Anti-inflammatory effects of fangchinoline and tetrandrine

Identification of alkaloid constituents from Fangchi species using pH control liquid-liquid extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Fangchi (F.) species from four different origins have been widely used to treat or prevent diseases, and their main constitutes are several types of alkaloids. Identification of alkaloids in F. species is a necessary step to understand the therapeutic properties of each different origin, but this has not yet been fully performed.

METHODS

Several types of alkaloids were extracted from F. species using ultrasonication with 70% CH(3)OH and the extract was partitioned at pH 2 and 12 to enrich alkaloid constituents and to remove interferences. The separation of alkaloids in the Fangchi extract was performed on a C18 column using gradient elution and their tandem mass spectra were obtained by quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS/MS) to perform accurate mass measurements of fragment ions for the alkaloid constituents.

RESULTS

Several types of alkaloids were successfully separated and identified by LC/ESI-MS/MS. The structural assignment of individual alkaloids was performed based on convergence of MS/MS spectral data, pH partitioning behavior, LC retention behavior, and accurate mass measurements. The pH partition of the extract provided structural information about unknown alkaloids extracted from Fangchi species. A total of 28 compounds were identified and tentatively characterized, and of these 10 alkaloids were reported for the first time in the investigated F. species.

CONCLUSIONS

The chemical profiling of alkaloids in F. species with different origins was performed for the first time and provided diagnostic ions for diverse alkaloids in F. species. Marker compounds were suggested based on the 28 characterized compounds for quality evaluation and the differentiation of Fangchi species with four different origins.

Fangchinoline targets PI3K and suppresses PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in SGC7901 cells

Fangchinoline, an important compound in Stephania tetrandra S. Moore, as a novel antitumor agent, has been implicated in several types of cancers cells except gastric cancer. To investigate whether fangchinoline affects gastric cancer cells, we detected the signaling pathway by which fangchinoline plays a role in different human gastric cancer cells lines. We found that fangchinoline effectively suppressed proliferation and invasion of SGC7901 cell lines, but not MKN45 cell lines by inhibiting the expression of PI3K and its downstream pathway. All of the Akt/MMP2/MMP9 pathway, Akt/Bad pathway, and Akt/Gsk3β/CDK2 pathway could be inhibited by fangchinoline through inhibition of PI3K. Taken together, these results suggest that fangchinoline targets PI3K in tumor cells that express PI3K abundantly and inhibits the growth and invasive ability of the tumor cells.

Anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and toxicological evaluation of Fang-Ji-Huang-Qi-Tang in rodents

BACKGROUND

Fang-Ji-Huang-Qi-Tang (abbreviated as FJHQT), composed by six medicinal herbs including Radix Stephania Tetrandra, Radix Astragali, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Rhizoma Zingiberis and Fructus Ziziphi Jujubae, is a frequently Chinese prescription for treating painful and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. When Radix Stephania Tetrandra was misused with Aristolochia species, acute or chronic nephropathy caused by aristolochic acid was happened. Thus, the present study was aimed to identify Radix Stephania Tetrandra and performed the pharmacological and toxicological evaluation of FJHQT extract in rodents.

METHODS

Radix Stephania Tetrandra was identified by macroscopic and microscopic observation, and the content of tetrandrine in FJHQT extract was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Then, the pharmacological activities of FJHQT extract with respect to clinical use was investigated with acetic acid-induced writhing response, formalin-induced licking response and carrageenan-induced paw edema. Finally, we evaluated the subacute toxicology of FJHQT extract after 28-day repeated oral administration in rats.

RESULTS

Radix Stephania Tetrandra was correctly used in FJHQT extract, and the content of tetrandrine in FJHQT extract was 2.5 mg/g. FJHQT extract produced a pronounced and dose-dependent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in three above models. FJHQT extract after 28-day repeated administration did not caused any hematological, biochemical and histological change in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that FJHQT extract is a high safety index Chinese medicine for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory application when Radix Stephania Tetrandra was correctly used in FJHQT. Its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory mechanism might be related to peripheral nociceptive pathway such as prostaglandins.

Fangchinoline inhibits cell proliferation via Akt/GSK-3beta/ cyclin D1 signaling and induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Fangchinoline (Fan) inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in several cancer cell lines. The effects of Fan on cell growth and proliferation in breast cancer cells remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that Fan inhibited cell proliferation in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line through suppression of the AKT/Gsk- 3beta/cyclin D1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, Fan induced apoptosis by increasing the expression of Bax (relative to Bcl-2), active caspase 3 and cytochrome-c. Fan significantly inhibited cell proliferation of MDA- MB-231 cells in a concentration and time dependent manner as determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that Fan treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, which correlated with apparent downregulation of both mRNA and protein levels of both PCNA and cyclin D1. Further analysis demonstrated that Fan decreased the phosphorylation of AKT and GSK-3beta. In addition, Fan up-regulated active caspase3, cytochrome-c protein levels and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, accompanied by apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest that Fan is a potential natural product for the treatment of breast cancer.

Simultaneous determination of nineteen major components in Qi She Pill by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Qi She Pill (QSP) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription that has been used in treating cervical spondylosis radiculopathy for many years. In this study, a simple and sensitive method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) on a reverse-phase C18 column was developed for the simultaneous determination of the 19 major components in QSP. We found that the optimum mobile phase for gradient elution was 0.1% formic acid and methanol. The correlation coefficients of all calibration curves were greater than 0.99. Recoveries measured at three concentration levels varied from 95.43% to 102.35%. Relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 4.45%. After successfully validating our method, we then applied it to the quantification of 19 components in QSP products to show that this method provides a new standard in quality assessment of TCM prescriptions containing multiple bioactive components.

Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Stephania rotunda Lour

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Stephania rotunda Lour. (Menispermaceae) is an important traditional medicinal plant that is grown in Southeast Asia. The stems, leaves, and tubers have been used in the Cambodian, Lao, Indian and Vietnamese folk medicine systems for years to treat a wide range of ailments, including asthma, headache, fever, and diarrhoea.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

To provide an up-to-date, comprehensive overview and analysis of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Stephania rotunda for its potential benefits in human health, as well as to assess the scientific evidence of traditional use and provide a basis for future research directions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Peer-reviewed articles on Stephania rotunda were acquired via an electronic search of the major scientific databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect). Data were collected from scientific journals, theses, and books.

RESULTS

The traditional uses of Stephania rotunda were recorded in countries throughout Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and India). Different parts of Stephania rotunda were used in traditional medicine to treat about twenty health disorders. Phytochemical analyses identified forty alkaloids. The roots primarily contain l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), whereas the tubers contain cepharanthine and xylopinine. Furthermore, the chemical composition differs from one region to another and according to the harvest period. The alkaloids exhibited approximately ten different pharmacological activities. The main pharmacological activities of Stephania rotunda alkaloids are antiplasmodial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory effects. Sinomenine, cepharanthine, and l-stepholidine are the most promising components and have been tested in humans. The pharmacokinetic parameters have been studied for seven compounds, including the three most promising compounds. The toxicity has been evaluated for liriodenine, roemerine, cycleanine, l-tetrahydropalmatine, and oxostephanine.

CONCLUSION

Stephania rotunda is traditionally used for the treatment of a wide range of ailments. Pharmacological investigations have validated different uses of Stephania rotunda in folk medicine. The present review highlights the three most promising compounds of Stephania rotunda, which could constitute potential leads in various medicinal fields, including malaria and cancer.

Tetrandrine and fangchinoline, bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Stephania tetrandra can reverse multidrug resistance by inhibiting P-glycoprotein activity in multidrug resistant human cancer cells

The overexpression of ABC transporters is a common reason for multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells. In this study, we found that the isoquinoline alkaloids tetrandrine and fangchinoline from Stephania tetrandra showed a significant synergistic cytotoxic effect in MDR Caco-2 and CEM/ADR5000 cancer cells in combination with doxorubicin, a common cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Furthermore, tetrandrine and fangchinoline increased the intracellular accumulation of the fluorescent P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate rhodamine 123 (Rho123) and inhibited its efflux in Caco-2 and CEM/ADR5000 cells. In addition, tetrandrine and fangchinoline significantly reduced P-gp expression in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that tetrandrine and fangchinoline can reverse MDR by increasing the intracellular concentration of anticancer drugs, and thus they could serve as a lead for developing new drugs to overcome P-gp mediated drug resistance in clinic cancer therapy.

Medicinal plants, human health and biodiversity: a broad review

Biodiversity contributes significantly towards human livelihood and development and thus plays a predominant role in the well being of the global population. According to WHO reports, around 80 % of the global population still relies on botanical drugs; today several medicines owe their origin to medicinal plants. Natural substances have long served as sources of therapeutic drugs, where drugs including digitalis (from foxglove), ergotamine (from contaminated rye), quinine (from cinchona), and salicylates (willow bark) can be cited as some classical examples.Drug discovery from natural sources involve a multifaceted approach combining botanical, phytochemical, biological, and molecular techniques. Accordingly, medicinal-plant-based drug discovery still remains an important area, hitherto unexplored, where a systematic search may definitely provide important leads against various pharmacological targets.Ironically, the potential benefits of plant-based medicines have led to unscientific exploitation of the natural resources, a phenomenon that is being observed globally. This decline in biodiversity is largely the result of the rise in the global population, rapid and sometimes unplanned industrialization, indiscriminate deforestation, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, and finally global climate change.Therefore, it is of utmost importance that plant biodiversity be preserved, to provide future structural diversity and lead compounds for the sustainable development of human civilization at large. This becomes even more important for developing nations, where well-planned bioprospecting coupled with nondestructive commercialization could help in the conservation of biodiversity, ultimately benefiting mankind in the long run.Based on these findings, the present review is an attempt to update our knowledge about the diverse therapeutic application of different plant products against various pharmacological targets including cancer, human brain, cardiovascular function, microbial infection, inflammation, pain, and many more.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of tetrandrine derivatives

Tetrandrine possesses antitumor activity, however, only a few studies on its structure modification were reported. To improve the antitumor activity of tetrandrine, 20 new tetrandrine derivatives were designed and synthesized by Sonogashira and Suzuki reactions. Their antitumor activities were evaluated against three tumor cell lines including A549, HepG2, and BGC-823 by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay with taxol as a positive control. The results showed that compounds 2c and 2g were highly potent against BGC-823 cell line, and compounds 1i and 1k showed particular activity against HepG2 cells. These results demonstrated that compounds 1i, 1k, 2c, and 2g were promising leads for further investigation.

Simultaneous determination of structurally diverse compounds in different Fangchi species by UHPLC-DAD and UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS

Two bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, two morphine alkaloids, one aporphine alkaloid, syringaresinol and aristolochic acid І were selected as marker compounds and simultaneously analyzed using an ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-diode array detection (UHPLC-DAD) method. These marker compounds were used for the quality control of Fangchi species of different origins, including Sinomeniumacutum, Stephaniatetrandra, Cocculustrilobus and Aristolochiafangchi. A reversed-phase UHPLC-DAD method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of structurally diverse markers in different Fangchi species. In addition, an UHPLC-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) method was used for marker identification in Fangchi species, which provided diagnostic MS/MS spectral patterns that were dependent upon the marker structures. The UHPLC-MS/MS data were used to confirm and complement the UHPLC-DAD quality evaluation results. Additionally, magnoflorine and syringaresinol were observed for the first time in S. tetrandra and C. trilobus, respectively. Twenty different Fangchi species samples were analyzed for aristolochic acid I, syringaresinol and the alkaloids using the UHPLC-DAD and MS/MS method. Based on the levels of markers and principal component analysis (PCA), this method allowed for the clear classification of the samples into four different groups representing samples originating from the four species.

Fangchinoline induces G0/G1 arrest by modulating the expression of CDKN1A and CCND2 in K562 human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic stem cell disease caused by the oncoprotein BCR-ABL, which exhibits a constitutive tyrosine kinase activity. Imatinib mesylate (IM), an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of BCR-ABL, has been used as a first-line therapy for CML. However, IM is less effective in the accelerated phase and blastic phases of CML and certain patients develop IM resistance due to the mutation and amplification of the BCR-ABL gene. Fangchinoline, an important chemical constituent from the dried roots of Stephaniae tetrandrae S. Moore, exhibits significant antitumor activity in various types of cancers, including breast, prostate and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the effects and the underlying mechanisms of fangchinoline in CML remain unclear. In the present study, we identified that fangchinoline inhibits cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner in K562 cells derived from the blast crisis of CML. Additional experiments revealed that fangchinoline induces cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and has no effect on apoptosis, which is mediated through the upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-N1A and MCL-1 mRNA levels, as well as the downregulation of cyclin D2 (CCND2) mRNA levels. These findings suggest the potential of fangchinoline as an effective antitumor agent in CML.

Molecular mechanism underlying anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities of phytochemicals: an update

The resort worldwide to edible medicinal plants for medical care has increased significantly during the last few years. Currently, there is a renewed interest in the search for new phytochemicals that could be developed as useful anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agents to reduce the risk of many diseases. The activation of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) has now been linked to a variety of inflammatory diseases, while data from numerous studies underline the importance of phytochemicals in inhibiting the pathway that activates this transcription factor. Moreover, the incidence of type I allergic disorders has been increasing worldwide, particularly, the hypersensitivity to food. Thus, a good number of plant products with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activity have been documented, but very few of these compounds have reached clinical use and there is scant scientific evidence that could explain their mode of action. Therefore, this paper intends to review the most salient recent reports on the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of phytochemicals and the molecular mechanisms underlying these properties.

Effect of fangchinoline on root resorption during rat orthodontic tooth movement

Objective

To evaluate the short-term effect of fangchinoline, an antiinflammatory drug widely used in Asia, on root resorption that is associated with orthodontic tooth movement.

Methods

Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Mesial forces of 0, 50, or 100 g were applied to the maxillary first molar of the rats in each group for 14 days by activating nickel-titanium closed-coil springs. One-half of the rats receiving each of these treatments also received injections of 200 µL fangchinoline every 2 days. Finally, movement of the maxillary first molars was measured using digitized radiographs. The molars were extracted and the surfaces of the root resorption craters were recorded using a scanning electron microscope. The distance the molars moved and resorptionarea ratio was measured, and results were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA tests.

Results

There were no statistical differences in the distances the first molars moved under 50 or 100 g force, regardless of treatment with fangchinoline. However, the resorption area ratios were significantly smaller in those rats that were treated with both tension and fangchinoline than in those rats treated by tension alone.

Conclusions

Fangchinoline reduced the resorption area ratio in rats and is therefore an important means of alleviating root resorption.

Tetrandrine enhances cytotoxicity of cisplatin in human drug-resistant esophageal squamous carcinoma cells by inhibition of multidrug resistance-associated protein 1

Multidrug resistance is one of the major causes limiting the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents to control esophageal cancer. Herein, we investigated that the effect and mechanism of tetrandrine (TET) in the human esophageal squamous carcinoma cisplatin-resistant cell line YES-2/DDP. The human esophageal squamous carcinoma cisplatin-resistant cell line YES-2/DDP was isolated by stepwise selection in increasing concentrations of cisplatin. The CCK-8 method was carried out to measure the cell viability when cells were exposed to TET with or without cisplatin, and the IC50 and resistance index (RI) of cisplatin was then calculated. Real-time RT-PCR and western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), respectively. Flow cytometry was adopted to determine CMFDA efflux and cell apoptosis, respectively. The resulting cell line YES-2/DDP was 16.4-fold resistant to cisplatin, the cytotoxicity of cisplatin to YES-2/DDP cells was enhanced by TET in a dose-dependent manner. Further, it was found that the expression of MDR1 and BCRP was similar in different treated cells. In contrast, the expression of MRP1 was markedly increased in YES-2/DDP cells, which was dose-dependently decreased by TET. In agreement with the results, MRP1 activity was also reversed by TET. In conclusion, TET possesses a reversal effect on drug resistance in YES-2/DDP cells through downregulation of MRP1, and has the potential to be an adjunct to chemotherapy for esophageal cancer.

The interaction of telomere DNA G-quadruplex with three bis-benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids

Telomeres are important multifunctional nucleoprotein structures located at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Telomerase regulates telomere elongation, and its activity is associated with tumorigenesis. Because the activity of telomerase can be inhibited by G-quadruplex (G4) formation (a four-stranded DNA with stacks of G-quartets formed by four guanines in a planar structure), the role of G4 in cancer therapy has attracted many research interests. We studied the effects of three natural alkaloids-tetrandrine, fangchinoline, and berbamine-on the stability and formation of telomere DNA G4 with circular dichroism melting spectroscopy (melting-CD), variable temperature ultraviolet (melting-UV), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H NMR), and molecular docking, and examined the relationships among the alkaloid structure and their activities. We further investigated their cytotoxicity with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) and flow cytometry (FCM). The results demonstrated that alkaloids increased G4 stability and induced its formation, which added structure diversity of G4-ligands. The results showed that -OH at R(1), -OCH(3) at R(2), and [Formula: see text] at R(3) had higher stability than other substituent groups for these alkaloids. We also found a transition of antiparallel to parallel G4 as the temperature increased. The result indicated the possible advantage of parallel G4 in adversity. In addition, the alkaloids demonstrated a moderate cytotoxicity and proved to be cell cycle blocker in the G(1) phase. These alkaloids have revealed promising potentials to be the agents for antitumor therapy.

Anti-inflammatory activity of alkaloids: an update from 2000 to 2010

Many natural substances with proven anti-inflammatory activity have been isolated throughout the years. The aim of this review is to review naturally sourced alkaloids with anti-inflammatory effects reported from 2000 to 2010. The assays were conducted mostly in vivo, and carrageenan-induced pedal edema was the most used experimental model. Of the 49 alkaloids evaluated, 40 demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity. Of these the most studied type were the isoquinolines. This review was based on NAPRALERT data bank, Web of Science and Chemical Abstracts. In this review, 95 references are cited.

Tetrandrine attenuates spatial memory impairment and hippocampal neuroinflammation via inhibiting NF-κB activation in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease induced by amyloid-β(1-42)

BACKGROUND

The neuroinflammation characterized by glial activation and release of proinflammatory mediators is considered to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tetrandrine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the Chinese herb radix Stephania tetrandra, has been demonstrated to decrease the expression of proinflammatory mediators by inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. The purpose of the study was to investigate effects of tetrandrine on experimental model of AD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tetrandrine was administered in a rat model of AD induced by amyloid-β (Aβ)(1-42). The learning and memory impairment was examined using Morris water maze; the extent of histological injury in hippocampus was determined by Nissl staining; NF-κB DNA binding activity was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay; the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

A significant improvement was observed in learning and memory impairment in rats with tetrandrine, and the increase in NF-κB DNA binding activity, the over-expression in IL-1β and TNF-α as well as the increased histological injury in hippocampus in rats induced by Aβ(1-42) were significantly reduced following administration of tetrandrine.

CONCLUSION

Tetrandrine could significantly ameliorate Aβ(1-42)-induced spatial learning and memory impairment, and the beneficial effect of tetrandrine treatment could be linked, at least in part, to the inhibition of NF-κB activity and the downregulation of expression of IL-1β and TNF-α, suggesting that administration of tetrandrine may provide a therapeutic approach for AD.

Tetrandrine attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced fulminant hepatic failure in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) remains an extremely poor prognosis and high mortality; better treatments are urgently needed. Tetrandrine (TET), a traditional anti-inflammatory drug, has been reported to exhibit hepatoprotective activities in several liver injury models. We now investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of TET on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced FHF in mice. TET (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally 1h before LPS/D-GalN injection in mice. The mortality and liver injury was evaluated subsequently. The results showed that administering TET to mice reduced mortality and improved liver injury induced by LPS/D-GalN in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, TET dose-dependently inhibited LPS/D-GalN-induced NF-kappaB activation, serum and hepatic tissues tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production, caspase-3 activation and hepatocellular apoptosis, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (ECAM-1) expression. Our experimental data indicated that TET might alleviate the FHF induced by LPS/D-GalN through inhibiting NF-kappaB activation to reduce TNF-alpha production.

An ethnobotanical study of traditional anti-inflammatory plants used by the Lohit community of Arunachal Pradesh, India

AIM OF THE STUDY

Most people especially in rural areas depend on herbal medicines to treat many diseases including inflammation-related ailments such as rheumatism, muscle swelling, cut wound, accidental bone fracture, insect bites, pains and burn by fire and hot water. The objectives of this study were: to catalog ethno-medicinal plants of Lohit community, ecological status, indigenous folk medicinal uses, morphological parts used and to determine their reported pharmacological studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ethnobotanical information on traditional medicinal plants exclusively used for management of inflammation-related ailments by the Khampti community of Arunachal Pradesh, India was based on first-hand field survey work through semi-structured interviews.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

A total of 34 species in 32 genera and 22 families were encountered during the field survey. Botanical families such as Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Zingiberaceae and Lamiaceae were represented by the highest numbers of species reported in this study. Thirteen plant species, namely: Bombax ceiba, Canarium strictum, Chloranthus erectus, Xanthium indicum, Lycopodium clavatum, Coleus blumei, Batrachospermum atrum, Chlorella vulgaris, Marchantia palmata, Marchantia polymorpha, Eria pannea, Sterculia villosa and Alpinia galanga are reported for the first time for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.

Tetrandrine ameliorates dextran-sulfate-sodium-induced colitis in mice through inhibition of nuclear factor -kappaB activation

BACKGROUND

Activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB has been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC), and tetrandrine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the Chinese herb Radix Stephania tetrandra, has been demonstrated to be a potent inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation. The purpose of the study was to investigate effects of tetrandrine on experimental model of UC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tetrandrine was administered in experimental colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The disease activity index (DAI) and histological score were observed. NF-kappaB DNA binding activity was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

A significant improvement was observed in DAI and histological score in mice with tetrandrine, and the increase in NF-kappaB DNA binding activity, myeloperoxidase activity, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha in mice with DSS-induced colitis was significantly reduced following administration of tetrandrine.

CONCLUSION

The administration of tetrandrine leads to an amelioration of DSS-induced colitis, suggesting administration of tetrandrine may provide a therapeutic approach for UC.

Combined effects of fangchinoline from Stephania tetrandra Radix and formononetin and calycosin from Astragalus membranaceus Radix on hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia in streptozotocin-diabetic mice

The anti-hyperglycemic action of Stephania tetrandra Radix (Stephania) is potentiated by Astragalus membranaceus BUNGE Radix (Astragali) in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic ddY mice (Tsutsumi et al., Biol. Pharm. Bull., 26, 313 (2003)). Fangchinoline (0.3-3 mg/kg), a main constituent of Stephania, decreased the high level of blood glucose and increased the low level of blood insulin in STZ-diabetic mice. Here, we investigated the combined effects of fangchinoline with isoflavone or isoflavonoid components (formononetin, calycosin and ononin) of Astragali on the hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia of STZ-diabetic mice. Formononetin, calycosin and ononin (0.03-0.1 mg/kg) alone did not affect the blood glucose or blood insulin level of the diabetic mice. Formononetin and calycosin (0.03-0.1 mg/kg) potentiated the anti-hyperglycemic action of fangchinoline (0.3 mg/kg), but ononin did not. Formononetin (0.1 mg/kg) facilitated the fangchinoline-induced insulin release, and calycosin (0.1 mg/kg) also facilitated it, though without statistical significance. In conclusion, the combined effect of fangchinoline with formononetin and calycosin on hyperglycemia in the diabetic mice accounted well for the therapeutic effect of the combination of Stephania with Astragali in Boi-ogi-to. The anti-hyperglycemic action of formononetin appeared to be due to its potentiating action on insulin release. Our strategy for studying combinations of crude drugs and their components in Kampo medicine has uncovered new potentiating effects of formononetin and calycosin on the anti-hyperglycemic action of fangchinoline in STZ-diabetic mice.

Synergistic interaction between tetrandrine and chemotherapeutic agents and influence of tetrandrine on chemotherapeutic agent-associated genes in human gastric cancer cell lines

PURPOSE

Tetrandrine (Tet), a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid that was isolated from the dried root of Hang-Fang-Chi (Stephania tetrandra S. Moore), is well known as processing a marked antitumor effect in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to assess the interaction between tetrandrine and chemotherapeutic agents widely used in gastric cancer treatment, and to investigate the influence of tetrandrine on chemotherapeutic agent-associated gene expression and apoptosis.

METHODS

Synergistic interaction on human gastric cancer BGC-823 and MKN-28 cells was evaluated using the combination index (CI) method. The double staining with both Annexin-V-FITC and PI was employed to distinguish the apoptotic cells from living cells. Expression of chemotherapeutic agent-associated genes, i.e., excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1), thymidylate synthase (TS), class III beta-tubulin (beta-tubulin III) and tau, of BGC-823 cells with or without tetrandrine treatment were measured by real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

Tetrandrine had a synergistic effect on the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents in both two gastric cancer cell lines. The combination of tetrandrine and chemotherapeutic agents could also induce apoptosis in a synergistic manner. Tetrandrine could suppress the mRNA expression of ERCC1, TS, beta-tubulin III and tau. Most prominently, ERCC1, TS and beta-tubulin III mRNA levels were markedly suppressed at 0.29-, 0.12- and 0.60-fold, respectively, by the presentation of tetrandrine.

CONCLUSION

Tetrandrine appears a promising candidate for combining with three chemotherapeutic agents. The possible mechanisms might be the synergistic apoptotic effect and the downregulation of chemotherapeutic agent-associated genes.

Tetrandrine Inhibits Proinflammatory Cytokines, iNOS and COX-2 Expression in Human Monocytic Cells

Tetrandrine (TET), a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the dried root of hang-fang-chi (Stephania tetrandra S. Moore), is traditionally used in China for treating inflammation, hypertension and silicosis. In this study, our aim was to examine the anti-inflammatory mechanism of TET through measuring the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-1, and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) expression, cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-8) formation, nitric oxide (NO) release and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) generation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human monocytic (THP-1) cells. Results showed that TET remarkably suppressed the LPS (1 microg/ml) induction of NO release and PGE2 generation. It also significantly attenuated the LPS-induced transcription of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-8) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, TET at 100 microM significantly blocked the LPS induction of iNOS and COX-2 expression, but not the COX-1. Taken together, these results suggest that TET exerts anti-inflammatory effects probably through the suppression of COX-2 and iNOS expression.

Anti-hyperglycemic effect of fangchinoline isolated from Stephania tetrandra Radix in streptozotocin-diabetic mice

Kampo medicine, Stephania tetrandra Radix (Stephania) in Boi-ogi-to increases the blood insulin level and falls the blood glucose level in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic ddY mice. These actions of Stephania are potentiated by Astragalus membranaceus Bunge Radix (Astragali) in Boi-ogi-to (Liu et al., J. Traditional Med., 17, 253-260, 2000). In the present study, actions of bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids isolated from Stephania were investigated in the hyperglycemia of STZ-diabetic mice. A main bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, fangchinoline (0.3-3 mg/kg) significantly fell the blood glucose level of the diabetic mice in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of fangchinoline was 3.9-fold greater than that of water extract of Stephania. However, another main compound, tetrandrine (1-100 mg/kg) did not have any effect. The water extract of Astragali did not affect singly but potentiated the anti-hyperglycemic action of fangchinoline (0.3 mg/kg). Out of used compounds (1 mg/kg) isolated from Stephania, fangchinoline, fangchinoline 2'-N-alpha-oxide and 2'-N-norfangchinoline, which are substituted with 7-hydroxy side chain for 7-O-methyl side chain, decreased to near 50% of high blood glucose level. In addition, tetrandrine 2'-N-beta-oxide, tetrandrine 2'-N-alpha-oxide, tetrandrine 2-N-beta-oxide, fangchinoline 2'-N-alpha-oxide, which are added to 2- or 2'-N-oxide side chain, also decreased to near 50% of the high blood glucose level. In conclusion, fangchinoline but not tetrandrine from Stephania shows the anti-hyperglycemic action in the STZ-diabetic mice. The demethylation of 7-O-position and/or addition of 2- or 2'-N-oxide side chain in bis-benzylisoquinoline compounds in Stephania have a role for the induction of the anti-hyperglycemic actions.