Diterpenoid alkaloids from the roots of Aconitum brachypodum Diels.

A new diterpenoid alkaloid, named bullatine H (1), along with 10 known diterpenoid alkaloids were isolated from the roots of Aconitum brachypodum Diels (Ranunculaceae). The structure of 1 was elucidated by analysis of its spectroscopic data. It should be noted that compound 1 is the first example with 11, 13-dioxygenated denudatine-type diterpenoid alkaloid isolated from Aconitum brachypodum.

[Effect of Spatholobus suberctus on adhesion, invasion, migration and metastasis of melanoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Spatholobus suberctus, a kind of Chinese Traditional Medicine which can dissolve the stasis by activating the blood circulation, on invasion, adhesion, migration and metastasis of B16-BL6 metastatic mouse melanoma cells and its mechanism. METHODS: The proliferation, adhesion, invasion and migration capacity of B16-BL6 metastatic cells was evaluated by MTP assay, adhesion assay and reconstituted basement membrane invasion and migration assay in vitro respectively. Mouse spontaneous motility melanoma model was used to study the effect of Spatholobus suberctus on metastasis in vivo. RESULTS: At the highest innoxious concentration, the extracts of Spatholobus suberctus inhibited the adhesion and invasion capacity of B16-BL6 metastatic cells significantly. In the mouse spontaneous melanoma model, the lung metastatic nodes number and its volume were significantly decreased after continuously treated with the extracts of Spatholobus suberctu. CONCLUSION: The extracts of Spatholobus suberctu can inhibit the metastasis of of B16-BI6 metastatic mouse melanoma cells and its mechanism may be inhibiting the capability of B16-BL6 cells in adhering to the ECM and invading the basement membrane.

[The effect of Angelica sinensis on adhesion, invasion, migration and metastasis of melanoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Angelica sinensis on invasion, adhesion, migration and metastasis of B16-BL6 metastatic mouse melanoma cells and discuss its functional mechanism. METHODS: The proliferation, adhesion, invasion and migration capacity of B16-BL6 metastatic cells was evaluated by MTT assay, adhesion assay and reconstituted basement membrane invasion and migration assay in vitro respectively. Mouse spontaneous melanoma model was used to study the effect of Angelica sinensis on metastasis in vivo. RESULTS: The extract of Angelica sinensis inhibited the proliferation of B16-BL6 metastatic cells and its migration capacity significantly. It regulated bidirectionally the adhesion of B16-BL6 metastatic cells to the basement component laminin while it had no effect on the invasion capacity. In the mouse spotaneous melanoma model, the lung metastatic nodes number and its volume were significantly decreased after continuously treated with the extract of Angelica sinensis at the concentration of 3.67 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: The extract of Angelica sinensis can inhibit the metastasis of of B16-BL6 metastatic mouse melanoma cells and its mechanism is maybe that Angelica sinensis can inhibit the B16-BL6 cells adhering to the ECM and reduce the migration of B16-BL6 cells.

Aqueous extract of Yin-Chen-Hao decoction, a traditional Chinese prescription, exerts protective effects on concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice through inhibition of NF-kappaB.

In traditional oriental medicine, Yin-Chen-Hao decoction is used for the remedy of liver diseases such as hepatitis, fatty liver, hepatocirrhosis and jaundice. However, despite extensive pharmacological study, the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of Yin-Chen-Hao decoction is poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the pharmacological action on the mechanism of concanavalin A-induced T cell-dependent hepatitis in mice. Concanavalin A administration resulted in a severe liver injury. This was shown through increased levels of serum transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase, and increased liver DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity. Pretreatment with the aqueous extract from Yin-Chen-Hao decoction dose-dependently inhibited the elevation in transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase activity, and reduced liver DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 levels. There was an improvement in histological changes including inflammatory infiltration, hepatocyte necrosis and degeneration, and Kupffer cell hyperplasia. In addition, Yin-Chen-Hao decoction significantly inhibited tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in-vitro and in-vivo. Moreover, the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), which regulates TNF-alpha production, was blocked by Yin-Chen-Hao decoction in-vitro and in-vivo. In conclusion, Yin-Chen-Hao decoction was capable of regulating T-cell-mediated liver injury in-vivo. This event may have depended on the decrease of TNF-alpha production through the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.