Based on the toxic characteristics caused by the compatibility between "Zaoji Suiyuan" and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, which was found in the previous studies, the expanded study was carried out on the incompatibility mechanism between Crotonis Semen Pulveratum(CT) and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(GU) with the diuretic effect and intestinal flora as the characteristic indexes. The results showed that GU could slow down the rapid diuretic effect of CT, which suggested a tendency of decreasing the efficacy. Both the high and low dose of CT could significantly induce the intestinal injury and change the intestinal bacteria structure of mice. Low dose CT combined with GU could significantly increase the levels of Streptococcus and Rikenellaceae＿ukn. The relative abundance of Desulfovibrio and Streptococcaceae＿ukn were increased after the combined application of high dose CT and GU. It also suggested that there was a risk of inflammation in the liver and intestines when combined application of these two herbs. The results revealed that the combination of CT and GU has a tendency to reduce the clinical effect and increase the toxicity from the aspects of its traditional efficacy and its effect on intestinal microflora structure, which could provide the data for the clinical use of CT.
Animals ; Croton ; chemistry ; Diuretics ; Drug Interactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; drug effects ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Intestines ; Mice ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry

Five sesquiterpenoids were isolated from 90% ethanol extract of Croton yunnanensis by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography,as well as prep-HPLC methods. Based on MS,1 D and 2 D NMR spectral analyses,the structures of the five compounds were identified as 11-methoxyl alismol(1),6β,7β-epoxy-4α-hydroxyguaian-10-ene(orientalol C,2),multisalactone D(3),arvestonol(4),and 4,5-dihydroblumenol A(5). Compound 1 was a new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid. Compounds 2-4 were isolated from the Croton genus for the first time,and compound 5 was obtained from this plant for the first time.
Croton ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Sesquiterpenes ; Sesquiterpenes, Guaiane

It is noted that Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) triggers dental caries establishment by two major factors: the synthesis of organic acids, which demineralize dental enamel, and the synthesis of glucans, which mediate the attachment of bacteria to the tooth surface. Therefore, it is noted that the development of a more effective, substantial and safe preventive agent that works against dental caries and periodontal disease is required at this time. For this reason, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of croton seed ethanol extracts on the growth, acid production, adhesion, and insoluble glucan synthesis of S. mutans. In this case, the ethanol extract of croton seed showed concentration dependent inhibitory activity against the growth, acid production and adhesion of S. mutans. Especially, it is important to note that it has produced significant inhibition at the concentration of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/ml as compared to the control group. Moreover, these results suggest that the application of croton seed extract may be considered to be a useful method for the prevention of dental caries.
Bacteria ; Croton ; Dental Caries ; Dental Enamel ; Ethanol ; Glucans ; Methods ; Periodontal Diseases ; Streptococcus mutans ; Streptococcus ; Tooth

PURPOSE: Metastatic cancers spread from the primary site of origin to other parts of the body. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is essential in metastatic cancers owing to its major role in cancer cell invasion. Crotonis fructus (CF), the mature fruits of Croton tiglium L., have been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disturbance in Asia. In this study, the effect of the ethanol extract of CF (CFE) on MMP-9 activity and the invasion of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-treated MCF-7 cells was examined. METHODS: The cell viability was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The expression of MMP-9 was examined by Western blotting, zymography, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. An electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay was performed to detect activator protein-1 (AP-1) DNA binding activity and cell invasiveness was measured by an in vitro Matrigel invasion assay. RESULTS: CFE significantly suppressed MMP-9 expression and activation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, CFE attenuated the TPA-induced activation of AP-1. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the inhibitory effects of CFE against TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and MCF-7 cell invasion were dependent on the protein kinase C δ/p38/c-Jun N-terminal kinase/AP-1 pathway. Therefore, CFE could restrict breast cancer invasiveness owing to its ability to inhibit MMP-9 activity.
Asia ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Survival ; Croton ; DNA ; Ethanol ; Fruit ; In Vitro Techniques ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* ; MCF-7 Cells* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Protein Kinase C ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factor AP-1*

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids are effective anti-inflammatory drugs widely used in dermatology and for the treatment of blood cancer patients. Unfortunately, chronic treatment with glucocorticoids results in serious metabolic and atrophogenic adverse effects including skin atrophy. Glucocorticoids act via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a transcription factor that causes either gene transactivation (TA) or transrepression (TR). Compound A (CpdA), a novel non-steroidal GR ligand, does not promote GR dimerization and TA, retains anti-inflammatory potential but induces fewer metabolic side effects compared to classical glucocorticoids when used systemically. As topical effects of CpdA have not been well studied, this work goal was to compare the anti-inflammatory and side effects of topical CpdA and glucocorticoids and to assess their effect on GR TA and TR in keratinocytes. METHODS: We used murine immortalized keratinocytes and F1 C57BlxDBA mice. Effect of glucocorticoid fluocinolone acetonide (FA) and CpdA on gene expression in keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo was evaluated by reverse transcription-PCR. The anti-inflammatory effects were assessed in the model of tumor promoter 12-O-tertradecanoyl-acetate (TPA)-induced dermatitis and in croton oil-induced ear edema test. Skin atrophy was assessed by analysis of epidermal thickness, keratinocyte proliferation, subcutaneous adipose hypoplasia, and dermal changes after chronic treatment with FA and CpdA. RESULTS: In mouse keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo, CpdA did not activate GR-dependent genes but mimicked closely the inhibitory effect of glucocorticoid FA on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. When applied topically, CpdA inhibited TPA-induced skin inflammation and hyperplasia. Unlike glucocorticoids, CpdA itself did not induce skin atrophy which correlated with lack of induction of atrophogene regulated in development and DNA damage response 1 (REDD1) causatively involved in skin and muscle steroid-induced atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results suggest that CpdA and its derivatives represent novel promising class of anti-inflammatory compounds with reduced topical side effects.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Croton ; Cytokines ; Dermatitis ; Dermatology ; Dimerization ; DNA Damage ; Ear ; Edema ; Fluocinolone Acetonide ; Gene Expression ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Inflammation ; Keratinocytes ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Mice ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid* ; Skin* ; Transcription Factors ; Transcriptional Activation

BACKGROUND: Osteoclasts are differentiated from monocytes/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) ligand (RANKL). Croton pycnanthus Benth. (CPB) is a herbal plant that belongs to Euphorbiaceae family. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CPB on osteoclastogenesis and RANKL-dependent signaling pathways. METHODS: Methanol extract of CPB was obtained from International Biological Material Research Center. Osteoclast differentiation was achieved by culturing mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) with M-CSF and RANKL. Osteoclast numbers were evaluated by counting multinuclear cells positive for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). mRNA and protein levels were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. The activation of signaling molecules were assessed after acute stimulation of cells with high dose of RANKL by Western blotting with phospho-specific antibodies. RESULTS: CPB reduced the generation of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-kappaB signaling pathways. The induction of the expression of c-Fos, nuclear factor-activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) and dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP) by RANKL was also suppressed. CONCLUSIONS: CPB exerts negative effects on osteoclast differentiation in response to the RANKL. The inhibitory mechanism involves the suppression of MAPK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways and subsequently the down-regulation of c-Fos and NFATc1 transcription factors.
Acid Phosphatase ; Animals ; Antibodies, Phospho-Specific ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Differentiation ; Colony-Stimulating Factors ; Croton* ; Down-Regulation ; Euphorbiaceae ; Humans ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Macrophages ; Methanol* ; Mice ; NF-kappa B* ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; Osteoclasts* ; Plants ; Protein Kinases ; RANK Ligand ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of dragon's blood powder with different grain size on the transdermal permeability and adhesion of ZJHX paste.

METHODDragon's blood powder with grain sizes of 4, 19, 55 microm were got by ultrafine grinding technology, and then prepared into rubber pastes A, B, C and D, together with dragon's blood powder with grain size of 93 microm of original description. Franz diffusion cell method was adopted to compare the difference in transdermal permeability of dragon's blood powder with different grain sizes, with dracorhodin as the index, and compared their effect on the adhesion of pastes with initial adhesion, permanent adhesion and peel strength as the indexes.

RESULTQ(s)-t equations of pastes A, B, C, D were as follows: Q(s)=1.369 6t + 3.985 5, Q(s) = 1.262 8t +3.738 1, Q(s) = 1.192 3t + 3.320 6, Q(s) = 1.152 2t + 2.366 1, respectively, which showed that the adhesion of A was the best good.

CONCLUSIONWith the decrease in the grain size of dragon's blood powder, accumulative penetration of dracorhodin increases, which facilitates transdermal permeability and adhesion.

Absorption ; Animals ; Croton ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Mice ; Particle Size ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Resins, Plant ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Skin ; metabolism ; Skin Absorption

OBJECTIVETo search the anti-inflammatory fraction of Albizia julibrissin.

METHODInflammatory model of Kunming mice ear edema induced by croton oil and determination combined with the LC-MS-MS-guided fractionation and isolation were used.

RESULTThe n-butanol fraction (AJ-B) obtained from the ethanolic extract of the Cortex albiziae was the major active fraction. The lignan glycosides fraction (AJ-B-1), which was further isolated from AJ-B, showed significant anti-inflammatory activity and exhibited dose-dependent relationship in the dose of 5 to 20 mg x kg(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe method of bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation combined with the LC-MS-MS determination may be of benefit to the logical studies on the bioactive fractions or constituents of traditional Chinese materia medica.

Albizzia ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Biological Assay ; methods ; Butanols ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Croton Oil ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Edema ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Glycosides ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Lignans ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

The untreated leprosy skin takes on a waxy appearance & feel full. Thickening is most marked over the face, which starts to devolp into folds, hanging down to produce the classical lion-like facies. The deep folds in disease state change to the numerous compacted shallow wrinkle with less elasticity of the skin. To correct these wrinkles of the patients healed from the leprosy, we tried the stone-VK formula application to the 14 patients, who are men 10 & women 4 in the age distribution of 55~78 years old. The use of the phenol & croton oil chemical peeling this method is more effective than other chemical & conventional surgical method to remove facial wrinkle. We need more experience of this peeling. In preliminaxy report, our superior results in removing facial wrinkle is presented.
Age Distribution ; Croton Oil ; Elasticity ; Facies ; Female ; Humans ; Leprosy* ; Male ; Phenol* ; Skin

The study carried out testing and fiding out 7/9 subdividable elements from C.tonkinensis which have active with control microorganism including: triterpen acetat: acetyl aleuritolic acid, anpha-amyrin acetat, flavonoid: vitexin, alcaloid: corytenchirin, ent-kauran diterpen: ent-7beta-hydroxy-18-acetoxykauran-15-on, 1anpha-acetoxy-7beta,14anpha-dihydroxy kaur-16-en-15-on. The study aslo found out some ent-kauran deterpen of C.tonkinesis having anti-bacterian nature and making cancer cell in people including: ent-7beta-hydroxy-18-acetoxykaur-16-en-15-on, 1anpha-acetoxy-7beta, 14anpha-dihydroxy kaur-16-en-15-on
Biological Markers ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Croton