The protoplast two-way fusions and fusant characteristics of Antrodia cinnamomea and Cordyceps militaris

This study generated two fused protoplasts of Antrodia cinnamomea and Cordyceps militaris in two ways.The protoplasts of A.cinnamomea were inactivated by heat to inactivate biochemical processes and enzymatic activities in the cytoplasm,and the protoplasts of C.militaris were inactivated by UV radiation to invalidate their genome function,then they were fused under optimal conditions to get a fusion rate as(7.42±0.8)×10^(-6) fusants/mL;the new fusants were abbreviated as Ac-Cm.On the other hand,when A.cinnamomea and C.militaris were treated with heat and UV oppositely using similar experiments,the fusion rate was(9.70±0.68)×10^(-5) fusants/mL,and the new fusants were abbreviated as Cm-Ac.We selected each of two best-growing fused colonies Ac-Cm-1,Ac-Cm-2,Cm-Ac-1,and Cm-Ac-2,together with parental A.cinnamomea and C.militaris,and studied their morphology,growth antagonism tests,and genetic relationships by 18 S rRNA sequencing.In comparison with the initial cultures of 4 fusants,the yields of adenosine,biomass,cordycepic acid,cordycepin,total polysaccharide,and total triterpenoids were increased up 1.305-50.1563 times in the optimal medium conditions.For gene stability tests,those of the four fusants and their outputs were stabilized within 10 generations.

Recent advances of cluster of differentiation 74 in cancer

Cluster of differentiation 74(CD74) performs multiple roles in B cells,T cells,and antigen-presenting cells within the immune system; it also participates in major histocompatibility complex class Ⅱ-restricted antigen presentation and inflammation. Recently,a role for CD74 in carcinogenesis has been described. CD74 promotes cell proliferation and motility and prevents cell death in a macrophage migration inhibitory factordependent manner. Its roles as an accessory signal receptor on the cell surface and the ability to interact with other signaling molecules make CD74 an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. This review focuses on the original role of CD74 in the immune system and its emerging tumor-related functions. First,the structure of CD74 will be summarized. Second,the current understandings about the expression,cellular localization,molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of CD74 in immunity and cancerwill be reviewed. Third,the examples that suggest CD74 is a promising molecular therapeutic target are reviewed and discussed. Although the safety and efficacy of CD74-targeted strategies are under development,deeply understanding of the regulation of CD74 will hold promise for the use of CD74 as a therapeutic target and may develop the CD74-targeted therapeutic agents such as neutralized antibody and compounds.

Acupuncture and neuroregeneration in ischemic stroke

Acupuncture is potentially beneficial for post-stroke rehabilitation and is considered a promising preventive strategy for stroke.Electroacupuncture pretreatment or treatment after ischemic stroke by using appropriate electroacupuncture parameters generates neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects that increase cerebral blood flow,regulate oxidative stress,attenuate glutamate excitotoxicity,maintain bloodbrain barrier integrity,inhibit apoptosis,increase growth factor production,and induce cerebral ischemic tolerance.

Schizandra arisanensis extract attenuates cytokine-mediated cytotoxicity in insulin-secreting cells

AIM: To explore the bioactivity of an ethanolic extract of Schizandra arisanensis (SA-Et) and isolated constituents against interleukin-1 β and interferon-γ-mediated β cell death and abolition of insulin secretion. METHODS: By employing BRIN-BD11 cells, the effects of SA-Et administration on cytokine-mediated cell death and abolition of insulin secretion were evaluated by a viability assay, cell cycle analysis, and insulin assay. The associated gene and protein expressions were also measured. In addition, the bioactivities of several peak compounds collected from the SA-Et were tested against cytokine-mediated β cell death.RESULTS: Our Results revealed that SA-Et dose-dependently ameliorated cytokine-mediated β cell death and apoptosis. Instead of suppressing inducible nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide cascade or p38MAPK activity, suppression of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activity appeared to be the target for SA-Et against the cytokine mix. In addition, SA-Et provided some insulinotropic effects which re-activated the abolished insulin exocytosis in cytokine-treated BRIN-BD11 cells. Finally, schiarisanrin A and B isolated from the SA-Et showed a dose-dependent protective effect against cytokine-mediated β cell death. CONCLUSION: This is the first report on SA-Et ameliorating cytokine-mediated β cell death and dysfunction via anti-apoptotic and insulinotropic actions.

Induction of Apoptosis in Human Hep3B Hepatoma Cells by Norcantharidin through a p53 Independent Pathway via TRAIL/DR5 Signal Transduction

Objective： To investigate the inhibitory activities of norcantharidin （NCTD）, a demethylated analogue of cantharidin, on Hep3B cells （a human hepatoma cell line） with deficiency of p53. Methods： The survival rate of the Hep3B cells after treating with NCTD was measured by MTT assay. Cell cycle of treated cells was analyzed by flow cytometry, and DNA fragmentation was observed by electrophoresis. The influence of inhibitors for various caspases and anti-death receptors antibodies on the NCTD-induced apoptosis in the cells was determined. Results： NCTD treatment resulted in growth inhibition of Hep3B cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis of the cells after treatment with NCTD for 48 h shows that NCTD induced G2M phase arrest occursat low concentration （≤25 μ mol/L） but G0G1 phase arrest at high concentration （50 μ mol/L）. The addition of both caspase-3 and caspase-10 inhibitors completely inhibited DNA fragmentation. Addition of anti-TRAIL/DR5 antibody significantly inhibited DNA fragmentation. Conclusion： NCTD may inhibit the proliferation of Hep3B cells by arresting cell cycle at G2M or G0G1 phase, and induce cells apoptosis via TRAIL/DR5 signal transduction through activation of caspase-3 and caspase-10 by a p53-independent pathway,

Efficacy and safety of Xinfeng capsule in the treatment of osteoarthritis:a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xinfeng capsule(XFC) in patients with osteoarthritis(OA).METHODS: This was a multicenter, double-blinded,randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Patients with OA were assigned to the XFC group [treated with XFC and a glucosamine(GS) placebo, n = 129] or the GS group(treated with GS and an XFC placebo,n = 126). Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was the difference between the two groups in the Western Ontario and Mc Master Universities OA(WOMAC) index total score at 4 th week. The secondary endpoints were the visual analogue scale for pain, Lequesne index, function influence index rating, quality of life as assessed by the Short Form-36, erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and C-reactive protein concentration at baseline and at second week and 4 th week. Bone mineral density were checked by X ray absorptiometry at baseline and 4 th week.RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, all patients in both groups showed similar significant improvements compared with baseline. There were no significant differences between groups regarding pain relief, bilateral femoral bone mineral density, and laboratory indices such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein concentration.Both groups had a significantly lower function influence index rating score and curative effect for each sign/symptom in week 4 than in week 0, and these changes did not significantly differ between groups. XFC was superior to GS in improving the WOMAC index total score, WOMAC scores for function and stiffness, integrated symptoms, physiological function, energy, emotional function, mental health, and health changes. Fourteen adverse reactions were reported, and the incidence of adverse reactions did not significantly differ between groups. The most common adverse reactions were hepatic impairment, kidney functional damage,gastrectasia, and facial skin allergy. The types of adverse reactions did not differ between groups.CONCLUSION: XFC is effective and safe in the treatment of OA. XFC was superior to GS in improving the WOMAC index total score, WOMAC scores for pain, stiffness, and function, visual analogue scale for pain, Lequesne index, and Short Form-36 quality of life.

Efficacy of Frankincense and Myrrha in Treatment of Acute Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of frankincense and myrrha in the treatment of acute interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome(IC/PBS).Methods:The effects of frankincense and myrrha on the proliferation and migration of primary human urothelial cells(HUCs)were assessed in vitro.In the animal study,48 virgin female rats were randomized into 4 groups(12 in each group):(1)control group(saline-injected control);(2)cyclophosphamide(CYP)group(intraperitoneal injected 150 mg/kg CYP);(3)CYP+pentosan polysulfate sodium group(orally received 50 mg/kg pentosan polysulfate sodium);and(4)CYP+frankincense and myrrha group[orally received frankincense(200 mg/kg)and myrrha(200 mg/kg)].Rats orally received pentosan polysulfate sodium or frankincense and myrrha on day 1,2,and 3.The experiments were performed on day 4.Pain and cystometry assessment behavior test were performed.Voiding interval values were assessed in rats under anesthesia.Finally,immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to confirm the location and level,respectively,of cell junction-associated protein zonula occludens-2(ZO-2)expression.Results:Low dose frankincense and myrrha increased cell proliferation and migration in HUCs compared with control(P<0.05).Rats with acute IC/PBS rats exhibited lower voiding interval values,pain tolerance,and ZO-2 expression(P<0.05).Voiding interval values and pain tolerance were higher in the frankincense and myrrha group than CYP group(P<0.05).ZO-2 expression in the bladder was increased in the CYP+pentosan polysulfate and frankincense+myrrha groups compared with the CYP-induced acute IC/PBS group(P<0.05).Conclusion:frankincense and myrrha modulate urothelial wound healing,which ameliorates typical features of acute IC/PBS in rats.

No Additional Cholesterol-Lowering Effect Observed in the Combined Treatment of Red Yeast Rice and Lactobacillus Casei in Hyperlipidemic Patients：A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective：To observe the effect of combining red yeast rice and Lactobacillus casei（L.casei）in lowering cholesterol in patients with primary hyperlipidemia,the later has also been shown to remove cholesterol in in vitro studies.Methods：A double-blind clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the cholesterol-lowering effect of the combination of red yeast rice and L.casei.Sixty patients with primary hyperlipidemia were recruited and randomized equal y to either the treatment group（red yeast rice＋L.casei）or the control group（red yeast rice＋placebo）.One red yeast rice capsule and two L.casei capsules were taken twice a day.The treatment lasted for 8 weeks,with an extended follow-up period of 4 weeks.The primary endpoint was a difference of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol（LDL-C）level at week 8.Results：At week 8,the LDL-C serum level in both groups was lower than that at baseline,with a decrease of 33.85±26.66 mg/dL in the treatment group and 38.11±30.90 mg/dL in the control group;however,there was no statistical difference between the two groups（P〉0.05）.The total cholesterol was also lower than the baseline in both groups,yet without a statistical difference between the two groups.The only statistical y significant difference between the two groups was the average diastolic pressure at week 12,which dropped by 2.67 mm Hg in the treatment group and increased by 4.43 mm Hg in the placebo group（P〈0.05）.The antihypertensive activity may be associated with L.casei.Red yeast rice can significantly reduce LDL-C,total cholesterol and triglyceride.Conclusion：The combination of red yeast rice and L.casei did not have an additional effect on lipid profiles.