The present study was designed to observe the protection of Grateloupia filicina polysaccharide (GFP) against hepatotoxicity induced by Dioscorea bulbifera L in mice and its underlying mechanism. GFP was intragastrically (ig) given to mice at various doses. After 6 days, the mice were treated with ethyl acetate extract of Dioscorea bulbifera L (EF, ig). Serum levels of alanine/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) were measured, and liver histological evaluation was conducted. Furthermore, reductions of liver glutathione (GSH) amount and glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) activity were tested. The expressions of GCL-c, GCL-m, and HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) in liver were observed by Western-blot. The results showed that GFP (600 mg x kg(-1)) decreased EF-induced the increase of serum ALT, AST and TB, and GFP (400, 600 mg x kg(-1)) inhibited EF-induced the increase of serum ALP. Liver histological evaluation showed that the liver injury induced by EF was relieved after treated with GFP. GFP further increased liver GSH amount and reversed EF-induced the decrease of GCL activity. The Western-blot result showed that GFP augmented EF-induced the increase of HO-1, and reversed EF-induced the decrease of GCL-c. In conclusion, GFP can act against the oxidative stress liver injury induced by Dioscorea bulbifera L in mice.

Objective To study the structural features and anticoagulant activity of the polysaccharide isolated from Aeodes orbitosa.Methods Sugar composition analysis,methylation analysis and IR were used to characterize the structural features.The anticoagulant activity of the polysaccharide was evaluated by cutting tail and capillary methods.Results The polysaccharide was composed of 3,6-anhydrous-galactose,6-methyl-galactose,2-methyl-galactose,galactose,xylose and glucose in the molar ratios of 6.4∶0.9∶5.8∶1.6∶84.1∶1.2.The content of Sulfate group was 37.5%. The main linkage model of the polysaccharide were 1,3 and 1,4 linkages,branch point located at O-2 and 6 of galactose residues.Sulfate group located at 2 and 6 position of 1,4 linked galactose residue and 2 position of 1,3 linked galactose residue.The polysaccharide showed significant activities to extend bleeding time and coagulation time in mice.Conclusion The polysaccharide from Aeodes orbitosa was a sulfate galactan with strong anticoagulant activity.

Objective: The main ingredients and the inhibitory effects of essential oil of a compound Chinese herbal medicine Weiqi Decoction (WQD) on AGS cell proliferation were to be investigated. Methods: Chemical compounds of WQD essential oil were detected by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis. Cell viability was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium method. Cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry. Apoptosis and necrosis of AGS cells were determined by Hoechst 33342/propidium iodine staining. Results: Chemical analysis showed that the main ingredients of WQD essential oil were bornylene and 3-n-butylphthalide. Ligustilide, which is the effective compound of Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), was not detected in WQD essential oil. The essential oil inhibited cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and blocked cell cycle progression at G(2)/M stage. At the concentrations that resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest, essential oil induced both apoptosis and necrosis. Conclusion: The results suggest that WQD essential oil contains some effective ingredients for treating chronic atrophic gastritis and functional dyspepsia, and also has an antiproliferative effect on AGS cells through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis promotion in vitro. Therefore, essential oil should be retained as much as possible during stewing this decoction.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of human serum albumin (HSA) on cell attachment of human gingival epithelial cells (HGE).

METHODSHGE were primary cultured with keratinocyte serum-free medium (KSFM) and dispase. The cultured cells were immunohistochemically stained by monoclonal anti-pan cytokeratin. MTT test was employed to investigate the influence of HSA on the cell attachment on polystyrene surface. The cell growth curve of HGE which were cultured in KSFM with 50 g/L HSA was observed.

RESULTSThe results showed significant decrease in cell numbers within 8 hours after HGE were inoculated, in which the polystyrene surface was preincubated with 50 g/L HSA. But it did not prove to be the case from 10 hours to 24 hours after HGE were inoculated. There were no significant difference within 24 hours in cell numbers between cultured in KSFM with 50 g/L HSA and control. The cell numbers in cell growth curve of HGE in KSFM with and without 50 g/L HSA did not show significant difference.

CONCLUSIONSHSA preincubation on polystyrene were produce inhibitory effect of HGE attachment in early stage.

Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Count ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Gingiva ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Polystyrenes ; Serum Albumin ; pharmacology

Rhamnogalacturonan Ⅱ(RG-Ⅱ)is one of the structural domains of pectin whose structure is highly conserved among species.The main chain of RG-Ⅱ consists of approximately nine galacturonic acids linked by α-1,4 glycosidic bonds,with six well-defined side chains replacing them(A-F).The structures of the disaccharide side chains C and D and the monosaccharide side chains E and F in RG-Ⅱ from different sources remain essentially the same.In contrast,the oligosaccharide side chains A and B showed slight variability.Structural characterization of RG-Ⅱ can be achieved by molecular weight,monosaccharide composition,and mass spectrometry.The polysaccharides containing RG-Ⅱ structural domains in traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)have high medicinal value.Isolation of RG-Ⅱ can be achieved using endo-polygalacturonase(Endo-PG)and Penicillium oxalicum.A substantial number of RG-Ⅱ standards can be rapidly prepared from red wine for the development of new quantitative methods to realize the quality control of active polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicines and to promote the research process of polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicines.