Extracts of Poria cocos polysaccharides improves alcoholic liver disease in mice via CYP2E1 and NF-κB inflammatory pathways / 中国中药杂志

The present study investigated the effect of extract of Poria cocos polysaccharides(PCP) on cytochrome P450 2 E1(CYP2 E1) and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) inflammatory signaling pathways in alcoholic liver disease(ALD) mice and explored its protective effect and mechanism. Sixty male C57 BL/6 N mice of SPF grade were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a positive drug group(bifendate, 200 mg·kg~(-1)), and high-(200 mg·kg~(-1)) and low-dose(50 mg·kg~(-1)) PCP groups. Gao-binge mo-del was induced and the mice in each group were treated correspondingly. Liver morphological and pathological changes were observed and organ index was calculated. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were detected. Malondialdehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in liver tissues were detected by assay kits. The levels of interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. The activation of macrophages was observed by immunofluorescence staining and protein expression of CYP2 E1, Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4), NF-κB p65, and phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65) were analyzed by Western blot. The ALD model was properly induced. Compared with the model group, the PCP groups significantly improved the pathological injury of liver tissues. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that compared with the model group, the groups with drug intervention showed decreased macrophages in liver tissues. Additionally, the PCP groups showed reduced ALT, AST, MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α(P<0.05), and potentiated activity of SOD(P<0.01). PCP extract has the protective effect against alcoholic liver injury in mice, and the underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of CYP2 E1 and inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory injury, thereby inhibiting the development of ALD.

Research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and discussion of Q-markers / 中国中药杂志

Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, mainly contains triterpenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, coumarins and volatile oils with many pharmacological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory and anti-fibrotic effects. The widespread applications of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in food, medicine and chemical industries make its demand increase gradually. Therefore, the quality guarantee of the medicinal is of great value. Starting from the elaboration of chemical components and pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and the introduction to the concept of quality marker(Q-marker), this study analyzed the Q-markers of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from the aspects of plant phylogene-tics, chemical component specificity, traditional efficacy, traditional medicinal properties, absorbed components, different processing methods and so on, which provides reference for quality evaluation, development and utilization of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.

Progress in pharmacodynamic basis, mechanism, and prediction of Q-markers of Zhenwu Decoction in treatment of chronic heart failure / 中国中药杂志

Zhenwu Decoction(ZWD) has a history of more than 1 800 years in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), which is used to treat various diseases characterized by Yangqi deficiency and exuberant water and dampness. It is currently the classic prescription for the treatment of chronic heart failure(CHF). This study provides a basis for the treatment of CHF with ZWD by elaborating the traditional efficacy, theoretical basis, and underlying mechanism of the prescription. Based on the research methods and judgment basis of quality markers(Q-markers) of Chinese medicine, the Q-markers of ZWD in the treatment of CHF were predicted from the aspects of transfer and traceability, specificity, effectiveness, compatibility environment, measurability, and processing. Demethyl-coclaurine,benzoylaconine, atractylenolide Ⅲ, paeoniflorin, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, pachymic acid, and dehydrotumulosic acid can be used as Q-markers of ZWD for treating CHF. The result provides a reference for exploring the pharmacodynamic substances of ZWD in the treatment of CHF.

Review of chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and clinical application of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and prediction of its Q-markers / 中国中药杂志

Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is a Chinese herbal medicine that promotes blood circulation to remove blood stasis, nourishes blood to tranquilize the mind, and cools blood to disperse carbuncles. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma has microcirculation-improving, blood vessel-dilating, atherosclerosis-preventing, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and blood pressure-and blood lipid-lowering activities. As research progresses, the chemical composition, pharmacological effect, and clinical application of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma have attracted much attention. We reviewed the research progress in this field. Based on the concept of quality marker(Q-marker) in traditional Chinese medicine, the Q-markers of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were predicted and analyzed from the aspects of quality transfer, traceability, ingredient specificity, association between ingredients and pharmacological effects, ingredient predictability, and compounding environment. This review provides a scientific basis for the quality control of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and its preparations.

[Research progress on chemical structures and pharmacological activities of Poria cocos polysaccharide and its derivatives].

Poria cocos is a both medicinal and edible Chinese herb variety, with the effects of diuretic, spleen-enhancing and tranquilizing. P. cocos polysaccharide(PCP) is one of the most important active substances of P. cocos. Pharmacological research shows that PCP has a variety of pharmacological activities such as regulating immunity, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, antitumor, and liver protection, with a huge development and utilization value. By consulting the relevant literature, we systematically summarized the chemical structures and the research progress on pharmacological activities of PCP and its derivatives in recent years to explore the chemical compositions and activities of PCP thoroughly. In addition, the current problems were discussed in this article to provide reference for further exploration of the structure-activity relationship of PCP and its further development and utilization.

Regional suitability analysis of endangered medicinal plant Dactylorhiza hatagirea / 中国中药杂志

The wild plant Dactylorhiza hatagirea commonly used in Tibetan medicine. In recent years, it is on the verge of extinction due to improper excavation and habitat deterioration. Based on the literature review, and the meteorological and ecological data of Qinghai Province and data derived from the field survey, this study took the altitude, humidity index, annual average wind speed, monthly average sunshine, precipitation and temperature in growing season, soil type and vegetation type as the zoning indexes, and applied ArcGIS software for spatial superposition analysis. The results showed that the D. hatagirea was primarily found in the alpine meadow in the east and south of Qinghai Province. The overall suitable area was about 30 700 km~2. Taking Qinghai Lake as the boundary for reference, the area in the south appeared to be more suitable, while the area in the east appeared to be secondary in suitability. Henan County, Zeku County, Jiuzhi County and Banma County were the main suitable areas covering the expanse of 12 454 km~2. Through the field verification, such zoning results appeared to be accurate, precise and illustrative. The spatial distribution of ecological suitability provides the decision-making basis for the resource investigation, environment protection and comprehensive resource management. It also provides the empirical case for developing the interdisciplinary research method in the suitability study of medicinal plants.

Therapeutic effect and mechanism of three kinds of Dendrobium on constipation in rats with spleen Yin deficiency / 中国中药杂志

Books on Chinese herbal medicines have shown that Dendrobium has the effect of nourishing Yin and reinforcing Yin,usually used for constipation induced by spleen Yin deficiency in clinical application. D. huoshanense,as an independent species among many species of Dendrobium,has no experimental studies about its effects on spleen Yin deficiency-type constipation. The purpose of this experiment was to illustrate the therapeutic effect of D. huoshanense on the constipation of spleen Yin deficiency type in rats,investigate its preliminary mechanism,and compare it with the D. officinale and D. nobile contained in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia to clarify its characteristics. The spleen Yin deficiency model was replicated in 70 rats by the composite factor method,and then the model rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: model group,Liuwei Dihuang Pills group( LWDHP),D. huoshanense high( DHS-H),medium( DHS-M),low( DHS-L) dose groups,D. nobile group( DNS),and D. officinale group( DOS),and another 10 rats were used as normal group( Normal). After 7 continuous days of administration,the fecal water content and intestine propulsion rate of each group were detected. HE staining was used to observe the pathological damage of ileum and colon in each group. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect aquaporin 3( AQP3) expressions,while the expression levels of the somatostatin( SS) and motilin( MTL) in the ileum of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that as compared with the model group,the rats in each drug-administered group had increased number of fecal pellets,increased fecal water content,and the increased intestinal propulsion rate( P<0. 01),while the pathological damage of the ileum and colon was significantly reduced; the expression of AQP3 protein was significantly decreased( P<0. 01); the level of MTL was significantly increased and the level of SS was decreased( P<0. 01). All DHS groups showed a good dose-effect relationship,and the same dose treatment effect was equivalent to that of DOS,but it was superior to DNS. Therefore,DHS has a significant therapeutic effect on constipation of spleen Yin deficiency type,and its mechanism may be related to intestinal motility and water-liquid metabolism,with a good therapeutic effect.

Research on output and quality of Panax notoginseng and annual change characteristics of N, P and K nutrients of planting soil under stereo-cultivation / 中国中药杂志

The output and agronomic characters of 3-year-old Panax notoginseng cultured under stereo structure (upper, middle and down layers) were investigated, and the annual change of N, P and K of its planting soil were also studied. Results showed that, compared with field cultured Panax notoginseng, growth vigour and output of stereo-cultivation were significantly lower. But the total production of the 3 layers was 1.6 times of field. The growth vigor and production of P. notoginseng was in the order of upper layer > middle layer > down layer. The content of ginsenoside in rhizome, root tuber and hair root of P. notoginseng was in the order of upper layer > field > middle layer > down layer. Organic matter content and pH of stereo-cultivation soil decreased with the prolonging of planting time, which with the same trend of yield. Organic matter content of stereo-cultivation soil was significantly higher than field, but the pH was significantly lower. Contents of total and available N, P and K in stereo-cultivation soil and field decreased with the prolonging of planting time. The content of N and P were in the order of upper layer > middle layer > yield > down layer, the content of K was in the order of upper layer > middle layer > down layer > yield. Compared with field, the proportion of N and P in the organ of underground (rhizome, root tuber and hair root) of upper layer were increased, while decreased in middle and down layers. Proportion of K in underground decreased significantly of the 3 layers. In conclusion, the agronomic characters and production of stereo-cultivation were significantly lower than that of yield. But the total production of the 3 layers were significantly higher than field of unit area. And the aim of improving land utilization efficiency was achieved. Nutritions in the soil of stereo-cultivation were enough to support the development of P. notoginseng, which was not the cause of weak growth and low production. The absorbing ability of P. notoginseng to N, P and K nutrients was decreased by stereo-cultivation mode. So, improve the growth vigour of P. notoginseng from the perspective of adjusting the stereo-cultivation mode so as to improve the nutrient absorption capacity is the future direction.

Effect of total glucosides of paeony on Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction pathway expression in kidney of diabetic rats / 中国中药杂志

The study is to explore the effect of total glucosides of paeony (TGP)on Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction pathway expression in kidney of diabetic rats, and discuss the protection of TGP in diabetic nephropathy and possible mechanism. Ninety male SD rats of 8 weeks age were randomly divided into normal control group (n = 10) and model group (n = 80). Rats of the normal control group were fed with regular diet, while rats of the model group were fed with high-fat high-sugar diet and 4 weeks later were given an intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg x kg(-1) streptozotocin (STZ). The successfully induced type 2 diabetic rat models were then randomly divided into DM group, three TGP (50, 100, 200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) treatment group and tripterygium wilfordii glycosides (8 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) control group. Rats of DM group and each treatment group were given high-fat high-sugar diet. At week 14, the levels of blood sugar, 24 hour urine protein, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were tested. The rats were then sacrificed. Renal pathological changes were examined. Renal tissue Wnt-1 and β-catenin expressions were detected by immunohistochemical assay. Wnt-1 mRNA and β-catenin mRNA expression was semi-quantified by RT-PCR. Wnt-1 protein and β-catenin protein expression was semi-quantified by Western blot. The Result show that Wnt-1 and β-catenin expression increased in kidney of high-fat high-sugar induced type 2 diabetic rats. Compared with diabetic group, the level of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, 24 h urine protein, mean glomerular area and mean glomerular volume were decreased, renal histopathology were improved, expression of Wnt-1 and β-catenin mRNA and protein was reduced in TGP group. Tripterygium wilfordii glycosides had the similar effect. In conclusion, these results showed that Wnt/β-catenin abnormal activation in kidney of type 2 diabetic rats, TGP can improve kidney damage in diabetic rats and delay the development of diabetic nephropathy by inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.