Ethyl acetate fraction of the root of Rubia cordifolia L. inhibits keratinocyte proliferation in vitro and promotes keratinocyte differentiation in vivo: potential application for psoriasis treatment.

Psoriasis is a skin disease associated with hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of keratinocytes. Our previous studies have identified the root of Rubia cordifolia L. as a potent antiproliferative and apoptogenic agent in cultured HaCaT cells (IC(50) 1.4 microg/ml). In the present study, ethanolic extract of Radix Rubiae was fractioned sequentially with hexane, ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol and water. EA fraction was found to possess most potent antiproliferative action on HaCaT cells (IC(50) 0.9 microg/ml). Mechanistic study revealed that EA fraction induced apoptosis on HaCaT cells, as it was capable of inducing apoptotic morphological changes. Annexin V-PI staining assay also demonstrated that EA fraction significantly augmented HaCaT apoptosis. In addition, EA fraction decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The standardized EA fraction was formulated into topical gel and its keratinocyte-modulating action was tested on mouse tail model. EA fraction dose-dependently increased the number and thickness of granular layer and epidermal thickness on mouse tail skin, indicative of the keratinocyte differentiation-inducing activity. Taking the in vitro and in vivo findings together, the present preclinical study confirms that EA fraction is a promising antipsoriatic agent warranting further development for psoriasis treatment.

[Changes of peroxidase, plasminogen and fibrinolytic activity on menorrhagia induced by IUDS and the effect of treatment with vitamin E].

PIP: The IUD is widely used as a contraceptive by Chinese women. However, 5-15% of all users have it removed within the first year, including 80% for excessive bleeding. Damage to blood vessels, changes in the blood coagulation function, and infection have been considered the possible causes of the bleeding. More recently, increased fibrinolytic activity in the endometrium has been suggested as a cause. To test this hypothesis, levels of plasminogen and peroxidase, as well as fibrinolytic activity were measured in the menstrual and peripheral blood of 31 menorrhagic women who had an IUD inserted for 6 months to 2 years. 20 women who served as controls were comparable in age, parity, and medical history and had never used an IUD. The results showed that the fibrinolytic activity and peroxidase levels in the menstrual blood of the women with IUDs were higher than those in the control group (p0.01). These differences were not observed in the peripheral blood (p0.05). When 20 of the 31 women with an IUD were given vitamin E treatment (200mg/day in 3-5 cycles of 7 days each), their menstrual blood levels decreased by 35.2% and their peroxidase levels in menstrual blood decreased from 12.46 - 7.23 ml. These results suggest that the excessive uterine bleeding is related to local changes in fibrinolytic activity and peroxidase levels induced by IUDs.^ieng