Bazhen decoction protects against acetaminophen induced acute liver injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in mice.

Bazhen decoction is a widely used traditional Chinese medicinal decoction, but the scientific validation of its therapeutic potential is lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate corresponding anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis activities of Bazhen decoction, using acetaminophen-treated mice as a model system. A total of 48 mice were divided into four groups. Group I, negative control, treated with vehicle only. Group II, fed with 500 mg/kg/day Bazhen decoction for 10 continuous days. Group III, received a single dose of 900 mg/kg acetaminophen. Group IV, fed with 500 mg/kg/day Bazhen decoction for 10 continuous days and a single dose of 900 mg/kg acetaminophen 30 min before last Bazhen decoction administration. Bazhen decoction administration significantly decrease acetaminophen-induced serum ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, TNF-α, IL-1β, ROS, TBARS and protein carbonyl group levels, as well as GSH depletion and loss of MMP. Bazhen decoction restore SOD, CAT, GR and GPx activities and depress the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, such as iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-1β and IL-6, respectively. Moreover, Bazhen decoction down-regulate acetaminophen-induced Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9. These results suggest the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis properties of Bazhen decoction towards acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice

Inhibition Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets on Electrical Degradation in Silicone Rubber

Silicone rubber (SIR) is widely used as an insulation material in high voltage cable accessories. Electrical tree is a typical electrical degradation and is easily initiated because of the distorted electric field. In this study, graphene nanoplatelets at contents of 0.001–0.010 wt % (0.00044–0.00436 vol %) were added into SIR to improve the electrical tree inhibiting ability. Scanning electron microscopy, conductivity and surface potential decay tests were conducted to analyze the characteristics of graphene/SIR nanocomposites. The typical electrical treeing experiment was employed to observe the electrical tree inhibition of graphene in SIR. The results show that graphene nanoplatelets were well dispersed in SIR. The conductivity was higher after the addition of graphene nanoplatelets, and the trap distribution was affected by graphene nanoplatelets. The tree was changed from a bush-branch structure to a bush structure after the addition of graphene. Tree inception voltage improved and reached the highest mean value at 0.003 wt %. The tree length was inhibited at 0.001 to 0.007 wt % and the lowest tree length occurred at 0.005 wt %

Effects of Bazhen decoction on acetaminophen-induced immunohistochemical stain of iNOS and COX-2 expression in liver tissue.

<p>Typical images were shown for iNOS expression in (<b>A</b>) control, (<b>B</b>) Bazhen, (<b>C</b>) acetaminophen and (<b>D</b>) acetaminophen + Bazhen group, and COX-2 expression in (<b>E</b>) control, (<b>F</b>) Bazhen, (<b>G</b>) acetaminophen and (<b>H</b>) acetaminophen + Bazhen group. Original magnification 200×.</p

Effects of Bazhen decoction on apoptotic features in mice intoxicated with acetaminophen.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Western blotting of Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome c (cytosolic fraction), cleaved caspase 8, 9 and 3 expressions. Data were normalized to β-actin used as control, (<b>B</b>) mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. GAPDH was used as internal control and (<b>C</b>) Fluorimetric quantified the green to red fluorescence ratio of JC-1. The value of control group was set as 100%.</p

Effects of Bazhen decoction on serum biochemical parameters in mice intoxicated with acetaminophen.

<p>Values are expressed as means ± SD of 12 animals in each group. Significance difference were ***<i>p</i><0.001 as compared with the control; ^###<i>p</i><0.001 as compared with acetaminophen group.</p><p>Effects of Bazhen decoction on serum biochemical parameters in mice intoxicated with acetaminophen.</p

The compositions of Bazhen decoction.

<p>The compositions of Bazhen decoction.</p