ABSTRACT
We have designed a novel nerve guidance conduit (NGC) made from silk fibroin and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) through electrospinning and weaving (ESP-NGCs). Several physical and biological properties of the ESP-NGCs were assessed in order to evaluate their biocompatibility. The physical properties, including thickness, tensile stiffness, infrared spectroscopy, porosity, and water absorption were determined in vitro. To assess the biological properties, Schwann cells were cultured in ESP-NGC extracts and were assessed by morphological observation, the MTT assay, and immunohistochemistry. In addition, ESP-NGCs were subcutaneously implanted in the backs of rabbits to evaluate their biocompatibility in vivo. The results showed that ESP-NGCs have high porosity, strong hydrophilicity, and strong tensile stiffness. Schwann cells cultured in the ESP-NGC extract fluids showed no significant differences compared to control cells in their morphology or viability. Histological evaluation of the ESP-NGCs implanted in vivo indicated a mild inflammatory reaction and high biocompatibility. Together, these data suggest that these novel ESP-NGCs are biocompatible, and may thus provide a reliable scaffold for peripheral nerve repair in clinical application.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of MEICHA. METHODS: Chromatography and spectroscopic analysis were employed to isolate and elucidate the chemical constituents in the plant. RESULTS: Seven compounds were obtained and identified as beta3-sitosterol (I), oleanolic acid (II), quercetin (III), Taxifolin (IV), Catechin (V), Querceetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside (VI) and Gallic acid (VII). CONCLUSION: Seven compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.
Subject(s)
Oleanolic Acid/isolation & purification , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Quercetin/isolation & purification , Sitosterols/isolation & purification , Vitaceae/chemistry , Catechin/chemistry , Catechin/isolation & purification , Gallic Acid/chemistry , Gallic Acid/isolation & purification , Molecular Structure , Oleanolic Acid/chemistry , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Plant Stems/chemistry , Quercetin/chemistry , Sitosterols/chemistry , Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet , Spectroscopy, Near-InfraredABSTRACT
Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl has long been used as a fork herb in inflammation-related therapy. This study was undertaken to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of the plant. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for evaluating the extract. While dexamethasone (DM) was used as a positive control, the effects of ethanol extract on the production of IL-1beta, IL-6, NO, COX-2 and TNF-alpha, the expression of iNOS mRNA, TNF-alpha mRNA, COX-2 mRNA, protein production of COX-2 and HO-1, NF-kappaB and I-kappaB of LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were studied by sandwich ELISA, real-time PCR, Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry assay respectively. The results showed that K. striata (Thunb.) Schindl had a good anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell. On one hand, it could significantly inhibit the production of IL-1beta, IL-6, NO, TNF-alpha, COX-2 in LPS-stimulated cell than that of single LPS stimulated cell (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). On the other hand, it could increase the production of IL-10 and HO-1 than that of single LPS intervention cell (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Furthermore, the extract also could inhibit the production of NF-kappaB and I-kappaB compared to single LPS stimulated cell. In a word, it suggested that the anti-inflammatory actions of K. striata (Thunb.) Schindl ethanol extract might be due to the down-regulation of IL-1beta, IL-6, NO, TNF-alpha and COX-2 via the suppression of NF-kappaB activation and conversation of I-kappaB production, and another pathway was up regulating the production of IL-10 and HO-1.
