Spiral-Dextrin Complex Crystals: Efficient Approach for Colon-Targeted Resveratrol Delivery.

In this work, spiral dextrin/resveratrol (SD/Res) crystal, a new colon-specific drug-delivery system, was established by a novel method of encapsulation and cocrystallization to improve the antidigestion ability compared with the SD/Res inclusion complex (SD/Res IC) prepared by encapsulation and coprecipitation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the SD/Res crystal formed a more regular and perfect crystallite than SD/Res IC. Moreover, the encapsulation ability and thermostability of the SD/Res crystal were enhanced as the chain length of SD was increased. In vitro digestion indicated that SD/Res IC merely achieved small intestine-targeted release of resveratrol, while the SD/Res crystal could act as a colon-specific delivery system to protect resveratrol from degradation by gastric acid and pancreatic enzymes. The SD-1/Res crystal presented much higher thermal stability and stronger gastrointestinal stability than other SD/Res crystals and SD/Res ICs, which facilitated its application as a novel colon-target delivery system for resveratrol.

A comparison study on polysaccharides extracted from Fructus Mori using different methods: structural characterization and glucose entrapment.

In this study, the structure characteristics and the hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities of mulberry fruit polysaccharides obtained by the commonly used hot water (MFPh)-, ultrasonic (MFPu)-, acid (MFPc)- and alkali (MFPa)-assisted extraction methods were investigated. NMR analysis indicated that the four polysaccharides had similar glycosidic linkage patterns. Scanning electron microscopy analyses showed that the surface morphology of the polysaccharides was greatly affected by the extraction methods. The results of the bioactivity assays indicated that MFPh exhibited stronger antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activities than the other polysaccharides. Moreover, all the polysaccharides showed good α-glucosidase inhibitory activities except for MFPu with the lowest molecular weight. These results suggested that acid, alkali, and ultrasonic-assisted extractions have different effects on the degradation of polysaccharides without changing the main structure compared with hot water extraction. In addition, the molecular weight of polysaccharides plays a key role in the bioactivity of the mulberry fruit polysaccharides.

Antidepressant-Like Effect and Mechanism of Action of Honokiol on the Mouse Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Depression Model.

There is growing evidence that neuroinflammation is closely linked to depression. Honokiol, a biologically active substance extracted from Magnolia officinalis, which is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to exert significant anti-inflammatory effects and improve depression-like behavior caused by inflammation. However, the specific mechanism of action of this activity is still unclear. In this study, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mouse model was used to study the effect of honokiol on depression-like behavior induced by LPS in mice and its potential mechanism. A single administration of LPS (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) increased the immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), without affecting autonomous activity. Pretreatment with honokiol (10 mg/kg, oral administration) for 11 consecutive days significantly improved the immobility time of depressed mice in the FST and TST experiments. Moreover, honokiol ameliorated LPS-induced NF-κB activation in the hippocampus and significantly reduced the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines; tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and interferon γ (IFN-γ). In addition, honokiol inhibited LPS-induced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activation and quinolinic acid (a toxic product) increase and reduced the level of free calcium in brain tissue, thereby inhibiting calcium overload. In summary, our results indicate that the anti-depressant-like effects of honokiol are mediated by its anti-inflammatory effects. Honokiol may inhibit the LPS-induced neuroinflammatory response through the NF-κB signaling pathway, reducing the levels of related pro-inflammatory cytokines, and furthermore, this may affect tryptophan metabolism and increase neuroprotective metabolites.

Encapsulation of Vitamin E and Soy Isoflavone Using Spiral Dextrin: Comparative Structural Characterization, Release Kinetics, and Antioxidant Capacity during Simulated Gastrointestinal Tract.

Spiral dextrin subfraction (SD-40) obtained through enzyme debranching and gradient ethanol precipitation could interact with vitamin E (VE) or soy isoflavone (SIO) to form V-type inclusion complexes. The formation of two inclusion complexes was confirmed by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. In this study, an in vitro gastrointestinal model was used to investigate the breakdown of inclusion complexes and release behavior of bioactive compounds. The results indicated that the two inclusion complexes exhibited a controlled and sustained release behavior during digestion. In addition, the SD-40/VE inclusion complex presented higher stability and stronger antioxidant capacity than the SD-40/SIO inclusion complex. Furthermore, the first and zero order models were applied to understand the release kinetics of VE and SIO from inclusion complexes in the stomach, whereas the first order model was chosen to describe the release of VE and SIO from inclusion complexes in the intestine.

A pilot study on the correlation of tongue manifestation with the site of cerebral infarction in patients with stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the correlation of tongue manifestation with the site of cerebral infarction in patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: From March 2008 to February 2009, 200 cases of hospitalized patients with first unilateral cerebral infarction were chosen in the Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital. The correlation of different tongue color, fur texture, fur color with the site of cerebral infarction was analyzed. RESULTS: The site of cerebral infarction in patients were compared between different tongue color by Chisquare test (P=0.314), and further correspondence analysis demonstrated that there was correlation between red tongue and cortical-subcortical infarction group. The site of cerebral infarction in patients were compared between thick fur group and thin fur group, cortical-subcortical infarction occurred more frequently in the former (P=0.0008). The site of cerebral infarction in patients were compared between dry fur group, moist fur group and smooth fur group, correspondence analysis demonstrated there was correlation between dry fur and cortical-subcortical group. The site of cerebral infarction in the patients were compared between white fur group, white-yellow fur group and yellow fur group (P=0.010), and correspondence analysis demonstrated there was correlation between white fur and brainstem infarction; white-yellow fur has relationship with cortical infarction; subcortical infarction was weakly related with white-yellow fur; there was closer relationship between yellow fur and cortical-subcortical infarction. CONCLUSION: The change of tongue manifestation was associated with the site of cerebral infarction in patients, providing a new combining site for diagnosing cerebrovascular diseases by integrative medicine.

A pilot study on the relationship between tongue manifestation and the degree of neurological impairment in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the relationship between tongue manifestation and the degree of neurological impairment in the patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: Two hundred patients with first unilateral cerebral infarction were recruited. The relationship between different tongue manifestation and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were analyzed. RESULTS: NIHSS scores in the patients from different tongue color groups were analyzed and further analysis demonstrated that the NIHSS score was higher in the patients with red or bluish-purple tongue than that of those with the pink (P <0.01). On tongue fur, the NIHSS score in the patients with thick fur was higher than that of those with the thin (P=0.003). NIHSS score in patients with slippery, moist or dry fur was significant different (P=0.003), Further analysis demonstrated that the NIHSS score was higher in the patients with dry fur than that of those with moist fur, and had statistical significance (P=0.01). The NIHSS score was higher in patients from greasy fur group than that of the non-greasy (P=0.002). There was significant difference of NHISS score in the patients with different fur color (P=0.000), and further analysis demonstrated that the NHISS score in white-yellow, yellow fur group were higher than that of the white (P=0.06 or 0.000). CONCLUSION: The changes of tongue manifestation might be associated with the degree of neurological impairment in the patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Study on the correlation of tongue manifestation with fibrinogen and neutrophil in acute cerebral infarction patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of tongue manifestation with the fibrinogen level and the neutrophil count in blood of acute cerebral infarction patients. METHODS: A total of 200 patients with first unilateral cerebral infarction in Neurology Department of Xuanwu Hospital from March, 2008 to February, 2009 were recruited in this study. The correlation of the tongue fur color and texture with the blood fibrinogen level and the neutrophil count was analyzed in these patients. RESULTS: The level of fibrinogen and neutrophil count in thick fur group were significantly higher than that in thin fur group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the level of fibrinogen and neutrophil count found between moist fur and dry fur. Statistical significance existed in the level of fibrinogen between the greasy tongue fur group and non-greasy tongue fur group (P<0.05). The level of fibrinogen and the neutrophil count were compared among different fur color groups, revealing that the level of fibrinogen in yellowish fur group was higher than that of white fur group and normal value with statistical significance (P<0.05) with neutrophil count in yellowish fur group being significantly higher than that in white fur group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the change of tongue manifestation was associated with the level of fibrinogen and the neutrophil count in the blood of cerebral infarction patients.

[Removing phlegm and dispelling stasis method combined with Western medicine for treatment of cerebrovascular stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of removing phlegm and dispelling stasis method (RPDSM) combined with Western medicine for treatment of cerebrovascular stenosis. METHODS: Seventy enrolled patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: the Western medicine (WM) group, the integrative medicine (IM) group, and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group. The 21 patients in the WM group were treated with Western medicine as aspirin, Clopidogrel, statins, etc.; the 23 patients in the TCM group were treated with Chinese drugs using the patent preparation Dahuang Zhechong Pill and Tianma Duzhong Capsule as the basic drugs, and supplemented by self-formulated decoctions, selected according to their syndrome types (Tanshi Recipe for dampness-phlegm syndrome, Tanhuo Recipe for fire-phlegm syndrome, Qixu Recipe for qi-deficiency syndrome, and Yang-kang Recipe for yang-excess syndrome); and the 26 patients in the IM group were treated by both TCM and WM with the same drugs and doses mentioned above. The course of treatment was 3 months, and all patients received at least 2 courses in succession. Changes in clinical symptoms and TCM syndrome, levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet aggregation rate (PAR) and fibrinogen (Fib), as well as pictures of medical imaging were observed to evaluate cerebrovascular stenosis. RESULTS: After 6-month treatment, the blood levels of CRP, PAR and Fib were lowered and the number of moderate and severe stenosed vessel lessened in all the three groups (all P < 0.05). The respective total effective rate in the WM, TCM and IM group was 42.9% (9/21 cases), 39.1% (9/23 cases) and 61.5% (16/26 cases), no significant difference was shown among them. CONCLUSION: The integrative Chinese traditional and Western medical treatment for cerebrovascular stenosis shows an increasing trend in improving clinical efficacy and laboratory indexes, combared with pure Western or Chinese medical treatment.

[Effect of bufalin-inducing apoptosis on Bcl-2 and PKC in HL-60 cells].

Previous study revealed that bufalin can inhibit proliferation, and induce apoptosis in some human cancer cell lines. However, the mechanism of its anticancer effect has not been fully understood. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of bufalin-induced apoptosis on Bcl-2 and PKC in human leukemic HL-60 cells. The cell viability was determined by trypan blue dye exclusion. The apoptosis was detected by morphology, flow cytometry and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. The expressions of Bcl-2 and PKC were analyzed by Western blot, and activity of PKC was assayed by [gamma-(32)P] isotope incorporation method. The results showed as follows: (1) proliferation of HL-60 cells was inhibited by bufalin and the IC(50) at 24, 48, 72 hours were (25.8 +/- 2.1), (8.0 +/- 1.2) and (2.3 +/- 0.3) nmol/L, respectively. (2) apoptosis of HL-60 cells was induced when the cells were treated with bufalin at concentration of 50 nmol/L for 24 hours. (3) compared with control, treatment with bufalin at concentration of 50 nmol/L for 6 - 24 hours resulted in downregulation of protein expression, decrease of phosphorylation, and cleavage of Bcl-2, simultaneously. (4) the activity of total PKC was unchanged when HL-60 cells were exposed to 1 - 100 nmol/L bufalin for 30 minutes, but PKCbetaII underwent translocation from cytosol to membrane. It is concluded that apoptosis induced by bufalin is associated with downregulation of protein expression, dephosphorylation, and cleavage of Bcl-2 in HL-60 cells.