Antihyperlipidemic effect of Vaccinium dunalianum buds based on biological activity screening and LC-MS.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The buds of Vaccinium dunalianum Wight are used as folk medicine in the Yi settlement of the Yunnan Province, China. It has long been used as herbal tea in the local area owing to its effects of lowering blood lipids and body weight. However, there are only a few studies on its antihyperlipidemic effects, effective substances and mechanisms, especially its effectiveness in diet-induced hyperlipidemia. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic effects, pharmacodynamic material bases, and mechanisms of V. dunalianum buds on diet-induced hyperlipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model was established. Rats were gavaged with different doses of aqueous extract of V. dunalianum(VDW) for 8 weeks and their sera and organ samples were collected. The antihyperlipidemic effect of VDW on SD rats was evaluated based on the biochemical indices and histopathological outcomes. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) was used to determine the main components in VDW, which were separated and purified using sequential chromatographic methods. Their chemical structures were determined using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. 6'-O-caffeoyl-arbutin, as the principal component of VDW, was also evaluated for its antihyperlipidemic activity using an approach similar to that used for VDW. Lastly, the potential targets of VDW and 6'-O-caffeoyl-arbutin in lowering blood lipids were screened out using network pharmacology, and the selected targets were docked with arbutin derivatives. The expression of target proteins was determined using western blotting to illustrate the antihyperlipidemic mechanisms of VDW and 6'-O-caffeoyl-arbutin. RESULTS: VDW reduced triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase levels in the serum of modeled rats, and increased high-density lipoprotein levels. There was an improvement in steatoses, and lipid droplet accumulation decreased in vivo after VDW intervention. LC-MS revealed that VDW mainly contained arbutin and chlorogenic acid derivatives. Sixteen compounds were isolated and identified. 6'-O-caffeoyl-arbutin was the main compound of VDW (>21.67%) that showed obvious antihyperlipidemic effect with low hepatic damage at different doses. PTGS2, ADH1C, and MAOB were screened out using network pharmacology and they showed strong correlations with arbutin derivative through molecular docking. Results from WB showed that VDW and 6'-O-caffeoyl-arbutin could reduce blood lipid levels by reducing the protein expression of PTGS2, ADH1C, and MAOB. CONCLUSIONS: 6'-O-caffeoyl-arbutin was the main component of V. dunalianum buds. VDW and 6'-O-caffeoyl-arbutin could regulate blood lipid levels in the high-fat diet-induced rat model of hyperlipidemia without damaging their vital organs. Furthermore, they could regulate the expression of PTGS2, ADH1C, and MAOB proteins and play a role in lowering blood lipids. The findings of this study lay a foundation for the further development of V. dunalianum and 6'-O-caffeoyl-arbutin as health supplements or drugs for the management of hyperlipidemia.

ETCM v2.0: An update with comprehensive resource and rich annotations for traditional Chinese medicine

Existing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-related databases are still insufficient in data standardization, integrity and precision, and need to be updated urgently. Herein, an Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine version 2.0 (ETCM v2.0, http://www.tcmip.cn/ETCM2/front/#/) was constructed as the latest curated database hosting 48,442 TCM formulas recorded by ancient Chinese medical books, 9872 Chinese patent drugs, 2079 Chinese medicinal materials and 38,298 ingredients. To facilitate the mechanistic research and new drug discovery, we improved the target identification method based on a two-dimensional ligand similarity search module, which provides the confirmed and/or potential targets of each ingredient, as well as their binding activities. Importantly, five TCM formulas/Chinese patent drugs/herbs/ingredients with the highest Jaccard similarity scores to the submitted drugs are offered in ETCM v2.0, which may be of significance to identify prescriptions/herbs/ingredients with similar clinical efficacy, to summarize the rules of prescription use, and to find alternative drugs for endangered Chinese medicinal materials. Moreover, ETCM v2.0 provides an enhanced JavaScript-based network visualization tool for creating, modifying and exploring multi-scale biological networks. ETCM v2.0 may be a major data warehouse for the quality marker identification of TCMs, the TCM-derived drug discovery and repurposing, and the pharmacological mechanism investigation of TCMs against various human diseases.

Registration of intervention trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine for four neurological diseases on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and ClinicalTrials.gov: a narrative review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the current status of clinical trial registration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of neurological diseases. METHODS: Interventional clinical trials of TCM treatment for ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, vascular cognitive impairment, tension-type headache before September 22, 2020 on the platform of Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched. Two researchers independently selected the literature and extracted data. RESULTS: A total of 180 interventional clinical trials were included for analysis. Out of 180 trials, 127 were from ChiCTR and 53 from ClinicalTrials.gov. The countries primary sponsoring the included trials were China (176, 97.8%), and the common categories of primary sponsors were hospital (131, 72.8%). Among the study design, the largest proportion of allocation was randomized (172, 95.6%), interventional model assignment was parallel (163, 90.6%), masking was double blind 49 (27.2%), and the sample size was ≤ 400 (144, 80.0%). The trials were most carried out at a single center (102, 56.7%). Among the included studies, 112 (62.2%) registered on ChiCTR attached the ethical approval documents. In terms of trial stages, 50 (27.7%) studies were in phase IV. The mostly used intervention was Chinese herbal medicines (99, 55%), acupuncture (68, 37.8%) was the second. By searching the registration number on China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database and PubMed, 38 (21.1%) registered trials were published, including 25 protocol studies and 14 research results with one (NCT02275949) published both the protocol and the results. CONCLUSIONS: Irregular and inadequate reporting, untimely update and publication, insufficient information on traditional medicine unique characteristics, and lack of international collaborations are the problems existing in the interventional clinical registration trials of traditional medicine treatment on neurological diseases. More efforts need to be made from the above aspects to standardize and improve the registration of traditional medicine trials.

Therapeutic effect of Panax notoginseng saponins combined with cyclophosphamide in mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma H22 cell xenograft / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the therapeutic effects of total saponins from Panax notognseng (PNS) combined with cyclophosphamide (CTX) in mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma H22 cell xenograft.@*METHODS@#We examined the effects of treatment with different concentrations of PNS on H22 cell proliferation for 24 to 72 h in vitro using CCK8 colorimetric assay. Annexin V/PI double fluorescence staining was used to detect the effect of PNS on apoptosis of H22 cells. Mouse models bearing H22 cell xenograft were established and treated with CTX (25 mg/kg), PNS (120, 240 or 480 mg/kg), alone or in combinations. After treatments for consecutive 10 days, the mice were euthanized for examinations of carbon clearance ability of the monocytes and macrophages, splenic lymphocyte proliferation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), serum hemolysin antibody level, blood indicators, and the tumor inhibition rate.@*RESULTS@#Treatment with PNS concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferation and significantly promoted apoptosis of cultured H22 cells (P < 0.01). In the tumor-bearing mouse models, PNS alone and its combination with CTX both resulted in obvious enhancement of phagocytosis of the monocyte-macrophages, stimulated the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes, promoted the release of TNF-α and IL-2 and the production of serum hemolysin antibody, and increased the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Treatment with 480 mg/kg PNS combined with CTX resulted in a tumor inhibition rate of 83.28% (P < 0.01) and a life prolonging rate of 131.25% in the mouse models (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#PNS alone or in combination with CTX can improve the immunity and tumor inhibition rate and prolong the survival time of H22 tumor-bearing mice.

[Situation analysis of outcome indicators of randomized controlled trials of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in recent three years].

The study aims to analyze the outcome indicators of randomized controlled trial(RCT) of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(HICH) in recent three years, and thus provide suggestions for the future studies in this field. Four English databases, four Chinese databases and two online registration websites of clinical trials were searched. The RCTs published between January 2018 and September 2020 were screened. The risk of bias was assessed and outcome measures were classified. A total of 151 839 articles were retrieved, of which 44 RCTs were included for analysis after screening. The outcome measures of the included RCTs were classified into 7 categories, among which the symptoms/signs category showed the highest reporting rate. National Institute of Health stroke scale(72.73%) was the most frequently reported outcome indicator, while the vo-lume of intracerebral hemorrhage determined by computerized tomography(36.36%) was the most frequently reported lab test outcome. Most studies collect the outcomes at the end of treatment, while 9 studies reported long-term outcomes 3 months or more after onset. Compared with those of international clinical trials, the application of some of the outcomes was reasonable, focusing on patients' symptoms, quality of life and objective outcomes. However, there were still several problems: unclear primary and secondary outcome measures, insufficient attention to long-term prognosis, insufficient attention to social function, few TCM outcomes, lack of measurement blindness and the use of unreasonable composite outcomes. It is recommended that researchers should rationally design the outcome indicators of clinical trials and develop the core outcome set.

[Overview of systematic reviews/Meta-analysis of Xingnaojing Injection in treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage].

To overview of systematic reviews/Meta-analysis of Xingnaojing Injection(XNJ) in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH). The systematic reviews concerning XNJ in the treatment of ICH were retrieved from four Chinese databases, four English databases, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and ClinicalTrail.gov, with the retrieval time set from their inception to September 2020. Following the independent screening and data extraction by two researchers, a measurement tool to assess systematic evaluation 2(AMSTAR 2) and grades of recommendation, assessment, development and evaluation(GRADE) system were used to evaluate the metho-dological, reporting and evidence qualities of the 10 included systematic reviews. The results showed that XNJ was superior to the wes-tern medicine or conventional treatment in improving the effective rate and National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS) score, Barthel index(BI), and Glasgow coma scale(GCS) score and Chinese stroke scale(CSS) score, and reducing the mortality and cerebral hematoma volume, without inducing obvious adverse reactions. In general, the methodological, reporting and evidence qualities of the 10 included systematic reviews were poor. The AMSTAR 2 scores showed that key items No. 2 and No. 16 failed to meet the stan-dard, resulting in poor methodological quality. There was only one outcome indicator graded by GRADE as intermediate quality, 43% indicators as low quality, 42% indicators as extremely low quality, and none as high quality. These available evidences have suggested that the methodological, reporting and evidence qualities of the systematic evaluation concerning XNJ for the treatment of ICH need to be improved. Most evidences support that XNJ was better than the western medicine or conventional treatment in the treatment of ICH, but the methodological quality and the reliability of outcome indicators in relevant systematic review were low. More high-quality studies are still required for further verification.

[Systematic review and Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy on hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage].

To systematically review the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic the-rapy in treating hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(HICH) patients compared with minimally invasive surgery or basic treatment. In this study, the four Chinese databases, the four English databases, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and ClinicalTrail.gov, all above were systematically and comprehensively retrieved from the time of database establishment to September 10, 2020. Rando-mized controlled trials(RCTs) were screened out according to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria established in advanced. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated by the tool named "Cochrane bias risk assessment 6.1". Meta-analysis of the included studies was performed using RevMan 5.4, and the quality of outcome indicators was evaluated by the GRADE system. Finally, 17 studies were included, involving 1 852 patients with HICH, and the overall quality of the included studies was not high. According to Meta-analysis,(1)CSS score of the group of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy was superior to the group of minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy(MD=-3.50,95%CI[-4.39,-2.61],P<0.000 01);(2)NIHSS score of the group of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy was superior to the group of minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy(MD=-4.78,95%CI[-5.55,-4.00],P<0.000 01);(3)the cerebral hematoma volume of the group of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy was superior to the group of minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy(MD=-4.44,95%CI[-5.83,-3.04],P<0.000 01);(4)ADL score of the group of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy was superior to the group of minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy(MD=20.81,95%CI[17.25,24.37],P<0.000 01);(5)the GCS score of the group of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy was superior to the group of minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy(MD=2.41,95%CI[1.90,2.91],P<0.000 01). The GRADE system showed an extremely low level of evidence for the above outcome indicators. Adverse reactions were mentioned only in two literatures, with no adverse reactions reported. The available evidence showed that acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy had a certain efficacy in patients of HICH compared with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy. However, due to the high risk of bias in the included studies, its true efficacy needs to be verified by more high-quality studies in the future.

Mechanism of Shengjiang Powder in treating chronic tonsillitis in children based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 中国中药杂志

Based on the network pharmacology and molecular docking method to explore the molecular mechanism of Shengjiang Powder in treating chronic tonsillitis in children. This research first based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology(TCMSP) and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tools for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine(BATMAN-TCM), the effective active ingredients of the drugs contained in Shengjiang Powder were screened out by the pharmacokinetic(ADME) parameters, the targets were predicted, and then chronic tonsillitis disease in children targets were obtained by GeneCards database. Afterwards, the target protein names were standardized by the Uniprot database. The drug targets were matched with the disease targets to obtain the potential therapeutic targets of Shengjiang Powder. Cytoscape 3.8.0 software was used to screen out and construct the network diagram of "drug-components-core targets-disease". DAVID database and R language were used to conduct the enrichment analysis of core action targets. Finally, AutoDock software was used to conduct molecular docking between drug components with a high network medium value and core action targets. According to the findings, after standardized treatment, a total of 79 active ingredients of Shengjiang Powder were obtained; it was predicted to get 1 261 potential targets, 268 potential targets for treatment of chronic tonsillitis in children, and 29 core targets; and 81 entries of GO enrichment were determined(P<0.05), including 63 biological processes, 7 cell components, 11 molecular function items, 24 KEGG pathway enrichment items(P<0.05), mainly including cell cycle, inflammatory factors, viral infection, immune regulation and other signaling pathways. The results of molecular docking showed that main active components in Shengjiang Powder had a stable binding activity with the core targets. This study revealed the mechanism of Shengjiang Powder in the treatment of chronic tonsillitis in children, mainly by resisting virus, inhibiting inflammation, regulating immunity and other means to play a synergistic effect, so as to provide a theoretical basis for rational clinical application.

Limitation standard of toxic aconitines in proprietary Chinese medicines using on-line extraction electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Development of rapid analytical methods and establishment of toxic component limitation standards are of great importance in quality control of traditional Chinese medicine. Herein, an on-line extraction electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (oEESI-MS) coupled with a novel whole process integral quantification strategy was developed and applied to direct determination of nine key aconitine-type alkaloids in 20 proprietary Chinese medicines (APCMs). Multi-type dosage forms (, tablets, capsules, pills, granules, and liquid preparation) of APCM could be determined directly with excellent versatility. The strategy has the characteristics of high throughput, good tolerance of matrix interference, small amount of sample (∼0.5 mg) and reagent (∼240 μL) consumption, and short analysis time for single sample (<15 min). The results were proved to be credible by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, respectively. Moreover, the limitation standard for the toxic aconitines in 20 APCMs was established based on the holistic weight toxicity (HWT) evaluation and the severally, and turned out that HWT-based toxicity evaluation results were closer to the real clinical applications. Hence, a more accurate and reliable APCM toxicity limitation was established and expected to play an important guiding role in clinics. The current study extended the power of ambient MS as a method for the direct quantification of molecules in complex samples, which is commonly required in pharmaceutical analysis, food safety control, public security, and many other disciplines.

Real-time toxicity prediction of stewing system using extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Due to numerous obstacles such as complex matrices, real-time monitoring of complex reaction systems (, medicinal herb stewing system) has always been a challenge though great values for safe and rational use of drugs. Herein, facilitated by the potential ability on the tolerance of complex matrices of extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, a device was established to realize continuous sampling and real-time quantitative analysis of herb stewing system for the first time. A complete analytical strategy, including data acquisition, data mining, and data evaluation was proposed and implemented with overcoming the usual difficulties in real-time mass spectrometry quantification. The complex Fuzi (the lateral root of )-meat stewing systems were real-timely monitored in 150 min by qualitative and quantitative analysis of the nine key alkaloids accurately. The results showed that the strategy worked perfectly and the toxicity of the systems were evaluated and predicated accordingly. Stewing with trotters effectively accelerated the detoxification of Fuzi soup and reduced the overall toxicity to 68%, which was recommended to be used practically for treating rheumatic arthritis and enhancing immunity. The established strategy was versatile, simple, and accurate, which would have a wide application prospect in real-time analysis and evaluation of various complex reaction systems.

Therapeutic effect on post-stroke spastic paralysis of upper extremity treated with combination of kinematic-acupuncture therapy and rehabilitation training / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect on post-stroke spastic paralysis of the upper extremity between the combination of kinematic-acupuncture therapy and rehabilitation training and the combined treatment of the conventional acupuncture with rehabilitation training.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients of post-stroke spastic paralysis of the upper extremity at the non-acute stage were randomized into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off). On the base of the routine western medication and rehabilitation treatment, the kinematic-acupuncture therapy was added in the observation group and the conventional acupuncture was used in the control group. Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Jiaji (EX-B 2) from T to T, Tianzong (SI 11), Jianzhen (SI 9), Jianyu (LI 15) and Quyuan (SI 13) were selected in both groups. The treatment was given once daily and the treatment for 14 days was as one course. The one course of treatment was required in this research. Separately, before treatment and in 7 and 14 days of treatment, the score of simplified Fugl-Meyer scale of the upper extremity (FMA-UE), the grade of the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and the score of the modified Barthel index scale (MBI) were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, in 7 and 14 days of treatment, FMA-UE score was increased obviously in either group (<0.01). In 14 days of treatment, FMA-UE score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.05). In 7 and 14 days of treatment, MAS grades of shoulder joint, elbow joint, wrist joint and metacarpophalangeal joint were all improved markedly in the two groups (<0.05). Compared with the grades in 7 days of treatment, MAS grades of elbow joint and metacarpophalangeal joint were improved markedly in 14 days of treatment in the two groups (<0.05). Compared with the control group, MAS grades of elbow joint and metacarpophalangeal joint were improved more markedly in the observation group in 14 days of treatment (<0.05). Compared with the score before treatment, MBI score was increased in 7 and 14 days of treatment respectively in the observation group (<0.05, <0.01). In 14 days of treatment, MBI score was increased in the control group (<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#For the patients with post-stroke spastic paralysis of the upper extremity at the non-acute stage, the combined treatment with kinematic-acupuncture therapy and rehabilitation training obviously improves the motor function of the upper extremity and the muscle tone of elbow joint and metacarpophalangeal joint. The therapeutic effect of this combination is better than that of the combined treatment of the conventional acupuncture with rehabilitation training. Additionally, this combined therapy improves the ability of daily life activity.

Efficacy of acupuncture for spastic cerebral palsy in infancy stage / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for spastic cerebral palsy in infancy stage.@*METHODS@#A total of 62 children with spastic cerebral palsy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 31 cases in each one. Both groups were given comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (sport therapy, electronic biofeedback therapy, speech cognitive training, massage therapy). On the basis of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy, the acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), motor area, Jiaji (EX-B 2), Weizhong (BL 40), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Zusanli (ST 36) and Hegu (LI 4), etc, the needles were retained for 15-20 min each time, once a day, 5 days a week, 45 days as a course with 10 days interval, a total of 3 courses were required. The Gesell development scale adaptive DQ scores, gross motor function measure (GMFM88) and muscular tension of adductor and gastrocnemius muscle were compared before and after treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The Gesell development scale adaptive DQ score after treatment in the observation group was increased (0.05), the change of the observation group was larger than the control group (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture combined with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy can improve cognitive function, spasticity and motor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Screening of long non-coding RNA related to CYP450s involved in biosynthesis of tanshinones / 中国中药杂志

Tanshinones are abietane-type norditerpenoid quinones that make up the main bioactive ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza. Cytochrome CYP450 plays an important role in the post-structural modification of tanshinone biosynthesis pathway. Long non-coding RNA( lncRNA) have been defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides,which have been functionally characterized in regulating the growth and development,secondary metabolism and stress of medicinal plants. In this study,we perform a comprehensive identification of lncRNAs in response to tanshinone metabolism induced by yeast extract( YE) and Ag~+ S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots. Deep RNA sequencing was used to identify a set of different 8 942 lncRNAs,of which 6 755 were intergenic lncRNAs. We predicted a total of 1 115 814 lncRNA-coding gene pairs,including 122 lncRNA-coding gene as cis pairs. The correlation analysis between lncRNA and CYP450 related to tanshinone biosynthesis was carried out and a total of 16 249 lncRNA-CYP450 target gene pairs were identified. Further analysis with functional known CYP76 AH1,CYP76 AH3 and CYP76 AK1 involved in tanshinone biosynthesis,we also identified a set of 216 target genes. These candidate genes will be the important target in the downstream regulation mechanism analysis of the tanshinone biosynthesis pathway.

Molecular mechanism of seed dormancy release induced by fluridone compared with cod stratification in Notopterygium incisum.

BACKGROUND: Notopterygium incisum is an important Chinese medicinal plant. Its mature seeds have underdeveloped embryos and are physiological dormant. We found the seeds with full developed embryos can germinate after treated by fluridone (FL), an inhibitor of abscisic acid (ABA). In order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying seed dormancy release by FL, we compared the transcriptomic changes in dormancy release induced by two different methods, FL and cold stratification (CS) in N. incisum. We further analyzed the gene expression patterns involved in seed germination and dormancy using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. RESULTS: RNA-sequence analysis revealed more dramatic changes in the transcriptomes of FL than those in CS, particularly for genes involved in the biosynthesis and regulation of gibberellins (GAs) and ABA. The down-regulation of ABA biosynthesis genes and the dramatic up-regulation of NiCYP707As, an ABA catabolic gene, contributed to the reduced ABA levels in FL. The increased GA3 levels in CS-treated seeds were due to the up-regulation of NiGA3OX. Both NiABI5 (a positive ABA regulator) and NiGAI (a negative regulator of GA) were down-regulated in FL and CS. The upregulation of strigolactones (SLs; the metabolites with the same precursor as ABA) biosynthesis and regulatory genes in both FL- and CS-treated seeds indicates that SLs contribute positively to seed dormancy release in N. incisum. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that FL- and CS-seed dormancy release possibly depends on two totally different mechanisms: alleviation of the effects of ABA and potentiation of the effects of GA, respectively. However, NiABI5 and NiGAI probably function as common factors integrating the effects of ABA and GA on seed dormancy release.

Effect of Trifolium pratense extract on methionine-choline-deficient diet-induced steatohepatitis in C57BL/6 mice / 中国天然药物

AIM@#The potential of Trifolium pratense (red clover) extract in the prevention of lipid disorder has attracted increasing attention in recent years. In this study, the aim was to determine whether and how red clover extract affected the development of murine diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.@*METHODS@#Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by feeding mice with a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used for histological analyses. Real-time PCR was used to analyze the mRNA expression levels.@*RESULTS@#Hepatic steatosis and necroinflammation was observed in MCD diet-fed mice, and this diet-induced steatosis was significantly attenuated, whereas liver inflammation was not significantly attenuated, by red clover extract treatment. Consistent with the results of H&E staining, the MCD diet-induced increase of liver triglycerides and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced by red clover extract treatment. However, with the improvement in hepatic steatosis, mRNA levels of acetyl CoA oxidase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1, and liver fatty acid-binding protein, three genes regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α, were unaffected.@*CONCLUSION@#Red clover extract alleviated MCD diet-induced hepatic steatosis, but did not ameliorate liver inflammation in C57BL/6 mice, and the improvement in hepatic steatosis was not through activating PPARα.

Effect of ascorbic acid, epidermal growth factor and follicle stimulating hormone on in vitro culture of sheep ovarian cortical tissue / 生物工程学报

In this study, we evaluated the effects of ascorbic acid (VC), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on in vitro culture of sheep ovarian cortical tissue. Using 2 x 2 x 2 factor experimental design, we cultured sheep ovarian cortex fragments in 8 media with MEM (control), MEM+VC (50 microg/mL), MEM +EGF (100 ng/mL), MEM+FSH (50 ng/mL), MEM+VC+EGF, MEM+VC+FSH, MEM+EGF+FSH, MEM+VC+EGF+FSH. After 0 (non-cultured control), 2, 6, 12 days of culture, the pieces of ovarian cortex were proceed to histological and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) examination, or observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The percentages of developing follicles were increased (P < 0.05) and the percentages of healthy follicles were reduced (P < 0.05). When compared to the MEM group, the addition of FSH with VC or EGF promoted a significant increase of follicles diameter and follicles survival rate (P < 0.05), and stimulated the proliferation of granulosa cells. After 12 days of culture, medium supplemented with MEM+VC+EGF resulted the lowest proportion of developing follicles (49.3% +/- 3.2%), follicles diameter((32.3 +/- 2.3) microm), follicles survival rate (41.6% +/- 3.1%) and the proportion of PCNA stained follicles (26.4% +/- 1.2%, P < 0.05). In contrast, MEM+VC+EGF+FSH resulted the highest follicles diameter ((42.5 +/- 5.1) microm), follicles survival rate (59.7% +/- 6.1%) and proportion of PCNA stained follicles (43.5% +/- 4.1%, P < 0.05). Ultrastructural analysis confirmed the integrity of follicles cultured in VC+EGF+FSH group, while follicles cultured in MEM+VC+EGF groups showed more degeneration characters. In conclusion, the addition of VC and EGF to culture medium inhibited follicular development, VC+EGF+FSH was the most effective treatment to maintain follicular integrity and promote sheep primordial follicular activation and growth during in vitro culture.

Study of chemical constituents in active parts of Mentha spicata III / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of Mentha spicata.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical constituents were isolated by silica gel column chromatography, and identified by physical and chemical characters and spectroscopic analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compounds I - V were obtained and their structures were elucidated as protocatechuic aldehyde (I), protocatechuic acid (II), chrysoeriol (III), 5, 6-dihydroxy-7, 8, 3', 4'-tetramethoxyflavone (IV), nodifloretin (V).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound I and II were first isolated from the genus Mentha. Compound Ill, IV and V were isolated from M. spicata for the first time.</p>

Correlation of anti-bacterial activity with secondary metabolites content in Sargentodoxa Cuneata tables / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between the content of the secondary metabolites and the anti-bacterial activity of Sargentodoxa cuneata tables.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The content of secondary metabolies was determined by spectrometers. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were used as the experimental strains. The minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) was calculated using agar plate dilution method on Kirby-Bauer disk. The minimal bacterialcidal concentration (MBC) was calculated using tube dilution method. Two-way analysis and Turkey's test was employed in the statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The anti-bacterial activities on Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis of the first batch of S. cuneata tables produced in Anhui was the highest [the diameter of anti-bacterial zone, MIC, MBC was (9.67 +/-0.29) mm, 12.5 mg/ml, 31.25 mg/ml and (10.17 +/-0.58) mm, 12.5 mg/ml, 31.25 mg/ml, respectively]. Those of the second batch of S. cuneata tables produced in Jiangsu was the lowest [the diameter of anti-bacterial zone, MIC, MBC was (7.67 +/-0.29)mm, 25 mg/ml, 125 mg/ml and (8.17 +/-0.29)mm, 25 mg/ml, 125 mg/ml, respectively]. There was significant difference in the antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus between different producing areas of S. cuneata tables and batches (P<0.01), while there was also significant difference in the antibacterial activity on Bacillus subtilis between different producing areas (P<0.01) and no significant difference between different batches (P>0.05). The contents of 6 secondary metabolites of S. cuneata tables produced in different areas and in different batches were different. The total content of 6 secondary metabolites of the first batch of S. cuneata tables produced in Anhui was the highest with mean 3.61%. Those of the second batch produced in Jiangsu were the lowest with mean 1.90 %. There was significant difference in the content of total alkaloid and dissociated emodin between different producing areas (P<0.01) and no difference between different batches (P>0.05). For the content of total chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, total tannin and total saponin, there was significant difference between different producing areas and batches (P<0.01). The correlation analysis showed that the main secondary metabolites influencing the anti-bacterial activity were total saponin, total tannin, dissociated emodin and total chlorogenic acid.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is difference among the content of the secondary metabolites and anti-bacterial activity of S. cuneata tables produced in different areas and different batches. There is significant correlation of the anti-bacterial activity with the content of total saponin, total tannin, dissociated emodin and total chlorogenic acid in S. cuneata tables.</p>

Structure charateristics of mitoxantrone transforsomes / 生物医学工程学杂志

This study sought to clarify the molecular location and the interaction between mitoxantrone and mitoxantrone transforsomes. The anthraquinone of mitoxantrone, a heterocyclic ring that intercalates in the lipid of bilayer, was determined by UV-spectrophotometry and electron probes scan microscopy. Two aminoethylamino side-chains of the drugs fit to the phosphates of lecithin were determined by 8-value, thus the interaction with lecithin was substantiated. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed that mitoxantrone has remarkable stabilizing effect on the mitoxantrone transforsomes membrane. The mitoxantrone binds tightly to lecithin. So a high degree of encapsulation efficiency and the sustained-release character of mitoxantrone transforsomes are verified.

Advances in the study of vincristine: an anticancer ingredient from Catharanthus roseus / 中国中药杂志

Vincristine is a dimer-indo-alkaloid which is extracted from the leaves of Catharanthus roseus. It is effective to treat acute lymphocytic cell leukemia, Hodgkin disease and non-Hodgkin disease clinically. But the severe side effects, such as neurotoxic and tissue damage, limit its application. In this paper, we summarize physical, chemical, pharmacological and pharmacokinetical properties of VCR and advances in decreasing its side effects. In clinic, association with other medication is adopted. In pharmaceutics, people adopt some new methods and technology such as conjugation with the antibody, encapsulation in liposomes or controlled release films.