Effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on the proliferation and differentiation of primary Sertoli cells in young ratsOA

Objective: Sertoli cells(SCs) provide physical support and material supply for germ cells and participate in the formation of blood-testis barrier. The number of SCs is directly proportional to the number of germ cells. And mature SCs ensure the growth of germ cells and the production of sperm. In this study, we explored the effect and underlying mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP) on primary SCs in young rats.Methods: Primary SCs were isolated from the testis of 20-day old rats. T...     

Persicaria hydropiper (L.) spach and its flavonoid components, isoquercitrin and isorhamnetin, activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and inhibit adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells

Obesity, which is related to metabolic syndrome and is associated with liver disease, represents an epidemic problem demanding effective therapeutic strategies. Evidence shows that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is closely associated with obesity and that small molecules regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway can potentially control adipogenesis related to obesity. Eleven plant extracts activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway were screened by using HEK 293-TOP cells retaining the Wnt/β-catenin signaling reporter gene. An extract of Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Spach was found to activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling. P. hydropiper is grown worldwide in temperate climates and is found widely in Southeast Asia. The P. hydropiper extract inhibited the differentiation of adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells. Isoquercitrin and isorhamnetin, constituents of P. hydropiper, also activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling and suppressed the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. These results indicate that isoquercitrin in P. hydropiper suppresses the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells via the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. P. hydropiper and isoquercitrin may therefore be potential therapeutic agents for obesity and its associated disorders.     

Huangqi Decoction,a compound Chinese herbal medicine,inhibits the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells by regulating the long noncoding RNA-C18orf26-1/microRNA-663a/transforming growth factor-β axis

Objective:Huangqi Decoction (HQD),a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula,has been used as a valid treatment for alleviating liverfibrosis;however,the underlying molecular mechanism is still unknown.Although our previous studies showed that microRNA-663a (miR-663a) suppresses the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the transforming growth factor-β/small mothers against decapentaplegic (TGF-β/Smad) pathway,whether long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved i...     

Aqueous extract of Taxus Chinensis （Pilger） Rehd inhibits lung carci- noma A549 cells through the epidermal growth factor receptor/mi- togen-activated protein kinase pathway in vitro and in vivo

OBJECTIVE： To explore the anticancer mechanism of aqueous extract of Taxus Chinensis （Pilger） Rehd （AETC）. METHODS： The serum pharmacological method was used to avoid interference from administration of the crude medicinal herbs. Eight purebred NewZealand rabbits were used for preparation of serum containing various concentrations of AETC. For- ty-eight Balb/c-nu mice were used for in vivo experi- ments. The effects of serum containing AETC on the proliferation of A549 cells and expression levels of the epidermal growth factor receptor/mito- gen-activated protein kinase （EGFR/MAPK） path- way-related proteins in vitro were investigated. Ad- ditionally, the effects on the growth of A549 xeno- grafts in nude mice, and expression levels of the EG- FR/MAPK pathway-related proteins in the xeno- grafts, were investigated. RESULTS： 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyl- tetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay revealed that the serum containing AETC significantly decreased the viability of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot showed that the serum containing various concentrations of AETC strongly reduced the levels of phospho-Jun N-terminal kinase （p-JNK） and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinasel/2 （ERK1/2） while it increased the level of p-p38. However, no significant effects on the ex- pression levels of JNK, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK were found. In addition, an anticancer effect from AETC was observed in vivo in the Balb/c-nu mice bearing A549 xenografts.CONCLUSION： AETC has significant effects on the growth of A549 xenografts and on the activity of the EGFR/MAPK pathway. Therefore, AETC may be beneficial in lung carcinoma treatment.