Exploring the protective effects of herbal monomers against diabetic retinopathy based on the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis: A review.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) has become one of the top 3 blinding eye diseases in the world. In spite of recent therapeutic breakthroughs, it is not yet possible to cure DR through pharmacotherapy. Cell death is thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of DR. Moderate modulation of cellular autophagy and inhibition of apoptosis have been identified as effective targets for the treatment of DR. Numerous phytochemicals have emerged as potential new drugs for the treatment of DR. We collected basic DR research on herbal monomers through keywords such as autophagy and apoptosis, and conducted a systematic search for relevant research articles published in the PubMed database. This review provides the effects and reports of herbal monomers on various DR cellular and animal models in vivo and in vitro in the available literature, and emphasizes the importance of cellular autophagy and apoptosis as current DR therapeutic targets. Based on our review, we believe that herbal monomers that modulate autophagy and inhibit apoptosis may be potentially effective candidates for the development of new drugs in the treatment of DR. It provides a strategy for further development and application of herbal medicines for DR treatment.

Electroacupuncture alleviates postoperative pain through inhibiting neuroinflammation via stimulator of interferon genes/type-1 interferon pathway.

OBJECTIVE: This work explores the impact of electroacupuncture (EA) on acute postoperative pain (APP) and the role of stimulator of interferon genes/type-1 interferon (STING/IFN-1) signaling pathway modulation in the analgesic effect of EA in APP rats. METHODS: The APP rat model was initiated through abdominal surgery and the animals received two 30 min sessions of EA at bilateral ST36 (Zusanli) and SP6 (Sanyinjiao) acupoints. Mechanical, thermal and cold sensitivity tests were performed to measure the pain threshold, and electroencephalograms were recorded in the primary somatosensory cortex to identify the effects of EA treatment on APP. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to examine the expression and distribution of proteins in the STING/IFN-1 pathway as well as neuroinflammation. A STING inhibitor (C-176) was administered intrathecally to verify its role in EA. RESULTS: APP rats displayed mechanical and thermal hypersensitivities compared to the control group (P < 0.05). APP significantly reduced the amplitude of θ, α and γ oscillations compared to their baseline values (P < 0.05). Interestingly, expression levels of proteins in the STING/IFN-1 pathway were downregulated after inducing APP (P < 0.05). Further, APP increased pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase, and downregulated anti-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-10 and arginase-1 (P < 0.05). EA effectively attenuated APP-induced painful hypersensitivities (P < 0.05) and restored the θ, α and γ power in APP rats (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, EA distinctly activated the STING/IFN-1 pathway and mitigated the neuroinflammatory response (P < 0.05). Furthermore, STING/IFN-1 was predominantly expressed in isolectin-B4- or calcitonin-gene-related-peptide-labeled dorsal root ganglion neurons and superficial laminae of the spinal dorsal horn. Inhibition of the STING/IFN-1 pathway by intrathecal injection of C-176 weakened the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of EA on APP (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA can generate robust analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects on APP, and these effects may be linked to activating the STING/IFN-1 pathway, suggesting that STING/IFN-1 may be a target for relieving APP. Please cite this article as: Ding YY, Xu F, Wang YF, Han LL, Huang SQ, Zhao S, Ma LL, Zhang TH, Zhao WJ, Chen XD. Electroacupuncture alleviates postoperative pain through inhibiting neuroinflammation via stimulator of interferon genes/type-1 interferon pathway. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(5): 496-508.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates CFA-Induced Inflammatory Pain via PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 Pathway.

Inflammatory pain is difficult to treat clinically, but electroacupuncture (EA) has been demonstrated to be effective in alleviating inflammatory pain. Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and its downstream signal, Src homology region two domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) have a critical role in relieving inflammatory pain. However, whether the PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 pathway mediates the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of EA in inflammatory pain remains unclear. Here, we observed that EA reversed the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced hyperalgesia. EA reduced the expression of IL-6, iNOS, and NF-κB pathway in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) on day 7 after CFA injection but had no effect on the expression of IL-6, iNOS, and NF-κB PP65 on day 21 after CFA injection. Moreover, EA upregulated the protein levels of the PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 pathway on day 7 and day 21 after CFA injection. Furthermore, EA upregulated PD-L1 expression in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)+ but not in isohaemagglutinin B4 (IB4)+ and NF200+ neurons on day 7 and day 21 after CFA injection. Intrathecal injection of the PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitor BMS-1 (50 or 100 µg) blocked the EA-induced analgesic effect, significantly increased IL-6 and iNOS levels, and reduced the levels of PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1. BMS-1 (50 or 100 µg) significantly reduced the expression of PD-L1 in IB4+, CGRP+, and NF200+ neurons. Our results show that EA's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are associated with activating the PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 pathway and suppressing its regulated neuroinflammation. This study provides a new potential therapeutic target for treating inflammatory pain.

Determination on Tree Species Selection for Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes) Cultivation by Fourier Transform Infrared and Two-Dimensional Infrared Correlation Spectroscopy.

As a wood-degrading Agaricomycetes mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum can be cultivated on broad-leaf hardwoods. Generally, producers care about the yield, but not the quality of G. lucidum cultivated by different tree species. In this study, five broad-leaf hardwood tree species-Quercus variabilis Bl. (Qv), Castanea mollissima Bl. (Cm), Liquidambar formosana Hance (Lf), Dalbergia hupeana Hance (Dh), and Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc. (Ps)-were selected for cultivating of G. lucidum. The chemical compositions of G. lucidum fruiting bodies produced by these tree species were determined by Fourier transform infrared and two-dimensional infrared correlation spectroscopy in order to select the most suitable tree species for cultivation. The overall spectra showed less discrimination of each peak variation detected and properly kept most of the primary metabolites. The second derivative unfolded the stagnation of the first spectrum and more base peaks were detected especially in the range of the first two sections. The protein content contained in G. lucidum cultivated on Ps was 92%, like that on Dh. On the other hand, only 27% similarity was determined in G. lucidum cultivated on Ps and Qv. Therefore, the correlation of this range for the protein content can help in tree species selection. The active sequence of 2DIR spectral could be determined by the active bonding of the component reacted to the perturbation. The result could provide a scientific basis for the selection of tree species and the comprehensive utilization of broad-leaf tree resources on G. lucidum cultivation.

Component analysis using UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-HRMS and quality control of Kudingcha (Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume).

Although Kudingcha (Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume) has been widely used as both traditional medicine and food, systematic studies on their basic active components and quality control are lacking. In this study, a rapid method of identifying the general chemical components of Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume was established for the first time using UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-HRMS, and its major basic components were specified as phenylpropanoid, monoterpene, and flavonoid glycosides. The characteristic cleavage pathways of the phenylpropanoid, monoterpene, and flavonoid glycosides were further investigated and elaborated, which could assist in identifying the structures of similar components of other Chinese herbal medicines. A breakthrough was achieved in establishing a chemical fingerprinting profile of Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume from its original growing areas in China, and chemometric measures were applied to investigate the causes for the variations in its quality stability. The results indicated significant differences in the characteristic compositions of phenylpropanoid and monoterpene glycosides between mature and young leaves of Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume; however, no significant variation was observed owing to different production areas. Graded harvesting criteria should be established, and harvest period should be specified according to the target active components while considering agricultural metrics, such as leaf shape index, leaf length, and leaf width, to ensure the consistency in quality of active components during their production. From the perspective of overall quality control, an unprecedented quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker was set up to analyze the signature components of phenylpropanoid glycosides (acteoside, isoacteoside, ligurobustoside N, and ligupurpuroside B) to increase the analytical efficiency and reduce research costs. This study created a scientific basis for the standardized operation, elucidation of the pharmacological materials, and quality control of food and supplements production with Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume as a raw material.

Research Note: Effects of Bacillus coagulans X26 on the production performance, intestinal structure, short-chain fatty acids and flora composition of laying hens during the peak laying period.

This study investigated the effects of Bacillus coagulans X26 on the production performance, egg quality, intestinal structure, intestinal short-chain fatty acids, and microbial diversity of laying hens during the peak laying period and explored the possibility of using B. coagulans X26 as an alternative to antibiotics. The results showed that adding 1.0 × 106 CFU/g B. coagulans X26 to the basal diet had the best effect: the average laying rate increased by 4.20% (P < 0.05), the survival rate increased by 7.15% (P < 0.05), the feed intake decreased by 3.06% (P < 0.05), the ratio of feed to egg decreased by 7.42% (P < 0.05), the rate of soft-broken eggshell decreased by 73.04% (P < 0.05), the average egg weight increased by 2.94% (P < 0.05), and the content of egg white protein increased by 5.77% (P < 0.05). The production performance and egg quality of laying hens reached the same level as that of hens fed a diet supplemented with chlortetracycline hydrochloride in this study, and there were significant advantages in the average laying rate and feed-egg ratio (P < 0.05). Both chlortetracycline hydrochloride and B. coagulans X26 altered the flora composition and the SCFA content of the intestinal contents; however, B. coagulans X26 also significantly increased the villus height of the ileum and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (P < 0.05).

Will repeated Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment sessions affect facial skin sensitivity? Results of a twelve-Month, prospective, randomized split-face study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of intense pulsed light (IPL) technology in cosmetic dermatology, the effects of its repeated use on facial skin sensitivity in healthy individuals remains unknown. METHODS: Seventeen healthy female volunteers were included in the study. We measured objective biophysical parameters of the skin, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin glossiness, thickness and density of the epidermis and dermis, sensory nerve current perception threshold (CPT), and regional blood flow before and after treatment at different time points. RESULTS: Sixteen volunteers completed a follow-up of 12 months. The treated side of the face showed a decreased TEWL on D1 and D3, which reverted to normal on D7. Epidermal thickness increased and skin glossiness decreased on the treated side on D1, but returned to normal on D3. We found no statistically significant differences in CPT values or in regional blood flow volume and velocity, with the exception of D1, which exhibited a higher regional blood flow volume on the treated side. CONCLUSION: Repeated IPL treatments had no effects on facial skin barrier function, skin nerve sensitivity, or local microcirculation among healthy individuals. IPL is a safe skin care procedure that does not affect skin sensitivity.

Will Repeated Low-Energy 1064-nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Treatment Sessions Affect Facial Skin Sensitivity? Results of a 12-Month, Prospective, Randomized Split-Face Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare changes in skin sensitivity before and after treatment with a 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in healthy individuals, and to provide a reference for clinicians to use this laser reasonably. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen healthy female volunteers underwent 10 random unilateral 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatments. The skin transepidermal water loss rate (TEWL), skin glossiness, epidermal and dermal thickness and density, current perception threshold (CPT) value, facial blood perfusion were determined before and after treatment at different time points. Moreover, the changes in skin barrier function, blood vessels, and sensory nerve reaction in the treated and untreated sides of the face were recorded before and after treatment. RESULTS: Seventeen volunteers completed the 12-month follow-up study after 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment. At D3, M3, and M6, skin TEWL was decreased on the treated side of the face. Skin glossiness was significantly improved in the early post-treatment period (D1-D7) and M3, M6, and M12 compared with the untreated side of the face. There was no significant change in dermal and epidermal thickness or density at all time points before and after treatment. There were no significant differences in sensory nerve CPT values and local blood flow volume or velocity between the treated side of the face and the untreated side before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: Multiple low-energy 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatments will not affect the barrier function of facial skin, skin nerve sensitivity, or local microcirculation of healthy skin over the long term. Therefore, 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment is safe, and does not alter skin sensitivity. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Music Therapy in Adults With COPD.

BACKGROUND: Music therapy, as a non-drug therapy, is widely used in patients with COPD. However, the effects of music therapy on dyspnea, anxiety, depression and other physiological parameters has not been elucidated. Therefore, we sought to investigate the effects of passive music therapy (listening to music) and mixed music (combination of listening and singing) in adults with COPD. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, and Wanfang Data up to June 26, 2019. All randomized controlled trials that compared music with usual care or other non-musical types of intervention in subjects with COPD were included in the study. The risk of bias for randomized controlled trials was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Outcomes included dyspnea, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life, as well as physiological parameters (eg, blood pressure and breathing frequency). RESULTS: After initial screening of 216 potentially relevant records, 59 studies were eligible, and 12 studies with 812 participates met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final meta-analysis. Analysis showed that music therapy had a significant effect in relieving dyspnea (mean difference: -0.69, 95% CI -0.80 to -0.58, P < .001) and anxiety (standardized mean difference: -1.87, 95% CI -2.72 to -1.02, P < .001) in adults with COPD. Compared with the control group, music had no statistically significant effect on depression or St George Respiratory Questionnaire score. However, when it came to improving sleep quality, music reduced the total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score (P < .001). In addition, the pooled results showed that there was a significant improvement in systolic blood pressure (mean difference: -7.45, 95% CI -10.95 to -3.96, P < .001) and diastolic blood pressure (mean difference: -4.07, 95% CI -7.03 to -1.12, P = .007) in the music group compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: Music therapy is effective in reducing dyspnea and anxiety in subjects with COPD. Additionally, music therapy may also improve sleep quality and physiological parameters of subjects with COPD. However, our conclusions need to be supported further by larger and longer well-designed trials.

[Quality evaluation of Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma by UPLC fingerprint combined with QAMS].

The present study was performed to establish the UPLC fingerprints of Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma and determine the contents of three saponins by quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS), and provide basis for quality evaluation of Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma. The analysis was carried out on an analytical column of Waters Cortecs T3(2.1 mm×100 mm,1.6 µm)with gradient elution by acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid solution, at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min~(-1). The detection wavelength was 203 nm, the column temperature was 30 ℃ and the injection volume was 1 µL. The UPLC fingerprints of Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma were established and evaluated by similarity calculation, cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The relative calibration factors of toberoside B and toberoside C were determined with toberoside A as internal reference. The content was calculated by relative calibration factors to develop a method of QAMS. Comparing the results of QAMS with those of ESM, the accuracy and feasibility of one-eva-luation and multi-evaluation can be determined. RESULTS:: showed that the fingerprints of 19 batches of Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma have four common peaks with similarities ranging from 0.754 to 1.000. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis classified 19 batches of Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma into three categories, which was consistent with the similarity evaluation results. The relative deviation between the content of tubeicosides B and C in 19 batches of Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma determined by QAMS and ESM is less than 5.0%, indicating that there was no significant difference between the two methods. Therefore, the UPLC fingerprints combined with QAMS and similarity evaluation can be effectively used to evaluate the quality of Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma.

Will Repeated Ablative Er:YAG Laser Treatment Sessions Cause Facial Skin Sensitivity? Results of a 12-Month, Prospective, Randomized Split-Face Study.

Whether multiple laser irradiations affect skin sensitivity is still elusive. We aimed to investigate if repeated ablative erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser therapy could cause or increase skin sensitivity in the treatment areas. Nineteen healthy females received three sessions of a randomized, split-face, Er:YAG laser treatment in a scanning ablative mode (MicroLaserPeel™), with a 6-mm spot size, 8-µm ablative depths, and 30% of pulse overlap first. The next round was conducted in the fractional mode (ProFractional™) at depths ranging from 100 to 150 µm, with one pass by at coverage of 11% in the coagulation mode. Objective biophysical parameters, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin glossiness, epidermal and dermal thickness and density, sensory nerve current perception threshold (CPT), and local blood flow, were measured before and after treatment. Quantitative evaluation of the Er:YAG laser treatment's effect on skin sensitivity is presented. Seventeen volunteers completed a follow-up of 12 months. On days 1 and 3, skin TEWL and epidermal thickness increased, while glossiness decreased. On day 7, there was no significant difference in the skin barrier function between the treated and the control side. Similarly, there was no significant difference in CPT values or local microvascular blood flow between sides at any time point before or after treatment, except that the local microvascular blood flow on the treated side was higher on the first day post-treatment. Er:YAG laser treatment does not influence skin sensitivity in healthy subjects in a long-term follow-up.

Analysis of medication data of women with uterine fibroids based on data mining technology.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the diagnosis and treatment of female uterine fibroids based on data mining technology and the medication rule. Clinical literature related to the treatment of uterine fibroids by Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from 2004 to 2018 were searched, and the literature meeting the requirements were selected according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. The contents of the prescription were recorded into the database, and the results of drug frequency, common drugs and core rules, etc. were obtained by the rule analysis of the software, so as to analyze the medication rules of modern doctors in treating uterine fibroids. Through research and analysis, it showed that common clinical drugs include leuprorelin (GnRH-a), danazol (androgen), gestrinone (progestin), mifepristone (progesterone receptor antagonist), and some cases of combination therapy. Based on the analysis of the frequency of drug, treatment effect and adverse drug reactions, it was found that the clinical application of mifepristone in the treatment of uterine fibroids was relatively common, with significant drug effect and mild adverse reactions, which was worthy of clinical promotion and application. Therefore, the results of this study provide a new basis for the clinical and basic research of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of uterine fibroids, but it still needs the verification of expert interpretation, experimental research and other methods.

Integrating chemical similarity and bioequivalence: A pilot study on quality consistency evaluation of dispensing granule and traditional decoction of Scutellariae Radix by a totality-of-the-evidence approach.

There is an increasing focus on the quality consistency evaluation of dispensing granule in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). According to the guideline from Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, the substantial equivalence of dispensing granule and traditional decoction should be determined, and the chromatographic fingerprint has been recommended as a comprehensive qualitative approach to assess the quality consistency between dispensing granule and traditional decoction. However, a high-degree chemical similarity does not equal a bioequivalence. Attempting to realize the quality evaluation by integrating chemical consistency and bioequivalence, we herein proposed a totality-of-the-evidence approach based on clustering analysis and equivalence evaluation taking the dispensing granule and traditional decoction of Scutellariae Radix (SR) as a typical case. Chemical fingerprints were developed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA/QTOF-MS). Subsequently, a feature selection strategy, integrated linear and nonlinear correlation analysis, was carried out to assess the correlation between chemical profiles and biological activities. Finally, quality consistency between the dispensing granule and the traditional decoction was determined by bioactive marker-guided hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), k-means clustering method and bioequivalence evaluation. The available evidence suggested that not all the dispensing granule of SR were sufficiently similar to the traditional decoction. This study provides an applicable methodology for quality consistency evaluation of dispensing granule and traditional decoction in TCMs.

[Identification of four Armillaria strains and their effects on quality and yield of Gastrodia elata f. glauca].

In order to improve the quality and yield of Gastrodia elata f. glauca,determine the suitable Armillaria strains for the accompanying experiment in Xiaocaoba,Yiliang,four Armillaria strains were selected. They were used for G. elata cultivation,and the gene sequence,r DNA-ITS,ß-tubulin and EF1-α of four Armillaria strains,were compared and analyzed. The yield was mesured in November which was based on previous laboratory research. The tubers were washed and steamed,then dried and powdered. The content of gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol was determined by UPLC,the polysaccharide was determined by phenol-concentrated sulfuric acid method. The results showed that the strains M1,M2,M3 and M4 were Armillaria gallica group but there were differences in the yield and active ingredient content when they were cultivated with the same G. elata. The yield of G. elata( Jian Ma) was the lowest when cultivated with Armillaria strain M3,but it was not the same when used M1,0. 981 kg·m-2,the highest yield in the four stains.The content of gastrodin was 0. 581%,the total content of gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol was 0. 595%,when accompanied with M1 strains. It was higher than other strains. The content of G. elata polysaccharide was 2. 132%,which was similar to the content of M3 strain,higher than that of M2 and M4 strain. Selecting phylogenesis of Armillaria strians,the content of active ingredient,and the yield as indicators,it was concluded concerned that the M1 strain was the best of four strains. The results will provide a theoretical basis and guidance for higher yield and quality in cultivation of G. elata in Yiliang.

Curative effects of microneedle fractional radiofrequency system on skin laxity in Asian patients: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled face-split study.

BACKGROUND: To date, no studies compared curative effects of thermal lesions in deep and superficial dermal layers in the same patient (face-split study). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate skin laxity effects of microneedle fractional radiofrequency induced thermal lesions in different dermal layers. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 13 patients underwent three sessions of a randomized face-split microneedle fractional radiofrequency system (MFRS) treatment of deep dermal and superficial dermal layer. Skin laxity changes were evaluated objectively (digital images, 2 independent experts) and subjectively (patients' satisfaction numerical rating). RESULTS: 12 of 13 subjects completed a course of 3 treatments and a 1-year follow-up. Improvement of nasolabial folds in deep dermal approach was significantly better than that in superficial approach at three months (P=.0002) and 12 months (P=.0057) follow-up. Effects on infraorbital rhytides were only slightly better (P=.3531). CONCLUSION: MFRS is an effective method to improve skin laxity. Thermal lesion approach seems to provide better outcomes when applied to deep dermal layers. It is necessary to consider the skin thickness of different facial regions when choosing the treatment depth.

Fractionation and Biological Activities of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Sclerotium of Tiger Milk Medicinal Mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerotis (Agaricomycetes).

This study investigated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and the direct cytotoxic effect of Lignosus rhinocerotis fractions, especially the polysaccharide fraction, on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. L. rhinocerotis crude extract was obtained through hot water extraction. The precipitate saturated with 30% ammonium sulfate was purified with ion-exchanged chromatography. Gel permeation chromatography multiangle laser light scattering analysis equipped with light scattering and UV signals revealed two district groups of polymers. A total of four peaks were observed in the total carbohydrate test. Fraction C, which was the second region of the second peak eluted with 0.3 M NaOH, showed the highest integrated molecular weight, whereas fraction E had the lowest integrated molecular weight of 19,790 Da. Fraction A contained the highest ß-D-glucan content. Enzymatic analysis showed that most of the polysaccharide fractions contained ß-1-3 and ß-1-6 skeletal backbones. The peak eluted with 0.6 M NaOH was separated in fraction D (flask 89-92) and fraction E (93-96). The results showed that fraction E expressed higher antioxidant activities than fraction D whereas fraction D expressed higher chelating activity than fraction E. The extract saturated with 30% ammonium sulfate exhibited higher reducing power than the extract saturated with 100% ammonium sulfate. Fractions D and E significantly inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. There was no apparent difference in the viability of cells exposed or unexposed to L. rhinocerotis fractions.

Differential identification of mushrooms sclerotia by IR macro-fingerprint method.

Many macrofungus sclerotia are well-known medicinal herbs, health food and nutritional supplements. However, the prevalent adulterant commercial products are major hindrances to their incorporation into mainstream medical use in many countries. The mushroom sclerotia of Lignosus rhinocerotis, Poria cocos, Polyporus umbellatus, Pleurotus tuber-regium and Omphalia lapidescens are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, IR macro-fingerprint method was used in the identification of these sclerotia. The results showed that the spectrum of L. rhinocerotis (LR) was comparable with P. cocos with 94.4% correlation, except that the peak at 1543cm(-1) of LR appeared in lower intensity. The spectrum of P. umbellatus and P. tuber-regium was also correlated (91.5%), as both spectra could be clearly discriminated in that P. umbellatus spectrum has small base peaks located at the range of 1680-1500cm(-1). O. lapidescens was not comparable with all the other sclerotia as its spectrum was totally different. Its base peak was broad and derivated equally along the range. The first IR has revealed the dissimilarity among five mushrooms sclerotia. The second derivative and 2DIR further enhanced the identification in detail.

HCN1 Channels Contribute to the Effects of Amnesia and Hypnosis but not Immobility of Volatile Anesthetics.

BACKGROUND: Hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) subtype 1 (HCN1) channels have been identified as targets of ketamine to produce hypnosis. Volatile anesthetics also inhibit HCN1 channels. However, the effects of HCN1 channels on volatile anesthetics in vivo are still elusive. This study uses global and conditional HCN1 knockout mice to evaluate how HCN1 channels affect the actions of volatile anesthetics. METHODS: Minimum alveolar concentrations (MACs) of isoflurane and sevoflurane that induced immobility (MAC of immobility) and/or hypnosis (MAC of hypnosis) were determined in wild-type mice, global HCN1 knockout (HCN1) mice, HCN1 channel gene with 2 lox-P sites flanking a region of the fourth exon of HCN1 (HCN1) mice, and forebrain-selective HCN1 knockout (HCN1: cre) mice. Immobility of mice was defined as no purposeful reactions to tail-clamping stimulus, and hypnosis was defined as loss of righting reflex. The amnestic effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane were evaluated by fear-potentiated startle in these 4 strains of mice. RESULTS: All MAC values were expressed as mean ± SEM. For MAC of immobility of isoflurane, no significant difference was found among wild-type, HCN1, HCN1, and HCN1: cre mice (all ~1.24%-1.29% isoflurane). For both HCN1 and HCN1: cre mice, the MAC of hypnosis for isoflurane (each ~1.05% isoflurane) was significantly increased over their nonknockout controls: HCN1 versus wild-type (0.86% ± 0.03%, P < 0.001) and HCN1: cre versus HCN1 mice (0.84% ± 0.03%, P < 0.001); no significant difference was found between HCN1 and HCN1: cre mice. For MAC of immobility of sevoflurane, no significant difference was found among wild-type, HCN1, HCN1, and HCN1: cre mice (all ~2.6%-2.7% sevoflurane). For both HCN1 and HCN1: cre mice, the MAC of hypnosis for sevoflurane (each ~1.90% sevoflurane) was significantly increased over their nonknockout controls: HCN1 versus wild-type (1.58% ± 0.05%, P < 0.001) and HCN1: cre versus HCN1 mice (1.56% ± 0.05%, P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between HCN1 and HCN1: cre mice. By fear-potentiated startle experiments, amnestic effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane were significantly attenuated in HCN1 and HCN1: cre mice (both P < 0.002 versus wild-type or HCN1 mice). No significant difference was found between HCN1 and HCN1: cre mice. CONCLUSIONS: Forebrain HCN1 channels contribute to hypnotic and amnestic effects of volatile anesthetics, but HCN1 channels are not involved in the immobilizing actions of volatile anesthetics.

[Research on collaborative innovation in traditional Chinese medicine of China based on patent cooperation network].

In the situation of global completion, collaborative innovation is becoming increasingly important because its advantage in risk avoiding and innovation efficiency. In order to explore the model of collaborative innovation and its evolution in traditional Chinese medicine of China, the cooperation in traditional Chinese medicine patents of China from 1985 to 2013 has been analyzed by using the method of scientometrics and social network analysis. It is proved that, though the number of grated cooperative patents has increased sharply during the last thirty years, the degree of cooperation innovation in traditional Chinese medicine of China is still not high. Moreover, in spite of the individual subject' s leading role in the past domestic collaborative innovation in traditional Chinese medicine of China, the institutions have been more and more powerful and achieved great improvement. At last, core institutions, represented by universities have played an important role in the collaborative innovation of domestic institutions, because they are key links between many institutions and promote the transferring and diffusion of knowledge.

[Correlation of HPLC Characteristic Spectra of Vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma Decoction Pieces, Water Decoction and Formula Granules].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation of characteristic spectra of Vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma decoction pieces, water decoction and formula granules by HPLC, and to investigate the transfer of the main chemical constituents between three different forms. METHODS: The analysis was carried out by a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm,5 µm) with acetonitrile-1% acetic acid and ammonium acetate buffer solution (pH 6.0) as the mobile phase in a gradient elution mode. The detection wavelength was 280 nm with a flow rate of 0.8 mL /min. The column temperature was 30 degrees C. The characteristic spectra from 11 batches of Vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma decoction pieces, 11 batches of water decoction and 11 batches of formula granules were established respectively. RESULTS: Ten peaks in the HPLC characteristic spectra from 11 batches of formula granules could be tracked in the water decoction, nine peaks in the HPLC characteristic spectra could be tracked in the decoction pieces. In the ten common peaks, four components such as protopine, palnatine chloride, berberine hydrochloride and tetrahydropalmatine were verified. CONCLUSION: The main chemical components of Vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma decoction pieces, water decoction and formula granules are basically the same, the common component contents have similar proportion.