Leonotis nepetifolia Transformed Root Extract Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Promotes Tissue Repair In Vitro.

Inflammation is closely related to asthma and its defining feature: airway remodeling. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of extracts of normal (NR) and transformed (TR) Leonotis nepetifolia roots on respiratory cells and against the gingival epithelium. Extracts from NR and TR roots were added to lung fibroblast, bronchial epithelial and gingival fibroblast cell lines, in the presence of HRV-16 infection, to determine their impact on inflammation. The expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1ß, GM-CSF and MCAF) as well as total thiol contents were assessed. The TR extract inhibited rhinovirus-induced IL-6 and IL-1ß expression in all tested airway cells (p < 0.05). Additionally, the extract decreased GM-CSF expression in bronchial epithelial cells. The tested extracts had positive effects on total thiol content in all tested cell lines. The TR root extract demonstrated wound healing potential. While both tested extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, they were stronger for the TR extract, possibly due to higher concentrations of beneficial metabolites such as phenols and flavonoids. Additionally, wound healing activity was demonstrated for the TR root extract. These results suggest that TR root extract may become a promising therapeutic agent in the future.

[Optimization of matrix formulation of effective parts cataplasm of Pogostemon cablin by uniform design].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the matrix formulation of the effective part Cataplasm of Pogostemon Cablin. METHOD: The optimal preparation prescription was selected by U17 (17(11)) uniform design,and the tacking strength, cohesive strength and transdermal speed constant were used as test indexes. The equations of three test indexes were established by SPSS. With analysis of the contribution of factors by SPSS regression, the optimal matrix formulation was acquired. RESULT: The optimal matrix formulation is carbopol U10-NoveriteTM7s-glycerine-sorbitol-kaolin-citric acid-aluminum trichloride (1.0:5.0:20:2.0:2.0:0.25:0.2). CONCLUSION: The matrix has good adhesive property, proper drug release rate, desirable hemocompatibility with the extractions of Pogostemon cablin.

Phytofiltration of copper from contaminated water: growth response, copper uptake and lignin content in Elsholtzia splendens and Elsholtzia argyi.

Phytofiltration of Cu from water by Elsholtzia plants were investigated hydroponically. Both E. splendens and E. argyi could effectively clean up lower Cu contaminated water, probably attributed to their extremely high surface area of roots. The removal rate of Cu was concentration-dependent and showed a monotonic decline with time. At higher external Cu concentration, the growth of E. argyi has been considerably inhibited while E. splendens still grew normally. E. splendens has the greater capacity to absorb Cu to roots from water and translocate Cu from roots to shoots. Lignin in roots probably has no significant effect on immobilizing Cu.