Protective Effects of Danmu Extract Syrup on Acute Lung Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Mice through Endothelial Barrier Repair / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of Danmu Extract Syrup (DMS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and explore the mechanism.@*METHODS@#Seventy-two male Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 6 groups according to a random number table (n=12), including control (normal saline), LPS (5 mg/kg), LPS+DMS 2.5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 10 mL/kg, and LPS+Dexamethasone (DXM, 5 mg/kg) groups. After pretreatment with DMS and DXM, the ALI mice model was induced by LPS, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected to determine protein concentration, cell counts and inflammatory cytokines. The lung tissues of mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of lung tissue was calculated. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 β in BALF of mice were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of Claudin-5, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt) and Akt were detected by Western blot analysis.@*RESULTS@#DMS pre-treatment significantly ameliorated lung histopathological changes. Compared with the LPS group, the W/D ratio and protein contents in BALF were obviously reduced after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The number of cells in BALF and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity decreased significantly after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DMS pre-treatment decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1 β (P<0.01). Meanwhile, DMS activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway and reversed the expressions of Claudin-5, VE-cadherin and VEGF (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#DMS attenuated LPS-induced ALI in mice through repairing endothelial barrier. It might be a potential therapeutic drug for LPS-induced lung injury.

Crebanine N-oxide, a natural aporphine alkaloid isolated from Stephania hainanensis, induces apoptosis and autophagy in human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells

Objective: To investigate the cytotoxic effects and the potential mechanisms of crebanine N-oxide in SGC-7901 gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: The cytotoxicity of crebanine N-oxide was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay and cellular morphology was observed under a microscope. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using propidium iodide staining. The expression levels of apoptotic-related proteins, cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome C, p53 and Bax, and autophagy-related proteins p62, beclin1 and LC3 were detected by Western blotting assays. Results: Crebanine N-oxide treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner via induction of G

Effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance alcohol extracts on primary dysmenorrheal

Objective To study the effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) 80% alcohol extract on the primary dysmenorrhea. Methods A. officinarum 80% alcohol extract were enriched by macroporous adsorption resins. Female mice of primary dysmenorrhea model were established by oxytocin induction; the effects of A. officinarum 80% alcohol extract on primary dysmenorrhea were observed by body twist method; and the homogenate level of prostaglandin F

Effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance alcohol extracts on primary dysmenorrheal

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) 80% alcohol extract on the primary dysmenorrhea.@*METHODS@#A. officinarum 80% alcohol extract were enriched by macroporous adsorption resins. Female mice of primary dysmenorrhea model were established by oxytocin induction; the effects of A. officinarum 80% alcohol extract on primary dysmenorrhea were observed by body twist method; and the homogenate level of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and Ca(2+) in the uterus were observed in oxytocin-induced female mice.@*RESULTS@#The writhing frequency of primary dysmenorrhea mice was significantly decreased after treatment of A. officinarum 80% alcohol extract and the level of PGF2α, PGE2 and Ca(2+) in mice uterus was significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in groups of mice treated with middle and high dosage of A. officinarum 80% alcohol extract compared with that of model group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These findings suggest that A. Officinarum 80% alcohol extract can significantly relieve primary dysmenorrhea.