Evidence of anti-inflammatory effects of Passiflora edulis in an inflammation model

The popular medicine Passiflora edulis has been used as a sedative, tranquilizer, against cutaneous inflammatory diseases and intermittent fever. Most of the pharmacological investigations of Passiflora edulis have been addressed to its Central Nervous System activities, such as anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative actions. Otherwise, there are few reports about the anti-inflammatory activity of the Passiflora species. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous lyophilized extract obtained from leaves of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa Degener (Passifloraceae) in the mouse model of pleurisy induced by carrageenan (Cg), bradykinin, histamine or substance P, observing the effects upon leucocytes migration, myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO) concentrations and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) levels. RESULTS: Passiflora edulis (250mg/kg) administered by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) inhibited the leukocyte, neutrophils, myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, TNFalpha and IL-1beta levels (P<0.01) in the pleurisy induced by carrageenan. Passiflora edulis (250-500mg/kg, i.p.) also inhibited total and differential leukocytes in the pleurisy induced by bradykinin, histamine or substance P (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Several mechanisms, including the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-1beta), enzyme (myeloperoxidase) and mediators (bradykinin, histamine, substance P, nitric oxide) release and/or action, appear to account for Passiflora edulis's actions.     

TNF-α+308、TNF-α+489基因态性与慢性阻塞性肺疾病的相关性研究

目的探讨TNF-α+308、TNF-α+489基因态性及环境因素与慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)发生的相关性。方法根据患者的年龄、性别,病例组与对照组按1∶2配对设计的病例对照研究方法,调查180例住院COPD患者和360例健康体检者的基本信息,并应用PCR-RFLP技术检测研究对象的TNF-α+308、TNF-α+489的基因型,采用Logistic回归分析TNF-α+308、TNF-α+489基因型和吸烟因素与COPD的关系及其两者间的交互作用。结果①病例组与对照组患者的年龄、性别差异无统计学意义,吸烟、肺癌家族史、FEV1/Pre、FEV1/FVC 2组间差异有统计学意义。②病例组TNF-α+308的等位基因A频率为15.6%,对照组为8.2%,等位基因A发生COPD的风险OR值为2.06(95%CI(1.39,3.05));病例组与对照组的TNF-α+489的等位基因A频率分别为16.1%和6.9%,TNF-α+489等位基因A发生COPD的风险OR值为2.55(95%CI(1.71,3.09))。③以显性遗传模式估计,TNF-α+308(+)联合吸烟因素发生COPD的OR值5.36(95%CI(2.81,10.23)),TNF-α+489(+)联合吸烟因素发生COPD的OR值为8.18(95%CI(4.08,16.38))。④TNF-α+308联合TNF-α+489(+)发生COPD的OR值为4.02(95%CI(1.89,8.52)),高于TNF-α+308、TNF-α+489基因型独立作用。结论 TNF-α+308、TNF-α+489基因多态性与COPD相关,与吸烟因素存在相加正交互作用。TNF-α+308、TNF-α+489基因多态性可增加吸烟患者发生COPD的风险。     

Chinese herbal medicine-derived compounds for cancer therapy: A focus on hepatocellular carcinoma

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as the major histological subtype of primary liver cancer remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Due to the complicated molecular pathogenesis of HCC, the option for effective systemic treatment is quite limited. There exists a critical need to explore and evaluate possible alternative strategies for effective control of HCC. With a long history of clinical use, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is emerging as a noticeable choice for its multi-level, multi-target and coordinated intervention effects against HCC. With the aids of phytochemistry and molecular biological approaches, in the past decades many CHM-derived compounds have been carefully studied through both preclinical and clinical researches and have shown great potential in novel anti-HCC natural product development. The present review aimed at providing the most recent developments on anti-HCC compounds derived from CHM, especially their underlying pharmacological mechanisms.

Materials and methods

A systematic search of anti-HCC compounds from CHM was carried out focusing on literatures published both in English (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Medline) and in Chinese academic databases (Wanfang and CNKI database).

Results

In this review, we tried to give a timely and comprehensive update about the anti-HCC effects and targets of several representative CHM-derived compounds, namely curcumin, resveratrol, silibinin, berberine, quercetin, tanshinone II-A and celastrol. Their mechanisms of anti-HCC behaviors, potential side effects or toxicity and future research directions were discussed.

Conclusion

Herbal compounds derived from CHM are of much significance in devising new drugs and providing unique ideas for the war against HCC. We propose that these breakthrough findings may have important implications for targeted-HCC therapy and modernization of CHM.     

Attenuation of diabetic nephropathy by Chaihuang-Yishen granule through anti-inflammatory mechanism in streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetics

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Traditional Chinese medical herbs have been used in China for a long time to treat different diseases. Based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principle, Chaihuang-Yishen granule (CHYS) was developed and has been employed clinically to treat chronic kidney disease including diabetic nephropathy (DN). The present study was designed to investigate its mechanism of action in treatment of DN.

Materials and methods

Diabetic rats were established by having a right uninephrectomy plus a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Rats were divided into four groups of sham, diabetes, diabetes with CHYS and diabetes with fosinopril. CHYS and fosinopril were given to rats by gavage for 20 weeks. Samples from blood, urine and kidney were collected for biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical and molecular analyses.

Results

Rats treated with CHYS showed reduced 24 h urinary protein excretion, decreased serum TC and TG levels, but CHYS treatment did not affect blood glucose level. Glomerular mesangial expansion and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic rats were significantly alleviated by CHYS treatment. Moreover, CHYS administration markedly reduced mRNA levels of NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1, as well as decreased protein levels of NF-κB p65, MCP-1, TNF-α and TGF-β1 in the kidney of diabetic rats.

Conclusions

CHYS ameliorates renal injury in diabetic rats through reduction of inflammatory cytokines and their intracellular signaling.     

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Campomanesia adamantium

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Campomanesia species are used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, anti-diarrheal and hypocholesterolemic.

Aim of the study

The present study investigated the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of ethyl acetate (AE) and aqueous (Aq) extracts from leaves of Campomanesia adamantium and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of AE and its isolated flavonols, myricitrin and myricetin.

Materials and methods

The antinociceptive activity of AE and Aq was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin methods. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of AE and Aq was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice. AE, myricitrin and myricetin were evaluated for their abilities to modulate the production of NO, TNF-α and IL-10 in LPS/IFN-γ stimulated J774.A1 macrophages.

Results

It was found that orally administrated AE and Aq (125 and 250 mg/kg) inhibited carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice. AE (125 and 250 mg/kg) and Aq (125 mg/kg) reduced the time to licking at the second phase of the formalin method in vivo in mice. AE (250 mg/kg) and Aq (125 mg/kg) also reduced the number of writhes. AE, myricitrin and myricetin inhibited NO (320 μg/mL and 6.25–100 μM, respectively) and TNF-α production by macrophages (320 μg/mL for AE, 100 μM for myricitrin and 25–100 μM for myricetin). AE (160 and 320 μg/mL), myricitrin (50 and 100 μM) and myricetin (25–100 μM) increased IL-10 production by macrophages.

Conclusions

The ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts from Campomanesia adamantium showed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects supporting the use of the plant in folk medicine. The results suggest that anti-oedematogenic effect promoted by aqueous extract involves several anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action. The antinociceptive effect shown by aqueous extract can be due to the modulation of release of inflammatory mediators involved in nociception. The anti-inflammatory effects of AE and of its isolated flavonols may be attributed to inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines production, TNF-α and NO and to the increased of IL-10 production.     

泛昔洛韦联合干扰素治疗慢性乙型肝炎的研究

目的　评价泛昔洛韦联合α- 1b干扰素治疗慢性乙型肝炎的疗效和安全性。方法　将77例慢性乙型肝炎患者随机分为治疗组和对照组 ,均予一般护肝药物和α - 1b干扰素治疗 ,治疗组加服泛昔洛韦。观察患者血清ALT的变化、HBV -DNA和HBeAg阴转率以及用药后的不良反应。结果　治疗组HBV -DNA ,HBeAg阴转率明显高于对照组 (P <0 .0 1)。治疗组患者除有短期轻度头痛外 ,与对照组相比未见其他不良反应。结论　泛昔洛韦联合干扰素治疗慢性乙型肝炎疗效好且安全性高     

血红蛋白QuongSze的临床研究

目的分析血红蛋白Quong Sze(Hb QS)的临床表现及血液学参数,探讨Hb QS的临床及血液学特点。方法选择在广西医科大学第一附属医院就诊的患者。对病例进行血常规检查;应用高效液相法进行Hb分析;应用反向点杂交、多重PCR进行珠蛋白生成障碍性贫血(地贫)基因突变分析;应用SPSS 13.0统计软件对数据进行统计分析。结果 9 176例病例中,检出Hb QS杂合子50例(其中8例复合β地贫)及HbH-QS病30例。Hb QS杂合子无临床症状,Hb分析未见异常,其血常规检测显示42例HbQS杂合子平均红细胞容积(MCV)为(73.72±3.57)fL,8例复合β地贫MCV为(63.06±4.59)fL;45例Hb正常,5例Hb稍低于正常值范围。HbH-QS病的临床表现轻重不等,大部分中度至重度贫血,需要不定期输血治疗,少部分表现为轻度贫血;血液学检测为小细胞低色素性贫血;Hb分析显示Hb H为(26.32±8.61)%。结论 Hb QS杂合子具有MCV降低的血液学特征,为首次报道。提示在地贫高发区,当血常规检测仅有MCV降低时应考虑Hb QS杂合子的可能,通过基因分析确诊。HbH-QS病临床表现具有多样性,需在遗传咨询中予以解释说明。     

苦参碱和川芎嗪抑制白血病细胞侵袭转移作用的实验研究

目的探讨苦参碱及川芎嗪对低氧(3%O2)培养条件下人B淋巴细胞白血病细胞株Raji细胞、人慢性髓系白血病细胞株K562细胞侵袭转移的抑制作用及机制。方法体外常规培养细胞,低氧环境下继续培养24 h后,分别加入终浓度为0、0.15、0.2、0.25 g/L苦参碱或0、0.1、0.15、0.2 g/L川芎嗪处理,以常氧培养不加药物的细胞为对照组,分别检测细胞黏附、迁移和侵袭能力,并以RT-PCR方法检测HIF-1α、VEGF mRNA的表达。结果低氧环境下Raji细胞和K562细胞的黏附、迁移和侵袭能力,以及HIF-1α、VEGF mRNA的表达均较常氧对照组显著增强(P<0.01)。0.15、0.2、0.25 g/L苦参碱均有效抑制低氧环境下Raji细胞的黏附、迁移和侵袭能力,并下调HIF-1α、VEGF mRNA的表达(P<0.05)。0.2、0.25 g/L苦参碱均有效抑制低氧环境下K562细胞的黏附、迁移和侵袭能力并下调HIF-1α、VEGF mRNA的表达(P<0.05)。0.1、0.15、0.2 g/L川芎嗪均有效抑制Raji细胞、K562细胞的黏附、迁移和侵袭能力,并下调HIF-1α、VEGF mRNA的表达(P<0.05),均呈剂量依赖性。结论苦参碱和川芎嗪能有效抑制低氧环境下Raji细胞和K562细胞黏附、迁移和侵袭能力,其作用机制可能通过下调细胞内HIF-1αmRNA的表达,从而减少VEGF mRNA的生成来实现。     

1例中间型β-地中海贫血的临床诊断和基因检测

目的通过回顾性分析1例中间型β-地中海贫血（地贫）的诊断及基因检测流程,总结中间型地贫的诊断策略。方法分析1例β-地贫合并α-地贫基因型患儿的临床表现,通过地贫基因多重PCR检测及DNA序列测定明确诊断,结合相关文献复习,探讨影响β-地贫表现型的基因因素。结果该地贫患儿基因型为B珠蛋白基因41／42突变的杂合予合并仅仅仅anti3.7基因杂合子。结论中间型地贫的诊断,需要临床表现与基因病变相一致,多重PCR结合DNA序列测定等方法可确诊罕见型基因突变。     

SIRT1、PGC-1α在原发性开角型青光眼患者小梁网组织中的表达及意义

目的　检测原发性开角型青光眼（primary open-angle glaucoma，POAG）患者小梁网组织中沉默信息调节因子2相关酶1（silent information regulator factor 2 related enzyme 1，SIRT1）和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ辅激活因子1α（peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α，PGC-1α）表达水平，探讨其与POAG小梁网组织功能损伤的关系。方法　收集2017年1月至2018年4月在海南医学院第一附属医院手术切除确诊为POAG 40例（40眼）患者的小梁网组织为POAG组样本，另取30例眼球供体的小梁网组织为对照组样本，采用RT-PCR法检测2组小梁网组织中SIRT1、PGC-1α mRNA表达，免疫组织化学染色法检测SIRT1、PGC-1α蛋白表达，同时检测过氧化物酶（peroxidase dismutase，POD）和超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase，SOD）水平。结果　POAG组小梁网组织中SIRT1、PGC-1α mRNA表达水平（0.11±0.03、0.32±0.10）均低于对照组（0.24±0.07、0.67±0.21）（均为P＜0.05）；POAG组小梁组织中SIRT1表达与PGC-1α表达呈正相关关系（r=0.759，P＜0.05）；POAG组小梁网组织中POD水平［（102.59±22.37）×10³ U·L^-1］高于对照组［（73.46±15.81）×10³U·L^-1］（P＜0.05），SOD水平［（347.62±50.73）U·L^-1］低于对照组［（412.57±61.25）U·L^-1］（P＜0.05）；POAG组小梁网组织中SIRT1、PGC-1α表达与POD水平均呈负相关关系（r=-0.636、-0.737，均为P＜0.05），与SOD水平均呈正相关关系（r=0.662、0.614，均为P＜0.05）。结论　POAG患者小梁网组织中SIRT1和PGC-1α表达水平降低，可能在线粒体功能失调和氧化应激对小梁网的损伤中发挥重要调控作用。