Yangfei Kongliu Formula, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, combined with cisplatin, inhibits growth of lung cancer cells through transforming growth factor-β1 signaling pathway / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the tumor inhibition effect of Yangfei Kongliu Formula (YKF), a compound Chinese herbal medicine, combined with cisplatin (DDP) and its action mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>C57BL/6 mice with Lewis lung carcinoma were divided into six groups: control group (C), DDP group (2 mg/kg, DDP), low-dose YKF group (2.43 g/kg, L), high-dose YKF group (24.3 g/kg, H), low-dose YKF combined with DDP group (L + DDP) and high-dose YKF combined with DDP group (H + DDP). Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3) and Smad7 levels were measured with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze the expressions of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>YKF combined with DDP significantly inhibited the growth and metastasis of tumors relative to the control group, and YKF groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between high-dose YKF group and low-dose YKF group (P > 0.05). We also found that the expression levels of TGF-β1 and Smad3 were both significantly decreased by YKF relative to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, after treatment with YKF combined with DDP, the expression levels of TGF-β1 and Smad3 were decreased but the expression level of Smad7 was increased relative to the DDP group (P < 0.05). Compared to the DDP group, the combination of YKF and DDP enhanced the effect of tumor inhibition (P < 0.05), showing obvious synergy between YKF and DDP. Treatment with DDP or YKF decreased serum levels of IL-2 and TNF-α relative to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression levels of IL-2 and TNF-α were significantly decreased when treated with YKF in combination with DDP. Co-treatment with YKF and DDP significantly inhibited tumor growth, decreased the expressions of TGF-β1, Smad3, IL-2 and TNF-α and increased the expression of Smad7; these differences were significant relative to both YKF groups and the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YKF can inhibit tumor growth synergistically with DDP, mainly through the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.</p>

Chemical of Vitex trifolia / 中国中药杂志

A new steroidal ester, beta-rosaterol palmitate (1) along with ten known compounds, uvaol(2), 3-epi-ursolic acid (3), 2alpha, 3beta, 24-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (4), 2alpha, 3alpha, 24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (5), 2alpha, 3alpha, 24-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (6), 2alpha, 3alpha, 24-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (7), (Z)-9-hexadecenoic acid (8), octacosyl alcohol (9), beta-sitosterol (10) and beta-daucosterol (11), has been isolated from the stems and leaves of Vitex trifolia. Their structures were elucidated using a combination of 1D and 2D NMR techniques (COSY, HMQC, and HMBC)and HR-ESI-MS analyses. Compounds 2-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Morinda officialis how extract improves microwave-induced reproductive impairment in male rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of different concentrations of Morinda Officialis How (MOH) extracts on microwave radiation-induced injury to the spermatogenic function of male rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty SD male rats were equally divided into four groups: control, microwave injury model, aqueous extract of MOH treatment, and alcohol extract of MOH treatment. Models of microwave-induced injury were made by exposing the rats to microwave radiation from a microwave signal generator (900 MHz 1.0 W) at 218 microm/cm2, 12 h/d, for 2 weeks. The model rats of the two treatment groups were intragastrically given aqueous extract and alcohol extract of MOH, respectively, both at 20 g per kg per day for 2 weeks. Then we observed the growth, capture incubation period (CIP), capture times (CT), changes in testicular and epididymal weight and morphology, sperm concentration and malformation, and levels of serum testosterone.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the controls, the rats of the model group showed a slightly reduced body weight, markedly prolonged CIP and decreased CT (P < 0.05), significantly reduced sperm concentration (P < 0.05) and remarkably in- creased sperm malformation (P < 0.05), but no statistically significant differences in the testosterone level. The two treatment groups exhibited obviously decreased body weight, CIP and sperm malformation compared with the control group (P < 0.05) but markedly increased CT, sperm concentration and testosterone level as compared with the models (P < 0.05). The microwave radiation-induced testis injury was repaired perfectly in the two treatment groups, the epididymal ducts filled with sperm and cast-off cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both aqueous and alcohol extracts of MOH can promote spermatogenesis and repair of reproductive injury induced by microwave radiation.</p>

Triterpenes from root of Rhaponticum uniflorum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of the root of Rhaponticum uniflorum.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Separation and purification were performed on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structure were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical and spectral analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Five triterpenoid compounds were isolated and identified as ursolic acid (1), 3-oxo-19alpha-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), pomolic acid (3), arjunic acid (4) and tormentic acid (5), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1 approximately 5 were isolated from the genus Rhaponticum for the first time.</p>

Studies on the anticancer effects of total alkaloid from Viscum coloratum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the anticancer effects of total alkaloid from Viscum coloratum in vivo and vitro.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>In vitro, MTT assays were used t o measure the inhibitory effect. Cells at period of logarithmic growth were incubated for 24 hours. Then total alkaloid of various concentrations were added. 24 hours later, supernatant was removed and MTT was added. 4 hours after that, DMSO was added, then 30 minutes later, A value was measured. In vivo, suspension of carcinoma cells was implanted in the mice's limbs subcutaneously, 0.2mL each. 24 hours later, the mice were grouped randomly. Fed by total alkaloid continuously for 7 days, the mice were sacrificed. The tumors were weighed and calculated the inhibitory rates.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In vitro, it shows that total alkaloid has prominent inhibitory effect on the growth of carcinoma cells. In vivo, it shows that total alkaloid can inhibit the growth of tumors and prolong the survival days of the mice bearing tumors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Total alkaloid from Viscum coloratum has the activities of anticancer.</p>

Studies on chemical constituents of Galeopsis bifida / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chemical constituents of Galeopsis bifida.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Various chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated by chemical and spectral analyses.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>Ten compounds were isolated and identified as chrysoeriol(1), 5,7-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyflavone(2), hederagenin(3), daucosterol(4), martynoside(5), ajugoside(6), 8-acetyl harpagid(7), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3'-methoxyflavone-7-O-beta-D-glucoside(8), 5,6,7,4'-tetrahydroxyflavone-7-O-beta-D-glucoside(9) and 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (10). Compound 6, 7 were found from genus Galeopsis for the first time and rest of compounds were found from G. bifida for the first time.</p>