Medicinal foodstuffs. XIV. On the bioactive constituents of moroheiya. (2): New fatty acids, corchorifatty acids A, B, C, D, E, and F, from the leaves of Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae): structures and inhibitory effect on NO production in mouse peritoneal macrophages

Following the characterization of the glycosidic constituents in a medical foodstuff "moroheiya," the leaves of Corchorus olitorius L., four higher fatty acids with a trienone function, corchorifatty acids, A, B, C, and D, an undecanoic acid, corchorifatty acid E, and a trihydroxyfatty acid, corchorifatty acid F, were isolated from the less polar fraction of "moroheiya". The structures and optical purity of corchorifatty acids were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Corchorifatty acids A, B, and C showed an inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Neurotoxicity evoked by N-methyl-D-aspartate in the organotypic static slice cultures of rat cerebral cortices: effect of GABA(A) receptor activation

We investigated the neurotoxicity evoked by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor stimulation in the organotypic static slice cultures of rat cerebral cortices. We also examined whether the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor agonist muscimol has a protective effect on the NMDA-mediated neurotoxicity in this culture system. NMDA-mediated cytotoxicity was evaluated histologically and quantified by the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into the culture medium. There was an NMDA-induced, dose-dependent leakage of LDH release and neuronal cell death, which were not attenuated by muscimol treatment. The results suggested that NMDA neurotoxicity is reproduced in the organotypic culture, and that GABA(A) receptor activation exerted no protective action against the NMDA cytotoxicity.

Colocalization of Bcl-2 and 4-hydroxynonenal modified proteins in microglial cells and neurons of rat brain following transient focal ischemia

Bcl-2 has a role in suppressing the production of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. To explore the in situ localization of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified proteins and the Bcl-2 oncoprotein, we used double immunofluorescence labeling and confocal imaging in the rat brain after 3 h of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion followed by reperfusion. Immunoreactivity for HNE or Bcl-2 was not detected at 1 h, but appeared in some intact neurons in the boundary between the infarcted and non-infarcted zones at 12 h. At 48 h, HNE-positive microglia were colocalized with Bcl-2 in the infarcted area and the boundary zone. Bcl-2 may play an important role in the antioxidant system promoting survival of the neurons and activated microglia following reperfusion injury.

Growth arrest associated with 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced hematopoietic differentiation with a defective retinoblastoma tumor suppressor-mediated pathway

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (Rb) gene product plays an essential role in cell-cycle regulation. However, its role in terminal differentiation of hematopoietic cells is speculative. Here we show a model of 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced hematopoietic differentiation and growth arrest with a defective Rb-mediated pathway. TPA treatment arrested the cell cycle of a human hematopoietic cell line, MEG-01s, at the G1-S boundary and induced expression of p21/SDI1/WAF1/CIP1 and p27/KIP1. Both of these proteins were present in cyclin E-associated complexes, the histone H1 and Rb kinase activities of which were then inactivated. However, MEG-01s cells lacked the intact Rb protein and the Rb-mediated pathway was defective. This model raises a question about the role for Rb in terminal differentiation of hematopoietic cells.

Calibration of space-resolving VUV and soft X-ray spectrographs for plasma diagnostics

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and soft X-ray measurements are important means of diagnosing impurities in magnetically confined plasmas used in fusion research. Recently, space- and time-resolving flat-field VUV (150-1050 A) and soft X-ray (20-350 A) spectrographs have been constructed by using aberration-corrected concave gratings with varied-spacing grooves which give a wide simultaneous spectral coverage on a microchannel-plate intensified detector. Calibration experiments have been performed at beamlines 11A and 11C at the Photon Factory of the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization. The relative efficiency of the VUV spectrograph has been measured for P-polarization geometry in the spectrograph. In the soft X-ray spectrograph, efficiencies have been obtained for several different points of irradiation on the grating along the groove direction and for two (S and P) polarization geometries.

Novel indole S,O-bisdesmoside, calanthoside, the precursor glycoside of tryptanthrin, indirubin, and isatin, with increasing skin blood flow promoting effects, from two Calanthe species (Orchidaceae)

The methanolic extracts from Calanthe discolor LINDL. and C. liukiuensis SCHLTR. were found to exhibit hair restoring and skin blood flow promoting activities. Through bioassay-guided separation using the skin blood flow increasing effect, a novel indole S,O-bisdesmoside, calanthoside, was isolated together with three new components, glucoindican, calaliukiuenoside, and calaphenanthrenol, and known compounds such as tryptanthrin, indirubin, isatin, and indican. The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of physicochemical and chemical evidence and they showed an activating effect on skin blood flow. In addition, it was found that enzymatic hydrolysis of calanthoside with beta-glucosidase furnished tryptanthrin together with a small amount of indirubin and isatin, whereas indirubin and isatin were obtained from calanthoside by acid hydrolysis. Based on their contents in the fresh and dried plant, calanthoside may be a common genuine glycoside of tryptanthrin, indirubin, and isatin in the plant.

Medicinal foodstuffs. XII. Saponin constituents with adjuvant activity from hyacinth bean, the seeds of Dolichos lablab L. (1): Structures of lablabosides A, B, and C

From the glycoside mixture with adjuvant activity obtained from the hyacinth bean, the seeds of Dolichos lablab L., six new oleanane-type triterpene bisdesmosides, lablabosides A, B, C, D, E, and F, were isolated together with chikusetsusaponin IVa. The structures of lablabosides A, B, and C were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence as follows: 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid]-28-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) oleanolic acid (lablaboside A), 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid]-28-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) 24-epi-hederagenin (lablaboside B), 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D- galactopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid]-28-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] 24-epi-hederagenin (lablaboside C).

[Medicinal foodstuffs. XI. Histamine release inhibitors from wax gourd, the fruits of Benincasa hispida Cogn]

The methanol extract of wax gourd (Japanese name "Tougan"), the fruits of Benincasa hispida COGN. (Cucurbitaceae), was found to show inhibitory activity on the histamine release from rat exudate cells induced by antigen-antibody reaction. Through bioassay-guided separation, four known triterpenes and two known sterols were isolated as active components together with a flavonoid C-glycoside, an acylated glucose, and a benzyl glycoside. Among the active triterpenes and sterols, two triterpenes, alnusenol and multiflorenol, were found to potently inhibit the histamine release.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of limonin isolated from the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa var. bodinieri

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of limonin isolated from the dried fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa var. bodinieri were investigated. Oral administration of 30 or 100 mg/kg limonin significantly decreased the frequency of licking and biting behavior within a unit of time at the late phase without affecting that of the early phase in the formalin test. Limonin inhibited the rise of vascular permeability induced by acetic acid and the increase of paw edema induced by carrageenin. Limonin also showed inhibitory effects on bradykinin-induced paw edema and arachidonic acid-induced ear swelling. These results suggest that limonin possesses an antinociceptive effect and the effect may be accompanied by an anti-inflammatory action, and that the antinociceptive activity in Evodiae Fructus is partially attributable to limonin.

Strong synergistic anti-peroxidative effects of HDL3 and ascorbic acid against copper-catalyzed LDL peroxidation

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high density lipoprotein 3 (HDL3) and ascorbic acid (AsA) in combination on copper-catalyzed low density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxidation. LDL and HDL3 were isolated from sera of healthy volunteers. LDL protein, 200 microg/ml, was incubated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing 2.5 microM CuSO4 in the absence or presence of AsA, with HDL3 protein alone, or with coincubation of HDL3, 200 microg/ml, and AsA, 20 microg/ml, at 37 degrees C for up to 24 h. As a control, the same amount of control LDL protein was added to PBS. The protective effects of the HDL3 and AsA were examined by both electrophoresis and determination of the lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) level in each sample. The concentration of AsA was also measured in samples containing AsA. The coincubation of HDL3 and AsA exerts more powerful anti-peroxidative effects against copper-catalyzed LDL peroxidation, than either of these agents alone. In addition, AsA was retained in the media by the addition of HDL3. The findings suggest that there are strong synergistic anti-peroxidative effects of HDL3 and AsA and these two may act in concert in vivo to inhibit LDL peroxidation and thus exert an anti-atherosclerotic effect.

Bioactive saponins and glycosides. XI. Structures of new dammarane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, quinquenosides I, II, III, IV, and V, from American ginseng, the roots of Panax quinquefolium L

The methanolic extract and 1-butanol-soluble fraction of American ginseng, the roots of Panax quinquefolium L., were found to exhibit a protective effect on liver injury induced by D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide. Five new dammarane-type triterpene oligoglycosides called quinquenosides I, II, III, IV, and V were isolated together with fourteen known dammarane-type triterpene oligoglycosides such as chikusetsusaponin IVa, pseudo-ginsenoside-RC1, malonyl-ginsenoside-Rb1, and notoginsenosides-A,-C, and -K from the 1-butanol-soluble fraction. From the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction, four known acetylenic compounds and 6'-O-acetyl ginsenoside-Rg1 were isolated. The structures of quinquenosides I, II, III, IV, and V were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence as 3-O-[6-O-(E)-2-butenoyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl]-20-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (quinquenoside I), 3-O-[6-O-(E)-2-octenoyl-beta-D- glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (quinquenoside II), 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-6-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (quinquenoside III), 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-beta-D- glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-3 beta, 7 beta, 20(S)-trihydroxydammar-5,24-diene (quinquenoside IV), and 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-[alpha-D- glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ] 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (quinquenoside V).

An image analyzing system using an artificial neural network for evaluating the parenchymal echo pattern of cirrhotic liver and chronic hepatitis

To objectively evaluate the parenchymal echo pattern of cirrhotic liver and chronic hepatitis, we applied an image analyzing system (IAS) using a neural network. Autopsy specimens in a water tank (n = 13) were used to examine the relationship between the diameter of the regenerative nodule and the coarse score (CS) calculated by IAS. CS was significantly correlated with the diameter of the regenerative nodule (p < 0.0001, r = 0.966). CS is considered to be useful for evaluating the coarseness of the parenchymal echo pattern.

Inhibitory effect and action mechanism of sesquiterpenes from Zedoariae Rhizoma on D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury

Hepatoprotective sesquiterpenes were isolated from the aqueous acetone extract of Zedoariae Rhizoma, the rhizome of Curcuma zedoaria ROSCOE (Zingiberaceae). Principal sesquiterpenes, furanodiene, germacrone, curdione, neocurdione, curcumenol, isocurcumenol, aerugidiol, zedoarondiol, and curcumenone and curcumin were found to show potent protective effect on D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury in mice. Plausible action mechanisms for their hepatoprotective activity were clarified on the basis of the inhibitory effect on D-GalN-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes, LPS-induced NO production in cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages, and D-GalN/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced liver injury in mice.

Immunomodulatory activity of thunberginol A and related compounds isolated from Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium on splenocyte proliferation activated by mitogens

We investigated the immunomodulatory effects of antiallergic constituents from Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium, the processed leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla SERINGE var. thunbergii MAKINO, on splenocyte proliferation in mice. Thunberginol A and hydrangenol significantly suppressed T lymphocyte proliferation induced by concanavalin A. Thunberginol A also suppressed B lymphocyte proliferation induced by lipopolysaccharide, but other constituents induced significant increases. These inhibitory effects of thunberginol A on splenocyte proliferation seemed to contribute to the suppressive effect on type IV allergy.

Cyclin D1 overexpression detected by a simple competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay for lymphoid malignancies

t(11;14)(q13;q32) observed in B-cell malignancies is associated with cyclin D1 (bcl-1, PRAD1, CCND1) overexpression. We devised a simple competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for rapid detection of cyclin D1 overexpression. Sharing a single upstream primer derived from a homologous sequence in cyclins D1, D2 and D3, each PCR product serves as a competitor and cyclin D1 overexpression is determined by comparing the intensities of the three amplified products. We analyzed cyclin D1 in clinical specimens from 104 patients with lymphoid malignancies. Cyclin D1 overexpression was evident in 13 of 104 (7/72 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, 0/6 adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemias, 0/4 Hodgkin's diseases, 0/11 acute lymphoblastic leukemias, 3/4 multiple myelomas, 1/2 Waldenström's macroglobulinemias, 1/2 prolymphocytic leukemias and 1/3 chronic lymphocytic leukemias). Among 72 patients for whom cytogenetic studies had been done, all 7 patients with t(11;14) were positive. The relative expression levels of D-type cyclins altered dramatically in the presence of t(11;14). Thus, this RT-PCR assay can identify tumors with cyclin D1 overexpression. Cyclin D1 overexpression was frequent in extranodal specimens (11 out of 32 vs. 2 of 72 lymph nodes) and was restricted to specific types of lymphoid malignancies, as observed using other methods. This reliable assay should be suitable to provide clinical guidance for the diagnosis and management of lymphoid malignancies, especially in the case of extranodal involvement.

[Diagnosis and treatment for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma]

In order to investigate the mechanism of recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 322 patients with HCCs (size: < or = 3 cm) treated by percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) or radiation therapy were evaluated. Cumulative recurrent rates of new lesions after the initial therapy were 25% (1-year), 57% (2-year) and 71% (3-year). In 116 patients whose tumors were multiple at the time of initial therapy, the recurrent rates were higher compared with 206 patients with a single tumor. In 228 of all patients, new lesions were observed in the noncancerous liver after initial therapy. We observed a single new lesion in 67% of the 134 patients, whose HCC was single at the time of initial therapy. In the remaining 33% of these patients, multiple new lesions were observed. As for the recurrence site, we found new lesions at a different segment of the liver from the initial HCC in 52% of these 134 patients. In the patients with multiple recurrent HCCs, the survival rates were lower in comparison with the patients whose recurrent HCC was single. In the patients whose new lesions were found within 1 year after the initial therapy, the survival rates were also lower compared with the patients whose new lesions were not detected during 1 year. In conclusion, the mechanism of multicentric occurrence may be closely correlated with the intrahepatic recurrence of HCC in consideration of the high incidence of recurrent rates of HCCs and their recurrent pattern.

[Repeated arterial infusion of zinostatin stimalamer using port for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma]

Four patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were treated by repeated arterial infusion of zinostatin stimalamer (SMANCS). Every 4 weeks, 4 mg of SMANCS and 4 ml of Lipiodol were administered via the proper hepatic artery using an implantable arterial port. Three patients with advanced liver cirrhosis (Child B or C) could no longer be treated after 2 or 3 courses of SMANCS infusion because of hepatic failure. In the remaining patient also with compensated liver cirrhosis (Child A), a partial response was observed after 5 courses of chemo-infusion, but we discontinued infusion of SMANCS because of hepatic failure. To assess the usefulness of SMANCS for repeated arterial chemo-infusion by the port, we evaluated 103 patients with advanced HCC treated by Lipiodol emulsion mixed with 70 mg of epirubicin (EPI) using a port. An average course was 11 arterial infusions, and the overall response rate was 40%. One-year survival rates were 62% in Child A, 59% in Child B, and 53% in Child C. Compared with Child A and B patients, both elevation of serum total bilirubin levels and decrease of serum albumin levels were observed after 9 months in Child C patients. In conclusion, SMANCS may have more severe hepatic toxicity in comparison with Lipiodol emulsion mixed with EPI.

[Energy expenditure in patients with pulmonary emphysema]

We evaluated resting energy expenditure (REE) using canopy mode indirect calorimetry in 21 ambulatory, clinically stable outpatients with pulmonary emphysema (age: 69.3 +/- 8.4, %IBW: 79.3 +/- 12.5, FEV1: 0.98 +/- 0.36) and compared it with that of a 14 age-matched healthy controls (age: 71.1 +/- 6.0, %IBW: 94.5 +/- 13.4). We also compared REE in malnourished patients (%IBW < 90; 73.0 +/- 7.6, N = 14) and normonourished patients (%IBW > or = 90; 92.0 +/- 5.6, N = 7). We examined the relation ship between %REE (REE/REEpred. x 100) and measurements of lung function tests in 21 emphysema patients using single regression analysis. The REE of the patient group was significantly higher than that of the control group (%REE; 115.9 +/- 12.0 vs 86.5 +/- 8.7, p < 0.01). The REE of the malnourished patient subgroup was significantly higher than that of the normonourished patient subgroup (%REE; 121.9 +/- 7.9 vs 109.9 +/- 9.2, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in FEV1(L), RV/TLC(%), TLC(pred.%) or DLco/VA (pred.%) between the two patient subgroups. The REE of the normonourished subgroup was significantly higher than that of control group (%REE; 109.1 +/- 9.2 vs 86.5 +/- 8.7, p < 0.01). There were significant relations hips among %REE and FEV1, %FVC, FEV1% G, %DLco/VA and RV/TLC (p < .05). These findings suggest that elevated REE may have a significant relation ship with abnormal lung function, and that elevated REE may be a cause of malnutrition in clinically stable patients with pulmonary emphysema.

[Long-term follow up of QRS axis deviation]

It has been already described that the average axis of QRS complex is deviated by aging as well as various diseases, such as ventricular overload or bundle branch block. In this study, we first tested the hypothesis that the extra-cardiac factor changes with aging, such as the body shape or diaphragm position, which are represented by body weight (WT) and/or cardiac-thoracic ratio (CTR), are the main cause of QRS axis deviation. In 28 cases including 1 right (RAD) and 27 left axis deviation (LAD) patients whose QRS axis have been deviated during observed periods, WT and X-ray CTR were compared to the degree of axis deviation. Unfortunately no clear relationship was found among these parameters. On the other hand, in 8 cases out of 27 LAD patients, confirmed or suspected left anterior hemiblock (LAH) was found by vector electrocardiogram. Pathological studies showed that the degeneration of the stimulation pathway occurred with aging and it caused the bundle branch block. Therefore, we conclude that the degenerative change in left anterior stimulation pathway by aging should be, at least, one of the cause of the QRS axis deviation.

Antidiabetic principles of natural medicines. II. Aldose reductase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors from Brazilian natural medicine, the leaves of Myrcia multiflora DC. (Myrtaceae): structures of myrciacitrins I and II and myrciaphenones A and B

The methanolic extract and ethyl acetate-soluble portion from a Brazilian natural medicine, the leaves of Myrcia multiflora DC., which has been used as a specific medicine against diabetes, were found to show inhibitory activities on aldose reductase and alpha-glucosidase and on the increase of serum glucose level in sucrose-loaded rats and in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. From the ethyl acetate-soluble portion, new flavanone glucosides, myrciacitrins I and II, and new acetophenone glucosides, myrciaphenones A and B, were isolated together with several known compounds such as five flavonol glycosides, myricitrin, mearnsitrin, quercitrin, desmanthin-1, and guaijaverin. The structures of new compounds were determined on the basis of physicochemical and chemical evidence. The principal components of this natural medicine including new glucosides, myrciacitrin I and myrciaphenone B, were found to show potent inhibitory activities on aldose reductase and alpha-glucosidase.

Intragastric administration of ursodeoxycholic acid suppresses immunoglobulin secretion by lymphocytes from liver, but not from peripheral blood, spleen or Peyer's patches in mice

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been recognized as a therapeutic drug for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and chronic viral hepatitis. As one of the mechanisms by which UDCA improves liver function tests in those patients, its immunomodulatory effect is currently considered important. Although the suppressive effects of UDCA on some cytokine productions, T-cell mediated cytotoxicity and immunoglobulin production were observed from in vitro studies, the immunomodulation in vivo by UDCA remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of UDCA administration on the number of immunoglobulin secreting cells in liver, peripheral blood, spleen and Peyer's patches in mice using the enzyme linked immunospot assay and assessed whether the UDCA-mediated immunomodulation is liver-specific. It was demonstrated that intragastric administration of UDCA reduced immunoglobulin secretion by lymphocytes from liver, but not from peripheral blood, spleen, or Peyer's patches. However, immunoglobulin production of those lymphocytes cultured in the presence of UDCA was suppressed, irrespective of their distribution sites, in a UDCA dose-dependent manner. When the concentrations of UDCA in portal and peripheral blood were measured using high performance liquid chromatography, UDCA was detectable in the portal blood in UDCA-treated mice, but not in peripheral blood, suggesting that the concentrations of UDCA in the environment surrounding lymphocytes may be an important factor for the modulation of lymphocyte functions.