Antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptogenic activity of Indian toad (Bufo melanostictus, Schneider) skin extract on U937 and K562 cells.

The antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptogenic activities of Bufo melanostictus (Indian common toad) skin extract (TSE) on U937 and K562 leukemic cell line has been investigated. TSE significantly (P<0.001) reduced the time-dependent cell proliferation and decreased MTT values in U937 and K562 cells. TSE (IC50 doses) suppressed the proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in both the cells. It was demonstrated that, TSE (IC50 doses) primarily arrested the U937 and K562 cells at G1 phase of the cell cycle. Confocal microscopy showed the altered fragmented nuclei and apoptotic bodies formation in TSE (IC50 doses) treated U937 and K562 cells. Membrane blebbing, cell surface shrinkage and perforation were observed through scanning electron microscope. TSE-induced DNA fragmentation in U937 and K562 cells was reflected in single-cell gel electrophoresis. TSE significantly (P<0.001) increase the length-width ratio of DNA mass as compared to control in comet assay. The flow cytometric analysis of annexin-V binding to the cancer cells further supported the apoptotogenic activity of TSE. The effect of TSE on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells viability and cytotoxicity was studied in culture and found to be less cytotoxic than on the U937 and K562 cells. The findings from the present study suggested that TSE might possess potent antineoplastic agent having antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptogenic activity against U937 and K562 myeloid leukemic cells.     

Lipid extract from completely sporoderm‐broken germinating Ganoderma sinensis spores elicits potent antitumor immune responses in human macrophages

Ganoderma sinensis has been used widely in Oriental countries for the prevention and treatment of various diseases including cancer. Previous studies have shown that the lipid extract from Ganoderma exhibits direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Here, it is reported that the lipid extract from germinating G. sinensis spores, at lower concentrations that have no direct tumoricidal activity, induce potent antitumor immune responses in human monocytes/macrophages. Upon stimulation with the lipid extract, monocytes/macrophages exhibited markedly increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and surface expression of costimulatory molecules. Conditioned medium from stimulated cells effectively suppressed the growth of tumor cells. Apparently, the lipid extract triggered macrophage activation via a mechanism different from that associated with LPS. Moreover, it was observed that the lipid extract could partially re‐establish the antitumor activity of the immunosuppressive tumor‐associated macrophages. These results indicated that in addition to its direct tumoricidal activity, the lipid extract from G. sinensis spores could exert antitumor activity by stimulating the activation of human monocytes/macrophages. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

法半夏罗汉果川贝枇杷膏与强力枇杷露药理作用的比较研究

法半夏罗汉果川贝枇把膏与强力批他露均有镇咳祛痰作用，罗汉果川贝枇把膏尚能平喘抗炎。     

Moisturizing effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in different concentrations assessed by skin bioengineering techniques

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The polysaccharide-rich composition of Aloe vera extracts (Aloe barbadensis Miller), often used in cosmetic formulations, may impart moisturizing properties to the product. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cosmetic formulations containing different concentrations of freeze-dried Aloe vera extract on skin hydration, after a single and a 1- and 2-week period of application, by using skin bioengineering techniques. METHODS: Stable formulations containing 5% (w/w) of a trilaureth-4 phosphate-based blend were supplemented with 0.10%, 0.25% or 0.50% (w/w) of freeze-dried Aloe vera extract and applied to the volar forearm of 20 female subjects. Skin conditions in terms of the water content of the stratum corneum and of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (Corneometer CM 825 and Tewameter TM 210) were analysed before and after a single and 1- and 2-week period of daily application. RESULTS: After a single application, only formulations supplemented with 0.25% and 0.50% (w/w) of Aloe vera extract increased the water content of the stratum corneum, while after the 2-week period application, all formulations containing the extract (0.10%, 0.25% and 0.50%) had the same effect, in both cases as compared with the vehicle. TEWL was not modified after a single and after 1- and 2-week period of application, when compared with the vehicle. CONCLUSION: Our results show that freeze-dried Aloe vera extract is a natural effective ingredient for improving skin hydration, possibly through a humectant mechanism. Consequently, it may be used in moisturizing cosmetic formulations and also as a complement in the treatment of dry skin.     

白内障手术结膜囊及房水细菌培养的临床观察

目的　探讨白内障术中结膜囊、房水污染与眼内炎的关系。方法　对 74例 80眼白内障囊外摘除术中结膜囊及房水进行细菌培养。结果　 16 0份细菌培养标本中 ,细菌培养阳性者 18株 ,平均培养阳性率为 11.3%。房水为 8株 ,检出率为 10 .0 % ;结膜囊为 10株 ,检出率为 12 .5 %。以表皮葡萄球菌为主 (11 18) ,其中 3眼结膜囊及房水检出同一菌株。检出阳性的 15眼无 1例发展成眼内炎。结论　白内障摘除术后前房有少量细菌 ,虽不致发生眼内炎 ,但不可掉以轻心。     

备用根大鼠脊髓后角提取液中神经营养活性组分的分离及生物活性测定

制作备用根大鼠脊髓后角提取液，取其分子量大于10kD的组分进行SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分析，发现手术侧和非手术侧的电泳区带数目大致相同，但手术侧样品的第四条蛋白质区带扫描的吸收峰面积百分比大于非手术侧样品的第四条区带，两者在量上可能有差别。将手术侧样品经交联葡聚精G-75凝胶层析，得到两个洗脱峰．第一峰洗脱液有促进体外培养的背根节神经元存活及其突起生长的作用，其电泳分析显示4条主带，分子量在40～80kD之间．实验结果提示部分去传入纤维支配的脊髓后角组织含有神经营养活性物质，该物质的分子量约在40～78kD之间．     

Hypoglycaemic activity of Anthocleista vogelii (Planch) aqueous extract in rodents

The hypoglycaemic effect of Anthocleista vogelii was studied in mice, rats and rabbits. Aqueous extract of the plant obtained by infusion from finely pulverized root was used. The extract (100, 400 and 800 mg/kg) induced significant hypoglycaemic activity in a dose-related fashion at 2 h after oral administration in mice and rats with ED₂₅ of 250 mg/kg and 350 mg/kg respectively. The extract (800 mg/kg, orally) similarly induced statistically significant lowering of blood glucose levels at 8 h in normoglycaemic rabbits. The extract (400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, orally) also caused reduction of blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic animals. The results of this study indicate that the aqueous extract of the roots of Anthocleista vogelii possess favourable hypoglycaemic activity both in normo and hyperglycaemic animals compared to chlorpropamide as a standard.     

Effect of various stabilizing agents on Imperata cylindrica grass pollen allergen extract

BACKGROUND: Allergen extracts are unstable, heat labile or susceptible to proteases. Stability of allergen extracts is important for proper diagnosis and therapy of allergic disorders. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to determine the preservation and stabilization conditions of Imperata cylindrica (Ic) grass pollen extract. METHODS: The Ic extract was kept with 0.1 mepsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA), 0.75 m sucrose, 5% glycerol, 0.03% human serum albumin (HSA) or 0.4% phenol for different time periods. The extracts were stored for 3, 6 and 12 months each at 4 degrees C, 4 degrees C with daily exposure to room temperature (RT) for 1 h, and RT. The quality of extracts was analysed by SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISA, ELISA inhibition and skin test. RESULTS: Extracts kept with EACA and sucrose retained most of the protein bands followed by glycerol as determined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot during all storage periods and conditions in comparison with standard extracts. The extracts kept with HSA, phenol and without preservative (WP) showed protein degradation below 33 kDa after 3 months storage at all conditions. However, a 67-kDa allergen was stable in these extracts. EACA extract required 75 to 120 ng of protein for 50% inhibition in IgE binding under different conditions, whereas standard extract required 70 ng for the same. ELISA also demonstrated high allergenic reactivity of EACA extract. ID test on allergy patients with EACA extract demonstrated same allergenic potency as that of standard extract. CONCLUSION: EACA is the best preservative/stabilizing agent of Ic pollen extract, followed by sucrose and glycerol. Ic extract kept with phenol, HSA and without preservative showed degradation within 3 months. EACA preserved extract is equally potent as that of standard extract up to 1 year's storage.     

正常人与重症肌无力患者胸腺提取液免疫活性比较

用~３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ掺入法观察不同稀释度的正常人与重症肌无力患者胸腺提取液对健康成人外周血淋巴细胞增殖的影响。实验证实了正常儿童的胸腺功能下降（高浓度Ｐ＜０．０２，余浓度Ｐ＞０．０５），成人胸腺无功能（Ｐ＞０．０５）；并且得出增生型重症肌无力胸腺提取液对ＰＨＡ诱导的人外周血淋巴细胞增殖有促进和抑制双向作用。提示重症肌无力患者的胸腺免疫活性与正常人比较有差异。解释并肯定了手术切除胸腺治疗增生型重症肌无力的作用。     

鸡矢藤提取物对小白鼠离体子宫的作用

鸡矢藤[Paederia Scandens]提取物0.32mg 加入营养槽内,对小白鼠各期离体子宫的收缩张力、收缩强度、收缩频率以及子宫活动力均有增强作用。与给药前比较,诱导期组分别增加85%、47%、21%和72%;动情期组分别增加70%、77%、41%和41%;非动情组分别增加47%、76%、62%和66%,而且三组间作用无显著性差异。本品还能增强 PGE_2对小白鼠离体子宫的收缩张力、收缩强度、收缩频率以及子宫活动力。与 PGE_2的作用比较,分别增加34%、39%、9%和45%,但收缩频率增加无统计学意义(P>0.05)。上述结果表明,鸡矢藤提取物对小鼠子宫有显著性兴奋作用,而且还能增强PGE_2对小鼠子宫兴奋作用,其机制尚待进一步研究。