Because the red and bright color of corolla is the main indicator for the quality assessment of good safflower,the dyed safflower is sometimes found at the herbal market,what is influence on this herb quality and efficacy. A total of 127 safflower samples was therefore collected from different cultivating areas and herbal markets in China to develop a rapid method to identify the dyed safflower. Near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS) combined with characteristic identification,high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares regression analysis(PLS) were employed to differentiate safflower from dyed safflower samples,and further quantify the levels of the 6 dyes,i.e. tartrazine,carmine,sunset yellow,azorubine,acid red 73 and orange Ⅱ in the dyed safflower. The results indicated that the 50 safflower samples and 77 dyed safflower samples were located at different regions in PCA cluster diagram by NIR spectra. Tartrazine,carmineand and sunset yellow were found in the 77 dyed safflower samples with the amounts of 0. 60-3. 66,0. 11-1. 37,0. 10-0. 71 mg·g-1,respectively. It indicated that the three dyes were the common and main dyes in the dyed safflower. However,azorubine,acid red 73 and orange Ⅱ were not detected in all herb samples. A total of 62 dyed safflower samples were chosen as calibration samples to develop the model for estimating the amount of dyes in dyed safflower. The estimating accuracy was verified by another 15 dyed safflower samples. The values of tartrazine,carmine and sunset yellow in dyed safflower samples were compared between the NIRS and HPLC methods. Each value of mean absolute difference(MAD) was less than 5%. The correlation coefficients of tartrazine,carmineand and sunset yellow were 0. 970,0. 975,0. 971,respectively. It indicated the data quantified by NIRS and HPLC were consistence. It is concluded that NIRS can not only differentiate safflower from dyed safflower,but also quantify the amount of the dyes. NIRS is suitable for rapidly identify the quality of safflower.
Azo Compounds ; Benzenesulfonates ; Carmine ; Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; China ; Coloring Agents ; analysis ; Naphthalenesulfonates ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Tartrazine

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Benzenesulfonates ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dietary Exposure ; analysis ; Food Coloring Agents ; analysis ; Food Safety ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment ; Young Adult

Plumbagin, a hydroxy 1,4-naphthoquinone compound from plant metabolites, exhibits anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal activities via modulating various signaling molecules. However, its effects on vascular functions are rarely studied except in pulmonary and coronary arteries where NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibition was suggested as a mechanism. Here we investigate the effects of plumbagin on the contractility of skeletal artery (deep femoral artery, DFA), mesenteric artery (MA) and renal artery (RA) in rats. Although plumbagin alone had no effect on the isometric tone of DFA, 1 µM phenylephrine (PhE)-induced partial contraction was largely augmented by plumbagin (ΔT(Plum), 125% of 80 mM KCl-induced contraction at 1 µM). With relatively higher concentrations (>5 µM), plumbagin induced a transient contraction followed by tonic relaxation of DFA. Similar biphasic augmentation of the PhE-induced contraction was observed in MA and RA. VAS2870 and GKT137831, specific NOX4 inhibitors, neither mimicked nor inhibited ΔT(Plum) in DFA. Also, pretreatment with tiron or catalase did not affect ΔT(Plum) of DFA. Under the inhibition of PhE-contraction with L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker (nifedipine, 1 µM), plumbagin still induced tonic contraction, suggesting Ca²⁺-sensitization mechanism of smooth muscle. Although ΔT(Plum) was consistently observed under pretreatment with Rho A-kinase inhibitor (Y27632, 1 µM), a PKC inhibitor (GF 109203X, 10 µM) largely suppressed ΔT(Plum). Taken together, it is suggested that plumbagin facilitates the PKC activation in the presence of vasoactive agonists in skeletal arteries. The biphasic contractile effects on the systemic arteries should be considered in the pharmacological studies of plumbagin and 1,4-naphthoquinones.
1,2-Dihydroxybenzene-3,5-Disulfonic Acid Disodium Salt ; Animals ; Arteries* ; Catalase ; Coronary Vessels ; Femoral Artery ; Mesenteric Arteries ; Muscle, Smooth ; NADPH Oxidase ; Phenylephrine ; Plants ; Protein Kinase C ; Rats* ; Relaxation ; Renal Artery ; Vasoconstrictor Agents

OBJECTIVE: To determine if Ehretia microphylla (Tsaang Gubat) decoction tea and placebo can improve the symptoms of mild intermittent allergic rhinitis in comparison to loratadine and control tea.
METHODS:
Design: Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled
Trial Setting: Tertiary-Government Training Hospital
Participants: Twenty-four patients diagnosed with mild intermittent allergic rhinitis from October 2015 to July 2016 were randomly divided into a treatment group given Ehretia microphylla (Tsaang Gubat) decoction tea and placebo, and a control group given control tea and loratadine, both taken for 7 days. Patients underwent pre- and post-intervention evaluation by anterior rhinoscopy, Sino-nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT 22) Questionnaire and 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data were encoded and subjected to statistical analysis using Mann Whitney U test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test.
RESULTS: Age and gender of the treatment and control group participants were comparable. Prior to intervention, no differences in symptoms were noted between both groups on SNOT 22 and VAS scores. After intervention, no differences in symptoms were noted between the 2 groups on SNOT 22 and VAS scores either. Comparison of pre- (30.4 ± 17.3) and post- (7.2 ± 6.5) intervention mean SNOT 22 scores of the loratadine control group with pre- (32.5 ± 23.7) and post- (7.8 ± 10.4) intervention mean SNOT 22 scores of the Ehretia Microphylla treatment group showed significant improvement of symptoms in both groups. Likewise, comparison of pre- and post-intervention mean VAS scores of the loratadine control group and pre- and post-intervention mean VAS scores of the Ehretia Microphylla treatment group based on symptoms of sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and pruritus showed significant improvement of symptoms in both groups (p-values of < .001).
CONCLUSION: Ehretia microphylla (Tsaang Gubat) decoction tea may improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, rhinorrhea, pruritus and nasal congestion) and be taken as an alternative to loratadine in patients with mild intermittent allergic rhinitis. Further clinical trials with more participants may provide stronger evidence for this conclusion.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Loratadine ; Sneezing ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Nose ; Isononanoyl Oxybenzene Sulfonate ; Benzenesulfonates ; Pruritus ; Boraginaceae

Acanthamoeba cysts are resistant to unfavorable physiological conditions and various disinfectants. Acanthamoeba cysts have 2 walls containing various sugar moieties, and in particular, one third of the inner wall is composed of cellulose. In this study, it has been shown that down-regulation of cellulose synthase by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly inhibits the formation of mature Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts. Calcofluor white staining and transmission electron microscopy revealed that siRNA transfected amoeba failed to form an inner wall during encystation and thus are likely to be more vulnerable. In addition, the expression of xylose isomerase, which is involved in cyst wall formation, was not altered in cellulose synthase down-regulated amoeba, indicating that cellulose synthase is a crucial factor for inner wall formation by Acanthamoeba during encystation.
Acanthamoeba castellanii/*enzymology/genetics/metabolism ; Aldose-Ketose Isomerases/*biosynthesis ; Amebiasis/*pathology ; Benzenesulfonates ; Cell Wall/chemistry/genetics/*metabolism ; Cellulose/biosynthesis ; Down-Regulation ; Encephalitis/parasitology ; Glucosyltransferases/*biosynthesis/genetics ; Keratitis/parasitology ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering

BACKGROUNDKeratinocytes play a crucial role in the biological function of skin barrier. The relationship between sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and keratinocytes has been studied. However, the cytotoxicity and effects of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS), a common detergent similar to SLS, on keratinocytes are still not known. This study aimed to investigate the effects of SDBS on cytotoxicity and expression of proinflammatory cytokines in cultured human keratinocytes.

METHODSThis study was carried out using the keratinocytes cell line, HaCaT cells. The cytotoxicity of SDBS on HaCaT cells was evaluated with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and phase-contrast microscopy. After exposure to different concentrations of SDBS, the total RNA of the HaCaT cells was extracted for evaluating the relative mRNA expression of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α by qPCR. The supernatants of cells were collected for measuring the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSSDBS at concentrations of 20 µg/ml and over showed direct cytotoxicity and induced morphological changes of the HaCaT cells. The mRNA expressions of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a in different concentrations of SDBS at different time were comparable with that of controls. SDBS at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 µg/ml had no significant effects on IL-6 and IL-8 excretion from HaCaT cells after 24-hour exposure. Moreover, no significant effects on the IL-6 and IL-8 excretion were found after 10 and 15 µg/ml SDBS stimulations for 6, 12, and 24 hours, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSDBS at higher concentrations had cytotoxicity on HaCaT cells but had no effects on the mRNA expression of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a, that was different from SLS.

Benzenesulfonates ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-1alpha ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Keratinocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

This study was purpose to investigate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in apoptosis and autophagy induced by FTY720 in multiple myeloma cell line U266. U266 cells were treated by different concentrations of FTY720 for 24 h, the apoptotic rates were detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of LC3B was detected by Western blot. The results indicated that apoptosis and autophagy were induced by FTY720 in U266 cells. Autophagy induced by FTY720 could lead to cell death. Bafilomycin A1, the inhibitor of autophagy, could enhance the cell viability in U266 cells treated with FTY720. NAC or Tiron, ROS scavenger, could decrease the FTY720 induced apoptosis and the expression of LC3B-II was reduced in combination of FTY720 with NAC or Tiron as compared with treatment with FTY720 only. It is concluded that FTY720 can induce U266 cell apoptosis and autophagy. ROS is the mediator that regulates both the apoptosis and autophagy in multiple myeloma cells.
1,2-Dihydroxybenzene-3,5-Disulfonic Acid Disodium Salt ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fingolimod Hydrochloride ; Humans ; Macrolides ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Propylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Sphingosine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Benzenesulfonates ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Workplace

To investigate the effects of sorafenib and octreotide combination treatment on cellular proliferation and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms by using an in vitro cell culture system with the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of sorafenib and octreotide alone or in combination. Untreated HepG2 cells were used as controls. Treatment-induced cytotoxicity was determined with the cell counting kit-8 by Sigma-Aldrich, and rate of apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Fluorescent microscopy was used to observe rates of cell growth under the various treatments. Treatment-induced changes in protein expressions were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) and Western blotting (for the Mcl-1 apoptosis mediator and the ERK1/2 and PERK1/2 kinases). Sorafenib and octreotide, used alone or in combination, inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Combination treatment was more effective than either mono-treatment (F = 200.398, P less than 0.05). Fluorescent microscopy showed that combination treatment stimulated phosphatidylserine, the marker of early apoptosis, better than either mono-treatment. VEGF expression in cultures exposed to combination treatment was also significantly lower than in mono-treatment or untreated control cultures (F = 1019.725, P less than 0.05). Western blotting showed that octreotide mono-treatment had no effect on Mcl-1 expression (vs. control group; P more than 0.05) and that combination treatment significantly lowered Mcl-1 expression (vs. mono-treatment and control groups; P less than 0.05). None of the treatments affected ERK1/2 expression (all, P more than 0.05), while all treatments significantly lowered PERK1/2 expression (vs. control group; F = 2.401, P less than 0.05) and the combination treatment lowered PERK1/2 significantly more than either mono-treatment (P less than 0.05). Sorafenib and octreotide can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. Combination treatment is significantly more efficacious (P less than 0.05) and produced synergistic effects. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon may depend on synergistic inhibition of VEGF, the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1, and the proliferation-inducing PERK1/2.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzenesulfonates ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Niacinamide ; analogs & derivatives ; Octreotide ; pharmacology ; Phenylurea Compounds ; Pyridines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness and toxicity of sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSAccording to the Cochrane handbook for systematic review, two reviewers independently completed the whole process of literature search, study selection, data collection, and quality assessment. Seven electric databases(PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Chinese Journal Full-text Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific and Technical Journal Database, Chinese Medical Association Digital Periodicals Database) were searched and randomized controlled trials (RCT) of sorafenib in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSTwo RCT involving 828 patients were finally included. Compared with placebo, sorafenib significantly extended the overall survival and time to radiologic progression and improved the disease control rate. The main adverse effects were systemic, gastrointestinal, and dermatologic symptoms (grade 1 or 2 in severity), although the incidences were significantly higher in sorafenib groups than in control groups.

CONCLUSIONSorafenib is effective and safe for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Benzenesulfonates ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Niacinamide ; analogs & derivatives ; Phenylurea Compounds ; Pyridines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use