Journal of ethnopharmacology
-
Phellinus linteus is a herb used in traditional Asian medicine to treat stomachache, inflammation, and tumors. Recent studies show that the extract of Phellinus linteus has anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. However, Phellinus linteus extract has limitation of high cost and limited availability because of supply shortage. Here, we grew Phellinus linteus on germinated brown rice to address the issue of supply shortage and investigated anti-inflammatory effect in vivo as well as in vitro. ⋯ Treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with a combination of PBR and LPS showed a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. In addition, we determined the ability of PBR to reduce the iNOS and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression. PBR inhibited the expression of iNOS, NF-κB, and Cox-2 proteins in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. This study presents the potential use of PBR as a drug candidate against colitis.
-
Comparative Study
Assessment of Cuscuta chinensis seeds׳ effect on melanogenesis: comparison of water and ethanol fractions in vitro and in vivo.
Cuscuta chinensis seeds have traditionally been used to treat freckles and melasma in Asia, although recent reports have revealed that Semen cuscutae is a promoter of melanogenesis. The present study aims to investigate the mechanism of this opposite effect of Semen cuscutae on melanogenesis. ⋯ These results suggest that the opposite effects of Cuscuta chinensis seeds were caused by the extraction methods and that time has an important role on the effect of WFSC. Both WFSC and EFSC significantly influence melanogenesis by regulating enzymatic activity of tyrosinase. In addition, the data indicate that wildtype (WT) zebrafish may be an ideal model for testing inhibitors of melanogenesis from clinically active herbs.
-
The prevalence of allergic asthma has been increased rapidly in recent years. About 20% of all these sufferers have experienced asthma exacerbation. Although corticosteroids and β-agonists therapy improves serious asthma symptoms, they can׳t completely cure these allergic diseases. BuShenYiQi Formula (BSYQF) has been widely used to treat bronchial asthma and its exacerbation for decades in Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, China. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of BSYQF' anti-asthmatic effects haven׳t been fully elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the involvement of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells in the anti-asthmatic effects of BSYQF in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)-induced asthma exacerbated mice. ⋯ BSYQF can significantly attenuate RSV-induced asthma exacerbation. These effects may be mediated at least partially by regulating the balance between Th1 and Th2-Th17 responses.
-
Swertia punicea Hemsl. (Gentianaceae) is more commonly known as "Ganyan-cao" and used mainly as a traditional Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of acute bilious hepatitis, cholecystitis, fever, intoxification and jaundice. ⋯ Two xanthones from Swertia punicea exhibited hepatoprotective activities in vitro (compounds 1 and 2) and in vivo (compound 1), respectively.
-
Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge. (Asparagaceae) yields Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, which has a long history to be used as a traditional medicine to treat various ailments, like cold-induced febrile disease with arthralgia, hematochezia, tidal fever and night sweats by Yin deficiency, bone-steaming, cough, and hemoptysis. It is also used as an ingredient of healthy food, wine, tea, biological toothpaste. Its importance is demonstrated by large scale to treat kinds of diseases in eastern Asian countries. The aim of this review is to provide up-to-date information about phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Anemarrhena asphodeloides based on scientific literatures. It will build up a new foundation for further study on mechanism and development of better therapeutic agent and healthy product from Anemarrhena asphodeloides. ⋯ In light of long traditional use and modern phytochemical and pharmacological studies summarized, Anemarrhena asphodeloides has demonstrated a strong potential for therapeutic and health-maintaining purposes. Both the extracts and chemical components isolated from the plant showed a wide range of biological activities. Thus more pharmacological mechanisms on main active compounds (TBII, TAIII, mangiferin and other ingredients) are necessary to be explored. In addition, as a good source of the traditional medicine, clinical studies of main therapeutic aspects (e.g. diabetes, Alzheimer׳s disease, Parkinson׳s disease, etc.), toxicity and adverse effect of Anemarrhena asphodeloides will also undoubtedly be the focus of future investigation.