OBJECTIVE To explore the action mechanism of kushenol F （KSCF） in treating ulcerative colitis （UC） in mice. METHODS The potential targets of KSCF intervening in UC were predicted with network pharmacology and molecular docking. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided by body weight into model group， positive control group （sulfasalazine， 703 mg/kg）， KSCF group （100 mg/kg）， and normal group， with 6 mice per group. The UC model of mice was induced by dextran sulfate sodium solution. During the modeling period， the mice were given relevant medicine intragastrically， once a day， for 7 consecutive days. After the last administration， the disease activity index （DAI） of the mice was scored； the length of the mice’s colon was measured； pathological changes in the colon tissue of mice were observed； the levels of lipopolysaccharide （LPS） in serum， myeloperoxidase （MPO）， nitric oxide （NO） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in the colon were detected in mice； the expression levels of occludin and ZO-1 in colon tissue of mice were detected； the proportions of CD3+T， CD4+T， and CD8+T lymphocytes in the spleen and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ were detected； changes in colonic microbiota were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS Results of network pharmacology indicated that KSCF may treat UC by regulating signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/AKT） and nuclear factor kappa B （NF- κB）. Molecular docking results showed that KSCF bound most stably with NF-κB p65 protein. Animal experiment results demonstrated that， compared with the model group， the pathological characteristics of colon tissue in mice were improved in KSCF group. DAI scores， serum levels of LPS， the levels of MPO，NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and NLRP3 protein expression in the colon， and the proportion of CD8+T lymphocytes in the spleen were reduced significantly （P＜0.05）. Body weight， SOD levels， expression levels of occludin and ZO-1 in the colon， proportions of CD3+T and CD4+T lymphocytes， and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the spleen were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； the abundance of Firmicutes， Actinobacteria， Akkermansia， and Lactobacillus genera were increased， while Proteobacteria decreased； the microbial community structure tended towards that of the normal group. CONCLUSIONS KSCF alleviates UC by restoring intestinal microbial imbalance， enhancing immune response， and inhibiting colonic inflammatory responses， thereby improving intestinal barrier integrity.

OBJECTIVES: Nasopharyngeal cracinoma is a kind of head and neck malignant tumor with high incidence and high mortality. Due to the characteristics of local recurrence, distant metastasis, and drug resistance, the survival rate of patients after treatment is not high. Paclitaxel (PTX) is used as a chemotherapy drug in treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells are easy to develop resistance to PTX. Inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) can overcome common signal redundancy and resistance in many cancers. This study aims to investigate the anti-tumor effect of ginkgolic acids C15꞉1 (C15:1) combined with PTX on nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells and the mechanisms. METHODS: This experiment was divided into a control group (without drug), a C15:1 group (10, 30, 50, 70 μmol/L), a PTX group (5, 10, 20, 40 nmol/L), and a combination group. CNE-2Z cells were treated with the corresponding drugs in each group. The proliferation of CNE-2Z cells was evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). Wound-healing assay and transwell chamber assay were used to determine the migration of CNE-2Z cells. Transwell chamber was applied to the impact of CNE-2Z cell invasion. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was used to observe the effect on apoptosis of CNE-2Z cells. The changes of proteins involved in cell invasion, migration, and apoptosis after the combination of C15꞉1 and PTX treatment were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the C15꞉1 group and the PTX group could inhibit the proliferation of CNE-2Z cells (all P<0.05). The cell survival rates of the C15꞉1 50 μmol/L combined with 5, 10, 20, or 40 nmol/L PTX group were lower than those of the single PTX group (all P<0.05), the combination index (CI) value was less than 1, suggesting that the combined treatment group had a synergistic effect. Compared with the 50 μmol/L C15꞉1 group and the 10 nmol/L PTX group, the combination group significantly inhibited the invasion and migration of CNE-2Z cells (all P<0.05). The results of Western blotting demonstrated that the combination group could significantly down-regulate Hsp90 client protein matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. The results of double staining showed that compared with the 50 μmol/L C15꞉1 group and the 10 nmol/L PTX group, the apoptosis ratio of CNE-2Z cells in the combination group was higher (both P<0.05). The results of Western blotting suggested that the combination group could decrease the Hsp90 client proteins [Akt and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)] and increase the Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). CONCLUSIONS The combination of C15꞉1 and PTX has a synergistic effect which can inhibit cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and induce cell apoptosis. This effect may be related to the inhibition of Hsp90 activity by C15꞉1.
Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Paclitaxel/therapeutic use* ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Line, Tumor

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of methanol-ethyl acetate partitioned fractions from (MEDS) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human non-small cell lung cancer H1975 cells. METHODS: The systemic solvent extraction method was used to preliminary separation of the effective fractions in the methanol extract of . The cytotoxicity of each extract (5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg/mL) was tested using MTT assay. Colony cloning method was used to assess the effect of different concentrations of methanol-ethyl acetate partitioned fractions from MEDS (5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg/ mL) on the proliferation of H1975 cells. Flow cytometric analysis with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was performed to detect the apoptosis of the cells after treatment with different concentrations of MEDS fractions (10, 20, and 40 μg/mL). Western blotting was used to evaluate the effects of MEDS fractions on the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Akt, Bax, and Bcl-2. The anti-tumor activity of 100 mg/kg MEDS fractions was tested in a nude mouse model bearing H1975 cell xenografts. RESULTS: MTT assay and colony forming experiment showed that MEDS fractions significantly inhibited the proliferation of H1975 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner ( < 0.05). The results of flow cytometry showed that MEDS fractions induced obvious apoptosis of H1975 cells in a concentration-dependent manner ( < 0.05). MEDS fractions also significantly decreased the expressions of Bcl-2 and Akt protein and increased the protein expression of Bax ( < 0.05). In the tumor-bearing nude mouse model, MEDS fractions showed potent anti-tumor effects with a low toxicity to affect the body weight and organs of the mice. CONCLUSIONS The methanol-ethyl acetate partitioned fractions from MEDS show potent anti-tumor activity both and , suggesting their value as promising therapeutic agents against lung cancer.
Acetates ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Methanol ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

Aim To examine the influence of tetramethylpyrazine on learning and memory function of hypoxic hypoxia rats, and the expression of gamma aminobutyric acid(GABA) receptor and forkhead box P2(FOXP2) in hippocampus of rats.Methods A total of 120 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into low hypoxic hypoxia and high hypoxic hypoxia groups, then according to different time points every group was divided into 1 d, 3 d, 7 d 15 d, 30 d group, with 12 rats per each group.Experiment group and the control group were treated with tetramethylpyrazine and 0.9% normal saline, respectively.The hypoxic hypoxia environment was achieved by putting the rats in a hypobaric chamber at a simulated altitude of 5 500 meters for different days.The capabilities of learning and memory of rats were detected by Morris water maze test.The expression of GABA receptor and FOXP2 protein in hippocampus of rat was determined by Western blot.Results ① Morris water maze test showed that the total distance of rats in the simulated hypobaric hypoxia control group was longer than that in the tetramethylpyrazine group(P<0.01) and the number of crossing the bestride platform increased compared with that in the hypobaric hypoxia control group(P<0.01) from the third day;② Western blot results showed that the expression of GABAAα1 receptor have no statistical significance(P>0.05);however,GABAB1 receptor and FOXP2 protein rose from the third day(P<0.05).The expression of GABAAα1 receptor and FOXP2 protein expression were correlated to total distance of Morris water maze in the control group(r=-0.738, P<0.05;r=-0.693, P<0.05), and the expression of GABAB1 receptor was correlated with FOXP2 protein level(r=0.834, P<0.05).Conclusion The simulated high-altitude hypobaric hypoxia can decrease the learning and memory abilities of rats, which may be ameliorated by tetramethylpyrazine intervention, and this effect might be related to the increase of GABAB1R receptor and FOXP2 expression in hippocampus of rats.

Objective To explore the relationship between the fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGFR2) gene polymorphism (rs 2981582 ,rs 1219648 ,rs 2420946) and the breast cancer risk in Tibetan population ,Qinghai province .Methods This is a case con‐trol study .Peripheral blood samples from 210 breast cancer patients and 230 healthy women in Qinghai area were collected .DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood cells .FGFR2 gene polymorphism (rs 2981582 ,rs 1219648 ,rs 2420946) were typed by Taqman‐MGB probe based on PCR and DNA sequencing ,then analyzed its correlation with breast cancer in Tibetan population , Qinghai province .Results The genotype frequencies of rs 2981582 CC ,CT and TT were 40 .48% ,39 .05% and 20 .47% among the breast cancer patients while 36 .09% ,48 .69% and 15 .22% among the controls .The genotype frequencies of rs 1219648 GG ,AG and AA were 24 .76% ,26 .19 % and 49 .05% among the patients while 23 .91% ,47 .39% and 28 .70% among the controls .The genotype frequencies of rs 2420946 CC ,CT and TT were 29 .05% ,45 .24% and 25 .71% among the patients while 30 .87% , 51 .74% and 17 .39% among the controls .The genotype frequencies of all genetic loci had no significant difference between rs 2981582 and rs 2420946 (P>0 .05) .But the genotype frequencies of rs 1219648 AA have statistical sense (P< 0 .05) ,compared with GG ,the incidence of breast cancer was remarkably increased with AA [OR=1 .65 ,95% CI= (1 .01 ,2 .69)] .Conclusion This study shows that FGFR2 rs1219648 AA is related to breast cancer risk among Tibetan population .

Objective To explore the influences of quality control circle activity on nursing quality in patients with chronic heart failure .Methods A total of 100 patients with chronic heart failure were selected as the research sample according to convenience sampling .And then, they were divided into observation group ( from February 2013 to December 2014 ) and control group ( from February 2011 to January 2013 ) on the basis of the implementation time of quality control circle activity .The left ventricular ejection fraction ( EF) and 6 minutes walk test (6MWT) were observed on admission and at discharge .Besides, we also compared the relevant index of nursing quality and the awareness rate about rehabilitation training .Results There were no statistically significant differences in left ventricular EF and 6MWT between observation group and control group on admission (P>0.05);however, the left ventricular EF[(54.3 ±9.2)%] and the 6MWT [(403.6 ±74.7) m] in observation group were higher than those in control group at discharge with statistically significant differences (P<0.05).Moreover, the degree of satisfaction with nursing (98%), the implementation rate of pre-bed care for hospitalized patients (90.0%) and the rate of return visit with telephone (94.0%) in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group at discharge (P<0.05).Besides, when it comes to the comparison in the awareness rate about rehabilitation training between two groups, the awareness rate of training types (92.0%), duration (82.0%), frequency of training (84.0%), the indication of stopping training (80.0%) and matters need attention (74.0%) in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group at discharge with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05).Conclusions Quality control circle activity can ensure the quality of nursing management in wards , increase the work enthusiasm of nursing staff and patients′physical and mental state.

OBJECTIVETo improve the water solubility and biological activity of neoligans (magnolol and honokiol) and test the antitumor activity of the modified compounds.

METHODSThe glycosylated products of magnolol and honokiol were obtained by enzymatic synthesis using a UDP-glycosyltransferase (YjiC) from Bacillus. The products were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. MTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition of 4 human cancer cell lines induced by the compounds.

RESULTSWe obtained two glucosides of neolignans (magnolol and honokiol) for the first time by enzymatic synthesis using a UDP-glycosyltransferase. Based on the spectroscopic data, the glucosides were identified as magnolol-2- O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and honokiol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2). Compounds 1-4 exhibited moderate anti-proliferative activities against the 4 human cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 9.41 to 111.21 µmol/L.

CONCLUSIONThe glycoslated products show enhanced water solubility and drug sensitivity against SMMC7721 cells, suggesting their value as potential therapeutic drugs.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; Biphenyl Compounds ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Glycosylation ; Humans ; Lignans ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of the Hsp90 inhibitor anacardic acid on cell proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.

METHODSThe inhibitory effect of anacardic acid on Hsp90 was assessed with in vitro ATPase inhibition assay and ATP-sepharose binding assay. MTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition induced by anacardic acid in MDA-MB-231 cells. Transwell assays were used to evaluate MDA-MB-231 cell invasion and migration. Western blotting was performed to assess the effect of anacardic acid in triggering the degradation of MMP-9, TIMP-1, Hsp90, and Hsp70.

RESULTSAnacardic acid exhibited a modest activity of ATPase inhibition with an IC50 value of 82.5 µmol/L. Anacardic acid significantly suppressed the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 value of 29.3 µmol/L). Treatment with 12.5, 25, and 50 µmol/L anacardic acid for 36 h caused inhibition of cell invasion by 23.6%, 56.6%, and 67.0% in MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively (P<0.05), and anacardic acid treatment for 24 h inhibited the cell migration by 30.0%, 45.5%, and 77.5%, respectively (P<0.05). Anacardic acid dose-dependently induced MMP-9 degradation, but did not obviously affect Hsp90 or Hsp70 expressions.

CONCLUSIONAnacardic acid can significantly inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, the mechanism of which may involve the inhibition of Hsp90 ATPse activity and down-regulation of MMP-9 expression.

Anacardic Acids ; pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the anticoagulant and antineoplastic activities of chemically modified low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Methods LMWH obtained by splitting unfractionated heparin (UFH) with sodium periodate oxidation and sodium borohydride reduction was subjected to acetylation catalyzed by DCC and DMAP to produce acetylated LMWH (ALMWH). The anticoagulant activity of ALMWH was determined in mice, and its antiproliferative and anti-invasion activities was assessed in human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 and MFC-7. Results The anticoagulant activity of LMWH was decreased significantly after acetylation. The concentrations of commercial LMWH* and ALMWH for doubling the coagulation time (CT) were 33.04 μmol/L and 223.56 μmol/L, respectively, and the IC50 of ALMWH for doubling CT was 6 times of that of LMWH*. ALMWH and LMWH at 0.1, 0.3, 0.9, 2.7 and 8.1 mmol/L both significantly inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, but ALMWH produced stronger inhibitory effects. The IC50 of LMWH and ALMWH for inhibiting cell proliferation was 3168.4 μmol/L and 152.6 μmol/L in MCF-7 cells, and 12299.6 μmol/L and 22.2 μmol/L in MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. ALMWH and LMWH all markedly suppressed the invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells with comparable effects. Conclusion Chemical modification of structure can endow LMWH with a low anticoagulant and high antiproliferative activities.

Objective To explore the effect of the Hsp90 inhibitor anacardic acid on cell proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Methods The inhibitory effect of anacardic acid on Hsp90 was assessed with in vitro ATPase inhibition assay and ATP-sepharose binding assay. MTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition induced by anacardic acid in MDA-MB-231 cells. Transwell assays were used to evaluate MDA-MB-231 cell invasion and migration. Western blotting was performed to assess the effect of anacardic acid in triggering the degradation of MMP-9, TIMP-1, Hsp90, and Hsp70. Results Anacardic acid exhibited a modest activity of ATPase inhibition with an IC50 value of 82.5 μmol/L. Anacardic acid significantly suppressed the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 value of 29.3 μmol/L). Treatment with 12.5, 25, and 50μmol/L anacardic acid for 36 h caused inhibition of cell invasion by 23.6%, 56.6%, and 67.0%in MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively (P<0.05), and anacardic acid treatment for 24 h inhibited the cell migration by 30.0%, 45.5%, and 77.5%, respectively (P<0.05). Anacardic acid dose-dependently induced MMP-9 degradation, but did not obviously affect Hsp90 or Hsp70 expressions. Conclusion Anacardic acid can significantly inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, the mechanism of which may involve the inhibition of Hsp90 ATPse activity and down-regulation of MMP-9 expression.