Further studies on the hepatoprotective effect of Antrodia camphorata in submerged culture on ethanol-induced acute liver injury in rats.

To further understand the hepatoprotective activity of Antrodia camphorata in living systems and the possible mechanisms of this protection, the effects of fractions from A. camphorata in submerged culture on the liver and its antioxidative system in acute ethanol intoxicated rats were investigated. The results showed that the ethanolic extract (Fr-I) of A. camphorata was the most effective in the prevention of ethanol-induced acute liver injury and free radical generation in rats. The ethanolic extract administrated prior to ethanol significantly prevented the increase in serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. It also normalised the increase of hepatic malondialdehyde concentration and the decrease of glutathione levels in the liver. Moreover, Fr-I improved the ethanol-induced decrease of hepatic glutathione peroxidase and reductase activities. On the basis of these results, the ethanolic extract of A. camphorata may exert its hepatoprotective activity by up-regulating GSH-dependent enzymes and inhibiting free radical formation in the liver.

Protective effects of mycelia of Antrodia camphorata and Armillariella tabescens in submerged culture against ethanol-induced hepatic toxicity in rats.

The hepatoprotective effects of the mycelia of Antrodia camphorata and Armillariella tabescens were evaluated in vivo using acute ethanol-intoxicated rats as an experimental model. Animals were orally treated with Antrodia camphorata (0.5 or 1.0 g/kg b.w.) or Armillariella tabescens (0.5 or 1.0 g/kg b.w.) for 10 days whereas controls received vehicle only. At the end of the experimental 10-day period, the animals were administered by gavage with an acute ethanol dose of 5.0 g/kg b.w. diluted in deionized water (6:4, v/v) and sacrificed at 18 h after ethanol administration. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters like serum transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin. Meanwhile, the histopathological studies were carried out to support the above parameters. Administration of Antrodia camphorata or Armillariella tabescens markedly prevented ethanol-induced elevation of levels of serum AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin comparable with standard drug silymarin.

Induction of apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells by polysaccharide-peptide GFPS1b from the cultured mycelia of Grifola frondosa GF9801.

The biological function of GFPPS1b, a novel polysaccharide-peptide isolated from cultured mycelia of Grifola frondosa GF9801, was well investigated. GFPS1b has anti-tumor activity and can significantly inhibit the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells, whereas slightly influences the growth of human normal liver cell line L-02. When treated with GFPS1b, SGC-7901 cells showed typical apoptotic morphological features such as the loss of villus and appearance of apoptotic bodies on the cell surface, volume reduction, and chromatin condensation, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescent microscopy (Hoechst 33342). The results of flow cytometry analysis and annexin V-PI assay showed that the SGC-7901 cell cycle was arrested in the G(2)/M phase, the subdiploid peak of DNA characteristic of apoptotic was also observed, and the apoptosis ratio was about 15.08%. DNA isolated from SGC-7901 cells cultured with GFPS1b showed a typical DNA 'ladders' of apoptosis in agarose gel electrophoresis. Further investigation results showed that the apoptotic machinery of SGC-7901 induced by GFPS1b was associated with drop in mitochondrial trans-membrane potential, upregulation of Bax, downregulation of Bcl-2, and activation of caspase-3. Our finding suggests that GFPS1b could suppress SGC-7901 cell growth and reduce cell survival via arresting cell cycle and inducing apoptosis of tumor cells.

[Inhibitory effect of weikangfu recipe on growth of mouse S180 tumor and its apoptotic induction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the growth inhibition of Weikangfu recipe on S180 tumor and its apoptotic induction. METHOD: S180-bearing mice were orally administrated with different dosages of Weikangfu recipe, and the growth inhibition was evaluated; apoptotic cells induced were detected by flow cytometry and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULT: Weikangfu recipe showed significant inhibition on the growth of S180 tumor in a dose-dependent manner, compared with the control group. From apoptotic analyses, Weikangfu recipe induced a dose-dependent apoptosis of S180 tumor cells and arrested the cell cycle distribution at G0-G1 phase. At the same time, the up-regulation of p53 and bax and down-regulation of bcl-2 were observed in S180 tumor cells of the treated groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that Weikangfu recipe can significantly inhibit the growth of S180 tumor and induce apoptosis through expression alteration of p53, bax and bcl-2.

[Studies on active substance of anticancer effect in Polygonum cuspidatum].

OBJECTIVE: To supply the scientific basis of research and development of the medicinal value of Polygonum cuspidatum. METHODS: One composition was isolated from the roots of Polygonum cuspidatum by cytotoxicity based fractionation and identified by HPLC-MS, UV scanning and IR. The inhibition and morphology of L-02, Hep G2, SHZ-888, MCF-7, MCF-7/ADM cells growth caused by this composition was determined by MTT assay and HE dyeing. RESULTS: This composition was identified as trans-and cis-resveratrol. It could specifically inhibit proliferation of many cancer cells but not human normal liver cell. We investigated the cytotoxicity of resveratrol to adriamycin-resistant MCF-7 cell in virtro. CONCLUSION: Resveratrol is a new anticancer composition which is less toxicity and higher efficiency in Polygonum cuspidatum.