乳香精油抗抑郁作用的研究

为探讨乳香精油的抗抑郁作用及其可能机制,以慢性轻度不可预见性应激方法建立小鼠抑郁症模型,造模同时每日灌胃给药。用旷场实验、悬尾实验、强迫游泳实验对小鼠进行行为学评测,并用高效液相——电化学方法检测小鼠大脑内5-HT含量。试验显示,0.1、0.2 m L/100 g的乳香精油可不同程度地改善小鼠的行为学行为,显著提高小鼠脑内的5-HT含量(P0.05)。乳香精油具有抗抑郁作用,对中枢单胺类神经递质5-HT的调节是其作用机制之一。     

柽柳黄素对3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗的影响及AMPK信号通路的作用机制

为探讨柽柳黄素对3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗的影响及AMPK信号通路的作用机制,本研究利用地塞米松诱导3T3-L1脂肪细胞,建立胰岛素抵抗模型,通过给药后检测细胞对Glu的摄取量和细胞内TG的含量,并采用qRT-PCR对AMPK信号通路中相关基因进行检测,利用分子对接软件对AMPK信号通路中相关蛋白进行分子对接,进一步采用Western blot进行蛋白检测。研究结果表明,当柽柳黄素作用48 h后,高低剂量组均显著增加细胞对Glu的摄取(P0.01),高剂量组显著降低细胞内TG含量(P0.05);作用机制显示柽柳黄素具有显著提高AMPK(P0.01)和降低FAS(P0.05)基因的表达,能与FAS蛋白具有较好的分子对接,可增加P-AMPK、P-ACC、P-PKB和PPARα和抑制FAS蛋白的表达。该研究说明柽柳黄素可增强胰岛素抵抗模型3T3-L1脂肪细胞对Glu的摄取,降低TG在细胞内的含量,其作用机制可能与AMPK信号通路中相关基因和蛋白调节有关。     

丁香苷抗炎镇痛作用及部分机制研究

研究丁香苷抗炎镇痛作用及部分机制。以阿司匹林作阳性对照药,观察丁香苷对二甲苯致小鼠耳廓肿胀、醋酸致小鼠毛细血管通透性增加、角叉菜胶致大鼠足趾肿胀、棉球致大鼠肉芽肿的抗炎作用;对小鼠热板试验、醋酸扭体试验的镇痛作用;同时测定角叉菜胶致大鼠炎足炎性渗出物中的PGE2、MDA和血清中的NO、SOD,初步探讨丁香苷抗炎镇痛的部分机制。结果表明,丁香苷对急慢性炎症反应有明显抑制作用,能明显降低角叉菜胶致炎足炎性渗出物中PGE2、MDA和血清中NO含量,明显增加血清中SOD的活性。因此,丁香苷具有较强的抗炎镇痛作用,其机制可能与抑制PGE2、NO等炎症介质生成、增强自由基清除能力有关。     

木豆素对慢性不可预见温和应激小鼠的抗抑郁作用

目的观察木豆素于抗抑郁方面的作用,并初步探讨其可能的作用机制。方法采用小鼠慢性不可预见温和应激模型(chronic unpredictable mild stress,CUMS),进行糖水偏好实验评价经木豆素处理的小鼠的快感缺失情况,采用酶联免疫吸附测定法测定小鼠血清皮质酮的含量,采用LC-MS/MS法检测小鼠皮层和海马中多种神经递质的含量。结果木豆素可以逆转CUMS引起的糖水偏爱指数降低和血清皮质酮水平升高。并且与正常组相比,模型组小鼠皮层和海马中相关神经递质的含量发生了显著的改变,而木豆素给药对于CUMS小鼠体内相关神经递质具有明显的调节作用。结论木豆素可能通过降低血清皮质酮水平和调节脑内神经递质来实现抗抑郁作用。     

参芝发酵产物的抗肿瘤活性及其对小鼠免疫功能的影响

为了探索红参水煎液的灵芝发酵产物对H22荷瘤小鼠的抗肿瘤活性及其对小鼠免疫功能的影响,通过体内抗肿瘤实验和增强免疫功能实验从抑瘤率、对免疫器官的影响指数、对非特异性免疫、体液免疫及细胞免疫的影响5个方面对该产物做了功能性评价。结果表明,在抗肿瘤实验中,参芝发酵产物高剂量组的抑瘤率达到51.65%,脾指数和胸腺指数均高于对照组和环磷酰胺(CTX)组;增强免疫功能实验中,3个实验的给药组小鼠和对照组小鼠相比都有显著性差异(P<0.01)。由此可见,将灵芝与人参在发酵层次上配伍具有显著的抑制荷瘤小鼠肿瘤生长及增强小鼠免疫功能的作用。     

改善血栓形成新的药物组合物及其分子机制

目的：研究α1受体阻断药与山莨菪碱（Ani）形成的药物组合物改善血栓形成的作用及其分子机制。方法：离体大鼠尾动脉血管模型研究α1受体阻断药及其与山莨菪碱的药物组合物的扩血管效应,角又菜胶诱发小鼠尾部血栓模型研究组合物对抗血栓形成的作用及其机制。结果：α1受体阻断药中哌唑嗪（Pra）对血管环舒张率最大,达（82．6±8．9）％,作用强度最强,Ec50值为O．44μmol/L;山莨菪碱和哌唑嗪分别以不同剂量配伍组成组合物,能使角叉菜胶诱发的鼠尾血栓长度（啪）由24．6±4．6缩短到6．94-2．7,成栓率由86．6％下降到50．0％。上述新药物组合物能显著延长血栓小鼠血浆凝血酶原时间（er）,对活化部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）无影响;能抑制血栓小鼠血浆中组织型纤溶酶原激活剂（t-PA）、6-酮一前列腺素F1a（6．Keto．PGF1α）含量的降低和组织纤溶酶原激活剂抑制物-1（PAI-1）、血栓烷B2（TXB2）的增多;并不在于扩血管作用的进一步增强上。结论：山莨菪碱和哌唑嗪组成的药物组合物具有舒张外周血管和改善血栓形成的作用,其抗血栓形成机制分别与影响外源性凝血途径、抑制血小板的活化功能以及促进纤溶功能有关。     

血竭超临界提取物的降血糖作用及其机制研究

为了研究血竭超临界提取物的降血糖作用及其机制,用正常小鼠和四氧嘧啶糖尿病小鼠模型,以血糖、糖耐量为指标研究血竭超临界提取物的降糖作用。通过测定体外α-葡萄糖苷酶的活力,观察血竭超临界提取物对α-葡萄糖苷酶的抑制作用。结果发现血竭超临界提取物对正常小鼠空腹血糖无明显降低作用,能改善小鼠对蔗糖的耐受力,能降低四氧嘧啶诱导的糖尿病小鼠的空腹血糖水平,能抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶的活性。表明血竭超临界提取物对糖尿病小鼠有较好的降糖作用,对α-葡萄糖苷酶的抑制作用可能是其降血糖的机制之一。     

黄色黄素抑制人白血病HL-60细胞内蛋白激酶CK2的实验研究

蛋白激酶CK2在寻找抗肿瘤及抗病毒药物方面是一个具有吸引力的分子靶点,其特异性抑制剂具有潜在的临床应用价值.通过测定药物作用后转移到CK2底物上[γ-32P]ATP的放射性活度,探讨黄色黄素对重组人CK2全酶以及细胞内CK2活性的影响;采用多重RT-PCR检测CK2α、α'和β亚基的mRNA表达水平;Lineweaver-Burk作图法分析CK2的酶动力学机制.发现黄色黄素能显著抑制重组人CK2全酶(IC50=0.86μmol/L)以及HL-60细胞内的CK2活性,其作用效果均强于阳性对照TBB.另外,黄色黄素作用2h可使CK2α和α'亚基的mRNA表达下降,对β亚基则无明显的影响.酶动力学分析表明,黄色黄素与ATP呈竞争性抑制CK2的活性,与酪蛋白则呈混合性抑制CK2的活性.研究说明,黄色黄素是一种有效的细胞内蛋白激酶CK2抑制剂.     

姜黄素调节小鼠免疫功能的实验研究

目的探讨姜黄素对小鼠免疫功能的调节作用及其可能机制.方法通过噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法研究姜黄素对小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖及小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞的吞噬功能的影响;用Western blot法检测脾淋巴细胞胞核NF-κB p65蛋白的表达.结果姜黄素能够增加小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞的吞噬功能;小剂量姜黄素能够增加小鼠脾淋巴细胞的增殖;大剂量姜黄素能够抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞的增殖;姜黄素能够抑制脾淋巴细胞胞核NF-κB p65蛋白的表达.结论姜黄素具有调节机体免疫功能的作用,且与剂量相关;可能的机制与抑制NF-κB的活性有关.     

板蓝根多糖体内抗肿瘤作用与免疫功能调节实验研究

本研究主要探讨板蓝根多糖(RIP)对荷瘤小鼠的抗肿瘤作用及其对免疫功能的影响。通过建立S180小鼠移植瘤和腹水瘤模型,以环磷酰胺(CTX)为阳性对照药,观察RIP对其的影响。连续给药12 d后,测定移植瘤小鼠的瘤重,计算肿瘤生长抑制率和胸腺、脾脏指数;检测脾淋巴细胞的转化功能和NK细胞杀伤活性以及血清中的TNF-α、INF-γ、IL-2水平;并对肿瘤组织进行HE染色和细胞周期分析;对进行相同给药周期的腹水瘤小鼠继续正常饲养,记录各组小鼠自然死亡的时间。结果显示,不同剂量的RIP均可明显抑制小鼠肿瘤的生长,其100 mg/kg和50 mg/kg剂量组的抑瘤率分别为35.4%,38.5%;各剂量组移植瘤小鼠胸腺指数和脾指数与对照组比较有所提高,还能刺激脾淋巴细胞的转化及增强NK细胞的杀伤活性,升高血清中TNF-α、INF-γ和IL-2的含量,其50 mg/kg组与模型对照组相比有统计学差异(P0.01)。此外,移植瘤组织HE染色观察可见各给药组肿瘤组织坏死面积呈不同比例增大,流式细胞仪检测出给药后G_0/G_1期细胞比例增加,S期细胞比例降低,G_2/M期细胞周期未见明显变化。由此提示,RIP能够增强荷瘤小鼠的免疫功能,对荷瘤小鼠具有抗肿瘤作用,能延长荷瘤小鼠的生存时间。     

Antidepressant activity of Indian Hypericum perforatum Linn in rodents

A standardised 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of Indian Hypericum perforatum (IHp) was investigated for its antidepressant activity on various experimental paradigms of depression, viz. behavioural despair (BD), learned helplessness (LH), tail suspension (TS) and reserpine-induced hypothermia (RIH) tests in rats and mice. Pilot studies indicated that single dose administration of IHp had very little or no acute behavioural effects, hence the IHp was administered orally at two dose levels (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) once daily for three consecutive days, while imipramine (15 mg/kg, i.p.), a clinically used antidepressant agent, was administered acutely to rats (CF strain, 150 +/- 10 g) and mice (Wistar strain, 23 +/- 2 g) of either sex as the standard drug. Controls animals were treated similarly with equal volume of vehicle (0.3% carboxymethyl cellulose). Indian Hypericum perforatum extract showed significant antidepressant activity on all the paradigms of depression used. Thus IHp and imipramine treatments significantly reduced the immobility time in BD and TS tests. Significant reduction in escape failures was also observed in LH test. In RIH test IHp and imipramine inhibited reserpine induced hypothermia in a dose dependent manner. The observed antidepressant activity of IHp was qualitatively comparable to that induced by imipramine.     

Role of central histaminergic mechanism in behavioural depression (swimming despair) in mice

The role of the central histaminergic system in depression was studied by using swimming despair test in mice - a behavioural model of depression. In this test, immobility of mice reflects a state of depression. Intracerebral (ic) injection of histamine (50-200 micrograms) increased significantly the immobility. The H1-receptor blocker mepyramine (2.5-20 mg/kg ip) had no effect while H2-receptor blocker cimetidine (100-200 micrograms ic) caused a significant decrease in immobility. The histamine induced facilitation was blocked completely by cimetidine and antidepressant drugs-imipramine and desipramine, but remained unaffected in mice pretreated with mepyramine or atropine. The H2 agonist impromidine (20-40 micrograms ic) also enhanced significantly, the immobility which was blocked by cimetidine and antidepressant drugs. It has been concluded that central H2-receptors facilitate depression and antidepressant drugs block central H2-receptors.     

Interactions between different antidepressants and morphine alter gastrointestinal transit in mice

To determine different serotoninergic antidepressants' effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) inhibiting effect induced by morphine, mice were pretreated with mianserin (a tetracyclic antidepressant with multiple 5-HT receptor subtypes interactions) and with fluoxetine (a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor). Mianserin alone, produced gastrointestinal inhibition in a dosedependent manner. Naloxone did not reverse this inhibiting effect, indicating that different mechanism of action are involved in morphine- and mianserin-induced inhibition of the gastrointestinal transit. Fluoxetine injected alone produced an increased propulsive motility of the GI transit. This effect was not reversed by naloxone. Fluoxetine did not reduce significantly mianserin-induced inhibition of GI transit. Fluoxetine also mildly reversed morphine-induced gastrointestinal inhibition, suggesting some degree of involvement of the opiates through the serotoninergic system.     

Effect of PYCNOGENOL on the toxicity of heart, bone marrow and immune organs as induced by antitumor drugs.

PYCNOGENOL is a mixture of water-soluble bioflavonoids extracted from the bark of pine trees growing in the southwest coastal region of France. In the present paper the effects of PYCNOGENOL (Pyc) on the toxicity of bone marrow, heart and immune organs induced by anticancer drugs were investigated, in mice. The following results were obtained: 1. Pyc at the orally-administered dose of 200 and 150 mg/kg body wt. markedly prevented the elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and the decrease of heart rate in mice treated with doxorubicin (Dox); 2. Pyc at 100 and 150 mg/kg body wt. significantly antagonized the inhibition of DNA synthesis in thymus induced by subcutaneous injection of cyclophosphamide (Cyc); 3. Pyc at 150 and 200 mg/kg body wt. markedly induced increase of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, but had no effect on leukopenia, in Cyc-treated mice; and 4. Pyc has no antagonizing effect on the anticancer activity of Dox and Cyc. All the results suggest that Pyc possesses a protective effect on the cardiotoxicity of Dox and the inhibition of thymus DNA synthesis induced by Cyc in mice.     

Changes in inducibility of ornithine decarboxylase activity in differentiating human neuroblastoma cells

Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells could be induced to differentiate morphologically and biochemically in the presence of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), retinoic acid (RA), or a combination of these two substances. The phenotypical changes induced by these substances differed, but one effect of both was an inhibition of the cell growth. Addition of TPA or RA to non-treated cells had no effect on the activation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC 4.1.1.17.), while a change to fresh medium stimulated the ODC to maximum activity after 4-6 h. The activity was not altered by the presence of RA in the fresh medium, but TPA partially inhibited the medium-stimulated ODC activity. Cells treated for 4 or 8 days with TPA or a combination of TPA and RA had a low ODC activity which could not be induced by fresh medium. However, RA-treated (and thus growth-inhibited) cells still responded to a change of medium by exhibiting an ODC activity of the same magnitude and duration as in medium-stimulated control cells. The results seem to suggest that the growth inhibition induced by TPA and RA, respectively, is mediated by different mechanisms.     

The neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate,but not androsterone,enhances the antidepressant effect of cocaine examined in the forced swim test — Possible role of serotonergic neurotransmission

One of the mechanisms of cocaine's actions in the central nervous system is its antidepressant action. This effect might be responsible for increased usage of the drug by individuals with mood disorders. Higher endogenous levels of the excitatory neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were reported to correlate with successful abstinence from cocaine use in addicts, but a clinical trial showed that supplementation with a high dose of DHEA increased cocaine usage instead. Such ambiguous effects of DHEA(S) could potentially be linked to its influence on the antidepressant effect of cocaine. In this study we tested DHEAS and its metabolite, androsterone, for interactions with cocaine in animal model of depression (forced swim test) and examined the effects of both steroids and cocaine on serotoninergic neurotransmission. All substances were also tested for influence on locomotor activity. A cocaine dose of 5 mg/kg, which had no significant effect on locomotor activity, was chosen for the forced swim test. Neither DHEAS nor androsterone showed any antidepressant action in this test, while cocaine manifested a clear antidepressant effect. Androsterone slightly reduced the antidepressant influence of cocaine while DHEAS markedly, dose-dependently enhanced it. Such an effect might be caused by the influence of DHEAS on serotonin neurotransmission, as this steroid decreased serotonin concentration and turnover in the striatum. When DHEAS and cocaine were administered together, the levels of serotonin in the striatum and hippocampus remained unchanged. This phenomenon may explain the additive antidepressant action of DHEAS and cocaine and why co-administration of DHEAS and cocaine increases drug use.     

Effect of natural phenols on the catalytic activity of cytochrome P450 2E1

The effect of protocatechuic acid, tannic acid and trans-resveratrol on the activity of p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNPH), an enzymatic marker of CYP2E1, was examined in liver microsomes from acetone induced mice. trans-Resveratrol was found to be the most potent inhibitor (IC(50) = 18.5 +/- 0.4 microM) of PNPH, while protocatechuic acid had no effect on the enzyme activity. Tannic acid with IC(50) = 29.6 +/- 3.3 microM showed mixed- and trans-resveratrol competitive inhibition kinetics (K(i) = 1 microM and 2.1 microM, respectively). Moreover, trans-resveratrol produced a NADPH-dependent loss of PNPH activity, suggesting mechanism-based CYP2E1 inactivation. These results indicate that trans-resveratrol and tannic acid may modulate cytochrome P450 2E1 and influence the metabolic activation of xenobiotics mediated by this P450 isoform.     

Macrophage activation for microbicidal activity against Leishmania major: inhibition of lymphokine activation by phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylserine liposomes

Resident peritoneal macrophages from untreated mice develop microbicidal activity against amastigotes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania tropica (current nomenclature = Leishmania major) after in vitro exposure to LK from antigen-stimulated leukocyte culture fluids. This LK-induced macrophage microbicidal activity was completely abrogated by addition of 7:3 phosphatidylcholine: phosphatidylserine liposomes. Liposome inhibition was not due to direct toxic effects against the parasite or macrophage effector cell; factors in LK that induce macrophage microbicidal activity were not adsorbed or destroyed by liposome treatment. Other phagocytic particles, such as latex beads, had no effect on microbicidal activity. Moreover, liposome inhibition of activated macrophage effector function was relatively selective: LK-induced macrophage tumoricidal activity was not affected by liposome treatment. Liposome inhibition was dependent upon liposome dose (5 nmoles/culture) and time of addition of leishmania-infected, LK-treated macrophage cultures. Addition of liposomes through the initial 8 hr of culture completely inhibited LK-induced macrophage microbicidal activity; liposomes added after 16 hr had no effect. Similarly, microbicidal activity by macrophages activated in vivo by BCG or Corynebacterium parvum was not affected by liposome treatment. Liposome treatment also did not affect the increased resistance to infection induced in macrophages by LK. These data suggest that liposomes interfere with one or more early events in the induction of activated macrophages (macrophage-LK interaction) and not with the cytotoxic mechanism itself (parasite-macrophage interaction). These studies add to the growing body of data that implicate cell lipid in regulatory events controlling macrophage effector function.     

The protective effect of 5-O-methylvisammioside on LPS-induced depression in mice by inhibiting the over activation of BV-2 microglia through Nf-κB/IκB-α pathway

Background5-O-methylvisammioside (MeV), also known as 4′-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, is a conventional marker compound for quality control of roots of Saposhnikovia diviaricata (Radix Saposhnikoviae), which exhibits anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities.PurposeAccording to the activity of MeV, we speculated that MeV may have antidepressant effect on LPS induced depression, and further explored its mechanism.Study DesignFirst, to explore the effect and mechanism of MeV on LPS-induced depression in mice, and then to further explore the effect and mechanism of MeV on LPS-activated BV-2 microglia.MethodsBy the OFT, EPM, TST and FST behavioral tests, to explore the effect of MeV pretreatment on the behavior of LPS-induced depression mice. ELISA and Griess method were used to detect the changes of the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels, the hippocampus SOD and MDA levels, and the NO, SOD, MDA, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the culture medium of LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression in the Nf-κB/IκB-α and BDNF/TrkB pathway in the hippocampus of mice and BV-2 microglia.ResultsMeV (4 mg/kg, i.p.) pretreatment significantly improves the activity and exploration ability of LPS-induced depression mice, and reduces the immobility time. MeV inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum of mice induced by LPS, such as IL-6 and TNF-α. MeV also increased the levels of SOD and reduces the expression of MDA in the hippocampus, thus promoting the alleviation of depressive symptoms in mice. Western blotting analysis showed that the antidepressant activity of MeV was related to the decrease of Nf-κB nuclear transport, the inhibition of IκB-α phosphorylation, and the increase of BDNF and TrkB expression. MeV (40 μM) significantly reduced the contents of NO, MDA, TNF-α and IL-6 in the culture medium of LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia, and increased the content of SOD.ConclusionMeV can regulate the neurotrophic factors in the mouse brain, reduce the content of inflammatory factors by the Nf-κB/IκB-α pathway, improve oxidative stress, and inhibit the excessive activation of LPS-stimulated BV -2 microglia. It effectively reversed the depression-like behAavior induced by LPS in mice.     

5-HT1B serotonin receptors and antidepressant effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ]

We used knockout mice and receptor antagonist strategies to investigate the contribution of the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) 5-HT1B receptor subtype in mediating the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Using in vivo intracerebral microdialysis in awake mice, we show that a single systemic administration of paroxetine (1 or 5 mg/kg, i.p.) increased extracellular serotonin levels [5-HT]ext in the ventral hippocampus and frontal cortex of wild-type and mutant mice. However, in the ventral hippocampus, paroxetine at the two doses studied induced a larger increase in [5-HT]ext in knockout than in wild-type mice. In the frontal cortex, the effect of paroxetine was larger in mutants than in wild-type mice at the 1 mg/kg dose but not at 5 mg/kg. In addition, either the absence of the 5-HT1B receptor or its blockade with the mixed 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist, GR 127935, potentiates the effect of a single administration of paroxetine on [5-HT]ext more in the ventral hippocampus than in the frontal cortex. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SSRIs decrease immobility in the forced swimming test; this effect is absent in 5-HT1B knockout mice and blocked by GR 127935 in wild-type suggesting therefore that activation of 5-HT1B receptors mediate the antidepressant-like effects of SSRIs. Taken together these data demonstrate that 5-HT1B autoreceptors appear to limit the effects of SSRI on dialysate 5-HT levels particularly in the hippocampus while presynaptic 5-HT1B heteroreceptors are likely to be required for the antidepressant activity of SSRIs.