[Analysis and prospect of correlation between relative molecular weight and efficacy of polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources].

Polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources are a kind of polymers extracted from medicinal plants. They are complex long chains formed by different monosaccharides connected via glucosidic bonds. These polysaccharides usually have straight chain and branched chain structures, and their relative molecular weight changes greatly. Modern studies have shown that the biological activi-ty of polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources is closely related to their relative molecular weight. This paper first reviewed the preparation and detection methods of polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources with different relative molecular weights. Then, the paper summarized and analyzed the general experience of the correlation between efficacy and relative molecular weight of polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources with different molecular weights. It was considered that polysaccharides with large relative molecular weights(>100 kDa) play a leading role in immune regulation. Polysaccharides with medium relative molecular weights(10-100 kDa) play a leading role in immune regulation and the protection of the liver. Polysaccharides with small relative molecular weights(<10 kDa) play a leading role in anti-oxidation, regulation of intestinal flora, regulation of blood glucose and lipids, anti-fatigue, and the protection of nerves. Therefore, precise development of polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources based on relative molecular weight is expected to improve their biological activity and application value.

The Study of a Novel Paeoniflorin-Converting Enzyme from Cunninghamella blakesleeana.

Paeoniflorin is a glycoside compound found in Paeonia lactiflora Pall that is used in traditional herbal medicine and shows various protective effects on the cardio-cerebral vascular system. It has been reported that the pharmacological effects of paeoniflorin might be generated by its metabolites. However, the bioavailability of paeoniflorin by oral administration is low, which greatly limits its clinical application. In this paper, a paeoniflorin-converting enzyme gene (G6046, GenBank accession numbers: OP856858) from Cunninghamella blakesleeana (AS 3.970) was identified by comparative analysis between MS analysis and transcriptomics. The expression, purification, enzyme activity, and structure of the conversion products produced by this paeoniflorin-converting enzyme were studied. The optimal conditions for the enzymatic activity were found to be pH 9, 45 °C, resulting in a specific enzyme activity of 14.56 U/mg. The products were separated and purified by high-performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC). Two main components were isolated and identified, 2-amino-2-p-hydroxymethyl-methyl alcohol-benzoate (tirs-benzoate) and 1-benzoyloxy-2,3-propanediol (1-benzoyloxypropane-2,3-diol), via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and NMR. Additionally, paeoniflorin demonstrated the ability to metabolize into benzoic acid via G6046 enzyme, which might exert antidepressant effects through the blood-brain barrier into the brain.

[Clinical trials of Xingnao Kaiqiao needling combined with respiratory training for post-stroke dysphagia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Xingnao Kaiqiao needling combined with respiratory training on swallowing function, quality of life and throat surface muscle function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. METHODS: A total of 124 patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 62 cases in each group. On the basis of conventional western medication treatment, respiratory training was applied in the control group, once daily, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. On the base of the treatment as the control group, Xingnao Kaiqiao needling was applied at Neiguan (PC6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Fengchi (GB20), Wangu (GB12), Yifeng (SJ17), posterior pharyngeal wall, Shuigou (GV26) and Lianquan (CV23) in the observation group, once daily, 6 times a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the Kubota water swallowing test (KWST) scale, swallowing function, swallowing-quality of life (SWAL-QOL) scale, maximum amplitude of pharyngeal surface electromyography (sEMG), and complications of dysphagia were observed and recorded. RESULTS: After the treatment, self-comparison showed that the KWST and swallowing function scores were significantly decreased (P<0.05), the SWAL-QOL score and sEMG were notably increased in both groups (P<0.05) in comparison with their own pre-treatment. The KWST and swallowing function scores were obviously lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05), whereas the SWAL-QOL score and sEMG were evidently higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 95.16% (59/62), which was higher than 80.65% (50/62) of the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of dysphagia complications in the observation group was 24.19% (15/62), which was lower than 50.00% (31/62) of the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Xingnao Kaiqiao needling combined with respiratory training in the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia can increase the activity of throat muscles, promote the swallowing function, improve the quality of life, and reduce the incidence of dysphagia related complications.