Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C correlates with lymph node micrometastasis in submucosal esophageal cancer

Decreased adiposity and enhanced glucose tolerance in shikonin treated mice

OBJECTIVE

Obesity represents a major public health problem, and identifying natural compounds that modulate energy balance and glucose homeostasis is of interest for combating obesity and its associated disorders. The naphthoquinone shikonin has diverse beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial effects. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of shikonin on adiposity and glucose homeostasis.

METHODS

The metabolic effects of shikonin treatment on mice fed regular chow or challenged with a high-fat diet (HFD) were determined.

RESULTS

Shikonin treated mice fed regular chow exhibited improved glucose tolerance compared with controls. In addition, shikonin treated mice fed HFD displayed decreased weight gain and resistance to HFD-induced glucose intolerance. Further, shikonin treatment decreased HFD-induced hepatic dyslipidemia. These findings correlated with enhanced hepatic insulin signaling in shikonin treated mice as evidenced by increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and enhanced downstream signaling.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies identify shikonin as a potential regulator of systemic glucose tolerance, energy balance, and adiposity in vivo.

HILIC quantification of oenotheralanosterol A and B from Oenothera biennis and their suppression of IL-6 and TNF-α expression in mouse macrophages

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) is a wild medicinal herb of Central American origin that is now globally widespread. Its traditional uses include treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and premenopausal pain both of which have an inflammatory component. The present study demonstrates the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of three Oenothera biennis compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Oenotheralanosterol A and B (Oen-A & Oen-B) along with gallic acid (GA) were isolated and characterized using column chromatography and NMR. The compounds were tested with LPS stimulated peritoneal mouse macrophages assaying for suppression of IL-6, TNF-α and NO synthesis. An HILIC method for the simultaneous quantitation of GA, Oen-A, and Oen-B in Oenothera biennis plant material was also developed as a means of monitoring quality of plant material.

RESULTS

Significant inhibition of TNF-α and IL-6 by GA, Oen-A and Oen-B was observed (p<0.05). Inhibition was concentration dependent and no synergistic or antagonistic effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines was found when used in combination (1:1) (p>0.05). The HILIC analysis method was validated using Oenothera biennis root.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates the anti-inflammatory activity of Oenothera biennis root compounds and supports its traditional use in arthritis management. Active anti-inflammatory compounds were identified and quantified by the HILIC method.

Effect of ethanolic extract of Premna corymbosa (Burm. f.) Rottl. & Willd. leaves in complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in Wistar albino rats

Premna corymbosa (Burm.f.) Rottl. & Willd. (Verbenaceae) is a small tree used in traditional medicine for rheumatic disorders and it is the one of the ingredient in many ayurvedic preparations available in the market for inflammatory disorder uses. The aim of this work was to evaluate the acute toxicity and anti-arthritic activity of P. corymbosa ethanolic extract (PCEE) in experimental animals. In the acute toxicity study, a single dose of PCEE, 2000 mg kg(-1) body weight p.o., was administered. The animals observed for 48 h showed no clinical signs, no mortality, and the extract was found to be safe. To evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of PCEE in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats were conducted. The results indicated that the long-term treatment significantly (p < .01) suppressed the development of chronic arthritis induced by CFA. This study established the anti-arthritic activity of P. corymbosa leaves.

Comparison of protective effects of compound ammonium glycyrrhetate and magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate on D-galactosamine- and carbon tetrachloride-injured human hepatocytes

AIM: To compare the protective effects of compound ammonium glycyrrhetate (CAG) and magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MI) on D-galactosamine (D-GalN)- and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-injured human hepatocytes (L-02).

METHODS: After L-02 cells were treated with CAG and MI, respectively, they were incubated with CCl4 or D-GalN to induce cell injury. Cell growth was observed under an inverted microscope. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the content of glutathione (GSH) in culture supernatants were determined.

RESULTS: At a concentration of 1 g/L, both CAG and MI could improve the survival rate of cells, significantly inhibit D-GalN- and CCl₄-induced release of AST and LDH and intracellular GSH depletion, and increase D-GalN- and CCl₄-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Both of the CAG and MI can inhibit D-GalN and CCl₄-induced release of AST and LDH and intracellular GSH depletion (CCl₄: 7.59 ± 1.27, 5.23 ± 0.70 vs 3.33 ± 0.40; D-GalN: 7.93 ± 0.36, 5.40 ± 0.52vs 3.77 ± 0.45, P < 0.01 or 0.05).

CONCLUSION: At a concentration of 1 g/L, both CAG and MI can exert protective effects on D-GalN and CCl4-injured human hepatocytes perhaps via a mechanism that is associated with improving intracellular GSH depletion. CAG is superior to MI in protecting injured L-02 hepatocytes.