ABSTRACT
The most frequently used spermicide Nonoxynol-9 [N-9] in the clinic alters the vaginal flora, which will result in an increased risk of opportunistic infection. So development of a novel spermicidal and microbicidal drug appears to be inevitable. Vaginal local immune is an important part of vaginal flora. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor [SLPI], surfactant proteins D [SP-D], and lactoferrin [LF] are anti-microbial molecules with important roles in immune system of female vaginas. To observe effect of a vaginal spermicide nonoxynol-9 [N-9] berberine plural gel on the expression of SLPI SP-D and LF in mice's vaginas. Female BABL/C mice were randomly divided into following 5 groups: normal control group, blank gel group, berberine gel group, 12% N-9 gel group and N-9 berberine plural gel group. Estradiol benzoate at physiological dose was done by hypodermic injection to every group's mice. After 72h, drug gels were separately injected into the mice's vaginas, while immunohistochemistry and Western blot were taken to detect the expression of the 3 indexes in mice's vaginas respectively after 24h and 72h of gel injection. The differences in the three indexes between normal control group and blank gel group were not significant statistically [p>0.05]. The expression of the three indexes in 12% N-9 gel group was decreased compared to that in blank gel group [p<0.05]. The differences in the three indexes between N-9 berberine plural gel group and blank gel group were not significant statistically [p>0.05]. Also, the three index's level of 24h and 72h in sub observation groups after treatment were without statistical significance [p>0.05]. Application of N-9 berberine plural gel had little impact on antimicrobial peptides in normal mice's vaginas
Subject(s)
Female , Animals, Laboratory , Nonoxynol , Berberine , Gels , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor , Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D , Lactoferrin , Anti-Infective AgentsABSTRACT
This study investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of genistein in improving insulin resistance induced by free fatty acids (FFAs) in HepG2 hepatocytes.A model of insulin resistance in HepG2 cells was established by adding palmitic acid (0.5 mmol/L) to the culture medium and the cells were treated by genistein.Glucose consumption of HepG2 cells was determined by glucose oxidase method.The levels of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation,insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) Ser307 phosphorylation,JNK,IRS-1,phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase p85 (PI-3K p85) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) proteins were detected by Western blotting.The results showed that after the treatment with palmitic acid for 24 h,the insulin-stimulated glucose transport in HepG2 cells was inhibited,and the glucose consumption was substantially reduced.Meanwhile,the expressions of IRS-1,PI-3K p85 protein and GLUT1 were obviously reduced,while the levels of JNK phosphorylation and IRS-1 Ser307 phosphorylation and the expression of JNK protein were significantly increased,as compared with cells of normal control.However,the aforementioned indices,which indicated the existence of insulin resistance,were reversed by genistein at 1-4 μmol/L in a dose-dependent manner.It was concluded that insulin resistance induced by FFAs in HepG2 hepatocytes could be improved by genistein.Genistein might reverse FFAs-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cells by targeting JNK.
ABSTRACT
In order to explore the effects of Panax notoginoside (PNS) on the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad-7 in renal tissues of diabetes,a rat model of diabetic nephropathy was set up by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ).Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group,diabetic control group,group treated by PNS at low-dosage (PL),group treated by PNS at high-dosage (PH) and group treated by catopril (C),respectively.Fasting blood glucose (FBG),renal index,endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) and urinary albumin (UAlb) in 24 h were examined after 6 weeks.Meanwhile,the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad7 in renal tissues were immunohistochemically dectected.At the end of the sixth week,FBG,renal index,Ccr,UAlb were all elevated significantly in control group (P＜0.01).The expression of TGF-β1 protein was increased while Smad7 protein decreased in renal tissue (P＜0.01).However,the treatment with PNS reversed the aforementioned changes in renal tissues of diabetic rats.These results indicate that PNS possess a protective effect on the kidney of diabetic rats and it might protect kidney by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 protein and enhancing the expression of Smad7 protein.
ABSTRACT
The effects of Cinnamon granules on pharmacokinetics of berberine in Rhizoma Coptidis granules in healthy male volunteers,and the compatibility mechanism of Jiao-Tai-Wan (JTW) composed of Rhizoma Coptidis granules and Cinnamon granules were investigated.The concentration of berberine in plasma of healthy male volunteers was determined directly by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after an oral administration of Rhizoma Coptidis granules alone or combined with Cinnamon granules (JTW).The plasma concentration-time curves of berberine were plotted.The data were analyzed with Drug and Statistics (DAS) 2.0 pharmacokinetic program (Chinese Pharmacology Society)to obtain the main pharmacokinetic parameters.The results showed that the plasma concentration-time curve of berberine was described by a two-compartment model.The Cmax,Tmax,t1/2 and CLz/F of berberine in Rhizoma Coptidis granules were 360.883 μg/L,2.0 h,3.882 h,119.320 L·h-1·kg-1 respectively,and those of berberine in JTW were 396.124 μg/L,1.5 h,4.727 h,57.709 L·h-1·kg-1 respectively.It was suggested that Rhizoma Coptidis granules combined with Cinnamon granules could increase the plasma concentration of berberine,promote berberine absorption and lengthen the detention time of berberine in healthy male volunteers.
ABSTRACT
The effects of berberine on the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α) in liver of rats with fructose-induced insulin resistance and the molecular mechanism of berberine preventing insulin resistance were investigated. The experimental animals were divided into two groups of 16 animals each. The control group received a control routine diet containing 60% carbohydrate, and the study group a high-fructose diet containing 60% fructose as the sole source of carbohydrate. At the end of 6 weeks these were each subdivided into two groups. One was administered with berberine [187.5mg/(kg·d) in 5g/L carboxymethyl cellulosel] by intragastric intubation and the other group was treated with a vehicle (5g/L carboxymethyl cellulose). The rats were fed on the same dietary regimen for the next 4 weeks. After the experimental period of 10 weeks, plasma glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels were measured. HOMA insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was assayed. Immunohistochemistry, semiquantitative RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of HNF-4α in liver. Compared with control diet, fructose feeding induced hyperinsulinemia, HOMA-IR and increased triglyceride (all P<0.01). Berberine prevented the rise in plasma insulin (P<0.01), HOMA-IR (P<0.01) and triglyceride (P<0.05) in the fructose-fed rats. No change in plasma glucose was seen among these groups. The mRNA and protein expression of HNF-4α was decreased in the fructose-fed rats, but berberine could promote its expression. It was concluded that berberine could prevent fructose-induced insulin resistance in rats possibly by promoting the expression HNF-4α in liver.
ABSTRACT
In order to investigate the application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and computerized tomography (CT) in the quantitative diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and evaluation of therapeutic effects, 22 patients with NAFLD were selected according to the Chinese Medical Association's (CMA) standard of the NAFLD in comparison with 20 healthy volunteers (as control group). Blood samples for biochemistry were collected. The severity of hepatosteatosis was evaluated by 1H-MRS scan and CT scan of liver. The intrahepatic content of lipid (IHCL) and CT value ratio of liver to spleen were calculated. The patients in NAFLD group were treated with Ganzhixiao Capsule for 8 weeks. The changes in IHCL and CT value ratio of liver to spleen were observed before and after treatment. In NAFLD group serum ALT, TG, IHCL calculated by 1HMRS were increased and CT value ratio of liver to spleen decreased significantly as compared with control group. After treatment for 8 weeks serum ALT, TG, IHCL were decreased significantly, while CT value ratio of liver to spleen increased significantly in NAFLD group. It was suggested that IHCL could be measured precisely by 1HMRS. NAFLD was treated effectively by Ganzhixiao capsule.