Identification and expression profiling of R2R3-MYB transcription factors in Erigeron breviscapus / 中国中药杂志

R2 R3-MYB transcription factors are ubiquitous in plants, playing a role in the regulation of plant growth, development, and secondary metabolism. In this paper, the R2 R3-MYB transcription factors were identified by bioinformatics analysis of the genomic data of Erigeron breviscapus, and their gene sequences, structures, physical and chemical properties were analyzed. The functions of R2 R3-MYB transcription factors were predicted by cluster analysis. Meanwhile, the expression patterns of R2 R3-MYB transcription factors in response to hormone treatments were analyzed. A total of 108 R2 R3-MYB transcription factors, named EbMYB1-EbMYB108, were identified from the genome of E. breviscapus. Most of the R2 R3-MYB genes carried 2-4 exons. The phylogenetic tree of MYBs in E. breviscapus and Arabidopsis thaliala was constructed, which classified 234 MYBs into 30 subfamilies. The MYBs in the five MYB subfamilies of A.thaliala were clustered into independent clades, and those in E. breviscapus were clustered into four clades. The transcriptome data showed that MYB genes were differentially expressed in different tissues of E. breviscapus and in response to the treatments with exogenous hormones such as ABA, SA, and GA for different time. The transcription of 13 R2 R3-MYB genes did not change significantly, and the expression patterns of some genes were up-regulated or down-regulated with the extension of hormone treatment time. This study provides a theoretical basis for revealing the mechanisms of R2 R3-MYB transcription factors in regulating the growth and development, stress(hormone) response, and active ingredient accumulation in E. breviscapus.

Research progress in pharmacological effects of Erigeron breviscapus and its active ingredients for treatment of Alzheimer's disease / 中国中药杂志

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that has no effective drug to cure it. Studies in several AD models have shown that Erigeron breviscapus and its active ingredients(scutellarin and caffeoylquinic acid) could improve/enhance the learning and memory ability, and the mechanisms are associated with inhibiting amyloid β(Aβ) production, aggregation, fibrosis and Aβ neurotoxicity toxicity, regulating cholinergic nervous system, inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation, inhibiting tau hyperphosphorylation, improving mitochondrial function, and resisting neuronal apoptosis. This article systematically reviewed the research progress of E. breviscapus and its active ingredients for treatment of AD in AD models, in the expectation of providing references for further development of E. breviscapus's medicinal potential.

Scutellarein Reduces Inflammatory Responses by Inhibiting Src Kinase Activity

Flavonoids are plant pigments that have been demonstrated to exert various pharmacological effects including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the molecular mechanisms in terms of exact target proteins of flavonoids are not fully elucidated yet. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of scutellarein (SCT), a flavonoid isolated from Erigeron breviscapus, Clerodendrum phlomidis and Oroxylum indicum Vent that have been traditionally used to treat various inflammatory diseases in China and Brazil. For this purpose, a nitric oxide (NO) assay, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nuclear fractionation, immunoblot analysis, a kinase assay, and an overexpression strategy were employed. Scutellarein significantly inhibited NO production in a dose-dependent manner and reduced the mRNA expression levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, SCT also dampened nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-driven expression of a luciferase reporter gene upon transfection of a TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-beta (TRIF) construct into Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells; similarly, NF-kappa B nuclear translocation was inhibited by SCT. Moreover, the phosphorylation levels of various upstream signaling enzymes involved in NF-kappaB activation were decreased by SCT treatment in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Finally, SCT strongly inhibited Src kinase activity and also inhibited the autophosphorylation of overexpressed Src. Therefore, our data suggest that SCT can block the inflammatory response by directly inhibiting Src kinase activity linked to NF-kappaB activation.

SSR information in Erigeron breviscapus transcriptome and polymorphism analysis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The SSR information in the transcriptome of Erigeron breviscapus was analyzed in this study, in order to further develop new functional genes SSR markers laid a solid foundation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>SSR loci were searched in all of 52,060 unigenes by using est_timmer. Perl program and SSR primers were designed by Primer3. Furthermore, 36 pairs of primers were randomly selected for the polymorphism analysis on 13 Erigeron breviscapus plants collected from different places.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A total of 3639 SSRs were found in the transcriptome of Erigeron breviscapus, distributed in 3260 unigenes with the distribution frequency of 6.99%. Di-nucleotide repeat was the main type, account for as much as 34.41% of all SSRs, followed by mono-nucleotide (31.41%) and tri-nucleotide repeat motif (28.08%). The di-nucleotide repeat motifs of AT/AT and AC/GT were the predominant repeat types (28.71%). The tri-nucleotide repeat motifs of AAT/AT was the predominant repeat types (7.94%). For validation the availability of those SSR primers, we randomly selected 36 pairs of primers for PCR amplification. Among them, 34 pair primers (94.44%) produced clear and reproductive bands, 19 pair primers showed polymorphism (52.78%), and 13 Erigeron breviscapus plants were divided into 2 groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There are numerous SSRs in Erigeron breviscapus transcriptome with high frequency and various types, this will provide abundant candidate molecular markers for genetic diversity study and genetic map in this plant.</p>

Anti-inflammatory effect of methanol extract from Erigeron Canadensis L. may be involved with upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression and suppression of NFkappaB and MAPKs activation in macrophages

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we determined the anti-inflammatory activities and the underlying molecular mechanisms of the methanol extract from Erigeron Canadensis L. (ECM) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The potential anti-inflammatory properties of ECM were investigated by using RAW264.7 macrophages. We used western blot assays and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect protein and mRNA expression, respectively. Luciferase assays were performed to determine the transactivity of transcription factors. RESULTS: ECM significantly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-derived NO and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) derived PGE2 production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. These inhibitory effects of ECM were accompanied by decreases in LPS-induced nuclear translocations and transactivities of NFkappaB. Moreover, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) including extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2), p38, and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was significantly suppressed by ECM in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Further studies demonstrated that ECM by itself induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression at the protein levels in dose-dependent manner. However, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a selective HO-1 inhibitor, abolished the ECM-induced suppression of NO production. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ECM-induced HO-1 expression was partly responsible for the resulting anti-inflammatory effects. These findings suggest that ECM exerts anti-inflammatory actions and help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic values of Erigeron Canadensis L.

Anti-inflammatory effect of methanol extract from Erigeron Canadensis L. may be involved with upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression and suppression of NFkappaB and MAPKs activation in macrophages

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we determined the anti-inflammatory activities and the underlying molecular mechanisms of the methanol extract from Erigeron Canadensis L. (ECM) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The potential anti-inflammatory properties of ECM were investigated by using RAW264.7 macrophages. We used western blot assays and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect protein and mRNA expression, respectively. Luciferase assays were performed to determine the transactivity of transcription factors. RESULTS: ECM significantly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-derived NO and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) derived PGE2 production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. These inhibitory effects of ECM were accompanied by decreases in LPS-induced nuclear translocations and transactivities of NFkappaB. Moreover, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) including extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2), p38, and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was significantly suppressed by ECM in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Further studies demonstrated that ECM by itself induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression at the protein levels in dose-dependent manner. However, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a selective HO-1 inhibitor, abolished the ECM-induced suppression of NO production. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ECM-induced HO-1 expression was partly responsible for the resulting anti-inflammatory effects. These findings suggest that ECM exerts anti-inflammatory actions and help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic values of Erigeron Canadensis L.

Pharmacokinetic interaction between scutellarin and valsartan in rats / 药学学报

Scutellarin is the main effective constituent of breviscapine, a flavonoid mixture isolated from the dried whole plant of Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz, and valsartan is used as an antihypertensive drug. These two drugs have already been clinically used together to treat diabetic nephropathy (DN) in China, and the combined medications showed some enhanced protection against DN. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential pharmacokinetic interaction between scutellarin and valsartan in rats. Breviscapine injection (20 mg x kg(-1), i.v.) and valsartan (15 mg x kg-, i.g.), either alone or together were given to 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Concentrations of scutellarin and valsartan were quantified by HPLC, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non-compartmental methods. We found that the pharmacokinetic parameters of scutellarin altered significantly after co-administration of oral valsartan. The plasma clearance (CL(p)) and the bile clearance (CL(b)) of scutellarin were reduced significantly in the presence of valsartan. After oral administration of valsartan with or without intravenous scutellarin, however, the pharmacokinetic parameters of valsartan were comparable. In conclusion, our data suggests that the concurrent use of valsartan reduces the biliary excretion of scutellarin, and this may be due to the inhibitory effect of valsartan on the biliary excretion of scutellarin mediated by Mrp2 (Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2).

Effect of Erigeron Breviscapus on the expression of OPG/RANKL/RANK in osteoblasts and pre-osteoclasts in vitro / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Erigeron Breviscapus (EB) at different concentrations and different intervention time points on the mRNA and protein expression of OPG/RANKL/RANK in MG63 osteoblast-like cells and RAW264. 7 pre-osteoclast cells cultured in vitro, thus exploring roles EB played in bone rebuilding and its mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MG63 osteoblast-like cells and RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells were cultured in vitro. The 3rd passage cells were divided into the control group and different experimental groups. Total RNA and protein were respectively isolated from cells treated with different concentrations of EB (0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/mL) for 48 h. Meanwhile, the protein was extracted from 0 and 1 mg/mL EB groups at 12, 24, and 48 h respectively. Expression of OPG mRNA and RANKL mRNA in MG63 osteoblast-like cells, and expression of RANK mRNA in RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of OPG protein and RANKL protein in MG63 osteoblast-like cells, and expression of RANK protein in RAW264. 7 pre-osteoclast cells were detected by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Along with increased EB concentration, expression of OPG mRNA and protein in MG63 osteoblast-like cells was gradually lowered (P < 0.05) after 48-h intervention of EB, the expression of RANKL mRNA and protein in MG63 osteoblast-like gradually increased (P < 0.05); the expression of RANK mRNA in RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells increased (P < 0.05). But the expression of RANK mRNA was slightly lower in the 0.1 mg/mL EB group than in the 0.01 mg/mL EB group, and the expression of RANK protein in RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells gradually increased (P < 0.05). After treatment with 1 mg/mL EB for 12, 24, 48 h, the expression of OPG protein in MG63 osteoblast-like cells gradually decreased as time went by (P < 0.05), and the expression of RANKL protein in MG63 osteoblast-like and RANK protein in RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells gradually increased (P < 0.05). The expression of RANKL protein in RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells increased as time went by (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EB could inhibit the expression of OPG in osteoblasts in a dose- and time-dependent manner, promote the expression of RANKL in osteoblasts and the secretion of RANK in pre-osteoclast, indicating EB might play roles in promoting bone resorption.</p>

Two novel isocoumarins from Erigeron breviscapus / 药学学报

Two novel isocoumarins, erigeronone C (1) and D (2), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the whole plant of Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz (Compositae). Their structures were respectively elucidated as 8, 9-dihydroxypyrano [3, 2-c] isochromen-4, 6-dione (1) and 4, 7-dihydroxy-3-(3-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-isochromen-1-one (2) on the basis of spectral analyses. Both structures of 1 and 2 possess a gamma-pyrone moiety and that is rare in natural products.

Research on situation and countermeasure of Erigeron breviscapus plant production / 中国中药杂志

For more than ten years, Erigeron breviscapus has been used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it experienced the procedure from wild species to the cultivars, and the quality of drug was rapidly improved. In order to further promote the development of E. breviscapus planting industry, this paper analyzes the development status and existing problems of E. breviscapus planting. Some measures would be come forward, such as strengthen the government's policy support and industrial regulate, accelerate the industry standard and technological innovation, expand brand effect of E. breviscapus of Yunnan, so that the industry has the health and sustainable development.

Cloning and bioinformation analysis of flavone synthase II gene of Erigeron breviscapus / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Erigeron breviscapus is a medicinal plant with the most developmental potential in Yunnan province, which is belongs to Erigeron genus of Compositae family. Scutellarin, the main active component of Erigeron breviscapus is one of flavone 7-O-glucuronide derivatives, its biosynthesis pathway is still not clear.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Full length cDNA encoding flavone syhthase II gene in E. breviscapus was cloned in this study using R-PCR, 3'-RACE and 5'-RACE.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The opening reading frame of FS II cDNA of E. breviscapus is 1 557 bp long and encoding 518 amino acids, designed as EbFS II, which is highly homologous with FS II of Compositae species, like Callistephus chinensis, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, Gerbera hybrida, Dahlia pinnata and Lobelia erinus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Phylogenetic analysis showed that EbFS II might has the function of directly converting flavanone to flavone.</p>

Simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, scutellarin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in different parts of Erigeron breviscapus by high-performance liquid chromatography / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, scutellarin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in different parts of Erigerontis Herba.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The four constituents were measured on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 450 mm, 5 microm) with a gradient elution of acetonitrile (A) -0.3% phosphoric acid solution (B) (0-10 min, 12%-15% A, 10-32 min, 15% A, 32-33 min, 15%-20% A, 33-50 min, 20%-22% A) at wavelength of 335 nm and 327 nm, and a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was 30 degrees C.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Linearity of each standard was established in the concentration range of 0.050 1-1.002 microg for chlorogenic acid, 0.165 9-3.318 microg for chlorogenic acid, 0.049 7-0.994 microg for 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 0.048 7-0.974 p.g for 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid respectively, with correlation coefficient r > 0.999 6. Average recoveries (n = 6) of 4 compounds were 98.53% with a RSD of 0.94%, 99.68% with a RSD of 0.49%, 98.78% with a RSD of 1.1%, 99.06% with a RSD of 0.81%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The developed method is simple, accurate, and precise, it can be used for the quantitative analysis of Erigeron breviscapus.</p>

Relationship between expression of chalcone synthase gene (CHS) and scutellarin content in Erigeron breviscapus / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Scutellarin from Erigeron breviscapus is a flavonoid with remarkable pharmacological activity, whose route of biosynthesis is still fully clear. Chalcone synthase (CHS) is the key enzyme regulating flavonoids biosynthesis, and the aim of this study is to explain the relationship between patterns of the gene expression and scutellarin content through studying CHS gene expression patterns combined with scutellarin content in various parts of E. breviscapus.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Through RT-PCR and RACE, the full length of CHS was cloned and analyzed by fluorescent quantitative PCR. The scutellarin content in tissues was analyzed by HPLC.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The full-length gene sequence was 1 270 bp, encoding 405 amino acids. Software analysis found that the DNA sequence was 80% similarity with Compositae plant homeo-box gene. Fluorescence quantitative analysis showed that CHS had the highest expression level in leaves, far higher than that in root, stem and flower. HPLC analysis showed that the scutellarin was the highest in leaves, followed by the flowers and stems, scutellarin was not detected in root.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Correlation analysis showed that CHS expression amount and scutellarin content in different parts of E. breviscapus is positive correlation (r = 0.761, P < 0.05), it suggests that CHS gene expression level has important effect on biosynthesis of scutellarin.</p>

Genetic diversity and group consistency of breeding strains of Erigeron breviscapus determined by AFLP marker / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the genetic diversity and breeding strains of the E. breviscapus germplasms, in order to provide theoretical information for Erigeron breviscapus breeding.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The genetic diversity and genetic structure were assayed to six germplasm resource of E. breviscapus which collected from Yunnna with 11 pairs primers and AFLP molecular marker.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six hundred and four amplification bands among 636 DNA bands were from six accession of E. breviscapus, which are about 82.40% of total bands. The six germplasms could be divided into three group at the 0. 706 similarity coefficient level. The first category include QS-1, QS-2 and Dali, Shilin, Kunming population. The second category included wild population of Qiubei. The third category included several sample from different district. The mean genetic similarity coefficient of QS-1 and QS-2 was bigger, genetic similarity coefficient range was smaller, hereditary character was more stable. Molecular system clustering analysis showed that the geographical origin of the same part had relative polymerization phenomenon and its genetic relationship was close. Qiubei was a single group possibly relating to the specific genetic basis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The analysis of genetic diversity of E. breviscapus by AFLP marker is reliable. The systematic E. breviscapus breeding is feasible.</p>

Research progress and strategy on genetic improvement of Erigeron breviscapus / 中国中药杂志

Cultivation research and the research progress of genetic improvement of Erigeron breviscapus were been described. Some messures would be come forward, Such as developed the genetic reasearch, germplasm resources and breeding of E. breviscapus. Also it must be reasearch the biological basis, seed-breeding technology and some critical cultivation technique of E. breviscapus.

Progresses on pharmacological and toxicological effects of Dengzhanxixin injection / 中国中药杂志

Dengzhanxixin injection is extracted from herbs of Erigeron breviscapusis. Its function includes activate blood, dispel stasis, unblock the collaterals and relieve pain. In clinical, it is widely used for static blood obstruction, wind-stroke and hemiplegia, numbness of limbs, deviated eyes and mouth, dysphasia, chest impediment, heart pain, ischemic stroke, coronary heart disease, and angina pectoris with the pattern mentioned above. In this paper, we planed to review the pharmacological and toxicological effects of Dengzhanxixin injection from relevant studies.

Caffeic acid ester fraction from Erigeron breviscapus inhibits microglial activation and provides neuroprotection / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of caffeic acid ester fraction (Caf) from Erigeron breviscapus, mainly composed of dicaffeoylquinic acids (diCQAs), on microglial activation in vitro and focal cerebral ischemia in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in rat primary cultured microglia were measured by Griess reaction or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell viability of cortical neurons was measured using AlamarBlue reagent. The behavioral tests and the infarct area of brain were used to evaluate the damage to central nervous system in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of cerebral ischemia. Real time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA in ischemic cerebral tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Caf inhibited the production of NO, TNF-α and IL-1β induced by LPS treatment in primary microglia in a dose-dependent manner. Exposure of cortical neurons to conditioned medium from Caf-treated microglia increased neuronal cell viability (P<0.01) compared with conditioned medium from LPS-treated alone. In MCAO rat model of cerebral ischemia, Caf could significantly improve neurobehavioural performance and reduce percentage infarct volume compared with the vehicle group (P<0.05). Caf could also significantly inhibit the up-regulation of iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β gene expressions in ischemic cerebral tissues.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Caf could suppress microglial activation, which may be one mechanism of its neuroprotective effect against ischemia.</p>

Chemical constituents from herbs of Erigeron breviscapus / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents from herbs of Erigeron breviscapus.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated and purified by various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Twelve compounds were isolated and structurally identified as quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (1), 5, 7-dihydroxychromone (2), 3-O-caffeoyl-gamma-quinide (3), naringenin (4), 3, 5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (6), 4, 5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (7), 1,3-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (8), 1, 5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (9), 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (10), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (11) and chlorogenic acid (12).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1-4 were isolated from this plant for the first time.</p>

Post-marketed re-evaluation of fleabane injection and Dengzhan Shengmai capsule study on treatment in patients with ischemic stroke / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To verify the efficacy and safety of post-marketed fleabane injection combined with Dengzhan Shengmai capsules in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A multicentre, prospective, practical, randomized controlled study was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of Dengzhan group (n = 343) and western medicine group (n = 335), appling "clinical study central stochastic system". The treatment of Dengzhan group is using fleabane injection in acute stage and Dengzhan Shengmai capsules in convalescence. The primary indexes of effect evaluation are the important outcome events in 360 days' follow-up, including mortality, recurrence, disability and quality of life to reflect the effect of clinical study. The indexes of safety evaluation involve laboratory examination results and incidence of adverse events.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After 360 days' follow-up, 4 people died of IS in Dengzhan group, and the mortality rate of which is 1.17%, while 16 died in Western medicine group (WM group), and the mortality rate is 4.78%, suggesting that the mortality rate of Dengzhan group is significantly lower than WM group (P<0.05). Eleven cases recurred in Dengzhan group, and the recurrence rate of which is 3.21%, while 12 recurred in WM group, and the recurrence rate is 3.59%, indicating that the recurrence rate of Dengzhan group is slightly lower than WM group. The disability rate of Dengzhan group is 39.53%, among which the rate of severely disabled cases are 1.49%, while the disability rate of WM group is 40.13%, among which the rate of severely disabled cases are 3.13%, suggesting that the disability rate of Dengzhan group is lower and the severity of disability is also lighter than WM group. In the field of quality of life, the activity ability and the upper limb function store of stroke patients in Dengzhan group improved far much better than WM group (P<0.05). Analysis of safety suggested that, adverse events occurred in 11 cases in Dengzhan group, among which 4 cases is related with the drug treatment, the incidence of adverse events of which is 1.17%, and the main manifestations involve fever and chilling, rash, nausea, dizziness, palpitation, etc. which were all appeared after the treatment of fleabane injection, and disappeared 1 to 2 days after drug withdrawal. 13 cases occurred abnormal liver function and 2 cases abnormal kidney function in Dengzhan group. According to the judgment of clinical physicians, 3 case of ALT abnormality is possibly related to the treatment, the others are all unrelated with the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fleabane injection and Dengzhan Shengmai capsules are all safe and effective TCM in the treatment of ischemic stroke.</p>

Effects of Scutellarin on MUC5AC Mucin Production Induced by Human Neutrophil Elastase or Interleukin 13 on Airway Epithelial Cells

Scutellarin is a flavonoid extracted from a traditional Chinese herb, Erigeron breviscapus. The present study investigated the effect of scutellarin on MUC5AC mucin production and the possible mechanism. Human bronchial epithelial 16 (HBE16) cells were pretreated with scutellarin for 60 min, and then exposed to human neutrophil elastase (HNE) or interleukin (IL)-13 for 12 hr. RT-PCR and ELISA were performed to measure the amount of MUC5AC mucin production. The results showed that scutellarin inhibited MUC5AC expression both in mRNA and protein level induced by HNE in a concentration-dependent manner. However, scutellarin failed to inhibit MUC5AC mucin production induced by IL-13. To investigate the intracellular mechanisms associated with the effect of scutellarin on MUC5AC mucin production, western blotting was carried out to examine the phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC), signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). The phosphorylation of PKC and ERK1/2 was attenuated after treatment with scutellarin, whereas STAT6 was not significantly affected. Therefore, it is suggested that scutellarin down-regulates MUC5AC mucin production on HBE16 cells via ERK-dependent and PKC-dependent pathways.