Hematopoietic effect of small molecular fraction of Polygoni multiflori Radix Praeparata in cyclophosphamide-induced anemia mice.

The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of a small molecular fraction (SMF) of Polygoni multiflori Radix Praeparata (PMRP) in a cyclophosphamide (CTX) induced anemia mouse model. Small molecular fraction of PMRP was prepared and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS). In pharmacology, we examined the peripheral hemogram and thymus and spleen index. The content of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in serum was mensurated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); The level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and spleen tissue homogenate were detected, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) was assayed in spleen. The results show that SMF can significantly accelerate the recovery of peripheral hemogram, increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes and GM-CSF in serum and spleen. SMF also increases the number of spleen cells, improves bone marrow pathology. In conclusion, the SMF of PMRP promoted the recovery of hematopoietic function in a CTX-induced anemia mouse, which can support SMF to be used as an adjunct to chemotherapy to counteract its side effects.

[Rapidly identify oligosaccharides in Morinda officinalis by UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE].

In this paper, an approach was applied for separation and identification of oligosaccharides in Morinda officinalis How by Ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) with collision energy. The separation was carried out on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH Amide C18(2.1mm×100 mm，1.7 µm) with gradient elution using acetonitrile(A) and water(B) containing 0.1% ammonia as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL·min⁻¹. The column temperature was maintained at 40 °C. The information of accurate mass and characteristic fragment ion were acquired by MSE in ESI negative mode in low and high collision energy. The chemical structures and formula of oligosaccharides were obtained and identified by the software of UNIFI and Masslynx 4.1 based on the accurate mass, fragment ions, neutral losses, mass error, reference substance, isotope information, the intensity of fragments, and retention time. A total of 19 inulin oligosaccharide structures were identified including D(+)-sucrose, 1-kestose, nystose, 1F-fructofuranosyl nystose and other inulin oligosaccharides (DP 5-18). This research provided important information about the inulin oligosaccharides in M. officinalis. The results would provide scientific basis for innovative utilization of M. officinalis.

Polysaccharides from Polygonatum Inhibit the Proliferation of Prostate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts.

Inhibition of cancer-associated broblasts (CAFs) may improve the efficacy of cancer therapy. Polysaccharide extracted from polygonatum can selectively inhibit the growth of prostate-CAFs (<.001) without inhibiting the growth of normal broblasts (NAFs). Polysaccharides from polygonatum stimulate autophagy of prostate-CAFs. 3-methyl-adenine(3-MA) is an autophagy inhibitor. 3-MA was added to prostate-CAFs with polysaccharide from polygonatum to determine whether autophagy plays an important role in the restrained effect. Finally, polysaccharide from polygonatum treatment significantly increased the activation of Beclin-1 and LC3, key autophagy proteins. Polysaccharides from polygonatum stimulate autophagy of prostate-CAFs and inhibits prostate-CAF growth, indicating that a novel anti-cancer strategy involves inhibiting the growth of prostate- CAFs.

Nutmeg oil alleviates chronic inflammatory pain through inhibition of COX-2 expression and substance P release in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain, or sometimes referred to as persistent pain, reduces the life quality of patients who are suffering from chronic diseases such as inflammatory diseases, cancer and diabetes. Hence, herbal medicines draw many attentions and have been shown effective in the treatment or relief of pain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here in this study, we used the CFA-injected rats as a sustainable pain model to test the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of nutmeg oil, a spice flavor additive to beverages and baked goods produced from the seed of Myristica fragrans tree. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that nutmeg oil could potentially alleviate the CFA-injection induced joint swelling, mechanical allodynia and heat hyperanalgesia of rats through inhibition of COX-2 expression and blood substance P level, which made it possible for nutmeg oil to be a potential chronic pain reliever.

Quantitative Analysis of Mg, Fe and Ca in Jade with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy.

Based on laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, The calibration curve of the main elements Mg, Cr and trace element Fe in the Jade samples is obtained based on experimental results. In the experiment, LIBS experiment conditions were 3 µs delay, 110 accumulated laser pulse, 100 mJ·pulse-1, 10 Hz pulse repetition frequency, plasma in Nanyang jade was induced using nono-second Nd∶YAG (wavelength: 1 064 nm) laser as the excitation source in the atmosphere envtronment of the laboratory. The spectral lines in the 300~1 000 nm wavelength range have been identified with the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Through comparing the characteristic spectrum with the National Institute of standards and Technology Research Institute (NIST) database, the element of Mg, Ca and Fe are found in the Jade samples. Using the X-ray fluorescence spectra analyzed the metal elements Mg, Cr and Fe in Nanyang standard jade and obtained the content of elemental oxides, taking the content as standard data and selecting the high content element Al as internal standard element. According to LIBS calibration curve, we can calculate the content of 3 elements in the measured sample. The result shows that the concentration of elements locate in their corresponding standards range, for example, go(0.28%~1.73%), and Fe2O3 (0~0.8%), CaO ( 18%~20%).Because of its unique features, like the absence of sample preparation, the ability to perform real-time, and in situ analysis as well as the quasi non-destruction and micro-analysis character of the measurements, so as to verify the feasibility of LIBS application in jade.

Case-control study of blood lead levels and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Chinese children.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and lead exposure are high-prevalence conditions among children. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to investigate the association between ADHD and blood lead levels (BLLs) in Chinese children, adjusting for known ADHD risk factors and potential confounding variables. METHODS: We conducted a pair-matching case-control study with 630 ADHD cases and 630 non-ADHD controls 4-12 years of age, matched on the same age, sex, and socioeconomic status. The case and control children were systematically evaluated via structured diagnostic interviews, including caregiver interviews, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., revised criteria (DSM-IV-R). We evaluated the association between BLLs and ADHD using the Pearson chi-square test for categorical variables and the Student t-test for continuous data. We then performed conditional multiple variables logistic regression analyses with backward stepwise selection to predict risk factors for ADHD. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in BLLs between ADHD cases and controls. ADHD cases were more likely to have been exposed to lead during childhood than the non-ADHD control subjects, with adjustment for other known risk factors [children with BLLs >or= 10 microg/dL vs.

Excitatory effects of low-level lead exposure on action potential firing of pyramidal neurons in CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices.

Lead is putatively regarded as an environmental neurotoxicant. Long-term low-level lead exposure causes cognitive deficits, but the mechanism remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the excitatory effects of low-level lead exposure on action potential (AP) firing of pyramidal neurons in CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices and the pathway through which lead induced these effects were studied with conventional whole-cell recording. Low-level lead (0.5 and 5 microM) exposure did not significantly change either voltage threshold or amplitude, duration, rise time, or rising velocity of single AP; conversely, 5 microM lead exposure significantly increased AP firing rates and reduced spike frequency adaptation. These excitatory effects of 5 microM lead were blocked by mibefradil, a selective blocker of T-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC), but not by verapamil and omega-conotoxin, selective blockers of L-type and N-type VDCC, respectively. Five micromolar lead could not change the excitability of pyramidal neurons when slices were perfused with calcium-free ACSF. In addition, the effects were abolished by inhibitors of two intracellular calcium release channels: 2-APB, an inhibitor of inositol trisphosphate receptors, and dantrolene, an inhibitor of ryanodine receptors, but not by thapsigargin, an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake. These results provide evidence for excitatory neurotoxicity of low-level lead exposure, contribution of T-type VDCC in the entrance of lead into neurons, and a possible involvement of calcium flux alteration during APs in this excitatory neurotoxicity.