Juglanin ameliorates UVB­induced skin carcinogenesis via anti­inflammatory and proapoptotic effects in vivo and in vitro.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces skin injury, and is associated with the development and formation of melanoma, which is a highly lethal form of skin cancer. Juglanin is a natural product, which is predominantly extracted from Polygonum aviculare, and is considered a functional component among its various compounds. Juglanin has been reported to exert marked protective effects in various diseases via the inhibition of inflammation and tumor cell growth. The present study aimed to explore the effects of juglanin on human skin cancer induced by UV and to reveal the underlying molecular mechanism. In the present study, immunohistochemical analysis, western blot analysis, RT-qPCR analysis and flow cytometry assays were mainly used in vivo and/or in vitro. The results indicated that in mice, UVB exposure increased susceptibility to carcinogens, and accelerated disease pathogenesis. Conversely, juglanin was able to ameliorate this condition via inhibition of inflammation, suppression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis via p38/c­Jun N­terminal kinase (JNK) blockage, nuclear factor (NF)­κB inactivation and caspase stimulation in vivo. In addition, in vitro, the present study demonstrated that treatment of UVB­stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells with juglanin resulted in a dose­dependent decrease in cell viability, as well as increased apoptosis via the upregulation of caspase expression and poly (ADP­ribose) polymerase cleavage. In addition, juglanin markedly attenuated p38/JNK signaling, inactivated the phosphoinositide 3­kinase/protein kinase B pathway and suppressed UVB­induced NF­κB activation. Taken together, these results indicated the possibility of applying juglanin in combination with UVB as a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing skin cancer.

[Effect of wet dressing with Jingjielianqiao decoction on healing of acute radiation-induced skin ulcers in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the pharmacodynamics of Jingjielianqiao decoction in promoting the healing of acute radiation-induced skin ulcers in mice. METHODS: Skin ulcers were induced in mice by radiation, and Jingjielianqiao decoction, rivanol or normal saline was applied for the treatment. The swelling of the legs was measured in mice using volumetric method, and the ulcer area after treatment was compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the anti-inflammatory effects between Jingjielianqiao decoction group and rivanol group (P>0.05), but a significant difference was noted between Jingjielianqiao decoction group and normal saline group and also between rivanol group and normal saline group (P<0.01). Significant differences were observed in the ulcer healing among the 3 groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Jingjielianqiao decoction can significantly suppress radiation-induced acute inflammation and shows better effect than rivanol in promoting the healing of acute radiation-induced skin ulcer in rats.

[Effects of Huafenqinutang and vardenafil for treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome with concomitant erectile dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Huafenqinutang combined with vardenafil for the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) with erectile dysfunction. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-eight cases diagnosed as CP/CPPS with erectile dysfunction were randomized into trial group (70 cases) and control group (68 cases) for treatment with Huafenqinutang for 8 weeks, and in the former group, vardenaffil was added since the fifth weeks. All the cases were evaluated according to NIH-CPSI and IIEF-5 scores at 4 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: At the end of the fourth weeks, NIH-CPSI score was 13.1-/+4.7 in the trial group and 13.3-/+4.5 in the control group, which were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05) but significantly decreased compared with the pre-treatment scores in both groups (P<0.01). IIEF-5 score was also similar between the two groups (14.1-/+3.3 vs 14.3-/+5.0, P>0.05) but significantly increased compared with the pre-treatment scores in both groups (P<0.01). At the end of the eighth week, NIH-CPSI score was 7.8-/+2.2 and IIEF-5 score 20.1-/+4.4 in the trial group, which were significantly different from those at the end of the fourth week (P<0.01). In the control group, NIH-CPSI score was 12.7-/+2.3 and IIEF-5 score 14.3-/+4.5 at the eighth week, similar to those at the end of the fourth week (P>0.05). There were significant differences in NIH-CPSI and IIEF-5 scores between the 2 groups (P<0.01), and the change of NIH-CPSI score was negatively correlated with IIEF-5 score in the trial group (r=-0.89, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: For patients with CP/CPPS with erectile dysfunction, Huafenqinutang treatment in combination with vardenafil can effectively improve the erectile functions and decrease the NIH-CPSI score to favor the recovery from CP/CPPS.

[Jingjielianqiao Decoction promotes leg ulcer healing in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Jingjielianqiao Decoction in promoting leg ulcer in rabbits. METHODS: Nine adult male New Zealand albino rabbits with chronic leg ulcers were randomized into 3 groups, namely group A treated with Jingjielianqiao Decoction, group B with Shengjiyuhong Decoction, and group C with normal saline. Gross observation of the wounds was carried out regularly for evaluating the changes in the ulcerous area, depth and wound surface excretion. After 3 weeks of treatment, the tissues on the edge of the ulcer were sampled and prepared for routine pathological examination, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD34. The number of blood vessels and their areas were also recorded. RESULTS: The wounds showed no significant differences between the 3 groups by gross observation during the treatment, but after completion of the 3-week treatment, routine pathological examination and electron microscopy revealed significant differences between the groups. Immunohistochemistry for VEGF and CD34 yielded comparable results between groups A and B (positive control), but showed significant differences between group C and the other two groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Jingjielianqiao Decoction and Shengjiyuhong Decoction can obviously promote the healing of leg ulcer in rabbits.

[Effect of Jingjielianqiao decoction on healing of skin ulcer in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacodynamics of Jingjielianqiao decoction in promoting the healing of skin ulcer in mice. METHODS: Mouse models of skin ulcer were established by inducing skin trauma and scald, respectively. The skin ulcer of the mice was treated with Jingjielianqiao decoction or recombinant human epithelial growth factor (rhEGF), and the ulcer area after treatment was compared between the two groups and with their respective self control. Inflammatory cell infiltration in the ulcer was observed under the microscope. RESULTS: Compared with the self-control group, the skin ulcer area of mice treated with Jingjielianqiao decoction was reduced obviously (P<0.001), and the inflammatory cell infiltration also alleviated (P<0.001). Jingjielianqiao decoction produced significantly better therapeutic effect than rhEGF. CONCLUSION: Jingjielianqiao decoction can obviously improve the healing of skin ulcer in mice with better effect than rhEGF.