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When this paper was first published the following ethical statement was omitted in error: The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of Experimental Animal Management of Institute of Special Wild Economic Animals and Plants, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences (No. 201807024). All animals were treated in strict accordance with animal ethics procedures and norms. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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Objective: To explain the phenomenon that Panax ginseng is not compatible with Raphani Semen based on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Methods: The forced swimming time and biochemical parameters such as blood lactate (BLA), serum urea nitrogen (SUN), and hepatic glycogen (GLU) were determined for anti-fatigue experiment. The UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze the pharmacokinetics of Rg1, Re, Rb1, and Rd after orally administration of P. ginseng and P. ginseng combined with Raphani Semen to rats. Pharmacokinetic differences of four ginsenosides between single uses of P. ginseng and combined with Raphani Semen were investigated. Results: The results showed that Raphani Semen tended to significantly reduce the anti-fatigue activity of P. ginseng. Co-administration of P. ginseng and Raphani Semen had significant effects on the pharmacokinetics of the four ginsenosides in rats compared to that observed with P. ginseng extract alone. The AUC0–12 h values of the four ginsenosides in PG group were higher than the corresponding values in the PR group. It can be inferred that Raphani Semen decreased the blood exposure of the four ginsenosides in rats when it combined with P. ginseng. Conclusion: The anti-fatigue activity and pharmacokinetic results showed that Raphani Semen may reduce the pharmacological actions of P. ginseng.
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Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction pieces refer to prescription drugs that can be used in clinical or preparation production after processing medicinal herbs. TCM decoction pieces industries are inherited from the culture of TCM and are important because of their independent intellectual property rights. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Ch. P) 2010 edition stipulated that "All drugs taken are decoction pieces", which raised the drug status to statutory law for the first time and clearly specified that TCM decoction pieces should be applied to TCM prescription deployment and production of proprietary Chinese medicines. It also pointed out that "The specifications of the decoction pieces used in the preparation should comply with the requirements of the actual process of the corresponding formulation type". For a long time, both the processing methods and the specification grades of the clinically used pieces of Chinese medicine were based on the inheritance and supported by the classical theory and method system centered on TCM processing. However, the theoretical research and specification standards of the decoction pieces used in the production of proprietary Chinese medicines based on modern industry are scarce, and this has led to a series of problems related to the industry, making the processing of decoction pieces becoming a limiting factor in the promotion of the Chinese medicine industry. Aiming at the existing problems of the TCM decoction pieces industry, this article was guided by the standardization system of TCM based on the concept of whole-process quality control, combined with the reference to the Japanese Kampo medicine industry's feeding mode and the reflection on the combination of traditional Chinese medicine processing and modern industry, as well as the study of the core law of the whole-process of TCM production, etc. Industrial decoction pieces and the idea of building a standardized system of TCM industry decoction pieces based on the whole-process quality control were discussed in this paper, which can provide insights for exploring the effective fusion between TCM processing theory and classic heritage and modern manufacturing and can provide the basis for the establishment of a standardized system for industrial decoction pieces based on whole-process quality control of TCM. It can also offer reference for the development of the advantages of geo-authentic crude drug and the establishment of high spots of industry decoction pieces.
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Armand clematis stem (Clematidis Armandii Caulis, Chuanmutong) is a widely used Chinese herb to disinhibit urine and relieve stranguria. It is difficult to be identified owing to its various macroscopic feature and unknown characteristic compounds. Thus, total of 24 Chuanmutong samples and 7 related herbs including four manshurian aristolochia stem (Aristolochiae Manshuriensis Caulis, Guanmutong) and three akebia stem (Akebiae Caulis, Mutong) samples were collected and analyzed in the range of 4 000 - 400 cm⁻¹ by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and two-dimensional infrared correlation spectroscopy (2D-FTIR) techniques. The FTIR spectra of 24 Chuanmutong samples are consistent in the spectrum profiles, position and intensity of characteristic peaks. 20 of the 24 Chuanmutong samples were randomly selected as calibration samples to calculate and simulate mean spectrum. This mean spectrum is named as FTIR fingerprint of Chuanmutong with characteristic peaks at 3 412, 2 932, 1 739, 1 639, 1 509, 1 456, 1 426, 1 376, 1 332, 1 261, 1 159, 1 035, 897 ,609 cm⁻¹. Meanwhile, the limited level (Mean-3σ=0.992 6) to identify true or false Chuanmutong by correlation coefficient of FTIR spectra was calculated based on the 20 Chuanmutong calibration samples. Then, the rest 4 Chuanmutong, 4 Guanmutong and 3 Mutong samples were used as validation samples to evaluate the identification efficacy. The result shows that the FTIR spectra of 4 Chuanmutong validation samples were similar to the fingerprint. Their correlation coefficients of FTIR spectra were over the limited level and accepted as Chuanmutong. However, the spectra of Guanmutong and Mutong were significantly different from Chuanmutong fingerprint. The correlation coefficients of Guanmutong (0.902 1-0.940 4, n=4) and Mutong (0.954 9-0.978 9, n=3) FTIR spectra were less than the limited level and rejected from Chuanmutong. Furthermore, the number, position and intensity of auto-peaks on the 2D-FTIR were drastically different among the three herbs. It is concluded that the developed FTIR fingerprinting can be rapidly and accurately identify Chuanmutong and differentiate from related herbs.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression characteristics of the gene of coiled-coil domain-containing protein 70 (Ccdc70) in the mouse testis and its potential role in spermatogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using expression profile microarray, we screened the mouse testis-specific gene Ccdc70, studied its expression characteristics in the mouse testis by RT-PCR, real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, followed by bioinformatic analysis of the Ccdc70 protein.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Ccdc70 gene was expressed highly in the testis but lowly in the epididymis of the mice. The Ccdc70 protein was expressed mainly in the spermatocytes and round spermatids of the testis and in the epithelial cells of the epididymis. Bioinformatic analysis showed a structural domain in the Ccdc70 protein, which was highly conserved in mammalian evolution.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Ccdc70 gene is highly expressed in the mouse testis and mainly in the spermatocytes, round spermatids, and epididymal epithelial cells, which indicates that it is involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Computational Biology , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Proteins , Genetics , Spermatogenesis , Genetics , Testis , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Recent studies have revealed that lung cell apoptosis plays an important role in pathogenesis of cigarette-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is one of the most important cytokines which are involved in COPD. This study aimed at investigating the influence of its inhibitor, recombinant human necrosis factor-alpha receptor II:IgG Fc fusion protein (rhTNFR:Fc) on alveolar septal cell apoptosis in passive smoking rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a passive smoking group, an rhTNFR:Fc intervention group and a sham intervention group. The passive smoking rats were treated by exposure to cigarette smoking daily for 80 days. After smoking for one month the rhTNFR:Fc intervention group was treated with rhTNFR:Fc by subcutaneous injection, the sham intervention group injected subcutaneously with a neutral preparation (normal saline 0.1 ml, manicol 0.8 ml, cane sugar 0.2 mg, Tris 0.024 mg as a control. Lung function was determined and the levels of TNF-alpha in serum and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA). Lung tissue sections stained by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) were observed for study of morphological alternations. Mean linear intercept (MLI) and mean alveolar numbers (MAN) were measured and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was carried out to determine the percentage of positive cells and distribution of apoptotic cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Increased MLI and decreased MAN were found in the passive smoking group compared with both the normal control group and the rhTNFR:Fc intervention group (P < 0.05). Forced expiratory volume in 0.3 second (FEV 0.3)/forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were lower in the passive smoking group than that in the normal control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham intervention group, FEV 0.3/FVC and PEF increased in the rhTNFR:Fc intervention group (P < 0.05). The levels of TNF-alpha in serum were higher in the passive smoking group than that in the normal control group (P < 0.05) and rhTNFR:Fc intervention group (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found between the levels of TNF-alpha in the serum of the rhTNFR:Fc intervention group and sham intervention group (P < 0.05). The levels of TNF-alpha in BALF were higher in the passive smoking group than that in the normal control group (P < 0.05), but no significant differences of TNF-alpha levels in BALF were found between the passive smoking group and rhTNFR:Fc intervention group. The number of TUNEL positive cells in alveolar septa was significantly increased in the passive smoking group as compared with the normal control group and the rhTNFR:Fc intervention group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study provides preliminary evidence that rhTNFR:Fc may interfere with TNF-alpha and reduce alveolar septal apoptosis in smoking rats.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Apoptosis , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid , Chemistry , Etanercept , Forced Expiratory Volume , Immunoglobulin G , Pharmacology , Pulmonary Alveoli , Pathology , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor , Recombinant Fusion Proteins , Pharmacology , Tobacco Smoke Pollution , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphaABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an assay method for detecting the migration of transferred apoptotic cells into the recipient using flow cytometry.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Spleen lymphocytes were isolated and labeled with an intracellular amine dye, carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE), to allow discrimination. The labeled cells were induced with dexamethasone to undergo apoptosis and transferred into recipient mice via tail venous transfusion. Flow cytometry and histological examination of different tissues were performed at different time points. The stability of CFSE labeling for apoptotic cells was also tested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The CFSE-labeled apoptotic cells were highly fluorescent with a positive labeling rate of (98.0+/-1.9)%. The stability of CFSE-labeling was testified, and the CFSE-labeled apoptotic cells entering different tissues at different time points were detected by flow cytometry and verified by histological examination.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Flow cytometry using CFSE labeling is reliable, sensitive, precise and convenient for apoptotic cell tracing in vivo and in vitro.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Adoptive Transfer , Methods , Apoptosis , Dexamethasone , Pharmacology , Flow Cytometry , Methods , Fluoresceins , Chemistry , Pharmacokinetics , Fluorescent Dyes , Chemistry , Pharmacokinetics , Lymphocytes , Chemistry , Cell Biology , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Reproducibility of Results , Spleen , Cell Biology , Succinimides , Chemistry , PharmacokineticsABSTRACT
Using a fluidized bed as immobilization system, mixed culture methanotrophic attached-films were developed on diatomite particles. The Methane Monooxygenase (MMO) activity was found to increase obviously as soon as the lag phase ended. Greater than 90% of the MMO activity in the bed was attached. Biofilm concentration of 3.3-3.7 mg dry weight cell/g DS was observed. Batch experiments were performed to explore the possibility of producing epoxypropane by a cooxidation process. The effect of methane on the oxidation of propene to epoxypropane and the effect of propene on the growth of methanotroph were also studied. In continuous experiments, optimum mixed gaseous substrates (methane: 35%; propene: 20%; oxygen: 45%) were continuously circulated through the fluidized bed reactor to remove product. Initial epoxypropane productivity was 110-150 mumol/d. The bioreactor operated continuously for 25 d without obvious loss of epoxypropane productivity.