Anti-nociceptive and anti-hyperprolactinemia activities of Fructus Viticis and its effective fractions and chemical constituents

Role of herbal medicine for prevention and treatment of migraine

Migraine is a disabling neurovascular disease with unilateral or bilateral pulsatile headache, which intensively affects human health and quality of life due to high morbidity worldwide. Migraine is commonly accompanied by abnormal pain sensitization, neuroinflammatory response, and vasomotor dysfunction. Owing to the management dilemmas of migraine, there is an urgent need to develop effective and low-cost therapies. In recent years, herbal medicines as a promising strategy with analgesic activity and minor side effect, have been proposed for the prevention and treatment of migraine. Considering the lack of a review integrating experimental studies regarding the herbal treatment of migraine, this review systematically summarizes the important potential applications of herbal medicines in ameliorating migraine via multiple therapeutic targets and pathways, as well as provides a reference for further development of novel antimigraine drugs.

The network pharmacology integrated with pharmacokinetics to clarify the pharmacological mechanism of absorbed components from Viticis fructus extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Viticis fructus (VF) has been widely used in alleviating the swelling and pain, owning to its pharmacologically active components including agnuside, 10-O-vanilloylaucubin, luteolin and casticin.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The pharmacokinetic profiles of the absorbed components from aqueous and ethanolic extracts of VF in rat plasma were performed, and explored the molecular mechanisms of absorbed components via network pharmacology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-MS/MS) was employed to identify the absorbed components from rat plasma. Liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate was used to purify the plasma samples. Plasma pharmacokinetics parameters of the components absorbed were analyzed after oral administration of both extracts. Network pharmacology was used to predict the biological functions and potential signaling pathways of VF. The anti-cancer effects of VF extract and absorbed components have been confirmed by in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

The method was very sensitive with lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 1.0, 2.5, 0.2 and 0.5 ng/mL for agnuside, 10-O-vanilloylaucubin, luteolin and casticin, respectively. With the exception of 10-O-vanilloylaucubin which was not detected in the ethanolic extract of VF, all other components were detected in both extracts in plasma. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the four components from rat plasma were significantly different between the two extracts. According to the results of network pharmacology, the absorption components of VF are enriched in 32 key pathways, and 15 pathways are related to cancer. Ultimately, the anti-cancer effects, as well as the signaling pathways of VF ethanolic extract and absorbed components were verified by in vitro experiments.

CONCLUSION

The optimized, sensitive and validated UHPLC-MS/MS method was successfully applied for the plasma pharmacokinetics comparison analysis of the two VF extracts. The combination of network pharmacology and pharmacokinetics provides a useful method to elucidate the biological effects and molecular mechanism of the absorbed components of VF.

Improved Storage Properties and Cellular Uptake of Casticin-Loaded Nanoemulsions Stabilized by Whey Protein-Lactose Conjugate

Casticin has wide-ranging functional activities, but its water solubility is poor in food products. Here, a nanoemulsion stabilized by Maillard whey protein isolate conjugates (MWPI) was fabricated to encapsulate casticin. The nanoemulsion, with an average diameter of 200 nm, possessed the capability to load 700 μg/g casticin. MWPI-stabilized nanoemulsion showed better stability than that of the WPI nanoemulsion during 4 weeks of storage. Both the inhibition effects of the casticin-loaded nanoemulsion on cancer cells and the process of cellular uptake were studied. Results revealed that the casticin-loaded nanoemulsion had better inhibitory activity in HepG2 and MCF-7 cells than free casticin. Cellular uptake of the nanoemulsion displayed a time-dependent manner. After the nanoemulsion passed into HepG2 and MCF-7 cells, it would locate in the lysosome but not in the nucleus. The main pathway for the nanoemulsion to enter HepG2 cells was pinocytosis, whereas, it entered MCF-7 predominantly through the clathrin-mediated pit. This work implies that MWPI-stabilized nanoemulsions could be utilized as an effective delivery system to load casticin and have the potential to be applied in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Stevia Genus: Phytochemistry and Biological Activities Update

The Stevia genus (Asteraceae) comprises around 230 species, distributed from the southern United States to the South American Andean region. Stevia rebaudiana, a Paraguayan herb that produces an intensely sweet diterpene glycoside called stevioside, is the most relevant member of this genus. Apart from S. rebaudiana, many other species belonging to the Stevia genus are considered medicinal and have been popularly used to treat different ailments. The members from this genus produce sesquiterpene lactones, diterpenes, longipinanes, and flavonoids as the main types of phytochemicals. Many pharmacological activities have been described for Stevia extracts and isolated compounds, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities being the most frequently mentioned. This review aims to present an update of the Stevia genus covering ethnobotanical aspects and traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of the extracts and isolated compounds.

Casticin ameliorates scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The fruit of Vitex rotundifolia L. (Verbenaceae) has been used in traditional medicine as sedative or analgesic agent for headache. Recent population-based cohort studies have shown that headache including migraines is a risk factor for dementia. Thus, the fruit of V. rotundifolia may be useful for treating cognitive dysfunction observed in dementia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We had previously found that the ethanolic extract of the fruit of V. rotundifolia ameliorated cognitive dysfunction and isolated casticin as an active compound. In the present study, we studied the effect of casticin on a mouse model of cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were treated with the ethanolic extract of the fruit of V. rotundifolia (EEVR; 30, 100 or 300 mg/kg, p.o.) or casticin (0.3, 1 or 3 mg/kg, p.o.). We examined the effect of casticin or EEVR using the passive avoidance test, the Morris water maze test and the novel object recognition test. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was used to induce cognitive impairment by blocking cholinergic neurotransmitter system. We investigated the effects of casticin on acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity and the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), and the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

RESULTS

EEVR (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly ameliorated the latency in the passive avoidance test, and casticin (1 and 3 mg/kg, p.o.) also significantly improved the latency in the passive avoidance test, novel object preference in the novel object recognition test, and swimming time in the target quadrant of the Morris water maze test. Casticin also decreased AChE activity in ex vivo analysis and increased the phosphorylation levels of memory-related signaling molecules, such as ERK, CREB and BDNF in the cortex.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that casticin ameliorates cholinergic blockade-induced cognitive impairment, in part, through the inhibition of AChE and the activation of the ERK-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway. Taken together, the results suggest that casticin may be useful for treating the cognitive dysfunction observed during cholinergic impairment.

Combinational treatment of 5-fluorouracil and casticin induces apoptosis in mouse leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro

Leukemia is one of the major diseases causing cancer-related deaths in the young population, and its cure rate is unsatisfying with side effects on patients. Fluorouracil (5-FU) is currently used as an anticancer drug for leukemia patients. Casticin, a natural polymethoxyflavone, exerts anticancer activity against many human cancer cell lines in vitro, but no other reports show 5-FU combined with casticin increased the mouse leukemia cell apoptosis in vitro. Herein, the antileukemia activity of 5-FU combined with casticin in WEHI-3 mouse leukemia cells was investigated in vitro. Treatment of two-drug combination had a higher decrease in cell viability and a higher increase in apoptotic cell death, the level of DNA condensation, and the length of comet tail than that of 5-FU or casticin treatment alone in WEHI-3 cells. In addition, the two-drug combination has a greater production rate of reactive oxygen species but a lower level of Ca²⁺ release and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m ) than that of 5-FU alone. Combined drugs also induced higher caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities than that of casticin alone and higher caspase-9 activity than that of 5-FU or casticin alone at 48 hours treatment. Furthermore, 5-FU combined with casticin has a higher expression of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD [Cu/Zn]) and lower catalase than that of 5-FU or casticin treatment alone. The combined treatment has higher levels of Bax, Endo G, and cytochrome C of proapoptotic proteins than that of casticin alone and induced lower levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) and BCL-X of antiapoptotic proteins than that of 5-FU or casticin only. Furthermore, the combined treatment had a higher expression of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) than that of casticin only. Based on these findings, we may suggest that 5-FU combined with casticin treatment increased apoptotic cell death in WEHI-3 mouse leukemia cells that may undergo mitochondria and caspases signaling pathways in vitro.

Iridoids isolated from Viticis Fructus inhibit paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia in mice

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) manifests as mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia, and is one of the main adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Currently available therapeutic drugs are not sufficiently effective for the management of this adverse effect in the clinic. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic agents for treating CIPN is necessary. Our previous study suggested the potential of aucubin and pedicularis-lactone (1) as active compounds responsible for the anti-allodynic property of Plantaginis Semen. However, the activity of purified 1 has not been evaluated due to its low content in Plantaginis Semen. In the present study, 1 was isolated from Viticis Fructus, as well as viteoid I (2) and viteoid II (3) during the process of isolation. The purities of isolated 1, 2, and 3 were determined as 67.15%, 92.12%, and 86.72%, respectively, by quantitative ¹H-NMR, using DSS-d₆ as an internal standard. Repeated daily oral administration of these three iridoids at a dose of 15 mg/kg significantly inhibited the PTX-induced mechanical allodynia in mice, suggesting the anti-allodynic activities of 1, 2, and 3. This study provides confirmatory evidence for the anti-allodynic activity of purified 1 and also reveals two additional active iridoids from Viticis Fructus. These three iridoids could be potential candidates for the treatment of CIPN.

Comprehensive identification of Vitex trifolia fruit and its five adulterants by comparison of micromorphological, microscopic characteristics, and chemical profiles

Prevention against the adulteration of traditional Chinese medicine in an accurate way has been long exploring. Vitex trifolia fruit (VTF), as a widely used analgesic in East Asia, has frequently been found to be adulterated with five adulterants, namely Vitex cannabifolia fruit (VCF) (Fam. Verbenaceae), Vitex negundo fruit (VNF) (Fam. Verbenaceae), Piper cubeba fruit (PCF) (Fam. Lauraceae), Euphorbia lathyris seed (ELS) (Fam. Euphorbiaceae), and Vaccinium bracteatum fruit (VBF) (Fam. Ericaceae). In this study, the methods of micromorphological identification, microscopic identification, and chemical analysis were combined to distinguish VTF from its five adulterants comprehensively. As a result, the micromorphological features in terms of fruit or seed epidermis were photographed by stereomicroscopy firstly. Secondly, the microscopic characteristics of various herb powders were captured under light microscopy. Thirdly, 33 nonvolatile components and 124 volatile components in VTF were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Orbitrap-MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography hyphenated with mass spectrometry (GC × GC-MS), respectively. Furthermore, betulinic acid, persicogenin, and the volatile 4-(2,2,6-trimethyl-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-1-yl)-butan-2-one were screened out to be the specific markers of VTF distinctive from the adulterants. Collectively, VTF and its five adulterants were distinguished successfully by the comparison of micromorphological, microscopic characteristics, and chemical profiles.

The high-efficient production of phelligridin LA by Inonotus baumii with an integrated fermentation-separation process

The phelligridin LA was one of the valuable metabolites synthesized by the medicinal fungus Sanghuang in liquid fermentation. In the improvement of PLA productivity by fermentation, we investigated the optimal conditions for the efficient separation of PLA from the fermentation broth with a chromatographic column packed with the macroporous resin ADS-17. Based on the findings, we further developed an integrated bioreactor system that coupled the fermentation and separation of PLA. Fermentation experiments with the bioreactor system testified the performance of our design in fortification of the PLA production: an improvement of PLA production by 2.14 folds was successfully achieved due to the prompt removal of the PLA, while the formation of hyphae biomass was not affected. Also, the integrated system could afford a simultaneous purification of PLA to a purity of 92.95% with a recovery of 84.3%, which was comparable to that of the PLA purified with an additional process (97.53%), at a reasonable recovery. This study provided a feasible approach for the improved production of PLA by fermentation. Besides, the design of the integrated bioreactor system offered a useful reference for the fermentation process development of fungi for the production of diverse valuable metabolites.

Fructus Viticis methanolic extract attenuates trigeminal hyperalgesia in migraine by regulating injury signal transmission

Migraine, characterized by hyperalgesia of the trigeminovascular system, is a severe condition that leads to severe reductions in the quality of life. Upon external stimulation, the levels of various neurotransmitters, including aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), γ-amino butyric acid (GABA), norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), are significantly altered; this directly or indirectly promotes trigeminal hypersensitivity. Fructus Viticis is a Traditional Chinese Medicine with analgesic properties to provide efficient relief of migraine. In the present study, the underlying mechanisms of the analgesic effect of Fructus Viticis methanolic extract were assessed in rats with nitroglycerin-induced migraine. The plasma levels of the neurotransmitters calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP), as well as the amount of c-fos immunoreactive cells (c-fos IR cells) in the brain, were detected. The analgesic effect was obvious, as Fructus Viticis methanolic extract ameliorated migraine-like behaviours in nitroglycerin-induced rats. The levels of 5-HT, GABA and NE in the brain of migraine model rats was lower compared with that of control rats, whereas opposite observations were made in the contents of excitatory amino acids. Pre-treatment with Fructus Viticis methanolic extract elevated the levels of 5-HT, GABA and NE, and also lowered the levels of excitatory amino acids, including Glu and Asp. In addition, treatment with Fructus Viticis methanolic extract lowered the plasma levels of CGRP and SP and decreased the c-fos IR cells in the brainstem. The present study provided a further scientific basis for the anti-migraine effects of Fructus Viticis.

A Beta/ZSM-22 Zeolites-Based-Mixed Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion Method for the Simultaneous Extraction and Determination of Eight Compounds with Different Polarities in Viticis Fructus by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Viticis Fructus (VF) was named Manjingzi as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) targeting various pains and inflammation for more than 2000 years. To guarantee the quality of Viticis Fructus, a simple, quick and eco-friendly Beta/ZSM-22 zeolites-based-mixed matrix solid-phase dispersion method (B/Z-MMSPD) was established for simultaneous extraction and determination of eight compounds (two phenolic acids, two iridoid glycosides, vanillin and three flavonoids) with different polarities from Viticis Fructus by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Beta and ZSM-22 were mixed as the sorbent. Water, tetrahydrofuran and methanol were blended with certain ratio as the eluent. Several parameters including types of sorbents, mass ratio of Beta to ZSM-22, mass ratio of matrix to sorbent, grinding time, types, concentration and volume of eluent were optimized. The recoveries of eight analytes were within the range of 95.0%–105% (RSDs ≤ 4.13%). The limits of detection and limits of quantitation ranged from 0.5 to 5.5 μg/g and from 1.5 to 16 μg/g, respectively. Compared to the traditional extract methods, it was a simple, rapid, efficient and green method. The results demonstrated that a simple, rapid, efficient and green B/Z-MMSPD was developed for the simultaneous extraction and determination of eight target analytes with different polarities for quality control of Viticis Fructus.

Casticin inhibits esophageal cancer cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial apoptotic and JNK signaling pathways

Casticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex species, has been found to have anti-tumor property in multiple human cancers. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of casticin on the proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal cancer (EC) cells, and further illustrate the underlying mechanisms. In in vitro studies, human EC cell lines TE-1 and ECA-109 were treated with various concentrations of casticin (low-, middle-, and high-dose groups). The results showed that casticin dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation and clonogenicity of EC cells and induced cell cycle arrest in sub-G1 and G2 phases. Furthermore, casticin markedly enhanced EC cell apoptosis as detected by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining. The level of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein was decreased, while the levels of pro-apoptotic Bax, cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, and cleaved-PARP were conversely increased in casticin-treated TE-1 and ECA-109 cells. Moreover, casticin decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and increased the release of mitochondrial cytochrome C into cytoplasm. In addition, the JNK signaling pathway was involved in casticin-medicated anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis. Cells pretreated with SP600125, a JNK pathway inhibitor, partially abolished the effect of casticin. Finally, the anti-tumor property of casticin was confirmed in in vivo xenograft models. Overall, we provided both in vitro and in vivo evidences that casticin inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of EC cells, and the anti-tumor action of casticin was mediated, in part, by the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis and the activation of JNK signaling pathway.

Herbal fertility treatments used in North America from colonial times to 1900, and their potential for improving the success rate of assisted reproductive technology

This paper serves to fill a gap in the literature regarding evidence for the use of botanical remedies in the promotion of fertility. It examines the botanical remedies that were used in North America (1492-1900) for all stages of reproduction from preconception to birth, and discusses their potential for future use with present-day infertility treatments. Each medicinal plant discussed in this paper is assessed using an ethnomedicinal methodology that entails examining the published ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological data. A few clinical trials have shown that there is potential for medicinal plants to improve the success rate of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment if used in an integrated manner, similar to the integrated use of traditional Chinese medicine with ART treatment. For example, research has shown that older women who become pregnant have a high miscarriage rate, and this is one area that complementary and alternative medicines can address.

Casticin from Vitex species: a short review on its anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties

This short review provides an update of the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of casticin from Vitex species. Casticin is a polymethylflavone with three rings, an orthocatechol moiety, a double bond, two hydroxyl groups and four methoxyl groups. Casticin has been isolated from various tissues of plants in the Vitex genus: fruits and leaves of V. trifolia, aerial parts and seeds of V. agnus-castus and leaves of V. negundo. Studies have reported the antiproliferative and apoptotic activities of casticin from Vitex species. The compound is effective against many cancer cell lines via different molecular mechanisms. Studies have also affirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of casticin, with several molecular mechanisms identified. Other pharmacological properties include anti-asthmatic, tracheospasmolytic, analgesic, antihyperprolactinemia, immunomodulatory, opioidergic, oestrogenic, anti-angiogenic, antiglioma, lung injury protection, rheumatoid arthritis amelioration and liver fibrosis attenuation activities. Clinical trials and commercial use of the casticin-rich fruit extract of V. agnus-castus among women with premenstrual syndrome were briefly discussed.

Vitex rotundifolia Fruit Suppresses the Proliferation of Human Colorectal Cancer Cells through Down-regulation of Cyclin D1 and CDK4 via Proteasomal-Dependent Degradation and Transcriptional Inhibition

Viticis Fructus (VF) as the dried fruit from Vitex rotundifolia L. used as a traditional medicine for treating inflammation, headache, migraine, chronic bronchitis, eye pain, and gastrointestinal infections has been reported to have antiproliferative effects against various cancer cells, including breast, lung and colorectal cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms by which VF mediates the inhibitory effect of the proliferation of cancer cells have not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of VF on the down-regulation of cyclin D1 and CDK4 level associated with cancer cell proliferation. VF suppressed the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cell lines such as HCT116 and SW480. VF induced decrease in cyclin D1 and CDK4 in both protein and mRNA levels. However, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and CDK4 were decreased by VF at an earlier time than the change of mRNA levels; rather it suppressed the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK4 via the proteasomal degradation. In cyclin D1 and CDK4 degradation, we found that Thr286 phosphorylation of cyclin D1 plays a pivotal role in VF-mediated cyclin D1 degradation. Subsequent experiments with several kinase inhibitors suggest that VF-mediated degradation of cyclin D1 may be dependent on GSK3[Formula: see text] and VF-mediated degradation of CDK4 is dependent on ERK1/2, p38 and GSK3[Formula: see text]. In the transcriptional regulation of cyclin D1 and CDK4, we found that VF inhibited Wnt activation associated with cyclin D1 transcriptional regulation through TCF4 down-regulation. In addition, VF treatment down-regulated c-myc expression associated CDK4 transcriptional regulation. Our results suggest that VF has potential to be a candidate for the development of chemoprevention or therapeutic agents for human colorectal cancer.

SRVF, a novel herbal formula including Scrophulariae Radix and Viticis Fructus, disrupts focal adhesion and causes detachment-induced apoptosis in malignant cancer cells

When cells lose adhesion, they undergo detachment-induced apoptosis, known as anoikis. In contrast, tumor cells acquire resistance to anoikis, enabling them to survive, even after separating from neighboring cells or the ECM. Therefore, agents that restore anoikis sensitivity may serve as anti-cancer candidates. In this study, we constructed a novel herbal formula, SRVF, which contains Scrophulariae Radix (SR) and Viticis Fructus (VF). SRVF rapidly decreased cell adhesion, altered the cell morphology to round, and induced cell death; however, SR, VF, or their co-treatment did not. SRVF arrested HT1080 cells in G₂/M phase, increased the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins, and decreased the levels of anti-apoptotic proteins. Furthermore, SRVF efficiently reduced cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions by disrupting the F-actin cytoskeleton and down-regulating the levels of focal adhesion-related proteins, suggesting that SRVF efficiently triggers detachment-induced apoptosis (i.e., anoikis) in malignant cancer cells. In xenograft mouse models, daily oral administration of 50 or 100 mg/kg SRVF retarded tumor growth in vivo, and repeated administration of SRVF did not cause systemic toxicity in normal mice. These data collectively indicate that SRVF induces cancer cell death by restoring anoikis sensitivity via disrupting focal adhesion. Therefore, SRVF may be a safe and potent anti-cancer herbal decoction.

Vitex rotundifolia Fruit Extract Induces Apoptosis Through the Downregulation of ATF3-Mediated Bcl-2 Expression in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Fruit from Vitex rotundifolia L. (VF) has been reported to initiate apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells through the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Since various regulatory factors are involved in the apoptotic pathway, further study of the potential mechanisms of VF associated with the induction of apoptosis may be important despite the fact that the molecular target of VF for apoptosis has already been elucidated. In this study, we showed a new potential mechanism for the relationship between VF-mediated ATF3 expression and apoptosis to better understand the apoptotic mechanism of VF in human colorectal cancer cells. VF reduced the cell viability and induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. VF treatment increased both the protein and mRNA level of ATF3 and upregulated ATF3 promoter activity. The cis-element responsible for ATF3 transcriptional activation by VF was CREB which is located between [Formula: see text]147 to [Formula: see text]85 of ATF3 promoter. Inhibitions of ERK1/2, p38, JNK and GSK3[Formula: see text] blocked VF-mediated ATF3 expression. ATF3 knockdown by ATF3 siRNA attenuated the cleavage of PARP by VF, while ATF3 overexpression increased VF-mediated cleaved PARP. ATF3 knockdown also attenuated VF-mediated cell viability and cell death. In addition, VF downregulated Bcl-2 expression at both protein and mRNA level. ATF3 knockdown by ATF3 siRNA blocked VF-mediated downregulation of Bcl-2. In conclusion, VF may activate ATF3 expression through transcriptional regulation and subsequently suppress Bcl-2 expression as an anti-apoptotic protein, which may result in the induction of apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells.

Anti-inflammatory constituents from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia

Three new diterpenes (7, 15 and 17) and two new neolignans (19 and 20) along with nineteen known compounds have been isolated from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR, HRESI-MS, and CD data. All isolates were tested for their inhibitory activities on LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells. Of these, compounds 3, 4, 7, 13, 15, 19, and 24 found to inhibit nitric oxide production with the IC50 values ranging from 11.3 to 24.5μM.

Vitex rotundifolia L. prevented airway eosinophilic inflammation and airway remodeling in an ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model

Vitex rotundifolia L. (VR) as long been used in China and Korea in traditional medicine. This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of Vitex rotundifolia L. to prevent airway inflammation and remodeling in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model. The total cell number and number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were counted. The levels of cytokines in the BAL fluid and serum IgE levels were measured using an ELISA. For histological analysis, hematoxylin and eosin staining, periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunohistochemistry were evaluated. The release of total cells into the BAL fluid was significantly inhibited in OVA-induced asthmatic mice treated with VR extract. In addition, eosinophilia and lymphocytosis were reduced significantly in mice that received VR extract. Furthermore, levels of the T(h)2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 and pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in the BAL fluid and total IgE in serum were markedly suppressed by VR extract. OVA-specific IgE in the serum and IL-13 in the BAL fluid were decreased, but not significantly. The allergic effects of VR extract were accompanied by a reduction in airway hyperresponsiveness. Additionally, morphologic findings demonstrated that VR extract substantially inhibited OVA-induced eosinophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia and smooth muscle mass production. This finding suggests that VR extract may have pharmacological effects that would be useful for the treatment of asthma via the inhibition of the T(h)2 response and airway remodeling.

A review of traditional remedies of ciguatera fish poisoning in the Pacific

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is an illness caused by eating tropical coral fish contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs). The clinical management of patients with CFP is generally supportive and symptomatic in nature as no antidote exists. Of the many drugs prescribed, several have been claimed to be efficient in small, uncontrolled studies, but the outcomes of treatments with these medicines are often contradictory. In New Caledonia, traditional remedies are commonly employed in the treatment of CFP and of the 90 plant species catalogued as useful in CFP, the most popular herbal remedy by far is a decoction prepared from the leaves of Heliotropium foertherianum Diane & Hilger (Boraginaceae). Other important plants used in the treatment of CFP include Euphorbia hirta L. (Euphorbiaceae) and Vitex L. sp. (Lamiaceae). This review focuses on the evidence for efficacy of these species and pharmacological studies which support their use. Other plants used in CFP and the conventional treatment of CFP are also discussed briefly.

Quantitative determination and pharmacokinetic study of casticin in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A specific and sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for identification and quantification of casticin in rat plasma after oral and intravenous administrations. Kaempferol was employed as an internal standard (IS). Liquid-liquid extraction using dichloromethane was applied to extract the casticin and the internal standard from plasma. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Zorbax SB C(18) column (100 mm × 3.0 mm, i.d.: 3.5 μm) with a mobile phase of methanol: 0.05% formic acid aqueous solution (60:40, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min for 10 min. The detection was performed by selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode via positive electrospray ionization (ESI) interface. The lower limit of detection (LLOD) was 7 ng/mL (S/N=5). The calibration curves were linear (r>0.9996) over the concentration range from 14.06 to 7187 ng/mL. Intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD%) were within 10% and accuracy (RE%) ranged from -8.2% to 1.0%. The extraction recovery at three quality control (QC) concentrations ranged from 91% to 102%. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of casticin after both an oral and an intravenous administrations to rats and the absolute bioavailability is 45.5 ± 11.0%.

Casticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex rotundifolia, inhibits prolactin release in vivo and in vitro

AIM

to investigate the anti-hyperprolactinemia activity of casticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex rotundifolia, and elucidate its molecular mechanism.

METHODS

hyperprolactinemia (MIHP) was induced by administration of metoclopramide dihydrochloride (50 mg/kg, tid, ip, for 10 d) in SD rats and the primary pituitary cells were prepared from the pituitary glands of the SD rats. Prolactin concentrations were measured using a radioimmunoassay. Cell viability was measured using an MTT assay. The mRNA expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta in rat pituitary cells was measured using semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis.

RESULTS

the level of serum prolactin in the MIHP model group was 2.1 fold higher than that in the untreated control group (P<0.01). Casticin (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, ip, for 7 d) reduced serum prolactin levels by 33.9%, 54.3%, and 64.7%, respectively (P<0.01). The positive control drug bromocriptine 1 mg/kg decreased the serum prolactin concentration in MIHP rats by 44.9%. 17β-Estradiol (E2) significantly increased the proliferation of pituitary cells and casticin (1 and 10 micromol/L) markedly inhibited E2-induced pituitary cell proliferation by 27.7% and 42.1%, respectively. Stimulation of pituitary cells with E2 increased prolactin secretion into the cell culture supernatants, and casticin (0.1, 1, and 10 micromol/L) significantly inhibited the prolactin release stimulated by E2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Casticin (1 and 10 micromol/L) significantly inhibited ERα mRNA expression in pituitary cells stimulated with E2 (P<0.01) but increased ERβ mRNA expression at a concentration of 10 micromol/L (P<0.01). However, casticin had no effects on proliferation and prolectin release of the unstimulated primary pituitary cells in vitro.

CONCLUSION

casticin inhibited the release of prolactin from pituitary cells of SD rats stimulated with E2 in vivo and in vitro. These effects might be related with inhibiting the ERα mRNA expression and increasing the ERβ mRNA expression.