Oxymatrine improves blood-brain barrier integrity after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by downregulating CAV1 and MMP9 expression.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major neurological condition associated with extremely high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Oxymatrine (OMT), a quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from the root of Sophora flavescens, has neuroprotective properties and protects against IS. However, whether its protective effect involves alterations in the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is unknown. PURPOSE: Here, we used in vivo and in vitro models of IS to evaluate the protective effects of OMT and to establish whether its effects are mediated via the modulation of the BBB function. METHODS: We assessed the effects of OMT by using neurological function scores, triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, Nissl staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. RESULTS: OMT significantly prevented cellular damage, improved neurological function, and reduced BBB permeability in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Additionally, OMT protected the function of the tight junctions of bEend.3 cells against the consequences of oxygen-glucose deprivation. Furthermore, intracranial lentivirus injection of short hairpin RNA targeting Cav1 decreased caveolin-1 expression and inhibited the neuroprotective effects of OMT. CONCLUSIONS: OMT attenuated ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced damage to the BBB, and this neuroprotective action was at least partially dependent on the expression levels of CAV1 and MMP9 proteins. Therefore, OMT may offer effective protection against BBB injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion episodes.

Research progress of effective components of traditional Chinese medicine in anti-aging and anti-tumor mechanism / 药学学报

Increasing research have found a high correlation between senescence and tumor. Cellular senescence can inhibit tumorigenesis while the cellular microenvironment altered by senescent cells can promote the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. Some cellular signaling pathways are commonly involved in aging process and carcinogenesis. The deregulation and imbalance of these pathways results into senescence and tumor development. Thus, agents that balance these pathways may effective for anti-aging and anti-tumor. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for the activation of multiple signaling pathways and molecular targets both associated with aging and tumor, with few side effects. Therefore, the article reviewed the cellular signalings that cross between the aging and tumors, and on this basis, summarized the current effective components of TCM with anti-aging and anti-cancer properties, as well as the potential mechanisms of these components in the cross signalings, to provide new research strategies and perspectives for effective components of TCM to treat aging and tumors.

Effects of Naringin on neuronal apoptosis in mice with memory consolidation disorder / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of Naringin on neuronal apoptosis in mice with memory consolidation disorderinduced by sodium nitrite.Methods:Fifty mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, standardized protocol group, high-dose Naringin group and low-dose Naringin group, with 10 mice in each group. The standardized protocol group was given Donepezil 1 mg/kg, the Naringin high and low dose groups were gavaged with Naringin solution 100 and 50 mg/(kg·d), blank group and model group were gavaged with equal volume of distilled water once a day for 21 days. The model was established on the 22nd day. The blank group was intraperitoneally injected with normal saline, and the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 100 mg/(kg·d) sodium nitrite solution for 7 days. The cognitive ability of mice in each group was evaluated by platform jumping test, and the hippocampal synaptic structure was observed by electron microscope. The contents of acetylcholine (ACh), SOD, MDA and NO in hippocampus and the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was detected by ELISA. The expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), glutamine receptor 2 (GluR), calcium/calmodulin dependent protease Ⅱ (CaMK Ⅱ), Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bad proteins in hippocampus of model mice were detected by Western blot.Results:The number and morphology of hippocampal neurons were normal, nucleus, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and synaptic membrane of hippocampal neurons in high-dose Naringin group were clear. Compared with the model group, the latency of mice in the high-dose Naringin group was prolonged and the number of errors was reduced ( P<0.01). The levels of MDA and NO in hippocampus of mice in the high-dose Naringin group significantly decreased ( P<0.01), and the activity of SOD significantly increased ( P<0.01). The content of ACh (23.682 ± 2.835 μg/mg prot vs. 14.939 ± 2.901 μg/mg prot), ChAT (163.302 ± 21.278 U/g vs. 89.612 ± 11.497 U/g) increased, AChE (0.367 ± 0.015 U/mg prot vs. 0.471 ± 0.014 U/mg prot) activity decreased ( P<0.01); The expression of Bad (0.441 ± 0.010 vs. 0.633 ± 0.010), Caspase-3 (0.425 ± 0.036 vs. 0.537 ± 0.024) significantly decreased, and the expression of Bcl-2 (0.890 ± 0.014 vs. 0.727 ± 0.009) significantly increased ( P<0.01); The expression of CAMKⅡ (1.043 ± 0.037 vs. 1.475 ± 0.043) significantly decreased ( P<0.01), and the expression of NMDAR1 (0.407 ± 0.037 vs. 0.345 ± 0.012), GluR2 (1.125 ± 0.033 vs. 0.664 ± 0.023) significantly increased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Naringin could play the role of protecing the neuron and improving the cognition of mice with memory consolidation disorder by regulating the balance of ACh and glutamate system and reducing neuronal apoptosis and antioxidant stress.

Overview of quality standards of Eucommiae Cortex in China and overseas / 中国中药杂志

Eucommiae Cortex is an authentic medicinal material with broad growing areas( such as Hunan and Sichuan provinces in China. It is well-known for its efficacy in tonifying liver and kidney,strengthening muscles and bones,and stabilizing fetus. It has also been proven in pharmacology to possess the functions such as lowering blood pressure and lipids. Hence,Eucommiae Cortex has attracted increasing attention. The current quality standards of Eucommiae Cortex vary in different countries or regions. The quality of Eucommiae Cortex products on the market is affected by mix-ups of non-medicinal parts and insufficient growth years. In view of these problems,this paper summarizes the current quality standards and research progress of Eucommiae Cortex in China and overseas,aiming to provide a reference for the establishment of the quality standards of Eucommiae Cortex.

[Summary on international quality standards of Bupleuri Radix].

Bupleuri Radix is a traditional staple Chinese medicinal material which has a wide range of medicinal values. However, with the increase of the international trade of Bupleuri Radix, its quality and safety issues have attracted much attention. Therefore, the establishment of international standards for Bupleuri Radix has important practical significance. In view of this, based on our foundation work on the standardization of Chinese medicine and international standards, this review systematically collates the quality standards of the major countries(regions) in which Bupleuri Radix is used, including the origin, macroscopic characteristics, microscopic characteristics, determination of marker compounds and extrinsic harmful contaminants. The existing problems and suggestions are also discussed in this review, which may provide reference for the study of the quality standard of Bupleuri Radix.

Review of Anemone raddeana Rhizome and its pharmacological effects / 中国结合医学杂志

The chemical compositions of Anemone raddeana Rhizome, a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, were reviewed, along with its bioactivity and pharmacological properties and method improvements of extracting and detecting triterpenoid saponins. A. raddeana Rhizome is used to treat neuralgia and rheumatism, and is rich in triterpenoid saponins, most of which are pentacyclic, with oleanane as the nucleus. So far, 37 triterpenoid saponins have been determined from the herb. Its reported bioactivity and pharmacological properties have been described as anticancerous, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anticonvulsive, antihistaminic, and sedative. It has also been used for the induction of the humoral immune response and treatment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis. However, the herb also has hemolytic effects and can be toxic, which limits its clinical application. Further studies are needed on the pharmaceutical functions, mechanisms, and immunological responses to contribute to the herb's clinical applications.

New diterpenoids isolated from Leonurus japonicus and their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity / 中国天然药物

Three new labdane diterpenoids, leojaponicone A (1), isoleojaponicone A (2) and methylisoleojaponicone A (3), were isolated from the herb of Leonurus japonicus. The chemical structures of these secondary metabolites were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, including HMQC, and HMBC spectroscopic techniques. All the new compounds were tested in vitro for their acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compounds 1-3 exhibited low inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase with respect to acarbose and exhibited high inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase with respect to huperzine A.

Discussion on research status and development ideas of biopotency for Chinese materia medica / 中草药

The quality control of Chinese materia medica (CMM) has been the focus of CMM modernization, and how to demonstrate the consistency of product quality and clinical efficacy has become an important research aspect of development and innovation of CMM. Due to the heterogeneity of CMM, it is necessary to combine biopotency with other detection methods to guarantee the quality of medicines. This article reviewed the research status of CMM biopotency, analyzed the global local government regulations about biopotency and the difficulties of development in CMM, and discussed development ideas of biopotency based on PK-PD for CMM. Its main aim is to provide reference for the construction of the follow-up quality evaluation system, and to promote recognition from the international drug administration management on CMM quality standard.

The Practice of Improving the Pharmacy Ethics Education in Medical Students / 中国医学伦理学

This paper firstly analyzed from three aspects:the necessity of pharmacognosy medical ethics educa-tion, and then illustrates the main content of the medicine ethics education , this paper expounds the method and form of medicine ethics education , and finally summarizes the medicine ethics education for clinical practice stage of medical students experience:the medical institutions about the medicine ethics instances of intuitive for training medical students , strengthening medical students learn the importance of pharmaceutical ethics in clinical practice stage , in order to enhance the medical students medical moral sentiment , lay the foundation for clinical drug safety work.

Study on biomarker of Tripterygium wilfordii in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on PK/PD / 中国中药杂志

To observe the serum samples and the anti-inflammatory effect of Tripterygium wilfordii in treating RA by using the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model, make a correlation analysis on concentration-time and effect-time curves, and explore RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in rats by PCR. Methotrexate, tripterine and high-dose T. wilfordii could down-regulate RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in AA rat lymph nodes. The study on PK-PD model showed correlations between inflammatory factors and blood concentration of T. wilfordii. T. wilfordii and its main active constituent tripterine could show the inflammatory effect and treat RA by inhibiting IL-17 cytokine.

Effect of aconiti lateralis radix praeparata and taraxaci herba on Chinese medicine signs and symptoms of urethane-induced lung cancer in mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study Chinese medicine (CM) signs and symptoms of urethane-induced lung cancer in mice, and observe the effect of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Taraxaci Herba on symptoms in mice and tumor progress.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The mice were intraperitoneally injected with urethane twice a week for consecutively five weeks to establish a lung cancer model. The changes in their appearance, body temperature and auricle microcirculation were observed in carcinogenic process. CM signs and symptoms of urethane-induced lung cancer in mice were evaluated with energy metabolism, erythrocytic ATP emzymatic activity and hemorrheological index. During the tumor model was induced, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Taraxaci Herba were used to treat the mice and observe their effect on symptoms in mice and tumor progress.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>During urethane was used to induce lung cancer, the mice had gradually become chill, lazy, hunched, with reduction in temperature, cyanosis in auricle and tail. Meanwhile, their energy metabolism and erythrocytic ATP enzymatic activity reduced, whereas their whole blood viscosity and erythrocytic aggregate index increased. Taraxaci Herba showed an effect on enhancing above symptoms and signs but had no effect on tumor progress. Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata showed an effect on reducing above symptoms and signs and preventing tumor progress.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mice with urethane-induced lung cancer show CM signs and symptoms of congealing cold with blood stasis. The treatment with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata can alleviate symptoms and signs in mice and prevent tumor progress.</p>

Effects of needle retaining at Zusanli (ST 36) on hemodynamic change of anterior tibial artery / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of needle retaining on hemodynamic change and investigate the significance of retaining needle.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Manual acupuncture was performed at the left Zusanli (ST 36) of 26 healthy adult volunteers who have not receiued acupuncture. 26 cases were randomly divided into a needle retaining group and a quick needling group, 13 cases in each group. Hemodynamic parameters of the anterior tibial artery were observed with color Doppler ultrasound before needling and 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes after needle manipulation. Hemodynamic parameters were also compared between the two groups 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes after needle manipulation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant difference in V(max) and Vm between 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes after needling manipulation (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Needle retaining can not change regional hemodynamic.</p>

Stability of whole cell biocatalyst for biodiesel production from renewable oils / 生物工程学报

Lipase-mediated biodiesel production becomes increasingly important because of mild reaction conditions, pollution free during the process and easy product separation. Compared with traditional immobilized lipase, whole cell biocatalyst is promising for biodiesel production because it is easy to prepare and has higher enzyme activity recovery. Rhizopus oryzae IFO4697 can be used as the catalyst for biodiesel production. To further study the stability of the whole cell biocatalyst is extremely important for its further application on large scale. This paper focuses on the stability study of Rhizopus oryzae IFO4697 when used for the methanolysis of renewable oils for biodiesel production. The results showed that water content was important for achieving high catalytic activity and good stability of the biocatalyst. The optimum water content was found to be 5%-15%. Both particle size and desiccation methods showed no obvious effect on the stability of the biocatalyst. With GA cross-linking pretreatment, the stability of the biocatalyst could be improved significantly. When Rhizopus oryzae IFO4697 repeatedly used for next batch reaction, direct vacuum filtration was found to be a good way for the maintenance of good stability of the biocatalyst. Under the optimum reaction conditions, the methyl ester yield could keep over 80% during 20 repeated reaction batches.

Roller compaction research of Banlangen effervsce tablets / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the conditions and parameters of roller compaction of Banlangen effervsce tablet.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The experimentation adopts L9 (3(4)) orthogonal experiment to study the conditions and parameters of roller compaction of Banlangen effervsce tablet; studied factors that included roller pressure, roller speed and moisture content of power, which influence the result of granule yield and granule friability.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The optimal technique is: roller pressure at 1.5 MPa; roller speed at 15 Hz; moisture content of power at 1.5%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study of roller compaction technique of Banlangen effervsce tablets provides some technicial consults of its research and production.</p>