Bioassay of Eucalyptus extracts for anticancer activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (eac) cells in Swiss albino mice

Objective

To evaluate the antineoplastic activity of Eucalyptus extract (EuE) against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice.

Methods

Preliminary examination of four plant extracts (namely Eucalyptus, Costus, Azadirachta, Feronia) has been done by observing the reduction ability of number of EAC cells in previously inoculated Swiss albino mice. Among them as EuE showed maximum capability, the whole study has been conducted with EuE only. Important parameters viz. enhancement of life span, reduction of average tumor weight etc. have been studied. In addition the effects of EuE on hematological parameters in both normal and EAC inoculated mice have been measured. Effect of EuE on normal peritoneal cells has also been studied.

Results

: EuE reduced tumor burden remarkably. It reduced the tumor growth rate and enhanced the life span of EAC bearing mice noticeably. It reversed back the hematological parameters towards normal, reduced the trasplantability of EAC cells and enhanced the immunomodulatory effects in mice. The host toxic effect of EuE in mice is minimum and mostly reversible with time. All such data have been compared with those obtained by running parallel experiments with bleomycin at dose 0.3 mg/kg (i.p.).

Conclusions

The Eucalyptus extract may be considered as a potent anticancer agent for advanced researches.     

Inhibition of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma by Manilkara zapota L. stem bark in Swiss albino mice

Objective

To evaluate the antitumor activity of Manilkara zapota (M. zapota) L. stem bark against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice.

Methods

The in vivo antitumour activity of the ethyl acetate extract of stem bark of M. zapota L. (EASM) was evaluated at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw against EAC using mean survival time. After administration of the extract of M. zapota, viable EAC cell count and body weight in the EAC tumour hosts were observed. The animal was also observed for improvement in the haematological parameters (e.g., heamoglobin content, red and white blood cells count and differential cell count) after EASM treatment.

Results

Intraperitoneal administration of EASM reduced viable EAC cells, increased the survival time, and restored altered haematological parameters. Significant efficacy was observed for EASM at 100 mg/kg dose (P<0.05).

Conclusions

It can be concluded that the ethyl acetate extract of stem bark of M. zapota L. possesses significant antitumour activity.     

In vitro anti oxidant activity and acute oral toxicity of Terminalia paniculata bark ethanolic extract on Sprague Dawley rats

ObjectiveTo ensure the safety and evaluate the anti oxidant activity of Terminalia paniculata (T. paniculata) ethanolic extract in Sprague Dawley rats.MethodsThe solvent extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol) of T. paniculata were subjected to phytochemical analysis and their DPPH radical scavenging activity was assayed. The oral acute toxicity was evaluated using ethanolic extract of T. paniculata.ResultsEthyl acetate and ethanolic extracts showed more phytochemicals, whereas highest DPPH scavenging activity was found in ethanolic extract. In an acute toxicity study, T. paniculata ethanolic extract was orally administered (1000 mg/kg body weight) to rats and observed for 72 h for any toxic symptoms and the dose was continued up to 14 d. On the 15th day rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected from control and test animals and analyzed for some biochemical parameters. We did not observe any behavioral changes in test groups in comparison with their controls. Also, there were no significant alterations in biochemical, hematological (hemoglobin content and blood cells count) and liver function parameters such as serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins, albumin and bilirubin levels between T. paniculata ethanolic extract treated and normal control groups.ConclusionsTogether our results demonstrated that T. paniculata ethanolic possessed potent antioxidant activity and it was safer and non toxic to rats even at higher doses and therefore could be well considered for further investigation for its medicinal and therapeutic efficacy.     

先天性白内障小鼠主要脏器重量和血液生理生化指标的分析

目的建立SPF级先天性白内障小鼠体重及主要脏器重量,血液生理生化等指标的背景资料。方法以28日龄及56日龄正常KM小鼠为对照组,以同日龄先天白内障小鼠为实验组,分别测定小鼠体重、主要脏器重量以及血液生理生化指标。结果与28日龄KM小鼠相比较,同日龄白内障小鼠各项指标均无统计学意义;与56日龄KM小鼠相比较:(1)小鼠体重、心、肝、脾、肺、肾、雄鼠睾丸重量差异均有统计学意义(P0.05或P0.01)。(2)血液学检查数据显示:雌鼠的平均血小板压积、血小板分布宽度以及雄鼠的白细胞、血小板、淋巴细胞比率差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。(3)血液生化学检查数据显示碱性磷酸酶、尿酸、葡萄糖、总蛋白、雄鼠谷丙转氨酶、白蛋白、雌鼠的尿素、甘油三酯差异有统计学意义(P0.05或P0.01)。结论 56日龄白内障小鼠与同日龄KM小鼠相比,体重及主要脏器重量以及部分生理生化指标有一定的差异。研究结果可以为科研人员提供参考数据。     

不同周龄C57-ras转基因小鼠模型杂交1代CB6F1小鼠的脏器及血液学参数测定

目的 测定4周龄和8周龄不同性别CB6F1小鼠的脏器及血液生理生化指标正常值, 并比较周龄、性别对各项指标的影响。方法 分别取20只雌雄各半的4周龄和8周龄的CB6F1小鼠, 活体称重, 解剖称取主要脏器重量,采血测定血液生理指标和血清生化指标。结果 4周龄和8周龄CB6F1在体重、心、肝、脾、右卵巢、左睾丸、右睾丸、白细胞计数(WBC)、红细胞计数(RBC)、血红蛋白浓度(HGB)、红细胞压积(HCT)、平均红细胞体积(MCV)、平均红细胞血红蛋白(MCH)、血小板压积(PCT)、平均血小板体积(MPV)、血小板分布宽度(PDW)、淋巴细胞(LYM)、总蛋白(TP)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、白蛋白(ALB)、磷(P)、甘油三酯(TG)这22项指标上差异存在显著性(P<0.01), 在左肾、右肾、右肾上腺、胸腺、左卵巢、红细胞分布宽度(RDW)、单核细胞百分比(MON%)、尿素(BUN)这8项指标上差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。从性别上比较, 4周龄CB6F1在体重、心、肝、脾、肺、左肾、右肾、平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度(MCHC)、LYM、ALT、ALP、葡萄糖(GLU)、P、总胆固醇(CHO)这14项指标上都有雌雄间的显著差异(P<0.01), 在右肾上腺、WBC、PCT、平均血小板体积(MPV)、总蛋白(TP)、BUN这6项指标上存在雌雄间的统计学差异(P<0.05);8周龄CB6F1在体重、心、肝、肺、左肾、右肾、MCV、PCT、LYM、淋巴细胞百分比(LYM%)、中性粒细胞百分比(NEUT%)、ALT、GLU、P、CHO这15项指标上都有雌雄间的显著差异(P<0.01), 在WBC、RBC、MPV、中性粒细胞(NEUT)、TP这5项指标上存在雌雄间的统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论 本文测定了不同周龄不同性别CB6F1小鼠的脏器及血液生理生化指标, 为其建立正常检测指标和应用提供参考。     

Cytotoxicity evaluation and hepatoprotective potential of bioassay guided fractions from Feronia limmonia Linn leaf

Objective

To evaluate the cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective potentials of extracts, fractions or isolated compound from the leaves of Feronia limonia (F. limonia).

Methods

Qualitative phytochemical analysis of extracts, fractions or compound was performed by means of thin layer chromatography and spectroscopic assays. The % purity of compound was measured by analytical HPLC. Extracts, fractions or compound have been individually evaluated for their cytotoxicity effects (10, 20, 100, 250, 500, 750 and 1 000 µg/mL). Based on the inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) obtained from the cell viability assay, graded concentrations of extracts, fractions or isolated compound were assessed (10, 20, 50, 100, 200 µg/mL) for its hepatoprotective potential against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity by monitoring activity levels of serum glutamatic pyruvatic transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT).

Results

Results indicated that the methanol extract of F. limonia was non-toxic and hepatoprotective in nature as compared with the petroleum ether extract. The acetone fraction of methanolic extract also showed similar properties but the subsequent two fractions were cytotoxic. However, the pure compound isolated from the penultimate fraction of methanolic extract was non-toxic and hepatoprotective in nature. Biochemical investigations (SGOT, SGPT) further corroborated these cytological observations.

Conclusions

It can be concluded from this study that F. limonia methanol extract, some fractions and pure isolated compound herein exhibit hepatoprotective activity. However, cytotoxicity recorded in the penultimate fraction and investigation of structural details of pure compound warrants further study.     

Lignans-Rich Extract from Herpetospermum caudigerum Alleviate Physical Fatigue in Mice

Objective

To ascertain anti-fatigue constituents and mechanisms of Herpetospermum caudigerum.

Methods

The 80% ethanol extracts of Herpetospermum caudigerum were partitioned with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively. Male Kunming mice were divided into 13 groups with 16 mice in each group: a control group fed with water, 9 groups treated with 3 fractions of Herpetospermum caudigerum (chloroform fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and n-butanol fraction) at dose of 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg for the low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group, 3 herpetrione (HPE) treated groups fed with HPE at dose of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg for the low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group. All animals were treated once per day for 30 days. Anti-fatigue activity was assessed through the forced swimming test and serum biochemical parameters including blood lactic acid (BLA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic glycogen (HG), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) determined following the recommended procedures provided by the commercial kits.

Results

Compared with the control group, the lignans extract (ethyl acetate fraction) of Herpetospermum caudigerum and HPE could signifificantly prolonged the exhaustive swimming time (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and also increased the HG levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx and LDH, P<0.05 or P<0.01); BLA and MDA levels were decreased considerably in lignans extract and HPE treated groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HPE also could significantly decrease the BUN contents compared with the control group (P<0.05). The chloroform and n-butanol fraction showed no effect on swimming time and biochemical parameters.

Conclusions

The lignans extract had antifatigue activities and HPE may be partly responsible for the anti-fatigue effects of Herpetospermum caudigerum. The possible mechanisms of anti-fatigue activity were related to the decrease of BUN and BLA, the increase of the HG storage and protecting corpuscular membrane by preventing lipid oxidation via modifying several enzyme activities.

     

Antiproliferative role of Indigofera aspalathoides on 20 methylcholanthrene induced fibrosarcoma in rats

ObjectiveTo find out the anticancer effect of Indigofera aspalathoides (I. aspalathoides) on 20-methylcholanthrene induced fibrosarcoma in rats.MethodsFibrosarcoma was induced in Wistar strain male albino rats by 20-methylcholanthrene. Intraperitoneous (i.p.) administration of 250 mg/kg body weight/day of aqueous extract of I. aspalathoides for 30 d effectively suppressed chemically induced tumors. Parameters such as body weight, liver and kidney weight, tumor weight, mean survival time, behavioral changes, blood glucose, blood glycogen and marker enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP) and 5′-nucleiotidase (5′-NT) in serum, liver and kidney and lipid profiles such as total cholesterol, phospholipids, free fatty acids in liver and kidney of control and experimental animals were studied.ResultsFibrosarcoma bearing animals were ferocious and anxious. The mean survival time was found to increase after the treatment. The body weights were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in group II fibrosarcoma animals which steadily increased after the treatment with I. aspalathoides. The liver and kidney weights were significantly increased whereas the tumor weights decreased as compared to the weights in untreated fibrosarcoma bearing rats. The blood glucose and the liver and kidney glycogen levels were found to decrease significantly (P < 0.001) in group II animals. Elevated activities of marker enzymes were observed in serum, liver and kidney of fibrosarcoma bearing Group II animals which were normalize after I. aspalathoides treatment. In the liver and kidney of Group II animals the total cholesterol increased whereas the phospholipids and free fatty acid levels decreased (P < 0.001) which were normalized after treatment.ConclusionsThe treatment by I. aspalathoides on fibrosarcoma bearing rats has improved the levels of various parameters indicating its antiproliferative and anticancer activity.     

Antioxidant,antimicrobial, cytotoxic and analgesic activities of ethanolic extract of Mentha arvensis L.

ObjectiveTo investigate potential antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and analgesic activities of ethanolic extract of Mentha arvensis L. in different in vivo and in vitro experimental models.MethodsIn vitro DPPH radical scavenging assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the plant extract. In vivo analgesic activity was carried out by acetic acid-induced writhing test in Swiss albino mice. All studies in mice were undertaken at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight. Antibacterial activity was studied by disk diffusion assay against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Brine shrimp lethality assay was used to investigate cytotoxicity effects of the plant extract.ResultsThe extract showed free radical scavenging activity in the DPPH assay (IC₅₀∼41 μg/mL) compared to the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid (IC₅₀∼19 μg/mL). The extract also produced prominent antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella boydii, Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus aureus compared to standard drug kanamycin at the dose of 30 μg/disc. The extract exhibited lethality against the brine shrimp nauplii with the LC₅₀ values of 40 μg/mL, and also 90% mortality (LC₉₀) value was found to be 160 μg/mL. In analgesic test, the extract demonstrated statistically significant (P<0.01) analgesic effect in acetic acid induced writhing in white albino mice at both dose levels.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the ethanolic extract of Mentha arvensis L. has potential antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic and analgesic activities that support the ethnopharmacological uses of this plant.     

Ethanol Extract of Phellinus merrillii Protects against Diethylnitrosamine- and 2-Acetylaminofluorene-Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats

Objective: To study whether the ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii (EPM) has chemopreventive potential against liver carcinogenesis. Methods: Thirty male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, EPM control group, hepatocarcinoma control group, low-dose EPM group and high-dose EPM group, 6 in each group. Using the Solt and Farber protocol in a rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis, the chemopreventive effect of EPM on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated, 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and partial hepatectomy (PH)-promoted liver carcinogenesis in rats was evaluated. Basic pathophysiological and histological examinations, together with the serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) were measured. Results: Treatment of EPM at the concentration of 2 g/kg body weight in the diet for 8 weeks clearly prevented the development of carcinogenesis and reduced the levels of sGOT, sGPT, and serum γ-GT of rats as compared with the hepatocarcinoma control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). These phenotypes were accompanied by a significant increase in natural killer cell activity. Conclusion: EPM showed a strong liver preventive effect against DEN+2-AAF+PH-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat model.     

In vitro α–amylase inhibitory activity and in vivo hypoglycemic effect of methanol extract of Citrus macroptera Montr. fruit

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of methanol extract of Citrus macroptera Montr.fruit in α-amylase inhibitory activity (in vitro) and hypoglycemic activity in normal and glucose induced hyperglycemic rats (in vivo).MethodsFruits of Citrus macroptera without rind was extracted with pure methanol following cold extraction and tested for presence of phytochemical constituents, α-amylase inhibitory activity, and hypoglycemic effect in normal rats and glucose induced hyperglycemic rats.ResultsPresence of saponin, steroid and terpenoid were identified in the extract. The results showed that fruit extract had moderate α-amylase inhibitory activity [IC₅₀ value=(3.638±0.190) mg/mL] as compared to acarbose. Moreover at 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg doses fruit extract significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively) reduced fasting blood glucose level in normal rats as compared to glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). In oral glucose tolerance test, 500 mg/kg dose significantly reduced blood glucose level (P<0.05) at 2 h but 1000 mg/kg dose significantly reduced blood glucose level at 2 h and 3 h (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively) whereas glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced glucose level at every hour after administration. Overall time effect is also considered extremely significant with F value=23.83 and P value=0.0001 in oral glucose tolerance test.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the plant may be a potential source for the development of new oral hypoglycemic agent.     

芭蕉花活性成分提取及其体外生物活性研究

目的 研究芭蕉花的活性成分及其体外生物活性.方法 通过硅胶柱色谱、大孔树脂、TLC分离等对芭蕉花提取物进行分离,并用高效液相色谱,结合质谱分析等方法,进行成分鉴定;采用体外MTT法进行芭蕉花活性组分对抑制肝癌BEL-7402细胞增殖作用的筛选,对抑制AngⅡ诱导的A7r5平滑肌细胞增殖作用进行活性筛选.结果 通过液-质分析,从芭蕉花乙酸乙酯提取物和石油醚提取物中发现其中有一种化合物可能为豆甾醇.MTT筛选发现芭蕉花石油醚提取物的4种萃取物组分中,乙酸乙酯相和石油醚相对肝癌BEL-7402细胞具有显著的增殖抑制作用(P<0.01),且呈一定的剂量和时间依赖性;芭蕉花的3种提取物组分中,乙酸乙酯相和石油醚相对AngⅡ诱导的A7r5平滑肌细胞增殖具有显著的抑制作用(P<0.01),且其抑制作用呈一定的剂量和时间依赖性.结论 芭蕉花石油醚提取物的石油醚萃取部位和乙酸乙酯萃取部位对肝癌BEL-7402细胞具有显著的增殖抑制作用,72 h的IC50分别为67.4μg/mL和34.5μg/mL,且石油醚提取物和乙酸乙酯提取物对AngⅡ诱导的A7r5平滑肌细胞增殖有抑制作用,72 h的IC50为55.5μg/mL.从芭蕉花提取物中分离出单体豆甾醇,为芭蕉花活性成分的深入研究提供了参考.     

SGT基因杂合缺失小鼠血液生理生化指标分析

目的分析SGT基因杂合缺失对不同年龄小鼠血液指标和代谢的影响。方法分别采集10周龄、26周龄SGT基因杂合缺失(SGT~(+/-))小鼠和野生型小鼠眼眶血液,用全自动血细胞分析仪和生化分析仪检测常用血液生理指标和生化指标,进行不同年龄和基因型间统计比较。结果与同基因型低龄小鼠对比,高龄小鼠多项血液生理生化指标均发生增龄性改变。与同龄野生型对照相比,10周龄SGT~(+/-)小鼠大血小板比率降低,未结合型胆红素浓度降低(P0.05),其余指标均未见统计学差异;26周龄SGT~(+/-)小鼠血小板计数、血小板比容和中性粒细胞计数降低,碱性磷酸酶、未结合型胆红素、胆固醇及甘油三酯等指标改变有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论SGT基因杂合缺失能够诱发高龄小鼠部分血液、血清生化指标的改变。     

Ethanol Extract of Ilex Hainanensis Merr. Exhibits Anti-Melanoma Activity by Induction of G1/S Cell-Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis

Objective: To evaluate anti-melanoma effect of ethanol extract of Ilex hainanensis Merr. (IME) and elucidate its underlying mechanism. Methods: Thirty-six tumor-bearing mice were randomized into 6 groups (n=6) as follows: model group, IME 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg groups and dacarbazine (DTIC) 70 mg/kg group. The mice in the IME treatment groups were intragastrically administered with IME 25, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg per day, respectively. The mice in the DTIC group were intraperitoneally injected with DTIC 70 mg/kg every 2 days. The drug administration was lasting for 14 days. The cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dime-thylthylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell cycle and apoptosis. The gene and protein expressions of nuclear factor κB-p65 (NF-κB-p65), Bcl-2, B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL) and Bax were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Caspases-3, -8, and -9 activities were detected using the colorimetric method. In addition, a B16-F10 melanoma xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of IME in vivo. Furthermore, a survival experiment of tumor-bearing mice was also performed to evaluate the possible toxicity of IME. Results: IME significantly inhibited the proliferation of B16-F10 cells (P<0.01). Flow cytometric analysis showed that IME induced G1/S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (both P<0.01). IME inhibited activation of NF-κB, decreased the gene and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and increased the gene and protein expressions of Bax (all P<0.01). In addition, IME induced the activation of Caspases-3, -8, and -9 in B16-F10 cells. The study in vivo showed that IME significantly reduced tumor volume (P<0.01), and the inhibitory rate came up to 68.62%. IME also induced large areas of necrosis and intra-tumoral apoptosis that correlated with a reduction in tumor volume. Survival experiment showed that treatment with IME for 14 days significantly prolonged survival time and 20% of mice in the IME 200 mg/kg group were still alive until the 50th day. Notably, IME showed no apparent side-effects during the treatment period. Conclusion: IME exhibited significant anti-melanoma activity in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that IME might be a promising effective candidate with lower toxic for malignant melanoma therapy.     

Sedative and anxiolytic effects of ethanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea (Asclepiadaceae) leaves

ObjectiveTo evaluate possible anxiogenic activity, sedative property and anxiolytic potential of crude ethanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea leaves.MethodsThe anxiogenic activity of crude ethanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea leaves was evaluated using standard animal behavioral models, such as hole cross and open field; sedative property and anxiolytic potential were evaluated by conducting thiopental sodium induced sleeping time tests and elevated plus-maze test.ResultsThe crude ethanolic extract exhibited a significant (P<0.05, P<0.001) decrease of motor activity and exploratory behavior in hole cross and open field tests. The extract also markedly increased both the number of visits to and time spent in the corners of the open field. The extract treated rats spent more time in the open arm of elevated plus-maze, showing its antianxiety activity. There was a decrease in the locomotor activity.ConclusionsThe obtained results provide support for the use of this species in traditional medicine and warrant further investigation to isolate the specific components that are responsible for the sedative and anxiolytic effects. Components from this plant may have a great potential value as medicinal agents, as leads or model compounds for synthetic or semi synthetic structure modifications and optimization, and as neuropharmacological probes.     

大蒜素对荷子宫内膜癌裸小鼠移植瘤生长的影响及其机制研究

目的 研究大蒜素（allitridi）对荷子宫内膜癌裸小鼠移植瘤生长的影响及其机制。方法 取对数生长期子宫内膜癌Ishikawa细胞,皮下注射接种的方法制备荷子宫内膜癌裸小鼠模型,成瘤后取60只裸小鼠模型随机分为模型组、大蒜素高（40mg/kg）、中（20mg/kg）、低（10mg/kg）剂量组和顺铂2mg/kg组,每组12只;各治疗组均隔天腹腔注射给药1次,共给药治疗5次。治疗完成后剥取肿瘤组织并称量、计算抑瘤率;HE染色法观察肿瘤组织形态学变化;TUNEL染色法观察肿瘤组织细胞凋亡状况并计算凋亡指数（apoptosis index,AI）,免疫组织化学法（immunohistochemistry,IHC）观察肿瘤组织bcl-2、Bax、caspase-3蛋白表达并进行半定量分析,计算Bax/bcl-2比值。结果 大蒜素各组和顺铂组裸小鼠移植瘤肿瘤组织细胞呈皱缩、片状坏死等病理性改变,凋亡细胞数量明显增多,以大蒜素高剂量组最为显著。与模型组比较,大蒜素高、中剂量组和顺铂组瘤体重量显著减轻（P<0.05,P<0.01）,抑瘤率显著升高（P<0.01）,肿瘤组织bcl-2蛋白表达显著下调（P<0.05,P<0.01）,Bax和caspase-3蛋白表达显著上调（P<0.05,P<0.01）,Bax/bcl-2表达比值显著升高（P<0.01）。与顺铂组比较,大蒜素高剂量组Bax/bcl-2表达比值显著升高（P<0.05）。结论 大蒜素对荷子宫内膜癌裸小鼠移植瘤生长具有抑制作用,其机制可能与大蒜素能够下调bcl-2表达、上调Bax和caspase-3表达、提高Bax/bcl-2表达比值进而促进肿瘤细胞凋亡有关。     

Antimicrobial activities of the rhizome extract of Zingiber zerumbet Linn

Objective

To investigate antimicrobial effects of ethanolic extract of Zingiber zerumbet (Z. zerumbet) (L.) Smith and its chloroform and petroleum ether soluble fractions against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Methods

The fresh rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet were extracted in cold with ethanol (4.0 L) after concentration. The crude ethanol extract was fractionated by petroleum ether and chloroform to form a suspension of ethanol extract (15.0 g), petroleum ether fraction (6.6 g) and chloroform soluble fraction (5.0 g). The crude ethanol extract and its petroleum ether and chloroform fractions were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity against thirteen pathogenic bacteria and three fungi by the disc diffusion method. Commercially available kanamycin (30 µg/disc) was used as standard disc and blank discs impregnated with the respective solvents were used as negative control.

Results

At a concentration of 400 µg/disc, all the samples showed mild to moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity and produced the zone of inhibition ranging from 6 mm to 10 mm. Among the tested samples, the crude ethanol extract showed the highest activity against Vibrio parahemolyticus (V. parahemolyticus). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the crude ethanol extract and its fractions were within the value of 128-256 µg/mL against two Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria and all the samples showed the lowest MIC value against V. parahemolyticus (128 µg/mL).

Conclusions

It can be concluded that, potent antibacterial and antifungal phytochemicals are present in ethanol extract of Z. zerumbet (L).     

Topoisomerase II α Gene as a Marker for Prognostic Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Bioinformatics Analysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of topoisomerase II α (TOP2α) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its role in predicting prognosis of HCC patients.MethodsWe used HCC-related datasets in UALCAN, HCCDB, and cBioPortal databases to analyze the expression and mutation of TOP2α and its co-expressed genes in HCC tissues. GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of TOP2α and its co-expressed genes were identified. The TIMER database was used to analyze infiltration levels of immune cells in HCC. The impacts of TOP2α and its co-expression genes and the infiltrated immune cells on the survival of HCC patients were assayed by Kaplan-Meier plotter analysis.ResultsTOP2α and its co-expression genes were highly expressed in HCC (P < 0.001) and detrimental to overall survival of HCC patients (P < 0.001). TOP2α and its co-expression genes were mainly involved in cell mitosis and proliferation, and cell cycle pathway (ID: hsa04110, P = 0.00194S). TOP2α and its co-expression genes were mutated in HCC and the mutations were significantly detrimental to overall survival (P = 0.0247) and disease-free survival (P = 0.026S) of HCC patients. High TOP2α expression was positively correlated with the infiltration of B cell (r = 0.4S9, P < 0.01), CD8⁺T cell (r = 0.312, P < 0.01), CD4⁺T cell (r = 0.370, P < 0.01), macrophage (r = 0.459, P < 0.01), neutrophil (r = 0.405, P < 0.01), and dendritic cell (r = 0.473, P < 0.01) in HCC. The CD8⁺T cell infiltration significantly prolonged the 3- and 5-year survival of HCC patients (all P < 0.05), and CD4⁺T cell infiltration significantly shortened the 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival of HCC patients (all P < 0.05)ConclusionTOP2α may be an oncogene, which was associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients and could be used as a biomarker for the prognostic prediction of HCC.     

In vivo anticancer activity of vanillin semicarbazone

Objective

To evaluate the anticancer activity of vanillin semicarbazone (VSC) against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss albino mice.

Methods

The compound VSC at three doses (5, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) was administered into the intraperitoneal cavity of the EAC inoculated mice to observe its efficiency by studying the cell growth inhibition, reduction of tumour weight, enhancement of survival time as well as the changes in depleted hematological parameters. All such parameters were also studied with a known standard drug bleomycin at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg (i.p.).

Results

Among the doses studied, 10 mg/kg (i.p.) was found to be quite comparable in potency to that of bleomycin at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg (i.p.). The host toxic effects of VSC was found to be negligible.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that VSC can therefore be considered as potent anticancer agent.     

Use of Xinfeng capsule to treat abarticular pathologic changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectiveTo observe the influence of Xinfeng-capsule (XFC) on abarticular pathologic changes (APCs) and other indices of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explore the mechanism of action of XFC in improving such changes.MethodsThree-hundred RA patients were divided randomly into a treatment group (n=150) and control group (n=150). A normal control (NC) group (n=90) was also created. Changes in cardiac function, pulmonary function, anemia indices and platelet parameters of RA patients were measured. Curative effects of the two groups were compared, and comparison carried out with the NC group.ResultsIn 300 RA patients, late diastolic peak flow velocity (A peak) was much higher (P<0.01) and early diastolic peak flow velocity (E peak), E/A, and left ventricular fraction shortening much lower (P<0.01) than those in the NC group. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity in one second, forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximal expiratory flow in 50% of VC (FEF50) and FEF75 were lowered remarkably (P< 0.05 or P<0.01). Platelet count (PLT), plateletcrit (PCT) and mean platelet volume (MPV) increased markedly (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and hemoglobin (Hb) level decreased significantly (P<0.05). After XFC treatment, the A peak and PLT and PCT were much lower (P<0.05), and E/A and the number of red blood cells as well as Hb level were much higher (P< 0.05), as were FVC, MVV and FEF50 (P<0.05 or P< 0.01), in the treatment group than those in the NC group. Total score of pain and swelling in joints, uric-acid level and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level were much lower, and superoxide dismutase level as well as the number of CD4 + CD25 + regulation T cells (Treg) and CD4 + CD25 + CD127-Treg were much higher (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in the treatment group than those in the NC group.ConclusionRA patients with pathologic changes in joints also suffer from lower cardiac and pulmonary functions and from parameters of anemia and platelet factors. XFC can improve the symptoms of RA patients, ameliorate their cardiac and pulmonary functions and reduce the parameters of anemia and platelet factors. XFC lowers the immune inflammatory reaction to improve APCs in RA patients.