Induction of apoptosis by total flavonoids from Scutellaria barbata D. Don in human hepatocarcinoma MHCC97-H cells via the mitochondrial pathway.

Scutellaria barbata D. Don, a traditional Chinese medicine, reportedly possesses antitumor activity against a variety of tumors. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of total flavonoids from S. barbata (TF-SB) on human hepatocarcinoma cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms regarding the effect were explored. TF-SB treatment significantly reduced the cell viability of human HCC MHCC97-H cells in a dose-dependent manner. Further flow cytometric analysis showed that the apoptosis rate of MHCC97-H cells increased and the mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ψm) of MHCC97-H cells decreased after TF-SB treatment. DNA ladder showed that TF-SB induced a significant increase in DNA fragmentation in MHCC97-H cells. Reverse transcription PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of Smac, Apaf-1, Cytochrome c, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 were upregulated in a dose-dependent manner and after treatment with different concentrations of TF-SB for 48 h. These results suggest that TF-SB induces apoptosis in MHCC97-H cells through the mitochondrial pathway.

Effect of artemisinin combined with glucocorticoid on the expressions of glucocorticoid receptor α mRNA, glucocorticoid receptor ß mRNA and P300/CBP protein in lupus nephritis mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of using artemisinin (Art) combined with glucocorticoid (GC) to treat lupus nephritis (LN) mice. METHODS: Forty hybrid female mice were randomly and equally divided into four groups with the method of random number table: control group, model group, prednisone group administrated with 6.45 mg/(kg·d) prednisone suspension, and Art+prednisone group administrated with 150 mg/(kg·d) Art suspension and 3.225 mg/(kg·d) prednisone suspension. A mice model of LN was established by injection with living lymph cell suspension. The changes of urine protein/24h, the expressions of GC receptor α (GRα) mRNA, GC receptor ß (GRß) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and transcriptional coactivator P300/CBP protein in renal tissue were measured. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the treatment groups had significant decrease in urine protein/24 h, and renal pathological lesion (P<0.01). In the same groups, the expression of transcriptional coactivator P300/CBP protein in renal tissue and GRα mRNA were significantly increased, and GRß mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). And the Art+prednisone group has a better therapeutic effect than the prednisone group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Art has therapeutic sensitization effects on GC in the LN mice. The underlying mechanism could be correlated with the effect of Art on the increase of the expressions of GRα mRNA and transcriptional coactivator P300 300/CBP protein in renal tissue and on the decrease of the expression of GRß mRNA in PBMC.

[Effects of artemisinin on proliferation, apoptosis and Caspase-3 expression of rat mesangial cell].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of artemisinin on proliferation, apoptosis and Caspase-3 active of rat mesangial cell. METHODS: Rat mesangial cells were incubated with different concentrations of artemisinin, the proliferation, apoptosis and Caspase-3 active of rat mesangial cell were measured by MTT assay, fluorescent inverted microscope and enzyme-labeled analytical instruments respectively. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the proliferation and Caspase-3 expression of mesangial cell of three other groups were significantly different (P < 0.01). Compared with dexamethasone group, there were significant difference effects of proliferation and Caspase-3 expression of mesangial cell in other two groups of identical concentration drugs (P < 0. 01), especially in the artemisinin + glucocorticoid (ArtGC) group, and the effects of three different drugs on the mesangial cell Caspase-3 expression, proliferation and apoptosis had the tendency of depend on dosage, and mass mortality of mesangial cell in the mediate-dosage and high-dosage ArtGC group. CONCLUSION: Artemisinin could inhibit the proliferation of mesangial cell, enhance the expression of Caspase-3 and promote the apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.

Clinical study of Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy combined with routine Western medicine on patients with chronic renal failure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy in treating patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). METHODS: A total of 142 patients were assigned to the Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy group (the treatment group, 82 patients) and the Western medicine treatment group (the control group, 60 patients). All of the patients were treated with NovoNorm 1 mg and metformin hydrochloride tablets 0.15 g thrice per day for lowering the blood glucose, as well as Perindopril 4 mg twice daily for lowering blood pressure, recombinant human erythropoietin 2 000 U and a hypodermic injection thrice a week for rectifying anemia, 30 days as one course of treatment, and all patients were treated for two courses. Patients in the treatment group were treated with the Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy [dispersing the five-zang organs, expelling toxins through colonic dialysis and skin dialysis fumigation] in addition to the aforementioned drugs. Parameters observed and recorded in the study included renal function [serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], blood lipids [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein C (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein C (HDL-C)], plasma total protein (TP), hemoglobin (Hb), serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After two courses of treatment, the levels of SCr, BUN, TG, TC, LDL-C, serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha decreased significantly, meanwhile HDL-C increased in the treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In contrast, no obvious changes of the above mentioned items occurred in the control group. In both groups, the levels of TP and Hb were significantly elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but the changes were more obvious in the treatment group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy played a therapeutic role on patients with CRF possibly through lowering the levels of blood lipids, serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha.

[Mechanism of the effect of Tongluo Recipe against glomerular sclerosis in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Tongluo Recipe on the expression of collagen IV (Col IV), fibronectin (FN), laminin (LN), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in rat renal tissues and explore the mechanism underlying these effects in rats with glomerular sclerosis. METHODS: The pathological changes in the renal tissues of rats with glomerular sclerosis were observed microscopically, and the expressions of Col IV, FN, LN, and TGF-beta1 were detected using immunohistochemical staining and image analysis system. RESULTS: Tongluo Recipe significantly decreased the expressions of Col IV, FN, LN and TGF-beta1 in the renal tissue of rats with glomerular sclerosis (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and obviously alleviated the renal pathologies (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effects of Tongluo Recipe are probably mediated by lowered expressions of Col IV, FN, LN and TGF-beta1.

Study on effect of yishen capsule in preventing recurrence of chronic glomerulonephritis.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of yishen capsule (YSC) on preventing the recurrence of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) and to explore its mechanism preliminarily. METHODS: CGN patients were assigned to the treated group (61 cases) and the control group (48 cases) and all of them were orally administered with 4 mg of Perindopril twice a day, but 3 capsules of YSC, thrice a day, were given additionally to patients in the treated group. The therapeutic course for both groups was 18 months. The recurrence rate of CGN at the 6th, 12th, and 18th month in the two groups was observed and compared, and the changes of 24-h urinary protein quantity and T-lymphocyte subsets before and after treatment were observed as well. RESULTS: (1) Comparison of recurrence rate between the two groups showed insignificant difference at the 6th month, but it did show significant difference at the 12th and the 18th month, which was significantly decreased in the treated group than in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01); (2) The 24-h urinary protein quantity at the 18th month decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), but in the treated group was more significant (P<0.01); (3) T-lymphocyte subsets showed no obvious change in the control group after treatment (P>0.05), while in the treated group, it showed significant increase in CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and significant decrease in CD8 (P<0.05), and also the difference after treatment in T-lymphocyte subsets between the two groups was significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: YSC has marked effects in reducing the recurrence of CGN and in decreasing urinary protein, and its mechanism might be related with its function in regulating the ratio of T-lymphocyte subsets to enhance the immunity of patients.

[Effect of Yishen capsule on serum vascular endothelial growth factor and cell immunity in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Yishen capsule on the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the cell immunity and the theraphic. METHOD: Serum VEGF and T cell subsets were studied in 30 normal subjects and 83 patients before and after treatment. RESULT: Compare with normal subjects, CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 were decreased, CD8 and serum VEGF were increased obviously (P <0. 05 or P <0. 01). After three months treatment with YiShen capsule, CD4/CD8 was increased, CD8 and serum VEGF were decreased significantly (P <0.05 or P <0.01). CONCLUSION: Yishen capsule can reduce the proteinuria, increase the function of immunity and improve the clinical symptom of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis, achieved the effects of allevating chronic glomerular sclerosis ultimately.

[Retrospective observation of curative effects on MDS refractory anemia with combination of all-trans retinoic acid, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and androgen].

This study was aimed to examine whether a combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and androgen possesses the therapeutic value for the MDS-refractory anemia (MDS-RA), and to analyze the mechanisms in detail. 62 cases receiving a scheme of combination of ATRA, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and androgen (group A) were monitored. The remaining 33 cases (group B) were provided with vitamin supplementation, chalybeate drugs, and one or two of the combination. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were performed for collecting the specimens at the baseline and afterwards. The conditions of the patients were monitored by means of weekly complete blood counts and the monthly examination, including toxicity test, physical examination, electrocardiography, and biochemistry panel. The results showed that after treating for 8 weeks in group A, 4 out of 62 patients showed complete remission and 12 patients showed partial remission according to the defined response criteria, and 43 patients (69.35%) showed hematological improvement (HI). The further treatment for 16 out of 62 patients (25.81%), 13 failures (10 deaths, 2 RAEB and 1 RAEB-T) and 3 transformations (M(2), M(3), M(5)) with a median survival interval of 26.25 months, were observed and interrupted for some reasons. However, partial remission was observed only in 3 patients in group B, and HI amounted to 51.51%. Furthermore, the disease progression was observed in 12 out of 33 patients (36.36%) with a median survival interval of 16 months, 9 failures (including 6 deaths, 2 RAEB and 1 RAEB-T) and 3 transformations (M(2), M(3), M(4)). The overall ratios of survival for 3 and 5 years in group A, which received the combination, reached to 69.24% and 53.72% respectively, in comparison with 52.23% and 31.34% in the patients of group B (log-rank, P = 0.016). The following requirements, if were met, would be significant for prognosis: the combination regiment, no transformation, children, no complication, female, 90-120 g/L of hemoglobin concentration, normal cellular bone marrow and uni-cytopenias (P < 0.05). Moreover, Cox regression showed that therapy, transformation and age are all the independent factors (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the combination of above mentioned 3 drugs may be effective and safe treatment for the patients with MDS-RA. Its relevant mechanisms can be involved in the combination, that elicits a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as differentiation, anti-tumor-promotion, anti-apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, anti-cachexia and immunoregulation.