Oroxin B Attenuates Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss by Suppressing Osteoclast Formation and Activity.

BACKGROUND: Osteoclasts are the major players in bone resorption and have always been studied in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Previous studies have confirmed that a variety of flavonoids inhibit osteoporosis and improve bone health mainly through inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. Oroxin B (OB) is a flavonoid compound extracted from traditional Chinese herbal medicine Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent, exerts potent antitumor and anti-inflammation effect, but its effect on osteoclastogensis remains unknown. METHODS: We comprehensively evaluated the effect of OB on the formation and function of osteoclasts and the underling mechanism by bone marrow-derived macrophage in vitro. In vivo, we used mice ovariectomized model to verify the protective effect of OB. RESULTS: OB was found to inhibit osteoclast formation and bone resorption function in vitro, in a dose-dependent manner and the increased osteoclastic-related genes induced by RANKL (NFATc1, c-fos, cathepsin K, RANK, MMP9 and TRAP) were also attenuated following OB treatment. Mechanistical investigation showed OB abrogated the increased phosphorylation level of MAPK and NF-κB pathway, and diminished the expression of the vital transcription factors for osteoclastogenesis. OB also prevented ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss by inhibiting osteoclast formation and activity in mice. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that OB may act as an anti-osteoporosis agent by inhibiting osteoclast maturation and attenuating bone resorption.

Identification of potential genes involved in biosynthesis of flavonoid and analysis of biosynthetic pathway in Fagopyrum dibotrys / 中国中药杂志

In order to enrich the transcriptome data of Fagopyrum dibotrys plants, analyze the genes encoding key enzyme involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, and mine their functional genes, in this study, we performed RNA sequencing analysis for the rhizomes, roots, flowers, leaves and stems of F. dibotrys on the BGISEQ-500 sequencing platform. After de novo assembly of transcripts, a total of 205 619 unigenes were generated and 132 372 unigenes were obtained and annotated into seven public databases, of which, 81 327 unigenes were mapped to the GO database and most of the unigenes were annotated in cellular process, biological regulation, binding and catalytic activity. Besides, 86 922 unigenes were enriched in 136 pathways using KEGG database' and we identified 82 unigenes that encodes key enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. Comparing rhizome with root, flower, leaf or stem in F. dibotrys, 27 962 co-expressed differentially expressed genes(DEGs) were obtained. Among them, 23 515 DEGs of rhizome tissue-specific were enriched into 132 pathways and 13 unigenes were significantly enriched in biosynthesis of flavone and flavonol. In addition, we also identified 3 427 unigenes encoding 60 transcription factor(TFs) families as well as four unigenes encoding bHLH TFs were enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis. Our results greatly enriched the transcriptome database of plants, provided a reference for the analysis of key enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in plants, and will facilitate the study of the functions and regulatory mechanisms of key enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in F. dibotrys at the genetic level.

Application progress of proteomic in pharmacological study of Chinese medicinal formulae / 中国中药杂志

Chinese medicinal formulae are the important means of clinical treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. It is urgent to use modern advanced scientific and technological means to reveal the complicated mechanism of Chinese medicinal formulae because they have the function characteristics of multiple components, multiple targets and integrated regulation. The systematic and comprehensive research model of proteomic is in line with the function characteristics of Chinese medicinal formulae, and proteomic has been widely used in the study of pharmacological mechanism of Chinese medicinal formulae. The recent applications of proteomic in pharmacological study of Chinese medicinal formulae in anti-cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, anti-liver disease, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases were reviewed in this paper, and then the future development direction of proteomic in pharmacological study of Chinese medicinal formulae was put forward. This review is to provide the ideas and method for proteomic research on function mechanism of Chinese medicinal formulae.

Protective effects of total saponins of panax notoginseng on steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head in vivo and in vitro.

This research was designed to investigate the protective effects of TSPN on steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) and the likely mechanisms of those effects. As an in vivo study, TSPN was shown to be protective against steroid-induced ANFH due to the upregulation of VEGF-A. Furthermore, TSPN attenuated the apoptosis of osteocytes and reduced the expression of Caspase-3 relative to the model group. As an in vitro study, TSPN exerted a concentration-dependent protective effect against apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, TSPN (at a dose of 100 µg/mL) significantly reversed the dexamethasone-induced augmentation of Caspase-3 expression and activity. Therefore, our study demonstrated that TSPN had a protective effect against steroid-induced ANFH that was related to the upregulation of VEGF-A and the inhibition of apoptosis and Caspase-3 activation.

Acaricidal activity of extracts from Adonis coerulea Maxim. against Psoroptes cuniculi in vitro and in vivo.

The acaricidal activity of Adonis coerulea extracts was investigated against Psoroptes cuniculi. The aqueous, methanol, acetic ether and petroleum ether extracts all showed marked acaricidal activity in vitro. Especially, the acetic ether extract possessed strong toxicity against mites in vitro with LT50 values 0.743 h, 2.730 h, 5.919 h and 22.536 h at concentrations of 500, 250, 125 and 62.5 mg/ml, respectively. At the same time, the acetic ether extract showed the best effectiveness topically to infested rabbits in vivo. After three times treatment, at the day 20, rabbits treated with A. coerulea extract were observed only small scabs or secretions in ear canal, but no mites. These findings suggested that as a potential insecticide, A. coerulea should be studied further to develop active components or a new acaricidal drug.

Pharmacokinetic effect of Sappan Lignum on hydroxysafflor yellow A in Carthami Flos / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pharmacokinetic effect of Sappan Lignum on hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) in Carthami Flos.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Concentration of HSYA in rat plasma was detected by RP-HPLC after rats were orally administered with extracts of Carthami Flos or Carthami Flos combined with Sappan Lignum. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.0 pharmacokinetic software.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In vivo pharmacokinetic models of HSYA were two-compartment open models in both of the Carthami Flos group and the Carthami Flos combined with Sappan Lignum group. After compatibility, HSYA showed a significant lower in apparent volumes of distribution of t(1/2Ka), t(1/2alpha) and V1/F, with slight advance in T(max).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sappan Lignum can accelerate absorption, distribution and metabolic process of HSYA in vivo and reduce its accumulation in vivo.</p>

Immunomodulatory activity in vitro and in vivo of polysaccharide from Potentilla anserina.

The polysaccharide (PAP) from Potentilla anserina was evaluated for modulating effects by using mouse peritoneal macrophage and the immunosuppressed-model cyclophosphamide-induced. Phagocytotic and mononuclear phagocytic system function assays showed that PAP stimulated the phagocytosis of phagocyte. Splenocyte proliferation assay showed that PAP acted the effect combining Con A or LPS in splenocyte proliferation. The parameters detected showed that PAP increased thymus and spleen indices, the levels of LDH and ACP in the spleen, and IL-10 and IFN-γ in serum in immunosuppressed mice. The results suggest that PAP is involved in immunomodulatory effects leading to the exploration for PAP as a potential immunostimulant.

Effect of rifampicin on the risk of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and possible mechanism of rifampicin on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) separated from male rats were cultured in vitro without any treatment (Group mA), exposed to dexamethasone (Group mB), treated with rifampicin (Group mC), and exposed to dexamethasone and rifampicin simultaneously (Group mD) respectively (n = 5 in each group). After 7 days, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity and adipogenesis of the BMSC were evaluated. In an in vivo experiment, 80 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n= 20 in each group). Group A received intragastric saline for 5 weeks. Group B received intragastric saline for one week, followed by subcutaneous methylprednisolone and saline for 4 weeks. Group C received intragastric rifampicin for 5 weeks. Group D received intragastric rifampicin for one week, followed by subcutaneous methylprednisolone and rifampicin for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all rats underwent analysis of P-gp activity of BMSC, P-gp expression in the femoral heads, MRI and histomorphometry of the femoral heads. RESULTS: In vitro, the P-gp activity of BMSC increased and lipid accumulation decreased significantly in Group mD, compared to Group mB. In vivo, P-gp activity and P-gp expression in Group D increased compared to Group B. The mean area of MRI abnormal signal, adipocytic variables and apoptotic cells in Group D decreased, mean percentage of the whole epiphysis made up by the epiphyseal ossification center and trabecular structure variables improved compared to those in Group B. The incidence of ONFH was lower in Group D (50%) than in Group B (80%). CONCLUSION: Rifampicin may decrease the risk of steroid-induced ONFH by enhancing P-gp activity, thus preventing steroid-induced BMSC adipogenesis.

Effect of combined therapy with Sandostatin and yiyan mixture in treating severe acute pancreatitis / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of combined therapy with Sandostatin (SDS) and Yiyan Mixture (YYM) in treating severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six patients with SAP were assigned to two groups equally, the treated group treated with the combined therapy and the control group treated by SDS alone. Biochemical indexes, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), amylase (AMY), endotoxin (ET), C-reactive protein (CRP), and APACHE II score were determined before and after treatment. And the incidence of complication and mortality were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The time of abdominal pain, tenderness and distention disappearance, air charge recovering, and average hospitalization days in the treated group were significantly shorter than those in the control group respectively (P < 0.05). Levels of LDH, AST, AMY, serum ET, CRP and APACHE II scores were lowered after treatment in both groups, but the decrement was more significant in the treated group than that in the control group respectively (P < 0.05). The difference in incidence of local complications and mortality between the two groups showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined therapy of Sandostatin and YYM is a recommended recipe for treatment of SAP, it could obviously improve the condition of patients and enhance the efficacy of treatment.</p>

Primary study on absorption, translocation and accumulation of N, P and K of Achyranthes bidentata / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the absorption, translocation and accumulation of N, P and K on Achyranthes bidentata.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The contents of N, P and K were determined by mean of sulfuric acid-hydrogen peroxide assimilating method, vanadium-ammonium molybdate colorimetric method and flame photometric method, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The contents of N, P and K in the plant were decreasing during the growth period. The absorption rates of the three nutrients by A. Bidentata showed double-peak curves in the whole growth period, maximum absorption rate appeared in the middle ten days of October. About 8.59 kg of N, 1.36 kg of P and 7.40 kg of K were needed to produce each 100 kg root.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The key nutrients absorption period is in the first ten days of September and in the middle ten days of October.</p>

Study of using shattering extraction with solvent to extract ingredient of three kinds of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prove if it is possible for using the shattering extraction with solvent to extract ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The shattering extraction with solvent, the refluxing extraction and the ultrasonic extraction were used to extract paeoniflorin from Radix Paeoniae rubra, and to extract baicalein from Radix Scutellariae, and to extract chlorogenic acid from Flos lonicerae japonicae respectively, using ingredient content and extract yield as the measuring indexes.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The content of each every ingredient obviously higher by using shattering extraction with solvent than using refluxing extraction or the ultrasonic extraction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The shattering extraction with solvent is a high efficiency, simple and quick extraction. It may be used to extract the ingredient of three kinds of traditional Chinese medicine.</p>

Astragalus protects the testis following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of astragalus on testis tissues following unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty healthy adult Wistar rats were equally randomized into Group A (sham-operation control), B (torsion/detorsion) and C (torsion/detorsion plus intraperitoneal injection of astragalus). The testicular torsion/detorsion model was established by the Turner method. All the rats were fed under the same condition for 7 days and sacrificed, and the torsional testes were harvested for the detection of germ cell apoptosis, glutathione activity and the level of malonic diethylaldehyde (MDA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The apoptosis indexes (AI) of spermatogenic cells in the torsional testes were (5.82 +/- 1.21), (36.18 +/- 8.40) and (20.39 +/- 3.57) in Group A, B and C, significantly higher in Group B and C than in A (P < 0.05) and in Group B than in C (P < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in glutathione activity in the ipsilateral testes among Group A (48.03 +/- 2.01), B (30.93 +/- 1.25), C (38.44 +/- 1.06) U/mg (P< 0.05), as well as in the level of MDA, (1.43 +/- 0.17), (3.98 +/- 0.36), (2.57 +/- 0.53) nmol/ml, among the three groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Astragalus could significantly reduce the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, decrease the level of lipid peroxidation and protect glutathione activity in the torsional testis.</p>

Construction and characterization of TetR and GFP fusion protein / 生物工程学报

Tetracycline repressor gene (tetR) from E. coli transposon Tn10 was fused in frame with green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) from jellyfish Aequorea Victoria on an E. coli expression vector and the fusion protein (TR::GFP) was purified. The binding of TR::GFP with tetracycline (tc) was demonstrated by nitrocellulose filter binding assay. TR::GFP also maintained the fluorescence property of GFP. Most significantly, fluorescence emission intensity of TR::GFP increased by 2-fold in the presence of tc, from 1.132 to 2.214, while those of GFP and TetR showed little change under similar conditions. The results indicated TR::GFP possesses characteristics of a tetracycline biosensor.

Effect of Chinese herb Yiyanheji on intestinal mucosa barrier in rats with severe acute pancreatitis / 中国基层医药

Objective To study the effects of Chinese herbs Yiyanheji on intestinal mucosa barrier in rats with SAP.Methods Animal models of SAP were induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate (0.1ml/100g) into the common biliopancreatic duct.90 healthy Wistar rats weighing (250?30)g were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham operation group (SO,n=30),SAP group (SAP,n=30) and Chinese herbs Yiyanheji treated group(SAP+YH,n=30).Treated group was treated with Yiyanheji after operation.The SAP group was treated with physiological saline.Three groups of rats were killed at 72 hours after operation or treatment.Bacterial cultures were performed in all animals.The changes of terminal ileum' tissue were observed by optical electron mi- croscopy.The data of test were analyzed by statistic software.Results The incidence of bacterial translocation was 22.5% in Yiyanheji treated group,and it was lower than that in SAP group which was 90.0 %.The difference was significant(P