Anti-rheumatoid arthritis potential of different fractions derived from of Coluria longifolia.

Coluria longifolia Maxim (C. longifolia) is a Chinese folk medication commonly used to treat arthritis and joint pain. Literatures have reported that C. longifolia has significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. The aim of this research was to assay the effective fractions of C. longifolia (EFCL) against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to elucidate its anti-RA mechanism on a preliminary basis. The rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was established. The therapeutic effects of different fractions in vivo were evaluated by body weight changes, a foot swelling score, inflammatory factors and histopathological examination. The mechanism of EFCL was investigated by activity of oxidative stress related enzyme, qPCR and Western blotting tests. In vivo results showed that total extraction (TE) and n-butanol fraction (NF) could significantly alleviate the symptoms of RA, decrease the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.01), and improve histopathological injury. The mechanism study showed that SOD level was significantly increased with MDA level decreased in the NF group. The upregulated proteins and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, HO1 and NQO1 after TE and NF administration suggested that the anti-arthritic effect may be related to the Nrf2 signaling pathway and downstream HO1 and NQO1. In conclusion, this study confirmed that C. longifolia is capable of treating RA with NF as the main effective fraction. Its anti-RA action may be associated with Nrf2 signaling pathway and downstream HO1 and NQO1.

[Construction of protoplast genetic transformation system for Mycena--symbiont of Gastrodia elata].

Mycena, a symbiont of Gastrodia elata, promotes seed germination of G. elata and plays a crucial role in the sexual reproduction of G. elata. However, the lack of genetic transformation system of Mycena blocks the research on the interaction mechanism of the two. In order to establish the protoplast transformation system of Mycena, this study analyzed the protoplast enzymatic hydrolysis system, screened the resistance markers and regeneration medium, and explored the transient transformation. After hydrolysis of Mycena hyphae with complexes enzymes for 8 h and centrifugation at 4 000 r·min~(-1), high-concentration and quality protoplast was obtained. The optimum regeneration medium for Mycena was RMV, and the optimum resistance marker was 50 mg·mL~(-1) hygromycin. The pLH-HygB-HuSHXG-GFP-HdSHXG was transformed into the protoplast of Mycena which then expressed GFP. The established protoplast transformation system of Mycena laid a foundation for analyzing the functional genes of Mycena and the molecular mechanism of the symbiosis of Mycena and G. elata.

Triterpenoids from Coluria longifolia.

A new triterpenoid named 19-hydroxy swinhoeic acid, together with four known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Coluria longifolia Maxim. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with previously reported data. Cytotoxicities of the five compounds against HepG2 cell lines were also evaluated, unfortunately, no obvious activities were observed.

Two new menthane monoterpenes from Illicium wardii.

Two new menthane monoterpenes, wardicines A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the fruits of Illicium wardii A.C. Smith. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. Cytotoxicities of compounds 1 and 2 against three human tumor cell lines A549, HCT-116, and CCRF-CEM were also evaluated, but no significant activities were observed for the two compounds.

Highly oxygenated guaianolides from Artemisia dubia.

Investigation of a Chinese folk medicine, Artemisia dubia (syn. Artemisia subdigitata), has resulted in the isolation of eight new guaianolides (artemdubolides A-H, 1-8), and nineteen known sesquiterpene lactones. Their structures were elucidated primarily on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including extensive 2D NMR experiments. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-8 were evaluated against A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma), Colo205 (human colon carcinoma), HepG2 (human hepatoma), and MDA-MB-435 (human melanoma) cell lines. Compounds 2 and 5 showed weak cell growth inhibition of Colo205 and MDA-MB-435 cells.

[Effect of electro-scalp acupuncture on cerebral dopamine transporter in the striatum area of the patient of Parkinson's disease by means of single photon emission computer tomography].

OBJECTIVE: To probe the mechanism of electro-scalp acupuncture in treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) by single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT). METHODS: Five cases of PD received electro-scalp acupuncture at Dingnie Qianxiexian (MS 6), Epangxian III (MS 4), Dingpangxian I (MS 8), Dingpangxian II (MS 9) and Zhenxia Pangxian (MS 14). Contralateral points were selected for pathologic change on one side and bilateral points were selected for pathologic lesion on both sides. All the patients received 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT examination before and after acupuncture treatment of 6 weeks. And activities of dopamine transporter (DAT) were analyzed by the ratio of striatum/occipital lobe (ST/OC), which was evaluated by means of technique of regional of interesting (ROI). RESULTS: The ratio of ST/OC on the same side of the affected extremity before and after treatment were 1.19 +/- 0.15 and 1.24 +/- 0.31 respectively. And on the other side were 0.90 +/- 0.12 and 0.95 +/- 0.25 respectively. They were increased after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electro-scalp acupuncture can decrease the loss of DAT and improve the activities of DAT in the striatum of the patient of PD.

[Therapeutic effect of scalp electroacupuncture on Parkinson disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of scalp electroacupuncture on Parkinson disease (PD) of grade 1.5-3.0 on Hoehn-Yahr scale. METHODS: Thirty patients with Parkinson disease were randomized equally into the treatment group and control group. Patients in the treatment group were treated by scalp eletroacupuncture at the contralateral points of MS6, MS4, MS8, MS9 and MS14 in cases of unilateral lesions or at the bilateral points for bilateral lesions, with also medication with Madopar. The patients in the control group were given Madopar only. The scores of Webster scale and the motor function of United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were used to for assessment before and after the therapeutic course (6 weeks). RESULTS: Tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia were obviously improved in both the groups (P<0.05). The difference in the score of Webster scale was not significant between the two groups (P>0.05), but the treatment group showed greater improvement in motor functions than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Scalp electroacupuncture is effective and safe for therapy of Parkinson disease.

[Morphological characteristics and clinical significance of Yifeng (TE 17)].

OBJECTIVE: To study on the anatomical layers and depth of Yifeng (TE 17) so as to provide anatomical basis for clinical treatment. METHODS: Fifteen fresh adult corpse samples, 10 males and 5 females, were randomly taken for investigating the anatomical structures and nerve-blood vessel relationship at the acupoint area of Yifeng (TE 17) with layer anatomical method layer by layer. RESULTS: Anterior of Yifeng (TE 17) is posterior border of condylion, the part backward is the aponeurosis of sternocleidomastoid muscle and anterior border of papillary. Structures of this point are skin, subcutaneous fascia, the posterior border of parotid, venous plexus of infratemporal fossa in turn. And the superficial layer of the point are the branches of great auricular nerve and external jugular vein. The structures of the deep layer are occipital artery, branches of upper jaw's artery and vein, pterygoid venous plexus and facial nerve, mandibular nerve. The average dangerous depth is (35.52 +/- 6.31) mm. CONCLUSION: There are important nerves and blood vessels around Yifeng (TE 17), which should be noted in acupuncture.