RESUMEN
Laughing gas (Nitrogen monoxide) is currently abused due to its low price and easy availability. This article discussed the clinical manifestations of a patient with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord caused by inhalation of laughing gas. The patient developed numbness of extremities, unstable walking, and decreased serum vitamin B(12) level. MRI of the cervical spine showed abnormal signals in the lateral and posterior cords of the cervical spinal cord (C2-6) , neuroelectrophysiological examination showed peripheral nerve damage in the extremities. After treatment with vitamin B(12) supplementation, the patient's condition gradually improved. Clinicians diagnose subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, especially when the patient has no gastrointestinal disease, diet, malnutrition, etc., they need to carefully inquire about the history of nitrous oxide inhalation to avoid missed diagnosis.
Asunto(s)
Óxido Nitroso , Degeneración Combinada Subaguda , Vértebras Cervicales , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Óxido Nitroso/efectos adversos , Médula Espinal , Degeneración Combinada Subaguda/inducido químicamente , Vitamina B 12RESUMEN
Functional gastrointestinal (GI) diseases are common and there are patients who are refractory to medical therapies as not all treatments work in all patients. Consequently, a large number of patients with functional GI diseases use complementary and alternative medicine, such as acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA). In this issue, Zheng et al. reported interesting results of a multi-center placebo-controlled clinical study on the use of EA for treating refractory functional dyspepsia; another study reported a multi-center clinical trial on EA for chronic functional constipation; Liang et al. studied mechanisms of EA involving enteric nervous system and neurotransmitters in treating constipation in rats. While controversial reports are available in the literature, EA with appropriate methodologies as shown in these recent studies is believed to be effective in treating certain functional GI diseases. In this mini-review, a number of clinical studies, including those included in this issue on the use of EA for treating gastro-esophageal reflux, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation are reviewed. Some critically important issues, such as the choice of stimulation parameters for EA, the administration frequency of the therapy, and the appropriate choice of placebo for clinical research are also discussed. Mechanisms of action involved in the therapeutic effects of EA for gut dysmotility and future research directions are also presented.
Asunto(s)
Puntos de Acupuntura , Electroacupuntura/métodos , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/terapia , Motilidad Gastrointestinal/fisiología , Animales , Electroacupuntura/instrumentación , Sistema Nervioso Entérico/fisiopatología , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/fisiopatología , HumanosRESUMEN
AIM: To investigate the anti-proliferative effects of Crocus sativus extract and its major constituent, crocin, on three colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT-116, SW-480, and HT-29). The cell growth inhibition effect was compared to that of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. In addition, Crocus sativus' effect on non-cancer cells was evaluated. METHODS: Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the purity of crocin and the content of crocin extract were determined. Anti-proliferative effects of Crocus sativus extract and crocin on test cells was evaluated by MTS assay. RESULTS: The purity of crocin was found to be 95.9% and the content of crocin in the extract was 22.9%. Significant concentration-related inhibition effects of the extract on all three colorectal cancer cell lines were observed (P<0.01). The proliferation was reduced most significantly in HCT-116 cells, to 45.5% at 1.0 mg/ml and to 6.8% at 3.0 mg/ml. Crocin at 1.0 mM, significantly reduced HCT-116, SW-480, and HT-29 cell proliferation to 2.8%, 52%, and 16.8%, respectively (P<0.01). Since 3.0 mg/ml Crocus sativus extract contained approximately 0.6 mM crocin, the observed effects suggest that crocin is a major responsible constituent in the extract. Significant anti-proliferative effects were also observed in non-small cell lung cancer cells. However, Crocus sativus extract did not significantly affect the growth of non-cancer young adult mouse colon cells. CONCLUSION: Data from this study demonstrated that Crocus sativus extract and its major constituent, crocin, significantly inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells while not affecting normal cells. Crocus sativus extract should be investigated further as a viable option in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Asunto(s)
Carotenoides/farmacología , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Neoplasias Colorrectales/metabolismo , Mucosa Intestinal/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Animales , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/metabolismo , Línea Celular Tumoral , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Crocus/química , Ensayos de Selección de Medicamentos Antitumorales , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/metabolismo , RatonesRESUMEN
Diabetes is a serious chronic metabolic disease and has a significant impact on patients' lives and the health care system. We previously observed that the organic solvent extract of American ginseng berry possessed significant antidiabetic effects in obese diabetic ob/ob mice after intraperitoneal injection. If American ginseng berry is useful as a dietary supplement, simple preparation and oral intake would be a convenient, safe, and practical means for consumers. In this study, the simply prepared berry juice was first analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography, and then administered orally in the ob/ob mice. The animals received daily berry juice 0.6 mL/kg or vehicle for 10 consecutive days. The results indicated that oral juice administration significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels, and this effect continued for at least 10 d after cessation of the treatment. Data from intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test demonstrated that there was a notable improvement in glucose tolerance in the juice treated group. In addition, the berry juice significantly reduced body weight. Our data suggest that ginseng berry juice, as a dietary supplement, may have functional efficacy in consumers with diabetes.
Asunto(s)
Bebidas/análisis , Glucemia/efectos de los fármacos , Peso Corporal/efectos de los fármacos , Ginsenósidos/administración & dosificación , Panax/química , Administración Oral , Animales , Fármacos Antiobesidad/administración & dosificación , Fármacos Antiobesidad/uso terapéutico , Glucemia/metabolismo , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Suplementos Dietéticos , Ginsenósidos/uso terapéutico , Prueba de Tolerancia a la Glucosa , Hipoglucemiantes/administración & dosificación , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Obesos , Valor Nutritivo , Distribución Aleatoria , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
The potential of mechanochemical treatment (MC) to degrade PCDD/Fs contained in fly ash was tested via grounding with and without calcium oxide (CaO) under atmospheric pressure. Three types of fly ash collected from medical waste incineration were compared, originating either from rotary kiln fluidized bed multi-stage incinerator using activated carbon spray (FA1, FA2), or a simple stoker incinerator without activated carbon spray (FA3). In test I: CaO to FA1 mixed at ratio of 6-60% was milled at rotational speed of 350 rpm; in test II: FA2 and FA3 without CaO were milled at rotational speed of 400 rpm. The duration of the tests was 2h. The results from the present study indicate that (1) under two test conditions of with and without CaO, PCDD/Fs contained in real fly ash both can be degraded by mechanochemical treatment, (2) under condition of blending with CaO, the degradation efficiency of PCDD/Fs increased with increasing ratio of CaO, (3) the degradation efficiency of PCDD/Fs may increase with rotational speed increasing and (4) the destruction and dechlorination are major mechanism for PCDD/Fs degradation. These results show that mechanochemical treatment is a high potential technology for PCDD/Fs degradation in fly ash.
Asunto(s)
Carbono , Restauración y Remediación Ambiental/métodos , Incineración , Eliminación de Residuos Sanitarios/métodos , Material Particulado , Dibenzodioxinas Policloradas/análogos & derivados , Compuestos de Calcio , Ceniza del Carbón , Óxidos , PresiónRESUMEN
The quantities of 21 microelements were determined in 10 Chinese traditional medicines, using both flame and graphite oven atomic absorption spectrometry. We studied the efficacies of such Chinese medicaments. The result showed the efficacies related to the inorganic microelements.
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Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos/química , Espectrofotometría Atómica/métodos , Oligoelementos/análisis , China , Control de CalidadRESUMEN
Two novel triterpenoid saponins, ardisicrenoside A [3 beta-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)- 13 beta,28-epoxy-16 alpha,30-oleananediol] and ardisicrenoside B [3 beta-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]- alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-13 beta,28-epoxy-16 alpha,30-oleananediol] were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata. Two known triterpenoid saponins, ardisiacrispins A and B were also isolated from this source. Their structures were determined mainly by 2D NMR (COSY, HOHAHA, HETCOR, HMBC and ROESY) experiments. The aglycones are the new 13 beta,28-epoxy-3 beta,16 alpha,30-oleananetriol for ardisicrenosides A and B.
Asunto(s)
Ácido Oleanólico/análogos & derivados , Plantas Medicinales/química , Saponinas/química , Saponinas/aislamiento & purificación , Triterpenos/química , Triterpenos/aislamiento & purificación , Secuencia de Carbohidratos , Espectroscopía de Resonancia Magnética , Conformación Molecular , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Extractos Vegetales/química , Raíces de Plantas/químicaRESUMEN
Two novel triterpenoid saponins, ardisicrenoside C (1) [3 beta-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)- [beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-16 alpha, 28-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-30-oic acid 30-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester] and ardisicrenoside D (2) [3 beta-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)- beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L- arabinopyranosyl)-16 alpha, 28-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-30-oic acid 30-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester] were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata. Structure assignments are based on spectroscopic data including 2D-NMR (correlation spectroscopy (COSY), homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn spectroscopy (HOHAHA), heteronuclear correlated spectroscopy (HETCOR), heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) and rotating frame NOE spectroscopy (ROESY)) experiments and some chemical reactions. In addition, the isolated saponins along with their prosapogenins and sapogenins have been evaluated for their inhibitory activity on cAMP phosphodiesterase as a primary screening test for new medicinal compounds.
Asunto(s)
3',5'-AMP Cíclico Fosfodiesterasas/antagonistas & inhibidores , Plantas Medicinales/química , Saponinas/aislamiento & purificación , Saponinas/farmacología , Triterpenos/aislamiento & purificación , Triterpenos/farmacología , Secuencia de Carbohidratos , Espectroscopía de Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Raíces de Plantas/química , Saponinas/química , Triterpenos/químicaRESUMEN
From the extract of dry roots of Rehmannia glutimosa, fatty acids, palmitic acid, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol and sulfur (Ss) cyclic compound were isolated and identified. The latter four were isolated for the first time.
Asunto(s)
Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos/química , Ácidos Grasos/aislamiento & purificación , Ácidos Palmíticos/aislamiento & purificación , Sitoesteroles/aislamiento & purificación , Ácidos Grasos/química , Ácidos Palmíticos/química , Sitoesteroles/químicaRESUMEN
The acidic constituents in petroleum ether extract of the roots Rehmannia glutinosa f. hueichingensis were fractionated and analyzed by GC-MS. 19 Kinds of acidic constituents were identified and 11 of them (the main components) were compared between Rehmanniae Radix and its processed products.
Asunto(s)
Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos/química , Ácidos Grasos/análisis , CalorRESUMEN
A new bergenin derivative isolated from the root of Ardisia crenata was determined to be 11-o-syringylbergenin by spectral methods. Other compounds were identified as spinasterol, series fatty acids, beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside, norbergenin and sucrose respectively. The last three were obtained for the first time from the genus of Ardisia.
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Benzopiranos/aislamiento & purificación , Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos/análisis , Fenómenos Químicos , Química , Sitoesteroles/aislamiento & purificación , Estigmasterol/análogos & derivados , Estigmasterol/aislamiento & purificación , Sacarosa/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
Qingkaining, a blended Chinese medicine, is reported to be effective in treating patients with uveitis in China. In this study, the immunomodulatory effectiveness of this drug was evaluated on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) induced by S-antigen (S-Ag). Rats treated with high (2.5 cc/kg/day) and low (1 cc/kg/day) doses of Qingkaining, high (10 mg/kg/day) and low (3 mg/kg/day) doses of Cyclosporine A (CsA) and a combination of high or low dose of Qingkaining and low dose CsA were compared by the following parameters: clinical manifestations, histopathology, skin delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, lymphocyte proliferative responses and serum anti-S-antigen antibody production. The incidences of clinically and histopathologically determined EAU were 14.29% and 28.57% respectively in the rats treated with high and low doses of Qingkaining in comparison to 57.14% and none in the rats treated with low and high doses of CsA. EAU did not develop in the rats treated with the combination of low dose CsA and low or high doses of Qingkaining. The skin DTH reaction showed a diminished response in the rats treated with either Qingkaining or CsA. However, the lymphocyte proliferative responses and anti-S-Ag antibody were not effected in the rats treated with Qingkaining alone. This study demonstrates that Qingkaining is a potent immunosuppressive agent in this model for human disease. The experimental data support the clinical effectiveness of Qingkaining in the treatment of patients with uveitis.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Autoinmunes/tratamiento farmacológico , Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos/farmacología , Inmunosupresores , Retinitis/tratamiento farmacológico , Uveítis/tratamiento farmacológico , Animales , Antígenos/inmunología , Arrestina , Enfermedades Autoinmunes/inmunología , Ciclosporinas/farmacología , Quimioterapia Combinada , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Proteínas del Ojo/inmunología , Femenino , Hipersensibilidad Tardía/inmunología , Inmunosupresores/uso terapéutico , Activación de Linfocitos , Ratas , Ratas Endogámicas Lew , Retinitis/inmunología , Pruebas Cutáneas , Uveítis/inmunologíaRESUMEN
15 kinds of free amino acids were detected in Rehmannia glutinosa and its processed products, it was found that their contents were reduced in processed products.