Cytotoxic melodinus-type alkaloids from the ethanol extract of Melodinus fusiformis.

A chemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Melodinus fusiformis led to the isolation of six new melodinus-type alkaloids, melofusines A-E (1-6), along with one known compound, melodinine B. Structural elucidation of all the compounds was performed by spectral methods such as 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV and HRESIMS. The isolated compounds were tested in vitro for cytotoxic potential against six tumor cell lines (Hep-2, SCL-1, CAL-27, UMSCC-1, Detroit-562 and TCA-83). As a result, compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxic activities against all tested tumor cell lines with IC50 values <5µM.

Protective effects of silibinin and its possible mechanism of action in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress.

Silibinin, a natural flavonoid antioxidant isolated from extracts of the milk thistle herb, has recently been identified as having anti-hepatotoxic and anticancer properties. In this paper, we investigated the effects of silibinin on behavior and neuroplasticity in mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). After 5 consecutive weeks of CUMS, the mice were treated with silibinin (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg by oral gavage) for 3 consecutive weeks. The results showed that silibinin administration significantly alleviated the CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior, including the total number of squares crossed and the frequency of rearing in the open field test, the immobility time in the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test. Furthermore, silibinin treatment increased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Our study provides new insight into the protective effects of silibinin on the depressive status of CUMS mice, specifically by improving neuroplasticity and neurotransmission.

Assessment of clinical effect of therapy combining disease with syndrome on rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effectiveness and safety of a therapy combining disease with syndrome on rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Eighty patients with rheumatoid arthritis belonging to syndrome of damp-heat obstruction were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group according to stratified blocked randomization method. Forty cases in the control group orally took Loxoprofen Sodium Tablet and Leifumite Tablet and the other 40 cases in the treatment group orally took a Chinese medicine for 12 weeks as a course of treatment. ACR therapeutic effect was used as the standard for evaluating the total therapeutic effect. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, there was a statistical difference (P < 0.01) in the improvement of VAS score, morning stiffness time, number of swelling joints, index of swelling joints, number of joints with tenderness, index of joints with tenderness, average grip strength of both hands, DSA28 score, HAQ, patient's assessment, physician's assessment, ESR, CRP and RF in both groups. The improvement of morning stiffness time, number of swelling joints, index of swelling joints, grip strength, HAQ and patient's assessment in the treatment group was much better than that in the control groups with statistical difference (P < 0.05). ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 was 27.5% (11/40), 37.5% (15/40) and 22.5% (9/40) respectively in the treatment group and 40% (16/40), 27.5% (11/42) and 10.0% (4/40) respectively in the control group with statistical difference (P < 0.05) in the superiority of the treatment group over the control group. The incidence of adverse reaction in the control group was higher than that in the treatment group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Definite therapeutic effect and high safety can be achieved in using the therapy combining disease with syndrome to treat rheumatoid arthritis belonging to syndrome of damp-heat obstruction.