Anti-TNF-α activity of Portulaca oleracea in vascular endothelial cells.

Vascular inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis, a main complication of diabetes. The present study investigated whether an aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea (AP) prevents the TNF-α-induced vascular inflammatory process in the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). The stimulation of TNF-α induced overexpression of adhesion molecules affects vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and E-selectin for example.

An aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea ameliorates diabetic nephropathy through suppression of renal fibrosis and inflammation in diabetic db/db mice.

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. In the present study, we investigated the renoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea (AP) on diabetic nephropathy accelerated by renal fibrosis and inflammation in type 2 diabetic db/db mice. The mice were treated with AP (300 mg/kg/day, p.

Portulaca oleracea Ameliorates Diabetic Vascular Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in db/db Mice.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with significantly accelerated rates of micro- and macrovascular complications such as diabetic vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of the aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L. (AP), an edible plant used as a folk medicine, on diabetic vascular complications.

Effect of Cuscuta chinensis on renal function in ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure rats.

The kidneys play a central role in regulating water, ion composition and excretion of metabolic waste products in the urine. Cuscuta chinensis has been known as an important traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of liver and kidney disorders. Thus, we studied whether an aqueous extract of Cuscuta chinensis (ACC) seeds has an effect on renal function parameters in ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure (ARF) rats.

Anti-atherogenic effects of the aqueous extract of rhubarb in rats fed an atherogenic diet.

The present study was designed to investigate whether the aqueous extract of rhubarb (AR) could prevent the development of atherosclerosis through regulating vascular inflammatory processes in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR significantly reduced plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and increased plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR inhibited vascular expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) induced in rats with an atherogenic diet.

Cornuside suppresses cytokine-induced proinflammatory and adhesion molecules in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Cornuside is a bisiridoid glucoside compound isolated from the fruit of Cornus officinalis SIEB. et ZUCC. The present study was designed to examine the effects of cornuside on expression levels of cytokine-induced proinflammatory and adhesion molecules in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methanol extract of Sorbus commixta cortex prevents vascular inflammation in rats with a high fructose-induced metabolic syndrome.

Feeding high fructose (Frc) to rats induces a moderate increase in blood pressure, which is associated with insulin resistance. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of the methanol extract of Sorbus commixta cortex (MSC) on vascular inflammation in a rat model of the metabolic syndrome induced by a high Frc-diet. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups and treated for 7 weeks as follows: 1) control, 2) high Frc-diet group, 3) Frc/MSC1 group; high Frc-diet group treated with MSC (100 mg/kg/day), and 4) Frc/MSC2 group; high Frc-diet group treated with MSC (200 mg/kg/day).

Effect of methanol extract of Sorbus cortex in a rat model of L-NAME-induced atherosclerosis.

Chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by administration of high dose of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) induces vascular inflammation and subsequent atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate whether the methanol extract of Sorbus commixta cortex (MSC) is able to prevent inflammatory process in a rat model of L-NAME-induced atherosclerosis. Chronic treatment with low or high doses of MSC prevented the L-NAME-induced increase in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 expressions as well as adhesion molecules including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin in aorta.

Effects of bulbus Fritillaria water extract on blood pressure and renal functions in the L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats.

A pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rats produces renal vasoconstriction, renal dysfunction, and hypertension. The present study was aimed at investigating whether Bulbus Fritillaria water extract (BFWE) ameliorates NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME)-induced hypertension. Treatment of rats with L-NAME (60 mg/l drinking water, 4 weeks) caused a sustained increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP).

Butein ameliorates renal concentrating ability in cisplatin-induced acute renal failure in rats.

The present study examined whether the cisplatin-induced nephropathy could be ameliorated by administration of butein isolated from the stems of Rhus verniciflua STOCKS. The present study showed that polyuric profile was revealed in cisplatin-induced acute renal failure (ARF) rats associated with decreases in urinary sodium, potassium, chloride, and creatinine excretion, and osmolality. Among these renal functional parameters, urinary volume and osmolality were partially restored by administration of butein (10 mg/kg, i.

Hypotensive effect of butein via the inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme.

Butein (3,4,2',4'-tetrahydroxychalcone), a plant polyphenol, has been known to elucidate endothelium-dependent vasodilation. In the present study, the hypotensive effect of butein and its possible mechanism, especially an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory effect, were investigated. Intravenous injection of butein lowered the arterial blood pressure of anesthetized rats in a dose-dependent manner.