Inhibitory effect of water extract of Sophora flavescens on inflammation and oxidative stress through activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway / 中草药

Objective: To study the molecular mechanisms of antioxidant effect and anti-inflammatory of water extract of Sophora flavescens (WSF) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. Methods: The optimum concentration of WSF was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The inflammatory model was established with LPS by stimulating RAW264.7 cells in vitro. Then all cells were divided into control group, model group, WSF group and WSF control group. The levels of ROS and NO were analyzed with flow cytometry. Subsequently, the expression of iNOS, COX-2, Nrf2, and HO-1 was detected with qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Finally, the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were detected by ELISA. Results: The CCK-8 assay revealed that 0.01 mg/mL WSF did not affect the cell viability. Compared with control group, the LPS-induced inflammatory response could significantly increase the production of NO and ROS, and the IL-6 and TNF-α were also significantly increased (P < 0.05, 0.01, and 0.001). Furthermore, the expression of iNOS and COX-2 were significantly increased (P < 0.01, 0.001), but the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were inhibited (P < 0.05). However, compared with model group, the WSF group not only significantly decreased the levels of NO, ROS, IL-6, and TNF-α, but also decreased the expression of iNOS and COX-2 (P < 0.05, 0.01, and 0.001). In contrast, the the level of IL-10 and the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased (P < 0.05, 0.01, and 0.001). Conclusion: These results suggested that SF exerted protective effect against LPS-induced inflammatory and oxidative responses in RAW 264.7 cells by the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Exploration on mechanism of anti-coronavirus of Sophora flavescens through multi-pathway / 中草药

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), originated in Wuhan city, Hubei Province, China in December 2019, and then quickly spread to most provinces and regions in China and even spread to many countries abroad. COVID-19 is characterized by wide epidemic, strong infectivity, rapid onset and critical condition. In the face of this epidemic, all parts of the country quickly set off a peak in the fight against COVID-19, but no effective drug for COVID-19 has been developed in the short term. Recently, many hospitals have combined traditional Chinese medicine with western medicine in treatment, and the clinical effect is remarkable, which proves the antiviral effect of traditional Chinese medicine. A large number of pharmacological and clinical studies have proved that the Chinese materia medica S. flavescens has significant antiviral effect. In this paper, the mechanism of anti-coronavirus effect of S. flavescens is expounded from multiple pathways, such as type I interferon, NF-κB signal pathway, ERK signal pathway, PI3K/Akt signal pathway and matrine alkaloids, etc. It is intended to provide reference for clinical treatment of coronavirus infection pneumonia and research and development of related drugs of S. flavescens.

Epidemiológica del ataque cerebro vascular en un hospital universitario / Epidemiological of cerebrovascular attack in a university hospital / Epidemiologia do ataque cerebrovascular em hospital universitário

Resumen: Introducción: El ataque cerebro vascular es una enfermedad prevalente en nuestro medio con elevada morbimortalidad. El Hospital Pasteur es un centro de tercer nivel, que asiste un elevado número de pacientes con esta patología. Conocer los datos epidemiológicos de esta afección permitirá desarrollar medidas de promoción de salud y prevención primaria. Identificar la forma de presentación clínica y los algoritmos de estudio, permitirán un adecuado diagnóstico, tratamiento precoz y desarrollo de medidas de prevención secundaria. Objetivos: Conocer las características sociodemográficas de la población con diagnóstico de ataque cerebro vascular o accidente isquémico transitorio asistidas en las salas de medicina del Hospital Pasteur, los factores de riesgo asociados, las formas de presentación clínica y precisar si se cumplió con el algoritmo diagnóstico propuesto. Métodos y procedimiento: Estudio descriptivo observacional y transversal realizado en el Hospital Pasteur. La población de estudio fueron pacientes adultos ingresados en sala de medicina con diagnóstico de ataque cerebro vascular o accidente isquémico transitorio que presentaron el evento durante su internación, en el periodo comprendido entre Julio y Setiembre de 2018. Resultados y discusión: Se recabaron datos de 29 pacientes, 20 de sexo femenino. La media de edad fue de 70.34 años. La naturaleza isquémica fue la más prevalente. Los factores de riesgo cardiovascular más frecuentes fueron HTA, sedentarismo, dislipemia y tabaquismo. La principal forma de presentación fue síndrome piramidal. Se cumplió con el algoritmo diagnostico en todos los pacientes. Conclusión: Conocer los factores de riesgo, naturaleza y forma de presentación clínica permite elaborar estrategias de prevención primaria y secundaria para el abordaje integral de estos pacientes, intentando así reducir la incidencia y secuelas de esta enfermedad.

Abstract: Introduction: Acute ischemic stroke is a prevalent condition in our working environment, with high morbility and mortality. Hospital Pasteur is a tertiary level institution, which assists an elevated number of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Getting to know its epidemiologic characteristics will enable the development of health promotion and primary prevention measures. Identifying its clinical presentation form and applying validated study algorithms will allow for a proper diagnosis, early treatment and development of secondary prevention measures. Objectives: To study the sociodemographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack assisted in Hospital Pasteur´s Internal Medicine wards, their associated risk factors, clinical presentation and to determine whether the proposed study algorithm was followed. Methodology and procedure: This is a descriptive, observational and transversal study which took place at Hospital Pasteur. The population consisted of adult patients admitted to Internal Medicine wards with the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack or who presented the event during their stay, between the months of July and September 2018. Results and discussion: The data of 29 patientes was obtained; 20 were female. The mean age was 70.34 years. Ischemic nature was the most prevalent. The most frequent risk factors were arterial hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, dyslipidemia and smoking. Pyramidal syndrome was the most common clinical presentation. A study algorithm was followed in all patients. Conclusion: Getting to know the risk factors, nature and clinical presentation form of AIS and TIA allows for the creation of primary and secondary prevention strategies for the comprehensive approach of these patients, therefore intending to reduce this disease´s incidence and its terrible consequences.

Resumo: Introdução: O ataque cerebrovascular é uma doença prevalente em nosso meio, com alta morbimortalidade. O Hospital Pasteur é um centro de terceiro nível, que auxilia um grande número de pacientes com essa patologia. Conhecer os dados epidemiológicos dessa condição permitirá o desenvolvimento de ações de promoção da saúde e prevenção primária. Identificar a forma de apresentação clínica e os algoritmos do estudo permitirá um diagnóstico adequado, tratamento precoce e desenvolvimento de medidas de prevenção secundária. Objetivos: Conhecer as características sociodemográficas da população com diagnóstico de ataque cerebrovascular ou ataque isquêmico transitório assistido nas salas médicas do Hospital Pasteur, os fatores de risco associados, as formas de apresentação clínica e determinar se o algoritmo de diagnóstico proposto foi atendido. Métodos e procedimentos: Estudo observacional e transversal descritivo realizado no Hospital Pasteur. A população do estudo foi de pacientes adultos admitidos na enfermaria com diagnóstico de ataque cerebrovascular, ataque isquêmico transitório que apresentaram o evento durante sua internação, no período entre julho e setembro de 2018. Resultados e discussão: Os dados foram coletados de 29 pacientes, sendo 20 do sexo feminino. A idade média foi de 70,34 anos, sendo a natureza isquêmica a mais prevalente. Os fatores de risco cardiovascular mais frequentes foram hipertensão arterial, sedentarismo, dislipidemia e tabagismo. A principal forma de apresentação foi a síndrome piramidal. O algoritmo de diagnóstico foi preenchido em todos os pacientes. Conclusão: Conhecer os fatores de risco, natureza e forma de apresentação clínica permite desenvolver estratégias de prevenção primária e secundária para abordagem abrangente desses pacientes, buscando reduzir a incidência e sequelas da doença.

Research progress and prospect on antitumor mechanism of matrine and oxymatrine / 中草药

Sophora flavescens is a traditional herb medicine in China. Matrine and oxymatrine are the primary components in S. flavescens with an outstanding anti-cancer potentials. This review aims to summarize the mechanism of tumor-inhibition of matrine and oxymatrine by screening and analyzing the recent literatures. It was found that the molecular mechanisms of tumor-inhibition of matrine and oxymatrine include the regulation of cell cycle progression, induction of cell apoptosis, anti-metastatic and anti-invasion activities, induction of autophagy of tumor cells, reversion of the multidrug resistance in cancer cells, and regulation of metabolic level in cancer cells. Further research on the molecular mechanisms of matrine and oxymatrine could reveal their cellular signaling network and gene regulation mechanism in the anticancer behaviors, so as to find more accurate tumor therapeutic targets, which have important implications not only for new drugs development in clinical application of cancers, but also for the modernizations and internationalization of Chinese medicine.

Antiosteoporosis effect of Ligustrum lucidum on ovariectomized rats and its effect on GH/IGF-1 signaling pathway / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the anti-osteoporotic effect of Ligustrum lucidum and the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling pathways. Methods: L. lucidum aqueous extract was orally administrated to ovariectomized (OVX) rats for 14 weeks. Then the femurs were removed and stained with hematoxylin & eosin (HE) and Safranin O/Fast Green staining, respectively, to evaluate the change of bone microstructure. The histomorphological parameters and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femurs were measured by micro-CT. Furthermore, rat serum GH level was determined by ELISA assay, and IGF-1 protein expression in liver and bone was determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Results: L. lucidum prevented the disorganized femoral trabeculae and inhibited the decrease in BMD and glycosaminoglycan content in OVX rats. In addition, L. lucidum significantly inhibited the decrease of serum GH levels and improved IGF-1 protein expression of liver and bone in OVX rats. Conclusion: L. lucidum may prevent against osteoporosis through inhibition of bone loss and improvement of bone microstructure via regulating GH/IGF-1 signaling pathway.

UPLC-MS/MS-based pharmacokinetics of self-microemulsion containing total flavonoids from Sophora flavescens in rats / 中草药

Objective: To establish a UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of sophoraflavanone G (SFG), kurarinone (Kur), and isoxanthohumol (Iso) in rat plasma using rutin as the internal standard (IS), and to study the pharmacokinetic parameters of total flavonoids (TF) from Sophora flavescens and TF self-microemulsion drug delivery system (TF-SMEDDS) in rats. Methods: Analysis was carried out on an ACQUITY UPLC® HSS T3 C18 column using acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid in water as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The plasma samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring with an electro-spray ionization source in negative ionization mode. All statistical analysis was performed using DAS 2.0 software package. Results: The calibration curves of Kur, SFG, and Iso exhibited good linearity (r2 > 0.995 9) over the range of (0.02-1 600.00), (0.015-1 200.000), and (0.01-800.00) ng/mL, respectively. Precision, accuracy, average extraction recovery, and matrix effects were all in line with biological sample analysis requirements. The pharmacokinetic parameters of Kur, SFG, and Iso from TF were as follows: t1/2z (7.04 ±2.46), (4.54 ± 2.13), (4.73 ± 1.67) h, and AUC0-∞ (3 469.57 ± 555.37), (2 524.48 ± 425.83), (1 006.47 ± 85.46) ng∙h/mL. The pharmacokinetic parameters of Kur, SFG, and Iso from TF-SMEDDS were as follows: t1/2z (13.10 ± 2.67), (11.47 ± 4.17), and (12.67 ± 4.97) h, and AUC0-∞ (13 002.49 ± 2 498.09), (8 070.80 ± 2 264.62), (3 918.85 ± 429.76) ng∙h/mL. The relative bioavailabilities of Kur, SFG, and Iso in TF-SMEDDS were approximately 374.76%, 319.70%, and 389.37%, respectively. Conclusion: The UPLC-MS/MS method can be used to study the pharmacokinetics of three components in S. flavescens in rats. The bioavailability of TF-SMEDDS in rats was significantly increased.

Analysis of constituents from different parts of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa by HPLC-TOF-MS / 中草药

Objective To compare chemical composition in the different parts (leaf, branch, and fruit) of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, and to study the chemical constituents from fruits of R. tomentosa. Methods High performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF-MS) method was executed to analyze the samples. Principle component analysis (PCA) and partial minimum variance discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) in MassLynx XS software were used to analyze the obtained data. The chemical constituents of fruits were isolated and purified by column chromatography, including silica gel, Sephedex LH-20 and re-HPLC, and the structures were elucidated based on their NMR and MS data. Results The PCA results indicated that the constituents existed in leaf were significantly different from those in branch and fruit, while constituents in branch and fruit were similar. Furthermore, based on OPLS-DA, combined with chromatographic retention regulation, accurate molecular mass, isotopic matching and literature searching, four marker compounds from leaves had been found and identified as myricitrin (1), myricitrin-3-O-L-furanoarabinoside (2), iridin (3), and 3,3’-didemethyl-9-oxo-pinoresinol (4). Besides, five compounds were isolated from fruits and identified as maslinic acid (5), ethyl gallate (6), gallic acid (7), resveratrol (8), and piceatannol (9). Conclusion This research provides an effective strategy for analyzing chemical difference from different parts of R. tomentosa, which can be applied to study the chemical difference from different parts of other species.

Molecular mechanism of Danggui Beimu Kushen Pills in treating prostatic diseases based on TCM-IP / 中草药

Objective To analyze the material basis and molecular mechanisms of Danggui Beimu Kushen (DBK) Pills in treating prostatic diseases based on the method of integrated pharmacology. Method The platform of Integrative Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM-IP, www.tcmip.cn) was utilized to predict the main active ingredients and functional targets of DBK Pills in treating prostatic disease, key targets were screened for enrichment analysis of pathways, and the network of “herb-core component-key target-main pathway” was constructed, and the possible mechanisms of DBK Pills in treating prostatic diseases were explored. Results A total of 532 candidate key targets for the treatment of prostatic diseases by DBK Pills were predicted, and 1 840 terms of gene function and 194 signal pathways were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) and KEGG, respectively. The network analysis of “herb-core component-key target-main pathway” showed that 65 core components were predicted, including 29 ingredients from Angelica sinensis, 11 from Fritillaria thunbergii and 26 from Sophora flavescens. Those predicted components acted on the key targets of prostatic diseases, such as transcription factor binding, negative regulation of apoptosis, et al, through the estrogen, apoptosis, chemokines and other signal pathways, and thus played a role in the regulation of cell cycle, apoptosis and proliferation imbalance, which might be the molecular mechanisms of DBK Pills for the treatment of prostatic disease. Conclusion DBK Pills regulate the development of BPH, prostate cancer and other diseases through multiple pathways with multi-component interacting with multiple targets.

Application of electronic tongue in pattern study about bitterness inhibition by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin / 中草药

Objective To study the bitterness inhibition law of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) concentration (C) on the bitter compounds and bitter Chinese herbal medicine, and to explore the application of electronic tongue in this study. Methods Berberine, oxymatrine, Sophora flavescens, and Andrographis paniculata decoction were used as bitterness vectors to establish two models of bitterness inhibition law about ΔI-C and ΔIe-C, and to explore the prediction model of bitterness inhibition effect about ΔI-ΔIe, based on the oral taste evaluation results (ΔI) and electronic tongue information (ΔIe). Then, fitting precision and fitting goodness of the prediction model were evaluated with cross-validation and residual analysis. Results In this study, good Weibull model of bitterness inhibition pattern about ΔI-C were established for all the four bitterness vectors, the decision coefficient R2 are as followed: 0.999 6, 0.987 9, 0.996 4, and 0.998 4 (P < 0.01); The decision coefficient R2 of six (two sensors per vector) models of bitterness inhibition law about ΔIe-C of berberine, S. flavescens, and A. paniculata decoctions were as followed: 0.996 5, 0.991 6, 0.997 3, 0.989 3, 0.999 6, and 0.999 1 (P < 0.01); The decision coefficient R2 of six corresponding linear prediction models of bitterness inhibition effect about ΔI-ΔIe were as followed: 0.989 1, 0.968 3, 0.989 0, 0.982 0, 0.977 9, and 0.986 1 (P < 0.01); The correlation coefficient R calculated by correlation coefficient of six prediction models above were as followed: 0.986 0, 0.997 3, 0.988 4, 0.960 8, 0.980 2, and 0.983 9 (P < 0.01); No model was established for oxymatrine within the range of tested concentration in this research, as it didn’t respond to the four sensors with varied concentration. Conclusion Based on this method, the bitterness inhibition law of HP-β-CD with changed concentration was obtained. Prediction models based on HP-β-CD concentration or electronic tongue data were also established, they can be used to predict the relative bitterness inhibition effect. Part of the bitter compounds didn't response to the electronic tongue regularly, remain further research and development of electronic tongue technology.

Effect of ethanolic extract of Omithogalum caudatum Ait on apoptosis of Candida albicans / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of Omithogalum caudatum Ait(OCA)on apoptosis of Candida albicans,illustrated the antifungal mechanism of OCA.Methods Annexin Ⅴ-FITC/PI double stainingwas used to detect the effect of OCA on the apoptosis of C.albicans;JC-1 and DCFH-DA staining were used to detectthe effect of OCA on mitochondrial membrane potential(MTP)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)of C.albicans.Results OCA had a good antifungal activity,the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)and the minimum fungicidal concentration(MFC)were 8mg/mL and 32mg/mL respectively.OCA could induceapoptosis of C.albicans,promote the reduction of MTP and increase of ROS.Conclusion OCA induced cell apoptosismainly through disrupting mitochondrial function.

Simultaneous Determination of Seven Alkaloid Constitutents in Sophora Flavescens Ait. by HPLC-DAD / 中国药师

Objective:To develop an HPLC-DAD method for the simultaneous determination of seven alkaloid constitutents, so-phoranholN-oxide, oxymatrine, sophoridine, oxysophocarpine, sophoranol, matrine and sophocarpine in Sophora flavescens Ait. Meth-ods:The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax C18 column (150 mm × 4. 6 mm, 5μm) with 10 mmol·L-1 NH4Ac(0.1% ammonia, pH=9.0)(A)-acetonitrile-methanol(1 ∶22) containing 20 mmol·L-1NH4Ac(B) as the mobile phase with gradient elution at the flow rate of 1 ml·min-1 . The detection wavelength was set at 220 nm,and the column temperature was maintained at 30 ℃. Results: SophoranholN-oxide, oxymatrine, sophoridine, oxysoph-ocarpine, sophoranol, matrine and sopho-carpine was linear within the range of 0.093-1.860 μg(r =0.999 6) , 0.530-10.600 μg (r =0.999 7), 0.062-1.240 μg (r =0. 999 8), 0. 281-5. 620 μg (r=0. 999 9), 0. 026-0. 520 μg (r=0. 999 8) ,0. 036-0. 720 μg (r=0. 999 7) and 0. 032-0. 640 μg (r=0. 999 6), respectively. The average recovery was 97. 5%, 98. 2%, 99. 0%, 99. 4%, 99. 2%, 98. 2% and 98. 7%, and RSD was 1. 18%, 0. 92%, 1. 43%, 1. 04%, 0. 81%, 0. 43% and 0. 88%(n =6), respectively. Conclusion:The method is convenient, accurate and reproducible in the quality control of multicomponents in Sophora flavescens Ait.

Progress in quality control of Moghania / 中国药学杂志

Moghania mainly grows in Yunnan and Guangxi, and is a kind of traditional Zhuang medicine in China. It is used to treat dispelling wind and dampness, strengthen bones and muscles, and promote blood circulation and detoxification. Moghania is also well known for its edible and medical value in folk. Currently Moghania medicinal plants are recorded in the appendix of China Pharmacopoeia and some local standards, but there is no content about the quality standard. We need to improve the quality standard to make it more accurate and specific for the multi-origin characteristics of Moghania. The literatures on Moghania were analyzed and summarized in terms of characteristics, microscopic identification, thin layer chromatography (TLC), fingerprinting, and molecular identification. The analysis result showed that the primary quality control mode of Moghania is mainly based on multi-index synchronization, total composition and fingerprints. The application of TLC, UV, HPLC, infrared spectroscopy (IR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inter-simple sequence repeats-poly-merase chain reaction (ISSR-PCR) molecular markers in Moghania quality control has been investigated systemically. These results provided references for the systematical study and quality control of Moghania resource.

Chemical constituents from leaves of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the leaves of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa and its antibacterial activities. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by various column chromatographies. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectral analyses (MS and NMR). The antibacterial activity of the compounds was tested by micro dilution method Results: A total of 21 compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract in the leaves of R. tomentosa and identified as (2R,4'R,8'R)-α-tocopherol (1), (2R,4'R,8'R)-β-tocopherol (2), α-tocopherol-quinone (3), α-tocopherol A (4), (-)-a-tocospirone (5), rhodomyrtosone F (6), rhodomyrtosone C (7), watsonianone A (8), rhodomyrtone (9), verimol K (10), methyl cinnamate (11), naringenin (12), quercetin (13), myricetin (14), 3,7,3'-trimethoxy-5,4',5'-trihydroxy flavone (15), 5,7,3',5'- tetrahydroxyflavanone (16), blumeatin (17), dihydroquercetin-7,4'-dimethylether (18), dihydroquercetin-4'-dimethoxy (19), 2,4,7,8,9,10-hexahydroxy-3-methoxyanthracene-6-O-β-L-rhamnopyranoside (20), and 4,8,9,10-tetrahydroxy-2,3,7-trimethoxyanthracene-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (21). Conclusion: Compound 6 is a new natural product and compounds 2-5, 10-13, and 15-19 are isolated from the plants of Rhodomyrtus (DC.) Reich for the first time. Compounds 3 and 6-9 exhibit the antibacterial activities.

Optimization of nanofiltration concentration process of Sophora flavescens extract by coupling technology of response surface methodology and regulating Donnan effect / 中草药

Objective: Response surface analysis and regulating Donnan effect methodology were used to optimize the matrine concentration by nanofiltration techonology. Methods: On the basis of single factor experiment results, molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of nanofiltration membrane, concentration and pH were selected as influencing factors to evaluate the retention rate of matrine and total alkaloids with Box-Behnken central composite experiment design, and then, the optimal concentration parameters were calculated in the conditions of pH 6-7 to regulate Donnan effect between alkaloids and nanofiltration membrane. Results: The retention rate of matrine was of positive relevance with the ethanol concentration. The optimal concentration parameters were as follows: cutting off molecular weight of 150, pH of 6.19, concentration of 204.3 μg/mL, ethanol concentration of 15%, the retention rate of matrine and total alkaloids were 94.41% and 97.63%, respectively. Conclusion: The combination of ethanol regulation Donnan effect and response surface analysis can well optimize the concentration process of S. flavescens extract by nanofiltration, and the results provide the references for nanofiltration concentration for heat-sensitive Chinese materia medicia.

Research progress on medicinal plants of Flemingia Roxb. ex W. T. Ait / 中草药

The genus Flemingia Roxb. ex W. T. Ait. (Leguminosae) was originally recorded in "Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao", written by WU Qi-jun in Qing Dynasty. Its abundant sources were widely used for multi-nationalities in a long history of application. This review mainly focused on the general applied situations, chemical constituents and pharmacological effects, thus provided a basis for further investigation of genus Flemingia Roxb. ex W.T. Ait., and offered a better understanding of its developing market potential. So far, 197 compounds have been separated and identified from genus Flemingia Roxb. ex W.T. Ait., including flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, triterpenes, volatile oil, etc. Moreover, modern pharmacological studies have shown that several pharmacological effects have been found from the extracts and individual compounds (mainly flavonoids), including analgesia and anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal, estrogen, skin protection, neuroprotection, hepatoprotective effect, and so on. The genus Flemingia Roxb. ex W.T. Ait. is rich in resources and promiscuous in germplasm resources, which results in the remarkble differences in regions, time as well as the different parts of the content chemical composition,and there is no standardized control index of quality. With the development of modern separation and identify techniques, the determination of multiple chemical components has been widely accepted for quality control of genus Flemingia Roxb. ex W.T. Ait. On the whole, these achievements will further expand the existing market potential of the plants in the genus and provide a beneficial support to its further clinical use in modern medicine.

Unidad de ACV en el Hospital de Clínicas: comportamiento clínico-epidemiológico de los pacientes con ACV (2007-2012) / Stroke Unit at the Hospital de Clínicas: clinical-epidemiological behavior in patients with stroke (2007-2012)

Introducción: El ataque cerebrovascular (ACV) es una importante causa de mortalidad, discapacidad y demencia en el mundo y en nuestro país. Provoca un gran impacto económico ya sea por gastos directos o indirectos. Objetivos: Describir aspectos clínicos, factores de riesgo e indicadores que permiten un adecuado manejo del ACV en su tratamiento agudo. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y prospectivo de los ACV ingresados en el Hospital de Clínicas, entre 2007 y 2012 aplicando un protocolo con escalas clínicas, etiopatogénicas y funcionales, con test estadísticos adecuados. Resultados: Se protocolizaron 784 pacientes: 75% infartos, 16% hemorragias y 9% AIT. La HTA fue el factor de riesgo más frecuente. Un tercio llegó a puerta antes de las 4,5 h. En infartos y AIT se disminuyeron los días de internación y se mejoró la funcionalidad a 6 meses. Conclusiones: La formación de equipos entrenados en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del ACV disminuyeron el tiempo de internación y mejoraron la funcionalidad de estos pacientes.

Introduction: The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula is defined as the abnormal leak of fluid from the skull to outside the body through an osteomeningeal gap, which allows the passage of organisms to the intra-cranial space, with the risk of infection, potentially life-threatening. Divided as traumatic and non-traumatic, the condition is relatively common, and poses great challenges to neurosurgeons. Objective: to present the first case of post-traumatic CSF fistula in Uruguay, assessed with cistern MRI with diagnostic purposes. Case report: the case described is that of a patient that received treatment at the University Hospital (Hospital de Clínicas). The case is used to illustrate the condition and review the latest controversial issues involved in the algorithms for the diagnosis and therapy of the condition. Discussion: the main controversial issues found included the following: when to start prophylactic antibiotic (ATB) therapy following diagnosis; imaging tests requested for diagnosis, and type of therapy prescribed. Conclusions: The review of literature leads us to conclude that a correct diagnosis requires the routine use of CT and MRI; if doubts persist, cistern MRI, endoscopy, or cistern CT are indicated. With regards the therapeutic algorithm, we conclude that therapy should be conservative, applying medical therapy for two to four weeks; surgery will be prescribed if the fistula persists after that. Antibiotic therapy is an option and not a recommendation.

In vivo anti-salmonella activity of aqueous extract of Euphorbia prostrata Aiton (Euphorbiaceae) and its toxicological evaluation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vivo anti-salmonella activity and the safety of aqueous extract of Euphorbia prostratra (E. prostratra), a plant commonly used in Cameroon by traditional healers. METHODS: A Salmonella typhimurium-infected rat model was used for the study. The physiological, biochemical and histopathological markers of possible side effects of this extract were studied using standard methods. RESULTS: The extract had a significant effect on the number of viable Salmonella typhimurium recovered from faeces, and could stop salmonellosis after 8 and 10 days of treatment for male and female rats, respectively, with non-toxic doses. However, the biochemical and histopathological analyses revealed that at relatively high doses (≥ 73.48 mg/kg for female and ≥ 122.71 mg/kg for male) the extract could induce liver damage, as illustrated by a rise of serum transaminases' levels and significant inflammation of the parenchyma and portal vein. Side effects were also observed on the kidneys, as shown by both serum and urinary creatinine, and urinary proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results indicate that the aqueous extract of E. prostrata has the potential to provide an effective treatment for salmonellosis, including typhoid fever. However, it is necessary to extrapolate these results in large animals, in further studies.

Identification of DNA barcoding on medicinal plants in Flemingia Roxb. ex Ait. et Ait. f / 中草药

Objective: To screen a DNA barcoding sequence that can identify the medicinal plants of Flemingia Roxb. ex Ait. et Ait. f. accurately and efficiently. Methods: Four species and 14 individuals of Flemingia Roxb. ex Ait. et Ait. f. were collected, the (second internal transcribed spacer, ITS2) of ribosomal DNA, rbcL, psbA-trnH of chloroplast DNA were amplified and sequenced. Meanwhile, the NCBI data were retrieved and the according sequence was downloaded. The total numbers of species and individuals were six and twenty. The PCR amplification and sequencing efficiency, barcoding gap, and NJ trees were used to evaluate the efficiency of species identification. Results: The sequencing success rates of ITS2, rbcL, and psbA-trnH were 100%, 100%, and 85.71%, respectively; Among the three DNA barcoding sequences, only ITS2 has remarkable barcoding gap; ITS2 could distinguish every species of Flemingia Roxb. ex Ait. et Ait. f. (except F. philippinensis and F. stricta). Conclusion: ITS2 could identify the medicinal plants of Flemingia Roxb. ex Ait. et Ait. f. accurately and efficiently, and could be used as an ideal DNA barcoding of species identification for medicinal materials of Flemingia Roxb. ex Ait. et Ait. f.

Manejo agudo do AVC isquêmico: da emergência à alta hospitalar / Acute stroke management: from the emergency room to discharge

O AVC é uma causa muito frequente de morbimortalidade na população mundial, representando um verdadeiro desafio à prática médica atualmente. Todo médico deve ter conhecimento sobre o manejo inicial desta condição, o que pode mudar drasticamente o rumo da história natural da doença.

Stoke is a very common cause of mortality and morbidity in the population worldwide, representing a true challenge in medical practice nowadays. Every physician must know how to approach this condition, something that can dramatically change the natural course of the disease.

Cytotoxicity assessment of aqueous extract from root barks of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. in human intestinal Caco-2 and mouse neuroblastoma Neuro-2a cell lines.

Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br (Asclepiadaceae) is a species widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as sickle cell disease, asthma and cancer. In Burkina Faso, it enter in the composition of FACA® in combination with Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lam (Rutaceae), drug used in sickle cell disease treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of aqueous extract of root barks of the plant on cell lines to increase the safe use of FACA®. MTT and Neutral Red assays performed on Caco-2 and Neuro-2a cell lines revealed that aqueous extract from root barks of Calotropis procera are cytotoxic on these cell lines. DNA fragmentation assay on Caco-2 cell showed DNA smearing reflecting a degradation of nuclear material that indicates a possible genotoxicity. Altogether, it comes out that the most sensitive cell line is the human colorectal carcinoma Caco-2 cells. Comparatively the active compounds of Calotropis procera do not affect the mice nervous system cells in the same dramatic extent. Our results strongly suggest that patients under treatment of FACA® must respect doses prescribed in order to avoid adverse side effects on the gastrointestinal tract.