curcumin and beta-elemene

Natural products are important sources for drug discovery, especially anti-tumor drugs. β-Elemene, the prominent active ingredient extract from the rhizome of

Topics: Anticarcinogenic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Apoptosis; Biological Availability; Biological Products; Cell Line, Tumor; China; Curcuma; Humans; Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes; Rhizome; Sesquiterpenes; Signal Transduction

Zedoary turmeric oil and its main active ingredient β-elemene are novel plant-derived anticancer agents with long-term clinical application history and low toxicity, which have been approved by the Chinese SFDA to treat different tumors including cancers of the brain, ovary, prostate, breast, lungs, liver, colon, and other tissues. Unfortunately, their hydrophobic properties, poor stabilities and low bioavailabilities seriously hamper their applications in clinic. Therefore, more attention should be paid to develop novel drug delivery systems for zedoary turmeric oil and β-elemene to enhance their overall quality. Recently, increased research has been carried out on a nanoparticle drug delivery system of zedoary turmeric oil and β-elemene to solve their poor aqueous solubilities and low bioavailabilities in vivo with much remarkable achievements springing up in the last decade. This review presents the novel nanoparticle formulations of zedoary turmeric oil and β-elemene and introduces the possible future prospects of their further study.

Topics: Animals; Curcuma; Drug Delivery Systems; Herbal Medicine; Humans; Nanoparticles; Plant Extracts; Plant Oils; Sesquiterpenes

Due to the diversity of the ingredients, the complexity of the mechanism of action, the uncertainty of the effective ingredients, coupled with the multiple species and multiple growing areas, the quality control (QC) of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) is challenging. Discovering and identifying effective compounds from the complex extracts of TCMs and then establishing a scientific QC method is the key to the holistic QC of TCMs.. To develop an anti-lung-cancer-guided spectrum-effect relationship approach for the discovery of QC markers of the rhizome of Curcuma wenyujin (WEZ) and establish a bioactive compounds-based holistic QC method.. The chemical profiling of the volatile oil (WVO) from 42 batches of WEZ collected from different growing areas was performed by GC-MS. The anti-lung cancer activity of different WVO samples was determined by CCK-8 assay against human lung cancer cells (A549). The apoptosis and cell cycle analysis under different concentrations of WVO were detected by flow cytometry. SIMCA-P software was used to perform multivariate statistical analysis on the chemical composition of different WVO samples and to find the different components. Active compounds were screened using a PLSR model of the spectrum-effect relationship. Bioactive compounds-based fingerprint and quantification of the leading bioactive compounds were developed by GC-MS and GC-FID, respectively.. Based on an anti-lung-cancer-guided spectrum-effect relationship approach, the bioactive compounds-based holistic QC method was successfully developed for WEZ, which could provide a valuable reference for the QC of TCMs.

Topics: A549 Cells; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Apoptosis; Biomarkers; Curcuma; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Oils, Volatile; Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; Quality Control; Rhizome; Sesquiterpenes

Esophageal cancer is a digestive tract malignancy, ranking sixth among the world's deadliest tumor incidence. However, the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer is complex and the prognosis remains poor. Therefore, in-depth study of the pathogenesis and developing effective treatments are of great value for esophageal cancer. β-elemene is a natural monomeric compound derived from the Chinese herbal Curcuma wenyujin. β-elemene has been reported to have anti-tumor effects and used as an adjunct to clinical therapy for multiple cancers. This study aims to explore the effects of β-elemene on esophageal cancer and its related molecular mechanisms.. TE-1 and KYSE-150 cells were used to evaluate the activity of β-elemene on esophageal cancerin vitro and in vivo. Western blot was performed for protein expression assessment. CCK8 assay and cell cycle analysis were used for proliferation testing. Flow cytometry was performed for apoptosis detection. Wound healing assay was subjected to assess the migration ability. Transwell chamber assay was applied to assess the invasion ability. HE staining, TUNEL staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to evaluate the changes in tumor tissues.. We found that β-elemene treatment suppressed proliferation, as well as induced apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. In addition, β-elemene inhibited the migration and invasion ability of esophageal cancer cells. Furthermore, β-elemene exerted its effects against esophageal cancer by specifically regulating AKT signaling, thereby controlling the expression of PD-L1.. β-elemene inhibits proliferation and metastasis of esophageal cancer cells by regulating the phosphorylation of AKT.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Apoptosis; B7-H1 Antigen; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Curcuma; Esophageal Neoplasms; Humans; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Oncogene Protein v-akt; Phosphorylation; Sesquiterpenes; Signal Transduction; Wound Healing; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Phytophthora capsici is a plant oomycete pathogen, which causes many devastating diseases on a broad range of hosts. Zedoary turmeric oil (ZTO) is a kind of natural plant essential oil that has been widely used in pharmaceutical applications. However, the antifungal activity of ZTO against phytopathogens remains unknown. In this study, we found ZTO could inhibit P. capsici growth and development in vitro and in detached cucumber and Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Besides, ZTO treatment resulted in severe damage to the cell membrane of P. capsici, leading to the leakage of intracellular contents. ZTO also induced a significant increase in relative conductivity, malondialdehyde concentration and glycerol content. Furthermore, we identified 50 volatile organic compounds from ZTO, and uncovered Curcumol, β-elemene, curdione and curcumenol with strong inhibitory activities against mycelial growth of P. capsici. Overall, our results not only shed new light on the antifungal mechanism of ZTO, but also imply a promising alternative for the control of phytophthora blight caused by P. capsici.

Topics: Antifungal Agents; Cell Membrane; Curcuma; Oils, Volatile; Phytophthora; Plant Extracts; Plant Oils; Sesquiterpenes; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane

Concurrent radio chemotherapy treatment prolongs the survival rate of patients with advanced cervical cancer; however, it has adverse side‑effects. β‑elemene, an active component of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Curcuma zedoaria, is a promising alternative therapeutic drug for the treatment of advanced cervical cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antitumor effects of β‑elemene in human cervical cancer SiHa cells and to determine its underlying therapeutic molecular mechanisms. Cell viability, cell cycle progression and apoptosis were detected using an MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. Furthermore, the levels of cell migration and cell invasion were investigated using Transwell and wound healing assays. The expression levels of Cyclin‑dependent kinase inhibitor 2B (P15), Cyclin D1, cellular tumor antigen p53, apoptosis regulator Bcl‑2 (Bcl‑2), apoptosis regulator BAX (Bax), 72 kDa type IV collagenase (MMP‑2), matrix metalloproteinase‑9 (MMP‑9), β‑catenin, transcription factor 7 (TCF7), and Myc proto‑oncogene protein (c‑Myc) were analyzed via western blotting. The results revealed that β‑elemene inhibited the proliferation of SiHa cells in a dose and time‑dependent manner. Administration of β‑elemene induced G1 phase cell‑cycle arrest, as demonstrated by the upregulation of P15 expression and the downregulation of Cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, the present study revealed that β‑elemene induced apoptosis in SiHa cells by enhancing the expression of p53 and Bax, and suppressing the expression of Bcl‑2. In addition, treatment with β‑elemene inhibited cell migration and invasion via downregulation of MMP‑2 and MMP‑9 expression levels. Western blotting demonstrated that β‑elemene reduced the expression levels of β‑catenin and its downstream target molecule TCF7, thus resulting in reduced levels of their target proteins, including c‑Myc, Cyclin D1, Bax and MMP‑2 in cervical cancer cells. The results of the present study suggested that β‑elemene may inhibit cell proliferation and invasion, in addition to inducing apoptosis, via attenuation of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway in cervical cancer cells.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Apoptosis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; beta Catenin; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Curcuma; Cyclin D1; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; HeLa Cells; Humans; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; Sesquiterpenes; Signal Transduction; T Cell Transcription Factor 1; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Macrophages in tumor are mostly M2-polarized and have been reported to promote tumorigenesis, which are also defined as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). β-elemene has therapeutic effects against several cancers, however, it remains unknown whether β-elemene could inhibit cancer by targeting TAMs. Herein, we examined the effect of β-elemene on macrophages to elucidate a novel mechanism of β-elemene in tumor therapy. We showed that the conditioned medium of M2 macrophages promoted lung cancer cells to migration, invasion and epithelial mesenchymal transition, which could be inhibited by β-elemene. Moreover, β-elemene regulated the polarization of macrophages from M2 to M1. β-elemene also inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion of lung cancer cells and enhanced its radiosensitivity. These results indicate β-elemene suppresses lung cancer by regulating both macrophages and lung cancer cells, it is a promising drug for combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Polarity; Curcuma; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Humans; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Macrophages; Mice; Neoplasm Invasiveness; RAW 264.7 Cells; Sesquiterpenes

In this work, the antitumor constituent β-elemene was selectively separated from the volatile oil of the Curcumae Rhizoma by countercurrent chromatography with silver nitrate as selective reagent based on the formation of coordination complexes. A biphasic solvent system composed of n-hexane/methanol/water (2:1.5:0.5, v/v/v) was selected, in which 0.15 mol/L of silver nitrate was added to the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase was used as the stationary phase for separation of β-elemene by countercurrent chromatography after it was partially purified from the volatile oil by silica gel column chromatography. An enriched β-elemene fraction was obtained by silica gel column chromatography to improve the percentage of β-elemene from 16.5 to 46.1%. Subsequently, β-elemene was further purified from 445 mg of the partially purified sample of volatile oil by countercurrent chromatography with silver nitrate as a selective reagent, yielding 145 mg of β-elemene with greater than 99% purity, as determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The recovery of β-elemene from the crude volatile oil through two steps was around 63.6%.

Topics: Countercurrent Distribution; Curcuma; Oils, Volatile; Rhizome; Sesquiterpenes; Silver

β-Elemene is a major bioactive sesquiterpenoids compound isolated from the essential oils of Curcuma Wenyujin, a Chinese medicinal herb that treats tumor in clinics. However anti-atherosclerotic effects of β-elemene have not been fully investigated in vivo. The objective of this study is to further elucidate the anti-atherosclerotic activities of β-elemene in ApoE

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Apolipoproteins E; Atherosclerosis; Curcuma; Endothelium, Vascular; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Lipids; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Nitrates; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; Nitrites; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Oxygen Species; Sesquiterpenes

To study the fingerprint of Zedoary Turmeric Oil (ZTO) as the bulk drug of Kingkong Elemene for making it safe, effective, stable, and controllable.. Fingerprints were detected by gas chromatography. β-elemene peak was regarded as reference peak (S). The relative peak area of each common peak and the relative retention time were calculated. With a total of modes for reference, the fingerprints of 10 batches of Kingkong ZTO were detected, and their similarity was calculated by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) fingerprint similarity calculation software.. The determination method was stable and reliable. Totally 19 common characteristic peaks of Kingkong ZTO was found. The fingerprint similarity of these batches of Kingkong ZTO were not lower than 0.96.. Gas chromatography for detecting the fingerprint of Kingkong ZTO was reliable and repeatable. The established fingerprint of Kingkong ZTO could guarantee the quality stability and safety of different product batches.

Topics: Chromatography, Gas; Curcuma; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Plant Oils; Sesquiterpenes

β-elemene, the active component of elemene (1-methyl-1-vinyl-2,4-diisopropenyl-cyclohexane), is a naturally occurring compound isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Curcuma wenyujin. Studies have confirmed that β-elemene enhances the radiosensitivity of lung cancer cell lines such as A549, by multiple pathways; however, their underlying mechanisms and pathways are yet to be elucidated. In the present study, two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry were used to profile the different proteins in A549 cell xenograft models of both treatment groups. The protein/mRNA expression was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting techniques in tumor samples from all treatment groups. As a critical player in redox regulation of cancer cells, inhibition of peroxiredoxin-1 (Prx-1) may be an effective option for enhancing the tumor response to radiation. We further verified Prx-1 expression at the transcription and translation levels. β-elemene at a dose of 45 mg/kg had little effect on the Prx-1 protein expression, which was correlated with a moderate antitumor effect. However, a 45 mg/kg dose of β-elemene significantly inhibited the Prx-1 mRNA expression, thereby suggesting a possible influence on the transcriptional process, and radiation significantly increased the Prx-1 mRNA/protein expression compared to the control group (p<0.01). Notably, Prx-1 mRNA/protein expression was significantly lower in the β-elemene/radiation co-treatment group compared to the baseline levels in the control group (p<0.01). These results suggest that radiation-induced Prx-1 expression is directly or indirectly suppressed by β-elemene, thus suggesting a new pathway by which to reverse radioresistance.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma of Lung; Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Curcuma; Down-Regulation; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Transplantation; Peroxiredoxins; Plant Extracts; Radiation Tolerance; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; Radiography; RNA, Messenger; Sesquiterpenes; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Transcription, Genetic; Transplantation, Heterologous

In the present study, a series of 13-β-elemene ester derivatives were designed and prepared, and their antioxidant activity was investigated in the H2O2-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Among the test compounds, the dimer compounds 5v and 5w exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity with significant ROS suppression being observed. Both compounds markedly inhibited the H2O2-induced changes in various biochemical substances, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), which were superior to that of the positive control vitamin E. Further more, they did not produce any obvious cytotoxicity, but increased the viability of HUVECs injured by H2O2 in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, compound 5w, designed as a prodrug-like compound, showed improved stability relative to compound 4 in vitro.

Topics: Antioxidants; Cells, Cultured; Curcuma; Drug Stability; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Endothelium, Vascular; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Malondialdehyde; Nitric Oxide; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Phthalic Acids; Sesquiterpenes; Succinates; Superoxide Dismutase

This study aims to develop a method for determination of beta-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and neocurdione in the volatile oil of Curcuma phaeocaulis, and to provide the basis of the quality control method for the volatile oil of C. phaeocaulis and the related preparations. Based on GC-MS, the 4 main compounds were simultaneously determined, with the internal standard n-tridecane. The Agilent 19091S-433 column (0.25 microm x 250 microm x 30 m) was adopted at the temperature of 250 degrees C, the programmed temperature method (60 degrees C for 1 min, 5 degrees C x min x to 110 degrees C for 5 min, 1 degrees C x min(-1) to 140 degrees C, 5 degrees C x min(-1) to 160 degrees C, 10 degrees C x min(-1) to 240 degrees C) was used. Helium gas was used as the carrier gas at a constant flow rat of 1 mL x min(-1), with an injection volume of 1 RL. Mass spectra were taken at 70 eV; the ion-source temperature was 200 degrees C. The relation time and character acteristic ions for each target compound were determined by full scan mode and SIM, and m/z 85.1, 93.1, 121.1, 107.1 and 180.1 were the detection ions of n-tridecane, beta-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and neocurdione. As a result, beta-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and neocurdione were all detected with good separation. They were all in a good linear relationship within each concentration scope. The average recovery rates were in the range of 98.2%-101%. So, the method can be used to control the quality of the volatile of C. phaeocaulis Val. and the preparations related.

Topics: Acetic Acid; Curcuma; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Sesquiterpenes; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane

Simple gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were developed for quantifying eight volatile compounds and 10 sesquiterpenoids, respectively. GC-MS analysis was performed on an HP-5MS capillary column (30 m×0.25 mm i.d.) coated with 0.25 μm film 5% phenyl-95% methylpolysiloxane and selected ion monitoring was used for quantification. Four volatile and previously unquantified monoterpenoids were determined. HPLC analysis was performed on a C18 column with water and acetonitrile as mobile phase. The proposed method, determined 10 non-polar and polar sesquiterpenoids simultaneously, which covered a wider polar range of analytes and had a more perfect resolution. Among them, five sesquiterpenoids were not determined before and some specific components, (4S,5S)-germacrone-4,5-epoxide, curcumenone and dehydrocurdione were completely separated for the first time. Both methods were validated for linearity, limit of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy, recovery and system suitability. The methods were simple, effective, reliable and successfully applied to global detection and analysis of volatile and non-volatile components of steamed and non-steamed rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin (Wen-E-Zhu (WEZ) and Pian-Jiang-Huang (PJH)). Multivariate statistical analysis was employed to distinguish PJH and WEZ and seven chemical components, including (4S,5S)-germacrone-4,5-epoxide, curcumenone, β-elemene, curzerene, borneol, isoborneol and camphor, were screened as chemical markers. The present study provided a promising method for accurate discrimination of the herbal medicines with the same origin.

Topics: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Curcuma; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Multivariate Analysis; Plant Extracts; Principal Component Analysis; Quality Control; Reproducibility of Results; Rhizome; Sesquiterpenes; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane; Steam

β-elemene, a plant-derived drug extracted from Curcuma wenyujin, has demonstrated marked antiproliferative effects on glioblastoma, while toxicity remains low. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of the antitumor activity of β-elemene remain to be elucidated. Previously, it was identified that the glia maturation factor β (GMFβ)/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPK) 3/6/p38 pathway participates in the antiproliferative activity of β-elemene on glioblastoma. In the present study, in order to illustrate the association of GMFβ and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway, U87 and U251 cells were treated with β-elemene at various doses and for different durations, and the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), ERK1/2, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl2-associated X and survivin was examined by western blot analysis. Following treatment with β-elemene and the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, U87 cell viability was evaluated using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the expression levels of Bcl-2 and survivin were examined by western blot analysis. GMFβ was then downregulated by RNA interference in β-elemene-treated U87 cells, and the effect of this on the expression of ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 was determined by western blot analysis. Finally, the chemosensitisation of U87 cells to temozolomide (TMZ) through β-elemene was examined using the CCK-8 assay. The results demonstrated that β-elemene inhibited the proliferation of U87 glioblastoma cells through the GMFβ‑dependent inactivation of the ERK1/2-Bcl-2/survivin pathway. Furthermore, inhibition of ERK1/2 by PD98059 enhanced the antitumor effect of β-elemene and impaired the expression levels of Bcl-2 and survivin. β-elemene also increased the sensitivity of U87 glioblastoma cells to the chemotherapeutic TMZ, which was synergistically enhanced by PD98059. In conclusion, these results suggested that GMFβ-dependent inactivation of the ERK1/2-Bcl-2/survivin pathway mediated the antiproliferative effect of β-elemene on glioblastoma. Therefore, β-elemene is a promising chemosensitizer or adjuvant therapeutic for TMZ against glioblastoma brain tumors.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Curcuma; Dacarbazine; Down-Regulation; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Flavonoids; Glia Maturation Factor; Glioblastoma; Humans; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Phosphorylation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; RNA Interference; RNA, Small Interfering; Sesquiterpenes; Survivin; Temozolomide

Recent studies indicate that β-elemene, a compound isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine Curcuma wenyujin, is capable of reversing tumor MDR, although the mechanism remains elusive. In this study, β-Elemene treatment markedly increased the intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin (DOX) and rhodamine 123 in both K562/DNR and SGC7901/ADR cells and significantly inhibited the expression of P-gp. Treatment of SGC7901/ADR cells with β-elemene led to downregulation of Akt phosphorylation and significant upregulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligases, c-Cbl and Cbl-b. Importantly, β-elemene significantly enhanced the anti-tumor activity of DOX in nude mice bearing SGC7901/ADR xenografts. Taken together, our results suggest that β-elemene may target P-gp-overexpressing leukemia and gastric cancer cells to enhance the efficacy of DOX treatment.

Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; Cell Line, Tumor; Curcuma; Doxorubicin; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Gastric Mucosa; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl; Sesquiterpenes; Signal Transduction; Stomach; Stomach Neoplasms

The purpose of this manuscript was to study the regulation effects of β-elemene combined with radiotherapy on three different gene expressions in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell. mTOR gene, HIF-1α gene, Survivin gene were included in the gene group. Cell culture and RT-PCR were applied to finish this research. Hypoxia Control group, Hypoxia β-elemene group, Hypoxia β-elemene combined with irradiation group were set to compare the differences of three different gene expressions. The most active effects were found in the group of Hypoxia irradiation combined with β-elemene. In this group, the mTOR gene, HIF-1α gene, Survivin gene expressions were all down-regulated when compared with the single treatment groups, and there were significantly statistical differences.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma of Lung; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Cell Line, Tumor; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Curcuma; Down-Regulation; Gene Expression; Humans; Hypoxia; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; Lung Neoplasms; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sesquiterpenes; Survivin; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

To analyze the essential oil from the rhizome of Curcuma aromatica of different growth periods, and to provide the scientific reference for reasonable cultivation and quality control of this plant.. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed with GC-MS. The relative contents were determined with area normalization method.. The main volatile constituents in the rhizome of Curcuma aromatica were basically the same. Among these volatile constituents, curdione was the major. The relative content of curdione was 16.35% in the rhizome of wild plant in Hengxian county, and 15.81% in the rhizome of one-year-old plant in Mingyang farm, Nanning city. The relative content of eucalyptol in the 2-year-old cultivated rhizome in Hengxian county was 15.40%, and 14.59% in the rhizome of wild plant in Hengxian county. beta-Elemene, beta-caryophyllene,eugenol and germacrone were also the main constituents in the rhizome essential oil.. Volatile constituents in the rhizome of Curcuma aromatica are similar to each other,but the relative content of each component is different. This result can provide the scientific foundation for the cultivation of Curcuma aromatica.

Topics: Curcuma; Cyclohexanols; Eucalyptol; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Monoterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Quality Control; Rhizome; Sesquiterpenes; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane; Time Factors

It has been demonstrated that β-elemene could protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver fibrosis in our laboratory work, and the aim of this paper is to reveal the protective mechanisms of β-elemene. The hepatic fibrosis experimental model was induced by the hypodermical injection of CCl(4) in Wistar male rats. β-elemene was intraperitoneally administered into rats for 8 weeks (0.1 mL/100 g bodyweight per day), and plasma endotoxin content was assayed by biochemistry. The serum TNF-α level was detected using radioactive immunity. CD14 expression in rat livers was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results showed that β-elemene can downregulate the levels of plasma endotoxins, serum TNF-α, and hepatic CD14 expression in rats with liver fibrosis. β-elemene plays an important role in downregulating the lipopolysaccharide signal transduction pathway, a significant pathway in hepatic fibrosis development.

Topics: Animals; Carbon Tetrachloride; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning; China; Curcuma; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation; Endotoxins; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Plant Preparations; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sesquiterpenes; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

To establish a HPLC method for determination of 4 components in different varieties of vinegar backed Rhizoma Curcuma.. The method was established by using an Elite Hypersil ODS2 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase comprising acetonitrile (A) and water (B) was used to elute the targets in gradient elution mode. Flow rate and detection wavelength were set at 1 mL x min(-1) and 214 nm, respectively. The column temperature was 25 degrees C and the injection volume was 10 microL.. All calibration curves showed good linearity with r > 0.999 5. Recoveries measured at three concentrations were in the range of 97.27% - 99.27% with RSD < 3%.. The validated method is simple, reliable, and successfully applied to determine the contents of the selected compounds in vinegar backed Rhizoma Curcuma. The results of the determination showed that contents of the four components in vinegar backed Curcuma wenyujin were relatively high.

Topics: China; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Curcuma; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Rhizome; Sesquiterpenes; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane

Volatile components of Curcuma sichuanensis X. X. Chen growing in Sichuan, China, were extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 44 volatile essential oil components were identified in the extract of C. sichuanensis X. X. Chen, representing 87.1% of the total integrated chromatographic peaks. The major compounds were found to be epi-curzerenone (26.9%), germacrone (12.4%), isocurcumenol (9.7%), beta-elemene (6.4%) and curzerene (6.2%). The results of semi-quantitative analysis indicated that levels of total sesquiterpene fraction (85.4%) were more than 55 times higher than those of monoterpene components (1.5%).

Topics: China; Curcuma; Flame Ionization; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Plant Roots; Sesquiterpenes; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane; Steam; Volatilization

To evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for Elemene injections, one ingredient of Chinese herb Curcuma wenyujin, for malignant tumors widely used in clinical practice in China.. We used a systematic sample of 127 reports of RCTs that used Elemene injections as an intervention. The quality of each report was assessed using the number of Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) checklist items included, the frequency of allocation concealment and a 5-point quality assessment instrument (Jadad).. 69.44% of the CONSORT checklist items was included in the reports. Only 2 (1.57%) RCTs reported allocation concealment by sealed envelopes. 123 (96.85%) reports described baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of each group. But only 5 (3.94%) of 127 RCTs reported statistics analysis results of baseline data. None of the reports stated in the methods section that intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was used, although 111 (87.40%) reports described the number of participants (denominator) in each group included in each analysis. Information regarding adverse events was reported in 83.46% of the RCTs. However the quality of reports were low as assessed by the Jadad scale.. The methodological quality of RCTs of Elemene injection against malignant tumors was low. Therefore, the effect of Elemene injection being used in clinical settings needs to be confirmed by further RCTs. Meanwhile, there is a need to supervise and urge researchers in China to conform to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and CONSORT guidelines when reporting.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Curcuma; Databases, Factual; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Research Design; Sesquiterpenes

To investigate the excretion of beta-elemene from the respiratory tracts in male Spraque-Dawley rats.. After a single administration of beta-elemene to rats at the dosage of 75 mg x kg(-1) (i.v. or i.p.), the exhaled gases were collected and concentrated at various time points. The residues were analyzed by gas chromatography.. A minor amount of unchanged beta-elemene was excreted via rat respiratory tracts after iv and ip administration of a single dose. The cumulative excretion were 1.41% and 0.51% respectively.. The results demonstrated that unchanged beta-elemene excretes from rat respiratory tracts, but may not be the main elimination pathway in rats.

Topics: Animals; Chromatography, Gas; Curcuma; Infusions, Parenteral; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Plants, Medicinal; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Respiratory System; Sesquiterpenes

To study the reversal mechanism of adriamycin (ADM) resistance in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADM by beta-elemene (beta-ELE), a wide spectrum anticancer drug derived from the Chinese herb Curcuma chaeocaulis.. Sensitivity to ADM of MCF-7/ADM cells was studied by MTT assay. Intracellular accumulation of ADM in MCF-7/ADM cells was observed by fluorescent-spectrophotometry. Expression of bcl-2 protein was detected by flow cytometry.. A non-cytotoxic dose (6 micro g/ml) and a weakly cytotoxic dose (13 micro g/ml) of beta-ELE could significantly enhance the cytotoxic effects of ADM on MCF-7/ADM cells to 1.4 and 2.2 fold as compared to the beta-ELE untreated control cells. The intracellular concentration of ADM in MCF-7/ADM cells was significantly increased after treatment with beta-ELE (P < 0.01). The expression of bcl-2 protein in MCF-7/ADM cells was reduced from 90.2% to 70.0% (P < 0.05).. beta-ELE could partially reverse the drug resistance to ADM in MCF-7/ADM, which is related to the increased accumulation of intracellular ADM and the decreased expression of bcl-2.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Curcuma; Doxorubicin; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Sesquiterpenes