The inhibitory effect of compound Q-l on proliferation of MH7A induced by TNF-α and its significance / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of compound Q-L on MH7A based on NF-KB and MAPK signaling pathways and its mechanism. Methods Human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast synovial cell line (MH7A) was selected as the experimental object. The effect of compound Q-l on the proliferation of MH7A cells was determined by CCK-8 method. The effect of compound Q-l on the migration ability of MH7A cells was detected by Transwell assay. TNF-α solution was used as inducer, and the content of TNF-α and IL-6 in cell supernatant was determined by ELISA. The protein expressions of p65, p-p65, IκBα, P-IκBα, p38, p-p38, ERK, p-ERK, JNK and p-JNK in the cells were determined by Western blot. Results Compound Q-l at different concentrations significantly inhibited the activity of MH7A cells. Compound Q-l significantly inhibited the migration of MH7A cells. Compound Q-l significantly reduced the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in cell supernatant. Compound Q-l could significantly down-regulate the protein expression levels of p65, p-p65, P-IκBα, p38, p-p38 induced by TNF-α, but had no marked effects on IKBCX, ERK, p-ERK, JNK and p-JNK proteins. Conclusion Compound Q-l can significantly inhibit the proliferation of MH7A cells, reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in cell supernatant, and down-regulate the protein expressions of p65, p-p65, IKBCX, p-LKBA, p38, p-p38 induced by TNF-α. The possible mechanism of action is related to NF-κB and p38MAPK sig-naling pathways.

Advances in biosynthesis of indigo in plants / 中国中药杂志

Natural indigo, as one of the oldest dyes, is also a pivotal dye utilized in cotton fabrics today. A diversity of plants rich in indigo compounds belong to traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Indigo compounds have a variety of biological and pharmacological activities, including anticonvulsant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticancer activities. A substantial progress in indigo biosynthesis has been made lately. This paper summarizes the value of indigo from the aspects of cultural history, biosynthetic pathways and the medicinal activities of its related derivatives involved in the pathways. In addition, the latest research advancements in indigo biosynthetic pathways is demonstrated in this paper, which would lay the theoretical foundation for the exploration and utilization of natural indigo.

Allelopathic Effect of Water Extracts from Rhizosphere Soil of Three Medicinal Plants on Polygala tenuifolia Seeds and Their Seedlings / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the allelopathic effects of water extracts from rhizosphere soil of three medicinal plants Rehmannia glutinosa，Pinellia ternata and Isatis indigotica on seed germination and seedling growth of Polygala tenuifolia， screen the stubble varieties suitable for crop rotation with P. tenuifolia， and provide some scientific basis for continuous cropping obstacles of P. tenuifolia. Method:The bioassay method was used to study the effects of rhizosphere soil water extracts from three medicinal plants Rehmannia glutinosa，Pinellia ternata and Isatis indigotica at concentrations of 0.3，0.6，0.9 g·mL-1 on the germination of P. tenuifolia seed and seedling growth. Result:The rhizosphere soil water extracts of Rehmannia glutinosa and Pinellia ternata showed basically low-promotion and high-inhibition concentration effects on the final germination rate，germination potential，and germination index of P. tenuifolia seeds，while the water extract of Isatis indigotica showed significant allelopathic inhibition effect. All three rhizosphere soil water extracts showed significant allelopathic inhibition effects on the growth index of P. tenuifolia seedlings. Among them，the rhizosphere soil water extract of Rehmannia glutinosa showed lower inhibitory effect on the plant height and root length of P. tenuifolia seedlings than the other two water extracts. The photosynthetic pigment content，proline（Pro） content，and soluble sugar content of P. tenuifolia chinensis seedlings were the highest under 0.3 g·mL-1 soil water extract of Rehmannia glutinosa， with relatively higher content of soluble protein， and relatively lower content of hydrogen oxide（H2O2）. Under the treatment of 0.9 g·mL-1 soil water extract of Rehmannia glutinosa，P. tenuifolia seedlings had the highest peroxidase（POD） and superoxide dismutase（SOD） activities，low catalase（CAT） activity，and lowest content of malondialdehyde（MDA）. Conclusion:Based on the comprehensive analysis of the above experimental data and allelopathic effects，the water extract of rhizosphere of Rehmannia glutinosa can promote the germination of P. tenuifolia seeds to a certain extent，and lay the foundation for seedling resistance to biochemical stress. Therefore， Rehmannia glutinosa is more suitable for crop rotation with P. tenuifolia.