Antitumor activity of Pulsatilla koreana saponins and their structure-activity relationship.
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Seventeen saponins isolated from the root of Pulsatilla koreana were examined for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against the human solid cancer cell lines, A-549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, and HCT15, using the SRB assay method, and their in vivo antitumor activity using BDF1 mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). The saponins 5-17, with a free acidic functional group at C-28 of aglycon, exhibited moderate to considerable cytotoxic activity, however, the saponins 1-4, esterified with a trisaccharide at C-28 of aglycon, did not exhibit cytotoxic activity (ED50; >300 microM). Among them, oleanolic acid 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-alpha-L-arabi nopyranoside (10) exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity (ED50; 2.56, 2.31, 1.57, 8.36 microM, respectively). In vivo test, hederagenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-alpha-L-arabi nopyranoside (6, Inhibition Ratio, IR; 66.9%) exhibited more potent antitumor activity than taxol (IR; 35.8%) and doxorubicin (IR; 62.1%). Also, hedragenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-alpha-L-rhamn opyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (17, IR; 50.3%) exhibited potent antitumor activity. These two saponins were identically comprised of a hederagenin aglycon moiety and a sugar sequence O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside at C-3 of the hederagenin, suggesting that the two elements are essential factors for the antitumor activity. (+info)
A new triterpenoid saponin from Pulsatilla cernua.
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Anti-angiogenic effects of water extract of a formula consisting of Pulsatilla koreana, Panax ginseng and Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of the water extract of Pulsatilla koreana (Yabe ex Nakai) Nakai ex T. Mori., Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (WEPPG). METHODS: The effects of WEPPG on fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced angiogenesis were evaluated by human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation, adhesion, and migration assays. Capillary tube formation of HUVECs and bFGF-induced chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenesis were also observed. WEPPG was used to treat the HUVECs and CAMs, and then various activities such as proliferation, adhesion, migration, capillary tube formation and cell cycle proteins were analyzed. RESULTS: WEPPG significantly inhibited bFGF-induced HUVEC proliferation, adhesion, migration, and capillary tube formation. Signaling protein analysis showed up-regulated expressions of various proteins including cyclin A, p63 and KIP2 and down-regulated expressions of nibrin and focal adhesion kinase. The blood vessel formation in a CAM treated with WEPPG was markedly reduced compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the inhibition of angiogenesis by WEPPG can be an action mechanism for its anti-cancer effects. (+info)
Short-term effects of repeated olfactory administration of homeopathic sulphur or pulsatilla on electroencephalographic alpha power in healthy young adults.
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Multiweek resting EEG cordance change patterns from repeated olfactory activation with two constitutionally salient homeopathic remedies in healthy young adults.
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Anti-inflammatory effects of a methanol extract from Pulsatilla koreana in lipopolysaccharide-exposed rats.
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To investigate the therapeutic effect of a Korean herbal medicine Pulsatilla koreana as an anti-septic agent, anti-inflammatory effects of the herbal medicine were determined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rats. Treatment with a methanol extract from Pulsatilla koreana significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory responses. Results from ELISA analysis showed that Pulsatilla koreana decreased the plasma and hepatic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha while increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in LPS-exposed rats. Pulsatilla koreana also decreased the plasma levels of other inflammatory mediators such as NO3 -/NO2 -, ICAM-1, PGE2, and CINC-1 in LPS-exposed rats. Although no significant effects were observed in the phagocytic activities, the distribution of lymphocyte population was significantly shifted by the treatment with Pulsatilla koreana. All together, Pulsatilla koreana exerts anti-inflammatory activities in the immune-challenged animals implicating that this Korean herbal medicine is therapeutically useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases like sepsis. (+info)
Laboratory evaluation of the molluscicidal activity of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel saponins against the snail Oncomelania hupensis.
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OBJECTIVE: To observe the toxicity of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel saponins (PRS) against Oncomelania hupensis (O. hupensis). METHODS: O. hupensis snails were exposed to 40% and 80% of 24 h LC50 of PRS for 24 h, and then choline esterase (CHE), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in cephalopodium and liver of snails were determined. Niclosamide (NIC) was used as the reference molluscicide. Zebra fish lethality test was evaluated to non-target aquatic species of PRS. RESULTS: The molluscicidal activity of PRS (LC50 at 24 h: 0.48 mg/L) was similar to that of NIC (LC50 at 24 h: 0.16 mg/L). Significant alterations about CHE, ALP, and ALT activities both in the cephalopodium and the liver of snails were observed when O. hupensis was exposed to 40% and 80% LC50 of PRS or NIC for 24 h. PRS and NIC could not affect LDH activity in the cephalopodium and the liver. Lower toxicity to fish of PRS was observed up to the highest concentration tested than NIC. CONCLUSION: PRS, as compared with the reference molluscicide NIC, is thought to be used for the control of harmful vector snails safely. (+info)