Antibacterial activity and underlying mechanism of Meconopsis quintuplinervia Regel extract against the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity and underlying mechanism of ethanol extracts of Meconopsis quintuplinervia Regel (EMQ) against the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. The study results indicated that EMQ was an effective antibacterial agent against P. acnes and S. aureus, with a DIZ of 14.5 and 13.2mm, MIC of 12.5 and 12.5mg/mL and MBC of 100 and 50mg/mL, respectively. EMQ induced morphological changes to bacterial cells, as determined by electron microscopy. Leakage of alkaline phosphatase and nucleic acids confirmed that EMQ compromised the membrane integrity of bacterial cells. Furthermore, protein analysis revealed that EMQ hindered total protein expression and lowered adenosine triphosphatase activity, while crystal violet staining revealed suppressed biofilm production. Bacterial adhesion analysis demonstrated that EMQ lowered the adhesive capacity of bacterial cells. The main chemical components of EMQ, identified by LC-MS, seem to have important roles in the antimicrobial effects against P. acnes and S. aureus, suggesting EMQ is a promising therapeutic for acne treatment.

Vascular Protective Effects of Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes Extracts and their Mechanism in Diabetic Rats and HUVECs.

Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes (Rosaceae) is used as a traditional folk medicine in the Tibet autonomous region of China to treat hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. However, few modern pharmacological data on the use of this plant against diabetic syndrome are available. In this study, we examined the vascular protection provided by a 70% ethanol extract of M. toringoides (EMT) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) grown in high-glucose medium and in a high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced rat diabetes model. EMT significantly suppressed the expression of cell adhesion molecules in both HUVECs and diabetic rats. EMT also inhibited activation of the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis and the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. The results provide a significant information on the vasoprotective properties of M. toringoides that may contribute to the development and application of related herbal medicines.

Rhamnella gilgitica Attenuates Inflammatory Responses in LPS-Induced Murine Macrophages and Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis Rats.

Rhamnella gilgitica Mansf. et Melch, which belongs to the rhamnus family (Rhamnaceae), is traditionally used to treat rheumatism, swelling and pain in China. However, little is known about the pharmacological activities of this plant. The anti-inflammatory activities of the 70% ethanol extract of R. gilgitica (RG) in RAW264.7 macrophages and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats are investigated in this study for the first time. The effects of RG on cell viability were determined by a MTT assay, and the effects of RG on pro-inflammatory mediators were analyzed by ELISA and Western blot. The effects of RG on paw thickness, thymus and spleen index were also examined in CFA-induced arthritic rats. RG suppressed the induction of proinflammatory mediators, including iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase), NO (nitric oxide), COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) and PG (prostaglandin) E2 in LPS stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. RG also inhibited the phosphorylation and degradation of I[Formula: see text]B-[Formula: see text], as well as the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-[Formula: see text]B) p65. In addition, RG treatment significantly reduced the paw thickness in CFA-induced arthritic rats. Oral administration of RG led to a significant decrease of both the thymus and spleen index at a concentration of 100[Formula: see text]mg/mL. Taken together, these findings suggest that RG might be an agent for further development in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases.