Nurmuhammat Amat

In vivo hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of Artemisia absinthium L. against chemically and immunologically induced liver injuries in mice

AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to evaluate in vivo hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of Artemisia absinthium L. (AEAA), which has been used for the treatment of liver disorders in Traditional Uighur Medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of the AEAA was performed by means of thin layer chromatography and spectrophometric assays. Aqueous extract (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered orally to experimental mice. Liver injury was induced chemically, by a single CCl(4) administration (0.1% in olive oil, 10 ml/kg, i.v.), or immunologically, by injection of endotoxin (LPS, 10 microg, i.v.) in BCG-primed mice. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) in mouse sera, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in mouse liver tissues were measured. The biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination. RESULTS Obtained results demonstrated that the pretreatment with AEAA significantly (P<0.001) and dose-dependently prevented chemically or immunologically induced increase in serum levels of hepatic enzymes. Furthermore, AEAA significantly (P<0.05) reduced the lipid peroxidation in the liver tissue and restored activities of defense antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx towards normal levels. In the BCG/LPS model, increase of the levels of important pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-alpha and IL-1 was significantly (P<0.01) suppressed by AEAA pretreatment. Histopathology of the liver tissue showed that AEAA attenuated the hepatocellular necrosis and led to reduction of inflammatory cells infiltration. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins in the AEAA. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study strongly indicate the protective effect of AEAA against acute liver injury which may be attributed to its antioxidative and/or immunomodulatory activity, and thereby scientifically support its traditional use.

Protective effect of Cichorium glandulosum root extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced and galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

Cichorium glandulosum Boiss. et Huet is a native plant used in Traditional Uighur Medicine, especially for treating a variety of liver disorders. In the present study, in vivo hepatoprotective effect of C. glandulosum root extract (CGRE) was evaluated using two experimental models, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)- and galactosamine (GalN)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice. Pretreatment with CGRE (800 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for seven days significantly reduced the impact of CCl4 toxicity (10 mL/kg, i.p.) on the serum markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Protective effect was reconfirmed against GalN-induced injury (800 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) and elevated serum enzymatic levels were significantly (p<0.05)and dose dependently restored towards normalization by the extracts. Furthermore, considering the well-known implication of free radicals in tissue injury, in vitro antioxidant properties of the extract were determined with a view to suggest the possible mechanism of activity. The extract showed noticeable antioxidant activity, comparable with standard antioxidants, through its ability to scavenge several free radicals (DPPH, O(2)(-), NO()) and efficiency against lipid peroxidation. Therefore, presented results suggest that CGRE is potent hepatoprotective agent that could protect liver against the acute injury and this ability might be attributed to its antioxidant potential.

Anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and heme oxygenase-1 inhibitory activities of ravan napas, a formulation of uighur traditional medicine, in a rat model of allergic asthma.

Ravan Napas (RN) is a traditional formula used to treat pulmonary symptoms and diseases such as coughing, breathing difficulty, and asthma in traditional Uighur medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory, and immuno-modulatory activity of RN in a well-characterized animal model of allergic asthma. Rats were sensitized with intraperitoneal (ip) ovalbumin (OVA) and alum, and then challenged with OVA aerosols. The asthma model rats were treated with RN; saline- and dexamethasone- (DXM-) treated rats served as normal and model controls. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cellular differential and the concentrations of sICAM-1, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-α, INF-γ, and IgE in serum were measured. Lung sections underwent histological analysis. The immunohistochemistry S-P method was used to measure the expression of ICAM-1 and HO-1 in the lung. RN significantly reduced the number of inflammatory cells in BALF and lung tissues, decreased sICAM-1, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-α, and IgE in serum, and increased serum INF-γ. There was a marked suppression of ICAM-1 and HO-1 expression in the lung. Our results suggest that RN may have an anti-inflammatory and immuneregulatory effect on allergic bronchial asthma by modulating the balance between Th1/Th2 cytokines.

Effects of soybean peptide on immune function, brain function, and neurochemistry in healthy volunteers

OBJECTIVE Soybeans, an excellent source of dietary peptides, have beneficial effects on health. We investigated the effect of the soybean peptide on immune function, brain function, and neurochemistry in healthy volunteers. METHODS Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to analyze brain cerebral blood flow. The A and DA levels in the serum were analyzed by ELISA kit. The total number of leukocytes was recorded with a standard counter. Flow cytometry was used to assess lymphocyte subset levels. RESULTS Cell numbers were upregulated in the group that had fewer leukocytes but downregulated in the group with more leukocytes. For the lymphocyte-rich type, lymphocyte counts tended to decrease, accompanied by an increase in granulocyte numbers. For the granulocyte-rich type, granulocyte counts tended to increase, but lymphocyte counts also increased. The numbers of CD11b(+) cells and CD56(+) cells increased significantly. Soybean peptide decreased the adrenalin level in plasma but increased the level of dopamine. Near-infrared spectroscopy showed significant increases in the amplitudes of θ, α-2, and β-L frequency bands after the ingestion of peptides. CONCLUSION Soybean peptides can modulate cellular immune systems, regulate neurotransmitters, and boost brain function.

Immunomodulatory effects of Abnormal Savda Munsiq, a traditional Uighur medicine, on the combined stress mice

OBJECTIVE To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of ASMq, a herbal preparation used in Traditional Uighur Medicine, on the combined stress mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS The combined stress was induced on mice by application of the electric-foot shock in a cold-dry environment and three different doses of ASMq were orally administered to the animals for 14 days. The effect of ASMq on the immune apparatus weight index, lymphocytes proliferation, serum levels of the cytokines, immunoglobulins, hemolysin and NK cells as well as the phagocytic activity of the macrophages were evaluated. RESULTS Oral administration of ASMq was found to increase the thymus and spleen indices, lymphocytes proliferation induced by Con A and LPS, the percentage of CD4(+) in thymus, spleen and peripheral blood and restore the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio. The serum concentrations of INF-beta, IL-2, IL-6, IgG, NK cells and hemolysin were also increased. The macrophage phagocytic activity was also enhanced.

Antibacterial and EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitory activities of polyhydroxylated xanthones from Garcinia succifolia.

Chemical investigation of the methanol extract of the wood of Garcinia succifolia Kurz (Clusiaceae) led to the isolation of 1,5-dihydroxyxanthone (1), 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone (2), 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone (3), 1,5,6-trihydroxyxanthone (4), 1,6,7-trihydroxyxanthone (5), and 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone (6). All of the isolated xanthones were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against bacterial reference strains, two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATTC 25923, Bacillus subtillis ATCC 6633) and two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853), and environmental drug-resistant isolates (S. aureus B1, Enteroccoccus faecalis W1, and E. coli G1), as well as for their epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) of tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity. Only 1,5,6-trihydroxy-(4), 1,6,7-trihydroxy-(5), and 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthones (6) exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, however none was active against vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis. Additionally, 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone (2) showed synergism with oxacillin, but not with ampicillin. On the other hand, only 1,5-dihydroxyxanthone (1) and 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone (2) were found to exhibit the EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 90.34 and 223 nM, respectively.

Behavioral, Neurochemical and Neuroendocrine Effects of Abnormal Savda Munziq in the Chronic Stress Mice

Oral administration of Abnormal Savda Munsiq (ASMq), a herbal preparation used in Traditional Uighur Medicine, was found to exert a memory-enhancing effect in the chronic stressed mice, induced by electric foot-shock. The memory improvement of the stressed mice was shown by an increase of the latency time in the step-through test and the decrease of the latency time in the Y-maze test. Treatment with ASMq was found to significantly decrease the serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT) and β-endorphin (β-EP) as well as the brain and serum level of norepinephrine (NE). Furthermore, ASMq was able to significantly reverse the chronic stress by decreasing the brain and serum levels of the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPAC). The results obtained from this study suggested that the memory-enhancing effect of ASMq was mediated through regulations of neurochemical and neuroendocrine systems.

Investigation into the toxicity of traditional Uyghur medicine Quercus infectoria galls water extract.

Objective Quercus infectoria galls (QIG) is being widely used in Traditional Uyghur Medicine. To gather preclinical safety information for the aqueous extract of QIG, a toxicity study was performed. Methods Subject animals were randomized, and devided into exposure and control groups. In the acute toxicity phase, three different doses—5, 7.5, and 10 g/kg, respectively—were administered via enema to imprinting control region (ICR) mice. An experiment using the maximum tolerance dose (MTD) i.e.10 g/kg was also performed. Data were gathered for 14 days, and study parameters were clinical signs, body weight, general behavior, adverse effects and mortality. At the day 14, major organs of the subjects were examined histologically. Chronic toxicity was also evaluated in Wistar rats for over 180 consecutive days. The rats were divided into three groups with different doses of 0.2 g/kg, 0.8 g/kg, and 2 g/kg, QIG. Furthermore, observations were carried out in rabbits to investigate if there were signs of irritation. Results In comparison to control group, acute, chronic toxicity and mortality were not significantly increased in exposure group. Conclusion Study result suggests that the aqueous extract of QIG is unlikely to have significant toxicity and that clinical trials may proceed safely.

Neuroendocrine–immune disorder in type 2 diabetic patients with retinopathy

1. Diabetes mellitus is usually accompanied by hyperactivity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most devastating complications in diabetes although little is known with regards to the HPA activity in type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) with diabetic retinopathy. The present study was designed to evaluate the HPA axis activity in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Fermented Herbal Decoction Selectively Targeting Human Cancer Cell Line and Human Pathogenic Microorganism

Introduction: Prolonged immuno-suppressed status promised to induce internal growth of malignant cell and infectious agent, yet, only a small part of affected individuals seek medical attention or berried by commercially over-flowed fake information. Several studies have described complementary and alternative medicine as effective strategies for improving anti-infectious agent including malignant cell. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a fermented herbal decoction (FHD) both in vitro and in vivo to malignant cells and microorganism by regulating leukocyte subset proportioning FHD as dietary material. Methods: In this approach of alternative study, selective anti-cancer effect by fermented decoction was tried to show first in vitro system both, cancer cell and virus strain. The fermented herbal decoction consisting of 80 sorts of herbs and fruits. The selective toxicity was set up and then for immunological factors in animal and human. The most important factor is to reduce side effect for a normal cell. Results: First, FHD was proved as safe by animal test. FHD regulated also the proportion of granulocyte and lymphocyte ratio both animal and human. In vitro culture showed selective toxicity by FHD against human melanoma and leukemia cell line but reduced toxicity was showed by normal cell line. As for the anti-virus activity, anti-virus effect was tested on the feeder layer of human fibroblast cell, after 9 days of culture. Second, FHD inhibits colon cancer growth in 3-methylholanthrene induced cancer in rat. Conclusion: The present results suggest that our fermented herbal decoction showed selective anti-cancer activities and anti-virus activities, together with the regulative effect on the immune system.