Aim To study the effect of novel AChE inhibitors, 2-phenoxy-indan-1-one derivatives (YKY-1~7), against glutamatic acid-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells and on learning & memory impairment in dementia model mice induced by A?25~35 icv Methods The PC12 cells were preincubated with different concentrations of YKY-1~7 for 24 h and subsequently treated by glutamatic acid, at the high concentration of 2 mmol?L-1 for 15 min to induce cytotoxicity. The cell viability was assessed with MTT method.. Dementia model mice were made by intracerebroventricular injection (icv) of aggregated A?25~35. From the next day, the model mice were administered YKY-7 (2.5, 5, 10 mg?kg-1, ig) for 10 consecutive days and sham control mice or A? model control mice received daily ig saline. After the final treatment, the passive avoidance learning was tested, regional cerebral blood flow at cerebral cortex was assessed, and the activity of AChE in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and blood serum were determined. Results Six out of the seven YKY compounds appeared to be effective against glutamatic acid-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, with YKY-7 demonstrating the most activity. YKY-7 significantly ameliorated the learning and memory ability in dementia model mice induced by A?25-35 icv, slightly and selectively inhibited the cortical and hippocampal AChE, and gently increased the blood flow at cerebral cortex. Conclusion Some of 2-phenoxy-indan-1-one derivatives reported here have protective effects against glutamatic acid induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, and improve the learning and memory impairment induced by A?25-35, which may be partly attributable to its selective inhibition of AChE activity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

Our preliminary study showed that the total flavonoids in Isodon amethystoides(TFIA), a local medicinal herb in Suzhou, had a certain therapeutic effect on adjuvant arthritis, and this therapeutic effect may be achieved through the up-regulation of miR-152 expression. In this paper, the molecular mechanism of TFIA on the pathogenesis of adjuvant arthritis(AA) rats was further studied. AA rats were prepared with complete Freund's adjuvant, and then treated with TFIA by intragastric administration. Real-time qPCR was used to detect the effects of TFIA on the negative regulatory loop of miR-152, methylase DNMT1 and methyl-CpG binding protein MeCP2 in fibroblast like synoviocytes(FLS) of AA rats, as well as the effects of TFIA on the classic Wnt signaling pathway and the expression of fibronectin gene in AA rats. Intragastric administration of TFIA significantly inhibited the expression of DNMT1 and reversed the negative regulatory loop composed of miR-152, DNMT1 and MeCP2 in the pathology of AA rats. After transfection of miR-152 inhibitors into the FLS in treatment group, DNMT1 expression was significantly restored. TFIA significantly up-regulated the expression of SFRP4 and inhibited the expression of β-catenin, C-myc and ccnd1, the key genes of canonical Wnt signaling pathway. TFIA also significantly inhibited the expression of fibronectin, an AA gene. The effect of TFIA on the expression of SFRP4, β-catenin, C-myc, ccnd1 and fibronectin was reversed after transfection with miR-152 inhibitors in the treatment group FLS. TFIA may inhibit the DNMT1 expression, up-regulate the SFRP4 expression, inhibit the expression of classical Wnt signaling genes β-catenin, C-myc, and ccnd1 as well as the RA gene fibronectin expression through the up-regulation of miR-152 expression.

To screen the active ingredients of Gardenia jasminoides and potential targets,and investigate the mechanisms against cholestasis based on network pharmacology technology. Twenty-one active components of G. jasminoides were retrieved and the target sites were screened by using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform( TCMSP). Cytoscape3. 2. 1 was used to construct the component-target network. Two hundred and eight targets related to cholestasis were searched and screened through Dis Ge NET,KEGG and OMIM databases. The key targets of G. jasminoides components and cholestasis were integrated and screened,and the component-target-disease network was constructed with Cytoscape 3. 2. 1 software to screen out the core network whose freedom degree was greater than the average value. The Clue GO plug-in of Cytoscape 3. 2. 1 software was used to analyze the biological processes and pathway enrichment of G. jasminoides in regulation of cholestasis. GO biological process analysis revealed 17 biological processes,involving 3 signaling biological processes related to cholestasis,i.e. acute inflammatory response,positive regulation of reactive oxygen species metabolic process,and nitric oxide biosynthetic process. KEGG-KEEG-305 terms and REACTOME pathways analysis revealed 17 regulatory pathways,involving 4 signaling pathways related to cholestasis,i.e. metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450,nuclear receptor transcription pathway,GPVI-mediated activation cascade and platelet activation. It was found that aqueous extract of G. jasminoides could improve serum biochemical abnormalities in ANIT-induced cholestasis rats. Aqueous extract of G. jasminoides could decrease the protein and mRNA expression levels of ESR1 in liver tissues,and increase the protein and mRNA expression levels of PPARG,NOS2,F2 R,NOS3,and NR3 C1. To sum up,the possible mechanisms of G. jasminoides against cholestasis may be related with the above three processes and four pathways.
Animals ; Cholestasis ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Signal Transduction

To investigate the effects of geniposidic acid( GPA) on hepato-enteric circulation in cholestasis rats,and to explore the mechanism based on the sirtuin 1( Sirt1)-farnesol X receptor( FXR) pathway,sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:blank control group,ANIT model group,ursodeoxycholic acid group( 100 mg·kg~(-1)·d-1 UDCA),and GPA high,medium and low( 100,50 and 25 mg·kg~(-1)·d-1) dosage groups,10 rats in each group. Corresponding drugs were intragastrically( ig) administered for10 days. After administration on day 8,all rats except blank rats were administered with 65 mg·kg~(-1)α-naphthalene isothiocyanate( ANIT) once. After the last administration,the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase( ALT),glutamine oxalacetate aminotransferase( AST),gamma-glutamyltransferase( γ-GGT),alkaline phosphatase( ALP),total bilirubin( TB) and total bile acid( TBA)were measured,and the mRNA transcription levels of Sirt1,FXR,multidrug resistant associated protein 2( MRP2),bile salt export pump( BSEP),sodium taurocholate contractible polypeptide( NTCP) in liver and apical sodium bile acid transporter( ASBT),ileum bile acid binding protein( IBABP) in ileum were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction( RT-PCR). The protein expression levels of Sirt1,FXR and NTCP were detected by Western blot; the expression of MRP2,BSEP in liver and ASBT,IBABP in ileum were determined by immunofluorescence three staining. Primary rat hepatocytes were cultured in vitro to investigate the inhibitory effect of GPA on a potent and selective Sirt1 inhibitor( EX 527),and the mRNA and protein expression levels of Sirt1 and FXR were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. GPA significantly decreased the levels of ALT,AST,γ-GGT,ALP,TB,TBA in serum( P<0.01) and improved the pathological damage of liver tissues in ANIT-induced cholestasis rats; significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of Sirt1,FXR,MRP2,BSEP,NTCP in liver and ASBT,IBABP in ileum( P< 0.01). In vitro primary hepatocytes experiment indicated that the gene and protein expression levels of FXR and Sirt1 were noticeably improved by GPA in primary hepatocytes inhibited by EX-527( P<0.01). It was found that the improvement of GPA was in a dose-dependent manner. GPA could improve bile acid hepatointestinal circulation and play a liver protection and cholagogu role in cholestasis rats induced by ANIT.The mechanism may be that GPA activated FXR by regulating Sirt1,a key regulator of oxidative stress injury,and then the activated FXR could regulate protein of bile acid hepato-enteric circulation.
Animals ; Cholestasis ; Iridoid Glucosides ; Liver ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; Signal Transduction ; Sirtuin 1

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the action mechanism of Xingnaojing Injection (, XNJI) for sepsis, and to target screen the potential bioactive ingredients. METHODS: An integrated protocol that combines in silico target screen (molecular docking) and database mapping was employed to find the potential inhibitors from XNJI for the sepsis-related targets and to establish the compound-target (C-T) interaction network. The XNJI's bioactive components database was investigated and the sepsis-associated targets were comprehensively constructed; the 3D structure of adenosine receptor A2a and 5-lipoxygenase proteins were established and evaluated with homology modeling method; system network pharmacology for sepsis treatment was studied between the bioactive ingredients and the sepsis targets using computational biology methods to distinguish inhibitors from non inhibitors for the selected sepsis-related targets and C-T network construction. RESULTS: Multiple bioactive compounds in the XNJI were found to interact with multiple sepsis targets. The 32 bioactive ingredients were generated from XNJI in pharmacological system, and 21 potential targets were predicted to the sepsis disease; the biological activities for some potential inhibitors had been experimentally confirmed, highlighting the reliability of in silico target screen. Further integrated C-T network showed that these bioactive components together probably display synergistic action for sepsis treatment. CONCLUSIONS The uncovered mechanism may offer a superior insight for understanding the theory of the Chinese herbal medicine for combating sepsis. Moreover, the potential inhibitors for the sepsis-related targets may provide a good source to find new lead compounds against sepsis disease.
Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase ; metabolism ; Computer Simulation ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Injections ; Phytochemicals ; therapeutic use ; Receptor, Adenosine A2A ; metabolism ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sepsis ; drug therapy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo speed up seedling production of pasqueflower (Puzlsatilla chinenses) and their modernization in pasqueflower.

METHODWith tissue culture method, primary culture of different explants, culture of cluster buds and their rooting culture were conducted on medium of treatment combinations of adding different hormones.

RESULTThe appropriate medium for different culture stages were MS + 6-BA 1.0-3.0 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0-0.05 mg x L(-1) + Sucrose 30 g x L(-1) in primary culture, MS + 6-BA 0.2 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0.02 mg x L(-1) + BR 0.00001 mg x L(-1) + Sucrose 30 g x L(-1) in differentiation and subculture of cluster buds, 1/2 MS + NAA 0.4 mg x L(-1) + Sucrose 20 g x L(-1) in rooting.

CONCLUSIONApplying stem tip and flower buds as explants, high frequency propagation of seedlings can be achieved with plant tissue culture in Pasqueflower.

Flowers ; growth & development ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Pulsatilla ; growth & development ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; methods

Background: Enteritis is one of the most frequently reported symptoms in piglets infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), but the immunopathogenesis has not been reported. Objectives: This study examined the effect of a PCV2 infection on the intestinal mucosal immune function through morphological observations and immune-related molecular detection. Methods: Morphological changes within the ileum of piglets during a PCV2 infection were observed. The expression of the related-molecules was analyzed using a gene chip. The immunocyte subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. The secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) content was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The PCV2 infection caused ileal villus damage, intestinal epithelial cells exfoliation, and an increase in lymphocytes in the lamina propria at 21 days post-infection.Differentially expressed genes occurred in the defense response, inflammatory response, and the complement and coagulation cascade reactions. Most of them were downregulated significantly at the induction site and upregulated at the effector site. The genes associated with SIgA production were downregulated significantly at the induction site. In contrast, the expression of the Toll-like receptor-related genes was upregulated significantly at the effector site. The frequencies of dendritic cells, B cells, and CD8 + T cells were upregulated at the 2 sites. The SIgA content decreased significantly in the ileal mucosa. Conclusions PCV2 infections can cause damage to the ileum that is associated with changes in immune-related gene expression, immune-related cell subsets, and SIgA production.These findings elucidated the molecular changes in the ileum after a PCV2 infection from the perspective of intestinal mucosal immunity, which provides insights into a further study for PCV2-induced enteritis.

The present study was designed to target fish for potential bioactive components contained in a Huang Lian Jie Du decoction (HLJDD) and identify the underlying mechanisms of action for the treatment of sepsis at the molecular level. he bioactive components database of HLJDD was constructed and the sepsis-associated targets were comprehensively investigated. The 3D structures of the PAFR and TXA2R proteins were established using the homology modelling (HM) method, and the molecular effects for sepsis treatment were analysed by comparing the bioactive components database and the sepsis targets using computational biology methods. The results of the screening were validated with biological testing against the human oral epidermal carcinoma cell line KB in vitro. We found that multiple bioactive compounds contained in the HLJDD interacted with multiple targets. We also predicted the promising compound leads for sepsis treatment, and the first 28 compounds were characterized. Several compounds, such as berberine, berberrubine and epiberberine, dose-dependently inhibited PGE2 production in human KB cells, and the effects were similar in the presence or absence of TPA. This study demonstrates a novel approach to identifying natural chemical compounds as new leads for the treatment of sepsis.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacokinetics ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Dinoprostone ; biosynthesis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; KB Cells ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; drug effects ; Protein Transport ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; drug effects ; Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2 ; drug effects ; Sepsis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of clopidogrel on the binding rate of ginsenosides with rat serum proteins (RSA).

METHODSEquilibrium dialysis and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were employed to quantify the concentration of ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1. The protein-binding rates of Rg1 and Rb1 in the presence or absence of clopidogrel (1.0 mg/L) were determined. A molecular simulation model (consisting of homology modeling and molecular docking interaction) was used to reveal the target protein-compound interactions.

RESULTSThe binding rates of ginsenosides Rg1 (0.4, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/L) with RSA were (30.16∓2.82)%, (33.42∓4.21)%, and (34.61∓3.42)%, and those of and Rb1 were (50.13∓2.34)%, (51.23∓3.23)%, and (53.11∓3.26)%, respectively. In the presence of clopidogrel, the binding rates of Rg1 decreased to (22.13∓2.72)%, (21.42∓3.22)%, and (25.45∓3.52)%, and those of Rb1 to (40.13∓3.24)%, (41.25∓4.15)%, and (43.11∓3.31)%, receptively. The molecular docking suggested that these compounds competed to bind with RSA.

CONCLUSIONClopidogrel can competitively bind to RSA with ginsenosides to lower the plasma protein binding rates of ginsenosides.