In vitro estrogenic activities of Chinese medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of menopausal symptoms

The estrogenic activity of 70% EtOH extracts of 32 traditional Chinese medicinal plants, selected according to their reported efficacy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, was assessed using a recombinant yeast system with both a human estrogen receptor expression plasmid and a reporter plasmid. Among them, 11 (34%) species proved to be active. Polygonum cuspidatum had the highest estrogenic relative potency (RP) (3.28 x 10(-3)), followed by Rheumpalmatum (3.85 x 10(-4)), Cassia obtusifolia (3.49 x 10(-4)), Polygonum multiflorum (2.87 x 10(-4)), Epimedium brevicornum (2.30 x 10(-4)), Psoralea corylifolia (1.90 x 10(-4)), Cynomorium songaricum (1.78 x 10(-4)), Belamcanda chinensis (1.26 x 10(-4)), Scutellaria baicalensis (8.77 x 10(-5)), Astragalus membranaceus (8.47 x 10(-5)) and Pueraria lobata (6.17 x 10(-5)). The EC(50) value of 17beta-estradiol used as the positive control was 0.205+/-0.025 ng/ml (RP=100). This study gave support to the reported efficacy of Chinese medicines used for hormone replacement therapy.

[Chemical constituents from Eremurus chinensis Fedtsch]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the chemical constituents from the herb Eremurus chinensis.

METHOD

The chemical constituents were extracted with solvent and separated with column chromatography.

RESULT

The structures were identified as chrysophanol 8-Me ether, aloesaponol III, daucosterol and beta-sitosterol.

CONCLUSION

These compounds were separated from genus Eremurus first time.

[Chemical constituents from Speranskia tuberculata (Bge.) Baill]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the chemical constituents from the herb Speranskia tuberculata.

METHOD

The chemical constituents were extracted with solvent and separated with column chromatography. The structures were elucidated by spectral analysis.

RESULT

Two compounds were isolated from the plant and identified as 18-hydroxy(-)-manool and beta-sitosterol.

CONCLUSION

Both were separated from this plant first time.

Constituents of Eremurus chinensis

A novel bianthraquinone glycoside, 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1', 8'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethyl-2,7'-bianthraquinone (1); two naphthalene derivatives, 2-acetyl-1-hydroxy-8-methoxy-3-methylnaphthalene (2) and 2-acetyl-1, 8-dimethoxy-3-methylnaphthalene (3); and a novel pre-anthraquinone, 1-oxo-4(S),9-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-6-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydroanthracene (4), were isolated from Eremurus chinensis. Their structures were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods. In addition, the known compounds chrysophanol, chrysophanol 8-methyl ether, aloesaponol III 8-methyl ether (5), and 10-(chrysophanol-7'-yl)-10-hydroxychrysophanol-9-anthrone were also isolated and identified from this plant.

[Study the chemical constituents from Phlomis mongolica turcz]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the chemical constituents from the root of Phlomis mongolica.

METHOD

The chemical constituents were extracted with solvent and separated with chromatographic methods. Three compounds were obtained and identified by MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT, HMQC and HMBC methods.

RESULT

The structures were established as phloyoside III, phloyoside I and cistanoside B.

CONCLUSION

These compounds were obtained from P. mongolica for the first time. Phloyoside III is a new compound.

Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I induce bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4: a mediator role in bone and tooth formation?

GH is known to increase the formation of bone and hard tissues of the tooth (dentine, cementum, and enamel), as do bone morphogenetic proteins. GH receptors are expressed in these tissues and could mediate local growth responses. Here we report that both GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are able to increase expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and -4 messenger RNAs 4- to 5-fold in human dental pulp fibroblasts in vitro. Induction was seen at physiological concentrations of hormone (25-100 ng/ml GH; 50-200 ng/ml IGF-I) and reached a maximum at 4-8 h. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the increase in messenger RNAs resulted in an increase in expressed protein. Anti-IGF-I inhibition experiments indicate that GH is able to induce the response without a requirement for local IGF-I production. These results raise the possibility that bone morphogenetic proteins mediate the local osteogenic actions of GH and IGF-I, and lend support to the view that GH can act through the mediation of factors other than IGF-I. These factors may combine with IGF-I in different tissues to enhance GH action and specificity.

Evidence for a local action of growth hormone in embryonic tooth development in the rat

Studies in non-dental embryonic tissues have suggested that an interaction between growth hormone and its receptor may play a role in growth and development before the foetal pituitary gland is competent. This study reports the distribution of growth hormone, its receptor and binding protein in developing rat tooth germs from embryonic day 17 to 21 and postnatal day 0 using antibodies specific for each of these proteins. Four foetal rats were processed at each time point (E17, E18, E20/21 and postnatal day 0). Following routine fixation and paraffin embedding, sections were treated with antisera to rat growth hormone, rat growth hormone binding protein and growth hormone receptor. Localization of antibody/antigen complexes was subsequently visualized by addition of biotinylated IgG and reaction with streptavidin peroxidase and diaminobenzidine. Assessment of the level of staining was qualitative and based on a subjective rankings ranging from equivocal to very strong staining. Overall, growth hormone and its binding protein were located both in the cellular elements and throughout the extracellular matrix, whereas the growth hormone receptor showed an exclusively intra-cellular location. All three proteins were detectable in cells of the dental epithelium and mesenchyme at the primordial bud stage (E17) which occurs prior to expression of pituitary growth hormone. At the cap stage of odontogenesis (E18-19), numerous cells in both the dental epithelium and mesenchyme were intensely immunoreactive for growth hormone, its binding protein and receptor. In the succeeding early bell stage (E20-21), most of the mesenchymal cells in the dental pulp were mildly positive for these proteins, while the dental epithelium and adjacent mesenchyme were more immunoreactive. At the late bell stage (postnatal day 0), all three proteins were localized in dental epithelium, differentiating mesenchymal cells the cuspal surface facing the epithelial-mesenchymal interface, preodontoblasts, and odontoblasts forming dentine. From these observations, immunoreactive growth hormone, its receptor and binding protein appear to be expressed in odontogenic cells undergoing histodifferentiation, morphodifferentiation and dentinogenesis in a cell-type and stage-specific pattern throughout embryonic tooth development. This suggests the possibility that growth hormone, or a growth hormone-like protein, plays a paracrine/autocrine role in tooth development in utero.

Effect of growth hormone on the distribution of decorin and biglycan during odontogenesis in the rat incisor

Previous studies have shown that growth hormone can influence the expression of N-acetylgalactosamine-containing molecules in the extracellular matrix of developing rat incisors. N-acetylgalactosamine is a principal component of proteoglycans containing chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate, as well as of some glycoproteins. Since chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans are identifiable components in enamel, dentin, and cementum, we have tested the hypothesis that growth hormone modulates their expression in developing rat incisors. The distribution of the chondroitin-sulfate-rich proteoglycans, decorin and biglycan, was investigated. We used the Lewis dwarf rat as a model because their circulating growth hormone levels are markedly reduced. Polyclonal antibodies against decorin and biglycan were used to localize these two proteoglycans. Semi-quantitative assessments of the staining patterns and intensities were made for each proteoglycan within compartments of the developing teeth. In normal Lewis rats, decorin and biglycan differentially expressed throughout the enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental follicle. Decorin displayed a wide distribution throughout all three regions and was closely associated with different cellular components. In contrast, biglycan showed little association with cells and was identified in the predentin and osteoid matrices. The expression of both proteoglycans was dramatically decreased in the growth-hormone-deficient animals. Administration of growth hormone to the dwarf rats markedly elevated the expression of both proteoglycans, approximating the distribution and intensity of staining seen in normal animals. These findings confirm that growth hormone status can modulate the expression of decorin and biglycan, and hence matrix deposition, in the rat tooth.

Comparison of the effects of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I and fetal calf serum on mouse molar odontogenesis in vitro

The effects of growth hormone, its mediator insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and fetal calf serum on odontogenesis were compared to those of serum-free medium. Explanted, 16-day, fetal mouse first molar tooth germs in early bell stage were grown on semisolid, serum-free medium supplemented with ascorbic and retinoic acids. Recombinant human growth hormone at 50 or 100 ng/ml, IGF-I at 100 or 200 ng/ml, or fatal calf serum at 20% concentration were added to the media. Volumetric changes in serial sections of six tooth germs per treatment over 3 days of treatment (4, 5, 6 days in vitro) were compared by digitized morphometry. Mitotic indices were also compared and the cell densities of the dental papillae recorded. Qualitative ratings of differentiation were ascribed to each tooth germ by light microscopy. Differences in volume, mitotic activity and cell densities were found. The growth hormone-treated tooth germs were not larger than the serum-free ones but had increased mitotic indices and higher cell densities in the dental papillae. IGF-I-treated tooth germs had larger volumes than with all other treatments, e.g. germs treated with 200 ng/ml of IGF-I, after 6 days in culture, were significantly larger than with all other treatments (p<0.01-<0.001). Whilst IGF-I-treated germs displayed the greatest extent of differentiation, growth hormone-treated germs also showed advanced differentiation compared to those on serum-free medium. These results suggest that growth hormone and IGF-I are involved in odontogenesis of murine teeth in vitro by affecting mitotic activity, tissue volume and cell differentiation. In conjunction with previous immunohistochemical studies that show expression of growth hormone receptor and IGF-I in developing teeth, these results provide evidence that both growth hormones and its mediator play a part in odontogenesis.

Analysis of beam propagation in thick nonlinear media

We present a theoretical analysis of beam propagation in thick nonlinear media by using the Gaussian decomposition method and considering a thick medium as a stack of thin media. Simple analytic solutions of Z-scan characteristics and optical limiting with thick nonlinear media are obtained. Comparisons of these results with those obtained by use of a distributed-lens model and Gaussian-Laguerre mode decomposition are made. Good agreement is obtained with a distributed-lens model.

Ultrastructure of cementogenesis as affected by growth hormone in the molar periodontium of the hypophysectomized rat

To document the effect of hypophysectomy and growth hormone replacement on the ultrastructure of cementogenesis in the developing rat third molar, 12 female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to normal control, hypophysectomized or hypophysectomized plus human growth hormone (for 10 days) treatment groups. The results of this study by electron and light microscopy and morphometry have shown that qualitative and quantitative changes occur in the organelles of cementoblasts forming cellular cementum as a result of hypophysectomy and growth hormone replacement. After hypophysectomy, the changes of less prominent nucleoli and nuclear pores, less prominent Golgi apparatuses and decreased endoplasmic reticulum can be interpreted as diminished cementum matrix biosynthesis--an interpretation that can be confirmed morphometrically by less cellular cementum formation. Growth hormone replacement for 10 days reactivates protein synthesis and cementogenesis as evidenced by ultrastructural changes in cementoblasts and a greater production of cementum.

Growth hormone regulates an N-acetylgalactosamine component in odontogenesis: a specific lectin-binding study in the Lewis dwarf rat

Dental organs of incisors from normal, dwarf and growth hormone-treated dwarf rats were analysed histochemically using a panel of lectins. A distinctive pattern of differential staining was obtained with Helix pomatia agglutinin, a lectin specific for N-acetylgalactosamine. In Bouin's perfused and paraffin-embedded undecalcified tissues from normal rats, reaction product for N-acetylgalactosamine was visible in the odontogenic cells and some extracellular matrices. In the growth hormone-deficient dwarf rats, the N-acetylgalactosamine reaction was consistently minimal in the odontoblasts, predentin, cementoblasts, cementoid, osteoblasts and osteoid matrices, although the staining of ameloblasts and osteoclasts was similar to normal. Administration of growth hormone to dwarf rats for six days (66 micrograms/100 g rat b.i.d.) restored the reaction for N-acetylgalactosamine in the affected matrices. Thus, an N-acetylgalactosamine rich matric component is differentially expressed during odontogensis. Growth hormone may regulate this component in these matrices, which may be a proteoglycan or a glycoprotein, essential for normal growth of the teeth.

A bromodeoxyuridine immunocytochemical and morphometric study of the influence of growth hormone on cell proliferation in odontogenic mesenchyme of the Lewis dwarf rat

Cell proliferation was studied in pre-odontoblasts, and in cells of the dental papilla and lingual dental follicle using bromodeoxyuridine immunocytochemistry and morphometry in Bouin's perfused and paraffin-embedded, undemineralized maxillary incisors. Cells in DNA synthesis, as shown by this technique, or in mitosis, were counted. Significantly fewer labelled nuclei, unlabelled nuclei and total nuclei were found in the tissues of growth hormone-deficient dwarf rats than in normal tissues. However, in dwarf rats treated for 6 days with bovine growth hormone, their numbers were equivalent to, or in some instances greater than those in normal tissues. The bromodeoxyuridine labelling index, the ratio of positive to negative nuclei and the mitotic index of pre-odontoblasts in dwarf rats were consistently lower than in normal rats, and were reversible by growth hormone. Growth hormone thus plays a part in odontogenic mesenchymal proliferation.

The influence of growth hormone on cell proliferation in odontogenic epithelia by bromodeoxyuridine immunocytochemistry and morphometry in the Lewis dwarf rat

For investigation of how growth hormone affects tooth development, bromodeoxyuridine immunocytochemistry and morphometry were used for the study of cell proliferation in odontogenic epithelial cell layers. The number of cells in the S phase, as revealed by this technique, and in mitosis, were counted in Bouin's-perfused and paraffin-embedded undecalcified maxillary incisor enamel organs of normal rats, in growth-hormone-deficient dwarf rats, and in dwarf rats treated with growth hormone (66 micrograms/100 g body wt) twice daily for six days. Significantly fewer labeled nuclei, unlabeled nuclei, and total nuclei of various odontogenic epithelia were found in dwarf rats, but in dwarf rats treated with growth hormone, numbers of labeled nuclei equivalent to normal were found in the internal enamel epithelium, stratum intermedium, and Hertwig root sheath. Moreover, the mitotic index for pre-ameloblasts was 1.64 in normal rats, 0.92 for dwarf rats, and 1.66 for growth-hormone-treated dwarf rats (SD, 0.10). Other parameters--such as the labeling index and the ratio of positive to negative nuclei--were similarly related to GH status. Thus, growth hormone may play a role in the proliferation of the odontogenic epithelia in the rat.

Growth hormone regulates nucleolar organizer regions during odontogenesis in the rat

Nucleolar organizers are major sites of ribosomal RNA synthesis and provide an index of transcriptional activity. In order to further define growth hormone actions on nucleolar organizer regions in tooth forming cells, hypophysectomized rats treated with growth hormone for 4 and 24 h, hypophysectomized and sham-operated animals were used. After demineralization and standard paraffin embedding, longitudinal sections of maxillary incisors were stained by a silver stain technique to reveal nucleolar organizer regions. The area of these regions per nucleus was measured using a modified microdensitometer. Analyses of variance of the resulting data showed that preameloblasts and preodontoblasts have greater silver stained nucleolar organizer region values than ameloblasts and odontoblasts. Hypophysectomy reduced and growth hormone partly restored the level of nucleolar organizer regions in preameloblasts and preodontoblasts, but not in mature ameloblasts or odontoblasts. In the case of the younger preameloblasts and preodontoblasts, the effect of growth hormone was seen within 4 h of growth hormone injection. In conclusion, rRNA synthesis, as revealed by the specific silver staining of nucleolar organizer regions in tooth forming cells, appears to be regulated by growth hormone over a relatively short time frame.

Automated microdensitometry of nucleolar organizer regions using microspectrophoto-microscopy

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are major sites of ribosomal RNA synthesis, providing an index of transcriptional activity and possibly determining the malignant status of cells. Difficulties lie in quantifying them. This study reports a methodology to assist in the standardization of the assessment of interphase NORs. Regenerating hepatocytes, which have increased rRNA synthesis, were chosen as a model to test automated microdensitometry for silver-stained NORs. Quantification employed a microspectrophoto-microscope as a microdensitometer. Significant differences in silver-stained NORs in hepatocytes were recorded among treatment/fixative groups. As the quantitative method avoids subjective observer error and thus improves the accuracy of measurement, it would potentially have routine application to diagnostic pathology.

Expression of growth hormone receptor by immunocytochemistry in rat molar root formation and alveolar bone remodeling

Growth hormone (GH) may regulate tooth formation and bone remodeling associated with tooth eruption. This study reports the distribution of growth hormone receptor/binding protein in developing rat molars and adjacent alveolar bone by immunocytochemistry using well-characterized anti-growth hormone receptor monoclonal antibodies. These tissues represent an excellent model for studying the ontogenic changes that occur in odontogenic and osteogenic cells, as these cells are found in linear arrays displaying the various stages of morphological and functional differentiation, and differentiated function. Immunoreactivity was first seen in precementoblasts in contact with the epithelial root sheath, and preodontoblasts. However, growth hormone receptor immunoreactivity was associated primarily with the cytoplasm of odontogenic and osteogenic cells forming their respective matrices. Thus, cementoblasts and odontoblasts at sites of new matrix formation showed intense immunoreactivity whereas cementocytes and mature odontoblasts at later stages of tooth development were nonreactive. Osteoblasts engaged in intramembranous ossification in the alveolar bone were positive, although osteocytes and endosteal cells were immunonegative. Osteoclasts at sites of alveolar bone remodeling resorption were also immunopositive. These patterns of receptor expression parallel the ontogenic sequences of odontogenic and osteogenic cells and suggest that GH promotes the functional state of these cells. Our results also imply that GH may influence differentiation or differentiated functions associated with odontogenesis, osteogenesis, and bone remodeling independent of systemic insulin-like GF-I.

[Characteristics of clinical pathology and changes of liver function in blood stasis syndrome in liver diseases]

The experimental study on 30 patients of the Blood Stasis Syndrome of liver diseases was discussed in this paper. Two characteristics were found. One was the pathological feature which manifested as follows: (1) DIAGNOSIS: the Blood Stasis Syndrome of liver disease was mainly diagnosed in the chronic active hepatitis and the early stage of cirrhosis of liver, while that of non-Blood Stasis was mainly observed in the chronic persistent hepatitis (P less than 0.01); (2) Pathological change: The histological changes such as piecemeal necrosis, bridging necrosis, the destruction of limiting plate, eosinophilic change, etc. It was more obvious in the Blood Stasis group than that with non-Blood Stasis Syndrome (P less than 0.01), (3) The manifestation of Blood Stasis Syndrome was not in parallel with the severity of the liver disease. The another characteristic was the changes of liver function, which expressed more markedly in the Blood Stasis group with higher level of SGPT, lower ratio of A/G and increased globulin, they were more obvious than that in non-Blood Stasis group (P less than 0.01).

Immunocytochemical localization of growth hormone receptor in rat maxillary teeth

To address the question of what role growth hormone may have in stimulating tooth formation, the distribution of its receptor/binding protein in developing rat incisors and molars was studied immunocytochemically using well-characterized monoclonal antibodies. Ten female 45-day-old Wistar rats were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. Five-microns paraffin sections of the growing end of maxillary incisors and molars were cut, deparaffinized and incubated with mouse anti-growth hormone receptor antibodies or control antibodies. A three-layer streptavidin peroxidase technique was used to detect bound antibody. Immunoreaction product was associated primarily with the cytoplasm of cells at certain stages of differentiation. Dividing cells, differentiating preameloblasts and preodontoblasts, secretory ameloblasts and odontoblasts showed immunoreactivity. Undifferentiated dental epithelium cells, stellate reticulum, external dental epithelial cells, mature odontoblasts, and most of cells in the dental papilla were non-reactive. However, at certain stages of tooth development, the stratum intermedium and the external dental epithelium also stained positively. The presence of growth hormone receptor/binding protein in tooth cells at different stages of their development indicates that growth hormone may influence cell proliferation, differentiation and differentiated functions of ameloblasts, odontoblasts and cementoblasts independent of a systemic mediator, and thus may be involved in stimulating odontogenesis directly.

Electrical performance of laser damaged silicon photodiodes

Laser induced electrical parameter degradation and morphological damage have been observed in silicon photodiodes. The samples were RCA reach-through avalanche photodiodes and EG&G PIN photodiodes. The laser source was a 1064-nm Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (10-Hz, 10-ns pulses with a 300-microm spot radius). Reverse saturation current, noise current, breakdown voltage, junction capacitance, and surface morphology were monitored for permanent laser induced change. The current characteristics were clearly the most sensitive electrical parameters; however, the electrical performance was generally insensitive to severe surface morphological damage. The damage behavior indicated that the electrical degradation in photodiodes may be modeled by the introduction of defects into the depletion region by deep melting transients.

Studies on antihepatitic drugs. Total synthesis of (+/-)schizandrin C and its analogs

This paper reports the total synthesis of (+/-) schizandrin, C, namely 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1, 12-dimethoxy-2, 3, 10, 11-bismethylenedioxy-6, 7-cis-dimethyldibenzo (a, c) cyclooctene (12B), a new active SGPT lowering principle isolated from the Chinese medical plant Schizandra chinensis, and its 6, 7-trans-dimethyl isomer (16B). We also synthesized two more isomers, namely 5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-3, 10-dimethoxy-1, 2, 11, 12-bismethylenedioxy-6, and 7-cis-(and trans-) dimethyldibenzo (a, c) cyclooctene (12A and 16A). The NMR, UV and mass spectra of these four isomers are discussed. IR (in chloroform), UV, NMR and MS of synthetic schizandrin C (12B) are identical with those of the natural compound.

Absolute configuration of (-)anisodine (a new ganglio blocking agent) and (-)anisodinic acid

A new tropane alkaloid, (-)anisodine (I), was isolated from the plant of Anisodus tanguticus. It is a novel ganglio blocking agent. The absolute configuration of (-)anisodinic acid (VII), which is the side chain of (-)anisodine, was determined by chemical correlation with (R) (-)-2-phenyl-1, 2-propanediol (IV) and (R) (-)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylpropionic acid (VI). Thereby (-)anisodine with the absolute configuration shown as (I) is 6 beta, 7 beta-epoxy-1 alpha H, 5 alpha H-tropan-3 alpha-ol (S) 2'-phenyl-2', 3'-dihydroxypropionate. Two new tropane alkaloids; 6 beta, 7 beta-epoxy-1 alpha H, 5 alpha H-tropan-3 alpha-ol 2',3'-epoxypropionate (III) and 2'-phenyl-2'-hydroxypropionate (V) were prepared and its physical constant is reported in this paper.