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Nagamura Y, Terawaki K, Uezono Y, Tsukada T. Enhancement of catecholamine release from PC12 cells by the traditional Japanese medicine, rikkunshito. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 14:256. [PMID: 25038801 PMCID: PMC4223603 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rikkunshito is a traditional Japanese herbal medicine that is used to treat appetite loss associated with cancer and other disorders. The formulation contains various constituents that influence cell signaling, and rikkunshito may accordingly affect human homeostasis through multiple regulatory pathways, including those governed by the endocrine system. We investigated the actions of rikkunshito on catecholamine release from PC12 cells, an adrenal chromaffin cell line. METHODS The actions of rikkunshito on PC12 cells were evaluated by measuring intracellular cAMP levels, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) mRNA expression levels, and catecholamine levels in the culture medium. The transcriptional activation of VIP gene by rikkunshito was assessed by using a VIP promoter-driven reporter gene assay. RESULTS Rikkunshito dose-dependently enhanced forskolin-induced elevations in cAMP in PC12 cells, and also increased the gene expression of TH and VIP. The transcriptional activation of VIP gene by rikkunshito was confirmed. Norepinephrine and dopamine secretion into the culture medium of PC12 cells were also dose-dependently augmented by rikkunshito and/or forskolin, but experiments with a protein kinase C (PKC) activator and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor revealed that the effects of rikkunshito were not simply due to the modulation of PKC or phosphodiesterase activity. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that rikkunshito enhances the release of catecholamines by a novel mechanism involving cAMP.
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Tsubouchi H, Yanagi S, Miura A, Iizuka S, Mogami S, Yamada C, Hattori T, Nakazato M. Rikkunshito ameliorates bleomycin-induced acute lung injury in a ghrelin-independent manner. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2014; 306:L233-45. [DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00096.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a critical syndrome consisting of acute respiratory failure associated with extensive pulmonary infiltrates. The pathological characterization of ALI includes injuries of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), alveolar neutrophilic infiltration, and increases in proinflammatory cytokines, which cause destruction of the alveolar capillary barrier and subsequent devastating lung fibrosis. Rikkunshito (RKT), a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, is widely used for the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and is known to stimulate ghrelin secretion. The therapeutic effects of RKT on organ inflammation and fibrosis remain unknown. We investigated the pharmacological potential of RKT in the treatment of ALI by using a bleomycin-induced ALI model in mice. RKT or distilled water (DW) was given to mice daily starting 12 h after bleomycin administration. The RKT-treated mice showed a definitively higher survival rate than the DW-treated mice after injury. They also had smaller reductions in body weight and food intake. The amelioration of neutrophil alveolar infiltration, pulmonary vascular permeability, induction of proinflammatory cytokines, activation of the NF-κB pathway, apoptosis of AECs, and subsequent lung fibrosis were notable in the RKT-treated mice. RKT administration increased the plasma ghrelin levels in wild-type mice, and it also mitigated the ALI response in both ghrelin-deficient mice and growth hormone secretagogue receptor-deficient mice after lung injury. Our results indicate that RKT administration exerts protective effects against ALI by protecting the AECs and regulating lung inflammation independently of the ghrelin system, and they highlight RKT as a promising therapeutic agent for the management of this intractable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironobu Tsubouchi
- Division of Neurology, Respirology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, Japan; and
| | - Shigehisa Yanagi
- Division of Neurology, Respirology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, Japan; and
| | - Ayako Miura
- Division of Neurology, Respirology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, Japan; and
| | - Seiichi Iizuka
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Sachiko Mogami
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Chihiro Yamada
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Hattori
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Nakazato
- Division of Neurology, Respirology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, Japan; and
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Chan ASL, Pang H, Yip ECH, Tam YK, Wong YH. The Aqueous Extract of Radix Glycyrrhizae Stimulates Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and Nuclear Factor-κB in Jurkat T-Cells and THP-1 Monocytic Cells. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2012; 34:263-78. [PMID: 16552837 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x06003813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Radix Glycyrrhizae (RG) is a medicinal herb extensively utilized in numerous Chinese medical formulae for coordinating the actions of various components in the recipes and strengthening the body functions. In this report, we demonstrate that the aqueous extract of Radix Glycyrrhizae is capable of stimulating the c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 subgroups of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and the nuclear factor-κB ( NF κ B ) in Jurkat T-lymphocytes. The activation magnitudes of MAPKs and NF κ B were dose-dependent ( EC 50 ≈ 1 mg/ml ) and time-dependent (maximal around 15–30 minutes). Stimulations of MAPKs and NF κ B were not associated with changes in intracellular Ca 2+ mobilization. Similar activation profiles of MAPK and NF κ B were obtained from THP-1 monocytes treated with the extract. In terms of chemotactic activity, the SDF-induced chemotaxis of Jurkat cells and THP-1 cells were inhibited by RG extract at 1–10 mg/ml, while a lower RG concentration (0.1–0.3 mg/ml) potentiated the SDF-induced chemotaxis for the former, but not the latter cell type. Given the fact that MAPKs and NF κ B are important signaling intermediates for lymphocyte activities, our results suggest that Radix Glycyrrhizae may contain active constituents capable of modulating immuno-responses through various intracellular signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony S L Chan
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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Bauvois B, Dauzonne D. Aminopeptidase-N/CD13 (EC 3.4.11.2) inhibitors: chemistry, biological evaluations, and therapeutic prospects. Med Res Rev 2006; 26:88-130. [PMID: 16216010 PMCID: PMC7168514 DOI: 10.1002/med.20044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aminopeptidase N (APN)/CD13 (EC 3.4.11.2) is a transmembrane protease present in a wide variety of human tissues and cell types (endothelial, epithelial, fibroblast, leukocyte). APN/CD13 expression is dysregulated in inflammatory diseases and in cancers (solid and hematologic tumors). APN/CD13 serves as a receptor for coronaviruses. Natural and synthetic inhibitors of APN activity have been characterized. These inhibitors have revealed that APN is able to modulate bioactive peptide responses (pain management, vasopressin release) and to influence immune functions and major biological events (cell proliferation, secretion, invasion, angiogenesis). Therefore, inhibition of APN/CD13 may lead to the development of anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drugs. This review provides an update on the biological and pharmacological profiles of known natural and synthetic APN inhibitors. Current status on their potential use as therapeutic agents is discussed with regard to toxicity and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Bauvois
- Unité INSERM 507, Hôpital Necker, Université René Descartes Paris V, Bâtiment Lavoisier, 161 rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Daniel Dauzonne
- UMR 176 Institut Curie‐CNRS, Institut Curie, Section Recherche, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248 Paris CEDEX 05, France
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Lian Z, Niwa K, Gao J, Tagami K, Mori H, Tamaya T. Association of cellular apoptosis with anti-tumor effects of the Chinese herbal complex in endocrine-resistant cancer cell line. CANCER DETECTION AND PREVENTION 2004; 27:147-54. [PMID: 12670527 DOI: 10.1016/s0361-090x(03)00026-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported the special herbal complex (Hoelen, Angelicae radix, Scutellariae radix and Glycyrrhizae radix) suppressed telomerase activity in chemo-endocrine-resistant cancer cell lines. The present study attempted to determine whether the above herbal complex induces apoptosis in endocrine-resistant AN3CA and adriamycin-resistant MCF7/ADR carcinoma cells. Exposure to the herbal complex decreased cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner in the 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The agent induced cellular apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation and a nuclear staining assay. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed the decreased expression of apoptosis-related genes, bcl-2, c-myc and human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT). A decreased protein level of bcl-2 and c-myc was also determined by Western blot analysis. The data imply that the decreased expression of the genes via suppressing telomerase activity is involved in cellular apoptosis in endocrine-resistant AN3CA cells. Thus, it is suggested that the special herbal complex may be a promising candidate for the treatment of endocrine-resistant gynecologic carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenglin Lian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University School of Medicine, 40 Tsukasa-machi, Gifu City, 500-8705, Japan
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Wang WK, Bau JG, Hsu TL, Wang YY. Influence of spleen meridian herbs on the harmonic spectrum of the arterial pulse. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2001; 28:279-89. [PMID: 10999447 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x00000337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Pulse analysis is a powerful method in Chinese medicine. We suggest that the effect of herbal medicine is to redistribute the blood to organs and meridians. In this report, by injecting extracts into rats and then analyzing the blood pressure wave measured at the caudate arteries, we studied eight important spleen meridian related herbs: They were Semen Lablab, Fructus Amomi Globosi, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Rhizoma Atractylodis, Tuber Pinelliae, Radix Codonopsitis, Pericarpium Aurantii and Rhizoma Polygonati. All eight herbs increased the intensity of the 3rd harmonic (C3) of the pressure pulse which is correlated to the spleen and spleen meridian, as described in traditional Chinese medical literature. All of them also increased the 2nd harmonic (which is correlated to the kidney and the kidney meridian) as well as decreased the heart load (DC term of pressure wave, C0). Tuber Pinelliae, Radix Codonopsitis, Pericarpium Aurantii and Rhizoma Polygonati decreased the 1st harmonic (correlated to the liver meridian) significantly, while Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae only decreased C1 slightly. Except for Semen Lablab, all the others decreased the intensity of the 5th (stomach meridian) and the 7th harmonics. The effects of kidney herbs: Cortex Eucommiae and Radix Achyranthis were also shown for comparison.
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Affiliation(s)
- W K Wang
- Biophysics Lab, Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan
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Sakuma K, Kaji I, Ogihara M, Yamamoto K. Inhibitory effect of Shimotsu-to, a traditional Chinese herbal prescription, on acute inflammation in rats and guinea pigs. Arch Pharm Res 1996. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02976846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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