Antitumor activity and macrophage nitric oxide producing action of medicinal herb, Crassocephalum crepidioides.

Background: Crassocephalum crepidioides, a plant distributed in Okinawa Islands, is known in folk medicine; however, its anticancer activity has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities of C. crepidioides on murine Sarcoma 180 (S-180) and related molecular mechanisms.

Efficacy of Bidens pilosa Extract against Herpes Simplex Virus Infection In Vitro and In Vivo.

The development of strains of herpes simplex virus (HSV) resistant to drugs has been reported among the immunocompromised patients. Thus, there is a need to develop new therapeutic agents for HSV infections. We evaluated the anti-HSV activity of Bidens pilosa (B.

Anti-adult T-cell leukemia effects of Bidens pilosa.

We evaluated the effects of Bidens pilosa, a plant found in tropical and subtropical regions, and investigated the molecular pathways responsible for the anti-adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) effect. Water extracts of B. pilosa had growth suppressive effects on human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected T-cell lines and ATL cells.

Activation of rat liver microsomal glutathione transferase by hepsin.

Rat liver microsomal glutathione transferase (MGST1) is activated by limited proteolysis. Recently we purified a protease, hepsin, from rat liver microsomes that activates MGST1. In the present study the mechanism of MGST1 activation by hepsin was investigated.

Anti-adult T-cell leukemia effects of a novel synthetic retinoid, Am80 (Tamibarotene).

Clinical trials for treatment of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) using all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) have shown satisfactory therapeutic responses, although efficacies were limited. Recently, many synthetic retinoids have been developed and among them, a novel synthetic retinoid, Am80 (Tamibarotene) is an RARalpha- and RARbeta-specific retinoid expected to overcome ATRA resistance. The present study examined the inhibitory effects of Am80 on HTLV-I-infected T-cell lines and ATL cells.