Lignans-rich extract from Herpetospermum caudigerum alleviate physical fatigue in mice.

Objective: To ascertain anti-fatigue constituents and mechanisms of Herpetospermum caudigerum.

Methods: The 80% ethanol extracts of Herpetospermum caudigerum were partitioned with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively. Male Kunming mice were divided into 13 groups with 16 mice in each group: a control group fed with water, 9 groups treated with 3 fractions of Herpetospermum caudigerum (chloroform fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and n-butanol fraction) at dose of 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg for the low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group, 3 herpetrione (HPE) treated groups fed with HPE at dose of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg for the low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group.

Downregulation of ERRα inhibits angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells through regulating VEGF production and PI3K/Akt/STAT3 signaling pathway.

The human estrogen related receptor α (ERRα) is a pivotal regulator involved in energy homeostasis and mitochondrial biogenesis. It has been demonstrated that activation of ERRα in various breast cancer cells results in a significant increase of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein secretion. However, little is known about the relationship between ERRα and angiogenesis.

Tectorigenin regulates adipogenic differentiation and adipocytokines secretion via PPARγ and IKK/NF-κB signaling.

Context: Obesity is associated with a number of diseases with metabolic abnormalities such as type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Objective: We investigate the effects of tectorigenin on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and adipocytokines secretion.

Materials And Methods: The effects of tectorigenin on adipocyte differentiation were studied using Oil Red O staining.

Chlorogenic acid inhibits hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation via c-Src and Shc/Grb2/ERK2 signaling pathway.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), abundant in coffee and particular fruits, can modulate hypertension and vascular dysfunction. Hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation has been tightly linked to vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of CGA on hypoxia-induced proliferation in cultured rat PASMCs.

[XCT790 inhibits rat vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation through down-regulating the expression of estrogen-related receptor alpha].

Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in several pathological processes of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, the effects of XCT790, a potent and selective inverse agonist of estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRalpha), on rat VSMCs proliferation and related signal pathways were investigated. The proliferative activity of VSMCs was determined by CCK-8 assay.

Comparison of anti-bacterial activity of three types of di-O-caffeoylquinic acids in Lonicera japonica flowers based on microcalorimetry.

The anti-bacterial activities of three types of di-O-caffeoylquinic acids (diCQAs) in Lonicera japonica flowers, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), on Bacillus shigae growth were investigated and compared by microcalorimetry. The three types of diCQAs were 3, 4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3, 4-diCQA), 3, 5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3, 5-diCQA), and 4, 5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4, 5-diCQA). Some qualitative and quantitative information of the effects of the three diCQAs on metabolic power-time curves, growth rate constant k, maximum heat-output power Pm, and the generation time tG, total heat output Qt, and growth inhibitory ratio I of B.

Mixed nanomicelles loaded with thymopeptides-sodium deoxycholate/phospholipid improve drug absorption.

Aim: To improve the absorption of thymopeptides (TH) by preparing sodium deoxycholate/phospholipid-mixed nanomicelles (SDC/PL-MMs).

Methods: TH-SDC/PL-MMs were prepared by a film dispersion method, and then evaluated using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), zeta potential measurement, as well as their physical stability after storage for several days. Furthermore, in situ intestinal single-pass perfusion experiments and pharmacodynamics in immunodeficient mice were performed to make a comparison with TH powders and the control drug in absorption properties.

Pharmacokinetic comparisons of berberine and palmatine in normal and metabolic syndrome rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: San-Huang formula is a popular traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation to replenish Qi, resolve phlegm, dissipate blood stasis, and therapy metabolic syndrome in China. Metabolic syndrome, which is accompanied by Qi and blood stasis, mainly arises from spleen deficiency in essence. There is limited information available for differences of pharmacokinetic properties of San-Huang formula between normal and metabolic syndrome rats.

6-Hydroxydaidzein enhances adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells.

Fermented soybean foods have been shown to reduce incidence of diabetes and improve insulin sensitivity. 6-Hydroxydaidzein (6-HD) is a bioactive ingredient isolated from fermented soybean. In this study, we examined the effects of 6-HD on adipocyte differentiation and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, as well as the mechanisms involved.

[Preparation of baicalin nanocrystal pellets and preliminary study on its pharmacokinetics].

Objective: To prepare baicalin nanocrystal (BC-NC) and evaluate its pharmacokinetics in rats.

Method: Baicalin nanosuspensions (BC-NS) were prepared by the high pressure homogenization technology combined with ultrasonic, and then BC-NS were solidificated into BC-NC pellets by removing the water through fluid-bed drying. Its morphology, mean diameter and Zeta-potential were determined.

Genetic association of FOXP3 gene polymorphisms with allograft rejection in renal transplant patients.

Aim: FOXP3 gene is known to be important for regulatory T cell development and function, and is associated with the rejection of human kidney transplants. The present study was therefore conducted to determine the effect of FOXP3 polymorphisms on allograft rejection in renal transplant recipients.

Methods: A total of 166 adult patients were categorized into either a Rejection group (65 patients) or a No rejection group (101 patients).

The association of the UGT1A8, SLCO1B3 and ABCC2/ABCG2 genetic polymorphisms with the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid and its phenolic glucuronide metabolite in Chinese individuals.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of UGT1A8*2, SLCO1B3 T334G, ABCC2 C-24T and ABCG2 C421A polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and its phenolic glucuronide (MPAG) in healthy Chinese volunteers and in stable renal transplant patients.

Methods: The data were extracted from comparative bioavailability studies conducted in 42 healthy individuals and 37 renal transplant patients. A complete PK profile was obtained over 48 h for healthy volunteers and over 12h for the transplant patients.

Ginsenoside Rb1 inhibits proliferation and inflammatory responses in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Ginsenoside Rb1, a known phytoestrogen, is a major pharmacologically active component in ginseng. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on fetal bovine serum (FBS)-induced proliferation and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-evoked inflammatory responses in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The data showed that Rb1 potently inhibited VSMC proliferation and cell growth induced by 5% FBS.

Simultaneous determination of procaine, lidocaine, ropivacaine, tetracaine and bupivacaine in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of five local anesthetics in human plasma: procaine, lidocaine, ropivacaine, tetracaine and bupivacaine. In an ice-water bath, 500 microL plasma sample, containing 100 microg/mL neostigmine methylsulfate as anticholinesterase, was spiked with carbamazepine as internal standard and alkalized by sodium hydroxide. Liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl ether was used for plasma sample preparation.

Development of a liquid chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry method for quantification of fentanyl in human plasma.

Fentanyl is a potent analgesic drug in relieving chronic pain in patients. In this report, we present a simple, reliable and sensitive LC-ID/MS method for the quantification of fentanyl in human plasma. LC-ID/MS analysis was carried out on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in positive electrospray ionization multiple-reaction-monitoring using the transitions m/z 337.

Population pharmacokinetics of sirolimus in de novo Chinese adult renal transplant patients.

Aims: This study was aimed at determining the population pharmacokinetics of sirolimus and identifying factors that explain pharmacokinetic variability in de novo Chinese adult renal transplant patients.

Methods: Data were retrospectively extracted from a formal multicentre clinical trial, which was originally designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cyclosporin dose reduction and cyclosporin elimination in patients receiving sirolimus. All patients received 12-month treatment, i.

[Development and identifiability analysis of parent-metabolite pharmacokinetic model for risperidone and its main active metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone].

To develop a parent-metabolite pharmacokinetic model for risperidone (RIP) and its major active metabolite (9-hydroxyrisperidone) and investigate their pharmacokinetics characteristics in healthy male volunteers, twenty-two healthy volunteers were orally given a single dose of 2 mg RIP. Plasma samples were collected in the period of 96 hours and concentrations of RIP and 9-hydroxyrisperidone were measured by a validated HPLC/MS method. CYP2D6 phenotypes were identified by the T1/2 of RIP and 9-hydroxyrisperidone according to the literature.

[Simultaneous determination of the inhibitory potency of compounds on the activity of five cytochrome P-450 enzymes using a cocktail probe substrates method].

This study developed a method for simultaneously assessing the inhibitory potency of compounds on five major cytochrome P-450 ( CYP450) enzymes using a cocktail of probe substrates. A cocktail selective substrates consisting of the phenacetin (PN, CYP1A2), dextromethorphan (DM, CYP2D6), tolbutamide (TB, CYP2C9), omeprazole (OPZ, CYP2C19) and midazolam (MPZ, CYP3A4) was incubated with human liver microsomes. The concentrations of the substrate metabolites paracetamol, dextrorphan, 4-hydroxytolbutamide, 5-hydroxyomeprazole and 1'-hydroxymidazolam were determined by LC/MS/MS in a single assay sample.

[Bioequivalence assessment of pioglitazone hydrochloride oral preparation by limited sampling strategy].

Aim: To develop limited sampling strategy (LSS) for estimation of C(max) and AUC(0-t) and assessing the bioequivalence of two pioglitazone hydrochloride (PGT) preparations.

Methods: Healthy subjects (n = 20), enrolled in a bioequivalence study, were received 30 mg PGT po of reference or test formulation. The plasma concentration of PGT was determined by the validated HPLC method.

Total and free mycophenolic acid and its 7-O-glucuronide metabolite in Chinese adult renal transplant patients: pharmacokinetics and application of limited sampling strategies.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of total and free mycophnolic acid (MPA) and its 7-O-glucuronide metabolite (MPAG) in Chinese renal transplant recipients. In addition, limited sampling strategies were developed to estimate the individual area under concentration curve (AUC) of total and free MPA.

Methods: Total and free MPA and MPAG concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography.

[Effect of MDR1 polymorphic expression on oral disposition of cyclosporine A].

Aim: To determine the relationship between C3435T mutation in exon 26 of the human multidrug resistant 1 gene and cyclosporine (CsA) pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters among healthy Chinese volunteers by nonlinear mixed effect model (NONMEM).

Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were given orally a single dose of 500 mg CsA in microemulsion solution. Blood CsA concentrations were measured with HPLC and the genotype for the C3435T polymorphism of MDR1 gene was determined with the PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism.