Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis Prevents Oxidative Stress on Human Endothelial Cells without Toxicity

Astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant, is a good candidate for the prevention of intracellular oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to compare the antioxidant activity of astaxanthin present in two natural extracts from Haematococcus pluvialis, a microalgae strain, with that of synthetic astaxanthin. Natural extracts were obtained either by solvent or supercritical extraction methods. UV, HPLC-DAD and (HPLC-(atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)+)/ion trap-MS) characterizations of both natural extracts showed similar compositions of carotenoids, but different percentages in free astaxanthin and its ester derivatives. The Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay showed that natural extracts containing esters displayed stronger antioxidant activities than free astaxanthin. Their antioxidant capacities to inhibit intracellular oxidative stress were then evaluated on HUVEC cells. The intracellular antioxidant activity in natural extracts was approximately 90-times higher than synthetic astaxanthin (5 µM). No modification, neither in the morphology nor in the viability, of vascular human cells was observed by in vitro biocompatibility study up to 10 µM astaxanthin concentrations. Therefore, these results revealed the therapeutic potential of the natural extracts in vascular human cell protection against oxidative stress without toxicity, which could be exploited in prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.     

六堡茶多糖理化性质、体外抗氧化及其对人脐静脉血管内皮细胞的保护作用

以六堡茶为原料,利用水提醇沉法制得茶多糖粗品,经脱蛋白纯化后用30%、50%、70%的乙醇溶液进行分段,得到3种六堡茶多糖LTPS-30、LTPS-50和LTPS-70,并分析了其化学组成、分子量分布等理化性质;以自由基清除法(ABTS)和铁离子还原法(FRAP)评价其抗氧化活性;并以Na2S2O3损伤的人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(HUVEC)为模型,探讨了它们对HUVEC氧化损伤的保护作用。结果表明,3种六堡茶多糖样品均为主要含有2个组分的非均一酸性多糖,平均分子量和总糖含量均为LTPS-70LTPS-50LTPS-30;而在蛋白质和总酚含量及两种抗氧化体系下的抗氧化活力均为LTPS-70LTPS-50LTPS-30,且LTPS-70表现出最强的细胞保护作用。说明茶多糖粗品经70%乙醇纯化后具有较强的生物活性,具有良好的应用前景。     

Different cytokine patterns induced by Helicobacter pylori and Lactobacillus acidophilus extracts in PBMCs of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a degenerative inflammatory disease with unknown etiology. AAA is characterized by abdominal aortic dilatation more than 3 cm and is often asymptomatic, but the rupture of aneurysm can lead to death. Age, smoking and male sex are major predisposing factors of AAA.This study compares the effect of Helicobacter (H.) pylori and Lactobacillus (L.) acidophilus on the cytokine profile of PBMCs of 5 men with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and 5 men with normal/insignificant angiography, CT-Scan and ultrasonography results in the single-culture and in the co-culture with HUVECs. IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-17 F, IL-21, IL-22, IFN-γ and TNF-α were measured in culture supernatants using a commercial fluorescent-labeled-bead assay.In general, CagA+ H. pylori-extract induced higher production of IFN-γ, IL-13 and IL-21 by PBMCs. Treatment of patients’ PBMCs with CagA⁺ H. pylori-extract induced Th2 cytokines while treatment of controls’ PBMCs with CagA⁺ H. pylori-extract increased Th1 cytokines. In the co-culture, however, patients’ PBMCs produced Th1 cytokines irrespective of extract treatment, while controls’ PBMCs produced Th2 cytokines and decreased IL-10. CagA+ H. pylori- as well as L. acidophilus-extract induced higher levels of IL-9 by controls’ PBMCs in co-culture with HUVECs than patients (P = 0.05 and P = 0.01).The cytokine pattern of PBMCs induced by CagA+ H. pylori- and L. acidophilus-extracts in the co-culture with HUVECs shows differences in AAA patients and in comparison to controls. Decreased secretion of IL-9, IL-21 and IL-22 by PBMCs of patients treated with CagA+ H. pylori extract in co-culture, as opposed to non-AAA controls may indicate the active role ECs play in AAA. Simultaneous production of IL-10 and Th1 cytokines in patients and pronounced Th2 cytokines in controls in response to both bacteria may point to the inherent differences between patients and controls, which need further investigation.     

VEGFR1基因特异性siRNA的筛选

[目的]筛选血管内皮生长因子受体(VEGRF)基因特异性小干扰RNA(Small Interference RNA,siRNA),为肿瘤等疾病的基因治疗寻找一种新途径。[方法]以高表达VEGFR1的人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(HUVEC)为模型,采用RNA干扰技术,化学合成了3条针对血管内皮生长因子受体1(VEGFR1)的特异性siRNA,用Lipofectamine2000TM转染HUVEC细胞株,通过Real time RT-PCR技术检测HUVEC细胞VEGFR1基因mRNA的表达。并对效果最好的VEGFR1 siRNA-2进行siRNA的浓度梯度效果检测。[结果]结果表明,与对照组相比,所设计的3条siRNA均能不同程度地抑制VEGFR1 mRNA的表达,其中siRNA-2号最有效,浓度为50 nmol/L时抑制率达到95%左右。在浓度梯度试验中,VEGFR1 siRNA-2转染浓度为50 pmol/L时,对VEGFR1基因的沉默效果还能达到50%左右。[结论]所设计的siRNA能有效抑制VEGFR1基因的表达,为RNAi用于靶向VEGFR1的基因治疗提供了非常有效的siRNA序列。     

Antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects of flavone eupatorin, an active constituent of chloroform extract of Orthosiphon stamineus leaves

Flavone eupatorin is one of the constituents of Orthosiphon stamineus, a medicinal herb used in folk medicine in South East Asia for treatment of various disorders. In our study, we investigated the antiproliferative properties of a chloroform extract of the leaves of O. stamineus and of pure eupatorin. The compound was able to reduce the number of viable cancer cells to the same extent as the extract, with IC(50) values in micromolar range. Moreover, both the eupatorin standard and the extract caused cells to arrest in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. This clearly demonstrates that eupatorin contributes significantly to the overall extract activity. Induction of mitotic catastrophe, accompanied by key molecular events defining apoptosis, is the mechanism of eupatorin-induced cell death. Importantly, eupatorin (at the doses cytotoxic to cancer cells) did not kill normal cells; it only limited migration of HUVEC endothelial cells and their ability to create tubes. The ability of eupatorin to nonspecifically inhibit many protein kinases was proven and is the probable cause of its cellular effects. In summary, eupatorin emerges as a promising agent in anticancer research.     

Cyclodextrin Formulation of the Marine Natural Product Pseudopterosin A Uncovers Optimal Pharmacodynamics in Proliferation Studies of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Pseudopterosin A (PsA) treatment of growth factor depleted human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cultures formulated in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) for 42 h unexpectedly produced a 25% increase in cell proliferation (EC₅₀ = 1.34 × 10⁻⁸ M). Analysis of dose response curves revealed pseudo-first order saturation kinetics, and the uncoupling of cytotoxicity from cell proliferation, thereby resulting in a widening of the therapeutic index. The formulation of PsA into HPβCD produced a 200-fold increase in potency over a DMSO formulation; we propose this could result from a constrained presentation of PsA to the receptor, which would limit non-specific binding. These results support the hypothesis that the non-specific receptor binding of PsA when formulated in DMSO has ostensibly masked prior estimates of specific activity, potency, and mechanism. Collectively, these results suggest that the formulation of PsA and compounds of similar chemical properties in HPβCD could result in significant pharmacological findings that may otherwise be obscured when using solvents such as DMSO.     

6″-Debromohamacanthin A,a Bis (Indole) Alkaloid,Inhibits Angiogenesis by Targeting the VEGFR2-Mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathways

Hamacanthins, bis (indole) alkaloids, are found in a few marine sponges, including Spongosorites sp. Hamacanthins have been shown to possess cytotoxic, antibacterial and antifungal activities. However, the precise mechanism for the biological activities of hamacanthins has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, the anti-angiogenic effects of 6″-debromohamacanthin A (DBHA), an active component of isolated hamacanthins, were evaluated in cultured human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) and endothelial-like cells differentiated from mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. DBHA significantly inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced cell proliferation, migration and tube formation in the HUVEC. DBHA also suppressed the capillary-like structure formation and the expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM), an endothelial biomarker, in mES cell-derived endothelial-like cells. To further understand the precise molecular mechanism of action, VEGF-mediated signaling pathways were analyzed in HUVEC cells and mES cell-derived endothelial-like cells. DBHA suppressed the VEGF-induced expression of MAPKs (p38, ERK and SAPK/JNK) and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, DBHA inhibited microvessel sprouting in mES/EB-derived embryoid bodies. In an ex vivo model, DBHA also suppressed the microvessel sprouting of mouse aortic rings. The findings suggest for the first time that DBHA inhibits angiogenesis by targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in endothelial cells.     

VEGFR1基因特导性siRNA的筛选

[目的]筛选血管内皮生长因子受体(VEGRF)基因特异性小干扰RNA(Small Interference RNA,siRNA),为肿瘤等疾病的基因治疗寻找一种新途径。[方法]以高表达VEGFR1的人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(HUVEC)为模型,采用RNA干扰技术,化学合成了3条针对血管内皮生长因子受体1(VEGFR1)的特异性siRNA,用Lipofectamine2000TM转染HUVEC细胞株,通过Real time RT-PCR技术检测HUVEC细胞VEGFR1基因mRNA的表达。并对效果最好的VEGFR1 siRNA-2进行siRNA的浓度梯度效果检测。[结果]结果表明,与对照组相比,所设计的3条siRNA均能不同程度地抑制VEGFR1 mRNA的表达,其中siRNA-2号最有效,浓度为50 nmol/L时抑制率达到95%左右。在浓度梯度试验中,VEGFR1 siRNA-2转染浓度为50 pmol/L时,对VEGFR1基因的沉默效果还能达到50%左右。[结论]所设计的siRNA能有效抑制VEGFR1基因的表达,为RNAi用于靶向VEGFR1的基因治疗提供了非常有效的siRNA序列。     

普洱茶提取物抗氧化及其对Na2S2O3诱导HUVEC损伤的保护作用

利用普洱茶加工过程中废弃的碎茶灰为原料制备提取物,分析其主要化学成分组成,以ABTS和FRAP体系评价了普洱生茶、普洱熟茶提取物的抗氧化活性,并研究了这两种提取物对Na₂S₂O₃诱导人脐静脉血管内皮细胞（HUVEC）损伤的保护作用。结果表明,普洱熟茶提取物中主要化学成分除咖啡碱外均低于普洱生茶提取物,其中酯型儿茶素含量减少最多。同时,普洱熟茶提取物对ABTS⁺清除能力和铁离子还原能力都较普洱生茶提取物作用弱,而对HUVEC损伤的保护作用却强于普洱生茶提取物,并在特定浓度下与茶多酚相当。