Attenuation of Oxidative Stress in HEK 293 Cells by the TCM Constituents Schisanhenol, Baicalein, Resveratrol or Crocetin and Two Defined Mixtures.

Purpose: Our working hypothesis is that single bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant properties that are important constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and their defined mixtures have potential as chemoprotective agents for chronic conditions characterized by oxidative and nitrosative stress, including Alzheimer's. Here we evaluate the ability of baicalein, crocetin, trans-resveratrol or schisanhenol and two defined mixtures of these TCM phytochemicals to attenuate the toxicity resulting from exposure to cell permeant t-butyl hydroperoxide (tBPH) in wild-type and bioengineered (to express choline acetyltransferase) HEK 293 cells.

Methods: Endpoints of tBHP-initiated oxidative and nitrosative stress in both types of HEK 293 cells and its attenuation by TCM constituents and mixtures included cytotoxicity (LDH release); depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH); formation of S-glutathionylated proteins; oxidative changes to the disulfide proteome; and real-time changes in intracellular redox status.

Potential Complementary Therapy for Adverse Drug Reactions to Sulfonamides: Chemoprotection Against Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress by TCM Constituents and Defined Mixtures.

Purpose: Our working hypothesis is that bioactive phytochemicals that are important constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and their defined mixtures have potential as complementary therapy for chemoprotection against adverse drug reactions whose toxicity is not related to the pharmacological action of the drug but where oxidative and nitrosative stress are causative factors.

Methods: In this investigation we measured cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and ROS/NOS-mediated changes in the disulfide proteome of Jurkat E6.1 cells resulting from exposure to sulfamethoxazole N-hydroxylamine with or without pre-treatment with low µM concentrations of baicalein, crocetin, resveratrol and schisanhenol alone and in defined mixtures to compare the ability of these treatment regimens to protect against ROS/RNS toxicity to Jurkat E6.

Changes of multiple biotransformation phase I and phase II enzyme activities in human fetal adrenals during fetal development.

Aim: Fetal adrenal, which synthesizes steroid hormones, is critical to fetal growth and development. Our recent research showed that some xenobiotics could interfere with steroidogenesis and induce intrauterine growth retardation in rats. The study on the characteristics of biotransformation enzymes in fetal adrenals still seems to be important with respect to possible significance in xenobiotic-induced fetal development toxicity.

[Expression and significance of survivin protein, PTEN in prostatic cancer].

Objective: To study the expressions of survivin, PTEN and their relationships with tissue grade and pathology stage in prostatic carcinoma (PCa).

Methods: The immunohistological staining was used to evaluated the expressions of survivin protein and PTEN in 43 case of prostatic carcinoma (PCa) and 5 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Results: The positive rate of survivin protein was 81.

[Activation of the immunologic function of rat Kupffer cells by the polysaccharides of Angelica sinensis].

Aim: To observe the influence of polysaccharides of Angelica sinensis (ASP) on the immunologic function of rat Kupffer cells.

Methods: Normal rat Kupffer cells were treated with ASP in vitro. Absorbance at 540 nm ( A540) of neutral red absorption and supernatant NO, TNF-alpha in the cells were measured to evaluate the immunologic function of Kupffer cells; LDH leakage was measured to estimate the severity of cellular damage; Rats were given ASP 0.

[Effects of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides on hepatic drug metabolism enzymes activities in mice].

Objective: To study the effects of Angelica sinensis Polysaccharides (ASP) on the hepatic drug metabolism enzymes activities in normal mice and those prednisolone (PSL)-induced liver injury.

Method: The activities of phase II enzymes (GSH-related enzymes) and cytochrome P450 enzymes were measured by biochemical method.

Result: ASP increased the activities of glutathione S-transferase in liver microsomes and mitochondria.

In vitro metabolic characteristics of cytochrome P-450 2A6 in Chinese liver microsomes.

Aim: To investigate the metabolic characteristics of cytochrome P-450 C YP2A6 in human liver microsomes.

Methods: Cytochrome P-450 enzyme activities were measured by biochemical assays. Xenobiotics were employed to observe their effects on CYP2A6 in vitro.