Vitamin E TPGS modified liposomes enhance cellular uptake and targeted delivery of luteolin: An in vivo/in vitro evaluation.

Luteolin (LUT) is an active agent in cancer prevention and a potential candidate for clinical chemotherapy. However, poor water solubility and extensive excretion have limited the clinical use of luteolin. Herein, we attempted to develop vitamin E d-α-tocopherol acid polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) coated liposomes to improve the accumulation of luteolin in lung cancer. Luteolin or coumarin-6 loaded liposomes were prepared using film-dispersion methods and characterized according to their particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, and drug encapsulation efficiency. Cellular uptake properties and cytotoxicities of luteolin or coumarin-6 loaded liposomes were determined in A549 cells. Optical in vivo imaging was employed as a method of assessing tumor targeting. The antitumor effect was evaluated in mice xenotransplanted with A549 cancer cells. The results showed that TPGS coated liposomes are spherical, and are ∼176.2nm in size. TPGS coated liposomes enhanced cellular uptake and apoptosis by upregulating the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, resulting in improved cytotoxicity in A549 cells. TPGS coated liposomes significantly accumulated in tumor tissue and enhanced tumor inhibition without altering the structures of other organs. Thereby, TPGS coated liposomes provide an effective strategy in cancer chemotherapy for model drugs with poor water solubility such as luteolin.

JiaWeiDangGui Decoction Ameliorates Proteinuria and Kidney Injury in Adriamycin-Induced Rat by Blockade of TGF-ß/Smad Signaling.

JiaWeiDangGui (JWDG) decoction has anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects, which is used widely for the treatment of various kidney diseases. In previous studies, we have found that JWDG decoction can reduce the quantity of proteinuria, but the mechanism was unknown. Here, we studied the protective effect of JWDG decoction in adriamycin-induced nephropathy on rat. JWDG decoction, at 10 mL/kg/d, 20 mL/kg/d, and 40 mL/kg/d, was orally administered daily for 12 weeks. Therapeutic effects and mechanisms were further examined. The kidney function related biochemical indexes were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer. The pathomorphological changes were observed using light and transmission electron microcopies. The proteins expressions of podocin, nephrin, collagen IV, and fibronectin (FN) were examined by immunohistochemical staining, and key proteins involved in TGF-ß/Smad signaling were evaluated by RT-PCR and western blotting. Compared with vehicle-treated controls, JWDG decoction decreased the quantity of proteinuria; reduced glomerulosclerotic lesions induced by ADR; and preserved the expression of podocin and nephrin. JWDG decoction also inhibited the expression of the collagen IV, FN, and fibrogenic TGF-ß. Further studies revealed that inhibition of renal fibrosis was associated with the blockade of TGF-ß/Smad signaling and downregulation of snail expression dose dependently. JWDG decoction prevents proteinuria production, podocyte dysfunction, and kidney injury in adriamycin nephropathy by inhibiting TGF-ß/Smad signaling.

Resveratrol as a therapeutic agent for renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction.

AIMS: Renal fibrosis is a common outcome of chronic kidney disease. This study was designed to examine the protective effects of resveratrol (RSV) against renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). We also attempted to elucidate the potential mechanism involved. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operated, UUO, and UUO/RSV (20 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)). Histological changes were examined using periodic acid-Schiff and Masson's trichrome staining after 14 days. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-OHdG levels were determined using a commercially available kit. ICAM-1, TNF-α, and TGF-ß levels were measured using real-time PCR. Fibronectin levels were measured by western blot, and the Smad3 acetylation and Sirt1 were examined by immunoprecipitation and western blot. RESULTS: Our study showed that RSV treatment significantly attenuated renal injury including extracellular matrix deposition and tubulointerstitium damage. Renal cortical mRNA levels of ICAM-1, TNF-α, and TGF-ß, protein expression of fibronectin and Smad3 acetylation were significantly upregulated in the UUO group. However, treatment with RSV significantly decreased the expression of these proteins. Furthermore, RSV also decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including MDA and 8-OHdG, and increased the level of SOD, which protects cells against ROS damage. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that RSV treatment inhibits oxidative stress, Smad3 acetylation, and renal interstitial fibrosis. Therefore, RSV may have potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic kidney disease.

Perilla oil and exercise decrease expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and highly sensitive C-reactive protein in patients with hyperlipidemia.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects of perilla oil on the regulation of blood lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Blood was taken from patients prior to and 8 weeks following treatment with perilla oil. Different ways to test for indexes which correlate to hyperlipidemia were performed. Some indexes, which correlate with inflammation and injury to endothelial cells, were tested using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Serum lipid levels [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)] changed significantly after 56 days of treatment. Differences were noted as early as 28 days after treatment began (P < 0.05). Treatment with perilla oil showed statistically significant recovery levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) after 28 and 56 days of treatment. Plasma lipids levels were significantly lower after 56 days of treatment (P < 0.05). Perilla oil reduced blood lipid levels in patients, and the regulation of cell signaling factor levels had no adverse effects on patients' liver or kidney function, or blood routine examinations. CONCLUSION: Perilla oil treatment is safe in clinical use, can regulate blood lipid levels and protects the function of endothelial cells.

Effect of Chinese herbs on immunoglobulin A nephropathy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the main causes of renal fibrosis. Emerging evidence suggests that the metabolic enzyme of ECM is associated with renal fibrosis. In this study, we applied randomly controlled trial to check the curative effect of Chinese herbs on patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: Twenty-six patients were randomly divided into group A (control group) treated with Western Medicine and group B (treatment group) treated with combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine. Blood and urine tests were done before treatment and after 8-week treatment. RESULTS: The levels of the main composition of extracellular matrix (MC-ECM), the metabolic enzyme of ECM (ME-ECM) and some cytokines in group B decreased more obviously than those in group A after 8-week treatment. So did the level of 24-hour urine protein. However, Metal matrix protease (MMP)-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in group B increased more obviously than those in group A after 8-week treatment. No effects on the renal function were found in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our study provided important information on using the combination of TCM with Western Medicine to inhibit the progression of renal fibrosis in patients with IgAN.

[Treatment of chronic primary glomerulopathy patients of Shen deficiency and dampness heat syndrome by yishen qingli granule combined low-dose Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside tablet: a clinical efficacy observation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of treatment of chronic primary glomerulopathy (CPG) patients of Shen deficiency and dampness heat syndrome (SDDHS) by Yishen Qingli Granule (YQG) combined with low-dose Tripterygium Wilfordii multiglycoside Tablet (TWT). METHODS: Totally 231 CPG patients of SDDHS were enrolled in this study (including 60 patients from First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 58 from First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 46 from Xinqiao Hospital of Third Military Medical University, 35 from First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 14 from First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, and 18 from Wuxi Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine). They were randomly assigned to the control group (116 cases) and the trial group (115 cases) according to block group method. There were 217 cases in the safety analysis set (109 cases in the trial group vs 108 cases in the control group), and 203 cases in the full analysis set (99 cases in the trial group vs 104 cases in the control group). All patients received basic treatment such as ACEI/ARB. Furthermore, YQG (consisting of raw astragalus 10 g, prepared Polygonum Multiflorum 10 g, Pyrrosia 10 g, 1.5 g each package, containing 10 g of crude drugs) was additionally given to patients in the trial group, each package, twice daily. The TWT (10 mg) was given, twice a day. The TWT dose was adjusted according to 24 h urinary total protein (UTP). The placebos of YQG and TWT were administered to those in the control group. The treatment course consisted of 24 weeks and the follow-up visit lasted for 24 weeks. The biochemical indices were observed before and after treatment including 24 h UTP, urine red cell count (U(RBC)), renal functions (BUN, SCr), blood routine test (WBC), and liver functions (SGPT, SGOT). Reverse reactions such as gastrointestinal discomfort, skin rash, and irregular menstruation were also observed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the total effective rate was better in the trial group (82.83% vs 61.54%, P < 0.01). Results of stratified comparison of UTP showed better efficacy in the trial group (0.8-3.0 g/24 h, P < 0.01). The UTP decline occurred in the trial group after 8 weeks of treatment, with stable action, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.01). In the trial group, U(RBC) level decreased after treatment but changed more significantly. But there was no statistical difference in the changes when compared with the control group (P > 0.05). After treatment, there were no statistical difference in safety indicators such as WBC, SGPT, and SGOT between the two groups after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: On the basis of basic treatment such as ACEI/ARB, application of YQG combined with low-dose TWT had better effect in controlling proteinuria of CPG patients, and could help stabilizing their conditions with less adverse reactions.

Antifibrotic effect of the Chinese herbs Modified Danggui Buxue Decoction on adriamycin-induced nephropathy in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antifibrotic effect of the Chinese herbs Modified Danggui Buxue Decoction (, MDBD) on adraimycin-induced nephropathy in rats. METHODS: Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control, model, and two treatment groups, with 8 in each group. Nephropathy was induced in the latter 3 groups by intravenous injection of adriamycin. Rats in the two treatment groups received intragastric administration of benazepri (a positive control) or MDBD, which is composed of extracts of Radix Angelicae sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge and Rhizoma chuanxiong. Serum albumin, blood lipids, 24-h urine protein and urine N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were measured every 2 weeks. The ratio of kidney to body weight was measured. The expressions of extracellular matrix proteins in the renal cortex, including colleagen IV (Col-IV) and fibronectin (FN), were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the transcription of genes encoding transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the end of the 8-week treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated rats in the model group, MDBD significantly increased serum albumin, lowered the blood lipids and decreased the ratio of kidney to body weight. MDBD significantly reduced the excretion levels of urinary protein and NAG as well as the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), including Col-IV and FN, in the renal cortex. Further, MDBD decreased TIMP-1 and TGF-ß1 gene expressions and increased MMP-9 gene expression in the kidney. CONCLUSIONS: MDBD was effective in treating the rat model of nephropathy. The clinical benefit was associated with reduction of renal fibrosis. The antifibrotic effect of MDBD may be mediated through the regulation of TIMP-1, MMP and TGF-ß1 gene expressions.

Effect of Equiguard in treating patients with Shen-yang deficiency syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of Equiguard in old patients with Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS). METHODS: Twenty old patients with diagnosis matching the criteria of SYDS selected from out-patients were administered with Equiguard capsule 3 times per day, 0.70 g each time for 3 successive months. The changes in general condition, peripheral blood picture, function of the liver and kidney, and sex hormones before and after treatment were observed. The changes in the American Urinary Surgery Association (AUA) score of prostatism, urosis and residue urine in the urinary bladder were also estimated. RESULTS: After the 3-month treatment, no significant change was found in the patients' general condition, peripheral blood picture, liver and kidney function and sex hormones, while the symptoms of prostatism and urosis were markedly improved (P<0.01), and the volume of residue urine in the urinary bladder was obviously reduced. CONCLUSION: Equiguard shows a significant therapeutic effect in treating old patients with SYDS, which could effectively improve the symptoms of prostatism and urosis in patients and is highly safe.