Yanhusuo extract inhibits metastasis of breast cancer cells by modulating mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways

Yanhusuo (Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this study, we attempted to characterize in detail the signaling cascades that produce its anti-metastatic effect on the human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. We found that the yanhusuo extract inhibited the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. In addition, the yanhusuo extract inhibited the mRNA expression and activity of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). The anti-cancer metastasis effect of yanhusuo involved the activation of p38 and inhibition of ERK1/2 and SAPK/JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Our experiments identified the biological activity of yanhusuo against cancer metastasis in vitro and provide a rationale for its further investigation.

Optimizing ultraperformance liquid chromatographic analysis of 10 diterpenoid compounds in Salvia miltiorrhiza using central composite design

A rapid, sensitive, reproducible, and accurate ultraperformance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 10 diterpenoid compounds (tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, cryptotanshinone, dihydrotanshinone I, 1,2-dihydrotanshinquinone, methylenetanshinquinone, miltirone, 5,6-dehydrosugiol, sugiol, and przewalskin) in Salvia miltiorrhiza for the first time. Central composite design was applied as a powerful tool to optimize the most dominant parameters that influence the resolution of UPLC, that is, gradient, flow rate, and column temperature. Under optimum conditions, all peaks except 1,2-dihydrotanshinquinone and methylenetanshinquinone could be baseline separated within 8 min. Furthermore, the contents of these compounds in S. miltiorrhiza samples collected from different provinces of China have also been compared. The results showed that UPLC is one of the most efficient methods for the analysis of diterpenoid compounds in S. miltiorrhiza and that it is a potential method for quality control of this valuable traditional Chinese medicine.

White matter tractography by diffusion tensor imaging plays an important role in prognosis estimation of acute lacunar infarctions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical and clinical relationship between lacunar infarction and the corticospinal tract (CST) in patients with acute lacunar infarction and predict clinical outcome. We examined 28 pyramidal tract stroke patients in the acute phase or early subacute phase (<3 days) with a marked motor deficit. The anatomical location and the extent of CST involvement within the infarcts were visualized on three-dimensional colour-coded diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). With regard to the CST, all patients were divided into three clinical subgroups: Group 1 (intact type), Group 2 (partial involvement type) and Group 3 (whole involvement type). Subsequently, the severity of the motor deficit of each patient was determined according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at the acute/early subacute phase (<3 days after onset of symptoms), early chronic phase (8-14 days) and outcome (30-60 days). NIHSS scores of Group 1 (12/28) were significantly lower than those of Group 2 (9/28) at the acute phase or early subacute phase (U = -2.816, p<0.01), and those of Group 2 were significantly lower than those of Group 3 (7/28) (U = -3.136, p<0.01). At outcome,NIHSS scores of Group 1 were significantly lower than those of Group 2 (U = -2.846, p<0.01), and scores of Group 2 were significantly lower than those of Group 3 (U = -3.130, p<0.01). At the same time, the NIHSS scores of each group gradually decreased from acute phase to outcome, Neurological improvement was statistically different among the three topographical types of infarction (H = 26.15, p<0.01; H = 11.03, p<0.01; H = 10.05, p<0.01). In conclusion, the three-dimensional colour-coded DTT allows in vivo differentiation of distinct CST stroke subtypes and may help in better establishing the prognosis for patients after CST stroke.

A rapid method for simultaneous determination of 15 flavonoids in Epimedium using pressurized liquid extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography

Herba Epimedii (family Berberidaceae), Yinyanghuo in Chinese, is one of commonly used Chinese medicines. Flavonoids are considered as its active components. In this study, a rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method was developed for simultaneous determination of 15 flavonoids, including hexandraside E, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, hexandraside F, epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, icariin, epimedoside C, baohuoside II, caohuoside C, baohuoside VII, sagittatoside A, sagittatoside B, 2''-O-rhamnosyl icariside II and baohuoside I in different species of Epimedium. The analysis was performed on Waters Acquity UPLC system with an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (50 mm x 2.1mm I.D., 1.7 microm) and gradient elution of 50mM acetic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile within 12 min. All calibration curves showed good linearity (R2>0.9997) within test ranges. The LOD and LOQ were lower than 0.13 and 0.52 ng on column, respectively. The R.S.D.s for intra- and inter-day of 15 analytes were less than 5.0% at three levels, and the recoveries were 95.0-103.7%. The validated method was successfully applied to quantitatively analyze 15 flavonoids in different species of Epimedium. The results showed there were great variations among the contents of investigated flavonoids. Hierarchical clustering analysis based on characteristics of 15 investigated compounds peaks in UPLC profiles showed that 37 samples were divided into 3 main clusters, which were in accordance with their flavonoids contents. The simulative mean chromatogram of the high content cluster was generated to compare the samples from different species and/or locations of Epimedium. Four flavonoids including epimedin A, B, C and icariin were selected as markers for quality control of the species of Epimedium used as Yinyanghuo.

Simultaneous determination of 15 flavonoids in Epimedium using pressurized liquid extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography

Herba Epimedii (family Berberidaceae), Yinyanghuo in Chinese, is one of the commonly used Chinese medicines. Flavonoids are considered as its active components. In this study, a reliable pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and HPLC method was developed for simultaneous determination of 15 flavonoids, namely hexandraside E, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, hexandraside F, epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, icariin, epimedoside C, baohuoside II, caohuoside C, baohuoside VII, sagittatoside A, sagittatoside B, 2''-O-rhamnosyl icariside II and baohuoside I in different species of Epimedium. The analysis was performed by using a Zorbax SB-C18 analytical column (250 mm x 4.6 mm I.D., 5 microm) at gradient elution of water and acetonitrile with diode-array detection (270 nm). All calibration curves showed good linearity (r(2)>0.9997) within test ranges. The LOD and LOQ were lower than 1.31 ng and 2.62 ng on column, respectively. The RSD for intra- and inter-day of 15 analytes was less than 3.8% at three levels, and the recoveries were 90.5-106.8%. The validated method was successfully applied for the analysis of 15 flavonoids in different species of Epimedium which had great variation on the contents of investigated flavonoids. Hierarchical clustering analysis based on the characteristics of 15 investigated compound peaks in HPLC profiles showed that 26 samples were divided into three main clusters, which were in accordance with their flavonoid contents. Four flavonoids including epimedin A, B, C and icariin were optimized as markers for quality control of the species of Epimedium used as Yinyanghuo.

Optimization and comparison of three methods for extraction of volatile compounds from Cyperus rotundus evaluated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The essential oil of Cyperus rotundus has multiple pharmacological activities. Therefore, the extraction with high yield and quality is very important for preparation of essential oil of C. rotundus. In this paper, three methods, namely hydrodistillation (HD), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), for extraction of volatile compounds from C. rotundus were optimized and compared by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Among eight identified compounds in C. rotundus, five components including alpha-copaene, cyperene, beta-selinene, beta-cyperone and alpha-cyperone were quantitatively determined or estimated using alpha-cyperone as standard, which showed that PLE had the highest extraction efficiency, while SFE had the best selectivity for extraction of beta-cyperone and alpha-cyperone. The contents of ingredients from C. rotundus extracted with HD, PLE and SFE are significantly different, which suggest that comparison of chemical components and pharmacological activities of different extracts is helpful to elucidate the active components in C. rotundus and control its quality.

Sphingosine kinase 1 participates in insulin signalling and regulates glucose metabolism and homeostasis in KK/Ay diabetic mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study was to determine the potential role of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1), a key sphingolipid metabolic enzyme, in glucose metabolism and homeostasis.

METHODS

SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells and C2C12 myotube cells were used to explore the role of SPHK1 in glucose uptake in vitro. KK/Ay type 2 diabetic mice, which were transfected with adenovirus harbouring the human SPHK1 gene by i.v. injection, were used to investigate the glucose-lowering effects of SPHK1 in vivo.

RESULTS

The basal glucose uptake and the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in both 7721 cells and C2C12 cells were markedly enhanced when SPHK1 was overexpressed by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer, whereas they were substantially reduced when the expression of SPHK1 was inhibited or the activity of SPHK1 was blocked. Insulin could activate SPHK1 of both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. SPHK1 gene delivery significantly reduced the blood glucose level of KK/Ay diabetic mice, but had no effect on that of normal animals. It also attenuated elevated levels of plasma insulin, NEFA, triacylglycerol, cholesterol and LDL, significantly ameliorated hyperglycaemia-induced injury of liver, heart and kidney, and enhanced phosphorylation of insulin-signalling kinases such as Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta in livers of the diabetic animals.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

SPHK1 is involved in insulin signalling and plays an important role in the regulation of glucose and fat metabolism; adenovirus-mediated SPHK1 gene transfer might provide a novel strategy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The role of nectar plants in severe outbreaks of armyworm Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in China

The period from March to mid April, when oriental armyworm Mythimna separata (Walker) moths migrate from South China to Central China over several nights, is an important window of time in annual armyworm population increase. The presence of nectar sources along the pathway of the migratory population is a prerequisite for moths to reach target habitats and lay eggs. Using flowering periods and geographic distributions, the major spring nectar plants suitable for M. separata moths were identified from among 102 species/varieties of apicultural nectar plants. The nectar plants proposed as important to M. separata include milk vetch Astragalus sinicus L., rape Brassica napa L. and six other species. Spearman's rank correlation analyses were conducted between the annual population size of M. separata and the acreages of milk vetch and rape in the daily stopover areas for migrating populations of M. separata during 1950-1979. The Spearman's coefficient between milk vetch and M. separata was 0.6259 and the correlation was highly significant (P<0.001). Further regression analysis with data from 1950-1979 and from 1980-1992 also revealed a close relationship between annual acreage of damaged crops/wheat and acreage of milk vetch. These results strongly suggest that the unprecedented enlargement in the geographic distribution of milk vetch from Central China into South China was the key factor in the frequent severe oriental armyworm outbreaks that occurred during 1966-1977. This is thought to be the first report in the world that reveals the key role of nectar sources in long distance, regional scale, migration of moths. The argument for the key role of milk vetch is supported by the simultaneous decline in the level of damage inflicted by M. separata and the acreage of milk vetch after 1980.

Previous and present diets of mite predators affect antipredator behaviour of whitefly prey

Predator diet is known to influence antipredator behaviour in prey. Yet, it is not clear how antipredator behaviour is affected by diet changes of the predator. We studied the effect of previous and present diet of a predatory mite Typhlodromips swirskii on the antipredator response of its prey, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. An earlier study showed that adult female whiteflies that had experienced predators, had learned to avoid ovipositing on plants with predators whose previous and present diet consisted of whitefly eggs and immatures. Here, we investigate whether adult whiteflies also avoid plants with predators whose present and/or previous diet consisted of a non-whitefly food source. Adult whiteflies were found not to avoid plants with predators whose present diet consisted of pollen and whose previous diet had consisted of either pollen or whitefly eggs and larvae. They did avoid plants with predators whose present diet consisted of whiteflies and whose previous diet had consisted of pollen, but to a lesser extent than when previous and present diet consisted of whiteflies. In a choice experiment, whiteflies discriminated between plants with predators whose present diet consisted of whiteflies, but that differed in previous diet. Our results show that both previous and present diets of predators are important in eliciting antipredator behaviour.

Different expressions of Ly-49 receptors on mouse NK and NK T cells

NK T cells are a unique T cell lineage and are reported to express Ly-49 molecules which are inhibitory receptors specific for class I molecules. In this study, we examined the expression of activation and inhibitory receptors on NK T cells in different organs of beta2-microgloblin knock out (beta2mKO), C57BL/6 (B6; H-2b), C57BL/10 (B10; H-2b) and B10.D2 (H-2d) mice. The low level expression of inhibitory receptors Ly-49A and G2 on NKT cells as well as NK cells, which are specific for Dd antigen, were observed in B10.D2 mice, but not in beta2mKO, B6, or B10 mice. The small percentage of inhibitory receptor Ly-49C positive NK and NKT cells, which is specific for Kb and Dd antigens, was observed in BMC, LMC and SC of B6, B10 and B10.D2 mice compared to beta2mKO mice. On the contrary, the large percentage of Ly-49C positive NK T cells was observed in thymocytes of B6, B10 and B10.D2 mice compared to beta2mKO mice. Interestingly, Ly-49D activation receptor was hardly detectable on NK T cells in any organs of the 4 strains of mice whereas it was clearly detectable on NK cells. These findings suggest that the unique characteristics of NK T cells may mediate regulatory function in MHC class I antigen-restricted immunity.

[Determination of salvianolic acid B in the radix of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. by HPLC]

OBJECTIVE

To develop an HPLC method for determining salvianolic acid B in radix of Salvia miltiorrhiza.

METHOD

The sample was extracted with 75% methanol. ODS column was used with methanol-5% acetic acid solution (35:65) as mobile phase. Detection wavelength was 281 nm.

RESULT

Salvianolic acid B was separated well. Good linearity of salvianolic acid B was obtained (r = 0.9997) within the range of 0.17-1.7 micrograms. The average recovery was 98.9%. Repeatability was good, and RSD was 1.82%.

CONCLUSION

This method can be used for quality control of radix of Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Neutralization of Gro alpha and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 attenuates renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

Previous studies have provided strong evidence for a role for neutrophils in mediating pathology during reperfusion of ischemic tissues. CXC chemokines including interleukin-8, KC/Gro alpha, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, direct neutrophils to tissue sites of inflammation. In the current study we tested the efficacy of antibodies to KC/Gro alpha and MIP-2 in inhibiting neutrophil infiltration into kidneys during reperfusion after 1 hour of warm ischemia using a mouse model. KC mRNA and protein were produced within 3 hours after reperfusion of the ischemic kidneys. MIP-2 mRNA and protein were twofold to fourfold lower than KC and were at low levels until 9 hours after reperfusion. Only 60% of mice subjected to ischemia/reperfusion injury survived to day 3 after reperfusion. Treatment with rabbit neutralizing antibodies to both KC and MIP-2 inhibited neutrophil infiltration into ischemic kidneys during reperfusion, restored renal function as assessed by decreased serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels to near normal levels, and resulted in complete survival of treated animals. Finally, treatment with both antibodies significantly reduced histologically graded pathology of kidneys subjected to ischemia/reperfusion injury. Collectively, the results indicate the efficacy of neutralizing the chemokines directing neutrophils into ischemic kidneys during reperfusion to inhibit this infiltration and attenuate the resulting pathology.

Cycloartane glycosides from Cimicifuga dahurica

A new cycloartane bisdesmoside and two new trinorcycloartane glycosides, along with four known cycloartane compounds, were isolated from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga dahurica (Ranunculaceae). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl cimigenol 15-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 24-hydroxy-12beta-acetoxy-25,26,27-trinorcycloartan-16,23-dione 3beta-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, and 16alpha,24alpha-dihydroxy-12beta acetoxy-25,26,27-trinor-16,24-cyclocycloartan-23-one 3beta-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside by extensive NMR methods, FAB-MS, and hydrolysis.

[Studies on chemical constituents from Anemone anhuiensis Y. K. Yang N. Wang et W. C. Ye]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the constituents from the roots of Anemone anhuiensis.

METHOD

To isolate chemical constituents, using solvent extraction together with column chromatography, FAB-MS and NMR methods were employed for strutural elucidation.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

Three compounds were isolated and elucidated as oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)- beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyransyl ester (cussonoside B), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D- xylopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyransyl ester (flaccidoside II) and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyransyl ester (flaccidoside III), respectively. All of them were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Chronic rejection in H-2 matched cardiac allografts: early emergence of vasculopathy, alloantibody, and accumulation of IFN-gamma and IL-10 mRNA

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is one of the crucial problems of clinical heart transplantation. We have developed a novel model of murine cardiac allograft rejection, in which chronic rejection associated with CAV occurs in its natural course. In this study we analyzed the pathogenesis of chronic cardiac allograft rejection using an H-2 matched multiple minor histocompatibility antigen-mismatched combination, AKR (H-2k) to C3H (H-2k) recipient mice. All the cardiac allografts survived for more than 100 days but were rejected within 260 days post-transplant (n = 13; mean survival times +/- standard deviation = 189.0+/-72.0; median = 210). The heartbeats of the graft became gradually weaker throughout the duration of the rejection process. Serial histological analyses with hematoxylin and eosin, elastica van Gieson or Masson trichrome staining revealed mononuclear cell infiltration and intimal thickening (i.e. CAV) which started in most grafts at 2 weeks post-transplant. These pathological changes eventually developed to severe graft fibrosis, and the severity of these changes correlated with the deterioration of the heartbeats. Production of anti-donor antibodies in most recipients was detectable by 2 weeks post-transplant, it peaked before day 100, and subsided before rejection was complete in most grafts. Intragraft expression of IFN-gamma and IL-10 mRNA was demonstrated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction during early periods post-transplant. In this study, we demonstrate a novel model feasible for analysis of chronic cardiac allograft rejection, in which the vascular rejection processes, including fibrosis and alloantibody production, can be tested from an early stage on, after transplantation.

A technique of cervical aortic graft transplantation in mice

A new method of mouse aortic graft transplantation into carotid artery was developed with cuff technique. By harvesting the descending aorta of the donor using a small Teflon cuff (external diameter 0.6 mm, internal diameter 0.4 mm) and super fine-tip forceps, and modifying the method of mouse heterotopic heart transplantation with cuff technique, donor descending aortic allografts could be interposed in the common carotid artery of recipient mice. Histological analysis demonstrated neither evidence of tissue damage nor intimal thickening in isograft implanted over 100 days. We strongly recommend that this new model of aortic transplantation in mice is a simple and useful technique for vascular transplantation research.

Four new oleanane saponins from Anemone anhuiensis

Four new oleanane triterpene saponins, anhuienosides C-F, together with three known saponins, were isolated from the rhizomes of Anemone anhuiensis (Ranunculaceae). The structures of anhuienosides C-F were elucidated as 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, respectively.

[Cycloartane triterpenes and glycosides from Cimicifuga acerina]

AIM

To investigate the chemical constituents from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga acerina (Sieb. et Zucc.) Tanaka.

METHODS

Column chromatgraphy (including silica gel and ODS) together with HPLC was used to separate the chemical constituents whose structures were determined by FAB-MS, NMR (1D and 2D) and hydrolysis methods.

RESULTS

Five cycloartane triterpenoids were isolated and identified as: (22R)-22-hydroxycimigenol (I), (22R)-22-hydroxy-24-O-acetylhydroshengmanol 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (II), dahurinol (III), 24-epi-24-O-acetyl-7,8-didehydroshengmanol 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (IV), 25-O-acetyl-7,8-didehydrocimigenol 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (V).

CONCLUSION

Compound I is a new natural product, compound II is a new compound and compounds IV and V were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Human skin xenograft rejection in CD45 exon-6 knockout mice: the implication of involvement of a direct pathway

The results of previous studies indicate that only CD4+ T cells generated via the indirect pathway play an essential role in causing discordant skin xenograft rejection. The present study was conducted in an attempt to clarify further the roles of effector T cells generated via direct pathways on discordant xenograft rejection using CD45 exon-6 knockout (CD45-/-; C57BL/6 (B6): H-2b) mice. It has been strongly suggested that CD45 exon-6 knockout mice have profound impairment in T-cell functions via an indirect pathway. When human skin was grafted onto untreated normal C57BL/6 (B6; H-2b) mice, rejection occurred within 12 days; however, in the CD45 exon-6 knockout mice, the grafts lasted for slightly longer as in fully allogeneic C3H (H-2k) skin rejection, with a mean survival time +/- SD of 19.4 +/- 1.5 days and median survival times of 19 days. The difference in survival periods between the human and C3H skin grafts in the CD45 knockout mice was not statistically significant. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells seemed activated in the spleens of these CD45 exon-6 knockout mice 10 days after the human skin grafting. These results suggest that effector T cells generated via a direct pathway can cause discordant skin xenograft rejection, and that CD45 exon-6 knockout mice can generate effector T cells via a direct pathway to reject discordant skin xenografts, similarly to fully allogeneic skin allografts.

[Triterpene saponins from Pulsatilla cernua]

AIM

To investigate the chemical constituents of the roots of Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht. et Opiz.

METHODS

Column chromatography (including D101 macroporous resin, silica gel and ODS) and HPLC were used to separate the chemical constituents whose structures were elucidated by FAB-MS, NMR (1D and 2D) and hydrolysis methods.

RESULTS

Six compounds were isolated and established as hederagenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (pulsatilla saponin A, 1), hederagenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L- arabinopyranoside (2), hederagenin' 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)[beta-D- glucopyranosyl(1-->4)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (pulsatilla saponin D, 3), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (dipsacoside B, 4), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2) [beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (cernuoside C, 5) and daucosterol (6), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Compound 5 is a new compound and named as cernuoside C. Compounds 2, 4 and 6 were isolated from Pulsatilla cernua for the first time.

Mixed chimerism, heart, and skin allograft tolerance in cyclophosphamide-induced tolerance

We elucidated the possible role of chimerism in skin and heart allograft tolerance using cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced tolerance. When C3H (H-2k; Thy1.2, Mls-1b) mice were i.v. primed with 1x10(8) spleen cells (SC) from H-2 matched AKR (H-2k; Thy1.1, Mls-1a) mice and then treated i.p. with 200 mg/kg of CP, the survivals of both AKR skin grafts and heart grafts (HG) were permanently prolonged in a tolerogen-specific fashion. After this treatment, a minimal degree of mixed chimerism, the clonal destruction of Mls-1a-reactive CD4+Vbeta6+ T cells in the periphery, and the clonal deletion of Vbeta6+ thymocytes were all observed. When AKR SC and 100 mg/kg CP were used for conditioning, the AKR HG were permanently accepted, but the survival of the AKR skin grafts was only mildly prolonged. The clonal destruction of CD4+Vbeta6+ T cells in the periphery and the intrathymic clonal deletion of Vbeta6+ thymocytes were induced in both the SC and the 100 mg/kg CP-treated C3H mice. A minimal degree of mixed chimerism was detectable at 4 and 12 weeks after AKR SC and 100 mg/kg CP treatment, and still did not disappear at 40 weeks. The degree of mixed chimerism induced with SC and 100 mg/kg CP was significantly lower than that with SC and 200 mg/kg CP during the observation. No posttransplant cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) was observed to develop, while both the Th1 type (interferon-gamma) and Th2 type (interleukin-4 and -10) cytokine expressions decreased in the AKR HG of the tolerant C3H mice treated with both AKR SC plus 200 mg/kg CP, and AKR SC plus 100 mg/kg CP. A second set of skin grafts from donor AKR mice survived for more than 100 days in a tolerogen-specific fashion in all C3H mice treated with AKR SC and 200 mg/kg CP and also accepted the AKR HG for over 200 days, while 80% of the C3H mice treated with AKR SC and 100 mg/kg CP and accepted the AKR HG for more than 200 days. These results strongly suggested the following conclusions: 1) the degree of chimerism can strongly influence the induction of skin and heart allograft tolerance, 2) posttransplant CAV does not develop in the donor HG maintained by chimerism-based CP-induced tolerance, 3) the mRNA expression of both Th1 and Th2 type cytokine decreased in the donor HG maintained by chimerism-based CP-induced tolerance, and 4) the induction of skin allograft tolerance is more difficult than the prevention of posttransplant CAV.