A novel flavonoid isolated from Sophora flavescens exhibited anti-angiogenesis activity, decreased VEGF expression and caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in vitro.

Kushen, the dried root of Sophora flavescens Ait, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Kushen alkaloids have been developed in China as anticancer drugs, and more potent antitumor activities have been identified in kushen flavonoids than in kushen alkaloids. In this study, the anti-angiogenic properties of (2S)-7,2',4'-triihydroxy-5-methoxy-8-dimethylallyl flavanone (Compound 1, a novel flavonoid isolated from Kushen), were examined using the human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (ECV304) in vitro. The results indicated that compound 1 shows anti-angiogenesis activity via inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, cell migration, cell adhesion, and tube formation. Further studies indicated that compound 1 blocks cell cycles in the G0/G1 phase without inducing apoptosis, and down regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. The free radical scavenging activity of compound 1 was found through 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) incubation assay in cells. The anti-angiogenic properties of compound 1 and its antiproliferative effect on endothelial cells without causing apoptosis make it a good candidate for development as a agent against development of tumors.

Role of BCL2L10 in regulating buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocyte maturation.

It has been reported that BCL2L10 is abundantly and specifically expressed in adult human and mouse oocytes and played a very important role in oocytes maturation and early embryonic development. This study is to investigate the expression pattern of BCL2L10 in buffalo ovaries and its effect on the in vitro maturation of buffalo oocytes, so as to dissect mechanism of oocytes maturation and provide theoretical guidance for improvement of the in vitro maturation of buffalo oocytes. The results showed that BCL2L10 gene was enriched in ovary and the expression of BCL2L10 was oocyte specific and up-regulated during oocyte maturation. BCL2L10 protein and mRNA were detectable in buffalo early embryos, upregulated at 2-cell to 8-cell stages and down-regulated in the later stages. Knockdown of BCL2L10 by RNA interference resulted in a significant decrease in the maturation rate (33.5%) and cleavage rate (37.52%) of buffalo oocytes coupled with up-regulation of apoptosis-related gene Caspase-9. We concluded that BCL2L10 is a candidate associated with buffalo oocyte maturation.

Arsenic and selenium toxicity and their interactive effects in humans.

Arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) are unusual metalloids as they both induce and cure cancer. They both cause carcinogenesis, pathology, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in humans, with reactive oxygen species playing an important role. While As induces adverse effects by decreasing DNA methylation and affecting protein 53 expression, Se induces adverse effects by modifying thioredoxin reductase. However, they can react with glutathione and S-adenosylmethionine by forming an As-Se complex, which can be secreted extracellularly. We hypothesize that there are two types of interactions between As and Se. At low concentration, Se can decrease As toxicity via excretion of As-Se compound [(GS3)2AsSe](-), but at high concentration, excessive Se can enhance As toxicity by reacting with S-adenosylmethionine and glutathione, and modifying the structure and activity of arsenite methyltransferase. This review is to summarize their toxicity mechanisms and the interaction between As and Se toxicity, and to provide suggestions for future investigations.

The antiangiogenic activity of Kushecarpin D, a novel flavonoid isolated from Sophora flavescens Ait.

AIMS: Kushecarpin D (KD) is a novel flavonoid isolated from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Kushen (the dried root of Sophora flavescens Ait). As part of our continuous effort to explore Chinese traditional medicinal herbs and to identify novel natural anticancer products, the antiangiogenic properties of KD were examined in vitro using a human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (ECV304). MAIN METHODS: The SRB and Trypan Blue exclusion assays were used to evaluate the effect of KD on cell proliferation. The antiangiogenic activities of KD were evaluated through studies of cell migration, cell adhesion, and tube formation. DCFH-DA and DHE fluorescent assays were used to detect the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Catalase activity was detected using the colorimetric ammonium molybdate method. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry and the Hoechst 33258 staining assay. KEY FINDINGS: The results indicated that KD showed antiangiogenic activity via inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, cell migration, cell adhesion, and tube formation. ROS levels were down-regulated and catalase activity was up-regulated after treatment with KD. The cell cycle was arrested at the G2/M phase, while no apoptosis was observed using the Hoechst 33258 staining assay or following the flow cytometric analysis of the sub-G1 proportion. SIGNIFICANCE: The antiangiogenic properties of KD, in combination with its anti-proliferative effect and ability to induce cell cycle arrest without inducing apoptosis, make it a good candidate for development as antitumor agent. However, further studies are essential to elucidate its mechanism of action.