Mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of umbelliferone 6-carboxylic acid isolated from Angelica decursiva

AIMS OF THE STUDY

We recently reported the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of umbelliferone 6-carboxylic acid (UMC) isolated from the whole plants of Angelica decursiva. In this study, we elucidated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of UMC in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

The inhibitory effects of UMC on the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), the expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation inhibitory activity of UMC was evaluated using t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of UMC was evaluated using carrageenan induced mouse paw edema model.

RESULTS

UMC dose-dependently inhibited NO and PGE(2) production by down-regulating iNOS and COX-2 protein expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. UMC also suppressed the production of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, UMC dose-dependently prevented LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, UMC exhibited the inhibitory activity against t-BHP-induced ROS generation in RAW 264.7 cells with an IC(50) value of 705.1 μg/ml. Moreover, UMC inhibited λ-carrageenan induced mouse paw edema by 70.40 and 60.20% at doses of 50 and 25 mg/kg body weight, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The combined results of this study indicate that UMC is an important anti-inflammatory constituent of A. decursiva and its anti-inflammatory effect was due to its ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators via inhibition of NF-κB activation pathway.

The memory ameliorating effects of INM-176, an ethanolic extract of Angelica gigas, against scopolamine- or Aβ(1-42)-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive impairment and cholinergic neuronal death. INM-176 is a standardized ethanolic extract of Angelica gigas Nakai that has been traditionally used in herbal medicine in China, Japan, and Korea to treat anemia or as a sedative. We investigated whether INM-176 exhibits anti-amnesic effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Memory impairment was induced by scopolamine, a cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonist, or amyloid β(1-42) (Aβ(1-42)) protein. Anti-amnesic effects of INM-176 were measured by the passive avoidance and the Morris water maze tasks in mice. We also examined the effect of INM-176 on the acetylcholinesterase activity, as well as Aβ(1-42) protein-induced astrogliosis or cholinergic neuronal loss in the brain.

RESULTS

Scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction was significantly attenuated by a single or sub-chronic administration of INM-176 in the passive avoidance and the Morris water maze tasks. A single or sub-chronic administration of INM-176 also ameliorated memory impairments induced by Aβ(1-42) protein. INM-176 inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampal tissue in vitro and ex vivo. In addition, INM-176 attenuated the Aβ(1-42) protein-induced astrocyte activation in the hippocampus as well as cholinergic neuronal damage in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and the nucleus basalis of Meynert.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the memory ameliorating effects of INM-176 on scopolamine- or Aβ(1-42) protein-induced memory impairment are mediated, in part, via acetylcholinesterase inhibition and neuroprotective activities.

[Comparative assessing the effects of angelica root and chuanxiong on the hemorheology and the blood coagulation function in acute blood stasis rats]

OBJECTIVE

To comparatively assess the effects of angelica root and chuanxiong on the hemorheology and the blood coagulation function in acute blood stasis rats.

METHODS

Ice water bath and subcutaneous injection of adrenaline were both used to establish the acute blood stasis rat model. The whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and haematocrit were tested to observe the effects of angelica root and chuanxiong on the hemorheology of blood stasis rats. The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and plasma fibrinogen (FIB) were tested to observe the effects of angelica root and chuanxiong on the blood coagulation function of blood stasis rats. Finally all those indices were integrated to the total activating blood circulation effect value to assess the total effects of angelica root and chuanxiong on activating blood circulation and dissipating blood stasis.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal control group, the hemorheological indices obviously increased, PT and APTT were obviously shortened, and the FIB content obviously increased in the model group. Compared with the model group, the water extracts, alcohol extracts, water-alcohol extracts of angelica root, chuanxiong, angelica root and chuanxiong 1:1, and angelica root and chuanxiong 1.5:1 could decrease the hemorheological indices, prolong the PT and APTT, and significantly reduce the content of FIB. Under the condition of the same preparation method, the alcohol extract of angelica root and chuanxiong 1:1 showed the best total effect. As for the single herbs, chuanxiong had better effect than angelica root on the total effects of activating blood circulation and dissipating blood stasis. Under the condition of the same ratio, the alcohol extracts of angelica root and chuanxiong showed better total effects of activating blood circulation and dissipating blood stasis than water extracts and water-alcohol extracts.

CONCLUSION

The angelica root and chuanxiong could obviously improve the abnormality of hemorheology and blood coagulation function in acute blood stasis rats, thus providing evidence for revealing the scientific innovation of the compatibility of angelica root and chuanxiong.

[Intestinal absorption effect of Angelica dahurica extract on puerarin of puerariae Lobatae Radix]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of extractive Angelica dahutica on intestinal absorption of puerarin, the mechanism of the absorption enhancement of A. dahutica was investigated, providing a new thread of combinations of the Chinese herbal drugs.

METHOD

Everted intestinal sac and in situ single pass perfusion were used to study the effect of gut absorption of puerarin solution containing the extractive A. dahurica as well as the influence of P-gp on the absorption of puerarin, and explore weather the extractive A. dahutica can enhance the absorption of puerarin and the mechanism of absorption of puerarin.

RESULT

The puerarin could be absorbed at all of four intestinal segments with increaing absorption amount perunit as follows: ileum > colon > jejunum > duodenum. The absorption of puerarin in jejunum was significantly increased with the extractive A. dahutica in situ single pass perfusion of jejunum. The apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) and absorption rate constant (Ka) of puerarin in the jejunum were descreased gradually with higher concentrations, and the Papp with the Ka of jejunum solution containing the P-gp inhibitor of verapamil were increasing respectively 2.49, 2.60 (P < 0.001) than only the jejunum solution in absorption. The absorption of jejunum in pH 5.0, 6.8 were better than it in pH 7.4.

CONCLUSION

The mechanism of absorption of jejunum was active absorption and was effected by P-gp. The extrative A. dahurica can enhance the absorption of the jejunum.

[Analysis of the 4th generation outer space bred Angelica dahurica by FTIR spectroscopy]

The major components of the 4th generation outer space bred angelica and the ground group were determined and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and second derivative spectrum, considering the large mutation of the plants with space mutagenesis. The results show that the content of the coumarin (1741 cm(-1)), which is the main active components of the space angelica dahurica increased, and the content of the protein (1 459, 1 419 cm(-1)) and the fat (930 cm(-1)) increased slightly, whereas the content of the starch and the dietary fiber reduced drastically. There are obvious differences between the peak values of the second derivative spectra of the plants, revealing that the outer space angelica dahurica contained amine component at 1 279 cm(-1). Space mutation breeding is favor of breeding angelica with better idiosyncrasy.

[Effects of Angelica dahurica extracts on biological characteristics of human keratinocytes]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of Angelica dahurica extracts on the biological characteristics of human keratinocytes (KC) in vitro and to explore the possible mechanism in promoting wound healing.

METHODS

HaCaT cells of passage 5 from KC were used during the experiment. Different concentrations (5 x 10(-2), 5 x 10(-3), 5 x 10(-4), and 5 x 10(-5) g/L) of Angelica dahurica extracts, which was obtained by 95% ethanol from Angelica dahurica raw material, were prepared by DMEM containing 0.25% fetal bovine serum (FBS). After the extracts at different concentrations were respectively used for KC culture for 5 days, the cell proliferation activities were detected by MTT, and DMEM containing 0.25% FBS served as the negative control. According to the cell proliferation activity, the optimal concentration was determined. KC was further treated with Angelica dahurica extracts of the optimal concentration (experimental group) or with DMEM containing 0.25% FBS (control group) for 48 hours. The cell cycle was tested by flow cytometry. Cyclin D1 and Caspase-3 mRNA levels were also detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR technique.

RESULTS

Angelica dahurica extracts at concentrations of 5 x 10(-4), 5 x 10(-3), and 5 x 10(-2) g/L could significantly enhance KC proliferation, showing significant differences in absorbance (A) values compared with that of control group (P < 0.05) with an optimal concentration of 5 x 10(-3) g/L. At this concentration, an increased percentage of S and G2/M phase cells and a decreased percentage of G0/G1 phase cells were detected, showing significant differences when compared with control group (P < 0.05). Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR revealed that the cyclin D1 and Caspase-3 mRNA levels of experimental group was significantly down-regulated, showing significant differences when compared with control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Angelica dahurica extracts can promote the proliferation of KC, accelerate the cell cycle of KC by down-regulating mRNA expressions of cyclin D1, and inhibit apoptosis by down-regulating mRNA expressions of Caspase-3. These effects might enhance the process of wound healing by expediting the process of epithelization.

The absorption characterization effects and mechanism of Radix Angelicae dahuricae extracts on baicalin in Radix Scutellariae using in vivo and in vitro absorption models

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Angelicae Dahurica(Hoffm.)Benth.&Hook.f.ex Franch.&Sav combined with Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. has been widely used as herb-pairs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat migraine headache and cataract, but the underlying compatibility mechanism of the two herbs remains unknown.

AIM OF STUDY

In the present work, we investigated the additive or synergistic effects of absorption behavior of Radix Angelicae dahuricae extracts on baicalin, and the absorption-enhancing mechanism of Radix Angelicae dahuricae extracts on baicalin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Total coumarins (Cou) and volatile oil (VO), as the two main components of Radix Angelicae dahuricae, were extracted by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) further treated with liquid-liquid separation method. The absorption behavior was investigated by applying the everted gut sac technique and in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion method.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that both the Cou and the VO could improve the intestinal absorption of baicalin in vivo, and had synergistic action the enhanced absorption of baicalin. Since verapamil did not affect the P(app) and K(a) of baicalin significantly, we concluded that the absorption of Baicalin could not be an active transportation in dependent of P-glycoprotein-Mediated efflux systems. Based on intestinal absorption of drug studying was one of the efficacious methods to clarify the compatibility of principles of herb-pairs. The everted gut sac technique and in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion technique model were the effective methods to study the absorption of drug, the application of the animal model to investigating the absorption of herb-drug interactions or other relevant research purposes is envisioned.

[Effects of angelica polysaccharides on the proliferation of mouse skeletal muscle satellite cells and the expression of stem cell factor receptor protein]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of angelica polysaccharides (APS) on the proliferation of mouse skeletal muscle satellite cells (MSCs) and c-kit expression in different in vitro hematopoietic microenvironments.

METHODS

MSCs were primarily cultured. The desmin protein was examined by immunohistochemical assay five days later. The MSCs were randomly divided into 8 groups, i. e., the control group, the supernatant from cultured bone marrow stroma cells group, 100, 200, 300 microg/mL APS added in the DMEM/F12 medium experimental groups, and 100, 200, 300 microg/mL APS intervened medium groups. The effects of the proliferation activities of MSCs were detected using MTT method. The c-kit protein of the MSCs was stained by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The desmin protein was positive in the isolated cultured MSCs. Results of MTT method showed the proliferation of MSCs in APS intervened medium groups was significant. The strong positive c-kit immunoreactivity existed in APS intervened medium groups. The strong positive c-kit immunoreactivity was present in the cytoplasmic of the MSCs in the DMEM/F12 medium experimental groups and the APS intervened medium groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The APS intervened MSC medium could effectively change the growth properties of MSCs, obviously promote the proliferation of MSCs and c-kit expression. The c-kit protein might play some regulative roles in the proliferation of the MSCs.

Fo shou san, an ancient herbal decoction prepared from angelicae sinensis radix and chuanxiong rhizoma, induces erythropoietin expression: a signaling mediated by the reduced degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor in cultured liver cells

Fo Shou San (FSS) is an ancient herbal decoction composed of Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR; Danggui) and Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CR; Chuanxiong) in a ratio of 3:2. FSS is mainly prescribed for patients having a deficiency of blood supply, and it indeed has been shown to stimulate the production of erythropoietin (EPO) in cultured cells. In order to reveal the mechanism of this FSS-induced EPO gene expression, the upstream regulatory cascade, via hypoxia-induced signaling, was revealed here in cultured hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hep3B. The induction of EPO gene expression, triggered by FSS, was revealed in cultured hepatocytes by: (i) the increase of EPO mRNA; and (ii) the activation of the hypoxia response element (HRE), an upstream regulator of the EPO gene. The FSS-induced EPO gene expression was triggered by an increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1 α) protein; however, the mRNA expression of HIF-1 α was not altered by the treatment of FSS. The increased HIF-1 α was a result of reduced protein degradation after the FSS treatment. The current results therefore provide one of the molecular mechanisms of this ancient herbal decoction for its hematopoietic function.

[Effects of astragalus and angelica on bone marrow stem cells proliferation and VEGF protein expression in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of Astragalus and Angelica on bone marrow stem cells (BMSU) proliteratlon mn vitro and investigate its possible mechanism.

METHODS

Five 200 to 220 g SD rats were fed with a high fat diet for 4 weeks and given 30 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) twice develop type II diabetes from July 2009 to February 2010. The rats with blood glucose concentrations of 16.7 mmol/L or more were considered diabetic. Bone Marrow Stem Cells (BMSC) were collected and isolated by density gradient centrifugation. The BMSC were divided into 4 groups,including empty control group, Astragalus group, Angelica group and Astragalus plus Angelica group. DMEM of 100 microl was added in empty control group. DMEM of 100 microl containing Astragalus (1100 mg/L), Angelica (1100 mg/L) and Astragalus (1100 mg/L) combine with Angelica(220 mg/L) were added in Astragalus group, Angelica group and Astragalus plus Angelica group respectively. The cell proliferation was detected by MTT method, and the concentration of VEGF in the supernatant was determined by ELISA. The VEGF expression was analyzed by Western Blot after 14 days incubation.

RESULTS

The BMSC proliferation and the VEGF concentration in the supernatant and the BMSC VEGF protein expression significantly increased in Astragalus group and Astragalus plus Angelica group compared to those of empty control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The above effects were more strong in Astragalus plus Angelica group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Astragalus with Angelica or used separately could promote BMSC proliferation. The mechanism might induce the VEGF protein expression in BMSC. And the independent use of Angelica has no above effect.

[The role of angelica injection on P-selectin and anti-cardiolipin antibodies in acute pulmonary embolism rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of Chinese medicine, Angelica, injection on the expression of P-, E-selectin and anti-cardiolipin antibody in acute pulmonary embolism rats.

METHODS

SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group(Group N), thromboembolism group (Group T), and treatment group of thromboembolism with angelica injection (Group TA). There were three time points in every group: 1 h, 4 h and 8 h. Plasma was detected by P-, with 4% paraformaldehyde, and paraffin embedded sections were detected by immunohistochemistry for P-, E-selectin and anti-cardiolipin antibodies.

RESULTS

With HE stain, the inflammatory cells in the lung of rats were relatively rare in every time point in normal control group. In group T and group TA, the inflammatory cells were increasing in every time point in comparison to group N (P < 0.05) and the inflammatory cells were increasing with time in group T. The data revealed that the plasmic level of P-, E-selectin was significantly higher than that in group T1, group T4, group T8 in comparison to the corresponding sub groups of group N (P < 0.05), while it was significantly lower than that in group TA1, group TA4, group TA8 in comparison to the corresponding sub groups of group T (P < 0.05); For the OD value of plasmic anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA), no significant difference was observed during was lower expressed by immunohistochemistry.

CONCLUSION

Acute pulmonary embolism can lead to infiltration of inflammatory cell in rat lungs. The lung inflammation of acute pulmonary embolism rats can be enhanced probably by the increased release of P-, E-selectin and anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and the enhanced inflammation promotes the release of a series of inflammatory mediators, which exacerbate the injury of lung. Angelica injection relieves the lung inflammation of acute pulmonary embolism rats possibly by inhibiting the expression of P-, E-selectin and anti-cardiolipin antibody, thus playing a role in reducing thrombogenesis.

[History and the present of cultivation and production of Angelica root, Yamato-Toki, in Japan]

Japanese Angelica root, Toki in Japanese, is prepared from the roots of cultivated Angelica acutiloba or A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae. Since Toki has been frequently used as a crude drug in traditional Chinese formulations, the stable supply and quality of Toki are essential issues in Japanese clinical practice. To clarify the historical and present conditions of Toki, a historical survey on herbal books and a field investigation on the cultivation condition of A. acutiloba in the Fuki area (Wakayama Prefecture) were carried out. From the present historical survey, it was proven that Yamato-Toki produced in the Yamato area, an old local area including the current Nara and Wakayama prefectures in Japan, had been considered to be superior merchandise. It was also proven that a special processing method to prevent flower stalk growth ("Mekuri" in Japanese) is an original method different from Chinese methods. From the present field investigation, it was also proven that the traditional transplant operation of the second year has been handed down since the 1930s and that washing roots in hot water ("Yumomi" in Japanese) is an original method of preparing Yamato-Toki. Toki is one of the precious crude drugs cultivated and prepared in Japan. The present study may help to pass on traditional cultivation culture and contribute to an expansion in the volume of Yamato-Toki produced in Japan.

Decursin Suppresses Human Androgen-Independent PC3 Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation by Promoting the Degradation of β-Catenin

Alterations in the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway are associated with the development and progression of human prostate cancer. Decursin, a pyranocoumarin isolated from the Korean Angelica gigas root, inhibits the growth of androgen-independent human prostate cancer cells, but little is known about its mechanism of action. Using a cell-based screen, we found that decursin attenuates the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. Decursin antagonized beta-catenin response transcription (CRT), which was induced with Wnt3a-conditioned medium and LiCl, by promoting the degradation of beta-catenin. Furthermore, decursin suppressed the expression of cyclin D1 and c-myc, which are downstream target genes of beta-catenin and thus inhibited the growth of PC3 prostate cancer cells. In contrast, decursinol, in which the (CH3)2-C=CH-COO- side chain of decursin is replaced with -OH, had no effect on CRT, the level of intracellular beta-catenin, or PC3 cell proliferation. Our findings suggest that decursin exerts its anticancer activity in prostate cancer cells via inhibition of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway.

Antiinflammatory activity of an herbal preparation (HemoHIM) in rats

This study evaluated a new herbal preparation, HemoHIM, for its antiinflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced edema, the formation of granulation tissues by cotton pellet and experimental colitis by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The HemoHIM was prepared by adding its ethanol-insoluble polysaccharide fraction to the total water extract of Angelica Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma and Paeonia Radix. The preparation (4 mg of solids/mL of drinking water, p.o., 50-100 mg/kg of body weight, i.p.) produced a dose-related inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats. In addition, HemoHIM also reduced the degree of TNBS-induced colitis and improved the gross and histological changes such as thickening, dilatation, ulceration, and infiltration by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and multiple erosive lesions. These results demonstrate that the HemoHIM has a potent antiinflammatory effect.

Antiproliferative effect of furanocoumarins from the root of Angelica dahurica on cultured human tumor cell lines

A bioassay-guided fractionation of the root extract of Angelica dahurica (Umbelliferae) led to the isolation of six furanocoumarins as active ingredients responsible for the antitumoral property. The hexane soluble part of the extract demonstrated a significant inhibition on the proliferation of cultured human tumor cells such as A549 (non small cell lung), SK-OV-3 (ovary), SK-MEL-2 (melanoma), XF498 (central nervous system) and HCT-15 (colon) in vitro, whereas the remaining water soluble part exhibited poor inhibition. Intensive investigation of the hexane soluble part of the extract yielded six furanocoumarins, i.e. isoimperatorin, cnidicin, imperatorin, oxypeucedanin, byakangelicol, oxypeucedanin hydrate, all of which exhibited a significant inhibition on cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.

Transport of decursin and decursinol angelate across Caco-2 and MDR-MDCK cell monolayers: in vitro models for intestinal and blood-brain barrier permeability

Decursin (DE) and decursinol angelate (DA) were isolated from the roots of Angelica gigas (Apiaceae) and purified by HPLC. DE and DA have been reported to exhibit significant neuropharmacological activities, but their intestinal transport and permeability in terms of CNS penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are unknown. This study was undertaken to evaluate the IN VITRO intestinal and BBB transport of DE and DA using Caco-2 and MDR-MDCK cell monolayer models, respectively. The bidirectional transport of DE and DA across Caco-2 and MDR-MDCK monolayers was examined for 2 hours. Integrity of the monolayer was determined by TEER value and by monitoring the transport of Lucifer yellow (Ly) across the monolayers. Quantitation of DE and DA was performed by HPLC. DE and DA exhibited bidirectional transport with a Papp value in the range of 9.0-12.0x10(-6) cm/sec and 7.2-11.7x10(-6) cm/sec in Caco-2 and MDR-MDCK monolayers, respectively. The TEER values were in the range of 410-440 and 1170-1230 ohm cm2 for Caco-2 and MDR-MDCK monolayers, respectively. Ly measurement, the fluorescent marker of passive paracellular diffusion, resulted in Papp values of 2.5-5.0x10(-6) in Caco-2 and 6.0-8.0x10(-6) cm/sec in MDR-MDCK monolayers, confirming that the monolayer integrity was intact at the end of the experiment. Caco-2:human colonic adenocarcinoma DA:decursinol angelate DE:decursin Ly:Lucifer yellow MDCK:Madin-Darby canine kidney MDR:multidrug resistant Papp:apparent permeability TEER:transepithelial electrical resistance.

Effects of Dietary Angelica keiskei on Serum and Liver Lipid Profiles, and Body Fat Accumulations in Rats

Angelica keiskei (Ashitaba) is a perennial plant belonging to the Umbelliferae family. Recently, much attention has been focused on Ashitaba products as a so-called health food for the breakdown of cellulite among various physiological benefits of Ashitaba. The current study was carried out to investigate the physiological efficacy of dietary Ashitaba on serum and liver lipid profiles and body fat accumulation in rats. Rats were fed a high-fat diet with various amounts of Ashitaba for 28 d. Perirenal adipose tissue weights of rats fed the x 10 (170 mg/100 g BW) Ashitaba diet were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of the control group. Serum triacylglycerol concentrations of rats fed the x 100 (1,700 mg/100 g BW) Ashitaba diet were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of the x 1 (17 mg/100 g BW) group. Fecal weights and bile acid excretions of rats fed the x 10 or x 100 Ashitaba diet were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of the control group. However, there were no significant differences in the body weight gain, epididymal adipose tissue weight, serum cholesterol or liver lipid concentrations or other biochemical profiles in the serum. Furthermore, even the excessive ingestion of Ashitaba had no significant pathological impact on the liver or kidney. These results indicate that the large intake of Ashitaba products may supply dietary fiber and thus improve gastrointestinal condition through the increased excretion of feces containing high level of bile acids, although even excessive intake of Ashitaba for a short period of 28 d did not show any impact on the decrease in body fat or modification of lipid profiles in this study.

Ethyl acetate extract from Angelica Dahuricae Radix inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and tumor necrosis factor-alphavia mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-kappaB in macrophages

Angelica dahurica (Umbelliferae) has been used to treat headache of common cold, supraorbital neuralgia, painful swelling on the body, nasal stuffiness, leukorrhea and arthralgia due to wind-dampness in Korean traditional medicine. It is also claimed to be effective in the treatment of acne, erythema, headache, toothache, sinusitis, colds and flu. The present study focused whether the ethyl acetate extract from Angelica Dahuricae Radix (EAAD) inhibits production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, as well as expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. EAAD inhibited LPS-induced NO, PGE(2) and TNF-alpha production as well as expression of iNOS and COX-2 in RAW 264.7 cells. EAAD inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in THP-1 cells. Furthermore, EAAD suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), I-kappaBalpha degradation, and NF-kappaB activation in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that EAAD has the inhibitory effects on LPS-induced TNF-alpha, NO and PGE(2) production, and expression of iNOS and COX-2 in macrophage through blockade in the phosphorylation of MAPKs, following I-kappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. A case control experience

AIM

As optimal therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains elusive, current approach to therapy is based on symptomatic treatment. With this case-control experience we wanted to determine the beneficial effect in IBS patients of a dietary integrator (IBS Active), composed of L-tryptophan, inulin, angelica, vegetal charcoal, vitamin PP, group B vitamins (B1, B2, B6) and probiotics (Lactobacillus sporogenes, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus).

METHODS

The treatment group comprised 37 patients (11 men and 27 women; mean age, 44.3+/-5.1 years) given IBS Active (440 mg bid) over a mean period of 6 months (range, 5-8). The control group comprised 28 patients (6 men and 22 women; mean age, 48.6+/-3.7 years) who were instructed to continue their customary therapy for 6 months (range, 5-7). All subjects were assessed for the presence of abdominal pain and/or distension, constipation, diarrhea and alternating constipation and diarrhea.

RESULTS

Compared with baseline values, the reduction in abdominal pain in the treatment group was 62% (P<0.0001), 55% (P<0.0001) in abdominal distension, 58% (P=0.05) in constipation, 33% (P=0.3) in diarrhea, and 62% (P=0.01) in alternation constipation and diarrhea. Compared with baseline values, no statistically significant reduction in symptoms was found in the control group. Post-treatment comparison between the two groups showed that the study product had reduced symptoms and that the difference was statistically significant for abdominal pain (P<0.000001), abdominal distension (P=0.003) and constipation (P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of IBS Active led to a significant improvement in pain symptoms, abdominal distension and regulation of bowel movement in IBS patients. Further study is needed to evaluate the long-term benefit of the study product.

Potent Antiandrogen and Androgen Receptor Activities of an Angelica gigas–Containing Herbal Formulation: Identification of Decursin as a Novel and Active Compound with Implications for Prevention and Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Androgen and androgen receptor (AR)-mediated signaling are crucial for the development of prostate cancer. Identification of novel and naturally occurring phytochemicals that target androgen and AR signaling from Oriental medicinal herbs holds exciting promises for the chemoprevention of this disease. In this article, we report the discovery of strong and long-lasting antiandrogen and AR activities of the ethanol extract of a herbal formula (termed KMKKT) containing Korean Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) root and nine other Oriental herbs in the androgen-dependent LNCaP human prostate cancer cell model. The functional biomarkers evaluated included a suppression of the expression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA and protein (IC50, approximately 7 microg/mL, 48-hour exposure) and an inhibition of androgen-induced cell proliferation through G1 arrest and of the ability of androgen to suppress neuroendocrine differentiation at exposure concentrations that did not cause apoptosis. Through activity-guided fractionation, we identified decursin from AGN as a novel antiandrogen and AR compound with an IC50 of approximately 0.4 microg/mL (1.3 micromol/L, 48-hour exposure) for suppressing PSA expression. Decursin also recapitulated the neuroendocrine differentiation induction and G1 arrest actions of the AGN and KMKKT extracts. Mechanistically, decursin in its neat form or as a component of AGN or KMKKT extracts inhibited androgen-stimulated AR translocation to the nucleus and down-regulated AR protein abundance without affecting the AR mRNA level. The novel antiandrogen and AR activities of decursin and decursin-containing herbal extracts have significant implications for the chemoprevention and treatment of prostate cancer and other androgen-dependent diseases.

Effects of oxypeucedanin on hKv1.5 and action potential duration

A furocoumarin derivative, oxypeucedanin, was purified from Angelica dahurica, and its effects on the human Kv1.5 (hKv1.5) channel and on the cardiac action potential duration (APD), were examined using the patch-clamp technique and the conventional microelectrode technique. Oxypeucedanin inhibited the hKv1.5 current in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC(50) value of 76 nM, while it had no effect on human eag-related gene (HERG) current. Oxypeucedanin induced an initial fast decline of hKv1.5 current during depolarizations. The inhibition of hKv1.5 channel by oxypeucedanin was voltage-dependent, especially at depolarizing pulses between -40 and 0 mV which corresponds to the voltage range of the channel's opening. Oxypeucedanin also slowed the deactivation time course, resulting in a tail crossover phenomenon. Additionally, oxypeucedanin prolonged the APD of rat atrial and ventricular muscles in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that oxypeucedanin is a kind of open-channel blocker of the hKv1.5 channel and it prolongs the APD; therefore, it is an excellent candidate as an antiarrhythmic drug for atrial fibrillation.

New anti-inflammatory formulation containing Synurus deltoides extract

Synurus deltoides was previously found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity especially against chronic inflammation, and strong analgesic activity in vivo. In this study, new anti-inflammatory formulation containing S. deltoides extract as a major ingredient was prepared and in vivo activity was evaluated. The plausible action mechanism was also investigated. The new formulation (SAG) contains 1 part of S. deltoides extract, 0.9 part of Angelica gigas extract and 0.9 part of glucosamine sulfate (w/w). SAG inhibited dose-dependently edematic response of arachidonic acid (AA)- and 12-O-tetradecanoyl 13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema in mice, which is an animal model of acute inflammation. SAG showed 44.1% inhibition of AA-induced ear edema at an oral dose of 50 mg/kg. In an animal model of chronic inflammation, SAG clearly reduced the edematic response of 7-day model of multiple treatment of TPA (38.1% inhibition at 200 mg/kg/day). Furthermore, SAG (50-800 mg/kg/day) as well as S. deltoides extract (285 mg/kg/day) significantly inhibited prostaglandin E2 production from the skin lesion of the animals of 7-day model. These results were well correlated with in vitro finding that SAG as well as S. deltoides extract reduced cyclooxygenase (COX)-1- and COX-2-induced prostanoid production, measured in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. Therefore, these results suggest that SAG possesses anti-inflammatory activity in vivo against acute as well as chronic inflammatory animal models at least in part by inhibition of prostaglandin production through COX-1/COX-2 inhibition. And COX inhibition of SAG is possibly contributed by S. deltoides extract among the ingredients. Although the anti-inflammatory potencies of SAG were less than those of currently used anti-inflammatory drugs, this formulation may have beneficial effect on inflammatory disorders as a neutraceutical.

Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health issue with poor outcomes and high cost. There is growing evidence that some of the adverse outcomes of CKD can be prevented or delayed by early treatment using angiotensin II-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II-receptor blockers. A great amount of the world's population has been using traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) for treatment of CKD and has accumulated their experience for years. In this article, the knowledge and the therapeutic principles of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of CKD are briefly reviewed. The efficacy of several TCHMs, supported by either clinical evidence or experimental studies, is presented. The future direction for the study of Chinese herbal medicines in CKD is discussed.

Efficacy of the kampo medicine xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (kyuki-chouketsu-in), a traditional herbal medicine, in the treatment of maternity blues syndrome in the postpartum period

This study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in), a Japanese traditional herbal medicine, in stabilizing postpartum psychological state. We enrolled 268 women who had a normal delivery in Osaka Medical College Hospital or its affiliated clinics and randomly assigned them to the following two groups: a group of 134 women who received Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) at a dose of 6.0 g/day and another group of 134 women without Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) (control group). We observed 2.06-fold and 1.67-fold higher incidences of depressive mood and nervousness, respectively, after delivery in the control group than in the Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) group. Within 3 weeks of postpartum, there was a significant difference in the incidences of maternity blues between the Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) group (15.7%; 21/134) and the control group (32.1%; 43/134) (p = 0.0195). No adverse effects were observed in this study. The results of this study demonstrate the beneficial clinical effects of Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) in stabilizing psychological state in the postpartum period. Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) can be expected to improve the mental health of women in the postpartum period and prevent maternity blues.

Agents protecting against sepsis from the roots of Angelica dahurica

In the course of isolating agents preventing sepsis from the EtOAc extract of the roots of Angelica dahurica, four known furanocoumarins, isoimperatorin (1), oxypeucedanin (2), (+/-)-byakangelicin (3), and (+)-oxypeucedanin hydrate (4), were isolated as active compounds based on the in vivo assay model of sepsis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GalN). Among them, 3 showed the highest survival rate (100% with a dose of 30 mg/kg versus 20% for the control experiment) and decreased the plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and alanine aminotransferase in mice adminstered LPS/D-GalN.

ESP-102, a standardized combined extract of Angelica gigas, Saururus chinensis and Schizandra chinensis, significantly improved scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice

We assessed the effects of oral treatments of ESP-102, a standardized combined extract of Angelica gigas, Saururus chinensis and Schizandra chinensis, on learning and memory deficit. The cognition-enhancing effect of ESP-102 was investigated in scopolamine-induced (1 mg/kg body weight, s.c.) amnesic mice with both passive avoidance and Morris water maze performance tests. Acute oral treatment (single administration prior to scopolamine treatment) of mice with ESP-102 (doses in the range of 10 to 100 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced scopolamine-induced memory deficits in the passive avoidance performance test. Another noteworthy result included the fact that prolonged oral daily treatments of mice with much lower amounts of ESP-102 (1 and 10 mg/kg body weight) for ten days reversed scopolamine-induced memory deficits. In the Morris water maze performance test, both acute and prolonged oral treatments with ESP-102 (single administration of 100 mg/kg body weight or prolonged daily administration of 1 and 10 mg/kg body weight for ten days, respectively, significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory deficits as indicated by the formation of long-term and/or short-term spatial memory. In addition, we investigated the effects of ESP-102 on neurotoxicity induced by amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta25-35) or glutamate in primary cultured cortical neurons of rats. Pretreatment of cultures with ESP-102 (0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 mug/ml) significantly protected neurons from neurotoxicity induced by either glutamate or Abeta25-35. These results suggest that ESP-102 may have some protective characteristics against neuronal cell death and cognitive impairments often observed in Alzheimer's disease, stroke, ischemic injury and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Tyrosinase-inhibitory furanocoumarin from Angelica dahurica

An extract of the roots of Angelica dahurica BENTH. et HOOK. (Umbelliferae) showed potential tyrosinase inhibition against mushroom tyrosinase. Employing a bioassay-linked HPLC method, followed by semipreparative HPLC, the active principle was isolated and characterized as 9-hydroxy-4-methoxypsoralen.

In vitro GABA-transaminase inhibitory compounds from the root ofAngelica dahurica

The 80% aqueous MeOH extracts from the root of Angelica dahurica, found to inhibit the activities of GABA degradative enzymes GABA transaminase (GABA-T) and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH), were fractionated using EtOAc, n-BuOH and H2O. Repeated column chromatography for the EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions led to the isolation of two new coumarins, oxypeucedanin hydrate-3''-butyl ether and isopraeroside IV along with six known coumarins, isoimperatorin, imperatorin, phellopterin, oxypeucedanin hydrate, nodakenin and 3'-hydroxymarmesinin, and two polyacetylenes, falcarindiol and octadeca-1,9-dien-4,6-diyn-3,8,18-triol. Of the isolated pure compounds, imperatorin and falcarindiol inactivated the GABA-T activities in both time- and concentration-dependent manners. The kinetic studies showed that imperatorin and falcarindiol reacted with the GABA-T with a second-order rate constant of 2.3 +/- 0.2 mm(-1) min(-1) and 1.5 +/- 0.1 mm(-1) min(-1), respectively. It is postulated that imperatorin and falcarindiol are able to elevate the neurotransmitter GABA levels in the central nervous system by an inhibitory action on the GABA degradative enzyme GABA-T.

The Essential Oil from Angelica gigas NAKAI Suppresses Nicotine Sensitization

Behavioral sensitization, as evidenced by the progressive enhanced locomotor response to a subsequent injection of the drug, is the major behavioral outcome produced by repeated injections of nicotine, and a model for studying drug addiction. It is putatively regarded that the alteration of extracellular dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens is closely associated with nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization. The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of the essential oil from Angelica gigas NAKAI (on fragrance inhalation) on repeated nicotine-induced locomotor activity and extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens of rats using in vivo microdialysis. Rats were given repeated injections of saline or nicotine (0.4 mg/kg s.c., twice a day for 7 d), followed by one challenge injection on the 4th day after the last daily injection. Systemic challenge with nicotine (0.4 mg/kg s.c.) produced a larger increase in locomotor activity in nicotine-pretreated rats than in saline-pretreated rats. A direct local challenge of 3 mM nicotine via a microdialysis probe also induced a larger increase in dopamine release in nicotine-pretreated rats than in saline-pretreated rats. Most importantly, our results showed that inhalation of the essential oils from Angelica gigas NAKAI significantly decreased both dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and locomotor activity induced by a nicotine challenge. These results suggest that the essential oils from Angelica gigas NAKAI inhibit nicotine-induced behavioral and neurochemical sensitization, and imply that the essential oil from Angelica gigas NAKAI may be effective in treating nicotine addiction, possibly by modulating dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens.

Chemical and biological assessment of a traditional chinese herbal decoction prepared from Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis: orthogonal array design to optimize the extraction of chemical constituents

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a simple decoction, having about 800 years of usage in China to treat menopausal irregularity in women, which contains two herbs: Radix Astragali (Huangqi) and Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui). Traditionally, boiling water has been used for preparing DBT; however, the optimized conditions of extraction have not yet been determined. Here, the amounts of Radix Astragali-derived astragaloside IV, calycosin, formononetin, and Radix Angelicae Sinensis-derived ferulic acid and ligustilide were determined in DBT, which were extracted according to an orthogonal array experimental design having three variable parameters: extraction time, extraction volume and number of repeats of the extraction. Our results suggest that extraction time and number of repeats of the extraction are two crucial factors, while extraction volume is a subordinate factor. The optimized conditions for extraction were therefore established. Besides the chemical composition, the estrogenic and anti-platelet aggregation activities of DBT were determined in different groups of the extraction, and the results of bioassays were in line with the amounts of the analyzed chemical ingredients. The results provide a model system for establishing the quality assurance of the herbal preparation.

Determination of the effectiveness of components of the herbal medicine Toki-Shakuyaku-San and fractions of Angelica acutiloba in improving the scopolamine-induced impairment of rat's spatial cognition in eight-armed radial maze test

The improving effects of various components of Toki-Shakuyaku-San (TSS) and fractions isolated from Angelica acutiloba Radix (Toki) on scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment were investigated in eight-armed radial maze. The scopolamine-induced memory impairment was characterized by prominent increase of error choices in addition to decreased correct choices. Toki, Cnidium officinale Rhizoma (Senkyu), Poria cocos Hoelen (Bukuryo), Alisma orientale Rhizoma (Takusha), and Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma (Sojutsu) increased the correct choices, while only the Toki, Sojutsu, and Takusha decreased the error choices. No effect was produced by Paeonia lactiflora Radix (Shakuyaku). Investigation of effects of fractions isolated from Toki revealed that its activity mainly resided in the butanol layer and its contents of N-methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxamide and amines. Moreover, the alkaloid, internal and external solutions (containing poly-, di-, and monosaccharides) obtained by dialysis with Visking cellophane tubing also improved the memory. However, no improving properties were detected for methanol and hexanol layers, L-(-)-tryptophan, L-arginine, L-(-)-lysine, and choline chloride. The results showed that the TSS components could improve the reference and working memory impaired by scopolamine. The improving effect of TSS is produced greatly by the Toki component, the activity of which was greatly produced by the fraction extracted by butanol.

[Preventive and therapeutic effects of astragalus and angelica mixture on renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Astragalus and Angelica mixture A&A on renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction UUO in rats and their mechanisms.

METHODS

UUO rats were randomly divided into Sham, UUO, A&A or ACEI groups. A&A, ACEI or the same amount of water was administered by gavage beginning 24 hours before UUO preparation and continued through ten days after UUO. Sera and the kidney tissues were collected from each group on the tenth day. Scr and BUN were measured. Trichrome staining, measurement of tubulo interstitial damage index and immunohistochemical studies localizing alpha-smooth muscle actin alpha-SMA , TGF-beta1, fibronectin FN , laminin LN were carried out.

RESULTS

In UUO rats, the tubular-interstitial damage index, the expressions of alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, FN and LN were all increased compared with those of Sham group. The tubulo interstitial damage index had positive correlation with expressions of alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, FN and LN. A&A significantly ameliorated deterioration of renal function, tubulo interstitial damage index and inhibited the over-expressions of alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, FN and LN in UUO rats. These anti-fibrotic effects were similar to those affected by ACEI.

CONCLUSION

In renal interstitial fibrosis-induced UUO rats, A&A retard the progression of renal fibrosis and renal function deterioration by inhibiting myofibroblasts and suppressing TGF-beta1 expression, which may consequently result in a decreased production of extracellular matrix.

Antitumor and antimetastatic activities of 4-hydroxyderricin isolated from Angelica keiskei roots

The roots of Angelica keiskei Koizumi (Umbelliferae) have traditionally been used as a health food considered to have diuretic, laxative, analeptic and lactagogue effects. Recently, it has been thought that the roots and herbs of A. keiskei have preventive effects against coronary heart disease, hypertension and cancer. It has been reported that chalcone derivatives, such as xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin, are isolated as main components from this root. Recently, we reported that the 50 % ethanol extract, the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction and the isolated xanthoangelol, inhibited tumor growth and metastasis to the lung in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC)-bearing mice. In the present study, we examined the effects of 4-hydroxyderricin on tumor growth and metastasis to the lung or liver in subcutaneous or intrasplenic LLC-implanted C57BL/6J female mice. 4-Hydroxyderricin at a dose of 50 mg/kg x 2/day orally inhibited the tumor growth in subcutaneous LLC-implanted mice and inhibited the lung metastasis and prolonged the survival time in mice after the removal of subcutaneous tumors by surgical operation. Doxorubicin (5 mg/kg x 2/week, i. p.) inhibited the tumor growth and metastasis to the lung, but it shortened the survival time and reduced the survival rate compared to those in 4-hydroxyderricin-treated mice. 4-Hydroxyderricin inhibited DNA synthesis in LLC cells at a concentration of 100 microM, but it had no effect on the DNA synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) or on the adherence of LLC cells to HUVECs. 4-Hydroxyderricin inhibited Matrigel-induced formation of capillary-like tubes by HUVECs at concentrations of 10 to 100 microM. The weights of the spleen and thymus in mice with subcutaneously implanted LLC were maintained close to those of normal mice by orally administered 4-hydroxyderricin. In addition, 4-hydroxyderricin (50 mg/kg x 2/day) inhibited the reduction of the numbers of lymphocytes, CD4+, CD8+ and natural killer (NK)-T cells in the spleen of tumor-removed mice. Doxorubicin reduced the numbers of lymphocytes, CD4+, CD8+ and NK cells compared to those in LLC-removed mice. These results suggest that the antitumor and antimetastatic activities of 4-hydroxyderricin may be modulated by the immune system and the inhibition of angiogenesis.

Structures of New Aromatics Glycosides from a Japanese Folk Medicine, the Roots of Angelica furcijuga

Three new aromatics glycosides, hyuganosides II, IIIa, and IIIb, were isolated from a Japanese folk medicine, the roots of Angelica furcijuga KITAGAWA. The structures of the new glycosides were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.

Green vegetable drink consumption protects peripheral lymphocytes DNA damage in Korean smokers

Smoking increases indices of free radical-mediated damage of DNA which are potential underlying processes in the pathogenesis of many diseases. In this study, we evaluated whether 8 weeks of green vegetable drink (Angelica keiskei based juice) supplementation to smokers can be protective against lymphocytic DNA damage. Twenty smokers were given 240 ml of commercially available green vegetable drink every day for 8 weeks. The DNA damage was determined using single cell gel electrophoresis (COMET assay) and the damage was quantified by measuring tail length (TL), tail moment (TM), and percent DNA in tail. Eight weeks of green vegetable drink consumption resulted in a significant in lymphocytes DNA damage in all three measurements; TL, TM and % DNA in tail. These results support the hypothesis that green vegetable drink exerts a cancer-protective effect via a decrease in oxidative damage to DNA in humans.

Inhibitory effects of furanocoumarins isolated from the roots of Angelica dahurica on prostaglandin E2 production

We have isolated five furanocoumarins, byakangelicin, phellopterin, imperatorin, isoimperatorin, and oxypeucedanin methanolate, from the roots of Angelica dahurica (Umbelliferae) and prepared five semi-synthesized compounds by the partial reduction of each isolated furanocoumarin, and the effects of these compounds on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) production in rat peritoneal macrophages were examined. Among these compounds, imperatorin showed the most potent inhibitory activity on the LPS-induced PGE2 production. It also inhibited the LPS-induced expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES). These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of furanocoumarins on the LPS-induced PGE2 production is due to the inhibition of the expression of COX-2 and mPGES.

Effects of dietary Angelica keiskei on lipid metabolism in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. The effect of dietary Angelica keiskei on lipid metabolism was examined in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). 2. Six-week-old male SHRSP were fed diets containing 0.2% A. keiskei extract (ethyl acetate extract from the yellow liquid of stems) for 6 weeks with free access to the diet and water. 3. Elevation of systolic blood pressure tended to be suppressed on and after 2 weeks; however, this effect was not statistically significant. 4. Serum levels of cholesterol and phospholipid in SHRSP were significantly elevated after treatment with A. keiskei extract and this effect was accompanied by significant increases in serum apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I and ApoE concentrations. These changes in the serum were due to increases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) containing ApoA-I and ApoE. 5. In the liver, significant decreases in relative weight and triglyceride content were observed in SHRSP after treatment with A. keiskei extract. An investigation of mRNA expression of enzymes involved in hepatic triglyceride metabolism indicated a decreased level of hepatic Acyl-coenzyme A synthetase mRNA expression. 6. In conclusion, dietary A. keiskei produces elevation of serum HDL levels and a reduction of liver triglyceride levels in SHRSP.

Effect of angelica on the expressional changes of cytokines in endothelial cells induced by hyperlipidemic serum

The aim of this article was to examine the protective effect of Chinese traditional medicine angelica on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs, ECV304) from injury induced by hyperlipidemic serum (HLS) and to study the underlying mechanism. Spectrophotometer and immunocytochemical methods were used to detect the content of nitric oxide (NO) in suspension and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the cell surface, respectively. After incubated with 50 microl/ml HLS for 24 hours, expression of ICAM-1 and bFGF in ECs was significantly increased, while expression of TGFbeta1 and the release of NO from ECs were significantly decreased. All these effect of HLS on ECs can be reversed by angelica significantly. The above effect of angelica may be related to its anti-atherosclerotic action. Our findings provided experimental basement for the clinical application of angelica to prevent the development of atherosclerosis.

Effects of ginsenoside Rd and decursinol on the neurotoxic responses induced by kainic acid in mice

In the present study, we examined the effects of ginsenoside Rd (G-Rd) and decursinol (DC) on various neurotoxic responses induced by kainic acid (KA) administered intracerebroventricularly ( i. c. v.) in ICR mice. Ginseng total saponin (GTS) inhibited the KA (0.5 microg)-induced lethal toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, G-Rd, a component of GTS, also attenuated the KA-induced lethal toxicity as well as DC pretreated orally for 30 min. In ICR mouse, neurotoxic damage induced by KA (0.1 microg) in the hippocampus was markedly concentrated in the CA3 pyramidal neurons. G-Rd and DC did not affect the pyramidal cell death in CA3 hippocampal region. In an immunohistochemical study, KA dramatically increased phospho-ERK and decreased phospho-CREB in the hippocampal area. G-Rd and DC attenuated, in part, the increased phospho-ERK and the decreased phospho-CREB protein levels. However, DC potentiated the increased c-Fos and c-Jun protein levels in the hippocampus induced by KA. Thus, our results suggest that the phosphorylation of ERK or the dephosphorylation of CREB protein may play a major role in the regulation of lethal toxicity induced by KA, whereas cell death in the hippocampal CA3 region induced by KA administered i. c. v. may not be directly mediated by ERK phosphorylation and CREB phosphorylation in the mouse.

Decursin from Angelica gigas mitigates amnesia induced by scopolamine in mice

We previously reported that a total methanolic extract of the underground part of Angelica gigas Nakai (Umbelliferae) (here-in-after abbreviated AG) significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. We characterized 12 coumarin derivatives including both decursin and decursinol from extracts of AG. In this study, we evaluated the anti-amnestic activity of decursin, a major coumarin constituent isolated from AG, in vivo using ICR mice with amnesia induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg body weight, s.c.). Decursin, when administered to mice at 1 and 5 mg/kg body weight i.p., significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia as measured in both the passive avoidance test and the Morris water maze test. Moreover, decursin significantly inhibited AChE activity by 34% in the hippocampus of treated mice. These results indicate that decursin may exert anti-amnestic activity in vivo through inhibition of AChE activity in the hippocampus.

Determination of sugars in Chinese traditional drugs by CE with amperometric detection

A simple, fast and reliable method, based on capillary zone electrophoresis with amperometric detection, for the separation and determination of sucrose, glucose, and fructose in Chinese traditional drugs, namely Astragalus Membranceus (Fish.) Bge, Angelica and Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. was described in this paper. A copper disk electrode was used as working electrode. The optimal conditions of separation and detection were 0.05 mol/l sodium hydroxide buffer (pH 12.7), 5 kV for the separation voltage and +0.65 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for the detection potential. The linear ranges were from 5.0x10(-6) to 5.0x10(-4) mol/l for all three sugars. The all regression coefficients were more than 0.999. The detection limits were 1.0x10(-6) mol/l for glucose and fructose, and 4.0x10(-6) mol/l for sucrose. The method built in this paper was directly applied to the separation and determination of the three sugars in three Chinese traditional drugs without prior derivatization, and the content for every sugar in the drugs was first assayed. The assay results were satisfactory.

Imperatorin, a furanocoumarin from Angelica dahurica (Umbelliferae), induces cytochrome c-dependent apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukaemia, HL-60 Cells

Imperatorin, a biologically active furanocoumarin from the roots of Angelica dahurica (Umbelliferae), was found to induce apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukaemia, HL-60 cells. DNA fragmentation assay, morphology-based evaluation, and flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that imperatorin at micromolar concentrations was able to trigger apoptosis of HL-60 cells. Neither necrosis nor differentiation was observed at cytotoxic micromolar concentrations of imperatorin. Further studies showed that the cytochrome c/caspase-9 pathway was responsible for imperatorin-induced apoptosis; i.e., mitochondrial membrane was depolarized, Bcl-2 was down-regulated, cytochrome c was released from mitochondria, caspase-9 and caspase-3 were activated, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase was cleaved. Furthermore, imperatorin-induced apoptosis was significantly blocked by Z-VAD-FMK (a broad spectrum caspase inhibitor), Z-LEHD-FMK (a caspase-9 inhibitor) and Ac-DMQD-CHO (a caspase-3 inhibitor), but not by Z-IEDT-FMK (a caspase-8 inhibitor).

Furocoumarins from Angelica dahurica with hepatoprotective activity on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells

Fractionation of the MeOH extract of Angelica dahurica Benth et Hook resulted in the isolation of six furocoumarins, imperatorin (1), isoimperatorin (2), (+/-)-byakangelicol (3), (+)-oxypeucedanin (4), (+)-byakangelicin (5), and (+)-aviprin (6). Among these, compounds 1 and 5 exhibited strong hepatoprotective activities, displaying EC(50) values of 36.6 +/- 0.98 and 47.9 +/- 4.6 microM, respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 showed moderate activities with EC(50) values of 112.7 +/- 5.35 and 286.7 +/- 6.36 microM, respectively. Silybin as a positive control showed the EC(50) value with 69.0 +/- 3.4 microM. Comparison of hepatoprotective activities for six furocoumarins 1 - 6 suggested that oxy-substitution at the C-9 position increased the hepatoprotective activity.

Effects of extract from Angelica keiskei and its component, cynaroside, on the hepatic bromobenzene-metabolizing enzyme system in rats

The effects of Angelica keiskei Koidz. on hepatic lipid peroxide and the activities of free radical generating and scavenging enzymes were investigated in bromobenzene-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation in rats. The level of lipid peroxide elevated by bromobenzene was significantly reduced by the methanol extract from the aerial parts of A. keiskei and its component, cynaroside. Epoxide hydrolase activity was decreased significantly by the treatment of bromobenzene. However, the enzyme activity was restored in the liver of rats given the methanol extract and cynaroside. The results suggest that the reduction of bromobenzene-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation by the extract of A. keiskei and cynaroside under our experimental conditions is thought to be through enhancing the activity of epoxide hydrolase, an enzyme removing bromobenzene epoxide.

Inhibitors of 5alpha -reductase type I in LNCaP cells from the roots of Angelica koreana

A prenylated coumarin, osthenol (1) and a sesquiterpene, bisabolangelone (2) have been isolated as active principles with 5alpha-reductase type I inhibitory effects in LNCaP cells from the roots of Angelica koreana Max. by bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation. Osthenol exhibited a highly potent inhibitory activity on 5alpha-reductase type I in LNCaP cells with an IC50 value of 0.1 microg/ml, which is about 200 times more potent than the positive control, finasteride (IC50 = 19.8 microg/ml). Bisabolangelone also inhibited the activity of 5alpha-reductase type I in LNCaP cells (IC50 = 11.6 microg/ml), indicating that these compounds are possible candidates for the development of new drugs to treat human endocrine disorders associated with overproduction of DHT by 5 alpha-reductase type I. In addition, four compounds isooxypeucedanin, oxypeucedanin hydrate, oxypeucedanin and isoimperatorin were also isolated and found to be inactive in the 5alpha-reductase assay systems used in the present study.

Thapsia garganica L: a poisonous plant of North Africa

Poisoning of livestock by ingestion of Thapsia garganica L, common plant in many countries of North Africa, is described.

Astragali and Angelica protect the kidney against ischemia and reperfusion injury and accelerate recovery

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of Astragali and Angelica (A&A) of Chinese herbs in acute renal ischemia/reperfusion injury, and the related intracellular signal transduction mechanism.

METHODS

Acute ischemic renal injury in rats was induced by clamping in renal pedicel for 45 minutes. Rats in therapy group were given a single dose (2 ml/day) of A&A for 3 days before clamping, and then continued for another 3 days. Forty-five minutes after clamping and at different reperfusion time, serum creatinine (Scr) and renal pathological changes were taken and compared in both groups. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive cells were detected by immunohistochemistry. Extracelluar regulating kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity was assayed by specific substrate phosphorylation with immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

At the 24th hour of reperfusion, Scr was lower in A&A group than that in the control. Much less necrotic tubular cells, casts, and more PCNA-positive cells were found in A&A group. ERK activity decreased after clamping, and recovered at 5 minutes of reperfusion. There was no difference between the two groups. JNK activity did not change after ischemia, but increased at 5 minutes and peaked at 20 minutes of reperfusion. JNK activity was significantly higher in A&A group than that in the control group.

CONCLUSION

A&A protected kidney against ischemic insult and accelerated both functional and histological recovery after acute renal ischemia/reperfusion injury, which may associate with the change of JNK signaling pathway.