Search

The aim of the present study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of bufalin on SCC-4 human tongue cancer cells. Cell morphological changes and viability were examined using phase contrast microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. The results indicated that bufalin induced morphological changes and reduced total viable cells. Apoptotic cell death was analyzed by DAPI staining and DNA gel electrophoresis; the results revealed that bufalin induced cell apoptosis. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca2+, nitric oxide (NO) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were measured by flow cytometry, and bufalin was observed to increase Ca2+ and NO production, decrease the ΔΨm and reduce ROS production in SCC-4 cells. In addition, western blotting was performed to detect apoptosis-associated protein expression. The results demonstrated that bufalin reduced the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2-associated X protein. However, bufalin treatment also increased the expression of other apoptosis-associated proteins such as apoptosis-inducing factor and endonuclease G in SCC-4 cells. Based on these findings, bufalin may induce apoptotic cell death via mitochondria-dependent pathways in human tongue cancer SCC-4 cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of chitosan (a naturally derived polymer) on the immune responses and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in WEHI-3 cell-generated leukemia mice. Mice were divided into control, WEHI-3 control, acetic acid (vehicle)-treated, and 5 and 20 mg/kg chitosan-treated groups. Mice were subsequently weighed, blood was collected, and liver and spleen samples were isolated and weighed. Blood samples were measured for cell markers, the spleen underwent phagocytosis and natural killer (NK) cell activity examination, and cell proliferation was analyzed by flow cytometry. Chitosan did not significantly affect the weights of body, liver and spleen at 5 and 20 mg/kg treatment. Chitosan increased the percentage of CD3 (T cells marker), decreased the levels of CD19 (B-cell marker) and CD11b at 5 mg/kg treatment, and decreased the levels of Mac-3 at 5 and 20 mg/kg treatment. Chitosan significantly increased macrophage phagocytosis of PBMCs, but did not significantly affect macrophage phagocytosis in the peritoneal cavity. Chitosan treatment did not significantly affect the cytotoxic activity of NK cells, and also did not affect T- and B-cell proliferation. Chitosan significantly increased total white blood cell numbers, and GOT and GPT activities were both significantly increased. However, chitosan did not significantly affect LDH activity in leukemia mice. Chitosan may aid in future studies on improving immune responses in the treatment of leukemia.

Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate, inducing cytotoxic effects in various human cancer cells, including leukemia cells through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, the effect of SFN on the immune responses in a leukemia mouse model remains to be investigated. The present study investigated whether SFN has an effect on the immune responses in a WEHI‑3‑induced leukemia mouse model in vivo. Normal BALB/c mice were injected with WEHI‑3 cells to generate the leukemia mouse model, and were subsequently treated with placebo or SFN (0, 285, 570 and 1,140 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. Following treatment, all mice were weighted and blood samples were collected. In addition, liver and spleen samples were isolated to determine cell markers, phagocytosis and natural killer (NK) cell activities, and cell proliferation was examined using flow cytometry. The results indicated that SFN treatment had no significant effect on the spleen weight, however it decreased liver and body weight. Furthermore, SFN treatment increased the percentage levels of CD3 (T cells) and CD19 (B cell maker), however had no effect on the levels of CD11b (monocytes) or Mac‑3 (macrophages), compared with the WEHI‑3 control groups. The administration of SFN increased the phagocytosis of macrophages from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and peritoneal cavity, and increased the activity of NK cells from splenocytes. Administration of SFN promoted T and B cell proliferation following stimulation with concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide, respectively.

Chitosan and Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) extracts possess antitumor activities. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether chitosan, ABM extract or the two in combination were effective against tumors in tumor‑bearing mice. The mice were subcutaneously injected with SK-Hep 1 cells and were then were divided into the following six groups: Group 1, control group; group 2, chitosan 5 mg/kg/day; group 3, chitosan 20 mg/kg/day; group 4, ABM (246 mg/kg/day) and chitosan (5 mg/kg/day) combined; group 5, ABM (984 mg/kg/day) and chitosan (20 mg/kg/day) combined; and group 6, ABM (984 mg/kg/day). The mice were treated with the different concentrations of chitosan, ABM or combinations of the two for 6 weeks. The levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tissue histopathological features were examined in the surviving animals. Based on the results of the investigation, the treatments performed in groups 2, 3 and 4 were identified as being capable of reducing the weights of the tumors, however, group 4, which was treated with chitosan (5 mg/kg/day) in combination with ABM (246 mg/kg/day) was able to reduce the levels of GOT and VEGF. As a result, treatment with chitosan in combination with ABM may offer potential in cancer therapy and requires further investigation.

Polygonum cuspidatum is a natural plant that is used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The crude extract of Polygonum cuspidatum (CEPC) has numerous biological effects; however, there is a lack of studies on the effects of CEPC on immune responses in normal mice. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vivo effects of CEPC on immune responses in normal mice. CEPC (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg) was orally administered to BALB/c mice for three weeks, following which blood, liver, and spleen samples were collected. CEPC did not significantly affect the total body weight, or tissue weights of the liver or spleen, as compared with the control mice. CEPC increased the percentages of CD3 (T-cell marker), 11b (monocytes) and Mac-3 (macrophages) positive-cells, and reduced the percentage of CD19-positive cells (B-cell marker), as compared with the control mice. CEPC (100 mg/kg) stimulated macrophage phagocytosis of blood samples but did not affect macrophage phagocytosis in the peritoneum. Activity of the splenic natural killer cells was increased in response to CEPC (50 mg/kg) treatment. Furthermore, CEPC inhibited T- and B-cell proliferation when the cells were stimulated with concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide, respectively.

Prostate cancer is a common worldwide health problem in males with a poor prognosis due in part to tumor invasion and migration. The crude extract of Euphorbia formosana (CEEF) has been used for the treatment of numerous diseases, however, its effects on the migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells have yet to be examined. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CEEF on the migration and invasion of DU145 human prostate cancer cells in vitro. The wound healing assay and the Matrigel-uncoated migration assay were used to examine the migration of cancer cells. Western blotting was used to examine the levels of proteins associated with migration and invasion, and gelatin zymography was used to examine the secretion levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP‑2/9) from DU145 cells following exposure to CEEF. The results indicated that CEEF suppressed the migration and invasion of DU145 prostate cancer cells and that these effects are exerted in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. CEEF inhibited the ERK1/2, p38, JNK, SOS1, PKC, PI3K and MMP-2/9 protein expression in DU145 cells. The results demonstrated that CEEF suppressed the migration and invasion of DU145 cells through inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway resulting in the inhibition of MMP-2/9 in DU145 human prostate cancer cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) was first described by Alois Alzheimer in 1907. AD is the most prevalent dementia- related disease, affecting over 20 million individuals worldwide. Currently, however, only a handful of drugs are available and they are at best only able to offer some relief of symptoms. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, antioxidants, metal chelators, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory drugs and NMDA inhibitors are usually used to attempt to cure this disease. AChE inhibitors are the most effective therapy for AD at present. Researchers have found that histamine H3 receptor antagonists decrease re-uptake of acetylcholine and the nervous transmitter substance acetylcholine increases. In this study, we designed compounds by using docking, de novo evolution and adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) analysis to AChE inhibitors as well as histamine H3 receptor antagonists to forward drug research and investigate the potent compounds which can pass through the blood-brain barrier. The novel drugs may be useful for the treatment of AD, based on the results of this theoretical calculation study. We will subsequently examine them in future experiments.

There is a distinct lack of knowledge on the prevalence of skin disorders in Tuvalu. The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of cutaneous diseases and to evaluate access dermatological care in Tuvalu. Cutaneous disorders in the people of Tuvalu between 2009 and 2012 were examined. The most common skin conditions were eczema/dermatitis, superficial fungal infections, impetigo, carbuncles, furuncles, folliculitis, acne, scabies, warts and keloids. Infrequent skin conditions included infectious granulomatous disease, albinism, actinic keratosis, skin cancer, cutaneous lupus erythematosus and mammary Paget's disease, which required medical attention. This is the first epidemiological report on skin disorders in the southwest Pacific Island, Tuvalu.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a synthetic antioxidant, has been used in fat and fatty foods to prevent oxidative deterioration. However, the functions of BHA on immune responses in normal mice remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral treatment of BHA on immune responses in normal mice in vivo. BALB/c mice received various treatments. Blood samples were collected and analyzed. Flow cytometry was used to determine the levels of the cell markers. Results showed that BHA did not significantly affect the weight of the animal body and spleen in normal mice. BHA promoted macrophage phagocytosis from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, but did not alter this process in the peritoneal cavity. Furthermore, BHA did not influence natural-killer cell cytotoxicity in normal mice. Notably, BHA promoted the levels of CD3 (T cells) and decreased the level of CD19 (B cells), but did not significantly affect the levels of CD11b (monocytes) and macrophages (Mac-3) in normal mice. Based on these observations it can be concluded that BHA promotes immune responses by increasing T cells and activating phagocytosis by macrophages in normal mice. However, the molecular mechanisms require further investigation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease, affecting over 20 million people worldwide. Until recently, two major hypotheses were proposed regarding the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis: the cholinergic hypothesis and the amyloid cascade hypothesis. At present, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the most effective therapy for AD. Most pharmacological research has focused on the ability of acetylcholinesterase to alleviate cholinergic deficit and improve neurotransmission. Coptidis rhizoma and its isolated alkaloids are reported to possess a variety of activities, including neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. However, as yet no theoretical analysis exists to support this hypothesis. To examine this theory, we applied a computational pharmaceutical analysis to reveal that Chinese medicine Coptidis rhizoma alkaloids have much higher activities than Donepezil (commercial name is Aricept) by docking and scoring.

This study investigated the effects of alkylsulfonated chitosan of different molecular weights on intestinal lipid absorption, blood lipid profiles and circulating adhesion molecules. Syrian hamsters were fed an AIN-93G-based high‑fat diet (HFD) and were orally administered 5 or 10 mg/kg BW of oligomer (6 kDa) chitosan (OC), low‑molecular-weight (70 kDa) chitosan (LMC) or high‑molecular-weight (200 kDa) chitosan (HMC) four times per week for 12 weeks. Animals receiving 2.5 mg/kg BW lovastatin (LOVA) served as a positive control. The blood lipid profiles of these control animals revealed that all chitosans and LOVA significantly decreased total triglyceride, total cholesterol, low‑density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and very‑low‑density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol levels in a dose‑dependent manner compared to the HFD-fed controls (P0.05). The blood lipid lowering effectiveness of the three chitosans followed the order of LMCOCHMC. Hamsters receiving 5 and 10 mg/kg LMC (P0.05) exhibited an increase in fecal fat content. Immunoblot assay revealed that acyl‑coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase-2 (ACAT-2) expression was suppressed in all chitosan-fed animals compared to the HFD-fed controls (P0.05). These results suggest that chitosan effectively decreases blood lipid content, and its effectiveness depends on the molecular size of chitosan. The hypolipidemic effect of chitosan is partly attributed to its suppression of intestinal lipid absorption and hepatic ACAT-2 expression.