Cardiotoxicity induced by Cochinchina momordica seed extract in zebrafish.

Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng is an indigenous South Asian edible fruit, and seeds of Momordica cochinchinensis have been used therapeutically in traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies have shown that M. cochinchinensis seed (Momordicae Semen) has various pharmaceutical properties such as antioxidant and anti-ulcer effects as well as contains secondary metabolites with potential anticancer activities such as triterpenoids and saponins. Recent studies reported that water extract and ethanol extract of M. cochinchinensi seed were tested on mammals using an acute toxic classic method as OECD guidelines 420. No matter injected intravenously or intramuscularly, animals died within several days. In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to various doses of Cochinchina momordica seed extract (CMSE) from 2 dpf (days post fertilization, dpf) to 3 dpf. CMSE-induced cardiotoxicity such as pericardial edema, cardiac apoptosis, increased ROS production, cardiac neutrophil infiltration, decreased blood flow velocity, and reduced expression of three marker genes of cardiac functions were found in zebrafish roughly in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that CMSE may induce cardiotoxicity through pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

Genipin induces developmental toxicity through oxidative stress and apoptosis in zebrafish.

Genipin, an iridoid substance, is mainly derived from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis of the traditional Chinese medicine and is widely used in raw materials for the food additive gardenia blue and biological materials. The developmental toxicity of genipin has not been investigated, and its underlying mechanism is unclear. Therefore, in this study we attempt to investigate the potential developmental toxicity of genipin in zebrafish embryos/larvae. The results showed zebrafish embryos treated with 50 µg/ml dose of genipin display inhibited hatching rates and body length. The pericardial edema was observed. It was also found that genipin could induce cardio-toxicity, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in zebrafish larvae. After genipin treatment, the suppression of antioxidant capacity and increase of oxidative stress were showed for the triggered generation of ROS and MDA, and decreased activity of SOD. Compared with the 0.5% DMSO group, a number of apoptotic cells in zebrafish were increased after genipin exposure. By measuring marker gene expression with the using of qRT-PCR, we proposed that developmental toxicity after genipin treatment might be associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis increase. Our research offers a better understanding for developmental toxicity of genipin.

[Clinical efficacy observation on primary trigeminal neuralgia treated with joint needling method at the trigger point].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy on primary trigeminal neuralgia treated with joint needling method at the trigger point. METHODS: One hundred and three cases of primary trigeminal neuralgia were divided into a joint needling group (53 cases) and a conventional needling group (50 cases) according to the visit sequence. In the joint needling group, the joint needling method was used at the trigger point in the mandibular joint [the positive point near to Xiaguan (ST 7)]; the conventional needling was used at Hegu (LI 4), Waiguan (TE 5), Taichong (LR 3) and Neiting (ST 44). In the conventional needling group, Xiaguan (ST 7) and Fengchi (GB 20) were used and the supplementary acupoints were selected according to the involved branches of trigeminal nerve. The conventional needling method was used. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the score of trigeminal neuralgia were adopted to assess the pain severity and the comprehensive symptoms before treatment and after the 1st and 2nd sessions of treatment separately. The efficacy was assessed. RESULTS: After the 1st and 2nd sessions of treatment, VAS score and the comprehensive symptom score were reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment in either group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The score reducing in the joint needling group was much superior to that in the conventional needling group (both P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 90.6% (48/53) and 72. 0% (36/50) in the joint needling group and the conventional needling group respectively. The effect in the joint needling group was better than that in the conventional needling group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The joint needling method at the trigger point achieves the significant efficacy on primary trigeminal neuralgia, which is superior to that with the conventional needling method.