Anti-cataract effects of Dajizhi (Euphorbium) eye drops on selenite-induced cataracts in rat.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Dajizhi (Euphorbium) on selenite-induced cataracts. METHODS: Wistar rat pups were divided into 9 groups. Rats in group 1 were subcutaneously injected with saline, and rats in the other groups were injected with sodium-selenite. Every right eye was treated with 5 µL eye drops 3 times per day, and the left eye received no treatment. The eyes of rats in group 3 were treated with pirenoxine; rats in groups 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were respectively treated with Dajizhi (Euphorbium) (25 mg/mL), Dajizhi (Euphorbium) (5 mg/mL), Dajizhi (Euphorbium) methanol extract (25 mg/mL), Dajizhi (Euphorbium) methanol extract (5 mg/mL), euphol (25 mg/mL), euphol (5 mg/mL). Cataracts were observed by a slit lamp before and after treatment. Electroretinograms were acquired at set intervals. The morphological changes of the rat eyes were observed in vitro, and the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the lenses and aqueous humour were estimated at set intervals. RESULTS: Slit lamp examination showed decreased degrees of cataracts after administration of the different treatments. Morphological comparison showed that Dajizhi (Euphorbium) can reduce the turbidity of the lenses, meaning that Dajizhi (Euphorbium) has the anti-cataract effects. Low-concentration of Dajizhi (Euphorbium), its methanol extract and euphol treatment prevented the b-wave amplitudes of the electroretinograms from falling. Euphorbium treatment significantly restored GSH-Px and SOD levels in the lenses and aqueous humour, especially after 10 and 25 d of administration. Euphorbium may help lenses fight oxidative stress caused by selenite. CONCLUSION: The administration of Dajizhi (Euphorbium) can inhibit selenite-induced cataracts.

[Effect of huoxueyiqimingmu capsule on retinal degenerative diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate therapeutic effects of Huoxueyiqimingmu capsule on retinal degenerative diseases. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: negative control group, light damage model group, Huoxueyiqimingmu capsule group. The light damage model was used as retinal degenerative diseases animal model. Normal saline and Huoxueyiqimingmu capsule were respectively administrated after light damage. After 14 days post-treatment, the change of electroretinogram was observed, content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rats retina were determined, and histopathologic changes were observed with transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. RESULTS: After 14 days post-treatment, Huoxueyiqimingmu capsule had protective effects on fall of ERG a wave and b wave amplitude induced by light damage. The activity of SOD in Huoxueyiqimingmu capsule group was higher than that in light damage model group (P < 0.01), while the content of MDA in Huoxueyiqimingmu capsule group was lower than that in light damage model group (P < 0.01). The histopathologic injury of rat retina in Huoxueyiqimingmu capsule group was lighter than that in light damage model group by means of transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Huoxueyiqimingmu capsule is effective to treat retinal degenerative diseases.

[Protective effect of Yiqi Mingmu solution on rat's retina with ischemia reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of the Yiqi Mingmu solution irrigated into rat on retinal injury of rat induced by ischemia reperfusion. METHODS: SD rats were divided into four groups randomly: negative control group, model control group, low and high dose group. Increasing the intraocular pressure with anterior chambers infused liquid induced the models of retinal ischemia reperfusion of rats. Different doses of Yiqi Mingmu solution were respectively irrigated into rats 7 days before ischemia in low and high dose group. Normal salire instead was used in normal and model control group. At 1, 3, 7, 15 days after the ischemia reperfusion injury, the content of MDA and activity of SOD in rat's retina were measured. The histopathologic changes were observed with transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. RESULTS: At 3, 7, 15 days after the ischemia reperfusion injury, the activity of SOD in Yiqi Mingmu solution low and high dose group were higher than in the model control group, the content of MDA in Yiqi Mingmu solution high dose group were lower than in the model control group. The histopathologic injury of retina in the Yiqi Mingmu solution low and high dose group were less than in the model control group. CONCLUSION: Yiqi Mingmu solution has protective effect on rat's retina ischemia reperfusion injury, and it is an effective traditional Chinese recipe to treat the diseases of retina ischemia.

Single-step recovery of ephedrine hydrochloride from raw materials using expanded bed adsorption.

Expanded bed adsorption, using a cation resin 001 x 7 Styrene-DVB, was used to recover and purify ephedrine hydrochloride from a powdered herb. The axial liquid-phase dispersion coefficient was about 10(-5) m(2) s(-1) and the recovery yield and purification reached 86% and 22, respectively. Compared with using conventional extraction with dimethylbenzene, this method is safer and also more efficient.