Chemometric Classification of Different Tree Peony Species Native to China Based on the Assessment of Major Fatty Acids of Seed Oil and Phenotypic Characteristics of the Seeds.

In the present study, we quantitatively measured five major fatty acids (FA) in seed oil using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and examined four phenotypic characteristics of the seeds from 19 populations from nine wild tree peony species native to China. The results showed that the unsaturated FAs contents were dominant, of which α-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid, and oleic acid (OA) contents ranged from 14.84 to 42.54 g/100 g, 7.33 to 19.66 g/100 g, and 15.07 - 35.31 g/100 g crude oil, respectively. The phenotypic seed characteristics, such as thousand seed weight (244.01 - 1772.91 g), seed volume (91.31 - 1000.79 mm3 ), weight rate of kernel and coat (1.29 - 3.62) and oil extraction ratio (20.32 - 34.69%), dramatically varied. Based on the contents of the five FAs, the nine species were classified into two groups. The species belonging to subsection Vaginatae were arranged in cluster I and were characterized by high ALA content. Cluster II, consistent with subsection Delavayanae, had a high OA content. From horizontal and vertical perspectives, the natural distribution areas of these two groups were different, reflecting differences in the FA contents and phenotypic seed characteristics. In conclusion, the FAs composition could be used as a chemotaxonomic marker for tree peony species.

[Reconstructive approaches of alimentary canal for subtotal gastrectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the optimal technique of digestive tract reconstruction for radical proximal gastrectomy. METHODS: The clinical data for 120 cases of proximal gastric cancer undergoing radical proximal gastrectomy at our hospital from 2000 to 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. They included three approaches of digestive tract reconstruction. The patients were divided into esophagogastric anterior wall anastomosis group (n = 50), jejunal interposition group (n = 26) and gastric tube group (n = 44). The quality of life was evaluated and compared among 3 groups. RESULTS: The rates of anastomotic fistula, anastomotic obstruction and the scores of heart burn and reflux esophagitis were higher in gastric tube group. And the increments of hemoglobin and body weight were less in gastric tube group than those in other groups (P < 0.05). The rates of gastric emptying in gastric tube group had no obvious differences with esophagogastric anterior wall anastomosis group at 120 min and 180 min (P > 0.05). And they were higher than those in jejunal interposition group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in any parameter between esophagogastric anterior wall anastomosis and jejunal interposition groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anastomosis of esophagogastric anterior wall is an ideal approach of digestive reconstruction for radical proximal gastrectomy. And it may improve the quality of life for surgical patients with proximal gastric cancer.

The roles of Akt and MAPK family members in silymarin's protection against UV-induced A375-S2 cell apoptosis.

Silymarin is a polyphenolic flavonoid derived from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and has anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective as well as anticarcinogenic effects [Manna, S.K., Mukhopadlhyay, A., Van, N.T., Aggarwal, B., Silymarin suppresses TNF-induced activation of NF-kappaB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and apoptosis. J. Immunol. 1999; 163, 6800-6809.]. In this study, we assessed the effect of silymarin on ultraviolet light (UV)-induced cell apoptosis in human malignant melanoma, A375-S2 cells. Silymarin pre-treatment reversed the effect of UV irradiation on the expression of phosphorylated Akt and phosphorylated p53 (regulated by Akt activation), followed by down-regulation of Bax and up-regulated expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins in UV-irradiated A375-S2 cells. Akt inhibitor decreased the viability of UV-irradiated cells which was treated with silymarin. In addition, the effect of UV irradiation on the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members [extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)] was also reversed by silymarin. Moreover, ERK inhibitor (PD98059) and p38 inhibitor (SB203580) augmented UV-induced apoptosis in silymarin treated A375-S2 cells. Consequently, silymarin partially reduced UV-induced apoptosis by activating the Akt pathway, and silymarin's protective effect was also exerted by MAPK family members.

Silibinin prevents UV-induced HaCaT cell apoptosis partly through inhibition of caspase-8 pathway.

Silymarin is a polyphenolic flavonoid from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), which has anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and anticarcinogenic effects. In this study, we assessed the effect of silibinin (Fig. 1), the major active compound in silymarin, on ultraviolet light (UV)-induced cell apoptosis in HaCaT cells, a human keratinocyte cell line. Pretreatment with silibinin 500 microM significantly inhibited UV-induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells after 9 h incubation. The expression of Fas-associating protein with death domain (FADD), a downstream molecule of the death receptor pathway, was completely eliminated by silibinin treatment in UV-irradiated HaCaT cells, followed by inhibition of cleavage of procaspase-8, whose activation induced cell apoptosis and decreased the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. The caspase-8 inhibitor z-IETD-fmk at 10 microM increased the ratio of UV-irradiated HaCaT cell viability, suggesting that UV-induced HaCaT cell apoptosis was partially due to activation of the caspase-8 pathway. Moreover, UV-induced cleavage of procaspase-3 and digestion of its substrates, the inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD) and poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), were also reduced by silibinin pretreatment. While unexpectedly, it was found in our study that pretreatment with silibinin increased HaCaT cell death by CD95 agonistic antibody CH11. Consequently, the protective effect of silibinin against UV irradiation in HaCaT cells is exerted by inactivation of caspase-8 after direct down-regulation of FADD expression, resulting in blockage of UV-induced apoptosis.

Sg17-1-4, a novel isocoumarin from a marine fungus Alternaria tenuis Sg17-1.

One novel isocoumarin, named Sg17-1-4, along with two known isocoumarins AI-77-B and AI-77-F were obtained from a marine fungus Alternaria tenuis Sg17-1. Their structures were elucidated based on detailed NMR analysis. The cytotoxicities of these compounds were evaluated in vitro.

Two new triterpenoids from the carpophore of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge.

Two new triterpenoids 3-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl, 28-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl (1-->6) [alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)]-beta-d-glucopyranosyl, 16-deoxybarringtogenol C (1) and 22-O-acetyl-21-O-(4'-O-angeloyl)-beta-d-fucopyranosyl theasapogenol B (2), were isolated from the dried carpophore of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge (Sapindaceae). 1 and 2 were found to have activity of inhibiting the proliferation of two human tumor cell lines.

Two new thiophenes from Echinops latifolius and their phototoxic activities.

Two new thiophenes, 5-{4-[4-(5-pent-1,3-diynylthiophen-2-yl)-but-3-ynyloxy]-but-1-ynyl}-2,2'-bithiophene (1) and 5-(4-hydroxybut-1-one)-2,2'-bithiophene (2), together with two known thiophenes 5-(4-hydroxybut-1-ynyl)-2,2'-bithiophene (3) and 5-(3,4-dihydroxybut-1-ynyl)-2,2'-bithiophene (4), were isolated from the roots of Echinops latifolius Tausch. Their structures were elucidated based on the detailed NMR spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature values. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant inhibition activities against human cancer cell lines A375-S2 and HeLa with IC(50) values from 3.1 to 13.5 micromol/L, depending on their exposure to long wavelength ultraviolet light.

Silymarin enhanced cytotoxic effect of anti-Fas agonistic antibody CH11 on A375-S2 cells.

Silymarin is a polyphenolic flavonoid from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), which has anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective as well as antioxidant effects. Our previous study demonstrated that silymarin has anti-apoptotic effect against UV irradiation. In this study, we assessed the effect of silymarin on anti-Fas agonistic antibody CH11-treated human malignant melanoma, A375-S2 cells. Pretreatment with silymarin (3 x 10(- 4) mol/L) significantly induced cell apoptosis in CH11-treated A375-S2 cells. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) was also down-regulated by silymarin pretreatment. Caspase-8, -9, -3 and pan-caspase inhibitors partially reversed silymarin-induced apoptosis of CH11-treated cells. The expression of Fas-associated proteins with death domain (FADD), a downstream molecule of the death receptor pathway, was increased by silymarin pretreatment, followed by cleavage of procaspase-8, whose activation induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, cleavage of procaspase-3 and digestion of its substrate, the inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD), were also increased by silymarin pretreatment. These results suggested that silymarin could also exaggerate the apoptotic effect of anti-Fas agonistic antibody CH11 on A375-S2 cells.

Silibinin protects against isoproterenol-induced rat cardiac myocyte injury through mitochondrial pathway after up-regulation of SIRT1.

Terminally differentiated adult injured cardiac myocytes have been used for various animal models of heart failure. It has recently been shown that isoproterenol induces injury in rat neonatal cardiac myocytes via a beta-adrenergic pathway, suggesting that it might be one of the factors involved in myocardial cell injury in heart failure in vivo. In the study, silibinin, a plant flavanoid from milk thistle was first evaluated for its protective effect against beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol-induced injury in cultured rat neonatal cardiac myocytes. The viability, activation of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and content of maleic dialdehyde (MDA) were chosen for measuring the degree of cardiac myocytes injury. As a result, silibinin protected isoproterenol-treated rat cardiac myocytes from death and significantly decreased LDH release and MDA production. Silibinin increased superoxide dismutase activity, decreased [Ca(2+)](i), and increased mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi). Furthermore, the release of pro-apoptotic cytochrome c from mitochondria was reduced by silibinin. Silibinin increased the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Bcl-2, and up-regulation of SIRT1 inhibited the translocation of Bax from cytoplasm to mitochondria, which caused mitochondrial dysfunction and cell injury. These results demonstrate that silibinin protects against isoproterenol-induced cardiac myocytes injury through resuming mitochondrial function and regulating the expression of SIRT1 and Bcl-2 family members.

Silymarin augments human cervical cancer HeLa cell apoptosis via P38/JNK MAPK pathways in serum-free medium.

Silymarin was proved to have a protective effect of UV-induced A375-S2 cell apoptosis in our previous research. In this study, its pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic activities on human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells in vitro were investigated. Silymarin induced HeLa cell death through both apoptotic and necrotic pathways. At low doses (below 80 micromol l-1), it induced cell apoptosis, but caused necrosis at high dose (160 micromol l-1). Silymarin induced typical chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation as a hallmark of apoptosis. In this case, mitochondrial Bcl-2 family, Bcl-2 and Bax, were not involved in apoptotic effects; however, silymarin-induced cell death was regulated by the activation of p38 and JNK MAPKs. We also found that pan-caspase inhibitor and caspase-3 inhibitor could not antagonise silymarin-induced apoptosis. Therefore, silymarin induced and augmented HeLa cell apoptosis through p38/JNK MAPKs in the serum-free medium.

Two new triterpenes from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia.

Two new triterpenes, 22-angeloyl-21-epoxyangeloylbarringtogenol C (1) and 21,22-diangeloyl-24-hydroxy-R(1)-barrigenol (2), and the known 21,22-diangeloyl-R(1)-barrigenol (3) were isolated from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. Their structures were elucidated based on detailed NMR analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited significantly the growth of cancer cell lines (A375-S2, HeLa) with IC(50) values ranging from 2.9 to 76.3 micromol/L.

Shikonin regulates HeLa cell death via caspase-3 activation and blockage of DNA synthesis.

Shikonin, isolated from the plant Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. ET Zucc, inhibited tumor cell growth and induced cell death in various tumor cells, with 50% growth inhibition of human cervical cancer cells, HeLa, at 18.9 +/- 1.1 mumol L-1. Treated with 40 mumol L-1 shikonin, HeLa cells underwent marked apoptotic morphological changes such as a round shape, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies derived from the fragmented nuclei. Another hallmark of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, was observed by gel electrophoresis. Shikonin (10 mumol L-1) significantly blocked the transition from G1 to S phase in the HeLa cell cycle. Pan-caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK), caspase-3 inhibitor (Z-DEVD-FMK) or caspase-8 inhibitor (Z-IETD-FMK) effectively inhibited shikonin-induced cell death, while caspase-1 inhibitor (Ac-YVAD-CMK) and caspase-9 inhibitor (Z-LEHD-FMK) failed to affect cell death. Caspase-3 activity significantly increased within 12 h after shikonin treatment. Reduced expression of inhibitor of caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease (ICAD) after exposure to shikonin for 12 h suggests the resultant activation of caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease (CAD), leading to apoptosis.

Silymarin prevents UV irradiation-induced A375-S2 cell apoptosis.

Silymarin, a plant flavonoid from milk thistle (Silybum marianum [L.] GAERTNER) was first evaluated for its protective effect against UV irradiation-induced apoptosis in human malignant melanoma cells (A375-S2 cells). Treatment with silymarin 500 microM for 12 h significantly inhibited UV irradiation (2.4 J/cm(2), 5 min)-induced apoptosis in A375-S2 cells. Activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in UV-irradiated A375-S2 cells were effectively reduced by silymarin in a dose-dependent manner, while the expression of the inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD), protein expression of Bcl-x(L) (Bcl-2 family member), and the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) were increased simultaneously. It is suggested that the inhibitory effect of silymarin is exerted by blockage of the caspase/ICAD pathway after increased expression of Bcl-x(L) protein and activation of the ERK/MAPK pathway.