Search

doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2011.02.012 ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate the radioprotective efficacy of green tea polyphenols and the component ingredients against irradiated-induced damage in mice and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. [...]

The aim of this 26-week, double-blind, controlled clinical trial, was to compare the efficacy of monotherapy (metformin only) with combination therapy (Chinese medicine prescription JianYuTangKang [JYTK] plus metformin) on type 2 diabetes. All patients on metformin were randomized to receive authenticated JYTK (59 patients) or placebo JYTK (53 patients), 4.5g daily, for 26 weeks. Patients also received information regarding diet and exercise. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level, and a lipid profile were measured before, during, and after the treatment. The results of the treatment group (JYTK plus metformin) were noninferior to those of the control group (metformin plus placebo) at 8 and 18 weeks. After 26 weeks of treatment, FPG levels decreased to 6.1±1.0mmol/L in the treatment group and 7.0±1.5mmol/L in the control group (p<0.01). HbA1C levels after 26 weeks were also significantly decreased in the treatment group compared with the control group (p<0.01). In addition, lipid profiles were also significantly different between the two groups. Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy (JYTK plus metformin) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus may not only help improve glycemia and insulin sensitivity, but also help to modify the diabetes related lipid equilibrium. And thereby provides a basis for a novel, effective, and safe approach, to treat type 2 diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new triterpenoid saponin, named 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-3β,16α,28,30-tetrahydroxy-olean-12-ene (1), along with four known triterpenoids (2–5), was isolated from the rhizomes ofArdisia gigantifolia. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compounds1–4showed cytotoxic activity against Hela, EJ, BCG, and HepG-2 cell lines. The percentage of early apoptotic cells after treatment with1was significantly increased compared with control cells (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-fatigue activity and the behavioral and biochemical effects of Kai-Xin-San (KXS) extracts on fatigued rats. The rats were randomly divided into six groups: untreated control (UC), running control (RC), RC treated with 13 mg/kg/day modafinil and RC treated with KXS at dosages of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively. The treatments were administered orally. Anti-fatigue activity was assessed using the treadmill running test and serum biochemical parameters were determined using an autoanalyzer and commercially available kits. Furthermore, the standardization of the KXS extracts was ensured using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fingerprint. The extracts were shown to increase exhaustive running time in the treadmill running test and reverse the fatigue-induced reduction in hepatic/muscle glycogen and testosterone, in addition to reducing the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum urea nitrogen (SUN), blood lactic acid (BLA) and β-endorphin levels in the serum of the fatigued rats. Moreover, the extracts enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the serum of the fatigued rats. The results of this preliminary study indicated that KXS exhibits anti-fatigue activity. This was reflected in the effects on the biochemical markers for fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The constituents of the ethanol extract from the root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. (Polygalaceae) were investigated for antioxidant activity in senescence-accelerated mice. Consequently, two relevant samples were obtained, a fraction separated by macroporous resin (YZ-OE), and a major pure crystal of 3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose (DISS). Based on HPLC-ESI-MS analysis, the most constituents in the YZ-OE fraction from the extract of P. tenuifolia were oligosaccharide esters. The antioxidant activities of these two samples were evaluated using the accelerated senescence-prone, short-lived mice (SAMP) in vivo. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were increased significantly in SAMP mice fed oligosaccharide esters (YZ-OE 50 mg/kg) and its constituents (DISS 50 mg/kg). However, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased in the blood and liver of SAMP mice. But when given YZ-OE, it could be decreased, by 44.3% and 47.5%, respectively, compared with the SAMP model. Results from the analyses indicated that the oligosaccharide esters (YZ-OE) from roots of P. tenuifolia had a high in vivo antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YZ-50 is an active fraction obtained from the root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. (Polygalaceae) extract and it has been reported previously to exert beneficial effects on mental health in depressed sufferers, however, its mechanism of action remains unresolved. This study utilized the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression in Sprague-Dawley rats to evaluate the effects of YZ-50 on depressive behaviors. Furthermore, we tested the hypothesis that the capacity of YZ-50 to reverse the harmful effects of CMS is relative to the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus. Repeated administration of YZ-50 for 28 days at the doses of 140 and 280 mg/kg in CMS, YZ-50 reversed the CMS-induced changes in sucrose consumption, plasma corticosterone levels and open field activity. In addition, CMS significantly decreased hippocampal BDNF mRNA levels. However, YZ-50 counteracted a decrease in hippocampal BDNF mRNA caused by CMS. In conclusion, YZ-50 reversed the harmful effects of CMS on mood and behaviors in rats and it possesses an antidepressant property that is at least in part mediated by the neuroendocrine and neuropropective systems, and it is likely that the HPA system plays an important role in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the anti-radiation effect and mechanism of ethanol extracts from Spatholobus suberectus and its active component catechin, ICR mice were exposed to 6Gy irradiation and randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive control group (amifostine, 43.6 mg•kg⁻¹, iv 30 min before irradiation), SSD group (10, 20, 40 g•kg⁻¹) and catechin group (50, 100, 200 mg•kg⁻¹). The mice were administered the appropriate drugs once a day after irradiation for 28 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected from the tail end and the number of peripheral blood cells was counted before irradiation and on day 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 using a microcell counter. Changes of thymus and spleen index of mice on day 7 were observed. The serum SOD, GSH-Px activity and MDA level were detected by the colorimetric method. The colony forming ability of bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells on day 7 was detected by semi solid culture method. The HE staining was adopted to observe the pathological changes. The apoptosis of bone marrow cells was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax of bone marrow cells were measured separately by western-blotting and immunohistochemistry method. SSD and catechin can both significantly revert the irradiated-induced decline in hematological parameters (RBC, WBC, PLT, Hb), improve thymus and spleen index, significantly enhance serum SOD and GSH-Px activity and decrease the MDA level. The proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells in bone marrow were promoted, the apoptosis of bone marrow cells was significantly up-regulated and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax was significantly reduced in SSD and catechin group. SSD and catechin have significant anti-radiation effect and its mechanism may be related to hematopoietic promoting, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

3,6'-Disinapoyl sucrose (DISS) is the active oligosaccharide ester component from roots of Polygala tenuifolia, and its antidepressant effects was found in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). We aimed to study the antidepressant effects of DISS in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CMS) model in rats and explore the underlying mechanisms in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We found that when subjected to the chronic stress protocol for 28 days, animals showed reduced sensitivity to reward and abnormality in the HPA axis. DISS (10 or 20 mg/kg, i.g.) improved the reward reaction as measured by increasing sucrose consumption, remarkably reduced serum CORT, ACTH and CRH levels in the CMS-treated rats. In addition, DISS enhanced the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) mRNA. These results indicated that the antidepressant effects of DISS in chronically stressed animals might relate to the modulating effects on the HPA axis, which might be an important mechanism for its antidepressant effect.

Objective: To study the antidepressant effects of piperine in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis., Methods: Fifty rats were housed alone and exposed to an unpredicted sequence of mild stressors to induce CUMS, and then were divided into untreated group, desipramine group and low-, medium- and high-dose piperine groups. Another 10 normal rats were used as normal control. The behavior of the rats was detected by body weight and sucrose preference test, and the serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) in different groups were observed by radioimmunoassay., Results: The results indicated that after 21-day administration, piperine at concentrations of 10 and 20 mg/kg could significantly improve the behavioral disorder by increasing sucrose consumption. Piperione at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg could remarkably reduce serum ACTH and CRH levels in the CUMS rats, but had little effect on the content of CORT., Conclusion: Piperine can relieve depression in CUMS rats by modulating the function of HPA axis.

The aim of this study was to investigate (1) whether Rhodobryum roseum, a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat cardiac disease, can protect myocardium damage due to isoproterenol-induced injury, (2) whether the cardioprotective effect of the R. roseum extract is related to its antioxidant activity, and (3) to identify the active components of R. roseum using the oxidant-mediated injury in cardiomyocytes. R. roseum was extracted with 95% EtOH (RE-95), 50% EtOH (RE-50) and water (Re-H2O) and the rats were treated orally for 11 days at doses of 250 mg and 63 mg/kg respectively after cardiac necrosis was induced by administering ISO subcutaneously at a dose of 85 mg/kg body weight. Levels of marker enzymes (LDH, GOT and CK) were assessed in serum whilst the antioxidant parameters, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehde (MDA) were assayed in heart homogenate. Significant myocardial necrosis, depletion of endogenous antioxidants and an increase in serum levels of marker enzymes was observed in ISO-treated animals when compared with the normal animals. The RE-50 elicited a significant cardioprotective effect by lowering the levels of serum marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation (MDA). To extend this work, we sought to investigate the antioxidant effects of the components of R. roseum, using the neonatal rat cardiomyocytes model of H2O2-induced oxidant injury. Among the four major components, piperine and methyl piperate significantly reduced the medium level of CK and LDH at a variety of dosages. Moreover, piperine and methyl piperate significantly attenuated 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence by 63.9% and 52.6%, respectively. The present findings demonstrate that the cardioprotective effects of extracted R. roseum in ISO-induced oxidative damage may be due to an augmentation of the endogenous antioxidants and inhibition of lipid peroxidation of the membranes. Moreover, its components piperine and methyl piperate exert significant protectective effects on cardiac myocytes.