Induction of apoptotic cell death in human bladder cancer cells by ethanol extract of Zanthoxylum schinifolium leaf,through ROS-dependent inactivation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESZanthoxylum schinifolium is traditionally used as a spice for cooking in East Asian countries. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-proliferative potential of ethanol extracts of Z. schinifolium leaves (EEZS) against human bladder cancer T24 cells.MATERIALS/METHODSSubsequent to measuring the cytotoxicity of EEZS, the anti-cancer activity was measured by assessing apoptosis induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In addition, we determined the underlying mechanism of EEZS-induced apoptosis through various assays, including Western blot analysis.RESULTSEEZS treatment concentration-dependently inhibited T24 cell survival, which is associated with apoptosis induction. Exposure to EEZS induced the expression of Fas and Fas-ligand, activated caspases, and subsequently resulted to cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. EEZS also enhanced the expression of cytochrome c in the cytoplasm by suppressing MMP, following increase in the ratio of Bax:Bcl-2 expression and truncation of Bid. However, EEZS-mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis were significantly diminished by a pan-caspase inhibitor. Moreover, EEZS inhibited activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, and the apoptosis-inducing potential of EEZS was promoted in the presence of PI3K/Akt inhibitor. In addition, EEZS enhanced the production of ROS, whereas N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, markedly suppressed growth inhibition and inactivation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway induced by EEZS. Furthermore, NAC significantly attenuated the EEZS-induced apoptosis and reduction of cell viability.CONCLUSIONSTaken together, our results indicate that exposure to EEZS exhibits anti-cancer activity in T24 bladder cancer cells through ROS-dependent induction of apoptosis and inactivation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

工业色谱法纯化山银花中绿原酸的工艺研究

目的 探索工业色谱法纯化山银花中绿原酸的最优工艺参数。方法 以绿原酸的转移率为评价指标,以山银花水提液过大孔树脂后的20%乙醇洗脱液为原料液,采用单因素及响应面设计试验,对采用工业色谱纯化山银花中绿原酸工艺中的原料液浓缩程度、固定相类型、流动相乙醇浓度、乙醇流速、进样量等主要工艺参数进行优化,确定了最优工业色谱纯化山银花中绿原酸的工艺条件。结果 工业色谱纯化山银花中绿原酸的最优工艺条件：以60℃,-0.1 MPa为浓缩条件,将原料液浓缩至原体积的0.166 7（1/6）,工业色谱UV检测波长为230 nm,以PIPO-02色谱填料为固定相,以18.54%乙醇作为流动相,流速为14.57 mL·min^-1,进样量为13.15 mg。该工艺绿原酸的平均转移率为95.49%,RSD=1.91%,绿原酸产品纯度为97.45%,RSD=3.30%。结论 经过工艺优化与验证,创立了一条工业色谱纯化山银花中绿原酸工艺路线,该工艺制备的绿原酸产品纯度>97%,绿原酸转移率高,工艺简单、无毒,溶剂易于回收,适合于山银花中绿原酸纯化的工业化生产。     

肩痛颗粒治疗肩周炎的临床观察

目的:初步观察和评价肩痛颗粒治疗肩痹(肩周炎)属风寒湿痹证者的疗效和安全性。方法:采用随机双盲、双模拟、平行阳性药对照的临床试验方法,将72例肩周炎(风寒湿痹证)患者,随机分为试验组(肩痛颗粒组)和对照组(祛痹肩安丸组),两组每次服用颗粒剂和丸剂各1袋,一日3次,疗程为4周。按照症状、体征分级量化标准,对治疗前及用药后每周进行疗效评价;并对患者进行用药前后的三大常规、心、肝、肾功能等安全性检查,观察以上安全性指标的变化。结果:疗效性结果:肩痛颗粒组的愈显率为29.63%,总有效率为92.59%;而祛痹肩安丸组分别为16.67%和83.33%。两组差别无统计学。每周证候总积分:试验组患者用药后21、28d中医证候总积分下降值和下降率均高于对照组,但差别无统计学意义。安全性结果:治疗前后患者的指标差异值无临床意义,未观察到药物引起的不良反应和不良事件。结论:肩痛颗粒在目前的口服剂量疗程范围内,治疗证属风寒湿痹的肩周炎疗效确切,安全,无毒副作用,是一种治疗肩周炎安全、有效的中药新药。     

Acoustic triggered nanobomb for US imaging guided sonodynamic therapy and activating antitumor immunity

We fabricated an ultrasound activated ‘nanobomb’ as a noninvasive and targeted physical therapeutic strategy for sonodynamic therapy and priming cancer immunotherapy. This ‘nanobomb’ was rationally designed via the encapsulation of indocyanine green (ICG) and perfluoropentane (PFP) into cRGD peptide-functionalized nano-liposome. The resulting Lip-ICG-PFP-cRGD nanoparticle linked with cRGD peptide could actively targeted ID8 and TC-1 cells and elicits ROS-mediated apoptosis after triggered by low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU). Moreover, the phase change of PFP (from droplets to microbubbles) under LIFU irradiation can produce a large number of microbubbles, which act as intra-tumoral bomber and can detonate explode tumor cells by acoustic cavitation effect. Instant necrosis of tumor cells further induces the release of biologically active damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to facilitate antitumor immunity. More important, the ‘nanobomb’ in combination with anti-PD-1checkpoint blockade therapy can significantly improve the antitumor efficacy in a subcutaneous model. In addition, the liposomes may also be used as an imaging probe for ultrasound (US) imaging after being irradiated with LIFU. In summary, the US imaging-guided, LIFU activated ROS production and explosion ‘nanobomb’ might significantly improve the antitumor efficacy and overcome drug resistance through combination of SDT and immunotherapy, we believe that this is a promising approach for targeted therapy of solid tumor including ovarian cancer.     

集成便携式辅助诊疗系统是脉诊、舌诊研究走向临床的切入点

基于成熟的脉诊、舌诊信息提取与识别的关键技术,集成便携式辅助诊疗系统突出脉诊、舌诊在中医诊疗中的重要作用,并融合其他四诊信息,实现自动辨证处方的临床辅助诊疗功能。便携式辅助诊疗系统体现了"四诊合参"的中医辨证诊断理念,其便携化、智能化、人性化的特点贴合临床实际,为脉诊、舌诊研究成果的推广应用奠定了完备的条件。     

Oxaliplatin-loaded nanoemulsion containing Teucrium polium L. essential oil induces apoptosis in Colon cancer cell lines through ROS-mediated pathway

Oxaliplatin (Oxa)-associated adverse side effects have considerably limited the clinical use of the drug in colon cancer therapy. Mutant p53 has diverse mutational profiles in colon cancer, and it influences the potencies of various chemotherapeutic drugs, including Oxa. Thus, it would be highly beneficial to identify an alternative therapeutic strategy that not only reduces the toxicity of Oxa, but also exerts a synergistic effect against colon cancers, regardless of their p53 profiles. The present study was aimed at preparing and optimizing Teucrium polium L. essential oil nanoemulsion (TPO-NANO) and investigating its effect on the sensitivity of colon cancer cells with differences in p53 status (HCT116 wild-type and HT-29 mutant-type) to Oxa. The viability of treated cells was determined and the combination index (CI) was calculated. Morphological changes were determined under inverted microscopy, while percentage apoptosis was assayed using flow cytometry. Intracellular ROS and the protein levels of p53 and Bax were measured. The colony-forming potential of treated cells was determined using colony assay. The size of TPO-NANO was markedly increased from 12.90 ± 0.04 nm to 14.47 ± 0.53 nm after loading Oxa (p ≤ 0.05). The combination (Oxa + TPO-NANO) produced a synergetic effect in HCT116 and HT-29, with CI of 0.94 and 0.88, respectively. Microscopic examination and flow cytometric analysis revealed that cells treated with Oxa + TPO-NANO had a higher percentage of apoptosis than cells exposed to monotherapy. Cumulatively, Oxa exerted an apoptotic effect on wild or mutant p53 colon cancer cells when combined with TPO-NANO, through a mechanism involving ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis.     

基于人工智能的骨龄辅助评价系统对四川地区完全性生长激素缺乏症患儿骨龄研究

目的 探讨采用基于“人工智能(AI)的骨龄辅助评价系统(上海初云医疗科技有限公司与四川大学华西第二医院合作开发)”(以下简称为AI系统)对完全性生长激素缺乏症(CGHD)患儿诊断及骨龄评价准确性。方法 选择2014年7月至2019年11月,于四川大学华西第二医院确诊的66例来自四川地区CGHD患儿为研究对象,纳入研究组。选择同期于病例收集医院儿童保健科进行骨龄测定的67例来自四川地区身高达标儿童作为对照,纳入对照组。对每例受试儿进行左手腕关节正位X射线摄片骨龄测定,由2位医师采用《TW₂骨龄评分法中国未成年人南方标准》(以下简称为TW₂CHN)》与《TW₃骨龄评分法标准》(以下简称为TW₃),盲法评价受试儿TW₂CHN-桡、尺、掌指骨(RUS)与TW₂CHN-腕骨(carpal)、TW₂CHN-20、TW₃-RUS及TW₃-carpal骨龄(以下简称为5种传统骨龄),以及以同性别、年龄身高达...