OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-inflammatory effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophages.

METHODThe effect of total saponins of P. japonicus of different concentrations on RAW264. 7 cell viability was determined with the MTT method. The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release of total saponins of P. japonicus to LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta). The reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ,TNF-alpha,IL-1beta. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) was tested by Western blot.

RESULTThe safe medication range of total saponins of P. japonicus was less than 80 mg x L(-1). Compared with the LPS model group, total saponins of P. japonicus high, middle and low dose groups (0.1, 1, 10, 40 mg x L(-1)) could significantly reduce the secretion of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and inhibit the expressions of iNOS, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA and the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily proves the protective effect of total saponins of P. japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Its action mechanism may be related to NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; immunology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of sapindus saponins on myocardial inflammation mediated by Ang II/ p38MAPK signal pathway and cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats. And also to explore the correlation of cardiac hypertrophy and inflammation.

METHODThirty-two 16-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomly divided into four groups, one with placebo as model group, one with captopril tablets (27 mg x kg(-1)) as positive control, one with low-dose sapindus saponins (27 mg x kg(-1)), one with high-dose (108 mg x kg(-1)). And another eight healthy Wistar-Kyoto strain (WKY) rats were used as the normal group. The animals were treated for eight weeks, and the indicators detected were as follows: (1) left ventricular mass index (LVMI); (2) the content of Ang II and hs-CRP in plasma were determined by ELISA; (3) the protein expression of AT1R and VEGF were determined by immunohistochemical method; (4) the protein expression of p-p38MAPK in myocardial cells was determined by Western blot.

RESULTSapindus saponins reduced LVMI, and blocked the expression level of Ang II, AT1R, p-p38MAPK, VEGF and hs-CRP in myocardial tissue. Vs the SHR model group, there were significant differences (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOur findings suggested that sapindus saponins could inhibited cardiac hypertrophy, the possible mechanisms may be related to the inhibition on inflammatory response mediated by Ang II/p38MAPK pathway.

Angiotensin II ; immunology ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; drug therapy ; etiology ; immunology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Rats, Wistar ; Sapindus ; chemistry ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; immunology

It has been previously shown that Taraphochlamys affinis possessed anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activities. To identify the active ingredients, the total saponins (TSTA) were isolated from T. affinis and the inhibitory effect of TSTA on HBV in the duck HBV model was examined. The results showed that serum levels of DHBV-DNA decreased in all ducks treated with TSTA (1.0 and 2.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and lamivudine (3TC) (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) during treatment, but 7 days after the cessation of treatment (p7) with 3TC, the viral replication level returned to the pretreatment baseline. Contrariwise in ducks treated with TSTA, the effect of DHBV DNA inhibition lasted. Compared with model control group,the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and duck hepatitis B surface antigen (DHBsAg) values of 1.0 and 2.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)-dose TSTA groups were significantly lower on 7, 14 days after the treatment (d7, d14) and p7, and at p7, the ALT and DHBsAg levels of 2.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)-dose TSTA group was significantly lower than that of 3TC group. Furthermore, significant histological improvement was noted in ducklings of TSTA treatment group 7 days after the withdrawal. The study results demonstrate that TSTA possesses potent anti-HBV activity.
Animals ; Antigens, Surface ; blood ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hepadnaviridae Infections ; drug therapy ; virology ; Hepatitis B Virus, Duck ; drug effects ; immunology ; Hepatitis, Viral, Animal ; drug therapy ; virology ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate immune state in lung of BALB/c mice with ovalbumin (OVA) allergy and the effects of fulvotomentoside (Ful) on lungs of the mice and provide some clues for the mechanism that patients with food allergies were prone to asthma and observe the effects of the treatment with traditional Chinese medicine.

METHODNinety-six female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups. Mice in group 1 and group 2 were sensitized intraperitoneally and challenged intragastrically with OVA and were exposed to phosphate buffer solution and OVA respectively by nebulized inhalation. Mice in group 3 and group 4 were treated with Ful, other processes were the same as the mice in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Mice in group 5 were not challenged intragastrically with OVA and other processes were the same as the mice in group 2. Group 6 was the control group. The number of total leukocytes and cell classification in bronchoalveolar lavage (BALF) were counted, and inflammatory characteristic of lung was scored by staining with hematoxylin and eosin. The protein expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17A) in lung of the mice were detected by immunohistochemical method. The activation of neutrophils in lung was assayed by the level of myeloroxidase (MPO).

RESULTThere was no inflammatory cells infiltration in lung of the mice in group 1. Compared with group 6, numbers of total leukocytes and erythrocytes as well as the percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes were increased in group 2. Inflammatory score and protein expressions of TGF-β1 [(75 437 ± 3 638) vs. (6 118 ± 1 978)], IL-6 [(121 650 ± 25 389) vs. (15 726 ± 9 360)], IL-17A [(252 105 ± 31 651)vs. (72 644 ± 12 285)] in lung were increased, too. Inflammatory score and TGF-β1 (11 054 ± 1 468), IL-6 (50 877 ± 11 744), IL-17A (137 864 ± 28 986) expressions in group 5 were lower than those in group 2. Eosinophils infiltration was significant in group 5. After the treatment with Ful, TGF-β1 expression did not change and IL-6, IL-17A expressions were decreased in lung of the mice that inhaled OVA. It was not enough for Ful to relieve the neutrophil aggregation and improve inflammatory reaction in lung.

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of TGF-β1, IL-6, IL-17A in lung of the mice with OVA allergy were increased markedly after they inhaled specific antigen, which caused serious inflammation that was induced by neutrophil infiltration in lung. Ful could decrease the expressions of IL-6, IL-17A to some extent, but it was not enough to improve pathologic state in lung.

Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Lung Diseases ; immunology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neutrophils ; drug effects ; immunology ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Ovalbumin ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG) on allergy contact dermatitis (ACD) in mice.

METHODThe model of ACD was sensitized and challenged by 1% dinitrofluorobenzene(DNFB).48 SPF grade mice were divided into 6 groups randomly: a control group, a model group, three dosage groups and a positive group. The drug was injected through vena caudalis. The change of ear's swelling and the scores of ear's thickness and erythema of each mouse was observed. The level of INF-gamma, IgE, IL-4 in serum was detected by ELISA method. Then the pathologic change of mice ears was using HE staining examined under light microscope.

RESULTMgIG could decrease (P < 0.05) the ear's swelling, the scores of ear's thickness and erythema, and INF-gamma and IgE level in mice serum. It was observed that MgIG could significantly alleviate the infiltrate of inflam cell and the hemangiectasis in ear tissue.

CONCLUSIONCertain concentration of MgIG has significant therapeutic effect on ACD in mice. Therapeutic mechanism of MgIG may be relevant with the suppression of INF-gamma and IgE.

Animals ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Random Allocation ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; Triterpenes ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo prepare an O/W ginseng saponins-based nanoemulsion and investigate its amplified immune response.

METHODThe formulation of ginseng saponins-based nanoemulsion was optimized via the range of nanoemulsion zone in phase diagrams and the solubility of ginseng saponins. Its physicochemical properties were investigated, including morphology, particle size distribution, pH, viscosity and stability. Ginseng saponins-based nanoemulsion as adjuvant was co-administrated with a model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) in mice. Two weeks after the boosting, the serum levels of OVA-specific antibody and its isotypes were determined.

RESULTThe optimized ginseng saponins-based nanoemulsion formulation consisted of ginseng saponins, IPM, Cremophor RH 40, glycerol and water (with the weight ratio of 2 : 4 : 17.8 : 17.8 : 58.4), which was a light yellow fluid. The shape of droplets was spherical under transmission electron microscopy with an average diameter of 72.20 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.052. The viscosity and pH value of it were 4.20 s and 6.02, respectively. And it showed good stability. When co-administered with OVA, no obvious side effects were observed in the mice immunized with ginseng saponin-based nanoemulsion. The serum levels of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibody in the group of ginseng saponin-based nanoemulsion immunized mice was significantly increased compared to the groups of OVA and the saline solution of ginseng saponin. Compared with the adjuvant aluminium hydroxide, the serum levels of IgG and IgG1 antibodys in the groups of ginseng saponins-based nanoemulsion had no significant difference, but the level of IgG2a was obviously higher.

CONCLUSIONginseng saponin-based nanoemulsion could amplify the Th1 and Th2 immune responses, and can be used as the vaccine adjuvant.

Animals ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Female ; Immune System Phenomena ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Panax ; chemistry ; immunology ; Particle Size ; Random Allocation ; Saponins ; chemistry ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; blood ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Concanavalin A ; adverse effects ; Cytokines ; blood ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Peroxidase ; blood ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of total panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to observe its safety and influence on RA immune related inner environment.

METHODSEighty-four patients were randomly assigned to two groups. All were treated with the routine therapy with diclofenac sodium, Leflunomide and prednisone, but for the 43 patients in the treatment group PNS was given additionally. The therapeutic course was 28 days for both groups. Clinical efficacy and change of indexes including platelet counts, immnuoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM), complement (C)3, rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), ceruloplasmin (CER), haptoglobin (HPT), and alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) were observed.

RESULTSSignificant improvement of clinical symptoms, including the joint swelling index, joint tenderness index, joint pain index, time of morning stiffness and VAS revealed in both groups after treatment, and the effect in the treatment group was better (P<0.05 or P<0.01). PLT, CER, AAG, HPT, CRP, IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and RF were lowered in both groups (P<0.01), but the lowering in PLT, CER, AAG and CRP in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPNS can significantly improve the condition of patients, enhance the therapeutic effect in treating RA, through regulating the disordered immunity and improving the effect of anti-inflammatory and analgesia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Diclofenac ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Isoxazoles ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Rheumatoid Factor ; blood ; Saponins ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Surface antigen 3 (SAG3) of Toxoplasma gondii is very similar in structure to the major surface antigen 1 (SAG1). Although numerous studies have supported the importance of SAG1 in protection against T. gondii infection, few reports exist on SAG3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-fused SAG3 of T. gondii (rSAG3) were immunized into BALB/c mice alone or in combination with Quil A (rSAG3/Quil A), and then evaluated the protective immunity in vivo and in vitro against murine toxoplasmosis. RESULTS: Immunization with rSAG3 or rSAG3/Quil A resulted in significantly more survival days and fewer brain cysts after challenge with T. gondii compared to an infected control group. Mice immunized with rSAG3 alone or in combination with Quil A produced significantly more specific IgG2a antibody, whereas specific IgG1 antibody titers did not increase. The percentage of CD8+ T cells, IFN-gamma mRNA expression, and nitric oxide production significantly increased in rSAG3- and rSAG3/Quil A-immunized mice. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that vaccination with Toxoplasma rSAG3 results in partial protective immunity against T. gondii infection through induction of a Th1-type immune response, and that protective immunity is accelerated by the modulating effects of Quil A.
Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan/genetics/*immunology/metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/immunology/metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunoglobulin G/immunology ; Interferon-gamma/metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics/immunology/metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics/immunology/metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Saponins/*immunology ; Toxoplasma/growth & development/*immunology ; Toxoplasmosis, Animal/*immunology/metabolism/microbiology ; Vaccination/*methods

PURPOSE: Surface antigen 3 (SAG3) of Toxoplasma gondii is very similar in structure to the major surface antigen 1 (SAG1). Although numerous studies have supported the importance of SAG1 in protection against T. gondii infection, few reports exist on SAG3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-fused SAG3 of T. gondii (rSAG3) were immunized into BALB/c mice alone or in combination with Quil A (rSAG3/Quil A), and then evaluated the protective immunity in vivo and in vitro against murine toxoplasmosis. RESULTS: Immunization with rSAG3 or rSAG3/Quil A resulted in significantly more survival days and fewer brain cysts after challenge with T. gondii compared to an infected control group. Mice immunized with rSAG3 alone or in combination with Quil A produced significantly more specific IgG2a antibody, whereas specific IgG1 antibody titers did not increase. The percentage of CD8+ T cells, IFN-gamma mRNA expression, and nitric oxide production significantly increased in rSAG3- and rSAG3/Quil A-immunized mice. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that vaccination with Toxoplasma rSAG3 results in partial protective immunity against T. gondii infection through induction of a Th1-type immune response, and that protective immunity is accelerated by the modulating effects of Quil A.
Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan/genetics/*immunology/metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/immunology/metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunoglobulin G/immunology ; Interferon-gamma/metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics/immunology/metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics/immunology/metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Saponins/*immunology ; Toxoplasma/growth & development/*immunology ; Toxoplasmosis, Animal/*immunology/metabolism/microbiology ; Vaccination/*methods