Selenium alleviates biological toxicity of thiamethoxam (TMX): Bioaccumulation of TMX, organ damage, and antioxidant response of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii).

Pesticides are important for agricultural development; however, animals involved in rice-fish farming absorb the pesticides used during the farming process. Thiamethoxam (TMX) is extensively used in agriculture and is gradually occupying the market for traditional pesticides. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether selenomethionine (SeMet) could affect the survival rate, bioaccumulation of TMX, serum biochemical parameters, lipid peroxidation, antioxidants in the hepatopancreas, and expression of stress genes after exposure of red swamp crayfish to 10 ppt TMX for 7 days. The results showed that the survival rate significantly increased and the bioaccumulation of TMX significantly decreased with SeMet administration (P < 0.05). Furthermore, severe histological damage to the hepatopancreas of red crayfish was observed after exposure to TMX; however, this damage was alleviated after SeMet administration. SeMet also significantly reduced the TMX-induced changes in serum biochemical parameters, malondialdehyde content, and antioxidant enzyme activity in crayfish hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). Notably, analysis of the expression of 10 stress response genes showed that 0.5 mg/kg SeMet might decrease cell damage in the hepatopancreas. Consequently, our findings suggest that higher levels of TMX in crayfish may cause hepatopancreatic cell toxicity, which can be harmful to human health; however, SeMet could mitigate these effects, providing an understanding of pesticide compounds and food safety.

[Micro-needle knife in treatment of cervical vertigo and its effect on vertebral artery hemodynamics].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of micro-needle knife therapy and betahistine mesilate tablets in the treatment of cervical vertigo (CV) and the influence on the mean blood flow velocity (Vm) of vertebral artery. METHODS: A total of 200 patients with CV were randomly divided into a micro-needle knife group (100 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a medication group (100 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the micro-needle knife group, micro-needle knife was performed on the suboccipital triangle of the atlantoaxial segment of the posterior neck, once every other day, for a total of 7-time treatment. The medication group received oral betahistine mesilate tablets, 6 mg each time, three times a day, for 14 consecutive days. The dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) scores of the two groups were observed before treatment, after treatment and during follow-up 3 months after treatment; the Vm of vertebral artery was compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical effect was evaluated during follow-up. RESULTS: After treatment and during follow-up, the DHI scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.001), and those in the micro-needle knife group were lower than the medication group (P<0.001). After treatment, the Vm of bilateral vertebral arteries in both groups was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05), and that in the micro-needle knife group was higher than the medication group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the micro-needle knife group was 96.8% (92/95), which was higher than 67.0% (65/97) of the medication group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Micro-needle knife therapy can improve vertigo symptoms and balance dysfunction, increase the mean blood flow velocity of vertebral artery in CV patients, and its clinical efficacy is better than oral betahistine mesilate tablets.

The health risk for consumers under heavy metal scenarios: Reduce bioaccumulation of Cd in estuary mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) through the antagonism of Se.

Heavy metal pollution has gained increasing attention over past years, and notably, cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential heavy metal that can be toxic to human and wildlife. Furthermore, selenium (Se) is a component of the selenoproteins and influences the toxicity of Cd in different organisms, and protect organisms as a kind of heavy metal antagonist. This study exposed mud crab to 5.0 mg/L Cd for 28 days, and investigated whether different concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 mg/kg) of selenite (Na2SeO3) or selenomethionine (SeMet) affect the bioaccumulation of Cd, serum biochemical index, antioxidant and stress-response genes of S. paramamosain. The results showed that the Cd concentration in Cd group was significantly higher than the organic or inorganic Se group. Serum biochemical index demonstrated that Se might relieve the damage or dysfunction of hepatopancreas caused by both Cd accumulation and toxicity. Furthermore, Se improved CAT, GPx T-AOC and SOD activity, and decreased MDA concentrations and the lipid peroxidation levels, antagonistic to Cd. Then, this study analyzed the expression of 26 stress-related genes, the results indicated that the inorganic and organic Se might reduce the damage of cell and the toxicity of heavy metals in the hepatopancreas after Cd exposure. Therefore, this study indicated that Se might alleviate Cd toxicity via the different antioxidative mechanisms, and increased the understanding of environmental toxins on estuary crustaceans.

[A case control study:the treatment of cervical vertigo with micro needle knife].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of micro needle knife therapy on cervical vertigo. METHODS: A total of 300 patients with cervical vertigo treated from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 were randomly divided into micro needle knife group (96 cases, 4 cases falling off), traditional acupuncture group (96 cases, 4 cases falling off) and oral drug group(95 cases, 5 cases falling off). The micro needle knife group was treated with micro needle knife in the local upper cervical segment once every other day for 7 times; the traditional acupuncture group was treated with traditional acupuncture once a day for 2 weeks;the oral drug group was given Merislon (betahistine mesilate tablets) orally, 6 mg each time, 3 times a day for 2 weeks. The patients were followed up before treatment, at the end of treatment and 3 months after treatment. The dizziness handicap inventory(DHI) was observed and the curative effect was evaluated according to the DHI score. RESULTS: At the end of the course of treatment and 3 months after the treatment, DHI scores of the three groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.01), and the DHI scores of micro needle knife group were lower than those of traditional acupuncture group and oral drug group at the same time point after treatment (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in DHI scores between traditional acupuncture group and oral drug group at the same time after treatment(P< 0.05). The curative effect was evaluated according to DHI score:in micro needle knife group, 50 cases were cured, 28 cases were markedly effective, 14 cases were improved, the total effective rate was 95.83%; in traditional acupuncture group, 28 cases were cured, 26 cases were markedly effective, and 24 cases were improved, with the total effective rate of 81.25%;in oral drug group, 18 cases were cured, 20 cases were markedly effective, and 28 cases were improved, with the total effective rate of 69.47%. The total effective rate of micro needle knife group was significantly higher than that of other two groups (χ2=45.956, P=0.000). Among the cured patients in the three groups, the time required in the micro needle knife group was significantly less than that in the traditional acupuncture group and oral drug group(F=18.796, P=0.000). CONCLUSION: Micro needle knife loosening atlantoaxial soft tissue has obvious curative effect on cervical vertigo which clinical cure rate, effective rate and treatment time required for cured patients are better than traditional acupuncture and oral drug.

MK2206 enhances the cytocidal effects of bufalin in multiple myeloma by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR pathway.

Despite the development of promising cancer therapeutic drugs, multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease. Bufalin is a bufanolide steroid compound of the traditional Chinese medicine Chan Su that was previously shown to exert growth suppression effects on myeloma cell lines. Previous studies conducted by our group demonstrated that bufalin activated the AKT/mTOR pathway in myeloma cells, which is considered an essential pathway to disease progression and is related to drug resistance in MM. In view of the significant role of AKT in MM, the allosteric AKT inhibitor MK2206 was selected in order to enhance the antitumor effects of bufalin in different MM cell lines (NCI-H929, U266, LP-1 and RPMI8226). The data indicated that MK2206 enhanced the cytotoxicity of bufalin in MM cells, via the suppression of cellular proliferation and the induction of apoptosis, as demonstrated by cleavage of apoptosis-related proteins. This effect was further noted in the presence of exogenous interleukin-6 and/or following the co-culture of MM cells with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). This process was associated with the inhibition of the AKT/mTOR pathway. The combination of bufalin with MK2206 reduced the secretion of IL-6 in U266 cells. The combined treatment exhibited similar anti-MM effects in bortezomib-resistant cell lines (NCI-H929R, U266R). In addition to the in vitro cell line models, the synergistic effect was noted in primary MM cells and in MM xenografts of BALB-c and NOD-SCID mice. In conclusion, the data suggested that MK2206 significantly enhanced the cytocidal effects of bufalin in MM cells, regardless of the sensitivity to bortezomib, via the inhibition of the AKT/mTOR pathway. The study provided the basis of a promising treatment approach for MM.

Rapid Identification of Flavonoid Constituents Directly from PTP1B Inhibitive Extract of Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) Leaves by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS-MS.

Many potential health benefits of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) leaves were attributed to polyphenolic compounds, especially flavonoids. In this study, the methanol extract of R. idaeus leaves showed significant protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 3.41 ± 0.01 µg mL(-1) Meanwhile, a rapid and reliable method, employed high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry, was established for structure identification of flavonoids from PTP1B inhibitive extract of R. idaeus leaves using accurate mass measurement and characteristic fragmentation patterns. A total of 16 flavonoids, including 4 quercetin derivatives, 2 luteolin derivatives, 8 kaempferol derivatives and 2 isorhamnetin derivatives, were identified. Compounds 3: and 4: , Compounds 6: and 7: and Compounds 15: and 16: were isomers with different aglycones and different saccharides. Compounds 8: , 9: and 10: were isomers with the same aglycone and the same saccharide but different substituent positions. Compounds 11: and 12: were isomers with the same aglycone but different saccharides. Compounds 2: , 8: , 9: and 10: possessed the same substituent saccharide of glycuronic acid. Most of them were reported inR. idaeus for the first time.

Astragaloside IV Downregulates ß-Catenin in Rat Keratinocytes to Counter LiCl-Induced Inhibition of Proliferation and Migration.

Re-epithelialization is a crucial step towards wound healing. The traditional Chinese medicine, Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge, has been used for hundreds of years for many kinds of ulcerated wounds. Recent research has identified the active compound in this drug as astragaloside IV (AS-IV), but the underlying molecular mechanisms of its therapeutic action on keratinocytes remain poorly understood. In this study, we used an in vitro model of ulcer-like wound processes, lithium chloride (LiCl)-induced cultured mouse keratinocytes, to investigate the effects of AS-IV treatment. The effects on cell proliferation were evaluated by the MTS/PMS colorimetric assay, effects on cell migration were determined by a wound-healing scratch experiment, effects on the cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry, and effects on protein expression were analyzed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. LiCl strongly inhibited cell proliferation and migration, up-regulated ß-catenin expression, and down-regulated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. AS-IV treatment attenuat the inhibition of proliferation and migration, significantly reducing the enhanced ß-catenin expression, and recovering PCNA and ß-tubulin expression. Thus, AS-IV mediates mouse keratinocyte proliferation and migration via regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Down-regulating ß-catenin to increase keratinocyte migration and proliferation is one mechanism by which AS-IV can promote ulcerated wound healing.

[Analysis on the key factors affecting the inheritance of the acupuncture learning].

On the basis of systematicly reviewing the developmental history of acupuncture and moxibustion and profoundly understanding its academic connotations, the authors of the present article make a summary and analysis on the key factors influencing the development of acupuncturology. These key factors are (1) the emergence of "microacupuncture needle regulating-Qi" and the establishement of their corresponding theory system, (2) a large number of practitioners who inherited the learnings of acupuncturology generations by generations, and abundant medical classical works which recorded the valuable academic thoughts and clinical experience of the predecesors, (3) the application of acupuncture charts and manikins, and (4) modernizing changes of acupuncture learnings after introduction of western medicine to China. Just under the influence of these key factors, the acupuncture medicine separates itself from the level of the simple experience medicine, and has formed a set of special theory system and developed into a mature subject.

[Elementary introduction to the development of acu-moxibustion implements].

In the treatment of various clinical conditions, acu-moxibustion implements are absolutely necessary. In the present paper, the authors make a systemic investigation on the developmental course of acu-moxibustion implements from (1) acupuncture needles, (2) moxibustion materials and tools, and (3) modern therapeutic apparatuses for acu-moxibustion. Regarding the acupuncture needle, the authors reviewed its histological evolution from the Bian-needle (stone needle), bone needle, metal needle, nine types of needles, etc., to the disposable sterile acupuncture needle. The authors also comprehensively recount the improvement of materials and auxiliary appliances for moxibustion in different periods, and the process of development and application traits of modern electroacupuncture and moxibustion instruments. In this way, this article outlines the whole development of acu-moxibustion implements from the antiquity to the present in China.

[Utilizing modern technology to promote spread and development of acu-moxibustion learning].

Nowadays, modern information technology (IT) has been gained great development. How to use the advanced IT to protect, spread and develop Chinese traditional culture of acupuncture is an important topic at the moment. Based on expounding characteristics of modern IT, the present article analyzed its advantages in digitalizing, exhibiting and sharing the rich resources of acu-moxibustion. Particularly, through introduction of concrete examples of "Digital Museum (Gallery) of Acu-moxibustion", this paper may provide a useful enlightenment for digitalizing construction of acu-moxibustion resources and promoting the further spread and development of acu-moxibustion learning by utilizing modern IT.

[Characterization of chemical components of essential oil from cupitulum of Chrysanthemum morifolium cultivated in Tongxiang city].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the chemical components of the essential oil extracted from five cultivars' Hangjuhua (Zaoxiaoyangju, Chixiaoyangju, Dayangju, Yizhongdabaiju and Xiaotangju), which were breed came from the Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat, and provide scientific basis for quality control. METHOD: The essential oil of five cultivars' Hangjuhua were extracted by water-steam distillation and separated by GC capillary column chromatography. The components were quantitatively determined with normalization method, and identified by GC-MS. RESULT: From the Zaoxiaoyangju, Chixiaoyangju, Dayangju, Yizhongdabaiju and Xiaotangju, 179, 167, 209, 211 and 270 chromatographic peaks were detected, among them 54, 56, 60, 55 and 65 components were identified, which were composed of 73.40%, 64.14%, 65.19%, 53.55% and 62.89% of the total essential oil, respectively. CONCLUSION: The common chemical constituents were juniper camphor, 1, 3, 3-trimethylcyclohex-1-ene-4-carboxaldehyde, borneol, alpha-curcumene, alpha-bisabolol, cis-caryophyllene, benzyl benzoate, methyl beta, beta-dimethylbenzenepropanoic acid ester, 2, 4-decadienal and heneicosane in the essential oil of the five cultivars' Hangjuhua. Among them, juniper camphor is most which were composed of 11.96%, 10.51%, 10.95%, 13.28% and 10.77% of the total essential oil, and methyl beta, beta-dimethylbenzenepropanoic acid ester is second, which were composed of 1.51%, 1.86%, 2.52%, 4.89% and 2.51% of the total essential oil, respectively. There are marked differences in the compounds contained in the five samples. The juniper camphor is a characteristic constituent in the essential oil of Hangjuhua. The resultant data provided the evidences to establish Hangjuhua' cultivars and scientific basis for quality control of Hangjuhua.

[Stage-based treatment of gouty arthritis by combination therapy of traditional Chinese and Western medicines: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of the combination therapy of traditional Chinese and Western medicines in treating gouty arthritis based on the stage of disease, and to explore a safe, effective and reasonable therapeutic regimen for prevention and treatment of gouty arthritis. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-six cases of gouty arthritis were divided into three groups randomly, 58 cases in traditional Chinese drug (TCD)-treated group, 56 cases in Western medicine (WM)-treated group and 52 cases in TCD plus WM-treated group. They were all treated for 12 weeks. In the acute stage, patients in TCD-treated group were treated with Huzhang Gout Granule and Jinhuang Ointment, and patients in WM-treated group were treated with diclofenac sodium dual release enteric-coated capsules. In the intermission, patients in TCD-treated group were given Yinlian Gout Granule, and patients in WM-treated group were given benzbromarone or allopurinol. Patients in TCD plus WM-treated group were given both TCD and WM. Clinical symptom score and blood uric acid (BUA) level were measured. The effect initiating time, relapse rate, efficacy rate and the incidence rate of adverse effects were also studied. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the efficacy rate and effect initiating time among the three groups in the acute stage. The clinical symptom score and BUA level were obviously reduced in three groups. In the intermission, BUA level in the WM-treated group and TCD plus WM-treated group were obviously reduced. Although there was a drop tendency in the BUA level in TCD-treated group, there was no statistical difference. The relapse rates in TCD-, WM- and TCD plus WM-treated groups were 12.07%, 26.79% and 9.62%, respectively. There was statistical difference in relapse rates among the three groups (P<0.05). The relapse rate was decreased in TCD plus WM-treated group as compared with those in TCD-treated and WM-treated groups. The average clinical symptom scores during recurrence in the three groups were (10.00+/-3.61), (12.38+/-1.85) and (10.75+/-1.89), respectively. The incidence of adverse effects in TCD-treated group (3.45%) was lower than the other two groups (21.43% and 15.38%). CONCLUSION: The combination therapy of traditional Chinese and Western medicines based on the stage of disease can control the symptoms of gouty arthritis in the acute stage, improve joint function, and can control the BUA level during the intermission, prevent recurrence and relieve the adverse effects.

[Characterization of chemical components of essential oil from flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium produced in Anhui province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the chemical components of the essential oil extracted from six cultivars' Juhua (Zaogongju, Wangongju, Huangyaoju, Chuju, Xiaoboju and Daboju) produced in Anhui province of China, which were breed from Chrysanthemum morifolium, and to provide scientific basis for quality control. METHOD: The essential oils of the six cultivars'Juhua were extracted by water-steam distillation and separated by GC capillary column chromatography. The components were quantitatively determined with normalization method, and identified by GC-MS. RESULT: From Zaogongju, Wangongju, Huangyaoju, Chuju, Xiaoboju and Daboju, 247, 226, 246, 182, 216 and 122 chromatographic peaks were detected, among them 75, 54, 78, 50, 53 and 43 components were identified,which were composed of 85.67%, 82.80%, 81.38%, 73.22%, 71.51% and 72.87% of the total essential oil, respectively. CONCLUSION: Monoterpenoid compounds were higher more than sesquiterpenoid compounds in the five juhua except for Chuju. There was no difference in the constituents of essential oil of Zaogongju and Wangongju. And verbenyl acetate was the main chemical constituent and composed of 32.10% and 37.85% of the total essential oil, respectively. (1R)-Camphor and bisabolol oxide A were the main chemical constituents in Huangyaoju, which were composed of 28.70% and 12.58% of the total essential oil, respectively. beta-Selinene and borneol were the main chemical constituents in Chuju, which were composed of 17.85% and 12.84% of the total essential oil, respectively. Eucalyptol was the main chemical constituent in Xiaoboju, which were composed of 21.33%. Verbene oxides and chrysanthenone were composed of 25.32% and 8.26% of the total essential oil, respectively, in the Daboju. The common chemical constituents were camphene, borneol, bornyl aceate, (1R)-camphor, (-)-4-terpineol, alpha-terpineol, eucalyptol, cis-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, juniper camphor, beta-sesquiphellandrene, alpha-curcumene and beta-farnesene in the six cultivars' Juhua produced in Anhui province of China. The resultant data provided the further evidences to distinguish Juhua' cultivars and scientific basis for quality control of Juhua.

[Comparative study on botanical morphologic character of different cultivated types medicinal Chrysanthemum morifolium].

OBJECTIVE: Botanical character of different cultivated types medicinal Chrysanthemum morifolium were observed and compared, which can offer reference for its genetic diversity research and breeding. METHOD: Based on the random blocks field experiments design, the main character of leaf and capitulum of medicinal C. morifolium were observed, it was studied on that the botanical character of different cultivated types medicinal C. mortfolium in China were comparatively study with statistical means. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: There are some different of botanical character among different cultivated types medicinal C. morifolium in China, which can be divided into 7 colonies according as its diversity of the botanical and morphological character. The sawtooth number of lamina, leafstalk length and leaf division number are the important laminae morphologic character of different types medicinal C. morifolium, which are relative independent characters.

[Effects of resolving stagnation and promoting granulation therapy on expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in granulation tissue of diabetic rats during wound healing].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of resolving stagnation and promoting granulation therapy on expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in granulation tissue of diabetic rats during wound healing. METHODS: Seventy-two male SD diabetic rats with full-thickness skin lesion were randomly divided into 3 groups: SJHYR 1-treated group, SJHYR 2-treated group and normal saline (NS) control group. SJHYR 1 was prepared with Shengji Recipe (SJR, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for promoting granulation) and Huayu Recipe (HYR, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for resolving stagnation) at a ratio of 1:2, while SJHYR 2 was prepared with SJR and HYR at a ratio of 1:1. Immunohistochemical method was used to assess Bax and Bcl-2 protein levels in granulation tissue. RESULTS: SJHYR 1 could accelerate wound healing as compared with SJHYR 2 and NS (P<0.05). On the third day in experiment, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were not found in any groups, but on the seventh and eleventh day in experiment, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins in SJHYR 1-treated group were much higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: SJR and HYR in different ratios may all have a role in regulating Bax and Bcl-2 expression in granulation tissue of diabetic rats during wound healing.

[Trains of thoughts for constructing "multimedia system for showing achievements in Chinese past successive dynasties"].

The "Multimedia System for Showing Achievements of Acu-moxibustion in Chinese Past Successive Dynasties" is a project of scientific research for the development of science and technology of Chinese medicine subsidized by Beijing Municipal government. It serves to directly and lively show great achievements and rich-colorful information (cultural relics, etc.) about acu-moxibustion in the development process in Chinese successive dynasties in the light of the order of historical development and through different styles such as characters, pictures, videos and flash, etc. This system is an academic gallery unifying common knowledge, skills or techniques, and actual clinic treatment scenery of acupuncture and moxibustion, possessing significant applicability and innovation. The present article puts emphasis on introducing its construction's aim and orientation, main contents, and traits in the systematic design.

[GC-MS analysis of essential oil from Xiaoboju processed by aeration-desiccation and sulfur-burnin fumigation].

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the constituents of the essential oil extracted from the Xiaoboju, one of commercial breed came from the flowers of the Chrysanthemum morifolium, processed by the aeration-desiccation and desiccation after the sulfur-bumin fumigation, and to provide scientific basis for quality control. METHOD: The essential oil was extracted by water-steam distillation and separated by GC capillary column chromatography. The components were quantitatively determined with normalization method, and identified by GC-MS. RESULT: From the aeration dried sample and the dried sample after sulfur-burnin fumigation, 216 and 211 components were detected, among them fifty and six-five components were identified, which were composed of 73.21% and 82.32% of the total essential oil, respectively. CONCLUSION: The yield of the essential oil extracted from the aeration dried sample was 3.50%, and that from the dried sample after sulfur-bumin fumigation was 4.22%. The latter is 1.2 times higher than the former. The components of the essential oil of both samples are mostly monoterpenoids and secondly sesquiterpenoids compounds, but there are marked differences between the compounds contained in the two samples. Therefore, the processing of flowers of the C. morifolium should be strictly controlled and standardized.

[RAPD analysis for genetic diversity of Chrysanthemum morifolium].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic diversity of Chrysanthemum morifolium at the level of molecular biology. METHOD: The total genomic DNA was extracted from medicinal chrysanthemums by 2% CTAB method. And the genetic diversity of 22 C. morifolium accessions was tested by RAPD marks. The NTSYS software was used to analyze the marks. RESULT: 26 10-mer arbitrary primers were found to acquire polymophic results. A total of 233 bands were amplified, of which 89.7% bands were found to be polymophic. 8.04 polymophic bands were amplified by each primer on the average. The results of cluster analysis by using UPGMA method showed that all the tested accessions could be differentiated by RAPD marks. CONCLUSION: There actually existed much genetic diversity at the molecular level among the germplasm resources of C. morifolium. RAPD marks could be effective tools to construct DNA fingerprintings of C. morifolium. The differences between the tested chrysanthemums are related to the environments. However, it was affected by genetic facters more significantly.

[Comparative study on internal quality of various Chrysanthemum morifolium].

OBJECTIVE: To study the quality and genetic diversity of Chrysanthemun morifolium, the chemical constituents of 20 medicinal chrysanthemum cultivars in China were compared. METHOD: Chemical constituents of the 20 cultivars were compared in three types of index: chlorogenic acid, flavonoid and volatile oil. RESULT: There are visible differences on the contents of chlorogenic acid, flavonoid and volatile oil between the cultivars. CONCLUSION: Each cultivar has its own internal quality, and it is affected by many factors. The chemical constituents of the cultivars showed the genetic diversity in medicinal chrysanthemums of China.

[Clinical effect of escin on patients with cutaneous pruritus caused by blood stasis and wind-dryness].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of escin on patients with cutaneous pruritus caused by blood stasis and wind-dryness and to prove the theory that "wind should be treated by regulating blood disorder, and wind disappears after activating blood" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). METHODS: Fifty-one patients were randomly divided into escin-treated group (n=30) and loratadine-treated group (n=21). The patients in the escin-treated group were treated with escin for 4 weeks (300 mg, b.i.d.), and the patients in the loratadine-treated group were treated with loratadine (10 mg, q.d.). Symptom score reducing index (SSRI) was used to assess the pruritus degree, lesion range and lesion shape before the treatment, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the treatment, respectively. RESULTS: Two weeks after the treatment, the effective rate of the escin-treated group was 63.3%, and the effective rate of the loratadine-treated group was 67.0%. Four weeks after the treatment, the effective rates were 86.7% and 80.0% in escin- and loratadine-treated groups respectively. There was no statistical difference in total scores of SSRI in two groups (P>0.05), and the scores of pruritus degree and lesion shape also had no statistical difference (P>0.05), while the score of lesion range of the escin-treated group was lower than that of the loratadine-treated group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Escin has satisfactory effect in treating pruritus caused by blood stasis and wind-dryness. The study confirms the TCM theory that "wind should be treated by regulating blood disorder, and wind disappears after activating blood".