A review of clinical specifications of Scutellariae Radix pieces in ancient and modern literature / 中国中药杂志

Scutellariae Radix is a commonly used Chinese medicinal first recorded in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica. In the ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), Scutellariae Radix is used in two specifications, solid one(Ziqin) and hollow one(Kuqin). In the current rules and regulations of Chinese medicine, Scutellariae Radix is used without the specific requirements for the specifications applied. To clarify the evolution of Scutellariae Radix specifications and analyze the current specifications of Scutellariae Radix pieces, the present study reviews the Scutellariae Radix from ancient literature, modern rules and regulations, and differences between Ziqin and Kuqin in composition, efficacy, and transformation mechanism. According to the research on ancient books, Kuqin is effective in clearing the fire of the upper energizer, and Ziqin in purging the heat of the lower energizer. Modern studies have revealed that Kuqin and Ziqin are significantly different in chemical components, and Ziqin and Kuqin target the colon and lung, respectively, which are consistent with the relevant records in ancient books. The review study suggests that the two specifications of Scutellariae Radix are reasonable since they can facilitate the precise treatment of Scutellariae Radix.

Difference of hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of endangered species (Coptis deltoidea) and its processed products on T2DM rats / 中草药

Objective To investigate the difference of hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Coptis deltoidea (Coptis chinensis) and its processed products on T2DM rats. Methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus induced by high sugar, high fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin. C. deltoidea were processed with yellow wine, ginger, and evodia rutaecarpa, respectively. The effects of C. deltoidea on fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), glycosylated serum protein (GSP), pancreatic pathology, serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and lipoprotein (HDL-C or LDL-C) and key protein and gene expression of SCAP\SREBP-1c pathway in liver of model rats were investigated. Result C. deltoidea and its processed products reduced the FBG and GSP in T2DM rats. The wine products significantly reduced FBG and GSP in model rats (P < 0.01). The hypoglycemic range was better than raw and ginger products. At hypolipidemic aspect, C. deltoidea and its processed products decreased the content of TG, TC, and LDL-C (P < 0.05, 0.01), increased the content of HDL-C in serum (P < 0.05, 0.01), and down-regulated the protein and gene expression of SCAP/SREBP-1c in liver, the insulin target organ. However, wine and evodia products were better than crude drug or ginger products. Conclusion C. deltoidea processed by yellow wine, ginger and evodia rutaecarpa is traditional method to improve the disadvantages of C. deltoidea with bitter cold nature and not easy to take for a long time. However, different processing methods have different effects. Clinical medication should be combied withTCM syndrome differentiation and simple hypoglycemic effect of wine product is appropriate; while wine and evodia products were better in hypoglycemic and lipid regulation aspects.

Validation Study on Efficacy Difference of Green Forsythiae Fructus and Ripe Forsythiae Fructus in the Classic Formula / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy difference of Green Forsythiae Fructus and Ripe Forsythiae Fructusby using Lianqiao powder and Yinqiao powder in the classic formula; To provide experimental evidence for the guidance of one for dual-use of the Forsythiae Fructus. Methods The guinea pig sore model was made with Staphylococcus aureus. 40 guinea pigs were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Lianqiao powder Green Forsythiae Fructus group and Lianqiao powder Ripe Forsythiae Fructus group. The blank group and the model group were fed with normal saline, while Lianqiao powder Green Forsythiae Fructus group and Lianqiao powder Ripe Forsythiae Fructus group were treated with 1.2 g raw medicine/kg liquid Lianqiao powder Green Forsythiae Fructus and Lianqiao powder Ripe Forsythiae Fructus for 7 d. The symptom score, blood and pathological changes of guinea pig soreness were observed. The model of acute lung injury was induced by 10% LPS aerosol inhalation. 40 rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Yinqiao powder Green Forsythiae Fructus group and Yinqiao powder Ripe Forsythiae Fructus group. The blank group and the model group were fed with normal saline, while Yinqiao powder Green Forsythiae Fructus group and Yinqiao powder Ripe Forsythiae Fructus group were treated with 4 g raw medicine/kg liquid Yinqiao powder Green Forsythiae Fructus and Yinqiao powder Ripe Forsythiae Fructus for 10 d. The levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in the lung lavage fluid were detected. Results The effect of Lianqiao powder Green Forsythiae Fructus on the wound healing of guinea pig sore wound was faster than that of Lianqiao powder Ripe Forsythiae Fructus, but there was no significant difference between Lianqiao powder Green Forsythiae Fructus group and Lianqiao powder Ripe Forsythiae Fructus group in inhibiting the secretion and pathological changes of guinea pig sore wound. The levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in Yinqiao powder Green Forsythiae Fructus group was lower than that in Yinqiao powder Green Forsythiae Fructus group, without statistical significance. Conclusion It is verified that there is efficacy differences between Green Forsythiae Fructus and Ripe Forsythiae Fructus in the different Chinese herbal compound.