[Effect of processing method on chemical constituents of Rehmanniae Radix: based on UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS].

This study aims to explore the chemical composition of Rehmanniae Radix braised with mild fire and compare the effect of processing method on the chemical composition of Rehmanniae Radix. To be specific, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry(UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS) was used to screen the chemical constituents of Rehmanniae Radix. The chemical constituents were identified based on the relative molecular weight and fragment ions, literature information, and Human Metabolome Database(HMDB). The ion peak area ratio of each component before and after processing was used as the index for the variation. SIMCA was employed to establish principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) models of different processed products. According to the PCA plot, OPLS-DA plot, and VIP value, the differential components before and after the processing were screened out. The changes of the content of differential components with the processing method were analyzed. A total of 66 chemical components were identified: 57 of raw Rehmanniae Radix, 55 of steamed Rehmanniae Radix, 55 of wine-stewed Rehmanniae Radix, 51 of repeatedly steamed and sundried Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 62 of traditional bran-braised Rehmanniae Radix, and 63 of electric pot-braised Rehmanniae Radix. Among them, the 9 flavonoids of braised Rehmanniae Radix were from Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium. PCA suggested significant differences in the chemical composition of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata prepared with different processing methods. OPLS-DA screened out 32 chemical components with VIP value >1 as the main differential components. Among the differential components, 9 were unique to braised Rehmanniae Radix(traditional bran-braised, electric pot-braised) and the degradation rate of the rest in braised(traditional bran-braised, electric pot-braised) or repeatedly steamed and sundried Rehmanniae Radix was higher than that in the steamed or wine-stewed products. The results indicated the chemical species and component content of Rehmanniae Radix changed significantly after the processing. The 32 components, such as rehmapicrogenin, martynoside, jionoside D, aeginetic acid, hesperidin, and naringin, were the most important compounds to distinguish different processed products of Rehmanniae Radix. The flavonoids introduced by Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium as excipient may be the important material basis for the effectiveness of braised Rehmanniae Radix compared with other processed products.

Erythropoietin improves glucose metabolism and pancreatic ß-cell damage in experimental diabetic rats.

Previous studies have implicated erythropoietin (EPO) signaling in the regulation of glucose metabolism. Whether EPO can be used treat diabetes and the underlying mechanism remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate whether EPO affects glucose metabolism, and the underlying mechanisms, in experimental diabetic rats. The effects of EPO (300 U/kg three times a week for 4 weeks) on glucose metabolism, hematopoietic function, blood selenium content and the ultrastructure of pancreatic ß­cells were investigated in low dose (25 mg/kg body weight) streptozotocin­induced experimental diabetic rats provided with a high­fat diet. The results demonstrated that EPO significantly decreased the fasting blood glucose, the area under the curve of the oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests and L­alanine gluconeogenesis. Ultrastructural examination of the pancreatic islets revealed that EPO prevented the dysfunction of pancreatic ß­cells in experimental diabetic rats, ameliorated cytoplasmic vacuolation and fragmentation of mitochondria, and increased the number of secretory granules. EPO administration increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and decreased the level of malondialdehyde. Additionally, EPO increased blood selenium in the diabetic rats and produced a hematopoietic effect. These results indicated that EPO modulated glucose metabolism and improved pancreatic ß­cells damage by increasing anti­oxidation. The detailed mechanisms underlying these effects require further investigation.

[Epimedium alleviates chemotherapy-induced damage to the ultrastructure and function of rat epididymides].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective action of Epimedium against chemotherapy-induced damage to rat epididymides. METHODS: Fifty 60-day-old male rats were divided into a control, a model and a treatment group. Procarbazine was injected into the abdominal cavity of the model rats at the dose of 30 mg/(kg x d). In addition to procarbazine, Epimedium was given intragastrically to the treatment group. The changes in the ultrastructure of the epididymis were observed after 10 and 20 days. RESULTS: Electron microscopy showed that the chemotherapy-induced damages to the epididymal epithelia mainly included cell swelling, local cavitation of mitochondria, tumor-like change in nucleoli, agglutination of marginal translocation of heterochromatin and cell apoptosis. The damage to the epithelial ultrastructure was slight in the treatment group as compared with the model rats. Chemotherapy significantly affected sperm concentration, sperm viability and sialic acid (SA), which were (15.59 +/- 4.01) x 10(6)/ml, (76.71 +/- 10.11)% and (19.38 +/- 9.34) g/mg prot in the model group in comparison with (10.63 +/- 3.82) x 10(6)/ml (P < 0.01), (60.03 +/- 7.54)% (P < 0.01) and (13.62 +/- 7.81) g/g prot (P < 0.05) in the control. Epimedium significantly increased sperm viability in the treatment group (60.03 +/- 7.54)% as compared with the model rats (69.90 +/- 12.58)% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Epimedium can lessen chemotherapy-induced damage to the epididymis and protect the reproductive function of rats.

[Optimization study on extraction technology of the seed of Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa by orthogonal design with multi-targets].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize extraction technology of the seed of Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa with the targets of the total saponin, total jujuboside A and B and total flavonoids. METHOD: In the method of one-way and orthogonal tests, ethanol concentration, amount of ethanol, extraction time and extraction times were the factors in orthogonal test, and each factor with three levels. RESULT: Ethanol concentration and extraction times had significant effect on all the targets, other factors should be selected in accordance with production practice. CONCLUSION: The best extraction technology is to extract for three times with 8 fold ethanol solution (60%), and 1.5 h each time.

[Studies on the nasal epithelium toxicity of adjuvants and recombination hirudin (rHV2) nasal spary].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the nasal epithelium toxicity of adjuvants and rHV2 nasal spary(HVS). METHOD: Ciliary movement were evaluated with in situ toad palate model; The histology assessment of nasal epithelium were carried out after long-lasting and repeated use of HVS. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Adjuvants included SDS, Brij 35, azone, lecithin, EDTA, menthol, nipagin and thiomersal were able to significantly inhibited the ciliary movement, while tween80, glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt, benzalkonium bromide, sodium benzoate and adhensive materials investigated had less influence on it. HVS was able to damaged the nasal epithelium, but this effect recovered soon after stopping administration. It was demonstrated that SDS, Brij 35, azone,lecithin, EDTA, menthol, nipagin and thiomersal. It had significant cilitoxity, while tween80, glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt, benzalkonium bromide, sodium benzoate and adhensive materials investigated had no significance; Chitosan co-administration with some adjuvants may make the cillitoxity severer; It is available that rHV2 be administered by nasal spary.