Popular Chinese Herb Research Articles

Cardioprotective Effects of Aqueous Extract of <i>Salvia miltiorrhiza</i> on Heart Failure is Related to SDF-1/CXCR4 Axis and Bcl-2 Family Expressions

Salvia Miltiorrhizae Bge, a popular Chinese herb has been widely adopted for use in Chinese hospitals for both the prevention and the active management of cardiovascular disease. there is no study on its cardioprotective effects against HF and more importantly, the underlying mechanisms of its beneficial effects by SDF-1/CXCR4 axis remain poorly understood. This study was performed to investigate the protective effects and possible mechanism of aqueous extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza (AESM) on HF rats. In the study, cardioprotective effects of AESM on HF rats was evaluated by herat function, myocardial pathology, myocardial cell proliferation, SDF-1, CXCR4 and Bcl-2 family mRNA expressions. In the experiment, we found that AESM exerted beneficially protective effects on the HF rats, mainly recoverying normal heart function, myocardial pathology and myocardial cell proliferation. The underlying mechanism of these protective effects of AESM appeared to involve improving the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis and Bcl-2 family expressions.

The inhibitory effect of salvianolic acid B on TGF-β1-induced proliferation and differentiation in lung fibroblasts

ABSTRACTSalvianolic acid B (Sal B), one of the major water-soluble compounds of Danshen (a popular Chinese herb), possesses many of the biological activities, such as antifibrogenic effect in liver and renal diseases. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a central role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis by stimulating extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and activating fibroblasts. Here, we investigated the effects of Sal B on cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, endogenous TGF-β1 production, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, a marker of myofibroblasts) expression in human lung fibroblasts stimulated by TGF-β1 in vitro. The cell proliferation rates were analyzed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay. The expression of TGF-β1 and type I collagen at both the mRNA and protein levels was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and radioimmunoassay, respectively. The α-SMA expression was detected by Western blot. TGF-β1 treatment of lung fibroblasts increased cell proliferation rates, and enhanced the expression level of type I collagen, endogenous TGF-β1 production, and α-SMA expression (P < .05). The treatment with only Sal B did not affect the proliferation and differentiation of lung fibroblasts. Interestingly, Sal B was found to inhibit TGF-β1-induced cell proliferation, expression of type I collagen, endogenous TGF-β1 production, and α-SMA expression in lung fibroblasts. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of Sal B on TGF-β1-induced proliferation and differentiation in lung fibroblasts was more significant when treated with high-dose Sal B (1 μmol/L versus 10 μmol/L, P < .05). These data demonstrate that Sal B inhibits TGF-β1-induced cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro experiment.

Abstract P4-09-05: Preventive efficacy of the Chinese nutritional herb epimedium grandiflorum in a preclinical cell culture model for luminal A molecular subtype of breast cancer

Abstract Background: The Luminal A molecular sub-type of clinical breast cancer expresses estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), but lacks the expression of HER-2 oncogene. This cancer sub-type responds to endocrine therapy involving the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators or inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis. Conventional therapeutic options are frequently associated with acquired tumor resistance and systemic toxicity, and therefore, emphasize a need for identification of promising new non-toxic agents for secondary prevention. Nutritional substances that do not incur long-term toxicity represent ideal candidates. Nutritional herbs have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a variety of health related issues, including prevention of breast cancer. Methods: The present study utilized the human mammary carcinoma derived ER+/PR+/HER-2- MCF-7 cells as a model for the Luminal A breast cancer to examine the preventive efficacy of non-fractionated aqueous extract from Epimedium grandiflorum (EG), a popular Chinese nutritional herb. Anchorage dependent growth, cell cycle progression, cellular metabolism of 17b-estradiol (E2), and anchorage independent colony formation represented the quantitative end point biomarkers for preventive efficacy. Results: Maintenance of MCF-7 cells in a chemically defined serum depleted culture medium (serum 0.7%, E2&amp;lt;1 nM) retained their cellular growth promoting response to the physiologically relevant concentration range of 1 nM to 20 nM E2, exhibiting a 10.3% to a 91.9% increase in the viable cell number, respectively. A 7 day treatment of MCF-7 cells with EG resulted in a dose dependent inhibition of E2 promoted growth (EG IC50: 0.49%). At its maximum cytostatic concentration, EG inhibited cell cycle progression via G1 arrest, resulting in a 1.6 fold increase in the G1:S+G2/M ratio, and modulated the cellular metabolism of E2 in favor of formation of anti-proliferative metabolites 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) and estriol (E3), exhibiting a 5.1 and a 7.6 fold increase, respectively. In addition, EG produced a favorable 3.9 fold increase in the 2-OHE1: 16α-OHE1 ratio, an endocrine biomarker of breast cancer risk. A 21 day treatment of MCF-7 cells with EG produced a dose dependent inhibition in anchorage independent growth (EG IC50: 0.49%; IC90: 1.03%). Conclusions: These data demonstrate the growth inhibitory effects of EG and identify clinically relevant mechanistic leads for its preventive efficacy. The present approach promises to facilitate identification of new efficacious herbs for the secondary prevention of the Luminal A subtype of clinical breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-09-05.

Effects of fully open-air [CO2] elevation on leaf photosynthesis and ultrastructure of Isatis indigotica fort.

Traditional Chinese medicine relies heavily on herbs, yet there is no information on how these herb plants would respond to climate change. In order to gain insight into such response, we studied the effect of elevated [CO2] on Isatis indigotica Fort, one of the most popular Chinese herb plants. The changes in leaf photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf ultrastructure and biomass yield in response to elevated [CO2] (550±19 µmol mol–1) were determined at the Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experimental facility in North China. Photosynthetic ability of I. indigotica was improved under elevated [CO2]. Elevated [CO2] increased net photosynthetic rate (P N), water use efficiency (WUE) and maximum rate of electron transport (J max) of upper most fully-expended leaves, but not stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration ratio (Tr) and maximum velocity of carboxylation (V c,max). Elevated [CO2] significantly increased leaf intrinsic efficiency of PSII (Fv’/Fm’) and quantum yield of PSII(ΦPS II), but decreased leaf non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and did not affect leaf proportion of open PSII reaction centers (qP) and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm). The structural chloroplast membrane, grana layer and stroma thylakoid membranes were intact under elevated [CO2], though more starch grains were accumulated within the chloroplasts than that of under ambient [CO2]. While the yield of I. indigotica was higher due to the improved photosynthesis under elevated [CO2], the content of adenosine, one of the functional ingredients in indigowoad root was not affected.

ISOLATION AND PURIFICATION OF FOUR BIOACTIVE CONSTITUENTS FROM Alpinia officinarum HANCE UTILIZING HIGH-SPEED COUNTER-CURRENT CHROMATOGRAPHY

Galangal, the rhizome of Alpinia officinarum Hance (Chinese pinyin name: Gao-liang-jiang), is one of the most popular Chinese herbs that has extensive pharmacological effects. In this study, a high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) method has been used for the first time to separate key bioactive chemical constituents from galangal. Four compounds including 5 R-hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-heptanone, kaempferol-4′-methylether, galangin, and 7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-4E-en-3-heptanone were obtained from the chloroform extract of galangal using HSCCC. Their structures were identified by ESI-MS, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. The study showed the value of orthogonal selectivity in liquid–liquid chromatography with references to an example of superior resolution in preparative HSCCC as compared to analytical HPLC, where it baseline-resolved two components that co-eluted with analytical reverse phase HPLC assay. The study also showed examples of the considerable resolution choices offered by different biphasic solvent systems.

Wenxin Keli Suppresses Ventricular Triggered Arrhythmias via Selective Inhibition of Late Sodium Current

Wenxin Keli is a popular Chinese herb extract that approximately five million Asians are currently taking for the treatment of a variety of ventricular arrhythmias. However, its electrophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. The concentration-dependent electrophysiological effects of Wenxin Keli were evaluated in the isolated rabbit left ventricular myocytes and wedge preparation. Wenxin Keli selectively inhibited late sodium current (INa) with an IC50 of 3.8 ± 0.4 mg/mL, which was significantly lower than the IC50 of 10.6 ± 0.9 mg/mL (n = 6, P < 0.05) for the fast INa. Wenxin Keli produced a small but statistically significant QT prolongation at 0.3 mg/mL, but shortened the QT and Tp-e interval at concentrations ≥ 1 mg/mL. Wenxin Keli increased QRS duration by 10.1% from 34.8 ± 1.0 ms to 38.3 ± 1.1 ms (n = 6, P < 0.01) at 3 mg/mL at a basic cycle length of 2,000 ms. However, its effect on the QRS duration exhibited weak use-dependency, that is, QRS remained less changed at increased pacing rates than other classic sodium channel blockers, such as flecainide, quinidine, and lidocaine. On the other hand, Wenxin Keli at 1-3 mg/mL markedly reduced dofetilide-induced QT and Tp-e prolongation by attenuation of its reverse use-dependence and abolished dofetilide-induced early afterdepolarization (EAD) in four of four left ventricular wedge preparations. It also suppressed digoxin-induced delayed after depolarization (DAD) and ventricular tachycardias without changing the positive staircase pattern in contractility at 1-3 mg/mL in a separate experimental series (four of four). Wenxin Keli suppressed EADs, DADs, and triggered ventricular arrhythmias via selective inhibition of late INa.

Anti-proliferative effects of Chinese herb Cornus officinalis in a cell culture model for estrogen receptor‑positive clinical breast cancer

Selective estrogen receptor modulators and a combination of mechanistically distinct chemotherapeutic agents represent conventional therapeutic interventions for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) clinical breast cancer. Long-term treatment with these agents is associated with acquired tumor resistance and other adverse side effects that impact on patient compliance. Herbal medicines are being widely used in complementary and alternative medicine. However, long-term safety and efficacy of the use of herbal medicines, as well as their interaction with conventional endocrine and chemotherapeutic drug regimens remain largely unknown. The present study utilized a human cell culture model for ER+ clinical breast cancer to examine the potential therapeutic efficacy of an aqueous extract prepared from the fruit of popular Chinese herb Cornus officinalis (CO), also known as Fructus cornii. The human mammary carcinoma-derived MCF-7 cell line represented the model. Status of anchorage-independent growth and cellular metabolism of 17β-estradiol (E₂) represented the quantitative end-point biomarkers for efficacy. MCF-7 cells adapted for growth in serum-depleted medium (0.7% serum, <1 nM E₂) retained their endocrine responsiveness as evidenced by growth promotion by physiological levels of E₂, and growth inhibition by the selective ER modulator tamoxifen at the clinically achievable concentrations. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with CO resulted in inhibition of E₂-stimulated growth in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, CO treatment also produced a dose-dependent progressive reduction in the number of anchorage-independent colonies, indicating effective reduction of the carcinogenic risk. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with CO at a maximally effective cytostatic concentration resulted in a 5.1-fold increase in the formation of the anti-prolifertive E₂ metabolite 2-hydoxyestrone (2-OHE₁), a 63.6% decrease in the formation of the pro-mitogenic metabolite 16α-hydroxestrone (16-αOHE₁) and a 9.1% decrease in the formation of mitogenically inert metabolite estrone (E₃). These alterations led to a 14.5-fold increase in the 2-OHE₁:16α-OHE₁, and a 3.3-fold increase in the E₃:16α-OHE1 ratios. These data validate a rapid cell culture-based mechanistic approach to prioritize efficacious herbal medicinal products for long-term animal studies and future clinical trials on ER+ clinical breast cancer.

The Aqueous Extract of Angelica sinensis, a Popular Chinese Herb, Inhibits Wear Debris-Induced Inflammatory Osteolysis in Mice

More and more studies have shown Angelica sinensis' (AS) therapeutic action on chronic inflammatory diseases in recent years. We investigated effects of aqueous extract of AS on inflammatory cytokines release and wear debris particles-induced osteolysis. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles were used to induce inflammation in RAW264.7 cell and C57BL/J6 mice. AS extract was obtained through a series of purification steps, and divided into high dose group and low dose group during the research of cell culture, tissue culture, and animal treatment. After 72 h culture with optimal particles, supernatants were collected for cytokine analysis. Calvaria were harvested from the mice model after 10 d treatment with the AS extract. Six calvaria of each group were cultured into medium for 72 h for analyzing cytokine generated in vivo. Histologic analyses and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scan were used to determine osteoclastogenesis and inflammatory bone resorption. Concentration of tumor necrosis-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) was significantly attenuated by AS extract both in vitro and in vivo. The osteolysis area and the osteoclast numbers were decreased from 0.406 ± 0.0799 to 0.117 ± 0.0103 mm(2), and from 22.7 ± 5.0 to 11.3 ± 1.8, respectively (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the protection effects of AS extract was further confirmed with data of the more accurate 3-dimension micro-CT reconstruction. This study suggests a potential resolution of inhibiting wear debris particles-induced inflammatory bone resorption, as well as a possible way of inhibiting aseptic loosening after joint replacement surgery.

Quality Evaluation of Desmodium styracifolium Using High‐performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode Array Detection and Electrospray Ionisation Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Desmodium styracifolium, with C-flavone glycosides as main pharmacological effective compounds, is a popular Chinese medicinal herb and has been used to treat urination disturbance, urolithiasis, edema and jaundice. However, few systematic methods have been reported on the quality control of this natural herb. To develop a method for control the quality of D. styracifolium by combining chromatographic fingerprints and major constituent quantification. Separations were performed on an Ultimate XB-C-18 column by gradient elution using acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid. Analytes were identified by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry experiments. Twenty common peaks in chromatographic fingerprints were first identified among 15 batches of D. styracifolium from various regions. On basis of this, a HPLC-PAD method was established to simultaneously quantify five major constituents, which was validated for limit of qualification, linearity and interday variation of precision and accuracy. The assay developed could be considered as a suitable quality control method of D. styracifolium.

Pharmacokinetics, Bioavailability, and Tissue Distribution of Magnolol Following Single and Repeated Dosing of Magnolol to Rats

Magnolol (M) is a polyphenol antioxidant abundant in the bark of Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E. Wilson, a popular Chinese herb. To understand the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of M, Sprague-Dawley rats were intravenously injected with a bolus of M (20 mg/kg) and orally given a single dose and seven doses of M (50 mg/kg). Blood samples were withdrawn via cardiopuncture at specific times. Organs including the liver, kidney, brain, lung, and heart were collected at 30 min after the 7th oral dose. The serum and tissue specimens were assayed by HPLC before and after hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase and sulfatase. The results showed that after intravenous bolus, the systemic exposure of magnolol glucuronides (MG) was comparable with that of M while after oral administration, magnolol sulfates/glucuronides (M S/G) were predominant in the bloodstream. Conversely, M was predominant in the liver, kidney, brain, lung, and heart. Among the studied organs, the liver contained the highest concentrations of M and MG. In conclusion, M S/G was the major form in circulation, whereas M was predominant in the liver, kidney, brain, lung, and heart after oral administration of M; among these organs, the liver contained the highest concentrations of M and MG.

Abstract P1-06-03: Chinese Herb Fructus Cornii Exhibits Preventive Efficacy in a Cell Culture Model for Hormone Responsive Breast Cancer

Abstract Background: Selective estrogen receptor modulators and combination of chemotherapeutic agents represent conventional therapeutic interventional strategies for estrogen receptor positive (ER+) clinical breast cancer. Herbal medicines have been extensively used in alternative and complementary medicine for cancer of various organ sites. Concerns of adverse toxicity or acquired tumor resistance from conventional chemo-endocrine therapy, rationalizes the use of herbal medicines independently or in combination with chemo-endocrine therapy. The present study has utilized a human cell culture model for ER+ breast cancer to assess potential preventive efficacy of a popular Chinese nutritional herb Fructus Cornii (FC). Material and Methods: The ER+ human mammary carcinoma derived MCF-7 cells represented the model. Status of cellular metabolism of estradiol (E2), anchorage dependent growth and anchorage independent colony formation provided the quantitative end point biomarkers for efficacy. Results: MCF-7 cells maintained in a serum depleted medium (E2&amp;lt;1 nM) retained E2 responsiveness as evidenced by growth modulation by E2, its metabolites, anti-estrogen Tamoxifen, and by the persistence of E2 metabolism via the C17-oxidation, C2-hydroxylation and C16α-hydroxylation pathways. Treatment of E2 stimulated MCF-7 cells with FC produced cytostatic growth arrest and reduction in the number of anchorage independent colonies in a dose dependent manner. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with FC at the maximum cytostatic concentration increased anti-mitogenic 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), and decreased pro-mitogenic 16α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE1) formation. Discussion: These data identify a mechanistic lead for the efficacy of FC and thereby, validate a human cell culture based approach for rapid prioritization of efficacious herbal medicinal products for prevention/therapy of ER+ clinical breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-06-03.

Salvianolic acid B in vitro inhibited matrix metalloproteinases-1, -2, and -9 activities

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases, which as a group can degrade essentially all extracellular matrix components. The proteolytic property of the MMPs is important during wound healing to remove debris and facilitate cell migration. Targeting towards the decreased MMPs activities is a new treatment strategy for healing chronic wounds. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a popular Chinese herb that could promote chronic ulcers healing for topical use. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) is the most abundant bioactive component in Salvia miltiorrhiza. The research was designed to explore the inhibitory effects of Sal B on MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities. Pure human interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) or gelatinase A (MMP-2) was activated by p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA), and was incubated with Sal B for 1 h. The activities were observed by quenched fluorescent substrate. Gelatinase B (MMP-9) is rich in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), so the rat PMN was used as a source of MMP-9 for MMPs activity assays. In vitro MMP-9 from rats' PMN lysate was incubated with Sal B for 1 h, and its activity was tested by gelatin zymography. Sal B dose-dependently inhibited the human MMP-1 and MMP-2 activities in the range of 0.002 4 to 0.3 g/L, with 50% inhibiting concentration (IC(50)) of (0.090<0.015) g/L and (0.080<0.005) g/L respectively. In the range of 0.003 to 0.3 g/L, Sal B could inhibit the MMP-9 activity (P<0.01). The broad-spectrum inhibitory effects of Sal B on MMPs may reveal one of the mechanisms for the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on chronic wounds.

Conserved Region Amplification Polymorphism (CoRAP), a Novel Marker Technique for Plant Genotyping in Salvia miltiorrhiza

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), a widely popular Chinese herb, is grown in various regions in China. Identifying SMs grown in different provinces of China is difficult, and therefore genotyping these collections would be highly valuable. Based on the techniques of sequence-related amplified polymorphism and target region amplified polymorphism, a novel PCR-based molecular marker technique called conserved region amplification polymorphism (CoRAP) is reported in this study to genotype SMs. The CoRAP technique is based on the use of two primers: fixed and arbitrary primers. The former is derived from target EST sequences deposited in Genbank; while, the core sequence (CACGC) of the latter is a conserved region found in most introns. In the present study, we utilized CoRAP to genotype SMs from different geographical origins. PCR amplification is performed for 30 cycles at an annealing temperature of 52°C. Each PCR reaction has generated as many as 30–50 fragments of 50 to 1,000 bp in size. The successful DNA genotyping of SMs by CoRAP was achieved. This new genotyping method is rapid, efficient, and reproducible.

Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of genipin and geniposide in rats

Geniposide, an iridoid glucoside, is a major constituent in the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides (Gardenia fruits), a popular Chinese herb. Genipin, the aglycone of geniposide, is used to prepare blue colorants in food industry and also a crosslinking reagent for biological tissue fixation. In this study, we investigated the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of genipin and geniposide in rats. Blood samples were withdrawn via cardiopuncture and the plasma samples were assayed by HPLC method before and after hydrolysis with sulfatase and β-glucuronidase. The results indicated that after oral administration of genipin or Gardenia fruit decoction, genipin sulfate was a major metabolite in the bloodstream, whereas the parent forms of genipin and geniposide were not detected. Importantly, oral administration of 200 mg/kg of genipin resulted in a mortality of 78% (7/9) in rats.

Biotransformation and Pharmacokinetics of 4-(3,4-Dihydroxybenzoyloxymethyl)phenyl-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, an Antioxidant Isolated from Origanum vulgare

4-(3,4-Dihydroxybenzoyloxymethyl)phenyl- O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (OV-16) is a polyphenolic glycoside isolated from oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), which is a popular Chinese herb and a common spice in Western diet. To understand the biotransformation and pharmacokinetics of OV-16, rats were orally administered OV-16 and oregano decoction. Blood samples were withdrawn at specific time points. The presence of OV-16 and its metabolites protocatechuic acid (PCA) and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA) in serum were determined by HPLC method, whereas their conjugated metabolites were assayed indirectly through hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase and sulfatase. Our results showed that when OV-16 was orally administered, free forms of OV-16, PCA, and HBA were not present in blood and the major metabolites were the glucuronides/sulfates of PCA and HBA sulfate. The serum metabolites of OV-16 exhibited free radical scavenging activity. When oregano decoction was given, the glucuronides and sulfates of PCA were the major metabolites in blood.

First Report of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' from Atalantia buxifolia in Guangdong, China.

Atalantia buxifolia (Poir.) Oliv., synonym Severinia buxifolia (Poir.) Ten. as commonly found in literature, is a common landscape plant and a popular Chinese medicinal herb known as Jiubingle or Dongfengjie. It remains unclear if this rutaceous plant could host 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus', the pathogen of citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) in Guangdong, P. R. China. This information is important for HLB control in citrus because infected A. buxifolia could serve as a source of inoculum. In August of 1994, three A. buxifolia plants adjacent to a citrus experimental orchard of the South China Agricultural University at Guangzhou were found showing leaf mottle/yellowing symptoms. Two buds from each plant were grafted onto three mandarin trees (Citrus reticulata cv. Pongan) in a psyllid-proof screenhouse for indexing. By October of 1995, typical leaf mottle symptoms were observed in all three grafted trees compared with a healthy control. In March of 1996, one of the A. buxifolia plants was transferred to a screenhouse and has been maintained there. The leaf mottle/yellowing symptoms persisted but did not significantly affect plant growth. DNA was extracted from leaf samples in October 2006 by using the CTAB (cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide) method and assayed by nested-PCR using the general bacterial 16S rDNA primer set fDl/rD1 as the first round of amplification and primer set OI1/OI2c as second round amplification (1,3). After agarose gel electrophoresis and staining with ethidium bromide, an approximate 1.1-kb DNA band was detected in symptomatic samples but not healthy leaf samples of A. buxifolia and C. reticulata. XbaI digestion of the amplicons yielded approximate 500- and 600-bp fragments, characteristic of 'Ca. L. asiaticus'. Similarly, a standard PCR with primer set A5/J2 (3) yielded an approximate 700-bp DNA band characteristic of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' from symptomatic samples only. To our knowledge, this is the first report of graft transmission and PCR detection of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' from A. buxifolia in Guangdong, P. R. China. This work also confirms the findings from Taiwan (2) that A. buxifolia could serve as a source of 'Ca. L. asiaticus'.

Effect of Ganoderma lucidum capsules on T lymphocyte subsets in football players on “living high−training low”

Objective:G lucidum is a popular Chinese herb with an impressive array of reputed health benefits. The purpose of this study was to provide information related to the modulating effect of...

Safety and efficacy ofGanoderma lucidum(lingzhi) and San Miao San supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled pilot trial

To examine the efficacy of popular Chinese herbs used in a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combination of Ganoderma lucidum and San Miao San (SMS), with purported diverse health benefits including antioxidant properties in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We randomly assigned 32 patients with active RA, despite disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, to TCM and 33 to placebo in addition to their current medications for 24 weeks. The TCM group received G lucidum (4 gm) and SMS (2.4 gm) daily. The primary outcome was the number of patients achieving American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20% response and secondary outcomes included changes in the ACR components, plasma levels, and ex vivo-induced cytokines and chemokines and oxidative stress markers. Eighty-nine percent completed the 24-week study. Fifteen percent in the TCM group compared with 9.1% in the placebo group achieved ACR20 (P > 0.05). Pain score and patient's global score improved significantly only in the TCM group. The percentage, absolute counts, and CD4+/CD8+/natural killer/B lymphocytes ratio were unchanged between groups. CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocyte counts and markers of inflammation including plasma interleukin-18 (IL-18), interferon-gamma (IFNgamma)-inducible protein 10, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, monokine induced by IFNgamma, and RANTES were unchanged. However, in an ex vivo experiment, the percentage change of IL-18 was significantly lower in the TCM group. Thirteen patients reported 22 episodes (14 in placebo group and 8 in TCM group) of mild adverse effects. G lucidum and San Miao San may have analgesic effects for patients with active RA, and were generally safe and well tolerated. However, no significant antioxidant, antiinflammatory, or immunomodulating effects could be demonstrated.

A Cardiovascular Drug Rescues Mice from Lethal Sepsis by Selectively Attenuating a Late-Acting Proinflammatory Mediator, High Mobility Group Box 1

The pathogenesis of sepsis is mediated in part by bacterial endotoxin, which stimulates macrophages/monocytes to sequentially release early (e.g., TNF, IL-1, and IFN-gamma) and late (e.g., high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein) proinflammatory cytokines. The recent discovery of HMGB1 as a late mediator of lethal sepsis has prompted investigation for development of new experimental therapeutics. We found that many steroidal drugs (such as dexamethasone and cortisone) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and indomethacin) failed to influence endotoxin-induced HMGB1 release even at superpharmacological concentrations (up to 10-25 microM). However, several steroid-like pigments (tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, and cryptotanshinone) of a popular Chinese herb, Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), dose dependently attenuated endotoxin-induced HMGB1 release in macrophage/monocyte cultures. A water-soluble tanshinone IIA sodium sulfonate derivative (TSNIIA-SS), which has been widely used as a Chinese medicine for patients with cardiovascular disorders, selectively abrogated endotoxin-induced HMGB1 cytoplasmic translocation and release in a glucocorticoid receptor-independent manner. Administration of TSNIIA-SS significantly protected mice against lethal endotoxemia and rescued mice from lethal sepsis even when the first dose was given 24 h after the onset of sepsis. The therapeutic effects were partly attributable to attenuation of systemic accumulation of HMGB1 (but not TNF and NO) and improvement of cardiovascular physiologic parameters (e.g., decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance and increase in cardiac stroke volume) in septic animals. Taken together, these data re-enforce the pathogenic role of HMGB1 in lethal sepsis, and support a therapeutic potential for TSNIIA-SS in the treatment of human sepsis.

Wogonin sensitizes resistant malignant cells to TNFα- and TRAIL-induced apoptosis

AbstractTNFα has previously been used in anticancer therapy. However, the therapeutic application of TNFα was largely limited due to its general toxicity and the fact that it activates the NF-κB–family transcription factors, which are proinflammatory and antiapoptotic. To overcome this problem in vitro, specific NF-κB inhibitors or transcription or protein synthesis inhibitors such as actinomycin D and cycloheximide are usually used in combination to increase TNFα killing of tumor cells. However, these agents also cause harmful side effects in vivo. We show here that wogonin, derived from the popular Chinese herb Huang-Qin, attenuates NF-κB activity by shifting TNFα-induced free radical ·O2– to a more reduced nonradical product, H2O2, and thereby sensitizes TNFα-resistant leukemia cells to TNFα-induced apoptosis. Importantly, wogonin does not affect the viability of normal peripheral blood T cells. Wogonin also sensitizes TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Our data suggest a potential use of wogonin as a TNFα or TRAIL adjuvant for cancer treatment. Our data also demonstrate how a herbal compound enhances killing of tumor cells with reduced side effects compared with other treatments.