Anti-Fibrosis Effect of Panax ginseng and Inula japonica Formula in Human Pulmonary Fibroblasts.

Panax ginseng Meyer and Inula japonica Thunb. are well established in traditional medicine and are known for their therapeutic properties in managing a range of ailments such as diabetes, asthma, and cancer. Although P. ginseng and I. japonica can alleviate pulmonary fibrosis (PF), the anti-fibrosis effect on PF by the combination of two herbal medicines remains unexplored. Therefore, this study explores this combined effect. In conditions that were not cytotoxic, MRC-5 cells underwent treatment using the formula combining P. ginseng and I. japonica (ISE081), followed by stimulation with transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, to explore the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT). After harvesting the cells, mRNA levels and protein expressions associated with inflammation and FMT-related markers were determined to evaluate the antiinflammation activities and antifibrosis effect of ISE081. Additionally, the anti-migratory effects of ISE081 were validated through a wound-healing assay. ISE081 remarkably reduced the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and TGF-ß1 in MRC-5 cells and suppressed the α-SMA and fibronectin expressions, respectively. Furthermore, ISE081 inhibited Smad2/3 phosphorylation and wound migration of MRC-5 cells. Under the same conditions, comparing those of ISE081, P. ginseng did not affect the expression of α-SMA, fibronectin, and Smad2/3 phosphorylation, whereas I. japonica significantly inhibited them but with cytotoxicity. The results indicate that the synergistic application of P. ginseng and I. japonica enhances the anti-fibrotic properties in pulmonary fibroblasts and concurrently diminishes toxicity. Therefore, ISE081 has the potential as a prevention and treatment herbal medicine for PF.

Immune-modulating activities of polysaccharides extracted from brown algae Hizikia fusiforme.

The immuno-modulating activities of seaweed (Hizikia fusiforme) extracts on murine macrophage and splenocyte were studied in vitro. Polysaccharide (HFP) exhibited the potential macrophage stimulating effects than water extract (HFW) such as NO production and enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokines on the Raw 264.7 cells and splenocytes. From the mono-sugar composition, HFP-associated fucose based on HFP of H. fusiforme acts as immune modulator.

Characterization of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer): History, preparation method, and chemical composition.

It has been reported that Korean Red Ginseng has been manufactured for 1,123 y as described in the GoRyeoDoGyeong record. The Korean Red Ginseng manufactured by the traditional preparation method has its own chemical component characteristics. The ginsenoside content of the red ginseng is shown as Rg1: 3.3 mg/g, Re: 2.0 mg/g, Rb1: 5.8 mg/g, Rc:1.7 mg/g, Rb2: 2.3 mg/g, and Rd: 0.4 mg/g, respectively. It is known that Korean ginseng generally consists of the main root and the lateral or fine roots at a ratio of about 75:25. Therefore, the red ginseng extract is prepared by using this same ratio of the main root and lateral or fine roots and processed by the historical traditional medicine prescription. The red ginseng extract is prepared through a water extraction (90(°)C for 14-16 h) and concentration process (until its final concentration is 70-73 Brix at 50-60(°)C). The ginsenoside contents of the red ginseng extract are shown as Rg1: 1.3 mg/g, Re: 1.3 mg/g, Rb1: 6.4 mg/g, Rc:2.5 mg/g, Rb2: 2.3 mg/g, and Rd: 0.9 mg/g, respectively. Arginine-fructose-glucose (AFG) is a specific amino-sugar that can be produced by chemical reaction of the process when the fresh ginseng is converted to red ginseng. The content of AFG is 1.0-1.5% in red ginseng. Acidic polysaccharide, which has been known as an immune activator, is at levels of 4.5-7.5% in red ginseng. Therefore, we recommended that the chemical profiles of Korean Red Ginseng made through the defined traditional method should be well preserved and it has had its own chemical characteristics since its traditional development.

Electrical characteristics of metal catalyst-assisted etched rough silicon nanowire depending on the diameter size.

The dependence of electrical properties of rough and cylindrical Si nanowires (NWs) synthesized by diameter-controllable metal catalyst-assisted etching (MCE) on the size of the NW's diameter was demonstrated. Using a decal-printing and transfer process assisted by Al2O3 sacrificial layer, the Si NW field effect transistor (FET) embedded in a polyvinylphenol adhesive and dielectric layer were fabricated. As the diameter of Si NW increased, the mobility of FET increased from 80.51 to 170.95 cm(2)/V·s and the threshold voltage moved from -7.17 to 0 V because phonon-electron wave function overlaps, surface scattering, and defect scattering decreased and gate coupling increased as the ratio of surface-to-volume got reduced.

Anti-inflammatory effects of ginsenosides Rg5 , Rz1 , and Rk1 : inhibition of TNF-α-induced NF-κB, COX-2, and iNOS transcriptional expression.

In the course of this experiment on the anti-inflammatory effect of ginsenosides, protopanaxdiol ginsenosides have shown inhibition activities in inflammatory responses: NF-κB, COX-2, and iNOS were induced by TNF-α. The responses of this experiment were evaluated by NF-κB-luciferase assay and RT-PCR experiment of COX-2 and iNOS genes. The NF-κB expressions were inhibited by ginsenosides Rd, Rg5 , Rz1 , and Rk1 in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values were 3.47, 0.61, 0.63, and 0.75 µM, respectively. Particularly, ginsenosides Rg5 , Rz1 , and Rk1 as converted ginsenosides from primary protopanaxdiol ginsenosidess significantly inhibited COX-2 and iNOS gene expression. These inhibition levels were similar to sulfasalazine as reference material.

Modulation of melanin synthesis by rengyolone isolated from the root of Eurya emarginata in melan-a cells.

In the course of screening for the melanogenesis inhibitors, rengyolone was isolated from Eurya emarginata (Thumb) Makino. Its chemical structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis including mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Rengyolone inhibited potent melanogenesis in melan-a cells with an IC50 value of 65 µM without cytotoxicity. Also, rengyolone showed a melanin biosynthesis inhibition zone in a culture plate of Streptomyces bikiniensis, which is commonly used as an indicator organism. Moreover, rengyolone dramatically reduced protein expression of melanogenic enzyme, tyrosinase. Furthermore, rengyolone presented inhibition on the body pigmentation in zebrafish model system and decreased melanin contents and tyrosinase activity. These results suggest that rengyolone isolated from E. emarginata may be an effective skin-whitening agent that regulates the expression of melanogenic enzymes.

A new neolignan and lignans from the stems of Lindera obtusiloba Blume and their anti-allergic inflammatory effects.

A new neolignan, linderin A (1), together with six known lignans, (+)-xanthoxyol (2), pluviatilol (3), actiforin (4), (+)-syringaresinol (5), (+)-(7S,8R,8'R)-acuminatolide (6), and (+)-9'-O-trans-feruloyl-5,5'-dimethoxylariciresinol (7) were isolated from the stems of Lindera obtusiloba Blume (Lauraceae). Their chemical structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analysis and chemical reaction, and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined by Mosher's esterification. The effect of compounds 1-7 on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-6, and their inhibitory activity of histamine release were examined using human mast cells. Among the lignans tested, compounds 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 inhibited release of histamine from mast cells. Especially, compounds 1 and 4 suppressed the gene expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, and IL-6 in human mast cells. Our findings suggest that the lignan constituents in L. obtusiloba may contribute to its anti-allergic inflammatory effects.

In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective effect of ganodermanontriol against t-BHP-induced oxidative stress.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst. (Ganodermataceae) is a mushroom which is used as a traditional remedy in the treatment of human diseases such as hepatitis, liver disorders, hypercholesterolemia, arthritis, bronchitis and tumorigenic diseases. This study targets the evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of ganodermanontriol, a sterol isolated from Ganoderma lucidum, and the investigation of its mechanism of action in Hepa1c1c7 and murine liver cells upon tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced inflammation. t-BHP was utilized to stimulate an anti-inflammatory reaction in the hepatic cell lines and murine hepatic tissue examined. Western blot and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to estimate the expression of ganodermanontriol (GDT)-induced proteins, including heme oxidase-1 (HO-1) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as well as the corresponding mRNA. Luciferase assays were conducted to evaluate the interaction between NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2), the antioxidant response element (ARE), and the promoter region of the HO-1 gene and subsequent gene expression. Biochemical markers for hepatotoxicity were monitored to assess whether GDT protected the cells from the t-BHP-mediated oxidative stimuli. RESULTS: GDT induced HO-1 expression via the activation of Nrf-2 nuclear translocation and the subsequent transcription of the HO-1 gene in vitro and in vivo, which seemed to be regulated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and p38 signaling pathways. GDT exhibited in vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective activity as determined by the lowered levels of hepatic enzymes and malondialdehydes and the elevated glutathione levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates the ethnopharmacological application of Ganoderma lucidum as a treatment for hepatic disorders. GDT induced in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in t-BHP-damaged hepatic cells through the expression of HO-1, and in which PI3K/Akt and p38 kinases are involved. Our study motivates further research in the exploration of potent hepatoprotective agents from Ganoderma lucidum.

Updating chemical profiling of red ginseng via the elucidation of two geometric isomers of ginsenosides Rg9 and Rg10.

With the increasing popularity of dietary supplements, the quantitative analysis and quality control of their constituents have emerged as a significant regulatory and safety challenge. Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng, has been used as a folk medicine to improve immunity, provide nutrition and diminish fatigue. Steam-processed ginseng, commonly called "red ginseng" in Korea and China, is prevalent as a dietary supplement. The different processing methods for the production of ginseng products could lead to quantitative and qualitative variations in biologically active compounds, such as the ginsenosides, present in the products. Herein, we have verified that ginsenoside Rf was transformed into two geometric isomers of ginsenoside Rg9, e.g., (20E)- and (20Z)-ginsenosides Rg9, and another ginsenoside here designated Rg10, which was inappropriately reported as ginsenoside Rg8 in a previous study. This study could be of practical use in the establishment of a comprehensive chemical profile of red ginseng for the quality control and standardization of commercial dietary supplements.

Pine cone-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity against agricultural pathogens.

The medicinal and physicochemical properties of nanoscale materials are strong functions of the particle size and the materials used in their synthesis. The nanoparticle shape also contributes significantly to their medicinal properties. Several shapes ranging from oval, spherical, rods, to teardrop structures may be obtained by chemical methods. Triangular and hexagonal nanoparticles have been synthesized by using a pine cone extract (PCE). Here, we report the discovery that PCE, when reacted with silver nitrate ions, yields a high percentage of thin, flat, single-crystalline nanohexagonal and nanotriangular silver nanoparticles. The nanohexagonal and nanotriangular nanoparticles appear to grow by a process involving rapid reduction with assembly at room temperature at a high pH. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV­Vis absorption spectroscopy, SEM-EDS, TEM, FTIR, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The anisotropy of the nanoparticle shape results in large near-infrared absorption by the particles. Highly anisotropic particles are applicable in various fields, including agriculture and medicine. The obtained silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) had significant antibacterial action on both Gram classes of bacteria associated with agriculture. Because the Ag NPs are encapsulated with functional group-rich PCE, they can be easily integrated in various applications.

An improved measurement of dsDNA elasticity using AFM.

The mechanical properties of a small fragment (30 bp) of an individual double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) in water have been investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). We have stretched three systems including ssDNA, double-fixed dsDNA (one strand of the dsDNA molecules was biotinylated at the 3'-end and thiolated at the 5'-end, this was reversed for the other complementary strand) and single-fixed dsDNA (one strand of the dsDNA molecules was biotinylated at the 3'-end and thiolated at the 5'-end, whereas the other complementary strand was biotinylated at only the 5'-end). The achieved thiolation and biotinylation were to bind ds- or ssDNA to the gold surface and streptavidin-coated AFM tip, respectively. Analysis of the force versus displacement (F-D) curves from tip-DNA-substrate systems shows that the pull-off length (L(o)) and stretch length (delta) from the double-fixed system were shorter than those observed in the ssDNA and the single-fixed system. The obtained stretch force (F(st)) from the single-fixed dsDNA was much greater than that from the ssDNA even though it was about 10 pN greater than the one obtained in the double-fixed system. As a result, the Young's modulus of the double-fixed dsDNA was greater than that of the single-fixed dsDNA and the ssDNA. A more reliable stiffness of the dsDNA was observed via the double-fixed system, since there is no effect of the unpaired molecules during stretching, which always occurred in the single-fixed system. The unpaired molecules were also observed by comparing the stiffness of ssDNA and single-fixed dsDNA in which the end of one strand was left free.

Effects of Gardeniae Fructus extract and geniposide on promoting ligament cell proliferation and collagen synthesis.

Gardeniae Fructus is a traditional medicine used for the treatment of contusion such as ankle sprain. Geniposide is one of the main components of Gardeniae Fructus with diverse biological activities. In order to gain further insight into the therapeutic action of Gardeniae Fructus extract (GFE) and geniposide on ligament injuries, a new in vitro model was developed in the present study. Rat hind ankle ligament fibroblasts (RHALFs) derived from Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured, and the cell proliferation and collagen content were examined by MTT and a Sirius Red-based colorimetric assay after stimulating with each drug. The cell growth of RHALFs was promoted by culturing with 37.5-150 microg/mL of GFE and 25-200 microM of geniposide. The content of collagen in the RHALFs was significantly increased up to 131.4% and 124.2% of the control value by culturing with the GFE and geniposide, respectively. By contrast, both cell growth and collagen content were impaired by adding 25-200 microM of diclofenac, one of the common medications for ligament injuries. The findings suggest that GFE and geniposide may ameliorate the treatment of ligament injuries by proliferating ligament fibroblasts and promoting the synthesis of collagen. However, the use of diclofenac to treat acute ligament injuries should be reassessed although it possesses a potential effect on relieving symptoms.

Ginsenosides from heat processed ginseng.

A new dammarane-glycoside, ginsenoside Rz1 (1), was isolated from heat-treated Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER (Araliaceae) with ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5. The structure of 1 was established to be (Z)-12beta-hydroxydammara-20(22),24-dien-3beta-yl O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucospyranoside by spectroscopic means. HPLC analyses revealed that the ginsenosides Rz1, Rk1, and Rg5 were present in the ratios of 1 : 2 : 6, respectively.

Inhibition of chitin synthase 2 and antifungal activity of lignans from the stem bark of Lindera erythrocarpa.

Potent chitin synthase 2 inhibitors, methyllinderone (1), linderone (2) and kanakugiol (3) were isolated from the stem bark of L. erythrocarpa Makino (Lauraceae). These compounds inhibited chitin synthase 2 with IC(50) values of 23.3, 21.4 and 23.8 microg/mL, respectively. Methyllinderone (1) and linderone (2) exhibited no inhibitory activities for chitin synthases 1 and 3 from S. cerevisiae, and chitin synthase 1 from Candida albicans up to the concentration of 280 microg/mL, while kanakugiol (3) exhibited very weak activity against chitin synthase 1 of C. albicans with an IC(50) of 160 microg/mL. All of the compounds showed moderate to weak antifungal activities against various pathogenic fungi (MIC: 8 - >128 microg/mL) including Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Colletotrichum lagenarium. The results indicate that these compounds are specific inhibitors of chitin synthase 2 and can potentially serve as antifungal agents.

Quality evaluation of Alismatis Rhizoma by high performance liquid chromatography.

The quality of Alismatis Rhizoma was evaluated by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method. Alisol B 23-acetate was used as a standard marker for evaluation. This component was fully separated from the other components in the plant extracts on a ODS column. Identification of alisol B 23-acetate was carried out by comparing the LC/MS spectrum of separated peak from the extract with that of standard. Alisol B 23-acetate contents in Alismatis Rhizoma obtained from several herbal markets were varied from 0.15% to 0.56%.

Anti-complementary activity of protostane-type triterpenes from Alismatis rhizoma.

Four protostane-type triterpenes, alisol B 23-acetate (1a), alisol C 23-acetate (2a), alisol B (3a), and alisol A 24-acetate (4a), were isolated from the rhizome of Alismatis plantago-aquatice L. var. orientale Samuelson (Alismataceae) and eleven protostane derivatives (compounds 1-11) were obtained by selective modification from alisol B 23-acetate (1a). These compounds were investigated for their anti-complement activity against the classical pathway of the complement system. Alisol B (3a) and alisol A 24-acetate (4a) exhibited anti-complement activity with IC50 values of 150 and 130 microM. Among the synthetic derivatives, the tetrahydroxylated protostane triterpene (9) showed moderate inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 97.1 microM. Introduction of an aldehyde group at C-23 (10; IC50 value, 47.7 microM) showed the most potent inhibitory effect on the complement system in vitro.

Cytotoxic triterpenoids from the fruits of Zizyphus jujuba.

The following eleven triterpenoic acids were isolated from the fruits of Zizyphus jujuba (Rhamnaceae): colubrinic acid, alphitolic acid, 3-O-cis-p-coumaroylalphitolic acid (3), 3-O-trans-p-coumaroylalphitolic acid (4), 3-O-cis-p-coumaroylmaslinic acid, 3-O-trans-p-coumaroylmaslinic acid, betulinic acid (7), oleanolic acid, betulonic acid (9), oleanonic acid and zizyberenalic acid. The in vitro cytotoxicities of the triterpenoic acids against K562, B16(F-10), SK-MEL-2, PC-3, LOX-IMVI, and A549 tumor cell lines were investigated by the sulforhodamin B (SRB) method. Among these compounds, the lupane-type triterpenes, such as compounds 3, 4, 7, and 9, showed high cytotoxic activities. In particular, the cytotoxic activities of 3-O-p-coumaroylalphitolic acids (compounds 3 and 4) were better than those of non-coumaroic triterpenenoids (compounds 7 and 9). These results suggest that the coumaroyl moiety at the C-3 position of the lupane-type triterpene may play an important role in enhancing cytotoxic activity.