Improvement in post-partum uterine involution in rats treated with Apios americana.

OBJECTIVE: Apios americana, a plant used as a staple ingredient of native American diets, has various properties, including anti-cancer, anti-hyperglycemic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory activity. In Japan, Apios is used as a post-natal medication. After parturition, women undergo a period of recovery as they return to pre-pregnancy conditions. However, few health products that aid post-partum recovery are on the market. We explored whether Apios can accelerate the post-partum recovery process, in particular the involution of the uterus. METHODS: Female rats kept in individual cages were mated with two male rats, with the exception of the control group (female rats without mating, on basal diet; n=6). After delivery, rats were divided into five groups based on their diet: basal diet (model; n=6); basal diet+oral intake at 5.4 g/kg of Chanfukang granules (a Chinese patent medicine preparation for post-partum lochia) (positive; n=6); basal diet containing 10% Apios powder (low; n=6); basal diet containing 20% Apios powder (medium; n=6); basal diet containing 40% Apios powder (high; n=6). Five days later, uteri and spleens were weighed. Uterus and spleen indices for each rat were calculated by dividing visceral weight by the total weight. Hormone and cytokine concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histological analysis of uteri was completed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and inhibitors in uteri was measured by western blotting. RESULTS: Our results showed that Apios treatment reduced the post-partum uterus index and regulated the hormone concentrations. Moreover, we found that the process of uterine involution was accelerated, based on morphological changes in the uterus. In addition, our results indicated that Apios alleviated the inflammatory response induced by the involution process. Transforming growth factor ß was also found to be regulated by Apios. There were significant downregulation of matrix metalloproteinases and upregulation of their inhibitors by Apios, which suggested that Apios increased the rate of the collagen clearance process. CONCLUSIONS: These results, based on experimental observations at the molecular and protein levels, verified our hypothesis that Apios can improve uterine involution, and demonstrated the potential application of Apios in post-partum care.

Apios americana Medik flowers polysaccharide (AFP-2) attenuates H2O2 induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells.

Oxidative stress is a critical cause for the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, indicating that screening natural antioxidant and pharmacological targeting of mechanism need more attention. Natural plant polysaccharides are the primary group of natural antioxidants showing mighty antioxidant activity. Therefore, a polysaccharide (AFP-2) from flowers of Apios americana Medik was isolated, purified and characterized. Then, a H2O2-induced PC12 cells oxidative stress model was established to investigate the neuroprotective role of AFP-2 and to clarify the potential mechanism of action against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity. It was found that AFP-2 reduced ROS production and mitochondrial damage caused by hydrogen peroxide in PC12 cells. In addition, data from transmission electron microscope and western blot displayed that AFP-2 significantly activated autophagy in PC12 cells via Akt-mTOR pathway. These results together qualify AFP-2 as an interesting natural polysaccharide worth further investigation as a neuroprotective agent.

Apios americana Medik flowers extract protects PC12 cells against H2O2 induced neurotoxicity via regulating autophagy.

Since flavonoids are antioxidant compounds, they could beneficially affect neurodegenerative diseases where reactive oxygen species are involved. In this study, we firstly isolated and identified fourteen compounds from the flowers of Apios americana Medik. Then, we tested whether Apios americana Medik flowers water extract (AFWE) exerts a protective effect on H2O2 induced PC12 cells injure. As expected, pretreatment with AFWE inhibited cytotoxicity and DNA condensation in H2O2induced PC12 cells. Exposure of PC12 cells to H2O2 resulted in reactive oxygen species accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction, while AFWE alleviated these damages. AFWE obviously reversed the alternations as H2O2 increased Caspase-3 and decreased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax expressions. Furthermore, autophagy in PC12 cells was further activated by AFWE, which was beneficial to resisting adversity. These results manifest that AFWE prevents H2O2 induced damage via regulating autophagy.

White Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) Juice Attenuates Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Steatosis in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis are the most common complications of obesity. Pitaya is an important source of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoid and vitamin C which are related to its antioxidant activity. The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of white pitaya juice (WPJ) on obesity-related metabolic disorders (e.g. insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis) in high-fat diet-fed mice. Forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were assigned into four groups and fed low-fat diet with free access to water or WPJ, or fed high-fat diet with free access to water or WPJ for 14 weeks. Our results showed that administration of WPJ improved high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and adipose hypertrophy, but it exerted no influence on body weight gain in mice. Hepatic gene expression analysis indicated that WPJ supplement not only changed the expression profile of genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism (Srebp1, HMGCoR, Cpt1b, HL, Insig1 and Insig2) but also significantly increased the expression levels of FGF21-related genes (Klb, FGFR2, Egr1 and cFos). In conclusion, WPJ protected from diet-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, which was associated with the improved FGF21 resistance and lipid metabolism.