[Application of microwave vacuum drying with process management in extract drying of personalized traditional Chinese medicine preparations].

Extracts are important intermediates in the production of traditional Chinese medicines preparations. The drying effect of extracts will directly affect the subsequent production process and the quality of the preparation. To meet the requirements of high drug loading, short time consumption, and simple production process of personalized traditional Chinese medicine preparations, this study explored the application of multi-program microwave vacuum drying process in the extract drying of personalized traditional Chinese medicine preparations. The influencing factors of microwave vacuum drying process were investigated for 5 excipients and 40 prescriptions. Taking the feasibility of drying, drying rate, drying time, and dried extract status as indicators, this study investigated the feeding requirements of microwave vacuum drying. With the dried extract status as the evaluation indicator, the three drying programs(A, B, and C) were compared to obtain the optimal drying condition. The experimental results showed that the optimal feeding conditions for microwave vacuum drying were material layer thickness of 2 cm and C program(a total of 7 drying processes), which solved the problem of easy scorching in microwave drying with process management. Furthermore, the preset moisture content of the dried extract in microwave drying should be 4%-5%, so that the dried extract of traditional Chinese medicine preparation had uniform quality, complete drying, and no scorching. This study lays a foundation for the application of microwave drying in the production of traditional Chinese medicine preparations, promoting the high-quality development of personalized traditional Chinese medicine preparations.

Heating of metallic orthodontic devices during anti-aging treatment with vacuum and electromagnetic fields: In vitro study.

BACKGROUND: The physical appearance of an individual plays a primary role as it influences the opinion of the viewer. For this reason, orthodontic therapy to improve perceived aesthetics is in high demand among patients. This factor, combined with the increase in the number of non-invasive facial aesthetic treatments, has led to the need to understand potential risk factors in the application of medical devices to the perioral skin in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro heating of the orthodontic bracket following electromagnetic fields and negative pressure (V-EMF) used as an anti-aging treatment. METHODS: Two different types of titanium alloy wires, one made of "beta-Titanium" alloy and the other "Ni-Ti" (DW Lingual Systems GmbH-Bad Essen-Germany) were used. The orthodontic wires and brackets mounted on a resin mouth were covered with porcine muscle tissue, then subjected to anti-aging therapy with a Bi-one LifeTouchTherapy medical device (Expo Italia Srl-Florence-Italy) which generates a combination of vacuum and electromagnetic fields (V-EMF) already adopted for antiaging therapy. During administration of the therapy, the orthodontic brackets and porcine tissue were thermally monitored using a Wavetek Materman TMD90 thermal probe (Willtek Communications GmbH-Germany). In total 20 orthodontic mouths were used, 10 with Beta Titanium wires and 10 with Nickel Titanium wires. RESULTS: A temperature increase of about 1°C was recorded in each group. The outcome of the present research shows that the absolute temperatures measured on orthodontic appliances, which, despite having a slightly different curve, both show an increase in temperature of 1.1°C at the end of the session, thus falling well within the safety range of 2°C as specified by the standard CENELEC EN 45502-1. Therefore, V-EMF therapy can be considered safe for the entire dental system and for metal prostheses, which tend to heat up at most as much as biological tissue (+0.9°C/1.1°C vs. 1.1°C/1.1°C). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, anti-aging therapy with V-EMF causes a thermal increase on orthodontic brackets that is not harmful to pulp health.

Evaluation of phthalate migration potential in vacuum-packed.

In recent years, the presence and migration of PAEs in packaging materials and consumer products has become a serious concern. Based on this concern, the aim of our study is to determine the possible migration potential and speed of PAEs in benthic fish stored in vacuum packaging, as well as to monitor the storage time and type as well as polyethylene (PE) polymer detection.As a result of the analysis performed by µ-Raman spectroscopy, 1 microplastic (MP) of 6 µm in size was determined on the 30th day of storage in whiting fish muscle and the polymer type was found to be Polyethylene (PE) (low density polyethylene: LDPE). Depending on the storage time of the packaging used in the vacuum packaging process, it has been determined that its chemical composition is affected by temperature and different types of polymers are formed. 10 types of PAEs were identified in the packaging material and stored flesh fish: DIBP, DBP, DPENP, DHEXP, BBP, DEHP, DCHP, DNOP, DINP and DDP. While the most dominant PAEs in the packaging material were determined as DEHP, the most dominant PAEs in fish meat were recorded as BBP and the lowest as DMP. The findings provide a motivating model for monitoring the presence and migration of PAEs in foods, while filling an important gap in maintaining a safe food chain.

Modelling Annihilation Properties of Positronium Confined in Nanoporous Materials: A Review.

Positronium (Ps) is a valuable probe to investigate nanometric or sub-nanometric cavities in non-metallic materials, where Ps can be confined. Accessible experimental measurements concern the lifetime of trapped Ps, which is largely influenced by pick-off processes, depending on the size of the cavity as well as on the density of the electrons belonging to the surface of the host trap. Another relevant physical quantity is the contact density, that is the electron density at the positron position, which is usually found to be well below the vacuum value. Here, we review the principal models that have been formulated to account and explain for these physical properties of confined Ps. Starting with models, treating Ps as a single particle formulated essentially to study pick-off, we go on to describe more refined two-particle models because a two-body model is the simplest approach able to describe any change in the contact density, observed in many materials. Finally, we consider a theory of Ps annihilation in nanometric voids in which the exchange correlations between the electron of Ps and the outer electrons play a fundamental role. This theory is not usually taken into account in the literature, but it has to be considered for a correct theory of pick-off annihilation processes.

An Individual Barrier Enclosure Actively Removing Aerosols for Airborne Isolation: A Vacuum Tent.

BACKGROUND: Aerosol barrier enclosure systems have been designed to prevent airborne contamination, but their safety has been questioned. A vacuum tent was designed with active continuous suctioning to minimize risks of aerosol dispersion. We tested its efficacy, risk of rebreathing, and usability on a bench, in healthy volunteers, and in an ergonomic clinical assessment study. METHODS: First, a manikin with airway connected to a breathing simulator was placed inside the vacuum tent to generate active breathing, cough, and CO2 production; high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was applied in the manikin's nares. Negative pressure was applied in the vacuum tent's apex port using wall suction. Fluorescent microparticles were aerosolized in the vacuum tent for qualitative assessment. To quantify particles inside and around vacuum tent (aerosol retention), an airtight aerosol chamber with aerosolized latex microparticles was used. The vacuum tent was tested on healthy volunteers breathing with and without HFNC. Last, its usability was assessed in 5 subjects by 5 different anesthesiologists for delivery of full anesthesia, including intubation and extubation. RESULTS: The vacuum tent was adjusted until no leak was visualized using fluorescent particles. The efficacy in retaining microparticles was confirmed quantitatively. CO2 accumulation inside the vacuum tent showed an inverse correlation with the suction flow in all conditions (normal breathing and HFNC 30 or 60 L/min) in bench and healthy volunteers. Particle removal efficacy and safe breathing conditions (CO2, temperature) were reached when suctioning was at least 60 L/min or 20 L/min > HFNC flow. Five subjects were successfully intubated and anesthetized without ergonomic difficulties and with minimal interference with workflow and an excellent overall assessment by the anesthesiologists. CONCLUSIONS: The vacuum tent effectively minimized aerosol dispersion. Its continuous suction system set at a high suction flow was crucial to avoid the spread of aerosol particles and CO2 rebreathing.

Novel method for recovering valuable metals from Sn ash: Vacuum carbothermal reduction-directional condensation.

Sn ash recycling is an industry with positive development prospects, as it provides better-protected resources, promotes sustainable development, and lays a solid foundation for future development. In this study, an innovative vacuum carbothermal reduction-directional condensation process was developed. The thermodynamic analysis results indicated that the initial reaction pressure and temperature for the carbothermal reduction of the system was 1-10 Pa and 998-1063 K, respectively. The saturation vapor pressure, separation coefficient, and condensation temperature of Sn, Pb, and Zn in the reduced products differed significantly, and their separation could be achieved by controlling the volatilization and condensation temperatures. A single-factor experiment investigated the effects of carbon ratio, temperature, and time on the reduction efficiency, direct yield, and recovery rate. The optimal experimental conditions were the ratio of MeO to C of 4:1, temperature of 1373 K, and time of 120 min. Sn, Pb, and Zn products were obtained at different positions. This process shortens the traditional process, reduces the reduction cost of Sn, and enables the implementation of the process, making it environmentally friendly.

Effect of dry heat and its combination with vacuum heat on physicochemical, rheological and release characteristics of Alocasia macrorrhizos retrograded starches.

Retrograded starches have received increasing attention due to their potential excipient properties in pharmaceutical formulations. However, to evade its application-oriented challenges, modification of retrograded starch is required. The study emphasizes influence of dry heating and the dual heat treatment by dry heating amalgamation with the vacuum heat treatment on quality parameters of retrograded starch. The starch was isolated by using two different extraction media (0.05 % w/v NaOH and 0.03 % citric acid) from Alocasia macrorrhizos and then retrograded separately. Further, retrograded starches were first modified by dry heating and afterwards modified with combination of dry and vacuum heating. Modification decreased moisture, ash content and increased solubility. Modified Samples from NaOH media had higher water holding capacity and amylose content. X-ray diffraction revealed type A and B crystals with increasing crystallinity of retrograded heat-modified samples from NaOH media. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry confirmed thermal stability. Shear tests showed shear-thinning behavior whereas dominant storage modulus (G/) over loss modulus (G//), depicting gel-like behavior. Storage, loss, and complex viscosity initially increased, then decreased with temperature. In-vitro release reflects, modified retrograded starches offers versatile drug release profiles, from controlled to rapid. Tailoring starch properties enables precise drug delivery, enhancing pharmaceutical formulation flexibility and efficacy.

Investigation of the interface of fungal mycelium composite building materials by means of low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy.

Low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (low-vacuum SEM) is widely used for different applications, such as the investigation of noncoated specimen or the observation of biological materials, which are not stable to high vacuum. In this study, the combination of mineral building materials (concrete or clay plaster) with a biological composite (fungal mycelium composite) by using low-vacuum SEM was investigated. Fungal biotechnology is increasingly gaining prominence in addressing the challenges of sustainability transformation. The construction industry is one of the biggest contributors to the climate crises and, therefore, can highly profit from applications based on regenerative fungal materials. In this work, a fungal mycelium composite is used as alternative to conventional insulating materials like Styrofoam. However, to adapt bio-based products to the construction industry, investigations, optimisations and adaptations to existing solutions are needed. This paper examines the compatibility between fungal mycelium materials with mineral-based materials to demonstrate basic feasibility. For this purpose, fresh and hardened concrete specimens as well as clay plaster samples are combined with growing mycelium from the tinder fungus Fomes fomentarius. The contact zone between the mycelium composite and the mineral building materials is examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The combination of these materials proves to be feasible in general. The use of hardened concrete or clay with living mycelium composite appears to be the favoured variant, as the hyphae can grow into the surface of the building material and thus a layered structure with a stable connection is formed. In order to work with the combination of low-density organic materials and higher-density inorganic materials simultaneously, low-vacuum SEM offers a suitable method to deliver results with reduced effort in preparation while maintaining high capture and magnification quality. Not only are image recordings possible with SE and BSE, but EDX measurements can also be carried out quickly without the influence of a coating. Depending on the signal used, as well as the magnification, image-recording strategies must be adapted. Especially when using SE, an image-integration method was used to reduce the build-up of point charges from the electron beam, which damages the mycelial hyphae. Additionally using different signals during image capture is recommended to confirm acquired information, avoiding misinterpretations.

Effect of carbamide peroxide on biomechanical properties of vacuum-formed retainers: A split-mouth randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of tooth whitening on biomechanical properties of vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs). METHODS: Using a split-mouth, randomised controlled trial design, thirty participants were randomly allocated to receive whitening on either the upper or the lower arch, using 10 % carbamide peroxide for two weeks. Biomechanical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, and surface roughness were assessed two weeks after whitening was completed. RESULTS: Tensile strength of the whitening arch (mean ± SD: 40.93 ± 3.96 MPa) was significantly lower than that of the control (47.40 ± 5.03 MPa) (difference 6.47 MPa, 95 % CI 4.51 - 8.42, p < 0.001). Hardness and internal roughness of the whitening arch (VHN = 14.63 ± 2.29 N/mm2 and Ra = 1.33 ± 0.35 µm, respectively) were significantly greater than those of the control (12.22 ± 1.86 N/mm2 and 0.96 ± 0.29 µm, respectively) (differences 2.41 N/mm2, 95 % CI 1.56 - 3.25, p < 0.001 and 0.37 µm, 95 % CI 0.23 - 0.51, p < 0.001, respectively). The whitening arch showed greater tooth colour change (ΔE = 6.00 ± 3.32) than the control (ΔE = 2.50 ± 1.70) (difference = 3.50, 95 % CI 2.43 - 4.56, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this short-term study, marked tooth colour change was achieved by whitening with VFRs as the whitening trays, but this changed the VFRs' biomechanical properties, including a decrease in tensile strength and an increase in hardness and internal roughness. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The application of carbamide peroxide in VFRs may compromise their mechanical properties.

Comparison of Sensor-Based and Audible Detection of Milking Liner Slips during Machine Milking of Dairy Cows.

On-farm milk flow meter technology facilitates real-time assessment of individual cow milking observations and could be used to detect milking liner slips during machine milking of dairy cows. Here, we compared the accuracy of on-farm milk flow meters for detecting milking liner slips with that of audible detection and that of a portable vacuum recording system. Compared to audible detection methods, the on-farm milk flow meter facilitated the detection of milking liner slips with moderate accuracy. Using the vacuum recording system as the gold standard, the milk flow meter system failed to detect most of the liner slips, leading to poor agreement between the two devices. We conclude that the on-farm milk flow meter system tested here compared well with audible detection; however, when vacuum recordings were considered, we found significant levels of under-detection. Taken together, dairy operators may use the on-farm milk flow meter system to inform adjustments of the milking machine settings and monitor milking routine performance. However, the system is not suitable for monitoring short-duration vacuum fluctuations. Future research is warranted to optimize the sensor-based detection of milking liner slips.

Placing vacuum sponges in esophageal anastomotic leaks - how we do it.

PURPOSE: Endoluminal vacuum sponge therapy has dramatically improved the treatment of anastomotic leaks in esophageal surgery. However, the blind insertion of vacuum sponge kits like Eso-Sponge® via an overtube and a pusher can be technically difficult. METHODS: We therefore insert our sponges under direct visual control by a nonstandard "piggyback" technique that was initially developed for the self-made sponge systems preceding these commercially available kits. RESULTS: Using this technique, we inserted or changed 56 Eso-Sponges® in seven patients between 2018 and 2023. Apart from one secondary sponge dislocation, no intraprocedural complications were encountered. One patient died due to unrelated reasons. In all others, the defects healed and they were dismissed from the hospital. Long-term follow-up showed three strictures that were successfully treated by dilatation. CONCLUSION: We conclude that sponge placement via piggyback technique is a fast, safe, and successful alternative to the standard method of insertion.

Vacuum bell therapy for pectus excavatum: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum, the most common chest wall deformity, is frequently treated with Nuss procedure. Here we will describe non-invasive procedure and analyze the variables associated vacuum bell therapy for patients with pectus excavatum. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study in a single center between July 2018 and February 2022, including patients with pectus excavatum treated with vacuum bell. Follow-up was continued to September 2022. The Haller index and Correction index was calculated before and after treatment to analysis the effectiveness of vacuum bell therapy. RESULTS: There were 98 patients enrolled in the treatment group, with 72 available for analysis, and the follow-up period ranged from 1.1 to 4.4 years (mean 3.3 years). When analyzing with the Haller Index, 18 patients (25.0%) showed excellent correction, 13 patients (18.1%) achieved good correction, and 4 patients (5.6%) had fair correction. The remaining patients had a poor outcome. Characteristics predicting a non-poor prognosis included initial age ≤ 11 years (OR = 3.94, p = 0.013) and patients with use over 24 consecutive months (OR = 3.95, p = 0.013). A total of 9 patients (12.5%) achieved a CI reduction below 10. Patients who started vacuum bell therapy at age > 11 had significantly less change compared to those who started at age ≤ 11 (P < 0.05). Complications included chest pain (5.6%), swollen skin (6.9%), chest tightness (1.4%) and erythema (15.3%). CONCLUSIONS: A certain percentage of patients with pectus excavatum can achieve excellent correction when treated with pectus excavatum therapy. Variables predicting better outcome including initial age ≤ 11 years both in HI and CI and vacuum bell use over 24 consecutive months in HI. In summary, pectus excavatum is an emerging non-invasive therapy for pectus excavatum and will be widely performed in a certain group of patients.

Combined effect of ultrasound and vacuum impregnation for the modification of apple tissue enriched with aloe vera juice.

The aim of the work was to investigate how ultrasonic (US) treatment impacts on the physical and chemical properties of vacuum-impregnated apples. Apple slices were subjected to vacuum impregnation (VI) in an Aloe vera juice solution without additional treatments, serving as the reference material. Alternatively, ultrasound (US) treatments, at frequencies of 25 or 45 kHz, and durations of 10, 20, or 30 min, were employed as a pre-treatments before the VI process. The use of US processing enabled a significant increase in the efficiency of VI, without influencing in a significant way the color of the VI samples. The VI process led to a reduction in the content of bioactive compounds, in particular vitamin C and TPC decreased by 34 and 32 %, respectively. The use of US as a pre-treatment, in particular at 45 kHz for 20 or 30 min, led to a better preservation of these compounds (unchanged values for vitamin C and decrease by 23-26 % for TPC in comparison to the fresh samples). Through cluster analysis encompassing all assessed properties, it was evident that US treatment was beneficial for the processing, however the application of appropriate parameters of US treatment (frequency and time) had an impact on achieving similar quality to VI samples. The ultrasound treatment before vacuum impregnation may be suitable, however, the specific processing parameters should be defined for the obtained high quality of the final product.

Concordance of vacuum compression molding with spray drying in screening of amorphous solid dispersions of itraconazole.

Spray drying is a well-established method for screening spray dried dispersions (SDDs) but is material consuming, and the amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) formed have low bulk density. Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM) is a potential method to avoid these limitations. This study focuses on VCM to screen ASDs containing itraconazole and L, M, or H polymer grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and compares their morphology, amorphous stability, and dissolution performance with spray drying. Results indicate that VCM ASDs were comparable to SDDs. Both VCM ASDs and spray drying SDDs with HPMCAS-L and HPMCAS-M had improved dissolution profiles, while HPMCAS-H did not. Dynamic light scattering findings agreed with dissolution profiles, indicating that L and M grades produced monodisperse, smaller colloids, whereas H grade formed larger, polydisperse colloids. Capsules containing ASDs from VCM disintegrated and dissolved in the media; however, SDD capsules formed agglomerates and failed to disintegrate completely. Findings indicate that the VCM ASDs are comparable to SDDs in terms of dissolution performance and amorphous stability. VCM may be utilized in early ASD formulation development to select drug-polymer pairs for subsequent development.

Enhancing peach slices radio frequency vacuum drying by combining ultrasound and ultra-high pressure as pretreatments: Effect on drying characteristics, physicochemical quality, texture and sensory evaluation.

To maximally maintain fruits and vegetables quality after harvest, this study used ultrasonic (US) and ultra-high pressure (UHP) techniques as pretreatments for radio frequency vacuum (RFV) drying of peach slices, and investigated the effects of different pretreatments (US, UHP, UHP-US, and US-UHP) on drying characteristics, physicochemical qualities, texture properties, and sensory evaluation of peach slices. Results showed that the drying rate was increased by 15.79 âˆ¼ 54.39 % and the contents of pectin, hemicellulose, total phenolic, total flavonoid, phenolic acids, individual sugar annd antioxidant of the samples were significantly increased after US combined with UHP pretreatment (P < 0.05). US-UHP + RFV dried peach slices obtained brighter color, better texture attributes of hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, springiness, and resilience. The dehydrated samples pretreated by UHP-US had the best overall acceptance, appearance, and crispness with lower off-odor and sourness compared to the dehydrated peach slices with US and UHP pretreatment. Notably, the highest cellulose and organic acids were found in dehydrated peach slices by control, followed by samples US, and samples with UHP pretreatment. The microstructure showed that the internal organization of peach slices appeared as uniform and regular honeycomb porous structure after US-UHP pretreatment. The findings may provide theoretical reference for the development of energy-efficient and high-quality drying technology for fruits and vegetables.

Dewatering and strength characteristics of dredged slurry under curing-flocculation-vacuum filtration.

Addressing the substantial yearly production of waste dredged slurry with high water content, it is imperative to adopt effective technical treatments for sustainable development. This paper establishes that the curing-flocculation-vacuum filtration (C-F-VF) method efficiently converts high-water content dredged slurry into back-fill soil, achieving rapid dewatering. The study delves into the mechanism facilitating swift dewatering and the heightened mechanical properties of the dewatered soil. The synergy of curing, flocculation, and vacuum filtration expedites the dewatering process. The pre-addition of a curing agent reduces the zeta potential of the slurry, enhancing its efficiency in subsequent flocculation and vacuum filtration. Although the curing agent experiences some loss during vacuum filtration, over 91.22% remains in the dewatered soil, fortifying its strength. Soil strength correlates with the water content post-vacuum filtration and the amount of cement added pre-filtration, with a proposed relevant strength prediction formula.

Economic effects of treating postpartum hemorrhage with vacuum-induced hemorrhage control devices - A budget impact analysis of the Jada® System in the German obstetrics setting.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the budget impact of vacuum-induced hemorrhage control (VHC) devices for treating postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) from the perspective of the German statutory health insurance (SHI). STUDY DESIGN: Evidence shows that treating PPH with VHC instead of uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) can reduce resource consumption (e.g., reduced number of blood transfusions and length of stay). A budget impact model combining aggregated German real-world reimbursement data of PPH cases with the assumption of resource reduction due to VHC usage was developed. Diagnosis-related groups (DRG) of PPH cases and their frequencies were collected using a publicly available database. A "downgrading mechanism" was performed, leading to a less resource-intensive DRG, i.e., resulting in a lower flat fee to be paid by SHI. Four subgroups were differentiated based on coded diagnoses and procedures: 1) PPH (O72.-) as main diagnosis, 2) PPH as secondary diagnosis, 3) UBT procedure coded, and 4) UBT or standard tamponade coded. Weighted averages of cost savings per case were calculated. RESULTS: Data from 7,129 (subgroup 1), 49,523 (subgroup 2), 1,668 (subgroup 3), and 3,406 (subgroup 4) cases were retrieved. After applying the downgrading mechanism, cost savings (weighted average) resulted in 184.09 €, 210.50 €, 921.33 €, and 633.74 € for subgroups 1-4, respectively, CONCLUSION: This is the first German budget impact analysis of VHC for the treatment of PPH. Results showed the highest cost-saving potential for cases currently treated with UBT. Demonstrating not only clinical but also financial consequences of innovative treatments is crucial for the adoption into clinical practice.

Effectiveness of modified atmosphere and vacuum packaging in preserving the volatilome of Stelvio PDO cheese over time.

We aimed to assay the effectiveness of vacuum or modified atmosphere packaging in preserving the organoleptic characteristics of already ripened slices of Stelvio Protected Designation of Origin cheese during 3 months of storage. A multi-omics panel, including metagenomic and metabolomic analyses, was implemented together with physicochemical and sensory analyses. Among the 177 volatiles identified, 30 out of the 50 potent odorants were found to be prevalent, regardless of packaging. Isovaleric acid showed the highest relative intensity in all samples. Caproic and caprylic acids always increased during storage, while metabolites such as dodecane and 2,3-butanediol always decreased. Slow proteolysis occurred during storage, but did not differentiate cheese samples. The type of packaging differentiated the microbiota and volatile profile, with modified atmosphere packaging keeping the volatilome more stable. Out of the 50 potent odorants, 9 were relevant to sample discrimination, with 8-nonen-2-one, 2-nonanone, and caproic acid being more abundant in stored samples.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Vacuum Distillate from Panax ginseng Root on LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Cells.

Panax ginseng has been widely applied as an important herb in traditional medicine to treat numerous human disorders. However, the inflammatory regulation effect of P. ginseng distillate (GSD) has not yet been fully assessed. To determine whether GSD can ameliorate inflammatory processes, a GSD was prepared using the vacuum distillation process for the first time, and the regulation effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages was assessed. The results showed that GSD effectively inhibited nitric oxide (NO) formation and activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in murine macrophage cell, but not cyclooxygenase-2 production. The mRNA expression pattern of tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-6 were also reduced by GSD. Furthermore, we confirmed that GSD exerted its anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, and signaling pathway of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Our findings revealed that the inflammatory regulation activity of GSD could be induced by iNOS and NO formation inhibition mediated by regulation of nuclear factor kappa B and p38/JNK MAPK pathways.