[Historical evolution of Xuanfu Daizhe Decoction].

Xuanfu Daizhe Decoction, first seen in Zhang Zhongjing's Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases, was composed of seven medicinal materials: Inulae Flos, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ginseng Radix, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Haematitum, Pinelliae Rhizoma and Jujubae Fructus. It was used to treat gastric fullness and hardness and belching due to the wrong treatment of typhoid fever and sweating. With detailed records and description in ancient medical books, Xuanfu Daizhe Decoction was widely adopted in clinical practice by physicians of later generations, which expanded its main therapeutic functions. By comprehensive collation of ancient and modern literature on Xuanfu Daizhe Decoction, this paper systematically explored the historical evolution of the prescription from the source, composition, dosage, processing, clinical application, function interpretation and decocting method. It was found that the composition and processing method of the prescription in the past dynasties were relatively consistent, and there was a gradual decrease in dosage in clinical application. In ancient times, Xuanfu Daizhe Decoction was mainly used to treat nausea, vomiting, hiccups, constipation, etc., while modern clinicians mainly used it for digestive diseases such as reflux esophagitis and gastritis. Through the analysis and textual research, the composition, dosage, processing, function evolution and decocting method of this prescription were determined, which provided reference for the research and development of compound preparations of Xuanfu Daizhe Decoction.

Berberine versus placebo for the prevention of recurrence of colorectal adenoma: a multicentre, double-blinded, randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Chemoprevention of colorectal adenoma and colorectal cancer remains an important public health goal. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical potential and safety of berberine for prevention of colorectal adenoma recurrence. METHODS: This double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was done in seven hospital centres across six provinces in China. Individuals aged 18-75 years who had at least one but no more than six histologically confirmed colorectal adenomas that had undergone complete polypectomy within the 6 months before recruitment were recruited and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive berberine (0·3 g twice daily) or placebo tablets via block randomisation (block size of six). Participants were to undergo a first follow-up colonoscopy 1 year after enrolment, and if no colorectal adenomas were detected, a second follow-up colonoscopy at 2 years was planned. The study continued until the last enrolled participant reached the 2-year follow-up point. All participants, investigators, endoscopists, and pathologists were blinded to treatment assignment. The primary efficacy endpoint was the recurrence of adenomas at any follow-up colonoscopy. Analysis was based on modified intention-to-treat, with the full analysis set including all randomised participants who received at least one dose of study medication and who had available efficacy data. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02226185; the trial has ended and this report represents the final analysis. FINDINGS: Between Nov 14, 2014, and Dec 30, 2016, 553 participants were randomly assigned to the berberine group and 555 to the placebo group. The full analysis set consisted of 429 participants in the berberine group and 462 in the placebo group. 155 (36%) participants in the berberine group and 216 (47%) in the placebo group were found to have recurrent adenoma during follow-up (unadjusted relative risk ratio for recurrence 0·77, 95% CI 0·66-0·91; p=0·001). No colorectal cancers were detected during follow-up. The most common adverse event was constipation (six [1%] of 446 patients in the berberine group vs one [<0·5%] of 478 in the placebo group). No serious adverse events were reported. INTERPRETATION: Berberine 0·3 g twice daily was safe and effective in reducing the risk of recurrence of colorectal adenoma and could be an option for chemoprevention after polypectomy. FUNDING: National Natural Science Foundation of China.

[Leptin Signalings and Leptin Resistance].

Leptin plays a critical role in the regulation of energy balance and metabolic homeostasis. Impairment of leptin function is closely involved in the pathogenesis of obesity, diabetes mellitus and some other metabolic diseases. Leptin initiates intracellular signal transductions in the leptin-receptor-expressing neurons in the central nervous system to exert its physiological functions. The fact that high circulating levels of leptin partially or completely fail to promote weight loss in obesity has given rise to the notion of "leptin resistance". Recently, the impairment of leptin signalings in the hypothalamus has been regarded as a critical contributor to leptin resistance. In this review, the studies on leptin signaling and leptin resistance are summarized with an emphasis on the progress made during the last five years.

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide-Induced Calcium Alginate Gel Combined with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Differentiating to Osteoblasts.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been confirmed with induction osteoblastic differentiation, but if it can make the three-dimensional culture of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to the osteoblastic differentiation, thus constructing tissue-engineered bone rare reports. To investigate the feasibility of exogenous CGRP-induced calcium alginate gel combined with ADSCs from rabbits in three-dimensional condition to construct tissue-engineered bone. ADSCs were obtained by collagenase I digestion of the subcutaneous adipose tissue of inguinal region of New Zealand rabbits. At the third passage, cells were mixed with sodium alginate to prepare calcium alginate gel, and the cells were assigned into two-group cultivates in 24 orifice plates. ADSCs in the control group were treated with DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 10(-2) mol/L ß-glycerophosphate sodium, 10(-7)mol/L dexamethasone, 50 mg/L ascorbic acid, 0.1 % volume fraction of fetal bovine serum. ADSCs in the experimental group were incubated with the same medium as above, and in addition 1.5 µg/L CGRP was added. The cells proliferation and the mRNA expressions of collagen I and osteocalcin were detected by MTT and RT-PCR assays, respectively and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and calcium concentration at different induction time were detected. The cell proliferation curves were S shaped. The OD values of experimental group were higher than those of control group at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days after osteogenic induction (P < 0.05). ALP and alizarin red stains of ADSCs were all positive, but golden round nodes became bigger and more in the experimental group compared with the control group after 2 weeks. At 7 and 14 days, collagen I and osteocalcin mRNA expression were greater in the experimental group than the control group. ALP and calcium concentration of experimental group were higher than that of control group at 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks after osteogenic induction (P < 0.05). Thus, these results show that the CGRP-induced ADSCs combined with calcium alginate gel to osteoblasts differentiation.

Pharmacokinetics of salvianolic acids after intravenous injection, with and without Panax quinquefolium protopanaxadiol saponins, in rats.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of Panax quinquefolium protopanaxadiol saponins (PQDS) extracts on the plasma protein binding and pharmacokinetic of salvianolic acids extracts extracted from the traditional Chinese medical Salvia miltiorrhiza,. Salvianolic acids are used to treat myocardial ischemia, and PQDS has similar functions. It is expected to achieve a better therapeutic efficacy if the two extracts are developed as a compound prescription for injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An established high-performance liquid chromatographic technique coupled with microdialysis was used. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given salvianolic acids extracts and a compound of the two extracts via femoral vein. RESULTS: It was found that there were significant differences in the percentage protein binding as well as the pharmacokinetic parameters. The rat plasma protein binding of the four salvianolic acids increased by different degrees at three dose levels (25, 50, 100mg/kg of salvianolic acid B) when the two extracts were administered together. Also, their elimination half-life was prolonged, and their plasma concentrations remained stable longer after administration of a dose of 50mg/kg (salvianolic acid B). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the PQDS extracts could delay the excretion of salvianolic acids as well as maintain the blood concentration higher than salvianolic acids extracts administered alone.

[Experimental studies on the preparation techniques of Tongjingshu babu sticking plaster].

OBJECTIVE: to establish the optimum preparation procedure for Tongjingshu babu sticking plaster. METHOD: Orthogonal design was used to observe the adhesion power, cohesion by the multi-electronic experimental equipment. RESULT: The best formulation is composed of ointment, polypropylene acid, glycerin, bond and its proportion is 0.2:4:8:1.2, the final plaster contains 35% water with idea stability to the skin. CONCLUSION: The formulation of Tongjing-shu babu sticking plaster is resonable and its preparation is simple and rapid.