A new method of learning the function of the extraocular muscles.

Understanding and memorizing the primary, secondary, and tertiary functions of the vertical recti and oblique extraocular muscles play a decisive role in correctly diagnosing various types of strabismus, determining the location of nervous system lesions, and formulating correct treatment plans. However, for beginners, rapid learning, memorization, and application of these extraocular muscle functions are challenging. To improve the teaching of strabismus in ophthalmology and help students overcome the core learning difficulties, our team developed a gesture method based on a functional diagram of the extraocular muscles and a corresponding rhyme to teach clinical medicine students. The effects of the gesture method were determined by using in-class quizzes and self-confidence levels. Students' evaluations of the gesture method were assessed using a questionnaire survey. The gesture method significantly improved the mean scores on the tests (4.85 ± 1.65 vs. 6.31 ± 1.87 vs. 6.80 ± 1.45, all p < 0.001) and self-confidence scores (20.83 ± 4.06 vs. 27.38 ± 4.88 vs. 28.69 ± 3.53, all p < 0.001) of the students. The evaluations showed that the students were satisfied with the auxiliary memorization learning method. This new method could help students better understand and remember the function of the extraocular muscles, and is a valuable auxiliary teaching strategy.

Anti-Inflammatory Ergosteroid Derivatives from the Coral-Associated Fungi Penicillium oxalicum HL-44.

To obtain the optimal fermentation condition for more abundant secondary metabolites, Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium was chosen for the scale-up fermentation of the fungus Penicillium oxalicum HL-44 associated with the soft coral Sinularia gaweli. The EtOAc extract of the fungi HL-44 was subjected to repeated column chromatography (CC) on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 and semipreparative RP-HPLC to afford a new ergostane-type sterol ester (1) together with fifteen derivatives (2-16). Their structures were determined with spectroscopic analyses and comparisons with reported data. The anti-inflammatory activity of the tested isolates was assessed by evaluating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors Tnfα and Ifnb1 in Raw264.7 cells stimulated with LPS or DMXAA. Compounds 2, 9, and 14 exhibited significant inhibition of Ifnb1 expression, while compounds 2, 4, and 5 showed strong inhibition of Tnfα expression in LPS-stimulated cells. In DMXAA-stimulated cells, compounds 1, 5, and 7 effectively suppressed Ifnb1 expression, whereas compounds 7, 8, and 11 demonstrated the most potent inhibition of Tnfα expression. These findings suggest that the tested compounds may exert their anti-inflammatory effects by modulating the cGAS-STING pathway. This study provides valuable insight into the chemical diversity of ergosteroid derivatives and their potential as anti-inflammatory agents.

Cardiolipin-Targeted NIR-II Fluorophore Causes "Avalanche Effects" for Re-Engaging Cancer Apoptosis and Inhibiting Metastasis.

Restoring innate apoptosis and simultaneously inhibiting metastasis by a molecular drug is an effective cancer therapeutic approach. Herein, a large rigid and V-shaped NIR-II dye, DUT850, is rationally designed for potential cardiolipin (CL)-targeted chemo-phototheranostic application. DUT850 displays moderate NIR-II fluorescence, excellent photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) performance, and ultra-high photostability. More importantly, the unique rigid V-shaped backbone, positive charge, and lipophilicity of DUT850 afford its specific recognition and efficient binding to CL; such an interaction of DUT850-CL induced a spectrum of physiological disruptions, including translocation of cytochrome c, Ca2+ overload, reactive oxygen species burst, and ATP depletion, which not only activated cancer cell apoptosis but also inhibited tumor metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the tight binding of DUT850-CL improves the phototoxicity of DUT850 toward cancer cells (IC50 as low as 90 nM) under safe 808 nm laser irradiation (330 mW cm-2). Upon encapsulation into bovine serum albumin (BSA), DUT850@BSA exerted a synergetic chemo-PDT-PTT effect on the 4T1 tumor mouse model, eventually leading to solid tumor annihilation and metastasis inhibition, which could be followed in real time with the NIR-II fluorescence of DUT850. This work contributed a promising approach for simultaneously re-engaging cancer cell apoptotic networks and activating the anti-metastasis pathway by targeting a pivotal upstream effector, which will bring a medical boon for inhibition of tumor proliferation and metastasis.

Rain Classroom assisted by WeChat for preliminary online physiology teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic during spring semester 2020, teachers and students were forced to engage in online instruction. However, there is little evidence on the feasibility of online physiology teaching. This study demonstrated a 3-wk preliminary online physiology course based on Rain Classroom assisted by the mobile application WeChat. Eighty-seven nursing undergraduate students attended an online physiology course during the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year from March 9 to March 29. We determined the effects of the online physiology learning based on in-class tests, preclass preparation, and review rates for the course materials. We also measured the students' perceptions and attitudes about online learning with a questionnaire survey. Posttest scores from the first week to the third week in online physiology course (7.22 ± 1.83, 7.68 ± 2.09, and 6.21 ± 2.92, respectively) exceeded the pretest scores (5.32 ± 2.14, 6.26 ± 2.49, and 3.72 ± 2.22, respectively), and this finding was statistically significant (all P < 0.001). Moreover, the pretest scores were significant positive predictors of final grade (all P < 0.01). In addition, the percentage of preclass preparation increased in 3 wk, from 43.68% to 57.47% to 68.97%. From the first week to the third week, the review rate increased from 86.21% to 91.95%; however, the second week was the lowest of all (72.41%). Finally, students' perceptions about their online physiology learning experiences were favorable. In conclusion, online physiology instruction based on Rain Classroom assisted by WeChat was an effective strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tailored Engineering of Novel Xanthonium Polymethine Dyes for Synergetic PDT and PTT Triggered by 1064 nm Laser toward Deep-Seated Tumors.

Small molecular dye that simultaneously exerts dual PDT/PTT effects as well as florescence imaging triggered by a single NIR-II light has never been reported to date. Apart from the huge challenge in pushing absorption profile into NIR-II region, fine-tuning dyes' excited state via rational structure design to meet all three functions, especially oxygen photosensitization, remains the most prominent throttle. Herein, five novel NIR-II dyes (BHs) are productively developed by strategically conjugating dyad innovative xanthonium with sequentially extended polymethine bridges, enabling intense absorption from 890 to 1206 nm, significantly 400 nm longer than conventional cyanine dyes with same polymethines. More importantly, owning to high resonance and favorable excited state energy population induced by greater rigidity via ring-fused amino, BH 1024 exhibits best singlet oxygen generation capability, moderate photothermal heating, and considerable fluorescence under 1064 nm laser irradiation. Furthermore, BH 1024 is encapsulated into folate-functionalized polymer, which demonstrated a synergetic PDT/PTT effect in vitro and in vivo, eventually achieving solid tumors elimination under NIR-II fluorescence guide. As far as it is known, this is the first time small molecular dyes for NIR-II PDT or NIR-II PDT/PTT are explored and designed.

Disrupting CD147-RAP2 interaction abrogates erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum.

Effective vaccines against malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum are still lacking, and the molecular mechanism of the host-parasite interaction is not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that the interaction of RAP2, a parasite-secreted rhoptry protein that functions in the parasitophorous vacuole formation stage of the invasion, and CD147 on the host erythrocyte is essential for erythrocyte invasion by P falciparum and is independent from all previously identified interactions involved. Importantly, the blockade of the CD147-RAP2 interaction by HP6H8, a humanized CD147 antibody, completely abolished the parasite invasion with both cure and preventative functions in a humanized mouse model. Together with its long half-life on human red blood cells and its safety profile in cynomolgus monkeys, HP6H8 is the first antibody that offers an advantageous approach by targeting a more conserved late-stage parasite ligand for preventing as well as treating severe malaria.

Optical Management with Nanoparticles for a Light Conversion Efficiency Enhancement in Inorganic γ-CsPbI3 Solar Cells.

Recently, γ-CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have shown potential applications in optoelectronic devices, due to their high thermal stability. However, the incomplete utilization of the solar spectra especially in the near-infrared (ca. 46%) range significantly limits the power conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, core-shell-structured NaLuF4:Yb,Er@NaLuF4 upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been successfully synthesized and integrated into the hole transport layer for improving PCE in γ-CsPbI3 PSCs. Compared with the reference one, the short-circuit current density ( JSC) and PCE of the optimized device reached up to 19.17 mA/cm2 (18.81 mA/cm2) and 15.86% (15.51%), respectively. Actually, due to the ultralow photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY, < 1%) obtained in UCNPs now, we proved the generally recognized upconversion effect of UCNPs in solar cells (adjusting the light absorption edge from the visible toward NIR range for extending the spectral absorption) was negligible. A further study found the UCNPs in the PSCs primarily served as scattering centers, which is beneficial to extend the sunlight optical path by combining with scattering and reflecting sunlight, leading to producing more photoelectric current. This study suggests a new insight into understanding the underlying mechanism of UCNPs in the PSCs and provides a promising strategy via light scattering effect to enhance the device performance.

Strategy to Lengthen the On-Time of Photochromic Rhodamine Spirolactam for Super-resolution Photoactivated Localization Microscopy.

Rhodamine derivatives and analogues have been widely used for different super-resolution imaging techniques, including photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM). Among them, rhodamine spirolactams exhibit great superiority for PALM imaging due to a desirable bright-dark contrast during the photochromic switching process. Although considerable attention has been paid to the chemical modifications on rhodamine spirolactams, the on-time of photochromic switching, one of the key characteristics for PALM imaging, has never been optimized in previous developments. In this study, we proposed that simply installing a carboxyl group close to the lactam site could impose an intramolecular acidic environment, stabilize the photoactivated zwitterionic structure, and thus effectively increase the on-time. On the basis of this idea, we have synthesized a new rhodamine spirolactam, Rh-Gly, that demonstrated considerably longer on-time than the other tested analogues, as well as an enhancement of single-molecule brightness, an improvement on signal-to-noise ratio and an enlargement of total collected photons of a single molecule before photobleaching. Finally, super-resolution images of live cell mitochondria stained with Rh-Gly have been obtained with a good temporal resolution of 10 s, as well as a satisfactory localization precision of ∼25 nm. Through self-labeling protein tags, Rh-Gly modified with a HaloTag ligand enabled super-resolution imaging of histone H2B proteins in live HeLa cells; through immunostaining antibodies labeled with an isothiocyanate-substituted Rh-Gly, super-resolution imaging of microtubules was achieved in fixed cells. Therefore, our simple and effective strategy provides novel insight for developing further enhanced rhodamine spirolactams recommendable for PALM imaging.

In Situ Synthesis of Few-Layered g-C3 N4 with Vertically Aligned MoS2 Loading for Boosting Solar-to-Hydrogen Generation.

In artificial photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, effective incident photon absorption and a high-charge recombination rate are crucial factors influencing the overall efficiency. Herein, a traditional solid-state synthesis is used to obtain, for the first time, novel samples of few-layered g-C3 N4 with vertically aligned MoS2 loading (MoS2 /C3 N4 ). Thiourea and layered MoO3 are chosen as precursors, as they react under nitrogen atmosphere to in situ produce the products. According to the quasi-Fourier transform infrared reflectance and X-ray diffraction measurements, the detailed reaction process is determined to proceed through the confirmed formation pathway. The two precursor units MoS2 and C3 N4 are linked by MoN bonds, which act as electronic receivers/conductors and hydrogen-generation sites. Density functional theory is also carried out, which determines that the interface sites act as electron-accumulation regions. According to the photoelectrochemical results, MoS2 /C3 N4 can achieve a current of 0.05 mA cm-2 , which is almost ten times higher than that of bare g-C3 N4 or the MoS2 /C3 N4 -R reference samples. The findings in the present work pave the way to not only synthesize a series of designated samples but also thoroughly understand the solid-state reaction.

Peer instruction in a physiology laboratory course in China.

Peer instruction has been used extensively in lecture courses; however, there is little evidence of its use in laboratory courses. The purpose of the present study was to describe the implementation of the peer instruction method in a physiology laboratory course in China. Second-year medical students attended a 6-wk physiology laboratory course in the fall semester of the 2016-2017 school year. In the six new physiology laboratory classes, peer instruction strategies were used to substitute for the traditional short, didactic lectures. The effects of peer instruction were measured by in-class quizzes and confidence levels. The students' evaluations of peer instruction were measured by a Likert scale questionnaire. Peer instruction significantly improved the mean score on quizzes (0.53 ± 0.50 vs. 0.68 ± 0.47, P < 0.001) and confidence levels (2.36 ± 0.66 vs. 2.80 ± 0.45, P < 0.001). Furthermore, for individual incorrect answers, 39.07% changed to correct answers after peer instruction, whereas, for correct answers, 6.61% were changed to an incorrect response. Overall, significantly more students changed their answers from incorrect to correct than from correct to incorrect [χ2: 333.11; degrees of freedom (df): 1; P < 0.001]. Therefore, the positive effects of peer instruction were higher than the negative effects (χ2: 244.55; df: 1; P < 0.001). Moreover, student evaluations of peer instruction were highly positive. In conclusion, the implementation of peer instruction to the physiology laboratory course is an effective strategy to enhance students' performance on in-class quizzes and confidence levels. In addition, the attitude of students toward peer instruction was favorable.

Asthma-Related Emergency Department Visits in North Carolina, 2010-2014.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare asthma-related emergency department (ED) visit rates across North Carolina. Results from this study can inform health planning while helping public health and health care professionals in identifying geographical areas and targeting age groups to reduce the asthma burden in North Carolina.METHODS This was a retrospective data analysis between 2010 and 2014 among North Carolina patients presenting to an ED with a first or second listed diagnosis code related to asthma (ICD-9-CM, 493.xx). Data was obtained from the North Carolina Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiology Collection Tool. Annual, age-adjusted rates were standardized to the 2000 US standard population using the direct method. Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to compare differences between mean values of asthma-related ED visit rates in regions, urbanicity, and age groups across years.RESULTS Asthma ED rates were consistently higher in the east (85.1 per 10,000) compared with other regions. While most age group ED rates fluctuated over the study period, univariate test results indicated statistical increases in ED asthma visits among the groups aged 5 to 9 years (P < .01), and 65 and over (P < .03).CONCLUSION Public health officials should recognize the disproportionate burden of asthma-related ED visits, particularly among rural and impoverished counties in the eastern portion of North Carolina when prioritizing health concerns across North Carolina.

Development and applications of a near-infrared dye-benzylguanine conjugate to specifically label SNAP-tagged proteins.

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes are advantageous over visible ones, for they can avoid the interference from the short-wavelength background emission in biological systems. However, there are a very limited number of NIR probes that can specifically label target proteins in living cells. In this work, a series of long-wavelength dyes (N-NIR, S-NIR, and K-NIR) analogous to the novel Changsha NIR family are synthesized conveniently through a new approach that is different from the previously reported one. These three dyes have similar conjugation structures but exhibit tunable photophysical properties. N-NIR and S-NIR have large extinction coefficients over 100 000, and high fluorescence quantum yields. Although NIR absorption and emission of K-NIR are inferior to the former two, it emits in a much longer wavelength region. And all the three dyes can easily pass through the cell membranes to obtain the high-resolution NIR fluorescence images. Furthermore, N-NIR is chosen as the NIR fluorophore to develop a protein-labeling reagent PYBG-D, since it demonstrates the highest fluorescence quantum yield of up to 0.4 (in methanol). PYBG-D is efficiently synthesized through Sonogashira coupling between bromo-substituted N-NIR and alkyne-substituted benzylguanine (PYBG). The conjugate PYBG-D proves to be a specific and efficient label for O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (SNAP-tag) that fused to target proteins in living cells, which contributes to high resolution NIR fluorescence images under a laser confocal microscope.

Role of Mediators in Reducing Antepartum Depressive Symptoms in Rural Low-Income Women Receiving a Culturally Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Intervention.

Although cognitive behavioral interventions (CBIs) have demonstrated effectiveness for reducing depressive symptoms in the general population, the mechanism for reducing antepartum depressive symptoms (APDS) in rural low-income and minority women is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that reducing stress and negative thinking, enhancing self-esteem, and increasing social-support will mediate the effect of a CBI on reducing APDS in rural low-income and minority women. Our findings show that CBI may work through reducing stress and negative thinking and enhancing self-esteem, but not social support. The findings also suggest that mental health care providers should emphasize these activities to reduce antepartum depressive symptoms.

1H NMR-based metabolic study reveals the improvements of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) on energy metabolism in diet-induced obese mouse.

CONTEXT: Obesity can be ameliorated by some natural products such as polyphenol, flavones and saponin. As a typical medicinal plant, Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) (bitter melon, BM) contains these natural chemicals and reduces diet-induced obesity in mice. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the metabolic effects of dietary BM supplement, investigates a global metabolic profile and determines associated perturbations in metabolic pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD supplemented with 5% BM based on 37.6 g/kg body weight in average for 12 weeks, respectively. Then energy metabolism was quantified using PhenoMaster/LabMaster. The spectroscopy of urine was acquired by nuclear magnetic resonance and latent biomarkers were identified. Pattern recognition analysis was used to discriminate associated metabolic profiles. RESULTS: Dietary BM supplement reduced body weight gain (-0.15-fold, p < 0.01) and blood glucose levels (-0.19-fold, p < 0.01) in HFD-fed mice. Meanwhile, the levels of energy metabolism were enhanced (0.08-0.11-fold, p < 0.01). According to pattern recognition analysis, dietary BM supplement changed metabolic profiles in HFD-fed mice and the modified profiles were similar to those in LFD-fed mice. Finally, the mapping of metabolic pathways showed that dietary BM supplement primarily affected glucose metabolism-associated pathways. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results indicated that BM improves weight loss in diet-induced obesity and elevate energy expenditure in HFD-fed mice. The pattern recognition with metabolic study may be used as a noninvasive detection method to assess the effects of dietary BM supplement on mouse energy metabolism.

Quercetin reduces obesity-associated ATM infiltration and inflammation in mice: a mechanism including AMPKα1/SIRT1.

Adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) plays a central role in obesity-associated inflammation and insulin resistance. Quercetin, a dietary flavonoid, possesses anti-inflammation and anti-insulin resistance properties. However, it is unclear whether quercetin can alleviate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced ATM infiltration and inflammation in mice. In this study, 5-week-old C57BL/6 mice were fed low-fat diet, HFD, or HFD with 0.l% quercetin for 12 weeks, respectively. Dietary quercetin reduced HFD-induced body weight gain and improved insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance in mice. Meanwhile, dietary quercetin enhanced glucose transporter 4 translocation and protein kinase B signal in epididymis adipose tissues (EATs), suggesting that it heightened glucose uptake in adipose tissues. Histological and real-time PCR analysis revealed that quercetin attenuated mast cell and macrophage infiltration into EATs in HFD-fed mice. Dietary quercetin also modified the phenotype ratio of M1/M2 macrophages, lowered the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and enhanced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1 phosphorylation and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) expression in EATs. Further, using AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-ß4-ribofuranoside and inhibitor Compound C, we found that quercetin inhibited polarization and inflammation of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages through an AMPKα1/SIRT1-mediated mechanism. In conclusion, dietary quercetin might suppress ATM infiltration and inflammation through the AMPKα1/SIRT1 pathway in HFD-fed mice.

Liguzinediol improved the heart function and inhibited myocardial cell apoptosis in rats with heart failure.

AIM: Liguzinediol is a novel derivative of ligustrazine isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Chuanxiong (Ligusticum wallichii Franch), and produces significant positive inotropic effect in isolated rat hearts. In this study we investigated the effects of liguzinediol on a rat model of heart failure. METHODS: To induce heart failure, male SD rats were injected with doxorubicin (DOX, 2 mg/kg, ip) once a week for 4 weeks. Then the rats were administered with liguzinediol (5, 10, 20 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), po) for 2 weeks. Hemodynamic examination was conducted to evaluate heart function. Myocardial cell apoptosis was examined morphologically. The expression of related genes and proteins were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining and Western blot assays, respectively. RESULTS: Oral administration of liguzinediol dose-dependently improved the heart function in DOX-treated rats. Electron microscopy revealed that liguzinediol (10 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) markedly attenuated DOX-induced injury of cardiomyocytes, and decreased the number of apoptotic bodies in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, liguzinediol significantly decreased Bax protein level, and increased Bcl-2 protein level in cardiomyocytes of DOX-treated rats, led to an increase in the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. Moreover, liguzinediol significantly decreased the expression of both cleaved caspase-3 and NF-κB in cardiomyocytes of DOX-treated rats. Administration of digitalis (0.0225 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) also markedly improved the heart function and the morphology of cardiomyocytes in DOX-treated rats. CONCLUSION: Liguzinediol improves the heart function and inhibits myocardial cell apoptosis in the rat model of heart failure, which is associated with regulating Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and NF-κB expression.

Anti-thrombotic effect of a novel formula from Corni fructus with malic acid, succinic acid and citric acid.

Our previous investigation had confirmed the inhibition of platelet aggregation of a novel Corni fructus-derived formula composed of malic acid, succinic acid and citric acid with a ratio of 3:2:2. The present study was to further evaluate the anti-thrombotic effect of the formula in vivo. Mice of acute pulmonary thromboembolism, and rats of arterial thrombosis were used to determine the anti-thrombotic effect of the formula. Histology analysis of endothelium was conducted with hematoxylin and eosin stain. TXB2 , 6-K-PGF1α , cAMP, cGMP and NO in rat plasma were determined. In vitro assay of αIIbß3 and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 were performed in ADP-treated platelet. The formula significantly reduced the recovery time and mortality rate of mice with acute pulmonary thromboembolism. Remarkably extended occlusion time, decreased thrombus weight and more integrated endothelium were observed in rat with the formula. Enhanced 6-K-PGF1α , cGMP and NO, but not TXB2 and cAMP, were demonstrated in rat plasma with treatment of the formula. Finally, the formula was shown to inhibit αIIbß3 expression and activation of ERK1/2 in platelet. The formula shows positive anti-thrombotic effect. The direct interference on ADP activated signaling in platelet and regulation of endothelium function are two primary pathways involved in the action on thrombosis.

Fast SAR image change detection using Bayesian approach based difference image and modified statistical region merging.

A novel fast SAR image change detection method is presented in this paper. Based on a Bayesian approach, the prior information that speckles follow the Nakagami distribution is incorporated into the difference image (DI) generation process. The new DI performs much better than the familiar log ratio (LR) DI as well as the cumulant based Kullback-Leibler divergence (CKLD) DI. The statistical region merging (SRM) approach is first introduced to change detection context. A new clustering procedure with the region variance as the statistical inference variable is exhibited to tailor SAR image change detection purposes, with only two classes in the final map, the unchanged and changed classes. The most prominent advantages of the proposed modified SRM (MSRM) method are the ability to cope with noise corruption and the quick implementation. Experimental results show that the proposed method is superior in both the change detection accuracy and the operation efficiency.

[Study of effect of tongsaimai tablets on experimental diabetic foot model rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tongsaimai (TSM) tablets in treating foot trauma of diabetic foot (DF) model rats, and discuss its potential mechanism. METHOD: Male SD rats were selected to duplicate the diabetic foot ulcer model and randomly divided into the blank control group, the model group, the metformin treatment group, and TSM 12.44, 6.22, 3.11 g x kg(-1) groups (n = 10). The healing of ulcer wounds were observed on day 1, 4, 8, 13 and 18. After 18 days, a histopathologic examination was conducted for ulcer tissues. The contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by hydroxylamine and TBA methods. The content of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined with the radioimmunoassay. The immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ulcer tissues and the number of capillary vessels. RESULT: TSM could alleviate the pathological changes of diabetic foot rats, accelerate the ulcer healing on 4, 8, 13, 18 d, reduce MDA, IL-6, TNF-alpha, VEGF content in rat serum at 18 d (after the rehabilitation period), and enhance the SOD content. Specifically, the TSM 12.44 g x kg(-1) group showed significant differences compared with the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). At 18 d after the treatment (the late rehabilitation period), the VEGF expression of TSM 12.44, 6.22 g x kg(-1) groups and the number of blood capillaries of the TSM 12.44 g x kg(-1) group were significantly lower than that of the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: TSM could promote the foot wound healing of DF model rats, reduce MDA, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels in serum, increase the SOD content and decrease the VEGF expression and the number of blood capillaries in the late rehabilitation period. Its action mechanism may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress injury and the inflammatory cell infiltration.