Bornyl acetate extracted from Sharen () inhibits proliferation, invasion and induces apoptosis by suppressing phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antitumor effects of bornyl acetate (BA) isolated from Sharen (Fructus Amomi) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: SW480 and HT29 cells were treated with increasing doses of BA in order to determine its antitumor effects in vitro. Cell viability, colony formation, cell cycle, and apoptosis as well as migration and invasion were assessed using various assays. In addition, the in vivo antitumor effects of BA were assessed using a xenograft mouse model. We then assessed the mechanism of action of BA by conducting pathway activator-mediated rescue experiments and assessed the protein levels by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: BA showed anti-CRC tumor activities in vitro by suppressing cell proliferation and colony formation, inducing apoptosis, blocking cell cycle, and inhibiting migration and invasion. These effects were mediated via suppression of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway. In the tumor xenograft experiment, BA was found to repress tumor growth in vivo with low toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that BA exerts antitumor effects by suppressing the PI3K/AKT pathway, with low toxicity. Thus, BA might be a potential novel therapeutic agent for CRC.

The influence of mindfulness cognitive therapy on the early maladaptive schema in patients with depression / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of mindfulness-base cognitive therapy (MBCT) in improving patients with depression, and to explore its effect on patients early maladaptive schemas (EMSs).Methods:Sixty patients with depressive disorder were included in the pre- and post-control design, and MBCT treatment was carried out for 8 weeks. The Hamilton depression scale-17 (HAMD-17), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), five facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ), and Young schema questionnaire-short form (YSQ-SF) were used for evaluation. The scores of the three time points were compared by one-way repeated measure ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis test. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to explore the relationship between the improvement degree of depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as the changes of mindfulness level and schema.Results:There were significant differences in the total scores of HAMD-17, HAMA and FFMQ at baseline((15.4±5.0), (21.0±9.6), (115.8±11.7)), 4 weeks after intervention((11.4±6.7), (15.9±10.1), (121.9±14.2)) and 8 weeks((11.0±6.2), (15.4±8.7), (122.6±15.5)) after intervention ( F=25.22, 20.95, 14.02, all P<0.01). Further pairwise comparison, compared with baseline, the total scores of HAMD-17 and HAMA in patients with depression decreased (all P<0.05), and the total scores of FFMQ increased (all P<0.05) in 8 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment.There were no significant differences in the total scores of HAMD-17, HAMA and FFMQ between 8 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment (all P>0.05). There were significant differences on the scores of the emotional deprivation, abandonment/instability, failure, vulner ability to harm or illness, enmeshment/undeveloped self, unrelenting standards/hypercriticalness, and entitlement/grandiosity subscales in the YSQ-SF( H=2.00-17.11, all P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that the FFMQ total score difference has a linear relationship with the HAMA total score difference ( β=-0.363). There was a linear relationship between the emotional deprivation scale score difference and the HAMD-17 total score difference ( β=-0.292). Dependence/incompetence and submission scale score difference showed a linear relationship with the HAMA total score difference ( β=0.334, 0.278). Conclusion:MBCT can improve the anxiety and depression symptoms of patients with depression, and the improvement of some EMSs may be the mechanism of MBCT in the treatment of depression.

Integrated TCM and Western Treatment Development of Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy / 中国中医药信息杂志

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) is the ciliary artery-circulatory disorders for the supply of optic nerve head area before the sieve plate prozone and sieve plate district, result in the insufficient blood supply of the optic nerve head and ischemia hypoxia, edema. Clinical manifestations of the type with non-artery inflammatory neuropathy and artery inflammatory neuropathy, which would both eventually lead to the irreversible damage to the optic nerve. In the early phase of AION, the main method is giving a glucocorticoids intravenous drip and a periglomerular injection (or retrobulbar injection) in time, but using the glucocorticoids for a long time or in quantity can cause a series of complications. Therefore, the combination of traditional Chinese and western medicine treatment of AION has become more and more significant in clinic.

Explore on treatment of eye disease by the Pang’s radix stellariae / 国际中医中药杂志

Pang Zanxiang was a famous ophthalmologist of Chinese medicine. Based on his family experience and combined with his clinical practice, he has written the book Clinical practice of ophthalmology in traditional Chinese medicine. In the book, the theory of stagnation of Qi and blood leading to disease was put forward, and radix stellariae was used most frequently in treating eye disease. From literature interview, we found that pang’s experience of radix stellariae in treating eye disease was its function of replenishing vital essence to improve eyesight.

Genetic relationship on several medicinal plants in Marsdenia from Yunnan in ISSR marker / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the genetic relationship of 9 Marsdenia species from Yunnan, especially the traditional Dai medicine "Dai Bai Jie" (M. auricularis).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Applying the inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers technology.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Twenty-five primers were screened out of 60 ISSR random primers and produced 391 bands totally, every primer produce 8-21 bands and the mean number was 15.6. The range of the GS (genetic similarity) value was 0.6675-0.8210. In 9 Marsdenia species, M. auricularis is a relative of M. tenacissima. M. balansae and M. officinalis have the closest genetic relationship.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is supported by ISSR that the M. auricularis which is sib species of M. tenacissima, and the folk medicine of Marsdenia are worthy deep investigation and study.</p>

Identification of microorganism from traditional Chinese medicine Massa Medicata Fermentata / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the yeast strains isolated from Massa Medicata Fermentata samples that sold in markets.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The strains were identified through conventional classification methods including colony characteristics, cell morphology, physiological and biochemical properties, as well as 26S rDNA sequence analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The isolated strains Y1, Y3, Y4, Y5 were Cryptococcus albidus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia kudriavzevii, Endomyces fibuliger, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>After fermentation the Massa Medicata Fermentata samples contained a variety of yeast species. Yeasts were the main contribution microorganism of the fermentation process.</p>

Influence of different processing techniques of massa medicata fermentata on their amylase activity / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To optimize different processing techniques of Massa Medicata Fermentata.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Single factor test was adopted, with the amylase activity of Massa Medicata Fermentata as the assessment indicator, to observe the influence of such factors as fermentation time and mixture techniques of active pharmaceutical ingredients on the amylase activity of Massa Medicata Fermentata. Meanwhile, Massa Medicata Fermentata prepared with the optimum processing techniques and superior and inferior products of Massa Medicata Fermentata in the market were compared in amylase activity, soluble starch content and soluble polysaccharide content.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The optimum fermentation time was 7 days. Adzuki bean shall be boiled before mixed with other materials. Artemisia annua, Polygonum hydropiper and Cocklebur grass shall be evenly mixed water decoction. The amylase activity, the soluble starch content and the soluble polysaccharide content of fermented Massa Medicata Fermentata could reach to 49.372 mg x min(-1) x g(-1), 7.967%, and 16.65% respectively, significantly higher than the two types of Massa Medicata Fermentata sold in the market.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>According to the optimum processing techniques, Adzuki beans were smashed and mixed equally with flour and Armeniacae Semen Amarum powder, and then successively added with A. annua, P. hydropiper and C. grass for even mixture. The fermentation time was 7 days.</p>

Investigation of Paris genus resources in Xishuangbanna / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the species, distributing and resource of Paris genus plants in Xishuangbanna area of Yunnan province.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Two steps, talking with the folk doctors and field survey, were employed to explore the resource status of Paris plants. Twenty six villages and towns, which are at an elevation of 500 m to 2000 m, were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A total of 214 specimens were collected and identified according to morphological characteristics. All investigated spots had Paris genus resources distribution but there always had a small Paris population less than 20. The Paris genus is an understory plants which lives always in a specific environment beside creek in hill valley and with many commensal plants such as bamboo and broadleaf. Three species of Paris, P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, P. polyphylla var. chinensis, and P. vietnamensis were collected and identified.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Paris genus resources declined rapidly in recent year, particular the P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. Developing the breeding and cultivation technologies and enhancing the resources protection are needed urgently.</p>

Effects of lead, copper and cadmium stresses on growth and inherent quality of Prunalla vulgaris / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Prunalla vulgaris was used as the experimental material to study the effects of lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) on the related physiological and growth indexes of the plant.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>By referencing the GAP and the soil environmental quality standard, the growth and inherent quality of the plant were observed under different concentrations of the heavy metals stresses. The data were statistically processed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The results showed that the plant grew normally when the heavy metal concentrations in soil were close to up limits of the soil environmental quality standard II. The content of heavy metal in spica met the requirement of the standard, and under the circumstances the content of ursolic acid was increased in a certain range. The critical values of Pb, Cu, Cd in the P. vulgaris grown soil were set at 450, 100, 1.0 mg x kg(-1), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The harmful influence of the heavy metal stress at a lower concentration is lighter than at a higher concentration, and it could increase the content of ursolic acid. The stress of Pb, Cu and Cd is more obvious than that of Zn.</p>

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of folate metabolism pathway genes in central chinese families with neural tube defects / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective To investigate the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)variation in folate metabolism pathway genes and its interaction with environmental risk factors to the etiology of NTD. Methods In 275 families from central China, a total of 278 aborted fetal tissues or blood samples were collected from NTD individuals, 478 maternal and/or paternal blood samples were also obtained as controls. Folate supplementation, maternal diabetes mellitus and medication before pregnancy and during the first trimester of pregnancy were investigated. SNP analyses of all samples were performed by CEQ 8800. Case-parent control study and transmission/disequilibrium tests (TDT) were performed according to environmental cofactors stratification to evaluated 28 SNP in 12 folate pathway genes associated with human NTD. Results Only gene MTHFR rs1801133 was significantly associated with NTD, and synergistic effects of environmental risk factors (no folate supplementation and maternal diabetes) were shown on the occurrence of NTD. Linkage disequilibrium between BHMT rs3733890 and NTD existed in case of no folate supplementation,whereas the genotype alone did not contribute to the etiology of NTD. Other SNP were not significantly associated with NTD. Conclusions MTHFR rs1801133 is a risk factor of NTD, but BHMT rs3733890 is not an independent risk factor. Further investigations in folate and methionine cycle genes are requird in larger scale to enclose the interactions between gene and gene, or gene and environmental factors.

Effects of Taurine-zinc on Blood-brain Barrier Permeability of Rats Exposed to Lead / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To explore the effects of taurine-zinc(TZC) on blood lead content and blood-brain barrier(BBB) permeability of growing rats exposed to lead.Methods Male SD rats aged 3 weeks were randomly divided into four groups(8 in each group):control group,lead exposure group,dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) group and TZC group.The exposure group treated with 0.12% lead acetate(0.2 ml/100 g body weight) by intraperitoneal injection,DMSA group and TZC group were treated with the same dose of lead acetate but were respectively supplemented with 5 mg/ml DMSA(2 ml/100 g body weight) by ig and 0.46 g/L TZC solution through drinking.Three weeks later,blood lead content was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy(AAS) and changes of BBB permeability were observed using lanthanum nitrate tracer method.Results Compared with the lead exposure group,the blood lead level in TZC group and DMSA group was significantly reduced(P

Study on Anti-HIV-1 Activity of Wuweilingqi Capsule in Vitro / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study the activity of Wuweilingqi capsule alone and the synergy with other anti-HIV-1 inhibitors against various HIV-1 isolates,and investigate its immunological impacts for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Method Wuweilingqi capsule was extracted from a traditional Chinese medicine recipe which contains 5 herbs,it showed anti-retroviral activity in vitro in the cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and T cell lines (H9 and MT2). Results Wuweilingqi capsule inhibited HIV-1018a (an AZT-sensitive clinical isolate) in PBMC and HTLV-ⅢB (a HIV-1 lab isolate) in H9 and MT-2 T cell lines markedly,and the therapeutic indexes (TI) were 96,84 and 181 separately,but weakly inhibitory activity against HIV-1018c (an AZT-resistant clinical isolate) and chronically infective HTLV-ⅢB were demonstrated. Significant synergy against HIV-1018a and HIV-1018c replication between Wuweilingqi capsule and AZT,indinavir or T-20 were observed. In addition,Wuweilingqi capsule significantly increased PBMC proliferation,interferon-gamma secreting cell number with or without a stimulation of PHA or candida. Conclusion Although Wuweilingqi capsule did not show so strong anti-HIV-1 activity as known west drugs in clinical,its good synergy and significant increase of immune activity suggests that it will be an available and characteristic agent against HIV-1 replication.