Sub-chronic toxicity of the active fraction of a modified Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction.

A traditional Chinese herbal medicine formula named Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction (HLJDD) has been used to cure various inflammatory diseases with a long history. However, one component of HLJDD has remarkable liver and kidney toxicities. Therefore, it was altered with to form a modified HLJDD (MHLJDD).

Improvement effects of a novel Chinese herbal formula in imiquimod and IL-23-stimulated mouse models of psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a long-term inflammatory skin disease. A novel herbal formula containing nine Chinese herbal medicines, named Inflammation Skin Disease Formula (ISDF), has been prescribed in clinics for decades.

Aims: To investigate the efficacy and action mechanisms of ISDF on psoriasis using imiquimod (IMQ) and Interleukin-23 (IL-23)-induced models in mice and reveal the pharmacokinetics profile of ISDF in rats.

Anti-atopic dermatitis effect of a modified Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction and its active fraction on 2,4-dinitrobenzene and MC903-induced mouse models.

Background: Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine formula which has long been used to treat inflammatory skin disease including AD. However, Gardeniae Fructus, a component herb of HLJDD, has noticeable toxicity in liver and kidney. We therefore replaced Gardeniae Fructus with Dictamni Cortex with a hope to derive at a modified HLJDD (MHLJDD) with better safety profile.

Nano-Honokiol ameliorates the cognitive deficits in TgCRND8 mice of Alzheimer's disease via inhibiting neuropathology and modulating gut microbiota.

Introduction: Honokiol (HO) exerts neuroprotective effects in several animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the poor dissolution hampers its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.

Objectives: A novel honokiol nanoscale drug delivery system (Nano-HO) with smaller size and excellent stability was developed in this study to improve the solubility and bioavailability of HO. The anti-AD effects of Nano-HO was determined.

Baicalin ameliorates 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice through modulating skin barrier function, gut microbiota and JAK/STAT pathway.

Baicalin has distinct therapeutic effects in various skin diseases animal models such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effects of baicalin in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated mice. Female BALB/c mice treated with DNCB to induce AD-like skin lesions and orally administrated with baicalin daily for 14 consecutive days.

Efficacy and action mechanisms of a Chinese herbal formula on experimental models of atopic dermatitis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin inflammatory disease characterized by erythema, eruption, lichenification and pruritus. Shi Zhen Formula (SZF), an empirical Chinese herbal preparation, has clinical efficacy in relieving the symptoms of AD patients. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of SZF remained unclear.

Herb-drug interactions between androgenic Chinese herbal medicines and androgen receptor antagonist on tumor growth: Studies on two xenograft prostate cancer animal models.

Our previous study revealed that Epimedii Folium (EF) and Codonopsis Radix (CNR) significantly promoted tumor growth on a subcutaneous mouse model of prostate cancer (PCa) via enhancing the mRNA and protein expressions of androgen receptor (AR), while Astragali Radix (AGR) inhibited tumor growth via suppressing the protein expression of AR. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential interactions between EF, CNR or AGR and AR antagonist (abiraterone acetate [ABI]) on the tumor growth using subcutaneous and orthotopic PCa mouse models. EF, CNR, AGR and ABI were intragastrically given to mice once every 2 days for 4 weeks.

Magnolol Ameliorates Behavioral Impairments and Neuropathology in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory loss. Magnolol (MN), the main active ingredient of , possesses anti-AD effects in several experimental models of AD. In this study, we aimed to explore whether MN could ameliorate the cognitive deficits in TgCRND8 transgenic mice and to elucidate its molecular mechanisms.

Evaluation of the effects of androgenic Chinese herbal medicines on androgen receptors and tumor growth in experimental prostate cancer models.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Many prostate cancer (PCa) patients in Mainland China and other Asian countries often use Chinese herbal medicines as an adjuvant treatment while receiving Western medicines. However, concerns have been raised about the potential herb-drug interaction when using herbal medicines containing phytoandrogens.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the selected 21 Chinese herbal medicines on the proliferation and tumor growth using the relevant in vitro and in vivo models of PCa.

Poria cocos polysaccharides attenuated ox-LDL-induced inflammation and oxidative stress via ERK activated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and inhibited foam cell formation in VSMCs.

Oxidative stress, inflammation, and foam cell formation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are considered to play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antitumor and anti-oxidative properties. In this study we explored the effects of PCP on ox-LDL-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and foam cell formation in VSMCs.

Apoptosis induced by bruceine D in human non‑small‑cell lung cancer cells involves mitochondrial ROS‑mediated death signaling.

Bruceine D is one of the active components of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr., which is widely used to treat cancer in China.

Isorhynchophylline ameliorates cognitive impairment via modulating amyloid pathology, tau hyperphosphorylation and neuroinflammation: Studies in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Isorhynchophylline (IRN) has been demonstrated to have distinct anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) activity in several animal models of AD. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the preventive effect of IRN on the cognitive deficits and amyloid pathology in TgCRND8 mice. Male TgCRND8 mice were administered with IRN (20 or 40 mg/kg) by oral gavage daily for 4 months, followed by assessing the spatial learning and memory functions with the Radial Arm Maze (RAM) test.

and its Major Constituents on Central Nervous System: A Review on Their Pharmacological Actions.

Background: Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks (Rubinaceae), a common herbal medicine known as Gou-teng in Chinese, is commonly used in Chinese medicine practice for the treatment of convulsions, hypertension, epilepsy, eclampsia and other cerebral diseases. The major active components of U.

Isorhynchophylline exerts antidepressant-like effects in mice modulating neuroinflammation and neurotrophins: involvement of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway.

Isorhynchophylline (IRN), an oxindole alkaloid isolated from , elicited distinct antidepressant-like activity in mice. The present study aimed to investigate the antidepressant-like effects of IRN in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice and to illustrate its possible mechanisms of action. The mice were subjected to CUMS for 6 wk and administered with IRN (20 or 40 mg/kg) daily by oral gavage for 3 wk.

Comparison of the anti-inflammatory effects of Sinapis alba and Brassica juncea in mouse models of inflammation.

Background: Sinapis Semen is derived from the dried mature seeds of Sinapis alba L. or Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.

Complete Chloroplast Genomes from : Identity and Variation Among Four Species.

The genus , which contains about 30 species around the world and seven species in China, is the source of the medicinal plant , which is commonly used as a hemostatic agent as well as to treat burns and scalds. Here we report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequences of four species (, , , and var. ).

Isorhynchophylline alleviates learning and memory impairments induced by aluminum chloride in mice.

Background: To evaluate the effect of Isorhynchophylline (IRN) on the learning and memory impairments induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl) in mice.

Methods: Fifty male Balb-c mice (4-month-old) were randomly divided into five groups: control, AlCl plus vehicle, AlCl plus IRN (20 mg/kg), AlCl plus IRN (40 mg/kg) and AlCl plus donepezil (5 mg/kg). Learning and memory impairments were induced in mice by subcutaneously injecting with AlCl (50 mg/kg) once a day for 8 consecutive weeks.

Synergistic antitumor effect of brusatol combined with cisplatin on colorectal cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and life‑threatening type of malignant cancer, which is associated with a high mortality rate. Cisplatin (CDDP) is a commonly used chemotherapy drug with significant side effects. Brusatol (BR) is one of the principal chemical compounds isolated from the Chinese herb Bruceae Fructus, which has been reported to markedly inhibit the proliferation of numerous cancer cell lines.

Brucein D, a Naturally Occurring Tetracyclic Triterpene Quassinoid, Induces Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer through ROS-Associated PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway.

Brucein D (BD), a major active quassinoid in , has exhibited pronounced anticancer activities. However, the biologic mechanisms have not been fully explored. In this study, BD exhibited more potent cytotoxic effect on pancreatic cancer (PanCa) cell lines, while exerted weaker cytotoxic effects on GES-1 cells (non-tumorigenic).

Antidepressant-Like Effect of Isorhynchophylline in Mice.

Isorhynchophylline (IRN), an oxindole alkaloid, has been identified as the main active ingredient responsible for the biological activities of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq) Miq ex Havil. (Rubiaceae). Previous studies in our laboratory have revealed that IRN possesses potent neuroprotective effects in different models of Alzheimer's disease.

Neuroprotective effects of honokiol against beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity via GSK-3β and β-catenin signaling pathway in PC12 cells.

Beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation, one of the most important pathogenic traits of Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been reported to induce neurotoxicity in vitro as well as in vivo. Honokiol, isolated from the bark of Magnolia officinalis, has neuroprotective effects in different models of AD in vivo and in vitro. However, the exact mechanism for its neuroprotective effect is not well understood.

Honokiol improves learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine in mice.

Honokiol, a lignan isolated from the bark of Magnolia officinalis, has been reported to ameliorate the learning and memory impairments in senesed (SAMP8) mice. However, whether honokiol could improve scopolamine (SCOP)-induced learning and memory deficits in mice is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether honokiol could reverse the SCOP-induced learning and memory impairments in mice and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action.

A Chinese medicinal formulation ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis by suppressing the activity of nuclear factor-kappaB signaling.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is generally associated with a set of debilitating symptoms including abdominal pain, tenesmus, diarrhea and bloody stool. The standard approaches for treating IBD, which are the application of pharmaceuticals, are often unsatisfactory. IBD patients may suffer from repeated relapses and even exacerbation after taking these medications.

Pogostone suppresses proinflammatory mediator production and protects against endotoxic shock in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth is a well-known medicinal herb commonly used in many Asian countries for inflammatory diseases. Pogostone (PO), a natural product isolated from Pogostemon cablin, is known to exert various pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory property of PO, to elucidate its mechanism of action, and to evaluate its potential acute toxicity.