Jujuboside A attenuates norepinephrine-induced apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes by modulating MAPK and AKT signaling pathways.

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is closely associated with the pathogenesis of heart failure. Jujuboside A (JUA) is a type of saponin isolated from the seeds of Zizyphus jujuba. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that JUA possesses multiple biological effects, including antianxiety, antioxidant and anti­inflammatory activities. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of JUA on norepinephrine (NE)­induced apoptosis of H9c2 cells and to investigate its underlying mechanisms. Rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes were pretreated with JUA and were then exposed to NE as an in vitro model of myocardial apoptosis. A cell viability assay, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, all revealed that NE induced H9c2 cell apoptosis. The results demonstrated that NE inhibited cell viability, and enhanced cell damage and apoptosis of H9c2 cells. Conversely, pretreatment with JUA was able to reverse NE­induced decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, JUA suppressed upregulation of the B­cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl­2)­associated X protein/Bcl­2 ratio, and inhibited the increased protein expression levels of cleaved caspase­3 and cleaved caspase­9 following NE exposure. However, the protein expression levels of cleaved caspase­12 and cleaved caspase­8 were not significantly altered following exposure to NE or JUA pretreatment. In addition, in JUA­pretreated cells, the protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)­p38 and p­c­Jun N­terminal kinase were downregulated compared with in NE­treated cells. Furthermore, JUA regulated the activation of extracellular signal­regulated kinase (ERK) in NE­treated cells and significantly increased the expression levels of p­AKT. Taken together, these data suggested that JUA may protect against NE­induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes via modulation of the mitogen­activated protein kinase and AKT signaling pathways. Therefore, JUA may be considered a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of heart disease.

Yimu San improves obstetric ability of pregnant mice by increasing serum oxytocin levels and connexin 43 expression in uterine smooth muscle.

Prolonged farrowing remains one of the critical challenges in intensive pig farming. This study aims to explore the effects and mechanism of Yimu San (YMS), a Chinese veterinary medicine micro mist, on delivery ability with mouse models. Thirty-two pregnant mice were randomly divided into a control group and low-YMS, med-YMS, and high-YMS groups. The labor process time and stillbirth rate were recorded, the levels of serum oxytocin and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Contractility measurements of the isolated uterus and the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in uterine smooth muscle were evaluated. The results showed that compared with the control group, the birth process time and stillbirth rate in the med-YMS and high-YMS groups were remarkably lower. The in vitro uterine contractions, levels of oxytocin, PGE2, and Cx43 in the med-YMS and high-YMS groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. The differences of the above measurements between the low-YMS group and the control group were not obvious. It can be speculated that YMS could significantly promote labor in pregnant mice by enhancing the levels of oxytocin, Cx43, and PGE2.

Spaceflight-induced variation on biological traits and effective components of Cassia obtusifolia.

The dry seeds of Cassia obtusifolia were carried by the "ShenZhou 8" satellite and sowed after landing. Based on our pri- or study on SP1, the characteristics of plants growth, physiological index and content of effective components were examined. The results showed that the QC10, QC29 strains matured 5 d earlier compared with control. The plant height, across diameter and ground diameter of QC10, QC29, QC46 strains was superior to the control at whole growth period. The branch number increased ranging from 4 to 11 and the number of pods reached 321, 313,281, respectively, which was dramatically higher than the control (246). The yield of QC10, QC29, QC46 strains increased noticeably from 31.4 to 63.2 g. The 1000-seed-weight of QC10, QC29, QC46 strains was 25.86, 25.88, 24.06 g, while the control was 23.69 g. Compared to the control, the mass fraction of chlorophyll was enhanced 1.098, 1.016, 0.297 mg. There was no significant difference in aurantio-obtusin and chrysophanol content of seeds. Through two years research, three high-yield mutant strains were obtained. This study indicates that spaceflight-induced mutants could provide new germplasm for C. obtusifolia breeding and offers the theoretical basis for further utilization of spaceflight-induced mutation to breed high-quality C. obtusifolia strains.

[Correlation analysis between meteorological factors, biomass, and active components of Salvia miltiorrhiza in different climatic zones].

In this study, the growth and accumulation of active components of Salvia miltiorrhiza in twenty two experimental sites which crossing through three typical climate zones. The S. miltiorrhiza seedlings with the same genotype were planted in each site in spring, which were cultivated in fields with uniform management during their growing seasons till to harvest. The diterpene ketones (dihydrotanshinone, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone II(A)) in S. miltiorrhiza root samples were determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The biomass of root (root length, number of root branches, root width and dry weight) was also measured. The results showed that tanshinone II(A) in all samples of each site were higher than the standards required by China Pharmacopoeia. It has been found there is a relationship between root shape and climate change. The correlation analysis between active components and meteorological factors showed that the accumulation of tanshinones were effected by such meteorological factors as average relative humidity from April to October > average vapor pressure from April to October > average temperature difference day and night from April to October > annual average temperature and so on. The correlation analysis between root biomass and meteorological factors exhibited that root shape and accumulation of dry matter were affected by those factors, such as average annual aboveground (0-20 cm) temperature from April to October > annual average temperature > average vapor pressure from April to October > annual active accumulated temperature > annual average temperature > average vapor pressure from April to October. The accumulation of tanshinones and biomass was increased with the decrease of latitude. At the same time, the dry matter and diameter of root decreased if altitude rises. In addition, S. miltiorrhiza required sunlight is not sophisticated, when compared with humid and temperature. To sum up, S. miltiorrhiza can adapt to a variety of climatic conditions and the southern warm humid climate is more conducive to its growth and accumulation of active components.

[Effect of light quality on growth, photosynthesis and effective components of Panax notoginseng].

In order to discover light quality's effects on growth, photosynthesis and effective components content of Panax notoginseng, a pot experiment using 7 light qualities (red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, violet, and blue) was conducted. The growth, photosynthesis and content change of effective components were measured during plant growth. The results showed that light qualities had significant effect on plant growth, red light increased the plant height, while cyan, yellow, violet, and blue lights promoted accumulation of biomass underground, blue and yellow lights increased the photosynthesis, cyan light increased accumulation of ginsenoside Rd, yellow and cyan lights increased total effective components of individual plant.

Roles of reactive oxygen species in methyl jasmonate and nitric oxide-induced tanshinone production in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots.

Salvia miltiorrhiza is one of the most popular traditional Chinese medicinal plants for treatment of coronary heart disease. Tanshinones are the main biological active compounds in S. miltiorrhiza. In this study, effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MJ) and nitric oxide (NO) on tanshinone production in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots were investigated and the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MJ and NO-induced tanshinone production were elucidated further. The results showed that contents of four tanshinone compounds were significantly increased by 100 µM MJ when compared to the control. Application of 100 µM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a donor of NO, also resulted in a significant increase of tanshinone production. Expression of two key genes encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) was up-regulated by MJ and SNP. Generations of O(2)(-) and H(2)O(2) were triggered by MJ, but not by SNP. The increase of tanshinone production and up-regulation of HMGR and DXR expression induced by MJ were significantly inhibited by ROS scavengers, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). However, neither SOD nor CAT was able to suppress the SNP-induced increase of tanshinone production and expression of HMGR and DXR gene. In conclusion, tanshinone production was significantly stimulated by MJ and SNP. Of four tanshinone compounds, cryptotanshinone accumulation was most affected by MJ elicitation, while cryptotanshinone and tanshinone IIA accumulation was more affected by SNP elicitation. ROS mediated MJ-induced tanshinone production, but SNP-induced tanshinone production was ROS independent.

Taguchi approach for anti-heat stress prescription compatibility in mice spleen lymphocytes in vitro.

Heat stress (HS) may induce immunosuppression as well as inhibit the proliferation of lymphocytes. This study evaluated the effects on immune function of our prescription on splenic lymphocytes under HS as well as its compatibility. The effects of four herbal extracts from Agastache rugosa, Atractylodes lancea, Cortex Phellodendri, and Gypsum Fibrosum on heat treated splenic lymphocytes were investigated and the compatibility of the prescription was also explored by using the Taguchi method. This study revealed changes in proliferation by traditional Chinese medicines of splenic lymphocytes after HS. Proliferation in the HS group was significantly lower than the control group. Under HS, the effects of higher concentrations of Agastache rugosa (100 and 200 µg/mL), Atractylodes lancea (100 and 200 µg/mL), Cortex Phellodendri (50 and 100 µg/mL) and Gypsum Fibrosum (100 and 200 µg/mL) caused a significant increase on ConA/LPS-induced proliferation of lymphocytes than lower concentrations. We, therefore, conclude that the prescription of traditional Chinese medicines may recover splenic lymphocytes from the immunosuppression induced by HS. The Taguchi design, which allows rapid and high efficiency for the selection of the best conditions for our prescription on HS-treated splenic lymphocytes, demonstrated that Agastache rugosa (200 µg/mL), Atractylodes lancea (200 µg/mL), Cortex Phellodendri (100 µg/mL) and Gypsum Fibrosum (100 µg/mL) were the optimal conditions for the prescription. The validation experiment confirmed that our composition in optimum extraction conditions enhanced effects on ConA or LPS-stimulated lymphocytes under HS. The results showed that the Taguchi optimization approach is a suitable method for optimization of the composition of prescription.

[Analysis of the chemical constituents of volatile oil from the Folium Rhododendri Daurici by supercritical CO2 extraction].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the chemical constituents of volatile oils from Folium Rhododendri Daurici between supercritical CO2 extraction (SCE-CO2) and steam distillation (SD). METHODS: The chemical constituents of volatile oils obtained by two methods were analyzed by GC-MS. RESULTS: 52 compounds in the volatile oil extracted by SCE-CO2 and 48 compounds in the volatile oil extracted by SD were separated and identified separately. There were 45 same components. CONCLUSION: The chemical constituents obtained by SCE-CO2 and SD are approached.

Protective effects of phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol on beta amyloid25-35 induced oxidative damage in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

Although experimental evidence has shown that the neuroprotective effect from estrogen may benefit postmenopausal women, but the clinical use of estrogen was limited by the risk of increasing the cases of mammary and endometrial cancer. This study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of a novel phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol (alpha-ZAL), on the cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Following a 24-h exposure of the cells to amyloid beta-peptide fragment 25-35 (A beta 25-35), a significant reduction in cell survival and activities of total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as increased of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed. Preincubation of the cells with alpha-ZAL or 17 beta-estradiol(17 beta-E2) prior to A beta 25-35 exposure elevated the cell survival and SOD and GSH-Px activities, and decreased the level of MDA. These data suggested that the phytoestrogen alpha-ZAL, like estrogen, may effectively antagonize A beta 25-35-induced cell toxicity, which might be beneficial for neurons.

Treatment with phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol might protect neurons of hippocampus in ovariectomized rats.

Although neuroprotective effects of estrogen on postmenopausal women have been recognized, an associated increased incidence of uterine and breast tumors has jeopardized the clinical use of estrogen. This study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of a novel phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol (alpha-ZAL), on ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Adult Wistar rats were ovariectomized or sham-operated and treatment with equivalent doses of 17beta-estradiol or alpha-ZAL for 5 wk. Uteruses have been weighted and stained by hematoxylin and eosin for morphology analysis. The expression of synaptophysin and parvalbumin in hippocampus were evaluated by immunohistochemistry assays. Our experiments indicated that the synaptophysin and parvalbumin-positive areas were significantly decreased in the OVX group compared to the sham group, alpha-ZAL or 17beta-estradiol administration can reverse the effects. Although alpha-ZAL and 17beta-estradiol treatments reconciled uterus weight loss which was induced by ovariectomy, the effect of alpha-ZAL was less than 17beta-estradiol. This result suggests that alpha-ZAL may effectively abate neurons loss in the hippocampus while slightly promoting weight gain of the uterus.