The chemical constituents from Aconitum richardsonianum var.pseudosessiliflorum were investigated.The roots of this plant were extracted three times with 90% EtOH at the room temperature.The ethanol extracts were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield residue,which was suspended in water and successively partitioned with chloroform.The chloroform extraction was isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography.Six compounds were isolated and elucidated as delelatine（1）,isodelpheline（2）,3-acetylaconitine（3）,isoatisine（4）,nordhagenine A（5）and yunaconitine（6）.Compounds 1-5 were obtained from Aconitum Brunneum for the first time.Compound（1）showed significant cytotoxic activities（IC50=4.36 μM）against the human tumor cell line P388.

The chemical constituents from Aconitum richardsonianum var.pseudosessiliflorum were investigated.The roots of this plant were extracted three times with 90％ EtOH at the room temperature.The ethanol extracts were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield residue,which was suspended in water and successively partitioned with chloroform.The chloroform extraction was isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Six compounds were isolated and elucidated as delelatine (1), isodelpheline (2),3-acetylaconitine (3),isoatisine (4),nordhagenine A (5) and yunaconitine (6).Compounds 1 - 5 were obtained from Aconitum Brunneum for the first time.Compound (1) showed significant cytotoxic activities (IC50 =4.36 tμM) against the human tumor cell line P388.

Some non treatment variables that affect the outcome of a disease are often called covariates. These covariables should be considered in the design and analysis of clinical trials to obtain unbias conclusion. To ensure that any observed treatment effect is not influenced by an imbalances in baseline characteristics, both preadjustment and postadjustment are provided in the design stage and analysis stage of the trials respectively. They can improve the credibility of the trial results and increase the statistical efficiency. Based on a few papers published about adjustment for covariates and some documentations of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), we review the concepts, methods and procedures for adjustment of treatment effects for the influence of covariates. The statistical issues on the application of adjustment are especially discussed in great depth.

To investigate the chemical constituents of the roots of Aconitum taipaicum, silica gel column chromatography was used for the isolation and purification of compounds. A new norditerpenoid alkaloid, isodelelatine (1), along with five known alkaloids, atisine (2), delfissinol (3), liangshanine(4), hypaconitine (5) and delelatine (6) were isolated and identified. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral data.

[Objective]To investigate the effect of Luteolin on mRNA expression ,protein expression and enzyme activity of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) in rats.[Methods]Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and orally administrated with vehicle(1 % CMC-Na solution)or Luteolin(5,10 or 20 mg/kg daily)for 14 days. Gene expression of 11β-HSD I and 11β-HSD II in liver and kidney was determined with quantitative RT-PCR method. Protein expression was deter-mined with quantitative Western Blot method. The enzyme activity was expressed as the production rate of metabolites of prednisone and prednisolone.[Results]Luteolin significantly induced gene expression of 11β-HSD I and inhibited gene expression of 11β-HSD II in liver tissues ,significantly inhibited gene expression of 11β-HSD I and induced gene expression of 11β-HSD II in kid-ney tissues. Luteolin obviously up-regulated protein expression of 11β-HSD I and down-regulated protein expression of 11β-HSD II in liver tissues ,down-regulated protein expression of 11β-HSD I and up-regulated protein expression of 11β-HSD II in kidney tissues. Luteolin significantly induced activity of 11β-HSD I in liver and11β-HSD II in kidney.[Conclusions]Luteolin could change the activity of corresponding enzyme through affecting gene expression ,protein expression and enzyme activity of 11β-HSD I and 11β-HSD II in liver and kidney tissues in rat ,and affect in vivo activation of glucocorticoids and hormone level in liver and kidney.

OBJECTIVETo introduce some methods of safety assessment in randomized controlled clinical trials.

METHODSRecent advances and current parctice in normalized safety assessment were reviewed and relevant data analyzed. RESTULTS: The statistical issues including analysis and presentation of adverse events data and laboratory data were involved and summed up.

CONCLUSIONWith the progressive development of randomized controlled clinical trials in China, the methods introduced in this paper are sure to prove of consultative value for the safety assessment.