Animals ; Hypothermia ; blood ; Hypoxia ; blood ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Myocardial Ischemia ; blood ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

Objective: To study the alkaloid constituents of Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trev.. Methods: Various chromatographies were used for separation and purification of the alkaloids and spectroscopic analysis was used for determination of the chemical structure. Results: An alkaloid constituent(alkaloid A) was isolated from H. serrata . Conclusion: Alkaloid A was a new compound, named huperzinine B.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on the histopathological changes and serum indexes of rats' liver, and to investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture in treating hepatic fibrosis of rats. Methods: The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was induced with carbon tetrachloride. Then, the rats were divided into electroacupuncture group, medicine group, and model group. The collagen of liver, and serum hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen (PⅢNP), and collagen Ⅳ (C-Ⅳ) were detected with morphologic methods and radioimmunoassay. Results: Compared with normal rats, the collagen was hyperplasia in the liver tissue, and the contents of the serum HA, LN, and PⅢ NP were higher in the model group. The collagen area of liver tissue, and the contents of the serum HA, and LN were lower in rats treated with electroacupuncture than model rats. The contents of serum of PⅢ NP, and C-Ⅳ changed little. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture had some effects of prevention and treatment, and the mechanism may relate to the effects of electroacupuncture in protecting liver cells, inhibiting synthesis of extracellular matrix, and promoting the breakup of collagen.

AIMTo study chemical constituents of Knoxia valerianoides Thorel et Pitard.

METHODSChromatographic methods were used for the isolation and purification. Structures was elucidated on the basis of chemical analysis and spectroscopic data.

RESULTSTwo anthraquinone were isolated from Knoxia valerianoides Thorel et Pitard and identified as 1,3,5-trihydroxy-2-ethoxymethyl-6-methoxyl-anthraquinone (I) and 1,3-dihydroxy-2-ethoxymethyl-anthraquinone (II).

CONCLUSIONThe compound I was found to be a novel anthraquinone constituent and II was isolated from Knoxia valerianoides Thorel et Pitard for the first time.

Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Tubers ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rubiaceae ; chemistry

AIMTo study the alkaloid constituents of Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trev..

METHODSChromatographic methods were used for the isolation and purification. Structure was elucidated on the basis of chemical analysis and spectroscopic data.

RESULTSAn alkaloid constituent was isolated from H. serrata (Thumb.) Trev..

CONCLUSIONThe compound was found to be a novel phlegmariurine type alkaloid, named 8 beta-hydroxy phlegmariurine B.

Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Huperzia ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Knoxia valerianoides Thorel et Pitard.

METHODSChromatographic methods were used for the isolation and purification. Structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical analysis and spectroscopic data.

RESULTSThree anthraguinones were isolated from K. valerianoides and identified as 1, 3, 5-trihydroxy-2-methyl-6-methoxyl-anthraguinone (kaoxiadin, I), 1, 3, 6-trihydroxy-5-ethoxylmethyl-anthraguinone (II) and 1, 3-dihydroxy-2-methylanthraguinone (rubiadin, III).

CONCLUSIONCompound II is a new anthraguinone constituent.

Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Tubers ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rubiaceae ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDSolamargine (SM), a steroidal glycoalkaloid isolated from the Chinese herb Solanum incanum, has been shown to inhibit the growth of some cancer cell lines and induce significant apoptosis. However, the effects of SM on multidrug-resistant (MDR) cells and the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-MDR effects of SM and the associated mechanisms in MDR K562/A02 cells.

METHODSThe cytotoxicity of SM was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The 14',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) nuclear staining and flow cytometry were used to detect SM-induced apoptosis. The mRNA expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) was investigated by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Western blotting was used to determine the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and actin. The changes in the morphology of actin were examined with immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSMTT results showed that SM effectively killed the MDR sublines K562/A02, KB/VCR, and H460/paclitaxel (Taxol), and their parental cell lines K562, KB, and H460 to an equivalent or more sensitive degree. Based on the results by flow cytometry and immunostaining, the pro-apoptotic effects of SM were observed in MDR K562/A02 cells. Furthermore, the RT-PCR results showed that SM induced the downregulation of MDR1 mRNA. In addition, the expression of P-gp and actin was decreased in the SM-treated cells, as measured by western blotting and immunostaining.

CONCLUSIONSThese results demonstrate that SM effectively triggers apoptosis in MDR tumor cells, which is associated with actin disruption and downregulation of MDR1 expression. This compound may merit further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent that bypasses the MDR mechanism for the treatment of MDR tumors.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Actins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Solanaceous Alkaloids ; pharmacology

AIMTo study the alkaloid constituents of Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trev..

METHODSChromatographic methods were used for the isolation and purification. Structure was elucidated on the basis of chemical analysis and spectroscopic data.

RESULTSAn alkaloid constituent was isolated from H. serrata (Thunb.) Trev..

CONCLUSIONThe compound was found to be a novel lycodine type alkaloid with tricyclic structure named huperzinine C.

Huperzia ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pyridines ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of vertebral height restoration of vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebra compression fractures (VCFs).

METHODSFrom October 2004 to June 2007, a total of 37 patients with 40 VCFs were treated by vertebroplasty. There were 12 males and 25 females with a mean age of (72.4 +/- 12.7) years (ranged, 48 to 87). Pain easement state was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) before and after operation, as well as in followed-up. Preoperative and postoperative vertebral height, kyphosis angle at fractured levels were measured on X-rays.

RESULTSAll of patients were followed-up for 12 to 47 months (averaged, 35.8 +/- 9.6). The VAS score was 8.4 +/- 1.6 before operative, 2.1 +/- 1.2 at the 2nd day after operative, there were significant difference between pre-and postoperative (P < 0.05); the average follow-up VAS was 1.6 +/- 0.9, there were significant difference as compared with the preoperative (P < 0.05). Lateral X-ray showed that the preoperative degree of vertebral height in the of anterior and middle vertebral were (72.0 +/- 10.6)% and (68.0 +/- 15.6)%, and postoperative were (76.0 +/- 8.6)% and (73.0 +/-6.1)%, respectively. There were no significant difference in vertebral height between preoperative and postoperative. The vertebral kyphosis angle was corrected from preoperative (7.8 +/- 2.7) degree to postoperative (8.1 +/- 2.3) degree.

CONCLUSIONVertebroplasty is a safe and effective method for treatment of osteoporotic VCFs, it can relieve the pain effectively. Failure to restore vertebaral height does not seem to interfere with the excellent pain management.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; Radiography ; Spinal Fractures ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spine ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebroplasty ; methods

Cortex Albizziae, the stem bark of the leguminous plant Albizzia julibrissin, is specified in Chinese pharmacopoeia as a traditional Chinese medicine used to relieve melancholia and uneasiness of body and mind, invigorate the circulation of blood and subside a swelling. This article reviews the recent advances in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Cortex Albizziae.
Albizzia ; chemistry ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reproductive Control Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification