Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of synthesised tanshinone I and isotanshinone I analogues in zebrafish

During inflammation, dysregulated neutrophil behaviour can play a major role in a range of chronic inflammatory diseases, for many of which current treatments are generally ineffective. Recently, specific naturally occurring tanshinones have shown promising anti-inflammatory effects by targeting neutrophils in vivo, yet such tanshinones, and moreover, their isomeric isotanshinone counterparts, are still a largely underexplored class of compounds, both in terms of synthesis and biological effects. To explore the anti-inflammatory effects of isotanshinones, and the tanshinones more generally, a series of substituted tanshinone and isotanshinone analogues was synthesised, alongside other structurally similar molecules. Evaluation of these using a transgenic zebrafish model of neutrophilic inflammation revealed differential anti-inflammatory profiles in vivo, with a number of compounds exhibiting promising effects. Several compounds reduce initial neutrophil recruitment and/or promote resolution of neutrophilic inflammation, of which two also result in increased apoptosis of human neutrophils. In particular, the methoxy-substituted tanshinone 39 specifically accelerates resolution of inflammation without affecting the recruitment of neutrophils to inflammatory sites, making this a particularly attractive candidate for potential pro-resolution therapeutics, as well as a possible lead for future development of functionalised tanshinones as molecular tools and/or chemical probes. The structurally related β-lapachones promote neutrophil recruitment but do not affect resolution. We also observed notable differences in toxicity profiles between compound classes. Overall, we provide new insights into the in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of several novel tanshinones, isotanshinones, and structurally related compounds

studies and antioxidant activities of 33 Scutellaria L. taxa from Turkey

The members of Scutellaria L. (Lamiaceae) is known to be rich particularly in flavonoids and among them, S. baicalensis has been recorded to be used for memory-enhancing purpose. Therefore, we initiated a study to screen the methanol extracts prepared from the aerial parts of 33 Turkish Scutellaria species for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities, which are the key enzymes taking place in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Besides, the methanol extracts were tested in vitro against another enzyme, tyrosinase, which is associated with melanin hyperpigmentation. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenger effect, ferrous ion-chelating ability, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were also determined. AChE, BChE, and tyrosinase inhibition of the extracts were performed on ELISA microplate reader by spectrophotometric method. The extracts showed weak inhibition against AChE and BChE, while the best tyrosinase inhibition was caused by the methanol extract of S. brevibracteata subsp. subvelutina. The extracts had a very high DDPH radical scavenging effect and moderate antioxidant activity in ferrous ion-chelating and FRAP tests. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Morphometry of the Middle Cerebral Arteries: A Radio-Anatomical Study Based on Computed Tomography Angiography Findings

Middle cerebral artery (MCA), which has the largest irrigation area of the arteries that feed the brain, is an important artery whose microanatomy should be well known because of its vascular variation. In pathologies which are known to affect the cerebrovascular system such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension, morphometric characteristics of MCA gain importance. The aim of this study is to compare the morphometric characteristics of M1 segment of MCA in T2DM and hypertensive patients with those of healthy control group by using computed tomographic angiography (CTA). The study was carried out with retrospective morphometric analysis of CTA images of 200 individuals between 40 and 65 years of age. The individuals were grouped in four as hypertensive patients (group 1), patients with T2DM (group 2), patients with hypertension and T2DM (group 3) and healthy control group (group 4). Length and diameter measurements of M1 segment were performed and recorded by using 3D CTA images. While statistically significant difference was found between bilateral M1 segment diameters of both women and men (p0.05). As a result of the post hoc analysis performed, it was concluded that right and left M1 segment diameter of group 1, group 2 and group 3 was found to be different from group 4 in both sexes (p<0.05). We believe that this study will both be a guide in radio-anatomic assessments to be performed and also increase microanatomic level of information in the surgical treatment of the artery by showing the morphometric changes that occur in M1 segment of MCA in T2DM diseases

Morphometry of the Middle Cerebral Arteries: A Radio-Anatomical Study Based on Computed Tomography Angiography Findings

Middle cerebral artery (MCA), which has the largest irrigation area of the arteries that feed the brain, is an important artery whose microanatomy should be well known because of its vascular variation. In pathologies which are known to affect the cerebrovascular system such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension, morphometric characteristics of MCA gain importance. The aim of this study is to compare the morphometric characteristics of M1 segment of MCA in T2DM and hypertensive patients with those of healthy control group by using computed tomographic angiography (CTA). The study was carried out with retrospective morphometric analysis of CTA images of 200 individuals between 40 and 65 years of age. The individuals were grouped in four as hypertensive patients (group 1), patients with T2DM (group 2), patients with hypertension and T2DM (group 3) and healthy control group (group 4). Length and diameter measurements of M1 segment were performed and recorded by using 3D CTA images. While statistically significant difference was found between bilateral M1 segment diameters of both women and men (p0.05). As a result of the post hoc analysis performed, it was concluded that right and left M1 segment diameter of group 1, group 2 and group 3 was found to be different from group 4 in both sexes (p<0.05). We believe that this study will both be a guide in radio-anatomic assessments to be performed and also increase microanatomic level of information in the surgical treatment of the artery by showing the morphometric changes that occur in M1 segment of MCA in T2DM diseases