Recent Advances in the Therapeutic Potential of Sinomenine for Cancer Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide. Although modern medicine has made strides in treatment, a complete cure for cancer remains elusive. SUMMARY: Utilization of medicinal plants in traditional medicine for the treatment of multiple diseases, including cancer, is a well-established practice. Sinomenine is an alkaloid extracted from a medicinal plant and has a diverse range of biological properties, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. Sinomenine exhibits inhibitory effects on various types of tumor cells, including breast, lung, and liver cancers. The anticancer properties of sinomenine are believed to involve stimulation of apoptosis and autophagy as well as suppression of cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. KEY MESSAGE: This review summarizes the current research on sinomenine's potential as an anticancer agent, which may contribute to the discovery of more effective cancer treatments.

The Diagnostic Value of Serum TGF-ß1, p2PSA Combined with PSA in Prostate Cancer.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), prostate-specific antigen isomer 2 (p2PSA) combined with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: From October 1, 2019 to September 1, 2022 we enrolled a total of 90 patients with PCa90 patients with PCa in the urology department of our hospital were selected as the PCa group, 90 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were selected as the BPH group, and 90 healthy people were selected as a healthy control group. The levels of TGF-ß1, p2PSA and PSA in serum were detected, and the differences in TGF-ß1, p2PSA and PSA levels among the three groups and PCa patients with different pathological parameters were compared. Univariate and Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the independent risk factors affecting the occurrence of PCa. With pathological results as the 'gold standard', the diagnostic efficacy of TGF-ß1, p2PSA and PSA alone and their combination for PCa was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The levels of serum PSA, p2PSA, and TGF-ß1 in the PCa group were higher than those in the BPH group and control group (P < .001), and those in BPH group were higher than those in the control group (P < .001). The serum indexes of PCa group increased with the increase of Glerson grade and TNM stage (P < .001). The serum indexes of patients with lymph and bone metastasis were significantly higher than those without lymph and bone metastasis (P < .001). Logistic regression analysis showed that PSA, p2PSA and TGF-ß1 were independent risk factors for PCa (P < .001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of PSA, p2PSA, TGF-ß1 and combined detection were 0.738, 0.862, 0.821 and 0.932, respectively. The AUC of combined detection was greater than that of single detection (P < .001). Conclusion: The expression levels of serum TGF-ß1, p2PSA and PSA are related to PCa and are independent risk factors for PCa. The combined detection of the three groups can improve the diagnostic efficacy of PCa. Combined testing improves diagnostic accuracy for prostate cancer, allows for early intervention, and improves patient survival and confidence in treatment options. This will significantly improve the clinical management of prostate cancer. Future studies could explore other biomarkers or molecular indicators to further improve the accuracy of diagnosis and grading of prostate cancer. Additionally, differences between different populations and subtypes can be studied to better understand the heterogeneity of prostate cancer.

4D-DIA quantitative proteomics revealed the core mechanism of diabetic retinopathy after berberine treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the core mechanism of berberine (BBR) in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR), by using Four-dimensional independent data acquisition (4D-DIA) proteomics combined bioinformatics analysis with experimental validation. METHODS: DR injury model was established by injecting streptozotocin intraperitoneally. At 8 weeks after BBR administration, optical coherence tomography (OTC) photos and Hematoxylin-eosin staining from retina in each group were performed, then the retina was collected for 4D-DIA quantitative proteomics detection. Moreover, difference protein analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, as well as molecular docking was performed, respectively. In the part of experiment, Western blot (WB) and immunofluorescent staining was used to confirm the change and distribution of carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1), one of the most important molecules from quantitative PCR detection. Lastly, RNA knockdown was used to determine the crucial role of CA1 in retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs) administrated with berberine. RESULTS: OCT detection showed that the outer nucleus, inner layer and outer accessory layer of RPEs were thinned in DR group, compared with in sham one, while they were thickened after berberine administration, when compared with in DR group. 10 proteins were screened out by using proteomic analysis and Venny cross plot, in which, denn domain containing 1A (DENND1A) and UTP6 small subunit processome component (UTP6) was down-regulated, while ATPase copper transporting alpha (ATP7A), periplakin (PPL), osteoglycin (OGN), nse1 Homolog (NSMCE1), membrane metalloendopeptidase (MME), lim domain only 4 (LMO4), CA1 and fibronectin 1 (FN1) was up-regulated in DR group, and the BBR treatment can effectively reverse their expressions. PPI results showed that 10 proteins shared interactions with each other, but only ATP7A, FN1 and OGN exhibited directly associated with each other. Moreover, we enlarged the linked relation up to 15 genes in network, based on 10 proteins found from proteomics detection, so as to perform deep GO and KEGG analysis. As a result, the most important biological process is involving rRNA processing; the most important cell component is small subunit processor; the most important molecular function is Phospholipid binding; the KEGG pathway was Ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes. Moreover, molecular docking showed that LMO4, ATP7A, PPL, NSMCE1, MME, CA1 could form a stable molecular binding pattern with BBR. Of these, the mRNA expression of CA1, PPL and ATP7A and the protein level of CA1 was increased in DR, and decreased in BBR group. Lastly, CA1 RNA knockdown confirmed the crucial role of CA1 in RPE administered with BBR. CONCLUSION: The present findings confirmed the role of BBR in DR treatment and explained associated molecular network mechanism, in which, CA1 could be considered as a crucial candidate in the protection of RPEs with berberine treatment.

Sanghuangporus sanghuang extract extended the lifespan and healthspan of Caenorhabditis elegans via DAF-16/SIR-2.1.

Sanghuangporus Sanghuang is a fungus species. As a traditional Chinese medicine, it is known for antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the antiaging effect of S. Sanghuang has not been deeply studied. In this study, the effects of S. Sanghuang extract (SSE) supernatants on the changes of nematode indicators were investigated. The results showed that different concentrations of SSE prolonged the lifespans of nematodes and substantially increased these by 26.41%. In addition, accumulations of lipofuscin were also visibly reduced. The treatment using SSE also played a role in increasing stress resistance, decreasing ROS accumulations and obesity, and enhancing the physique. RT-PCR analysis showed that the SSE treatment upregulated the transcription of daf-16, sir-2.1, daf-2, sod-3 and hsp-16.2, increased the expression of these genes in the insulin/IGF-1 signalling pathway and prolonged the lifespans of nematodes. This study reveals the new role of S. Sanghuang in promoting longevity and inhibiting stress and provides a theoretical basis for the application of S. Sanghuang in anti-ageing treatments.

Network pharmacology mechanism of Scutellarin to inhibit RGC pyroptosis in diabetic retinopathy.

To investigate the effect of scutellarin (SCU) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and explore the associated molecular network mechanism. The animal model of DR was established from diabetic mellitus (DM) rats by intraperitoneally injected streptozotocin (STZ) at dosage 55 mg/kg. Meanwhile, SCU was intraperitoneally administrated to protect retina from cell pyroptosis induced by DM, and cell pyroptosis was detected by using HE, Nissl staining, and immunofluorescence recognition. Moreover, the hub gene involving in pyroptosis in DR was screened by bioinformatics and network pharmacology, designated as Venny intersection screen, GO and KEGG analysis, PPI protein interaction, and molecular docking. Lastly, the expressional change of hub genes were validated with experimental detection. Cell pyroptosis of the DR, specifically in retina ganglion cells (RGC), was induced in DM rats; SCU administration results in significant inhibition in the cell pyroptosis in DR. Mechanically, 4084 genes related to DR were screened from GeneCards and OMIM databases, and 120 SCU therapeutic targets were obtained, by using GeneCards, TCMSP with Swiss Target Prediction databases. Moreover, 357 targets related to pyroptosis were found using GenenCards database, and Drug, disease and phenotypic targets were analyzed online using the Draw Venn Diagram website, and 12 cross targets were obtained. Through GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, 659 BP related items, 7 CC related items, 30 MF related items, and 70 signal pathways were screened out; Of these, eleven proteins screened from cross-target PPI network were subsequently docked with the SCU, and their expressions including caspase-1, IL-1ß, IL-18, GSDMD and NLRP3 in RGC indicated by immunofluorescence, and the mRNA expression for caspase-1 in DR indicated by quantitative PCR, were successfully validated. SCU can effectively protect RGC pyroptosis in DR, and underlying mechanisms are involved in the inhibition of caspase-1, GSDMD, NLRP3, IL-1ß and IL-18. Our findings therefore provide crucial evidence to support the clinic practice of SCU for the treatment of DR, and explained the underlying molecular network mechanism.

Metagenomic Analysis of in Vitro Ruminal Fermentation Reveals the Role of the Copresent Microbiome in Plant Biomass Degradation.

In vitro ruminal fermentation is considered an efficient way to degrade crop residue. To better understand the microbial communities and their functions during in vitro ruminal fermentation, the microbiome and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production were investigated using the metagenomic sequencing and rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) system. A total of 1677 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were reconstructed, and 298 MAGs were found copresenting in metagenomic data of the current work and 58 previously ruminal representative samples. Additionally, the domains related to pectin and xylan degradation were overrepresented in the copresent MAGs compared with total MAGs. Among the copresent MAGs, we obtained 14 MAGs with SCFA-synthesis-related genes positively correlated with SCFA concentrations. The MAGs obtained from this study enable a better understanding of dominant microbial communities across in vivo and in vitro ruminal fermentation and show promise for pointing out directions for further research on in vitro ruminal fermentation.

Genome-wide analysis of DGAT gene family in Perilla frutescens and functional characterization of PfDGAT2-2 and PfDGAT3-1 in Arabidopsis.

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) is the rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the final step in triacylglycerol biosynthesis, however, members of DGAT gene family of Perilla frutescens has not yet been identified and characterized. In this study, a total of 20 PfDGAT genes were identified from the genome of Perilla frutescens and were divided into four groups (PfDGAT1, PfDGAT2, PfDGAT3, PfWS/DGAT) according to their phylogenetic relationships. These were unevenly distributed across the 12 chromosomes. Sequence analysis revealed that PfDGAT members of the same subfamily have highly conserved gene structures, protein motifs and cis-acting elements in their promoters. Gene duplication analysis showed that random duplication and segmental duplication contributed to the expansion of the DGAT family in P. frutescens. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analysis suggested that they may play a role in the growth and development of Perilla, especially in the accumulation of seed oil. Compared with the wild-type, seed length, width, and 1000-seed weight of transgenic PfDGAT2-2 and PfDGAT3-1 Arabidopsis were significantly increased, as well as the seed oil content increased by 7.36-15.83 %. Over-expression of PfDGAT2-2 could significantly increase the content of C18:3 and C20:1 in Arabidopsis, while over-expression of PfDGAT3-1 could significantly enhance the content of C18:2 and C18:3. In conclusion, in this study the characteristics and potential functions of the PfDGAT family members were elucidated. Our findings provided basic information for further functional studies and helped to increase the yield and quality of Perilla oil.

Current Status and Evaluation of Randomized Clinical Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases.

Traditional Chinese medicine has long been applied to various diseases in China for a few thousand years. In recent years, its market has gradually developed from Asian countries to Western countries. At present, due to the lack of evidence-based medicine research, the effect of traditional Chinese medicine on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease remains unclear. In evaluating the efficacy and safety of drugs, randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) are recognized as the gold standard for testing the effectiveness and safety of treatments and could offer the best evidence for the formulation of clinical treatment guidelines. Although traditional Chinese medicine has long been used to treat cardiovascular diseases, the research on the application of RCT to test the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy or single traditional Chinese medicine therapy started late, and the number is comparably small. In order to summarize and objectively evaluate the research results of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in intervention of cardiovascular diseases, we reviewed the literature of RCTs in this field by searching some Chinese and English databases and put forward some suggestions for the future development and research of traditional Chinese medicine.

Electroacupuncture promotes nerve regeneration and functional recovery in rats with spinal cord contusion through the coordinate interaction of CD4 and BDNF.

To explore the effect of electroacupuncture on spinal cord injury (SCI) involving immune-related factors and regeneration-related factors in rats. The model of spinal cord contusion was established by PCI 3000 instrument. Two types of acupuncture points were selected for electroacupuncture treatment on rats. The rats were tested once a week, and the fiber remodeling was detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on spinal scar samples. Using Python to write code, statistical analysis and bioinformatics analysis of the correlation between transcriptome sequencing data and fiber reconstruction results are carried out. Lastly, the expression of CD4 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in spinal cord scar was verified by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Electroacupuncture exhibited a positive effect on the recovery of motor function in rats after SCI. Bioinformatics analysis found a direct interaction between CD4 and BDNF. Transcriptome sequencing and PCR results verified that electroacupuncture significantly reduced the expression of CD4, and increased significantly the expression of BDNF, simultaneously corresponding to nerve regeneration in rats with SCI. Our results showed that electroacupuncture intervention in SCI rats improves neural behavior via inhibiting the expression of CD4 and increasing the expression of BDNF.

[Distribution and Pollution Assessment of Nutrients in the Surface Sediments of a Macrophyte-Dominated Zone in Lake Taihu].

To clarify the spatial distribution and pollution status of nutrients in the surface sediments from a macrophyte-dominated zone in Lake Taihu, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), alkali nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and organic matter (OM) were measured at 60 sampling sites in Xukou Bay. A pollution evaluation and source apportionment analysis of these nutrients was also carried out. The average contents of TN, TP, AN, AP, and OM in the surface sediments of Xukou Bay were 1027.5, 423.2, 46.4, 15.3, and 17096.6 mg·kg-1, respectively, with the OM content being significantly higher in the northeast zone than in other areas of the bay. The average value of STN and STP was 1.75 and 0.91, respectively, indicating that TN and TP represent moderate and mild levels of pollution, respectively. The average comprehensive pollution index (FF) was 1.57, indicated that the surface sediment was moderately polluted. The observed organic pollution index indicated that the surface sediments in Xukou Bay were generally clean. Based on C/N values, organic matter in the surface sediments is derived from the bio-deposition of non-fibrous plants and phytoplankton. Based on correlation analysis, OM and TN in the surface sediments of Xukou Bay are derived from the same source, while TP is derived from an alternative source.

Impaired intrinsic functional connectivity between the thalamus and visual cortex in migraine without aura.

BACKGROUND: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has confirmed disrupted visual network connectivity in migraine without aura (MwoA). The thalamus plays a pivotal role in a number of pain conditions, including migraine. However, the significance of altered thalamo-visual functional connectivity (FC) in migraine remains unknown. The goal of this study was to explore thalamo-visual FC integrity in patients with MwoA and investigate its clinical significance. METHODS: Resting-state fMRI data were acquired from 33 patients with MwoA and 22 well-matched healthy controls. After identifying the visual network by independent component analysis, we compared neural activation in the visual network and thalamo-visual FC and assessed whether these changes were linked to clinical characteristics. We used voxel-based morphometry to determine whether functional differences were dependent on structural differences. RESULTS: The visual network exhibited significant differences in regions (bilateral cunei, right lingual gyrus and left calcarine sulcus) by inter-group comparison. The patients with MwoA showed significantly increased FC between the left thalami and bilateral cunei and between the right thalamus and the contralateral calcarine sulcus and right cuneus. Furthermore, the neural activation of the left calcarine sulcus was positively correlated with visual analogue scale scores (r = 0.319, p = 0.043), and enhanced FC between the left thalamus and right cuneus in migraine patients was negatively correlated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder scores (r = - 0.617, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that migraine distress is exacerbated by aberrant feedback projections to the visual network, playing a crucial role in migraine physiological mechanisms. The current study provides further insights into the complex scenario of migraine mechanisms.

[Acupuncture combined with herbal-cake partitioned moxibustion is superior to routine acupuncture in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with herbal-cake (Qianzhengsan) partitioned moxibustion at Xiaguan (ST7), Qianzheng (EX-HN), etc. for patients with peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with peripheral facial paralysis (within 7 days) were divided into acupuncture plus moxibustion (Acu-Moxi) group and routine acupuncture (control) group (n＝38 cases in each). Patients of the control group were treated by routine acupuncture of unilateral or bilateral Yangbai (GB14), Sibai (ST2), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Quanliao (SI18), Jiache (ST6), Dicang (ST4), Yifeng (SJ17), Hegu (LI4) and Zusanli (ST36), and those of the Acu-Moxi group were treated by routine acupuncture of the above-mentioned acupoints in combination with herbal-cake-partitioned moxibustion at ST7 and EX-HN. The treatment was conducted once daily for 20 days. The House-Brackmann facial grading scale (H-B FGS) was used to assess the degree of facial nerve palsy (Ⅰ－Ⅵ grades), the modified Portmann scale used to assess the severity of facial paralysis including the situations of movement of eyebrow raising, eye closing, cheek bulging, pouting, teeth showing and nostril widening, and symmetry during resting state (20 points in total) and the facial disability index (FDI) used to rate the physical function (FDIP) and social life function (FDIS) (5－30 points in total). The clinical efficacy of each group was evaluated after the treatment. RESULTS: After the treatment, the number of patients with H-B FGS grade IV and V and FDIS scores were significantly decreased, and patients' number of H-B FGS grade I and II , Portmann scale and FDIP scores were significantly increased in both control and Acu-Moxi groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment (P<0.01), suggesting an improvement of facial nerve function after treatment. The patients' number of H-B FGS grade I and II and Portmann scores of the Acu-Moxi group was significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01), but no significant differences were found between two groups in the FDIP and FDIS scores (P>0.05). Of the two 38 patients in the control group and Acu-Moxi group, 8 (21.05%) and 15 (39.47%) were cured, 7 (18.42%) and 8 (21.05%) experienced marked improvement, 14 (36.84%) and 13 (34.21%) were effective, and 9 (23.68%) and 2 (5.26%) invalid, with the effective rates being 76.32% and 94.74%, respectively. The therapeutic effect of the Acu-Moxi group was evidently superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupuncture combined with Qianzhengsan-partitioned moxibustion is considerably superior to routine acupuncture in improving clinical symptoms and signs of peripheral facial paralysis patients.

[Effects of Cyanobacterial Blooms in Eutrophic Lakes on Water Quality of Connected Rivers].

The location at which the Liangxi River meets Meiliang Bay of Lake Taihu was selected to explore the influence and controlling factors of algal blooms on the connected rivers. The cyanobacterial particulates and water quality parameters including nitrogen, phosphorus, and dissolved oxygen were monitored daily during the summer bloom season. The spatial variation in water quality parameters along the river were also surveyed, and data from hydrological and meteorological factors such as discharge, temperature, and wind field characteristics over the same period were collected to help investigate the effects of cyanobacterial blooms on the water quality of connected rivers. The results showed that the total fresh biomass of algal blooms entering Liangxi River for three months during the summer cyanobacterial bloom period in Meiliang Bay was 9733 t, which was similar to the amount harvested from the entire lake throughout the year. The flux of water bloom particles to the river varied widely, ranging from 75-496 t·d-1, with an average of 105 t·d-1. The flux was primarily controlled by hydrological and meteorological conditions. Water volume, temperature, and wind direction were the most important influencing factors. Lake water with a large amount of cyanobacterial particles entering the river can significantly improve the dissolved oxygen, ammonia-nitrogen, and other qualities of the river water in the city. It also significantly increased the concentrations of nutrients such as particulate nitrogen and phosphorus in the river, while it had a relatively weak effect on dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. Spatially, the chlorophyll a concentration rapidly decreased with increasing distance from the lake, and the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus exist as particulate cyanobacteria also declined. Upon being discharged into the canal 7 km away, the cyanobacterial particles were largely decomposed, and chlorophyll a content from the phytoplankton collected from the river by a 67 µm net decreased from 152.93 µg·L-1 to 1.99 µg·L-1. The results indicated that lakes plagued with cyanobacterial blooms have a great impact on the water quality of surrounding rivers. Although the connection between rivers and lakes can effectively relieve black spots and solve the black and odorous phenomenon in urban rivers, it had a great impact on nutrients concentration in the rivers. Depending on the different protection targets of rivers and lakes, lake water blooms and hydro-meteorological factors should be considered during water transfer management to optimize the water ecological services of lakes and rivers.

[Mass spectrometry guided strategy based on feature fragment ions for guided-separation on quinoline alkaloids from root barks of Dictamnus dasycarpus].

The root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus is one of common traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Quinoline alkaloids are one of the main active substances in this TCM and possess many biological activities including anti-titumor, anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, anti-oxidation, and anti-platelet aggregation activities. In this study, eight quinoline alkaloids 1-8 were firstly separated from the root barks of D. dasycarpus. It was difficult to isolate more quinoline alkaloids from the remaining fraction 8 in D. dasycarpus by this conventional chemical separation, so the target analysis method combined LC-MS guided-separation of quinoline alkaloids from fraction 8 was established. MS/MS fragmentation patterns of eight quinoline alkaloids reference standard compounds 1-8 were studied by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospary ionization-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Based on the feature fragment ion m/z 200, the parent ion scan mode was established for the target analysis of quinoline alkaloids in fraction 8. Finally, 8-methoxyflindersine (9) and N-metilatanina (10) were discovered and isolated quickly from fraction 8 guided by LC-MS, and their structures were identified by NMR and MS. Among them, compound 10 was isolated from the genus Dictamnus for the first time. These results indicated that this method is not only quick and sensitive for analyzing the quinoline alkaloids, but also to effectively guided-separate this kind of alkaloids in the root barks of D. dasycarpus.

The Impact of Antiepileptic Drugs on Vitamin Levels in Epileptic Patients.

BACKGROUND: The impact of antiepileptics on serum vitamin levels is controversial and uncertain. With no clear conclusions on the impact of antiepileptics on serum levels of vitamins, there is a need for further clinical studies in order to ascertain the impact of old and newer antiepileptic drugs on serum levels of vitamins in epileptic patients, thus accomplishing a suitable usage of vitamins supplementation. OBJECTIVE: The intention of the present research is to confirm the hypothesis of whether or not vitamin levels are altered with antiepileptic drugs. The study also aims to reveal which vitamin levels are particularly more altered, are vitamin levels affected by gender and the type and number of antiepileptics used. METHODS: The present research was piloted in collaboration with the Department of Neurology in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. A total of 63 serum samples of epileptic patients receiving antiepileptics as monotherapy or polytherapy were requested for analysis of nine vitamin serum levels. Total nine vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, A, C, D and E) in epileptic patients receiving antiepileptic drugs were analyzed. The serum results of all vitamins were compiled and evaluated with SPSS. RESULTS: It was alarmingly found that serum levels of vitamin D were particularly very low in almost all (90%) epileptic patients in this study. Notably, serum levels of vitamin C and vitamin B1 were also below reference range in 72% and 46% epileptic patients, respectively. The remaining vitamins were almost in reference range for most of the patients. In our study, mean and frequency of vitamin D, C and B1 levels do not vary too much among different gender groups. The patients receiving newer antiepileptic drugs displayed a slightly increased serum vitamin D levels in comparison to the patients receiving older antiepileptic drugs. We found low vitamin D, C and B1 serum levels in patients who were on monotherapy as in comparison with patients on polytherapy. CONCLUSION: The most significant and surprising finding of this study revealed that serum vitamin D levels in particular were very low in almost all patients and in some patients' vitamin B1 serum levels were also below the reference range. More importantly, it is first time reported here that vitamin C serum levels were also below reference range in the majority of these Chinese epileptic patients. It is recommended that all these vitamins should be regularly monitored in addition to therapeutic drug monitoring of antiepileptic drugs. Additional clinical trials are required for further evaluation. It is also recommended that epileptic patients with low serum levels of these vitamins may be prescribed vitamins supplementations with antiepileptic drugs in order to control their seizures more effectively and efficiently.

[Chemical constituents from root barks of Dictamnus dasycarpus and their cytotoxic activities].

Nineteen compounds, including kihadanin D (1), obacunone (2), kihadanin A (3), kihadanin B (4), kihadanin C (5), limonin (6), evodol (7), fraxinellone (8), furo[2,3-b]quinolin-4-ol (9), preskimmianine (10), ifflaiamine (11), dictamnol (12), naringenin (13), diosmetin (14), wogonin (15), scopoletin (16), cleomiscosin A (17), apocynin (18), and methyl pyroglutamate (19), were isolated from the methanol extract of the root barks of Dictamnus dasycarpus by using various column chromatographies. Their chemical structures were extensively determined on basis of UV, IR, NMR, MS, and CD spectroscopic data analyses. Among them, 1 is a new limonoid, 9 was isolated from plant kingdom for the first time, 11, 13-14 and 17-19 were obtained from the genus Dictamnnus for the first time. Cytotoxicities of compounds 1-18 were tested, and the results indicated that 1 exhibited cytotoxicities against three human cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, A549 and HT29 with IC58 values of 16.22, 21.72 and 31.06 µmol·L⁻¹, respectively.

Phyllanthus emblica Linn. fruit extract potentiates the anticancer efficacy of mitomycin C and cisplatin and reduces their genotoxicity to normal cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Fruit of Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (PE) is widely consumed as a functional food and used as a folk medicine due to its remarkable nutritional and pharmacological effects. Mitomycin C (MMC) and cisplatin (cDDP) are the most widely used forms of chemotherapeutic drug, but their clinical use is limited by their genotoxicity to normal cells. We aimed to determine whether PE has potential to reduce the genotoxicity, while improving the anticancer effect, of MMC and cDDP. METHODS: Cell proliferation was evaluated using the trypan blue exclusion assay and colony-forming assay. Genomic instability (GIN) was measured using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. RESULTS: Co-treatment (72 h) with PE at 20-320 µg/ml significantly enhanced the efficacy of MMC (0.05 µg/ml) and cDDP (1 µg/ml) against Colo205 colorectal cancer cells (P<0.05), and at 80-320 µg/ml significantly decreased MMC- and cDDP-induced GIN and multinucleation in normal colonic NCM460 cells (P<0.05). PE significantly decreased the mitotic index (P<0.01), blocked mitotic progression (P<0.05), and promoted apoptosis (P<0.01) in MMC- and cDDP-treated NCM460 cells, suggesting that PE-mediated inhibition of mitosis and induction of apoptosis may limit the division and survival of highly damaged cells. Also, PE was found to inhibit the clonal expansion of MMC- and cDDP-treated NCM460 cells (P<0.05) and decrease the heterogeneity of the surviving clones. CONCLUSIONS: PE potentiates the anticancer efficacy of MMC and cDDP, while preventing their genotoxicity and inhibiting clonal expansions of unstable genomes in normal cells. These data suggest that PE has the potential to reduce the risk of secondary cancers induced by chemotherapeutics.

[Preliminary establishment of integration of Alzheimer's disease and blood stasis syndrome tree shrew model and evaluation of intervention of Panax notoginseng saponins].

To establish the integration of Alzheimer's disease(AD) and blood stasis syndrome tree shrew model. Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) was used to intervene the model to testify the stability of the model. The level of blood stasis of each group in the tree shrew model was evaluated by analyzing five traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) characterizations, four blood coagulation indexes, plasma nitric oxide (NO) level, plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) level in each group. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of brain hippocampal neuron cell of each group. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assay the ChAT and SYP levels in brain hippocampus of each group.The blood stasis characterization of the integration of disease and syndrome group was more obvious than the AD group, and that of the drug administration group was lower than that of the integration of disease and syndrome group. Aß1-42, APP, P-Tau, ChAT and SYP level of AD group were lower than those in the blank group, which were further reduced in the model of integration of disease and syndrome. However, the administration of PNS relieved the reduction, indicating that the AD and blood stasis integration syndrome tree shrew model is stable.

Effect of biochar on the extractability of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) and enzyme activity in soil.

Biochar is a carbon-rich solid material derived from the pyrolysis of agricultural and forest residual biomass. Previous studies have shown that biochar is suitable as an adsorbent for soil contaminants such as heavy metals and consequently reduces their bioavailability. However, the long-term effect of different biochars on metal extractability or soil health has not been assessed. Therefore, a 1-year incubation experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of biochar produced from bamboo and rice straw (at temperatures ≥500 °C) on the heavy metal (cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) extractability and enzyme activity (urease, catalase, and acid phosphatase) in a contaminated sandy loam paddy soil. Three rates (0, 1, and 5%) and two mesh sizes (<0.25 and <1 mm) of biochar applications were investigated. After incubation, the physicochemical properties, extractable heavy metals, available phosphorus, and enzyme activity of soil samples were analyzed. The results demonstrated that rice straw biochar significantly (P < 0.05) increased the pH, electrical conductivity, and cation exchange capacity of the soil, especially at the 5% application rate. Both bamboo and rice straw biochar significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the concentration of CaCl2-extractable heavy metals as biochar application rate increased. The heavy metal extractability was significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with pH, water-soluble organic carbon, and available phosphorus in soil. The 5% application rate of fine rice straw biochar resulted in the greatest reductions of extractable Cu and Zn, 97.3 and 62.2%, respectively. Both bamboo and rice straw biochar were more effective at decreasing extractable Cu and Pb than removing extractable Cd and Zn from the soil. Urease activity increased by 143 and 107% after the addition of 5% coarse and fine rice straw biochars, respectively. Both bamboo and rice straw biochars significantly (P < 0.05) increased catalase activity but had no significant impact on acid phosphatase activity. In conclusion, the rice straw biochar had greater potential as an amendment for reducing the bioavailability of heavy metals in soil than that of the bamboo biochar. The impact of biochar treatment on heavy metal extractability and enzyme activity varied with the biochar type, application rate, and particle size.

Effect of ethanol extract of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron on the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-1 and C666-1 cells.

This paper mainly studied the effect of ethanol extract of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron on the proliferation of two kinds of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines, CNE-1 and C666-1, and their mechanisms of action. Extract was obtained by heat reflux extraction with ethanol, and the effect of extract on the extracellular matrix adhesion of the cells, on their proliferation process, as well as on their colony-forming ability were tested using MTT assay. The results showed that the yield of dry extract was 36.4%. 2.5 g/ml extract in the high concentration group exhibited inhibitory activity that was directly proportional to the concentration on CNE-1 cells, while not exhibiting obvious proportional trend in respect with C666-1 cells. However, the inhibition rates against two types of cells can both reach between 30% ~ 50%. Under the effect of ethanol extract of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron, proliferative capacities of C666-1 and CNE-1 cells were affected to some extent.