Evaluation Effectiveness of in Vitro Cultivation of Bezoar on Mouse Model Combining Disease with Syndrome of Coronavirus Pneumonia with Yidu Xifei Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To determine the therapeutic effect of <italic>in vitro</italic> cultivation of bezoar on a mouse model adding disease with syndrome of coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome. Method:BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups according to their weight grade： normal group， HCoV-229E infection group， cold and damp group， a mouse model combining disease with syndrome of coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome， and high and low dose group of <italic>in vitro</italic> cultivation of bezoar. The combination model of human coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome mice was established by the method of cold dampness condition stimulation+coronavirus HCoV-229E infection. <italic>In vitro</italic> cultivation of bezoar （0.128，0.064 g·kg^-1） was administrated by gavage for 3 days from the day of infection. The observation indexes included： general state observation of mice， inhibition rate of lung index and lung index of mice. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the viral load in the lung tissues of mice. Serum levels of motilin（MTL）， gastrin （GAS）， and cytokines interleukin（IL）-10，IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic>（TNF-<italic>α</italic>）and interferon-<italic>γ</italic>（IFN-<italic>γ</italic>） in lung tissue of mice were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. The percentages of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes，CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes in the blood of mice were determined by flow cytometry. Result:The high and low dose group of <italic>in vitro</italic> cultivation of bezoar can significantly improve the general condition of model mice. Compared with blank group， model group mice lung index increased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， nucleic acids significantly increased expression of lung tissue in mice （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， significantly higher serum MTL content in mice， GAS content significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， lung tissue cells in the immune factor TNF-<italic>α</italic>， IL-10 and IL-6 were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， peripheral blood lymphocyte CD4⁺ T cells in mice， The percentages of CD8⁺ T cells and B cells were significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with model group， <italic>in vitro</italic> cultivation bezoar mice lung index of high and low dose group were significantly lower （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the lung tissue of mice express nucleic acid decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， MTL content decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the lung tissue of mice in the IL-6， IL-10， the TNF-<italic>α</italic>， IFN-<italic>γ</italic> levels were significantly lower （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， <italic>in vitro</italic> cultivation bezoar high dose group can significantly increase the CD4⁺ T cell percentage （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， <italic>in vitro</italic> cultivation bezoar can to a certain extent reduce model mice lung inflammatory exudation， pulmonary interstitial edema， as well as blood stasis symptoms. Conclusion:<italic>In vitro</italic> cultivation of bezoar has a significant therapeutic effect on a mice model adding disease with syndrome of coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome. It can be treated by reducing the lung index of the model mice， improving the pathological damage of the lung tissue， adjusting the immune effective and inhibiting the clearing of inflammatory factors， and to provide a laboratory basis for clinical medication.

Study on therapeutic effect of Chaiyin Particles on combining disease with syndrome of human coronavirus pneumonia with pestilence attacking lung syndrome based on regulation of immune function / 中国中药杂志

According to the classification of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of coronavirus disease 2019 by the national competent authority, this study determined that human coronavirus 229 E(HCoV-229 E) was infected in a mouse model of cold and dampness syndrome, so as to build the human coronavirus pneumonia with pestilence attacking lung syndrome model. The model can simulate the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of common disease syndromes in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Diagnosis and Treatment Program(the sixth edition for trial). Specific steps were as follows. ABALB/c mouse model of cold and dampness syndrome was established, based on which, HCoV-229 E virus was infected; then the experiment was divided into normal control group, infection control group, cold-dampness control group, cold-dampness infection group(the model group), high-dose Chaiyin Particles group(8.8 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and low-dose Chaiyin Particles group(4.4 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). On the day of infection, Chaiyin Particles was given for three consecutive days. Lung tissues were collected the day after the last dose, and the lung index and inhibition rate were calculated. The nucleic acid of lung tissue was extracted, and the HCoV-229 E virus load was detected by Real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. Blood leukocytes were separated, and the percentage of T and B lymphocytes was detected by flow cytometry. Lung tissue protein was extracted, and IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ contents were detected by ELISA. High and low-dose Chaiyin Particles significantly reduced the lung index(P<0.01) of mice of human coronavirus pneumonia with pestilence attacking the lung syndrome, and the inhibition rates were 61.02% and 55.45%, respectively. Compared with the model control group, high and low-dose Chaiyin Particles significantly increased cross blood CD4~+ T lymphocytes, CD8~+T lymphocytes and total B lymphocyte percentage(P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduced IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in lungs(P<0.01). In vitro results showed that TC_(50), TC_0, IC_(50) and TI of Chaiyin Particles were 4.46 mg·mL~(-1), 3.13 mg·mL~(-1), 1.12 mg·mL~(-1) and 4. The control group of in vitro culture cells had no HCoV-229 E virus nucleic acid expression. The expression of HCoV-229 E virus nucleic acid in the virus control group was 1.48×10~7 copies/mL, and Chaiyin Particles significantly reduced HCoV-229 E expression at doses of 3.13 and 1.56 mg·mL~(-1), and the expression of HCoV-229 E nucleic acid was 9.47×10~5 and 9.47×10~6 copies/mL, respectively. Chaiyin Particles has a better effect on the mouse model with human coronavirus pneumonia with pestilence attacking the lung syndrome, and could play a role by enhancing immunity, and reducing inflammatory factor expression.

Effect of matrine sodium chloride injection on a mouse model combining disease with syndrome of human coronavirus pneumonia with cold-dampness pestilence attacking the lung / 药学学报

"TCM syndrome of plague attack lung" is a classification of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of the novel coronavirus pneumonia by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In this study, a mouse model combining disease with syndrome of human coronavirus pneumonia with cold-dampness pestilence attacking the lung was established for the first time, and the therapeutic effect of matrine sodium chloride injection was evaluated based on immune regulation and inflammatory damage. Lung index, lung index inhibition rate and HE stain were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of matrine sodium chloride injection on the model mice; the viral load in lung tissue was measured by RT-PCR to evaluate its antiviral effect; the percentage of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells were detected by flow cytometry to evaluate its immunomodulatory effect; the production of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were measured by ELISA to evaluate its anti-inflammatory effect. All interventions and operations in the experiment were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and conformed to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals published by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Beijing Experimental Animal Ethics Committee. The results showed that intraperitoneal injection of the high-dose (36.67 mL·kg-1·d-1) and low-dose (18.33 mL·kg-1·d-1) of matrine sodium chloride injection significantly improved the pathological damage of lung tissue and reduced lung index. The lung index inhibition rates were 86.86% and 76.53%, respectively. The production of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, as well as the viral load in lung tissue were reduced significantly compared to the model; the percentage of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells in peripheral blood were increased compared to the model. These results indicated that the matrine sodium chloride injection has an evident therapeutic effect on the model, and its mechanism was related to the inhibition virus replication, regulation of immunity function and inhibition of inflammatory factor release. This study provided laboratory data support for matrine sodium chloride injection which was used to treat the novel coronavirus pneumonia in clinical in Hubei province. These results indicated that the matrine sodium chloride injection has a good prospect for prevention and treatment of the novel coronavirus pneumonia.

Effect and Mechanism of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Herbs / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi （AMF） can establish mycorrhizal symbiosis system with most terrestrial plants，and play important roles in their growth and development. However，there is no systematic analysis and summarization of their roles in the growth, biosynthesis and accumulation of active substances of herbs，as well as stress-resistance mechanism. First，the main research methods of AMF were summarized in the paper，including the separation of AMF spores，morphological identification，chemical staining and molecular identification. The main morphological structures of some AMF were detailed in the table. In terms of growth promotion，AMF promoted the growth by prolonging mycelium，enhancing phosphatase secretion，organic acid，activation of soil and increasing absorption efficiency. In the aspect of biosynthesis and accumulation of flavonoids，terpenoids and other active substances in herbs，AMF improved the contents by regulating activities of signal substances and key enzymes involved in the metabolism of secondary products. In addition，AMF could alleviate a series of stresses caused by drought，heavy metal，high salt，high or low temperature by improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes，enhancing the ability of plants to scavenge free radicals，complexing toxic heavy metals，diluting high salt concentration，or inducing the expressions of key genes. Finally，the application prospects and in-depth study of AMF in the ecological planting of herbs were discussed, in order to provide reference for promoting relevant research.

Intervening Effect of Promoting Lung and Resolving Phlegm Method on Mouse Model Combining Disease and Syndrome of Human Coronavirus Pneumonia with Cold-dampness Pestilence Attacking Lung / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of Kesuting syrups and Keqing capsules, which have the function of promoting lung and resolving phlegm, on a mouse model combining disease and syndrome of human coronavirus pneumonia with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung. Method:The therapeutic effects of Kesuting syrups (the doses of 22, 11 mL·kg-1) and Keqing capsules (the doses of 1.155, 0.577 5 g·kg-1) on this model were evaluated by the inflammatory changes of lung tissue, the expression of viral nucleic acid, the contents of inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)], and the percentages of immune cells in peripheral blood (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells). Result:Compared with the model group, high- and low-dose groups of Keqing capsules and Kesuting syrups could significantly reduce the inflammatory damage in the lung tissues of mice, Keqing capsules could significantly increase the percentages of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells in peripheral blood, Keqing capsules and Kesuting syrups could reduce the expression levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ, inhibit the viral load in lung tissue, as well as improve the pathogenic manifestations of lung tissue. Conclusion:As the first-line drugs for novel coronavirus pneumonia, Keqing capsules and Kesuting syrups have significant therapeutic effect on the mouse model combining disease and syndrome of human coronavirus pneumonia with cold-dampness pestilence attacking lung, and the mechanism may be related to regulating immune function and reducing cytokine storm.

Biosynthesis of Steroidal Saponins in Herbs / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Steroidal saponins are efficacious substances wildly existed in the herbs，and consist of glycosyl and steroid sapogenin. The biosynthesis pathways of steroidal saponins mainly include the cytosolic mevalonate （MVA） pathway and the plastidial methylerythritol 4-phosphate （MEP） pathway，with the MVA pathway as the main pathway. The key enzymes are involved in the biosynthetic pathway, including 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase（HMGR），1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase（DXS），1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphatereduetoisomerase（DXR），farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase（FPS），squalene synthase（SS），squalene epoxidase（SE），cycloartenol synthase（CAS），cytochrome P450（CYP450），and steroidalglycosyltransferase（SGTase）. In the paper，the biosynthesis roadmap of steroidal saponins was optimized based on previous studies. According to a comprehensive analysis on studies of key enzymes for the past five years, genes, like HMGR，SS，CYP450 and UGT，were studied more，while other genes，like FPS，SE，CAS，were known less. In conclusion， current studies still focus on the primary stage，but lack direct evidence for the roles of key enzymes. This paper would provide a reference and theoretical support for subsequent studies.

Efficacy Evaluation of Jinchai Kangbingdu Capsule Based on Coronaryvirus Pneumonia with 'Hanshi Yidu Xifei' syndrome Model / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the therapeutic effect of Jinchai Kangbingdu capsule based on human coronavirus pneumonia with 'Hanshi Yidu Xifei' syndrome model, in order to provide experimental basis for evaluating its effect in preventing and treating coronavirus infection. Method:The 48 Balb/c mice were randomly divided into normal group, virus infection group, cold-dampness group, cold-dampness epidemic toxin lung syndrome model group, and high and low-dose Jinchai Kangbingdu capsule groups (1.76, 0.88 g·kg-1·d-1). A cold-dampness stimulation combined with human coronavirus 229E infection was used to imitate human coronavirus pneumonia with 'Hanshi Yidu Xifei' syndrome model. Behavioral characteristics, lung index, viral load, and lung tissue pathological changes in Balb/c mice were observed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Jinchai Kangbingdu capsules. The contents of interleukin-6（IL-6），IL-10，tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α），interferon-γ（IFN-γ） in lung tissue and motilin（MTL），gastrin（GAS） in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the contents of CD4+ T cells, CD8 + T cells, and B cells in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Result:Compared with the cold-dampness epidemic toxin lung syndrome model group, Jinchai Kangbingdu capsule can increase the activity and response ability of 'Hanshi Yidu Xifei' syndrome model mice, and change the skin and stool status of mice. High and low-dose Jinchai Kangbingdu capsule groups can significantly reduce the lung index (P<0.01), while significantly increased the content of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). Low-dose Jinchai Kangbingdu capsule group could significantly decrease the MTL content in serum and the levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ in lung tissue (P<0.01), whereas alleviate the pathological damage of lung tissue. Conclusion:Jinchai Kangbingdu capsule showed a therapeutic effect on human coronavirus pneumonia with 'Hanshi Yidu Xifei' syndrome model, and can improve the behavioral characterization and gastrointestinal index level of cold-dampness syndrome, while reduce lung index and viral load in lung tissue. The mechanism may be related to the decrease of the content of inflammatory factors and the increase of the number of lymphocytes.

Usage and Dosage of Kaihoujian Throat Spray (for Children) in Treatment of Acute Pharyngitis and Acute Tonsillitis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the effective dose range of Kaihoujian throat spray (for children) in treating acute pharyngitis and acute tonsillitis, in order to provide the reference for the usage and dosage in clinic. Method:A total of 160 juvenile SD rats were divided into 16 groups according to the body mass grade, namely normal group, model group, amoxicillin or ribavirin group, compound Yizhi Huanghua group and different doses of Kaihoujian (for children) groups. The different doses of Kaihoujian (for children) groups were divided into 12 treatment groups based on 2 sprays/time, 4 times/day, 4 sprays/time, 4 times/day, 6 sprays/time, 4 times/day, 8 sprays/time, 4 times/day, 2 sprays/time, 6 times/day, 4 sprays/time, 6 times/day, 6 sprays/time, 6 times/day, 8 sprays/time, 6 times/day, 2 sprays/time, 8 times/day, 4 sprays/time, 8 times/day, 6 sprays/time, 8 times/day, and 8 sprays/time, 8 times/day. Except for normal group, all of the remaining groups were included in three animal models, namely 5%ammonia-induced acute pharyngitis in rat, B type streptococcus haemolyticus-induced acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis in rabbit, and adenovirus-induced acute pharyngitis in mice. Then the optimal usage and dosage of Kaihoujian throat spray (for children) were evaluated based on pharyngeal lesion score and htoxylin eosin(HE) staining. Result:There were significant differences in pharyngeal and tonsil lesions between the model group and the normal group (PPPConclusion:The clinical usage and dosage of Kaihoujian throat spray (for children) in treating acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis were suggested to be 2 sprays/times, 6~8 times/day for 1~3 year-old children; 3~6 sprays/times, 6~8 times/day for 4~6 year-old children and 5~8 sprays/times, 6~8 times/day for 7~12 year-old children.

Changes of HPAA in Different Rat Models of Gan Stagnation, Pi Deficiency, Gan Stagnation Pi Defi- ciency and Interventional Effect of Chaishu Sijun Decoction / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare changes of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) in different rat models of Gan stagnation (GS), Pi deficiency (PD), Gan stagnation Pi deficiency (GSPD) syndromes, and to observe interventional effect of Chaishu Sijun Decoction (CSD, capable of soothing Gan-qi invigorating Pi) on them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy Wistar rats were divided into the normal control group (group 1), the GS group (group 2), the PD group (group 3), the GSPD group (group 4), the GS intervention group (group 5), the PD intervention group (group 6), and the GSPD intervention group (group 7) according to random digit table, 10 in each group. Rats in group 1 received no treatment. Rats in group 2 and 5 were modeled by chronic restraint method. Rats in group 3 and 6 were modeled by excess fatigue plus alimentary abstinence method. Rats in group 4 and 7 were modeled by chronic restraint, excess fatigue, and alimentary abstinence method. At the 2nd weekend of modeling, CSD at 2.86 g/kg was fed to rats in group 5, 6, and 7 by gastrogavage for 2 successive weeks. Equal volume of distilled water was given to rats in the rest 4 groups. On the 29th day, rats were killed, adrenal weight weighed, and adrenal index calculated. Levels of plasma and hypothalamus corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), plasma and pituitary adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and plasma corticosterone (CORT) were determined using radioimmunity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group 1, adrenal index significantly decreased in group 2, 3, and 4 (P < 0.05). Of them, plasma and hypothalamus CRH, plasma CORT increased significantly in group 2 and 4 (P < 0.05). Besides, plasma and pituitary ACTH increased in group 4 (P < 0.05). Plasma and pituitary ACTH, as well as plasma CORT decreased significantly in group 3 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 2, 3, and 4, adrenal index increased significantly in group 5, 6, and 7 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 2, plasma CORT, hypothalamus CRH, and pituitary ACTH decreased significantly in group 5 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 3, plasma ACTH and CORT increased significantly in group 6 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 4, plasma CRH, ACTH, CORT, hypothalamus CRH, and pituitary ACTH decreased in group 7 (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The function of HPA .axis was damaged to varying degrees in rats of the three models in this experiment. Hyperactivity of HPA axis existed in GS syndrome and GSPD syndrome. Impairment of feedback regulation in hypothalamus and pituitary was accompanied in GSPD syndrome. Hypofunction of HPA axis existed in PDS. CSD, capable of soothing Gan-qi invigorating'Pi, showed improvement on disarranged HPAA, but with optimal effect on GSPD syndrome. CSD had higher correlation with GSPD syndrome.</p>

Effect of chaishu sijun decoction on the gonad axis of gan-qi stagnation, Pi deficiency, and gan-qi stagnation pi deficiency model rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe changes of gonad functions of Gan-qi stagnation (GS), Pi deficiency (PD), Gan-qi stagnation Pi deficiency (GSPD) model rats, and the effect of Chaishu Sijun Decoction (CSD) on them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were randomly divided into 7 groups according to romdom digit table, i.e., the normal control group, the GS model group, the GS medication group, the PD model group, the PD medication group, the GSPD model group,and the GSPD medication group, 10 in each group. Rats in the GS model group, the PD model group, and the GSPD model group were treated with chronic restraint, improper diet +excessive fatigue, chronic restraint +improper diet +excessive fatigue. The model was established for 4 successive weeks. Starting from the 15th day of modeling, CSD at the daily dose of 3.57 g/kg was given by gastrogavage to them for 14 successive days. Equal volume of distilled water was given by gastrogavage to rats in each model group and the normal control group for 14 successive days. The blood contents of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T) were detected in rats of each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, there was statistical difference in GnRH, T, E,, and FSH in the GS, PD, and GSPD model groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The content of LH was elevated in the GS model group (P < 0.05) and declined in the GSPD model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the GS model group, the contents of FSH, LH, and T decreased and E2 increased in the PD model group (all P < 0.05); the contents of FSH and LH also declined in the GSPD model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the PD model group, the T content increased and FSH decreased in the GSPD model group (all P < 0.05). Compared with each corresponding model group, the FSH content decreased (P < 0.01) and LH increased in the GS medication group; the T content increased, E2 and LH decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the PD medication group; the T content decreased (P < 0.01), GnRH, E2, FSH, and LH increased (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01) in the GSPD medication group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There exist different degrees of abnormal function of the gonad axis in the GS, PD, and GSPD models. CSD had certain regulatory effect on the 3 syndromes. Of them, it showed a more comprehensive role in improving the gonad function axis. Results of this experiment had provided the experimental evidence for higher correlation between CSD and GSPD syndrome.</p>

Down-regulation of fecal miR-143 and miR-145 as potential markers for colorectal cancer

To detect 4 MicroRNA [miRNA] in the stool samples of colorectal cancer [CRC] patients to determine whether these miRNAs could be biomarkers in CRC screening or treatment. A retrospective comparison study was carried out in the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China from September 2009 to March 2011. We detected 4 miRNAs [miR-143, miR-145, miR-21, and miR-106a] in the stool samples of 38 CRC patients and 13 healthy individuals. Total RNA from the stool samples was extracted using the EZNA TM stool RNA kit R6828-01. The miRNA quantification was carried out using TaqMan miRNA assays and the TaqMan Gene Expression Master Mix. The expression levels of miR-143 and miR-145 in the stool of the CRC patients were lower than in those of the healthy persons [p<0.005, median of 2[-Ct]]. No statistically significant difference was found in the expression levels of both miR-21 and miR-106a between the stool of CRC patients and those of the healthy persons [p>0.05]. The detection of fecal miRNAs is a potential method for CRC diagnosis or screening. Particularly, the down-regulation of fecal miR-143 and miR-145 could be a potential marker for CRC

Comparison of laxative and antioxidant activities of raw, processed and fermented Polygoni Multiflori radix / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To observe the anti-oxidative activity and adverse laxative effect of raw, traditional processed and fermented products of Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR), and furthermore, to evaluate the fermentation method used in the processing procedure of PMR.@*METHODS@#In vitro ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay was carried out to evaluate the anti-oxidative activity. Modulation of normal defecation and effect on gastrointestinal motility in mice were carried out to investigate their adverse laxative effect.@*RESULTS@#Fermented PMR induced less severe laxative adverse effect than Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (PMRP). PMR fermented with Rhizopus sp. (FB) could modulate the defecation significantly. The gastrointestinal motility was inhibited by PMRP and PMR fermented with Rhizopus oryzae (FA). FA and FB showed better antioxidant activity than PMRP in 50% and 95% ethanol group. Contents of 2, 3, 5, 4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) were reduced significantly after traditional processing but maintained after fermentation. Emodin and physcion were increased after traditional processing and fermented with Rhizopus oryzae.@*CONCLUSION@#All processing procedure, including fermentation, might reduce its anti-oxidative activity. However, most of the processed products could lessen the adverse effect on gastrointestinal tract compared to PMR. Fermentation with Rhizopus oryzae was considered as a promising processing method of PMR.

Comparison of clinical manifestation and severity between hospital-based American and Chinese patients with colorectal Crohn disease / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the differences in clinicopathological characteristics and severity between American and Chinese patients with colorectal Crohn disease(CD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between March 1985 and September 2004, 68 patients with colorectal CD in Cleveland Clinic Florida (America) and 85 patients with colorectal CD in the 301 Hospital(China) were enrolled in the study. Data of two groups,including demographics, clinical characteristics, extraintestinal manifestations, presenting symptoms, location and pathological characteristics,were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>60.3% of American patients and 36.5% of Chinese patients were female(P=0.003). 11.8% of American patients and 1.2% of Chinese patients had a family history of CD(P=0.016). American patients had a significantly higher rate of extraintestinal disease (39.7% vs 20.0%), abscess(19.0% vs 0), and anorectal fistulas(51.5% vs 0). American patients had significantly more extensive disease than Chinese patients(pancolitis: 44.1% vs 4.7%, P<0.01). American patients had a significantly higher rate of disease involving the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, anorectal area compared with Chinese patients(all P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>American patients with colorectal Crohn disease seem to have a female predominance, a higher rate of CD family history, to involve the distal intestinal tract more often, and have more severe clinical manifestation and pathological process, as compared with Chinese patients.</p>

Serotonin transporter gene polymorphism in slow transit constipation / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between the polymorphism of serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region(5-HTTLPR) and slow transit constipation(STC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Polymerase chain reaction was used to assess 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of SERT gene in 54 patients with STC and 100 healthy controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of serotonin transporter short/short(S/S) and allele S genotypes were significantly higher in STC patients than those in controls(72.2% vs 50.0%; 83.3% vs 72.5%; both P< 0.05). There were no significant differences in 5-HTTLPR polymorphism respectively between the two groups according to gender and age(less than 45 and more than 45 years old). The frequency of S/S genotype was higher in the patients with less than 40% of the ingested markers evacuated within 72 h than those with more than 40% evacuated(71.7% vs 42.6%, P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The presence of 5-HTTLPR allele S may contribute to the pathogenesis of STC.</p>