Analysis of Microbial Diversity and Community Structure of Rhizosphere Soil of Three Astragalus Species Grown in Special High-Cold Environment of Northwestern Yunnan, China.

Astragalus is a medicinal plant with obvious rhizosphere effects. At present, there are many Astragalus plants with high application value but low recognition and resource reserves in the northwestern area of Yunnan province, China. In this study, metagenomics was used to analyze the microbial diversity and community structure of rhizosphere soil of A. forrestii, A. acaulis, and A. ernestii plants grown in a special high-cold environment of northwestern Yunnan, China, at different altitudes ranging from 3225 to 4353 m. These microbes were taxonomically annotated to obtain 24 phyla and 501 genera for A. forrestii, 30 phyla and 504 genera for A. acaulis, as well as 39 phyla and 533 genera for A. ernestii. Overall, the dominant bacterial phyla included Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria, while the dominant fungal ones were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. At the genus level, Bradyrhizobium, Afipia, and Paraburkholderia were the most prevalent bacteria, and Hyaloscypha, Pseudogymnoascus, and Russula were the dominant fungal genera. Some of them are considered biocontrol microbes that could sustain the growth and health of host Astragalus plants. Redundancy analysis revealed that pH, TN, and SOM had a significant impact on the microbial community structures (p < 0.05). Finally, triterpene, flavonoid, polysaccharide, and amino acid metabolisms accounted for a high proportion of the enriched KEGG pathways, which possibly contributed to the synthesis of bioactive constituents in the Astragalus plants.

Chemical components and pharmacological action of Aconiti Radix / 中国中药杂志

Aconiti Radix is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) herb in clinic,with the effects in expelling wind and removing damness,warming menstruation and relieving pain. With a long medicinal history and high medicinal value,it was used for anemofrigid-damp arthralgia,arthralgia,cold hernia and anesthesia analgesia. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Aconiti Radix has a good therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis,neuropathic pain and hypertension. As a well-known toxic TCM herb,its main pharmacodynamic and toxic components are alkaloids,which can lead to neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity while exerting anti-inflammatory,analgesic,anti-tumor and other pharmacodynamic effects. Therefore,it is often processed to reduce its toxicity or combined with Paeoniae Radix Alba and Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix to achieve the purpose of reducing toxicity and increasing efficacy in clinic.In recent years,with the deepening of the study on the incompatibility of TCM represented by " eighteen incompatible herbs",there have been new findings about TCM incompatibility. It has been found complementary effect,rather than no obvious toxic and side effects after the combination with incompatible herbs of Aconiti Radix. To provide the basis for further study and clinical application of Aconiti Radix,this paper reviewed chemical components,pharmacological action,toxicity and compatibility of Aconiti Radix by consulting relevant literatures published in recent years at home and abroad. Meanwhile,this paper also described the relationship between chemical constituents,as well as anti-inflammatory,analgesic,anti-tumor and other pharmacological effects and toxicity.

Introduction of 169 Single-flavored Drugs Included in The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of Indian / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To analyze the characteristics of 169 single-flavored drugs in The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of Indian， and to provide reference for China to expand new drug sources and study new indications. METHODS： Sanskrit drug names， botanical names （family names）， Chinese medicine names， medicinal parts， therapeutic uses in Ayurveda， distributions in India， distributions or cultivations （introductions） in other countries and regions， the main treatments of other countries and regions were introduced comprehensively， so as to analyze the distribution， family names characteristics， medicinal part and indication characteristics of 169 single-flavored drugs. RESULTS： Totally 169 single-flavored drugs were mostly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. There were 116 single-flavored drugs distributed throughout India （including introduction or cultivation） and medicinal； while 51 single-flavored drugs were only distributed in India； 21 single-flavored drugs were distributed and used in China； 10 single-flavored drugs have a distribution in China but have not been used； only one single-flavored drug had been used in China but had no distribution. Yunnan， Guangdong， Guangxi， Fujian were provinces （districs） where Ayurveda single-flavored drug was planted and used more frequently. Sri Lanka， Vietnam and Malaysia were countries where Ayurveda single-flavored drug was planted and used more frequently. The original plants of the 169 single-flavored drugs were derived from Euphorbiaceae and Dipterocarpaceae， Umbelliferae and Morus， etc. More roots and rhizomes were used. The types of commonly treatment diseases were digestive diseases， respiratory diseases， “symptoms， signs， and clinical and laboratory abnormalities， which cannot be classified elsewhere”， skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases， genitourinary system diseases， blood diseases， etc. The diseases with characteristic diagnosis and treatment were caused by imbalance of body wind， intermittent heat， imbalance of mucin and imbalances of three diseases. CONCLUSIONS： 169 single-flavored drugs in this paper are distributed in tropical and subtropical regions， and are often used to treat digestive diseases. This study can provide reference for the introduction and cultivation of Ayurveda single-flavored drug and for the development of new drug sources and new uses in China.

Preliminary study of the dose-proportion relation of Tibetan medicine Siwei Jianghuang Prescription on diabetic nephropathy rats induced by STZ / 中成药

AIM To investigate the dose-proportion relation of Tibetan medicine Siwei Jianghuang Prescription (SJP) for protective effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN),and the underlying mechanism.METHODS Diabetes mellitus rats induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg) were randomly divided into model group,metformin support group,and eight SJP groups with dose-proportion variation (with reference to the uniform design method) for corresponding drug administration once a day,for four weeks.Measurement of fasting blood glucose (FBG) by a blood glucose meter,the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN),uric acid (UA),serum creatinine (SCr) and total protein (TP) by chemical methods,serum transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by ELISA kits were conducted,the pathological morphology observation and glomerular basement membrane thickness detection by electron microscope were accomplished as well.Principal components analysis (PCA) and multivariate progressive regression analysis (MSRA) were employed to analyze the relationship between the dose-proportion to pharmacodynamics.RESULTS The resultant indexes revealed variant pharmacological improvement in each treatment group.MSRA results showed that the levels of BUN,renal index,FBG,glomerular basement membrane thickness,VEGF,Scr,and UA had correlative relations with a multiple linear or a multiple non-linear in all groups,which regression equation had a statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05);TGF-β1 level and total protein index with the dose-proportion had no linear or non-linear relation,which the regression equation statistical showed non-significance (P ＞ 0.05).In the global optimization comparison around the range of uniform design,the optimal dosage of the rats model was Curcumae Longae Rhizoma ∶ Berberidis dictyophyllae Cortex ∶ Phyllanthi Fructus ∶ Tribuli Fructus =1 ∶ 2 ∶ 1 ∶ 2.CONCLUSION Siwei Jianghuang Prescription shows better therapeutic effects on DN,which may be related to reducing the levels of BUN,renal index,FBG,glomerular basement membrane thickness,VEGF,Scr and UA.

Research progress of Tibetan medicine "Zha-xun" / 中国中药杂志

Zha-xun is widely used in Tibetan medicine and is also an international traditional medicine. This article would summarize the use status and research progress of Zha-xun by various ethnic groups all over the world, and the results show that it has various synonyms but most of them imply its most characteristic feature-outflow from the rock; Zha-xun resources are distributed in various places of the world, and its bearing spots are closely related to the geological structure; there are sharp arguments on the origins of Zha-xun, mainly including the minerals origin, biological fossils origin, biological origin, etc. Zha-xun has multiple functions and is mainly used to treat stomach disease, liver disease and rheumatoid arthritis in China, and premature ejaculation, impotence, vaginitis embolism in foreign countries. "Iron" Zha-xun is used into medicines both at home and abroad. According to ancient materia medica texts, it was mainly classified into five types, including gold Zha-xun, silver Zha-xun, copper Zha-xun, iron Zha-xun and lead Zha-xun mainly based on the predominance of color rather than the minerals contained. It is commonly believed by the domestic and foreign scholars that humic acid is the main medicinal part of Zha-xun, and their studies have found that it has a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, liver protection, analgesia, immune regulation, increasing sexual desire and fertility, antioxidation, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiepileptic, antipsychotic, etc. This paper provides a scientific basis for the rational utilization of Zha-xun resources.

Study on Varieties,Indications and Usage Features of Tibetan Medicine Preparations Based on Drug Stan-dards / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To study varieties,indications and usage features of Tibetan medicine preparations,and provide refer-ence for the clinical treatment and new drug development for Tibetan medicine. METHODS:Tibetan medicine preparations in offi-cial standards were collected,variety features(formula scale,license number,pharmaceutical enterprise,name and dosage form, herbal medicine number),action features(indication name,clinical application)and medicine features(category and quantity,me-dicinal part,commonly used drug,frequency,three fruitsuse feature) were summarized. RESULTS:Totally 458 preparations were included,including 18 recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (part 1,2015 edition),200 recorded in Pharmaceutical Stan-dards of the Ministry of Health of China(Tibetan medicine,1995 edition),240 recorded in Tibetan Medicine Standards(six prov-inces). 129 had obtained 430 license numbers,from 52 pharmaceutical companies;the prearations were mainly named byherbal medicine+principal medicine+dosage formprincipal medicine+dosage formandindication+dosage form. Dosage forms had powder,pill,cream,oil,syrup and wine; the number of herbal medicine was(13.81±13.28). The Tibetan preparations were com-monly used in the clinical treatment of diseases of the digestive system,respiratory system,genitourinary system,circulatory sys-tem,infectious and parasitic diseases,etc. 442 medicines had been used,including 297 herbal medicines,70 animal medicines, 47 mineral medicines and other 28 medicines. The common medicinal parts were seed or fruit,root or rhizome,whole grass,flow-er,stem,over-ground part,tuber or bulb,etc. The top 10 frequency of medicines were as follows as Terminalia chebula,Cartha-mus tinctorius,Aucklandia lappa,Amomum kravanh,Phyllanthus emblica,Piper longum,Inula racemosa,Punica granatum, Moschus berezovskii,Adhatoda vasica;and 19% preparations contained three fruits(T. chebula,P. emblica,Terminalia bellirica). CONCLUSIONS:Tibetan medicine preparations have rich varieties,reasonable herbal medicines,more solid preparations,widely clinic application,contain more herbal drugs and commonly usethree fruits,while fewer preparations have obtained license number.

Transcriptome profiling and analysis of Panax japonicus var. major / 中国中药杂志

The rhizome of Panax japonicus var. major have been used as the natural medicinal agent by Chinese traditional doctors for more than thousand years. Most of the therapeutic effects of P. japonicus var. major had been reported due to the presence of tetracyclic or pentacyclic triterpene saponins. In this study, Illumina pair-end RNA-sequencing and de novo splicing were done in order to understand the pathway of triterpenoid saponins in this species. The valid reads data of 15. 6 Gb were obtained. The 62 240 unigenes were finally obtained by de novo splicing. After annotation, we discovered 19 unigenes involved in ginsenoside backbone biosynthesis. Additionally, 69 unigenes and 18 unigenes were predicted to have potential function of cytochrome P450 and UDP-glycosyltransferase based on the annotation results, which may encode enzymes responsible for ginsenoside backbone modification. This study provides global expressed datas for P. japonicus var. major, which will contribute significantly to further genome-wide research and analysis for this species.

Determination of plasma concentration of quercetin, kaempferid and isorhamnetin in Hippophae rhamnoides extract by HPLC-MS/MS and pharmacokinetics in rats / 中国中药杂志

To establish an HPLC-MS/MS method for the analysis of quercetin, kaempferid and isorhamnetin in rats plasma and study its pharmamacokinetics after an intragastrical administration of Hippophae rhamnoides extracts. Five healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given single doses of H. rhamnoides extracts (quercetin 26.35 mg x kg(-1), kaempferid 4.040 mg x kg(-1), isorhamnetin 31.37 mg x kg(-1)), and then their orbital sinus blood samples were collected at different time points. The drug plasma concentration of the three flavonoids was determined by HPLC-MS/MS method. After that, the main pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated by using Kinetica 5. 0. 11 software. The methodological test showed that the linear concentration ranges of quercetin, kaempferid and isorhamnetin were 7.500-600.0 μg x L(-1) (R2 = 0.998 5), 1.000-80.00 μg x L(-1) (R2 = 0.998 5 ) and 10.00-800.0 μg x L(-1) (R2 = 0.998 0), respectively. The inner and inter-days precisions were both less than 14.0%. The plasma samples showed a good stability and consistency with the requirement of biological sample analysis after the samples were frozen once and placed at - 20 degrees C for 15 d and room temperature for 6 h and the treated analytes were placed at -20 degrees C for 24 h. For quercetin, the pharmacokinetic parameter t(½β), AUC(0-∞), MRT(0.∞), C.(max) and T(max) were (113.3 ± 19.37) min, (12 542.14 ± 3 504.05) μg x h x L(-1), (119.6 ± 13.29) h, (164.6 ± 27.33) μg x L(-1) and (5.199 ± 0.840 3) h, respectively. For kaempferid, the pharmacokinetic parameters t(½β), AUC(0-t), MRT(0-∞), C(max) and T(max) were (79.85 ± 17.15) min, (934.51 ± 94.59) μg x h x L(-1), (81.50 ± 13.75) h, (80.15 ± 14.24) μg x L(-1) and (3.827 ± 0.902 7) h, respectively. For isorhamnetin, the pharmacokinetic parameters t1,2,, AUC(0-t), MRT(0-∞), C(max) and T(max) were (118.3 ± 20.73) min, (26 067.77 ± 4 124.60) μg x h x L(-1), (129.0 ± 16.30) h, (269.6 ± 29.32) μg x L(-1) and (6.513 ± 1.450) h, respectively. The HPLC-MS/MS analysis method established in this study was proved to be sensitive and accurate and could be applied in the pharmacokinetic study of quercetin, kaempferid and isorhamnetin in rat plasma.

New Development on Pharmacological Effects ofPunica Granatum L / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This article reviewed pharmacological study development of Punica granatum L. both at home and abroad in recent years. P. granatum has a long medical usage history. Different parts of P. granatum have wide applications in both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other ethnic medicine. Its main chemical compositions were tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and organic acids. It has obvious pharmacological activities. In recent years, the pharmacological research progress on P. granatum in terms of antibacterial, antiviral, hypoglycemic, antitumor, adjusting blood lipids, antioxidant, and immunoregulation has rapid development. The scientific collection and analysis on effects and new pharmacological research results of P. granatum are hoped to provide references for the study, clinical application, development and utilization of P. granatum and its products.

Influence of photoselective vaporization of prostate on erectile function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the influence of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) on the erectile function of the patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using IIEF-5, we conducted a questionnaire investigation among 210 BPH patients before and after treated by PVP (n = 80) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP, n = 130). We also reviewed the clinical data and compared the pre- and post-operative penile erectile function between the two groups of patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Follow-up was completed in 76 cases of PVP and 123 of TURP. The baseline data showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, prostate volume, IPSS, QOL, Qmax, post void urine residual volume and IIEF-5 scores (P>0.05). Compared with the IEFF-5 score at the baseline (21.88 +/- 2.46), those at 3, 6 and 12 months after PVP were 16.72 +/- 3.17, 19.34 +/- 2.46 and 19.29 +/- 2. 18, respectively, significantly decreased at 3 months (P = 0.042), but with no remarkable difference at 6 and 12 months (P >0.05). Nor were there significant differences in the IIEF-5 score between the PVP and TURP groups at any time points (P>0.05). At 6 months after surgery, the incidence rates of erectile dysfunction were 11.7% and 13.7% in the TURP and PVP groups, respectively (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PVP may reduce erectile function in some cases in the early stage after surgery, but this adverse effect does not last long and is basically similar to that of TURP.</p>

Effects of long-term external use of goupi gao on renal functions and lead accumulation in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of long-term external use of Goupi Gao on renal function and lead accumulation in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats were externally administered with Goupi Gao at different doses (7, 3.5 and 1.75 g x kg(-1)) for 90 d. At 45 days and 90 days after administration, the renal indicator, levels of blood urea nitrogen (BU) and creatinine (Cr) in serum, beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in urine were determined. Lead content in kidneys was detected by atomic absorption spectrometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A 90-day administration with Goupi Gao significantly enhanced the renal indicator, levels of NAG in urine and lead content in renal, when compared with the normal rats. However, the levels of BUN and beta2-MG as well as renal pathology in Goupi Gao treated rats were not obviously changed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Consecutive administration of Goupi Gao for 90 days can increase the renal indicator and levels of NAG in urine, enhance the accumulation of lead in renal, but with no effect on excretory function of kidneys and organic changes.</p>

Study on blood lead of rats in long-term toxicity test with goupi gao / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe dynamic changes of blood lead concentration in rats with long-term toxicity test with Goupi Gao by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry, in order to provide reference for safe administration of Goupi Gao.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The rats were administered with Goupi Gao by high-dose (7 g x kg(-1)), medium-dose (3.5 g x kg(-1)), low-dose (1.75 g x kg(-1)) by external use for consecutively 90 days. Then, the blood samples were collected from the rats before the administration and at 10, 30, 45, 52, 60, 90 d after the administration respectively, as well as 16 d and 28 d after the drug withdrawal. The samples were dispelled with microwave digestion system and then were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for blood lead levels.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>According to methodological study, the standard curve regression equation in this experiment was A = 0.004 9X + 0. 017, r = 0.999 5, with the detection limit up to 0. 380 microg x L(-1). The RSD was 1.4% by precision checks. Blood lead level of mixed blood samples was 175.77 microg x L(-1), whose RSD was 6. 0%. Blood lead concentration gradually increased after low-dose and medium-dose administration to rats and became stable at the 10th day and the 30th day by high-dose. Dose is directly related to blood lead concentration. Meanwhile, the blood lead concentration decreases after the drug withdrawal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method of determination in this experiment is so accurate and reliable that it can be used for the determination of blood lead. Long-term and high-dose external use of Goupi Gao can increase blood lead.</p>

Pharmacodyamic material basis of rhizoma coptidis on insulin resistance / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the impact of Rhizoma Coptidis (drug-chemical extract parts-components) on 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes differentiation and adipocytes insulin resistance, and reveal the pharmacodyamic material basis of Rhizoma Coptidis on insulin resistance.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were well cultured, and then induced to differentiate into fat cells by using dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine and insulin together, and establish the insulin resistance model. Based on the experience of traditional medicine use, the adipocytes differentiation and the glucose consumption in the cell culture medium were observed independently.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Aqueous extract, different chemical extract fraction and different alkaloid extract from the herb showed inhibitory effects on 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes differentiation, especially the compound coptisine significantly inhibited the differentiation in the concentration of 16.5 micromol x L(-1), but non-alkaloid extract from the herb promoted cell differentiation significantly in the concentration of 6.0 micromol x L(-1). Each treatment group, especially jatrorrhizine hydrochloride (in the concentration of 10.5 micromol x L(-1)) significantly decreased the concentration of glucose in 3T3-L1 adipocytes culture, at the same time improved insulin resistance. These effects are similar to the role of rosiglitazone maleate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rhizoma Coptidis significantly improved insulin resistance, prevented pre-adipocytes differentiation. Its efficacy may be the synergistic effect of various components. Meanwhile, its role in inhibiting differentiation of pre-adipocytes indicates that coptis to increasing glucose uptake dose not cause fat accumulation and weight increasing. This has some clinical significance in the insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.</p>

Effect of jiangu erxian pill on proliferation and cell cycle of human osteoblast / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To further explore the effect of Jiangu Erxian Pill (JGEXP) on proliferation and cell cycle of human osteoblast on the basis of previous clinical and experimental studies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human primary osteoblast were isolated and cultured. The cell proliferation was tested by 3H-thymine incorporation and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MMT) method and the cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the medium and high dosage JGEXP groups, the cell proliferation rate and index, and percentage of diploid synthesis phase (S phase) cells were significantly higher than those in the blank control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), and similar to those in the estrogen group; and the cell apoptosis rate and percentage of G0-G1 stage cells were lower than those in the blank control group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JGEXP could effectively promote the cell proliferation and differentiation, and prevent the cell apoptosis of osteoblast in vitro.</p>