Antiangiogenic activity of lupeol from Bombax ceiba

In the search for antiangiogenic agents from medicinal plants used in Vietnam, a methanol extract of the stem barks of Bombax ceiba was found to exhibit a significant antiangiogenic activity on in vitro tube formation of human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVEC). Bioactivity-guided fractionation and isolation carried out on this extract afforded lupeol as an active principle. At 50 and 30 microg/mL lupeol showed a marked inhibitory activity on HUVEC tube formation while it did not affect the growth of tumor cell lines such as SK-MEL-2, A549, and B16-F10 melanoma.     

Vitexin, orientin and other flavonoids from Spirodela polyrhiza inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells

To investigate the adipogenesis inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with fractions and isolated flavonoids of Spirodela polyrhiza. An ethanol extract of S. polyrhiza was fractionated into three fractions. The butanol soluble fraction (SPB) exhibited potent antiadipogenesis activity and decreased C/EBPα and PPARγ protein expression level in 3T3-L1 cells without significant cytotoxicity. The flavonoids were isolated from SPB and their chemical structures were identified as chrysoeriol (1), apigenin (2), luteolin (3), vitexin (4), cosmosin (5), orientin (6) and luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (7) by spectroscopic analysis. Studies on the adipogenesis and intracellular triglyceride accumulation inhibitory effect showed that compounds 4 and 6 had the highest activity and decreased C/EBPα and PPARγ protein expression level in 3T3-L1 cells. These results suggest that the flavonoids isolated from SPB, especially compounds 4 and 6, contribute to the inhibitory activity of S. polyrhiza in 3T3-L1 cells.     

Stilbenes and oligostilbenes from leaf and stem of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis amurensis</Emphasis> and their cytotoxic activity

Chromatographic separation of the EtOAc fraction from the leaf and stem of Vitis amurensis led to the isolation of six oligostilbenoids (i.e., r-2-viniferin (1), trans-amurensin B (2), trans-ɛ-viniferin (3), gnetin H (4), amurensin G (5), (+)-ampelopsin A (8)) and four stilbenoids (i.e., trans-resveratrol (6), (+)-ampelopsin F (7), piceatannol (9), and trans-piceid (10)). The structures have been identified on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and physicochemical properties. The isolates were investigated for cytotoxic activity against three cancer cell lines in vitro using the MTT assay method. Amurensin G (5) and trans-resveratrol (6) showed significant cytotoxic activity against L1210, K562 and HTC116 cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 15.7 ± 2.1 to 30.9 ± 1.8 μM. (+)-Ampelopsin A (8) and trans-piceid (10) exhibited considerable cytotoxic activity against L1210 (IC₅₀ values of 30.6 ± 4.1 and 28.7 ± 2.81 μM, respectively) and K562 (IC₅₀ values of 38.6 ± 0.82 and 24.6 ± 0.76 μM, respectively). Gnetin H (4) showed only weak cytotoxic activity against L1210 with an IC₅₀ value of 40.1 ± 4.23 μM. On the other hand, r-2-viniverin (1), trans-amurensin B (2), trans-ɛ-viniferin (3), (+)-ampelopsin F (7), and piceatannol (9) exhibited no activity on three cancer cell lines.     

Giant cell hepatitis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a Korean infant

Giant cell hepatitis (GCH) with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA) is a very rare disease characterized by early onset and severe clinical manifestations, including immune hemolytic anemia and hepatitis with cholestasis. The prognosis is poor despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. We report here the first case of GCH with AHA in East Asia. A 2‐month‐old boy was admitted with jaundice. Blood test indicated abnormal liver function and low hemoglobin. Direct Coombs test and several autoantibodies associated with liver disease were positive, and liver biopsy was consistent with GCH. He was treated with prednisolone and ursodeoxycholic acid, and at the time of writing was in clinical and biochemical remission after prednisolone was stopped.     

Multivisceral transplantation for abdominal tumors in children: A single center experience and review of the literature

Standard management of intra‐abdominal pediatric solid tumors requires complete resection. However, tumors with multiple organ and vascular involvement present a unique surgical challenge. We conducted a retrospective chart review of four patients, aged 2‐14 years, undergoing MVT for intra‐abdominal tumors with significant involvement of the visceral arteries and/or portomesenteric venous system at our institution. Indications for MVT included hepatocellular carcinoma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, and two cases of hepatoblastoma. Grafts included liver, stomach, small bowel, and pancreas in all patients, with two patients also receiving spleens, and one, a partial esophageal transplant. Median hospital stay was 80 days. Postoperative complications included reoperation for abdominal hematoma and bowel obstruction, steroid responsive intestinal rejection, wound dehiscence, fungemia, seizures, and chyle leak with pleural effusion. One patient developed Epstein‐Barr virus‐associated complications which responded well to treatment. On follow‐up (range 2.8‐7.8 years), all patients have satisfactory graft function and no evidence of recurrent disease. MVT is an effective means of achieving complete gross resection of intra‐abdominal malignancies in patients with multiple organ and vascular involvement.     

Inhibitory effects of casticin on migration of eosinophil and expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules in A549 lung epithelial cells via NF-κB inactivation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The fruits of Vitex rotundifolia L. have long been used for the treatment of inflammation of the respiratory tract in East Asia.

Aim

To determine if casticin, one of the constituents of Vitex rotundifolia L., has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects in asthma.

Materials and methods

The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of casticin was studied in A549 human type II-like epithelial lung cells using an eotaxin inhibition assay. Additionally, its effects on eotaxin, regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and inter-cellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression were investigated by real time-polymerase chain reaction (real time-PCR). The inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity in the presence of casticin was determined by analyzing confocal microscopy images of fluorescence immunocytochemical analysis while the suppression of inhibitory κB (IκB)-α phosphorylation was studied using Western blot analysis. Finally, the inhibitory effect of casticin on eosinophil migration toward prestimulated A549 cell media was measured using the human eosinophilic leukemia cell line.

Results and discussion

Casticin significantly suppressed eotaxin production in cytokine activated A549 lung epithelial cells. Casticin also suppressed the mRNA expression levels of eotaxin, RANTES, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1, which subsequently contributed to the inhibition of eosinophil migration. Furthermore, casticin inhibited IκB-α phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 in A549 cells.

Conclusion

Casiticin inhibited the eosinophil migration and activity of chemokines and adhesion molecules involved in the inflammatory process of asthma by suppressing the NF-κB pathway. These results suggest that casticin has the potential for use in the treatment of allergic asthma.     

Inhibitory effects of lycopene on HMGB1-mediated pro-inflammatory responses in both cellular and animal models

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) mediates proinflammatory responses in inflammatory diseases. Lycopene found in tomatoes and tomato products has anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and antiinflammatory effects. The potential anti-inflammatory roles of lycopene in HMGB1-mediated proinflammatory responses in both primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and animal were investigated. The anti-inflammatory effects of lycopene were determined including permeability, monocyte adhesion and migration, and activation of proinflammatory proteins and HMGB1 receptors on HMGB1 activated HUVECs. In the in vivo model, the anti-inflammatory effect of lycopene was assessed by monitoring vascular permeability and migration of leukocytes to the peritoneal cavity of mice injected with lycopene. Lycopene inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated release of HMGB1, expression of HMGB1-mediated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2)-IIA, and HMGB1-mediated pro-inflammatory signaling responses in endothelial cells. It did this through down-regulation of cell surface expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), HMGB1 receptors, toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, and -4, and receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). These findings suggest that lycopene promotes barrier integrity, inhibits monocyte adhesion and migration to HMGB1 activating HUVECs by blocking activation of proinflammatory cytokines and expression of CAMs and HMGB1 receptors, thereby showing its usefulness as a therapy for vascular inflammatory diseases.     

Efficacy of Seprafilm® graft with adhesiolysis in experimentally induced lid adhesion in rabbits

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of Seprafilm^? transplantation following adhesiolysis for preventing postoperative readhesion and improving surgical outcomes.METHODS:Primary blepharoplasty was carried out on both eyelids of 18 albino rabbits. After 2 weeks, a new skin incision was made, and adhesiolysis was performed on both eyelids. The rabbits were categorized into two groups, one with adhesiolysis alone in the left eyelid (control group), and the other with adhesiolysis with a Seprafilm^? graft in the right eyelid (Seprafilm^? group). The degrees of inflammation and fibrosis were examined with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson’s trichrome stains. Expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was also immunohistochemically examined.RESULTS:Eyelid examination immediately after the operation revealed mild swelling and hemorrhage in both groups, but these symptoms resolved after 1 week-2 weeks, and eyelid shape had recovered completely in both groups. Microscopic assessments demonstrated that the Seprafilm^? group showed less inflammation and fibrosis than the control group. The Seprafilm^? group also exhibited fewer α-SMA-positive cells than the control group.CONCLUSION:Based on these findings, we conclude that Seprafilm^? graft with adhesiolysis is an effective method for preventing postoperative readhesions after eyelid surgery.     

Antioxidant activity from the stem bark of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Albizzia julibrissin</Emphasis>

The antioxidant activity of the stem bark from Albizzia julibrissin was evaluated for its potential to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, to inhibit the generation of the hydroxyl radical (*OH), total reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to scavenge authentic peroxynitrites (ONOO-). The methanol extract of A. julibrissin exhibited strong antioxidant activity in the tested model systems. Therefore, it was further fractionated using several solvents. The antioxidant activity of the individual fractions were in the order of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) > n-butanol (n-BuOH) > dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) > and water (H2O). The ethyl acetate soluble fraction, which exhibited strong antioxidant activity, was further purified by repeated silicagel, Sephadex LH-20 and RP-18 gel column chromatography. Sulfuretin (1) and 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavone (2) were isolated as the active principles. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited good activity in all tested model systems. Compound 1 exhibited five times more inhibitory activity on the total ROS than Trolox. Compound 2 showed six times stronger DPPH radical scavenging activity than L-ascorbic acid. These results show the possible antioxidant activity of the A. julibrissin crude extract and its major constituents.