Pro-apoptotic effects of tectorigenin on human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

Aim: To investigate the effects of tectorigenin on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HepG2 cells.

Methods: Tectorigenin, one of the main components of rhizome of Iris tectorum, was prepared by simple methods, such as extraction, filtration, concentration, precipitation and recrystallization. HepG2 cells were incubated with tectorigenin at different concentrations, and their viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.

Anti-inflammatory flavonoids from Cryptocarya chingii.

Six flavonoids named cryptogiones A-F, and nine known compounds were isolated from an ethanol extract of stems of Cryptocaryachingii. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by interpretation of comprehensive spectroscopic data and X-ray analysis. A majority of these flavonoids contained an acetic acid/lactone moiety, a possible taxonomic marker.

Fumigaclavine C inhibits tumor necrosis factor α production via suppression of toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor κB activation in macrophages.

Aims: Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular disease and is widely treated with statins. However, there are a few cases of intolerable adverse reactions by statins; thus, there is still a need for new drugs to prevent atherosclerosis. The inflammation associated with the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) has been shown to be an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis.

Icariin protects against brain injury by enhancing SIRT1-dependent PGC-1alpha expression in experimental stroke.

Icariin (ICA) has neuroprotection in oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) neurons by increasing Sirtuin1 (SIRT1). However, little is known about the role of ICA on stroke. SIRT1 is a class III histone deacetylase and activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) which stimulates mitochondrial activity.

Human urinary kallidinogenase suppresses cerebral inflammation in experimental stroke and downregulates nuclear factor-kappaB.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible mechanism and the neuroprotective effect of human urinary kallidinogenase (HUK) in cerebral ischemia. The mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used. Mice were treated with HUK (20 PNAU/g per day, intravenous) or saline as control, from the beginning of reperfusion to 72 h.

Alteration of Aβ metabolism-related molecules in predementia induced by AlCl3 and D-galactose.

The purpose of this study was to look for alterations in β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) metabolism-related molecules in predementia, the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AlCl3 (Al) and d-galactose (D-gal) were used to induce the mouse model for predementia and AD. Protein expression of β-amyloid (Aβ), β-secretase (BACE1), neprilysin (NEP), insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in the brain was measured.