Paeoniflorin suppresses pancreatic cancer cell growth by upregulating HTRA3 expression.

Paeoniflorin (PF) is an active monoterpene glycoside extracted from Paeonia lactiflora Pall. PF has exhibited antitumor effects in various cancer types. However, the effects of PF in pancreatic cancer are largely unexplored. Here, we showed that PF suppressed growth of pancreatic cancer cell lines Capan-1 and MIAPaCa-2 and profoundly sensitized these cells to X-ray irradiation. Through microarray analysis, we identified HTRA3, a tumor-suppressor candidate gene, as the most increased gene upon PF treatment in Capan-1 cells. Ectopic expression of HTRA3 led to reduced cell proliferation and increased expression of apoptotic protein Bax, suggesting a tumor suppressive role of HTRA3 in pancreatic cancer cells. Together, our results provide a set group of genetic proofs and biological proofs that PF inhibited pancreatic cancer growth by upregulating HTRA3.

Vanillin-induced amelioration of depression-like behaviors in rats by modulating monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain.

Olfaction plays an important role in emotions in our daily life. Pleasant odors are known to evoke positive emotions, inducing relaxation and calmness. The beneficial effects of vanillin on depressive model rats were investigated using a combination of behavioral assessments and neurotransmitter measurements. Before and after chronic stress condition (or olfactory bulbectomy), and at the end of vanillin or fluoxetine treatment, body weight, immobility time on the forced swimming test and sucrose consumption in the sucrose consumption test were measured. Changes in these assessments revealed the characteristic phenotypes of depression in rats. Neurotransmitters were measured using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography. Our results indicated that vanillin could alleviate depressive symptoms in the rat model of chronic depression via the olfactory pathway. Preliminary analysis of the monoamine neurotransmitters revealed that vanillin elevated both serotonin and dopamine levels in brain tissue. These results provide important mechanistic insights into the protective effect of vanillin against chronic depressive disorder via olfactory pathway. This suggests that vanillin may be a potential pharmacological agent for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

[Observation of the curative effect of qingchang huashi recipe for treating active ulcerative colitis of inner-accumulation of damp-heat syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effects of Qingchang Huashi Recipe (QHR) for treating active ulcerative colitis (UC) patients of inner-accumulation of damp-heat syndrome (IADHS), and to evaluate its safety. METHODS: Using a central random system, 60 patients with mild-to-moderately initial onset or relapsed active UC of IADHS were assigned to the test group (30 cases) and the control group (30 cases). Patients in the test group took QHR (Rhizoma Coptidis 6 g, Radix Scutellariae 10 g, Radix Pulsatillae 10 g, Radix Aucklandiae 10 g, parched Radix Angelicae sinensis 10 g, Radix Paeoniae alba 20 g, Cortex Cinnamomi 3 g, Radix Glycyrrhizae 6 g, and so on), 1 dose each time, decocted twice, mixed to 300 mL, taken in two portions. The components were modified according to the condition of illness. Enema of Guanchang Recipe (GCR) was combined (Cortex Phellodendri 30 g, Radix Sophorae flavescentis 10 g, Radix Sanguisorbae 30 g, Rhizoma bletillae 9 g, Radix notoginseng 3 g, Xilei powder 1.5 g), decocted twice, mixed and concentrated to 120 mL, applied before sleep every evening, with an interval of 12 days after 12 successive days). Those in the control group took Mesalazine Enteric-coated Tablet (MECT, 0.25 g/tablet), 1 g each time, 4 times daily. The therapeutic course for all was 8 weeks. The symptom integral, the colonoscopic results, the pathological efficacy, and the remission rate were compared between the two groups. The medication safety was monitored. RESULTS: By the end of the treatment the improvement of symptoms was superior in the test group to that of the control group (P<0.05). The colonoscopic and pathological results were improved in the two groups, but with no statistical difference (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in the mucosal healing rate (50.0% vs 43.3%) and the remission rate (36.7% vs 30.0%) between the two groups. Only 1 patient of the control group had moderate increase of ALT during the whole test. CONCLUSIONS: QHR was effective and safe in treating active UC patients of IADHS. Besides, its effect on improving the symptoms was better than that of MECT.