Fecal metabolomics reveals the positive effect of ethanol extract of propolis on T2DM mice

A large number of studies have shown that propolis has positive effects in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).However,there are have only been a few reports that are based on an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)analysis of the fecal metabolomics of ethanol extract of propolis(EEP)in the treatment of T2DM.The present investigation was designed to screen potential biomarkers of T2DM by the metabonomic method and to explain the possible anti-diabetes mechanism of EEP according to the changes in the biomarkers.The results showed that EEP improved the body weight(BW)of T2DM mice,lowered blood sugar levels,and significantly restored blood biochemical indicators related to T2DM,such as fasting insulin(FINS),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),aspartate transaminase(AST),and alanine aminotransferase(ALT).Liver pathology showed that EEP reversed liver damage caused by T2DM.Metabolomics data identified 27 potential biomarkers in fecal samples.EEP effectively regulated the dysfunction in the metabolic pathways of glycerophospholipids,sphingolipids,riboflavins,and sterol lipids caused by T2DM.In summary,our research results revealed positive effects of EEP in the treatment of T2DM and provided potential candidate markers for further research and in the clinical treatment of T2DM.

Protective Effect of Ethanol Extract from Sweet Potato Leaves on CCL_(4)-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

[Objectives]To investigate the protective effect of ethanol extract from sweet potato leaves on liver injury induced by CCl_(4)in mice.[Methods]25 ICR mice were randomly divided into blank group,model group,high-dose extract group(200 mg/kg),low-dose extract group(100 mg/kg)and positive control group(2 mg/kg colchicine),with 5 mice in each group.All groups except the blank group were given intraperitoneal injection of 20%CCl 4 olive oil solution(2 mL/kg),and the blank group was given the same dose of olive oil solution three times a week.After 4 weeks,each administration group was given the corresponding dose of drugs(10 mL/kg),and the blank group and model group were given the corresponding amount of normal saline for 2 weeks.After the last intragastric administration,fasting was required,but water was allowed,blood was taken from eyeballs,and upper serum was taken by static centrifugation.Serum AST,ALT,CRP,IL-6 and SOD levels were detected by the kit.[Results]Compared with the blank group,the serum AST and ALT levels in the model group were significantly increased;compared with the model group,the ethanol extract of sweet potato leaves could decrease the levels of ALT,AST,CRP,IL-6 and increase the level of SOD in serum.[Conclusions]The ethanol extract of sweet potato leaves had protective effect on the mice with liver injury induced by CCl_(4),and its mechanism may be to protect the liver by lowering enzymes,inhibiting inflammation and antioxidant stress.

Scorpion ethanol extract and valproic acid effects on hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in a rat model of chronic-kindling epilepsy induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine

The present study analyzed the effects of ethanol extracts of scorpion on epilepsy prevention and hippocampal expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in a lithium chloride-pilocarpine epileptic rat model. Results were subsequently compared with valproic acid. Results showed gradually- increased hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression following model establishment; glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA expression was significantly increased at 3 days, reached a peak at 7 days, and then gradually decreased thereafter. Ethanol extracts of scorpion doses of 580 and 1 160 mg/kg, as well as 120 mg/kg valproic acid, led to a decreased number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA expression, as well as decreased seizure grades and frequency of spontaneously recurrent seizures. The effects of 1 160 mg/kg ethanol extracts of scorpion were equal to those of 120 mg/kg valproic acid. These results suggested that the anti-epileptic effect of ethanol extracts of scorpion were associated with decreased hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in a rat model of lithium chlofide-pilocarpine induced epilepsy.

Effects of ethanol extracts of scorpion on hippocampal apoptosis and caspase-3 expression in lithium chloride-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus rats

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that scorpion venom in the scorpion can inhibit epilepsy and apoptosis. However, it remains unclear whether ethanol extracts of scorpion （EES） exhibit similar effects. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of EES on hippocampal apoptosis and caspase-3 expression, and to compare the effects on sodium valproate （positive control drug） in a rat model of status epilepticus induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This randomized, controlled study was conducted at the Drug Research and Development Center, Kanghong Pharmaceuticals Group, and the Department of Pathology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences ＆ Sichuan Provincial People＇s Hospital, China from May 2007 to April 2008. MATERIALS： EES were prepared by Huashen Pharmaceutical, China. Sodium valproate （Hunan Xiangzhong Pharmaceutical, China） and lithium chloride-pilocarpine （Sigma, USA） were also used in the present study. METHODS： From a total of 156 rats, six served as normal controls. The remaining rats were intraperitoneally injected with lithium chloride-pilocarpine to establish status epileptlcus models, and then assigned to five groups （n = 30, respectively）. Animals in each group were administered drugs at 15 minutes after epileptic seizure by gavage, i.e. in the normal control and model groups, rats were treated with 1 mL/0.1 kg saline. The sodium valproate group was administered 120 mg/kg/d sodium valproate. The low-, moderate-, and high-dose EES groups received treatments of 290, 580 and 1 160 mg/kg/d EES. The dispensed concentration was 1 mL/0.1 kg. Rat seizure behavior was observed. If status epilepticus did not terminated after 1 hour, the rats were intraperitoneally administered atropine （1 mg/kg） and diazepam （10 mg/kg） to terminate seizure. These rats were continuously observed for 6 hours to ensure seizure termination. Then rats were treated with the above-mentioned drugs at 8：00 am each day until sacrifice, which took place 4 hours after drug administration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Terminal dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL）-positive cells and caspase-3 expression were, respectively, determined by TUNEL and immunohistochemistry at 6, 24 48, and 72 hours, as well as 7 days, after status epilepticus. Behavioral changes were also measured. RESULTS： A few caspase-3-positive cells were observed. TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive ceils were mainly visible in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions 6 hours following status epilepticus in the model and drug intervention groups. The number of TUNEL-positive cells reached a peak at 48 hours following status epilepticus in the sodium valproate group, as well as the moderate- and high-dose EES groups, and number of TUNEL-positive cells reached a peak at 72 hours in the model and low-dose EES groups. The number of caspase-3-positive cells reached a peak at 48 hours in each group. Following treatment of sodium valproate and EES, the number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive cells significantly decreased compared with the model group at various time points （P 〈 0.05）. The number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive cells was greatest in the low-dose EES group, followed by the moderate- and high-dose EES groups. The number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive cells was similar between the sodium valproate and high-dose EES groups. Epileptic seizure was significantly improved in the sodium valproate group, as well as the moderate- and high-dose EES groups, compared with the model group （P〈 0.05 or P〈 0.01）. Treatment with sodium valproate and high-dose EES resulted in the best outcome, although the results were similar （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： A dose of 1 160 mg/kg/d EES significantly inhibited status epilepticus. This outcome corresponded to a decreased number of apoptotlc cells and caspase-3-positive cells, which was similar to sodium valproate. These results suggest that it is not necessary to extract a component from the scorpion for the treatment of epilepsy. The high dose of EES significantly inhibited epilepsy, which correlated with decreased hippocampal caspase-3 expression.

Preliminary Screening of Plant Ethanol Extracts Inhibiting IBV Proliferation

[ Objective] The paper was to study the inhibition effects of ethanol extracts from different plants on imCcctious bronchitis virus （ IBV ）. [Method ] Certain amount of plant ethanol extract was mixed with the recombinant virus IBV-3ab-luc inosculating luciferase gene at room temperature for 20 rain, and then added in H1299 cell culture system together. The activity of luciferase was detected after 24 h, to compare the inhibition effects of ethanol extracts from different plants on the virus. [ Result ] The logarithms of Gynura segetum leaf, Prunella vulgaris powder, Plantago asiatica leaf, Ophiopogon japonicus root, Lycium barba- rum fruit and Citrus reticulata were 4, 3,3,2,0 and 0, respectively. [ Conclusion] The ethanol extract from G. segetum leaf had the best inhibitory effect against IBV, followed by P. vulgaris powder, P. asiatica leaf, and O. japonicus root had relatively poor inhibition effect, whereas L. barbarum fruit and C. reticulata almost had no inhibition effect.

Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus Replication by Rheum palmatum L. Ethanol Extract in a Stable HBV-producing Cell Line

肝炎 B 病毒(HBV ) 感染是在世界上的一个严重健康问题。然而，仍然为 HBV 感染没有令人满意的治疗学的策略。到为有更高的功效和更少的副作用的新 anti-HBV 代理人的搜索，繁体中文药感冒 palmatum L 的禁止的活动。对 HBV 复制的乙醇摘录(RPE ) 在这研究被调查。量的即时聚合酶链反应(PCR ) 被采用在稳定的生产 HBV 房间线 HepAD38 对 HBV-DNA 复制分析 RPE 的禁止的活动；HBV 表面抗原(HBsAg ) 和 e 抗原(HBeAg ) 的表示层次被酶也决定在 RPE 处理以后的连接 immunosorbent 试金(ELISA ) 。RPE 能 dose-dependently 禁止 HBV-DNA 和 HBsAg 的生产。50% 抑制(IC50 ) 的集中在 209.63 点被计算， 252.53 渭 g /mL， respectivel y。然而，它对 HBeAg 表示的禁止的活动甚至在高集中是细微的。RPE 在 HepAD38 房间上有弱细胞毒素的效果(CC50 = 1 640 渭 g /mL ) 并且选择索引(SI ) 在 7.82 点被计算。与二 anthraquinone 衍生物 emodin 和 rhein 相比， RPE 显示出 anti-HBV 和更弱的 cytotoxicity 的更高的能力。那么感冒 palmatum L。可能拥有能有效地禁止 HBV-DNA 复制和 HBsAg 表示的另外的功能的代理人。他们改进功效并且减少的结构的活跃代理人，鉴定和修正的进一步的纯化 cytotoxicity 被要求。关键词肝炎 B 病毒(HBV )- 抗病毒 - 感冒 palmatum L.ethanol 摘录(RPE )- HepAD38 房间 CLC 数字 R373 同等地相应的作者。

Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activities of ethanol extracts of selected traditional Chinese medicinal herbs

Objective:To evaluate in ritro antimicrobial activities of selected 58 ethno-medicinal plant extracts with a view to assess their therapeutic potential.Methods:A total of 58 traditional Chinese medicinal plants were carefully selected based on the literature review and their traditional use.The antimicrobial activities of ethanol extracts of these medicinal plants were tested against fungi(Aspergillus funigaius),yeast(Candida albicans),gram-negative(Acirelobacter haumannii and Pseudornnruis aeruginosa)and gram-positive bacteria(Staphglococcus aureus).The activities were tested at three different concentrations of 1.00,0.10 and 0.01 mg/mL.The data was analysed using Gene data Screener program.Results:The measured antimicrobial activities indicated that out of the 58 plant extracts,15 extracts showed anti-fungal activity and 23 extracts exhibited anti-bacterial activity.Eight plant extracts have exhibited both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities.For instance,Eucommia ulmoides,Pohgonum cuspidcrtum,Poria cocas and Uncaria rhineophylla showed activity against both bacterial and fungal strains,indicating their broad spectrum of activity.Conclusions:The results revealed that the ethanol extracts of 30 plants out of the selected 58 possess significant antimicrobial activities.It is interesting to note that the findings from the current study are consistent with the traditional use.A clear correlation has also been found between the antimicrobial activity and the flavonoid content of the plant extracts which is in agreement with the literature.Hence.the results presented here can be used to guide the selection of potential plant species for the isolation and structure elucidation of novel antimicrobial compounds in order to establish the structure-activity relationship.This in turn is expected to lead the way to the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents for therapeutic use.

Evaluation of aqueous and ethanol extract of bioactive medicinal plant,Cassia didymobotrya(Fresenius)Irwin & Barneby against immature stages of filarial vector,Culex quinquefasciatus Say(Diptera:Culicidae)

Objective:To evaluate aqueous and ethanol extract of Cassia didymobotrya leaves against immature stages of Culex quinquefasciatus.Methods:The mortality rate of immature mosquitoes was tested in wide and narrow range concentration of the plant extract based on WHO standard protocol.The wide range concentration tested in the present study was 10 000,1 000,100,10 and1 mg/L and narrow range concentration was 50,100,150,200 and 250 mg/L.Results:2nd instar larvae exposed to 100 mg/L and above concentration of ethanol extract showed 100%mortality.Remaining stages such as 3rd,4th and pupa,100%mortality was observed at 1 000 mg/L and above concentration after 24 h exposure period.In aqueous extract all the stages 100%mortality was recorded at 1000 mg/L and above concentration.In narrow range concentration 2nd instar larvae 100%mortality was observed at 150 mg/L and above concentration of ethanol extract.The remaining stages 100%mortality was recorded at 250 mg/L.In aqueous extract all the tested immature stages 100%mortality was observed at 250 mg/L concentration after 24 h exposure period.The results clearly indicate that the rale of mortality was based dose of the plant extract and stage of the mosquitoes.Conclusions:From this study it is confirmed and concluded that Cassia didymobotrya is having active principle which is responsible for controlling Culex quinquefasciatus.The isolation of biouctive molecules and development of simple formulation technique is important for large scale implementation.

Effects of ethanol extract of leaves of Helianthus annus on the fecundity of Wistar rats

Objective:To evaluate the effects of ethanol extract of leaves of Helianthus annus(H.annus) on the fecundity of Wistar rats.Methods:Forty(20 male and 20 female) Wistar rats,grouped into control,ethanol extract treated rats and untreated,were used for the study.Treated rats had 0.5 g/kg of ethanol extract orally for 2 weeks;control rats had 5%alcoholic water(solvent);and untreated rats had their normal feed and clean drinking water.Following treatment,the animals were sub-grouped into 5 mating groups to observe the coital frequency,pregnancy rate and average number of pups per group in pairs.Results:The results showed that coital frequency was unaffected by the extract treatment but pregnancy rate and number of pups per rat and per group were reduced significantly in groupsⅡ,ⅢandⅣcompared to those of groupⅠandⅤrats which were not treated with the ethanol extract of leaves of H.annus.Conclusions:The histodegenerative in the gonads reportedly induced by this ethanol extract in previous studies may be responsible for the reduced fecundity observed in treated adult rats.

Removal of Lead Ions from Ginseng Ethanol Extracts by Dynamic Adsorption in a Fixed-bed Column

The removal of lead from ginseng ethanol extracts by a fixed-bed column filled with an adsorbent bearing amine and carboxyl groups was investigated. The Pb2+ content was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. When the flowrate increased from 0.12 to 0.34 ml·min-1 , the column exhibited a marked increase in percentage of lead removal from 54.9% to 92.3%. Further increase in the flowrate did not bring evident changes to the lead removal, whereas an increase in the temperature could reinforce adsorption further, suggesting that the adsorption process was controlled by external film diffusion below the flowrate of 0.34 ml·min-1 , and by the intraparticle pore diffusion of lead ions when the flowrate exceeded it. A low remaining lead amount in extracts such as 0.11 mg·kg-1 (extracts powder) was achieved. The adsorbents also adsorbed effective constituents to some extent. But 88% of constituents adsorbed were taken off using a 70% ethanol aqueous solution.

The antihyperglycemic effect of Bridelia ndellensis ethanol extract and its fractions is mediated by an insulinotropic action

Backgroung: Bridelia ndellensis (Euphorbiaceae) is used as a traditional plant treatment of diabetes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism involved in the antihyperglycemic effects of this plant. Methods: An intestinal perfusion technique was used to study the effect of the ethanol extract of B. ndellensis on the intestinal absorption of glucose in normal rats fasted for 36 h. The effect of the extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) on Insulin secretion was evaluated using BRIN-BD11 pancreatic cells. Results: In a perfused rat intestinal preparation in situ, the plant extract at a concentration of 5 mg/ml did not show any inhibitory effects on glucose absorption when compared with control animals. Ouabain which is an inhibitor of glucose transport across the small intestine significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the glucose absorption during the whole perfusion period compared with the control group. On the other hand, the plant extract inhibited the gastrointestinal motility induced by Barium sulphate milk in rats. The ethanol extract of B. ndellensis at concentrations of 50 and100mg/ml stimulated in a concentration-dependent manner the insulin secretion from BRIN-BD11 cells in vitro. The induction of insulin release was significantly different when compared to control with the concentration of 100 μg/ml (P < 0.001). Alanine (10 mM) used as positive control, significantly (p < 0.001) stimulated insulin release from BRIN-BD11 cells. Conclusion: The present study has revealed that B. ndellensis ethanol extract stimulates insulin secretion and does not affect the glucose absorption, and it has suggested that the antihyperglycemic effects of B. ndellensis is partly mediated by the stimulation of insulin secretion.

Effect of Ethanol Extract of Venenum Bufonis on Biofilm Formation of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>

Ethanol extract of Venenum Bufonis has shown many valuable bioactivities, but little is known about its effect on biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, biofilm formation of S. aureus NCTC8325 with or without ethanol extract of Venenum Bufonis was tested using microtitre plate assay and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) system. Results show that the biofilm formation of S. aureus with ethanol extract of Venenum Bufonis was significantly lower than that of the control group without ethanol extract of Venenum Bufonis. Meanwhile, the reduction degree was correlated to the concentration of ethanol extract of Venenum Bufonis positively. With CLSM system we can observe that looser and less biomass of the biofilm structure of the experimental group appeared than that of the control group. These results suggested that ethanol extract of Venenum Bufonis has inhibitory effect on biofilm formation of S. aureus.

Antibacterial,antioxidant and antiproliferation activities of essential oils and ethanolic extracts from Chinese mugwort(Artemisia vulgaris L.)leaf in Shanxi

Background:Artemisia vulgaris,a medicinal aromatic plant,is widely used as a food item,tonic pharmaceutical,and cosmetic industry additive owing to its antibacterial,antihypertensive,hepatoprotective,antioxidant,and antispasmodic properties.But the effect of different geographic locations on the chemical composition and bioactivities of its extracts is unclear.Methods:Biological activities of essential oils and ethanol extracts of three varieties of Artemisia vulgaris leaves,which are grown in Shanxi province China,were studied.Results:Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the main components of essential oils were terpenes and ketones.Essential oils and ethanol extract of Artemisia vulgaris leaves possessed good antioxidant activities,and their half maximal inhibitory concentrations determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate)assays were 57.0 and 22.9μg/mL,respectively.The essential oils also exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against three foodborne pathogenic bacterial strains.The ethanol extract presented a high anticancer activity against the MGC-803 human gastric cancer cell line.Conclusion:These biological activities were well correlated with the composition of the extract and EOs,which in turn is affected by the genetic composition of Artemisia vulgaris and geographic location and diverse climatic condition under which it is grown.These findings demonstrate the remarkable potential of Artemisia vulgaris as a valuable source of antioxidant,antibacterial,and anticancer agents.

Methanolic pomegranate dried peel extract improves cryopreserved semen quality and antioxidant capacity of rams

Objective:To select the appropriate concentrations of methanolic pomegranate extract supplemented in rams’semen extender for obtaining the best-cryopreserved semen quality.Methods:Tris-based semen extender was supplemented with 0.0,0.40,0.48,and 0.56 mg/mL pomegranate peel methanolic extract to extend semen collected from five native rams twice weekly for two months(n=80).Pooled(n=16)post-thaw semen characteristics were determined.Thawed seminal plasma of all supplemented and control groups were used to measure malondialdehyde(MDA),nitric oxide(NO),glutathione peroxidase(GPx),superoxide dismutase(SOD),ascorbic acid,zinc,copper,total cholesterol,low-density lipoproteins(LDL),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),and alkaline phosphatase(ALP).Results:The supplementation of Tris-based semen extender with 0.48 mg/mL semen extender resulted in the highest post-thaw sperm total motility(P<0.001),sperm progressive motility(P<0.001),live sperm(P<0.001),sperm plasma membrane integrity(P<0.001),acrosome integrity(P<0.001),SOD(P<0.05),zinc(P<0.001),total cholesterol(P<0.001),and LDL(P<0.001)with the lowest percentage of abnormal sperm morphology(P<0.001),the lowest lipid peroxidation(MDA,P<0.01),ascorbic acid(P>0.05),and LDH(P>0.05).Conclusions:Pomegranate peel methanolic extract 0.48 mg/mL supplemented to Tris-based semen extender of rams is the best enrichment in preserving the sperm post-thaw characteristics via improving biochemical profiles and antioxidant capacity.

Ethanolic extract of Abrus precatorius leaves protected against mercury chloride-induced hepatocellular damage and cerebral Na+/K+-ATPase dysfunction in wistar rats

Plants are sources of medicinal compounds,and they play a crucial role in human health maintenance.Abrus precatorius is one of the important medicinal plants that have been alleged for their medicinal properties.This research unraveled the pharmacological effect of ethanolic extract of Abrus precatorius on lipid peroxidation,liver parameters,and Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase activity in HgCl_(2) treated wistar rats.Twenty-four(24)albino wistar rats weighing between 150-200 g were distributed into four groups of 6 animals each.Group A(control)received normal saline(0.9% NaCl),group B received 400 mg/kg of the extract only,group C received 4 mg/kg HgCl_(2) only,and group D received 400 mg/kg of extract+4 mg/kg of HgCl_(2).The treatment lasted for two weeks,and the animals were sacrificed on the 15th day.The blood,brains and livers were collected and used for assay of lipid peroxidation,liver function,and sodium pump activity.The results of liver function test revealed an elevated(P<0.05)level of serum aspartate transaminase,alanine transaminase,alkaline phosphatase,and total bilirubin in the group that received HgCl_(2) only(group C)when compared with the normal control(group A)that received normal saline only.However,the administration of extract in group D led to a marked(P<0.05)reduction in the activities of these enzymes and the level of total bilirubin when compared to the negative control(group C).On the contrary,HgCl_(2) caused a significant(P<0.05)reduction in serum total protein and albumin levels,but the extract reversed the effect of HgCl_(2) by elevating their concentrations.Nonetheless,the effect elicited by this extract is comparable to group A which received normal saline.Moreso,the result of lipid peroxidation revealed that HgCl_(2) treatment caused a marked(P<0.05)increase in the formation of lipid peroxidation adducts in both liver and brain homogenates in group C.On the contrary,administration of Abrus precatorius extract profoundly(P<0.05)inhibited HgCl_(2)-induced lipid peroxidation in group D.In addition,HgCl_(2) inhibited the activity of cerebral Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase,but the extract restored normalcy by increasing the activity of the enzyme in group D.Consequently,the results obtained justify the traditional use of Abrus precatorius and suggest that Abrus precatorius leaves may be used for management of liver diseases,oxidative stress-linked diseases and some neurodegenerative ailments.

Exploring the Protective Effect of the Ethanolic Extract of Rosa laevigata Michx.Fruit on Rats with Mesangial Proliferative Glomerulonephritis Based on NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway

Objective:To investigate the effect of the ethanolic extract of Rosa laevigata Michx.fruit on rats with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis based on the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.Methods:Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups,a blank control group,a diabetic nephropathy(DN)model group,and an ethanolic extract intervention group,according to the random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.One day before the experiment,basic feeding was initiated for all the rats;the changes in activity and weight of each group of rats were observed and recorded after 7 d,and a rat model of renal function injury was established after 1 d.Results:Compared with the control group,the model group had significantly higher kidney/body ratio,24 h urine protein,serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),glomerular mesangial cell(GMC)count,and extracellular matrix(ECM)positive area ratio(P<0.05);the same indicators were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the model group(P<0.05).The NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in renal intrinsic cells was activated in the intervention group.The overactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome is known to promote interleukin(IL)-1βrelease,which was inhibited in the intervention group.Conclusion:The ethanolic extract of Rosa laevigata Michx.fruit has a protective effect on renal intrinsic cells and may be related to NLRP3 inflammasome pathway,suggesting that the fruit of Rosa laevigata Michx.has a potential role in protecting renal intrinsic cells from inflammatory damage.NLRP3 inflammasomes are involved in the development of various chronic inflammatory diseases,such as acute and chronic glomerulonephritis and renal fibrosis.

The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Cheongseoikki-Tang Ethanol Extract on Allergic Reactions Mediated by Bone Marrow-Derived Mast Cells

Objective： Cheongseoikki-tang （CIT, Korean）, also called Qingshu Yiqi decoction（清署益气汤）and Seisho-ekki-to （Japanese）, is well known as an effective traditional combination of herbs for treating cardiovascular diseases. This study was to research its effects on bone marrow-derived mast cell （BMMC）-mediated allergy and inflammation mechanisms. Methods： In this study, the biological effect of Cheongseoikki-tang ethanol extract （CITE） was evaluated, focusing on its effects on the production of allergic mediators by phorbol 12-myfistate 13-acetate （PMA） plus calcium ionophore A23187 （A23187）-stimulated BMMCs. These allergic mediators included intedeukin-6 （IL-6）, prostaglandin D2 （PGD2）, leukotfiene （34 （LTC4）, and β-hexosaminidase （13-hex）. Results： Our data revealed that CITE inhibited the production of IL-6, PGD2,/TC4, and 15-hex induced by PMA plus A23187 （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： These findings indicate that CITE has the potential for use in the treatment of allergy.

Anti-allergic effects of ethanol extracts from brown seaweeds

Ethanol extracts of brown seaweeds from Pakistan and China were isolated and compared for their antiallergenic activities. They included Sargassum tennerimum (ST) and Sargassum cervicorne (SC) from Pakistan, and Sargassum gramini- folium turn (SG), Sargassum thunbergii (STH), and Laminaria japonica (LJ) from China. The ethanol extracts of these brown seaweeds were optimized at 85% (v/v) ethanol for the maximum yield of phlorotannin, an inhibitor against hyaluronidase. Total phlorotannins contained in the crude extracts were measured as 1.71% (SG), 0.74% (STH), 0.97% (LJ), 3.30% (SC), and 5.06% (ST). The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of Pakistani SC and ST were 109.5 and 21 μg/ml, respectively, lower than those of Chinese SG, STH, and LJ (134, 269, and 148 μg/ml, respectively). An antiallergic drug, disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), had an IC50=39 μg/ml, and a natural inhibitor of hyaluronidase, catechin, had an IC50=20 μg/ml. The IC50 of ST extract was found similar to that of catechin (21 vs 20 μg/ml) and lower than that of DSCG (21 vs 39 μg/ml). This suggests that ST is a potent inhibitor of hyaluronidase, indicating a promising future development of natural antiallergic medicines or functional foods.