Transcriptomics and systems network-based molecular mechanism of herbal formula Huosu-Yangwei inhibited gastric cancer in vivo.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The efficacy of the herbal formula Huosu-Yangwei (HSYW) in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer and chronic atrophic gastritis with precancerous lesions has been reported in clinical trials. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its inhibition of gastric tumor are not well-understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: Combined with transcriptomics and systems network-based molecular mechanism to explore the potential circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network of HSYW in the treatment of gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animal experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of HSYW on tumor growth in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was implemented to identify the differentially expressed (DE) genes. Predictive miRNA targets and mRNA were used to construct circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was utilized to verify the accuracy of the proposed circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks. Additionally, the differentially expressed target proteins between gastric cancer (GC) and normal patients were assessed using data from the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and HPA (The Human Protein Atlas) databases. RESULTS: We demonstrate HSYW significantly inhibits tumor growth of N87 cell-bearing Balb/c mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the existence of 119 differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs and 200 DE mRNAs between HSYW-treated and model mice. By associating predicted circRNA-miRNA pairs and miRNA-mRNA pairs, we constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA (CMM) network. Furthermore, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was developed using the differential expressed mRNAs. Consequently, the reconstructed core CMM network and qRT-PCR validation indicated that 4 circRNAs, 5 miRNAs and 6 mRNAs could potentially serve as biomarkers to assess the therapeutic effects of HSYW-treated N87-bearing Balb/c mice. The TCGA and HPA databases also demonstrated that mRNA KLF15 and PREX1 had substantial differences between gastric cancer (GC) and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: By combining the experimental and bioinformatics analysis, this study confirms that the circRNA_00240/hsa-miR-642a-5p/KLF15 and circRNA_07980/hsa-miR-766-3p/PREX1 pathways play critical roles in HSYW-treated gastric cancer.

Effect of polyethylene glycol 400 on the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of baicalin by intravenous injection based on the enzyme activity of UGT1A8/1A9.

Baicalin (BG) is a bioactive flavonoid extracted from the dried root of the medicinal plant, Scutellaria radix (SR) (dicotyledonous family, Labiatae), and has several biological activities. Polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) has been used as a suitable solvent for several traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and is often used as an excipient for the compound preparation of SR. However, the drug-excipient interactions between BG and PEG400 are still unknown. Herein, we evaluated the effect of a single intravenous PEG400 administration on the BG levels of rats using pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies. A liver microsome and recombinant enzyme incubation system were used to further confirm the interaction mechanism between PEG400 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) (UGT1A8 and UGT1A9). The pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that following the co-intravenous administration of PEG400 and BG, the total clearance (CLz) of BG in the rat plasma decreased by 101.60% (p < 0.05), whereas the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC)0-t and AUC0-inf increased by 144.59% (p < 0.05) and 140.05% (p < 0.05), respectively. Additionally, the tissue distribution study showed that the concentration of BG and baicalein-6-O-ß-D-glucuronide (B6G) in the tissues increased, whereas baicalein (B) in the tissues decreased, and the total amount of BG and its metabolites in tissues altered following the intravenous administration of PEG400. We further found that PEG400 induced the UGT1A8 and UGT1A9 enzyme activities by affecting the maximum enzymatic velocity (Vmax) and Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) values of UGT1A8 and UGT1A9. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that PEG400 interaction with UGTs altered the pharmacokinetic behaviors and tissue distribution characteristics of BG and its metabolites in rats.

[Encircling needling is superior to "Bangci"(focal center-side needling) in promoting wound healing in diabetic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of "Bangci"(focal center-side needling) and encircling needling in promoting skin wound healing and local blood perfusion in diabetic mice. METHODS: Thirty-two male C57BL/6N mice were randomized into normal, diabetic model, focal center-side needling and encircling needling groups (n=8 in each group). The skin wound model was prepared by cutting a piece of full-thickness skin at the mouse's back by using a puncher. One hour after modeling, two acupuncture needles were respectively inserted into the center of the wound and the spot at the normal skin about 0.5 cm away from the edge of the wound for mice of the focal center-side needling group, followed by EA (0.5 mA, 0.5 Hz) for 30 min. For mice of the encircling needling group, 4 acupuncture needles were respectively inserted into the upper, lower, left and right normal marginal skin around the wound, followed by EA stimulation with the same parameters as those of the center-side needling group. The wound conditions, diameter and area of the wound were monitored, and the wound blood perfusion volume was measured by using a laser speckle flowmeter. RESULTS: The wound shrinkage rates were significantly higher at the time-points of 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 d after modeling in both focal center-side needling and encircling needling groups than in the model group (P<0.05), and on day 3, 5, 7 and 9 in the encircling needling group than in the focal center-side needling group (P<0.05). The wound healing time was obviously earlier in both focal center-side needling and encircling needling groups than in the model group (P<0.05), and in the encircling needling group than in the focal center-side needling group (P<0.05). Following modeling, the volume of wound blood perfusion was considerably higher from day 1 to 9 and markedly lower on day 11 in the model group than in the normal group (P<0.01), and after the intervention, the blood perfusion volume was considerably decreased on day 3, 5, 7 and 9 in both the focal center-side needling and encircling needling groups(P<0.05, P<0.01), and obviously increased on day 11 in the encircling needling group relevant to the model group (P<0.01).Comparison between post- and pre-EA stimulation showed that the immediate blood perfusion volume was significantly increased from day 1 to 11 after EA stimulation in both the focal center-side needling and encircling needling groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The therapeutic effect of the encircling needling group was significantly superior to that of the focal center-side needling group in lowering blood perfusion volume from day 3 to 7, and in increasing blood perfusion volume on day 9 and 11 (P<0.01). Under the naked eyes, the conditions of exudation and inflammatory reaction, and the scar and granulation tissue were relatively milder and better respectively in both the center-side needling and encircling needling groups than in the model group. CONCLUSION: Both focal center-side needling and encircling needling can promote the skin wound healing by increasing the blood perfusion in diabetic mice, and the therapeutic effect of the encircling needling method was significantly superior to that of the focal center-side needling method.

Effects of Danhong injection, a traditional Chinese medicine, on nine cytochrome P450 isoforms in vitro.

Danhong injection (DHI) is made from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. and Carthamus tinctorius L. extract and is widely used in the clinical treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of DHI on cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes in vitro to predict drug-drug interactions based on CYP450 as combination therapy. To assess the inhibitory effect of DHI on CYP450, we detected the IC50 value of DHI on CYP450 in vitro by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Simultaneously, the induction effect of DHI on CYP450s was also evaluated. The relative induction ratios of DHI on CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 activity were calculated by LC-MS/MS. The expression level of CYP3A4 mRNA was determined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The LC-MS/MS data showed DHI intensively inhibit CYP2A6 activity and the intensity of inhibition was followed by CYP2C8, CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP2B6, CYP2D6, CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP2C9 in vitro. The results of RT-PCR showed that there is a certain induction of DHI on CYP3A4 mRNA in human primary hepatocytes in vitro. The study suggested that drug-drug interactions might occur in clinical co-administration of drugs owing to the CYP2A6 inhibition and CYP3A4 induction.

Physiological Doses of Red Light Induce IL-4 Release in Cocultures between Human Keratinocytes and Immune Cells.

Phototherapy is routinely used for the treatment of various skin conditions and targeted therapy of superficial cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms behind their biological effects and the need for efficacy enhancing photosensitizers are not well addressed. Particularly, not much is known about the inherent effect of light from the visible spectrum on cytokine release and its downstream effects in keratinocytes and immune cells located in skin and therefore exposed to light. To address this, we delivered calibrated doses of well-defined light qualities (380 to 660 nm) to cocultures of human keratinocytes and macrophage/dendritic cells in the absence or presence of the commonly used photosensitizer 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP). The experiments identified IL-4 as a key effector cytokine released by this coculture model with need for 8-MOP in the UVA1 /blue (380 nm) and no requirement for photosensitizer in the red light spectrum (627 nm). 3D organotypic skin cultures treated with IL-4 showed thickening of the epidermal layer and delayed differentiation. However unlike IL-4 and UVA1 /blue light treatment, red light did not reduce the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers or increase signs of photo-oxidative damage. This supports the application of isolated red light as a possible alternative for photo-immunotherapy without need for additional photosensitizers.

Stimultaneous determination of multiple bioactive constituents in Panacis Japonici Rhizoma processed by different methods and grey relational analysis / 中国中药杂志

A method, for determination of saponins, amino acids and nucleosides in Panacis Japonici Rhizoma of ultra fast liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry (UFLC-QTRAP-MS/MS), was established to investigate the effect of different processing methods on the target components of Panacis Japonici Rhizoma. The chromatographic separation was performed on a XBridgeC₁₈(4.6 mm×100 mm, 3.5 μm) at 30 °C with a gradient elution of 0.1% formic acid solution-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile, and the flow rate was 0.8 mL·min⁻¹, using multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The grey relational analysis was adopted for the analysis of different processing samples. The results showed that the thirty-three constituents were in a good linear range and the correlation coefficient was greater than 0.999 0; the precision, repeatability and stability were good; the average recovery rates were between 95.33% and 101.8%, and the relative standard deviations were less than 5%. The result of grey relational analysis showed that the complete rhizomes without peeling, which were adopted for the microwave dried method, had the best quality. The established method was accurate and reliable, which could be used to appraise the quality of Panacis Japonici Rhizoma. Our study may lay the way for the processing method of Panacis Japonici Rhizoma in optimization,normalization and standardization.

The therapeutic effect of curcumin in male albino rats and its putative mechanisms on cerebral microvascular flow.

The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of curcumin on hypertension and its putative mechanisms in the cerebral microcirculation. The surgical preparation was made to generate a cranial window for observation of the capillary network in the cerebral cortex region. Digital image processing, intravital videomicroscopy, and laser Doppler flow meter were used in this investigation. The number of open capillaries, arterial blood pressure, red cell velocity, microvascular diameter, circulating endothelial cells, relative blood flow and frequency were determined. Control rats showed severe dysfunction in the microcirculation with increased blood pressure. In curcumin treated mice, the blood pressure significantly reduced compared to their respective controls. Curcumin significantly increased blood velocity and LDF flow in hypertensive and normotensive rats. Curcumin significantly altered the circulating endothelial cells and open capillaries number in the male albino rats. Our results suggested that the curcumin exerts its therapeutic effect in male albino rats by regulating vasomotion function, increasing blood perfusion, releasing the peripheral resistance and opening efficiently capillaries. Taking all these data together, it is concluded that the curcumin might be useful in the regulation of the cerebral microcirculatory function and hypertension.

Electroacupuncture improves recovery after hemorrhagic brain injury by inducing the expression of angiopoietin-1 and -2 in rats.

BACKGROUND: Angiopoietin (Ang) is one of the major effectors of angiogenesis, playing a critical role in neurovascular remodeling after stroke. Acupuncture has been widely used for treating stroke in China for a long time. Recently, we have demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) can accelerate intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced angiogenesis in rats. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EA on the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 in the brain after ICH. METHODS: ICH was induced by stereotactic injection of collagenase type VII into the right globus pallidus. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into the following four groups: sham-operation (SHAM), stroke-no electroacupuncture (SNE), stroke-EA at the Zusanli acupoint (SEZ), and stroke-EA at a nonacupoint (SEN). EA was applied to the bilateral Zusanli (ST36) acupoint in the SEZ group and a nonacupoint in the SEN group. The expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Some Ang-1 and Ang-2 immunoreactive microvessels with a dilated outline were detected in the perihematomal tissues after ICH, and the vessels extended into the clot from the surrounding area since day 7. The expression of Ang-1 increased notably as long as 2 weeks after ICH, while Ang-2 immunoreactivity declined at about 7 days following a striking upregulation at 3 days. EA at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint upregulated the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 at both the protein and mRNA levels. However, EA at a nonacupoint had little effect on the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that EA at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint exerts neuroprotective effects on hemorrhagic stroke by upregulation of Ang-1 and Ang-2.

Astragaloside IV-loaded nanoparticle-enriched hydrogel induces wound healing and anti-scar activity through topical delivery.

This study aims to investigate the novel preparation of solid lipid nanoparticle-enriched hydrogel (SLN-gel) for the topical delivery of astragaloside IV and to determine the effects of astragaloside IV-based SLN-gel on wound healing and anti-scar formation. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared through the solvent evaporation method. The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), encapsulation efficiency (EE), drug release, and morphological properties of the SLNs were characterized. The optimized SLNs were incorporated in carbomer hydrogel to form an SLN-enriched gel (SLN-gel) carrier. The effects of astragaloside IV-enriched SLNs on wound healing were determined using the wound scratch test, and their uptake by skin cells was tested in vitro. With the rat full-skin excision model, the in vivo regulation of astragaloside IV-based SLN-gel in the wound stages of re-epithelization, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling was investigated. The best formulation of astragaloside IV-based SLNs had high EE (93% ± 5%) and ZP (-23.6 mV ± 1.5 mV), with a PDI of 0.18 ± 0.03 and a drug loading percentage of 9%. Astragaloside IV-based SLNs and SLN-gel could release drug sustainably. Astragaloside IV-based SLNs enhanced the migration and proliferation of keratinocytes and increased drug uptake on fibroblasts in vitro (P<0.01) through the caveolae endocytosis pathway, which was inhibited by methyl-ß-cyclodextrin. Astragaloside IV-based SLN-gel strengthened wound healing and inhibited scar formation in vivo by increasing wound closure rate (P<0.05) and by contributing to angiogenesis and collagen regular organization. SLN-enriched gel is a promising topical drug delivery system. Astragaloside IV-loaded SLN-enriched gel was proven as an excellent topical preparation with wound healing and anti-scar effects.

Monitoring the supporting role of traditional Chinese medicine intervention in the treatment of high-risk status of liver cancer by color doppler ultrasound / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To study the supporting role of traditional Chinese medicine GanFuAn in the treatment of high-risk state of liver cancer by color Doppler ultrasound.Methods Based on a number of joint detection of tumor markers,85 patients of liver cancer were selected from patients with chronic hepatitis B.Among these 85patients,50 patients were selected in a treatment group and treated with Chinese herbal preparation GanFuAn,with ultrasound and tumor markers serving as joint monitoring; while the other 35 patients were selected in a control group and treated with conventional treatment.Results In the treatment group,the liver tumor markers or liver tumor continually diminished.5 cases showed tumor disappear.38 cases showed effective results,while 7 cases showed no effects.The total incidence rate of liver cancer was 14％;while in the control group,none case showed tumor disappear.20 cases showed effects and 15 cases showed none effects.The cumulative incidence rate of liver cancer induced by chronic hepatitis was 43％,with all the cases have been confirmed by pathology.Conclusion Color doppler ultrasound was an intuitive,non-invasive dynamic method to monitor liver tumor's growth and decline.

Eclipta prostrata L. phytochemicals: isolation, structure elucidation, and their antitumor activity.

Eclipta prostrata L., (Asteraceae), is used in China for both food and medicine purposes. This research is concerned with the isolation and purification of phytochemical constituents from the aerial parts of E. prostrata, using gradient solvent fractionation, macroporous resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and ODS columns, and TLC analyses. Four fractions (water, 30% ethanol, 60% ethanol and 90% ethanol) were obtained. Four compounds, wedelolactone (I), eclalbasaponin I (II), luteolin (III) and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (IV) were purified and their structures were identified by the interpretation of spectroscopic analyses including MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR. Antitumor activities of extracts (total fraction), four fractions and the isolated compounds were assessed using hepatoma cell smmc-7721 as an in vitro assay system. The 30% ethanol fraction and eclalbasaponin I dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of hepatoma cell smmc-7721 with IC(50) values of 74.2399 and 111.1703 µg/ml, respectively, more strongly compared with 5-fluorouracil positive control group with the IC(50) value of 195.3131 µg/ml. Antitumor activities of other fractions and compounds were lower than positive control. These results suggested that some specific compounds or extracts from E. prostrata are potential sources of natural anti-tumor materials and worthy of further study.

Antioxidative activities of medicinal plants from TCM.

As a natural antioxidant resource, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been paid much more attentions than before. The studies on its antioxidative activity have also increased dramatically in recent years. Abundant studies on TCM show that some TCM can increase body's activity of antioxidant enzymes, enhance body's ability of scavenging free radicals and decrease the generation of lipid peroxide (LPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the body etc. The action mechanism of TCM is closely related to its active constituents, including polysaccharides, quinines, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenes, phenolic acids compounds and tannins etc. Through referring to related reports on TCM, in the last 20 years, this paper reviews literatures involved in antioxidation research on TCM. Antioxidative mechanism, functional property and application prospect of some active constituents with antioxidation in TCM are discussed.

The healing and anti-scar effects of astragaloside IV on the wound repair in vitro and in vivo.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Astragaloside IV is the chief ingredient of Radix Astragali, which has been used in the Traditional Chinese Medicine as a major component of many polyherbal formulations for the repair and regeneration of injured organ and tissues. This study is to investigate the influence of astragaloside IV on both of the wound healing and scar formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the in vitro evaluation, the influence of the astragaloside IV in the wound scratch test of keratinocytes and the secretion of transforming growth factor-ß1, a key factor contributing to scar formation were determined. With the rat skin excision model, the in vivo regulation of astragaloside IV on wound closure, angiogenesis and collagen disposition were also evaluated. RESULTS: Astragaloside IV was shown to significantly promote the migration of keratinocytes in wound scratching assay. The superior effect of Astragaloside IV was observed at 100 µmol/L, in which the recover rates was increased with 2 and 3 folds after 48 h and 96 h respectively than that of blank control (P<0.01). Animal skin closure measurement showed that astragaloside IV could stimulate the wound healing, e.g. with 21% recover in contrast to the 8% of blank control at the 6th day. Biomechanic and Masson's trichrome stain analysis indicated that astragaloside IV may improve the strength of the repaired skin and promoted the angiogenesis and collagen synthesis. Meanwhile, the picrosirius-sirus red stain and Elisa test definitely showed the anti-scar effects of astragaloside IV by decreasing the levels of collagen I/III and TGF-ß1 secretion by firbroblasts with a dose-dependent manner (25-100 µmol/L). CONCLUSIONS: Astragaloside IV was shown a promising natural product with both healing and anti-scar effects for wound treatment. These results give the evidence for the application of astragaloside IV in the treatment of injury.

[Effects of applying inorganic P and wheat straw on the microbial biomass P and microbial P concentration in a calcareous soil with low concentration available P].

In an incubation test, a calcareous soil with low concentration of available P was amended with KH2PO4 (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg P x kg(-1)) and ground wheat straw (5 g C x kg(-1)), and incubated at 25 degrees C for 90 days. The aim was to investigate the change patterns of soil microbial biomass P and microbial P concentration as well as their relationships with soil available P. The results showed that both soil microbial biomass P and microbial P concentration increased with increasing inorganic P addition, with the maximum being 71.37 and 105.34 mg x kg(-1), respectively. The combined application of inorganic P (except 100 mg P x kg(-1)) and wheat straw decreased the soil microbial biomass P and microbial P concentration, being most obvious at early incubation period. Soil microbial biomass P and microbial P concentration had significant positive correlations (P < 0.05) with soil available P (R2 = 0.26 and 0.40, n = 49, respectively). The applied P could rapidly transform into microbial biomass P. The maximum apparent contribution rate of applied P to microbial biomass P was 71%. The added wheat straw could further improve the apparent contribution rate.

An optimized yeast cell-free system: sufficient for translation of human papillomavirus 58 L1 mRNA and assembly of virus-like particles.

We developed a yeast cell-free system suitable for in vitro translation of human papillomavirus 58 (HPV58) L1 mRNA. This system was systematically optimized resulting in enhanced translation efficiency. The optimal concentrations of potassium and magnesium ions observed were specific to the HPV58 L1 protein production. Supplementation with sucrose in the preparation of the yeast lysate greatly enhanced its stability. After optimization, protein production in this system was significantly superior to that produced by the rabbit reticulocyte (RRL) system. Finally, we demonstrated for the first time that virus-like particles (VLPs) were assembled from HPV58 L1 capsid protein in the yeast cell-free system. Thus, the system described here is a powerful tool for the HPV L1 protein production and will be useful for the study of VLP assembly and DNA encapsulation.

[Study on difference of biological characteristics and resistance to powdery mildew of different Astragalus populations].

OBJECTIVE: To study difference among populations which belong to Astragalus membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus on morphology, habit, characteristics of physiology and resistance to powdery mildew, and classify them in order to provide theoretical basis for breeding and improving varieties. METHOD: Morphology, habits, isozyme and soluble protein electrophoretograms were compared among the populations. They were categorized by cluster analysis based on those electrophoretograms. Different ability of resistance to powdery mildew was also studied through comparing disease indices among six populations. RESULT: The results showed A. membranaceus var. mongholicus was distinctly different from A. membranaceus. There was a special type in colonies of A. membranaceus, which showed hairy upper epidermis of leaflets and later florescence. CONCLUSION: Astragalus for medicine could be categorized in three types A. membranaceus var. mongholicus, A. membranaceus early florescence type and A. membranaceus late florescence type. Among them A. membranaceus var. mongholicus is most resistant to powdery mildew, while A. membranaceus is easily infected, and the early florescence type is even more easily infected.

Study on difference of biological characteristics and resistance to powdery mildew of different Astragalus populations / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study difference among populations which belong to Astragalus membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus on morphology, habit, characteristics of physiology and resistance to powdery mildew, and classify them in order to provide theoretical basis for breeding and improving varieties.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Morphology, habits, isozyme and soluble protein electrophoretograms were compared among the populations. They were categorized by cluster analysis based on those electrophoretograms. Different ability of resistance to powdery mildew was also studied through comparing disease indices among six populations.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The results showed A. membranaceus var. mongholicus was distinctly different from A. membranaceus. There was a special type in colonies of A. membranaceus, which showed hairy upper epidermis of leaflets and later florescence.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Astragalus for medicine could be categorized in three types A. membranaceus var. mongholicus, A. membranaceus early florescence type and A. membranaceus late florescence type. Among them A. membranaceus var. mongholicus is most resistant to powdery mildew, while A. membranaceus is easily infected, and the early florescence type is even more easily infected.</p>

[Study on fast screening antifungus activity of endophytes from Pseudolarix kaempferi].

OBJECTIVE: To screen antifungal activity of endophytes from Pseudolarix kaempferi. METHOD: Endophytes from P. kaempferi were separated. By means of microdilution method, antifungal active endophytes were fast screened by Pyricularia oryzae P-2b model, and activity of endophytes against pathogenic fungus was studied. RESULT: 44.8% of endophytes showed activity against P. oryzae P-2b in Pseudolarix kaempferi. Among them JJ314, JJ323 introduced formation of characteristic beads and swellings on the growing hyphae, JJ324 inhibited the conidia germination. They all showed activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans. CONCLUSION: Endophytes from P. kaempferi are a potential resource for the development of antifungal agent.

Study on fast screening antifungus activity of endophytes from Pseudolarix kaempferi / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen antifungal activity of endophytes from Pseudolarix kaempferi.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Endophytes from P. kaempferi were separated. By means of microdilution method, antifungal active endophytes were fast screened by Pyricularia oryzae P-2b model, and activity of endophytes against pathogenic fungus was studied.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>44.8% of endophytes showed activity against P. oryzae P-2b in Pseudolarix kaempferi. Among them JJ314, JJ323 introduced formation of characteristic beads and swellings on the growing hyphae, JJ324 inhibited the conidia germination. They all showed activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Endophytes from P. kaempferi are a potential resource for the development of antifungal agent.</p>

Lifespan is prolonged in autoimmune-prone (NZB/NZW) F1 mice fed a diet supplemented with indole-3-carbinol.

Dietary modulation has the potential to prevent or ameliorate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which is abundant in cruciferous vegetables, was evaluated in a murine model of SLE because of its antiestrogenic activities. Female (NZB x NZW) F1 mice, which develop SLE, were fed an AIN76A diet without or with 0.2 g/kg I3C, starting soon after weaning or at 5 mo of age. At 12 mo of age, 80% of mice fed the I3C-supplemented diet soon after weaning were alive compared with only 10% of controls. When experimental diets were initiated at 5 mo of age, 100% of I3C fed mice and 30% of controls were alive at 12 mo of age. Anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies developed in all groups, although at several time points, the levels produced in I3C-fed mice were significantly lower. Renal disease (proteinuria, histologic changes, IgG immune complex deposition, subepithelial deposits and diffuse epithelial cell foot process effacement) was more severe in controls with both protocols. The estrogen urinary metabolite ratio of 2- to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone was increased in I3C-fed mice. These findings demonstrate a profound effect of dietary I3C in experimental SLE.