Activation of endogenous neural stem cells in experimental intracerebral hemorrhagic rat brains

Background Many researchers suggest that adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is incapable of completing self-repair or regeneration. And there are accumulating lines of evidence which suggest that endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) are activated in many pathological conditions, including stroke in the past decades, which might partly account for rehabilitation afterwards. In this study, we investigated whether there was endogenous neural stem cell activation in intracerebral hemorrhagic (ICH) rat brains.Methods After ICH induction by stereotactical injection of collagenase type Ⅶ into globus pallidus, 5-Bromo-2 Deoxyuridine (BrdU) was administered intraperitoneally to label newborn cells. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect Nestin, a marker for neural stem cells, and BrdU.Results Nestin-positive or BrdU-Labeled cells were predominantly located at 2 sites: basal ganglion around hemotoma, ependyma and nearby subventricular zone (SVZ). No positive cells for the 2 markers were found in the 2 sites of normal control group and sham group, as well as in non-leisoned parenchyma, both hippocampi and olfactory bulbs in the 4 groups. Nestin+ cells presented 4 types of morphology, and BrdU+ nucleus were polymorphologic. Postive cell counting around hemotoma showed that at day 2, Nestin+ cells were seen around hemotoma in model group , the number of which increased at day 4, day 7(P<0.01), peaked at day 14(P<0.05), and reduced significantly by day 28(P<0.01).Conclusion Endogenous neural stem cells were activated in experimental intracerebral hemorrhagic rat brains.

Celastrus Orbiculatus Extract Inhibits Tumor Angiogenesis by Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling Pathway and Shows Potent Antitumor Activity in Hepatocarcinomas in Vitro and in Vivo

Objective： Ce/astrus orbicu/atus Thunb. has been used for thousands of years in China as a remedy against cancer and inflammatory diseases. This study aims to investigate whether C. orbiculatus extract （COE） could inhibit angiogenesis, which is the pivotal step in tumor growth, invasiveness, and metastasis. Methods： In this study, the extract from the stem of C. orbiculatus was used. Mouse hepatic carcinoma cells （Hepat-6） were treated with COE in different nontoxic concentrations （10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 μg/mL）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blot, respectively; the active fractions were further tested on C57BL/6 mice and human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVEC） for any antiangiogenic effects. Results： COE significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in Hepal-6 cells and inhibited VEGF expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, this agent inhibited the formation of the capillary-like structure in primary cultured HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, COE significantly reduced the volume and weight of solid tumors with low adverse effects and decreased tumor angiogenesis. Conclusions： In summary, COE could be used to treat hepatic carcinoma. The mechanisms of the antitumor activity of COE may be due to its effects against tumor angiogenesis by targeting the VEGF protein.

Effect of allogeneic umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in a rat model of hepatic cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell(UCMSC) transplantation, alone or in combination with tanshinone IIA(Tan IIA) on hepatic cirrhosis in rats.METHODS: A rat model of cirrhosis was established. Rats were divided into control, UCMSC, and UCSMC plus Tan IIA groups. Rats in the UCMSC group were injected via the tail vein with 0.2 m L Di I-labeled UCMSC suspension. Intraperitoneal Tan IIA injections(20 mg/kg) were started on the day ofUCMSC transplantation in the UCMSC plus Tan IIA group, and continued for 7 consecutive days thereafter. Rats were sacrificed 1 day, 3 days, 1 month,and 3 months after transplantation and the numbers of Di I-labeled UCMSCs colonizing the liver were determined. Albumin(ALB) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) levels were measured in venous blood, and m RNA and protein expression levels of human ALB and cytokeratin(CK)-18 in liver tissues were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively.RESULTS: Serum ALT levels were significantly lower and serum ALB levels significantly higher in rats in the UCMSC group compared with the control group(P < 0.05). Hepatic CK-18 and ALB m RNA and protein expression levels increased after transplantation, and were significantly higher in the UCMSC plus Tan IIA group compared with the UCMSC group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Human UCMSCs transplanted into rats with liver cirrhosis can grow and differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells resulting in improved liver function in vivo. Tan IIA further influenced transplantation outcomes.

Extracts of Celastrus Orbiculatus Inhibit Cancer Metastasis by Down-regulating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hypoxia-Induced Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Celastrus Orbiculatus extracts(COE) on metastasis in hypoxiainduced hepatocellular carcinoma cells(Hep G2) and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods:The effect of COE(160, 200 and 240 μg/mL) on cell viability, scratch-wound, invasion and migration were studied by 3-4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT), scratch-wound and transwell assays, respectively. Co Cl2 was used to establish a hypoxia model in vitro. Effects of COE on the expressions of E-cadherin, vimentin and N-cadherin were investigated with Western blot and immuno?uorescence analysis,respectively. Results: COE inhibited proliferation and metastasis of hypoxia-induced hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.01). Furthermore, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) related markers were also remarkably suppressed in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.01). In addition, the upstream signaling pathways, including the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(Hif-1α) and Twist1 were suppressed by COE. Additionally, the Hif-1α inhibitor 3-5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole(YC-1), potently suppressed cell invasion and migration as well as expression of EMT in hypoxia-induced Hep G2 cells. Similarly, the combined treatment with COE and YC-1 showed a synergistic effect(P<0.01) compared with the treatment with COE or YC-1 alone in hypoxia-induced Hep G2 cells. Conclusions: COE signi?cantly inhibited the tumor metastasis and EMT by suppressing Hif-1α/Twist1 signaling pathway in hypoxia-induced Hep G2 cell. Thus, COE might have potential effect to inhibit the progression of Hep G2 in the context of tumor hypoxia.

Celastrus orbiculatus extract induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the apoptotic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of Celastrus orbiculatus(C.orbiculatus) extract in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.METHODS:Human hepatocellular carcinoma cells(HCCLM6) were treated with C.orbiculatus extract(COE) at different nontoxic concentrations(10,20,40,80,and 160 μg/mL).The effect of COE on HC-CLM6 viability was examined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assays.Cellular apoptosis following COE treatment was assessed by flow cytometry and western blot analysis.RESULTS:COE significantly inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis of HCCLM6 cells in a dose-dependent manner.Apoptosis was accompanied by increased Bax expression and decreased Bcl-2 expression.In addition,COE treatment led to the release of cytochrome c,activation of caspase-3,and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP).Furthermore,activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),p38 kinase,and c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) phosphorylation,and down-regulation of Akt phosphorylation was observed.CONCLUSION:COE induces mitochondrial-mediated,caspase-dependent apoptosis in HCCLM6 cells,which might be attributed to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) and inhibition of Akt signaling pathways.These data suggest that COE may be a potential treatment for human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Celastrus orbiculatus Extracts Inhibit Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth by Targeting mTOR Signaling Pathways

Objective:To characterize the molecular mechanism underlying the antineoplastic activity of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.extracts(COE).Methods:The human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells with mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)knockdown expressed(HepG2/mTOR-)were constructed using molecular biological technology.In vitro,the HepG2/mTOR-cells were treated with COE at various concentrations(10,20,40,80,160 and 320μg/mL).Cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)assays.According to the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)value(140 mg/L),the concentrations of COE in the subsequent experiment was set to alleviate cytotoxicity.The HepG2/mTOR-cells were divided into 5 groups:negative control(untreated),COE treatment groups(40,80,120 mg/L COE)and positive control group(cisplatin,DDP,2 mg/L),respectively.Wild-type HepG2 cells were used as a blank control.The effects of COE on the cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry and transmission electronic microscopy(TEM),respectively.The protein expression levels of mTOR signal pathways were determined by Western blotting.In vivo,HepG2/mTOR-cells(2×106 cell/mice)were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of nude mice.Thirty-six female nude mice were randomly assigned to 6 groups according to body weight(6 mice per group)as follows:solvent vehicle control,Banmao Capsule treated group(BM,195 mg/kg),Tegafur,Gimeracil and Oteracil Potassium Capsules(10 mg/kg)treated group,and different dosages of COE(10,20,40 mg/kg)groups.Tumor growth was monitored and immunohistochemical staining was used to examine the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in tumor tissues.Results:COE inhibited the proliferation significantly in a concentration-dependent manner in HepG2/mTOR-cells(P<0.01).COE significantly induced the apoptosis of HepG2/mTOR-cells(P<0.01),and the apoptotic bodies can be observed under TEM.COE significantly inhibits the proteins expression of mTORrelated signal pathways.In vivo,COE significantly inhibited tumor growth in nude mice(P<0.01).Moreover,the results showed that COE down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL,and up-regulated the levels of Bax and caspase-3 protein(P<0.01).Conclusion:COE was a potential chemotherapeutic drug in HCC treatments via targeting mTOR signal pathway.