Advances in antitumor activity and mechanism of natural steroidal saponins: A review of advances, challenges, and future prospects.

BACKGROUND: Cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide following cardiovascular diseases, presents a formidable challenge in clinical settings due to the extensive toxic side effects associated with primary chemotherapy drugs employed for cancer treatment. Furthermore, the emergence of drug resistance against specific chemotherapeutic agents has further complicated the situation. Consequently, there exists an urgent imperative to investigate novel anticancer drugs. Steroidal saponins, a class of natural compounds, have demonstrated notable antitumor efficacy. Nonetheless, their translation into clinical applications has remained unrealized thus far. In light of this, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review elucidating the antitumor activity, underlying mechanisms, and inherent limitations of steroidal saponins. Additionally, we propose a series of strategic approaches and recommendations to augment the antitumor potential of steroidal saponin compounds, thereby offering prospective insights for their eventual clinical implementation. PURPOSE: This review summarizes steroidal saponins' antitumor activity, mechanisms, and limitations. METHODS: The data included in this review are sourced from authoritative databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and others. RESULTS: A comprehensive summary of over 40 steroidal saponin compounds with proven antitumor activity, including their applicable tumor types and structural characteristics, has been compiled. These steroidal saponins can be primarily classified into five categories: spirostanol, isospirostanol, furostanol, steroidal alkaloids, and cholestanol. The isospirostanol and cholestanol saponins are found to have more potent antitumor activity. The primary antitumor mechanisms of these saponins include tumor cell apoptosis, autophagy induction, inhibition of tumor migration, overcoming drug resistance, and cell cycle arrest. However, steroidal saponins have limitations, such as higher cytotoxicity and lower bioavailability. Furthermore, strategies to address these drawbacks have been proposed. CONCLUSION: In summary, isospirostanol and cholestanol steroidal saponins demonstrate notable antitumor activity and different structural categories of steroidal saponins exhibit variations in their antitumor signaling pathways. However, the clinical application of steroidal saponins in cancer treatment still faces limitations, and further research and development are necessary to advance their potential in tumor therapy.

Elucidation of the key therapeutic targets and potential mechanisms of Andrographolide multi-targets against osteoarthritis via network pharmacological analysis and experimental validation.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to unveil Andrographolide's potential multi-target and multi-mechanism therapeutic effects in treating OA via systematic network pharmacological analysis and cell experimental validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially, we gathered data from Andrographolide and OA-related databases to obtain information on Andrographolide's biological properties and the targets linked with OA. We developed a bioinformatic network about Andrographolide and OA, whereby we analyzed the network to identify potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action of Andrographolide. Subsequently, we used molecular docking to analyze the binding sites of Andrographolide to the target proteins. At the same time, SDF-1 was used to construct an OA cell model to verify the therapeutic effect of Andrographolide on OA and its effect on target proteins. RESULTS: Our experimental results show that Andrographolide has excellent pharmaceutical properties, by Lipinski's rules for drugs, suggesting that this compound can be considered to have a high therapeutic potential in drug development. 233 targets were preliminarily investigated, the mechanisms through which Andrographolide targets OA primarily involve the TNF signaling pathway, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and TLR signaling pathway. These mechanisms target OA by influencing immune and inflammatory responses in the joints, regulating apoptosis to prevent chondrocyte death. Finally, TNF-α, STAT3, TP53, IL-6, JUN, IL-1ß, HIF-1α, TGF-ß1, and AKT1 were identified as 9 key targets of Andrographolide anti-OA. In addition, our molecular docking analyzes with cell experimental validation further confirm the network pharmacology results. According to our molecular docking results, Andrographolide can bind to all the hub target proteins and has a good binding ability (binding energy < -5 kcal/mol), with the strongest binding affinity to AKT1 of -9.2 kcal/ mol. The results of cell experiments showed that Andrographolide treatment significantly increased the cell viability and the expression of COL2A1 and ACAN proteins. Moreover, 30 µM Andrographolide significantly reversed SDF-1-induced increases in the protein expression of TNF-α, STAT3, TP53, IL-6, JUN, IL-1ß, HIF-1α, and TGF-ß1, and decreases in the protein expression of AKT1. CONCLUSION: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action of Andrographolide in OA treatment. Our findings suggest that Andrographolide is a promising candidate for drug development in the management of OA.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the bHLH Gene Family in Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum: Identification, Classification, Evolution, and Diversity of Expression Patterns under Cultivation.

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor family is the second-largest transcription factor family in plants. Members of this family are involved in the processes of growth and development, secondary metabolic biosynthesis, signal transduction, and plant resistance. Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum is a critical woody plant with higher ornamental and economic values, which has been used as ornamental architecture and traditional Chinese herbal medicine plants. However, the bHLH transcription factors in Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (L. chinense var. rubrum) have not yet been systematically demonstrated, and their role in the biosynthesis of anthocyanin is still unclear. Here, we identified 165 potential LcbHLHs genes by using two methods, and they were unequally distributed on chromosomes 1 to 12 of the genome of L. chinense var. rubrum. Based on an evolutionary comparison with proteins from Arabidopsis and Oryza sativa, these bHLH proteins were categorized into 21 subfamilies. Most LcbHLHs in a particular subfamily had similar gene structures and conserved motifs. The Gene Ontology annotation and Cis-elements predicted that LcbHLHs had many molecular functions and were involved in processes of plant growth, including the biosynthesis of flavonoids and anthocyanins. Transcriptomic analysis revealed different expression patterns among different tissues and cultivars of L. chinense var. rubrum. Many LcbHLHs were expressed in the leaves, and only a few genes were highly expressed in the flowers. Six LcbHLHs candidate genes were identified by bioinformatics analysis and expression analysis. Further Real-time quantitative PCR analysis and protein interaction network analysis showed that LcbHLH156, which is one of the candidate proteins belonging to the IIIf subfamily, could interact with proteins related to anthocyanin synthesis. Therefore, LcbHLH156 was transiently expressed in L. chinense var. rubrum to verify its function in regulating anthocyanin synthesis. Compared with the control group, red pigment accumulation appeared at the wound after injection, and the total anthocyanin content increased at the wound of leaves. These results lay a foundation for the research of the regulation mechanism of leaf colors in L. chinense var. rubrum and also provide a basis for the function of the LcbHLH family.

Protocol of a randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and neural correlates of mindfulness-based habit reversal training in children with Tourette syndrome.

Background: Tourette syndrome (TS) is a developmental neuropsychiatric disorder. Behavior therapy, especially habit reversal training (HRT), has gradually become regarded as one of the core therapies for TS. Mindfulness approaches can improve psychological adjustment and reduce stress and anxiety, suggesting potential benefits when incorporated into behavior therapy. To improve the efficacy of HRT, we combined it with mindfulness, an approach named mindfulness-based habitual reversal training (MHRT). The aim of this protocol is to investigate the efficacy and neural mechanisms of MHRT for TS. Methods/design: We will perform a randomized control trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy and neural mechanisms of MHRT. The sample will include 160 participants (including 120 patients with TS and 40 healthy controls). The patient sample will be randomly divided into three groups exposed to three different types of training: MHRT, HRT, and psychoeducation and supportive therapy (PST). Participants will be assessed and undergo resting-state fMRI scans at baseline and at the end of the 12-week training. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) and Premonitory Urge for Tic Scale (PUTS) will be used to assess the severity of tic symptoms and premonitory urges. The primary outcomes are change scores on the YGTSS and other assessments from baseline and the end of the training. The secondary outcomes are the neural correlates of these trainings among these groups based on graph theory, which is used to characterize brain functional connectivity networks. The default mode network (DMN) and the salience network (SN) will be assessed (which have been associated with mindfulness as well as the generation of tic symptoms) by network parameters, including clustering coefficients and shortest path lengths. Changes in these network parameters will be regarded as the neural correlates of the behavioral training. Discussion: MHRT was newly developed for the treatment of TS. MHRT may lead to greater reductions in tic severity than traditional HRT. Changes in the network parameters of the DMN and SN may show associations with the efficacy of MHRT. Clinical trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2100053077, China.

Intervention Mechanism of Niao Du Kang Mixture on the EMT Process of Peritoneal Fibrosis Based on the Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Methods: Quantification of 24-hour urine protein (24 h-Upro) and serum creatinine (Scr) levels was performed. The protein and mRNA expression levels of E-cadherin, α-SMA, collagen I, ß-catenin, Wnt-1, and LEF-1 in peritoneal tissue were measured. In addition, the pathological morphology and ultrastructure of peritoneum were observed. Results: After 5/6 nephrectomy + high glucose peritoneal dialysate + lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, the Scr and 24 h-Upro of rats increased compared with normal rats, and the peritoneal tissue was damaged and thickened, showing fibrotic changes. Compared with the model group, the Scr and 24 h-Upro levels and the levels of E-cadherin, α-SMA, Wnt-1, collagen I, and LEF-1 protein expression in each Niao Du Kang mixture dosage group decreased. The protein expression of ß-catenin and the mRNA expression of E-cadherin, α-SMA, Wnt-1, collagen I, ß-catenin, and LEF-1 decreased in the high and medium Niao Du Kang mixture dose groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that the peritoneum of the rats was not only thicker in the model group than in the sham operation group (P < 0.01) but also accompanied by apparent inflammatory cell infiltration, tissue edema, and fibrosis. Compared with the model group, all the Niao Du Kang mixture groups demonstrated various degrees of mitigation in peritoneal thickness and fibrosis (P < 0.01). The strongest effect was observed in the medium-dose group. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the degree of injury of the peritoneal mesothelial cells was ranked as follows: model group > positive drug group > Niao Du Kang mixture high-dose group. Conclusions: The Niao Du Kang mixture may effectively decrease the peritoneal thickness and fibrosis degree through its effect on the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway involved in EMT. The present study provides data that assist in elucidating the potential function of the Niao Du Kang mixture in treating or preventing PF.

Betaine Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Disruptionof Hepatic Lipid and Iron Homeostasis in Mice.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive fat deposition in the liver, which is often associated with disrupted iron homeostasis. Betaine has been reported to be hepatoprotective, yet whether and how betaine ameliorates high-fat diet-induced disruption of hepatic lipid and iron homeostasis remains elusive. In this study, mice were fed either standard (CON) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 9 weeks to establish a NAFLD model. Mice raised on HF diet were then assigned randomly to HF and HFB groups, HFB group being supplemented with 1% (w/v) of betaine in the drinking water for 13 weeks. Betaine supplementation significantly alleviated excessive hepatic lipid deposition and restored hepatic iron content. Betaine partly yet significantly reversed HFD-induced dysregulation of lipogenic genes such as PRARγ and CD36, as well as the iron-metabolic genes including FPN and HAMP that encodes hepcidin. Similar mitigation effects of betaine were observed for BMP2 and BMP6, the up-stream regulators of hepcidin expression. Betaine significantly rectified disrupted expression of methyl transfer gene, including BHMT, GNMT and DNMT1. Moreover, HFD-modified CpG methylation on the promoter of PRARγ and HAMP genes was significantly reversed by betaine supplementation. These results indicate that betaine alleviates HFD-induced disruption of hepatic lipid and iron metabolism, which is associated with modification of CpG methylation on promoter of lipogenic and iron-metabolic genes.

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine Bailing capsule on renal anemia in maintenance hemodialysis patients: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Renal anemia (RA) is one of the most common complications in patients with end-stage renal disease, and it is also one of the reasons for the decline of quality of life and functional status in patients with end-stage renal disease. Traditional treatment methods often fail to achieve satisfactory therapeutic effects, so it is very necessary to find effective adjuvant treatment methods. Bailing capsule (BLC), a traditional Chinese medicine, which has been widely used in the treatment of RA in maintenance hemodialysis patients, but a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of this drug is currently lacking. Therefore, this study used meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BLC in the treatment of RA, in order to provide guidance for finding effective auxiliary methods for the treatment of RA in maintenance hemodialysis patients (MHP). METHODS: Using the computer to retrieve PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP Database, WANFANG Database, SinoMed from 1990 to 2021 and collecting the clinical randomized controlled trial and retrospective cohort study of BLC in the treatment of RA in MHP. Two researchers independently read and screened the literature, followed by evaluating the retrospective cohort studies that met the selection criteria using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) scale. The randomized controlled trial used the Cochrane manual standards to assess the risk of bias, and the RevMan 5.3 software was used to conduct a meta-analysis of the result data. RESULTS: This study will use the method of meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions of BLC in the treatment of RA in MHP through the primary and secondary outcome indicators. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will help clinicians find safe and effective adjuvant therapy in the treatment of RA in MHP. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/732KP (https://osf.io/732kp).

The effectiveness and safety of Naoxintong capsules in the treatment of vascular dementia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine Naoxintong capsules have achieved good results in the treatment of vascular dementia, but there is no evidence-based medical evidence on the effectiveness and safety of the drug. Therefore, this study uses meta-analysis method to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Naoxintong capsules in the treatment of vascular dementia, with the aim of providing scientific guidance for clinical treatment and practice. METHODS: This study retrieves a total of 7 network electronic databases, including 4 Chinese databases: China biomedical literature database, CNKI, Chongqing VIP database and WANFANG database, and three English databases: PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library. Using the combination of theme words and key words to retrieve the Chinese and English database, the literature is searched from January 1, 1990 to October 1, 2021. Two researchers independently sift through the literature, extract data and evaluate the bias risk included in the study, and in the event of a disagreement, the third researcher is invited to discuss the decision, followed by meta-analysis using software RveMan 5.3 and Stata 12.0. RESULTS: All findings of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed, high-quality academic journal of medicine. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will provide evidence for clinicians to find effective and safe methods of treating vascular dementia in TCM. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/YVF72, https://osf.io/yvf72.

The Taxus genome provides insights into paclitaxel biosynthesis.

The ancient gymnosperm genus Taxus is the exclusive source of the anticancer drug paclitaxel, yet no reference genome sequences are available for comprehensively elucidating the paclitaxel biosynthesis pathway. We have completed a chromosome-level genome of Taxus chinensis var. mairei with a total length of 10.23 gigabases. Taxus shared an ancestral whole-genome duplication with the coniferophyte lineage and underwent distinct transposon evolution. We discovered a unique physical and functional grouping of CYP725As (cytochrome P450) in the Taxus genome for paclitaxel biosynthesis. We also identified a gene cluster for taxadiene biosynthesis, which was formed mainly by gene duplications. This study will facilitate the elucidation of paclitaxel biosynthesis and unleash the biotechnological potential of Taxus.

Effects of triangle grass decoction on bone metabolism in rats with chronic kidney disease complicated with mineral and bone abnormalities.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Triangle grass is a liliaceous Chlorophytum perennial herb of ChlorophytumlaxumR.Br. It is distributed mainly in Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces of China. The initial use of triangle grass was mainly to treat bone pain and swelling caused by a fall injury. Triangle grass tablets (NO. Z20070544) are also used as a preparation in our hospital because of their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-snake venom and microcirculation improvement properties and other pharmacological effects (Mei et al., 2006). Triangle grass tablets have been widely used in our hospital to treat patients with bone pain from chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). However, the effects and mechanism of triangle grass on bone metabolism in chronic kidney disease complicated with mineral and bone abnormalities are unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a triangle grass decoction on bone metabolism in CKD-MBD rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CKD-MBD model rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy combined with 0.5 g NaH2PO4/rat. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were measured with an automatic biochemical analyser. Bone mineral density was determined with a Viva CT 40 system. Bone morphogenetic protein 7(BMP-7),runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Osterix protein levels were measured by Western blot analysis. Kidney, vertebra and thoracic aorta tissue samples were assessed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: The degrees of membrane thickening, necrosis, swelling and cast deposition were significantly reduced in high-dose rats and Low-dose rats. Serum BUN levels were significantly reduced in the Pre-H group (P < 0.05). Hypocalcaemia and hyperphos phataemia were detected in triangle grass (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). In addition, iPTH levels were significantly increased in the Pre-H group (P < 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)levels were significantly decreased in the Pre-H group (P < 0.05). The bone mineral density was improved in the Pre-H and Pre-L groups. BMP-7 protein levels were significantly increased in the Pre-H group (P < 0.05). The pathological changes in muscle fibres in the thoracic aorta middle membranes were significantly alleviated in rats in the Pre-H and Pre-L groups. Changes in SM22α and SMα-act in protein levels were significantly attenuated in the Pre-H group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). Changes in Runx2 and Osterix protein levels were also significantly attenuated in the Pre-H and Pre-L groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Triangle grass can simultaneously ameliorate vertebral bone loss and abnormal calcification in the thoracic aorta. Triangle grass has a definite effect on bone metabolism disorder in CKD-MBD rats.

Niao Du Kang Mixture Increases the Expression of mir-129-5p to Relieve Renal Fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Niao Du Kang (NDK) mixture in renal fibrosis of rats and to explore the mechanism underlying the effect of NDK on renal fibrosis. METHODS: Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was used to replicate a rat renal interstitial fibrosis model. The drug-administered groups were given 20 ml/kg (NDK-H), 10 ml/kg (NDK-M), and 5 ml/kg (NDK-L) NDK mixture once a day for 21 days beginning 48 hours after surgery. The 24-hour urine protein and serum creatinine (CR) levels in the sham group rats, UUO rats, and NDK mixture-treated rats were measured after the last administration. The pathological changes of rat kidney tissue were observed by HE staining. The degree of fibrosis was observed by Masson's staining and scored. The expression levels of TGF-ß, α-SMA mRNA, and mir-129-5p in kidney were detected by qRT-PCR. HK-2 cells were treated with 5 ng/ml TGF-ß to induce HK-2 cell fibrosis. The expression levels of TGF-ß, α-SMA mRNA, and mir-129-5p in HK-2 cells were detected by qRT-PCR. TargetScan predicted the target gene of mir-129-5p, HK-2 cells were transfected with mir-129-5p mimic, and an overexpressed mir-129-5p HK-2 cell model was constructed. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of PDPK1 mRNA. Western blot was used to detect the expression of PDPK1, AKT, and p-AKT in HK-2 cells induced by TGF-ß and in UUO rats. RESULTS: NDK mixture significantly reduced the 24-hour urine protein and CR levels of UUO rats. HE staining showed that the NDK mixture group exhibited a significantly reduced degree of renal interstitial fibrosis. NDK mixture also reduced the expression of TGF-ß and α-SMA, and the middle-dose group showed a better therapeutic effect. In vitro studies showed that NDK mixture-containing serum increased the expression of mir-129-5p to reduce renal fibrosis. In addition, NDK mixture increased the expression of mir-129-5p in vivo. Further studies indicated that mir-129-5p could target PDPKl to reduce its expression. The NDK-containing serum group also exhibited reduced expression of PDPK1. CONCLUSION: NDK mixture can significantly improve renal function and improve renal fibrosis in UUO model rats. Furthermore, NDK mixture can inhibit the expression of PDPK1 by upregulating the expression of mir-129-5p and then inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway to improve renal fibrosis.

Enantioselective cyanation via radical-mediated C-C single bond cleavage for synthesis of chiral dinitriles.

Ring-opening reaction via selective cleavage of C-C bond is known as a powerful strategy for construction of complex molecules. Complementary to the ionic process focusing on mostly small ring systems, radical-mediated C-C bond cleavage offers a solution for further diverse enantioselective functionalization benefited from its mild conditions, whereas such asymmetric transformations are still limited to three-membered rings so far. Herein, we describe radical-mediated ring-opening and enantioselective cyanation of four- and five-membered cycloketone oxime esters to access chiral 1,5- and 1,6-dinitriles. Employment of dual photoredox/copper catalysis is essential for the asymmetric ring-opening cyanation of cyclopentanone oxime esters. Both reactions proceed under mild conditions giving chiral dinitriles in high yields and enantioselectivity with low catalyst loading and broad substrate scope. The products dinitriles can be converted to valuable optically active diamides and diamines. Mechanistic studies indicate that the benzylic radical generated via C-C single bond cleavage is involved in the catalytic cycle.

Does vitamin E prevent asthma or wheeze in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with multiple phenotypes. Epidemiologic studies suggest a close relationship between vitamin E and the occurrence of asthma, wheezing and atopic conditions during childhood. Previous results on its effects have been conflicting. The aim of this meta-analysis was to critically examine the current evidence on the association of vitamin E with childhood asthma and wheezing. We searched electronic databases for observational studies in English-language journals published from 2000 to 2016. The initial search found 420 titles; nineteen studies were eligible according to the abstracts and details, which included reporting asthma or wheeze as an outcome. None of the articles included in this meta-analysis reported side effects of vitamin E supplementation during pregnancy. This meta-analysis found that vitamin E supplementation during pregnancy influenced the risk of asthma. To better understand the effectiveness and safety of vitamin E in children with asthma, large-scale, well-designed and randomized controlled trials are needed.

Integrated mRNA and microRNA transcriptome analysis reveals miRNA regulation in response to PVA in potato.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth most important crop worldwide. Potato virus A (PVA) is one of the most harmful viruses infecting potatoes. However, the molecular mechanisms governing the responses to PVA infection in potato at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels are not well understood. In this study, we performed both mRNA and small RNA sequencing in potato leaves to identify the genes and miRNAs involved in the response to PVA infection. A total of 2,062 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 201 miRNAs (DEMs) were identified, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG analysis revealed that these DEGs were involved in the transduction of pathogen signals, transcriptional reprogramming, induction of hormone signaling, activation of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, and changes in secondary metabolism. Small RNA sequencing revealed 58 miRNA-mRNA interactions related to PVA infection. Some of the miRNAs (stu-miR482d-3p, stu-miR397-5p, etc) which target PR genes showed negative correlations between the DEMs and DEGs. Eight of the DEGs and three DEMs with their target genes were further validated by quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR). Overall, this study provides a transcriptome-wide insight into the molecular basis of resistance to PVA infection in potato leaves and potenital candidate genes for improving resistance cultivars.

In vitro and in vivo antioxidative and hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Cortex Dictamni.

AIM: To investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Cortex Dictamni aqueous extract (CDAE) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in rats. METHODS: The in vitro antioxidant effect of CDAE was investigated using α,α-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ß-carotene bleaching, reducing power, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assays. A linoleic acid system, including ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assays, was used to evaluate the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of CDAE against CCl4-induced liver damage were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Silymarin was used as a positive control. Liver damage was assessed by determining hepatic histopathology and liver marker enzymes in serum. Enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidant levels and lipid peroxide content were measured in the liver. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) protein expression was measured via immunohistochemical staining. Nuclear factor E2-related factor (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase catalytic subunit (γ-GCSc) protein expression was measured by Western blot. RESULTS: Our results showed that CDAE exhibited a strong antioxidant activity in vitro. CDAE scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals in a dose-dependent manner. CDAE inhibited lipid peroxidation with a lipid peroxide inhibition rate of 40.6% ± 5.2%. In the FTC and TBA assays, CDAE significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation (P < 0.01). In vivo histopathological studies indicated that CCl4-induced liver injury was alleviated following CDAE treatment in rats of both sexes. CDAE (160 and 320 mg/kg) significantly prevented CCl4-induced elevations of alkaline phosphatase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels in rats of both sexes (P < 0.05, 0.01, or 0.001). Moreover, CDAE restored the decreased activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as non-enzyme antioxidant glutathione, which were induced by CCl4 treatment. CDAE significantly suppressed the up-regulation of CYP2E1 and promoted Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and γ-GCSc protein expression. CONCLUSION: CDAE exhibits good antioxidant performance in vitro, with marked radical-scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activities. CDAE is effective in preventing CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats of both sexes. The hepatoprotective activity of CDAE may be attributable to its antioxidant activity, which may involve Keap1-Nrf2-mediated antioxidant regulation.

Aqueous extract of Cortex Dictamni protects H9c2 cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is the major manifestation of ischemic heart disease, which facilitates cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure and death. Oxidative stress and apoptosis have been involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Modern pharmacological studies have indicated that the extracts and active compounds of Cortex Dictamni exhibit antioxidative and cardiovascular protective activities. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of aqueous extract of Cortex Dictamni (CDAE) on regulating hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocytes oxidative stress and apoptosis. H9c2 cardiomyocytes pretreatmented with CDAE for 24h were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation. Cell survival was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and by the detections of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) content in cultured supernatant. Cell apoptosis was measured by Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide (PI) staining, Annexin-V/PI staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were measured to examine antioxidant activity. Mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c were measured to examine mitochondrial changes. The expressions of anti-oxidant, pro-apoptosis and anti-apoptosis proteins were measured by performing western blotting assay. Inhibitor LY294002 was used to confirm the regulation effect of CDAE on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. CDAE pretreatment prevents H/R-induced cardiomyocytes oxidative stress and apoptosis through activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Jiangtang Xiaozhi Recipe () prevents diabetic retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevention effect of diabetic retinopathy of Jiangtang Xiaozhi Recipe (, JXR) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group and diabetic group. Rats in the diabetic group were induced by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (50 mg/kg), and subdivided into 5 groups. Rats in the diabetic control group were given saline; four treatment groups were given metformin (300 mg/kg), JXR (2, 4 and 8 g/kg) respectively for 8 weeks, while rats in the normal control group were injected with citrate buffer and given the same volume of vehicle. Body weight and food intake were measured every week. The hypoglycaemic effects were determined by testing fasting blood glucose (FBG) every other week, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, and glucagon at the end of the treatment. The preventive effects of JXR on STZ-induced diabetic rats were determined by histopathological examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining, and periodic acid-schiff staining. The effects were further evaluated by serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA). RESULTS: High-dose JXR significantly reduced FBG and HbA1c level at the 8th week of administration (P<0.01, P<0.05). JXR significantly increased insulin level (P<0.05), and decreased glucagon level (P<0.05). JXR showed the antioxidant defense with increased SOD activity and decreased MDA contents in diabetic rats. Histopathological studies revealed that there were no basement membrane thickening and mild destruction in the treated groups. Morphometric measurements of retina microvascular showed that acellular capillary and capillary density decreased in treated rats while pericyte and endothelial cell increasing after the treatment. CONCLUSION: JXR have protective effect of diabetic retinopathy and its mechanism may be associated with the obvious hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect.

[Effects of auricular plaster therapy on quality of life in uremia patients after parathyroidectomy plus autograft].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of auricular plaster therapy on quality of life in uremia patients after parathyroidectomy plus autograft (PTX+AT). METHODS: A total of 34 uremia patients complicated with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) who received PTX+AT were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 17 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were treated with calcium supplementation after surgery, 1 to 2 mg/kg an hour; one day after surgery, the patients were treated with oral administration of calcium carbonate before meals, 1.5 g, three times per day, and calcitriol (0.5 to 4 µg/d) was added if necessary. None-heparin hemodialysis was performed for one week after surgery. Besides calcium supplementation, patients in the observation group were treated with auricular plaster therapy at Shenmen (TF4), Jiaogan (AH6a), Neifenmi (CO18) and Shen (CO10). The laboratory indexes, including immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium, phosphorus, and SF-36 questionnaire, including 8 dimensions of physical function (PF), role-physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social function (SF), role-emotional (RE) and emotional well-being (EB), were observed before surgery and 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after surgery in the two groups. RESULTS: The iPTH in the two groups was significantly decreased 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after surgery, and the serum calcium and phosphorus were also improved to a certain degree (all P<0.05); however, the differences of iPTH, calcium and phosphorus between the two groups were not significant at each time point after surgery (all P>0.05).The PF, RP, BP, GH, VT, SF, RE and EB of SF-36 in the two groups before surgery were lower than the normal score; after surgery, each dimension of SF-36 were improved to some extent in the two groups (all P<0.05). Eight weeks after surgery, the improvement of PF, RP, BP, GH and EB in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (all P<0.05); however, in terms of VT, SF and RE, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The auricular plaster therapy can improve the physical and mental health, relieve pain and improve quality of life in patients with uremia after PTX+AT, which is superior to calcium carbonate alone.

Acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity profiles of the aqueous extract of Cortex Dictamni in mice and rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cortex Dictamni is used in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of jaundice, cough, rheumatism and some skin diseases; however, its possible toxicity has not been rigorously studied. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the safety of Cortex Dictamni aqueous extract (CDAE) by acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In acute toxicity tests, seven groups of mice (n=5/group/sex) were orally treated with doses of 0, 28.7, 33.6, 39.7, 46.7, 54.9 and 64.6g/kg of CDAE and general behavior, adverse effects and mortality were recorded for up to 14 days. In sub-chronic toxicity assays, animals received CDAE by gavage at the doses of 0, 3.0, 6.0 or 12.0g/kg/day (n=10/group/sex) for 4 weeks and then followed for a 2-week recovery period. The biochemical, hematological and morphological parameters were determined. RESULTS: In adult mice, single oral administrations of CDAE (0-64.6g/kg body weight) induced an increase in the incidence of general behavioral adverse effects. The mortality rate also increased with increasing dosage (LD50=48.2g/kg). In rats, daily single oral doses of CDAE were well tolerated behaviorally after 4 weeks and induced no significant changes in body weights. However, the absolute and relative liver weight at the end of both administration and recovery periods were significantly elevated, although the histological examination of various organs revealed no differences between the control and the treated groups. The hematological and biochemical parameters were significantly changed; lymphocytes, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase levels showed a significant decrease while neutrophilic granulocyte, albumin, total cholesterol, glucose and blood urea nitrogen levels showed a significant increase, suggesting disturbances of hematopoiesis and liver and kidney functions. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the acute toxicity of CDAE was not clearly observed. However, it is possible that CDAE has a selective toxicity considering the changes in some hematological and liver function parameters and the liver-body weight ratios in the sub-chronic oral toxicity study.