Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule alleviates myocardial fibrosis by improving endothelial cell dysfunction.

Background and aim: Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu (ZL) capsule is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with satisfactory curative effects. Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction plays an important role during myocardial fibrosis (MF). But the therapeutic effect of ZL capsule on EC dysfunction remains unknown in the development of MF. This study aims to investigate the effect of ZL capsule on EC dysfunction during MF in vivo. Experimental procedure: The model of MF is established in vivo by injecting isoproterenol for 14 days, simultaneously, we examined the therapeutic effect of ZL capsule on MF in vivo. An integrative approach combining biomarker examination, echocardiography and myocardial fibrosis condition using Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and Sirius red staining were performed to assess the efficacy of ZL capsule against MF. Subsequently, comprehensive immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of ZL capsule on EC dysfunction. Results and conclusion: Prior to experiments, analysis of the published single-cell sequencing data was performed and it was discovered that EC dysfunction plays an important role. Further pharmacological results showed that ZL capsule could alleviate fibrosis injury and collagen fiber deposition. The mechanism investigation results showed that the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and MHC class-II (MHC-II) expression in EC were improved. In addition, ZL capsule can attenuate the inflammatory response during MF by intervening the activation of CD4+T cell mediated by EC. For the first time, we provided evidence that ZL capsule could improve MF by alleviating EC dysfunction via the regulation of EndMT and expression of MHC-II. Taxonomy classification by evise: Myocardial fibrosis, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Traditional Medicine, Endothelium, dysfunction, Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

Insights into the Mechanism of Supramolecular Self-Assembly in the Astragalus membranaceus-Angelica sinensis Codecoction.

Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. (AM) and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (AS) constitute a classic herb pair in prescriptions to treat myocardial fibrosis. To date, research on the AM-AS herb pair has mainly focused on the chemical compositions associated with therapeutic efficacy. However, supermolecules actually exist in herb codecoctions, and their self-assembly mechanism remains unclear. In this study, supermolecules originating from AM-AS codoping reactions (AA-NPs) were first reported. The chemical compositions of AA-NPs showed a dynamic self-assembly process. AA-NPs with different decoction times had similar surface groups and amorphous states; however, the size distributions of these nanoparticles might be different. Taking the interaction between Z-ligustilide and astragaloside IV as an example to understand the self-assembly mechanism of AA-NPs, it was found that the complex could be formed with a molar ratio of 2:1. Later, AA-NPs were proven to be effective in the treatment of myocardial fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro, the in-depth mechanisms of which were related to the recovery of cardiac function, reduced collagen deposition, and inhibition of the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition that occurred in the process of myocardial fibrosis. Thus, AA-NPs may be the chemical material basis of the molecular mechanism of the AM-AS decoction in treating isoproterenol-induced myocardial fibrosis. Taken together, this work provides a supramolecular strategy for revealing the interaction between effective chemical components in herb-pair decoctions.

Anisucoumaramide, a Bioactive Coumarin from Clausena anisum-olens.

A new coumarin, anisucoumaramide (1), and a new δ-truxinate derivative, anisumic acid (2), were isolated from Clausena anisum-olens. Their structures were elucidated from extensive NMR and MS data. The absolute configurations of the coumarins were assigned using the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism data. Anisucoumaramide (1) represents the first example of a naturally occurring coumarin of which the terpenoidal side chain does not comply with the biosynthesis isoprene rule due to the presence of an unprecedented acetamido motif directly connected with the terpenoidal side chain. The δ-truxinate derivative was isolated from Clausena species for the first time. Compound 1 showed high selectivity for the MAO-B isoenzyme and inhibitory activity in the nanomolar range. Putative biosynthesis pathways toward 1 and 2 are proposed.

Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the genus Litsea: An update.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The genus Litsea is one of the most diverse genera of evergreen trees or shrubs belong to Lauraceae, and comprises roughly 400 species of tree that are distributed abundantly throughout tropical and subtropical Asia, North and South America. Litsea species have been used globally in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases including influenza, stomach aches, diarrhea, diabetes, vomiting, bone pain, inflammation, illness related to the central nervous system and other ailments. The purpose of this review is to provide updated, comprehensive and categorized information on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacological research of Litsea species in order to explore their therapeutic potential and evaluate future research opportunities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the available information on Litsea species was actualised by systematically searching the scientific literatures including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, and South American herbal classics, library catalogs and scientific databases (PubMed, SciFinder, Web of Science, Google Scholar, VIP and Wanfang). The Plant List, International Plant Name index and Scientific Database of China Plant Species were used to validate scientific names. RESULTS: 407 secondary metabolites have been reported from Litsea species. Litsea Species are sources of secondary metabolites with interesting chemical structures (alkaloids, lactones, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, lignans, and essential oils) and significant bioactivities. Crude extracts, fractions and phytochemical constituents isolated from Litsea show a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-HIV, insecticidal, etc. CONCLUSIONS: From data collected in this review, the genus Litsea comprises a wide range of therapeutically promising and valuable plants, and has attracted much attention owing to its multiple functions. Many traditional uses of Litsea species have now been validated by modern pharmacology research. Deep and systematic phytochemical investigation of the genus Litsea and the pharmacological properties, especially its mechanism of action and toxicology, to illustrate its ethnomedicinal use, explore the therapeutic potential and support further health-care product development will undoubtedly be the focus of further research. Therefore, detailed and extensive studies and clinical evaluation of Litsea species should be carried out in future for the safety approval of therapeutic applications.

[Effect of qufeng zhidong simplified recipe on the behavior of the tic disorder rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects qufeng zhidong Simplified Recipe (QZSR) on the behavior of the tic disorder (TD) rats. METHODS: Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided to the normal group, the model group, the QZSR-1 group, the QZSR-2 group, and the QZSR group, 10 in each group. Two mg/kg apomorphine (APO) was intraperitoneally injected to rats in the model group, the QZSR-1 group, the QZSR-2 group, and the QZSR group, while equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected to rats in the normal group, both once daily for 7 successive weeks. At the 4th week equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected to rats in the model group and the normal group, while corresponding medicinal liquid was intraperitoneally injected to those in the rest groups, both once daily for 7 successive weeks. At the 2nd and 4th week of intervention, rats' improvement degrees of stereotyped behavior and the open-field test were monitored, and their experimental results were analyzed. RESULTS: At the 2nd and 4th week of intervention, when compared with those of the model group, the score of stereotyped behavior decreased, the numbers of passing-panel, straightening, and dejecta pill were reduced, and the number of grooming increased in the QZSR-1 group, the QZSR-2 group, and the QZSR group. But there was no difference among the three groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: QZSR could significantly reduce APO induced stereotyped behavior scores of TD rats, improve their locomotor activities, and reinforce their adaptive faculty.

Effect of qufeng zhidong simplified recipe on the behavior of the tic disorder rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects qufeng zhidong Simplified Recipe (QZSR) on the behavior of the tic disorder (TD) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided to the normal group, the model group, the QZSR-1 group, the QZSR-2 group, and the QZSR group, 10 in each group. Two mg/kg apomorphine (APO) was intraperitoneally injected to rats in the model group, the QZSR-1 group, the QZSR-2 group, and the QZSR group, while equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected to rats in the normal group, both once daily for 7 successive weeks. At the 4th week equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected to rats in the model group and the normal group, while corresponding medicinal liquid was intraperitoneally injected to those in the rest groups, both once daily for 7 successive weeks. At the 2nd and 4th week of intervention, rats' improvement degrees of stereotyped behavior and the open-field test were monitored, and their experimental results were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the 2nd and 4th week of intervention, when compared with those of the model group, the score of stereotyped behavior decreased, the numbers of passing-panel, straightening, and dejecta pill were reduced, and the number of grooming increased in the QZSR-1 group, the QZSR-2 group, and the QZSR group. But there was no difference among the three groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QZSR could significantly reduce APO induced stereotyped behavior scores of TD rats, improve their locomotor activities, and reinforce their adaptive faculty.</p>

[Effects of matrine on invasion and metastasis of leukemia cell line Jurkat].

OBJECTIVE: To study the inhibitory effects of matrine, in different concentrations, on invasion and metastasis of human acute lymphocytic leukemia cell line Jurkat. METHODS: In vitro cultured Jurkat cells were treated by matrine in concentration of 0 g/L, 0.1 g/L, 0.15 g/L and 0.2 g/L, respectively. Then cell adhesion assay, cell migration assay and matrigel invasion assay were used respectively to observe the effects of matrine on adhesion, migration and invasive capacity of Jurkat cells. Meantime, RT-PCR was performed to detect the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression levels. Comparison of measurement data among groups was analyzed by variance analysis. RESULTS: As compared with the control group, the adhesion of Jurkat to fibronectin (FN) was significantly inhibited by 0.15 g/L and 0.2 g/L of matrine (P < 0.05); the cell migration and invasive capacity were significantly lowered by 0.1 g/L, 0.15 g/L and 0.2 g/L matrine (P < 0.01). High mRNA expression of MMP-9 presented but that of MMP-2 was expressed insignificantly in Jurkat cells, matrine at 0.1 g/L, 0.15 g/L and 0.2 g/L showed obvious effect in down-regulating MMP-9 mRNA expression (P < 0.01). Besides, MMP-9 mRNA expression was found to be positively correlated with the invasive capacity of Jurkat cells (r = 0.940, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Matrine is a good drug for antagonizing the invasion and metastasis of leukemia cells, it may roundly inhibit the adhesion, migration and invasive capacity of Jurkat cells, the mechanism might be related with the down-regulation of MMP-9 mRNA expression.

Effects of matrine on invasion and metastasis of leukemia cell line Jurkat / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the inhibitory effects of matrine, in different concentrations, on invasion and metastasis of human acute lymphocytic leukemia cell line Jurkat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vitro cultured Jurkat cells were treated by matrine in concentration of 0 g/L, 0.1 g/L, 0.15 g/L and 0.2 g/L, respectively. Then cell adhesion assay, cell migration assay and matrigel invasion assay were used respectively to observe the effects of matrine on adhesion, migration and invasive capacity of Jurkat cells. Meantime, RT-PCR was performed to detect the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression levels. Comparison of measurement data among groups was analyzed by variance analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As compared with the control group, the adhesion of Jurkat to fibronectin (FN) was significantly inhibited by 0.15 g/L and 0.2 g/L of matrine (P < 0.05); the cell migration and invasive capacity were significantly lowered by 0.1 g/L, 0.15 g/L and 0.2 g/L matrine (P < 0.01). High mRNA expression of MMP-9 presented but that of MMP-2 was expressed insignificantly in Jurkat cells, matrine at 0.1 g/L, 0.15 g/L and 0.2 g/L showed obvious effect in down-regulating MMP-9 mRNA expression (P < 0.01). Besides, MMP-9 mRNA expression was found to be positively correlated with the invasive capacity of Jurkat cells (r = 0.940, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Matrine is a good drug for antagonizing the invasion and metastasis of leukemia cells, it may roundly inhibit the adhesion, migration and invasive capacity of Jurkat cells, the mechanism might be related with the down-regulation of MMP-9 mRNA expression.</p>