Isolation and purification of polysaccharides from Bupleurum marginatum Wall.ex DC and their anti-liver fibrosis activities.

Bupleurum marginatum Wall.ex DC [Apiaceae] (BM)is widely grown in southwestern China, and the whole plant is used as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Polysaccharides are main natural products in lots of TCM and have been studied for their effects of reducing oxidative stress, anti-inflammation and immune regulation. Herein, we investigated the extraction techniques of Bupleurum marginatum Wall.ex DC polysaccharides (BMP), the identification of their key components, and their ability to inhibit liver fibrosis in both cellular and animal models. Component identification indicated that monosaccharides in BMP mainly consisted of glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose, arabinose, and xylose. In vivo analysis revealed that BMP provided significant protective effects on N-Nitroso dimethylamine (NDMA)-induced liver fibrosis rats through reducing hepatomegaly, reducing tissue inflammation, and reducing collagen deposition. BMP also improved the hepatobiliary system and liver metabolism in accord to reduce the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, r-GT, and TBIL. In addition, BMP could reduce the level of inflammation and fibrosis through inhibition of IL-1ß and TGF-ß1. Cellular studies showed that the BMP could provide therapeutic effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cellular fibrosis model, and could reduce the level of inflammation and fibrosis by decreasing the level of TGF-ß1, IL-1ß, and TNF-α. Our study demonstrated that BMP may provide a new therapy strategy of liver injury and liver fibrosis.

Multi-omics reveal the effects and regulatory mechanism of dietary neutral detergent fiber supplementation on carcass characteristics, amino acid profiles, and meat quality of finishing pigs.

This study aimed to reveal the effects and regulatory mechanism of dietary NDF on the performance of pigs by multi-omics analysis. Results showed that 16 % dietary NDF significantly improved meat quality, increased flavor amino acid content, and reduced backfat thickness and the feed-to-gain ratio. 16S rDNA sequencing showed that 16 % NDF significantly increased the abundance of Akkermansia, Lachnoclostridium, and Ruminococcus. Transcript analysis showed that genes related to muscle development and lipid metabolism were significantly modified. Metabonomic analysis showed that 16 % NDF significantly increased amino and fatty acid related metabolites. Correlation analysis suggested that 16 % NDF treatment may alter the gut microbiota and metabolites, regulate the expression of genes related to lipid and amino metabolism, and ultimately affect the flavor and performance of pigs. This study provides a novel understanding about the effect and regulatory mechanism of NDF supplements on the finishing pigs and a relevant reference for the improvement of diet formulation.

The total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides L. improve depression-like behavior in mice via BDNF-mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Depression has become a global public health problem and the development of new highly effective, low-toxicity antidepressants is imminent. Sophora alopecuroides L. is a common medicinal plant, which has therapeutic effect on central nervous system diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, the antidepressant effect of total alkaloids (ALK) isolated from Sophora alopecuroides L. was explored and the mechanism was further elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A primary neuronal injury model was established in vitro by corticosterone. ICR mice were then selected to construct an in vivo model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression, and the ameliorative effects of ALK on depression were examined by various behavioral tests. The antidepressant molecular mechanism of ALK was subsequently revealed by ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and Golgi staining. RESULTS: BDNF secretion as well as TrkB and ERK phosphorylated protein levels were found to be improved in primary cortical neurons, along with improved dendritic complexity of neurons. The results of in vivo showed that the depression-like behavior of CUMS-induced mice was reversed after 2 weeks of continuous gavage administration of ALK, and the neurotransmitter levels in the plasma of mice were increased. Moreover, the expression levels of key proteins of BDNF-AKT-mTOR pathway and the complexity of neuronal dendrites were improved in the prefrontal cortex of mice. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that ALK of Sophora alopecuroides L. can effectively improve the depressive phenotype of mice, possibly by promoting the expression of BDNF in prefrontal cortex, activating the downstream AKT/mTOR signal pathway, and ultimately enhancing neuronal dendritic complexity.

Comprehensive Analysis of Secondary Metabolites of Four Medicinal Thyme Species Used in Folk Medicine and Their Antioxidant Activities In Vitro.

Thyme is a colloquial term for number of aromatic species belonging to the genus Thymus L., known for their expressed biological activities and therefore used worldwide for seasoning and in folk medicine. In the present paper, the content of the total polyphenols (TP), total flavonoids (TF), and antioxidant capacity were assessed in the extracts of four traditionally used thyme species. Moreover, a comprehensive metabolomic study of thyme bioactive compounds was performed, and the obtained data were processed using multivariate statistical tests. The results clearly demonstrated the positive correlation between the content of the TP, TF, and antioxidant activity, and TF was more significant than TP. The findings revealed that four selected thyme species contained 528 secondary metabolites, including 289 flavonoids and 146 phenolic acids. Thymus marschallianus had a higher concentration of active ingredients, which improve its antioxidant capacity. Differentially accumulated metabolites were formed by complex pathways such as flavonoid, flavone, flavonol, isoflavonoid, and anthocyanin biosynthesis. Correlation analysis showed that 59 metabolites (including 28 flavonoids, 18 phenolic acids, and 7 terpenoid compounds) were significantly correlated with obtained values of the antioxidant capacity. The results suggested that selected thyme species exhibit a great diversity in antioxidant-related components, whereas flavonoids may be responsible for the high antioxidant capacity of all studied thyme species. The present study greatly expands our understanding of the complex phytochemical profiles and related applications of selected medicinal plants.

Shikonin inhibited glycolysis and sensitized cisplatin treatment in non-small cell lung cancer cells via the exosomal pyruvate kinase M2 pathway.

The active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicine comfrey is shikonin, a naphthoquinone compound. The focus of this study was to investigate the effect of shikonin on the proliferation, invasion, migration, and chemoresistance of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, and to explore its underlying molecular biological mechanisms. The results show that shikonin inhibited the viability, proliferation, invasion, and migration of NSCLC cells A549 and PC9, and induced apoptosis. As the inhibitor of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), a key enzyme in glycolysis, shikonin inhibited glucose uptake and the production of lactate, the final metabolite of aerobic glycolysis. In vivo chemotherapeutic assay showed that shikonin reduced the tumor volume and weight in NSCLC mice model and increased the sensitivity to cisplatin chemotherapy. Histoimmunology experiments showed the combination of shikonin and cisplatin downregulated the expression of PKM2 and its transcriptionally regulated downstream gene glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) in tumor tissue. In an assessment of glucose metabolism, micro-PET/CT data showed a combination of shikonin and cisplatin inhibited the fluorodeoxy glucose (18F-FDG) uptake into tumor. Since exosomal PKM2 affected the sensitivity to cisplatin in NSCLC cells, we also demonstrated shikonin could inhibit exosome secretion and exosomal PKM2 through the administration of exosomal inhibitor GW4869. Furthermore, shikonin sensitized cisplatin treatment by reducing the extracellular secretion of exosomal PKM2. In conclusion, we suggest that shikonin not only inhibits PKM2 intracellularly but also reduces glycolytic flux and increases cisplatin sensitivity through the exosomal pathway.

Purification, characterization, and determination of biological activities of water-soluble polysaccharides from Mahonia bealei.

Mahonia bealei is one of the important members of the genus Mahonia and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Several compounds isolated from this plant have exhibited useful biological activities. Polysaccharides, an important biomacromolecule have been underexplored in case of M. bealei. In this study, hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation were used for the extraction of polysaccharides from the stem of M. bealei, and then extract was purified using ultrafiltration membrane at 50,000 Da cut off value. Characterization of the purified M. bealei polysaccharide (MBP) was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), along with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray crystallography XRD analysis and Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The purified polysaccharide MBP was tested for antioxidant potential by determining its reducing power, besides determining the DPPH, ABTS, superoxide radical, and hydroxyl radical scavenging along with ferrous ion chelating activities. An increased antioxidant activity of the polysaccharide was reported with increase in concentration (0.5 to 5 mg/ml) for all the parameters. Antimicrobial potential was determined against gram positive and gram-negative bacteria. 20 µg/ml MBP was found appropriate with 12 h incubation period against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis bacteria. We conclude that polysaccharides from M. bealei possess potential ability of biological importance; however, more studies are required for elucidation of their structure and useful activities.

High dimensionality of stoichiometric niches in soil fauna.

The ecological niche is a fundamental concept to understand species' coexistence in natural communities. The recently developed framework of the multidimensional stoichiometric niche (MSN) characterizes species' niches using chemical elements in living organisms. Despite the fact that living organisms are composed of multiple elements, stoichiometric studies have so far mostly focused on carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), and therefore a quantitative analysis of the dimensionality of the MSN in living organisms is still lacking, particularly for animals. Here we quantified 10 elements composing the biomass of nine soil animal taxa (958 individuals) from three trophic groups. We found that all 10 elements exhibited large variation among taxa, which was partially explained by their phylogeny. Overlaps of MSNs among the nine soil animal taxa were relatively smaller based on 10 elements, compared with those based on only C, N, and P. Discriminant analysis using all 10 elements successfully differentiated among the nine taxa (accuracy: 90%), whereas that using only C, N, and P resulted in a lower accuracy (60%). Our findings provide new evidence for MSN differentiation in soil fauna and demonstrate the high dimensionality of organismal stoichiometric niches beyond C, N, and P.

Rational design, synthesis and activities of phenanthrene derivatives against hepatic fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is a dynamic and highly integrated pathological process resulting from repeated liver injury healing accompanied by inflammation and extracellular matrix deposition. Treatment is necessary at the early stage of reversible liver fibrosis to prevent further deterioration to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, the inhibition of liver fibrosis are mainly focused on prevention the activation of hepatic stellate cells and inhibition of inflammatory pathways involved in liver fibrosis. Previous research in our lab found that natural phenanthrenes derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine Baiyangjie could inhibit liver fibrosis through inhibiting TGF-ß1, TNF-α and promoting the secretion of MMP-9. Herein, in order to optimize the structure of phenanthrenes to maximize their anti-fibrosis activities, a series of phenanthrene derivatives were designed and synthesized in an expeditious manner. Their ability to inhibit LPS-initiated cellular liver fibrosis in HSC-T6 cells were examined and the results indicated that compounds A-1 and B-1 provided the best cellular anti-fibrosis activities. Further studies implied that they inhibited the LPS-initiated cellular liver fibrosis through inhibition the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1ß, TGF-ß1 and α-SMA. From these data, a picture emerges wherein a novel idea using phenanthrenes A-1 and B-1 as potential candidates to treat liver fibrosis for further animal studies.

Acupoint catgut embedding for chronic low back pain: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) effective and safe for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) is not yet known. This systematic review will objectively and systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of ACE in CLBP according to the existing evidence. METHODS: The protocol of this systematic review and meta-analyses has been registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42019142256. The following electronic databases from inception to November 29, 2022 will be searched: PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Data and Chinese Science Journal Database. Randomised controlled clinical(RCTs) using ACE to treat CLBP will be included. Outcomes will include pain intensity, instrument with assessment function and disability, quality-of-life, and costs. Adverse events will be reported for safety assessment. By screening the titles, abstracts, and full texts, two independent reviewers will select studies, extract data, and assess study quality. Data synthesis, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and risk of bias assessment will be conducted using RevmanV.5.3 software. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system will be used to assess the quality ofthe evidence. RESULTS: The efficacy and safety of ACE in the treatment of CLBP has not yet been determined. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will objectively and systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of ACE in CLBP according to the existing evidence, which can give high level clinical recommendations to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.

Syringa microphylla Diels: A comprehensive review of its phytochemical, pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological characteristics and an investigation into its potential health benefits.

BACKGROUND: Syringa microphylla Diels is a plant in the family Syringa Linn. For hundreds of years, its flowers and leaves have been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of cough, inflammation, colds, sore throat, acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, early liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, and oesophageal cancer. PURPOSE: For the first time, we have comprehensively reviewed information on Syringa microphylla Diels that is not included in the Pharmacopoeia, clarified the pharmacological mechanisms of Syringa microphylla Diels and its active ingredients from a molecular biology perspective, compiled in vivo and in vitro animal experimental data and clinical data, and summarized the toxicology and pharmacokinetics of Syringa microphylla Diels. The progress in toxicology research is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the development of new drugs from Syringa microphylla Diels, a natural source of compounds that are potentially beneficial to human health. METHODS: The PubMed, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science, SciFinder Scholar and Thomson Reuters databases were utilized to conduct a comprehensive search of published literature as of July 2021 to find original literature related to Syringa microphylla Diels and its active ingredients. RESULTS: To date, 72 compounds have been isolated and identified from Syringa microphylla Diels, and oleuropein, verbascoside, isoacteoside, echinacoside, forsythoside B, and eleutheroside B are the main active components. These compounds have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, and their safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated in long-term traditional applications. Molecular pharmacology experiments have indicated that the active ingredients of Syringa microphylla Diels exert their pharmacological effects in various ways, primarily by reducing oxidative stress damage via Nrf2/ARE pathway regulation, regulating inflammatory factors and inducing apoptosis through the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive review of Syringa microphylla Diels provides new insights into the correlations among molecular mechanisms, the importance of toxicology and pharmacokinetics, and potential ways to address the limitations of current research. As Syringa microphylla Diels is a natural low-toxicity botanical medicine, it is worthy of development and utilization and is an excellent choice for treating various diseases.

Purple acid phosphatase 10c encodes a major acid phosphatase that regulates plant growth under phosphate-deficient conditions in rice.

Whilst constitutive overexpression of particular acid phosphatases (APases) can increase utilization of extracellular organic phosphate, negative effects are frequently observed in these transgenic plants under conditions of inorganic phosphate (Pi) sufficiency. In this study, we identified rice purple acid phosphatase 10c (OsPAP10c) as being a novel and major APase that exhibits activities associated both with the root surface and with secretion. Two constructs were used to generate the OsPAP10c-overexpression plants by driving its coding sequence with either a ubiquitin promoter (UP) or the OsPAP10c-native promoter (NP). Compared with the UP transgenic plants, lower expression levels and APase activities were observed in the NP plants. However, the UP and NP plants both showed a similar ability to degrade extracellular ATP and both promoted root growth. The growth performance and yield of the NP transgenic plants were better than the wild-type and UP plants in both hydroponic and field experiments irrespective of the level of Pi supply. Overexpression of APase by its native promoter therefore provides a potential way to improve crop production that might avoid increased APase activity in untargeted tissues and its inhibition of the growth of transgenic plants.

A novel compound heterozygous KCNJ1 gene mutation presenting as late-onset Bartter syndrome: Case report.

RATIONALE: Bartter syndrome is an autosomal-recessive inherited disease in which patients present with hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. We present 1 case with Bartter syndrome, due to a novel compound heterozygous mutation in the KCNJ1 gene encoding the ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. PATIENT CONCERNS: A patient was admitted to our hospital because of weakness, polyuria, and polydipsia. At presentation to our hospital, the female Chinese patient was 34 years old and her physical examination was normal. Laboratory studies revealed hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypercalciuria, hyperparathyroidemia, and hyper-reninemia. In addition, urinary potassium was obviously higher. Computer tomography scan confirmed the patient had the bilateral medullary nephrocalcinosis. DIAGNOSIS: Blood samples were received from the patient and her parents, and deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted. The genetic analysis of SLC12A1, SLC12A3, KCNJ1, CLCNKB, BSND, and CASR was performed. The compound heterozygous KCNJ1 gene mutation was validated using conventional Sanger sequencing methods. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with potassium supplementation. Her blood and urine chemistries improved over the next week. Serum potassium normalized with improvement in polyuria and polydipsia over the next month. OUTCOMES: Our patient was compound heterozygous for Thr234Ile and Thr71Met in the KCNJ1 gene. The c.701C>T variant predicted a change from a threonine codon to an isoleucine codon (p.Thr234Ile). The c.212C>T variant predicted a change from a threonine codon to a methionine codon (p.Thr71Met). The unaffected mother was heterozygous for the Thr234Ile mutation, whereas unaffected father was heterozygous for the Thr71Met mutation. LESSONS: The phenotypes of the patient were similar to other patients with Bartter syndrome. The phenotypes of the patient could eventually be explained by the presence of the novel compound heterozygous p.Thr234Ile/p.Thr71Met variants in the KCNJ1 gene.

In vitro susceptibility test of Xiao'er Feire Kechuan Oral Solution to Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of antibiotics and Xiao'er Feire Kechuan Oral Solution on Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) clinical isolates.Twenty clinical isolates containing A-to-G transition at position 2063 and 10 clinical isolates without mutations in 23S rRNA V regions were randomly selected. The international standard strain FH was chosen as control strain. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of macrolide, quinolones, tetracycline, and Xiao'er Feire Kechuan Oral Solution to MP clinical isolates were performed using broth microdilution method.In vitro antibiotic susceptibility test of MP clinical isolates showed that MP showed high resistance to macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin and azithromycin); MIC of both were more than 64 µg/mL. The MICs of erythromycin and azithromycin for clinical isolates without mutations in 23S rRNA V regions were ≤0.5 µg/mL. The MICs of tetracycline and levofloxacin for all clinical isolated strains were ≤2.0 µg/mL and ≤1.0 µg/mL, respectively. The MIC of Xiao'er Feire Kechuan Oral Solution was 13.828∼6.914 mg/mL.In vitro, the drug resistance of MP to macrolide antibiotics is higher, MP clinical isolates are sensitive to tetracycline and levofloxacin, and Xiao'er Feire Kechuan Oral Solution also has a certain inhibitory effect on the macrolide-resistant MP.

Lignans from Isatis indigotica roots and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production.

Seventeen lignans (1-17) were obtained from the roots of Isatis indigotica (I. indigotica). Among them, isatindigosesquilignans A-C (1-3) were deduced as three undescribed sesquilignans, which possess unusual carbon skeleton of aryltetralin unit connected with a C6-C3 moiety via a five-membered ring of C-3-C-8″-C-7″-O-C-4. Isatindigosesquilignans B and C were determined as the first examples of its glycosides from a natural source and a plausible biosynthetic pathway was proposed. Moreover, all of the isolated lignans were assayed regarding their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells and compounds 1, 2 and 7 showed inhibitory effects with IC50 values ranging from 19.46 µM to 64.82 µM.

Enhanced removal of sediment-associated total petroleum hydrocarbons under bioturbation by polychaete perinereis aibuhitensis.

Bioturbation processes could influence the physical, chemical and biological properties of aquatic sediments and improve the mineralization of organic matter in sediment. The influence of bioturbation by polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis on the removal of sediment-associated total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) was evaluated through laboratory experiment with P. aibuhitensis cultured in crude oil contaminated coastal sediment. After 60 days, the TPH concentrations in the sediments were significantly decreased compared to the initial concentrations, in which the TPH concentrations in bioturbation experiments (with worms) were significantly lower than those in control experiments (without worms) for both low (1.48 ± 0.19g/kg dry wt) and high (2.67 ± 0.33 g/kg dry wt) TPH-contaminated groups, indicating bioturbation enhanced the removal of TPH in sediment. The TPH removal rates in high TPH group were significantly lower than those in low TPH group, suggested that petroleum pollution inhibited the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediment. However, the stimulation efficiency was higher in high TPH group than that in low TPH group, which may be the result of enhanced hydrocarbon's bioavailability by digestive fluid during gut transit.

Triple-Modal Imaging-Guided Chemo-Photothermal Synergistic Therapy for Breast Cancer with Magnetically Targeted Phase-Shifted Nanoparticles.

Current nanodrug-based cancer therapy is susceptible to the problems of rapid clearance from circulation and limited therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we report a magnetically targeted and photothermal-triggered drug release nanotheranostics system based on superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4), IR780, doxorubicin (DOX), and perfluoropentane (PFP) entrapped poly-lactide- co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles (IR780/Fe3O4@PLGA/PFP/DOX NPs) for triple-modal imaging-guided synergistic therapy of breast cancer. In this work, IR780 and Fe3O4 convert light into heat, which triggers DOX release from IR780/Fe3O4@PLGA/PFP/DOX NPs and a phase-shift thermoelastic expansion of PFP; this procedure further accelerates the DOX release and tissue extrusion deformation. Fe3O4 NPs also serve as the target moiety by an external magnet directed to the tumor. Specifically, the IR780/Fe3O4@PLGA/PFP/DOX NPs can be used for triple-modal imaging, including near infrared fluorescence, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound. Furthermore, the antitumor therapy studies reveal the extraordinary performance of IR780/Fe3O4@PLGA/PFP/DOX NPs in magnetically targeted synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy of cancer. Therefore, the multifunctional IR780/Fe3O4@PLGA/PFP/DOX NPs guided by the magnetic field show a great potential for cancer theranostics.

Calcitriol attenuates cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in a murine model of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex reproductive and metabolic disorder affecting 10 % of reproductive-aged women, and is well associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. However, there are few data concerning the direct association of PCOS with cardiac pathologies. The present study aims to investigate the changes in cardiac structure, function, and cardiomyocyte survival in a PCOS model, and explore the possible effect of calcitriol administration on these changes. PCOS was induced in C57BL/6J female mice by chronic dihydrotestosterone administration, as evidenced by irregular estrous cycles, obesity and dyslipidemia. PCOS mice progressively developed cardiac abnormalities including cardiac hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, myocardial apoptosis, and cardiac dysfunction. Conversely, concomitant administration of calcitriol significantly attenuated cardiac remodeling and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and improved cardiac function. Molecular analysis revealed that the beneficial effect of calcitriol was associated with normalized autophagy function by increasing phosphorylation levels of AMP-activated protein kinase and inhibiting phosphorylation levels of mammalian target of rapamycin complex. Our findings provide the first evidence for the presence of cardiac remodeling in a PCOS model, and vitamin D supplementation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of PCOS-related cardiac remodeling.

[Analysis and Identification of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis Harvested From Different Producing Areas by FTIR Spectroscopy].

The accurate identification of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which collected from different producing areas is important for its quality control and clinical effects. In the present study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with second derivative spectra were used to identify and analyze H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis from different producing areas. The characteristic absorption peaks, including 2 925, 2 854, 1 743, 1 541 and 1 173 cm-1 belonging to fatty acids, flavonoids and saccharides appear in all 20 samples. But the absorption peak intensities and locations varied due to the different geographical regions. The results also showed that the absorption peaks at the range of 3 429～3 336 and 1 744 cm-1 were important characteristic absorption peaks which can identify H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis from different producing areas. Also, absorption peaks at 1 030 and 1 516 cm-1 further confirmed the existence of flavonoids in all samples by comparing the second derivative infrared spectra in the range of 1 800～1 000 cm-1. However, the samples' differences can be intuitively found around peaks 1 711, 1 476 cm-1 and ranges from 1 689～1 515 and 1 400～1 175 cm-1. The results demonstrated that FTIR was a simple, convenient, fast and intuitive approach to identify and analyze H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis from different producing areas. This method provides foundations for the analysis of chemical compositions and quality control for the TCM.

Study on anti-osteosarcoma activity of ethanol extract of Venenum bufonis in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Venenum bufonis is the dried white secretion of the auricular and skin glands of Bufo gargarizans Cantor, or Bufo melanostictus Schneider, Bufonidae. It is used in the treatment of deep-rooted carbuncle, boils and swelling; pain in the throat, heart stroke, coma, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The objective of this paper is to preliminarily observe the effects of ethanol extract of Venenum bufonis on growth, and proliferation of human osteosarcoma U2OS cell lines, and to provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth study of the clinical application of Venenum bufonis for osteosarcoma inhibition, with its mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SRB assay was used to determine the effect of Venenum bufonis ethanol extract on U2OS cell line activity, and to detect its inhibitory dose-effect on osteosarcoma cells. FCM was applied to determine the effect of Venenum bufonis ethanol extract on U2OS cell apoptosis and to perform cell cycle analysis. RESULTS: As results, different Venenum bufonis ethanol extracts showed apparent concentration-effect relationships on U2OS cell lines. FCM analysis showed that it had a U2OS apoptosis promoting effect, which increased with increasing concentration. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the Venenum bufonis ethanol extract mainly arrested U2OS in the G0/G1 phase, preventing the cells from progressing to the S phase. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that Venenum bufonis ethanol extract has an inhibitory effect on proliferation of osteosarcoma U2OS cells.

Logistic regression analysis of damp-heat and cold-damp impeding syndrome of rheumatoid arthritis: a perspective in Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a method for quantitative differential diagnosis of damp-heat and cold-damp impeding syndrome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: Laboratory parameters were collected from 306 patients with RA. The clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters were compared between patients with these two syndromes (158 with RA of damp-heat impeding syndrome, and 148 with RA of cold-damp impeding syndrome), and a regression equation was established to facilitate discrimination of the two RA syndromes. RESULTS: There were significant differences in disease activity score in 28 joints [DAS28 (4)], erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet count (PLT), albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB) between the two syndrome of RA (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the parameters ESR, WBC, CRP, joint pyrexia, joint cold, thirst, sweating, aversion to wind and cold, and cold extremities were statistically useful to discriminate damp-heat from cold-damp impeding syndrome. The regression equation was as follows: P=1/{1+exp[-(3.0-0.021X (1)-0.196X (2)-0.163X (3)-1.559X (4)+1.504X (5)-0.927X (6)-1.039X (7)+1.070X (8)+1.330X (9))]}. The independent variables X (1)-X (9) were ESR, WBC, CRP, hot joint, cold joint, thirst, sweating, aversion to wind and cold, and cold limbs. A P value > 0.5 signified cold-damp impeding syndrome, and a P value < 0.5 signified damp-heat impeding syndrome. The accuracy was 90.2%. CONCLUSION: The regression equation may be useful for discriminating damp-heat from cold-damp impeding syndrome of RA.