[Protective effect of extract of Apocynum venetum on kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats].

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects and mechanism of extract of Apocynum venetum (AV) on kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The indexes of the blood glucose, renal function and oxidative stress were observed. The DM rats were administrated with the AV for 8 weeks, the above-mentioned indexes were detected. The blood glucose level, BUN, 24 h urine protein excretion, urine volume, renal index, renal cortex's MDA level in model groups all increased significantly. Renal cortex's SOD and GSH activities decreased significantly compared with the normal control group (P < 0.05). The above-mentioned indexes were significantly improved by the AV treatment (P < 0.05). AV have protective effects on renal function of kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, and maybe via inhibition of the renal oxidative stress.

Combination of acupuncture and fluoxetine for depression: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The current pharmacological management of depression remains limited. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in combination with fluoxetine as an intervention for major depressive disorder (MDD). SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A total of 80 patients with MDD (DSM-IV) were randomized to two groups: VA group received verum acupuncture, 10 mg/day fluoxetine and placebo; SA group received sham acupuncture and 20-30 mg/day fluoxetine. Acupuncture was applied 5 times a week over a period of 6 weeks. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, sham-controlled trial was conducted in Dehong Prefecture Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. OUTCOME MEASURES: All subjects were assessed in a double-blind fashion at four time points (i.e., baseline, the end of the second, fourth, and sixth week of treatment. The primary outcome measure was the therapeutic response rate based on the rate of total score change in the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Anxious symptoms, antidepressant side-effects, and acupuncture adverse effects were also measured additionally. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment period, the therapeutic response rates were not statistically significant between groups (80.0% for the VA group and 77.5% for the SA group, respectively). No statistical significance was found between the 2 groups in the rate of HRSD score change (z = 1.80, p = 0.07), but patients in the VA group showed better improvement than the SA group in symptoms of anxiety and side-effects of antidepressant (z = 2.60, p = 0.01 and z = 23.60, p < 0.001, respectively). The overall rate of adverse events due to acupuncture was 8.75%. CONCLUSIONS: Additionally applied standardized acupuncture to low-dose fluoxetine for depression is as effective as a recommended dose of fluoxetine treatment. Depressive patients with severe anxious symptoms and/or intolerable side-effects of antidepressants can benefit from it.

In vivo and in vitro anti-hepatitis B virus activity of total phenolics from Oenanthe javanica.

The traditional Chinese medicine Oenanthe javanica (OJ) has been used for many years, mainly for the treatment of inflammatory conditions including hepatitis. In this study, human hepatoma Hep G2.2.15 cells culture system and duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) infection model were used as in vivo and in vitro models to evaluate the anti-HBV effects of total phenolics from Oenanthe javanica (OJTP). The HBeAg and HBsAg concentrations in cell culture medium were determined by using the enzyme immunoassay kit after Hep G2.2.15 cells were treated with OJTP for 9 d. DHBV-DNA in duck serum was analyzed by dot blot hybridization assay. In the cell model, OJTP could dose-dependently inhibit the production of the HBeAg and HBsAg, and the inhibition rates of OJTP on HBeAg and HBsAg in the Hep G2.2.15 cells were 70.12% and 72.61% on day 9, respectively. In the DHBV infection model, OJTP also reduced HBV DNA level in a dose-dependent manner. The DHBV-DNA levels decreased significantly after the treatment with 0.10 g kg(-1)d(-1) and 0.20 g kg(-1)d(-1) OJTP. The inhibition of the peak of viremia was at the maximum at the dose of 0.20 g kg(-1)d(-1) and reached 64.10% on day 5 and 66.48% on day 10, respectively. Histopathological evaluation of the liver revealed significant improvement by OJTP. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that OJTP can efficiently inhibit HBV replication in Hep G2.2.15 cells line in vitro and inhibit DHBV replication in ducks in vivo. OJTP therefore warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for HBV infections.

In vivo and in vitro antiviral activity of hyperoside extracted from Abelmoschus manihot (L) medik.

AIM: To assess the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) effect of hyperoside extracted from Abelmoschus manihot (L) medik. METHODS: The human hepatoma Hep G2.2.15 cell culture system and duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) infection model were used as in vivo and in vitro models to evaluate the anti-HBV effects. RESULTS: In the cell model, the 50% toxic concentration of hyperoside was 0.115 g/L; the maximum nontoxic concentration was 0.05 g/L. On the maximum nontoxic concentrations, the inhibition rates of hyperoside on HBeAg and HBsAg in the 2.2.15 cells were 86.41% and 82.27% on d 8, respectively. In the DHBV infection model, the DHBV-DNA levels decreased significantly in the treatment of 0.05 g x kg(-1 ) x d(-1 ) and 0.10 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) dosage groups of hyperoside (P<0.01). The inhibition of the peak of viremia was at the maximum at the dose of 0.10 g x kg(-1 ) x d(-1) and reached 60.79% on d 10 and 69.78% on d 13, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that hyperoside is a strong inhibitor of HBsAg and HBeAg secretion in 2.2.15 cells and DHBV-DNA levels in the HBV-infected duck model.

[Protective effect of hyperin on focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of hyperin (Hyp) on focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Sixty Wistar male rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, untreated group, and high-, medium- and low-dose Hyp-treated groups (50, 25 and 12.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and ginkgo leaf-treated group. The animals were intragastrically administered with drugs for 5 days. Thirty minutes after the end administration, the operation was performed to induce the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats with the method of intraluminal thread. The middle cerebral artery blood flow was blocked for 2 hours, and then reperfused. Twenty-four hours later, the rats' neurology score was observed. Brain triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and dried wet method were carried out to measure the infarct size and the water content of rat brain tissue respectively. RESULTS: The above-mentioned indexes in the untreated group showed significant differences compared with those in the sham-operated group (P<0.01).The infarct sizes of rat brain tissue in the high- and medium-dose Hyp-treated groups were obviously decreased compared with that in the untreated group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The water content of rat brain and the neurology score were also obviously reduced compared with those in the untreated group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Hyp could obviously reduce the brain infarct size and cerebral edema degree in focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury rats. Hyp has significant protective effect on focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.

Effect of Oenanthe javanica flavone on human and duck hepatitis B virus infection.

AIM: To study the antiviral effect of Oenanthe javanica flavones (OjF) on human hepatoma HepG2.2.15 culture system and duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) infection. METHODS: (1) After incubation for 24 h, the 2.2.15 cells were treated with different concentrations of OjF for 12 d. The cell alteration was observed by microscope. The presence of HBsAg and HBeAg were measured using the enzyme immunoassay kit after 2.2.15 cells were treated with OjF for 9 d. (2) Ducklings infected with DHBV intravenously were divided into 5 groups and treated with OjF, acyclovir (ACV), and normal saline respectively for 10 d. All the ducklings were bled before, during, and after treatments at different times, and serum levels of DHBV-DNA were detected by a dot-blot hybridization assay. RESULTS: (1) The 50% toxic concentration (TC50) of OjF was 2.28 g/L. The maximum nontoxic concentration (TC0) was 1.00 g/L. In nontoxic concentrations, OjF significantly inhibited HBsAg and HBeAg in 2.2.15 cells after 9 d of treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). (2) The DHBV-DNA levels decreased significantly after the treatment with 0.50 and 1.00 g/kg of OjF (P<0.01). The inhibition of the peak of viremia was maximum at a dose of 1.00 g/kg and reached 54.3% on d 5 and 64.5% on d 10, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that OjF is a strong inhibitor of HBsAg and HBeAg secretion in 2.2.15 cells and DHBV-DNA levels in the HBV-infected duck model.