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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Total Saponins of Panax notoginseng Activate Akt/mTOR Pathway and Exhibit Neuroprotection in vitro and in vivo against Ischemic Damage

Objective:To reveal the neuroprotective effect and the underlying mechanisms of a mixture of the main components of Panax notoginseng saponins(TSPN)on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and oxygenglucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R)of cultured cortical neurons.Methods:The neuroprotective effect of TSPN was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay,flow cytometry and live/dead cell assays.The morphology of dendrites was detected by immunofluorescence.Middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)was developed in rats as a model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.The neuroprotective effect of TSPN was evaluated by neurological scoring,tail suspension test,2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)and Nissl stainings.Western blot analysis,immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to measure the changes in the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway.Results:MTT showed that TSPN(50,25 and 12.5μg/m L)protected cortical neurons after OGD/R treatment(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Flow cytometry and live/dead cell assays indicated that 25μg/m L TSPN decreased neuronal apoptosis(P<0.05),and immunofluorescence showed that 25μg/m L TSPN restored the dendritic morphology of damaged neurons(P<0.05).Moreover,12.5μg/m L TSPN downregulated the expression of Beclin-1,Cleaved-caspase 3 and LC3 B-Ⅱ/LC3 B-Ⅰ,and upregulated the levels of phosphorylated(p)-Akt and p-mTOR(P<0.01 or P<0.05).In the MCAO model,50μg/m L TSPN improved defective neurological behavior and reduced infarct volume(P<0.05).Moreover,the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 B in cerebral ischemic penumbra was downregulated after 50μg/m L TSPN treatment,whereas the p-mTOR level was upregulated(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusions:TSPN promoted neuronal survival and protected dendrite integrity after OGD/R and had a potential therapeutic effect by alleviating neurological deficits and reversing neuronal loss.TSPN promoted p-mTOR and inhibited Beclin-1 to alleviate ischemic damage,which may be the mechanism that underlies the neuroprotective activity of TSPN.

Chemical constituents from acid hydrolyzates of Panax quinquefolius total saponins and their inhibition activity to α-glycosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B

Objective:To investigate the hypoglycemic components from the acid hydrolyzates of Panax quinquefolius total saponins,and screen the active compounds by in vitro inhibitory activities toα-glycosidase enzymes and protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 B(PTP1 B).Methods:The hydrolyzates were chromatographed repeatedly over silica gel column,and the structures of the compounds were determined by means of NMR.The in vitro bioassay was performed through the inhibitory effects onα-glucosidase or/and PTP1 B.Results:Eight compounds were isolated,which identified as 20(S)-panaxadiol(1),(20 S,24 R)-dammarane-20,24-epoxy-3β,6α,12β,25-tetraol(2),20(R)-dammarane-3β,12β,20,25-tetraol(3),20(S)-dammarane-3β,6α,12β,20,25-pentol(4),20(R)-dammarane-3β,12β,20,25-tetrahydroxy-3β-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(5),β-sitosterol(6),oleanolic acid(7)and 20(S)-protopanaxadiol(8).Compound 5 was ginseng triterpenoid isolated from the acid hydrolysates of total saponins from P.quinquefolius for the first time.In this paper,the possible in vitro inhibitory activities were investigated.Compound 5 exhibited significantly inhibitory activity againstα-glucosidase,and the IC50 value[(0.22±0.21)μmol/L]was about 43-fold lower than positive control.For the PTP1 B inhibition assay,compound 5 indicated the strongest inhibitory effect with IC50 of(5.91±0.38)μmol/L,followed by compound 4 with IC50 of(6.21±0.21)μmol/L,which were all showed competitive inhibitory pattern by using a Lineweaver-Burk plot.Conclusion:These results supported the potential application of dammaranes from acid hydrolyzates of P.quinquefolius total saponins can be used as ingredients of ancillary anti-diabetic agent or functional factor.

Total Saponins of Rubus Parvifolius L.Exhibited Anti-Leukemia Effect in vivo through STAT3 and eIF4E Signaling Pathways

Objective： To investigate the anti-leukemia effect of total saponins of Rubus parvifo/ius L. （TSRP） on K562 cell xenografts in nude mice and the mechanisms of action. Methods： The K562 cell xenografts in nude mice were established, and then randomly divided into 5 groups, the control group, the cytosine arabinoside group（Am-c） and 3 TSRP groups （20, 40 and 100 mg/kg）. The tumor volume and mass of each group of nude mice were measured and the anti-tumor rates of TSRP were calculated subsequently. The apoptosis status of tumor cells was detected by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase （TdT）-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） staining analysis. Finally, the activities of apoptosis related signaling of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E （eIF4E） and B-cell lymphoma-2 （bcl-2） were determined with immunohistochemistry tests. Results： Subcutaneous injection of K562 cells induced tumor formation in nude mice, and the TSRP treated group showed a significant inhibitory effect on tumor formation. The nude mice treated with TSRP showed a significant decrease in tumor growth rate and tumor weight in comparison to the control group （all P〈0.05）. The HE staining and TUNEL assay showed that TSRP induced cell death by apoptosis. The immunohistochemical assay showed down-regulation of the bcl-2 gene in the TSRP treated cells. The phosphorylation levels of elF4E and STAT3 were decreased obviously after the treatment of TSRP. Conclusion： TSRP had an excellent tumor-suppressing effect on K562 cells in the nude mice xenograft model, suggesting that TSPR can be developed as a promising anti-chronic myeloide leukemia drug.

A mathematical model for quality evaluation of total saponins of Panax japonicas based on hypolipidemic activity

Objective: The chemical finger printing-based methods for evaluating TCMs quality can report partial of TCMs quality without linking to effective constituents. In this study, a mathematical model was established for the quality evaluation of total saponins of Panax japonicus(TSPJ), a folk medicine in China and Japan for treating diseases, through coupling the dynamic changes of chemical constitutions with corresponding activities.Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints were applied to establish the chromatographic database of TSPJ. The associated hypolipidemic activity database was determined by TG assay using Hep G2 cell model. Correlation analyses of two databases were performed by partial least squares(PLS) for calculating regression coefficients, and the interval value of YZL value(the ratio of positive and negative peak-to-peak area coefficient) closely related to hypolipidemic activity was refined by the formula of Norminv function to value the quality of TSPJ.Results: In this study, the chromatographic data of 16 common peaks were obtained from 20 batches of TSPJ. After the estimate by this mathematical evaluation model, seven peaks were positively correlated with hypolipidemic activity, and nine peaks were negatively correlated with hypolipidemic activity.When the YZL value was less than 0.7861, the quality of sample was inferior, while YZL value was more than 6.6992, and the quality of samples was superior. The quality of another ten batches of TSPJ was further assessed to verify this method.Conclusion: These results indicated that the established model could be usefully applied to evaluate the quality of TSPJ in the hypolipidemic activity.

The Effects of Total Saponins of Panax Ginseng on Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells in Healthy Humans and Aplastic Anemia Patients

Ginseng is said to have beneficial effects on anemia. The proliferation effects of totalsaponins of Panax ginseng (TSPG) on hematopoietic progenitor cell in healthy individuals and 29 patientswith aplastic anemia (AA) were observed through bone marrow cultures of burst forming unit-erythroid(BFU-E) , colony forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) and colony forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) in vitrcacompared with methyltestosterone (MT). The results suggest TSPG might prompt the prolif-eration of normal progenitor cellS at a concentration of 20 g/ml. The numbers of BFU-E ,CFU-E and CFU-GM increased by 37. 8±2.9 % , 31. 4±2. 9 % and 33. 3± 4. 0 % respectively over the controls ; further-more TSPG was still useful to BFU-E,CFU-E growth without Epo in vitro, although the colony nurnberswere much lower. Otherwise MT was useless to CFUGM. Of the 29 patients with AA, 14 who respondedto MT showed sensitivity to TSPG in marrow culture (the rising rate of colony formation exceeded 30 % ) ,but immune-mediated AA (patient's peripheral blood mononucleated cell suppressed normalhematopoiesis) and stem cell decreased AA (few of colonies were formed) showed almost no expressionfor TSPG activity because of the immunological suppression system and the absence of progenitors.

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 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.

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.