ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To provide a reference for molecular biology identification of C. spinosa by comparing and analyzing the sequence of psbA-trnH gene intergenic regions between Capparis spinosa L. and others 8 medicinal plants. METHODS: Total DNA were extracted, psbA-trnH intergenic regions sequences were isolated using PCR amplification, and sequence analysis, evaluation of intraspecific and interspecific genetic distance used the Kimura 2 parameter(K2P)model as well as construction of phylogenetic tree based on UPGMA were conducted by the MEGA7. RESULTS: Compared with C. spinosa, the interspecific genetic distance is 0.045-0.474. The average is 0.238. The interspecific minimum was larger than the intraspecific maximum. The results of UPGMA tree indicated every species was sorted out and C. spinosa was distinguished from the others effectively. CONCLUSION: The sequences of chloroplast psbA-trnH gene intergenic regions is valuable for the identification and study of C. spinosa.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of crude extract of Capparis spinosa L. fruit alka-loids (CSFA) on the maturation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs). Methods CSFA was prepared and the contents were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. DCs were trea-ted with different doses (1, 2, 3 mg/ml) of CSFA. The viability of DCs, the expression of surface mole-cules and the ability of phagocytosis were detected by flow cytometry. The secretion of cytokines was meas-ured by ELISA. Western blot assay was performed to analyze the activation of key molecules in mitogen-acti-vated protein kinases ( MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B ( NF-κB) signaling pathways. Results The re-sults showed that CSFA alone had no significant influence on the expression of surface molecules and cyto-kines in DCs. However, it significantly decreased the expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 and MHC Ⅱ as well as the secretion of IL-12p40 and TNF-αthat were induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS), but increased IL-10 secretion and the ability of phagocytosis after treating DCs with both CSFA and LPS. Further, the phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and the nuclear translocation of NF-κBp65 induced by LPS were inhibited by CSFA. Conclusion CSFA could inhibit the maturation of DCs and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS while in-creasing the secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and the ability of phagocytosis, which might in-volve MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. This study suggests that CSFA could be used as a potential im-munosuppressant.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of ethanol extract and ethyl acetate extract of Capparis Spinosa on the thickness of dermis,synthesis of collagen type Ⅰ,type Ⅲ,and expression of transforming growth factor-β1 in mouse models of scleroderma.Methods Mouse models of scleroderma were established through local injection of bleomycin on the back once a day for 4 weeks.After confirmation of model establishment,72 mouse models were equally and randomly divided into three groups.Two groups received topical treatment with ethanol extract of Capparis Spinosa and ethyl acetate extract of Capparis Spinosa,respectively,no treatment was given to the rest of the control group.After 2-,4-,6-week treatment,8 mice were sacrificed and tissue samples were obtained from the back,and subiected to the measurement of dermal thickness by HE staining,as well as to the analysis of expression of collagen type Ⅰ,collagen type Ⅲ and transforming growth factor-β1 by immunohistochemical staining.Results On week 2,4,6,the thickness of dermis was 23.22,24.94,19.97 μm respectively in mice treated with ethanol extract of Capparis Spinosa,27.66.26.15,22.13 μm respectively in those treated with ethyl acetate extract of Capparis Spinosa.Compared with the mouse models without treatment,the thickness of dermis significantly decreased(F=12.99,P＜0.01),the expression of collagen type Ⅰ(F=7.47,P＜0.01)and transforming growth factor-β1(F=11.76,P＜0.01)were also inhibited in those receiving treatment.However,the expression of collagen type Ⅲ was not affected obviously by the treatment.Conclusion The ethanol extract and ethyl acetate extract of Capparis Spinosa have the effect against skin fibrosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the mechanism of killing and apoptosis-inducing effects of Capparis spinosa alkaloid (CSA) on human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2. Methods The killing effect of CSA on human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 was studied by MTT method. Morphological observation of HepG2 cells was carried out by fluorescence microscope. Results The CSA had obvious cytotoxicity on the HepG2 in a dose-dependent manner and its IC50 value was 142.82 ?g/mL. The HepG2 cells showed the characteristic morphologic changes of apoptosis by the function of CSA and the apoptosis percentage is higher than that of the natural one. The progress of cells cycle from S phase to G2 phase had been blocked by CSA. The intracellular Ca2+ level had been increased by the function of CSA, which was positively related with drug concentration. Conclusion CSA has obviously killing and apoptosis-inducing effects on human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 and calcium overload might also be invovled in these events.