Study on the regulatory mechanism of electroacupuncture based on thyroid pathway for mammary gland hyperplasia rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the regulating effect of thyroid pathway on electroacupuncture (EA) for mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) so as to provide new research ideas for the mechanism of EA for MGH and to provide the evidence for clinical application.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty adult female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an EA group, an EA with thyroidectomy group, an EA with sham operation group, 12 rats in each one. Except the blank group, the MGH model was established. Thyroid ablation was performed in the EA with thyroidectomy group, and sham operation was used in the EA with sham operation group, exposing thyroid without excision, 1 day after model establishment. EA was applied in the EA, the EA with thyroidectomy, and the EA with sham operation groups on the 4th day after model establishment, and not used in the other groups, but catching, routine disinfection and fixation were all the same as the above groups. The acupoints in the group A were bilateral "Tianzong" (SI 11), "Ganshu" (BL 18) and "Zusanli" (ST 36); and those in the group B were bilateral "Wuyi" (ST 15), "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Danzhong" (CV 17). The two groups of points were alternately used. EA, continuous wave, 2 Hz and 1 mA, was connected at "Tianzong" (SI 11) and "Ganshu" (BL 18), "Wuyi" (ST 15) and "Hegu" (LI 4) at the same side, 2 pairs EA a time, 20 min a time, once a day. All the intervention was given for 4 courses, 5 times as 1 course with 2 days between courses. After intervention, the height and diameter of the rat papilla were measured. Estrogen (E) and progestational hormone (P) in the serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the contents and protein expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the mammary glands were detected by immunofluorescence and Western-blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The height and diameter of papilla in the model group increased compared with those in the blank group (both <0.01). The height and diameter of papilla in the EA, EA with sham operation groups reduced compared with those in the model group (all <0.01). Those in the EA with thyroidectomy group were lower than those in the model group, without statistical significance (both >0.05). (2) Compared with the blank group, E increased and P decreased in the model group (both <0.01). Compared with the model group, E decreased and P increased in the EA and EA with sham operation groups (all <0.01). The contents of E and P had no statistical significance between the model and the EA with thyroidectomy groups (both >0.05). (3) Compared with the blank group, the ERα content and protein expression increased and the PR content and protein expression decreased in the model group (all <0.01). Compared with the model group, the ERα content and protein expression decreased and the PR content and protein expression increased in the EA and EA with sham operation groups (all <0.01). The ERα and PR content and protein expression had no statistical significance between the model and the EA with thyroidectomy groups (all >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The effect of EA for MGH may be closely related to the regulation of thyroid.</p>

Electroacupuncture at intercostal nerve for mammary gland hyperplasia in rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) on mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) and the regulatory pathway of intercostal nerve.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (group A, 12 rats), a model group (group B, 12 rats), an EA group (group C, 13 rats) and an intercostal nerve transection group (group D, 13 rats). The rats in the group B, group C and group D were prepared into MGH model; after model was successfully prepared, the 7th intercostal nerve was cut off in the group D. EA was applied at back acupoints including bilateral "Tianzong" (SI 11), "Ganshu" (BL 18) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) as well as chest acupoints including bilateral "Wuyi" (ST 15), "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Danzhong" (CV 17) in the group C and D. The two groups of acupoints were selected alternately. EA was given for 20 min, once a day; 5-day treatment was taken as one course; there was an interval of 2 days between course; totally 20 treatments were given. After treatment, the height and diameter of papilla were observed; the contents of serum estradiol (E) and progestin (P), the expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progestrone receptor (PR) in mammary gland were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The height and diameter of papilla: after treatment, the height and diameter of papilla in the group C were significantly smaller than those in the group B (both<0.05); the height and diameter of left-side papilla in the group D were significantly bigger than those in the group C (both<0.05). (2) Serum Eand P: after treatment, compared with the group B, the contents of Eand E/P were reduced and the content of P was increased in the group C and group D (all<0.05). Compared with the group C, the contents of Eand E/P were increased and the content of P was reduced in the group D (all<0.05). (3) ERα and PR in mammary gland: compared with the group B, the content of ERαwas decreased and the content of PR was increased in the group C (both<0.05). Compared with the group C, the content of ERαwas increased and the content of PR was decreased in the group D ((both<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The efficacy mechanism of EA for MGH is likely to be related with the pathway of intercostal nerve; the mechanism may be acupuncture regulating the contents of serum Eand P as well as contents of ERα and PR in mammary gland.</p>

The mechanism of acupuncture on hyperplasia of mammary glands by the pathway of vagus nerve / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective The experiment was designed to study the therapeutic mechanism of "Tong Tiao" acupuncture in the treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) on the rat model.Methods A total of 75 healthy unpregnant female SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: blank, model, control group, vagus cutting therapy, sham operation, and vagus cutting with non-treatment group. All the groups except the blank group were prepared by MGH rat model. The vagus cutting therapy and vagus cutting with non-treatment group were treated by cutting the right cervical vagus nerve, while the sham operation group was treated by exposing the vagus nerve without any operation. All the treatment groups were treated with "Tong Tiao". The rat papillary height was measured. The breast tissue morphology and breast ultrastructure were observated. And the flow cytometry in rat peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ were calculated. Results Compared with the model group, the papillary height (1.22 mm ± 0.21 mm,1.24 mm ± 0.20 mmvs. 1.53 mm ± 0.16 mm) in the normal treatment and the sham treatment group decreased significantly the vagus cutting therapy and vagus cutting non-treatment group showed no difference (P>0.05). Compared with the model group, the Mammary gland morphology and ultrastructure in the normal treatment group, the sham operation group and the vagus cutting therapy groups were improved, but the vagus cutting non-treatment group showed on improvement. Compared with model group, the serum CD3+(61.5％ ± 10.5％, 61.1％ ± 12.4％, 59.8％ ± 11.8％vs. 57.7％ ± 9.4％), CD4+(37.2％ ± 8.9％, 37.9％ ± 10.9％, 36.1％ ± 12.2％ vs. 34.6％ ± 6.9％), CD4+/CD8+(1.59 ± 0.8, 1.58 ± 0.8, 1.38 ± 0.6vs. 1.23 ± 0.7) in the normal treatment group, the sham treatment group and vagus cutting therapy group, elevated significantly (P<0.01,P<0.05), while the vagus cutting non-treatment group showed no difference (P>0.05). Compared with model group, the serum CD8+ (24.2％ ± 11.3％, 24.5％ ± 10.6％,25.5％ ± 8.8％vs. 27.7％ ± 9.9％) in the normal treatment group, sham treatment group and vagus cutting therapy group decreased significantly lower (P<0.01,P<0.05), but vagus cutting non treatment group showed no difference (P>0.05). Conclusions the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for MGH may be related to the vagus nerve by regulating the CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ levels of T lymphocytes.

Studies on habitats suitability of endangered medicinal plant Notopterygium incisum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the suitability of origin habitats of Notopterygium incisum, and provide theoretical basis of screening suitable areas for its large-scale cultivation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Detailed field survey of N. incisum, spatial databases, and GIS technology were used for the habitats suitability assessment.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>More than 142 073 km2 in 118 counties of Sichuan, Tibetan, Qinghai and Gansu are the most suitable habitats for N. incisum in which more than 47% of the area is located in sichuan, and more than of 377 000 km2 in 266 counties are relative suitable for N. incisum in Sichuan, Tibetan, Qinghai, Gansu, Yunnan, Xinjiang, etc and 32% of the area is located in Sichuan.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Almost all the most suitable habitats are appropriate for germplasm conservation, wild population protection and regeneration due to the shortage of arable land, fragmentation of these alpine and subalpine ecosystems and sensitiveness of the environment changes. Therefore, large-scale cultivation of N. incisum could be developed in those relative suitable areas abundant in arable lands and labors, especially in moutainous regions with high elevation in the west of Sichuan province, and Qinghai Tibet plateau in the northwest of Sichuan, Southeast of Qinghai and Gansu province.</p>

Effects of Gaultheria yunnanensis on adjuvant arthritis in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Gaultheria yunnanensis. are used widespreadly in the south of China to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to provide an experimental basis for G. yunnanensis to therapy rheumatoid arthritis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>We prepared water extracts, ethanol extracts, n-butanol extracts, ethyl acetate extracts and the rest of ethanol extracts from G. yunnanensis. Then, the n-butanol extracts were applied to macroporous resin and eluted with water, 30% ethanol, and 95% ethanol. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by Freund's complete adjuvant injected into right postpedes in Wistar rats which was utilized to elucidate the anti-inflammatory effect of different extracted liquid of G. yunnanensis. Rats were intragastric injected (ig) with extracts as experimental group or normal saline as control group.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritis was successfully established: paw edema were increased after Freund's complete adjuvant injection, peaked at 2 or 3 day, then decreased, the paw edema were increased again at 7 or 8 day, and persisted 15 d. Water extracts, n-butanol extracts or ethyl acetate extracts could a significantlly decrease the paw edema as compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The effect of n-butanol extracts was the most powerful. Further, n-butanol extracts eluant with water and 30% ethanol decreased the paw edema. The activity of extracts eluant with 30% ethanol was stronger than that of eluant with water.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>G. yunnanensis displays considerable effects against Freund s complete adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, which is in concordance with clinical practice. n-Butanol extracts and both of the eluants with water and 30% ethanol produce a significant decrease in the paw edema. 30% ethanol eluants show a stronger activity than others. The effects against rheumatoid arthritis of different parts of G. yunnanensis differ in degree. It is deserved to explore the potential mechanisms of anti-inflammtion of the G. yunnanensis, especially the n-butanol extracts eluant with 30% ethanol.</p>

Inspection on result of artemisinin content rank distribution in Guangxi / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to enhance the yield of artemisinin, makes out the Artemisia annua adaptive area regional assignment in Guangxi. To ensure the nicety in study, on the base of literature study and experience on the spot, the article inspect the division result.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>By document analysis and colleted data of A. annua, make out sample collect proceed and inspect the result of artemisinin content rank distribution in Guangxi.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>Result of A. annua regional assignment is checked out in the article, the result passes the check by AQL (32, 4). The conclusions insure subsequence study and the A. annua sample collect. The result of artemisinin content rank distribution in Guangxi can be used in artemisinin production.</p>

Comparative studies on photosynthetic characteristics of Notopterygium incisum and N. forbesii / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the photosynthetic characteristics of Notopterygium incisum and N. forbesii in order to provide basic data for introduction and cultivation of the two wild medicinal species.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The light-response, CO2-response and Chlorophy II fluorescence parameters of leaves at the booting stages between N. incisum and N. forbesii, were analyzed in situ by Li-6400 Portable Photosynthesis system under natural conditions.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>1) The light saturation point (LSP) was 1539 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) for N. incisum and 1464 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) for N. forbesii, the maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax) was 22.95 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) for N. incisum and 19.65 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) for N. forbesii, the apparent quantum yield (AQY) was 0.0509 for N. incisum and 0.0470 for N. forbesii, LSP, AQY and Pmax of N. incisum were significantly higher than those of N. forbesii; the light compensation point (LCP) was 17.92 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) for N. incisum and 26.69 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) for N. forbesii, LCP of N. incisum was significantly lower than that of N. forbesii. 2) The carbondioxide compensation point (CCP) were 33.41 micromol x mol(-1) for N. incisum and 37.82 micromol x mol(-1) for N. forbesii, the carbon dioxide saturation point (CSP) were 988 micromol x mol(-1) for N. incisum and 1150 micromol x mol(-1) for N. forbesii, CCP and CSP of N. incisum were significantly lower than N. forbesii; the carboxylation efficiency (CE) were 0.0591 for N. incisum and 0.0459 for N. forbesii; the maximum rate of RuBP regeneration (Jmax) were 28.18 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) for N. incisum and 25.32 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) for N. forbesii; the light respiration rate (Rd) were 1.971 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) for N. incisum and 1.736 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) for N. forbesii, CE, Jmax and Rd of N. incisum were higher than those of N. forbesii. 3) The primary light energy conversion of PS II (Fv/Fm) was 0.8213 for N. incisum and 0.8257 for N. forbesii, wihich didn't showed significant difference, between N. incisum and N. forbesii there was no photoinhibition.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both N. incisum and N. forbesii were C3 type plant, could perfectly acclimate to light condition. However, the weak light of N. incisum was absorbed significantly higher than that of N. forbesii, strong photosynthesis ability causes assimilation products accumulation of N. incisum obviously to be higher than that of N. forbesii.</p>