[Research progress on chemical composition and pharmacological effects of Periplocae Cortex and predictive analysis on Q-marker].

Periplocae Cortex is a traditional Chinese medicine in China, which is mainly produced in northeast China, north China, northwest China, southwest China. In recent years, the increasing in-depth research resulted in the discovery of anti-tumor and cardiac pharmacological activities of Periplocae Cortex, which has broad application prospects. On the basis of summarizing chemical components and pharmacological effects, combined with the theoretical system of Q-marker, the quality control components of Periplocae Cortex were predicted from the aspects of the correlation between chemical composition and traditional medicinal properties, traditional efficacy, and new clinical use, plasma composition, measurable composition, storage time by analyzing literature. Among the components, periplocoside, periplocin, periplogenin, 4-methoxy salicylaldehyde showed significant activity, which provides a scientific basis for quality evaluation of Periplocae Cortex.

Icariin, a major constituent of flavonoids from Epimedium brevicornum, protects against cognitive deficits induced by chronic brain hypoperfusion via its anti-amyloidogenic effect in rats.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion is considered to be a pivotal contributing factor of cognitive impairments that occur in vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and ideal drug treatment for these diseases is unavailable. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the protective effects of icariin, a major constituent of flavonoids from the Chinese medicinal herb Epimedium brevicornum, on cognitive impairments and neuronal morphological damage induced by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (BCCAO) in rats, and further explore the potential mechanisms. This study found that BCCAO could induce cognitive deficits and neuronal morphological damage, along with deposition of beta-amyloid (Aß) in rat hippocampus. However, oral administration of icariin twice per day for 23days might attenuate cognitive deficits and neuronal morphological damage induced by BCCAO. Subsequently, icariin decreased the level of Aß in rat hippocampus subjected to BCCAO. Administration of icariin reduced the expressions of amyloid precursor protein (APP), beta-secretase 1 (BACE1), and increased the expressions of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 10 (ADAM10) in rat hippocampus. Furthermore, icariin afforded beneficial actions in suppressing transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) signaling via inhibition of Smad2/3 phosphorylation. In summary, icariin is effective in improving cognitive deficits and hippocampus morphological alterations subjected to BCCAO. This protection appears to be due to the decreased expressions of both APP and BACE1, and the increased expressions of both IDE and ADAM10, resulting in a decrease in the level of insoluble Aß fragments in rat hippocampus. Inhibitions of TGF-ß1 signaling and Smad2/3 phosphorylation are involved in the course.

Absolute structures of monoterpenoids with a δ-lactone-containing skeleton from Ligularia hodgsonii.

Bioactivity-directed fractionation of a methanol extract of Ligularia hodgsonii afforded two new monoterpenoids, liguhodgcins A (1) and B (2), with an unusual δ-lactone-containing skeleton. Moreover, liguhodgcin A (1) contained a chlorine atom. The structures and absolute configurations of the two compounds were elucidated using NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, ECD data, and computational approaches. A probable biosynthesis pathway to 1 and 2 was also proposed and discussed. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 was evaluated against the human leukemia (HL-60), human hepatoma (SMMC-7721), and human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines.

Efficacy of different iron fortificants in wheat flour in controlling iron deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the different impacts of electrolytic iron, FeSO4, and NaFeEDTA on body iron store of anemic school students. METHODS: Four hundreds anemic students at the age of 11-18 years were divided into four groups. Of which, three consumed different iron fortificants from wheat flour as food vehicle for six months and one consumed non-fortified flour (control). The fortification level of electrolytic iron, FeSO4, and NaFeEDTA was 60 mg Fe/kg, 30 mg Fe/kg, and 20 mg Fe/kg, respectively. Blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, and 6 months and hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), and transferrin receptor (TfR) were measured. RESULTS: The hemoglobin levels in three intervention groups increased, the increments of Hb in the NaFeEDTA group were significantly higher than that in the other groups. SF and TfR levels increased in the tested groups and body iron store in the NaFeEDTA group was higher than that in the other groups. These parameters did not show any significant changes in the control group. CONCLUSION: NaFeEDTA and FeSO4 fortified wheat flour has positive impacts on iron status in anemic students and NaFeEDTA is more effective than FeSO4, while electrolytic iron is less effective in improving iron store in anemic students.

Eremophilane-type sesquiterpene derivatives from Ligularia hodgsonii.

Eight new highly oxygenated eremophilane-type sesquiterpene derivatives (1- 8), including two norsesquiterpenes, were isolated from an extract of the roots and the aerial parts of Ligularia hodgsonii Hook. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR techniques, as 3 beta-acetoxy-10 beta-hydroxy-6 beta,8 beta-dimethoxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8 alpha,12-olide (1), 3 beta-acetoxy-10 beta-hydroxy-6 beta-methoxyeremophil-7(11),8(9)-dien-8,12-olide (2), 3 beta-acetoxy-10 beta-hydroxy-6 beta,8 alpha-dimethoxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8 beta,12-olide (3), 6 beta-(2'-methylbutanoyloxy)-3 beta-acetoxy-10 beta-hydroxy-8 alpha-methoxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8 beta,12-olide (4), 6 beta-(2'-methylbutanoyloxy)-3 beta-acetoxy-10 beta-hydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8 beta,12-olide (5), 3 beta-acetoxy-8-oxoeremophil-6(7),9(10)-dien-12-oic methyl ester (6), 3 beta-acetoxy-6 alpha,7 alpha-epoxy-9(10)-en-8-oxoeremophil-12-nor-11-one (7), and 2-acetyl-5 beta-acetoxy-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a beta-hydroxy-3a beta,4 beta-dimethyl-1H-indene (9).

[Capillary zone electrophoretic determination of NaFeEDTA in iron fortified soy sauce].

OBJECTIVE: An analytical method for separation and determination of sodium iron (III) ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NaFeEDTA) in iron fortified soy sauce by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has been developed. METHODS: The electrolyte, which contains 30 mmol/L citric acid, 20 mmol/L Tris, 0.15 mmol/L CTAB and 0.05 mmol/L SDS, was used to improve the peak shape and reduce the retention time at the voltage of - 25.0 kV. The sample can be determined at UV 254 nm after diluted. RESULTS: In this method, which enjoyed a wide linear range and good precision, the RSD (n = 6) was 2.15%, the average recoveries for samples ranged from 94.3% - 101.2% and the detection limit of the NaFeEDTA in iron fortified soy sauce is 4 microg/ml (S/N = 3). CONCLUSION: The results of application of different kinds of soy sauce showed that the method was direct, accurate, fast and simple.

[Adriamycin thermotherapy through hepatic artery for model of VX2 carcinoma in rabbit liver].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: It was reported that heating can enhance sensitivity of rabbit VX2 cell to adriamycin and increase intracellular concentration of adriamycin. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of interventional hyperthermia and interventional chemotheramotherapy on VX2 carcinoma in rabbit liver. METHODS: VX2 carcinoma cells were surgically implanted into the right liver lobe of 60 male New Zealand white rabbits, which were randomly divided into 4 groups(15 rabbits per group). To inject physiological saline(37 degrees C), adriamycin (37 degrees C), physiological saline(60 degrees C), and adriamycin (60 degrees C) in different groups via hepatic artery of the rabbits with liver cancer. One week later, to observe the volume of tumor, the serum level of aspartate transaminase(AST), and observe the survival period of VX2 rabbits. RESULTS: In group of ADM(60 degrees C), the tumor growth rate (0.53 +/- 0.21)% was significantly lower than group 2(1.09 +/- 0.26)%, group 3(3.32 +/- 1.28)%, and group 4(3.48 +/- 1.17)% (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). The survival period of adriamycin (60 degrees C) group (50.0 +/- 2.0)d was significantly higher than the untreated control group (40.5 +/- 3.0)d, (P < 0.05). The serum level of AST of TNP-470 with lipiodol group was not higher than the other treated groups(P > 0.05), but being significantly higher than the untreated control group after treated(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adriamycin (60 degrees C) greatly decreases the tumour growth rate, and prolongs the survival period.

[Effect of interventional chemothermotherapy on vascular permeability of tumor liver tissue and normal liver tissue in VX-2 tumor-bearing rabbits].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: It was reported that heating could enhance the sensitivity of chemotherapy with Adriamycin and increase the intracellular content of Adriamycin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of interventional chemothermotherapy on vascular permeability of tumor liver tissue and normal liver tissue in VX-2 tumor-bearing rabbits. METHODS: Thirty rabbits used as implanted hepatocarcinoma model were randomly divided into 3 groups: non-perfusion group (injected only with 1% Evans blue after catheterization), normothermic perfusion group (the perfusion fluid was 25 degrees C normal solution), and hyperthermic perfusion group(the perfusion fluid was 60 degrees C normal solution). The contents of Evans blue in the tissues of three groups, which were used as the indices of vascular permeability, were calculated by the standard curve and spectrophotometry. RESULTS: The Evans blue contents in tumor liver tissue and normal liver tissue is statistically different (P < 0.05). There was no over difference of the Evans blue contents in two kinds of tissue between normal perfusion group and non-perfusion group. There was overt difference of the Evans blue contents in two kinds of tissue between hyperthermic perfusion group and normothermic perfusion group. CONCLUSION: Interventional chemothermotherapy could increase the vascular permeability of normal liver tissue and tumor liver tissue.