The purpose of this study is to explore the expression of growth-associated protein（GAP-43） in spinal cord segments connected with injured sciatic nerve by the treatment with brazilein in mice. Unilateral sciatic ne...The purpose of this study is to explore the expression of growth-associated protein（GAP-43） in spinal cord segments connected with injured sciatic nerve by the treatment with brazilein in mice. Unilateral sciatic nerve interruption and anastomosis were performed. Physiological saline（blank group）, high dose, middle dose and low dose of brazilein were administrated intragastrically to healthy adult BALB/c mice in separate groups. L4―6 spinal segments connected with the sciatic nerve were harvested. Real-time PCR（Polymerase chain reaction） and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression of GAP-43 in spinal segments. Histological staining on myelin and the electrophysiology were performed to examine the sciatic nerve recovery. GAP-43 was activated in spinal cord L4―6 connected with injured sciatic nerve. In the survival time of 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d and 14 d, GAP-43 expression in the motor neurons of spinal cord of the high dose group and that in the middle dose group were significantly higher than those on the low dose and blank groups. Myelin in the high dose group and that in the middle dose group were more mature and the potential amplitude and MNCV（motor nerve conduction velocity） in the high and middle dose groups were obviously higher than those in the low dose group and blank group. Brazilein facilitates the expression of GAP-43 in neurons in spinal cord L4―6 segments connected with injured sciatic nerve, which promotes nerve regeneration.展开更多
Brazilein is reported to have immunosuppressive effect on cardiovascular and cerebral-vascular diseases. The essential roles of innate immunity in cerebral ischemia are increasingly identified, but no studies concerni...Brazilein is reported to have immunosuppressive effect on cardiovascular and cerebral-vascular diseases. The essential roles of innate immunity in cerebral ischemia are increasingly identified, but no studies concerning the influence of brazilein on the innate immunity receptors have been reported. The present study was designed to investigate the regulation of NOD2 （Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2） by brazilein for its protection of neuron in cerebral ischemia in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro. The results showed that brazilein could reverse the elevated expression of NOD2 and TNFa （tumor necrosis factor alpha） elicited by cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. This reduction could also be detected in normal mice and C 17.2 cells, indicating that this suppressive effect of brazilein was correlated with NOD2. The results from GFP reporter plasmid assay suggested brazilein inhibited NOD2 gene transcription. In conclusion, brazilein could attenuate NOD2 and TNFα expression in cerebral ischemia and NOD2 may be one possible target of brazilein for its immune suppressive effect in neuro-inflammation.展开更多
Brazilein is an active small molecular compound extracted from Caesalpinia sappan L. with favorable pharmacological properties on immune system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. C. sappan has been used as a ...Brazilein is an active small molecular compound extracted from Caesalpinia sappan L. with favorable pharmacological properties on immune system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. C. sappan has been used as a traditional medicine in China for hundreds of years for various diseases. However, the general reproductive toxicity of brazilein is still unknown. The purpose of the present study was to thoroughly evaluate the general reproductive toxicity of brazilein in ICR mice to support the future drug development and modernization of this potent traditional Chinese medicine. The results showed that, although no apparent toxicity on the reproducibility of the male was observed, brazilein might cause considerable risks to the fetuses and females as indicated by the ratios of dead fetuses and reabsorptions. In conclusion, our results from the present study provided some useful insights about the safety profile of brazilein, suggesting that brazilein should be used with caution in pregnant women.展开更多
Brazilein has been shown to exert an immune regulation effect on regeneration in the central nervous system, but there is currently no consensus regarding its effect on sciatic nerve injury. In the current study, west...Brazilein has been shown to exert an immune regulation effect on regeneration in the central nervous system, but there is currently no consensus regarding its effect on sciatic nerve injury. In the current study, western blot and real-time PCR detection revealed that, after 16 and 8 g/kg of brazilein intervention, the amount of S100 protein and mRNA at L4-6 spinal segments of sciatic nerve injured mice was significantly greater than after 4 g/kg brazilein administration, and in an untreated model group. Luxol Fast Blue myelin staining revealed that neural regeneration after 16 and 8 g/kg of brazilein intervention was significantly better than after 4 g/kg brazilein administration, and in the model group. In addition, electrophysiological and immunohistochemical examinations further confirmed the effect of brazilein in repairing sciatic nerve injury in BALB/c mice. These results indicated that brazilein was able to activate the S100 in anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, promoting sciatic nerve regeneration and repair. Both moderate and high doses were found to exert significant effects.展开更多
Antioxidant activities of the 95% ethanol extract from Caesalpinia sappan heartwood （ECS）, protosappanin A, protosappanin B, and brazilein were studied in vitro. The inhibition of the formation of malondialdehyde （...Antioxidant activities of the 95% ethanol extract from Caesalpinia sappan heartwood （ECS）, protosappanin A, protosappanin B, and brazilein were studied in vitro. The inhibition of the formation of malondialdehyde （MDA） and the scavenging of superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals were assayed. The experimental results show that all four substances had antioxidant activity in vitro but their capabilities differed for the different indicators. ECS, protosappanin A, and protosappanin B show more inhibition of MDA and scavenging of hydrogen peroxide, while brazilein shows more scavenging of hydroxyl radicals. All the samples show little scavenging of superoxide anions.展开更多
基金Supported by the Fund of Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Jilin ProvinceChina(No.20080934)
文摘The purpose of this study is to explore the expression of growth-associated protein（GAP-43） in spinal cord segments connected with injured sciatic nerve by the treatment with brazilein in mice. Unilateral sciatic nerve interruption and anastomosis were performed. Physiological saline（blank group）, high dose, middle dose and low dose of brazilein were administrated intragastrically to healthy adult BALB/c mice in separate groups. L4―6 spinal segments connected with the sciatic nerve were harvested. Real-time PCR（Polymerase chain reaction） and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression of GAP-43 in spinal segments. Histological staining on myelin and the electrophysiology were performed to examine the sciatic nerve recovery. GAP-43 was activated in spinal cord L4―6 connected with injured sciatic nerve. In the survival time of 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d and 14 d, GAP-43 expression in the motor neurons of spinal cord of the high dose group and that in the middle dose group were significantly higher than those on the low dose and blank groups. Myelin in the high dose group and that in the middle dose group were more mature and the potential amplitude and MNCV（motor nerve conduction velocity） in the high and middle dose groups were obviously higher than those in the low dose group and blank group. Brazilein facilitates the expression of GAP-43 in neurons in spinal cord L4―6 segments connected with injured sciatic nerve, which promotes nerve regeneration.
基金supported by the National S&T Major Special Project for New Drug R&D Program of China(Nos.2012ZX09102-201-008,2012ZX09103-201-041,and 2011ZX09101-002-11)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.81374006 and 81073092)
文摘Brazilein is reported to have immunosuppressive effect on cardiovascular and cerebral-vascular diseases. The essential roles of innate immunity in cerebral ischemia are increasingly identified, but no studies concerning the influence of brazilein on the innate immunity receptors have been reported. The present study was designed to investigate the regulation of NOD2 （Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2） by brazilein for its protection of neuron in cerebral ischemia in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro. The results showed that brazilein could reverse the elevated expression of NOD2 and TNFa （tumor necrosis factor alpha） elicited by cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. This reduction could also be detected in normal mice and C 17.2 cells, indicating that this suppressive effect of brazilein was correlated with NOD2. The results from GFP reporter plasmid assay suggested brazilein inhibited NOD2 gene transcription. In conclusion, brazilein could attenuate NOD2 and TNFα expression in cerebral ischemia and NOD2 may be one possible target of brazilein for its immune suppressive effect in neuro-inflammation.
基金supported by the National Science&Technology Major Special Project for New Drug R&D Program of China(No.2012ZX09102-201-008)
文摘Brazilein is an active small molecular compound extracted from Caesalpinia sappan L. with favorable pharmacological properties on immune system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. C. sappan has been used as a traditional medicine in China for hundreds of years for various diseases. However, the general reproductive toxicity of brazilein is still unknown. The purpose of the present study was to thoroughly evaluate the general reproductive toxicity of brazilein in ICR mice to support the future drug development and modernization of this potent traditional Chinese medicine. The results showed that, although no apparent toxicity on the reproducibility of the male was observed, brazilein might cause considerable risks to the fetuses and females as indicated by the ratios of dead fetuses and reabsorptions. In conclusion, our results from the present study provided some useful insights about the safety profile of brazilein, suggesting that brazilein should be used with caution in pregnant women.
基金Doctoral Fund of Jilin University,No. 20030183014a grant from Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Jilin Province,No.20080934
文摘Brazilein has been shown to exert an immune regulation effect on regeneration in the central nervous system, but there is currently no consensus regarding its effect on sciatic nerve injury. In the current study, western blot and real-time PCR detection revealed that, after 16 and 8 g/kg of brazilein intervention, the amount of S100 protein and mRNA at L4-6 spinal segments of sciatic nerve injured mice was significantly greater than after 4 g/kg brazilein administration, and in an untreated model group. Luxol Fast Blue myelin staining revealed that neural regeneration after 16 and 8 g/kg of brazilein intervention was significantly better than after 4 g/kg brazilein administration, and in the model group. In addition, electrophysiological and immunohistochemical examinations further confirmed the effect of brazilein in repairing sciatic nerve injury in BALB/c mice. These results indicated that brazilein was able to activate the S100 in anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, promoting sciatic nerve regeneration and repair. Both moderate and high doses were found to exert significant effects.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 30572340)the Fund for Doctoral Station of the Ministry of Education, China (No. 20060003072)the Key Technologies Research and Development Program of the 11th Five-Year Plan of China (No. 2006BAI08B03-09)
文摘Antioxidant activities of the 95% ethanol extract from Caesalpinia sappan heartwood （ECS）, protosappanin A, protosappanin B, and brazilein were studied in vitro. The inhibition of the formation of malondialdehyde （MDA） and the scavenging of superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals were assayed. The experimental results show that all four substances had antioxidant activity in vitro but their capabilities differed for the different indicators. ECS, protosappanin A, and protosappanin B show more inhibition of MDA and scavenging of hydrogen peroxide, while brazilein shows more scavenging of hydroxyl radicals. All the samples show little scavenging of superoxide anions.
