姜状三七根茎的皂苷类化学成分研究

为了解姜状三七(Panax zingiberensis)根茎的皂苷类化学成分,采用正相硅胶、反相硅胶和凝胶等色谱方法从其根茎的乙醇提取物中得到9个皂苷类化合物,根据理化性质和波谱数据,其结构分别鉴定为人参皂苷SL₁ (1)、人参皂苷Rh₁ (2)、三七皂苷R₈ (3)、竹节参皂苷IVa (4)、越南人参皂苷R₁₀ (5)、人参皂苷Rg₁ (6)、菠菜皂苷A 28-O-β-d-葡萄糖苷 (7)、齐墩果酸28-O-β-d-葡萄糖苷 (8)和姜状三七苷R₁ (9)。化合物1、3、5、7和8为首次从该植物中分离得到, 其中化合物5为奥克梯隆醇型皂苷,此类皂苷在该植物中未见报道。     

三七总皂苷联合顺铂对胃癌大鼠肾损伤的改善作用及机制分析

摘要 目的：探讨三七总皂苷联合顺铂对胃癌大鼠肾损伤的改善作用并分析潜在机制。方法：选择60只健康SD雄性大鼠分为对照组、胃癌模型组、顺铂组及三七总皂苷组,各15只。除对照组外,其余组大鼠采用皮下接种胃癌BGC823细胞悬液法建立胃癌模型。建模成功后,给予对照组和胃癌模型组大鼠生理盐水腹腔注射和灌胃,给予顺铂组大鼠腹腔注射25 mg/kg顺铂注射液并灌胃生理盐水,给予三七总皂苷组大鼠腹腔注射25 mg/kg顺铂注射液并灌胃30 mg/kg三七总皂苷。分别于建模成功时、药物处理28 d时采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清肌酐（SCr）、尿素氮（BUN）和尿液β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶（NAG）、肾损伤分子1（KIM-1）水平。处死大鼠后取肾脏,分别测定肾脏组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）水平,制备肾脏组织石蜡切片并行苏木精-伊红染色后观察大鼠肾组织的病理学变化。采用TUNEL染色法检测肾脏组织细胞凋亡情况,采用Western Blotting法检测肾脏组织中LC3、HIF-1α和Beclin1 蛋白表达情况。结果：顺铂组和三七总皂苷组大鼠血清SCr、BUN和尿液NAG、KIM-1水平均显著高于对照组和模型组（P<0.05）,三七总皂苷组大鼠血清SCr、BUN和尿液NAG、KIM-1水平显著高于顺铂组（P<0.05）。三七总皂苷组大鼠肾脏组织SOD、GSH水平显著低于模型组但显著高于顺铂组,MDA显著高于模型组但显著低于顺铂组（P＜0.05）,CAT与模型组无显著差异（P＜0.05）,但显著高于顺铂组（P>0.05）。顺铂组大鼠肾小管明显扩张、管腔狭窄,基底层上皮细胞水肿、坏死并形成空泡,肾小管。三七总皂苷组大鼠肾脏病理学改变程度显著轻于顺铂组。顺铂组和三七总皂苷组大鼠肾脏组织细胞凋亡指数显著增加,三七总皂苷组大鼠肾脏组织细胞凋亡指数显著低于顺铂组（P＜0.05）。顺铂组大鼠肾脏组织中LC3、HIF-1α和Beclin1蛋白水平均显著高于模型组,但显著低于三七总皂苷组（P＜0.05）。结论：三七总皂苷可能通过减轻过氧自由基和过氧化水平、增强线粒体自噬水平减少肾组织细胞凋亡,减轻顺铂引起的胃癌大鼠肾损伤。     

黄芪桂枝五物汤联合调神益气针法治疗脑卒中后疲劳患者的临床研究

摘要 目的：探讨黄芪桂枝五物汤联合调神益气针法治疗脑卒中后疲劳（PSF）的临床疗效。方法：选择2020年10月至2022年10月我院收治的80例PSF患者，随机数字表法将患者分为两组，对照组（40例）采用治疗黄芪桂枝五物汤治疗2周，观察组（40例）采用治疗黄芪桂枝五物汤联合调神益气针法治疗2周。比较两组疗效、疲劳程度、运动功能、生活质量以及不良反应差异。结果：观察组治疗总有效率高于对照组（90.00% vs 62.50%，P＜0.05）。两组治疗后疲劳严重程度量表（FSS）评分均较治疗前降低（P＜0.05），Fugl-Meyer上肢和下肢评分、脑卒中专用生活质量量表（SS-QOL）、改良Barthel 指数（MBI）评分均较治疗前增高（P＜0.05）。观察组治疗后FSS评分低于对照组（P＜0.05），Fugl-Meyer上肢和下肢评分、SS-QOL、MBI评分均高于对照组（P＜0.05）。两组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论：黄芪桂枝五物汤联合调神益气针法可更有效地改善疲劳症状和运动功能，提高生活质量。     

基于PB-CCD设计的黄芪茎叶总皂苷提取工艺优化及其抗氧化活性研究

黄芪为常用大宗中药材,传统用药部位为根。药材采挖后,地上茎叶通常被丢弃,造成巨大浪费。为黄芪茎叶综合利用提供依据,本研究优化了黄芪茎叶中总皂苷提取工艺,并对其体外抗氧化活性进行了评价。以总皂苷为响应因子,以乙醇浓度、液料比、提取温度、提取时间、超声功率、超声时间和提取次数为考察因素,采用PB-CCD设计优选获得最佳提取工艺条件:乙醇浓度80%,液料比30∶1,提取温度80℃,超声时间30 min,超声功率200 W,提取时间120 min,提取次数3次,在此工艺参数条件下总皂苷得率在2.04%左右。通过体外抗氧化活性研究发现黄芪茎叶总皂苷对DPPH、超氧阴离子和羟基自由基均有一定的清除能力,并与总皂苷质量浓度呈一定的正相关关系。     

阿魏酸钠对肺结核模型小鼠免疫功能及肺泡巨噬细胞吞噬功能的调控作用研究

摘要 目的：探讨与分析阿魏酸钠对肺结核模型小鼠免疫功能及肺泡巨噬细胞吞噬功能的调控作用。方法：肺结核模型小鼠(n=36)随机分为模型组、利福平组、阿魏酸钠组,每组各12只。利福平组、阿魏酸钠组分别给予100 mg/kg剂量的利福平与阿魏酸钠,模型组小鼠灌胃等量生理盐水,1次/d,给药6周,观察与记录所有小鼠的一般特征;分别于给药第2周、第4周、第6周,HE染色观察小鼠的病理特征;MDA检测试剂盒和总SOD活性检测试剂盒测定肺组织MDA水平与SOD活性;流式细胞仪检测小鼠T淋巴细胞亚群-CD3⁺T淋巴细胞、CD4⁺T淋巴细胞水平;酶联免疫法检测血清IL-6、IL-8含量;AnnexinV-FITC检测肺泡巨噬细胞凋亡率。结果：利福平组、阿魏酸钠组给药第2周、第4周、第6周的肺组织丙二醛（Malondialdehyde,MDA）水平低于模型组（P<0.05）,超氧化物岐化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）活性高于模型组（P<0.05）,利福平组与阿魏酸钠组对比也有明显差异（P<0.05）。利福平组、阿魏酸钠组给药第2周、第4周、第6周的血液CD3⁺T淋巴细胞、CD4⁺T淋巴细胞比例明显高于模型组（P<0.05）,阿魏酸钠组也高于利福平组（P<0.05）。利福平组、阿魏酸钠组给药第2周、第4周、第6周的血清IL-6、IL-8含量明显低于模型组（P<0.05）,阿魏酸钠组也低于利福平组（P<0.05）。利福平组、阿魏酸钠组给药第2周、第4周、第6周的肺泡灌洗液（broncho alveolar lavage fluid,BALF）巨噬细胞凋亡率明显低于模型组（P<0.05）,阿魏酸钠组也明显低于利福平组（P<0.05）。结论：阿魏酸钠在肺结核模型小鼠的应用可抑制炎症因子的表达,并改善氧化状况,还能增强小鼠的免疫功能,降低肺泡灌洗液巨噬细胞凋亡率。     

黄芪有效成分对氧自由基清除作用的ESR研究

用电子自旋共振技术研究了黄芪总黄酮(TFA)、黄芪总皂甙(TSA)和黄芪总多糖(TPA)对次黄嘌呤／黄嘌呤氧化酶体系产生的超氧阴离子自由基和H₂O₂－Fe²⁺体系产生的羟自由基的清除作用．结果表明,这3种成分均有清除氧自由基的作用;对超氧阴离子自由基的清除效能大于对羟自由基的清除作用;其作用强度依次为TFA＞TSA＞TPA．结果提示清除氧自由基可能是黄芪抗衰老的主要机理之一,TFA和TSA是黄芪抗氧化作用的主要药理活性成分．     

Chk2在Bmi1缺失所致的肾脏早衰和纤维化中的作用和机制研究

摘要 目的：探究细胞周期检测点激酶2（cell-cycle checkpoint kinase 2，Chk2）在B淋巴瘤Mo-MLV插入区1（B cell-specific MLV integration site-1，Bmi1）缺失所致的肾脏早衰和纤维化中的作用及可能的机制。方法：取5周龄WT、Bmi1^-/-、Chk2^-/-、Bmi1^-/-Chk2^-/-小鼠肾脏，采用HE染色观察肾脏结构变化，采用免疫荧光和Masson染色观察肾脏纤维化情况，采用衰老相关β半乳糖苷酶（Senescence-associated β-galactosidase，SA-β-gal）染色观察肾脏衰老情况，采用免疫组化染色和western blot观察肾脏超氧化物歧化酶1（Superoxide Dismutase 1，SOD1）、超氧化物歧化酶2（Superoxide Dismutase 2，SOD2）表达水平和定位。从5周龄WT、Bmi1^-/-、Chk2^-/-、Bmi1^-/-Chk2^-/-小鼠肾脏皮质中提取和分离原代肾小管上皮细胞，采用免疫荧光和western blot检测其SOD1、SOD2表达水平。结果：与WT小鼠肾脏组织相比，Bmi1^-/-小鼠肾脏组织表现为体积变小、肾脏皮质厚度减少、肾小球数量减少，β-gal活性增加，SOD1和SOD2水平降低；与Bmi1^-/-小鼠肾脏相比，Bmi1^-/-Chk2^-/-小鼠肾脏体积增大、肾脏皮质厚度增加，肾小球数量增多，β-gal活性降低，SOD1和SOD2水平增加。与WT小鼠肾脏皮质原代肾小管上皮细胞相比，Bmi1^-/-小鼠肾脏皮质原代肾小管上皮细胞中SOD1和SOD2水平；与Bmi1^-/-小鼠肾脏皮质原代肾小管上皮细胞相比，Bmi1^-/-Chk2^-/-小鼠肾脏皮质原代肾小管上皮细胞中抗氧化指标SOD1和SOD2增加。结论：Chk2通过抑制肾小管上皮细胞的抗氧化能力促进Bmi1缺失所致的肾脏早衰和纤维化。     

炙甘草汤通过抗氧化抑制博莱霉素诱导的小鼠肺纤维化

摘要 目的：探讨炙甘草汤对特发性肺纤维化（Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,IPF）小鼠纤维化相关指标的影响,挖掘炙甘草汤治疗IPF的机制。方法：将60只SPF级ICR小鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、吡菲尼酮组和炙甘草汤组,除空白组外,其余组采用气管滴注博莱霉素（5 mg/kg)方法复制IPF小鼠模型,并给予相应的药物治疗。空白组和模型组小鼠灌胃生理盐水,吡菲尼酮组和炙甘草汤组小鼠分别灌胃吡菲尼酮(50 mg/kg)和炙甘草汤（25.4 g/kg）,各组均连续给药4周后取材,记录各组小鼠的死亡情况,计算各组肺系数;观察肺组织切片病理变化;碱水解法检测肺组织羟脯氨酸（HYP）含量;比色法检测肺组织丙二醛（MDA）含量、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）的活性;免疫组化、荧光定量PCR检测α-SMA、COL1A蛋白和mRNA的表达水平。结果：炙甘草汤组小鼠死亡数减少,肺系数显著降低（P＜0.01）,炎性细胞浸润和胶原沉积面积大量减少,肺泡结构逐渐修复,HYP、MDA含量降低（P＜0.01）,SOD活性（P＜0.05）和GSH-Px活性（P＜0.01）显著增强;α-SMA、COL1A蛋白和mRNA表达均降低（P＜0.01）。结论：炙甘草汤通过抑制氧化应激反应,从而抑制成纤维细胞活化,减少细胞质基质沉积,从而减缓IPF疾病进程。     

植物乳杆菌P-8对小鼠免疫功能的调节作用研究

摘要 目的：不同类型的益生菌株免疫调节功能各异。本文旨在评价植物乳杆菌P-8（Lactobacillus plantarum P-8）对小鼠免疫功能的调控作用及机制。方法：C57BL/6J小鼠每日灌胃给予不同剂量的植物乳杆菌P-8（0. 25 mg/kg、0.5 mg/kg、1.5 mg/kg）,连续30天,记录小鼠一般情况。给药结束后处死动物,测定小鼠脏器/体重比;小鼠碳廓清实验、小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬鸡红细胞实验评价各组小鼠的单核-巨噬细胞功能;血清溶血素测定、抗体生成细胞实验评价各组小鼠的体液免疫功能;脾淋巴细胞转化实验、迟发型变态反应实验评价各组小鼠的细胞免疫功能;NK细胞的活性测定实验评价小鼠的NK细胞活性。结果：与对照组相比,低、中、高剂量组植物乳杆菌P-8对小鼠脏器/体重比值差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;且植物乳杆菌P-8可显著提高小鼠的碳廓清能力、小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬鸡红细胞能力、半数溶血值、二硝基氟苯诱导的小鼠迟发型变态反应及NK细胞活力（P均<0.05）。结论：植物乳杆菌P-8可通过提高单核-巨噬细胞功能、体液免疫功能、细胞免疫功能及NK细胞活力增强小鼠的免疫功能。     

基于转录组学的白扁豆总皂苷抑制前列腺癌细胞系PC-3细胞生长的机制研究

目的 白扁豆总皂苷是中药白扁豆经过提取分离纯化步骤制备得到,关于白扁豆的总皂苷成分如何影响前列腺癌细胞系PC-3细胞的生长情况缺少研究。因此,有必要探讨白扁豆总皂苷对前列腺癌细胞系PC-3细胞生长的机制研究。方法 本研究采用CCK8方法检测不同浓度的白扁豆总皂苷对前列腺癌细胞系PC-3细胞生长的影响。利用转录组学分析白扁豆总皂苷抑制前列腺癌细胞系PC-3细胞生长的分子机制,并且进一步通过实时定量PCR（qRT-PCR）和蛋白质免疫印迹（Western blot）实验对相关差异基因的表达进行验证。利用Western blot和CCK8检测白扁豆总皂苷处理过表达醛脱氢酶7家族成员A1（ALDH7A1）的PC-3细胞存活率。结果 随着白扁豆总皂苷浓度升高,前列腺癌细胞PC-3的存活率显著下降,白扁豆总皂苷的IC₅₀值为1 086 mg/L。转录组学测序结果显示,与对照组相比,白扁豆总皂苷处理的细胞中有2 360个差异表达基因,其中1 982个基因上调,378个基因下调。基因功能注释（GO）结果显示,差异表达基因显著富集到与有丝分裂纺锤体检查点（mitotic spindle checkpoint）、纺锤体组装检查点（spindle assembly checkpoint）等一系列跟癌症的发生发展密切相关的生物学过程。此外,基因组京都百科全书（KEGG）分析结果也显示,差异表达基因富集在肿瘤代谢等信号通路。进一步对其中的差异基因进行验证,结果显示,与对照组相比,白扁豆总皂苷处理的前列腺癌细胞中ALDH7A1、甘氨酸C-乙酰转移酶（GCAT）和磷酸甘油酸变位酶家族成员4（PGAM4）的蛋白质表达水平明显降低（P<0.05）,而二甲基甘氨酸脱氢酶（DMGDH）和胱硫醚β合成酶样（CBSL）的蛋白质表达水平显著升高（P<0.001）。体外细胞实验结果表明,白扁豆总皂苷通过下调前列腺癌细胞中ALDH7A1的表达抑制PC-3细胞生长。结论 白扁豆总皂苷可能通过下调ALDH7A1表达从而在体外抑制前列腺癌细胞的生长。     

Cytotoxic and anti-colorectal tumor effects of sulfated saponins from sea cucumber Holothuria moebii

BackgroundWhether sulfated saponins from Holothuria moebii inhibit the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells and have anti-colorectal tumor effects in animal model has not been investigated.PurposeTo evaluate the cytotoxic and anti-colorectal tumor effects of sulfated saponins from sea cucumber Holothuria moebii.Method(1) Column chromatography was used to prepare the total and individual saponins and HPLC was applied to define the components of the total saponins; (2) the activity of the total and individual saponins inhibiting the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells was determined by SRB assay and the apoptosis induced by the saponins was qualified using cytometric analysis with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining; and (3) the antitumor effects of the sulfated saponins on colorectal CT-26 tumor-bearing Balb/c mice were tested.ResultsThe total and individual sulfated saponins significantly inhibited the proliferation of four different human colorectal cancer cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.04 to 4.08 μM (or 1.46 to 3.24 μg/ml for total saponins) and induced late apoptosis at an early treatment time in cancer cells. The total saponins (120 mg/kg) had antitumor activity in colorectal CT-26 tumor-bearing Balb/c mice.ConclusionThe sulfated saponins from H. moebii remarkably inhibited the proliferation of different human colorectal cancer cells and had significant anti-colorectal tumor activity in animal model.     

Herbal decoction Divya-Swasari-Kwath attenuates airway inflammation and remodeling through Nrf-2 mediated antioxidant lung defence in mouse model of allergic asthma

Background and purposeAsthma is a chronic respiratory disease orchestrated by immune and structural cells. Identification of novel therapeutic strategies are needed for asthma due to the limitations of existing therapies. We have validated the anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic and immunomodulatory therapeutic properties of herbal decoction, Divya-Swasari-Kwath (DSK) using mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA) induced allergic asthma.Methods and resultsHPLC analysis identified the presence of Rutin, Glycyrrchzin, Gallic acid, Cinnamic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Caffeic acid and Piperine as bioactive herbal metabolites in DSK. Therapeutic treatment with herbal decoction DSK significantly alleviated the pathological features of allergic asthma including inflammatory cell accumulation in Broncho-Alveolar Lavage (BAL) fluids, specifically lymphocytes and eosinophils, lung inflammation, oxidative stress, airway remodelling, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. H&E analysis of lung tissue sections identified attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration and thickening of bronchial epithelium by DSK. PAS staining and MT staining identified decrease in OVA-induced mucus hyper secretion and peri-bronchial collagen deposition respectively, upon DSK treatment. Treatment with DSK increased the mRNA expression of antioxidative defence gene Nrf-2 and its downstream target genes HO-1 and NQO-1. In the same line, biochemical analysis for the markers of oxidative/antioxidant system confirmed the restoration of activity of Catalase, GPx, SOD and EPO and the levels of GSH, GSSG, MDA and Nitrite in whole lungs. In line with PAS staining, DSK treatment decreased the OVA-induced expression of Muc5AC and Muc5B genes. DSK treatment reduced the steady state mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, -5, -33, IFN-γ in whole lung; and IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β protein levels in BALF.ConclusionCollectively, our results suggest that herbal decoction DSK is effective in protecting against allergic airway inflammation and remodelling by regulating anti-oxidant mechanisms. We postulate that DSK could be the potential therapeutic option for allergic asthma management.     

加减黄芪丹参饮联合优思悦治疗多囊卵巢综合征的效果及对外周血Th17/Treg免疫失衡的影响研究

摘要 目的：探讨与研究加减黄芪丹参饮联合优思悦治疗多囊卵巢综合征的效果及对外周血Th17/Treg免疫失衡的影响。方法：选择2018年7月到2022年1月在本院诊治的多囊卵巢综合征患者66例作为研究对象,根据1:1简单分配原则把患者分为中药组与对照组各33例。对照组给予优思悦治疗,中药组在对照组治疗的基础上给予加减黄芪丹参饮治疗,所有患者都治疗观察3个月经周期,测定与计算外周血Th17/Treg免疫失衡情况。结果：治疗后中药组的总有效率为100.0%,与对照组的81.8%相比明显增高（P<0.05）。两组治疗后的Th17/Treg值都明显低于治疗前（P<0.05）,中药组与对照组相比也明显降低（P<0.05）。两组治疗后的子宫内膜厚度与最大卵泡直径都明显高于治疗前（P<0.05）,治疗后中药组与对照组相比也明显提高（P<0.05）。两组治疗后的血清雌二醇(E₂)含量明显高于治疗前（P<0.05）,血清催乳素（PRL）含量明显低于治疗前（P<0.05）,治疗后中药组与对照组都有明显差异差异（P<0.05）。结论：加减黄芪丹参饮联合优思悦治疗多囊卵巢综合征能有效调节外周血Th17/Treg免疫失衡,促进性激素分泌正常,提高患者的子宫内膜厚度与最大卵泡直径,提高患者的总体治疗效果。     

不同浓度下的中药复方对四川白兔生长的影响

本次研究旨在探讨中药复方对四川白兔生长性能、免疫功能及其抗氧化情况的作用。采用单因子实验设计,选择30日龄断奶四川白兔仔兔100只,随机分为5组(每组20只,雌雄各半),试验3组为高浓度组(基础日粮+3%中药添加剂),试验2组为中等浓度组(基础日粮+2%中药添加剂),试验1组为低浓度组(基础日粮+1%中药添加剂),试验4组为阳性组(基础日粮+1%杆菌肽锌+1%硫酸黏杆菌素),对照组饲喂基础日粮。试验期为56 d,其中预试期为7 d,正试期为49 d。正试期内测定试兔的生长性能,试验结束时测定试兔的抗氧化和免疫指标。结果显示:高浓度组显著提高了兔的Ig M (p<0.05),中等浓度组极显著提高了兔的Ig A (p<0.01),且死亡率均为0;低浓度组和高浓度组显著提高了兔丙二醛(MDA)或超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性;低浓度组显著提高了兔的脾指数(p<0.05);高浓度组显著提高或降低了兔十二指肠的绒毛高度或隐窝深度(p<0.05);中等浓度组显著提高了回肠的绒毛高度(p<0.0.5)。饲粮添加一定的中药复方不仅能改善兔子的生长性能,增强四川白兔的免疫能力及抗氧化性,也可以降低四川白兔死亡发生概率。     

Modulating effects of the synergistic combination of extracts of herbal drugs on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice

ObjectiveTaking leads from the available research, we aimed to develop a synergy-based herbal combination of Tinospora cordifolia (TC), Phyllanthus emblica (PE), and Piper nigrum (PN). Also, evaluating their synergistic effect on CP-induced immunosuppression in mice model and exploring the possible mechanisms involved in reversing the damage.MethodologyThe immunomodulatory activity of combination, of TC stem, PE fruits, and PN dried fruits, was determined by in vitro assays (splenocyte proliferation and pinocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages of mice) and in vivo study using CP-induced immunosuppression model in Swiss Albino mice. The ratio was optimized for combining three by in vitro MTT assay. The combination was further evaluated for anti-oxidant activity by DPPH scavenging method and quantified for its bioactive metabolites by HPTLC. Serum collected on day 0, 4, 7 and 14 was employed for estimation of haematogram (haematocrit, TLC, DLC, and haemoglobin, etc) and immune parameters (IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-α) by ELISA.ResultsThe study demonstrated, that combination of herbal extracts at an intermediate dose could inhibit the proliferation of spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages (P ≤ 0.0001) and induce suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators, and also certified that combination exerts synergized effects. The results showed that the combination possess potential antioxidant activity by DPPH scavenging method (IC₅₀-113.5 µg/ml). It was identified that combination significantly (P ≤ 0.0001) improved the immune markers, haematogram parameters, and histological parameters, with maximum protection offered by an intermediate dose.ConclusionThe results suggested that present combination could be further explored clinically as potent synergy-based therapeutic approach for immune modulation.     

Dietary selenium levels modulates antioxidant,cytokine and immune response and selenoproteins mRNA expression in rats under heat stress condition

BackgroundHigher environmental temperature is a major abiotic stress factor for animals and human beings. The selenium (Se) is an important trace mineral having diverse health promoting effects under stress conditions. However, studies on dietary requirement of selenium under prolonged heat stress condition are lacking. Present study discern the effect of higher dietary Se levels on antioxidant, cytokine, haemato-biochemical profile, and immune response, and the selenoproteins mRNA expression in rats under prolonged heat stress (HS) condition.MethodsWeaned Wistar rats (4 wk age; 67.6 ± 1.53 g BW; n = 72) housed under thermoneutral (TN) or HS conditions and fed with purified diets containing three graded Se levels were divided in six experimental groups. The groups were 1) TN control with 138 ppb Se (TN_CON), 2) HS control with 138 ppb Se (HS_CON), 3) TN with higher Se @ 291 ppb (TN_Se1), 4) HS with higher Se @ 291 ppb (HS_Se1) 5) TN with higher Se @ 460 ppb (TN_Se2), 6) HS with higher Se @ 460 ppb (HS_Se2). Rats in all the six groups were maintained in TN environmental conditions (57.3 ± 0.22 temperature humidity index; THI) for initial 28 days period. Subsequently, rats of HS groups were exposed to 77.0 ± 0.11 THI for 6 h/d in a psychrometric chamber for last fourteen days.ResultsHigher dietary Se (291 and 460 ppb) significantly improved the blood hemoglobin concentration and reduced serum alanine aminotransferase activity of rats under HS conditions. The serum triiodothyronine and insulin levels were significantly higher in high dietary Se groups irrespective of the environmental conditions. Similarly, the serum reduced glutathione levels, and catalase and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity were increased and malondialdehyde levels were reduced in high dietary Se groups irrespective of stress conditions. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was significantly higher in 460 ppb dietary Se groups as compared to other groups. The serum pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)− 1 was declined, whereas the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 level was increased in high dietary Se fed rats under both HS and TN conditions with 460 ppb dietary Se groups showing pronounced effects. Further, there was heat stress- and dietary Se level dependent- up regulation in hepatic GPx and iodothyronine deiodinase-II mRNA expression and similar pattern was noticed in hepatic thioredoxin reductase mRNA expression. The selenoprotein-P mRNA expression was up regulated in 460 ppb Se fed HS group as compared to CON and Se1_C groups. High dietary Se improved the humoral immune response 7d after antigen inoculation under HS conditions whereas cell-mediated immune response was augmented in rats fed higher Se under TN condition.ConclusionIt is concluded that under prolonged heat stress conditions the dietary requirement of Se may be increased to 460 ppb for improving the antioxidant status and humoral immune response, cytokine levels, modulating the thyroid and insulin hormone, and the selenoproteins mRNA expression of rats.     

Anxiolytic effects of a novel herbal treatment in mice models of anxiety

AimsAnxiety and stress disorders are currently among the ten most important public health concerns, and in recent years, have reached epidemic proportions. The current success rate of treatments for anxiety disorders is not high, reaching 50% at most. These treatments are also associated with a wide variety of side effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anxiolytic properties of a novel herbal treatment produced in our laboratory compared to a conventional treatment for anxiety disorders, namely SSRIs.Main methodsAnxiety-like behavior was evaluated in adult mice exposed to stress during childhood following 1, 2 and 3 weeks of treatment with the novel herbal treatment or escitalopram, using the novel open field and the elevated plus maze paradigms. The behavioral evaluation in these mice was followed by a biochemical assessment of their brain hippocampal BDNF levels and blood corticosterone levels.Key findingsThe study showed that (1) the novel herbal treatment reduced anxiety-like behaviors in both behavioral tests. Interestingly, this reduction was observed only following a 3-week treatment; (2) following the novel treatment, corticosterone levels in the plasma of treated mice were reduced and this reduction was similar to the one observed following escitalopram treatment; and (3) BDNF levels in the hippocampus of mice treated both with the novel herbal treatment and escitalopram were increased.SignificanceThese behavioral and biological findings indicate that our novel herbal compound has the potential of being highly efficacious in treating anxiety disorders.     

Danggui buxue tang--a Chinese herbal decoction activates the phosphorylations of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and estrogen receptor alpha in cultured MCF-7 cells

Danggui buxue tang (DBT), a Chinese herbal decoction used to treat ailments in women, contains radix Astragali (Huangqi; RA) and radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui; RAS). The weight ratio of RA to RAS used in DBT must be 5:1 as stipulated as early as AD 1247; however, DBT's mechanism of action has never been described. Here, the estrogenic effects of DBT were investigated by determining the phosphorylations of estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) in cultured MCF-7 cells. The application of DBT triggered the phosphorylation of ER alpha and Erk1/2 in a time-dependent manner. In contrast to the effect of estrogen, DBT triggered ER alpha phosphorylation at both S118 and S167. This DBT-specific phosphorylation was not triggered by an extract of one of the individual herbs, or by mixing the extracts of RA and RAS. DBT-induced downstream signals are described here. These signals suggest the uniqueness of this Chinese herbal decoction that requires a well-defined formulation.