Identification of antidiabetic components in Uncariae Rammulus Cum Uncis based on phytochemical isolation and spectrum-effect relationship analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Uncariae Rammulus Cum Uncis (URCU) is a commonly used herbal medicine to treat diabetes. This work is aimed to discover and identify the antidiabetic components from URCU extract. METHODS: Column chromatography and recrystallisation were used to separate individual compounds from URCU extract, and the obtained individual compounds were used for determination of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Molecular docking was applied to predict the molecular interactions. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for fingerprint analysis of 12 batches of URCU. HPLC fingerprints were assessed by the similarity analysis (SA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). The spectrum-effect relationship analysis of URCU was assessed by orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) and bivariate correlation analysis (BCA). RESULTS: A total of 10 potential bioactive compounds were isolated and six of them showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 4.21-166.10 µM). The molecular docking results revealed that the binding energy was consistent with the results of α-glucosidase inhibition activity analysis (-8.55 to -4.84 kcal/mol). The ethanol extracts of the 12 batches of URCU showed inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase in a dose-dependent manner, and the IC50 values ranged from 0.94 µg/mL to 12.57 µg/mL. The spectrum-effect relationship analysis results indicated that 13 peaks might be potential antidiabetic compounds in URCU, including 18 (hyperoside) and 19 (rutin). CONCLUSION: A comprehensive connection between URCU chemical components and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was established for the first time by using a spectrum-effect relationship model, which might be applicable to the quality control of URCU.

Changes in acid-base status in oxygen toxicity at 230 kPa oxygen as a function of exposure time.

Breathing less than 50 kPa of oxygen over time can lead to pulmonary oxygen toxicity (POT). Vital capacity (VC) as the sole parameter for POT has its limitations. In this study we try to find out the changes of acid-base status in a POT rat model. Fifty male rats were randomly divided into five groups, exposed to 230 kPa oxygen for three, six, nine and 12 hours, respectively. Rats exposed to air were used as controls. After exposure the mortality and behavior of rats were observed. Arterial blood samples were collected for acid-base status detection and wet-dry (W/D) ratios of lung tissues were tested. Results showed that the acid-base status in rats exposed to 230 kPa oxygen presented a dynamic change. The primary status was in the compensatory period when primary respiratory acidosis was mixed with compensated metabolic alkalosis. Then the status changed to decompensated alkalosis and developed to decompensated acidosis in the end. pH, PCO2, HCO3-, TCO2, and BE values had two phases: an increase and a later decrease with increasing oxygen exposure time, while PaO2 and lung W/D ratio showed continuously increasing trends with the extension of oxygen exposure time. Lung W/D ratio was significantly associated with PaO2 (r = 0.6385, p = 0.002), while other parameters did not show a significant correlation. It is concluded that acid-base status in POT rats presents a dynamic change: in the compensatory period first, then turns to decompensated alkalosis and ends up with decompensated acidosis status. Blood gas analysis is a useful method to monitor the development of POT.

The evaluation of online course of Traditional Chinese Medicine for MBBS international students during the COVID-19 epidemic period.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 epidemic period, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) course for international students of Medical Bachelor, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in Zhejiang University has shifted from traditional classroom to online environment. This study aimed to investigate MBBS international students' perception on online TCM course, and to assess the online learning efficacy. METHODS: A total of 84 MBBS international students attending course of "Basic Traditional Chinese Medicine" during 2020 academic years at Zhejiang University were enrolled in this study. A quantitative questionnaire was respectively completed before and after the TCM course using a pretest-post-test design. By means of two online learning platforms, Learning in ZJU and DingTalk, TCM course was broadcast in both live and archived format to students. RESULTS: A total of 48 participants completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. The majority of participants preferred face-to-face classroom learning (26, 54.17% of total) when compared with online learning. Students felt that the course had brought in much benefits (mean 3.88, SD 0.87), and they were satisfied with the course content (mean 3.83, SD 0.95). Students' TCM related knowledge and their behaviors of discussion and consulting were significantly improved by online TCM course (all P < 0.001). Students' awareness of the necessity of TCM education and their feeling of difficulty in learning TCM were significantly strengthened (P = 0.042, 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: Online learning is a good alternative for TCM course of MBBS international students when classroom learning is suspended, whereas it cannot replace the need for onsite and face-to-face learning.

[Clinical observation of eye acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture on dry eye syndrome with yin deficiency of liver and kidney].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the efficacy of eye acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture in the treatment of dry eye syndrome with yin deficiency of liver and kidney. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with dry eye syndrome with yin deficiency of liver and kidney were randomly divided into an eye acupuncture combination with conventional acupuncture group (eye acupuncture combination group), a conventional acupuncture group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each group. In the western medication group, sodium hyaluronate eye drops were used 3 times a day, each time 1-2 drops, 10 days as one course for 3 courses; conventional acupuncture was applied at Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Chengqi (ST 1), Fengchi (GB 20), Hegu (LI 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Guangming (GB 37) in the conventional acupuncture group; on the basis of the treatment in the conventional acupuncture, eye acupuncture was added at Shangjiao, Gan (liver), Shen (kidney), Pi (spleen) in the eye acupuncture combination group. The treatment in the eye acupuncture combination group and the conventional acupuncture group were given once a day, 10 days as one course, and a total of 3 courses were needed. Subjective symptom score was performed before treatment and every 10 days during treatment. Ocular surface analyzer was used before and after treatment. RESULTS: The subjective symptom scores in the three groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the conventional acupuncture group and the western medication group, the subjective symptom score after 30 d of treatment in the eye acupuncture combination group was decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the tear film break up time (BUT) was prolonged and the tear meniscus height increased in the eye acupuncture combination group and the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). Compared with the conventional acupuncture group and the western medication group, the tear film break up time was prolonged and the tear meniscus height increased in the eye acupuncture combination group (P<0.05). Corneal staining were better in all three groups than that before treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the eye acupuncture combination group, was better than 86.7% (26/30) in the conventional acupuncture group and 73.3% (21/30) in the western medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Eye acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of dry eye syndrome with yin deficiency of liver and kidney, increase the secretion of tears, prolong the break up time of tear film, and restore the integrity of corneal epithelium.

Neogambogic Acid Suppresses Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κB Ligand (RANKL)-Induced Osteoclastogenesis by Inhibiting the JNK and NF-κB Pathways in Mouse Bone Marrow-Derived Monocyte/Macrophages.

BACKGROUND Neogambogic acid (NGA) is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of NGA on gene signaling pathways involved in osteoclastogenesis in mouse bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophages (BMMs) and on bone resorption in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS Primary mouse BMMs were cultured with increasing concentrations of NGA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to study the expression of mRNAs corresponding to gene products specific to receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation, including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), calcitonin receptor (CTR), cathepsin K (CTSK), and nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1). A cell counting kit-8 assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation. Western blotting and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy were used to investigate the signaling pathways. A bone resorption model was used to quantify bone resorption. RESULTS An NGA dose of ≤0.4 µg/ml had no significant effect on the proliferation of mouse BMMs in vitro (P>0.05); concentrations of between 0.1-0.4 µg/ml significantly inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis (P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the control group, NGA significantly reduced RANKL-induced bone resorption in vitro (P <0.01), and downregulated the expression of osteoclast-related mRNAs of TRAP, CTR, CTSK, and NFATc1. NGA suppressed the activation of JNK but not the p38 signaling pathway and significantly reduced NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and the nuclear transport of NF-κB molecules, which inhibited NFATc1 expression. CONCLUSIONS NGA suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting the JNK and NF-κB pathways in mouse BMMs in vitro and reduced osteoclastic bone resorption.

[Cloning and functional identification of a new NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in Andrographis paniculata].

Andrographolide is a main active ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine Andrographis paniculata，with a variety of pharmacological activity，widely used in clinical practice. However its biosynthetic pathway has not been resolved. Cytochrome P450 reductase provides electrons for CYP450 and plays an important role in the CYP450 catalytic process. In this study，the coding sequence of A. paniculata CPR was screened and cloned by homologous alignment，named ApCPR4. The ApCPR4 protein was obtained by prokaryotic expression. After isolation and purification，the enzyme activity was identified in vitro. The results showed that ApCPR4 could reduce the cytochrome c and ferricyanide in NADPH-dependent manner. In order to verify its in vivo function，ApCPR4 and CYP76AH1 were co-transformed into yeast engineering bacteria. The results showed that ApCPR4 could help CYP76AH1 catalyze the formation of rustols in yeast. Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that the expression of ApCPR4 increased gradually in leaves treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA). The expression pattern was consistent with the trend of induction and accumulation of andrographolide by MeJA，suggesting that ApCPR4 was associated with biosynthesis of andrographolide.

Simvastatin decreases hyperbaric oxygen-induced acute lung injury by upregulating eNOS.

Statins, which are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase competitive inhibitors, not only lower blood cholesterol but also exert pleiotropic and beneficial effects in various diseases. However, the effects of statins on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) have not been investigated. The present study is the first to investigate the effects of simvastatin in ALI induced by HBO in 8- to 9-wk-old C57BL/6 mice exposed to 0.23 MPa [=2.3 atmosphere absolute (ATA)] hyperoxia (≥95% O2) for 6 h. Mice were either given simvastatin (20 mg·kg·-1·day-1) in saline or a saline vehicle for 3 days before oxygen exposure. Lung tissue, serum, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for analysis of proapoptotic proteins, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, and lung inflammation. Simvastatin treatment significantly reduced lung permeability, serum LDL-C levels, tissue apoptosis, and inflammation. However, simvastatin treatment had no effect on antioxidant enzyme activity, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NADPH4) expression, and Akt phosphorylation levels. Furthermore, we investigated the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in simvastatin protection through inhibiting eNOS activity with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 20 mg/kg). Results showed that the beneficial effects of simvastatin on ALI induced by HBO (antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic, lipid lowering, and reduction in lung permeability) were reversed. These results showed that simvastatin curbs HBO-induced lung edema, permeability, inflammation, and apoptosis via upregulating eNOS expression and that simvastatin could be an effective therapy to treat prolonged HBO exposure.

[Rapid analysis of chemical components in Zizyphi Spinosae Semen by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS].

This study aimed to analyze the chemical components of Zizyphi Spinosae Semen by using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS). The chromatographic separation of the components was achieved on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH-C18 column (2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.7 µm), with acetonitrile-water (0.1% formic acid) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min⁻¹. Electrospray ionization-(ESI) source was applied and operated in negative ion mode. The parent ion list (PIL)-MS2 and high energy collision dissociation (HCD) techniques were used to identify triterpene saponins in Zizyphi Spinosae Semen. Through analysis of the mass spectrometry data and literature data, 24 compounds and 4 unknown compounds were identified and inferred, including 21 flavonoids, 5 saponins and 2 triterpenoids. The use of UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS technology provide an efficient and rapid analytical method for the qualitative analysis and quality control of the chemical components in Zizyphi Spinosae Semen. It can also provide reference data for the research on the material basis of pharmacodynamics and the resources development and utilization.

[Overexpression and isolation of CYP76AH1 in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots].

Protein complexes are involved in the synthesis of multiple secondary metabolites in plants, and their separation is essential to elucidate plant secondary metabolism and improve in vitro catalytic efficiency. In this study, the transgenic hairy roots of CYP76AH1, a key enzyme of tanshinone synthesis pathway, was constructed and the transgenic hairy roots of Danshen overexpressing CYP76AH1 protein were screened by Western blotting and used as a tissue culture material for the subsequent extraction of protein complex in tanshinone synthesis pathway. By optimizing the type and concentration of the detergent in the protein extraction buffer, the buffer containing 0.5% Triton X-100 was selected as the best extraction buffer, and a relatively large amount of soluble CYP76AH1 protein was isolated. This study lays the foundation for the further separation and purification of protein complexes interacting with CYP76AH1, and provides the idea for deep analysis of tanshinone metabolic pathway.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Improves the Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization: A Prospective, Randomized and Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) can improve the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, and controlled study. SETTING: IVF center in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred and eighty-one infertile patients with bilateral tubal blockage who were referred for IVF. Patients were randomized into four groups. INTERVENTION: TEAS was administered for 30min, respectively, at 24h before TVOR and two hours before ET. The acupoints included SP10 (Xuehai, bilateral), SP8 (Diji, bilateral), LR3 (Taichong, bilateral), ST36 (Zusanli, bilateral), EX-CA1 (Zigong, bilateral), RN4 (Guanyuan), PC6 (Neiguan, bilateral), and RN12 (Zhongwan). Based on different frequencies of TEAS, patients were grouped into a TEAS-2Hz group, a TEAS-100Hz group and a TEAS-2/100Hz group. Patients in the control group only received routine IVF treatment and no TEAS was applied on them. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of mature oocytes, normally fertilized oocytes and good-quality embryos were used to evaluate oocyte developmental competence of the patients. Data of clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), implantation rate (IR), and live birth rate (LBR) were also obtained. The levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), transforming growth factor alpha and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the follicular fluids were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the control, TEAS-2Hz, TEAS-100Hz and TEAS-2/100Hz groups on the numbers of metaphase II oocytes, normally fertilized zygotes, early cleavage embryos or good quality embryos (P > .05). However, the CPR, IR and LBR of the TEAS-2/100Hz group were significantly higher than those of the other groups, respectively (P < .05). The NPY levels in the follicular fluids of TEAS-2/100Hz group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P < .05). CONCLUSION: TEAS using a frequency of 2/100Hz could help to improve the IVF outcomes partly by increasing NPY levels in the follicular fluids.

Women's health and Chinese integrative medicine.

Researchers in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, and Chinese integrative medicine (CIM) were invited to share their perspectives on the most recent studies.

Acupuncture for treating polycystic ovary syndrome: guidance for future randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidance for future randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on a review concerning acupuncture for treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in October 2015 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCISEARCH, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group trials register, Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the Wanfang databases. RCTs comparing either acupuncture with no/sham/pharmacological intervention or a combination of acupuncture and conventional therapy with conventional therapy in the treatment of PCOS were included in this review. A quality evaluation was performed for each of the included studies. RESULTS: Thirty-one RCTs were included in the review and were divided into four categories according to the type of intervention used in the comparator or control group. Menstrual frequency, hormones, anthropometrics, insulin sensitivity, blood lipids, and fertility were used as the main measurements to assess the effects of acupuncture on the patients with PCOS. Thirty trials, except for one, showed an improvement in at least one of the indicators of PCOS after acupuncture treatment. However, normalizing the methodological and reporting format remains an issue. CONCLUSIONS: Based upon this review of current clinical trials concerning acupuncture for treating PCOS, we provide guidelines for better clinical trial design in the future.

[Effect of Quyu Huatan decoction on lipid metabolism and hormone levels of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome].

To study the effect of prescription for removing blood stasis and resolving phlegm on lipid metabolism and hormone levels of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Totally 93 cases of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome treated in our hospital from March 2013 to July 2014 were randomly divided into control group and observation group. The observation group was treated by oral administration of Quyu Huatan decoction, while the control group was treated with metformin. The result indicated that the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(χ²=632, P<0.05). After treatment, the score of syndrome for traditional Chinese medicine in the observation group was significantly lower than the control group(t=13.865,P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of TG, BMI, TC in the observation group were significantly lower than the control group(P<0.05), and the difference of HDL between the two groups were not significantly. After treatment, the levels of FSH, LH and T in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05). After treatment, FBG and INS in the two groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05); the FBG in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(t=3.981, P<0.05), and the INS level in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(t=6.472, P<0.05). In this study, we can find that the Quyu huatan decoction for removing blood stasis and resolving phlegm has a better clinical efficacy in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. It not only ameliorates the secretion of variety sex hormone, but also regulates the body's metabolism of glucose and lipid, so it is worth clinical promotion and application.

Chinese medicinal plants for advanced endometriosis after conservative surgery: a prospective, multi-center and controlled trial.

The trial was to explore the effects of Chinese medicinal plants (CMP) treatment on the advanced endometriosis (stage III-IV) after conservative surgery. A prospective, multi-center and controlled trial was conducted from June 2012 to September 2013. Sixty-five post-operative women with advanced endometriosis (stage III-IV) after conservative surgery were included in the trial. They had undergone laparoscopic surgical excision of the endometriosis lesions and the diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed by pathological examination. The patients received either CMP treatment or goserelin acetate sustained-release depot treatment (as comparison) according to the willingness of the patients. In the post-treatment follow-up visit at 6 and 12 months, the patients were respectively undergone ultrasonic and gynecological examinations. The serum levels of cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) were also detected in the post-treatment follow-up visit at 12 months. We found that in the post-treatment follow-up visit at 6 months, the recurrence rate of CMP group and comparison group was 1/31 (3.23%) and 1/34 (2.94%), respectively. In the post-treatment follow-up visit at 12 months, the recurrence rate of CMP group and comparison group was 5/31 (16.13%) and 6/34 (17.65%), respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The serum levels of CA-125 and IL-18 significantly decreased in both of the two groups (P<0.05) and no marked differences existed between them on the serum levels of IL-18 (P>0.05). The serum CA-125 levels of CMP group were significantly lower than those of the comparison group (P<0.05). No adverse effect was reported in both of the two groups during the research and the follow-up period. It concluded that CMP showed promise in preventing the recurrence of stage III-IV endometriosis after conservative surgery, although the conclusion is somewhat limited due to the small size of the trial.

An unusual piceatannol dimer from Rheum austral D. Don with antioxidant activity.

A novel dimer of piceatannol glycoside, named rheumaustralin (1) was isolated from the underground parts of the ethnomedicinal plant Rheum austral (Polygonaceae) collected from Tibet together with 17 known compounds, including rheumin (2), 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone (3), 2,5-dimethylchromone-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (4), 7-hydroxy-2-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methylchromone (5), torachrysone (6) torachrysone-8-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7), 4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone-4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (8), amabiloside (9), N-trans-feruloyl tyramine (10), chrysophanol (11), aloe-emodin (12), emodin (13), physcion (14), physcion-1-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (15), emodin-8-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (16), D-catechin (17) and gallic acid (18). Their structures were determined by combined spectroscopic methods and by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in literature. Compounds 1-10 were tested for their ability to scavenge 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical.

Anti-epileptic effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides by inhibition of intracellular calcium accumulation and stimulation of expression of CaMKII α in epileptic hippocampal neurons.

PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanism of the anti-epileptic effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP), the changes of intracellular calcium and CaMK II α expression in a model of epileptic neurons were investigated. METHOD: Primary hippocampal neurons were divided into: 1) Control group, neurons were cultured with Neurobasal medium, for 3 hours; 2) Model group I: neurons were incubated with Mg(2+) free medium for 3 hours; 3) Model group II: neurons were incubated with Mg(2+) free medium for 3 hours then cultured with the normal medium for a further 3 hours; 4) GLP group I: neurons were incubated with Mg(2+) free medium containing GLP (0.375 mg/ml) for 3 hours; 5) GLP group II: neurons were incubated with Mg(2+) free medium for 3 hours then cultured with a normal culture medium containing GLP for a further 3 hours. The CaMK II α protein expression was assessed by Western-blot. Ca(2+) turnover in neurons was assessed using Fluo-3/AM which was added into the replacement medium and Ca(2+) turnover was observed under a laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS: The CaMK II α expression in the model groups was less than in the control groups, however, in the GLP groups, it was higher than that observed in the model group. Ca(2+) fluorescence intensity in GLP group I was significantly lower than that in model group I after 30 seconds, while in GLP group II, it was reduced significantly compared to model group II after 5 minutes. CONCLUSION: GLP may inhibit calcium overload and promote CaMK II α expression to protect epileptic neurons.

Auricular acupressure reduces anxiety levels and improves outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a prospective, randomized and controlled study.

The study was to explore whether auricular acupressure (AA) can relieve anxiety during the period from trans-vaginal oocyte retrieval to the embryo transfer in IVF treatment and whether AA can improve the outcomes of IVF. 305 infertile patients with tubal blockage who were referred for IVF were included. The women were randomized into a control group with 102 cases, a Sham-AA group with 102 cases and an AA group with 101 cases. The anxiety levels were rated with Spielberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale. Data of clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), implantation rate (IR) and live birth rate (LBR) were obtained. The levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) in the follicular fluids were detected with ELISA. After treatment, in AA group, the levels of state anxiety, preoperative anxiety and need-for-information were significantly lower, whereas CPR, IR, LBR and NPY levels in the follicular fluids were markedly higher than Sham-AA group and control group. We concluded that AA could help to reduce anxiety levels associated with IVF and improves the outcomes of IVF partly through increasing the levels of NPY in the follicular fluids.

P38 activation is more important than ERK activation in lung injury induced by prolonged hyperbaric oxygen.

Prolonged exposure to hyperbaric oxygen can cause pulmonary and nerve system toxicity. Although hyperbaric oxygen treatment has been used for a broad spectrum of ailments, the mechanisms of prolonged hyperbaric oxygen-induced lung injury are not fully understood. The purpose of the present work was to investigate the roles of ERK, p38, and caspase-3 in rat lung tissue exposed to hyperbaric oxygen at 2.3 atmospheres absolute (atm abs) for two, six and 10 hours. The results showed that the ERK and p38 were phosphorylated at two hours and reached a peak at six hours into exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. While the phosphorylation level of ERK decreased, p38 remained at a high level of activation at 10 hours. The activation of ERK and p38 was down-regulated when rats were exposed to normoxic hyperbaric nitrogen for 10 hours. However, caspase-3 was activated at six hours and 10 hours into exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. These results demonstrated different changes of activation of ERK and p38 during lung injury induced by prolonged exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. The time course changes of activated caspase-3 were similar to the process of p38 activation upon exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. In this way, activation of p38, not ERK, seems to be a mechanism associated with prolonged hyperbaric oxygen-induced lung injury.

New resveratrol oligomer derivatives from the roots of Rheum lhasaense.

Two new resveratrol trimer derivatives, named rheumlhasol A (1) and rheumlhasol B (2) were isolated from the methanolic extract of roots of Rheum lhasaense A. J. Li et P. K. Hsiao together with four known resveratrol dimer derivatives, including maximol A (3), gnetin C (4), ε-viniferin (5), and pallidol (6). The structures were determined by combined spectroscopic methods and by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature. All the compounds isolated from R. lhasaense were tested for their ability to scavenge1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical.