Antrodia salmonea-induced oxidative stress abrogates HER-2 signaling cascade and enhanced apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cells.

Antrodia salmonea is well known in Taiwan as a traditional Chinese medicinal fungus and has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. However, the anticancer activity of A. salmonea against human ovarian cancer is still elusive. Therefore, we investigated the antiovarian tumor activity of a fermented culture broth of A. salmonea and exhibits its underlying molecular mechanism. A. salmonea shows a significant effect on cell viability in human ovarian carcinoma (SKOV-3 or A2780) cell lines with an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Increased terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells and annexin V-propidium iodide stained cells indicate that A. salmonea induces late apoptosis in SKOV-3 cells. Notably, treatment with A. salmonea induced the following events: Apoptosis; caspase-3, -8, -9 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation; first apoptosis signal (Fas) and Fas ligand activation; Bid cleavage; and Bax2-B-cell lymphoma 2 dysregulation. The results show that A. salmonea-induced apoptosis was mediated by both mitochondrial and death receptor pathways. An increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also observed in A. salmonea-treated cells, whereas the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prevented A. salmonea-induced cell death and DNA fragmentation, indicating that A. salmonea-induced apoptosis was mediated by ROS generation. Interestingly, A. salmonea-induced apoptosis is associated with the suppression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2/neu) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT) expression in HER-2/neu overexpressing SKOV-3 cells. NAC significantly prevented A. salmonea-induced HER-2/neu depletion and PI3K/AKT inactivation, indicating that A. salmonea-triggered apoptosis is mediated by ROS-inhibited HER-2/neu signaling cascades. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the anticancer activity of this potentially beneficial mushroom against human ovarian carcinoma.

Toona sinensis Inhibits Murine Leukemia WEHI-3 Cells and Promotes Immune Response In Vivo.

Toona sinensis (TS) is one of the most popular vegetarian dishes in Taiwan. It has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, antiangiogenic, antiatherosclerotic, and anticancer properties. In this study, we demonstrated the ability of aqueous leaf extracts from TS to promote immune responses in BALB/c mice and to exhibit anti-leukemia activity in murine WEHI-3 cells. BALB/c mice were injected intravenously with WEHI-3 cells and then treated orally with TS (50 mg/kg). In vivo study showed that TS treatment reduced liver and spleen enlargement in WEHI-3 bearing mice compared with the untreated group. Furthermore, TS also decreased white blood cells (WBC), indicating inhibition of differentiation of the precursor of macrophages in WEHI-3 bearing mice. Treatment of WEHI-3 cells with TS (0-75 µg/mL for 24 hours) significantly reduced cell viability. Furthermore, TS treatment-induced late apoptosis was confirmed by Annexin-V/PI staining. Western blot analyses revealed that treatment of WEHI-3 cells with TS statistically increased the protein expression level of cytochrome c in the cytoplasm and activates caspase-3. Notably, TS treatment caused a dramatic reduction in Bcl-2 and increase in Bax protein levels. TS may disturb the Bcl-2 and Bax protein ratio and induce apoptosis. This reports confirms the antitumor activity of this nutritious vegetable potentially against leukemia.

An unusual complication related to acupuncture point catgut embedding treatment of obesity.

Treatment of obesity by embedding catgut in acupuncture points has a satisfactory therapeutic effect in many patients. Even though results of its effectiveness are mixed, serious complications are rarely reported with this Chinese traditional therapy. Here an unusual complication of the treatment is reported: multiple tender subcutaneous nodules developed where the catgut was embedded over the lower abdomen and both medial thighs 1 month after treatment. Clinicians should be alert to this possible cause of a rather strange presenting physical sign.

A patch test study of 27 crude drugs commonly used in Chinese topical medicaments.

Chinese topical medicaments (CTMs) are commonly used in Taiwan and in Southeast Asia. However, a systematic evaluation of contact sensitization potential from CTM has not been carried out to our knowledge. This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of contact sensitivity to the components of CTM in patients with contact dermatitis from CTM. A screening series of 27 crude drugs most commonly used in CTM as well as a modified European standard series was patch tested in 30 patients. The herbs with the most frequent positive reactions were Flos Caryophylli (see text), Radix Angelicae Pubescentis (see text), Cortex Cinnamomi (see text), Cortex Radix Acanthopanacis (see text), Caulis Impatientis (see text), Resina Draconis/Sanguis Draconis (see text), Fructus Cnidii (see text), Radix Gentiana Macrophyllae (see text), and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong (see text). Concomitant allergy to colophonium was found in most of these positive reactions. Reducing the concentration and simplifying the compositions of these components, as well as replacement with those of low allergenicity in CTM, such as Rhizoma Arisaematis (see text), Herba Lycopodii (see text), Radix Cyathulae Officinalis (see text), Rhizoma Pinelliae (see text), Radix Angelicae Dahuricae (see text), Herba Dendrobii (see text), Secretio Moschus (see text), and Stigmata Croci (see text), may be advocated. A precise labelling of the dosage of each component and the exact chemical compounds in CTM products could further improve the safety and therapeutic effects of CTM in the future.