The Mechanism of Phillyrin from the Leaves of Forsythia suspensa for Improving Insulin Resistance.

Three lignans, phillyrin, forsythia ester A, and rosin-ß-D-furan glucose, were isolated from Forsythia suspensa which is a famous Traditional Chinese Medicine used for clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and dispersing knot, and dispersing wind heat. In this study, the effects of phillyrin, forsythia ester A, and rosin-ß-D-furan glucose on insulin resistance of 3T3-L1 adipocytes were investigated by the method of glucose oxidase-peroxidase (GOD-POD) and the mechanism was assayed by the method of western blot. The results indicated that phillyrin, forsythia ester A, and rosin-ß-D-furan glucose could improve the glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes under insulin resistance (IR). Among them, phillyrin showed significant activity in increasing glucose consumption at the concentrations of 100 µM and 200 µM (P < 0.001). The mechanism of improving insulin resistance may be that phillyrin could raise the protein phosphorylation of IRS-1 and Akt and the expression levels of GLUT4 protein.

Role of Nrf2 in the antioxidation and oxidative stress induced developmental toxicity of honokiol in zebrafish.

Honokiol, the main bioactive component of Magnolia officinalis, has a variety of pharmacological actions. However, its toxicity has rarely been reported. According to previous studies performed in our laboratory, honokiol microemulsion has embryo developmental toxicity. For further exploration, Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different doses of honokiol microemulsion to record the rates of mortality, malformation, and hatching. We found that high doses of honokiol microemulsion (0.6 and 0.9 µg/ml) increased mortality, inhibited hatching, caused malformation and reduced swimming activities. The low-dose group (0.15 and 0.30 µg/ml) had decreased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), but the high-dose group had inhibited superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity and increased ROS content. The mRNA expression of sod1, sod2, catalase(cat), and heme oxygenase 1 (ho1) was up-regulated at low doses but down-regulated at high doses. The nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA expression increased at low doses but decreased at high doses. After knocking down Nrf2 in zebrafish embryos, the rates of mortality and malformation were markedly increased and the hatching rate was significantly decreased. These results suggest that honokiol has antioxidative effects at low doses but causes embryo-developmental toxicity at high doses, and the Nrf2 gene may play a pivotal role in regulating these processes.

Genotoxicity and Embryotoxicity Study of Bicyclol Methyl Ether, Main Impurity in Bicyclol.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the genotoxicity and embryotoxicity of bicyclol methyl ether (BME), the main impurity in bicyclol. METHODS: Five concentrations of BME (0.5, 5, 50, 500 and 5000 µg/plate) were used in the Ames test to detect gene mutation. In the chromosome aberration test, Chinese hamster lung cells were used to detect chromosomal aberration of BME (15, 30, 60, 120 µg/mL) with or without S9 mixture. Embryotoxicity test was also conducted to determine any embryotoxicity of BME (7.5, 22.5, 67.5 µg/L) using zebrafish embryos. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the Ames test and the chromosome aberration test in the BME groups compared with the vehicle control group. The zebrafish embryos toxicity test also showed no embryo development toxicity of BME, including hatching rate, body length, pericardial area and yolk sac area. CONCLUSIONS: Bicyclol methyl ether has no genotoxicity in vitro and embryotoxicity in zebrafish embryos, and the impurity in bicyclol is qualified.

Effects of perioperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on monocytic HLA-DR expression in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass: study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is known to be associated with a transient postoperative immunosuppression. When severe and persistent, this immune dysfunction predisposes patients to infectious complications, which contributes to a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and even mortality. Effective prevention and treatment methods are still lacking. Recent studies revealed that acupuncture-related techniques, such as electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), are able to produce effective cardioprotection and immunomodulation in adult and pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, which leads to enhanced recovery. However, whether perioperative application of TEAS, a non-invasive technique, is able to improve immunosuppression of the patients with post-cardiosurgical conditions is unknown. Thus, as a preliminary study, the main objective is to evaluate the effects of TEAS on the postoperative expression of monocytic human leukocyte antigen (-D related) (mHLA-DR), a standardized "global" biomarker of injury or sepsis-associated immunosuppression, in patients receiving on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: This study is a single-center clinical trial. The 88 patients scheduled to receive CABG under CPB will be randomized into two groups: the group receiving TEAS, and the group receiving transcutaneous acupoint pseudo-electric stimulation (Sham TEAS). Expression of mHLA-DR serves as a primary endpoint, and other laboratory parameters (e.g., interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10) and clinical outcomes (e.g., postoperative infectious complications, ICU stay time, and mortality) as the secondary endpoints. In addition, immune indicators, such as high mobility group box 1 protein and regulatory T cells will also be measured. DISCUSSION: The current study is a preliminary monocentric clinical trial with a non-clinical primary endpoint, expression of mHLA-DR, aiming at determining whether perioperative application of TEAS has a potential to reverse CABG-associated immunosuppression. Although the immediate clinical impact of this study is limited, its results would inform further large-sample clinical trials using relevant patient-centered clinical outcomes as primary endpoints. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02933996. Registered on 13 October 2016.

Protective Effect of Colla corii asini against Lung Injuries Induced by Intratracheal Instillation of Artificial Fine Particles in Rats.

Environmental issues pose huge threats to public health, particularly the damage caused by fine particulate matter (PM2.5). However, the mechanisms of injury require further investigation and medical materials that can protect the lungs from PM2.5 are needed. We have found that Colla corii asini, a traditional Chinese medicine that has long been used to treat various ailments, is a good candidate to serve this purpose. To understand the mechanisms of PM2.5-induced lung toxicity and the protective effects of Colla corii asini, we established a rat model of lung injury via intratracheal instillation of artificial PM2.5 (aPM2.5). Our results demonstrated that Colla corii asini significantly protected against lung function decline and pathologic changes. Inflammation was ameliorated by suppression of Arg-1 to adjust the disturbed metabolic pathways induced by aPM2.5, such as arginine and nitrogen metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, for 11 weeks. Our work found that metabolomics was a useful tool that contributed to further understanding of PM2.5-induced respiratory system damage and provided useful information for further pharmacological research on Colla corii asini, which may be valuable for therapeutic intervention.

Antithrombotic effect and mechanism of Rubus spp. Blackberry.

The compounds of Rubus spp. Blackberry (RSB) were isolated and identified by a bioassay-guided method, and their antithrombotic effects and mechanism were investigated with the acute blood stasis rat model. The RSB extract was evaluated by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), and fibrinogen (FIB) assays in vitro. Results indicated that RSB extract exhibited anticoagulant activity. In addition to compounds 1 and 6, the other compounds also exhibited anticoagulant activity in vitro. Therefore, the in vivo antithrombosis effects of RSB extract were investigated by measuring whole blood viscosity (WBV), plasma viscosity (PV), APTT, PT, TT, and FIB. Meanwhile, the levels of thromboxane B2 (TXB2), 6-keto prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and ET-1 (endothelin-1) were measured. Results suggested that RSB extract had inhibitory effects on thrombus formation, and its antithrombotic effects were associated with the regulation of vascular endothelium active substance, activation of blood flow and an anticoagulation effect.

Chemical constituents and coagulation activity of Agastache rugosa.

BACKGROUND: In the Chinese traditional medicine, plant of Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Kuntze (A. rugosa) has been used to treat nausea, vomiting and dispel damp. However, currently, few reports about the chemical constituents, especially the non-volatile components of A. rugosa are available. METHODS: Through separation with various column chromatographies to elucidate the chemical constituents of A. rugosa, the biological activities of the major constituents were investigated. The extracts and main constituents of A. rugosa were evaluated for their anticoagulant effects by assaying the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB) in vitro. RESULTS: Seven known compounds (namely compounds 1-7) were isolated from the aerial parts of A. rugosa. They were identified as methyl hexadecanoate (1), ß-sitosterol (2), acacetin (3), ursolic acid (4), apigenin (5), protocatechuic acid (6) and tilianin (7), respectively. Compounds 1 and 6 were isolated from the genus Agastache for the first time, and compound 4 was obtained from the plants for the first time. The results showed that the extract of A. rugosa had a significant procoagulant activity by shortening the time of PT (P < 0.001) and increasing FIB content (P < 0.001), as compared with Vitamin K1. While its major constituents acacetin and tilianin exhibited significant anticoagulant activities by prolonging the times of PT, APTT, TT and reducing FIB content (P < 0.001), as compared with blank control group. CONCLUSIONS: The total extract of A. rugosa possessed significant procoagulant activity, while its main components, acacetin and tilianin possessed significant anticoagulant activities. Further investigation should be pursued to find out the bioactivity components responsible for the procoagulant action of the plant.

Preclinical Study of Antineoplastic Sinoporphyrin Sodium-PDT via In Vitro and In Vivo Models.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) investigations have seen stable increases and the development of new photosensitizers is a heated topic. Sinoporphyrin sodium is a new photosensitizer isolated from Photofrin. This article evaluated its anticancer effects by clonogenic assays, MTT assays and xenograft experiments in comparison to Photofrin. The clonogenicity inhibition rates of sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT towards four human cancer cell lines ranged from 85.5% to 94.2% at 0.5 µg/mL under 630 nm irradiation of 30 mW/cm² for 180 s. For MTT assays, the IC50 ranges of Photofrin-PDT and sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT towards human cancer cells were 0.3 µg/mL to 5.5 µg/mL and 0.1 µg/mL to 0.8 µg/mL under the same irradiation conditions, respectively. The IC50 values of Photofrin-PDT and sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT towards human skin cells, HaCaT, were 10 µg/mL and 1.0 µg/mL, respectively. Esophagus carcinoma and hepatoma xenograft models were established to evaluate the in vivo antineoplastic efficacy. A control group, Photofrin-PDT group (20 mg/kg) and sinoporphyrin sodium group at three doses, 0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg, were set. Mice were injected with photosensitizers 24 h before 60 J 630 nm laser irradiation. The tumor weight inhibition ratio of 2 mg/kg sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT reached approximately 90%. Besides, the tumor growths were significantly slowed down by 2 mg/kg sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT, which was equivalent to 20 mg/kg Photofrin-PDT. In sum, sinoporphyrin sodium-PDT showed great anticancer efficacy and with a smaller dose compared with Photofrin. Further investigations are warranted.

Simultaneous determination of alizarin and rubimaillin in Rubia cordifolia by ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid-reversed phase liquid chromatography.

Four kinds of ionic liquids were adopted to analyze the content of rubimaillin and alizarin in Rubia cordifolia roots with ultrasonic-assisted extraction coupled with HPLC. The chromatographic column, Purospher star RP-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), was used. Methanol and 0.4% acetic acid-water as mobile phase with flow rate at 0.85 mL min(-1), gradient elution, detection wavelength at 250 nm, chromatographic column temperature was controlled at room temperature. The result showed that rubimaillin and alizarin had the highest extraction yield when the [ HMIM] PF6methanol solution concentration of 0.6 mol x L(-1) as extraction solvent and the conditions were solid-liquid ratio of 1:80 (g x mL(-1)). Under the optimal extraction conditions, the content of alizarin from 0.01 to 0.04 microg showed a good linearity (r = 0.9999), the average recovery was 97.12%, the content of rubimaillin from 0.41 to 1.35 microg showed a good linearity (r = 0.9999), the average recovery was 98.10%. This experiment adopted environmentally friendly reagent as extraction solvent, the extraction efficiency was improved, and the environmental pollution caused by organic solvent was avoided, the harm of human body aslo was reduced. This method was simple and reliable, its repeatability was also very good, which had an important significance in the study of traditional Chinese medicine active ingredient extraction methods.

[Analysis of four flavonoids in Lysimachia clethroides using ionic liquid-assisted extraction].

In order to established a method for simultaneous determination of isoquercitrin, astragaline, quercetin and kaempferol in Lysimachia clethroides, the ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([HMIM]PF6) methanol was used as the ultrasound-assisted extraction solvent combing with RP-HPLC. A Purospher star RP-C1 column was used with the mobile phase of aceto- nitrile, methanol and 0. 4% phosphate acid by gradient elution at the detection wavelength of 360 nm. The flow rate was 0.7 mL x min(-1), and the column temperature was the room temperature. Under the optimized conditions, the linear ranges were 2.54 x 10(-2)-2. 54, 2.50 x 10(-2)- 2.50, 1.54 x 10(-3)-0.154, 1.49 x 10(-3)-0.149 microg for isoquercitrin, astragaline, quercetin and kaempferol, respectively. The average recoveries of the four constituents were 101.1%, 98.90%, 101.0%, 101.6%, respectively. The method was green, simple, rapid and accurate, and provided a valid method for analysis of isoquercitrin, astragaline, quercetin and kaempferol in L. clethroides.

[Determination of oleanic acid and paeoniflorin in Paeonia lactiflora by ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid-reversed phase liquid chromatography].

Four kinds of ionic liquids [BMIM] Br, [BMIM] BF4, [BMIM] PF6, [HMIM] PF6 were used to analyze the content of oleanic acid and paeoniflorin in Paeonia lactiflora with ultrasonic-assisted extraction coupled with HPLC. The chromatographic column, Purospher star RP-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm), was used. Acetonitrile and water (90:10) as mobile phase was used to determine the content of oleanic acid with a gradient elution and flow rate at 1.00 mL · min(-1), detection wavelength at 210 nm, chromatographic column temperature at room temperature. Paeoniflorin content was determined using acetonitrile and water (18:82) as mobile phase with a gradient elution and flow rate at 1.00 mL · min(-1), detection wavelength at 250 nm, the chromatographic column temperature at room temperature. The result show that oleanic acid has the highest extraction yield when the conditions are solid-liquid ratio of 1:80 (g · mL(-1)), and the [BMIM] Br methanol solution concentration of 0.6 mol · L(-1). Under the optimal extraction conditions, the content of oleanic acid from 0.24 to 3.76 µg showed a good linearity (r = 0.9999), the average recovery was 97.20%. Paeoniflorin has the highest extraction yield when the conditions are solid-liquid ratio of 1:130 (g · mL(-1)), and the [C4 MIM] PF6 methanol solution concentration of 0.6 mol · L(-1). Under the optimal extraction conditions, paeoniflorin content from 0.42 to 4.20 µg showed a good lin- earity (r = 1.000), the average recovery was 98.84%. This method is simple and reliable, its repeatability is also very good. It has important significance in the study P. lactiflora of ionic liquid microextraction.

A safety study of a novel photosensitizer, sinoporphyrin sodium, for photodynamic therapy in Beagle dogs.

Sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS) is a novel hematoporphyrin-like photosensitizer developed for photodynamic therapy (PDT), an effective therapeutic modality for tumor treatment; however, the safety of photosensitizer-based PDT is always of great concern. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the potential repeated-dose toxicity and describe the toxicokinetic process of DVDMS-based PDT in Beagle dogs. The dogs were randomly allocated to six groups, and then were administrated a DVDMS preparation intravenously at dose levels of 0, 1, 3, 9, 1 and 9 mg per kg body weight, respectively; then, the latter two groups were illuminated 24 h later with a 630 nm laser for 10 min, once every seven days for 5 weeks. During the study period, clinical signs, mortality, body weight, food consumption, body temperature, ophthalmoscopy, hematology, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, electrocardiograms, toxicokinetics, organ weights, gross anatomy and histopathology were examined. After the administration, no deaths were observed; however, the dogs that received PDT showed skin swelling and ulceration, indicating that DVDMS-PDT induced a phototoxic effect. DVDMS led to an increase in blood coagulation in dogs in the 9 mg kg(-1) group and in the two PDT groups on Day 35, whereas it induced a decrease in dogs in the 3 mg kg(-1) group and in the two PDT groups on Day 49. The toxicokinetic study showed that the systematic exposure of DVDMS in dogs occurred in a dose-dependent manner, and DVDMS did not accumulate in blood plasma. The DVDMS-based PDT group showed no obvious treatment-related pathological changes; however, slight or mild brown-and-yellow pigmentation of DVDMS (or its metabolite) was observed to deposit in the liver, spleen, local lymph nodes and marrow of dogs in the mid- and high-dose groups, as well as the high-dose PDT group. In females, the absolute and relative spleen weights increased in dogs in the 9 mg kg(-1) DVDMS groups with and without PDT during the treatment and recovery period, respectively. The target organs are presumed to be the liver and immune organs (spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes), while all of the responses were slight. Based on the results above, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was considered to be 1 mg kg(-1), and DVDMS-PDT appeared to be a safe and promising anti-tumor therapy in the clinic.

Volatiles of Lysimachia paridiformis Var. Stenophylla, Lysimachia fortumei and Lysimachia chikungensis by HS-SPME-GC-MS.

BACKGROUND: Lysimachia paridiformis Var. Stenophylla mainly contain flavonoid constituents. Flavonoids and benzoquinones are the main compounds in L. fortumei Maxim. The objective of this paper was to study the volatile compounds of leaves in L. paridiformis Var. Stenophylla, L. fortumei and L. chikungensis for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Volatiles were extracted by the manual solid phase micro-extraction (SPME). The volatile constituents were analyzed by an Agilent 6890 N gas chromatograph equipped and coupled with a 5975B mass selective detector spectrometer. RESULTS: Twenty-nine compounds were identified in the leaves of L. paridiformis var. Stenophylla, accounting for 89.17% of the total volatile fraction. The main constituents were ethanol (13.58%), and ß-ionone (8.05%). linalool and ß-ionone were the main aroma constituents in L. paridiformis var. Stenophylla. Twenty-one compounds were identified in the leaves of L. fortumei, accounting for 94.72% of the total volatile fraction. The main constituents were tricosane (14.72%), docosane (11.02%), tetracosane (10.77%) and pentacosane (9.81%). Thirty-two compounds were identified in the leaves of L. chikungensis, accounting for 88.58% of the total volatile fraction. Typical compounds detected in L. chikungensis were cis-3-hexenyl pentanoate (13.33%), followed by ethanol (12.13%), ethyl palmitate (7.78%), and heneicosane (5.38%). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the main composition types were similar in the three plants, but the content was different, which indicated that the similar composition types provided the same medical effect for three plants.

[Study on anti-oxidative effect of extracts from Cichorium endivia on HepG2 cells and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of extracts from Cichorium endivia (CEE) in H2O2-induced HepG2 cell oxidative stress injury, and explore the antioxidant mechanism of CEE in HepG2 cells. METHOD: The viability of H2O2-induced HepG2 cells and the intracellular ROS level were measured by MTT assay and DCFH-DA fluorescence staining assay. The antioxidant-response element (ARE)-Luciferase activity was tested in HepG2 cells stably transected by ARE reporter gene. The fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR was adopted to determine the mRNA expressions of genes containing ARE sequence in HepG2 cells. RESULT: The cell viability reduced, while the ROS level increased after HepG2 cells were treated by H2O2. Different concentrations of CEE could be added to significantly improve the above results. After HepG2 cells transected by ARE reporter gene were treated with different concentrations of CEE, the intracellular ARE activity could increase in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the mRNA expressions of regulatory genesGCLC, GCLM and HMOX-1 containing ARE sequence in HepG2 cells were up-regulated in a concentration-dependent manner by CEE. CONCLUSION: CEE inhibited the H2O2-injured HepG2 cells by reducing the ROS level. CEE's antioxidant mechanism for HepG2 cells may be closely related to the antioxidant defense system associated with its effect of activating Nrf2-ARE pathway in HepG2 cells.

[Chemical constituents from Lysimachia circaeoides].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from Lysimachia circaeoides. METHODS: The column chromatographic techniques were applied to isolate the constituents. EI-MS and NMR were used to identify the structures. RESULTS: Eight compounds were isolated and identified from the extract of L. circaeoides and their structures were elucidated as kaempferol (1), beta-daucosterol (2), beta-sitosterol (3), quercetin (4), luteolin (5), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactoside (6), kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (7) and rutin (8). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 8 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Stable life predection for Psoralea corylifolia by initial average rate stability test].

OBJECTIVE: To study the total content change of psoralea and isopsoralea in Psoralea corylifolia under different temperature, and predict its term of validity by initial average rate stability test in order to provide the basis for assessing its quality. METHOD: The reaction rate constant K was replaced by initial velocity V. According to Arrhenius rule, storage period was obtained at room temperature. RESULT: The stable life of P. corylifolia has been determined as 0.53 years. CONCLUSION: The high temperature is not conducive to the stability of the P. corylifolia, which need to store in a dark and cool place.

(3S)-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-ß-carboline-3-carboxylic acid from Cichorium endivia. L induces apoptosis of human colorectal cancer HCT-8 cells.

Cichorium endivia. L, consumed either cooked or eaten raw in salads, is a popular kind of vegetable cultivated all around the World. Its components have been widely used in folk medicine in anti-inflammatory therapy. However, the anti-cancer activity of the components has never been reported. In this study, (3S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-ß-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (1), an amino acid isolated from C. endivia. L, was found for the first time to show cytotoxic activity in colorectal cancer cell line HCT-8. Compound 1 at concentrations of 0.5-4 µM induced apoptosis of HCT-8 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The compound 1-induced apoptosis in HCT-8 cells was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, the up-regulation of Bax and the down-regulation of Bcl-2. In addition, compound 1 suppressed the activation of NF-κB, which acts as an inhibitor of apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggested that compound 1 could significantly induce apoptosis of HCT-8 cells through the suppression of NF-κB signaling pathway, and thus can be considered as a potential candidate for developing chemotherapeutic drugs against cancer.

[Effects of waste batteries leaching solution stress on resistance physiological indices of volatile constituents from Schizonepeta tenuifolia].

OBJECTIVE: The effect of waste batteries leaching on the seedling growth and volatile constituents in leaves of Schizonepeta tenuifolia was assayed. METHOD: The different concentrations of waste batteries leaching on the seedling growth were discussed. Volatile compounds were analyzed by solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULT: The results indicated that S. tenuifolia showed resistance to heavy metal polluting, but the high rate of waste batteries leaching had the inhibiting effect to seedlings growth. The waste batteries leaching cause the major volatile constituents in leaves of S. tenuifolia was changed greatly under waste batteries leaching solution stress. CONCLUSION: Heavy metal leached by waste batteries had great effect on growth of S. tenuifolia, reducing its value for food and medical purposes.

[Anti-bacteria activity of Puraboeo rutescens and Lysionotus pauciflorus].

OBJECTIVE: Antibacteria activity of compounds from Puraboeo ruescens and Lysionotus pauciflorus was assayed. METHOD: Disc diffusion was used to isolate compounds in vitro and berberine was positive control. The value of IC50 was assayed by the method of liquid culture. All kinds of chromatography were used to isolate the chemical constituent and structure was identified by MS and NMR spectroscopy. RESULT: Eight compounds were isolated and identified as beta-sitosterol (1), E-3,4-dihydroxy cinnamic acid (2), barbinervic acid (3), 3beta,19alpha-dihydroxy12-en-28-ursolic acid (4), 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl pomolic acid (5), 5,7-dihydroxy-6,8,4'-trimethoxy flavone (6), 5, 6, 4'-trihydroxy-7,8-dihydroxy flavone (7), 5-hydroxy-6,8,4'-trimethoxy flavone-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (8). Compound 3, 4 and 6 had activity against SA, MRSA and ESBLs respectively. Compound 3 showed (IC50 = 0.098 g x LU(-1), IC50 = 0.27 g x L(-1)) against SA and ESBLs-SA respectively. Compound 4 (IC50 = 0.130 g x L(-1)) was best to against MR SA. CONCLUSION: Compound 1 - 5 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compound 7 and 8 was isolated from Gesneriaceae for the first time.

Intravenous repeated-dose toxicity study of ZnPcS2P2-based-photodynamic therapy in Wistar rats.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the potential repeated-dose toxicity of ZnPcP2S2-based photodynamic therapy (ZnPc-PDT) in Wistar rats. The animals were administered ZnPcS2P2 intravenously ten times successively every 4 d and irradiated with a 670 nm laser light for 6 min at subsequent 48 h and 72 h. At the end of the treatment period, 10 rats/sex/group were sacrificed, while 5 rats/sex/group were sacrificed after a two-week recovery period. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food and water consumption, ophthalmoscopy, hematology, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, organ weights, gross findings and histopathology were examined. The association between the increased liver weight and hepatic spotty and lytic necrosis seen in high dose females corroborates the conclusion that high dose ZnPc-PDT could induce hepatic injury in Wistar rats and they are probably related to the abnormality of certain biochemical parameters of females in the high dose group. Furthermore, microscopic examination for the ZnPc-PDT groups shows the presence of some Kelly and khaki granules in Kupffer cells and endothelia of the livers, epithelia of the renal tubules, marginal sinus and medulla of the spleens, alveolar walls of the lungs, reticular cells and macrophages of the mesenteric lymph nodes, testicular Leydig cells, epididymal epithelial cells, endometrial stromal cells, and interstitial cells and corpora lutea of the ovaries from all or most of the animals. There were no adverse effects on mortality, clinical signs, food and water consumption, ophthalmoscopy, uranalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, body weights and necropsy findings in control, low and mid dose groups. Based on these results, it was concluded that the intravenous repeated-dose of ZnPcP2S2-PDT induced the abnormalities of liver weights, hepatic biochemistry and histopathology, and pigmentation in the several important organs in Wistar rats at 4 mg kg(-1) d(-1). The target organ was determined to be liver (and spleen perhaps), but this was not so obvious in males. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was considered to be 1.0 mg kg(-1) for both sexes.