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Scutellariae radix, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, has long been applied in traditional formulations and modern herbal medications. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) in follicles can trigger inflammation and lead to the symptom of inflammatory acnes vulgaris. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Scutellariae radix extract and purified components isolated from it on inflammation induced by P. acnes in vitro and in vivo. The results showed the ethyl acetate (EA) soluble fraction from the partition of crude ethanolic extract from Scutellariae radix inhibited P. acnes-induced interleukin IL-8 and IL-1β production in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Seven flavones were isolated from the EA fraction by repeated chromatographies, and identified as 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone (FL1, oroxylin), 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (FL2, wogonin), 5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (FL3, 7-O-methylwogonin), 5,6'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,2'-tetramethoxy flavone (FL4, skullcapflavone II), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (FL5), 5,2',6'-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (FL6, viscidulin II), and 5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxy-8,6'-dimethoxyflavone (FL7, ganhuangenin). They all significantly suppressed P. acnes-induced IL-8 and IL-1β production in THP-1 cells, and FL2 exerted the strongest effect with half maximal inhibition (IC50) values of 8.7 and 4.9 µM, respectively. Concomitant intradermal injection of each of the seven flavones (20 µg) with P. acnes effectively attenuated P. acnes-induced ear swelling, and decreased the production of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in ear homogenates. Our results suggested that all the seven flavones can be potential therapeutic agents against P. acnes-induced skin inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrio vulnificus can cause rotten-skin disease in marine fish aquaculture, resulting in a large number of deaths. The occurrence of rotten-skin disease is becoming severer and severer, leading to serious economic losses. In this study, the sensitivities of V. vulnificus to the 18 kinds of herbs, such as stone calamus and Chinese rhubarb, were determined using the agar diffusion method (susceptibility paper). The results showed that Chinese gall, dark plum, sea buckthorn and eucalyptus leaves have bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects, while sappan wood, Chinese rhubarb, pomegranate bark, mentha and clove have strong bacteriostatic effects. The Chinese medicinal herb bath showed good control effect on V. vulnificus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-four compounds, including the previously unknown artoxanthocarpuone A, artoxanthocarpuone B, hydroxylakoochin A, methoxylakoochin A, epoxylakoochin A, and artoxanthol, were isolated and characterized spectroscopically. Among them, artoxanthol is stilbene oligomer presumably constructed in a 5,11,12-triphenyl hexahydrochrysene scaffold by a Diels–Alder type of reaction, for which a biosynthetic pathway is proposed. Artoxanthol, alboctalol, steppogenin, norartocarpetin, resveratrol, oxyresveratrol, and chlorophorin potently inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity with IC 50 values from 0.9 to 5.7 μM that were all far stronger than the positive controls. Artoxanthocarpuone A, artoxanthocarpuone B, methoxylakoochin A, lakoochin A, cudraflavone C, artonin A, resveratrol, and chlorophorin reduced tyrosinase activity and inhibited α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced melanin production in B16F10 melanoma cells without affecting cell proliferation. Collectively, the results suggest that the constituents of Artocarpus xanthocarpus have potential to be used as depigmentation agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxymatrine (OMT) is the quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens Ait. that has many pharmacological effects and is used for the treatment of some inflammatory diseases. In this study, RAW264.7 cells and THP-1 differentiated macrophages were pretreated with various concentrations of OMT at 2 h prior to treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1.0 μg/mL) for different durations. We detected the anti-inflammatory effect of OMT in LPS-stimulated macrophages and investigated the molecular mechanism. We showed that OMT pretreatment significantly inhibited the LPS-induced secretion of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in supernatant, attenuated the mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, TNF-α, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), increased TLR4 and phosphorylation of inhibitor of kappa B-alpha (p-IBα) in cytosol, and decreased the nuclear level of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in macrophages. In conclusion, OMT exerts anti-inflammatory properties in LPS-stimulated macrophages by down-regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies were conducted to evaluate polysaccharides from mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis (PMCS) as a feed additive for pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Shrimps were randomly divided into two groups. One group received the PMCS-supplemented diet for 52 days, and the other group received no treatment. The data showed that shrimps given PMCS gained more body weight compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Haemolymph immunity indicators, including phenoloxidase (PO), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP) and lysozyme (LSZ), were remarkably greater in the PMCS group (P < 0.05). In addition, antioxidant parameters, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reduced form (GSH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), were significantly greater in the treatment group. However, there were no significant differences in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity between the control and treatment groups. Moreover, the number of Vibrio ichthyoenteri was less in the group treated with PMCS (P < 0.05). In conclusion, PMCS can be used to improve the growth performance and health of pacific white shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variety and content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in a Chinese herb Rhinacanthus nasutus were determined by developing an HPLC method coupled with photodiode-array-detection and tandem-mass-spectrometry. A high yield of phenolic acids and flavonoids was obtained using 30% ethanol-in-water and shaking in 60 °C water-bath for 3 h. By employing a C18 column and gradient mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid-in-water and acetonitrile, a total of 20 phenolic acids and 3 flavonoids were separated within 45 min with detection at 280 nm, flow rate at 0.8 mL/min and column temperature at 35 °C. Internal standards vanillic acid and quercetin were used for quantitation of phenolic acids and flavonoids in R.   nasutus , respectively, which included caffeic acid derivatives (6.40 mg/g), quercetin derivatives (4.43 mg/g), ferulic acid derivatives (3.20 mg/g), p -coumaric acid derivatives (1.63 mg/g), sinapic acid hexoside (1.11 mg/g), kaempferol-3- O -rutinoside (1.02 mg/g), hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (0.44 mg/g) and protocatechuic acid (0.39 mg/g). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new compounds, derriscoumaronochromone ( 1 ) and cis -3,4′-dihydroxy- 5,7-dimethoxyflavan ( 2 ), as well as trans -4'- O -methylcatechin ( 3 ) were isolated from Derris laxiflora , The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tartarian Buckwheat is an effective hypoglycemic medicinal herb. Its main active ingredients are flavonoids. We report here 5 cases of new onset polyneuropathy with dyskinesia prospectively induced by tartarian buckwheat products. Clinical and electrophysiological evidence along with laboratory tests were reviewed and analyzed. All patients were male, with an average age of 52.2 ± 10.9 years old (range: 40–66 years) and had a recent history of using tartarian buckwheat for diabetes therapy. The average time of use was 2.5 ± 1.0 months (range: 1.5–4 months). The average duration of the clinical course was 0.9 ± 0.2 months (range: 0.5–1 months). Symptoms included numbness and weakness of the limbs (5/5, 100%), hoarseness (4/5, 80%), dysphagia (1/5, 20%), bilateral facial paralysis (1/5, 20%), urinary disorders (3/5, 60%) and gonadal abnormality (4/4, 100%). Nerve conduction studies suggested more severe damages in motor nerves than sensory nerves. All the patients showed abnormality on Von Frey filaments determination. Hence, tartarian buckwheat products may cause toxic peripheral nerve lesion and the use of herbal medication needs to be better regulated and closely monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feasibility of thermoluminescence (TL) to differentiate irradiated Chinese medicinal herbs from non-irradiated was investigated. Thirty different dried Chinese herbs were tested, including root, flower, ramulus, rhizome, cortex, and whole plant samples. Irradiation of Chinese herbs was associated with strong TL peaks at ~150-250 °C, while TL curves of non-irradiated herbs had very low intensities above 250 °C, which was also confirmed by the TL ratio (non-irradiated, TL/TL < 0.1). The ability to determine the irradiation dose by the TL method was influenced by the amount and types of minerals in the samples. All levels of irradiation doses could be detected when between 0.1 and 1.0 kGy, except for three herbs at 0.1 kGy dose. Different blends with small quantities (0.1-10 %) of irradiated herbs were also tested in this study. Samples with powder mixtures containing 1 % irradiated components could be differentiated (TL/TL > 0.1) except for sterculia lychnophora, semen cassia, flos inulae, and anemone root. TL ratios of some herbs indicated irradiation (TL/TL > 0.1) even if the irradiated components were as low as 0.1 %. Thus we demonstrated that TL analysis had excellent sensitivity and reliability for the identification of irradiated Chinese herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a novel analytical technology, metabolomics is widely used in the modern research of Chinese medicine (CM). Metabolomics adopts a 'top-down' strategy to reflect the function of organisms from terminal symptoms of metabolic network and understand metabolic changes of a complete system caused by interventions. As a holistic approach, metabolomics technology, including nuclear magnetic resonance, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, favorable to express the meaning of basic theories of CM, CM syndrome and Chinese herb. Therefore, we believe that metabolomics technology will greatly benefit to development for the research of CM in the light of modern sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new 8-alkylcoumarins, 7-O-methylphellodenol-B (1), 7-methoxy-8-(3-methyl- 2,3-epoxy-1-oxobutyl)chromen-2-one (2), and 3'-O-methylvaginol (3), together with seven known compounds (4-10) were isolated from the fruits of Cnidium monnieri. Their structures were determined by detailed analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with the data of known analogues. All the isolates were evaluated the cytoprotective activity by MTS cell proliferation assay and the results showed that all the three new 8-alkylcoumarins exhibited cytoprotective effect on Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells injured by hydrogen peroxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Two new labdane-type diterpenes were isolated and characterized from Cunninghamia konishii. [•] Four known labdane-type diterpenoids were isolated from C. konishii. [•] Structures of these isolates were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A man in his 70s visited our department for dyspnea with pulmonary infiltrate that was unresolved by antibiotics. He had been taking Sansoninto for five years and doubled its dose a month ago. After discontinuing Sansoninto without any additional medications, his symptoms gradually disappeared, and pulmonary infiltration improved. Drug lymphocyte stimulation tests showed a positive result for Sansoninto. We diagnosed this patient with Sansoninto-induced lung injury. Sansoninto is a combination drug that consists of sansonin, bukuryo, senkyo, chimo, and kanzo. This paper reports the first case of Sansoninto-induced lung injury and discusses the mechanism considering its components.

Scutellariae radix, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, has long been applied in traditional formulations and modern herbal medications. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) in follicles can trigger inflammation and lead to the symptom of inflammatory acnes vulgaris. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Scutellariae radix extract and purified components isolated from it on inflammation induced by P. acnes in vitro and in vivo. The results showed the ethyl acetate (EA) soluble fraction from the partition of crude ethanolic extract from Scutellariae radix inhibited P. acnes-induced interleukin IL-8 and IL-1β production in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Seven flavones were isolated from the EA fraction by repeated chromatographies, and identified as 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone (FL1, oroxylin), 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (FL2, wogonin), 5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (FL3, 7-O-methylwogonin), 5,6′-dihydroxy-6,7,8,2′-tetramethoxy flavone (FL4, skullcapflavone II), 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (FL5), 5,2′,6′-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (FL6, viscidulin II), and 5,7,2′,5′-tetrahydroxy-8,6′-dimethoxyflavone (FL7, ganhuangenin). They all significantly suppressed P. acnes-induced IL-8 and IL-1β production in THP-1 cells, and FL2 exerted the strongest effect with half maximal inhibition (IC50) values of 8.7 and 4.9 μM, respectively. Concomitant intradermal injection of each of the seven flavones (20 μg) with P. acnes effectively attenuated P. acnes-induced ear swelling, and decreased the production of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in ear homogenates. Our results suggested that all the seven flavones can be potential therapeutic agents against P. acnes-induced skin inflammation.

Highlights: [•] One new megastigmane were isolated and characterized from Kalanchoe tubiflora. [•] Ten known compounds were also isolated from Kalanchoe tubiflora. [•] Structures of these isolates were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. [•] Compounds 1–4, 6, 9, and 11 possessed nitric oxide inhibitory activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two new cucurbitane-type triterpenes, 25-methoxycucurbita-5,23( E)-diene-3β,19-diol ( 1) and 7β-ethoxy-3β-hydroxy-25-methoxycucurbita-5,23( E)-dien-19-al ( 2), together with three known cucurbitane-type triterpenes, 3β,7β,25-trihydroxycucurbita-5,23( E)-dien-19-al ( 3), (23 E)-3β-hydroxy-7β,25-dimethoxycucurbita-5,23-dien-19-al ( 4), and 3β-hydroxy-25-methoxycucurbita-6,23( E)-dien-19,5β-olide ( 5), were isolated from the fruit pulp of Momordica charantia. The structures of two new compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, MS, IR, optical rotation. Among these isolates, compounds 1, 2, and 5 showed slight cytotoxic activity against the SK-Hep 1 cell line with IC50 values of 33.1, 24.3, and 38.7 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new secondary metabolites, 3α-((E)-Dodec-1-enyl)-4β-hydroxy-5β- methyldihydrofuran-2-one (1), linderinol (6), 4'-O-methylkaempferol 3-O-α-L-(4"-E-p-coumaroyl)rhamnoside (11) and kaempferol 3-O-α-L-(4"-Z-p- coumaroyl)rhamnoside (12) with eleven known compounds-3-epilistenolide D1 (2), 3-epilistenolide D2 (3), (3Z,4α,5β)-3-(dodec-11-ynylidene)-4-hydroxy-5-methylbutanolide (4), (3E,4β,5β)-3-(dodec-11-ynylidene)-4-hydroxy-5-methylbutanolide (5), matairesinol (7), syringaresinol (8), (+)-pinoresinol (9), salicifoliol (10), 4"-p-coumaroylafzelin (13), catechin (14) and epicatechin (15)-were first isolated from the aerial part of Lindera akoensis. Their structures were determined by detailed analysis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data. All of the compounds isolated from Lindera akoensis showed that in vitro anti-inflammatory activity decreases the LPS-stimulated production of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cell, with IC50 values of 4.1-413.8 µM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current data indicates the incidence of neuropathic pain after surgical nerve injury is as high as 50%, thus representing a major problem for patients and for the medical system. Triptolide, a traditional Chinese herb, has anti-inflammatory effects on various neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. This agent also reduces peripheral nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain, although the mechanism underlying this effect is still unknown., Materials and Methods: The effects of triptolide on spinal nerve ligation (SNL) injury-induced neuropathic pain was studied in an animal model using behavioral, morphological and molecular biological methods., Results: Repeated administration of intrathecal triptolide was found to alleviate SNL- or Poly(I:C) (toll-like receptor 3 agonist) injection-induced mechanical allodynia without any motor impairment. The mechanism by which triptolide reduces SNL- and Poly(I:C) injection-induced microglial activation appears to be via the inhibition of OX42 expression, which is a microglial-specific marker. Intrathecal triptolide also suppressed SNL- and Poly(I:C) injection-induced expression of spinal TRIF. TRIF transmits signals from activated TLR3 and is the downstream adaptor of TLR3 in microglia. In addition, intrathecal triptolide inhibited the expression of spinal pro-inflammatory IL-1 β following SNL or Poly(I:C) injection., Conclusions: Intrathecal triptolide can suppress the TLR3/TRIF/IL-1 β pathway in spinal microglia following SNL. This could be the underlying mechanism by which triptolide alleviate neuropathic pain induced by peripheral nerve injury., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

Abstract: Four lanostane triterpenes, 3,7,11-trioxo-5α-lanosta-8,24(E)-dien-26-oic acid, methyl 11α-3,7-dioxo-5α-lanosta-8,24(E)-dien-26-oate, methyl 3,7,11,12,15,23-hexaoxo-5α-lanost-8-en-26-oate, and ethyl 3,7,11,12,15,23-hexaoxo-5α-lanost-8-en-26-oate, two sterols, (14α,22E)-14-hydroxyergosta-7,22-diene-3,6-dione and a steroid named as camphosterol A were isolated from a mixture of fruiting bodies and mycelia of solid cultures of Antrodia camphorata. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of all compounds were fully assigned using a combination of 2D NMR experiments, including COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY sequences. Six compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against several human tumor cell lines, all of which has moderate activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, we investigated the anticancer effects of a new benzimidazole derivative, 1-benzyl-2-phenyl -benzimidazole (BPB), in human chondrosarcoma cells. BPB-mediated apoptosis was assessed by the MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. The in vivo efficacy was examined in a JJ012 xenograft model. Here we found that BPB induced apoptosis in human chondrosarcoma cell lines (JJ012 and SW1353) but not in primary chondrocytes. BPB induced upregulation of Bax, Bad and Bak, downregulation of Bcl-2, Bid and Bcl-XL and dysfunction of mitochondria in chondrosarcoma. In addition, BPB also promoted cytosolic releases AIF and Endo G. Furthermore, it triggered extrinsic death receptor-dependent pathway, which was characterized by activating Fas, FADD and caspase-8. Most importantly, animal studies revealed a dramatic 40% reduction in tumor volume after 21 days of treatment. Thus, BPB may be a novel anticancer agent for the treatment of chondrosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding Chinese herbal ultra-fine (CHU) powder to sows during the last week of gestation and during the lactation period on immunological performance of the offspring. In this experiment, 15 pregnant sows (mean BW = 235.6 ± 3.7 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments including no additive (Control), 0.75% CHU powder (Group A), or 1.5% CHU powder (Group B) added to a maize- and soybean meal-based diet. Blood from 10 piglets per group was collected at d 7, d 14, or d 21 of age to measure serum metabolites, lymphocyte proliferating activity, and serum antibody and cytokine concentrations. Dietary supplementation of sows with CHU powder increased (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, and triglycerides of offspring, whereas the concentration of glucose was reduced (P < 0.05) compared with Controls. The CHU powder enhanced (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of IgG in Group B offspring on d 7 and IgM in Group A offspring on d 7 and d 14, increased IL-10 in Group A offspring on d 7, as well as IL-2 in offspring from Groups A and B on all days of determination. The CHU powder increased interferon gamma in Group A offspring on d 14 and in Group B offspring on d 14 and d 21, and increased tumor necrosis factor alpha in offspring of Group A on d 14 and in Group B on all days surveyed. Compared with Controls, a greater number (P < 0.05) of T lymphocyte subpopulations were detected in Group A and B offspring including CD4+ cells in Group A on d 7 and d 21, CD4+ cells in Group B on d 14 and d 21, and CD8+ cells in Group A on d 7 and d 14. Collectively, these findings indicate a beneficial effect of CHU powder treatment of sows in later gestation and during lactation on serum metabolism and cellular and humoral immune responses of their offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, also named Chinese Paeony, is a Chinese herb. A decoction of its root has been used to treat painful or inflammatory disorders in traditional Chinese medicine. A water/ethanol extract of Radix Paeoniae is known as total glycosides of paeony (TGP), of which paeoniflorin is the major active component. Preclinical studies show that TGP/paeoniflorin is able to diminish pain, joint swelling, synovial hypertrophy, and the severity of bone erosion and cartilage degradation in experimental arthritis. TGP/paeoniflorin suppresses inflammatory process by reducing the production of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. TGP/paeoniflorin also inhibits the proliferation of lymphocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes, the formation of new blood vessels, and the production of matrix metalloproteinases. Clinical data show that TGP is effective to relieve the symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis without significant adverse effects. Recently, TGP is widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the findings of a study which sought to evaluate ganoderic acid (GA) production through the solid-medium culture method of fungal mycelium. It notes the pharmacological activity of Ganoderma lucidum caused by the production of triterpenoids and polysaccharides that are found to exhibit properties such as hepatoprotection, and hypocholesterolemic. A comparison between the submerged liquid and solid-medium culture methods for producing fungal mycelium was made.

Abstract: Cancer metastasis is a primary cause of cancer death. Antrodia cinnamomea (A. cinnamomea), a medicinal mushroom in Taiwan, has been shown antioxidant and anticancer activities. In this study, we first observed that ethanol extract of fruiting bodies of A. cinnamomea (EEAC) exerted a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on migration and motility of CL1-0 cells in the absence of cytotoxicity. The results of a gelatin zymography assay showed that A. cinnamomea suppressed the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot results demonstrated that treatment with A. cinnamomea decreased the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2; while the expression of the endogenous inhibitors of these proteins, i.e., tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) increased. Two major compounds from EEAC codycepin and zhankuic acid A alone and together inhibited MMP-9 and MMP-2 expressions. Further investigation revealed that A. cinnamomea suppressed the phosphorylation of p38, and JNK1/2. A. cinnamomea also suppressed the expressions of PI3K and phosphorylation of AKT. This is the first report confirming the anti-migration activity of this potentially beneficial mushroom against human lung adenocarcinoma CL1-0. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives We investigated the effect of Cistanche deserticola Ma. (CD) on bone formation by cultured osteoblasts. Methods The mineralized nodule formation assay was used to examine the in-vitro effects of CD on bone formation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-2 and osteopontin (OPN) mRNA expression was analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The mechanism of action of CD extract was investigated using Western blotting. The in-vivo anti-osteoporotic effect of CD extract was assessed in ovariectomized mice. Key findings CD extract had no effect on the proliferation, migration or wound healing of cultured osteoblasts, but increased ALP, BMP-2 and OPN mRNA and bone mineralization. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or nuclear factor (NF)- κB inhibitors reduced CD extract-induced bone formation and ALP, BMP-2 and OPN expression. However, CD extract did not affect osteoclastogenesis. In addition, CD extract prevented the bone loss induced by ovariectomy in vivo. Conclusions CD may be a novel bone formation agent for the treatment of osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chondrosarcoma is a soft tissue sarcoma with a poor prognosis that is unresponsive to conventional chemotherapy. Surgical treatment leads to severe disability with high rates of local recurrence and life threat. Curcumin, an active compound in turmeric and curry, has been proven to induce tumor apoptosis and inhibit tumor proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effects of curcumin in human chondrosarcoma cells. Curcumin induced apoptosis in human chondrosarcoma cell lines (JJ012 and SW1353) but not in primary chondrocytes. Curcumin induced upregulation of Fas, FasL, and DR5 expression in chondrosarcoma cells. Transfection of cells with Fas, FasL, or DR5 siRNA reduced curcumin-induced cell death. In addition, p53 involved in curcumin-mediated Fas, FasL, and DR5 expression and cell apoptosis in chondrosarcoma cells. Most importantly, animal studies revealed a dramatic 60% reduction in tumor volume after 21days of treatment. Thus, curcumin may be a novel anticancer agent for the treatment of chondrosarcoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The hepatoprotective potential of antrosterol (ergostatrien-3β-ol, ST1) from Antrodia camphorata (AC) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage was evaluated in preventive models in mice. Pretreatment with ST1 markedly prevented the elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and liver lipid peroxides in CCl4-treated mice. The activities of antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were significantly increased after treatment with CCl4 in vivo. In addition, ST1 decreased the level of nitric oxide (NO) production and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in CCl4-treated mice. In this study, these results pointed out that ST1 can inhibit lipid peroxidation, enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes, decreases the TNF-α level, nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expressions. Therefore, it was speculated that ST1 protects mice from liver damage through their anti-inflammation capacity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: This multicenter and randomized clinical trial showed that daily oral herbal formula Xian Ling Gu Bao (XLGB) was safe in postmenopausal women over a 1-year treatment. Those patients ( n ∼ 50) treated with XLGB at the conventional dose demonstrated a statistically significant increase in dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine at 6 months and a numerically increased BMD at 12 months. Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of a herbal formula XLGB in postmenopausal women (ChiCTR-TRC-00000347). Methods: One hundred eighty healthy postmenopausal women (≥60 years old) with BMD T-score ≤ −2.0 (lumbar spine or femoral neck) were recruited from four clinical centers to receive low-dose (conventional dose) XLGB (L-XLGB group, 3 g/day, n = 61) or high-dose XLGB (H-XLGB group, 6 g/day, n = 58) or placebo (CON group, n = 61). Women received daily calcium (500 mg) and vitamin D (200 IU) supplementation. Primary endpoints were lumbar spine BMD and safety; secondary endpoints were femoral neck BMD and bone turnover markers measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Results: Of 180 women recruited, 148 completed the study. The compliance in each group was comparable. Prominent adverse events were not observed in either group. In the L-XLGB group at 6 months, lumbar spine BMD by DXA increased significantly from baseline (+2.11% versus CON +0.58%, p < 0.05), but femoral neck BMD did not; at 12 months, BMD in the L-XLGB group decreased from 6-month levels yet remained higher than baseline, but without difference from the CON group. There was no dose-dependent response. Bone turnover marker levels declined during the first 6 months after XLGB treatment. There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of side effects among treatment and control groups. Conclusion: XLGB over 1-year treatment at the conventional dose demonstrated safe and only a statistically significant increase in BMD at lumbar spine at 6 months in postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Numerous studies have indicated that inflammatory cytokines play a major role in osteoclastogenesis, leading to the bone resorption that is frequently associated with osteoporosis. d-pinitol, a 3-methoxy analogue of d-chiroinositol, was identified as an active principle in soy foods and legumes. Here we found that d-pinitol markedly inhibited the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastic differentiation from bone marrow stromal cells and RAW264.7 macrophage cells. In addition, d-pinitol also reduced RANKL-induced p38 and JNK phosphorylation. Furthermore, RANKL-mediated increase of IKK, IκBα, and p65 phosphorylation and NF-κB-luciferase activity was inhibited by d-pinitol. However, d-pinitol did not affect the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. In addition, d-pinitol also prevented the bone loss induced by ovariectomy in vivo. Our data suggest that d-pinitol inhibits osteoclastogenesis from bone marrow stromal cells and macrophage cells via attenuated RANKL-induced p38, JNK, and NF-κB activation, which in turn protect bone loss from ovariectomy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is divided into three subfields, including Chinese medicine, Chinese herb and acupuncture, attracts increasing attentions due to its challenging and significant medical values. This study employs bibliometric analysis to examine the profile of publication activity in TCM field as well as its subfields. The data are retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded database during 1980-2009, and 16,536 papers are identified for analysis. Generally speaking, proportions of papers in subfield of acupuncture decreased dramatically, while the proportions of papers of Chinese medicine and Chinese herb rose increasingly. This study finds that East Asia has the largest number of TCM papers, followed by North America and Europe. Furthermore, while China is ranked first in terms of the amount of TCM publications, USA gains the highest percentage of citations. As for regional specialty, mainly, scholars in East Asia publish intensively in Chinese medicine, while most of the scholars in North America and Europe probe into the study of acupuncture. In the latest two decades, China took the first place over Japan in subfields of both Chinese medicine and Chinese herb, while the US has always kept the largest share in acupuncture with a marked upward trend. Regarding the top-ranked TCM institution, Chinese Academy of Sciences located in China, is ranked first in the subfields of Chinese medicine and Chinese herb as well. As for Kyung Hee University, which is located in South Korea, is ranked first in the number of acupuncture papers and Harvard University is ranked first in number of acupuncture citations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: To investigate protective effects of Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on the intermittent high glucose (IHG)-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial pathway activation and Schwann cell (SC) apoptosis in vitro. Main methods: SCs were primarily cultured and exposed to the different conditions. Apoptosis was confirmed by the Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method and concentration of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy Guanosine (8-OHdG) was detected by Elisa. Intracellular ROS generation and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) were detected by flow cytometry analysis. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR was performed to analyze the expression levels of Bax and BcL-2. Western blot was performed to analyze the expression levels of some important transcription factors and proteins. Key findings: Treatment with Sal B inhibited the IHG-induced oxidative stress by reducing ROS production and 8-OHdG levels, mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis in SCs in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment with Sal B down-regulated the IHG-induced release of cytochrome c, AIF nuclear translocation and Bax expression, but mitigated the IHG-mediated down-regulation of BcL-2 expression in SCs. In addition, treatment with Sal B attenuated the IHG-induced activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 and minimized the cleavage of PARP in SCs. Significance: Our results indicated that IHG induced SC apoptosis in both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways by activating the mitochondrial pathway. Sal B inhibited the IHG-induced oxidative stress, activation of the mitochondrial pathway and apoptosis in SCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Our previous report has shown that berberine effectively inhibits LPS- and IFN-γ-induced neuroinflammation in microglia cells. Recently, we also reported that HO-1 (Heme oxygenase-1) may be a therapeutic target to regulate neuroinflammation in microglia cells. The present study examined the ability of berberine, the major constituents of Chinese herb Rhizoma coptidis, to induce expression of HO-1, and analyzed its signaling mechanism in rat brain astrocytes. HO-1 is known as an antioxidant enzyme which helps to protect against cellular damage and maintains tissue homeostasis. Here, we found that berberine increased HO-1 mRNA and protein expression concentration- and time-dependently. In addition, berberine-induced HO-1 expression was attenuated by PI 3-kinase (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin, and an AKT inhibitor. Treatment of astrocytes with berberine also induced p85 (PI 3-kinase) and AKT phospholation, and increased AKT kinase activity. Berberine also increased NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) accumulation in the nucleus and increased Nrf2-DNA binding activity as determined by the EMSA (electrophoretic mobility shift assay). Moreover, berberine-induced increase of Nrf2-DNA binding activity was reduced by PI 3-kinase and AKT inhibitors. Berberine-increased HO-1-luciferase activity was also inhibited by co-transfection with dominant-negative (DN) mutants of p85 and AKT. Moreover, berberine-mediated increase of HO-1 transcriptional activity and protein expression were reduced by transfection with siRNA againt Nrf2. These findings suggest that berberine-increased HO-1 expression is mediated by Nrf2 activation through the PI 3-kinase/AKT pathway in astrocytes. Thus, berberine may be useful as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of neuroinflammation-associated disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: The root of Rehmannia glutinosa (RR) is commonly used as a wound-healing agent in various traditional Chinese herbal formulae; while angiogenesis is one of the crucial aspects in wound-healing. Aim of the study: The objective of the present study was to investigate the angiogenesis effects of RR aqueous crude extract and its active component(s) using zebrafish model. Materials and methods: The in vivo angiogenesis effect was studied using transgenic TG(fli1:EGFP)y1/+(AB) zebrafish embryos by observing the capillary sprouts formation in sub-intestinal vessel (SIV) of zebrafish embryos after 72h post-fertilization under fluorescence microscopy. Results: Our results indicated that RR aqueous crude extract (250μg/ml) exhibited significant angiogenesis effect, with an increase in capillary sprouts formation in SIV. Following sequential solvent partition of the RR aqueous crude extract with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol successively, the dichloromethane fraction (DCM) was found to have the most sprouts formation in the SIV region. Subjected to column chromatography, DCM fraction was further fractionated into six sub-fractions and among these tested, the sub-fraction C2 exhibited the most potent angiogenesis effect. The major component, C2A, was isolated and identified as norviburtinal using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). The compound norviburtinal (at 50μg/ml) was shown to possess significant angiogenesis effect in zebrafish model (p <0.001). Conclusions: Norviburtinal was, for the first time, found in the extract of RR and possessed novel angiogenesis effect. Bioassay-guided fractionation suggested that norviburtinal was not the only active component responsible for the angiogenesis effect of RR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) is a Chinese herb with immunosuppressive effects and an established history of use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated that the extracts from the root of TwHF inhibit the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, proinflammatory mediators, adhesion molecules, and matrix metalloproteinases by macrophages, lymphocytes, synovial fibroblasts, and chondrocytes. TwHF also induces apoptosis in lymphocytes and synovial fibroblasts and inhibits their proliferation. Except numerous uncontrolled clinical trials, there are some prospective, double-blind, randomized, and placebo/sulfasalazine-controlled trials, also demonstrating greater improvement in RA disease activity by TwHF extract than placebo/sulfasalazine. Radiographic progression in RA may also be retarded by TwHF. Therefore, the immunosuppressive, cartilage protective, and anti-inflammatory effects of TwHF extracts are well demonstrated, and TwHF extract is an alternative disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) for the patients with RA refractory to conventional therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia helioscopia L is widespread in China and has a large number of flavonoids. Quercetin glycosides, having useful biological activities, are abundant in this plant, and no validated analytical method has so far been developed for their determination. We, therefore, standardized a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) assay for quercetin detection. For this, the plant was locally procured and identification was confirmed based on its morpho-histological characteristics. Ethyl acetate extracts of leaves, stems, and roots were analyzed by RP-HPLC using Agilent 1120 HPLC TC-C column (250 × 4.6 mm; 5 μm) with UV-detector system. The mobile phase of methanol-0.2% phosphoric acid (65:35) solution was used with the flow rate of 1.0 ml min at 30°C, and the detection was performed at 360 nm wavelength. Our data show that the linear range of quercetin was 0.025-0.150 mg.ml ( r = 0.9995; n = 6) with the recovery rate of 97.50-103.30% (average 100.40%; RSD = 2.28%). The target component was baseline separated during only the period of 9 min. The repeatability of RP-HPLC analysis was demonstrated with an RSD of 1.77% ( n = 6), and the highest quercetin content (average 1.42 mg gdry-weight) was present in leaves. It was, therefore, concluded that RP-HPLC is a simple, rapid, accurate, and sensitive method for the detection of quercetin from Euphorbia helioscopia L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cardiotoxicity in acute aconitine intoxication is well known; however, elevation of troponin I level and abnormal scintigraphy findings had not previously been reported. Case report: A 60-year-old man developed chest tightness, syncope and convulsion after ingesting processed Aconitum carmichaeli (Chuanwu) extract for treatment of headache. Electrocardiogram showed first degree atrioventricular (AV) block. Troponin I level was elevated at 14.8 ng/mL 13 hours post-ingestion. Creatine kinase was also increased to 414 U/L. However, echocardiography did not show any abnormal cardiac wall motion. Tc-99m-PYP scintigraphy revealed diffusely increased uptake in the myocardium, suggesting the presence of myocardial necrosis or myocarditis. Discussion: Aconitine poisoning can mimic acute myocardial infarction with chest tightness and elevated cardiac enzymes. Increased cardiac markers and myocardial insult seen in this patient were likely to be related to the toxicity of aconitine. Care should be taken in making the diagnosis in such instances. Management is primarily supportive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The fermented culture broth of Antrodia camphorata (A. camphorata) has been shown to promote cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of human estrogen-nonresponsive MDA-MB-231 cells. Herein, we demonstrate that non-cytotoxic concentrations (20–80μg/mL) of A. camphorata markedly inhibited the invasion/migration of highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells as shown by an in vitro transwell and a wound-healing repair assay. The results of a gelatin zymography assay showed that A. camphorata suppressed the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). Western blot results demonstrated that treatment with A. camphorata decreased the expression of MMP-9, MMP-2, uPA, uPA receptor (uPAR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); while the expression of the endogenous inhibitors of these proteins, i.e., tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, increased. Further investigation revealed that A. camphorata suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK1/2. A. camphorata treatment also led to a dose-dependent inhibition on NF-κB binding and activation. This is the first report confirming the anti-metastatic activity of this potentially beneficial mushroom against human breast cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cyanobacterial blooms are amongst the most harmful blooms, and can lead to the deterioration of aquatic ecosystems, simultaneously affecting humans, flora and fauna due to the production of cyanobacterial toxins. A Chinese herb (S. baicalensis Georgi) was chosen to control cyano-bacterial blooms in waters. The results showed that the M. aeruginosa growth expressed by chlorophyll-α concentration was totally inhibited by the decoctions of S. baicalensis Georgi at doses of ≥l0 μg when the initial concentration of M. aeruginosa was 670 μg L-1. The field experiment showed that the cyanobacterial blooms in the ponds treated with the decoctions of S. baicalensis Georgi were significantly controlled in cyanobacterial blooms period from April to June, 2008. The active ingredients in the herb such as flavonoids, could significantly decrease the effective quantum yields and interrupt the electronic transports in photosystem two (PS II) reaction centers in M. aeruginosa cells, which led to the failure of photosynthesis of M. aeruginosa. Simpson's diversity index of macrophytes, zooplankton and bacteria with flaA gene indicated that the application of S. baicalensis Georgi increased the macrophyte, zooplankton and bacterial diversity and improved the growth conditions of their habitats. This study provides a promising emergency measure to control harmful algal blooms in practical waters, and benefits to the aquatic ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Isoflavones are compounds structurally similar to the mammalian estrogens and have received considerable attention for their preventive actions on bone loss. Here, we synthesized the novel isoflavone derivatives and examined their activities in bone cells. We found that the novel isoflavone derivatives markedly inhibited the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) plus macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF)-induced osteoclastic differentiation from bone marrow stromal cells and RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Treatment of RAW264.7 macrophages with RANKL-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. However, RANKL-induced p38 and JNK but not ERK phosphorylation was attenuated by isoflavone derivatives. Furthermore, RANKL-mediated increase of p65 phosphorylation at Ser536, NF-κB-specific DNA-protein complex formation and κB-luciferase activity was inhibited by isoflavone derivatives. On the other hand, isoflavone derivatives did not affect the cell proliferation and differentiation of human cultured osteoblasts. Our data suggest that the novel isoflavone derivatives inhibit osteoclastogenesis from bone marrow stromal cells and macrophage cells via attenuation of RANKL-induced p38, JNK and NF-κB activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gubenquduyishen (GBQDYS) decoction, the modified remedy of a classical Chinese prescription named Liuweidihuang decoction, has been clinically employed to treat nephrotic syndrome and chronic nephritis in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present study was designed to examine whether GBQDYS decoction has a protective effect on renal function associated with the raised level of cystatin-C (Cys-C), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and decreased Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in stage-II CKD. Materials and methods: A total of 68 stage-II CKD patients were randomly divided into two groups, the control group and the treatment group who received GBQDYS decoction as an additional therapy supplement. Results: Following up on a period of 48 months, levels of serum Cys-C, Scr, and BUN were significantly reduced by the treatment of GBQDYS decoction and GFR was elevated in the treated group. Whereas not achieved in the control group, suggesting the nephro-protective activity of GBQDYS decoction. Conclusions: Taken together, these results demonstrated that GBQDYS decoction is able to protect renal function by delaying the progression of renal failure, and this may be used as an effective alternative treatment for CKD patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study which seeks to evaluate the protective effects of Chinese herbs against peroxynitrite-induced biomolecule damage. The study used several Chinese herb extracts including the Apis ceranna Fabricius, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Rehd, and chemicals dihydrorhodaine 123 (DHR 123) and plasmid DNA (pBR322). Results of the study showed that the Chinese herbs have high ability to scavenge ONOO, and can effectively protect biomolecules from peroxynitrite-induced injury.

Abstract: A high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–mass spectrometry method with electrospray ionization mode (HPLC–DAD–ESI-MS) was developed for simultaneous determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in fruits of Lycium barbarum Linnaeus, a widely used traditional Chinese herb possessing vital biological activity. Both phenolic acids and flavonoids were extracted with 50% ethanol and purified using a polymeric solid phase extraction cartridge followed by HPLC–DAD–ESI-MS analysis. By employing a Vydac C18 column, a total of 52 phenolic acids and flavonoids were separated within 70min using a gradient mobile phase of 0.5% (v/v) formic acid in water and acetonitrile–water (94:6, v/v) with flow rate at 1mL/min, column temperature at 30°C and detection wavelength at 280nm. Of 52 compounds, 15 phenolic acids and flavonoids were positively identified based on both absorption and mass spectra, with the remaining 37 tentatively identified by comparison of absorption spectra with reported values in the literature. Internal standards 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and hesperidin were used for quantitation of phenolic acids and flavonoids, respectively. Among the 15 positively identified compounds, quercetin-rhamno-di-hexoside was present in largest mass fraction (438.6μg/g), followed by quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (281.3μg/g), dicaffeoylquinic acid isomers (250.1μg/g), chlorogenic acid (237.0μg/g), quercetin-di-(rhamnohexoside) (117.5μg/g), quercetin-di-(rhamno)-hexoside (116.8μg/g), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (97.7μg/g), isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (72.1μg/g), p-coumaric acid (64.0μg/g), caffeic acid (23.7μg/g) and vanillic acid (22.8μg/g). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]