas, com árvores mais grossas, dossel fechado e sub-bosque aberto, o que deve refletir a presença de dispersores de sementes e atributos específicos das espécies de palmeiras locais. Bromélias foram negativamente afetadas pela precipitação anual e pela sazonalidade na precipitação, o que deve refletir adaptações dessas plantas para o uso eficiente da água, mas também a necessidade de captar água regularmente. Bambus não estiveram relacionados com nenhum dos preditores avaliados. Dado que clima e estrutura florestal afetaram a abundância de bromélias e palmeiras, as mudanças climáticas e distúrbios na estrutura das matas causados por ações antrópicas podem alterar a abundância desses grupos. Adicionalmente, propriedades do solo e medidas diretas de distúrbios antrópicos devem ser usadas em estudos futuros para melhorar o poder preditivo dos modelos sobre a abundância de plantas na Mata Atlântica do nordeste brasileiro.

Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of Sasa quelpaertensis leaf extract by suppressing lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory mediators in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells co-cultured with RAW 264.7 macrophage cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Previously, Sasa quelpaertensis leaves have been shown to mediate anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects, although it remains unclear whether Sasa leaves are able to attenuate inflammation-related intestinal diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Sasa quelpaertensis leaf extract (SQE) using an in vitro co-culture model of the intestinal epithelial environment. MATERIALS/METHODS: An in vitro co-culture system was established that consisted of intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. Treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammation. RESULTS: Treatment with SQE significantly suppressed the secretion of LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), IL-6, and IL-1beta in co-cultured RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were down-regulated in response to inhibition of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation by SQE. Compared with two bioactive compounds that have previously been identified in SQE, tricin and P-coumaric acid, SQE exhibited the most effective anti-inflammatory properties. CONCLUSIONS: SQE exhibited intestinal anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting various inflammatory mediators mediated through nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-kB) activation. Thus, SQE has the potential to ameliorate inflammation-related diseases, including IBD, by limiting excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators.

The Sasa quelpaertensis Leaf Extract Inhibits the Dextran Sulfate Sodium-induced Mouse Colitis Through Modulation of Antioxidant Enzyme Expression

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. The objective of this study is to investigate the protective effect of Sasa quelpaertensis leaf extract (SQE) against oxidative stress in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. METHODS: Mice were treated with SQE (100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg body weight) by gavage in advance two weeks before inflammation was induced. Then, the mice were administered with 2.5% DSS in drinking water for 7 days and normal drinking water for 7 days between two DSS treatment. Disease activity index values, gut motility, and severity of the resulting oxidative DNA damage were analyzed. The antioxidant effect of SQE was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in plasma samples. Catalase activity and expressions levels of glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1), SOD1, and SOD2 were also detected in colon tissues. RESULTS: Administration of SQE significantly reduced the severity of DSS-induced colitis compared to the control (Ctrl) group. Levels of 8-oxo-dG, an oxidative DNA damage marker, were significantly lower in the SQE group compared to the untreated DSS Ctrl group. In the SQE (300 mg/kg) group, MDA levels were significantly lower, while SOD and catalase activity levels in the plasma samples were significantly higher compared with the DSS Ctrl group. The expression levels of the antioxidant enzymes, SOD2 and Gpx1, were significantly higher, while the levels of SOD 1 expression were lower, in the colon tissues of the DSS Ctrl group compared with those of the Ctrl group. In contrast, administration of SQE significantly down-regulated SOD2 and Gpx1 expressions and up-regulated SOD1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that SQE efficiently suppresses oxidative stress in DSS-induced colitis in mice, and its action is associated with the regulation of antioxidant enzymes.

In vitro seed germination of economically important edible bamboo Dendrocalamus membranaceus Munro.

An in vitro propagation protocol using mature seeds of D. membranaceus was successfully established. Scarcity of seeds in bamboos because of their long flowering periods and irregular seed set resulting in low viability and germination potential, motivated us to undertake the present study. The effects of sterilants, light conditions, exogenous application of plant growth regulators and temperature in overcoming germination barriers in ageing seeds of bamboo were studied. It was found that HgCl2 (0.1%) along with bleach (15%) was more effective in raising aseptic cultures. Dark conditions, high temperatures around 30 °C and soaking of seeds in GA3 solution (50 ppm) overnight stimulated high percent of seed germination with corresponding increase in shoot length (2.7±0.7 mm) and number of sprouts (2.1±0.7) per explants during culture initiation. 6-benzylaminopurine acted synergistically with kinetin to give optimum germination rate of 70±13.9% as compared to 63.13% when used individually. For prolonged maintenance of cultures, 2% sucrose was found to be suitable for promoting photomixotrophic micropropagation. Following this procedure, about 65% survival of plantlets could be achieved during hardening. Biochemically seeds consume starchy endosperm for emergence of radicle which is taken as a sign of germination as also evident from the present study. Loss of viability and vigour after a year was confirmed by Tetrazolium chloride test. Micropropagation protocol developed here will ensure regeneration of large number of plants in a relatively short time. Conclusively, in vitro propagation protocol developed in D. membranaceus using mature seeds as an explants is reported for the first time.

Sasa borealis extract exerts an antidiabetic effect via activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase

Leaf of Sasa borealis, a species of bamboo, has been reported to exhibit anti-hyperglycemic effect. However, its antidiabetic mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we examined whether an extract of S. borealis activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and exerts anti-hyperglycemic effects. Treatment with the S. borealis extract increased insulin signaling and phosphorylation of AMPK and stimulated the expression of its downstream targets, including PPARalpha, ACO, and CPT-1 in C2C12 cells and PPARalpha in HepG2 cells. However, inhibition of AMPK activation attenuated insulin signaling and prevented the stimulation of AMPK target genes. The S. borealis extract increased glucose uptake in C2C12 cells and suppressed expression of the gluconeogenic gene, PEPCK in HepG2 cells. The extract significantly reduced blood glucose and triglyceride levels in STZ-induced diabetic mice. The extract enhanced AMPK phosphorylation and increased Glut-4 expression in the skeletal muscle of the mice. These findings demonstrated that the S. borealis extract exerts its anti-hyperglycemic effect through activation of AMPK and enhancement of insulin signaling.

Effects of green tea or Sasa quelpaertensis bamboo leaves on plasma and liver lipids, erythrocyte Na efflux, and platelet aggregation in ovariectomized rats

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Sasa quelpaertensis bamboo and green tea on plasma and liver lipids, platelet aggregation, and erythrocyte membrane Na channels in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Thirty female rats were OVX, and ten female rats were sham-operated at the age of 6 weeks. The rats were divided into four groups at the age of 10 weeks and fed the experiment diets: sham-control, OVX-control, OVX-bamboo leaves (10%), or OVX-green tea leaves (10%) for four weeks. Final body weight increased significantly in the OVX groups compared with that in the sham-control, whereas body weight in the OVX-green tea group decreased significantly compared with that in the OVX-control (P < 0.01). High density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level decreased in all OVX groups compared with that in the sham-control rats (P < 0.05) but without a difference in plasma total cholesterol. Plasma triglycerides in the OVX-green tea group were significantly lower than those in the sham-control or OVX-control group (P < 0.05). Liver triglycerides increased significantly in the OVX-control compared with those in the sham-control (P < 0.01) but decreased significantly in the OVX-green tea group compared with those in the OVX-control or OVX-bamboo group (P < 0.01). Platelet aggregation in both maximum and initial slope tended to be lower in all OVX rats compared with that in the sham-control rats but was not significantly different. Na-K ATPase tended to increase and Na-K cotransport tended to decrease following ovariectomy. Na-K ATPase decreased significantly in the OVX-green tea group compared with that in the OVX-control group (P < 0.01), and Na-K cotransport increased significantly in the OVX-bamboo and OVX-green tea groups compared with that in the OVX-control (P < 0.05). Femoral bone mineral density tended to be lower in OVX rats than that in the sham-control, whereas the green tea and bamboo leaves groups recovered bone density to some extent. The results show that ovariectomy caused an increase in body weight and liver triglycerides, and that green tea was effective for lowering body weight and triglycerides in OVX rats. Ovariectomy induced an increase in Na efflux via Na-K ATPase and a decrease in Na efflux via Na-K cotransport. Furthermore, consumption of green tea and bamboo leaves affected Na efflux channels, controlling electrolyte and body water balance.

Effects of Sasa Borealis Leaf Extract on the Glucose Tolerance of Major Foods for Carbohydrate

Sasa borealis leaf has been known to have anti-diabetic properties. In this study, we tried to evaluate the effects of Sasa borealis leaf extract (SBE) on the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase activity and postprandial glycemic response following ingestion of four carbohydrate-rich foods; cooked rice, ramen (instant noodle), noodle, and bread. Fourteen healthy female adults consumed 50 g of glucose (control) or one of the four foods containing 50 g of available carbohydrate with or without 2,000 mg of SBE. The activity of alpha-glucosidase was inhibited dose-dependently by SBE. With SBE, blood glucose concentration at 15 min and the positive area under the curve (AUC) of postprandial glycemic response at 15 min and 30 min after consuming each of the four foods were reduced significantly. As the result, total positive AUC during 120 min was decreased in case of taking cooked rice or bread. Glycemic index and glycemic load of the four foods were declined from 13% to 23% with SBE. The results of this study suggest that SBE may be effective for postprandial glucose control by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase activity.

Sasa borealis leaves extract improves insulin resistance by modulating inflammatory cytokine secretion in high fat diet-induced obese C57/BL6J mice

Obesity is considered a mild inflammatory state, and the secretion of inflammation-related cytokines rises as adipose tissue expands. Inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interlukin 6 (IL-6) and monocyte-chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), are modulated by adipose tissue and known to play an important role in insulin resistance which is the common characteristics of obesity related disorders. In this study we analyzed the effects of Sasa borealis leaves extract on inflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance in diet induced obese C57/BL6J mice. The obese state was induced by a high fat diet for 20 weeks and then the mice were divided into two groups; obese control group (OBC, n = 7) and experimental group (OB-SBE, n = 7). The OBC group was fed a high fat diet and the OB-SBE group was fed a high fat diet containing 5% Sasa borealis leaves extract (SBE) for 12 weeks. We also used mice fed a standard diet as a normal control (NC, n = 7). The body weight and adipose tissue weight in the OB group were significantly higher than those in the NC group. The effects of the high fat diet were reduced by SBE treatments, and the body weight and adipose tissue deposition in the OB-SBE group were significantly decreased compared to the OBC group. The OBC group showed higher serum glucose and insulin levels which resulted in a significant increase of incremental area under the curve (IAUC) and HOMA-IR than the NC group. Also, serum leptin, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the OBC group than in the NC group. In contrast, the OB-SBE group showed a reversal in the metabolic defects, including a decrease in glucose, insulin, IAUC, HOMA-IR, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and leptin levels. These results suggest that BSE can suppress increased weight gain and/or fat deposition induced by a high fat diet and theses effects are accompanied by modulation of the inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion resulting in improved insulin resistance.

Effects of Mycorrhizal and Endophytic Fungi on Plant Community: a Microcosm Study

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of foliar endophytic fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant community structure in experimental microcosms containing an assemblage of five species of plants (Oenothera odorata, Plantago asiatica, Trifolium repens, Isodon japonicas and Aster yomena). Leaves of Sasa borealis, Potentilla fragarioides, and Viola mandshurica were collected in Chungbuk, Korea. Endophytic fungi were isolated from the surface sterilized leaves and identified to species level using molecular and morphological techniques. Four isolates of the endophytic fungi were inoculated to the leaves of host plants in the microcosms. Also, three species of AMF spores were extracted from pure cultures and the mixture of the three species inoculated to the roots of the plants. After four months of growth in a green house, effects of both symbiotic fungi on plant species diversity, community composition and productivity were examined. The plant species diversity showed significant differences with inoculation of the symbiotic fungi. Results indicate that AMF significantly affect plant productivity and plant community structure.

The Effects of the Sasa Borealis Leaves Extract on Plasma Adiponectin, Resistin, C-Reactive Protein and Homocysteine Levels in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese C57/BL6J Mice

As obesity is known to be related to hyperlipidemia, diabetes and coronary heart disease, and other chronic diseases, many researches have focused on functional food materials showing anti-obesity activity. The adipokines secreted by adipose tissue, resistin and adiponectin are known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases directly. C-reactive protein and homocysteine are molecules regulated by adipose tissue indirectly also relate to the chronic diseases. This study was performed to study of the anti-obesity effects of Sasa borealis in diet-induced obese mice (C57/BL6J). The mice were divided into four group: NFD (Normal fat diet), HFD (High fat diet), BSE (High fat diet containing 5% of 70% ethanol extract of Sasa borealis leaves), BLW (High fat diet containing 5% of water extract of Sasa borealis leaves). The experimental diets were fed for 11 weeks. The final body weight of the mice in the groups of BSE and BLW groups were significantly lower than the HFD group. The effects of weight reduction were due to reduced body fat accumulation. The adiponectin levels are significantly decreased in HFD group compared than NFD group and increased taken by Sasa borealis containing diet. The resistin levels are not significantly different between experimental groups. The CRP and homocyteine levels are significantly higher in HFD group than NFD group and significantly decreased by Sasa borealis containing diet, especially BLW group. These results indicate that orally administered Sasa borealis not only has the effect of reducing the body weight and total fat weight, but preferable effect in adiponectin levels and related molecules as CRP and homocysteine. Therefore we expect the Sasa borealis may have an anti-obesity function and anti-metabolic syndrome effect in diet-induced obese mice.