Study on Improvement Effects of Polygonum orientale Flower Extract on Hypoxia-reoxygenation Injury of H 9c2 Cardiomyocytes / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To study the improvement effects and mechanism of Polygonum orientale flower extract on hypoxia- reoxygenation injury of H 9c2 cardiomyocytes. METHODS ：H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into normal control group ，model group and low- ，medium- and high-concentrations groups of P. orientale flower extract （20，40，80 μg/mL）. Except for normal control group ，other groups were given 800 μmol/L CoCl2 to induce hypoxia-reoxygenation injury model. Cell apoptosis was observed. The levels of Ca 2+（in cytoplasm ），mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP），ATP enzyme （Na+-K+-ATP enzyme ，Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP enzyme） activities， the ratio of cytochrome c （Cyto c ）， protein in cytosol to mitochondria ，phosphorylation levels of reperfusion injury salvage kinase （RISK） signaling pathwayrelated protein [protein kinase B （Akt）and extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2（ERK1/2）] as well as protein expression of HIF- 1 α were detected respectively. In addition，the cells were divided into normal control group ，model group and P. orientale flower extract group （80 μ g/mL），PI3K inhibitor LY294002+CoCl2 group（15 μmol/L LY294002+80 μmol/L ，LY294002+P. orientale flower extract group （15 μmol/L LY294002+80 μg/mL P. orientale flower extract ），MEK inhibitor PD98059+CoCl2 group（25 μmol/L PD98059+800 μmol/L CoCl2），PD98059+P. orientale flower extract group （25 μmol/L PD98059+80 μg/mL P. orientale flower extract ）. After cultured by the same method ，the phosphorylation levels of Akt protein and ERK1/2 protein in the cells were measured to verify the activation of P. orientale flower extract to RISK signaling pathway. RESULTS：Compared with model group ，nuclear pyknosis and the number of apoptotic bodies were reduced in different concentrations groups of P. orientale flower extract. ROS level ，Ca2+ level（except for low-concentration group ），MMP，ratio of Cyto c in cytoplasm to Cyto c in mitochondria ，protein expression of HIF- 1α were decreased significantly（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the activity of ATP enzyme （except for the low-concentration group ），Akt protein and ERK 1/2 protein phosphorylation level were significantly increased （P＜0.01）. After treated with PI 3K inhibitor LY 294002 and MEK inhibitor PD 98059，Akt protein and ERK 1/2 protein phosphorylation level in cadiomyocyte were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS ：P. orientale flower extract can improve hypoxia-reoxygenation injury of H 9c2 cardiomyocytes，the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis ，improving ATPase activity ，protecting mitochondria ，regulating RISK signaling pathway related proteins and HIF- 1α protein expression.

The protective ability and cellular mechanism of Koelreuteria henryi Dummer flower extract against hydrogen peroxide-induced cellular oxidative damage

BACKGROUND: Koelreuteria henryi Dummer is an indigenous plant in Taiwan. The species has been used in traditional folk medicine for the promotion of liver functions and for treating malaria and urethritis. The present study investigated the antioxidant activity of the flower extract of Koelreuteria henryi Dummer. The extraction conditions were optimized by the contents of total phenolic acids and total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity assays. Moreover, an in vitro study for investigating antioxidant activity of K. henryi flower extract was demonstrated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis. RESULTS: K. henryi flower extracted for 150 min showed high contents of total phenolic acids and total flavonoids. In an in vitro model, L929 cells were pretreated with K. henryi flower extract, and then treated with H2O2 to induce oxidative damage. Results demonstrated that H2O2-induced apoptosis was inhibited by the treatment of 200 µg/ml K. henryi flower extract through the mitochondria-mediated pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. The caspase 8/9 activity and expression of p-p38 and pERK were repressed by K. henryi flower extract. In addition, the prevention of H2O2-induced apoptosis by K. henryi flower extract activated the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) stress response pathway to transcript heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Also, K. henryi flower extract prevented H2O2-induced apoptosis through HO-1 production, as evident by the use of HO-1 inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that K. henryi flower extract could inhibit the H2O2-induced apoptosis in L929 cells through the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Effect of Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens Flower Extract on Proliferation and Molecular Regulation in Human Dermal Papilla Cells and Stressed C57BL/6 Mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the hair growth-promoting effect of Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens (MSP) flower extracton on in vitro and in vivo models.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MSP flower extract was extracted in 99.9% methanol and applied to examine the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in vitro at the dose of 3.92-62.50 μg/mL and hair growth of C57BL/6 mice in vivo at the dose of 1000 μg/mL. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), β-catenin, substance P was measured by relative quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MSP (7.81 μg/mL) down-regulated TGF-β1 and up-regulated HGF and β-catenin in hDPCs (P<0.01). MSP (1000 μg/mL)-treated mice showed the earlier transition of hair follicles from the telogen to the anagen phase. The number of mast cells was lower in the MSP-treated mice than in other groups (P<0.05 vs. NCS group). Substance P and TGF-β1 were expressed in hair follicles and skin of the MSP group lower than that in negative control. Stem cell factor in hair follicles was up-regulated in the MSP-treated mice (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The MSP flower extract may have hair growth-promotion activities.</p>

Protective effect of Polygonum orientale flower extract on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage of HUVEC cells / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the protective effects and mechanism of Polygonum orientale flower extract on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), H₂O₂ was used to induce the oxidativestress damage on HUVEC cells and efforts were made to screen the low, medium and high drug concentrations of P.orientale flower extract. Cell viability was detected by the MTS assay. The content of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of superoxidedimutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were detected by biochemical kits. The mRNA and protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2 were detected respectively by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was detected by Western blot. According to the results, the viability of HUVEC cells was reduced to around 55% after being treated with 120 μmol·L⁻¹ H₂O₂ for 0.5 h. Treatment of H₂O₂ also could increase LDH leakage rate and MDA content and attenuate the activities of SOD and CAT, up-regulate the expression level of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and down-regulate the expression level of Bcl-2. As compared with H₂O₂ model group, P.orientale flower extract of 50-200 mg·L⁻¹ could increase the viability of HUVEC cells, reduce LDH release and MDA content, enhance the activities of SOD and CAT, down-regulate pro-apoptotic protein cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, and up-regulate apoptosis inhibitory protein Bcl-2. In summary, P.orientale flower extract showed a protective effect on H₂O₂-induced HUVEC cells injury, which may result from enhancing the cell capability of clearing the oxygen free radial, decreasing the production of lipid peroxidation and inhibiting apoptosis.

Study on absorption activity of five components of Polygonum orientale L. Flower in Caco-2 cell monolayer / 中国药理学通报

Aim To observe the absorption activity of five components of Polygonum orientale L. Flower ex-tract in Caco-2 cell monolayer. Methods The effects of different concentrations, time, temperature, pH and P-glycoprotein inhibitors on Caco-2 cells were investi-gated by UPLC-MS/MS. Results The absorption of five components of Polygonum orientale L. Flower ex-tract presented a concentration-and time-dependent manner, and the uptake of quercetin was reduced in Caco-2 cells after 90 min. There was a highest intake at 37℃,and the uptake of four components was best in acid environment except for the quercetin at pH 6 , which was best at pH5 . The uptake of quercetin and kaempferol was significantly improved after the addition of P-glycoprotein inhibitors of verapamil. Conclusions The cellular uptake mechanisms of the five compo-nents of Polygonum orientale L. Flower extract is man-inly through passive diffusion. P-glycoprotein is in-volved in the uptake of quercetin and kaempferol.

Antihypertensive Activity and Phytochemicals Analysis of Chassalia curviflora Extracts.

The objectives of this study are to determine the antihypertensive activities of leaves and flower of Chassalia curviflora and compare the potential between two different extraction methods which are hot water and methanol extract. The biuret protein assay was conducted to determine the protein protein concentration in samples. The phytochemical in leaves and flower extracts of C. curviflora were analyzed by using GC-MS. The result of protein concentration in C. curviflora flower was higher compared to leaves extract of 0.6648 mg/ml and 0.5431 mg/ml, respectively. The hot water extract of C. curviflora flower showed the highest antihypertensive activity with the percentage of ACE inhibitory activity of 95.50 ± 0.06% with IC50 value of 3.71 μg/ml. The 10 highest peak area (%) of phytochemical in all samples were: bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (34.64 %), Cyclotrisiloxane, hexamethyl- (31.14 %), (Phenylthio)acetic acid, 1-adamantylmethyl ester (30.90 %), Hexanedioic acid, Cyclononasiloxane, octadecamethyl- (18.357 %), Oleic Acid (16.56 %), n-Hexadecanoic acid (15.23 % and 14.15 %), 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6- methyl- (16.43 % and 12.98 %) and Trichloromethane (11.03 %). In conclusion, both of leaves and flower of C. curviflora have a potential as antihypertensive agent.

Inhibition effects of tea flower extract on glucose absorption in experimental glucose tolerance mice / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To study the inhibitory effects of tea flower extract(TFE) onα-glucosidase and glucose intestinal absor-ption. Methods Three different postprandial hyperglycemia models (2 g/kg glucose, 4 g/kg sucrose, and 6 g/kg starch) were used, with 8 mice in each group. Oral administration of 150 or 300 mg/kg of TFE, 6.25 mg/kg of acarbose, or water was performed on mice 1 day and 30 mins before the oral administration of 2 g/kg glucose, 4 g/kg sucrose, and 6 g/kg starch at 10 ml/kg of body weight. Blood glucose levels were analyzed chronologically to evaluate the effect of TFE. In vitro studies were also performed to study the inhibitory effects of TFE on α-glucosidase and small intestinal mucosa glycosidase. Results Neither TFE nor acarbose had significant influence in glucose-treated mice. However, there was a significant decrease in the postprandial blood glucose 20 min after sucrose administration (P<0.05), and 20 min and 40 min after starch administration (P<0.05). TFE also significantly inhibited the activities ofα-glucosidase of small intestinal mucosa, with 18.8%and 31.1%by 150 and 300 mg/kg TFE. The in vitro IC50 of TFE onα-glucosidase was 1.50 mg/ml. Conclusion TFE could effectively reduce the blood glucose level in hyperglycemic mice. Its mechanism might be related to the inhibitory effects ofα-glucosidase.

Inhibition effects of tea flower extract on glucose absorption in experimental glucose tolerance mice / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To study the inhibitory effects of tea flower extract (TFE) on α-glucosidase and glucose intestinal absorption. Methods Three different postprandial hyperglycemia models (2 g/kg glucose, 4 g/kg sucrose, and 6 g/kg starch) were used, with 8 mice in each group. Oral administration of 150 or 300 mg/kg of TFE, 6.25 mg/kg of acarbose, or water was performed on mice 1 day and 30 mins before the oral administration of 2 g/kg glucose, 4 g/kg sucrose, and 6 g/kg starch at 10 ml/kg of body weight. Blood glucose levels were analyzed chronologically to evaluate the effect of TFE. In vitro studies were also performed to study the inhibitory effects of TFE on α-glucosidase and small intestinal mucosa glycosidase.

Antioxidant activity of Spathodea campanulata (Bignoneaceae) extracts / Atividade antioxidante de extratos de Spathodea campanulata (Bignoneaceae)

Spathodea campanulata is used in traditional medicine in Africa as diuretic and anti-inflammatory. Although few studies have reported the mechanism of antioxidant action, this study evidenced the antioxidant activity of S. campanulata bark and flower extracts and their possible mechanism of action. Ethanol extracts of S. campanulata bark and flowers showed antioxidant activity on lipid peroxidation of liver microsome induced by Fe3+-ascorbic acid. Bark extract was 5 times more efficient than flower extract. The antioxidant activity of flower extract, previously complexed with increasing concentrations of Fe3+ (20 - 100 µM) which resulted in antioxidant activity loss, was shown to be related to iron complex formation. In contrast, the antioxidant activity of bark extract was not inhibited by the previous incubation with Fe3+, although complexation was demonstrated by spectral analysis of the solution. These results suggest an antioxidant mechanism other than Fe3+ complex formation. Therefore, the antioxidant mechanisms of S. campanulata flower and bark extracts are distinct from each other, reflecting the extract heterogeneous composition and the mechanism of action.

Spathodea campanulata é usada na medicina popular na África como diurético e antiinflamatório. Embora poucos estudos relatem o mecanismo de ação antioxidante, neste trabalho foi evidenciado a atividade antioxidante dos extratos da casca e da flor da S. campanulata e o possível mecanismo de ação. Os extratos etanólicos da casca e da flor da S. campanulata mostrou possuir atividade antioxidante sobre a lipoperoxidação de microssoma hepático induzida por Fe3+-ácido ascórbico. O extrato da casca foi 5 vezes mais eficiente que da flor. O extrato da flor foi previamente complexado com concentrações crescentes de Fe3+ (20 - 100 µM) o qual resultou na perda da atividade antioxidante, demonstrando que esta está relacionada com a formação de complexo com o ferro. Por outro lado, a atividade antioxidante do extrato da casca não foi inibida pela prévia incubação com o ferro, embora haja a formação do complexo evidenciado pela análise espectral da solução. Estes resultados sugerem que o mecanismo antioxidante seja outro que não a complexação com o Fe3+. Portanto, o mecanismo antioxidante dos extratos da flor e da casca da S. campanulata é distinto entre si o que reflete a composição heterogênica do extrato e o mecanismo de ação.