Aesculetin Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Bladder Cancer Cells by Suppressing the MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Aesculetin (AE), a natural coumarin derivative found in traditional medicinal herbs, has a variety of pharmacological effects. However, the role of AE and its molecular mechanisms of action on bladder cancer remains undefined. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to explore the anti-tumor effects of AE on bladder cancer cells and the associated molecular mechanisms. METHODS: We performed a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay to examine the inhibitory effects of AE on 5637 and T24 cells. The anti-tumor effects of AE on 5637 cells were evaluated by performing colony formation, living/dead cell staining, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration and invasion assays. The expression levels of related proteins were determined using western blotting. RESULTS: The viability of 5637 and T24 cells was decreased by AE. AE significantly inhibited colony formation, arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, decreased migration and invasion, decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and increased apoptosis in 5637 cells. Western blotting results showed the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria; the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3; decrease in CDK4, CCND1, MMP2 and MMP9 levels and an increase in the BAX/BCL-2 protein ratio after treatment with AE. AE also downregulated the levels of p-ERK and p- MEK proteins. Pre-treatment with U0126 significantly enhanced the anti-tumor effects of AE. CONCLUSIONS: AE inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of bladder cancer cells through the MEK/ERK pathway. These findings provide possible therapeutic strategies for bladder cancer.

The Effect of Rainfall on Aquatic Nitrogen and Phosphorus in a Semi-Humid Area Catchment, Northern China.

The impact of rainfall on water quality may be more important in semi-arid regions, where rainfall is concentrated over a couple of months. To explore the impact of rainfall changes on water quality, e.g., nitrogen (TN) and phosphorous (TP), the diversion from Luan River to Tianjin Watershed in the northern semi-humid area was selected as the study area. TN and TP concentrations in rivers and the Yuqiao Reservoir during the three-year high-flow season (2019-2021) were analyzed. The response relationship and influencing factors among the watershed's biogeochemical process, rainfall, and water quality were clarified. The results showed that rainfall in the high flow season mainly controlled the river flow. The concentration of TN and TP in the inflow rivers is regulated by rainfall/flow, while the concentration of TN and TP in the water diversion river has different variation characteristics in the water diversion period and other periods. The lowest annual concentrations of TN and TP were observed in the normal year, while the highest annual concentration was observed in the wet year, indicating that the hydrological process drove the nutrient transport in the watershed. For the tributaries, the Li River catchment contributed a large amount of N and P to the aquatic environment. For the reservoir, the extreme TN concentrations were the same as the tributaries, while the extremes of TP concentrations decreased from the dry year to wet year, which was in contrast to the tributaries. The spatial variation of TN and TP concentrations in the reservoir showed that the concentration decreased following the flow direction from the river estuary to the reservoir outlet. Considering climate change, with the increase of rainfall in North China in the future, the TN and TP transport fluxes in the watershed may continue to increase, leading to the nitrogen and phosphorus load of the downstream reservoir. To ensure the impact of the increase of potential N and P output fluxes in the watershed on the water quality of the reservoir area, it is necessary to strengthen the effective prevention and control of non-point source pollution in the watershed.

Site-Selective Photosynthesis of Ag-AgCl@Au Nanomushrooms for NIR-II Light-Driven O2- and O2•--Evolving Synergistic Photothermal Therapy against Deep Hypoxic Tumors.

Light-driven endogenous water oxidation has been considered as an attractive and desirable way to obtain O2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. However, the use of a second near-infrared (NIR-II) light to achieve endogenous H2O oxidation to alleviate tumor hypoxia and realize deep hypoxic tumor phototherapy is still a challenge. Herein, novel plasmonic Ag-AgCl@Au core-shell nanomushrooms (NMs) were synthesized by the selective photodeposition of plasmonic Au at the bulge sites of the Ag-AgCl nanocubes (NCs) under visible light irradiation. Upon NIR-II light irradiation, the resulting Ag-AgCl@Au NMs could oxidize endogenous H2O to produce O2 to alleviate tumor hypoxia. Almost synchronously, O2 could react with electrons on the conduction band of the AgCl core to generate superoxide radicals (O2•-)for photodynamic therapy. Moreover, Ag-AgCl@Au NMs with an excellent photothermal performance could further promote the phototherapy effect. In vitro and in vivo experimental results show that the resulting Ag-AgCl@Au NMs could significantly improve tumor hypoxia and enhance phototherapy against a hypoxic tumor. The present study provides a new strategy to design H2O-activatable, O2- and ROS-evolving NIR II light-response nanoagents for the highly efficient and synergistic treatment of deep O2-deprived tumor tissue.

Shuttle-Shape Carrier-Free Platinum-Coordinated Nanoreactors with O2 Self-Supply and ROS Augment for Enhanced Phototherapy of Hypoxic Tumor.

The synergistic nanotheranostics of reactive oxygen species (ROS) augment or phototherapy has been a promising method within synergistic oncotherapy. However, it is still hindered by sophisticated design and fabrication, lack of a multimodal synergistic effect, and hypoxia-associated poor photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. Herein, a kind of porous shuttle-shape platinum (IV) methylene blue (Mb) coordination polymer nanotheranostics-loaded 10-hydroxycamptothecin (CPT) is fabricated to address the abovementioned limitations. Our nanoreactors possess spatiotemporally controlled O2 self-supply, self-sufficient singlet oxygen (1O2), and outstanding photothermal effect. Once they are taken up by tumor cells, nanoreactors as a cascade catalyst can efficiently catalyze degradation of the endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into O2 to alleviate tumor hypoxia. The production of O2 can ensure enhanced PDT. Subsequently, under both stimuli of external red light irradiation and internal lysosomal acidity, nanoreactors can achieve the on-demand release of CPT to augment in situ mitochondrial ROS and highly efficient tumor ablation via phototherapy. Moreover, under the guidance of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging, our nanoreactors exhibit strongly synergistic potency for treatment of hypoxic tumors while reducing damages against normal tissues and organs. Collectively, shuttle-shape platinum-coordinated nanoreactors with augmented ROS capacity and enhanced phototherapy efficiency can be regarded as a novel tumor theranostic agent and further promote the research of synergistic oncotherapy.

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Alleviates Insomnia in Different Chinese Medicine Syndrome Types: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects and safety of catgut embedding on alleviating insomnia.@*METHODS@#Totally 510 patients with insomnia were divided into 5 Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome types: Xin (Heart) and Pi (Spleen) deficiency, yin deficiency with excess fire, Xin and gut qi deficiency, Wei (Stomach) disorder, and qi and blood deficiency, respectively. These 5 types of patients were randomly assigned to a catgut embedding group, an acupuncture group or a medication group (30 cases in Xin and Pi deficiency type, Wei disorder type, Xin and gut qi deficiency type, respectively; 40 cases in yin deficiency with excess fire type and qi and blood deficiency type, respectively). In the catgut embedding group, patients were treated by implanting catgut into acupoints once every 10 days for a total of 30 days. In the acupuncture group, patients were treated with acupuncture once per day over 30 days (excluding weekends); and patients in the medication group took 1 mg Eurodin Tablet orally every night for 30 days. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was evaluated before treatment, on 30 and 60 days after the first treatment, respectively. The International Unified Sleep Efficiency Value (IUSEV) was measured at 30 and 60 days. The safety was evaluated after treatment and adverse events were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The objective PSQI scores including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction, and total scores at 30 days were significantly improved compared with pre-treatment in the catgut embedding and acupuncture groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At 30 days, the PSQI scores in catgut embedding group were superior to the medication group in the patients with each type of insomnia, with the exception of sleep duration (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At 60 days, significant differences were found between the catgut embedding group and the medication group (P<0.01 for all indices). The IUSEV scores in the catgut embedding group were significantly higher than the acupuncture group at 60 days, and the scores in acupuncture group were higher than the medication group at 30 days (P<0.05 for all types). No severe adverse events were found in this study.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Acupoint catgut embedding and acupuncture were more effective than medication in alleviating insomnia syndrome in different Chinese medicine syndrome type. However, the sustained effects of acupoint catgut embedding were superior to acupuncture.

Influences of Chinese herbal compound Qinghuayin on serum IL-10 ,NO , GAS and plasma MTL in animal model of chronic atrophic gastritis in rats / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the effects of Chinese herbal compound Qinghuayin on the pathological changes of gastric mucosa and interleukin-10 (IL-10) ,nitric oxide (NO) ,gasmn (GAS) and motilin (MTL) in the serum in the animal model of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG ) in rats .Methods We divided 53 Wistar rats randomly into blank control group (n=8) and CAG model group (n=45) ,and the animal model of CAG in rats was replicated by combination of disease and syndrome .After confirming the sampled rat model was successful built , the other 40 CAG rats in CAG model group were divided into model group ,vitacoenzyme tablet group ,low-dosage TMC group ,medium-dosage TMC group ,and high-dosage TMC group (each group n=8) .With the corresponding drug intervention to different rats for 30 days , the rats were executed . Then their blood was drawn from the abdominal aorta and the gastric tissue was taken to analyze the changes of serum IL-10 ,NO ,GAS and MTL concentrations and gastric mucosa pathology . Results Compared with blank control group , model group had various degrees of gastric mucosa atrophy ; decreased concentrations of serum IL-10 and GAS ; increased NO and MTL ( P<0 .01 ) .Compared with model group,Qinghuayin could improve gastric mucosa pathology in different degrees and increase the concentrations of IL-10 and GAS . Decrease the concentrations of NO and MTL( P<0 .05 or P<0 .01 ) . What's more. The curative effect in high-dosage TMC group was better( P<0. 01 ). Conclusion Chinese herbal compound Qinghuayin can effectively regulate the lopsided expressions of serum IL-10 . NO .GAS and MTL and reverse the pathological and histological changes in the gastric mucosa of CAG rats .

Observations on the Efficacy of Shoulder-three-points Warm Needling Moxibustion plus Conventional Rehabilitation in Recovery from Rotator Cuff Repair / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of shoulder-three-points warm needling moxibustion plus conventional rehabilitation in recovery from arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Method Seventy patients who had undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for rotator cuff injury were enrolled and randomly allocated to groups A and B, 35 cases each. Group A received conventional rehabilitation and group B, shoulder-three-points warm needling moxibustion in addition. Functional activity and pain in the affected shoulder were scored using the American Shoulder Elbow Scale (ASES), the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Scale and the Constant-Murley Shoulder Outcome Score in the two groups before and after treatment.Result There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the ASES, UCLA and Constant-Murley scores in the two groups (P0.05) and a significant difference in the UCLA pain subscore (P<0.01) between groups A and B. Conclusion shoulder-three-points warm needling moxibustion plus conventional rehabilitation training can markedly promote postoperative rehabilitation and especially relieve postoperative pain in patients with rotator cuff injury. It provides a new idea for clinical shoulder rehabilitation in the future.

Novel Chemical Ligands to Ebola Virus and Marburg Virus Nucleoproteins Identified by Combining Affinity Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics Approaches.

The nucleoprotein (NP) of Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) is an essential component of the viral ribonucleoprotein complex and significantly impacts replication and transcription of the viral RNA genome. Although NP is regarded as a promising antiviral druggable target, no chemical ligands have been reported to interact with EBOV NP or MARV NP. We identified two compounds from a traditional Chinese medicine Gancao (licorice root) that can bind both NPs by combining affinity mass spectrometry and metabolomics approaches. These two ligands, 18ß-glycyrrhetinic acid and licochalcone A, were verified by defined compound mixture screens and further characterized with individual ligand binding assays. Accompanying biophysical analyses demonstrate that binding of 18ß-glycyrrhetinic acid to EBOV NP significantly reduces protein thermal stability, induces formation of large NP oligomers, and disrupts the critical association of viral ssRNA with NP complexes whereas the compound showed no such activity on MARV NP. Our study has revealed the substantial potential of new analytical techniques in ligand discovery from natural herb resources. In addition, identification of a chemical ligand that influences the oligomeric state and RNA-binding function of EBOV NP sheds new light on antiviral drug development.

[Mechanism of anti-aging therapy on Parkinson's disease].

Many studies have shown that anti-aging treatment has value to prevention and treatment of some diseases. For the treatment of Parkinson' s disease, clinical and experimental researches have proved the potential value of anti-aging treatment, yet the mechanism remains unclear. For this reason, this work used the anti-aging prescriptions of Buyang Huanwu decoction in traditional Chinese medicines example to discover the anti-aging treatment mechanism on Parkinson's disease. The results showed that the mechanism of mitochondrial damage, apoptosis, free radicals and oxidative stress could contribute to the treatment of Parkinson' s disease. Buyang Huanwu decoction is more than as the carrier in this article, the discovered anti-aging treatment mechanism Parkinson's disease is not confined to Buyang Huanwu decoction, could also be used to understand the anti-aging treatment mechanism using other prescription. The main contribution of this paper is to clarify the mechanism of anti-aging treatment of Parkinson's disease, and provide a new strategy for the treatment and prevention of Parkinson's disease.

Comparative Study on Different Doses of Warm Needling for Knee Osteoarthritis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of different doses of warm needling in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Method Sixty-seven KOA patients were randomized into group A of 16 cases, group B of 17 cases, group C of 18 cases, and group D of 16 cases. Group A, B, and C were intervened by warm needling, 1 moxa cone for group A, 2 cones for group B, and 3 cones for group C. Group D was intervened by intra-articular injection with Sodium hyaluronate. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (LKSS) were evaluated before and after intervention.Result The VAS and LKSS scores were significantly changed in the four groups after intervention (P<0.01). After intervention, the VAS and LKSS scores in group B and C were significantly different from that in group A (P<0.05,P<0.01). After intervention, the VAS and LKSS scores in group B and C were significantly different from that in group D (P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Warm needling is an effective method in treating KOA, and warm needling with 2 moxa cones can produce the best effect.

Effect of ear-acupoint pressing and Ear Apex (HX6,7) bloodletting on haemorheology in chloasma patients with Gan depression pattern / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutical effect of ear-acupoint pressing combined with Ear Apex (HX6,7) bloodletting on haemorheology in chloasma patients with Gan (Liver) depression pattern.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 180 chloasma patients were randomly assigned to three groups, 60 cases in each. Patients in the earacupuncture (EA) group were treated with ear-acupoint pressing combined with Ear Apex (HX6,7) bloodletting; vitamins C and E were put into practice in the Western medicine (WM) group together with 0.025% tretinoin cream for local external application; patients in the placebo group were treated with urea-cream by external use, while 30 healthy volunteers were in the control group. After a treatment course of 2 months, the changes of haemorheology, injury skin area, colour score and symptom score before and after the treatment were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference on whole blood reduced viscosity (high shear, medium shear, and low shear), erythrocyte aggregation index, hematocrit, plasma viscosity among the four groups (F =2.65, P>0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the whole blood viscosity (high shear) and whole blood reduced viscosity (high shear) after treatment in the EA group, the WM group and the placebo group were with no statistical significance (P>0.05). The injury skin area and colour score after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment in the EA group and the WM group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in placebo group (P>0.05). Clinical symptoms of the EA group were obviously improved after the 2-month treatment, which was significantly different compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), there was significant difference compared with those of WM group and placebo group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There was no significant difference on haemorheology index between healthy people and chloasma patients without angionosis, cerebrovascular disease, hematopathy, metabolic disease or any other organic disease. Ear-acupoint pressing combined with Ear Apex (HX6,7) bloodletting can effectively improve concurrent symptoms, lighten chloasma and lower chloasma area in patients accompanied by Gan depression.</p>

Effect of salvianolic acid A and C compatibility on inflammatory cytokines in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of salvianolic acid A and C component molecules, which are involved in drug compatibility, on inflammatory cytokine expression that affects human chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) and chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) levels in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). METHODS: Fifty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal, model, salvianolic acid A, salvianolic acid C and salvianolic acid A and C groups. The normal group was used as the control, and the other groups of rats had a UUO model established. The control group had free access to food and water, and the other groups received the corresponding drugs for 2 weeks. After the last administration, urine ß2-microglobulin (ß 2-MG) and N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) levels were analyzed. After 24 h, all rats were sacrificed and the serum was analyzed for creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Rat kidneys were removed, and CCL5 and CXCL10 inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression was measured using real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Kidney fibrosis was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson trichrome staining. RESULTS: In the salvianolic acid A and salvianolic acid C treatment groups, serum Cr and urine NAG levels were significantly lower than in the model group (both P < 0.05). In all treatment groups, urine ß2-MG levels were significantly lower than in the model group (all P < 0.05). Compared with model group, the pathological changes and collagen deposition improved to varying degrees (both P < 0.05). CCL5 and CXCL10 mRNA expression decreased to different degrees compared with the model group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Salvianolic acid A and C are component molecules of drug compatibility, and they may protect renal function and improve tubular function and renal pathology to a certain degree in UUO. This improvement may be related to a reduction in inflammatory cytokines CCL5 and CXCL10 secretion in the UUO rat kidney.

[Hypouricemic effect of ethanol extracts from Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ethanol extracts from Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma on hyperuricemic mice. METHODS: The hyperuricemia was induced by gavage of hypoxanthine and subcutaneous injection of potassium oxonate (model A) or subcutaneous injection of uric acid (model B) in ICR male mice. The mice in ethanol extracts groups were administrated with Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma ethanol extracts 5.4 g/kg by gavage, the positive control groups were given with 10 mg/ml allopurinol or 5 mg/ml benzbromarone by gavage, respectively. The plasma uric acid levels were measured by using HPLC. RESULTS: The plasma uric acid levels of model group, control group and ethanol extract group in model A mice were (40.03±27.24), (4.08±1.47) and (18.10±8.87) g/mL (compared with model group, P <0.05), respectively. The plasma uric acid levels of model group, control group and ethanol extract group in model B mice were (18.57±3.83), (4.29±2.36) and (15.36±2.71) g/mL (compared with model group, P <0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: The ethanol extracts from Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma have certain hypouricemic effect in hyperuricemic mice induced by hypoxanthine and potassium oxonate or by uric acid.

Curcumin treatment suppresses CCR7 expression and the differentiation and migration of human circulating fibrocytes.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Recent studies have demonstrated that circulating fibrocytes contribute to the formation and development of fibrosis. Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound isolated from turmeric, has been shown to have anti-fibrotic effects in various organs. We and others have demonstrated that curcumin beneficially affects the development of fibrosis. However the effect of curcumin on circulating fibrocytes has not been reported. METHODS: Human circulating fibrocytes were isolated from leukocyte concentrates of healthy human donors and identified based on the expression of CD34, CD45, collagen I (COLI), and chemokine receptor CCR7 (CCR7) via flow cytometry. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to evaluate cell viability. The effect of curcumin on the differentiation and migration of human circulating fibrocytes was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry and a transwell migration assay. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 secretion was examined by ELISA. RESULTS: Curcumin treatment (72 h; 20 µM) significantly decreased the expression of COL I, α-SMA and CCR7, as well as TGF-ßl secretion, in human circulating fibrocytes. The inhibitory effect of curcumin on the differentiation and migration of human circulating fibrocytes is likely via regulating the CCR7/CCL21 signaling pathway, in particular by reducing CCR7 expression. These observed effects may be beneficial in resolving fibrosis by suppressing TGF-ß1 secretion. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that curcumin has the potential to suppress the differentiation and migration of circulating fibrocytes, which would provide new explanation for curcumin's application in the development of fibrosis in various organs.

Clinical safety studies based on 30 026 post-marketing cases of Shenqi Fuzheng injection by intensive hospital monitoring nested NCCS / 中国中药杂志

This study adopted a large sample, multicenter, registered hospital centralized monitoring nested prospective case-control study design. From the real world clinical application of Shenqi Fuzheng injection, monitored 30 026 cases of patients with the use of Shenqi Fuzheng injection. A total of 51 adverse drug reaction (ADR) cases was monitored, including 1 case of severe adverse reactions. ADR incidence rate was 1.7 per 1,000. Blood samples were collected from patients with allergic reactions and their matched controls. Related biological indicators of allergic reactions were unified detected and analysed in order to explore the mechanism of allergic reaction and promote the clinical safety.

[Extract of Herba Siegesbeckiae on mouse rheumatoid arthritis induced by anthrogen-CIA monoclonal antibody].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Herba Siegesbeckiae extracts on mouse rheumatoid arthritis induced by arthrogen-CIA monoclonal antibody. METHODS: The rheumatoid arthritis was induced by arthrogen-CIA arthritogenic monoclonal antibody in mice. The sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the concentration of IL-1ßin mouse serum,and the content of IL-6,IL-17 and MMP-3 in supernatant of tissue homogenate of hind limb below the stifle of mice. One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The toe swelling was attenuated in Siegesbeckiae group than that in model group [(0.218 ± 0.0307)cm(3) compared with (0.2545 ± 0.0179)cm(3), P<0.05]. The serum IL-1ß level in Siegesbeckiae group was lower than that in model group [(63.74 ± 21.74)pg/ml compared with (104.96 ± 31.22)pg/ml, P<0.01]. The contents of IL-6, IL-17 and MMP-3 in tissue supernatants of Siegesbeckiae group were all lower than those of model group [(171.10 ± 48.35)pg/ml compared with (249.64 ± 75.08)pg/ml, P<0.05; (115.42 ± 56.52)pg/ml compared with (208.40 ± 88.54)pg/ml, P<0.05;(3660.31 ± 1680.99) pg/ml compared with (5420.79 ± 1201.43)pg/ml, P<0.05, respectively]. CONCLUSION: The extract of Herba Siegesbeckiae has anti-inflammatory effect on mouse rheumatoid arthritis induced by mixed arthrogen monoclonal antibody.

[Effects of Corbrin Shugan capsule on dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Corbrin Shugan capsule on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by DMN in AD rats. The serum concentrations of III pro-collagen (III PC),laminin (LN) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) were determined with ELISA. The concentration of albumin (ALB) in sera and the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in liver tissues were determined with chemical colorimetric and HPLC, respectively. The fibrosis area was measured with Motic Med 6.0 digital medical image analysis system. RESULTS: Compared to model group the high-dose (450 mg kg(-1)),mid-dose (270 mg kg(-1)) and low-dose (90 mg kg(-1)) groups of Corbrin Shugan capsule had significantly lower serum content of III PC [34.46 ± 13.95),(36.15 ± 9.46), and (40.58 ± 7.72)ng ml(-1) compared with (49.38 ± 10.95)ng ml(-1),P<0.05 or P<0.01],TIMP-1 [(16.65 ± 4.24),(16.66 ± 4.34),and (18.99 ± 6.05)ng ml(-1) compared with (30.84 ± 14.48)ng ml(-1), P<0.05 or P<0.01], LN [(12.94 ± 4.29), (12.96 ± 3.21),and (15.32 ± 8.00)ng ml(-1) compared with (30.22 ± 17.00)ng ml(-1),P<0.05 or P<0.01] and smaller hepatic fibrosis area [(0.02240 ± 0.01337), (0.02176 ± 0.01460) and (0.02384 ± 0.01405)µm(2) compared with vs (0.03929 ± 0.01732)µm2, P<0.05 or P<0.01]; the high-dose and mid-dose groups of Corbrin Shugan capsule had significantly lower content of Hyp in liver tissues [(0.77 ± 0.09) and (0.81 ± 0.09)µg µmg(-1) compared with (1.06 ± 0.33)µg mg(-1),P<0.05 or P<0.01]; and the high-dose group of Corbrin Shugan capsule significantly increased the content of ALB in sera [(34.02 ± 4.17)g L(-1) compared with (30.25 ± 4.21)g L(-1),P<0.05]. CONCLUSION: Corbrin Shugan capsule is effective in treatment of DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

[Corbrin shugan capsule for treatment of alcoholic hepatic fibrosis in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Corbrin shugan capsule for treatment of alcoholic hepatic fibrosis in rats. METHODS: The rat model of alcoholic hepatic fibrosis was induced by intragastric administration of alcohol repeatedly. The serum procollagen III (PC III), laminin (LN) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels were measured with ELISA, and the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in liver tissue were determined with colorimetric method. Collagen deposition in liver tissue was observed with Masson's staining, and the fibrosis area was measured with digital medical image analysis system (Motic Med 6.0). RESULTS: Compared with the model control group, the serum TIMP-1 and LN levels and hepatic fibrosis area in liver tissue significantly decreased in Corbrin shugan capsule groups with doses of 0.09,0.27 and 0.45 g*kg(-1), and the serum PC III and the Hyp contents in liver tissue also decreased of Corbrin shugan capsule groups with doses of 0.27 and 0.45g*kg(-1). CONCLUSION: Corbrin shugan capsule can decrease serum PC III, TIMP-1 and LN levels and Hyp levels in liver tissue and hepatic fibrosis area in rats, indicating it may have therapeutic effect on alcoholic hepatic fibrosis.

Identification and characterization of the soybean IPK1 ortholog of a low phytic acid mutant reveals an exon-excluding splice-site mutation.

Phytic acid (myo-inositol 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 hexakisphosphate) is an important constituent of soybean meal. Since phytic acid and its mineral salts (phytates) are almost indigestible for monogastrics, their abundance in grain food/feed causes nutritional and environmental problems; interest in breeding low phytic acid has therefore increased considerably. Based on gene mapping and the characteristics of inositol polyphosphates profile in the seeds of a soybean mutant line Gm-lpa-ZC-2, the soybean ortholog of inositol 1,3,4,5,6 pentakisphosphate (InsP(5)) 2-kinase (IPK1), which transforms InsP(5) into phytic acid, was first hypothesized as the candidate gene responsible for the low phytic acid alteration in Gm-lpa-ZC-2. One IPK1 ortholog (Glyma14g07880, GmIPK1) was then identified in the mapped region on chromosome 14. Sequencing revealed a G → A point mutation in the genomic DNA sequence and the exclusion of the entire fifth exon in the cDNA sequence of GmIPK1 in Gm-lpa-ZC-2 compared with its wild-type progenitor Zhechun No. 3. The excluded exon encodes 37 amino acids that spread across two conserved IPK1 motifs. Furthermore, complete co-segregation of low phytic acid phenotype with the G → A mutation was observed in the F(2) population of ZC-lpa x Zhexiandou No. 4 (a wild-type cultivar). Put together, the G → A point mutation affected the pre-mRNA splicing and resulted in the exclusion of the fifth exon of GmIPK1 which is expected to disrupt the GmIPK1 functionality, leading to low phytic acid level in Gm-lpa-ZC-2. Gm-lpa-ZC-2, would be a good germplasm source in low phytic acid soybean breeding.

[Protective effect of Jiangbaiweiyan tablet on ethanol-induced gastric mucosa injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Jiangbaiweiyan tablet, a Chinese medicine compound composed of Alpinta Officinarum, Cyperus Rotundus, Bulbus Lilii and Rlindera Strychnifolia, on ethanol-induced gastric mucosa injury in rats. METHODS: Acute gastric ulcer was induced in rats with absolute ethyl alcohol. The ulcer index was used to evaluate the extent of the gastric mucosa injury. RESULTS: The ulcer indexes of the model group, the mid-dose (1.08 g x kg(-1) x d-(-1)1) and high-dose (2.16 g x kg(-1) x d-(-1)) of Jiangbaiweiyan tablet groups were 141.58±47.43, 24.83±23.04 and 2.12±2.58, respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Jiangbaiweiyan tablet has protective effects on ethanol-induced gastric mucosa injury in rats, which may be related to anti-oxidation and enhancing tissue regeneration capacity.