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Four new benzofuran-type stilbene glycosides and 14 known compounds including 8 benzofuran-type stilbenes and 6 flavonoids were isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine, Cortex Mori Radicis. The new compounds were identified as (9R)-moracin P 3'-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (1), (9R)-moracin P 9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (9R)-moracin P 3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), and (9R)-moracin O 10-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) based on the spectroscopic interpretation and chemical analysis. Three benzofuran-type stilbenes, moracin O (5), R (7), and P (8) showed significant neuroprotective activity against glutamate-induced cell death in SK-N-SH cells. In addition, moracin O (5) and P (8) also demonstrated a remarkable inhibition of the acetic acid-induced pain. The molecular docking with metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) results indicated that these neuroprotective benzofuran-type stilbenes might be the active analgesic components of the genus Morus, and acted by mediating the mGluR1 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer is the second most common female carcinoma. Current therapies are often unsatisfactory, especially for advanced stage patients. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of tatariside G (TG) on apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cells and the possible mechanism of action involved. An MTT assay was employed to evaluate cell viability. Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry (FCM) assays were used to detect cell apoptosis. The protein expression of phosphorylated JNK, P38, ERK and Akt and cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 was evaluated by western blot analysis. Additionally, the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was measured by fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (FQ-RT-PCR). TG notably inhibited cell viability, enhanced the percentage of apoptotic cells, facilitated the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK proteins and caspase-3 and caspase-9 cracking, downregulated the phosphorylation level of Akt, and increased the loss of MMP and the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9. TG-induced apoptosis is associated with activation of the mitochondrial death pathway. TG may be an effective candidate for chemotherapy against cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To quantify the effect of motor-developmental Tuina therapy on 61 children with cerebral palsy. Methods: All the children received the motor-developmental Tuina therapy for 20 min each time, 3 to 6 times per week. The gross motor functions of the children were evaluated by GMFM 66. The baseline period evaluations in 15 children and follow-up period evaluations in 26 children were performed. Results: GMFM 66 score significantly increased at the end of treatment period ( P<0.001). The GMFM 66 score changes per month in treatment period was significantly greater than those of both baseline period and follow-up period ( P<0.001). Conclusion: The effect of motor-developmental Tuina therapy was notable on children with cerebral palsy. Continuous progress of the gross motor functions in these children may be obtained by continuous therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]