Dietary supplementation with selenomethionine enhances antioxidant capacity and selenoprotein gene expression in layer breeder roosters.

This study's objective was to investigate the effects of dietary Se (in the form of selenomethionine) on the antioxidant activity and selenoprotein gene expressions in layer breeder roosters. One hundred and eighty, 36-wk-old Jingfen layer breeder roosters were randomly allocated to one of 5 dietary treatments (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg Se) for 6 wk on a corn-soybean meal-based diet. Antioxidant parameters and selenoprotein gene expressions were assessed at the end of the experiment. The results showed that Se supplementation significantly increased the activity of T-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and superoxide anion scavenging ability in plasma (P ≤ 0.05), and activities of T-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, superoxide anion scavenging ability, and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability in the liver, kidney, and testis (P < 0.05). Moreover, MDA levels were significantly reduced in plasma, liver, kidney, and testis (P < 0.01), compared to the control group. Furthermore, the dietary administration of Se significantly increased TrxR2 and GPx4 mRNA levels in kidney and testis, and ID1 mRNA levels in liver and kidney. Most of the antioxidant parameters and selenoprotein-related gene expressions significantly increased, and MDA significantly decreased at dietary supplementation with 0.5 mg/kg Se. Whereas a higher dose of Se level (1 or 2 mg/kg) inhibited the activities of some of the antioxidant enzymes and selenoprotein-related gene expressions in selected tissues. In conclusion, dietary Se supplementation with 0.5 mg/kg significantly improved roosters' antioxidant status and selenoprotein-related gene expression in liver, kidney, and testis, while higher doses led to inhibit these; dietary Se might increase reproductive performance by enhancing their antioxidant status in roosters.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae complex in a tertiary Hospital in Northeast China, 2010-2019.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae complex (CREC) is a new emerging threat to global public health. The objective of the study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and molecular epidemiology of CREC infections in the medical center of northeast China. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients were infected/colonized with CREC during a ten-year period (2010-2019) by WHONET analysis. Antibiotic susceptibilities were tested with VITEK 2 and micro broth dilution method (for polymyxin B and tigecycline). Carbapenemase encoding genes, ß-lactamase genes, and seven housekeeping genes for MLST were amplified and sequenced for 18 cryopreserved CREC isolates. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was built with the concentrated sequences to show the relatedness between the 18 isolates. RESULTS: There was a rapid increase in CREC detection rate during the ten-year period, reaching 8.11% in 2018 and 6.48% in 2019. The resistance rate of CREC isolates to imipenem and meropenem were 100.0 and 77.8%, however, they showed high sensitivity to tigecycline, polymyxin B and amikacin. The 30-day crude mortality of CREC infection was 17.4%, indicating that it may be a low-virulence bacterium. Furthermore, molecular epidemiology revealed that ST93 was the predominant sequence type followed by ST171 and ST145, with NDM-1 and NDM-5 as the main carbapenemase-encoding genes. Moreover, E. hormaechei subsp. steigerwaltii and E. hormaechei subsp. oharae were the main species, which showed different resistance patterns. CONCLUSION: Rising detection rate of CREC was observed in a tertiary hospital, which showed heterogeneity in drug resistance patterns, resistance genes, and MLST types. Effective infection prevention and control measures should be taken to reduce the spread of CREC.

[Terpenoids from Toona sinensis].

Eight terpenoids(1-8) were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of 80% ethanol extract of leaf of Toona sinensis through various column chromatographies on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, MCI and ODS. Their structures were elucidated as 8ß-hydroxypimar-15-en-19-oic acid methyl ester(1), cedrodorol B(2), 11ß-acetoxyobacunol(3), toonayunnanin D(4), toonaciliatone D(5), toonaciliatone A(6), cedrelone(7), and 11ß-hydroxygedunin(8) based on their chemical and physicochemical methods and spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was a new pimaradienediterpenoid and terpenoid 2-7 were isolated and identified from this plant for the first time. Compound 1 was tested in vitro for cytotoxic potential by employing MTT method and radical scavenging potential using DPPH test. As a result, 1 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against three tested tumor cell lines(SMMC-7721, A549 and MCF-7) with IC_(50) values less than 40 µmol·L~(-1) and moderate radical scavenging activities with IC_(50) values of 74.3 µmol·L~(-1).

Uncovering the mechanism of Jueyin granules in the treatment of psoriasis using network pharmacology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Our clinical practice demonstrated that Jueyin granules (JYG) benefit patients with mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris without apparent adverse effects. JYG have been shown to inhibit epidermal proliferation in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model, as well as keratinocyte proliferation. Moreover, JYG causes no acute or chronic toxicity in animal models. However, its related molecular mechanism has still not been elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the mechanism of JYG against psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study combined network pharmacology analysis with experiments to investigate the mechanism of JYG against psoriasis. First, the molecular docking technology was used to construct the network of medicinal materials-core active plant ingredients-core targets and identify possible drug targets. Next, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for quality control of JYG. Finally, a mice model of psoriasis was used to further verify the effects of JYG. RESULTS: (1) Molecular docking analysis of network pharmacology revealed that the therapeutic effects of JYG on psoriasis might be achieved through Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) effects. (2) The concentrations of chlorogenic acid and paeoniflorin were determined using HPLC to establish quality control of JYG. (3) JYG ameliorated pathological characteristics that included in vivo reductions in erythema, scale, and infiltration scores of back and ear lesions in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mice. Moreover, a reduced number of PCNA-positive and Ki67-positive cells were observed in the epidermis of JYG-treated lesions. JYG also reduced inflammation (interleukin (IL)-17, IL-23) in the peripheral blood of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mice. As expected, JYG was found to upregulate VDR expression and downregulate p-STAT3 expression in the IMQ group, which may contribute to its mechanism against psoriasis. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study clarifies the mechanism of JYG against psoriasis and provides evidence to support its clinical use.

Expression of Treg/Th17 Cells in Patients with HBV-ACLF in Different Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome " Yanghuang-Yinyanghuang-Yinhuang" / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To detect the expression levels of peripheral blood Treg/Th17 cells and related cytokines in patients with Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome " Yanghuang-Yinyanghuang-Yinhuang" , in order to explore the cellular immunological characteristics of different TCM syndromes of liver failure. Method::The 32 cases of patients with HBV-ACLF in early, middle and late stages in line with the " Yanghuang-Yinyanghuang-Yinhuang" TCM syndrome grouping were selected. Flow cytometry was used to detect the frequency expression of Treg/Th17 cells in peripheral blood. The expression levels of interleukin-10(IL-10), transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β), interleukin-17A(IL-17A), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-23(IL-23) were detected by cytometric bead array (CBA). The expressions of transcription factor forkhead box P3(FoxP3) and retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor-γt(ROR-γt) mRNA were detected by Real-time PCR. The SPSS 20.0 software was applied in data statistics and processing to analyze the expression characteristics of Treg/Th17 cells and related cytokines in patients with different TCM syndrome types of HBV-ACLF. Result::The patients with HBV-ACLF Yanghuang syndrome were mainly distributed in the early stage of liver failure, those with Yinyanghuang syndrome were mainly distributed in the middle stage, and those with Yinhuang syndrome were distributed in the late stage. From Yanghuang syndrome, Yinyanghuang syndrome to Yinhuang syndrome, the frequency of Treg and Th17 cells gradually increased, and the differences among the groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). From Yanghuang syndrome, Yinyanghuang syndrome to Yinhuang syndrome, Treg cytokines IL-10, TGF-β gradually increased, and the differences among the groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Th17 cytokines IL-17A, TNF-α, IL-23 gradually increased, of which IL-17A were differences between Yanghuang syndrome and the Yinyanghuang syndrome, as well as Yanghuang syndrome and Yinhuang syndrome (P<0.05). From Yanghuang syndrome, Yinyanghuang syndrome to Yinhuang syndrome, the expression of FoxP3 was gradually decreased, while that of ROR-γt was gradually increased, and the differences among the groups were statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion::There is a certain correlation between the different course of early, middle and late stages of HBV-ACLF and the distribution of TCM syndromes. The frequency of Treg and Th17 cells and the correlation of IL-17A, TGF-β and IL-10 with TCM syndrome differentiation are related, suggesting that Treg and Th17 cells have a certain reference value for the diagnosis of patients with HBV-ACLF and the syndrome differentiation of TCM syndromes.

Effects of Xuesaitong on the Pharmacokinetics of Losartan: An In Vivo UPLC-MS/MS Study.

The aim of this study was to examine whether Xuesaitong, a multiherbal formulation for coronary heart disease, alters the pharmacokinetics of losartan. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats randomly received losartan (10 mg/kg) or losartan plus Xuesaitong (10 mg/kg) through an oral gavage (n = 6). Multiple blood samples were obtained for up to 36 h to determine the concentrations of losartan and its active metabolite, EXP3174, through ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Pharmacokinetics were estimated using a noncompartmental model. The half-life (t 1/2) of losartan was decreased by Xuesaitong (4.26 ± 1.51 vs. 6.35 ± 2.10 h; P < 0.05). The apparent volume of distribution (V d) of losartan was also decreased by the combination of losartan and Xuesaitong (4.41 ± 1.61 vs. 7.20 ± 2.41 mL; P < 0.05). The time to maximum concentration (T max) of losartan was increased by Xuesaitong (1.06 ± 1.04 vs. 0.13 ± 0.05 h; P < 0.05). Xuesaitong also decreased the t 1/2 of EXP3174 (8.22 ± 1.41 vs. 6.29 ± 1.38 h; P < 0.05). These results suggest that there is a complex interaction between losartan and Xuesaitong. In addition to enhanced elimination of losartan and EXP3174, Xuesaitong may also decrease the absorption rate and V d of losartan.

[C_(19)-diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum austroyunnanense].

Eight C_(19)-diterpenoid alkaloids( 1-8) were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of 95% ethanol extract of the ground roots of Aconitum austroyunnanense through various column chromatographies on silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and MCI gel.Their structures were elucidated as 14α-benzoyloxy-13ß,15α-dihydroxy-1α,6α,8ß,16ß,18-pentamethoxy-19-oxoaconitan( 1),N-deethylaconitine( 2),spicatine B( 3),leucanthumsine A( 4),acofamine B( 5),macrorhynine B( 6),aconitilearine( 7),and ambiguine( 8) based on their chemical and physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was a new compound and alkaloids 2-8 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Some isolated alkaloids were tested in vitro for cytotoxic potential by employing the MTT method. As a result,alkaloid 1 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against three tested tumor cell lines( A-549,He La,and Hep G2) with IC_(50) values less than 20 µmol·L~(-1).

Prunella vulgaris: A Comprehensive Review of Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological Effects and Clinical Applications.

Prunella vulgaris (PV) is a perennial herb belonging to the Labiate family and is widely distributed in the northeastern Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and China. It is reported to display diverse biological activities including anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammation as determined by in vitro or in vivo studies. So far, about 200 compounds have been isolated from PV plant and a majority of these have been characterized mainly as triterpenoids, sterols and flavonoids, followed by coumarins, phenylpropanoids, polysaccharides and volatile oils. This review summarizes and analyzes the current knowledge on the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action and clinical applications of the PV plant including its potential as a future medicinal plant. Although some of the chemical constituents of the PV plant and their mechanisms of action have been investigated, the biological activities of many of these remain unknown and further clinical trials are required to further enhance its reputation as a medicinal plant.

Therapeutic effects of the total lignans from Vitex negundo seeds on collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

BACKGROUND: The seeds of Vitex negundo, with rich lignans metabolites, have been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic herbal medicine for the treatment of rheumatism and joint inflammation. The total lignans of Vitex negundo seeds (TOV) were suggested to play an important role in the treatment of arthritis. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was designed to investigate the anti-arthritic effects of TOV on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats as well as its possible mechanisms. METHODS: TOV was prepared by combined macroporous resin and polyamide column chromatography, and constituents of TOV were analyzed by HPLC. CIA model in rats was established by immunization with chicken type II collagen and then the rats were intragastrically administrated with TOV for 30 days. Rat arthritis was evaluated by measurements of hind paw edema, arthritis index score, weight growth and indices of thymus and spleen, and by histological examination. Levels of serum MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A and TNF-α were also examined. In addition, the expression of COX-2, iNOS and IκB, p-IκB in synovial tissues was evaluated by western blotting. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of TOV were also evaluated in acetic acid-induced writhing and xylene-induced ear edema in mice, respectively. In addition, acute toxicity test was employed to preliminarily assess the safety of TOV. RESULTS: TOV significantly inhibited the paw edema and decreased the arthritis index, with no influence on the body weight and the indices of thymus and spleen of CIA rats. Meanwhile, TOV dose-dependently reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells, synovial hyperplasia and attenuated cartilage damage. Additionally, the serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, TNF-α, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were markedly decreased, while the level of serum IL-10 was increased in TOV-treated rats. The significant reduction of the expression of COX-2, iNOS and p-IκB and the notable increase of IκB in synovial tissues were also observed in TOV-treated animals. TOV also significantly inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing and decreased xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Finally, the maximal tolerable dose (MTD) of TOV was determined to be 16.0 g/kg. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TOV has significant anti-arthritic effects on collagen-induced arthritis in rats, which may be attributed to the inhibition of the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, TNF-α, MMP-3 and MMP-9, and the increase of IL-10 in serum as well as down-regulation of the protein expression of COX-2 and iNOS in synovial tissues via suppressing the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB. Due to its high efficacy and safety, TOV can be regarded as a promising drug candidate for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

First cases and risk factors of super yeast Candida auris infection or colonization from Shenyang, China.

For the first time, we identified 15 cases of Candida auris in Shenyang, China, and then performed a risk factor assessment for these patients compared with 30 control subjects who were hospitalized in the same ward during the same period of time as the infected patients. We found that diarrhea, gastrointestinal decompression, infection, or colonization with other Candida isolates (especially Candida albicans) and tetracycline antibiotics were all risk factors for C. auris infection or colonization. Diarrhea and tetracycline antibiotics were independent risk factors. We suggest clinicians pay special attention to the emergence of multidrug-resistant C. auris infections or colonization.

[Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from Lycoris radiata].

Three aporphine-type alkaloids (1-3), three lycorine-type alkaloids (4-6), two crinane type alkaloids (7, 8) and one phenanthridine-type alkaloid (9) were isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction of 70% ethanol extract of the bulbs of Lycoris radiata through various column chromatographies over silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and MCI. Their structures were elucidated as (+)-N-methoxylcarbonyl-1,2-methylenedioxyl-isocorydione (1), isocorydione (2), 8-demethyl-dehydrocrebanine (3), (+)-3-hydroxy-anhydrolycorine N-oxide (4), vasconine (5), pancratinine D (6), yemenine A (7), 11-O-acetylhaemanthamine (8), and 5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-2-hydroxyphenanthridine (9) based on their chemical and physicochemical properlies and spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was a new compound and alkaloids 2-9 were isolated and identified from this plant for the first time.

Sheng-ji Hua-yu formula promotes diabetic wound healing of re-epithelization via Activin/Follistatin regulation.

BACKGROUND: Sheng-ji Hua-yu(SJHY) formula is one of the most useful Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of the delayed diabetic wound. However, elucidating the related molecular biological mechanism of how the SJHY Formula affects excessive inflammation in the process of re-epithelialization of diabetic wound healing is a task urgently needed to be fulfilled. The objectives of this study is to evaluate the effect of antagonisic expression of pro-/anti-inflammatory factors on transforming growth factor-ß(TGF-ß) superfamily (activin and follistatin) in the process of re-epithelialization of diabetic wound healing in vivo, and to characterize the involvement of the activin/follistatin protein expression regulation, phospho-Smad (pSmad2), and Nuclear factor kappa B p50 (NF-kB) p50 in the diabetic wound healing effects of SJHY formula. METHODS: SJHY Formula was prepared by pharmaceutical preparation room of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. Diabetic wound healing activity was evaluated by circular excision wound models. Wound healing activity was examined by macroscopic evaluation. Activin/follistatin expression regulation, protein expression of pSmad2 and NF-kB p50 in skin tissue of wounds were analyzed by Real Time PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. RESULTS: Macroscopic evaluation analysis showed that wound healing of diabetic mice was delayed, and SJHY Formula accelerated wound healing time of diabetic mice. Real Time PCR analysis showed higher mRNA expression of activin/follistatin in diabetic delayed wound versus the wound in normal mice. Western Blot immunoassay analysis showed reduction of activin/follistatin proteins levels by SJHY Formula treatment 15 days after injury. Immunohistochemistry investigated the reduction of pSmad2 and NF-kB p50 nuclear staining in the epidermis of diabetic SJHY versus diabetic control mice on day 15 after wounding. H&E staining revealed that SJHY Formula accelerated re-epithelialization of diabetic wound healing. CONCLUSION: The present study found that diabetic delayed wound healing time is closely related to the high expression level of activin/follistatin, which leads to excessive inflammation in the process of re-epithelization. SJHY Formula accelerates re-epithelialization and healing time of diabetic wounds through decreasing the high expression of activin/follistatin.

[Terpenoids isolated from Viburnum ternatum].

Four iridoids (1-4), five iridoid glucosides (5-9), and three triterpenoids (10-12) were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of 70% Me2CO extract of the aerial parts of Viburnum ternatum through various column chromatographies over silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and MCI. Their structures were elucidated as ternatumin A (1), 2,9-dioxatricyclo[4.3.1.03，7]decanes (2), 7,10,2'-triacetylsuspensolide F (3), 7,10,2',3'-tetraacetylsuspensolide F (4), viburtinoside IV (5), viburtinoside II (6), viburtinoside B (7), luzonoside A (8), luzonoside B (9), 2α,3ß,24-trihydroxy-12-ursen-28-oic acid (10), 6-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-3-one (11), and pomalic acid (12) based on the their chromatographic properties, chemical and physicochemical methods, and spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was a new compound and compounds 3-12 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Furthermore, we note here the first isolation of compound 2 as a new natural product.

The pharmacodynamic active components study of Tibetan medicine Gentianopsis paludosa on ulcerative colitis fibrosis.

The current study focused on the pharmacodynamic activity components of Gentianopsis paludosa against ulcerative colitis (UC) fibrosis including symptoms of intestinal diarrhea and inflammatory. Trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid induced UC model rats were gavaged with gradient polarity extracts respectively from ethanol-extract of Gentianopsis paludosa. Masson staining and qRT-PCR methods were respectively used to assess the degree of UC fibrosis and detect the mRNA expressions of collagen I, collagen III, a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin in colon tissue. Separated by silica gel column chromatography, further screening was conducted until active components appeared. Infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy and ultraviolet methods were applied to confirm active components' structures. The results indicated that the expression of collagen I, collagen III and α-SMA mRNA in the colon tissues of acetidin group rats was obviously depressed compared with control groups while E-cadherin displayed just opposite. Dyed in blue indicating UC fibrosis degree, the area of acetidin group was less than that other experimental groups. Four components: (1,8-Dihydroxy-3,7-Dimethoxyxanthones, 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-Trimethoxyxanthones, 1,7-Dihydroxy-3,8-Dimethoxyxanthones and 1-hydroxy-3,7-Dimethoxyxanthones), were obtained from acetidin group and all of which have a significant equivalence to Gentianopsis paludosa on the therapeutic effect of UC fibrosis. Our findings revealed the activity components for clinical application history of Gentianopsis paludosa and provided a preliminary foundation for further new drug research and exploitation.

Anti-inflammatory constituents from the root of Litsea cubeba in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Context Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Lauraceae) has long been used as a folk remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Previous studies from our laboratory indicated that L. cubeba extract showed anti-arthritic activity in rats. Objective To study L. cubeba chemically and biologically and to find the potential constituents responsible for its anti-arthritic effect. Materials and methods The compounds were isolated from the root of L. cubeba by column chromatography which eluted with PE:EtOAc gradient system, and the structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic data analysis; the anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells and the TNF-α and NO level were measured by ELISA (commercial kit); The iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression were measured by RT-PCR and the phosphorylation of IκBα, IKKß, P38 and Akt were determined by western blots. Results A novel 9-fluorenone, 1-ethoxy-3,7-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethoxy-9-fluorenone (1), together with 4 known compounds, namely pinoresinol (2), syringaresinol (3), 9,9'-O-di-(E)-feruloyl-meso-5,5'-dimethoxysecoisolariciresinol (4) and lyoniresinol (5) were isolated from the root of L. cubeba for the first time. The IC50 for NO inhibition on compounds 1 and 4 were 56.1 ± 1.2 and 32.8 ± 2.3 µM, respectively. The IC50 for TNF-α inhibition were 28.2 ± 0.9 and 15.0 ± 1.0 µM, respectively. Both 1 and 4 suppress mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2 and protein phosphorylation of IκBα, IKKß in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Discussion and conclusion Compounds 1 and 4 isolated from L. cubeba exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity through the NF-κB signal pathway.

Panax notoginseng saponins mitigate ovariectomy-induced bone loss and inhibit marrow adiposity in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Previous data have suggested that Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) can prevent estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss by dual action: stimulation of new bone formation and inhibition of bone resorption. Marrow adipogenesis has been identified as a negative indicator of skeletal strength and integrity. This study assessed the effects of early PNS supplementation on bone microarchitecture preservation and marrow fat content in an ovariectomized rat model. METHODS: Forty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four equal groups for 12 weeks of treatment: (1) sham operation (SHAM) + vehicle; (2) ovariectomy (OVX) + vehicle; (3) OVX + 17ß-estradiol (25 µg/kg); (4) OVX + PNS (300 mg/kg/d, PO). Marrow fat content of the femur was determined, using fat/water magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), at baseline and 6 and 12 weeks after operation. At the end of the experiment, bone turnover, trabecular microarchitecture, and marrow adipocytes were assessed by serum biomarkers, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and histopathology, respectively. The effects of PNS on adipocytic differentiation were reflected by expression levels of the adipogenic genes PPARγ2 and C/EBPα, as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Ovariectomized rats experienced remarkable increases in marrow fat content across time points, which were accompanied by elevated rate of bone turnover, global volumetric bone density, and trabecular microarchitecture deterioration. These OVX-induced pathological changes are reversible in that most of them could be mostly corrected upon 17ß-estradiol treatment. PNS treatment significantly reduced marrow adipogenesis (adipocyte density, -27.2%; size, -22.7%; adipocyte volume-to-tissue volume ratio, -53.3%; all P < 0.01) and adipocyte marker gene expression, and prevented bone mass loss and microarchitecture deterioration. Moreover, PNS enhanced osteoblast activity but suppressed osteoclast turnover, as evidenced by decreased levels of serum C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen and elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase. CONCLUSIONS: PNS mitigates estrogen deficiency-induced deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture and suppresses marrow adipogenesis.

Simultaneous Determination of Fangchinoline and Tetrandrine in Qi-Fang-Xi-Bi-Granules by RP-HPLC.

Knee Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases of elder worldwide. Qi-Fang-Xi-Bi-Granules (QFXBG) is a new Chinese medicine granules employed for the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis. Fangchinoline (FAN) and tetrandrine (TET) are used as targets of quality control of QFXBG. A simple, practical high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous quantitation of FAN and TET in Stephaniae tetrandrae radix and QFXBG. The analysis was performed on a Athena C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with mobile phase of methanol-water (65 : 35, v/v, pH 3.0, adjusted by glacial acetic acid) containing 1.0 g/L sodium 1-octanesulfonate. This method was validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy and recovery. Results showed that this method had good linearity with R(2) at >0.999. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for FAN were 0.13 and 0.35 mg/L, while for TET were 0.28 and 0.76 mg/L, respectively. The relative standard deviations of precision were 0.1-1.3% for intraday and 0.5-2.4% for interday. The recovery was 94.56-98.81% of FAN and 94.07-99.12% of TET, respectively. The chromatographic analytical time was 14 min. This method was successfully applied for the quantitative analysis of FAN and TET in Stephaniae tetrandrae radix and QFXBG, so that it could be extended to quality control of QFXGB in commercial.

Effects of chinese formula jueyin granules on psoriasis in an animal model.

Although Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is known to be effective for psoriasis patients, the responsible mechanisms still remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of one formula, named Jueyin granules (JYG) in the mouse model of the vaginal epithelium and tail epidermis. Additionally, we also determined the anti-inflammatory effects of JYG in an imiquimod- (IMQ-) induced psoriasis-like skin mouse model. Our results show that JYG can attenuate the IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation, accompanied with increased epidermal hyperplasia. We also measured estrogenic stage mitosis of vaginal epithelial cells and the formation of granular cell layers in male mouse tails per 100 scales, as well as the tissue nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels using the ELISA method. The results suggest that JYG significantly inhibited mitosis in mouse vaginal epithelial cells, promoted the formation of the squamous epidermal granular layer in mice tails, and reduced the levels of NO and MDA in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin mouse model after 14 d (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that JYG might be an effective clinical treatment for psoriasis and the effects may be related to inhibited keratinocytes proliferation, improved parakeratotic epidermal cells, and reduced expression of NO and MDA.

Icariin prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss and lowers marrow adipogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: Icariin prevents bone loss by stimulating new bone formation and by inhibiting bone resorption. However, less is known about how icariin affects marrow adiposity. This lack of information is a vital problem, as the degree of marrow adipogenesis may be an alternative indicator of the severity of osteoporosis in relation to the degree of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis. To explore this question, we tested the effects of icariin on bone mineral density (BMD) and marrow fat content in a rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS: Thirty-six 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: sham operation, ovariectomized controls, and ovariectomized rats treated orally with either 17ß-estradiol or icariin for 12 weeks. BMD and marrow fat fraction were dynamically measured on weeks 0, 6, and 12. After 12 weeks of treatment, serum 17ß-estradiol and bone biomarker levels were measured, and marrow adipocytes were quantitatively evaluated by histopathology. RESULTS: Ovariectomized controls experienced a marked increase in fat fraction over time, with increases of 40% between weeks 0 and 6 and 69.4% between weeks 6 and 12 (P < 0.001). Marrow adiposity in ovariectomized controls was dramatically higher than that in sham rats on week 6; however, a reduction in BMD was detected in ovariectomized rats on week 12 (P < 0.001). Ovariectomized rats had levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen that were 49.4% and 67.2% higher, respectively, than those of sham rats (P < 0.001). The density, size, and volume of marrow adipocytes in ovariectomized controls were 57.3%, 29.5%, and 163% higher, respectively, than those in sham rats. Early icariin treatment decreased bone biomarker levels, inhibited bone degeneration, and restored marrow fat infiltration and adipocyte parameters to the levels observed in sham rats. Overall, the osteoprotective effect of icariin was comparable with that of 17ß-estradiol; however, icariin did not produce uterine estrogenicity. CONCLUSIONS: Early icariin treatment restores marrow adiposity in the estrogen-deficient rat model.

Inhibitory effects of essential oil from rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong on hypertrophic scarring in the rabbit ear model.

CONTEXT: Hypertrophic scarring, a common proliferative disorder of dermal fibroblasts, results from an overproduction of collagen and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Although the treatment with surgical excisions or steroid hormones can modify the symptoms, numerous treatment-related complications have also been established. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of essential oil (EO) from rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae) on hypertrophic scarring in a rabbit ear model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rabbit ear model of hypertrophic scarring was established. EO (5, 10, and 20%) was applied once daily to the scars for 22 days. After 28 days of post-wounding, excision of scars was respectively performed for both histological examination and assays of the levels of collagen I, collagen III, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1). The scar elevation index (SEI) was also determined. RESULTS: After 22 days of treatment with indicated concentrations of EO, hypertrophic scarring was significantly inhibited in the rabbit ears. The levels of TGF-ß1, collagen I, and collagen III evidently decreased and MMP-1 level markedly increased in the scar tissue. SEI was also significantly reduced. Immunohistochemical findings exhibited significant amelioration of the scar tissue. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: EO suppresses hypertrophic scarring in the rabbit ear model and is a probably effective cure for human hypertrophic scarring.