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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 50% ethanol extracts from red bean non-fermented (RBE) and fermented by Bacillus subtilis (RBNE) on the antioxidant status of aged ICR mouse. RESULTS: Compared to 2-month-old ICR mouse, the plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) in 12-month-old ICR mouse decreased about 57%, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver and brain of 12-month-old ICR mouse increased 56% and 30%, respectively. Orally administration of RBE or RBNE could completely recover the changes of MDA and plasma TAS levels due to the aging process. Vitamin E contents declined 88% in the liver and 74% in the brain of aged ICR mouse. At a level of 0.3 or 0.6 g kg(-1) body weight, RBNE raised vitamin E content in the liver and brain; however, RBE showed no significant influence. All antioxidant enzymes activities in the liver and brain of aged ICR mouse decreased compared to those activities in 2-month-old ICR mouse. RBNE could significantly enhance the superoxide dismutase activity in the brain of aged ICR mouse. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of RBE or RBNE could improve antioxidant status in aged ICR mouse. Fermentation by Bacillus subtilis could enhance the antioxidant properties of red bean. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 01/2013; · 1.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: An appropriate length of milk stasis between two consecutive lactations of dairy cows is crucial for sustainable milk production. This dry period of cows allows extensive remodeling and sufficient cell renewal in mammary gland. Nevertheless, early dry period is one of the most risky stages in cow lactation cycle to intramammary infection. Dry-cow treatment through teats is, therefore, widely practiced at the commencement of milk stasis. Neutrophils are the most abundant cellular components in cow mammary secretion during early dry period, which in turn attribute to the meanwhile elevation of somatic cell counts and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level. This study used bovine peripheral neutrophils as a cell model to examine the mode of modifications in their defense and remodeling functionalities after infiltration into mammary gland during early dry period. Results indicate a dose-dependent suppression of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated free radical production and induction of MMP 9 degranulation in bovine peripheral neutrophils exposure to the d 7-dry secretion of cows received dry cow treatment at d 0 in milk stasis. Meanwhile, an enhancement of plasminogen activation and TNF-α shedding on bovine peripheral neutrophils were also observed. These two cellular events might be involved in the functional modifications on infiltrated neutrophils during early dry period. In conclusion, the opposite trend of modifications in the defense and matrix remodeling functionalities of neutrophils inside the mammary gland of cows at early dry period reflect the collaboration of infiltrated neutrophils for promoting extensive glandular remodeling at minimum compromise of local defense during the acute involution period without apparent disturbance by dry cow treatment.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 12/2011; 144(3-4):210-9. · 2.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The effects of 50% ethanolic stem extracts of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides Sieb and Zucc. (ZASZ) on the cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis were investigated in a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (colo 205). The results demonstrated that ZASZ induced morphological changes and decreased the cell viability. ZASZ promoted Wee1, checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2), p21 and p53 levels, decreased cyclin B and cdc25c associated with that led to G(2)/M phase arrest. ZASZ-triggered apoptosis was confirmed by 4' -6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and DNA gel electrophoresis. ZASZ increased the levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene 153 (GADD153), and promoted an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca(2+) release, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ(m)) accompanied by cytochrome c release that was due to the decrease of Bcl-2 and increase of Bax levels in the colo 205 cells. ZASZ also induced the protein levels of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G (Endo G), increased the levels of caspase-3, -7 and -9, and stimulated the levels of fatty acid synthase (Fas) and Fas ligand in the colo 205 cells. ZASZ contains phenolic compounds, including flavone, chlorogenic acid and isofraxidin, among which, flavone was found to be the most effective in reducing cell viability and proliferative responses in the colo 205 cells. ZASZ induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in colo 205 cells which provides the rationale for studies in animal models on the utilization of ZASZ as a potential cancer therapeutic compound.
Anticancer research 05/2011; 31(5):1667-76. · 1.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Extraction of the leaves of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides Sieb. & Zucc. affords extracts and four isolated compounds which exhibit activities against leukemia cells. The chloroform-soluble fraction (ZAC) of the crude extract of this plant showed cytotoxic activity against human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) and myelomonocytic leukemia (WEHI-3) cells with IC(50) values of 73.06 and 42.22 μg/mL, respectively. The active ZAC was further separated to yield pheophorbide-a methyl ester (1), pheophorbide-b methyl ester (2), 13(2)-hydroxyl (13(2)-S) pheophorbide-a methyl ester (3) and 13(2)-hydroxyl (13(2)-R) pheophorbide-b methyl ester (4) whose structures were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 2-4 showed cytotoxic activities against both leukemia cells with IC(50) value in the range of 46.76-79.43 nM, whereas compound 1 exhibited only weak cytotoxic activity. The extracts and compounds 1-4 also induced apoptosis and DNA damage in leukemia cells after treatment. The results suggested that the Z. ailanthoides is biologically active against leukemia cells.
Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology 10/2010; 18(5):344-8. · 2.17 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Our previous in vitro study showed that 50% ethanolic extract of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther (GE50) exhibited an inhibitory effect on angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE). This study was aimed at evaluating the antihypertensive and antioxidant effects of GE50 extract on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).RESULTS: Daily oral administration of GE50 extract (2.5 g kg−1 body weight) for 4 weeks exhibited a significant decrease in blood pressure as well as ACE activity of tested tissues in SHR rats, while no significant change was found in normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). For SHR, GE50 extract increased the total antioxidant status in the plasma and decreased malondialdehyde levels in all tested tissues. Furthermore, GE50 extract increased -tocopherol and glutathione levels in brain tissue, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in heart, as well as catalase activity in liver tissue. In WKY rats, GE50 extract only increased ascorbic acid level in liver tissue.CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that GE50 might serve as an antioxidant and an ACE inhibitor in convalescence from hypertension in rats. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 11/2009; 89(15):2678 - 2686. · 1.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The effects of 80% ethanolic chlorella extracts (GPE) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatic damage were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were orally treated with GPE (0.5 g/kg body weight) or silymarin (0.2 g/kg body weight) over four consecutive weeks with administration of CCl(4) (20% CCl(4), 0.5 ml/rat twice a week). The GPE had a significant protective effect against liver injuries, as well as oxidative stress induced by CCl(4), resulting in reduced lipid peroxidation and improved serum biochemical parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. The reduced levels of glutathione, vitamin C, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the CCl(4)-treated rats were significantly increased by treatment with GPE. Furthermore, the activity of GPE was comparable to the standard drug silymarin. In conclusion, chlorella may be useful as a hepatoprotective agent against chemical-induced liver damage in vivo.
In vivo (Athens, Greece) 23(5):747-54. · 1.17 Impact Factor
