[Toxic effect and mechanism of Tripterygium glycosides on ovarian germline stem cells of mice in vitro by Notch signaling pathway].

The ovarian germline stem cells(OGSCs) cultured in the optimized culture system were used as the research object to observe the effect of Tripterygium glycosides(TG) on OGSCs and explore the mechanism of reproductive toxicity by the Notch signaling pathway. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) was used to observe the viability level of OGSCs in mice cultured in vitro by TG of 3.75, 7.5, and 15 µg·mL~(-1). Immunofluorescence technology and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) were used to detect the protein and gene expression level of OGSCs marker mouse vasa homologue(MVH) and octamer-binding transcription factor 4(Oct4) by TG of 3.75 µg·mL~(-1). RT-PCR detected the gene expression of neurogenic locus Notch homolog protein 1(Notch1), Hes family BHLH transcription factor 1(Hes1), and jagged canonical Notch ligand 1(Jagged1). The RNA was extracted for transcriptome analysis to analyze the mechanism of action of TG intervention on OGSCs. 3.75 µg·mL~(-1) of TG was combined with 40 ng·mL~(-1) Notch signaling pathway γ-secretagocin agonist jagged canonical notch ligand(Jagged) for administration. CCK-8 was used to detect the viability level of OGSCs. Double immunofluorescence technology was used to detect the protein co-expression of MVH with Hes1, Notch1, and Jagged1. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the TG administration group significantly inhibited the activity of OGSCs(P<0.01 or P<0.001). It could reduce the protein and gene expression of OGSC markers, namely MVH and Oct4(P<0.05, P<0.01, or P<0.001). It could significantly inhibit the gene expression of Notch1, Hes1, and Jagged1(P<0.001). Transcriptomic analysis showed that TG affected the growth and proliferation of OGSCs by intervening Jagged1, a ligand associated with the Notch signaling pathway. The experimental results showed that the combination of Notch signaling pathway γ-secretagorein agonist Jagged could significantly alleviate the decrease in OGSC viability induced by TG(P<0.001) and significantly increased the OGSC viability compared with the TG group(P<0.001). It also could significantly increase the co-expression of MVH/Jagged1, MVH/Hes1, and MVH/Notch1 proteins(P<0.01 or P<0.001). It suggested that TG play the role of γ-secretagorease inhibitors by downregulating the OGSC markers including MVH and Oct4 and Notch signaling pathway molecules such as Notch1, Hes1, and Jagged1, participate in the OGSC pathway, and mediate reproductive toxicity caused by the Notch signaling pathway.

Efficacy of Chinese Herbal Medicines on Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Endometriosis in Long-Term Management: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors related to pregnancy of endometriosis and whether Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) can improve pregnancy outcomes in patients with endometriosis in long-term management. METHODS: This multicenter cohort study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of endometriosis patients with fertility needs from January 2019 to November 2019. A total of 252 patients with endometriosis from 5 level-III Grade A hospitals in Beijing were included in this study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed for the relevant factors. The propensity score matching (PSM) function of SPSS software was used to match the CHMs group with the non-CHMs group. The pregnancy rate and live birth rate were analyzed. RESULTS: The results of univariate analysis showed that age, disease course, presence of infertility, presence of adenomyosis, time after surgery or use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a), use of CHMs and follow-up time were influencing factors of pregnancy in endometriosis patients (P<0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that age, presence of adenomyosis, time after surgery or use of GnRH-a, use of CHMs and follow-up time were independent factors affecting pregnancy in endometriosis patients, among which, age ⩾35 years old, presence of adenomyosis and follow-up time >6 months were independent risk factors (OR=0.445, 0.348, 0.140, respectively, P<0.05), time after surgery or use of GnRH-a ⩽6 months and use of CHMs were independent protective factors (OR=3.839, 3.842, respectively, P<0.05). After PSM, 99 pairs of two groups were matched successfully. The pregnancy rate of the CHMs group was higher than that of the non-CHMs group [55.56% (55/99) vs. 36.36% (36/99), P<0.05]. The live birth rate of the CHMs group was higher than that of the non-CHMs group [49.49% (49/99) vs. 35.35% (35/99), P<0.05]. CONCLUSION: CHMs can effectively improve clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate of patients with endometriosis in the chronic disease management.

[Network Meta-analysis of Chinese patent medicine containing Hirudo in treatment of atherosclerosis].

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicines containing Hirudo in the treatment of atherosclerosis(AS) by network Meta-analysis, and to provide evidence-based reference for clinical treatment of AS. The clinical randomized controlled trial(RCT) on the treatment of atherosclerosis with Chinese patent medicines containing Hirudo were searched in CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed and EMbase from the establishment of the databases to July 1, 2022. And data extraction and quality assessment of the included RCT was performed according to the Cochrane standards. Stata 17 and ADDIS 1.16.5 were then used for Bayesian model network Meta-analysis. Finally, 67 RCTs with a total sample size of 6 826 cases were included, 3 569 cases in the experimental group and 3 257 cases in the control group, involving three oral Chinese patent medicines. Network Meta-analysis showed that in terms of reducing intima-media thickness(IMT), the top three Chinese patent medicines were Tongxinluo Capsules+sta-tins>Maixuekang Capsules+statins>Maixuekang Capsules. In terms of reducing plaque area, the top one was Maixuekang Capsules+sta-tins, and the other Chinese patent medicines had similar efficacy. For lowering AS Crouse scores, the top three were Maixuekang Capsules>Tongxinluo Capsules+statins>Naoxintong Capsules. For decreasing plaque number, the top three were Naoxintong Capsules+sta-tins>Tongxinluo Capsules+statins>Tongxinluo Capsules. With regard to adverse reactions/events, Naoxintong Capsules+statins had the lo-west incidence. In conclusion, in Chinese patent medicines containing Hirudo for the treatment of AS, Tongxinluo Capsules+statins, Maixuekang Capsules, Maixuekang Capsules+statins, and Naoxintong Capsules+statins were the primary choices to reduce IMT, AS Crouse scores, plaque area, and plaque number, respectively. The efficacy of Chinese patent medicines containing Hirudo with or without statins was more significant than that of statins alone in the four outcome indexes. Additionally, the treatment of AS should be evaluated comprehensively, and attention should be paid to Chinese patent medicines or their combination with western medicine, to optimize the treatment effect and minimize adverse reactions as the benchmark.

Identification of potential immunomodulators from Pulsatilla decoction that act on therapeutic targets for ulcerative colitis based on pharmacological activity, absorbed ingredients, and in-silico molecular docking.

BACKGROUND: Pulsatilla decoction (Bai-Tou-Weng-Tang, BTWT) is a classic formula prescription of a traditional Chinese medicine that is used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its active components and underlying mechanism of action remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to identify potential immunomodulators from BTWT that act at therapeutic targets for UC. METHODS: The protective effects of BTWT granules were examined in mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium. The absorbed components of BTWT were identified using LC-MS, and selected protein targets of these components in UC were investigated using molecular docking. RESULTS: Oral administration of BTWT granules significantly alleviated disease severity and colon shortening, and inhibited the inflammatory response in mice with chronic colitis. In these mice, 11 compounds from the BTWT granules were detected in the serum and/or colon. The molecular docking study demonstrated that compounds from Radix pulsatillae, such as anemoside A3, interacted with STAT3 and S1PR1; compounds from Rhizoma coptidis and/or Cortex phellodendri, such as palmatine, interacted with JAK3, PD-1, and PD-L1; and components of Cortex fraxini such as aesculin interacted with S1PR1, JAK3, STAT3 and PD-L1. Further in-vitro experiments showing that the compounds inhibited TNF-α and IL-6 production and STAT3 activation in RAW 264.7 cells suggested that these compounds have immunomodulatory activities. CONCLUSION: We revealed for the first time that 11 absorbed ingredients from BTWT were immunomodulators against therapeutic targets for UC. These findings suggest that the identified compounds are the active components of BTWT, and the identified protein targets underlie the mechanism of action of BTWT against UC.

Anemoside B4 ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice by modulating inflammatory responses and the gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Anemoside B4 (AB4) is a representative component of Pulsatilla decoction that is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating inflammatory conditions. It is not known whether AB4 has beneficial effects on multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: In the present study, we examined the preventative and therapeutic effects of AB4, and the possible mechanism by which it protects female mice against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). RESULTS: Preventative treatment with AB4 (given orally at 100 and 200 mg/kg for 18 days) reduced the clinical severity of EAE significantly (from 3.6 ± 1.3 to 1.8 ± 1.5 and 1.6 ± 0.6, respectively), and inhibited demyelination and inflammatory infiltration of the spinal cord. In the therapeutic protocol, oral administration of 200 mg/kg AB4 for 21 days after initiation of EAE significantly alleviated disease severity (from 2.6 ± 1.3 to 0.9 ± 0.6) and was as effective as the clinically used drug fingolimod (0.3 ± 0.6). Furthermore, both doses of AB4 significantly inhibited mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17, and STAT3 activation, in the spinal cord; and the ex vivo and iv vitro AB4 treatment markedly inhibited secretion of the three cytokines from lymphocytes of EAE mice upon in vitro restimulation. In addition, AB4 reversed the changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiome observed in EAE mice. CONCLUSION: We reveal for the first time that AB4 protects against EAE by modulating inflammatory responses and the gut microbiota, demonstrating that AB4 may have potential as a therapeutic agent for treating MS in humans.

Anemoside B4 protects against chronic relapsing colitis in mice by modulating inflammatory response, colonic transcriptome and the gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Anemoside B4 (AB4) is reported to prevent acute colitis when given via intraperitoneal injection by two recent studies. However, whether oral AB4 protects against chronic colitis which resembles the clinical phenotype of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its mechanism of action are largely unknown. PURPOSE: To systemically investigate the effects of oral AB4 against chronic colitis and illustrate the underlying mechanism of action. METHODS: The preventive, therapeutic, and dose-dependent effects of AB4 against UC were examined in mice with acute or chronic relapsing colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The inflammatory responses, colonic transcriptome, and 16S rDNA sequencing of the intestinal content of mice were analyzed. RESULTS: Oral administration of AB4 alleviated disease severity and colon shortening in mice with chronic relapsing colitis in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of AB4 were comparable to those of two positive-control compounds: tofacitinib and berberine. Unlike tofacitinib, AB4 did not have a deleterious effect on DSS-induced splenic swelling and anemia. Furthermore, AB4 inhibited the inflammatory responses of colitis, as evidenced by in-vivo, ex-vivo, and in-vitro studies. Transcriptomics revealed that AB4 treatment reversed the DSS-mediated decrease in the expression of colonic Pelo, B3gat2 and Mir8010. In addition, AB4 reversed DSS-induced alterations in the intestinal microbiome in mice. Through fecal microbiota transplantation, we proved that AB4 partially exerted its anti-colitis effects by modulating the gut microbiota. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated for the first time that AB4 has dose-dependent therapeutic effects against chronic relapsing colitis by modulating the inflammatory response, colonic gene expression, and intestinal microbiota.

Total astragalosides decrease apoptosis and pyroptosis by inhibiting enterovirus 71 replication in gastric epithelial cells.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the primary pathogens involved in severe hand, foot and mouth disease in children. EV71 infection causes various types of programmed cell death. However, there are currently no clinically approved specific antiviral drugs for control of EV71 infection. Astragalus membranaceus (AM), a Traditional Chinese medicine, has been used in antiviral therapy in China. The aim of the present study was to determine whether total astragalosides (ASTs), bioactive components of AM, protect against EV. DAPI nuclear staining was used to observe morphological changes of the nucleus and the protective effect of ASTs, which revealed that the nucleus shrank following EV71 infection, while ASTs reversed it. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay found that human normal gastric epithelial cell (GES-1 cell) viability decreased following EV71 infection, while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay showed that EV71 infection induced GES-1 cell damage. Western blotting was used to measure the expression levels of apoptosis and pyroptosis marker protein to determine whether EV71 infection induced apoptosis and pyroptosis in GES-1 cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to determine the anti-EV71 effect of ASTs. The results showed that ASTs protected GES-1 cells from EV71-induced cell apoptosis and pyroptosis. Furthermore, the present data demonstrated that the protective effect of ASTs was exerted by suppressing EV71 replication and release. These findings suggested that ASTs may represent a potential antiviral agent for the treatment of EV71 infection.

Therapeutic potential of triterpenoid saponin anemoside B4 from Pulsatilla chinensis.

Pulsatilla Decoction (Bai-Tou-Weng-Tang) has been used medically in China for thousands of years for the treatment of diseases caused by bacteria. In recent decades, Pulsatilla Decoction is becoming a well-known formula prescription used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in traditional Chinese medicine. Pulsatilla chinensis is the chief herbal source of Pulsatilla Decoction, and it is rich in triterpenoid saponins, such as anemoside B4, anemoside A3, and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid. Anemoside B4 is the most abundant of that group and has been used as a quality control marker for Pulsatilla chinensis. As the major active component of Pulsatilla chinensis, anemoside B4 has also received attention as a pure compound for its therapeutic potential. In this review, we systematically analyze the findings on triterpenoid saponins, especially anemoside B4, anemoside A3 and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, included in Pulsatilla chinensis and Pulsatilla Decoction. We discuss the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of these triterpenoid saponins as well as their biological activities. We also summarize the pharmacological effects of anemoside B4 and its two possible metabolites, anemoside A3 and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, as pure compounds. In summary, this review sketches a profile of the state of existing knowledge with regard to the pharmacological effects of anemoside B4, especially its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. These findings point to the possibility that anemoside B4 has potential to be studied further as a natural compound-originated immunomodulatory agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and thus, may represent one of the most important active components of Pulsatilla Decoction responsible for its anti-ulcerative colitis efficacy.

Anti-inflammatory Efficacy of Combined Natural Alkaloid Berberine and S1PR Modulator Fingolimod at Low Doses in Ulcerative Colitis Preclinical Models.

The natural alkaloid berberine is being studied as a drug candidate for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Fingolimod is an immunomodulator approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Whether fingolimod use can be extended to UC and how it interacts with berberine remain unclear. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory efficacies of berberine, fingolimod, and a combination of half-doses of them was examined in mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. In mice with subchronic colitis, 14-day oral administration of fingolimod had greater efficacy than berberine in ameliorating the disease clinical severity and colon shortening. However, in mice with chronic colitis, 30-day oral administration of berberine was more effective than fingolimod except on splenic swelling. Notably, the combination of half-doses of each drug was equally effective as the superior single drugs for two models and resulted in reduced splenic swelling in the chronic colitis model. The inhibition of cytokine expression and STAT3 activation, as well as binding to the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor by both drugs, contributed to the combination efficacy. Our findings suggest that fingolimod in combination with berberine at reduced doses represents a novel therapy for UC that attains satisfactory efficacy with reduced potentials for adverse effects.

Chinese Medicine Sequential Therapy Improves Pregnancy Outcomes after Surgery for Endometriosis-Associated Infertility: A Multicenter Randomized Double-blind Placebo Parallel Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) improving pregnancy outcomes after surgery for endometriosis-associated infertility. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind placebo parallel controlled clinical trial was designed. A total of 202 patients who had laparoscopy for endometriosis-associated infertility with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome were included and randomly divided into the CM treatment group and placebo control group at a ratio of 1:1 using a central block randomization from May 2014 to September 2017, 101 patients in each group. The two groups received continuous intervention at 1-5 days after surgery, for 6 menstrual cycles. Before ovulation, the CM group was treated Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule (); after ovulation, Bushen Zhuyun Granule ( was involved. The control group was treated with placebo. Transvaginal ultrasonography was performed every menstrual cycle during the treatment, and female hormone levels in the follicular and luteal phases were measured during the 1st, 3rd and 6th menstrual cycles. The analysis was continued until pregnancy. The primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcome, and the secondary outcomes were follicular development and endometrial receptivity. Safety evaluations were performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: (1) Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates: the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates of the CM group were significantly higher than those of the placebo group [44.6% (45/101) vs. 29.7% (30/101), 34.7% (35/101) vs. 20.8% (21/101), both P<0.05]. (2) Follicle development: the incidence of dominant follicles, rate of cumulative cycle ovulation, and rate of cumulative cycle mature follicle ovulation were significantly higher in the CM group than those in the placebo group [93.8% (350/373) vs. 89.5% (341/381), 80.4% (275/342) vs. 69.1% (253/366), 65.8% (181/275) vs 56.1% (142/253), P<0.05 or P<0.01]). The incidence of cumulative cycle luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome was significantly lower in the CM group than in the placebo group [11.7% (40/342) vs. 17.8% (65/366), P<0.05). (3) Endometrial receptivity: after treatment, both endometrial types and endometrial blood flow types in the CM group were mainly types A and B, while those in the placebo group were mainly types B and C, with a significant difference between the two groups (both P<0.05). (4) Adverse events: the incidence of adverse events between the two groups was not significantly different (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Strategies for activating blood circulation-regulating Gan (Liver)-tonifying Shen (Kidney) sequential therapy can effectively improve the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate of endometriosis-associated infertility with qi stagnation and blood stasis after laparoscopy, improve follicular development, promote ovulation, improve endometrial receptivity, while being a safe treatment option. (Trial registration No. NCT02676713).

Preventive and Therapeutic Potential of Vitamin C in Mental Disorders.

In this review, we summarize the involvement of vitamin C in mental disorders by presenting available evidence on its pharmacological effects in animal models as well as in clinical studies. Vitamin C, especially its reduced form, has gained interest for its multiple functions in various tissues and organs, including central nervous system (CNS). Vitamin C protects the neuron against oxidative stress, alleviates inflammation, regulates the neurotransmission, affects neuronal development and controls epigenetic function. All of these processes are closely associated with psychopathology. In the past few decades, scientists have revealed that the deficiency of vitamin C may lead to motor deficit, cognitive impairment and aberrant behaviors, whereas supplement of vitamin C has a potential preventive and therapeutic effect on mental illness, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, anxiety and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although several studies support a possible role of vitamin C against mental disorders, more researches are essential to accelerate the knowledge and investigate the mechanism in this field.

Lignanamides with potent antihyperlipidemic activities from the root bark of Lycium chinense.

Seven new lignanamides, lyciumamides D-J (1-4 and 9-11), together with nine known analogues (5-8 and 12-16), were isolated from the root bark of Lycium chinense. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for antihyperlipidemic activities in HepG2 cells. The primary structure-activity relationships were discussed.

Hypertonic saline attenuates expression of Notch signaling and proinflammatory mediators in activated microglia in experimentally induced cerebral ischemia and hypoxic BV-2 microglia.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke is a major disease that threatens human health in ageing population. Increasing evidence has shown that neuroinflammatory mediators play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia injury. Notch signaling is recognized as the cell fate signaling but recent evidence indicates that it may be involved in the inflammatory response in activated microglia in cerebral ischemia. Previous report in our group demonstrated hypertonic saline (HS) could reduce the release of interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in activated microglia, but the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms have remained uncertain. This study was aimed to explore whether HS would partake in regulating production of proinflammatory mediators through Notch signaling. RESULTS: HS markedly attenuated the expression of Notch-1, NICD, RBP-JK and Hes-1 in activated microglia both in vivo and in vitro. Remarkably, HS also reduced the expression of iNOS in vivo, while the in vitro levels of inflammatory mediators Phos-NF-κB, iNOS and ROS were reduced by HS as well. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HS may suppress of inflammatory mediators following ischemia/hypoxic through the Notch signaling which operates synergistically with NF-κB pathway in activated microglia. Our study has provided the morphological and biochemical evidence that HS can attenuate inflammation reaction and can be neuroprotective in cerebral ischemia, thus supporting the use of hypertonic saline by clinicians in patients with an ischemia stroke.

Research progress on medicinal plant resources of bupleurum l / 中草药

Bupleuri Chinensis Radix, as traditional Chinese medicine, has great use amount in the past dynasties, and the amount of the existing wild resources is not enough to provide market demand. In order to protect the wild resources and expand the source of medicinal materials, the research on the chemical composition, pharmacological action, clinical application and other aspects of Bupleuri Chinensis Radix and other plants in the same genus have been widely carried out. The paper reviews the study of medicinal plant resources of Bupleurum L. in China from the distribution and species, chemical composition of medicinal parts, resources protection and utilization of Bupleurum L. medicinal plants, etc, to provide new clues for Bupleurum L. resources development.

Anti-VEGF treatment for myopic choroid neovascularization: from molecular characterization to update on clinical application.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia has a very high incidence in global, especially in Asian, populations. It is a common cause of irreversible central vision loss, and severely affects the quality of life in the patients with pathologic myopia. The traditional therapeutic modalities for CNV secondary to pathologic myopia include thermal laser photocoagulation, surgical management, transpupillary thermotherapy, and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. However, the long-term outcomes of these modalities are disappointing. Recently, intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF biological agents, including bevacizumab, ranibizumab, pegaptanib, aflibercept, and conbercept, has demonstrated promising outcomes for this ocular disease. The anti-VEGF regimens are more effective on improving visual acuity, reducing central fundus thickness and central retina thickness than the traditional modalities. These anti-VEGF agents thus hold the potential to become the first-line medicine for treatment of CNV secondary to pathologic myopia. This review follows the trend of "from bench to bedside", initially discussing the pathogenesis of myopic CNV, delineating the molecular structures and mechanisms of action of the currently available anti-VEGF drugs, and then systematically comparing the up to date clinical applications as well as the efficacy and safety of the anti-VEGF drugs to the CNV secondary to pathologic myopia.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediment from Yangpu Bay, China: Distribution, sources and risk assessment.

The study investigated the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface sediment from eleven sites in Yangpu Bay, China in December 2013 (winter) and July 2014 (summer). The 16 US EPA priority PAHs were found in the range of 1583.2-5701.7 ng/g dry weights with an average of 3134.7 ± 1241.3 ng/g in winter and ranged from 2161.8 to 4527.2 ng/g with an average of 3016.6 ± 748.0 ng/g in summer, respectively. The concentrations of the PAHs tended to be relatively high in comparison with other areas from the literatures. The identification using molecular indices analysis indicated that the PAHs originated mainly from pyrogenic and petrogenic sources in most of the sites. According to principle component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA/MLR) for their source apportionment, the main sources of PAHs were vehicle emissions, petroleum products and biomass combustion. The risk assessment using international sediments quality guidelines and sediments quality criteria indicated that several PAHs, such as Nap, Flu, Phe, Ace, Acy and BghiP in most of the sites would potentially affect organisms in Yangpu Bay.

The anti-infective activity of punicalagin against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar typhimurium in mice.

Punicalagin, a major bioactive component of pomegranate peel, has been proven to have antioxidant, antiviral, anti-apoptosis, and hepatoprotective properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-infective activity of punicalagin in a mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were initially challenged with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar typhimurium (S. typhimurium) and then treated with punicalagin. Food and water consumption and body weight were recorded daily. On day 8 post infection, the mice were sacrificed to examine pathogen counts in tissues, hematological parameters, cytokine levels, and histological changes. Compared to mice only infected with S. typhimurium, punicalagin-treated mice had more food consumption and less weight loss. A higher survival rate and lower counts of viable S. typhimurium in feces, liver, spleen, and kidney were found in the punicalagin-treated mice. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay showed that the levels of IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ in serum and the spleen and TNF-α in serum, the spleen and the liver were reduced by punicalagin. Moreover, more neutrophils and higher neutrophil-to-mononuclear cell ratios in the punicalagin-treated mice were observed. Histological examination showed that punicalagin protected cells in the liver and spleen from hemorrhagic necrosis. It is concluded that punicalagin has a beneficial effect against S. typhimurium infection in mice. The anti-infective properties, together with other nutritionally beneficial effects, make punicalagin a promising supplement in human food or animal feeds to prevent disease associated with S. typhimurium.

Spatial and temporal distribution and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface seawater from the Haikou Bay, China.

Spatial and temporal distributions of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in surface waters of Haikou Bay, China from October 2013 to September 2014. The total PAHs concentrations ranged from 420.2 to 2539.1 ng L(-1) with the average value of 1016.3±455.8 ng L(-1), which were predominated by low molecular weight PAHs (2- and 3-ring PAHs). Moreover, PAHs displayed spatial and temporal variations in the concentration and composition pattern. Source analysis based on isomer ratios indicated that the PAHs mostly originated from petroleum and combustion processes. An eco-toxicological risk assessment showed that the potential risk of individual PAHs had reached moderate to high levels and the total concentrations of PAHs had also reached a relatively high level compared with previous studies. This study offers important information on the pollution levels of 14 PAHs in the surface waters of Haikou Bay and recommends that prevention and control of PAHs pollution should be implemented in the region.

[Effects of Qiangjing Capsule on the oxidative and antioxidative system in the epididymis of varicocele rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Qiangjing Capsule (QC) on the oxidative amd antioxidative system in the epididymis of varicocele rats in comparison with those of Shaofuzhuyu Capsule (SC) and Wuziyanzong Capsule (WC), and to explore its possible mechanism of enhancing epididymal sperm maturation. METHODS: Ten of 100 adolescent male SD rats were randomized to a sham-operation group, and varicocele models were successfully established in 72 of the other 90 by narrowing of the left renal vein. Then the model rats were equally assigned to 6 groups: model control, high-dose QC (0.216 g/ml), medium-dose QC (0.108 g/ml), low-dose QC (0.054 g/ml), SC (0.146 g/ml), and WC (0.130 g/ml). After 4 weeks of treatment, we determined the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the left epididymis of different groups of rats. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the model group showed a significant decrease in GPx activity (P < 0.01) and a marked increase in the MDA level (P < 0.05). And the high-dose QC group exhibited a significantly hither GPx activity and lower MDA level than all the other groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Varicocele can reduce the activity of GPx and elevate the level of MDA in the epididymis of rats, while Qiangjing Capsule can increase the former and decrease the latter, and thereby may improve epididymal microenvironment, enhance epididymal sperm maturation and promote fertility.

Functional expression and characterization of Aedes aegypti dopachrome conversion enzyme.

A full-length mosquito dopachrome conversion enzyme (DCE) and its truncated form lacking the last 54 carboxyl-terminal amino acid residues are expressed using a baculovirus/insect cell expression system. The full-length recombinant DCE displayed multiple bands during native PAGE with substrate staining, but only one active band was detected when the truncated recombinant DCE was analyzed under identical analysis conditions. Our data suggest that the last 50 some carboxyl-terminal residues are involved in the polymerization of the DCE molecules and that the proposed DCE isozymes likely reflect the presence of multimers of the same DCE molecules. The significance of the recombinant DCE in accelerating the melanization pathway is demonstrated by a rapid production of melanin in a dopa and tyrosinase reaction mixture in the presence of recombinant DCE. The DCE sequence data obtained in our previous study, together with results of functional expression and biochemical characterization achieved in this study, provide a necessary reference for the study of other insect DCEs.