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Objective To investigate the infestation status and environment tolerance of ornithonyssus bacoti (O. bacoti) in stored traditional Chinese herb Semen Coicis (Coix seed). Methods 800 g of stored Semen Coicis was initially taken, and subjected to passing a 40-mesh sampling sieve. Then 80 g of Coix seed particles was sampled to directly isolate the mites that were made into slide specimen in conventional technique, and identified as the procedures described in previous literature. Results A total of 449 mites were isolated from the 80 g stored Semen Coicis particles, and were identified as O. bacoti. Conclusions O.bacoti was first detected in the stored traditional Chinese medicinal Semen Coicis with which infestation is serious. This status should call out attention to prevent the disease associated with transmission of pathogens from O.bacoti.
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Objective To evaluate the effects of extracts of Semen Coicis (ESC) on a BALB/c mouse model of atopic dermatitis (AD),and to explore its potential mechanism.Methods Forty specific pathogen-free (SPF) female BABL/c mice were randomly divided into blank group (8 mice,receiving no treatment) and AD model group (32 mice).The mice in the model group were topically treated with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in acetone/olive oil to establish the mouse model of AD.After modeling,8 mice in the blank group and 8 in the model group were sacrificed immediately.The other 24 mice in the model group were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups:model control group receiving no treatment,ESC group and ESC vehicle group topically treated with ESC and ESC vehicle respectively once every day on the back and aural region of the mice for 28 consecutive days.Changes in skin lesions were observed by naked eyes every day.A thickness tester was used to measure the thickness of skin lesions on the left ear before modeling,at completion of modeling and 12 hours after the final treatment.At 12 hours after the final treatment,the mice in the above 3 groups were sacrificed,and the eyeballs were removed for collecting blood.Then,the sera were isolated,and skin tissue specimens were obtained from the skin lesions on the back.These tissue sections were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and toluidine blue staining for observing the infiltration of inflammatory cells in skin lesions.An immunohistochemical study was performed to determine the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3),Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the serum levels of IgE,interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-/ (IFN-γ).Results After 28-day treatment,skin lesions were improved in the ESC group.Compared with the model control group,the ESC group showed a significantly lower clinical symptom score (1.50 ± 0.58 vs.2.50 ± 0.58,P ＜ 0.05),decreased lesional thickness on the left ear ([0.31 ± 0.01] mm vs.[0.33 ± 0.01] mm,P ＜ 0.05),and lower number of infiltrating mast cells per high-power field (15.18 ± 1.64 vs.28.94 ± 1.28,P ＜ 0.05).Immunohistochemical findings indicated that the ESC group showed significantly lower expression of AQP3,TLR2 and TLR4 compared with the model control group,and decreased AQP3 expression in the spinous layer.Compared with the model control group,the ESC group showed significantly lower total serum IgE and IL-4 levels,but higher IFN-γ levels (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Topical ESC is effective for the treatment of skin lesions in mouse models of AD,likely by regulating serum levels of IgE,IL-4 and IFN-γ and affecting the expression of AQP3,TLR2 and TLR4.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of scraping therapy plus Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) congee in treating functional dyspepsia due to dampness-heat blocking the stomach. Method Sixty-four patients were divided into an observation group and a control group by using the random number table, 32 cases in each group. The observation group was intervened by scraping therapy plus Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) congee, while the control group was by Mosapride citrate dispersible tablets. The two groups were both treated for 4 weeks. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, Nepean Dyspepsia Symptom Index (NDSI), and Nepean Dyspepsia Life Quality Index (NDLQI) were observed before and after the intervention and the clinical efficacy was evaluated, for comparison and analysis. Result The total effective rate was respectively 93.8%in the observation group and 78.1%in the control group, and the observation group was superior to the control group (P<0.05);after the intervention, the TCM symptom scores and NDSI scores dropped significantly in the two groups (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the NDLQI scores increased significantly in the two groups (P<0.05), and the improvements in the observation group were more significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Scraping therapy plus Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) congee and Mosapride citrate dispersible tablets are both effective in treating functional dyspepsia due to dampness-heat blocking the stomach, while the former one can produce a more significant therapeutic efficacy and improve the symptoms and quality of life in a better way.
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Objective:To develop a method for determining deoxynivalenol in four kinds of traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Methods:After being extracted by water, purified by an immunoaffinity column, deoxynivalenol was analyzed by LC-MS-MS. Results:The calibration curve was linear within the range of 2-50 ng·ml-1 for deoxynivalenol. The recovery was 68. 7%-88. 3%. Conclusion:The method is simple, sensitive and accurate in the determination of deoxynivalenol in Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Semen Sojae Praepara-tum, Semen Coicis and Fructus Psoraleae.
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Objective To evaluate the clinical therapeutic efficacy and adverse reactions of Coix Seed Extract combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) in the treatment for hepatic metastases and to compare the levels of serum VEGF of the patients before and after the treatment.Methods FromJuly 2009 to July 2011, 62 patients with hepatomatic metastases were enrolled in this study and were randomized into combining group and control group.The combining group were treated by TACE combined with Coix Seed Extract, and the control group were treated with TACE only. Both groups underwent TACE at least twice.Before and after the treatment,the enzyme linked immunosorbentassay(ELISA)was used to examine the change of VEGF. Results Among 62 assessable patients, overall response rate was 61.3 ％(19/31) in combining group and 45.2 ％ (14/31)in control group respectively (P＞ 0.05).The disease control rate was 80.6 ％(25/31) in combining group and 54.8 ％ (17/31) in control group(P＜0.05).The 1-year survival rates were 67.7 ％(21/31) in combining group and 38.7 ％(12/31) in control group(P ＜ 0.05).The median PFS(progression free survival time) was 7.0 months in combining group and 5.1 months in control group (P＜ 0.05).The levels of serum VEGF in combining group were significantly decreased after treatment (P ＜ 0.05). There was no significant difference between the levels of serum VEGF before and after treatment in control group(P＞ 0.05).The levels of serum VEGF in combining group after treatment were lower than that in control group after treatment (P ＜ 0.05). Adverse reactions in both groups were grade Ⅰ to Ⅲ.The fatigue,anorexia and the right upper quadrant pain was significantly superior in combining group. Conclusion Coix Seed Extract combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatomatic metastases can improve disease control rate,decrease the levels of serum VEGF,improve clinical symptoms,prolong the PFS and 1-year survival rate.
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Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Shouwu Yizhi Capsule (Capsule of Radix Polygoni Multiflori and Semen Coicis for dementia) on the Notch/Delta signal pathway in experimental rats with vascular dementia (VD). Methods The models were established with the modified Pulsinelli 4 vessel occlusion method. They were randomized into Shouwu Yizhi Capsule group,piracetam group,model group,and sham operation group with 14 rats in each group. Seven days after modeling,the Shouwu Yizhi Capsule group was administered intragastrically Shouwu Yizhi Capsule solution 0.08g/ml,the piracetam group was prescribed intragastrically piracetam solution 0.02g/ml,and the model and sham operation groups were given intragastrically normal saline. Twenty days later,the mRNA expression of HES1,Mash1,and ?-APP on Notch/Delta singal pathway was determined by real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR. Results Compared with the model and piracetam groups,the mRNA expression of HES1 the in Shouwu Yizhi Capsule group was significantly increased (P0.05). Conclusion Shouwu Yizhi Capsule could effectively activate the interaction of HES1,Mash1,and ?-APP on the Notch/Delta signal pathway,being the possible mechanism in the treatment of VD.
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Objective To explore the effect of Renzhu Jianwei Granules(Granule of Semen Coicis and Rhizoma Atractylodis Macro- cephalae for strengthening the stomach)on the patients with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer(PLGC)and its mechanism. Methods The 58 patients of chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)complicated with intestinal metaplasia(IM)and/or dysplasia(Dys) were randomized into treatment group and control group with 29 in each.The treatment group was administered Renzhu Jianwei Gran- ules while the control group was given Weifuchun Tablets.The numbers of positive cells of carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and cy- clooxygenase 2(COX-2)of gastric mueosa before and after treatment were observed.Results The scores of positive cells of CEA and COX-2 of gastric mucosa of both groups were greatly reduced after treatment(P0.05).Conclusion Renzhu Jianwei Granules can reduce CEA and COX-2 of PLGC patients,possibly being one of the mechanisms in treating PLGC.