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142 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Effects of herbal preparation Equiguard on hormone-responsive and hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma cells: mechanistic studies.

The Equiguard is a dietary supplement comprised of standardized extracts from nine herbs, respectively, Herba epimedium brevicornum Maxim (stem and leaves), Radix morindae officinalis (root), Fructus rosa laevigatae michx (fruit), Rubus chingii Hu (fruit), Schisandra chinensis (Turz.) Baill (fruit), Ligustrum lucidum Ait (fruit), Cuscuta chinensis Lam (seed), Psoralea corylifolia L. (fruit), and Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge (root). This proprietary product, formulated according to Chinese traditional medicinal concepts, is aimed at restoring harmony in the of the kidney, an organ which Chinese medicinal principles consider to be vital for invigorating as well as maintaining balance of the entire urological system. As the prostate is an integral component of the urological system, we performed in vitro studies to test the effects of ethanol extracts of Equiguard to modulate prostate growth and gene expression. These studies used prostate cancer cells mimicking the androgen-dependent (AD) and androgen-independent (AI) states of prostate carcinogenesis. Results show that Equiguard significantly reduced cancer cell growth, induced apoptosis, suppressed expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and lowered intracellular and secreted prostate specific antigen (PSA), and almost completely abolished colony forming abilities of prostate cancer cells. These data support the interpretation that this herbal formulation contains ingredients that collectively may be efficacious in preventing or treating AD and AI prostate carcinoma. The anti-prostatic activities of Equiguard may stem from its complex composition capable of targeting multiple signal transduction/metabolic pathways, to effectively correct, counteract or circumvent the impaired or dysfunctional mechanisms accompanying different stages of prostate carcinogenesis.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2002

Identification of pyrogallol as an antiproliferative compound present in extracts from the medicinal plant Emblica officinalis: effects on in vitro cell growth of human tumor cell lines.

In this study we compared the in vitro antiproliferative activity of extracts from medicinal plants toward human tumor cell lines, including human erythromyeloid K562, B-lymphoid Raji, T-lymphoid Jurkat, erythroleukemic HEL cell lines. Extracts from Emblica officinalis were the most active in inhibiting in vitro cell proliferation, after comparison to those from Terminalia arjuna, Aphanamixis polystachya, Oroxylum indicum, Cuscuta reflexa, Aegle marmelos, Saraca asoka, Rumex maritimus, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Red Sandalwood. Emblica officinalis extracts have been studied previously, due to their hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medicinal activities. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses allowed to identify pyrogallol as the common compound present both in unfractionated and n-butanol fraction of Emblica officinalis extracts. Antiproliferative effects of pyrogallol were therefore determined on human tumor cell lines thus identifying pyrogallol as an active component of Emblica officinalis extracts.

1-Butanol↗
PubMed2005

Effects of single herbal drugs on adhesion and migration of melanocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To find herbs with effects on adhesion and migration of melanocytes in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethanol extracts from 14 herbs were tested. Normal human melanocytes were obtained from neonatal foreskin, and the 48-well culture dish covered with fibronectin was used for the melanocyte adhesion assay. Motility was assessed by using the micropore filter method. RESULTS: The extracts of Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Tusizi (Semen Cuscutae) and Honghua (Flos Carthami) could enhance melanocyte adhesion to fibronectin, while Cijili (Fructus Tribuli) and Huangqi (Radix Astragali) promote melanocyte migration in vitro. Buguzhi (Fructus Psoraleae), Nü Zhen Zi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi) and Baizhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) could promote both adhesion and migration of melanocytes. CONCLUSION: The above herbs may play a role through promoting adhesion and/or migration of melanocytes in the treatment of vitiligo.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed2005

Purification of potato virus X and preparation of its antiserum.

Potato virus X (PVX) isolated from the potato leaf and tuber samples which were collected from various fields in Damavand and Ardabil. The initial isolations of the virus were made from potato by mechanical inoculation on Gomphrena globosa L. and Chenopodium spp. that produce local lesion, and then it causes mosaic on Nicotiana spp. and Datura stramonium L. An isolate of the virus inoculated to Nicotiana glutinosa L. and it was maintained throughout the work. Sap from infected N. glutinosa was ineffective after dilution to 10-6, 10 minutes at 70 degrees and 10 weeks at room temperature. The virus was readily purified from infected leaves and the best protocol was Moreira & Jones 1980 than the other 2 methods of Fribourg 1975 and Shepard & Shalla 1972. Antisera were prepared against native, degraded proteins and micro precipitin test showed that both antisera had a 1/512 titer. Precipitin lines with D - Protein antiserum was better of the native protein antiserum in agar double diffusion test than treated with SDS. The isolate of the virus was not transmitted by none of 2 species of Cuscuta but transmitted from infected leaves to healthy plants with sap inoculation without using Carburandum. This isolate showed positive reaction with gamaglubulin in kate received from CIP centre.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed2005

Determination of the races of potato virus X and its host rang in Karaj, Damavand and Ardabil, Iran.

Potato virus x (PVX) is found commonly in potato-growing areas, worldwide. It is an economically important virus which causes losses in tuber yield of approximate 5 to 15 percent. In a 2 year survey, potato leaf and tuber samples were collected from various fields in Damavand and Karaj. The initial isolations from potato were made by mechanical inoculation first to Gomphrena globosa L. and later to Dartura stramonium L. It was not transmitted by 2 species of Cuscuta but transmitted mechamically. The isolates were inoculated to Nicotiana glutinosa L. in which they were maintained throughout the work. Sap from infected N. glutinosa was ineffective after dilution to 10-6, after 10 minutes at 70 degrees C and after 10 weeks at room temperature. The virus had filamentous and slightly flexuous particles with a normal length of about 490-500 nm and 12 nm width. According to the symptoms, TIP results and serological comparisons, the compared isolates showed no difference and they belong to XN group. In order to estimate disease incidence, 773 tubers from Damavand area were tested and compared with that in Ardabil area. Disease incidence in Damavand ranged from 1.1-20.9 percent and was lower than disease incidence in Ardabil. In 8 genera of collected weeds from fields of potato and tomato samples by using test plants and serological methods, they didn't show existence of the potato virus x.

Iran↗
PubMed1991

[Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children treated with replenishing qi and tonifying kidney and the changes in thrombocyte aggregative function].

UNLABELLED: Forty-one children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were reported in this paper. Of all, 36 with petechia and ecchymosis, 28 with nasal hemorrhage, 5 with hematochezia and 1 with subcutaneous hematoma. According to the TCM differentiation, 24 and 17 of all belonged to the type of impairment of Yin due to blood-heat and both deficiencies of Qi and tonifying Kidney and its basic prescriptions were: dried Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Radix Rubiae, Fructus Psoraleae, stir-frying Radix Astragali, Semen Cuscutae, Caulis Spatholob; Chinese Jujubae, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei. The average treating duration was 5.02 months. RESULTS: 24 cases cured, 6 recovered, 10 improved, 1 failed, with a total effective rate of 97.6%. 22 of the cured were followed-up without recurrence in average 10.4 months after withdrawal. In 32 cases, the thrombocyte aggregative function was tested with ADP induction, meanwhile in 20 of 32 cases aggregation with adrenaline induction was tested. The results before and after treatment showed an evident difference, with low function before treatment and normal after treatment. It is concluded that the replenishing Qi and tonifying Kidney may have a better effect on both acute and chronic children ITP without recurrence after withdrawal.

Child↗
PubMed1990

Inactivation of strongyloides stercoralis filariform larvae in vitro by six Jamaican plant extracts and three commercial anthelmintics.

In vitro bioassay of (a) aqueous methanol extracts (AME) of the green leaves of mimosa (Mimosa pudica), love weed (Cuscuta americana), vervine (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), chicken weed (Salvia serotina) and breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis); (b) methanol-water fraction (MWF) of breadfruit leaves, and (c) commercially available drugs albendazole, thiabendazole and levamisole were assayed for nematode inactivating potential, using filariform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis. Test larvae were obtained from a 10-day-old charcoal coproculture. Bioassays were conducted in Locke's solution, using 100 larvae in each of three replicates. Inactivation was recorded microscopically at 1, 3, 6 and 12 hours, then every 24 hours up to 5 days' incubation. It50 (time for inactivation of 50% of larvae) values read: levamisole and mimosa extract less than 1 hour; love weed extract, approximately 2 hours; breadfruit (MWF), 9.5 hours; chicken weed, 20 hours; albendazole, 35 hours; breadfruit (AME), 49 hours; thiabendazole, 74 hours and vervine extract, 81.5 hours. It95 values followed a similar, trend, and were approximately double the It50 measures. A potential role for locally available natural products in the treatment of strongyloidiasis is highlighted.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

[A conbribution to the characterization of asparagus virus 2 (author's transl)].

In host range investigations with 152 plant species of 37 families, 96 species from 28 families proved to be experimentally susceptible to asparagus virus 2 (AsV 2). From these, 82 species of 26 families were systematically infectible and 14 species of 10 families only locally. Most frequently were symptomless systemic infections. Of 86 species, their susceptibility for AsV 2 was unknown before. The number of families that contant experimental hosts of the virus increased from 11 to 33. Transmission of AsV 2 was neither possible with Myzus persicae nor with Cuscuta californica or C. campestris. AsV 2-infected mother plants transmitted the virus by about 40 per cent to their seedings. Open-pollinated plants, not infested by AsV 2, showed 3 to 22 per cent of infected seedings. Mechanical back-transmission of AsV 2 from test plants to asparagus succeeded only in one case. The properties of the virus in vitro were as follows: thermal inactivation point between 64 and 66 degrees C, dilution end point between 10(-3) and 10(-4), stability in sap, stored at room temperature, up to 96 hours. Serological investigations demonstrated no relationship to the virus to numerous other viruses. An antiserum with a titer of 1 to 16 was useful for the detection of AvV 2 in asparagus sap. Electron microscopical investigations proved for the virus isometric particles for the first time. In negatively stained preparations they had a diameter of 27 nm.

Plant Viruses↗
PubMed1993

[Effect of improving memory and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity by invigorating-qi and warming-yang recipe].

Invigorating-Qi and Warming-Yang (IQWY) had a good curative effect to some senile diseases such as senile dementia, senile hypomnesia etc. This experiment was designed for probing into the therapeutical mechanism of IQWY recipe. BALB/C pure bred mice were divided into five groups. Group I was taken per os of invigorating Qi (IQ), Group II warming Yang (WY), Group III IQWY drugs, Group IV was dysmnesia model, and Group V blank control group injected with normal saline only. All groups except Group V were injected scopolamine (5mg/kg) intraperitoneally to induce dysmnesia model after medication. IQ drug consisted of Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, Poria cocos, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, WY drug of Cynomorium songoricum, Epimedium brevicornum and Cuscuta chinensis, while IQWY recipe consisted of both IQ and WY drugs. The results showed that IQ, WY and IQWY had an evident antagonistic action to Scopolamine induced dysmnesia mice, and could improve their memory. The erroneous times of the animal's reaction in Group I, II and III were less than those in Group IV, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity in the mice could be inhibited by IQ, WY and IQWY also. The activity in Group I, II and III was less than that in Group IV and V, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. The therapeutic mechanism of IQWY was in connection with its effect to M-cholinergic transmitters of central nervous system.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed2004

Plant genetics: gene transfer from parasitic to host plants.

Plant mitochondrial genes are transmitted horizontally across mating barriers with surprising frequency, but the mechanism of transfer is unclear. Here we describe two new cases of horizontal gene transfer, from parasitic flowering plants to their host flowering plants, and present phylogenetic and biogeographic evidence that this occurred as a result of direct physical contact between the two. Our findings complement the discovery that genes can be transferred in the opposite direction, from host to parasite plant.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Effect of qianlie huichun capsular on Fas expression and cell apoptosis of prostate gland tissue in rat].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Qianlie Huichun capsular on Fas expression and cell apoptosis of prostate gland tissue in the model rat. METHOD: Hypertrophy of prostate model rat was established by injecting testosterone to gelding male rats. After being treated with Qianlie Huichun ig 30 days, the rats were killed and prostate glands were resected for examination. The Fas expression was examined by immunobistochemical SABC. The cell apoptosis and the peak of cell apoptosis in the prostate gland of the rats were examined by flow cytometry. Compared with model group, the weight of prostage gland tissue in groups treated with Qianlie Huichun capsular was light (P < 0.01). RESULT: Compared with model group, the Fas expression in all treatment groups increase(P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with normal and model groups, cell apoptosis in all treatment groups increase at different level(P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The Qianlie Huchun capsular increases the Fas expression and cell apoptosis of model rats, and shows a definite treatment effect on the hypertrophy of prostate by promoting the apoptosis of prostate cell.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Effect of Tujian decoction on protein kinase C activity in renal cortex in diabetic rat].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate influence of administration of Tujian decoction (Chinese herbal medicine) on protein kinase C (PKC) activity, renal function and structure in diabetic rat kidney. METHOD: Experimental diabetic nephropathy model was induced by nephrectomy combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection in sprague-dawley rat. Tujian decoction (20 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and Valsartan (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) were orally administrated respectively for 12 weeks. PKC activity was measured by [3H]phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate ([3H]PDBu) binding assay. 24 h urine protein excretion (Upro) and renal pathological changes were observed. RESULT: In 12th week, diabetic nephrectomized rats developed proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, increased membrane PKC activity (mPKC), decreased cytosol PKC (cPKC), and increased ratio of mPKC and cPKC (M/C). Administration of Tujian decoction or Valsartan led to a reduction in proteinuria, structural injury, mPKC and M/C, and a recovery in cPKC. CONCLUSION: Tujian decoction possesses a renoprotective effect on diabetic nephrectomized rat, at least partially via the inhibition of PKC activation in renal cortex.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cytokine production in thromboangiitis obliterans patients: new evidence for an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To study IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 levels and circulating immune complexes (CIC) containing IgG, IgM or IgA in sera of 14 TAO patients and 12 healthy blood donors. To evaluates the ability of TAO PBMC to produce IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, as well as to detect PBMC apoptosis after stimulation with different stimuli. METHODS: In vitro stimulation of PBMC with lypopolysaccharide (LPS), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), C3 binding glycoprotein from uscuta europea (C3bgp), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and dexamethasone (DM) were performed. The quantities of the secreted cytokines in sera and in culture supernatants, as well as CIC were detected by ELISA. The apoptosis was assessed according to nuclear morphology, after acridine orange staining, by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Significantly higher IL-6 levels in the patients', than in the controls' sera was found. An increased production of IL-6 and IL-12 in TAO PBMC supernatants was detected, regardless of the stimuli used. A hyporeactivity of TAO PBMC toward IL-10 production was found after C3bgp, LPS, PHA and PWM stimulation, compared to the controls' PBMC. The spontaneous and induced apoptosis was significantly higher in TAO compared to the control group. Increased CIC quantities were detected in 75% of the patients tested. According to the CIC isotype, the IgG CIC positives (75%) prevailed over IgA CIC positives (50 %). CONCLUSION: The altered production of IL-6, IL-12 and IL-10, the increased apoptosis as well as the elevated levels of CIC could be a reason for the persisting immune inflammation in TAO.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Determination of bioactive components in Semencustae by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection].

A method of high performance capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (CE-ECD) has been developed for the determination of five bioactive components in Semencustae, namely rutin, hyperoside, kaempferol, p-coumaric acid and quercetin. The effects of several factors such as the acidity and concentration of the running buffer, the separation voltage, the applied potential and the injection time on CE-ECD were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, these five components can be separated in a 50.0 mmol/L borax running buffer (pH 9.0) within 19 minutes. A 300 microm diameter carbon disk electrode was used as the working electrode positioned carefully opposite to the outlet of the capillary in a wall-jet configuration at potential of + 950 mV (vs. saturated calomel electrode as reference electrode, SCE). Good linear relationships were established between the peak current and concentration of analytes over two orders of magnitude. The detection limits (S/N = 3) were 1.93 x 10(-5), 3.55 x 10(-4), 3.65 x 10(-5), 1. 73 x 10(-5) and 1.46 x 10(-4) g/L for rutin, hyperoside, kaempferol, p-coumaric acid and quercetin, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of these analytes in Semencustae samples after a relatively simple extraction procedure, and the assay results were satisfactory.

Coumaric Acids↗