The acute toxic effect of Chinese medicine Fuzi is exacerbated in kidney yang deficiency mice due to metabolic difference.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The proper application of toxic medicines is one of the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicines, and the use of traditional Chinese medicines follows the principle of dialectical treatment. It is necessary to combine different "syndrome" or "disease" states with the toxicity of traditional Chinese medicines to form a reliable toxicity evaluation system. Fuzi, the lateral root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx, is recognized as a panacea for kidney yang deficiency syndrome, however, its toxic effects significantly limit its clinical application. AIM OF THE STUDY: Herein, our research aimed to explore the toxic effects of Fuzi on syndrome models, and tried to reveal the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Firstly, the mouse model of kidney yang deficiency syndrome was established through intramuscular injection of 25 mg/kg hydrocortisone per day for 10 consecutive days. Then, the acute toxicity of Fuzi in normal mice and kidney yang deficiency model mice was explored. Finally, the plasma metabolite concentrations and liver CYP3A4 enzyme activity were analyzed to reveal the possible mechanisms of the different pharmacological and toxicological effects of Fuzi in individuals with different physical constitutions. RESULTS: It was found that the treatment with Fuzi (138 g/kg) had serious toxic effects on kidney yang deficiency mice, leading to the death of 80% of the mice, whereas it showed no lethal toxicity in normal mice. This indicates that Fuzi induced greater toxicity in kidney yang deficiency mice than in normal ones. The liver CYP3A4 enzyme activity in kidney yang deficiency mice was decreased by 20% compared to the controls, resulting in slower metabolism of the toxic diester diterpenoid alkaloids in Fuzi. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study showed that changes of the metabolic enzyme activity in individuals with different syndromes led to different toxic effects of Chinese medicines, emphasizing the crucial importance of considering individual physical syndromes in the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine, and the significance of conducting safety evaluations and dose predictions on animal models with specific syndromes for traditional Chinese medicines.

Live yeast supplementation altered the bacterial community's composition and function in rumen and hindgut and alleviated the detrimental effects of heat stress on dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of live yeast (LY, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the lactation performance, bacterial community, and functions in the rumen and hindgut of dairy cows under heat stress. Thirty-three multiparous (parity 3.9 ± 0.8) Holstein dairy cows (189.1 ± 6.6 d in milk at the beginning of the experiment) were randomly assigned to three groups (11 cows per treatment). Cows in the three groups were fed a diet without yeast (CON), with 10 g yeast/d/head (LY-10), and with 20 g yeast/d/head (LY-20). The yeast product contained 2.0 × 1010 CFU/g. Supplementing LY decreased the rectal temperature and respiratory rate of cows, and increased dry matter intake, milk yield, milk fat yield, milk protein yield, and milk lactose yield (P < 0.001), yet decreased milk urea nitrogen concentration (P = 0.035). Interaction effects of treatment × week were observed for rectal temperature (P < 0.05), respiratory rate (P < 0.05), milk yield (P = 0.015), milk urea nitrogen (P = 0.001), milk protein yield (P = 0.008), and milk lactose yield (P = 0.030). In rumen, LY increased the concentrations of acetate, isobutyrate, isovaterate, valerate, total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and NH3-N (P < 0.05). Miseq sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes showed that LY increased the relative abundance of Prevotella and Prevotellaceae UCG-003 at the genus level with a series of enriched pathways in the metabolism of carbohydrates and protein. In fecal samples, LY did not affect the profile of VFAs (P > 0.05). Clostridium sensu stricto 1 (P = 0.013) and Actinobacillus (P = 0.011) increased in the relative abundance by LY, whereas Bacteroides (P = 0.016) and Oscillospirales UCG-010 (P = 0.005) decreased with a series of enriched pathways in carbohydrate metabolism, secondary bile acid biosynthesis. In summary, LY supplementation altered the bacterial community's composition and function in rumen and hindgut, and simultaneously alleviated the detrimental effects of heat stress on dairy cows. These findings provide extended insight into the effects of LY in the rumen and hindgut of dairy cows exposed to heat stress.

Dairy cows are exposed to severe heat stress under hot and humid climates in summer in south China, resulting in a decline in feed intake and milk yield. Therefore, we investigated the effect of live yeast (LY, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation on the milk performance, bacterial community, and functions in the rumen and hindgut of dairy cows under heat stress. Thirty-three dairy cows were randomly assigned to control (CON, without yeast addition), treatment 1 (LY-10, with 10 g yeast/d/head) and treatment 2 (LY-20, with 20 g yeast/d/head). Supplementing LY decreased the rectal temperature and respiratory rate of the dairy cows and increased feed intake and milk performance. Live yeast enhanced fermentation in the rumen but did not affect it in the hindgut. Live yeast altered the microbiota in the rumen and hindgut, with an enrichment of bacteria in the pathways of the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, and other substances. In all, LY supplementation had beneficial effects on dairy cows under heat stress by affecting the microbiota and fermentation in the rumen and hindgut.

Discussion on "sugar needle - comfortable acupuncture and moxibustion" / 中国针灸

The cases of feeling comfort during acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in literature were summarized and its biological basis was explored. A simple classification of comfort was made, and the importance of obtaining comfort in acupuncture treatment was pointed out. Considering the pursuit of less pain and harmlessness in modern clinical treatment, sugar needle should be advocated and popularized in current clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Reflections on development status of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Central Asian countries / 国际中医中药杂志

Central Asia is an important hub connecting the Asian continent and European continent, and one of the key regions for China's foreign exchange and cooperation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Central Asian countries have relatively backward medical conditions, and TCM has become an important part of local healthcare. Regulations on traditional/complementary and alternative medicine have been issued in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan; acupuncture and moxibustion has been covered by medical insurance in Kyrgyzstan; TCM has existed in other Central Asian countries in form of folk medicine. Central Asian countries are extremely rich in medicinal plant resources, but weak in foundation of pharmaceutical industry. Chinese government has signed cooperation agreements on TCM with many Central Asian countries, and the practical cooperation in the field of traditional medicine have continued to expand. At present, the development of TCM in Central Asian countries still faces problems such as weak foundation for the development and utilization of medicinal materials, shortage of professionals talents in TCM education and small scale of TCM clinics. In view of the above, in order to promote the dissemination and development of TCM in Central Asian countries, it is recommended that relevant units promote the establishment of joint laboratories or research centers of Chinese materia medica; give full play to local resource advantages and promote the development of medicinal plant industry; to strengthen the construction of overseas centers of TCM; actively carry out joint education or further education projects, and cultivate localized senior talents.

Effects of dietary triiodothyronine or dopamine on small intestinal oxygen consumption in chicks.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of triiodothyronine (T3)- or dopamine (Dp)-supplemented diets on oxygen consumption by Na+, K+-ATPase activity in broiler chicks. Five groups, each with twenty-four 6-day-old chicks, randomly received one of the five dietary treatments: (1) Basal diet (commercial broiler rations with 23.0% crude protein and 3,133 kcal metabolizable energy/kg) or CON, (2) basal diet plus 0.7 µmol Dp/kg diet or Dp0.7, (3) basal diet plus 2.4 µmol Dp/kg diet or Dp2.4, (4) basal diet plus 1.9 µmol T3/kg diet or T1.9, and (5) basal diet plus 3.8 µmol T3/kg diet or T3.8 from 6 to 14 days of age. There were four replicates per treatment and 120 birds in total. At 14 days of age, three chicks from each replicate of each treatment were pooled into a flock and fed commercial broiler diets until 7 weeks of age. Compared to CON group, birds fed with T3-supplemented diets had lower thyroid, abdominal fat pad, gizzard and pancreas weight, and heavier heart weight adjusted for fasted body weight. Chicks with T1.9 had lower ileal densities at 14 day old compared with those in Dp groups or CON. Chicks with T3.8 exhibited greater duodenal and jejunal O2 consumptions as well as ouabain-sensitive O2 consumptions of jejunum and small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) by 46.5%, 58.3%, 40.6%, and 26.4% increases, than those in CON. Partial correlation analysis revealed that the weight and length of the small intestine were negatively correlated with body weight gain. Oxygen consumption in the various small intestinal segments was negatively correlated with their respective densities (mg/mm2). In conclusion, a greater oxygen requirement for maintaining ouabain-sensitive respiration (Na+-K+-ATPase) in the intestine limits energy availability to support gastrointestinal tract growth and, thereby, may result in lower body weight gain.

The development status and analysis of TCM in Latin America Countries / 国际中医中药杂志

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has become an important part in the healthcare system of Latin American countries, especially the TCM therapy represented by acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture and moxibustion has been included in the medical insurance system of Brazil and Ecuador, and many universities in Brazil, Cuba, Mexico and other countries offer courses related to traditional medicine, including acupuncture and moxibustion courses. Latin American counties are rich in medicinal plant resources. Argentina, Chile, Colombia and other countries have publicized regulations related to the use of herbs.China has signed cooperation agreements on TCM with many Latin American countries and, they have showed desire to strengthen cooperation with China. At present, the development of TCM in Latin American countries faces some problems, such as the scale of TCM clinics is small, the quality of TCM training are unbalanced, and there are many restrictions on TCM products entering the Latin American market. In order to promote cooperation with Latin American countries in TCM and expand its scale and development, it is suggested that China should carry out in-depth cooperation on global public health governance at the national level, plan the layout of overseas centers of TCM in Latin America and promote the construction, while scientific research institutions of TCM should carry out joint research on TCM with Latin American countries, and strengthen cooperation in running schools to standardize TCM education.

Comparison of curative effect between elective nodal irradiation and involved field irradiation combined with nedaplatin for cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To compare the efficacy and prognosis of elective nodal irradiation (ENI) combined with nedaplatin chemotherapy and involved field irradiation (IFI) combined with nedaplatin chemotherapy in the radical radiotherapy treatment of patients with cervical or upper thoracic esophageal cancer.Methods:Seventy-eight patients with cervical or upper thoracic esophageal cancer in Hai'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from February 2017 to February 2020 were selected and divided into ENI group and IFI group according to random number table method, with 39 cases in each group. The ENI group was treated with ENI combined with nedaplatin chemotherapy, while the IFI group was treated with IFI combined with nedaplatin chemotherapy. After 2 months of treatment, the therapeutic effect and the dose of lung irradiation were compared between the two groups, and the occurrence of adverse reactions and prognosis were compared.Results:The total effective rate and disease control rate were 69.23% (27/39) and 82.05% (32/39) in IFI group, and 64.10% (25/39) and 74.36% (29/39) in ENI group, there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.23, P = 0.631; χ2 = 0.68, P = 0.411). The lung irradiation doses of V 5 Gy and V 20 Gy in IFI group were lower than those in ENI group (both P < 0.05). The incidence rates of bone marrow suppression and radiation lung injury in IFI group were lower than those in ENI group (all P < 0.05). By the end of follow-up, the survival rates of IFI group and ENI group were 76.92% (30/39) and 66.67% (26/39), respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups ( χ2 = 1.06, P = 0.300). Conclusions:ENI and IFI combined with nedaplatin chemotherapy in the radical radiotherapy treatment of cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer have similar efficacy and prognosis, but IFI can reduce the lung radiation dose and the incidence of adverse reactions.

Analysis of vitamin D status among children under 7 years of age in some regions of China / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To explore current vitamin D status and influential factors of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among children under 7 years of age in 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities of China. Methods: According to the "province-city-hospital" sampling technical route, a total of 1 531 healthy children under 7 years of age were sampled from 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities in China by the cluster random sampling method from November 2020 to November 2021. The demographic information, family conditions, behavior and living habits and feeding behaviors were collected using unified questionnaire. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25(OH)D) levels were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Serum 25(OH)D<30 nmol/L was considered deficient and 30-50 nmol/L was considered insufficient. With 25(OH)D≤50 nmol/L as the dependent variable, multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the association between vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency and potential influential factors. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among children under 7 years of age in 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities of China was 14.0% (215/1 531), 3.8% (25/664) and 21.9% (190/867) in 0-<3 and 3-<7 of age years, respectively. Compared to children aged 0-<3 years, children aged 3-<7 years had a 2.6-fold increased risk of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency (OR=3.60, 95%CI 1.93-6.72, P<0.001). Frequent sunlight exposure (OR=0.46, 95%CI 0.29-0.73, P=0.001), vitamin D supplementation (sometimes, OR=0.33, 95%CI 0.21-0.51, P<0.001; daily, OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.11-0.36, P<0.001) and infant formula intake(4-7 times per weeks, OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.28-0.68, P<0.001) were protective factors for vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common among children under 7 years of age in 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities of China, which is affected by age, sunlight exposure, vitamin D supplementation and infant formula intake.

Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) in Mediating the Effects of Coffee in the Colon.

SCOPE: This study investigates the mechanism of action and functional effects of coffee extracts in colonic cells, on intestinal stem cell growth, and inhibition of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced intestinal barrier damage in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aqueous coffee extracts induced Ah receptor (AhR) -responsive CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and UGT1A1 gene expression in colon-derived Caco2 and YAMC cells. Tissue-specific AhR knockout (AhRf/f x Lgr5-GFP-CreERT2 x Villin-Cre), wild-type (Lgr5-CreERT2 x Villin-Cre) mice are sources of stem cell enriched organoids and both coffee extracts and norharman, an AhR-active component of these extracts inhibited stem cell growth. Coffee extracts also inhibit DSS-induced damage to intestinal barrier function and DSS-induced mucosal inflammatory genes such as IL-6 and TGF-ß1 in wild-type (AhR+/+ ) but not AhR-/- mice. In contrast, coffee does not exhibit protective effects in intestinal-specific AhR knockout mice. Coffee extracts also enhanced overall formation of AhR-active microbial metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: In colon-derived cells and in the mouse intestine, coffee induced several AhR-dependent responses including gene expression, inhibition of intestinal stem cell-enriched organoid growth, and inhibition of DSS-induced intestinal barrier damage. We conclude that the anti-inflammatory effects of coffee in the intestine are due, in part, to activation of AhR signaling.

Enhanced Bioreduction of Radionuclides by Driving Microbial Extracellular Electron Pumping with an Engineered CRISPR Platform.

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) with extracellular electron transfer (EET) capability show great potential in bioremediating the subsurface environments contaminated by uranium through bioreduction and precipitation of hexavalent uranium [U(VI)]. However, the low EET efficiency of DMRB remains a bottleneck for their applications. Herein, we develop an engineered CRISPR platform to drive the extracellular electron pumping of Shewanella oneidensis, a representative DMRB species widely present in aquatic environments. The CRISPR platform allows for highly efficient and multiplex genome editing and rapid platform elimination post-editing in S. oneidensis. Enabled by such a platform, a genomic promoter engineering strategy (GPS) for genome-widely engineering the EET-encoding gene network was established. The production of electron conductive Mtr complex, synthesis of electron shuttle flavin, and generation of NADH as intracellular electron carrier are globally optimized and promoted, leading to a significantly enhanced EET ability. Applied to U(VI) bioreduction, the edited strains achieve up to 3.62-fold higher reduction capacity over the control. Our work endows DMRB with an enhanced ability to remediate the radionuclides-contaminated environments and provides a gene editing approach to handle the growing environmental challenges of radionuclide contaminations.

Study on scrophulariaceae radix reference extract and its application in quality control of Scrophulariae Radix / 中国中药杂志

By establishing the preparation process of Scrophulariaceae Radix reference extract(SRRE) and calibrating it, we discussed its feasibility as a substitute for single reference substance in the quality control of Scrophulariae Radix. The SRREs were prepared by solvent extraction method and chromatographic separation technology, and then calibrated with the reference substances of harpagide, angoroside C and harpagoside. The HPLC content determination method of Scrophulariae Radixl was established with SRREs of the known content and the reference substances of harpagide, angoroside C and harpagoside respectively as the control ones. Then the content of three components in Scrophulariae Radix was determined, and the t-test method was used to compare the results of the two methods. With SRRE as references, harpagide, angoroside C and harpagoside were in a good linear relationship(r≥0.999 8) within each range, and the average recovery rate was 98.55% to 100.6%. The t-test results showed that the P values of two determination methods were 0.493, 0.155 and 0.171 for harpagide, angoroside C and harpagoside respectively, indicating no significant diffe-rence between the two methods of content determination. The SRRE can be used as a substitute for the reference in the quality control of Scrophulariaceae Radix. The SRRE can replace the corresponding reference substance for the quality control of Scrophulariae Radix. The results of this study provide new methods and new ideas for the quality evaluation of Scrophulariae Radix, and provide a scientific basis for the application of reference extracts in the quality research of traditional Chinese medicine.

Combination of liquid-phase pulsed discharge and ultrasonic for saponins extraction from lychee seeds.

A skillfully combined method of liquid-phase pulsed discharge and ultrasonic (LPDU) had been developed for saponins extraction from lychee seeds. Single factor and response surface methods were used to optimize the system, respectively. The optimized conditions included 30% aqueous ethanol, 62.66 mL/g ratio of liquid to solid, 3 mm centre hole diameter of hollow electrode, 123 mL/min flow velocity, length of serpentine pipe of 15 cm, 276 W ultrasonic power, 47 °C ultrasonic temperature, and discharge voltage was fixed at 14 kV. Under these conditions, it obtained a maximum saponins yield of 51.30 ± 0.08 mg/g with 10 min, which was higher than those of LPD (42.33 ± 0.98 mg/g) with 24 min, ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) (41.80 ± 1.31 mg/g) with 30 min and maceration (38.72 ± 1.13 mg/g) with 180 min. Meanwhile, the energy consumption of LPDU was 7560 kJ/kg, which was notably lower than those of LPD (8820 kJ/kg), UAE (25875 kJ/kg) and maceration (10248 kJ/kg). We found that the saponin constituents of LPDU were similar to LPD, UAE, ME by HPLC content detection method, and found that LPDU had the highest degree of tissue damage after scanning electron microscope (SEM) comparison, which verified the reason for its high extraction efficiency. The results showed that LPDU was an effective technology for saponins extraction, which may be potentially applied in cosmetics, medicines and food chemistry.

Esculetin inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Esculetin, the main active ingredient in the Chinese herbal medicineCortex Fraxini, has been shown to possess antitumor activity. However, the effect of esculetin on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has not been investigated. METHODS: MTS assays and colony formation assays were used to study the cytotoxicity of esculetin. The effects of esculetin on cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect cell cycle-, apoptosis-, and EMT-related proteins. Wound-healing assays and transwell assays were performed to study the effect of esculetin on cell migration and invasion in the ccRCC cell lines 786-O and SN12-PM6. RESULTS: Esculetin exerted cytotoxic activities in 786-O and SN12-PM6 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The compound arrested the cell cycle in G0/G1 and G2/M phase with down-regulation of Cyclin D1, CDK4, CDK6, and c-Myc expression. Esculetin also induced apoptosis and the expression of cleaved caspase 3 increased. Additionally, esculetin significantly inhibited 786-O and SN12-PM6 cell migration and invasion, the expression of E-Cadherin increased, and the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin decreased. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that esculetin inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of ccRCC and is a potential novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of ccRCC.

Kinetic modeling for high voltage electrical discharge extraction based on discharge energy input.

In this work, a kinetic model for protein extraction from Camellia oleifera seed cake using high voltage electrical discharge extraction (HVED) was built with discharge energy inputs as primary variables. The results showed that both the equilibrium yields and the mass transfer coefficient of HVED were highly dependent on the HVED specific energy input per pulse (kJ/kg). After linear and nonlinear fitting with five different basic functions, the best model satisfied the power function relationship through optimizing the influence of specific energy input per pulse on the equilibrium yields and the mass transfer coefficients. Based on the observations, a predictive model that correlates the energy input, mass of raw material and kinetics of HVED extraction was proposed. The validity of the predictive model was verified, and the observed deviation was found to be less than 10%. This could provide a model basis for optimization of HVED at different processing capacities.

Recent developments in detoxication techniques for aristolochic acid-containing traditional Chinese medicines.

Aristolochic acids (AAs) have attracted significant attention because they have been proven to be the culprits in the mass incidents of AA nephropathy that occurred in Belgium in 1993. From then on, the door to sales of medicines containing AAs has been closed. As aristolochic acid (AA)-containing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a potent therapeutic effect on some diseases, research into detoxication techniques for AA-containing traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) should be considered to be absolutely essential. Therefore, in this paper, the use of AA-containing TCMs has been investigated and detoxication techniques, such as, processing (Paozhi, Chinese name), compatibility (Peiwu, Chinese name), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), have been reviewed in detail. A large number of relevant studies have been reviewed and it was found that processing with honey or alkaline salts is the most widely used method in practical production. As the AAs are a group of weak acids, relatively speaking, processing with alkaline salts can achieve a high rate of reduction of the AAs. Meanwhile, it is necessary to consider the compatibility of AA-containing TCMs and other herbal medicines. In addition, PLE and SFE can also achieve an excellent reducing rate for AAs in a much shorter processing time. Therefore, the promotion of alkaline salt processing technology should be strengthened in the future. At the same time, some advanced modern extraction technologies also have good potential and should be further studied.

Intervention on immunodeficiency mice and structural identification of enzymatic peptides from Mauremys mutica and Cuora trifasciata.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCY: Mauremys mutica (Asian yellow pond turtle, YPT) and Cuora trifasciata (Chinese three-striped box turtle, TBT) are traditional Chinese medicine. They possess many biological characteristics, such as immune-enhancement, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer effects. They have been used as folk anti-cancer drugs in central and southern China for a long time. However, there was no reports of comparing the immune-enhancement effect of YPT and TBT, nor of identifying the structures of YPT peptides and TBT peptides. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective efficacy of YPT and TBT on immunodeficient mice and to compare the primary structures of YPT peptides and TBT peptides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The protein extracts were extracted using 100 °C water, and peptides were obtained by hydrolyzing protein extracts using alkaline protease. Cyclophosphamide (CTX) was used to induce immunodeficiency in mice. The immune enhancement effect was evaluated by measuring body weight gain curve, thymus index, spleen index, serum SOD activity and GSH-Px activity. Primary structure of peptides was identified by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. RESULTS: The protein extracts and peptides of the YPT and TBT had certain recovery effects on immunodeficient mice. YPT peptide has the best effect on the recovery of damaged immune organs and the improvement of SOD and GSH-Px activities in mice. In the identification of the primary structure of the polypeptide, we find that YPT and TBT contain some similar peptides as well as different peptides, and the concentration of the peptide segments in HPLC data is very different. The difference of biological activity may be determined by both the difference of specific peptide structure and concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Two kinds of healthy turtle protein extracts and peptides could have immune-enhancement function, and peptides obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of YPT protein extracts have the best immune-enhancement effect. The identification of the primary structure of the peptide segment preliminarily showed that its biological activity was affected by the amino acid sequence and the concentration of part of the peptide segment. It laid a foundation for the follow-up search of immune-enhancement peptides and the development of high-value YPT products.

Ultrasound-Enhanced Subcritical Fluid Extraction of Essential Oil from Nymphaea alba var and Its Antioxidant Activity.

Background: The essential oil content of the water lily is extremely low; thus, finding a new method that can extract essential oil from water lilies with a high extraction rate and no residual organic solvents is essential. Objective: The optimal processing conditions for the ultrasound-enhanced subcritical fluid extraction of essential oil from Nymphaea alba var (red water lily) and the antioxidant activity of the essential oil in vitro are investigated to provide theoretical bases for identification and development. Methods: Single-factor experiments and orthogonal designs are performed to determine the effects of extraction conditions on essential oil yields. The chemical composition of essential oil is analyzed using GC-MS. Results: The optimum extraction parameters are established as follows: extraction temperature, 35°C; extraction time, 30 min/time for four times; ratio of material to liquid, 1:3; ultrasound power, 250 W/L; and ultrasonic frequency, 20 kHz. The extraction rate of essential oil is 0.315% under these conditions. Eleven components comprise more than 1% content. The main chemical constituents are 8-hexadecyne (31.04%) and 2,6,10-trimethyl-tetradecane (3.95%). The essential oil from N. alba var has an antioxidant activity in vitro; however, its antioxidant activity is weaker than that of butylated hydroxytoluene. Conclusions: Subcritical fluid is suitable for the extraction of essential oil from N. alba var, and the essential oil has a good antioxidant activity. Highlights: The essential oil content of N. alba var is 0.315%. Forty-seven chemical constituents are identified and isolated from N. alba var and analyzed by GC-MS.

Effect of Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus Drug-containing Serum in Regulating Phenotypic Transformation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation Model / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus containing-serum in regulating the phenotypic transformation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) proliferation model, in order to explore the mechanism of combined administration of "Saposhnikoviae Radix, Mume Fructus" in inhibiting airway remodeling, and reveal the compatibility mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine. Method:The proliferation model of ASMCs was established by platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) induction. The rats were given normal saline, Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus, Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus(15.425, 15.425, 30.85 g·kg-1·d-1) to prepare drug serum respectively. Four generations of logarithmic phase human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMC) were collected and divided into blank control group, cell model group, normal rat serum group and normal rat serum cell model group, hormone intervention group, Saposhnikoviae Radix serum group, Mume Fructus serum group, Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus serum group. The cells were given corresponding treatment. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were adopted to detect ASMCs deflating marks protein α-actin and osteopontin (OPN) expressions, and phenotypic transformation was observed; the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) secreted by ASMCs were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result:Compared with blank group and normal rat serum group, the fluorescence intensity and protein expression of α-actin in model group and normal rat serum cell model group were low, whereas the fluorescence intensity and protein expression of OPN were high, and the concentrations of VEGF, TGF-β and IL-6 increased significantly (Pβ and IL-6 (PConclusion:The combined administration of "Saposhnikoviae Radix-Mume Fructus" has an inhibitory effect on airway remodeling, which may be related to the inhibition of the transformation of ASMCs from contractile phenotype to synthetic phenotype, so as to reduce the release of active substances, such as VEGF, TGF-β and IL-6.

Effect and Mechanism of Celastrol on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Hepatic L02 Cells of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of celastrol in inhibiting the lipid metabolism disorder in hepatic L02 cells and its possible mechanism on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) of non-alcoholic fatty liver cells by intervening non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) cell model with celastrol. Method:Hepatic L02 cells were divided into control group, model group, low-dose celastrol treatment group (Cel 0.5 mg·L-1), high-dose celastrol treatment group (Cel 1 mg·L-1) and simvastatin group (SIM 6 mg·L-1) for cultivation. The contents of total cholesterol (TC) and total triglyceride (TG) in hepatic L02 cells were detected, and the oil red staining was used to detected the lipid accumulation in hepatic L02 cells. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related signal molecules activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein (SCAP), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) in hepatic L02 cell model respectively. Result:The contents of TC and TG in hepatic L02 cells of NAFLD group were significantly higher than those in control group (P-1 group, Cel 1 mg·L-1 group and SIM 6 mg·L-1 group were significantly lower than those in NAFLD group (P-1 group, the Cel 1 mg·L-1 group, and the SIM 6 mg·L-1 group were lower than the NAFLD group to different degrees. According to the results of RT-PCR and Western blot, the mRNA transcription and protein expression levels of ERS-related signaling molecules ATF6, GRP78, IRE1, SCAP, SREBP-1c and SREBP-2 in hepatic L02 cells of NAFLD group were higher than those of control group (P-1 group, Cel 1 mg·L-1 group and SIM 6 mg·L-1 group were lower than those of NAFLD group (P-1 group and the SIM 6 mg·L-1 group. Conclusion:Celastrol can reduce the lipid metabolism disorder in hepatic L02 cells by down-regulating the expressions of ERS-related signaling molecules ATF6, GRP78, IRE1, SCAP, SREBP-1c and SREBP-2 in hepatic L02 cells, so as to improve NAFLD.

Protective effect of tropical herb-Alpinia oxyphylla compound formula on diabetic nephropathy mice

Objective: To observe the mechanism of Alpinia (A.) oxyphylla in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy by regulating blood glucose level. Methods: A total of 40 db/db diabetic nephropathy mice were randomly divided into four groups including model group, irbesartan group, A. oxyphylla compound formula high dose group and A. oxyphylla compound formula low dose group with 10 in each group. Ten normal mice served as normal control group. Normal group and model group were given normal saline only. Irbesartan group and A. oxyphylla compound formula high and low dose group were given corresponding drugs once a day for 4 weeks (about 0.2 mL, once a day). Blood glucose, BUN, urine protein, SCr excretion, GSH and CAT activity were detected. Results: Compared with normal group, the blood glucose of model group were increased significantly (P<0.05). While compared with model group, the blood glucose of irbesartan group and A. oxyphylla compound formula groups (both high and low dose) decreased significantly after 4 weeks' treatment. Compared with model group, 24 h urine protein, BUN and SCr of A. oxyphylla compound formula groups (both high and low dose) decreased significantly(P<0.05) after 4 weeks' treatment. Compared with normal group, GSH, CAT of model group decreased significantly (P<0.05). While compared with model group, GSH, CAT of irbesartan group and A. oxyphylla compound formula high dose group increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusions: A. oxyphylla compound formula can protect diabetic nephropathy mice by reducing the blood glucose level, decreasing the excretion of urine protein, BUN, SCr, and increasing the activites of CAT and GSH.