Experimental Study of Antiatherosclerosis Effects with Hederagenin in Rats.

The research tries to establish Wistar rat's model of atherosclerosis for evaluating the antiatherosclerotic effect of hederagenin and exploring its antiatherosclerosis-related mechanisms. The statistical data have shown that hederagenin exhibits multiple pharmacological activities in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, antiplatelet aggregation, liver protection, and anti-inflammation, indicating that hederagenin may exert a protective effect on vascular walls by improving lipid metabolism disorders and lipid deposition. The results show that hederagenin can correct the imbalance of endothelial function by inhibiting the release of large amounts of iNOS and increasing eNOS contents and inhibits the IKKß/NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce the release of IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and other inflammatory factors. The experimental results indicated that hederagenin can inhibit or ameliorate the pathological changes associated with AS, displaying an excellent preventive function against AS.

Effects of Kaixin Powder on melatonin receptor expression and (125)I-Mel binding affinity in a rat model of depression.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Kaixin Powder (, KXP) on melatonin receptor (MR) expression and (125)I-Mel binding affinity in a depression rat model. METHODS: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: a blank control group, model group, ramelteon group, KXP high-dosage group (HKXP), medium-dosage group (MKXP) and low-dosage group (LKXP). To establish the depression model, all groups except the blank control group were singly housed and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress. Weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test were used to evaluate induction of depression. KXP at 260, 130 and 65 mg/(kg•d) was also respectively administered to the rats in the HKXP, MKXP and LKXP groups for 21 days. Ramelteon [0.83 mg/(kg•d)] was given to the positive drug control group. An equivalent volume of physiological saline was given to the blank and model groups. The liquid chip method was used to measure the concentration of plasma melatonin (MT). Mel1a (MT1) and Mel1b (MT2) expression levels were determined by Western blotting. In addition, a radioactive ligand-binding assay was used to analyze the specific binding properties and dynamic characteristics between MR and (125)I-Mel. RESULTS: The results of weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test showed that our model successfully produced depressive symptoms and depressive-like behavior. The concentration of plasma MT in the model group decreased significantly at night but increased in the MKXP group (P<0.05). The HKXP group showed significantly increased expression of MT1 (P<0.05); however, the expression of MT2 in all groups exhibited no significant differences (P>0.05). The maximum binding capacity (B(max)) for specific binding between MR and 125I-Mel in the MKXP group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found in the equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) of each group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: KXP may have a similar effect as ramelteon. KXP improved depressive-like behavior by increasing the concentration of plasma MT and MT1 expression, thereby increasing three B(max) of MR to achieve the desired antidepressant effect.

Daidzein and genistein fail to improve glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in Chinese women with impaired glucose regulation: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

SCOPE: This randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effect of isolated daidzein and genistein on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in 165 Chinese women aged 30-70 with impaired glucose regulation (IGR). METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups with a daily dose of 10 g of soy protein plus (i) no addition, (ii) 50 mg of daidzein, or (iii) 50 mg of genistein for 24 wk. Fasting glucose (FG), insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c ), and glucose concentrations at 30, 60, 120, and 180 min and insulin concentrations at 30, 60, and 120 min after an oral 75-g glucose tolerance test were assessed at baseline and at 12 and 24 wk postintervention. a total of 158 and 151 subjects completed the measures at wk 12 and 24, respectively. There were no significant differences in the changes (%) of FG and the 2-h glucose, HbA1c , fasting, and 2-h insulin or the area under the curve of glucose and insulin between the three treatment groups at wk 12 or 24 (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Neither isolated daidzein nor genistein has a significant effect on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in Chinese women with IGR over a 6-month supplementation period.