Evaluation of nine active components of Lu-Jiao Fang in normal and hypertrophic rat myocardia via LC-MS/MS.

Lu-Jiao Fang (LJF), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, can improve the cardiac function of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients; however, knowledge about the cardiac distribution of LJF, especially in CHF animal models, is rather limited. This work aimed to explore the cardiac distribution of LJF in pressure overload-induced CHF rats at the last gavage administration of LJF after 30 weeks of treatment. LC-MS/MS methods for analyzing nine active components (i.

A LC-MS/MS method for the determination of stachyose in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A sensitive, simple and rapid analytical method based on a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spetrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been established and validated for the determination of stachyose in rat plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Separation of stachyose and nystose (internal standard, IS) was achieved using acetonitrile-water (55:45, v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 ml/min for 6 min on an Asahipak NH2P-50 4E column with an Asahipak NH2P-50G 4A guard column.

Growth inhibitory effect of KYKZL-1 on Hep G2 cells via inhibition of AA metabolites and caspase-3 pathway and cell cycle arrest.

KYKZL-1, a newly synthesized compound with COX/5-LOX dual inhibition, was subjected to the inhibitory activity test on Hep G2 growth. We found that KYKZL-1 inhibited the growth of Hep G2 cells via inducing apoptosis. Further studies showed that KYKZL-1 activated caspase-3 through cytochrome c release from mitochondria and down regulation of Bcl-2/Bax ratio and reduced the high level of COX-2 and 5-LOX.

Inhibition of inflammatory mediators contributes to the anti-inflammatory activity of KYKZL-1 via MAPK and NF-κB pathway.

KYKZL-1, a newly synthesized compound with COX/5-LOX dual inhibition, was subjected to the anti-inflammatory activity test focusing on its modulation of inflammatory mediators as well as intracellular MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. In acute ear edema model, pretreatment with KYKZL-1 (p.o.

Effect of heparin-derived oligosaccharide on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through inhibition of PKC-alpha expression.

In this study, the effect of heparin-derived oligosaccharide (HDO) on bovine vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and signal transduction mechanism involved were investigated. The levels of PKC-alpha protein and mRNA were determined by cell-based ELISA, RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemical methods. Meanwhile, mRNA levels of c-jun, c-myc and c-fos were assayed by RT-PCR method.

Effect of heparin-derived oligosaccharide on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

In this study, the effect of heparin-derived oligosaccharide on bovine vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and signal transduction mechanism was investigated. Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 has been implicated in the regulation of various cellular functions including proliferation, and we sought to define a functional role for ERK 1/2 in an established proliferation model in order to find a possible mechanism for inhibition of VSMC proliferation by heparin-derived oligosaccharide. The VSMC proliferation model was developed by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and the level of ERK 1/2 protein and messenger RNA was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunocytochemical methods.

Gu-4 suppresses affinity and avidity modulation of CD11b and improves the outcome of mice with endotoxemia and sepsis.

Background: Systemic leukocyte activation and disseminated leukocyte adhesion will impair the microcirculation and cause severe decrements in tissue perfusion and organ function in the process of severe sepsis. Gu-4, a lactosyl derivative, could selectively target CD11b to exert therapeutic effect in a rat model of severe burn shock. Here, we addressed whether Gu-4 could render protective effects on septic animals.

Preventive effect of crocin in inflamed animals and in LPS-challenged RAW 264.7 cells.

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis and Crocus sativus L. are both traditional Chinese medicines that have significant biologic activities on inflammatory processes. But the active ingredients remain unclear.

Biological evaluation of 2-(4-amino-phenyl)-3-(3,5-dihydroxylphenyl) propenoic acid.

2-(4-Aminophenyl)-3-(3,5-dihydroxylphenyl) propenoic acid (CSN-07001) is a new compound based on the combination of resveratrol and propenoic acid derivatives. In vitro cyclooxygenase (COX)/5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibition assays showed that the test compound exhibited a dual inhibitory activity against the COX (COX-1 IC(50) = 2.20 microM, COX-2 IC(50) = 1.

Anti-inflammatory effects and gastrointestinal safety of NNU-hdpa, a novel dual COX/5-LOX inhibitor.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with a risk of serious adverse events. Now, the development of dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) has become a hot area in searching for safer NSAIDs. NNU-hdpa, 2-(4-hydroxylphenyl)-3-(3,5-dihydroxylphenyl) propenoic acid, a newly synthesized compound, is expected to have COX/5-LOX dual inhibition with an improved gastrointestinal profile.

[Protective effect of curcumin on oleic-induced acute lung injury in rats].

To investigate the effect of curcumine on acute lung injury induced by oleic acid in rat and the possible mechanism of action. The rats were divided into 6 groups randomly: normal group, control group, curcumine groups (5, 10, 20 mg x kg(-1)) and dexamethasone group (1 mg x kg(-1)). During the experiment, acute lung injury was induced by oleic acid in rat.

[Effect of resveratrol on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rats and its mechanism].

The purpose of this study is to establish COPD animal model by intra-tracheal instillation of bleomycin (BLM) once and exposure to cigarette smoke for continuous 27 d, and to observe the effects of the inhalation on the model. At the 29th day, blood samples were taken from cervical artery for blood-gas analysis and parameters of lung function were recorded. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected to measure intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) concentration.

[Protective effect of rupatadine against oleic acid-induced acute lung injury in rabbits].

Acute lung injury (ALI) makes up a spectrum of disease that is commonly defined as "acute non-cardiogenic edematous lung injury". It may contribute to morbidity and mortality in the critically ill patient in the intensive care unit. ALI was induced by oleic acid in rabbits.

Influence of Crocetin on experimental atherosclerosis in hyperlipidamic-diet quails.

Antioxidants have been expected to have potential as antiatherogenic agents. Crocetin is a natural carotenoid antioxidant isolated from Gardenia jasminoids Ellis. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Crocetin on experimental atherosclerosis in quails.

[Inhibitory effect of iguratimod on TNFalpha production and NF-kappaB activity in LPS-stimulated rat alveolar macrophage cell line].

Aim: To investigate the effect of iguratimod (T-614), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, on TNFalpha mRNA expression and TNFalpha production, and on the activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the rat alveolar macrophage cell line (NR8383) activated by LPS.

Methods: NR8383 cells were pretreated with T-614 (13.4, 26.

Evidence of crocin against endothelial injury induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro.

Crocin, the digentiobiosyl ester of crocetin, was investigated for its cytoprotective effect on hydrogen peroxide-induced injury in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). The morphology of BAECs was observed by inverted phase contrast and electron microscopy. The MTT assay was used to measure cell viability.

Effect of crocin on experimental atherosclerosis in quails and its mechanisms.

In the present study, we examined the prophylaxis effect of crocin on experimental atherosclerosis and its possible mechanisms. The atherosclerosis formation was induced by hyperlipidamic diet in quails. At the 9th week, serum lipid, MDA and NO were measured, and HE staining was used to investigate the histopathological changes of aorta.

[Effect of epigallocatechingallate on acute lung injury induced by oleic acid in mice].

Aim: To investigate the effect of epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) on acute lung injury induced by oleic acid in mice and the possible mechanism.

Methods: Acute lung injury was induced by oleic acid in mice. Light microscopy and electron microscopy were used to examine histological changes and lung index as well as wet to dry weight ratio was calculated.

[Study of the effect of crocin on rat experimental hyperlipemia and the underlying mechanisms].

Objective: To study the effect of crocin on rat experimental hyperlipemia and its mechanisms.

Method: Hyperlipemia model was established by feeding heavy cholesterol for 2 months and the effect of crocin on blood lipid in experimental hyperlipemia rats was observed. Aortic smooth muscle cells were cultured in different culture media and proliferation was measured by MTT assay.