Effects of diosgenin on myometrial matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 activity and expression in ovariectomized rats.
(33/66)
Diosgenin, a traditional Yam extraction, has been used in hormone replacement for menopausal women. We aimed to investigate the influences of diosgenin administration upon the MMP-2 and -9 activity and expression and reproductive hormones of ovariectomized (OVX) rats, a model of menopausal status. Seven-week old female Wistar rats with bilateral OVX or sham operation (controls) were divided and administered different dosages of diosgenin (0, 10, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Serum was then sampled for progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) assay and uterine horns harvested. Myometrial MMP-2 and -9 activity and expression were surveyed and myometrial collagen expression was also assayed. The results show higher body weight in OVX rats across the 8 weeks post surgery and no significant differences were noted among OVX or Sham rats with diosgenin supplements. There were lower P4 and E2 concentrations in OVX rats compared to Sham rats, and higher P4 concentration of Sham rats post diosgenin supplement. MMP-2 and -9 mRNA expression and activity was lower in OVX rats, although higher MMP-2 and lower MMP-9 activity/mRNA expression was observed in OVX rats post diosgenin supplementation. Collagen mRNA expression was higher in OVX rats compared to Sham controls, and diosgenin administration decreased collagen mRNA expression in OVX rats. In conclusion, diosgenin is associated with gelatinase expression and collagen metabolism in OVX rats. Diosgenin administration can partially reverse the effects of OVX upon MMP functions and hormone status. Adequate diosgenin supplement might modulate myometrial gelatinase expression and collagen metabolism in menopausal subjects. (+info)
Apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cells induced by Paris chinensis dioscin via a Ca(2+)-mediated mitochondrion pathway.
(34/66)
BACKGROUND: Study of the mechanisms of apoptosis in tumor cells is an important field of tumor therapy and cancer molecular biology. Apoptosis triggered by activation of the mitochondrial-dependent caspase pathway represents the main programmed cell death mechanism. The mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis pathway is activated by various intracellular stresses that induce permeabilization of the mitochondrial membrane, leading to cytochrome C release. This study was to investigate the anti-tumor effects of Dioscin from traditional Chinese anti-snake venom medicine Paris chinensis (PCD) and correlated mechanisms regarding apoptosis in human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells. METHODS: Cell viability was analyzed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM) using Annexin-V/PI staining. Intracellular calcium ions were detected using fluorescence microscopy. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins cytochrome C and caspase-3 was measured by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: PCD had an anti-proliferation effect on human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After treatment with PCD, the apoptotic rate significantly increased, and accompanied with the increased levels of caspase-3 and cytochrome C protein in SKOV3 cells. Morphological changes typical of apoptosis were also observed with LSCM by Annexin V/PI staining. Moreover, intracellular calcium accumulation occurred in PCD-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular determinants of inhibition of cell proliferation as well as apoptosis of PCD may be associated with the activation of Ca2+-related m itochondrion pathway in SKOV3 cells. (+info)
Diosgenin from Dioscorea nipponica ameliorates diabetic neuropathy by inducing nerve growth factor.
(35/66)
Diabetic neuropathy is characterized by axonal degeneration, demyelination, and atrophy in association with failed axonal regeneration, remyelination, and synaptogenesis. Recent reports suggest that reduced levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of diabetic polyneuropathy. In this study, we investigated the regulation of NGF by steroid diosgenin (DG) in a diabetic neuropathy rodent model. We found that DG, the primary spirostane-type steroid in several Dioscorea species, increased NGF levels in the sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. Additionally, DG increased neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells and enhanced nerve conduction velocities in the diabetic neuropathy mouse model. DG-treated diabetic mice showed reduced disarrangement of the myelin sheath and increased area of myelinated axons by electron microscope studies and exhibited improvement in the damaged axons. Our data further suggest that DG increased the nerve conduction velocity through induction of NGF. Thus, our findings indicate that DG, a major sapogenin obtained from Dioscorea nipponica, reverses functional and ultrastructural changes and induces neural regeneration in a diabetic neuropathy model. (+info)
Effects of polysaccharide elicitors from endophytic Fusarium oxysporium Dzf17 on growth and diosgenin production in cell suspension culture of Dioscorea zingiberensis.
(36/66)
Enhancement of diosgenin production in Dioscorea zingiberensis cell cultures by oligosaccharides from its endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17.
(38/66)
Effects of various asparagus production methods on rutin and protodioscin contents in spears and cladophylls.
(40/66)
The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between various cultivation conditions and the amounts of the rutin (RT) and protodioscin (PD) in asparagus spears. Green and white spears were grown in open culture and under two different blanching conditions. Although RT was detected only in the green spears, PD was detected mainly in white spears produced by covering with soil. The RT and PD contents of cladophylls grown in an open field and in a closed cultivation system were also investigated, and the closed system resulted in cladophylls with low RT and high PD, unlike the open field. (+info)