Ymf 1029A-E, preussomerin analogues from the fresh-water-derived fungus YMF 1.01029

Five new preussomerin analogues, ymf 1029A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), and E (5), were isolated from the liquid cultures of an unidentified freshwater fungus YMF 1.01029, along with four known compounds, preussomerin C (6), preussomerin D (7), (4RS)-4,8-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (8), and 4,6,8-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (9). The structures of new metabolites were determined by analysis of NMR and MS data and by analogy with the data for the known bis-spirobisnaphthalene preussomerins. In vitro immersion experiments showed that these metabolites displayed weak nematicidal activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, while compound 7 was the most potent. This is the first report of these compounds, which antagonize the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus nematode.     

Anti-atherogenic effects of the aqueous extract of rhubarb in rats fed an atherogenic diet

The present study was designed to investigate whether the aqueous extract of rhubarb (AR) could prevent the development of atherosclerosis through regulating vascular inflammatory processes in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR significantly reduced plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and increased plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR inhibited vascular expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) induced in rats with an atherogenic diet. On the other hand, AR augmented the vascular expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) and restored vascular nitric oxide (NO) production. Furthermore, AR suppressed the elevated expression of vascular nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 as well as adhesion molecules, including intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. Also, AR decreased endothelial expression of ICAM-1 and ET-1 in aorta. These results suggest that AR suppresses the development of atherosclerosis in the atherogenic-diet rat model through inhibiting vascular expressions of proinflammatory and adhesion molecules via the regulation of nitric oxide and endothelin system.     

Effect of acupuncture given at the HT 7, ST 36, ST 40 and KI 3 acupoints on various parts of the brains of Alzheimer' s disease patients

In this study, we explore various regions of the brains of Alzheimer' s Disease (AD) patients before and after acupuncture treatment of acupoints in the brain in order to determine the effect, if any, of acupuncture on AD. Twenty-six patients with clinically-diagnosed AD underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while undergoing acupuncture at the four acupoints of Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Taixi (KI 3). fMRI Block design paradigm was chosen by electroacupumcture interval stimulation, and the data of fMRI were analyzed by Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM 99). The result demonstrated that there were right main hemisphere activations (temporal lobe, such as hippocampal gyrus, insula, and some area of parietal lobe) and left activated regions (temporal lobe, parietal lobule, some regions of cerebellum). The activated regions induced by these acupoints were consistent with impaired areas in brain for AD patients, which were closely correlated with the cognitive function (memory, reason, language, executive, etc.). The present study provided the strong evidence that acupuncture had a potential effect on AD, and in partial revealed the mechanism.     

The bark of Betula platyphylla var. japonica inhibits the development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice

The bark of Betula platyphylla Sukat. var. japonica Hara (Asian White Birch, AWB) is one of the herbs used in Eastern countries for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases including atopic dermatitis (AD). The present study was performed to examine if and how the bark of AWB inhibits the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice induced by repeated application of picryl chloride (PC). With this aim, we examined the skin symptom severity, itching behavior, serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E level and mRNA expression of cytokines at iliac and cervical lymph nodes in the mice. Oral administration of AWB extracts (25, 100 and 250 mg/kg) to the PC-treated mice inhibited the development of AD-like skin lesions as exemplified by a significant decrease in the total skin severity scores, itching behavior and a decrease in hypertrophy and infiltration of inflammatory cells into dermis. The serum IgE level was also significantly reduced by AWB extract. In the RT-PCR results, the expression of interleukin-4 mRNA was reduced by AWB extract, whereas the expression of interferon-gamma mRNA was not changed. These results suggest that AWB inhibits the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice through the suppression of the T-helper 2 cell response.     

Protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus extract against endotoxic shock in mice

AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, we evaluated protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ASE) and a possible signaling pathway involved during endotoxic shock induced by intraperitoneal injection lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in BALB/c mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were intraperitoneal administrated with ASE (100, 200 or 400mg/kg) prior to injection of 50 microg/kg LPS and 1g/kg D-GalN. The levels of tumor necrosis-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum and liver. Nitric oxide (NO) production in serum and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein level were investigated. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation in liver was determined. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of ASE pretreatment on infiltration of inflammatory cells into the heart, liver and lung of mice. RESULTS: Treatment of mice with ASE prior to LPS/D-GalN injection significantly improved the survival rate. ASE pretreatment inhibited the elevation of TNF-alpha in serum and liver. ASE also decreased iNOS level in liver and the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) in serum. In addition, IL-10 levels in serum and liver were markedly enhanced. ASE pretreatment inhibited NF-kappaB activation in liver of mice. Moreover, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the heart, liver and lung of mice was also attenuated by ASE pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ASE protected mice against LPS/D-GalN-induced endotoxic shock involving inhibition of NF-kappaB activation, which caused down-regulation of TNF-alpha and involved up-regulation of IL-10. Acanthopanax senticosus may thus prove beneficial in the prevention of endotoxic shock.     

Gleditsia sinensis thorns inhibit the production of NO through NF-kappaB suppression in LPS-stimulated macrophages

The thorns of Gleditsia sinensis LAM. (Leguminosae) have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including swelling, suppuration, carbuncle and skin diseases in China and Korea. In this study, we investigated the mechanism responsible for anti-inflammatory effects of Gleditsia sinensis thorns in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The aqueous extract of Gleditsia sinensis thorns (AEGS) inhibited LPS-induced NO secretion as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, without affecting cell viability. Furthermore, AEGS suppressed LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation, phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaB-alpha, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). These results suggest that AEGS has the inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression in macrophages through blockade in the phosphorylation of MAPKs, following IkappaB-alpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation.     

Astragaloside IV attenuates lipolysis and improves insulin resistance induced by TNFalpha in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Increased circulating free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations have been demonstrated to potentially link obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a saponin which is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of AS-IV on the lipolysis and insulin resistance induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes. TNFalpha promotes lipolysis in mammal adipocytes via the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) family resulting in reduced expression/function of perilipin. Application of AS-IV inhibited TNFalpha-induced accelerated lipolysis in a dose-dependent manner, which was compatible with suppressed phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and reversed the downregulation of perilipin. Moreover, TNFalpha induced downregulation of key enzymes in lipogenesis, including LPL, FAS and GPAT, were also attenuated by AS-IV. Further studies showed that AS-IV improved TNFalpha-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This study provides the first direct evidence of the antilipolytic action of AS-IV in adipocytes, which may allow this agent to decrease the circulating FFA levels, thus increase insulin sensitivity and treat cardiovascular diseases.     

Second-trimester maternal serum free-beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein levels in normal twin and singleton pregnancies: a report of local Chinese population

OBJECTIVES: The study evaluated the differences between Chinese normal twin and singleton pregnancies in the levels of maternal serum free-beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (free beta-hCG) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) used in second-trimester Down syndrome (DS) screening. METHODS: The concentrations of maternal serum markers of 456 twin pregnancies and 12 067 singleton controls in gestational 15 to 20 weeks were measured by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay, and the levels of markers were compared between the twins and singletons. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the levels of free beta-hCG in twins and twice of those in singletons in 16, 17 and 19 gestational weeks (p < 0.05 for all); while considering AFP, significant differences were found in 16 and 19 gestational weeks (p < 0.05 for both). No correlations were found in twins between the levels of markers and maternal weights in most gestational weeks (Free beta-hCG: p > 0.05 for 15 to 18 and 20 gestational weeks; AFP: p > 0.05 for 16 to 20 gestational weeks). CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese gestational age-specific levels of maternal serum markers in normal twins are not twice as those in singletons. The current weight-correction model for DS screening may be not feasible for twins.