Effects of curcumin on bleomycin-induced damages in pulmonary functions in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effects of curcumin on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>One hundred and forty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 6 groups (24 rats in each group, model group, sham group, prednisone group (0.56 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), curcumin with low dose 5 mg group, curcumin with middle dose group 10 mg and curcumin with high dose group 20 mg per 100 g of body weight). Rats in all groups except in sham group were injected with BLM intratracheally. Curcumin with different doses were given by gavage one time everyday for 7, 14 and 28 days. Prednisone were given to rats in prednisone group, po, serving as the positive treatment group. On the 7th, 14th, 28th day, the lung functions (inspiratory resistance, maximal volutary ventilation, forced vital capacity, Fev 0.2/FVC, peak expiratory flow) were determinated in experimental rats, respectively, and the concentrations of hydroxyproline in lung homogenates of each rat were assayed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Administration of curcumin in different doses improved lung functions of BLM-induced fibrotic rats in the all experimental days; and it decreased the concentration of hydroxyproline in lung homogenates compared with those levels in model control group; and it also lessened the hyperplasia of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Administration of curcumin can suppress BLM induced pulmonary fibrosis indicated by improved respiratory function, as well as companied with low content of hydroxyproline in lung tissue of rats.</p>

Experimental study on effect and mechanism of soybean protease inhibitor on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effect of soybean protease inhibitor on LPS-induced lung injury in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided in five groups, 10 rats in each group as sham-operation group, model control group, positive medicine group, and high, moderate SBTI groups. Except the sham-group, other groups were induced by intratracheal instillation of LPS with a dose of 6 mg x kg(-1). All rats were given drug throughout intraperitoneal injection except the model controlled group, the positive medicine group was given PMSF with a dose of 50 mg x kg(-1), the high dose group of SBTI was given SBTI with a dose of 100 mg x kg(-1), a dose of the moderate group is 50 mg x kg(-1). We examined all rats in seven days. Index exam: cell quantity, activity of neutrophilic granulocyte released elastic protease proteins in BALF, histopathological examination and so on.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Soybean protease inhibitor can level down the level of total protein, cell quantity, PMN percent, activity of neutrophilic granulocyte in BALF. SBTI level down the content of NF-kappa B in nucleoprotein, while increase the content of I kappa B alpha in plasmoprotein.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SBTI is useful in protecting experimental pulmonary injury induced by LPS in rats.</p>

Study on role of Chengqi Shengxue prescription in anti-tumor and immunoregulation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of Chengqi Shengxue prescription in anti-tumor and immunoregulation and to evaluate its effect on apoptosis and T lymphocyte subsets of tumor-bearing mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>S180 ascites tumor and Lewis lung carcinoma tumor-bearing mice were used in the screening. Then 55 mice were treated randomly with the model, cyclophosphamide (30 mg x kg(-1)), or three different dosages of Chengqi Shengxue prescription (2. 4, 1.2, 0.6 g x kg(-1). After the treatment apoptosis of tumor cell and peripheral T lymphocyte subsets of tumor-bearing mice was analyzed by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Lewis lung carcinoma was a nsitive tumor cell line to Chengqi Shengxue prescription. Compared with the model group, significantly increased apoptosis was observed after administration of high and medium dose of Chengqi Shengxue prescription (P < 0. 05) by PI staining. Increased early apoptosis in cancer cells was observed in all experimental doses of Chengqi Shengxue prescription by Annexin V and PI double staining (P < 0.01) . The analysis of T lymphocyte subsets showed that the percentage of CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio decreased significantly in model group when compared with the normal ones (P < 0.01), while no change was observed in CD8. In administration groups, CD3, CD4 and CD8 were significantly lower than normal ones (P < 0.01) , but CD4/CD8 ratio did not change significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chengqi Shengxue prescription has selectively inhibitive effect on the growth of mouse Lewis lung carcinoma and takes an antitransfer role. Its anti-tumor effect may be owing to inducing tumor cell apoptosis. Chengqi Shengxue prescription improves cellular immune function through enhancing CD4/CD8 ratio.</p>

Research on phytoestrogenic effects and its mechanism of psoralen / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe and evaluate the phytoestrogenic effects and its mechanism of psoralen in estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta positive T47D and ishikawa cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The proliferation rate of T47D influenced by 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) to 1 x 10(-9) mol x L(-1) psoralen and that of Ishikawa influenced by 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) and 1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1) psoralen were analyzed by MTT assay. PR mRNA expression in T47D was quantified by RT-PCR assay. Estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182, 780 was employed as a tool. ER-alpha and ER-beta expression of T47D was measured by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The proliferation rates of T47D cells treated with 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) to 1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1) psoralen and ishikawa cells treated with 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) to 1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1) psoralen were increased significantly. The RT-PCR result showed that 1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1) and 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) psoralen could increase PR expression in T47D cells. The above effects could be blocked by ICI 182,780. Psoralen could also induce the augment of ER-alpha and ER-beta expression in T47D cells significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Psoralen has phytoestrogenic effects. The effects are attained through ER pathway.</p>

Evaluation on phytoestrogen effects of ten kinds of Chinese medicine including flos carthami / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the phytoestrogenic effects of ten kinds of Chinese medicine including flos carthami, radix cyathulae, radix salviae miltiorrhizae, fructus ligustri lucidi, fructus lycii, radix clycyrrhizae, herba cistanches, herba epimedii, fructus psoraleae and semen cuscutae.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>240 female Kunming mice weighting 9 - 12 g were randomly divided into two main groups A and B. A group was divided into 12 small groups: 1 solvent control group, 1 diethylstilbestrol control group and 10 Chinese medicine groups. B group was also divided into 12 small groups: 1 solvent control group, 1 diethylstilbestrol control group and 10 Chinese medicine antagonistic groups. Mice in ten antagonistic groups were administered both Chinese medicine and diethylstilbestrol everyday. After administered(op) for 4 days, blood was collected and serum was separated. The effect of the pharmacological serum on proliferation rate of MCF-7 (ER+) was analyzed by MTT-assay.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In A group, proliferation rates of MCF-7 cells treated with serum from eight Chinese medicine groups including flos carthami, radix cyathulae, radix salviae miltiorrhizae, fructus lycii, herba cistanches, herba epimedii, fructus psoraleae and semen cuscutae were coued markedly increase respectively. While serum from fructus ligustri lucidi group could markedly decrease the proliferation rate of MCF-7 cells. In B group, the increased proliferation rate of MCF-7 cells caused by diethylstilbestrol was significantly reduced in seven Chinese medicine antagonistic groups including flos carthami, radix cyathulae, radix salviae miltiorrhizae, radix clycyrrhizae, herba epimedii, fructus psoraleae and semen cuscutae. While the increased proliferation rate could be markedly enhanced in herba cistanches group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Six kinds of Chinese medicine such as flos carthami, radix cyathulae, radix salviae miltiorrhizae, herba epimedii, fructus psoraleae and semen cuscutae show both estrogenic effects (when administered indepently) and antiestrogenic effects (when administered together with diethylstilbestrol). Such bidirectional effects depends on the internal estrogen level.</p>

Apoptosis of type II alveolar epithelial cell induced by bleomycin in lung fibrotic rat / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of bleomycin (BLM) on the apoptosis of type II alveolar epithelial cell (AT II) in lung fibrotic rats and its possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n = 8) and BLM group (n = 24). Rats in sham group or BLM group were intratracheally instillated with saline or 5 mg/kg of bleomycin, respectively. One, three, and seven days after the instillation of bleomycin, 8 rats in BLM group were taken for AT II isolation and purification. Rats in sham group were used to isolate and purify AT II on 7 days after the instillation of saline. The cell cycle and apoptosis, intracellular free calcium concentration, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in AT II were determined by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and Fas. Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and Caspase-9 activities were measured by Caspase activity detection kit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ratio of S phase AT II in BLM group was significantly lower than in sham group (P < 0.05). AT II apoptosis rates on day 1 and 3 were significantly higher in BLM group than in sham group (P < 0.01). Intracellular free calcium concentrations in BLM group were significantly higher than in sham group (P < 0.05). However, MMP was significantly lower than sham group (P < 0.05). The positive rates of Bax, Fas and Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and Caspase-9 activities of BLM group were significantly higher than those of sham group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The positive rates of Bcl-2 on day 1 and 3 were significantly lower than those of sham group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Early AT II apoptosis may be induced by bleomycin, which may be explained by the increase of intracellular free calcium concentration, depression of MMP, increased expressions of Fas and Bax, and increase of Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and Caspase-9 activities.</p>

Changes of matrix metalloproteinases activities in pulmonary fibrosis rats / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the changes of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activities in pulmonary fibrosis rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham group (n = 40) and bleomycin group (BLM, n = 40), in which SD rats were injected with a single intratracheal dose of sham saline or bleomycin respectively. On day 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 following bleomycin or saline instillation, rats were randomly killed, and serum from abdominal aorta, alveolar fluid from the bronchoalveolar lavage, and the lung homogenate were collected and then stored at -80 degrees C. MMPs activity was determined by zymography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with sham group, the levels of MMP-9 in all samples were augmented. MMP-9 activities in the serum were highest on day 3 than those on day 1 and day 7, and in lung tissue homogenate were highest on day 7; however, no significant differences were found between BLM group and sham group on day 14 and day 28; and that of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was highest on day 7 than those on day 1 and day 14, while no significant difference existed between BLM group and sham group on day 28. Serum MMP-2 level did not change from day 1 to day 28, while the level of BALF MMP-2 began to increase after day 14, even on day 28. Lung tissue homogenate MMP-2 level began to increase early on day 3 and continued to day 28.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The sources and effects of MMP-2 and MMP-9 differ in BLM-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis.</p>

Experimental study on protective effects of curcumin on exaggerated extracellular matrix accumulation of pulmonary fibrosis rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effects of curcumin on exaggerated extracellular matrix accumulation of pulmonary fibrosis rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>One hundred and forty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (24 rats in each group). Rats in the model control group, positive medicine group, and high, moderate and low curcumin groups were injected with a single dose of bleomycin by trachea, and rats in sham-model control group with same volume normal saline. One day after the injection, curcumin solution of different dosages (200, 100, 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was respectively given to rats in the high, moderate and low curcumin group daily by gastrogavage, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the sham-model control group and model control group, and an equal volume of prednisone (0.56 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was given to those in positive medicine control group. On the 7, 14, 28 days, 8 rats per treatment group were randomly killed, the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum were determined, the determination of hydroxyproline in lung homogenates was analyzed, and the lung was incised to make pathological sections which were stained with HE and Mallory.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Curcumin could decreas the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum, and inhihit the proliferation of fibrous tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Curcumin may play its therapetuic role by leveling down the content of extracellular matrix in rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin.</p>

Experimental study on effect of curcumin on inhibiting injury of free radical in pulmonary fibrosis rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study on the effect and mechanism of curcumin on inhibiting injury induced by free radical in pulmonary fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>One hundred and forty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (24 rats in each group). Rats in the model control group, positive medicine group, and high, moderate and low curcumin groups were injected with a single dose of bleomycin by trachea, and rats in sham-model control group with same volume normal saline. One day after the injection, curcumin solution of different dosages (200,100,50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was respectively given to rats in the high, moderate and low curcumin group by daily gastrogavage, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the sham-model control group and model control group, and an equal volume of prednisone (0.56 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was saline was given to those in positive medicine control group. On the 7, 14, 28 days, the contents of GSH-Px, SOD, MDA and iNOS in pulmonary tissues of different groups were measured.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Curcumin can raise the content of SOD and GSH-Px and lessen the level of MDA and iNOS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Curcumin can regulate the level of free radical in the body of rats with pulmonary fibrosis and lessen the oxidative injury of pulmonary tissues caused by free radical, in the body of rats with pulmonary fibrosis. The mechanisms of curcumin on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lie in adjusting the level of free radical and inhibiting the injury of lung tissue induced by free radical.</p>

Experimental study of estrogenic activities of five kinds of Chinese herbal medicines / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the estrogenic activity of several kinds of Chinese herbal medicines.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Use zoopery and reporter gene technique to study the estrogenic activity of five Chinese herbal medicines. Zoopery: weanling female Kunming mice weight 9-12 g were administrated botanical extracts of Selaginella tamariscina, Pinus Massoniana, Corallodiscus flabellate, Dryopteris sublaeta and Leonurus heterophyllus, the positive control group with Nilestriol tablets and control group with water, respectiely. On the eighth day, the animals were sacrificed and the uteri were separated solely and weighed. Reporter gene technique: Induce the expression of reporter gene controlled by ERE and measure the activity of luciferase on cell's clear supernatant.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The botanical extracts of S. tamariscina can increase weights of mice (P < 0.01); In the expression of reporter gene controlled by ERE, Either ERalpha or ERbeta's has estrogenic activity (P < 0.01). Follow in the zoopery we find the water part and the n-butanol part of S. tamariscina are the two active parts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>S. tamariscina and it's water part and n-butanol part have estrogenic activities, effect on ERbeta is greater than ERalpha.</p>

Rat alveolar type II injured by bleomycin / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore dysfunction mechanism of rat alveolar type II (AT-II) injured by bleomycin (BLM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were injected with a single intratracheal dose of bleomycin or control saline. On day 7, 14, and 28 following intratracheal bleomycin or saline instillation, animals were killed under overdose of 1.5% sodium pentobarbital (0.25 ml/100 g, i.p.) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the lung was tested for the activity of pulmonary surfactant (PS) by the Whihelmy Film Balance. Several concentrations of bleomycin stimulated the culture of rat AT-II cells, and surfactant protein (SP) A, B, and aquaporin-1 (AQP) mRNA were analyzed by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The activity of PS and hypoxemia significantly decreased on day 7 and improved on day 14 and completely recovered to normal status on day 28. SP-A, B, and AQP-1 mRNA expression in BLM-stimulated group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BLM-injured AT-II cells decrease the levels of SP-A, B, and AQP-1 mRNA and cause PS dysfunction, resulting in hypoxemia and pneumonedema.</p>

The effect of Siwu Tang on EPO and G-CSF gene expression in bone marrow of irradiated blood deficiency mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the blood enriching function of Siwu Tang and its effect on Epo and G-CSF gene expressions in bone marrow of blood deficiency mice, and thus provide the basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of blood enriching function of Siwu Tang.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The animal model of blood deficiency were established in the mice by using 3.5 Gy60Co gamma-ray. Peripheral blood cells were analyzed and CFU-GM, BFU-E, CFU-E and CFU-mix were counted in bone marrow colony cultured. Both Epo and G-CSF gene expressions in bone marrow were measured with RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Siwu Tang significantly increased the number of peripheral blood cells and the amount of CFU-GM, BFU-E, CFU-E and CFU-mix in bone marrow and enhanced Epo and G-CSF gene expression in bone marrow in the mice with blood deficiency.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The promotion of Epo and G-CSF gene expressions in bone marrow may be one of the mechanisms underlying the blood enriching function of Siwu Tang decoction.</p>

The protective effects of Fufang Biejiafang on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the possible effects and mechanism of Fufang Biejiafang on a single intratracheal instillation (IT) of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>SD rats were treated with a single IT dose of bleomycin or control saline. Chinese medicine group were poured into the stomach after the first day of operation with high dosage, middle dosage and low dosage. On days 7, 14 and 28 following IT bleomycin or saline, 4 mL blood were taken from the abdominal aorta for arterial blood gas analysis. The left lung was fixed for routine light microscopic examination. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the right lung was tested the activity of pulmonary surfactant (PS) by the Whihelmy Film Balance, then the right lung was frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen for determination of hydroxyproline concentration.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Model rats had obviously changes of body weight and hypoxemia and dysfunction of PS on days 7 and improved on days 14. Compared with three dose groups, the middle dose group some degreely improved and PS function. It ameliorate fibrosis because of inhibition of inflammation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(1) PS dysfunction resulted in hypoxemia after bleomycin injured alveolar type II (AT II). Fufang biejiafang-middle dose-group ameliorate hypoxemia by remission AT-II injury. (2) Fufang biejiafang may inhibit exudation inflammation and ameliorate fibrosis.</p>

The advance of protection for hazard factor during autopsy / 法医学杂志

Recently, the special characteristics of work with SARS require particular attention to the facilities, equipment, policies and procedures involved. In fact, an autopsy also subject prosectors and others to a wide variety of hazards, including bloodborne, aerosolized pathogens and others (for example SARS). Forensic pathologists and other persons in close proximity to an autopsy need personal protective equipment, fourthemore, laboratory procedure and facility design principles of biosafety should be established for the protection of all personnal involved in the work.

Effects of siwu tang on protein expression of bone marrow of blood deficiency mice induced by irradiation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of siwu tang on protein expression of bone marrow of blood deficiency mice and provide the theoretical and experimental basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of blood enriching function of siwu tang.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Blood deficiency mice were established by using 3.5 Gy 60Co gamma-ray. With proteomic technologies including two-dimensional electrophoresis, image analysis, in-gel digestion, peptide mass fingerprinting and bioinformatics the proteins of bone marrow of blood deficiency mice were isolated, analyzed, and identified.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Siwu tang could reverse 10 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated proteins of blood deficiency mice bone marrow. Seven of the proteins were likely to be lymphocyte specific protein 1, proteasome 26S ATPase subunit 4, hematopoietic cell protein-tyrosine phosphatase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, growth factor receptor binding protein 14 and lgals12 respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Siwu tang can regulate the protein expression of bone marrow of blood deficiency mice and thus promote the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells and then exert its effects on blood enriching function.</p>

The isolation and identification of a new lignanoside from Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the chemical constituents of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The compounds were isolated and purified by macroporous adsorption resin, Sephadex LH-20 and silica gel column chromatography and identified on the basis of their physicochemical and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four compounds were obtained from the n-BuOH fraction of 70% acetone extracts. Their structures were elucidated as (7S, 8R)-7, 8-dihydro-7-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-8-hydroxymethyl-[1'-( 7'-hydroxyethyl)-5' methoxyl] benzofuran-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (tamariscinoside C, I), D-mannitol (II), tyrosine (II), shikimic acid (IV).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound I is a new compound, compounds II and III were obtained from the genius for the first time, compound IV was yielded from the plant for the first time.</p>

Study on the chemical constituents of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the chemical constituents of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the chemical constituents. Their physico-chemical properties and spectral data were used to elucidate the structures.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four compounds were isolated from the n-BuOH fraction of the water-extracts. Their structures were identified as 1-hydroxy-2-[2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(1-hydroxyethyl)-phenyl]-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy)-propane-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (tamariscinoside B, I), adenosine (II), guanosine (III), arbutin (IV).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tamariscinoside B (I) is a new compound, while the others were isolated from Selaginella for the first time.</p>

Influence of compound biejia ruangan prescription on extracelluar matrix in bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of compound Biejia Ruangan Prescription (CBRP) on extracelluar matrix in bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>54 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (9 rats in each group). Rats in the model control group, positive medicine group, and high, moderate and low CBRP groups were injected with bleomycin A5 by trachea, and rats in sham-model control group with same volume normal saline. 29 days after the injection, CBRP solution of different dosages (1.4 g x kg(-1), 0.7 g x kg(-1), 0.35 g x kg(-1)) was respectively given to rats in the high, moderate and low CBRP group by gavage, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the sham-model control group and model control group, and an equal volume of prednisone (0.56 mg x kg(-1)) was given to those in positive medicine control group. On the 80th day, the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum were determined, the determination of hydroxyproline in lung homogenates was analyzed, and the right lung was incised to make pathological sections which were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and Masson staining for pathological diagnosis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>CBRP could decrease the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CBRP may play its therapeutic role by leveling down the content of extracellular matrix in rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by Bleomycin A5.</p>

Effects of extracts of root of kudzu vine on mammary gland and uterus development in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of extracts of root of kudzu vine on mammary gland and uterus development in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>40 Wistar rats weighting 65-85 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, estrogen group, extracts of root of kudzu vine group of high dose, extracts of root of kudzu vine group of low dose. (10 rats in each group). After having been treated for 7 days, the rats were killed; mammary glands and uterus were removed and weighed. Serum was isolated and kept at 4 degrees C for determination of hormones.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>1. Administration of the root of kudzu vine significantly increased the weigh of mammary gland and uterus in rats. 2. Administration of the root of kudzu vine increased serum FSH, LH, E2 and decreased PRL.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Extracts of root of kudzu vine could enhance the weight of mammary gland and uterus growth in rats, which may provide experimental evidence for the development of new drug used for promoting mammary gland and uterus.</p>

The research of estrogen receptor modulator and correlative Chinese herbs / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the study of estrogen receptor modulator and correlative Chinese herbs.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Based on to the documents in the world, the estrogen receptor modulator and correlative Chinese herbs summarized.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>Estrogen receptor modulator is biological compounds in botany. It can exert faint estrogen-like effects by low affinity with estrogen receptor. Some of the Chinese herbs have the estrogen-like activity, but further and more systemic research work are to be done.</p>