Herbal Textual Research on Polygonati Rhizoma and Ethnic Usage / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Polygonati Rhizoma was first recorded in Mingyi Bielu（《名医别录》） as both medicine and food due to its high edible and medicinal values.However，there is no systematic textual research on its use as medicine and food. Polygonati Rhizoma and Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma show similar morphology，so they are often confused.Clematis apiifolia and Polygonatum odoratum are often regarded as the original plants of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma. By reviewing the related records in Chinese herbal books of the past dynasties，this paper aimed to clarify the relationship between Polygonati Rhizoma，C.apiifolia and P.odoratum，trace the historical evolution of Polygonati Rhizoma as medicine and food from the name，harvesting and processing，property，flavor and meridian tropism，efficacy and indications，edible and medicinal records，and contraindications，and summarize its application in ethnic medicine，in order to inherit and develop the ethnic medicine. The findings demonstrated that the name of Polygonati Rhizoma and its synonyms were derived from its pictogram，function，and place of origin，containing a wealth of myth implication and Taoism thought.Polygonati Rhizoma，C.apiifolia and P.odoratum are three species，different from the conclusions in previous textual research. The seedlings，flowers，seeds，and rhizomes of Polygonati Rhizoma all could be used for edible and medicinal purposes，with its edible records exceeding the medicinal records. There were 22 medical books from the ethnic minority groups such as The Annals of National Medicine in Yunnan，Zhongguo Minzu Yaozhi Yao，and Dictionary of Chinese Ethnic Medicine recording the knowledge and application of 12 species in Polygonatum by 26 ethnic minorities.Due to their different living environments，lifestyles，and cultural customs，ethnic minorities have formed their unique medical cultures.

Medicinal Textual Research of Tsaoko Fructus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Tsaoko Fructus is a type of food with the homology of medicine and food，and has a long history of cultivation and application in China. With the deepening of the development and utilization of Tsaoko Fructus，its economic value has appeared obviously，and relevant industries have great potential，with an important role in poverty alleviation in mountainous areas. However，the plants source of Tsaoko Fructus are confused in the process of actual production and resource utilization，and there is a lack of systematic report about the origin of varieties and medicinal history. The paper focused on a textual research for its names，plant sources，changes of the genuine producing areas and traditional efficacy through consulting the herbal works and the analysis of modern literature. The results showed that the medicine of Tsaoko Fructus was first recorded in ancient literatures of the Song dynasty，and there were many aliases and synonyms of the herb， with a great difference between ancient and modern times. In modern records，the medicinal alias names such as Hongcaoguo，Tucaoguo，Caoguoren are similar with the Chinese name of Caoguo，but they are not the same kind of plant and shall be distinguished. In the Ming dynasty，variety and source of the herb was complicated，and it was often recorded as the same class of medicinal materials with Amomi Fructus Rotundus and Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen，until it was listed as a class of medicinal material and distinguished from confounding medicines in the Qing Dynasty. The prescriptions containing Tsaoko Fructus include Caoguoyin，Caoguosan，Caoguowan，Caoguoshushui. Tsaoko Fructus could be used as medicine with peel or only kernel according to different diseases，and mainly processed with water or wine. In addition，there are other processing methods，such as frying，salt-processing， ginger- processing，simmering flour. Ancient literatures have basically the same records on properties，efficacies and indications of Tsaoko Fructus，considering it was warm in nature with the effect in relieving vomiting，eliminating food，intercepting malaria，expelling phlegm. This study provided a theoretical basis for its origin，quality control and resource development and utilization.

The ABCG2 mRNA Synthesized in vitro Promoted Uric Acid Excretion in Mice / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Hyperuricemia is a chronic metabolic disease caused by the accumulation of uric acid in the body caused by purine metabolism disorder. In recent years, the incidence of hyperuricemia has increased and the age of onset is showing a younger trend. Finding effective therapeutic targets and treatment methods is a hot spot of current research. The urate transporter ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) is mainly expressed in the kidney and promotes uric acid excretion. In this study, ABCG2 mRNA was synthesized in vitro and transfected into hyperuricemia model mice to observe its effect on mouse uric acid levels. Firstly, the DNA template of ABCG2 mRNA was chemically synthesized, and then transcribed into mRNA in vitro, followed by modification and transfection into mouse TCMK-1 renal tubular epithelial cells. Finally, the protein expression in the cells was detected by Western blot. The results showed that the amount of protein expression in TCMK-1 cells was positively correlated with the amount of transfected mRNA (P < 0. 01), indicating a successful transfection. In animal experiments, twenty-four SPF mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): control group, hyperuricemia model group, benzbromarone group [20 mg/(kg•d)] and mRNA group [2 mg/(kg•3d)]. The mice have been modeled and treated for 28 days. During this period, the body weight and growth status of the mice were monitored daily. After the treatment, the levels of serum uric acid, urine uric acid, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and liver xanthine oxidase were analyzed. The results showed that compared with the model group of mice, mRNA treatment can significantly reduce the levels of serum uric acid (100. 38 ± 10. 94), blood urea nitrogen (6. 30 ± 1. 10), and serum creatinine (30. 86 ± 5. 78, P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). It can also increase the level of urine uric acid (617. 48 ± 50. 34, P<0. 05) in mice and promote the excretion of uric acid. But it has no significant effect on the activity of xanthine oxidase (26. 19 ± 2. 58) in the liver. The pathological changes of mice kidney were observed by HE staining. The results showed that compared with mice in the model group, pathological damages such as renal tubular cell edema and inflammatory cell infiltration in the mRNA treatment group were significantly improved. The relative expression of mRNA in mice kidney was detected by qRT-PCR, and the protein expression of ABCG2 in mice kidney was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results showed that the relative expression of ABCG2 mRNA and its protein were significantly up-regulated in the kidney tissues of mice in the mRNA group (P < 0. 01), indicating that the transfection was successful in vivo. In conclusion, ABCG2 mRNA synthetized and modified in vitro can be successfully expressed in hyperuricemia mice and promote excretion of uric acid and other organic ions, as well as improvement of renal injury in mice. These results provide experimental basis for the clinical application of ABCG2 as a target for the treatment of hyperuricemia related diseases.

Research progress in chemical constituents in plants of Polygonatum and their pharmacological effects / 中国中药杂志

Polygonatum plants are perennial plants of Liliaceae. There are about 60 species reported at home and abroad,32 species in China,mainly distributed in the north temperate zone. Their main chemical components are steroidal saponins,polysaccharides,flavonoids,alkaloids,etc. They have anti-aging,anti-tumor,immunomodulation,antibacterial,antiviral,hypoglycemic and blood lipid effects. With the development of health industry,Polygonati Rhizome used as medicine and food has attracted great attention in recent years,and has become a research hotspot. However,the material basis of its efficacy is unclear and the product quality is uneven,which seriously limited the rapid upgrading of the industry. This review summarizes Polygonatum plants system classification,the chemical composition and pharmacological activity to provide theoretical basis for the development and utilization of Polygonatum plants.

Rapid prediction of the content of polyphyllin in various species of Paris by infrared spectrometry / 中国中药杂志

Polyphyllin is the main active constituent in Paris which was a traditional Chinese medicine. In order to evaluate the quality of Paris rapidly and ensure the efficacy in clinical therapy, we quantified the contents of polyphyllin Ⅰ, polyphyllin Ⅱ and polyphyllin Ⅶ using infrared spectroscopy with partial least squares regression(PLSR). The method for evaluating the quality of Paris was established. Infrared spectra of 78 samples from various species in different origins were collected. The contents of polyphyllin Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅶ were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The HPLC data were combined with the spectral data to predict the contents of three polyphyllin rapidly. Multiplicative signal correction(MSC), standard normal variate(SNV), orthogonal signal correction(OSC), first derivative and second derivative were utilized for the spectral preprocessing. Then, the optimized spectral data were used to establish the quantitative prediction model based on PLSR. The results showed that the best spectral pretreatment of polyphyllin Ⅰ and Ⅱ were MSC+OSC+2nd Der and that of polyphyllin Ⅶ was MSC+SNV+OSC+2nd Der. In the quantitative calibration model, the determination coefficients (R²) of polyphyllin Ⅰ, polyphyllin Ⅱ and polyphyllin Ⅶ were 0.930 8, 0.934 8 and 0.912 3, respectively while the Root mean square error of estimation(RMSEE) were 1.855 0, 0.632 3 and 0.001 6 mg•g⁻¹, respectively. In the verification model, the R² of polyphyllin Ⅰ, polyphyllin Ⅱ and polyphyllin Ⅶ were 0.948 8, 0.703 6 and 0.801 7, respectively, and the root mean square error of prediction(RMSEP)were 1.704 6, 1.227 8 and 0.002 0 mg•g⁻¹, respectively. Because of the predictive value of quantitative model was closed to the real value, the effect of the model was good. The model of polyphyllin Ⅰ and Ⅱ were better than that of polyphyllin Ⅶ. The developed method was non-destructive, fast, and accurate. It was feasible to determine the content of polyphyllin in Paris.

Yiqixue buganshen recipe regulates the expression of integrin ανβ3 in the endometrium of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Yiqixue Buganshen recipe(, YBR) on the expression of integrin ανβ3 in the endometrium of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 180 mice were divided into three groups: model group, treatment group and control group. The treatment and model groups were intraperitoneally injected with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue for 7 days; pregnant mare serum gonadotropin was also injected on the 7th day. After 48 h, human chorionic gonadotropin was injected. The control group was injected with an equal volume of saline at the same time. From the start of the experiment, the treatment group was intragastrically administered Jinghouzengzhi Recipe() and Cuhuangti Recipe(). The model group and the control group were intragastrically administered an equal volume of saline. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of integrin ανβ3 in mouse endometrium.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Integrin ανβ3 was expressed in mouse endometrium in all groups. Integrin αββ3 expression increased gradually along with pregnancy, progressing from pregnant day (Pd) 1. Integrin ανβ3 expression significantly increased on Pd 4, then began to decrease on Pd 6. Integrin ανβ3 expression in the treatment group was higher than in the model group, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). The difference between the treatment group and the control group was not statistically significant (P >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YBR improves endometrial receptivity, and may play an important role in embryonic implantation.</p>

Ecological stoichiometry and its application to medicinal plant resources / 中国中药杂志

Ecological stoichiometry is a study of the balance of biological system's energy and the balance of multiple chemical elements. It focuses on the relationship of the element ratio in ecological processes. In this paper, the concept and main theoretical basis of ecological stoichiometry were introduced, and the status of stoichiometry in medicinal plant resources was reviewed. According to the recent development of ecological stoichiometry, the future directions of ecological stoichiometry of medicinal plants could be the study of the relationship between stoichiometric characteristic and growth and secondary metabolism of medicinal plants, and the influence of biotic (or abiotic) factors on the stoichiometric characteristic of medicinal plants.

Effect of Chinese drugs for supplementing qi-blood and nourishing gan-shen on transforming growth factor beta1, and sex hormone levels in the follicle fluid of women during IVF-ET cycle / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Chinese drugs for supplementing qi-blood and nourishing Gan-Shen (CD) on transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF beta1) and sex hormone levels in the follicle fluid of women during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-six women undergoing IVF-ET were randomly assigned to two groups, 45 in the CD group and 41 in the control group. All received the standard regimen for promoting ovulation, but to women in the CD group, 1-week treatment of Cuhuangti Granule was administered during the period of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) down-regulation, and Jinghou Zengzhi Granule was given from time of ovulation promoting with Gn to the day of HCG administration. On the day of oocyte retrieval, TGFbeta1 was detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), estradiol (E2), progestone (P), and luteinizing hormone (LH) detected by radioimmunoassay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Follicle fluid contents of TGFbeta1 and LH in the CM group (3.25 +/- 1.11 pg/L and 0.89 +/- 0.45 IU/L) were obviously higher than those in the control group (2.21 +/- 1.08 pg/L and 0.57 +/- 0.42 IU/L, both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese drugs for supplementing qi-blood and nourishing Gan-Shen could significantly improve TGFbeta1 and LH levels in the follicle fluid of women, thus enhancing the embryo implantation rate.</p>

Effect of bushen zhuanggu granule on the gonadal hormone and blood lipid metabolism in climacteric women / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Bushen Zhuanggu Granule (BZG) on the gonadal hormone, blood lipids, serum level of nitric oxide (NO) and free oxygen radical (FOR) in climacteric women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Climacteric women were randomized according the digital table into the CM group (188 cases) and the WM group (189 cases). They were treated by BZG and Premarin plus Depogeston respectively for 2 years. The therapeutic effect on patients' symptoms and changes of blood lipids, gonadal hormones, NO, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 53 women in the CM group and 96 in the WM group dropping out in the 2-year follow-up period, the difference between them was significant (P < 0.01). The obvious and effective rates in the CM group were 36.30% (49/135), 82.96% (112/135), and in WM were 30.11% (28/93), 73.12% (68/93), the difference between the two group was significant (P < 0.05). The score of complaint was significantly lower in both groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the effect was more obvious in the CM group (P < 0.01). Effects on gonadal hormones and blood lipids were significantly improved in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05); comparison between groups showed the superiority of WM in increasing estrogen (P < 0.05), Blood levels of NO and SOD increased and MDA decreased in both groups after 1- and 2-year treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), showing no significant inter-group difference (P > 0.05). No evident adverse reaction was found in the routine tests on blood, urine and stool, hepatic and renal functions and electrocardiogram examined once every 6 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BZG can effectively restore the disordered indices of gonadal hormones, blood lipids, NO, and SOD in climacteric women, with the efficacy equivalent to the effect of hormone replacement therapy, but it is more safe and inexpensive.</p>