Vasodilation effect of volatile oil from Allium macrostemon Bunge are mediated by PKA/NO pathway and its constituent dimethyl disulfide in isolated rat pulmonary arterials.

The present study aimed to investigate the vasodilation effects of Allium macrostemon Bunge (AMB) on isolated rat pulmonary arterials (PAs) and to assess the underling mechanisms. The volatile oil was extracted by steam distillation from the bulbs of AMB. Then the volatile oil from AMB was studied on isolated rat PA, removal of endothelium, or pretreatment with nitro oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or with protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor PKI but not cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin significantly blocked the AMB induced relaxation on PE-contracted PA rings.

MiR-34a, miR-21 and miR-23a as potential biomarkers for coronary artery disease: a pilot microarray study and confirmation in a 32 patient cohort.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in apolipoprotein E (apoE) knockout mice (apoE(-/-)) and to validate the role of these miRNAs in human coronary artery disease (CAD). Pooled plasma from 10 apoE(-/-) mice and 10 healthy C57BL/6 (B6) mice was used to perform the microarray analysis. The results showed that miR-34a, miR-21, miR-23a, miR-30a and miR-106b were differentially expressed in apoE(-/-) mice, and these expression changes were confirmed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) from flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. and its vasodilatation effects on pulmonary artery.

Flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. are traditionally used in China to treat cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), the main constituent of Carthamus tinctorius L.

Isolation and purification of oridonin from the whole plant of Isodon rubescens by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

Semi-preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was successfully used for isolation and purification of oridonin from Isodon rubescens by using a two-phase-solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (2.8:5:2.8:5, v/v/v/v).