Food supplementation with an olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract reduces blood pressure in borderline hypertensive monozygotic twins

Hypertension is a harmful disease factor that develops unnoticed over time. The treatment of hypertension is aimed at an early diagnosis followed by adequate lifestyle changes rather than pharmacological treatment. The olive leaf extract EFLA943, having antihypertensive actions in rats, was tested as a food supplement in an open study including 40 borderline hypertensive monozygotic twins. Twins of each pair were assigned to different groups receiving 500 or 1000 mg/day EFLA943 for 8 weeks, or advice on a favourable lifestyle. Body weight, heart rate, blood pressure, glucose and lipids were measured fortnightly. Blood pressure changed significantly within pairs, depending on the dose, with mean systolic differences of < or =6 mmHg (500 mg vs control) and < or =13 mmHg (1000 vs 500 mg), and diastolic differences of < or =5 mmHg. After 8 weeks, mean blood pressure remained unchanged from baseline in controls (systolic/diastolic: 133 +/- 5/77 +/- 6 vs 135 +/- 11/80 +/- 7 mmHg) and the low-dose group (136 +/- 7/77 +/- 7 vs 133 +/- 10/76 +/- 7), but had significantly decreased for the high dose group (137 +/- 10/80 +/- 10 vs 126 +/- 9/76 +/- 6). Cholesterol levels decreased for all treatments with significant dose-dependent within-pair differences for LDL-cholesterol. None of the other parameters showed significant changes or consistent trends. Concluding, the study confirmed the antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering action of EFLA943 in humans.     

人参五灵脂配伍对正常小鼠免疫功能的影响

采用正常小鼠进行人参五灵脂配伍免疫实验。通过以人参煎取液、五灵脂煎取液各5g/kg,人参五灵脂合煎液5g/kg,10g/kg(总含药量)灌胃给药7天后,发现各给药组对正常小鼠免疫器官发育、单核吞噬细胞系吞噬功能、溶血素抗体形成均有显著增强作用(P<0.05,P<0.01)。配伍组与人参、五灵脂单煎液组比较无显著性差异,即人参五灵脂配伍后未呈免疫降低作用。     

Evaluation of radiomodifying effects of root extract of Panax ginseng

Radiomodifying effects of the root extract of Panax ginseng were observed on the testes of Swiss albino mice at 10 and 20 mg/kg dose. The root extract was found to be non-toxic when injected up to 1200 mg/kg. A significant enhancement was observed in the survival time of the irradiated group compared with the control when pretreated with ginseng extract. Besides survival time, radiation induced damage to the germ cells and loss of body weight were also reduced markedly by this treatment. The probable reason for this radioprotection can be correlated with the increased level of liver glutathione (GSH). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic activities of red ginseng

Red ginseng extract A and B are the active components of Panax ginseng. Red ginseng is a classical traditional Chinese medicine. Among Chinese herbs, red ginseng has been considered as one of the tonics. Many studies indicated that red ginseng could enhance immune function of the human body. The effects of red ginseng extracts on transplantable tumors, proliferation of lymphocyte, two-stage model and rat liver lipid peroxidation were studied. In a two-stage model, red ginseng extracts had a significant cancer chemoprevention. At 50–400 mg/kg, they could inhibit DMBA/Croton oil-induced skin papilloma in mice, decrease the incidence of papilloma, prolong the latent period of tumor occurrence and reduce tumor number per mouse in a dose-dependent manner. Red ginseng extract B could effectively inhibit the Fe²⁺/cysteine-induced lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsome, suggesting that red ginseng extract B has a stronger antioxidative effect than that of extract A. The results indicated that red ginseng extracts (50≈400 mg/kg) could significantly inhibit the growth of transplantable mouse sarcoma S180 and melanoma B16. Red ginseng extracts A (0.5 mg/ml) and B (0.1 and 0.25 mg/ml) might effectively promote the transformation of T lymphocyte, but there was no influence on lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by concanavalin A. This suggests that red ginseng extracts have potent tumor therapeutic activity and improve the cell immune system.     

Adrenocorticosterone alterations in male, albino mice treated with Trichopus zeylanicus, Withania somnifera and Panax ginseng preparations

The levels of corticosterone were estimated by the HPLC method in the adrenal glands of stressed (5 h constant swimming) male albino mice treated with Trichopus zeylanicus, Withania somnifera and Panax ginseng preparations and compared with non-treated stressed and normal controls. The treatments increased the corticosterone levels in all the groups. The physical endurance (increased survival time) of swimming mice also increased in all the treated groups, except in the group treated with Withania somnifera powder (500 mg/kg, p.o.).     

人参长期喂养试验对大鼠血清电解质的影响研究

目的：观察人参长期喂养试验对大鼠血清电解质的影响。方法：80只大鼠按体重随机分为对照组及人参喂养高剂量组（10．0g／kg）、中剂量组（7．5g／kg）、。低剂量组（5．0s／ks）,每组雌雄各10只。于实验第91天,进行血清电解质指标Na＋、K＋、CI-检测。结果：各剂量组大鼠血清电解质Na＋、K＋、Cl＋检测均未见异常,与对照组比较无显著区别（P〉0．05）。结论：人参的长期喂养试验对大鼠血清电解质未见明显影响。     

An antidepressant effect of Sho-ju-sen, a Japanese herbal medicine, assessed by learned helplessness model in mice

The antidepressant effect of Sho-ju-sen, a Japanese herbal medicine composed of extracts of three herbs; kumazasa leaf (Sasa Kurinensis Makino et Sibata), Japanese red pine leaf (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc) and ginseng radix (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), was assessed using a learned helplessness model in mice. The learned helplessness was produced by presenting 120 unavoidable/inescapable shocks for 3 days to the mouse in a shuttle box, and the avoidance training was carried out on day 4. Compared with the control group given tap water, free consumption of Sho-ju-sen (1%, 3% and 10%) for 21 days resulted in a significant amelioration of the response rate at 1% and 3%, and both the response rate and % avoidance at 10%. Although Sho-ju-sen (10%) caused no significant effect following the 7-day intake, it ameliorated the response rate following the 14-day intake. The extract of Japanese red pine leaf, but not kumazasa leaf or ginseng radix, mildly improved the response rate. Learned helplessness was significantly and dose-dependently reduced by imipramine (10 and 30 mg/kg i.p.), while only mildly by diazepam (1 mg/kg p.o.). These results suggest that a long-term consumption of Sho-ju-sen is effective for the amelioration of depression, and the effectiveness is derived mainly from the extract of Japanese red pine leaf.     

Antiobesity effects of wild ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) mediated by PPAR-gamma, GLUT4 and LPL in ob/ob mice

The antiobesity effect of wild ginseng (WG; Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) in male obese leptin-deficient (B6.V-Lepob, 'ob/ob') mice was evaluated. WG was administered orally to mice at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks. The WG-treated ob/ob mice showed a loss of body weight and a decrease in blood glucose levels compared with control mice. WG regulated the mRNA expression level especially, it increased peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors-gamma (PPAR-gamma) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in adipose tissue, as well as glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and insulin receptor (IR) in the skeletal muscle and liver. Taken together, these results suggest that WG may play a vital role in the antiobesity effect in ob/ob mice; this has importance in insulin sensitivity. This may prove to be of clinical importance in improving the management of obesity and related metabolic syndromes.     

人参根中黄酮类化合物提取及其抗氧化性研究

目的 提取人参根总黄酮并研究其体内外抗氧化活性.方法 采用乙醇回流和聚酰胺富集法提取人参根总黄酮;通过DPPH法、Fenton法和大鼠饲喂实验研究人参根总黄酮的抗氧化能力.结果 当人参根总黄酮质量浓度为0.5 mg/mL以上时,对DPPH自由基的清除率超过80％;0.6 mg/mL时,对羟自由基清除率可达70.8％;80～120mg/(kg · d)持续饲喂5周能使大鼠脑SOD活性提高17.97％以上.结论 人参根总黄酮在体外对DPPH自由基和羟自由基具有较强清除作用,体内对SD大鼠脑组织中SOD活性亦有增强作用.     

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves insulin sensitivity in high fat fed Sprague-Dawley rats

Many studies have documented that ginseng has antidiabetic and antiobesity effects, but the mechanism of the effects has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG, Panax ginseng) and investigate the mechanism of antidiabetic and antiobesity effects in obese insulin resistant animal models. Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups: a control group (group I) fed a normal diet, another group (group II) fed only high fat diet (HFD) and a third group (group III) fed HFD with KRG (200 mg/kg, oral) for 18 weeks. The body weight, food intake, adipose tissues, liver, kidney, pancreas, adiponectin, and leptin were measured. Blood glucose, insulin tolerance test, and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp test were investigated. A significant weight reduction, especially fat mass reduction, was observed in the KRG treated group. Increased insulin sensitivity was found in the KRG treated group. We observed increased insulin signalling, increased phosphorylation of IR, IRS‐1, Akt, and membranous GLUT4 in muscle by Western blotting assay. In conclusion, KRG may have antidiabetic and antiobesity effects due to partly increased insulin sensitivity by increased adipokine and partly enhanced insulin signalling. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三地人参对小鼠溶血素含量影响的研究

目的:研究辽宁、吉林和朝鲜三地人参煎剂对正常和免疫低下小鼠血清溶血素含量的影响。方法:将小鼠分为空白对照组,正常三地人参煎剂灌胃组,免疫低下模型组,免疫低下三地人参煎剂灌胃组,共8组,每组10只。其中模型制作为氢化可的松70mg/kg(体重),皮下注射,连续1周。人参灌胃为5g/(kg.d),1次/d,连续2周。实验结束前4天小鼠腹腔注射配制好的SRBC 0.2mL。然后ELISA法测定溶血素含量。结果:正常三地人参灌胃组溶血素含量和空白对照组相比无统计学意义,且三者之间相比亦无统计学意义;免疫低下模型组、三地人参免疫低下灌胃组与空白对照组相比均有统计学差异;三地人参免疫低下灌胃组和免疫低下模型组相比有统计学差异;三地人参免疫低下灌胃组之间相比无统计学差异。结论:三地人参对正常小鼠血清溶血素水平没有影响;氢化可的松所致的免疫低下可使小鼠血清溶血素含量降低,经辽宁、吉林和朝鲜三地人参煎剂灌胃治疗后不能使其溶血素含量提高,且使之进一步下降;三地人参煎剂对免疫低下小鼠血清溶血素含量的影响无差异。     

Long-term oral administration of ginseng extract modulates humoral immune response and spleen cell functions

Ginseng radix (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is a popular herbal medicine in Oriental countries. We investigated the effect of long-term oral administration of ginseng extract on the antigen-specific antibody response. Male BALB/c mice were treated orally for 30 consecutive days with 2 g/kg of a 50% ethanol extract of ginseng root. Mice treated with ginseng and immunized with ovalbumin (OVA), resulting in an eight-fold increase in titers of anti-OVA immunoglobulin (Ig)G in the serum compared to the group receiving OVA immunization without ginseng treatment; the level of IgG was also significantly elevated in the mice treated with ginseng and immunized with OVA. Mice treated with ginseng without OVA immunization exhibited significantly reduced IgG and IgA production by spleen cells. However, IgG production was not affected in mice treated with ginseng and OVA immunization in spleen cells. Interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-4 secretion by spleen cells from either ginseng-treated mice or OVA-immunized mice were down-regulated compared to that in the control group; while the production of IL-10 was unchanged. The percentage of CD8+ cells was significantly reduced in spleen cells from ginseng-treated, OVA-immunized mice. Thus, long-term oral administration of ginseng extract appears to potentiate humoral immune response but suppress spleen cell functions.     

人参藏红花不同比例对模拟高原运动时血乳酸、尿素及血常规的影响

目的:研究不同比例的人参藏红花组合物对急性高原反应的预防作用。方法:将小鼠按照体重随机分为7组:平原空白组、高原空白组、参花生药量比100∶1、50∶1、25∶1、10∶1、3∶1组。人参藏红花组合物总给药量10 g/kg。预先给予小鼠人参藏红花组合物8 d,末次给药1 h,经过低压环境及负重游泳后测定其血常规及乳酸(LD)、尿素氮(BUN)的值。结果:小鼠经过低压环境和负重力竭游泳后,参花组合物10 g/kg(参花生药量比25∶1)可使其血清乳酸增高,参花组合物10 g/kg(参花生药量比50∶1)具有较好的提高红细胞,血红蛋白,降低血小板的作用,而参花组合物各比例组对尿素氮均无明显影响。结论:人参藏红花组合物可能提高小鼠的无氧运动能力,可用于预防急性高原反应。     

Protective effect of a polyherbal formulation (Immu-21) against cyclophosphamide-induced mutagenicity in mice

The object was to evaluate the effects of a polyherbal formulation, Immu-21, against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) in mice. CP alone (40 mg/kg, i.p.) produced classical as well as non-classical chromosomal aberrations in mice, and the incidence of CA was significantly more in the CP treated group when compared with that of the control group. Immu-21, which contains extracts of Ocimum sanctum, Withania somnifera, Emblica officinalis and Tinospora cordifolia, was given at 100 mg/kg, daily, over 7 days, and 30 mg/kg daily over 14 days and inhibited both CP-induced classical and non-classical chromosomal aberrations ( approximately 40%-60% of control). A significant increase in MN was also observed in bone marrow erythrocytes of mice treated with CP, and pretreatment with Immu-21 also significantly reduced these. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by estimating the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) to normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs). The present results indicate that chronic treatment with Immu-21 prevented CP-induced genotoxicity in mice.     

Curcumin inhibits human lung large cell carcinoma cancer tumour growth in a murine xenograft model

Curcumin can decrease viable cells through the induction of apoptosis in human lung cancer NCI‐H460 cells in vitro. However, there are no reports that curcumin can inhibit cancer cells in vivo. In this study, NCI‐H460 lung tumour cells were implanted directly into nude mice and divided randomly into four groups to be treated with vehicle, curcumin (30 mg/kg of body weight), curcumin (45 mg/kg of body weight) and doxorubicin (8 mg/kg of body weight). Each agent was injected once every 4 days intraperitoneally (i.p.), with treatment starting 4 weeks after inoculation with the NCI‐H460 cells. Treatment with 30 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg of curcumin or with 8 mg/kg of doxorubicin resulted in a reduction in tumour incidence, size and weight compared with the control group. The findings indicate that curcumin can inhibit tumour growth in a NCI‐H460 xenograft animal model in vivo. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

人参、三七提取物与牛磺酸对兔心肌缺血再灌注损伤中ET、CGRP影响的实验研究

目的：探讨人参、三七提取物与牛磺酸配伍防治心肌缺血再灌注损伤（MIRI）的作用机理。方法：雄性比利时兔18只,随机分为对照组（生理盐水组）与治疗组（益气活血解毒组）各9只,均于同等条件下口服给药7d。结扎冠脉造成MIRI模型,术中动态监测心电;分别在服药前（T1）、冠状动脉结扎10min（T2）、再灌注10min（T3）取血,抗凝,测定血清内皮素（TE）、降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）含量。结果：治疗组与对照组比较,可显著降低ET、ET／CGRP水平,CGRP水平有升高趋势。结论：人参提取物、三七提取物、牛磺酸对MIRI有良好的保护作用,其机制之一是通过降低血清中ET含量和升高血清中CGRP水平。     

Effect of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract on tissue lead level in rats.

The prophylactic efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract to reduce tissue lead (Pb) concentration was evaluated experimentally in rats. Thirty female rats were divided into five groups, keeping group A as a healthy control. Rats of groups B, C, D and E received lead acetate orally at the rate of 5 mg per kg body weight daily for 6 weeks. The garlic extract was tried in three doses, viz. 100 (low), 200 (medium) and 400 mg (high) per kg body weight orally and given simultaneously with lead salt to the rats of group C, D and E, respectively. Mean blood lead concentrations in lead-exposed rats ranged between 0.13+/-0.02 and 0.96+/-0.06 microg/ml, whereas in garlic-treated rats, the range was between 0.16+/-0.01 and 0.80+/-0.05; 0.13+/-0.01 and 0.71+/-0.06 and 0.14+/-0.01 and 0.60+/-0.05 microg per ml in low, medium and high dose groups, respectively. The mean lead concentration in liver, kidneys, brain and bone of lead exposed rats was 2.943+/-0.206, 4.780+/-0.609, 1.019+/-0.100 and 44.075+/-2.60 microg per ml, respectively. Concomitant use of garlic extract at the three different doses was found to reduce lead concentration considerably indicating the potential therapeutic activity of garlic against lead.     

Flavonoid of Drynaria fortunei protects against acute renal failure

The flavonoid fraction (FF) from Drynaria fortunei was investigated to determine its biological activity expression in three acute renal failure animal models.Guinea pigs received 100 mg/kg of gentamicin (GM group), 100 mg/kg of GM plus 10 mg/kg of FF (GMFF group), 10 mg/kg of FF (FF group) or saline (saline group) intramuscularly for 14 days. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were found to be significantly higher in the GM group (22.70+/-3.84 mg/dL, 0.68+/-0.05 mg/dL) than in the GMFF group (17.10+/-1.04 mg/dL, 0.58+/-0.09 mg/dL), the FF group (17.40+/-1.01 mg/dL, 0.49+/-0.20 mg/dL) and the saline group (17.50+/-1.22 mg/dL, 0.50+/-0.02 mg/dL).Mice were treated once with 6 mg/kg of mercuric chloride, followed by 10 mg/kg of FF or saline. On days 3, 4 and 5, BUN and creatinine levels were found to be significantly higher in the HgCl2-saline group (74.00+/-39.20 mg/dL, 59.30+/-31.20 mg/dL, 74.00+/-37.30 mg/dL and 0.53+/-0.17 mg/dL, 0.48+/-0.15 mg/dL 0.33+/-0.15 mg/dL) than in the HgCl2-FF group (19.50+/-4.90 mg/dL, 43.00+/-26.30 mg/dL, 38.50+/-13.80 mg/dL and 0.23+/-0.05 mg/dL, 0.30+/-0.12 mg/dL, 0.15+/-0.06 mg/dL).After surgery for 5/6-nephrectomy, ten mice received FF at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day and eight received saline for 42 days. The saline group survived for 12-62 days and the FF group survived for 20-320 days. The FF group had a significantly longer survival time than the saline group (p<0.05). Regeneration of kidney tubular cells and significantly enlarged convoluted tubules were noted in the pathology study of the FF group.In conclusion, the present study suggests that FF prevents nephrotoxicity, improves kidney function and promotes kidney primary epithelial tubular cell regeneration.     

Antidiarrhoeal activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Baphia nitida (Papilionaceae)

In our search for plants useful in the treatment of diarrhoea, we investigated the ethyl acetate extract of Baphia nitida (BN) using intestinal transit, enteropooling and gastric emptying tests in mice and rats. In the castor oil intestinal transit test, BN produced a significant (P<0.05) dose dependent decrease in propulsion with peristaltic index (PI) values of 56.85+/-6.76, 36.84+/-3.04 and 31.98+/-2.60%, respectively at doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg vs. 89.33+/-6.28% for control. The effect at 400mg/kg was significantly lower than that of morphine, 10mg/kg, s.c. (20.29+/-3.78%), and was antagonized by isosorbide dinitrate, IDN (150mg/kg, p.o.) but not by yohimbine (1mg/kg, s.c.). This effect was not potentiated by atropine (1mg/kg, s.c.). In the castor oil-induced diarrhoea test, BN produced a significant increase in onset of diarrhoea (103.40+/-8.74, 138.80+/-17.04 and 174.8+/-29.04min, 100 to 400mg/kg, vs. 47.60+/-8.76min for control and 226.10+/-12.57min for morphine). The severity of diarrhoea (diarrhoea score) was dose dependently reduced (19.00+/-2.26, 17.04+/-1.89, 15.00+/-2.05, 100 to 400mg/kg, vs. 31.40+/-2.11 for control and 7.7+/-2.2 for morphine). This effect was not antagonized by IDN or yohimbine. The effect on severity was, however, potentiated by atropine. BN also reduced the number and weight of wet stools but did not have any significant effect on intestinal fluid accumulation and gastric emptying. Results obtained suggest that the ethyl acetate extract of Baphia nitida is endowed with antidiarrhoeal activity possibly mediated by interference with the l-arginine nitric oxide pathway and synergistic with antagonistic action on muscarinic receptors.     

参蒲汤抗小鼠癫痫的药效学研究

目的：观察参蒲汤抗小鼠惊厥的效应。方法：采用3种方法造成的急性惊厥模型（戊四唑惊厥模型，士的宁惊厥模型，最大电休克惊厥模型），通过这些模型的半数致惊量（CD50）来评价参蒲汤的抗惊厥效应，分组并分别用生理盐水（对照组），参蒲汤9g/kg、6g/kg、4g/kg（参蒲汤大、中、小剂量组）和硝基安定（西药组）治疗。结果：在戊四唑模型中各组（按上述顺序）的CD50分别为（63．3±3．4）mg/kg、（116．2±3．4）mg/kg、（105．6±3．7）mg/kg、（74．0±3．7）mg/kg和（197．2±3．3）mg/kg；在士的宁惊厥模型中各组的CD50分别为（0．71±0．04）mg/kg、（1．21±0．04）mg/kg、（1．19±0．04）mg/kg、（0．94±0．04）mg/kg和（1．16±0.04)mg/kg；最大电休克惊厥模型中各组的CD50分别为（67．1±2．6）V，＞140V，（109．4±3．5）V、（84．4±3．1）V和（128．4±3．9）V。结论：参蒲汤具有较好的抗惊厥效应。