Effects of Chinese Medicinal Formula BNG-1 on Phosphodiesterase 3B Expression, Hepatic Steatosis, and Insulin Resistance in High Fat Diet-induced NAFLD Mice.

Background: Chinese medicinal formula BNG-1, a non-specific inhibitor of phospho-diesterases (PDEs), can be considered as a potential anti-inflammatory agent. The present study was aimed at determining the effects of BNG-1 on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice. Design and Methods: Male CD1 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, the control Con (4) and Con (8)+saline groups were fed a standard control diet for four or eight weeks; the experimental HFD (4) and HFD (8)+saline groups were fed a high fat diet for four or eight weeks; the HFD (8)+LBNG, HFD (8)+MBNG, and HFD (8)+HBNG groups received a high fat diet along with low, moderate or high doses of BNG-1 (0.026, 0.035, and 0.052g/30g body weight) which was administered for the last four weeks of an eight-week experimental period. After the end of experiment, blood and tissue samples were taken and analyzed. Results: Mice in the HFD (4) group had higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), plasma and hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol, and homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) compared with mice in the Con (4) group. Mice receiving the high fat diet along with the BNG-1 supplement had decreased body weight gains and lower visceral fat weights compared with the HFD (8)+saline group. They had also significantly reduced levels of abnormal ALT and HOMA-IR, and improved blood lipid profile. BNG-1-treated mice exhibited reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, lower oxidative stress, and decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß). Furthermore, BNG-1 treatment resulted in down-regulation of hepatic cyclic-AMP dependent PDE3B and up-regulation of PDE3B expression in epididymis adipose tissue. Conclusions: BNG-1 mediated changes in PDE3B expression along with reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation. BNG-1 may ameliorate insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in the NAFLD mouse model.

[Effect of Ligusticum wallichii-containing serum on expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 in hepatic stellate cells].

To observe the effect of Ligusticum wallichii-containing serum on the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 in hepatic stellate cells. Clean-grade SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups and orally given L. wallichii decoction, colchicine and normal saline for 7 d to prepare L. wallichii-containing serums. Except for the blank group, all of the remaining groups were stimulated with LPS 1 mg x L(-1) for 24 h. After being intervened, the L. wallichii-containing serums were cultured in 5% CO2 incubator at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. The expression of TLR4 and MyD88 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. After HSC was stimulated with LPS, TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly higher than the blank control group (P < 0.01). After being intervened with L. wallichii-containing serum, TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA and protein expressions were notably lower than the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In conclusion, L. wallichii-containing serum could regulate the TLR4 signaling pathway and show the anti-fibrosis effect by inhibiting the expression of TLR4 and MyD88 in LPS-induced HSCs.

Inhibitory Effects of Chemical Compounds Isolated from the Rhizome of Smilax glabra on Nitric Oxide and Tumor Necrosis Factor- α Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced RAW264.7 Cell.

The rhizome of Smilax glabra has been used for a long time as both food and folk medicine in many countries. The present study focused on the active constituents from the rhizome of S. glabra, which possess potential anti-inflammatory activities. As a result, nine known compounds were isolated from the rhizome of S. glabra with the bioassay-guiding, and were identified as syringaresinol (1), lasiodiplodin (2), de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (3), syringic acid (4), 1,4-bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,4-butanediol (5), lyoniresinol (6), trans-resveratrol (7), trans-caffeic acid methyl ester (8), and dihydrokaempferol (9). Among these compounds, 2 and 3 were isolated for the first time from S. glabra. In addition, the potential anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated in vitro in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced RAW264.7 cells. Results indicated that 4 and 7 showed significant inhibitory effects on NO production of RAW264.7 cells, and 1, 2, 3, and 5 showed moderate suppression effects on induced NO production. 1, 7, and 5 exhibited high inhibitory effects on TNF-α production, with the IC50 values less than 2.3, 4.4, and 16.6 µM, respectively. These findings strongly suggest that compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 were the potential anti-inflammatory active compositions of S. glabra.

Polysaccharides from Smilax glabra inhibit the pro-inflammatory mediators via ERK1/2 and JNK pathways in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.

The rhizomes of Smilax glabra have been used as both food and folk medicine in many countries for a long time. However, little research has been reported on polysaccharides of S. glabra. In the present study, two polysaccharide fractions, SGP-1 and SGP-2, were isolated from the rhizomes of S. glabra with the number average molecular weights of 1.72 × 10(2)kDa and 1.31 × 10(2)kDa, and the weight average molecular weights of 1.31 × 10(5)kDa and 1.18 × 10(5)kDa, respectively, and their mainly monosaccharide compositions were both galactose and rhamnose (2.5:1). Both SGP-1 and SGP-2 significantly suppressed the release of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, as well as the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNF-α and IL-6. Additionally, SGP-1 and SGP-2 repressed the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). These findings strongly suggested polysaccharides were also the anti-inflammatory active ingredient for S. glabra, and the potential of SGP-1 and SGP-2 as the anti-inflammatory agents.

The neuroprotective effects of BNG-1: a new formulation of traditional Chinese medicines for stroke.

BNG-1, a novel mixture of traditional Chinese medicines with a long history in the treatment of stroke, exhibited acute neuroprotection effect on rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Anti-ischemic effects were seen in both animals receiving BNG-1 before the ischemic insult as well as in animals receiving the drug formulation after surgical occlusion of the artery. Anti-thrombic activity was seen in vitro to inhibit arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation and in vivo to prolong bleeding time in mice. BNG-1 was also found to inhibit several phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoforms with potency order of the following rank: PDE 1 > PDE 3 > PDE 6 > PDE 2 > PDE 4 > PDE 5. Other pre-clinical results and emerging clinical data coupled with the present findings suggest that BNG-1 may be a safe and effective therapy for both the prevention and treatment of cerebral stroke. Moreover, the fundamental cellular mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects may result from phosphodiesterase inhibition.