Effect of manuka honey on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase activity.

Manuka honey (MkH), derived from New Zealand manuka tree (), is considered a therapeutic agent owing to its antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. In this study, the inhibitory effect of five honey types, including MkH, on HIV-1 RT activity was evaluated, using an RT assay colorimetric kit, according to the manufacturer's instructions with slight modifications. MkH exerted the strongest inhibitory effect in a dose-dependent manner, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of approximately 14.

Neuroprotective effect of liquiritin as an antioxidant via an increase in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase expression on B65 neuroblastoma cells.

Glycyrrhiza (the roots and rhizomes of licorice) has been used worldwide as both an herbal nutraceutical and herbal medicine. In addition, it is well known that Glycyrrhiza contains various compounds with biological effects, such as anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anti-tumor and neuroprotective effects. Among the various compounds in Glycyrrhiza, the active compounds that show biological activity are thought to include glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, glabridin, licochalcones and liquiritin.

Sinomenine and magnoflorine, major constituents of Sinomeni caulis et rhizoma, show potent protective effects against membrane damage induced by lysophosphatidylcholine in rat erythrocytes.

The effects of the water extract of Sinomeni Caulis et Rhizoma (SCR-WE) and its major constituents, sinomenine (SIN) and magnoflorine (MAG), on moderate hemolysis induced by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) were investigated in rat erythrocytes and compared with the anti-hemolytic effects of lidocaine (LID) and propranolol (PRO) as reference drugs. LPC caused hemolysis at concentrations above the critical micelle concentration (CMC), and the concentration of LPC producing moderate hemolysis (60 %) was approximately 10 μM. SCR-WE at 1 ng/mL-100 μg/mL significantly inhibited the hemolysis induced by LPC.

Effects of Saireito, a Japanese herbal medicine, on edema via antagonistic actions against aldosterone in anti-GBM nephritic rats.

Background: In order to clarify the diuretic mechanisms of Saireito, a Japanese herbal medicine, the mineralcorticoid receptor antagonistic action of Saireito was evaluated in anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) nephritic rats.

Methods: Anti-GBM nephritis was induced in rats by the intravenous, injection of anti-GBM serum, and test drugs were administered 5 days after the induction of nephritis. In addition, we also investigated aldosterone-loaded mice to clarify the effects of test drugs on aldosterone signal transduction.

A new acetylenic compound from the rhizomes of Atractylodes chinensis and its absolute configuration.

A new acetylenic compound "atractyloyne", (3S,4E,6E,12E)-1-isovaleryloxy-tetradeca-4,6,12-triene-8,10-diyne-3,14-diol (1) was isolated from the rhizomes of Atractylodes chinensis (Compositae) together with a known compound (4E,6E,12E)-3-isovaleryloxy-tetradeca-4,6,12-triene-8,10-diyne-1,14-diol (2). These structures were determined on the basis of the spectroscopic data and chemical evidence, and the absolute configuration of 1 was established by the modified 2-methoxy-2-trifluoromethylphenylacetic acid (MTPA) method.

Suppressive effects of isorhynchophylline on 5-HT2A receptor function in the brain: behavioural and electrophysiological studies.

Isorhynchophylline is a major oxindole alkaloid found in Uncaria species which have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Here, we investigated the effects of isorhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline-related alkaloids on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor-mediated behavioural responses in mice and 5-HT-evoked current responses in Xenopus oocytes expressing 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptors. Isorhynchophylline dose-dependently inhibited 5-HT2A receptor-mediated head-twitch but not 5-HT1A receptor-mediated head-weaving responses evoked by 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine.

Effects of rikkunshi-to, a traditional Japanese medicine, on the delay of gastric emptying induced by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine.

We evaluated the effects of Rikkunshi-to and several of its ingredients on the delay of gastric emptying induced by a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). After oral administration of L-NNA to rats, the gastric emptying rate at 24 h was decreased from 82.8 +/- 2.

Inhibitory effects of triterpenes isolated from Chuling (Polyporus umbellatus Fries) on free radical-induced lysis of red blood cells.

Chuling, sclerotia of Polyporus umbellatus FRIES, has long been used for urological disorders in traditional medicine. In this study, we demonstrated that Chuling in vitro protects red blood cells from 2,2-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced hemolysis. The inhibitory effect was dose-dependent at concentrations of 50 to 1000 microg/ml.

Inhibitory effects of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore on free radical-induced lysis of rat red blood cells.

Crude preparations of Stephania tetrandra S. MOORE (ST), a traditional herbal medicine, have been used safely for arthritis and silicosis in China. In this study, we demonstrated that ST in vitro protects red blood cells from 2,2-azo-bis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced hemolysis.

Separation and isolation methods for analysis of the active principles of Sho-saiko-to (SST) oriental medicine.

Sho-saiko-to (SST) was introduced into Japan as an oriental classical medicine from China approximately 1500 years ago, and it is currently the most representative Kampo medicine (traditional Japanese medicine). SST is manufactured in Japan as an ethical drug on a modern industrial scale in which the quality of ingredients is standardized with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) regulation. SST is widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis.

Protective effects of Choto-san and hooks and stems of Uncaria sinensis against delayed neuronal death after transient forebrain ischemia in gerbil.

Previously, we revealed that Choto-san (Diao-teng-san in Chinese), a Kampo formula, is effective on vascular dementia clinically, and the hooks and stems of Uncaria sinensis (Oliv.) Havil., a medicinal plant comprising Chotosan, has a neuroprotective effect in vitro.

Pharmacological evidence for antidementia effect of Choto-san (Gouteng-san), a traditional Kampo medicine.

To clarify the clinical efficacy of one of the traditional medicines in the treatment of patients with vascular dementia, we investigated the pharmacological activities of Choto-san in animal models. Pretreatment with Choto-san (0.75-6.

Effects of goshajinkigan on corneal sensitivity, superficial punctate keratopathy and tear secretion in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Goshajinkigan (niu-che-shen-qi-wan in Chinese), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used in Japan to treat clinical symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. A double-masked study was performed to evaluate its effects on corneal sensitivity, superficial punctate keratopathy and tear production in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Fifty diabetic patients were randomized into two groups: Group A, in which 25 patients received goshajinkigan orally, 7.

Inhibitory effects of triterpenes isolated from Hoelen on free radical-induced lysis of red blood cells.

Hoelen, sclederma of Poria cocos Wolf, has long been used as a sedative and diuretic in traditional medicine. Formerly, we demonstrated that Hoelen in vitro protects red blood cells from AAPH-induced hemolysis. In this study, tests were carried out to identify the main ingredient of Hoelen that has the scavenging effect on free-radicals.

Inhibitory effects of Oren-Gedoku-To (Huanglian-Jie-Du-Tang) on free radical-induced lysis of human red blood cells.

Oren-gedoku-to (Huanglian-Jie-Du-Tang, OGT) has been used for the treatment of cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, gastritis and liver disease in Japan. The present study was to test our hypothesis that ingestion of Oren-gedoku-to extract (TJ-15) would protect red blood cell (RBC) membrane from free radical-induced oxidation if antioxidants in OGT could be absorbed and circulated in blood. When incubated with RBC suspension, OGT and its four constituting herbs provided strong protection for RBC membrane to hemolysis induced by 2,2-azo-bis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), an azo free radical initiator.

Components of Panax ginseng that improve accelerated small intestinal transit.

We previously clarified that Dai-kenchu-to, a Chinese prescription, was useful for improving carbachol-induced hyperperistalsis of the small intestine in vivo, and the efficacy of Ginseng Radix, a crude drug component of Dai-kenchu-to, was also confirmed. Ginseng Radix, the root of Panax ginseng C.A.

Effect of the rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea and its constituents on the delay of gastric emptying.

The effect of rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea on gastric disorders, in particular, the delay in gastric emptying induced by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine in rats, was investigated. Intragastric treatment with an aqueous extract (250 mg/kg) and its lipophilic fractions (4 mg/kg) significantly improved delayed gastric emptying. The major constituents of the lipophilic fraction were two sesquiterpens, hinesol and beta-eudesmol, and four known polyacetylenic compounds, atractylodin, atractylodinol, acetylatractylodinol and 4,6,12-tetradecatriene-8,10-diyne-1,3,14-triol.

Component of Zingiber officinale that improves the enhancement of small intestinal transport.

6-Shogaol, a constituent of Zingiber officinale, improved carbachol-induced accelerated small intestinal transit in vivo, as well as improving longitudinal muscle contraction induced by low-frequency electrical stimulation of the isolated guinea pig small intestine in vitro. In addition, 6-shogaol ameliorated BaCl(2) -induced hyperperistalsis of the small intestine in vivo.

Pharmacological evaluation of Shokyo and Kankyo (1).

Zingiberis Rhizoma (Shokyo, [Japanese characters: see text]) showed significant ameliorative effect on the BaCl2-induced delay of gastric emptying in rat. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the aqueous extract of Shokyo resulted in isolation of 6-gingesulfonic acid (1) and shogasulfonic acid A (3). These compounds significantly improved the delay of gastric emptying on both BaCl2-induced and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA)-induced model in rat.

Suppressive effect of hochu-ekki-to on collagen induced arthritis in DBA1J mice.

Objective: To investigate the effect of hochu-ekki-to (HET) decoction on the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice.

Methods: CIA was induced in male DBA/IJ mice by immunization with 2 injections of bovine type II collagen (CII). HET was orally administered at different doses and with different schedules.

Geissoschizine methyl ether, an indole alkaloid extracted from Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus, is a potent vasorelaxant of isolated rat aorta.

Effects of geissoschizine methyl ether, an indole alkaloid isolated from the hook of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus, on vascular responses were examined using isolated strips of rat aorta. Geissoschizine methyl ether (10(-7)-10(-4) M) relaxed norepinephrine (5x10(-8) M)-induced contraction in a dose-dependent manner. The potency (50% efficacy concentration, EC(50)=0.

Local variation in the content of angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin receptor antagonistic terpenoids in the rhizomes of Alisma orientale.

The aqueous extract of the Chinese crude drug Alismatis rhizoma, a dried rhizome of Alisma orientale Juzepczuk, exhibited in vitro inhibitory activities on angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin binding to their receptors. A fractionation study on the extract clarified that the known terpenoidal constituents; i.e.