Preliminary study on ecological environment and biological resources of Qinba areas / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

The Qinba areas, located in the Central China, represent 317000 km2, cover 6 provinces. The major mountain of Qinba areas, the Qinling, separates China North and South. This region is one of the areas with the most bio?diversity and ecological importance in China and globally, and considered as natural gene bank and bio-resource bank. Qinba mountain areas, together with the Alps in Europe and the Rocky Mountains in North America, are known as the"Three sisters of the earth"by the geological and biological circles. Most of the lands in this region are protected as national park, natural reserve, water resource protection area, etc. These areas have well preserved ecosystem and breeding and habitat area for many endangered species of plants and animals, inculding Panda. In this region, there are more than 4000 species of higher plants, about 2000 species of medicinal plants and animals, 200 species of wild ornamental plants and 180 species of economic fungi with edible and medicinal value in those areas. Medicinal plant cultivation, eco-agricul?ture and ecotourism are the major industries in this region. The State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment of Qinba Areas, located in Hanzhong, the central city of Qinba, is focusing on pan-regional biological resources research and rational utilization, ecological protection, and comprehensive and coordinated regional development.

Herba Epimedii's biotransformation in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion and faecal fermentation systems / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Epimedium is rich in a variety of beneficial active ingredients, and has been widely used in the ethnopharmacological practices, however, its biotransformation in gastrointestinal digestions remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes of components and biological activity of Epimedium in the in vitro simu? lated digestion and subsequent human faecal fermentation. METHODS The models of in vitro simulated saliva, gastric and intestinal digestion, as well as colonic fermentation were constructed to simulate the digestion process of Epimedium. The dynamic changes of components of Epimedium during the simulated digestions in vitro and subsequent human faecal fermentation were investigated by UPLC-MS, HPLC-DAD combined with principal component analysis (PCA) and multi-ingredient quantitative analysis. RESULTS A variety of metabolites with high contents were produced after 0.5 h of intestinal digestion and colonic fermentation 0.5 h. Application of PCA to HPLC data showed the obvious separation of colonic fermentation 0.5 h stage samples from other colonic fermentation stages samples (24, 48 and 72 h). Addition? ally, non-digestion and saliva digestion stage samples clustered together, and there was obvious separation between intestinal digestion samples and gastric digestion samples. The contents of epimedium C, icariin and baohuside I all increased significantly after intestinal digestion [58.70 ± 7.08, 47.15 ± 5.68 and (12.78 ± 0.55) mg · g-1] compared with gastric digestion [29.00 ± 5.65, 17.40 ± 4.55 and (2.77 ± 0.19) mg·g-1]. There were significant differences between sample after 0.5 h of colonic fermentation [64.22 ± 9.32, 51.26 ± 6.33 and (16.68 ± 3.19) mg·g-1] and other time points (24, 48 and 72 h) in components and the contents of active ingredient, and the content of these components all decreased with the fermentation time. The ability of scavenging ABTS free radicals [IC50=(0.29 ± 0.02) g · L-1] increased significantly compared with gastric digestion [(1.57 ± 0.02) g·L-1], and after 0.5 h of colonic fermentation, the ability also increased significantly. CONCLUSION Gastrointestinal digestion had a significant impact on the contents of active components in Epimedium, and the metabolism of these components mainly occurred in the colon. The intestinal digestion and colonic fermentation significantly improved the anti-ABTS activity of epimedium.

Clinical application evaluation and revision suggestions of clinical practice guideline on traditional Chinese medicine therapy alone or combined with antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infection in children / 中国中药杂志

Questionnaires and case investigation methods were taken in this paper, taking the clinical practice guideline on traditional Chinese medicine therapy alone or combined with antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infection in children published by the Chinese Medicine Association as the research object. Doctors from 187 hospitals in 29 regions across the country were invited to evaluate the applicability of the Guideline and clinical application effects, so as to collect the opinions on revising the Guideline. Clinicians about 508 accepted the applicability survey of the Guideline, and considered that the structure and content of the Guideline were reasonable, with the proportions being as high as 98.23% and 98.03%, respectively. In the content of syndrome differentiation-based treatment, the factors with higher rationality included therapeutic principle and method (99.41%), diagnosis elements (98.82%), and syndrome differentiation classification (98.03%); while the factors with lower rationality included the rehabilitation and health preserving (97.05%) and complication prevention (97.24%). 98.03% of the clinicians considered theat the Guideline was to be fully applicable and basically applicable, and 1.97% of the clinicians considered it to be applicable after revision. By observing 491 cases, the Guide was applied for evaluation and analysis. The factors with higher compliance included diagnosis of Western medicine disease (100%) and the diagnosis of TCM disease (99.18%); while the factors with lower compliance included the treatment measures, with a compliance rate of 77.18% and 83.05% respectively for simple preparations and other treatment method. The safety and economy of the Guideline were good, 97.35%, 93.89%, respectively. The comprehensive evaluation was good, and 99.41% of the respondents were willing to follow the treatment schemes recommended in the Guideline, suitable for clinical application. The opinions on revision were mainly focused on dialectical treatment, complication prevention and rehabilitation. It indicates that only by actively and extensively soliciting opinions to revise the Guideline, can we improve the quality of the Guideline for clinical practice, so as to raise the level of clinical efficacy.

Differential protection of pre- versus post-treatment with curcumin, Trolox, and N-acetylcysteine against acrylonitrile-induced cytotoxicity in primary rat astrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to examine the differential protection of pre- versus post-treatment with three different antioxidants, curcumin (CUR), Trolox, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), on acrylonitrile (AN)-induced cytotoxicity in primary rat astrocytes. METHODS: Primary astrocyte cultures were treated with CUR, Trolox and NAC for 4h prior to, or following 24h treatment with AN (2.5mM). 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, lipid peroxidation, glutathione, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured to evaluate protection associated with the three antioxidants. Knockdown of Nrf2 expression by liposome transfection with siRNA was used to confirm the role of Nrf2 activation in the protection associated with the three antioxidants. RESULTS: Compared with AN treatment alone, pre-treatment with CUR at either concentration significantly increased cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced glutathione levels; lipid peroxidation and ROS production were significantly decreased as well. NAC also showed significant efficacy in attenuating AN-induced toxicity at higher concentration. However, pre-treatment with Trolox failed to ameliorate the AN-induced toxicity. When post-treatment with Trolox, this antioxidant led to significant protective effects at both concentrations, while CUR and NAC were efficacious only at the higher concentrations. Knockdown of Nrf2 only abolished the protective effects of CUR pre-treatment on AN-induced cytotoxicity, while the protective effects of NAC and Trolox pre-treatment groups showed no differences between the Nrf2-knockdown and non-knockdown treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The selected antioxidants exert differential cellular protection when administered prior or subsequent to AN-induced cytotoxic events in decreasing cellular viability, antioxidative capacity and mitochondrial function, enhanced cytotoxicity and ROS production. These results suggest that antioxidants should be carefully chosen for their efficacy in preventing or diminishing oxidative damage caused by AN. The differential effect of pre- and post-treatment may be attributed to activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Rituximab therapy reduces organ-specific T cell responses and ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Recent clinical trials have established B cell depletion by the anti-CD20 chimeric antibody Rituximab as a beneficial therapy for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The impact of Rituximab on T cell responses remains largely unexplored. In the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS in mice that express human CD20, Rituximab administration rapidly depleted peripheral B cells and strongly reduced EAE severity. B cell depletion was also associated with diminished Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) and a reduction in T cell proliferation and IL-17 production during recall immune response experiments. While Rituximab is not considered a broad immunosuppressant, our results indicate a role for B cells as a therapeutic cellular target in regulating encephalitogenic T cell responses in specific tissues.

[Acupuncture at points of the liver and gallbladder meridians for treatment of migraine: a multi-center randomized and controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect and safety of acupuncture at points of The Liver and Gallbladder Meridians for treatment of migraine. METHODS: Multi-central, randomized and controlled trial was used and 253 cases of migraine were divided into an acupuncture group and a western medicine group. The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at points of The Liver and Gallbladder Channels with Taichong (LR 3), Yang-lingquan (GB 34), Fengchi (GB 20), Ququan (LR 8) selected as main points, and the western medicine group with oral administration of Flunarizine tablets for 4 therapeutic courses. The total therapeutic effects 3 and 6 months after the treatment, the scores of various symptoms of migraine before and after treatment, and the stability of therapeutic effect in one-year following-up survey were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, mean times and duration of the headache attack were significantly improved in the two groups (all P < 0.01) with the acupuncture group better than the western medicine group (P < 0.05). The total effective rates for stopping pain after treatment, 3 months and 6 months after treatment in the acupuncture group were 93.0%, 93.0% and 87.7%, respectively, which were better than 85.6%, 86.5% and 69.2% in the western medication group (all P < 0.01). One year later, the stability of the therapeutic effect in the acupuncture group was better than that in the western medicine group (P < 0.05); the adverse reaction and the compliance in the acupuncture group were significantly superior to those in the western medicine group. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at points of The Liver and Gallbladder Meridians for treatment of migraine is safe, effective, and with stable long-term therapeutic effect.

Acupuncture at points of the liver and gallbladder meridians for treatment of migraine: a multi-center randomized and controlled study / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic effect and safety of acupuncture at points of The Liver and Gallbladder Meridians for treatment of migraine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multi-central, randomized and controlled trial was used and 253 cases of migraine were divided into an acupuncture group and a western medicine group. The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at points of The Liver and Gallbladder Channels with Taichong (LR 3), Yang-lingquan (GB 34), Fengchi (GB 20), Ququan (LR 8) selected as main points, and the western medicine group with oral administration of Flunarizine tablets for 4 therapeutic courses. The total therapeutic effects 3 and 6 months after the treatment, the scores of various symptoms of migraine before and after treatment, and the stability of therapeutic effect in one-year following-up survey were observed in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, mean times and duration of the headache attack were significantly improved in the two groups (all P < 0.01) with the acupuncture group better than the western medicine group (P < 0.05). The total effective rates for stopping pain after treatment, 3 months and 6 months after treatment in the acupuncture group were 93.0%, 93.0% and 87.7%, respectively, which were better than 85.6%, 86.5% and 69.2% in the western medication group (all P < 0.01). One year later, the stability of the therapeutic effect in the acupuncture group was better than that in the western medicine group (P < 0.05); the adverse reaction and the compliance in the acupuncture group were significantly superior to those in the western medicine group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at points of The Liver and Gallbladder Meridians for treatment of migraine is safe, effective, and with stable long-term therapeutic effect.</p>

[New approaches to selenium speciation].

A review of the recent developments in selenium speciation analysis was presented, focusing on the techniques of separation, interface, elemental specific detection and identification of selenium species; the methods of sample storage and pretreatment storage for selenium speciation were also introduced.

Experimental study on acting mechanism of vicera purging method in purging fu-organs and benefiting fei / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the acting mechanism of viscera purging method (VP) in purging Fu-organs and benefiting Fei from integral, cellular and molecular levels.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty SD rats were equally divided into four groups randomly: the normal group, the model group, the unhitch group and the VP group. Except those in the normal group were untreated, rats were established to intestinal obstruction model by incomplete ligation of the rectum in vitro. The ligation was relieved 48 h after operation in the unhitch group and the VP group, and the animals were fed continuously on routine. Meanwhile, Dachengqi Decoction (DD) 2 ml was given twice a day to the VP group for 2 days. Finally, the serum interleukin 8 (IL-8) and mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the lung tissue were detected by radioimmunoassay and RT-PCR respectively. Besides, the number of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) in the bronchial alveolus lavage fluid (BALF) was counted and their death rate calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control, the serum IL-8 content in lung tissue in the model rats were remarkably higher (P < 0.01); however, the VP group showed the lowest level of IL-8 content and the highest was shown in the model group. Number of PAM in BALF was higher and its death rate was lower in the VP group than that in the unhitch groups (both P< 0.05). The expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was sinificantly higher as compared with that in the normal group, and lowered after administration of DD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Viscera purging method could protect the injured lung tissue to some extent.</p>

Clinical study on therapy of clearing hallow viscera in treating critical patients with gastro-enteric function disorder / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical effect of therapy of clearing hallow viscera in treating critical patients with gastro-enteric function disorder (GEFD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retrospective analysis was carried out on 96 critical patients. They were 48 patients in the treated group treated with Dachengqi Decoction and 48 patients in the control group treated with Western medicine for promoting gastric dynamic force. The recovery rate, recovery time of gastro-enteric function, incidence rate and fatality rate of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), as well as the level of plasma endotoxin (ET) before and after treatment between the two groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Comparison between the two groups in gastro-enteric function recovery rate (81.3% vs 45.8%), functional disorder sustaining time in patients who got recovered (1.2 +/- 0.3 days vs 4.0 +/- 1.1 days), incidence rate (29.17% vs 52.08%) and fatality rate (28.57% vs 56.00%) of MODS all showed significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The plasma level of ET after treatment in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Therapy of clearing hallow viscera has a good effect in treating critical patients with gastro-enteric function disorder, and could reduce the incidence and fatality of MODS.</p>

[Treatment of 120 cases of pseudobulbar palsy of wind-phlegm type with needling method for dispelling wind and expelling phlegm].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical therapeutic effects of needling method for dispelling wind and expelling phlegm on pseudobulbar palsy of wind-phlegm type. METHODS: Two hundred and forty cases of pseudobulbar palsy of wind-phlegm type were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 120 cases in each group, and they were treated by needling method for dispelling wind and expelling phlegm, and intravenous dripping of cytidine diphosphate choline injection plus blank needling method, respectively. One month later, main symptoms and signs were systematically compared and assessed. RESULTS: The cured rate and the total effective rate were 40.7% and 89.0% in the observation group respectively, which were superior to 7.6% and 37.0% in the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The needling method for dispelling wind and expelling phlegm has obvious therapeutic effect on pseudobulbar palsy of wind-phlegm type.

Treatment of 120 cases of pseudobulbar palsy of wind-phlegm type with needling method for dispelling wind and expelling phlegm / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe clinical therapeutic effects of needling method for dispelling wind and expelling phlegm on pseudobulbar palsy of wind-phlegm type.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and forty cases of pseudobulbar palsy of wind-phlegm type were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 120 cases in each group, and they were treated by needling method for dispelling wind and expelling phlegm, and intravenous dripping of cytidine diphosphate choline injection plus blank needling method, respectively. One month later, main symptoms and signs were systematically compared and assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured rate and the total effective rate were 40.7% and 89.0% in the observation group respectively, which were superior to 7.6% and 37.0% in the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The needling method for dispelling wind and expelling phlegm has obvious therapeutic effect on pseudobulbar palsy of wind-phlegm type.</p>

Hydrogen isotopic profile in the characterization of sugars. Influence of the metabolic pathway.

The site-specific natural hydrogen isotope ratios of plant metabolites determined by 2H nuclear magnetic resonance (SNIF-NMR method) can provide powerful criteria for inferring mechanistic and environmental effects on biosynthetic pathways. This work examines the potential of isotopic profiles for the main constituents of carbohydrates, glucose and fructose, to distinguish different photosynthetic pathways. An appropriate analytical strategy, involving three suitable isotopic probes, has been elaborated with a view to measuring simultaneously, in conditions devoid of isotopic perturbations, all (or nearly all) of the carbon-bound hydrogen isotope ratios. It is shown that the type of photosynthetic metabolism, either C3 (sugar beet, orange, and grape), C4 (maize and sugar cane), or CAM (pineapple), and the physiological status of the precursor plant exert strong influences on the deuterium distribution in the sugar molecules. Consequently, this isotopic fingerprint may be a rich source of information for the comparison of mechanisms in metabolic pathways. In addition, it can provide complementary criteria to ethanol as a probe for the origin of sugars.