ABSTRACT
Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a leg disorder caused by the abnormal development of the tibia in fast-growing poultry. Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) strains have been reported to have effects on increasing bone growth and improving osteoporosis in animals. However, whether L. rhamnosus JYLR-005 can improve bone growth in TD chickens remains unclear. In this study, we noted that L. rhamnosus JYLR-005 could not reduce the suppression of the production performance of TD broilers (p > 0.05) but had a slight protective effect on the broiler survival rate (χ2 = 5.571, p = 0.062). However, for thiram-induced TD broiler chickens, L. rhamnosus JYLR-005 could promote tibia growth by increasing tibia-related parameters, including the tibia weight (day 11, p = 0.040), tibia length (day 15, p = 0.013), and tibia mean diameter (day 15, p = 0.035). Moreover, L. rhamnosus JYLR-005 supplementation improved the normal growth and development of the tibial growth plate by maintaining the morphological structure of the chondrocytes and restored the balance of calcium and phosphorus. Taken together, these findings provide a proof of principle that L. rhamnosus JYLR-005 may represent a therapeutic strategy to treat leg disease in chickens.
Subject(s)
Chickens/growth & development , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus , Osteochondrodysplasias , Poultry Diseases , Thiram/adverse effects , Tibia , Animals , Chickens/microbiology , Osteochondrodysplasias/chemically induced , Osteochondrodysplasias/metabolism , Osteochondrodysplasias/prevention & control , Osteochondrodysplasias/veterinary , Poultry Diseases/chemically induced , Poultry Diseases/metabolism , Poultry Diseases/prevention & control , Thiram/pharmacology , Tibia/growth & development , Tibia/pathologyABSTRACT
Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is the common leg disease in commercial broilers. However, the effects of TD on meat quality and the protective of Morinda officinalis polysaccharide (MOP) are largely unknown. Three hundred broiler chicks (one-day-old) were equally allocated into control (CON), TD and MOP-treated groups for 15â¯days. The results indicated that TD influenced morphology and meat quality-related parameters of the breast muscle, and changed the activity and mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes in plasma and breast muscles. Moreover, metabolomics profiling of breast muscle revealed that the main altered metabolites 4-guanidinobutyric acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, which are related to meat quality and oxidative stress. Additionally, 500â¯mg/L MOP effectively restored the content of meat metabolites and oxidative damage. These findings suggest that oxidative damage caused by TD may affect meat quality in broilers by changing the content of breast muscle metabolites and that MOP supplementation has a restorative effect.
Subject(s)
Meat/analysis , Morinda/metabolism , Osteochondrodysplasias/pathology , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Polysaccharides/pharmacology , Poultry Diseases/pathology , Animals , Chickens/metabolism , Diet/veterinary , Discriminant Analysis , Glutathione Peroxidase/blood , Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics , Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Least-Squares Analysis , Malondialdehyde/blood , Malondialdehyde/metabolism , Osteochondrodysplasias/metabolism , Pectoralis Muscles/drug effects , Pectoralis Muscles/enzymology , Pectoralis Muscles/metabolism , Polysaccharides/chemistry , Poultry Diseases/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/blood , Superoxide Dismutase/genetics , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolismABSTRACT
Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) functions as a glucose-regulating hormone but deposits as amyloid fibrils in more than 90% of patients with type II diabetes (T2D). Here we report the cryo-EM structure of recombinant full-length hIAPP fibrils. The fibril is composed of two symmetrically related protofilaments with ordered residues 14-37. Our hIAPP fibril structure (i) supports the previous hypothesis that residues 20-29 constitute the core of the hIAPP amyloid; (ii) suggests a molecular mechanism for the action of the hIAPP hereditary mutation S20G; (iii) explains why the six residue substitutions in rodent IAPP prevent aggregation; and (iv) suggests regions responsible for the observed hIAPP cross-seeding with ß-amyloid. Furthermore, we performed structure-based inhibitor design to generate potential hIAPP aggregation inhibitors. Four of the designed peptides delay hIAPP aggregation in vitro, providing a starting point for the development of T2D therapeutics and proof of concept that the capping strategy can be used on full-length cryo-EM fibril structures.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics , Islet Amyloid Polypeptide/antagonists & inhibitors , Islet Amyloid Polypeptide/chemistry , Islet Amyloid Polypeptide/genetics , Peptides/chemistry , Amyloid/chemistry , Animals , Cryoelectron Microscopy , Drug Design , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods , Humans , Islet Amyloid Polypeptide/metabolism , Models, Molecular , Mutation , Peptides/pharmacology , Protein Conformation , Recombinant Proteins/chemistry , Recombinant Proteins/genetics , RodentiaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and to further shed light on the underlying mechanisms of the actions of the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction. METHODS: Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) content was determined and liver inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated. Intrahepatocellular malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase contents were determined using commercially available kits Furthermore, α-SMA expression in liver tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry and LC3-II was detected by immunoblotting assays. RESULTS: Mice receiving the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction by gastric lavage had significantly lower plasma ALT content and markedly higher hepatic superoxide dismutase activity than mice receiving the methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet. Furthermore, the decoction aborted MCD-induced increase in liver malondialdehyde content. Immunohistochemistry showed that the decoction suppressed hepatic α-SMA expression. Our transmission electronic microscopy revealed that the decoction markedly reduced the number of autophagosomes and immunoblotting assays showed that the decoction caused a dose-dependent decrease in LC3-II in hepatic tissues. CONCLUSION: The Alisma and Rhizoma decoction lessens NASH-associated liver injuries by modulating oxidative stress and autophagy in hepatocytes of mice fed with MCD.
Subject(s)
Alisma/chemistry , Atractylodes/chemistry , Autophagy/drug effects , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BLABSTRACT
Vegetable waste (VW) is highly perishable and susceptible to acidification during anaerobic digestion, which inhibits biogas production. Effective process monitoring, diagnosis and control are necessary to maintain stable anaerobic digestion at a high organic loading rate (OLR). Continuous mesophilic digestion was conducted at OLRs of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 g volatile solids (VS)/(L d) with effluent recirculation (ER) in a reactor with total volume of 70 L. The effectiveness of three early warning indicators was validated. The ability of trace elements (TEs) (Fe, Co and Ni) to recover unstable VW digestion systems was evaluated. The results showed that the ratio of bicarbonate alkalinity (BA) to total alkalinity (TA) was a more effective warning indicator than the ratios of methane (CH4) to carbon dioxide and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) to TA. When the ratio of BA/TA was lower than 0.9, the digestion system tended to be unstable. ER maintained a stable OLR of 1.5 g VS/(L d). The addition of TEs achieved a maximum stable OLR of 3.5 g VS/(L d) with an average volumetric biogas production rate of 1.91 L/(L d). Severe VFAs accumulation and unrecoverable instability occurred at an OLR of 4.0 g VS/(L d). The supplementation of ammonium bicarbonate was not useful for the recovery of the unstable system when the OLR was greater than 3.5 g VS/(L d) for the digestion of VW. The specific methane production was approximately 340 L/kg VS during the stable period with a digestion efficiency of 85%.
Subject(s)
Alkalies/chemistry , Bicarbonates/chemistry , Trace Elements/pharmacology , Vegetables/chemistry , Waste Products/analysis , Anaerobiosis/drug effects , Bicarbonates/pharmacology , Biodegradation, Environmental , Biofuels/analysis , Bioreactors , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Oxygen/analysisABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the antagonistic effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway activation, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in rats with lung injury induced by fine particulate matter (PM2.5).Methods Forty eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: blank control group (C1), water drip control group (C2), PM2.5 exposed group (P), low-dose NAC treated and PM2.5 exposed group (L), middle-dose NAC treated and PM2.5 exposed group (M), and high-dose NAC treated and PM2.5 exposed group (H). PM2.5 suspension (7.5 mg/kg) was administered tracheally once a week for four times. NAC of 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg was delivered intragastrically to L, M and H group respectively by gavage (10 ml/kg) for six days before PM2.5 exposure. The histopathological changes and human mucin 5 subtype AC (MUC5AC) content in lung tissue of rats were evaluated. We investigated IL-6 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), MUC5AC in lung tissue homogenate by ELISA, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in serum and BALF by spectrophotometry, and the expression of p-ERK1/2, p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 proteins by Western blot. All the measurements were analyzed and compared statistically.Results Lung tissue of rats exposed to PM2.5 showed histological destruction and increased mucus secretion of bronchial epithelial cells. Rats receiving NAC treatment showed less histological destruction and mucus secretion. Of P, L, M and H group, MUC5AC in lung tissue, IL-6 in serum and BALF were higher than controls (C1 and C2) (all P<0.05), with the highest levels found in the P group and a decreasing trend with increase of NAC dose. The activity of GSH-PX in serum and BALF of PM2.5 exposed rats (P, L, M and H) was lower than that of controls (all P<0.05), with higher activities found in NAC treated rats (L, M, and H), and an increasing trend with increase of NAC dose. The expressions of p-ERK1/2, p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 proteins in PM2.5 exposed lung tissue (P, L, M and H) was higher than controls (all P<0.05), with decreased levels and dose dependent downregulation found in NAC treated rats.Conclusion NAC can antagonize major MAPK pathway activation, lung oxidative stress and inflammatory injury induced by PM2.5 in rats.
Subject(s)
Acetylcysteine/pharmacology , Inflammation/pathology , Lung Injury/enzymology , Lung Injury/pathology , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Particle Size , Particulate Matter/toxicity , Animals , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid , Enzyme Activation/drug effects , Glutathione Peroxidase/blood , Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Interleukin-6/blood , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Lung/drug effects , Lung/pathology , Lung Injury/blood , Male , Mucin 5AC/blood , Mucin 5AC/metabolism , Mucus/metabolism , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Alisol A 24-acetate (AA), a natural triterpenoid isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Rhizoma Alismatis, has various therapeutic effects. We investigated the anti-nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) effect of AA and its underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. C57BL/6 mice were fed a methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 4 weeks to induce NASH. The mice were simultaneously treated with a daily dose of AA (15, 30, and 60â¯mgâ¯kg-1, ig) for 4 weeks. On the last day, the animals were sacrificed and plasma and liver tissue were collected. Serum and liver tissue biochemical analyses and histological observation were performed. The human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 was used to build NASH models by culturing with conditioned medium from WRL-68 liver cells after exposure to MCD medium in vitro. Liver oxidative stress and inflammatory indices and autophagy markers were examined. The results showed that AA suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation in a NASH mouse model and inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines and ROS in LX-2â¯cells in MCD medium. Furthermore, we found AA stimulated autophagy in mice liver and LX-2, which could be the underlying mechanism of AA in NASH. To further investigate the role of autophagy in LX-2â¯cells, we found that AA regulated autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway and dorsomorphin, a selective AMPK inhibitor, led to the suppression of AA-induced autophagy. Taken together, our results indicate that AA could be a possible therapy for NASH by inhibiting oxidative stress and stimulating autophagy.
Subject(s)
Adenylate Kinase/metabolism , Autophagy , Cholestenones/therapeutic use , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/drug therapy , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/pathology , Oxidative Stress , Signal Transduction , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Animals , Autophagy/drug effects , Cell Line , Cholestenones/chemistry , Cholestenones/pharmacology , Choline , Diet , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Liver/drug effects , Liver/pathology , Male , Methionine/deficiency , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/enzymology , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Signal Transduction/drug effectsABSTRACT
We aimed to determine the effect of 'Xiaozeng No. 1' (XZ-1) on cellular apoptosis changes of gastric epithelial dysplasia (GED) and to explore the underlying mechanism. Specimens taken from the pyloric area of the stomachs from rats in each group were subjected to Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining for pathological examination, TUNEL staining for apoptosis detection, and Western blot analysis for apoptosis-related proteins. The results showed that XZ-1 decreased GED incidence and enhanced gastric epithelial apoptosis. Furthermore, XZ-1 up-regulated the proapoptotic proteins including cleaved caspases (cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific protease) (-3, -8, and -9), Fas, Bax, and Bid, and facilitated the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytoplasm. Interestingly, XZ-1 enhanced protein expression of NF-κB p65, Ki67, and p53. Moreover, inhibition of NF-κB pathway suppressed the XZ-induced p53 expression, whereas inhibition of NF-κB or p53 pathway suppressed the XZ-induced Ki67. More importantly, inhibition of NF-κB or p53 pathway attenuated the XZ-1-mediated induction of gastric epithelial apoptosis and decline of GED incidence. Collectively, our results demonstrated that XZ-1, almost equivalent effect exerted by the positive control Retin-A, dramatically decreased GED incidence and enhanced gastric epithelial apoptosis. Meanwhile, XZ-1 activated the NF-κB/p53/Ki67-apoptosis signaling pathway, which might be one of the mechanisms whereby XZ-1 reversed GED.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Ki-67 Antigen/genetics , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Transcription Factor RelA/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Carcinogens/administration & dosage , Caspases/genetics , Caspases/metabolism , Gastric Mucosa/drug effects , Gastric Mucosa/metabolism , Gastric Mucosa/pathology , Ki-67 Antigen/metabolism , Male , Methylnitronitrosoguanidine/administration & dosage , Neoplasms/chemically induced , Neoplasms/genetics , Neoplasms/pathology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Severity of Illness Index , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Stomach/drug effects , Stomach/pathology , Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism , Tretinoin/pharmacology , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolismABSTRACT
A homogenate-assisted vacuum-cavitation extraction (HVE) method with a "green" solvent (a deep eutectic solvent, DES) was developed to extract phenolic compounds from rattan (Calamoideae faberii). In this study, the optimum molar ratio of choline chloride (ChCl) and ethylene glycol (EG) was 1:3, the optimum volume ratio of ChCl-EG:H2O was 6:4, the solid-liquid ratio of HVE was 1:15, and the extraction time of homogenate and vacuum-cavitation were 2.0 min and 25 min, respectively. Under the optimum parameters of HVE, the extraction yield of total phenolic content with ChCl-EG solution was 6.82 mg/g. The higher total phenolic content was detected in fruit tissues (seeds 81.24 ± 1.55 mg/g, episperm 43.21 ± 0.87 mg/g, and arillus 38.47 ± 0.74 mg/g), followed by in leaves (sheath 19.5 ± 0.38 mg/g and blade 17.81 ± 0.33 mg/g). In addition, the content of specific phenolic compounds in aqueous and DES extracts was determined. Chlorogenic acid was the most abundant phenol in most organs of the rattan plant. Gallic acid was mainly distributed in the arillus; protocatechuic acid was mainly distributed in the arillus, sheath, and blade; protocatechuic aldehyde was mainly distributed in the blade, seed, and sheath; (+)-catechins were mainly distributed in the episperm, seed, and sheath; and epigallocatechin gallate was mainly distributed in the blade. The recovery rates of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, (+)-catechins, chlorogenic acid, and epigallocatechin gallate were 93.77%, 94.09%, 97.32%, 97.83%, 94.41%, and 92.47%, respectively, by AB-8 resin.
Subject(s)
Arecaceae/chemistry , Green Chemistry Technology , Phenols/chemistry , Phenols/isolation & purification , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Chemical Fractionation , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Phytochemicals/chemistry , Phytochemicals/isolation & purification , Solvents , Time Factors , VacuumABSTRACT
A homogenate-assisted vacuum-powered bubble extraction (HVBE) method using ethanol was applied for extraction of flavonoids from Phyllostachys pubescens (P. pubescens) leaves. The mechanisms of homogenate-assisted extraction and vacuum-powered bubble generation were discussed in detail. Furthermore, a method for the rapid determination of flavonoids by HPLC was established. HVBE followed by HPLC was successfully applied for the extraction and quantification of four flavonoids in P. pubescens, including orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin. This method provides a fast and effective means for the preparation and determination of plant active components. Moreover, the on-line antioxidant capacity, including scavenging positive ion and negative ion free radical capacity of different fractions from the bamboo flavonoid extract was evaluated. Results showed that the scavenging DPPHË free radical capacity of vitexin and isovitexin was larger than that of isoorientin and orientin. On the contrary, the scavenging ABTSâºËfree radical capacity of isoorientin and orientin was larger than that of vitexin and isovitexin.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/isolation & purification , Flavonoids/isolation & purification , Free Radicals/chemistry , Poaceae/chemistry , Antioxidants/chemistry , Apigenin/analysis , Apigenin/isolation & purification , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Flavonoids/analysis , Flavonoids/chemistry , Free Radical Scavengers/chemistry , Free Radical Scavengers/isolation & purification , Glucosides/analysis , Glucosides/isolation & purification , Humans , Luteolin/analysis , Luteolin/isolation & purification , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plant Leaves/chemistry , VacuumABSTRACT
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders caused by a dysregulated mucosal immune response and epithelial barrier disruption. Conventional treatment of IBD is currently limited to overcoming patient symptoms and is often associated with severe adverse effects from the drugs used. Modified Pulsatilla decoction has been used previously to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) in clinical practice in China, however, the underlying mechanism in the treatment of UC remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the efficiency and mechanisms of modified Pulsatilla decoction in the treatment of oxazoloneinduced colitis were investigated. Assessment of clinical colitis and histological examination found that the administration of modified Pulsatilla decoction attenuated the severity of oxazoloneinduced colitis in mice. Measurement of cytokine concentration, western blotting and reverse transcriptionquantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated modified Pulsatilla decoction treatment significantly reduced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and restored alterations in tight junction proteins in the colon tissues. In addition, modified Pulsatilla decoction suppressed the activation of the nuclear factorκB signaling pathway. Thus, the findings of the present study demonstrated that modified Pulsatilla decoction offers an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of IBD and revealed the underlying mechanisms of action offered by modified Pulsatilla decoction.
Subject(s)
Colitis/metabolism , Colitis/pathology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/pathology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Pulsatilla/chemistry , Animals , Colitis/drug therapy , Colitis/etiology , Cytokines/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Inflammation Mediators/metabolism , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/etiology , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/metabolism , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/pathology , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Male , Mice , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Oxazolone/adverse effects , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Tight Junction Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
Context Asiatic acid, a triterpenoid compound extracted from the tropical medicinal plant Centella asiatica (Family: Apiaceae), has exhibited various biological activities. Objective This study was performed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of asiatic acid on human ovarian cancer cells. Materials and methods SKOV3 and OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cells were exposed to different concentrations of asiatic acid (10-100 µg/mL) for 72 or 48 h. Cell viability, colony formation, cell cycle distribution, apoptotic response were examined. Involvement of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway was tested. Results At the concentration of 40 µg/mL, asiatic acid caused about 50% reduction in the viability of ovarian cancer cells, but had little effect on the viability of normal human ovarian epithelial cells. Asiatic acid at 10 µg/mL reduced colony formation of ovarian cancer cells by 25-30%. Asiatic acid-treated cells showed a cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and 7- to 10-fold increase in apoptosis. The phosphorylation levels of PI3K, Akt and mTOR were remarkably lower in asiatic acid-treated cells. Overexpression of constitutively active Akt partially reversed the cytotoxic effects of asiatic acid, as evidenced by increased cell viability and colony formation. Furthermore, knockdown of Akt mimicked the growth-suppressive activity of asiatic acid. Discussion and conclusion These results provide first the evidence for the anticancer potential of asiatic acid in ovarian cancer cells, partially via inactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Asiatic acid may represent a potential therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology , Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/antagonists & inhibitors , Signal Transduction/drug effects , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Female , Humans , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/physiology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiologyABSTRACT
To investigate the stability and the conversion rules of cantharidin and cantharidic acid contained in the Mylabris aqueous solution under different conditions. The contents of cantharidin and cantharidic acid under different conditions (pH, temperature and light) were determined by HPLC-TQ-MS. The results showed that the content of cantharidin was gradually decreased with the rising of pH value, while on the contrary, the content of cantharidic acid was increased gradually; after Mylabris aqueous solution with different pH values were placed at 25, 40 â and 25 â respectively for lighting for 90 days, the samples were collected for analysis. The results showed the contents of cantharidin and cantharidic acid were changed greatly in the first 10 days, mainly including the decrease of cantharidic acid and increase of cantharidin when the solution was acidic, and the increase of cantharidic acid and decrease of cantharidin when the solution was alkaline. After that, the contents of the above two components basically remained stable. This study revealed that pH was the main factor to affect the contents of cantharidin and cantharidic acid, and they could be converted into each other with the changes of pH value. High temperature and light can accelerate the speed of achieving such balance. The study can provide certain reference for the quality control of the medicines using the Mylabris as raw material.
Subject(s)
Cantharidin/analogs & derivatives , Cantharidin/chemistry , Coleoptera/chemistry , Animals , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Light , Mass Spectrometry , TemperatureABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of water-soluble extracts of Banxiaxiexin decoction, a classical traditional Chinese medicine formulation, on BALB/c mice with experimentally induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Water-soluble extracts of Banxiaxiexin decoction were intragastrically administered to BALB/c mice with oxazolone (OXA)-induced colitis. Sulfasalazine (SASP) was administered intragastrically to OXA-treated mice to establish the SASP group (positive control). Following drug administration, the disease activity index (DAI) and the histopathological inflammation score were recorded. In addition, the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 mRNA in the colonic tissue were determined by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The DAI and histopathological inflammation score of the model group were significantly greater compared with those of the control group, and the mRNA expression levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in the colonic tissue were also significantly higher in the model group compared with those in the control group. The intragastric administration of water-soluble extracts of Banxiaxiexin decoction significantly lowered the DAI and histopathological inflammation score. The mRNA expression levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in the colonic tissue were also significantly lowered. The therapeutic effect of Banxiaxiexin decoction was found to be comparable to that of SASP. In conclusion, the results from the present study demonstrate that water-soluble extracts of the traditional Chinese medicine formulation Banxiaxiexin decoction have a therapeutic effect on BALB/c mice with OXA-induced colitis.