Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract alleviates ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in a mouse model

Objective:To investigate the effect of Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract on gastric ulcers.Methods:An ethanol-induced model was used to examine the protective effect of Opuntia humifusa against gastric ulcers.The gastric ulcer index was evaluated via clinical observation and image analysis.Various inflammatory indicators were determined by RTPCR and Western blotting assays.Results:The gastric ulcer index was reduced to 8%in the group treated with Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract compared with that in the control group.RT-PCR analysis revealed that MUC5 AC expression was reduced to 39%in the control group compared with the non-treated group,whereas the omeprazole and Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract-treated groups increased the expression to 95%and 79%,respectively.Moreover,the expressions of various cytokines including TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 were increased in the control group,while decreasing in Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract-treated group.Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract also suppressed the expressions of iN OS,COX-2,and its transcription factor NF-κB and increased mucus content considerably as compared to the control group.Conclusions:These results suggest that Opuntia humifusa aqueous extract is suitable as an alternative remedy for gastric ulcer treatment.

Extracts from Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, Rehmannia Glutinosa var. Purpurea Makino, Perilla Frutescens var. Acuta Kudo may increase the endometrial receptivity through expression of leukemia inhibitory factor and adhesion molecules

OBJECTIVE: To find out the combination of the extracts from Paeonia lactiflora Pallas(PL), Rehmannia Glutinosa var. Purpurea Makino(RG), Perilla Frutescens var. Acuta Kudo(PF) to increase endometrial receptivity.METHODS: Herbal medicines were extracted with boiling water and polysaccharides were removed.We examined the effect of PL, RG, and PF(PRP), a most effective herbal formula deduced from constitutive ingredient herbs of Antai Yin which is composed of PRP, on the leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF) expression and endometrial receptivity.RESULTS: The combination of the extracts from PRP induced the LIF expression in Ishikawa cells and increased the adhesion between Ishikawa and JAr cells. In addition, PRP-induced attachment of JAr cells onto Ishikawa cells and expression of adhesion molecules, ITGAV, ITGB5, CD44 s, and Lselectin, are significantly reduced by knock-down of LIF expression.CONCLUSION: Induced by the combination of the PRP extracts, the adhesion between trophoblast and endometrial cells are mediated by expression of LIF and adhesion molecules. Thus, we suggest the combination of the PRP extracts may be a novel therapy for enhancing embryo implantation rate.