Network pharmacology, experimental validation and pharmacokinetics integrated strategy to reveal pharmacological mechanism of goutengsan on methamphetamine dependence.

Background: Goutengsan (GTS) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that can improve multiple nervous system diseases, such as methamphetamine (MA) dependence. However, the mechanism how GTS treats MA dependence remains unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the action mechanism of GTS on MA dependence using network pharmacology, / experimental validation, pharmacokinetics, and tissue distribution in the brain.

Polysaccharide of Alocasia cucullata Exerts Antitumor Effect by Regulating Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and ERK1/2 Expressions during Long-Time Administration.

Objective: To study the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the polysaccharide of Alocasia cucullata (PAC) and the underlying mechanism.

Methods: B16F10 and 4T1 cells were cultured with PAC of 40 µg/mL, and PAC was withdrawn after 40 days of administration. The cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8.

Rhynchophylline inhibits methamphetamine dependence via modulating the miR-181a-5p/GABRA1 axis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil.

Aloperine induces apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks third among the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The chemotherapy for HCC is still insufficient, so far. In searching for effective anti-HCC agents from traditional Chinese medicine, we discovered that aloperine (ALO), a quinolizidine alkaloid from Sophora alopecuroides L.

Expression of miRNAs in Serum Exosomes versus Hippocampus in Methamphetamine-Induced Rats and Intervention of Rhynchophylline.

Objective: To compare the expressions of miRNAs (microRNAs) in serum exosomes and in hippocampus and to provide insights into the miRNA-mediated relationship between peripheral and central nervous systems in the presence of methamphetamine.

Methods: Published results on conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats conditioned by methamphetamine were replicated. The expressions of miRNAs in serum exosomes and hippocampus were determined by gene-chip sequencing.

Use of an UHPLC-MS/MS Method for Determination of Kuraridin and Characterization of Its Metabolites in Rat Plasma after Oral Administration.

Kuraridin is an active natural prenylated flavonoid ingredient originating from the well-known traditional Chinese medicine Ait., that possesses various bioactivities, such as antitumor activity, PLC1 inhibitory activity, glycosidase inhibitory activity, etc. However, there is no report on the plasma metabolic profile and pharmacokinetic study of kuraridin.

[Effect of rhynchophylline on behaviors of methamphetamine-dependent zebrafish and the mechanism].

Objective: To observe the effect of rhynchophylline on methamphetamine-dependent zebrafish and explore the possible mechanism.

Methods: Zebrafish were divided into control group, amphetamine group, low- (50 mg/kg) and high (100 mg/kg)-dose rhynchophylline groups, and ketamine (150 mg/kg) group. Conditioned place preference (CPP) was induced in zebrafish with methamphetamine, and the staying time in the drug box and the tracking map of the zebrafish were observed with Noldus Ethovision XT system.

Extract of Zuojin Pill ([characters: see text]) induces apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells via mitochondria-dependent pathway.

Objective: To observe the effects of water extract of Zuojin Pill ([characters: see text], ZJP) on inhibiting the growth of human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 and its potential mechanism.

Methods: Effects of ZJP on SGC-7901 cells growth were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry, and apoptosis induction was detected by means of DNA gel electrophoresis. The cellular mechanism of drug-induced cell death was unraveled by assaying oxidative injury level of SGC-7901 cell, mitochondrial membrane potentials, expression of apoptosis-related genes, such as B cell lymphoma/lewkmia-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9.

Effects of rhynchophylline on GluN1 and GluN2B expressions in primary cultured hippocampal neurons.

N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits GluN1 and GluN2B in hippocampal neurons play key roles in anxiety. Our previous studies show that rhynchophylline, an active component of the Uncaria species, down-regulates GluN2B expression in the hippocampal CA1 area of amphetamine-induced rat. The effects of rhynchophylline on expressions of GluN1 and GluN2B in primary hippocampal neurons in neonatal rats in vitro were investigated.

Effect of rhynchophylline on the expression of p-CREB and sc-Fos in triatum and hippocampal CA1 area of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference rats.

To explore the effect of rhynchophylline (Rhy) on the expression of p-CREB and c-Fos in the striatum and hippocampal CA1 area of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) rat, methamphetamine (2 mg/kg) was injected to rats and the conditioned place preference was observed in these rats treated with or without Rhy. An immunohistochemistry assay was used to determine the expression of p-CREB and c-Fos in the striatum and hippocampal CA1 area. Methamphetamine induced significant behavior alteration in CPP, while after pretreatment with rhynchophylline or ketamine, the time of staying in methamphetamine-paired compartment of rats was significantly reduced.

[Experimental research on prevention and treatment of fatty liver rats with Abrus cantoniensis].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Abrus cantoniensis (AC) on blood lipid metabolism, pathomorphological change of the liver and fenestrae of liver sinus endothelial cell (LSEC) in fatty liver disease rats.

Methods: SD rats were divided into 7 groups: blank control group,fatty liver model group, simvastatin group (7.2 mg/kg), Gynostemma pentaphyllum group (16.

Individual and combined effects of rhynchophylline and ketamine on proliferation, NMDAR1 and GluA2/3 protein expression in PC12 cells.

Rhynchophylline is an active component of the Uncaria species, which is a member of the Rubiaceae family. Our studies show that the downregulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit GluN2B expression in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, and hippocampal CA1 area by rhynchophylline is beneficial for the treatment of psychological dependence on amphetamines. The individual and combined effects of rhynchophylline and ketamine on proliferation and GluN1 and GluA2/3 protein expression in PC12 cells were investigated.

[Comparative study on macroscopic and microscopic identification of Celastrus aculeatus and Kadsura heteroclite].

Objective: To compare and identify Celastrus aculeatus and Kadsura heteroclita with pharmacognosy methods for analyzing the quality of the crude drug.

Methods: Pharmacognosy study on Celastrus aculeatus and Kadsura heteroclite was carried out through plant identification, crude drug identification and microscopic characteristics identification. The characteristics of Celastrus aculeatus and Kadsura heteroclite were compared.

[Pharmacognostical identification of the leaf of Uncaria hirsuta Havil].

Objective: To perform a pharmacognostical study of the leaf of Uncaria hirsuta Havil.

Methods: The specimens of Folium Uncariae Hirsutae were collected for studying its characteristics, microscopic appearance and thin-layer chromatography.

Results: The leaf of Uncaria hirsuta Havil was characterized by numerous multicellular non-glandular hairs, 2 lines of palisade tissue, a diacytic type of stoma, and clustered crystals in its parenchyma.

[Proportion of Coptidis rhizoma and Evodiae fructus in the compound preparation: its effect in inducing apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of water extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus (CREF) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cells (SGC-7901) and determine the optimal proportion of Coptidis rhizoma to Evodiae fructus.

Methods: The growth inhibition of SGC-7901 cells treated with the water extracts of CREF of varying proportions was tested with MTT assay. The cell apoptotic rate and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed with flow cytometry.

[A survey of the resources of medicinal plants in Luoding City].

Objective: To investigate the common resource of Chinese herbal medicine in western of Luoding City, Guangdong Province, and propose pertinent suggestions concerning the exploitation,utilization and conservation of the medicinal resources.

Methods: With plant taxonomy method, we selected the JiaYi town as the center for local common Chinese herbal medicine resources, ecological environment and non-governmental investigation of medicinal.

Results: There were 123 species of medicinal plants in Jiayi Town, including pteridophyte 11 species, gymnosperm 5 species, dicotyledon 97 species,and monocotyledon 12 species.

Effect of rhynchophylline on central neurotransmitter levels in amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference rat brain.

The effects of rhynchophylline on expression of amphetamine reward using a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm and central neurotransmitter levels in rat brain was investigated. Rats were injected with amphetamine (2 mg/kg, per day for 4 consecutive days) and treated with rhynchophylline (60 mg/kg, per day for the later 3 days). Control rats were administered with rhynchophylline (60 mg/kg) instead of amphetamine to evaluate whether rhynchophylline by itself produced CPP.

Rhynchophylline down-regulates NR2B expression in cortex and hippocampal CA1 area of amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference rat.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit (NR2B) has an important role in the development of conditioned place preference (CPP) and psychostimulant abuse. Rhynchophylline is presently used to treat central nervous systems diseases and has a non-competitive antagonistic effect on NMDA receptors. In this study, amphetamine was administered in rats (2 mg/kg, s.

[Study on the detoxification of alcohol extracts from orientvine and its effective component on withdrawal syndromes of morphine].

Objective: To observe the effect of alcohol extracts from orientivne and its effective component sinomenine on withdrawal syndromes and neurotransmitter of morphine-abstinent mice and on intracellular calcium level in morphine-dependent neuronal-cells line. To study the detoxification of alcohol extracts from orientvine and sinomenine on morphine-dependent animal and explore the mechanism of its effect.

Methods: The effect of alcohol extracts from orientivne and sinomenineon on abstinent syndromes was observed by experiment study on morphine-dependent ex vivo ileum from guinea pigs and morphine-dependent mice.

[Effects of Caulis Sinomenii and sinomenine on morphine-induced place preference and brain histamine level in mice].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Caulis Sinomenii and sinomenine on conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine and brain histamine level in mice.

Methods: Sixty mice were randomized into 6 equal groups and morphine (Mor) was injected subcutaneously (9 mg/kg) for 6 consecutive days to induce CPP using a shuttle box. Since the 4th day of training, the mice in 5 of the groups were treated for 3 consecutive days with Caulis Sinomenii (10 g/kg), sinomenine (60 mg/kg), diphenhydramine (30 mg/kg), CP48/80 (5 mg/kg) and L-histidine (750 mg/kg) in addition to morphine (9 mg/kg) treatment, respectively, leaving the other group with exclusive morphine treatment.

[Changes in cAMP and cGMP levels in neonatal rat histaminergic neurons of tuberomammillary nucleus following 48-hour morphine exposure and effects of sinomenine intervention].

Objective: To explore the effects of long-term morphine exposure on cAMP and cGMP levels in primary cultured tuberomammillary nucleus (TM) neurons of neonatal rats and the effects of sinomenine on morphine-dependent TM cells.

Methods: TM neurons after a 7-day primary culture were further cultured in the medium containing 100 micromol/L morphine for 48 h to prepare the cell model of morphine dependence. Serial doses of histamine or sinomenine were administered 30 min naloxone treatment, the cAMP and cGMP levels of the TM cells were determined by enzyme immunoassay.

[Effects of Emu eggshell on sexual function of male mice].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) eggshell produced in Guangdong on sexual ability of male mice.

Methods: Mating test was performed in mature male mice after intragastric administration of Emu eggshell for 21 days. The relative weight of the sexual organs in immature male mice was measured after administration for 30 days.

[Primary culture of histaminergic neurons in neonatal rat hypothalamus tuberomammillary nucleus].

Objective: To establish primary cell culture conditions for tuberomammillary nucleus (TM) histaminergic neurons of neonatal rats.

Methods: The tuberomammillary nucleus was dissected from the posterior part of the hypothalamus of neonatal rats, and neurobasal medium supplemented with B27 was used for the primary cell culture. The cultured neurons were identified by immunocytochemical method (ICC).