Role of podocyte injury signaling pathway in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and research progress in traditional Chinese medicine intervention / 中国中药杂志

As one of the main diseases leading to end-stage renal disease, steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome(SRNS) can cause serious complications such as infection. Without effective control, this disease can further lead to the malignant development of the renal function, bringing serious social and economic burdens. As previously reported, the formation of SRNS is mostly related to the podocyte injury in the body, i.e., the injury of glomerular visceral epithelial cells. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt) signaling pathway, nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) signaling pathway, mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)/adenosine monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK), transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1/Smads, and other signaling pathways are classical signaling pathways related to podocyte injury. By regulating the expression of signaling pathways, podocyte injury can be intervened to improve the adhesion between podocyte foot processes and glomerular basement membrane and promote the function of podocytes, thereby alleviating the clinical symptoms of SRNS. Through the literature review, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has unique advantages and an important role in intervening in podocyte injury. In the intervention in podocyte injury, TCM, by virtue of multi-target and multi-pathway role, can regulate and intervene in podocyte injury in many ways, alleviate the clinical symptoms of SRNS, and interfere with the progress of SRNS, reflecting the unique advantages of TCM. On the other hand, TCM can directly or indirectly inhibit podocyte injury by regulating the above signaling pathways, which can not only promote the effect of hormones and immunosuppressants and shorten the course of treatment, but also reduce the toxic and side effects caused by various hormones and immunosuppressants to exert the advantages of small side effects and low price of TCM. This article reviewed TCM in the treatment of SRNS by interfering with podocyte injury-related signaling pathways and is expected to provide a reference for the in-depth study of TCM in the treatment of SRNS, as well as a theoretical basis and a new direction for the clinical application of TCM to shorten the course of treatment of SRNS and delay the progression to end-stage renal disease.

Mechanisms of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells plus normothermic mechanical perfusion alleviating hepatocyte apoptosis after donation after cardiac death transplantation in rats / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective:To explore the effect and possible mechanism of normal temperature mechanical perfusion(NMP)plus bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSCs)on early endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERs)and cellular apoptosis after donation after cardiac death(DCD)donor liver transplantation.Methods:BMMSCs were isolated and cultured by adherence method.Sixty Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into five groups of sham operation(sham), static cold storage(SCS), NMP, BMMSC and NMP plus BMMSCs(BP)( n=12 each). Liver tissue and serum sample of each group were harvested at Day 1/7 post-operation.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was employed for observing pathological changes of liver tissue; TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNNEL)staining for detecting cellular apoptosis; immunohistochemistry for detecting the expression of hepatocyte transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP); Western blot for detecting the expressions of GRP-78, p-PERK, ATF4, CHOP and cleaved caspase-3. Results:Compared with SCS group, hepatic injury and inflammation significantly declined in NMP, BMMSC and BP groups and improvement of hepatic injury was the most pronounced in BP group.Cellular apoptosis lessened markedly in BP group at Day 1/7 as compared with SCS group and the difference was statistically significant.The expressions of ERs-related proteins GRP-78, p-PERK and ATF4 spiked in SCS group and the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins CHOP and cleaved caspase-3 were significantly elevated and declined markedly in BP group.And the difference was statistically significant.Conclusions:BMMSCs plus NMP can significantly improve hepatocyte apoptosis and inflammatory response after DCD donor liver transplantation.And its mechanism may be correlated with suppressing early endoplasmic reticulum stress of hepatocytes.

Effect of heme oxygenase-1 modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells combined with normothermic machine perfusion on intestinal barrier function in Brown Norway rats with acute rejection of liver transplantation / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) combined with normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) on the intestinal barrier function in rats with acute rejection of liver transplantation.Methods:Specific pathogen free 2 male Brown Norway (BN) rats (4-5 weeks, 40-60 g) were used to isolat BMMSCs, and HO-1 was infected by adenovirus. Of 24 male Lewis rats (7-8 weeks old, 200-220g) were used as donors, 30 male BN rats (8-9 weeks old, 220-240 g) were used as recipients. Acute rejection models of orthotopic liver transplantation were established in rats using two cuff technique. BN recipient rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham group, abdomen of the mice was open and closed within 30 min; NMP livers were simply mechanically perfused for 4 h; the BMP group were perfused with BMMSCs through the portal vein; the HBP group were perfused with HO-1/BMMSCs through the portal vein; the FK506 livers were mechanically perfused for 4 h and administered intragastrically of tacrolimus daily following surgery, 6 per group, on days 14 after surgery, the relevant indicators were taken and the rejection activity index (RAI) changes were investigated. The changes of intestinal pathological were analyzed by HE staining and transmission electron microscope, the expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin protein in intestinal tissue were detected by Western blotting, the concentrations of lipopolysaccharide, D-lactic acid and diamine oxidase (DAO) in serum were detected by ELISA.Results:The RAI of HBP group (2.80±0.84) and FK506 group (2.20±0.84) were significantly lower than that of NMP group (7.60±1.14) and BMP group (6.00±1.58), the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The intestinal villi in NMP group were significantly sparse, wrinkled and disorderly arranged while the degree of intestinal injury in BMP group, HBP group and FK506 group were more mitigated. Electron microscope observation showed that the microvilli of intestinal epithelial cells in HBP group were rich and orderly, and the tight junction structure between cells was complete. The protein expression levels of ZO-1 and Occludin in the intestinal tissues of HBP group [(0.87±0.06) (1.28±0.26)] were higher than those of NMP group [(0.41±0.12) (0.27±0.18)] and FK506 group [(0.52±0.15) (0.63±0.22)], the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The concentration of lipopolysaccharide, D-lactic acid and DAO in serum of HBP group was lower than those of NMP group and FK506 group, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion:HO-1/BMMSCs combined with NMP protects the intestinal mucosal barrier function of BN rats with acute rejection after liver transplantation.

Effect of BMMSCs on steatosis of DCD donor liver in SD rats by normothermic machine perfusion / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the role of ferroptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) combine with normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) in repairing steatotic liver donor after cardiac death (DCD) in SD rats.Methods:BMMSCs were derived from SD rats to establish the DCD model of rats steatotic liver. A total of 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups: simple steatotic liver model group (Sham), static cold storage group (SCS), NMP, BMMSCs combine with NMP preservation group (BNMP), and the preservation time was 4 hours. The donor liver function was evaluated by liver structure, liver enzymes and lactic acid content of perfusion fluid, bile secretion and inflammatory cytokines; furthermore, in order to evaluate the occurrence of liver ferroptosis, the content of Fe 2+, malondialdehyde and glutathione (GSH) in liver tissue, as well as the mRNA or protein expression changes of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) were detected. Results:After DCD steatotic donor liver was preserved for 4 hours, the liver injury, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines expression in the BNMP and NMP groups were better than those in the SCS group. During the machine perfusion preservation period, alanine aminotransferase [(189.0±12.5)U/L vs. (227.7±16.2)U/L], aspartate aminotransferase [(207.3±18.6)U/L vs. (247.0±11.8)U/L] and lactic acid [(2.3±0.3)mmol/L vs. (2.9±0.2)mmol/L] in the BNMP group is lower than those in NMP group, moreover, the amount of hepatic bile secretion in the BNMP group [(1 245.7±46.8) μl vs. (1 014.3±67.9) μl] was more than that in NMP group, the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). The content of Fe 2+ and malondialdehyde in the liver tissue of BNMP group was significantly lower than those of SCS and NMP groups, on the contrary, the content of GSH was significantly higher than those of SCS and NMP groups. In addition, in the BNMP group, the mRNA level of Ptgs2 and protein level of COX-2 in the liver were significantly reduced, and expression of GPX4 and FTH1 were significantly higher than those of NMP and SCS groups, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion:BMMSCs combine with normothermic machine perfusion can better repair SD rats DCD steatotic donor liver and its mechanism of action may be related to its regulation on liver ferroptosis.

High-speed identification of odor changes and substance basis of Myristicae Semen mildew by electronic nose and HS-GC-MS / 中国中药杂志

This study adopted headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-GC-MS) and electronic nose to detect volatile components from Myristicae Semen samples with varying degrees of mildew, aiming at rapidly identifying odor changes and substance basis of Myristicae Semen mildew. The experimental data were analyzed by electronic nose and principal component analysis(PCA). The results showed that Myristicae Semen samples were divided into the following three categories by electronic nose and PCA: mildew-free samples, slightly mildewy samples, and mildewy samples. Myristicae Semen samples with different degrees of mildew greatly varied in volatile components. The volatile components in the samples were qualitatively and quantitatively detected by HS-GC-MS, and 59 compounds were obtained. There were significant differences in the composition and content in Myristicae Semen samples with different degrees of mildew. The PCA results were the same as those by electronic nose. Among them, 3-crene, D-limonene, and other terpenes were important indicators for the identification of mildew. Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane, 4-methylene-1-(1-methylethyl)-, terpinen-4-ol, and other alcohols were key substances to distinguish the degree of mildew. In the later stage of mildew, Myristicae Semen produced a small amount of hydroxyl and aldehyde compounds such as acetaldehyde, 2-methyl-propionaldehyde, 2-methyl-butyraldehyde, and formic acid, which were deduced as the material basis of the mildew. The results are expected to provide a basis for the rapid identification of Myristicae Semen with different degrees of mildew, odor changes, and the substance basis of mildew.

Health literacy, screen time and associated factors among middle school students in Yinchuan / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the status and influencing factors of health literacy of middle school students in Yinchuan City, to provide reference for health literacy improvement of middle school students in this region.@*Methods@#Using stratified cluster sampling method, 2 003 middle school students from three districts of Yinchuan were investigated to complete the questionnaire survey.The survey included basic characteristics, health literacy and screen time status.@*Results@#The total score of Chinese Adolescent Interactive Health Literacy Questionnaire was(101.3±17.5). The proportion of high, medium and low level of health literacy were 25.0%, 51.2% and 23.9% respectively;the proportion of long screen time exposure among middle school students was 52.5%. The health literacy level of junior middle school students, middle school students with father or mother education level of high school or above and appropriate screen time were higher than those of the corresponding group（χ 2=49.90，14.59，16.53，46.73，P<0.01）. Logistic regression analysis showed that education group, grade, father s or mother s education level and long screen time exposure were associated with middle school students health literacy level(P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The health literacy level of middle school students in Yinchuan City needs to be further improved and targeted health education should be carried out from school, family and society.

Effect of AngioJet thrombectomy on proximal iliofemoral vein thrombosis after trauma / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of AngioJet thrombectomy on proximal iliofemoral vein thrombosis after trauma.Methods:The clinical data of patients with proximal iliofemoral vein thrombosis treated with AngioJet thrombectomy were retrospectively analyzed at Vascular Surgery Department of our hospital in 2019.Results:A total of 76 patients were enrolled. After PMT 20 patients had grade Ⅲ thrombolysis clearance(26.3%), 41 patients (53.9%) had grade Ⅱ clearance, and 15 cases (19.7%) had grade Ⅰ clearance. Thirty four cases (44.7%) of grade Ⅲ were cleared after catheter aspiration or catheter thrombolysis, 35 cases (46.1%) of grade Ⅱ, 7 cases (9.2%) of grade Ⅰ were cleared, thrombus clearance rate increased significantly ( P<0.05). Cerebral hemorrhage occurred in 1 case (1.3%), and thrombosis recurred in 2 cases (2.6%). The patency rate was 91.8% at 3 months follow-up. Conclusions:AngioJet thrombectomy is a safe and effective method for treating post-traumatic proximal iliac femoral vein thrombosis. Intraoperative application of urokinase thrombolysis, catheter aspiration and catheter-directed thrombolysis can increase thrombus clearance effect.

Research Progress on Anti-tumor of Cinobufacini / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Cinobufacini is an extract from skin of Bufo gargarizans, and composed of bufadienolides, peptides, alkaloids and cholesterol. With the deepening of research of its pharmacological effect, it has been proved that cinobufacini has important application value in anti-inflammation, anti-virus, anti-tumor, as well as swelling and pain relief. In recent years, more attention has been given to its anti-tumor activity. The molecular pharmacology studies showed that cinobufacini plays an important role on anti-tumor by enhancing the immunity, inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells, inducing the apoptosis of tumor cells, reversing multidrug resistance of tumor cells, and inhibiting the tumor angiogenesis. Both intrinsic pathway mediated by mitochondria and extrinsic pathway mediated by death receptor are involved in cinobufacini-induced apoptosis. Clinical studies have shown that cinobufacini is broadly used as an anti-tumor traditional Chinese medicine, due to its advantages of low toxicity, less side effects, and wide anticancer spectrum. It is broadly used in the treatment of liver cancer, gastric carcinoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, esophageal carcinoma, carcinoma of gallbladder, and non-Hodgkinlymphoma. Either single or combined application plays an active role in improving the efficacy and reducing side effects. To promote the research of anti-tumor activity of cinobufacini, and expand its application prospects, this review focuses on anti-tumor mechanism and clinical application of cinobufacini.

Interaction of anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory activities of commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis revealed by network pharmacology analysis / 药学学报

Chinese traditional patent medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis(PBCRBS) originated from traditional Chinese medicine theory and had approved efficacy and safety standards. However, its compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism is not clear. To analyze the compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS, a statistical and bioinformatics analysis was carried out using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TICMISS, V2.0) and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). The compatibility regularity analysis shows that the most commonly used herb combinations are Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) and Honghua (Carthamustinctorius L.). The anti-thrombotic mechanism analysis reveals that 25 ingredients have an effect on 29 thrombosis related molecules which 23 molecules are related to inflammation response. Furthermore, there are 5 inflammation molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF, IL1β) served as major targets. At the same time, Danshen, Chuangxiong and Honghua mainly used as sovereign herb or minister herb in the application of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS probably has an effect on anti-thrombotic activity through inhibiting the inflammatory response. In summary, the most commonly used herb combinations of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS are Danshen, Chuanxiong and Honghua. Inhibiting inflammatory response, especially inflammation related molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF and IL1β), is probably a new starting point to clarify the anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese patent medicine for PBCRBS.

Variations of brain edema and neurological function of rat models of cerebral infarction after hyperbaric oxygen therapy / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Several studies have suggested that hyperbaric oxygen could better protect cranial nerve and brain cels. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can make oxygen partial pressure rapidly diffusing toward relatively hypoxic brain tissue, so as to increase blood oxygen content in the brain tissue, reduce brain edema and promote the recovery of brain function. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on brain tissue sweling in rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion, and discuss the possible mechanism of action underlying the neuroprotective effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in rats with cerebral infraction. METHODS:Sixty adult female rat models of cerebral infarction were successfuly established by middle cerebral artery occlusion using suture method and then randomly divided into the sham, cerebral infarction and hyperbaric oxygen therapy groups (n=20 rats/group). At 3 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion, apoptosis of nerve cels in the infract area of rats in each group was detected by TUNEL method. At 72 hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion, the gene transcription and protein expression of aquaporin 4/9 and matrix metaloproteinases 9/2 in the peri-infarct area were detected by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. The pathomorphological change in the infract area was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression level of glial fibrilary acidic protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. At 24 hours and 3 days after hyperbaric oxygen therapy and at 1 and 2 weeks after middle cerebral artery occlusion, neurological behaviors were evaluated using Longa behavioral scores. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 1, 2 days of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Longa behavioral scores in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group were significantly lower than those in the cerebral infarction group (P < 0.05). At 3 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion, cel apoptosis index in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group was significantly lower than that in the cerebral infarction group (P < 0.05). At 72 hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion, the aquaporin 4/9, matrix metaloproteinases 9/2 gene and protein expression in the hyperbaric oxygen group were significantly lower than those in the cerebral infarction group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can play its protective role by decreasing apoptosis of nerve cels in the infarct area and lessening the edema of brain tissue in rats with cerebral infarction.

Study of differential proteins in lung adenocarcinoma using laser capture microdissection combined with liquid chip-mass spectrometry technology / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In recent years the proportion of lung adenocarcinoma (adCA) which occurs in lung cancer patients has increased. Using laser capture microdissection (LCM) combined with liquid chip-mass spectrometry technology, we aimed to screen lung cancer biomarkers by studying the proteins in the tissues of adCA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We used LCM and magnetic bead based weak cation exchange (MB-WCX) to separate and purify the homogeneous adCA cells and normal cells from six cases of fresh adCA and matched normal lung tissues. The proteins were analyzed and identified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-fight mass spectrometry (MALDI-OF-MS). We screened for the best pattern using a radial basic function neural network algorithm.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>About 2.895 × 10(6) and 1.584 × 10(6) cells were satisfactorily obtained by LCM from six cases of fresh lung adCA and matched normal lung tissues, respectively. The homogeneities of cell population were estimated to be over 95% as determined by microscopic visualization. Comparing the differentially expressed proteins between the lung adCA and the matched normal lung group, 221 and 239 protein peaks, respectively, were found in the mass-to-charge ration (M/Z) between 800 Da and 10 000 Da. According to t test, the expression of two protein peaks at 7521.5 M/Z and 5079.3 M/Z had the largest difference between tissues. They were more weakly expressed in the lung adCA compared to the matched normal group. The two protein peaks could accurately separate the lung adCA from the matched normal lung group by the sample distribution chart. A discriminatory pattern which can separate the lung adCA from the matched normal lung tissue consisting of three proteins at 3358.1 M/Z, 5079.3 M/Z and 7521.5 M/Z was established by a radial basic function neural network algorithm with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Differential proteins in lung adCA were screened using LCM combined with liquid chip-mass spectrometry technology, and a biomarker model was established. It is possible that this technology is going to become a powerful tool in screening and early diagnosis of lung adCA.</p>

Detection of lung adenocarcinoma using magnetic beads based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry serum protein profiling / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Recently, due to the rapid development of proteomic techniques, great advance has been made in many scientific fields. We aimed to use magnetic beads (liquid chip) based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) technology to screen distinctive biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma (adCA), and to establish the diagnostic protein profiles.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using weak cation exchange magnetic beads (MB-WCX) to isolate and purify low molecular weight proteins from sera of 35 lung adCA, 46 benign lung diseases (BLDs) and 44 healthy individuals. The resulting spectra gained by anchor chip-MALDI-TOF-MS were analyzed by ClinProTools and a pattern recognition genetic algorithm (GA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the working mass range of 800 - 10 000 Da, 99 distinctive peaks were resolved in lung adCA versus BLDs, while 101 peaks were resolved in lung adCA versus healthy persons. The profile gained by GA that could distinguish adCA from BLDs was comprised of 4053.88, 4209.57 and 3883.33 Da with sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 93%, while that could separate adCA from healthy control was comprised of 2951.83 Da and 4209.73 Da with sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 95%. The sensitivity provided by carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in this experiment was significantly lower than our discriminatory profiles (P < 0.005). We further identified a eukaryotic peptide chain release factor GTP-binding subunit (eRF3b) (4209 Da) and a complement C3f (1865 Da) that may serve as candidate biomarkers for lung adCA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Magnetic beads based MALDI-TOF-MS technology can rapidly and effectively screen distinctive proteins/polypeptides from sera of lung adCA patients and controls, which has potential value for establishing a new diagnostic method for lung adCA.</p>

Temporary vena cava filters in cases of lower limb fractures / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the necessity and safety of implanting temporary vena eava fihers to prevent pulmonary emboli in patients of lower extremity fractures concomitant with acute deep venous thrombosis(DVT). Methods A total of 782 patients with lower extremity fractures were complicated with DVT perioperatively. Among them, 91 received temporary vena cava filters implantation before orthopedic operations for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. All patients were followed up post-operation. Results Vena cava filters were successfully implanted in 89 patients. Mean implantation time was 27 days (range from 14 to 42 days). Thrombus trapped within the filters were found in 78 patients (87.6%) after the filters removal. Eight-two filters (92.1%) were retrived successfully at the first attempt as scheduled. Seven filters(7.9%) with big trapped thrombi were removed at the 2nd attempt after additional thrombolytic therapy. No patients needed a permanent filter. No fetal pulmonary embolism (PE) or other major complications were detected during the three to six months follow-ups period. Conclusion Temporary vena cava filter can reduce the incidence and mortality of pulmonary embolism as well as the occurrence of mid- or long-term complications in lower limb fracture patients complicated with DVT.

Phenolic components from Rhodiola dumulosa / 中国中药杂志

Eight phenolic compounds (1-7) were isolated from the methanol extract of the root of Rhodiola dumulosa. Their structures were identified as kaemperol (1), Quercetin (2), Gallic acid (3), (+) -Isolariciresinol-3alpha-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), (-)-Isolariciresinol-3alpha-O-beta-D-glucopyra-noside (5), kaemperol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside-7-alpha-O-L-rhamnoside (6), rutin (7) respectively on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence. The compounds 3-7 were isolated from R. dumulosa for the first time.

Study on steroids of Cacalia tangutica / 中国中药杂志

Seven steroids and two cumarins were isolated from the petroleum ether extract of the specie Cacalia tangutica of the family Compositae which were collected in Minhe county, Qinhai province of China. The structures were identified as Stigmast4-en-3beta, 6beta-diol (1), 24-ethyl-5alpha-cholestane-3beta, 5, 6beta-triol (2), 7beta- methoxy-stigmast-5-en-3beta-ol (3), Schleicherastatin 1 (4), Stigmast-5-en-3beta, 7alpha-diol (5), umbelliferone (6) and hydrangetin (7) by the means of chemical and modern spectroscopic analysis (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT). The compounds 1-5 were isolated from Cacalia tangutica for the first time.

Effect of pristimerin on experimental inflammation in mice and rats / 中国药理学通报

AIM To study the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of pristimerin. METHODS Several inflammatory models were established, such as ear edema induced by croton oil, hind paw swelling by carrageenan, elevation of capillary permeability by acetic acid in mice and a-cute peritonitis induced by carrageenan in rats. Protein content was measured by Coomassie brilliant blue method, nitric oxide (NO) content by Griess reaction assay, N-acetyl-?-D-glucosamini-dase (NAG) activity by colorimetry, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by hydroxylamine method, catalase (CAT) activity by ultraviolet spectro-photometry, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content by fluorescence method in peritoneal exudate in rats. RESULTS Pristimerin ip 0. 156 - 0. 625 mg ? kg-1 or im 1-4 mg - kg-1 inhibited ear edema, hind paw swelling, and elevation of capillary permeability in mice. In the rat peritonitis induced by carrageenan, pristimerin im 1 - 2 mg ?kg-1 reduced neutrophil counts, lessened protein and NO content, inhibited the production of MDA and decreased NAG activity, while augmented the SOD and CAT activity in exudate. CONCLUSION Pristimerin has a significant anti-inflammatory effect which may be related to the inhibition of NO production, scavenging oxygen free radicals, anti-lipoperoxidation and stabilizing lysosome membrane.