Objective: To probe into the antioxidation mechanism of lotus seedpod in vivo.Methods:Nineteen 4-month old rats were randomly divided into control group and procyanidins group. After feeding 100 mg/kg LSPC for 35 d, MDA and SOD in skin and serum, GSH-Px and Hyp in blood and skin were measured.Results: MDA levels in skin and serum in the procyanidins group were obviously lower than that of the control(P

Objective: To study the effects of procyanidins extract from the lotus seedpod (LSPC) on active oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidation. Methods: (1) The scavenging effects of LSPC on O ?- 2 and ?OH was investigated by using chemiluminescence method; (2) The effects of different concentrations of LSPC on RBC auto oxidation and LPO formation of rat liver mitochondria in vitro were observed; (3) The LPO level of liver homogenates incubated with Fe 2+ and H 2O 2 in vitro were determined; (4) the mice were treated with a single intragastric feeding of 5% CCl 4 soya bean oil solution (10ml/kg bw) after seven days supplementation of LSPC 100, 200, 400 mg/(kg bw?d). The activities of SOD, GST and the level of LPO in liver and plasma of CCl 4 toxic mice were determined. Results: In vitro, LSPC 169.0mg/L or 105.3mg/L was shown to markedly scavenge O ?- 2 produced in xanthine/xanthine oxidase and ?OH in Fenton systems respectively, and could significantly inhibit the formation of liver LPO. In vivo, LSPC (100,200mg/kg) evidently reduced the level of LPO and increase the activities of SOD and GST. Conclusion: It suggests that LSPC may be used as an antioxidant and might effectively protect liver from the injury due to lipid peroxidation.

AIM　To investigate the inhibitory effects on the growth of SMMC-7721 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line and its mechanism by theasinesin. METHODS　MTT assay,colony formation test, 3H-TdR, 3H-Leu incorporation test, determination of the intracellular cAMP and cGMP level, in situ hybridization were used. RESULTS　Theasinesin at 50 mg*L-1 could significantly inhibit the growth and colony formation of SMMC-7721 cells. Theasinesin could strongly inhibit DNA and protein synthesis and increase intracellular cAMP levels. C-myc gene expression was significantly decreased and p53 gene increased strongly in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION　Theasinesin demonstrates significant inhibitory effects on the growth of SMMC-7721 cells. Its mechanisms may involve the inhibition of DNA and protein synthesis ,the elevation of intracellular cAMP levels, inhibition of c-myc gene expression and enhancement of p53 gene expression.

Objective:To study the anti-tumor activity of ginkgo albumin (GA) and its mechanism. Method: Molecular weight of GAⅡa was detected by MS (mass spectrum). The antioxidative effect of GA was studied by deoxyribonucleic acid method and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) photo-reduction, and the anti-tumor activity of GA on S180 sarcoma was studied both in vivo and in vitro. Results: Molecular weight of GAⅡa was 29 248u. GA had strong scavenging effect on superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical. The growth of S180 both in vitro and in vivo was inhibited significantly by GA. Conclusion: The anti-tumor activity of GA was probably related with its antioxidative effect.

AIM To investigate the inhibitory effects on the growth of SMMC 7721 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line and its mechanism by theasinesin. METHODS MTT assay,colony formation test, 3H TdR, 3H Leu incorporation test, determination of the intracellular cAMP and cGMP level, in situ hybridization were used. RESULTS Theasinesin at 50 mg?L -1 could significantly inhibit the growth and colony formation of SMMC 7721 cells. Theasinesin could strongly inhibit DNA and protein synthesis and increase intracellular cAMP levels. C myc gene expression was significantly decreased and p53 gene increased strongly in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION Theasinesin demonstrates significant inhibitory effects on the growth of SMMC 7721 cells. Its mechanisms may involve the inhibition of DNA and protein synthesis ,the elevation of intracellular cAMP levels, inhibition of c myc gene expression and enhancement of p53 gene expression.

AIM To investigate the mechanism of the anticancer effect of theasinesin. METHODS MTT assay, electronic microscopy technique, DNA gel electrophoresis, flow cytometric analysis with Annexin V Fluos staining,RT PCR and immunocytochemistry were performed for apoptosis and its mechanism. RESULTS After HL 60 cells were treated with theasinesin, HL 60 cells were characterized by condensation of the nuclear chromatin, margination against the nuclear envelope, and apoptotic body formation with scanning and transmission electronic microscopy. A typical DNA ladder was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA extracted from HL 60 cells. Flow cytometric analysis of HL 60 cells by Annexin V Fluos and propidium iodide double staining demonstrated that theasinesin induced apoptosis had dose effect and time effect relationships, but treatment with high dose or long time would induce cell necrosis principally. RT PCR and immunocytochemistry indicated that bcl 2 gene was reduced strongly in HL 60 cells. CONCLUSION\ Theasinesin induces apoptosis in HL 60 cells. The mechanisms for antitumor activity of theasinesin may involve in induction of apoptosis in cancer cells.

Objective To investigate the scavenging abilities of ginkgo albumin to reactive oxygen in vitro, as well as the protection and mechanism of ginkgo albumin on damaged DNA. Methods Lotus Seedpod Procyanidin (LSPC) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used as control sample, the effect of ginkgo albumin on removal of superoxide anion was determined by Pyrogallol-Luminol system. Scavenging ability of ginkgo albumin on hydroxide free radical was determined by CuSO4-Phen-Vc-H2O2, FeSO4-Luminol-H2O2, and FeSO4-Luminol systems. Luminol-H2O2 system was used to measure the scavenging effect on hydrogen peroxide. Preventive effect of ginkgo albumin on in vitro damaged DNA was determined by CuSO4-Phen-Vc-H2O2-DNA system. Results Ginkgo albumin possessed a good scavenging potency on reactive oxygen and protection on damaged DNA, but promoted oxidation in the FeSO4-Luminol-H2O2 and Luminol-H2O2 chemiluminescence systems. Conclusion Not every chemiluminescences system is suitable for investigating the antioxidant activity of ginkgo albumin.

OBJECTIVE:To study the antitumor activity and immunomodulatory effects of theasinesin on mice transplanted tumor and tumor-bearing mice.METHODS: With three mice transplanted tumor models i.e. Ehrlich ascites tumor, sarcoma 180 and hepatic carcinoma H22,we strdied the antitumor activity of theasinesin .The immunomodulatory effects of theasinesin on S180-bearing mice were measured by delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH), cleaning charcoal particles method, and splenocyte proliferation test .RESULTS: Theasinesin at doses of 400,200, 50mg/kg could markedly inhibite the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor(solid tumor) .Although theasinesin didn't have significant inhibitory effects on sarcoma 180 and hepatic carcinoma H22 in routine oral administration, the average inhibitory rates of each group, in manner of preventive administration, were all greater than 30% .Theasinesin at doses of 50,100,200mg/kg could significantly restore the decreased DTH in S180-bearing mice. It could also markedly increase K, a and promote proliferation of activated T cells in S180- bearing mice. CONCLUSION :Theasinesin has significant inhibitory effects on mice transplanted tumors. It can also enhance the decreased immunological function on tumor-bearing mice.

The progress is reviewed on the studies of procyanicdins biological and pharmacological activities in the past ten years, including antioxidant,protecting cardiovascular system,regulating immunocompetence, antiviral, anticancer, antiulcer and antidepressant,antimutagenic properties, etc.