cis-hinokiresinol, a norlignan from Anemarrhena asphodeloides, inhibits angiogenic response in vitro and in vivo. (1/13)

cis-Hinokiresinol (CHR) is a norlignan constituent from Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE (Liliaceae), which shows hyaluronidase inhibitory activity. In the present studies, we have demonstrated that CHR selectively inhibited endothelial cell proliferation compared with cancer cells, and especially basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced endothelial cell proliferation. Furthermore, endothelial cell migration and tube formation, two important steps in the angiogenic process, were also inhibited by CHR. Moreover, CHR reduced the vessel growth induced by VEGF in the mouse corneal neovascularization model. These results suggest that CHR may prove useful for the development of a novel angiogenesis inhibitor.  (+info)

Effects of timosaponins on learning and memory abilities of rats with dementia induced by lateral cerebral ventricular injection of amyloid beta- peptide. (2/13)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of timosaponins, one group of the two major components of Anemarrhean asphodeloides Bge, on the learning and memory capacities of rats with dementia induced by amyloid beta-peptide (25-35) [Abeta (25-35)]. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomized into 6 groups (n=10) and except for those in the control group, all other rats were subjected to lateral cerebral ventriclar injection of aggregated Abeta (25-35) to prepare rat models of dementia. Twenty- four hours after the injection, the rats received intragastric administration of timosaponins at 3 different doses (treatment group) or Ginkgo biloba extract EGB761 on a daily basis for 14 consecutive days. From postoperative days 8 to 14 after Abeta (25-35) injection, Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the effects of Abeta (25-35) and the therapeutic agents timosaponins on the learning and memory capacity of the rats. On day 14, the level of malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidation capacity in the brain tissue of the rats were measured. RESULTS: Abeta (25-35) induced significant learning and memory impairment in the rats, which had lowered SOD activity and total antioxidation capacity (P<0.01) with elevated MDA level (P<0.05). Compared with the rats in dementia model group, those receiving timosaponin treatment at different doses all manifested alleviation of learning and memory impairment (P<0.05), with enhanced SOD activity (P<0.05) and total antioxidation capacity (P<0.01) and reduced MDA level (P<0.05) in the brain tissue. CONCLUSION: Timosaponins can remarkably enhance the learning and memory capacities in rats with Abeta (25-35)-induced dementia, presumably in relation to their actions to promote the scavenging of the free radicals.  (+info)

7-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzyl)chroman and broussonin b: neurotrophic compounds, isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE, function as proteasome inhibitors. (3/13)

The extract of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (rhizomes of Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE) showed neurotrophic activity toward rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells. Bioassay-guided purification afforded four compounds, 2,6,4'-trihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (1), 7-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzyl)chroman (2), broussonin B (3), and cis-hinokiresinol (4). Compounds 1-3 induced neurite outgrowth in PC-12 cells at concentration of 50 microg/ml, while 4 was less active. In addition, compounds 2-4 showed moderate inhibitory activities against a chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome.  (+info)

Protective effect of steroidal saponins from rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats. (4/13)

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of steroidal saponins from Anemarrhena asphodeloides (ATS) on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham and OVX groups. The OVX rats were treated with vehicle, nylestriol or steroidal saponins extract for 12 weeks. Serum calcium, phosphorus, estradiol (E(2)), osteocalcin concentration and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were measured. Bone density was assayed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The undecalcified longitudinal proximal tibial metaphysical (PTM) sections were cut and stained for histomorphometric analysis of the bone. RESULTS: In OVX rats, alkaline phosphatase activities in serum were markedly increased and concentrations of osteocalcin were decreased by ATS treatment, which had no influence on the body weight. Meanwhile, atrophy of the uterus and descent of bone mineral density (BMD) was suppressed by treatment with ATS. In addition, ATS completely corrected the decreased the concentration of calcium and E(2) in serum observed in OVX rats. Histological results showed ATS prevented decreases in trabecular thickness and increases in trabecular separation of proximal tibia metaphysis (PTM) in OVX rats. However, it did not alter osteoclast number in OVX rats. Moreover, ATS (300 mg/kg) had a remarkable effect on promoting bone formation action in OVX rats. Nylestriol treatment decreased the bone formation rate and mineral apposition rate. CONCLUSION: An adequate supply of steroidal saponins of Anemarrhena asphodeloides prevented OVX-induced bone loss in rats through the promotion of bone formation but not the inhibition of bone resorption.  (+info)

Study on the therapeutic material basis of traditional chinese medicinal preparation Suanzaoren decoction. (5/13)

Methodology for elucidating the therapeutic material basis and quality control indices of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Preparation Suanzaoren decoction was developed. Combination of Suanzaoren decoction was designed and sixteen groups were obtained. Effects on frequency of spontaneous motion, sleeping number and sleeping duration in mice were studied with sixteen combinations of Suanzaoren decoction to get the pharmacological data. RP-HPLC method was developed to analyze the chromatographic profiles of natural components in all combinations. Areas (corrected by weighting amounts) of chromatographic peaks were collected as chemical data. The pharmacological and chemical data were correlated by chemical statistical methods, and then the therapeutic material basis (thirteen chemical constituents with sedative and hypnotic effects among forty-eight chromatographic peaks) of Suanzaoren decoction were elucidated. Spinosin from Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, ferulic acid from Rhizoma Chuanxiong, mangiferin from Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and glycyrrhizic acid from Radix Glycyrrhizae were selected as quality control indices. This paper provided a new methodology for elucidating the therapeutic material basis and quality control indices for T.C.M. It is instructive for modernization of Chinese herbs and its compound preparations.  (+info)

Antidepressant-like effects of sarsasapogenin from Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE (Liliaceae). (6/13)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sarsasapogenin from Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE (Liliaceae) on the forced swimming test, and the central noradrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic activities in mice. Our results showed that sarsasapogenin treatment at 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg (p.o.) for 14 d significantly reduced the duration of immobility in the forced swimming test. These doses that affected the immobile response did not affect locomotor activity. In addition, the neurochemical assays showed that sarsasapogenin produced a marked increase of noradrenaline and serotonin levels at 50 mg/kg in both the hypothalamus and the hippocampus. Moreover, sarsasapogenin showed a monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity in the mouse brain. These findings suggest that the antidepressant activity of sarsasapogenin may involve the central monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems.  (+info)

Effects of Anemarrhena asphodeloides on focal ischemic brain injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. (7/13)

The preventive effect of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (Liliaceae), a traditional Chinese medicine, on ischemia-reperfusion-induced brain injury was evaluated in the rat brain. Ischemia was induced by intraluminal occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery for 2 h and reperfusion was continued for 22 h. Water extract of Anemarrhena asphodeloides (WEAA) was orally administered promptly prior to and 2 h after reperfusion. Total infarct volume and edema in the ipsilateral hemispheres of ischemia-reperfusion rats were significantly reduced by treatment with WEAA in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). The therapeutic time window of WEAA was 3 h in this ischemia-reperfusion rat model. WEAA also significantly inhibited increased neutrophil infiltration of ischemic brain tissue as estimated by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and immunohistochemical analysis. MPO-positive cells were markedly reduced by WEAA administration in striatal and cortical areas. These findings suggest that WEAA plays a crucial protective role in ischemia-induced brain injury, and suggest that WEAA could serve as a lead medicinal herb for the development of neuroprotective agents following transient focal ischemic brain injury.  (+info)

Timosaponin A-III induces autophagy preceding mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in HeLa cancer cells. (8/13)

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