This paper, based on recent 10 years pharmacological experimental studies, reviews the effects of total flavones of epimedium on cardiovascular system, circulatory system, immune system and bone marrow system, etc.

AIM To determine whether norethisterone in combination with ethinylestradiol can completely prevent bone loss in ovariectomized rats. METHODS Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley female rats at the age of 4.5 months were sham-operated and treated orally with vehicle, or ovariectomized (OVX) and treated orally with either vehicle or combined norethisterone (norethisterone at 60 ?g?kg -1?d -1 and ethinylestradiol at 3.5 ?g?kg -1?d -1) for 90 days. Double in vivo fluorochrome labeling was administrated. The undecalcified longitudinal proximal tibial metaphyseal sections were used for the bone histomorphometric analysis. The humerus and urine calcium contents were assayed by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry. The humerus and urine hydroxyproline contents were assayed by colorimetry. Blood serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were tested by BECKMAN auto bio-chemistry analyzer. RESULTS After 90 days post OVX the cancellous bone mass and showed high bone turnover indices. Bone hydroxyproline contents were lost markedly. The ALP activity increased. The urine hydroxyproline contents increased significantly. The combined norethisterone treated group prevented bone lost when compared with OVX. The combined norethisterone were shown to inhibit osteoclasts surface and decrese bone turnover rate. The combined norethisterone can increase hydroxyproline contents and reduce urine hydroxyproline contents significantly from OVX group. CONCLUSION Combining norethisterone can prevent OVX-induced cancellous bone loss in rats.

AIM: To study the effects of epimedium pubescens flavonoids (EF) on the skeleton in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Forty 4.5-month-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Rats in sham group were sham-operated and treated by daily oral gavage with vehicle. Rats in other three groups were bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX) and treated by either daily oral gavage with vehicle, or diethylstilbestrol (DES) at 22.5 ?g?kg~ -1?d~ -1, or EF at 300 mg?kg~ -1?d~ -1 for 90 days. Bone histomorphometric analysis of the proximal tibial metaphysis (PTM), fifth lumbar vertebrae (LV5) and tibial shaft (Tx) was performed in undecalcified sections. The left femur was collected to determine bone weight, contents of calcium (Ca) , phosphorus (P ) and hydroxyproline. The uterine weight and the uterine luminal epithelial thickness (ULET) were determined. RESULTS: A significant increase in contents of Ca and P of femur was found in EF group. A tendency of increase was found in %Tb.Ar of PTM, but no significant change was found in bone histomorphometric parameters of LV5 and Tx in EF group. EF had no effect on uterine weight and ULET. CONCLUSION: EF can prevent OVX-induced bone mineral loss of femur, but does not prevent bone loss of PTM and LV5.

AIM: To study the correlative changes of bone mineral contents and histomorphometry of lumbar vertebrae in ovariectomized rats by analysis of T-type correlation degree. METHODS: Forty 10.5-month-old virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: (1) Basal: at 10.5 mon of age; (2) sham-1:sham-operated at 13 mon of age; (3) OVX-1: ovariectomized at 13 mon of age; (4) sham-2: sham-operated at 16 mon of age; (5) OVX-2:ovariectomized at 16 mon of age. After ovariectomy, all rats were treated orally with NS at 5 ml?kg -1?d -1. At the end-point of study, the undecalcified longitudinal fourth lumbar vertebra (LV4) sections were cut and stained with Goldner's Trichrome for bone histomorphometric analyses. The fifth lumbar vertebra (LV5) was dried with temperature and digested with acid for testing of bone mineral content. Then the effects of bone mineral contents on bone histomorphometry were assessed by analyzing the T-type correlation degree in the Grey system. RESULTS: All degrees of correlation between bone mineral contents and static histomorphometric parameters (trabecular bone volume) (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) were positive, but for dynamic histomorphometric parameter (BFR/BV), the correlation degrees were negative. The effect of contents of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) on histomorphometric parameters of lumbar vertebrae was much greater than that of the other bone mineral contents. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of T-type correlation degree can evaluate the correlative changes of bone mineral contents and histomorphometry of lumbar vertebrae in ovariectomized objectively and fairly.

The growth of P. cruentum when added organic carbon source, organic nitrogen source and group B vitamin into medium were investigated in the present work. Results showed that glucose promoted growth rate observably. When addedZ% (W/V)glucose into the medium, the growth rate was doubled and biomass increased 92.6%to that of control after incubated 10 days . organic nitrogen source restrained the growth or harmed to P. cruentum. Vitamin Be and B12 also promoted the growth rate.

Objective Anatomical researches of two long superiror genicular vessels,the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) and the descending genicular artery(DGA),were performed to discuss the feasibility of reconstruction in lower leg's destruction injury by free flaps transplant anastomoses with these two long superior genicular vessels.Methods Thirty embalmed lower limb specimens from adult cadavers perfused with red latex were used for this anatomical study.The superior of patella,anterior inferior iliac spine and adductor tubercle were used as observation landmark.Dissection started along the line that from the middle point of Inguinal Ligament to the middle point of superior line of patella,and dividedly turned over to posterior lateral part and posterior medial part.The followings were focused observed:①The external diameter at the beginning of the D-LCFA ; the 0.5 mm external diameter point of this artery,and its length to the beginning and superior of patella.②The external diameter at the beginning of DGA,the distance between the beginning of DGA and adductor tubercle.③Anastomoses relations of final branches of D-LCFA and DGA with other arteries around the knee.Results The external diameter of the beginning of D-LCFA was (2.73 ± 0.35) mm ; the 0.5 mm external diameter point of this artery's length to the beginning and to the superior of patella were (24.56 ± 0.92) cm and (6.09 ± 0.86) cm; both D-LCFA and DGA had sent out many perforator arteries on their ways; the final branch of D-LCFA and DGA had lots of anastomoses relations in perioseal deep fascia and superficial fascia with other genicular arteries.Conclusion Base on the anatomical researches,in theory,the two long superior genicular vessels (D-LCFA and DGA) have enough lengthes and blood supply to regress and anastomosis with free flaps transplant to repair lower leg's smashed wound.

Aim To investigate the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on induction osteroporosis model rats andpreventive effects of Danshengubao.Methods 4-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were given RA at 70 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) and were given Danshengubao at different doses at the same time.All rats were treated by oral gavaged for 28 days.The static and dynamic parameters in cancellous bone of the fifth lumbar vertebrae (LV5) were examined and the dynamic changes of the tibial shaft (Tx) were observed with histomorphometrical analyses; the forth lumbar vertebrae (LV4) was used to perform the compression test.Results Compared with control group, biomechanical properties of LV4, the static parameters ( total tissue area, trabecular area, trabecular perimeter) and the dynamic parameters of LV5 were significantly decreased in RA group.Compared with control group, bone formation of Tx was decreased in periosteal surfaces but enhanced in endocortical surfaces in RA group.Compared with RA group, the biomechanical properties of LV4 were increased significantly in low and medium dose of Danshengubao groups.Conclusion sRA can decrease the size and the biomechanical properties of LV, but it can not change the percentage trabecular area. The mechanism may be related to the act that RA can inhibit cancellous bone formation, decrease the modeling of cortical bone in periosteal surfaces and enhance the remolding of cortical bone in endocortical surfaces. Danshengubao can improve biomechanics of LV induced by RA in rats.

AIM To investigate the inhibitory effect of paeonol on hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. METHODS The injury model in PC12 cells was generated by H2O2 treatment. The cell viability was determined using methylthiazolyl tetrazolium reduction assay. Apoptotic cells and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by flow cytometry. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) content were measured by spectroscope respectively. RESULTS After PC12 cells were treated with H2O2 (100 μmol*L-1) for 10 h,its viability obviously decreased, and apoptotic cells, LDH release into the culture media, ROS and MDA contents in PC12 cells significantly increased. When the cells were pretreated with paeonol (12, 25 and 50 μmol*L-1)for 1 h prior to incubation with H2O2, its viability was greatly increased, and apoptotic cells, LDH release, ROS and MDA contents significantly decreased. CONCLUSION Paeonol protects PC12 cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis and this effect is probably achieved through its antioxidative action.

Aim To investigate the preventive effects of misoprostol on osteoporosis in aged ovariectomized(OVX)rats.Methods Female,10-month-old SD rats were ovariectomized(OVX)and,2 months later,were treated with misoprostol or controls for 2 months.The static and dynamic parameters in trabecular bone of the forth lumbar vertebrae(LV4)were examined with histomorphometrical analyses;the fifth lumbar vertebrae(LV5)was used to perform the compression test.Results Compared with the data from the sham-operated rats,the percent trabecular area and elastic modulus significantly decreased in OVX rats.Correspondingly,the bone break load and break stress decreased of post OVX was compared with those of sham-operated rats.Misoprostol increased the percent trabecular area by 21.6% compared with OVX rats,but it couldn't meet the statistical significance.Misoprostol enhanced the break load and elastic modulus compared with OVX rats.Conclusion Misoprostol can improve biomechanics of bone in ovariectomized osteoporosis rats.

0.05). CONCLUSION: Fufang Danshen can promote the medial period of fracture healing in rabbits, and its effect is identical with Shangke Jiegu Pian.