OBJECTIVETo study the effects of oxymatrine (OM) on the expressions of pro-collagen I (PC I), pro-collagen II (PC III), fibronectin (FN), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) mRNA of fibroblasts from keloid (KFb), hyperplastic scar (HFb), and normal skin (NFb), and to compare with hydrocortisone (HC).

METHODSThe primary KFb, HFb and NFb were derived from patients and cultured in vitro using tissue block culture method. The fibroblasts were treated with 500 microg/mL OM, 2 microg/mL HC, or without any medicine (as the control). The mRNA expressions of PC I, PC III, FN, MMP-1 of the fibroblasts were detected using RT-PCR.

RESULTSUnder the normal condition, when compared with NFb, the mRNA expressions of PC I of KFb and HFb increased by 31.7% and 34.2% (both P < 0.05). Besides, the mRNA expression of PC III of KFb increased by 44.9% (P < 0.01). OM down-regulated the mRNA expressions of FN and PC I of HFb by 18.8% and 23.6% respectively (both P < 0.05). HC decreased the mRNA expressions of FN and PC I of HFb by 26.8% and 43.6% respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Meantime, OM up-regulated the mRNA expression of MMP-1 of KFb by 21.8% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOM suppressed the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) possibly through down-regulating the mRNA expressions of PC I and FN. Compared with HC, OM could promote the degradation of ECM through inducing the MMP-1 mRNA expressions of KFb. Therefore, OM could be potentially used in treatment of hypertrophic scar and keloid.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix ; metabolism ; pathology ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Keloid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; metabolism ; Procollagen ; metabolism ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of aildenafil citrate, an oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

METHODSIntegrated analyses were made of 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trials involving 250 men with mild-to-severe erectile dysfunction of various etiologies who received aildenafil citrate 30 or 60 mg (n = 167) or placebo (n = 83).

RESULTSThe statistic results of International Index of Erectile Function, Patient Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) diaries and Global Assessment Question (GAQ) were significantly higher in the aildenafil citrate patients than in the placebo controls. The main drug-related adverse events were flushing, headache, dizziness and naupathia, which were mild and could be self-relieved.

CONCLUSIONThe aildenafil citrate therapy significantly ameliorated erectile function and was well tolerated by a wide range of patients with erectile dysfunction.

Administration, Oral ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Piperazines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Sulfones ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

The present study was designed to isolate and purify chemical constituents from solid culture of endophyte Aspergillus terreus LQ, using silica gel column chromatography, gel filtration with Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC. Fumigaclavine I (1), a new alkaloid, was obtained, along with seven known compounds, including fumigaclavine C (2), rhizoctonic acid (3), monomethylsulochrin (4), chaetominine (5), spirotryprostatin A (6), asperfumoid (7), and lumichrome (8). The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by various spectroscopic analyses (UV, MS, 1D and 2D NMR). The in vitro cytotoxicity of compound 1 was determined by MTT assay in human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721, showing weaker cytotoxicity, compared with cisplatin, a clinically used cancer chemotherapeutic agent.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Aspergillus ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Endophytes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ergot Alkaloids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Oryza ; microbiology