Evaluating Pharmacological Effects of Two Major Components of Shuangdan Oral Liquid: Role of Danshensu and Paeonol in Diabetic Nephropathy Rat

Shuangdan oral liquid (SDO) containing radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (Chinese name Danshen) and cortex moutan (Chinese name Mudanpi) is a traditional Chinese medicine using for treating vascular diseases. Danshensu (DSS) is a main effective monomer composition derived from radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and paeonol (Pae) from cortex moutan. Although the two herbs are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, the pharmacological functions of their active compositions were not reported. Therefore, the research of DSS and Pae in mechanisms and pharmacodynamics interaction can provide scientific evidence to support clinical application. The diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats which were induced by streptozotocin (STZ) were treated with SDO, DSS, Pae, and DSS+Pae for eight weeks. The positive effects on DN animal models were investigated by detection of physiological and biochemical indexes and oxidative stress markers, within five treatments: SDO, DSS, Pae, DSS+Pae and insulin group. Compared with the model group, the DSS+Pae group improved the renal function, blood lipid metabolism and blood viscosity, increased the vitality of T-SOD or T-AOC and decreased the level of MDA or NO after the treatment. The study was successfully showed that the DSS+Pae group could delay the process of DN, especially in the renal injury part of histopathology changes. Our results suggest that the co-administration of DSS and Pae significantly may play a protective role in DN rats through decreasing the oxidative stress and improving the blood lipid metabolism mechanisms.

Research of mechanisms of swainsonine-induced apoptosis in the human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC-7901 / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of swainsonine-induced apoptosis on SGC-7901 cells. METHODES: After being treated with swainsonine, effective dose and median inhibition concentration (IC50) of swainsonine to SGC-7901 cells were examined by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptotic rates were analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of p53, c-myc and Bcl-2 were determined by immunocyto- chemical method, and the concentration of Ca2+ intra-cellular ([Ca2+]i ) was measured by the laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). RESULTS: Swainsonine inhibited cell growth of SGC-7901 in vitro, IC50 of 24 h was 0.84 μg·ml-l, and complete inhibition concentration of swainsonine was 6.2 μg·ml-l. Treated with swainsonine at the concentrations of 0.5, 1.5 and 4.5 μg·ml-l for 24 h, the expression of apoptosis inhibiting gene p53 and bcl-2 decreased, and apoptotic trigger gene c-myc increased (P<0.05), as well as [Ca2+]i overloading, SGC-7901 cell was induced to apoptosis in the end. The percentage of S phase were 38.8%, 39.7% and 29.6%, respectively (20.0% in control group and 23.2% in 5-Fu group), the percentage of G2/M phase were 4.5%, 1.7% and 5.3%, respectively (5.5% in control group and 9.0% in 5-Fu group), and the percentage of G1/M phase was not altered. SGC-7901 cells were treated by swainsonine at the concentrations of 0.5, 1.5 and 4.5 μg·ml-l for 24 h. Compared with the control group, the percentage of S phase were increased and that of G2/M cells were decreased significantly in treatment groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Swainsonine can inhibit the cell proliferation and induce apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells, the mechanisms of swainsonine-induced apoptosis may related with [Ca2+]i overloading and expression of apoptosis-related genes.

Induction of apoptosis by Tryptanthrin on K562 cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the effect of Tryptanthrin(Try) on proliferation and apoptosis of erythroleukemia K562 cells.Methods The cell proliferation effect of Try(1.56～50 mg?L-1) on K562 cells was assessed by MTT assay.The morphologic change was observed by Hoechst 33258 fluore-scent stain.The flow cytometer was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle.Results MTT showed that in the range of 3.12～50 mg?L-1 Try obviously inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner.Typical apoptosis changes were observed in K562 cells treated with Try for 48 h by flourescence inverted microscope.With Annexin V-FITC and PI double staining,folw cytometer result showed that the apoptosis state was obvious in K562 cells treated with 25,50 mg?L-1 Try for 48 h.The cell cycle distribution of K562 was changed.The G0/G1 phase was blocked and the DNA synthesis was inhibited,accompanied with subdiploid apoptotic peak.Conclusion Try has an effect on inhibiting the cell proliferation and inducing the apoptosis of K562.

Research progress of tryptanthrin / 中国药理学通报

Tryptanthrin is a kind of indole quinazoline alkaloid.In this review,recently reported research progresses of tryptanthrin on extraction,systhesis and pharmalogical action have been mainly summarized.The effect of tryptanthrin on antimicrobial,antiinflammatory and antitumor activities has been found,showing its good application and development perspective.