Anti-tumor effect of bufalin on the orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice

Objective: To investigate anti-tumor effect of bufalin on the orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice. Methods: BEL-7402 cells of human hepatocellular carcinoma were inoculated to form subcutaneous tumors in nude mice by subcutaneous injection. Then the subcutaneous tumors were implanted into the liver of nude mice, and the orthotopic transplantation tumor models of human hepatocellular carcinoma were established. Seventy-five models were randomized into 5 groups ( n = 15) . Bufalin was injected intraperitoneally into the 3 groups at dose of 1.5,1 and 0.5 mg/kg for day 15 - 24, respectively. NS group were injected equal volume saline as above and adriamycin were injected intraperitoneally into ADM group at dose of 8.0 mg/kg for day 15. Ten mice in each group were killed at day 25 and detected on morphological and ultrastructural changes in myocardium, brain, liver, kidney and tumor tissues by pathology and electron microscope. The survival time in each group were observed. Results: The tumor volumes in each group of bufalin were reduced significantly compared with NS group (P < 0.01), the survival time were prolonged in group Bu 1 and Bu 2 compared with NS group ( P < 0.05), and tumor tissues were mainly necrosis in severe or moderate degree in Bu 1, Bu 2 groups, and mild degree or moderate degree in Bu 3 group. No morphological changes were detected in myocardium, brain, liver and kidney tissues, respectively. Apoptotic characteristics could be seen in tumor tissues of group Bu 1 and group Bu 2. Conclusion: Bufalin has significant anti-tumor effects on the orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice without marked toxicity. To guide cell apoptosis may be one of its anti-tumor mechanism of bufalin.

Clinical observation on effect of scalp electroacupuncture for mild cognitive impairment

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of scalp electroacupuncture for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the early stage. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty three MCI patients were randomly divided into three groups: the drug group, the scalp electroacupuncture group, and the syndrome differentiation group. For the scalp electroacupuncture group, the points of Baihui (DU 20), Sishecong (EX-HN1), Fengchi (GB 20), and Shenting (DU 24) were selected. For the syndrome differentiation group, specific acupoints were added on the basis of syndrome differentiation and according to the scale for the differentiation of syndromes in vascular dementia (SDSVD) beside the acupoints used in the scalp electroacupuncture group. For the drug group, nimodipine was orally administered. Each patient was treated for two courses, eight weeks. The score differences in minimental state examination (MMSE), picture recognition, and clock drawing test were observed before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the score differences in MMSE and clock drawing test were of obvious statistical significance among three groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The score differences in picture recognition were of extremely statistical significance between the scalp electroacupuncture group and the syndrome differentiation group (P<0.01), while the difference was not found in the drug group (P>0.05). There were statistical significant differences in therapeutic effects between the scalp electroacupuncture group and the drug group, and between the syndrome differentiation group and the drug group (P<0.05), while no statistical difference was found between scalp electroacupuncture group and the syndrome differentiation group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: All the three therapies may improve the cognitive function of MCI patients. The therapeutic effects in the scalp electroacupuncture and syndrome differentiation groups were basically the same, but superior to nimodipine.

Protective effect of Shouwu Yizhi decoction against vascular dementia by promoting angiogenesis

Shouwu is a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)with neuroprotective effect.Shouwu Yizhi decoction(SYD)was designed based on TCM theory.However,little is known about the roles of SYD in Vascular dementia(Va D).The present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of SYD on the vascular cognitive impairment and explore the underlying mechanism by establishing focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)rat model to induce Va D.SYD administration(54 mg·kg^(-1))for 40 days obviously improved the vascular cognitive impairment in the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)rats as evidenced by the declined neurological deficit score and shortened escape latency via neurological deficit assessment and Morris water maze test.Moreover,SYD decreased neuron damage-induced cell death and ameliorated the ultrastructure of endothelial cells in the MCAO rats,thereby alleviating Va D.Mechanistically,SYD caused increases in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),CD34 and CD31,compared with the MCAO rats in coronal hippocampus.Simultaneously,the expression level of mi R-210 was elevated significantly after SYD administration,compared with the vehicle rats(P<0.01).The expression of Notch 4 at both m RNA and protein levels was upregulated remarkably along with the notably downregulated DLL4 expression under SYD administration compared with the vehicle rats(P<0.05).Overall,the above results indicated that SYD promoted angiogenesis by upregulating VEGF-induced mi R210 expression to activate Notch pathway,and further alleviated neuron damage and ameliorated the ultrastructure of endothelial cells in the MCAO rats,ultimately enhancing the cognition and memory of MCAO rats.Therefore,our findings preliminarily identified the effect and the mechanism of action for SYD on Va D in rats.SYD could be a potential candidate in treatment of Va D.