Phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity of black rice bran of different commercially available varieties.

Increased consumption of whole grains has been associated with reduced risk of developing major chronic diseases. These health benefits have been attributed in part to their unique phytochemicals. Previous studies on black rice mainly focused on anthocyanins. Little is known about the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities of different black rice varieties. The objective of this study was to determine the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity of rice bran samples from 12 diverse varieties of black rice. The free, bound, and total phenolic contents of black rice bran samples ranged from 2086 to 7043, from 221.2 to 382.7, and from 2365 to 7367 mg of gallic acid equiv/100 g of dry weight (DW), respectively. The percentage contribution of free phenolics to the total ranged from 88.2 to 95.6%. The average values of free, bound, and total phenolic contents of black rice bran were 8, 1.5, and 6 times higher than those of white rice bran, respectively (p < 0.05). The free, bound, and total flavonoid contents of black rice bran samples ranged from 3462 to 12061, from 126.7 to 386.9, and from 3596 to 12448 mg of catechin equiv/100 g of DW, respectively. The percentage contribution of free flavonoids to the total ranged from 96.3 to 97.6%. The average values of free, bound, and total flavonoid contents of black rice bran were 7.4, 1.9, and 6.7 times higher than those of white rice bran, respectively (p < 0.05). The free, bound, and total anthocyanin contents of black rice bran samples ranged from 1227 to 5096, from 4.89 to 8.23, and from 1231 to 5101 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside equiv/100 g of DW, respectively. The percentage contribution of free anthocyanins to the total ranged from 99.5 to 99.9%. Cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and peonidin-3-glucoside were detected in black rice bran samples and ranged from 736.6 to 2557, from 22.70 to 96.62, and from 100.7 to 534.2 mg/100 g of DW, respectively. The free, bound, and total antioxidant activities of black rice bran samples ranged from 476.9 to 180, from 47.91 to 79.48, and from 537.5 to 1876 mumol of Trolox equiv/g of DW, respectively. The percentage contribution of free antioxidant activity to the total ranged from 88.7 to 96.0%. The average values of free, bound, and total antioxidant activity of black rice bran were more than 8, 1.5, and 6 times higher than those of white rice bran, respectively (p < 0.05). The total antioxidant activity of black rice bran was correlated to the content of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total anthocyanins and also was significantly correlated to the contents of cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and peonidin-3-glucoside. These results indicate that there are significant differences in phytochemical content and antioxidant activity among the different black rice varieties. Black rice bran has higher content of phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins and has higher antioxidant activity when compared to white rice bran. Interestingly, the phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins of black rice bran are mainly present in free form. Knowing the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of black rice bran gives insights to its potential application to promote health.

[Effect of electroacupuncture of local plus distal acupoints in the same segments of spinal cord on spinal substance P expression in rats with chronic radicular pain].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of local plus distal acupoints on spinal substance P expression in chronic radicular pain (CRP) rats so as to investigate its underlying mechanism in the treatment of chronic radical pain. METHODS: Twenty-five Wistar rats were randomized into control, model, local acupoints [LA, bilateral "Jiaji" (EX-B 2)], distal acupoints [DA, bilateral "Yanglingquan" (GB 34)], and LA+ DA groups, with 5 cases in each. CRP model was duplicated by implanting a gel-silicon wrapping the nerve root of L4 under anesthesia. EA (2 Hz, < or =2 mA) was applied to EX-B2 and GB34 for 30 min for 8 days. Pathological changes of the local focus tissue were observed by HE dyeing, and the animals' motor state was also observed. The pain threshold was detected by using tail-flick method. Substance P immunoreactive (IR) positive product of the spinal dorsal horn (L3-L5) was detected by immunohistochemical method and expressed as integrated optical density (IOD). RESULTS: The motor scores on day 35 after modeling and pain threshold values on day 4 and 8 after treatment in EX-B2 group, GB34 group and EX-B2 + GB34 group were significantly higher than those in model group (P < 0.05, 0.01). Compared with model group, IOD values of SP in the spinal dorsal horn in EX-B2 , GB34 and EX-B2 + GB34 groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the 3 EA groups in the expression of SP in the spinal dorsal horn. CONCLUSION: EA of EX-B2, GB34 and EX-B2 + GB34 all has a good analgesic effect in CRP rats, which may be realized partially by suppressing the release of SP in the spinal cord. No significant differences were found among local acupoint, distal acupoint and local plus distal acupoint groups in relieving CRP, improving motor and decreasing SP expression.

[Research of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine on regularity of clinical acupuncture].

In the present article, the authors, in the light of their research in recent a decade of years, make an overall summary on the regularities of clinical acupuncture from the stimulated points, the superficial and deep layers, the literature basis and the innovation points. These basic regularities include symmetry or corresponding, segmental innervation, center or central axis, superiority of distal limbs, ending-stimulation accelerating analgesia, periphery-stimulation accelerating easiness and smooth, local feed back, specific feed back, selection of the stimulated points, acupuncture of different layers, etc.. They also discuss the possibility of integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine from the view-points of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and rehabilitation medicine. Systematic analysis on the regularities of clinical acupuncture makes the ancient meridian-collateral theory and abundant clinical experience summed up in definite concepts, simplifies the complicated theory system of acupuncture learning, and favors the communication about the terminology of Chinese medicine and Western medicine.

[Study on vascular morphology of integument tissues of the channel area in the leg].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the distribution of the blood vessels in the integument tissue of the channel area of legs. METHODS: The integument tissue of the lower limbs in the 12 cadavers were dissected with macro-and micro-dissection, radiographical technique of systemic artery and technique of image pattern analysis to observe and analyze the origins, branches and anastomoses in the integument tissues along the channels of legs. RESULTS: The distributional density of the blood vessels in the integument tissues of legs along the channel area of the three-yin meridians of the foot, the Gallbladder Meridian, and the Urinary Bladder Meridian was higher than that in the other parts. They formed an obvious nutrient vascular chain on the arteriogram. The distributional density in the channel area of the Stomach Meridian was not obviously increased and the obvious nutrient vascular chain could not be seen. CONCLUSION: An obvious nutrient vascular chain is formed in the integument tissue along the channel area of legs except the Stomach Meridian.

[Study on angle and depth of needle insertion in acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36)].

OBJECTIVE: To provide an appropriate angle and depth of needle insertion in acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and avoid injuring the nerve and blood vessel and exert the most effect. METHODS: Eighty adult lower-limb samples were used to dissect and observe the relative layered structures and adjoining important nerves and blood vessels in needling Zusanli (ST 36) according to the national standard. RESULTS: The needling depth from the skin to the interosseous membrane and from the skin to posterior border of tibialis posterior is (2.22 +/- 0.31) cm and (4.42 +/- 0.53) cm, respectively. There are flabellate branches of anterior tibial arteries and deep peroneal nerves around the needle in the superficial layer of interosseous membrane. The vessel and nerve bundles containing tibial nerve and posterior tibial vessels can be touched when the needle body past through tibialis posterior. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that ideal average depth of acupuncture is 2.22 cm and the maximum depth is 4.42 cm for oblique needling Zusanli (ST 36). When it is injected, the needle should be perpendicularly inserted or deviated slightly to the direction of tibia and paralleled to medial surface of tibia. And the safe needling depth is generally less than 5 cm. The point of the body surface between tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus at 3 cun below Dubi (ST 35) is also an effectively stimulating point.