Antibacterial mechanism of the synergistic combination between streptomycin and alcohol extracts from the Chimonanthus salicifolius S. Y. Hu. leaves.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chimonanthus salicifolius S. Y. Hu. Is a unique traditional medicinal plant in ancient China, and it can eliminate turbid pathogens with aromatics, clear heat, detoxify, prevent colds and influenza, Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica records that. AIM OF THE STUDY: In previous study, we investigated the regulation of ethanol extracts (EEs) from C. salicifolius S. Y. Hu. leaves on three common antibiotics (chloramphenicol, streptomycin, imipenem) by the checkerboard method. The combination exhibited the best synergy among all combinations, which were composed of streptomycin and 50% EE (SE) from the C. salicifolius S. Y. Hu. leaves. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial mechanism of the SE against Escherichia coli (E. coli, G-) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, G+). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antibacterial mechanism of the SE was explored by the time-kill test, the phosphorus metabolism, cell membrane integrity assays, the SDS-PAGE, the SEM and TEM observation. RESULTS: The time-kill test illustrated that the SE was bacteriostatic with a time-dependent relationship, not sterilization. The phosphorus metabolism indicated that the SE lowered phosphorus consumption. The cell membrane integrity assays demonstrated that the cell membrane was damaged, with the nucleic acid flowing out. The SDS-PAGE analysis found that the SE inhibited the synthesis of the total protein. The SEM and TEM results revealed that the surface and internal ultrastructure of bacteria were damaged. The surface of the bacteria was shriveled and deformed, and the internal structure of the cells was also mutilated. CONCLUSIONS: The SE damaged the cell membrane, with the cytoplasm flowing out, disturbed the synthesis of total protein and phosphorus metabolism, and ultimately killed the bacteria.

Application of Molecular Docking in the Studies on Screening and Mechanism of Pharmacodynamic Sub-stances of Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国药师

Molecular docking is one of the main methods for computer-aided drug design (CADD). In recent years, molecular doc-king is widely used and has made some progress in the screening of pharmacodynamic substance, the target of finding drugs for diseases, and the mechanism exploration for traditional Chinese medicine. In this review, the principle and mechanism of molecular docking, and some commonly used software were introduced. And the application of molecular docking technology was summarized in the studies on the screening and pharmacodynamic mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine. Finally, the existing problems were discussed, and the fu-ture trend in this field was looked ahead. The study can provide more scientific basis for the clinical research and development of new drugs.

Effect of Acupuncture at Point Neiguan on Myocardial Ultramicrostructure in Myocardial Hypertrophy Mice / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at point Neiguan on mouse myocardial hypertrophy.Methods Thirty-sixty healthy C57BL6 mice were randomized into blank, model and treatment groups, 12 rats each. In the treatment group, an acupuncture needle was inserted into point Neiguan and retained for 15 min, once daily. After nine days of treatment, the ratios of cardiac weight/tibial length were compared between the groups. Left ventricular myocardial tissues were processed by Masson trichrome staining in every group of mice. The differences in myocardial fiber arrangement and collagen fiber distribution between the groups were observed under the ordinary optical microscope in 100 times of field of vision. Sarcomere structure, myofibril arrangement, collagen fibers and mitochondria in injured myocardial tissues were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results Heart rate increased significantly in the model group and decreased significantly in the acupuncture group compared with the blank group. Cardiac weight and the ratios of cardiac weight/tibial length increased significantly in the model and acupuncture groups compared with the blank group (P<0.01) and decreased significantly in the acupuncture group compared with the model group (P<0.01). In the model group, myocardial tissues had compensatory hypertrophy with incontinuous status, and myocardial transverse striations had severe disorder/disruption, karyopyknosis appeared and cytoplasmic eosinophilic change became obvious in few of the rats. The results were better in the acupuncture group than in the model group. In the model group, part of myofibrils had focal fusion, interstitial collagen fibers proliferated and mitochondria had swelling and compensatory increase. The results were also better in the acupuncture group than in the model group.Conclusions Acupuncture at point Neiguan can reduce the production of collagen fibers and mitochondria, improve the arrangement of sarcomere structure and delay the progression of myocardial hypertrophy.

Therapeutic Observation of Acupuncture plus Auricular Points for Hemifacial Spasm / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking in treating hemifacial spasm. Methods Fifty-six patients with hemifacial spasm were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 28 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus auricular point sticking, while the control group was by ordinary acupuncture, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Results The total effective rate was 89.3%in the treatment group versus 67.7% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture plus auricular point sticking is an effective method in treating hemifacial spasm.

Efficacy of Chinese patent medicine Tian Gui Capsule in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial / 中西医结合学报

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disorder and one of the most common reproductive endocrinology abnormalities in women. Recently, many studies have been conducted assessing Chinese herbal medicine as an alternative treatment for women with PCOS, it is, therefore, worthwhile to analyze and observe the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine treatment in PCOS.

The formula of tonifying kidney of vital essence modulates secretion of IL-4 and IFN-? by CD4 positive T cells of human decidual / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To explore whether the Formula of Tonifying Kidney of Vital Essence can modulate secretion of IL-4 and IFN-? by the CD4+T cells from human decidua during first trimester,which will lead to further investigate the anti-abortional effect mechanisms of the Formula of Tonifying Kidney of Vital Essence.Methods:40 female adult SD rats were divided randomly into two groups:one group was gavaged with the Formula of Tonifying Kidney of Vital Essence;another was gavaged with normal saline,twice a day for 3 days.The two groups of rats were gavaged with the same volume of the decoction or saline.Thereafter the blood was collected from carotid artery.Human decidua tissues were collected by artificial abortion at 6-10 weeks of gestation.The CD4+ T cells were separated by MACS.CD4+ T cells were divided into four groups during cell culture.Group A was treated with 10% fetal calf serum,which was the control group.Group B was treated with 10% of the rat serum from the herbal medicine;Group C was treated with 20% of the rat serum from the herbal medicin.Group D was treated with the rat serum of the saline control.The supernatants were harvested at 24,48 and 72 h of the culture,respectively.The amounts of IL-4 and IFN-? in the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA.Results:In both group B and C of the culture the amount of IL-4 was evidently elevated when compared with the control,group A(P