Trichosanates A-G and cucurbitacins W-Y, anticomplement monoterpenoids and cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from the pericarps of Trichosanthes kirilowii.

The pericarps of Trichosanthes kirilowii are often used to treat cough in traditional Chinese medicine, and its ethanol extract exhibited effective therapeutic effects on acute lung injury (ALI) in vivo caused by H1N1. An anticomplement activity-guided fractionation on the extract resulted in the isolation of ten new terpenoids, including seven monoterpenoids, trichosanates A-G (1-7), and three cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, cucurbitacins W-Y (8-10), as well as eleven known terpenoids (11-21). The new terpenoids' structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis, X-ray crystallographic analysis (1), electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analysis and calculations (2-10). Twelve monoterpenoids (1-7 and 11-15) and five cucurbitane-type triterpenoids (8-10, 18, and 20) exhibited anticomplement activity in vitro. For the monoterpenoids, the long aliphatic chain substituents might enhance their anticomplement activity. Additionally, two representative anticomplement terpenoids, 8 and 11, obviously attenuated H1N1-induced ALI in vivo by inhibiting complement overactivation and reducing inflammatory responses.

Effects and Mechanisms of Dendrobium officinalis Six Nostrum for Treatment of Hyperuricemia with Hyperlipidemia.

Objectives. Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a disease caused by increased production of uric acid (UA) or reduced excretion of UA in the body. Results of an epidemiological survey show that 60% of patients with HUA have hyperlipidemia (HPA). Dendrobium officinalis (DOF) six nostrum (DOS) is based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine for the transformation of the traditional Chinese nostrum Si Miao Wan. In this article, we aim to discuss the efficacy and mechanism of DOS in reducing UA and regulating lipid metabolism. The rat model of HUA with HPA was induced by potassium oxonate (PO) combined with high-fat sorghum feed. We monitored the serum UA and blood lipids. Liver xanthine oxidase (XOD), adenosine deaminase (ADA), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP1) activities were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after the last administration of DOS. We performed a histopathological examination of rat kidney and intestine. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of renal inflammatory proteins NLRP3 / Caspase-1 and intestinal inflammatory proteins TLR4 / NLRP3. We used western blot for measurement of liver hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT1) protein expression and renal PDZ domain protein kidney 1 (PDZK1) protein expression. DOS administration significantly reduced serum UA, total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) level, and improved liver steatosis in the model rat. At the same time, DOS treatment effectively inhibited liver XOD and ADA, increased the level of liver HPRT1, and reduced the production of UA. Additional studies had shown that DOS can restore normal UA excretion function in the intestine and kidney and regulated liver lipids metabolism. IHC and histopathological sections showed that DOS reduced the level of kidney, intestinal inflammatory body (NLRP3, Caspase-1, and TLR4), improved inflammation of the kidney and intestinal tract in rats. DOS is a promising drug that can effectively reduce serum UA and lipid level in the model rat. The mechanism of action may be related to inhibition of UA production, promotion of UA excretion, regulation of lipids metabolism, and anti-inflammatory response.

[Effects of Yun Kang oral liquid on rats model of embryo implantation disorder].

OBJECTIVE: Through the establishment of abortion model caused by embryo implantation difficulties, exploring the role of Yun Kang oral liquid in protecting embryos. METHODS: The pregnant rats were divided into 6 groups:normal control group (NC), model group (MG), dydrogesterone group (DT), and three dose groups of low, medium and high levels of Yun Kang oral liquid (YK-L, YK-M, YK-H), 11 in each group.From the first day of pregnancy, daily intragastric administration, the dose of DT group was 3.02 mg/kg, and the doses of Yun Kang oral liquid were 4, 6, and 9 ml/kg, respectively.The rats in NC and MG were treated with an equal volume of purified water for 10 days.On the third day of pregnancy, except for the NC group, the other groups were injected with mifepristone subcutaneously at the back of the neck at a dose of 5 mg/kg to cause an embryo implantation barrier model.On the 10th day of pregnancy, blood was collected from the abdominal aorta in each group.Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL-4) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The number of embryo implantation was observed in the uterus, and the pathological changes of the uterus were observed by HE staining. RESULTS: Compared with the NC group, the number of embryo implantation and the serum levels of FSH and IL-4 in the MG group were decreased significantly (P< 0.05, 0.01), and pathological changes such as uterine glandular epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration in the glandular cavity were observed.Compared with MG group, the number of embryo implantation and serum FSH and IL-4 levels of rats in YK-M and YK-H groups were increased significantly (P<0.05, 0.01).The pathological changes such as uterine glandular epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration in the gland were also improved.There was no significant difference in serum IFN-γ levels between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Yun Kang oral liquid may improve the endometrial pathological changes and increase the number of embryo implantation by increasing the levels of serum sex hormone FSH and immune cytokine IL-4 in embryo implantation impediment rats.

[Advance in studies on anti-tumor mechanism of matrine].

Matrine is one of the main active components extracted from Sophora flavescens, S. subprostrata and S. alopecuroides. In recent years, its anti-tumor activity has attracted wide attention. According to studies, matrine shows the anti-tumor effect through multiple channels such as inducing apoptosis and autophagy of cancer cells, arresting cell cycle, inhibiting tumor cell migration, angiogenesis and NF-kappaB, as well as the synergistic effect with chemotherapeutics. Along with the further studies on matrine's anti-tumor mechanism, it has a broad prospect for development and application in tumor clinical treatment.

[Experimental investigation of fluorescence spectra of serum excitated with different wavelength light].

In the present paper the fluorescence spectra of the blood serum excited with different wavelength were measured with the fluorescence photometer RF5301 (SHIMADZU) made in Japan. The relationship between the fluorescence spectra of the serum and the wavelength of the excitation light was studied during the experiment. The experimental results show that the linetype and peak wavelength of the fluorescence spectra of serum excited by ultraviolet radiation with different wavelength are almost the same, and they do not depend on the excitation wavelength. But the fluorescence peak value changes with the excitation wavelength. There are two high intensity emission intervals in the fluorescence spectra. One of these is from about 300 nm to 410 nm, and the other is below 310 nmr The fluorescence spectra are mostly centralized in the first interval, and the wavelengths of fluorescence peaks were found around two locations: one is near 330 nm and the other is near 370 nm. At this time the strife phenomena occur. When the excitation wavelength is about 250 nm or higher, the fluorescence peak only occurs at 330 nm, and the optimal excitation wavelength is 300 nm. While the wavelength is greater than 320 nm, the fluorescence intensity of the first interval begins to fall, while that of the other augments. And at this time the peak of wavelength of fluorescence is 452 nm. This study provides the experimental foundations for advanced study and applications of the characteristics of fluorescence spectrum of blood serum, and also offers the references to the wavelength selection of excitation light in the application of the photo-induced fluorescence spectra diagnostic technology.

[Analysis and application of excitation fluorescence intensity of blood].

The analysis technique of fluorescence is adopted to study the intensity of excitation fluorescence of blood in the present paper. The theoretical analysis and differences of normal and abnormal blood (hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia) are presented. The theoretical analysis was proved by experiment results. It was discovered that blood sugar consistency has an effect on blood fluorescence. In other words, with the same excitation wavelength and with blood sugar consistency increasing, the fluorescence intensity increases gradually. It is obvious that blood sugar is also a kind of fluorescein, and its consistency has an effect on fluorescence intensity, which is identical with the theoretical analysis, indicating that the experiment is successful, and it is possible to distinguish blood sugar consistency by comparing the fluorescence intensity in blood. It was also discovered that the higher the cholesterin content, the more intense the fluorescence. When excitation wavelength is especially 435 nm, the phenomenon is very obvious. The study paves a new way for the blood quick check and diagnosis of diseases.