Effects of Soy Isoflavones and Green Tea Extract on Simvastatin Pharmacokinetics and Influence of the SLCO1B1 521T > C Polymorphism.

Objectives: Green tea and soy products are extensively consumed by many people and they may influence the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters to result in drug interactions. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of green tea and soy isoflavone extracts on the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin in healthy subjects and to clarify the role of polymorphisms in the SLCO1B1 drug transporter in this effect.

Methods: This was an open-label, three-phase randomized crossover pharmacokinetic study.

Effect of Green Tea Extract and Soy Isoflavones on the Pharmacokinetics of Rosuvastatin in Healthy Volunteers.

Background And Aim: Green tea and soy products are extensively consumed in daily life. Research has shown that green tea catechins and soy isoflavones may influence the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters. We examined whether regular consumption of green tea extract or soy isoflavones affected the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of rosuvastatin in healthy subjects and whether any interactions were influenced by the polymorphism in the drug transporter ABCG2.

Salviae miltiorrhizae radix and puerariae lobatae radix herbal formula improves circulation, vascularization and gait function in a peripheral arterial disease rat model.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: DG is a herbal formula, containing the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) and the root of Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi (Gegen), has a history of usage in China for cardiovascular protection and anti-atherosclerosis.

Aim Of The Study: The present study aims to determine the beneficial effect of DG on the hind-limb ischemia rat model which mimics peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and its vasodilative effect on isolated femoral artery.

Drug delivery system of dual-responsive PF127 hydrogel with polysaccharide-based nano-conjugate for textile-based transdermal therapy.

Pluronic F-127 based dual-responsive (pH/temperature) hydrogel drug delivery system was developed involving polysaccharide-based nano-conjugate of hyaluronic acid and chitosan oligosaccharide lactate and applied for loading of gallic acid which is the principal component of traditional Chinese medicine Cortex Moutan recommended in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. The polysaccharide-based nano-conjugate was used as pH-responsive compound in the formulation and its amphiphilic character was determined colorimetrically. Microstructure analysis by SEM and TEM indicated highly porous hydrogel network and well-dispersed micellar structures, respectively, after modification with the nano-conjugate, and so, release property of the hydrogel for drug was significantly improved.

An in vitro and in vivo study of a 4-herb formula on the management of diet-induced metabolic syndrome.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is the cluster of risk factors that leads to increased episodes of cardiovascular disease (CVD). These risk factors include but are not limited to obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD), dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. Since the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome has multiple metabolic origins, there is no single treatment for it.

Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of Combination Medication of Atorvastatin and a Herbal Formula Containing Salvia miltiorrhiza and Pueraria lobata on Hyperlipidemia.

Despite being a potent hypolipidemic drug, atorvastatin (AS) possesses certain adverse effects. Using AS and an herbal formula (Danshen and Gegen, DG) in combination may achieve potentiated hypolipidemic effects and also reduce its adverse effects. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of an AS and DG combination on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia.

The adjuvant value of Herba Cistanches when used in combination with statin in murine models.

Statins are well known to have muscle toxicity problem. Herba Cistanches (HC) is a Chinese herb traditionally used for pain in the loins and knees. Our previous in vitro study suggested that it could protect against statin-induced muscle toxicity.

Enhanced Transdermal Permeability via Constructing the Porous Structure of Poloxamer-Based Hydrogel.

A major concern for transdermal drug delivery systems is the low bioavailability of targeted drugs primarily caused by the skin's barrier function. The resistance to the carrier matrix for the diffusion and transport of drugs, however, is routinely ignored. This study reports a promising and attractive approach to reducing the resistance to drug transport in the carrier matrix, to enhance drug permeability and bioavailability via enhanced concentration-gradient of the driving force for transdermal purposes.

In vitro drug release and percutaneous behavior of poloxamer-based hydrogel formulation containing traditional Chinese medicine.

For the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), we have developed a transdermal functionalized textile therapy based on thermosensitive poloxamer 407 (P407) hydrogel containing a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. This study aims to investigate the effects of various formulation variables of P407/carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (P407/CMCs) composite hydrogel on the release of Cortex Moutan (CM) extract. Concentrations of P407 and CMCs showed significant influence on the release due to alteration of bulk viscosity of the system.

The protective effect of Herba Cistanches on statin-induced myotoxicity in vitro.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Herba Cistanches (HC, Cistanche deserticola or Cistanche tubulosa) is a Chinese herb traditionally used for muscle problems. Previous studies demonstrated that HC extract could reduce muscle damage and improve ATP storage in post-exercised rats. However, its effect on statin-induced muscle toxicity has never been investigated.

The beneficial potential of polyphenol-enriched fraction from Erigerontis Herba on metabolic syndrome.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Erigerontis Herba is a Chinese herb that is traditionally used to treat cardiovascular disease. Recent literatures suggested that it could exert beneficial effects on various cardiovascular metabolic risk factors including hypertension and hyperlipidemia in order to exert its cardio-protective effects.

Aim: Erigerontis Herba contains a variety of flavonoids and polyphenols that are bioactive.

Dual-functional transdermal drug delivery system with controllable drug loading based on thermosensitive poloxamer hydrogel for atopic dermatitis treatment.

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) has long been viewed as a problematic issue by the medical profession. Although a wide variety of complementary therapies have been introduced, they fail to combine the skin moisturizing and drug supply for AD patients. This study reports the development of a thermo-sensitive Poloxamer 407/Carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (P407/CMCs) composite hydrogel formulation with twin functions of moisture and drug supply for AD treatment.

Synergistic Antibacterial Effects of Nanoparticles Encapsulated with Scutellaria baicalensis and Pure Chlorhexidine on Oral Bacterial Biofilms.

(SB) is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our recent study shows potent antibacterial effects of nanoparticle-encapsulated chlorhexidine (Nano-CHX). Herein, we explored the synergistic effects of the nanoparticle-encapsulated SB (Nano-SB) and Nano-CHX on oral bacterial biofilms.

The hepatoprotective effect of the combination use of Fructus Schisandrae with statin--A preclinical evaluation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Fructus Schisandrae is traditionally used as a liver-toning Chinese herb. Recent studies suggested Fructus Schisandrae could prevent high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis as well as improving anti-oxidative status within the liver, which is a proposed mechanism against statin-induced liver toxicity.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine if the combination use of Atorvastatin (AS) and Fructus Schisandrae aqueous extract (FSE) could (a) exert potent therapeutic effects not only on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia, but also on hepatomegaly (enlarge of liver size) and hepatic steatosis (fatty liver); and (b) reduce side effects caused by intake of statin alone including increased incidence of elevated liver enzymes and liver toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats.

Gallic Acid Is the Major Active Component of Cortex Moutan in Inhibiting Immune Maturation of Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a widely prevalent and chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease. Penta Herbs Formula (PHF) is efficacious in improving the quality of life and reducing topical corticosteroid used in children with AD and one of the active herbs it contains is Cortex Moutan. Recent studies showed that altered functions of dendritic cells (DC) were observed in atopic individuals, suggesting that DC might play a major role in the generation and maintenance of inflammation by their production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Evaluation of a topical herbal agent for the promotion of bone healing.

A topically used Chinese herbal paste, namely, CDNR, was designed to facilitate fracture healing which is usually not addressed in general hospital care. From our in vitro studies, CDNR significantly inhibited the release of nitric oxide from RAW264.7 cells by 51 to 77%.

Pro-angiogenic effects of Carthami Flos whole extract in human microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and in zebrafish in vivo.

Aim: Carthami Flos (CF) is a Chinese herb traditionally used for cardiovascular disease and bone injury in China with pharmacological effects on improving blood circulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the angiogenic potential of CF whole extract (extracted by boiling with water, followed by ethanol) and the underlying mechanisms in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) in vitro and in transgenic TG(fli1:EGFP)(y1)/+(AB) zebrafish with transgenic endothelial cells expressing EGFP (Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein) in vivo.

Methods: Effects of CF whole extract on cell proliferation, migration and tube formation in HMEC-1 cells in vitro were detected by MTT assay, wound healing assay and tube formation assay.

Nanoparticle-encapsulated chlorhexidine against oral bacterial biofilms.

Background: Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a widely used antimicrobial agent in dentistry. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel mesoporous silica nanoparticle-encapsulated pure CHX (Nano-CHX), and its mechanical profile and antimicrobial properties against oral biofilms.

Methodology/principal Findings: The release of CHX from the Nano-CHX was characterized by UV/visible absorption spectroscopy.

Mechanisms of the dilator action of the Erigerontis Herba on rat aorta.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Erigerontis Herba is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine and is commonly used for neuroprotection and vascular protection.

Aim Of Study: In this study, the vasodilator effects of Erigerontis Herba (DZXX) were investigated using rat isolated aorta rings.

Material And Method: The involvement of endothelium in the vasorelaxation was studied by comparing response of endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aorta rings which precontracted with U46619.

Effect of Dietary Cocoa Tea (Camellia ptilophylla) Supplementation on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity, Hepatic Steatosis, and Hyperlipidemia in Mice.

Recent studies suggested that green tea has the potential to protect against diet-induced obesity. The presence of caffeine within green tea has caused limitations. Cocoa tea (Camellia ptilophylla) is a naturally decaffeinated tea plant.

Microencapsulation of Traditional Chinese Herbs-PentaHerbs extracts and potential application in healthcare textiles.

In this work, Traditional Chinese Herbs (TCH)-PentaHerbs--was successfully microencapsulated in chitosan-sodium alginate (CSA) blend matrix using emulsion-chemical cross-linking method and the final product was characterised with regard to structure, surface morphology, particle size, in vitro drug release and skin toxicity by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser diffraction particle size analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays respectively. Results showed that the microcapsules were in spherical form with diameter mostly in the range of 3-18 μm and that the release performance of the microcapsules was influenced by pH value of phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The microcapsules had no toxic effects on cells and were successfully grafted onto the surface of cotton fabrics.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities of Pentaherb formula, Moutan Cortex (Danpi) and gallic acid.

Pentaherb formula (PHF) has been proven to improve the quality of life of children with atopic dermatitis without side effects. The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities of PHF, Moutan Cortex (Danpi/DP) and gallic acid (GA) using human basophils (KU812 cells), which are crucial effector cells in allergic inflammation. PHF, DP and GA could significantly suppress the expression of allergic inflammatory cytokine IL-33-upregulated intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and the release of chemokines CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8 and inflammatory cytokine IL-6 from KU812 cells (all p < 0.

Preparation and characterisation of chitosan microcapsules loaded with Cortex Moutan.

The process of preparation and characterisation of chitosan microcapsules loaded with Cortex Moutan was studied and the optimum condition for microcapsule preparation was investigated by orthogonal array analysis. Based on the yield percentage of microcapsule, the optimum condition for microcapsule preparation was (i) core-shell ratio=1:2; (ii) chitosan concentration=6% (w/v); (iii) agitation speed=1100 rpm; and (iv) cross-linking time=90 min. Meanwhile, relative importance of the preparation parameters was in the order: core-shell ratio, agitation speed, chitosan concentration and cross-linking time.

A herbal formula containing roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) and Pueraria lobata (Gegen) inhibits inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages through inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NFκB) pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The herbal formula DG, containing roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) and Pueraria lobata (Gegen), has long history in treating cardiovascular diseases. It has been shown to be able to reduce intima-media thickening in coronary patients in our previous clinical study. Since intima-media thickening is the hallmark of atherosclerotic disease, the etiology of which is inflammation of the arterial wall, the mechanism underlying the effect of DG may be related to its anti-inflammatory activities.

Hepatic accumulation of intestinal cholesterol is decreased and fecal cholesterol excretion is increased in mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with milk phospholipids.

Background: Milk phospholipids (PLs) reduce liver lipid levels when given as a dietary supplement to mice fed a high-fat diet. We have speculated that this might be due to reduced intestinal cholesterol uptake.

Methods: Mice were given a high-fat diet for 3 or 5 weeks that had no added PL or that were supplemented with 1.