Effect of Lonicerae Flos extracts on reflux esophagitis with antioxidant activity

AIM： To observe the effects of traditional antiinflammatory medicine Lonicerae FIos （LF） on rat reflux esophagitis （RE） induced by pylorus and forestomach ligation compared with the well-known proton antioxidant, α-tocopherol. METHODS： Rats were pretreated with three different dosages of LF （500, 250 and 125 mg/kg） orally, once a day for 14 d before pylorus and forestomach ligation. Nine hours after pylorus and forestomach ligation, changes to the stomach and esophagus lesion areas, gastric volumes, acid and pepsin outputs, antioxidant effects, esophageal lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT）, malondialdehyde （MDA）, myeloperoxidase and glutathione （GSH） levels, and collagen contents （marker of flexibility） were observed on the esophageal and fundic histopathology. The results were compared with an α-tocopherol （once orally, 1 h before operation, 30 mg/kg） treated group in which the effects on RE were already confirmed.RESULTS： Pylorus and forestomach ligations caused marked increases of gross esophageal and gastric mucosa lesion areas, which corresponded with histopathological changes. In addition, increases of esophageal lipid peroxidation, decreases of SOD, CAT, and GSH-free radical scavengers, increases of collagen were observed. However, these pylorus and forestomach ligation induced RE were dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg of LF extract, mediated by antioxidant effects. RE at 250 mg/kg showed similar effects α-tocopherol. CONCLUSION： The results suggest that antioxidant effects of LF could attenuate the severity of RE and prevent the esophageal mucosal damage, and validate its therapeutic use in esophageal reflux disease.

Anti-apoptotic effect of banhasasim-tang on chronic acid reflux esophagitis

To evaluate the anti-apoptotic effect of banhasasim-tang (BHSST) on chronic acid reflux esophagitis (CARE) using a rat model. METHODSA surgically-induced CARE model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats. The modeled rats were divided into a treatment group or untreated group, and given BHSST (1 g/kg body weight per day) or water, respectively, for 15 consecutive days (n = 7 each group). Changes in expression of proteins related to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and apoptosis were assessed by western blotting. Changes in esophageal pathology were analyzed by gross and histological examinations. RESULTSThe CARE exposure modeled rats showed increased levels of the NADPH oxidase subunit, NOX4 and p47phox in the esophagus. The BHSST treatment completely resolved these CARE-related increases. The CARE rats also showed markers of cytokine stress, including elevated levels of TNF-α and reactive oxygen species as well as of the consequent increase in JNK activation, and subsequent decrease in pro-survival gene expression, such as of Bcl-2. BHSST treatment resolved the CARE-related changes. BHSST also exerted an anti-apoptotic effect, as evidenced by altered expression of the apoptosis-related genes for bax, cytochrome c, and caspase 3. Finally, the BHSST treatment markedly ameliorated the CARE-related esophageal mucosal ulcerations. CONCLUSIONIn the rat model of CARE, BHSST can suppress development of esophageal mucosal ulceration via regulation of reactive oxygen species-dependent apoptosis.

New approach of medicinal herbs and sulfasalazine mixture on ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate

BACKGROUND Sulfasalazine has been used as a standard-of-care in ulcerative colitis for decades,however,it results in severe adverse symptoms,such as hepatotoxicity,blood disorders,male infertility,and hypospermia.Accordingly,the new treatment strategy has to enhance pharmacological efficacy and stimultaneously minimize side effects.AIM To compare the anti-inflammatory action of sulfasalazine alone or in combination with herbal medicine for ulcerative colitis in a dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced colitis mouse model.METHODS To induce ulcerative colitis,mice received 5%DSS in drinking water for 7 d.Animals were divided into five groups(n=9 each)for use as normal(non-DSS),DSS controls,DSS+sulfasalazine(30 mg/kg)-treatment experimentals,DSS+sulfasalazine(60 mg/kg)-treatment experimentals,DSS+sulfasalazine(30 mg/kg)+Citrus unshiu peel and Bupleuri radix mixture(30 mg/kg)(SCPB)-treatment experimentals.RESULTS The SCPB treatment showed an outstanding effectiveness in counteracting the ulcerative colitis,as evidenced by reduction in body weight,improvement in crypt morphology,increase in antioxidant defenses,down-regulation of proinflammatory proteins and cytokines,and inhibition of proteins related to apoptosis.CONCLUSIONSCPB may represent a promising alternative therapeutic against ulcerative colitis,without inducing adverse effects.

Inhibitory effect of Patrinia scabiosaefolia on acute pancreatitis

AIM： To investigate the effect of Patrinia scabiosaefolia （PS） on the cholecystokinin （CCK） octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis （AP） in rats.METHODS： Wistar rats weighing 240-260 g were divided into three groups： （1） Normal saline-treated group; （2） treatment with PS at 100 mg/kg group, in which PS was administered orally, followed by subcutaneous administration of 75μg/kg CCK octapeptide three times after 1, 3 and 5 h, and this whole procedure was repeated for 5 d; （3） treatment with saline group, in which the protocols were the same as in treatment group with PS. We determined the pancreatic weight/ body weight ratio, the levels of pancreatic HSP60, HSP72 and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Repeated CCK octapeptide treatment resulted in the typical laboratory findings of experimentally induced pancreatitis.RESULTS： PS reduced the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, the levels of serum amylase and lipase, and inhibited expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the CCK octapeptide-induced AP. Furthermore, PS pretreatment increased the pancreatic levels of HSP60 and HSP72.CONCLUSION： Pretreatment with PS has an antiiinflammatory effect on CCK octapeptide-induced AP.

The dynamic changes and mechanisms of Rehmanniae radix processing based on Maillard reaction

Background:Traditional Chinese medicines are usually processed before they are used for clinical treatment.This is done in a way associated with the Maillard reaction.Methods:Based on the Maillard reaction,this paper analyzed the degree of processing of rehmannia root(Rehmanniae radix)relative to the dynamic variation rules of Maillard reaction index parameters,including pH,A420,amino acids,and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.Furthermore,this study introduced thermal analysis techniques and pyrolysis kinetics to assess the influence of the correlation between processing raw rehmannia root and the Maillard reaction during carbonization.It then went through the whole process of transforming the raw material to end-product in order to explain the scientific connotation of processing it.Results:The results showed that each time rehmannia root was processed,its pH value and amino acid content decreased,while the A420 value and 5-HMF increased.Processing with wine shows a significant difference in these experimental indexes.The position and intensity of the maximum thermal weight loss rate peak of processed rehmannia root at different degrees of processing are different.Comprehensive quantitative 221±0.2°C for processed rehmannia root carbonization was the processing temperature limit.Moreover,the kinetic solution verified that the activation energy corresponding to the carbonization temperature was close to the maximum value of the activation energy of the whole carbonization process,and the optimal mechanism function was g(α)=((1−α)−1/3−1)2.Conclusion:The Maillard reaction occurred during the processing of rehmannia root mixed with carbonization.With each increase of the number of steaming and drying cycles involved in the processing,the level of Maillard reaction increased significantly.The wine-steaming method had a significant effect on the quality of the processed product.

Effect of biologically active fraction of Nardostachys jatamansi on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis

AIM： To determine if the fraction of Nardostachysjata- mansi （N J） has the potential to ameliorate the severity of acute pancreatitis （AP）. METHODS： Mice were administered the biologically active fraction of N J, i.e., the 4th fraction （N J4）, intra- peritoneally, and then injected with the stable chole- cystokinin analogue cerulein hourly for 6 h. Six hours after the last cerulein injection, the pancreas, lung, and blood were harvested for morphological examination,measurement of cytokine expression, and examination of neutrophil infiltration. RESULTS： N J4 administration attenuated the sever- ity of AP and lung injury associated with AP. It also reduced cytokine production and neutrophil infiltration and resulted in the in vivo up-regulation of heine oxy- genase-1 （HO-1）. Furthermore, NJ4 and its biologically active fraction, N J4-2 inhibited the cerulein-induced death of acinar cells by inducing HO-1 in isolated pan- creatic acinar cells. CONCLUSION： These results suggest that N J4 may be a candidate fraction offering protection in AP and N J4 might ameliorate the severity of pancreatitis by induc- ing HO-1 expression.

Modulatory effects of the fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. on the function of atopic dermatitis-related calcium channels,Orai1 and TRPV3

Objective: To examine the effects of Tribulus terrestris L.(T. terrestris) extract on the modulation of calcium channels to evaluate its use in topical agents for treatment of atopic dermatitis.Methods: The 70% methanol extract of T. terrestris was prepared. Human HEK293 T cells with over-expressed calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1(Orai1),transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, or transient receptor potential vanilloid 3(TRPV3)were treated with T. terrestris extract. Modulation of ion channels was measured using a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique.Results: T. terrestris extract(100 mg/m L) significantly inhibited Orai1 activity in Orai1-stromal interaction molecule 1 co-overexpressed HEK293 T cells. In addition, T. terrestris extract significantly increased the TRPV3 activity compared with 2-Aminoethyl diphenylborinate(100 mmol/L), which induces the full activation of TRPV3.Conclusions: Our results suggest that T. terrestris extract may have a therapeutic potential for recovery of abnormal skin barrier pathologies in atopic dermatitis through modulating the activities of calcium ion channels, Orai1 and TRPV3. This is the first study to report the modulatory effect of a medicinal plant on the function of ion channels in skin barrier.

A thorough analysis of the effect of surfactant/s on the solubility and pharmacokinetics of (S)-zaltoprofen

Until now, there are no publications about the preformulation studies on(S)-zaltoprofen((S)-ZPF). Hence, we first investigated the solubility of(S)-ZPF, screened solubilizers and performed the pharmacokinetic study of(S)-ZPF in the presence of the solubilizers. The measurement of the solubility of(S)-ZPF in 26 different solvents was carried out, including d-alpha tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate(TPGS), 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin(HPCD), and mixtures of individual solvent. The plasma concentration of(S)-ZPF and the amount of(S)-ZPF retained in stomach were determined after oral(35.0 mg/kg) and intravenous(5.0 mg/kg) administration. The solubility of(S)-ZPF showed an increase of 484-fold in TPGS compared to its aqueous solubility. There was a significant increase of AUC 0-24 h for pure(S)-ZPF in the TPGS group(813.59 ± 64.17 μg h/ml) in comparison with AUC 0-24 h in the HPCD group(595.57 ± 71.76 μg h/ml) and water group(465.57 ± 90.89 μg h/ml). In addition, the T max of(S)-ZPF in the TPGS group was 2 h, much faster than that in the HPCD or water groups(5.50 or 5.67 h, respectively). This suggested that TPGS played a significant role in the increase of solubility and bioavailability of(S)-ZPF.

Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans protected the ceruleininduced acute pancreatitis by inhibiting high-mobility group box protein-1

AIM:To evaluate the inhibitory effects of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans(SSM) on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis(AP) in a mouse model.METHODS:SSM water extract(0.1,0.5,or 1 g/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally 1 h prior to the first injection of cerulein.Once AP developed,the stable cholecystokinin analogue,cerulein was injected hourly,over a 6 h period.Blood samples were taken 6 h later to determine serum amylase,lipase,and cytokine levels.The pancreas and lungs were rapidly removed for morphological examination,myeloperoxidase assay,and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.To specify the role of SSM in pancreatitis,the pancreatic acinar cells were isolated using collagenase method.Then the cells were pre-treated with SSM,then stimulated with cerulein.The cell viability,cytokine productions and high-mobility group box protein-1(HMGB-1) were measured.Furthermore,the regulating mechanisms of SSM action were evaluated.RESULTS:The administration of SSM significantly attenuated the severity of pancreatitis and pancreatitis associated lung injury,as was shown by the reduction in pancreatic edema,neutrophil infiltration,vacuolization and necrosis.SSM treatment also reduced pancreatic weight/body weight ratio,serum amylase,lipase and cytokine levels,and mRNA expression of multiple inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β.In addition,treatment with SSM inhibited HMGB-1 expression in the pancreas during AP.In accordance with in vivo data,SSM inhibited the cerulein-induced acinar cell death,cytokine,and HMGB-1 release.SSM also inhibited the activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase,p38 and nuclear factor(NF)-κB.CONCLUSION:These results suggest that SSM plays a protective role during the development of AP and pancreatitis associated lung injury via deactivating c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase,p38 and NF-κB.

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor ameliorates cholecystokinin-octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

AIM： To investigate the effect of selective Cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） inhibitor 4-[5-（4-Chloro-phenyl）-3- （trifluoromethyl）- 1H-pyrazol- 1-yl] benzenesulfonamide （SC-236）, on the cholecystokinin （CCK）-octapeptideinduced acute pancreatitis （AP） in rats. METHODS： Wistar rat weighing 240 g to 260 g were divided into three groups. （1） Normal DMSO treated group, （2） SC-236 at 4 mg/kg treated group; SC-236 systemically administered via the intravenous （i.v.） catheter, followed by 75 μg/kg CCK octapeptide subcutaneously three times, after 1, 3 and 5 h. This whole procedure was repeated for 5 d. （3） Dimethyl sulfoxide （DMSO） treated group： an identical protocol was used in this group as in the SC-236 cohort （see 2. above）. Repeated CCK octapeptide treatment resulted in a typical experimentally induced pancreatitis in the Wistar rats. RESULTS： SC-236 improved the severity of CCK- octapeptide-induced AP as measured by laboratory criteria [the pancreatic weight/body weight （p.w/ b.w） ratio, the level of serum amylase and lipase]. The SC-236 treated group showed minimal histologic evidence of pancreatitis and a significant reduction in myeloperoxidase activity. SC-236 also increased heat shock protein （HSP）-60 and HSP72 compared with the DMSO-treated group in the CCK-octapeptide-induced AP and also reduced the pancreatic levels of COX-2. Furthermore, SC-236 reduced proinflammatory cytokine synthesis and inhibited NF-KB activation compared with the DMSO-treated group in the CCK-octapeptide-induced AP. CONCLUSION： Our results suggested that COX-2 plays pivotal role in the development of AP and COX-2 inhibitors may play a beneficial role in preventing AP.

Nardostachys jatamansi extract protects against cytokine-induced β-cell damage and streptozotocin-induced diabetes

AIM: To investigate the anti-diabetogenic mechanism of Nardostachys jatamansi extract (NJE). METHODS: Mice were injected with streptozotocin viaa tail vein to induce diabetes. Rat insulinoma RINm5F cells and isolated rat islets were treated with interleukin1β and interferon-γ to induce cytotoxicity. RESULTS: Treatment of mice with streptozotocin resulted in hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia, which was conf irmed by immunohistochemical staining of the islets. The diabetogenic effects of streptozotocin were completely abolished when mice were pretreated with NJE. Inhibition of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia by NJE was mediated by suppression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation. In addition, NJE protected against cytokine-mediated cytotoxicity. Incubation of RINm5F cells and islets with NJE resulted in a signif icant reduction in cytokine-induced NF-κB activation and downstream events, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide production. The protective effect of NJE was further demonstrated by the normal insulin secretion of cytokine-treated islets in response to glucose. CONCLUSION: NJE provided resistance to pancreatic β-cell damage from cytokine or streptozotocin treatment. The β-cell protective effect of NJE is mediated by suppressing NF-κB activation.

Gardenia jasminoides protects against cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis

AIM： To investigate the effect of Garden/a fasm/noides （GJ） on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis （AP） in mice. METHODS： C57BL/6 mice weighing 18-20 g were divided into three groups. （1） Normal salinetreated group, （2） treatment with GJ at a dose of 0.1 g/kg, （3） treatment with GJ at a dose of 1 g/kg. GJ was administered orally （n = 6 per group） for 1 wk. Three hours later, the mice were given anintraperitoneal injection of cerulein （50 μg/kg）, a stable cholecystokinin （CCK） analogue, every hour for a total of 6h as described previously. The mice were sacrificed at 6 h after completion of cerulein injections. Blood samples were obtained to determine serum amylase, lipase and cytokine levels. The pancreas was rapidly removed for morphologic examination and scoring. A portion of pancreas was stored at -70℃ and prepared for the measurement of tissue myeloperoxidase （MPO） activity, an indicator of neutrophil sequestration, and for reverse-transcriptase PCR （RT-PCR） and real-time PCR measurements. RESULTS： Treatment with G.1 decreased significantly the severity of pancreatitis and pancreatitis-associated lung injury. Treatment with G.1 attenuated the severity of AP compared with saline-treated mice, as shown by reduction in pancreatic edema, neutrophil infiltration, serum amylase and lipase levels, serum cytokine levels, and mRNA expression of multiple inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSION： These results suggest that GJ attenuated the severity of AP as well as pancreatitisassociated lung injury.

Outlining the keyword co-occurrence trends in Shuanghuanglian injection research: A bibliometric study using CiteSpace Ⅲ

Objective:To explore the evolvement and new trends in the use of Shuanghuanglian injection(SHLI).Methods:China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),PubMed,and Embase were extensively searched using the search terms“Shuanghuanglian injection”and“Shuanghuanglian fenzhen”to retrieve articles relevant to SHLI(1992e2020).Retrieved articles were further investigated by two authors to exclude those unrelated to SHLI.The bibliographical references of the included articles were exported as raw data and then treated using the CiteSpace tool to visualize the mapping of the SHLI research domain.Essential clusters and highly frequent keywords were quantified for further analysis.The clusters were automatically labeled by the algorithm of tf*idf for objective analysis.Basic bibliometric features,including article types and yearly trend in article numbers were also determined and discussed.Results:The modules of the keywords of interest presented clear boundaries with a high modularity score(Q=0.73).High-confidence clusters were identified,including bioactivity fingerprint(S=0.99),equal pupils(S=0.91),drug preparation department(S=0.87),difficulty in respiration(S=0.85),peristalsis(0.88),and Danshen powder injection(S=0.94).The characteristic keywords in terms of frequency and burstiness were Shuanghuanglian powder for injection(F=235,B=5.22),SHLI(F=112,B=11.39),and adverse drug reactions(ADRs;F=104,B=7.35).Conclusion:In the field of SHLI study,there are five major topic categories:bioactivity fingerprint;ADR mechanism and cause detection;proper preparation;clinical evidence accumulation;and efficacy in diseases with no effective treatment and combination usage.The trend for using modern methodologies from a science-based perspective to study SHLI will continue to exist.The causes of multi-factorial ADRs may be an important topic for future studies.

Effects of Flower Buds Extract of Tussilago farfara on Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats and Inflammatory Response in BV2 Microglia

Objective： To investigate the effects of the flower buds extract of Tussilago farfara Linné（Farfarae Flos; FF） on focal cerebral ischemia through regulation of inflammatory responses in activated microglia. Methods： Brain ischemia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion（t MCAO） for 90 min and reperfusion for 24 h. Twenty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups（n=5 per group）： normal, t MCAO-induced ischemic control, t MCAO plus FF extract 300 mg/kg-treated, and t MCAO plus MK-801 1 mg/kg-treated as reference drug. FF extract（300 mg/kg, p.o.） or MK-801（1 mg/kg, i.p.） was administered after reperfusion. Brain infarction was measured by 2,3,5,-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Neuronal damage was observed by haematoxylin eosin, Nissl staining and immunohistochemistry using anti-neuronal nuclei（Neu N）, anti-glial fibril ary acidic protein（GFAP）, and antiCD11 b/c（OX42） antibodies in ischemic brain. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase（i NOS）, tumor necrosis factor（TNF-α）, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 a（HIF-1α） were determined by Western blot. BV2 microglial cel s were treated with FF extract or its main bioactive compound, tussilagone with or without lipopolysaccharide（LPS）. Nitric oxide（NO） production was measured in culture medium by Griess assay. The expressions of i NOS, COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of i NOS, and COX-2 proteins, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK and the nuclear expression of NF-κB p65 in BV2 cells were determined by Western blot. Results： FF extract significantly decreased brain infarctions in ischemic rats（P〈0.01）. The neuronal death and the microglia/astrocytes activation in ischemic brains were inhibited by FF extract. FF extract also suppressed i NOS, TNF-α, and HIF-1α expression in ischemic brains. FF extract（0.2 and 0.5 mg/m L, P〈0.01） and tussilagone 20 and 50 μmol/L, P〈0.01） significantly decreased LPS-induced NO production in BV2 microglia through downregulation of i NOS m RNA and protein expression. FF extract and tussilagone significantly inhibited LPS-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 m RNA, and also suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK and the nuclear expression of NF-κB in a dosedependent manner. Conclusion： FF extract has a neuroprotective effect in ischemic stroke by the decrease of brain infarction, and the inhibition of neuronal death and microglial activation-mediated inflammatory responses.

Effect of the semen extract of Cuscuta chinensis on inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia

AIM: To investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of the semen extract of Cuscuta chinensis Lam.(Cuscutae Semen; CS) on the production of inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin 2(PGE2), and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. METHOD: BV-2 cells were treated with CS extract for 30 min, and then stimulated with LPS or without for 24 h. The levels of NO, PGE2 and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by Griess assay and ELISA. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), and cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 mRNA and protein was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), and the nuclear expression of nuclear factor(NF)-κB p65 were investigated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: CS extract significantly decreased the production of NO and PGE2 by suppressing the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in activated microglia. CS extract decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 by down-regulating their transcription levels. In addition, CS extract suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in activated microglia. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that CS extract is capable of suppressing the inflammatory response by microglia activation, suggesting that CS extract has potential in the treatment of brain inflammation.

Epimedium koreanum Nakai and its main constituent icariin suppress lipid accumulation during adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Obesity is associated with a number of metabolic abnormalities such as type 2 diabetes and has become a major health problem worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Epimedium koreanum Nakai(Herba Epimedii, HE) and its main constituent icariin on the adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. HE extract and icariin significantly reduced lipid accumulation and suppressed the expressions of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP-1c in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. They also inhibited fatty acid synthase(FAS), acyl-Co A synthase(ACS1), and perilipin. Moreover, HE extract and icariin markedly increased the phosphorylation of AMPK. These results indicated that HE extract and icariin can inhibit the adipocyte differentiation through downregulation of the adipogenic transcription factors, suggesting that HE containing icariin may be used as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment and prevention of obesity.

Effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (半夏泻心汤) on Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis of Human A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Objective： To examinie the synergistic effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction （半夏泻心汤, Known as Banhasasim-tang in Korean） extract （BXDE） on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in the A549 human lung cancer ceil lines. Methods： A549 cells were treated with varying concentrations （50-200μg/mL） of cisplatin and BXDE alone or in combination for 96 h. We used 1-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-3,5-diphenylformazan assay and flow cytometry to analyze cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. Results： The exposure of cells to cispiatin and BXDE alone or in combination decreased ceil viability dose- and time-dependently （P〈0.05）, which was found to be mediated by the apoptotic pathway as confirmed by the increase in the annexin V^＋/propidium iodide stained cell population and a ladder pattern of discontinuous DNA fragments. Furthermore, the apoptosis was inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyI-Val-Ala-Asp （OMe） fluoromethylketone （z-VAD-FMK）. Conclusions： BXDE significantly potentiated apoptotic effects of cisplatin in A549 cells. Moreover, apoptosis induced by BXDE might be the pivotal mechanism mediating its chemopreventative action against cancer.

Quantification of Chinese yam processing methods based on pyrolysis characteristics and its relation to Maillard reaction

Objective:Chinese yam(Shanyao in Chinese,SY)as one of the representatives for Chinese medicines can be used as both of medicine and food with rich nutritional and medicinal value.Most of Chinese herbal medicines need to be processed prior to be used in clinical practice.SY was divided into Maoshanyao(Hairy Shanyao,MSY)and Guangshanyao(Smooth Shanyao,GSY)based on different processing methods at the place of origin,and it also could be processed as stir-fried SY and bran stir-fried SY to meet the different clinical use.Moreover,during the processing of Chinese herbal medicines,more complicated Maillard reaction occurs compared to food processing.Therefore,the objective of this research is to quantify the firepower of SY processing,and combined this with the relevant parameters of Maillard reaction.Methods:The MSY and GSY produced in Shanxi and Henan Provinces were chosen as the research objects.By using thermal analysis technology,we first established the correlation between pyrolysis and processing of SY and its mixtures.We also quantified the firepower of Shaoyao processing,and combined this with the relevant parameters of Maillard reaction(p H value,amino acid,and 5-HMF)and the changes in medicinal ingredients(allantoin).Results:The SY was mainly fried with moderate-fire(190°C-200°C),and the starting temperatures of different SY–ingredient mixtures were(176.3±5.33)°C for(honey)bran,and(205.9±8.05)°C for rice.The upper limits of processing temperature were(289.9±6.47)°C for(honey)bran and(298.9±1.15)°C for rice.The cooking time was(10.80±1.76)min for soil stir-fry,(10.31±1.06)min for bran stir-fry,and(8.43±0.68)min for rice stir-fry.Moreover,the p H values and the content of 5-HMF were increased(P<0.001),while the content of glycine was decreased significantly(P<0.001)after processing.Conclusion:The results verified and quantified the firepower of traditional processing of SY,and also provided scientific reference for other studies related to SY processing.

Inhibitory Effect of the Extract of Phellodendron amurense Ruprecht Root on Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice

Objective： To investigate whether the dried root of Phellodendron amurense Ruprecht（Phellodendri cortex; PC） extract improves arthritic symptoms through anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects in collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Methods： Rheumatoid arthritis（RA） was induced in male DBA/1 mice by immunization with type Ⅱ collagen（ColⅡ）. CIA mice were divided into 5 groups（n=10 per a group） with normal, CIA control, PC extract（50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg）-treated, and meloxicam（50 mg/kg）-treated as the reference drug. The PC extract or meloxicam were administered orally in CIA mice once a day for 14 days after arthritis induction. Arthritic score, levels of anti-ColⅡ IgG2a antibody, prostaglandin E2（PGE2）, tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α, and interleukin（IL）-17 in the sera of CIA mice were measured. Histopathological changes in the ankle joints of CIA mice were also analyzed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin（H and E）, safranin-O and immunohistochemistry using anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-17 antibodies. Results： The arthritic score was increased in CIA mice in a time-dependent manner, as were the serum levels of anti-ColⅡ IgG2a antibody, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-17. However, the oral administration of PC extract at 50 and 100 mg/kg in CIA mice significantly decreased the arthritic scores, and the serum levels of anti-ColⅡ IgG2a, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-17 compared with those in the CIA group（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Furthermore, histopathological improvement of the joint architecture in CIA mice was observed after administration of PC extract. PC extract also significantly inhibited the expression of TNF-α and IL-17 in the joints of CIA mice by suppressing the expression of their m RNA and proteins. Conclusion： PC extract may improve the pathological progression of RA through the inhibition of joint destruction by synovial inflammation and immune-stimulation, therefore, it would be a potential anti-arthritic agent in RA.