Leishmanicidal cycloartane-type triterpene glycosides from Astragalus oleifolius

Two new cycloartane-type glycosides oleifoliosides A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the lower stem parts of Astragalus oleifolius. Their structures were identified as 3-O-[beta-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-alpha-arabinopyranosyl]-6-O-beta-xylopyranosyl-3beta,6alpha,16beta,24(S),25-pentahydroxycycloartane and 3-O-[beta-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-alpha-arabinopyranosyl]-6-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-3beta,6alpha,16beta,24(S),25-pentahydroxycycloartane, respectively, by means of spectroscopic methods (IR, 1D and 2D NMR, ESI-MS). Three known cycloartane glycosides cyclocanthoside E (3), astragaloside II (4) and astragaloside IV (5) were also isolated and characterized. All five compounds were evaluated for in vitro trypanocidal, leishmanicidal and antiplasmodial activities as well as their cytotoxic potential on primary mammalian (L6) cells. Except for the compound 5, all compounds showed notable growth inhibitory activity against Leishmania donovani with IC50 values ranging from 13.2 to 21.3 microg/ml. Only weak activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense was observed with the known compounds astragaloside II (4, IC50 66.6 microg/ml) and cyclocanthoside E (3, IC50 85.2 microg/ml), while all compounds were inactive against Trypanosoma cruzi and Plasmodium falciparum. None of the compounds were toxic to mammalian cells (IC50's > 90 microg/ml). This is the first report of leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activity of cycloartane-type triterpene glycosides.     

A novel homodimeric lectin from Astragalus mongholicus with antifungal activity

A novel lectin (AMML) was isolated from a Chinese herb, i.e., the roots of Astragalus mongholicus, using a combination of ammonium sulfate fraction and ion exchange chromatographies. The molecular mass of intact AMML was determined to be 66,396 Da by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and 61.8 kDa by gel filtration, respectively. AMML was a dimeric protein composed of two identical subunits each with a molecular mass of 29.6 kDa. The lectin was a glycoprotein with a neutral carbohydrate content of 19.6%. The purified lectin hemagglutinated both rabbit and human erythrocytes, and showed preference for blood types O (native) and AB (trypsin-treated). Among various carbohydrates tested, the lectin was best inhibited by D-galactose and its derivatives with pronounced preference for lactose (3.13 mM). N-terminal amino acid sequence of AMML was determined as ESGINLQGDATLANN. The optimal pH range for lectin activity was between pH 4.5 and 7.5, and the lectin was active up to 65 degrees C. It also exerted antifungal activity against Botrytis cincerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Colletorichum sp., and Drechslera turcia but not against Rhizoctonia solani and Mycosphaerella arachidicola.     

A study on the immune receptors for polysaccharides from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese medicinal herb

The immunopotentiating effect of the roots of Astragalus membranaceus, a medicinal herb, has been associated with its polysaccharide fractions (Astragalus polysaccharides, APS). We herein demonstrate that APS activates mouse B cells and macrophages, but not T cells, in terms of proliferation or cytokine production. Fluorescence-labeled APS (fl-APS) was able to selectively stain murine B cells, macrophages and a also human tumor cell line, THP-1, as determined in flow cytometric analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The specific binding of APS to B cells and macrophages was competitively inhibited by bacterial lipopolysaccharides. Rabbit-anti-mouse immunoglobulin (Ig) antibody was able to inhibit APS-induced proliferation of, and APS binding to, mouse B cells. Additionally, APS effectively stimulated the proliferation of splenic B cells from C3H/HeJ mice that have a mutated TLR4 molecule incapable of signal transduction. These results indicate that APS activates B cells via membrane Ig in a TLR4-independent manner. Interestingly, macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice were unable to respond to APS stimulation, suggesting a positive involvement of the TLR4 molecule in APS-mediated macrophage activation. Monoclonal Ab against mouse TLR4 partially inhibited APS binding with macrophages, implying direct interaction between APS and TLR4 on cell surface. These results may have important implications for our understanding on the molecular mechanisms of immunopotentiating polysaccharides from medicinal herbs.     

Antifibrotic effect of the Chinese herbs, Astragalus mongholicus and Angelica sinensis, in a rat model of chronic puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis

Nephrotic syndrome has long been treated in China with two herbs, Astragalus mongholicus and Angelica sinensis, which may have antifibrotic effects. METHODS: Rats with chronic puromycin-induced nephrosis were treated with Astragalus and Angelica 3 mL/d (n = 7) or enalapril 10 mg/kg/d (n = 7). Normal control rats (n = 7) received saline rather than puromycin, and an untreated control group (n = 7) received puromycin but no treatment. After 12 weeks, stained sections of the glomerulus and tubulointerstitium were evaluated for injury. Immunohistochemistry staining measured extracellular matrix components, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1), osteopontin, ED-1-positive cells, and alpha-actin. TGFbeta1 mRNA was assessed by in situ hybridization. Renin, ACE activity, angiotensin, and aldosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay or colorimetry. In the untreated rats, chronic renal injury progressed to marked fibrosis at 12 weeks. Astragalus and Angelica significantly reduced deterioration of renal function and histologic damage. Expressions of type III and IV collagen, fibronectin, and laminin also decreased significantly. This anti-fibrotic effect was similar to that of enalapril. The herbs had no effect on the renin-angiotensin system but did reduce the number of ED-1-positive, and alpha-actin positive cells and expression of osteopontin compared to untreated controls. The combination of Astragalus and Angelica retarded the progression of renal fibrosis and deterioration of renal function with comparable effects of enalapril. These effects were not caused by blocking the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system, but associated with suppression of the overexpression of TGFbeta1 and osteopontin, reduction of infiltrating macrophages, and less activation of renal intrinsic cells [corrected].     

Study on the immune enhancement of different immunoadjuvants used in the pentavalent vaccine for turbots

In this study, we investigated the immune enhancing effects of different adjuvants used in a pentavalent vaccine for turbots. The pentavalent vaccine consisted of inactive bacterial cells from five common pathogenic strains (Vibrio anguillarum, Vibrio scophtalmi, Edwardsiella tarda, Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio alginolyticus) and the adjuvants were astragalus polysaccharides (APS), propolis, and the Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA). Turbots were immunized with the pentavalent vaccine alone or with one of the adjuvants, and the immune efficiency was evaluated by measuring the activities of lysozyme (LSZ) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and serum antibody titers. Fish were also challenged with the pathogens after immunization and the relative percent survival (RPS) was assessed. Our results showed that APS, propolis, and FCA had significant immune-enhancing effects on turbots as shown by the higher titers of antibodies against the pathogens, increased LSZ and SOD activities, and enhanced RPS after challenge with pathogens. Among the three adjuvants, FCA had the most significant immune synergistic effects with the vaccine, and APS and propolis had lower and similar immune synergies.     

黄芪注射液对2型糖尿病动物模型KKAy小鼠脑微血管病变的影响

目的：观察黄芪注射液对2型糖尿病动物模型KKAy小鼠脑微血管病变的影响,探讨黄芪注射液对糖尿病脑血管病变的保护作用。方法：饲养至14周龄的雄性KKAy小鼠随机分成模型组和黄芪注射液治疗组（每日腹腔给药,剂量为3mL／kg）,同龄雄性C57BL／6J小鼠作为对照组。血糖仪测量20、24、28周龄时各组小鼠的空腹血糖水平。28周龄时处死各组小鼠,放射免疫法检测血清6-酮-前列腺素-F1α（6-Keto-PGF1α）和血栓素B2（TXB2）的含量。透射电子显微镜观察脑组织超微结构变化。结果：模型组KKAy小鼠从20周龄开始血糖水平明显高于正常组小鼠（P〈0．01）;黄芪治疗组小鼠从20周龄开始血糖水平明显高于正常组小鼠（P〈0．01）,但低于模型组小鼠（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。模型组小鼠血清6-Keto—PGF1α水平较正常组降低（P〈0．01）,TXB2含量增高（P〈0．01）;与模型组相比,黄芪注射液治疗组小鼠6-Keto—PGF1α水平升高（P〈O．01）,TXB：含量下降（P〈0．01）。透射电镜显示模型组小鼠神经细胞胞核染色质疏松,线粒体肿胀,粗面内质网缩小,核糖体减少;治疗组小鼠以上病变明显改善。结论：黄芪注射液可以有效改善2型糖尿病动物模型KKAv小鼠脑微血管病变,保护神经细胞结构。     

黄芪属六种植物的核型多样性

采用常规压片法,对豆科黄芪属6种植物制备染色体标本进行核型分析。结果表明:体细胞中期染色体数目分别为:沙打旺、斜茎黄芪、达乌里黄芪2n=16,均为二倍体;草木樨状黄芪2n=32,为四倍体;紫云英、鹰嘴紫云英则呈现多数目性,紫云英染色体数变动范围为55～65,64条稍多,鹰嘴紫云英染色体数变动范围51～65,62条稍多,均为混倍体。核型公式分别为:沙打旺2n=2x=16=12m+4sm;斜茎黄芪2n=2x=16=10m+6sm;达乌里黄芪2n=2x=16=16m;草木樨状黄芪2n=4x=32=32m;紫云英2n=64=62m+2sm;鹰嘴紫云英2n=62=12M+50m(2SAT)。染色体核型呈现多样性。     

黄芪对镉致大鼠睾丸支持细胞超微结构及波形蛋白、E-钙粘蛋白表达改变的保护作用

目的 探讨黄芪对镉致大鼠睾丸支持细胞损伤的保护作用.方法 21只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分成镉组(0.1％氯化镉腹腔内注射,1mg/Kg体重/天,5天/周,处理后1、2、3、4周取材)、镉加黄芪组(注射氯化镉的同时注射黄芪,10g/Kg体重/天,5天/周,处理后2、4周取材)和对照组(腹腔内注射等量生理盐水).睾丸取材作光镜、免疫组织化学染色和图像分析及超微结构观察.结果 光镜H.E染色对照组支持细胞核不规则,染色浅,核仁明显,镉处理后胞浆内有空泡形成,镉加黄芪组支持细胞未见明显改变.对照组波形蛋白阳性产物在支持细胞靠近基室腔的胞浆中表达,E-钙粘蛋白阳性产物则主要定位于生精上皮近腔室的支持细胞和部分生精细胞胞浆中.镉处理后支持细胞胞浆中波形蛋白和E-钙粘蛋白阳性产物表达的平均光密度值均明显降低(P＜0.05),镉加黄芪组阳性产物表达虽较对照组减弱但明显高于相应镉组(P＜0.05).镉处理组支持细胞胞质特化区和紧密连接破坏,镉加黄芪组支持细胞超微病变较相应镉组为轻.结论 镉降低大鼠睾丸支持细胞波形蛋白和E-钙粘蛋白的表达并造成支持细胞的超微结构损伤,黄芪具有较好的保护效果.     

河蚬汤中氨基酸组分的分析

利用全自动氨基酸分析仪测定了传统保肝食品--河蚬汤中的总氨基酸和游离氨基酸含量.结果表明,河蚬汤中含有17种常见(色氨酸在酸解时遭破坏)氨基酸,还有鸟氨酸和牛磺酸两种非蛋白质组成氨基酸,总含量为297.4 mg·g-1.其中鸟氨酸含量最高,占总氨基酸的12.4%,且87%的鸟氨酸以结合态形式存在.河蚬汤中游离氨基酸含量...     

枸杞多糖与黄芪多糖抑菌活性的研究*

目的:研究黄芪多糖和枸杞多糖的抑菌活性并探讨不同pH值对其抑菌活性的影响。方法:采用滤纸片扩散法,分析不同浓度黄芪多糖和枸杞多糖在不同pH值下对几种常见细茵和霉菌(大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、黑曲霉、产黄青霉)的抑制效果。结果:对于细菌,枸杞多糖8mg/mL时出现抑菌圈,而黄芪多糖0.02 mg/mL时效果最佳;对于霉菌,随着枸杞多糖浓度的增大,抑菌圈的直径增大,而黄芪多糖0.02 mg/mL时效果最佳;当枸杞多糖和黄芪多糖在pH6的条件下,二者抑菌活性均最强。结论:枸杞多糖和黄芪多糖对细菌、霉菌都有一定的抑制效果,pH值可影响枸杞多糖和黄芪多糖的抑菌效果。