Ginkgo biloba and Its Constituent 6-hydroxykynurenic-acid as well as Its Proanthocyanidins Exert Neurorestorative Effects against Cerebral Ischemia.

Neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by leaves are commonly attributed to the antioxidant activity of its proanthocyanidins. Furthermore, preliminary experiments identified 6-hydroxykynurenic acid (6-HKA) as a major contributor to this effect of extract of leaves (EGb) prepared according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP). In order to elucidate the specific contribution of both proanthocyanidins and 6-HKA to the overall neurorestorative effects of this extract according to ChP, EGb ChP was separated into pure 6-HKA and a newly developed Ginkgo proanthocyanidin extract (GPE), enriched in proanthocyanidins but not containing 6-HKA.

A phytosterol enriched refined extract of Brassica campestris L. pollen significantly improves benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a rat model as compared to the classical TCM pollen preparation Qianlie Kang Pule'an Tablets.

In Qinghai Province, the Brassica campestris L. pollen preparation Qianlie Kang Pule'an Tablet (QKPT) is traditionally used for BPH therapy. However, in QKPT the content of supposedly active phytosterols is relatively low at 2.

HPLC quantification of all five ginkgolic acid derivatives in Ginkgo biloba extracts using 13 : 0 ginkgolic acid as a single marker compound.

An HPLC quantification method for ginkgolic acid derivatives in Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts was developed. Using 13 : 0 ginkgolic acid as a marker compound, the relative correlation factors of the four other ginkgolic acid derivatives - namely, 15 : 0 ginkgolic acid, 15 : 1 ginkgolic acid, 17 : 1 ginkgolic acid, and 17 : 2 ginkgolic acid - to 13 : 0 ginkgolic acid were determined by HPLC and subsequently used for calculating their contents in ten hydro-ethanolic refined extract samples. In other words, the content of 13 : 0 ginkgolic acid in the extracts was determined using the isolated compound as an external standard.

A novel therapeutic regimen for hepatic fibrosis using the combination of mesenchymal stem cells and baicalin.

Baicalin, isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, while mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capability of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation. In the present study, we found that baicalin could promote differentiation of bone marrow-derived MSCs into hepatocytes in vitro. We then compared the therapeutic effects of five therapeutic regimens for hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in vivo by analysis of serum enzymes, morphological characteristics, cytokines and cell engraftment.

Tanshinone IIA increases recruitment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to infarct region via up-regulating stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXC chemokine receptor 4 axis in a myocardial ischemia model.

Systemic administration with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is a promising approach to cure myocardial ischemia (MI), while the efficacy of cell transplantation is limited by the low engraftment of BMSCs. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) has been reported many times for the treatment of MI. Therefore, the present study was performed to investigate whether Tan IIA could increase the migration of BMSCs to ischemic region and its potential mechanisms.

Synergistic effects of rMSCs and salidroside on the experimental hepatic fibrosis.

Rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) and salidroside have been applied in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of hepatic differentiation of rMSCs in vitro and synergistic effects of rMSCs and salidroside on the experimental hepatic fibrosis in rats. rMSCs treated with 10 microg/mL, 20 microg/mL and 50 microg/mL salidroside were taken at 14 days and the proteins were subjected to western blot analysis.

Protective effects of baicalin on carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury by activating PPARγ and inhibiting TGFβ1.

Context: Traditional Chinese herbal medicines have attracted considerable attention in many countries with treatment of several end-stage liver diseases.

Objective: The present study investigated the protective effects of baicalin on hepatotoxicity and hepatic fibrosis and explored the role of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptors γ (PPARγ) on the rat liver injury model.

Materials And Methods: The rat liver injury model was introduced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) for 8 weeks.

In-vitro promoted differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells towards hepatocytes induced by salidroside.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate whether salidroside can induce differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) towards hepatocytes in vitro and the mechanism of hepatic differentiation of rMSCs.

Methods: rMSCs were subject to hepatic differentiation. One, two and three weeks later, the expression of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin (ALB), cytochrome P450 (CYP450)-dependent activity and inducibility, cellular uptake of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and urea synthesis were assessed and the hepatic differentiation of rMSCs was evaluated.

Neuroprotective effects of Tanshinone IIA on permanent focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Tanshinone IIA (TSA) was neuroprotective in permanent focal cerebral ischemia and to determine the possible mechanisms of its neuroprotection. Mice were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. The neuroprotection of TSA was investigated with respect to neurological deficit scores and infarct volume.

[Hepatic and renal injury induced by Radix Aristolochiae or Guanxin Suhe Wan for a long-term in rats].

Objective: To evaluate the toxicity of Radix Aristolochiae supplied experimental evidence of rational use of drug in clinic.

Method: After treatment with small dose Radix Aristolochiae, Guanxin Suhe Wan (with Radix Aristolochiae) and Guanxin Suhe Wan (without Radix Aristolochiae) in different group for a long- term, respectively, the biochemical indicator of PT, ALT, AST, ALB, ALP, Crea and BUN were detected, and the kidney, liver, stomach and urinary bladder were examined by pathologic assaying.

Result: In Radix Aristolochiae group and Guanxin Suhe Wan (with Radix Aristolochiae) group, all of biochemical indicator were changed significantly, and hepatonecrosis, renal tubular necrosis, gastric carcinoma and bladder carcinoma were discovered.

The correlation between angiogenesis and abnormal expression of SERCA2a, phospholamban and the endothelin pathway in heart failure, and improvement by puerarin.

Emerging evidence indicates that angiogenesis may be a potential new target in treating heart failure (HF). It was hypothesized that a lack of angiogenesis would correlate with an abnormal expression of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) and phospholamban (PLB), and the activated endothelin (ET) pathway and oxidative stress in HF. If this is the case, such normal changes could be reversed by puerarin.

[Nephrotoxicity of Radix Aristolochice and it's substitution material Radix Inulae in rats].

Objective: To evaluate the toxicity of Radix Aristolochiae and Radix Inulae, and to supply the toxicity experimental data that Radix Inulae supersedes Radix Aristolochiae in clinic.

Method: A long dose of Radix Aristolochice and Radix Inulae was given intragastrically to rats for six months, then drug withdrawal for a month. The hematology and biochemical indicators were measured, and the pathologic changes of kidney, liver, stomach and urinary bladder were examined.

Cardioprotective effects of the combined use of puerarin and Danshensu on acute ischemic myocardial injury in rats.

Ischemic heart diseases are the leading cause of death in both developed and developing countries over the past decades. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of the complex preparation (called Shenge), made of puerarin and Danshensu, on acute ischemic myocardial injury in rats and its underlying mechanisms. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was occluded to induce myocardial ischemia in hearts of SD rats.