Abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein(α-Syn) is thought to be a key event in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD). In recent years, it was shown that above 90% of α-Syn deposited in Lewy bodies in brain tissues from patients with PD is phosphorylated, which suggested that α-Syn phosphorylation be connected with the occurrence of PD. Several kinds of phosphokinases can make α-Syn phosphorylated, however the precise roles of these phosphokinases in PD are less clear.

Aim To study the mechanism and inhibitory effect of aspirin on U251 cells in vitro.Methods The effects of aspirin on proliferation of U251 cells were assessed using the MTT assay.Cell cycle analysis was done by flow cytometry.AnnexinⅤ-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit was used to detect apoptosis of cells.Western blot was employed to analyze expression of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 and Caspase-3.Results The growth inhibiton of U251 cells by aspirin was in a time-and-dose-dependent manner.After treatment with 8 mmol?L-1,cell cycle was arrested at G2/M phase.Aspirin also significantly enhanced apoptosis of U251 cells with down-regulated anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2,and activation of Caspase-3.Conclusions Aspirin can significantly inhibit the growth of U251 cells through inducing cell apoptosis in vitro.

Valproate (VPA) has long been used for the treatment of bipolar mood disorder. VPA is effective in control of mania and depression. Recent studies have demonstrated that VPA has profound neuroprotective effects in against various apoptotic stimuli. Moreover, VPA can promote neurogenesis, neuronal proliferation and differentiation. Although intensive research has been dedicated to VPA′s neuroprotection, the molecular mechanisms by which VPA protects neurons are still not fully understood. In this paper, recent progresses in the study of VPA′s neuroprotection and underlying mechanism are reviewed.

Aim To investigate the effects of curcumin on the adherence between isolated rat brain microvascular endothelial cells(BMECs)and leukocytes induced by TNF-? in vitro.Methods The adherence ofleukocytes to BMECs and the effects of curcumin were determined by myeloperoxidase.The expression of ICAM-1 was detected by RT-PCR and immunoblotting.Results Curcumin inhibited the TNF-? stimulated adherence of leukocytes to BMECs.Pretreament of curcumin also inhibited TNF-?-induced increases in the mRNA and protein levels of ICAM-1 in BMECs.Conclusions Curcumin could protect the endothelial cells against damage caused by TNF-?.The protective effects of curcumin may be mediated through downregulation of the expression of ICAM-1.

AIM To observe the effect of aspirin on a model of Alzheimers disease in rats and its molecular mechanism. METHODS The AD pathological model was made by hippocampal CA 1 lesions with stereotaxic mini-injection of quinolinic acid;the rats learning and memory was observed by Y-maze; the apoptosis of hippocampal cells were detected by using flow cytometry and electronic microscope; the content of calcium in AD rats hippocampus was determined by atomic absortion spectrophotometer. RESULTS Aspirin was shown to improve learning and memory deficiency in rats with bilateral hippocampal lesions induced by quinolinc acid, to decrease apoptosis rate in hippocampal cells significantly and to reduce the concentration of calcium in hippocampus. CONCLUSION The protective effects of aspirin on a model of AD in rats may be involved in antagonism of calcium and inhibition of apoptosis in hippocampal cells induced by quinolinic acid.

Objective:To study the effect of flavonoids extracts from semen Astragali complanati (FAC) on the growth of hepatocellular H22 cells and elucidate its action mechanism. Methods:The mouse model bearing H22 tumor cells was established. The effects of FAC on the growth of xenografted H22 tumor, the immune organ, survival time, phagocytic function of macrophages, and lymphocyte transformation in tumor-bearing mice were observed. Results:The growth of H22 transplanted tumor was significantly inhibited by FAC at high, middle and low doses,compared with normal control group (P<0.05). The tumor-inhibiting ratio in cyclophosphamide (CTX) group was similar with that in FAC high-dose group (P>0.05). FAC markedly elongated the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. The high, middle and low doses of FAC elongated the survival time of tumor-bearing mice by 64.9%, 56.7% and 28.1%, which were significantly different with control group (P<0.01). The high, middle and low doses of FAC greatly increased the thymus index and spleen index of tumor-bearing mice (P<0.05, vs control) and elevated the phagocytic function of macrophages and lymphocyte transformation capability (P<0.01, vs control). The effect of CTX on immune function of tumor-bearing mice was opposite with FAC. The difference between CTX group and control group was significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: FAC inhibits the growth of H22 hepatoma, elongates the survival time, and elevates the non-specific immune function of tumor-bearing mice, indicating that FAC maybe exert its anti-tumor effect via regulating immune function of tumor-bearing mice.

Aim To estimate the anti-uterine cervix cancer effects of the extracts from Lysimachia clethroides Duby in vivo and in vitro. Methods Inhibitory effect on growth was observed by MTT, 3H-TdR and colony-forming units assay. Apoptosis was detected by Hoechst fluorescent staining analysis. The effect on cell migration and morphology was observed by scratch test; Detecting effects of ZE4 on transplant tumor (U14) in mice through observing the tumor weight and organ index. Results ZE4 could inhibit the growth and migration of HeLa cell significantly and induce cell apoptosis. Its half inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 48h was 40.56 mg?L-1 by 3H-TdR assay. The inhibition rate of ZE4 against U14 was 49.9% at the dose of 400 mg?kg-1. Conclusions ZE4 could inhibit the growth of uterine cervix cancer in vitro and in vivo.