Featured article: Moshage H, Kok B, Huizenga JR, Jansen PLM. Nitrite and nitrate determinations in plasma: a critical evaluation. Clin Chem 1995;41: 892– 6. The history of nitric oxide (NO•) is a remarkable one. In the early 1980s it was established that nitric oxide was produced in the human body. Shortly afterward it became clear that nitric oxide had important functions in the regulation of ...

BACKGROUND Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Saururaceae) has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of inflammatory diseases. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of an ethyl acetate fraction derived from a Houttuynia cordata extract (HCE-EA) on the production of inflammatory mediators and the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)...

Morus alba L., also known as white mulberry or Mhon, has long been used in traditional medicines. This study was aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory activities of mulberry stem ethanolic extract (MSE) in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. The MSE was first prepared and then investigated for cell viability using the MTT assay. The anti-inflammatory activitie...

BACKGROUND Schisandrae Fructus, the dried fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (Magnoliaceae), is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of chronic inflammatory diseases. This study examined the anti-inflammatory effects of Schisandrae Fructus ethanol extract (SF) on the production of pro-inflammatory substances in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264....

− The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic effects of the water extract of Lespedeza cuneata (LCW) using rat insulinoma (RIN) m5F cells and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The effect of LCW on the protection of pancreatic beta cells was assessed using MTT assay, and nitric oxide production was assessed using Griess reagent. STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated with ...

BACKGROUND Evidence supports the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in a variety of male reproductive processes such as spermatogenesis, spermiogenesis, sperm motion, sperm metabolism and sperm capacitation. However, low concentration of NO is essential in biology and physiology of spermatozoa, but high amounts of NO is toxic and has negative effects on sperm functions. On the other hand, it is e...

Zinc is an important metal in body homeostasis. Zinc in soluble form (Zn2+) and homeopathic Zincum metallicum were tested in macrophages and astrocytes in order to investigate its potential toxic or therapeutic effects. We evaluated cell viability (WST assay), cytokine production such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)...

Purpose: To investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory properties of Carum carvi Linn. (CCE, Umbelliferae) aqueous extract in stimulated BV-2 microglial cells and explore its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cell viability assessment was performed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to activate BV-2 microglia. Nitric oxide (...

We report the first studies on the reaction between an HNO donor compound and vitamin B12 complexes. Kinetic and mechanistic studies have been carried out on the reaction between the vitamin B12 derivative aquacobalamin (H2OCbl(+)/HOCbl; pKa = 7.8) and the HNO donor Angeli's salt. Studies were carried out with aquacobalamin in excess, since nitrite also reacts with aquacobalamin to form nitroco...