Cardioprotective Activity of Ganoderma lucidum Extract during Total Ischemia and Reperfusion of Isolated Heart.

The cardioprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract were examined in experiments with global ischemia (45 min) and reperfusion (30 min) of isolated and perfused rat heart. The course of preventive administration of the extract in a dose of 400 mg/kg for 15 days diminished necrotic death of cardiomyocytes and reduced reperfusion contracture. Ganoderma lucidum extract demonstrated antioxidant properties. The authors believe that the cardioprotective properties of Ganoderma lucidum extract are largely determined by its antioxidant properties.

[Antiproliferative effect of polar lipids of maral antlers and peat in prostate benign hyperplasia model].

Lipids isolated from maral antlers and peat decreased the prostate posterior and lateral lobule mass and normalized its acinar and stromal histological structure, reduced protein content, decreased formation of lipid peroxidation products, and intensified antioxidant protection in homogenates, decreased prolactine and 5a-dihydrotestosterone blood level, and increased testosterone blood content in male rats of late reproductive age with prostate benign hyperplasia model caused by sulpiride injections. Polar lipids of maral antlers and peat more effectively suppress prostate hyperplasia and hyperprolactinemia development in comparison to the action of Serenoa repens extract (permixon).

[The effect of phospholipid hepatoprotectors on lipid peroxidation in liver and content of cytokines in the blood in experimental pathology caused by isoniazid].

The purpose--to investigate the influence of hepatoprotective agents of phospholipids'structure essentiale, eplir and its combinations with amber acid on rats liver functional state, lipoperoxidation and bioenergetics, also tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-10 blood content in experimental isoniazid intoxication. These agents demonstrated antioxidant action, decreased the common and indirect bilirubine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha blood content, aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity, increased the interleukin-10 blood content. Isonoazid uncoupled the substrate oxidation with ADP phosphorylation and inhibited the respiratory activity of liver mitochondrions. Essentiale and eplir increased the coupling of oxidation with ATP synthesis, in combination with amber acid improved kinetic characteristics of liver mitochondrions.

Efficacy of natural L-asparagine in the complex therapy for malignant tumors in experimental studies.

AIM: To study the influence of natural L-asparagine on the efficacy of cytostatic therapy for malignant tumors in experimental investigations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female C57B1/6 mice weighing 18-20 g were selected for the experiments. Lewis' lung carcinoma (LLC) and melanoma B16 cells were used in the study. Animals were inoculated with tumor cells intramuscularly. Solution of L-asparagine in a volume of 0.2 ml per mouse (in appropriate doses) was administered to the animals using gastric probe, daily, for 14 days. Cyclophosphane was administered intraperitoneally in total doses of 180 mg/kg and 90 mg/kg on days 3 and 7 after tumor implantation. The percentage of tumor growth inhibition was calculated and inhibition index and frequency of metastasis were assessed. RESULTS: It has been shown that despite low activity of L-asparagine with regard to primary tumor, the level of metastasis inhibition is rather high (up to 91% depending on experimental model, therapy regimen and follow-up period). The analysis of previously obtained data and our studies indicate that L-asparagine derived from burdock (Arctium lappa) root has not only its own antimetastatic activity but it is also able to increase antimetastatic activity of cyclophosphane partially reducing toxic effect of cyclophosphane on the organism without decreasing its antitumor and antimetastatic activities. CONCLUSION: L-asparagine derived from burdock (Arctium lappa) root can be effective in the complex anticancer therapy with the use of appropriate chemotherapy doses and regimens.

[Polymorphism of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) and serotonin transporter (5-HTTL) gene promoter regions in African tribes of Hadza and Datoga].

Molecular genetic analysis of the allelic variants of the DRD4 and 5-HTTL gene promoter regions was performed in African tribes of Hadza and Datoga, characterized by different levels of socially acceptable aggression. It was demonstrated that Hadza and Datoga people differed in the structural organization of one of the 5-HTTL alleles (extra long allele xL). Analysis of the allele length polymorphism of both genes showed that in the Hadza and Datoga samples examined, variation parameters, as well as the genotype and allele frequency distribution pattern were almost the same. At the same time, analysis of the SNP polymorphism at the A/G substitutions of the 5-HTTL locus revealed a substantial decrease of the active allele L(A) frequency in the population of Hadza compared to the population of Datoga (chi2 = 3.77; d.f = 1; P = 0.052).

[Gastroprotective action of the nettle extract in experimental peptic ulcer].

Nettle extract produced from leaves crushed to 40-70 nm fragments protects the stomach mucous membrane, and does it better than the extract derived from same leaves crushed to 1 mm fragments, on the models of peptic ulcers caused by acetylsalicylic acid, histamine, prednisolone, and immobilized stress. The antiulcer activity of the nettle extract from 40-70 nm fragments is comparable with the effect of buckthorn oil. Nettle extracts also hinder the excess acid secretion and diminish the acidity of stomach juice in experimental peptic ulcer caused by pylorus ligation.

[Phytoadaptogens-induced phenomenon similar to ischemic preconditioning].

The course administration (16 mg/kg per os for 5 days) of extracts of Panax ginseng or Rhodiola rosea induced a decrease in the infarction size/the area at risk (IS AAR) ratio during a 45-min local ischemia and a 2-hr reperfusion in artificially ventilated chloralose-anaesthetized rats. Single administration of ginseng or Rhodiola 24 h before ischemia did not affect the IS/AAR ratio. Chronic administration of Extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus, Leuzea carthamoides and Aralia mandshurica had no effect on the IS/AAR ratio. Pretreatment with extract ofAralia mandshurica prevented appearance of ventricular arrhythmias during first 10 min coronary artery occlusion. Pretreatment with extract of Rhodiola rosea decreased the incidence of ventricular fibrillation during ischemia. Single administration of extracts of Panax ginseng or Rhodiola rosea in a dose of 16 mg/kg had no effect on the IS/AAR ratio. The authors conclude that extracts of ginseng or Rhodiola exhibit a powerful cardioprotective effect. Extract of Aralia exhibit a strong antiarrhythmic effect. Extracts of ginseng and Rhodiola do not mimic phenomena of ischemia preconditioning.

Antiarrhythmic activity of phytoadaptogens in short-term ischemia-reperfusion of the heart and postinfarction cardiosclerosis.

A course of treatment (16 mg/kg orally during 5 days) by Aralia mandshurica or Rhodiola rosea extracts reduced the incidence of ischemic and reperfusion ventricular arrhythmias during 10-min ischemia and 10-min reperfusion. Extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus, Leuzea carthamoides, and Panax ginseng did not change the incidence of ischemic and reperfusion arrhythmias. Chronic treatment by aralia, rhodiola, and eleutherococcus elevated the ventricular fibrillation threshold in rats with postinfarction cardiosclerosis. Ginseng and leuzea did not change this parameter in rats with postinfarction cardiosclerosis.

[Cardioprotective, inotropic, and anti-arrhythmia properties of a complex adaptogen "Tonizid"].

We have studied the new complex plant adaptogen preparation tonizid containing dry extracts of Aralia mandshurica, Panax ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, and Eleutherococcus senticosus. The course administration (5 days) of tonizid led to a decrease in the ratio of necrotic zone size/risk area during a 45-min local ischemia and a 2-hr reperfusion in artificially ventilated chloralose anaesthetized rats. This compound decreased the necrotic zone but did not change the size of the risk area. Tonizid also prevented an appearance of ventricular fibrillation during a 45-min coronary artery occlusion, but did not affect the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias during a brief ischemia and reperfusion. In a separate series of experiments, tonizid was administered during 5 days to rats with postinfarction cardiac sclerosis, which was formed 45 days after coronary artery occlusion. In this case, tonizid dose-dependently elevated the ventricular fibrillation threshold. The experiments in vitro were performed on a model of 35-min total ischemia and 30-min reperfusion of isolated rat heart using the Langendorff technique. The course administration of tonizid attenuated the reperfusion-induced decrease in the left ventricular pressure and the rate of contraction. However, tonizid did not prevent a reperfusion-induced reduction in the heart rate, a decrease in the rate of relaxation, and an increase in the final diastolic pressure. Tonizid decreased the creatine kinase levels in the venous effluent from isolated rat heart during reperfusion. At the same time, the plant adaptogen did not affect the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and coronary flow. It is suggested that tonizid can be used as an adaptogen drug attenuating the contractility dysfunction and preventing an appearance of irreversible cardiomyocyte damage during ischemia and reperfusion. Tonizid exhibits cardioprotective and antifibrillatory properties during acute cardiac ischemia/reperfusion and postinfarction cardiac fibrosis.

[Ganoderma lucidum extract in cardiac diastolic dysfunction and irreversible cardiomyocytic damage in ischemia and reperfusion of the isolated heart].

We used a model of total 45-min ischemia and 30-min reperfusion of isolated rat heart by the Langendorf technique. The course administration (15 days) of Gonoderma lucidum extract attenuated reperfusion contracture and decreased creatine kinase levels in the venous effluent from rat isolated heart during reperfusion. However, the extract did not prevent a reperfusion decrease in pressure developed by the left ventricle, reduction in the heart rate, contraction and relaxation rates. The extract had no effect on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia. We believe that Ganoderma lucidum extract is a drug which attenuates diastolic dysfunction and prevents irreversible cardiomyocyte damage during ischemia and heart reperfusion.

[The complex adaptogenic drug tonizid attenuates myocardial contractile dysfunction and prevents irreversible cardiomyocytic damages in ischemia and reperfusion of the isolated heart].

A course administration of the complex plant adaptogenic drug tonizid was ascertained to increase murine exercise tolerance. In addition, the drug increased murine survival during hypobaric hypoxia (at an altitude of 10,500 m upon 20-min exposure). A model of total 35-min ischemia and that of 30-min reperfusion of the rat isolated heart were used by the Langendorff technique. The course administration of tonizid attenuated a reperfusion decrease in the left ventricular pressure and in the rate of contraction. However, tonizid did not prevent a reperfusion reduction in heart rate, a decrease in the rate of relaxation and an elevation of end diastolic pressure. Tonizid lowered the level of creatine kinase in the venous effluent from the isolated rat heart during reperfusion. At the same time, the plant adaptogen exerted no effect on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and coronary flow. It has been suggested that tonizid is an adaptogenic drug that attenuates contractile dysfunction and prevents irreversible cardiomyocytic damage during ischemia and reperfusion of the isolated heart.

Antihypoxic, cardioprotective, and antifibrillation effects of a combined adaptogenic plant preparation.

The course of treatment with combined adaptogenic plant preparation Tonizid improved mouse survival under conditions of hypobaric hypoxia and reduced the necrotic zone/risk zone ratio during ischemia and reperfusion in rats under conditions of artificial ventilation. The test preparation decreased the size of the necrotic zone, but had no effect on the size of the risk zone. Tonizid prevented ventricular fibrillation during coronary occlusion and exhibited antihypoxic, cardioprotective, and antifibrillation properties.

[Hepatoprotectors prevent the toxic action of cyclophosphamide on the liver of rats with CCl4-induced hepatitis model].

The results of experiments on white rats with CCl4-induced hepatitis showed that the combined introduction of cyclophosphamide and hepatoprotectors of the plant origin (lochein, maksar, silimarin) leads to a decrease in acute toxicity and to less pronounced manifestations of hepatotoxicity of cyclophosphamide. Hepatoprotectors decrease the activity of aminotransferases, reduce the level of bilirubin, normalize the content of protein andpipids in the blood serum, and suppress the development of morphological disorders in the liver.

[Hepatoprotective properties of liproxol]. / Gepatoprotektornye svoistva liproksola.

The experiments on rats with a model toxic liver damage (tetrachloromethane hepatitis) showed evidence of a high hepatoprotector activity of liproxol, representing a combination of eplir and lokhein mixed in a 1-12 ratio. Liproxol inhibits lipid peroxidation, stimulates the excretory and detoxicant functions of liver, reduces hyperfermentation, and normalized membrane phospholipid composition.

[Enteric sorbents potentiate hepatoprotective effect of eplir in experimental toxic hepatitis]. / Enterosorbenty usilivaiut gepatozashchitnoe deistvie éplira pri éksperimental'nom toksicheskom gepatite.

The administration of eplir (a phospholipid-containing hepatoprotector), as well as of the enterosorbents polyphepan and EST-1 (an agent obtained from dry peat extract), to rats with tetrachloromethane-induced hepatitis protect the liver parenchyma against dystrophy, necrosis, and inflammation, reduce hyperfermentemia, decrease the blood bilirubin, ammonia, phenols, and malonaldehyde, and increase the urea content in blood serum, while not fully restoring all these biochemical parameters on the normal level. The treatment of rats with toxic hepatitis by a combination of eplir and enterosorbents is accompanied by a synergistic increase in the therapeutic efficacy of each component, leading to normalization of the biochemical parameters reflecting the functional slate of liver.

[The joint use of prednisolone and phospholipid-containing hepatoprotectors in experimental chronic hepatitis]. / Sovmestnoe primenenie prednizolona i gepatoprotektorov, soderzhashchikh fosfolipidy, pri éksperimental'nom khronicheskom gepatite.

In chronic CCl4-hepatitis in rats phospholipid-containing hepatoprotectors, essentiale and eplir differ in their influence on the therapeutic effect of prednisolone; essentiale does not change the antiproliferative effect of the glucocorticoid and weakens its membrane-stabilizing effect, eplir increases these therapeutic effects of prednisolone. Besides, eplir, in distinction from essentiale, reduces lipid accumulation in the liver and hypoproteinemia which are induced by prednisolone.