Advances of Akkermansia muciniphila in regulating host functions / 中国中药杂志

Akkermansia muciniphila, abbreviated as AKK and found in 2004, is an oval-shaped gram-negative bacterium isolated from a human feal. A. muciniphila is widely present in the intestinal tract of human. Its specialization in mucin degradation makes it a key organism at the mucosal interface between the lumen and host cells. More and more studies have shown that it can play the role of probiotics. Notably, declined levels of A. muciniphila have been observed in patients with diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. In addition, A. muciniphila combined with traditional Chinese medicine, exhibited higher effect on regulating host functions, but the underlying mechanism was still unclear, requiring further in-depth research. Therefore, the aims of this review are to summarize the main effects of A. muciniphila on host health and its relationship with traditional Chinese medicine, summarize the main problems, and provide a reference for the further research of A. muciniphila and traditional Chinese medicine.

The intestinal absorption properties of flavonoids in Hippophaë rhamnoides extracts by an in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion model.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the absorption properties of isorhamnetin (IS), quercetin (QU), and kaempferol (KA) in total flavones of Hippophaë rhamnoides L. (TFH) by an in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion model. The results indicated that IS, QU, and KA in TFH were absorbed site-dependently, and both enterohepatic circulation and intestinal flora could participate in their absorption processes. The absorption mechanisms of IS, QU, and KA in TFH were involved in both passive diffusion and active transport, and the mediation of efflux transporter multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) should not be neglected.

Research progress on chemical constituents in Callicarpa nudiflora and their pharmacological activities / 中草药

Callicarpa nudiflora is the genuine medicinal material in Hainan province, and is successfully approved as a new variety in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015. Based on a detailed investigation on the literature reports at home and abroad from 1996 to 2016, we have found that the principal chemical constituents were recognized as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenoids, diterpenoids, iridoids, sterols, etc. The biological activities of chemical constituents from C. nudiflora were mainly studied on the hemostasis, anti-inflammation, anti-bacterial, immune-strengthening, and cytotoxic activities. The present paper systematically summarized the previously phytochemical work of C. nudiflora, and the biological activities were also reviewed briefly. The current paper provides the references for the further quality control, pharmacological action study, and utilization of this medicinal plant.

Chemical constituents from Callicarpa nudiflora and their cytotoxic activities / 中国中药杂志

The chemical consitituents from cytotoxic fraction of the Callicarpa nudiflora extract were isolated and purified by a combination of HP-20 macroporous resin, silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. The structures were elucidated on the basis of the spectroscopic data and comparison of their spectroscopic data with reported data. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTT assay. The 50% and 70% EtOH elutions of EtOH-extract showed significant cytotoxic activities, leading to the isolation of twelve compounds, which were identified as luteoloside(1), lutedin-4'-O-β-D-glucoside(2), 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-β-glucoside(3), lutedin-7-O-neohesperidoside(4), rhoifolin (5), luteolin-7, 4'-di-O-glucoside (6), forsythoside B (7), acteoside (8), alyssonoside (9), catalpol(10), nudifloside(11), and leonuride(12). Compounds 3-6, 10 and 12 were isolated from this genus for the first time, and compound 9 was isolated from this plant for the first time. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that flavonoids 1-6, in various concentrations, showed monolithic proliferation inhibitory activities against Hela, A549 and MCF-7 cell lines. Compounds 3, 5 and iridoid glycoside 11 possessed higher cytotoxicacivities. In short, flavonoids are the main components of cytotoxic extract from C. nudiflora, while phenylethanoid glycosides are the predominant ingredient but inactive to cancer cell lines. In addition, the minor iridoid glycoside expressed weak cytotoxic activity.

Teng-Long-Bu-Zhong-Tang, a Chinese herbal formula, enhances anticancer effects of 5--Fluorouracil in CT26 colon carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has played a positive role in colorectal cancer treatment. There is a great need to establish effective herbal formula for colorectal cancer treatment. Based on TCM principles and clinical practices, we have established an eight herbs composed formula for colorectal cancer treatment, which is Teng-Long-Bu-Zhong-Tang (TLBZT). We have demonstrated the anticancer effects of TLBZT against colorectal carcinoma in vitro. In present study, we evaluated the anticancer potential of TLBZT, used alone or in combination with low dose of 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), in CT26 colon carcinoma in vivo. METHODS: CT26 colon carcinoma was established in BALB/c mice and treated with TLBZT, 5-Fu, or TLBZT plus 5-Fu. The tumor volumes were observed. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. Caspases activities were detected by colorimetric assay. Cell senescence was indentified by senescence ß-galactosidase staining. Gene expression and angiogenesis was observed by immunohistochemistry or western blot. RESULTS: TLBZT significantly inhibited CT26 colon carcinoma growth. TLBZT elicited apoptosis in CT26 colon carcinoma, accompanied by Caspase-3, 8, and 9 activation and PARP cleavage, and downregulation of XIAP and Survivin. TLBZT also induced cell senescence in CT26 colon carcinoma, with concomitant upregulation of p16 and p21 and downregulation of RB phosphorylation. In addition, angiogenesis and VEGF expression in CT26 colon carcinoma was significantly inhibited by TLBZT treatment. Furthermore, TLBZT significantly enhanced anticancer effects of 5-Fu in CT26 colon carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: TLBZT exhibited significantly anticancer effect, and enhanced the effects of 5-Fu in CT26 colon carcinoma, which may correlate with induction of apoptosis and cell senescence, and angiogenesis inhibition. The present study provides new insight into TCM approaches for colon cancer treatment that are worth of further study.

[Effect of Solanum nigrum on human colon carcinoma RKO cells ].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Solanum nigrum on adhesion, migration and invasion in human colon carcinoma RKO cells. METHODS: RKO cells were treated with different dose of Solanum nigrum. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell adhesion was observed with CytoSelect 48-Well Cell Adhesion Assay. Cell migration was detected with scratch assay. Cell invasion was analyzed by CytoSelect 24-Well Cell Invasion Assay. RESULTS: At final concentration of 400-1600 microg/mL, Solanum nigrum significantly inhibited proliferation of RKO cells in a dose-dependent manner. At final concentration of 100-400 microg/mL, Solanum nigrum significantly inhibited adhesion,migration and invasion in RKO cells. CONCLUSION: Solanum nigrum may inhibit the proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasive abilities in RKO cells. The present study provides new insight into the application of Solanum nigrum for colon carcinoma treatment that are worthy of further study.

Phenylpropanoids and diphenylethene compounds from roots and rhizomes of Smilax scobinicaulis / 中国中药杂志

The chemical constituents were separated and purified from the roots and rhizomes of Smilax scobinicaulis by various chromatographic methods including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were obtained and identified as resveratrol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), resveratrol (2), 8-viniferin (3), ethyl caffeate (4), 1-0-caffeoylglycerol (5), 1-O-p-coumaroylglycerol (6), 1-0-feruloylglycerol (7), grossamide (8), moracin M (9) on the analysis of spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was a new compound and compounds 3-5, 8,9 were separated from this plant for the first time.

[Experimental study on electroacupuncture for strengthening gastrointestinal motility in the rat with acute pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of EA in treatment of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, a control group, a model group and an EA group. In the model group, rat acute pancreatitis model was prearpared by intraperitoneal injection of Caerulein, and in the EA group, EA was given at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Tianshu" (ST 25) of the model rat. The gastric emptying rate, small intestinal impelling ratio, myeloperoxidase activity in the pancreas tissue, pathological score of the pancreas and serum amylase were detected. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, both the gastric emptying rate and the intestinal impelling ratio significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.05), and they significantly increased in the EA group compared with the model group (P<0.05). Myeloperoxidase activity in the pancreas tissue, pathological score of the pancreas and serum amylase activity significantly decreased in the EA group as compared with the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA can significantly improve the disturbance of gastrointestinal motility induced by acute pancreatitis and relieve pathological damage of pancreas.

[Back-propagation neural network and genetic algorithm for multi-objective optimization of extraction technology of Cortex Fraxini].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce Back-propagation (BP) neural network and genetic algorithm for multi-objective optimization of extraction technology of Cortex Fraxini. METHOD: BP neural network was established and optimized with uniform design. Genetic algotithm was used for multi-objective optimization of extraction technology of cortex fraxini. RESULT: the optimization of extraction was as follows: extraction temperature was 99 degrees C, concentration of EtOH was 50%, liquid-solid ratio was 7, extraction time was 94 min. The proportional error between predictive value and practical measured value was just -1.16% and -5.14%. CONCLUSION: Back-propagation neural network and genetic algorithm for multi-objective optimization of extraction technology of cortex fraxini is advisable.