Anti-Atherosclerotic Effect of Gossypetin on Abnormal Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration.

Gossypetin (GTIN), known as 3,5,7,8,3',4'-hexahydroxyflavone, has been demonstrated to exert anti-atherosclerotic potential against apoptotic injury in oxidized low-density lipoprotein-incubated endothelial cells, and atherosclerotic lesions of cholesterol-fed rabbits. However, the effect and underlying mechanism of GTIN on abnormal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and migration, a major event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, is still unknown. In this study, non-cytotoxic doses of GTIN abolished the VSMCs A7r5 proliferation and cell-cycle S phase distribution.

Cilostazol ameliorates diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting highglucose- induced apoptosis.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a hyperglycemia-induced progressive development of renal insufficiency. Excessive glucose can increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce cell damage, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous study indicated that cilostazol (CTZ) can reduce ROS levels and decelerate DN progression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes.

Flavonoids Identification and Pancreatic Beta-Cell Protective Effect of Lotus Seedpod.

Oxidative stress is highly associated with the development of diabetes mellitus (DM), especially pancreatic beta-cell injury. Flavonoids derived from plants have caused important attention in the prevention or treatment of DM. Lotus seedpod belongs to a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and has been indicated to possess antioxidant, anti-age, anti-glycative, and hepatoprotective activities.

Supplementation of nanofiltrated deep ocean water ameliorate the progression of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rat via regulating osteoblast differentiation.

Magnesium was reported to be necessary for bone formation. Previous study indicated nanofiltrated deep ocean water (DOW) rich in magnesium. This study investigated the potential mechanisms of DOW in ameliorating osteoporosis.

Anti-Atherosclerotic Effect of Leaf Polyphenols against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha-Induced Abnormal Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Proliferation.

The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are major events in the development of atherosclerosis following stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines, especially tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Plant-derived polyphenols have attracted considerable attention in the prevention of atherosclerosis. leaf has been showed to inhibit endothelial cell oxidative injury, low-density lipoprotein oxidation, and foam cell formation.

Anti-prostate cancer potential of gossypetin via inducing apoptotic and autophagic cell death.

Gossypetin (GTIN), a naturally occurring hexahydroxy flavone, has been shown to possess antimutagenic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiatherosclerotic effects. Here, we investigated the mechanism(s) underlying the anticancer potential of GTIN. In this study, investigations were showed that GTIN preferentially induces programed cell death of prostate cancer (PCa) cells in vitro and in vivo.

Autophagic effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf polyphenols and epicatechin gallate (ECG) against oxidized LDL-induced injury of human endothelial cells.

Purpose: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by promoting vascular endothelial cell injury. Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf polyphenols (HLP), rich in flavonoids, have been shown to possess antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic activities. In this study, we examined the protective role of HLP and its main compound (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to ox-LDL in vitro.

Anti-atherosclerotic potential of gossypetin via inhibiting LDL oxidation and foam cell formation.

Gossypetin, a flavone originally isolated from Hibiscus species, has been shown to possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antimutagenic activities. Here, we investigated the mechanism(s) underlying the anti-atherosclerotic potential of gossypetin. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity assay showed that the addition of >50μM of gossypetin could scavenge over 50% of DPPH radicals.

Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf polyphenolic extract inhibits LDL oxidation and foam cell formation involving up-regulation of LXRα/ABCA1 pathway.

The oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic lesions through the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf polyphenolic extract (HLP), which is rich in flavonoid. The inhibitory effect of HLP on oxidation and lipid peroxidation of LDL was defined in vitro.

A fatal case of Naegleria fowleri meningoencephalitis in Taiwan.

After bathing at a hot spring resort, a 75-year-old man presented to the emergency department because of seizure-like attack with loss of conscious. This is the first case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri in Taiwan. PAM was diagnosed based on detection of actively motile trophozoites in cerebrospinal fluid using a wet-mount smear and the Liu's stain.

A polyphenol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. ameliorates acetaminophen-induced hepatic steatosis by attenuating the mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo and in vitro.

Oxidative stress is the major contributor to acetaminophen (AAP)-caused liver damage. It promotes mitochondrial oxidative stress and collapses the mitochondrial membrane potential to cause cell death. We have previously shown that a polyphenol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L.

Relationship between matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity and cystatin C levels in patients with hepatic disease.

Objectives: A direct relationship between cystatin C levels and the severity of hepatic disease has been revealed in our previous study. This study was aimed to consider whether a correlation exists between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which have been proven to be involved in liver cirrhosis, and cystatin C to reflect the severity of hepatic disease.

Design And Methods: A total of 154 consecutive patients with various liver diseases were recruited to determine their serum levels of cystatin C, MMP-2 and-9, together with other hepatic parameters.

Increased cystatin C serum concentrations in patients with hepatic diseases of various severities.

Background: Indicators for long-term monitor of the progress of hepatic diseases are of great clinical importance. Since elevated cathepsin was observed in liver diseases, the aim of this study is to investigate the involvement of cystatin C, a very potent inhibitor of cathepsin and a recently introduced marker for renal function, and to see the applicability of serum cystatin C being a convenient marker for the progression of liver diseases.

Methods: One hundred eighty consecutive patients with chronic liver disease of various severities and 45 healthy controls were recruited to determine their serum cystatin C concentrations by N Latex Cystatin C kit, as well as certain relevant clinical values, including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and AFP.