The use of a noninvasive and nondestructive method, microcomputed tomography, to evaluate the anti-osteoporotic activity of erxian decoction, a Chinese medicinal formula, in a rat model of menopausal osteoporosis

Aim of the study: The anti-osteoporotic activity of Erxian Decoction, a Chinese medicinal formula, in a rat model of menopausal osteoporosis was evaluated by microcomputed tomography (microCT). Materials and methods: Menopause causes a decline in both endocrine function and bone mineral density in human. In this study, 20-month-old female Sprague-Dawley-rats (SD-rats) with a low serum estradiol level and bone mineral density were employed. The anti-osteoporotic activity of EXD was assessed by the determination of trabecular material bone mineral density at the L2 mid-vertebral body after treatment. Serum estrogen levels were also determined to assess the effect of EXD on the endocrine status. Results: Results revealed a significant elevation in serum estradiol level and trabecular bone mineral density at the L2 mid-vertebral body in the EXD-treated menopausal rat model. Conclusions: The results obtained from the present investigation revealed that the EXD had anti-osteoporotic activity as evidenced by an increase of serum estradiol level and bone mineral density. ©2009 IEEE.published_or_final_versionProceedings of the 2009 2nd International Conference On Biomedical Engineering And Informatics (BMEI 2009), Tianjin, China, 17-19 October 2009, v. 1 p. 47-49, article number 530482

Tian Xian Liquid (TXL) induces apoptosis in HT-29 colon cancer cell in vitro and inhibits tumor growth in vivo

2010-2011 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Micro-computed tomography for the evaluation of the anti-osteoporotic activity of Erxian Decoction in Menopausal Rat Model

Department of Health Technology and InformaticsRefereed conference pape

Photodynamic action of LED-activated nanoscale photosensitizer in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Background: Photodynamic therapy has been confirmed to an efficient therapeutic modality of malignant tumors. The aim of the present study was to explore the photodynamic action of LED-activated nanoscale photosensitizer- loading hypocrellin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Material/Methods: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2 cells were subjected to photodynamic therapy with hypocrellinloaded nanophotosensitizer. The uptake of the nanophotosensitizer in the CNE-2 cells was measured using a spectrophotometer and photodynamic toxicity was investigated 18 h after LED radiation treatment. Apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry with propidum iodine staining, and nuclear staining with Hoechst 33258. Active caspase-3 in the CNE2 cells was evaluated using flow cytometry with phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-active caspase-3 antibodies. Results: The cellular uptake of the nanophotosensitizer in the CNE-2 cells reached optimal at 6 h. LED-activated nanophotosensitizer resulted in doseand light-dependent phototoxicity. Apoptotic rate 18 h after PDT increased to 34.32 ± 1.94% under the light energy of 1 J/cm2. Hoechest 33258 staining reinforced the findings above. Condensation of chromatin and nuclear fragmentations was found in many PDT-treated cells. The activated caspase-3 in the CNE2 cells significantly increased up to 43.90% when the CNE2 cells were exposed to the nanophotosensitizer for 6 h and then 1 J/cm2 irradiation. Conclusion: LED-activated nanophotosensitizer significantly killed the CNE2 cells and enhanced apoptosis and activated caspase-3 in the CNE2 cells. The hypocrellin-loaded nanophotosensitizer might be efficient photosensitizer and LED-activated nanophotosensitizer can be developed for treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Regulation of p21, MMP-1 and MDR-1 expression in Human colon carcinoma HT29 by Tian Xian Liquid, a Chinese Medicine Formula, in vitro and in vivo

The 16th Hong Kong International Cancer Congress and 6th Annual Meeting Centre for Cancer Research, Hong Kong, 4-6 November 2009

Regulation of p21, MMP-1 and MDR-1 expression in human colon carcinoma HT29 by Tian Xian Liquid, a Chinese Medicine formula, in vitro and in vivo

Section 5-11: Anticancer Drug Discovery (Part II

Pharmacological effects of Erxian Decoction, a Chinese medicinal formula, in relieving menopausal syndrome

BACKGROUND: Ovarian aging is an inevitable event since the birth of women. Ovarian aging, together with the senescence of the reproductive axis, will eventually lead women to a transit into menopause, which is defined "after 12 months of amenorrhea following the final menstrual period", according to the STRAW staging system (1). The decrease in ovarian estrogen production is though to related to various menopausal symptoms including hot flash (2), osteoporosis (3), increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (4). Although menopausal syndrome can be relieved by conventional hormone replacement therapy, concerns about the cancer incidence (5) herald a safer yet effective alternative therapy. Erxian Decoction (EXD) has been used for relieving menopausal symptoms for more than fifty years. It is composed of six herbs namely Curculigo orchioides (Hypoxidaceae, rhizome), Epimedium brevicornum (Berberidaceae, whole herb), Morinda officinalis How (Rubiaceae, root), Angelica sinensis (Umbelliferae, root), Phellodendron chinense (Rutaceae bark) and Anemarrhena asphodeloides (Anthericaceae, rhizome). To elucidate the science behind its medical efficacy, intensive effort has been spent by our research group. In this abstract, various pharmacological effects of EXD displayed in vivo or in vitro are discussed. Stimulatory effect of EXD on ovarian estrogen biosynthesis It is found that EXD can increase circulating estrogen level through activation of ovarian aromatase, and thus stimulating ovarian estrogen biosynthesis. Currently, the molecular mechanism of EXD is also being studied on rat ovarian granulosa cell. It is also demonstrated that EXD could also stimulate secretion of estradiol from rat ovarian granulosa cell culture. In twelve-month old female SD-rat fed with EXD, the mRNA level of ovarian aromatase (CYP19) increased significantly, while the serum estradiol level were also significantly elevated, suggesting the stimulatory effect of EXD on, at least, ovarian estrogen biosynthesis (6). Effect of EXD on serum lipid profile In another experiment, the effect of EXD on serum lipid profile has been evaluated. It was demonstrated that EXD could significantly decrease the serum total cholesterol level and serum LDL-cholesterol level. Immunoblotting study revealed that the beneficial effect of EXD on serum lipid profile is at least through up-regulation of hepatic LDL-receptor, a protein responsible for clearance of LDL-cholesterol, and down-regulation of HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme for cholesterol synthesis (7) Anti-osteoporotic effect of EXD It is known that the incidence of osteoporosis increased after menopause where circulating estrogen level declines. In our recent study, the anti-osteoporotic effect of EXD has been studied in vitro. It was found that EXD could significantly inhibit the proliferation of RAW264.7, the precursor of osteoclast. On the other hand, EXD could also significantly stimulate the proliferation of hFOB1.19, the human fetal osteoblast cell line. Our results revealed that EXD could increase bone formation and reduce bone resorption through regulating the respective cell proliferation. Results from TRAP staining of RAW264.7 also revealed that EXD could inhibit osteoclastogenesis through inhibition of RAW264.7 differentiation. EXD could also increase the trabecular material bone mineral density at the L2 mid-vertebral body in 12-month old female SD-rat, as revealed by microcomputed tomography, suggesting its anti-osteoporotic property in vivo (8). Anti-oxidative effect of EXD EXD also possess anti-oxidative properties, as revealed by the mRNA level of hepatic anti-oxidative enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx-1 (6). Since aging is thought to relate with oxidative stress, the stimulatory effect of EXD on anti-oxidative enzymes suggests the general anti-aging properties of EXD and merits further study. CONCLUSION: The research of diverse pharmacological effects of EXD in vivo and in vitro has been discussed. With the stimulatory effect of EXD on ovarian estrogen biosynthesis, beneficial effects of EXD on serum lipid profile, anti-osteoporotic properties together with the anti-oxidative effects, it is promising that EXD could be an effective alternative for relieving menopausal syndromes.The 13th World Congress on Menopause (IMS Roma 2011), Rome, Italy, 8-11 June 2011