Fourteen compounds were isolated from 95% ethanol extract by silica gel, MCI, and ODS column chromatography. These compounds were respectively identified as quercetin (1), kaempferol (2), (+)-catechin (3), fraxin (4), protocatechuic acid (5), gallic acid (6), methyl gallate (7), ethyl gallate (8), apocynol A (9), baccatin (10), cerevisterol (11), ellagic acid (12), 3, 3',4'-tri-0-methylellagic acid(13) and N-benzoyl-L-phenylalaninyl-N-benzoyl-L-phenylalaninate(14) by analyzing their spectral data and comparing with the previously reported literatures. Except for gallic acid (6), all other compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 1, 2 and 6 showed moderate anti-proliferation activities on tumor cells.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Euphorbiaceae ; chemistry ; Humans ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzamides ; therapeutic use ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Exons ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Male ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Point Mutation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Sinus ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Sixteen compounds have been isolated from the EtOAc fraction of 95% ethanolic extract of Sophora dunnii through silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-prerarative HPLC column chromatographies. Their structures were identified on the basis of NMR and MS spectra data as phaseollidin (1), L-maackiain (2), 2-(2',4'-dihidroxyphenyl)-5,6-methylenedioxy benzofuran (3), 8-demethyl-farrerol (4), liquiritigenin (5), genistein (6), 6-methylgenistein (7), 5-O-methyl genistein (8), 7,2',4'-trihydroxys-5-methoxy-isoflavanone (9), 7, 3', 4'-trihydroxy-isoflavanone (10), erythribyssin D (11), calycosin (12), trans-resveratrol (13), cis-resveratrol (14), stigmasterol (15), β-sitosterol (16). Among these, compounds 1-14 and 16 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Chemical Fractionation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Sophora ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Objective To assess the effective length of jejunal graft when the 3~(rd) intestinal artery is u- tilized as vascular pedicle and afford a reliable theoretic base for clinical esophageal reconstruction.Methods In 32 formalin preserved and 21 fresh cadaver specimens,the diameter of 1st to 5th intestinal arteries and diameter of arterial arches are measured with linear calibre.Measure the length of jejunum that can be harves- ted as graft when the arches are extended.In the 21 fresh specimens,the 1st,2nd,4th and 5th intestinal ar- teries are ligated,acetic ester stained with red dye were injected into the lumen of 3rd intestinal artery via catheter.Extent of distribution of the arteries to the jejunum was observed.And then red ABS solution was in- jected into the 3rd intestinal artery to make into cast specimen.The blood supply distribution of jejunum through 3rd intestinal artery-arterial arch and communicating system were observed again.Results The di- ameter of the 3rd intestinal artery was the largest among the 1st to 5th intestinal arteries.The length of jejunum vascularized by 3rd intestinal artery can be as long as (142.2?62.3) (69.0～206.60cm) in acetic ester in- filtrated specimens.While in ABS east specimen,the average available extent of donor jejunum was(30.8?7.3) (23.0～37.3cm).Conclusion As observed by this applied anatomy study,the jejunum graft vascu- larized by 3rd intestinal artery alone has sufficient length to meet the need of esophageal reeonstrution.

Objective To examine the effects of sodium phenylbutyrate on the apoptosis of human tongue squamous cancer cell line and expression of p21 and survivin genes.Methods The inhibition effects of sodium phenylbutyrate on Tca8113 and human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TCSSA) cell lines were detected by methyl thiazoly terazolium (MTT) and the apoptosis of the cancer cells after being induced by sodium phenylbutyrate examined by flow cytometry(FCM).The expression of p21 and survivin genes were observed with Western blotting and RT-PCR Results Compared with control group,the level of p21 mRNA and protein of Tca8113 cellline increased to 0.09±0.08 and increased 0.72±0.10,that of TCSSA cellline increased 1.34±0.12 and 1.56±0.09(P <0.05).Compared with control group,the level of surrive mRNA and protein of Tca8113 cellline decreased to 1.10±0.05 and 1.14±1.10,that of TCSSA cellline decreased to 0.12±0.08 and 0.94±0.09 (P < 0.05) .Sodium phenylbutyrate inhibited the cell proliferation ,promoted cell apoptosis and arrested the cells in G1/G0 phase.The amount of p21 mRNA and protein were increased,and the expression of survivin gene was decreased.Conclusions Sodium phenylbutyrate exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on human tongue squamous cancer cell proliferation and induced cancer cell apoptosis.The mechanism may be due to up-regulation of p21 gene and downregulation of survivin gene.The mRNA level of p21 gene and survivin gene showed a strong correlation.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of amitrole on the transcription of thyroglobulin (tg), thyroid peroxidase (tpo), Na(+)/I- symporter (nis), Na(+)/I- symporter (nis), thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (tshr), thyroid transcription factor 1 (ttf-1) and paired-domain protein-8 (pax-8) genes in FRTL-5 cells and investigate the mechanism of amitrole for intervening in thyroid hormone activity.

METHODSFRTL-5 cells were treated with amitrole at 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 mg/ml for 24 h, respectively, after which the cells were collected for extraction of the total RNA. RT-PCR was used to examine the effects of amitrole on the transcription of tg, tpo, nis, tshr, pax-8 and ttf-1 genes in FRTL-5 cells.

RESULTSAmitrole significantly induced tg gene transcription at all the doses, but produced no obvious effects on tpo and nis gene transcription. At the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml, amitrole significantly reduced pax-8 and tshr gene transcription but increased ttf-1 gene transcription.

CONCLUSIONThe effects of amitrole on thyroid hormone activity may be related with its actions on tg, ttf-1, tshr and pax-8 gene transcription.

Amitrole ; toxicity ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; toxicity ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Receptors, Thyrotropin ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thyroglobulin ; genetics ; Thyroid Gland ; cytology ; Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1 ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a stress-responsive intercellular messenger modifying hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. The interaction between stress and age in BDNF expression is currently not fully understood. This study was conducted to observe unpredictable stress effect on behavior and BDNF expression in CA3 subfield (CA3) and dentate gyrus of hippocampus in different aged rats.

METHODSForty-eight Wistar rats of two different ages (2 months and 15 months) were randomly assigned to six groups: two control groups and four stress groups. The rats in the stress group received three weeks of unpredictable mild stress. The depression state and the stress level of the animals were determined by sucrose preference test and observation of exploratory behavior in an open field (OF) test. The expressions of BDNF in CA3 and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were measured using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSAge and stress had different effects on the behavior of different aged animals (age: F = 6.173, P < 0.05, stress: F = 6.056, P < 0.05). Stress was the main factor affecting sucrose preference (F = 123.608, P < 0.05). Decreased sucrose preference and suppressed behavior emerged directly following stress, lasting to at least the eighth day after stress in young animals (P < 0.05). The older stress rats showed a lower sucrose preference than young stress rats (P < 0.05). Older control rats behaved differently from the younger control animals in the OF test, spending more time in the central square (P < 0.05), exhibiting fewer vertical movements (P < 0.05) and less grooming (P < 0.05). Following exposure to stress, older-aged rats showed no obvious changes in vertical movement and grooming. This indicates that aged rats were in an unexcited state before the stress period, and responded less to stressful stimuli than younger rats. There was significantly lower BDNF expression in the CA3 and dentate gyrus regions of the hippocampus following stress in both age groups (P < 0.05), a reduction that was still present at the eighth day after stress (P < 0.05). Stress and age were the main factors affecting the expression of BDNF (F = 9.408, P < 0.05; F = 106.303, P < 0.05). The aged stress group showed lower BDNF expression compared to the young stressed group at every testing time point.

CONCLUSIONStress has age-dependent effects on behavioral responses and hippocampal BDNF expression in rats.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; analysis ; genetics ; Chronic Disease ; Dentate Gyrus ; chemistry ; Exploratory Behavior ; Hippocampus ; chemistry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Psychological ; metabolism ; psychology ; Sucrose ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupoint sticking on clinical symptoms and life quality in patients with bronchial asthma.

METHODSMulticenter randomized double-blind clinical trial was done, one hundred and eighty-eight cases were divided into a medication acupoint sticking group (125 cases) and a placebo group (63 cases). Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Tiantu (CV 22), etc. were selected in both groups. The medication cakes were made of grinding pepper, brassica alba seeds, asarum, etc. into fine powder mixed with ginger oil and ginger juice, applied on acupoints in the acupoint sticking group. While another compound cakes made of powder of red rice, black rice, maize mixed with small amount of ginger juice, were used in the placebo group. Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire(AQLQ), symptom scores during the day and night, scores of self effect, and the value of lung function were observed.

RESULTSThe value of daily behavior and environmental factors of AQLQ, total scores of AQLQ, daytime symptoms and scores of self effect in the medication acupoint sticking group, were significantly improved compared to those of placebo group (all P<0.05). The lung function of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second in predicted value (FEV1/FVC) had no significant diffrence between two groups (both P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint sticking therapy can significantly improve clinical symptoms of patients with bronchial asthma, and can improve life quality of the patients.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

AIMTo investigate the protective effect of lumbrokinase against myocardial ischemia and to further explore its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe effect of lumbrokinase on myocardial ischemia was observed by a model of acute myocardial infarction due to permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. Patch-clamp technique and laser scanning confocal microscopy were utilized to study the action of lumbrokinase on L-type calcium current (ICa-L) and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i).

RESULTSLumbrokinase decreased the infarct size of myocardium in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory rate of lumbrokinase at the dose of 20, 40 and 80 mg x kg(-1) was 7.7%, 34.6% and 46.2%, respectively. The electrophysiological studies displayed that, at + 10 mV, the ICa-L was markedly reduced from (-14.42 +/- 1.53) pA/pF to (-11.33 +/- 1.40) pA/pF (decreased by 21.4%, P <0.01) and (-9.92 +/- 1.31) pA/pF (decreased by 36.5%, P <0.01) by lumbrokinase (10 and 50 micromol x L(-1)), respectively. Confocal experiments showed that 10 micromol x L(-1) lumbrokinase showed no obvious effects on [Ca2+]i at resting states (P > 0.05). However, the increase of [Ca2+]i induced by 60 mmol x L(-1) KCl was distinctly limited by 10 micromol x L(-1) lumbrokinase (P <0.01). Within 240 s, the no obvious peak value of fluorescent intensity (FI) was shown.

CONCLUSIONLumbrokinase showed protective action against myocardial infarction in rats. The possible mechanisms of anti-ischemia could be attributed to decreasing ICa-L and [Ca2+] of ventricular myocytes in rats.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; metabolism ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Endopeptidases ; pharmacology ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar