Preliminary Identification of Red Pigment and Positive Correlation between the Contents of Red Pigment and Total Saponins of Panax notoginseng Fruits

[Objective] This study aimed to identify red pigment of Panax notoginseng fruits and explore the correlation between pigment content and total saponins of the fruits. [Method] The red pigment of Panax notoginseng fruits was preliminarily identi- fied with specific color reactions and UV-vis spectra, and the contents of the pigment and total saponins were determined via spectrophotometry. [Result] The red hues of the fruits were contributed by anthocyanins and/or the anthocyanidins. The contents of anthocyanins and total saponins of the fruits both decreased along with thinning of the red hues. The content difference of the anthocyanins in fruits with different red hues reached extremely significant level, but that of total saponins just reached significant level. [Conclusion] The red pigment of P. notoginseng fruits is anthocyanins which are of extremely significant positive correlation with total saponins in contents.

Responses of Photosynthetic Pigment, Phenol and Total Saponin Contents of Panax notoginseng to Supplemental UV-B under Field Conditions

[Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the content changes and their correlations of the photosynthetic pigment,phenols,including total phenols,total flavonoids and anthocyanins,and total saponins of the one-year-old P.notoginseng plants under supplemental UV-B stress in fields.[Method] The one-year-old plants were irradiated by UV-B in field for 1 min per day,and the plants under the UV-B lamp were regarded as a circle center,achieving an annular leaf-sampling.The photosynthetic pigment,phenols and total saponins of the leaves were determined spectrophotometrically.[Result] With the increase of sampling radius,the supplemental UV-B intensity decreased significantly,the contents of chlorophyll （Chl） a,Chl b,Chl （a＋b）,carotenoid （Car） and total photosynthetic pigment （Chl＋Car） of the leaves increased extremely significantly,the Chl a/b and total phenol content （TPC） decreased extremely significantly,but the Chl （a＋b）/Car changes were not significant.The contents of total flavonoids,anthocyanins and saponins all increased due to the increasing of UV-B,displaying dose effects.The UV-B intensity was positively correlated with the Chl a/b,and negatively with the Chl a,Chl b,Chl （a＋ b）,Car and （Chl＋Car） contents; and the two of TPC,total flavonoid content （TFC）,total anthocyanin content （TAC） and total saponin content （TSC） were positively correlated,all reaching extremely significant level.The UV-B intensity was positively and significantly correlated with the total flavonoid content （TFC）,negatively and significantly with the Chl （a＋b）/Car,and positively and insignificantly with the TPC,TAC and TSC.[Conclusion] For one-year-old plants of P.notoginseng,UV-B can decrease the contents of the Chl a,Chl b,Chl （a＋b）,Car and （Chl＋Car） and increase the Chl a/b and TPC,and,furthermore,induce the increases of the TFC,TAC and TSC in a dose-dependent manner.However,UV-B can hardly change the Chl （a＋b）/Car.The supplemental UV-B of well-suited dose might be one of the effective measures to improve the TSC of P.notoginseng.

Effects of total saponins of Panax notoginseng on immature neuroblasts in the adult olfactory bulb following global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

The main active components extracted from Panax notoginseng are total saponins. They have been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation, increase cerebral blood flow, improve neurological behavior, decrease infarct volume and promote proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the hippocampus and lateral ventricles. However, there is a lack of studies on whether total saponins of Panax notoginsertg have potential benefits on immature neuroblasts in the olfactory bulb following ischemia and reperfusion. This study established a rat model of global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion using four-vessel occlusion. Rats were administered total sa- ponins of Panax notoginseng at 75 mg/kg intraperitoneally 30 minutes after ischemia then once a day, for either 7 or 14 days. Total saponins of Panax notoginseng enhanced the number of dou- blecortin （DCX）＋ neural progenitor ceils and increased co-localization of DCX with neuronal nuclei and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding/DCX＋ neural progenitor cells in the olfactory bulb at 7 and 14 days post ischemia. These findings indicate that following global brain ischemia/reperfusion, total saponins of Panax notoginseng promote differentiation of DCX＋ cells expressing immature neuroblasts in the olfactory bulb and the underlying mechanism is related to the activation of the signaling pathway of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein.

Neuroprotective effects of total saponins from Rubus parvifolius L. on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

This study examines the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of action of total saponins from Rubus parvifolius L. （TSRP） on focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats. Focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury was performed in rats using the suture method. The results indicate that intragastric injection of TSRP, at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, could decrease neurological impairment, reduce cerebral infarct volume, diminish pathological changes, and significantly inhibit the apoptosis of neurons surrounding the ischemic area. In addition, TSRP upregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2, at the protein and mRNA levels, and it downregulated the expression of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax, at the protein and mRNA levels. These findings indicate that TSRP protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, and that it may do so by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax.

Effects of total soy saponins on free radicals in the quadriceps femoris,serum testosterone,LDH,and BUN of exhausted rats

Purpose:The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of total soy saponins(TS) on the free radical metabolism from the quadriceps femoris muscle,serum testosterone,lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) in rats exercised to exhaustion.Methods:A one-time exhausted treadmill exercise session was used.Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups:a control group—animals receiving no TS and no exercise(NTSNE),animals receiving TS but no exercise group(TSNE),animals receiving no TS but exercised to exhaustion group(NTSE),and animals receiving TS and exercised to exhaustion group(TSE).The TSNE and TSE groups were fed TS at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight once per day for 2 weeks.The NTSE group was given a placebo,and the NTSNE group was not given any treatment.The NTSE and TSE groups were exercised at speed of 30 m/min on treadmill until exhausted.The exercise time and exercise distance were recorded when the rats became exhausted and the rats were then decapitated and anatomized immediately.A 10% homogenate of the quadriceps femoris tissue was prepared.The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),glutathione reductase(GR),reduced glutathione(GSH),total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),LDH,BUN,and serum testosterone were tested.Results:TS significantly increased the exercise time to exhaustion by 20.62%(p < 0.05).The MDA levels were decreased significantly in the TSNE group than in NTSNE group(p < 0.05);the T-AOC levels increased significantly in the TSNE group than in the other 3 groups(p < 0.01,p < 0.05,p < 0.05).The LDH activity significantly increased in the NTSE group than in TSNE group(p < 0.05).The BUN levels significantly increased in the NTSE group than in the other 3 groups(p < 0.01,p < 0.01,p < 0.05),and significantly increased in the TSE group than in NTSNE and TSNE groups(both p < 0.01).The serum testosterone levels increased significantly in the TSNE group than in the other 3 groups(all p < 0.01).SOD,CAT,GSH-Px,GR,and GSH were not statistically different among the groups.Conclusion:TS can significantly improve the exercised rats' serum testosterone level and antioxidant activity in their quadriceps femoris to varying degrees,decrease MDA and serum LDH and BUN levels,increase the exercise time,and delay the occurrence of the fatigue.

Total saponins of Panax ginseng effects on proliferation and differentiation of human embryonic neural stem cells and in a Parkinson's disease mouse model

BACKGROUND： Total saponins of Panax ginseng （TSPG） exhibits neuroprotection against Parkinson＇s disease in the substantia nigra. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of TSPG on human embryonic neural stem cells （NSCs） proliferation and differentiation into dopaminergic neurons using in vitro studies, and to observe NSC differentiation in a mouse model of Parkinson＇s disease, as well as behavioral changes before and after transplantation. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： In vitro neural cell biology trial and in vivo randomized, controlled animal trial were performed at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University between September 2004 and December 2007. MATERIALS： TSPG （purity 〉 95%） was isolated, extracted, and identified by Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica. Recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF） and recombinant human epidermal growth factor （EGF） were purchased from PeproTech, USA. A total of 25 C57/BL6J mice, aged 18-20 weeks were included. Twenty were used to establish a Parkinson＇s disease model with i.p. injection of MPTP （1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine） and TSPG alone or combined with interleukin-1 （IL-1）-treated NSCs prior to transplantation into the corpus striatum. The remaining five mice were pretreated for 3 days with TSPG prior to MPTP injection, serving as the TSPG prevention group. METHODS： Primary NSCs were isolated, cultured and purified from embryonic cerebral cortex. Immunocytochemistry was employed to detect specific antigen expression in the NSCs. In vitro experiment： （1） to induce proliferation, NSCs were treated with TSPG, EGF＋bFGF, or TSPG＋EGF＋bFGF, respectively; （2） to induce dopaminergic neuronal differentiation, NSCs were treated with TSPG, IL-1, or TSPG＋IL-1, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： In vitro experiment： the effects of TSPG on NSCs proliferation were evaluated with flow cytometry and MTT assay. Tyrosine hydroxylase expression was determined by immunocytochemistry assay to observe effects of TSPG on dopaminergic neuronal differentiation. In vivo experiment： differentiation of grafted NSCs in the mouse brain was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Behavioral changes were evaluated by spontaneous activity frequency, memory function, and score of paralysis agitans. RESULTS： （1） NSCs were cultured and passaged for more than three passages. Immunocytochemistry revealed positive nestin staining, as well as neurofilament protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein. （2） TSPG significantly increased NSC proliferation, in particular when combined with EGF and bFGF, which was twice as effective as FGF or bFGF alone. TSPG also induced dopaminergic differentiation in NSCs, in particular when TSPG was added together with IL-1, resulting in an effect five times greater than that of IL-1 alone. （3） At day 30 following transplantation, most NSCs in the TSPG prevention group differentiated into dopaminergic neurons, and the scores of paralysis agitans, spontaneous activity, and memory function were significantly increased compared with TSPG alone or TSPG＋IL-1 groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： TSPG stimulated NSC proliferation, in particular when combined with FGF and bFGF. TSPG significantly induced dopaminergic neuronal differentiation of NSCs, and the effect was greater when combined with IL-1. In addition, TSPG greatly improved behavior in the Parkinson＇s disease mouse model following NSC transplantation. Following NSC transplantation, TSPG pretreatment exhibited superior efficacy over either TSPG alone or TSPG in combination with IL-1, in terms of behavioral improvements in the Parkinson＇s disease mouse model.

THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF THE TOTAL SAPONIN OF DIPSACUS ASPEROIDES ON THE APOPTOSIS OF HIPPOCAMPAL NEURONS INDUCED BY β-AMYLOID PROTEIN

Objective To investigate the effects of the total saponin of Dipsacus asperoides (tSDA) and ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) on the apoptosis of primary cultured hippocampal neurons induced by β-amyloid protein (Aβ). Methods Primary cultured hippocampal neurons, the cultures were pretreated with tSDA and GRb1 on 10d for 24 hours respectively. Then the cultures were treated with 35 μmol·L -1 Aβ25-35 for 24 hours, observed the changing of survival rate of neurons and the apoptosis of neurons with biochemical analysis combining immunofluorescent cytochemical double-staining technique. Results Hippocampal neurons were treated with 35 μmol·L -1 Aβ for 24 hours, and survival rate of neurons downed to 52.6%. When neurons were pretreated by tSDA and GRb1, survival rate of neurons increased 11% to 15%. The findings of immunofluorescent cytochemical double-staining indicated that apoptotic neurons were obviously more than that of the blank group, reaching 43.9%.When neurons were pretreated by tSDA and GRb1, apoptotic neurons were downed to 16.6%, 10.8% respectively. Conclusion tSDA had the same effects as GRb1, protecting the neurons, antagonizing neurotoxicity of Aβ, increasing survival rate of neurons, and reducing apoptotic neurons induced by Aβ.

Total soy saponins improve the antioxidant capacity of the myocardium and exercise ability in exhausted rats

Purpose：The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of total soy saponins（TS） on the myocardial antioxidant capacity in rats exercised to exhaustion.Methods：The one-time exhausted treadmill model was used.All rats were divided into 4 groups：the control group,the TS group,the exhausted group,and the TS exhausted group.The TS and TS exhausted groups were fed TS at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight,once a day,for 2 weeks.The exhausted group was given a placebo,and the control group was not given any treatment.The treadmill speed was set at 30 m/min,and the rats（exhausted and TS exhausted groups） were trained at this speed until exhausted.The rats were decapitated and anatomized immediately after exhausted.A 10% homogenate of the myocardial tissue was prepared.Results：TS significant y increased the exercise time by 20.62%（p〈0.05）.As compared with the control group,the enzyme activities for catalase（CAT）,glutathione peroxidase（GSH-Px）,and glutathione reductase（GR） were significant y enhanced in the TS group（p〈0.01）;GR and GSH-Px activity was significant y enhanced in the TS exhausted group（p〈0.01）;malondialdehyde（MDA） levels were significant y decreased in the TS exhausted group（p〈0.05）.As compared with the exhausted group,the GSH-Px activity was significant y enhanced in the TS exhausted group（p〈0.01）;CAT,GSH-Px,and GR activities were significant y enhanced in the TS group（p〈0.01）.As compared with the TS group,the CAT and GR activity in the TS exhausted group was significant y decreased（p〈0.01）.Conclusion：TS can improve the exercised rats＇ antioxidant activity in their cardiac muscle to varying degrees,decrease MDA and serum AST and LDH levels,increase the exercise time,and delay the occurrence of sports fatigue.

Contrastive Study on Content and Anti-oxidation Activity of Total Saponins from Cultivated and Wild Paris Plants in Southwest China

[Objectives]To study content of total saponins from cultivated and wild Paris herbs in Southwest China,evaluate its in vitro antioxidation activity,and explore the correlation between quality of Paris herbs and production place,variety,cultivated and wild varieties.[Methods]Colorimetric method of perchloric acid reaction was used,and content of total saponins from Paris herbs was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometer at 406 nm. [Results]The lowest content of total saponins from cultivated and wild Paris herbs in Southwest China was0. 55%,while the maximum was 12. 24%,with obvious difference. Total saponins from Paris herbs had stronger clearance ability on free radical DPPH and stronger reduction ability on Fe^(3+),and the results showed good dose-effect relationship with concentration. Among them,S6 had the highest clearance ability on DPPH,which reached 89. 66%. In the determination of reduction ability,the absorbance of S16 reached3. 643 and was the highest,with very good reducing property. Content and anti-oxidation capacity of total saponins from Paris herbs in Southwest China did not have obvious correlation with production place,altitude and cultivation but was related to variety. [Conclusions]The quality of Paris herbs in Southwest China was unstable,and their anti-oxidation abilities were also different,and cultivation could not guarantee high quality. It should normalize cultivation,and develop planting industry of Paris herbs,which could guarantee stable supply of Paris herbs and stability and controllability of quality.

Determination of the Content of Total Saponins in Paris daliensis H.Li et V. G. Soukoup and Paris dulongensis H. Li et S. kurita

[Objectives]To determine the content of total saponins in Paris daliensis H. Li et V. G. Soukoup and Paris dulongensis H. Li et S.kurita,fill the gap in the study of Paris daliensis H. Li et V. G. Soukoup and Paris dulongensis H. Li et S. kurita,and lay a foundation for searching new medicinal resources of Paris L. [Methods]The perchloric acid colorimetric method and UV spectrophotometer were used to determine the content of total saponins in Paris daliensis H. Li et V. G. Soukoup and Paris dulongensis H. Li et S. kurita at 406 nm. [Results]The lowest content of total saponins in Paris daliensis H. Li et V. G. Soukoup was 2. 637%,while the highest content reached 5. 474%; the lowest content of total saponins in Paris dulongensis was 1. 806%,while the highest content reached 3. 532%. Through the methodological examination,it was found that this method was stable and reliable. [Conclusions] The content of total saponins was high in Paris daliensis H.Li et V. G. Soukoup and Paris dulongensis H. Li et S. kurita,and it was suggested to further study and find the medicinal resources of Paris L.

Screening and functional evaluation of the glucose-lowering active compounds of total saponins of Baibiandou(Lablab Semen Album)

Objective To screen forα-glucosidase inhibitor active compounds in the total saponins of Baibiandou(Lablab Semen Album)based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS technology and to evaluate its hypoglycemic activity in vivo.Methods Acarbose was used as the positive control,and the median inhibitory concentration(IC50)was used as the evaluation index ofα-glucosidase inhibitory activity to establish an in vitroα-glucosidase inhibition model.Further,UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS technology was used to screen and identify the active compounds ofα-glucosidase inhibitors in the total saponins of Baibiandou(Lablab Semen Album)in order to further verify the activity of the main active monomer and to perform homologous modeling and molecular docking of yeast-derivedα-glucosidase and human-derivedα-glucosidase,while the hypoglycemic activity was evaluated in diabetic mice.Results This study successfully identified 15 compounds with potentialα-glucosidase inhibitory activity,including Chikusetsusaponin IVa,from the total saponins of Baibiandou(Lablab Semen Album).Simultaneously,we verified the activity of the main active monomer Chikusetsusaponin IVa,and showed that it has strongα-glucosidase inhibitory activity.Theα-glucosidase inhibitory concentration IC50 was(565.2±1.026)μg/m L,and the IC50 of acarbose,which was lower than the positive control,was(706.6±1.058)μg/m L.The docking energies of Chikusetsusaponin IVa were–6.1 and–7.7 kcal/mol with yeast-derivedα-glucosidase and human-derivedα-glucosidase molecules,respectively.Both showed strong binding activity,and the levels of alanine aminotransaminase(ALT),aspartate aminotransaminase(AST),UREA,Creatinine(CREA),and cholesterol(CHO)were significantly decreased by Chikusetsusaponin IVa(P<0.05).In addition,it could repair damaged liver and pancreas cells of diabetic mice to some extent.Conclusion This study provides a basis for screeningα-glucosidase inhibitors and structural modifications of the total saponins of Baibiandou(Lablab Semen Album).

Total saponins of Aralia elata(Miq) Seem protect tumor necrosis factor-α-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells via PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signal pathways

It is now thought that atherosclerosis,although due to enhanced lipid deposition,is mainly the result of a series inflammatory process.Total saponins of Aralia elata(Miq) Seem(TASAES) from the Chinese traditional herb Longya Araliachinensis L.,a folk medicine used for treating various diseases,increasing energy and improving the body′s ability to prevent hypoxia in Asian countries has attracted widespread attention.However,the ability of TASAES on inflammation-triggered vascular endothelial cell injury,a key early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis,and its potential mechanisms of this protection have never been demonstrated.The present study determined the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptoticactivities and protective mechanisms of the total aralosides of Araliaelata(Miq) Seem(TASAES) ameliorate tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) injury.Our results indicate that TASAES pretreatment provided cytoprotective effects by suppressing TNF-α-induced HUVECs apoptosis,mitochondrial membrane depolarization,caspase-3 activation,and modulation of inflammatory factors(IL-6,MCP-1 and VCAM-1),meanwhile inhibiting NF-κB transcription.Furthermore,the effect was correlated with the activation of the PI3K/Akt signal pathway.Blocking Akt activation with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 effectively reversed the protective effect of TASAES against TNF-α-induced cell apoptosis.Moreover,the PI3K inhibitor partially blocked the effects of TASAES on the increasing of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl protein expression,and inactivation of Bax protein expression.In conclusion,the results showed that TASAES decreased the inflammation and apoptosis of HUVECs caused by TNF-α treatment,and PI3K played a crucial role in enhancing cell sur.vival during this process.

Advances in Researches of Extraction, Separation, and Purification Technologies for Total Saponins of Panax notoginseng

Total saponins of Panax notoginseng have the functions of promoting blood circulation and removing phlegm, thus they have high medicinal value. There are many different extraction methods in the extraction and separation of total saponins of P. notoginseng . The extraction methods of total saponins of P. notoginseng are mainly divided into traditional extraction methods, modern extraction methods and compound extraction methods.

Neuroprotection of total steroid saponins from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H.Wright against transient focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats via its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects

OBJECTIVE The total steroid saponins(TSSN)isolated from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H.Wright(D.zingiberensis)has shown a variety of beneficial bioactivities.However,there are no reports about the neuroprotective effects of the TSSN until now.Therefore,we explored the neuroprotective effects of TSSN on rats against transient focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS The healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into six groups.After pre-treatment with the TSSN intragastrically for six days,the rats were subjected to the ischemia injury by the surgery of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)for 90 min.Some indexes were evaluated and detected.RESULTS As compared to the I/R group,TSSN group of rats,especially given the 30 mg·kg^-1 of TSSN,not only marked reduction in the neurological deficit scores,cerebral infarct volume,and brain edema,but also an increase in neuron survival(Nissl bodies)in the hippocampal cornuammons 1(CA1)and cortex hemisphere of the ipsilateral ischemia.At the same time,the inflammatory cytokines in serum induced by MCAO were significantly alleviated by the TSSN pre-administration.What′s more,the increase of caspase-3 was evidently reduced in the CA1 and cortex of the hemisphere injured brain.Finally,the down-regulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and up-regulating pro-apoptotic Bax proteins were obviously suppressed.CONCLUSION TSSN plays a potential neuroprotective role against a severe injury induced by transient focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion in a rat experimental model,and this role may be mediated by its antiinflammatory and anti-apoptotic actions.

Total saponins in Rubus parvifolius L.induce lymphoma cells apoptosis through upregulated Bax/Fas and downregulated Bcl-2 in vivo and in vitro

Purpose:To investigate the effect of total saponins of Rubus parvifolius L.(TSRP)on lymphoma Raji cells and further discuss its mechanism.Methods:The model of nude mice bearing Raji cells was established,the volume,weight and inhibition rate of the transplanted tumor were analyzed and compared after different concentrations of TSRP treatment.Cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2,Bax,Fas proteins were detected by TUNEL and immunohistochemiscal method respectively.Effects of TSRP on cell proliferation were tested with MTT assay in vitro.Cell apoptosis and expression of Caspase-9,Caspase-3,Bcl-2,Bax and Fas proteins were tested with DAPI staining and Western blot.Results:TSRP significantly reduced the volume and tumor weight of Raji subcutaneous transplanted tumor and induced the apoptosis of Raji cells in vivo.The tumor inhibition rate of high-dose(100 mg/kg)TSRP is 90.84%.The TUNEL test results show that the fluorescence intensity of the tumor issue treated with TSRP is significantly improved.Compared with the control group,the fluorescence intensity of high-concentration TSRP is 82.43 ± 7.81,which is significantly different(P<0.001).The results of immunohistochemistry test showed that the Bcl-2 expression of Raji cell treated with TSRP is obviously reduced,and Bax expression is obviously increased.Meanwhile,compared with that of control group,Fas expression is obviously reduced.MTT assay showed that TSRP can significantly inhibit proliferation of Raji cells with dose dependence.The inhibition rate of 400 μg/mL TSRP is 53.46 ± 4.90%(P<0.001).DAPI staining results showed that TSRP can significantly induce cell apoptosis.According to Western blot results,it is found that TSRP can significantly inhibit activity of Bcl-2 and increase Bax expression,and TSRP can also inhibit Fas expression.Meanwhile,expression of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 is also increased.Conclusion:TSRP could inhibit the proliferation of lymphoma via induction of apoptosis in a time and dose-dependent manner.Apoptotic signaling induced by TSRP was characterized by up-regulating Bax,Fas and Caspase-8 protein expression,and down-regulating of Bcl-2 protein expression.

Advances in Researches of Extraction Processes of Total Saponins of Pnanx Notoginseng

Traditional extraction methods of total saponins of Panax notoginseng include cold soaking method,water decoction method,alcohol reflux method,percolation method,macroporous resin adsorption method,and accelerated solvent extraction( ASE) method. Modern extraction methods include ultrasonic extraction,microwave assisted extraction,supercritical CO_2 extraction,microbial fermentation assisted extraction,neural network model optimized extraction method,and multi-stage countercurrent extraction method. This paper discussed principles of these methods and compared their advantages and disadvantages.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of five saponins after intravenous administration of TSFS injection and TSFS injection plus TFFG in rats under different physiological states

Sanqi is a popular traditional Chinese medicine and commonly used for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1 and Rd are the major active constituents of Sanqi. The purpose of the study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic behavior of the five active constituents from total saponin from Sanqi when it was used in the blood stasis animals or in combination with Gegen. The concentrations of the five active constituents in rat plasma were determined by an ultra-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and statistically analyzed using the unpaired student＆#39;s t-test. It was found that the pharmacokinetic parameters of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 represented a statistically significant difference （Po0.05） between the normal rats and the blood stasis rats after administration of total saponin from Sanqi （TSFS）. And there were statistically significant differences （Po0.05） in the pharmacokinetic parameters of all the five constituents between administration of TSFS alone and combined with total flavonoid from Gegen （TFFG） in blood stasis rats. It suggested that the pharmacokinetic behavior of the active constituents from TSFS could be changed when it was used in blood stasis animals or in combination with TFFG.

Saponins from Paris forrestii(Takht.) H. Li displays potent activity against acute myeloid leukemia by suppressing RNF6/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Acute myeloid leukemia(AML) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by the accu.mulation of immature myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow,compromising of normal hematopoi.esis and ultimately resulting in bone marrow failure.Chemotherapy is the mainstay treatment for all AML patients,however,drug resistance and clinical relapse limits its efficacy.The 5-year survival rate of AML patients is only 26.6%.Survival rates are even lower among patients ages 65 to 74 years(5.3%) and 75 years or older(1.6%).Therefore,exploring novel therapeutic agents is urgent for improving the outcome of patients with AML.Saponins are amphipathic glycosides found in traditional Chinese medicines.In the present study,we isolated a panel of saponins from Paris forrestii(Takht.) H.Li,a unique plant found in Tibet and Yunnan provinces,China.By examining their activities in suppressing acute myeloid leukemia cell proliferation,total saponins from Paris forrestii(TSPf) displayed more potent activity than individual ones.TSPf induced more than 40% AML cell apoptosis within 24 h and decreased the viability of all leukemia cell lines.TSPf-induced apoptosis was confirmed by both Annexin V staining and caspase-3 activation.TSPf downregulated pro-survival proteins Mcl-1,Bcl-xL and Bcl-2,but upreg.ulated the expression of tumor suppressor proteins p53,p27,Bax and Beclin 1.The AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is frequently over activated in various AML cells,and TSPf was found to suppress the activa.tion of both AKT and mTOR,but had no effects on their total protein expression.This was further con.firmed by the inactivation of 4 EBP-1 and p70 S6 K,two typical downstream signal molecules in the AKT/mTOR pathway.More specifically,TSPf-inactivated AKT/mTOR signaling was found to be associated with downregulated RNF6,a recently identified oncogene in AML.RNF6 activated AKT/mTOR,and consistently,knockdown of RNF6 led to inactivation of the AKT/mTOR pathway.Furthermore,TSPf suppressed the growth of AML xenografts in nude mice models.Oral administration of 100 mg · kg^(-1) body weight almost fully suppressed tumor growth within 14 d,without gross toxicity.This study thus demonstrated that TSPf displays potent anti-AML activity by suppressing the RNF6/AKT/mTOR pathway.Given its low toxicity,TSPf could be developed for the treatment of AML.

延龄草总皂苷的黑曲霉发酵工艺及提取条件研究

该文对延龄草总皂苷的最佳提取方法进行筛选,并通过紫外分光光度法与高效液相色谱法对发酵前后药液进行对比分析,在单因素实验的基础上,采用Box-Behnken响应面实验研究了黑曲霉接种量、发酵时间和发酵温度对延龄草中总皂苷提取率的影响。结果表明:延龄草总皂苷最佳提取方法为75%乙醇回流法,其最佳发酵条件为黑曲霉接种量2.25%,发酵时间6d,发酵温度27℃,在此条件下总皂苷提取率为8.620%,与预测结果基本一致。

不同覆盖栽培方式对金铁锁生长习性及总皂苷含量的影响

本研究设置绿色无纺布覆盖(处理1)、白色农膜覆盖(处理2)、银黑双色农膜覆盖(处理3)和不覆盖任何农膜对照(CK)4种栽培方式,探明金铁锁覆盖栽培的效果。结果表明:采用不同栽培方式,金铁锁生长情况及总皂苷含量存在较大差异,以处理3表现最好,杂草和病虫害发生较轻,长势较好,总皂苷含量最高。