Hypoglycemic property of soy isoflavones from hypocotyl in Goto-Kakizaki diabetic rats.

The present study was carried out to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of soy isoflavones from hypocotyl in GK diabetic rats. A single administration and long-term administration tests were conducted in GK diabetic rats to test the hypoglycemic effect of soy isoflavones. At the end of long-term administration trial, blood protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, glycosylated serum protein, C-reactive protein, insulin, aminotransferase, lipid peroxide, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α were estimated.

[Rhaponticum uniflorum inhibits H2O2-induced apoptosis of liver cells via JNK and NF-κB pathways].

To study the inhibitory effect of Rhaponticum uniflorum on apoptosis induced by H2O2 in HepG2 cells. Human HepG2 cells injury models were established by H2O2, then cell survival rate was assayed by MTT method; levels of LDH, ALT, and AST were detected by chemical colorimetric method;SOD activity was detected by xanthine oxidase method; GSH content was detected by dithio-bis-nitrobenzoic acid(DTNB); MDA level was detected by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method;and the relative activities of Caspase-3, 8 and 9 were measured by Colorimetry. The expression levels of Cleaved Caspase-3(Casp-3), cytochrome(Cyto c), NF-κB, ERK, JNK, p38 MAPK, as well as the phospharylated proteins were determined with Western blotting method.

Evaluation of doxorubicin-loaded pH-sensitive polymeric micelle release from tumor blood vessels and anticancer efficacy using a dorsal skin-fold window chamber model.

Aim: To evaluation the doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded pH-sensitive polymeric micelle release from tumor blood vessels into tumor interstitium using an animal vessel visibility model, the so-called dorsal skin-fold window chamber model.

Methods: DOX-loaded pH-sensitive polyHis-b-PEG micelles and DOX-loaded pH-insensitive PLLA-b-PEG micelles were prepared. The uptake of the micelles by MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo was examined using flow cytometry.

Improved anti-tumor efficiency against prostate cancer by docetaxel-loaded PEG-PCL micelles.

This study primarily focused on the systematic assessment of both in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of docetaxel-loaded polyethylene glycol (PEG)2000-polycaprolactone (PCL)2600 micelles on hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). By using solvent evaporation method, PEG-PCL was chosen to prepare doxetaxel (DTX)-loaded mPEG-PCL micelles (DTX-PMs), with the purpose of eliminating side effects of the commercial formulation (Tween 80) and prolonging the blood circulation time. The prepared DTX-PMs had an average particle size of 25.

[Protective effect of soyasaponins on acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide in mice].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of soyasaponins on acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice.

Method: The mice were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control, the model group, the silymarin (positive control) group, and soyasaponins high and low-dose groups. They were administered with drugs once every day for 7 days.

Preparation and characterization of polymeric nanoparticles for siRNA delivery to down-regulate the expressions of exogenous and endogenous target genes.

Gene silencing induced by RNA interference using small interfering RNA (siRNA) provides a promising therapeutic approach for cancers. However, the lack of siRNA delivery vector has limited the development of siRNA therapy. The purpose of this study was to use the novel copolymer (mPEG5k-PCL1.

Multifunctional nanoparticles for targeting cancer therapy.

Chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin and MRI imaging agent Iron Oxide were encapsulated in dual functional nanoparticles which is compose of PEG-Foliate acid polymers. The particle size was about 45 nm with a mono-dispersion measured by zeta-sizer instrument. The contrast of images in liver was enhanced after injection Nanoparticles via rabbit ear vein.

Thermal reversible microemulsion system for poorly water-soluble YH439 for oral delivery.

To improve bioavailability of poorly water-soluble YH439, a thermal reversible microemulsion system was prepared using modified fatty acids such as capric acid and palmitic acid with PEG 400. A combination of Capric-PEG 400 and Palmitic-PEG 400 with a ratio of 1 : 3 used as a lipid matrix and Cremophor RH40 and Neobee M-5 were selected as an oil and a surfactant, respectively. The microemulsion with melting point of 36.

Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide relaxes gastric antral circular smooth muscle of guinea-pig through the cGMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase pathway.

Aim: To systematically investigate if cGMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PKG) signaling pathway may participate in dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP)-induced relaxation of gastric circular smooth muscle.

Methods: The content of cGMP in guinea pig gastric antral smooth muscle tissue and perfusion solution were measured using radioimmunoassay; spontaneous contraction of gastric antral circular muscles recorded using a 4-channel physiograph; and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) currents (I(K(Ca))) and spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) in isolated gastric antral myocytes were recorded using the whole-cell patch clamp technique.

Results: DNP markedly enhanced cGMP levels in gastric antral smooth muscle tissue and in the perfusion medium.

[Anti-atherosclerotic effect of soybean isofalvones and soyasaponins in diabetic rats].

Objective: To study the influence of soybean phytochemical extract containing isoflavones and soyasaponins (SPE) on blood glucose, blood lipids, plasma lipid peroxide and platelet aggregation activity in diabetic rats.

Methods: Diabetic rats were fed with fodder containing 20 g/kg of SPE for 20 weeks. Their plasma very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were separated by sequential ultracentrifugation.

Effect of Boschniakia rossica on expression of GST-P, p53 and p21(ras)proteins in early stage of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis and its anti-inflammatory activities in rats.

AIM:To investigate the effect of Boschniakia rossica (BR) extract on expression of GST-P, p53 and p21(ras) proteins in early stage of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in rats and its anti-inflammatory activities.METHODS:The expression of tumor marker-placental form glutathione S-transferase (GST-P), p53 and p21(ras) proteins were investigated by immunohisto-chemical techniques and ABC method. Anti-inflammatory activities of BR were studied by xylene and croton oil-induced mouse ear edema, carrageenin, histamine and hot scald-induced rat pow edema, adjuvant-induced rat arthritis and cotton pellet induced mouse granuloma formation methods.