Compound Danshen Dripping Pill inhibits high altitude-induced hypoxic damage by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses

CONTEXT

Previous studies indicate that compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP) improves the adaptation to high-altitude exposure. However, its mechanism of action is not clear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the protective effect of CDDP on hypobaric hypoxia (HH) and its possible mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A meta-analysis of 1051 human volunteers was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of CDDP at high altitudes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 5 groups (n = 6): control at normal pressure, model, CDDP-170 mg/kg, CDDP-340 mg/kg and acetazolamide groups. HH was simulated at an altitude of 5500 m for 24 h. Animal blood was collected for arterial blood-gas analysis and cytokines detection and their organs were harvested for pathological examination. Expression levels of AQP1, NF-κB and Nrf2 were determined by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis data indicated that the ratio between the combined RR of the total effective rate and the 95% CI was 0.23 (0.06, 0.91), the SMD and 95% CI of SO₂ was 0.37 (0.12, 0.62). Pre-treatment of CDDP protected rats from HH-induced pulmonary edoema and heart injury, left-shifted oxygen-dissociation curve and decreased P50 (30.25 ± 3.72 vs. 37.23 ± 4.30). Mechanistically, CDDP alleviated HH-reinforced ROS by improving SOD and GPX1 while inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB expression. CDDP also decreased HH-evoked D-dimer, erythrocyte aggregation and blood hemorheology, promoting AQP1 and Nrf2 expression.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Pre-treatment with CDDP could prevent HH-induced tissue damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Suppressed NF-κB and up-regulated Nrf2 might play significant roles in the mechanism of CDDP.

Edaravone Dexborneol Versus Edaravone Alone for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Comparative Trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Edaravone dexborneol, comprised of 2 active ingredients, edaravone and (+)-borneol, has been developed as a novel neuroprotective agent with synergistic effects of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in animal models. The present clinical trial aimed at testing the effects of edaravone dexborneol versus edaravone on 90-day functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

METHODS

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, comparative, phase III clinical trial was conducted at 48 hospitals in China between May 2015 and December 2016. Inclusion criteria included patients diagnosed as AIS, 35 to 80 years of age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score between 4 and 24, and within 48 hours of AIS onset. AIS patients were randomized in 1:1 ratio into 2 treatment arms: 14-day infusion of edaravone dexborneol or edaravone injection. The primary end point was the proportion of patients with modified Rankin Scale score ≤1 on day 90 after randomization.

RESULTS

One thousand one hundred sixty-five AIS patients were randomly allocated to the edaravone dexborneol group (n=585) or the edaravone group (n=580). The edaravone dexborneol group showed significantly higher proportion of patients experiencing good functional outcomes on day 90 after randomization, compared with the edaravone group (modified Rankin Scale score ≤1, 67.18% versus 58.97%; odds ratio, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.12-1.81]; P=0.004). The prespecified subgroup analyses indicated that a greater benefit was observed in female patients than their male counterparts (2.26, 1.49-3.43 versus 1.14, 0.85-1.52).

CONCLUSIONS

When edaravone dexborneol versus edaravone was administered within 48 hours after AIS, 90-day good functional outcomes favored the edaravone dexborneol group, especially in female patients. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02430350.

Natural borneol sensitizes human glioma cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis by triggering ROS-mediated oxidative damage and regulation of MAPKs and PI3K/AKT pathway

Context: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy was widely used in treating human malignancies. However, side effects and chemoresistance remains the major obstacle.Objective: To verify whether natural borneol (NB) can enhance cisplatin-induced glioma cell apoptosis and explore the mechanism.Materials and methods: Cytotoxicity of cisplatin and/or NB towards U251 and U87 cells were determined with the MTT assay. Cells were treated with 0.25-80 μg/mL cisplatin and/or 5-80 μM NB for 48 h. The effects of NB and/or cisplatin on apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were quantified by flow cytometric analysis. Protein expression was detected by western blotting. ROS generation was conducted by measuring and visualising an oxidation-sensitive fluorescein DCFH-DA.Results: NB synergistically enhanced the anticancer efficacy of cisplatin in human glioma cells. Co-treatment of 40 μg/mL NB and 40 μg/mL cisplatin significantly inhibited U251 cell viability from 100% to 28.2% and increased the sub-G1 population from 1.4% to 59.3%. Further detection revealed that NB enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis by activating caspases and triggering reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction as evidenced by the enhancement of green fluorescence intensity from 265% to 645%. ROS-mediated DNA damage was observed as reflected by the activation of ATM/ATR, p53 and histone. Moreover, MAPKs and PI3K/AKT pathways also contributed to co-treatment-induced U251 cell growth inhibition. ROS inhibition by antioxidants effectively improved MAPKs and PI3K/AKT functions and cell viability, indicating that NB enhanced cisplatin-induced cell growth in a ROS-dependent manner.Discussion and conclusions: Natural borneol had the potential to sensitise human glioma cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis with potential application in the clinic.

Oxytocin Receptors in the Anteromedial Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Promote Stress-Induced Social Avoidance in Female California Mice

BACKGROUND

The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is a key regulator of social and emotional behaviors. The effects of OT are context dependent, and it has been proposed that OT increases the salience of both positive and negative social cues. Here we tested whether the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) mediates anxiogenic effects of OT.

METHODS

First, we studied the effects of systemic administration of an OT receptor (OTR) antagonist L-368,899 on social behavior in male and female California mice exposed to social defeat. We examined the effect of L-368,899 on G protein activation and used early growth response factor 1 immunohistochemistry to identify potential sites of OTR action. Finally, we examined the effects of L-368,899 infused in the BNST on behavior.

RESULTS

A single dose of systemic L-368,899 increased social approach in stressed female mice and decreased social approach in male mice naïve to defeat. L-368,899 prevented OT activation of G proteins and did not activate G proteins in the absence of OT. Intranasal OT, which reduces social approach in female mice but not male mice, increased early growth response factor 1 immunoreactivity in the nucleus accumbens core and anteromedial BNST in female mice but not in male mice. Stressed female mice that received an infusion of L-368,899 into the anteromedial BNST but not the nucleus accumbens core increased social approach and decreased social vigilance responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that OTR activation in anteromedial BNST induces a vigilance response in which individuals avoid, yet attend to, unfamiliar social contexts. Our results suggest that OTR antagonists may have unappreciated therapeutic potential for stress-induced psychiatric disorders.

Synergistic enhancement of the antitumor activity of 5-fluorouracil by bornyl acetate in SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cells and the determination of the underlying mechanism of action

PURPOSE

To investigate the anticancer activity of bornyl acetate and its combination with low dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in human gastric cancer (SGC-7901) cells and to evaluate their effects on cell cycle, apoptosis, cancer cell morphology and DNA fragmentation.

METHODS

The anticancer activity of bornyl acetate, 5-FU and their combination against human gastric cancer (SGC-7901) cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI) as a staining agent was used to study the effect of the extract on cell cycle phase distribution. Apoptosis induced by bornyl acetate and 5-FU was evaluated by Annexin V binding assay using flow cytometer. Alterations in cell morphology following apoptosis was studied by fluorescence microscopy as well as transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Bornyl acetate induced dose-dependent growth inhibitory effects on human gastric cancer cells in vitro.The combination of bornyl acetate with 5-FU induced a much more growth inhibitory effect on these cells indicating a synergistic enhancement of anticancer activity of 5-FU. The combined effect of bornyl acetate and 5-FU also resulted in greater apoptosis induction as well as cell cycle arrest in comparison to the individual treatment by bornyl acetate or 5-FU. Fluorescence microscopy as well as transmission electron microscopy also revealed that the combination of bornyl acetate with 5-FU resulted in greater apoptosis induction as well as cell morphology alterations. The percentages of early as well as late apoptotic cells were much higher in the combination treatment in comparison to separate treatment by bornyl acetate or 5-FU.

CONCLUSION

Bornyl acetate potentiates the anticancer activity of 5-FU in human gastric cancer (SGC-7901) cells by inducing apoptosis, DNA fragmentation as well as G2/M cell cycle arrest.

Autism-Like Behavior in BTBR Mice Is Improved by Electroconvulsive Therapy

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by impairments in social and communication abilities, as well as by restricted and repetitive behaviors. Incidence of autism is higher than earlier estimates, and treatments have limited efficacy and are costly. Limited clinical and experimental evidence suggest that patients with autism may benefit from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). We examined the therapeutic potential of ECT in BTBR T+ tf/j mice, which represent a validated model of autism. A series of 13 electroconvulsive shocks (ECS) delivered twice a day over 7 days reversed core autism-like behavioral abnormalities-impaired sociability, social novelty, and repetitive behavior-when the animals were tested 24 h after the last ECS. The effect lasted up to 2 weeks after ECT. Neither single ECS nor a series of 6 ECS modified animals' behavior. Chronic infusion into the lateral brain ventricle of a preferential oxytocin receptor blocker (2S)-2-Amino-N-[(1S,2S,4R)-7,7-dimethyl-1-[[[4-(2-methylphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]sulfonyl]methyl]bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)butanamide hydrochloride abolished ECT-induced improvement of sociability and mitigated improvement of social novelty but did not affect ECT-induced reversal of repetitive behavior. These proof-of-principle experiments suggest that ECT may, indeed, be useful in the treatment of autism, and that its therapeutic effects may be mediated, in part, by central oxytocin signaling.

Improved blood-brain barrier distribution: effect of borneol on the brain pharmacokinetics of kaempferol in rats by in vivo microdialysis sampling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kaempferol (KA) exists in a variety of herbal medicines. In vitro and in vivo studies have focused on the anti-Alzheimer effect of KA. However, little is known about its brain pharmacokinetic profile. The accumulated amount of KA in brain is very low because of the protection of blood-brain barrier (BBB). Borneol (BO) is a classical aromatic refreshing traditional Chinese medicine and commonly used as an adjuvant component of traditional Chinese medicines (e.g. compound Danshen dropping pills) in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. According to the basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine, BO is called an "upper guiding drug", which can guide other components to the targeting tissues or organs in the upper part of the body, especially in the brain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The probes for blood and brain sampling were implanted within the jugular vein/right atrium and right hippocampus of SD rats, respectively. Rats were intravenous administered of KA (25 mg/kg) alone or combined with BO (15, 30 mg/kg) via caudal vein. The blood and brain microdialysates were collected every 15 min for 180 min and every 30 min for 180-300 min. A selective and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-chemiluminescence method was developed for the determination of unbound KA in rat blood and brain microdialysates, which can be converted to their actual free-form concentrations based on the in vivo relative recoveries of KA across microdialysis probes.

RESULTS

KA quickly crossed the BBB to enter the extracellular fluid of hippocampus and reached the maximum concentration of 0.11 μg/mL within 30 min. The brain bioavailability and brain delivery of KA evidently increased with the co-administration of 15 and 30 mg/kg of BO. The AUC0-inf of KA in brain increased 1.84 and 2.19 times, and the Cmax of KA in brain increased 2.09 and 3.18 times than that without BO, respectively. In addition, the brain-to-blood distribution ratio of KA increased by 48.68% and 57.97% compared with that without BO. However, no significant difference in the T1/2 of unbound KA in blood aserved between three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

BO can enhance the BBB permeability and improve the transportation of KA to brain. The dose-dependent effect of BO on the brain pharmacokinetic parameters of KA was observed. This co-administration strategy can be designed to enhance the brain accumulation of other neuropsychiatric medications.

Peripheral administration of oxytocin increases social affiliation in the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber)

The neuropeptide oxytocin regulates a wide variety of social behaviors across diverse species. However, the types of behaviors that are influenced by this hormone are constrained by the species in question and the social organization that a particular species exhibits. Therefore, the present experiments investigated behaviors regulated by oxytocin in a eusocial mammalian species by using the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber). In Experiment 1, adult non-breeding mole-rats were given intraperitoneal injections of either oxytocin (1mg/kg or 10mg/kg) or saline on alternate days. Animals were then returned to their colony and behavior was recorded for minutes 15-30 post-injection. Both doses of oxytocin increased huddling behavior during this time period. In Experiment 2, animals received intraperitoneal injections of either oxytocin (1mg/kg), an oxytocin-receptor antagonist (0.1mg/kg), a cocktail of oxytocin and the antagonist, or saline across 4 testing days in a counterbalanced design. Animals were placed in either a 2-chamber arena with a familiar conspecific or in a small chamber with 1week old pups from their home colony and behaviors were recorded for minutes 15-30 post-injection. Oxytocin increased investigation of, and time spent in close proximity to, a familiar conspecific; these effects were blocked by the oxytocin antagonist. No effects were seen on pup-directed behavior. These data suggest that oxytocin is capable of modulating affiliative-like behavior in this eusocial species.

[Mechanism research of aromatics borneol and muscone]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of borneol and muscone on membrane fluidity, membrane potential, Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity and calcium ions of blood brain barrier (BBB) model cells (MDCK and MDCK-MDR1) for exploring the mechanism of aromatics.

METHODS

MDCK and MDCK-MDR1 cells were incubated and the experiment was performed as following. Cells were incubated with aromatic herbs for 3 h. The membrane fluidity were detected by FRAP. The changes of membrane potentials and the concentration of calcium ions were detected by flow cytometer.

RESULTS

Borneol (55.6, 111.2 microg/mL) and muscone (8.34, 16.68 microg/mL) significantly enhanced the cell membrane fluidity. Borneol (27.8, 55.6, 111.2 microg/mL) and muscone (4.17, 8.34, 16.68 microg/mL) made the MDCK and MDCK-MDR1 membrane potentials less negative or depolarized. Borneol increased the concentration of intracellular free calcium in MDCK while decreased the concentration of intracellular free calcium in MDCK-MDR1 cells. Muscone increased the concentration of calcium in MDCK and MDCK-MDR1 cells. Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity was significantly increased in borneol and muscone group.

CONCLUSION

The regulating effect of membrane fluidity, membrane potential, Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity and calcium ions in MDCK and MDCK-MDR1 cells might be one of the mechanisms of borneol and muscone's BBB opening function.

[Evaluation of the linearity of pharmacokinetics of the phenolic antioxidant 4-methyl-2,6-diisobornylphenol upon intragastric administration]

The linearity of pharmacokinetics of 4-methyl-2,6-diisobornylphenol after single intragastric administration in doses within 10 - 200 mg/kg has been studied in rats. It has been established that pharmacokinetics of 4-methyl-2,6-diisobornilphenol in the indicated dose range is not linear due to a limited absorption of the drug from the intestine.

[Comparative pharmacokinetic studies of borneol in brain and plasma of stroke or sham-operated rats after administration of Xingnaojing]

In order to research the pharmacokinetic characteristic of borneol in plasma and brain of stroke rats given XNJ and investigate the influence of stroke on the borneol passing through the blood-brain barrier, this study established the GC to determine the borneol in brain and blood, and made the stroke mode rats by middle carotid artery occlusion (MCAO) and set sham-operated group. After oral administration of Xingnaojing (XNJ) suspension, their blood and brain were collected at different time and detected by GC. The data was analysed by Kinetica. Results showed that in stroke group, the Cmax and AUC0-t of brain and plasma are (1.82 +/- 0.825), (1.35 +/- 0.43) mg x L(-1) and (123.39 +/- 55.82), (87.91 +/- 39.81) mg x L(-1) x min, Te (brain/blood drug ratio) was 70.93%; those pharmacokinetic values were larger than in sham-operated group. We can conclude that the pathological state of stroke can increase the amount of borneol permeating into brain.

[Preparation of self-microemulsion drug delivery system of the mixture of paeonol and borneol based on Xingbi Fang]

The aim of this study is to prepare self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of the mixture of paeonol (Pae) and borneol (Bor). Solubility test, ternary phase diagrams and simplex lattice method were employed to screen and optimize the formulation of the mixture of Pae and Bor-loaded SMEDDS. After formed into microemulsions, the particle diameter (PD) was determined and a TEM was employed to observe the microemulsions' morphology. The contents of Pae and Bor were determined by gas chromatography. As a result, while ethyl oleate (EO) as the oil phase, cremophor EL35 (EL35) as surfactant and Transcutol HP (HP) as cosurfactant, the range of the microemulsion on the ternary phase diagram was larger than other combinations. And at a ratio of 20:45:35, the microemulsions' PD was about 34 nm and the polydispersity index (PI) was about 0.2. There were 16% of Pae, 2% of Bor, 16% of EO, 37% of EL35 and 29% of HP in the prepared SMEDDS. The preparation process of the Pae and Bor-loaded SMEDDS based on Xingbi Fang is simple and feasible. This study provides a reference for the researches on the related traditional Chinese medicine and the related components.

[Central composite design-response surface method optimize of fang-bing nasal inhalant from components of traditional Chinese medicine for sedative and sleep aiding]

To obtain the optimal preparation technology of Fang-bing nasal inhalant from components of traditional Chinese medicine by central composite design, with an apparatus containing nasal inhalant that simulated the expiration and inspiration of nose, the dissolution in vitro of different optimized inhalant samples designed through central composite design were investigated. The accumulative release of linalool, borneol, menthol was detected with GC. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the conditions of preparation technology by establishing multiple linear regression and second-order quadratic models. Then, deviation was carried out through comparing the observed and predicted values. It was showed that the coefficient of correlation of second-order quadratic model was high. The related coefficient reached 0.999 3, 0.998 0, 0.944 9, separately. The optimum conditions of preparation technology were as following: 84.39% of alcohol concentration, the weight of starch 1.45 g and the weight of carmellose sodium (CMC-Na for short) 1.22 g. The deviations between observed and predicated values showed -0.36%, 1.52%, 2.40%, separately. In this experiment, the established model can describe the good relation between factors and indexes from preparation technology of Fang-bing nasal inhalant and the outcome of prediction is well. This optimal Fang-bing nasal inhalant was used to study its in vivo effect on model rats deprived from sleep and showed sedative and sleep aiding, which will bring an instruction on inhalants of components from traditional Chinese medicine.

[Study on tissue distribution of borneol in mice by intravenous and intranasal administrations]

OBJECTIVE

To develop a GC-FID method to determine borneol's concentration in mouse tissues, and to investigate the tissue distribution after intravenous and intranasal administrations of borneol.

METHOD

Mouse brains, hearts, livers, spleens, lungs and kidneys were collected at 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 min after administration of borneol with the dose of 30.0 mg x kg(-1). The drug in tissues was extracted with ethyl acetate, and borneol's concentration detected by GC, with octadecane as the internal standard.

RESULT

The calibration curve showed a good linear relationship. Extraction recoveries, inter-day and intra-day precisions and stability were in conformity with the analytical requirements of biological samples. Borneol was mainly distributed in most tissues, more in heart, brain and kidney, and less in liver, spleen and lung.

CONCLUSION

The established GC-FID method is applicable for content determination of borneol in tissues. After intravenous and intranasal administrations in mice, borneol is mainly distributed in abundant blood-supply tissues. After intranasal administration, brain tissues showed the highest target coefficient and target effectiveness.

In situ and in vivo study of nasal absorption of borneol in rats

The aim of this work was to study the in situ and in vivo nasal absorption of borneol. A novel single pass in situ nasal perfusion technique was applied to examine the rate and extent of nasal absorption of borneol by rats. Experimental conditions, such as perfusion rate, pH and drug concentration, were investigated. The in situ experiments showed that the nasal absorption of borneol was not dependent on drug concentration, and fitted a first order process. The absorption rate constant, Ka, influenced with an increase in perfusion speed. The borneol was well absorbed in the conditions of the nasal cavity within the pH range and pH value of physiological conditions. In vivo studies of borneol absorption were carried out in rats and the pharmacokinetics parameters of intranasal (i.n.) was compared with intravenous (i.v.) administration. The bioavailabilities of borneol was 90.82% for i.n. while Tmax values were 10min. MRT (Mean Residence Time) were 262.55 +/- 67.35 min and 204.22 +/- 14.50 min for i.n. and i.v. methods, respectively. The results demonstrate that borneol could be absorbed promptly and thoroughly by i.n. administration in rats.

[Clinical study on topical bismuth subgallate/borneol (Suile) dressing for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bismuth Subgallate/Borneol (Suile) (BSB) dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

METHODS

A two-center, randomized controlled parallel-group comparison study was conducted. Between September 2005 and November 2006, 35 patients with nonhealing diabetic foot ulcer (Wagner 2-3 grade) were recruited and divided randomly into the test group (BSB group, n = 25) and control group (IG group, n = 10). There was no significant difference in general data between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Based on the comprehensive therapy of diabetic foot, ulcers were topically treated by Suile dressing and Intrasite gel in the BSB group and IG group, respectively. The ulcer area was measured once a week. Ulcer bleeding was observed and acceptance of the dressing was inquired each week.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 22 patients in the BSB group and 8 in the IG group completed the clinical trial. Intention to treat (ITT) analysis indicated that the results were excellent in 19 (76%) cases, good in 3 cases (12%), fair in 1 case (4%), and poor in 2 cases (8%) in the BSB group. In the IG group, the results were excellent in 8 cases (80%) cases, fair in 1 case (10%), and poor in 1 case (10%). Per-protocol (PP) analysis showed that the results were excellent in 19 cases (86%) and good in 3 cases (14%) in the BSB group, and were excellent in 8 cases (100%) in the IG group. The results of ITT and PP analysis all showed no significant difference between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The change trend of ulcer areas in the BSB group was similar to that in the IG group. There was no significant difference in the hemostatic effect between 2 groups (P > 0.05) and the patients were more likely to accept BSB dressings.

CONCLUSION

BSB dressings is an effective, safe, and generally well-tolerated therapy dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Borneol administration protects primary rat hepatocytes against exogenous oxidative DNA damage

Experimental evidences suggest that most essential oils possess a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities that may protect tissues against oxidative damage. In this study, we investigated DNA-protective effect of borneol, a component of many essential oils, against oxidative DNA damage induced in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Borneol was added to drinking water of Sprague-Dawley rats and DNA resistance against oxidative agents was compared in hepatocytes originated from control and borneol-treated rats. Oxidative stress induced by visible light-excited methylene blue (MB/VL) or 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquionone (DMNQ) resulted in increased levels of DNA lesions measured by the modified single cell gel electrophoresis. Borneol (17 or 34 mg/kg body weight) added to drinking water of rats for 7 days reduced the level of oxidative DNA lesions induced in their hepatocytes by MB/VL or DMNQ. To explain the increased resistance of DNA towards oxidative stress, we measured the base-excision repair (BER) capacity in liver cell extracts of control and borneol-supplemented rats on DNA substrate of HepG2 cells containing oxidative damage. Our results showed that administration of borneol in drinking water had no effect on incision activity of hepatocytes isolated from supplemented rats. The spectrophotometric assessment of enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and the flow cytometric assessment of total intracellular glutathione (iGSH) in primary hepatocytes of borneol-supplemented rats showed no changes in SOD and GPx activities but higher iGSH content particularly in hepatocytes of higher borneol dose (34 mg/kg) supplemented rats in comparison to control animals. Despite the fact that borneol had no effect either on BER of oxidative DNA damage or on the levels of antioxidant enzymes and manifested no reducing power and radicals scavenging activity, it increased significantly the level of non-enzymatic antioxidant iGSH which could reduce the oxidative DNA lesions induced by MB/VL or DMNQ.

[Effects of penetration enhancers on curcumin transdermal drug delivery]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of penetration enhancers and their combinations on the curcumine transdermal drug delivery (CUR-TDDS).

METHODS

The penetration rate of curcumin through rat skin in vitro was measured using Valia-Chien diffusion cells, and orthogonal design method was set up for experimental design.

RESULTS

The optimum penetration enhancers were: 3% hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrins (HP-beta-CD), 9% borneol and 3% peppermint oil.

CONCLUSION

The HP-beta-CD has the most potent enhancing effect.

Enhancing effects of different dosages of borneol on pharmacokinetics of salvanic acid B after oral administration to rats

The main purpose of this study was to illustrate the effect of borneol on pharmacokinetics of salvianolic acid B (SalB) in rats after oral administration of SalB with different doses of borneol. The concentrations of SalB in rat plasma were determined by an established and validated LC-MS/MS method. Our data showed that when 20, 40, and 80 mg kg⁻¹ of borneol were orally administrated with SalB at 50 mg kg⁻¹, C (max) of SalB was increased by 18.4%, 55.8%, and 103.2% compared with that of SalB alone. And AUC(0-t) of SalB in plasma was increased by 14.4%, 48.5%, and 123.3%, respectively. The results indicated that borneol is able to enhance the intestinal absorption and relative bioavailability of SalB, with a positive dose-dependent relationship. The described herb-drug interactions might prove the scientific rationality of the compatible ratio of traditional Chinese medicines.

[Effect of single-used borneol and combining it with diazepam on content of neurotransmitter in corpus striatum of rats]

OBJECTIVE

To research the content changes of excitatory neurotransmitter and inhibitory neurotransmitter in corpus striatum of rats after single-used borneol and combining it with diazepam in hope of comprehending the activity of borneol on central nervous system and to observe whether borneol could increase the penetration of other drugs into the brain.

METHOD

The content of four amino acids neurotransmitters in corpus striatum of rats were sampled by brain microdialysis technology at different time after administration and were determined by RP-HPLC which involved pre-column derivation with orthophthaladehyde (OPA), using phosphate gradient elution and fluorescence detection to detect the content of excitatory neurotransmitter aspartate (Asp), glutamate (Glu) and inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine (Gly), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in standards and samples and carry on statistical analysis.

RESULT

The content of both Gly and GABA in corpus striatum of rats with borneol increased significantly, compared with diazepam group (P < 0.05), while Asp and Glu showed no significant difference.

CONCLUSION

Borneol can improve permeability of diazepam through BBB.

[Effect of electroacupuncture combined with intragastric administration of borneol on the permeability of blood-brain barrier in the mouse]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with gavage of borneol on the permeability and ultrastructure of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in mice, so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improving permeability of BBB.

METHODS

For assaying Evans blue (EB) content in the brain, 60 Kunming mice were evenly divided into control, EA, borneol (0.2 g/kg, borneol-0.2), borneol (0.4 g/kg, borneol-0.4), borneol (0.2 g/kg, borneol-0.2) + EA and borneol (0.4 g/kg, borneol-0.4) + EA groups. For determination of P-glycoprotein [P-gp, a member of the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters which transport various molecules across extra- and intra-cellular membranes] function and the ultrastructure of BBB, other 84 mice were randomized into control, borneol-0.2, borneol-0.4, borneol-0.2 + EA, borneol-0.4 + EA and verapamil groups (n=10 for P-gp. function analysis, and n 2 for electron microscopic observation). EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Yamen"(GV 15) for 20 ml once daily for 14 days. EB (2.5%, 0.2 mL/kg) and rhodamine (Rh) 123 (0.2 mg/kg) were injected intravenously first through the tail vein, and their contents in the brain and Rh 123 in the plasma were detected after EA by using an ultraviolet fluorescence microplate reader. At the same time, the permeation index (Kp) was calculated by the ratio of Rh 123brain/Rh 123blood.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the cerebral EB and Rh 123 contents and Kp of BBB in the EA, borneol-0.2, borneol-0.4, borneol-0.2 + EA, borneol-0.4 + EA and verapamil groups were increased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The cerebral EB content was significantly higher in the borneol-0.2 + EA group than in the borneol-0.2 group (P < 0.05), suggesting a synergistic effect of EA and borneol. No significant differences were found among the EA, borneol-0.2 and borneol-0.4 groups in cerebral EB levels, among the control, EA, borneol-0.2, borneol-0.4, borneol-0.2 + EA, borneol-0.4 + EA and verapamil groups in plasma Rh 123 contents, and among the EA, borneol-0.2, borneol-0.4, borneol-0.2 + EA, borneol-0.4 + EA and verapamil groups in cerebral Rh 123 contents and Kp of BBB (P > 0.05). Results of the electron transmission microscope showed that the compact degree of the tight junction of BBB was decreased in the borneol-0.2, borneol-0.4, borneol-0.2 + EA, borneol-0.4 + EA groups but not in the EA group.

CONCLUSION

EA and gavage of borneol treatments may enhance the permeability of BBB for EB and Rh 123 and have a certain synergistic effect in mice. The effect of borneol may be closely with the inhibition of P-glycoprotein and the decrease of tight junction of BBB while the effect of EA treatment is probably related to the inhibition of P-glycoprotein only.

[Study on rat nasal absorption in situ of borneol based on single pass perfusion method]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the absorption characteristic of borneol.

METHOD

Using single pass perfusion model, the active ingredient of borneol were detected by GC. The drug concentration, perfusion rate and pH value on the absorption of borneol were studied.

RESULT

Perfusion rate on the absorption rate constants (Ka) had significant effects. Drug concentration and pH value on the absorption rate constants had no significant impact.

CONCLUSION

the absorption of borneol is good by nasal. The absorption rate constants of borneol have no effected by drug concentration. The absorption of borneol is via a simple diffusion.

[Pharmacokinetics of phenolic antioxidant 4-methyl-2,6-diisobornylphenol upon intravenous injection]

The pharmacokinetics of 4-methyl-2,6-diisobornylphenol (MDIBP) in rat blood plasma has been studied after intravenous injection. The drug concentration in the plasma was determined using a reverse-phase HPLC procedure. It is shown that MDIBP rapidly penetrates into intensively perfused organs, but is slowly eliminated from the organism (MRT value amounting to 9 h).

[Intestinal absorption properties of three components in salvianolic acid extract and the effect of borneol on their absorption in rats]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of concentration, intestinal section and borneol on the intestinal absorption of salvianolic acids. The experiment not only studied the intestinal absorption properties of three concentrations of rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B and salvianolic acid A at duodenum, jejunum and ileum, but also of salvianolic acids compatible with borneol at different concentrations using single-pass intestinal perfusion model in rat with phenol red as the marker. The results showed that salvianolic acids was stable under weak-acid condition and affected by metabolism enzyme; The Peff and Ka significantly different among three concentrations of rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B, whose intestinal absorption were saturated in high concentration, suggesting that the transport mechanisms of rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B were similar to active transport or facilitated diffusion; However, there was inconspicuousness in the Peff and Ka of salvianolic acid A at different concentrations, whose absorption was not saturated in high concentration, indicating that the transport mechanisms of salvianolic acid A was passive diffusion; The Peff and Ka in the ileum obviously higher than those in the duodenum and jejunum, namely the ileum was the best absorption section; When concentration of borneol increased, the enhancing effect of intestinal absorption of salvianolic acids increased, but significantly decreased when borneol increased to some degree. The enhancing effect of medium borneol concentration was the optimum. This implied that borneol can enhance the intestinal absorption of salvianolic acids, and the capacity of enhancing effect was influenced by the concentration of borneol.

A new ecamsule-containing SPF 40 sunscreen cream for the prevention of polymorphous light eruption: a double-blind, randomized, controlled study in maximized outdoor conditions

Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) is an idiopathic photodermatosis elicited by UV radiation (UVR). The objective of this double-blind, randomized, controlled, intraindividual, bilateral comparison was to determine the efficacy of the UVA filters (ecamsule, avobenzone) present in the new sun protection factor (SPF) 40 sunscreen cream in preventing PMLE in maximized outdoor conditions (ie, exaggerated sun exposure). Safety also was assessed. Each participant was treated with SPF 40 sunscreen cream containing ecamsule 3%, octocrylene 10%, avobenzone 2%, and titanium dioxide 5% (tetrad) on one side of the body and either an ecamsule-deprived (triad-E) or avobenzone-deprived (triad-A) cream on the other side. Participants were subsequently exposed to incremental doses of sunlight for up to 6 days. The primary efficacy assessment was a composite relative success rate with 3 components. Success was defined as either a delayed time to onset of PMLE or a lower global severity of PMLE comparing one side of the body to the other side in the same participant. Safety evaluations included systemic adverse events (AEs). Of the 144 participants enrolled and randomized, 22 did not experience PMLE during the study duration under these maximized sun exposure conditions. A significantly greater number of successes were detected on the tetrad-treated side compared with either triad: 41 of 73 participants (56%) versus 8 of 73 participants (11%; P<.001) in the triad-E treatment group and 26 of 71 participants (36%) versus 11 of 71 participants (16%; P=.02) in the triad-A treatment group. Polymorphous light eruption appeared later with the tetrad than with either triad. The global severity of the PMLE flares was significantly lower with the tetrad than with both triads at end point (P<.001 and P=.02 for tetrad vs triad-E and tetrad vs triad-A, respectively). In this study, the SPF 40 sunscreen cream containing ecamsule 3%, octocrylene 10%, avobenzone 2%, and titanium dioxide 5% prevented PMLE flares significantly better than similar formulations with only one of the UVA filters (triad-E treatment group, P<.001; triad-A treatment group, P=.02). The inclusion of both ecamsule and avobenzone provides clinical benefit to patients with PMLE compared with formulations containing only one UVA filter.

[Neuroprotective effects of dibornol and mechanism of its action in rats with cerebral ischemia]

Neuroprotective activity of the new sterically hindered phenolic antioxidant 4-methyl-2,6-diisobornylphenol (dibornol) in rats with total transient cerebral ischemia was investigated. Dibornol decreased mortality of rats and the number of animals with severe neurological deficit; moreover, it accelerated restoration of neurological status in the survived rats. Neuroprotective activity of dibornol is based on its ability to diminish lipid peroxidation in ischemic brain, suppress cerebral tissue hypoxia and protect functional activity of endothelium. Improved oxygen delivery was a consequence of reduced hyperviscosity syndrome (enhanced deformability of erythrocytes and their decreased aggregation).

Attenuation of Allergic Contact Dermatitis Through the Endocannabinoid System

Allergic contact dermatitis affects about 5% of men and 11% of women in industrialized countries and is one of the leading causes for occupational diseases. In an animal model for cutaneous contact hypersensitivity, we show that mice lacking both known cannabinoid receptors display exacerbated allergic inflammation. In contrast, fatty acid amide hydrolase-deficient mice, which have increased levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide, displayed reduced allergic responses in the skin. Cannabinoid receptor antagonists exacerbated allergic inflammation, whereas receptor agonists attenuated inflammation. These results demonstrate a protective role of the endocannabinoid system in contact allergy in the skin and suggest a target for therapeutic intervention.

The enhancing effect of synthetical borneol on the absorption of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate in mouse

The main purpose of this study was to illustrate the effect of synthetical borneol (SB) on the plasma and brain concentration profile of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate (TMPP) in mice after oral administration of TMPP without or with different amounts of SB. The concentrations of TMPP on the plasma and brain in mice were determined by GC-FID. The pharmacokinetic parameters were computed by software program 3p97. Our data showed that after oral administration of 15, 30, 90 mg kg(-1) of SB, oral bioavailability of TMPP in plasma was 1.52, 2.21, 2.95 times increase, respectively, than that without SB, and 1.12, 1.62, 1.93 times increase, respectively, in brain tissue. The pharmacokinetic data were simulated by non-linear least squares. The results showed that both open two-compartment model and one-order absorption were fitted to TMPP plasma and brain concentration-time course in vivo in mice. The MRT of TMPP showed same results under the conditions without or with SB. SB did enhance the oral absorption of TMPP and the concentration of TMPP in brain tissue, especially in the early period. But the use of SB did not change the behavior in vivo of TMPP.

Actions of N-arachidonyl-glycine in a rat neuropathic pain model

While cannabinoid receptor agonists reduce the abnormal pain sensations associated with animal models of neuropathic pain states they also produce CB(1) receptor mediated side effects. Recently, a number of arachidonic acid-amino acid conjugates, including N-arachidonyl-glycine (NAGly), have been identified which are structurally related to the endocannabinoid arachidonyl ethanolamide (anandamide). In the present study we examined the effect of NAGly in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Intrathecal administration of NAGly (700 nmol) and the pan-cannabinoid receptor agonist HU-210 (30 nmol) reduced the mechanical allodynia induced by partial ligation of the sciatic nerve. The NAGly induced anti-allodynia was dose dependent and, unlike HU-210, was unaffected by the cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptor antagonists, AM251 and SR144528 (30 nmol). The NAGly degradation products, arachidonic acid and glycine (700 nmol), did not reduce allodynia. HU-210, but not NAGly produced a reduction in rotarod latency. These findings suggest that NAGly may provide a novel analgesic approach to alleviate neuropathic pain.

CB1 RECEPTOR ACTIVATION IN THE BASOLATERAL AMYGDALA PRODUCES ANTINOCICEPTION IN ANIMAL MODELS OF ACUTE AND TONIC NOCICEPTION

1. Recent studies have suggested that the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) participates in the processing of pain information, especially noxious somatic information. Cannabinoid receptors or CB1 mRNA are expressed more in the BLA than in other nuclei of the amygdala. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine whether CB1 receptors in the BLA may be involved in modulating acute and/or tonic nociceptive processing. 2. Adult rats were exposed to intra-BLA microinjection of the cannabinoid receptor agonist (R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl) pyrrolo [1,2,3,-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1-naphthalenylmethanone mesylate [WIN 55,212-2 (1, 2.5, 5 or 10 microg/side)] and subjected to the tail flick and formalin tests. 3. The rats demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in latency to withdraw from a thermal noxious stimulus in the tail flick test and a decrease in formalin-induced pain behaviours. The antinociceptive effects of the CB1 receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (10 microg/side) in both tests were attenuated in the presence of the selective CB1 receptor antagonist, N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3- carboxamide (AM251; 0.55 ng/side). Administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (0.55, 5.5, or 55.5 ng/side) alone did not alter the nociceptive thresholds in either test. Bilateral microinjection of the selective CB2 receptor antagonist N-[(1S)-endo-1,3,3-trimethyl bicyclo [2.2.1] heptan-2-yl]-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR144528; 1 microg/side) had no effect on the antinociception produced by WIN 55,212-2, suggesting that the antinociceptive actions of WIN 55,212-2 are mediated by CB1 receptors. 4. The findings suggest the existence of a CB1-mediated inhibitory system in the BLA that, when activated, can diminish responsivity to acute and tonic noxious stimuli, but that normally has no tonic effect on the response threshold of these stimuli.

[Effect of ligustrazine, synthetic borneol on lasting time of ciliary movement]

OBJECTIVE

To study the using of the method in vitro and in vivo of lasting time of ciliary movement in ligustrazine, synthetic borneol.

METHODS

(1) Method in vitro-The lasting time of ciliary movement was observed with forty-fold optical microscope after dropping liquid medicine on exteacorporeal frog palate mucosa. Then mucosa was cleared. It was observed whether the ciliary movement was recovered and the lasting time was recorded from recovering to stopping once again. (2) Method in vivo-Liquid medicine or normal saline was dropped on frog palate mucosa by contacting thirty minutes. Then mucosa was cleared. The lasting time of ciliary movement was observed with forty-fold optical microscope by separating palate mucosa.

RESULTS

Relatively percentage of lasting time of ciliary movement of ligustrazine in vitro and in vivo was 9.8%, 87.3%; The relatively percentage of synthetic borneol in vitro and in vivo was 9.3%, 89.5%.

CONCLUSION

The method in vitro and in vivo of lasting time of ciliary movement can be the one of the selecting ways of Chinese drug's toxicity of nasal mucosa, and it have virtues and defects respectively. Ligustrazine, synthetic borneol have significantly toxical effect on exteacorporeal lasting time of ciliary movement.

Heme oxygenase induction and biliverdin excretion: implications for the bile fluorescence biomarker

The measurement of bile fluorescence has become a popular biomarker to demonstrate the exposure of fish to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Conflicting data have been published on how to normalize bile fluorescence. To investigate if normalization to biliverdin is a suitable method, experiments were performed to study the mechanisms related to biliverdin excretion in fish. Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were dosed with mixtures of benzo[a]pyrene and cadmium, chlorinated phenols or borneol. The results showed that under increasing toxicant stress, more biliverdin was excreted per amount of protein. To investigate if the increased biliverdin excretion was related to increased heme degradation, enzymatic activity of heme oxygenase (HO) was measured in liver homogenates. The fish dosed with chemical mixtures had significantly higher HO activity than the control fish, and a significant correlation was observed between HO activity and biliverdin concentration in the bile. It is concluded that chemical mixtures of environmental pollutants can induce HO activity and that this chemical stress leads to increased biliverdin excretion. The elucidation of this mechanistic pathway warrants that bile fluorescence is better expressed per amount of bile protein than per biliverdin absorption.

Deramciclane in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-finding study

Deramciclane, a camphor derivative, is a novel anxiolytic agent with a unique mechanism of action. It acts as a potent and specific antagonist at serotonin 5-HT2A/2C receptors, and exhibits anxiolytic efficacy in animal models. The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a range of doses of deramciclane in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Adult patients with a diagnosis of GAD (DSM-IV) and a Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) total score >or=18; a score >or=2 for the HAM-A items 'Anxious Mood' and 'Tension'; a score >or=4 on the Clinical Global Impression of Severity of Illness (CGI-S) Scale; and a score <or=20 on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) were enrolled in the study. Following a 1-2 week placebo run-in period, patients were randomized to receive deramciclane (10, 30, or 60 mg/day in two divided doses) or placebo for 8 weeks, followed by a 2-week placebo wash-out period. The primary efficacy measure was change in HAM-A score from baseline to week 8. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. Withdrawal reactions were assessed at the end of the study (week 8) and during the placebo wash-out period using the Physician's Withdrawal Checklist (34 items). In the intent-to-treat population (n=208), both the deramciclane 30 mg/day and 60 mg/day doses provided clinically relevant improvements in HAM-A total score after 8 weeks of treatment, reaching statistical significance compared with placebo in the 60 mg/day dose group (p=0.024) and a clear trend in the 30 mg/day group (p=0.059). On the HAM-A psychic anxiety factor, significant improvements were seen in patients in the deramciclane 30 mg/day and 60 mg/day treatment groups compared with those in the placebo group (p<0.05). Adverse events were reported at a similar frequency across all four treatment groups; the most commonly reported adverse event was headache. No withdrawal reactions were observed on abrupt discontinuation of deramciclane. In conclusion, deramciclane 60 mg/day showed significant evidence of efficacy for the treatment of GAD in adult patients. The efficacy for the 30 mg/day dose was close to the larger dose although not significant in the primary analysis, and there was no significant evidence of efficacy for the 10 mg/day dose. Deramciclane was safe and well-tolerated up to the 60 mg/day dose over an 8-week period.

Cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist activity in the hindpaw incision

The identification of peripherally expressed CB2 receptors and reports that the selective activation of cannabinoid CB2 receptors produces antinociception without traditional cannabinergic side effects suggests that selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists might be useful in the management of pain. In a rat hindpaw incision model, we examined the antiallodynic activity of the selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists AM1241 (3-30 mg/kg i.p.), GW405833 (3-30 mg/kg i.p.), and HU-308 (0.3-30 mg/kg i.p.). The rank order for efficacy in the hindpaw incision model following a dose of 10 mg/kg, i.p. was AM1241 > GW405833 = HU-308, and the selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonist, SR144528, reversed the antiallodynic effect of HU-308. Together, these data suggest that selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists might represent a new class of postoperative analgesics.

[Research on the analgesic effect and mechanism of bornyl acetate in volatile oil from amomum villosum]

OBJECTIVE

To study the analgesic effect and mechanism of bornyl acetate, the main ingredient of Amomum Villosum Volatile oil.

METHODS

The analgesic effects were tested by pressing tail method. The I, and II phase pain were observed with the pain model caused by formalin test. Influence of naloxone antagonism test on analgesic effect of bornyl acetate.

RESULTS

Bornyl acetate produced obvious analgesic effects on pain models induced by pressing tail. Bornyl acetate had inhibitory effect on I and II phase pain in formalin inducing pain model animals. Analgesic effect induced by Bornyl acetate wasn't significantly reduced by naloxone.

CONCLUSION

Bornyl acetate shows analgesic effects. The analgesic site may locate in both central and peripheral nervous system. Its analgesic action way not be related to the opioid receptor.

Influence of food on the oral bioavailability of deramciclane from film-coated tablet in healthy male volunteers

The effect of a high-fat meal on the oral bioavailability of deramciclane 30 mg tablet was evaluated in 18 healthy male volunteers in a randomised, single dose, two-way crossover study. The drug was administered following an overnight fast or a standardised high-fat breakfast. The plasma concentrations of deramciclane and N-desmethylderamciclane were determined by using a validated HPLC-MS -MS/MS method. An effect of food on the bioavailability was indicated if the 90% confidence interval (CI) for the ratio of geometric means of fed and fasted treatments was not contained in the equivalence limit of 0.8-1.25 for AUC and C(max). The ratios of the mean C(max) and AUC(0-infinity) values of deramciclane were 1.24 (90% CI 1.12-1.38) and 1.31 (90% CI 1.21-1.41) in fed versus fasted subjects, which overlapped but exceeded the equivalence limit. In contrast to the parent compound, the 90% CI of the mean ratios for AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) of N-desmethylderamciclane were within the predefined range. The 24 and 31% increase in C(max) and AUC(0-infinity) of deramciclane, respectively, under fed condition is modest and probably has no clinical significance since it is relatively small compared to the inter-individual variability of these parameters.

Vanilloid TRPV1 receptor mediates the antihyperalgesic effect of the nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, cannabidiol, in a rat model of acute inflammation

Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive marijuana constituent, was recently shown as an oral antihyperalgesic compound in a rat model of acute inflammation. We examined whether the CBD antihyperalgesic effect could be mediated by cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) or cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) and/or by transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1). Rats received CBD (10 mg kg(-1)) and the selective antagonists: SR141716 (N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide) for CB1, SR144528 (N-[(1S)-endo-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl]-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)pyrazole-3 carboxamide) for CB2 and capsazepine (CPZ) for TRPV1 receptors. The intraplantar injection of carrageenan in rats induced a time-dependent thermal hyperalgesia, which peaked at 3 h and decreased at the following times. CBD, administered 2 h after carrageenan, abolished the hyperalgesia to the thermal stimulus evaluated by plantar test. Neither SR141716 (0.5 mg kg(-1)) nor SR144528 (3 and 10 mg kg(-1)) modified the CBD-induced antihyperalgesia; CPZ partially at the lowest dose (2 mg kg(-1)) and fully at the highest dose (10 mg kg(-1)) reversed this effect. These results demonstrate that TRPV1 receptor could be a molecular target of the CBD antihyperalgesic action.

Pharmacokinetics of deramciclane and N-desmethylderamciclane after single and repeated oral doses in healthy volunteers

OBJECTIVE

To study the pharmacokinetics and accumulation of deramciclane and its metabolite N-desmethylderamciclane after 60 mg twice daily doses for 4 weeks.

METHODS

Sixteen healthy male subjects, age range of 20-29 years, participated in this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. Ten subjects first received a single 60 mg dose of deramciclane followed by 60 mg deramciclane b.i.d. between days 4 and 31. Six subjects received matching placebo in a similar manner. Pharmacokinetics of deramciclane and N-desmethylderamciclane were determined on days 1, 10, 17, 24 and 31. Plasma prolactin concentrations were measured before drug administration and 4 hours after on the same days. Safety was monitored using repeat laboratory determinations and ECG recordings.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) AUC(0-infinity) of deramciclane was 1,251 (385) ng x h/ml after the first dose. The AUC(tau) calculated for the dosing interval was significantly higher at week 1 (p = 0.048) than the AUC(0-infinity) after the first dose but thereafter there was no further accumulation of deramciclane. The mean accumulation indices at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 varied between 2.3 and 2.7 with no tendency to increase over time. The mean apparent elimination half-life of deramciclane was 24.9 (3.5) hours after the first dose and 29.3 (9.3) hours after 4-week repeated dosing; this difference was not statistically significant. The accumulation index of N-desmethylderamciclane increased from week 1 to week 2 but remained stable thereafter. The treatment was well tolerated. Plasma prolactin levels were not influenced by deramciclane administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Deramciclane administration, 60 mg twice daily for 4 weeks to healthy male volunteers, is well tolerated, and there is no evidence of continuous accumulation of the drug during maintenance treatment. Deramciclane at a dose of 60 mg b.i.d. does not antagonize dopamine receptors to a significant degree.

Synergistic effect of bismuth subgallate and borneol, the major components of Sulbogin, on the healing of skin wound

Most skin lesions heal delay and even heal efficiently within 1-2 weeks, the healed tissue is neither aesthetically nor functionally perfect. Therefore, facilitating skin healing rate and controlling healed skin quality are major aims of drug treatment for a wound event. Bismuth subgallate (BS) and Borneol (BO) are the two components of Sulbogin, a new Vaseline-based wound healing ointment, one for treating skin wounds. Although BO has antibiotic function, while BS is widely used clinically, neither has been used specifically for wound healing. The experiment described here aimed to study the effect of BS and BO on the healing of skin wounds. This study also compared the effects of BS and BO with Flamazine cream, which is currently the most popular drug for wound healing in hospitals. Full-thickness wounds (3 cm x 3 cm x 0.2 cm) were created on the back of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. BS, BO, BS+BO, and Flamazine were then evenly applied to cheesecloth and placed over the lesion areas. The drug patches were replaced every 2-3 days until the wound areas were completely covered by epidermis in any kinds of drug treatment. The combined BS and BO treatment had the best effect on healing by decreasing lesion area, while increasing granulation tissue formation, re-epithelialization, eating behavior and reconstitution of skin appendages. This investigation showed that BS and BO have a synergistic effect on the skin wound restoration.

Repellent effects of isoborneol on subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in soils of different composition

The repellence of the plant-derived bicyclic monoterpenoid isoborneol on subterranean termites was assessed in short-term laboratory bioassays. Depending on concentration, application of isoborneol to different soil types was efficient in creating repellent soil barriers, which were not penetrated by workers of Reticulitermes santonensis De Feytaud or R. flavipes Kollar within 2 wk after adding the substance to the substrate. Isoborneol-treated barriers did not affect termite survival. The bioavailability of the active ingredient decreased with increasing clay content of the soil. Evaporation of isoborneol from treated soil increased with increasing particle size of the substrate and could be reduced by covering the soil surface.

Pharmacokinetics of Deramciclane, a???Novel Anxiolytic Agent, after Intravenous and Oral Administration

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Deramciclane is a new compound that has shown anxiolytic effects in animal experiments and in human studies. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of deramciclane after intravenous and oral administration, and its oral bioavailability.

METHODS

Deramciclane 30 mg was given intravenously and orally as a tablet and as solution in an open, randomised, crossover three-period trial to 12 healthy male volunteers. Oral bioavailability of deramciclane and the pharmacokinetic parameters of deramciclane and N-desmethylderamciclane, the principal metabolite, were determined after intravenous and oral administration of the parent drug.

RESULTS

The first and second distribution half-lives (mean +/- SD) of deramciclane were 0.04 +/- 0.01 and 3.03 +/- 0.50h, respectively, and the half-life of the elimination phase was 26.6 +/- 5.5h. The clearance of deramciclane after an intravenous dose was 0.24 +/- 0.10 L/kg. The elimination phase half-life of N-desmethylderamciclane was 38.2 +/- 6.9h after intravenous and about 25 h after oral dosing of the parent compound. The mean oral bioavailability of deramciclane was 44% (range 27-58%) and 36% (23-50%) after administration of the oral solution and tablet, respectively. Deramciclane was well tolerated even after a 30 mg intravenous dose resulting in peak plasma concentrations 10 times higher than observed after its oral administration.

CONCLUSIONS

After intravenous administration, the pharmacokinetics of deramciclane are adequately described by a three-compartment model. After oral administration its pharmacokinetics follow a two-compartment model with first-order absorption. The elimination phase half-life of the parent compound is similar after intravenous and oral administration, whereas the apparent half-life of N-desmethylderamciclane is longer after intravenous than after oral administration of the parent compound. The oral bioavailability of deramciclane is large and uniform enough to allow its clinical use as tablets.

[Kinetic study on the volatility of menthol and borneol]

OBJECTIVE

To study the volatile regularity of menthol and borneol in granule and lozenge at different temperature.

METHOD

Kinetic method with GC being detection technique.

RESULT

The volatility of menthol and borneol acts as a pseudo first-order reaction in open system. Under the same condition, the volatile rate of menthol and borneol in granule is four times as fast as that in lozenge, and the volatile rate of borneol is faster than that of menthol.

CONCLUSION

This study can be applied to improve the quality of lozenges containing menthol or/and borneol.

In vitro simulation of food effect on dissolution of deramciclane film-coated tablets and correlation with in vivo data in healthy volunteers

The in vitro dissolution profiles of deramciclane 30 mg film-coated tablets, an acid-labile new 5-HT receptor antagonist, were studied under simulated fasting and fed conditions. Artificial gastric juice with pH adjusted to that of fasting conditions was applied either alone or after adding different dietary components. The use of the USP dissolution apparatus II (paddle method) showed that the presence of dietary components has markedly affected the amount of unchanged drug dissolved. As a similar tendency had been observed in food-effect studies in healthy volunteers, cumulative area under the curve (AUC(cum)) for both fed and fasting conditions were compared and an in vitro--in vivo correlation (IVIVC) was evaluated. A linear relationship was established between logarithmic in vivo blood sampling time and in vitro dissolution time assigned to equal AUC(cum) ratios (AUC(cum, fed)/AUC(cum, fasting)). Despite its limitations, in vitro modelling of in vivo conditions might help provide a base for predicting in vivo drug behaviour.

Oral, intraperitoneal and intravenous pharmacokinetics of deramciclane and its N-desmethyl metabolite in the rat

The pharmacokinetic properties of deramciclane fumarate (EGIS-3886), a new potential anxiolitic agent, and its N-desmethyl metabolite have been investigated in Wistar rats after 10 mgkg(-1) deramciclane fumarate was administered orally, intraperitoneally or intravenously. A highly sensitive, validated and optimized gas chromatographic method with nitrogen selective detection (GC-NPD) using a solid-phase extraction technique was used to determine plasma levels of the parent compound and its N-desmethyl metabolite. After oral administration the absorption of the parent compound was very fast (t(max) 0.5h). The maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) was detected at 44.9, > or =177.8 and > or =2643.0 ngmL(-1) after oral, intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of deramciclane, respectively. For the metabolite the respective Cmax values were 32.0, > or =25.4 and 51.0 ngmL(-1). The pharmacokinetic curves of both the parent compound and its metabolite showed enterohepatic recirculation for all administration routes. The biological half-life (tbeta 1/2) for deramciclane ranged from 3.42 to 5.44 h and for the N-desmethyl metabolite the range was 2.90-5.44 h, after administration of the drug by the three different routes. After intravenous administration AUC0-infinity, of deramciclane was 29.2- and 5.4-times higher than that observed after oral and intraperitoneal treatment, respectively. These AUC0-infinity ratios were only 2.1- and 1.5-times higher for the metabolite. The absolute bioavailability of deramciclane in rats was 3.42% after oral and 18.49% after intraperitoneal administration. The comparative pharmacokinetic study of deramciclane in rat after the different administration routes showed fast absorption. Furthermore, plasma levels were found to be administration route-dependent, low bioavailability of the parent compound indicated an extremely fast and strong first-pass metabolism. The apparent volume of distribution suggested strong tissue binding after administration of the drug by any of the three routes studied.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of deramciclane during multiple oral dosing

Deramciclane is a new putative non-benzodiazepine-type anxiolytic compound. It is a selective serotonin 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist and has also inverse agonist properties. The aim of this study was to reveal the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of deramciclane during repeated oral dosing in healthy male volunteers.

SUBJECTS, MATERIAL AND METHODS

A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled design was used. The study had three consecutive groups that received first a single oral dose of 10, 30 and 60 mg of deramciclane followed by twice a day administration for seven days. The total number of subjects was 28. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated for a single dose and after repeated administration. Tolerability was assessed by monitoring safety laboratory variables, electrocardiogram, heart rate, blood pressure and adverse events.

RESULTS

The steady-state was reached during the seven-day administration. The pharmacokinetics of deramciclane was dose-proportional at steady-state at each dose level. Deramciclane accumulated about three-fold during repeated administration. The relative bioavailability of deramciclane increased about 1.4-fold compared to that of a single dose at each dose level. The mean elimination half-life of deramciclane for 10, 30 and 60 mg doses prolonged from 24.3, 20.9 and 22.9 h after a single dose to 30.5, 25.6 and 28.7 h at steady-state, respectively. Only few adverse events were reported, all mild and transient in nature. The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions were tiredness and headache. There were no deramciclane-induced changes in the clinical chemistry or hematology variables, blood pressure, heart rate or in electrocardiogram.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the pharmacokinetics of deramciclane is linear over the dose range of 10 - 60 mg at steady-state. The slight non-linearity within the dose levels during repeated administration of seven days was regarded as clinically irrelevant. Deramciclane was safe and well tolerated up to doses of 60 mg b.i.d. for seven days.

The single dose pharmacokinetics and safety of deramciclane in healthy male volunteers

The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of a new putative non-benzodiazepine type anxiolytic compound deramciclane was studied in two consecutive studies. An open dose-escalation design was used to study doses from 0.2 to 50 mg in 18 healthy male volunteers. In the second study doses from 50 to 150 mg were investigated in 14 healthy males in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose escalation study. Deramciclane was rapidly absorbed from the GI-tract and T(max) was 2-4 h. The elimination half-life increased from about 20 h to about 32 h with the increasing dose. Nevertheless, the AUC(0-infinity) values increased linearly within the studies over the dose ranges of 3-50 and 50-150 mg. However, the increase was more than the ratio of the dose over the total dose range of 3-150 mg. Therefore, non-linear pharmacokinetics of deramciclane at high doses cannot be excluded. N-desmethyl deramciclane, which is the active metabolite of deramciclane, was determined in plasma. C(max) was reached at about 6 h. The AUC(0-48 h) for the N-desmethyl metabolite was about one third of the AUC(0-infinity) of the parent compound and the ratio remained constant at each dose level. Deramciclane was safe, and was well tolerated at each dose level.

Brain 5-HT2A receptor occupancy of deramciclane in humans after a single oral administration--a positron emission tomography study

RATIONALE

Deramciclane fumarate is a new 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor antagonist with putative anxiolytic effects. In the present study the binding of deramciclane to serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in frontal cortex of healthy male volunteers was studied using [11C]-N-methyl spiperone ([11C]-NMSP) and positron emission tomography.

METHODS

The receptor occupancy percentage was assessed by the means of inhibition of [11C]-NMSP from the 5-HT2A receptors in the frontal cortex. Single oral doses of 20, 50 and 150 mg deramciclane were given to three subjects at each dose level (total n = 9). The receptor occupancy was measured before deramciclane and at 3 and 6 h post-dosing except at the 20 mg dose level where only the 3-h measurement was done. The occupancy percentage was calculated with the ratio method using cerebellum as a reference area.

RESULTS

Deramciclane inhibited [11C]-NMSP binding dose and concentration dependently. However, deramasciclane inhibited maximally only 52% of the [11C]-NMSP binding in the frontal cortex, indicating a non-5-HT2A receptor binding component of this radioligand in frontal cortex. On average, specific [11C]-NMSP binding cerebellum ratios below 0.355 were not possible to achieve in this population. The 52% inhibition was regarded to represent near 100% 5-HT2A receptor occupancy. The 50 and 90% receptor occupancies were reached at deramciclane plasma concentrations of 21 ng/ml and 70 ng/ml, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Deramciclane penetrates the blood-brain barrier in humans. Deramciclane binds to the 5-HT2A receptors in the frontal cortex in a saturable manner in vivo. Consequently, the increase in deramciclane concentration in plasma above 70 ng/ml will not result in major increase in the 5-HT2A receptor occupancy in the brain.

Whole-body autoradiography and quantitative organ-level distribution study of deramciclane in rats

The distribution of 3H-labelled deramciclane (EGIS-3886), a new 5-HT2 antagonist with anxiolytic activity, has been investigated by whole-body autoradiography and quantitative organ-level determination after intravenous and oral administration to male and female rats at a dose of 3 mg kg(-1). Pregnant dams were also studied, but by autoradiography only. In the autoradiographic study 32 organs were investigated, while in the quantitative organ-level study the radioactivity in 15 organs were determined. There are no sex differences in the distribution of deramciclane, absorption is rapid, elimination is comparatively fast, no specific organ is targeted, and the accumulation of the compound is very unlikely. Penetration of the blood-brain barrier was complete and extremely fast, a very important feature of a potential anxiolytic drug. There is no penetration of the foetus in pregnant dams. The study demonstrated that deramciclane has advantageous pharmacokinetic properties in rats.

Pharmacokinetics of deramciclane in rabbits

The pharmacokinetics of deramciclane (CAS 120444-78-8, EGIS-3886) was investigated in rabbits after i.v., p.o. and s.c. administration of 3 mg/kg 14C-phenyl-deramciclane. The plasma, concentration-time curves of total radioactivity, the parent compound (deramciclane) and its N-demethylated metabolite (EGIS-7056) were determined. The radioactivity level was measured by liquid scintillation technique while the concentration of the parent compound and its metabolite was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection. The p.o. and i.v. studies were carried out on the same group of animals, while a separate group of rabbits was used for studying s.c. absorption. Deramciclane was readily absorbed after p.o. and s.c. treatment (tmax 1.0 to 1.4 h). The terminal elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) of the parent compound fell between 5.8 to 7.1 h, while that of the total radioactivity ranged from 21.6 and 26.0 h. The absolute bioavailability of deramciclane calculated from the AUC0-infinity values was found to be 43 and 60% after p.o. and s.c. treatment. The apparent volume of distribution (Vd) and the whole body clearance (Cl) of deramciclane after i.v. administration were 25.0 +/- 7.1 l/kg and 2.6 +/- 0.5 l/h/kg, respectively. The AUC0-infinity values of the parent compound varied between 4.6 and 7.9% of that of total radioactivity, suggesting that deramciclane was subjected to intensive metabolic conversion. The AUC0-infinity of N-desmethyl-deramciclane was 5.7%, compared to that of the parent compound after i.v. administration.