Reflection on the Changes in the Scope of Ethical Review / 中国医学伦理学

At the end of February 2023, the new Notice on the Issuance of Ethical Review Measures for Life Science and Medical Research Involving Humans was issued by the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It adheres to the basic principles and institutional framework of the Ethical Review Measures for Biomedical Research Involving Humans , and combines with the actual situation of domestic ethical work to optimize and improve the details and procedures of the review. Based on the Ethical Review Measures for Biomedical Research Involving Humans, the Ethical Review Measures for Life Science and Medical Research Involving Humans have expanded the scope of application of ethical review. Different experts in the field have discussed in detail the changes in the scope of review, and proposed review procedures that may need to be corresponding adjustments based on the changes for the readers’ reference.

Research progress of clinical application of Zhibitai capsule / 中国基层医药

Dyslipidemia is the pathological basis of the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. It is a major independent risk factor for hypertension, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. Regulating blood lipid level plays an important role in decreasing the incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease. Zhibitai capsule, a lipid-regulating Chinese medicine, has the similar effect to statins. We searched animal experiment studies, clinical trials and reviews in China National Knowledge Infrastructure to analyze the application value and advantages of Zhibitai capsule.

A network pharmacology-based strategy for predicting the protective mechanism of Ginkgo biloba on damaged retinal ganglion cells / 中国天然药物

Hallmarks of the pathophysiology of glaucoma are oxidative stress and apoptotic death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) with multi-target, multi-pathway functions has been reported to exert positive pharmacological effects on oxidative stress and damaged RGCs. However, the ingredients and anti-apoptotic targets of EGb in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, in-depth analysis is necessary for further research. Ginkgo biloba-related and anti-apoptotic targets were identified and then combined to obtain the intersection, representing the potential anti-apoptotic targets of Ginkgo biloba. In addition, compound-anti-apoptotic target and OAG-target protein-protein interaction network were merged to obtain five core genes and compound-OAG-anti-apoptotic target protein-protein interaction network. Consequently, the active compounds and anti-apoptotic targets of Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of OAG were identified, namely luteolin, β-sitosterol, kaempferol, stigmasterol, quercetin, and p53, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, respectively. For the anti-apoptotic targets of Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of OAG, Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analysis were executed to confirm the gene functions of Ginkgo biloba in antagonizing apoptosis of RGCs. The pathway enrichment was mainly involved in transcriptional activation of p53 responsive genes, activation of caspases and apoptotic processes. Finally, we confirmed the results of the network analysis by H2O2 treated RGC-5 cells in vitro. The results demonstrated that EGb protection can effectively diminish H2O2-induced apoptosis by inhibiting p53 acetylation, reducing the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and suppressing the expression of specific cleavage of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3.

Maternal hemoglobin levels in the third trimester and its correlation with pregnancy outcomes among rural residents in Tibetan Plateau / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To study the relationship between maternal hemoglobin concentration, anemia rate in the third trimester and the altitudes, pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women in Tibet rural areas.Methods:This prospective study collected clinical and laboratory data of 390 Tibetan pregnant women who delivered after 28 gestational weeks at Chaya People's Hospital, Changdu city, Tibet autonomous region, from May 2020 to March 2021. Blood routine examination was performed at admission and 24-72 h postpartum using an automatic hematologic analyzer. According to the hemoglobin standard adjusted for altitude by World Health Organization (WHO), the association between pregnancy outcomes and maternal hemoglobin levels and anemia rate before and after adjustment were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U one-way analysis of variance, Chi-square, Pearson correlation, and Spearman correlation tests. Results:(1) In these women, the mean actual hemoglobin concentration in the third trimester was (121±16) g/L, and the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia was 23.8% (93/390) and 20.3% (79/390), respectively. (2) After adjustment, the mean hemoglobin concentration was (93±17) g/L, and the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia was 84.4% (329/390) and 30.5% (119/390), respectively. (3) Actual hemoglobin levels showed an increasing tendency as the altitude rose. At the altitude of 3 000-3 500 m, >3 500-4 000 m, and >4 000 m, the mean hemoglobin levels were (118±15) g/L, (119±17) g/L, and (124±16) g/L, respectively ( Ftrend=7.38, P=0.007). However, the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia did not differ significantly between different altitude ( P>0.05). (4) Corrected hemoglobin levels were negatively associated with the altitude ( r=－0.31, P<0.001). At the altitude of 3 000~3 500 m, 3 500~4 000 m and >4 000 m, the mean corrected hemoglobin levels were (100±15) g/L, (92±17) g/L, and (87±18) g/L, respectively ( Ftrend=30.36, P<0.001). The prevalence of anemia increased with altitude ( χ2trend=15.44, P<0.001), but no association was observed between microcytic hypochromic anemia and altitudes ( P>0.05). (5) No association was found between actual or corrected anemia in the third trimester and adverse pregnancy outcomes, nor the hemoglobin level before or after adjustment and neonatal birth weight. Conclusions:In Tibet rural areas, the mean actual hemoglobin level in pregnant women tends to increase with the altitude. However, the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia remains high and more attention should be paid to iron supplementary during pregnancy. After adjusting hemoglobin concentration based on WHO standard, more women were diagnosed as having anemia during pregnancy in this area, and the applicability of the diagnostic criteria for Tibetan residents requires further investigations.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria treated with bloodletting therapy and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect and the impacts on recurrence rate on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) between the combined treatment of bloodletting therapy and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory and the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride.@*METHODS@#A total of 86 patients with CSU were randomized into an observation group (43 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (43 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the observation group, bloodletting therapy at Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17) and Pishu (BL 20) was combined with auricular point sticking at lung (CO14), kidney (CO10), shenmen (TF4) and heart (CO15), etc. This combined treatment was given once every two days. In the control group, the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride was prescribed, 10 mL each time, once daily. The treatment lasted for 4 weeks in the two groups. Before and after treatment, urticaria activity score 7 (UAS7), the score of dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and the levels of serum immune globulin E (IgE), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) were compared in the patients between the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in patients of the two groups and the recurrence rate was followed up 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment separately.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of UAS7 and DLQI, as well as the levels of serum IgE and IL-4 were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the level of serum IFN-γ was increased (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 83.3% (35/42) in the observation group and was 85.0% (34/40) in the control group. There was no statistical significance for the difference in the clinical therapeutic effect between the two groups (P>0.05). Eight and 12 weeks after treatment, the recurrence rates were 21.1% (4/19) and 26.3% (5/19) in the observation group, lower than 55.0% (11/20) and 65.0% (13/20) in the control group, respectively (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The combined therapy of bloodletting and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory relieves the clinical symptoms, regulates the levels of serum IgE, IL-4 and IFN-γ and improves the quality of life in the patients with CSU. The clinical therapeutic effect of this combined treatment is similar to the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride. But, the recurrence rate of the combined treatment of bloodletting and auricular point sticking is lower and its long-term curative effect is better.

Research advance in multi-component pharmacokinetics of Chinese herbal extracts in recent five years / 中国中药杂志

The multi-component pharmacokinetic study of Chinese herbal extracts elaborates the in vivo processes,including absorption,distribution,metabolism,and excretion,of multiple bioactive components,which is of significance in revealing pharmacodynamic material basis of Chinese herbal medicine. In recent years,with the innovation in ideas,and development of techniques and methods on traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) research,the pharmacokinetic studies of Chinese herbal extracts were extensively performed,and notable progress has been made. This paper reviewed the advancement of multi-component pharmacokinetics of Chinese herbal extracts in recent five years from analysis technology of biological sample,the pharmacokinetic characteristics of Chinese herbal medicine with complex system,and the impacts of processing and pathological state on pharmacokinetics of Chinese herbal extracts,aiming to provide a reference for quality control,product development and rational medication of Chinese herbal extracts.

Effect of Mindfulness on Psychological Rehabilitation of Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To evaluate the effect of mindfulness on psychological rehabilitation in athletes. Methods:Literatures about mindfulness meditation for psychological rehabilitation of athletes were searched in Web of Science, EBSCO, PubMed, Medline, OpenDissertations, Psychology Behavioral Sciences Collection, Academic Search Premier, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang data from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2019. The literature quality was evaluated, and the data were analyzed with Review Manager 5.3. Results:Finally, 18 researches were included. The immediate effect size of mindfulness on psychological rehabilitation was medium to large (d = 0.69, 95%CI 0.53 to 0.86, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the follow-up effect of psychological rehabilitation between two groups (d = -0.08, 95%CI -0.33 to 0.16, P = 0.50). The immediate effect of mindfulness was significantly moderated by research quality (I2 = 88.1%, P = 0.004). Conclusion:Mindfulness could improve mood, promote flow, improve acceptance of negative experiences, improve the ability to act on the goal, and increase training investment for athletes, which is moderated by research quality.

Safranal carried by nanostructured lipid vehicles inhibits generalized epilepsy in mice.

Safranal, a main component of Crocus sativus, is suggested to have neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of safranal and nanostructured lipid vehicle (NLV) carried safranal in acute and chronic experimental mice models of epilepsy. In PILO acute seizure model, safranal dose-dependently extended latency to generalized seizure, decreased the highest seizure stages and the number of generalized seizures. Moreover, NLV carried safranal further enhanced the anti-seizure effect, which is comparable to the action of sodium valproate. Meanwhile, NLV carried safranal reduced and delayed the electroencephalogram spectra power after pilocarpine injection. In histological aspect, safranal dose-dependently reduced the loss of neurons induced by seizure and NLV system further improved this protection at the same dose. In MES acute model, safranal markedly increased the electroconvulsive threshold, where NLV further improved its effect. In PTZ chronic seizure model, NLV carried safranal significantly delayed the kindling rate of progress and the time it took to reach generalized seizures as compared to NLV control group. In conclusion, this study indicates that safranal inhibits generalized seizure in acute and chronic epilepsy models in mice and NLV can enhance this effect. So, NLV carried safranal may have potential value in treatment of generalized epilepsy.

Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on flavonoid pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution after oral administration of Radix Scutellaria extract in rats / 中国天然药物

Radix Scutellaria is widely applied to the treatment of diabetes mellitus in China. Its main bioactive constituents contain baicalin, wogonoside, oroxyloside, and their aglycones. To investigate the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on both pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of these flavonoid compounds, the six flavonoids in plasma and tissues from the normal and type 2 diabetic rats after oral administration of Radix Scutellaria extract were simultaneously measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. The results showed that baicalin, wogonoside, and oroxyloside had higher C and AUC values (P < 0.05) in type 2 diabetic rats than that in normal rats and the tissue-distribution behaviors of the six flavonoid compounds in hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, kidneys, brains, pancreas, fat and muscle of the type 2 diabetic rats showed obviously differences from the normal rats (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the differences in the pharmacokinetics of oroxyloside and tissue distribution of the six flavanoids in Radix Scutellaria extract between diabetic and normal rats were found for the first time. The results from the present study provided a crucial basis for a better understanding of in vivo anti-diabetic mechanism of action of the six flavonoids from Radix Scutellaria.

Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on flavonoid pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution after oral administration of Radix Scutellaria extract in rats / 中国天然药物

Radix Scutellaria is widely applied to the treatment of diabetes mellitus in China. Its main bioactive constituents contain baicalin, wogonoside, oroxyloside, and their aglycones. To investigate the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on both pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of these flavonoid compounds, the six flavonoids in plasma and tissues from the normal and type 2 diabetic rats after oral administration of Radix Scutellaria extract were simultaneously measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. The results showed that baicalin, wogonoside, and oroxyloside had higher C and AUC values (P < 0.05) in type 2 diabetic rats than that in normal rats and the tissue-distribution behaviors of the six flavonoid compounds in hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, kidneys, brains, pancreas, fat and muscle of the type 2 diabetic rats showed obviously differences from the normal rats (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the differences in the pharmacokinetics of oroxyloside and tissue distribution of the six flavanoids in Radix Scutellaria extract between diabetic and normal rats were found for the first time. The results from the present study provided a crucial basis for a better understanding of in vivo anti-diabetic mechanism of action of the six flavonoids from Radix Scutellaria.

Effects of Dandelion Extract on the Proliferation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Cells and the Inhibition of a Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Reaction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>Dandelion is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine with several active compounds found in extracts. It has a variety of pharmacological effects, such as a reduction in swelling and inflammation, and detoxification. The mechanism by which dandelion extract inhibits the inflammatory response in skeletal muscle cells remains unknown; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dandelion extract root on the proliferation of skeletal muscle cells and the alleviation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in vitro.</p><p><b>Methods</b>Rat skeletal muscle cells were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat and cultured in vitro which were cultured in basal medium, or medium containing LPS or dandelion extract. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was employed to measure cell proliferation; meanwhile, the optimal concentration of dandelion extract and treatment time were selected. Crystal violet staining was used to detect the proliferation of muscle cells. Western blotting analysis was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors, myogenic factor, and p-AKT protein expression.</p><p><b>Results</b>The optimal concentration and treatment time of dandelion extract for the following study were 5 mg/ml and 4 days, respectively. Dandelion extract was found to increase proliferation of rat skeletal muscle cells (t = 3.145, P < 0.05), with the highest effect observed at 5 mg/ml. LPS was found to decrease proliferation of skeletal muscle cells (t = -131.959, P < 0.001), and dandelion extract could against this affection (t = 19.466, P < 0.01). LPS could induce expression of inflammatory factors, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (IL-1β: t = 9.118, P < 0.01; IL-6: t = 4.346, P < 0.05; TNF-α: t = 15.806, P < 0.05), and dandelion extract was shown to reduce LPS-induced expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α (IL-1β: t = -2.823, P < 0.05; IL-6: t = -3.348, P < 0.01; and TNF-α: t = -3.710, P < 0.01). Furthermore, LPS was also shown to decrease expression of myogenic factor, including myod1 and myogenin (MyoD1: t = 4.039, P < 0.05 and myogenin: t = 3.300, P < 0.01), but dandelion extract was shown to against this effect of LPS (MyoD1: t = -3.160, P < 0.05 and myogenin: t = -3.207, P < 0.01). And then, LPS was found to increase expression of p-AKT protein (p-AKT/AKT: t = 4.432, P < 0.05). Moreover, expression of p-AKT protein was found to decrease, with 5 mg/ml of dandelion extract (p-AKT/AKT: t = -3.618, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>The findings indicate that dandelion extract plays an important role in skeletal muscle cells viability regulation, promote cells proliferation by increasing level of p-AKT protein expression, and reduce LPS-induced expression of inflammatory factors, inhibiting the inflammatory response of rat skeletal muscle cells.</p>

Association analysis between the serum level of vitamin D and severity of atopic dermatitis in infants / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To detect the serum level of vitamin D in infants with atopic dermatitis (AD),and to investigate the relationship between the serum level of vitamin D and severity of AD in infants.Methods Clinical data were collected from patients with moderate to severe AD (AD group)through a questionnaire survey in Children's Hospital of Shanxi from February to April in 2016,and the severity of AD was evaluated by the SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) score.A total of 95 health checkup examinees served as the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)was performed to detect the serum level of 25 (OH) D3 in the AD group and control group,as well as the total serum IgE level in the AD group.Blood cell analyzer was used to determine the proportion of blood eosinophils in the AD group.Results A total of 97 patients with AD were enrolled into the study,including 43 (44.3 ％) patients with moderate AD and 54 (55.7％) patients with severe AD.The serum level of 25 (OH) D3 was significantly lower in the AD group than in the healthy control group ([66.71 ± 21.07] nmol/L vs.[85.43 ± 14.87] nmol/L,P ＜ 0.01),as well as in the patients with severe AD than in the patients with moderate AD ([47.54 ± 29.36] nmol/L vs.[63.89 ± 26.67] nmol/L,P =0.006).The proportion of blood eosinophils was significantly higher in the severe AD group than in the moderate AD group (0.124 ± 0.094 vs.0.061 ± 0.060,P ＜ 0.001).There was no significant difference in the total serum IgE level between the moderate AD group and severe AD group (P =0.375).Among the patients with AD,the serum level of 25 (OH) D3 was negatively correlated with the proportion of blood eosinophils (r =-0.336,P ＜ 0.05),but there was no correlation between the serum level of 25 (OH)D3 and total serum IgE level (r =-0.174,P ＞ 0.05).The serum level of 25 (OH)D3 was significantly associated with breastfeeding and vitamin D supplementation (P ＜ 0.05),but unrelated to age,gender,course of disease and acute exudative phase (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The serum level of 25 (OH) D3 is evidently decreased in infants with AD,and vitamin D deficiency is closely related to the severity of AD in infancy.

Determination and Pharmacokinetic Comparisons of Atractylodin after Oral Administration of Crude and Processed Atractylodis rhizoma.

BACKGROUND: In traditional Chinese medicine, Atractylodis rhizoma is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. or Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. After being processed, the dryness of A. rhizoma decreased, and the function of tonifying spleen increased. Therefore, the processed A. rhizoma is the best choice of clinical application. As the main active components, polyethylene alkynes exhibits various desirable pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-arrhythmia activity. However, there is no report on the pharmacokinetic comparisons of atractylodin, one of polyethylene alkynes, in bio-samples after oral administration of crude and processed A. rhizoma until now. The in vivo study of active components of A. rhizoma would be necessary and helpful for clinical application and clarification of processing principle. OBJECTIVE: To compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of atractylodin after oral administration of crude and processed A. rhizoma, and clarify the processing principle of A. rhizoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma concentrations of atractylodin in rats were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatogram and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated with Drug and Statistics 2.0 Software Package (Chinese Pharmacological Society, Shanghai, China). RESULTS: The AUC0-t, AUC0→∞, Tmax, and Cmax of processed A. rhizoma were increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with that in crude A. rhizoma after using Student's t-test. CONCLUSIONS: Processing A. rhizoma with wheat bran by stir-frying can promote and accelerate the absorption of atractylodin. SUMMARY: In this paper, a RP-HPLC method with UV detection for quantification of atractylodin (a main active component in Atractylodis Rhizoma) in rat plasma has been developed and applied to a preliminary pharmacokinetic study of atractylodin after oral administration of crude and processed Atractylodis Rhizoma respectively. The result indicates that processing Atractylodis Rhizoma with wheat-bran can promote and accelerate the absorption of atractylodin.

Application of modern mass spectrometry in metabolism and pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine / 药学学报

Modern mass spectrometry plays an important role in the study of metabolism and pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine due to its high sensitivity, high analysis speed and good stability. First, this article gives a brief introduction to the development of modern mass spectrometry techniques. Second, the application of modern mass spectrometry is summarized in the study of metabolism and pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine including in vitro and in vivo studies. In vitro research is reviewed with a focus on metabolism of intestinal bacteria and cytochrome P450 enzymes; in vivo research is covered mainly with a fo cuse on the application of microdialysis-MS, GC/LC-MS, new ambient mass spectrometry, and imaging mass spectrometry in metabolism and pharmacokinetics.

Evaluation of effect of acupuncture and moxibustion and level of intervention based on cumulative Meta-analysis and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation:sudden hearing loss / 中国针灸

Clinical evidences of acupuncture and moxibustion for sudden hearing loss(SHL) were completely collected, and the quality of the evidences was evaluated by Jadad scale. Cumulative Meta-analysis and the time tendency test for the results were implemented by STATA 12.0. Descriptive and academic cross-sectional investigation was carried out among senior professional doctors with acupuncture and moxibustion background in 31 provin-ces of China, and the advices of specialists were analyzed by fussy comprehensive evaluation. Thirty-eight researches were included. Cumulative Meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture and moxibustion combined with medication achieved better cured and total effects compared with multiple medicines[RR=1.57, 95%CI(1.38,1.79); RR=1.34, 95%CI(1.28,1.81)], and the efficacy had no time variability. The cured and total effects of acupuncture and moxibustion were superior to those of multiple medicines, but the results needed to be further verified. Five hundred and sixty-one questionnaires were put out in the 31 provinces, and 93.40% of ones were collected and eligible. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation showed a tendency to overall improvement by acupuncture and moxibustion as the main intervention in the specialists' advice. Cumulative Meta-analysis and fussy comprehensive evaluation are applicable to estimate the effect and intervention level of acupuncture and moxibustion with low quality evidence.

Chemical constituents of Allophylus africanus / 中国天然药物

Four new compounds, alloeudesmenol (1), hanocokinoside (3), allotaraxerolide (4), and alloaminoacetaldehyde (5), together with two known compound, stigmastane-3β,4β-diol (2) and pinitol 6 (a and b) were isolated and identified from the whole plant of Allophylus africanus.

Effects of Shenfu injection on calreticulin expression and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the expression of calreticulin (CRT) and the changes of intracellular free calcium and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD), and to investigate the intervention effects of Shenfu injection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven-day-old rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control, hypoxic-ischemia (HI) and Shenfu-treated. Each group (n=50) was subdivided into 5 groups sacrificed at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours. Rat models of HIBD were prepared according to the Rice's method. Rats in the control group only underwent the separation of right common carotidartery. Shenfu injection was administered by intraperitoneal injections right after HI insults and then once daily at a dosage of 10 mL/kg for 3 days in the Shenfu-treated group. The expression of CRT in the cerebral cortex was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The free calcium concentrations were determined under a fluorescent microscope. The apoptosis rate was measured by the flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the expression levels of CRT in the HI and the Shenfu-treated groups were obviously up-regulated (P<0.05), and the expression levels of CRT in the Shenfu-treated group were notably higher than those in the HI group (P<0.05) at all time points. The concentrations of intracellular free calcium and the apoptosis rate of neurons in the cerebral cortex in the Shenfu-treated group were significantly reduced compared with those in the HI group (P<0.05), but increased significantly compared with those in the control group at all time points (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Shenfu injection may have neuroprotective effects against HIBD by up-regulation of CRT expression and relief of calcium overload.</p>

Factors influencing acupuncture for insomnia / 中国针灸

By analyzing and summarizing the previous research results regarding acupuncture for insomnia, factors influencing the efficacy of acupuncture on insomnia were discussed, and a summary was made from aspects of age, gender, duration of insomnia, use of medication, types of syndrome differentiation, acupoint selection, acupoint combination, acupuncture timing, etc. With respect to the influencing factors, precautions during the clinical syndrome differentiation were briefly reviewed, and the treatment plan of acupuncture for insomnia was optimized, which could provide new methods and thoughts for clinical and scientific research regarding acupuncture for insomnia.

Efficacy evaluation on knee osteoarthritis treated with acupuncture: non-randomized concurrent control trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy and efficacy sustainable time of acupuncture in knee osteoarthritis (KOA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The non-randomized concurrent control trial was adopted. One hundred and ninety-three cases of KOA were divided into an immediate acupuncture group (group A, 97 cases) and a delayed acupunc-weeks at the end of treatment. In group B, the same acupuncture therapy was applied after waiting 4 weeks. The acupoints in the two groups were Liangqiu (ST 34), Dubi (ST 35), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Xuehai (SP 10), Xiyan (EX-LE 4), Xiyangguan (GB 33). WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis) was used for the assessment of the primary index and VAS (visual analogue scale) was for the secondary index. The evaluation was accomplished by the patients at the beginning of trial, on the 4th and 8th weeks. In each group, 72 patients finished the trial and the data of the lost cases were included in the final data analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 4th week of trial, WOMAC score was (25. 8+/-22.0) in group A difference (P<0. 001). VAS scorewas (31. 8+/-24. and was (43.8+/-22.2) in group B, indicating the significant 6) in group A and was (56. 6 +/-25. 8) in group B, indicating very significant difference (P<0. 001). In the 8th week, the efficacy was reduced slightly in the follow-up of group A, but it was improved apparently as compared Acupuncture relieves joint pain and improves joint function obviously.by th patiĩeffr,a Mtaetfti-?an tf ri-with that before treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture relieves joint pain and improves joint function obviously.The effect of acupuncture is still sustainable in 4 weeks after terminating the treatment.</p>

High performance preparation and structural confirmation of lignans from Schisandrae chinensis fructus by using HSCCC combined with ESI-MSn method / 药学学报

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was used to high performance separate and prepare lignans from Schisandrae chinensis fructus. The solvent system is composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (9 : 1 : 5 : 5) and n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (9 : 1 : 9 : 5), speed is at 900 r.min-1, and flow rate is at 2.0 mL.min-1. Five fractions from Schisandrae chinensis fructus extract were separated and prepared with one HSCCC process. They were identified as schisandrin, gomisin J, schisandrol B, schisantherin A and deoxyschizandrin by electrospray ionization-multiple tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn), respectively. Their contents were obtained in 98.74%, 94.32%, 99.53%, 94.23% and 98.68% by ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), separately. The rapid and simple method can be applied for the preparation of lignans from Schisandrae chinensis fructus.