Protective effects of sodium humate and its zinc and selenium chelate on the oxidative stress, inflammatory, and intestinal barrier damage of Salmonella Typhimurium-challenged broiler chickens.

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of dietary administration of sodium humate (HNa) and its zinc and selenium chelate (Zn/Se-HNa) in mitigating Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhi) induced intestinal injury in broiler chickens. Following the gavage of 109 CFU S. Typhi to 240 broilers from 21-d to 23-d aged, various growth performance parameters such as body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed ratio (FCR) were measured before and after infection. Intestinal morphology was assessed to determine the villus height, crypt depth, and chorionic cryptologic ratio. To evaluate intestinal barrier integrity, levels of serum diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid, tight junction proteins, and the related genes were measured in each group of broilers. An analysis was conducted on inflammatory-related cytokines, oxidase activity, and Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) and Nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway-related proteins and mRNA expression. The results revealed a significant decrease in BW, ADG, and FCR in S. typhi-infected broilers. HNa tended to increase FCR (P = 0.056) while the supplementation of Zn/Se-HNa significantly restored BW and ADG (P < 0.05). HNa and Zn/Se-HNa exhibit favorable and comparable effects in enhancing the levels of serum DAO, D-lactate, and mRNA and protein expression of jejunum and ileal tight junction. In comparison to HNa, Zn/Se-HNa demonstrates a greater reduction in S. Typhi shedding in feces, as well as superior efficacy in enhancing the intestinal morphology, increasing serum catalase (CAT) activity, inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines, and suppressing the activation of the NF-κB pathway. Collectively, Zn/Se-HNa was a more effective treatment than HNa to alleviate adverse impact of S. Typhi infection in broiler chickens.

Neferine inhibits the development of lung cancer cells by downregulating TGF-ß to regulate MST1/ROS-induced pyroptosis.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for ~85% of all lung cancer cases. Neferine is used as a traditional Chinese medicine with many pharmacological effects, including antitumor properties; however, it has not been reported whether neferine plays an anticancer role by causing pyroptosis in NSCLC cells. We used two typical lung cancer cell lines, A549 and H1299, and 42 lung cancer tissue samples to investigate the regulatory effects of neferine on TGF-ß and MST1. We also treated lung cancer cells with different concentrations of neferine to study its effects on lung cancer cell survival, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as on pyroptosis. Lentivirus-mediated gain-of-function studies of TGF-ß and MST1 were applied to validate the roles of TGF-ß and MST1 in lung cancer. Next, we used murine transplanted tumor models to evaluate the effect of neferine treatment on the metastatic capacity of lung cancer tissues. With increasing neferine concentration, the viability, migration, invasion, and EMT capacity of A549 and H1299 cells decreased, whereas pyroptosis increased. Neferine repressed TGF-ß expression to modulate the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by MST1. Overexpression of TGF-ß in either in vitro or mouse-transplanted A549 cells restored the inhibitory effect of neferine on tumor development. Overexpression of MST1 clearly enhanced pyroptosis. Neferine contributed to pyroptosis by regulating MST1 expression through downregulation of TGF-ß to induce ROS formation. Therefore, our study shows that neferine can serve as an adjuvant therapy for NSCLC patients.

Aikeqing, a kidney- and spleen-tonifying compound Chinese medicine granule, prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats via the suppression of osteoclastogenesis.

Postmenopausal women are prone to osteoporosis due to increased osteoclast activation and bone resorption caused by oestrogen deficiency. In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, medicines with spleen- and kidney-nourishing effects are commonly used in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) treatment. Aikeqing (AKQ) is a compound Chinese medicinal granule with spleen- and kidney-nourishing effects. Herein, we investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-osteoporotic effects of AKQ, its underlying mechanisms and pharmacodynamic basis. In vitro antiosteoporotic effects of AKQ were assessed by its ability to promote osteoblastogenesis in MC3T3-E1 and/or inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in murine bone marrow monocytes (BMMs). The protective effect of AKQ on bone loss induced by oestrogen deficiency was evaluated in ovariectomized rats. The underlying mechanisms were studied in BMMs by detecting the effects of AKQ on the RANKL-induced expression of genes and proteins involved in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis. The main chemical constituents of AKQ in the granule were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS. Our findings show that AKQ did not affect osteoblastogenesis, but it inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. In the ovariectomized rats, oral administration of AKQ (4 g/kg/d) for 90 d effectively prevented oestrogen deficiency-induced bone loss. Mechanistic studies in BMMs revealed that AKQ inhibited RNAKL-induced activation of NF-κB (p65) and MAPKs (p38 and JNK) via blocking the RANK-TRAF6 interaction, subsequently suppressing the translocation and expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos. UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis quantified the 123 main components of AKQ. Taken together, AKQ was demonstrated for the first time as a novel alternative therapy for osteoclast-associated bone diseases.

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of COVID-19 and Viral Disease: Efficacies and Clinical Evidence.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains an uncontained, worldwide pandemic. While battling the disease in China, the Chinese government has actively promoted the use of traditional Chinese medicine, and many studies have been conducted to determine the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for treating COVID-19. The present review discusses the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in curing COVID-19 and provides clinical evidence from all confirmed cases in China. Applications of traditional Chinese medicine and specific recipes for treating other viral infections, such as those caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and influenza A viruses (including H1N1), are also discussed. Studies have reported that traditional Chinese medicine treatment plays a significant role in improving clinical symptoms. Therefore, further investigation may be of high translational value in revealing novel targeted therapies for COVID-19.

Enzymatic Biotransformation of Gypenoside XLIX into Gylongiposide I and Their Antiviral Roles against Enterovirus 71 In Vitro.

Biotransformation of specific saponins in the valuable medical plants to increase their bioavailability and pharmaceutical activities has attracted more and more attention. A gene encoding a thermophilic glycoside hydrolase from Fervidobaterium pennivorans DSM9078 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant enzyme, exhibiting endoglucanase cellulase activity, was used to transform gypenoside XLIX into gylongiposide I via highly selective and efficient hydrolysis of the glucose moiety linked to the C21 position in gypenoside XLIX. Under the optimal reaction conditions for large scale production of gylongiposide I, 35 g gypenoside XLIX was transformed by using 20 g crude enzyme at pH 6.0 and 80 °C for 4 h with a molar yield of 100%. Finally, 11.51 g of gylongiposide I was purified using a silica gel column with 91.84% chromatographic purity. Furthermore, inhibitory activities of gypenoside XLIX and gylongiposide I against Enterovirus 71 (EV71) were investigated. Importantly, the EC50 of gypenoside XLIX and gylongiposide I calculated from viral titers in supernatants was 3.53 µM and 1.53 µM, respectively. Moreover, the transformed product gylongiposide I has better anti-EV71 activity than the glycosylated precursor. In conclusion, this enzymatic method would be useful in the large-scale production of gylongiposide I, which would be a novel potent anti-EV71 candidate.

Pharmacodynamic Mechanism of Kuanxiong Aerosol for Vasodilation and Improvement of Myocardial Ischemia / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of Kuanxiong Aerosol (KXA) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial injury in rat models.@*METHODS@#Totally 24 rats were radomly divided into control, ISO, KXA low-dose and high-dose groups according to the randomized block design method, and were administered by intragastric administration for 10 consecutive days, and on the 9th and 10th days, rats were injected with ISO for 2 consecutive days to construct an acute myocardial ischemia model to evaluate the improvement of myocardial ischemia by KXA. In addition, the diastolic effect of KXA on rat thoracic aorta and its regulation of ion channels were tested by in vitro vascular tension test. The influence of KXA on the expression of calcium-CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II)/extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling pathway has also been tested.@*RESULTS@#KXA significantly reduced the ISO-induced increase in ST-segment, interventricular septal thickness, cardiac mass index and cardiac tissue pathological changes in rats. Moreover, the relaxation of isolated thoracic arterial rings that had been precontracted using norepinephrine (NE) or potassium chloride (KCl) was increased after KXA treatment in an endothelium-independent manner, and was attenuated by preincubation with verapamil, but not with tetraethylammonium chloride, 4-aminopyridine, glibenclamide, or barium chloride. KXA pretreatment attenuated vasoconstriction induced by CaCl2 in Ca2+-free solutions containing K+ or NE. In addition, KXA pretreatment inhibited accumulation of Ca2+ in A7r5 cells mediated by KCl and NE and significantly decreased p-CaMK II and p-ERK levels.@*CONCLUSION@#KXA may inhibit influx and release of calcium and activate the CaMK II/ERK signaling pathway to produce vasodilatory effects, thereby improving myocardial injury.

Dynamic switching of coaxial focus based on terahertz meta-lens.

We propose an active meta-lens that can dynamically switch the coaxial focus on three statuses with the external optical pump. The meta-lens composes of two concentric sets of complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) arrays, which function at different focal lengths, atop the silicon on sapphire substrate. With specifically structured phase distribution, the meta-lens can form completely separated double foci simultaneously. Through illuminating the internal or external CSRR arrays individually with patterned optical pump, the meta-lens switches to single focus at different points. The proposed design provides a new avenue for developing terahertz multifunctional devices applied in microscope imaging and tomography.

Effect of Acupuncture on Ovary Morphology and Function in DHEA-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Model Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on ovary morphology and function in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) model rats. METHODS: A total of 40 adult female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups by a random number table, including control, model, metformin and acupuncture groups, 10 rats in each group. PCOS rat model was developed by injecting with DHEA (6 mg/100 g body weight) in 0.2 mL of oil subcutaneously. Electrical stimulation (2 Hz, 3 mA) was applied to Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA1) and Qihai (CV 6) acupoints for 30 min daily in the acupuncture group, and metformin (200 mg/kg) was given to rats in the metformin group, both once per day for 21 consecutive days, and rats in the normal group was fed with normal saline and fed regularly. After 21 days of administration, the rat blood samples were collected for detecting the reproductive hormonal levels [luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), testosterone (T)] and inflammatory factors (visfatin, IL-6) analysis. Ovary tissue was used for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, rats in the acupuncture and metformin groups were significantly lower in weight gain, FSH, LH and T levels, and E2 and P levels significantly increased (alll P<0.05). Meanwhile, LH and FSH levels were significantly decreased, and P, T and E2 levels significantly increased in the acupuncture group, compared with the metformin group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, IL-6 and visfatin levels were significantly decreased in the acupuncture and metformin groups (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in IL-6 and visfatin levels between the acupuncture and metformin groups (P>0.05). Ovarian diameter in the acupuncture and metformin groups were smaller than the model group (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in ovarian diameters between the acupuncture and metformin groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture might improve ovary morphology and its function in DHEA-induced PCOS model rats.

Effect of Acupuncture on Ovary Morphology and Function in DHEA-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Model Rats / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of acupuncture on ovary morphology and function in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) model rats.@*METHODS@#A total of 40 adult female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups by a random number table, including control, model, metformin and acupuncture groups, 10 rats in each group. PCOS rat model was developed by injecting with DHEA (6 mg/100 g body weight) in 0.2 mL of oil subcutaneously. Electrical stimulation (2 Hz, 3 mA) was applied to Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA1) and Qihai (CV 6) acupoints for 30 min daily in the acupuncture group, and metformin (200 mg/kg) was given to rats in the metformin group, both once per day for 21 consecutive days, and rats in the normal group was fed with normal saline and fed regularly. After 21 days of administration, the rat blood samples were collected for detecting the reproductive hormonal levels [luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E@*RESULTS@#Compared with the model group, rats in the acupuncture and metformin groups were significantly lower in weight gain, FSH, LH and T levels, and E@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture might improve ovary morphology and its function in DHEA-induced PCOS model rats.

Network pharmacology-based investigation on the mechanisms of action of Morinda officinalis How. in the treatment of osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that leads to a high risk for bone fractures. Morinda officinalis How. has been used as osteoporosis treatment in China. However, its mechanism of action as an anti-osteoporotic herb remains unknown. METHODS: A network pharmacology approach was applied to explore the potential mechanisms of action of M. officinalis in osteoporosis treatment. The active compounds of M. officinalis and their potential osteoporosis-related targets were retrieved from TCMSP, TCMID, SwissTargetPrediction, DrugBank, DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD databases. A protein-protein interaction network was built to analyze the target interactions. The Metascape database was used to carry out GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis. Moreover, interactions between active compounds and potential targets were investigated through molecular docking. RESULTS: A total of 17 active compounds and 93 anti-osteoporosis targets of M. officinalis were selected for analysis. The GO enrichment analysis results indicated that the anti-osteoporosis targets of M. officinalis mainly play a role in the response to steroid hormone. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that M. officinalis prevents osteoporosis through the ovarian steroidogenesis signaling pathway. Moreover, the molecular docking results indicated that bioactive compounds (morindon, ohioensin A, and physcion) demonstrated a good binding ability with IGF1R, INSR, ESR1, and MMP9. CONCLUSION: M. officinalis contains potential anti-osteoporotic active compounds. These compounds function by regulating the proteins implicated in ovarian steroidogenesis-related pathways that are crucial in estrogen biosynthesis. Our study provides new insights into the development of a natural therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Sleep Regulation by Neurotensinergic Neurons in a Thalamo-Amygdala Circuit.

A crucial step in understanding the sleep-control mechanism is to identify sleep neurons. Through systematic anatomical screening followed by functional testing, we identified two sleep-promoting neuronal populations along a thalamo-amygdala pathway, both expressing neurotensin (NTS). Rabies-mediated monosynaptic retrograde tracing identified the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) as a major source of GABAergic inputs to multiple wake-promoting populations; gene profiling revealed NTS as a prominent marker for these CeA neurons. Optogenetic activation and inactivation of NTS-expressing CeA neurons promoted and suppressed non-REM (NREM) sleep, respectively, and optrode recording showed they are sleep active. Further tracing showed that CeA GABAergic NTS neurons are innervated by glutamatergic NTS neurons in a posterior thalamic region, which also promote NREM sleep. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated NTS knockdown in either the thalamic or CeA neurons greatly reduced their sleep-promoting effect. These results reveal a novel thalamo-amygdala circuit for sleep generation in which NTS signaling is essential for both the upstream glutamatergic and downstream GABAergic neurons.

An Excitatory Circuit in the Perioculomotor Midbrain for Non-REM Sleep Control.

The perioculomotor (pIII) region of the midbrain was postulated as a sleep-regulating center in the 1890s but largely neglected in subsequent studies. Using activity-dependent labeling and gene expression profiling, we identified pIII neurons that promote non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Optrode recording showed that pIII glutamatergic neurons expressing calcitonin gene-related peptide alpha (CALCA) are NREM-sleep active; optogenetic and chemogenetic activation/inactivation showed that they strongly promote NREM sleep. Within the pIII region, CALCA neurons form reciprocal connections with another population of glutamatergic neurons that express the peptide cholecystokinin (CCK). Activation of CCK neurons also promoted NREM sleep. Both CALCA and CCK neurons project rostrally to the preoptic hypothalamus, whereas CALCA neurons also project caudally to the posterior ventromedial medulla. Activation of each projection increased NREM sleep. Together, these findings point to the pIII region as an excitatory sleep center where different subsets of glutamatergic neurons promote NREM sleep through both local reciprocal connections and long-range projections.

Effects of chelated Zn/Cu/Mn on redox status, immune responses and hoof health in lactating Holstein cows.

To evaluate the effects of chelated Zn/Cu/Mn on redox status, immune responses and hoof health in lactating Holstein cows, 48 head in early lactation were divided into healthy or lame groups according to their gait score. Cows were fed the same amount of Zn/Cu/Mn as sulfate salts or in chelated forms for 180 days, and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine was injected at day 90. The results showed that lame cows had lower antioxidant function, serum Zn/Mn levels, hair Cu levels, and hoof hardness. Moreover, increased antioxidant status, FMD antibody titers, serum and hair levels of Zn/Cu/Mn, and hoof hardness and decreased milk fat percent and arthritis biomarkers were observed in cows fed chelated Zn/Cu/Mn. In summary, supplementation with chelated Zn/Cu/Mn improved antioxidant status and immune responses, reduced arthritis biomarkers, and increased accumulation of Zn/Cu/Mn in the body and hoof hardness in dairy cows.

Antiviral effects of Reduning injection against Enterovirus 71 and possible mechanisms of action.

The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of Reduning injection against Enterovirus 71 (EV71) in Vero cells and in mice. The Vero cells were infected with 100 and 50 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infective dose) of EV71, respectively. The inhibition of Reduning injection on cytopathic effect (CPE) was detected. Meanwhile, a mouse model produced by intraperitoneal EV71-infection (10(6) TCID50), was used to investigate the protective effects of Reduning injection. The total survival rate, living time, daily survival rate, weight ratio, and score for symptoms were examined. The viral loads in Vero cells and muscle tissues were detected using real-time PCR. Finally, the content of cytokines was analyzed by ELISA. In the Vero cells, 2.5 mg crude drug·mL(-1) of Reduning injection inhibited CPE induced by EV71 infection. In the mice, 1.3 g crude drug·kg(-1) of Reduning injection rescued death triggered by infection, in comparison with model group. Moreover, the survival rate, weight ratio, and clinical scores were also improved. The viral RNA copies in the Vero cells and the mice muscle tissues were reduced. Besides, the steep EV71-induced accumulations of TNF-α and MCP-1 were decreased by Reduning injection. In conclusion, Reduning injection showed promising protective effects against EV71 in Vero cells and in mice.

Curcumin protects hearts from FFA-induced injury by activating Nrf2 and inactivating NF-κB both in vitro and in vivo.

Obesity and increased free fatty acid (FFA) level are tightly linked, leading to the development of cardiovascular disorders. Curcumin is a natural product from Curcuma longa with multiple bioactivities and is known to have cardioprotective effects in several cellular and animal models. The current study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of curcumin and demonstrate the underlying mechanism in FFA-induced cardiac injury. Using cell culture studies and high fat in vivo model, we explored the mechanistic basis of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of curcumin. We observed that palmitate (PA) treatment in cardiac derived H9C2 cells induced a marked increase in reactive oxygen species, inflammation, apoptosis and hypertrophy. All of these changes were effectively suppressed by curcumin treatment. In addition, oral administration of curcumin at 50mg/kg completely suppressed high fat diet-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, hypertrophy and tissue remodeling in mice. The beneficial actions of curcumin are closely associated with its ability to increase Nrf2 expression and inhibit NF-κB activation. Thus, both in vitro and in vivo studies showed a promising role of curcumin as a cardioprotective agent against palmitate and high fat diet mediated cardiac dysfunction. We indicated the regulatory roles of Nrf2 and NF-κB in obesity-induced heart injury, and suggested that they may be important therapeutic targets in the treatment of obesity-related disorders.

Antiviral effects of Reduning injection against Enterovirus 71 and possible mechanisms of action / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of Reduning injection against Enterovirus 71 (EV71) in Vero cells and in mice. The Vero cells were infected with 100 and 50 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infective dose) of EV71, respectively. The inhibition of Reduning injection on cytopathic effect (CPE) was detected. Meanwhile, a mouse model produced by intraperitoneal EV71-infection (10(6) TCID50), was used to investigate the protective effects of Reduning injection. The total survival rate, living time, daily survival rate, weight ratio, and score for symptoms were examined. The viral loads in Vero cells and muscle tissues were detected using real-time PCR. Finally, the content of cytokines was analyzed by ELISA. In the Vero cells, 2.5 mg crude drug·mL(-1) of Reduning injection inhibited CPE induced by EV71 infection. In the mice, 1.3 g crude drug·kg(-1) of Reduning injection rescued death triggered by infection, in comparison with model group. Moreover, the survival rate, weight ratio, and clinical scores were also improved. The viral RNA copies in the Vero cells and the mice muscle tissues were reduced. Besides, the steep EV71-induced accumulations of TNF-α and MCP-1 were decreased by Reduning injection. In conclusion, Reduning injection showed promising protective effects against EV71 in Vero cells and in mice.

Effects of chelated Zn/Cu/Mn on redox status, immune responses and hoof health in lactating Holstein cows

To evaluate the effects of chelated Zn/Cu/Mn on redox status, immune responses and hoof health in lactating Holstein cows, 48 head in early lactation were divided into healthy or lame groups according to their gait score. Cows were fed the same amount of Zn/Cu/Mn as sulfate salts or in chelated forms for 180 days, and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine was injected at day 90. The results showed that lame cows had lower antioxidant function, serum Zn/Mn levels, hair Cu levels, and hoof hardness. Moreover, increased antioxidant status, FMD antibody titers, serum and hair levels of Zn/Cu/Mn, and hoof hardness and decreased milk fat percent and arthritis biomarkers were observed in cows fed chelated Zn/Cu/Mn. In summary, supplementation with chelated Zn/Cu/Mn improved antioxidant status and immune responses, reduced arthritis biomarkers, and increased accumulation of Zn/Cu/Mn in the body and hoof hardness in dairy cows.

Original plant identification of Dai nationality herb "Daibaijie" / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the original plant of "Daibaijie", commonly used Dai herb.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The literature review, morphology and anatomy, pharmacognosy, molecular biology, chemistry were used to analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Daibaijie's historical scientific name, Dregea sinensis Hemsl., was mistakenly given "Daibaijie" and D. sinensis have significant differences from the distribution, morphology and anatomy, pharmacognosy, molecular biology and chemical composition. "Daibaijie" matches with the characteristics of Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon in Flora of China in English.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Daibaijie's original plant is M. tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon. The description and illustration of M. tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon in Flora of China in China are wrong. The illustration of M. tenacissima in Flora of China in English is wrong too.</p>

[Effects of Xiehuo Bushen Decoction on survival and differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells in brains of rats with intracerebral hemorrhage].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Xiehuo Bushen Decoction (XHBSD), a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on the survival and differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) in brains of rats with intracerebral hemorrhage, and to explore the mechanism of Xiehuo Bushen formula in promoting the survival of transplanted NSCs. METHODS: NSCs separated from hippocampuses of neonatal SD rats were cultured. Sixty-five panel reactive antibody (PRA) positive SD rats were selected by lymphocytotoxicity methods. The PRA positive rats were made into intracerebral hemorrhagic model and divided into three groups: cerebral hemorrhage group (n=15), NSCs transplanted group (n=25) and XHBSD group (n=25). XHBSD was orally administered after 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-marked NSCs were transplanted in brains of rats with intracerebral hemorrhage in the XHBSD group. Rats in the other two groups were administered distilled water. The expressions of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) mRNAs were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); the numbers of BrdU and 200 kD neurofilament (NF200) positive cells were detected by double-labeling immunofluorescence method. RESULTS: The expression of IFN-gamma mRNA was down-regulated significantly in the XHBSD group, but the expression of IL-4 mRNA was up-regulated significantly (P<0.05). The numbers of BrdU and NF200 positive cells were also increased remarkably in the XHBSD group. CONCLUSION: XHBSD can promote the survival and differentiation of transplanted NSCs, which may be related to inducing the expression of IL-4 mRNA and inhibiting the expression of IFN-gamma mRNA.

Hypnotic effect of Chinese materia medica Cynanchum chinese in mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the central pharmacological effect of the water and chloroform-extract compounds from C. chinese in mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The independent activity test and the hypnotic synergism test by sub-threshold hypnotic dosage of pentobarbital were employed to evaluate the central pharmacological effect of the extract-compounds, and the minimal neurotoxicity was evaluated by the rotorod test.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>the extract-compounds exhibited significant dose-related inhibition effect of the spontaneous motor activity in mice after intraperitoneal administration. And the two extract-compounds promoted the hypnotic effect by sub-threshold hypnotic dosage administration of pentobarbital, and produced ED50 value of 2.36 g kg (-1) and 0.75 g kg(-1), respectively. Also, both extract-compounds showed no neurotoxicity in the experiment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The extract compounds from C. chinese showed inhibitional effect on CNS.</p>