[Protective effects of Taiwan crude drugs on experimental liver injuries]

Mechanistic Study of Macranthoside B Effects on Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cells

Macranthoside B (MB) is a triterpenoid saponin extracted from Lonicera macranthoides, a traditional Chinese medicine. In the current study, we investigated the anticancer potential of MB in various cancer cells and elucidated its underlying mechanisms. MB exposure inhibited cell proliferation, induced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss, increased sub-G1 accumulation, and resulted in cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP, which are reflective of apoptosis. In HeLa cells, MB induced down-regulation of SOD2 and GPx1, phosphorylation of Akt and PDK1, and thus promoted ROS-mediated apoptosis. This was further supported by the protection of sub-G1 accumulation, MMP loss, cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP in the presence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Additionally, MB induced cell death via down-regulation of ubiquitin-like with PHD and ringfinger domains 1 (UHRF1) and Bcl-xL. Taken together, this study provides a new insight into the apoptosis- inducing potential of MB, and its molecular mechanisms are associated with an increase in oxidative stress and inhibition of the PDK1/Akt pathway.

Arecae pericarpium extract induces porcine lower-esophageal-sphincter contraction via muscarinic receptors

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with lower esophageal sphincter (LES) incompetence. In some patients, GERD is refractory to acid reduction therapy which is the main treatment for GERD. So far, medications that can increase LES tone are few. Arecae pericarpium (A. pericarpium) is a medication in Traditional Chinese Medicine known to promote intestinal motility.

Methods

We investigated the effect of A. pericarpium extracts on porcine LES motility. In addition, we used tetrodotoxin (TTX) and atropine to study the underlying mechanism of A. pericarpium extracts-induced contractions of LES.

Results

The results of this study showed that A. pericarpium extracts and their main active ingredient, arecoline, can induce the contractions of porcine LES sling and clasp muscles in a dose-response manner. TTX did not have an inhibitory effect on the contractions induced by A. pericarpium extracts and arecoline in LES. However, atropine significantly inhibited A. pericarpium extracts- and arecoline-induced contractions of LES.

Conclusion

A. pericarpium extracts can induce the contractions of porcine LES in a dose dependent manner, possibly through muscarinic receptors, and hence, may be worth developing as an alternative therapy for GERD.

Potential antioxidant properties and hepatoprotective effects of an aqueous extract formula derived from three Chinese medicinal herbs against CCl(4)-induced liver injury in rats

The hepatoprotective effects of an aqueous extract formula (AEF) derived from Artemisia capillaris, Lonicera japonica and Silybum marianum (ratio 1:1:1) were evaluated by its antioxidant properties and its attenuation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver damage in rats. The antioxidant analyses revealed that the AEF showed higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities as well as ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) compared with the individual herbs, suggesting a synergism in antioxidation between the three herbs. The animal experiments showed that the CCl(4) treatment increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, but decreased triglyceride (TG) and glutathione (GSH) levels as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. However, AEF administration can successfully lower serum ALT and AST activities, restore the GSH level, ameliorate or restore GPx and CAT activities as well as improve SOD action depending on AEF dosage. Histological examination of liver showed that CCl(4) increased the extent of bile duct proliferation, necrosis, fibrosis and fatty vacuolation throughout the liver, but AEF can improve bile duct proliferation, vacuolation and fibrosis, and restore necrosis. The present study demonstrated the hepatoprotective potential of AEF as an alternative to the traditional silymarin.

The effect of SHJKS on cytokines production and NF-kappaB activation in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with cerebral infarction

The Korean genuine medicine "Seonghyangjeongkisan" (SHJKS) has long been used for various cerebrovascular diseases. However, very little scientific investigation has been carried out. Cytokines involved in the regulation of inflammatory reactions and immune responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction (CI). The aim of the present study is to elucidate how SHJKS modulates the inflammatory reaction in lipopolysaccaride (LPS) plus phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from CI patients. The amount of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 in PBMC culture supernatant was significantly increased in the LPS plus PHA treated cells compared to unstimulated cells. SHJKS inhibited the TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 production in dose dependent manner. Maximal inhibition rate of the TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 by SHJGS (1.0 mg/ml) was 68.01 +/- 0.28% (P < 0.01), 52.11 +/- 0.56 % (P < 0.01), 53.42 +/- 0.46 % (P < 0.01), and 46.70 +/- 0.37% (P < 0.05), respectively. In addition, we show that SHJKS suppressed nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation induced by LPS plus PHA, leading to suppression of IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation and degradation. These results suggest that SHJKS might have regulatory effects on LPS plus PHA-induced cytokine production and NF-kappaB activation, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of CI.

Protocatechuic acid induces cell death in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells through a c-Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent mechanism

Protocatechuic acid (PCA), chlorogenic acid (CA) and luteolin (LT) are plant phenols found in Chinese medicinal herbs such as Lonicera japonica. Cytotoxicity assays showed that PCA, CA and LT (at 100 micromol/L) effectively killed the HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Among these three naturally occurring compounds, only PCA was capable of stimulating the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 subgroups of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. Coincidently, PCA-induced cell death was rescued by specific inhibitors for JNK and p38, while the cytotoxicities of CA and LT were partially eliminated by the antioxidant effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). Further investigation demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Lonicera japonica also triggered HepG2 cell death in a JNK-dependent manner, but the amount of PCA alone in this herbal extract was insufficient to contribute the subsequent cytotoxic effect. Collectively, our results suggest that PCA is a naturally occurring compound capable of inducing JNK-dependent hepatocellular carcinoma cell death.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Lonicera japonica in proteinase-activated receptor 2-mediated paw edema

BACKGROUND

Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae) has long been used for treatment of infectious diseases. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of L. japonica water extract (AELJ) were investigated in proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2)-mediated mouse paw edema.

METHODS

Paw edema was induced by injection of trypsin or trans-cinnamoyl-LIGRLO-NH(2) (tc-NH(2)) into hindpaw of mice. AELJ (10, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was orally administered 1 h before induction of inflammation.

RESULTS

At doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, the AELJ showed significant inhibition of both change in paw thickness and vascular permeability. The AELJ (100 mg/kg) also significantly inhibited PAR2 agonists-induced myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha expression in paw tissue.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that AELJ has an anti-inflammatory action for PAR2-mediated paw edema.