Analysis of Chemical Constitutions of Polygonatum cyrtonema Dried Rhizomes Before and After Processing with Wine Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To quickly analyze and identify the components in raw and wine-processed products of <italic>Polygonatum cyrtonema</italic> （PC） dried rhizomes by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）， and then find out the differential components before and after processing. Method:The ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈ column （2.1 mm×100 mm， 1.8 μm） was used with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution-acetonitrile as the mobile phase for gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.25 mL·min^-1. Electrospray ionization was selected for collection and detection in positive and negative ion modes， and the data were analyzed by PeakView 1.2.0.3. According to the retention time， accurate relative molecular weight and fragmentation ion information provided by MS， and combined with the reference substance and literature， the components were identified. After normalized treatment， the MS data of each sample were analyzed with principal component analysis （PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA）， and then the differential components before and after processing were screened according to the principle that variable importance in the projection （VIP） value was >1. Result:A total of 38 components were identified from raw and wine-processed products of PC dried rhizomes， including 15 steroidal saponins， 6 alkaloids， 3 flavonoids， 2 amino acids， 2 organic acids and 10 others. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA showed that there were significant differences in the contents of components in PC dried rhizomes before and after processing， and 16 differential components such as kingianoside Z， disporopsin and linoleic acid were screened. Conclusion:UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique can accurately and comprehensively identify the components in PC dried rhizomes， these components are mainly steroidal saponins， flavonoids and alkaloids. It takes a great difference in the contents of components before and after processing， and transformation of the same category components is the main reason for the differences of raw and wine-processed products， which will provide reference for the researches on material basis and processing chemistry of PC dried rhizomes.

[Research progress on processing history evolution, chemical components and pharmacological effects of Polygonati Rhizoma].

Polygonati Rhizoma(PR), listed as a top-grade medicine, was recorded first in the Mingyi Bielu written by TAO Hongjing. It is a good medicine through the ages to tonify Qi and nourish Yin, strengthen spleen and kidney. PR has a long history of processing and has a variety of processing methods and technologies. Steaming and stewing are the main processing methods. There are many different excipients used in processing PR, such as wine, honey, black beans, and multiple excipients. At present, there are three plant varieties of PR recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, including Polygonatum sibiricum, P. kingianum and P. cyrtonema, collectively called medicinal PR. Medicinal PR has a wide range of chemical components, mainly including polysaccharides, steroidal saponins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids and alkaloids etc. It also has a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as anti-oxidation, anti-osteoporosis and anti-tumor effects. In this paper, we review the historical evolution, chemical components, pharmacological effects, and the effects of processing on ingredients and pharmacological effects of PR. We also analyze the limitations of the current research on PR, and put forward the prospects on the scientific connotation of processing, quality improvement, process innovation and new product development of PR for further researches.

Progress of Historical Evolution of Processing, Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Effect of Platycodonis Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Platycodonis Radix, which was first recorded in the Agriculture God's Canon of Materia Medica. It is a multi-functional drug with a wide range of applications. The processing of Platycodonis Radix has been recorded as early as in the Jin dynasty, and has a long history of processing. Today, in addition to the washing, cutting and stir-frying with honey, there have also been more than 20 kinds of processing methods, such as stir-frying with wine, stir-frying with bran, stir-frying with Lilii Bulbus juice and so on. The ancients believed that Platycodonis Radix could enhance the effect of diffusing the lung, promoting pharynx and relieving cough by processing. In terms of the chemical compositions in Platycodonis Radix, more than 100 compositions, like triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, phenols, sterols, polysaccharides and polyacetylenes, have been isolated and identified from it. Among them, triterpenoid saponins are the essential compositions. In addition, Platycodonis Radix has the pharmacological effects of expectorant, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, etc. The medicinal ingredients of Platycodonis Radix are mainly triterpenoid saponins and polysaccharides. Among them, triterpenoid saponins have diverse biological activities, which lead it to be one of the hotspots of current researches. Platycodonis Radix has a good role in promoting lung and removing phlegm. After being processed, its medicinal effects are enhanced. It is complex and diverse in compositions of Platycodonis Radix so that has rich pharmacological activities. On the basis of sorting out the literature, this paper discusses the processing history, chemical composition and pharmacological effect of Platycodonis Radix, in order to provide reference for the special processing and modern research of Platycodonis Radix. Furtherly, it provides a theoretical basis for the research of its processing mechanism and quality control.

Effects of Salidroside on Tic Behavior of Tourette Syndrome Model Rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of salidroside on tic behavior and in vivo dopamine DA) and serotonin (5-HT) levels in Tourette syndrome (TS) model rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, the TS model group, the haloperidol-treated group (0.5 mg/kg x d(-1)), and the salidroside-treated group (50 mg/kg x d(-1)), 10 in each group. TS rat model was induced by imino-dipropio-nitrile (IDPN). Peritoneal injection of haloperidol and salidroside was started from the 4th day of modeling in the haloperidol-treated group and the salidroside-treated group respectively. Normal saline was peritoneally injected to rats in the blank control group and the TS model group respectively. Stereotyped behavior was scored, and changes of DA and 5-HT levels in blood and striatum were measured before modeling, after modeling, and after intervention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank control group, the score of the tic behavior was elevated (P < 0.01) , levels of DA and 5-HT in plasma and striatum were reduced in the model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the same group after modeling, the tic behavior score decreased and plasma DA levels increased in the two treated groups after intervention (P < 0.01). 5-HT content increased in the salidroside-treated group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group after intervention, the tic behavior score was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), and DA levels in plasma and striatum were elevated (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) in the salidroside-treated group and the haloperidol-treated group. Compared with the haloperidol-treated group, the tic behavior score increased (P < 0.01), DA levels in plasma and striatum were lowered (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), the 5-HT level increased in plasma and striatum (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) in the salidroside-treated group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In the salidroside-treated group, the tic behavior was significantly reduced, and DA levels in plasma and striatum were elevated. Its mechanism might be related to regulating activities of dopamine neurons in striatum.</p>

Panax notoginseng saponins inhibits atherosclerotic plaque angiogenesis by down-regulating vascular endothelial growth factor and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase subunit 4 expression / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), an effective component extracted from Panax notoginseng, on atherosclerotic plaque angiogenesis in atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice fed with high-fat, high-cholesterol diet.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty ApoE-KO mice were divided into two groups, the model group and the PNS group. Ten normal C57BL/6J mice were used as a control group. PNS (60 mg/kg) was orally administered daily for 12 weeks in the PNS group. The ratio of plaque area to vessel area was examined by histological staining. The tissue sample of aortic root was used to detect the CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression areas by immunohistochemistry. The expression of VEGF and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase subunit 4 (NOX4) were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment with PNS, the plaque areas were decreased (P<0.05). CD34 expressing areas and VEGF expression areas in plaques were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Meanwhile, VEGF and NOX4 mRNA expression were decreased after treatment with PNS. VEGF and NOX4 protein expression were also decreased by about 72% and 63%, respectively (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PNS, which decreases VEGF and NOX4 expression, could alleviate plaque angiogenesis and attenuate atherosclerosis.</p>

Effect of Compound Qingre Granule on the Expression of Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Subsets of Acute Virus Infection Patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe interventional effects of anti-viral therapy and Compound Qin-gre Granule (CQG) on host cellular immune functions of acute virus infection patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty acute virus infection patients were recruited to detect peripheral lymphocyte subsets. They were randomly assigned to two groups, the Western medicine treatment group (treated with anti-virus Western medicine) and the integrative medicine treatment group (treated with anti-virus Western medicine plus CQG). T-cell subsets were re-examined 7 days later. Changes between before and after treatment were observed. Effect on host cellular immune functions and efficacy were compared between the Western medicine treatment and the integrative medicine treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, the percentage of peripheral T cells increased, and the percentage of B/NK cells decreased in acute virus infection patients (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, in T cell subsets, the percentage of CD8+ T cells and CD8+ CD38+ T cells increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); and percentages of CD4+ T cells, CD4+ CD28 + T cells, and CD8+ CD28+ T cells decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After one-week treatment, percentages of CD4+ T cells, CD4+ CD28+ T cells, and CD8+ CD28+ T cells increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while the percentage of CD8+ CD38+ T cells decreased (P < 0.01). More significantly, these changes were greater in the integrative medicine treatment group than in the Western medicine treatment group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Disarranged cellular immune functions existed in acute virus infection patients. CQG could significantly improve viral infection induced immunologic derangement and immunologic injury.</p>

Isolation of antifungal compound from Paeonia suffruticosa and its antifungal mechanism / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate antifungal compound from Paeonia suffruticosa, and to find the antifungal mechanisms by observing the ultrastructural modifications of yeasts in growth phase produced by 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) root bark (PRB) was separated by solvent extraction and purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using analytical and preparative reversed phase C18 column on the basis of bio-assay method. In order to investigate the antifungal mechanism of PGG, Yeasts were submitted to different concentrations [3 × minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), 0.3 × MIC] for 1 h under constant stirring at 30 °C, and transmission electron microscopy was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Based on the antifungal activity of PRB on Candida glabrata CBS138, the antifungal compound were isolated in ethyl acetate layer of PRB and identified as PGG by mass spectrometry, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, with molecular weight of 940 and molecular formular as C41H32O26. Transmission electron microscopy showed that PGG degraded the cell wall envelope.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest that PGG may be responsible for the antifungal activity of PRB by disrupting the structure of cell wall directly.</p>

Qindan capsule changes adventitial collagen synthesis in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Qindan capsule (QC) on collagen synthesis and the mechanism underlying the process in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twentyfour SHRs were divided into three groups: the hypertension model group, the QC treatment group, and the losartan treatment group. Eight Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as the normal control group. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the rats was monitored, and the thoracic aorta adventitia of the rats was segregated. The expressions of transforming growth factor 1 (TGF-β1), Smad3, and collagens I and were measured by histological staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The SBP was significantly higher in the model group than in the normal control group (P<0.01). However, a significant SBP-lowering effect was observed in QC or losartan treatment groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01) after 3 weeks of treatment. QC-treated rats showed a decrease of approximately 40 mm Hg, and the losartan-treated rats showed a decrease of approximately 50 mm Hg at the end of treatment compared with the beginning of treatment. The protein and gene levels of TGF-β1, Smad3, and collagens I and in the model group were significantly increased compared with those in the normal control group (P<0.01). However, the levels were significantly decreased in the QC or losartan treatment group compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the QC and losartan treatment groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>QC could exert its antihypertensive effect through down-regulating TGF-β1-stimulated collagen expressions. The TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway may be involved in this process.</p>

Development and usage of the convenient moxa cone maker / 中国针灸

Moxibustion therapy is a non-invasive and natural therapy that is accepted by modern society with advantages of effectiveness and low-cost. However, the traditional process of producing hand-made moxa cone is time consuming, complicated, inefficient and difficult for mass production. Consequently, it hardly meets the clinical demands. This seriously reduces the popularization and promotion of traditional therapy with moxa cone. To deal with this problem, a new type of convenient moxa cone maker, which can easily and quickly produce multi-model moxa cones in mass production with constant specifications and uniform density. The mass production process is saving in material and low cost with high production efficiency. Application of the convenient moxa cone maker meets the needs of moxa cone in the clinical and scientific research and contributes to the popularization and promotion of traditional therapy with moxa cone.

Effects of different dose berberine on hemodynamic parameters and Ca2+i of cardiac myocytes of diastolic heart failure rat model / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of different doses of berberine on hemodynamic parameters and calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) of diastole heart failure rat models.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The mouse models of diastole heart failure were made by the imcomplete ligation of abdominal aorta. Forty Wistar heart failure rats were divided randomly into four groups, with 10 for each group (n = 10). Heart failure rats were treated according to different doses drugs as follows: Model (natrii chloride 2 mL), berberine (63 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), berberine (42 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), berberine (21 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) ig, for each of the four groups respectively, 4 weeks after coarctation of ascending aorta operation; and 10 age matched sham operation group was taken as control (natrii chloridi, 2 mL). After administration four weeks, cardiac function was determined by catheter. Isolate single cardiomyocytes of rat which were loaded with Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent indicator Fluo-3/AM. [Ca2+]i represented by fluorescent intensity [FI] was measured by laser scanning cofocal microscope [LSCM].</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The rats of operation group have no significant changes with those of the control on left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and maximal rising rate of ventricular pressure (+dp/dt(max)), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was much higher in operation group (P < 0.01), but maximal falling rate of ventricular pressure (-dp/dt(max)) was depressed (P < 0.01), left ventricular relax time constant quantity (T) was markedly extended (P < 0.01). [Ca2+]i level in carkiac muscle cell was elevated markedly (P < 0.05). Compared with operation group, high dose of Ber can decrease LEVDP, improve (-dp/dt(max)) (P < 0.01), decurtate left ventricular relax time constant quantity (P < 0.01) and decrease [Ca2+]i level better than those of middle and low dose group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Berberine is an effective new potent drug for conspicuous symptom relief of heart failure with positive dose dependency and step down [Ca2+]i of myocardial cell.</p>

[The analysis of differential expression and cloning of genes related to raised secondary lateral veins mutant of Lycoris aurea].

Lycoris aurea exhibits parallel venation, the main vein with many lateral veins in a longitudinal parallel arrangement. There are secondary lateral veins (SLV) between each longitudinal veins. In general, SLVs are not remarkable. In this paper, the material was one kind of Lycoris aurea mutant called Raised Secondary Lateral Veins mutant (RSLV), because many Raised Secondary Lateral Veins are in abaxial surface of its leaves. Its growing potential is weaker than that of wild type and its blades are very thin. Moreover, the stamens of RSLV degenerate completely. Two cDNA libraries were constructed from RSLV mutant and wild type (WT) leaves. From the libraries, 3,122 ESTs, which are longer than 100 bp each after vector sequence removed, were acquired by single-pass sequencing from the 5'end. Following a multistep selection, 512 70-mer oligo-DNA probes were designed for attachment on the microarray slide based on the ESTs. The gene expression profile of RSLV mutant and WT leaves was compared through the microarray at transcriptional level. The microarray experiment results were further confirmed by Quantitative Real-Time PCR (QRT-PCR). We identified 5 genes whose expressions changed more than 2-fold between RSLV mutant and WT leaves. They encode phloem protein 2 (PP2), ferritin, pectin methyl esterase (PME), chlorophyll a/b binding protein (CAB protein) and pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), respectively. Furthermore, the full-length cDNA sequences of the 5 genes were separately obtained from RSLV and WT by RACE. The relationship between differential expressions of the genes and the formation of the RSLV mutant phenotype were discussed.

[The localization of galanthamine in vegetative organ of Lycoris aurea Herb].

Using laser confocal microscopical techniques, we observed the anatomical structure of mature root, bulb, and leaf of Lycoris aurea Herb., and also did some research on the localization of galanthamine in the above-mentioned vegetative organ. The results are as follows: In the mature root, the galanthamine distributes mainly in cell wall, especially in cell wall of exodermis and endodermis and vessel wall. In the mature leaf, galanthamine exist in cell wall of vascular bundle, mesophyll cell between vascular bundles and epidermis cells. The scale leaf is the essential accumulational organ. Plenty of galanthamine distribute in the adaxial parenchyma cell, epidermis cell wall, and also in the clingy cell of abaxial epidermis cell.

Treatment of severe post-kidney-transplant lung infection by integrative Chinese and Western medicine / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore treatments of severe post-kidney-transplant lung infection by integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM), in order to elevate the curing rate as well as to lower the death rate.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on conventional ways of Western medical treatments of 18 cases of severe post-kidney-transplant lung infection, such as putting the patients in single individual ward, antibiotics to prevent infection, respiratory machines, blood filtration, nutritional support, steroids, and maintaining electrolytes balance, we applied integrated Chinese medicinal treatments, like altering conventional prescription "pneumonia III", and conducted clinical observation of effectiveness, and indexes including white blood cell (WBC), neutrophilic granulocyte, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (Cr), etc.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 18 cases studied, 7 were already cured, 8 proved the treatment effective, 3 died. All clinical indexes had statistically significant changes compared with those of before treatment (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ICWM can increase curing rate and lower death rate.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of pulse magnetic acupuncture at scalp acupoints on acute cerebral infarction / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To apply pulse magnetic acupuncture at scalp acupoints to treat acute cerebral infarction and to explore the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A pulse magnetic acupuncture group, a routine acupuncture group and a static magnetic acupuncture group were set up, 30 cases in each group. Their clinical therapeutic effects were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured-markedly effective rate was 80.0% in the pulse magnetic acupuncture group and 70.3% in the routine acupuncture group with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05), which were significant difference with 36.6% in the static magnetic acupuncture group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pulse magnetic acupuncture and routine acupuncture at scalp acupoints have same therapeutic effect on acute cerebral infarction, which is superior to that of static magnetic acupuncture.</p>

Determination of unconjugated neurosteroids in rat brain regions by liquid chromatography-negative atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To simultaneously determine three unconjugated neurosteroids, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) , pregnenolone (PREG), allopregnenolone (AP), from several brain regions of the rat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Neurosteroids were isolated separately in a two steps procedure by using ethyl acetate-n-hexane (90:10) as the first step to extract the unconjugated steroids, then the steroid fractions were further purified by SPE. All steroids were derivatized with 2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylphenylhydrazine (2-NFPH) and analyzed by HPLC-MS ( APCI) using selected-ion monitoring. Methyltestosterone was chosen as the internal standard. Results The linear calibration curve of DHEA was obtained in the concentration range of 0.030-2.00 microg x L(-1). The linear calibration curves of PREG and AP were obtained in the concentration range of 0.025-2.00 microg x L(-1). The concentrations of DHEA, PREG and AP in male rat brain regions were (0.70 +/- 0.23), (4.8 +/- 1.9), (1.1 +/- 0.6) ng x g(-1) for frontal cortex, (0.57 +/- 0.28), (6 +/- 3), (0.5 +/- 0.3) ng x g(-1) for hippocampus, (1.5 +/- 1.0), (9 +/- 5), (1.4 +/- 0.9) ng x g(-1) for amygdale, (0.52 +/- 0.14), (7.7 +/- 2.8), (0.5 +/- 0.6) ng x g(-1) for striatum, (2.9 +/- 1.6), (18 +/- 9), (1.6 +/- 1.3) ng x g(-1) for nucleus accumbens, (4.0 +/- 2.0), (27 +/- 12), (0.8 +/- 0.5) ng x g(-1) for pituitary gland, (1.7 +/- 1.2), ( 16 +/- 10), and (0. 8 +/- 0.7) ng x g(-1) for hypothalamus, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Good linearity and accuracy were observed for each steroid. The procedure was suitable for measuring concentrations of the unconjugated steroids in rat brain simultaneously.</p>

Clinical study on treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome by integrative Chinese and Western medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of integrative Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) in treating severe a cute respiratory syndrome (SARS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty SARS patients were diagnosed and observed according to the universal standard, and divided into the ICWM group (n = 31, treated with ICWM) and the control group (n = 29, treated by conventional western medicine alone).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ICWM showed better effect than that of western medicine alone in improving clinical symptoms, promoting the absorption of inflammation in lung, increased oxygen saturation (P < 0.01) and decreased the dosage of corticoid used (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The effect of ICWM is better than that of simple western medicine in treating SARS.</p>