Electroacupuncture alleviates water avoidance stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome in mice by improving intestinal barrier functions and suppressing the expression of inflammatory cytokines.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects and related mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into normal, model, and EA groups. Experimental IBS mice models were established by exposure to water avoidance stress (WAS). Mice in the EA group were treated with EA at bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 7 consecutive days, 15 min each day. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) tests and intestinal motility tests were performed to evaluate visceral sensitivity and intestinal motility of mice. Expression levels of tight junction proteins (TJPs) and inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues were determined through immunofluorescence, real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and Western blot assays. RESULTS: EA alleviated visceral hypersensitivity and intestinal hypermotility in WAS-induced IBS mice. Moreover, EA promoted the expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1, claudin-1, and occludin while suppressing the expression of interleukin (IL)-8, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αin water avoidance stress (WAS)-induced irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) mice. CONCLUSION: EA alleviated WAS-induced IBS in mice by promoting intestinal barrier functions and suppressing the expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Electroacupuncture at Tianshu (ST25) and Zusanli (ST36) alleviates stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome in mice by modulating gut microbiota and corticotropin-releasing factor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) at bilateral Tianshu (ST25) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints could alleviate stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and evaluate its effect on gut microbiota and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). METHODS: Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the normal, water avoidance stress (WAS), and WAS+EA groups (10 mice per group). An experimental model of IBS was established by exposing the animals to WAS. The mice were treated with EA at the bilateral Tianshu (ST25) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints. The abdominal withdrawal reflex test was conducted to evaluate visceral sensitivity in IBS. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and analysis. The expression of CRF was determined using immune-ofluorescence and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: EA alleviated visceral hypersensitivity in a mouse model of WAS-induced IBS. It modulated the dysbiosis of gut microbiota induced by WAS. Moreover, it suppressed the WAS-induced overexpression of CRF in colon tissues. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that EA alleviated WAS-induced IBS mechanisms possibly involving the modulation of the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and suppression of CRF expression.

Savianolic acid B inhibits ERK signal transduction pathway activated by transforming growth factor-β1 in rat hepatic stellate cells / 中西医结合学报

To investigate the effects of salvianolic acid B (SA-B) on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signal transduction pathway activated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Everted intestinal sac method for quick finding absorption ingredients of Wuzhuyu decoction / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a method for quick finding the absorption ingredients of Wuzhuyu decoction in order to select the index to control its quality.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The absorption of three concentration of Wuzhuyu decotion was investigated with the in vitro-everted intestinal sac model. The intestinal bag fluid of jejunum and ileum were collected in different time and the eight ingredients, which were evodiamine (Ev), rutaecarpine (Ru), limonin (Li), ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rg1, -Re (Rb1, Rg1, Re), isorhamnetin-3-O-beta-D-glucosyl(6''-->1'")-alpha-L-rhamnoside (Irs)and 6-gingerol (6-Gi), were detected by HPLC as the represent constituents in samples.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Eight ingredients except Ru in samples could be detected, but Ev could not be detected in high concentration samples. The ratios between absorption ingredients were different from in Wuzhuyu decotion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The in vitro-everted intestinal sac canc absorb the ingredients of Wuzhuyu decotion selectivity. Compare with the ileum, the jejunum can provide the more absorption information and faster, the best test time is 60-90 min.</p>

Determination of aromadendrin in Euonymus alatus by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a HPLC method to determine the content of aromadendrin in Euonymus alatus.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Kromasil 100-5C18 column was used with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-0.3% glacial acetic acid (24:76) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was 292 nm and the temperature of column was 30 degrees C.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.051-2.04 microg for aromadendrin. The correlation coefficient of the calibration curve was 0.999 9. Twenty batches of the crude E. alatus purchased from different areas were determined and the contents of aromadendrin in the twigs of E. alatus were fluctuated from 0.001 57% to 0.041 6%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This method is simple, repeatable and can be used for determination of aromadendrin.</p>

Assay of evodin, evodiamine and rutaecarpine in Fructus Evodiae by QAMS / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a Quantitative Assay of Multi-components by Single - marker (QAMS) for simultaneous determination of three components in Fructus Evodiae, and examine the feasibility of using the relative correction factors between the different types of compounds.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rutaecarpine was selected as the internal reference substance; the relative correction factors of evodin and evodiamine were calculated. The contents of three components in 11 batches of samples were determined by both external standard method and QAMS. The validity of the QAMS method was evaluated by comparison of their quantitative results.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>No obvious differences (RSD < 5%) were found in the quantitative results of evodin and evodiamine in 11 batches of Fructus Evodiae determined by the two methods.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is feasible and suitable to determine evodin and evodiamine in Fructus Evodiae by QAMS, and this method can be used for a certain different types of compounds.</p>

Epidemiological Analysis of Acute Pancreatitis in Guangzhou Area:A Report of 273 Cases from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of TCM / 广州中医药大学学报

【Objective】To investigate the clinical characteristics of acute pancreatitis(AP) in Guangzhou area.【Methods】A retrospective analysis was carried out in 273 AP inpatients hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of TCM from 1996 to 2004.The onset time,seasonal distribution,syndrome patterns and prognosis of PA,and sex,age and disease course of the patients in Guangzhou area were carefully analyzed.【Results】The incidence rate of AP in Guangzhou was increased in recent years,lower in summer while higher in winter.The male and the female had the same incidence(the ratio approaching to 1∶1).In terms of age,there was a lower incidence in teenagers and the highest in the group aged 20 to 39.The incidence reached a plateau in the group aged 40 to 79 and sharply decreased in the group aged 80 and over.In terms of disease course,the majority of the AP patients were much improved and left hospital within 1～2 week(s) and the frequency valve arrived at the peak about one week later.In terms of the prognosis,72.9% of the patients were cured after timely traditional Chinese and western medicine treatment,the fatality rate being 2.9%.In terms of syndrome patterns of AP,damp-heat in the liver-gallbladder accounted for 69.9%,liver and Qi stagnation 11.7%,phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals 7.8%,deficiencycold in fu-organs 7.3% and excess in Yangming fu-organ 3.4%.【Conclusion】The incidence rate of AP in Guangzhou area tends to increase in recent years,the young and the middle aged have the highest incidences,most cases are manifested as damp-heat in the liver-gallbladder pattern,and AP attack usually occurs in winter and spring,and holidays,indicating that AP attack has a relation with unhealthy lifestyle,especially improper diet,in developed areas.This should be taken into consideration by the department concerned.

Effect of Spleen-invigorating and Qi-tonifying Herbs on Hepatic Mitochondrial Function in Rats with Spleen Asthenia / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To observe the effect of Sijunzi Decoction(SD) and Huangqi Sijunzi Decoction(HSD) on mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase,cytochrome oxidase activity of liver in rats with spleen asthenia,thus to reveal the pathogenesis mechanism of spleen asthenia from energy metabolism,and to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of spleen-invigorating and Qi-tonifying herbs.Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group,spleen-asthenia model group,SD(10.5 g/kg) group and HSD(18 g/kg) group,10 rats in each group.Except that the normal control group,the rats in the other groups were fed with half-full diet once every other day and with gastic gavage of Xiaochengqi Decoction 60 g/kg every day to establish animal model of spleen asthenia.After 15 days,the model rats were administered the corresponding drugs according to the experimental design for 4 continuous weeks.The changes of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase,cytochrome oxidase activity of liver were measured,and the general status of the rats were observed.Results Compared with the normal control group,the level of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase activity in liver of spleen asthenia group were decreased obviously(P