[Essence of acupoints and meridians based on the studies of myofascial trigger points].

Based on the modern anatomy and physiology, the referred pain of myofascial trigger points of each muscle is integrated; compared with the twelve meridians as well as conception vessel and governor vessel, the similarity of their position and running course is observed. With the current research progress of myofascial trigger points and fasciology, based on the running course of referred pain of trigger points, combined with fascia mechanics, nerve and vascular, the location of acupoints and meridians, as well as the relationship between acupoints and meridians, are discussed.

[Influence of electroacupuncture on spinal TNF-alpha and IL-6 contents in spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Zusanli" (ST 36)-"Quchi" (LI 11) on behavior changes and spinal inflammatory reactions in spinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (SI/RI) rabbits, so as to assess its protective effect on SI/RI. METHODS: Thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into sham-operation (sham), SI/RI model (model) and EA groups. SI/RI model was established by occlusion of the abdominal aorta for 45 min. EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36)-"Quchi" (LI 11) for 30 min after modeling, 4 times (0 h, 12 h, 24 h and 36 h after modeling) altogether. The animals' motor function score of the hindlimb was assessed according to Tarlov's method. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) of the lumbar spinal cord tissue were assayed by ELISA 48 h after modeling. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the animals' motor scores at 24 h and 48 h after modeling were decreased, and spinal TNF-alpha and IL-6 contents were increased significantly (all P < 0.05) in the model group. In comparison with the model group, the animals' motor scores at both 24 h and 48 h were up-regulated considerably in the EA group (P < 0.05), suggesting an improvement of the neuronal function after EA intervention. The spinal TNF-alpha and IL-6 contents were obviously lower in the EA group than in the model group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture has a protective effect on the spinal cord ischemia- reperfusion injury of rabbits probably by reducing the local inflammatory reactions.

[Effect of acupuncture on the speech and acoustics level in patients with dysarthria].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with speech therapy for dysarthria after stroke or cerebral trauma. METHODS: Sixty-one cases were randomly divided into two groups. The observation group (30 cases) was treated with speech therapy and acupuncture at Lianquan (CV 23), Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13), Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17) and Wangu (GB 12) as major acupoints, while the control group (31 cases) was treated with speech therapy only. The changes of speech and acoustics indices were evaluated after 9 weeks treatment. RESULTS: The word articulation and correct rate of text of patients in two groups were both obviously improved after treatment (both P < 0.01). The total effective rate of 96.7% (29/30) in observation group was superior to that of 67.7% (21/31) in control group (P < 0.01). The maximum phonation time (MPT) of patients tested by aeromechanics analyzer were obviously prolonged in observation group (12 cases) and control group (11 cases) (both P < 0.01), and the improvement in observation group was more obvious (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with speech therapy can improve the effect on language and acoustics level for dysarthria.

[Study on chemical constituents in seeds of Helicia nilagirica (II)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in seeds of Helicia nilagirica. METHOD: The ethanol extract was seperated by petroleum ether, dichloromethane, n-butanol in sequence, then isolated by silica gel column chromatography. The structures were identified and elucidated by physicochemical properties and spectral analysis. RESULT: Five compounds were isolated from the dichloromethane and n-butanol extracts, identified as p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (2), gallic acid (3), helicide (4), 4-formylpymyl-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5). CONCLUSION: All the compounds except IV were isolated from the plant for the first time. The compounds I, II and III were isolated from the genus Helicia for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of the stems of Alyxia sinensis (I)].

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the chemical constituents of Alyxia sinensis. METHOD: Phytochmical experiment was carried out, using column chromatograph technologies. RESULT: Five compounds have been isolated from the petroleum ether soluble part of the stems of A. sinensis. Their structures have been elucidated respectively as heptatriacontane(1), octatriacontane(2), 20-noatriacontannone(3), 20-nonatriacontanone(4), 20-tetraacontanoe(5), physcion(6), emodin(7), chrysophanol(8), coumarin(9), stigmasterol acetate(10), beta-sitosterol acetate(11), lupeol(12), betulin(13), stigmasterol(14), beta-sitosterol(15), ursolic acid(16), oleanolic acid(17). CONCLUSION: All these compounds are firstly been isolated from A. sinensis. And compound 5-9, 10, 11 are also been separated from Alyxiae genus for the first time.