Anti-inflammatory and blood stasis activities of essential oil extracted from Artemisia argyi leaf in animals.

Artemisia argyi leaf is a well-known species in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the anti-inflammatory and activating blood stasis activities of its essential oil (AAEO) have not been explored in vivo. The present study measured the contents of three chemical components by gas chromatography (GC). The anti-acute inflammatory effects of AAEO were investigated in dimethyl benzene, glacial acetic acid and carrageenan-induced animals through skin administration or by oral gavage, respectively. The effects of AAEO on haemorheology were studied in a rat acute blood stasis model. The contents of eucalyptol, camphor and borneol in AAEO were 254.4, 51.6 and 58.7 mg/g, respectively. All dosages of AAEO by skin administration significantly decreased the swelling in dimethyl benzene-induced ear oedema and carrageenan-induced paw oedema, and reduced the permeability in glacial acetic acid-induced abdominal blood capillary (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, haemorheology indexes such as whole blood viscosity and the erythrocyte aggregation index significantly decreased only in the high dosage group. In addition, the effects of AAEO by oral gavage were weaker than skin administration at the medium dose in the experiments. It suggests that AAEO has better absorption bioavailability and pharmacological effects through skin administration due to the better skin permeability of essential oil than gastrointestinal absorption.

[Study on moxa sticks burning temperature-time-space curves].

OBJECTIVE: To study the burning characteristics of moxa stick. METHODS: A self-designed moxa stick burning temperature measuring device, which was assembled with ALTEC intelligence digital setter and SJ-600 thermocouple, was used to conduct next four experiences: 1) embedding a thermocouple inside a moxa stick to measure peak burning temperature; 2) pulling a thermocouple embedded in the moxa stick at the proper rate to detect combustion stability; 3) elucidating temperature distribution of transverse section by measuring the temperature in the center, radius midpoint and lateral; 4) drawing temperature-time-space curves by pulling the thermocouples in the former three observation points. RESULTS: The experiment indicated that the burning temperature peak of three-year moxa stick (Hubei Herbal Medicine St. Qichun Technology Co., Ltd.) was 848 degrees C which had good combustion stability. Furthermore, the temperature in the center, radius midpoint and lateral of transverse section were 843 degrees C, 731 degrees C and 410 degrees C, respectively, and its burning temperature-time-space curves was drawn, which showed the real-time burning temperature and the peak burning temperature and were regarded as ultimate indice to integrate the formers. CONCLUSION: The measuring system elaborately reflecting the burning features of moxa stick may provide reference for manufacture industry of moxa stick quality criteria for its convenience and accuracy.

Firstborn microcrystallization method to prepare nanocapsules containing artesunate.

We developed a novel method to prepare nanocapsules. A solute often crystallizes when its solubility alters from one solvent to another, and its firstborn crystals are used as templates to prepare nanocapsules for the first time, which is called firstborn microcrystallization method. By using this method, the maximum diameter of the nanocapsules including artesunate is about 76 nm, and wrapping state is well. One important advantage of our method is that the preparation of the nanocapsules operates easily and is a one-time process with no other cumbersome processes necessary, therefore avoiding secondary pollution. The proposed method provides a new route to prepare monodisperse nanocapsules to increase bioavailability of hydrophobic solutes.

[Observation on scavenging free radical function of Artemisia burning products].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacologic action of Artemisia burning products. METHODS: The extractions of Artemisia burning products were determined by spectrophotometry. The scavenging ability of Artemisia burning products on DPPH was evaluated. The chemical components and structures of Artemisia burning products were analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: The scavenging ability of extractions from Artemisia burning products was the strongest. Thirty-six chemical components were detected, and the 5-tert-Butylpyrogallol among them had a stronger anti-oxygen capacity, its scavenging free radical ability was 1.55 times and 1.21 times as strong as VitC and BHT, respectively. CONCLUSION: The scavenging free radical ability of 5-tert-Butylpyrogallol extracted from Artemisia burning products is stronger than the natural antioxidant of VitC and artificial synthetic of BHT.