Methamphetamine: Mechanism of Action and Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment for Its Addiction / 中国结合医学杂志

With the proliferation of synthetic drugs, research on the mechanism of action of addictive drugs and treatment methods is of great significance. Among them, methamphetamine (METH) is the most representative amphetamine synthetic drug, and the treatment of METH addiction has become an urgent medical and social problem. In recent years, the therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal medicines on METH addiction have gained widespread attention because of their non-addictiveness, multiple targets, low side effects, low cost, and other characteristics. Previous studies have identified a variety of Chinese herbal medicines with effects on METH addiction. Based on the research on METH in recent years, this article summarizes the mechanism of action of METH as the starting point and briefly reviews the Chinese herbal medicine-based treatment of METH.

Short needling for knee osteoarthritis with blood stasis obstruction and its effect on serum inflammatory factors / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy and its effect on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), interleukin 1β(IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) between short needling (close-to-bone needling) and conventional acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with blood stasis obstruction.@*METHODS@#A total of 68 KOA patients with blood stasis obstruction were randomized into a short needling group (34 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a conventional acupuncture group (34 cases, 3 cases dropped off). The same acupoints (Dubi [ST 35], Neixiyan [EX-LE 4], Binzhong [Extra], Liangqiu [ST 34], etc. on the affected side) were selected in the two groups. In the short needling group, short needling technique was adopted, the needles were slowly inserted and the needle bodies were shaken, thus gradually penetrated to the bone. In the conventional acupuncture group, conventional acupuncture was adopted, the needles were penetrated to the muscle. After qi-arrival, Dubi (ST 35) and Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Liangqiu (ST 34) were connected with CMNS6-1 electronic acupuncture instrument, with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/10 Hz in frequency, the current intensity was based on patients' feeling, the needles were retained for 30 min, at the same time, the knee joint was irradiated for 30 min with a special electromagnetic wave apparatus in the two groups. Once every other day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) score, knee joint pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, inflammatory response related indexes (serum TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE2) and knee joint ultrasound were observed，and the clinical effect was evaluated in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment，the pain, stiffness, function scores and total scores of WOMAC were decreased as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), except for the pain score, the changes of above scores in the short needling group were greater than the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores, serum levels of TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6, PGE2 and knee joint synovium thickness, intra-articular effusion were decreased as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), the levels of TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6 in the short needling group were lower than the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the short needling group was 87.1% (27/31), which was superior to 83.9% (26/31) in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Short needling could improve the knee joint function, relieve the pain and inflammatory response, improve the knee joint synovium inflammatory response, reduce the knee joint intra-articular effusion for KOA patients, its effect is better than conventional acupuncture.

Schisandra chinensis Oil Attenuates Aristolochic Acid I-Induced Nephrotoxicity in vivo and in vitro / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the protective effects of Schisandra chinensis oil (SCEO) against aristolochic acid I (AA I)-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo and in vitro and elucidate the underlying mechanism.@*METHODS@#C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups according to a random number table, including control group, AA I group, and AA I +SCEO (0.25, 0.5 and 1 g/kg) groups (n=5 per group). Pretreatment with SCEO was done for 2 days by oral administration, while the control and AA I groups were treated with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Mice of all groups except for the control group were injected intraperitoneally with AA I (5 mg/kg) from day 3 until day 7. Histopathological examination and apoptosis of kidney tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr), as well as renal malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione, r-glutamyl cysteingl+glycine (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of hepatic cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), CYP1A2, and nad(p)hquinonedehydrogenase1 (NQO1) were analyzed using ELISA, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. In vitro, SCEO (40 µ g/mL) was added 12 h before treatment with AA I (40 µ mol/mL for 48 h) in human renal proximal tubule cell line (HK-2), then apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by flow cytometry.@*RESULTS@#SCEO 0.5 and 1 g/kg ameliorated histopathological changes and TUNEL+ staining in the kidney tissues of mice with AA I-induced nephrotoxicity, and reduced serum levels of ALT, AST, BUN and SCr (P<0.01 or P<0.05). SCEO 0.5 and 1 g/kg alleviated the ROS generation in kidney, containing MDA, GSH and SOD (P<0.01 or P<0.05). SCEO 1 g/kg increased the expressions of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 and decreased NQO1 level in the liver tissues (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Besides, in vitro studies also demonstrated that SCEO 40 µ g/mL inhibited apoptosis and ROS generation (P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#SCEO can alleviate AA I-induced kidney damage both in vivo and in vitro. The protective mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of metabolic enzymes, thereby inhibiting apoptosis and ROS production.

Risk factors for herb-induced liver injury / 临床肝胆病杂志

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the common adverse drug reactions and is the main cause of withdrawal of drugs after marketing, which has attracted more and more attention of the public, and herb-induced liver injury (HILI) is a special type of DILI. In recent years, the frequent occurrence of HILI not only seriously endangers the health of patients, but also causes the controversy over the safety of traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, this article reviews the potential risk factors for HILI from the three aspects of "patient", "drug", and "use", so as to provide a basis for the objective identification, prevention, and control of HILI and a reference for the construction of traditional Chinese medicine pharmacovigilance system represented by liver injury.

Effectiveness of Saccharomyces boulardii combined with phototherapy in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates: a prospective randomized controlled trial / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effectiveness of Saccharomyces boulardii combined with phototherapy in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates.@*METHODS@#The neonates with hyperbilirubinemia who were hospitalized from January to December 2018 were enrolled and randomly divided into an observation group (n=61) and a control group (n=63). The neonates in the observation group were treated with phototherapy combined with Saccharomyces boulardii, and those in the control group were treated with phototherapy combined with placebo. Treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups. Fecal samples were collected 72 hours after treatment and 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing was used to compare the features of gut microbiota between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in the total serum bilirubin level between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). At 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment, the observation group had a significantly lower level of total serum bilirubin than the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had a significantly lower proportion of neonates requiring phototherapy again [20% (12/61) vs 75% (47/63), P<0.05]. Compared with the control group, the observation group had a significantly higher abundance of Bacteroides (P<0.05) and a significantly lower abundance of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus in the intestine at 72 hours after treatment (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, phototherapy combined with Saccharomyces boulardii can effectively reduce bilirubin level and prevent the recurrence of jaundice. Saccharomyces boulardii can favour the treatment outcome by regulating the gut microbiota of neonates.

The Fourier transform infrared spectra of the key organs derived from Kidney (Shen)-yang deficiency syndrome mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore an approach to rapidly and accurately identify the compounds as biomarkers of Chinese medicine (CM) syndromes.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry was applied to investigate the characteristic components of a mice model of Kidney (Shen)-yang deficiency syndrome (KDS), and the remedial effect of a typical CM formula Shenqi Pill (). Thirty-six females and 18 males of Balb/c mice were randomly divided into KDS, Shenqi or control group. The females and males of the same group freely were mated for 96 h, and the males were taken out and only the female mice were raised. Females of the KDS group were threatened by a ferocious cat every other day for 14 d. After delivery, the KDS, or gestational threatened, offspring were raised at standard condition for 11 weeks. Then 10 male offspring were randomly selected, anaesthetized and their representative organs, i.e. testes, kidneys, lungs and feet were collected, for the FT-IR scan. Mice of the Shenqi group were intragastric administered Shenqi Pill; while mice in the KDS and control groups were given the same volume of saline.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The attenuated birth outcomes of the KDS group were displayed. The remarkable FT-IR differences of all organs between KDS mice and healthy control were mainly at 1,735-1,745 cm(-1) (indicating the increased levels of lipids) and at 1,640-1,647 cm(-1) and 1,539-1,544 cm(-1) (displaying the decreased proteins). No statistic FT-IR difference between Shenqi and control mice was observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In accordance with major traits of KDS, prenatal stress extensively impaired the building up of proteins and resulting in the excessive lipid storage, and FT-IR could effectively identify the biomarkers of KDS.</p>

Spectrum-activity relationship of hemagglutination components in Isatidis Radix / 中草药

Objective To study the active components in Isatidis Radix with agglutination effect on red blood cells. Methods The different extracts from Isatidis Radix were obtained by the means of systematic solvent extraction and their antivirus activity was studied by hemagglutination test. The HPLC fingerprints of the most active extracts from Isatidis Radix were established and also the extracts were bioassayed. The spectrum-activity relationship of the extracts was studied by mathematical statistics method. Results The n-butanol extracts had the best agglutination effect on red blood cells of the rabbit. The study on the spectrum-activity relationship of the extracts found that the greater the proportional area of common peaks 2 and 11 (retention time were 7.23 and 43.00 min) of the extracts had, the stronger the agglutination effect of the extracts had. Conclusion Common peaks 2 and 11 could be characteristic peak for anti-virus activity of Isatidis Radix. The spectrum-activity relationship of Isatidis Radix established could provide the theoretical basis and the data support for the pattern of quality control of Chinese materia medica.

Effects of fungal elicitors on the secondary metabolite steroidal saponin in Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis / 药学学报

To compare the effects of inoculated or non-inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the steroidal saponin component in root of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. By pot experiments, steroid saponin component in root of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was determined and compared by HPLC. The results showed there was difference in the effects of different AM fungal on the secondary metabolite steroid saponin in P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. After elicitors treatment, AM fungal did not change the chemical backgrounds of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, but can improve partly the content of chemical compositions in roots. In conclusion, there was selectivity between AM fungal and P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. Glomus intraradices was the most appropriate strain for inoculation P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

Bioassay-guided isolation of a novel protein with antitumor activity from Trachyrhamphus serratus (Syngnathidae).

A novel protein with antitumor activity, Hailongin, was purified from the aqueous extract of the whole body of Trachyrhamphus serratus, which is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, by bioassay-guided fractionation. Hailongin exhibited strong inhibition of proliferation of the tested human cell lines, such as A549, HeLa, LoVo and CCRF-CEM. The IC(50) values of Hailongin ranged from 5.4 to 25.7 µ/mL. An in vivo study showed that the growth of implanted S-180 solid tumors in mice was significantly inhibited by Hailongin treatment, while the immunological function of the tumor-bearing mice was enhanced. The molecular weight and the isoelectric point of Hailongin were 57.074 kDa (by MALDI-TOF-MS) and 6.2 (by isoelectric focusing-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), respectively. Seventeen amino acids were identified in Hailongin. The acidic amino acids accounted for the majority of Hailongin's amino acid composition. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of Hailongin was determined to be IVPYSHNAGNKGLTQMR and showed no significant homology with known proteins.

Effects of nitrogen forms on camptothecin content and its metabolism-related enzymes activities in Camptotheca acuminata seedlings / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of nitrogen forms on the camptothecin (CPT) content, tryptophan synthase (TSB) and tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) activities in Camptotheca acuminata seedlings.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The seedlings of C. acuminata with 6 pairs of leaves were subjected to 5 different NH4(+) -N/NO3(-) -N ratio (0 : 100, 75 : 25, 50 : 50, 25 : 75, 100 : 0) treatments by sand culture in a greenhouse. The CPT content, TSB activity in the young leaves and TDC in the stem barks of the seedlings were determined by HPLC on the 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th and 75th day, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The obvious relationship between CPT content and nitrogen forms was observed. When NH4(+) - N /NO3(-) -N ratio was 25 : 75, CPT accumulation in young leaves displayed the best advantages (the highest value is 5.69 per thousand) and increased in the early 30 days of treatment and then declined. There was no obvious relationship between TSB activity in the young leaves and nitrogen forms. TDC activity in the stem bark was the highest when NH4(+) -N /NO3(-) -N ratio was 25 : 75, and the change of TDC activity paralleled to CPT content in the young leaves.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A short-term treatment that NH4(+) -N /NO3(-) -N ratio was 25:75 may gain high CPT content in the young leaves through enhancing the TDC activity in the stem bark of C. acuminata seedlings.</p>

Effects of Jinmaitong capsule on nerve growth factor in diabetic rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Jinmaitong Capsule (JMT) on the expression of NGF and NGF mRNA in STZ-induced diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Fifty SZT-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into 5 groups including model group, low-dose JMT group (treated with JMT similar to the quintupling dose of adult recommended dosage), middle-dose JMT group (treated with JMT similar to the decuple dose of adult recommended dosage), high-dose JMT group (treated with JMT similar to the twenty-fold dose of adult recommended dosage) and Neurotropin group (treated with Neurotropin similar to the decuple dose of adult recommended dosage). Ten normal rats matching with weight and age served as normal control group. All rats were given intragastric administration for 16 weeks and then killed. Body weight and blood glucose were detected before and at the 4, 8, 12, 16th week after treatment. The hydrothermal tail-flick and pain threshold to mechanical stimulation with Von Frey filament were carried out before death. The expression of NGF and NGF-mRNA in sciatic nerve were detected by SABC immunohistochemical method and real-time fluorogenetic quantitative PCR respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The blood glucose levels of STZ-DM rats were much higher than those of normal rats (P < 0.01). In all the treated groups, there were no significant differences among them compared each other or compared with model group. And it got the same result when concerning about body weight no matter how the rats were dealt with. Hydrothermal tail-flick test: The tail-flick latency of STZ-DM rats were much longer than those of normal rats (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Compared with model group, the time shortened significantly in low, middle-dose of JMT groups and Neutrophin group. Compared with normal group, the pain thresholds of model group decreased extremely (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, the threshold values of low-dose, middle-dose JMT group and neutrophin group raised strikingly (P < 0.05). The levels of NGF-mRNA expression in STZ-DM rats were much lower than those of the normal rats (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, NGF-mRNA expression of middle-dose JMT group and Neurotropin group upregulated noticeably (P < 0.01). The integrated option density of NGF expression in STZ-DM rats was much lower than the normal (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). And the levels of NGF in all the treated groups increased notably compared with model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There were no significant differences among middle-dose JMT group and Neutrophin group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Traditional Chinese medicine JMT could up-regulate the expression of NGF and NGF-mRNA in sciatic nerve.</p>

Evaluation of the quality of Gastrodia elata Bl. by HPLC-DAD/MS / 药学学报

The chromatographic fingerprint of Gastrodia elata Bl. (Tianma) was developed to compare the quality of Tianma samples from different habitats and processing methods. The above analysis method was established by HPLC-DAD technique. And an HPLC method was used to analysis the contents of gastrodin (GAS) and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA) in Tianma from different habitats and processed methods. Experiments of chromatographic fingerprint analysis were carried out with a Zorbax XDB C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous acetic acid in gradient elution mode. The column was maintained at 25 degrees C. Detection was set at 270 nm. The mass spectra were recorded using as ESI source in the negative mode with ion spray voltage at 3500 V, source temperature at 335 degrees C, gas spray at 8.3 kPa and gas flow rate at 9 L x min(-1). The HPLC methods of quantitative analysis were the same as those of chromatographic fingerprint analysis except the mobile phase, which consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous acetic acid in isocratic elution mode with the ratio of 4.5 to 95.5 (v/v). Data of chromatographic fingerprint were analyzed by the "similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of TCM (Version 2004 A)" software to compare the quality of Tianma. Samples from different habitats with the same processing method were of high similarity, though a few samples showed evident difference in fingerprint graphics. For Tianma samples with different processing methods, the contents of common peaks were different and the processing method of freezing to dry was better than others. With HPLC-MS technique, 8 major common peaks in the fingerprint of Tianma were identified by their MS spectra and comparison with the reference standards. The results of similarity analysis for chromatographic fingerprint were basically consistent with those of quantitative analysis. The established HPLC-DAD/MS methods can be used to evaluate the quality of Tianma.

Quality analysis and evaluation of Rhizoma Coptidis under different cultivation conditions / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To develop methods for the fingerprint analysis of Rhizoma Coptidis and the determination of berberine, palmatine and jatrorrhizine in Rhizoma Coptidis, and analyze the contents of these three alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis under different cultivation conditions, from different areas and processed with different methods.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two methods (HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS) have been developed and used in fingerprint analysis of Rhizoma Coptidis. An HPLC method was used to determine the contents of three alkaloids.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With HPLC-MS techniques, seven major chromatographic peaks in the fingerprint analysis of Rhizoma Coptidis were identified by their MS spectra and compared with the reference standards. In different cultivation conditions, shading conditions and growing ages have obvious influence on the contents of three alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis, while planting density was not the major factor that influenced the contents of three alkaloids. The contents of three alkaloids of Coptidis samples were almost higher than those of Coptidis reference material. For Coptidis samples from different cultivation area, the contents of these three alkaloids were different greatly. For Coptidis samples processed with different methods, the contents of three alkaloids were not influenced obviously by processing methods.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results showed that the ecology cultivation method to replace the traditional shading method was feasible and provided the theoretical foundation for scientifically processing Rhizoma Coptidis.</p>

Effect of Xuesaitong soft capsule on hemorrheology and in auxiliarily treating patients with acute cerebral infarction / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of Xuesaitong soft capsule (XST) and its effect on platelet counts, coagulation factor 1 (CF1) as well as hemorrheologic indexes in treating patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and four patients with ACI were assigned into two groups, the control group (n = 96) and the treated group (n = 108). They were all treated with conventional Western medicines, including mannitol, troxerutin, citicoline, piracetam and aspirin, while to the treated group, XST was given additionally through oral intake, twice a day, 2 capsules each time for 8 successive weeks. The clinical efficacy was evaluated according to the nerve function deficits scoring and the changes of platelet count. CF1 and hemorrheological indexes were measured before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 87.0% in the treated group, and 87.5% in the control group, respectively, showing insignificant difference between them. But the markedly effective rate in the treated group (66.7%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (27.1%, P < 0.01). The count of platelet was not changed significantly in both groups after treatment, while CF1 in them evidently lowered at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks of treatment, but showed insignificant difference between the two groups. The hematocrit, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity in both groups were all improved significantly after treatment, but also showed insignificant difference in comparison of the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XST has good efficacy in auxiliary treatment of patients with ACI, though its mechanism remains to be further explored.</p>

Analysis of contents of berberine in Coptis chinensis of Lichuan / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the contents of berberine in Coptis chinensis of Lichuan and establish its best cultivation scheme.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>We used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure the contents of berberine at different altitude, growth age, and leaves.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Analytic data showed that the growth age and firry woods shading did not affect the contents of berberine in rhizome of Coptis chinensis. Low altitude was more suitable for Coptis chinensis to synthesize berberine. The contents of berberine in rhizome of Coptis chinensis with floral leaf were higher than those with lusterless and lustrous leaves, but no significant difference.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The synthesis of berberine is closely correlated with shading conditions. It is recommended that the shading ratio should be reduced or the sheds removed in the middle growth age (2-3 years), and then the herb should be reshaped at the last year to enhance the synthesis of berberine, so as to obtain high-quality Coptis chinensis in the harvest.</p>

Analysis and assessment of Coptis chinensis for different parts, ages, and heights using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the infrared (IR) fingerprint spectra of Coptis chinensis for different parts, ages, and heights, and to analyze the integrate rules about the content of berberine component in Coptis chinensis for different parts, ages, and heights.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was applied to detect the infrared spectra of Coptis chinensis samples rapidly and non-separately.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The IR spectra of the root, leafstalk, and fibre of Coptis chinesis have their unique features. The content of berberine component in Coptis chinensis was different for different parts and the sequence: root > leafstalk > fibre. When Coptis chinensis grows, the content of berberine component in leafstalk also increases. The content of berberine component in leafstalk which planting in 1 200 m was less than that in 1 300, 1 400, and 1 500 m. The ages and heights provide no obvious influences on the content of berberine in the root of Coptis chinensis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Using FTIR spectroscopy, the quality of Coptis chinensis can be controlled, which provides a useful method for the standardized planting of Coptis chinensis.</p>

Correlation and path analysis of agronomic characters of Panax notoginseng / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To select the main directions and the objects in breeding the high yield of Panax notoginseng by the correlation and path analysis of main agronomic character of P. notoginseng.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Samples in fifty-two districts of Yunnan and Guangxi were collected. The height of plant, the diameter of stem, the number, length, width, size of leaf and the weight of each root of those samples were measured.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The greatest contribution to the weight of each root is the size of leaf.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The size of leaf should be key to the high yield of cultribution of P. notoginseng and the size of leaf especially the width of leaf should be selected in breeding. At the same time, the height of plant and the diameter of stem should be considered.</p>

Comparison on ingredients between cultured cell and cultivated Saffron pistils / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences of active ingredients between tissue cultured cells and cultivated saffron pistils.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The experiment was carried out by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The data indicated that the species and contents active ingredients in saffron pistils from different places were different. The species of active ingredients in tissue cultured cells are less than those in cultivated saffron pistils. However, the quantity of crocin A, which showed good anticancer effect, is 2-3 times more than that in cultivated saffron pistils.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The active ingredients of the tissue cultured cells are similar to those of saffron pistils, but their contents are different. Therefore, the tissue cultured cells can only be the part-substitutes of cultivated saffron pistils.</p>