Amiodarone (AD) is a benzofuran derivative that has been used for the treatment of recurrent arrhythmia and as a coronary vasodilator in Europe since 1964. AD-related hyperpigmentation develops after an average of 20 months of continuous AD treatment and with a minimal total dose of 160 g AD in less than 10% of the patients. A 49-year-old man presented with asymptomatic blue-gray patches that had slowly developed on the face over the previous 3 months. He had been taken amiodarone continuously for 39 months (cumulative dose: 974 g). A skin lesion biopsy from the face showed many dermal melanophages containing brown granules. The AD was discontinued and he begin using sunscreen and is courrently being followed-up. The skin discoloration was still evident, but slightly diminished at five month's follow up.
Amiodarone ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Benzofurans ; Biopsy ; Europe ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Middle Aged ; Pigmentation ; Skin

No abstract available.
Benzofurans ; Depsides ; Diabetic Nephropathies

Usnic acid and its derivatives, a group of organic molecules with great importance, are characteristic to lichens, possessing pharmacological activities such as anti-virus, anti-bacteria, anti-humor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anaesthetic effects. Many of them have been widely used as medicine, but also bring side effects such as dermatitis and liver damages. In the past decades, great efforts by isolation, organic synthesis, and structure modification methods were put on discovery of UA derivatives with higher biological activities or less side effects. This paper describes herein the most progress on natural sources, isolation and structure elucidation, structural characteristics, synthesis and modification results, pharmacological activities and toxicities of UA and its derivatives, hopefully to provide valuable reference for further research.
Benzofurans ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Biological Products ; Lichens ; chemistry

Salvianolic acid B(Sal B) is the main water-soluble component of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Studies have found that Sal B has a good protective effect on blood vessels. Sal B can protect endothelial cells by anti-oxidative stress, inducing autophagy, inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS), inhibiting endothelial inflammation and adhesion molecule expression, inhibiting endothelial cell permeability, anti-thrombosis, and other ways. In addition, Sal B can alleviate endothelial cell damage caused by high glucose(HG). For vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC), Sal B can reduce the synthesis and secretion of inflammatory factors by inhibiting cyclooxygenase. It can also play a vasodilatory role by inhibiting Ca~(2+) influx. In addition, Sal B can inhibit VSMC proliferation and migration, thereby alleviating vascular stenosis. Sal B also inhibits lipid deposition in the subendothelium, inhibits macrophage conversion to foam cells, and reduces macrophage apoptosis, thereby reducing the volume of subendothelial lipid plaques. For some atherosclerosis(AS) complications, such as peripheral artery disease(PAD), Sal B can promote angiogenesis, thereby improving ischemia. It should be pointed out that the conclusions obtained from different experiments are not completely consistent, which needs further research. In addition, previous pharmacokinetics showed that Sal B was poorly absorbed by oral administration, and it was unstable in the stomach, with a large first-pass effect in the liver. Sal B had fast distribution and metabolism in vivo and short drug action time. These affect the bioavailability and biological effects of Sal B, and the development of clinically valuable Sal B non-injectable delivery systems remains a great challenge.
Endothelial Cells ; Oxidative Stress ; Benzofurans/pharmacology* ; Lipids

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether salvianolic acid B (Sal B) exerts protective effects on diabetic peripheral neuropathy by attenuating apoptosis and pyroptosis. METHODS: RSC96 cells were primarily cultured with DMEM (5.6 mmol/L glucose), hyperglycemia (HG, 125 mmol/L glucose) and Sal B (0.1, 1, and 10 µ mol/L). Cells proliferation was measured by 3-(4, 5-cimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-dilphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry analysis. Western blot was performed to analyze the expressions of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 9, Bcl-2, Bax, NLRP3, ASC, and interleukin (IL)-1β. RESULTS: Treatment with HG at a concentration of 125 mmol/L attenuated cellular proliferation, while Sal B alleviated this injury (P<0.05). In addition, Sal B inhibited HG-induced ROS production and apoptosis rate (P<0.05). Furthermore, treatment with Sal B down-regulated HG-induced PARP, cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 9, Bax, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1β expression, but mitigated HG-mediated down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Sal B may protect RSC96 cells against HG-induced cellular injury via the inhibition of apoptosis and pyroptosis activated by ROS.
Apoptosis ; Benzofurans/pharmacology* ; Oxidative Stress ; Pyroptosis ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate the effects of different light quality on the growth, accumulation of active ingredients and enzymes activities of Salvia miltiorrhiza.

METHODThe seedlings of S. miltiorrhiza were treated by different light quality, and relative parameters were measured. The data was statistically processed.

RESULTPlant height was significantly decreased with supplemental blue light (WB), and the root length, root diameter, root fresh weight and root dry weight were significantly increased with supplemental red light (WR). Salvianolic acid B concentration in S. miltiorrhiza was highly increased by supplemental blue and red light, but tanshinone IIA concentration was not significantly affected by supplemental blue and red light. Enzymes activities of SOD, POD, PAL, TAT and PPO in S. miltiorrhiza were significant increased by supplemental blue light, and enzymes activities of POD, TAT and PPO were significant increased by supplemental red light.

CONCLUSIONThe root growth of S. miltiorrhiza was greatly promoted by supplemental red light (WR). Salvianolic acid B concentration in S. miltiorrhiza was highly increased by supplemental blue and red light. Enzymes activities of TAT and PPO in S. miltiorrhiza were significant increased by supplemental blue light and red light.

OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B), a major bioactive component of the Chinese medicine salvia miltiorrhiza, on osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs).

METHODSThird passage PDLCs were used in this experiment. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method was employed to observe the effects of different Sal B concentrations on proliferation activity of hPDLCs. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization capability were measured, and mRNA expression of osteocalcin (OCN) was detected to investigate the effects of Sal B on osteogenesis of hPDLCs.

RESULTSSal B did not influence the viability of hPDLCs. The ALP activity and OCN mRNA expression levels of hPDLCs were both significantly improved (P<0.05) under treatment with different Sal B concentrations (0.5, 1, and 5 μmol·L⁻¹) compared with those in OIM group. Moreover, the number of mineralized nodules formed by hPDLCs were considerably higher under treatment with different Sal B concentrations (0.5, 1, and 5 μmol·L⁻¹) than that in the OIM group.

CONCLUSIONSAppropriate Sal B concentration can improve the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs.

The aim of this paper was to investigate whether the mechanism of salvianolic acid B in protecting H9 c2 cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury is related to the regulation of mitochondrial autophagy mediated by NIX. H9 c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro and divided into normal group, model group and salvianolic acid B group(50 μmol·L~(-1)). Hypoxia/reoxygenation injury model was established by hypoxia for 4 h and reoxygenation for 2 h. In normal group, high glucose DMEM medium was used for culture. Those in model group were cultured with DMEM medium without glucose and oxygen, and no drugs for hypoxia and reoxyge-nation. In salvianolic acid B group, salvianolic acid B prepared by glucose-free DMEM medium was added during hypoxia, and the other process was as same as the model group. The cell viability was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The leakage of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) was detected by microplate method. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential(ΔΨm) were measured by chemical fluorescence method. The level of intracellular adenosine triphosphate(ATP) was mea-sured by fluorescein enzyme method. The autophagy related proteins LC3-Ⅰ, LC3-Ⅱ, apoptosis related protein cleaved caspase-3 and mitochondrial autophagy receptor protein NIX were detected by Western blot. As compared with the normal group, the activity of H9 c2 cardiomyocytes and ATP level were decreased(P<0.05); LDH leakage and ROS production were increased(P<0.01); ΔΨm was decreased(P<0.01); LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio, cleaved caspase-3 and NIX protein expression levels were increased(all P<0.05) in the model group. As compared with the model group, the activity of cells and ΔΨm were significantly increased(P<0.01); ATP level was increased(P<0.05); LDH leakage and ROS generation were decreased(P<0.01); LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio was decreased(P<0.01); cleaved caspase-3 and NIX expression levels were decreased(P<0.05) in the salvianolic acid B group. The protective effect of salvianolic acid B on hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of H9 c2 cardiomyocytes may be associated with inhibiting mitochondrial auto-phagy. The specific mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of mitochondrial autophagy mediated by NIX, increasing ΔΨm, reducing ROS production, reducing the expression of cleaved caspase-3, LC3-Ⅱ, and increasing cell viability.
Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Benzofurans ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Survival ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; Myocytes, Cardiac

The aim of this paper was to observe the effect of salvianolic acid B(Sal B) on high-glucose induced renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) in rats, and to explore its possible mechanisms of prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy. The rat renal tubular epithelial NRK-52 E cells were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into control group, high glucose group, high glucose+10 μmol·L~(-1)Sal B group(Sal B), the above 3 groups were set at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h for dynamic observation; high glucose+Sal B different concentration(1, 5, 10 μmol·L~(-1)) groups, high glucose+5.0 μmol·L~(-1) pioglitazone group, high glucose+10 μmol·L~(-1)Sal B+5 μmol·L~(-1)GW9662 group. The protein expression levels of PPARγ, PTEN, α-SMA, E-cadherin and PI3 K/Akt signaling molecules were determined by Western blot. The mRNA expression of PPARγ and PTEN were detected by Real-time PCR. The viabi-lity of NRK52 E cells was determined by MTT assay. The results showed that as compared with control group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of PPARγ and PTEN in high glucose group gradually reduced, the protein expression levels of α-SMA and p-Akt~((Thr308))gradually increased, and the protein expression of E-cadherin gradually reduced(P<0.05). As compared with high glucose group, when increases in Sal B doses, the mRNA and protein expression levels of PPARγ, PTEN in high glucose + different concentrations of Sal B groups gradually increased, the protein expression levels of α-SMA and p-Akt~((Thr308)) gradually reduced, and the protein expression of E-cadherin gradually increased(P<0.05), however, the effect of 1 μmol·L~(-1)concentration of Sal B on the expression of PPARγ mRNA and protein and PTEN mRNA was not significantly different. As compared with high glucose group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of PPARγ mRNA(except 6 h) and protein(except 6 h), PTEN mRNA(except 6 h) and protein(except 6, 12 h) kept increasing, the protein expression levels of α-SMA and p-Akt~((Thr308))(except 6 h) continued to reduce, the protein expression of E-cadherin kept increasing in high glucose+10 μmol·L~(-1) Sal B dynamic observation group(P<0.05). As compared with high glucose group, Sal B and the pioglitazone(PIO) can greatly enhance the expression of PPARγ, PTEN at mRNA and protein levels, enhance the expression of E-cadherin at protein levels, and reduce the expression of α-SMA, p-Akt~((Thr308))protein level(P<0.05), there was no significant difference between the two groups. However, the expression levels of PPARγ and PTEN mRNA and protein, E-cadherin, α-SMA and p-Akt(Thr308) protein in the Sal B+GW9662 control group were not statistically significant compared with the high glucose group. The effect of Sal B was blocked by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662. It can be concluded that Sal B can suppress the NRK52 E cells induced by high-glucose EMT. The mechanism may be related to the activation of PPARγ with Sal B, and the up-regulation of PTEN expression, and thereby inhibiting the fibrosis effect of PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway.
Animals ; Benzofurans ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Glucose ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

To investigate the alteration in Golgi and blood-brain barrier after cerebral hemorrhage in SD rats, and to evaluate the effect of butylphthalide on blood-brain barrier. 
 Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups: a control group, a sham group, an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) group, and a butylphthalide group. Brain tissue was collected at 48 h after the blood brain barrier permeability was examined. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) were conducted to explore the change of GM130, Cdc42 and tight junction protein and mRNA expression in rat brain after ICH. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to explore the distribution of ZO-1 and Occludin in the cerebral vascular endothelial cells around the hematoma.
 Results: The Evans blue (EB) extravasation in the ICH group were much greater than that in the sham group (P<0.05). Butylphthalide treatment significantly decreased Evans blue extravasation compared to the ICH group (P<0.05). Results of Western blotting and real-time PCR showed that GM130, Cdc42, ZO-1/Occludin were decreased (P<0.05). The intervention of butylphthalide significantly upregulated the expressions of Cdc42 as well as ZO-1/Occludin (P<0.05), but exerted no effect on GM130 (P<0.05). Immunofluorescent staining showed that GM130 was co-localized with Cdc42 and administration of butylphthalide improved the expression of Cdc42 around the hematoma without affecting the expression of GM130. IHC showed that expressions of occludin and ZO-1 around the hematoma were significantly decreased in the ICH group (P<0.05), whereas butylphthalide treatment elevated the expressions of ZO-1 and occludin around the hematoma compared with the ICH group (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Morphology of Golgi apparatus is altered and the blood-brain barrier is destroyed after ICH. The application of butylphthalide can alleviate neurological impairment and blood-brain barrier disruption, which is related to the up-regulation of Cdc42, but not GM130.
Animals ; Benzofurans ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Endothelial Cells ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley