In this study, we evaluated the effect of the herbicide propyl 4-(2-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yloxy)benzylamino) benzoate (ZJ0273) on barley growth and explored the potential to trigger growth recovery through the application of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Barley plants were foliar-sprayed with various concentrations of ZJ0273 (100, 500, or 1000 mg/L) at the four-leaf stage. Increasing either the herbicide concentration or measurement time after herbicide treatment significantly impaired plant morphological parameters such as plant height and biomass, and affected physiological indexes, i.e. maximal photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m), quantum yield of photosystem II (Ф_PSII), net photosynthetic rate (P_n), and chlorophyll meter value (soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD)). Cellular injury of herbicide-treated plants was also evidenced by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidative enzyme activity. Elevated levels of herbicide significantly reduced the activity of acetolactate synthase (ALS)-a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of BCAAs. In a separate experiment, growth recovery in herbicide-stressed barley plants was studied using various concentrations of BCAAs (10, 50, 100, and 200 mg/L). Increasing BCAA concentration in growth media significantly increased the biomass of herbicide-stressed barley seedlings, but had no significant effect on non-stressed plants. Further, BCAAs (100 mg/L) significantly down-regulated ROS and consequently antioxidant enzyme levels in herbicide-stressed plants. Our results showed that exogenous application of BCAAs could reverse the inhibitory effects of ZJ0273 by restoring protein biosynthesis in barley seedlings.
Amino Acids, Branched-Chain/administration & dosage* ; Antioxidants/metabolism* ; Benzoates/pharmacology* ; Biomass ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Herbicides/pharmacology* ; Hordeum/metabolism* ; Photosynthesis/drug effects* ; Plant Leaves/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Seedlings/metabolism*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has achieved impressive success since the development of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib mesylate. Nevertheless, resistance to imatinib has been observed, and a substantial number of patients need alternative treatment strategies. METHODS: We have evaluated the effects of deferasirox, an orally active iron chelator, and imatinib on K562 and KU812 human CML cell lines. Imatinib-resistant CML cell lines were created by exposing cells to gradually increasing concentrations of imatinib. RESULTS: Co-treatment of cells with deferasirox and imatinib induced a synergistic dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation of both CML cell lines. Cell cycle analysis showed an accumulation of cells in the subG1 phase. Western blot analysis of apoptotic proteins showed that co-treatment with deferasirox and imatinib induced an increased expression of apoptotic proteins. These tendencies were clearly identified in imatinib-resistant CML cell lines. The results also showed that co-treatment with deferasirox and imatinib reduced the expression of BcrAbl, phosphorylated Bcr-Abl, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and beta-catenin. CONCLUSIONS: We observed synergistic effects of deferasirox and imatinib on both imatinib-resistant and imatinib-sensitive cell lines. These effects were due to induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by down-regulated expression of NF-kappaB and beta-catenin levels. Based on these results, we suggest that a combination treatment of deferasirox and imatinib could be considered as an alternative treatment option for imatinib-resistant CML.
Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology ; Apoptosis/drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/metabolism ; Benzoates/*pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/*drug effects ; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate/*pharmacology ; Iron Chelating Agents/*pharmacology ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/*drug therapy/metabolism ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Triazoles/*pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of the chloride channel dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) on the cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells in the mouse.

METHODSTM4 Sertoli cells were cultured and treated with CFTR(inh)-172 at the concentrations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L for 48 hours. Then the cytotoxicity of CFT(inh)-172 was assessed by CCK-8 assay, the expressions of F-actin and Ac-tub in the TM4 Sertoli cells detected by immunofluorescence assay, and those of N-cadherin, vimentin and vinculin determined by qPCR.

RESULTSCFTR(inh)-172 produced cytotoxicity to the TM4 Sertoli cells at the concentration of 20 μmol/L. The expressions of F-actin and Ac-tub were decreased gradually in the TM4 Sertoli cells with the prolonging of treatment time and increasing concentration of CFTR(inh)-172 (P < 0.05). The results of qPCR showed that different concentrations of CFTR(inh)-172 worked no significant influence on the mRNA expressions of N-cadherin, vimentin and vinculin in the Sertoli cells.

CONCLUSIONThe CFTR chloride channel plays an important role in maintaining the normal cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells. The reduced function and expression of the CFTR chloride channel may affect the function of Sertoli cells and consequently spermatogenesis of the testis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Chloride Channels ; physiology ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cytoskeleton ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Spermatogenesis ; Thiazolidines ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of liver X receptor-β (LXR-β) in human gastric cancer tissue, and to explore the effect of GW3965, an agonist of LXRs, on proliferation of gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901.
 METHODS: The immunohistochemical assay was used to detect the expression of LXR-β, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in gastric cancer tissues and the corresponding pericarcinoma tissues in 114 patients. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to determine mRNA and protein levels of ATF4 and ATP-binding cassette 1 (ABCA1), one of the downstream target genes of LXRs, in SGC-7901 cells with or without GW3965 treatment. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to detect cell proliferation. The expression of ATF4 was silenced by short hairpin RNA (shRNA).
 RESULTS: The expressions of LXR-β and ATF-4 were obviously down-regulated in the gastric cancer tissues than that in the corresponding pericarcinoma tissues (both P<0.05). Compared with the control cells, GW3965 treatment inhibited proliferation of SGC-7901 cells and up-regulated ATF4 and ABCA1 expressions (both P<0.05). Knockdown of ATF4 can reverse the antiproliferative effect of GW3965 on SGC-7901 cells.
 CONCLUSION The expression of LXR-β is decreased in human gastric cancer tissues, and activation of LXRs by GW3965 could inhibit the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells via ATF4.
Activating Transcription Factor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Benzylamines ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Liver X Receptors ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Up-Regulation

This study aims to detect the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in lung carcinoma A549 cells, and to investigate the effects of mGluR8 and mGluR4 activation on the growth of A549 cells in vitro. The mRNA expression levels of the 8 subtypes of mGluRs in A549 cells were determined by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the protein expression of mGluR4 and mGluR8 in A549 cells and lung tissue sections obtained from lung adenocarcinoma patients. To observe the effects of mGluR8 and mGluR4 activation on the growth of A549 cells, the cultured cells were treated with (S)-3,4-DCPG (an agonist of mGluR8) and VU0155041 (an agonist of mGluR4), respectively, and then the cell viability was analyzed by CCK-8 kit, the percentage of DNA synthesis was detected by EdU incorporation, and the apoptosis of the cells was measured by hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry. The results showed that there were low expressions of mGluR1, mGluR5, mGluR6, mGluR7 mRNA, no expression of mGluR2 and mGluR3 mRNA, and high expressions of mGluR8 and mGluR4 mRNA in A549 cells. Accordingly, there were also mGluR4 and mGluR8 protein expressions in the A549 cells and the lung adenocarcinoma tissue sections. VU0155041 had no effect on the growth of A549 cells, but (S)-3,4-DCPG significantly decreased the cells' growth in a dose-dependent manner and increased the apoptosis of the cells. The results revealed a role of mGluR8 in the growth and apoptosis of A549 cells and suggested a potential target for clinical treatment of lung cancer.
Anilides ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids ; pharmacology ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate ; physiology

To investigate the effects of 2-(4-methoxycarbonyl-2-tetradecyloxyphenyl)carbamoylbenzoic acid (CX09040) on protecting pancreatic β cells, the β cell dysfunction model mice were induced by injection of alloxan into the caudal vein of ICR mice, and were treated with compound CX09040. Liraglutide was used as the positive control drug. The amount and the size of islets observed in pathological sections were calculated to evaluate the β cell mass; the glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) test was applied to estimate the β cell secretary function; the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was taken to observe the glucose metabolism in mice; the expressions of protein in pancreas were detected by Western blotting. The effects on the target protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) were assessed by the PTP1B activities of both recombinant protein and the intracellular enzyme, and by the PTP1B expression in the pancreas of mice, separately. As the results, with the treatment of CX09040 in alloxan-induced β cell dysfunction mice, the islet amount (P<0.05) and size (P<0.05) increased significantly, the changes of serum insulin in GSIS (P<0.01) and the values of acute insulin response (AIR, P<0.01) were enhanced, compared to those in model group; the impaired glucose tolerance was also ameliorated by CX09040 with the decrease of the values of area under curve (AUC, P<0.01). The activation of the signaling pathways related to β cell proliferation was enhanced by increasing the levels of p-Akt/Akt (P<0.01), p-FoxO1/FoxOl (P<0.001) and PDX-1 (P<0.01). The effects of CX09040 on PTP1B were observed by inhibiting the recombinant hPTP1B activity with IC50 value of 2.78x 10(-7) mol.L-1, reducing the intracellular PTP1B activity of 72.8% (P<0.001), suppressing the PTP1B expression (P<0.001) and up-regulating p-IRβ/IRβ (P<0.01) in pancreas of the β cell dysfunction mice, separately. In conclusion, compound CX09040 showed significant protection effects against the dysfunction of β cell of mice by enlarging the pancreatic β cell mass and increasing the glucose-induced insulin secretion; its major mechanism may be the inhibition on target PTP1B and the succedent up-regulation of β cell proliferation.
Alloxan ; Animals ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Biological Assay ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Insulin ; secretion ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; Liraglutide ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Molecular Weight ; Pancreas ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Signal Transduction

The present study aims to predict the action targets of antidepressant active ingredients of Xiaoyaosan to understand the "multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways" mechanism. Using network pharmacology, the reported antidepressant active ingredients in Xiaoyaosan (saikosaponin A, saikosaponin C, saikosaponin D, ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, atractylenolide I, atractylenolide II, atractylenolide III, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid and pachymic acid), were used to predict the targets of main active ingredients of Xiaoyaosan according to reversed pharmacophore matching method. The prediction was made via screening of the antidepressive drug targets approved by FDA in the DrugBank database and annotating the information of targets with the aid of MAS 3.0 biological molecular function software. The Cytoscape software was used to construct the Xiaoyaosan ingredients-targets-pathways network. The network analysis indicates that the active ingredients in Xiaoyaosan involve 25 targets in the energy metabolism-immune-signal transmutation relevant biological processes. The antidepressant effect of Xiaoyaosan reflects the features of traditional Chinese medicine in multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways. This research provides a scientific basis for elucidation of the antidepressant pharmacological mechanism of Xiaoyaosan.
Antidepressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Benzoates ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; Coumaric Acids ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavanones ; Glucosides ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; Lactones ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Monoterpenes ; Sesquiterpenes ; Software

BACKGROUNDNumerous studies have demonstrated that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) plays an important role in regulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) function. Telmisartan, as a partial agonist of PPARγ, may have an effect on the regulation of EPC functions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of telmisartan on EPC proliferation and differentiation.

METHODSPeripheral blood derived mononuclear cells containing EPC were isolated from healthy volunteers and then cultured on fibronectin-coated dishes in the presence or absence of telmisartan. The proliferative activity of EPC was determined by colony forming units (CFU) and MTT assay. The migratory activity of EPC was assessed by transwell assay. The expression of endothelial cells (EC) markers, including vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), von Willebrand factor (vWF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), were measured by Western blotting analysis.

RESULTSMorphological analysis revealed that telmisartan significantly increased the proliferation of EPC and the number of endothelial cell colony forming units. Telmisartan could enhance the expression of the makers of mature EC, including VE-cadherin, vWF, and eNOS, which indicated telmisartan could stimulate EPC to differentiate into mature EC. Telmisartan increased the phosphorylation of Akt in EPC. The inhibition of Akt activation significantly attenuated the effect of telmisartan on EPC functions, suggesting that Akt is involved in the stimulatory effect of telmisartan on EPC differentiation.

CONCLUSIONSThe results of this study demonstrate that telmisartan promotes EPC functions via activation of Akt.

Benzimidazoles ; pharmacology ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (VL-PAG) metabotropic glutamate receptors subtype 7 and 8 (mGluR 7/8) in descending modulation of cardiosomatic motor reflex (CMR) in rats.

METHODSAMN082 (agonist of mGluR 7) and DCPG (agonist of mGluR 8) were injected into the VL-PAG of a rat model of CMR to observe their effects in modulating CMR. The raphe magnus nucleus (NRM) or the gigantocellular reticular nucleus (Gi) was then damaged, and the changes in VL-PAG descending modulation were observed.

RESULTSSelective activation of mGluR 7 of the VL-PAG by AMN082 obviously facilitated capsaicin (CAP)-induced CMR (P<0.05), which was suppressed by DCPG-induced mGluR 8 activation (P<0.05). These facilitatory or inhibitory effects were completely reversed by group III mGluR antagonist MSOP. Damaging the NRM of VL-PAG main relay nucleus did not significantly affect the facilitatory effect produced by AMN082 microinjection (P>0.05), but partially attenuated the inhibitory effect of DCPG microinjection (P<0.05). Both the facilitatory effect of AMN082 and the inhibitory effect of DCPG were reduced obviously after bilateral Gi damage (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONVL-PAG mGluR 7 and mGluR 8 mediate biphasic regulation of CMR in rats probably through activation of different sub-nuclei and different neurons in the rostroventral medulla.

Animals ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; metabolism ; Periaqueductal Gray ; metabolism ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate ; agonists ; metabolism ; Reflex ; physiology

Paeoniflorin (PF) is the chief active component of paeonia, with diverse pharmacological actions and wide application. Recently, the effect of PF on nervous system has attracted increasingly more attention. According to current study findings, PF can ameliorate the decline of memory and learning capacities in many dementia model animals, and have effect in protecting the cerebral ischemia injury, treating Parkinson's disease, reliving pain and improving neural synapse plasticity. Thought its mechanism has not been clarified, current findings show that adenosine A1 receptor plays an important role, while M cholinergic receptor, opiate receptor, calcium ion channel and NF-KB may also play a part in paeoniflorin's effect on nervous system.
Animals ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; pharmacology ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Monoterpenes ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nervous System ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Receptor, Adenosine A1 ; metabolism