Double-blinded, randomized clinical trial of Gegen Qinlian decoction pinpoints Faecalibacterium as key gut bacteria in alleviating hyperglycemia.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine formulas, such as the Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQD). This study elucidates the mechanisms by which gut microbes mediate the anti-diabetic effects of GQD. Methods: We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial involving 120 untreated participants with T2DM. During the 12-week intervention, anthropometric measurements and diabetic traits were recorded every 4 weeks. Fecal microbiota and serum metabolites were measured before and after the intervention using 16S rDNA sequencing, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and Bio-Plex panels. Results: Anti-diabetic effects were observed in the GQD group in the human trial. Specifically, glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, and two-hour postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the GQD group than in the placebo group. Additionally, Faecalibacterium was significantly enriched in the GQD group, and the short-chain fatty acid levels were higher and the serum inflammation-associated marker levels were lower in the GQD group compared to the placebo group. Moreover, Faecalibacterium abundance negatively correlated with the levels of serum hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, the diabetes-alleviating effect of Faecalibacterium was confirmed by oral administration of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (DSMZ 17677) in T2DM mouse model. Conclusions: GQD improved type 2 diabetes primarily by modulating the abundance of Faecalibacterium in the gut microbiota, alleviating metabolic disorders and the inflammatory state. Trial registration: Registry No. ChiCTR-IOR-15006626.

Herbal medicine for Hashimoto's thyroiditis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Conventional treatments for Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) are limited. Herbal medicines (HM) are considered a potential intervention for the treatment of HT. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of HM for HT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted for patients with HT in randomized controlled trials identified in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Chi CTR), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (the VIP), China Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), and Wanfang Database were searched from their inception to Oct 1, 2022. Outcomes included the primary outcome (TPOAb), secondary outcomes (TSH, TGAb, FT3, FT4, and traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores), and adverse events. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022363640). RESULTS: Sixteen trials were reviewed and 16 HM formulae were compared. Compared with non-drug therapy (NDT), all therapies, except for Tiaoqi-Qingjie Therapy, reduced the primary outcome of TPOAb with different levels of effectiveness, ranging from 0.01 (95%CI 0.00, 0.02) to 0.92 (95%CI 0.56, 1.53). Ranking probability analysis indicated that Yiqi Huayu Recipe, Liqi Xiaoying decoction, and Shugan Sanjie therapy reduced thyroid antibody levels the most, including TPOAb (100.0%, 90.9%, and 90.3%, respectively) and TGAb (98.3%, 94.4%, and 87.3%, respectively). All HMs displayed a significant effect on the TCM Symptom score and possibly benefitted the treatment of HT, ranging from 6.62 (95% CI 2.06, 21.24) to 94.50 (95% CI 15.97, 559.14). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Herbal medicines may be effective in the treatment of HT, especially in reducing thyroid antibody levels and improving clinical symptoms without affecting thyroid function. However, these results should be considered preliminary and further verified using high-quality evidence.

Clinical efficacy and molecular mechanism of Chinese medicine in the treatment of autoimmune thyroiditis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Autoimmune Thyroiditis (AIT) is a common refractory autoimmune disease of the endocrine system that may eventually lead to complete loss of thyroid function, with subsequent severe effects on the metabolism. Because of the deficiency in current clinical management of AIT, the need for alternative therapies is highlighted. With its multi-component and multi-target characteristics, Chinese medicine has good potential as an alternative therapy for AIT. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to systematically summarize the clinical efficacy and safety evaluation of TCM and its active ingredients in the treatment and regulation of AIT. Additionally, we provide an in-depth discussion of the relevant mechanisms and molecular targets to understand the protective effects of traditional Chinese medicine on AIT and explore new ideas for clinical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature related to "Hashimoto", "autoimmune thyroiditis", "traditional Chinese medicine," and "Chinese herbal medicine" was systematically summarized and reviewed from Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, CNKI, and other databases. Domestic and international literature were analyzed, compared, and reviewed. RESULTS: An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that herbal medicines can intervene in immunomodulation, with pharmacological effects such as antibody lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic thyroid follicular cells, regulation of intestinal flora, and regulation of estrogen and progesterone levels. The signaling pathways and molecular targets of the immunomodulatory effects of Chinese herbal medicine for AIT may include Fas/FasL, Caspase, BCL-2, and TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB et al. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Chinese herbs in the treatment and management of AIT is clinically experienced, satisfactory, and safe. Future studies may evaluate the influence of herbal medicines on the occurrence and development of AIT by modulating the interaction between immune factors and conventional signaling pathways.

[Effects of straw-returning combined with application of microbial inoculants on soil aggregates and related nutrients]. / ç§¸ç§†è¿˜ç”°é æ–½ä¿ƒè èŒå‰‚å¯¹åœŸå£¤å›¢èšä½“åŠå ¶å »åˆ†çš„å½±å“.

We analyzed the particle size distribution of soil aggregates in 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil layers of rice-wheat rotation field based on a field plot test with two treatments, conventional straw returning (CK) and straw returning with the addition of straw decomposition promoting microbial inoculants (IT). We evaluated the water stability indices of soil aggregates (the number of soil water stable large aggregates R0.25, the average weight diameter MWD, and the geometric average diameter GMD), and measured the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the soil aggregates of ＜0.053, 0.053-0.25, 0.25-1, ＞1 mm. The results showed that: 1) The number of aggregates ＜0.053, 0.053-0.25, ＞0.25 mm in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil layers under IT decreased by 10.0% and 6.8%, increased by 3.0% and 5.7%, and 17.9% and 26.1% compared with CK, respectively. IT effectively increased R0.25, MWD, and GMD by 26.4%, 20.0%, 18.2% and 18.2%, 10.5%, 10.0% in 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil, respectively. 2) Compared to CK, the TP content of 0.25-1 mm aggregates in 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil under IT was significantly increased by 40.3% and 37.5%, respectively, without difference in TN and SOC contents. There was no significant difference in nutrient contents of the other aggregates between the treatments. The contents of SOC and TN in large aggregates (>0.25 mm) were higher than those in silty aggregates (<0.053 mm). Compared to CK, the cumulative contribution rates of SOC, TN and TP of <0.053 mm aggregates under IT were decreased in two soil layers. There was no significant difference in the nutrient cumulative contribution rates of 0.053-0.25 mm aggregates between treatments. The cumulative contribution rates of SOC, TN, and TP of large aggregates (>0.25 mm) under IT were 32.1%, 19.6%, 52.8% and 22.8%, 11.8%, 42.9% higher than those under CK in 0-20 and 20-40 cm soils, respectively. 3) The number of <0.053 mm aggregates was significantly negatively correlated with SOC and TP contents, while that of 0.053-0.25 mm aggregates was negatively correlated with nutrient content. The number of large aggregates (>0.25 mm) were significantly positively correlated with SOC, TN, and TP contents. In conclusion, straw returning with microbial-inoculant addition could promote the formation of soil macroaggregates (>0.25 mm), and improve the water stability of soil aggregates, increasing nutrient contents in soil macroaggregates, with the nutrients transferring from silty aggregates to macroaggregates.

Research on supervision strategy of high risk areas of hospital incorrupt government based on traditional chinese medical theory of preventing diseases / 中华医院管理杂志

In recent years, the frequency of corruption incidents in public hospitals in China has increased, and it is particularly important to strengthen the construction of hospital incorrupt politics. Based on the traditional chinese medical theory of preventing diseases, the author deeply discusse the prevention and control strategies in high-risk areas of public hospitals incorrupt from 3 aspects: prevention before disease onset, prevention of disease from exacerbating and prevention of recovery from relapse. Based on the common problems found in the political inspection of Beijing municipal health system and large-scale hospitals in the latest years, an incorrupt government risks list of high-risk areas in hospital had been sorted out; A tertiary hospital and its 4 entrusted hospitals were selected to conduct self-inspection on the key links of important power activities and authority behaviors in accordance with the incorrupt government risks list, and putting forward targeted supervision strategies for these problems. Since the implementation of supervision strategy for high-risk areas in the tertariy hospital and its 4 entrusted hospitals in May 2021, the number of letters and visits in the 5 aspects of medicine procurement, equipment procurement, consumables and reagents procurement, engineering construction and logistics service procurement were significantly reduced. Based on the traditional chinese medical theory of preventing diseases, the supervision strategy in high-risk areas could effectively improve the pertinence, operability and effectiveness of discipline inspection and supervision in hospital, and provide a reference for the construction of incorrupt government in public hospitals.

Study on mechanism of Phytolaccae Radix and its split components based on network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

This paper aimed to explore the mechanism of the split components of Phytolaccae Radix by means of network pharmaco-logy. Based on the theoretical hypothesis of the nature and taste of traditional Chinese medicine, the chemical components of the separated components of Phytolaccae Radix were selected by using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database(TCMSP) and Traditional Chinese Medicines IntegratedDatabase(TCMID) databases in combination with related literatures. Relevant target analysis was carried out based on PubChem and SwissTargetPrediction databases. Targets corresponding to disease were excavated based on GeneCards for each split component, corresponding potential targets were obtained through mapping the target set of target compounds to disease targets. GO biological process analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the mapped targets with the help of DAVID database. Based on Cytoscape software and the corresponding efficacy, the network diagram of "medicinal material-split components-compound-target-pathway" was constructed to explore the mechanism of different efficacy of the separated components of Cytoscape. And the target purgation and diuretic mapping was used as the target of the traditional efficacy of smoothening secretion for the first time. The study explored esculentoside component, fatty oil component and phenolic acid component, a total of 30 target compounds and 301 corresponding targets, involving 44 potential targets for "anti-inflammatory", 50 potential targets for "immunoregulation", 52 potential targets for "smoothening secretion", 28 potential targets for "antibacterial activity", 28 potential targets for "antiviral effect", and 29 potential targets for "antitumor effect". Topological analysis revealed 14 key gene targets such as MAPK8, MAPK14, EGFR and PTGS2. A total of 684 GO entries and 235 KEGG pathways were obtained through bioinformatics enrichment analysis, mainly involving TNF signaling pathway, NF-kappaB signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. This study revealed the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-channel action mechanism of the split components of Phytolaccae Radix, which provided certain basis for the next step to clarify the split components of Phytolaccae Radix through the method of system biology, and injected new content and significance into the study of properties and flavors theory.

Effect of electronic moxibustion on activity of parapharyngeal wall in patients with achalasia of cricopharyngeus muscle after stroke based on musculoskeletal ultrasound / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of electronic moxibustion on dysphagia in patients with achalasia of cricopharyngeus muscle after stroke.@*METHODS@#Sixty patients with dysphagia of achalasia of cricopharyngeus muscle were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. One patient in the observation group and 2 cases in the control group dropped off. The patients in the control group were treated with routine medical treatment, acupuncture treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training; the patients in the observation group were additionally treated with electronic moxibustion at Lianquan (CV 23), Tiantu (CV 22), Tianding (LI 17) and Futu (LI 18), 30 min each treatment. Both groups were treated 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) was applied to test the activity of parapharyngeal wall and the dysphagia score of Ichiro Fujishima was compared before and after 4-week treatment.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the activity of the parapharyngeal wall and the dysphagia score of Ichiro Fujishima were increased in both groups (<0.01, <0.05). The changes of activity of parapharyngeal wall and dysphagia score of Ichiro Fujishima in the observation group were greater than the control group (<0.05, <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Electronic moxibustion can improve the impaired swallowing function and reconstruct the normal swallowing process.

Identification of plantaginis semen based on ITS2 and psbA-trnH sequences / 中国中药杂志

In order to evaluate the efficiency of ITS2 and psbA-trnH sequences used as DNA barcodes to distinguish Plantaginis Semen from its adulterants, we collected 71 samples of Plantaginis Semen and its adulterants. The ITS2 and psbA-trnH sequences were aligned through Clustal W, and the genetic distances were calculated by kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model and the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) phylogenetic trees were constructed using MEGA 5.1. The results indicated that the ITS2 sequence lengths of Plantago asiatica and P. depressa were 199 bp and 200 bp, respectively; the maximum intra-specific K2P distance were lower than the minimum inter-specific K2P distance; the NJ tree based on ITS2 sequence indicated that Plantaginis Semen and its adulterants could be distinguished clearly. The sequence lengths of psbA-trnH of both P. asiatica and P. depressa were 340 bp; the maximum intra-specific K2P distances were lower than the minimum inter-specific K2P distance; the NJ tree based on psbA-trnH sequence showed that Plantaginis Semen can be distinguished clearly from its adulterants except for P. major. Therefore, ITS2 sequences can be used as an ideal DNA barcode to distinguish Plantaginis Semen from its adulterants.

Identification of pyrrosiae folium and its adulterants based on psbA-trnH sequence / 中国中药杂志

In this study, the psbA-trnH sequence as DNA barcode was used to evaluate the accuracy and stability for identification pteridophyte medicinal material Pyrrosiae Foliumas from adulterants. Genomic DNA from 106 samples were extracted successfully. The Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) distances and ML tree were calculated using software MEGA 6.0. The intra-specific genetic distances of 3 original plants were lower than inter-specific genetic distances of adulterants. The ML tree indicated that Pyrrosiae Folium can be distinguished from its adulterants obviously. Therefore, the psbA-trnH sequence as a barcode of the pteridophyte, can accurately and stably distinguish Pyrrosiae Folium from its adulterants.

Effects of acupuncture on esophageal motility of patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease / 中华消化杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the improvement of esophageal motility disorder in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Methods From September 2012 to March 2014,40 patients with refractory GERD were enrolled and evenly divided into the treatment group and the control group. High resolution esophageal impedance manometry was conducted in patients.After the first examination,patients of the control group lay down for 30 minutes, and patients of the treatment group received acupuncture treatment at Neiguan,Gongsun and Zusanli points for 30 minutes.Then all the patients underwent high resolution esophageal impedance manometry again.ManoView ESO 3.0 software was used for analysis.The parameters included swallowing peristalsis defect,lower esophageal sphincter (LES)pressure,LES residual pressure,LES length,upper esophageal sphincter (UES)pressure,distal wave amplitude,peristalsis duration time,starting speed of peristalsis wave,speed of edge contraction and integration of the peristaltic waves.Chi-square test or t test was performed for data analysis.Results The percentage of normal swallows of the treatment group before and after treatment was 56.0% (112/200)and 74.0% (148/200),the percentage of delayed esophageal emptying was 31 .5 % (63/200 )and 11 .5 % (23/200 ),and the differences were statistically significant (χ2 =14.242 and 23.700,both P 0.05 ).The LES resting pressure of the treatment group before and after treatment was (20.2 ±18.8)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)and (26.3±10.1)mmHg,the length of LES was (2.2 ±0.6 )cm and (3.3 ±0.8)cm,the distal esophageal peristaltic amplitude was (60.2 ± 21 .9)mmHg and (41 .1 ± 16.8 )mmHg,and the differences were statistically significant (t = 5 .519, 6.580 and 6.881 ,all P 0.05 ).There as no significant difference in LES resting pressure and LES residual pressure of the control group before and after lying down (both P >0.05 ).However,before and after lying down,there were significant differences in the length of LES ((2.3 ±0.6)cm vs (2.5 ±0.6)cm) and UES resting pressure ((67.4 ±21 .2 )mmHg vs (53.5 ±18.1 )mmHg)in the control group (t =2.530 and 6.652,both P 0.05).Before and after lying down,there was no significant difference in distal wave amplitude,duration of peristalsis,the beginning speed of the peristaltic wave and CFV of the control group (all P >0.05 ).Conclusion Acupuncture can help increase the LES resting pressure,extend the length of LES,improve the overall peristaltic pressure and completeness of esophageal somatic part,meanwhile,it increases the percentage of normal swallows of patients with refractory GERD.

Effect of formula compatibility on the pharmacokinetics of components from Dachengqi Decoction See Text in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of prescription compatibility on the pharmacokinetics of components from Dachengqi Decoction (DCQD, ) in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four male rats were randomly and equally divided into the DCQD group, Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Polygonaceae) group, Houpo (Magnolia officinalis Rehd., Magnoliaceae) group, and Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Rutaceae) group. The blood samples were collected before dosing and subsequently at 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 h following gavage. The levels of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, honokiol, magnolol, hesperidin, and naringin in rat serum were quantified using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for pharmacokinetic study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The area under the curve (AUC), mean retention time (MRT), the peak concentration (C(max)) of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, and chrysophanol in the DCQD group were significantly different compared with the Dahuang group (P <0.05, respectively). The mean plasma concentration, C(max), and the absorption of Dahuang's component in the DCQD group were obviously lower at each time point than those in the Dahuang group, while the elimination process of Dahuang's component was obviously delayed (P <0.05). Half-lives of aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, and rhein were also extended in the DCQD group (P <0.05, respectively). In the DCQD group, the mean plasma concentration, AUC, C(max) and absorption of honokiol, and magnolol were significantly lower (P <0.01, respectively) at each time point than those in the Houpo group, while the drug distribution half-life time (T(1/2α)), the drug eliminated half-life time (T(1/2β)), MRT, and time of peak concentration (T(max)) were significantly delayed (P <0.05, respectively). Pharmacokinetic parameters of hesperidin and naringin in the Zhishi group were not significantly different as compared with the DCQD group (P >0.05, respectively), while the MRT of naringin was significantly longer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The compatibility in Chinese medicine could affect the drug's pharmacokinetics in DCQD, which proves that the prescription compatibility principle of Chinese medicine formulations has its own pharmacokinetic basis.</p>

Effects of zhuhong ointment on mercury cumulation and renal organization modality in skin-impaired model rat / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Zhuhong ointment on accumulation in the body of mercury and the pathological morphology changes of kidney, via the measurement of related indicators of the skin-impaired model rat.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Eighty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into the impairment control group, and high-, middle-, low-dose Zhuhong ointment groups. Each group was treated by corresponding methods for 4 weeks, and recovering for 4 weeks. Urinary potein (PRO), pH, Beta N-acetyl aminoglycosidase enzymes (NAG) and beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) contents in urine were taken as monitoring indexes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) in blood and the levels of mercury in urine, blood and kidney were tested, and the pathological morphology changes of kidney were observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After treatment for 4 weeks, compared with impairment control group, the levels of mercury in urine, blood and kidney in every dose group increased significantly (P < 0.01). And the relation exists between toxicity and dose on Zhuhong ointment. After recovery for 4 weeks, the levels of mercury in urine and blood in every dose group restore normal, while the level of mercury in kidney in high- dose group still increased (P < 0.01). The level of NAG increased only in high-dose group. There was no significant difference in NAG contents between Zhuhong ointment groups and the impairment control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Excess using Zhuhong ointment repeatedly may lead to accumulation of mercury and pathological morphology changes of kidney. So the levels of mercury in the body and related indicators of renal functions should be tested in clinical when long-term using Zhuhong ointment.</p>

Effect of zhuhong ointment on renal antioxidant capability in skin ulcer model rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of repeated administration of Zhuhong ointment on renal antioxidant capability of ulcerous skin in rats, in order to further discuss the mechanism of mercury contained in Zhuhong ointment on the antioxidant capability of kidney in skin ulcer rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Eighty SD rats were randomly divided into eight groups: Zhuhong ointment A, B, C, D, E (1.219, 0.609, 0.305, 0.152, 0.76 g x kg(-1)) groups, the vaseline group, the ulcer model group and the impairment control group. The levels of NAG and RBP of toxicity for early kidney tubular injury and T-AOC, SOD, GSH-PX and GSH in kidney were determined after consecutive administration for 14 days.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with ulcer model group, the levels of RBP in groups A, B, C and D increased, while the levels of NAG increased only in the group A. The level of T-AOC increased in groups A, B and C. The level of T-SOD increased in the group E, while it dropped down greatly in the group A. The level of GSH-PX increased in groups A, B and C. The content of GSH increased in every dose groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Antioxidant capacity in rats can be increased in a reasonable dose of Zhuhong ointment, but some antioxidant activity can be notably inhibited by with the increase of dose.</p>

Comparison of effects of badu shengji san on rats with different injured skins / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects of Badu Shengji San (BDSJS) on rats with different injured skins.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The injured and ulcerous skin rat model was established to observe the renal injury induced by BDSJS, a mercury-containing external preparation of Chinese medicine, with urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and retinol binding protein (RBP) as indicators of renal toxicity.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared to injured skin rats with the same dose, both of high and low-dose ulcerous skin groups showed obvious increase in urinary RBP and kidney coefficients, significant pathomorphological changes in renal tubules and notable epithelial cytopathic effects. In terms of NAG, the high-dose ulcerous skin group saw no significant increase, but the low-dose group recorded sharp rise.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The renal toxicity induced by BDSJS in ulcerous skin rats was more toxic than that in injured skin ones.</p>

Study on mercury accumulation in rats induced by badu shengji san / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mercury accumulation in injured skin rats induced by Badu Shengji San (BDSJS), a traditional Chinese medicine preparation for external use.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Injured skin rats were treated with BDSJS for consecutively 4 weeks. During the 4 weeks and the following 4 weeks after the drug withdrawal, samples were collected for determining mercury contents in blood, urine and kidney, with urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase(NAG) and beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) as indicators of renal toxicity and serum biochemical indicators of hepatic and renal functions. Additionally, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and kidney and renal pathological changes were also observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared to injured skin rats, mercury contents of blood, urine and kidney were increased significantly in low, middle and high-dose BDSJS groups administered for consecutive 4 weeks. The levels of mercury showed decreases in urine (89%, 78%, 93%) and kidney (55%, 51%, 57%), and blood mercury concentration recovered to the normal range in low, middle and high-dose BDSJS groups after the drug withdrawal for 4 weeks. Kidney coefficient and beta2-MG were remarkably increased and renal tubular epithelial cell swelling could be found in the high-dose group, and kidney coefficient, beta2-MG and renal morphology basically recovered to the normal levels after the drug withdrawal for 4 weeks.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The administration of BDSJS for consecutively 4 weeks can cause mercury accumulation in blood and mainly in kidney. Once the accumulated mercury concentration of kidney reaches a certain level, renal tubular epithelial cells would be injured. 1.1 mg x cm(-2) of BDSJS is proved to be safe and 2.2 mg x cm(-2) can cause mild but reversible injury in the function of kidney which can be recovered after drug withdrawal for 4 weeks.</p>

High-throughput pyrosequencing of the complete chloroplast genome of Magnolia officinalis and its application in species identification / 药学学报

Chloroplast genome sequences have comprehensive application prospects in DNA barcoding and chloroplast engineering in traditional Chinese medicine. The complete chloroplast genome of Magnolia officinalis sequenced by high-throughput pyrosequencing and a sequencing procedure was established. Fourteen contigs were obtained after de nove assembly. The sequencing percent of coverage was 99.99%. The chloroplast genome is 160 183 bp in size, and has a typical quadripartite structure with the large (LSC, 88 210 bp) and small copy (SSC, 18 843 bp) regions separated by two copies of an inverted repeat (IRs, 26 565 bp each). chloroplast genes were successfully annotated, of which 17 genes located in each IR region. The chloroplast genome features in Magnolia officinalis are nearly identical to those from other Magnoliid chloroplast genomes. Phylogenetic analyses were performed based on 81 shared coding-genes for a total of 9 Magnolia samples of 5 closely related species. Results showed that distinguishing among species was generally straightforward at the species and population level. This study confirmed the effectiveness of our chloroplast genome sequencing procedure. The chloroplast genome can provide distinguishing differences to help identify Magnolia officinalis and its closely related plants.

Modified Da-Cheng-Qi Decoction reduces intra-abdominal hypertension in severe acute pancreatitis: a pilot study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is a recognized prognostic marker for severity of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and has a strong impact on the clinical course of SAP. Previous studies indicate that a Da-Cheng-Qi Decoction (DCQD) is beneficial in the treatment of SAP. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of modified DCQD on IAH in patients with SAP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January 2008 and December 2008, 42 patients from the West China Hospital were randomized into either the DCQD or control group (n = 21 in each group). Mortality, intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, C-reactive protein (CRP), oxygenation index, Balthazar CT score, rate of renal failure, decompression rate, intensive care unit (ICU) transfer rate, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the control group, the modified DCQD treatment significantly decreased IAP (P < 0.05) and APACHE II (P < 0.05) scores on days 4 - 8, CRP on day 8 (P < 0.01), renal failure rate (P < 0.05), and LOS (P < 0.05). The oxygenation index was significantly improved in the DCQD group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences in the Balthazar CT score, shock rate, ICU transfer rate, or mortality occurred between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The modified DCQD can effectively relieve IAH and decrease LOS for patients with SAP. Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.</p>

Summary of integrative medicine for severe acute pancreatitis: 26-year clinical experiences and a report of 1 561 cases / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changing trends of clinical management for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) with integrative medicine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 1 561 patients with SAP from 1980 to 2005 was retrospectively analyzed. The mortality and morbidity of complications were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 1 561 patients, 400 patients accepted surgical operation, while the rest were treated conservatively with integrative medicine. There was a change toward conservative management together with Chinese purgative herbal medication use after 1990 (22.4% from 1980-1990 compared with 45.5% from 1991-1993) because of high postoperative mortality. From 1994-2005, the treatment integrating Western medicine with Chinese herbal medications came to be preferred over the classic Western operation-based method. This change was associated with decreased morbidity (35.4% in 1980-1990 compared with 24.7% in 1991-1993 and 11.0% in 1994-2005, P<0.05) and lower mortality (40.52% of 1980-1990 compared with 17.17% of 1991-1993 and <10.25% of 1994-2005, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combination of conservative management with Chinese herbal medicines is preferable to classic Western medicine treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality of SAP, while surgery becomes a supplemental option.</p>

Clinical observation on the effect of dexamethasone and Chinese herbal decoction for purgation in severe acute pancreatitis patients / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of dexamethasone (Dx) combined with modified Dachengqi Decoction (DCQD), a Chinese herbal decoction for purgation, on patients with severe acute on patients with severe acute, a Chinese herbal decoction for purgation, on patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) accompanied with systematic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 81 patients diagnosed as SAP were randomly assigned to a control group or treatment group according to a random number table generated from an SPSS software. The patients in the control group (38 cases) received standard treatment and Chinese herbal decoction for purgation; those in the treatment group (43 cases) received additional 1 mg/(kg·d) dexamethasone (Dx) treatment for three days based on the above treatment. The mortality rate, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), renal failure, hemorrhage, sepsis, pancreatic pseudocyst, pancreatic abscess, operability, and days of hospitalization were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three patients in the control group and eight patients in the treatment group dropped out from the study with a drop-out rate of 7.8% and 18.6%, respectively, and no statistics difference was shown between the two groups (P>0.05). Dx treatment significantly reduced ARDS rate and shortened the length of hospitalization compared to those in the control group (7/35, 20.0% versus 15/35, 42.9%, P=0.0394; 32.5±13.2 days versus 40.2±17.5 days, P=0.0344). Other parameters including the mortality rate were not significant different between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dx combined with DCQD could decrease the risk of developing ARDS in SAP patients with SIRS and shorten their length of hospitalization.</p>

Sesquiterpenes from stems and leaves of Curcuma wenyujin / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of the stem and leaves from Curcuma wenyujin.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated by silica gel column chromatography in associating with Sephadex LH -20 chromatography. While their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic date.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Nine sesquiterpenes were isolated and identified. Their structures were identified as curdione (1), neocurdione (2), trans, trans-germacrone (3), cis, trans-germacrone (4), curcumenone (5), curcumadione (6), isoprocurcumenol (7), glechomanolide (8) and (1R, 10R)-( -)-1, 10-dihydrocurdione (9).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All of these compounds were isolated from the stems and leaves of this plant for the first time.</p>