Five cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the n-hexane extract of Commiphora myrrha by using various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data. These compounds were defined as (3S,4R)-3,9-dimethoxymyrrhone (1), 9-methoxymyrrhone (2), myrrhone (3), commiterpene B (4) and comosone Ⅱ (5). Compound 1 is a new compound, of which the absolute configuration was established by single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 5 is firstly isolated from the Commiphora genus.

The transcription factor X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) plays a key role in unfolded protein reaction. This study was aimed to investigate the expression pattern and regulation of XBP1 in the mouse uterus during early pregnancy. The methods of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real time quantitative RT-PCR were used to test XBP1 expression in early pregnancy, artificial decidualization, oestrous cycle and hormone-regulated mouse models. The results showed that XBP1 was spatiotemporally expressed in mouse uterus during early pregnancy. The XBP1 protein was mainly detected in the luminal and glandular epithelia on days 1-4 of pregnancy, and was strongly detected in the decidual area on days 5-8 of pregnancy. Similarly, XBP1 expression was also mainly expressed in decidual cells following artificial decidualization. During the oestrous cycle, Xbp1, Xbp1u, and Xbp1s mRNA was predominantly present in proestrus. In the ovariectomized uterus, the expression of XBP1 in luminal and glandular epithelia was up-regulated after estrogen treatment. These results suggest that XBP1 is associated with embryo implantation and decidualization during early pregnancy in mice, and the expression of XBP1 in luminal and glandular epithelia may be regulated by estrogen.
Animals ; Decidua ; Embryo Implantation ; Estrogens ; Female ; Mice ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; Uterus

This study aims to study the chemical components from the gum resin of Boswellia carterii. Five cembranoid diterpenes were isolated from the gum resin of B. carterii by various of column chromatographies including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, mass spectrometry(MS), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), Ultraviolet(UV) and infrared(IR) spectroscopic data. These compounds were identified as(1S,2E,4R,5S,7E,11E)-4-methoxy-5-hydroxycembrane(1),(1R~*,4R~*,5E,8E,12E,15E)-4-hydroxycembra-5,8,12,15-tetraene(2), cembrene A(3),(3S,4S,7R)-4-hydroxycembrane(4), and pavidolide D(5). Compound 1 was a new compound. Compounds 2, 4, and 5 were obtained from the gum resin of B. carterii for the first time. Compound 2 showed weak inhibition on the human liver cancer cell line HepG2.
Boswellia ; Cell Line ; Diterpenes ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Resins, Plant

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency and safety of transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of BPH in patients with a history of transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 102 cases of BPH treated by HoLEP in our hospital between November 2015 and May 2017, of which 42 had received TRPB prior to HoLEP (the PB group) but not the other 60 (the non-TRPB ［NPB］ group). We compared the preoperative, perioperative and postoperative follow-up data between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the mean age, prostate volume, and preoperative post-void residual urine volume (PVR), IPSS, quality of life (QOL) score and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) between the two groups of patients. The preoperative PSA level was significantly higher in the PB than in the NPB group (［10.30 ± 3.62］ vs ［2.62 ± 1.75］ μg/L, P < 0.01), and the operation time markedly longer in the former than in the latter (［78.00 ± 18.25］ vs ［67.93 ± 15.89］ min, P < 0.01), particularly in the patients with an interval of <2 weeks between HoLEP and TRPB than in those with an interval of ≥2 weeks (［91.17 ± 16.51］ vs ［68.13 ± 12.45］ min, P < 0.01). Statistically significant differences were not found in the postoperative hemoglobin level, continuous bladder irrigation duration, catheter-indwelling time and hospital stay, nor in the incidence rate of transient urinary incontinence between the PB and NPB groups (47.62% vs 45%, P = 0.794). There were no transurethral resection syndrome, bladder or rectal injury, or blood transfusion in either group, nor statistically significant differences in PVR, Qmax, IPSS and QOL score between the two groups of patients at 3, 6 or 12 months after operation. CONCLUSIONS HoLEP is a safe and effective surgical treatment of BPH for patients with a history of TRPB, which can reduce the time and increase the safety of operation when performed at ≥2 weeks after TRPB.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a type of common neurodegenerative disease. The main clinical symptom of the disease is progressive cognitive dysfunction, which has no effective therapy yet. With the in-depth immunology study in the central nervous system, studies in different fields such as preclinical phase, genetics and bioinformatics have shown that immune dysfunction contribute to the pathogenesis of AD, including the beginning, maintenance and deterioration stage in AD. China has a wealth of natural medicine resources and clinical experiences. A large number of natural drugs and effective components both can regulate the immune function and ameliorate the symptoms in AD. This review summarizes the researches of ameliorating the symptoms in AD through immunization regulation in recent years with an aim to provide new ideas and clues in the study of new anti-AD drugs using natural medicines.

The main ingredient of extractable petroleum ether of Polyrhachis vicina Roger (EPPR) is octadecene unsaturated fatty acids. Mounting evidence supports that N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can attenuate neuroinflammation, reduce oxidative stress, then protect neurons. In order to explore the effect of EPPR on the inflammatory response of depressed rats, the model of depression was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Sucrose preference test, forced swimming test were employed to investigate the anti-depressive effect of EPPR in rat. The activation of glial cells and astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex of depressed rats was observed by immunofluorescence. The levels of inflammatory factors were measured by Quantitative Real-time PCR. NF-κB was detected by immunoblotting. EPPR could significantly improve the depressive behavior of rats, decrease NF-κB translocation to the compartment of nucleus, down-regulate the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) gene expression levels, inhibit the activation of microglia and astrocytes in depressed rats. These results suggest that EPPR could notably ameliorate inflammation induced by chronic stress, and the protective effect might be linked to the regulation of NF-κB p65.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of oral administration of Dendrobium huoshanense on the expressions and activities of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450s in mice, and to provide a reference for the evaluation of drug-drug interactions between D. huoshanense and clinical drugs. The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank control group, D. huoshanense low dose group (crude drug 1.25 g·kg⁻¹), D. huoshanense high dose group (crude drug 7.5 g·kg⁻¹), and phenobarbital positive control group (0.08 g·kg⁻¹). Each group was intragastrically administered with drugs for 2 weeks. The mice were sacrificed and their liver microsomes were prepared. The expressions of major subtypes of P450 enzyme were determined by Western blot and the probe drugs were used to detect the enzyme activities of P450 subtypes with protein expression changes. Western blot analysis showed that the protein expressions of CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP2B in liver tissues were up-regulated in D. huoshanense-treated group. In vitro enzyme activity tests showed that there were no significant difference in metabolism of 7-ethoxyresorufin (a probe drug for CYP1A1) and bupropion (a probe drug for CYP2B) between D. huoshanense group and control group. The metabolism of phenacetin (a probe drug for CYP1A2) showed a statistical difference in rate Vmax, and it was significantly increased by approximately 20% in D. huoshanense group as compared with the blank control group, and the clearance CLint in treated group was also increased by about 32%. Therefore, oral administration of D. huoshanense had no effects on the activities of most hepatic P450 enzymes in mice, with no drug-drug interaction related to the P450 enzyme system in most clinical drugs theoretically. However, oral administration of D. huoshanense may accelerate the metabolism of CYP1A2-catalyzed drugs, which needs to be considered in clinical practice.
Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microsomes, Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Random Allocation