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In order to reveal the mechanism of herbal glycoside recipes retrieving deficient ability of spatial learning memory in mice suffering from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, a microarray system was used to analyze gene expression in those groups with increasing ability of spatial learning memory who were different from ischemic mice. In this work, we reported a comprehensive characterization of gene expression profiles of mouse hippocampus by the use of cDNA microarray system containing 1176 known genes in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) ischemic mice after treating with different dosage recipes of glycoside herbs (30, 90, and 270 mg/kg). The ability of spatial learning memory in ischemic mice was found to be decreased. The pathological process in ischemic mouse brain showed that a complex related to 100 genes' expression yielded 1.8-fold. Dose-dependent effects showed an improvement in the deficient ability and reduction in infarct volume when treated with glycoside recipes. Many genes (38-46) in expression were found greater than 1.8-fold in those effective recipes groups, including genes in cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, nerve system transcription factors, DNA binding protein, etc. Nine genes related to retrieving deficient ability of spatial learning memory treated with glycoside recipes were also found in this study. These results suggest that microarray analysis of gene expression might be useful for elucidating the mechanisms of pharmacological function of recipes.

Luteolin (LUT) is a flavone, which is universally present as a constituent of traditional Chinese herbs, and certain vegetables and spices, and has been demonstrated to exhibit potent radical scavenging and cytoprotective properties. Although LUT has various beneficial effects on health, the effects of LUT on the protection of skin remain to be fully elucidated. The present study investigated whether LUT can protect human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) from ultraviolet (UV) A irradiation. It was found that, following exposure to different doses of UVA irradiation, the HSFs exhibited autophagy, as observed by fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) bursts, analyzed by flow cytometry, to differing degrees. Following incubation with micromolar concentrations of LUT, ROS production decreased and autophagy gradually declined. In addition, the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and the classical autophagy-associated proteins, LC3 and Beclin 1 were observed by western blotting. Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of HIF-1α, LC3-II and Beclin 1 gradually decreased in the UVA-irradiated HSFs following treatment with LUT. These data indicated that UVA-induced autophagy was mediated by ROS, suggesting the possibility of resistance against UV by certain natural antioxidants, including LUT.

Objective.To investigate the mechanism of the adaptive response induced by low-dose ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation.Methods.Cultured dermal fibroblasts were irradiated by a lethal dose of UVA (86.4 J/cm2) with preirradiation of single or repetitive low dose of UVA (7.2 J/cm2). Alterations of cellular morphology were observed by light microscope and electron microscope. Cell cycle and cellular apoptosis were assayed by flow cytometer. The extent of DNA damage was determined by single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE).Results.The cultured dermal fibroblasts, with pretreatment of single or repetitive irradiation of 7.2 J/cm2UVA relieved toxic reaction of cellular morphology and arrest of cell cycle, decreased apoptosis ratio, reduced DNA chain breakage, and accelerated DNA repair caused by subsequent 86.4 J/cm2UVA irradiation. Compared with nonpretreatment groups, all those differences were significant (P<0.01orP<0.05).Conclusions.The adaptation reaction might depend on the accumulated dose of low-dose UVA irradiation. Low-dose UVA radiation might induce adaptive response that may protect cultured dermal fibroblasts from the subsequent challenged dose of UVA damage. The duration and protective capability of the adaptive reaction might be related to the accumulated dose of low-dose UVA Irradiation.