ABSTRACT
The quality of moxa is an important factor affecting moxibustion therapy, and traditionally, 3-year moxa is considered optimal, although scientific data are lacking. This study focused on 1-year and 3-year moxa from Artemisia stolonifera and A. argyi(leaf-to-moxa ratio of 10∶1) as research objects. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Van Soest method, and simultaneous thermal analysis were used to investigate the differences in the combustion heat quality of 1-year and 3-year moxa and their influencing factors. The results showed that the combustion of A. stolonifera moxa exhibited a balanced heat release pattern. The 3-year moxa released a concentrated heat of 9 998.84 mJ·mg~(-1)(accounting for 54% of the total heat release) in the temperature range of 140-302 ℃, with a heat production efficiency of 122 mW·mg~(-1). It further released 7 512.51 mJ·mg~(-1)(accounting for 41% of the total heat release) in the temperature range of 302-519 ℃. The combustion of A. argyi moxa showed a rapid heat release pattern. The 3-year moxa released a heat of 16 695.28 mJ·mg~(-1)(accounting for 70% of the total heat release) in the temperature range of 140-311 ℃, with an instantaneous power output of 218 mW·mg~(-1). It further released 5 996.95 mJ·mg~(-1)(accounting for 25% of the total heat release) in the temperature range of 311-483 ℃. Combustion parameters such as-R_p,-R_v, D_i, C, and D_b indicated that the combustion heat quality of 3-year moxa was superior to that of 1-year moxa. It exhibited greater combustion heat, heat production efficiency, flammability, mild and sustained burning, and higher instantaneous combustion efficiency. This study utilized scientific data to demonstrate that A. stolonifera could be used as excellent moxa, and the quality of 3-year moxa surpassed that of 1-year moxa. The research results provide a scientific basis for the in-depth development of A. stolonifera moxa and the improvement of moxa quality standards.
Subject(s)
Artemisia , Hot Temperature , Moxibustion , Plant LeavesABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of shading intensity on the growth, yield, and quality of Artemisia stolonifera so as to provide references for the artificial cultivation of A. stolonifera. The seedlings of A. stolonifera with consistent growth underwent shading treatment at four shading intensity levels(0, 55%, 85%, and 95%) with different layers of black shading nets. The agronomic indexes, yield, moxa yield, total ash, quality characteristics of moxa during combustion and pyrolysis, main volatile components, flavonoids, and phenolic acids were measured. The results showed that under shading conditions, the stem diameter, leaf width, 5-leaf spacing, branch number, and yield of A. stolonifera decreased significantly, while the plant height, leaf length, leaf number, chlorophyll content, and moxa yield increased first and then decreased with the increase in shading intensity. The burning performance of moxa under natural light was better than that under moderate and severe shading conditions. The content of eucalyptol first increased and then decreased with the increase in shading intensity. The humulene content was negatively correlated with shading intensity. Other major volatile components showed no significant difference under various shading conditions. The content of neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, isoschaftoside, and isochlorogenic acid B was positively correlated with shading intensity, while the content of chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, and isochlorogenic acid C decreased first and then increased with the increase in shading intensity. To sum up, A. stolonifera is a light-loving plant, and shading can greatly reduce the yield, the content of internal components, and the burning performance of moxa. It is the main reason why A. stolonifera is mainly distributed in the forest edge, open forest, roadside, and wasteland grass in the middle and high mountains in the wild. For artificial domestication and cultivation of A. stolonifera, it is better to select plots with sufficient light.
ABSTRACT
This paper aims to compare the difference of growth and quality between wild and cultivated Artemisia stolonifera, thereby providing references for further development and utilization of A. stolonifera. The wild and cultivated A. stolonifera from different altitudes were collected, and the agronomic characters, moxa yield, volatile components, flavonoids, and phenolic acids were determined. The results showed that the cultivated species were taller and stronger, with more leaves and branches, than the wild species. The moxa yield and combustion quality of wild products were higher than those of cultivated products. The content of main volatile components in cultivated products was higher than that in wild products. The content of flavonoids and phenolic acids in wild products was higher than that in cultivated products. At high altitude, the ignition performance, combustion persistence, comprehensive combustion performance, and heat release during combustion of the wild and cultivated A. stolonifera. were optimal. At middle altitude, the content of main characteristic volatile components and flavone phenolic acids in the leaves of the cultivated and wild A. stolonifera were the highest. At low altitude, the combustion quality and the content of the above components of the cultivated A. stolonifera decrease significantly. Considering the combustion quality and the content of the internal components of the leaf lint, the middle and high altitude areas are suitable for the artificial cultivation of A. stolonifera.
Subject(s)
Artemisia , Agriculture , Flavonoids , Plant Leaves , Drugs, Chinese HerbalABSTRACT
The quality of moxa is a key factor affecting the efficacy of moxibustion. Traditional moxa grades are evaluated by the leaf-to-moxa ratio, but there is a lack of support from scientific data. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Image Pro Plus, Van Soest method, and stimultaneous thermal analysis(TGA/DSC) were used to characterize the scientific implication of the combustion differences between moxa with different leaf-to-moxa ratios(processed by crusher). The results showed that the median lengths from non-secretory trichomes(NSTs) of natural NSTs and moxa with leaf-to-moxa ratios of 3∶1, 5∶1, 10∶1, and 15∶1 were 542.46, 303.24, 291.18, 220.69, and 170.61 μm, respectively. The cellulose content of moxa increased significantly(P<0.05) with the increase in leaf-to-moxa ratio and the combustion parameters(T_i, t_i, D_i, C,-R_p,-R_v, S, D_b, and J_(total)) all showed an increasing trend. The correlation results showed that the burning properties of moxa(T_i,-R_v, t_i, and J_2) were significantly and positively correlated with cellulose content. NSTs with a length of 1-200 μm were significantly and positively correlated with J_2. NSTs with a length of 200-600 μm were significantly and positively correlated with J_1, T_(peak2), T_(peak1), and-R_v, and negatively correlated with J_(total), T_b, and t_b. As the leaf-to-moxa ratio increases, the NSTs in the moxa become shorter and the cellulose content increases, which is more conducive to ignition performance, heat release, and a milder, longer-lasting burn. The "NSTs-cellulose-TGA/DSC" quantitative evaluation method scientifically reveals the scientific connotation of the combustion of moxa with different leaf-to-moxa ratios and provides a scientific basis for the establishment of quality evaluation methods for moxa with different leaf-to-moxa ratios.
Subject(s)
Trichomes , Moxibustion , Hot Temperature , Plant LeavesABSTRACT
Objective: To study the origin of Nanyang Chrysanthemi Flos materia medica and its historical origin, in order to evaluate the quality of Nanyang Chrysanthemi Flos by HPLC method, and define the advantages of Nanyang Chrysanthemi Flos with the origin of Nanyang. Method: Records of Nanyang Chrysanthemi Flos in the "Chinese Medical Code" and related ancient documents were studied to explain the origin and application. The genetic relationship between Nanyang Chrysanthemi Flos and other pieces was revealed in ancient literatures. Then 8 chemical constituents in 14 batches of Chrysanthemi Flos were determined by HPLC multi-components quantitation,and the comprehensive weighted score analysis was performed based on the results. The HPLC fingerprints were established,and the similarity analysis and clustering analysis were made to comprehensive evaluation the quality of Nanyang Chrysanthemi Flos and define the genetic relationship between Nanyang and other pieces at the chemical composition level. Result: The results of the herbal textual research show that Nanyang Chrysanthemi Flos spread from place to place since the Han dynasty,and impact many medicinal chrysanthemums of later generations. HPLC fingerprints similarity and cluster analysis also indicated the genetic relationship between Nanyang Chrysanthemi Flos and other species at the chemical level. The comprehensive score analysis results show that Nanyang Chrysanthemi Flos is of good quality and very suitable for medicinal purposes. Conclusion: Nanyang has been a quality production area of Chrysanthemi Flos since ancient times to present. Nanyang Chrysanthemi Flos is very suitable for medicinal purposes and worthy of promotion.
ABSTRACT
In order to evaluate the quality of Artemisia argyi from Qichun, Ningbo, Anguo and Nanyang, the contents of eupatilin and jaceosidin were determined by RP-HPLC. The determination was performed on Agilent Eclipse XDB-C₁₈ (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid(35∶65) at the flow rate 1.0 mL•min ⁻¹. The detection wavelength was 350 nm and the column temperature was 25 ℃. The results showed that the amount of eupatilin and jaceosidin had a clear linear relationship in the range of 0.003-0.126 g•L ⁻¹ (r=0.999 9) and 0.005-0.200 g•L ⁻¹ (r=0.999 9), and the average recovery rates for them were 99.14% (n=6, RSD 1.2%) and 99.40% (n=6, RSD=0.73%), respectively. The results showed that RP-HPLC can be used for the quantification of eupatilin and jaceosidin in the folium of A. argyi. With this method, we found there was no significant difference of jaceosidin content within all the samples collected, but the content of eupatilin was significantly higher in samples from Qichun, Ningbo, Xiangyang and Nanyang, located in the south of Huaihe River compared with these from other areas.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe (WYHZTLR) containing serum on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway of skin fibroblasts in systemic sclerosis (SSc).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 36 SSc patients were randomly assigned to Chinese medicine (CM) group, Western medicine (WM) group, and integrative medicine (IM) group according to random digit table, 12 in each group. Patients in the CM group took WYHZTLR decoction (one dose per day). Patients in the WM group took penicillamine tablet (0. 125 g each time, bid) and Prednisone Acetate Tablet (PAT 20 mg, qd). Patients in the IM group took penicillamine, PAT, and WYHZTLR decoction (in the same dosage of corresponding drugs as aforesaid). All patients were treated for one month to get drug containing serum. Besides, 10 untreated SSc patients' serum was taken as the control group. Healthy subjects' skin fibroblasts were originated from healthy skin tissue of the upper arms of 2 female patients undergoing plastic surgery. Corresponding serum of each group was added in the culture system of SSc patients' and healthy subjects' dermal fibroblasts respectively. Expression levels of TGF-β1 receptor type I (TGF-β1 RI), TGF-β1 receptor II (TGF-β1 RII), p-Smad2/3 and Smad7 protein were examined by Western blot. Expression levels of collagen type I and collagen type III (Col-I, Col-III) mRNA were examined by reverse transcription PCR. Contents of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in the supernatant of SSc, skin fibroblasts were examined by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, expression levels of TGF-β1 R I and p-Smad2/3 protein significantly decreased, but expression levels of Smad7 protein significantly increased in skin fibroblasts of SSc patients and healthy subjects of WM, CM, and IM groups (P <0.05, P <0. 01). Meanwhile, the expression level of TGF-β1 RII decreased in the IM group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the WM group, expression levels of TGF-β1 RI and p-Smad2/ 3 protein significantly decreased, but that of Srnad7 protein significantly increased in IM groups (P <0. 01). mRNA expression levels of Col-I and Col-II in SSc skin fibroblasts significantly decreased more in WM, CM, and IM groups than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Besides, the expression level of Col-III mRNA was significantly lower in the IM group than in the WM group (P <0.01). Compared with the control group, serum levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios increased more obviously in WM, CM, and IM groups (P <0.05, P <0.01). But expression levels of TIMP-1 decreased significantly in CM and IM groups (P <0.01). Expression levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios increased more in the IM group than in the WM group (P <0. 01). Expression levels of TIMP-1 decreased more in CM and IM groups than in the WM group (P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WYHZTLR containing serum could reduce expression levels of Col-I and Col-III possibly through regulating key signal molecules, such as TGF-β1 RI, p-Smad2/3, and Smad7 in TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway of SSc skin fibroblasts, and inhibiting transduction of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Collagen Type I , Collagen Type III , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Fibroblasts , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 , Scleroderma, Systemic , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Signal Transduction , Smad2 Protein , Smad7 Protein , Transforming Growth Factor beta1 , MetabolismABSTRACT
To explore a new method for identification of Mongolian patent medicine (MPM) by PCR amplification of specific alleles. Eight kinds of MPM were used to study the identification of "Digeda" raw materials. The total DNA of Lomatogonium rotatum and Corydalis bungeana samples were extracted through modified CTAB method, psbA-trnH sequence was amplified by PCR and sequenced directionally. Specific primer was designed. The DNA of 8 kinds of MPM also was extracted and purified by the commercial DNA purification kits. The rbcL and two pair of specific primers sequences were amplified. The specific amplified products were sequenced in forward directions. All specific sequences were aligned and were analyzed. The results indicated that L rotatum can be identified by specific primers from Digeda-4 Tang, Digeda-8 San, Digeda-4 San, and C. bungeana medicinal materials can be identified by specific primers from Li Dan Ba Wei San, Yi He Ha Ri-12 and A Ga Ri-35. PCR amplification of specific alleles can stably and accurately distinguish raw medicinal materials in MPM.
Subject(s)
Alleles , DNA Primers , Genetics , DNA, Plant , Genetics , Medicine, Mongolian Traditional , Molecular Sequence Data , Plants, Medicinal , Classification , Genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction , MethodsABSTRACT
There are many evidences that dendritic cells (DC) can establish and maintain immunological tolerance through inducing the differentiation of regulatory T cells Treg. This study was purposed to explore the possibility to gene-rate Treg from bone marrow-derived DC (BM-DC) or spleen-derived DC (spDC) generated CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) Treg by induction. Bone marrow immature DC (imDC) induced from bone marrow precursor cells of C57BL/6 mice by GM-CSF and IL-4; after culture for 6 day, imDC were stimulated by LPS for additional 16 hours and the mature DC (mDC) have been got; the spDC were collected from spleen of C57BL/6 mice by MACS. Co-culturing fresh BALB/c mouse CD4(+) T cells with these three sorts of DC above mentioned respectively was performed to generate CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) Treg. The expression of FOXP3 in CD4(+) T cells was detected by flow cytometry, and the capacity of different DC generated CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) Treg was evaluated. The results showed that stimulated by C57BL/6 immature or mature DC, the positive rate of FOXP3 in BALB/c CD4(+) T cells increased from (8.57 ± 1.14)% to (15.80 ± 1.35)%, (17.93 ± 1.45)% respectively (P < 0.01); while stimulated by spDC, the positive rate of FOXP3 in BALB/c CD4(+) T cells decreased from (8.57 ± 1.14)% to (3.95 ± 0.79)% (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the BM-DC but not spDC can generate Treg from CD4(+) T cells, BM-DC may mediate immune tolerance rather than the immune response.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Bone Marrow Cells , Cell Biology , Cell Differentiation , Cells, Cultured , Coculture Techniques , Dendritic Cells , Cell Biology , Forkhead Transcription Factors , Metabolism , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Spleen , Cell Biology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Cell BiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJEVTIVE</b>To construct a eukaryotic expression vector of short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting human Akt gene and assess the effect of Akt gene silencing on the growth of colon cancer Lovo cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two shRNAs targeting human Akt gene were cloned into pENTRTM/U6 plasmid to obtain the entry clones, and the positive clones were verified by sequencing. After recombination of the pENTRTM/U6 entry constructs and Plenti6/Block-iT DEST vector, the positive clones were confirmed by sequencing. Lovo cells were transfected by the entry vector and DEST Vector, and RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the interference of Akt gene expressions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pENTRTM/U6 entry clones carrying Akt shRNA and pLenti6/DEST-pENTRTM/U6-Akt shRNA were successfully constructed. Both of the vectors were transfected into Lovo cells and resulted in obvious knockdown of the mRNA and protein expressions of Akt.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Akt siRNA expression vector constructed can significantly inhibit Akt gene expression in Lovo cells, which facilitates further studies of Akt function and tumor gene therapy.</p>