ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effects of Humulus lupulus L. extract (HLE) and xanthohumol (XN) on preventing glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). Methods The GIOP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone (DEX). Bone microstructure, bone mineral density and serum biochemical indexes were evaluated by Micro-CT and ELISA kits. The levels of cells proliferation and ALP activity, and the expression of bone formation related proteins were assayed with primary osteoblasts injured by DEX. Results HLE and XN significantly alleviated the bone microstructure damage, enhanced the bone mineral density, and improved the trabecular parameters in GIOP mice. In vitro experiments showed that HLE and XN can prevent bone loss not only by improving cell proliferation and ALP activity, but also through increasing the expression of bone γ-glutamic acid-containing proteins (BGP), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2). Conclusion This study confirmed that HLE and XN had anti-GIOP effects for the first time. It provides a new resource for the development of anti-osteoporosis medications.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE：To establish HPLC fingerprint of Humulus lupulus ，and to investigate its correlation with the antioxidant activity. METHODS ：The determination was performed on Diamonsil C 18 column with mobile phase consisted of 0.1％ phosphoric acid solution-acetonitrile （gradient elution ）at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was 30 ℃，and detection wavelength was set at 358 nm，with sample size of 2 μL. Using xanthohumol as reference，HPLC fingerprints of 11 batches of H. lupulus were determined. The similarity of 11 batches of samples was evaluated by TCM Chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System （2012 edition）to confirm common peaks. Using scavenging rate of DPPH and ABTS free radical as pharmacodynamic indicators of antioxidant effects ，SIMCA 14.1 analysis software was used for PLSR to establish the spectra-effect relationship ，and validation test of in vitro anti-oxidation was carried out. RESULTS ：There were 19 common peaks in HPLC fingerprints of 11 batches of sample ，the similarity of which was higher than 0.830. Seven components were identified as xanthohumol，cohumulone，humulone，adhumulone，colupulone，lupulus and adlupulus. Eleven batches of H. lupulus had the ability to scavenge DPPH and ABTS free radicals. The spectrum-effect relationship showed that xanthohumol ，humulone and colupulone peaks were positively associated with its anti-oxidant ability ，and variable projection value was greater than 1. In vitro antioxidant results showed that scavenging effect of 0.1 mg/mL xanthohumol to DPPH free radicals was similar to that of 0.01 mg/mL vitamine C ，but scavenging effect of 10.0 mg/mL xanthohumol to ABTS free radical was less than that of 0.1 mg/mL vitamin C. CONCLUSIONS：Established HPLC fingerprint can be used for the quality evaluation of H. lupulus ；xanthohumol，humulone and colupulone are the main material basis for the antioxidant effect of H. lupulus
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the clinical efficacies of Qin’s scalp eight-needle acupuncture versus conventional scalp acupuncture in treating cancer pain. Method Sixty cancer pain patients with clinically or pathologically diagnosed malignant tumors were allocated, using a random number table, to a treatment (Qin’s scalp eight-needle acupuncture) group of 30 cases and a control (conventional scalp acupuncture) group of 30 cases. The treatment group received Qin’s scalp eight-needle acupuncture at selected points every other day and the control group, conventional scalp acupuncture every other day. One course of treatment consisted of 10 days. Result Cancer pain was relieved, analgesic dosage decreased, adverse reactions to analgesics reduced and quality of life raised significantly in the treatment group compared with the control group. Conclusion Qin’s scalp eight-needle acupuncture is effective in treating cancer pain.