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Background: Kamebakaurin (KA) is an ent-kaurane diterpenoid known to have anti-inflammatory potential. In the current study, we investigated whether pretreatment with KA could ameliorate acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting the anti-inflammatory response in mice., Methods: Seven-week-old C57BL/6J mice were orally administered KA or olive oil emulsion for seven days. Twenty-four hours after the last KA or olive oil administration, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 400mg/kg APAP or saline under feed deprived condition. The mice from each group were euthanized and bled for plasma analysis 24h after the injection., Result: APAP increased plasma levels of hepatic injury markers (i.e., alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), lipid peroxidation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pretreatment with KA reduced the magnitude of APAP-induced increases in plasma levels of hepatic injury markers, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory response. In addition, KA exhibited antioxidant capacity in a dose-dependent manner, with slight reactive oxygen species scavenging activity., Conclusion: Our results indicate that KA has the ability to protect the liver from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, presumably by both inhibiting the inflammatory response and oxidative stress., (Copyright © 2017 Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.)

Five new triterpenoid saponins ( 1 - 5 ) and four known triterpenoid saponins, ginsenoside Re 5 ( 6 ), majonoside R 1 ( 7 ), 24( R )-majonoside R 1 ( 8 ), and ginsenoside Rf ( 9 ), were isolated from the rhizomes of Panacis majoris . The structures of new compounds were elucidated as (20 S ,24 S ,25 R *)-6-O-[ β -D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)- β -D-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-20,24-epoxy-3 β ,6 α ,12 β ,25,26-pentaol ( 1 ), (20 S ,24 R ,25 R )-6-O-[ β -D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)- β -D-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-20,24-epoxy-3 β ,6 α ,12 β ,25,26-pentaol ( 2 ), (20 S )-6-O-[ β -D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)- β -D-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-20,25-epoxy-3 β ,6 α ,12 β ,24 α -tetraol ( 3 ), 6-O-[ β -D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)- β -D-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-3 β ,6 α ,12 β ,20 S ,24 R ,25-hexaol ( 4 ), and 6-O-[ β -D-glucop-yranosyl-(1 → 2)- β -D-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-25(26)-ene-3 β ,6 α ,12 β ,20 S ,24 R -pentaol ( 5 ) on the basis of extensive spectral analysis and chemical methods. Ginsenoside Re 5 was isolated from the plant for the first time. The similarities of the nine compounds lie in the fact that their aglycones are conjoined with the same glucopyranose moieties, the same linkage of the glycosyl chains, and the same glycosylation sites, while they have a varied C-17 side chain. Compounds 3 and 5 exhibited moderate antiplatelet aggregation activities induced by adenosine diphosphate with IC 50 values of 23.24 and 18.43 µM, respectively. Compound 5 displayed moderate inhibition of arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation with an IC 50 value of 30.11 µM., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Three new highly oxidative cembranoids, sarcophytrols D-F (1-3), were obtained from the South China Sea soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum, along with two known related ones (4 and 5). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with literature data. The discovery of these new secondary metabolites enriched the family of cembranoids deduced from the title animal.

A bio-inspired strategy was used to complete the formal synthesis of the antitubercular hirsutellone B and congeners A and C, through construction of its decahydrofluorene core from a linear polyene strand activated at both ends by a silyl enol ether and an allyl acetate. Our synthesis features a key electrophilic cyclization, starting with the remote activation (by [Yb(OTf)3] or BF3·OEt2) of the allyl acetate and stereoselectively affording the C ring. This was followed by an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction to get the tricyclic core of the natural product. The stereoselective reduction of the resulting ketone towards the formal intermediate was critical to the success of this strategy., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Kaempferide-7-O-(4''-O-acetylrhamnosyl)-3-O-rutinoside (A-F-B) is a novel flavonoid which is extracted from the leaves of Actinidia kolomikta. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic effects of A-F-B in hyperlipidemic rats induced by a high-fat diet. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal diet group, high-fat diet group, lovastatin (2.5 mg/kg) group and A-F-B (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg) groups. To evaluate the lipid-lowering effects of A-F-B, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), atherogenic index (AI) and coronary risk index (CRI) were investigated. The activities of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) and hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in hepatic tissue were evaluated. Treatment with A-F-B to hyperlipidemic rats resulted in a significant decline in TC, TG, LDL-C, AI and CRI, with an increase in HDL-C level. The results also showed that A-F-B significantly decreased the activities of PAP and HMG-CoA reductase in hepatic tissue. These findings suggest that A-F-B improves lipid profiles. The mechanisms of A-F-B were associated with regulating the activities of PAP and HMG-CoA reductase in hepatic tissue.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of Brent I methods for total auricular reconstruction when expanded flap ulceration happened., Methods: The expanded flaps in the retroauricular region ulcerated during total auricular reconstruction in 8 patients with microtia. Then the expanders were removed and autologous rib cartilage frameworks were implanted. Brent I techniques for the total auricular reconstruction were employed., Results: All the wounds in 8 patients with microtia healed primarily. The expanded flaps survived completely. The reconstructed ears had good shape and appearance with little hair. The size, shape and position of reconstructed ears were coordinated with the face., Conclusions: Brent I technique is an alternative method for total auricular reconstruction when the expanded flap ulceration occurs during total ear reconstruction.

Objective: To evaluate the role of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and urine basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the differential diagnosis of vascular anomalies by receiver operating characteristic curve., Methods: Using the method of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 364 cases of various vascular anomalies (proliferating hemangiomas, n = 146; hemangiomas, n = 106; vascular malformations, n = 112) and 440 cases of various vascular anomalies (proliferating hemangiomas, n = 154; involuting hemangiomas, n = 148; vascular malformations, n = 138) subjects were examined for the serum levels of VEGF and the urine bFGF respectively. Nonparametric statistical tests were used for data analysis. The VEGF levels of proliferating hemangioma, involuting hemangioma, vascular malformation and control groups were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test. When there was significance (P < 0.05), a subgroup analysis was performed by the Mann-Whitney U test. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed for both the serum levels of VEGF and urine bFGF to determine the optimal diagnostic cut-off to differentiate proliferating hemangioma from involuting hemangioma, vascular malformation and controls., Results: The serum level of VEGF and the urine bFGF in proliferating hemangiomas were significantly higher than those in involuting hemangiomas, vascular malformations and negative controls (P < 0.01). And the differences among the latter three groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The optimal diagnostic cut-off point of serum VEGF and urine bFGF to differentiate proliferating hemangioma from involuting hemangioma, vascular malformation and controls was 99.6 pg/mg and 0.16 ng/mmol respectively. The area under ROC curve, the sensitivity and specificity were 99.7%, 99.3%, 99.7% and 91.9%, 98.7%, 71.1% respectively. The differences of the area under ROC curve of serum VEGF and urine bFGF showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Serum VEGF and urine bFGF are helpful for differentiating proliferating hemangioma from involuting hemangioma, vascular malformation and controls. Both parameters have higher values of clinical application.

A series of rabdokunmin C analogues were prepared and their inhibitory effect on NF-κB activation was assayed. One of them, 18-acetyl-12-deoxy-11,12-dehydrorabdokunmin C (16) was found to be a promising candidate for an anti-inflammatory agent., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of sonographically guided percutaneous intralesional sclerotherapy for peripheral venous malformations., Methods: From March 2004 to October 2007, 32 patients with venous malformations of soft tissues were treated with sonographically guided intralesional sclerotherapy. The malformed venous space was identified intraoperatively by duplex scanning, the gauge 7 needle was inserted into this venous space under real-time ultrasound visualization, and sclerosants were infused in the space gently. Absolute alcohol and bleomycin acted as sclerosants here, combined the two (for type I malformation) or bleomycin only (for type II malformation). The treatment could be repeated if the lesion was not cured in 3 weeks. All patients were followed up for 6 months to 2 years., Results: Of the group, each patient received 1 - 6 times of the therapy (mean, 3 times). Twenty-seven patients achieved a complete response, and 5 achieved partial response. No major complications occurred., Conclusions: Sonographically guided percutaneous intralesional sclerotherapy for peripheral venous malformation is a simple, effective, safe therapy with minimal invasion, lower morbidity rate, and can be repeated.

Objective: To determine actinoside C in the leaves of Actinidia kolomikta with different growth periods., Method: The separation was performed at 25 degrees C on ZORBAX Extend C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), using amixture of methanol and water (51:49) as a mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.2 mL x min(-1), and the wavelength for measurement was 267 nm., Result: The results showed that the contents of actinoside C in the leaves of A. kolomikta were variety in different growth periods. Actinoside C could reach its highest content in the middle ten days of June, then the content would decrease in the middle ten days of July slightly, it could reach their lowest content in the middle ten days of August., Conclusion: The optimal collective date for A. kolomikta are in the middle ten days of June.

Objective: To study the clinic application of compound flap pedicled with arterial arch of palpebral margin in repairing severe full defect of eyelid., Methods: According to eyelid structure and the defect size, the two compound flaps were designed beside the defect based on the arterial arch of the palpebral margin. If the defective area was too large, the lateral compound flap may be extended to lower or upper eyelid 0.5 cm away from the outer canthus, then cut and propelled the two compound flaps to repair the full eyelid defect., Results: 20 cases had been cured with this method since 1998. In this cases, 4 cases were basal cell carcinoma of eyelid, 2 cases were squamous carcinoma, 3 angiomas, 6 chromatophore nexuses, 3 traumatic defects, 2 congenital defects. The largest length of eyelid full defect was 1.7 cm and the smallest was 0.8 cm. 6 cases were upper eyelid defect and 14 cases were lower eyelid defect. All the compound flaps survived completely without any complications. All cases obtained satisfactory results functionally and esthetically., Conclusions: Repairing full eyelid defect with the compound eyelid flap is the same kind tissue repairing. It can not only provide enough tissues to primary repair large full defect of the upper or lower eyelid to restore normal anatomical structure and appearance of the eyelid, but also is easy to be operated without severe secondary deformities. The arterial arch of the palpebral margin is constant and the blood supply of the compound flap is reliable. It is an ideal method of repairing the eyelid defect.

Objective: To determine 20(S)-ginsengnoside Rh2 in the hydrolysis product of saponins from leaves of Panax qinquefolium., Method: The separation was performed on ZORBAX EXEND C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), eluted with methanol and water (85:15) as mobile phase with the rate of 1.2 mL x min(-1) at 25 degrees C, the wavelength for measurement was 203 nm., Result: The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.5-25 microg for 20(S)-ginsengnoside Rh2(r = 0.9999, n = 7). The average recovery was 99.7% (RSD= 1.0%)., Conclusion: This method is simple, accurate, reliable and reproducible. The result shows that the transform ratio of 20(S)-ginsengnoside Rh2 is high by this hydrolysis method.

Objective: To evaluate a pudendal-thigh island flap for vaginal reconstruction., Methods: Forty-seven patients with congenital absence of vagina were undergoing the treatment. Based on the pedicle including the posterior labial neurovascular bundle, a pudendal-thigh island flap was designed and raised in the groin crease just lateral to the labia majora under the deep fascia. It was then transferred to the tunnel between the urethra and the anus for reconstruction of the vagina., Results: From May of 1993 to July of 2001, 47 patients were successfully treated for the vaginal reconstruction with the flap. The results were satisfactory without complications., Conclusion: The above mentioned technique could be a safe and effect method for vaginal reconstruction with the advantages of reliable blood supply, good sensation and few complications. The areaes with the bilateral pudendal-thigh could be large enongh for the vaginal reconstruction without problem of the donor closure.