Search

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bunge (also known as herb Danshen in Chinese) is a widely used Chinese herbal medicine. Tanshinone IIA (TSN IIA) is considered to be the most important bioactive ingredient in Danshen and exhibits an anti-atherosclerotic activity. Aim of study: To evaluate the protective effect of TSN IIA on the human endothelial EA.hy926 cells injured by hydrogen peroxide in vitro and its possible mechanism. Materials and methods: The EA.hy926 cells were incubated for 24h with different concentrations of TSN IIA (5, 10 and 20μg/μL ) or DMEM. Subsequently, cells were treated with 300μmol/L H2O2 for another 4h. Then, the percentage of cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4, 5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The apoptosis of EA.hy926 cells was detected by flow cytometry with AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining and laser scanning spectral confocal technique. The generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA expressions of caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were tested by real time-reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR). The protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was determined by Western blotting. MDA levels, NO production, LDH leakage, and SOD as well as caspase-3 activities were also measured using standard methods. Results: Loss of cell viability and excessive cell apoptosis were observed in EA.hy926 cells after 4h of challenge with H2O2 (300μmol/L). However, cell apoptosis was attenuated in different concentrations of TSN IIA (5, 10 and 20μg/μL) pretreated cells. Furthermore, TSN IIA markedly inhibited the elevation of ROS evoked by H2O2. Real time RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis showed that TSN IIA significantly decreased the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax and caspase-3) while significantly increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and resulted in obvious reduction of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in EA.hy926 cells induced by H2O2. Conclusion: These observations provide preliminary evidence that TSN IIA protects EA.hy926 cells against H2O2 damage, which is mainly associated with the ROS generation, followed by the imbalance of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and caspase-3 activation leading to apoptosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Interdigital ulcer is an exceptionally rare condition while erosio interdigitalis blastomycetica is common for candidiasis. Four Chinese patients with Candida interdigital ulcers were reported. The exudates were examined directly and cultured for fungi. Skin biopsies were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid Schiff. There were a man and three women (age range: 34-56 years) who presented with 1- to 3-month history of chronic cutaneous ulcer on the interdigital web of hand or foot. The lesions were located on hand for one woman, and on the left foot for the rest. The patients had poor response to the previous treatment of topical steroids and oral antimicrobials. Candida albicans was isolated from a man and two women, Candida tropicalis from another woman. Biopsy specimens revealed yeast and mycelium as well as inflammatory infiltrate in necrotic tissue in two patients; only inflammatory cells in the other two. The patients had complete remission with oral itraconazole and topical bifonazole cream therapy for 3- to 5-week. Candida species may cause interdigital ulcer on hand or foot. Oral itraconazole and topical bifonazole may be an optional therapy for such an ulcer., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)