Emodin suppresses alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation and neovascularization by the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of emodin on alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation and neovascularization. METHODS: The ability of emodin to target vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) was predicted by molecular docking. The effects of emodin on the invasion, migration, and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were determined by cell counting kit-8, Transwell, and tube formation assays. Analysis of apoptosis was performed by flow cytometry. CD31 levels were examined by immunofluorescence. The abundance and phosphorylation state of VEGFR2, protein kinase B (Akt), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and P38 were examined by immunoblot analysis. Corneal alkali burn was performed on 40 mice. Animals were divided randomly into two groups, and the alkali-burned eyes were then treated with drops of either 10 µM emodin or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) four times a day. Slit-lamp microscopy was used to evaluate inflammation and corneal neovascularization (CNV) in all eyes on Days 0, 7, 10, and 14. The mice were killed humanely 14 d after the alkali burn, and their corneas were removed and preserved at －80 ℃ until histological study or protein extraction. RESULTS: Molecular docking confirmed that emodin was able to target VEGFR2. The findings revealed that emodin decreased the invasion, migration, angiogenesis, and proliferation of HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. In mice, emodin suppressed corneal inflammatory cell infiltration and inhibited the development of corneal neovascularization induced by alkali burn. Compared to those of the PBS-treated group, lower VEGFR2 expression and CD31 levels were found in the emodin-treated group. Emodin dramatically decreased the expression of VEGFR2, p-VEGFR2, p-Akt, p-STAT3, and p-P38 in VEGF-treated HUVEC. CONCLUSION: This study provides a new avenue for evaluating the molecular mechanisms underlying corneal inflammation and neovascularization. Emodin might be a promising new therapeutic option for corneal alkali burns.

Research progress in the treatment of primary insomnia with electroacupuncture / 国际中医中药杂志

Electroacupuncture treatment of primary insomnia is widely used and with confirmed efficacy. The factors influencing the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture include waveform selection, treatment frequency, stimulation intensity, stimulation time and acupoint selection. The mechanism of electroacupuncture in treating this disease mainly includes regulating the levels of excitatory neurotransmitters, γ-aminobutyric acid, melatonin and interleukin cytokines.

[Jiawei Baitouweng Decoction affects intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins in rats with ulcerative colitis through p38 MAPK-MLCK signaling pathway].

The aim of this paper was to explore the effect and mechanism of Jiawei Baitouweng Decoction(JWBTW) against ulcerative colitis(UC) from the perspective of intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins. From 60 SPF-grade male SD rats, 10 were randomly selected as the blank control, and the remaining 50 were treated with 3% dextran sodium sulfate(DSS) solution to induce UC and then randomized into the model group, mesalazine group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose JWBTW( L-JWBTW, M-JWBTW and H-JWBTW) groups, with 10 rats in each group. After successive medication for 14 days, the rat general conditions like body weight and stool were observed and the disease activity index(DAI) was calculated. The pathological changes in colon tissue was observed under a microscope for injury severity scoring and histopathological scoring. The serum endotoxin content was determined by limulus assay, followed by the measurement of protein expression levels of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1, p38 MAPK, MLCK, MLC2 and p-MLC in colon tissue by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited significantly reduced body weight, elevated DAI, injury severity and histopathological scores and serum endotoxin content, up-regulated protein expression levels of p38 MAPK, MLCK, MLC2 and p-MLC, and down-regulated ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1. Compared with the model group,mesalazine and JWBTW at each dose obviously increased the body weight, lowered the DAI, injury severity and histopathological scores and serum endotoxin content, down-regulated the protein expression levels of p38 MAPK, MLCK, MLC2 and p-MLC, and up-regulated the ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1, with the most obvious changes noticed in the H-JWBTW group. All these have indicated that JWBTW exerts the therapeutic effect against UC by inhibiting the activation of p38 MAPK/MLCK pathway, reversing the protein expression levels of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1, decreasing the serum endotoxin content, promoting the repair of intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier, maintaining the integrity of tight junctions, and reducing the permeability of intestinal mucosa.

The antitumor effect of the combination of aconitine and crude monkshood polysaccharide on hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aconitine, the main component in Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata, not only exerts the anti-tumor effect on Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) but also damages on immune system. In the present study, Crude Monkshood Polysaccharide (CMP), another one natural composition component originated from the same herbal with aconitine, combined with aconitine to investigate the effects on HCC and immunity in vitro and in vivo. The combination of CMP and aconitine enhanced the ability of the immunocyte to kill the tumor cell in vitro and had an additive effect on anti-HCC in vivo. Aconitine-CMP in combination improved the spleen weights, spleen index, thymus weights, thymus index. Elevated CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells and macrophages in spleen, decreased serum IL-6 level and increased serum IFN-γ and TNF-α levels were observed in mice treated with the combination of aconitine and CMP compare with control group (P<0.05). Our results showed that the combination of aconitine and CMP exerts anti-tumor effect by directly killing tumor cells and enhancing the anti-tumor immune responses, which further implies that chemotherapy drugs combined with Chinese medicine immunopotentiator maybe a feasible and effective strategy for HCC.

Regulation of Hypnotic Active Components of Cnidii Fructus on Melatonin Synthesis Rate-limiting Enzyme AANAT in Rats with PCPA-induced Insomnia / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of Cnidii Fructus hypnotic active components （CHC） on the behaviors of rats with p-chlorophenylalanine （PCPA）-induced insomnia and melatonin （MT） synthesis rate-limiting enzyme arylalkylamine <italic>N</italic>-acetyltransferase （AANAT）， and explore the protective mechanism of CHC on the pineal gland. Method:Male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a blank control group， a model group， a MT group， and high-， medium-， and low-dose CHC groups with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank control group， other groups received 4.5% PCPA suspension at 10 mL·kg^-1， intragastric administration， for two consecutive days. After PCPA model of insomnia was established， normal and model groups were gavaged at the same volume of 2% Tween-80， MT control group （10 mg·kg^-1）， CHC was high， medium and low （60， 30， 15 mg·kg^-1）， 10 mL·kg^-1， once a day， for consecutive 7 days. Four days after administration， open field， elevated cross maze， and pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep tests were conducted， respectively. Serum MT was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA expression level of AANAT was determined by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The expression of AANAT protein in the pineal gland was detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with the results in the blank control group， the total distance of open field activity and standing times and duration in the central area were increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， the proportions of open arm entry （OE%） and open arm time （OT%） were decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the sleep latency was prolonged （<italic>P</italic><0.01） in the model group. Compared with the model group， no significant difference was observed in the low-dose CHC group， while other groups exhibited reduced total distance of activity （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， elevated OE% （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， shortened sleep latency， and prolonged sleep time （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the serum MT in the blank control group， that in the model group was decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， no significant difference was observed in the low-dose CHC group， while other groups displayed increased serum MT （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The mRNA and protein expression of AANAT was decreased in the model group as compared with that in the blank control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the MT group and the high-dose CHC group showed up-regulated expression （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:CHC improved the behavioral indexes of PCPA-induced insomnia， increased the synthesis and secretion of MT in pineal cells， and elevated the serum MT level， which was related to the up-regulation of the mRNA and protein expression of AANAT in the pineal gland.

Pingkui Enema Alleviates TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Regulation of Inflammatory Factors, Gut Bifidobacterium, and Intestinal Mucosal Barrier in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic recurrent inflammation of the colon, and clinical outcome of UC is still unsatisfied. Pingkui enema, a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been safely applied for the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery in clinic for many years. However, its mechanism is still elusive. The present study is designed to investigate the effect of Pingkui enema on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid- (TNBS-) induced ulcerative colitis (UC) and possible mechanism in rats. METHODS: UC was induced by intracolonic instillation of TNBS in male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were treated with different dosages of Pingkui enema (low, medium, and high) or sulfasalazine for ten days. Survival rate was calculated. A clinical disease activity score was evaluated. Histological colitis severity was analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Content of Bifidobacterium in intestinal tissue was analyzed by RT-PCR. Concentration of IL-8, IL-13, TNF-α, D-lactic acid (D-LA), and diamine oxidase (DAO) in serum and contents of adhesin and receptor of Bifidobacterium adhesion in rat intestinal mucus were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The results showed that Pingkui enema treatment with high dosage markedly improved the survival rate compared with untreated and sulfasalazine treated groups. All dosages of Pingkui enema reduced pathological score. High dosage of Pingkui enema and sulfasalazine treatments significantly reduced the serum concentration of IL-8, TNF-α, D-LA, and DAO and markedly increased the serum concentration of IL-13. In addition, high-dose Pingkui enema and sulfasalazine treatments increased gut content of Bifidobacterium, gut mucus expressions of adhesin, and adhesin receptor of Bifidobacterium. CONCLUSIONS: Pingkui enema has therapeutic effect on TNBS-induced UC, and possible mechanism may be via regulation of gut probiotics (Bifidobacterium) and inflammatory factors and protection of intestinal mucosal barrier.

Interaction between Saikosaponin D, Paeoniflorin, and Human Serum Albumin.

Saikosaponin D (SSD) and paeoniflorin (PF) are the major active constituents of Bupleuri Radix and Paeonia lactiflora Pall, respectively, and have been widely used in China to treat liver and other diseases for many centuries. We explored the binding of SSD/PF to human serum albumin (HSA) by using fluorospectrophotometry, circular dichroism (CD) and molecular docking. Both SSD and PF produced a conformational change in HSA. Fluorescence quenching was accompanied by a blue shift in the fluorescence spectra. Co-binding of PF and SSD also induced quenching and a conformational change in HSA. The Stern-Volmer equation showed that quenching was dominated by static quenching. The binding constant for ternary interaction was below that for binary interaction. Site-competitive experiments demonstrated that SSD/PF bound to site I (subdomain IIA) and site II (subdomain IIIA) in HSA. Analysis of thermodynamic parameters indicated that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces were mostly responsible for the binary association. Also, there was energy transfer upon binary interaction. Molecular docking supported the experimental findings in conformation, binding sites and binding forces.

Study on preparation of immobilized acetylcholinesterase microreactor and its application in CMM inhibitors screening / 中草药

Objective To prepare an immobilized acetylcholinesterase (AChE) microreactor and establish a rapid screening method for Chinese materia medica (CMM) acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs). Methods A novel immobilized AchE microreactor was prepared by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde, using aminated magnetic microspheres as carrier. The characterizations were conducted by physicochemical properties and chromatographic performance. The immobilized AChE reactor was used to screen AChEIs from the Huperzia Serratum extracts. Results In the enzyme reaction system, the optimum substrate concentration was 50 μmol/L, and the incubation time was 5 min, respectively. IR characterization, specificity verification, enzyme kinetics, and stability study results all demonstrated the effectiveness of the enzyme reactor. The CMM AChEI, huperzine A, was obtained from the screening of H. Serratum extracts. Conclusion A high throughput screening method for AChEIs is established in this paper, which will be further applied and popularized.

Effect of rhubarb on neonatal rats with bronchopulmonary dysplasia induced by hyperoxia / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of rhubarb on neonatal rats with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) induced by hyperoxia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 64 rats (postnatal day 4) were randomly divided into four groups: air control, rhubarb control, hyperoxia model, and hyperoxia+rhubarb (n=16 each). The rats in the hyperoxia model and hyperoxia+rhubarb groups were exposed to hyperoxia (60% O2) to establish a BPD model. The rats in the rhubarb control and hyperoxia+rhubarb groups were given rhubarb extract suspension (600 mg/kg) by gavage daily. The pathological changes of lung tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining on postnatal days 14 and 21. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by spectrophotometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The hyperoxia model group showed reduced alveolar number, increased alveolar volume, and simplified alveolar structure, which worsened over the time of exposure to hyperoxia. These pathological changes were significantly reduced in the hyperoxia+rhubarb group. On postnatal days 14 and 21, compared with the air control and rhubarb control groups, the hyperoxia model group had significantly reduced radical alveolar count (RAC), significantly reduced activity of SOD in the lung tissue, and significantly increased content of MDA and mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.05). Compared with the hyperoxia model group, the hyperoxia+rhubarb group had significantly increased RAC, significantly increased activity of SOD in the lung tissue, and significantly reduced content of MDA and mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Rhubarb may play a protective role in rats with BPD induced by hyperoxia through inhibiting inflammatory response and oxidative stress.</p>

Hyperbaric Oxygenation Protects Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Transplanted Rat Kidneys by Triggering Autophagy and Inhibiting Inflammatory Response.

BACKGROUND Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a clinically common pathologic process defined as the inability to improve neuronal function. This study aimed to investigate the pathological mechanism of IRI and to explore effects of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on autophagy and inflammatory response in IRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ninety Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a Sham group, a kidney transplant group (Trans), and a kidney transplant plus HBO treatment group (Trans+HBO). The kidney was harvested from the donor and transplanted to recipient rats according to a previously reported study. Rats were anesthetized using pentobarbital-natrium, and the kidney was resected and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Serum creatinine (Scr) was detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) level was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). LC-3 was examined using indirect immunofluorescence assay and immunochemistry assay. LC-3 mRNA levels were analyzed using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS The kidney transplant IRI model was successfully established. Scr and IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the Trans group (P<0.05). HBO significantly enhanced Scr and IL-6 levels. Scr was positively correlated with IL-6 levels (r-0.607, P<0.05). HBO increased LC-3 protein and mRNA expression in kidney-transplanted rats compared to the Sham and Trans group (P<0.05). Moreover, immunofluorescence assay also showed that LC-3 protein mainly distributes along renal tubular epithelial cells in a linear manner. CONCLUSIONS Autophagy dysfunction and inflammatory response after renal transplantation play important roles in processes of IRI. HBO treatment protects against the renal injury of IRI in renal tissues at the early stage, which may be triggered by the IL-6 pathway.

The effects of different levels of superoxide dismutase in Modena on boar semen quality during liquid preservation at 17°C.

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on the quality of boar semen during liquid preservation at 17°C. Semen samples from 10 Duroc boars were collected and pooled, divided into five equal parts and diluted with Modena containing different concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 U/mL) of SOD. During the process of liquid preservation at 17°C, sperm motility, acrosome integrity, membrane integrity, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) content were measured and analyzed every 24 h. Meanwhile, effective survival time of boar semen during preservation was evaluated and analyzed. The results indicated that different concentrations of SOD in Modena showed different protective effects on boar sperm quality. Modena supplemented with SOD decreased the effects on reactive oxygen species on boar sperm quality during liquid preservation compared with that of the control group. The added 200 U/mL SOD group showed higher sperm motility, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, effective survival time and T-AOC activity. Meanwhile, the added 200 U/mL SOD group showed lower MDA content and H2 O2 content. In conclusion, addition of SOD to Modena improved the boar sperm quality by reducing oxidative stress during liquid preservation at 17°C and the optimum concentration was 200 U/mL.

Therapeutic and recurrence-preventing effects of Qi-Replenishing and Blood-Activating Formula in rats with acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic and recurrence-preventing effects of Qi-Replenishing and Blood-Activating Formula in rats with acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer. METHODS: A total of 138 SD rats were selected to make rat models with gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid (24 rats with sham operation served as sham operation group), and were randomly divided into model group (n = 30), western medicine group (n = 30), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group (n = 24) and combination group (combined western medicine and TCM group, n = 30). Western medicine group was gavaged with omeprazole in the morning and with iso-volumetric distilled water in the afternoon; TCM group and TCM sham operation group were gavaged with iso-volumetric distilled water in the morning and with Qi-Replenishing and Blood-Activating Formula in the afternoon; combination group was gavaged with omeprazole in the morning and with Qi-Replenishing and Blood-Activating Formula in the afternoon; sham operation group and model group were gavaged with iso-volumetric distilled water both in the morning and afternoon. Ulcer indexes and degree of mucosal degree in rats at different time points after gavage were observed. Twenty-eight days after gavage, interleukin (IL)-1ß was given to induce ulcer recurrence so as to observe the recurrent severity and rate of ulcer in each group. RESULTS: Compared with model group and western medicine group, treatment in combination group could prominently reduce the ulcer index of rats with peptic ulcer, and increase the healing rate and inhibition rate of peptic ulcer. After IL-1ß-induced ulcer recurrence, combination group was significantly superior to model group and western medicine group in ulcer recurrent rate [50% (3/6) vs. 100% (6/6)] and severity. CONCLUSIONS: Basic acid-suppression therapy combined with Qi-Replenishing and Blood-Activating Formula can effectually improve the ulcer healing quality and reduce ulcer recurrence.

[Spatial variation of soil phosphorus in flooded area of the Yellow River based on GIS and geo-statistical methods: A case study in Zhoukou City, Henan, China.] / 基于GIS和地统计学的黄泛区土壤磷空间变异­­ä»¥å‘¨å£ä¸ºä¾‹.

Soil phosphorus is an important indicator to measure the soil fertility, because the content of soil phosphorus has an important effect on physical and chemical properties of soil, plant growth, and microbial activity in soil. In this study, the soil samples collecting and indoor analysis were conducted in Zhoukou City located in the flooded area of the Yellow River. By using GIS combined with geo-statistics, we tried to analyze the spatial variability and content distribution of soil total phosphorus (TP) and soil available phosphorus (AP) in the study area. Results showed that TP and AP of both soil layers (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm) were rich, and the contents of TP and AP in surface layer (0-20 cm) were higher than in the second layer (20-40 cm). TP and AP of both soil layers exhibited variation at medium level, and AP had varied much higher than TP. TP of both layers showed medium degree of anisotropy which could be well modeled by the Gaussian model. TP in the surface layer showed strong spatial correlation, but that of the second layer had medium spatial correlation. AP of both layers had a weaker scope in anisotropy which could be simulated by linear model, and both soil layers showed weaker spatial correlations. TP of both soil layers showed a slowly rising change from southwest to northeast of the study area, while it gradually declined from northwest to southeast. AP in soil surface layer exhibited an increase tendency firstly and then decrease from southwest to the northeast, while it decreased firstly and then increased from southeast to the northwest. AP in the second soil layer had an opposite change in the southwest to the northeast, while it showed continuously increasing tendency from northwest to the southeast. The contents of TP and AP in the surface layer presented high grades and the second layer of TP belonged to medium grade, but the second layer of AP was in a lower grade. The artificial factors such as land use type, cropping system, irrigation and fertilization were the main factors influencing the distribution and spatial variation of soil phosphorus in this area.

Advances in studies on biotransformation of ginsensides / 中国中药杂志

Ginseng saponins are a type of important active substances in the ginseng genus plants. They have notable pharmacological activities of antineoplastic, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities, which have been drawn more attention to obtain minor ginsenosides by all kinds of methods. In this review, we discussed the latest progress for enrichment of minor ginsenosides by biological transformation of major ginsenosides. At the same time, we have a brief outlook of the research at bioconversion of ginseng saponins.

[Effects of xinwei granule on STAT3 and p-STAT3 signal pathway in rats with precancerous lesion of gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Xinwei Granule (XG) on signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) and tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) signal pathway in rats with precancerous lesions of gastric carcinoma (PLGC). METHODS: Totally 96 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank control group (abbreviated as the blank group, n = 16) and the model group (n = 80). The PLGC rat model was established by complex pathogenic factors, in which methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was mainly used. After successful modeling, 75 rats randomly selected were divided into the model group, the Vitacoenzyme group, the low dose XG group, the middle dose XG group, and the high dose XG group, 15 in each group. Fifteen rats were randomly selected from the blank group, and fed with ordinary standard forage and administered with 10 mL/kg 0.9% sodium chloride by gastrogavage. XG at 1.254 g/kg, 2.508 g/kg, and 5.016 g/kg was respectively administered to rats in the three XG groups by gastrogavage. Rats in the model group were administered with 10 mL/kg 0.9% sodium chloride by gastrogavage. Vitacoenzyme was administered to rats in the Vitacoenzyme group. Vitacoenzyme Tablet was pulverized to prepare 0.1 g/mL 0.9% sodium chloride suspension and administered by gastrogavage. All the medication was performed once daily and continued for 12 weeks. The general conditions (including rats' fur, activity, food and water, excrement, body weight, and survival), the pathological changes in the gastric mucosa, as well as the expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 were observed. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group,the expression levels of STAT3 and p-STAT3 increased in the model group (P < 0.05). The general conditions, such as the activity, food and water intake, and body weight were improved in each XG group. Compared with the model group, the expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 decreased in each XG group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). The occurrence of PLGC, i.e., intestinal metaplasia (IM) and dysplasia (DYS) significantly decreased with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the Vitacoenzyme group, the occurrence of IM and DYS significantly decreased in the middle and high dose XG groups, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 decreased more significantly in the middle and high dose XG groups, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: XG could obviously improve the pathological conditions of gastric mucosa in rats with PLGC. It could fight against the progress of PLGC by down-regulating the expressions of STAT3 mRNA and p-STAT3.

N-acetylglucosamine biofunctionalized CdSeTe quantum dots as fluorescence probe for specific protein recognition.

Hsp70 proteins are implicated in resistance to chemotherapy in cancers, the detection of which is important for cancer treatment and prognosis. In this work, we report the study on the detection of specific intracellular target protein in fixed cells using GlcNAc-conjugated CdSeTe QDs. The QDs were coupled with Con A via a carbodiimide reaction and then were further assembled with GlcNAc by lectin-carbohydrate interaction between Con A and GlcNAc. The obtained QDs-Con A-GlcNAc conjugates have an emission wavelength at 650 nm that is close to the near-infrared (NIR) regions and a specific recognition for Hsp70. These results show that the QDs-Con A-GlcNAc probe can be a promising tool for direct localization of the Hsp70 protein.

Clinical observation of post-herpetic neuralgia treated with TCM herbal cupping therapy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the efficacy on post-herpetic neuralgia among TCM herbal cupping therapy, Chinese medicine thermal compressing therapy and mecobalamine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-seven cases were randomized into a TCM herbal cupping group, a thermal compressing group and a western medicine group, 19 cases in each one. The oral administration of ibuprofen was applied in every group. In the herbal cupping group, the bamboo cups soaked in the boiled Chinese herbal decoction were sucked on the most significant painful area. In the thermal compressing group, the towel soaked in the boiled Chinese herbal decoction was compressed on the most significant painful area. In the medication group, the muscular injection of mecobalamine was adopted. The treatment was given once a day, for 2 weeks totally in each group. SF-MPQ score and clinical efficacy before and after treatment were observed in each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The remarkable effective rates were 78.9% (15/19), 36.8% (7/19) and 5.3% (1/19) in the TCM herbal cupping group, thermal compressing group and western medicine group separately. The efficacy in the TCM herbal cupping group was significantly superior to the thermal compressing group and western medicine group (all P < 0.05), and that in the thermal compressing group was superior to the western medicine group (P < 0.05). After treatment, SF-MPQ score was reduced significantly in each group (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). The score in the herbal cupping group was reduced more significantly as compared with the thermal compressing group and western medicine group (all P < 0.01). The improvement in pain in the thermal compressing group was superior to the western medicine group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TCM herbal cupping therapy achieves the superior efficacy for post-herpetic neuralgia and relieves pain effectively of the patients, which is more advantageous than CM herbal thermal compressing therapy and Mecobalamine.</p>

Studies on purification of allicin by molecular distillation.

BACKGROUND: With recent improvements in living standards, people have been giving more consideration to the healthcare effects of foods. In this respect, allicin, which is the most important organosulfur compound in garlic and plays a key role in physiological function, has been receiving much attention. RESULTS: Allicin obtained from garlic by supercritical CO(2) extraction was purified by molecular distillation (MD). The effects of operating conditions such as absolute pressure (AP), distillation temperature (DT) and feed flow rate (FFR) on allicin purity and yield were studied. The optimal AP, DT and FFR levels in first-stage MD were found to be 200 Pa, 50 °C and 15 mL min(-1) respectively. After three stages of MD the contents of allicin, diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS) were 68.04, 9.19 and 5.91% (w/w) respectively. CONCLUSION: This study has provided a safe and effective method for the purification of allicin.

Effect of tagalsin on p53 and Bcl-2 expression in hepatoma H(22) tumor-bearing mice / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect and mechanism of tagalsin on hepatoma cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The animal models were established by transplanting H(22) mouse hepatoma cells to mouse liver, and ten days later the mice were randomly divided into five groups: blank group, carmofur positive group and tagalsin groups, including low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose groups. Then medicine or oil was given to the mice by gastric gavage in consecutive 5 days with a 2-days interval as a course of treatment, two courses in all. All mice were killed at 24 hours after medication, and the survival period, ascites conditions, aggressive conditions intra- or extra-liver, weight changes, tumor volume and spleen index of the tumor-bearing mice were observed. Pathological changes of the tumors were examined. Apoptotic factors p53 and Bcl-2 protien and mRNA were detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>tagalsin inhibited the hepatoma growth effectively without influencing spleen index to some extent. The tumor inhibition rate of tagalsin low, middle and high dose groups were 17.9%, 63.1% and 71.8%, respectively. Immunohistochemical results showed that the p53 and Bcl-2 protein positive cell counts of the positive control and experimental groups were significantly lower than those of the blank group (P < 0.01). RT-PCR results showed that the p53 mRNA expression was significantly enhanced and Bcl-2 mRNA expression was decreased in the positive control groups and tagalsin treatment groups, especially in the high dose group, compared with those of the blank group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>tagalsin can inhibit the growth of mouse hepatoma cells significantly. The mechanism of its anti-tumor effect may work via up-regulating the wild type p53 gene expression and down-regulating Bcl-2 gene expression and thus regulating tumor cell apoptosis.</p>

Morphological changes in network of enteric nerve-interstitial cells of Cajal-smooth muscle cells in rats with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and therapeutic effects of Dachengqi decoction (大承气汤).

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Dachengqi Decoction (大承气汤, DCQD) on morphological changes in the network of enteric nerve-interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs)-smooth muscle cells (SMC) of enteric deep muscular plexuses (DMP) in the rats with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). METHODS: One hundred Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 200 to 250 g were randomly divided into the control group, MODS group, and DCQD group. The morphologic changes of enteric nerve-ICC-SMC network in the DMP of intestine was observed using c-Kit and vesicular acetylcholine transporter/neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunohistochemical double-staining with whole-mount preparation technique, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the distribution and densities of cholinergic/nitrergic nerves and ICC in the DMP (ICC-DMP) of intestine in the MODS group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the network of cholinergic nerve-ICC-SMC was disrupted; and the ultrastructural features of ICC-DMP, enteric nerve, and SMC were severely damaged. After treatment with DCQD, the damage in the network of enteric nerve-ICC-SMC was significantly recovered. Compared with the MODS group, the distribution and densities of cholinergic/nitrergic nerves and ICC-DMP in the DCQD group were significantly increased (P<0.01); and the ultrastructural features of ICC-DMP, enteric nerve, smooth muscle cells were significantly recovered. CONCLUSIONS: DCQD can improve the gastrointestinal motility in MODS. The mechanism may be related to the effect of repairing the damages in the network of enteric nerve-ICC-SMC.