Galangin induces the osteogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

The regulation of stem cell directional differentiation is a core research topic in regenerative medicine, and modulating the fate of stem cells is a promising strategy for precise intervention through the utilization of naturally small molecule compounds. The present study aimed to explore the potential pro-osteogenic differentiation effect of galangin, a flavonoid derived from Alpinia officinarum, on human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and the underlying molecular mechanism. The results showed that galangin had no cytotoxicity towards hAMSCs when the concentration was less than 50 μM.

Evaluation of fertilization capability of frozen-thawed completely immotile spermatozoa collected from a white bengal tiger after interspecific ICSI with bovine oocytes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fertilization capability of White Bengal Tiger frozen-thawed completely immotile spermatozoa after interspecific intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with bovine oocytes. The fertilization status of presumptive zygotes was assessed 18 h after ICSI by immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy. The fertilization rate was 34.

Protective effects of Ligularia fischeri root extracts against ulcerative colitis in mice through activation of Bcl-2/Bax signalings.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and epithelial barrier dysfunction. The root of Ligularia fischeri (Ledeb.) Turcz.

Hyaluronic acid ameliorates the proliferative ability of human amniotic epithelial cells through activation of TGF-β/BMP signaling.

Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) are a useful and noncontroversial source of stem cells for cell therapy and regenerative medicine, but their limited proliferative ability hinders the acquisition of adequate quantities of cells for clinical use due to not expressing telomerase in hAECs. Our previous study showed that hyaluronic acid (HA), an important component of the extracellular matrix, promoted the proliferation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells. Herein, we hypothesize that HA might improve the proliferative capability of hAECs.

gene enhances hyaluronic acid-mediated chondrogenic differentiation in human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells via the activation of Sox9/ERK/smad signals.

This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms, whereby hyaluronic acid, a main extracellular matrix component of articular cartilage, promotes the chondrogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). Our previous findings indicated that hyaluronic acid combined with hAMSCs showed a marked therapeutic effect against rat osteoarthritis. In the present study, hyaluronic acid markedly enhanced the expression of chondrocyte-specific markers including , and Sox9 in hAMSCs, with strong synergistic effects on chondrogenic differentiation, in combination with the commonly used inducer, transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3).

Effect of CD44 on differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes via Smad and ERK signaling pathways.

CD44 antigen (CD44) is a transmembrane protein found in cell adhesion molecules and is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes in cells. It was hypothesized that CD44 directly affected the chondrogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). In the present study, the expression of chondrocyte‑associated factors was detected in the absence and presence of the antibody blocker anti‑CD44 antibody during the chondrogenic differentiation of hAMSCs.

Effects of hyaluronic acid on differentiation of human amniotic epithelial cells and cell-replacement therapy in type 1 diabetic mice.

Our hypothesis is that hyaluronic acid may regulate the differentiation of human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) into insulin-producing cells and help the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Herein, a protocol for the stepwise in vitro differentiation of hAECs into functional insulin-producing cells was developed by mimicking the process of pancreas development. Treatment of hAECs with hyaluronic acid enhanced their differentiation of definitive endoderm and pancreatic progenitors.

Glucose-lowering and hypolipidemic activities of polysaccharides from Cordyceps taii in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Background: Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia are classic features of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Cordyceps taii, a folk medicinal fungus native to southern China, possesses various pharmacological activities. This study aimed to assess the glucose-lowering and hypolipidemic effects of polysaccharides from C.

Hyaluronic acid promotes osteogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells via the TGF-β/Smad signalling pathway.

Aims: This study investigated the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA), a commonly used osteogenic medium referred to as DAG, and the combined administration of HA and DAG (CG) on the osteogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs), and the underlying mechanism.

Main Methods: The phenotype of hAMSCs was detected by flow cytometry and immunocytochemical staining. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium deposition assays were employed for evaluating the osteogenic differentiation of hAMSCs.

[Pharmacokinetics of ganoderic acids].

Ganoderic acid(GA) is one of main bioactive components produced by Ganoderma lucidum,which a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and a kind of tracyclic triterpene lanosterol derivatives with highly oxidized structure. It has a variety of important pharmacological activities,such as anticancer,immunoregulation,anti-oxidation,anti-diabetes and anti-HIV. At present,the studies of GA mainly focus on biosynthesis,fermentation control,isolation and purification,structure identification and pharmacological effects.

Dynamic changes in chromatin and microtubules at the first cell cycle in SCNT or IVF goat embryos.

We investigated the dynamic changes in chromatin and microtubules at the first cell cycle in goat somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived and in vitro fertilization (IVF)-derived embryos. Stage-dependent and characteristic changes to chromatin and microtubules occurred in SCNT-derived embryos at different times after activation. About half donor nuclei underwent premature chromosome condensation (PCC) at 1 h post activation, and furtherly reached telophase at 2 h after activation.

Synergistic antitumor efficacy of antibacterial helvolic acid from Cordyceps taii and cyclophosphamide in a tumor mouse model.

The antibacterial agent helvolic acid, which was isolated from the active antitumor fraction of Cordyceps taii, showed potent cytotoxicity against different human cancer cells. In the present study, the in vivo antitumor effect of helvolic acid was investigated in murine sarcoma S180 tumor-bearing mice. Doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/day helvolic acid did not exert significant antitumor activity.

Hyaluronic acid enhances proliferation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

This study investigated the pro-proliferative effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) on human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and the underlying mechanisms. Treatment with HA increased cell population growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Analyses by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry revealed that HA did not change the cytophenotypes of hAMSCs.

Structurally related ganoderic acids induce apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cells: Involvement of oxidative stress and antioxidant protective system.

Ganoderic acids (GAs) produced by Ganoderma lucidum possess anticancer activities with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the role of oxidative stress in apoptotic process induced by GAs is still undefined. In this study, the effects of four structurally related GAs, i.

Antitumor and antimetastatic activities of chloroform extract of medicinal mushroom Cordyceps taii in mouse models.

Background: Cordyceps taii, an entomogenous fungus native to south China, is a folk medicine with varieties of pharmacological activities including anticancer effect. To validate the ethnopharmacological claim against cancer, the antitumor and antimetastatic activities of chloroform extract of C. taii (CFCT) were investigated in vivo.

[Research progress on hypoglycemic effect and its mechanism of action of medicinal fungal polysaccharides].

Due to substantial morbidity and high complications, diabetes mellitus is considered as the third "killer" in the world. Medicinal fungal polysaccharides, as water-soluble macromolecular substances with low toxicity, exhibit diversified pharmacological actions such as immune regulation, anti-tumor, antivirus, antioxidant, anti-aging, hypoglycemic effect and improving liver and kidney function. In recent year, a number of investigators reported medicinal fungal polysaccharides showed good anti-diabetes and hypoglycemic activity, and their acting mechanisms involved in glycometabolism and β cell function, e.

New cytochalasins from medicinal macrofungus Crodyceps taii and their inhibitory activities against human cancer cells.

Three new cytochalasins (1-3) together with two known cytochalasin analogues (4 and 5) were isolated from the chloroform fraction of ethanolic extract of a medicinal macrofungus Cordyceps taii. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The cytotoxicities of Compounds 1-5 were investigated by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) method in vitro against human highly metastatic lung cancer cell 95-D, human lung cancer cell line A-549 and normal hepatocyte HL-7702.

[The mechanism of inhibition of the increase in intracellular calcium concentration by the islet amyloid polypeptide in high glucose-stimulated INS-1 cells].

Objective: To explore the potential mechanism of the inhibition of increased intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) by short-term exposure to the islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) in high glucose-stimulated pancreatic β cells.

Methods: The pancreatic β cells were loaded with calcium sensitive fluorescent indicator Fluo-4/AM. The fluorescence intensity, which represented [Ca²⁺]i, was measured in time by laser scanning confocal microscope before and after stimulated by glucose, KCl, caffeine and carbachol.

A new ganoderic acid from Ganoderma lucidum mycelia and its stability.

A new ganoderic acid (GA), 3α,22β-diacetoxy-7α-hydroxyl-5α-lanost-8,24E-dien-26-oic acid (1), together with four known compounds GA-Mk (2), -Mc (3), -S (4) and -Mf (5), was isolated and characterized from Ganoderma lucidum mycelia. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of interpretation of extensive spectroscopic data (HRMS, IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR). Due to its apparent degradation during preparation procedures, the stability of compound 1 was assessed in several solvents in a short-term study that demonstrated the optimal stability in aproptic environment.

Cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of novel ganoderic acid derivatives on human cervical cancer cells in vitro.

Ganoderic acid T, a triterpenic acid produced by Ganoderma lucidum, has demonstrated therapeutic potential for tumor disease. In the current work, ganoderic acid T was modified to produce more effective small-molecule inhibitors of cancer cell proliferation. Moreover, the anticancer effects of three new ganoderic acid T derivatives, i.

Ganoderic acid Mf and S induce mitochondria mediated apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells.

In this work, the effects of a pair of positional isomer of ganoderic acids (GAs), namely ganoderic acid Mf (GA-Mf) and ganoderic acid S (GA-S) purified from the fermented mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum, on induction of cell apoptosis and the apoptotic pathway in HeLa cells were investigated. The results demonstrate that both isomers decreased cell population growth on various human carcinoma cell lines by MTT assay, while GA-Mf had better selectivity between normal and cancer cells. The flow cytometry analysis indicated that treatment of HeLa cells with GA-S caused cell cycle arrest in the S phase, while GA-Mf caused cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase.

A new ganoderic acid from Ganoderma lucidum mycelia.

A new ganoderic acid (GA), 7-O-ethyl ganoderic acid O (GA-O) (1), together with two known compounds, GA-T (2) and GA-Me (3), was isolated and purified from fermented mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum. The structure of the new triterpenoid was elucidated on the basis of the interpretation of extensive spectroscopic data (HR-MS, IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR) as 3 alpha,15 alpha,22-triacetoxy-7 alpha-ethoxy-5 alpha-lanost-8,24E-dien-26-oic acid. The new compound was found to contain a rare ethoxyl group at C-7.

[Studies of dynamic distribution of Thr11-phosphorylated H3 in MCF-7 at mitosis].

The phosphorylations of histone H3 on Ser10, Ser28, Thrll and Thr3 of the amino terminal are the events that related to mitosis of the cell. To study the function of Thrll phosphorylation of histone H3,indirect immunofluorescence labeling and laser confocal were employed with the antibody that was specific for Thrll-phosphorylated histone H3. The celluar dynamic distribution of this protein was examined at mitosis in MCF-7 cell.