Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Extracted from Lycium barbarum Leaves Ameliorates Asthma in Mice by Reducing Inflammation and Modulating Gut Microbiota.

This study was designed to explore the impact of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on inflammation and gut microbiota in mice with allergic asthma. Mice were divided into four groups: control group, OVA (ovalbumin) group, Con+LBP group, OVA+LBP group. After 28 days of LBP intervention, mice were euthanized and associated indications were investigated. Histopathological examination demonstrated that LBP reduced lung injury. The results of our current study provide evidence that supplementation with LBP in asthmatic mice decreases TNF, IL-4, IL-6, MCP-1, and IL-17A in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Sequencing and analysis of gut microbiota indicated that compared with the OVA group, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were increased, but Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Alistipes, and Clostridiales were decreased in the OVA+LBP group. We also found that gut microbiota were related to inflammation-related factors. Therefore, we speculate that LBP may improve allergic asthma by altering gut microbiota and inhibiting inflammation in mice.

[Effect of total saponins from Sanguisorba officinalis on megakaryocyte progenitor cells proliferation, differentiation and relative receptor expression].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of total saponins from Sanguisorba officinalis (DYS) on hematopoietic cell proliferation, differentiation and the expression level of IL-3R and c-kit. METHOD: Baf3 and 32D cells were cultured with or without IL-3, then the cells were exposed to DYS in different concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg x L(-1) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours separately. After that, the cell proliferation and differentiation capacity were determinated by the methods of CCK8 and Giemsa staining separately. The effects of DYS on the expression level of IL-3 receptor in Baf3 cells and the expression level of c-kit in 32D cells were determinated using RT-PCR. RESULT: DYS promotes alone proliferation of Baf3 cells and 32D cells after 48 h. In contrast to control cells, 32D cells containing DYS without IL-3 form many large clusters. DYS also increases the proliferation when cultured with IL-3. High concentration of DYS induce alone the differentiation of 32D cells and increase alone the number of the polyploidy megakaryocyte. Moreover, DYS increases alone the expression level of IL-3R in Baf3 cells and the expression level of c-kit in 32D cells separately. CONCLUSION: Our data shows DYS can promote alone proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocyte progenitor cells. The proliferative and differentiative effect of DYS on megakaryocyte progenitor cells is correlated to the up-regulation of IL-3 receptor and c-kit expression.

Preliminary experimental research on the mechanism of liver bile secretion stimulated by peppermint oil.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the choleretic effect and molecular mechanisms of action of peppermint oil (PO), the main component of Danshu capsules (Sichuan Jishengtang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Pengzhou, Sichuan Province, China). METHODS: Bile secretion was measured by biliary drainage in rats. Total bile acids, total cholesterol and bilirubin in bile were determined. Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels were assessed in HepG2 cells (a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: PO significantly promoted bile and bile acid secretion in rats. It also increased bile acid efflux and decreased cholesterol levels (P < 0.01) in bile. In HepG2 cells the mRNA levels of CYP7A1 and FXR were significantly upregulated after treatment with PO. CONCLUSIONS: PO stimulates bile fluid secretion and thus has a choleretic effect. PO might play a role in upregulating CYP7A1 and FXR mRNA levels, suggesting that the molecular mechanisms are related to gene expression involved in bile acid synthesis.

A new triterpene and an antiarrhythmic liriodendrin from Pittosporum brevicalyx.

A new triterpene, 21-O-senecioyl-R(1)-barrigenol (1) and 13 known compounds were isolated from the ethanol extracts of the leaves and bark of Pittosporum brevicalyx (Oliv.) Gagnep. Their structures were elucidated based on spectral data. The antiarrhythmic action of one furofuran lignan, liriodendrin (2), was tested on a model of CaCl(2)-induced arrhythmia and compared with the effect of verapamil. The prophylactic administration of liriodendrin (2) was effective in prolonging latency of arrhythmia and reducing the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation from 75% to 25%. The overall mortality rate was significantly reduced by the prophylactic administration of liriodendrin from 87.5% to 25%. The antiarrhythmic effect of liriodendrin (5.0 mg/kg) was similar to that of verapamil (1.05 mg/kg). Thus, liriodendrin may be a potent suppressor of CaCl(2)-induced arrhythmias.

[KeLuoXin medicated serum extract inhibits high glucose-induced proliferation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in rat mesangial cell].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanism of KeLuoXin (KLX) capsule on rat mesangial cell proliferation induced by high glucose. METHODS: Rat mesangial cells (HBZY-1) were cultured in vitro and stimulated with high glucose(30 mmol/L glucose) for different time after the treatment with or without KLX medicated serum extract, the proliferation was assessed by cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: KLX could significantly inhibit HBZY-1 cell proliferation induced by high glucose (P < 0.05). In addition, KLX could reduce the increase of the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 (P < 0.01), which was induced by high glucose in HBZY-1 cells. CONCLUSION: KLX can inhibit rat mesangial cell proliferation, and the mechanisms may relate to the interruption of ERK1/2-Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.

New agents in development for breast cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes the continuing value of some therapeutic drugs and new agents under development for the treatment of breast cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: Overexpression and activation of various growth factor receptors occurs frequently in human breast cancer. Therapeutic approaches mainly involve the epidermal growth factor receptor family, insulin-like growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. Therapeutic agents targeting these receptors include the monoclonal antibodies trastuzumab and pertuzumab, and the small-molecule inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib. Other small-molecule and dual inhibitors are in development, some of which have been demonstrated to have higher efficacy in the treatment of breast cancer. The selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors continue to be valuable in the endocrine therapy of breast cancer. These drugs have been shown to have higher efficacy than conventional therapy agents, and to have extensive potential, especially in the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. SUMMARY: Approved agents including epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted inhibitor, selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors continue to be valuable in treating breast cancer. To overcome the acquired resistance caused by these agents and to enhance the therapy effect, the development of new and specific dual inhibitors targeting various growth factor receptors will be important in the future.

Four new benzofurans from seeds of Styrax perkinsiae.

Four new benzofurans trans-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-methoxy-2-[2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-benzofuran-5-yl]benzofuran (1), (E)-5-(2-formylvinyl)-7-methoxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)benzofuran (2), 5-(3-butanoyloxypropyl)-7-methoxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)benzofuran (3), and 5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-hydroxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) benzofuran (4) were isolated from the seeds of Styrax perkinsiae, together with egonol (5), demethoxyegonol (6), egonol acetate (7), demethoxyegonol acetate (8), egonol glucoside (9), egonol gentiobioside (10), egonol gentiotrioside (11), beta-sitosterol (12), and beta-daucosterol (13). Their structures were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 4 exhibited cytotoxic activity in vitro using two breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231.

Steroidal saponins from Myriopteron extensum and their cytotoxic activity.

Two new steroidal saponins, extensumsides A ( 1) and B ( 2), were isolated from the whole plants of Myriopteron extensum (Wight) K. Schum. Their structures were elucidated as 17 beta-uzarigenin-3- O- beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)- beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)- beta-thevetopyranosyl-(1-->4)- beta-cymaropyranoside ( 1) and 12-(3-methylbut-2-enoyloxy)pregn-5-en-20-one 3- O-[beta-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-thevetopyranosyl-(1-->4)-(6- O-sulfo-beta-glucopyranoside)] ( 2) on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence. Extensumside A exhibited significant cytotoxicity against eight cancer cell lines with a mean GI (50) value of 0.346 microg/mL.

[Influence of Pueraria thomsonii on insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of Pueraria thomsonii on insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone. METHOD: 3T3-L1 adipocytes model of insulin resistance was made by dexamethasone and the change of glucose concentration in cell culture was determined after action of drugs. Rat animal model of insulin resistance was made by intramuscular dexamethasone (1 mg x kg(-1), every other day), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting serum insulin (FINS) were enamined, and at the end of the experiment, insulin sensitive index (ISI) and insulin resistance index (IRI) were calculated. RESULT: P. thomsonii decreased the concentration of glucose in 3T3-L1 adipocytes culture significantly and improved the sensitivity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to insulin. P. thomsonii improved the sensitivity of rats to insulin and diminished the fasting serum insulin and insulin resistance index. CONCLUSION: P. thomsonii can significantly improve insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone.

[Screening of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors from Salvia miltiorrhizae].

OBJECTIVE: To screen angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) from traditional Chinese medicine, Salvia miltiorrhiza. METHOD: Hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions of S. miltiorrhiza were isolated, and their effective components were screened by a fluorimetric assay for inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). RESULT: Water-soluble fractions, total salvianolic acids and salvianolic acid B markedly decreased ACE activity of rabbit lung tissue. Their IC50 value were (2.45 +/- 0.07), (0.24 +/- 0.02), (0.02 +/- 0.01) g x L(-1) respectively. Lipophilic components or phenanthraquinones including tanshinone I and II showed no changes on the activity of ACE. CONCLUSION: S. miltiorrhiza inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme and its active components are in aqueous extract, in which the main were salvianolic acids including salvianolic acids B.