Ultraviolet light C in promoting rapid healing of delayed wound union: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The purpose of this case is to present a useful phototherapy for rapid healing of recalcitrant postoperative wound disunion due to implantation of allogeneic bone and metal. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case, a middle-aged man was diagnosed as complex fracture of the left tibial plateau which caused movement loss, swelling and pain of the left knee. The patient's wound disunion was still present after been surgery for 26 days, with yellowish liquid persistently oozing out of the wound after several wound dressing. We treated the postoperative wound with ultraviolet light C (UVC) to promote wound healing. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Incision disunion is a common complication of surgery, which increases patients' hospital days. Prevention and treatment of wound disunion is one of the key considerations for perioperative management. CONCLUSION: During 3-day consecutive UVC treatment, the yellowish wound exudate gradually reduced and disappeared. Subsequently, the non-healing postoperative wound scared over and healed rapidly. As a convenient, non-invasive, non-polluting and effectively physical therapy, UVC can promote rapid healing of recalcitrant wound disunion caused by implants in complex tibial plateau fracture.

[Effects of canopy density on understory plant diversity in Robinia pseudoacacia plantations on the Loess Plateau of China]. / é»„åœŸé«˜åŽŸåˆºæ§äººå·¥æž—éƒé—­åº¦å¯¹æž—ä¸‹æ¤ç‰©å¤šæ ·æ€§ç‰¹å¾çš„å½±å“.

To solve the problems of understory plant shortage and biodiversity reduction caused by high tree density of Robinia pseudoacacia plantations on the Loess Plateau in northwest China, we analyzed the data collected by field survey and from literatures. We used the upper boundary line method to examine the impacts of canopy density on understory plant diversity. Based on field survey at the Guanshan Forest Farm of Jingchuan County of Gansu Pro-vince, the species number of understory plants in R. pseudoacacia plantations was higher than that in natural grassland (91 vs. 78). The dominant species varied with canopy density, which was completely different from that of natural grassland. A comprehensive analysis of both literature data and field survey data showed that, when mean annual precipitation (MAP) <550 mm or >550 mm, the increases in canopy density first led to a stable understory plant coverage and then a sharp or slight decrease, and understory plant biomass showed a sharp and continuous decrease or a slight increase and then decrease. Understory plant species richness and other diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, and Pielou indices) first increase and then decrease, with bigger variation range under lower MAP. In all, the characteristics (coverage, biomass and species diversity, etc.) of understory plant community in R. pseudoacacia plantations were strongly affected by canopy density, with higher sensitivity under lower MAP. There was a general threshold range of canopy density of 0.45-0.6. When canopy density was above or below this thre-shold range, it would lead to a rapid decrease of the most characteristics of understory plant community. Therefore, keeping canopy density within the rational range of 0.45-0.6 in the management of R. pseudoacacia plantations is the key to make all the above-mentioned understory plant characteristics at relatively high level.

Folic acid intervention changes liver Foxp3 methylation and ameliorates the damage caused by Th17/Treg imbalance after long-term alcohol exposure.

Folic acid, as a key source of methyl donor in DNA methylation, has been proved to play a beneficial role in inflammation modulation, which is usually impaired in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). However, the role of folic acid in alcoholic liver inflammation and injury remain elusive. In this study, we sought to uncover the potential protective mechanism by which folic acid ameliorates alcoholic liver injury. 100 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal saline group, folic acid control group (5 mg per kg BW), ethanol model group (56% v/v, 10 mL per kg BW), folic acid + ethanol group, and 5-Aza + ethanol group (0.1 mL per 20 g BW). Liquor (10 mL per kg BW) was orally administered 1 h after the folic acid treatment for 10 consecutive weeks. The results showed that folic acid-inhibited ethanol-induced serum TG, TC, and LDL elevation attenuated hepatic fat accumulation and maintained ALT at a normal level. 10 weeks of ethanol administration simultaneously upregulated the hepatic proportion of Th17 and Treg cells to different extents and broke the homeostasis of liver immunization. Folic acid limited ethanol-induced inflammatory injury by increasing the frequency of hepatic Treg cells. Importantly, this effect may be caused by decreased DNMT3a, which in turn downregulates the methylated levels of CPG2 and CPG3 in the Foxp3 promoter region, changing the abundance of Foxp3 expression and improving the Th17/Treg imbalance. In summary, our findings demonstrated that folic acid supplementation may relieve ethanol-induced Th17/Treg disbalance through altering Foxp3 promoter methylation patterns, suggesting that folic acid may be a feasible preventive strategy for ALD.

The Ciji-Hua'ai-Baosheng II Formula Attenuates Chemotherapy-Induced Anorexia in Mice With H22 Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Ciji-Hua'ai-Baosheng II Formula (CHB-II-F) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula, which specifically targets different aspects of chemotherapy-induced adverse effects in patients with cancer. In our clinical application, CHB-II-F significantly alleviated chemotherapy-induced anorexia (loss of appetite) and improved the quality of life for patients with tumor during and after chemotherapy. However, the mechanism of CHB-II-F in alleviation of chemotherapy-induced anorexia remains to be further investigated. Aim of Study: To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of CHB-II-F on chemotherapy-induced anorexia in the mice model of H22 hepatoma. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 Kunming mice of SPF grade were inoculated subcutaneously with H22 hepatoma cells into the right anterior armpit of the mice. After 1 week of seeding, mice were injected intraperitoneally with a high dose of 5-fluorouracil (200 mg/kg 5-FU) to establish the model of chemotherapy. The mice were randomly divided into six groups: untreated group, 5-FU group, 5-FU plus Yangzheng Xiaoji capsule (YZXJC) group, and three groups of 5-FU plus different concentrations of CHB-II-F. All the mice in each group were treated for 14 days. The body weight, food intake, tumor volume, and tumor weight of mice were measured, and pathological examinations of tumor tissue, stomach, and duodenum were carried out. Expressions of serum Leptin, Neuropeptide Y (NPY), epidermal cell growth factor (EGF), Motilin (MTL), Orexin A (OXA), Gastrin (GAS), Ghrelin, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and jejunum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were examined. The protein and mRNA levels of proopiomelanocortin (POMC), Orexin receptor 1 (OX1R), neuropeptide Y (NPY), cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript peptide (CART), Agouti gene-related protein (AgRP), Leptin receptor (Ob-R), and Ghrelin receptor (GHSR) were examined in hypothalamus, and the protein levels of substance P (SP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in duodenum were measured. Results: The combination of CHB-II-F and 5-FU could enhance the inhibitory effect of 5-FU on tumor. The tumor inhibition rates of 5-FU group, YZXJC group, CHB-II-F(H) group, CHB-II-F(M) group, and CHB-II-F(L) group were 58.88, 28.08, 54.96, 37.69, and 28.61%, respectively. Compared with untreated group and 5-FU group, CHB-II-F significantly increased the body weight and food intake of tumor-bearing mice; increased the content of NPY, Orexin A, Ghrelin, GAS, MTL, EGF, and PGE2 in serum and the activity of SOD in jejunum; and decreased the content of Leptin in serum and the content of MDA in jejunum. Compared with untreated group and 5-FU group, CHB-II-F also enhanced the expression of OX1R, GHSR, NPY, and AgRP protein and gene and decreased the expression of Ob-R, POMC, and CART protein and gene in hypothalamus of mice, and the gene expression was consistent with the protein expression. In addition, CHB-II-F decreased the expression of 5-HT and SP protein in duodenum. Conclusion: In the murine model of H22 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving chemotherapy, CHB-II-F enhances the inhibitory effect of 5-FU on tumor, significantly improves the pathological injury of gastrointestinal tract caused by chemotherapy, and regulates the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones. It may alleviate chemotherapy-induced anorexia by affecting appetite regulatory factors in the feeding area of hypothalamus central nervous system and peripheral appetite regulatory factors.

Panax Notoginseng Saponin Attenuates Gastric Mucosal Epithelial Cell Injury Induced by Dual Antiplatelet Drugs through COX and PI3K/Akt/ VEGF-GSK-3ß-RhoA Network Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the underlying mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) on gastric epithelial cell injury and barrier dysfunction induced by dual antiplatelet (DA). METHODS: Human gastric mucosal epithelial cell (GES-1) was cultured and divided into 4 groups: a control, a DA, a PNS+DA and a LY294002+PNS+DA group. GES-1 apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, cell permeability were detected using Transwell, level of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in supernatant were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), expression of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated-PI3K (p-PI3K), Akt, phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) and Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) were measured by Western-blot. RESULTS: DA induced apoptosis and hyper-permeability in GES-1, reduced supernatant level of PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1α and VEGF (P<0.05). Addition of PNS reduced the apoptosis of GES-1 caused by DA, restored the concentration of PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1α and VEGF (P<0.05). In addition, PNS attenuated the alteration of COX-1 and COX-2 expression induced by DA, up-regulated p-PI3K/p-Akt, down-regulated RhoA and GSK-3ß. LY294002 mitigated the effects of PNS on cell apoptosis, cell permeability, VEGF concentration, and expression of RhoA and GSK-3ß significantly. CONCLUSIONS: PNS attenuates the suppression on COX/PG pathway from DA, alleviates DA-induced GES-1 apoptosis and barrier dysfunction through PI3K/Akt/ VEGF-GSK-3ß-RhoA network pathway.

Efficacy and brain mechanism of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for adolescents with mild to moderate depression: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common mental illness in childhood and adolescence, with an incidence of 4%-5%; it can lead to impairments in learning and social functioning. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a commonly used method of auricular acupuncture point stimulation, which is regarded as an effective treatment for adults with depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of taVNS for adolescents with mild to moderate depression. METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial will include 120 patients aged 12-16 years, all of whom are diagnosed with mild to moderate depression. Patients will be randomly assigned to a taVNS group and a drug control group (sertraline hydrochloride) at a ratio of 1:1. Patients will be evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores at baseline, as well as at the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 12th weeks. To investigate the underlying neural mechanisms of taVNS treatment from the perspective of the default mode network, multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; i.e., structural MRI [sMRI], resting state MRI [rsMRI], and pseudocontinuous arterial spin-labeled [pcASL] MRI) will be used to compare cerebral images among groups. MRI data will also be collected from 40 healthy volunteers to assess whether the participants exhibit normal development of structural and functional components. DISCUSSION: Depression is the most common mental disorder in adolescence. Drug treatment can improve depression symptoms; however, the side effects of drug treatments are often severe. This study proposes a simple physiotherapy that aims to treat adolescents with mild to moderate depression. The mechanism of taVNS in the treatment of depression will also be investigated. The results of this study will provide evidence to guide the application of taVNS in adolescents with depression.

Safety Evaluation of a New Traditional Chinese Medical Formula, Ciji-Hua'ai-Baosheng II Formula, in Adult Rodent Models.

BACKGROUND: Ciji-Hua'ai-Baosheng II Formula (CHB-II-F) is a new traditional Chinese medical formula that has been shown to reduce toxicity and side effects of chemotherapy and increase the probability of cancer patient survival. Whether CHB-II-F is safe as an adjunctive therapy for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy has yet to be determined. PURPOSE: To evaluate the acute and subchronic toxic effects of CHB-II-F in rodent models. METHODS: In acute toxicity test, 24 Kunming mice were divided into 2 groups: untreated control and CHB-II-F 1.05 g/mL (31.44 g/kg) treated group. Treatment was administered to the treated group 3 times a day for 14 days. The overall health, adverse reactions, and mortality rate were documented. In subchronic toxicity test, 96 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: untreated control, high dose CHB-II-F (H) (26.20 g/kg), medium dose CHB-II-F (M) (13. 10 g/kg), and low dose CHB-II-F (L) (6.55 g/kg) [equal to 24.375 g (dried medicinal herb)/kg] treated groups. Treated groups were given the treatments once a day for 4 weeks. The overall health and mortality rate were recorded every day. Body weight and food consumption were measured once a week. Hematologic and biochemical parameters, organ weights, and histopathologic markers were analyzed after 4 weeks. An additional 2 weeks were given as the treatment recovery period before end-point euthanization, and biochemical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of CHB-II-F on mice was found to be 94.31 g/kg [equal to 351 g (dried medicinal herb)/kg], which is 108 times the human adult dose. In the acute toxicity test, administration of CHB-II-F 31.44 g/kg showed no adverse effect and did not cause mortality. In the subchronic toxicity test, after 4 weeks of treatment, compared to the controls, total cholesterol (TCHO) level, cardiac and splenic indexes, body weights of female rats, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in the CHB-II-F (H) group were significantly increased; triglyceride (TG) in the CHB-II-F (M) group and liver and splenic indexes in the CHB-II-F (L) group were increased. After the two-week recovery period, biofluid analyses, food consumption, and histopathologic examinations showed no abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Administration of CHB-II-F had no obvious adverse effect on the overall health of rodent models. A daily maximum dose of less than 94.31 g/kg or 6.55 g/kg CHB-II-F for 4 continuous weeks was considered safe.

[Effect of different initial processing methods on quality of gardenia].

To investigate the effect of different initial processing methods on the quality of Gardenia and determine the best cooking time in gardenia processing through the determination of index components content. The contents of geniposide, crocetin Ⅰ and total iridoid glycosides in Gardenia were determined before storage, six months after storage and one year after storage. During storage, the contents of geniposide, crocetin Ⅰ and total iridoid glycosides in directly dried Gardenia were 1.68%, 0.45% and 6.45% respectively. The contents of geniposide, crocetin Ⅰ and total iridoid glycosides in Gardenia with different steaming time were 1.34%-0.5%, 0.28%-0.06% and 6.09%-1.59% respectively. The contents of geniposide, crocetin Ⅰ and total iridoid glycosides in Gardenia with different boiling time (adding alum)were 1.42%-0.41%, 0.35%-0.07% and 6.40%-1.65% respectively. The direct drying of Gardenia samples could not achieve the function of killing enzyme and protecting glycosides. The enzymes from degradation of the index components were basically destroyed after steaming time of 13 min or boiling (adding alum) time of 8 min, achieving the function of killing enzyme and protecting glycosides.

The effects of Ciji-Hua'ai-Baosheng on immune function of mice with H22 hepatocellular carcinoma receiving chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Ciji-Hua'ai-Baosheng Decoction (CHBD) is a traditional Chinese formula that may attenuate the toxicity and side-effects of chemotherapy. The formula may also prolong the life of cancer patients. Whether CHBD should be employed as adjunctive therapy for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy has yet to be determined as does the mechanism whereby CHBD exerts its beneficial effects. AIM OF THE STUDY: To document the potential effects of CHBD on tumor growth and immune function in a murine model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty Kunming mice were injected subcutaneously with H22 hepatoma cells in the right anterior armpit. After seven days, the mice with formed tumors were injected with Cytoxan (CTX) (200 mg/kg) to establish the chemotherapy model. These mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: model (untreated controls), control (CTX,33.33 mg/kg), and high CHBD (H) (117 g/kg), moderate CHBD (M) (58.5 g/kg) and low CHBD (L) (29.25 g/kg) treated groups. Tumor weights and inhibitory ratio (decrease in tumor dimensions), histology of tumor, colon, spleen and liver, and biochemical tests of liver and kidney function were documented after 10 days. Serum and tumor IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot respectively. The potential bioactive compounds in CHBD were characterized by UHPLC-MS. RESULTS: Although tumor weights were decreased in CTX alone and CHBD (H) and CHBD (M) groups (-66%, -41% and -25% respectively), tumor cell density was reduced to the greatest extent in the CHBD (H) group. CHBD had no evident effects on liver and kidney function. CTX-induced colon inflammation and decrease in spleen lymphocytes were attenuated with CHBD treatment. CHBD increased serum IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α, but decreased IL-6 levels in serum and tumor tissue. UHPLC-MS analysis of CHBD revealed the presence of 11 bioactive compounds. CONCLUSIONS: In this murine model of HCC receiving chemotherapy, CHBD inhibited tumor growth, improved immune function and pro-inflammatory cytokine responses while attenuating CTX-associated side effects.

Natural products berberine and curcumin exhibited better ameliorative effects on rats with non-alcohol fatty liver disease than lovastatin.

Studies have shown that satins and herbal products have potential to treat non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in clinic. However, no study has compared their effects, and their mechanisms remain unresolved. Here, we choose lovastatin and two herbal products including berberine and curcumin to compare their effects in treating NAFLD. NAFLD model was established by high fat food, and rats were administrated with lovastatin, berberine, curcumin, berberine + curcumin at the dosage of 100, 100, 100, 50 + 50 mg/kg bw, respectively. The body weight, visceral fat gain, histological inspection and serum parameters were studied to exam the curative effects. In addition, mediators including SREBP-1c, caveolin-1, pERK, NF-κB, TNF-α, and pJNK were studied. Results showed that berberine + curcumin group exhibited lower body and fat weigh compared with lovastatin group. Biochemical assays showed that LDL-c, ALT, AST, ALP, MDA, LSP level were lower in berberine + curcumin group compared with lovastatin group. Lower expression of SREBP-1c, pERK, TNF-α, and pJNK were also observed in berberine + curcumin group. We conclude that combination of curcumin and berberine exhibited better ameliorative effects in treating NAFLD than lovastatin, and this enhanced effect is associated with oxidative stress, hepatic inflammation and lipid metabolism.

A chemiluminescence biosensor based on the adsorption recognition function between Fe3O4@SiO2@GO polymers and DNA for ultrasensitive detection of DNA.

In this work, a chemiluminescence (CL) biosensor was prepared for ultrasensitive determination of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) based on the adsorption recognition function between core-shell Fe3O4@SiO2 - graphene oxide (Fe3O4@SiO2@GO) polymers and DNA. The Fe3O4@SiO2@GO polymers were composed by GO and magnetite nanoparticles. And the core-shell polymers were confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Then Fe3O4@SiO2@GO was modified by DNA. Based on the principle of complementary base, Fe3O4@SiO2@GO-DNA was introduced to the CL system and the selectivity, sensitivity of DNA detection was significantly improved. The adsorption properties of Fe3O4@SiO2@GO to DNA were researched through the adsorption equilibrium, adsorption kinetic and thermodynamics. Under optimized CL conditions, DNA could be assayed with the linear concentration range of 5.0×10-12-2.5×10-11mol/L. The detection limit was 1.7×10-12mol/L (3δ) and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.1%. The biosensor was finally used for the determination of DNA in laboratory samples and recoveries ranged from 99% to 103%. The satisfactory results revealed the potential application of Fe3O4@SiO2@GO-DNA-CL biosensor in the diagnosis and the treatment of human genetic diseases.

Efficacy of Ciji Hua'ai Baosheng formula on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor, kinase insert domain-containing receptor and basic fibroblast growth factor in mouse models of H(22) hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Ciji Hua'ai Baosheng formula (CHBF) on microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression in serum and tumor tissue of mice receiving chemotherapy for the treatment of H(22) hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Sixty Kunming mice were injected subcutaneously with H(22) hepatoma carcinoma cell suspensions into the right anterior armpit. Seven days later, all transplanted tumor were formed and the mice were intraperitoneally injected 200 mg/kg Cytoxan (CTX) to establish the models of tumor-bearing mouse chemotherapy, then they were randomly divided into model group, continuing CTX chemotherapy group (CTX group), and three CHBF (117, 58.5 and 29.25 g/kg) groups. After ten days of treatments, histology was observed, contents of VEGF, KDR and bFGF in serum and tumor tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), VEGF and bFGF protein expression and MVD tagged by CD34 were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: MVD in CHBF (117, 58.5 g/kg) and CTX groups was significantly lower than that in model group (P < 0.01); expressions of VEGF, KDR and bFGF in serum and tumor tissue in CHBF (117 g/kg) group were less than those in model group (P < 0.05; P < 0.01); the expressions of MVD, VEGF and bFGF in tumor tissue of CHBF (117 g/kg) group were also less than those in CTX group (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CHBF can effectively reduce the expression of VEGF, KDR and bFGF in serum and tumor tissue, and decrease MVD and delay tumor progression.

Quality Assessment of Panax notoginseng from Different Regions through the Analysis of Marker Chemicals, Biological Potency and Ecological Factors.

Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen, called Sanqi in China, is a perennial herb that has been used as a medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 400 years. Because notoginseng is included in many proprietary Chinese medicines, the quality of notoginseng directly affects its efficacy and safety. However, considering the complex and special growth environment requirements of notoginseng, it is insufficient to evaluate its quality based solely on the analysis of marker chemicals. Thus, in this study, we tried to evaluate the quality of notoginseng with integrated indicators: (1) the concentration of five marker chemicals, notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Rd; (2) the anticoagulant activity (ACA); and (3) twenty-one ecological factors (e.g., longitude, latitude, elevation and soil data). Using these 27 parameters, notoginseng from different regions could be distinguished effectively, indicating a remarkable divergence of quality. A correlation analysis showed that variations of the ecological factors were closely associated with the saponins content and biopotency. For instance, the total nitrogen (TN), alkali hydrolysis nitrogen (AHN) and rapidly available potassium (RAPT) were significantly correlated with ACA, and RAPT was significantly correlated with the content of ginsenoside Rd and notoginsenoside R1. The results demonstrated that the high-quality notoginseng was produced from the emerging regions such as Kunming, Qujing and Honghe, which had higher ACA and saponin content than the notoginseng produced in traditional regions such as Wenshan and Baise.

Ultra-sensitive film sensor based on Al2O3-Au nanoparticles supported on PDDA-functionalized graphene for the determination of acetaminophen.

An electrochemical sensor of acetaminophen based on poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)-functionalized reduced graphene-loaded Al2O3-Au nanoparticles coated onto glassy carbon electrode (Al2O3-Au/PDDA/reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/glass carbon electrode (GCE)) were prepared by layer self-assembly technique. The as-prepared electrode-modified materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic performances of Al2O3-Au/PDDA/rGO-modified glassy carbon electrode toward the acetaminophen were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The modified electrodes of graphene oxide (GO)/GCE, PDDA/rGO/GCE, and Al2O3-Au/PDDA/rGO/GCE were constructed for comparison and learning the catalytic mechanism. The research showed Al2O3-Au/PDDA/rGO/GCE having good electrochemical performance, attributing to the synergetic effect that comes from the special nanocomposite structure and physicochemical properties of Al2O3-Au nanoparticles and graphene. A low detection limit of 6 nM (S/N = 3) and a wide linear detection range from 0.02 to 200 µM (R (2) = 0.9970) was obtained. The preparation of sensor was successfully applied for the detection of acetaminophen in commercial pharmaceutical pills. Graphical abstract Schematic diagram of synthesis of Al2O3-Au/PDDA/rGO/GCE.

The Effects of Taoren-Honghua Herb Pair on Pathological Microvessel and Angiogenesis-Associated Signaling Pathway in Mice Model of CCl4-Induced Chronic Liver Disease.

Chronic liver disease is one of the most common diseases that threaten human health. Effective treatment is still lacking in western medicine. Semen Persicae (Taoren) and Flos Carthami (Honghua) are known to relieve acute hepatic injury and inflammation, improve microcirculation, and reduce tissue fiber. The aim of our study is to investigate the potential mechanisms of Taoren-Honghua Herb Pair (THHP) in murine model of chronic liver disease caused by Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4). Mice were randomly divided into seven groups: (1) blank, (2) model, (3) control (colchicine, 0.1 mg/kg), (4) THHP (5.53, 2.67, and 1.33 g/kg), and (5) Tao Hong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) (8.50 g/kg). Histological change and microvessels density were examined by microscopy. Hepatic function, serum fibrosis related factors, and hepatic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured with ELISA. VEGF, kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR), Flt-1, and Akt mRNA expression in hepatic tissue were determined with PCR. Tissues of Akt, pAkt, KDR, and Flt-1 were measured with western blotting. Data from this study showed that THHP improved hepatic function and restrained the hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Its role in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis and hepatic fibrogenesis may be through affecting the angiogenesis-associated VEGF and its upstream and downstream signaling pathways.

The combination effects of Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu on promoting apoptosis of transplanted H22 hepatocellular carcinoma in mice receiving chemotherapy.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu Powder (SLBZP) is a classic traditional Chinese medical formula that has been used for several decades in the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Whether SLBZP is best employed as single agent or adjunctive therapy has yet to be determined as does the mechanism whereby SLBZP exerts its anti-tumor effects. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effects of SLBZP alone and in combination with Cytoxan (CTX) on tumor growth, malignant cell apoptosis and Akt/Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-КB) signaling in a murine model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four adult mice developed HCC following subcutaneous inoculation with H22 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Seven days later, all received chemotherapy with CTX (200mg/kg) once. Mice were then randomized into eight study groups (N=8/group). Three groups were treated with different concentrations of SLBZP alone (6.00, 3.00, 1.5g/kg), three with SLBZP (6.00, 3.00, 1.5g/kg) plus CTX (20mg/kg), one with CTX (20mg/kg) alone (positive control), and one with physiologic saline (untreated, negative control). All groups were treated for 14 days. Tumor size, histology and serum or tissue levels and/or mRNA expression of PDGF-BB, VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2, NF-КB, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2); B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL); X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), Survivin, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Caspase-7, Akt and phosphorylated Akt expression were documented at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Compared to untreated negative controls, tumor sizes were decreased in the CTX alone, SLBZP (M)+CTX and SLBZP (H)+CTX groups (-52%,-53% and -58% respectively). Tumor cell density was decreased in all treated groups but most apparent in the SLBZP (H)+CTX group. Electron microscopic evidence of apoptosis was also most apparent in this group. Serum and/or tissue levels and expression of PDGF-BB, VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2, their downstream signaling proteins and anti-apoptotic markers were lowest and pro-apoptotic markers highest in SLBZP (H)+CTX treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: In this chemotherapy-induced animal model of HCC, SLBZP was most efficacious as adjunctive therapy and appears to act by inhibiting tumor growth promoters and anti-apoptotic proteins while enhancing pro-apoptotic proteins.

The effects of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu on hepatic necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis in a murine model of chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction (THSWD) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been used for centuries in the treatment of Chinese patients with chronic liver disease. Recently, THSWD has been reported to alter vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induced angiogenesis, raising the possibility that in addition to its anti-inflammatory properties; THSWD might also inhibit hepatic blood flow associated fibrosis. AIM: To document the effects of THSWD on hepatic necroinflammatory disease activity, fibrosis and VEGF signaling in a murine model of chronic liver disease. METHODS: Sixty adult mice were equally divided into six study groups. Five groups were exposed to subcutaneous carbon tetrachloride (0.1 ml/10 g BW) for six weeks. Three of the five groups were treated with different concentrations of THSWD (4.25, 8.50, 17.00 g/kg), one with 0.1mg/kg of Colchicine (positive control), and one with physiologic saline (negative control). Mice in the sixth group were not exposed to CCl4 and remained untreated (healthy controls). Liver enzymes/function tests, hyaluronic acid and laminin levels were measured in serum, and hepatic histology, VEGF, Flt-1 and kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR), Akt and phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) expression were documented in liver tissue at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Hepatic necroinflammatory disease activity and fibrosis were significantly attenuated in THSWD treated mice in a dose dependent manner. These beneficial results were similar and often exceeded those achieved with Colchicine. In addition, VEGF, Flt-1, KDR, Akt and pAkt mRNA and protein expression were reduced in TSHWD treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: In this animal model of chronic liver disease, THSWD decreased hepatic necroinflammatory disease and fibrosis. Inhibition of VEGF expression and downstream signaling were associated with these findings. Further studies with this and other TCMs as treatment for chronic liver disease are warranted.

Effects of Ciji Hua'ai Baosheng granule formula (CHBGF) on life time, pathology, peripheral blood cells of tumor chemotherapy model mouse with H22 hepatoma carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Ciji Hua'ai Baosheng Granule Formula (CHBGF) is a traditional Chinese empirical formula that can help the tumor patients who have received chemotherapy antagonize the toxin and side-effects so as to improve and prolong the life. This study is to evaluate the effects of CHBGF on improving life quality in terms of survival time, pathology of tumor tissue and ameliorating peripheral blood cells in mouse chemotherapy model with subcutaneous transplanted tumor or ascitic tumor of H22 hepatoma carcinoma cells at an overall level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 71 mice among the 92 Kunming mice were injected subcutaneously into the right anterior armpit with H22 hepatoma carcinoma cells, after 7 days, which had formed tumors and were used peritoneal injection of Cytoxan (CTX) (200mg/kg) to establish the mouse chemotherapy model with transplanted tumor, and then which were commensurately divided into 8 groups by random digits table. 21 mice were injected into peritoneal cavity to use CTX and the same method to establish the model. The groups for evaluating the effects on the survival time were the model, CHBGF and positive control group respectively with 7 mice in each group. The groups for evaluating the effects on anti-cancer were the model group, three treatment groups and positive control group with 10 mice in each group. The survival-time-observing groups were given intragastric administration of normal saline, CHBGF (64g/kg) once a day, and peritoneal injection of 5-Fluorouracil (25mg/kg) once every other day respectively. The survival time of each group was observed. The five anti-cancer-observing groups were given intragastric administration of normal saline, CHBGF (64g/kg, 32g/kg and 16g/kg) once a day, and peritoneal injection of 5-Fluorouracil (25mg/kg) once every other day respectively. After treatment for 21 days, the transplanted tumors were peeled off. Blood was collected through pricking eyeball and analyzed by hematology analyzer. And postchemotherapy transplanted tumor inhibition ratios were calculated. Pathological changes of tumor tissues and blood smears were observed with light microscope. RESULTS: The life prolonging rate of CHBGF (64g/kg) group with transplanted tumor is 20.14%, and their survival time was longer than that of the 5-Fluorouracil group (P<0.05). Life prolonging rate of CHBGF (64g/kg) group with ascitic tumor is 64.15%, the survival time was longer than that of the model group (P<0.01) and the 5-Fluorouracil group (P<0.05). The growth of the transplanted tumor in model group was faster than that in CHBGF (64g/kg) group and 5-Fluorouracil group (P<0.05). The tumor average weight of the positive drug and the CHBGF (64g/kg, 32g/kg) groups was lighter than that of the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The inhibition ratios of CHBGF (64g/kg, 32g/kg and 16g/kg) groups are 31.15%, 21.31%, and 13.11% respectively. Under light microscope, in the positive drug and three CHBGF groups the pathological deteriorated severity of tumor tissue observed was milder than that in the model group, the distribution of WBC in CHBGF groups was more obvious than that of the model and 5-Fluorouracil groups. The WBC and PLT decrease in CHBGF (64g/kg, 32g/kg and 16g/kg) groups is less than the model and the 5-Fluorouracil group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the number of RBC and HGB just in the CHBGF (64g/kg) group was more than that of the model group or the 5-Fluorouracil group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ciji Hua'ai Baosheng Granule Formula can prolong the survival time of the mice chemotherapy model of both subcutaneous transplanted tumor and ascitic tumor of H22 hepatoma carcinoma cells, has some determinate inhibitory effects on the growth of subcutaneous transplanted tumor chemo-treated, and has the therapeutic effect on antagonizing decrease of WBC and PLT caused by chemotherapy.

[Study on dosage-toxicity/efficacy relationship of prepared rhubarb on basis of symptom-based prescription theory].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dosage-efficacy/toxicity relationship of prepared rhubarb, in order to explore the bidirectional effects in hepatoprotection and hepatotoxicity of prepared rhubarb and the objective authenticity for attenuating toxicity by processing. METHOD: Normal and pathological animals were adopted simultaneous to investigate the effect of total extracts from prepared rhubarb within a high dose range (2.0, 5.4, 14.7, 40.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) on normal state, biochemical index and histopathology of experimental animals. The factor analytic approach was used to analyze the dosage-efficacy/toxicity relationship of prepared rhubarb. RESULT: The factor analytic approach was used to extract two common factors from the nine biochemical indexes. The firs common factor was mainly dominated by HA, LN and TGF-ß1, and could be explained as fibrotic factors. The second common factor was mainly dominated by ALT, AST and ALP, and could be explained as cellular factor. The results of the factor analysis suggested that prepared rhubarb showed significant bidirectional effects in hepatoprotection and hepatotoxicity, which could protect liver in CC14 injured chronic hepatic injury, but had a certain hepatotoxic effect to normal animals. The pathological examination showed consistent results with the factor analysis. Under comparable dosages, prepared rhubarb showed a stronger liver protecting effect than crude rhubarb, with a lower toxicity. CONCLUSION: Although prepared rhubarb has a certain hepatotoxic effect to normal animals, it has also a significant therapeutic effect to animals with liver injury. The results proved the symptom-based prescription theory and the scientificity of the symptom-based medication. The symptom-based prescription theory is important to correctly realize the dosage-efficacy/toxicity relationship of traditional Chinese medicines and guide the symptom-based medication.

[Comparison of content of total alkaloids and aconitine in Aconitum szechenyianum from different producing areas on basis of macroporous adsorption resin purification technology].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the conditions of purifying the total alkaloids in Aconitum szechenyianum with macroporous adsorption resin, and compare the content of total alkaloids and aconitine in A. szechenyianum from different producing areas, in order to provide basis for further studies. METHOD: The orthogonal experiment method was adopted for optimizing the conditions of purifying the total alkaloids in A. szechenyianum with macroporous adsorption resin. The content of total alkaloids and aconitine were determined by using the titration method. The total alkaloids in A. szechenyianum from different producing areas were purified under optimum processing conditions. Aconitine was determined by HPLC. RESULT: Different processing conditions showed different influences on the purification of total alkaloids. The optimum conditions were resin type HPD-722, ethanol concentration of 80% , and ethanol elution volume of 80 mL x min(-1). The contents of aconitine in A. szechenyianum from different producing areas--Qinghai, Maxianshan, Ningxia and Yongdeng were 0.493 5, 0.883 5, 1.527 8, 1.664 4 mg x g(-1), respectively. CONCLUSION: The optimum processing conditions used in this essay could be used for purifying the total alkaloids and aconitine. A. szechenyianum from Yongdeng and Gansu contains the highest content of aconitine.