Effects of tea polyphenols and their polymers on MAPK signaling pathways in cancer research.

The biological activities and mechanisms of tea polyphenols and their polymerics have been attractive issues in cancer research. The inhibition of tea polyphenols on cancer cells decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Tremendous evidences have shown that tea polyphenols suppress tumor promotion by inhibiting enzyme activities and blocking signal transduction pathways. Specifically, the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways have been implicated as an important target molecular for cancer prevention and therapy. The purpose of this review is to discuss the relationship between tea polyphenols and MAPK signaling pathways in cancer.

The changes of catechins during the fermentation of green tea.

The dynamics of tea catechins and organic acids in fermented fluid and yeast cells were studied. The concentration of eight kinds of catechins solution decreased by from 29.6% to 47.6%, respectively, some catechins were absorbed and accumulated by yeast cells, but the amount in the cells was very low during the fermentation process. The investigation of catechins resolved in four citrate buffers with a pH range of 2.6-5.6 for 18 h showed that most catechins were stable in buffer solutions of pH 4.6 and 5.6, and significant losses took place in solutions of pH 2.6 and 3.6. However, most catechins were released and recovered by adjusting the pH value to 5.6, which suggested that catechins in extremely acidic buffer solutions might reversibly combine each other or with other compounds.

Isolation of immunoglobulin from egg yolk by anionic polysaccharides.

Isolation conditions of immunoglobulin in egg yolk (IgY) were optimized by the addition of various levels of Na-alginate (Alg), lambda-carrageenan (lambda-Cg), Na-carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and pectin (PC) to 6-fold diluted yolk. The mixtures were then reacted at pH 4.0-6.0 for 30 min. The optimal isolation conditions of IgY for Alg, lambda-Cg, and CMC were at the 0.1% level and at pH 5.0, while those for PC were at the 0.15% level and at the same pH. The remaining lipid and remaining protein in the supernatants thus obtained was 0.5-3.8% and 10-17%, respectively, and more than 90% of lipoproteins were precipitated. The IgY recovery was determined to be 33-74% by means of single radial immunodiffusion method when IgY was isolated under the optimal conditions. PC showed the best recovery of IgY, while lambda-Cg provided the least. The interactions between polysaccharides and lipoproteins were mainly ionic bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and hydrogen bonds as determined by the addition (0-2.0 M) of NaSCN or urea to the polysaccharide-lipoprotein precipitates.

[Inhibitory activity of Dianthus superbus L. and 11 kinds of diuretic Traditional Chinese medicines for urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the susceptibility of urogenital chlamydia trachomatis(CT) to 12 kinds of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines. METHODS: The inhibitory activity of these medicines for CT was detected by microculture technique of McCoy cell in vitro. RESULTS: All the 12 kinds of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines had inhibitory activities for urogenital CT, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) from 0.122 mg.ml-1 to 62.5 mg.ml-1. The activities of Dianthus superbus L., Poria cocos(Shcw.) Woft, Polyporus umbellatus and Artemissia capillaris were stronger. The number and volume of CT inclusions reduced gradually and disappeared finally with the rise of concentration. CONCLUSION: All the 12 kinds of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines possess some inhibitory activity for urogenital CT.