Swallowing rehabilitation of patients undergoing T-tube implantation for the treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) often have dysphagia after laryngotracheal reconstruction with T-tube insertion, which affects the quality of life. The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of swallowing rehabilitation therapy on the improvement of quality of life in patients of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery with dysphagia undergoing T-tube implantation treatment through longitudinal study. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with LTS who experienced dysphagia after laryngotracheal reconstruction and T-tube implantation were recruited. All patients received swallowing rehabilitation therapy. The assessment of swallowing function was performed using the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), the 30 mL water swallow test (WST), and flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallow (FEES). RESULTS: After swallowing rehabilitation therapy, timing of swallowing, grade of dysphagia, performance on FEES and 30 mL WST, and EAT-10 score all improved. Thirty-eight patients successfully transitioned to oral feeding and were able to remove their nasogastric tubes without experiencing any complications, including aspiration pneumonia. CONCLUSION: For patients with LTS who experienced dysphagia after laryngotracheal reconstruction and T-tube implantation, swallowing rehabilitation therapy could improve swallowing function of the patients, so as to reduce the potential harm caused by the pain and complications of surgery experienced by patients.

Ginseng-derived nanoparticles inhibit lung cancer cell epithelial mesenchymal transition by repressing pentose phosphate pathway activity.

It is unclear whether ginseng-derived nanoparticles (GDNPs) can prevent tumor cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we describe typical characteristics of GDNPs and possible underlying mechanisms for GDNP antitumor activities. First, GDNPs particle sizes and morphology were determined using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively, while cellular uptake of PKH67-labeled GDNPs was also assessed. Next, we evaluated GDNPs antitumor effects by determining whether GDNPs inhibited proliferation and migration of five tumor cell lines derived from different cell types. The results indicated that GDNPs most significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of lung cancer-derived tumor cells (A549, NCI-H1299). Moreover, GDNPs treatment also inhibited cell migration, invasion, clonal formation, and adhesion tube formation ability and reduced expression of EMT-related markers in A549 and NCI-H1299 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, Kaplan-Meier analysis of microarray data revealed that high-level thymidine phosphorylase (TP) production, which is associated with poor lung cancer prognosis, was inhibited by GDNPs treatment, as reflected by decreased secretion of overexpressed TP and downregulation of TP mRNA-level expression. In addition, proteomic analysis results indicated that GDNPs affected pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) activity, with ELISA results confirming that GDNPs significantly reduced levels of PPP metabolic intermediates. Results of this study also demonstrated that GDNPs-induced downregulation of TP expression led to PPP pathway inhibition and repression of lung cancer cell metastasis, warranting further studies of nano-drugs as a new and promising class of anti-cancer drugs.

Xianling Gubao Capsule Prevents Cadmium-Induced Kidney Injury.

Xianling Gubao Capsule (XGC), a kind of capsule preparation of Chinese herbal officially approved for sale by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), has the effect of tonifying kidney and strengthening bones. Although the impact of XGC in treating bone diseases has been widely studied, the effect of XGC in kidney injury is unknown yet. The kidney injury model is established by intraperitoneal injection with cadmium chloride (CdCl2). Before model establishment, each XGC group was pregavaged with XGC for 10 d. After 10 d, CdCl2 was injected intraperitoneally into the model group and each XGC group, each XGC group continued to be gavaged with XGC for 4 weeks, and the control group was gavaged with equal doses of distilled water once daily. The level of serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) is evaluated by kit. The effect of XGC on protecting kidney injury in mice with kidney injury is analyzed by histopathology (HE stain), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The results show that CdCl2 significantly increases the level BUN and Cr in serum and results in remarkable pathological changes in the nephron, including tubule edema, congestion, and necrosis. While oral administration of XGC can significantly decrease BUN and Cr in serum and prevent and protect the kidney from the above injuries. In addition, the protein expression of p-mTOR was remarkably reduced, and the ratio of LC3II/LC3I protein and mRNA was significantly increased in mice with oral administration of XGC. Our findings suggest that XGC can prevent and protect kidney injury by improving the state of renal tubular hyperemia and necrosis and reduce the level of BUN and Cr in cadmium poisoning mice.

177 Saponins, Including 11 New Compounds in Wild Ginseng Tentatively Identified via HPLC-IT-TOF-MSn, and Differences among Wild Ginseng, Ginseng under Forest, and Cultivated Ginseng.

Wild ginseng (W-GS), ginseng under forest (F-GS, planted in mountain forest and growing in natural environment), and cultivated ginseng (C-GS) were compared via HPLC-DAD and HPLC-IT-TOF-MSn. A total of 199 saponins, including 16 potential new compounds, were tentatively identified from 100 mg W-GS (177 saponins in W-GS with 11 new compounds), F-GS (56 saponins with 1 new compound), and C-GS (60 saponins with 6 new compounds). There were 21 saponins detected from all the W-GS, F-GS, and C-GS. Fifty saponins were only detected from W-GS, including 23 saponins found in ginseng for the first time. Contents of ginsenosides Re (12.36-13.91 mg/g), Rh1 (7.46-7.65 mg/g), Rd (12.94-12.98 mg/g), and the total contents (50.52-55.51 mg/g) of Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rg2, Rh1, and Rd in W-GS were remarkably higher than those in F-GS (Re 1.22-3.50 mg/g, Rh1 0.15-1.49 mg/g, Rd 0.19-1.49 mg/g, total 5.69-18.74 mg/g), and C-GS (Re 0.30-3.45 mg/g, Rh1 0.05-3.42 mg/g, Rd 0.17-1.68 mg/g, total 2.99-19.55 mg/g). Contents of Re and Rf were significantly higher in F-GS than those in C-GS (p < 0.05). Using the contents of Re, Rf, or Rb1, approximately a half number of cultivated ginseng samples could be identified from ginseng under forest. Contents of Rg1, Re, Rg2, Rh1, as well as the total contents of the seven ginsenosides were highest in ginseng older than 15 years, middle-high in ginseng between 10 to 15 years old, and lowest in ginseng younger than 10 years. Contents of Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rg2, and the total of seven ginsenosides were significantly related to the growing ages of ginseng (p < 0.10). Similarities of chromatographic fingerprints to W-GS were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for F-GS (median: 0.824) than C-GS (median: 0.745). A characteristic peak pattern in fingerprint was also discovered for distinguishing three types of ginseng. Conclusively, wild ginseng was remarkably superior to ginseng under forest and cultivated ginseng, with ginseng under forest slightly closer to wild ginseng than cultivated ginseng. The differences among wild ginseng, ginseng under forest, and cultivated ginseng in saponin compositions and contents of ginsenosides were mainly attributed to their growing ages.

Antifatigue Activity of Glycoprotein from Schisandra chinensis Functions by Reducing Oxidative Stress.

The glycoprotein from Schisandra chinensis was obtained with alkali extraction and acid precipitation, purified with DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow and Superdex G-75 column. The molecular composition structure and antifatigue activities of glycoprotein were studied. SCGP's molecular weight was approximately 10 KDa, and it consisted of a carbohydrate component (52.94%) and protein component (47.06%). SCGP comprised mannose, galactoside, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, xylose, arabinose, and fucose, its molar ratio was 2.14 : 1.43 : 1.59 : 8.17 : 8.99 : 3.18 : 18.51 : 1, and it contained 16 kinds of amino acids. SCGP could obviously extend the swimming time in mice by increasing LDH, SOD level, GSH-Px activity, and liver glycogen and decreasing the contents of BUN and MDA. The antioxidant activity of SCGP is a potential mechanism of its antifatigue effect. In vitro antioxidant test showed that SCGP scavenged DPPH and OH radicals in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 was 0.91 mg/ml and 0.72 mg/ml).

Current Status and Problem-Solving Strategies for Ginseng Industry.

Ginseng is a plant in the family Araliaceae and the genus Panax with the formal name of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer and the treasure of traditional herbal medicine resources as the "king of herbs". Ginseng has been traditionally used for over 2,000 years in Asian countries, especially in China and Republic of Korea. During the ginseng industry chain, the cultivation in farmland and seed breeding are important for sustainable development of ginseng resources. Active components in ginseng including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, phenolic compound and their therapeutic benefits for multiple diseases are being studied. This paper aimed to review current research status and problem-solving strategies for each step of ginseng industry, including ginseng growing cultivation and seed resources, basic and clinical studies as well as comparison of ginseng industry between China and Republic of Korea, hoping to provide a reference for research direction and future development of ginseng industry.

Long Noncoding RNA H19 Participates in the Regulation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Cartilage Differentiation.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are multipotent and have received increasing attention for their applications in medicine. Cell-based therapies are optimal for diseases with loss or damage to tissues or organs. ADSCs and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into many cell lineages. Because of their advantages in accessibility and volume, ADSCs are regarded as a desirable alternative to BMSCs. In this study, we focused on the chondrocytic differentiation potential of ADSCs and the underlying mechanism. We found that the long noncoding RNA H19 plays an important role in this process. Overexpression of H19 in ADSCs induced differentiation towards chondrocytes. H19 is abundantly expressed during embryonic development and downregulated after birth, implying its regulatory role in determining cell fate. However, in our experiments, H19 exerted its regulatory function during cartilage differentiation of ADSCs through competing miRNA regulation of STAT2.

Chemical Constituents and Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Tumor Activities of Melilotus officinalis (Linn.) Pall.

Two new p-hydroxybenzoic acid glycosides, namely p-hydroxybenzoic acid-4-O-α-d-manopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (compound 1) and 4-O-α-l-rhamnopyran-osyl-(1 → 6)-α-d-manopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (compound 2), and seven known compounds, compound 3, 6, 7 (acid components), compound 8, 9 (flavonoids), compound 4 (a coumarin) and compound 5 (an alkaloid), were isolated from the 70% ethanol aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Melilotus officinalis (Linn.) Pall. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by use of extensive spectroscopic methods Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), High resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), and ¹H and 13C-NMR). Sugar residues obtained after acid hydrolysis were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antioxidant activity of all the compounds was evaluated by 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS⁺) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The anti-inflammatory effects of the compounds were also evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. All compounds were shown to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) production by suppressing the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), respectively, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory effect of all the compounds on MCF-7 cells was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) method. The results showed that compounds 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 exhibited better antioxidant activity compared to the other compounds. compounds 1-9 had different inhibitory effects on the release of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by LPS, of which compound 7 was the most effective against inflammatory factors. compounds 1 and 2 have better antitumor activity compared to other compounds. Further research to elucidate the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of Melilotus officinalis (Linn.) Pall is of major importance towards the development and foundation of clinical application of the species.

Ethyl acetate extract from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer and its main constituents inhibit α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced melanogenesis by suppressing oxidative stress in B16 mouse melanoma cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hyperpigmentation disease involves darkening of the skin color due to melanin overproduction. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine and has a long history of use as a skin lightener to inhibit melanin formation in China, Korea and some other Asian countries. However, the constituents and the molecular mechanisms by which they affect melanogenesis are not fully clear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to identify the active ingredient in Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer extract that inhibits mushroom tyrosinase activity and to investigate the antioxidative capacity and molecular mechanisms of the effective extract on melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous extracts of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer were successively fractionated with an equal volume of chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butyl alcohol to determine the effects by examining the activity of mushroom tyrosinase. The effective fraction was analyzed using HPLC and LC-MS. The antioxidative capacity and the inhibitory effects on melanin content, cell intracellular tyrosinase activity, and melanogenesis protein levels were determined in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-treated B16 mouse melanoma cells. RESULTS: The ethyl acetate extract from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (PG-2) had the highest inhibiting effect on mushroom tyrosinase, mainly contained phenolic acids, including protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, salicylic acid, and caffeic acid, and exhibited apparent antioxidant activity in vitro. PG-2 and its main constituents significantly decreased melanin content, suppressed cellular tyrosinase activity, and reduced expression of tyrosinase protein to inhibit B16 cells melanogenesis induced by α-MSH, and no cytotoxic effects were observed. They also inhibited cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) level in α-MSH-treated B16 cells effectively. And those activities of its main constituents could reach more than 80% of PG-2. The ROS scavengers N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) had a similar inhibitory effect on melanogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ethyl acetate extract from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has the highest effect on inhibiting melanogenesis, and that its main components are polyphenolic compounds, which may inhibit melanogenesis by suppressing oxidative stress. This work provides new insight into the active constituents and molecular mechanisms underlying skin-lightening effect of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer.

Rapid characterization of ginsenosides in the roots and rhizomes of Panax ginseng by UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS and simultaneous determination of 19 ginsenosides by HPLC-ESI-MS.

BACKGROUND: Ginsenosides are the characteristic and principal components which manifest a variety of the biological and pharmacological activities of the roots and rhizomes of Panax ginseng (GRR). This study was carried out to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the ginsenosides in the cultivated and forest GRR. METHODS: A rapid and sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detector and quadrupole/time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS) was applied to the qualitative analysis of ginsenosides and a 4000 QTRAP triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC-ESI-MS) was applied to quantitative analysis of 19 ginsenosides. RESULTS: In the qualitative analysis, all ingredients were separated in 10 min. A total of 131 ginsenosides were detected in cultivated and forest GRR. The method for the quantitative determination was validated for linearity, precision, and limits of detection and quantification. 19 representative ginsenosides were quantitated. The total content of all 19 ginsenosides in the forest GRR were much higher than those in the cultivated GRR, and were increased with the growing ages. CONCLUSION: This newly developed analysis method could be applied to the quality assessment of GRR as well as the distinction between cultivated and forest GRR.

Characterization and immunostimulating effects on murine peritoneal macrophages of a novel protein isolated from Panax quinquefolius L.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Panax quinquefolius L. has been used as a proverbial tonic in oriental countries for hundreds of years. It is used as a traditional medicinal herb to nourish vitality. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of our study was to inquiry the activation effects on murine peritoneal macrophages of a novel protein separated from the roots of Panax quinquefolius L. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our work, a novel protein of the roots of American ginseng (AGNP) was separated and purified from the roots of Panax quinquefolius L. The characteristic was investigated with SDS-PAGE, high pressure gel filtration chromatography (HPGFC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight mass (MALDI-TOF-MS) spectrometry method. The method of neutral red was carried out to investigate the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages. And Griess method and colorimetry were executed to detect the level of nitric oxide and iNOS activity respectively. Tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that the subunit molecular weight of AGNP determined by SDS-PAGE was 15kD and the content of proteins determined by Bradford assay was 2.31mg/mL. The molecular weight of the AGNP was15, 114Da both of electrophoresis and MS purity. And the result of HPGFC showed that the molecular weight of AGNP was 31,086Da, Immunological studied indicated that AGNP could conspicuously increase phagocytosis of macrophages, facilitate the nitric oxide production, Tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 production. What is more, AGNP dose-dependently stimulated NO formation through the up-regulation of iNOS activity. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, AGNP had good immunoregulatory effects supporting the traditional claims and may provide a valuable therapeutic strategy to promoting immune function and metabolism.

Anti-fatigue effects of proteins isolated from Panax quinquefolium.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) is an obligate shade perennial plant that belongs to Araliaceae ginseng species, and is native to eastern USA and Canada. Ginseng proteins are reported to have several pharmaceutical properties. However, such properties of American ginseng proteins (AGP) have seldom been reported. Also, anti-fatigue properties of AGP have not been studied. Therefore, we examined the anti-fatigue effects of AGP in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The molecular weight and protein contents of AGP were determined by SDS-PAGE, while the amino acid composition was analyzed by HPLC. The mice were divided into four groups. The control group was administered distilled water by gavage every day for 28 days. The other groups, designated as AGP treatment groups, were administered 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight, respectively of AGP by gavage every day for 28 days. Anti-fatigue activity was estimated using forced swimming test, and biochemical indices were determined using available kits. RESULTS: The subunit molecular weight of AGP ranged from 8-66 kD and the protein content measured by Bradford assay was 1.86 mg/mL. The forced swimming time of low, intermediate and high groups were found to be longer as compared to the control group. AGP significantly decreased blood lactate (BLA) and serum urea nitrogen (SUN) levels, and increased hepatic glycogen (GLU) level. Additionally, AGP lowered malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). CONCLUSION: AGP shows anti-fatigue activity in mice, as measured by the physiological indices for fatigue.

A new chiral pyrrolyl α-nitronyl nitroxide radical attenuates ß-amyloid deposition and rescues memory deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease.

The generation of reactive oxygen species causes cellular oxidative damage, and has been implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). L-NNNBP, a new chiral pyrrolyl α-nitronyl nitroxide radical synthesized in our department, shows potential antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of L-NNNBP on ß-amyloid (Aß) deposition and memory deficits in an AD model of APP/PS1 mice. In cultured cortical neurons, L-NNNBP acted as an antioxidant by quenching reactive oxygen species, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, nitrosative stress, and stimulating cellular antioxidant defenses. L-NNNBP inhibited cell apoptosis induced by Aß exposure. In vivo treatment with L-NNNBP for 1 month induced a marked decrease in brain Aß deposition and tau phosphorylation in the blinded study on APP/PS1 transgenic mice (1 mM in drinking water, initiated when the mice were 6 months old). The L-NNNBP-treated APP/PS1 mice showed decreased astrocyte activation and improved spatial learning and memory compared with the vehicle-treated APP/PS1 mice. These actions were more potent compared with that of curcumin, a natural product, and TEMPO, a nitroxide radical, which are used as free radical scavengers in clinics. These results proved that the newly synthesized L-NNNBP was an effective therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of AD.

Nicotine addiction reduces the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channels expression in the nucleus accumbens.

Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BKCa) are widely expressed in the central nervous system and play important roles in neural activities. Nicotine exposure leads to long-lasting changes in behavioral and neuronal plasticity. However, little is known the roles of BKCa in the development of nicotine addiction. In the present study, a significant reduction in BKCa channel expression was found in nucleus accumbens (NAc) from nicotine addiction mice. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from NAc neurons of the addicted animals revealed a pronounced reduction in the fast after-hyperpolarization of action potentials mediated by BKCa channels that led to hyperexcitability of the NAc neurons. Activation of BKCa channels in the NAc reversed drug-seeking behaviors which were detected by conditioned place preference test. Furthermore, knockdown of BKCa channels using short hairpin RNAs significantly increased the drug-seeking behavior. These findings provide direct evidence that alterations of BKCa channels in the NAc play critical roles in the development of nicotine addiction and that modulation of the BKCa channels may be potential therapeutics for drug addiction.

[Raman spectroscopy study on the interaction of ginsenoside Rb1 with DPPC bilayers].

In the present work, the authors studied the interaction of ginsenoside Rh1 with lipid bilayers composed of DPPC using Raman spectroscopy. The conformational changes of DPPC molecule were further revealed by analyzing its vibrational modes such as the C--N stretching mode in the polar head-group region (650-850 cm(-1)), C--C stretching (1000-1200 cm(-1)), and C--H stretching (2750-3000 cm(-1)). The results indicated that there was little influence of Rb1 on the conformation of O--C--C--N+ backbone in the choline group of DPPC bilayers. The polar head group is still extending parallel to the bilayer sur face. The intensity ratios I1096/I1126 and I1096/I1062 represent the gauche/trans ratio. Both of them increased with adding the concentration of Rb1 to DPPC bilayers. The increment of gauche/trans ratio indicates that the disorder/order proportion of the alkyl chains arises. The ordering conformations in lipid chains decreased while the interchain disorder increased. The intensity ratio I2848/I2880 in the region of hydrocarbon chain C--H stretching mode reflects phase transition and has been demonstrated as a sensitive parameter of both inter-chain and intra-chain disorder/order intensity ratio in bilayer alkyl chains. The higher the ratio, the more disordered the hydrocarbon chains. Therefore, the increasing ratio I2848/I2880 with increasing amount of Rb1 indicates that this drug decreases the intermolecular ordering of the lipid lattice, and simultaneously increases the membrane lipid fluidity. In addition, previous study showed that an electrostatic interaction exists between sphingomyelin bilayers and drugs like scopolamine and anisodamine. Compared with those results, the action mode of ginsenoside Rb1 on DPPC bilayers may be because of hydrogen bonds that can be easily formed for the sugar moieties and the hydroxyls in Rb1 molecule. Therefore, the mechanism of drug action on DPPC bilayers may be resulting from the intra or inter hydrogen bonds and the head-group hydrophilic region of the DPPC membrane.

[Effects of deer tendons collagen on osteoporosis rats induced by retinoic acid].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of deer tendons collagen on osteoporosis rats induced by retinoic acid. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model control group, deer tendons collagen high, medium and low-dose groups, osteoporosis rats of retinoic acid-induced were set up. Changes of body weight, bone weight, bone mineral density, bone histomorphometry, plasma phosphorus, calcium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone mechanics were measured before and after treatment of deer tendons collagen. RESULTS: Compared with model control group,after treated by deer tendons collagen, body weight, bone mineral density, bone weight was increased in varying degrees, bone histomorphometry parameters were significantly different, the ALP in plasma was significantly reduced, contents of Ca, P were increased, all indicators of bone mechanics were significantly higher. CONCLUSION: Deer tendons collagen can prevent and treat retinoic acid-induced osteoporosis of rats.

[Structure and vibrational spectroscopy of ginsenoside Re: density functional theory study].

Density functional theory was used to optimize the geometry structure of two isomers of ginsenoside, Re, 20-(R)-R and 20-(S)-Re. The ginsenoside Re is an active constituent in ginseng. The calculated results show that there is an obvious difference in space structure between 20-(R)-R and 20-(S)-Re. The main reason for that can be the difference in the space orientation of the four constituents in the 20th carbon (chiral), which leads to the different stacking mode and causes the difference in vibrational spectra in the two isomers. The experimental IR and Raman spectra were assigned according to the calculated frequency, theoretical IR intensity and Raman active. The calculated vibrational peaks at 1,541, 1,456 and 1,424 cm(-1) can be used to distinguish the two isomers. The result shows a good agreement between the calculated and the experimental Raman spectra. The vibrational spectra can be used to identify the active constituent in ginseng.

A new triterpene hexaglycoside from the bark of Kalopanax septemlobus (Thunb.) Koidz.

The new triterpene glycoside 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosylhederagenin 28-O-beta-D-gluco-pyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, named septemoside A (1), and the known 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester of hederagenin (2), were isolated from the bark of Kalopanax septemlobus. The structure elucidation of the compounds was based on spectroscopic evidence, including HRESIMS, 1D and 2D-NMR analysis.

[Determination of vetatramine in Veratrum nigrum by HPLC-ELSD].

OBJECTIVE: To develop an HPLC-ELSD method for determination of vetatramine. in Veratrum nigrum. METHOD: The analy fical column was Shim-pack ODS - C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 4 microm) column, the mobile phase was acetonitrile-water (containing 0.1% triethylamine) (50:50), at a flow rate of 0.8 mL x min(-1). The temperature of drift tube was 90 degrees C and the gas flow was at the rate of 2.5 L x min(-1). RESULT: The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.36-3.6 microg (r = 0.999 8). The average recovery was 100.9% (RSD 2.3%, n = 6). The contents of veratramine in Veratrum nigrum. from the ten different sources were determined. CONCLUSION: The method may be used as a accurate and reproducible way to determine the content of veratramine in V. nigrum.

[Studies on the constituents from the herba of Erigeron acer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Erigeron acer. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated by various columns and thin layer chromatographic methods. The structures were identified by spectral data. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated and identified as alpha-amyrin (1), beta-amyrin (2), caffeic acid (3), quercetin (4), 4'-hydroxywogonin-7-O-beta-D-glucuronic acid glycoside (5). CONCLUSION: The five compounds are obtained from this plant for the first time. The signals of 13C-NMR of the compound(5) are reassigned by means of DEPT, HMQC, HMBC, the signals of 1H-NMR of 2" - 5"-H of the glucuronic acid moiety are assigned by means of HMBC, HMQC, 1H-1H COSY for the first time.