In this study, two highly lipophilic fractions AFLF and ACLF isolated from A. floribunda and A. cordifolia leaves respectively were investigated selleck for topical anti-inflammatory effects using xylene-induced mice ear oedema as a model of inflammation. AFLF and ACLF at 5mg per ear showed significant (p<0.01) topical anti-inflammatory effect with oedema inhibitions of 64.0% and 79.0% at 2 h, respectively. When compared to indomethacin (5 mg per ear), these fractions showed significantly (p<0.05) higher topical anti-inflammatory effect. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that AFLF is composed mainly of long
chain saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons (18.78%) and their oxygenated derivatives
(1.89%); while ACLF is rich in volatile oils eugenol (21.26%) and cadinol (4.76%), and other constituents like, nanocosaine (36.86%) and steroid derivatives, ethyl iso-allocholate (4.59%) and 3-acetoxy-7,8-epoxylanostan-1-ol (15.86%). Analysis of the volatile oil (ACV) extracted from the fresh leaves of A. cordifolia revealed the presence of high concentrations of eugenol (41.7%), cadinol (2.46%), Caryophylene (1.04%), Linalool (30.59%) and (E)-alpha-bergamotene (4.54%). These compounds could be contributing to the topical anti-inflammatory effects of A. floribunda and A. cordifolia leaf extracts.”
“Objective: We hypothesize AG-014699 purchase that intervertebral disc (IVD) cells from distinct region respond differently to oxygen environment, and that IVD cells from patients with disc degeneration can benefit from hypoxia condition. Therefore, we aimed to determine the transcriptional response and extracellular matrix (ECM) production of nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) cells to different oxygen tension.
Method: Human NP and AF from degenerated IVD were seeded in 3D scaffolds and subjected to varying oxygen tension (2% and 20%) for 3 weeks. Changes in ECM were evaluated NU7441 datasheet using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, histological and immunohistological analyses.
Results: Hypoxia significantly
enhances NP cells phenotype, which resulted in greater production of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II within the constructs and the cells expressed higher levels of genes encoding NP ECM. A significantly stronger fluorescent signal for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1 alpha) as also found in the NP cells under the hypoxic than normoxic condition. However, there was little effect of hypoxia on the AF cells.
Conclusions: The NP and AF cells respond differently to hypoxia condition on the 3D scaffold, and hypoxia could enhance NP phenotype. When used in concert with appropriate scaffold material, human NP cells from degenerated disc could be regenerated for tissue engineering application. (C) 2013 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.