Effects of Sclerostin Antibody on the Healing of Femoral Fractures in Ovariectomised Rats.

The inhibition of sclerostin by the systemic administration of a monoclonal antibody (Scl-Ab) significantly increased bone mass and strength in fractured bones in animal models and non-fractured bones in ovariectomised (OVX) rats. In this study, the effects of Scl-Ab on healing were examined in a closed fracture model in OVX rats. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats underwent an ovariectomy or a sham operation at 4 months of age, and a closed fracture of the right femur was performed 3 months later.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote growth and angiogenesis of breast and prostate tumors.

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to migrate to tumor tissues. This behavior of MSCs has been exploited as a tumor-targeting strategy for cell-based cancer therapy. However, the effects of MSCs on tumor growth are controversial.

Alkaloids from roots of Stemona sessilifolia and their antitussive activities.

Protostemonamide ( 1), a new protostemonine-type alkaloid, and 12 known compounds were isolated from the roots of Stemona sessilifolia. Their structures were elucidated by 1 D and 2 D NMR spectral and other spectroscopic studies. The main alkaloidal constituents, protostemonine ( 2), stemospironine ( 4), and maistemonine ( 7), showed significant antitussive activity in a citric acid-induced guinea pig cough model following peripheral administration; stemonamine ( 11) had antitussive activity following i.

Relaxation effects of ligustilide and senkyunolide A, two main constituents of Ligusticum chuanxiong, in rat isolated aorta.

Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae) is a widely prescribed traditional Chinese medicinal herb for cardiovascular diseases in China. However, the cardiovascular actions of ligustilide and senkyunolide A, two of the most abundant Ligusticum chuanxiong constituents, have yet to be examined.

Stemoninines from the roots of Stemona tuberosa.

Five new stemoninine-type alkaloids, bisdehydrostemoninine (1), isobisdehydrostemoninine (2), bisdehydroneostemoninine (3), and bisdehydrostemoninines A (4) and B (5), were isolated from the crude-alkaloid extract of the roots of Stemona tuberosa. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR and other spectroscopic studies. The relative configuration of 4 was determined by X-ray diffraction.