OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of isoliensinine (IL) on CYP3A enzyme activity.

METHODSA mixture metabolic system of liver microsome enzymes in vitro was developed. A HPLC method to test the metabolic activity of CYP3A was established with testosterone as a probe. The activities of CYP3A enzymes were measured with different IL concentrations and incubation time with testosterone.

RESULTSIn mixture metabolic system of liver microsome enzymes, the best incubation concentration of testosterone was 200 μmol/L, the best incubation time was 210 min, in this condition the IC₅₀ of IL for CYP3A inhibition was >1 000 μmol/L.

CONCLUSIONNo significant interaction between IL and CYP3A is detected, which indicates that IL might be used with CYP 3A enzyme substrates.

Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Isoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Male ; Microsomes, Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone ; pharmacology

The TCM theory "moxibustion shouldn't be applied at Shimen (CV 5) on female" is discussed in this article, which provides theoretical instruction on proper clinical application of Shimen (CV 5). Based on literature study, ancient classics concerning contraindication of "moxibustion shouldn't be applied at Shimen (CV 5) on female" were studied. TCM theory "moxibustion shouldn't be applied at Shimen (CV 5) on female" was explored profoundly through ancient record, physiological relations between Shimen (CV 5) and pregnancy, the relation between the anatomic structure of Shimen (CV 5) and the extra acupoint Jueyun Xue. And the result indicated that as an acupoint with contraindications, Shimen (CV 5) should be attached with great importance in its clinical practice on female patients. Reinforcing manipulation should be given instead of reducing. Moxibustion should be applied with cautiousness on the point, especially during pregnancy.
Acupuncture Points ; China ; Contraindications ; Female ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Moxibustion ; history ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo establish a RP-HPLC method for simultaneous determination of total quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin in rat plasma after oral administration of Folium Mori extract (FME).

METHODSAfter a single dose of FME (110 mg/kg) was taken, rat plasma samples were collected. The samples were hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid (c=3.0 mol/L), the mixed solution was extracted with ether acetone mixture. The total quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin in plasma samples were determined by HPLC, pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 3.0 software.

RESULTSThe method was linear over the concentration ranges of 0.0545-8.70, 0.0954-14.7 and 0.0545-8.55 μg/ml for quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin, respectively (r=0.9979, 0.9993, 0.9981). The absolute recoveries were 85.3%-86.1%, 79.4%-86.7% and 62.8%-89.7%, respectively and the assay recoveries were all from 94.7% to 107%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of intra-and inter-day were less than 9.5% and 9.8%, respectively. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: T(1/2z) was 92.7, 67.9 and 54.2 h; Tmax was 0.400, 0.400 and 3.87 h; AUC(0-∞) was 68.0, 67.5 and 32.8 mg/h/L; MRT(0-∞) was 128, 85.2 and 72.0 h for quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method established in this study is accurate, reliable and reproducible, and can be applied for determination of total quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin in rat plasma after oral administration of FME; the pharmacokinetic studies showed that the distribution of drugs is rapid and elimination is very slow.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Flavonols ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Kaempferols ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacokinetics ; Quercetin ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDIncomplete right bundle branch block (ICRBBB) is commonly associated with atrial septal defect (ASD), but lacks sufficient diagnostic test characteristics. An abnormal T wave is also often observed in ASD, with horizontal or inverted displacement of the proximal T wave limb in the right precordial leads, termed "defective T wave" (DTW).

METHODSWe examined the diagnostic test characteristics of combining ICRBBB with DTW as a new index to diagnose ASD. A total of 132 consecutive patients with ASD and 132 cases of age/gender-matched controls without ASD were enrolled.

RESULTSSensitivities of DTW, ICRBBB, and both were 87.1% - 87.9%. Specificities were 97.0%, 96.2%, and 100%, respectively. Positive predictive values were 1.3%, 1.1%, and 100.0% respectively, while negative predictive values were 99.9% for each.

CONCLUSIONCombining ICRBBB with DTW in electrocardiogram (ECG) as a new index significantly increased the specificity and positive predictive values while maintaining a high sensitivity in diagnosing ASD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bundle-Branch Block ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical and chest X-ray features of SARS in children to facilitate correct diagnosis.

METHODSClinical manifestations and chest X-ray findings in five children suffering from SARS admitted for treatment in the hospital between February and May, 2003 in Shenzhen area were analyzed. The diagnosis was confirmed by epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and radiological examinations. Among the 5 cases, 1 was a boy and the others were girls at the age of 4 to 13 years.

RESULTSOf the 5 SARS children, 3 presented a history of close contact with SARS patients. Fever was the initiative symptom, 4 had a body temperature of over 38 degrees C with the highest being 40 degrees C; fever sustained from 4 to 7 days with an average of 5.6 days. All the 5 cases developed nonproductive cough; on auscultation, both moist and dry rales could be heard in 3 out of the 5 cases. Mean total white count of peripheral blood was (2.96 - 6.9) x 10(9)/L, and was < 5.0 x 10(9)/L in 4 cases. SARS associated coronavirus specific RNA fragment was found positive by RT-PCR in 1 case; 1 case was positive for both IgM and IgG antibodies to the virus; 1 case was positive for only IgM antibody and another 2 cases were positive for only IgG antibody. IgG and IgM antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae as well as blood culture for bacteria were all negative. Findings on chest X-ray examination: 4 cases showed presence of patchy or macular opacities with cord-like shadows in unilateral lung plates while 1 case each showed ground-glass-like opacity and migratory changes; 1 case showed interstitial changes in the lungs in the form of irregular reticular lattice and cord-like shadows. Two cases received CT scanning and macular-patchy or spotty shadows were seen all over the lung. The shortest time for absorption of foci in the lungs was 7 days while the longest was 33 days with a mean of 15 +/- 6 days. None of the cases had any signs of fibrosis in the lungs. All the 5 cases were completely cured and discharged 7 to 40 days (mean 18 +/- 11 days) after admission.

CONCLUSIONCompared with adult cases with SARS, children with SARS had milder symptoms and signs. Presence of unilateral patchy shadow in lungs represented the main chest X-ray findings.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; analysis ; Immunoglobulin M ; analysis ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo purify polyphenols from Sabina vulgaris and to investigate its antioxidant properties.

METHODSPolyphenols were purified from Sabina vulgaris Antoine with macroporous resin HPD-700, and the quantity of polyphenols was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetry. The antioxidant properties of polyphenols were evaluated by total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and its activities of scavenging DPPH (1,1 diphenyl-2-picry-hydrazyl) radicals, superoxide anion (O2·-), hydroxyl free radicals (OH·) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP).

RESULTSAfter purification, the purity of polyphenols increased from 0.053% to 0.995%.The antioxidant properties study showed that its inhibition rate of scavenging DPPH radicals and FRAP was 151.83 U/ml and 204.59 U/ml. Its scavenging capacity for superoxide anion (O2·-) and hydroxyl free radicals (OH·) was 151.83 U/ml and 204.59 U/ml. The total antioxidant capacity was 72.68 U/ml.

CONCLUSIONPolyphenols from Sabina vulgaris Antoine have high antioxidant properties, suggesting that it worth further study of its pharmacological effects.

Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cupressaceae ; chemistry ; Polyphenols ; isolation & purification