Earthworm extract attenuates silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis through Nrf2-dependent mechanisms.

Silicosis is an occupational pulmonary fibrosis caused by inhalation of silica (SiO2) and there are no ideal drugs to treat this disease. Earthworm extract (EE), a natural nutrient, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptosis effects. The purpose of the current study was to test the protective effects of EE against SiO2-induced pulmonary fibrosis and to explore the underlying mechanisms using both in vivo and in vitro models. We found that treatment with EE significantly reduced lung inflammation and fibrosis and improved lung structure and function in SiO2-instilled mice. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that EE administration markedly inhibited SiO2-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HBE and A549 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Nrf2 activation partly mediates the interventional effects of EE against SiO2-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Our study has identified EE to be a potential anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic drug for silicosis.

[Effect of retinociacdi combined extracts from testudinis carapacis et plastri on proliferating in MSCs and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of retinociacdi (RA) combined extracts from Testudinis Carapacis et Plastri(PTE) on proliferating in MSCs and its mechanism. METHODS: Transfected PGL3-ID1 using the calcium phosphate co-precipitation method in rat MSCs. PTE combined with RA and retinociacdi receptor inhibitor(Ro41) acted on transfected MSCs with respective concentrations of 10(-6), 10(-7) and 10(-8) mol/L. Luciferase activity measurement was used to detect the activity of RAR and IDI 36 h later. PTE acted on MSCs 36 h,3 d and 7 d for respective concentrations of 1, 3, 30 and 100 microg/mL,then collected cells to detect RAR with RT-PCR. PTE combined with RA for 10(-7) mol/L and Ro41 for 10(-6) mol/L respectively on MSCs for 36 h,and then collected cells to detect RAR and ID1 with RT-PCR. RESULTS: PTE promoted expression of ID1 on MSCs. When combined with RA, the promotion effect became greater and it promoted expression of RAR at the same time; When inhibited RA using Ro41, the promotion of IDI was weaken by PTE. CONCLUSION: RA promotes expression of IDI on MSCs, PTE regulates proliferation and differentiation of MSCs by expression of nuclear receptor RAR.

[Pharmacological study on Agkistrodon blomhoffii blomhoffii Boie. II. Effect of 50% ethanolic extract on phagocytic activity of mouse reticuloendothelial system].

Effect of a 50% ethanolic extract ([M]) from dried whole body of Agkistrodon blomhoffii blomhoffii Boie on a phagocytic activity of reticuloendothelial system was studied by the carbon clearance method in mice. The clearance-rate of carbon was significantly shortened 1 h after the oral administration of [M] (250 or 500 mg/kg, one time/d for 3d). [M] activated the phagocytosis of carbon by macrophage (M phi) in the spleen and the phagocytosis of latex by peritoneal M phi. These results suggested that [M] may promote the phagocytic activity on the reticuloendothelial system in mice and has a stimulatory effect on M phi.

[The modulation of pilose antler extract (PAE) on the proliferation of rat osteogenic cells UMR-106].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the modulation of pilose antler extract (PAE) on rat osteogenic cells UMR-106 in vitro. METHOD: Component P2 of PAE was isolated by Sephacryl S-200HR gel filtration chromatography. The proliferative effects of P2 and other components isolated by Sephacryl S-200HR on UMR-106 cells were investigated by MTT assay. RESULT: The P2 could significantly increase the proliferation rate of osteogenic cells. When the protein concentration of P2 was between 0.972 mg x L(-1) and 97.2 mg x L(-1), it could inhibit the proliferation of UMR-106 cells. But while the concentration was equal to or greater than 97.2 mg x L(-1), the P2 could increase the proliferation rate of cells, especially 477.92% at 9.72 g x L(-1), which was approximated to 499.62% of PAE. The molecular weight of the P2 was about 59 kDa determined by SDS-PAGE. On the other hand, inhibition was also observed in the sample of the P3, P4 and P5. CONCLUSION: Those regulative factors in PAE which have different molecular weight can affect the proliferation of UMR-106 cells two-wayly. And this adjustment also relies on the dose of those factors. This finding may help us to understand the possible mechanism of Chinese traditional medicine from animal materials.

Effect of antler extract on corticosteroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Deer antler, traditionally used as a tonic and valuable drug in oriental medicine, has been considered to possess bone-strengthening activity and effectively used in bone diseases therapy. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was designed to investigate therapeutic effect of antler extract on avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) induced by corticosteroids in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were intragluteally injected with dexamethasone at 50mg/kg twice per week for 6 weeks to induce ANFH. Then the rats were treated with antler extract by oral gavage at 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800 mg/kg once per day for 60 days. The concentration of hydroxyproline and hexosamine in serum was measured and the ultrastructure of femoral head was examined. In vitro, effect of the drug-containing serum of antler extract on proliferation and differentiation of primary osteoblasts were investigated by MIT assay, ALP activity assay and cell cycle analysis. RESULTS: After treatment with antler extract, the degree of necrosis induced by dexamethasone was significantly reduced, hydroxyproline was significantly decreased, and hexosamine and the ratio of hexosamine/hydroxyproline were significantly increased. The drug-containing serum of antler extract promotes osteoblastic proliferation through regulation of cell cycle progression. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that antler extract has a positive curative effect on ANFH by promoting osteoblastic proliferation.

In vitro immunological degranulation of human basophils is modulated by lung histamine and Apis mellifica.

1. The effect of high dilutions of two homeopathic drugs Lung histamine (Lung his) and Apis mellifica (Apis mel) used for the treatment of allergic diseases has been assessed on in vitro human basophil degranulation. Experiments were conducted blind. 2. Basophil degranulation induced by 1.66 X 10(-9) M anti-IgE antibody was significantly inhibited in the presence of 5 Lung his (5th centesimal dilution of Lung his) and 15 Lung his (15th centesimal dilution of Lung his) by 28.8% and 28.6% respectively and by 65.8% in the presence of 9 Apis mel (9th centesimal dilution of Apis mel). Basophil degranulation induced by 1.66 X 10(-16) to 1.66 X 10(-18) M anti-IgE antibody was also inhibited by high dilutions of Lung his and Apis mel with an inhibition of nearly 100% with 18 Lung his (18th centesimal dilution of Lung his) and 10 Apis mel (10th centesimal dilution of Apis mel). An alternance of inhibition, inactivity and stimulation was observed when basophils were incubated in the presence of serial dilutions of Lung his and Apis mel. 3. The investigation of the clinical efficacy of high dilutions of Lung his and Apis mel should be envisaged in allergic diseases in parallel with in vitro and ex vivo biological assays.