Yongfang Lei

In vivo investigation on the potential of galangin, kaempferol and myricetin for protection of D-galactose-induced cognitive impairment.

The potential of three natural flavonols (galangin, kaempferol and myricetin) to protect against D-galactose-induced cognitive impairment in mice was investigated. After 8 weeks treatment, the mice were assessed by behavioural tests. The levels of oxidative stress, the amount of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)-cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in hippocampus were also analysed. It was found that all the three dietary flavonols could ameliorate the oxidative stress, enhance the activity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and regulate the expression of ERK-CREB pathway in mice. However, only kaempferol and myricetin could significantly improve the learning and memory capability when compared with D-galactose model. Our results suggest that the presence of hydroxyl groups in the B ring of flavonols may have contribution to the neuroprotective activity.

Hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties of Abacopterin A from Abacopteris penangiana in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia mice.

This study was to investigate the hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties of Abacopterin A (APA), a flavonoid compound isolated from Abacopteris penangiana (Hook.) Ching. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly and equally into five groups: the normal control group (N), the model group (M), the positive control group (P), the high and low doses of APA treated groups (H and L). All the animals except that in N group were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks. In the last 4 weeks, the mice in P, H and L groups were orally administered with simvastatin (at the dose of 20mg/kg/day) and APA (at the dose of 40 or 20mg/kg/day), respectively. Then the lipid profiles and related biochemical criterions of the studied mice were determined. The effects of high-fat diet on activating nuclear transcription factor-κB (NFκB) expression, elevating inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and increasing triacylglycerol (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were abolished on daily supplementation with APA. APA also enhanced lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activities. These results suggested that APA had hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties through inhibiting NFκB expression, and reducing inflammatory response.

Total flavan glycoside from Abacopteris penangiana rhizomes and its acid hydrolysate: Characterisation and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia potential

This study was conducted to characterise the flavonoid components of total flavan glycoside from Abacopteris penangiana rhizomes (TFA) and its acid hydrolysate (AHT) through HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis, and to investigate the hypothesis that TFA and AHT exhibit anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) potential in castrated rats with testosterone-induced BPH. HPLC-MS/MS analysis indicated that TFA is rich in flavan-4-ol glycosides and AHT mainly contains 3-deoxygenated anthocyanidin. After 4 weeks of administration, TFA and AHT successfully decreased the prostate index and prostate specific antigen plasma concentrations in the rats. Histoarchitectural improvement in the prostate gland was also observed. Reduced dihydrotestosterone, VEGF, bFGF, EGF, and KGF levels were observed both in TFA- and AHT-treated rats. Furthermore, the prostatic expression of Blc-2 was inhibited, whereas that of Bax and p53 was activated by TFA and AHT. In conclusion, TFA and AHT have anti-BPH properties. Hence, plants with flavan glycosides have potential use in the treatment of BPH.

Neuroprotective effects of Abacopterin E from Abacopteris penangiana against oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity

AIM OF THE STUDY Abacopterin E (AE) was isolated from Abacopteris penangiana (Hook.) Ching. This study was to elucidate its neuroprotective effects against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells and d-galactose (d-Gal) induced neurotoxicity in mice brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro, the protective effect of AE against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage in the PC12 was investigated by the method of MTT (3,(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide). In vivo, the protective effect of AE against d-Gal-induced neurotoxicity in mice was studied. The mice in the model group and the AE treatment groups were injected with the d-Gal 150 mg/(kg d) for 7 weeks while the mice in the control group were injected with the same volume of saline (0.9%). From the sixth week, the treatment groups were subcutaneously injected 4 or 8 mg/(kg d) of AE. In order to explore the potential mechanism of AEs action, the mice were assessed by behavioral and electrophysiological tests at the end of the administration. Then the mice brain tissues were measured for the levels of superoxide dismutases (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA). RESULTS This study showed that AE lowered the H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity, and AE significantly improved the learning and memory ability in behavioral performance. The biochemical examination revealed that AE restored the activities of SOD and GSH-Px, and attenuated the increase of MDA. Moreover, the electrophysiological analysis evidently showed that AE ameliorated the long-term potentiation (LTP). CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that AE had neuroprotective effects, and its beneficial effects may be linked with inhibiting the generation of free radical and enhancing the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes.

Renoprotective potential of Macrothelypteris torresiana via ameliorating oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Macrothelypteris torresiana is traditionally used in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of edema for patients suffering from kidney/bladder problems due to its satisfactory therapeutic effectiveness. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to investigate the renoprotective nature of the total polyphenols fraction from Macrothelypteris torresiana (PMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS The biochemical criterions of plasma and kidney tissues were evaluated to study the effects of PMT on puromycin aminonucleoside-induced chronic nephrotic syndrome (NS) in hyperlipidemic mice. RESULTS In this study, the NS and hyperlipidemia were ameliorated after 9 weeks administration of PMT. Besides, PMT was able to modulate the level of renal oxidative stress and vascular endothelial growth factor-nitric oxide (VEGF-NO) pathway. CONCLUSIONS It represented a potential resource of PMT for the treatment of NS involved in metabolic syndrome.

Potential ameliorative effects of grape seed-derived polyphenols against cadmium induced prostatic deficits

Grape (Vitis vinifera) is consumed as fruit and wine for people. In this study, rat model of prostatic deficits was induced by orally receiving 60mg/L cadmium chlorine (CdCl2) through drinking water for 20 weeks. Grape seed-derived polyphenols extract (GSP) was orally given for 20 weeks. Finally, the prostatic levels of E-cadherin, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin were measured by immunohistochemical and qPCR analysis. The oxidative stress was measured by detecting the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione and enzymatic antioxidant status. Additionally, the prostatic expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), type I TGF-β receptor (TGF-βRI), Smad3, phosphorylation-Smad3 (p-Smad3), Smad7, nuclear related factor-2 (Nrf-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and γ-glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (γ-GCLC) were measured by western blot. The levels of microRNA (miR)-133a/b were measured by qPCR. It was observed that GSP ameliorated the prostatic oxidative stress and fibrosis induced by CdCl2. GSP also inhibited the over-generation of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3, as well as enhanced the levels of Smad7, Nrf-2, HO-1, γ-GCLC and miR-133a/b. These results showed that GSP could attenuate Cd-induced prostatic deficits.

Enrichment and purification of flavones from rhizomes of Abacopteris penangiana by macroporous resins

Abstract Aim To investigate the enrichment and purification of flavones from the rhizomes of Abacopteris penangiana (RAP) by macroporous resins. Methods Static adsorption and desorption tests were performed to select the appropriate resin. The kinetic adsorption and desorption experiments were carried out on selected HPD500 resin to optimize the separation process of flavones. Additionally, the effects of four parameters including adsorption flow rate, elute flow rate, volume of water and ethanol solution for elution were explored by a L4/3 orthogonal experiment. Finally, the ABTS (2, 2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging activities of samples before and after being treated by HPD500 were compared. Results The results showed that the optimal parameters were initial concentration of 2.86 mgmL −1 , elute solution of 70% ethanol, absorb flow rate of 1 mLmin −1 , elute flow rate of 2 mLmin −1 , 5 BV of water for elution and 5 BV of ethanol solution for elution. Conclusion The content of flavones is above 60% in RAP after being treated by HPD500, indicating that macroporous resins could be successfully applied to enrich and purify flavones in RAP.

Neuropective constituents from the rhizomes of Abacopteris penangiana

Two neuropective compounds were isolated from the rhizomes of Abacopteris penangiana, one was a new flavone and the other was a flavanone. Both compounds were firstly separated from natural plant. The isolation work was guided by the antioxidant activity. Both the compounds showed a significant antioxidant activity in vitro and a protective effect on dopamine-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells.

Potential Ameliorative Effects of Qing Ye Dan Against Cadmium Induced Prostatic Deficits via Regulating Nrf-2/HO-1 and TGF-β1/Smad Pathways

Background/Aims: Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant with reproductive toxicity. Swertia mileensis is used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of prostatic deficits and named as Qing Ye Dan (QYD). This study was undertaken to investigate the potential protective effects of QYD against Cd-induced prostatic deficits. Method: Rat model of prostatic deficits was induced by 0.2 mg/kg/d CdCl2 subcutaneous injection for 15 days. The prostatic oxidative stress was evaluated by detecting the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced/ oxidized glutathione, total sulfhydryl groups and enzymatic antioxidant status. The prostatic inflammation was estimated by testing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers E-cadherin, fibronectin, vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin were measured by qPCR analysis. Additionally, the prostatic expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), type I TGF-β receptor (TGF-βRI), Smad2, phosphorylation-Smad2 (p-Smad2), Smad3, p-Smad3, Smad7, nuclear related factor-2 (Nrf-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), B-cell CLL/lymphoma (Bcl)-2 and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were measured by western blot assay. Results: It was found that QYD ameliorated the Cd-induced prostatic oxidative stress and inflammation, attenuated prostatic EMT, inhibited the TGF-β1/Smad pathway, increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and enhanced the activity of Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. Conclusion: These results showed that QYD could ameliorate Cd-induced prostatic deficits via modulating Nrf-2/HO-1 and TGF-β1/Smad pathways.

Parathelypteriside attenuates cognition deficits in d-galactose treated mice by increasing antioxidant capacity and improving long-term potentiation

Parathelypteriside (PG), a stilbenoid compound, was extracted from Parathelypteris glanduligera (kze.) ching that exhibits antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of PG against the d-galactose (d-gal)-induced neurotoxicity in mice. It was found that long-term intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of PG (5 or 10 mg/(kg day)) for two weeks significantly improved the behavioral performance of d-gal-treated mice in both Morris water maze test and step-down avoidance test. Biochemical examination revealed that PG reduced the increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and attenuated the decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase in the hippocampus of d-gal-treated mice. Furthermore, the electrophysiological assay showed that PG significantly rescued the long-term potentiation (LTP) impairment in mice hippocampus, and western blotting analysis indicated that the effects of PG on LTP might be attributed to the activation of cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB). Together, these results suggested that the natural product PG represented a potential source of medicine for the treatment of the neurodegenerative diseases.