The total and positional fatty acid composition in camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) seed kernel oil (CKO) were analyzed, and for the first time, the effect of CKO on body fat deposition and blood lipids in rats was studied. The major fatty acids in CKO were determined to be decanoic acid (C10:0, 51.49%) and dodecanoic acid (C12:0, 40.08%), and uniformly distributed at Sn-1, 3, and Sn-2 positions in triglyceride (TG). Rats were randomly divided into control, CKO, lard, and soybean oil groups. At the end of the experiment, levels of blood lipids and the fats of abdomen in the rats were measured. The main organ were weighted and used for the histological examination. The results showed that body weight and fat deposition in CKO group were significantly lower than the lard and soybean groups. Moderate consumption of CKO was found to improve the levels of blood TG and low density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Context: Fructus Aurantii, the unripe fruit of Citrus aurantium Linn (Rutaceae), is a Qi-regulating drug used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve gastrointestinal (GI) function. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) regulate GI motility and fluid secretion. Objective: We tested whether the Fructus Aurantii extract altered VIP and 5-HT expression levels in rats. Materials and methods: Experimental rats were administered 0.3 g/ml Fructus Aurantii water decoction at 2.0 ml/100 g body weight per day for 10 days by gavage feeding, while control rats were gavage fed equal volumes of distilled water. Expression levels of 5-HT and VIP were measured by immunohistochemical staining and microscopic image analysis of the GI mucosa and myenteric nerve plexus. Results: Average 5-HT staining intensity scores in the stomach antrum, duodenal mucosa and jejunal mucosa were significantly higher in the Fructus Aurantii treatment group than in the control group (antrum: 213% of control; duodenum: 193%; jejunum: 256%; p50.05 for all). In contrast, the average VIP density scores in the stomach antrum, duodenal mucosa and jejunal mucosa were significantly lower in the Fructus Aurantii group (antrum: 14% of control; duodenum: 15%; jejunum: 38%; p50.01 for all). Tissues from Fructus Aurantii-treated rats exhibited significantly greater numbers of 5-HT-and VIP-immunopositive cells in the gastric antrum, duodenum and jejunum mucosal layer but fewer VIP-expressing cells in the myenteric nerve plexus (p50.05 for both). Conclusion: Fructus Aurantii can enhance gastrointestinal motility by altering 5-HT and VIP expression levels in the rat GI tract.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the antioxidant probucol on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis. H2O2 (1 mmol/l) was used as the VSMC apoptosis-inducing agent, and 100, 10 and 1 µmol/l probucol concentrations were incubated with cells for 6 h. The cell apoptosis was observed using Annexin V-FITC, TUNEL and Hoechst 33258 staining methods. H2O2 promoted VSMC apoptosis, ASK-1 protein expression increased and Trx-l protein expression decreased. Probucol reduced H2O2-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner; while ASK-1 protein expression decreased, Trx-1 protein expression increased. Probuco1 is capable of antagonizing the H2O2-induced apoptosis in VSMCs, which may be related to the decrease in ASK-1 protein expression and the increase in Trx-1 protein expression.
Objective: Sulfur fumigation is used to preserve Rhizoma Dioscoreae (RD), a traditional medicinal herb, but excess consumption of SO 2 residues may be toxic. We compared effects of sulfur-free versus sulfurfumigated RD concentrated aqueous extracts on rat blood biochemistry and organ morphology. Methods: Rats were randomly divided to receive sulfur-fumigated RD or sulfur-free RD aqueous extract (20 g/kg, intragastric, 90 d) or distilled water (control). Body weight and food intake were recorded weekly. Blood samples were collected 12 h after final administration and histopathological examinations performed. Results: Body weight did not differ among groups (P>0.05). Blood Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Total Cholesterol (TC), and Glucose (GLU) were lower in the sulfur-free group versus controls (P<0.05). GLU and TC were also reduced but AST and ALT elevated in the sulfur-fumigated group. In the sulfur-fumigated group, organ coefficients for lung and thymus (P<0.05) as well as spleen and kidney (P<0.01) were higher than controls. In the sulfur-free group, only thymus organ coefficient was significantly greater than control (P<0.05). Histopathology revealed multiple focal fatty infiltrations in duodenum muscle (two rats) and punctate liver necrosis (four rats) in the sulfur-fumigated group. Conclusion: Long-term sulfur-fumigated RD consumption may cause liver damage.
Objective. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Tongxinluo capsules in preventing coronary restenosis based on meta-analysis and network pharmacology research methods and to preliminarily explore its intervention mechanism. Methods. First, through meta-analysis, we comprehensively searched databases such as CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to find out the randomized controlled trials of Tongxinluo capsules in the treatment of coronary restenosis until February, 2022. According to the Cochrane Library, risk bias assessment tools were used to evaluate the included literature and Review Manager 5.2 software was used to conduct statistical analysis of the included studies. Then, based on network pharmacology, through TCMSP database and BATMAN-TCM database screening, the chemical components of Tongxinluo capsules and their related effects, symptom, and common targets were analyzed. String net was used to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and R3.6.1 software was used to carry out GO biological process enrichment analysis and KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis to clarify key pathways. Results. The meta-analysis finally included 10 RCTs with a total of 1318 subjects. Meta-analysis results showed that Tongxinluo capsules combined with conventional cardiovascular drugs could significantly improve the clinical efficacy of preventing in-stent restenosis and the clinical efficacy of preventing angina pectoris. There was no significant difference in the clinical efficacy of preventing myocardial infarction. Network pharmacology obtained a total of 101 chemical components and 149 targets through the online database. The results of network analysis showed that the targets were mainly involved in receptor ligand activity, carboxylic acid binding, steroid hormone receptor activity, and other related action pathways and were also involved in AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, cell senescence signaling pathway, and other related pathways. Conclusion. Tongxinluo capsules combined with conventional cardiovascular drugs can improve the clinical efficacy of preventing in-stent restenosis and angina pectoris and have a significant effect on reducing inflammatory factors. The comprehensive result of the effect is mainly through the participation of receptor ligand activity, carboxylic acid binding, steroid hormone receptor activity, and other ways to achieve the purpose of treating coronary restenosis.
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