Guest guest Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Bell EC, Ravis WR, Lloyd KB, Stokes TJ. | Effects of St. John's Wort Supplementation on Ibuprofen Pharmacokinetics (February). | Ann Pharmacother. 2007 Feb 6; [Epub ahead of print]: | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern Univ, Houston, TX. | BACKGROUND: St. John's wort is a popular herbal supplement that has been involved in various herb-drug interactions. Experimental findings suggest that the supplement may impact CYP2C9 metabolism. CYP2C9 is responsible for the irreversible metabolism of ibuprofen. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of 3 weeks of St. John's wort administration on the stereoselective pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen. METHODS: Eight male subjects participated in this study. The single-dose pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen were evaluated before and after 21 days of St. John's wort administration. Plasma ibuprofen concentrations were determined, using a stereoselective, reversed-phase HPLC assay. Model independent methods were used to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of each ibuprofen enantiomer. Data were analyzed by 2 way ANOVA testing and confidence interval testing. RESULTS: S(+)-ibuprofen mean +/- SD AUC and maximum concentration (Cmax) values were 131.6 +/- 26.8 microg*h/mL and 31.8 +/- 7.33 microg/mL, respectively, for control samples and 122.4 +/- 32.9 microg*h/mL and 33.6 +/- 7.83 microg/mL, respectively, after St. John's wort treatment. R(-)-ibuprofen mean AUC and Cmax values were 85.1 +/-26.6 microg*h/mL and 28.4 +/- 8.72 microg/mL, respectively, for control samples and 87.7 +/- 30.1 microg*h/mL and 30.0 +/- 8.97 microg/mL, respectively, for St. John's wort treatment samples. St. John's wort administration resulted in no significant effects on the Cmax and AUC of either stereoisomer. A 31% decrease in S(+)-ibuprofen mean residence time (p = 0.02) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: St. John's wort administration for 21 days had no apparent clinically important impact on the single-dose pharmacokinetic parameters of SA(+)- and R(-)-ibuprofen. Although St. John's wort treatment appears to significantly reduce the mean residence time of S-ibuprofen, no ibuprofen dose adjustments appear warranted when the drug is administered orally with St. John's wort, due to the lack of significant change observed in ibuprofen AUC and Cmax for either enantiomer. PMID: 17284505 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Cancellieri F, De Leo V, Genazzani AD, Nappi C, Parenti GL, Polatti F, Ragni N, Savoca S, Teglio L, Finelli F, Nichelatti M. | Efficacy on menopausal neurovegetative symptoms and some plasma lipids blood levels of an herbal product containing isoflavones and other plant extracts. | Maturitas. 2007 Jan 30; [Epub ahead of print]: | Gynaec. Obst. and Human Reprod. Med. Dept., Messina Univ, Messina, Italy. | OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of a product containing isoflavones and other plant extracts (BIO) on whole menopausal symptomatology and plasma lipids profile. METHODS: Multicente, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical investigation on 125 menopausal women randomly assigned to two groups treated for 6 months with placebo or one tablet daily of an herbal product containing 72mg/dose of isoflavones of different plants origin and other plant extracts (BIO). Primary end-point: Kupperman Menopause Index (KI) variations; secondary end-point: activity on plasma lipids profile and clinical global impression (CGI) on efficacy and tolerability by investigators and patients. The usual parametric test (paired Student t test) was performed to evaluate the significance. In case of non-applicability of parametric tests, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used. The differences where considered significant at p<0.05 level. RESULTS: At the end of treatment in both groups KI showed a significant decrease (p<0.001). However, in the BIO group the KI reduction was significantly higher (p=0.0265) than in the placebo group after 4 and 6 months of treatment. In the BIO treated patients the LDL cholesterol showed a borderline but not significant reduction compared to placebo (p=0.0608) and triglyceride (TG) a significant (p=0.0151) decrease compared to placebo. The investigator's and patient's CGI on BIO group where superior as compared to placebo. Clinical tolerability was good in booth groups. CONCLUSION: On the basis of positive effects on KI and lipids profile as well as of good clinical tolerability, BIO can be considered one of the possible alternative therapy for conventional HRT. PMID: 17275225 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Diehr S, Hamp A, Jamieson B, Mendoza M. | Do topical antibiotics improve wound healing? | J Fam Pract. 2007 Feb;56(2):140-4. | Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI USA. | The use of topical triple-antibiotic ointments significantly decreases infection rates in minor contaminated wounds compared with a petrolatum control. Plain petrolatum ointment is equivalent to triple-antibiotic ointments for sterile wounds as a post- procedure wound dressing (strength of recommendation [sOR]: A, based on randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). Mupirocin cream is as effective as oral cephalexin in the treatment of secondarily infected minor wounds and, because of better tolerability, is the treatment of choice for the prevention and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pyogenes infections. Emerging resistance, including methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA), makes it prudent to check for clinical response in 24 to 48 hours. Major contaminated wounds requiring parenteral antibiotics do not appear to additionally benefit from topical antibiotics (SOR: A, based on RCTs). Topical antibiotics may also aid in the healing of chronic wounds (SOR: B, based on a systematic review of low-quality RCTs), as does the application of honey (SOR: B, based on a systematic review of cohort studies). PMID: 17270122 [PubMed - in process] Du H, Xiang J, Zhang Y, Tang Y. | A spectroscopic and molecular modeling study of sinomenine binding to transferrin. | Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2006 Dec 23; [Epub ahead of print]: | Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Center for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China; Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China. | Sinomenine, an herbal ingredient isolated from Sinomenium acutum, is used for the amelioration of arthritis. It has been found that this molecule could bind to human serum transferrin (Tf), the iron (III) transport protein in the blood, by using fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and molecular modeling methods. The results provide possible usage of transferrin to transport sinomenine. PMID: 17275294 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Duarte FS, Duzzioni M, Mendes BG, Pizzolatti MG, De Lima TC. | Participation of dihydrostyryl-2-pyrones and styryl-2-pyrones in the central effects of Polygala sabulosa (Polygalaceae), a folk medicine topical anesthetic. | Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2007 Jan 8; [Epub ahead of print]: | Laboratory of NeuroPharmacol, Dept of Pharmacol, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88049-900, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil. | This study was undertaken to evaluate the psychopharmacological effects in mice of the hydroethanolic extract (HE), aqueous, hexane and ethyl acetate (EA) fractions, and 6-methoxy-7-prenyloxycoumarin, three dihydrostyryl-2- pyrones and three styryl-2-pyrones isolated from Polygala sabulosa (Polygalaceae), a folk medicine used as a topical anesthetic. In the elevated plus-maze test (EPM), the HE of P. sabulosa and its EA induced an increase in the percentage of time spent on, and in the frequency of entries into the open arms, as well as in the number of unprotected head-dipping, besides a reduction in protected stretch-attend postures, thus indicating an anxiolytic-like profile of action for this plant species. In the hypnosis test, HE and EA enhanced the duration of pentobarbital-induced sleep, a hypnosedative effect confirmed in ethyl ether-induced hypnosis. Moreover, both preparations reduced the duration of the first convulsion induced by pentylenetetrazol, besides decreasing the severity of the seizures. The dihydrostyryl-2-pyrones (1) and (3) as well as styryl-2-pyrones (4) and (7), centrally administered, showed a similar anxiolytic-like effect in the EPM test, while the dihydrostyryl-2-pyrone (2) and styryl-2-pyrone (5) were inactive at the doses used here. These results suggest that P. sabulosa is a herbal medicine which possesses anxiolytic-like, hypnosedative and anticonvulsant effects, and these central effects can be attributed to the presence of the dihydrostyryl-2-pyrone and styryl-2-pyrone compounds. PMID: 17275892 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Faried A, Kurnia D, Faried LS, Usman N, Miyazaki T, Kato H, Kuwano H. | Anticancer effects of gallic acid isolated from Indonesian herbal medicine, Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl, on human cancer cell lines. | Int J Oncol. 2007 Mar;30(3):605-13. | Dept of General Surgical Science (Surgery I), Gunma Univ, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan. afaried- u.ac.jp. | The natural antioxidant gallic acid (GA) was isolated from fruits of a medicinal Indonesian plant, Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl. The structure was identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and comparison with authentic compound. GA demonstrated a significant inhibition of cell proliferation in a series of cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells (TE-2) but not in non-cancerous cells (CHEK-1). Observation of the molecular mechanism of apoptosis showed that GA up-regulated the pro-apoptosis protein, Bax, and induced caspase- cascade activity in cancer cells. On the other hand, GA down-regulated anti- apoptosis proteins such as Bcl-2 and Xiap. In addition, GA also induced down-regulation of the survival Akt/mTOR pathway. In non-cancerous cells, we observed delayed expression of pro-apoptosis related proteins. Our results suggest that GA might be a potential anticancer compound. However, in depth in vivo studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism. PMID: 17273761 [PubMed - in process] Fu C, Oakley B, Li S, Zhao W. | Preliminary results related to the principle and application of drug galvano-acupuncture. | Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2005;5:4922-4. | Science of Medicine Research Institute, Kaifung, Henan, China 475000 (Phone: +86-0378-2911008; e-mail: fuchenkf). | Drug galvano-acupuncture is a new medical therapy that has been developed and refined over thirty-one years of research and clinical practice. It uses a combination of modern technology, traditional acupuncture, herbal medicine, and massage therapy techniques. The therapy works by inducing an electric field at the surface of the skin that allows various medications to penetrate the skin's surface. The interacting combination of medication, along with electrical and mechanical stimulation, appears to quickly produce healing effects with no side effects. This method has been broadly used with what appear to be positive effects on a number of different conditions, including neuralgia, asthma, and stroke. PMID: 17281347 [PubMed - in process] Gautam R, Saklani A, Jachak SM. | Indian medicinal plants as a source of antimycobacterial agents. | J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jan 4; [Epub ahead of print]: | Dept of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector-67, SAS Nagar (Mohali) 160062, Punjab, India. | It is estimated that one-third of the world's population is infected with tubercle bacillus and the problem of tuberculosis (TB) has been intensified due to HIV pandemic providing a large reservoir of highly susceptible individuals. Since no anti-TB drugs have been introduced in past 30 years, there is an urgent need to search for and develop new, effective and affordable anti-TB drugs. In this scenario, the plant kingdom with enormous chemical diversity may be looked as an important source of new anti-TB agents. Of 17,500 higher plant species occurring in India only about 365 species have been evaluated so far for antimycobacterial activity. The present review article describes the 255 (70% of 365) plant species from a wide range of families that have shown antimycobacterial activity. The species are enumerated in table format describing plant species and family, plant part used, type of extract and in vitro activity (MIC value), information on active compounds, if any, and uses in the ethnomedicine and Ayurveda. Interestingly, most of the plant species have shown strong positive ethnopharmacological correlation with the traditional knowledge. In addition, the recent in vitro screening methods for antimycobacterial activity are also described in brief. An attempt has been made to highlight the promising plant species for further investigation as leads for drug development. PMID: 17276637 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Kim HK, Park HR, Lee JS, Chung TS, Chung HY, Chung J. | Down- regulation of iNOS and TNF-alpha expression by kaempferol via NF- kappaB inactivation in aged rat gingival tissues. | Biogerontology. 2007 Feb 3; [Epub ahead of print]: | Dept of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Pusan National Univ, Busan, 602-739, Korea. | The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the ability and mechanism of action of kaempferol, which is contained in extracts from Nelumbo nucifera, a well-known Oriental herb used in traditional medicine, with regard to the inhibition of iNOS and TNF-alpha expression in aged rat gingival tissues. We conducted an investigation into the age-related effects of kaempferol on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and GSH oxidative status in samples of aged gingival tissues. Western blotting was conducted in order to determine the expression of iNOS, TNF-alpha, p38 MAPK, NIK/IKK, p65 and IkappaBalpha in the sample tissues. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) were conducted in an effort to characterize the binding activities of NF-kappaB transcription factors in the aged rat gingival nuclear extracts. Our results indicate that kaempferol reduced ROS levels and augmented GSH levels in a dose-dependent manner in the aged gingival tissues. Kaempferol was shown to effect a significant reduction in iNOS and TNF- alpha protein levels, as compared to control gingival tissue samples. The results of Western blot analysis revealed that kaempferol treatment effected the reduction of iNOS and TNF-alpha expression, decreased nuclear p65 and increased cytosolic p65, down-regulation of Erk, p38, JNK and NIK/IKK expression. The EMSA results also indicated that kaempferol, when administered to the rat tissues, attenuated the NF-kappaB nuclear binding activity. Kaempferol may inhibit ROS generation via the inhibition of iNOS and TNF-alpha expression in aged gingival tissues, via the modulation of the NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. PMID: 17278014 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Lee SI, Kim HJ, Baek MC, Park KM, Park Y, Yoon CH, Boo YC. | Wen-pi- tang-Hab-Wu-ling-san, an oriental herbal prescription, attenuates epithelial- mesenchymal transdifferentiation stimulated by TGF-beta1 in kidney cells. | Phytother Res. 2007 Feb 1; [Epub ahead of print]: | Dept of Molecular Medicine, Kyungpook National Univ School of Medicine, 101 Dongin-dong 2-ga, Junggu, Daegu, 700-422, Republic of Korea. | Wen-pi-tang-Hab-Wu- ling-san (WHW), an oriental herbal prescription, is currently used in oriental clinics for the treatment of chronic renal failure (CRF). While its effectiveness has been supported by a series of modern studies, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. CRF progression involves tubulointerstitial fibrosis where transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays a critical role by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT). This study examined whether WHW extract attenuated the TGF-beta1-induced EMT in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. When the cells were stimulated by TGF-beta1 (2.5 ng/mL), they exhibited an elongated, spindle-shaped appearance but this morphological change was significantly suppressed by WHW extract (1 mg/mL). The WHW extract did not show notable cytotoxicity and even mitigated the cytotoxic effects of TGF-beta1. It inhibited the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), a marker of EMT, but not the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases stimulated by TGF-beta1. The WHW extract also inhibited the phosphorylation of Smad2 that mediates TGF-beta1 signaling leading to alpha-SMA expression. The present study suggests that WHW extract may provide renal protective effects through modulation of the TGF- beta1/Smad2/alpha-SMA pathway involved in fibrosis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. PMID: 17273984 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Lesser D, Hillesheim P. | Pancreatitis in a woman taking an herbal supplement. | South Med J. 2007 Jan;100(1):59-60. | US Naval Hospital, 6000 Highway 98 West, Pensacola, FL 32512, USA. david.s.lesser | A healthy woman developed pancreatitis after starting a popular herbal supplement designed to boost female libido. Following cessation of the herbal supplement, her enzymes quickly normalized. The patient had no risk factors for pancreatitis and anatomic obstruction was later ruled out. The contents of the supplement and their history of side effects are reviewed. As several of the ingredients are estrogenic in nature, this may have contributed to the patient's reaction. Physicians should remember to take a careful history regarding the usage of supplements and alternative medicines. PMID: 17269527 [PubMed - in process] Li B, Wang Z, Fang JJ, Xu CY, Chen WX. | Evaluation of prognostic markers in severe drug-induced liver disease. | World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Jan 28;13(4):628-32. | Dept of Emergency, Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo Medical Center, Ningbo, 315041, Zhejiang Province, China. libo19810427. | AIM: To analyze the outcome of patients with severe drug-induced liver disease (DILD) associated with jaundice classified as hepatocellular, cholestatic or mixed liver injury and to evaluate the validity of Hyos rule and the most important predictors for outcome. METHODS: The Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee was set up in 1997 in our hospital to identify all suspicions of DILD following a structured prospective report form. Liver damage was divided into hepatocellular, cholestatic, and mixed types according to laboratory and histologic criteria when available. Further evaluation of causality assessment was performed. RESULTS: From January 1997 to December 2004, 265 patients were diagnosed with DILDiand 140 (52.8%) of them were female. hepatocellular damage was the most common (72.1%), the incidence of death was 9.9% in patients with hepatocellular damage and 9.5% in patients with cholestatic/mixed damage (P < 0.05). There was no difference in age of dead and recovered patients. The proportion of females and males was similar in recovered and dead patients, no difference was observed in duration of treatment between the two groups. The serum total bilirubin (P < 0.001), direct bilirubin (P < 0.001) and aspartate transaminase (AST) (P = 0.013) values were higher in dead patients than in recovered patients. Chinese herbal medicine was the most frequently prescribed, accounting for 24.2% of the whole series. However, antitubercular drugs (3.4%) were found to be the primary etiological factor for fetal DILD. Factors associated with the development of fulminant hepatic failure were hepatic encephalopathy (OR = 43.66, 95% CI = 8.47-224.95, P < 0.0001), ascite (OR = 28.48, 95% CI = 9.26-87.58, P < 0.0001), jaundice (OR = 11.43, 95% CI = 1.52-85.96, P = 0.003), alcohol abuse (OR = 3.83, 95% CI = 1.26- 11.67, P = 0.035) and direct bilirubin (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.25-2.58, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Death occurs in 9.8% of patients with DILD. Chinese herbal medicine stands out as the most common drug for DILD. While antitubercular drugs are found to be the primary etiological factor for fetal DILD, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, jaundice, alcohol abuse and direct bilirubin levels are associated with the death of DILD patients. PMID: 17278233 [PubMed - in process] Liao ZJ, Huan JN, Lv GZ, Shou YM, Wang ZY. | [Multi-center clinical study of the effect of silver nitrate ointment on the partial-thickness burn wounds] [Article in Chinese] | Zhonghua Shao Shang Za Zhi. 2006 Oct;22(5):359-61. | Dept of Burns, Ruijing Hospital, Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong Univ, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China. | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of silver nitrate ointment on partial-thickness burn wounds, and observe its side-effects. METHODS: Multi-center, randomized, positive drug paralleled self-controlled trial was carried out. Eighty patients with superficial partial-thickness burns, and 40 with deep-partial thickness burns were randomized into AgNO3 group and SD-Ag group according to drug topically applied to the wounds. The wound healing time, wound healing rate and bacterial culture of the wound, the effect and safety of the drug, as well as drug irritation to the wounds were studied in these two groups. RESULTS: For the patients with superficial partial-thickness burn wounds, the wound healing time in silver nitrate group was (9.5 +/- 2.7) days, which was obviously shorter than that in SD-Ag group [(10.8 +/- 3.4) days, P <0.01]. The wound healing rate in silver nitrate group on 7 post-burn day ( PBD) was (77.9 +/- 20.5)%, which was obviously higher than that in SD-Ag group [(67.3 +/- 22.6) %, P < 0.01]. For those with deep-partial thickness burn wounds, the wound healing time in silver nitrate group was (21.5 +/- 4.8) days, which was evidently shorter than that in SD-Ag group [(23.3 +/- 6.4) days, P <0.01]. The wound healing rate in silver nitrate group on 20 PBD was (86.6 +/- 15.9)%, which was evidently higher than that in SD-Ag group [(78.5 +/- 17.7)%, P < 0.01]. Silver nitrate ointment has the same antibacterial effect as 1% SD-Ag cream, but it was less painful when applied to the open wounds. CONCLUSION: Silver nitrate ointment is an effective and safe medicament for the clinical management of partial- thickness burn wounds. Publication Types: English Abstract PMID: 17285717 [PubMed - in process] Lin FY, Chen YH, Chen YL, Wu TC, Li CY, Chen JW, Lin SJ. | Ginkgo biloba Extract Inhibits Endotoxin-Induced Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation via Suppression of Toll-like Receptor 4 Expression and NADPH Oxidase Activation. | J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Feb 1; [Epub ahead of print]: | Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; Institute of Clinical Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, National Yang-Ming Univ, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan Univ, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; Division of Cardiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; Dept of Medical Education and Research, Buddhist Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; Dept of Anesthesiology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; and Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical Univ, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China. | Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) initiates the inflammatory response in blood vessels in reaction to immune stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced by Gram-negative bacteria. LPS- induced proliferation and functional perturbation in vascular smooth muscle cells play important roles during atherogenesis. Ginkgo biloba extract is an antiatherothrombotic Chinese herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory properties. The effects of G. biloba extract on LPS-induced proliferation and TLR4 expression and the underlying mechanisms for these actions, in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs), were examined in vitro. LPS- induced proliferation was mediated by the expression of TLR4 in HASMCs. LPS increased the expression of TLR4 in HASMCs, and this effect was mediated by the activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, phosphorylation of intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and increases in the cytoplasmic level of HuR and TLR4 mRNA stability. G. biloba extract inhibited LPS-induced HASMC proliferation and decreased the expression of TLR4 by inhibiting LPS- induced NADPH oxidase activation, mRNA stabilization, and MAPK signaling pathways. These results suggest that LPS-induced TLR4 expression contributes to HASMC proliferation and that G. biloba inhibits LPS-stimulated proliferation of HASMCs by decreasing TLR4 expression. Keywords: Ginkgo biloba; toll-like receptor 4; proliferation; inflammation; vascular smooth muscle cells. PMID: 17266329 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Liu P, Duan HQ, Pan Q, Zhang YW, Yao Z. | [Triterpenes from herb of Potentilla chinesis] [Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2006 Nov;31(22):1875-9. | College of Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology, Tianjin Univ, Tianjin 300072, China. | OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Potentilla chinesis and their anticancer activities. METHOD: Chemical constituents were isolated by repeated column chromatography (Toyopearl HW-40C and preparative HPLC). The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. The isolated compounds were screened with two anticancer models. RESULT: Fifteen triterpenes, alpha- amyrin (1) , beta-amyrin (2) , ursolic acid (3) , corosolic acid (4), euscaphic acid (5) , pomolic acid (6) , tormentic acid (7), 2alpha, 3alpha-dihydroxyurs- 12-en-28-oic acid (8), 2beta, 3beta, 19alpha-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (9), asiatic acid (10) , 24-hydroxy tormentic acid (11) , myrianthic acid (12), oleanolic acid (13), maslinic acid (14) and 2alpha, 3alpha-dihydroxyolean- 12-en-28-oic acid (15) , were isolated from P. chinesis. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1, 2, 4 -15 were isolated from the plant for the first time. Compounds 4, 8 - 10, 12, 14 and 15 show anticancer activities. Compounds 4, 9 show strong activities. Publication Types: English Abstract PMID: 17285988 [PubMed - in process] Ma ZC, Tan HL, Xiao CR, Wang YG, Wang SQ, Gao Y. | Proteomic Analysis of the Effects of Tetramethylpyrazine on Irradiated QXMSC1 Cells. | Biol Pharm Bull. 2007;30(2):397-402. | Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine. | Tetramethylpyrazine is the active ingredient of a Chinese herbal medicine. In this study, tetramethylpyrazine was tested for its activities in irradiated bone marrow stromal QXMSC1 cells. The proliferation of QXMSC1 cells was measured by MTS assay kit and flow cytometry. To identify proteins involved in the processes of cellular and molecular response of tetramethylpyrazine to irradiation damage, we comparatively analyzed the proteome of nonirradiated, irradiated and tetramethylpyrazine treated QXMSC1 cells. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to validate the differentially expressed proteins. 20 Gy (60)Co gamma irradition inhibited QMSC1 cells growth and tetramethylpyrazine could reverse of this action due to stimulating QXMSC1 cells from G(1) to S progression. Proteomic analytical results showed that 18 spots were changed in irradiated QXMSC1 cells, and 15 spots matched with known proteins after database searching. The expression level of proteins such as translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP), and galectin-3, were increased in irradiated QXMSC1 cells, while calmodulin, pyruvate kinase were decreased. Tetramethylpyrazine could prevent this change or reverse to some degree. The function of these proteins involves in hematopoiesis, cell cycle and signal transduction. The changes of these proteins were confirmed by RT-PCR at mRNA levels. This study suggested that stimulating proliferation via tetramethylpyrazine played an important role in the cure effect on irradiated QXMSC1 cells and was helpful to deeply understand the mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine at the molecular level. PMID: 17268090 [PubMed - in process] Matsuda K, Nishimura Y, Kurata N, Iwase M, Yasuhara H. | Effects of Continuous Ingestion of Herbal Teas on Intestinal CYP3A in the Rat. | J Pharmacol Sci. 2007 Feb 8; [Epub ahead of print]: | Dept of Pharmacol, School of Medicine, Showa Univ, Japan. | Tenryocha, rooibos, and guava teas are widely consumed as herbal beverages, especially as a therapy against pollen allergy. To investigate the possible herbal tea-drug interaction the effect of continuous ingestion of these teas on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A were studied. Rats (n = 6) were allowed free access to either tea (experimental groups) or water (control) for two weeks. Midazolam (MDZ) (20 mg/kg) was orally administered and the serum concentration was determined. The area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC(0- infinity)) and the maximum serum concentrations (C(max)) of MDZ were reduced by more than 60% after the treatment of tenryocha and rooibos tea (P<0.05). Intestinal MDZ 1'- and 4-hydroxylation activities mediated by CYP3A were increased in tenryocha and rooibos tea-treated group by 50% compared to the control group, although the results were not statistically significant. Furthermore, the Western blot analysis showed that CYP3A content was significantly increased in the intestine after the treatment of these teas (P<0.05). Hepatic MDZ hydroxylation and CYP3A content were slightly increased by these teas. The results suggested that two weeks ingestion of tenryocha and rooibos tea reduced serum concentration of MDZ by the induction of intestinal CYP3A. The possible interaction between tenryocha or rooibos tea and medicines mediated by CYP3A was suggested. PMID: 17287587 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Miyata T. | Pharmacological Basis of Traditional Medicines and Health Supplements as Curatives. | J Pharmacol Sci. 2007 Feb 8; [Epub ahead of print]: | Dept of Presymptomatic Medical Pharmacol, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo Univ, Japan. | Traditional Oriental medicines and health supplements have been empirically used to treat various ailments but most of them have not been evaluated objectively to prove their efficacies. We have been investigating the medical benefits of traditional Oriental medicines and health supplements as alternatives and their varied actions and mechanisms by pharmacological approaches. The study on airway inflammation has shown that even a Kampo preparation, Bakumondo-to, has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory, secretory-modulating, and metabolic regulatory actions. All of its actions are based on the restoration of normal molecular and cellular functions through DNA transcriptional regulation. In other previous studies, we showed that a health supplement, royal jelly (RJ) has weak estrogenic activity. RJ competes with 17beta-estradiol for binding to the human estrogen receptors alpha and beta, although it is much weaker than diethylstilbestrol in binding affinity. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with RJ enhances proliferation, and concomitant treatment with tamoxifen blocked this effect. A reporter gene assay showed that RJ enhanced transcription of the luciferase gene through the estrogen-responsive element in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, subcutaneous injection of RJ restored the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor gene in the uteri of ovariectomized rats. We suggest that the diverse pharmacological functions of RJ can be ascribed, in part, to its estrogenic effects. We hypothesize that traditional medicine, which has multiple actions, may be better than Western medicine of a single component to treat various diseases including " Mibyou " (presymptomatic disease). Our findings provide new ideas about the nature of disorders nd disease-state development that involve complicated mechanisms and will contribute to novel principles to prevent diseases and establish new treatments. Adoption of the means of translational research should provide an objective background for efficacy and stimulate broader application and usage of traditional medicines and health supplements. PMID: 17287592 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Nizamutdinova IT, Oh HM, Min YN, Park SH, Lee MJ, Kim JS, Yean MH, Kang SS, Kim YS, Chang KC, Kim HJ. | Paeonol suppresses intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells by blocking p38, ERK and nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathways. | Int Immunopharmacol. 2007 Mar;7(3):343-50. Epub 2006 Dec 14. | Dept of Pharmacol, School of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National Univ, Jinju, Korea. | Paeonol (2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyacetophenone), the main active compound of the traditionally used Chinese herb Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cardiovascular protective activities. We studied how the levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), one of the key molecules in the development of atherosclerosis, might be affected by paeonol in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Paeonol concentration- dependently inhibited the production of ICAM-1; it inhibited nuclear factor- kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 translocation into the nucleus and the phosphorylation of inhibitory factor kappaBalpha (IkappaBalpha). It also blocked the TNF-alpha-induced phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which are involved in regulating ICAM-1 production by TNF-alpha. Paeonol inhibited U937 monocyte adhesion to HUVECs stimulated by TNF-alpha, suggesting that it may inhibit the binding of monocytes to endothelium by regulating the production of critical adhesion molecules by TNF-alpha. The inhibitory effect of paeonol on ICAM-1 production might be mediated by inhibiting p38, ERK and NF- kappaB signaling pathways, which are involved in TNF-alpha-induced ICAM-1 production. Thus, paeonol may be beneficial in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis. PMID: 17276892 [PubMed - in process] Rassameemasmaung S, Sirikulsathean A, Amornchat C, Hirunrat K, Rojanapanthu P, Gritsanapan W. | Effects of herbal mouthwash containing the pericarp extract of Garcinia mangostana L on halitosis, plaque and papillary bleeding index. | J Int Acad Periodontol. 2007 Jan;9(1):19-25. | Dept of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol Univ, Bangkok, Thailand. dtsrs | OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of herbal mouthwash containing the pericarp extract of Carcinia mangostana L on volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels, plaque index (PI) and papillary bleeding index (PBI) in gingivitis subjects and the recurrence of these parameters after periodontal treatment. METHODS: Sixty subjects who were diagnosed as having mild or moderate chronic gingivitis were randomly distributed into herbal or placebo mouthwash groups. On day 1, all parameters were recorded. Subjects rinsed with the assigned mouthwash and VSC was measured at 30 min and 3 h post-rinsing. For the following 2 weeks, subjects practiced their usual oral hygiene and rinsed with the assigned mouthwash twice daily after tooth brushing. On day 15, parameters were recorded. In the 4-week washout period that followed, subjects received scaling and polishing. After another baseline examination, they were re-randomized into the herbal or placebo group and rinsed with mouthwash for 2 weeks. All parameters were re-evaluated on day 15. RESULTS: All parameters were significantly different compared to baseline in both groups at 30 min, 3 h and day 15 (p < 0.05). When compared between groups, VSC was significantly different at day 15 (p < 0.05). After scaling, poloshing and rinsing with mouthwash for 2 weeks, PI and PBI were significantly different compared to baseline (p < 0.05) while VSC was not (p > 0.05). When compared between groups, VSC was significantly different (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Herbal mouthwash containing the pericarp extract of G. mangostana may be used as an adjunct in treating oral malodor. Publication Types: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 17274236 [PubMed - in process] Rausch WD, Liu S, Gille G, Radad K. | Neuroprotective effects of ginsenosides. | Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars). 2006;66(4):369-75. | Institute for Medical Chemistry, Veterinary Medical Univ, Veterindirplatz, 1 A-1210 Vienna, Austria. wolf.rausch | Ginseng, the root of the Panax species, is a well-known herbal medicine. Traditionally it has been used in Korea, China and Japan for thousands of years. Nowadays it has become a popular and worldwide known health drug. Current scientific studies demonstrate in vivo and in vitro its beneficial effects in a wide range of pathological conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, immune deficiency and hepatotoxicity. Ginsenosides or ginseng saponins as the active ingredients have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and immunostimulant properties, which raised speculations that these compounds could positively affect neurodegenerative disorders and delay neuronal aging. Conclusive clinical data in humans are still missing. However, results from animal studies and neuronal cell culture experiments indicate that ginsenosides can counteract and attenuate factors promoting neuronal death as environmental toxins, excitotoxic action of glutamate and rises in intracellular calcium, excessive release of free radicals and apoptotic events. Thus, neuroprotective actions of ginsenosides could come about as a valuable option to slow down neurodegenerative diseases. PMID: 17265697 [PubMed - in process] Saravanan S, Srikumar R, Manikandan S, Jeya Parthasarathy N, Sheela Devi R. | Hypolipidemic effect of triphala in experimentally induced hypercholesteremic rats. | Yakugaku Zasshi. 2007 Feb;127(2):385-8. | Dept of Physiology, Dr. ALM. PG. Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Univ of Madras. | Hypercholesteremia is one of the risk factors for coronary artery disease. The present study highlights the efficacy of Ayurvedic herbal formulation Triphala (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, and Emblica officinalis) on total cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein (LDL), Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), High density lipoprotein (HDL) and free fatty acid in experimentally induced hypercholesteremic rats. Four groups of rats were employed namely control, Triphala treated, hypercholesterolemia rats (4% Cholesterol+1% cholic acid+egg yolk) and Triphala pre-treatment in hypercholesteremic rats. Results showed significant increase in the total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and free fatty acid in hypercholesteremic rats were significantly reduced in Triphala treated hypercholesteremic rats. The data demonstrated that Triphala formulation was associated with hypolipidemic effects on the experimentally induced hypercholesteremic rats. PMID: 17268159 [PubMed - in process] Schulz V. | Liquid herbal drug preparation from the root of Pelargonium sidoides is effective against acute bronchitis: Results of a double-blind study with 124 patients. | Phytomedicine. 2007 Feb 1; [Epub ahead of print]: | Oranienburger Chaussee 25, 13465 Berlin, Germany. | Abstract unavailable. Publication Types: LETTER PMID: 17276048 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Song F, Qi X, Chen W, Jia W, Yao P, Nussler AK, Sun X, Liu L. | Effect of Momordica grosvenori on oxidative stress pathways in renal mitochondria of normal and alloxan-induced diabetic mice : Involvement of heme oxygenase-1. | Eur J Nutr. 2007 Feb 3; [Epub ahead of print]: | Dept. of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong Univ of Science & Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, P.R. China, lgliu. | BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. Momordica grosvenori (MG), a traditional medicinal herb used as substitute sugar for obese and diabetes, exhibits anti-oxidative activity in vitro. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated the effect of MG on renal mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, anti-oxidative defense system, and a potent oxidative stress-responsive protein, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) of non-diabetic and alloxan-diabetic mice in different stages of diabetes. METHODS: Male Balb/c mice were rendered diabetic by a single intra- peritoneal injection of alloxan (200 mg/kg), while control mice received sham saline injection. Control and diabetic mice were further subdivided according to their treatments: control (saline), low dose MG (150 mg/kg) and high dose MG (300 mg/kg), which were administered immediately after confirmation of hyperglycemia by gavage daily over an 8-week period. Mice were killed by cervical dislocation at 4th and 8th week, respectively, and serum and renal tissues were harvested. Serum glucose, lipid profile and renal function were evaluated; renal homogenate were subjected to determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) concentration, manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and HO-1 activities, together with Mn-SOD and HO-1 mRNA expression; paraffin-embedded renal tissues was used for routine histopathological examination. RESULTS: Short-term diabetes caused hyperglycemia and intensified oxidative stress in renal mitochondrial demonstrated by higher MDA and lower GSH levels than control group, accompanied by increased mRNA expression and activity of HO-1 and Mn- SOD, and augmented GSH-Px activity. Low dose of MG administration ameliorated hyperglycemia, inhibited HO-1 and Mn-SOD mRNA expression and reduced HO-1, Mn-SOD, GSH-Px activities. Diabetic mice did not demonstrate early symptoms of diabetic nephropathy until 8th week, characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and renal damage. A progressive increment in MDA level and decrease in GSH level, as well as reduced mRNA expression and activity of Mn-SOD and HO-1 in the kidney were observed. Low dose of MG attenuated diabetic nephropathy symptoms partially, inhibited lipid peroxidation, up-regulated HO-1 and Mn- SOD mRNA expression, and increased HO-1 activity. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed the involvement of oxidative stress in the development of diabetes mediated by the pro- and anti-oxidant role of HO-1, and pointed to the possible anti-oxidative mechanism of the anti-diabetic and nephroprotective action of MG. PMID: 17278042 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Spangler L, Newton KM, Grothaus LC, Reed SD, Ehrlich K, Lacroix AZ. | The effects of black cohosh therapies on lipids, fibrinogen, glucose and insulin. | Maturitas. 2007 Jan 31; [Epub ahead of print]: | Center for Health Studies, Group Health, Seattle, WA, United States. | OBJECTIVE: Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is an herb commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms. Little is known about its effect on other physiologic parameters that could result in untoward events. This study examines the effect of black cohosh on lipids, fibrinogen, glucose and insulin. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-one, 45-55 years old, peri or post-menopausal women experiencing vasomotor symptoms participated in a 3-month, double blind trial with randomization to: (1) black cohosh (160mg daily); (2) multibotanical including black cohosh (200mg daily); (3) multibotanical plus soy diet counseling; (4) conjugated equine estrogen .625mg, with or without medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5mg daily, for women with or without a uterus, respectively; (5) placebo. Baseline and month 3 total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (calculated), triglyceride, insulin, glucose, and fibrinogen serum concentrations were measured in 310 women. Baseline information was also collected on medical history, demographic characteristics, and diet. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the adjusted mean change from baseline to 3 months between the herbal groups and placebo in total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin. Adjusted fibrinogen levels appear to increase in the multibotanical treatment group in comparison with the other herbal groups and placebo overall (P=.02), but there was no statistically significant difference in the pairwise test against placebo (P=.11). CONCLUSIONS: Black cohosh containing therapies had no demonstrable effects on lipids, glucose, insulin or fibrinogen. PMID: 17275226 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Sutthanut K, Sripanidkulchai B, Yenjai C, Jay M. | Simultaneous identification and quantitation of 11 flavonoid constituents in Kaempferia parviflora by gas chromatography. | J Chromatogr A. 2007 Jan 13; [Epub ahead of print]: | Center for Research and Development of Herbal Health Products, Khon Kaen Univ, Khon Kaen, Thailand. | Kaempferia parviflora (Krachaidum; KD) is a Thai herb, the rhizomes of which have been used in folk medicine and ritual ceremonies. The increasing use of KD has led to concerns regarding the variation of quality, potency and efficacy of KD products. A gas chromatographic method was developed and validated using 11 flavonoids that had been fully characterized as reference. Limits of detection ranged from a low of 0.1ppm to a high of 1.0ppm. The limits of quantitation were a low of 0.5ppm (5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone) to a high of 3.0ppm (5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone and 5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone). Precision of intra- and inter-day analyses gave a RSD range of 3.02-8.25 and 2.84-12.37, respectively. The diversity of flavonoid content and their distribution profiles in KD samples from 12 different origins was investigated using the validated method. Total flavonoid content in these samples ranged from 23.86 to 60.98mg/g. Two of the compounds, 5,7- dimethoxyflavone and 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone, emerged as major constituents. Samples contained as much as 21.68 and 9.88mg/g, respectively. Two distinct patterns of the distribution of the flavonoids, as characterized by the ratio of these two compounds in the KD rhizome samples, were observed. This method is expected to be useful in the quantitative and qualitative analyses of the flavonoid content of KD samples and as a quality control assessment of KD raw materials and products. PMID: 17266972 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Tamura T, Kobayashi H, Yamataka A, Lane GJ, Koga H, Miyano T. | Inchin- ko-to prevents medium-term liver fibrosis in postoperative biliary atresia patients. | Pediatr Surg Int. 2007 Feb 8; [Epub ahead of print]: | Dept of Pediatric General and Urogenital Surgery, Juntendo Univ School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan, koba. | The oriental herbal formulation inchin-ko-to (ICKT) inhibits liver cell apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor- beta 1 (TGF-beta1). This study evaluated the effect of ICKT on serum markers of liver function and liver fibrosis in postoperative biliary atresia (BA) patients. Twenty-one postoperative BA patients with elevated GOT, GPT and gamma-GTP, but normal serum total bilirubin levels, were divided into two groups arbitrarily; an ICKT group (n = 12), and a no-ICKT group (n = 9). Serum markers of liver function [GOT, GPT, gamma-GTP, total bile acids (TBA)], and serum markers of liver fibrosis [hyaluronic acid (HA), type IV collagen (C-IV)], were measured in both groups at the beginning of the study, and at 1, and 3 years after the beginning of the study and the results compared statistically. All patients tolerated ICKT well, and there were no side effects. In the ICKT group, mean serum HA levels were significantly decreased at 1 year (P < 0.012), and at 3 years, both mean serum HA and C-IV were significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.003, respectively). However, mean serum levels of GOT, GPT, gamma-GTP, and TBA did not change significantly following ICKT use for any length of time (all P > 0.05). Administration of ICKT in postoperative BA patients appears to lower the serum levels of markers of fibrosis in the medium-term. Whether this in fact correlates with prevention cannot be determined from this paper, but ICKT would appear to protect against liver fibrosis. Long-term studies are required to determine the exact role ICKT plays in prognosis of BA patients. PMID: 17287941 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Tokunaga S, Takeda Y, Niimoto T, Nishida N, Kubo T, Ohno T, Matsuura Y, Kawahara Y, Shinomiya K, Kamei C. | Effect of Valerian Extract Preparation (BIM) on the Sleep-Wake Cycle in Rats. | Biol Pharm Bull. 2007;30(2):363- 6. | Dept of Medicinal Pharmacol, Okayama Univ Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences. | In the present study, we studied the effect of valerian extract preparation (BIM) containing valerian extract, golden root (Rhodiola rosea L.) extract and L-theanine (gamma- glutamylethylamide) on the sleep-wake cycle using sleep-disturbed model rats in comparison with that of valerian extract. A significant shortening in sleep latency was observed with valerian extract and the BIM at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. On the other hand, valerian extract and the BIM caused no significant effects on total times of wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep and REM sleep. Valerian extract and the BIM at a dose of 1000 mg/kg also had no significant effect on delta activity. In conclusion, it became clear that the BIM could be useful as a herbal medicine having a sleep-inducing effect without causing an alteration of the sleep-wakefulness cycle. PMID: 17268081 [PubMed - in process] Toussaint JP, Smith FA, Smith SE. | Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can induce the production of phytochemicals in sweet basil irrespective of phosphorus nutrition. | Mycorrhiza. 2007 Feb 2; [Epub ahead of print]: | School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Waite Campus DP 636, The Univ of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia, jeanpatrick.toussaint. | The potential of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to enhance the production of antioxidants (rosmarinic and caffeic acids, RA and CA) was investigated in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). After adjusting phosphorus (P) nutrition so that P concentrations and yield were matched in AM and non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants we demonstrated that Glomus caledonium increased RA and CA production in the shoots. Glomus mosseae also increased shoot CA concentration in basil under similar conditions. Although higher P amendments to NM plants increased RA and CA concentrations, there was higher production of RA and CA in the shoots of AM plants, which was not solely due to better P nutrition. Therefore, AMF potentially represent an alternative way of promoting growth of this important medicinal herb, as natural ways of growing such crops are currently highly sought after in the herbal industry. PMID: 17273856 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Wang Y, Shang XY, Wang SJ, Mo SY, Li S, Yang YC, Ye F, Shi JG, He L. | Structures, Biogenesis, and Biological Activities of Pyrano[4,3- c]isochromen-4-one Derivatives from the Fungus Phellinus igniarius. | J Nat Prod. 2007 Feb 6; [Epub ahead of print]: | Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education), Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China, Key Laboratory for Atmospheric Chemistry (LAC), Centre for Atmosphere Watch and Services (CAWAS), Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences (CAMS), Beijing 100081, People's Republic of China, and Dept of Chemistry, Beijing Normal Univ, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China. | Further chemical investigation of the Chinese medicinal fungus Phellinus igniarius has resulted in the isolation and structural elucidation of three pyrano[4,3-c]isochromen-4-one derivatives, phelligridins H (1), I (2), and J (3), together with the known compounds davallialactone (4), scopolin, nebularine, uridine, trehalose, glucitol, and ethyl glucoside. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Phelligridins H (1) and I (2) possess unprecedented carbon skeletons, and phelligridin J (3) is an oxidative derivative of the co-occurring phelligridin A. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation, while compound 3 exhibited cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines. PMID: 17279797 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Wang Y, Wang X, Cheng Y. | A causal discovery approach to identifying active components of herbal medicine. | Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2005;7:7718-21. | College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Univ, Hangzhou 310027, China. | In the present study, a stepwise causal adjacent relationship discovery (STEPCARD) method has been developed to identify active components of herbal medicine. The combination of two active components had been successfully recognized from a typical Chinese formulation. Animal experiments validated the computational result. It indicates current work might be helpful to accelerate the process of new drug discovery from herbal medicine. PMID: 17282070 [PubMed - in process] Yun YJ, Lee B, Hahm DH, Kang SK, Han SM, Lee HJ, Pyun KH, Shimb I. | Neuroprotective effect of palmul-chongmyeong-tang on ischemia-induced learning and memory deficits in the rat. | Biol Pharm Bull. 2007;30(2):337- 42. | Dept of Oriental Med. Science, Graduate School of East-West Med. Science, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee Univ. | Ginseng Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Poria, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Ligusticum Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix, Paeoniae Radix, Acori Graminei Rhizoma, and Polygalae Radix have been widely used as herbal medicine against ischemia. In order to test the neuroprotective effect of a novel prescription, the present study examined the effects of Palmul- Chongmyeong-Tang (PMCMT) consisting of these ten herbs on learning and memory in the Morris water maze task and the central cholinergic system of rats with cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal and cognitive impairments. After middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h, rats were administered with saline or PMCMT (200 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 2 weeks, followed by their training to the tasks. In the water maze test, the animals were trained to find a platform in a fixed position during 6 d and then received a 60 s probe trial on the 7th day following removal of the platform from the pool. Rats with ischemic insults showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks and treatment with PMCMT produced a significant improvement in escape latency to find the platform in the Morris water maze. Consistent with behavioral data, treatment with PMCMT also reduced the loss of cholinergic immunoreactivity in the hippocampus induced by cerebral ischemia. These results demonstrated that PMCMT has a protective effect against ischemia-induced neuronal and cognitive impairments. The present study suggested that PMCMT might be useful in the treatment of vascular dementia. PMID: 17268076 [PubMed - in process] Zhang H, Han T, Yu CH, Rahman K, Qin LP, Peng C. | Ameliorating effects of essential oil from Acori graminei rhizoma on learning and memory in aged rats and mice. | J Pharm Pharmacol. 2007 Feb;59(2):301-9. | Dept of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical Univ, Shanghai 200433, China. | Although there are normal cognitive changes that take place as a person becomes older, ageing in humans is generally associated with a deterioration of cognitive performance, in particular of learning and memory. There are a number of herbal medicines that are reported to improve brain function and intelligence. In the present study, the ameliorating effects of an essential oil extracted from Acori graminei rhizoma on learning and memory in aged, dysmnesia rats and mice were determined using the step-down passive avoidance test and Y maze. Oral administration of the essential oil (0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 g kg(-1)) to rats for 30 days and to mice for 15 days improved the latency and number of errors in aged, dysmnesia rats and mice. The cerebral neurotransmitters in aged rats given the essential oil (0.02, 0.04, 0.08 g kg(-1)) for 30 days were also investigated, and increased levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin, and decreased levels of acetylcholinesterase activity were found. The results suggest that the essential oil improves cognitive function in aged animals possibly by increasing norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin relative levels, and by decreasing the activity of acetylcholinesterase in the cerebra. PMID: 17270083 [PubMed - in process] Zhang Y, Mao C, Yan W, Zheng X. | Application of cell engineering of herbal Medicine treating bone resorption of osteoclasts. | Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2005;5:4958-61. | Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Univ, Zheda Road 38, 310027 Hangzhou, China. | To investigate application of cell engineering in herbal Medicine treating bone resorption. Study design: the bone marrow cells were isolated from 5 week-old SD rats and induced by 1,25(OH)<inf>2</inf>D<inf>3</inf>. Firstly, Morphological assay, cells were fixed, stained by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and observed with the fluorescence micrograph. F-actin rings of OCLs were labled using Bodipy FL Phallacidin and PI, and observed with the laser scanning confocal microscope, then also showed the ultrastructure of them with the scanning electron microscope. Secondly, bone pits were observed after bone slices were stained by paraosaniline hydrochloride. Thirdly, the number of TRAP (+) cells with above two nuclei was counted, and TRAP activity of OCLs was examined with TRAP kit. In addition, effects of TCM, such as Oral Liquid of Guiluerxian, on the differentiation and function of OCLs were observed. Results indicated that application of cell engineering made it possible to observe vividly the morphology of osteoclasts, study its function and mechanism underlying bone resorption. PMID: 17281357 [PubMed - in process] Zhao CX, Zhang T, Liang YZ, Yuan DL, Zeng YX, Xu QS. | Conversion of programmed-temperature retention indices from one set of conditions to another. | J Chromatogr A. 2007 Jan 17; [Epub ahead of print]: | Dept of Biological Engineering and Environmental Science, Changsha Univ, Changsha 410003, China; Research Center of Modernization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South Univ, Changsha 410083, China. | In order to make programmed- temperature retention index (PTRI) data be shared by other chromatographers and laboratories, conversion of PTRI from one set of experimental conditions to another is investigated in detail in this work. It was found that the differences between the PTRIs at different heating rates are structurally dependent, especially the number of ring in molecules. Thus, with the help of molecule constitutional descriptors, equations of PTRI conversion to certain initial temperature, heating rate, and stationary phase were obtained with high correlation coefficients and low standard deviations. Calculation errors of PTRI conversion between different heating rates and between different initial temperatures were from 1.1 to 2.9 retention index units (i.u.), which is in the same order with experiment errors. It is well known that reproducibility of PTRI on a polar column is not as good as that on an apolar column because of the apolarity of the n-alkane homologues. Thus, topological descriptors were used for PTRI conversion between two columns with different polar stationary phases, giving better results than those obtained by constitutional descriptors. This shows that topological descriptors could provide more molecular structural information than constitutional descriptors. However, as constitutional descriptor has the advantages of clear physical meaning and very simple calculation, it is our first selection when the PTRI calculation accuracy is satisfied. The method developed is simple in calculation, easy to be performed with high accuracy. PMID: 17266971 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Zhao HX, Zhang L, Fan X, Yang RW, Ding CB, Zhou YH. | [studies on chromosome numbers of Salvia miltiorrhiza, S. flava and S. evansiana] [Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2006 Nov;31(22):1847-9. | College of Biology and Science, Sichuan Agricultural Univ, Ya'an 625014, China. | OBJECTIVE: To study the numbers of chromosome in Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza from 7 provinces in China, and S. flava as well as S. evansiana from Yunnan province in China. METHOD: The young root was treated with the mixture of ice and water for 24 h, fixed with Carony's fixative for 6-12 h. After differentiating for 10-12 min with 1 mol x L(-1) hydrochloric acid at 60 'C and staining with carbol fuchsin,the section was observed under microscope. RESULT: Chromosome numbers of S. miltiorrhiza and S.flava were 2n = 2x = 16. The numbers of S. evansiana were 2n = 4x = 32. The basic numbers of the chromosomes were x = 8. And tetraploids were observed in S. miltiorrhiza from Sichuan provices and Shandong provices. CONCLUSION: The basic number of the chromosomes are x = 8. The chromosome numbers of S. miltiorrhiza, S.flava and S. evansiana are 16,16 and 32 respectively. As the chromosomes are the small or micro-small ones, it is difficult to use them for karyotype. Publication Types: English Abstract PMID: 17285979 [PubMed - in process] Best regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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