Identification of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors from the Seeds of Passiflora edulis Cultivated in Vietnam

Soluble epoxide hydrolases (sEH) are enzymes present in all living organisms, metabolize epoxy fatty acids to 1,2-diols. sEH in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids plays a key role in inflammation. In addition, the endogenous lipid mediators in cardiovascular disease are also broken down to diols by the action of sEH that enhanced cardiovascular protection. In this study, sEH inhibitory guided fractionation led to the isolation of five phenolic compounds trans-resveratrol (1), trans-piceatannol (2), sulfuretin (3), (+)-balanophonin (4), and cassigarol E (5) from the ethanol extract of the seeds of Passiflora edulis Sims cultivated in Vietnam. The chemical structures of isolated compounds were determined by the interpretation of NMR spectral data, mass spectra, and comparison with data from the literature. The soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitory activity of isolated compounds was evaluated. Among them, trans-piceatannol (2) showed the most potent inhibitory activity on sEH with an IC₅₀ value of 3.4 µM. This study marks the first time that sulfuretin (3) was isolated from Passiflora edulis as well as (+)-balanophonin (4), and cassigarol E (5) were isolated from Passiflora genus.

Hepatoprotective effect of Lingzhi extract on CCl4-induced hepatic lesion

Study on hepatoprotective effects of lingzhi extract on CCl4-induced hepatic lesion, lingzhi formulation produced by OPC Company which reached standards at basic level. Lingzhi dry powder was prepared with distilled water to make liquid extract with concentrations of 15% (15g dry extract/100ml water), 30% and 75%. These liquid extracts were used to test hepatoprotective effects. With low dose CCl4 (0,25%) induced hepatic toxication, 15%, 30% and 75% lingzhi extracts showed hepatoprotective effect. However, with high dose CCl4 (1%), only 30% lingzhi extract showed clear and stable hepatoprotective effects. Experimental trials on hepatic diseases as well as on hepatoprotective medications should provide necessary information on physiopathological characteristics and medicinal therapies

Method of provoke abnormal proliferation of hepatic cells by carbone tetrachloride and diethylnitrosamine

Two-stage carcinogenesis has been widely used as a method for evaluating precancerous lesion on animal experiments. Here we used diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a tumor trigger, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a tumor promoter, to mimic the first two stages of hepatic carcinogenesis. Single intra-peritoneal injection of DEN 1% in combination with repeated intra-peritoneal injection of CCl4 4% for 16 weeks led to the formation of hyperplasia nodules on mouse livers. Microscopic examination also revealed dramatic changes in hepatocellular morphology and architecture: increased cell density and proliferation, abnormalities in cell division and nucleus structure. These changes were not observed in animal treated with NaCI or DEN alone. Repeated injection of CCl4 alone led to alterations on microscopic pictures but did not cause hyperplasia nodules. Our results indicate that DEN in combination of CCl4 causes abnormal proliferation of hepatic cells and evokes hepatic hyperplasia

Spina bifida occulta among the adult children of veterans exposed to herbicides during wartime was revealed by lumbar vertebra sacral x-rays

213 adult subjects, children of veterans exposed to herbicides sprayed during Ranch Hand Operation (in 1961-1971 war period) and 210 non-exposed subjects were investigated by usual lumbar X-ray. The images showed that spina bifida occulta incidence in exposed group was 1.5 times higher than non-exposed group. Among male subjects, in exposed group, the incidence was 1.7 times higher than non-exposed one, while among female subjects, no difference was recorded. Simple single bifida was 51.6% in exposed group and 41.9% in non-exposed. Multiple vertebra of combinated bifida was 7.9% and 2.4% respectively. The common sites of bifida were L5, S1, S2, S3, among them the site of S1 was most common

The epidemiological survey on the relationship between agent orange/dioxin exposure and reproductive anomalies and congenital deformities of inhabitants living in A luoi valley, Thua Thien Hue province

Study was conducted on 1048 households with 6068 persons in A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province, where herbicides were sprayed heavily in war. The relationship between the quantity of herbicide sprayed in war and the severity of environmental pollution at present was recorded. Epidemiological relationship between the pollution of the enviroment and abnormal reproductivity and congenital defects, which were 1.5-4 times higher after the spray versus before the spray with diverse levels among 3 communes exposed to the spray. The most common abnormal reproductivity was spontaneous abortion, then premature delivery with died infants and congenital defects, the stillbirth and hydratiform mole were with lower rate. Dioxine was transported from the enviroment to human body through the exposed food chain such as chicken, fish, duck