The results support the view that herbs represent a rich source of anti-lipase compounds. The screening of the methanolic extracts of 37 Chinese medicinal plants in vitro led to the identification of several extracts with potential activity against PPL, in particular, P. vulgaris and R. palmatum. We also found that several monomeric chemicals in these herbs exhibited good or moderate activity against PPL. To the best of our knowledge, these traditional Chinese herbal medicines or phytochemicals have not been previously screened for their lipase inhibitory activity.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid-β (Aβ) is widely recognized as a key factor in the pathogenesis of AD. Aβ1-42 a major component of amyloid plaques, has shown synaptotoxicity associated with impaired long-term potentiation and cognitive deficits. Alteration of neurogenesis in AD patients has been reported, while little is known about how Aβ1-42 affects hippocampal neurogenesis in the adult brain. In this study, we injected human Aβ1-42 peptide into hippocampal CA1 area of adult mouse brain bilaterally and evaluated histological change and neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain showed that Aβ1-42-injection resulted in an extensive neurodegeneration in the Aβ-accumulated area and CA3 in hippocampus. Immunostaining showed that intrahippocampal Aβ1-42-injection dramatically decreased the number of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) compared to the vehicle injection. Moreover, a significant decrease in the number of BrdU/double-cortin double-positive cells in Aβ1-42-injected hippocampus was observed, suggesting that Aβ1-42-injection inhibited progenitor cell proliferation and neurogenesis in subgranular zone of the DG in the adult brain. We also found that the Aβ1-42-mediated decline of neurogenesis was associated with decreased protein levels of cytokines interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the hippocampus. These results suggest that Aβ1-42 inhibits hippocampal neurogenesis in the adult brain possibly through down-regulation of INF-γ and NF-κB signaling pathway. This study provides a new insight into Aβ1-42-mediated decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis in the adult central nervous system.

No abstract

Occupational exposure and experimental intoxication of acrylamide (ACR) can produce skeletal muscle weakness and ataxia. In this study, we tested whether ACR would affect cerebellar function through the regulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in cerebellum. Weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with ACR (5, 15, 30 mg/kg, 5 days per week) or saline for 4 weeks. Effects of ACR on the cerebellum were observed. For the 5 mg/kg group, no obvious change was observed, whereas moderate and severe ataxia were observed in the 15 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg groups, respectively. For the 15 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg groups, cerebellum concentrations of glutamate and GABA were dose-dependently decreased and increased, respectively. Moreover, the expression of GABA, the GABAergic presynaptic marker glutamate acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD65) and GFAP were significantly increased in those 2 groups. The results suggested that weaning rats were sensitive to ACR and that the toxic effects of ACR on the cerebellum may be associated with the increased expression of GABA and reactive astrocytes hypertrophy.

The major ingredients of grassleaf sweetflag rhizome are β-asarone and eugenol, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and protect neurons. This study aimed to observe the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of β-asarone and eugenol, components of the Chinese herb grassleaf sweetflag rhizome, on PC12 cells. First, PC12 cells were cultured with different concentrations (between 1 × 10-10 M and 1 × 10-5 M) of β-asarone and eugenol. Survival rates of PC12 cells were not significantly affected. Second, PC12 cells incubated with amyloid-beta42, which reduced cell survival, were cultured under the same conditions (1 × 10-6 M β-asarone and eugenol). The survival rates of PC12 cells significantly increased, while expression levels of the mRNAs for the pro-apoptotic protein Bax decreased, and those for the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl mRNA increased. In addition, the combination of β-asarone with eugenol achieved better results than either component alone. Our experimental findings indicate that both β-asarone and eugenol protect PC12 cells through inhibiting apoptosis, and that the combination of the two is better than either alone.

No abstract

At present, epoxy resin is almost used as a binder in bridge reinforcement, but there are some drawbacks due to the huge difference in mechanical properties and temperature incompatibility between it and concrete. Cement-based composites show obvious multi-crack cracking characteristics and strain hardening behavior in the process of stress and have better mechanical properties and durability than traditional cement materials, and have been successfully used in many practical projects. In this paper, the cement-based composite material is used as the concrete beam member of the bridge deck continuous material, and its mechanical properties are characterized and compared with the traditional cement slurry material properties. The results show that the ductility of cement-based composites is significantly affected by the fiber content. When the volume ratio is less than or equal to the critical volume rate, the ductility increases gradually with the increase of fiber content. The maximum value of the plastic strain at the initial crack is greater than that of the concrete beam member using cement mortar as the bridge deck continuous material, and the crack resistance of the bridge deck continuous structure is significantly improved. The addition of cement-based composites can significantly increase the cracking load of the test beams. Under the same load conditions, the crack resistance of the continuous structure of the cement-based composite bridge deck is better, and local cracking is less likely to occur.