Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) enhances the anti-atherogenic effect of cilostazol by inhibiting ROS generation

In this study, the synergistic effect of 6-[4-(1-cyclohexyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl) butoxy]-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone (cilostazol) and Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) was examined in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) null mice. Co-treatment with GbE and cilostazol synergistically decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in ApoE null mice fed a high-fat diet. Co-treatment resulted in a significantly decreased atherosclerotic lesion area compared to untreated ApoE mice. The inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules such as monocyte chemoattractant-1 (MCP-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and VCAM-1 which can initiate atherosclerosis were significantly reduced by the co-treatment of cilostazol with GbE. Further, the infiltration of macrophages into the intima was decreased by co-treatment. These results suggest that co-treatment of GbE with cilostazol has a more potent anti-atherosclerotic effect than treatment with cilostazol alone in hyperlipidemic ApoE null mice and could be a valuable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Enhancement of Gastric Ulcer Healing and Angiogenesis by Cochinchina Momordica Seed Extract in Rats

Cochinchina momordica seed is the dried ripe seed of Momordica cochinchinensis, a perennial vine. The antiulcer effect of an extract from cochinchina momordica seeds (SK-MS10) was evaluated in a rat model of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers were produced by subserosal injection of acetic acid. SK-MS10 (200 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered orally once per day for 14 days after the acetic acid injection. The stomach was removed and the ulcer size measured at day 7 and 14 of the treatment. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was assessed by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In addition, the microvasculature density (MVD) adjacent to the ulcer margin was examined by immunohistochemistry. The treatment with SK-MS10 for 7 and 14 days significantly accelerated ulcer healing and increased the expression of mRNA (at day 7) as well as VEGF protein (at day 14) compared to the vehicle-treated rats. The MVD for factor VIII was also higher in the SK-MS10 treatment group compared to the vehicle-treated rats; however, these differences were not statistically significant. These results suggest that SK-MS10 treatment accelerates the healing of gastric ulcers via upregulation of VEGF and angiogenesis in an acetic acid rat model.

Inhibitory effects of reversible proton pump inhibitors YH 1238 and YH1885 on acid secretion in isolated gastric cells

Antiulcer effects of YH1238 and YH1885 were determined in the isolated gastric cells from human and rabbit stomach. Intracellular accumulation of (14C)-aminopyrine and (14C)-glucose oxidation were used as indicators of acid secretory ability of the gastric cells. Unstimulated and stimulated gastric cells with dibutyryl cAMP (10(-3) M) were used and the inhibitory effects of YH1238 and YH1885 on acid secretion were compared with known proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole and SK&F 96067. Dibutyryl cAMP stimulated the (14C)-aminopyrine accumulation and (14C)-glucose oxidation, which were inhibited by YH1238, YH1885, SK&F 96067 and omeprazole. Inhibitory effects of YH1238, YH1885 and omeprazole on (14C)-aminopyrine accumulation in stimulated gastric cells were more potent than that of SK&F 96067 at the concentration of 10(-5) M. It is suggested that the reversible proton pump inhibitors YH1238 and YH1885 would be effective antiulcer agents.