Lyoniresinol 3α-O-β-D-glucopyranoside-mediated hypoglycaemia and its influence on apoptosis-regulatory protein expression in the injured kidneys of streptozotocin-induced mice

Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) root (ACLR) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for treating diabetes and diabetic nephropathy (DN). (±)-Lyoniresinol 3α-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (LGP1, LGP2) were two chiral lignan glucosides that were isolated from the ACLR. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of LGP1 and LGP2-mediated hypoglycaemia on renal injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. STZ-induced diabetic mice were administrated LGP1 and LGP2 orally (20, 40, 80 mg/kg body weight/d) for 14 days. Hyperglycaemia and the expression of related proteins such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), caspase-3, -8, -9, and Bcl-associated X protein (Bax) were markedly decreased by LGP1 treatment. However, LGP2 treatment had no hypoglycaemic activity. Diabetes-dependent alterations in the kidney such as glomerular hypertrophy, excessive extracellular matrix amassing, and glomerular and tubular basement membrane thickening were improved after 14 days of LGP1 treatment. B cell lymphoma Leukaemia-2 (Bcl-2) expression was reduced in the STZ-induced diabetic mouse kidneys but was enhanced by LGP1 treatment. These findings suggest that LGP1 treatment may inhibit diabetic nephropathy progression and may regulate several pharmacological targets for treating or preventing diabetic nephropathy.

Isolation and identification of an anti-hepatitis B virus compound from Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides (Apiaceae) have been used as a folk remedy for the treatment of fever, edema, detoxication, throat pain, psoriasis and hepatitis B virus infections in China. The aim of this study is to isolate and identify an anti-HBV compound from this herb.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A compound (saponin) was isolated from the active ethanol extract using bioassay-guided screening. The structure of the saponin was elucidated by spectroscopic methods and compared with published data. The anti-HBV activity of the saponin was evaluated by detecting the levels of HBV antigens, extracellular HBV DNA, nuclear covalent closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and five HBV promoters in HepG2.2.15 cells. In addition, the levels of serum HBsAg/HBeAg, DHBV DNA, ALT/AST and hepatic pathological changes were analyzed in DHBV-infected ducks.

RESULTS

The chemical analysis indicated that the saponin isolated from Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides is asiaticoside. The pharmacodynamics experimental studies showed that asiaticoside effectively suppressed the levels of HBsAg/HBeAg, extracellular HBV DNA and intracellular cccDNA in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, experiments demonstrated that asiaticoside markedly reduced viral DNA transcription and replication by inhibiting the activities of core, s1, s2, and X gene promoters. In addition, asiaticoside markedly reduced DHBV replication without any obvious signs of toxicity. The levels of serum DHBV DNA, HBsAg/HBeAg were increased 3 days after drug withdrawal, but the levels rebounded slightly in the asiaticoside treatment groups compared with the 3TC treatment group. Moreover, analysis of the serum ALT/AST levels and the liver pathological changes indicated that asiaticoside could alleviate liver damage.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that asiaticoside could efficiently inhibit HBV replication both in vitro and in vivo, and asiaticoside may be a major bioactive ingredient in Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides.

L-dopa methyl ester attenuates amblyopia-induced neuronal injury in visual cortex of amblyopic cat

In the present study, we aimed to assess the potential anti-amblyopic effects of L-dopa methyl ester (LDME) on visual cortex area 17 in an amblyopic feline model induced by monocular vision deprivation. After LDME administration, pathophysiologic and ultrastructural observations were utilized to examine the morphological changes of nerve cells in visual cortex area 17. Dopamine (DA) and its metabolite contents in visual cortex area 17 were investigated through HPLC analysis. Apoptotic cells in visual cortex area 17 were evaluated by TUNEL assay. Additionally, the c-fos expression both at gene and protein levels was assessed using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses, respectively. The contents of DA and its metabolites were elevated in visual cortex area 17. Neuronal rejuvenation which occurred in visual cortex area 17 was observed through anatomical and physiological assessments. Similarly, TUNEL results showed that neuronal apoptosis was inhibited in the visual cortex of amblyopic cats by both L-dopa and LDME therapies. Meanwhile, the c-fos expression was notably up-regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels by the treatments. These findings suggested that LDME treatment could effectively increase DA and its metabolite contents, and restrain the apoptotic process, as well as elevate the c-fos expression in nerve cells of visual cortex area 17. Taken together, LDME might ameliorate the functional cytoarchitecture in visual cortex area 17 through mechanisms that elevate DA content and increase endogenous c-fos expression, as well as inhibit neuronal lesion in visual cortex tissue.

Determination of five flavonoids in different parts of Fordia cauliflora by ultra performance liquid chromatography/triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry and chemical comparison with the root of Millettia pulchra var. laxior

BACKGROUND

The root of Fordia cauliflora Hemsl (FC) has long been used in southern China for the treatment of rheumatism, bruises, dementia in children, and valetudinarianism. However, sometimes it is mixed with other parts. And it has always been confused with the root of Millettia pulchra (Benth.) Kurz var. laxior (Dunn) Z. Wei (MP) by the local people. The chemical differences between the two ethnic drugs are not clear until now. The aim of this study is to develop a precise and accurate method to characterize and quantify multiple chemical components of FC, which is helpful for the quality evaluation and identification of FC.

RESULTS

A method coupling ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (QqQ-MS) was first developed for simultaneous determination of five flavonoids in different parts of FC and the root of MP, based on a UPLC-diode array detection (DAD) fingerprint method. All calibration curves showed good linearity (R2>0.99) within test ranges. The overall LOD and LOQ were lower than 2.5 ng/mL and 5.0 ng/mL, respectively. The RSDs for intra- and inter-day of five analytes were less than 2.83% and 3.04%, respectively. Recovery studies for the quantified compounds were found to be within the range 93.6-99.8% with RSD less than 5.73%. The results suggest that the root, traditionally used medicinal part, yields the highest flavanoid content in FC. Pachycarin A, 3',4'-dimethoxy(2'',3'':7,8) furanoflavone, karanjachromene and isoderricin A can be used to differentiate between FC and MP samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The present method is specific, precise and reliable, and is suitable for characterizing and quantifying multiple chemical components of FC.

Effect of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione, isolated from Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) roots, on advanced glycation end-product-mediated renal injury in type 2 diabetic KKAy mice

The roots of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) have a long history of medical use in traditional Chinese medicine for treating diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. 2-Dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD) was isolated from the tuberous roots of A. carambola L. The purpose of this study was to investigate the beneficial effect of DMDD on the advanced glycation end-product-mediated renal injury in type 2 diabetic KKAy mice with regard to prove its efficacy by local traditional practitioners in the treatment of kidney frailties in diabetics. KKAy mice were orally administrated DMDD (12.5, 25, 50mg/kg body weight/d) or aminoguanidine (200mg/kg body weight/d) for 8 weeks. Hyperglycemia, renal AGE formation, and the expression of related proteins, such as the AGE receptor, nuclear factor-κB, transforming growth factor-β1, and N(ε)-(carboxymethyl)lysine, were markedly decreased by DMDD. Diabetes-dependent alterations in proteinuria, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, and serum urea-N and glomerular mesangial matrix expansion were attenuated after treatment with DMDD for 8 weeks. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, which are reduced in the kidneys of KKAy mice, were enhanced by DMDD. These findings suggest that DMDD may inhibit the progression of diabetic nephropathy and may be a therapeutic agent for regulating several pharmacological targets to treat or prevent of diabetic nephropathy.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi plasmid pR ST98 -mediated inhibition of autophagy promotes bacterial survival in infected fibroblasts

pR (ST98) is a chimeric plasmid isolated from Salmonella enterica serovar typhi (S. typhi) and mediates both drug-resistance and virulence of S. typhi. Autophagy has been recently reported as an important component of the innate immune response against intracellular pathogen. In this study, we investigated the effect of pR (ST98) on cellular autophagy, apoptosis and bacterial survival in infected fibroblasts. S. typhi strain ST 8 carrying pR (ST98) , Salmonella typhimurium strain SR-11 carrying a 100 Kb virulent plasmid, and avirulent S. typhi strain ST(10) without plasmid were tested in this experiment. Results showed that embryonic fibroblasts infected with ST(8) containing pR (ST98) had decreased autophagy accompanied by increased bacterial survival and apoptosis. Further study showed that autophagy inducer rapamycin reversed pR (ST98) -mediated inhibition of autophagy and reduced apoptosis in infected fibroblasts. Our data indicate that pR (ST98) can inhibit autophagy, thus facilitating S. typhi survival and promoting apoptosis of host cells. This study contributes to understanding the underlying mechanism of pR (ST98) -mediated virulence in S. typhi.

Occipital somites guide motor axons of the accessory nerve in the avian embryo

The accessory nerve (nervus accessorius) displays a unique organization in that its axons ascend along the rostrocaudal axis after exiting the cervical spinal cord and medulla oblongata and thereafter project ventrally into the periphery at the first somite level. Little is known about how this organization is achieved. We have investigated the role of somites in the guidance of motor axons of the accessory nerve using heterotopic transplantations of somites in avian embryos. The formation of not only accessory nerve but also the vagal nerve was affected, when a more caudal occipital somite (somites 2-4) was grafted to the position of the first occipital somite. Our study reveals that only the first occipital somite permits the development of ventral projection of accessory axons, a process that is inhibited by more caudal occipital somites.

Asiatic acid from Potentilla chinensis attenuate ethanol-induced hepatic injury via suppression of oxidative stress and Kupffer cell activation

This study examined the effect of Asiatic acid from Potentilla chinensis (AAPC) on chronic ethanol-induced hepatic injury. Rats underwent intragastric administration of ethanol (5.0–9.0 g/kg) once a day for 12 weeks. A subset of rats were also intragastrically treated with AAPC (2, 4 or 8 mg/kg) once a day. In the end, AAPC treatment significantly protected against ethanol-induced liver injury, as evidenced by the decrease in serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases levels and the attenuation of histopathological changes in rats. Additionally, AAPC significantly decreased blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations by enhancing alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities. Mechanistically, studies showed that AAPC remarkably alleviated the formations of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase, restored impaired antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase, and inhibited cytochrome P450 (CYP)2E1 activity. Moreover, the over-expression of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the elevated plasma endotoxin level and the up-regulated Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), CD14 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) as well as nuclear factor-κB were also suppressed by AAPC in ethanol-intoxicated rats. In conclusion, the protective effect of AAPC on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity was mainly due to its ability to attenuate oxidative stress and inhibit Kupffer cell activation by decreasing the level of plasma endotoxin and the expression of TLR4, CD14 and MyD88.

Clinical evaluation with self-sequential longitudinal reference intervals: pregnancy outcome and neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone level associated with maternal thyroid diseases

OBJECTIVE

We attempted to evaluate maternal thyroid function in a new self-sequential longitudinal reference interval (SLRI) which we established recently. By this method, we analysed the correlation between pregnancy outcome, neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level and maternal thyroid diseases.

METHODS

A total of 1744 pregnant women participated in the study and 1747 babies were born from those women (three bore twins). The levels of TSH, free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) of mothers were quantified by electrochemistry immunoassay (ECL). The levels of neonatal blood TSH were detected by time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA). All data were collected and statistically analysed by SPSS 13.0 software.

RESULTS

With our new SLRI method, we found that 0.11%-3.84% pregnant women would get thyroid diseases. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common maternal thyroid disorder. Being positive for thyroid peroxidase antibodies was a significant risk factor of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy. The median, P2.5-P97.5, and interquartile range (IQR) of neonatal TSH (N-TSH) of 1747 babies were 2.72 mIU/L, 0.10-8.01 mIU/L and 2.62 mIU/L, respectively; 28.6% of pregnant women with thyroid diseases developed pregnancy complications. The prevalence was significantly higher than in the normal thyroid function group (p < 0.001). The levels of N-TSH were low correlated with maternal TSH levels (p < 0.05), but there were no significant correlations between N-TSH and maternal FT4 and maternal TPO-Ab (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Thyroid disorders, especially subclinical hypothyroidism, are common in pregnant women. These disorders are associated with pregnancy and fetal outcome. Routine maternal thyroid function screening is important and should be recommended.

Phenolic and lignan glycosides from the butanol extract of Averrhoa carambola L. root

Fifteen compounds, which included six chiral lignans and nine phenolic glycosides, were separated from the butanol fraction of Averrhoa carambola L. root and identified. All of the compounds, namely 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), benzyl-1-O- β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (+)-5'-methoxyisolariciresinol 3α-O- β-D-gluco-pyranoside (3), (+)-isolariciresinol 3α-O- β-D-glucopyranoside (4), koaburaside (5), (+)-lyoniresinol 3α-O- β-D-glucopyranoside (6), (−)-lyoniresinol 3α-O- β-D-glucopyranoside (7), (−)-5'-methoxyisolariciresinol 3α-O- β-D-glucopyranoside (8), (−)-isolariciresinol 3α-O- β-D-glucopyranoside (9), 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl 1-O-β-apiofuranosyl (1''→6')-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl 1-O-β-apiofuranosyl (1''→6')-β-gluco-pyranoside (11), methoxyhydroquinone-4- β -D-glucopyranoside (12), (2S)-2-O- β-D-gluco-pyranosyl-2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (13), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenol 1-O -β-D-apio-furanosyl-(1''→6')-O - β-D-glucopyranoside (14) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenol 1-O -β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1''→6')-O - β-D-glucopyranoside (15) were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Effect and mechanism of methyl helicterate isolated from Helicteres angustifolia (Sterculiaceae) on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Methyl helicterate is a triterpenoid isolated from Helicteres angustifolia (Sterculiaceae), one of the valuable traditional Chinese herbs. Antifibrotic activities of H. angustifolia have been extensively proved.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of methyl helicterate (MH) on liver fibrosis in rats induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) and to explore its underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hepatic fibrosis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by intragastric administration with 2 ml/kg CCl(4) (mixed 1:1 in peanut oil) twice a week for 12 weeks. To evaluate the effect of MH (16.72, 33.45, 66.90 mg/kg) on hepatic fibrosis, liver function, histological study and hepatic fibrosis evaluation were performed. Liver function was assessed by determining the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (Alb) and total protein (TP). The biomarkers such as hydroxyproline (Hyp), hyaluronic acid (HA), type III precollagen (PCIII) and laminin (LN) were examined for the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis. The underlying mechanism was investigated by measuring oxidative stress level and detecting the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA and Smad3 protein.

RESULTS

MH (33.45, 66.90 mg/kg) treatment significantly inhibited the loss of body weight and the increase of liver index in rats induced by CCl(4). MH also improved the liver function as indicated by decreasing serum enzymatic activities of ALT, AST, TP and Alb (P<0.05). Histological results indicated that MH alleviated liver damage and reduced the formation of fibrous septa. Moreover, MH significantly decreased liver Hyp, HA, LN and PCIII (P<0.05). Research on mechanism showed that MH could markedly reduce liver malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, increase activities of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and inhibit the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA and Smad3 protein (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that MH can inhibit CCl(4)-induced hepatic fibrosis, which may be ascribed to its radical scavenging action, antioxidant activity, and modulation of TGF-β-Smad3 signaling pathway.

A new derivative of camptothecin, irinotecan hydrochloride (cpt-11) induces programmed cell-death in leukemia-lymphoma cell-lines

Irinotecan Hydrochloride (CPT-11) and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38), which are both topoisomerase I inhibitors with potent antitumor effects in vivo and in vitro, were tested for the induction of programmed cell death (PCD) in leukemia/lymphoma cell lines. When the human T-cell leukemia cell line HUT-102 and the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 cells were exposed to CPT-11, PCD characterized by a DNA fragmentation ladder of 180-200 bp in agarose gel electrophoresis and loss of cell viability was induced. The PCD inducing activity of SN-38, an active metabolite of CPT-11, was much more powerful than that of CPT-11. Besides inducing PCD in HUT-102 and HL-60 cells, SN-38 also induced PCD in the human erythroblast leukemia cell line K-562, which was resistant to CPT-11. Induction of PCD by SN-38 and CPT-11 was dose- and time-dependent. PCD in HUT-102 cells induced by SN-38 was prevented neither by aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA), an endonuclease inhibitor, as determine by DNA electrophoretic profiles and the number of viable cells, nor by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The present data suggest that the topoisomerase I inhibitors, SN-38 and CPT-11 exert antitumor activity through induction of PCD in involved cells, at least in part. The PCD-inducing activity of the topoisomerase II inhibitor VP-16 was also tested in the above three cell lines and compared with CPT-11 and SN-38.