Objective: To establish the quality standard for Dibu Gengnian 'an granules. Methods: Fructus Schisandrae, Radix Pueaariae, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Fructus Psoraleae and Radix Glycytthizae in the formula were identified by TLC. The content of puerarin in the formula was determined by HPLC. The determination was performed on a Welchrom C18 (200 mm × 4. 6 mm, 5 μm) column with the mobile phase consisting of methanol-0. 5% glacial acetic acid (25∶75) at the flow rate of 1. 0 ml·min-1 . The detec-tion wavelength was set at 250 nm, and the column temperature was 25℃. Results:The spots in TLC were clear with good separation and specificity. The linearity of the calibration curve was good within the range of 5-120 μg·ml-1 for puerarin (r=0. 999 8). The RSDs of precision, stability and reproducibility tests were all lower than 3%. The average recovery was 99. 09% (RSD=2. 38%, n=6). Conclusion:The method is simple, specific, accurate and reliable. It can be used in the quality control of Dibu Gengnian’an granules.

Recent data have revealed that inhibiting autophagy exacerbates lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and nitrite treatment reduces total triglyceride levels in the high-fat diet mice. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of nitrite on simple hepatic steatosis and the possible role of autophagy. Firstly, steatotic L-02 cells were induced by incubating L-02 cells with 1.2 mmol · L(-1) oleic acid (OA) for 24 h. Secondly, steatotic L-02 cells were treated with 0.2 mmol · L(-1) sodium nitrite (SN) plus 3-methyladenine (3-MA), or chloroquine (CQ) for 24 h, and then lipid accumulation was measured with oil red O staining and triglyceride quantification. The notable steatosis could be observed in L-02 cells following exposure to 1.2 mmol · L(-1) OA for 24 h. Treatment with 0.2 mmol · L(-1) sodium nitrite reduced lipid accumulation in steatotic L-02 cells. 3-MA weakened the ability of sodium nitrite to ameliorate hepatic steatosis. Additionally, the sodium nitrite increased number of LC3-II immunostaining puncta and LC3-II protein expression was confirmed by immunofluorescence or Western blot analysis, and the effects were enhanced by CQ treatment. The number of increased cytoplasm vacuoles and lysosomes increased was confirmed by phase contrast and fluorescence microscope respectively. The increased autolysosome was detected by electron microscopy, this phenomenon could be reversed by CQ treatment. These data demonstrated that sodium nitrite enhanced the autophagic flux and decomposition of triglycerides in steatotic L-02 cells.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of GYY4137, a novel hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, on cytosolic lipid decomposition in mouse primary steatosis hepatocytes.METHODS: Oleic acid (OA) was used to induce hepatic steatosis model in vitro.The C57BL/6 mouse primary hepatocytes isolated and cultured by 2-step in situ perfusion were divided into 4 groups: the cells in control group were incubated with normal medium for 54 h;the cells in model group were incubated with OA at 1.2 mmol/L for 48 h followed by serum-free phenol red-free RPMI-1640 for 6 h;the cells in H2S group or DL-propar-gylglycine (PAG;an inhibitor of cystathione γ-lysase, inhibiting H2S synthesis) group were incubated with OA at 1.2 mmol/L for 48 h followed by serum-free phenol red-free RPMI-1640 which contained 1 mmol/L GYY4137 or 200 μmol/L PAG for 6 h.The glycerin release and the protein expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the cells were mea-sured.RESULTS: Compared with model group, the glycerin release and the protein expression of phosphorylated HSL (p-HSL) in H2S group decreased significantly, while those increased significantly in PAG group.CONCLUSION: In steatosis hepatocytes, exogenous H2S possibly decreases cytosolic lipid decomposition by decreasing the protein level of p-HSL.

Aim To investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide on hepatic lipid accumulation in obese mice. Methods C57 BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, and NaHS group. The mice of the control group were fed with normal diet. The mice of the model group and the NaHS group were fed with high-fat diet. From the thirteenth week, the mice of NaHS group were injected intraperitoneally with NaHS (H2S donor) in a dose of 50 μmol·kg-1 per day for 4 weeks and the mice of the model group were injected with the same volume of saline. All mice were sacrificed at the end of the 16th week. The tis-sues of liver were homogenized and centrifugated. The supernatants were used for the determination of triglyc-eride and cholesterol in liver. The morphology of liver was tested by H&E staining. Liver lipid accumulation was determined by oil red staining. Total RNA was ex-tracted from frozen tissue of liver. PCR was used to de-tect CPT-1 , FAS gene expression and ELISA method was used to detect CPT-1,FAS activity in mice liver. Results The body weight of the mice from NaHS group and model group was bigger than that of the mice from control group. Compared with the model group, the body weight of the mice from NaHS group was less;the content of triglyceride and cholesterol in liver was lower; the degree of liver tissue pathological changes and lipid accumulation were alleviated; CPT-1 expres-sion and activity were increased; FAS expression and activity were decreased. Conclusions These data in-dicate that hydrogen sulfide can reduce the lipid con-tent of liver tissue in obese mice and alleviate fatty liv-er. The mechanism may be associated with the in-creased expression of CPT-1 and the decreased expres-sion of FAS in liver.

Objective To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of the new mesalazine enteric-coated sustained-release granules in SD rats and their distribution in the gastrointestinal tract, and to understand the preclinical pharmacokinetics and gastrointestinal distribution characteristics of the preparation. Methods Rats were administered orally to determine the drug concentrations in plasma samples and in the gastrointestinal tract. The commercially available mesalazine sustained-release granule was used as a reference to self-developed one to evaluate the process of absorption and elimination in vivo, relative bioavailability, and distribution in the gastrointestinal tract. Results The relative bioavailability of mesalazine enteric-coated sustained-release granule and non-enteric-coated one characterized by mesalazine was 89.62% ± 9.36%. After oral administration of mesalazine enteric-coated sustained-release granules, the drug has a high concentration distribution in the stomach within 2-8 hours, and gradually enters and remains in the jejunum, ileum and colon over time for 6-12 hours and then reaching a high concentration distribution in the colon. This help for the absorption of mesalazine, as well as the fixed-point release of the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. Conclusion The absorption and elimination process of mesalazine enteric sustained-release granule showed linear kinetic characteristics. There was no significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters from the commercially available formulations, and it had a certain fluidity in the gastrointestinal tract. Good gastrointestinal distribution characteristics help the absorption of drugs in the body and the targeted release of the site of action

Objection To study and compare the pharmacodynamics in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis between Compound Heishen pills and Compound Heishen Drop pills. Methods Sixty healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group, positive control group and treatment group. The foot swelling thickness of each rat was measured at 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 h after inflammation, and the foot swelling rate of each rat was calculated. Through the experimental model of rat toe swelling, the inhibition of foot swelling induced by carrageenan was observed by two dosage forms: drop pill and pill. Sixty healthy Kunming mice were randomly divided into the blank group, positive control group and treatment group. After 4 days of continuous intragastric administration, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5% phenol red solution. After 30min, the mice were sacrificed, their trachea was dissected and washed with 0.5%NaHCO₃ solution. The washing solution was put into ultraviolet spectrophotometer, and the absorbance was measured at 546 nm to calculate the corresponding concentration of phenolic red. Through the expectorant experiment of phenol red in mice, the effects of dropping pill and pill on the secretion of phenol red in experimental mice respiratory tract were compared. Results The experimental results of toes swelling in rats showed that compared with the blank experimental group, the five groups all had significant inhibition effect on acute foot swelling induced by carrageenan in rats. Compared with traditional form group, improved form had significant difference. The results of phenol red sputum removing experiment in mice showed that compared with the blank group，the amount of phenol red secretion in mice was increased in 5 test groups. There was no significant difference between improved form and traditional form in the amount of phenol red secretion in mice. Conclusion Both preparations had the function of anti-inflammatory and eliminating phlegm. There were no remarkable differences between the two preparations in pharmacologic actions.