Progress of nanopreparation technology applied to volatile oil drug delivery systems.

Traditional Chinese medicine volatile oil has a long history and possesses extensive pharmacological activity. However, volatile oils have characteristics such as strong volatility, poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and poor targeting, which limit their application. The use of volatile oil nano drug delivery systems can effectively improve the drawbacks of volatile oils, enhance their bioavailability and chemical stability, and reduce their volatility and toxicity. This article first introduces the limitations of the components of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils, discusses the main classifications and latest developments of volatile oil nano formulations, and briefly describes the preparation methods of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oil nano formulations. Secondly, the limitations of nano formulation technology are discussed, along with future challenges and prospects. A deeper understanding of the role of nanotechnology in traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils will contribute to the modernization of volatile oils and broaden their application value.

Molecular and Epidemiological Characterization of Infant Botulism in Beijing, China.

Laboratory-based pathogen isolation, identification, and toxicity determination were performed on samples from a suspected case of infant botulism. Mice injected with cultures generated from the enema sample and ingested Powered infant formula (PIF) presented typical signs of botulism. Antitoxins to polyvalent botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and monovalent BoNT type B antitoxin had protective effects. Clostridium botulinum isolated from the enema and residual PIF samples were positive for type B toxin. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed that the two strains of C. botulinum isolated from the two samples produced indistinguishable pulsotypes. These findings confirmed this case of type B infant botulism associated with the ingestion of PIF contaminated by type B C. botulinum spores.

[Phenylpropanoid Constituents of Smilax trinervula].

Objective: To study the phenylpropanoid constituents of Smilax trinervula. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by macroporous adsorption resin chromatography, gel chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literatures. Results: Nine phenylpropanoid compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as( +)-lyoniresin-4-yl ß-D-glucopyranoside( 1),(-)-8'-epilyoniresin-4-yl ß-glucopyranoside( 2),( +)-lyoniresin-4'-yl ß-glucopyranoside( 3),(-)-lyoniresinol-2α-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside( 4),( +)-lyoniresinol( 5),icariol A2( 6),icariol A2-4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside( 7),7S,7'S,8R,8'R-icariol A2-9-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside( 8) and( +)-syringaresinol-4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside( 9). Conclusion: All the compounds are isolated from Smilax genus for the first time.