Hispidulin induces ER stress-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo by activating AMPK signaling pathway.

Hispidulin (4',5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone) is a phenolic flavonoid isolated from the medicinal plant S. involucrata, which exhibits anti-neoplastic activity against several types of cancer. However, the mechanism underlying its anti-cancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been fully elucidated.

Hispidulin inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth and metastasis through AMPK and ERK signaling mediated activation of PPARγ.

Hispidulin, a phenolic flavonoid, exerts potent cytotoxicity towards a variety of human cancers. However, the effects of hispidulin on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and underlying molecular mechanisms of its action remain elusive. The present study investigated the effect of hispidulin on HCC in experimental models, including tumor cell lines and mouse tumor xenograft.

Tegillarca granosa extract Haishengsu inhibits tumor activity via a mitochondrial‑mediated apoptotic pathway.

Haishengsu (HSS) is an active natural extract isolated from Tegillarca granosa, which has previously been demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of several types of cancer cells in vitro. Our previous study indicated that HSS may induce apoptosis to suppress growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL‑7402 cells by activating Fas pathway. The present study demonstrated that HSS treatment induces the in vitro apoptosis of BEL‑7402 cells via the mitochondrial‑mediated apoptotic pathway detected by DNA fragmentation assay, caspase activity assay and transmission electron microscopy assay, and inhibits tumor xenograft growth in vivo.

Association between IL-4 and IL-4R Polymorphisms and Periodontitis: A Meta-Analysis.

. Previous studies have revealed that gene polymorphisms of inflammatory factors may influence the development or progression of periodontitis, a main cause of tooth loss in adults; however, due to limitations of individual studies, inconsistent findings were reported. .

Physcion inhibits the metastatic potential of human colorectal cancer SW620 cells in vitro by suppressing the transcription factor SOX2.

Aim: Physcion, an anthraquinone derivative, exhibits hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer activities. In this study we examined whether and how physcion inhibited metastatic potential of human colorectal cancer cells in vitro.

Methods: Human colorectal cancer cell line SW620 was tested.

Purple sweet potato pigments scavenge ROS, reduce p53 and modulate Bcl-2/Bax to inhibit irradiation-induced apoptosis in murine thymocytes.

Aims: Purple sweet potato (PSP) pigments were proved to protect murine thymocytes from (60)Co γ-ray-induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in our previous study. In this study, we further investigated the effect of PSP pigments on apoptosis related ROS, p53 and Bcl-2 family.

Methods: Cell viability was analyzed by MTT.

Effects of the novel vascular targeting agent MDS-11P on tumor vascularity and its antitumor activity.

Vascular disrupting agents show selective effects on tumor established vasculature, and achieve encouraging results in both pre-clinical and clinical experiments. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a new CA4 derivative MDS-11 and its prodrug MDS-11P on vascular disrupting activity in vitro and in vivo. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and tubulin polymerization assay showed that MDS-11 interacted with tubulin directly and inhibited tubulin polymerization in a cell free system, and western blot assay further confirmed the action in the cellular level.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 on human colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Aims: To investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human colon cancer cells.

Methods: Human colon cancer cell lines (HT-29) were cultured and incubated with various concentrations (0-320 mg/l) of EGb 761 solution for up to 72 h. Cell viability, cell apoptosis, cell cycle, expression of caspase-3, the mRNA levels of p53, and Bcl-2 were assessed.

Inhibition of neurotrophin receptor p75 intramembran proteolysis by gamma-secretase inhibitor reduces medulloblastoma spinal metastasis.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most devastating and common pediatric brain tumor. Tumor cells invading into surrounding tissue and disseminating through cerebrospinal fluid make treatment extremely difficult. Identifying the mechanisms of MB cells is therefore imperative for the development of novel treatments.

[Effect between felodipine plus irbesartan and felodipine plus metoprolol regimen on the sexual function in young and middle-aged women with hypertension].

Objective: To compare the effects between felodipine plus irbesartan and felodipine plus metoprolol regimen on blood pressure and the sexual function in young and middle-aged hypertensive women.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, parallelized, controlled and fixed combined therapy trial, 99 female patients (aged 18 to 60) with grade 1 and grade 2 hypertension (BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg and < 179/109 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) were assigned to felodipine 5 mg q.

Polypeptide from Chlamys farreri attenuates murine thymocytes damage induced by ultraviolet B.

Aim: Polypeptide from Chlamys farreri (PCF, molecular mass is 879) is a new marine polypeptide compound isolated from Chlamys farreri. This study investigates the possible protective roles and the mechanism of PCF against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced apoptosis in murine thymocytes.

Methods: The rate of apoptosis and caspase-3 activation was measured by flow cytometry.

Molecular mechanisms of polypeptide from Chlamys farreri protecting HaCaT cells from apoptosis induced by UVA plus UVB.

Aim: To investigate the mechanism of polypeptide from Chlamys farreri (PCF) protecting HaCaT cells from apoptosis induced by UVA plus UVB in vitro.

Methods: An apoptotic model of UV irradiation-induced HaCaT cells was established. The 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay, agarose gel electrophoresis, biochemical methods, and Western blotting were employed in the study.

Inhibition of UVA-induced apoptotic signaling pathway by polypeptide from Chlamys farreri in human HaCaT keratinocytes.

Chronic UVA irradiation has been reported to induce photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. UVA is a potent inducer of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can induce various biological processes, including apoptosis. Polypeptide from Chlamys farreri (PCF) is a novel marine active material isolated from the gonochoric Chinese scallop C.

Acidic oligosaccharide sugar chain, a marine-derived oligosaccharide, activates human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor signaling.

Gial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) modulates neuronal cell differentiation during development and protects against neurodegeneration by preventing apoptosis at maturity. GDNF's role in tissue maintenance has generated interest in the therapeutic potential of GDNF in treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Heparan sulfate has been shown to be essential for GDNF signaling and altering the levels of heparan sulfate promotes or inhibits GDNF functional activity.

[Inhibition of postharvest decay and induction of defensive enzymes by pure oxygen in Chinese bayberry fruit].

Chinese bayberry fruits were stored in air (control) or pure oxygen atmosphere for up to 12 days at 5 degrees C to investigate the effects of high oxygen on decay control and its relation to the induction of defensive enzyme activities. The results showed that exposure of Chinese bayberry to pure oxygen significantly prevented fruit decay. At the end of the storage period, the decay index of fruits exposed to pure oxygen was only 17% while that of control fruits reached 54% (Fig.