爱罗咳喘宁对COPD大鼠p38MAPK,TNF-α及AQP5基因表达的影响

目的: 观察爱罗咳喘宁对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease,COPD)大鼠模型支气管和肺组织中p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38mitogen activatein kinase,p38MAPK)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor alpha,TNF-α)、及水通道蛋白5(aquaporin 5,AQP5)基因表达的影响,探讨爱罗咳喘宁方对COPD炎症及气道高分泌的作用及机制. 方法: 采用脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)加烟雾诱导COPD大鼠模型,随机将大鼠分为正常组、模型组、爱罗咳喘宁低、中、高剂量组.正常组、模型组灌胃生理盐水(15.52 mL·kg^-1·d^-1),爱罗咳喘宁口服液低、中、高剂量组分别灌胃(7.75,15.52,31.04 g·kg^-1·d^-1),连续15 d.原位杂交、免疫组化检测p38MAPK、TNF-α及AQP5基因在细支气管和肺组织中的原位表达. 结果: 与正常对照组比较,模型组大鼠AQP5 mRNA[(4.52±0.11)VS(0.87±0.32),P<0.01]和蛋白[(3.98±0.22)VS(0.58±0.02),P<0.01]表达均显著减弱,而p38MAPK mRNA[(0.49±0.02)VS(0.85±0.02),P<0.01],TNF-α mRNA[(0.26±0.01)VS(0.44±0.01),P<0.01]均显著增强,p-p38MAPK蛋白[(0.30±0.01)VS(0.41±0.01),P<0.05]和TNF-α蛋白[(0.20±0.01VS(0.38±0.01),P<0.05]表达均显著增强,AQP5蛋白与p-p38MAPK,TNF-α蛋白表达均呈负相关(r分别为-0.547,-0.532,P<0.01);与模型组相比,爱罗咳喘宁中剂量组AQP5 mRNA[(0.87±0.32 VS 1.80±0.32,P<0.01)],AQP5蛋白[(0.58±0.02 VS 1.61±0.72,P<0.01)]表达显著增强,p38MAPK mRNA[(0.85±0.02)VS(0.51±0.02),P<0.01],TNF-α mRNA[(0.44±0.01)VS(0.40±0.01),P<0.01]表达减弱,p38MAPK蛋白[(0.41±0.01)VS(0.32±0.00),P<0.01]TNF-α蛋白[(0.38±0.01)VS(0.31±0.00), P<0.01]表达显著减弱.AQP5蛋白表达与p-P38MAPK,TNF-α蛋白均呈显著负相关(r分别为-0.542,-0.541,均P<0.01). 结论: 爱罗咳喘宁有抗炎和抑制COPD气道黏液高分泌作用,其机制可能与下调p38MAPK,TNF-α基因表达、上调AQP5基因表达有关.     

加味独活寄生汤对胶原诱导性关节炎大鼠关节滑膜及血清中炎症因子的影响

目的: 观察加味独活寄生汤对Ⅱ型胶原诱导性关节炎(CIA)大鼠IL-6,IL-17及TNF-α表达的影响. 方法: 取雄性SD大鼠90只,正常组6只,其余大鼠尾根部按0.2 mg/只肌肉注射胶原乳剂制成关节炎大鼠模型,选择造模成功大鼠30只,随机等分为模型组,来氟米特组和加味独活寄生汤高、中、低剂量组.来氟米特组按10 mL·kg^-1灌胃给予来氟米特,加味独活寄生汤高、中、低剂量组分别按44,22,11 g·kg^-1灌胃给予加味独活寄生汤,模型组及正常组灌胃相同体积水,每天1次,连续12周.采用RT-PCR法检测关节滑膜IL-6,IL-17,TNF-α的mRNA表达,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测血清IL-6,IL-17,TNF-α的质量浓度.统计方法采用单因素方差分析. 结果: 与正常组比较,模型组IL-6,IL-17,TNF-α的mRNA及蛋白表达显著升高;与模型组比较,各治疗组IL-6,TNF-α的mRNA及蛋白表达显著降低;加味独活寄生汤组IL-17蛋白表达显著降低,基因表达无显著性差异. 结论: 加味独活寄生汤对CIA大鼠关节炎症具有明显改善作用,其抗炎作用机制可能是通过下调炎性细胞因子IL-6,IL-17,TNF-α的表达来实现.     

益肾康颗粒对糖尿病肾病大鼠肝肾损伤的影响

目的: 观察益肾康颗粒对糖尿病肾病大鼠肝、肾损伤的影响. 方法: 雄性Wistar健康大鼠通过行单侧肾切除术和链脲佐菌素诱导的方法建立糖尿病肾病模型,将模型成功的43只大鼠随机分为模型组、阳性组和益肾康颗粒2,5,15 g·kg^-1组,阳性组ig给予5.2 mg·kg^-1氯沙坦,益肾康颗粒各给药组分别按剂量2,5,15 g·kg^-1ig给予益肾康颗粒.另取10只健康大鼠作为正常组,正常组和模型组ig给予蒸馏水,所有组均连续ig 12 周.观察大鼠血液中血糖(GLU)、血尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(SCr)和肝、肾组织中转移生长因子β₁(TGF-β₁),基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9),金属蛋白酶组织抑制物(TIMP-1)的水平. 结果: 与正常组比较,模型组6,12周末的GLU均显著地升高(P<0.05);与正常组比较,模型组6,12周末的SCr,BUN均显著地升高(P<0.05),对糖尿病肾病大鼠治疗后,与模型组对比,益肾康颗粒5,15 g·kg^-1组6,12周末的SCr,BUN均显著性降低(P<0.05).与正常组比较,模型组肾、肝组织的MMP-9降低,TGF-β₁和TIMP-1升高(P<0.05),给药后,与模型组比较,阳性组、益肾康颗粒2,5,15 g·kg^-1组肾、肝组织的TGF-β₁,MMP-9和TIMP-1均具有显著性差异(P<0.05). 结论: 益肾康颗粒能改善糖尿病肾病大鼠肾功能SCr,BUN的表达和肾、肝组织MMP-9,TGF-β₁和TIMP-1表达水平,在改善肾功能的同时,对糖尿病肾病大鼠肝损伤机理有一定的调节作用.     

秦艽醇提物对胶原诱导性关节炎大鼠血清抗-CCP 及TNF-α的影响

目的: 研究大叶秦艽醇提取物对胶原诱导性关节炎大鼠的防治作用,并初步探讨其作用机制。方法: 随机将96只大鼠分为正常组、模型组、白芍组及秦艽组。除正常组外,余各组用胶原乳液多点皮内注射建立关节炎模型。模型建立后第9天开始秦艽组以秦艽乙醇提物900 mg·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃,白芍组给予白芍总苷胶囊内容物108 mg·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃,模型组给予蒸馏水0.5 mL·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃。造模后14,21,28 d观察各组大鼠一般情况、关节肿胀程度、ELISA法检测血清抗环瓜氨酸肽(CCP)抗体及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平。结果: 模型组大鼠的踝关节及足趾关节肿胀明显且血清中抗-CCP抗体及TNF-α水平明显升高,秦艽组及白芍组与模型组比较关节肿胀程度明显减轻,血清中抗-CCP抗体及TNF-α水平明显降低,有统计学意义(P<0.05);免疫后28 d秦艽组与白芍组比较,大鼠关节肿胀程度明显减轻且TNF-α表达降低明显有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论: 大叶秦艽醇提物能够在早期抑制胶原诱导性关节炎大鼠血清中抗-CCP抗体及TNF-α水平,减轻关节肿胀程度,改善滑膜炎症状,保护关节,体现治疗早期类风湿关节炎(RA)的优势。     

白花蛇舌草总黄酮对实验性溃疡性结肠炎的作用及免疫学机制研究

目的：观察不同剂量白花蛇舌草总黄酮（FOD）对溃疡性结肠炎（UC）模型小鼠结肠NF-κB及IL-8,TNF-α,IL-10表达的影响,探讨其抗UC的免疫学机制。方法：60只雄性昆明小鼠随机分成6组：对照组（Cont）蒸馏水灌胃,其余5组均自由饮用4%右旋葡聚糖硫酸钠（DSS）水溶液7 d以造成急性UC,同时给予下列药物灌胃：蒸馏水（DSS组）,柳氮磺胺吡啶（SASP）500 mg·kg^-1·d^-1（DSS+SASP组）,FOD 60 mg·kg^-1·d^-1（DSS+FOD-H组）,FOD 40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1（DSS+FOD-M组）,FOD 26.7 mg·kg^-1·d^-1（DSS+FOD-L组）。造模给药期间,每天对各组小鼠进行疾病活动指数（DAI）评分。造模7 d后处死小鼠,取结肠组织标本,对结肠黏膜进行病理组织学损伤评估;用免疫组化法检测NF-κB p65的表达,ELISA法检测结肠组织中IL-8,TNF-α及IL-10的表达。结果：自由饮用4%DSS水溶液7 d可成功造成小鼠急性UC,与对照组比较,DSS组小鼠的DAI、结肠病理组织学损伤评分明显上升,结肠组织中NF-κB p65及IL-8,TNF-α表达显著增多,IL-10表达明显降低（P<0.05）。 FOD可对抗DSS所致的小鼠急性UC,FOD以60,40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1预防给药7 d,可完全或部分对抗DSS引起的上述改变。与DSS组比较,DSS+FOD-H组、DSS+FOD-M组的DAI、结肠病理组织学损伤评分降低,IL-8,TNF-α及NF-κB p65表达下调,IL-10 表达上调（P<0.05）。结论：FOD有明显的抗小鼠UC的作用,其机制可能与抑制NF-κB p65激活,从而减少促炎因子IL-8,TNF-α的表达,增加抗炎因子IL-10表达有关。     

三叶香茶菜防治大鼠肝纤维化作用机制研究

目的: 探讨三叶香茶菜防治大鼠肝纤维化的作用机制。方法: 大鼠每3 d接受一次背部sc 40%CCl₄花生油(首次5 mL·kg^-1,其余为3 mL·kg^-1),连续8周引发肝纤维化模型,造模同时每日分别给予三叶香茶菜提取物20,40,80 g·kg^-1灌胃。给药8周后取血,ELISA法测定大鼠血清中Ⅲ型前胶原(proeollagen type Ⅲ,PCIII)、透明质酸(hyaluronic acid,HA)、金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1(tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1,TIMP-1)、基质金属蛋白酶-2(matrix metal oproteinase-2,MMP-2)及肝脏中转化生长因子-β₁(transforming growth Factor-β₁,TGF-β₁)含量;Masson染色病理切片观察肝脏胶原纤维生成。结果: 模型组血清中HA,PCIII,TGF-1及TIMP-1含量较正常组显著升高(P<0.01),且MMP-2浓度显著下降(P<0.01)。与模型组比较,三叶香茶菜高、中剂量组能显著降低大鼠血清HA,PCIII,TIMP-1的含量,提高MMP-2含量(P<0.01);并能显著降低肝组织TGF-β₁水平(P<0.01)。三叶香茶菜低剂量组能显著降低大鼠血清HA,PCIII含量(P<0.05);并有降低血清TIMP-1及肝组织TGF-β₁水平,提高MMP-2含量的趋势。结论: 三叶香茶菜能有效减轻慢性肝损伤大鼠肝纤维化程度,其作用机制可能与调节TGF-β₁水平,控制肝星状细胞释放TIMP-1及MMP-2有关。     

氧化苦参碱对感染性休克大鼠肾组织JAK2/STAT3信号通路的影响

目的: 观察氧化苦参碱(oxymatrine,OMT)对感染性休克大鼠肾组织JAK₂/STAT₃信号通路的影响。方法: 采用大鼠盲肠结扎穿孔法(cecal ligation and puncture,CLP)复制大鼠感染性休克模型,随机将56只SD大鼠分为假手术组、OMT对照组、模型组(CLP)、CLP+OMT高、中、低剂量组(52,26,13 mg·kg^-1)、阳性对照组(CLP+地塞米松10 mg·kg^-1)。光镜下观察大鼠肾组织病理学改变,采用尿酶法测定血清尿素氮(BUN)含量,RT-PCR法测定肾组织肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α),白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β) mRNA的表达;Western blot测定肾组织JAK₂,STAT₃的表达;放射免疫分析法测定肾组织匀浆中TNF-α及IL-1β蛋白含量的改变。结果: 不同剂量的OMT能抑制肾组织JAK₂,STAT₃的活化(P<0.05),减少JAK₂,STAT₃的蛋白表达(P<0.05)及TNF-α,IL-1β mRNA的表达(P<0.05),降低肾组织匀浆中TNF-α及IL-1β的含量(P<0.05),降低血清BUN含量(P<0.05),改善肾组织充血、水肿和炎性细胞浸润等病变,并且该作用在OMT高、中剂量组与阳性对照组的结果相一致。结论: OMT能通过抑制JAK₂/STAT₃信号通路的活化,减少肾组织TNF-α,IL-1β等促炎因子的表达,进而对感染性休克大鼠肾损伤性病变发挥治疗作用。     

喘平方对哮喘豚鼠肺泡灌洗液中IgE,TGF-β1及TNF-α的影响

目的: 探讨喘平方防治支气管哮喘的作用机制。 方法: 取白化豚鼠60只,随机分为正常组、模型组、麻黄组(0.20 g·kg^-1)、洋金花组(0.07 g·kg^-1)、喘平方组(0.32 g·kg^-1)、地塞米松组(7.5×10^-4 mg·kg^-1),通过对豚鼠ip卵蛋白致敏并雾化吸入激发,建立实验性哮喘豚鼠模型;治疗组自注射第14天起每天ig给药1次,连续7 d,正常组及模型组给予生理盐水。观察豚鼠的一般情况,豚鼠肺泡灌洗液中免疫球蛋白E(IgE),转化生长因子β₁(TGF-β₁),肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的变化,肺组织病理情况。 结果: 各组豚鼠肺泡灌洗液中IgE,TGF-β₁,TNF-α分别为:正常组IgE(68.25±5.92) mg·L^-1,TGF-β₁(78.72±10.92)ng·L^-1,TNF-α(388.02±55.61) ng·L^-1;模型组IgE(137.28±14.38) mg·L^-1,TGF-β₁(172.39±14.04)ng·L^-1,TNF-α(752.76±51.25)ng·L^-1;喘平方组IgE(76.35±6.22) mg·L^-1,TGF-β₁(115.76±9.17)ng·L^-1,TNF-α(569.32±39.7) ng·L^-1;哮喘组及喘平方组豚鼠肺泡灌洗液中IgE,TGF-β₁,TNF-α含量均高于正常组(P<0.05);喘平方组豚鼠肺泡灌洗液中IgE,TGF-β₁,TNF-α含量均低于哮喘组(P<0.05)。 结论: 喘平方能够通过下调豚鼠肺泡灌洗液中IgE,TGF-β₁,TNF-α含量,可降低气道高反应性、减轻气道炎症症状、控制或延缓气道纤维化进程。     

黄独素B诱导小鼠急性肝损伤及其机制

目的： 观察黄药子中的二萜内酯类成分diosbulbin B（DB）诱导的急性肝毒性,并进一步探讨其对小鼠血清中炎性细胞因子和肝脏血红素加氧酶1（heme oxygenase-1,HO-1）表达的影响。方法：小鼠一次性灌胃给药DB（0,113,150,200 mg·kg^-1）,通过检测血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT）,天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）,碱性磷酸酶（ALP）的活性来观察DB诱导的急性肝损伤,采用酶联免疫法（ELISA）检测血清中肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）,白细胞介素4（IL-4）,白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）的含量,采用免疫印迹法（Western blot）观察HO-1的表达。结果：血清ALT,AST,ALP结果显示,DB 113 mg·kg^-1灌胃后24 h,DB没有引起肝毒性;在150 mg·kg^-1时,DB引起微弱的肝损伤;到200 mg·kg^-1时,DB诱导明显的肝损伤。ELISA结果显示,DB能够剂量依赖性的增加血清中TNF-α的含量（P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001）,DB（200 mg·kg^-1）能够降低 IL-4的含量（P<0.01）,而不同剂量的DB对IL-1β的含量均没有明显影响。Western blot结果显示,DB（200 mg·kg^-1）能够明显诱导肝组织中HO-1的表达（P<0.01）。结论：由TNF-α介导的炎性肝损伤以及氧化应激损伤可能是DB所诱导的急性肝毒性的主要原因。     

薏苡仁油对UUO大鼠肾间质纤维化的影响

目的: 观察薏苡仁油对单侧输尿管梗阻大鼠肾间质纤维化的影响. 方法: 雄性SD大鼠54只随机分为假手术组、单侧输尿管结扎模型组和薏苡仁油治疗组(15 mL·kg^-1·d^-1),术后第3,7,14天分批处死大鼠.用HE和Masson染色光镜下观察肾间质的病理改变,用免疫组织化学方法检测肾组织α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)表达,用Western blot法检测肾组织Smad2,Smad7蛋白的表达. 结果: 薏苡仁油能够改善梗阻侧肾小管间质纤维化评分,显著减少肾组织α-SMA和TGF-β1的表达,治疗组肾组织磷酸化Smad2蛋白表达显著低于模型组,而Smad7蛋白水平则明显高于模型组. 结论: 薏苡仁油具有抗肾间质纤维化的作用,其机制与降低肾组织中促纤维化细胞因子TGF-β1含量,抑制Smad2的磷酸化和恢复拮抗蛋白Smad7的表达有关.     

Effect of feeding Mucuna pruriens on helminth parasite infestation in lambs

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume anecdotally reputed to have anthelmintic properties. This study was conducted to examine the validity of such claims.

Aim of the study

The aim of this study was to determine if ingestion of Mucuna seeds reduces helminth parasite infestation in lambs.

Materials and methods

Thirty-six Dorper × Katahdin ram lambs were assigned to three treatments, a cottonseed meal based control diet, a diet in which Mucuna replaced cottonseed meal and the control diet with levamisole (7.5 mg/kg body weight) administration. All diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The 12 lambs in each treatment were assigned randomly to 4 pens, each containing 3 lambs. Lambs were trickle infected three times per week by gavage with infectious Haemonchus contortus larvae (2000 larvae/lamb) for 3 weeks.

Results

Levamisole treatment decreased fecal egg counts by 87% and abomasal worm counts by 83%. Mucuna intake did not statistically affect fecal egg counts or abomasal worm counts, though numerical (P > 0.10) reductions of 7.4% and 18.1%, respectively were evident. Anemia indicators, feed intake, and lamb growth were unaffected by treatment.

Conclusions

Levamisole reduced the Haemonchus parasite burden in lambs significantly but feeding Mucuna reduced the burden by levels unlikely to eliminate the clinical effects of parasitism.     

Investigation of plant extracts in traditional medicine of the Brazilian Cerrado against protozoans and yeasts

Aim of the study

To investigate the activities of the 217 plant extracts in traditional medicine of the Brazilian Cerrado against protozoans and yeasts.

Materials and methods

Plant extracts were prepared by the method of maceration using solvents of different polarities. The growth inhibition of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain (FcB1) was determined by measuring the radioactivity of the tritiated hypoxanthine incorporated. Activity against Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi and Trypanosoma cruzi was measured by the MTT colorimetric assay. The antifungal tests were carried out by using the CLSI method. The active extracts were tested also by cytotoxicity assay using NIH-3T3 cells of mammalian fibroblasts.

Results

Two hundred and seventeen extracts of plants were tested against Plasmodium falciparum. The eleven active extracts, belonging to eight plant species were evaluated against L. (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma cruzi, yeasts and in NIH-3T3 cells. The results found in these biological models are consistent with the ethnopharmacological data of these plants. The ethyl acetate extract of Diospyros hispida root showed IC₅₀ values of 1 μg/mL against Plasmodium falciparum. This extract demonstrated no toxicity against mammalian cells, resulting in a significant selectivity index (SI) of 435.8. The dichloromethane extract of Calophyllum brasiliense root wood was active against Cryptococcus gattii LMGO 01 with MIC of 1.95 μg/mL; and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Candida krusei LMGO 174, both with MIC of 7.81 μg/mL. The same extract was also active against Plasmodium falciparum and L. (L.) chagasi with IC₅₀ of 6.7 and 27.6 μg/mL respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of Spiranthera odoratissima leaves was active against Cryptococcus gattii LMGO 01 with MIC of 31.25 μg/mL, and against Plasmodium falciparum with IC₅₀ of 9.2 μg/mL and Trypanosoma cruzi with IC₅₀ of 56.3 μg/mL.

Conclusion

The active extracts for protozoans and human pathogenic yeasts are considered promising to continue the search for the identification and development of leading compounds.     

真菌的中药干预研究近5年进展

近年来真菌感染率逐年上升,传统抗真菌药物易产生耐药性,而中药在防治真菌感染方面具有一定的优势。本文就近5年来中药对白念珠菌、皮肤癣菌、曲霉菌、马拉色菌、串珠镰孢菌、申克孢子丝菌、新生隐球菌及真菌生物膜的干预研究进展进行综述。     

厚朴与凹叶厚朴群体遗传学研究

目的:对厚朴与凹叶厚朴的群体遗传学进行研究,为中药厚朴的质量控制提供分子生药学方面的依据。方法:对厚朴与凹叶厚朴15个居群应用2个叶绿体基因间序列psbA-trnH和trnL-trnF进行PCR扩增并测序,计算厚朴与凹叶厚朴单倍型频率,用程序HaploNst分析遗传多样性和遗传结构,应用TCS version 1.13软件构建单倍型网状进化树。结果:厚朴与凹叶厚朴均无特有单倍型存在,但单倍型频率存在显著差异,已开始出现遗传分化的趋势,NST略大于GST。结论:厚朴与凹叶厚朴在遗传上已出现遗传分化的趋势,但尚未完全分化成彼此独立的单系。     

α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of selected Philippine plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Antidesma bunius Spreng. (Phyllantaceae), Averrhoa bilimbi L. (Oxalidaceae), Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. (Oxalidaceae), Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob. (Rhizophoraceae), Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. (Cyperaceae), and Rhizophora mucronata Lam. (Rhizophoraceae) are used as remedies to control diabetes. In the present study, these plants were screened for their potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Materials and methods

The 80% aqueous ethanolic extracts were screened for their α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity using yeast alpha glucosidase enzyme.

Results

Except for A. bilimbi with IC₅₀ at 519.86±3.07, all manifested a significant enzyme inhibitory activity. R. mucronata manifested the highest activity with IC₅₀ at 0.08±1.82 μg mL⁻¹, followed by C. tagal with IC₅₀ at 0.85±1.46 μg mL⁻¹ and B. sensitivum with IC₅₀ at 2.24±1.58 μg mL⁻¹.

Conclusion

This is the first report on the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the six Philippine plants; thus, partly defining the mechanism on why these medicinal plants possess antidiabetic properties.     

European medicinal polypores – A modern view on traditional uses

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In particular five polypore species, i.e. Laetiporus sulphureus, Fomes fomentarius, Fomitopsis pinicola, Piptoporus betulinus, and Laricifomes officinalis, have been widely used in central European folk medicines for the treatment of various diseases, e.g. dysmenorrhoea, haemorrhoids, bladder disorders, pyretic diseases, treatment of coughs, cancer, and rheumatism. Prehistoric artefacts going back to over 5000 years underline the long tradition of using polypores for various applications ranging from food or tinder material to medicinal–spiritual uses as witnessed by two polypore species found among items of Ötzi, the Iceman. The present paper reviews the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activity of the five mentioned polypores.

Materials and methods

All available information on the selected polypore taxa used in traditional folk medicine was collected through evaluation of literature in libraries and searches in online databases using SciFinder and Web of Knowledge.

Results

Mycochemical studies report the presence of many primary (e.g. polysaccharides) and secondary metabolites (e.g. triterpenes). Crude extracts and isolated compounds show a wide spectrum of biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities.

Conclusions

The investigated polypores possess a longstanding ethnomycological tradition in Europe. Here, we compile biological results which highlight their therapeutic value. Moreover, this work provides a solid base for further investigations on a molecular level, both compound- and target-wise.     

Antiplasmodial activity of extracts from seven medicinal plants used in malaria treatment in Cameroon

Aim of the study

In a search for new plant-derived biologically active compounds against malaria parasites, we have carried out an ethnopharmacological study to evaluate the susceptibility of cultured Plasmodium falciparum to extracts and fractions from seven Cameroonian medicinal plants used in malaria treatment. We have also explored the inhibition of the Plasmodium falciparum cysteine protease Falcipain-2.

Materials and methods

Plant materials were extracted by maceration in organic solvents, and subsequently partitioned or fractionated to afford test fractions. The susceptibility of erythrocytes and the W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum to plant extracts was evaluated in culture. In addition, the ability of annonaceous extracts to inhibit recombinant cysteine protease Falcipain-2 was also assessed.

Results and discussion

The extracts showed no toxicity against erythrocytes. The majority of plant extracts were highly active against Plasmodium falciparumin vitro, with IC₅₀ values lower than 5 μg/ml. Annonaceous extracts (acetogenin-rich fractions and interface precipitates) exhibited the highest potency. Some of these extracts exhibited modest inhibition of Falcipain-2.

Conclusion

These results support continued investigation of components of traditional medicines as potential new antimalarial agents.     

中国石斛属植物文献计量研究

石斛是珍稀濒危中药材,目前正处于快速发展阶段。为全面了解我国石斛属植物研究的历史和发展现状,作者以1954～2010年"中国知网中国学术期刊网络出版总库"收录的石斛研究文献为依据,采用文献计量学的原理和方法,对我国石斛属植物研究文献从文献年代分布、期刊分布与被引频率、主题分布、研究对象分布、作者与研究机构分布等方面进行了统计与分析。结果表明,我国石斛研究明显分为起步(2个)、停滞、平稳发展、快速上升5个阶段;期刊分布存在离散性与集中性并存的现象,已形成核心期刊研究群,并以《中国中药杂志》、《中草药》和《陕西中医》为代表;研究主题广泛涉及临床与药理、组织培养与种苗繁育、成分分析等多个领域,已经形成比较稳定的研究机构和团队,但研究对象差异显著,以铁皮石斛、金钗石斛和霍山石斛最为集中。我国石斛属植物的研究已取得显著成果,但种植产业发展缓慢,供需矛盾突出,预计种苗繁育与人工种植、产品开发、化学与药理等方面是未来的研究热点,其文献报道仍将进一步上升。     

列当属、肉苁蓉属和草苁蓉属植物传统药物学调查

通过野外资源调查、整理各大标本馆标本原始记录和查阅文献记载等方法,系统整理、总结、归纳了列当属、肉苁蓉属和草苁蓉属民族药用植物种类、功效及民间使用情况,结果表明列当属6种药用植物在4个少数民族间作为7种民族药应用,草苁蓉属2种药用植物在8个少数民族间作为10种民族药应用,肉苁蓉属2种药用植物在3个少数民族间作为3种民族药应用,且同种药用植物常作不同民族药;发现3属植物的传统疗效主要集中在补肾壮阳、止血和止痛3个方面,并且该传统疗效与现代药理研究结果基本吻合。因此深入研究植物种类丰富的列当属植物资源对缓解肉苁蓉植物资源匮乏局面和扩大药源具有积极意义。     

金银花类药用植物IspE和IspH基因克隆和生物信息学分析

目的:克隆金银花类药用植物4-二磷酸胞苷-2-C-甲基赤藓糖激酶(4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase,IspE)和4-羟基-3-甲基-2-邻苯基二磷酸还原酶(4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate reductase,IspH)基因,并对其基因序列、蛋白特性和转录活性进行分析、比较.方法:从忍冬Lonicera japonica转录组测序结果中分析获得了IspE,IspH基因.分别以忍冬、红白忍冬L.japonica var.chinensis、红腺忍冬L.hypoglauca和水忍冬L.dasystyla新鲜花蕾为材料,利用RT-PCR技术克隆获得了4种金银花类药用植物IspE和IspH基因的全长cDNA.运用生物信息学分析软件,预测编码蛋白的结构和功能,并通过RT-PCR检测IspE和IspH在忍冬、红白忍冬、红腺忍冬、水忍冬花蕾中的转录情况.结果:金银花类药用植物IspE基因含有1个完整的开放阅读框,长度为1 221 bp,编码406个氨基酸;IspH含有一个完整的开放阅读框,长度为1 380 bp,编码459个氨基酸.IspE和IspH均为非分泌蛋白,均定位于叶绿体中.RT-PCR分析结果表明在忍冬、红腺忍冬和水忍冬的花蕾中IspE,IspH基因的转录水平没有显著差异,但红白忍冬花蕾中IspE,IspH基因的转录水平均显著高于忍冬.结论:克隆获得忍冬、红白忍冬、红腺忍冬和水忍冬中IspE,IspH基因,并证实了其在不同金银花类药用植物中的表达,为进一步研究IspE,IspH基因对萜类化合物生物合成和花香气以及颜色的影响奠定了基础.