Traditional Chinese medicine health care from "long term taking" drugs in Shen Nong's Classic of Materia Medica / 中国中药杂志

"Taking drugs for a long term" is a qualitative expression of medication method based on the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine, and the study on it is conducive to the full utilization of the efficacy and rational use of drugs. There are 148 drugs that can be taken for a long time recorded in Shen Nong's Classic of Materia Medica, accounting for 41% of the total drugs. This paper analyzed three-grade classification, natural qualities, four properties and five flavors, and efficacy features of the "long-term taking" drugs(LTTD), thus exploring the herbal source of traditional Chinese medicine health care and the rationality of effect accumulation by long-term taking. It was found that there were more than 110 top-grade LTTD in Shen Nong's Classic of Materia Medica, most of which were herbs, with sweet flavor, flat property, and no toxicity. The efficacies were mainly making body feel light and agile(Qingshen) and prolonging life. Eighty-three LTTD were included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). In the modern classification, tonic LTTD accounted for the most, followed by damp-draining diuretic LTTD and exterior-releasing LTTD. Twenty LTTD were included in the "List of Medicinal and Edible Products" and 21 were in the "List of Products Used for Health-care Food", involving in various modern health care effects, such as enhancing immunity, assisting in reducing blood lipids, and anti-oxidation. Shen Nong's Classic of Materia Medica is the classic source of traditional Chinese medicine health care, and its medication thought of taking drugs for a long term to accumulate effects has guiding significance for the regulation of sub-health and chronic diseases nowadays. The efficacy and safety of LTTD have been examined in practice for a long time, and some of the drugs are edible, which is unique in the whole cycle of health-care service, especially in line with the health-care needs in the aging society under the concept of Big Health. However, some records in the book are limited by the understanding of the times, which should be scientifically studied according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the related regulations and technical requirements, under the attitude of eliminating falsifications and preserving the truth and keeping the right essence, so as to achieve further improvement, innovation, and development.

Research strategy for quality-biomarkers of traditional Chinese medicine based on effect benchmarks / 药学学报

The quality control of traditional Chinese medicine provides the premise of its modernization and globalization. Currently, the dual quality control based on chemical benchmark and effect benchmark has been recognized domestically and internationally. Research efforts have lead to establishment of a series of effective quality control methods based on chemical components, medicinal properties, microscopic characteristics, material constituents and pharmacodynamic targets. In the study of quality control based on chemical benchmarks, fruitful results on fingerprints, DNA barcodes, and quality markers have been achieved. However, due to a variety of factors, such as growth period, origin, growth environment and preparation process of traditional Chinese medicine, the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine based on chemical benchmarks remains difficult to fully reflect the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. At present, there is still a dispute on how to accurately reflect the quality of traditional Chinese medicines based on chemical benchmarks. For example, the index components selected in the Chinese medicine quality standards are difficult to totally reflect all the components of Chinese medicine, and the relevance between the index components versus therapeutic effect is not yet clear. In view of the complex signal network by cascade reaction and crosstalk of multi-signaling pathways within an organism, and the coordinated regulation of multi-components and multi-targets of traditional Chinese medicine, there may be different components regulating the same signal network or situations where the amount of certain chemical components within a range is not sufficient to cause a change in the signal network. Therefore, the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine based on the effect benchmark may be a useful supplement to the quality standard of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper proposes a Q-biomarker research strategy based on the effect benchmark in order to provide a methodological reference for the quality control research of traditional Chinese medicine.

Current situation and prospect of resource evaluation and sustainable utilization on Bletilla / 中国中药杂志

The plants of Bletilla are one of the groups in Orchidaceae with the highest economic value. As the traditional Chinese medicinal material, Bletillae Rhizoma exhibits excellent efficacy in hemostatic, antibiosis, detumescent, anticancer activities and regenerating tissue to heal wound, which has great development potential. However, Bletillae Rhizoma is mainly collected from wild resources. At present, the quantity of wild resources of Bletilla plants has sharply decreased and is far from meeting the needs. Resource appraisal and breeding and cultivation of excellent germplasms of Bletilla plants are important for scientific utilization of the resources of the genus. This paper reviewed the following researches of Chinese Bletilla resources: species and distribution, genetic diversity, active ingredient evaluation, breeding, as well as seeding production and cultivation techniques. Suggestions were also provided in further researches on the resources evaluation, sustainable development and efficient utilization of Chinese Bletilla plants.

Treatment of hypertension by acupuncture method of "activating blood and dispersing wind, harmonizing Gan-Pi": an analysis of its principle of the circular motion of ancient Chinese medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

Hypertension is one of main risk factors for the occurrence and death of stroke and coronary heart disease. Its prevalence rate is rising year by year. It severely threatens the health of the human beings. The acupuncture method of "activating blood and dispersing wind, harmonizing Gan-Pi" for treating hypertension launched by Academician SHI Xue-min has aroused great attention due to good cur- ative effect and less adverse reactions. In this paper principles of the circular motion covered by the acupuncture method of "activating blood and dispersing wind, harmonizing Gan-Pi" were clarified.

Optimization of one-step pelletization technology of Biqiu granules by Plackett-Burman design and Box-Behnken response surface methodology / 中国中药杂志

First with the qualified rate of granules as the evaluation index, significant influencing factors were firstly screened by Plackett-Burman design. Then, with the qualified rate and moisture content as the evaluation indexes, significant factors that affect one-step pelletization technology were further optimized by Box-Behnken design; experimental data were imitated by multiple regression and second-order polynomial equation; and response surface method was used for predictive analysis of optimal technology. The best conditions were as follows: inlet air temperature of 85 degrees C, sample introduction speed of 33 r x min(-1), density of concrete 1. 10. One-step pelletization technology of Biqiu granules by Plackett-Burman design and Box-Behnken response surface methodology was stable and feasible with good predictability, which provided reliable basis for the industrialized production of Biqiu granules.

Substitution of antelope horn in Danqi Piantan capsule with artificial bezoar in vitro / 中国中药杂志

The in vitro cell culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of Danqi Piantan capsule (DPC) and DPC dislodge the antelope horn with artificial bezoar double (DPCBD) on nerve regeneration and blood vessel regeneration and preliminarily investigate the possibility of substituting antelope horn in DPC with artificial bezoar. In this experiment, rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the blank serum control group, the model group, DPC groups (0.306 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), the same below), DPC remove of antelope horn (DPCRA) groups and DPCBD groups. Brain microvascular endothelial cells cultured in vitro (BMEC), astrocytes and neural stem cells (NSC) were co-cultured to simulate neurovascular unit, label neurons with microtubule associated protein III (β-tubulin III) antibody and lable astrocytes with glial fibrillary acidicprotein (GFAP). ELISA was used for the detection of the content of BMEC lactate dehydrogenase instrument method (LDH), the inverted phase contrastmicroscope was adopted to observe the formation of BMEC tube like structure, the number of leukocytes and leukocytes adherent to BMEC were counted under the microscope, the expression levels of β-tubulin III and the ratio of GFAP positive cells was detected with inimmunofluorescence, and RT-PCR method was used to detect NGF, BDNF, VEGF and VEGFr-2 mRNA. According to the result, compared with the model group, both DPC and DPCBD can reduce LDH leakage, promote the formation of BMEC tube like structure, inhibit leukocytes and their adhesion to BMEC, increase the β-tubulin III positive cell differentiation proportion (P < 0. 01), reduce the proportion of GFAP positive cells (P < 0.01), increase the expressions of co-cultured NGF, VEGF, BDNF and VEGFr-2 mRNA to a certain extent, with the most significant difference on NGF and VEGF mRNA expressions (P < 0.05) and the same efficacy in both groups. DPCRA groups showed less impact on all indexes than that of DPCBD and DPC groups. The same efficacy of DPCBD and DPC on nerve regeneration and angiogenesis suggested that antelope horn in DPC can be substituted by artificial bezoar.

Optimization of spraying dry technology of Biqiu ranules ethanol extract by Box-Behnken response surface method / 中国中药杂志

With inlet temperature, specific gravity, feeding speed as independent variables, the comprehensive evaluating indexes of content of schisandrin and arctiin as dependent variable, the experimental data were fitted to a second order polynomial equation. Based on establishing the mathematical relationship between the comprehensive evaluating indexes and respective variables, Box-Benhnken central composite test and response surface analysis method was employed to optimize the spray drying technology of Biqiu granules ethanol extract. The optimal drying parameter was as follows: the inlet temperature was 175 degrees C, the specific gravity was 1.10, feeding speed was 32 r x min(-1). Under these conditions, the comprehensive evaluating indexes of spraying dry processes was 92.68, which was close to the model prediction. The spraying dry technology of Biqiu granules ethanol extract optimized by response surface methodology was accurate and feasible, which provided theoretical experiment basis for the industrialization production.

Preliminary study on substitution of Antelope Horn in Danqi Piantan capsule with artificial bezoar / 中国中药杂志

To study the protective effect of Danqi Piantan capsule ( DPC) and its antelope horn substitution (DPCAS) on the cerebral ischemia, in order to preliminary study the possibility of replacing antelope horn with artificial bezoar. In this study, the left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was adopted. Totally 150 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the sham operation group, the model group, the Danqi Piantan capsule (DPC) group (0.246 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), the Danqi Piantan capsule without antelope horn (DPCRA) group (0.246 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), the Danqi Piantan capsule without antelope horn and with double artificial bezoar (DPCDB) group (0.246 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)). The MCAO model was prepared 1 h later after the administration on the 5th day. At 24 h after the operation, the inner canthus blood was collected to determine the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the endothelin (ET) content. At 72 h after the operation, the cerebral infarct size and the cerebral index were determined by TTC-staining. The fluorescent quantitative PCR method was used to detect brain Bcl-2, Caspase-3, IL-1β, P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1 mRNA expressions. The mmunohistochemical method was used to detect ICAM-1, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 expressions in ischemic penumbra. According to the results, compared with the model group, DPCDB and DPC groups showed almost consistent results, indicating both of the two group can significantly improved cerebral infarction index and cerebral index (P < 0.05), increase the serum SOD activity (P < 0.05), decrease the serum ET level and Caspase-3 expression, IL-1β, P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1 mRNA expressions in brain tissues (P < 0.05) and expressions of ICAM-1, IL-1,6, TNF-α, IL-6 positive cells in ischemic penumbra (P < 0.05) and increase the Bcl-2 expression (P < 0.05). The DPCRA group showed much lower impacts on indexes than DPCDB and DPC groups. This suggests that DPCDB and DPC reveal similar efficacies and antelope horn in Danqi Piantan capsule can be substitutes by artificial bezoar.

Optimization for vacuum belt drying process of Qibai Pingfei granule through response surface methodology / 中国中药杂志

Based on single factor tests,the optimum vacuum belt drying conditions of Qibai Pingfei granule were obtained through Box-Benhnken central combination design and RSM. In this study, drying time, drying temperature and extract density were chosen as independent variables, while transferring rate ginsenoside Rg₁, Re, Rb₁and astragaloside IV were taken as dependent variables. The optimum parameters are as follows: drying time of 112 min, drying temperature of 87 °C and extract density of 1.30 g · mL⁻¹. At the optimum condition, transferring rate ginsenoside Rg₁+ Re, Rb₁and astragaloside IV were 88.01%, 87.31%, 84. 34%. Above all, the optimum processing parameters of vacuum belt drying of Qibai Pingfei granule is reasonable and feasible, which can provide reliable basis for production.

Clinical observation of Alzheimer's disease treated with acupuncture / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on Alzheimer's disease between acupuncture and medicine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and forty-one patients were randomized into an acupuncture group (72 cases) and a medicine group (69 cases). In the acupuncture group, the needling technique for benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating mind and improving intelligence was used at Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhangwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Xuehai (SP 10) and Zusanli (ST 36). The supplementary acupoints were selected according to the symptoms and physical signs. Acupuncture was given once a day and 6 treatments were required for a week. In the medicine group, the choline sterase inhibitor, donepezil (aricept) was prescribed for oral administration, 1 tablet (5 mg) each time, once every night. Four weeks later, the dose was increased to 2 tablets (10 mg) each time. In the two groups, the treatment of 4 weeks made one session and 4 sessions were required. The changes of scores before and after treatment in the minimum mental state examination (MMSE), the activity of daily living scale (ADL), Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognition (ADAS-cog) and the digit span (DS) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, scores of MMSE and DS were increased as compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.05) and scores of ADL and ADAS-cog were reduced as compared with those before treatment. The score differences in MMSE, ADL, ADAS-cog and DS before and after treatment were significant in the two groups (all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The needling technique for benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating mind and improving intelligence significantly improves the overall function, cognition and activity of daily life in the patients of Alzheimer's disease and the efficacy is better than donepezil.</p>

Optimization of one-step pelletization technology of Jiuwei Xifeng granules by response surface methodology / 中国中药杂志

Using the qualified rates of particles as the evaluation indexes, the impact tactors of one-step pelletization technology of Jiuwei Xifeng granules were selected from six factors by the Plackett-Burman experimental design and the levels of non-significant factors were identified. According to the Plackett-Burman experimental design, choosing the qualified rates of particles and angle of repose as the evaluation indexes, three levels of the three factors were selected by Box-Behnken of central composite design to optimize the experimental. The best conditions were as follows: the fluid extract was sprayed with frequency of 29 r . min-1, inlet air temperature was 90 °C, the frequency of fan was 34 Hz. Under the response surface methodology optimized scheme, the average experimental results are similar to the predicted values, and surface methodology could be used in the optimization of one-step pelletization for Chinese materia medica.

Simultaneous determination of five organic acids in Kudiezi injection by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

The aim was to develop a high performance liquid chromatography method for simultaneous determination of five organic acids in Kudiezi injection. The Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microm) was adopted with acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase at a gradient mode program. The flow rate was 1.0 mL min-1 , detection wavelength was 325 nm, and column temperature was 35 degree C. The linear range of monocaffeyltartaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and chicoric acid were 0. 64-81.60 (r =0. 999 9),0.09-11. 10 (r =0.999 8) ,0.09-11.30 (r =0. 999 8),0.10-12.80 (r =0.999 9),0.43-55. 50 mg L-1 (r = 0.999 8) , respectively. The average recoveries were 101.8% ,100. 9% ,99. 24% ,99. 83% ,101.9%, respectively, with RSD of less than 2.0%. The developed HPLC method was simple, sensitive and accurate with good repeatability. This work provided helpful information for comprehensive quality control of Kudiezi injection. [Key words] Kudiezi injection; organic acids; content determination; HPLC

Application of different nutrition therapies in pregnancy with abnormal glucose metabolism / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of different nutrition therapies on abnormal glucose metabolism during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 83 cases of pregnant women with abnormal glucose metabolism who came to nutrition clinic were randomly divided into two groups before 30 weeks pregnancy: 42 cases in traditional food exchange serving group (FES) and 41 cases in food exchange serving based on glycemic load group (FES + GL). Traditional food exchange serving and food exchange serving based on glycemic load were used as the different nutrition therapies for two groups respectively until the time of delivery. The influence of two nutrition therapies on the blood glucose and pregnancy outcomes were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The daily food glucose load (GL) after nutrition therapy in the FES + GL group (145.9 ± 26.3) were significantly decreased than that of the FES group (179.9 ± 28.9, t = 5.602, P < 0.01). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2 h postprandial glucose (2 h PG) ((4.63 ± 0.97) and (6.15 ± 1.07) mmol/L, respectively) after nutrition therapy in the FES + GL group were significantly lower than that in pre-nutrition therapy ((4.96 ± 0.81) and (9.13 ± 1.61) mmol/L, t = 2.237, 11.202, respectively, all P values < 0.05). The 2 h PG in the FES + GL group ((6.15 ± 1.07) mmol/L) after nutrition therapy was significantly lower than that of the FES group ((6.86 ± 1.26) mmol/L, t = 2.760, P < 0.05). 19.51% (8/41) of the total incidence of complications in the FES + GL group was lower than that (11/42, 26.19%) in the FES group, but the difference was not significant (χ² = 0.524, P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FES based on GL was much easier to reduce blood glucose compared with FES. Two nutrition therapies can improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with abnormal glucose metabolism.</p>

Anti-tumor constituents from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the anti-tumor active constituents from the rhizome of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated by column chromatography with silica gel, and purified by Sephadex LH-20 columu chromafography and reverse-phase preparative, HPLC. The structures were identified by spectroscopic methods. The anti-tumor experiment in vitro, the MTT, was used to screen constituents of P. polyphalla var. yunnanensis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six compounds were obtained and their structures were identified as diosgenin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-->4) -beta-D-glycopyranoside (1), pennogenin-3-O-alpha-L-arabino-furanosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-glycopyranoside (2), isorhamn etin-3-O-beta-D-glycopyranoside (3), ethyl-alpha-D-fructofuranoside (4), pennogenin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)]-beta-D-glycopyranoside (5) and pennogenin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)]-beta-D-glycopyranoside (6).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1-4 were isolated from this plant for the first time, compounds 3 and 4 was firstly isolated from genus Paris, compound 5 was firstly isolated from the rhizome of this plant. The pharmacological results showed that compounds 1-3, 5 and 6 showed certain inhibition, especially, the activities of compound 5 and 6 were the most significant.</p>

The more efficacious acupoints of Zusanli and Sanyinjiao than that of non-acupoints on bone mass in osteopenic ovariectomized rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To clarify whether the acupoints of Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) have specific actions other than non-acupoints to bone.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into five groups: Sham operated (sham) group; Ovariectomized (OVX, model) group; non-acupuncture group; OVX, needling on Zusanli and Sanyinjiao (Acp-A) group; OVX, needling on the reverse sides of Zusanli and Sanyinjiao (Acp-B) group; OVX, periostineal stimulation on the same height as points of Zusanli and Sanyinjiao (Acp-C) group. The experiment was continued for 23 weeks and then all animals were sacrificed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>OVX had a significantly higher body weight and lower bone mineral density (BMD) on the lumbar vertebrae, total femora and tibiae than sham rats, however, Acp-A showed a higher BMD compared with the other OVX groups. On the other hand, bone weights, bone strength and bone morphometry such as trabecular volume, trabecular separation, labeled width and bone formation rate also showed the same improvements in Acp-A as compared to the other OVX rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The stimulation on Zusanli and Sanyinjiao specifically prevented the development of osteopenic rats compared with non-acupoints.</p>