Sulfur , a major component of gunpowder , has been widely used in the engineering and military in-dustries since ancient times . In fact , the application of sulfur in traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM ) has a long history , which indicated the uniqueness of TCM theory and practice . Besides , sulfur has played an impor-tant role for the development of TCM in the history . In order to scientifically analyze the role of sulfur in TCM , this paper focused on the application and evolution of sulfur in the development process of TCM , which aimed to provide a reference for the study of the value and role of sulfur in TCM .

This study was aimed to investigate the blood-enriching effect of processed Radix Polygoni Multiflori on blood deficiency rats. A total of 140 SD rats were randomly divided into 14 groups, which were the blank control group, blood deficiency model group, positive control group and 11 test groups. The blank control group and model control group were treated with distilled water and the positive control group was given X ue b ao Buxue soluble granules. The test groups were treated with 11 different kinds of processed Radix Polygoni Multiflori sam-ples at a dosage of 2 g?kg-1 respectively. All rats were given drugs once a day. After 10 days, blood samples were collected and the amount of red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (HCT), whole blood viscos-ity and plasma viscosity, prothrombin time were estimated. The results showed that 9 processed Radix Polygoni Multiflori groups can increase the number of RBC and Hb significantly ( P < 0 . 05 or P < 0 . 01 ) in blood deficien-cy rat models. They were the sample processed with decoction of black soybean (DBS) for 24 h, with wine and DBS combination for 24 h , steamed for 4 h and 8 h under high pressure , with DBS for 6 h and 8 h , with wine for 6 h, with wine and DBS combination under high pressure, respectively. The samples processed with DBS un-der high pressure for 8 h increased RBC and Hb were more obviously ( P < 0 . 01 ) . The 8 groups can improve the situation of functional disorder of blood rheology significantly ( P < 0 . 05 or P < 0 . 01 ) . They were the unprocessed samples, processed with DBS and wine for 24 h respectively, with DBS and wine combination for 24 h, steamed for 4 h and 8 h or steamed with DBS for 6 h and 8 h or with wine for 6 h under high pressure respectively. It was concluded that the blood-enriching effect was improved while the R adix Polygoni Multiflori was processed with DBS or wine and under high pressure for 6-8 h .

OBJECTIVETo compare the dissolution properties of Ginseng micropowder and common powder in vitro and investigate the effect of micronization on dissolution of Ginseng.

METHODSFive ginsenosides including Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, and Rb2 were determined by high performance liquid chromatography, and the dissolution curves of Ginseng micropowder and common powder were drawn.

RESULTSThe dissolution rates of ginsenosides from micropowder exceeded 90% within 5 min, significantly greater than that from common powder. But when the powders were packed in tea bags, the dissolution rates of ginsenosides were higher from common powder than from micropowder.

CONCLUSIONMicronization treatments can promote dissolution of ginsenosides from Ginseng.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; Panax ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Powders ; chemistry ; Solubility