Effects of electroacupuncture on the PI3K/Akt/CREB signaling pathway and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in diabetic cognitive impairment rats. / ç”µé’ˆå¯¹ç³–å°¿ç— è®¤çŸ¥åŠŸèƒ½éšœç¢å¤§é¼ PI3K/Akt/CREBä¿¡å·é€šè·¯å’Œæµ·é©¬ç¥žç»å ƒå‡‹äº¡çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway-related proteins and hippocampal neuron apoptosis in diabetic cognitive impairment (DCI) rats, and to explore the mechanisms of EA in treating DCI. METHODS: Adult male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, and EA groups, with 12 rats in each group. The animal model of DCI was replicated using a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin. The EA group received EA stimulation at "Yishu" (EX-B6), "Zusanli" (ST36), "Baihui" (GV20), and "Dazhui" (GV14). Blood glucose contents of the rats in each group were measured. The Morris water maze test was used to assess the learning and memory abilities of rats. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 neurons. Nissl staining was used to observe the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 neurons. TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt, as well as CREB, p-CREB, cysteine aspartate pro-tease (Caspase)-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2 related X protein (Bax) in the hippocampal tissue of rats. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the rats' random blood glucose contents were significantly increased (P<0.01), the escape latency prolonged (P<0.01), and the original platform crossing counts reduced (P<0.01) in the model group. Significant damage to hippocampal CA1 neurons, a significantly increased neuronal apoptosis index (P<0.01), decreased ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt and expression of CREB, p-CREB and Bcl-2 proteins, increased expression of Caspase-3 and Bax proteins (P<0.01) were observed in the hippocampal tissue of rats in the model group. Compared with the model group, the rats in the EA group showed decreased random blood glucose content (P<0.01), shortened escape latency (P<0.01), increased original platform crossing counts (P<0.01), improved quantity and pathological morphology and ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 neurons, reduced neuronal apoptosis index (P<0.01), increased ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt, and expression of CREB, p-CREB and Bcl-2 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the hippocampal tissue, and decreased expression of Caspase-3 and Bax proteins (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EA can improve the learning and memory abilities of rats with DCI, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of PI3K/Akt/CREB signaling pathway-related proteins, which attenuates the neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus of rats, and improves the neural function.

Electroacupuncture improves cognitive impairment in diabetic cognitive dysfunction rats by regulating the mitochondrial autophagy pathway.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction has become a major public health concern. However, the mechanisms driving this disease are elusive. Herein, we explored how electroacupuncture improves learning and memory function in diabetic rats. METHODS: The diabetic model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were fed on high-fat and high-sugar diets. Learning and memory functions were assessed using behavioral tests. The hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Western blotting, real-time PCR, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) was performed to test related indicators. RESULTS: High-fat and high-sugar diets impaired learning and memory function in rats, while electroacupuncture treatment reversed these changes. The model group presented highly prolonged escape latency compared to the control group, indicating impaired learning and memory functions. The TEM examination showed that electroacupuncture enhanced Aß clearance and mitochondrial autophagy in hippocampal neuronal cells by increasing DISC1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Electroacupuncture improves learning and memory function in diabetic rats by increasing DISC1 expression to promote mitophagy. This enhanced Aß clearance, alleviating cytotoxicity in hippocampal neuronal cells.

[Effect of moxibustion on autophagy in mice with Alzheimer's disease based on mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of moxibustion on autophagy and amyloid ß-peptide1-42 (Aß1-42) protein expression in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) double-transgenic mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: After 2-month adaptive feeding, fifty-six 6-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic AD mice were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group, a rapamycin group and an inhibitor group, 14 mice in each group. Another 14 C57BL/6J mice with the same age were used as a normal group. The mice in the moxibustion group were treated with monkshood cake-separated moxibustion at "Baihui"(GV 20), "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) for 20 min; the mice in the rapamycin group were intraperitoneally injected with rapamycin (2 mg/kg); the mice in the inhibitor group were treated with moxibustion and injection of 1.5 mg/kg 3-methyladenine (3-MA). All the treatments were given once a day for consecutive 2 weeks. The morphology of hippocampal tissue was observed by HE staining; the ultrastructure of hippocampal tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy; the expression of Aß1-42 protein in frontal cortex and hippocampal tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry; the expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) and phosphorylated p70S6K (p-p70S6K) protein in hippocampus were detected by Western blot method. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the number of neuron cells was decreased, cells were necrotic and deformed, and autophagy vesicle and lysosome were decreased in the model group. Compared with the model group, the number of neuron cells was increased, cell necrosis was decreased, and autophagy vesicle and lysosome were increased in the moxibustion group and the rapamycin group. Compared with the normal group, the protein expressions of Aß1-42, mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K and p-p70S6K in the model group were increased (P<0.05); compared with the model group, the protein expressions of Aß1-42, mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K and p-p70S6K in the moxibustion group, rapamycin group and inhibitor group were decreased (P<0.05); compared with the inhibitor group, the protein expressions of Aß1-42, mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K and p-p70S6K in the moxibustion group and rapamycin group were decreased (P<0.05); compared with the rapamycin group, the protein expressions of mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K and p-p70S6K in the moxibustion group were decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion could enhance autophagy in hippocampal tissue of APP/PS1 double transgenic AD mice and reduce abnormal Aß aggregation in brain tissue, the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway.

Inhibitors of HIF-1α and CXCR4 Mitigate the Development of Radiation Necrosis in Mouse Brain.

PURPOSE: There is mounting evidence that, in addition to angiogenesis, hypoxia-induced inflammation via the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)-CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of late-onset, irradiation-induced necrosis. This study investigates the mitigative efficacy of an HIF-1α inhibitor, topotecan, and a CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100, on the development of radiation necrosis (RN) in an intracranial mouse model. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Mice received a single-fraction, 50-Gy dose of hemispheric irradiation from the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion and were then treated with either topotecan, an HIF-1α inhibitor, from 1 to 12 weeks after irradiation, or AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, from 4 to 12 weeks after irradiation. The onset and progression of RN were monitored longitudinally via noninvasive, in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from 4 to 12 weeks after irradiation. Conventional hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry staining were performed to evaluate the treatment response. RESULTS: The progression of brain RN was significantly mitigated for mice treated with either topotecan or AMD3100 compared with control animals. MRI-derived lesion volumes were significantly smaller for both of the treated groups, and histologic findings correlated well with the MRI data. By hematoxylin-eosin staining, both treated groups demonstrated reduced irradiation-induced tissue damage compared with controls. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry results revealed that expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, CXC chemokine ligand 12, CD68, CD3, and tumor necrosis factor α in the lesion area were significantly lower in treated (topotecan or AMD3100) brains versus control brains, while ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and HIF-1α expression was similar, though somewhat reduced. CXCR4 expression was reduced only in topotecan-treated mice, while interleukin 6 expression was unaffected by either topotecan or AMD3100. CONCLUSIONS: By reducing inflammation, both topotecan and AMD3100 can, independently, mitigate the development of RN in the mouse brain. When combined with first-line, antiangiogenic treatment, anti-inflammation therapy may provide an adjuvant therapeutic strategy for clinical, postirradiation management of tumors, with additional benefits in the mitigation of RN development.

Complexation of chlorpropham with hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin and its application in potato sprout inhibition.

The effect of hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HPßCD) on the improvement of chlorpropham (CIPC) as a potato sprout inhibitor was investigated. The formation of complex was confirmed by FT-IR spectra, thermoanalysis, (1)H NMR and ROESY. The stoichiometry and stability constant were determined by Job's plot and phase solubility studies, respectively. The inclusion complex CIPC·HPßCD has exhibited different properties from CIPC. The obtained inclusion complex was found to significantly improve the water solubility, thermal stability and dissolution rate of CIPC. In addition, the complex displayed a better effect on sprout inhibition.

A new genus and species of Macrosiphini (Hemiptera, Aphididae) from China, living on Isodon eriocalyx.

The aphid genus Nigritergaphis gen. n. is described, and N. crassisetosa sp. n. on Isodon eriocalyx (Dunn) Kudô (Lamiaceae) from Yunnan, China is described and illustrated. The new species curls and distorts the leaves of this important traditional Chinese medicinal plant, and is evidently specific to this host. Holotype and paratypes are deposited in the National Zoological Museum of China, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.

Rapid screening and structural elucidation of a novel sibutramine analogue in a weight loss supplement: 11-desisobutyl-11-benzylsibutramine.

A novel analogue of sibutramine, 11-desisobutyl-11-benzylsibutramine, has been discovered. During routine ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) screening of a weight loss supplement collected at an US FDA import operation facility an unknown peak was observed. Further analysis of the supplement by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and high resolution mass spectrometry revealed an unknown peak with a relative retention time of 1.04 with respect to sibutramine and a predicted formula of C20H24NCl. In order to elucidate the analogue's structure, it was isolated from the supplement and characterized by tandem mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which revealed the analogue possessed a benzyl moiety at the 11 position in place of the isobutyl group associated with sibutramine.

[Studies on diterpenoids from Andrographis paniculata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the diterpenoids in the 85% ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata. METHOD: Fourteen diterpenoids from the 85% EtOH extract were isolated by the silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography and HPLC, and their structures were identified by the spectal analyses and chemical evidences. RESULT: The 14 compounds were obtained and identified as neoandrographolide (1), 3, 14-di-deoxyandrographolide (2), andrographolide (3), 14-deoxy-11, 12-didehydroandrographolide (4), 19-hydroxy-8 (17), 13-labdadien-15, 16-olide (5), 14-deoxy-andrographolide (6), 3-oxo-14-deoxy-andrographolide (7), isoandrographolide, (8), bisandrographolide (9, 10, 11), deoxyandrographiside (12), 14-deoxy-11, 12-didehydroandrographiside (13), andrographiside (14), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compound 7 was a new natural product, and compound 5 was obtained for the first time from the Andrographis species.

[Studies on flavonoids of Andrographis paniculata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the flavonoids of the aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata. METHOD: Twelve flavonoids from the 85% EtOH extract were isolated by the silica gel column, Sephadex LH-20 column, ODS column chromatography and HPLC, and their structures were identified by the spectal analyses and chemical evidences. RESULT: The 12 compounds were obtained and identified as 7-O-methylwogonin (1), 7-O-methyldihydrowogonin (2), 5-hydroxy-7, 8, 2', 5'-tetramethoxy-flavone (3), skullcapflavone-2'-methoxylether (4), 5-hydroxy-7, 8, 2', 3'-tetramethoxyflavone (5), 5, 4'-dihydroxy-7, 8, 2', 3'-tetramethoxyflavone (6), dihydroskullcapflavone (7), 5, 7, 8-trimethoxydihydroflavone (8), 5, 2'-dihydroxy-7, 8-dimethoxyflvone (9), andrographidine C (10), 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxyflavone (11), 5, 7, 3', 4'-tetrahydroxyflavone (12). CONCLUSION: Compound 6 is a new naturally occurring product isolated from A. paniculata, and compound 8, 11 and 12 are obtained for the first time from the Andrographis species.

Studies on diterpenoids from Andrographis paniculata / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the diterpenoids in the 85% ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Fourteen diterpenoids from the 85% EtOH extract were isolated by the silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography and HPLC, and their structures were identified by the spectal analyses and chemical evidences.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The 14 compounds were obtained and identified as neoandrographolide (1), 3, 14-di-deoxyandrographolide (2), andrographolide (3), 14-deoxy-11, 12-didehydroandrographolide (4), 19-hydroxy-8 (17), 13-labdadien-15, 16-olide (5), 14-deoxy-andrographolide (6), 3-oxo-14-deoxy-andrographolide (7), isoandrographolide, (8), bisandrographolide (9, 10, 11), deoxyandrographiside (12), 14-deoxy-11, 12-didehydroandrographiside (13), andrographiside (14), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 7 was a new natural product, and compound 5 was obtained for the first time from the Andrographis species.</p>

Studies on flavonoids of Andrographis paniculata / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the flavonoids of the aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Twelve flavonoids from the 85% EtOH extract were isolated by the silica gel column, Sephadex LH-20 column, ODS column chromatography and HPLC, and their structures were identified by the spectal analyses and chemical evidences.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The 12 compounds were obtained and identified as 7-O-methylwogonin (1), 7-O-methyldihydrowogonin (2), 5-hydroxy-7, 8, 2', 5'-tetramethoxy-flavone (3), skullcapflavone-2'-methoxylether (4), 5-hydroxy-7, 8, 2', 3'-tetramethoxyflavone (5), 5, 4'-dihydroxy-7, 8, 2', 3'-tetramethoxyflavone (6), dihydroskullcapflavone (7), 5, 7, 8-trimethoxydihydroflavone (8), 5, 2'-dihydroxy-7, 8-dimethoxyflvone (9), andrographidine C (10), 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxyflavone (11), 5, 7, 3', 4'-tetrahydroxyflavone (12).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 6 is a new naturally occurring product isolated from A. paniculata, and compound 8, 11 and 12 are obtained for the first time from the Andrographis species.</p>

New furostanol glycosides from the rhizomes of Dioscorea futschauensis R. Kunth.

Two new furostanol glycosides, 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,26-dihydroxy-23(S)-methoxyl-25(R)-furosta-5,20(22)-dien-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 --> 2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1 --> 3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (dioscoreside E, 1) and 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,26-dihydroxy-25(R)-furosta-5,20(22)-dien-3-O-alpha-Lrhamnopyranosyl(1 --> 2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (prtotogracillin, 2), together with 11 known furostanol glycosides were isolated from the rhizomes of Dioscorea futshauensis R. Kunth. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis (NMR and FABMS). Their anti-fungal activity against the plant pathogenic fungus Pyricularia oryzae and cytotoxic activity on K562 cancer cell line were evaluated in vitro.