This study aims to explore the mechanism of fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma against chronic bronchitis airway inflammation. The SD rats of SPF grade were divided into control group, model group, Guilongkechuanning group(GLKCN, 1.125 g·kg~(-1)), high-dose fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma group(LG-HD, 15 g·kg~(-1)), and low-dose fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma group(LG-LD, 7.5 g·kg~(-1)). The chronic bronchitis models of rats in other groups except the control group were induced by the modified smoking method. From the 15 th day of modeling, the rats were given corresponding agents by gavage for 20 consecutive days. After the last administration, the rats were sacrificed for sample collection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to detect serum transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) levels. The protein expression of TGF-β, IL-1β and IL-6 in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemical method. Masson staining was performed to detect collagen fibers and muscle fibers in lung tissue, and HE staining to detect the pathological changes of lung tissue. Human bronchial epithelial(16 HBE) cells were cultured in vitro, and CCK-8(cell counting kit-8) method was used to detect the cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke extract(CSE) and fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma. After the exposure of 16 HBE cells to 3.5% CSE and appropriate concentration(800, 400 μg·mL~(-1)) of fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma for 24 h, quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of TGF-β and IL-1β, and Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of TGF-β and IL-6 in the cells. The rat model of chronic bronchitis induced by smoking was successfully established. Fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma reduced serum TGF-β and IL-6 levels, down-regulated the protein levels of TGF-β, IL-1β, and IL-6 in lung tissue, and alleviated pathological changes and fibrotic lesions in lung tissue. Moreover, it down-regulated the CSE-induced protein expression of TGF-β and IL-6 as well as the mRNA level of TGF-β in 16 HBE cells. These results indicated that fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma could prevent airway inflammation from chronic bronchitis and promote cell repair by inhibiting the TGF-β signaling pathway.
Animals ; Bronchitis, Chronic/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Inflammation ; Lung ; Poaceae/chemistry* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics*

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the hair growth-promoting effect of Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens (MSP) flower extracton on in vitro and in vivo models.

METHODSMSP flower extract was extracted in 99.9% methanol and applied to examine the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in vitro at the dose of 3.92-62.50 μg/mL and hair growth of C57BL/6 mice in vivo at the dose of 1000 μg/mL. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), β-catenin, substance P was measured by relative quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed.

RESULTSMSP (7.81 μg/mL) down-regulated TGF-β1 and up-regulated HGF and β-catenin in hDPCs (P<0.01). MSP (1000 μg/mL)-treated mice showed the earlier transition of hair follicles from the telogen to the anagen phase. The number of mast cells was lower in the MSP-treated mice than in other groups (P<0.05 vs. NCS group). Substance P and TGF-β1 were expressed in hair follicles and skin of the MSP group lower than that in negative control. Stem cell factor in hair follicles was up-regulated in the MSP-treated mice (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe MSP flower extract may have hair growth-promotion activities.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cell Count ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Female ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Hair Follicle ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; cytology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Poaceae ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Skin ; metabolism ; Stem Cell Factor ; metabolism ; Stress, Psychological ; pathology ; Substance P ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

The tuberous roots of Aconitum carmichaeli are largely used in traditional Chinese medicine and widely grown in Jiangyou, Sichuan, China. During the growth process, this medicinal plant releases a large amount of allelochemicals into soil, which retard the growth and development of near and late crops. Therefore, a pure culture experiment was thus carried out by seed soaking to study the allelopathic effects of extracts from tuberous roots of A. carmichaeli (ETR) on the seed germination and young seedling growth of Lolium perenne, Trifolium repens, and Medicago sativa, the late pasture grasses after cultivation of A. carmichaeli. The results showed that three pasture grasses varied significantly in seed germination and young seedling growth in response to ETR concentrations. Seed germination of M. sativa was stimulated by low ERT concentration (0.01 x g(-1)), while all of pasture grass seeds germinated poorly in solution with 1.00 g x L(-1). Seed soaking with 1.00 g x L(-1) also inhibited significantly the growth of pasture young seedlings, with M. sativa showing the highest seedling height reduction of 42.05% in seeding height, followed by T. repens (40.21%) and L. perenne with about 11%. Cultivation of L. perenne could thus be beneficial to increase whole land productivity in A. carmichaeli-pasture grass cropping systems. In addition, hydrolysis of protein, starch, and inositol phosphates was blocked and free amino acids, soluble sugars and phosphorus were decreased in seeds by seed soaking with ETR, which could be one of the reason for the inhibition of seed germination. There was a significant reduction in root vigor, nitrate reductase, and chlorophyll after the seed treatment with ETR, indicating the suppression of nutrient uptake, nitrate assimilation, and photosynthesis by allelopathic chemicals in ETR, which could lead to the slow growth rate of pasture grass seedlings.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Allelopathy ; China ; Pheromones ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Poaceae ; drug effects ; growth & development

Isolation and purification of chemical constituents from solid culture of endophyte Chaetomium globosum in Imperata cylindrical was performed through silica gel column chromatography, gel filtration over Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Nine compounds were obtained and their structures were determined as chaetoglobosin F(1), chaetoglobosin Fex(2), chaetoglobosin E(3) cytoglobosin A(4), penochalasin C(S), isochaetoglobosin D (6), N-benzoylphenylalaninyl-N-benzoyphenylalaninate(7), uracil(8) and 5-methyluracil(9), respectively, based on HR-MS and NMR data and comparison with literatures. Compound 7 was isolated from Chaeeomium sp. for the first time. In vitro cytotoxicity of compounds was evaluated using MTT mothed and 1,3,4 and 5 showed inhibition activity to the human cervical carcinoma cell HeLa with IC50 values of 99.43, 23.77, 97.92, 86.25 micromol x L(-1), while positive cotolocisnin Ad apno1ch alse IC50 24.33 micromol x L(-1).
Biological Factors ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Chaetomium ; chemistry ; Endophytes ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Poaceae ; microbiology ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVEIn continuation to the growing evidence for therapeutical potential of Desmostachya bipinnata (Linn) Stapf, the current pharmacological study was carried out to evaluate the diuretic and laxative activity of its hydro-alcoholic extract in rats.

METHODSThe hydro-alcoholic extract of D. bipinnata whole plant was prepared by using Soxhlet extractor and subjected to analysis by standard preliminary phytochemical tests. Evaluation of both diuretic and laxative activity was carried out using standard methods as reported earlier. Frusemide (20 mg/kg) was served as positive control for diuretic activity and sennosides (10 mg/kg) served as negative control for laxative activity.

RESULTSThe hydro-alcoholic extract showed significant diuretic activity and was found to be the most potent in increasing the urinary output at 500 mg/kg when the effect was compared with that of the standard frusemide (P<0.01). Moreover, this extract was found to be most effective in increasing urinary electrolyte concentration (Na(+), K(+), and Cl(-)) at both doses tested. Whereas the results for laxative activity showed minimal increase of feces output at the dose of 500 mg/kg and the increase was negligible when compared with that of the standard drug sennosides.

CONCLUSIONAltogether, the above significant findings validate and support its folkloric diuretic use and lend pharmacological credence to the ethno-medical use of this plant in traditional system of medicine, which demands further studies to investigate its active constituents, as well as its use and safety.

Animals ; Constipation ; drug therapy ; Diuretics ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Female ; Humans ; Laxatives ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Poaceae ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Several kinds of column chromatography method were used to investigate the chemical constituents of the leaves of Lophatherum gracile. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified based on their physicochemical properties and spectral data. A new flavone C-glycoside was isolated and its structure was identified as 3'-methoxyl-luteolin 6-C-beta-D-galactopyranosiduronic acid (1 --> 2) -alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (1).
Antiviral Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavones ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Hydrolysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Poaceae ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEThe present study investigated the protective role of Hyparrhenia hirta (H. hirta) against sodium nitrate (NaNO3)-induced hepatoxicity.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group and two treated groups during 50 d with NaNO3 administered either alone in drinking water or co-administered with H. hirta.

RESULTSNaNO3 treatment induced a significant increase in serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride while serum total protein level decreased significantly. Transaminases and lactate deshydrogenase activities in serum were elevated indicating hepatic cells' damage after treatment with NaNO3. The hyperbilirubinemia and the increased serum gamma glutamyl transferase activities suggested the presence of cholestasis in NaNO3 exposed rats. In parallel, a significant increase in malondialdehyde level along with a concomitant decrease in total glutathione content and superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were observed in the liver after NaNO3 treatment. Furthermore, nitrate caused a significant induction of DNA fragmentation. These modifications in NaNO3-treated rats corresponded histologically with hepatocellular necrosis and mononuclear cells infiltration. H. hirta supplementation showed a remarkable amelioration of the abnormalities cited above.

CONCLUSIONThe results concluded that the treatment with H. hirta had a significant role in protecting the animals from nitrate-induced liver dysfunction.

Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; prevention & control ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Eating ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Glutathione ; drug effects ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Nitrates ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Poaceae ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats, Wistar

Chemical investigation of Imperata cylindrica led to the isolation of thirteen compounds using various chromatographic techniques. The structure of these compounds were identified as: three phenylpropanoids, 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,2,3-propanetriol ( 1 ), 1-O-p-coumaroylglycerol (2), 4-methoxy-5-methyl coumarin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3); four organic acids, 4-hydroxybenzene carboxylic acid(4), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (5), vanillic acid (6), 3, 4-dihydroxybutyric acid (7); one phenolic compound, salicin (8); and five triterpenes, namely, arundoin (9), cylindrin (10), fernenol (11), simiarenol (12), glutinone (13) by their physicochemical properties and spectral data analysis. Among them, compounds 1-8 were isolated from the genus Imperata for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Poaceae ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Vanillic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Fifteen compounds were isolated from the stem (with skin removed) of Sinocalamus affinis by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, macroporous adsorbent resin, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data as ( + )-(1S, 2R)-1, 2-bis (4-hydroxy- 3-methoxyphenyl)-1, 3-propanediol (1), threo-guaiacylglycerol-beta-O-4'-coniferyl ether(2), erythro-guaiacylglycerol-beta-O-4'-coniferyl ether(3), ( + )-(7S, 8R, 8'R)-5'-methoxylariciresinol(4), ( + )-(7S, 8R, 8'R)-5, 5'-dimethoxylariciresinol (5), ( +/- )-glaberide I (6), ( - )-syringaresinol (7), ( - )-medioresinol(8), ( - )-(8R, 8R')-4, 4'-dihydroxy-3, 3', 5, 5'-tetramethoxyligna-9, 9'-diol(9), ( - )-secoisolariciresinol-9, 9'-acetonide (10), and ( + )-lyoniresinol (11); a new natural product 2, 6-dimethoxypyran4-one (12), and beta-sitosterol, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, and 2, 6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone. These compounds were isolated from the genus Sinocalamus for the first time, compound 10 should be an artifact.
Chromatography ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Poaceae ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo develop a RP-HPLC method for simultaneous determination of orientin, isorientin, vitexin and isovitexin in Lophatherum gracile from different habitat and harvesting time.

METHODThe HPLC method was applied and the chromatographic column was a Waters XBridge C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.05% acetic acid (35:65). The flow rate was 1.0 mL min(-1) and the detection wavelength was set at 340 nm. The column temperature was set at 25 degrees C.

RESULTFour components were isolated well, the linear relationships were excellent. The mean recoveries and RSD values of orientin, isorientin, vitexin and isovitexin were 103.2%, 2.1%; 101.6%, 2.7%; 98.4%, 2.3%; 99.2%, 1.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe HPLC method is simple, sensitive and reliable, and can be used for the quality control of the medicinal material.

Apigenin ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; Poaceae ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results