Analysis of arsenic speciation in Sepiae Endoconcha and research on its limit standard / 中国中药杂志

Sepiae Endoconcha is a common marine animal medicine,which generally contains high concentration of arsenic( As).The Chinese Pharmacopoeia( 2010 edition,part I) stipulated that the total As content of Sepiae Endoconcha should not exceed 2 mg·kg~(-1),while this limit was revised to 10 mg·kg~(-1) in the 2015 edition. So far,there is no research on the speciation of As in Sepiae Endoconcha,which made it hard to accurately evaluate its security risk. In this study,32 batches of Sepiae Endoconcha from different sources were collected. The safety risk assessment was carried out by determining the total As content and As speciation,inorganic As[As( Ⅲ),As( Ⅴ) ]and organic As( MMA,DMA,As C,As B) by HPLC-ICP-MS,and then the limit standard was discussed. The results showed that As B was the main form of As in Sepiae Endoconcha,followed by DMA and As( Ⅴ) ． Of the 32 batches of Sepiae Endoconcha,9 batches( accounting for 28%) were detected possessing i As. The maximum concentration of As( Ⅲ) was 103. 3 μg·kg~(-1),and the maximum concentration of As( Ⅴ) was 222. 4 μg·kg~(-1). According to the limit of i As in food,18. 75% of the samples exceeded the standard. The results indicate that there is no simple positive correlation between total As and As morphology in Sepiae Endoconcha. Besides,there is a risk in the total As limit,especially after the relaxation of the total As limit. The problem of high i As content caused by pollution and other factors is difficult to regulate. Since the toxicity of inorganic As is much higher than that of organic As,it is of great practical significance to establish inorganic As form limits in Sepiae Endoconcha.

Antimicrobial activity against Macrophomina phaseolina and the control of charcoal rot in soybeans using the homoeopathic drugs Sepia and Arsenicum album / Atividade antimicrobiana contra Macrophomina phaseolina e controle de podridão cinzenta da haste em soja pelos medicamentos homeopáticos Sepia e Arsenicum album

The aim of this study was to evaluate the control of charcoal rot in soybeans using Sepia and Arsenicum album homeopathic solutions in dynamizations of 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48CH (hahnemanian centesimal scale), in addition to verify the antimicrobial activity of these treatments against Macrophomina phaseolina. Additional treatments were also used, including distilled water and a hydroalcoholic solution of 30% ethanol. In vitro tests were performed to analyze the number of micro-sclerotia and the mycelial growth of the fungus. In vivo assays were used to evaluate the progress of the disease and the size of the lesions. For the area under the mycelial growth curve (AUMGC), A. album had no effect, however, Sepia reduced up to 32% of the fungal growth. For micro-sclerotia there was no statistical difference. For the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), both Sepia and A. album in 24CH dynamization reduced fungal growth up to 50% and 70% in the first and second assays, respectively, compared to control treatments. These results indicate the potential of these homeopathic drugs for controlling soybean charcoal rot.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o controle da podridão cinzenta da haste em soja, pulverizando soluções homeopáticas de Sepia e Arsenicum album, nas dinamizações 6, 12, 24, 36 e 48CH (centesimal hahnemaniana), bem como verificar a atividade antimicrobiana desses tratamentos contra Macrophomina phaseolina. Como tratamentos adicionais utilizou-se água destilada e solução hidroalcoólica a 30% de etanol. Foram realizados ensaios in vitro a fim de analisar o número de microescleródios e o crescimento micelial do fungo, e ensaios in vivo para acompanhar o progresso da doença e o tamanho da lesão. Para área abaixo da curva de crescimento micelial (AACCM), A. album não apresentou efeito, no entanto, Sepia reduziu em até 32% o crescimento. Para microescleródios não houve diferença estatística. Para área abaixo da curva de progresso da doença (AACPD), tanto Sepia quanto A. album na dinamização 24CH apresentaram redução de até 50% no primeiro ensaio e de até 70% no segundo ensaio quando comparados com a solução hidroalcoólica. Estes resultados indicam o potencial desses medicamentos homeopáticos no controle de podridão cinzenta da haste em soja.(AU)

Therapeutic effect of low molecular weight chitosan containing sepia ink on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of low molecular chitosan containing sepia ink (LMCS) in ethanol-induced (5 ml/kg) gastric ulcer in rats. METHODS: Animals were divided into four groups (n = 12): normal group (Normal), negative control group (Con), experiment group (LMCS) and positive control Omeprazole group (OMZ). Gastric empty rate was detected in the first 7 days. Rats were sacrificed at 7, 14 and 21 day for histology and ELISA detections. RESULTS: Gastric empty was no significant differences among the groups (P > 0.05). Histological observation showed gastric mucosal LMCS treated had better healing effect. Hydroxyproline (Hyp) was significantly increased from 7 day (P < 0.05). LMCS significantly inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) generation for lipid peroxidation from 7 day (P < 0.05). LMCS significantly promoted the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) at the earlier stage (P < 0.05). OMZ had the similar effects above. As for myeloperoxidase (MPO), LMCS significantly decreased and restored it to normal levels from 7 day (P < 0.05), it is earlier than OMZ which is from 14 day. CONCLUSION: LMCS can improve gastric mucosa tissue repair, exert significant influences on oxidative and antioxidant enzyme activities and neutrophil infiltration.

Effects of chitin and sepia ink hybrid sponge on the healing of burning wound rats and its impact on macrophages in vitro

PURPOSE: To detect whether chitin and sepia ink sponge (CS) can promote wound healing and elevate impact of CS on phagocytosis ability of macrophages. METHODS: Forty-eight rats were assigned to four groups: Normal group (Normal), negative control group (Con), chitin and sepia ink sponge group (CS) and positive control Surgicel Gauze(r) group (SG). Deep second-degree burn model was created in rats. Wound area was recorded by digital imaging and determined using Image J software. Samples were collected and kept at -80oC on 3d, 7d, 14d and 21d for cytokines detecting. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, hydroxyproline (Hyp) and macrophage activity reflected by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Comparing to Con and SG, scabs in CS group fell off and basically healed on 21 day. TGF-β1, IL-6, MMP-1 and Hyp were significantly increased by CS and SG comparing to Con (p < 0.05), CS had more apparently adjustment on TGF-β1 and MMP-1 compared to SG; results in vitro indicated CS significantly promoted phagocytosis ability of macrophages reflected in TNF-α (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CS improved wound healing through exerting significant influences on secretion of kinds of cytokines and activating macrophages.

Raman spectroscopy reveals variation in free OH groups and hydrogen bond strength in ultrahigh dilutions

OBJECTIVE: To decipher the nature of water structure in two ultrahigh diluted (UHD) homeopathic drugs by Laser Raman Spectroscopy. METHOD: Two homeopathic drugs Calcarea carbonica (Calc.) and Sepia officinalis (Sep.) in 8cH, 202cH, and 1002cH and their diluent medium 90% ethanol in 8cH and 202cH were used in the present study. Laser Raman spectra of all the samples were obtained in the wave number region of 2400 – 4200 cm-1. The intensity ratio at vibration frequencies between 3200 and 3420 (R1) and that between 3620 and 3420 (R2) were calculated for each UHD of the samples. RESULTS: The spectra show a marked difference in intensities in the stretching vibrations of CH and OH groups of all the samples. R1 values for three UHDs of Calc. and Sep. show negative and positive relationships, respectively. In the case of R2 values, the relationship in three UHDs is 81002 for Calc., and 8> 202 < 1002 for Sep. In the case of control (ethanol UHDs) both R1 and R2 show a negative relationship. CONCLUSION: R1 denotes a relative number of OH groups with strong and weak hydrogen bonds. R2 indicates the relative number of OH groups with broken and weak H-bonds. Therefore, the UHDs of the two drugs and the control are different from each other with respect to hydrogen bond strength of OH groups and the number of free OH groups or non-hydrogen bonded water molecules.

Antioxidant Effect of Sepia Ink Extract on Extrahepatic Cholestasis Induced by Bile Duct Ligation in Rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of our study was to assess the complications of hepatic fibrosis associated with bile duct ligation and the potential curative role of sepia ink extract in hepatic damage induced by bile duct ligation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rattus norvegicus rats were divided into 3 groups: Sham-operated group, model rats that underwent common bile duct ligation (BDL), and BDL rats treated orally with sepia ink extract (200 mg/kg body weight) for 7, 14, and 28 d after BDL.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant reduction in hepatic enzymes, ALP, GGT, bilirubin levels, and oxidative stress in the BDL group after treatment with sepia ink extract. Collagen deposition reduced after sepia ink extract treatment as compared to BDL groups, suggesting that the liver was repaired. Histopathological examination of liver treated with sepia ink extract showed moderate degeneration in the hepatic architecture and mild degeneration in hepatocytes as compared to BDL groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sepia ink extract provides a curative effect and an antioxidant capacity on BDL rats and could ameliorate the complications of liver cholestasis.</p>

Inter-cohort growth patterns of pharaoh cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis (Sepioidea: Sepiidae) in Eastern Arabian Sea

Sepia pharaonis is an important commercial species endemic to the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Despite its commercial significance, only few information on natural populations is available. This study was aimed to describe the aspects of size-composition, length-weight relationship, catch rates, seasonal recruitment and inter-cohort growth patterns of S. pharaonis population (Clade C), distributed along the Eastern Arabian Sea (South-West coast of India). For this, the Dorsal Mantle Length (DML) and weight of cuttlefishes was obtained from commercial trawl catches, from April 2002 to October 2006. Data was analyzed by normal length-weight methods such as von Bertalanffy. A total of 12 454 cuttlefishes, ranging in length from four to 41cm were analyzed. Size-composition patterns discriminated two pulses in recruitment to the fishery, discernible by a decrease in the monthly mean size of the population. The DMLs of the two seasonal cohorts were subjected to modalprogression analysis using the Bhattacharya’s method for the estimation of growth. The estimated parameters L∞ and K in von Bertalanffy Growth Function (VBGF) were used to model growth curves in length for the cohorts. The first cohort, (post-monsoon cohort) which supports the major fishery, was composed of mediumsized, fast growing individuals, whereas the second cohort (pre-monsoon cohort), comprised of slow growing and large-sized individuals. There were differential growth characteristics between the sexes and the life span was estimated at less than 2.3years for males and 2.1years for females. Negative allometric growth in weight (W) with length (L) was observed for males (W=0.33069.L2.5389) and females (W=0.32542.L2.6057). The females were heavier compared to males at any given mantle length, and the males were found to attain larger ultimate lengths. The major fishing season for cuttlefish was from May to November, when higher monthly catch rates of 1.67-13.02kg/h were observed in comparison with 0.03-0.85kg/h in December-April. Seasonal catch rates indicated a migratory life cycle of S. pharaonis between offshore and inshore coastal zones.

Sepia pharaonis es una importante especie endémica comercial del trópico Indo-Pacífico. A pesar de su valor comercial, hay muy poca información de sus poblaciones naturales disponible. En este estudio se describen aspectos como composición de tallas, relación longitud-peso, tasas de captura, reclutamiento estacional y patrones de crecimiento entre cohortes de la población (Clado C), distribuidos a lo largo del Mar Arábigo del Este (costa Suroeste de India). Se obtuvo la Longitud del Manto Dorsal (LMD) y el peso de las capturas de los arrastres comerciales, de Abril 2002 a Octubre 2006. Los datos fueron analizados mediante FiSAT y von Bertalanffy. Se capturó un total de 12 454 sepias, con una longitud entre 4-41cm. Los patrones de composición de tallas discriminaron dos pulsos en el reclutamiento de la pesquería, perceptibles por una disminución en el tamaño promedio mensual de la población. Los LMD de las dos cohortes estacionales se sometieron a un análisis de progresión modal mediante el método de Bhattacharya para la estimación del crecimiento. La primera cohorte (después de los monzones) mantiene la principal pesquería, se compone de individuos medianos de rápido crecimiento, mientras que el segundo grupo (pre-monzón) está compuesto por individuos de crecimiento lento y de gran tamaño. Se encontraron diferencias en las características de crecimiento entre sexos y la duración de vida útil se estima en menos de 2.3 años para machos y 2.1 años para hembras. Se observó crecimiento alométrico negativo entre el peso (W) y la longitud (L) para machos (W=0.33069. L2.5389) y hembras (W=0.32542.L2.6057). Las hembras fueron más pesadas en comparación con los machos en cualquier longitud de manto. La temporada de pesca más importante fue de mayo a noviembre, cuando se tuvieron las tasas de captura mensual más altas, de 1.67-13.02kg/h en comparación con 0.03-0.85kg/h entre diciembre y abril. Las tasas de captura estacional indican un ciclo de vida migratorio de S. pharaonis entre las zonas marinas y costeras de las áreas someras.

Aspergillus niger as a new allergic agent associated with bindis and its efficacy against homeopathic drugs.

Aspergillus was found as a dominant fungi to associate with brands of bindis. Among three potencies of four homeopathic drugs, Lycopodium 1M, Sulphur 1M, and Sepia 30 showed maximum inhibition zone of Aspergillus niger in inhibition zone technique. In poison food technique, Sepia 30M, Tellurium 30M, Sulphur 1M and Lycopodium 200 showed maximum percentage inhibition against A. niger

The preparation of a new hydroxyapatite and the study on its cytocompatibility / 生物医学工程学杂志

The cuttlebones, harvested from cuttles, undergo the chemical reaction in high temperature and high pressure for a certain time. The products are qualitatively analysed, and spacial structure observation and cytocompatibility are tested. The results show that the chemical component of the cuttlebone is CaCO3 and the crystal type is aragonite. Cuttlebones undergo a hydro-thermal reaction, and thus transform into hydroxyapatite-that is, the cuttlebone-transformed hydroxyapatite(CBHA). The CBHA materials have the interconnected microporous network structures. Under the high magnification, CBHAs appear to have many micro-spheres, thus construct a new self-assembled nano-material system. The marrow stromal osteoblasts can adhere to and proliferate well on the surface of the CBHAs. These results show that CBHAs have good biocompatibility. Therefore, it can be a potential candidate scaffold for bone tissue engineering.