Atherosclerosis, a disease of the large arteries, is the primary cause of heart disease and stroke. The abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in arterial walls is an important pathogenetic factor of vascular disorders like atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. In the current study, the possible anti-proliferative effect of vitexin originated from Acer palmatum was investigated in rat aortic VSMCs. Vitexin was found to potently inhibit 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS)-induced growth of VSMCs. Pre-treatment with vitexin (5-50 μg/ml) in VSMCs for 24 h resulted in a significant decrease in cell number, i.e., the inhibition rates were 5.4±7.1, 52.5±8.4, and 78.9±5.2% with vitexin treatments of 5, 20, and 50 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, trteatment with vitexin resulted in significant and dose-dependent inhibition of 5% FBS-induced DNA synthesis. Vitexin did not show any cytotoxicity in rat aortic VSMCs under this experimental condition. These results indicate the potential for development of vitexin as an anti-proliferative agent for treatment of angioplasty restenosis and atherosclerosis.

6-[(N-3,4-Dibromophenyl)amino]-7-chloro-5,8-quinolinedione(RCK13) was tested for antifungal activities. The MIC values were determined by the two-fold dilution method. The therapeutic potential of RCK13 had been assessed in comparison with ketoconazole and fluconazole against systemic infections with Candida albicans in normal mice. RCK13 had ED_(50), 0.80±0.21 mg/kg but ketoconazole had ED_(50), 8.00±0.73 mg/kg respectively. And administered RCK13 at the ED_(50) for 14 days improved survival rates as well as ketoconazole. Acute oral toaicity studies of RCK13 were carried out in ICR mice of both sexes. These acute oral toxicities of RCK13 were low and LD_(50) values were over 2,850 mg/kg in ICR mice. The genotoxicities of RCK 13 had been evaluated. RCK13 was negative in Ames test with Salmonella ryphimurium and chromosomal aberration test in CHL cells. The clastogenicity was tested on the RCK13 with in vivo mouse micronucleus assay. RCK13 did not show any clastogenic effect in mouse peripheral blood and was negative in mouse micronucleus assay. These results indicate that RCK13 has no genotoxic potential under these experimental conditions.

The objective of this study is to investigate the direct effects of green tea catechins(GTC) on vascular smooth muscle tension and ^(46)Ca^(2+) uptake in rat aorta. The methods used in this study are isometric tension measurements using physiograph, Lanthanum method for ^(46)Cac^(2+) (2 uCi/ml) uptake measurement in rat aorta. GTC modified tension induced by 40 mM KCl or 1 uM norepinephrine in rat aorta. Low concentrations of GTC($lt;0.5 mg/m increased tension by 40 mM KCl or 1 tM norepinephrine, individually. However, high concentrations of GTC($gt; 0.5 mg/ml) inhibited tension by 40 mM KCl or 1 uM norepinephrine, individually. GTC increased ^(45)Ca uptake induced by 40 mM KCl in a dose-dependent manner. From these results, GTC has the dual actions in vascular smooth muscle in vitro. Low concentrations of GTC augments tension by K or norepinephrine. However, high concentrations of GTC inhibits tension by K or norpeinephrine. GTC may have Ca^(2+) channel activation action, which may result in unphysiological vasodilation by Ca^(2+) overload in vascular smooth muscle.

The genotoxicity of combinations of four p-oxybenzoic acids (methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, isopropyl paraben, butyl paraben) and benzoic acid had been evaluated. The in vitro Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium (TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535, TA 1537) and the in uiuo micronucleus assay using mouse peripheral blood were performed. Methyl paraben plus benzoic acid, ethyl paraben plus benzoic acid, and ethyl paraben plus butyl paraben slightly increased the frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes in the high doses, but were negative in Ames test with Salmonella typhimurzum with and without rat liver microsomal activation. The other combinations tested were negative in Ames test and did not show any clastogenic effect in micronucleus test. These results suggest that genotoxicity can produced by the combinations of p-oxybenzoic acid.

In order to study the effects of Aloe vera Linne treatment on the clinical chemistry in patients with liver disease, seven patients were administered orally with 800-1, 600 mg of Aloe vern Linne four times a day for six months. The high levels of serum AST, ALT, ALP, γ-GTP and total bilirubin in patients were significantly reduced by administration of Aloe vem L.. The reduced serum albumin/globulin value was increased by Aloe vera L. treatment. But other blood parameters of clinical chemistry values were not affected by Aloe very L. treatment. These data suggest that Aloe very L. can be effective in treatment of the patients with liver disease.

In order to study the effects of Aloe vera treatment on blood glucose level and clinical chemistry in diabetic patients, eight diabetic patients were administered orally with 800 mg of Aloe vera three times a day for three months. The high levels of blood and urine glucose in diabetic patients were significantly reduced by administration of Aloe vera. The increased plasma triglyceride concentration was also significantly reduced by Aloe vera treatment. A little amount of urine bilirubin, hematuria, nitrite, urobilinogen, protein and ketone bodies were detected before treatment, but not detected after Aloe vera treatment. But other blood parameters of clinical chemistry values were not affected by Aloe vera treatment. These data suggest that Aloe vera can be effective in the treatment of the diabetic patients,