Proto-oncogene, the fundamental component of cellular genome, is rarely or finitely expressed in normal conditions, and can regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation and information conduction. Many proto-oncogenes show the temporal and specific expression during spermatogenesis. The expression of some proto-oncogenes reinforces in the growth and development of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. To explore the relationship between proto-oncogene and testicular function and that between proto-oncogene and regulative factors of testicular function helps to comprehend the regulation of the testicular function at the molecular level.
Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Proto-Oncogenes ; physiology ; Sertoli Cells ; cytology ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Testis ; physiology

In recent years, the discovery and studies on aquaporin have made us have a more in-depth understanding about the physiological and pathological processes of water metabolism. Over years, however, there has been no quantitative study on the target sites of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines at the molecular level. In that case, aquaporin was found to been a new target molecule to explain the efficacy exertion of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines. By studying aquaporin, researchers can understand the implicit meaning of the diuretic effect of traditional Chinese medicines and conduct quantitative studies on the diuretic effect. So far, many scholars have conducted a series of studies in the traditional Chinese medicine field by using the findings on aquaporin and made certain advances. This article provides a summary about the efficacy exertion of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines through target molecule aquaporin.
Animals ; Aquaporins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Diuretics ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Water ; metabolism

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Objective: In order to provide the standardization of production and quality control method of Mirabilitum Praeparatum, the fungi from fermentation broth of Mirabilitum Praeparatum were isolated and identificated, and the fermentation and processing of Mirabilitum Praeparatum were investigated. Methods: The traditional fermentation conditions of Mirabilitum Praeparatum such as temperature and humidity were imitated, using watermelon as culture media. Separation and purification of fungi in fermentation broth of Mirabilitum Praeparatum were carried out on PDA, CZA, and Sabourand media, using plate streaking method. The fungi isolated from fermentation broth of Mirabilitum Praeparatum were identified by morphological observation, microstructure observation, and comparison on DNA ITS sequences. Results: Six fungi were isolated from the fermentation broth of Mirabilitum Praeparatum and identified as WF-1 (Fusarium); WF-2 (Penicillium), WF-3 (Mucor); WF-4, WF-5, and WF-6 (Alternaria). Conclusion: Mirabilitum Praeparatum is produced by salt-tolerant fungi in fermentation broth of watermelon, rather than the traditional view that it is the small crystallization seeping from the watermelon.

OBJECTIVETo clarify drug properties of components in Euodiae Fructus.

METHODThe rat cold syndrome model was induced by cold water stress method. The content of neurotransmitters sand hormones such as DA, 5-HT, NE, AChE and 17-OHCS in serum of model rats were taken as the indexes to evaluate drug properties of components in Euodiae Fructus.

RESULTEuodiae Fructus and its components could correct or relief the content of energy metabolism and substance metabolism-related neurotransmitters sand hormones in serum of model rats with water-stressed cold syndrome.

CONCLUSIONEuodiae Fructus and its components are proved to show hot property.

Animals ; Cold Temperature ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stomach Ulcer ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Stress, Physiological

Urinary brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),an ubiquitous neurotrophin,was found to rise in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).We hypothesized that the urinary level of BDNF could be a potential biomarker for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with BPH.Totally,76 patients with BPH-caused LUTS and 32 male control subjects without BPH were enrolled.International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was applied to assess the symptom severity of LUTS.Urodynamic tests were performed for the diagnosis of underlying detrusor overactivity (DO) in the patients with BPH.Urine samples were collected from all subjects.Urinary BDNF levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and normalized by urinary creatinine (Cr) levels.Seventy-six BPH patients were divided into moderate LUTS group (n=51,7＜IPSS ≤ 20) and severe LUTS group (n=25,IPSS＞20) according to the IPSS.Of the 76 BPH patients,DO was present in 34 (44.7％)according to the urodynamic test.The urinary BDNF/Cr levels were significantly higher in BPH patients with moderate LUTS (8.29±3.635,P＜0.0001) and severe LUTS (11.8±6.44,P＜0.0001) than normal controls (1.71±0.555).Patients with severe LUTS tended to have higher urinary BDNF/Cr levels than patients with moderate LUTS (11.8±6.44 vs.8.29±3.635,P=0.000).The conditions of BPH with LUTS correlated with elevated urinary BDNF levels,and urinary BDNF levels were even higher in BPH-DO patients.The results of this study have provided evidence to suggest that urinary BDNF level test could evaluate the severity of LUTS in BPH patients,and BDNF level can be used as a biornarker for the diagnosis of DO in BPH patients.

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of the roots of Achyranthes bidentata Bl. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by macroporous adsorptive resin D101, silica gel, and ODS column chromatographies and preparetive HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. RESULTS: Two feruloyl tyramine glycosides and seven triterpenoid saponins were obtained and identified as N-trans-feruloyl-3-methoxytyramine-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), N-trans-feruloyl-3-methoxytyra mine-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), PJS-1 (3), chikusetsusaponin IVa (4), oleanolic acid 3-O-[β-D-glucuronopy ranoside-6-O-methyl ester]-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), oleanolic acid 3-O-[β-D-glucuronopyran-oside-6-O-ethylester]-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), oleanolic acid 3-O-[β-D-glucuronopyranoside-6-O-butyl ester]-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), ginsenoside R(0) (8) and hederagenin-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (9). CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new feruloyl tyramine glycoside, while compounds 2 and 9 are reported from A. bidentata for the first time.
Achyranthes ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Tyramine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of antisense c-myb oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on hCG-induced testosterone secretion in isolated rat Leydig cells. The effects of cAMP, Ca(2+) and cycloheximide (CYX) on c-Myb protein expression and testosterone secretion were also observed. The results showed that antisense c-myb ODN inhibited hCG-induced testosterone secretion of isolated rat Leydig cells in a dose-dependent manner. At the same time, integral optical density immunostaining of Myb in Leydig cells was also remarkably reduced. Nonsense tat ODN had no effect on Leydig cells. Further experiments showed that dbcAMP (100 micromol/L) obviously increased hCG-induced testosterone secretion and integral optical density (IOD) immunostaining of Myb in Leydig cells. Verapamil (10 micromol/L), a Ca(2+) channel blocker, and cycloheximide (50 microg/ml), a protein synthesis inhibitor, reduced the immunostaining of c-Myb, and also lowered hCG-induced testosterone secretion in isolated rat Leydig cells. The results indicate that c-myb closely correlates with hCG-induced testosterone secretion, and that cAMP and Ca(2+)-dependent pathway participates in the expression of protooncogene.
Animals ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; pharmacology ; Leydig Cells ; secretion ; Male ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone ; secretion

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Dryopteris sublaeta Ching et Hsu.

METHODSFresh plant of Dryopteris sublaeta Ching et Hsu was extracted twice with boiling water, the extract was concentrated to small volume under reduced pressure at 50 degrees C. The concentrated material was partitioned with ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The fraction of ether extract was chromatographed over silica gel column. The compounds were identified on the basis of their physiochemical and spectral data.

RESULTSFour compounds were obtained and identified as 2 (S)-5, 7, 3'-trihydroxy-6, 8-dimethyl-5'-methoxyflavanone (1), matteucinol (2), desmethoxymatteucinol (3) and 5, 7, 2'-trihydroxy-6, 8-dimethylflavanone (4).

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 is a new one, the others were isolated from Dryopteris for the first time.

Chromones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Dryopteris ; chemistry ; Flavanones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

The aim of this study was to look for the chemical constituents from the rhizomes of Dryopteris sublaeta. The fresh plant was extracted twice with boiling water, the extract was concentrated to small volume under reduced pressure at 50 degrees C. The concentrated material was partitioned with ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The fraction of ethyl acetate was repeatedly chromatographied over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 columns. Structures of pure compounds were established on the basis of their physiochemical and spectral data. Nine compounds were obtained and identified as sublaetentin A (1), sublaetentin B (2), sublaetentin C (3), sublaetentin D (4), matteuorienate A (5), matteuorienate C (6), arbutin (7), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8) and 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9). Compounds 1 - 4 are new compounds, the others were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Arbutin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Dryopteris ; chemistry ; Flavanones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry