Effects of ginsenoside Rg-1 on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of ginsenoside Rg-1 on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and to explore the possible application on the alveolar bone regeneration. METHODS: To determine the optimum concentration, the effects of ginsenoside Rg-1 ranging from 10 to 100 µmol/L were evaluated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition. Expressions of runt-related transcription factor 2, collagen alpha-2(I) chain, osteopontin, osteocalcin protein were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, a certain concentration (10 µmol/L) of the Rg-1 solution significantly enhanced the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs (P<0.05). However, concentrations that exceeds 100 µmol/L led to cytotoxicity whereas concentrations below 10 nmol/L showed no significant effect as compared with the control. CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside Rg-1 can enhance the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs at an optimal concentration of 10 µmol/L.

[The duration and amount of fire (huo hou) in drug processing].

The unique connotations for the special terms such as slow fire (wen huo), strong fire (wu huo), moderate fire (wen wu huo), ma tong fire, husk fire (kang huo), reed fire (lu di huo), mulberry fire (sang cai huo) and charcoal fire (tan huo) are investigated. There are many practical examples of these terms in related literature. The drug process is related to the alchemy in Taoism. The methods of fire control in drug processing are mostly from the literature on Alchemy (dan jing). The expression of these special terms and their connotations are different in various literature, because of their different traditions.

[Comparative studies on purgative potency among three spieces of certified rhubarb].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference and causes of purgative activity in three species of certified rhubarb, so as to lay steady foundations of further research on assessing purgative activity impersonally by using measurable indexes. METHOD: The potencies of three species were comparied with purgative ED, of mice as quantitative index which were calculated, and activities of Na+ K + -ATP ase in mouse colonic epithelial cell membrane were also investigated . The related purgative contents (conjunct and free rhein, chrysophanol, chrysophanic acid, sennoside A) were detected by HPLC and contents (total anthraquinones, anthraglucosennin; conjunct and free anthraquinones) were detected by UV. RESULT: There were different purgative activities among three spieces of certified rhubarb. Each purgative ED, of mice was Rheum tanguticum ( ED50 = 0. 37 g x kg (-1)) , R. officinale ( ED50 = 0. 99 g x kg(-1) ) and R. palrnatum from Gansu (ED50 = 1. 83 g x kg(-1)) , the ratio of potency of those was 4. 94: 1. 85: 1. In the meanwhile, the difference of the inhibitory effect on Na+ -K + -ATP ase in mouse colonic epithelial cell membrane and relative purgative components also existed in the three species of certified rhubarb. CONCLUSION: It disclosed that there was notable diference of purgative activity and components among three spieces of certified Rhubarb, which probably resulted in the ultimate diference in clinical prescription and the production of Chinese patent medicines.