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Traditionally, the participation patterns in the humanities and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs in higher education differ. This study aimed to tackle this issue using concurrent time series data sets in the expanding higher education system. Authors selected the higher education system in Taiwan as an example. The participation in the humanities and STEM programs, covering 71 periods from 1950-2020, were collected from the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. The authors applied CCF (cross-correlation function) and ARIMAX (multivariable autoregressive integrated moving average) models to select the fittest model to predict the future trend. The humanities was the input variable and STEM was the output variable in the model. The findings revealed that ARIMAX (1,2,1) works well for these target data sets. According to the findings, enrollment in STEM programs will decrease with the decline in humanities programs in the future. This finding may provide useful information for related policy makers.

The industrial infrastructure in Taiwan has shifted to a service-oriented market. With the implementation of the two-day-a-week holiday, the patterns of people’s consumption have become diversified, which promotes the development of the hotel industry. Therefore, how to improve customer loyalty with experiential marketing, brand image, and customer satisfaction, is an important issue in the hotel industry. The purpose of this study is to discuss the relationship among variables of experiential marketing, brand image, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty in the tourist hotel in Kaohsiung. The analysis included sub-distribution, percentage analysis, reliability and validity analysis, and linear regression. The findings have shown that each variable is highly positively correlated to each other, showing that customer loyalty can be improved through the interactive use of experiential marketing, brand image, and customer satisfaction.

While flipped learning has attempted to explain the benefits of technology applied to educational settings, this study aims to validate research questions and test the theory of the learning strate...

To determine the impact of cognitive style on change of concept of engagement in the flipped classroom, a sequential analysis from the perspective of Bloom’s Taxonomy was conducted to establish if ...

Various perspectives on higher education have been addressed to support the arguments of expansion issues, while studies on prediction to tackle the phenomenon are very limited. In this study, we focus on series data for tackling the problem of over-expansion in higher education and explore how the decrease in birth rate and potential enrollment might challenge the oversupply system. Based on time-series data from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of the Interior in Taiwan, we conducted a cross-correlation function and ARIMA models to detect trends in student cohorts and enrollment. The results reveal that enrollment in the higher education system will drop significantly in the next 10 years. Based on the trajectory, this study suggests remodeling the higher education system to adapt to the trend of potential enrollment. This study suggests that cutting current capacity is the most likely strategy for the Ministry of Education. Related policy makers and institutional leaders should consider both local boundaries and the global context when reinventing the higher education system.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia that can lead to long-term complications including heart diseases, stroke, retinopathy, and renal failure. Treatment strategies include stimulating glucose uptake and controlling blood glucose level. Bofutsushosan (BOF) and Daisaikoto (DAI) are two herb-based kampo medicines that have been demonstrated to improve metabolism-associated disorders including obesity, hyperlipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver. Given their bioactivities against metabolic syndromes, we explored in this study the effect of BOF and DAI extracts on glucose absorption and used them as source to identify phytochemical stimulator of glucose absorption. Glucose uptake and mechanistic studies were evaluated in differentiated C2C12 skeletal muscle cells, and HPLC analysis was used to determine the molecular bioactive constituents. Our results indicated that the ethanolic extracts of BOF and DAI (BOFEE and DAIEE, respectively) enhanced the glucose uptake ratio in the differentiated C2C12 cells, and further analysis identified the flavone baicalin as a major constituent capable of efficiently stimulating glucose absorption. Mechanistic studies revealed that the effect from baicalin involved the activation of IRS-1 and GLUT-4, and implicated the AMPK, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK/ERK signaling cascades. Due to its potency, we suggest that baicalin merit further evaluation as a potential candidate anti-hyperglycemic agent for the treatment and management of T2DM. Keywords: Anti-hyperglycemia, Baicalin, Bofutsushosan, Daisaikoto, Glucose uptake

This research aims to explore the latent effect of elementary student engagement in a Spherical Video-based Virtual Reality (SVVR) environment for a school-based course on higher level competence d...

Ethnopharmacological relevance Grifola frondosa (GF), a high value medicinal mushroom, is popularly consumed as traditional medicines and health foods in China and Japan. It is a herbal medicine traditionally used for treating inflammation, cancer and diabetes. Aim of the study This study aimed to examine the anti-diabetic effects of a GF bioactive compound ergosterol peroxide (EPO), and its mechanism(s) of action in palmitate (PA)-induced C2C12 cells. Materials and methods EPO was isolated and purified from GF fruiting bodies, and used to test for anti-diabetic activity in PA-induced murine C2C12 skeletal muscle cells through measuring glucose uptake, intracellular ROS production, and expressions of MAPKs, IRS-1, PI3K, Akt and GLUT-4 proteins. Results EPO significantly up-regulated glucose absorption and increased cell growth. At 5 μM, EPO significantly enhanced glucose uptake and decreased ROS formation, as well as up-regulated the expression of IRS-1, p-IRS-1, PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, and GLUT-4 proteins in PA-induced cells, while their p-JNK and p-p38 expression were down-regulated. GLUT-4 siRNA treatment effectively down-regulated the EPO-induced absorption of glucose and inhibited the expression of GLUT-4. Conclusion These results suggest that the anti-diabetic effect of GF was from its bioactive compound EPO through the inhibition of ROS production, up-regulation of glucose absorption, and modulation of PI3K/Akt, MAPKs and GLUT-4 signaling transduction pathways.

At the time of writing, more than 22 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, and at least 770 thousand deaths. Under the pressure of the pandemic, promoting global mobility has become an emerging issue in higher education settings. Although various methods of enhancing student mobility have been implemented, little research has as yet confirmed the pandemic challenges for students. This study investigates the global mobility of Chinese college students and the factors influencing their travel decisions. A self-designed questionnaire, consisting of 15 critical indicators of mobile capabilities, intentions, and implementation decisions, was administered to collect data from 2226 participants. The Minitab and Amos software were used to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and to detect latent relationships among the data with structural equation modeling (SEM). The SEM and logistic regression model provide a clear picture of the relations among the variables, and show that international intention is the key indicator of global mobility implementation under pressure.

Objectives: This study evaluated the bioactive composition of tempeh products and examined the effects of tempeh on BV-2 microglial cell cytotoxicity, neurotrophic effects, and expression of inflammatory genes.Methods: Tempeh products included soybean fermented by Rhizopus, soybean fermented through cocultivation with Rhizopus and Lactobacillus, and red bean fermented through cocultivation with Rhizopus and Lactobacillus (RT-C). We analyzed the bioactive contents of tempeh extracts and evaluated the effects of tempeh water extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated BV-2 cells.Results: The results showed that RT-C water extract had the highest concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and anthocyanin. The tempeh water extracts, especially RT-C, reduced the formation of LPS-induced reactive oxygen species, downregulated the levels of nitric oxide synthase and phospho-cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein, and upregulated the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).Discussion: Our data demonstrate that RT-C has the highest concentrations of GABA and anthocyanin, more effectively reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, and increases the expression of BDNF in LPS-induced BV-2 cells.

Xylaria nigripes, also known as Wu Ling Shen, is popular for treating insomnia and trauma in traditional Chinese medicine. This study aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory activity and bioactive constituents of cultivated X. nigripes fruiting bodies in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Results showed that among the different extracts, the hexane fraction exhibited the best protection against cell toxicity induced by 1 μg/mL LPS and the strongest inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production. This fraction led to the isolation of 2 bioactive compounds (namely, XN-CP1 and XN-CP2), which were confirmed to be ergostarien-3β-ol and ergosterol peroxide, respectively. Although both XN-CP1 and XN-CP2 showed good inhibitory effects on NO, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and prostaglandin E2 production in LPS-stimulated macrophages, XN-CP2 was shown to have a stronger anti-inflammatory activity; this was further supported by its strong suppressive effects on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation. These results conclude that ergosterol peroxide (XN-CP2) could be the main bioactive compound contributing to the potent anti-inflammatory activity of X. nigripes, and its mechanism of action is mediated through inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression via the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Time-delay is very often encountered in various technical systems, such as chemical processes, robotics, etc. The existence of pure time lag, regardless if it is present in the control or/and the state, may cause undesirable system transient response, or even instability. This paper discusses design of the time-delay system with integral-type. With the model following control system method, we obtain a simple input control law. The proposed methodologies are illustrated herein using example of the time-delay system. In this case, new criterion is proposed to ensure that internal states are stable.

Apple replant disease (ARD) causes the inhibition of root system development, stunts tree growth and so on. To further investigate the effects of ARD on apple fruits, a 25-year-old apple orchard was remediated to establish a replant orchard between November 2008 and March 2009. A rotational cropping orchard was established on an adjacent wheat field. The cultivar and rootstock-scion combination used in the newly established orchards was Royal Gala/M26 /Malus hupehensis Rehd. Ripe fruits were collected in mid-August 2011 and mid-August 2012, meanwhile, the following indices were measured: yield per plant; fruit weight; the fruit shape index; the contents of anthocyanin, carotenoid and chlorophyll; the soluble sugar content in the flesh; titratable acid; the sugar-acid ratio; firmness; and aroma components; apple plant ground diameter, plant height increment and the total length of the current-year shoots. The results showed that compared to rotational cropping, continuous cropping yielded statistically significant reductions in fruit weight and yield per plant of 39.8 and 76.5%, respectively. However, there were no changes in the fruit shape index. The anthocyanin and carotenoid contents decreased by 81.7 and 37.7%, respectively, while the chlorophyll content increased by 251.0%. All of these differences in content were statistically significant. The soluble sugar levels and sugar-acid ratio decreased by 25.4 and 60.9%, respectively, but the titratable acid levels and fruit firmness increased by 90.9 and 42.8%, respectively. Ten of the most important esters contributing to the apple aroma were analyzed, and the following changes were observed: hexyl acetate, butyl acetate, hexyl butyrate, acetate-2-methyl butyl, 2-methyl-hexyl butyrate, amyl acetate, butyl butyrate, 2-methyl-butyl butyrate, hexyl propionate and hexyl hexanoate decreased by 25.5, 78.4, 89.1, 55.5, 79.5, 77.2, 86.8, 69.9, 61.2, and 68.1%, respectively. The contents of three other aroma components, (E)-2-hexenal, hexanal and 1-hexanol, significantly increased. Eight characteristic aroma components were found in the rotational cropping fruits: hexyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetate-2-methyl butyl, 2-methyl-hexyl butyrate, amyl acetate, 2-methyl- butyl butyrate, hexyl acetate and hexyl propionate. There were four characteristic ester components (hexyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetate-2-methyl butyl, 2-methyl-hexyl butyrate) and two characteristic aldehyde aroma components ((E)-2-hexenal and hexanal) in the continuous cropping fruits. Compared with the rotational cropping fruits, four characteristic ester components were declined and two characteristic aldehyde aroma components were increased. Compared with the control, replanted apple plant ground diameter, plant height increment and the total length of the current-year shoots were reduced by 27.6, 40.6 and 72.2%, respectively.

Tocotrienols are known to possess potent antioxidant, anticancer, and cholesterol lowering activities. Being able to rapidly penetrate the skin, these vitamin E isoforms have been explored for potential treatment against melanoma. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism involved in the anti-melanogenic effects of δ-tocotrienol (δT3) in B16 melanoma cells. Results showed that at 20 μM of δT3 significantly inhibited melanin formation and ROS generation. Treatment with δT3 also effectively suppressed the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins, including MC1R, MITF, TYRP-1, and TYRP-2. More importantly, we observed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was involved in mediating δT3's inhibitory effect against melanin production. Specifically, δT3 treatment markedly induced the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). The use of ERK activation inhibitor (PD98059) abrogated the δT3-mediated downregulation expression melanogenesis-related proteins and restored melanin production. Furthermore, siRNA targeting ERK effectively blocked the δT3-induced repression of tyrosinase and TYRP-1 expression. These results suggest that δT3's inhibitory effect against melanogenesis is mediated by the activation of ERK signaling, thereby resulting in downstream repression of melanogenesis-related proteins and the subsequent melanin production. These data provide insight to δT3's effect and the targeting of ERK signaling for treatment against melanogenesis.

In order to achieve effective stress management in rock drivage team, this paper use fault tree analysis method to build fault tree model for the stress management of rock borehole-blasting drivage team. Under this model, the stressor of rock drivage team is identified, the logical relationship between the stressor and work of errors in rock drivage team is analyzed, the corresponding recommendations for the stress management of coal companies are provided.

Cinnamaldehyde (CIN) has been shown to exert chemopreventive activity against several types of human cancer cells. We previously reported that CIN induced apoptosis of human hepatoma PLC/PRF/5 cells and this effect was associated with activation of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family of proteins and the MAPK cascade. To further clarify the underlying mechanism of CIN-induced apoptosis, we examined in this study its relationship with the mitochondrial death pathway using the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) inhibitor, cyclosporin A (CsA), and the general caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk. Results indicated that CIN-induced apoptosis involved enhanced ROS generation, disruption of mitochondrial potential, and the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO into the cytosol, which in turn promoted caspase-3 to its active form and the subsequent cleavage of PARP. Treatment with CIN also downregulated protein levels of the anti-apoptotic factors XIAP and Bcl-2 with concomitant accumulation of the pro-apoptotic Bax in a timedependent manner. These mitochondria-related apoptotic effects induced by CIN were however blocked by CsA and z-VAD-fmk pretreatments, which prevented cells from undergoing programmed cell death triggered by CIN. Furthermore, the increase of Bax and decrease of Bcl-2 and XIAP protein expression due to CIN treatment were also reversely modulated by the two inhibitors. Taken together, these results suggested that CIN is an apoptotic inducer that acts on the mitochondrial death pathway in PLC/PRF/5 cells and its effect could be blocked by CsA and z-VAD-fmk.

Phellinus linteus (PL), a high value medicinal mushroom, is popularly consumed as traditional medicine and health foods for enhancing immune functions in Asia. This study aimed to examine the immunomodulating properties of aqueous (HPL) and ethanol (EPL) extracts, and polysaccharides (PSCPL) of cultured P. linteus fruiting bodies in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human monocytic (THP-1) cells, as well as investigating the chemical properties of PSCPL. Results showed that at concentrations

The paper introduces the practical application of underground nearby orebody curtain grouting in Laixin iron mine. Based on the analysis of hydrogeology condition in the mine and the technical requirements of water control plans, the final water control plan introduced in the paper is chosen. Roadway horizontal drilling water-prospect grouting and transverse and slant drilling encrypting grouting are described, and quantities of the two projects are given. Finally, significant economic and environmental benefits caused by underground nearly orebody curtain grouting in Laixin iron mine are analyzed.

Grifola frondosa (GF), a high value medicinal mushroom in China and Japan, is popularly consumed as traditional medicines and health foods, especially for enhancing immune functions. In this study, our aim was to examine the immunomodulatory activities of GF and its bioactive compound ergosterol peroxide (EPO) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human monocytic (THP-1) cells. At low concentrations, EPO but not other extracts showed a full protection against LPS-induced cell toxicity. EPO significantly blocked MyD88 and VCAM-1 expression, and cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) production in LPS-stimulated cells. It also effectively inhibited NF-κB activation, which was further confirmed with siRNA treatment. These results conclude that EPO may play an important role in the immunomodulatory activity of GF through inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

In this paper, we propose a study of the (MFCS) model following control system with disturbances. With the MFCS method, we obtain a simple input control law. The bounded property of the internal states for the control is given and the utility of this control design is guaranteed. In this case, a new criterion is proposed to ensure that internal states are stable.

The present study examined the anti-proliferative properties of aqueous (WESM), ethanolic (EESM) and supercritical carbon dioxide (SCESM-5) extracts of Salvia miltiorrhiza in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and the contents of bioactive compounds salvianolic acid B (SAB), cryptotanshinone (CTS), tanshinone I (TS-I) and tanshinone IIA (TS-IIA). Results showed that WESM contained mainly SAB, whereas EESM possessed all the four bioactive compounds, but its concentrations of CTS, TS-I and TS-IIA were 2–3-fold lower than SCESM-5. SCESM-5 demonstrated the most potent inhibitory effect on 3T3-L1 cell proliferation, and induction of cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Further studies showed that it enhanced intracellular ROS level, down-regulated CD95 (APO-1/CD95), Bcl-2 and PPAR-γ, up-regulated Bax, AMPK and p-AMPK, and caused activation of caspase-3 and PARP cleavage, as well as JNK and ERK activation and phosphorylation. Pretreatments with antioxidant (Vit E), caspase-3 (z-DEVD-fmk) and ERK (PD98059) inhibitors significantly suppressed the SCESM-5-induced ROS production and cell death. Caspase-3 inhibitor efficiently blocked the Bax expression, caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage, while ERK inhibitor suppressed the ERK phosphorylation after SCESM-5 treatment. This study concludes that CTS, TS-I and TS-IIA of SCESM-5 may have contributed to the potent anti-proliferative activity through the MAPK and AMPK pathways in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

We can design model following control system (MFCS) with time-delay whose internal states are bounded. Time-delay widely exists among controlled objects in computer control processes, power systems, chemical processing systems, metallurgical processing systems, environmental systems and communication systems transmission systems and other industrial production activities[1]～[5], and makes it difficult to evaluate effects of control system input signals in time, which will ineluctably deteriorate performance of the control system in automatically removing outside disturbances, and influence stability of the system. This paper discusses a design of predictive control of MFCS for the linear time-delay based on the model following control theory proposed by Okubo[6], and is thus considered to be innovative and applicable. It is confirmed on basis of a numerical example that the output signal of the control system asymptotically follows the reference model signal in the case of the existence of disturbances.

We propose a new study of the robot control by using model following control system (MFCS). With the MFCS method [1-5], we obtain a simple input control law. The bounded property of the internal states for the control is given and the utility of this control design is guaranteed. In this paper, MFCS control techniques are applied to robot control problem, and simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

In this paper, we propose a new design of the feedback control of state vector for the plants with polynomial dynamics. A genetic algorithm is employed to find suitable gain, and algebraic geometric concept is used to simplify the design. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

We propose a design of model following control system (MFCS) with time-delays. The bounded property of the internal states for the control is given and the utility of this control design is guaranteed. It is confirmed on basis of numerical examples that the output signal of the control system asymptotically follows the reference signal in the case of the existence of disturbances.

With the development of the economy, and investment structure is more complex, more investment direction is more diversified, capital investment efficiency is affected by more factors. Deep analysis and evaluation of the efficiency of investment and the objective and fair to find the factors that are critical for any investment or personal legal person. Based on the research of domestic and foreign scholars, this paper analyzed the influencing factors of coal mine construction investment efficiency from the theoretical level.

Thrombomodulin (TM) plays a role in coagulation, inflammation, and cell adhesion. Reduction of TM expression plays an important role in the tumor metastatic process; however, insufficient information is available regarding the expression of TM in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sixty NSCLC patients who underwent surgery were reviewed for TM expression and multiple variables were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. The expression level of TM and its metastatic ability were examined in vitro using the human NSCLC A549 cell line. TM expression in NSCLC was significantly correlated with survival; the 5-yr survival rates of patients with high and low TM expression were 23% and 18% (P

Tocotrienols of palm oil have been shown to possess potent neuroprotective, antioxidative, anticancer, and cholesterol-lowering activities. In this study, the authors examined the antiproliferative effects of α-, γ- and δ-tocotrienols (αT3, γT3, and δT3), and α-tocopherol (αT) in human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. Their mechanism(s) of action on cell cycle signaling pathway were also investigated. Results showed that the antiproliferative effect of αT3 (IC50: 3.19 ± 0.05 µM) and γT3 (IC 50: 2.85 ± 0.07 µM) was more potent than δT3 (IC 50: >100 µM) and αT (IC50: 69.46 ± 3.01 µM). Both αT3 and γT3 also demonstrated a dose-dependent and time-dependent induction of cell death.They caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and triggered apoptosis as displayed by the externalization of annexin V—targeted phosphatidylserine and accumulation of sub-G1 peak. At a concentration of 3 µM, αT3 downregulated the expression of cyclin D3, p16, and CDK6, while having no effect on cyclin D1, p15, p21, p27, and CDK4 expression. However, γT3 showed no effect on these proteins. The induction of HeLa cell apoptosis by αT3 and γT3 appeared to be associated with the expression of IL-6, but not the other cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-10).Taken together, the results suggest that αT3 and γT3 are more effective than δT3 and αT in inhibiting HeLa cell proliferation, and their mode of action could be through the upregulation of IL-6, and the downregulation of cyclin D3, p16, and CDK6 expression in the cell cycle signaling pathway.

Ludwigia octovalvis is an aquatic plant widely distributed in Taiwan. It is traditionally used as a diuretic and is consumed as health drink. In this study, we evaluated the anti-proliferative activity of extracts and active constituent (chlorophyll a ; CHL- a ) of L. octovalvis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; its mode of action on apoptosis was also investigated. Results showed that, among the different extracts and fractions, the ethylacetate layer (EAL) possessed the most potent anti-proliferative activity. Activity guided fractionation of the EAL obtained the bioactive constituent CHL- a (IC 50 : 24.10 ± 0.83 nM). At concentrations 5–30 nM, CHL- a exhibited a dose-dependent accumulation of the Sub-G1 peak and caused cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. At 30 nM, it significantly reduced the cell viability, induced the appearance of DNA fragments, and enhanced the activation of caspase-3. Western blot data revealed that CHL- a decreased the level of Bcl-2, and increased the expression of CD95 (APO-1/CD95) and Bax. Furthermore, CHL- a up-regulated the AMPK and p-AMPK levels, and down-regulated the expression of PPAR-γ. These results conclude that CHL- a possesses potent anti-proliferative activity, and its apoptotic effects on 3T3-L1 adipocytes are mediated through the activation of CD95 (APO-1/CD95) system and the AMPK signaling pathway.

Investigation of the extracts of Physalis peruviana L. has led to the isolation of seven new withanolides, phyperunolide A (1), phyperunolide B (2), phyperunolide C (3), phyperunolide D (4), peruvianoxide (5), phyperunolide E (16), and phyperunolide F (17) together with ten known withanolides. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of all compounds were elucidated on the basis of CD and NMR spectral analysis, respectively. Compounds 1, 6, 7, and 9 showed cytotoxicity against lung cancer (A549), breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and MCF7), and liver cancer (Hep G2 and Hep 3B) cancer cell lines. The presence of 5β,6β-epoxy-2-en-1-ones in withanolides is greatly helpful in cytotoxicity, it is a key known important factor to cytotoxicity; however, interestingly, the unusual 5-chloride withanolide, 9, displayed significant activity.

Andrographis paniculata (AP), a popular ingredient of Oriental folk medicine, is commonly used for treating infection, inflammation, fever and diarrhoea. In this study, extracts prepared from cultivated AP and their active constituent andrographolide were evaluated for antioxidant, antioedema and analgesic activities. The results showed that the aqueous AP extract (AP-H2O) exhibited a greater antioxidant activity than the ethanol AP extract (AP-EtOH) in all model systems tested. At a concentration of 50 microg/mL, the free radical scavenging, xanthine oxidase inhibition and antilipid peroxidation activities for AP-H2O were 66.8%, 57.3% and 65.3%, respectively, and for AP-EtOH were 57.8%, 52.6% and 34.2%, respectively. At a dosage of 100 mg/kg, AP-H2O and andrographolide, but not AP-EtOH, showed antioedema and analgesic activities. In phytochemical analysis, AP-H2O showed a higher concentration of total flavanoid but a lower phenol content than AP-EtOH. In conclusion, AP-H2O was more potent than AP-EtOH in antioxidant activities. Furthermore, compared with andrographolide, AP-H2O as an extract also appears to possess potent antioedema and analgesic activities.

Physalis peruviana L. (PP) is a popular folk medicine used for treating cancer, leukemia, hepatitis, rheumatism and other diseases. In this study, our objectives were to examine the total flavonoid and phenol content of different PP extracts (aqueous: HWEPP; ethanolic: EEPP; supercritical carbon dioxide: SCEPP-0, SCEPP-4 and SCEPP-5) and their antiproliferative effects in human lung cancer H661 cells. Among all the extracts tested, results showed that SCEPP-5 possessed the highest total flavonoid (226.19 +/- 4.15 mg/g) and phenol (100.82 +/- 6.25 mg/g) contents. SCEPP-5 also demonstrated the most potent inhibitory effect on H661 cell proliferation. Using DNA ladder and flow cytometry analysis, SCEPP-5 effectively induced H661 cell apoptosis as demonstrated by the accumulation of Sub-G1 peak and fragmentation of DNA. SCEPP-5 not only induced cell cycle arrest at S phase, it also up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein (Bax) and down-regulated the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP). Furthermore, the apoptotic induction in H661 cells was found to associate with an elevated p53 protein expression, cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage. Taken together, these results conclude that SCEPP-5 induced cell cycle arrest at S phase, and its apoptotic induction could be mediated through the p53-dependent pathway and modification of Bax and XIAP proteins expression. The results have also provided important pharmacological backgrounds for the potential use of PP supercritical fluid extract as products for cancer prevention.

To explore detrimental effects of advanced oxidation protein products-bovine serum albumin (BSA) on endothelial function and compare the favorable effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: captopril and enalapril. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into groups: control, advanced oxidation protein products-BSA, captopril (10, 20 mg/kg/day), enalapril (15 mg/kg/day), and N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 300 mg/kg/day) plus captopril (20 mg/kg/day) groups. All animals were given advanced oxidation protein products-BSA (100 mg/kg/day, i.v.) except for control group (iv. equal volume of PBS). Rats in other groups were received different drugs intragastrically after advanced oxidation protein products-BSA administration. Endothelium-dependent relaxation of thoracic aorta was assayed. Content of nitrite/nitrate (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and of ACE in Sera, as well as renal function index including blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were measured. After 30 days, the endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels in received advanced oxidation protein products-BSA rats was significantly impaired compared with control rats. The impairment was accompanied by decreases of serum NO, activity of GSH-Px and SOD. Administration of captopril and enalapril not only decreased damage of endothelium-dependent relaxation, but also reverse the changes of MDA levels, NO content and activity of SOD. The protective effect of captopril was abolished by L-NAME. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine had no significant differences between various groups. ACE activities were decreased in high captopril and enalapril groups, but did not significantly change in other groups. The results suggested that captopril and enalapril have similar effects on endothelial dysfunction induced by advanced oxidation protein products-BSA, which indicated that protective effects of captopril are not related to sulfhydryl group.

Momordica charantia Linn. var. abbreviata Ser. (Cucurbitaceae), also known as “Shan Ku Gua”, is a wild variety of bitter melon (BM) in Taiwan. The size of its fruits is only about one-fifth of the commonly seen BM. It is commonly consumed as vegetable and also used as a popular folk medicine. In this study, the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of BM aqueous (BM-H2O) and ethanol (BM-EtOH) extracts were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), metal chelation, cytochrome c and xanthine oxidase inhibition (XOI) assays, as well as FeCl2-ascorbic acid induced lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) assay in rat liver homogenates in vitro. Total flavonoid and phenol contents of BM extracts were also analyzed. Results showed that both BM-H2O (IC50=129.94 μg/ml) and BM-EtOH (IC50=156.78 μg/ml) possess potent DPPH radical scavenging activity, which was better than vitamin E (IC50=172.21 μg/ml). These extracts also showed better iron chelating activity than vitamin E. However, they were weaker than vitamin E in free radical scavenging, xanthine oxidase inhibitory and anti-lipid peroxidation activities. With the exception of XOI activity [IC50=7.90 μg/ml (BM-H2O) vs. 7.69 μg/ml (BM-EtOH)], BM-H2O showed a lower IC50 value in free radical scavenging [IC50=6.15 μg/ml (BM-H2O) vs. 7.08 μg/ml (BM-EtOH)] and anti-lipid peroxidation [IC50=53.72 μg/ml (BM-H2O) vs. 88.51 μg/ml (BM-EtOH) for liver; 82.53 μg/ml (BM-H2O) vs. 91.83 μg/ml (BM-EtOH) for brain] activities than BM-EtOH. Both BM extracts showed a weak anti-lipid peroxidation activity in plasma. BM-H2O (62.0 mg/g) possessed a significant higher concentration of total flavonoids than BM-EtOH (44.0 mg/g), but was lower in the total phenol content (BM-H2O: 51.6 mg/g vs. BM-EtOH: 68.8 mg/g). In conclusion, BM extracts possess potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. These antioxidant activities could have contributed, at least partly, to the therapeutic benefits of the certain traditional claims of wild BM.

Extracellular ATP (eATP) is a novel signalling agent, and nitric oxide (NO) is a well-established signal molecule with diverse functions in plant growth and development. This study characterizes NO production induced by exogenous ATP and examines its relationship with other important signalling agents, Ca(2+) and H(2)O(2) in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy root culture. Exogenous ATP was applied at 10-500 microM to the hairy root cultures and stimulated NO production was detectable within 30 min. The NO level increased with ATP dose from 10-100 microM but decreased from 100-200 muM or higher. The ATP-induced NO production was mimicked by a non-hydrolysable ATP analogue ATPgammaS, but only weakly by ADP, AMP or adenosine. The ATP-induced NO production was blocked by Ca(2+) antagonists, but not affected by a protein kinase inhibitor. ATP also induced H(2)O(2) production, which was dependent on both Ca(2+) and protein kinases, and also on NO biosynthesis. On the other hand, ATP induced a rapid increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) level, which was dependent on NO but not H(2)O(2). The results suggest that NO is implicated in ATP-induced responses and signal transduction in plant cells, and ATP signalling is closely related to Ca(2+) and ROS signalling.

To explore the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on endothelial dysfunction induced by homocysteine thiolactone (HTL). Both endothelium-dependent relaxation and nondependent relaxation of thoracic aortic rings in rats induced by acetylcholine (Ach) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and biochemical parameters including malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured in rat isolated aorta. Exposure of aortic rings to HTL (3 to 30 mM) for 90 minutes made a significant inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by Ach, decreased contents of NO, and increased MDA concentration in aortic tissue. After incubation of aortic rings with captopril (0.003 to 0.03 mM) attenuated the inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) and significantly resisted the decrease of NO content and elevation of MDA concentration caused by HTL (30 mmol/L) in aortic tissues, a similarly protective effect was observed when the aortic rings were incubated with both N-acetylcysteine (0.05 mM). Treatment with enalaprilat (0.003 to 0.01 mM) made no significant difference with the HTL (30 mM) group regarding EDR, but enalaprilat (0.03 mM) and losartan (0.03 mM) could partly restore the EDR in response to HTL (30 mM). Captopril was more effective than enalaprilat and losartan in attenuation of the inhibition of on acetylcholine-stimulated aortic relaxation by HTL in the same concentration. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD, 200 U/mL), which is a scavenger of superoxide anions, apocynin (0.03 mM), which is an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, and l-Arginine (3 mmol/L), a precursor of nitric oxide (NO), could reduce HTL (30 mM)-induced inhibition of EDR. After pretreatment with not only the NO synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 0.01 mM) but also the free sulfhydryl group blocking agent p-hydroxymercurybenzoate (PHMB, 0.05 mM) could abolish the protection of captopril and N-acetylcysteine, respectively. These results suggest that mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction induced by HTL may include the decrease of NO and the generation of oxygen free radicals and that captopril can restore the inhibition of EDR induced by HTL in isolated rat aorta, which may be related to scavenging oxygen free radicals and may be sulfhydryl-dependent.

Palm oil extract (POE) at different concentrations (0.1–500 µg/mL) was evaluated for antioxidant and antihepatoma activities. Results showed that POE exhibited a greater antioxidant activity than α-tocopherol in all model systems tested. At concentrations of 0.1–100 µg/mL, POE showed a superoxide radical scavenging activity ranging from 50.6 to 100%, with an IC50 value (0.09 µg/mL) lower than α-tocopherol (0.51 µg/mL). In the xanthine oxidase inhibition test, POE (IC50 = 0.67 µg/mL) also exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase activity than α-tocopherol (IC50 = 0.83 µg/mL). At concentrations of 0.1 µg/mL and above, POE showed significant ability in inhibiting the oxidative damage to lipids induced by ascorbate-Fe2+ than α-tocopherol in rat liver (IC50 = 0.53 µg/mL versus 0.94 µg/mL), brain (IC50 = 0.10 µg/mL versus 52.52 µg/mL) and plasma (IC50 = 77.17 µg/mL versus 190.81 µg/mL). In the antihepatoma studies, POE showed a greater potency than α-tocopherol in inhibiting Hep G2, Hep 3B and PLC/PRF/5 cells. The antiproliferative effect of POE against these human hepatoma cells was dose-dependent, with IC50 values varying from 4.86 to 68.44 µg/mL. The present results demonstrate that POE is an effective natural antioxidant supplement for protecting cellular membranes against oxidative damage and inhibiting hepatoma cell proliferation.

Fucoidan, a multifunctional marine polymer, is normally extracted from brown algae via extensive use of acid, solvent or high temperature water and a long reaction time. In present study, we developed a novel compressional-puffing-hydrothermal extraction (CPHE) process which primarily decomposes the cellular structure of algae and facilitates the release of fucoidan by hot water extraction. The CPHE process provides a number of advantages including simple procedure, reactant-saving, reduced pollution, and feasibility for continuous production. Sargassum glaucescens (SG) was utilized in this study, and the maximum extraction yield of polysaccharide was approximately 9.83 ± 0.11% (SG4). Thin layer chromatography (TLC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, and measurements of monosaccharide composition, fucose, sulfate, and uronic acid contents revealed that the extracted polysaccharide showed characteristics of fucoidan. All extracts exhibited antioxidant activities, and thus, further exploration of these extracts as potential natural and safe antioxidant agents is warranted.