This article is to investigate the effect of piperine on the small intestine of mice with Parkinson's disease with dementia(PDD). Ninety-six C57 BL/6 mice of SPF grade were randomly divided into 8 groups(male, 12 in each group): normal group, model group, autophagy inhibitor group(6-amino-3-methylpurine, 3 MA, 30 mg·kg~(-1)), autophagy activator group(rapamycin, 1 mg·kg~(-1)), low, medium, and high dose piperine groups(10, 20, 40 mg·kg~(-1)), and medopar group(112.5 mg·kg~(-1)). Except for the normal group, mice in each group were injected subcutaneously with reserpine(0.1 mg·kg~(-1)) once every 48 hours for 40 days. In addition, on the 20 th day of administration, except for the normal group, the mice in the other groups were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion to finally prepare PDD models. At the same time, each group was given the corresponding drug treatment once a day for 40 days. After the last administration, the behavioral changes of mice were observed by autonomic activity experiment and hot plate experiment. The expression levels of α-synuclein(α-syn) and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) in the small intestine were detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 B(LC3 B) and p62 in the small intestine were detected by immunofluorescence assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of small intestine tissues in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was adopted for detection of β-amyloid precursor protein(APP), p-tau, acetylcholine transferase(ChAT), interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in small intestine. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of α-syn, TH, beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3), and p62 mRNA and mmu-miR-99 a-5 p in the small intestine. The results of this study showed that, as compared with the model group, the number of activities, the expression levels of ChAT, TH, and p62 were significantly increased in the 3 MA group, the various piperine dose groups, and the medopar group(P<0.05), and their first foot licking time was shortened; APP, p-tau, IL-6, TNF-α, α-syn, beclin-1, LC3 B and mmu-miR-99 a-5 p expression levels were significantly reduced(P<0.05). However, as compared with the model group, the number of activities, ChAT, TH, and p62 expression levels in the rapamycin group were significantly reduced(P<0.05), and the APP, p-tau, IL-6, TNF-α, α-syn, beclin-1, LC3 B and mmu-miR-99 a-5 p expression levels were significantly increased(P<0.05). As compared with the 3 MA group, the number of activities, ChAT, TH, and p62 expression levels were significantly reduced in the low and medium dose piperine groups and rapamycin group(P<0.05); howe-ver, their first foot licking time was significantly prolonged, APP, p-tau, IL-6, TNF-α, α-syn, beclin-1, LC3 B and mmu-miR-99 a-5 p expression levels were increased significantly(P<0.05). As compared with the medopar group, the number of activities, ChAT, TH, and p62 expression levels were significantly reduced in low dose piperine group and rapamycin group(P<0.05), but their first foot licking time was significantly extended, and APP, p-tau, IL-6, TNF-α, α-syn, beclin-1, LC3 B and mmu-miR-99 a-5 p expression levels were significantly increased(P<0.05). In addition, as compared with the normal group, the small intestinal epithelial cells of the model group and the rapamycin group were shed off a lot, with severe damages of intestinal mucosa as well as edema and shedding of the small intestine villi. After administration of the therapeutic interventions, the small intestinal epithelial cells of the 3 MA group, each dose group of piperine, and the medopa group were slightly damaged and the villi were slightly shed off. In summary, piperine has a protective effect on the small intestine of PDD model mice, showing reduced expression of mmu-miR-99 a-5 p, pro-inflammatory factors and autophagy factors, and the mechanism of slowing PDD pathological symptoms may be related to the inhibition of autophagy.
Alkaloids ; Animals ; Autophagy ; Benzodioxoles ; Dementia ; Intestine, Small ; Male ; Mice ; Parkinson Disease ; Piperidines ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides

Animals ; Rats ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; PC12 Cells ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides/pharmacology* ; Apoptosis ; Cell Survival ; Peptide Fragments

Poly (2-ethylacrylic acid) (PEAA) alkylamide derivatives were synthesized for constructing pH-sensitive liposomes by partially modification of carboxylic groups of PEAA with chemical reaction. These lipid derivatives of PEAA were synthesized by partially modification of carboxylic groups of PEAA with alkylamines. The acid-sensitive polymer associated liposomes were obtained by the method of polymer self-insertion in aqueous solutions through inserting hydrophobic lipid anchors of the polymer PEAA derivatives into the outer layer of vesicles. Factor effects on polymer insertion into liposomes were evaluated and the pH-sensitivity of the polymer associated liposomes was studied by calcein release assay. The PEAA-assoeiated-liposomes were prepared successfully by the methods of self-insertion. The PEAA-associated-liposomes are shown to be stable at neutral pH. (1) There was no correlate of anchor density of PEAA with length of the alkyl chain, but was positively correlated with the degree of PEAA modification. (2) Polymer insertion increased with initial ratio of polymer to lipid. (3) Unerting hydrophobic lipidr acidic conditions the associated polymer induces membrane disruption and fusion. (4) The PEAA-associated-liposomes shown pH-sensitive drug release property under acidic conditions. The anchored-poly (ethylacrylic acid) lipid derivatives can be useful in developing a potential pH sensitive drug delivery system.
Acrylates ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; COS Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Fluoresceins ; metabolism ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Particle Size ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo research the absorbed character of piperine in Erxiekang plaster, and piperine by transdermal absorption was determined.

METHODThe percutaneous absorption of piperine in vitro at different times was conducted by Franz osmosis and diffusion apparatus as well as high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTIt showed that the piperine through skins of mice gradually increased within the experiment time. After 52 h, the penetration of piperine was 78.51%, and remained basically unchanged.

CONCLUSIONThe method is reliable, and can be used for Erxiekang plaster of determination of transdermal absorption.

Alkaloids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Benzodioxoles ; metabolism ; Linear Models ; Male ; Piperidines ; metabolism ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproducibility of Results ; Skin Absorption

The objective of the study was to prepare and evaluate the quality of curcumin-piperinedual drug loaded self-microemulsifying drug delivery system(Cur-PIP-SMEDDS). Simplex lattice design was constructed using optimal oil phase, surfactant and co-surfactant concentration as independent variables, and the curcumin and piperine were used as model drugs to optimize Cur-PIP-SMEDDS formulation. In the present study, the drug loadings of curcumin and piperine, mean particle size of Cur-PIP-SMEDDS were made as indicators, and the experiment design, model building and response surface analysis were established using Design Expert 8. 06 software to optimize and verify the composition of SMEDDS formulation. The quality of Cur-PIP-SMEDDS was evaluated by observing the appearance status, transmission electron microscope micrographs and determining particle diameter, electric potential, drug entrapment efficiency and drug loading of it. As a result, the optimal formulation of SMEDDS was CapryoL 90-Cremophor RH40-TranscutoL HP (10:60:30). The appearance of Cur-PIP-SMEDDS remained clarified and transparent, and the microemulsion droplets appeared spherical without aggregation with uniform particle size distribution. The mean size of microemulsion droplet formed from Cur-PIP-SMEDDS was 15.33 nm, the drug loading of SMEDDS for Cur and PIP were 40.90 mg · g(-1) and 0.97 mg · g(-1), respectively, the drug entrapment efficiency were 94.98% and 90.96%, respectively. The results show that Cur-PIP-SMEDDS can increase the solubility and stability of curcumin significantly, in the expectation of enhancing the bioavailability of it. Taken together, these findings can provide the reference to a preferable choice of the Cur formulation and contribute to therapeutic application in clinical research.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Benzodioxoles ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Curcumin ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Methylmethacrylates ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Piperidines ; chemistry ; Polystyrenes ; chemistry ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides ; chemistry

Alkaloids ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Anticonvulsants ; pharmacology ; Benzodioxoles ; Oils, Volatile ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Piper ; chemistry ; Piper nigrum ; chemistry ; Piperidines ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from herb of Rhodobryum roseum.

METHODThe compounds were isolated by column chromatography, and identified by IR, NMR data.

RESULT8 compounds were isolated and identified. They are piperine (1), caffeic acid methyl ester (2), uracil glucoside (3), ursolic acid (4), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-methylcholesta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (5), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-methylcholesta-6,9(11), 22-trien-3beta-ol (6), beta-sitosterol (7), daucosterol (8).

CONCLUSION7 compounds (1-6,8) were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Alkaloids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Benzodioxoles ; Bryophyta ; chemistry ; Caffeic Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Piperidines ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis induced by manumycin in U937 and HL-60 cell lines, and to explore the role of mitochondria apoptotic pathway in manumycin-inducing apoptosis.

METHODSLeukemic cells line U937 and HL-60 were treated by manumycin at 2 micromol/L for different time. Apoptosis of leukemia cells was detected by flow cytometry. The cytosolic proteins were extracted using a digitonin buffer. The protein expression of cytochrome C, caspase-9, caspase-8, and caspase-3 were determined by western blot. Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1.

RESULTSIn U937 and HL-60 cells, manumycin induced mitochondrial depolarization after 6 h treatment. The average red/green fluorescence ratios at 6 h were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than those at time 0, being 0.51 +/- 0.07 and 0.41 +/- 0.06 for control group respectively. Manumycin induced cytochrome C release from the mitochondria into the cytosol after 6 h treatment, and activated caspase-9, caspase-8, and caspase-3 after a 16h treatment. The broad-spectrum caspase-inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk at 50 micromol/L was able to inhibit caspase cleavage completely, but only reduced the manumycin-induced apoptosis rates by 51.69% and 56.47% in U937 and HL-60, respectively.

CONCLUSIONManumycin induced apoptosis in U937 and HL-60 cell lines via mitochondria apoptotic pathway.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Polyenes ; pharmacology ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA) and its putative endocannabinoid receptors (CBR) on the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and to study the role played by AEA during liver fibrosis.

METHODSBy using immunofluorescence and cell culture, the expression of CBR 1 and 2 in the PDGF-stimulated HSCs was investigated. By using PCR and Western-blot, the effects of 10, 20mumol/L AEA and CBR2 antagonist AM630 on the cultured and activated HSC were observed. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and flow cytometry were used to investigate whether AEA induces growth inhibition or apoptosis in the activated HSCs.

RESULTSBoth CBR1 and CBR2 receptors were detectable in cultured HSCs with a higher level of CBR2 than CBR1 (F = 116.797, P less than 0.01). When HSCs were stimulated by PDGF, the expression of CBR2 receptors was significantly enhanced (F = 7.878, P less than 0.05). HSC proliferation was dose-dependently inhibited by 10, 20, and 50micromol/L AEA, with the rates of 7.12%+/-0.34%, 12.52%+/-0.78%, 80.13%+/-1.57% respectively (F = 533.41, P less than 0.01). However, it did not induce apoptosis, but necrosis. The expressions of alpha-SMA, TGFb1, a1(I), a1(III) and TIMP-1 were significantly suppressed by 20micromol/L AEA, but CBR2 antagonist AM630 reversed this suppressor action of AEA.

CONCLUSIONSAEA may inhibit activation and proliferation of HSCs; CBR2 receptors mediate AEA-induced inhibitory action on the activation of HSCs. This CBR2 receptor-mediated action and AEA on HSCs could be used as a therapeutic target against liver fibrosis.

Animals ; Arachidonic Acids ; pharmacology ; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endocannabinoids ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 ; metabolism

This study examined endogenous cannabinoid (ECB)-anandamide (AEA) and its cannabinoid receptors (CBR) in mice liver with the development of schistosoma japonicum. Mice were infected with schistosoma by means of pasting the cercaria onto their abdomens. Liver fibrosis was pathologically confirmed nine weeks after the infection. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to determine the concentration of AEA in the plasma of mice. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of CBR1 and CBR2 in liver tissue. Morphological examination showed typical pathological changes, with worm tubercles of schistosoma deposited in the liver tissue, fibrosis around the worm tubercles and infiltration or soakage of inflammatory cells. Also, CBR1 and CBR2 were present in hepatocytes and hepatic sinusoids of the two groups, but they were obviously enhanced in the schistosoma-infected mice. However, the average optical density of CBR1 in the negative control and fibrosis group was 13.28+/-7.32 and 30.55+/-7.78, and CBR2 were 28.13+/-6.42 and 52.29+/-4.24 (P<0.05). The levels of AEA in the fibrosis group were significantly increased as compared with those of the control group. The concentrations of AEA were (0.37+/-0.07) and (5.67+/-1.34) ng/mL (P<0.05). It is concluded that the expression of endocannabinoids AEA and its cannabinoid receptor CBR were significantly increased in schistosoma-infected mice. Endogenous endocannabinoids may be involved in the development of schistosoma-induced liver fibrosis.
Arachidonic Acids/*metabolism ; Endocannabinoids/*metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology ; Liver Cirrhosis/*metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides/*metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/*metabolism ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/*metabolism ; Schistosomiasis japonica/*complications ; Schistosomiasis japonica/metabolism