Optimization of Extraction Conditions of Pomegranate Peel Polyphenols and Its Protective Effect on Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury in Mice

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the optimization of ultrasonic-assisted organic solvent extraction of pomegranate peel polyphenols(PPPs),and to study the protective effect of PPPs on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice.[Methods]The optimal extraction conditions of PPPs were determined by single factor and orthogonal experiments,and an acute alcoholic liver injury model in mice was established.Bifendate was used as the positive control group to investigate the protective effect of low,medium and high doses of PPPs on acute alcoholic liver injury.[Results]The optimum extraction process parameters were followed as 60%ethanol concentration,solid-liquid ratio of 1:40(w/v),extraction temperature of 50℃,and extraction time of 1.5 h,and the yield was 1.42%.The results of animal experiments showed that PPPs could effectively reduce the degree of alcoholic liver injury in mice,reduce the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and reduce the inflammation and necrosis of liver tissue in mice.Meanwhile,the total polyphenols from pomegranate peel also significantly reduced the expression levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in mice,and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and reduced glutathione(GSH)in liver tissue of mice,indicating its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects,further illustrating its protective effect on alcoholic liver injury.[Conclusions]PPPs could reduce the expression levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and MDA in mice,and increase the expression levels of SOD and GSH to achieve the protective effect on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice.This study will provide new ideas for the development of new anti-alcoholic liver injury drug resources.

Growth Inhibitory Effects of Garlic Polysaccharide on Human HepG2 Cells

[Objective] The growth inhibitory effects of garlic polysaccharide(GPS) on human Hep G2 cells were evaluated in this paper. [Method] Hep G2 cells were treated with GPS for 48 h for morphology assay by transition electron microscope. Anti-proliferative effects with the same treatment for 24 hand 48 h were assayed by MTT method.Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis assay of treated cells were performed in flow cytometry. [Result] The results showed that GPS enhanced growth inhibitory effect on Hep G2 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner. PI(Propidium iodide)/Annexin V staining analyzed by FCM(flow cytometry) demonstrated that GPS has a cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. Cell cycle arrest of Hep G2 treated with GPS occurred in G2 phase. [Conclusion] This study suggests that GPS could exert an antitumor effect and could be used as a therapeutic agent for live cancer.

Effects of Ligustrazine Combined with Cisdichlorodiamine Platinum on Anti-proliferation,Cell Cycle and Apoptosis of Human Gastric Carcinoma SGC-7901 Cell Lines

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the combination effects of ligustrazine and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum(DDP) on anti-proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of SGC-7901 cell lines in vitro. [Method] SGC-7901 cells were treated with ligustrazine and DDP alone or combined for 48 h for morphology assay.Anti-proliferative effects with the same treatment for 24, 48 and 72 h were assayed by MTT method, respectively. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis assay of treated cells were performed in flow cytometry. Zhengjun Jin's protocol was used to assay the effect of drug combination. [Result] Ligustrazine significantly increased the proliferation inhibition rate of DDP on SGC-7901 cells in combination with DDP, comparing with the effects of ligustrazine or DDP alone, and exhibited synergistic antitumor effect. The combination drug treatment induced cell cycle arrest occurred in S and G2 phase of the cell cycle and increased the apoptosis rate significantly.[Conclusion] Our results indicate that ligustrazine, as a low-toxic and natural herbal component, can significantly increase the anti-proliferative effect and apoptosis rate of antitumor drug DDP on human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells.

Changes of NF-κB, Bax and Caspase 3 in Apoptosis Induced by Ligustrazine Combined with Cis-dichlorodiamine Platinum in Human Gastric Carcinoma SGC-7901 Cell Lines

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by ligustrazine(TMP) and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum(DDP) in SGC-7901 cell lines in vitro. [Methods] SGC-7901 cell lines were treated with ligustrazine and DDP alone or combined for 48 h for Western blot analysis, respectively. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of proteins involved in apoptosis including NF-κB p65, bax and caspase-3. [Results] The viability of SGC-7901 cells was inhibited after treated with ligustrazine and/or combined with DDP. The expression of NF-κB P65 protein decreased after treated with drugs, in which the protein decreased significantly in 1.2 mg/ml of TMP combined with 2 μg/ml of DDP group.Meanwhile, we investigated the protein expression of bax and caspase-3. The results showed that the expression of the two proteins increased following with the increasing concentration of TMP. [Conclusion] All the results indicated that ligustrazine combined with DDP could induce the apoptosis of SGC-7901 cell lines, and NF-κB maybe the possible way to induce the cell apoptosis.

Primary Research on UVB-irradiation Protective Effect of Total Flavonoids from Large-leaved Kuding Tea (Ilex latifolia Thunb.)

Total flavonoids extracted from large-leaved Kuding tea(Ilex latifolia Thunb.) were investigated to develop anti-UV sun-screening agents. The results showed that total flavonoids of I. latifolia Thunb.(TFILT) showed maximum absorb peak at 325 nm between UVB and UVA by wavelength scanning spectrum. TFILT could inhibit the decrease of cell viability induced by UVB irradiation by CCK-8 method, and 0.25 mg/ml of TFILT showed the most significant protective activity on cells. The dermal thickness and collagen fiber density as skin structural characteristic were analyzed by Histological staining. The results showed that TFILT protected mice skin by significantly attenuating the dermal thickness and inhibiting collagen fiber degradation. The mechanism in vivo needs to be further confirmed in future.

Optimization of Extraction Process and Anti-ultraviolet Activity of Polysaccharide from Cordyceps militaris

Extraction process of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide(PS)was optimized with single factor experiment and orthogonal test.Then,the anti-UVB ability of the polysaccharide was investigated to develop anti-UV sun-screening agent through determining the cell viability after UVB irradiation.The results showed that the optimum were solid-liquid ratio at 1∶40(g/ml)at 80℃ for 4 h,and the extract ratio was 27.4%according to the verification test.The PS showed no cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells and pretreatment with the PS significantly decreased UVB-induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent relationship.It suggests that the PS has strong anti-UVB irradiation ability and has a good application prospect in developing sunscreen agent.

Natural products and extracts from plants as natural UV filters for sunscreens:A review

Although solar exposure is necessary for human health,phototoxicology induced by excessive UVB and UVA radiation,which involves sunburns,skin aging and even tu-morigenesis,has been widely researched.Sunscreen is one of the most important ways to protect skin from UV phototoxic damage.As well as inorganic and organic UV filters,some natural products or plant extracts with aromatic rings in their structures,such as flavonoids or polyphenols,can absorb UV to reduce sunburn,acting as a natu-ral UV filter;they also show antioxidant or/and anti-inflammatory activity.This could explain why,although there are no officially approval natural commercial sun-filters,more and more commercial sunscreen products containing plant extracts are avail-able on the market.Here we summarize articles focusing on natural UV filters from plant published in the last 6 years,selecting the most significant data in order to better understand the photoprotective activity of natural products and extracts from plants,including their major constituents and main biological effects,methods for evaluating UV radiation resistance,anti-UV radiation experimental models and anti-UV radiation mechanisms.

Optimization of Extraction Conditions for Total Flavonoids from Fructus Aurantii Immaturus and Its Anti-UVB Radiation Activity

[Objectives]Optimum extraction conditions of total flavonoids from Fructus Aurantii Immaturus(TFFAI)and its resistance activity to ultraviolet radiation were investigated in present research.[Methods]The optimal extraction conditions of TFFAI were determined by single factor and orthogonal experiments,and the survival rate of TFFAI on HaCaT cells irradiated with UVB rays was investigated.It s antioxidant capacity was determined by ABTS.[Results]The results showed that the highest yield of TFFAI was obtained with 70%ethanol at a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:50(w/v)and 40℃for 1.5 h by single-factor and orthogonal experiments.Total flavonoids(0.25-1.00 mg/ml)could significantly improve the survival rate of HaCaT cell line.Meanwhile,the maximum absorption peak of TFFAI was found at 283 nm,and in-vitro antioxidant experiment identified that TFFAI had a good clearance rate to ABTS.It suggestes that TFFAI could protect the cells from UVB damage by absorption of UVB rays and anti-oxidation.[Conclusions]TFFAI played a protective role on UVB irradiated cells through UVB ultraviolet absorption and antioxidant pathways.

复发难治性弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤靶向药物治疗进展

淋巴瘤为一组起源于淋巴结或其他淋巴组织的异质性血液系统恶性肿瘤,包括霍奇金淋巴瘤(Hodgkin's lymphoma,HL)和非霍奇金淋巴瘤(non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,NHL),其中弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤(diffuse large B-cell lymphoma,DLBCL)为一类异质性明显的淋巴系统恶性肿瘤,也是最常见的NHL亚型。标准R-CHOP方案(利妥昔单抗联合环磷酰胺、阿霉素、长春新碱和泼尼松)治疗可显著提高60%以上患者的生存期,然而仍有约30%~40%患者出现疾病复发或难治,预后较差,如何延长复发难治性DLBCL患者的生存期并改善其预后已成为目前国内外研究的热点。随着疾病基因表达谱、耐药分子机制等的不断深入研究,化疗新方案及新药不断探索,为个体化精准治疗复发难治性DLBCL带来新希望。本文拟对新近的靶向药物在复发难治性DLBCL中的治疗进展进行综述。

Classification and 3-D distribution of upper layer water masses in the northern South China Sea

Using the fuzzy cluster analysis and the temperature-salinity(T-S) similarity number analysis of cruise conductivity-temperature-depth(CTD) data in the upper layer(0–300 m) of the northern South China Sea(NSCS), we classify the upper layer water of the NSCS into six water masses: diluted water(D), surface water(SS),the SCS subsurface water mass(U_S), the Pacific Ocean subsurface water mass(U_P), surface-subsurface mixed water(SU) and subsurface-intermediate mixed water(UI). A new stacked stereogram is used to illustrate the water mass distribution, and to examine the source and the distribution of U_P, combining with the sea surface height data and geostrophic current field. The results show that water mass U_P exists in all four seasons with the maximum range in spring and the minimum range in summer. In spring and winter, the U_P intrudes into the Luzon Strait and the southwest of Taiwan Island via the northern Luzon Strait in the form of nonlinear Rossby eddies, and forms a high temperature and high salinity zone east of the Dongsha Islands. In summer, the U_P is sporadically distributed in the study area. In autumn, the U_P is located in the upper 200 m layer east of Hainan Island.

Anti-inflammatory Activity and Mechanism of Total Flavonoids from the Phloem of Paulownia elongate S.Y. Hu in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages

The juice leaked from broken phloem of Paulownia elongate S.Y.Hu has been used to cure acute inflammation resulted from stung injury by poisonous insects for a long time in China,but its potential mechanism remains unclear.The present study was designed to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of total flavonoids from the phloem of P.elongate S.Y.Hu in RAW264.7 cells.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced nitric oxide(NO)was measured by Griess and mRNA of pro-inflammatory mediators was analyzed by q-PCR.Cell viability was measured using cell counting kit(CCK)-8 assay.The protein level was analyzed by Western blot.The results showed that the total flavonoids of P.elongate significantly inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO,interleukin(IL)-1β and interleukin(IL)-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.Total flavonoids of P.elongate exerted potential anti-inflammatory activity through the regulation of several signaling pathways.Total flavonoids of P.elongate inhibited JAK/STAT by blocking JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation levels.This is the first report on anti-inflammatory activity of total flavonoids from the phloem of P.elongate,which suggests that the total flavonoids of P.elongate may have great potential for the development of anti-inflammatory drug to treat inflammatory disorders.

Primary Research on Protective Effect of Houttuynia cordata Flavonoid and Sophora japonica L. Polysaccharide as Anti-UV Sun-screening Supplement

Houttuynia cordata flavonoid and Sophora japonica L. polysaccharide were investigated to develop anti-UV sun-screening agent through UV wavelength scanning spectrum, antioxidant ability and cell viability after UVB irradiation. The results showed that the extracts had strong UVA and UVB absorption ability and hydroxyl free radical scavenging ability. The S. japonica L. polysaccharide showed strong anti-UVB irradiation ability according to the cell viability experiment. It suggests that the H. cordata flavonoid and S. japonica L. polysaccharide could be combined as a candidate of anti-UV sun-screening supplement and compensate for the shortcomings of chemical sunscreens against UVA ray.

Cellular vesicles expressing PD-1-blocking scFv reinvigorate T cell immunity against cancer

Cancer cells aberrantly express immunosuppressive checkpoint ligands and produce certain metabolites that lead to T cell exhaustion.Immune checkpoint blockade(ICB)therapy that reinvigorates exhausted T cells have achieved impressive response in clinical cancer treatment.However,the limited clinical response rate and off-tumor toxicities restrict ICB therapy.Herein,cellular vesicles displaying anti-programmed cell death-1(PD-1)single-chain variable fragment antibody(aPD-1-scFv)were prepared to reinvigorate T cell immunity to counteract cancer.The nanovesicles displaying aPD-1-scFv(aPD-1-scFv NVs)could enhance the anti-tumor activation of T cells through PD-1 blockade.Furthermore,NVs loading the A_(2a)adenosine receptor(A_(2a)R)antagonist CPI-444 assisted T cells to antagonize adenosine,an immunosuppressive metabolite produced by cancer cells.Hence,CPI-444 loaded aPD-1-scFv NVs could intensively increase the density and activity of tumor infiltrating T cells,directly restraining tumor progress and metastasis.