Association Between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Inflammatory Activity and Fibrosis in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in the development and progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and NASH is a powerful driving force for the progression of fibrosis. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple emerging indicator of inflammation. We aimed to assess the potential association between NLR and histological severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Salidroside alleviates oxidative stress and apoptosis via AMPK/Nrf2 pathway in DHT-induced human granulosa cell line KGN.

In the past few years, emerging evidence established persistent oxidative stress to be a key player in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Particularly, it damages the function of granulosa cells, and thus hinders the development of follicles. The present study aimed to explore and establish the protective effects of salidroside on dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced Granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN), mediated via antioxidant mechanisms.

Prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma treated with molecularly targeted drugs combined with radiotherapy vs temozolomide monotherapy: A meta-analysis.

Background: Glioblastoma (GB) is one of the most common malignancies with limited standard therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy (RT) plus temozolomide (TMZ). Molecularly targeted drugs have been investigated among various clinical trials and are expected to develop in the field of tumor therapy, while the efficacy remains uncertain due to limited previous results. Thus, we focus on the evaluation of molecularly targeted drugs to clarify its overall effectiveness in terms of treating newly diagnosed GB.

Antioxidant activities and polyphenol content of leaf extracts collected from varying regions.

leaf (MAL), also known as Mori folium when used as a herbal medicine, has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine to treat diabetes, protect the liver and lower blood pressure. In the present study, MAL was collected from various regions in Korea and the antioxidant activity, total polyphenol contents and main flavonoid contents was investigated. MAL were collected from various areas in Korea and extracted with methanol.

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic effect of leaves and Mume Fructus combination.

Background: Agents currently used for the treatment and prevention of thrombosis have a number of side effects. We conducted this study to develop antithrombotic agents from herbs that are used in food.

Methods: The 80% (v/v) ethanol extracts of leaf (PL) and Mume Fructus (MF) and their combinations-2:1 (PM21), 1:1 (PM11), and 1:2 (PM12)-were evaluated on rat platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and on arteriovenous shunt thrombosis after 3 days of oral treatment in rats .

Cytotoxic lignans from the stem bark of Magnolia officinalis.

Three new lignans, 4'-methoxymagndialdehyde ( 1), 4'-methoxymagnaldehyde B ( 2), and 4'-methoxymagnaldehyde E ( 3), were isolated from hexane- and EtOAc-soluble fractions of the stem bark of Magnolia officinalis, together with eight known compounds ( 4- 11). The structures of compounds 1- 3 were determined on the basis of spectroscopic and physicochemical data analysis. Compounds 1- 11 were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against the K562, HeLa, and A549 cancer cell lines.

Anti-oxidant constituents from Sedum takesimense.

As part of an ongoing search for antioxidants from medicinal plants, 14 phenolic constitutents were isolated from the Korean endemic species Sedum takesimense Nakai. Their structures were determined as 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyethanone (5), gossypetin-8-O-beta-d-xylopyranoside (10), and 2,6-di-O-galloylarbutin (13) on the basis of spectroscopic analyses (IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR, HR-MS) and chemical degradation, together with 11 previously known phenolics. Two of those (10 and 13) exhibited strong scavenging activities against DPPH and superoxide radicals as well as significant inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation (IC(50) 14.

Cytotoxic constituents from angelicae sinensis radix.

Cytotoxic bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract of Angelicae Sinensis Radix led to the isolation of a new dimeric Z-ligustilide, named neodiligustilide (1), together with three known compounds, Z-ligustilide (2), 11(S),16(R)-dihydroxy-octadeca-9Z, 17-dien-12,14-diyn-1-yl acetate (3), and 3(R),8(S)-falcarindiol (4). Among them, 2 showed the strongest cytotoxicity against L1210 and K562 cell lines with IC50 values of 2.27 +/- 0.

Triterpenoids and diarylheptanoids from Alnus hirsuta inhibit HIF-1 in AGS cells.

Bioassay-guided fractionation and purification of the EtOAc soluble fraction from the MeOH extract of the stem bark of Alnus hirsuta (Betulaceae), using an in vitro HIF-1 assay, led to the isolation of four triterpenoids (1-4) and six diarylheptanoids (5-10). Their structures were determined by comparison with the physicochemical and spectroscopic data in the literature. These compounds were investigated for their effects on the hypoxia-induced HIF-1 activation using an HIF-1a mediated reporter gene assay in AGS cells.

Antioxidant activity of cleomiscosins A and C isolated from Acer okamotoanum.

Phytochemical investigation of Acer okamotoanum leaf and twig led to the isolation of two coumarinolignans, cleomiscosin A (1) and cleomiscosin C (2). Here, we found that 2 dose-dependently inhibits LDL oxidation mediated by either catalytic copper ions (Cu2+) or free radicals generated with the azo compound 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)dihydro-chloride (AAPH) with IC50s of 29.5 and 11.

Diarylheptanoids from Alnus hirsuta inhibit the NF-kB activation and NO and TNF-alpha production.

Six diarylheptanoids (1-6) from the stem bark of Alnus hirsuta were investigated for their inhibitory activity against LPS-induced NF-kB activation and NO and TNF-alpha production. Among them, compounds 2, 3, and 6 displayed inhibitory activity against NF-kB activation and NO and TNF-alpha production with IC50 values of 9.2-9.

Isolation of constituents and anti-complement activity from Acer okamotoanum.

A novel acylated sterol glucoside (1) along with four known compounds, beta-amyrin acetate (2), 3beta,24-dihydroxytaraxer-14-ene (3), cleomiscosin A (4), and cleomiscosin C (5), were isolated from the leaf and twig of Acer okamotoanum Nakai (Aceraceae). The structure of the new compound was determined to be beta-sitosterol glucoside-3'-O-hexacosanoicate based on chemical and spectroscopic analyses. In addition, the novel compound was found to exhibit a significant inhibitory effect (IC50 value of 0.

Chemical constituents of the root of Dystaenia takeshimana and their anti-inflammatory activity.

In our ongoing search for bioactive compounds originating from the endemic species in Korea, we found that the hexane and EtOAc fractions of the MeOH extract from the root of Dystaenia takeshimana (Nakai) Kitagawa (Umbelliferae) showed cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) dual inhibitory activity by assessing their effects on the production of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. By activity-guided fractionation, five coumarins, viz. psoralen (2), xanthotoxin (3), scopoletin (4), umbelliferone (5), and (+)-marmesin (6), together with beta-sitosterol (1), were isolated from the hexane fraction, and two phenethyl alcohol derivatives, viz.

Cytotoxic and COX-2 inhibitory constituents from the aerial parts of Aralia cordata.

Three diterpenes (1, 8, and 9), three triterpenes (3, 4, and 7), one saponin (11), four sterols (2, 5, 6, and 12), and one cerebroside (10) were isolated from the EtOH extract of the aerial parts of Aralia cordata by repeated silica gel column chromatography. Their chemical structures were identified by comparing their physicochemical and spectral data with those published in literatures. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against L1210, K562, and LLC tumor cell lines using MTT assay.

Anti-complementary activity of ursane-type triterpenoids from Weigela subsessilis.

A new ursane-type triterpenoid, weigelic acid (1), and seven known compounds, ursolic acid (2), ilekudinol A (3), corosolic acid (4), ilekudinol B (5), esculentic acid (6), pomolic acid (7), and asiatic acid (8) were isolated from the leaf and stem of Weigela subsessilis. The structure of the new triterpenoid was established as 1beta,2alpha,3alpha,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. In addition, the isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-complement activity against the classical pathway of the complement system.

Inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha-induced IL-8 production in the HT29 cell of constituents from the leaf and stem of Weigela subsessilis.

Twelve compounds were isolated from the MeOH extract of the leaf and stem of the Korean endemic plant Weigela subsessilis L. H. Bailey.

Cytotoxic saponins from the root of Dipsacus asper Wall.

Cytotoxic activitiy of seven hederagenin saponins isolated from the root of Dipsacus asper were investigated in vitro against L1210, HL-60 and SK-OV-3 tumor cell lines by the MTT method. 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin (2), 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin (6) and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin (7) exhibited the potent cytotoxicity against the three tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 4.7 to 8.

Antioxidant activity of anthraquinones and flavonoids from flower of Reynoutria sachalinensis.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract of Reynoutria sachalinensis flower using DPPH assay has led to the isolation of three anthraquinones and three flavonoids. Their structures were identified as emodin (1), emodin-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), physcion-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside (4), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (5), and quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (6) by comparing their physicochemical and spectral data with those published in literatures. All isolated compounds were evaluated for antioxidant activities with free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging and Cu2+-mediated low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation assay.

Cytotoxic coumarins from the root of Angelica dahurica.

Ten coumarins were isolated from the root of Angelica dahurica by repeated silica gel column chromatography. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basic of physicochemical and spectroscopic data. Among them, oxypeucedanin hydrate acetonide (7) was isolated for the first time from this plant.