Operational and Intervention Effects of Targeted Tuina in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rabbits.

Tui Na or massage therapy alleviates symptoms related to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, precise, repeatable, standardized instructions for Tuina manipulation are lacking. This study establishes IDD model rabbits induced by fibrous ring puncture, creates targeted Tuina stimulation protocols at the acupuncture points in the lumbar region, and describes in detail the operation methods and requirements of kneading, pointing, and flicking. New Zealand male white rabbits (n = 15) were selected and randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, and a Tuina group. The rabbits in the model group and the Tuina group were molded by fibrous ring puncture; the rabbits in the model group were only immobilized on the operating table without treatment. In contrast, the Tuina group used the "8N/10N, 30 cycles/min" prescription for kneading, pointing, and flicking to perform the intervention, using tactile sensory aids to monitor and regulate the intensity of the Tuina operation. Imaging diagnosis and pathological tests were used to assess the effect of Tuina in rabbits, and the results showed improved imaging features and significantly lowered pathology scores of lumbar disc degeneration in the Tuina group compared to the model group (P < 0.01). Targeted Tuina in the lumbar region may be beneficial in the alleviation of lumbar disc degeneration, but further verification is needed. By regularly performing Tuina and recording the mechanical information involved enables reproducible manipulation prescriptions and helps to observe the basic features of the underlying mechanism of Tuina for IDD.

Triterpenoid and Coumarin Isolated from Astilbe grandis with Anti-Inflammatory Effects through Inhibiting the NF-κB Pathway in LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Cells.

The roots of Astilbe grandis, known as "Ma sang gou bang", are used as a Miao traditional medicine with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, the active components and mechanism of action of this plant remain mostly uncharacterized. The aim of this study was to identify its active components and verify their pharmacological activity. The extract of A. grandis root was separated using various chromatographic methods. As a result, we obtained one novel triterpenoid, named astigranlactone (1), which has an unusual lactone moiety formed between C-7 and C-27. Additionally, a known coumarin compound, 11-O-galloyl bergenin (2) was isolated from this plant. The structures of these two compounds were elucidated by extensive NMR experiments in conjunction with HR-ESI-MS data. To the best of our knowledge, both compounds were isolated from this species for the first time. Moreover, we tested the anti-inflammation effect of the two compounds by establishing a cellular inflammation model induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells. The effect of different concentrations of these compounds on the activity of RAW264.7 cells was assessed using a CCK8 assay. The levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in the supernatant of each group were evaluated using the Griess method and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-RCR) were used to measure the levels of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression. Our findings revealed that these two compounds inhibited the high levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, COX-2, and iNOS (induced by LPS). Mechanistic studies demonstrated that these two compounds reduced the activation of the nuclear transcription factor-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p65. Therefore, our study indicates that compounds 1 and 2 can exert a definite anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction alleviates depressive-like behaviors in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mice via Trem2/Dap12 pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction (HLJD), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been implicated as effective in treating colitis, depression and inflammation-related diseases. Whether HLJD decoction could ameliorate colitis-induced depression was still unknown and the underlying mechanism was needed to be clarified. AIM OF THE STUDY: Our study aimed to explore the effect and the underlying mechanism of HLJD treatment on colitis-induced depression and the involvement of the inflammatory factors and microglial-activated related genes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chronic colitis model was established by treating male mice with 1% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 8 weeks. One week after DSS-treated, HLJD decoction was administered orally with 2 and 4 g/kg daily for 7 weeks. Behavior tests (Open field/Elevated plus maze/Novel object recognition) and TUNEL staining were then assessed. The expression of inflammatory-related genes and microglial dysregulation were measured by RT-PCR and the expression of Trem2, Danp12 and Iba1 were assessed by immunofluorescence methods. RESULTS: Depressive-like behaviors were observed in mice treated with DSS, which suffered colitis. Compared to normal control (NC-V) mice, the density of TUNEL + cells in the habenula (Hb), hippocampus (HIP), and cortex were significantly higher in colitis (DSS-V) mice, especially in Hb. Compared to NC-V and several brain regions, the expression levels of the Il-1ß, Il-10 and Dap12 mRNA were significantly increased in the lateral habenula (LHb) of colitis mice. Moreover, the expression of Trem2, Dap12 and Iba1 were increased in LHb of DSS-V mice. HLJD treatment could alleviate depressive-like behaviors, reduce the density of TUNEL + cells in Hb and the expression of Il-6, Il-10 and Dap12 mRNA in LHb of DSS-V mice. The overexpression of Trem2, Dap12 and Iba1 in LHb of DSS-V mice were reversed after HLJD treatment. CONCLUSION: These results reveal LHb is an important brain region during the process of colitis-induced depression. HLJD treatment could alleviates depressive-like behaviors in colitis mice via inhibiting the Trem2/Dap12 pathway in microglia of LHb, which would contribute to the precise treatment. It provides a potential mechanistic explanation for the effectiveness of HLJD treatment in colitis patients with depression.

Resilience is associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour recommendations attainment in Chinese university students.

PURPOSE: To determine the associations of resilience with physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) recommendations attainment among university students by considering the sex of the participants. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 352 Chinese university students (131 males, 20.8 ± 2.18 years). PA and SB were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Resilience was measured using the Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale with 25 items (CD-RISC-25). Attainment of PA and SB recommendations with different patterns was determined by referring to the global recommendations for adults. Mann-Whitney U tests and generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to determine sex differences in all outcomes and the contribution of resilience to the attainment of PA and SB recommendations, respectively. RESULTS: The percentage of males who attained all patterns related to vigorous PA (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and SB recommendations was significantly higher than that of females. Males also scored significantly higher than females in the CD-RISC-25 final score (p < .01). GLMs results showed that, after adjusting for key confounders, resilience was a significant predictor of PA recommendations attainment in terms of minimum moderate PA (MPA), minimum MVPA, and adequate MVPA (all p < .05). CONCLUSION: PA (at more intense levels), SB, and resilience among university students vary by sex, with males outperforming females. Regardless of sex, resilience is an important predictor for the attainment of PA and SB recommendations. Sex-specific resilience-building interventions should be developed to foster a physically active lifestyle among this population group.

Bioactive icetexane and abietane diterpenes from Isodon phyllopodus.

A new icetexane diterpenoid, 11, 12, 20α-trihydroxyl-7ß-methoxyicetexa-8, 11, 13-triene-19, 10-lactone [Phyllane A (1)], and a new abietane diterpenoid, 7ß, 20-epoxy-3ß, 17-acetoxy-abieta-8, 11, 13-teriene-11, 12-diol [phyllane B (2)], along with two known compounds (3 and 4) were isolated from the methanol (MeOH) extract of twigs and leaves of the folk medicinal Isodon phyllopodus. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses including 2 D NMR spectral data, and further confirmed by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Moreover, the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity and anti-HIV activities, and phyllane A showed anti-HIV activity with an IC50 value of 15.7 µM, but phyllane B was found to be cytotoxic to the A549 host cells with a CC50 value of 108.5 µM.

Comprehensive transcriptional variability analysis reveals gene networks regulating seed oil content of Brassica napus.

BACKGROUND: Regulation of gene expression plays an essential role in controlling the phenotypes of plants. Brassica napus (B. napus) is an important source for the vegetable oil in the world, and the seed oil content is an important trait of B. napus. RESULTS: We perform a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptional variability in the seeds of B. napus at two developmental stages, 20 and 40 days after flowering (DAF). We detect 53,759 and 53,550 independent expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) for 79,605 and 76,713 expressed genes at 20 and 40 DAF, respectively. Among them, the local eQTLs are mapped to the adjacent genes more frequently. The adjacent gene pairs are regulated by local eQTLs with the same open chromatin state and show a stronger mode of expression piggybacking. Inter-subgenomic analysis indicates that there is a feedback regulation for the homoeologous gene pairs to maintain partial expression dosage. We also identify 141 eQTL hotspots and find that hotspot87-88 co-localizes with a QTL for the seed oil content. To further resolve the regulatory network of this eQTL hotspot, we construct the XGBoost model using 856 RNA-seq datasets and the Basenji model using 59 ATAC-seq datasets. Using these two models, we predict the mechanisms affecting the seed oil content regulated by hotspot87-88 and experimentally validate that the transcription factors, NAC13 and SCL31, positively regulate the seed oil content. CONCLUSIONS: We comprehensively characterize the gene regulatory features in the seeds of B. napus and reveal the gene networks regulating the seed oil content of B. napus.

Effects of acupuncture on cartilage p38MAPK and mitochondrial pathways in animal model of knee osteoarthritis: A systematic evaluation and meta-analysis.

Background: Most previous studies on acupuncture in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) have focused on improving functional efficacy and safety, while related mechanisms have not been systematically reviewed. Acupuncture modulates cytokines to attenuate cartilage extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis, key to the pathogenesis of KOA, but the mechanisms are complex. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of acupuncture quantitatively and summarily in animal studies of KOA. Methods: Nine databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science (including Medline), Cochrane library, Scopus, CNKI, Wan Fang, and VIP were searched to retrieve animal studies on acupuncture interventions in KOA published since the inception of the journal. Relevant literature was screened, and information extracted. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 and Stata 17.0 software. Results: The 35 included studies involved 247 animals, half of which were in acupuncture groups and half in model groups. The mean quality level was 6.7, indicating moderate quality. Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture had the following significant effects on cytokine levels in p38MAPK and mitochondrial pathways: (1) p38MAPK pathway: It significantly inhibits p38MAPK, interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), phosphorylated (p)-p38MAPK, matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), MMP-1, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMST-5) expression, and significantly increased the expression of collagen II and aggrecan. (2) mitochondrial pathway: It significantly inhibited the expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cysteine protease-3 (caspase-3), caspase-9, and Cytochrome-c (Cyt-c). And significantly increased the expression of B cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2). In addition, acupuncture significantly reduced chondrocyte apoptosis, Mankin's score (a measure of cartilage damage), and improved cartilage morphometric characteristics. Conclusion: Acupuncture may inhibit cytokine expression in the p38MAPK pathway to attenuate cartilage extracellular matrix degradation, regulate cytokines in the mitochondrial pathway to inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis, and improve cartilage tissue-related phenotypes to delay cartilage degeneration. These findings provide possible explanations for the therapeutic mechanisms and clinical benefits of acupuncture for KOA. Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com, identifier INPLASY20 2290125.

Rubesanolides F and G: Two Novel Lactone-Type Norditerpenoids from Isodon rubescens.

A phytochemical investigation of the leaves of the medicinal plant Isodon rubescens led to the isolation of the two new degraded abietane lactone diterpenoids rubesanolides F (1) and G (2). Their structures were elucidated based on the analyses of the HRESIMS and 1D/2D NMR spectral data, and their absolute configurations were determined by ECD spectrum calculations and X-ray single crystal diffraction methods. Compounds 1 and 2, with a unique γ-lactone subgroup between C-8 and C-20, were found to form a carbonyl carbon at C-13 by removal of the isopropyl group in an abietane diterpene skeleton. Rubesanolide G (2) is a rare case of abietane that possesses a cis-fused configuration between rings B and C. The two isolates were evaluated for their biological activities against two cancer cell lines (A549 and HL60), three fungal strains (Candida alba, Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus nigricans) and three bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis).

Gabra6100Q allele Sprague-Dawley rats have a higher sensitivity to hypnosis induced by isoflurane and ethanol than the wild type rats.

BACKGROUND: The neurobiological mechanisms underlying how general anesthetics render a patient's unconsciousness (hypnosis) remains elusive. The role of the cerebellum in hypnosis induced by general anesthetics is unknown. Gabra6100Q allele Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats have a naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphism in the GABAA receptor α6 subunit gene that is expressed exclusively in cerebellum granule cells. METHODS: We examined the loss of righting reflex (LORR) induced by isoflurane, and ethanol in Gabra6100Q rats compared with those in wild type (WT) SD rats. We also examined the change of c-Fos expression induced by isoflurane exposure in cerebellum granule cells of both mutant and WT rats. RESULTS: Gabra6100Q rats are more sensitive than WT rats to the LORR induced by isoflurane and ethanol. Moreover, isoflurane exposure induced a greater reduction in c-Fos expression in cerebellum granule cells of Gabra6100Q rats than WT rats. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these data, we speculate that cerebellum may be involved in the hypnosis induced by some general anesthetics and thus may represent a novel target of general anesthetics.

Protopanaxadiol improves endometriosis associated infertility and miscarriage in sex hormones receptors-dependent and independent manners.

Background: Patients with endometriosis (EMs) have high risks of infertility and spontaneous abortion. How to remodel the fertility of patients with EMs has always been the hot spot and difficulty in the field of reproductive medicine. As an aglycone of ginsenosides, protopanaxadiol (PPD) possesses pleiotropic biological functions and has high medicinal values. We aimed to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of PPD in the treatment of EMs-associated infertility and spontaneous abortion. Methods: The EMs mice models were constructed by allotransplantation. The pregnancy rates, embryo implantation numbers and embryo resorption rates of control and EMs were counted. RNA sequencing, qRT-PCR, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and FCM analysis were performed to screen and confirm the expression of endometrial receptivity/decidualization-related molecules, inflammation cytokines and NK cell function-related molecules in vitro and/or in vivo. The SWISS Target Prediction, STRING and Cytoscape were carried out to predict the potential cellular sensory proteins, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network between sensory proteins and fertility-related molecules, respectively. Micro-CT detection, liver and kidney function tests were used to evaluate the safety. Results: Here, we observe that PPD significantly up-regulates endometrial receptivity-related molecules (e.g., Lif, Igfbp1, Mmps, collagens) and restricts pelvic inflammatory response (low levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ) of macrophage, and further remodel and improve the fertility of EMs mice. Additionally, PPD increases the expression of decidualization-related genes and Collagens, and promotes the proliferation, residence, immune tolerance and anagogic functions of decidual NK cells (low levels of CD16 and NKp30, high levels of Ki67, VEGF, TGF-ß) in pregnant EMs mice, and further triggers decidualization, decidual NK cell-mediated maternal-fetal immune tolerance and angiogenesis, preventing pregnant EMs mice from miscarriage. Mechanically, these effects should be dependent on ESRs, PGR and other sensory proteins (e.g., AR). Compared with GnRHa (the clinic first-line drug for EMs), PPD does not lead to the decline of serum estrogen and bone loss. Conclusion: These data suggest that PPD prevents EMs-associated infertility and miscarriage in sex hormones receptors-dependent and independent manners possibly, and provides a potential therapeutic strategy with high efficiency and low side effects to remodels the fertility of patients with EMs.

Dragon-tiger fighting needling therapy in treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect on painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) between dragon-tiger fighting needling and pregabalin capsules.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with PDPN were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. On the base of treatment with routine anti-hyperglycaemic measures and nutritional neurotherapy, the dragon-tiger fighting needling was exerted at Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Xuehai (SP 10) in the observation group, once daily. Pregabalin capsules were prescribed for oral administration in the control group, 75 mg, twice a day. The treatment for 2 weeks was as one course and 2 courses of treatment were required in total. The score of visual analogue scale (VAS), the score of MOS item short form health survey (SF-36) and nerve conduction velocity before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, VAS score was reduced as compared with before treatment in the two groups (@*CONCLUSION@#The dragon-tiger fighting needling therapy relieves painful symptoms, improves the quality of life and increases nerve conduction velocity in the patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and the therapeutic effect is better than oral administration of pregabalin capsules.

Electroacupuncture Relieves Pain During Alcohol Withdrawal.

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most prevalent chronic relapsing substance use disorders. The negative emotional state, including pain hypersensitivity that often occurs during abstinence, is believed to be a significant driving force for intensive seeking and relapse drinking. Studies have revealed that this may involve the inhibition of midbrain dopamine transmission and activation of the "antireward" system in the lateral habenula (LHb). Acupuncture has been proven effective in reducing pain and certain syndromes associated with AUD. There have been extensive studies conducted on acupuncture. However, the neuroanatomical basis behind acupuncture practice is still unclear. Objective: To briefly describe recent research about acupuncture on pain, particularly those related to AUD. Results: Preclinical studies found that electrostimulation of acupoints (electroacupuncture [EA]) effectively relieves hyperalgesia during withdrawal from chronic alcohol administration. This effect is mediated by the µ-opioid receptors in the LHb. Other studies revealed that the analgesic effect of EA could be mediated by mechanisms independent of the opioid system. Other evidence shows that acupuncture's strong anti-inflammatory effect also contributes to its analgesic effect. Conclusion: Acupuncture could alleviate pain, including the pain in alcoholics, through mechanisms either dependent or independent of the opioid system. Since alcohol abuse causes inflammation, which is also a significant cause of pain, the strong anti-inflammatory effect of acupuncture may also contribute to its analgesic effect. Thus, acupuncture is a nonaddictive therapeutic choice for pain related to substance use disorders, including alcohol.

Acupuncture for uterine fibroids: Protocol for a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Uterine fibroids represent the most common gynecological benign tumors in reproductive females. Acupuncture has been applied as a therapeutic modality in China to treat uterine fibroids. However, currently, few critical systematic reviews regarding the effect of acupuncture on uterine fibroids have been published. Our proposed review aims to evaluate the current evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture for uterine fibroids. METHODS: A total of 7 databases were searched from their inception to December 2018, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database, the Chinese Biomedical database, and the Wanfang database. The primary outcomes will be reduction in uterine volume and number of fibroids. Secondary outcomes are pelvic or low-back pain, assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS); Irregular menstrual periods; Low-abdominal pressure symptoms such as frequent or urgent urination, or constipation and adverse events. Data synthesis will be computed by RevManV.5.3.5 software when a data-analysis is allowed. Methodological quality will be evaluated with the risk of bias according to Cochrane Handbook. RESULTS: This study will provide high-quality evidence of acupuncture for uterine fibroids. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether acupuncture is an effective therapeutic intervention for patients with uterine fibroids. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019120484.

Acupuncture for alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common medical and social problem, affecting about 240 million people in the world. To address this major health concern, the currently available treatments for AUD need to be improved. Acupuncture, a popular form of complementary and alternative therapy, is emerging as an effective treatment for AUD. This review summarizes how preclinical and clinical studies are related to the application of acupuncture for AUD. These studies suggest that if used correctly, acupuncture may effectively reduce alcohol intake, attenuate alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and rebalance AUD-induced maladaptation in neurotransmitters and hormones in related brain areas. The progress of research in this field is at an early stage. Future investigations with rigorous design and carefully constructed protocols are still needed.

Two cytotoxic 6,7-seco-spiro-lacton-ent-kauranoids from Isodon rubescens.

The present study was performed to investigate the chemical components of the branches and leaves of Isodon rubescens. Two 6,7-seco-spiro-lacton-ent-kauranoids were obtained. Based on the extensive spectroscopic analyses, their structures were elucidated as 6-epi-11-O-acetylangustifolin (1) and 11-O-acetylangustifolin (2), respectively. The structure of 2 was further comfirmed by X-ray crystallography analysis. MTT method was employed to evaluate their cytotoxity against human lung cancer cell lines A549 and leukemia cell lines K562.

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Hyperalgesia in Rats Withdrawn from Chronic Alcohol Drinking via Habenular Mu Opioid Receptors.

BACKGROUND: Hyperalgesia or increased sensitivity to pain is often found in alcoholics during alcohol withdrawal and may contribute to relapse drinking. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA), through mechanisms involving opioid receptors, may reduce pain and substance dependence and withdrawal syndromes. The lateral habenula (LHb), an epithalamic structure rich in mu opioid receptors (MORs), is a critical target for both drugs of abuse and pain. We previously observed hyperalgesia in rats withdrawn from chronic ethanol (EtOH) drinking and found that EA at the acupoint Zusanli (ST36) reduced EtOH intake. This raised question of whether EA can alleviate hyperalgesia during alcohol withdrawal and, if so, whether the mechanism involves MORs in the LHb. METHODS: We trained male rats to drink EtOH using the intermittent access 20% EtOH 2-bottle free-choice drinking paradigm for 8 weeks, after which the alcohol supply was discontinued. We measured pain sensitivity using radiant heat (a light beam directed at the hind paw of rats) and compared the paw withdrawal latencies (PWLs) with and without EA at ST36. RESULTS: The PWLs were significantly shorter in rats at 24, 48, and 72 hours and 7 days after the discontinuation of EtOH when compared to EtOH-naïve rats. After a single administration of 2-Hz EA for 20 minutes at ST36, the PWLs at 24 hours after the withdrawal of EtOH were significantly greater than those of the sham group (2-Hz EA at the tail). Furthermore, the effect of EA on PWLs was significantly attenuated by bilateral intrahabenula infusion of the MOR antagonist naltrexone. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EA can alleviate hyperalgesia during EtOH withdrawal through a mechanism involving MORs in the habenula. Based on this, EA could be of potential value as a therapy for hyperalgesia in alcohol dependence.

Analysis of triterpenoids in Ganoderma lucidum by microwave-assisted continuous extraction / 中国中药杂志

For further improving the extraction efficiency of microwave extraction, a microwave-assisted contijuous extraction (MACE) device has been designed and utilized. By contrasting with the traditional methods, the characteristics and extraction efficiency of MACE has also been studied. The method was validated by the analysis of the triterpenoids in Ganoderma lucidum. The extraction conditions of MACE were: using 95% ethanol as solvent, microwave power 200 W and radiation time 14.5 min (5 cycles). The extraction results were subsequently compared with traditional heat reflux extraction ( HRE) , soxhlet extraction (SE), ultrasonic extraction ( UE) as well as the conventional microwave extraction (ME). For triterpenoids, the two methods based on the microwaves (ME and MACE) were in general capable of finishing the extraction in 10, 14.5 min, respectively, while other methods should consume 60 min and even more than 100 min. Additionally, ME can produce comparable extraction results as the classical HRE and higher extraction yield than both SE and UE, however, notably lower extraction yield than MASE. More importantly, the purity of the crud extract by MACE is far better than the other methods. MACE can effectively combine the advantages of microwave extraction and soxhlet extraction, thus enabling a more complete extraction of the analytes of TCMs in comparison with ME. And therefore makes the analytic result more accurate. It provides a novel, high efficient, rapid and reliable pretreatment technique for the analysis of TCMs, and it could potentially be extended to ingredient preparation or extracting techniques of TCMs.

Effect of tianma gouteng decoction on the endothelial function and the renal protein expression in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of tianma gouteng decoction (TGD) on the endothelial function and the renal protein expression of spontaneously hypertensive rats, and to analyze its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 18 6-week-old SHR were randomly divided into 3 groups according to randomized block design, the SHR control group, the TGD group, and the captopril group, 6 in each group. Meanwhile, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats of the same age were recruited as a WKY control group. Rats in the TGD group were administered with TGD at the daily dose of 10. 260 g/kg. Rats in the captopril group were administered with captopril at the daily dose of 3. 375 g/kg. 2 mL/100 g distilled water was administered to rats in the SHR control group and the WKY control group. All medication was performed by gastrogavage once per day till rats were 24 weeks old. Changes of blood pressure were measured once per two weeks. The relaxation of the thoracic aorta and the superior mesenteric artery was determined by vascular ring in vitro to reflect the endothelial function. The total renal protein was separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). The significantly deviated protein was verified by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with the SHR control group, blood pressure was significantly lowered in rats (10 - 24 weeks old) of the captopril group (P <0.01, P <0.05). The hypotensive effect of TGD was obvious at the beginning of hypertension (10 -12 weeks) (P <0. 01). But along with the progression of hypertension, its hypotensive effect was not obvious (P>0. 05). (2) Compared with the SHR control group, the relaxation of the superior mesenteric artery was obviously improved in the TGD group (P <0. 05); the relaxation of the thoracic aorta and the superior mesenteric artery was obviously superior in the WKY control group (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). But there was no statistical difference in each relaxation index between the captopril group and the SHR control group (P >0. 05).(3) RESULTS: of 2-DE found 16 significantly differential renal protein, mainly involved nitric oxide (NO) system, oxidative stress, and cytoskeleton-related proteins. Results of Western blot showed that TGD could significantly improve expressions of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), N(G, N(G)-dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH2), and pterin-4-alpha-carbinolamine dehydratase 1 (PCBD1) (P <0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GTD could protect the endothelial function of the superior mesenteric artery in SHR, and its intervention mechanism of hypertension induced early renal injury might be relevant to regulating the NO system and antioxidative stress.</p>

Determination of residual aluminium Ion in Huoxiang Zhengqi pellets by GFAAS with EDTA complexation extraction / 中国中药杂志

To establish an EDTA complexation extraction pretreatment combining with GFAAS method for the determination of residual aluminium ion in Huoxiang zhengqi pellets without digestive treatment, systematical investigation was made on sample preparation, and EDTA was used for the complexation extraction of residual aluminium ion in samples. The pH, concentration and volume of extraction solution, the temperature and time of microwave extraction, and graphite furnace temperature program were investigated. The results were compared with the microwave digestion. It was showed that, 0.1 g of sample weight was added in 20 mL 0.05 mol x L(-1) EDTA solution (pH 3.5), followed by heating at 150 degrees C for 10 min in the microwave extraction device. The determination of GFAAS was performed at optimized detection wavelength (257.4 nm) as well as graphite furnace temperature program, the detection limits and quantification limits were 2.37 μg x L(-1) and 7.89 μg x L(-1), respectively. The precision (RSD) was less than 2.3%. The average recovery was 96.9% -101%. The present method is easy, rapid and accurate for the determination of residual aluminium ion in Huoxiang zhengqi pellets.

Determination of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 in Ben Lamge granules by HPLC-FLD after multi-pretreatment clean-up / 中国中药杂志

To establish a multi-pretreatment method for the determination of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 in Chinese patent medicines, aflatoxins were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector with post-column derivatization, after the multi-pretreatment of samples. The results showed that after the samples extracted with MeOH-H2O, dehydrated by anhydrous magnesium sulphate and sodium chloride, and finally purified by neutral alumina, the impurity interference of different sources in Chinese patent medicines matrix can be effectively removed, and the main peak can be nicely separated from the impurity peak. The detection limits were 0.25, 0.25, 0.50, 0.25 μg x L(-1) for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, respectively. The quantification limits were 1.00, 0.50, 1.00, 0.50 μg x L(-1), respectively. Aflatoxin B1, G1 showed a good linear relationship at a range of 1.0-50 μg x L(-1), aflatoxin B2, G2 at a range of 0.5-12.5 μg x L(-1) (R2 > 0.99). The average recovery was 80.40% - 108.6%. The present method is simple, reproducible with the reasonable recoveries and can be applied for the determination of aflatoxins in Chinese patent medicines.