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Objective:To explore the effect of chemical compound of aconitum alkaloid on the lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced inflammatory response of RAW264.7 macrophages and investigate its mechanism. Method:The chemical compounds of Aconitum Kusnezoffii Reichb were collected from TCMSP database with consideration of oral bioavailability （OB）≥30% and drug-likeness （DL）≥0.18. The potential targets of each chemical component were predicted with use of Pubchem database and Swiss Target Prediction database. Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） targets were collected from GeneCards database and selected by intersection screening. Gene ontology （GO） classification enrichment and Pathway enrichment analysis were carried out with use of DAVID database. Cytoscape was used to construct "Chemical Compound-Potential Targets-Pathway-Disease" network. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed by using STRING database and Cytoscape software. RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated by LPS to establish macrophage inflammation model <italic>in vitro</italic>. Western blot was used to detect the effects of chemical compounds on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic> （TNF-<italic>α</italic>） and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） in RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS， as well as on the expression of JAK kinase and nuclear transcription factor- kappa B （NF-<italic>κ</italic>B） signal pathway. Result:A total of 27 chemical compounds were obtained by searching TCMSP database and consulting literature （OB≥30%， DL≥0.18）. 12 chemical compounds were obtained after screening. 177 potential targets were obtained after database prediction and screening， and 97 targets were obtained as potential targets for the treatment of RA after intersection between 177 potential targets and 4 329 RA targets. A total of 32 biological processes （BP）， 5 cellular components （CC）， and 12 molecular functions （MF） were enriched by DAVID database. The construction of network topology map showed that different chemical compounds can act on the same target and the same chemical compound can also act on different targets in the treatment of RA. Aconitum alkaloid can be connected with the same pathway through different targets or with different pathways through the same target， indicating that different targets may have synergistic effect， which fully reflected the complex multi-compound， multi-targets and multi-pathways mechanism. Different concentrations of LPS in stimulation （0-200 μg·L<sup>-1</sup>） can significantly up-regulate the expression of COX-2 protein in RAW264.7 macrophages （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， indicating that the inflammatory model was successful. Compared with the normal group， the expression of TNF-<italic>α</italic> and COX-2 protein in the inflammatory model of RAW264.7 cells increased significantly（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， while the expression of TNF-<italic>α</italic> and COX-2 protein in bulleyaconitine A（BLA）， songorine， yunaconitine and karacoline groups decreased in varying degrees compared with the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with the normal group， the expression of IRAK4， NF-<italic>κ</italic>B， JAK1 and STAT3 in the inflammatory model of RAW264.7 cells were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， while such levels in BulleyaconitineA， songorine， yunaconitine and Karacoline groups were significantly lower than those in the model group（<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:Based on systematic pharmacology and <italic>in vitro</italic> experiments， the related targets and signal pathways were analyzed to provide new insights into the pathogenesis of RA， reveal the molecular mechanism of aconitum alkaloid in the treatment of RA， and provide new ideas for the application of Mongolian medicine in modern medicine.
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Objective:To establish the grade evaluation method for Codonopsis Radix slices based relative quality constants， in order to provide scientific theoretical basis for grading of Codonopsis Radix slices. Method:Through literature and market research，the main production areas of Codonopsis Radix slices were determined，and 67 batches of Ludangshen slices（52 batches） and Baitiaodang slices （15 batches） were collected. The appearance traits （average quality and average thickness of Codonopsis Radix slices） were observed and measured. According to Chinese Pharmacopoeia （2015 edition）， the extract and the content of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide was determined by phenol-sulphoacid method. Then the relative quality constant was calculated，and the results of grade evaluation were evaluated through systematic cluster analysis and correlation analysis. Result:Relative quality constants of 67 batches of Codonopsis Radix slices were between 0.32-2.97. If these samples were divided into three grades：the first-grade relative quality constants were greater than or equal to 2.08，the second grade was greater than or equal to 0.89 but less than 2.08，while the third grade was less than 0.89. The results of systematic cluster analysis showed that 67 batches of Codonopsis Radix slices were clustered into 3 categories，and the results were basically consistent with the classification. The correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the content of the extracts and the polysaccharide content （P<0.05）. Conclusion:This method links the extrinsic characteristics to the intrinsic quality，and objectively grade Codonopsis Radix slices， so as to provide a basis for its grade standards.
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Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas are common malignant tumors of the head and neck, and the incidence of both is increasing. Laryngopharyngeal reflux refers to the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the larynx, oropharynx, and/or nasopharynx. It remains controversial whether laryngopharyngeal reflux is a risk factor for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. The refluxing substances mainly include hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and occasionally bile acids and bile salts, as well as bacteria that colonize the gastrointestinal tract. Loss of epithelium in the mucous membrane of the larynx and hypopharynx is thought to be caused by pepsin. Here, we review the relationships between laryngopharyngeal reflux and both laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas, as well as the significance of pepsin, methods of clinical detection, and the mechanism of carcinogenesis.
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Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas are common malignant tumors of the head and neck, and the incidence of both is increasing. Laryngopharyngeal reflux refers to the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the larynx, oropharynx, and/or nasopharynx. It remains controversial whether laryngopharyngeal reflux is a risk factor for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. The refluxing substances mainly include hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and occasionally bile acids and bile salts, as well as bacteria that colonize the gastrointestinal tract. Loss of epithelium in the mucous membrane of the larynx and hypopharynx is thought to be caused by pepsin. Here, we review the relationships between laryngopharyngeal reflux and both laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas, as well as the significance of pepsin, methods of clinical detection, and the mechanism of carcinogenesis.
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In this study, the effect of benzo[α]pyrene (BaP) on chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in a simulated hypoxia environment was observed and the relationship to heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) was clarified. With HSP90 inhibitor geldanamycin (GA) and HSP90α silenced, the mRNA and protein expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), HSP90, heat shock cognate protein 70 (HSC70), and lysosomal associated protein 2A (LAMP-2A) of A549 cells on hypoxic environment by BaP were tested. Alkaline comet experiment, immunofluorescence γ-H2AX focus experiment, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and Western blot analyses were used to clarify the relationship between the DNA damage of different concentrations of BaP in A549 cells and the mRNA and protein expression of CMA-related factors. The results show that hypoxia can promote the expression of mRNA and protein of CMA-related factors in A549 cells. This study found that BaP has an inhibitory effect on CMA under the hypoxic environment. The inhibition or silencing of HSP90 will enhance the inhibitory effect of BaP on CMA. In a normoxic environment, BaP causes DNA damage and promotes CMA.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), the primary effective component of the Chinese herb medicine Astragalus membranaceus (frequently used for its anti-hepatic fibrosis effects), on nanoscale mechanical properties of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using endothelial cell medium as the control, 5 experimental groups were established utilizing different concentrations of APS, i.e. 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL. By using atomic force microscopy along with a microcantilever modified with a silicon dioxide microsphere as powerful tools, the value of Young's modulus in each group was calculated. SAS 9.1 software was applied to analyze the values of Young's modulus at the pressed depth of 300 nm. Environmental scanning electron microscopy was performed to observe the surface microtopography of the SECs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The value of Young's modulus in each APS experimental group was significantly greater than that of the control group: as APS concentration increased, the value of Young's modulus presented as an increasing trend. The difference between the low-concentration (12.5 and 25 μg/mL) and high-concentration (200 μg/mL) groups was statistically significant (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed between moderateconcentration (50 and 100 μg/mL) groups versus low- or high-concentration groups (P>0.05). Surface topography demonstrated that APS was capable of increasing the total area of fenestrae.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The values of Young's modulus increased along with increasing concentrations of APS, suggesting that the stiffness of SECs increases gradually as a function of APS concentration. The observed changes in SEC mechanical properties may provide a new avenue for mechanistic research of anti-hepatic fibrosis treatments in Chinese medicine.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Astragalus Plant , Chemistry , Biomechanical Phenomena , Elastic Modulus , Endothelial Cells , Cell Biology , Liver , Cell Biology , Microscopy, Atomic Force , Microspheres , Nanotechnology , Polysaccharides , Pharmacology , Silicon Dioxide , Chemistry , Surface PropertiesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the impact of extracellular acidic environment on the expression and activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and on the P-gp-mediated cytotoxicity of daunomycin in cancer cells by using microfluidic chip technology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The A549 cells cultured on a microfluidic chip were divided into experiment group and control group. The experiment group was exposed to an acidic cell culture medium (pH 6.6), while the control group was treated with a neutral cell culture medium (pH 7.4). The expression of P-gp was detected by cell immunofluorescense analysis and the activity of P-gp was evaluated by Rhodamine 123 efflux experiment. Meanwhile, the cytotoxicity of daunomycin was analyzed by cell live/dead fluorescence staining method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Microfluidic chip designed in this study could provide a suitable microenvironment for the growth of A549 cells and the A549 cells reached the confluence of 90% after inoculation for 72 h. Treatment of the acidic cell culture media on A549 cells did not make a significant difference on the expression level of P-gp. However, the activity of P-gp was significantly enhancement and peaked at 6 h after treatment with acidic cell culture media. Meanwhile, the cytotoxicity of daunomycin reduced significantly after treatment with acidic cell culture medium for 6 h,and a reversal effect was obtained when synergy with verapamil.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Microfluidic chip technology can shorten the analysis time and reduce the reagent consumption. It can be used as a new technology platform for understanding the mechanisms of multi-drug resistance and for screening highly efficient multi-drug resistance reversal agents.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 , Cell Culture Techniques , Cell Line, Tumor , Culture Media , Daunorubicin , Extracellular Space , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , MicrofluidicsABSTRACT
AIM: To study the mechanism of effects about total flavones of choeropondias axillaris (TFC) to heart. METHODS: The effects of TFC on contractility were investigated through acting on the guinea pig right ventricle papillary muscles. RESULTS: TFC decreased both the contractility and contraction rate of papillary muscles. The quantity-effect curve of CaCl2 was shifted to right after giving TFC. TFC 30.4 μmol·L-1 prolonged remarkably the functional refractory period (FRP) of guinea pig right ventricle papillary muscles, but exerted no effect on excitability. CONCLUSION: TFC can inhibit the Ca2+ influx into cell in a concentration-dependent manner.