Efficacy and safety of Buzhongyiqi decoction combined with acupoint application for functional constipation in elderly people: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Buzhongyiqi decoction combined with acupoint application in the treatment of functional constipation in elderly people. METHODS: (1) Four Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science Periodical Database, Chinese Citation Database, China Biology Medicine) and 4 foreign databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase) were searched, excluded, and included in randomized controlled trials of Buzhongyiqi decoction combined with acupoint application for the treatment of functional constipation in elderly people. (2) Systematic evaluation and meta-analysis using the RevMan 5.3 software. (3) Harbord linear regression and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate publication bias using Stata 14.0. (4) Reliability of the conclusion assessment by sequential test analysis in TSA0.9 software. (5) Quality of evidence evaluation of outcome indicators was evaluated using Gradepro 3.6 software. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials including 658 case sample sizes were included. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed improved clinical cure rate and effective rate of functional constipation in elderly people, reduced recurrence rate, and efficacy regulated the levels of defecation-related indices and indices of gastrointestinal function. In addition, trial sequential analysis indicated that the total clinical efficacy rate was conclusive, which showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the intervention group was superior to that of the control group. However, the incidence of adverse effects in intervention group was comparable to that of control group, and trial sequential analysis suggests that this result needs to be supported by additional research. CONCLUSION: Buzhongyiqi decoction combined with acupoint application has potential value in the treatment of functional constipation in elderly people. Currently, there is insufficient clinical evidence to objectively evaluate safety grades for this combination therapy.

The aquaporin MePIP2;7 improves MeMGT9-mediated Mg2 + acquisition in cassava.

Aquaporins are important transmembrane water transport proteins which transport water and several neutral molecules. However, how aquaporins are involved in the synergistic transport of Mg2+ and water remains poorly understood. Here, we found that the cassava aquaporin MePIP2;7 was involved in Mg2+ transport through interaction with MeMGT9, a lower affinity magnesium transporter protein. Knockdown of MePIP2;7 in cassava led to magnesium deficiency in basal mature leaves with chlorosis and necrotic spots on their edges and starch over-accumulation. Mg2+ content was significantly decreased in leaves and roots of MePIP2;7-RNA interference (PIP-Ri) plants grown in both field and Mg2+ -free hydroponic solution. Xenopus oocyte injection analysis verified that MePIP2;7 possessed the ability to transport water only and MeMGT9 was responsible for Mg2+ efflux. More importantly, MePIP2;7 improved the transportability of Mg2+ via MeMGT9 as verified using the CM66 mutant complementation assay and Xenopus oocytes expressing system. Yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, co-localization, and co-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated the direct protein-protein interaction between MePIP2;7 and MeMGT9 in vivo. Mg2+ flux was significantly elevated in MePIP2;7-overexpressing lines in hydroponic solution through non-invasive micro-test technique analysis. Under Mg2+ -free condition, the retarded growth of PIP-Ri transgenic plants could be recovered with Mg2+ supplementation. Taken together, our results demonstrated the synergistic effect of the MePIP2;7 and MeMGT9 interaction in regulating water and Mg2+ absorption and transport in cassava.

Association between NET-1 Level in Placenta from Preeclampsia Pregnancies and Trophoblast Proliferation and Apoptosis: A Correlation Analysis.

Objective: This study investigates the expression pattern of neuroepithelial cell transforming 1 (NET-1) in placental tissues from pregnancies with preeclampsia (PE) and explores its role in mediating proliferative and apoptotic capacities of trophoblasts. Methods: The relative mRNA levels of NET-1 in placental tissues obtained from preeclampsia (PE) pregnancies (n = 60) and healthy pregnancies (n = 60) were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Pearson correlation test was conducted to assess the correlation between NET-1 level and systolic (Sp) and diastolic pressure (Dp) in PE pregnancies. After the knockdown of NET-1 in HTR-8/SVneo cells, changes in proliferation and apoptosis were examined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry, respectively. Results: NET-1 was highly expressed in placental tissues from PE pregnancies. PE patients with a high level of NET-1 had higher Sp and Dp, and NET-1 level was positively correlated with both Sp and Dp. Knockdown of NET-1 in HTR-8/SVneo cells decreased the proliferative rate but increased the apoptotic rate. Conclusions: NET-1 stimulates the development of PE by triggering trophoblast proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. Therefore, NET-1 could be a potential therapeutic target for treating PE and other related hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

[Research progress on role of traditional Chinese medicine in hepatic fibrosis based on miRNA-mediated activation of NLRP3 inflammasome].

In recent years, liver fibrosis has become a hotspot in the field of liver diseases. MicroRNA(miRNA)-mediated Nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) inflammasome activation is pivotal in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. The present study mainly discussed the role of miRNA-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Different miRNA molecules regulated liver fibrosis by mediating NLRP3 inflammasome activation, including miRNA-350-3 p(miR-350-3 p)/interleukin-6(IL-6)-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)/c-myc signaling pathway, miR-148 a-induced autophagy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells via hedgehog signaling pathway, miR-155-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome by the negative feedback of the suppressor of cytokine signaling-1(SOCS-1), miR-181 a-mediated downstream NLRP3 inflammatory pathway activation through mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase(MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)/nuclear transcription factor κB(NF-κB) inflammatory pathway, miR-21-promoted expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 of RAW264.7 cells in mice by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α inducible protein 3(A20), and miR-20 b-promoted expression of IL-1ß and IL-18 by activating NLRP3 signaling pathway. Additionally, the anti-liver fibrosis mechanism of different active components in Chinese medicines(such as Curcumae Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Aurantii Fructus, Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix, Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Epimedii Folium, and Cinnamomi Cortex) was also explored based on the anti-liver fibrosis effect of miRNA-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Effects of the non-pharmacological interventions of traditional Chinese medicine on postpartum depression: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) has become one of the common disorders during the postpartum period. The non-pharmacological interventions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have achieved good results in the treatment of PPD. However, the efficacy of different non-pharmacological interventions of TCM for PPD has not been fully elucidated. Due to the large number of non-pharmacological intervention of TCM modalities, the selection of appropriate non-pharmacological interventions of TCM has become an urgent clinical problem. The aim of this network meta-analysis was to explore the best choice for different non-pharmacological interventions of TCM for PPD. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Scientific Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang Data were searched to identify the randomized controlled trials of non-pharmacological interventions of TCM for PPD from the inception to February 2022. Two researchers will be independently responsible for literature screening, data extraction, and assessment of their quality. Standard pair-wise and Bayesian network meta-analysis will be performed to compare the efficacy of different non-pharmacological interventions of TCM for PPD via Stata 14.0 and WinBUGS1.4 software. RESULTS: The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. CONCLUSIONS: The conclusion of this systematic review will provide evidence for the selection of an optimal non-pharmacological interventions of TCM for PPD. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this study. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared on social media platforms. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/TM96G.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture combined with Tuina in the treatment of insomnia.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a sleep disorder with insufficient sleep time or/and poor sleep quality. Relevant epidemiological studies have shown that insomnia symptoms occur in about 35% to 50% of the adult population, and it is one of the most common diseases in the elderly. Patients who often suffer from insomnia are prone to symptoms such as fatigue, weakened cognitive function, depression, and even mental illness, which bring serious physical and mental damage to individuals and a heavy economic burden to social medical care and families. Traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine have their own advantages in the treatment of insomnia, and there is currently a lack of reports on the comparison of acupuncture combined with massage and conventional medicine. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with Tuina in the treatment of insomnia. METHODS: Search for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture combined with Tuina in the treatment of insomnia from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Database, and China Science and Technology Journal Database. The RevMan5.4 software was used for Meta- analysis after literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 29 studies were included with a total of 2688 cases. Compared with drugs or acupuncture alone, acupuncture combined with Tuina has advantages in the total clinical effectiveness, as well as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Statistical Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score (SAS) (OR = 3.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.77, 4.66], Z = 9.62 [P < .00001]) (MD = -2.44, 95% CI [-2.93, -1.95], Z = 9.72 [P < .00001]) (MD = -8.42, 95% CI [-10.23, -6.61], Z = 9.09 [P < .00001]). There was no statistically significant difference in Statistical Self-rating Depression Scale score (SDS) (MD = -5.26, 95% CI [-11.29, 0.78], Z = 1.71 [P > .05]). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with Tuina has obvious clinical advantages in the treatment of insomnia. This result is expected to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of insomnia, but the long-term effect of clinical efficacy still needs further study.

Efficacy and safety of Shenfu injection in the treatment of sepsis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a syndrome of infection-induced systemic inflammatory response. Conventional treatment combined with Shenfu injection (SFI) has been previously validated clinical effective in alleviating inflammatory response in patients with septic shock. However, evidence-based medical evidence is scant. Herein, we designed the protocol of a proposed study based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, aiming to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of SFI in patients with sepsis. METHODS: Eligible studies reporting the efficacy and safety of SFI in the treatment of sepsis published before August 2021 will be searched from online databases, including the PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Ovid, the Cochrane Library, Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and China Biology Medicine Disc. The literature selection process will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. After data extraction and methodological quality evaluation, Stata 12.0 software will be used to synthesize the data through fixed/random effects of meta-analysis models. RESULTS: The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. CONCLUSION: This study will provide reliable evidence-based basis for the clinical application of SFI in the treatment of sepsis. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/KCMDQ.

Effectiveness and safety of Bifidobacterium and berberine in human hyperglycemia and their regulatory effect on the gut microbiota: a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, parallel-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Berberine and Bifidobacterium have been reported to improve glucose tolerance in people with hyperglycemia or other metabolic disorders. This study aimed to assess the hypoglycemic effect and the regulation of the gut microbiota caused by berberine and Bifidobacterium and the possible additive benefits of their combination. METHODS: This was an 18-week, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled study of patients newly diagnosed with hyperglycemia. After a 2-week run-in period, 300 participants were randomly assigned to the following four groups for 16 weeks of treatment: berberine (Be), Bifidobacterium (Bi), berberine and Bifidobacterium (BB), and placebo group. The primary efficacy endpoint was the absolute value of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) compared with baseline after 16 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Between October 2015 and April 2018, a total of 297 participants were included in the primary analysis. Significant reductions of FPG were observed in the Be and BB groups compared with the placebo group, with a least square (LS) mean difference of - 0.50, 95% CI [- 0.85, - 0.15] mmol/L, and - 0.55, 95% CI [- 0.91, - 0.20] mmol/L, respectively. The Be and BB groups also showed significant reductions in 2-h postprandial plasma glucose. A pronounced decrease in HbA1c occurred in the BB group compared to the placebo group. Moreover, compared with the Bi and placebo groups, the Be and BB groups had more changes in the gut microbiota from the baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Berberine could regulate the structure and function of the human gut microbiota, and Bifidobacterium has the potential to enhance the hypoglycemic effect of berberine. These findings provide new insights into the hypoglycemic potential of berberine and Bifidobacterium. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03330184. Retrospectively registered on 18 October 2017.

[Comparison of planting modes of Dendrobium huoshanense and analysis of advantages of simulated cultivation].

Dendrobium huoshanense is a precious medicinal plant belonging to Dendrobium of Orchidaceae. It is a special medicinal material and extremely scarce in Huoshan county, Anhui province. At present, D. huoshanense has been greatly protected, which also makes it possible to industrialize relying on tissue culture and artificial cultivation technology. Three main planting methods were utilized for cultivating D. huoshanense including facility cultivation, under forest cultivation and simulative habitat cultivation. Firstly, the three cultivation modes and technical characteristics of D. huoshanense were compared and analyzed, and it was found that the ecological environment of D. huoshanense cultivated in the simulated environment was closer to that of wild D. huoshanense. Secondly, based on comparing the characters and quality of three cultivation modes, the results showed that the shape of D. huoshanense cultivated in simulated environment was more similar to that of "grasshopper thigh" recorded in Bencao Jing Jizhu, and its quality was better than that of facilities and under forest cultivation. The comprehensive benefit comparison of three modes showed that the simulated cultivation had high income, the lowest input-output ratio and significant economic benefit. The quality of cultivated D. huoshanense was further evaluated from four aspects of "excellent environment" "excellent shape" "high quality" "excellent effect", which summarized the comprehensive advantages of simulative habitat cultivation of D. huoshanense as follows: the original habitat and site environment of simulated wild D. huoshanense, the closer shape to the wild, the more content of main medicinal components, and higher economic benefit and better efficacy. The quality of D. huoshanense was improved by the use of simulative habitat cultivation, which has practical significance to guide its large-scale cultivation.

The herbal agent plantamajoside, exerts a potential inhibitory effect on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Plantamajoside (PMS), a major component of Plantago asiatica L, has several pharmacological properties, including anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. However, the effects of PMS on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have yet to be determined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of PMS on HCC and elucidate the underlying mechanism. All assays were conducted using 5 groups, namely control, sorafenib, and PMS 100, 50, and 25 µg/ml groups. Cell proliferation was determined by the MTT assay. Cell migration was evaluated with the wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were evaluated via flow cytometry. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis and western blotting were used to further investigate the mechanism of action of PMS. Sorafenib and PMS both significantly attenuated the proliferation and migration of HCC cells, and markedly promoted cell apoptosis. PMS induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. The efficacy of PMS increased in a dose-dependent manner. Further study evaluated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ), nuclear factor (NF)-κB and cyclooxygenase (Cox-2) using RT-qPCR analysis and western blotting. The results demonstrated that PMS promoted the expression of PPARγ and suppressed the expression of NF-κB and Cox-2. In conclusion, PMS was shown to affect cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. Furthermore, PMS promoted the expression of PPARγ and inhibited the expression of NF-κB and Cox-2, which may be the mechanism underlying its biological effects. Based on the results of the present study, PMS appears to be a promising agent for HCC therapy.

[Effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion at "Zhongwan" (CV 12) on serum GH and PG in chronic atrophic gastritis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion at "Zhongwan" (CV 12) on serum growth hormone (GH) and pepsinogen (PG) in chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) rats, and to explore the potential mechanism of heat-sensitive moxibustion for CAG. METHODS: A total of 66 male SD rats were randomized into a blank group (12 rats) and a model establishment group (54 rats). No intervention was given in the blank group. Rats in the model establishment group were intervented with compound pathogeny method for 12 weeks to establish CAG model, which were further divided into a model group (11 rats), a vitacoenzyme group (11 rats) and a moxibustion group (22 rats). In the moxibustion group, suspending moxibustion was applied at "Zhongwan" (CV 12) for 40 min. After the intervention of moxibustion, 0.9% sodium chloride solution was given by gavage (2 mL·kg-1·d-1). According to the changes of tail temperature, rats in the moxibustion group were divided into a heat-sensitive moxibustion group (11 rats) and a non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group (8 rats). The vitacoenzyme group was given vitacoenzyme as the same dose by gavage. The intervention was adopted once a day for 28 days. Changes of body weight were observed among the groups. Expressions of serum GH, PGⅠand PGⅡwere detected by ELISA, and the ratio of PGⅠand PGⅡ (PGR) was calculated. The morphological changes of gastric mucosa were observed by macroscopy and light microscope. RESULTS: ①After modeling, the body weight of rats in the model establishment group was lower than the blank group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the body weight of rats in the vitacoenzyme group, the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group was increased after intervention (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences among the intervention groups (P>0.05). ②Under macroscopy and light microscope, gastric tissue of rats after modeling showed dark red and pale gastric mucosa, lower plica and mucosal congestion. The glands of lamina propria were atrophied or disappeared with sparse and disordered arrangement, in which, lymphoid follicles and inflammatory cells could be observed. After intervention, morphology of gastric mucosa was improved in the vitacoenzyme group, the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group. ③Compared with the blank group, the serum levels of GH, PGⅠ, PGⅡ and PGR were decreased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum levels of GH, PGⅠand PGⅡwere increased in the vitacoenzyme group, the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group (P<0.05, P<0.01), the levels of PGR were increased without statistical difference (P>0.05). Compared with the vitacoenzyme group and the non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the serum levels of GH and PGⅠwere increased in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Heat-sensitive moxibustion at "Zhongwan" (CV 12) can improve the morphology of gastric mucosa in chronic atrophic gastritis rats, its mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of serum GH and PGⅠ.

Successful treatment of a case with NUT midline carcinoma in the larynx and review of the literature.

In this report, we gave the first case of successful treatment for laryngeal NMC, which is exceedingly rare with dismal prognosis. intensity-modulated radiation therapy accompanied by traditional Chinese medicine was administrated for the young woman, instead of radical resection, and she got continuous remission for more than 2 years, with no recurrence detected.

Yin-Cold or Yang-Heat Syndrome Type of Traditional Chinese Medicine Was Associated with the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene Status in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: Confirmation of a TCM Concept.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies should be tailored according to the different syndrome types. In order to identify the relationship between the TCM Yin-cold (YC) or Yang-heat (YH) syndrome types and the EGFR gene status, we prospectively studied 310 NSCLC patients. TCM YH or YC was diagnosed by three TCM experts. TCM symptoms and signs were entered into a binary cluster analysis. The relationships between the EGFR gene status, YH or YC syndrome types, and classification by cluster analysis were analyzed using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. In the 299 patients who had their EGFR gene tested, 45.24% YC (76/168) and 25.95% YH (34/131) patients had EGFR mutations (p = 0.001). Among the 292 patients entered into the cluster analysis, 132 were classified into group A, with signs and symptoms similar to YC, whereas 160 group B patients were similar to YH. In the 281 patients with EGFR tested, 45.67% group A (58/127) and 28.57% group B patients (44/154) had EGFR mutations (p = 0.003). The EGFR status was independently correlated with TCM syndrome type and classification by cluster analysis on multivariate logistic regression. NSCLC patients with YC were more likely to have EGFR gene mutations.

Alteration of the tongue manifestation reflects clinical outcomes of peptic ulcer disease.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether the tongue inspection technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be used as a noninvasive auxiliary diagnostic tool to differentiate the subtypes of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and as an indicator of therapeutic efficacy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 198 outpatients from the China Medical University Hospital were recruited. The control group comprised 50 healthy adults. The remaining 148 patients were diagnosed with gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, or Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection using upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, biopsy, and Campylobacter-like organism test. Tongue appearance was evaluated by a physician experienced in clinical Chinese medicine. Images of the tongue were immediately recorded using a high-resolution digital camera system. RESULTS: The affected group of 148 patients received an 8-week course of ulcer therapy. Of these, 108 patients infected with Hp were subjected to triple therapy in the first week. Forty-nine of these 108 cases infected with Hp completed secondary examination of upper GI endoscopy and tongue inspection. Forty-one of 49 cases (83.7%) were fully cured of Hp infection. These results showed that the color of the tongue body did not change in the cured patients; however, tongue fur was markedly thinner with a color change to white (p<0.05), while sublingual veins with engorgement (p<0.05) and blood stasis (p<0.01) improved after the ulcer healed and Hp was eradicated. CONCLUSIONS: TCM tongue inspection can be potentially used as a noninvasive auxiliary diagnostic method and as an indicator for clinical outcomes for patients with PUD.

Body massage performance investigation by brain activity analysis.

Massage has been widely applied to improve health and reduce stress. However, the performance difference between hands-on treatment and treatment by mechanical devices has been little mentioned. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to investigate a subject's EEG performance under massage treatment applied by hand and treatment applied by mechanical devices. Massage was applied to four acupoints for three minutes each. The massage acupoint sequence was from left Jian-wai-yu, right Jian-wai-yu, left Zuo-fei-yu, and finally right Zuo-fei-yu. An EEG system of 32 channels was used. Twenty-four volunteers, mainly college students, were enrolled. EEG rhythm powers of each massage sessions were derived. Two-way ANOVA revealed that there were also significant interactions between the massage stage and the massage type on delta (P < 0.01), theta (P < 0.05), and beta rhythms (P < 0.01), and there were significant differences at different stages for the mechanical massage group (F = 5.557, P < 0.01). The mechanical massage group had more significant differences than the hands-on group for stage coherence of around coherence on alpha rhythm. Further rhythm power scalp topography between two massage methods is also investigated.

[Analyze on chemical compositions of Dalbergia odorifera essential oils extracted by CO2-supercritical-fluid-extraction and steam distillation extraction].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the chemical compositions of Dalbergia odorifera essential oils extacted by CO2-supercritical-fluid-extraction (SFE-CO2) and steam distillation extraction (SD). METHODS: The essential oils of Dalbergia odorifera were extracted by steam distillation extraction and SFE-CO2. The chemical components were separated and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: 12 compounds were identified in SFE sample. The major components from essential oils were 2-propenoic acid-3(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl ester (14.53%), nerolidol (14.95%), ageratochromene (1.33%). 9 compounds were identified in SD sample. The major components from essential oils were nerolidol (26.61%), cedrol (1.65%). CONCLUSION: The SFE method is better than the SD method in reliability stability and reproducibility, and suitable for essential oils extraction of Dalbergia odorifera.

In vitro photothermal study of gold nanoshells functionalized with small targeting peptides to liver cancer cells.

Gold nanoshells functionalized with a small peptide as a targeting agent were designed and synthesized for photothermal therapy of hepatocarcinoma. The nanoshells exhibited high absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) range, 800-1,100 nm, and were functionalized with 12-amino acid sequence peptides for targeting liver cancer cells. The nanoshells were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and IR spectra. The functionalized gold nanoshells showed good targeting ability to liver cancer cells BEL-7404 and BEL-7402 while not to the normal healthy liver cell HL-7702, and also had a low cytotoxic activity. The fluorescence images showed that the gold nanoshells caused death to the liver cancer cells efficiently after being treated with a NIR light in vitro. These simple, stable, low cytotoxic, cancer-cell targeting gold nanoshells present a great promise as delivery agents for the selective photothermal treatment of liver cancer cells.