Mechanism of action of Orthosiphon stamineus against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Insights from systems pharmacology and molecular docking approaches

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common complications of a metabolic syndrome caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. Orthosiphon stamineus also known as Orthosiphon aristatus is a medicinal plant with possible potential beneficial effects on various metabolic disorders. This study aims to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of O. stamineus on hepatic fat accumulation and to further use the computational systems pharmacology approach to identify the pharmacokinetic properties of the bioactive compounds of O. stamineus and to predict their molecular mechanisms against NAFLD. Methods: The effects of an ethanolic extract of O. stamineus leaves on cytotoxicity, fat accumulation and antioxidant activity were assessed using HepG2 cells. The bioactive compounds of O. stamineus were identified using LC/MS and two bioinformatics databases, namely the Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID) and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for the Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Pathway enrichment analysis was performed on the predicted targets of the bioactive compounds to provide a systematic overview of the molecular mechanism of action, while molecular docking was used to validate the predicted targets. Results: A total of 27 bioactive compounds corresponding to 50 potential NAFLD-related targets were identified. O. stamineus exerts its anti-NAFLD effects by modulating a variety of cellular processes, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial β-oxidation, inflammatory signalling pathways, insulin signalling, and fatty acid homeostasis pathways. O. stamineus is significantly targeting many oxidative stress regulators, including JNK, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), NFKB1, PPAR, and AKT1. Molecular docking analysis confirmed the expected high affinity for the potential targets, while the in vitro assay indicates the ability of O. stamineus to inhibit hepatic fat accumulation. Conclusion: Using the computational systems pharmacology approach, the potentially beneficial effect of O. stamineus in NAFLD was indicated through the combination of multiple compounds, multiple targets, and multicellular components.     

喉癌患者PAC-1、CD62P表达与临床病理特征和复发的关系

目的探讨喉癌患者血小板表面血小板膜糖蛋白Ⅱb/Ⅲa纤维蛋白原受体(PAC-1)、血小板P-选择素(CD62P)阳性表达率以及与患者临床病理特征和复发的关系。方法选取2014年1月~2015年12月间在我院耳鼻喉科手术治疗的116例喉癌患者,随访≥2年,并选取同期在我院体检的健康人群60例为对照组,采用流式细胞仪检测法检测外周血PAC-1和CD62P阳性率,并分析与临床病理特征、复发的关系。结果喉癌患者PAC-1和CD62P阳性表达率分别为(17.82±1.76)%和(22.87±3.13)%,明显高于健康人群(P<0.05);而且在喉癌患者PAC-1表达和CD62P表达呈正相关性(r=0.238,P<0.05)。T3-T4分期或N2-N3分期患者PAC-1和CD62P阳性表达率高于T1-T2分期或N0-N1分期患者(P<0.05)。另外远处转移组PAC-1和CD62P阳性表达率高于未发生转移组(P<0.05);随访期间有24例患者复发,复发率为20.69%。复发喉癌患者PAC-1、CD62P阳性表达率分别为(17.02±0.85)%和(21.84±1.17)%,明显高于未复发的喉癌患者(P<0.05)。经Logistics回归分析,PAC-1和CD62P是喉癌患者复发的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论PAC-1和CD62P阳性表达率与喉癌患者T分期、淋巴结转移和远处转移密切相关,同时可作为喉癌局部复发、区域淋巴结转移、远处转移的预测指标。     

A Survey of Plants Used as Wild Vegetables in Four Districts of Botswana

A survey of plants used as wild vegetables was conducted in four districts of Botswana in August and September 2005. The objective was to determine which wild plants were used as vegetables in the study area, and to document their cooking and preservation methods. Fourteen species representing seven families were mentioned as wild vegetables. In addition, six species from four families had other uses in traditional medicine. The implications of the documented processing methods on the retention of nutrients in the vegetables are discussed.     

植物抗体及其应用

20世纪80年代末科学家将抗体基因转入烟草表达,标志着植物抗体的诞生.人类既可以以植物为生物反应器异源表达和生产具有药用及商业价值的蛋白质;也可用抗体在植物体中进行免疫调节,以研究植物生理代谢机制,或增加植物抵抗病虫害的能力.本文旨对植物抗体的优越性、表达生产及其在医药学、植物抗病及代谢等领域的进展进行综述和讨论.     

原位肛门整形重建术的研究

目的：探讨改进的内外括约肌在原位肛门整形重建术中的应用及其手术效果。方法：改进包括：①肛门内括约肌改进为双层双环肌套；②肛门外括约肌改进为股薄肌采用“围巾式”环绕结肠末端一周，其远端剖为两条，一条缝合固定于耻骨韧带；另一条缝合固定于骶尾韧带，即为肛门外括约肌重建和外括约肌浅部和深部的重建。结果：38例术后肛门外形及功能和远期生活质量、生存率均更为满意。术后随访总优良率达94．73％；远期生存率达76．32％。结论：低位直肠癌Miles术后，同时行改进的内外括约肌原位肛门整形重建的效果是可行的，更接近正常的肛门解剖结构和生理功能。     

蓬辣滩水电站泄洪闸门及其监控系统改造

介绍了蓬辣滩水电站泄洪闸门的状况、计算机监控系统改造方案的结构和特点及闸门定轮轴承的改造情况,通过上述改造,提高了泄洪设备运行的自动化水平,同时也为其他闸门工程提供参考。     

Allergic contact dermatitis from grasses

This study attempts to demonstrate the existence of allergic contact dermatitis from grass, and to develop a patch test series to screen patients with grass intolerance. 6 common grass species from lawns and military training areas were collected. Solvent extracts of polar. non-polar and volatile fractions were prepared and used for patch testing in 20 control subjects and 46 patients with a history of grass intolerance. The 20 control had negative responses to patch testing. 5 out of 46 patients had positive patch tests to Axonopus compressus (carpet grass). Ischaenmum muticum (sea-shore centipede grass). Imperata evlindrica (lalang). Panicum maximum (Guinea grass) and Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass). Reactions to the non-polar fraction for all 5 species were noted. This study demonstrates the existence of allergic contact dermatitis from various common species of grass. In our series, this is seen in 11% of those with a history of grass intolerance.     

Plant cardiac glycosides and digoxin Fab antibody

The potential application of the Digoxin Fab antibody (Wellcome Digibind) in the clinical management of plant poisoning was investigated. The cardiac glycoside contents of various Australian plants were studied using immunoassay techniques. The cross-reactions of the Fab antibody and two digoxin assay antibodies against extracts of these plants were also studied. Results obtained indicated that the Digibind antibody cross-reacted with a wide range of glycosides contained in Australian plants and therefore could be of use in the treatment of life-threatening plant poisoning.     

交感神经亢进引起的心电图改变

植物神经功能失调多见于一些中青年女性 ,临床症状表现为心悸、心前区不适、脉压差小、心电图示 T波异常 ,口服硝酸甘油可缓解 ,体格检查未发现异常     

应用3H-TdR掺入法对SMMC-7721细胞株药敏试验条件的探讨与应用

目的探讨3H-TdR掺入法在进行SMMC-7721系细胞肿瘤药敏试验实验时的最佳实验条件.方法确定出3H-TdR掺入法药敏实验时的最适细胞浓度、最适实验药物浓度、3H-TdR掺入最适时间;在最适条件下采用3H-TdR掺入法测定肝癌SMMC-7721细胞株对临床常用的9种抗癌药物的敏感性.结果应用3H-TdR掺入法检测肝癌SMMC-7721细胞株药敏试验的最适实验细胞浓度为1×104个/孔,最适试验药物浓度为1×PPC,3H-TdR最适掺入时间为收集细胞前8 h;肝癌SMMC-7721细胞株对DDP、ADM、5-FU、CPT高度敏感,对MTX、VP-16、MMC、NVB低度敏感,对PYM不敏感.结论 3H-TdR掺入法可用于肿瘤药物敏感性测定并确定出它的最适实验条件.