Nephroprotective effect of wogonin against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity via inhibition of oxidative stress-induced MAPK and NF-kB pathway in Sprague Dawley rats.

Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the responsible factors for causing renal diseases. For the treatment or prevention of the renal disease, antioxidants use could be a hopeful therapeutic mediation as they block the oxidative reaction along with inflammatory process. Wogonin (Wog) is a plant flavonoid, a pharmacologically active component of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Huang Qui), which exhibits antioxidant activity. In this investigation, we explored the nephroprotective activity of Wog on cadmium (Cd)-induced nephron toxicity in rats. Administering (10 and 20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally diminished Cd-induced anomalies in kidney histology and creatinine and serum urea levels. Wog therapy reduced the Cd-influenced generation of inflammatory mediators, inclusive of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, and interleukin 1 beta. Western blot analysis demonstrated that Wog abolished proinflammatory nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 stimulation, phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). In all, Wog demonstrated antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in Cd- intoxicated rats by obstructing OS and activation of NF-κB via restricting the stimulation of upstream kinases inclusive of MAPKs.

[Effect of kintop on gastrointestinal movement and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of obesity-reducing drug Kintop on gastrointestinal movement in rats. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar rats were divided into high dose (200 mg/100 g) Kintop group, low dose (125 mg/100 g) Kintop group, and control group. After anesthesia, stomach emptying time was directly observed using methylene blue as indicator. The frequency and amplitude of intestinal movement, and movement speed of intestinal content were detected. The serum tumor necrosis factora (TNF alpha) level was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: After administration of Kintop, the stomach emptying time was prolonged markedly, movement speed of intestinal content accelerated, time of dejection increased, the intestinal movement frequency and amplitude increased. There was a negative correlation between intestinal movement frequency and serum TNF alpha level (r = -0.91, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Kintop could significantly prolong the stomach emptying time, accelerate intestinal movement. These effects are correlated with not only the increased time of dejection but also the lowered serum TNF alpha level.

Identification and quantification of the N-acetylcysteine conjugate of allyl isothiocyanate in human urine after ingestion of mustard.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a constituent of cruciferous vegetables. It occurs widely in the human diet as a natural ingredient or food additive. AITC possesses numerous biochemical and physiological activities. It is cytotoxic and tumorigenic at high doses and also is a modulator of enzymes involved in metabolism of xenobiotics, including carcinogens. It is plausible that the wide consumption of dietary AITC may have profound effects on human health. To facilitate investigations of the effects of dietary AITC in humans, a method of measuring its uptake is needed. In this study, a urinary marker was developed for quantifying AITC uptake in humans. Four adult volunteers were asked to eat a meal containing brown mustard as the source of AITC. The 48-h urine samples were collected from these individuals and analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. A major urinary metabolite was found, which was identified as N-acetyl-S-(N-allylthiocarbamoyl)-L-cysteine, the N-acetylcysteine conjugate of AITC, by comparing its retention time and UV, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectra with those of the synthetic standard. After ingestion of mustard, the AITC conjugate was detected in urine collected from 0 to 12 h. No conjugate was found in urine samples collected after 12 h. The major portion of this metabolite was excreted within 8 h. The average total excretion of AITC conjugate was 5.4 +/- 1.7 (SD) mg after consumption of 10 g of mustard and 12.8 +/- 2.0 mg when 20 g of mustard was consumed. Thus, a dose-dependent excretion of this metabolite was demonstrated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effect of jiang-zhi jian-fei yao on gastro-intestinal movement and adipose cell of abdominal wall].

Jiang-Zhi Jian-Fei Yao (JZJFY), an obesity-reducing drug, its active principle is the refined Rhubarb, the mechanism of its obesity-reducing effect was studied. JZJFY was injected intragastrically. The results showed that there was no significant increased of body weight, but a reduction of food intake, prolongation of stomach evacuation time, acceleration of intestinal movement 6 days after medication in rats. Meanwhile the adipose cells in abdominal wall were varied in size, and with Sudan III stain the color of adipose cells was light. Authors suggest that the obesity-reducing effect of JZJFY was relevant to above-mentioned changes.

[312 cases of gastric and duodenal ulcer bleeding treated with 3 kinds of alcoholic extract rhubarb tablets].

The alcoholic extracted tablets of rhubarb have been studied medically in this hospital for 10 years. They were divided into three groups, namely, Rheum officinale Baill, Rheum palmatum L, and Rheum tanguticum Maxim ex Balf. By using double-blind measurement of effect, the efficiencies of the groups appeared to be 90.7%, 93.7%, and 92.8% respectively. The time taken for the stool occult blood changing from positive into negative was 57.1, 53.4, and 56 hours respectively (P greater than 0.05). The medical difference is not significant. This shows that they are efficient in curing the upper digestive tract bleeding.