Assessment of Feng-Liao-Chang-Wei-Kang as a potential inducer of cytochrome P450 3A4 and pregnane X receptors

Feng-Liao-Chang-Wei-Kang [FLCWK], a traditional Chinese patent medicine, consists primarily of Polygonum hydropiper and Daphniphyllum calycinum roots. As a complex containing several kinds of flavonoids, FLCWK has the potential to impact the drug metabolism enzyme P450 3A4 [CYP3A4] and nuclear receptors. The purpose of this research was to probe the effects of FLCWK on CYP3A1, the homolog of CYP3A4 in rats, and to confirm whether FLCWK interferes with PXR and CAR-mediated transactivation of CYP3A4. The effects of FLCWK on Cyp3a1 mRNA, catalytic activity levels, and protein expression in Sprague-Dawley [SD] rat liver tissues were examined using real-time PCR, western blotting, and high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] assays, respectively. The efficacy of PXR and CAR on CYP3A4 transcriptional activity were detected using luciferase reporter assays and further research of the impact of FLCWK on CYP3A4 gene expression mediated by the PXR pathway was examined by transient transfection of PXR siRNA. FLCWK significantly increased Cyp3a1 mRNA, CYP3A1 activity, and protein expression levels in SD rats. FLCWK highly induced CYP3A4 luciferase activity mediated by PXR in PXRCYP3A4 co-transfected cells. A siRNA-mediated drop-off in PXR expression greatly cut the effect of FLCWK on CYP3A4 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells. These findings show that FLCWK up-regulates CYP3A4 levels via the PXR pathway. This effect should be considered being applied in clinical use as FLCWK has the potential to interact with other drugs

The study of a new method to treat unstable angina / 中国基层医药

Objective To study the effect of integrated tradition and western medicine on unstable angina.Methods Sixty-six patients with unstable angina were randomized into two groups:control group treated only with routine therapy(n=33) and experiment group treated with routine and jia jian luang gan jian therapy(n=33).The difference of EKG,symptoms and clinic comprehensive evaluation between before treatment and after-3-week-treatment were compared.Results The rate of symptoms and ECG improvement was higher in experiment group than control group(94% vs 73%;73% vs 45%).The difference of clinic comprehensive score between before treatment and after 3 weeks treatment was significantly higher in experiment group.Conclusion The treatment of integrated tradition and western medicine on patients with unstable angina is more effective.

Antioxidative effect of polypeptide from Chlamys farreri on HaCaT cells damaged by ultraviolet B / 中国海洋药物

Objective To investigate the antioxidative effect of polypeptide from Chlamys farreri (PCF) on HaCaT cells damaged by ultraviolet B (UVB). Methods HaCaT cells model established by UVB irradiation were randomly divided into seven groups. After pretreatment with different concentrations of PCF for 1 h, the cells were irradiated by UVB at a dose of 30mJ/cm~ 2, and followed further incubatiou for 18 h. Enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) were determined by biochemical methods. Total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also determined. Results PCF could enhance the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT; increased T-AOC and inhibited MDA formation. Conclusion These results indicated that PCF exhibited protective effects on HaCaT cells irradiated by UVB owing to its antioxidative action.