Saururaceae
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
Sarcina
Oils, Volatile
Effects of Houttuynia cordata thumb on expression of BMP-7 and TGF-beta1 in the renal tissues of diabetic rats. (1/7)
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Houttuynia Cordata Thumb (HCT Yu Xing Cao) on expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in the renal tissues of diabetic rats. METHODS: The diabetic rats induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin(STZ) were randomly divided into a model group, a HCT group and a lotensin group, with normal rats designated as the controls. 8 weeks later, the ratio of kidney weight to body weight, the glomerular area, the excretion of beta2-microglobin (beta2-MG) in 24-hr urine, the albumin excretion in 24-hr urine, and creatinine clearance rate (CCR) were investigated. The expression of TGF- beta1, BMP-7 and collagen I in the renal tissues was observed with the immunohistochemical method and by the semi-quantitative assay. RESULTS: The overgrowth of glomerulus, the excretion of beta2-MG in 24-hr urine, the albumin excretion rate in 24-hr urine and CCR in the HCT group significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the expression of TGF-beta1 and collagen I significantly decreased (P<0.05), but BMP-7 significantly increased (P<0.05) in the HCT group as compared with those in the model group, with no significant difference as compared with the lotensin group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: HCT has a protective effect on the renal tissues in diabetic rats, which is probably correlated with the decrease of the expression of TGF-beta1 and collagen I and with the increase of the expression of BMP-7 in the renal tissues. (+info)Biological and antibacterial activities of the natural herb Houttuynia cordata water extract against the intracellular bacterial pathogen salmonella within the RAW 264.7 macrophage. (2/7)
Salmonellosis is a major bacterial zoonosis that causes a variety of disease syndromes, from self-limiting enteritis to fatal infection in animals and food-borne infection and typhoid fever in humans. Recently, the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Salmonella sp. has caused more serious problems in public health. The present study investigated the antibacterial effects of Houttuynia cordata water extract (HCWE) against murine salmonellosis. In RAW 264.7 cells, there was no detectable cytotoxic effect of HCWE at any concentration between 25 and 100 microg/ml after 8-h incubation. The antibacterial activity of HCWE was then examined in a Salmonella enterica serovar (Salmonella typhimurium), and was found to increase in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations from 25 to 100 microg/ml during 8-h incubation. HCWE also affected RAW 264.7 cells including morphologic change and bacterial uptake, but there was no significant difference in bacterial replication in RAW 264.7 cells. With HCWE alone, nitric oxide (NO) production by RAW 264.7 cells did not increase, but when RAW 264.7 cells were infected by S. typhimurium, with or without HCWE, NO production with HCWE was 2-fold higher than that without HCWE. Treatment with HCWE did not affect inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression by RAW 264.7 cells, but when RAW 264.7 cells with HCWE were infected by S. typhimurium, iNOS mRNA expression was increased during 8-h incubation. Furthermore, HCWE showed virulence reduction effects in S. typhimurium-infected BALB/c mice. After a lethal dose of S. typhimurium, the mortality rate in the HCWE untreated group was 100% at 7 d, but the HCWE 25, 50, and 100 microg/ml groups survived until 11, 17, and 23 d, respectively. These data suggest that HCWE is stable and beneficial in the treatment of bacterial infection including intracellularly replicating pathogens and may solve antimicrobial misuse and overuse. (+info)The constituents and their bioactivities of Houttuynia cordata. (3/7)
Chemical investigation on the whole plant of Houttuynia cordata has resulted in the isolation of two new compounds, named as houttuynoside A (1) and houttuynamide A (2), together with thirty-eight known compounds. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. In the inhibitory effects on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) assay, norcepharadione B (10) showed good inhibitory activity against the replication of HSV-1. In addition, the antioxidant and antityrosinase activities of some isolated compounds were also evaluated. Among these compounds, quercitrin (25) and quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (26) showed excellent 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging property with IC50 values of 31 and 63 microM, respectively. Cepharadione B (9) exhibited strong tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 170 microM. (+info)Cytomixis and meiotic abnormalities during microsporogenesis are responsible for male sterility and chromosome variations in Houttuynia cordata. (4/7)
(+info)Effect of houttuynia cordata aetherolea on adiponectin and connective tissue growth factor in a rat model of diabetes mellitus. (5/7)
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Houttuynia cordata Aetherolea on connective tissue growth factor and adiponectin in a rat model of diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: DM was induced in rats using streptozotocin (STZ) and high glucose-lipid animal feed. Animals were then treated with Houttuynia cordata Aetherolea for 8 weeks. Changes in connective tissue growth factor and adiponectin levels in rats were observed. RESULTS: Connective tissue growth factor and adiponectin levels in rats with DM improved after Houttuynia cordata Aetherolea treatment. CONCLUSION: Houttuynia cordata Aetherolea had a positive effect on rats with DM by reducing levels of connective tissue growth factor and increasing adiponectin levels. (+info)Houttuynia cordata Thunb fraction induces human leukemic Molt-4 cell apoptosis through the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. (6/7)
Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HCT) is a native herb found in Southeast Asia which features various pharmacological activities against allergy, inflammation, viral and bacterial infection, and cancer. The aims of this study were to determine the cytotoxic effect of 6 fractions obtained from silica gel column chromatography of alcoholic HCT extract on human leukemic Molt-4 cells and demonstrate mechanisms of cell death. Six HCT fractions were cytotoxic to human lymphoblastic leukemic Molt-4 cells in a dose-dependent manner by MTT assay, fraction 4 exerting the greatest effects. Treatment with IC50 of HCT fraction 4 significantly induced Molt-4 apoptosis detected by annexinV-FITC/propidium iodide for externalization of phosphatidylserine to the outer layer of cell membrane. The mitochondrial transmembrane potential was reduced in HCT fraction 4-treated Molt-4 cells. Moreover, decreased expression of Bcl-xl and increased levels of Smac/Diablo, Bax and GRP78 proteins were noted on immunoblotting. In conclusion, HCT fraction 4 induces Molt-4 apoptosis cell through an endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. (+info)Houttuynia cordata Thunb inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through inhibition of the NFkappaB signaling pathway in HMC-1 human mast cells. (7/7)
(+info)"Houttuynia" is a plant genus, and it does not have a medical definition. The plant Houttuynia cordata, also known as fish mint or chameleon plant, has been used in traditional medicine in some cultures. It is important to note that while some plants do have medicinal uses, they should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider due to potential side effects and interactions with other medications."
Saururaceae is a family of flowering plants, also known as the lizard's tail family. It consists of 4-6 genera and around 12 species of herbaceous perennial plants that are primarily found in temperate and tropical regions of the Americas and eastern Asia. The plants in this family typically have large, heart-shaped leaves and produce small, greenish-white flowers in spikes or clusters. Some members of Saururaceae contain compounds with potential medicinal properties, such as the anti-inflammatory and analgesic compound saururine found in the genus Saururus. However, it is important to note that the use of these plants for medicinal purposes should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional, as they can also have potentially toxic effects if used improperly.
Chinese herbal drugs, also known as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), refer to a system of medicine that has been practiced in China for thousands of years. It is based on the belief that the body's vital energy, called Qi, must be balanced and flowing freely for good health. TCM uses various techniques such as herbal therapy, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and exercise to restore balance and promote healing.
Chinese herbal drugs are usually prescribed in the form of teas, powders, pills, or tinctures and may contain one or a combination of herbs. The herbs used in Chinese medicine are typically derived from plants, minerals, or animal products. Some commonly used Chinese herbs include ginseng, astragalus, licorice root, and cinnamon bark.
It is important to note that the use of Chinese herbal drugs should be under the guidance of a qualified practitioner, as some herbs can interact with prescription medications or have side effects. Additionally, the quality and safety of Chinese herbal products can vary widely depending on the source and manufacturing process.
"Sarcina" is not a term that has a specific medical definition in current use. However, in older medical literature or in the context of microbiology, "Sarcina" refers to a genus of Gram-positive, coccoid bacteria that are arranged in tetrads or packets of 4, 8, or 16 cells. These bacteria were once thought to be responsible for a variety of infections, but they are now considered to be rare causes of disease and are not typically tested for in clinical settings.
In modern medical terminology, the term "sarcina" is more commonly used outside of medicine, particularly in the context of physical fitness or exercise, where it refers to a unit of weightlifting or strength training that involves lifting a weight equal to one's own bodyweight.
Volatile oils, also known as essential oils, are a type of organic compound that are naturally produced in plants. They are called "volatile" because they evaporate quickly at room temperature due to their high vapor pressure. These oils are composed of complex mixtures of various compounds, including terpenes, terpenoids, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and alcohols. They are responsible for the characteristic aroma and flavor of many plants and are often used in perfumes, flavors, and aromatherapy. In a medical context, volatile oils may have therapeutic properties and be used in certain medications or treatments, but it's important to note that they can also cause adverse reactions if not used properly.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is a powerful analytical technique that combines the separating power of gas chromatography with the identification capabilities of mass spectrometry. This method is used to separate, identify, and quantify different components in complex mixtures.
In GC-MS, the mixture is first vaporized and carried through a long, narrow column by an inert gas (carrier gas). The various components in the mixture interact differently with the stationary phase inside the column, leading to their separation based on their partition coefficients between the mobile and stationary phases. As each component elutes from the column, it is then introduced into the mass spectrometer for analysis.
The mass spectrometer ionizes the sample, breaks it down into smaller fragments, and measures the mass-to-charge ratio of these fragments. This information is used to generate a mass spectrum, which serves as a unique "fingerprint" for each compound. By comparing the generated mass spectra with reference libraries or known standards, analysts can identify and quantify the components present in the original mixture.
GC-MS has wide applications in various fields such as forensics, environmental analysis, drug testing, and research laboratories due to its high sensitivity, specificity, and ability to analyze volatile and semi-volatile compounds.
Houttuynia