Studies on chemical constituents of Clinopodium chinense / 中国中药杂志

Twenty-eight compounds were isolated and purified from Clinopodium chinense by Sephedax LH-20, ODS, MCI and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified as apigenin (1), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (3), thellungianol (4), apigenin-7-O-β-D-rutinoside (5), luteolin (6), luteolin-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), apigenin-7-O-β-D-pyranglycuronate butyl ester (8), luteolin-7-O-β-D-rutinoside (9), luteolin-7-O-β-D-noehesperidoside (10), acacetin (11), acacetin-7-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (12), buddleoside (13), naringenin (14), pruning (15), nairutin (16), isosakuranetin (17), isosakuranin (18), didymin (19), hesperidin (20), kaempferol (21), quercetin (22), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rahmnoside (23), p-hydroxycinnamic acid (24), caffeic acid (25), cis-3-[2-[1-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-1 -hydroxymethyl]-1,3-ben-zodioxol-5-yl]-(E)-2-propenoic acid (26), mesaconic acid (27), gentisic acid 5-O-β-D-(6'-salicylyl)-glucopyranoside (28). Among them, compounds 7, 9-10, 12, 23, 26-28 were isolated from the Clinopodium for the first time. The protective effects of compounds 1-6, 8-17 and 19 against H2O2-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury were tested, compounds 15 exhibited significantly protective effects. Compared with the cell viability of (62.12±6.18)% in the model, pruning exhibited viabilities of (84.25±7.36)% at 25.0 mg•L⁻¹, respectively, using quercetin as a positive control [cell viability of (84.55±8.26)%, 20 mg•L⁻¹].

Effect of Smo SiRNA-mediated Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Inhibition on Palatal Fusion / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

We used Smo siRNA to inhibit hedgehog signaling pathway in embryonic day (E) 13 palatal shelves in organ culture. SiRNA 4 was chosen as the most efficient from four synthesized Smo siRNAs. Palatal shelf fusion rate of 4 μg/mL cyclopamine group was the lowest and significantly lower than that of blank control group (P<0.05), and that of siRNA 4 group was also lower than that of blank control group (P=0.183). At 48 h after transfection, Smo protein level of siRNA 4 group was 64.8% lower than that of blank control group (P<0.05), and Gli1 protein level of 4 μg/mL cyclopamine group was 68.9% lower than that of blank control group (P<0.05). Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibition decreased palatal fusion in organ culture, probably owing to downregulation of Smo and Gli1 proteins.

A new phenylethanoid glycoside from roots of Incarvillea compacta / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the roots of Incarvillea compacta (Tibetan medicine). Methods: The constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of their physicochemical properties and spectral data. Results: Four phenylethanoid glycosides were obtained from the ethanol extract in the roots of I. compacta and identified as Z-3‴-O-methylisocrenatoside (1), 3‴-O-methylcrenatoside (2), crenatoside (3), and isomartynoside (4), respectively. Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new phenylethanoid glycoside and compounds 2-4 are isolated from the plants of Incarvillea A. Juss. for the first time.

A new linear diterpene from stem barks of Aphanamixis polystachya / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the stem barks of Aphanamixis polystachya. Methods: The constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography, and preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of their physicochemical properties and spectral data. Results: Three diterpenes were obtained from the ethanol extract of the stem bark of A. polystachya and identified as (2Z, 6E, 10E)-methyl 12, 14, 15-trihydroxy-3, 7, 11, 15-tetramethylhexadeca-2, 6, 10-trienoate (1), melidianolic acid A (2), and nemoralisin H (3), respectively. Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new linear diterpene named nemoralisin K, compound 2 is isolated from the plants of Aphanamixis Bl., and compound 3 is obtained from the species for the first time, respectively.

Triterpene constituents from Rosa cymosa Tratt / 中国中药杂志

The constituents in 95% ethanol extract of the root of Rosa cymosa Tratt were purified by column chromatography techniques, leading to isolation of eleven triterpenes. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data as pomolic acid (1), fupenzic acid (2), ursolic acid (3), euscaphic acid (4), arjunic acid (5), tomentic acid (6), 3β-E-feruloyl corosolic acid (7), 1β-hydroxyeuscaphic acid (8), myrianthic acid (9), cecropiacic acid (10), and ilexoside B (11). Among them, compounds 3, 6-8, 10 and 11 were obtained from this plant for the first time, and compounds 7 and 10 were obtained from this genus for the first time.

Influence of male age on the outcome of conventional IVF-ET / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of male age on the outcome of conventional IVF-ET.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on male age, 170 couples undergoing conventional IVF-ET were divided into three groups: <35 yr (n = 60), 35 -39 yr (n = 77) and > or = 40 yr (n = 33). We observed the rates of fertilization, cleavage, good quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion in different groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences among the three groups in semen volume ([3.10 +/- 1.22] ml vs [2.84 +/- 1.05] ml vs [2.80 +/- 0.79] ml), sperm concentration ([54.23 +/- 26.07] x 10(6)/ml vs [60.27 +/- 24.80] x 10(6)/ml vs [60.21 +/- 27.42] x 10(6)/ml) and sperm viability ([53.93 +/- 13.25]% vs [56.10 +/- 16.58]% vs [51.82 +/- 15.45]%) (P>0.05). The men of the > or = 40 yr group showed a significantly lower percentage of grade a + b sperm ([40.97 +/- 11.91]%) than those of the <35 and 35 - 39 yr groups ([48.47 +/- 11.78]% and [46.84 +/- 13.51]%) (P<0.05), and morphologically normal sperm ([11.76 +/- 5.97]%) than those of the <35 yr group ([15.25 +/- 6.94]% (P<0.05). The rates of fertilization, cleavage, good quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy were 81.52%, 82.61%, 52.33%, 18.06% and 33.33% in the > or = 40 yr group, with no significant differences from those of the <35 yr group (83.18%, 82.68%, 56.99%, 22.40% and 40.00%) and the 35 - 39 yr group (78.78%, 80.66%, 55.01%, 21.74% and 38.96%) (P>0.05), while the abortion rate was markedly increased in the > or = 40 yr group as compared with the <35 yr group (36.36% vs 8.33%, P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increasing male age is related with decreasing percentages of progressively motile sperm and morphologically normal sperm, but not obviously with the rates of fertilization, good quality embryo, implantation, pregnancy and abortion.</p>

Effects of males' age on sperm apoptosis and DNA integrity / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation of males'age with sperm apoptosis, sperm DNA integrity and other seminal parameters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected 104 semen samples and divided them into three groups according to the males' age: <35 yr (n = 43), 35 -39 yr (n = 31), and > or = 40 yr (n = 30). Based on the WHO Laboratory Manual (4th ed), we detected the seminal parameters, calculated the percentage of apoptotic sperm by flow cytometry (FCM), determined sperm DNA integrity by Acridine orange staining, and compared the results among the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no statistically significant differences among the < 35 yr, 35 -39 yr and > or = 40 yr groups in semen volume ([2.87 +/- 0.89] ml vs [2.98 +/- 1.09] ml vs [2.65 +/- 0.95] ml), sperm concentration ([60.40 +/- 25.43] x 10(6)/ml vs [69.74 +/- 28.33] x 10(6)/ml vs [55.97 +/- 27.22] x 10(6)/ml) (P>0.05). The percentage of progressively motile sperm was significantly lower in the > or = 40 yr ([39.00 +/- 8.35 %) than in the <35 and 35 -39 yr groups ([48.73 +/- 9.89]% and [45.65 +/- 10.55]%) (P<.0.1), and so was the percentage of morphologically normal sperm in the > or = 40 yr than in the < 35 yr group ([11.11 +/- 8.26]% vs [16.43 +/- 8.75 ]%, P<0.01). The percentage of apoptotic sperm was markedly higher in the > or = 40 yr than in the <35 yr group ([11.82 +/- 5.77]% vs [7.04 +/- 3.50]%, P<0.01), while the sperm DNA integrity significantly reduced in the > or = 40 yr group ([75.52 +/- 10.60]%) as compared with the <35 yr ([86.55 +/- 5.60])% and 35 -39 yr group ( [81.39 +/- 8.94]%) (P<0.01). The males' age was correlated positively with the rate of sperm apoptosis (P<0.01), and negatively with sperm DNA integrity and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The advance in males' age increases sperm apoptosis and reduces sperm progressive motility, normal morphology and DNA integrity.</p>

Effect of qianyang recipe on correlated indices of hypertension rats of gan-yang hyperactivity syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Qianyang Recipe (QYR) on the Gan-yang hyperactivity syndrome (GYHS), the blood pressure, and correlated vascular regulatory factors of hypertension rat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, and the QYR group, ten in each. Hypertension rat model of GYHS was prepared using Aconiti Praeparata Decoction plus ephedrine plus salt water. Rats in the QYR group orally took QYR physic liquor, while distilled water was given to rats in the normal control group and the model group. They were medicated for 28 successive days. The facial temperature, the grip strength, and the systolic pressure were determined once every 7 days. Rats' irritable degree and feather color were observed and recorded once every 14 days. After the last administration the plasma renin (PR), angiotensin II (Ang II), aldosterone (ALD), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (cGRP) were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group of the same phase, the facial temperature of rats in the QYR group significantly decreased on the 14th, 21th and 28th day after administration. The systolic pressure obviously decreased on the 21st day after administration. On the 28th day after administration symptoms such as irritability, dry hair were improved, and the Ang II level decreased. There was significant difference in all these changes (P<0.05, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>QYR could relieve GYHS rats' symptoms such as facial hotness, irritability, dry hair, and so on, and decrease the systolic pressure. Decreased Ang II level might be one of its mechanisms.</p>

Studies on chemical constituents from bark of Biebersteinia heterostemon / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of the whote plant Biebersteinia heterostemon (Geraniaceae).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The ethanol extract of the whole plants was separated by various chromatographic methods and the compounds from the extract were identified by spectroscopic evidence including MS, IR, NMR and X-ray crystallographic analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Three isoprenyl guanidine derivatives were isolated from the whole plant of Biebersteinia heterostemon and identified as galegine (1) , cis-4-hydroxygalegine (2) and trans-4-hydroxygalegine (3).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The three compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.</p>