cinidon-ethyl and Disease-Models--Animal

The discovery of bioactive molecules from botanical sources is an expanding field, preferentially oriented to plants having a tradition of use in medicine and providing high yields and availability. Temperate forage legumes are Fabaceae species that include worldwide-important crops. These plants possess therapeutic virtues that have not only been used in veterinary and folk medicine, but have also attracted the interest of official medicine. We have examined here Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Trifolium pratense and T. repens (clovers), Melilotus albus and M. officinalis (sweet clovers), Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil), Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin), Lespedeza capitata (roundhead lespedeza), and Galega officinalis (goat's rue). The phytochemical complexes of these species contain secondary metabolites whose pharmacological potentials deserve investigation. Major classes of compounds include alkaloids and amines, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, coumarins, condensed tannins, and saponins. Some of these phytochemicals have been related to antihypercholesterolemia, antidiabetic, antimenopause, anti-inflammatory, antiedema, anthelmintic, and kidney protective effects. Two widely prescribed drugs have been developed starting from temperate forage legumes, namely, the antithrombotic warfarin, inspired from sweet clover's coumarin, and the antidiabetic metformin, a derivative of sainfoin's guanidine. Available evidence suggests that temperate forage legumes are a potentially important resource for the extraction of active principles to be used as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Clinical Trials as Topic; Coumarins; Disease Models, Animal; Fabaceae; Fibrinolytic Agents; Flavonoids; Galega; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Lespedeza; Lotus; Medicago; Medicago sativa; Melilotus; Phytochemicals; Plants, Medicinal; Proanthocyanidins; Saponins; Trifolium; Warfarin

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease and is featured by cognitive impairment. Procyanidins have been shown to have a potential protective effect against neurodegenerative diseases, but the underlying mechanism is not comprehensive enough.. To further investigate the effects of procyanidins from lotus seedpod (LSPC) on cognition in AD.. LSPC significantly ameliorated cognitive dysfunction, reduced Aβ deposition and reversed the remarkable reduction of the phosphorylation of CREB and the expression of BDNF, and then enhanced the effect of LTP in. These results revealed that LSPC could ameliorate cognitive impairment through the CREB-BDNF pathway that mediates the enhancement of LTP in

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; Animals; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Cognitive Dysfunction; Disease Models, Animal; Hippocampus; Long-Term Potentiation; Lotus; Maze Learning; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Proanthocyanidins; Seeds

Gastric ulcers are a common gastrointestinal disease across the globe. Alcohol consumption is the primary cause of gastric carcinogenesis and progression. We investigated the gastroprotective effects of fermented lotus root (FL) against ethanol (EtOH)/HCl-induced gastric ulcers in a rat model and the conceivable underlying mechanisms involved. Rats received different doses of FL (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) or ranitidine (positive control, 30 mg/kg) via oral gavage daily for 14 days. One hour after the last oral administration of FL, the EtOH/HCl mixture was orally intubated to induce gastric damage. Oral administration of FL significantly alleviated the gastric lesions. Moreover, FL also elevated the amounts of nitric oxide and the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in the stomach. To verify the gastric mucosal defense mechanism, inflammation-related genes were measured. Our results revealed that FL effectively inhibited gastric mucosal damage via downregulation of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) response in the stomach. The administration of FL significantly lowered the gastric mRNA expression of inflammation-related genes, including

Topics: Animals; Anti-Ulcer Agents; Antioxidants; Body Weight; Disease Models, Animal; Fermented Foods; Gastric Mucosa; Glutathione Peroxidase; Immunohistochemistry; Lotus; Male; NF-kappa B; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Plant Roots; Protective Agents; Rats; RNA, Messenger; Stomach Ulcer

Melanogenesis has many important physiological functions. However, abnormal melanin production causes various pigmentation disorders. Melanin synthesis is stimulated by α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Lotus seedpod extract (LSE) has been reported as possessing antioxidative, anti-aging, and anticancer activities. The present study examined the effect of LSE on melanogenesis and the involved signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that non-cytotoxic doses of LSE and its main component epigallocatechin (EGC) reduced both tyrosinase activity and melanin production in the α-MSH-induced melanoma cells. Western blotting data revealed that LSE and EGC inhibited expressions of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1). Phosphorylation of p38 and protein kinase A (PKA) stimulated by α-MSH was efficiently blocked by LSE treatment. Furthermore, LSE suppressed the nuclear level of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and disturbed the activation of melanocyte inducing transcription factor (MITF) in the α-MSH-stimulated B16F0 cells. The in vivo study revealed that LSE inhibited melanin production in the ear skin of C57BL/6 mice after exposure to UVB. These findings suggested that the anti-melanogenesis of LSE involved both PKA and p38 signaling pathways. LSE is a potent novo natural depigmenting agent for cosmetics or pharmaceutical applications.

Topics: Animals; Catechin; Disease Models, Animal; Lotus; Melanins; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Pigmentation Disorders; Plant Extracts; Seeds; Signal Transduction

Topics: Animals; Cholesterol, Dietary; Cooking; Diet, High-Fat; Disease Models, Animal; Hypertriglyceridemia; Lipid Metabolism; Lotus; Male; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

3D culture of stem cells can improve therapeutic effects. However, there is limited research on how to deliver cultured stem cell spheroids to the desired target. Here, we developed lotus seedpod-inspired hydrogel (LoSH) containing microwells for culture and delivery of stem cell spheroids. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) inside the square microwells (200 or 400 μm in width with various depths) spontaneously formed spheroids with high viability (94.08 ± 1.56%), and fibronectins conjugated to the hydrogel successfully gripped the spheroids, similar to the funiculus gripping seeds in the lotus seedpod. The spheroids slightly bound to the LoSH surface at 37 °C were detached by the expansion of LoSH at lower temperature of 4 °C. After spheroid formation, LoSH was placed on the target substrate upside-down, expanded at 4 °C for 10 min, and removed from the target. As a result, the spheroids within the microwell were successfully transferred to the target substrate with high transfer efficiency (93.78 ± 2.30%). A delivery of spheroids from LoSH to full-thickness murine skin wound with chimney model showed significant enhancement of the number of SMA-positive vessels at day 21 compared to the group received the same number of spheroids by injection. Together, our findings demonstrate LoSH as a one-step platform that can culture and deliver spheroids to a large target area, which will be useful for various biomedical applications.

Topics: Animals; Biomimetic Materials; Cell Adhesion; Cell Culture Techniques; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Hydrogels; Lotus; Mice; Regeneration; Seeds; Skin; Spheroids, Cellular; Stem Cell Transplantation; Stem Cells

A selenium (Se)-containing polysaccharide, lotus leaf selenium (Se)-polysaccharide (LLP), was isolated from a lotus leaf. The effects of LLP on antioxidant enzyme activities and insulin resistance in pregnant rats with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were investigated. LLP administered orally at two doses (50 and 100 mg/kg) could significantly reverse the weight loss of pregnant rats before the delivery, fetal rats, and placentas in GDM rats (P < 0.05). Furthermore, LLP treatment induced a decrease of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting blood insulin (FINS) levels in GDM rats, but an increase of hepatic glycogen content, when compared with those in GDM rats (P < 0.05). Also, oral administrations of LLP markedly improved the lipid profile of GDM rats, as evidenced by a reduction of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels except for the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. Additionally, antioxidant enzyme levels, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH), in liver tissues of the GDM group were lower than those of the other groups, and following treatment of LLP, these indexes in liver tissues were equivalent to those of the control group (P > 0.05). All the data indicated that LLP may be a promising drug candidate or a healthcare food for GDM therapy or protection.

Topics: Animals; Diabetes, Gestational; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Hypoglycemic Agents; Lotus; Male; Plant Leaves; Polysaccharides; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Selenium

This study mainly investigated the ameliorative effect of lotus seedpod proanthocyanidins (LSPC) and the mechanism underlying such effect on cognitive impairment and brain aging induced by d-galactose. Aging mice induced by d-galactose (150 mg/kg, sc injection daily for 6 weeks) were chosen for the experiment. LSPCs (30, 60, and 90 mg/kg, ig) were provided after d-galactose injection. Learning and memory functions were detected by Y-maze and step-down avoidance tests. Then, some biochemical indexes related to cognitive ability and aging were measured. Histopathological feature and P53 protein expression in the hippocampus were observed. Results showed that the three different doses of LSPC could significantly ameliorate the learning and memory abilities impaired by d-galactose. LSPC significantly reduced the levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (i.e. 90 mg/kg LSPC group vs. model group, P=0.008), reduced the content of β-amyloid peptide 1-42 (i.e. 90 mg/kg LSPC group vs. model group, P=0.009), decreased the activities of acetylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase B, total nitric oxide synthase (i.e. 90 mg/kg LSPC group vs. model group, P=0.006), and neuronal nitric oxide synthase and synchronously increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the brain. Furthermore, LSPC could prevent neuron damage and could lessen the expression of P53 protein in the hippocampus. These findings demonstrated that LSPC effectively attenuated cognitive damage and improved parameters related to brain aging in senescent mice induced by d-galactose, and may be used to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Topics: Age Factors; Aging; Animals; Avoidance Learning; Behavior, Animal; Biomarkers; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Galactose; Hippocampus; Lotus; Male; Maze Learning; Memory; Mice; Neurons; Neuroprotective Agents; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Proanthocyanidins; Seeds; Time Factors

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the crude extract (CE), the fractions derived from hexane (HEX), ethyl acetate (AcOEt), n-butanol (BuOH), and aqueous (Aq) and isolated compounds (oleanolic acid or kaempferitrin) obtained from the aerial parts of Lotus corniculatus var. São Gabriel in mice with bradykinin-induced pleurisy. Swiss mice were used for the In Vivo experiments. Inflammatory parameters [leukocytes; exudate concentrations; myeloperoxidase and adenosine-deaminase activities, and nitric oxide and interleukin-17 levels] were evaluated 4 h after pleurisy induction. The crude extract of Lotus corniculatus, its derived fractions, and isolated compounds inhibited leukocytes and the exudate. This inhibitory effect was associated with decreased of myeloperoxidase and adenosine-deaminase activities, nitric oxide products, and IL-17A levels. Lotus corniculatus presented important anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting leukocyte influx and exudate concentrations. This effect was directly related to the inhibition of nitric oxide and interleukinin17 levels. Oleanolic acid and kaempferitrin can account for these anti-inflammatory effects.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Bradykinin; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Lotus; Mice; Plant Extracts; Pleurisy

The alleviative effect of procyanidins extracted from the lotus seedpod (LSPC) on oxidative stress in various tissues was evaluated by determining the activities of the antioxidant enzymes and the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in heart, liver, lung, kidney, skeletal muscle, and serum in aged rats. Aging led to antioxidant deficit in various tissues in this study, which is confirmed by remarkable increased lipid peroxidation, whereas the change patterns of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and GSH were diverse in various tissues of aged rats. LSPC treatment (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) modified the activity of SOD, CAT, and GPx as well as GSH content alteration in these tissues, which reversed the age-related antioxidant deficit in aged rats. However, the regulatory patterns on the activities of these enzymes and GSH content by LSPC treatment were different according to the tissues in aged rats.

Topics: Aging; Aging, Premature; Animals; Antioxidants; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Lipid Peroxidation; Lotus; Oxidative Stress; Proanthocyanidins; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Seeds

To study the co-effect of procyanidins extracted from the lotus seed pod (LSPC) and bilobalide (BIL) on ameliorating scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in young mice.. Fifty male Kunming mice with similar learning and memory capabilities were selected by Morris water maze test and were randomized into 5 groups (n=10 in each group): control group, scopolamine group, L-(LSPC+BIL) group (50 mg/kg LSPC+10 mg/kg BIL), M-(LSPC+BIL) group (100 mg/kg LSPC+20 mg/kg BIL), H-(LSPC+BIL) group (150 mg/kg LSPC+30 mg/kg BIL). Scopolamine model with impaired learning and memory was established by scopolamine treatment (1 mg/kg), and after 10 min mice were tested. In L-, M-, and H-(LSPC+BIL) groups, mice were treated with LSPC and BIL ig. for 30 days, while mice in the other 2 groups were treated with normal saline ig. instead. After the 30-day's treatment, the co-effect of LSPC and BIL on learning and memory was tested by Morris water maze and the step-down avoidance tests.. The memory impairment caused by scopolamine in young mice could be ameliorated by co-treatment of LSPC and BIL, as indicated by significantly shorter escape latency and swimming distance in the Morris water maze test, when compared with those in the scopolamine group. In the step-down avoidance test, mice in all the 3 dose groups showed significantly smaller number of errors and longer latency than mice in the scopolamine group did.. Co-treatment of LSPE and BIL can ameliorate scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in young mice.

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Cyclopentanes; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Therapy, Combination; Furans; Ginkgolides; Lotus; Male; Maze Learning; Memory Disorders; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Plant Extracts; Proanthocyanidins; Reaction Time; Scopolamine; Seeds; Statistics, Nonparametric