Pyridostigmine ameliorates pristane-induced arthritis symptoms in Dark Agouti rats.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder. Pyridostigmine (PYR), an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in several animal models for inflammation-associated conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of PYR on pristane-induced (PIA) in Dark Agouti (DA) rats. METHOD: DA rats were intradermally infused with pristane to establish the PIA model, which was treated with PYR (10 mg/kg/day) for 27 days. The effects of PYR on synovial inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota were evaluated by determining arthritis scores, H&E staining, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and biochemical assays, as well as 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: Pristane induced arthritis, with swollen paws and body weight loss, increased arthritis scores, synovium hyperplasia, and bone or cartilage erosion. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in synovium was higher in the PIA group than in the control group. PIA rats also displayed elevated levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in plasma. Moreover, sequencing results showed that the richness, diversity, and composition of the gut microbiota dramatically changed in PIA rats. PYR abolished pristane-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, and corrected the gut microbiota dysbiosis. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the protective role of PYR in PIA in DA rats, associated with the attenuation of inflammation and correction of gut microbiota dysbiosis. These findings open new perspectives for pharmacological interventions in animal models of RA.

Regulatory role of phosphoproteins in the development of bovine small intestine during early life.

The small intestine is the primary site of nutrient digestion and absorption, which plays a key role in the survival of neonatal calves. A comprehensive assessment of the phosphoproteomic changes in the small intestine of neonatal calves is unavailable; therefore, we used phosphopeptide enrichment coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to investigate the changes in the phosphoproteome profile in the bovine small intestine during the first 36 h of life. Twelve neonatal male calves were assigned to one of the following groups: (1) calves not fed colostrum and slaughtered approximately 2 h postpartum (n = 3), (2) calves fed colostrum at 1 to 2 h and slaughtered 8 h postpartum (n = 3), (3) calves fed 2 colostrum meals (at 1-2 and 10-12 h) and slaughtered 24 h postpartum (n = 3), (4) calves fed 3 colostrum meals (at 1-2, 10-12, and 22-24 h) and slaughtered 36 h postpartum (n = 3). Mid-duodenal, jejunal, and ileal samples of the calves were collected after slaughter. We identified 1,678 phosphoproteins with approximately 3,080 phosphosites, which were mainly Ser (89.9%), Thr (9.8%), and Tyr (0.3%) residues; they belonged to the prodirected (52.9%), basic (20.4%), acidic (16.6%), and Tyr-directed (1.7%) motif categories. The regional differentially expressed phosphoproteins included zonula occludens 2, sorting nexin 12, and protein kinase C, which are mainly associated with developmental processes, intracellular transport, vesicle-mediated transport, and immune system process. They are enriched in the endocytosis, tight junction, insulin signaling, and focal adhesion pathways. The temporal differentially expressed phosphoproteins included occludin, epsin 1, and bridging integrator 1, which were mainly associated with macromolecule metabolic process, cell adhesion, and growth. They were enriched in the spliceosomes, adherens junctions, and tight junctions. The observed changes in the phosphoproteins in the tissues of small intestine suggest the protein phosphorylation plays an important role in nutrient transport and immune response of calves during early life, which needs to be confirmed in a larger study.

[Efficacy and safety of Kangbingdu granules in the treatment of influenza: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, positive-drug parallel control multicenter clinical trial].

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of Kangbingdu granules (KBD) in the treatment of influenza. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, and positive-drug parallel control trial was conducted in 27 Grade ⅢA hospitals in China and the subjects were randomly assigned to the KBD test group or the oseltamivir phosphate capsule control group at a ratio of 1∶1. 200 subjects were planned to be enrolled in each group. The experimental group was given KBD (18g each time, 3 times a day) and oseltamivir phosphate simulator orally, while the control group was given oseltamivir phosphate capsule (75 mg each time, twice a day) and KBD simulator orally for 5 days. The primary efficacy indicators included the remission time of major clinical symptoms and the time of complete defervescence. The secondary efficacy indicators included dosage of acetaminophen, the change of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score and the remission time of other important clinical symptoms. The efficacy of KBD in the test group and Oseltamivir phosphate control group were compared. Adverse events or adverse reactions were observed at the same time to evaluate the safety of KBD Granules. Results: A total of 393 subjects from 27 Grade ⅢA hospitals in China were enrolled. The experimental group included 195 subjects and 191 subjects (97.95%) completed the trial, While the control group included 198 subjects and 195 subjects (98.48%) completed the trial. There was no significant difference in the shedding rate and rejection rate between the two groups (P>0.05). In the Full Analysis Set (FAS), the mean age of the experimental group was (34.9±14.4) years old, with 83 males (42.78%). The mean age of the control group was (33.3±13.5) years old, with 78 males (39.59%). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in demographic data, physical examination, viral pathogen detection, total score of TCM syndromes and scores of each symptom at baseline (P>0.05). In the FAS, the remission time M (Q1, Q3) of major clinical symptoms was 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) days in the experimental group and 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) days in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The time M (Q1, Q3) of complete defervescence was 34.0 (20.3, 49.0) hours in the experimental group and 36.5 (19.6, 48.8) hours in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). KBD granules had the same effect as Oseltamivir phosphate capsule (P>0.05) in terms of acetaminophen dosage, TCM syndrome effect and disappearance rate of most important clinical symptoms. Meanwhile, the disappearance rate of dizziness and chest distress on day 3 in the KBD granules group was better than that of oseltamivir phosphate capsule (P<0.05). Conclusion: KBD granules have the same efficacy as Oseltamivir Phosphate capsule in the treatment of influenza and the drug safety is good.

[Effect of Puyu Capsules on behavior,HPA axis and CREB-BDNF pathway expression in hippocampus of depressed mice].

This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effects of Puyu Capsules and its potential mechanism. The antidepressant activity of Puyu Capsules was evaluated by forced swimming test(FST) and tail suspension test(TST) after subchronic administration in mice. Next, the mice were subjected to a chronic unpredictable stress(CUS) protocol for a period of 28 d to induce depressive-like behaviors. Then, a sucrose preference test, open-field test and novelty-suppressed feeding test were performed to evaluate the antidepressant effect of Puyu Capsules. After the behavioral test, the adrenal index was calculated; the levels of serum corticosterone(CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA); the levels of glucocorticoid receptor(GR), protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), and the ratio of phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein(CREB) to total CREB were detected by Western blot to explore the antidepressant function and mechanism of Puyu Capsules. The results suggested that Puyu Capsules had significant antidepressant effects on both the depression model and CUS model. At the same time, the drug could prevent the change of adrenal index induced by CUS and reverse the abnormal activation of CORT and ACTH in the serum of depressed mice. Finally, Puyu Capsules could also reverse the lower expression of pCREB, BDNF and GR in the hippocampus of CUS mice. In conclusion, Puyu Capsules produced significant antidepressant effects, and the mechanism was closely related to hypothalamic pituitary adrenal(HPA) axis activity, GR and CREB-BDNF pathway expression.

[Application of urethral pressure profilometry in artificial urinary sphincter implantation].

Objective: To investigate the changes of maximum urethral pressure (MUP) and maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) after artificial urethral sphincter (AUS) implantation and their prognostic value. Methods: The clinical data of patients who had undergone AUS implantation in multiple medical centers between March and July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Data of urethral pressure profilometry, pad usage, related scores and complications related to surgery were collected and compared. The primary endpoint was social continence (defined as 0-1 pad/d) 1 month after activation of the pump. Results: A total of five male patients were included in this study. Two underwent transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia, two underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, and one underwent urethral reunion, urethral stricture dilatation and cystostomy due to trauma from traffic accident. All patients had different degrees of urinary incontinence. The results of preoperative urethral profilometry test showed that the MUP of five patients were 52, 53, 88, 32, and 66 cmH(2)O(1 cmH(2)O=0.098 kPa), respectively, and the MUCP were 17, 52, 62, 27, and 40 cmH(2)O, respectively. AUS implantation was performed. The intraoperative urethral pressure profilometry showed that the MUP were 53, 113, 50, 77, and 89 cmH(2)O in the inactivated state, and the MUCP were 50, 97, 31, 71, and 51 cmH(2)O, respectively. In the activated state, the MUP were 112, 174, 193, 121, and 120 cmH(2)O, and the MUCP were 109, 160, 175, 114, and 92 cmH(2)O, respectively. All patients met the social continence (0-1 pad/d) criterion. No complications were reported during the follow-up. Conclusions: The relationship between the range of intraoperative urethral pressure and the effect of urinary control can be gained by measuring the specific values of MUP and MUCP during AUS implantation and the post-operative effects, which provides as a data basis for standardizing AUS implantation.

[Sacral neuromodulation preliminary outcomes in male patients with idiopathic dysuria].

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) therapy for men with idiopathic dysuria. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2016, a total of 26 patients treated with SNM therapy from multi-center across the country were retrospectively studied. The age ranged from 19 to 86 years with an average age of 45.2 years. Patients suffered from one or multiple urinary symptoms such as frequency of urination, urgency, urinary retention, etc. All patients had received more than two types of conservative therapy including oral and behavioral therapy, but had poor or no improvement. The voiding diary, urgency score and the quality of life score before implantation, in stageⅠ after implantation and stage Ⅱ after permanent implantation were recorded and compared. Results: A total of 22 patients chose to receive IPG at the end of stageⅠ therapy while 4 patients refused further stage Ⅱ therapy because of dissatisfactory effect. The conversion rate of stage Ⅰ to stage Ⅱ was 84.6% (22/26). The average follow-up time was 19.2 months, ranging from 3 to 63 months. The baseline of residual urine, voiding frequency and average voiding amount and those after stage Ⅰ therapy were [5 (0, 137.5) ] ml vs [0 (0, 40) ] ml, 14.6±6.1 vs 9.1±2.8, [100 (80, 135) ] ml vs [190 (150, 210) ] ml, respectively. The differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).However, no significant differences were found in urination volume and quality of life (QoL) before and after implantation(P>0.05). During an average follow-up time of 19.2 months after the permanent implantation, over 80% patients had an improvement of residual urine volume by more than 50% after permanent implantation while the improvement was 55.6% after stage Ⅰ therapy, suggesting that the improvement of residual urine volume might be positively correlated with the duration of regulation. No significant differences were found in other parameters between stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ therapy. No adverse events like wound infection and electrode dislocation happened during our study. Conclusions: SNM is an effective and safety procedure for male patients with idiopathic dysuria, with a relatively high transfer rate. The medium-term curative effect is stable. The duration of regulation may be positively correlated with the improvement of residual urine.

Maintenance of SOX9 stability and ECM homeostasis by selenium-sensitive PRMT5 in cartilage.

OBJECTIVES: Selenium (Se) plays pivotal roles in maintaining optimal health. Nevertheless, how Se influences the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) in cartilage remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to observe protein dimethylation by certain Se-sensitive PRMT and to elucidate its effects on the key transcriptional factor in cartilage. METHODS: We observed the expression of selenoproteins and markers of ECM metabolism in chondrocytes and articular cartilage of the rats under Se-deficiency by RT-qPCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Then, we analyzed the expression of total dimethylated protein by using specific antibody under different Se statuses. After Se sensitive PRMT was identified, we used siRNA or PRMT inhibitor or stably overexpressing vector to intervene in the PRMT expression and identified the key transcriptional factor. Co-immunoprecipitation was applied to verify the interaction between PRMT and the key transcriptional factor. Finally, we measured the half-life time of the key transcriptional factor by immunoblotting after cycloheximide treatment. RESULTS: In chondrocytes and cartilage of the rats with Se deficiency, we found an aberrant metabolism manifesting decreased expression of Col2a1 and increased expression of Mmp-3. Then, we identified that PRMT5 was the unique type II PRMT, sensitive to Se status. PRMT5 upregulation led to the increased COL2A1 expression but decreased MMP-3 expression in chondrocytes. Furthermore, we revealed that PRMT5 improved SOX9 stability by dimethylating the protein, which contributed to maintain the matrix metabolic homeostasis of the chondrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Se-sensitive PRMT5 increases the half-life of SOX9 protein via PTM and helps to maintain ECM homeostasis of the articular cartilage.

Protective effect of quercetin on acute lung injury in rats with sepsis and its influence on ICAM-1 and MIP-2 expression.

This study aimed to explore the protective effect of quercetin on acute lung injury (ALI) in rats with sepsis and the related mechanism. Rats were administered different doses of quercetin intraperitoneally, and blood samples and lung tissue were collected at 24 h after treatment. Arterial blood gases, lung water content, protein content, and cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. Morphological changes in lung tissue pathology were observed under a light microscope. Serum intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) levels were detected and ICAM-1 and MIP-2 mRNA expression in lung tissue was determined. Compared with that in the control model group, arterial blood gases, lung water content, protein content, and cell counts in BALF improved in the high- and low-dose quercetin groups (P < 0.05), with maximal improvement observed for the high-dose quercetin (P < 0.05). Lesions on the lungs improved in the high- and low-dose quercetin groups than those in the control model group, and the high-dose quercetin group showed better improvement than the low-dose group (P < 0.05). Compared with that in the sham-operated group, both serum and lung tissue ICAM-1 and MIP-2 expression increased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05). The quercetin groups presented lower ICAM-1 and MIP-2 expression than the control model group, with the lowest expression observed in the high-dose group (P < 0.05). Quercetin may protect against ALI in rats with sepsis by inhibiting ICAM-1 and MIP-2 expression.

Definition, evaluation, and management of brain relaxation during craniotomy.

The term 'brain relaxation' is routinely used to describe the size and firmness of the brain tissue during craniotomy. The status of brain relaxation is an important aspect of neuroanaesthesia practice and is relevant to the operating conditions, retraction injury, and likely patient outcomes. Brain relaxation is determined by the relationship between the volume of the intracranial contents and the capacity of the intracranial space (i.e. a content-space relationship). It is a concept related to, but distinct from, intracranial pressure. The evaluation of brain relaxation should be standardized to facilitate clinical communication and research collaboration. Both advantageous and disadvantageous effects of the various interventions for brain relaxation should be taken into account in patient care. The outcomes that matter the most to patients should be emphasized in defining, evaluating, and managing brain relaxation. To date, brain relaxation has not been reviewed specifically, and the aim of this manuscript is to discuss the current approaches to the definition, evaluation, and management of brain relaxation, knowledge gaps, and targets for future research.

Baseline characteristics of the omega-3 fatty acids (Fish oils) and Aspirin in Vascular access OUtcomes in REnal Disease (FAVOURED) study.

AIM: The Fish oils and Aspirin in Vascular access OUtcomes in REnal Disease (FAVOURED) trial investigated whether 3 months of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, either alone or in combination with aspirin, will effectively reduce primary access failure of de novo arteriovenous fistulae. This report presents the baseline characteristics of all study participants, examines whether study protocol amendments successfully increased recruitment of a broader and more representative haemodialysis cohort, including patients already receiving aspirin, and contrasts Malaysian participants with those from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (UK). METHOD: This international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included patients older than 19 years with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease currently receiving, or planned within 12 months to receive haemodialysis. RESULTS: Participants (n = 568) were overweight (28.6 ± 7.3 kg/m(2) ), relatively young (54.8 ± 14.3 years), and predominantly male (63%) with a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (46%) but low rate of ischaemic heart disease (8%). Sixty one percent were planned for lower arm arteriovenous fistula creation. Malaysian participants (n = 156) were younger (51.8 ± 13.6 years vs 57.1 ± 14.2 years, P < 0.001) with a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (65% vs 43%, P < 0.001), but less ischaemic heart disease (5% vs 14%, P < 0.01) compared with the combined Australian, New Zealand and UK cohort (n = 228). Protocol modifications allowing for inclusion of patients receiving aspirin increased the prevalence of co-morbidities compared with the original cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The FAVOURED study participants, while mostly similar to patients in contemporary national registry reports and comparable recent clinical trials, were on average younger and had less ischaemic heart disease. These differences were reduced as a consequence of including patients already receiving aspirin.

Effect of sample preparation on components and liver toxicity of Polygonum multiflorum.

It was shown that different extracts had significant differences in the toxicity of Polygonum multiflorum. In this study, the effect of sample preparation on components and liver toxicity of different extracts from P. multiflorum were determined. Hepatoxic components were discovered based on biomembrane extraction. Comparative chemistry and toxicology between ethanol and water extracts were also performed. The results showed that ethanol extract had much stronger hepatotoxicity, the content of emodin-8-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, physcion-8-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, emodin and physcion was significantly higher in ethanol extract than in water extract, while the human hepatocytes extraction showed that 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, emodin-8-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, physcion-8-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, emodin and physcion had interaction with human hepatocytes. The hepatotoxic effect of these components was investigated on human hepatocytes LO2 cells and emodin-8-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, physcion-8-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, emodin and physcion were finally confirmed to be, at least partial, hepatotoxic components. The results showed that sample preparation has significant effect on components in extracts of P. multiflorum especially the components related to hepatotoxicity. Water extract, the conventional administration form of Chinese herbs, is prefer for phytotherapy before well understanding their chemistry and biological activities.

Two novel ATP2C1 mutations in patients with Hailey-Hailey disease and a literature review of sequence variants reported in the Chinese population.

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) is an autosomal dominant disorder in which the ATP2C1 gene has been implicated. Many mutations of this gene have been detected in HHD patients. To analyze such mutations in HHD and summarize all those identified in Chinese patients with this disease, we examined four familial and two sporadic cases and searched for case reports and papers by using the Chinese Biological Medicine Database and PubMed. HHD diagnoses were made based on clinical features and histopathological findings. Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of the ATP2C1 gene were performed using blood samples from HHD patients, unaffected family members, and 120 healthy individuals. Three mutations were identified, including the recurrent mutation c.2126C>T (p.Thr709Met), and two novel missense mutations, c.2235_2236insC (p.Pro745fs*756) and c.689G>A (p.Gly230Asp). Considering our data, 81 different mutations have now been reported in Chinese patients with HHD. In cases of misannotation or duplication, previously published mutations were renamed according to a complementary DNA reference sequence. These mutations are scattered throughout the ATP2C1 gene, with no evident hotspots or clustering. It is of note that some reported "novel" mutations were in fact found to be recurrent. Our findings expand the range of known ATP2C1 sequence variants in this disease.

Protective effects of melatonin against oxidative stress in flow cytometry-sorted buffalo sperm.

Previous reports of the ability of melatonin to scavenge a variety of toxic oxygen and nitrogen-based reactants suggest that melatonin could be an effective antioxidant for protecting sperm. In this study, flow cytometry and laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy were used to evaluate the effect of melatonin on buffalo sperm quality to optimize sperm sex-sorting procedures. In fresh sperm incubated in the presence or absence of melatonin (10(-4) m) for 1, 24, 48 h or 72 h at 27°C, the mitochondrial activity was significantly higher than in a non-melatonin control (p < 0.05). Also, during the flow-sorting process, sperm in melatonin-supplemented groups had higher (p < 0.05) mitochondrial activity than the control. The intensity of Raman spectra from sperm frozen in media supplemented with melatonin was significantly weaker than that for non-melatonin-treated groups, except for a band at 1302 per cm. Thus, melatonin helps to protect buffalo sperm from reactive oxygen species induced by staining, sorting and freezing and increases semen quality after the freezing-thawing processes. Furthermore, the results indicate the high potential of the laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy technique for rapid, effective and non-invasive assessment of the quality of sperm cells.

Cytotoxic oxoisoaporphine alkaloids from Menispermum dauricum.

Four new oxoisoaporphine alkaloids, daurioxoisoporphines A-D (1-4), were isolated from the rhizomes of Menispermum dauricum. The structures of these alkaloids were established by spectroscopic methods. The cytotoxic evaluation of 1 and 2 is reported against four cancer cell lines.

[Determination of rutin and quercetin in mulberry leaves by high performance capillary electrophoresis].

Rutin and quercetin are the main effective components of mulberry leaves with the functions of controlling the increase of fat in serum and controlling the formation of arterio-sclerosis. In this article a high performance capillary electrophoretic(HPCE) method was used to separate and determine rutin and quercetin in mulberry leaves collected from different periods, different places and different kinds in Xinjiang. Electrophoretic conditions were as follows: a capillary tube (75 microns i.d. x 57 cm (effective length, 50 cm)), with 10 mmol/L dihydrogen sodium phosphate-20 mmol/L sodium borate containing 15% methanol as the running buffer (pH 8.62) and an applied voltage of 20 kV, at 25 degrees C, detected at a wavelength of 245 nm. Under the optimum conditions, rutin and querctin were separated successfully from other components within 12 minutes. The corrected peak areas of rutin and quercetin increased linearly with the increase of their concentrations in the range of 4.4 mg/L-28.8 mg/L and 1.8 mg/L-145.8 mg/L respectively. The corresponding regression equations for rutin and quercetin were Y = 71.60 rho + 30.51 (r = 0.9991) and Y = 315.17 rho - 929.70 (r = 0.9949) respectively, and the recoveries were 95.64% and 99.36%. The analytical results demonstrate the method is simple, quick and well reproducible, and can be used as a reliable tool for the quality control of mulberry leaves.

[Timosaponins E1 and E2].

By means of silica gel chromatography and HPLC, two compounds were isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge.. On the basis of chemical and spectral (MS, 1H, 13CNMR, IR) analyses, their structures were elucidated as (25S)-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22-hydroxy-5 beta-furost-3 beta, 15 alpha, 26-triol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1), and (25S)-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22-methoxy-5 beta-furost-3 beta, 15 alpha, 26-triol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2). They are named as timosaponin E1 (1) and timosaponin E2 (2) respectively. The structure of anemarrhenasaponin-I (A) is briefly discussed. Timosaponins are the main active constituents of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, most of them were shown to can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Herbs of the genus Phyllanthus in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: observations with three preparations from different geographic sites.

It has been suggested that herbs of the Phyllanthus family may have antiviral activity. We therefore tested the effects of three different Phyllanthus extracts on the serologic status of 123 patients with chronic hepatitis B. Eleven patients received an extract of Phyllanthus amarus (L) provided by S.P. Thyagarajan, Madras, India. Forty-two patients received Phyllanthus niruri (L), gathered from Hainan Province in China, and 35 patients received an extract of Phyllanthus urinaria (L), which had been gathered in Henan Province. Thirty-five control patients received no herbal therapy. The patients receiving Phyllanthus urinaria (L) were both more likely to lose detectable hepatitis B e-antigen from their serum and more likely to seroconvert hepatitis B e-antibody status from negative to positive than were patients given either of the other two preparations. No patient changed status with respect to hepatitis B s-antigen.

[Efficacy of Phyllanthus spp. in treating patients with chronic hepatitis B].

The efficacy of Phyllanthus amarus produced in india, P. niruri gathered from hainan province and P. urinaria from henan province was assessed in a total of 88 cases of chronic hepatitis B with 11.42 and 35 each. It was shown that P. urinaria had the effect of seroconversion on HBeAg from positive to negative as well as on HBeAb from negative to positive, while the other two herbs had not. In addition none of these three herbs had similar effect on HBsAg.