Realgar Nanoparticles Inhibit Migration, Invasion and Metastasis in a Mouse Model of Breast Cancer by Suppressing Matrix Metalloproteinases and Angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Realgar, a traditional Chinese medicine, has shown antitumor efficacy in several tumor types. We previously showed that realgar nanoparticles (nano-realgar) had significant antileukemia, anti-lung cancer and anti-liver cancer effects. In addition, the anti-tumor effects of nanorealgar were significantly better than those of ordinary realgar. OBJECTIVE: To explore the inhibitory effects and molecular mechanisms of nano-realgar on the migration, invasion and metastasis of mouse breast cancer cells. METHODS: Wound-healing migration assays and Transwell invasion assays were carried out to determine the effects of nano-realgar on breast cancer cell (4T1) migration and invasion. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 were measured by Western blot. A murine breast cancer metastasis model was established, administered nano-realgar for 32 days and monitored for tumor growth and metastasis by an in vivo optical imaging system. Finally, living imaging and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were used to measure the morphology and pathology of lung and liver cancer cell metastases, respectively. Angiogenesis was assessed by CD34 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Nano-realgar significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of breast cancer 4T1 cells and the expression of MMP-2 and -9. Meanwhile, nano-realgar effectively suppressed the abilities of tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis in the murine breast cancer metastasis model in a time- and dosedependent manner. CONCLUSION: Nano-realgar significantly inhibited migration and invasion of mouse breast cancer cells in vitro as well as pulmonary and hepatic metastasis in vivo, which may be closely correlated with the downexpression of MMP-2 and -9 and suppression of tumor neovascularization.

Analysis of volatile constituents in different parts of Huai chrysanthemum by GC-MS combined with stoichiometry / 中国药师

Objective To analyze and identify the volatile constituents in different parts(flowers,stems and leaves)of Huai chrysanthemumin,and to lay a theoretical foundation for the comprehensive utilization for it.Methods The volatile oil in different parts of Huai chrysanthemumin were extracted by hydrodistillation,respectively.Their constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).The compounds were identified by library search and literature screening.The relative percentage of each compound was obtained by the area normalization method.The differences in their chemical compositions were analyzed by Venn diagram,principal component analysis(PCA)and cluster heat map analysis.Results A total of 62 volatile chemical components were identified from different parts of Huai chrysanthemumin,including monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes,and their derivatives,as well as a small amount of aliphatic compounds.32,42 and 40 volatile components were detected from the flowers,stems and flowers,respectively.Furthermore 17 volatile components were shared by three parts,whereas 5,6 and 16 volatile components were unique to the flowers,stems and leaves,respectively.The results of stoichiometric analysis showed that both PCA and cluster heat map analysis could separate the flowers,stems and leaves,and their volatile components were different.Conclusion The types and contents of the volatile oil in the stems,leaves and flowers of Huai chrysanthemumin have certain variability,which provide a scientific basis for the further medicinal or industrial exploitation of different parts of Huai chrysanthemumin.

Comparison of liposoluble constituents and study on in vitro antioxidant activities of different processed products of Huaizhong No. 1 Rehmannia glutionsa / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To co mpare the difference of liposoluble constitue nts in different processed products of Huaizhong No.1 Rehmannia glutionsa （fresh R. glutionsa ，R. glutionsa and prepared R. glutionsa ），and to evaluate its in vitro antioxidant activity preliminarily. METHODS Liposoluble extracts were extracted from 3 processed products of R. glutionsa by Soxhlet extraction. Their constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The spectral library of NIST 98 system was used to automatically retrieve the mass spectrum information of components ，and the structures of compounds were identified in combination with relevant literature and by comparing with eight peak index and EPA/NIH library. Relative contents of the components were calculated by using peak area normalization method with Hewlett Packard software. The antioxidant activities of liposoluble constituents in 3 processed products of R. glutionsa were investigated by 1，1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl（DPPH）free radical scavenging. RESULTS A total of 79 liposoluble components were identified from different processed products of R. glutionsa，and 48，52 and 37 liposoluble compounds were identified from fresh R. glutionsa ，R. glutionsa and prepared R. glutionsa，respectively；their relative contents accounted for 92.69％，86.29％，92.89％ of the total components respectively. Among them ，there were 20 liposoluble compounds totally ，and their relative contents accounted for 88.73％，80.89％ and 85.87％ of liposoluble components in each processed product respectively ；they were mainly composed of fatty acids such as methyl linoleate，methyl palmitate and methyl oleate. In addition ，there were 18 unique liposoluble components in fresh R. glutionsa ， mostly terpenoids ；there were 17 and 6 unique liposoluble components in R. glutionsa and prepared R. glutionsa ，mostly alkanes. The results of antioxidant experiment showed that median scavenging concentrations of liposoluble components to DPPH limeng free radical were 0.756，0.660，0.758 mg/mL，respectively. CONCLUSIONS The common liposoluble components in different processed products of R. glutionsa are mostly acids；the unique liposoluble components in fresh R. glutionsa are mostly terpenoids ，and those of R. glutionsa and prepared R. glutionsa are mostly alkanes ；the liposoluble constituents possess in vitro antioxidant activities.

Optimization of Extraction Technology of Total Triterpenes from the Leaves of Cornus officinalis by Box-Behnken Design-response Surface Methodology / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To optimize the extraction technology for total triterpenes from the leaves of Cornus officinalis . METHODS：Based on the full swelling of the leaves of C. officinalis ，total triterpenes was extracted with heating reflux method. The effects of ethanol concentration ，liquid-solid ratio ，extraction time and extraction times on the contents of total triterpenes from the leaves of C. officinalis were investigated by single factor test. Using oleanolic acid as control ，the contents of total triterpenes were detected by UV spectrometry. On the basis of single factor test ，fixing the times of extraction a s 3 times，taking the contents of total triterpenes as response value ，using ethanol volume fraction ，solid-liquid ratio and extraction time as factors ， Box-Behnken design-response methodology was used to optimize the extraction technology of total triterpenes from the leaves of C. officinalis，and the optimized extraction technology was validated. RESULTS ：The optimal extraction technology of total triterpenes from the leaves of C. officinalis were as follows as ethanol concentration of 73％，liquid-to-material ratio of 38 ∶ 1（mL/g）， extraction time of 60 min. Results of 3 validation tests showed that the contents of total triterpenes from the leaves of C. officinalis were 6.92％，6.91％，6.84％；the average content was 6.89％（RSD＝0.63％），relative error of which with the predicted value （7.28％）was 5.36％. CONCLUSIONS ：The optimized technology is stable and reliable ，and can be used for the extraction of total triterpenes from leaves of C. officinalis .

Effect of Dermatix Ultra on repair of scar tissue in patients after breast plastic surgery / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To explore clinical effect of Dermatix Ultra on repair of scar tissue in patients after breast plastic surgery .Methods 66 patients with breast conserving surgery after breast conserving surgery were selected and divided into two groups.32 cases in the control group were treated with the implementation of breast conserving surgery and breast plastic surgery , 34 cases in the treatment group were treated on the basis of the control group and combined with Dermatix Ultra.Evaluation of patient and observer scar assessment scale ( POSAS ) and visual analogue scale were compared after the treatment and satisfaction degree were compared after 6 months follow-up.Results Compared with the control group, scar evaluation in treatment group were higher(P<0.05), the color, thickness, the degree of pigmentation and the score of the pigment were higher (P<0.05), the color, softness, thickness, pain and itching were higher (P<0.05), and the patients were followed up for 6 months (P<0.05).The color, thickness, roughness and pigmentation score of OSAS in the treatment group were higher (P<0.05), Color, softness, thickness, pain and pruritus in PSAS were higher (P<0.05),after 6 months of follow-up, the satisfaction rate in patients was higher (P<0.05).Conclusion Dermatix Ultra has a good clinical effect in repair of scar tissue after the breast plastic surgery, improve the color, thickness, smoothness and pigmentation of patients after breast augmentation surgery, and improve the prognosis.

Comparison of three approaches to establishing Balb/c mouse models of hind-limb ischemia / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compared 3 approaches to establishing Balb/c mouse models of hind-limb ischemia suitable for studies of regenerative medicine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty eight-week-old male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups for establishing models of hind-limb ischemia by both ligating and transecting the femoral artery proximal to the origin of the deep femoral artery branch, ligating the femoral artery proximal to the origin of the deep femoral artery branch, or ligating the femoral artery distal to the femoral artery trunk. The mice were continuously observed for 5 days after the operation, and hind-limb blood perfusion was monitored by laser Doppler imaging on the second postoperative day.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 3 surgical approaches caused blood flow block in the hind-limbs of the mice. In mice with ligation and transaction of the femoral artery proximal to the origin of the deep femoral artery branch, dry gangrene occurred in the whole hind-limb. Dry gangrene also occurred in the legs and paws of mice with ligation of the femoral artery proximal to the origin of the deep femoral artery branch. In mice with femoral artery ligation distal to the origin of the deep femoral artery branch, the sole of the foot was dry with scaling skin and necrosis of several digits; microscopically examination revealed a large quantity of necrotic muscles accompanied by muscle regeneration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ligating the femoral artery distal to the origin of the deep femoral artery branch can be optimal for establishing Balb/c mouse models of hind-limb ischemia.</p>