Improvement of Pre-check and Triage Efficiency and Guarantee of Maternal and Infant Safety in Pandemic Situation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to enhance the efficiency of pre-check and triage procedures in gynecology and obstetrics, while ensuring the safety of maternal and infant patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Between March 2020 and July 2022, the workflow in gynecology and obstetrics was optimized, and the management of medical staff working in outpatient, ward, and obstetric ward settings was strengthened. Special protocols were developed and implemented for pregnant women, parturients, and neonates. Detailed procedures and routes were established for patient movement from outpatient areas to wards, with strict adherence to pandemic prevention and control measures. Information-based methods were employed to track and monitor the health status of high-risk pregnant women, parturients, and their families, facilitating accurate and efficient pre-check and triage processes. Results: The implementation of these measures yielded favorable outcomes. No cases of COVID-19 infection were reported among pregnant women and parturients admitted to Liangzhou Hospital. The source of infection was effectively controlled, ensuring the safety of the patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the significance of improving pre-check and triage efficiency, strengthening the management of medical staff, and implementing specialized measures for pregnant women, parturients, and neonates to ensure their safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The established protocols and procedures can serve as a valuable reference for other healthcare facilities seeking to enhance their pandemic prevention and control strategies in gynecology and obstetrics settings.

The Pharmacological Rationales and Molecular Mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides for the Therapeutic Applications of Multiple Diseases.

As a versatile Chinese herb, Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst (G. lucidum) has been applied to treat multiple diseases in clinics and improve the quality of life of patients. Among all of its extracts, the main bioactive components are G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs), which possess many therapeutic effects, such as antitumor, immunoregulatory, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects and neuroprotection activities. This review briefly summarized the recent studies of the pharmacological rationales of GLPs and their underlying molecular signaling transmission mechanisms in treating diseases. Until now, the clear mechanisms of GLPs for treating diseases have not been reported. In this review, we used the keywords of "Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides" and "tumor" to search in PubMed (years of 1992-2020), then screened and obtained 160 targets of antitumor activities in the literatures. The network pharmacology and mechanism framework were employed in this study as powerful approaches to systematically analyze the complicated potential antitumor mechanisms and targets of GLPs in cancer. We then found that there are 69 targets and 21 network pathways in "Pathways in cancer". Besides, we summarized the effects of GLPs and the models and methods used in the research of GLPs. In conclusion, GLPs have been studied extensively, but more in-depth research is still needed to determine the exact mechanisms and pathways. Therefore, this review might provide new insights into the vital targets and pathways for researchers to study the pharmacological mechanisms of GLPs for the treatment of diseases.

Ganoderic acid improves 5-fluorouracil-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a chemotherapeutic drug with a good anti-cancer effect on various types of cancers, such as colorectal cancer and breast cancer. However, previous studies have found that 5-FU could induce cognitive deficit in clinics. As ganoderic acid, isolated from Ganoderma lucidum, has a protective effect on neurons, this study investigated the effects of ganoderic acid (GA) against 5-FU-induced cognitive dysfunction with a series of behavioral tests and related indicators. Experimental results showed that GA significantly prevented the reduction of spatial and non-spatial memory in 5-FU-treated mice. In addition, GA not only ameliorated the damage to hippocampal neurons and mitochondrial structure, but also significantly improved abnormal protein expression of mitochondrial biogenesis related marker PGC-1α, and mitochondrial dynamics related markers MFN2, DRP1 and FIS1 in the hippocampi of 5-FU-treated mice. Moreover, GA could up-regulate the expression of neuronal survival and growth-related proteins, such as BDNF, p-ERK, p-CREB, p-Akt, p-GSK3ß, Nrf2, p-mTOR, and p-S6, in the hippocampi of 5-FU-treated mice. These results suggest that GA could prevent cognitive dysfunction in mice treated with 5-FU via preventing mitochondrial impairment and enhancing neuronal survival and growth, which provide evidence for GA as a promising adjunctive therapy for chemotherapy related cognitive impairment in clinics.

Antimetastatic Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Peptide on B16-F10-luc-G5 Melanoma Mice With Sleep Fragmentation.

Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) polysaccharide peptide (GL-pp) is a component of the globally acknowledged traditional Chinese medicine Ganoderma lucidum; Ganoderma lucidum is known for its sedative, hypnotic, immune regulatory, antitumor, and other pharmacological effects. In recent years, sleep disorders have been linked to many diseases and human body disorders, including cancer. Some experimental studies in mice found that sleep fragmentation could promote tumor development and progression. However, effects on GL-pp on tumor metastasis under circumstances of sleep disorders have rarely been studied. Thus, in this study, we used mice with sleep fragmentation (SF) bearing B16-F10-luc-G5 melanoma tumors to investigate the effect of SF on melanoma metastasis. Furthermore, we investigated the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of GL-pp (80 mg/kg) in mice suffering from SF and bearing B16-F10-luc-G5. Then, whole proteomics was used to analyze the differences in protein expression in the lung tissue between SF mice bearing B16-F10-luc-G5 with and without GL-pp administration. High-throughput pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA was also used to analyze the impact of GL-pp on the gut microbiota composition in SF mice bearing B16-F10-luc-G5. Last, the effects of GL-pp on macrophage polarization and TNF-α serum levels were detected. Collectively, we found that SF significantly facilitated the B16-F10-luc-G5 melanoma tumor metastasis in mice, while GL-pp significantly reduced B16-F10-luc-G5 melanoma tumor metastasis under the condition of SF, in which proteomics and gut microbiota had been changed greatly.

Preventive and therapeutic effect of Ganoderma lucidum on kidney injuries and diseases.

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum, Lingzhi) is a well-known Chinese traditional medicine to improve health and to treat numerous diseases for over 2000 years in Asian countries. G. lucidum has the abundant chemical components such as triterpenes and polysaccharides, which have various biological activities including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-liver disorders, anti-tumor growth and metastasis, etc. Recently, many lines of studies have elucidated the therapeutic effects of G. lucidum and its extractions on various acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) pathogenesis, including autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, renal proximal tubular cell oxidative damage and fibrotic process, renal ischemia reperfusion injury, cisplatin-induced renal injury, adriamycin-induced nephropathy, chronic proteinuric renal diseases, etc. Clinical researches also showed potent anti-renal disease bioactivities of G. lucidum. In this chapter, we review experimental and clinical researches and provide comprehensive insights into the renoprotective effects of G. lucidum. In recent years, renal diseases have gradually aroused attention on account of their booming prevalence worldwide and lack of effective therapies. Although the complicated pathogenesis of kidney diseases, such as acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney diseases (CKD) have been intensively studied. The morbidity and mortality of AKI and CKD still rise continuously. Thanks to the conventional experience and the multi-target characteristics, natural products have been increasingly recognized as an alternative source for treating renal diseases.

Ganoderma (Lingzhi) in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Culture.

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shennong Materia Medica) and many other books in early Chinese history began to study, discuss, and report the scientific aspects of Ganoderma (Lingzhi) in respect to its categorization, habitat, bionomics, herbal nature, medication, etc. At the same time, incorrect or unsubstantiated information continues to be weeded out and updated. Shennong Materia Medica have been frequently referred in literature and used for further research and applications. Present chapter reviews the history of modern research on Ganoderma (Lingzhi) since 1950s.Historically, Lingzhi has been viewed as a magic herb as well as an auspicious symbol by the Chinese. It is, therefore, also known as "Ruizhi," "Shenzhi," and "Xiancao," with the meaning of good fortune and mysterious power. Taoism played an important role in promoting Lingzhi for either medical purposes or otherwise. Numerous myths and poems mentioning people's love, worshipping, and beliefs on Lingzhi can be found in the Chinese literature since ancient times.

The improvement of M1 polarization in macrophages by glycopeptide derived from Ganoderma lucidum.

Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst (Ganodermataceae) is a medicinal mushroom that has been extensively used in China for centuries to promote longevity and improve vigor without significant adverse effects. There is continuous interest in the bioactive properties of G. lucidum in view of its newly developed popularity in other regions besides Asia, such as Europe. Glycopeptide derived from G. lucidum (Gl-PS) is one of the main effective components isolated from this mushroom. The Gl-PS has been demonstrated pleiotropic with many bioactivities including immunomodulatory and antitumor effects. Macrophages are important cells involved in innate and adaptive immunity. Classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2), with their different roles, display distinct cytokine profiles: M1 preferentially produces TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12; conversely, M2 generates more IL-10 and arginase. Gl-PS might have the potential to promote macrophage M1 polarization by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, LPS was used to induce the M1 polarization. It was shown that the level of the TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 were increased and the IL-10 and arginase I were decreased in the polarized M1 macrophages after application of Gl-PS compared to the control. The results indicated the potential of Gl-PS to promote M1 polarization vs M2, with the health beneficial understanding of the bioactivities of Gl-PS.

Antagonism by Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides against the suppression by culture supernatants of B16F10 melanoma cells on macrophage.

It is well-documented that macrophages have the functions to regulate antitumor immune response. Antitumor response can be launched by a series of events, starting with inflammation mediated by monocyte/macrophages, which stimulates natural killer and dendritic cells and finally activates the cytotoxic lymphoid system. Monocytes/macrophages may be the first line of defense in tumors. However, specific and nonspecific immunotherapy for human cancer has shown no success or limited success in clinical trials. Part of the reasons attribute to tumor-derived soluble factors that suppress functions of immune cells or induce apoptosis of these cells, including macrophages. Therefore, antagonism of the suppression on the macrophages is an important goal for tumor immunotherapy. To achieve this purpose, Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (Gl-PS) with multiple bioactivities were used on mouse peritoneal macrophages incubating with culture supernatants of B16F10 melanoma cells (B16F10-CS). It was shown that the viability, phagocytic activity, NO production, TNF-α production and activity in peritoneal macrophages after activation by lipopolysaccharide were suppressed by B16F10-CS, while the suppressions were fully or partially antagonized by Gl-PS. In conclusion, B16F10-CS is suppressive to the viability, phagocytic activity, NO production, TNF-α production and activity in peritoneal macrophages while Gl-PS had the antagonistic effects against this suppression, suggesting this potential of Gl-PS to facilitate cancer immunotherapy.

Promoting effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on B16F10 cells to activate lymphocytes.

The immune system in patients with cancer often fails to control tumour growth because of deficient immunogenicity of tumour cells. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (Gl-PS) are believed to have anti-tumour effects by boosting host immune function. Additionally, Gl-PS may have some direct effects on tumour cells in the activation of lymphocytes, thus enhancing the immunogenicity of tumour cells. We tested the effects of Gl-PS in lymphocyte activation by incubating Gl-PS with a tumour cell line deficient in antigen presentation. Our study showed that Gl-PS can promote B16F10 melanoma cells to induce lymphocyte proliferation, CD69 and FasL expression and IFN-γ production, indicating that Gl-PS can improve the nature of B16F10 cells to activate lymphocytes. Furthermore, H-2D(b) [a major histocompatibility (MHC) class I molecule], and B7-1 and B7-2 (two prominent co-stimulatory molecules expressed on B16F10 cells) were enhanced by Gl-PS, suggesting that these molecules may at least partially be involved in the process of Gl-PS on B16F10 cells to activate lymphocytes.

Effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide on CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A activities in BCG-immune hepatic injury in rats.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLPS), a major active component in Chinese medicinal fungus, on cytochrome P450 metabolic activity in Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG)-induced immune hepatic injury in rats. The enzyme kinetics of the probes including chlorzoxazone (CYP2E1), phenacetin (CYP1A2) and nifedipine (CYP3A) were evaluated by HPLC. The results showed that BCG-pretreatment (125 mg/kg) significantly increased serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), nitrite and malondialdehyde (MDA), inhibited activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased P450 total content in microsomes (p<0.05). Administration of GLPS (50 and 200 mg/kg) reversed above hepatic injury stimulated by BCG in vivo. Moreover, GLPS dose-dependently inhibited activities of CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A in hepatic microsomes in vitro, suggesting that inhibition of GLPS on P450 oxidative metabolism might participate in the hepatoprotective mechanism, and also suggested that pharmacokinetics might be changed by drug-herb interaction.

Extract of Ganoderma lucidum potentiates pentobarbital-induced sleep via a GABAergic mechanism.

Ganoderma lucidum has been used for the treatment of a variety of diseases. For the first time here we report a detailed study on the mechanisms and effects of G. lucidum aqueous extract (GLE) on sleep and its sedative activity. GLE showed no effects on sleep architecture in normal rats at doses of 80 and 120 mg/kg. However, GLE significantly decreased sleep latency, increased sleeping time, non-REM sleep time and light sleep time in pentobarbital-treated rats. Suppression of locomotor activity in normal mice induced by GLE was also observed. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, at a dose of 3.5 mg/kg showed a significant antagonistic effect on the shortening in sleep latency, increase in sleeping time, non-REM sleep time or light sleep time in pentobarbital-treated rat induced by GLE. Significant effect was also observed with GLE on delta activity during non-REM sleep and flumazenil did not block this effect. In conclusion, GLE may be a herb having benzodiazepine-like hypnotic activity at least in part.

[Isolation, purification and structural analysis of GL-PP-3A, an active polysaccharide peptide from Ganoderma lucidum].

GL-PP-3A, an active polysaccharide peptide, was isolated and purified from Ganoderma lucidum, and then its structure was analyzed. Crude polysaccharide peptides were extracted from Ganoderma lucidum with hot water, precipitated with ethanol and then dialyzed from Ganoderma lucidum. Subsequently GL-PP-3A was isolated and purified from the crude polysaccharide peptides by fractional precipitation and chromatography of Bio-Gel P-10 column. The repetitive unit of GL-PP-3A was analyzed by high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), monosaccharide composition and methylation analysis, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. GL-PP-3A is a heteropolysaccharide which is composed mainly of glucose (Glc), and also contains saccharide residues such as rhamnose (Rha), xylose (Xyl), mannose (Man) and galactose (Gal) and 17 kinds of amino acids. Its weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and number-average molecular weight (Mn) were 1.7 x 10(4) and 1.1 x 10(4), respectively, with the ratio of Mw/Mn ( molecular weight distribution) being of 1.49. Its backbone chain is composed of 1,6-linked beta-D-Glcp and 1,3-liked beta-D-Glcp at a ratio of 2:1. Some of 1,6-linked glucose residuals of the backbone chain are substituted at 2-0 or 3-0, and there are 1 to 3 1,6-linked beta-D-Galp or 1,3-linked alpha-D-Manp in the branched chains, the nonreducing ends of which consist mainly of beta-D-Glcp and a few Rha.

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides enhance the function of immunological effector cells in immunosuppressed mice.

The present study was designed to determine in vivo efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (Gl-PS) for enhancing the activity of immunological effector cells in immunosuppressed mice. Mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) once daily with low-dose (2.5mg/kg), intermediate-dose (25mg/kg), and high-dose (250 mg/kg) of Gl-PS, respectively, for 7 consecutive days 24h after i.p. injection of a immunosuppressing anti-tumor agent cyclophosphamide (Cy, 300 mg/kg). In Cy-treated mice, compared to vehicle, low-dose Gl-PS accelerated recovery of bone marrow cells, red blood cells and white blood cells, as well as splenic natural killer cells and natural killer T cells, and enhanced T and B cell proliferation responses on day 8, cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity on day 5, as well as NK cell and lymphokine activated killer cell activity on days 7-9. Furthermore, it promoted phagocytosis and cytotoxicity of macrophages on day 12. The above beneficial effects induced by the low-dose Gl-PS treatment did not result in any side effects. These results demonstrate the efficacious effects of low-dose Gl-PS treatment for enhancing the activity of immunological effector cells in immunosuppressed mice, and may provide a basis for applying this herb as an efficacious adjacent immunopotentiating therapy against cancer chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression.

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides peptide inhibits the growth of vascular endothelial cell and the induction of VEGF in human lung cancer cell.

Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Peptide (Gl-PP) has shown some effects as anti-tumors in mice and potential anti-angiogenesis. In this study, we elucidated the possible mechanism of Gl-PP action on anti-angiogenesis of tumor. Our research indicated that the proliferation of HUVECs was inhibited by Gl-PP in a dose-dependent fashion, but not because of cytotoxicity. Flow cytometric studies revealed that Gl-PP treatment of HUVECs could induce cell apoptosis directly. Moreover, addition of Gl-PP also led to a reduction of Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic protein expression and an increase of Bax pro-apoptotic protein expression of HUVECs. Therefore, inducing cell apoptosis by Gl-PP might be the mechanism of inhibiting HUVEC proliferation. Human lung carcinoma cells PG when exposed to high dose of Gl-PP in hypoxia for 18 h resulted in a decrease in the secreted VEGF. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that the key attribute of the anti-angiogenic potential of Gl-PP is that it may directly inhibit vascular endothelial cell proliferation or indirectly decrease growth factor expression of tumor cells.

[Immunopharmacological action of sinomenine, an alkaloid isolated from Sinomenium acutum, and its mechanism of action in treating rheumatoid arthritis].

AIM: To observe the effects of sinomenine on the immune functions and apoptosis of murine lymphocyte as well as on human synovial fibroblast proliferation. METHODS: Both in vivo and in vitro tests were adopted. The lymphocyte proliferation induced by mitogens was assayed by MTT method. Spleen T lymphocyte subtypes were tested with flow cytometry. Spleen lymphocyte apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry and DNA ladder methods. In vitro test was adopted to observe the effects of sinomenine on the proliferation of human fibroblast of rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS: Sinomenine can inhibit the proliferation of mouse lymphocytes induced by ConA, LPS and anti-CD3 mAb but not PMA in vitro, and inhibit the proliferation induced by LPS and PMA in vivo. Sinomenine can reduce up-regulated CD4+/CD8+ ratio of T lymphocyte subtype in adjuvant arthritis rat. At the same concentration increased apoptosis ratio. As to human synovial fibroblast, sinomenine can significantly inhibit proliferation of human fibroblast. CONCLUSION: Sinomenine can inhibit the immunological function and correct imbalance of CD4+/CD8+ ratio of T lymphocyte subtype. It can also increase apoptosis ratio of spleen lymphocyte. This may be the mechanism of its immunological inhibitory effect.

Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and its possible mechanisms.

Ganoderma lucidum (G lucidum) is a medicinal fungus with a variety of biological activities. It has long been used as a folk remedy for promotion of health and longevity in China and other oriental countries. The most attractive character of this kind of medicinal fungus is its immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activities. Large numbers of studies have shown that G lucidum modulate many components of the immune system such as the antigen-presenting cells, NK cells, T and B lymphocytes. The water extract and the polysaccharides fraction of G lucidum exhibited significant anti-tumor effect in several tumor-bearing animals mainly through its immunoenhancing activity. Recent studies also showed that the alcohol extract or the triterpene fraction of G lucidum possessed anti-tumor effect, which seemed to be related to the cytotoxic activity against tumor cells directly. Preliminary study indicated that antiangiogenic effect may be involved antitumor activity of G lucidum.

Immune receptors for polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum.

This study was designed to identify and characterize the immune receptors for polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum, a Chinese medicinal fungus that exhibits anti-tumor activities via enhancing host immunity. We herein demonstrate that G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPS) activated BALB/c mouse B cells and macrophages, but not T cells, in vitro. However, GLPS was unable to activate splenic B cells from C3H/HeJ mice that have a mutated TLR4 molecule (incapable of signal transduction) in proliferation assays. Rat anti-mouse TLR4 monoclonal antibody (Ab) inhibited the proliferation of BALB/c mouse B cells under GLPS stimulation. Combination of Abs against mouse TLR4 and immunoglobulin (Ig) achieved almost complete inhibition of GLPS-induced B cell proliferation, implying that both membrane Ig and TLR4 are required for GLPS-mediated B cell activation. In addition, GLPS significantly inhibited the binding of mouse peritoneal macrophages with polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus, which is known to bind directly with TLR4 on macrophage surface. Moreover, GLPS induced IL-1beta production by peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c, but not C3H/HeJ, mice, suggesting that TLR4 is also involved in GLPS-mediated macrophage activation. We Further identified a unique 31 kDa serum protein and two intracellular proteins (ribosomal protein S7 and a transcriptional coactivator) capable of binding with GLPS in co-precipitation experiments. Our results may have important implications for our understanding on the molecular mechanisms of immunopotentiating polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine.

Antitumor and anti-angiogenic activity of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides peptide.

AIM: To investigate the antitumor and anti-angiogenic activity of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides peptide (GLPP). METHODS: Antitumor effect of GLPP was observed in tumor-bearing mice in vivo. At the same time, the effects of GLPP on proliferation of tumor cells and human umbilical cord vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) were detected by MTT assay in vitro. Subsequently, spleen lymphocytes proliferation of nude mice was stimulated by LPS or ConA. To investigate the anti-angiogenic effect of GLPP, GLPP 80 microg per disc and GLPP-treated serum 10 microL per disc were added to the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) respectively in vivo. RESULTS: GLPP 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg inhibited growth of Sarcoma 180 in BALB/c mice markedly by 35.2 %, 45.2 %, and 61.9 %, respectively. GLPP which was directly added to the cultured medium did not inhibit PG cell proliferation in vitro; but GLPP-treated serum 50, 100, 200 mg/kg potently inhibited PG cell proliferation by 22.5 %, 26.8 %, and 30.3 %, respectively; and reduced the xenograft (human lung carcinoma cell PG) in BALB/c nude mice greatly in vivo by 55.5 %, 46.0 %, and 46.8 %, respectively. Lymphocytes proliferation of nude mice could be stimulated by LPS 5 mg/L but not by ConA 2.5 mg/L, indicating that GLPP could not promote the T lymphocyte proliferation and neutral red phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages of nude mice. The CAM assay showed that GLPP and GLPP-treated serum had anti-angiogenic effect. GLPP (1, 10, and 100 mg/L) inhibited HUVEC proliferation in vitro with the inhibitory rate of 9.4 %, 15.6 %, and 40.4 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: GLPP has antitumor and anti-angiogenic activity. The anti-angiogenesis of GLPP may be a new mechanism underlying its anti-tumor effects.

Hypoglycemic effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides.

AIM: To investigate the hypoglycemic effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (Gl-PS) in the normal fasted mice and its possible mechanism. METHODS: Normal fasted mice were given a single dose of Gl-PS 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg by i.p. and the serum glucose was measured at 0, 3, and 6 h after administration. Gl-PS 100 mg/kg were also given by i.p. and the serum glucose and insulin levels were measured at 0 min, 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, and 12 h. Pancreatic islets were isolated and incubated with glucose 5.6 mmol/L and different concentration of Gl-PS, the insulin content of islets and insulin release were examined. The islets fluorescent intensity of [Ca2+]i was also studied with a confocal microscope. Verapamil and egtazic acid were used to testify whether the insulin-releasing effect of Gl-PS was mediated by its ability to raise the Ca2+ influx. RESULTS: Gl-PS dose-dependently lowered the serum glucose levels at 3 h and 6 h after administration. Gl-PS 100 mg/kg raised the circulating insulin levels at 1 h after administration. In vitro, Gl-PS had no effect on islets insulin content, but it stimulated the insulin release after incubation with glucose 5.6 mmol/L. Confocal microscope showed that Gl-PS 100 mg/L had the capacity to raise the [Ca2+]i. The insulin-releasing effect of Gl-PS was inhibited by verapamil/egtazic acid. CONCLUSION: Gl-PS possesses the hypoglycemic effect on normal mice; one mechanism is through its insulin-releasing activity due to a facilitation of Ca2+ inflow to the pancreatic beta cells.