Research on hypoglycemic activity of Osmanthus fragrans var. thunbergii extract / 药学学报

This study aimed to assess the hypoglycemic activity, and in vitro inhibition of α-glucosidase, inhibition of the advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and total antioxidant capacity were used to clarify its bioactivity. Furthermore, the potential hypoglycemic active chemical constituents in the aqueous extract of Osmanthus fragrans var. thunbergii flower were characterized using high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) method. The result showed that in vitro inhibition of α-glucosidase of the extract (IC50 = 2.11 ± 0.26 mg·mL-1) were similar to acarbose (IC50 = 2.88 ± 0.32 mg·mL-1), and it inhibited the AGEs formation and the total antioxidant capacity in a certain extent. Based on the MS fragmentation pathway analysis of reference chemical acteoside contained in this extract, and related references, 73 constituents were tentatively identified from the aqueous extract of Osmanthus fragrans var. thunbergii flower, including 58 phenylethanoids, 8 caffeoylquinic acids, 1 flavonoid vicenin-2, and 6 common organic chemicals in plant. Furthermore, 8 unknown alkaloids were characterized in this work. Among of these chemicals, 61 phenylethanoids were supposed to be detected for the first time. In conclusion, this work disclosed the potential hypoglycemic active constituents of Osmanthus fragrans var. thunbergii flower.

Functional biomaterials for comprehensive periodontitis therapy

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by bacterial infection directly, and the dysregulation of host immune-inflammatory response finally destroys periodontal tissues. Current treatment strategies for periodontitis mainly involve mechanical scaling/root planing (SRP), surgical procedures, and systemic or localized delivery of antimicrobial agents. However, SRP or surgical treatment alone has unsatisfactory long-term effects and is easy to relapse. In addition, the existing drugs for local periodontal therapy do not stay in the periodontal pocket long enough and have difficulties in maintaining a steady, effective concentration to obtain a therapeutic effect, and continuous administration always causes drug resistance. Many recent studies have shown that adding bio-functional materials and drug delivery systems upregulates the therapeutic effectiveness of periodontitis. This review focuses on the role of biomaterials in periodontitis treatment and presents an overview of antibacterial therapy, host modulatory therapy, periodontal regeneration, and multifunctional regulation of periodontitis therapy. Biomaterials provide advanced approaches for periodontal therapy, and it is foreseeable that further understanding and applications of biomaterials will promote the development of periodontal therapy.

A Review on Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Aloe barbadensis Miller

Aloe vera, a popular succulent perennial medicinal plant with a wide range of phytochemicals that have shown various pharmacological activities including anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, wound healing promotion and so on. Acemannan, aloe-emodin, aloin, aloesin, and emodin are widely investigated active constituents that show various pharmacological activities. Thus, the purpose of this review is to highlight previous pharmacological studied conducted in vivo, in vitro and human assays over the past decades. As current pharmacological research is focused on anticancer and neurological action, it would be interesting and important to study the main compounds present in Aloe vera for therapeutic purposes.

EFFECT OF SEASONAL VARIATION ON THE PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF AEGLE MARMELOS (L.) AND MURRAYA KOENIGII L.SPRENG

Aegle marmelos and Murraya koenigii are commonly occurring plants in Maharashtra belonging to family Rutaceae .Members of Rutaceae are rich in vitamin C content. Murraya koenigii locally known as curry patta and Aegle marmelos locally known as bael/ kawath is edible and used in various food preparations. They are known to have anti-infiammatory, anti-oxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial properties and It was thought necessary to find out if there was any variation in the phytochemical content ie mainly Vit C and antioxidant activity of these two plants especially in the leaves . It was observed that phytochemical content was higher during monsoon season.

A network pharmacology approach to assess Reno-protective and -curative effects of methanolic extract of Malva neglecta Wallr in gentamicin induced renal toxicity rat model

Abstract The aim of present study was to explore protective and curative effects of Malve neglecta on kidneys. In silco study with network pharmacology was performed to find out potential target organs, genes and cellular cell lines which confirmed kidneys as target organ of phyto-constituents present in Malva neglecta extract. Gentamicin (40 mg/kg, i.p) was given to induce renal toxicity. Prophylactic study was performed with 300-, 600- and 900 mg/kg doses to find out nephro-protective and -curative effects and curative potential was evaluated at 900 mg/kg dose. Renal function biomarkers, blood urea, BUN, serum creatinine and uric acid, and oxidative stress measuring biomarkers, SOD, CAT, GSH and MDA levels in kidney homogenate were quantified at the end of study. Treatment groups showed decrease in blood urea, BUN, serum creatinine and uric acid levels dose dependently and curative group also showed decline in these biomarkers. SOD, CAT, GSH levels were increased and MDA level decreased in treatment groups significantly as compared to toxic control which revealed the role of oxidative stress in renal damage and anti-oxidant power of MN. Data suggested that use of MN along with drugs causing renal toxicity may prove beneficial due to its nephro- protective and curative effects.

Optimization of extraction of flavonoids from Lonicera rupicola and analysis of its effects in resisting inflammation, relieving pain, enhancing immunity, and inhibiting pyroptosis / 中国中药杂志

The present study optimized the extraction of flavonoids from Lonicera rupicola Hook. f. et Thoms(LRH) and explored its pharmacological effects, such as resisting inflammation, relieving pain, enhancing immunity, and inhibiting pyroptosis, aiming to provide data support and scientific basis for the development and utilization of LRH. Response surface methodology(RSM) was applied to optimize the extraction of flavonoids from LRH based on the results of single-factor experiments. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of LRH flavonoids were evaluated via inflammation and pain models in mice, such as xylene-induced ear swelling, carrageenan-induced footpad swelling, writhing caused by acetic acid, and paw licking. The effect of LRH flavonoids on the carbon clearance index of monocytes and serum immunoglobulin A(IgA) and IgM levels was analyzed on the immunosuppression model induced by cyclophosphamide in mice. The anti-oxidative effect in vivo of LRH flavonoids on liver superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels was determined based on the chronic/subacute aging model in mice induced by D-galactose. The levels of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(caspase-1), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and IL-18 in the supernatant of J774 A.1 mononuclear phagocytes were detected to evaluate the effect of LRH flavonoids on the pyroptosis of mononuclear phagocytes in mice induced by the combination of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and adenosine triphosphate(ATP). Meanwhile, the effect of LRH flavonoids on the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway was also explored. The optimum conditions for the extraction of LRH flavonoids are listed below: extraction temperature of 65 ℃, the ethanol concentration of 50%, extraction time of 60 min, a material-liquid ratio at 1∶25, and the yield of LRH flavonoids of 0.553%. RSM determined the multiple quadratic regression equation model of response value and variables as follows: the yield of LRH flavonoids=0.61-0.48A+0.1B+0.029C-0.014D+0.32AB+0.04AC-0.012AD-0.02BC+0.037BD-0.031CD-0.058A~2-0.068B~2-0.069C~2-0.057D~2. LRH flavonoids could effectively inhibit ear swelling and footpad swelling, reduced acetic acid-induced writhing, and delayed the paw licking response time in mice. Additionally, LRH flavonoids could improve the carbon clearance index in immunosuppressed mice, potentiate the activities of SOD and CAT and reduce MDA levels in the liver of aging mice induced by D-galactose, and effectively inhibit macrophage pyroptosis by decreasing the levels of caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18. The results reveal that LRH flavonoids possess excellent pharmacological activities such as resisting inflammation and oxidation, relieving pain, and enhancing immunity. They can inhibit pyroptosis by enhancing the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway. The results of this study can underpin the pharmacological research, development, and utilization of LRH.

Research Progress on Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicines in Treating Gout / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Gout is the second largest metabolic disease in China， which can cause joint tissue damage and a variety of chronic diseases， and seriously affect human life and health. The increase in uric acid caused by disorder of purine metabolism or abnormal uric acid excretion is the biochemical basis of its pathogenesis. Western medical treatment mainly uses anti-inflammatory drugs such as colchicine， non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs， and uric acid lowering drugs such as febuxostat and benzbromarone， which have obvious effects， but there are problems such as easy to recurrence after drug withdrawal and more adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a long history in the treatment of gout， and has the advantages of multi-channel， multi-target， and multi-level symptomatic treatment. It exerts therapeutic effects through lowering uric acid， anti-inflammatory， anti-oxidation， and protecting the kidneys. Its curative effect is obvious and the adverse reaction rate is low. In recent years， there have been many studies on the mechanism of TCM for gout animal models. Based on the review of relevant literature in recent years， this article has systematically sorted out the pathogenesis of gout， the mechanism of TCM for gout and related experimental design. The paper summarized and analyzed the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of gout from the aspects of regulating the level of inflammatory factors， inhibiting oxidation reaction， reducing uric acid and regulating signaling pathway， so as to provide reference for the research and development of drugs for gout.

Chemo-typing of Three Egyptian Rosemary Oil for Their Chemical Composition and Anti-oxidant Activity

Aims:To study the chemical composition of volatile oil samples from different place in Egypt (Mansoura, Gamsa and Assuit) and study their antioxidant activity determined by DPPH assay.Study Design: Hydro distillation of volatile oil samples and theirGC/MS analysis and determination of their antioxidant activity by DPPH assay.Place and Duration of Study:Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of pharmacy, Mansoura university, Egypt, between June 2015 and November 2017.Methodology:The essential oil was isolated by hydro-distillation for 5 h using a Clevenger-type all-glass apparatus according to the standard procedure of the European pharmacopeia and volatile oils analysis was performed by GC and GC-MS. GC analysis was carried out using Focus-DSQ-ӀI GC/MS instrument (Thermo Scientific, MA, USA) equipped with TR-5 fused silica column (30 m × 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 μm).Results: The yield of the essential oils of three rosemary plants growing in Mansoura (RM), Gamsa (RG) and Assiut (RA) were 0.20% v/w, 0.32% v/w and 0.24% v/w, respectively. Their chemical composition was analyzed by GC/MS, RM and RG were found to be α-pinene dominated chemotypes, 32.4% and 29.6%, respectively, meanwhile RA was camphor dominated chemotype (17.2%). Furthermore, their antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH assay. Their IC50 values of essential oils of RM, RG and RA were 8.66 ± 0.7, 8.18 ± 0.5 and 9.74 ± 0.2, respectively.Conclusion:The GC/MS spectral data revealed the considerable difference between the chemical composition of essential oil constituents of RM, RG and RA which lead to different chemotypes. The present results also demonstrate that REO obtained from different areas inEgypt exhibited free radical scavenging activity determined by DPPH assay due to the synergistic effect between their constituents.

A Study on the Role of Oxidative Stress and Prolidase Enzyme in the Clinical Evaluation of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), though abenign disorder is highly prevalent and imposes high costand substantial morbidity upon general population. Longconsidered as functional disorder, IBS pathogenesis carries anorganic basis at least in a subset of patients. Altered intestinalimmune response and low grade intestinal inflammation havebeen confirmed as pathophysiology of IBS in few studies.Oxidative stress indicates that there is inflammation and,markers of oxidative stress may be developed as diagnostictool for IBS in future. Study aimed to evaluate oxidativestress in form of total oxidant status (TOS), total anti-oxidantstatus (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI) and serum prolidaseactivity (SPA) as a marker of intestinal inflammation in IBSpatients and healthy controls.Material and methods: In this case –control study done ata teaching medical institute in north India over a period ofone year, 120 IBS patients (cases) and 40 healthy volunteers(controls) were evaluated for TOS, TAS, OSI and SPA.Patients with IBS were sub-divided into 3 groups (40 each):diarrhea predominant, constipation predominant and mixedtype (IBS-D, C and M respectively). Student t-test, chi-squaretest and ANOVA tests were used for statistical analysis.Results: Mean TOS, TOS/TAS (OSI) and prolidase levelswere significantly higher in IBS group than control with pvalue of <0.001,< 0.001, and <0.01 respectively. Level ofTOS was highest in IBS-D subgroup followed by IBS-M andLowest in IBS-C subgroup showing a significant differencebetween IBS-D and IBS-C, IBS-D and IBS-M and IBS-Mand IBS-C with p values <0.001 for each comparison. OSIwas highest in IBS-D and lowest in IBS-C with significantdifferences between the subgroups (P<0.001). Only IBS-Msubgroup had significantly higher serum prolidase activitywhen compared to controls (p<0.001) IBS-D (P=0.013) andIBS-C (P=0.01). TAS level was significantly higher in controls(P<0.001) than cases. There were significant differencesbetween all four subgroups (p<0.001) except between IBS-Cand IBS-M subgroups (P=0.294).Conclusion: This study observed that there is increasedoxidative stress and decreased antioxidant capacity in patientwith IBS. To support our results further prospective andrandomized controlled trials are necessary.

Investigation of Protective Effect of Matricaria Chamomilla L. Extract on Methotrexate-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rat

Abstract Methotrexate (MTX) was shown to cause oxidative stress and liver damage. The objective was to investigate the possible protective effects of Matricaria Chamomilla L. (chamomile) extract with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on the methotrexate-induced liver toxicity. Twenty four Wistar rats were divided into four groups. MTX group was injected intraperitoneally on days 7 and 14 with 20 mg/kg methotrexate. Groups CE200 (chamomile extract 200 mg/kg/day) and CE300 (chamomile extract 300 mg/kg/day) received the same dose of methotrexate added with chamomile extract orally for 15 days at 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg respectively and the last group was healthy control group. Results of biochemical analyses indicated serum liver biomarkers (aminotransferases), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, and liver content of anti-oxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC) significantly increased (P <0.05-0.001) to normal in the CE treated groups compared to those of the MTX group. Serum bilirubin and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly increased (P ˂0.001) in MTX group compared to those of the control group and decreased in CE200 and CE300 groups compared to those of the MTX group. Histopathological study showed inflammatory damage, necrotic cells and lipid infiltration in MTX group. In the groups treated with the chamomile extract, a significant improvement was observed in liver tissue in response to increased dose of the extract. In conclusion, chamomile extract administration could have a protective role in methotrexate-induced liver toxicity in rats through improving anti-oxidant defense system.

Oleanolic acid from black raisins, Vitis vinifera with antioxidant and antiproliferative potentials on HCT 116 colon cancer cell line

Vitis vinifera (black raisin) is commonly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. In the present study, anti-oxidative and anti-cancer efficacy of oleanolic acid from ethyl acetate fraction of black raisins was evaluated and oleanolic acid was isolated without using of any chromatographic techniques and subjected to spectral assessment using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS and FT-IR for structural confirmation. Antiproliferative efficacy of oleanolic acid against human colon adenocarcinoma HCT-116 cells was assessed using cell viability assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined and found to be 40 µg/mL at 48h incubation. Furthermore, antioxidant property of oleanolic acid was analyzed using DPPH method (IC50 is 61.5µg/mL) by compared to standard antioxidants ascorbic acid, gallic acid, pyrogallol and butylated hydroxytoluene. Hence, the present study aims to establish the use of oleanolic acid as a potential therapeutic agent against human colon cancer.

Selection of high altitude planting area of Angelica sinensis based on biomass, bioactive compounds accumulation and antioxidant capacity / 中草药

Objective: To select the high altitude planting area for improving the quality of Angelica sinensis based on biomass, bioactive compounds accumulation and antioxidant capacity in rhizome. Methods: The experiments were conducted on dry weight (DW), bioactive compounds content and antioxidant capacity in two-year old rhizome of A. sinensis grown at different altitudes (2 100, 2 500, and 2 900 m), under controlling plants reproduced from the seeds of the same plant, the same levels of water and fertilizer in soil. Results: Higher altitude was adverse to rhizome biomass, however, the compounds content (DW and per plant basis) and antioxidant capacity were significantly promoted at higher altitude compared to lower altitude site; On a per plant basis, the content of ferulic acid, soluble sugar, phenolics and flavonoids in rhizome of un-bolted plants grown at 2 900 m respectively was 2.06, 1.13, 1.34 and 1.15 fold greater than that of 2 100 m; The antioxidant capacity also increased with higher altitude. Comprehensive analysis showed that total content of main bioactive compounds in rhizome of un-bolted plants increased with higher altitudes ranging from 2 100 to 2 900 m. Conclusion: Higher-altitude cultivation can significantly enhance bioactive compounds accumulation in rhizome. The biosynthesis and accumulation of bioactive compounds were regulated by low temperature and light. These findings will provide theoretical references for improving production and quality of rhizome as well as large-scale cultivation.

Optimization of supercritical CO2 extraction process of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex and anti-oxidant activities of extracts / 中草药

Objective: To optimize the supercritical CO2 extraction process of active ingredients from Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (MOC) and explore the antioxidant activity of the extracts. Methods: The content of magnolol and honokiol of the supercritical CO2 extracts of MOC was determined by HPLC, and the extraction process was optimized by orthogonal experiment. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined by MTT. Results: The optimum extraction pressure of magnolol was 25 MPa, the extraction temperature was 55 ℃, the amount of CO2 was 30 kg, and the optimum extraction parameters mentioned above of honokiol were 15 MPa, 50 ℃, and 25 kg, respectively. Conclusion: Under the optimum extraction conditions, magnolol and honokiol have high extraction efficiency, good repeatability, stability and feasibility, and the extract have good antioxidant activity.

Research on grade prediction of Spatholobi Caulis via components-anti-oxidant activity correlations / 中草药

Objective: The model for grade evaluation of Spatholobi Caulis medicinal slices was constructed based on the quality control idea of traditional Chinese medicines that “components reflect activity and activity points to efficacy”. Methods: A method to determinate catechin and epicatechin content by using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was proposed. ABTS•+ clearance rate, hydroxyl radical clearance rate and DPPH• clearance rate were used as evaluation indexes of biological activity. Correlations between content and anti-oxidant activity were analyzed by the logistic algorithm. Finally, a “principal component analysis-logistic regression” model for grade prediction of Spatholobi Caulis was constructed. Results: Catechin and epicatechin content in Spatholobi Caulis medicinal slices from different origins was between 0.40-1.26 mg/g and 0.57-2.02 mg/g, respectively. The anti-oxidant indexes ABTS•+, hydroxyl radical and DPPH• clearance rate were between 12.96%-51.76%, 30.65%-66.65%, and 37.65%-60.33%, respectively. The binary logistic regression analysis results showed that five batches were evaluated as excellent, average and poor rank, and four batches were considered as good rank (P > 94%) among 17 batches of Spatholobi Caulis herbal pieces and its two kinds of counterfeit (Sargentodoxa cuneata and Mucuna sempervirens). Conclusion: Binary logistic regression model for grade evaluation of Spatholobi Caulis medicinal slices was constructed preliminarily. It is applicable to assess quality of Spatholobi Caulis herbal pieces. The grading evaluation model of Spatholobi Caulis via logistic regression analysis can be used to classification of Spatholobi Caulis from different sources.

Study on active constituents of Astragalus polysaccharides for injection to regulate metabolism of macrophages based on LC-MS metabolomics / 中草药

Objective: To study the phagocytosis of mouse monocyte-macrophage Raw 264.7 by the active constituents of Astragalus polysaccharides for injection based on LC-MS metabolomics. Methods: Neutral red method was used to detect the phagocytosis of Raw 264.7 by different molecular weight fractions of Astragalus polysaccharides for injection. The active components were selected, and the cell culture supernatant and cell lysate were analyzed by LC-MS. Combined with multivariate statistical analysis and metabolism pathway analysis, the mechanism of action was studied. Results: The small molecular weight fraction of Astragalus polysaccharides for injection significantly promoted the phagocytosis of Raw 264.7 at a concentration of 30 μg/mL. Compared with the control group, after the active part of the injection of Astragalus polysaccharides was applied to Raw 264.7, 41 differential metabolites were found in and out of the cells, mainly related to amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism and antioxidant effects. Conclusion: The small molecular weight fraction of Astragalus polysaccharides for injection can increase the phagocytosis of Raw 264.7, and its mechanism may be closely related to amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism and antioxidant effects.

Establishment of antioxidative activity determination for Achnatherum inebrians by graphene nanoenzyme / 中草药

Objective: To develop a new method for the determination of anti-oxidant activity of drugs by using the peroxidase activity of graphene nanoenzyme, and apply it for the determination of the anti-oxidant activity of the national medicine Achnatherum inebrians. Methods: The anti-oxidant activity of 18 batches of samples was measured after optimizing H2O2 concentration and reaction time. At the same time, the anti-oxidative activity was measured again using the DPPH method. The Bland-Altman and Passing-Bablok regression methods were used to compare the detection data of the two methods. Results: Using the nanoenzyme method, the inhibition rates of 18 batches of A. inebrians were between 37.28% and 71.58%, with an average of 50.87% and a median of 47.09%. Free radical scavenging rates of 18 batches of A. inebrians measured by the DPPH method were between 36.06% and 83.11%, with an average of 54.89% and a median of 50.83%. The statistical results showed that the measured values of nanoenzyme method and DPPH method were similar; There was a linear relationship between the two methods, and different methods can be transformed by Passing-Bablok regression method. Conclusion: The graphene nanoenzyme was successfully applied to the detection of anti-oxidant activity, and the anti-oxidant activity of A. inebrians was also found. The nanoenzyme method can avoid the problem of light sensitivity of the reagent, shorten the reaction time, reduce the amount of medicinal solution, and the results are consistent with the DPPH method, which is suitable for the determination of antioxidant activity.

Research progress on chemical constituents, pharmacological action and toxicity of Melia toosendan / 中草药

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Melia toosendan is widely used as a natural deworming agent. M. toosendan is rich in chemical components, incluing limonoid-type triterpenes, lignans, flavonoids, steroids, organic acids and so on. Its pharmacological activities are mainly anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, antiviral, deworming. The application of M. toosendan is limited due to its hepatotoxicity, pregnancy toxicity and so on. In this paper, the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and toxicity of M. toosendan were reviewed, which will provide scientific basis for its further development research and clinical application.

Antioxidant and Antiapoptotic Polyphenols from Green Tea Extract Ameliorate CCl-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the phenolic composition, antioxidant properties, and hepatoprotective mechanisms of polyphenols from green tea extract (GTP) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced acute liver injury mouse model.@*METHODS@#High-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze the chemical composition of the extract. Antioxidant activity of GTP was assessed by O, OH, DPPH, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay in vitro. Sixty Kunming mice were divided into 6 groups including control, model, low-, medium-, and high-doses GTP (200, 400, 800 mg/kg) and vitamin E (250 mg/kg) groups, 10 in each group. GTP and vitamin E were administered at a level of abovementioned doses twice per day for 7 days prior to exposure to a single injection of CCl. Hepatoprotective effects of GTP were evaluated in a CCl-induced mouse model of acute liver injury, using commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits, histopathological observation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTPNick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay and Western blot.@*RESULTS@#GTP contained 98.56 µg gallic acid equivalents per milligram extract total polyphenols, including epicatechingallate, epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin. Compared with the model group, low-, medium-, or high doses GTP significantly decreased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase (P<0.01). Histopathological observation confirmed that pretreatment of GTP prevented swelling and necrosis in CCl-exposed hepatocytes. Hepatoprotective effects of low-, medium-, and high-dose GTP were associated with eliminating free radicals and improving superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver. Additionally, low-, medium-, and high-dose GTP decreased cell apoptosis in the CCl-exposed liver (P<0.01). Phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), p53, Bcl-2 associated x protein/B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 gene, cytochrome C, and cleaved caspase-3 levels were downregulated compared with the model group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#GTP achieves hepatoprotective effects by improving hepatic antioxidant status and preventing cell apoptosis through caspase-3-dependent signaling pathways.

Quality control and evaluation of Shengmai injection based on anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory biological effects / 药学实践杂志

Objective To establish a quality evaluation method for Shengmai injection with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as indicators. Methods Using water-soluble vitamin E (Trolox) and N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) as control drugs, using trinitrophenyl-hydrazine (DPPH) method and nitric oxide (NO) detection kit, the anti-oxidation effect and the inhibition ability of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO release from mononuclear macrophage RAW264.7 were measured. The sample was converted into the corresponding concentration of the control drug to control and evaluate its methodological and biological effects. Results Each batch of samples had good anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation effects with high precision and good repeatability. There was no significant difference in the anti-inflammation capacity among batches of. Samples 2 and 8 were significant differences from other samples in anti-inflammatory ability. Conclusion The established method can accurately evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti- inflammatory effects of Shengmai injection.

Alhagi maurorum aqueous extract protects against norfloxacin-induced hepato-nephrotoxicity in rats / 中草药·英文版

Objectives: While the protective effects of Alhagi maurorum have been shown against various ailments, its role against norfloxacin-induced adverse effects has not been studied. The current study was conducted to determine the effect of A. maurorum aqueous extract against norfloxacin-induced side effects in rats. Methods: Twenty-four male albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups, which received normal saline, norfloxacin (50 mg/kg b.wt orally once a day), A. maurorum aqueous extract (300 mg/kg b.wt orally once a day), and norfloxacin with A. maurorum aqueous extract by the same previous mentioned dosages. Blood samples were collected for hematological examination to evaluate liver and kidney function tests. Hepatic and renal tissue samples were obtained to assess antioxidant activity and histopathological examination. Results: A. maurorum aqueous extract significantly ameliorated norfloxacin-induced elevation in tissue malondialdehyde, and reduction in tissue antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities as well as reduced glutathione concentration. Concurrent administration of A. maurorum aqueous extract with norfloxacin significantly reduced serum alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, urea, creatinine, and uric acid and increased RBCs count, Hb concentration, PCV, leucocyte, and monocyte counts compared with the norfloxacin-treated group. Co-administration of A. maurorum aqueous extract with norfloxacin prevented the degenerative changes induced by norfloxacin alone in liver and kidney tissues. The phytochemical profile of the extract showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenolics, and flavonoids. Conclusion: These findings indicated that A. maurorum possesses potent antioxidant activities and could be used to attenuate norfloxacin-induced side effects.