Green Synthesis of Narrow-Size Silver Nanoparticles Using Ginkgo biloba Leaves: Condition Optimization, Characterization, and Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activities.

Natural products derived from medicinal plants offer convenience and therapeutic potential and have inspired the development of antimicrobial agents. Thus, it is worth exploring the combination of nanotechnology and natural products. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized from the leaf extract of Ginkgo biloba (Gb), having abundant flavonoid compounds. The reaction conditions and the colloidal stability were assessed using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the AgNPs. AgNPs exhibited a spherical morphology, uniform dispersion, and diameter ranging from ~8 to 9 nm. The FTIR data indicated that phytoconstituents, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids, could potentially serve as reducing and capping agents. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized AgNPs was assessed using broth dilution and agar well diffusion assays. The results demonstrate antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains at low AgNP concentrations. The cytotoxicity of AgNPs was examined in vitro using the CCK-8 method, which showed that low concentrations of AgNPs are noncytotoxic to normal cells and promote cell growth. In conclusion, an environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing AgNPs from Gb leaves yielded antibacterial AgNPs with minimal toxicity, holding promise for future applications in the field of biomedicine.

In vitro and in vivo Study on Glioma Treatment Enhancement by Combining Temozolomide with Calycosin and Formononetin.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Astragalina alpestris is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory, anti-immune, anti-tumor and other pharmacological effects. Calycosin and formononetin (FMN) are two natural compounds isolated from astragalus. It has been shown that calycosin and FMN are active anti-tumor ingredient. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this current work was to study the therapeutic enhancement of temozolomide (TMZ) on gliomavia combining with calycosin and FMN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of co-administration via hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE staining) was determined by measuring cell proliferation toxicity with the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay and sequentially observing the cell morphology. To synchronously explore the effect of migration on C6, transwell assay and wound healing assay were performed. Apoptosis was measured by Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining. Meanwhile, western blot was used to investigate proteins involved in the mechanisms for migration and apoptosis. Furthermore, HE staining and immunohistochemistry were also analyzed for curative effect in vivo. RESULTS: The efficacy of TMZ on glioma could be enhanced by combining with calycosin and FMN through inhibiting the proliferation and migration of glioma cells and promoting their apoptosis. Western blot assays indicated that expression of apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 Associated XProtein (Bax), Cleaved Caspase-3, Cleaved Caspase-9) were up-regulated. Anti-apoptotic protein (B-cell lymphoma-2,Bcl-2) was down-regulated. The migratory proteins (Matrix metallopeptidase 2, 9, MMP-2, MMP-9) was downregulated. In vivo study, this kind of co-administration (calycosin, FMN, and TMZ) exhibited the marked therapeutic effect on glioma. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified that calycosin and FMN can increase the treatment effect of TMZ in vitro and in vivo. These attractive features substantially broadened the application range of TMZ as a glioma treatment medicine.

[Effect of Colquhounia root tablet on IL-2 and IFN-γ mRNA expression in rats with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Colquhounia root tablet on IL-2 and IFN-γ mRNA expression in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) of rats. METHODS: The allergic encephalomyelitis model was established in Wistar rats by immunization with myelin basic protein of spinal cord of guinea pig and complete Freund's adjuvant. The rats in treatment group received Colquhounia root tablet (300 mg*kg(-1), BID). The symptom of EAE was observed; pathological feature and myelin of brain and spinal cord were detected with HE stain and Loyez's stain, respectively. The expressions of IL-2 and IFN-γ mRNA were assayed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: No EAE symptoms were developed in treatment group, the expressions of IL-2 and IFN-γ mRNA were 0.345 ± 0.032 and 0.353 ± 0.023, which were significantly lower than those of model group (P<0.01). The histopathologic examinations revealed that less inflammation cells around vessels and demyelination in white matter of brain and spinal cords were observed in treatment group than in model group. CONCLUSION: Colquhounia root tablets are effective in treatment of EAE of rats, which may be associated with inhibition of the expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ mRNA.