Inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human lung carcinoma 95-D cells by a new sesquiterpene from hairy root cultures of Artemisia annua.

Artemisia annua is a rich source of many bioactive substances, and in our recent work, a new sesquiterpene, (Z)-7-acetoxy-methyl-11-methyl-3-methylene-dodeca-1,6,10-triene (AMDT), was isolated and identified from hairy roots culture of A. annua, and its bioactivity was characterized in this work. AMDT showed moderate cytotoxic activities against the human tumor cell lines of HO8910 (ovary), 95-D (lung), QGY (liver) and HeLa (cervix) by MTT assay, whose IC(50) values were ranged within 52.44-73.3 microM. As lung cancer is the No. 1 killer of global cancer patients, our interest is to investigate the ability of AMDT in inducing apoptosis of 95-D tumor cells. The 95-D cell growth was inhibited by AMDT, and the flow cytometry analysis showed its cell cycle was arrested in the G1 phase. The apoptotic rate of the cells increased in a dose-dependent manner. AMDT lowered the mitochondrial membrane potential and increased the expression of caspase-9 and -3. These results revealed that AMDT could efficiently induce 95-D cell apoptosis through mitochondrial dependent pathway, and it may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent.

[Regulation on ACTH, beta-EP and immune function by moxibustion on different acupoints].

The experimental results displayed that the cellular immune functions of tumor-bearing mice in control group were significantly lower than that the normal control group. The cellular immune functions of those groups accepting moxibustion treatment were maintained at a relatively higher level. Among them the Guanyuan group seemed to be best in immune regulation. The data further demonstrated that an instant elevation of serum ACTH and beta-EP could be caused by moxibustion. But the bariations of serum ACTH and beta-EP are not paralleled. A remarkable increase of serum beta-EP was seen in Guanyuan group but not of serum ACTH. The experimental results hinted that the regulation of beta-EP and ACTH was related to the immune regulation induced by moxibustion.

[P-NMR analysis of the hepatic cell energetic metabolism in tumor-bearing mice by moxibustion treatment].

The new technique, NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectrum analysis was used in this research to measure the state of energetic metabolism of hepatic cells at the organic level. The experimental results demonstrated that moxibustion on Guanyuan (CV4) point could remarkably increase the ATP molecules in the hepatic cells, significantly raise the thermodynamic reserve and phosphate potential of the hepatic cells, so as to enhance the functional activities of liver. It is discussed here of the mechanism of anti-tumor by moxibustion treatment and of the theory of warming the kidney and enhancing the Yang to tonify to energetic Qi by moxibustion on Guanyuan point.

[Regulation on beta-END in tumor-bearing mice by moxibustion on Guanyuan point].

The experimental results demonstrated that moxibustion on Guanyuan point could promote the hyperplasia of the pituitary and the adrenal gland which showed atrophy in control group. Also, the moxibustion treatment stimulated the secretion of beta-END from the pituitary and the adrenal gland, increased the level of serum beta-END significantly and kept the high level for quite a long time, that was advantageous for beta-END to carry out the immunomodulation. The data further suggested that moxibustion treatment do not cause the instant release but probably constant release of the beta-END.

[Signal multiplier spectrophotometric determination of baicalin, chlorogenic acid and phillyrin in shuang huanglian injection].

Signal multiplier spectrophotometry was used for the determination of baicalin, chlorogenic acid and phillyrin in Shuang Huanglian injection. The method can eliminate interference without preliminary separation and has proved simple, speedy and accurate.