Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on major cardiovascular outcomes: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies and randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly used as a lipid-lowering agent or dietary supplement for the purpose of prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, even large-scale clinical trials have not shown significant results demonstrating clear clinical benefits in cardiovascular diseases. Thus, this umbrella review aims to summarize and evaluate the evidence of clinical effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes through comprehensive analyses of previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational cohort studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted relevant publication search in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. We retrieved and analyzed 3,298 articles published until August 28th, 2019. RESULTS: We identified 29 relevant articles and analyzed 83 meta-analyses of RCTs or cohort studies therefrom. As a result, we identified 12 cardiovascular outcomes that are related to omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. Among them, total mortality from major cardiovascular causes (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.98) had significant inverse associations, and moreover, statistical significances were maintained even in subgroup analysis of large-scale RCTs including more than 1,000 patients (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Our umbrella review study shows that omega-3 fatty acids supplementation have a clinical benefit in reducing mortality from cardiovascular causes. However, many studies still have shown conflicting results, and therefore, further studies will be needed to verify the clinical benefit of omega-3 supplementation.

Rubi Fructus (Rubus coreanus) activates the expression of thermogenic genes in vivo and in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-obesity effect of Rubi Fructus (RF) extract using brown adipose tissue (BAT) and primary brown preadipocytes in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 J mice (n=5 per group) were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks with or without RF. Brown preadipocytes from the interscapular BAT of mice (age, post-natal days 1-3) were cultured with differentiation media (DM) including isobutylmethylxanthine, dexamethasone, T3, indomethacin and insulin with or without RF. RESULTS: In HFD-induced obese C57BL/6 J mice, long-term RF treatment significantly reduced weight gain as well as the weights of the white adipose tissue, liver and spleen. Serum levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also reduced in the HFD group which received RF treatment. Furthermore, RF induced thermogenic-, adipogenic- and mitochondria-related gene expressions in BAT. In primary brown adipocytes, RF effectively stimulated the expressions of thermogenic- and mitochondria-related genes. In addition, to examine whether LIPIN1, a regulator of adipocyte differentiation, is regulated by RF, Lipin1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and RF were pretreated in primary brown adipocytes. Pretreatment with Lipin1 siRNA and RF downregulated the DM-induced expression levels of thermogenic- and mitochondria-related genes. Moreover, RF markedly upregulated AMP-activated protein kinase. Our study shows that RF is capable of stimulating the differentiation of brown adipocytes through the modulation of thermogenic genes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that RF prevents the development of obesity in mice fed with a HFD and that it is also capable of stimulating the differentiation of brown adipocytes through the modulation of thermogenic genes, which suggests that RF has potential as a therapeutic application for the treatment or prevention of obesity.

Acupuncture modulates the neuro-endocrine-immune network.

As a nonspecific physical stimulation, the effect of acupuncture on diseases is produced by motivating the inherent regulatory system in the body, having the characteristics of whole regulation, dual directional regulation, etc. Modern scientific researches show that body's inherent regulatory system is neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) network. Hence, we speculate that the regulatory effect of acupuncture may be produced through its regulation of NEI network. In this article, we reviewed the recent researches about acupuncture's effect on the NEI network, to find out the evidence of acupuncture adjusting NEI network and provide some evidences for revealing the mechanism of acupuncture.

Current status of standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion in China.

With the wide-spread and application of acupuncture and moxibustion, the demand of its standardization construction is increasingly prominent. On the basis of further investigation into the standards of acupuncture and moxibustion in China, this article summarize the research status of Chinese standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion, analyse some problems existing in current construction of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization, and put forward several strategies for moving forward, in order to show an overall and objective understanding of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces biocellatus on Agastache rugosa in Korea.

Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Kuntze, known as Korean mint, is an aromatic plant in the Lamiaceae. It is widely distributed in East Asian countries and is used as a Chinese traditional medicine. In Korea, fresh leaves are commonly added to fish soups and stews (3). In November 2008, several dozen Korean mints plants growing outdoors in Gimhae City, Korea, were found to be severely infected with a powdery mildew. The same symptoms had been observed in Korean mint plots in Busan and Miryang cities from 2008 to 2013. Symptoms first appeared as thin white colonies, which subsequently developed into abundant hyphal growth on stems and both sides of the leaves. Severe disease pressure caused withering and senescence of the leaves. Voucher specimens (n = 5) were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Appressoria on the mycelium were nipple-shaped or nearly absent. Conidiophores were 105 to 188 × 10 to 13 µm and produced 2 to 4 immature conidia in chains with a sinuate outline, followed by 2 to 3 cells. Foot-cells of the conidiophores were straight, cylindrical, slightly constricted at the base, and 37 to 58 µm long. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid to barrel-shaped, measured 25 to 40 × 15 to 23 µm (length/width ratio = 1.4 to 2.1), lacked distinct fibrosin bodies, and showed reticulate wrinkling of the outer walls. Primary conidia were obconically rounded at the apex and subtruncate at the base. Germ tubes were produced at the perihilar position of conidia. No chasmothecia were observed. The structures described above were typical of the Oidium subgenus Reticuloidium anamorph of the genus Golovinomyces. The measurements and morphological characteristics were compatible with those of G. biocellatus (Ehrenb.) V.P. Heluta (1). To confirm the identification, molecular analysis of the sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of isolate KUS-F27200 was conducted. The complete ITS rDNA sequence was amplified using primers ITS5 and P3 (4). The resulting 514-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KJ585415). A GenBank BLAST search of the Korean isolate sequence showed >99% similarity with the ITS sequence of many G. biocellatus isolates on plants in the Lamiaceae (e.g., Accession Nos. AB307669, AB769437, and JQ340358). Pathogenicity was confirmed by gently pressing diseased leaf onto leaves of five healthy, potted Korean mint plants. Five non-inoculated plants served as a control treatment. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 7 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on inoculated plants was identical morphologically to that observed on the original diseased plants. The pathogenicity test was repeated with identical results. A powdery mildew on A. rugosa caused by G. biocellatus was reported from Romania (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by G. biocellatus on A. rugosa in Korea. The plant is mostly grown using organic farming methods with limited chemical control options. Therefore, alternative control measures should be considered. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No. 11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., online publication, USDA ARS, retrieved 17 February 2014. (3) T. H. Kim et al. J. Sci. Food Agric. 81:569, 2001. (4) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 113:117, 2009.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces sonchicola on Ixeris chinensis in Korea.

Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai, known as Chinese ixeris, is distributed from Siberia to Japan, including Korea, Taiwan, and China. The whole plant has been used in folk medicine in Asia (4). In Korea, the plants of Chinese ixeris have been gathered and used as a wild root vegetable. During summer to autumn of 2011, Chinese ixeris leaves were found to be heavily infected with a powdery mildew in several locations of Korea. Symptoms first appeared as thin white colonies, which subsequently developed into abundant hyphal growth on both sides of the leaves, leading to drying of the leaves. The same symptoms on Chinese ixeris leaves were continuously observed in 2012 and 2013. Voucher specimens (n = 10) were deposited at Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Hyphal appressoria were moderately lobed or nipple-shaped. Conidiophores arose from the lateral part of the hyphae, measured 100 to 270 × 10 to 12.5 µm, and produced 2 to 6 immature conidia in chains with a sinuate outline. Basal parts of foot-cells in conidiophores were curved. Conidia were barrel-shaped to ellipsoid, measured 26 to 36 × 13 to 19 µm (length/width ratio = 1.7 to 2.4), lacked fibrosin bodies, and showed reticulate wrinkling of the outer walls. Primary conidia were ovate with conical-obtuse apex and subtruncate base. Germ tubes were produced on the perihilar position of conidia. Chasmothecia were not observed. The morphological characteristics were typical of the Euoidium type anamorph of the genus Golovinomyces, and the fungus measurements and structures were consistent with those of G. sonchicola U. Braun & R.T.A. Cook (1). To confirm the identification, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA sequences from a representative material (KUS-F26212) was amplified using primers ITS5/P3 and sequenced (3). The resulting 416-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KF819857). A GenBank BLAST search revealed that the isolate showed >99% sequence similarity with those of G. cichoracearum from Sonchus spp. (e.g., AB453762, AF011296, JQ010848, etc.). G. sonchicola is currently confined to G. cichoracearum s. lat. on Sonchus spp., based on molecular sequence analyses (1). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing a diseased leaf onto leaves of five healthy potted Chinese ixeris. Five non-inoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 6 days, whereas the controls remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was identical morphologically to that originally observed on diseased plants. Powdery mildew infections of I. chinensis associated with Golovinomyces have been known in China (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew disease caused by G. sonchicola on I. chinensis in Korea. Farming of Chinese ixeris has recently started on a commercial scale in Korea. Though no statistical data are available, we postulate the cultivation area in Korea to be approximately 200 ha, mostly growing without chemical controls. Occurrence of powdery mildews poses a potential threat to safe production of this vegetable, especially in organic farming. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No.11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (2) F. L. Tai. Bull. Chinese Bot. Sci. 2:16, 1936. (3) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 113:117, 2009. (4) S. J. Zhang et al. J. Nat. Prod. 69:1425, 2006.

Prediction of newly developed acute renal failure using serum phosphorus concentrations after living-donor liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study investigated the predictive role of serum phosphorus concentration for acute renal failure (ARF), defined by the Risk Injury Failure Loss End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) criteria, after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: Perioperative factors, including serum phosphorus concentrations, in LDLT recipients without pre-existing renal dysfunction were retrospectively analysed and compared between patients with or without post-LDLT ARF. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients out of 350 (12.9%) met the RIFLE ARF criteria and experienced significantly higher postoperative mortality, longer intensive care unit stay and more frequent graft dysfunction than those patients without post-LDLT ARF. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that a serum phosphorus concentration ≥ 4.5 mg/dl on postoperative day 1 (relative risk [RR] 5.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.56, 11.03), a preoperative model for end-stage liver disease score 20 points (RR 4.17, 95% CI 2.04, 8.52), and packed red blood cell transfusion 10 units (RR 2.55, 95% CI 1.13, 5.88) were independent risk factors for post-LDLT ARF. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperphosphataemia on postoperative day 1 could be an early and simple indicator of ARF occurrence after LDLT.

Anti-inflammatory effect of jeongshintang through suppression of p38 activation in human astrocytoma, U373MG cells.

Jeongshintang (JST) is a Korean herbal prescription, which has been successfully used for cerebral diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of JST on Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of JST in attenuating the inflammatory response induced by interleukin (IL)-1beta plus beta-amyloid [1-42] fragment (A beta) in the human astrocyte cell line, U373MG. The production of IL-6, IL-8, and prostaglandin (PG)E2 was significantly increased by IL-1beta plus A beta (1-42) in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). JST significantly inhibited the IL-1beta plus A beta (1-42)-induced IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 production at 24 h (P < 0.05). Maximal inhibition rate of IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 production by JST was about 54.40%, 56.01%, and 44.06% respectively. JST (0.01-1 mg/ml) also attenuated the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and activation of p38 MAPK induced by IL-1beta and A beta (1-42). These results demonstrated that JST has an anti-inflammatory effect, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.

Solanum nigrum produces nitric oxide via nuclear factor-kappaB activation in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an antitumour molecule produced in activated macrophages and Solanum nigrum is a plant used in oriental medicine to treat tumours. In this study using mouse peritoneal macrophages, we have examined the mechanism by which Solanum nigrum regulates NO production. When Solanum nigrum was used in combination with 20 U/ml of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma), there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production. The increase in NO synthesis was reflected as an increased amount of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein. The production of NO from rIFN-gamma plus Solanum nigrum-stimulated peritoneal macrophages was decreased by treatment with N-monomethyl-L-arginine or N-tosyl-Phe chloromethyl ketone, an iNOS inhibitor. Additionally, the increased production of NO from rIFN-gamma plus Solanum nigrum-stimulated cells was almost completely inhibited by pretreatment with 100 micromol/l of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). Furthermore, Solanum nigrum increased activation of NF-kappaB. These findings suggest that Solanum nigrum increases the production of NO by rIFN-gamma-primed macrophages and NF-kappaB plays a critical role in mediating these effects.

Biological conversion of wood hydrolysate to succinic acid by Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens.

Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens grew on a minimal salts medium containing wood hydrolysate (equivalent to 27 g glucose l(-1)) and, when supplemented with 10 g corn steep liquor l(-1) as a complex nitrogen source, succinic acid at 24 g l(-1) was obtained (yield = 88% w/w glucose). This may therefore be an economical method to produce succinic acid.

Daeganghwal-tang inhibits the stem cell factor-induced migration and inflammatory cytokines secretion in mast cells.

Traditional Oriental medicinal prescription, Daeganghwal-tang (DGHT) has been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Korea. However, its effect in experimental models remains unknown. Recent reports suggest that in patients with RA, synovial mast cells increase in number and show signs of activation and inflammatory cytokines secretion. Our results show that stem cell factor (SCF) is a potent chemotactic factor for the mast cells in vitro. The chemotactic response to SCF was blocked by DGHT. When DGHT (1mg/ml) was added, the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 was inhibited by 60.1, 81.8, 72.5%, respectively in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells. In addition, the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in HMC-1 cells was inhibited by DGHT (1mg/ml). These findings indicate that DGHT inhibits SCF-induced migration and PMA plus calcium ionophore-stimulated inflammatory cytokines secretion in mast cells.

Novel findings in inhibition of mast cell-dependent immediate-type cutaneous reactions by Gahmi-Shini-San.

This report describes an inhibitory effect of Gahmi-Shini-San (GSS) on mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions. GSS is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been successfully used in Korea for the treatment of allergic disorders, mainly skin anaphylactic diseases. GSS inhibited the ear swelling response induced by intradermal injection of compound 48/80 in a mouse model on a concentration-dependent basis. The mast cells in mouse ear tissue were stained by alcian blue/nuclear fast red. GSS significantly inhibited the compound 48/80-induced degranulation from mast cells in ear tissue. GSS dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells by compound 48/80. We also studied the effect of GSS on mast cell-dependent passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by dinitrophenyl IgE antibody. GSS showed inhibition of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis following oral administration. These results indicated that GSS has inhibitory effect on mast cell-dependent immediate type cutaneous reactions.

Changes in external ear resonance after ventilation tube (Grommet) insertion in children with otitis media with effusion.

OBJECTIVE: As otitis media with effusion is common in children, the effects of a ventilation tube should be taken into account in the prescription of hearing aids for children. In ears with a ventilation tube, the external auditory canal communicates directly with the middle ear space, and so the impedance of the middle ear may change. Consequently, this will affect external-ear resonance. The aim of this study is to observe the effects of the tympanic membrane perforations caused by the ventilation tube on external-ear resonance. We selected 30 ears with otitis media with effusion to measure external-ear resonance before and after ventilation tube insertion. We compared the external-ear resonance of a control group with that of the otitis media with the effusion group and two types of ventilation-tube groups, respectively. In the subjects who have otitis media with effusion, the average gain of the peak resonance was larger than that in the control group. After ventilation-tube insertion, the amplitude of the gain decreased to the same level as the control group, but a characteristic negative gain appeared around 1000 Hz in about half of all cases. This negative gain was observed more frequently in the ventilation tube with a larger diameter. The raised peak resonance gain in the otitis media with effusion group decreased to a level roughly the same as that of the control group after ventilation-tube insertion. Provision of an additional gain in the low frequencies around 1000 Hz should be considered for patients with a ventilation tube when prescribing hearing aids.

Are there any links between Hop Japanese pollen and other weed pollens or food allergens on skin prick tests?

Recent investigations suggest that the importance of Hop Japanese pollen, which has been known as one of the major causative weed pollens, is increasing in this country. There have been few data dealing with the allergenic relationship between Hop J pollen and other food or inhalant allergens. Among 2909 patients who visited the Allergy Clinic of Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea, 471 patients sensitized to Hop J, mugwort, or ragweed pollens on skin-prick test were enrolled. Positive rates to common inhalant or food allergens and their allergenic relationships with other pollens or food allergens were analyzed based upon skin-prick test results. The positive rates to sunflower, fat hen, nettle, grass (Bermuda, Orchard) and tree (alder, birch, and poplar) pollen were significantly higher in those sensitized to Hop J pollen than in those of negative responders (p < 0.05, respectively). No significant associations were noted with ragweed or mugwort pollen (p > 0.05, respectively). In regard to food-related allergens, an association was noted between Hop (Humulus lupulus) or celery allergens in those sensitized to Hop J pollen (p < 0.05, respectively). Hop J pollen may have possible links with celery, Hop, and sunflower pollens on skin-prick test. Further in vitro investigations will be needed to evaluate the possibility of cross-reacting components between them.

Identification of Rab6 as an N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein-binding protein.

In this study we show the interaction of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) with a small GTP-binding protein, Rab6. NSF is an ATPase involved in the vesicular transport within eukaryotic cells. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we have isolated new NSF-binding proteins from the rat lung cDNA library. One of them was Rab6, which is involved in the vesicular transport within the Golgi and trans-Golgi network as a Ras-like GTPase. We demonstrated that the N-terminal domain of NSF interacted with the C-terminal domain of Rab6, and these proteins were co-immunoprecipitated from the rat brain extract. This interaction was maintained preferentially in the presence of hydrolysable ATP. Recombinant NSF-His(6) can also bind to C-terminal Rab6-glutathione S-transferase under the conditions to allow the ATP hydrolysis. Surprisingly, Rab6 stimulates the ATPase activity of NSF by approx. 2-fold as does alpha-soluble NSF attachment protein receptor. Anti-Rab6 polyclonal antibodies significantly inhibited the Rab6-stimulated ATPase activity of NSF. Furthermore, we found that Rab3 and Rab4 can also associate with NSF and stimulate its ATPase activity. Taken together, we propose a model in which Rab can form an ATP hydrolysis-regulated complex with NSF, and function as a signalling molecule to deliver the signal of vesicle fusion through the interaction with NSF.

The antihypertensive effect of the berberine derivative 6-protoberberine in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid found in plants of the Ranunculaceae and Berberidaceae families. Extracts from berberine-containing plants have been used as traditional Chinese folk remedies for centuries. The antihypertensive effects of the berberine derivative 6-protoberberine (PTB-6) were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). In conscious SHRs, PTB-6 lowered the systolic blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner (6-PTB: 5 mg/kg, -31.1 +/- 1.6 mm Hg; 10 mg/kg, -42.4 +/- 3.1 mm Hg). Cardiac output using the thermodilution method was reduced in PTB-6-treated anesthetized SHRs with a tendency to decrease in heart rate. Injection of PTB-6 into the intracerebral ventricles of SHRs lowered the systolic arterial blood pressure and heart rate. The berberine derivative PTB-6 is an effective antihypertensive agent. The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of PTB-6 is probably through a central sympatholytic effect.

Characterization of a novel mouse cDNA, ES18, involved in apoptotic cell death of T-cells.

Using the modified screening approach in combination with expressed sequence tags, we have identified several novel cDNAs from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, whose expression is tissue-restricted and/or developmentally regulated. One of the cDNAs, ES18, is preferentially expressed in lymph node and thymus, and contains noteworthy features of transcriptional regulator. The expression of ES18 transcript was selectively regulated during the apoptosis of T-cell thymoma S49.1 induced by several stimuli. Interestingly, the ES18 transcript was differently regulated in the mutually antagonistic process, between dexamethasone- and A23187-induced cell death of T-cells. Moreover, the message level of ES18 was selectively enhanced by staurosporine, a broad protein kinase inhibitor, but not by other protein kinase inhibitors such as GF109203X and H89. In addition, ES18 transcript was induced by C2-ceramide, which is a mediator of both dexamethasone- and staurosporine-induced apoptotic signaling. We further showed that transient overexpression of ES18 in mouse T-cell lymphoma increased the apoptotic cell death. These data suggest that ES18 may be selectively involved in specific apoptotic processes in mouse T-cells.

Effect of Syzygium aromaticum extract on immediate hypersensitivity in rats.

We investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. et Perry (Myrtaceae) flower bud (SAFB) on immediate hypersensitivity. SAFB inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis in rats (IC50 = 31.25 mg/kg, i.p.). SAFB also inhibited local immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction (IC50 = 17.78 mg/kg, i.v.; IC50 = 19.81 mg/kg, p.o.). When SAFB was pretreated at concentrations ranging from 25 to 1000 mg/kg, the serum histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SAFB dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) by compound 48/80 or anti-dinitrophenyl IgE. When SAFB was added, the level of cAMP in RPMC transiently and significantly increased about 47-fold at 10 s compared with that of basal cells. These results indicate that SAFB inhibits immediate hypersensitivity by inhibition of histamine release from mast cells in vivo and in vitro.

Structures of Flavamine and Flavadine from Aconitum flavum.

Two new diterpenoid alkaloids, flavamine ( 1) and flavadine ( 2), were isolated from the roots of ACONITUM FLAVUM Hand-Mazz. The structures were established on the bases of spectral analyses and chemical correlations with napelline ( 3) and lucidusculine ( 4), respectively.

Alkaloids of Lycoris guangxiensis1.

A new alkaloid, N-allylnorgalanthamine ( 1), was isolated from the bulbs of LYCORIS GUANGXIENSIS Y. Hsu et Q. J. Fan (Amaryllidaceae). Additionally, seven known alkaloids, lycorine, narwedine, galanthamine, lycoramine, crinine, norgalanthamine, and pseudolycorine were also obtained. The structure of 1 was established through the interpretation of spectral data.