The Role of miR-23b in Cancer and Autoimmune Disease.

Short-stranded miRNAs are single-stranded RNA molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression. miRNAs are involved in a variety of cellular physiological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. miR-23b have been identified to act both as oncogenes and as tumor suppressors. In addition, miR-23b is related to inflammation resistance to various autoimmune diseases and restrained inflammatory cell migration. The characterization of the specific alterations in the patterns of miR-23b expression in cancer and autoimmune disease has great potential for identifying biomarkers for early disease diagnosis, as well as for potential therapeutic intervention in various diseases. In this review, we summarize the ever-expanding role of miR-23b and its target genes in different models and offer insight into how this multifunctional miRNA modulates tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis or inflammatory cell activation, differentiation, and migration.

Role of Plant-Derived Natural Compounds in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: A Review of the Treatment Potential and Development Strategy.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that is mainly mediated by pathological T-cells. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a well-known animal model of MS that is used to study the underlying mechanism and offers a theoretical basis for developing a novel therapy for MS. Good therapeutic effects have been observed after the administration of natural compounds and their derivatives as treatments for EAE. However, there has been a severe lag in the research and development of drug mechanisms related to MS. This review examines natural products that have the potential to effectively treat MS. The relevant data were consulted in order to elucidate the regulated mechanisms acting upon EAE by the flavonoids, glycosides, and triterpenoids derived from natural products. In addition, novel technologies such as network pharmacology, molecular docking, and high-throughput screening have been gradually applied in natural product development. The information provided herein can help improve targeting and timeliness for determining the specific mechanisms involved in natural medicine treatment and lay a foundation for further study.

[Virtual screen of effective AChE inhibitory constituents from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma based on pharmacophore and molecular docking].

This research is to predict anti-Alzheimer's disease active constituents on the target of acetylcholinesterase(AChE) from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with the help of pharmacophore and molecular docking. AChE ligand-based pharmacophore model was set up and the molecular library of the constituents from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were established by collecting literature. Then the constituents from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were screen for the potential AChE inhibitory potency in silico through matching with the best pharmacophore model. The flexible docking was used to evaluate the interactions between compounds screened from pharmacophore model and AChE protein(PDB ID:4 EY7). The interactions were expressed including but not limited to CDOCKER interaction energy, hydrogen bonds and non-bonding interactions. The molecular library of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma contains 44 chemical constituents. As for the pharmacophore model, six kinds of potential AChE inhibitory constituents from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were considered to be the promising compounds according to the results of searching 3 D database of pharmacophore model. The molecular docking was possessed and the interaction patterns were given to show the detail interactions. The compounds screening from the pharmacophore model were consistent with the existing studies to some degree, indicating that the virtual screen protocols of AChE inhibitory constituents from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma based on pharmacophore and molecular docking was reliable.

Extraction optimization and identification of anthocyanins from Nitraria tangutorun Bobr. seed meal and establishment of a green analytical method of anthocyanins.

This study aimed to extract and identify anthocyanins from Nitraria tangutorun Bobr. seed meal and establish a green analytical method of anthocyanins. Ultrasound-assisted extraction of anthocyanins from N. tangutorun seed meal was optimized using response surface methodology. Extraction at 70°C for 32.73 min using 51.15% ethanol rendered an extract with 65.04mg/100g of anthocyanins and 947.39mg/100g of polyphenols. An in vitro antioxidant assay showed that the extract exhibited a potent DPPH radical-scavenging capacity. Eight anthocyanins in N. tangutorun seed meal were identified by HPLC-MS, and the main anthocyanin was cyanidin-3-O-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-diglucoside (18.17mg/100g). A green HPLC-DAD method was developed to analyse anthocyanins. A mixtures of ethanol and a 5% (v/v) formic acid aqueous solution at a 20:80 (v/v) ratio was used as the optimized mobile phase. The method was accurate, stable and reliable and could be used to investigate anthocyanins from N. tangutorun seed meal.

Effects of total flavonoids from Drynariae Rhizoma prevent bone loss in vivo and in vitro.

Estrogen deficiency is one of the major causes of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Drynariae Rhizoma is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of bone diseases. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of the total Drynariae Rhizoma flavonoids (DRTF) on estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss using an ovariectomized rat model and osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. Our results indicated that DRTF produced osteo-protective effects on the ovariectomized rats in terms of bone loss reduction, including decreased levels of bone turnover markers, enhanced biomechanical femur strength and trabecular bone microarchitecture deterioration prevention. In vitro experiments revealed that the actions of DRTF on regulating osteoblastic activities were mediated by the estrogen receptor (ER) dependent pathway. Our data also demonstrated that DRTF inhibited osteoclastogenesis via up-regulating osteoprotegrin (OPG), as well as down-regulating receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) expression. In conclusion, this study indicated that DRTF treatment effectively suppressed bone mass loss in an ovariectomized rat model, and in vitro evidence suggested that the effects were exerted through actions on both osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

[SPME-GC-MS combined with Kovat's retention index analysis for volatile components in Pistacia chinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and compare the volatile components in fruits and leaves of Pistacia chinesis. METHODS: The volatile components were extracted from the fruits and leaves of Pistacia chinesis by solid-phrase microextration, and were analyzed and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) combined with Kovat's retention index. The relative content of each component was calculated by normalization method. RESULTS: 29 and 17 volatile components were identified from the fruits and leaves respectively, representing the relative content of 95. 30% and 96. 91% of the volatile components. 13 common components were identified in both the fruits and leaves. CONCLUSION: The volatile components in the fruits vary from that in the leaves in type and content, terpenoids are major components in the fruits and leaves of Pistacia chinesis in Shaanxi. Monoterpenes(76. 32%) are the major components of the fruits, while sesquiterpenes(65. 42%) are the major components of the leaves.

Down-regulatory effect of usnic acid on nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent tumor necrosis factor-alpha and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages RAW 264.7.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for the antiinflammatory effect of usnic acid (UA). UA is one of the most common and abundant lichen metabolites. The present study examined the effects of UA on the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 macrophages and the underlying molecular mechanisms. UA decreased the TNF-alpha level in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages in dose-dependent manner, the IC(50) value was 12.8 microM. RT-PCR analysis indicated that it inhibited TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Furthermore, it inhibited NO production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages, the IC(50) value was 4.7 microM. Western blot analysis showed that UA attenuated LPS-induced synthesis of iNOS protein and nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 in the macrophages, in parallel. UA also inhibited LPS-mediated I-kappaBalpha degradation. Taken together, this suggests that UA has an antiinflammatory effect by inhibiting TNF-alpha and iNOS expression, possibly through suppression of nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 and I-kappaBalpha degradation.

[Studies on the antioxidant activities of leaves from Senecio argunensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study antioxidant activities of different extracts of Senecio argunensis. METHODS: The antioxidant activities of S. argunensis extracts with acetoacetate, n-Butanol and water were detected by DPPH * free radical-scavenging method and beta-carotene/linoleic acid system. RESULTS: The acetoacetate, n-Butanol and water extracts from S. argunensis eliminated DPPH * in dose-dependent manner, their EC50 values were 0.0198, 0.0219 and 0.092 mg/ml, respectively. The strength order of the antioxidant activities of the three parts in beta-carotene/linoleic acid system was acetoacetate, n-Butanol and water extracts. CONCLUSION: The extracts of the three parts of S. argunensis all have antioxidant activities. Among these extracts, extracts with acetoacetate have the highest antioxidant activity.

Screening for the anti-inflammatory activity of fractions and compounds from Atractylodes macrocephala koidz.

The aim of this study was to screen for the anti-inflammatory activity of fractions and compounds from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. The rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala were treated with supercritical CO(2) fluid and the extract was separated by normal-phase and reverse-phase column chromatography. The separated samples were screened with white blood cell membrane (WBCM) chromatography (WBCM-C). The anti-inflammatory effects of these fractions and components were tested pharmacologically in vivo. The results indicated that the retention characteristics of the petrol-ether (1:1, v/v) fraction (BZC-2) of the supercritical CO(2) extract, the atractylenolide I and 14-acetoxy-12-senecioyloxytetradeca-2E,8E,10E-trien-4, 6-diyn-1-ol isolated from BZC-2 as active fractions and components were similar to that of dexamethasone in WBCM-C. Therefore, they may act on WBCM and its receptors. BZC-2 has shown anti-inflammatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation models in rats and mice. Oral administration of atractylenolide I and 14-acetoxy-12-senecioyloxytetradeca-2E,8E,10E-trien-4,6-diyn-1-ol produced significant anti-inflammatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation models in mice. The screening results with WBCM-C were correlated significantly with pharmacological effects in vivo. Atractylenolide I and 14-acetoxy-12-senecioyloxytetradeca-2E,8E,10E-trien-4,6-diyn-1-ol were the main components of Atractylodes macrocephala that were effective as anti-inflammatory agents.

Atractylenolide I and atractylenolide III inhibit Lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha and NO production in macrophages.

In order to clarify the mechanism involved in the antiinflammatory activity of atractylenolide I and atractylenolide III from the rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, their effects on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) production in peritoneal macrophages were examined. Atractylenolide I and atractylenolide III decreased the TNF-alpha level in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner, their IC(50) values were 23.1 microm and 56.3 microm, respectively. RT-PCR analysis indicated that they inhibited TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Furthermore, they inhibited NO production in LPS-activated peritoneal macrophages, the IC(50) value of atractylenolide I was 41.0 microm, and the inhibition ratio of 100 microm of atractylenolide III was 45.1% +/- 6.2%. The activity analysis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) indicated that they could inhibit the activity of iNOS, their IC(50) values were 67.3 microm and 76.1 microm, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that atractylenolide I and atractylenolide III attenuated LPS-induced synthesis of iNOS protein in the macrophages, in parallel. These results imply that the antiinflammatory mechanism of atractylenolide I and atractylenolide III may be explained at least in part, by the inhibition of TNF-alpha and NO production. Atractylenolide I showed more potent inhibition than atractylenolide III in the production of TNF-alpha and NO in LPS-activated peritoneal macrophages. So, atractylenolide I could be a candidate for the development of new drugs to treat inflammatory diseases accompanied by the overproduction of TNF-alpha and NO.

[Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of atractylenolide III in rats].

OBJECTIVE: [corrected] To establish an HPLC method for the analysis of pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of atractylenolide III in rats. METHODS: The biological samples were extracted with ether. The chromatographic conditions were as follows: Hypersil ODS column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) was used. The mobile phase was methnol/warter (67 : 33) with a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min under the column temperature of 25 degrees C, and the detection wavelength was set at 220 nm. RESULTS: The recovery of the method was 85.12% (RSD = 5.57%). The linear range was 0.2 microg/ml - 18.5 microg/ml (r = 0.9996) in rat plasma. The Lowest Limit of detection was 0.10 microg/ ml (S/N > 3). The within-day and between-day precision were from 0.98% to 6.19% and 12.95% to 15.48%, respectively. After oral administration of atractylenolide III (100 mg/kg), the concentration-time profiles of atractylenonlide III fit a two compartment model. In main effect tissues, the atractylenolide III concentration was followed as in order C(lung) > C(cerebellum) > C(heart) > C(cerebrum), and that was C(spleen) > C(liver) > C(kidney) in eliminated tissues. CONCLUSION: The method is accurate, stable and reliable, and can be used for the investigation of atractylenolide III in plasma and tissues of rats.

[Tissue culture and plant regeneration of Bolbostemma paniculatum].

The tissue culture and plant regeneration of Bolbostemma paniculatum were studied and a large number of regenerated plantlets were obtained. The optimal compounding of medium that induced calli from stems and leaves were the MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D 2.0 mg/L, NAA 0.5 mg/L and BA 1.0 mg/L and the MS medium with 2,4-D 0.5 mg/L and NAA 2.0 mg/L, respectively. Numerous shoots could formed directly when leaf explants were cultured on the MS medium with BA 3.0 mg/L and NAA 1.0 mg/L and calli were cultured on the MS medium with BA 2.0 mg/L and IAA 1.0 mg/L. The MS medium supplemented with BA 2.0 mg/L, IAA 0.1 mg/L was optimal for shoots growth. For the root growth was 1/2 MS medium with 1.0 mg/L IBA. At pH 6.0 and 0.8% - 1.0% agar was optimal for callus and shoot formation, while pH 5.8 and 0.6% - 0.7% agar was optimal for root formation. The tube seedling can be successfully transplanted.

[Study on tissue culture of Bolbostemma paniculatum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the method of callus induction and culturing of Bolbostemma paniculatum and its relationship with accumulation of tubeimoside. METHOD: Stem and leaf were selected as explants. The effects of growth substances and their combinations at different concentrations on callus formation and propagation on MS and B5 basic medium were studied. RESULT: The optimal compositions of medium that induced calli from stems and leaves were the MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D 2.0 mg x L(-1), NAA 0.5 mg x L(-1) and BA 1.0 mg x L(-1) and the MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D 0.5 mg x L(-1) and NAA 2.0 mg x L(-1), respectively. The calli cultured on the MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D 2.0 mg x L(-1), NAA 0.5 mg x L(-1) and BA 1.0 mg x L(-1) were optimal for the accumulation of tubeimoside. A uniform and stable callus line could be formed from the calli cultured repeatedly on B5 medium supplemented with 2,4-D 2.0 mg x L(-1), NAA 0.5 mg x L(-1) and BA 1.0 mg x L(-1). CONCLUSION: Using stem and leaf as explants, the method of the callus induction and culture of B. paniculatum was established and it could provide some references for the production of tubeimoside by tissue and cell culture.