Beta-Elemene is an antitumor drug which is isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Curcumae Phaeocaulis Rhizoma, it is the main component of elemene which is extracted from the plant and delivered via blood circulation after intravenous injection. The antitumor effect of beta-elemene in vitro and in vivo was definite, and beta-elemene could improve the patient immunity and no sever side effect, drug resistance or bone marrow suppression were found during the clinical studies. And human serum albumin (HSA) is a primary extracellular protein which has a high concentration distribution in blood plasma and has many characteristic physiological functions. Therefore, the binding of beta-elemene to protein may be very important for absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. Therefore, the study on the interaction of beta-elemene with drug-carrying protein is very important. In this work, molecular binding of beta-elemene to human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by using spectrofluorometer. the binding constants suggested that a strong interaction and the formation of a complex between beta-elemene and HSA. This clearly implies that beta-elemene can be stored and removed by the proteins in the body. Furthermore, the fluorescence quenching results showed that the HSA fluorescence was quenched by beta-elemene through static quenching mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters showed that hydrophobic interactions play a role in the binding of beta-elemene to HSA. The negative deltaH(0) and positive deltaS(0) in case of beta-elemene therefore showed that electrostatic attraction play a role in the binding of beta-elemene to HSA.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Protein Binding ; Serum Albumin ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Thermodynamics

Objective To explore the MRI features of solitary fibrous tumor(SFT)in the orbit.Methods The MRI findings of 7 patients with SFT in the orbit confirmed by histopathology were analyzed retrospectively.Re sults Of the 7 lesions,5 occurred in the right orbit and 2 in the left orbit.Six lesions were located in the extraconal space near the lacrimal gland fossa,including 5 in the superomedial region and 1 in the inferolateral region.The other one was located in the retrobulbar intraconal space.The lesions with well-defined margin showed elliptic shape in 6 cases and lobulated configuration in 1.The maximum diameter of the lesions ranged from 18 to 40 mm(mean,31 mm).The lesions showed homogeneous isointense relative to gray matter on T1-weighted images in 6 patients.On T2-weighted images,the lesions showed heterogeneous hypointense in 5 patients,isointense and hyperintense in one patient respectively.SFT demonstrated markedly homogeneous enhancement in 6 patients and inhomogeneous enhancement in one patient The time-intensity curves(TIC)of 7 patients exhibited a rapidly enhancing and rapid washout pattern on dynamic contrast-enhanced(DCE)MRI.Conclusion Hypointense signal on T2WI,marked enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1 WI,and a rapidly enhancing and rapid washout pattern TIC on DCE MRI are the typical MRI features of orbital SFT.

Objective To construct a lentiviral vector containing mir-7-3 gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene,and to detect the expression of mir-7-3 gene in U251 cells.Methods The fragments containing all the mir-7-3 gene were amplified by RT-PCR and were cloned into the lentivirus vectors labeled with GFP,which was transfected together with the packaging plasmids into 293T cells by CaC12.The supernatant was collected,concentrated,identified,and was transfected to U251 cells of gliomas.Fluorescent microscopy was used to observe the fluorescence in the 293T cell,and real time RT-PCR was used to examine the relative contents of mir-7-3 in U251 cells.Results Electrophores was shown that the sequence of the RT-PCR product was consistent with the data of mir-7-3 by DNA sequence analysis,indicating that the mir-7-3 gene was successfully cloned,and strong green fluorescence was observed by fluorescent microscopy.The supernatant of lentivirus-transfected 293T cells effectively infected U251 cells and the relative content of mir-7-3 was observed in the transfected U251 cells.Conclusion It is concluded that the lentiviral vector containing mir-7-3 gene was constructed successfully,which provides a basis for further study of mir-7-3 function.

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential effect of Guizhi plus Gegen Decoction (GGD) in improving learning and memory of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced neuroinflammatory mice and its possible mechanisms.

METHODSTotally 63 male ICR mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control (n = 13), the model group (n = 13), the low dose GGD group (n = 10), the high dose GGD group (n = 14), and the positive control group (n = 13). Mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (0.33 mg/kg) to induce Alzheimer's disease (AD) model. Mice in the high and the low dose GGD groups were administered with 12 g/kg or 6 g/kg by gastrogavage for 4 successive weeks. Mice in the control group were intraperitoneally injected with minocycline (50 mg/kg) for 3 days. By the end of treatment LPS were injected 4 h before behavior test each day, and then behavior test was conducted in mice of each group. Effect of GGD on learning and memory of AD mice was observed by using open field test, novel object recognition task, and Morris water maze.

RESULTSOpen field test showed there was no statistical difference in the movement time and the movement distance among all groups (P > 0.05), suggesting that LPS and GGD had no effect on locomotor activities of mice. In novel object recognition test, AD mice spent significantly shorter time to explore novel object after they were induced by LPS (P < 0.05), while for AD mice in the low and high dose GGD groups, their capacities for exploration and memory were significantly improved (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01). Results of Morris water maze showed that AD mice exhibited increased escape latency (P < 0.05) and spent much less time in swimming across the original platform (both P < 0.05). However, AD mice in the low and high dose GGD groups had obvious shortened latency and increased time percentage for swimming (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGGD possessed certain improvement in learning and memory disorder of LPS induced AD mice.

Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; prevention & control ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neuritis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Phytotherapy

To explore a new method for identification of Mongolian patent medicine (MPM) by PCR amplification of specific alleles. Eight kinds of MPM were used to study the identification of "Digeda" raw materials. The total DNA of Lomatogonium rotatum and Corydalis bungeana samples were extracted through modified CTAB method, psbA-trnH sequence was amplified by PCR and sequenced directionally. Specific primer was designed. The DNA of 8 kinds of MPM also was extracted and purified by the commercial DNA purification kits. The rbcL and two pair of specific primers sequences were amplified. The specific amplified products were sequenced in forward directions. All specific sequences were aligned and were analyzed. The results indicated that L rotatum can be identified by specific primers from Digeda-4 Tang, Digeda-8 San, Digeda-4 San, and C. bungeana medicinal materials can be identified by specific primers from Li Dan Ba Wei San, Yi He Ha Ri-12 and A Ga Ri-35. PCR amplification of specific alleles can stably and accurately distinguish raw medicinal materials in MPM.
Alleles ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

Adult ; Asthenopia ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Automobile Driving ; Color Perception ; Humans ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of needle-pricking therapy, a newly medical and minimally invasive technique, for functional retrograde ejaculation and to explore its mechanism. Methods Thirty-six patients with functional retrograde ejaculation were randomly divided into an observation group(19 cases) and a control group(17 cases) In the observation group,needle-pricking therapy was used at Guanyuan(CV 4) and bilateral sacral plexus nerve,lumbar 1 nerve and greater occipital nerve stimulating points,once a week. In the control group, midodrine tablets were prescribed orally,three times a day. All the treatment was given for 9 weeks. The clinical effects of the two groups were observed, and the levels of luteinizing hormone(LH), testosterone(Tes) and estra4 diol(E2) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of the observation group was, 89. 47%(17/19), which was better than 47.06% (8/17) of the control group(P<0. 05). The LH and Tes were obviously increased and E2 was decreased compared with those before treatment in the observation group(all P< 0. 01). Tes was raised(P<0. 05) and E2 was apparently declined in the control group(P<0. 01). After treatment, the differences of serum LH and Tes were statistically significant between the two groups(both P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONNeedle-pricking therapy has advantages for functional retrograde ejaculation probably in that stimulating lumbosacral nerves can strengthen the function of pelvic floor muscles and urethral expansion muscle and regulate sexual gland axis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Ejaculation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To study the in vitro effect and mechanism of Ginkgo biloba Extract 50 (GBE50) for inhibiting beta-amyloid (Abeta)-induced oxidative stress in rats' hippocampal neurons.

METHODSThe primary hippocampal neurons were cultured in vitro and divided into 4 groups, i. e. the normal control group (Ctrl), the Abeta group, the propanediol control group (PDO), and the six GBE50 concentrations groups (5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 microg/mL). Excepted the Ctrl group, neurons were induced to oxidative stress by 20 gmolLAbeta25-35. The MTT and fluorescent probes labeling were used to observe the effect of GBE50 with different concentrations on the cell viability and the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neurons. Furthermore, Western blot was used to detect the cytoplasmic/total cytochrome C (Cyto C) ratio and total intracytoplasmal Cyto C, and the effect of the expression of oxidative stress-related protein Cyto C and activated Caspase-3 in three GBE50 concentrations groups (25, 50, and 100 microg/mL).

RESULTSCompared with the Ctrl group, the cell vitality was obviously lowered and intracellular ROS generation significantly increased after induction of 20 micromol/L Abeta25-35 (both P < 0.05). Compared with the Abeta group, the cell vitality was evidently improved after treated with different GBE50 doses. Except for 10 microg/mL, the cell vitality could be obviously elevated along with increased drug concentrations (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the intracellular ROS generation decreased significantly in each GBE50 dose groups (P < 0.05). Abeta could increase the cytoplasmic/total Cyto C ratio and enhance the activated Caspase-3 expression significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with the Abeta group, among the three concentrations of GBE50, the Cyto C ratio was obviously lowered in the 100 microg/mL GBE50 group (P < 0.05), and the expression of activated Caspase-3 significantly decreased in 50 microg/mL and 100 microg/mL GBE50 groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS20 micromol/L Abeta25-35 could induce the generation of intracellular ROS in hippocampal neurons. GBE50 could inhibit Abeta induced intracellular oxidative stress of neurons through lowering the cytoplasmic/total Cyto C ratio and inhibiting the activation of apoptosis protein Caspase-3 expression.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Peptide Fragments ; toxicity ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIM:To investigate the ability of a metal complex ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (ATTM) to re-lease H2 S and its cytoprotective effect on an oxidative injury model .METHODS:Released H2 S was absorbed in a reaction flask from ATTM dissolved in the cell medium .Staining with dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate or rhodamine 123 fol-lowed by photofluorography was conducted for the observation of reactive oxygen species ( ROS) and mitochondrial mem-brane potential (ΔΨm) levels, respectively.Cell viability and release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from the cells were measured with commercial kits.RESULTS:Similar to another H2S donor GYY4137, ATTM had an ability to release H2S in the cell medium in a dose-dependent manner .Treatment of human skin HaCaT cells with ATTM at concentrations of 25~400 μmol/L didn’ t significantly alter cell viability .Exposure of the cells to ultraviolet rays or a ROS donor H 2 O2 in-creased the intracellular ROS levels .Treatment with 400 μmol/L H2 O2 significantly reduced the viability of HaCaT cells (P<0.01).However, before the treatment with H2O2, pretreatment with ATTM at 100 and 200 μmol/L markedly pre-vented the H2O2-induced cell injury (P<0.01).In addition, the treatment with H2O2 triggeredΔΨm loss (P<0.01) and LDH release from the cells (P<0.01).Prior to suffering from H2O2 injury, the preconditioning with 200 μmol/L ATTM significantly improved ΔΨm levels ( P<0.05 ) and attenuated LDH release from the cells ( P<0.01 ) .CONCLUSION:ATTM is capable of releasing H 2 S and protecting human skin cells against oxidative injury .

Objective To explore the relationship between obesity phenotypes and adipocytokines in children.Methods Based on the Beijing child and adolescent metabolic syndrome (BCAMS) study,3 508 children (1 788 boys and 1 720 girls) aged 6-18 were recruited.In this study,participants were categorized into four groups:226 cases in general obese group,192 cases in abdominal obese group,1 004 cases in combined obese group and 2 086 cases in non-obese group,according to the sex,age,specific body mass index(BMI),and waist circumference (WC) equal to or greater than the 90th percentile for age and gender of school children in Beijing in 2004.The levels of plasma insulin,serum leptin,resistin and adiponectin were measured by sensitive,specific double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).Analysis of covariance,multivariate linear regression and binary logistic regression analysis were performed.Results There were highest plasma insulin and serum leptin,and lowest adiponectin levels in combined obese group than those in other obese groups and non-obese group and resistin level in abdominal obese group was highest than those in other obese groups or non-obese group.Among subjects with general obesity and conbined obesity,WC was more important factor than BMI for plasma insulin[?(WC)=0.158 P0.05].With covariates adjusted,the odds ratios(OR)and 95% confidence intervals of general obesity,abdominal obesity and combined obesity were 3.46(2.44-4.91),5.41(3.87-7.57) and 10.10(8.26-12.35) for predicting hyperinsulinemia,respectively,5.83(4.02-8.45),7.07(4.97-10.05)and 20.82(16.49-26.28) for hyperleptinaemia,respectively,1.47(1.05-2.07),2.0(1.42-2.80) and 2.66(2.23-3.18) for hypoadiponectinaemia,respectively.Serum resistin was highest in abdominal obesity.Conclusion The levels of adipocytokines in children were correlated with the phenotypes of obesity,especially for abdominal obesity.