Structure characteristics and quality control of Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pill from different manufacturers / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, we aim to control and evaluate the quality of Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pill by using the model of fingerprint technique and "component structure" theory. Agilent 5 TC-C_(18) column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) was used, with 0.1% formic acid solution-acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min~(-1). The column temperature was 30 ℃, with detection wavelength of 242 nm and the sample volume of 10 μL. The characteristic fingerprint of Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pill was established by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for its quality control. Seventeen common peaks were identified, and the similarity was 0.550-0.997 in 29 batches of samples, indicating that the quality difference among batches of Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pills was significant. The structural characteristics of the Moutan Cortex components in Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pills were characterized. On this basis, combined with the structural characteristics of genuine components of Moutan Cortex, the structural characteristics of components in Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pills were further analyzed. The results showed that there were significant differences in the contents and quantity ratios of 9 representative components(components) of Moutan Cortex in Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pills from different manufacturers, indicating internal quality differences among different batches of products. The fingerprint technique and the "component structure" theory established by the above research provide an analytical method and a research foundation for the quality evaluation of Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pills.

Structural characteristics of pharmacodynamical components in genuine Moutan Cortex / 中国中药杂志

Guided by the theory of "component structure", we analyzed the structural characteristics of pharmacodynamical components in genuine Moutan Cortex. The compositions of organic small molecules were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for 20 batches of genuine Moutan Cortex and 12 batches of non-genuine Moutan Cortex. By means of similarity analysis, clustering analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), the elements in structural characteristics of the pharmacodynamical components were extracted as follows: terpene glycosides components(oxidized paeoniflorin, paeoniflorin,galloyl paeoniflorin, benzoyloxy paeoniflorinand benzoyl paeoniflorin), tannin components(1,3,6-tri-O-galloside acyl glucose, pentagalloyl glucose), and phenolic acid components(methyl gallate, paeonol). The contents and quantity ratios of terpene glycoside component, tannin component and phenolic acid components in genuine Moutan Cortex were determined as 14.1, 12.5, 21.7 mg·g~(-1), 1.00∶0.89∶1.54. The contents and quantity ratios of the oxidized paeoniflorin, paeoniflorin and benzoylpaeoniflorin in the terpene glycoside components were characteristic and determined as 2.05, 7.05, 3.30 mg·g~(-1), 1.00∶3.44∶1.61. The unique structural characteristics of genuine Moutan Cortex provide scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards.

Intestinal dysfunction of spinal cord injury treated with moxibustion: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect on intestinal dysfunction of spinal cord injury (SCI) between the comprehensive therapy of moxibustion (moxibustion for opening the governor vessel and regulating the spirit) and rehabilitation training and the simple treatment with rehabilitation training.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with intestinal dysfunction of SCI were randomized into a comprehensive therapy group and a rehabilitation group, 30 cases in each one (3 cases were dropped out in each group). On the base of the routine western medicine treatment and rehabilitation training, the bowel training and rectal function training were provided, once a day in the rehabilitation group. In the comprehensive therapy group, on the base of the treatment as the rehabilitation group, the moxibustion was exerted at Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Zhiyang (GV 9), Dazhui (GV 14) and Baihui (GV 20), etc, once a day, 30 min each time. In both groups, the treatment for 4 weeks was as one course and 3 courses of treatment were required. Separately, before treatment, after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, the scores of neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) and World Health Organization quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) were observed and the clinical effect was evaluated after 12 weeks of treatment.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the total effective rate was 88.9% (24/27) in the comprehensive therapy group, which was higher than 74.1% (20/27) in the rehabilitation group (<0.05). After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, NBD scores were all reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.01). After 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, NBD scores in the comprehensive therapy group were lower than the rehabilitation group (both <0.05). After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, the scores of all of the domains (psychology, physiology, social relations and environment) in WHOQOL-BREF were higher than those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.01). After 4 weeks of treatment, the scores in the psychology and physiology domains in the comprehensive therapy group were higher than the rehabilitation group (all <0.05). After 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, the scores of all of the domains in the comprehensive therapy group were higher than the rehabilitation group (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The comprehensive treatment of moxibustion and rehabilitation training achieves the better effect on intestinal dysfunction of SCI than the simple rehabilitation training and greatly improves the quality of life in SCI patients.

The reproductive toxicity of saponins isolated from Cortex Albiziae in female mice / 中国天然药物

Saponin frsom Cortex Albiziae (SCA) are extensively used in the clinical treatment of tumor and depression. However, SCA may cause several adverse effects, including reproductive toxicity. The present study was designed to assess the mechanism by which SCA cause reproductive toxicity in female mice. The general reproductive toxicity testing was accomplished in female Kunming mice. The animals were divided into four groups: three groups that were treated by oral gavage with 135, 270, and 540 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) of SCA prepared in physiological saline, respectively, and one vehicle control group that was treated with physiological saline only. The gestational toxicity tests were conducted at 540 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1). The general reproductive toxicity results showed that the pregnancy rate of the SCA-treated group decreased with the pregnancy rate being decreased by 70% at 540 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1). SCA elicited maternal toxicity in the ovary and the uterus, but no fetal toxicity or teratogenicity was observed. The rates of implantation in the early, middle, and late pregnancy were all decreased, with stillbirths and maternal deaths being observed. Histopathological changes showed that SCA adversely affected the ovary and the uterus. In conclusion, SCA-induced reproductive toxicity in female mice is most likely caused by its damage to the ovary and the uterus.

Efficacy observation on Jin's three-needle therapy for allergic rhinitis of lung qi deficiency and cold syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) of lung qi deficiency and cold syndrome between Jin's three-needle therapy and western medication.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-six patients were randomized into an acupuncture group and a western medication group, 33 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at three-nose points [Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8) and Yintang (GV 29); Cuanzhu (BL 2) was added for frontal headache] and three-back points [Dazhu (BL 11), Fengmen (BL 12) and Feishu (BL 13)], once every day. Ten treatments made one session. Two sessions of treatment were required. In the western medication group, desloratadine oral suspension was prescribed, 5 mg each time, once a day, for 20 days. The scores of the symptoms and physical signs in AR patients as well as the clinical efficacy were observed between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 93.9% (31/33) in the acupuncture group, which was better than 72.7% (24/33) in the western medication group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of AR symptoms and physical signs as well as the total score were all reduced compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.01). The score of every item in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the western medication group after treatment (score of symptoms: 4.70 +/- 2.07 vs 6.55 +/- 2. 69, score of physical signs: 0.85 +/- 0.67 vs 1.45 +/- +0.62, total score: 5.36 +/- 2.70 vs 8.00 +/- 2.91, all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Jin's three-needle therapy achieves superior efficacy on AR of lung-qi deficiency and cold syndrome, which is better than desloratadine oral suspension.</p>

Effect of shallow needling combined with acupoint application on the acute stage of peripheral facial paralysis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for an effective therapy for the acute stage of peripheral facial paralysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty cases of facial paralysis patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with routine medication, and the observation group was treated with shallow needling combined with acupoint application using self-made "acupoint application formula for facial paralysis" on the basis of the routine medication. The acupoints of Yifeng (TE 17), Wangu (GB 12), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Qianzheng (EX-HN 17), Cuanzhu (BL 2) in affected side and Hegu (LI 4) in healthy side were selected as main acupoints for shallow needling, and Qianzheng (EX-HN 17), Dicang (ST 4), Yangbai (GB 14) and Wangu (GB 12), or Jiache (ST 6), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Quanliao (SI 18) and Yifeng (TE 17) were selected for acupoint application. The cure rate and the course of cured patients in both groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cure rate of 88.3% (53/60) in observation group was superior to that of 66.7% (40/60) in control group (P < 0.01). The course of cured patients in observation group was obviously shorter than that of control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>On the basis of routine medication, shallow needling combined with acupoint application can improve the therapeutic effect and shorten the course for acute stage of peripheral facial paralysis.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies for treatment of patients with refractory tennis elbow syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the different effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies for treatment of patients with refractory tennis elbow syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty five patients with refractory tennis elbow syndrome were randomly devided into continuous wave group (n=41) and rarefaction wave group (n= 44). The same acupoints were selected in both groups, and the major acupoints were the tenderness point around affected area in both groups. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the tenderness score of each patient in both groups. The effectiveness was evaluated by the tenderness score.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate was 82. 9% in continuous wave group, and 84. 1% in rarefaction wave group, with no significant difference in statistical analysis (P>0.05). The healing rate was 56. 8% in rarefaction wave group, better than 31. 7% in continuous wave group (P<0.05). The VAS scores were significantly reduced after electroacupuncture treatment in both groups (both P<0.001). There was significant difference in decreasing the VAS score between two groups after treatment (P<0.05), and the rarefaction wave group was better than the continuous wave group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The electroacupuncture of rarefaction wave is better than the electroacupuncture of continuous wave, therefore, it is a better treatment for refractory tennis elbow syndrome.</p>

Advance in on chemical constituent and bioactivity research of genus Chloranthus / 中国中药杂志

Progresses in the studies on chemical constituents and bioactivities of Chloranthus S. were systemically reviewed in this article. The whole plants of most species in Chloranthus have long been used as folk medicine in China for detumescence, treating on snake bite and wound. 68 compounds obtained from the plants in Chloranthus fall into the following compound classes: terpenoids, coumarins, amides, organic acids and sterols. Fifty one sesquiterpenes were got. The results of studies on their bioactivities show that most of the plants in this genus have antibacterial and antitumor activities. Further phytochemical and biological studies on the species in Chloranthus are needed for better medicinal utilization.

Studies on chemical constituents in heartwood of Taxus cuspidata / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents in the heartwood of Taxus cuspidata.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Silica gel column chromatography, preparative HPLC and preparative TLC were used to isolate and purify the chemical constituents; 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopic methods were used for structural identification.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Ten compounds, taxinine (1), taxusin (2), beta-sitosterol (3), 1 beta-hydroxybaccatin I (4), 2alpha, 5alpha, 10beta-triacetoxy-14beta-(2'-methyl) butanoyloxy-4 (20), 11-taxadiene (5), 2alpha, 5alpha, 10beta-triacetoxy-14beta-(2'-methyl-3'-hydroxy-butanoyloxyl-4 (20), 11-taxadiene (yunnanxane) (6), 9alpha, 10beta, 13alpha-triacetoxy-5alpha-cinnamoyltaxa-4 (20), 11-diene (7), 2-deacetoxytaxinine J (8), taxezopidine G (9), 2alpha, 7beta, 9alpha, 10beta, 13alpha-pentaacetoxyl-taxa-4 (20), 11-dien-5-ol (5-decinnamoyltaxinine J) (10), were isolated and identified from the heartwood of T. cuspidata.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Three taxanes, 1 beta-hydroxybaccatin I (4), 2alpha, 5alpha, 10beta-triacetoxy-14beta-(2'-methyl-3'-hydroxy-butanoyloxy)-4 (20), 11-taxadiene (yunnanxane) (6), and 2alpha, 7beta, 9alpha, 10beta, 13alpha-pentaacetoxyltaxa-4 (20) , 11-dien-5-ol (10), were obtained from this plant for the first time.</p>

Retrospective observation of curative effects on MDS refractory anemia with combination of all-trans retinoic acid, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and androgen / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to examine whether a combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and androgen possesses the therapeutic value for the MDS-refractory anemia (MDS-RA), and to analyze the mechanisms in detail. 62 cases receiving a scheme of combination of ATRA, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and androgen (group A) were monitored. The remaining 33 cases (group B) were provided with vitamin supplementation, chalybeate drugs, and one or two of the combination. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were performed for collecting the specimens at the baseline and afterwards. The conditions of the patients were monitored by means of weekly complete blood counts and the monthly examination, including toxicity test, physical examination, electrocardiography, and biochemistry panel. The results showed that after treating for 8 weeks in group A, 4 out of 62 patients showed complete remission and 12 patients showed partial remission according to the defined response criteria, and 43 patients (69.35%) showed hematological improvement (HI). The further treatment for 16 out of 62 patients (25.81%), 13 failures (10 deaths, 2 RAEB and 1 RAEB-T) and 3 transformations (M(2), M(3), M(5)) with a median survival interval of 26.25 months, were observed and interrupted for some reasons. However, partial remission was observed only in 3 patients in group B, and HI amounted to 51.51%. Furthermore, the disease progression was observed in 12 out of 33 patients (36.36%) with a median survival interval of 16 months, 9 failures (including 6 deaths, 2 RAEB and 1 RAEB-T) and 3 transformations (M(2), M(3), M(4)). The overall ratios of survival for 3 and 5 years in group A, which received the combination, reached to 69.24% and 53.72% respectively, in comparison with 52.23% and 31.34% in the patients of group B (log-rank, P = 0.016). The following requirements, if were met, would be significant for prognosis: the combination regiment, no transformation, children, no complication, female, 90-120 g/L of hemoglobin concentration, normal cellular bone marrow and uni-cytopenias (P < 0.05). Moreover, Cox regression showed that therapy, transformation and age are all the independent factors (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the combination of above mentioned 3 drugs may be effective and safe treatment for the patients with MDS-RA. Its relevant mechanisms can be involved in the combination, that elicits a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as differentiation, anti-tumor-promotion, anti-apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, anti-cachexia and immunoregulation.

Auricular point sticking plus moxibustion for treatment of recurrent herpes simplex / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for the best therapy for recurrent herpes simplex.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six cases were randomly divided into an auricular point sticking plus moxibustion group (treatment group, n = 54), a medication group (control group, n = 42). The treatment group were treated with auricular sticking at points Spleen, Lung, Kidney, and others, and moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), and local blister; the control group were treated by oral administration and external application of aciclovir.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured rate and the total effective rate were 55.5% and 100.0% in the treatment group, and 9.5% and 61.9% in the control group, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The auricular point sticking plus moxibustion is a better therapy for recurrent herpes simplex, with a significantly better therapeutic effect than that of the medication.</p>

Treatment of interferon-alpha in reducing the endothelium-dependent relaxation of rat thoracic aorta / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the vascular effect of acute and chronic treatment of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in rat aortic rings.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Isolated thoracic aortic rings were mounted on the organ bath and the tension of the vessel was recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IFN-alpha(10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 U/ml) caused concentration -dependent relaxation of endothelium-intact aorta rings preconstricted with phenylephrine (PE,10(-6)mol/L), to(90.1+/-0.91)%, (65.1+/-5.21)%, (39.5+/-8.22)% and (35.3+/-8.27)% of pre-drug control, respectively. Removal of the endothelium inhibited the relaxation by IFN-alpha. The vasorelaxant effect of IFN-alpha (100 U/ml ) was attenuated by pretreatment with L-NAME (10(-4)mol/L), methylene blue (10(-5)mol/L) or AMG (10(-4)mol/L), to (97.2+/-5.34)%, (95.1+/-6.25)% and (93.7+/-8.82)% of the control, respectively. Pretreatment with IFN-alpha (1,000,000 U/d, i.p.) for five days markedly inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxation of the aortic rings to acetylcholine. But the endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was not changed by pretreatment of IFN-alpha (10,000 U/ml) with the isolated aorta rings for 2 h.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The vasorelaxation induced by IFN-alpha in rat aorta rings is endothelium-dependent and is possibly mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase. Chronic treatment of IFN-alpha may impair the endothelium or NO-sGC pathway.</p>