N-acetyl-L-cysteine reduces the ozone-induced lung inflammation response in mice / 生理学报

In this study, we investigated the protective effect of the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on the lung inflammation caused by ozone (O) exposure in mice. Thirty-two C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, Ogroup, O+NAC group and NAC group. Mice were exposed to O(1.0 ppm) or fresh air for 3 h on the day 1, day 3 and day 5, respectively. NAC (100 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally applied to the mice 1 h before each exposure. At 24 h after the 3-time exposure, the alveolar wall structure was severely damaged and the infiltrated inflammatory cells were apparent perivascularly and peribronchiolarly. Significant increases in the total white blood cell count, macrophage, lymphocyte and neutrophil counts, as well as total protein concentration were observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (P < 0.05). The IL-6, IL-8 (P < 0.01) and MDA levels (P < 0.05) in the lung homogenates were elevated coherently. Administration of NAC could attenuate the alveolar wall structure damage induced by Oexposure and reduce the amount of infiltrated inflammatory cells, total and differential leukocyte counts (P < 0.05), as well as the IL-6, IL-8 (P < 0.01) and MDA release (P < 0.05). Western blotting results showed that the Oexposure up-regulated the p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 protein expression in the lung tissue of mice (P < 0.05), which could be alleviated by NAC (P < 0.05). These results indicated that NAC could protect against O-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice. The beneficial effect of NAC might be related with the p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 signal pathway.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of A-ring modified hexacyclic analogues of camptothecin / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To improve the biological activity of A-ring modified analogues of camptothecin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A-ring modified camptothecins were synthesized from 10-hydroxycamptothecin or 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) in three or four steps. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTY assay, and their in vivo antitumnor activity against mouse liver cancer H22 was tested. Results Five hexacyclic camptothecins (6a, 6b, 6c, 7a and 7b) are target compounds, and ten camptothecin derivatives are new compounds.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The modification of a 1,4-oxazine-2-one ring fused with positions 9 and 10 of A-ring will reduce the antitumor activity of camptothecins.</p>

Experimental studies on the apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced by Brucea javanica oil emulsion / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inducing effect of Brucea javanica on the apoptpsis of HL-60 cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>HL-60 cells were treated with Brucea javanica 1:100, 1:40, 1:20 (v/v) respectively for 6 h and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscope, electron microscope were used to observe the apoptosis inducing effect of Brucea javanica.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>DNA ladder was seen in the 1:40 group. The apoptosis cell percentages of 1:40 and 1:20 group were 86.8% and 97% respectively. Cells of 1:40 group showed obvious apoptosis character under fluorescence microscope. Cells were induced apoptosis in 1:20 and 1:40 Brucea javanica under electron microscope.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>1:20 and 1:40 Brucea Javanica showed obvious apoptosis inducing effect of HL-60.</p>