The effects of magnolol (Mag) on hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia, hepatic oxidative stress and cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) activity of diabetic rats induced by high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) were studied. After oral administration of Mag (25, 50 and 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for continuous 10 weeks, the blood glucose and lipids (TC, TG and LDL-C) levels, as well as the hepatic CYP2E1 activity and MDA content of diabetic rats, decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), whereas the oral glucose tolerance and hepatic antioxidant enzymatic activities (CAT and GSH-Px) of diabetic rats, increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The results indicated that Mag was effective against the hepatic oxidative damage, hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia of diabetic rats induced by HFD and STZ, and the inhibition of Mag on hepatic CYP2E1 activity could be an important mechanism of Mag against hepatic insulin resistance and oxidative damage.
Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Diet, High-Fat ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lignans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Liver ; metabolism ; Magnolia ; chemistry ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Streptozocin ; Triglycerides ; blood

ObjectiveTo observe the imitation of menopause and the change of spatial cognition in mice administrated with D-galactose and to evaluate the molecular mechanism of estrogen to protect the function of hippocampal neurons.MethodsAdult female C57BL/6 mice were bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and subcutaneously treated with D-galactose (100 mg/kg). In estrogen replacement therapy(ERT) mice were i.p. administrated with E2 (50 μg/kg). It took 8 weeks to induce the model and treat with ERT. Morris water maze was used test the function of spatial learning and memory. Estrogen and oxidative stress enzymes were detected by kit. 8-oxo-dG was immunohistochemical stained, and the expression of MTH1 in brain hippocampus was detected by Western blotting.ResultsThe level of E2 in blood in model group was one fifth of that in Sham group(P<0-01), and E2 level obviously increased in ERT group; the escape latency significantly prolonged in model group(P<0-01), and obviously shortened in ERT group(P<0-05). SOD and GSH-Px significantly reduced and MDA obviously increased in model group(P<0-05); and approached normal in ERT group. 8-oxo-dG as a DNA oxidative damage marker was obviously increased in the hippocampus of model group. However, the expression of DNA repair protein MTH1 significantly reduced(P<0-05), and both of them returned to normal in ERT group(P<0-05).ConclusionEstrogen can improve the function of spatial cognition in aging mice model by repairing the DNA damage of hippocampal neurons.

To investigate the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of the main flavonoid components of Silybum marianum (S. marianum) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), we identified nine flavonoids in S. marianum through TCMSP, PubChem database and corresponding literatures. The potential therapeutic targets of NAFLD were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards and Venny 2.1.0 platform, while the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of potential targets was analyzed using String platform and Cytoscape software. Then GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed using David 6.8 database, followed by molecular docking verification using AutoDock software. In vitro, components with higher degree value in the "components-targets-pathway" network were chosen for further analysis. L02 cells were used to establish lipid accumulation model and treated with different components. Furthermore, the effects of four pure active compounds from S. marianum on lipid accumulation in hepatocytes were analyzed by oil red O staining. The results showed that the main nine flavonoids extracted from S. marianum contained 24 potential NAFLD targets. Several critical pathways closely related to NAFLD process were identified by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) pathway, type 2 diabetes pathway, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathway and insulin resistance pathway. The results of molecular docking further indicated that the core components displayed strong binding abilities with key targets respectively, and silandrin showed better binding activity as compared to other components. The results obtained from L02 cells showed that the lipid accumulation was reduced by treatment with isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silydianin and silychristin, while the activity of isosilybin B was better than that of isosilybin A. Taken together, we concluded that the main flavone components of S. marianum could improve lipid accumulation through multiple signaling pathway in hepatocytes, and this could be a potential new strategy for the treatment of NAFLD.

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of crude extract of Cape Jasmine in the experimental Alzheimer's model induced by Aβ25-35 and the memory acquisition impaied model induced by ibotenic acid(IBO).MethodsAlzheimer's dementia of mice was induced by Aβ25-35 i.cv. treatment and the impaired memory acquisition model was induced by IBO injected into the forebrain nucleus basalis. The effects of crude extract of Cape Jasmine on the learning and memory function of model animals were evaluated with Morris water maze and step-through test in 3 dose groups(12-5, 25, 50 mg/kg). Donepezil(0-75 mg/kg)was used in the positive control group.ResultsMorris water maze test showed that the spatial learning and memory ability of the model mice significantly improved in three crude extract of Cape Jasmine groups(P<0-05). Meanwhile, the impaired function of the rats induced by IBO significantly improved in the medium dose group(P<0-01). The electric shock latent period in step-through box test prolonged and the frequency of electric shock decreased within 3 minutes in three groups.ConclusionCrude extract of Cape Jasmine can improve the learning and memory function of mice or rat in the model group.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Wuling Jun Power by the DNA microarray technique.MethodsAn experimental depression model was established by exposing the mouse to a chronic mild stress procedure. The total RNA was extracted reverse-transcripted and hybrided to the mouse 1-2 cDNA microarray (Clontech). The difference of expression profiles between control model, Wuling Jun powder and fluoxetine-treated groups were analyzed by the Image 2-1 Software.Results130 genes were significantly altered in stress group compared with the control groups. Among them, 116 genes were up-regulated and 14 genes were down-regulated. Meanwhile, 85 genes significantly changed in the Wuling Jun powder treated group with 34 genes up-regulated and 51 genes down-regulated compared with the model groups. For the Fluoxetine-treated group, 133 genes significantly changed with 35 genes up-regulated and 98 genes down-regulated compared with the model groups. These genes were associated with many aspects of life including receptor activity, protein kinases, inflammatory factors, transferrin, neurogenesis and so on.ConclusionMultiple genes were affected by the stress exposure. Altered changes of some genes were normalized by Wuling Jun powder and Fluoxetine treatment. In general, the mechanisms of Wuling Jun powder and Fluoxetine are similar, but also with minor difference.

Objective To evaluate the effects of Guhong Injection on motor dysfunction in rats after cerebral ischemia- reperfusion. Methods The middle cerebral arteries were occluded for 2 hours and re-perfused in Sprague-Dawley rats. They were divided in sham group, model group, Aceglutamide group, Safflowere group and Guhong group, which were intravenously administrated with normal saline, Aceglutamide, Safflower or Guhong 24 hours after operation, and continued for 14 days. They were tested with the beam-walking test after treatment. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemical staining was used to investigate the viability of neurons in the substantia nigra. Results The model group spent more time in the beam-walking test than that in the sham group (P<0.01), and it decreased in the Safflower group and Guhong group compared with that in the model group (P<0.05). The TH-positive neurons decreased in the model rat compared with that in the sham group (P<0.001), and increased in both Safflower and Guhong groups compared with that in the model group (P<0.01). Conclusion Guhong administration could significantly improve the motor dysfunction in rats after cerebral ischemia- reperfusion, which might be related to provent the neurons from injury in the substantia nigra.

Objective To study the effects of Guhong injection on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cortex 14 days after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Methods 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham group (n=6), ischemia group (n=6), aceglutamide injection group (n=6), Honghua injection group (n=6) and Guhong injection group (n=6). The middle cerebral arteries of all the rats were occluded for 2 hours and reperfusion, except the sham group. Drugs were administered once a day 24 hours after reperfusion. The expression of VEGF in cortex was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 14 days after reperfusion. Results The expression of VEGF decreased in the ischemia group compared with the sham group (P<0.001), and it increased both in the aceglutamide and Guhong injection groups compared with the ischemia group (P<0.05). Conclusion Guhong injection can significantly increase the expression of VEGF in the cortex 14 days after ischemia-reperfusion, which may be one of the ways for neuro-protection.

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of rehmannia and storesin on minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE) in rat model.MethodsMHE rat model was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intragastric administration. The effects of rehmannia and storesin on spontaneous movement and learning and memory function of model animals were evaluated with open field test and Morris water maze in 3 dose groups. Lactulose was used in the positive group.ResultsThe spontaneous movement and the spatial learning and memory ability of the model rats both improved significantly in the high dose group. Meanwhile, the serum level of alanine transarninase(ALT) and ammonia(Amm) also decreased in the high dose group.ConclusionRehmannia and storesin has therapeutical effect on MHE rat model.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of autophagy in quercetin (Que)-induced apoptosis in human bladder carcinoma BIU-87 cells in vitro.

METHODSTo determine the proliferative inhibition by MTT colorimetric assay after treating BIU-87 cells with quercetin at various concentrations. To identify autophagy and apoptosis in the BIU-87 cells after Que treatment by monodansylcadaverin (MDC) and Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining, respectively. To examine the cytotoxic effect of Que and influence of autophagy on apoptosis by studying LDH leakage rate and flow cytometry, after blocking the autophagy with 3-methlyadenine (3-MA), a specific autophagy inhibitor.

RESULTSThere was an obvious inhibitory effect of Que on the proliferation of BIU-87 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The inhibition rate of BIU-87 cells after 200 µmol/L Que treatment for 72 hours was 89.2%. Autophagy and apoptosis were induced and detected in Que-treated BIU-87 cells and autophagy occurred earlier than apoptosis. The apoptosis peak became much higher after the autophagy was blocked. Whenever the autophagy was blocked before or after Que treatment, the Que-induced cytotoxicity in BIU-87 cells was enhanced.

CONCLUSIONSQuercetin significantly inhibits the proliferation of BIU-87 cells, and the autophagy is induced earlier than apoptosis. In the process of Que-induced apoptosis of BIU-87 cells, autophagy may play a protective role at the initiation phase, delay apoptosis and reduce the Que-induced death of BIU-87 cells.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Quercetin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective To compare the sensitivity and specificity of venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test versus several other laboratory tests in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. Methods Lumber puncture was conducted to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from untreated outpatients with latent syphilis (LS) or serofast outpatients with LS. Then, VDRL test, rapid plasma regain (RPR) test, Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) assay, fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test and protein quantification were performed on these CSF samples. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were compared between VDRL test and four other laboratory tests in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. Results Totally, 61 cases of latent syphilis were included in this study. The sensitivity, specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 93.44% (57/61), 99.32%(293/295), 96.61%(57/59), 98.65% (293/297)for CSF-RPR, respectively, 91.80% (56/61), 82.71% (244/295), 52.34% (56/107),97.99 (244/249) for CSF-TPPA, respectively, 93.44% (57/61), 82.71% (244/295), 52.78%(57/108), 98.39%(244/248) for CSF-FTA-ABS, respectively, and 49.18%(30/61), 97.29% (287/295), 78.95% (30/38),90.25% (287/318) for CSF protein quantification, respectively. Conclusions CSF-VDRL cannot be replaced by CSF-RPR, -TPPA, -FTA-ABS, or CSF protein quantification in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. CSF-RPR shows a high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis, with an increased diagnostic capability (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) compared with CSF-TPPA, CSF-FTA-ABS or CSF protein quantification.