天山雪莲愈伤组织提取物对人成骨肉瘤细胞MG-63增殖及分化的影响

目的研究天山雪莲愈伤组织提取物(extract from callus of Saussureainvolucrate,ESI)对人成骨肉瘤细胞MG-63增殖及分化的影响,探讨ESI抗骨质疏松的作用及机制。方法以MG-63为研究对象,采用MTT法和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)法检测ESI对成骨细胞增殖的影响,相关试剂盒检测碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性和羟脯氨酸(Hyp)水平,茜素红染色法观察对矿化骨结节形成的影响;实时荧光定量PCR(RT-PCR)检测骨保护素(OPG)和核因子-κB活化因子受体配体(RANKL)基因表达水平;Western blotting法检测OPG/RANKL蛋白水平;检测p38特异性抑制剂SB203580对ESI作用于成骨细胞增殖、分化、矿化以及OPG/RANKL表达的影响。结果 ESI低于125μg/mL对成骨细胞无细胞毒性,31.25、62.5μg/mL对成骨细胞生长有促进作用;ESI显著提高ALP活性、Hyp水平以及矿化骨结节形成;显著上调MG-63细胞OPG mR NA水平,下调RANKLmR NA水平,上调OPG/RANKL蛋白水平;SB203580显著抑制ESI对成骨细胞增殖、ALP活性、矿化结节形成的促进作用以及对胶原蛋白积累量和OPG/RANKL值的提高作用。结论 ESI能够促进成骨细胞增殖、分化和矿化,其机制可能与调节OPG和RANKL基因表达有关,并且可能通过p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)通路进行信号转导。     

天山雪莲水提取物对小鼠辐射损伤的保护作用

目的 观察天山雪莲水提取物(ES)对电离辐射损伤小鼠的保护作用。方法 小鼠ig ES0．75，1．5，3．0g/kg，14d后接受8和2．5Gy的照射，观察8Gy照射小鼠的平均生存时间和生存率及2．5Gy照射小鼠的脾T淋巴细胞转化能力和骨髓DNA含量。结果 ES能显著延长8Gy照射小鼠的平均生存时间(P＜0．05)，并提高生存率；显著提高2．5Gy照射小鼠的脾T淋巴细胞转化能力和骨髓DNA含量(P＜0．05，0．01)，改善免疫功能。结论ES具有抗辐射损伤作用。     

Lifespan extension by n-butanol extract from seed of Platycladus orientalis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Aim of the study

As a traditional Chinese medicine, seed of Platycladus orientalis(Linnaeus) Franco has been extensively used as a tonic and sedative remedy. The present study was conducted to investigate whether lifespan was extended and the mechanisms of n-butanol extract from seed of Platycladus orientalis (BSPO) in Caenorhabditis elegans. The findings could provide the pharmacological basis for a treatment in traditional medicine.

Materials and methods

Lifespan extension by BSPO was evaluated under normal culture conditions and in a stress test. A possible mechanism of the anti-aging effect of BSPO, a change in the stress-resistance of related proteins, was also investigated in C. elegans.

Results

It has been shown that BSPO could significantly extend lifespan of C. elegans in a concentration dependent manner under normal culture conditions and stress. Further studies demonstrated that BSPO treatment significantly decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, up-regulated resistance to stress of related proteins, including glutathione S-transferase-4 (GST-4) and heat shock protein-16.2 (HSP-16.2), and reduced the amount of lipofuscin in transgenic C. elegans.

Conclusion

These results indicated that BSPO extended the lifespan, which could be attributed to its direct ROS scavenging activity, reducing the amount of lipofuscin and increasing the expression of gens associated with resistance to stress. These obtained data provided valuable support for traditional clinical practice to extend lifespan and to provide tonic remedy.     

Further evaluation of antihyperglycaemic activity of Hunteria umbellata (K. Schum) Hallier f. seed extract in experimental diabetes

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In African traditional medicine, water decoction made from the dry seeds of Hunteria umbellata (K. Schum) Hallier f. is highly valued in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Aim

In the present study, the antihyperglycaemic activity of the seed aqueous extract of Hunteria umbellate (K. Schum) Hallier f. (HU) was investigated in alloxan-induced, high fructose- and dexamethasone-induced hyperglycaemic rats.

Materials and methods

Alloxan-induced, dexamethasone-induced and high fructose-induced hyperglycaemic rats were treated with single, daily oral administration of 1 mg/kg of glibenclamide, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of HU in Groups III, IV, V and VI, for 14 days, 21 days and 8 weeks, respectively. The effects of these drugs on FBG, free plasma insulin levels, HbA_1c, serum TG and TC, and insulin resistance indices were investigated.

Results

Data generated in the current study showed that glibenclamide and graded oral doses of HU caused significant dose related (p < 0.05, <0.01 and <0.001) reductions in FBG when compared to the values obtained for the model control (Group II) rats. Similarly, daily oral administration of 66.7 g/kg fructose to rats for 8 weeks was associated with significant (p < 0.001) hyperglycaemia, elevations in plasma HbA_1c, free insulin, fasting insulin resistance indices, serum TG, and cholesterol. However, concomitant oral treatments with 1 mg/kg of glibenclamide, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg of HU extract significantly and dose dependently (p < 0.05, <0.01 and <0.001) attenuated development of hyperglycaemia, decreased levels of plasma HbA_1c, free insulin, and serum triglyceride and cholesterol, in the Groups III, IV, V and VI rats, respectively, when compared to fructose-induced hyperglycaemic (Group II) rats. Similar effect was also recorded in the dexamethasone-induced hyperglycaemic rats.

Conclusion

Results of this study suggest that the hypoglycaemic and antihyperlipidaemic effects of HU are mediated via enhanced peripheral glucose uptake and improvements in hyperinsulinaemia.     

The methanolic extract of Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. and its major compound pinostrobin induces anti-ulcerogenic property in vivo: possible involvement of indirect antioxidant action

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Boesenbergia rotunda (L) Mansf. has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders including peptic ulcer. In the current study we aimed to investiagte the anti-ulcer activities of methanolic extract of B. rotunda (MEBR) and its main active compound, pinostrobin on ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. The possible involevement of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, cyclooxygenases and free radical scavenging mechanisms also has been investigated.

Materials and methods

Pinostrobin was isolated form the rhizomes of B. rotunda. Ulcer index, gastric juice acidity, mucus content, gross and histological gastric lesions and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were evaluated in ethanol-induced ulcer in vivo. The effect of pinostrobin into lipopolysaccharide/interferon-γ stimulated rodent cells, COX-1 and COX-2 activities were done in vitro.

Results

Pre-treatment with MEBR, pinostrobin or omeprazole protected the gastric mucosa as seen by reduction in ulcer area and mucosal content, reduced or absence of submucosal edema and leucocytes infiltration. Pinostrobin significantly (p<0.05) lowered the elevated TBARS level into gasteric homogenate. Pinostrobin did not produced significant in vitro inhibition of NO from LPS/IFN-γ activated rodent cells without affecting the viability of these cells. Further, the compound did bot revleaed inhibitory effects on both COX- 1& 2 enzymes. The antioxidant assays also exhibited non significance in vitro.

Conclusion

Thus it can be concluded that MEBR possesses anti-ulcer activity, which could be attributed to indirect anti-oxidant mechanism of pinostrobin but not to the intervention with nitric oxide and COX inflammation pathways.