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Xiao SJ, Xu XK, Chen W, Xin JY, Yuan WL, Zu XP, Shen YH. Traditional Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus: botany, traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2023; 13:6. [PMID: 36790599 PMCID: PMC9931992 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-023-00369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Euodiae Fructus, referred to as "Wuzhuyu" in Chinese, has been used as local and traditional herbal medicines in many regions, especially in China, Japan and Korea, for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, headache, emesis, aphtha, dermatophytosis, dysentery, etc. Substantial investigations into their chemical and pharmacological properties have been performed. Recently, interest in this plant has been focused on the different structural types of alkaloids like evodiamine, rutaecarpine, dehydroevodiamine and 1-methyl-2-undecyl-4(1H)-quinolone, which exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities in preclinical models, such as anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cardiovascular disease, etc. This review summarizes the up-to-date and comprehensive information concerning the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology of Euodiae Fructus together with the toxicology and quality control, and discusses the possible direction and scope for future research on this plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Jia Xiao
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, No. 325 Guohe Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xi-Ke Xu
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, No. 325 Guohe Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, No. 325 Guohe Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jia-Yun Xin
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Wen-Lin Yuan
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, No. 325 Guohe Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xian-Peng Zu
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, No. 325 Guohe Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Yun-Heng Shen
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, No. 325 Guohe Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Zhao Z, He X, Han W, Chen X, Liu P, Zhao X, Wang X, Zhang L, Wu S, Zheng X. Genus Tetradium L.: A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 231:337-354. [PMID: 30472402 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The dried fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum is frequently utilized as a common traditional medicine in China, Japan and Korea. It has been widely used for the treatment of various diseases such as headache, menorrhalgia, dermatophytosis, celialgia, emesis and aphtha and so on. AIM OF THIS REVIEW Despite the wide biological activities of Tetradium plants, there is no current review summarizing medicinal properties of the genus of plants; thus, this review aims to systematically summarize studies on botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemical ingredients, quality control, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological activities and toxicity of Tetradium species to demonstrate their therapeutic capacity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Information and materials related to Tetradium species were obtained from scientific databases such as Google Scholar, Wikipedia, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, ACS Publications, SciFinder. Information was also gathered from International Plant Names Index, Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Traditional Chinese Medicine classics, etc. All studies of this genus were included in this review until July 2018. RESULTS Tetradium is widely assessed regarding its phytochemistry and biological activities. Approximately 131 chemical compounds, including alkaloids, saponins, phenols and other compounds, have been isolated from Tetradium plants. Among these components, alkaloid evodiamine is the most representative active ingredients of Tetradium plants. These compounds isolated from Tetradium plants exhibit a wide range of biological activities in vitro and in vivo including antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, insecticide, cardioprotective and lipid-lowering, treating CNS disorders, digestive system regulation and endocrine system improving activities. Furthermore, alkaloids could be used as markers for quality identification and evaluation of medicinal materials and their preparations. Information on evaluating the safety and pharmacokinetics of Tetradium often focuses on the alkaloids, thus further study and clinical data are required to enable the drug safety of the utilization of Tetradium plants. CONCLUSIONS Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of Tetradium plants have proved Tetradium plants are important medicinal herb resource. However, well-designed randomized clinical trials are necessary to confirm the therapeutic benefits of this genus in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zefeng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Xirui He
- Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Nanguo Road, Xi'an 710054, China
| | - Wei Han
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Xufei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Peiliang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Nanguo Road, Xi'an 710054, China
| | - Shaoping Wu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi'an 710069, China.
| | - Xiaohui Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi'an 710069, China.
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Protective effects of evodiamine in experimental paradigm of Alzheimer's disease. Cogn Neurodyn 2018; 12:303-313. [PMID: 29765479 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-017-9471-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Evodiamine, a major component of Evodia rutaecarpa, has been reported to possess various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative stress, and neuroprotective effects. Our previous study has shown that the potential effects of evodiamine on the learning and memory impairments in the transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study was designed to investigate neuroprotective mechanism and therapeutic potential of evodiamine against intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (ICV-STZ)-induced experimental sporadic Alzheimer's disease in mice. STZ was injected twice intracerebroventrically (3 mg/kg ICV) on alternate days (day 1 and day 3) in mice. Daily oral administration with evodiamine (50 or 100 mg/kg per day) starting from the first dose of STZ for 21 days showed an improvement in STZ induced cognitive deficits as assessed by novel object recognition and Morris water maze test. Evodiamine significantly decreased STZ induced elevation in acetylcholinesterase activity and malondialdehyde level, and significantly increased STZ induced reduction in glutathione activities and superoxide dismutase activities in the hippocampus compared to control. Furthermore, evodiamine inhibited significantly glial cell activation and neuroinflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels) in the hippocampus. Moreover, evodiamine increased the activity of AKT/GSK-3β signalling pathway and inhibited the activity of nuclear factor κB. In summary, our study suggests that evodiamine can be a novel therapeutic agent for the management of sporadic AD.
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Liao W, Li B, Li L, Yan L, Wang Z, An X, Zhao J. Erk1/2, CDK8, Src and Ck1e Mediate <i>Evodia rutaecarpa</i> Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice. Chin Med 2015. [DOI: 10.4236/cm.2015.62011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Zhao T, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Zhang L, Bai X, Zhang J, Zhao X, Chen L, Wang L, Cui L. Pretreatment by evodiamine is neuroprotective in cerebral ischemia: up-regulated pAkt, pGSK3β, down-regulated NF-κB expression, and ameliorated BBB permeability. Neurochem Res 2014; 39:1612-20. [PMID: 24919817 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-014-1356-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory damage plays an important role in cerebral ischemic pathogenesis and may represent a target for treatment. Evodiamine (Evo) has been proved to elicit a variety of biological effects through its anti-inflammatory property in the treatment of infectious disease, Alzheimer's disease and hypoxia-induced inflammatory response. Whether this protective effect applies to cerebral ischemic injury, we therefore investigated the potential neuroprotective role of Evo and the underlying mechanisms. Male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) and randomly divided into five groups: Sham (sham-operated + 1% DMSO + 0.5% tween80), pMCAO (pMCAO + 0.9% saline), Vehicle (pMCAO + 1% DMSO + 0.5% tween80), Evo-L (Vehicle + Evo 50 mg/kg) and Evo-H (Vehicle + Evo 100 mg/kg) groups. Evo was administered intragastrically twice daily for 3 days, and once again 30 min before mouse brain ischemia was induced by pMCAO. Neurological deficit, brain water content and infarct size were measured at 24 h after stroke. The expression of pAkt, pGSK3β, NF-κB and claudin-5 in ischemic cerebral cortex was analyzed by western blot and qRT-PCR. Compared with Vehicle group, Evo significantly ameliorated neurological deficit, brain water content and infarct size, upregulated the expression of pAkt, pGSK3β and claudin-5, and downregulated the nuclear accumulation of NF-κB (P < 0.05). Evo protected the brain from ischemic damage caused by pMCAO; this effect may be through upregulation of pAkt, pGSK3β and claudin-5, and downregulation of NF-κB expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Hepingxi Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, People's Republic of China
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Chiou WF, Ko HC, Wei BL. Evodia rutaecarpa and Three Major Alkaloids Abrogate Influenza A Virus (H1N1)-Induced Chemokines Production and Cell Migration. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2011; 2011:750513. [PMID: 21799692 PMCID: PMC3139406 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nep238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2009] [Accepted: 12/12/2009] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Evodia rutaecarpa is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory herbal remedy in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, the ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa (ER) and three major quinazoline alkaloids dehydroevodiamine (DeHE), evodiamine (Evo) and rutaecarpine (Rut), isolated from ER were employed to study their inhibitory effects against influenza A virus (H1N1)-induced chemokines production in A549 lung epithelial cells as well as on chemokines-evoked cell recruitment in HL-60-differentiated macrophages. The results showed that ER was a potent inhibitor of RANTES secretion by H1N1-inoculated A549 cells (IC(50): 1.9 ± 0.4 μg ml(-1)). Three alkaloids, although to differing extents, all concentration dependent, inhibited H1N1-induced RANTES production with Evo consistently being the most potent among these active components. ER also moderately and significantly inhibited H1N1-stimulated MCP-1 production in A549 cells. This was mimicked by Evo and Rut, but not DeHE. In the macrophage recruitment assay, both RANTES and MCP-1 markedly evoked cell migration and this phenomenon was significantly suppressed by ER. Evo and Rut, but not DeHE, also had the ability to inhibit cell migration toward RANTES and MCP-1, respectively. In summary, three major alkaloids displayed different potentials for inhibiting chemokines secretion and subsequently cell migration, which could partially explain the activity of ER. As an effective agent to suppress H1N1-induced chemokines production and block chemokine-attracted leukocytes recruitment, E. rutaecarpa and its active components may be useful in influenza virus infection-related inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Fei Chiou
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan
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Liao JF, Chiou WF, Shen YC, Wang GJ, Chen CF. Anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious effects of Evodia rutaecarpa (Wuzhuyu) and its major bioactive components. Chin Med 2011; 6:6. [PMID: 21320305 PMCID: PMC3046897 DOI: 10.1186/1749-8546-6-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the anti-inflammatory relative and anti-infectious effects of Evodia rutaecarpa and its major bioactive components and the involvement of the nitric oxide synthases, cyclooxygenase, NADPH oxidase, nuclear factor kappa B, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, reactive oxygen species, prostaglandins, tumor necrosis factor, LIGHT, amyloid protein and orexigenic neuropeptides. Their potential applications for the treatment of endotoxaemia, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and their uses as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal protective agents, analgesics, anti-oxidant, anti-atherosclerosis agents, dermatological agents and anti-infectious agents are highlighted. Stimulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide release may partially explain the analgesic, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal protective, anti-obese activities of Evodia rutaecarpa and its major bioactive components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyh-Fei Liao
- Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, No 155, Sec 2, Linong Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Fei Chiou
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, No 155-1, Sec 2, Linong Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Chiang Shen
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, No 155-1, Sec 2, Linong Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Guei-Jane Wang
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, No 155-1, Sec 2, Linong Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Fu Chen
- Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, No 155, Sec 2, Linong Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, No 155-1, Sec 2, Linong Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan
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Zhao Y, Yang H, Zheng YB, Wong YO, Leung PC. The effects of Fructus Xanthii extract on cytokine release from human mast cell line (HMC-1) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2008; 30:543-52. [PMID: 18618314 DOI: 10.1080/08923970802135385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, human mast cell line (HMC-1) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were pre-incubated with various concentrations of Fructus xanthii extract solution followed by being stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate and further incubated for 24 hours. The cytokines, in cell culture supernatants, of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF, and TNF-alpha in the supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results demonstrated that Fructus xanthii could modulate the mast cell-mediated and PBMNC-mediated inflammatory and immunological reactions modulated by cytokines. And our study supplied the evidence of the mechanisms of Fructus Xanthii in treating inflammatory and allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Ko HC, Wang YH, Liou KT, Chen CM, Chen CH, Wang WY, Chang S, Hou YC, Chen KT, Chen CF, Shen YC. Anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of the ethanol extract of Evodia rutaecarpa and its bioactive components on neutrophils and microglial cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2006; 555:211-7. [PMID: 17109845 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2006] [Revised: 10/03/2006] [Accepted: 10/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Evodia rutaecarpa is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory drug in traditional Chinese medicine. We previously identified four bioactive compounds (dehydroevodiamine (I), evodiamine (II), rutaecarpine (III), and synephrine (IV)) from the ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa, but their effects and mechanism(s) of action remain unclear. To study the anti-inflammatory potential and the possible underlying mechanism(s), their effects on phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)- and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced reactive oxygen species production in neutrophils was studied, as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthetase (iNOS) expression in microglial cells. The ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa displayed potent antioxidative effects against both PMA- and fMLP-induced reactive oxygen species production in neutrophils (with IC50 values of around 2.7-3.3 microg/ml). Although less potent than the ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa, compounds I-IV all concentration-dependently inhibited PMA- and fMLP-induced reactive oxygen species production, with compound IV consistently being the most potent agent among these active components. The antioxidative effects of the ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa and these compounds were partially due to inhibition (10%-33%) of NADPH oxidase activity, a predominant reactive oxygen species-producing enzyme in neutrophils, and to a minor extent to their direct radical-scavenging properties. The ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa also inhibited LPS-induced NO production (with an IC50 of around 0.8 microg/ml) and iNOS upregulation in microglial cells that was partially mimicked by compounds I, II, and III, but not compound IV. Our results suggest that the ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa and its four bioactive components all exhibited anti-inflammatory activities which could be partially explained by their different potentials for inhibiting NADPH oxidase-dependent reactive oxygen species and/or iNOS-dependent NO production in activated inflammatory cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Chieh Ko
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taiwan
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Zhao Y, van Hasselt CA, Woo JKS, Chen GG, Wong YO, Wang LH, Leung PC. Effects of the Chinese herbal formula Shi-Bi-Lin on cytokine release from the human mast cell line. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2005; 95:79-85. [PMID: 16095146 DOI: 10.1016/s1081-1206(10)61192-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The traditional Chinese herbal formula Cang Er Zi San has been used for the treatment of rhinitis, paranasal sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis for several centuries. However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain largely unclear. OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Shi-Bi-Lin (SBL), a modified Cang Er Zi San formula, on cytokine release from and expressions in the human mast cell line (HMC-1). METHODS The HMC-1 was preincubated with different concentrations of SBL extract solution 1 hour before being stimulated with 25 ng/mL of phorbol myristate acetate plus 2.5 x 10(-7)M calcium ionophore A23187 and then further incubated for 6, 12, and 24 hours, respectively. The cell culture supernatants were harvested, and the cytokines of interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in the supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, the total RNA of the cells was extracted, and the cytokines' messenger RNA expressions were examined using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS After different incubation periods at different concentrations, SBL could potently inhibit the cytokines of IL-4 and TNF-alpha and modestly affect IL-6 but not obviously affect IL-8 release from the HMC-1. However, no inhibitory effects were detected on the messenger RNA expressions of these cytokines. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that SBL could modulate the mast cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction in allergy. Inhibition of mast cell-derived IL-4 and TNF-alpha might explain the efficacy of SBL in treating allergic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhao
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Chiou WF, Ko HC, Chen CF, Chou CJ. Evodia rutaecarpa protects against circulation failure and organ dysfunction in endotoxaemic rats through modulating nitric oxide release. J Pharm Pharmacol 2002; 54:1399-405. [PMID: 12396303 DOI: 10.1211/002235702760345491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Using a rat model of septic shock we studied the effects of Evodia rutaecarpa, a Chinese herbal medicine with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, on haemodynamic parameters, biochemical markers of organ function and nitric oxide (NO) production. Anaesthetized rats challenged with a high dosage of endotoxin (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide; LPS; 50 mg kg(-1), i.v.) for 6 h showed a severe decrease in mean arterial pressure. This was accompanied by delayed bradycardia, vascular hyporeactivity to phenylephrine and increase in plasma levels of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin and creatinine, as well as NOx (NO2- plus NO3-). Pretreatment with ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa (25, 50 and 100 mg kg(-1), i.v.), 1 h before LPS, dose-dependently prevented the circulation failure, vascular hyporeactivity to phenylephrine, prevented liver dysfunction and reduced the NOx over-production in plasma in endotoxaemic rats. A selective inducible NO-synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, aminoguanidine (15 mg kg(-1), i.v.), also effectively ameliorated the above pathophysiological phenomenon associated with endotoxaemia so that the normal condition was approached. Endotoxaemia for 6 h resulted in a significant increase in iNOS activity in the liver homogenate, which was attenuated significantly by E. rutaecarpa pretreatment. In summary, E. rutaecarpa, at the dosages used, exerted these beneficial effects probably through inhibition of iNOS activity and subsequent modulation of the release of NO. These significant results may offer E. rutaecarpa as a candidate for the treatment of this model of endotoxaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Fei Chiou
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, NO. 155-1, SEC. 2, Li-Nung Street, Shipai, Taipei, Taiwan.
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