Dietary proanthocyanidins alleviated ovarian fibrosis in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats.

This study investigated the effects of proanthocyanidins (PCs) on ovarian fibrosis in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in rats. The administration of PCs effectively reduced the body weight (BW) and relative ovarian weight in PCOS rats. ELISA results revealed that PCs significantly reduced the level of serum T, LH, LH/FSH in the PCOS group. In addition, qRT-PCR results revealed that treatment with PCs significantly increased the main antioxidant enzymes (Cat, Sod2, Gpx3, Mgst1, Gsta4, Sod1 and Prdx3) in PCOS rats. Also, the expression analysis of proteins by Western blotting revealed that PCs significantly decreased the level of TGF-ßR1, p-Smad3, p-Smad2 and Smad4 and reversed the downregulation of Smad7 in PCOS rats. The study suggested that PCs improved ovarian fibrosis in PCOS rats by regulating the serum hormone level, inhibiting oxidative stress and suppressing the activation of the TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Currently, plant extracts are being widely used to treat female reproductive and metabolic disorders. Particularly, proanthocyanidins (PCs), the well-known natural polyphenolic compounds, which are a significant source of antioxidants present in many colored fruits, are consumed as fruits as well as a dietary supplement to prevent many disorders. Recent pharmacological studies have reported that PCs have many health beneficial properties, such as antioxidant activity, improving cholesterol homeostasis, blood lipid regulatory properties, microcirculation improvement effect, antitumor activity and anti-aging activity. Despite these properties of PCs, the antifibrosis effect of PCs has not been studied to date. The main purpose of this study was to research the role and the mechanisms of PCs in ovarian fibrosis in PCOS rats.

Protective activity of mogroside V against ovalbumin-induced experimental allergic asthma in Kunming mice.

We investigated the antiasthmatic effect of mogroside V (Mog V) in mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. Administration of Mog V effectively attenuated OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and reduced the number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Histological examination showed that Mog V reduced the inflammatory infiltration of the lungs in the asthmatic mice. ELISAs suggested that Mog V effectively decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in BALF and serum levels of OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 in the asthmatic mice. A quantitative reverse-transcription PCR assay also indicated that Mog V decreased the mRNA levels of IL-17A, IL-23, and RORγt in the lungs of the asthmatic mice (the opposite effect on Foxp3 mRNA). Furthermore, Mog V significantly reduced the OVA-induced activation of NF-κB in the lungs. This study indicates that Mog V alleviates OVA-induced inflammation in airways, and this effect is associated with a reduction in NF-κB activation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: A traditional Chinese medicine herb has been reported to have a strong curative effect on asthma in clinical practice. Siraitia grosvenorii is known in China as a functional food product with the ability to improve lung function. Mogroside V is a triterpene glycoside isolated from S. grosvenorii. Nonetheless, the antiasthmatic effect of mogroside V has not been evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiasthmatic activity of mogroside V in mice with chemically induced asthma. The data from this study will provide some scientific evidence supporting wider use of S. grosvenorii in functional foods.

Total flavonoids extracted from Nervilia Fordii function in polycystic ovary syndrome through IL-6 mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Large doses of flavonoids could cure many diseases with no serious side effects. However, the role of flavonoids in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has not been reported. Therefore, total flavonoids extracted from Nervilia Fordii were selected to explore its therapeutic efficiency in PCOS. PCOS rat model was constructed to explore the role of total flavonoids in the treatment of PCOS. ELISA was used to assess the changes of ovulation function under the treatment of total flavonoids with or without exogenous interleukin-6 (IL-6). Western blot, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were carried out to assess the related molecular mechanisms. We explored that total flavonoids obviously increased the serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and sharply decreased the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and insulin (INS) in the PCOS-IR rats via partly inhibiting the activation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway, partially up-regulating the IL-6 expression and partially down-regulating the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression in ovaries of PCOS rats. The effect of total flavonoids on estrous cycles, serum levels of FSH, LH, T and INS were partially attenuated by IL-6 in PCOS rat model. Moreover, IL-6 significantly reversed the effect of total flavonoids on the phosphorylation of JAK2/STAT3, the expression of IL-6 and SOCS3 in ovaries of PCOS rats. Total flavonoids extracted from Nervilia Fordii might induce the expression of IL-6 in ovary and act as a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of PCOS.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of the petroleum ether portion of Nervilia fordii].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the petroleum ether portion of Nervilia fordii. METHODS: The constituents were separated and purified by using column chromatography with silica gel. These compounds were identified by their physical and spectral data. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated and identified as Cyclohomonervilol (I), Octacosanoicacid (II), Stigmasterol (III), Cyclohomonervilol-(E)-p-hydroxy cinnamate (IV), 24(R/alpha)-dihydrocycloeucalenol-(E)-p-hydroxy cinnamate (V), Docosanoic acid (VI). CONCLUSION: Compounds I-VI are isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Analysis of essential oil from the leaves and fruits of Eucalyptus tereticornis in Guangxi province by GC-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To Analyze the chemical composition and their relative contents of essential oil from the leaves and fruits of Eucalyptus tereticornis in Guangxi province. METHODS: The column temperature was controlled by a program with a capillary column HP-5 MS, and the MS analysis was performed with EI and quadrupole mass analyzer. The chemical compositions were identified by NIST98 searching and mass spectra comparing, and their relative contents were determined by using normalization method of chromatographic peak areas. RESULTS: 39 compounds constituting 96.69% of the oil of leaves were identified. The major components were eucalyptol (27.93%), 1R-alpha-pinene (22.60%), isopinocarveol (8.71%); 36 compounds constituting 93.50% of the oil of fruits were identified. The major components are 1R-alpha-pinene (32.88%), eucalyptol (13.64%), D-limonene (8.31%). CONCLUSION: The GC-MS is a simple, rapid and sensitive method.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate portion of Nervilia fordii].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate portion in the herb of Nervilia fordii from guangxi. METHODS: The constituents were separated and purified by using column chromatography with silica gel. These compounds were identified by their physical and spectral data. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated and identified as norleucine (crystal I), 24 (S/beta)-dihydrocycloeucalenol-(E)-p-hydroxy cinnamate (crystal II) , rhamnocitrin (crystal III), rhamnazin (crystal IV), daucosterol (crystal V). CONCLUSION: Compounds I , II, III, IV, V were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Study on anticancer effect in vivo of active fraction from Nervilia fordii].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the active fraction with anticancer effect in vivo from Nervilia fordii. METHODS: The effective petroleum ether extract and ethyl acetate extract parts preliminary were selected in vitro, then anticancer experiments in vivo were done by S180-mice and H22-mice models. RESULTS: Petroleum ether extract and ethyl acetate extract parts both had obvious anticancer effects to S180-mice and H22-mice, and could prolong H22-mice life. Meanwhile, they could improve the immunoloregulation of mice. CONCLUSION: It is the first time that the petroleum ether extract and ethyl acetate extract of Nervilia foadii are proved to be the effective anticancer fractions in vivo. On this basis, the further studies are needed on active principles or principle group with anticancer effect and the characteristics of this effect in Nervilia foadii.