title: The Root Extract of Gentiana macrophylla Pall. Alleviates Cardiac Apoptosis in Lupus Prone Mice.
abstract: The roots of the perennial herb Gentiana macrophylla Pall. (GM) are known as Qinjiao, which has been used for centuries to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, little is known about the effects of GM on cholesterol-aggravated cardiac abnormalities in SLE, and the mechanisms thereof. This study investigates whether GM exhibits anti-apoptotic effects, focusing on the left ventricle (LV) of NZB/W F1 mice fed with high-cholesterol diet. The morphology and apoptotic status of ventricular tissues were determined by microscopy and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Levels of apoptotic biomarkers were determined by immunoblotting. The results thus obtained revealed that GM significantly reduced the cholesterol-aggravated apoptosis of LV in NZB/W F1 mice by suppressing both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Additionally, GM significantly increased the cardiac insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-1 survival signaling and anti-apoptotic proteins in LV tissues. Accordingly, GM is considered to be beneficial in alleviating cholesterol-aggravated cardiac damage in SLE, and therefore constitute an alternative treatment for SLE patients with cardiac abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsai-Ching
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Wen
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Fan
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Liou
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shin-Da
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Da-Tong
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Bor-Show
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Tzang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D030012:Gentiana / Q000737:chemistry*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D062385:Hydroxybenzoates / Q000032:analysis; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000473:pathology*; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016019:Survival Analysis; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C491899:Fas protein, mouse; D005419:Flavonoids; D062385:Hydroxybenzoates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019014:fas Receptor; C017616:phenolic acid