[Chemical constituents from the leaves of Cinnamomum camphora var. linaloolifera and their anti-inflammatory activities].

Thirteen compounds were isolated and purified from the leaves of Cinnamomum camphora by the macroporous resin,silica gel,and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. Those compounds were further identified by IR,UV,MS,and NMR techniques:( 2 S)-1-( 3″,4″-methylenedioxy phenyl)-3-( 2',6'-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-propan-2-ol( 1),( 2 R,3 R)-5,7-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy flavanol( 2),9-hydroxysesamin( 3),sesamin( 4),piperitol( 5),kobusin( 6),(-)-aptosimon( 7),acuminatolide( 8),1ß,11-dihydroxy-5-eudesmene( 9),lasiodiplodin( 10),vanillin( 11),p-hydroxybenzaldehyde( 12),and p-hydroxybenzoic acid ethyl ester( 13). Compound 1 was a novel compound,and compounds 2,6,7,9 and 10 were isolated from Cinnamomum plants for the first time. Compounds 4,7 and 10 were found to possess good inhibitory effect on IL-6 production in LPS-induced BV2 cells at a concentration of 20 µmol·L-1 in the in vitro bioassay,with inhibition rates of 51. 26% ± 4. 13%,67. 82% ± 3. 77% and85. 81%±1. 19%,respectively.

Serine-threonine protein kinase activation may be an effective target for reducing neuronal apoptosis after spinal cord injury.

The signaling mechanisms underlying ischemia-induced nerve cell apoptosis are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of apoptosis-related signal transduction pathways following ischemic spinal cord injury, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), serine-threonine protein kinase (Akt) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways. We established a rat model of acute spinal cord injury by inserting a catheter balloon in the left subclavian artery for 25 minutes. Rat models exhibited notable hindlimb dysfunction. Apoptotic cells were abundant in the anterior horn and central canal of the spinal cord. The number of apoptotic neurons was highest 48 hours post injury. The expression of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) increased immediately after reperfusion, peaked at 4 hours (p-Akt) or 2 hours (p-ERK), decreased at 12 hours, and then increased at 24 hours. Phosphorylated JNK expression reduced after reperfusion, increased at 12 hours to near normal levels, and then showed a downward trend at 24 hours. Pearson linear correlation analysis also demonstrated that the number of apoptotic cells negatively correlated with p-Akt expression. These findings suggest that activation of Akt may be a key contributing factor in the delay of neuronal apoptosis after spinal cord ischemia, particularly at the stage of reperfusion, and thus may be a target for neuronal protection and reduction of neuronal apoptosis after spinal cord injury.

[Identification of Active Composition and Quality Evaluation of Paris Herbs Artificially Cultivated in Different Locations of Three Gorges Reservoir].

OBJECTIVE: In order to apply the thesis basis for screening the Paris varieties which was suitable for the environments, the quality of Paris herbs of different varieties cultivated in different locations of Three Gorges Reservoir was evaluated based on the identification of active compositions. METHODS: The content of saponins in Paris herbs was measured by HPLC method; The total content of saponins, the total content of flavonoids and the total content of polysaccharides were evaluated using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry; Then the contents of active chemical compositions were used for comparison of the Paris herbs of different varieties in different locations. RESULTS: Types and the contents of saponin I, saponin II, saponin VI and saponin VII were all various in different Paris varieties located in different locations; with the analyses of the total content of saponins, the total content of flavonoids and the total content of polysaccharides, it was suggested that the chemical compositions existed obvious differences in different cultivars. CONCLUSION: It is proved that Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis and Paris polyphylla var. chinensis could be cultivated on a large scale, but the techniques in artificial cultivation should be studied further. At the same time,Paris bashanensis and Paris polyphylla var. pseudothibetica are good cultivars for planting.

[GC-MS analysis of volatile aromatic substances in Chaenomeles speciosa fruit].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the volatile aromatic substances in Chaenomeles speciosa fruit produced in Chongqing in order to provide the characteristic data for it's resources development and flavors chemistry research. METHODS: The volatile aromatic substances were extracted by steam distillation from Chaenomeles speciosa fresh fruit and seperated and identified by GC-MS. RESULTS: 106 volatile aromatic substances were seperated and identified, mainly including esters, alcohols, carboxylic acids, alkanes and alkenes, ketones, which made a great contribution to flavor of Chaenomeles speciosa fresh fruit. CONCLUSION: This study elucidated the composition of volatile aromatic substances in Chaenomeles speciosa fruit produced in Chongqing, which could provide basic information for exploitation and utilization of it's flavor substances.

[Comparison of the designing effects (DE) among different designs related to complex sampling methods].

To compare the designing effects (DE) among different complex sampling designing programs. Data from the '2002 Chinese Nutrition and Health Survey' was used as an example to generate the sampling population, and statistical simulation method was used to estimate the values of DEs from six complex sampling designing programs. It was found that the values of DEs varied among the six complex sampling designing programs. The values of the DEs were associated with the sample sizes in a positive way, with more sample stages and less stratified categories. Reduction of the numbers of sample stages and detailing stratified categories could decrease the DE values so as to improve the DE.