Chitosan oligosaccharides prevent doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress and cardiac apoptosis through activating p38 and JNK MAPK mediated Nrf2/ARE pathway.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic drugs; however, the incidence of cardiotoxicity compromises its therapeutic index. Oxidative stress and apoptosis are believed to be involved in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS), the enzymatic hydrolysates of chitosan, have been reported to possess diverse biological activities including antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Pharmacological strategies to lower crosstalk between nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and mitochondria.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the metabolites of oxygen that plays a significant role in cell signaling and homeostasis. Under normal conditions, ROS formation is stabilized by various antioxidant defense systems (ROS scavengers). Several studies in both in-vitro and in-vivo models, together with clinical data indicated that increased production ROS and oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development and progression of endothelial dysfunction.

The protective effects of a novel synthetic β-elemene derivative on human umbilical vein endothelial cells against oxidative stress-induced injury: Involvement of antioxidation and PI3k/Akt/eNOS/NO signaling pathways.

Antioxidant therapy is considered as promising strategy for treating oxidative stress-induced cardiovascular disease. Bis (β-elemene-13-yl) glutarate (BEG) is a novel β-elemene derivative. Herein, we examined the antioxidant activity of BEG on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after injury with hydrogen peroxide (HO) and investigated the mechanism involved.

Antioxidant effects and mechanism of silymarin in oxidative stress induced cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are considered as the major reason for mortality and morbidity worldwide. Substantial evidence suggests that increased oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of CVDs, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, vascular endothelial dysfunction and ischemic heart disease. Cellular oxidative stress results in the release of toxic free radicals by endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells that interact with cell components such as protein, DNA or lipid resulting in cardiovascular pathology.

Antioxidant Properties of Novel Dimers Derived from Natural β-Elemene through Inhibiting HO-Induced Apoptosis.

A series of novel β-elemene dimer derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antioxidant activities. The results indicated that most of the target compounds showed more potent cytoprotective effects than positive control vitamin E. In particular, dimer exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, which was significantly superior to the active compound obtained in our previous study.

Antioxidant therapy for management of oxidative stress induced hypertension.

Hypertension is considered as the most common risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, also is regarded as a leading cause of the mortality and morbidity worldwide. The mechanisms underlying the pathological process of hypertension are not completely explained. However, there is growing evidence that increased oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of hypertension.

Involvement of xanthine oxidase and paraoxonase 1 in the process of oxidative stress in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Xanthine oxidase (XOD) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) are important enzymes in redox reactions in vivo, and are predominantly synthesized by the liver. The aim of the present study was to investigate the redox state in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and determine the association between the activities of XOD and PON1 and the severity of NAFLD. Sprague‑Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, model and α‑lipoic acid (high and low dose) groups.

Oroxylin A reverses the drug resistance of chronic myelogenous leukemia cells to imatinib through CXCL12/CXCR7 axis in bone marrow microenvironment.

Imatinib (IM), a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, is used in treatment of multiple cancers, most notably Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph ) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, the majority of patients continue to present with minimal residual disease occurred in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. One of the key factors that contribute to leukemia cell drug resistance is chemokine CXCL12.

Clematichinenoside inhibits VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in TNF-α-treated endothelial cells via NADPH oxidase-dependent IκB kinase/NF-κB pathway.

Proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α-induced adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells plays a critical role in the early stage of atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress and redox-sensitive transcription factors are implicated in the process. Thus, compounds that mediate intracellular redox status and regulate transcription factors are of great therapeutic interest.

HQS-3, a newly synthesized flavonoid, possesses potent anti-tumor effect in vivo and in vitro.

HQS-3 is a newly baicalein derivative with a benzene substitution. We investigated the anticancer effect of HQS-3 in vivo and in vitro. HQS-3 significantly decreased tumor growth in mice inoculated with Heps and HepG2 cells; and had little influence on the state and weight of animals.

PPARγ agonist pioglitazone reverses memory impairment and biochemical changes in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: Pioglitazone, known as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM has been associated with reduced performance on numerous domains of cognitive function. Here, we investigated the effects of pioglitazone on memory impairment in a mouse model with defects in insulin sensitivity and secretion, namely high-fat diet (HFD) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.

Biological evaluation of N-octyl-O-sulfate chitosan as a new nano-carrier of intravenous drugs.

An amphiphilic chitosan derivate, N-octyl-O-sulfate chitosan (NOSC) was prepared by octylation of amino group at C-2 position and sulfonylation at C-6 position. Micelle formed by NOSC has great capability in solubilization of water-insoluble drug paclitaxel. Enormous attention was attracted by the potential application of NOSC as a new drug delivery system.

Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, efficacy and safety of N-octyl-O-sulfate chitosan micelles loaded with paclitaxel.

Paclitaxel (Taxol), PTX) is a promising anti-cancer drug and has been successfully used to treat a wide variety of cancers. Unfortunately, serious clinical side effects are associated with it, which are caused by PTX itself and non-aqueous vehicle containing Cremophor EL. Development of new formulation of PTX with better efficacy and fewer side effects is extremely urgent.

Effect of baicalein on experimental prostatic hyperplasia in rats and mice.

We determined the effect of baicalein on prostatic hyperplasia in experimental animal models. Prostatic hyperplasia was induced by testosterone propionate in mice and castrated rats and by transplantation of homologous strain fetal mice urogenital sinus in mice. With the histopathological examination, the efficacy of baicalein on prostate hyperplasia in experimental animals was evaluated by the activity of serum acid phosphatase (ACP) and the following norm of the prostate gland: the volume, wet weight, wet weight index, dry weight index, DNA contents and prostatic epithelial height and cavity diameter.