Lianhuaqingwen exerts anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activity against novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

PURPOSE: Lianhuaqingwen (LH) as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula has been used to treat influenza and exerted broad-spectrum antiviral effects on a series of influenza viruses and immune regulatory effects Ding et al. (2017). The goal of this study is to demonstrate the antiviral activity of LH against the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus and its potential effect in regulating host immune response. METHODS: The antiviral activity of LH against SARS-CoV-2 was assessed in Vero E6 cells using CPE and plaque reduction assay. The effect of LH on virion morphology was visualized under transmission electron microscope. Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression levels upon SARS-CoV-2 infection in Huh-7 cells were measured by real-time quantitative PCR assays. RESULTS: LH significantly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cells and markedly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, CCL-2/MCP-1 and CXCL-10/IP-10) production at the mRNA levels. Furthermore, LH treatment resulted in abnormal particle morphology of virion in cells. CONCLUSIONS: LH significantly inhibits the SARS-COV-2 replication, affects virus morphology and exerts anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. These findings indicate that LH protects against the virus attack, making its use a novel strategy for controlling the COVID-19 disease.

Effects of Dendrobium huoshanense on expressions and activities of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450s in mice / 中国中药杂志

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of oral administration of Dendrobium huoshanense on the expressions and activities of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450s in mice, and to provide a reference for the evaluation of drug-drug interactions between D. huoshanense and clinical drugs. The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank control group, D. huoshanense low dose group (crude drug 1.25 g·kg⁻¹), D. huoshanense high dose group (crude drug 7.5 g·kg⁻¹), and phenobarbital positive control group (0.08 g·kg⁻¹). Each group was intragastrically administered with drugs for 2 weeks. The mice were sacrificed and their liver microsomes were prepared. The expressions of major subtypes of P450 enzyme were determined by Western blot and the probe drugs were used to detect the enzyme activities of P450 subtypes with protein expression changes. Western blot analysis showed that the protein expressions of CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP2B in liver tissues were up-regulated in D. huoshanense-treated group. In vitro enzyme activity tests showed that there were no significant difference in metabolism of 7-ethoxyresorufin (a probe drug for CYP1A1) and bupropion (a probe drug for CYP2B) between D. huoshanense group and control group. The metabolism of phenacetin (a probe drug for CYP1A2) showed a statistical difference in rate Vmax, and it was significantly increased by approximately 20% in D. huoshanense group as compared with the blank control group, and the clearance CLint in treated group was also increased by about 32%. Therefore, oral administration of D. huoshanense had no effects on the activities of most hepatic P450 enzymes in mice, with no drug-drug interaction related to the P450 enzyme system in most clinical drugs theoretically. However, oral administration of D. huoshanense may accelerate the metabolism of CYP1A2-catalyzed drugs, which needs to be considered in clinical practice.

Purification and cytotoxicity of glycoprotein isolated from Dendrobium huoshanense / 中国中药杂志

Dendrobium huoshanense is a rare traditional Chinese medicinal herb, and the anti-tumor activity of its polysaccharides is a research hotspot in traditional Chinese medicine resources domain. This study aims to explore the material basis for the anti-tumor activity of polysaccharide. D. huoshanense was used as raw material in the experiment, and the different protein components were obtained through low salt solution extraction and ammonium sulfate fractional precipitation. Then glycoprotein components were determined by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis staining, and were further isolated and purified by DEAE ion column and Sephadex gel column. At the same time, MTT assay was used in detecting the cytotoxicity of different products on HepG2 cells in vitro. As a result, three kinds of glycoprotein components RG1, RG2, RG3 with relative molecular mass of 22.5, 19.8, 15.6 kDa were gained, and the IC₅₀ of three compounds on human liver cancer cell HepG2 was 534.23 mg•L⁻¹, meanwhile IC₅₀ of single glycoprotein component RG1, RG2 was 432.96, 413.91 mg•L⁻¹ respectively, and glycoprotein component RG3 had no cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells. All in all, the experiment results suggested that two kinds of glycoproteins components with relative molecular mass of 22.5, 19.8 kDa may be one of the material basis for anti-tumor activity of D. huoshanense polysaccharide, and they had a synergistic effect.

[Acupressure and Evidence-Based Nursing].

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine approach to disease prevention and treatment that may be operated by nurses independently. Therefore, acupressure is being increasingly applied in clinical nursing practice and research. Recently, the implementation of evidence-based nursing (EBN) in clinical practice has been encouraged to promote nursing quality. Evidence-based nursing is a method-ology and process of implementation that applies the best-available evidence to clinical practice, which is acquired through the use of empirical nursing research. Therefore, in this paper, we address the topic of acupressure within the context of empirical nursing practice. We first introduce the current status of acupressure research and provide the locations of common acupoints in order to guide future empirical nursing research and to help nurses use these acupoints in clinical practice. Finally, we describe the steps that are necessary to apply the current empirical information on acupressure as well as provide suggestions to promote safety and efficacy in order to guide nurses in the accurate application of acupressure in nursing practice.

Diterpenoids from Scutellaria strigillosa / 中国中药杂志

By means of preparative HPTLC and column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, nine diterpenoids were isolated and purified from the whole plants of Scutellaria strigillosa. Based on the physico-chemical properties and spectral data, their structures were elucidated as: 6-O-acetyl-7-O-nicotinoylscutebarbatine G(1), 6-O-nicotinoyl-7-O-acetylscutebarbatine G(2), 6,7-di-O-nicotinoylscutebarbatine G(3), scutebarbatine K(4), scutebarbatine B(5), 6-O-acetylscutehenanine A(6), 6-O-nicotinoylbarba- tin A(7), 6,7-di-O-acetoxylbarbatin A(8), scutebarbatine F(9). Compound 1 is a new diterpenoid, and compounds 2-9 were isolated from Scutellaria strigillosa for the first time.

Studies on sesquiterpenes from Solanum septemlobum / 中国中药杂志

By means of preparative HPTLC and column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, ten sesquiterpenes were isolated and purified from the whole plants of Solanum septemlobum Bunge. Based on the physico-chemical properties and spectral data, their structures were elucidated and identified as: lyratol D(1), solajiangxin B(2), 1 ,2-dehydrocyperone(3), solanerianone A (4), dehydrocarissone(5), ligucyperonol(6), nardoeudesmol A(7), solajiangxin F(8), and lyratol B(9), solajiangxin D(10). For the first time, compounds 1-10 were isolated from Solanum septemlobum, and compounds 5-7 were obtained from the genus Solanum.

The reproductive toxicity of saponins isolated from Cortex Albiziae in female mice / 中国天然药物

Saponin frsom Cortex Albiziae (SCA) are extensively used in the clinical treatment of tumor and depression. However, SCA may cause several adverse effects, including reproductive toxicity. The present study was designed to assess the mechanism by which SCA cause reproductive toxicity in female mice. The general reproductive toxicity testing was accomplished in female Kunming mice. The animals were divided into four groups: three groups that were treated by oral gavage with 135, 270, and 540 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) of SCA prepared in physiological saline, respectively, and one vehicle control group that was treated with physiological saline only. The gestational toxicity tests were conducted at 540 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1). The general reproductive toxicity results showed that the pregnancy rate of the SCA-treated group decreased with the pregnancy rate being decreased by 70% at 540 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1). SCA elicited maternal toxicity in the ovary and the uterus, but no fetal toxicity or teratogenicity was observed. The rates of implantation in the early, middle, and late pregnancy were all decreased, with stillbirths and maternal deaths being observed. Histopathological changes showed that SCA adversely affected the ovary and the uterus. In conclusion, SCA-induced reproductive toxicity in female mice is most likely caused by its damage to the ovary and the uterus.

Sesquiterpenoids from Solanum lyratum / 中国中药杂志

Ten compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography over silica gel, preparative TLC, and Sephadex LH-20 from the whole plant of Solanum lyratum. The structures were elucidated on the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectral data as 1beta-hydroxy-1 ,2-dihydro-alpha-santonin (1) , boscialin (2) , blumenol C (3), 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(4), dehydrovomifoliol(5) , blumenol A(6), (1'S,2R,5S, 10R) -2-(1', 2'-dihydroxy-l1'-methylethyl) -6,10-dimethylspiro[4,5] dec-6-en-8-one(7) , (1'R,2R,5S,10R)-2-( 1',2'-dihydroxy-l '-methylethyl) -6,1 l0-dimethylspiro[4,5]dec-6-en-8-one( 8) , 2-(1',2'-dihydroxy-1 '-methylethyl) -6,1 0-dimethyl-9-hydroxyspiro [4,5] dec-6-en-8-one (9) , and grasshopper ketone (10). Compounds 1-10 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

BCQ-: a body constitution questionnaire to assess Yin-Xu. Part I: establishment of a provisional version through a Delphi process.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the individual differences are emphasized in personalized medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which prescribes tailored treatment based on each patient's different body constitution may provide new strategy to break the bottleneck of modern medicine (MM). Therefore, to integrate TCM into MM, an objective, reliable and rigorous diagnostic tool is necessary for the assessment of TCM constitution of each individual. This study aimed to develop a provisional version of the Yin-Xu Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ-), because evaluating the level of individual's Yin deficiency (Yin-Xu) by his manifestations is frequently involved in TCM clinical trials. METHODS: The provisional version of BCQ- was developed using a step-by-step approach: 1) to form the research team and select a panel of 26 experts who had both MM and TCM educational background and professional training for Delphi method; 2) to generate questionnaire items from literature review and Delphi process, refine these items to be colloquially acceptable, and evaluate their face and content validities by Delphi process again; 3) to evaluate the difficulty of answering these questions by a pilot study with 81 participants whose age ranged from 20 to 60 years. RESULTS: After 2 rounds of Delphi process, 22 colloquially appropriate questions were established and answered without difficulty by the 81 participants. CONCLUSIONS: This provisional version of BCQ- appeared to have considerable face and content validities and may be the basis to develop an advanced Yin-Xu questionnaire. The reliability and validity of BCQ- were further tested in the second part of the study.

BCQ-: A Body Constitution Questionnaire to assess Yin-Xu. Part II: evaluation of reliability and validity.

BACKGROUND: Based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory and guided by the principles of modern medicine (MM), we aimed to develop an effective and reliable diagnostic tool using self-reported data in order to assess the Yin-Xu body constitution. In this study, we further evaluated a provisional 22-item version of the Yin-Xu Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ-) previously derived from the Delphi process. METHODS: A total of 1,272 eligible participants aged between 20 and 60 years was recruited. The participants had received health examination in teaching hospitals and had not shown any disease onset in the prior month. The factor structure of the BCQ- was explored, and the reliability and validity of each derived factor (scale) were evaluated. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis revealed 5 factors corresponding to the manifestations of the diminishing Yin-Xu level in 5 different body areas: head, 4 limbs, gastrointestinal tract, body surface, and abdominal cavity. 3 items with low factor loading (<0.4) were dropped, resulting in a 19-item BCQ-. Cronbach's α ranged from 0.57 to 0.85, and the intra-class correlation coefficients were greater than 0.7 for most items. The diagnoses of Yin-Xu by both the BCQ- and experienced TCM doctors were consistent. The concurrent validity showed that higher Yin-Xu scores were associated with lower hemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS: The final BCQ- measures the Yin-Xu constitution of 5 different body areas. The questionnaire is a reliable, valid, and potentially useful instrument for evaluating the Yin-Xu constitution in clinical research and practice.

[Personal health maintenance: the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine].

The World Health Organization (WHO) is increasingly stressing the importance of living a healthy lifestyle in its health promotion work. Lifestyle is associated inextricably with ethnic and cultural mores. Traditional Chinese medicine is closely tied to traditional culture, with traditional Chinese medicine concepts accepted by and woven into the daily life of people living in Taiwan. Traditional Chinese medicine embodies comprehensive principles and methods for maintaining personal health in daily life, which helps prevent disease. Thus, traditional Chinese medicine encompasses and reflects daily life concepts advocated by the WHO and fits within the framework of WHO traditional medical policies. This article was written to introduce the principles of health promotion of daily life as advocated by traditional Chinese medicine, including regular daily activities (sleep, diet, defecation and exercise) and methods of preventing unhealthy environmental factors from negatively impacting human health. Health promotion principles and methods embodied in traditional Chinese medicine may serve as a reference for enhancing health promotion and policy development work of health institutions.

High-performance liquid chromatography for determination of psoralene, bergapten and apigenin in Ficus hirta Vahl / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based method for determining the contents of psoralene, bergapten and apigenin in Ficus hirta Vahl.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A Hypersil C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) was used with the mobile phase of methanol-water (60:40), flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, detection wavelength of 268.7 nm and column temperature of 30 degrees celsius.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The calibration curve was linear within the range of 10.0-30.0 µg/ml for psoralene (r=0.9998), 15.0-45.0 µg/ml for bergapten (r=0.9998) and 5.0-15.0 µg/ml for apigenin (r=0.9992). The average recovery of psoralene was 99.7% (RSD=1.99%), that of bergapten was 99.9% (RSD=1.71%) and that of apigenin was 100.3% (RSD=1.78%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method is simple, economic and accurate with good reproducibility for the contents of psoralene, bergapten and apigenin.</p>

BCQ+: a body constitution questionnaire to assess Yang-Xu. Part II: Evaluation of reliability and validity.

INTRODUCTION: Integrated medicine has become an important issue in this century. In order to bridge the gap between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern medicine, we have established a first final version of a Yang-Xu constitution questionnaire, the BCQ+, in a previous study. The objective of the present investigation is to assess the reliability and validity of the BCQ+. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A total of 1,310 eligible participants, aged between 20-60, no disease onset in the past month, who received health examination in teaching hospitals were recruited. The BCQ+ was developed and psychometrically evaluated to ascertain and validate the factor structure of the BCQ+. Furthermore, the reliability and validity of the BCQ+ were examined. RESULTS: 19 items from the BCQ+ were developed. Exploratory factor analysis identified 5 primary domains that represent the Yang-Xu constitution and correspond to the diminishing energy levels of 5 different body areas: head, chest, limbs, abdominal cavity, and body surface. Cronbach's alpha ranged between 0.55-0.88 and the intraclass correlation coefficients were >0.7 for most of the 19 questions. The diagnoses of Yang-Xu by the BCQ+ and an experienced TCM doctor were consistent. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was used as an indicator of concurrent validity of the BCQ+, and it was found that higher Yang-Xu scores were associated with a lower SBP. CONCLUSIONS: Five domains with 19 items in the BCQ+ were developed. The BCQ+ is a valid and potentially useful tool for evaluating the Yang-Xu constitution in clinical practice and research.

BCQ+: a body constitution questionnaire to assess Yang-Xu. Part I: establishment of a first final version through a Delphi process.

INTRODUCTION: Assessing an individual's level of Yang deficiency (Yang-Xu) by its manifestations is a frequent issue in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical trials. To this end, an objective, reliable and rigorous diagnostic tool is required. This study aimed to develop a first final version of the Yang-Xu Constitution Questionnaire. METHODS: We conducted 3 steps to develop such an objective measurement tool: 1) the research team was formed and a panel of 26 experts was selected for the Delphi process; 2) items for the questionnaire were generated by literature review and a Delphi process; items were reworded into colloquial questions; face and content validity of the items were evaluated through a Delphi process again; 3) the difficulty of the questionnaire was evaluated in a pilot study with 81 subjects aged 20-60 years. RESULTS: The literature review retrieved 35 relevant items which matched the definition of 'constitution' and 'Yang-Xu'. After a first Delphi process, 22 items were retained and translated into colloquial questions. According to the second part of the Delphi process, the content validity index of each of the 22 questions ranged between 0.85-1. These 22 questions were evaluated by 81 subjects, 2 questions that were hard to tell the difference were combined; 3 questions were modified after the research team had discussed the participants' feedback. Finally, the questionnaire was established with 21 questions. CONCLUSIONS: This first final version of a questionnaire to assess Yang-Xu constitution with considerable face and content validity may serve as a basis to develop an advanced Yang-Xu questionnaire.

Antitumor and immune-modulating effects of Scutellaria barbata extract in mice bearing hepatocarcinoma H22 cells-derived tumor / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Scutellaria barbata extract (ESB) in suppressing tumor growth and modulating the immune functions in mice bearing tumors derived from hepatocarcinoma H22 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty mice inoculated subcutaneously with H22 cells were equally divided into the model group, high-, moderate-, and low-dose ESB groups, and 5-Fu group, with corresponding treatments for 10 days. Another 10 mice with only saline injection served as the normal control group. The body weight, tumor mass, thymus index and spleen index of the mice were measured, and the lymphocyte proliferation activity, NK cell activity and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by the splenocytes were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Moderate- and high-dose ESB significantly suppressed the tumor growth with tumor inhibition rate of 28.68% and 36.98%, respectively. ESB treatment at moderate and high doses significantly increased the thymus index and spleen index (P < 0.01), which were decreased significantly in 5-Fu group. The lymphocyte proliferation activity, NK cell activity and IL-2 production by the splenocytes were significantly lower in the model group than in the normal group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, ESB at the high dose obviously increased the three indexes above mentioned. The NK cell activity was also significantly improved in moderate-dose ESB group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ESB can suppress the growth of H22 implant tumor and enhance the immune function of the tumor-bearing mice.</p>

The effect of immunofecal occult blood teat on colorectal cancer screening / 中华内科杂志

Objective To discuss the clinical value of immunofecal occult blood test in screening of colorectal cancer and its precancerous lesions in a large series of health checkup population. Methods Colorectal cancer and its precancerous lesions in 5919 subjects undergoing health checkup in our hospital were screened out by using immunofecal occult blood test from July 2006 to June 2007; positive cases with the test were subjected to colorectal endoscopy or X-ray barium enema examination. Relevant results were analyzed in combination with clinical and pathological data. Results Positive result was obtained in 314 out of the 5919 subjects undergoing health checkup with immunofecal occult blood test; the positive rate was 5.30%. 241 cases(76.75% )of them accepted colorectal endoscopic examination and 23 cases(7.32%) accepted X-ray barium enema examination. The total follow up rate was 84.08% with 50 cases out of contact. After excluding the cases out of cantact, 16 cases of colorectal cancer were found morbidity 2.37‰ including 8(50.00% )cases of Dukes A,7 cases (43.75%)of Dukes B and 1 case of Dukes C (6 .25%).The detection rate of colorectal cancer with postive imunofecal occult blood test was 6.06% (16/264). 94 cases (16.01‰) of adenomatous polyps were found including 55 cases (58.51%) of tubular adenoma, 23 cases (24.47% )of villiform- tubular adenoma and 16 cases(17.02%) of villfform adenoma. Among these cases 55 (58.51%)were solitary and 39(41.49%) multiple. In addition, 6 cases of ulcerative colitis in active phase were found. Altogether 116 (43.94%)of the 264 cases with positive immunofecal blood test and not out of contact were found to have colorectal cancer or its precancerous lesions. Conclusion Immunofecal occult blood test is suitable for screening of colorectal cancer and its precancerous lesions in large series of population. Colorectal cancer and its precancerous lesions may be found in relatively early phase and be eradicated in curable stage, thus to reduce the morbidity and mortality.

Correlativity of the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc with the area location of image / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the correlativity of the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with traction on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc with the three-dimensional location.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the three-dimensional location developed by HU You-gu, the position of the prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc in the spinal canal was located from the sagittal plain, frontal plain and horizontal plain. One hundred and thirty patients with prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc and completion of clinical data were treated with acupuncture, and the therapeutic effects were analyzed with three-dimensional location.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 98 cases in the effective group, 73 cases had the prolapse at the I plane in sagittal location, accounting for 74.49%, 82 cases had the prolapse at the 1, 2 zone in horizontal location, accounting for 83.68%, 52 cases had the prolapse at the a area in frontal location, accounting for 53.06%; among the 32 cases in the ineffective group, 10 cases had the prolapse at the I plane, accounting for 31.25%, 12 cases in the 1, 2 zone, accounting for 37.50%, 3 cases in the a area, accounting for 9.38%. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the location.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The three-dimensional location can objectively show the size, direction, position, and the characteristics of the protruded discs, and correctly infer the pathological changes of the affected nerve root. Acupuncture combined with tract has a better effect on I plane, 1-2 zone, and a area.</p>

Studies on the flavonoids in stem of Rhododendron anthopogonoide II / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To further investigate the flavonoids of Rhododendron anthopogonoide.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated and purified by Sephadex LH-20, polyamide and silica gel column chromatography. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six compounds were isolated and identified as: taxifolin (I), guaijaverin (II), reynoutrin (III), quercitrin (IV), polystachoside (V) and quercetin-4'-O-beta-D-galactoside (VI).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For the first time, compound VI was separated from Ericaceae plant, compounds II and V were isolated from Rhododendron plant, and compounds I and II were obtained from this plant.</p>

[SARS prevention and nursing in traditional Chinese medicine].

This study adopts the concept of the three levels of prevention from traditional Chinese medicine to discuss Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) prevention and nursing. The emphasis in traditional Chinese medicine is on primary and tertiary prevention. The study presents nursing interventions based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including daily care, diets, massage care, exercise, and Chinese psychosocial care. This course of interventions is designed for the consideration of nurses caring for SARS patients and to bolster their ability to fight the disease.

Studies on the flavonoid compounds of Rhododendron anthopogonoides / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the flavonoid constituents of the Rhododendron anthopogonoides systematically.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical components were isolated by sephadex LH-20, polyamide and silica gel column chromatography. The chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physic-chemical properties and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Eight compounds were isolated and identified as: Quercetin (I), isorhamnetin (II), hyperoside (III), cacticin (IV), hirsutine (V), kaemferol-3-beta-D-galactoside (VI) myricetin-3-beta-D-Xyloside (VII), (6''-O-(4-Hydroxybenzoyl) hyperoside (VIII).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds II, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII were obtained from this plant for the first time. Compounds VII and VIII were separated from the Ericaceae plant for the first time.</p>