[Clinical study on depression differentiated as yang deficiency treated with the combined therapy of ginger-isolated moxibustion and western medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on depression differentiated as yang deficiency between the combined therapy of ginger-isolated moxibustion and escitalopram and the simple application escitalopram. METHODS: Eighty patients of depression differentiated as yang deficiency were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the control group, escitalopram was prescribed for oral administration, 10 mg a day, after each breakfast. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, the ginger-isolated moxibustion was supplemented at Dazhui (GV 14) and bilateral back-shu points of five zang organs[Xinshu (BL 15), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Feishu (BL 13) and Shenshu (BL 23)]. Moxibustion was used 5 times a week. Twenty times of moxibustion were taken as one session and totally 3 sessions were required (totally 84 days). After 3 sessions of treatment, the concentration of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) before and after treatment and clinical efficacy were observed in the two groups. After 3 sessions of treatment, escitalopram was taken continuously, 10 mg a day for 9 months in the two groups and the recurrent rate was observed in a half year after discontinuity of medication in the two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 97.5% (39/40) in the observation group and was 92.5% (37/40) in the control group. The total effective rate was similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). The curative and remarkably effective rate was 82.5% (33/40) in the observation group, better than 62.5% (25/40) in the control group (P<0.05). The serum 5-HT after treatment was increased as compared with that before treatment in the patients of the two groups (both P<0.05), but the diffe-rence was not significant statistically between the two groups (P>0.05). The recurrent rate of depression was 7.7% (3/39) in the observation group, lower than 27.0% (10/37) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combined therapy of ginger-isolated moxibustion and escitalopram achieves the better curative and remarkably effective rate as compared with the simple western medicine and it significantly reduces the recurrence of depression.

Effects of electroacupuncture on cognitive function in rats with Parkinson's disease.

This study was designed to illustrate the effects of electroacupuncture on cognitive function in rats with Parkinson's disease (PD). The PD model was established by injecting 6-OHDA into the rat brain. Rats with PD were then subjected to electroacupuncture and levodopa treatment for 2 weeks. The level of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in rat brain homogenates was assessed, for the cerebral cholinergic system is a major chemical pathway consisting of cognitive functions. Immunohistochemistry was applied to observe ChAT expression in the rat hippocampus and corpus striatum. The effects of electroacupuncture on cognitive function were comprehensively assessed in PD rats using Y-maze test. Compared with model control group, electroacupuncture group were apparently improved in learning & memory abilities, and ChAT activity was elevated, and apoptosis was reduced in the rat hippocampus and corpus striatum. No significant differences in learning & memory abilities and ChAT activity were detected between electroacupuncture and levodopa groups. Electroacupuncture remarkably improved cognition in PD rats, and its mechanisms are possibly associated with protecting cholinergic neurons in the central nervous system and elevating ChAT activity, and also might suitable dosage of levodopa protect physiologically the cognitive function in PD rats.

Determination of isotoosendanin in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: application to pharmacokinetics study.

A rapid, sensitive and accurate liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of isotoosendanin, an important bioactive component isolated from Meliae cortex. A Capcell PAK C18 column (100 × 4.6 mm) was used for the chromatographic elution using methanol-10 mM ammonium acetate-formic acid (80:20:0.1, v/v/v) as mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. MS-MS analysis was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source in positive ion mode. Extraction of isotoosendanin and genistein (internal standard, IS) from rat plasma was determined by precipitating protein treatment. Quantification was performed by MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive ionization at m/z 557 → 437 for the analyte and m/z 271 → 215 for IS, respectively. Linear isotoosendanin calibration curves were obtained between 2.0-2,000 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.99. Acceptable precision and accuracy were acquired for concentrations over the standard curve range. Satisfactory results were achieved for sensitivity, specificity, recovery, freeze/thaw and stability. This analytical method was successfully applied to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of isotoosendanin after an oral administration of 200 mg/kg to rats.

Development and validation of an LC-MS-MS method for determination of methyl kulonate in rat plasma.

A sensitive, rapid and specific LC-MS-MS method was established and validated for determination of methyl kulonate, a major bioactive constituent isolated from Meliae Cortex, in rat plasma. Plasma samples were treated by precipitating protein with methanol and were chromatographed using a Capcell Pak C18 column (100 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with the mobile phase comprising a mixture of methanol, 10 mM ammonium formate and formic acid (95:5:0.1, v/v/v). Detection and quantification were performed by mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive atmospheric ionization at m/z 467 --> 311 for methyl kulonate, and m/z 469 --> 451 for dubione B (internal standard), respectively. A good linear response was observed over the concentration range 1.00-500 ng/mL with the lower limit of quantification 1.00 ng/mL in rat plasma. The method also afforded satisfactory results base on sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, recovery, freeze-thaw and long-time stability. The validated method was successfully applied to determine the pharmacokinetic properties of methyl kulonate in rats after oral administration at dose of 100 mg/kg. This pharmacokinetic study of methyl kulonate is reported here for the first time.

Cytotoxic sesquiterpenoids from the fruits of Lindera communis.

A new sesquiterpenoid, namely Linerenone (1), together with three known sesquiterpenoids (2-4), were isolated from the fruits of Lindera communis. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D, 2D-NMR and HR-MS spectra. Compound 1 showed significant cytotoxic activity against H460, ES2 and DU145 cancer cells with IC(50) of 2.1 µg/mL, 2.8 µg/mL and 3.0 µg/mL, respectively.

Anti-virus effect of traditional Chinese medicine Yi-Fu-Qing granule on acute respiratory tract infections.

Yi-Fu-Qing granule is a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections. The present study sought to investigate the anti-virus effects of Yi-Fu-Qing granule on acute respiratory infections with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human adenoviruses type 3 (Ad3). The cytotoxicity of Yi-Fu-Qing granule was evaluated by the neutral red assay on HeLa cells. The antiviral effect of Yi-Fu-Qing granule was tested by observing the cytopathogenic effect (CPE) with a compound mixture of Isatis leaf as the positive control drug. The results indicated that the highest non-toxicity concentration of Yi-Fu-Qing granule on Hela cells was 1:100. The CPE reduction assay showed that Yi-Fu-Qing granule inhibited RSV and Ad3 replication at a concentration of 1:100. Thus, Yi-Fu-Qing granule may have a significant antivirus effect on acute respiratory tract infections with RSV and Ad3 infections and this could prove useful for further antivirus research on acute respiratory tract infections.

[Protective effect of puerarin on stress-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of puerarin on stress-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. METHOD: The model of gastric ulcer was established by restraint plus water-immersion stress in rats. Gastric motility was monitored by the method of "Gas Balloon". Gastric mucosal blood flow was recorded by laser-Doppler flowmetry. Colorimetric method was used to determine the content of NO and ET in gastric mucosal tissue. Meantime the pathologic changes of gastric mucosal was examined. RESULT: Puerarin could significantly attenuated gastric mucosal damage induced by water-immersion stress, inhibited gastric motility, specially decreased the index of gastric motility and percentage of gastric contraction time and numbers of violent contraction. The gastric mucosal blood flow and NO level in gastric mucosal were enhanced, while ET level was reduced by puerarin. The degree of tissue damage in gastric mucosal was also significantly attenuated after administration fo puerarin. CONCLUSION: Puerarin exerts a significant protective effect on water-immersion stress-induced gastric mucosal damage by relaxing the vessels, increasing NO level in gastric mucosal, increasing regional gastric mucosal blood flow and inhibiting gastric motility.