Antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and whitening effects of extracts of Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb

In the present study, we analyzed the antioxidant, antiplatelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory, and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of a variety of solvent extracts of Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb. (Family Elaeagnaceae). Among the solvent extracts of E. multiflora, the ethyl acetate extract (EE) exhibited the highest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and xanthine oxidase inhibition activity, as well as the greatest tyrosinase inhibition activity. Only the chloroform extract (CE) inhibited platelet aggregation, and that was a weak effect with 19.29% inhibition at 250 microg/mL, as compared to controls. The CE was also the most potent inhibitor of nitric oxide production among the tested fractions, with almost 100% inhibition at 500 microg/mL. We also detected 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol in the CE and EE, via a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assay. In conclusion, we found that E. multiflora Thunb. has antioxidant and antiplatelet aggregation effects to some extent, and its CE and EE possess potent inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production and tyrosinase activity.     

鱼腥草对铜绿微囊藻的抑制作用

目的研究鱼腥草(Houttuynia cordata Thunb.)对水华蓝藻铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)的抑制作用。方法采用鱼腥草水浸提液以及4种有机溶剂(丙酮、乙酸乙酯、石油醚、乙醇)萃取物(粗提物)分别抑藻,通过藻细胞密度计算出抑制率;同时采用GC-MS分析鉴定抑藻效果最好的萃取物中的化感物质。结果鱼腥草水浸提液及4种粗提物对铜绿微囊藻均有很好的抑制作用;4种粗提物的抑藻效果为:乙酸乙酯粗提物乙醇粗提物丙酮粗提物石油醚粗提物;乙酸乙酯粗提物中的化感物质主要有二丙酮醇、2,2-二甲基己酮、氯己酸及4-苯腈酯。结论鱼腥草具有很强的抑藻水华蓝藻作用,具有开发成生态抑藻剂的潜质。     

何首乌对Alzheimer病模型大鼠学习记忆的影响及其机制的研究

目的　探讨何首乌对AD模型大鼠学习记忆能力的影响及可能的作用机制。方法　制模前 ,将SD大鼠进行Y -迷宫训练 ,并记录其学习记忆能力。建立AD模型后 ,用不同剂量的何首乌对AD大鼠进行灌胃 ,疗程结束后用Y -迷宫试验检测各组大鼠学习记忆能力及海马组织中SOD活性和MDA含量。结果　中高剂量何首乌灌胃组与模型组相比 :大鼠学习记忆能力和海马区SOD活性均显著增高 (P <0 0 5 ) ,MDA含量显著降低 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　何首乌可改善AD大鼠的学习记忆能力 ,其机制可能与何首乌的抗氧自由基、减轻细胞膜损害的作用有关     

Beneficial effects of pet ownership on some aspects of human health and behaviour.

A 10-month prospective study was carried out which examined changes in behaviour and health status in 71 adult subjects following the acquisition of a new pet (either dogs or cats). A group of 26 subjects without pets served as a comparison over the same period. Both pet-owning groups reported a highly significant reduction in minor health problems during the first month following pet acquisition, and this effect was sustained in dog owners through to 10 months. The pet-acquiring groups also showed improvements in their scores on the 30-item General Health Questionnaire over the first 6 months and, in dog owners, this improvement was maintained until 10 months. In addition, dog owners took considerably more physical exercise while walking their dogs than the other two groups, and this effect continued throughout the period of study. The group without pets exhibited no statistically significant changes in health or behaviour, apart from a small increase in recreational walking. The results provide evidence that pet acquisition may have positive effects on human health and behaviour, and that in some cases these effects are relatively long term.     

Beneficial effects of grape seed extract on malondialdehyde-modified LDL

Following consecutive 12-wk administration of tablets containing 0, 200 or 400 mg grape seed extract (calculated as proanthocyanidin) to 61 healthy subjects with LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of 100 to 180 mg/dL, effects of such treatment compared to administration of placebo tablets on malondialdehyde-modified LDL (MDA-LDL), representing one oxidized type of LDL, were investigated by a single blind method. MDA-LDL level in the 200 mg (calculated as proanthocyanidin) group was significantly (p = 0.008) reduced compared to the basal level, 12 wk after the start of administration. In the 400 mg (calculated as proanthocyanidin) group, a significant decrease in MDA-LDL level compared to the basal level was found 6 and 12 wk after the start of administration (6 wk: p = 0.015, 12 wk: p = 0.009). Subjects with high levels of MDA-LDL/ApoB (MDA-LDL/ApoB > or = 100 mU/mL) in the 200 mg group showed significantly (p = 0.011) reduced MDA-LDL levels at 12 wk after the start of administration. In the 400 mg group, significant decreases in MDA-LDL level compared to the basal level were seen 6 and 12 wk after the start of administration (6 wk: p = 0.001, 12 wk: p < 0.001); and at week 6, significantly (p = 0.048) lower values were observed compared to those in patients who took placebo tablets (0 mg proanthocyanidin). In subjects demonstrating the least body weight changes during the test period (less than +/- 1.0 kg) in the 400 mg group, there was an increasing trend (p = 0.088) in adiponectin levels 12 wk after the start of treatment. These results suggested that tablets containing grape seed extract exerted reducing effects on oxidized LDL, and might be useful in preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as arteriosclerosis.     

锂对大鼠海马CCK蛋白表达和学习记忆的影响

目的观察慢性给锂大鼠海马胆囊收缩素(CCK)蛋白表达的变化及对体重和学习记忆能力的影响,阐明锂长期作用对脑发育及学习记忆能力的影响。方法通过测量体重,利用Y迷宫试验和ABC免疫组化法,研究用含不同剂量(3、30、300、3000mgkg)氯化锂(LiCl)饲料喂养的大鼠体格发育情况、学习记忆能力以及海马不同亚区CCK阳性神经元的变化。结果3、30mgkg组大鼠体重增量和Y迷宫实验成绩均明显好于正常对照组(P<0.01),300、3000mgkg组大鼠则明显差于对照组(P<0.05)。3、30、300mgkg组大鼠海马CCK蛋白表达较对照组增强,3000mgkg组则明显减弱(P<0.05)。结论较低浓度的锂能促进大鼠体格发育,提高学习记忆能力,增强海马CCK蛋白表达;而高浓度锂会产生负面影响。     

Beneficial effects of probiotic and food borne yeasts on human health

Besides being important in the fermentation of foods and beverages, yeasts have shown numerous beneficial effects on human health. Among these, probiotic effects are the most well known health effects including prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases and immunomodulatory effects. Other beneficial functions of yeasts are improvement of bioavailability of minerals through the hydrolysis of phytate, folate biofortification and detoxification of mycotoxins due to surface binding to the yeast cell wall.     

铝对大鼠学习记忆及海马神经细胞凋亡影响

目的 研究三氯化铝对大鼠学习记忆及海马神经细胞凋亡的影响.方法 选择雄性SD大鼠,按体重随机分为4组,在基础饲料中添加三氯化铝,Al3+剂量分别为0,11.2,55.9和111.9mg/(kg·bw),连续染毒3个月.采用Y-电迷宫仪检测大鼠学习记忆能力,原位末端标记技术(TUNEL)和流式细胞术检测大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡,原子吸收法检测海马铝含量.结果 染毒Al3+111.9mg/(kg·bw)组大鼠逃避正确率为(0.83±0.115)%明显低于对照组(0.95±0.127)%,<0.05);5.9和111.9mg/(kg·bw)组大鼠逃避潜伏期分别为(4.81±1.33),(5.55±1.79)s,对照组(3.45±1.12)s明显延长(P<0.05);染毒组大鼠海马均出现TUNEL阳性细胞,且随剂量增加渐趋明显,各染毒组大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡率及铝含量明显高于对照组(P<0.01),且呈明显剂量-效应关系.结论 铝诱导海马神经细胞凋亡是导致大鼠学习记忆障碍的重要机制之一.     

苯并[a]芘对大鼠海马神经元形态学的影响

目的研究苯并[a]芘(B[a]P)对大鼠海马形态学和突触的影响。方法初断乳雄性Wistar大鼠40只,随机分为空白对照组、溶剂对照组和3个染毒组(分别为6.25、2.5和1mg/kg体重),连续腹腔染毒13周(90d)。在染毒结束后,用电镜和光镜观察海马形态学改变。结果 HE染色对照组和B[a]P暴露各组大鼠海马神经元形态结构未见明显异常,电镜仅高剂量组偶有线粒体肿胀和核浓缩现象出现。高剂量组神经元突触PSD厚度和突触活性区长度均明显小于对照组和低剂量组(P﹤0.05),突触界面半径明显大于对照组和低剂量组(P﹤0.05)。结论低剂量B[a]P暴露对海马神经元形态和超微结构无明显影响,但B[a]P可能引起突触形态学的改变,降低突触的传递效率,因而影响学习记忆能力。     

Age-independent and dose-response effects of ethanol on spatial memory in rats.

Results of previous studies have shown that ethanol impairs the acquisition of spatial memory in adolescent rats at doses below those required to impair the acquisition in adults. However, the previous work did not identify doses of ethanol that failed to impair acquisition in adolescents or that impaired acquisition in both adolescent and adult animals. This was our aim in the present study. Male, Long-Evans hooded rats (adolescent and adult) were treated intraperitoneally with 0.0, 0.5, or 2.5 g/kg of ethanol 30 min before daily training on a spatial or nonspatial version of the Morris water maze task. Twenty-four hours after training on the spatial task the animals were given a 1-min probe trial. The low dose of ethanol (0.5 g/kg) failed to impair the performance of animals from either age group on any tasks. It did, however, enhance the initial rate of acquisition on the spatial task. The 2.5-g/kg dose eliminated acquisition of spatial learning in animals of both ages and significantly attenuated performance on a nonspatial task in both age groups. However, the treatment effect in the nonspatial task was eliminated with controlling for baseline performance. These results establish a low dose of ethanol (0.5 g/kg) that does not impair acquisition of spatial memory in adolescent or adult rats. Moreover, the study findings show that 2.5 g/kg of ethanol markedly impairs acquisition of spatial memory in both adolescent and adult animals.     

Preliminary evaluation on anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Sideritis syriaca L. herba extracts

We studied the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of extracts of Sideritis syriaca L. herba. Samples were collected from the wild plant, dried, powdered, and extracted with hexane and methanol. The extracts were evaporated to dryness and then suspended in suitable solvent. They were then tested for anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenin rat paw edema test and for analgesic activity in the Randall and Selitto test and in the tail-flick test. At 24 hours after the treatment, the gastric mucosa of each rat was observed macroscopically. Based on these results the hexane extract was fractionated by column chromatography, and the fractions were obtained tested in the same way. Results showed interesting anti-inflammatory activity only for the hexane extract and all the fractions obtained from it. All the extracts and all the other fractions showed both peripheral and central analgesic activity. In rats treated with the tested compounds hyperemia and ulcers were absent. The data from this preliminary study reveal interesting pharmacological properties of S. syriaca L. herba extracts related to the marked analgesic activity and the absence of gastric ulcerogenic activity. The same is for anti-inflammatory activity, but in this case it seems to be related only to the apolar fraction.     

铅对仔鼠学习记忆及海马中CTGF表达影响

目的探讨母体铅染毒对其仔鼠学习记忆海马组织中结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)mRNA和蛋白表达的影响,为进一步研究铅的神经毒作用机制提供科学依据。方法采用自由饮水的方式于母鼠孕哺期染毒,染毒剂量为0.3,1,3g/L,每组10只,用石墨炉原子吸收光谱仪测定仔鼠出生后7,14,21d时血液和海马组织中铅含量。用RT-PCR和免疫组化方法分别测定21d不同剂量组仔鼠海马组织中CTGF mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果各剂量染铅组血染、海马组织中铅含量与对照组比较,明显升高(P均<0.05),血液和海马组织的铅含量随着日龄的变化有一定的规律性;迷宫实验中,对照组、0.3,1,3g/L组平均潜伏期分别为(39.13±6.12)(43.22±9.86),(50.85±12.35),(50.85±12.35)s,与对照组比较,0.3g/L组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),与1,3g/L剂量组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);在对照组、0.3,1,3g/L组仔鼠海马组织中,CTGF mRNA的相对表达量分别为(0.354±0.603),(0.945±0.522),(1.223±0.279),(1.612±0.136);CTGF蛋白表达的灰度值分别为(126.10±32.11),(186.31±36.17),(220.94±31.27),(286.21±31.24);与对照组比,0.3,1,3g/L组海马中(CTGF mRNA和蛋白表达明显升高(P均>0.05)。结论孕哺期母体铅暴露可使铅在仔鼠体内人蓄积,引起仔鼠学习记忆力功能损害;铅所引起的神经毒性可能通过铅诱导CTGF mRNA和蛋白的高表达,造成神经系统的损害。     

Beneficial effects of vitamin C on risk factors of cardiovascular diseases

The aim of this investigation is to study the hypothesis that vitamin C has beneficial effects on some risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Sixty-seven volunteers participated in this study. Thirty and thirty-seven subjects were assigned randomly to two groups. The first was given a placebo and the second was given a vitamin C, respectively. Both regimens were followed for six months. The dose of vitamin C was 500 mg/day. Double blind technique was used throughout the study. These data supported part of the beneficial effects of vitamin C on atherosclerosis process, i.e. reduce significantly body fat, systolic blood pressure, and pulse, and increase significantly high density lipoprotein. On the other hand, these data did not show favourable effects on other lipid parameters, i.e. cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein.     

Beneficial effects of exercise on growth of rats during intermittent fasting

An 8-wk trial was conducted to compare the effects of exercise and intermittent fasting, either singly or combined, on growth responses of rats. Four-week-old male Wistar rats, 85-110 g each, were assigned to one of four groups (n = 9): control, exercise on a motor-driven treadmill, fasting every other day (EOD) and fasting EOD and exercise combined. At the end of the trial, the exercised rats had consumed 7% less feed, had gained 7% less weight and had 36% less carcass fat than the control rats. Fasting on alternate days markedly reduced the growth rate of the young rats. Fasted-EOD rats weighed less than half as much as the control rats, had 64% less carcass fat and 51% less lean mass and had smaller livers, kidneys, hearts, tibias and tibialis anterior muscles. The addition of exercise to the fasting EOD regimen improved the growth of the animals. When the fasted-EOD rats were also exercised, they gained 29% more weight, consumed 11% more feed and had carcasses that contained 29% more lean mass and 18% less fat than the fasted-EOD rats. The data suggest that exercise may be beneficial where feed restriction is episodic, allowing some capacity for catch-up growth.     

Beneficial effects of cod protein on skeletal muscle repair following injury

This study examined the effect of peanut and cod proteins on post-damage skeletal muscle repair, compared with casein. We hypothesized that because of their high arginine content, these proteins would improve the resolution of inflammation and muscle mass recovery following injury. One hundred and twenty-eight male Wistar rats were assigned to isoenergetic diets composed of casein and peanut (experiment 1) or cod protein (experiment 2). After 21 days of feeding, one tibialis anterior muscle (TA) was injured with bupivacaine, while the contralateral TA was injected with saline (sham muscle). Measurements were taken at days 0, 3, 14, and 24 post-injury. Compared with casein, peanut protein reduced muscle mass at days 0 (-12%, p = 0.005) and 14 post-injury in the injured muscle (-13%, p = 0.04), and lowered myofiber cross-sectional area in both the sham (-21%, p = 0.008) and injured muscles (-26%, p = 0.05) at day 24 post-injury, showing that peanut protein has a weak potential to support muscle growth. At day 14 post-injury, muscle mass in the sham (13%, p = 0.02) and injured muscles (12%, p = 0.01) was higher in cod-protein-fed rats, indicating better muscle mass recovery, than in casein-fed rats. Cod protein tended (p = 0.06) to decrease the density of neutrophils (-24%) at day 14 post-injury in the injured muscle, and to decrease the density of ED1(+) macrophages at day 24 post-injury in both sham (-29%, p = 0.03) and injured (-40%, p = 0.01) muscles. No effects were observed for peanut protein. These data indicate that cod protein is better for promoting growth and regeneration of skeletal muscle after trauma, partly because of the improved resolution of inflammation.     

Beneficial effects of chrysin and benzoflavone on virility in 2-year-old male rats

This work describes the potential usefulness of bioflavonoids for countering the deleterious effects of aging on male sexuality in 2-year-old rats. A flavone chrysin from Passiflora caerulea Linn. and a benzoflavone moiety (BZF) recently isolated from Passiflora incarnata Linn. were administered to 2-year-old male rats for a period of 30 days. After cessation of these treatments, there was a significant improvement in overall sexual functions in the rats given bioflavonoids, compared with control rats. The rats receiving chrysin (1 mg/kg) and BZF (10 mg/kg) exhibited increased libido when they were allowed to interact with nonestrous female rats. Additionally, both treated groups had increased sperm count, greater fertilization potential, and greater litter size when they were allowed to interact with proven proestrous female rats of a similar strain. BZF was more potent than chrysin as an antiaromatase agent and exhibited better effects on the sexual system of the 2-year-old male rats. Plant flavonoids have great potential for clinical and therapeutic applications against the physiological and biochemical effects of aging.     

Gastroprotective effect and antioxidant properties of different Laurus nobilis L. leaf extracts

Laurus nobilis L. (Family Lauraceae) is an evergreen tree widely distributed in the Mediterranean area and Europe. It is used in folk medicine of different countries as a stomachic and carminative as well as in treatment of gastric diseases. Extracts obtained with different methods (methanol and chloroform) from laurel leaves were evaluated for their gastroprotective activities in the rat. The antioxidant capacity of the different extracts has been also measured in vitro. In order to confirm the activities investigated, histological observations were performed. The gastric damage was significantly reduced by all extracts administered. The more effective protection was produced by chloroformic and methanolic crude extracts. The results obtained after oral administration of L. nobilis leaf extracts are in good agreement with their antioxidant capacity, confirming the relationship between pharmacological efficacy and antiradical activity. Histological evidences confirm the results evaluated with the animal procedures.     

Acute and long-term effects of booster immunisation on frequencies of antigen-specific memory B-lymphocytes.

In search for a parameter that is predictive of long-term immunity, we analysed the influence of booster immunisations on frequencies of circulating memory B-lymphocytes. Specific IgG-secreting B-cells were determined by ELISPOTassay in 13 healthy adults, using diphtheria and tetanus toxoid as model antigens. Our results show that memory B-cells accumulate with every immunisation dose and remain elevated over several years. In addition, secondary B-cell responses were studied during the first 90 days after diphtheria re-immunisation. A significant indirect correlation was found between the number of previous boosters and the magnitude of specific B-cell expansion. In contrast, effects of booster immunisations did not correlate likewise with antigen-specific serology. Hence, this study illustrates that frequencies of antigen-specific B-lymphocytes can be used as an indirect measure for immunological memory. This parameter could be helpful to find scientifically based immunisation strategies for currently available and novel vaccines.     

邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯对小鼠认知行为及海马神经细胞凋亡的影响

目的初步研究邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯(DiBP)对小鼠被动回避学习记忆行为的影响,并探讨其是否可以通过血脑屏障并影响海马神经细胞凋亡。方法将60只昆明小鼠按体重随机分为5组,即对照组和4个不同剂量的DiBP剂量组(第Ⅰ组50mg/kg BW,第Ⅱ组250mg/kg BW,第Ⅲ组500mg/kg BW,第Ⅳ组1000mg/kg BW)。其中,对照组给予玉米油溶剂灌胃,而各剂量组给予相应剂量的邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯玉米油溶液灌胃,连续进行8周。实验结束后,分别对各组动物进行避暗箱行为学测试,测定脑组织中DiBP含量及海马神经细胞凋亡率,并在透射电镜下观察海马神经细胞超微结构。结果第Ⅳ组小鼠的被动回避能力显著性降低(P<0.05);第Ⅲ组和第Ⅳ组小鼠脑组织可检测出不同含量的DiBP,平均浓度分别为(1.27±0.56)和(1.96±0.42)μg/g;随着DiBP染毒剂量增高神经细胞凋亡率有升高的趋势,第Ⅳ组和对照组相比有显著性差异(P<0.05);各DiBP剂量组小鼠海马神经元的超微结构发生了不同程度的病理改变。结论在本试验条件下,高剂量DiBP可损伤实验小鼠被动回避学习记忆能力,并可穿透血脑屏障,增加海马神经细胞凋亡率,线粒体损伤是海马神经细胞凋亡规律改变的原因之一。