Extract of Zuojin Pill ([characters: see text]) induces apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells via mitochondria-dependent pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of water extract of Zuojin Pill ([characters: see text], ZJP) on inhibiting the growth of human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 and its potential mechanism. METHODS: Effects of ZJP on SGC-7901 cells growth were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry, and apoptosis induction was detected by means of DNA gel electrophoresis. The cellular mechanism of drug-induced cell death was unraveled by assaying oxidative injury level of SGC-7901 cell, mitochondrial membrane potentials, expression of apoptosis-related genes, such as B cell lymphoma/lewkmia-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9. RESULTS: ZJP exerted evident inhibitory effect on SGC-7901 cells by activating production of reactive oxygen species and elevating Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in SGC-7901 cells, leading to attenuation of mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSIONS: ZJP inhibits the cancer cell growth via activating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway. ZJP can potentially serve as an antitumor agent.

Protective effect of huoxiang zhengqi oral liquid on intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier of rats with postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome induced by acetic Acid.

In this study, a rat model with acetic acid-induced PI-IBS was used to study the role of HXZQ oral liquid in repairing the colonic epithelial barrier and reducing intestinal permeability. Pathomorphism of colonic tissue, epithelial ultrastructure, DAO activity in serum, and the protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin were examined to investigate protective effect mechanisms of HXZQ on intestinal mucosa barrier and then present experimental support for its use for prevention and cure of PI-IBS.

Effect of rhynchophylline on the expression of p-CREB and sc-Fos in triatum and hippocampal CA1 area of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference rats.

To explore the effect of rhynchophylline (Rhy) on the expression of p-CREB and c-Fos in the striatum and hippocampal CA1 area of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) rat, methamphetamine (2 mg/kg) was injected to rats and the conditioned place preference was observed in these rats treated with or without Rhy. An immunohistochemistry assay was used to determine the expression of p-CREB and c-Fos in the striatum and hippocampal CA1 area. Methamphetamine induced significant behavior alteration in CPP, while after pretreatment with rhynchophylline or ketamine, the time of staying in methamphetamine-paired compartment of rats was significantly reduced. Methamphetamine also increased the number of p-CREB positive cells in the striatum and hippocampal CA1 zone, as well as p-Fos positive cells. However, the compound Rhy could attenuate the effect. These findings show that Rhy can suppress the acquisition of CPP in rats induced by methamphetamine and the action may be related with the reduced expression of p-CREB and p-Fos in the striatum and hippocampus.

[Experimental research on prevention and treatment of fatty liver rats with Abrus cantoniensis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Abrus cantoniensis (AC) on blood lipid metabolism, pathomorphological change of the liver and fenestrae of liver sinus endothelial cell (LSEC) in fatty liver disease rats. METHODS: SD rats were divided into 7 groups: blank control group,fatty liver model group, simvastatin group (7.2 mg/kg), Gynostemma pentaphyllum group (16.2 mg/kg), high dose (40 g/kg), middle dose (20 g/kg) and low dose (10 g/kg) of AC groups. All rats except blank control group were fed with high fat diet for the first 3 weeks, then treated with different conditions as previously mentioned for the next 3 weeks while keep on feeding with high fat diet. At the 43rd day,the abdominal aortic blood was collected for measuring the serum concentration of AST, ALT, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and liver tissues were taken to make pathological sections for observation by optical microscope or were prepared for scanning electronic microscope. RESULTS: The levels of AST, ALT, TC, TG, LDL-C were obviously decreased while HDL-C were increased in fatty liver rats by AC high dose. Meanwhile the cell morphology of liver tissues and the fenestraes of LSEC were improved as well. CONCLUSION: AC can ameliorate the levels of blood lipid in fatty liver rats and improve the pathological change of liver tissues. To some extent AC has the function of prevention and treatment of fatty liver.

[Proportion of Coptidis rhizoma and Evodiae fructus in the compound preparation: its effect in inducing apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of water extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus (CREF) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cells (SGC-7901) and determine the optimal proportion of Coptidis rhizoma to Evodiae fructus. METHODS: The growth inhibition of SGC-7901 cells treated with the water extracts of CREF of varying proportions was tested with MTT assay. The cell apoptotic rate and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed with flow cytometry. RESULTS: The water extract of CREF with Coptidis Rhizoma: Evodiae Fructus proportions at 1:6, 2:5, 3:4, 4:3, 5:2, and 6:1 all significantly inhibited the growth of SGC-7901 cells after a 24-h or 48-h treatment (P<0.05). The growth inhibition and cell death ratio both exhibited a dose-dependent pattern of Coptidis Rhizoma. Flow cytometry analysis showed that, after treatment of the cells with CREF at the proportions of 1:6, 2:5, 3:4, 4:3, 5:2, and 6:1, the apoptotic rate were (8.50 ∓ 1.59)%, (9.90 ∓ 1.01)%, (17.15∓1.68)%, (21.55 ∓ 1.97)%, (34.10 ∓ 1.06)% and (34.40 ∓ 1.02)%, respectively, all significantly higher than that in the control group [(1.69 ∓ 1.91)%, P<0.05]. JC-1 Kit staining showed that mitochondrial membrane potential of SGC-7901 cells was decreased and the ratio of green to red fluorescence increased significantly after incubation with CREF. CONCLUSION: CREF can inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells, and the strongest effect is achieved at the optimal proportion of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus at 6:1.

[Study on purification of polysaccharides in root of Salvia miltiorrhiza by macroporous adsorption resin and ion-exchange resin methods].

OBJECTIVE: To study the purification and isolation of polysaccharides from Salvia miltiorrhiza. METHODS: The root was extracted by water purified preliminarily by alcohol precipitation, and then four different types macroporous adsorption resin and one ion-exchange resin were comparatively investigated in the purification and isolation of Salvia polysaccharides. RESULTS: The total polysaccharides of crude extracts was 40.35%, and protein content amounted to 8.96%. Compared with the traditional methods, AB-8, DB-301 type of resin used in purification of polysaccharides could simplify the working process and obtain better effect. Then the obtained crude polysaccharides through AB-8 resin were purified by ion-exchange resin DEAE-52. Three portions of powder were obtained through lyophilization and named as SMP1, SMP2, SMP3. CONCLUSION: Purification of Salvia polysaccharides can be conducted by adoping AB-8, DB-301 type of resin and DEAE-52 ion-exchange resin.