Studies on chromosome numbers of Salvia miltiorrhiza, S. flava and S. evansiana / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the numbers of chromosome in Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza from 7 provinces in China, and S. flava as well as S. evansiana from Yunnan province in China.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The young root was treated with the mixture of ice and water for 24 h, fixed with Carony's fixative for 6-12 h. After differentiating for 10-12 min with 1 mol x L(-1) hydrochloric acid at 60 'C and staining with carbol fuchsin,the section was observed under microscope.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Chromosome numbers of S. miltiorrhiza and S.flava were 2n = 2x = 16. The numbers of S. evansiana were 2n = 4x = 32. The basic numbers of the chromosomes were x = 8. And tetraploids were observed in S. miltiorrhiza from Sichuan provices and Shandong provices.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The basic number of the chromosomes are x = 8. The chromosome numbers of S. miltiorrhiza, S.flava and S. evansiana are 16,16 and 32 respectively. As the chromosomes are the small or micro-small ones, it is difficult to use them for karyotype.</p>

Studies on mechanism of antiasthmatic and anti-inflammatory actions of CDCA / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe antiasthmatic and anti-inflammatory actions mechanisms of CDCA.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The content of NO was determined by method of nitroreductase chromatometry in serum and trachea tissue. The content of cAMP was analysed by method of competitive protein-binding assay. The content of PGE2 was determined by method of ultraviolet spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>CDCA significantly decreased the content of NO of serum and trachea tissue in mice. CDCA increased greatly the content of cAMP of trachea tissue in rats. CDCA significantly decreased the content of PGE2 of trachea and lung tissue in mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mechanisms of antiasthmatic and anti-inflammatory actions of CDCA are related to increasing the content of cAMP in trachea tissue and decreasing the constituent of NO and PGE2 in body.</p>