Ajania belonging to the subtribe Artemisiinae of Anthemideae(Asteraceae) is a genus of semi-shrubs closely related to Chrysanthemum. There are 24 species of Ajania in northwestern China, most of which are folk herbal medicines with strong stress tolerance. Modern medical studies have demonstrated that the chemical constituents of Ajania mainly include terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkynes, and essential oils. These compounds endow the plants with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimalarial, antioxidant, and insecticide effects. In this study, we reviewed the research progress in the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Ajania, aiming to provide reference for the further research and development of Ajania.
Asteraceae ; Chrysanthemum ; Alkynes ; Antimalarials ; Antioxidants/pharmacology*

The phytochemical progress on Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels over the past decades is summarized. Since 1970s, 165 chemical constituents, including phthalides, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids and essential oils, aromatic compounds, alkaloids, alkynes, sterols, fatty acids, and polysaccharides have been isolated or detected from the various parts of the title plant.
Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; Alkynes ; isolation & purification ; Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Benzofurans ; isolation & purification ; Fatty Acids ; isolation & purification ; Oils, Volatile ; isolation & purification ; Phytochemicals ; isolation & purification ; Phytosterols ; isolation & purification ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; Propanols ; isolation & purification ; Terpenes ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in acute liver injury induced by crushing hind limbs of rats. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: control, crushing, H2S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) + crushing, H2S inhibitor propargylglycine (PAG) + crushing group. The acute liver injury model was established by 'crushing the hind limbs of rats with standard weight. Rats were sacrificed at 30 min and 120 min after the crush. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured by colorimetric method, and the content of H2S in plasma and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, glutathione (GSH) in the liver and the activity of H2S generating enzyme (cystathionine y-lyase, CSE) were determined by chemical method. The expression of CSE mRNA in liver was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: For crush injury group, the levels of AST and ALT in serum, MDA and protein carbonyl in liver increased. The levels of GSH, CSE, CSE mRNA in liver and H2S in serum decreased. The administration of NaHS before limbs crush could attenuate the changes of liver injury, but the pre-treatment with PAG could exacerbate the changes. CONCLUSION The decrease of H2S production could involve in mediating the acute liver injury induced by traumatic stress in rats.
Alanine Transaminase/blood* ; Alkynes/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood* ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase/metabolism* ; Glutathione/metabolism* ; Glycine/pharmacology* ; Hydrogen Sulfide/pharmacology* ; Liver/injuries* ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism* ; Protein Carbonylation ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulfides/pharmacology*

Panax ginseng roots have long been used as a medicinal herb in oriental countries. We have investigated anti-proliferative effects of lipid soluble Panax ginseng components on human renal cancer cell lines. Petroleum ether extract of Panax ginseng roots (GX-PE) or its partially purified preparation (7:3 GX) was added to cultures of three human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines, A498, Caki-1, and CURC II. Proliferation of RCC cells was estimated by a [3H]thymidine incorporation assay and cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. GX-PE, 7:3 GX, panaxydol and panaxynol inhibited proliferation of all three RCC cell lines in a dose dependent manner in vitro with an order of potency, 7:3 GX > panaxydol > panaxynol = GX-PE. Additive effect of interleukin 4 was also demonstrated, most prominently in Caki-1 which responded poorly to GX-PE alone. Analysis of cell cycle in CURC II and Caki-1 treated with GX-PE demonstrated increase in G1 phase population and corresponding decrease in S phase population. The present study demonstrated that proliferation of human RCC cell lines were inhibited by lipid soluble components of Panax ginseng roots by blocking cell cycle progression at G1 to S phase transition.
Alkanes ; Alkynes/therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use* ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/drug therapy* ; Cell Cycle/drug effects ; Fatty Alcohols/therapeutic use ; Ginseng/therapeutic use* ; Ginseng/chemistry ; Human ; Interleukin-4/therapeutic use ; Kidney Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use ; Plant Roots/therapeutic use ; Plant Roots/chemistry

This study is to investigate the role of endogenous CSE/H2S in regulating apoptosis of HepG2 cells. MTT and Trypan blue assay were performed to determine the effect of CSE inhibitor PAG and CSE siRNA on proliferation of HepG2. Production of H2S from HepG2 cells was assessed spectrophotometrically using N, N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine-dihydrochloride. Cells apoptosis was detected by means of double staining of Hoechst 33342 and PI with Array Scan V(TI)HCS600 High-Contents. Dihydroethidine (DHE) and 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay was used to determine intracellular superoxide anion and ROS level. Reduced glutathione (GSH) was determined by OxiSelect Total Glutathione Assay Kit. Recombinant plasmid pcDNA 3.1/myc-His(-)-CSE was constructed and transfected into 293T cells to rescue the ROS and GSH level to further investigate the effect of CSE/H2S on ROS and GSH. Western blotting was performed to test the effect of CSE siRNA on expression of activated caspase 3 and p-AKT and Nrf2 protein. The results showed that PAG and CSE siRNA could significantly decrease the production of H2S in HepG2 cells and inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells at a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, respectively. PAG and CSE siRNA could promote the cell apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Moreover, PAG and CSE siRNA induced increased ROS generation and depletion of the critical antioxidant GSH and recombinant plasmid pcDNA 3.1/myc-His(-)-CSE rescued the level of ROS and GSH. Meanwhile, CSE siRNA increased the expression of activated caspase 3, but CSE siRNA did not affect the expression of p-AKT and Nrf2. These results suggested that the CSE/H2S pathway was involved in suppression of HepG2 cell growth and promoted apoptosis of HepG2 cells in an oxidative stress-dependent manner.
Alkynes ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; HEK293 Cells ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDIt has been reported that hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) could relax vascular smooth muscle by direct activation of K(ATP) channels and hyperpolarization of the membrane potential. Recently, our study has shown that H(2)S facilitated carotid baroreflex. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of H(2)S on carotid baroreceptor activity (CBA).

METHODSThe functional curve of carotid baroreceptor (FCCB) was constructed and the functional parameters of carotid baroreceptor were measured by recording sinus nerve afferent discharge in anesthetized male rats with perfused isolated carotid sinus.

RESULTSH(2)S (derived from NaHS) 25, 50 and 100 micromol/L facilitated CBA, which shifted FCCB to the left and upward. There was a marked increase in peak slope (PS) and peak integral value of carotid sinus nerve charge (PIV) in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with glibenclamide (20 micromol/L), a K(ATP) channel blocker, the above effects of H(2)S on CBA were abolished. Pretreatment with Bay K8644 (an agonist of calcium channels, 500 nmol/L) eliminated the role of H(2)S on CBA. An inhibitor of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), DL-propargylglycine (PPG, 200 micromol/L) inhibited CBA in male rats and shifted FCCB to the right and downward.

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that exogenous H(2)S exerts a facilitatory role on isolated CBA through opening K(ATP) channels and further closing the calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle. Endogenous H(2)S may activate CBA in vivo.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester ; pharmacology ; Alkynes ; pharmacology ; Anesthesia ; Animals ; Carotid Sinus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Glyburide ; pharmacology ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; pharmacology ; Male ; Pressoreceptors ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDAbnormal apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is an important pathophysiological process in the pulmonary artery structural remodeling and pulmonary hypertension. We investigated possible effect of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on apoptosis of PASMCs during the development of pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow.

METHODSThirty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 4-week control, 4-week shunt, 4-week shunt + propargylglycine (PPG), 11-week control, 11-week shunt and 11-week shunt + sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) groups. Rats in 4-week shunt, 4-week shunt + PPG, 11-week shunt and 11-week shunt + NaHS groups underwent an abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava shunt. Rats in 4-week shunt + PPG group were intraperitoneally injected with PPG, an inhibitor of endogenous H2S production, for 4 weeks. Rats in 11-week shunt + NaHS group were intraperitoneally injected with NaHS, a H2S donor, for 11 weeks. Lung tissue H2S was evaluated by sulfide-sensitive electrode. Apoptosis of PASMCs were detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL). Expressions of Fas, bcl-2 and caspase-3 in the PASMCs were analyzed with immunochemical staining.

RESULTSFour weeks after the shunting operation, the apoptosis of PASMCs and expression of Fas and caspase-3 were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), but expression of bcl-2 increased significantly (P < 0.01). PPG administration further inhibited the apoptosis of PASMCs, downregulated the expression of Fas and caspase-3 (P < 0.01), but increased the expression of bcl-2 (P < 0.01). After 11 weeks of shunting operation, the apoptosis of PASMCs and expression of Fas and caspase-3 were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), but expression of bcl-2 increased obviously (P < 0.01). NaHS administration significantly increased the apoptosis of PASMCs, upregulated the expression of Fas and caspase-3, but inhibited the expression of bcl-2.

CONCLUSIONSH2S induces the apoptosis of PASMCs in the development of high pulmonary blood flow-induced pulmonary hypertension by activating the Fas pathway and inhibiting the bcl-2 pathway.

Alkynes ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blood Flow Velocity ; physiology ; Blotting, Western ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; pharmacology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) symptoms after efavirenz (EFV) treatment in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) could persist and impact their quality of life. We assessed the impact of EFV-based regimen replacement with elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (E/C/F/TAF), which is considered an alternative option for subjects who do not tolerate EFV. Most specifically, we assessed the safety and the efficacy of E/C/F/TAF and its effects on the participants' neuropsychiatric toxicity symptoms in a real-life setting. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted among virologic suppressed HIV-positive participants receiving EFV-based regimens with ongoing CNS toxicity ≥ grade 2. The participants were switched to single-pill combination regimens E/C/F/TAF and followed up for 48 weeks. The neuropsychiatric toxicity symptoms were measured using a CNS side effects questionnaire, as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of participants experiencing grade 2 or higher CNS toxicity after EFV switch off at weeks 12, 24, and 48. Secondary endpoints included virologic and immunological responses and the effect on fasting lipids at week 48 after switch. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-six participants (96.9% men, median age: 37.5 years, median: 3.7 years on prior EFV-containing regimens) were included in the study. Significant improvements in anxiety and sleep disturbance symptoms were observed at 12, 24, and 48 weeks after switching to E/C/F/TAF (P < 0.05). No significant change in depression symptom scores was observed. At 48 weeks after switch, HIV viral load <50 copies/mL was maintained in all of the participants, median fasting lipid levels were moderately increased (total cholesterol [TC]: 8.2 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]: 8.5 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]: 2.9 mg/dL, and triglyceride (TG): 1.6 mg/dL, and the TC:HDL-C ratio remained stable. CONCLUSIONS The single-pill combination regimens E/C/F/TAF is safe and well tolerated. This study reveals that switching from EFV to E/C/F/TAF significantly reduces neuropsychiatric toxicity symptoms in people living with HIV with grade 2 or higher CNS complaints.
Adenine/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; Alanine ; Alkynes ; Anti-HIV Agents/adverse effects* ; Benzoxazines ; Central Nervous System ; Cobicistat/therapeutic use* ; Cyclopropanes ; Drug Combinations ; Emtricitabine/therapeutic use* ; Female ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Quinolones ; Sleep Quality ; Tenofovir/analogs & derivatives*

Effects of a M1 receptor antagonist, pirenzepine, a M2 receptor antagonist, AF-DX116, and a nicotinic receptor antagonist, mecamylamine on the pressor responses to preganglionic sympathetic nerve stimulation(PNS) and McN-A-343 and DMPP in spinal(pithed) rabbits were investigated in order to elucidate a functional role of M1, M2 and nicotinic receptors in ganglionic transmission. Pirenzepine and AF-DX116 selectively inhibited the McN-A-343-induced pressor reponse in chlorisondamine-treated rabbit and the BCh-induced bradycardia, respectively. Electrical stimulations of preganglionic sympathetic outflow at T8 level produced increases in blood pressure. Pirenzepine(3 microgram/kg) significantly inhibited the PNS-induced pressor response and the degree of inhibition was not changed by increasing the doses to 100 microgram/kg. AF-DX116(100 microgram/kg) had no effect on the PNS-induced pressor response. Mecamylamine inhibited the PNS-induced pressor response in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory action of mecamylamine was significantly augmented by combined-treatment with pirenzepine(30 microgram/kg) but AF-DX116(100 microgram/kg) did not affect the inhibitory action of mecamylamine. McN-A-343 and DMPP elicited pressor response in the spinal rabbit. Pirenzepine and AF-DX116 dose-dependently inhibited the McN-A-343-induced pressor response but they did not affect DMPP-induced pressor response. Mecamylamine inhibited both pressor responses induced by Mc-N-343- and DMPP. These results suggest that not only nicotinic receptors but also M1 receptors play a facilitatory role in ganglionic transmission but M2 receptors do not contribute the transmission in spinal(pithed) rabbits.
(4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethylammonium Chloride ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide ; Electric Stimulation ; Ganglia, Sympathetic* ; Ganglion Cysts ; Mecamylamine ; Pirenzepine ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Nicotinic*

The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of strychnine on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by ACh, high K+, DMPP and McN-A-343 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of strychnine (10-4 M) into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced great inhibition in CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32X10-3 M), DMPP (10-4 M for 2 min) and McN-A-343 (10-4 M for 2 min), but did not alter CA secretion by high K+ (5.6X10-2 M). Strychnine itself did also fail to affect basal catecholamine output. Furthermore, in adrenal glands preloaded simultaneously with strychnine (10-4 M) and glycine (an agonist of glycinergic receptor, 10-4 M), CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, DMPP and McN-A-343 were considerably recovered to some extent when compared with those evoked by treatment with strychnine only. However, CA secretion by high K+ (5.6X10-2 M) was not affected. Taken together, these results demonstrate that strychnine inhibits greatly the CA secretory responses evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors, but does not affect that by membrane depolarization. It is suggested that strychnine-sensitive glycinergic receptors are localized in rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells.
(4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethylammonium Chloride ; Adrenal Glands* ; Animals ; Chromaffin Cells ; Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide ; Glycine ; Membranes ; Perfusion ; Rats* ; Receptors, Cholinergic* ; Strychnine* ; Veins