Anti-inflammatory activity of Echinosophora koreensis nakai root extract in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Echinosophora koreensis Nakai is an endemic plant species distributed in a limited area within the Korean province of Gangwon, including the Yanggu-gun, Inje-gun, Cheorwon-gun, Chuncheon-si, and Hongcheon-gun counties. It is used in traditional medicine to treat various disorders, such as fever, skin diseases, diuresis, and neuralgia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study demonstrated the effects of E. koreensis Nakai root extract (EKRE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. Cell viability was assessed through a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured using Griess reagent. Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression were assessed using Western blot analysis. To examine the effects of EKRE in vivo, it was administered orally at doses of 50 or 200 mg/kg for 3 days in mice. Edema in the paws was induced through λ-carrageenan injection and measured hourly for up to 5 h using calipers.

RESULTS

EKRE markedly suppressed LPS-generated NO, IL-6, and iNOS production in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, it suppressed the activation of the NF-κB and MAPK in LPS-stimulated cells. Furthermore, EKRE significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced edema in mouse paws. There were no significant differences in IL-6 and TNF production in paw tissue harvested from mice, but levels decreased at high EKRE concentrations (200 mg/kg).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study provided validation for EKRE-induced inhibition of inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. This research suggested that EKRE is a promising treatment for inflammatory disorders.

Mycophenolate mofetil for severe childhood atopic dermatitis: experience in 14 patients

BACKGROUND

Reports of successful treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) have thus far been limited to adults. Considering that the condition typically develops during childhood and is most active during this period, MMF would represent a valuable addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for paediatric AD.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of MMF in the treatment of severe childhood AD.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of all children treated with MMF as systemic monotherapy for severe, recalcitrant AD between August 2003 and August 2006 at New York University Medical Center. Fourteen patients meeting these criteria were identified.

RESULTS

Four patients (29%) achieved complete clearance, four (29%) had > 90% improvement (almost complete), five (35%) had 60-90% improvement and one (7%) failed to respond. Initial responses occurred within 8 weeks (mean 4 weeks), and maximal effects were attained after 8-12 weeks (mean 9 weeks) at MMF doses of 40-50 mg kg(-1) daily in younger children and 30-40 mg kg(-1) daily in adolescents. The medication was well tolerated in all patients, with no infectious complications or development of leucopenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia or elevated aminotransferases.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective case series demonstrates that MMF can be a safe and effective treatment for severe, refractory AD in children. MMF represents a promising therapeutic alternative to traditional systemic immunosuppressive agents with less favourable side-effect profiles, and prospective controlled studies are warranted, further to assess its benefits in paediatric AD.

Effectiveness of raloxifene on bone mineral density and serum lipid levels in post-menopausal women with low BMD after discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of raloxifene on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum lipid levels in post-menopausal women who had discontinued hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

METHODS

Thirty-four post-menopausal women with low BMD who had taken 60 mg of raloxifene daily for 12 months after discontinuing HRT were evaluated retrospectively. Information about their demographics, fracture history, BMD, lipid profiles and adverse events were collected from medical records and intranet database. The outcome measures were changes in the spine (L2-L4) and femur BMD, serum lipid concentrations, fracture rate and tolerability.

RESULTS

The post-menopausal women had a significant increase in their spine (L2-L4) and femur BMD from their baseline BMD [spine, 2.9 +/- 4.6% (P < 0.001); femur, 3.0 +/- 6.6% (P = 0.01)]. Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was significantly reduced by 22.6% below baseline after 12 months (P = 0.007). No fractures were observed during therapy. Raloxifene was well tolerated. The most common adverse event was hot flash, which was generally mild.

CONCLUSIONS

Raloxifene increases BMD at important skeletal sites, and lowers LDL cholesterol with tolerable adverse events.

Effect of germination temperature on characteristics of phytase production from barley

The effects of germination temperature on the growth of barley seedlings for phytase production were studied at 15, 20 and 25 degrees C for 6-10 days. The growth rate of the barley seedlings was increased as the germination temperature was increased. The initial rate of total protein production was closely coupled to that of the barley growth, and the rate of total protein production tended to increase as the germination temperature was increased. SDS-PAGE analysis of total protein from the barley seedlings showed time-dependent appearance and disappearance of protein bands. Although no significant phytase activity was detected at zero time of germination, a significant increase in phytase activity up to 7.9-fold occurred during the first several days of germination then decreased. Phosphate production (viz. phytate degradation) in the barley seedlings occurred rapidly at the beginning of germination. However, the rate of production continued to decrease with further germination. A time lag of about 1-2 days between the rate of total protein production and that of phytase production was observed. Unlike the extent of total protein production, that of phytase production was similar irrespective of germination temperature. Partial purification of a crude enzyme extract by hydrophobic interaction chromatography resulted in two phytase fractions (PI and PII). Zymogram analysis demonstrated that PI had two bands with molecular masses of about 66 and 123 kDa while PII had one band corresponding to a molecular mass of about 96 kDa. The optimal temperature for PI was found to be 55 degrees C, while it was 50 degrees C for PII. The enzyme fraction PI had a pH optimum at 6.0, whereas the optimum pH for PII was found to be 5.0. Addition of 0.1% (v/v) Tween 80 was found to increase enzyme activity significantly (i.e., 167% for PI and 137% for PII). Phytate in cereals including barley, rice, corn and soybean degraded effectively by the treatment of the barley phytases.

Production of fructo-oligosaccharides from molasses by Aureobasidium pullulans cells

Three different strains of Aureobasidium pullulans were grown in batch cultures to compare their abilities for the production of fructo-oligosaccharides. Specific intracellular enzyme activity was the highest with strain KCCM 12017 and enzyme production was closely coupled to growth. Using A. pullulans cells, 166 g/l fructo-oligosaccharides was produced from 360 g/l molasses sugar as sucrose equivalent at 55 degrees C and pH 5.5 after 24 h incubation.

Novel method for cell immobilization and its application for production of oligosaccharides from sucrose

AIMS

The purpose of the present investigation was to develop a novel method for cell immobilization.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Aureobasidium pullulans cells were mixed with an alginate solution, and the mixture was extruded to form small gel beads as hydrated-immobilized cells. The beads were then placed at -15 degrees C for 6-24 h to induce freeze-dehydration. The freeze-dehydration resulted in shrinkage of beads as a result of water removal reducing bead volume by 82% and bead weight by 85%. The dehydrated beads were successfully used for the production of fructo-oligosaccharides in a model reactor system.

CONCLUSIONS

Dehydrated beads may provide some commercial advantages over conventional immobilized cells.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study shows that bioreactor performance can be improved up to two times by the use of the dehydrated beads.

Antioxidant activity of extracts from Alpinia katsumadai seed

Alpinia katsumadai (Zingiberaceae) has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions such as emesis and gastric disorders. However, very little is known about the cellular actions by which this plant mediates its therapeutic effects. Various aspects of antioxidant activity were evaluated in a total extract derived from Alpinia katsumadai seed in this study. Relatively high levels of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity were detected in the total extract (IC(50) 1.6 microgram/mL). Other known compounds such as (-)-epigallocatechine-3-gallate (EGCG) and resveratrol showed IC(50) values of <0.8 and 4.8 microgram/mL, respectively. The total extract also enhanced the viability of Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells and inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis. The total extract of Alpinia katsumadai also dose-dependently enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in V79-4 cells, and these effects were comparable to other antioxidant compounds such as EGCG and resveratrol. Taken together, our findings show that Alpinia katsumadai contains significant antioxidant activity.

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome, type II (Langer-Giedion syndrome)

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome (TRPS) is characterized by its unique facial features and skeletal abnormalities. A bulbous, pear-shaped nose, elongated philtrum, sparse hair, cone-shaped epiphyses and mild growth retardation are found in both type I (TRPSI) and type II (TRPSII). TRPSII can be distinguished from TRPSI when multiple exostoses or redundant skin are present. While TRPSI is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, most cases of TRPSII are sporadic although there are a few cases which are familial. The following is a case report of TRPSII with incomplete penetrance in the index case and exostoses and growth retardation in the patient's two siblings.

The development of digital library system for drug research information

The sophistication of computer technology and information transmission on internet has made various cyber information repository available to information consumers. In the era of information super-highway, the digital library which can be accessed from remote sites at any time is considered the prototype of information repository. Using object-oriented DBMS, the very first model of digital library for pharmaceutical researchers and related professionals in Korea has been developed. The published research papers and researchers' personal information was included in the database. For database with research papers, 13 domestic journals were abstracted and scanned for full-text image files which can be viewed by Internet web browsers. The database with researchers' personal information was also developed and interlinked to the database with research papers. These database will be continuously updated and will be combined with world-wide information as the unique digital library in the field of pharmacy.

A review of bloat in feedlot cattle

Improvements in feedlot management practices and the use of various feed additives have reduced, but not eliminated, the occurrence of bloat in feedlot cattle. Feedlot bloat reduces the profitability of production by compromising animal performance and more directly by causing fatalities. In feedlots, bloat is associated with the ingestion of large amounts of rapidly fermented cereal grain and destabilization of the microbial populations of the rumen. An abundance of rapidly fermented carbohydrate allows acid-tolerant bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus bovis and Lactobacillus spp.) to proliferate and produce excessive quantities of fermentation acids. As a result, ruminal pH becomes exceedingly low, and this impairs rumen motility. Further, the excessive production of mucopolysaccharide or "slime" increases the viscosity of ruminal fluid and stabilizes the foam implicated in frothy feedlot bloat. Although protocols have been developed to treat feedlot bloat, the most profitable approach is to use management strategies to reduce its likelihood. Amount of roughage, grain processing techniques, selection of cereal grain (e.g., corn, barley, and wheat), dietary adaptation periods, and various additives (e.g., ionophores) can influence the occurrence of bloat in feedlot cattle. Successful management of these factors depends on a thorough understanding of the behavioral, dietary, and microbial events that precipitate bloat in feedlot cattle.

Effect of ranitidine on theophylline metabolism in healthy Koreans living in China

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of concurrent ranitidine therapy on theophylline metabolism in healthy Koreans.

DESIGN

A 4-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

SETTING

The Clinical Research Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yanbian Medical College, Yanji, China.

SUBJECTS

Six young, healthy, nonsmoking Korean volunteers residing in China with no known factors that would alter theophylline metabolism.

INTERVENTIONS

Subjects received extended-release oral theophylline at a constant dosage over 4 weeks to yield a serum concentration (Cp) between 5 and 10 micrograms/mL. Week 1 was the dosage titration phase. During week 2 subjects randomly received either ranitidine or a matching placebo. Week 3 was a washout phase, and during week 4 subjects were crossed over to receive either placebo or ranitidine. At the end of each treatment week, serum and urinary metabolite concentrations were measured.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Theophylline serum concentrations and urinary concentrations of 1-methylxanthine, 1-methyluric acid, 3-methylxanthine, and 1,3-dimethyluric acid were measured. Estimates of clearance (Cl), volume of distribution (Vd), and half-life (t1/2) were determined.

RESULTS

Concurrent administration of ranitidine with theophylline did not significantly alter theophylline Cp, Cl, Vd, or t1/2. Urinary concentrations of major theophylline metabolites also were not changed.

CONCLUSIONS

Ranitidine does not significantly alter the metabolism of theophylline in healthy Koreans residing in China.