Integrated systematic pharmacology analysis and experimental validation to reveal the mechanism of action of Semen aesculi on inflammatory bowel diseases.

BACKGROUND AND ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Semen aesculi (SA), a traditional Chinese herb, has been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease for thousands of years. The escin was the main components of SA. A growing number of research showed that escin has a wide range of pharmacological activities in intestinal barrier dysfunction. AIM OF THE STUDY: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are an idiopathic disease of the intestinal tract with the hallmark features of mucosal inflammation and loss of barrier function. The theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) suggests that SA plays a potential role in protecting the gastrointestinal diseases. The present study aimed to explore the effects of SA on the intestinal barrier under existing inflammatory conditions and elucidate underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bioactive components of SA and their predicted biological targets were combined to develop a compound target pathway network. It is used to predict the bioactive components, molecular targets, and molecular pathways of SA in improving IBD. The ingredients of SA were extracted by decoction either in water and ethanol and separated into four fractions (AE, EE, PEE and PCE). The effects of extractions were evaluated in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages cell model, LPS-induced intestinal barrier injury model and imodium-induced constipation model. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed to identify the bioactive components. RESULTS: The compound-target pathway network was identified with 10 bioactive compounds, 166 IBD-related targets, and 52 IBD-related pathways. In LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, PEE and PCE significantly decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and TNF-α level. In mice, PEE and PCE administration improved intestinal barrier damage, increased intestinal motility, reduced levels of TNF-α and diamine oxidase (DAO). Furthermore, PEE and PCE administration not only decreased expression of p-Akt, p-IκBα, nuclear p-p65, and TNF-α level, but also increased expression of the zonula occludin-1 (ZO-1) in LPS-induced intestinal barrier injury model. The escin content of AE, EE, PEE and PCE gradually increased with an increase of the bioactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Escin was the main bioactive components of SA. The effects of SA on IBD were mediated by repairing the intestinal barrier and promoting intestinal motility. The mechanism of action of SA is related to inhibiting the Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway in intestinal tissue, at least, in part. Our results provide a scientific basis for further exploring the mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of SA in IBD.

Allisartan isoproxil reduces mortality of stroke-prone rats and protects against cerebrovascular, cardiac, and aortic damage.

Stroke is a common cause of death and disability. Allisartan isoproxil (ALL) is a new angiotensin II receptor blocker and a new antihypertensive drug discovered and developed in China. In the present study we investigated the therapeutic effects of ALL in stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats (RHR-SP) and the underlying mechanisms. The model rats were generated via two-kidney two-clip (2K2C) surgery, which led to 100% of hypertension, 100% of cerebrovascular damage as well as 100% of mortality 1 year after the surgery. Administration of ALL (30 mg · kg-1 · d-1 in diet, for 55 weeks) significantly decreased stroke-related death and prolonged lifespan in RHR-SP, but the survival ALL-treated RHR-SP remained of hypertension and cardiovascular hypertrophy compared with sham-operated normal controls. In addition to cardiac, and aortic protection, ALL treatment for 10 or 12 weeks significantly reduced cerebrovascular damage incidence and scoring, along with a steady reduction of blood pressure (BP) in RHR-SP. Meanwhile, it significantly decreased serum aldosterone and malondialdehyde levels and cerebral NAD(P)H oxidase expressions in RHR-SP. We conducted 24 h continuous BP recording in conscious freely moving RHR-SP, and found that a single intragastric administration of ALL produced a long hypotensive effect lasting for at least 12 h on systolic BP. Taken together, our results in RHR-SP demonstrate that ALL can be used for stroke prevention via BP reduction and organ protection, with the molecular mechanisms related to inhibition of angiotensin-aldosterone system and oxidative stress. This study also provides a valuable scoring for evaluation of cerebrovascular damage and drug efficacy.

Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in pain regulation in the parabrachial nucleus of naive rats and rats with neuropathic pain.

Researches have shown that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a pivotal role in pain modulation. Nociceptive information from the periphery is relayed from parabrachial nucleus (PBN) to brain regions implicated involved in pain. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of CGRP and CGRP receptors in pain regulation in the PBN of naive and neuropathic pain rats. Chronic sciatic nerve ligation was used to model neuropathic pain, CGRP and CGRP 8-37 were injected into the PBN of the rats, and calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR), a main structure of CGRP receptor, was knocked down by lentivirus-coated CLR siRNA. The hot plate test (HPT) and the Randall Selitto Test (RST) was used to determine the latency of the rat hindpaw response. The expression of CLR was detected with RT-PCR and western blotting. We found that intra-PBN injecting of CGRP induced an obvious anti-nociceptive effect in naive and neuropathic pain rats in a dose-dependent manner, the CGRP-induced antinociception was significantly reduced after injection of CGRP 8-37, Moreover, the mRNA and protein levels of CLR, in PBN decreased significantly and the antinociception CGRP-induced was also significantly lower in neuropathic pain rats than that in naive rats. Knockdown CLR in PBN decreased the expression of CLR and the antinociception induced by CGRP was observably decreased. Our results demonstrate that CGRP induced antinociception in PBN of naive or neuropathic pain rats, CGRP receptor mediates this effect. Neuropathic pain induced decreases in the expression of CGRP receptor, as well as in CGRP-induced antinociception in PBN.

Escin ameliorates the impairments of neurological function and blood brain barrier by inhibiting systemic inflammation in intracerebral hemorrhagic mice.

This study aims to investigate whether escin ameliorates the impairments of neurological function by ameliorating systemic inflammation instead of targeting the brain directly in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) mice. It showed that escin did not cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). Compared with the ICH group, the Garcia test scores in the escin groups were significantly increased. Brain water contents and Evans blue extravasation of the right basal ganglia in the ICH group were augmented, and significantly reduced by escin. Escin abated the increases of monocyte counts and serum IL-1ß levels induced by ICH. IL-1ß administration reversed the effect of escin on Garcia test scores, the brain water contents, and the Evans blue extravasation. Escin ameliorated the increasing levels of RhoA, ROCK1, nuclear NF-κB and the decreasing expression of IκBα, cytosolic NF-κB, occludin, claudin-5 in the ICH group. IL-1ß administration blocked not only escin-mediated increases of IκBα, cytosolic NF-κB, occludin, and claudin-5, but also escin-caused decreases of RhoA, ROCK1, and nuclear NF-κB. The results indicate that escin improves neurological outcomes and the BBB function in ICH mice, which is associated with attenuating ICH-induced peripheral system inflammation, and therefore, inhibiting IL-1ß/RhoA/NF-κB signaling pathway in BBB, at least in part. These findings suggest that it may be useful to ameliorate brain injury by inhibiting systemic inflammation instead of aiming to target the brain directly after ICH.

Role of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Nociceptive Modulationin Anterior Cingulate Cortex of Naïve Rats and Rats With Inflammatory Pain.

It is known that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a key role in pain modulation in the brain. There are high expressions of CGRP and CGRP receptor in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), an important brain structure in pain modulation. The present study explored the role and mechanisms of CGRP and CGRP receptor in nociceptive modulation in ACC in naïve rats and inflammatory rats. Administration of different does of CGRP in ACC induced significant antinociception in a dose-dependent manner in both naïve rats and rats with inflammatory pain. The CGRP-induced antinociception was attenuated by injection of the CGRP receptor antagonist CGRP8-37 in ACC. Interestingly, both CGRP-induced antinociception and CGRP receptor expression decreased in ACC in rats with inflammatory pain compared with naïve rats. Knockdown of CGRP receptor in ACC by siRNA targeting to CGRP receptor attenuated both the CGRP receptor expression and the CGRP-induced antinociception significantly in rats. These findings demonstrate that CGRP and CGRP receptor participate in nociceptive modulation in ACC in rats, inhibiting CGRP receptor expression induces decrease in CGRP-induced antinociception in ACC.

PCC0208009, an indirect IDO1 inhibitor, alleviates neuropathic pain and co-morbidities by regulating synaptic plasticity of ACC and amygdala.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) has been linked to neuropathic pain and IDO1 inhibitors have been shown to reduce pain in animals. Some studies have indicated that IDO1 expression increased after neuropathic pain in hippocampus and spinal cord, whether these changes existing in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and amygdala remains obscure and how IDO1 inhibition leads to analgesia is largely unknown. Here, we evaluated the antinociceptive effect of PCC0208009, an indirect IDO1 inhibitor, on neuropathic pain and examined the related neurobiological mechanisms. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The effects of PCC0208009 on pain, cognition and anxiogenic behaviors were evaluated in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Motor disorder, sedation and somnolence were also assessed. Biochemical techniques were used to measure IDO1-mediated signaling changes in ACC and amygdala. KEY RESULTS: In rats receiving spinal nerve ligation (SNL), IDO1 expression level was increased in ACC and amygdala. PCC0208009 attenuated pain-related behaviors in the formalin test and SNL model and increased cognition and anxiogenic behaviors in SNL rats at doses that did not affect locomotor activity and sleeping. PCC0208009 inhibited IDO1 expression in ACC and amygdala by inhibiting the IL-6-JAK2/STAT3-IDO1-GCN2-IL-6 pathway. In addition, PCC0208009 reversed synaptic plasticity at the functional and structural levels by suppressing NMDA2B receptor and CDK5/MAP2 or CDK5/Tau pathway in ACC and amygdala. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These results support the role of IDO1-mediated molecular mechanisms in neuropathic pain and suggest that the IDO1 inhibitor PCC0208009 demonstrates selective pain suppression and could be a useful pharmacological therapy for neuropathic pain.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel α-hederagenin derivatives with anticancer activity.

In an attempt to arrive at a more potent cytotoxic agent than the parent compound α-hederagenin (H), 24 α-hederagenin derivatives (5-8, 11-24, 27-28, 31-32, and 35-36) were synthesized in a concise and efficient strategy and screened for in vitro cytotoxicity against the human cancer cell lines MKN45 and KB. Among these compounds, the polyamine derivative 15 exhibited more potency than the parent compound with IC50 values in the range of 4.22 µM-8.05 µM. Compound 15 increased Bax/bcl-2 ratio that disrupted the mitochondrial potential and induced apoptosis. Therefore, the present studies highlight the importance of polyamine derivatives of α-hederagenin in the discovery and development of novel anticancer agents.

Involvement of galanin and galanin receptor 2 in nociceptive modulation in anterior cingulate cortex of normal rats and rats with mononeuropathy.

The present study was performed to explore the role of galanin and galanin receptor 2 in nociceptive modulation in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of normal rats and rats with mononeuropathy. Intra-ACC injection of galanin induced significant increases in hindpaw withdrawal latencies (HWLs) to thermal and mechanical stimulations in both normal rats and rats with mononeuropathy, the increased HWLs were attenuated significantly by intra-ACC injection of galanin receptor 2 antagonist M871, indicating an involvement of galanin receptor 2 in nociceptive modulation in ACC. Interestingly, the galanin-induced HWL was significant higher in rats with mononeuropathy than that in normal rats tested by Randall Selitto test. Furthermore, both the galanin mRNA expression and galanin content increased significantly in ACC in rats with mononeuropathy than that in normal rats. Moreover, both the mRNA levels of galanin receptor 2 and the content of galanin receptor 2 in ACC increased significantly in rats with mononeuropathy than that in normal rats. These results found that galanin induced antinociception in ACC in both normal rats and rats with mononeuropathy. And there may be plastic changes in the expression of galanin and galanin receptor 2 in rats with mononeuropathy, as well as in the galanin-induced antinociception.

In vitro assessment of the glucose-lowering effects of berberrubine-9-O-ß-D-glucuronide, an active metabolite of berberrubine.

Berberrubine (BRB) is the primary metabolite of berberine (BBR) that has shown a stronger glucose-lowering effect than BBR in vivo. On the other hand, BRB is quickly and extensively metabolized into berberrubine-9-O-ß-D-glucuronide (BRBG) in rats after oral administration. In this study we compared the pharmacokinetic properties of BRB and BRBG in rats, and explored the mechanisms underlying their glucose-lowering activities. C57BL/6 mice with HFD-induced hyperglycemia were administered BRB (50 mg·kg-1·d-1, ig) for 6 weeks, which caused greater reduction in the plasma glucose levels than those caused by BBR (120 mg·kg-1·d-1) or BRB (25 mg·kg-1·d-1). In addition, BRB dose-dependently decreased the activity of α-glucosidase in gut of the mice. After oral administration of BRB in rats, the exposures of BRBG in plasma at 3 different dosages (10, 40, 80 mg/kg) and in urine at different time intervals (0-4, 4-10, 10-24 h) were dramatically greater than those of BRB. In order to determine the effectiveness of BRBG in reducing glucose levels, we prepared BRBG from the urine pool of rats, and identified and confirmed it through LC-MS-IT-TOF and NMR spectra. In human normal liver cell line L-O2 in vitro, treatment with BRB or BRBG (5, 20, 50 µmol/L) increased glucose consumption, enhanced glycogenesis, stimulated the uptake of the glucose analog 2-NBDG, and modulated the mRNA levels of glucose-6-phosphatase and hexokinase. However, both BBR and BRB improved 2-NBDG uptake in insulin-resistant L-O2 cells, while BRBG has no effect. In conclusion, BRB exerts a stronger glucose-lowering effect than BBR in HFD-induced hyperglycemia mice. Although BRB significantly stimulated the insulin sensitivity and glycolysis in vitro, BRBG may have a greater contribution to the glucose-lowering effect because it has much greater system exposure than BRB after oral administration of BRB. The results suggest that BRBG is a potential agent for reducing glucose levels.

Antinociception induced by galanin in anterior cingulate cortex in rats with acute inflammation.

The present study was performed to explore the role of galanin in nociceptive modulation in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of rats with acute inflammation, and the changes in galanin and galanin receptor 2 (Gal R2) expressions in rats with acute inflammation. Intra-ACC injection of galanin induced antinociception in rats with acute inflammation, the antinociceptive effects induced by galanin were attenuated significantly by intra-ACC injection of the Gal R2 antagonist M871, indicating an involvement of Gal R2 in nociceptive modulation in ACC in rats with acute inflammation. Furthermore, we found that both the galanin mRNA expression and galanin content increased significantly in ACC in rats with acute inflammation than that in normal rats. Moreover, both the mRNA levels of Gal R2 and the content of Gal R2 in ACC increased significantly in rats with acute inflammation than that in normal rats. These results demonstrated that galanin induced antinociception in ACC in rats with acute inflammation. And there were changes in the expression of galanin and Gal R2 in rats with acute inflammation.

Assessment of risk factors for delayed colonic post-polypectomy hemorrhage: a study of 15553 polypectomies from 2005 to 2013.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Delayed colonic postpolypectomy bleeding is the commonest serious complication after polypectomy. This study aimed to utilize massive sampling data of polypectomy to analyze risk factors for delayed postpolypectomy bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The endoscopic data of 5600 patients with 15553 polyps removed (2005 to 2013) were analyzed retrospectively through univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis to evaluate the risk factors for delayed bleeding. RESULTS: Delayed postpolypectomy bleeding occurred in 99 polyps (0.6%). The rates of bleeding for different polypectomy methods including hot biopsy forcep, biopsy forcep, Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC), Endoscopy piecemeal mucosal resection (EPMR), Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR), and snare polypectomy were 0.1%, 0.0%, 0.0%, 6.9%, 0.9% and 1.0%, respectively. The risk factors for delayed bleeding were the size of polyps over 10 mm (odds ratio [OR] = 4.6, 95% CI, 2.9-7.2), pathology of colonic polyps (inflammatory/hyperplastic, OR = 1; adenomatous, OR = 1.4, 95% CI, 0.7-2.6; serrated, OR = 1.5, 95% CI, 0.2-11.9; juvenile, OR = 4.3, 95% CI, 1.8-11.0; Peutz-Jegher, OR = 3.3, 95% CI, 1.0-10.7), and immediate postpolypectomy bleeding (OR = 2.9, 95% CI, 1.4-5.9). In addition, although polypectomy method was not a risk factor, compared with hot biopsy forcep, snare polypectomy, EMR, and EPMR had increased risks of delayed bleeding, with ORs of 3.2 (0.4-23.3), 2.8 (0.4-21.7) and 5.1 (0.5-47.7), respectively. CONCLUSION: Polyp size over 10 mm, pathology of colonic polyps (especially juvenile, Peutz-Jegher), and immediate postpolypectomy bleeding were significant risk factors for delayed postpolypectomy bleeding.

Cardioprotective Effects of 20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is considered as one of the best antineoplastic agents. However, its clinical use is restricted by its associated cardiotoxicity, which is mediated by the production of reactive oxygen species. In this study, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) was explored whether it had protective effects against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. In vitro study on H9C2 cell line, as well as in vivo investigation in one mouse and one rat model of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy, was carried out. The results showed that pretreatment with Rh2 significantly increased the viability of DOX-injured H9C2 cells. In the mouse model, Rh2 could suppress the DOX-induced release of the cardiac enzymes into serum and improved the occurred pathological changes through ameliorating the decreased antioxidant biomolecules and the cumulated lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde in heart tissues. In the rat model, Rh2 could attenuate the change of ECG resulting from DOX administration. Furthermore, Rh2 enhanced the antitumor activity of DOX in A549 cells. Our findings thus demonstrated that Rh2 pretreatment could effectively alleviate heart injury induced by DOX, and Rh2 might act as a novel protective agent in the clinical usefulness of DOX.

Sodium aescinate ameliorates liver injury induced by methyl parathion in rats.

Methyl parathion, a highly cytotoxic insecticide, has been used in agricultural pest control for several years. The present study investigated the protective effect of sodium aescinate (SA, the sodium salt of aescin) against liver injury induced by methyl parathion. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 8 animals: the control group; the methyl parathion (15 mg/kg) poisoning (MP) group; and the MP plus SA at doses of 0.45, 0.9 and 1.8 mg/kg groups. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the plasma were assayed. Nitric oxide (NO) and antioxidative parameters were measured. Histopathological examination of the liver was also performed. The results revealed that SA had no effect on AChE. Treatment with SA decreased the activities of ALT and AST, and the levels of malondialdehyde and NO. Treatment with SA also increased the level of glutathione and the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. SA administration also ameliorated liver injury induced by methyl parathion poisoning. The findings indicate that SA protects against liver injury induced by methyl parathion and that the mechanism of action is related to the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of SA.

The Role of P-Glycoprotein in Transport of Danshensu across the Blood-Brain Barrier.

Danshensu (3-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl) lactic acid), a water-soluble active component isolated from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is widely used for the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. The present study aims to investigate the role of P-glycoprotein in transport of Danshensu across the blood-brain barrier. Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with verapamil at a dose of 20 mg kg(-1) (verapamil group) or the same volume of normal saline (control group). Ninety minutes later, the animals were administrated with Danshensu (15 mg kg(-1)) by intravenous injection. At 15 min, 30 min, and 60 min after Danshensu administration, the levels of Danshensu in the blood and brain were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The results showed that Danshensu concentrations in the brain of the rats pretreated with verapamil were significantly increased. In addition, the brain-plasma ratios of the group pretreated with verapamil were much higher than that of the control group. There was no difference in Danshensu level in plasma between the verapamil group and control group. The findings indicated that Danshensu can pass the blood-brain barrier, and P-glycoprotein plays an important role in Danshensu transportation in brain.

Protective effect of sodium aescinate on lung injury induced by methyl parathion.

Methyl parathion (MP) is a high venenosus insecticide. It has been used in pest control of agriculture for several years. The present study is performed to investigate the protective effect of sodium aescinate (SA) on lung injury induced by MP. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats are randomly divided into five groups, with 8 animals in each group: control group, MP administration group, MP plus SA at doses of 0.45 mg/kg, 0.9 mg/kg and 1.8 mg/kg groups. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and nitric oxide (NO) level in plasma, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, NO level, and antioxidative parameters in lung tissue are assayed. Histopathological examination of lung is also performed. The results show that SA has no effect on AChE. Treatment with SA decreases the activity of MPO in lung and the level of NO in plasma and lung. The level of malondialdehyde in lung is decreased after SA treatments. SA increases the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and the content of glutathione in lung. SA administration also ameliorates lung injury induced by MP. The findings indicate that SA could protect lung injury induced by MP and the mechanism of action is related to the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effect of SA.

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities of salvianolic acid A.

INTRODUCTION: Salvianolic acid A (SAA), the water-soluble phenolic acids in Salvia miltiorrhiza, has shown the most potent bioactivities, including protection against cerebral lesion, defense from oxidative damage and improvement of remembrance. In the present study, we studied the antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of a newly synthesized SAA with different methods both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested the effect of antithrombotic activity of SAA in arterio-venous shunt model. The effects of SAA on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-, Thrombin-, Arachidonic acid- induced rat platelets aggregation were tested both in vivo and in vitro. The activity of SAA on washed human platelet aggregation was determined by ADP stimulation. We also evaluated its property of modulation of hemorheology, assessed its bleeding side effect by measuring coagulation parameters after intravenous administration for 5 days and investigated the potential mechanisms underlying such activities. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In vivo, SAA significantly reduced thrombus weight in the model of arterio-venous shunt. Meanwhile, SAA increased plasma cAMP level determined by radioimmunoassay in the same model. Intravenously administrated SAA (2.5-10 mg/kg) inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, SAA did not affect coagulation parameters in rats after intravenous administration SAA for successive 5 days. In vitro, pretreatment with SAA on washed rat and human platelets significantly inhibited various agonists stimulated platelet aggregation and caused an increase in cAMP level in platelets activated by ADP. These findings support our hypothesis that SAA possesses antithrombotic activities. The antithrombotic effect might be related to its antiplatelet action and ability to modulate hemorheology without affecting coagulation system. The mechanisms underlying such activities may involve the induction of cAMP.

Neuroprotective efficacy and therapeutic window of Forsythoside B: in a rat model of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury.

The present study was to investigate the neuroprotective efficacy and mechanism of Forsythoside B. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 h followed by reperfusion for 23 h. Rats received an intravenous bolus injection of Forsythoside B at 15 min after reperfusion. The results showed that Forsythoside B at doses higher than 8 mg/kg produced a significant neuroprotective potential in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion rats. Forsythoside B (20 mg/kg) demonstrated significant neuroprotective activity even after delayed administration at 1 h, 3 h and 5 h after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Forsythoside B 20 mg/kg attenuated histopathological damage as demonstrated by smaller brain infarct size and brain edema, decreased cerebral Evans blue extravasation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, inhibited cerebral phosphor-IkappaB-alpha and nuclear transcription factors kappaB (NF-kappaB) expression. Meanwhile, NF-kappaB expression with immunohistochemical staining was reduced, while circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes was increased. All of these findings suggested that Forsythoside B exerted potent neuroprotective effects with a favorable therapeutic time-window, reduce of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury degree, attenuating blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, and its protective effects may be due to inhibition of inflammatory response.

In vitro and in vivo antifibrotic effects of rosmarinic acid on experimental liver fibrosis.

This study was carried out to investigate whether rosmarinic acid (RA) has antifibrotic effect on experimental liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo and its possible mechanism. Culture of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) determine proliferation and expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), connective transforming growth factor (CTGF) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA). In carbon tetrachloride (CCL(4))-induced rat liver fibrosis model, determined biochemical indicator, liver fibrosis grade and histopathological changes, immunohistochemical detected liver TGF-beta1 and CTGF expression. The results indicated that RA could inhibit HSCs proliferation, inhibit TGF-beta1, CTGF and alpha-SMA expression in cultured HSCs. It has marked evident in reducing fibrosis grade, ameliorating biochemical indicator and histopathological morphology, reducing liver TGF-beta1 and CTGF expression in CCL(4)-induced liver fibrosis. These findings suggest that RA has potentially conferring antifibrogenic effects.

8-O-acetyl shanzhiside methylester attenuates apoptosis and ameliorates mitochondrial energy metabolism in rat cortical neurons exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation.

8-O-acetyl shanzhiside methylester (ND01), an iridoid glucoside compound, was isolated from the leaves of Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo. The present study elucidated the effects of ND01 on the cultured rat cortical neuron injury induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation. The results showed that ND01 treatment obviously attenuated apoptosis and ameliorated mitochondrial energy metabolism in rat cortical neurons by increasing cell survival rate, mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities, mitochondrial respiratory control ratio and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and by attenuating lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, intracellular Ca(2+) level and caspase-3 activity in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings indicated that ND01 has potential against cerebral ischemic injury, and its protective effect on oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced injury might be due to the suppression of intracellular Ca(2+) elevation and caspase-3 activity, and improvement of mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Roles of calcitonin gene-related peptide and its receptors in pain-related behavioral responses in the central nervous system.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37 amino-acid peptide, which is widely distributed in peripheral and central nervous system. There are two types of CGRP receptors, CGRP receptor 1 and CGRP receptor 2. It is known that CGRP plays important roles in multiple physiological processes. Studies demonstrate that CGRP and CGRP receptors are involved in the transmission and modulation of pain information in peripheral and central nervous system. CGRP8-37, a specific antagonist for CGRP receptor 1, is widely used to differentiate the two typical CGRP receptors. There are two ambiguous points about the effects of CGRP and CGRP8-37 on pain-related behavioral responses. The first is the effects of exogenous CGRP and CGRP8-37 on the transmission and regulation of pain information in the spinal cord. The second is the effects of these peptides in pain modulation at super-spinal levels. The specific goal of this review is to summarize the roles of CGRP, CGRP8-37 and CGRP receptors in pain-related behavioral responses in the central nervous system.