Slicing specifications in general rule of processing in Chinese Pharmacopoeia from slicing development of Chinese materia medica processed product and thinking and suggestion on slicing techniques / 中国中药杂志

Slicing is critical in the processing of Chinese materia medica(CMM) processed product and the specification(thickness) is closely related to the quality of the decoction. On the basis of clarifying the concept and evolution of slicing of CMM processed product by reviewing the Chinese herbal classics of the past dynasties and general rules of local processing standards, this study discussed the development history of slicing specifications in general rules of Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), analyzed the current situation and key problems, and proposed the thinking and suggestion on promoting the sound development of slicing of CMM processed product. Since 2000, the slicing thickness of CMM processed product in the general rules of local CMM processed product processing specifications newly revised and issued by 27 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities has been consistent with that in the general rules of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). The standard that the thickness of extremely thin pieces is less than 0.5 mm is rarely retained, and the pieces in 0.5-1 mm thickness have not been found on the market, which is consistent with the provisions of the general rules of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. This study can provide a historical and modern basis for the rationality of slicing of CMM processed product.

Gender differences in antidepressant effect of raw Rehmanniae Radix / 中国中药杂志

For the first time, this study evaluated the gender differences and mechanisms of the antidepressant effects of raw Rehmanniae Radix(RRR) based on the classic depression model with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome of Yin deficiency and internal heat. The depression model with Yin deficiency and internal heat was established by the widely recognized and applied method of thyroxine induction of the classic depression model with Yin deficiency and internal heat(chronic unpredictable mild stress). Male and female mice were simultaneously treated with RRR. The study analyzed indicators of nourishing Yin and clearing heat, conventional antidepressant efficacy test indicators, and important biomolecules reflecting the pathogenesis and prevention and treatment mechanisms of depression, and conducted a correlation analysis of antidepressant efficacy, Yin-nourishing and heat-clearing efficacy, and biological mechanism in different genders, thereby comprehensively assessing the antidepressant effects of RRR on depression of Yin deficiency and internal heat, as well as its gender differences and mechanisms. RRR exhibited antidepressant effects in both male and female mouse models, and its antidepressant efficacy showed gender differences, with a superior effect observed in females. Moreover, the effects of RRR on enhancing or improving hippocampal neuronal pathology, nucleus-positive areas, postsynaptic dense area protein 95, and synaptophysin protein expression were more significant in females than in males. In addition, RRR significantly reversed the abnormal upregulation of nuclear factor(NF)-κB/cyclooxygenase 2(COX2)/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) pathway proteins in the hippocampus of both male and female mouse models. The antidepressant effects of RRR were more pronounced in depression female mice with Yin deficiency and internal heat syndrome, possibly due to the improvement of neuronal damage and enhancement of neuroplasticity. The antidepressant mechanisms of RRR for depression with Yin deficiency and internal heat syndrome may be associated with the downregulation of the NF-κB/COX2/NLRP3 pathway to reduce neuronal damage and enhance neuroplasticity.

Analysis of cognition, attitude and barriers to community pharmaceutical care among family doctor team members in Shanghai suburb / 药学实践杂志

Objective To evaluate the cognition, attitude, and barriers of family doctor team members in chongming district of Shanghai to pharmacists joining the team and providing community pharmaceutical care. To provide the reference resources for the establishment of community pharmaceutical care management mode with appropriate suburban characteristics. Methods In a cross-section study conducted in 2020, an online questionnaire was provided to family doctor teams in 18 townships in Chongming District through group WeChat. Descriptive statistical data were used to analyze the cognition, attitude and barrier of family physician team members to community pharmaceutical care. Results Among the 555 participants in the study, 351 (63.24%) were female, 187 general practitioners (33.69%), 226 nurses (40.72%), and 142 public health physicians (25.59%). There were statistically significant differences in CPC cognition among the three classes of family doctor team members (P<0.05). 126 nurses (51.22%) and 84 public health physicians (68.85%) claimed never heard of CPC. 11.48% public health physicians and 23.58% nurses were familiar with the work content and responsibilities of community clinical pharmacists. General practitioners showed relatively high proportion of 34.76%. 34.22% of general practitioners held a "disagree attitude" against that "community pharmaceutical care can improve the medication efficacy for patients". "Insufficient investment in the health sector" and "insufficient community pharmacists" were the main obstacles to the development of community pharmaceutical care. Conclusion The attitude of family doctors in Chongming area to community pharmaceutical care was conservative. Public healthcare persons and nurses had a low awareness to community pharmaceutical care. The development of community pharmaceutical care was limited by the lack of financial investment and manpower.

Simultaneous Determination of Six Flavonoids in Astragali Radix Directional Processed with Four Enzymes by UPLC / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To establish an UPLC method for the simultaneous determination of 6 flavonoids, and to research for the effect of Astragali Radix directional processed with four enzymes (complex enzyme, plant cellulase, snail enzyme, and β-glucosidase) on the contents of flavonoid glycosides and their aglycones in this herb. Method::Chromatographic separation was carried out on ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) with the mobile phase of 0.1 mol·L-1 formic acid solution-0.1 mol·L-1 formic acid acetonitrile solution for gradient elution. The detection wavelength was set at 260 nm, the flow rate was 0.3 mL·min-1, the column temperature was 30 ℃, and the injection volume was 2 μL. Result::Calycosin-glucoside, calycosin, ononin, formononetin, 9, 10-dimethoxy-pterocarpan-3-O-β-D-glucoside and 3-hydroxy-9, 10-dimethoxy-pterocarpan showed good linear relationships within their own ranges (R2≥0.998 5), the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of precision, stability and repeatability were all <5.0%, and the average recovery was 97.62%-101.13% with RSDs of 1.4%-2.7%. In 0.5 g·L-1 level of enzyme solution, the contents of calycosin-glucoside, calycosin, ononin, formononetin, 9, 10-dimethoxy-pterocarpan-3-O-β-D-glucoside and 3-hydroxy-9, 10-dimethoxy-pterocarpan in Astragali Radix processed with complex enzyme were 0.082 0, 0.335 9, 0.055 9, 0.104 9, 0.015 0, 0.009 7 mg·g-1, the contents of them in Astragali Radix processed with plant cellulase were 0.105 7, 0.364 2, 0.070 2, 0.117 4, 0.020 8, 0.012 5 mg·g-1, their contents in Astragali Radix processed with snail enzyme were 0.031 4, 0.510 0, 0.043 5, 0.210 9, 0.013 0, 0.013 0 mg·g-1, and their contents in Astragali Radix processed with β-glucosidase were 0.085 3, 0.312 4, 0.061 5, 0.110 8, 0.005 8, 0.009 6 mg·g-1, respectively. Conclusion::After the processing of Astragali Radix by four enzymes, in addition to 9, 10-dimethoxy-pterocarpan-3-O-β-D-glucoside, the contents of calycosin-glucoside and ononin are reduced, but the contents of their three corresponding aglycones are significantly increased. The established method is simple, accurate and reproducible, and is suitable for the simultaneous determination of 6 flavonoids in Astragali Radix, which can provide a reference for this herb directional processed with enzymes.

Analysis on Mechanism of Adenine-induced Kidney-Yang Deficiency Rats Treated with Different Processed Products of Curculiginis Rhizoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study on the mechanism of invigorating kidney and strengthening Yang of different processed products of Curculiginis Rhizoma aqueous extracts in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency induced by adenine. Method:Taking Guifu Dihuang pills as the positive drug group (the dosage of 2.466 g·kg-1), after intragastric administration for 4 weeks, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to compare the effects of different processed products of Curculiginis Rhizoma aqueous extracts (the dosage of 2.742 g·kg-1) on the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and cortisol (COR) in serum of rats with kidney-Yang deficiency induced by adenine. The activity of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) in rat liver and kidney microsomes was determined by Nash colorimetry. Result:All the processed products aqueous extracts could improve the function of hypothalamus-pituitary-target gland axis in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency induced by adenine, and the total score was in the order of Euodiae Fructus juice-processed products (29 points)>salt-processed products (25 points)>rice wine-processed products (23 points)>raw products (17 points)>Zingiberis Rhizoma juice-processed products (11 points). And the different processed products of Curculiginis Rhizoma could increase CYP3A activity of liver and kidney microsomes of kidney-Yang deficiency rats, especially the Euodiae Fructus juice-processed products and salt-processed products. Conclusion:All the processed products of Curculiginis Rhizoma can effectively treat the syndrome of kidney-Yang deficiency in rats, among them, Euodiae Fructus juice-processed products and salt-processed products have more significant effect on invigorating kidney and strengthening Yang.

Relationship Between Characters and Main Components of Chelidonii Herba Pieces / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To determine the relationship between the characters and the main components of Chelidonii Herba pieces. Method::The main components of the samples were determined by HPLC, and the characters of Chelidonii Herba Pieces were evaluated by sensory evaluation. The correlation between the characters and components was calculated by correlation formula. Result::The content of 6 components, such as chelidonine, was determined by HPLC. Based on the result of sensory evaluation, there was a certain correlation between the characters and the components. Character descriptions that " some have visible white powder, some have white pubescence, and sometimes they have visible yellow florets" had a very low similarity with total alkali, indicating that these characters and total alkali content was not related. The similarity between the description of " hollow stem" had a high similarity with total alkali content, indicating that the amount of stem was related to the total alkali content. The character description of " more broken leaves" was negatively correlated with total alkaloids in the similarity, which indicated that the content of total alkaloids was less when there were more leaves(or more broken leaves), otherwise, the content of total alkaloids was relatively higher. Conclusion::The established HPLC method is simple and feasible. This study objectively quantifies the descriptions of Chelidonii Herba pieces characters, correlates them with the main components of Chelidonii Herba pieces, and then preliminarily judges the quality of Chelidonii Herba pieces according to the appearance of the characters, which provides a theoretical basis for the identification of Chelidonii Herba pieces in the market by experience, and ideas for the study of the characters of other traditional Chinese medicines.

Comparison of 12 constituents of Astragali Radix directionally processed with organic acid by UPLC-MS / 中国中药杂志

To establish an UPLC-MS method for the simultaneous content determination of 4 saponins and 8 flavonoids, in order to analyze the effect of Astragali Radix directionally processed with organic acid on the content of glycosides and aglycones. The separation was carried out on ACQUITY UPLC HSS T_3(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm), the mobile phase was eluted with the mixture of 0.1 mol·L~(-1) formic acid water solution and 0.1 mol·L~(-1) formic acid acetonitril in a gradient mode. The detection wavelength was 260 nm, the flow rate was 0.5 mL·min~(-1), the column temperature was 30 ℃, and the injection volume was 2 μL. Mass spectrometry analysis was performed with an electrospray ionization(ESI) source in a positive ion mode. The 12 constituents showed good linear relations within their own ranges(R~2≥0.999 2),with good average recoveries. The results showed no significant change in saponins but both qualitative and quantitative changes in flavonoids after directional processing of Astragali Radix with organic acid. The established method can provide methodological reference for analyzing the effect of Astragali Radix directionally processed with organic acid on glycosides and aglycones.

Determination of orcinol glucoside by LC-MS in Curculigo orchioides and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

ABSTRACT This study was designed to explore the pharmacokinetic regularity of the plasma concentration, tissue distribution and excretion of orcinol glucoside from aqueous extracts of raw and processed Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., Hypoxidaceae. The experiment first used an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach with multiple reaction monitoring and a positive mode to separate orcinol glucoside from naringin to obtain the plasma concentration curves, bar graph of tissue distribution and excretion curves. These results might be beneficial for reasonable clinical application of C. orchioides and for further development of its wine and salt-processing mechanism.

Long non-coding RNA H19 facilitates bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell survival and vascularization in hypoxic-ischemic conditions in vitro / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Our previous study demonstrated that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) presented with a low survival rate and newly formed vascular-like structures was sparsely distributed in the local infarct tissues after cell transplantation, which certainly impaired the therapeutic efficacy. Long non-coding RNA-H19 (lncRNA-H19) has been confirmed to be associated with MSCs differentiation and mediate vascularization. OBJECTIVE:To observe the influence of lncRNA-H19 on the survival and vascularization potential of MSCs in vitro and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS:MSCs were obtained and cultured in vitro.Cells were divided into five groups:MSCs+H19,MSCs+H19 negative control (MSCs+H19 NC), MSCs+si-H19, MSCs+si-H19 negative control (MSCs+si-H19 NC) and MSCs groups. MSCs+H19 and MSCs+H19 NC groups were transfected with lncRNA-H19 and lncRNA-H19 scramble RNA respectively, while MSCs+siH19 and MSCs+si-H19 NC groups were transfected with lncRNA-H19 siRNA and lncRNA-H19 siRNA scramble respectively. Cells were cultured under hypoxic-ischemic condition (serum-free medium, 1% O2) for 24 hours. Then, cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated using MTS and TUNEL, respectively. Cell supernatant from each experimental group was further co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells to induce vascularization. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) was thereafter detected using western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with MSCs+H19 NC and MSCs groups, MSCs+H19 group presented with significantly higher proliferation rate, lower apoptosis percentage and a larger number of vascular branches on matrigel (P < 0.01). There was a significantly higher expression of VEGFA in the MSCs+H19 group than MSCs+H19 NC and MSCs groups. Compared with the MSCs and MSCs+si-H19 NC groups, MSCs+H19 group presented with significantly lower proliferation rate, higher apoptosis percentage and a less number of vascular branches on matrigel (P < 0.01). In addition, VEGFA expression was distinctly downregulated in the MSCs+si-H19 group in comparison with the MSCs+si-H19 NC and MSCs groups. These findings indicate that lncRNA-H19 effectively promotes MSCs survival and vascularization under hypoxic-ischemic condition in vitro,and this effect may be associated with the upregulation of VEGFA.

Metabolomics analysis and rapid identification of changes in chemical ingredients in crude and processed Astragali Radix by UPLC-QTOF-MS combined with novel informatics UNIFI platform / 中国天然药物

Astragali Radix, the root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao or Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge., is widely used as a tonic decoction pieces in the clinic of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Astragali Radix has various processed products with varying pharmacological actions. There is no modern scientific evidence to explain the differences in pharmacological activities and related mechanisms. In the present study, we explore the changes in chemical components in Astragali Radix after processing, by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) combined with novel informatics UNIFI platform and multivariate statistical analysis. Our results showed that the crude and various processed products could be clearly separated in PCA scores plot and 15 significant markers could be used to distinguish crude and various processed products by OPLS-DA in UNIFI platform. In conclusion, the present study provided a basis of chemical components for revealing connotation of different processing techniques on Astragali Radix.

Metabolomics analysis and rapid identification of changes in chemical ingredients in crude and processed Astragali Radix by UPLC-QTOF-MS combined with novel informatics UNIFI platform / 中国天然药物

Astragali Radix, the root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao or Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge., is widely used as a tonic decoction pieces in the clinic of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Astragali Radix has various processed products with varying pharmacological actions. There is no modern scientific evidence to explain the differences in pharmacological activities and related mechanisms. In the present study, we explore the changes in chemical components in Astragali Radix after processing, by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) combined with novel informatics UNIFI platform and multivariate statistical analysis. Our results showed that the crude and various processed products could be clearly separated in PCA scores plot and 15 significant markers could be used to distinguish crude and various processed products by OPLS-DA in UNIFI platform. In conclusion, the present study provided a basis of chemical components for revealing connotation of different processing techniques on Astragali Radix.

LncRNA-Braveheart promotes the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro into cardiomyocyte-like cells / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Our previous work demonstrated that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation could improve cardiac function in rats with myocardial infarction.However,the overall efficacy was unsatisfactory,and there was a low efficiency of BMSCs differentiating into cardiomyocytes in the local infarct myocardium.OBJECTIVE:To transfect long non-coding RNA-Braveheart (IncRNA-Bvht) into BMSCs in order to observe whether it could promote cardiomyocyte differentiation of BMSCs in vitro.METHODS:pLVX-IRES-ZsGreen1-IncRNA-Bvht vector was constructed and applied to transfect IncRNA-Bvht into bMSCs,and then,the transfection efficiency was detected.BMSCs were obtained from C57BL/6 mice and cultured ir vitro.Passage 3 cells were divided into three groups:BMSCs group,null vector group and IncRNA-Bvht group.All cells in the three groups were cultured in the normal condition for 48 hours and cardiomyocytes differentiation was induced by 5-azacytidine for another 24 hours followed by 2-week culture under normal conditions.Cardiomyocyte differentiation of BMSCs was observed under fluorescence microscopy and expression of cardiac specific cell markers including troponin T and myosin were examined using immunofluorescent staining,western blot assay,and qRT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Cell morphological changes could be observed in all the groups 2 weeks after the induction.Interconnected cells arranged consistently in all the three groups.Immunofiuorescent staining results showed that the expression of troponin T and myosin was notably positive,and the proportion of troponin T positive cells was significantly increased.qRT-PCR and western blot assay results indicated that there were significantly increased levels of troponin T and myosin in the IncRNA-Bvht group as compared with the BMSCs and null vector groups (P ＜ 0.01),suggesting that IncRNA-Bvht could efficiently promote cardiomyocyte differentiation of BMSCs in vitro.

Elk-3 Contributes to the Progression of Liver Fibrosis by Regulating the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of Elk-3 in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during liver fibrogenesis remains unclear. Here, we determined the expression of Elk-3 in in vitro and in vivo models and in human liver fibrotic tissues. We also investigated the molecular relationships among Elk-3, early growth response-1 (Egr-1), and the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway during EMT in hepatocytes. METHODS: We established anin vitro EMT model in which normal mouse hepatocyte cell lines were treated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model. Characteristics of EMT were determined by evaluating the expression levels of related markers. The expression of Elk-3 and its target Egr-1 were analyzed using Western blotting. Gene silencing of Elk-3 was performed using an siRNA knockdown system. RESULTS: The expression levels of mesenchymal markers were increased during TGF-β1-induced EMT of hepatocytes. The expression levels of Elk-3 and Egr-1 were significantly (p<0.05) increased during the EMT of hepatocytes, in CCl₄-induced mouse liver fibrotic tissues, and in human liver cirrhotic tissues. Silencing of Elk-3 and inhibition of the Ras-Elk-3 pathway with an inhibitor suppressed the expression of EMT-related markers. Moreover, Elk-3 expression was regulated by p38 MAPK phosphorylation during EMT. CONCLUSIONS: Elk-3 contributes to the progression of liver fibrosis by modulating the EMT via the regulation of Egr-1 under MAPK signaling.

Investigation of potential toxic factors for fleece-flower root： from perspective of processing methods evolution / 中国中药杂志

In recent years, the rapid growth of reports on fleece-flower root-caused liver damages has drawn wide attention of both at home and abroad, however, there were rare literature on toxicology of fleece-flower root in ancient Chinese medicine. But why there are so many reports on toxicology of fleece-flower root now compared with the ancient literature? As a typical tonic medicine, the clinical utility of fleece-flower root was largely limited by its standardization and reliability of processing methods in ancient Chinese medicine. The ancient processing methods of fleece-flower root emphasized nine times of steaming and nine times of drying, while the modern processes have been simplified into one time of steaming. Whether the differences between ancient and modern processing methods are the potential cause of the increased events of fleece-flower root-caused liver damages. We will make deep analysis and provide new clues and perspectives for the research on its toxicity. This article, therefore, would discuss the affecting factors and key problems in toxicity attenuation of fleece-flower root on the basis of sorting out the processing methods of fleece-flower root in ancient medical books and modern standards, in order to provide the reference for establishing specification for toxicity attenuation of fleece-flower root.

Comparison of anti-inflammatory activity between crude Atractylodes lancea and their processed products by stir-baking with bran in rat models of gastric ulcer / 中国中药杂志

To compare the anti-inflammatory activity of the crude Atractylodes lancea (AL) and AL processed products by stir-baking with bran in rat models of gastric ulcer, and preliminarily explore the anti-ulcer mechanisms of AL, the model of gastric ulcer was imitated by local acetic acid injection into gastric mucosa in rats by surgery according to the modified Okabe method. All rats were randomly divided into the following 10 groups： sham-operation group, model group, omeprazole group, Sanjiu Weitai granule group, crude AL low dose group, crude AL middle dose group, crude AL high dose group, processed AL low dose group, processed AL middle dose group, and processed AL high dose group. Rats were administered via intragastric (ig) two times each day, for 10 consecutive days. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta, serum was separated, and the ulcer tissues were taken. The levels of inflammatory factors interleukin 6, 8 (IL-6, 8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in serum and gastric tissues were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-8 in gastric tissues were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-8 in gastric tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Compared with sham-operation group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6, PGE2 as well as the mRNA expressions and protein expressions of TNF-α, IL-8 in gastric tissues were significantly higher in model group. The above levels were reduced in different degrees in all treatment groups. Compared with the crude AL, same dose of processed AL was more effective in decreasing the levels of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6, PGE2 in serum and gastric tissues and down-regulating the mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-8 in gastric tissues, with significant difference in middle dose groups and high dose groups. The results showed that AL had potent anti-inflammatory effects in rat models of gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid, and the processed AL had more obvious effect. The anti-ulcer action of AL could be attributed partly to down-regulating the levels of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6 and PGE2.

Determination of four coumarin constituents before and after Angelicae Dahuricae Radix stewed with yellow rice wine and research on its mutual transformation mechanism / 中国中药杂志

To determine the contents of oxypeucedanin, oxypeucedanin hydrate, byakangelicol and byak-angelicin both before and after Angelicae Dahuricae Radix was stewed with yellow rice wine by high-performance liquid chromatography, and study the mutual transformation mechanisms of oxypeucedanin into oxypeucedanin hydrate, as well as byakangelicol into byak-angelicin. The research results indicated that the contents of oxypeucedanin and byakangelicol were decreased, but the contents of oxypeucedanin hydrate and byak-angelicin were increased after Angelicae Dahuricae Radix was processed with yellow rice wine. The contents' changes of these chemical compounds were due to the ring opening reaction of epoxy compounds, such as oxypeucedanin and byakangelicol under the weak acidity and heating conditions of yellow rice wine. This research could provide a scientific basis for the processing mechanism of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix with yellow rice wine stewing.

Study on protective effect of Sijunzi decoction (red/white ginseng) on H2O2-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes apoptosis / 中国中药杂志

In this study, efforts were made to screen out the drug concentration of Sijunzi decoction (red ginseng) for in vitro intervention of H9c2 cardiomyocytes, select high, medium and low groups for subsequent experiments, establish the H2O2-induced myocardial cell apoptosis to investigate the protective effect of Sijunzi decoction (white/red ginseng), provide reference ginseng ingredients in Sijunzi decoction used to treat ischemic heart disease and reflect its curative effect, and observe its impacts on SOD, MAD, LDH and other indexes to preliminarily define the action mechanism. According to the results, red ginseng in Sijunzi decoction showed a better protective effect on H2O2-induced myocardial cell injury than that of white ginseng. Both of them could enhance SOD activity and reduce MDA production and LDH release, so as to significantly reduce the amount of apoptotic myocardial cells and play protective role.

Sangxingtang inhibits the inflammation of LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice by down-regulating the MAPK/NF-κB pathway / 中国天然药物

In the present study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects of Sangxingtang (SXT) on acute lung injury using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model. The cell counting in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was performed. The degree of lung edema was evaluated by measuring the wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio. The superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were assayed by SOD and MPO kits, respectively. The levels of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were assayed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Pathological changes of lung tissues were observed by Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The inflammatory signaling pathway-related proteins nuclear factor mitogen activated protein kinases (P38MAPK), extracellular regulated protein kinases (Erk), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (Jnk) and nuclear transcription factor (NF-κB) p65 expressions were measured by Western blotting. Our results showed that the treatment with the SXT markedly attenuated the inflammatory cell numbers in the BALF, decreased the levels of P-P38MAPK, P-Erk, P-Jnk and P-NF-κB p65 and the total protein levels in lungs, improved the SOD activity and inhibited the MPO activity. Histological studies demonstrated that SXT substantially reduced the LPS-induced neutrophils in lung tissues, compared with the untreated LPS group. In conclusion, our results indicated that SXT had protective effects on LPS-induced ALI in mice.

Determination of kaempferitrin in Celastri Orbiculati Fructus by HPLC / 中草药

Objective: To establish an HPLC method for the determination of kaempferitrin in Celastri Orbiculati Fructus and to compare the quality of samples from different habitats in northeast China. Methods: The extracts were obtained by methanol ultrasonic method and kaempferitrin was determinated by HPLC. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) at 30℃ and the mobile phase was a mixture of methanol- 0.01 mol/L solution of potassium dihydrogenphosphate -glacial acetic acid (40:60:15). The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detection wavelength was 254 nm. Results: The linearity range was 0.092 7-0.926 7 μg (r = 0.999 8), average recovery was 100.8%, and RSD = 1.1% (n = 6). Conclusion: This method is validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, precision, and accuracy. It can be used as the effective method for quality control. The determination results show that the longer the fruit sits followed by picking, the less contents it has.

Anti-asthmatic effects of oxymatrine in a mouse model of allergic asthma through regulating CD40 signaling / 中国天然药物

The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-asthmatic effects of oxymatrine (OXY) and the possible underlying mechanisms. The mouse asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneal injection. A total of fifty mice were randomly assigned to five groups: control, OVA, OVA + dexamethasone (Dex, 2 mg · kg(-1)), and OVA + OXY (40 mg · kg(-1)), and OVA + OXY (80 mg · kg(-1)), respectively. Histological studies were conducted by the hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), interleukin-13, and IgE were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the protein level of CD40 was analyzed by Western blotting. OXY inhibited OVA-induced increases in eosinophil count; the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IgE, and IL-13 were recovered. It also substantially inhibited OVA-induced eosinophilia in lung tissues and the expression of CD40 protein. These findings suggest that OXY may effectively ameliorate the progression of asthma and could be explored as a possible therapy for patients with allergic asthma.