Rheum australe D. Don: a review of its botany, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Rheum australe D. Don (Polygonaceae) has been commonly used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments related to the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, respiratory and skeletal systems as well as to infectious diseases.

Aim of the review

To provide the up-to-date information that is available on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Rheum australe. Additionally, to highlight the possible uses of this species to treat different diseases and to provide a basis for future research.

Materials and methods

The present review covers the literature available from 1980 to 2011. The information was collected from scientific journals, books, theses and reports via a library and electronic search (Google Scholar, Web of Science and ScienceDirect).

Results

Ethnomedical uses of Rheum australe have been recorded from China, India, Nepal and Pakistan for 57 different types of ailments. The phytochemical studies have shown the presence of many secondary metabolites belonging to anthraquinones, stilbenes, anthrones, oxantrone ethers and esters, chromones, flavonoids, carbohydrate, lignans, phenols and sterols. Crude extracts and isolated compounds from Rheum australe show a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, hepatoprotective and immune-enhancing activities, as well as a usefulness for improving renal function.

Conclusion

Rheum australe has been widely used source of medicine for years without any adverse effects. Many studies have provided evidence for various traditional uses. However, there is a need for additional studies of the isolated compounds to validate the traditional uses in human models. The present review on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and toxicity has provided preliminary information for further studies and commercial exploitations of the plant.     

加味温胆汤对抑郁模型大鼠海马NMDA—NR1mRNA／蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨加味温胆汤对抑郁模型大鼠海马NMDA—NR1mRNA／蛋白表达的影响作用。方法以孤养结合慢性不可预见性应激抑郁模型大鼠为研究对象,在实验7d、14d、21d、28d时,检测各组大鼠旷场实验中水平运动、垂直运动得分,并采用QRT—PCR、Western—Blot技术检测各组大鼠海马NMDA—NR1mRNA／蛋白表达变化。结果21d、28d时,与空白组比较,模型组水平运动、垂直运动得分降低（P〈0．01）;与模型组比较,中、西药组水平运动、垂直运动得分增加（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。21d、28d时,与空白组比较,模型组大鼠海马NMDA—NR1mRNA／蛋白表达增多（P〈0．01）;与模型组比较,中、西药组大鼠海马NM—DA—NR1tuRNA／蛋白表达减少（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。结论加味温胆汤的抗抑郁效应可通过阻抑海马NMDA—NR1mRNA／蛋白表达而实现。     

3种治法方药对2型糖尿病胰岛素抵抗大鼠血液流变学和内皮素的影响

目的:观察不同治法方药对2型糖尿病胰岛素抵抗大鼠血液流变学和内皮素的影响.方法:高脂饲料喂养5周配合小剂量链脲佐菌素(STZ)ip的方法建立2型糖尿病IR大鼠模型.从第11周,西药吡咯列酮1.35 mg·kg-1·d-1中药干预分别给予益气养阴化痰活血方(中药Ⅰ方:11.61 g·kg-1 ·d-1)、益气养阴化痰降浊方(中药Ⅱ方:8.46 g·kg-1 ·d-1)、化痰降浊活血化瘀方(中药Ⅲ方:6.30 g·kg-1·d-1)ig治疗2周.第12周末,用血液流变仪测定全血黏度(200 s-1,5 s-1)、血浆黏度;用放免法检测血浆内皮素( ET-1).结果:与模型组比较,吡咯列酮组大鼠血浆比黏度显著降低(P＜0.05);中药Ⅰ方、中药Ⅲ方大鼠高切、低切下的全血比黏度与血浆比黏度均显著降低(P＜0.05);用药各组对红细胞压积(HCT)均无明显影响;吡咯列酮组和中药干预各组大鼠血浆内皮素( ET-1)含量均显著降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).结论:3种不同治法方药对2型糖尿病胰岛素抵抗大鼠内皮细胞损伤和血流变异常有改善作用,并存在有差异性,益气养阴化痰活血方治疗效果较明显.     

姜黄素对低氧诱导的HaCaT细胞增殖以及HIF-1α蛋白的影响

目的 研究姜黄素对HaCaT细胞增殖的影响以及对HaCaT细胞在缺氧培养条件下细胞中低氧诱导因子(HIF)-1α蛋白表达的影响,探讨姜黄素对银屑病的作用机制.方法 用不同浓度的姜黄素作用于HaCaT细胞,观察其对细胞增殖的影响;以不同浓度的姜黄素作用于缺氧培养的HaCaT细胞后,免疫组化检测其对HIF-1α蛋白表达的影响.结果 姜黄素对HaCaT细胞的增殖具有明显的抑制作用,作用于缺氧培养的Ha-CaT细胞后其HIF-1α蛋白表达减弱.结论 姜黄素可抑制HaCaT细胞增殖及缺氧培养的HaCaT细胞HIF-1α蛋白的表达.     

黄芪多糖对B16-F10荷瘤鼠髓样抑制细胞免疫活性的影响

目的:观察黄芪多糖对B16-F10荷瘤鼠髓样抑制细胞免疫活性的影响,探讨黄芪多糖在抗肿瘤免疫机制方面所发挥的作用。方法:建立B16-F10荷瘤鼠模型,通过计算抑瘤率观察黄芪多糖的体内抗肿瘤活性;通过流式细胞术检测脾脏中Gr-1+CD11b+髓样抑制细胞比例;采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清中IL-10、VEGF水平。结果:与模型组相比,黄芪多糖治疗可以明显抑制荷瘤鼠黑色素瘤的生长,且可以降低荷瘤鼠脾脏Gr-1+CD11b+髓样抑制细胞比例,抑制外周血VEGF、IL-10的分泌,有显著性差异。结论:适当浓度的黄芪多糖可能通过降低髓样抑制细胞的比例,抑制VEGF、IL-10的分泌和肿瘤的生长。     

Topical D-vitamins: multiparametric comparison of the irritant potential of calcipotriol, tacalcitol and calcitriol in a hairless guinea pig model

The irritant potential of calcipotriol. 1α.24-diliydroxy vitamin D₃, (tacalcitol) and 1α, 25-dihyd rosy-vitamin- D₃ (calcitriol) was compared in a hairless guinea pig model. Randomized, occlusive patch testing for 2 days was used. Each group of X animals was tested simultaneously with the 3 substances and a placebo vehicle. 3 dose levels i.e. 500 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml and 5 μg/ml were used, Test sites were evaluated at day 2 (2 h after removal of the patches) and again at day 3. Evaluation was blinded and based on a multiple parameter assessment of skin irritancy. comparing clinical scoring. skin perfusion using high resolution laser Doppler image scanning, skin colour (a*, Minolta ChromaMeter) and skin thickening (20 MHz ultrasound) indicating oedema. Skin biopsies were taken for histological preparation and assessment of epidermal hyperplasia. No difference was observed between the irritant potential of calcipotriol, tacalcitol and calcitriol bused on clinical scoring as well as objective non-invasive measuring techniques. All 3 substances showed a dose-dependent and equal increase in clinical irritation score. cutaneous blood flow, skin colour and epidermal hyperplasia. The cutaneous inflammatory reaction was dominated by vasodilation and increased cutaneous perfusion. Oedema formation was only seen ill the highest dosages tested. Skin barrier damage was not induced as TEWL remained unaffected. The hairless guinea pig appears a valid model to test irritancy of topical D-vitamins since the same profile of irritancy was previously established in humans for 2 of the compounds tested. calcitriol and calcipotriol.     

The genetic load for hereditary hearing impairment in Chinese population and its clinical implication

Objective To understand the genetic load in the Chinese population for improvement in diagnosis, prevention and rehabilitation of deafness. Methods DNA samples, immortalized cell lines as well as detailed clinical and audiometric data were collected through a national genetic resources collecting network. Two conventional genetic approaches were used in the studies. Linkage analysis in X chromosome and autosomes with microsatellite markers were performed in large families for gene mapping and positional cloning of novel genes. Candidate gene approach was used for screening the mtDNA 12SrRNA, GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutations in population-based samples. Results A total of 2,572 Chinese hearing loss families or sporadic cases were characterized in the reported studies, including seven X-linked, one Y-linked, 28 large and multiplex autosomal dominant heating loss families, 607 simplex autosomal recessive hereditary hearing loss families, 100 mitochondrial inheritance families, 147 GJB2 induced heating loss cases, 230 cases with enlarged vestibular aqueduct(EVA) syndrome, 169 sporadic cases with auditory neuropathy, and 1,283 sporadic sensorineural hearing loss cases. Through linkage analysis or sequence analysis, two X-linked families were found transmitting two novel mutations in the POU3F4 gene, while another X-linked family was mapped onto a novel locus, nominated as A UNX1 (auditory neuropathy, X-linked locus 1). The only Y-linked family was mapped onto the DFNY1 locus(Y-linked locus 1, DFNY1). Eight of the 28 autosomal dominant families were linked to various autosomal loci. In population genetics studies, 2,567 familial cases and sporadic patients were subjected to mutation screening for three common hearing loss genes: mtDNA 12S rRNA 1555G, GJB2 and SLC26A4. The auditory neuropathy cases in our samples were screened for OTOF gene mutations. Conclusions These data show that the Chinese population has a genetic load on hereditary heating loss. Establishing personalized surveillance and prevention models for hearing loss based on genetic research will provide the opportunity to decrease the prevalence of deafness in the Chinese population.     

口腔鳞癌组织中CIAP1表达水平与PTP化疗方案疗效及预后的关系

目的:探究口腔鳞癌细胞CIAP1的表达水平与临床PTP(顺铂+替尼泊甙+平阳霉素/博莱霉素)方案化疗效果及患者预后之间的关系。初步评价其表达水平是否可以指导临床个体化化疗方案的制定。方法:采用回顾性研究的方法检测了42例原发晚期口腔鳞癌标本化疗前后CIAP1的表达情况,评价其化疗前表达水平与化疗效果及临床预后之间的相关性。同时,对比分析化疗前后CIAP1的表达变化情况。结果:42例口腔鳞癌标本中CIAP1在胞质及胞核均有不同程度的表达,其胞质表达水平与化疗效果及预后显著相关。化疗前后口腔鳞癌标本中CIAP1的表达没有相关性。结论:胞质CIAP1表达水平是临床PTP方案化疗疗效及患者预后的一个有效预测因子。