Tentative study on radial endobronchial ultrasonography evaluating airway wall thickness before and after bronchial thermoplasty.

AIM: We aimed to observe the clinical practicing value of radial endobronchial ultrasonography evaluating airway wall thickness before and after bronchial thermoplasty. METHODS: We selected two patients who received bronchial thermoplasty in our hospital. We measured the thickness of each segmental airway wall of each patient by radial endobronchial ultrasonography, and observed the difference before and after the therapy. All the treatments and measurement were performed by a designated bronchoscopist and the locations and depths of the ultrasound probe were relatively fixed, to reduce the operational error. RESULTS: In both two patients, the mean thicknesses of all segmental airway walls was 4.9 ± 0.7 mm before the first session of BT; the mean thickness was 4.13 ± 0.92 mm before the second session; the mean thickness was 2.69 ± 0.68 mm before the third session; the mean thickness was 2.7 ± 0.5 mm in the follow-up measurement at six months after the BT treatment; all thicknesses of airway wall were significantly reduced comparing with those before treatment; all the thicknesses of the airway walls were stable without any tendency of thickening after six months. Although the airways in the right middle lobe of both two patients were not received BT, their thicknesses were also decreased comparing with those before the treatment; both upper lobes bronchus of both two patients were not activated in the first and second sessions, but their thicknesses were also decreased at the third measurement. CONCLUSION: Radial endobronchial ultrasonography is a simple and practical method to measure the thickness of patient's airway wall. Bronchial thermoplasty can effectively reduce the thickness of airway wall. It can reduce airway smooth muscle by direct activation and other possible more complicated mechanism, which need further research.

Three new ursane-type triterpenoids from Rosmarinus officinalis and their biological activities / 中国天然药物

Three new ursane-type triterpenoids, 3-oxours-12-en-20, 28-olide (1), 3β-hydroxyurs-12-en-20, 28-olide (2) and 3β-hydroxyurs-11, 13(18)-dien-20, 28-olide (3), were isolated from a potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial fraction of the ethanolic extract of Rosmarinus officinalis. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments, MS data and comparisons with literature reports. Compounds 1-3 exhibited significantly inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse RAW264.7 macrophages, but no antibacterial activity was found at a concentration of 128 μg·mL-1.

Taraxastane-type triterpenoids from the medicinal and edible plant Cirsium setosum / 中国天然药物

Guided by TNF-α secretion inhibitory activity assay, four taraxastane-type triterpenoids, including two new ones, 22-oxo-20-taraxasten-3β, 30-diol (1) and 22α-hydroxy-20-taraxasten-30β, 30-triol (2), have been obtained from an active fraction of the petroleum ether-soluble extract of the the medicinal and edible plant Cirsium setosum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data and CD data analysis. In the TNF-α secretion inhibitory activity assay, compounds 1 and 2 were active with the IC of 2.6 and 3.8 μmol·L, respectively. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 showed moderately selective cytotoxicity against the human ovarian cancer (A2780) and colon cancer (HCT-8) cell lines.

In vitro differentiation of rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells induced by rat lung epithelial-T-antigen negative cell line / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have the potential of differentiation into alveolar epithelial cells in vitro, but so far no study has indicated that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) can be differentiated into alveolar epithelial cells through long-term Transwell co-culture. OBJECTIVE: To observe whether rat lung epithelial-T-antigen negative cell lines (RLE-6TN) can induce rat ADSCs to differentiate into type II alveolar epithelial cells by long-term Transwell co-culture. METHODS: Three SPF health female Sprague-Dawley rats were used as donors to separate, extract, culture and identity ADSCs. The experimental group was subjected to the Transwell co-culture of ADSCs and RLE-6TN, while the control group was subjected to the culture of ADSCs alone. The morphological changes of ADSCs were observed by the inverted phase contrast microscope at 21 days after co-culture. Immunofluorescence staining using surfactant protein C (SP-C) was performed on the co-cultured ADSCs. The fluorescence staining was observed using the inverted fluorescence microscope. Integral optical density (IOD) analysis was conducted by Image pro plus 6.0 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: RLE-6TN cells were identified by fluorescence staining with stable expression of SP-C protein (red fluorescence) in the experimental group, and there was no red fluorescence in the control group. After 21-day co-culture, the cell shape in the experimental group was transformed from the long spindle shape into oval or polygon shape gradually, while the cell shape in the control group remained fibroblast-like. These results show that RLE-6TN can induce ADSCs to differentiate into type II alveolar epithelial cells after a long-term (21 days) co-culture.

Triterpene compounds of Ainsliaea yunnanensis / 中国中药杂志

The compounds of Ainsliaea yunnanensis were isolated and purified by various kinds of column chromatography methods and their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis. Twelve compounds were obtained from the petroleum ether of ethanolic extract of A. yunnanensis and elucidated as bauerenyl acetate (1), bauerenol (2), alpha-amyrin (3), psi-taraxasterol (4), beta-amyrin (5), echinocystic acid (6), multiflorenol (7), 3beta-hydroxy-olean-18-ene germanicol (8), 3beta-hexadecanoyl-12-oleanen-11-one (9), fernenol (10), fern-7-en-3beta-ol (11), and lupeol (12). All compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time except compound 1, 3, 5 and 10, and they were all isolated from this plant for the first time.

Studies on chemical constituents of Illicium simonsii / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents from the active fractions against HIV in vitro, a crude ethanolic extract of Illicium simonsii.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated with column chromatography methods. MS and NMR spectroscopic methods were used to determine the structures of the compounds.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Seven compounds were isolated from the active fractions against HIV in vitro of the 90% ethanol extract and their structures were elucidated as (+)-catechin (1), (-)-epicatechin (2), (+)-catechin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), erigeside C (6) and daucosterol (7).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Seven compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time, but none of them exhibited active against HIV in vitro. Compounds 3 and 6 were isolated from this genus for the first time.</p>

Advances in research of chemical constituents and pharmacological activites of Bauhinia / 中国中药杂志

The research advances based on the related references were summarized in the last thirty years. Bauhinia contained many kinds of chemical constituents, primarily including flavanoids, steroids, terpenoid and so on, some of them were firstly obtained from the nature. Many plants of the Bauhinia are used in traditional medicine for their interesting biological activities such as antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, astringent and diuretic effects. This paper gives an overview of phytochemical and pharmacological research in Bauhinia, and it has been classified accordding to the chemical structure characteristics. To provide more material to draw on for further development and utilization resources of Bauhinia.

Atorvastatin inhibits scavenger receptor A and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expressions in foam cell / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on expressions of scavenger receptor A and secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in foam cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>THP-1 cells were induced to differentiate into macrophages by PMA and treated with 0.1% BSA (control), ox-LDL (100 mg/L) or ox-LDL plus atorvastatin (5, 10, 20 micromol/L) for 24 hours. MCP-1 concentration in cell substratum was measured by ELISA. Scavenger receptor A expression was observed under fluorescent microscope after incubated with DiI-Ac-LDL. The relationship between concentration of MCP-1 and the activity of scavenger receptor A was also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the control cells, MCP-1 concentration in ox-LDL treated cells was significantly increased after 6 hours, peaked at 12 hours and was still significantly increased after 24 hours (all P < 0.05 vs. baseline). The activity of scavenger receptor A was also significantly increased in ox-LDL treated cells (P < 0.01 vs. control). The activity of scavenger receptor A proteins correlated positively to the concentration of MCP-1 in ox-LDL treated cells (r = 0.683, P < 0.01). Atorvastatin significantly attenuated these changes in a dose-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Scavenger receptor A and MCP-1 expressions were significantly increased in the course of monocyte lines THP-1 differentiating into macrophages and foam cells. The anti-atherosclerosis effect of atorvastatin might be partly achieved by inhibiting the secretion of MCP-1 and expression of scavenger receptor A in foam cells.</p>

Dihydroflavonol glycosides and flavan-3-ols from Bauhinia aurea / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of Bauhinia aurea.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated by column chromatography over silica gel, reversed-phase RP-18, and Sephadex LH -20. MS and NMR spectroscopic methods were used to determine structures of purified compounds.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Eight compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the ethanolic extract and their structures were elucidated as isoengeletin (1), astilbin (2), neoastilbin (3), isoastilbin (4), neoisoastilbin (5), (+)-catechin (6), (-)-epicatechin (7) and (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate (8).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Five compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time except for 2, 6 and 8.</p>

Chemical constituents from branch of Macaranga adenantha and their TNF-alpha inhibitory activity / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chemical constituents of the brach of Macaranga adenantha, and evaluate their TNF-alpha inhibitory activity.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical conshifuents were isolated and purified by chromatographic methods. Structures of the compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods. The TNF-alpha secretion inhibitory activity of the mouse peritoneal macrophages was evaluated by MTT methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Ten compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as: cleomiscosin A (1), cleomiscosin B (2), ellagic acid 4-O-alpha-D-rhamnopyranside (3), ellagic acid 4-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (4), vanillic acid (5), (24R) -stigmast-4-en-3-one (6), (24R) -stigmast-3, 6-dione (7), (24R) -6beta-hydroxy-stigmast-4-en-3-one (8), daucosterol (9), beta-sitosteryl glucoside-6'-O-heptadecoicate (10). At a concentration of 10 micromol x L(-1), compounds 1, 3 and 4 showed inhibitory activity to TNF-alpha secretion of the mouse peritoneal macrophages with the inhibitory rates of 57.0%, 64.4%, and 57. 4%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All compounds were isolated from genus Macaranga for the first time. Compounds 1, 3, and 4 were active against TNF-alpha secretion of the mouse peritoneal macrophages.</p>

Non-alkaloid constituents from a Tibetan medicine Meconopsis quintuplinervia / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of a Tibetan medicine Meconopsis quintuplinervia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Column chromatographic techniques were applied to isolate constituents. A combination of IR, MS and NMR spectroscopy was used to identify structures of constituents.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Twelve compounds were isolated from the ethanolic extract and their structures were elucidated as quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (I), quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->6)-glucopyranoside (II), kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (III), isorhamnetin 3-0-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (IV), caffeic acid (V), protocatechuic acid (VI), p-hydroxycinnamic (VII), 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl )-ethyl-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (VIII), p-hydroxybenzoyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (IX), 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(Z)-p-coumaric acid (X), 5, 7-dihydroxy-4H-4-chromenone (XI), daucosterol (XII).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ten compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time except for XI and XII.</p>

Chemical constitutents of Bauhinia aurea / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of Bauhinia aurea.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated with column chromatography. The structures were determined by MS and NMR spectroscopic techniques.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Nine aromatic acid derivatives, two triterpenes and three steroids were isolated from the 90% ethanolic extract and their structures were identified as 3,4-di-hydroxybenzoic acid (1), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (2), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzoic acid (3), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (4) , gallic acid (5) , methyl gallate (6) , ethyl gallate (7) , lupeol (8) , lupenone (9) , stigmast4-en-3-one (10) beta-sitosterol (11) and daucosterol (12).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This is the first report of chemical constituents from B. aurea. Compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time, except 5,8,11 and 12.</p>

The effect of atorvastatin on the expression of CD55, CD59 in patients with hyperlipidemia / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expressions of CD55 and CD59 in patients with hyperlipidemia and the effects of atorvastatin on it, and to identify the possible influential factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We selected 67 patients with hyperlipidemia, and 24 healthy people matched in terms of age, sex and body weight as control. The expressions of CD55 and CD59 on white blood cells were detected by flow cytometry, and their relationships to blood lipids, complement activation indexes (C(5a), sC(5b-9)), inflammatory factors (high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), TNF-alpha, IL-6 were analyzed. 24 patients with hyperlipidemia were treated with atorvastatin for 8-12 weeks and the expressions of CD55 and CD59 were measured before and after atorvastatin therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD55 lymphocytes and monocytes were decreased in patients with hyperlipidemia compared with control (2.07 +/- 0.28 vs 2.29 +/- 0.44 and 3.45 +/- 1.02 vs 4.33 +/- 2.32, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). CD55 positive lymphocyte MFI was negatively correlated with waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, hsCRP and C(5a). C(5a) was negatively correlated with the MFIs of CD55 positive lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, and positively with TG and diastolic blood pressure. After atorvastatin therapy, the MFIs of CD59 positive lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes increased (4.34 +/- 1.16 vs 3.69 +/- 0.76, 4.52 +/- 1.36 vs 3.91 +/- 0.89, 5.67 +/- 1.72 vs 4.56 +/- 1.03, P < 0.05, < 0.05 and < 0.01 respectively), which were not correlated with changes of blood lipids.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of CD55 is down-regulated in hyperlipidemia, which might be influenced by obesity, abdominal distribution of adipose tissue and inflammatory status of hyperlipidemia, but not by blood lipids. The expression of CD55 is related with complement activation; The expression of CD59 is up-regulated after atorvastatin treatment independently of blood lipids.</p>

Alkaloids from a Tibetan medicine Meconopsis quintuplinervia Regel / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To reinvestigate the chemical constituents of the ethanolic extract of Meconopsis quintuplinervia Regel which is a traditional Tibetan medicine used for treatments of hepatitis, tuberculosis etc..</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The compounds were enriched by column chromatography techniques over silica gel, macro porous resin and Sephadex LH-20 absorbents, and finally purified by reverse phase preparative HPLC methods with isocratic mobile phase systems of methanol-H2O-acetic acid (500:500:1) and acetonitrile-H2O-acetic acid (200:800:1). Structural determination of the pure compounds were based on extensive analyses of modern spectroscopic methods including IR, MS, HRMS, 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three alkaloids were obtained and their structures were elucidated as norsanguinarine (I), O-methylflavinantine (II) and 6-methoxy-17-methyl-2, 3-[methylenebis (oxy)]-morphin-5-en-7-one (III).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Norsanguinarine (I) was isolated from genus Meconopsis for the first time, and 6-methoxy-17-methyl-2,3-[methylenebis(oxy)]-morphin-5-en-7-one (III) is a new alkaloid named as meconoquintupline.</p>