OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect of the extracts from Cordyceps militaris on membraneous nephritis model rats.METHODS: Membraneous nephritis model rats were induced by using cationic bovine serum albumin.3 weeks later,urine protein quantity(24 h) was determined weekly;at the end of experiment,the hemorheology,serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and serum lipid level were examined and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated.RESULTS:C.militaris-treatment reduced urine protein quantity(24 h),blood viscosity,serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and serum lipid level and delayed the progress of renal lesions.CONCLUSION: Extracts of C.militaris has the action of improving renal function.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of Gypsophila elegans isoorientin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human HepG2 cells. METHODS HepG2 cells were treated with isoorientin 5,10,20,40,80 and 160μmol?L-1 for 24,48 and 72 h,respectively. Cell survival was analyzed by MTT assay. HepG2 cells were treated with isoorientin 5,10 and 20μmol?L-1 for 48 h before the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)level was detected. After treatment with isoorientin for 24 h, the variation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was monitored by a fluorescence probe H2DCF-DA. HepG2 apoptosis and mitochondria membrane potential(MMP)were evaluated by flow cytometry. The activi?ties of caspase 3,8 and 9 were determined by colorimetry. The mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was determined by RT-PCR,and the protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax and cytochrome c was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS Isoorientin(5-160μmol?L-1)inhibited HepG2 cell survial in a concen?tration-dependent manner,the 50%inhibitory concentration(IC50)was 62.7±9.1,47.2±11.4 and(18.2± 7.5)μmol?L-1 after treatment with isoorientin for 24,48 and 72 h,respectively. Compared with the cell control group,treatment with isoorientin 5,10 and 20μmol?L-1 significantly increased the LDH level and cell apoptosis rate(P<0.05). Moreover,isoorientin 10 and 20μmol?L-1 notably increased the production of ROS,decreased the MMP(P<0.05),and increased the activities of caspase 3 and 9. RT-PCR analysis and Western blotting showed that isoorientin significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2,decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of Bax(P<0.05),and inhibited the protein expression of cytochrome c(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Isoorientin inhibits HepG2 cell prolif?eration,but promotes cell apoptosis,which is closely related to the regulation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

The pharmacognsy of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Linclau was studied by microscopic ob-servation and UV spectroscopy to provide a scientific basis for the identification, development and utiliza-tion of its resources. As a result, obvious characteristics for its identification were revealed, which can beused to identify twigs and leaves of R. nasutus.

Aim To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of madecassoside from hydrocotyle sibthorpioides (MHS)on learning and memory impair-ment induced by D-galactose (D-gal)in mice.Meth-ods Totally 75 SPF Kunming male mice were divided into normal control group,model group,low-,middle-and high-doses of MHS treated groups.The dementia models were induced with D-gal.The learning and memory functions were tested by Morris water maze, the level of Aβ1 -42 and its related proteins in the hip-pocampus was determined by Western blot,and the ex-pression of Aβ-related genes were determined by RT-PCR.Results Compared with model group,MHS markedly decreased the content of Aβ1 -42 ,inhibited the expression of APP,BACE1 and CatB,but promo-ted the expression of NEP and IDE.In addition,AHS significantly increased the expression of plasticity-relat-ed proteins including PSD-95,p-NMDAR1,p-CaMKII, p-PKACβ,PKCγ,p-CREB and BDNF.Conclusions MHS could remarkably ameliorate the learning and memory impairment induced by D-gal in mice,which may be due to its ability to inhibit the Aβgeneration and deposition and promote synaptic plasticity related protein expression.

This study was aimed to optimize extraction techniques of Compound Rhubarb Enema. Based on the for-mula principle of Compound Rhubarb Enema, effects of the amount of water, soaking time, extraction time and fre-quency on each index were studied. The content of Aloe-emodin, Rhein, Emodin, Chrysophanol, Physcion, Citric acid, and water soluble substance were taken into consideration. The best extraction condition was optimized by using the orthogonal test coupled with the multi-index comprehensive evaluation. The results showed that the best condi-tion was soaking for 10 min, extraction time for 60 min, extraction for 3 times; and 6 times of water was added. It was concluded that this preparation techniques were feasible and reliable for the manufacturing process of Compound Rhubarb Enema.

It has been previously shown that Taraphochlamys affinis possessed anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activities. To identify the active ingredients, the total saponins (TSTA) were isolated from T. affinis and the inhibitory effect of TSTA on HBV in the duck HBV model was examined. The results showed that serum levels of DHBV-DNA decreased in all ducks treated with TSTA (1.0 and 2.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and lamivudine (3TC) (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) during treatment, but 7 days after the cessation of treatment (p7) with 3TC, the viral replication level returned to the pretreatment baseline. Contrariwise in ducks treated with TSTA, the effect of DHBV DNA inhibition lasted. Compared with model control group,the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and duck hepatitis B surface antigen (DHBsAg) values of 1.0 and 2.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)-dose TSTA groups were significantly lower on 7, 14 days after the treatment (d7, d14) and p7, and at p7, the ALT and DHBsAg levels of 2.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)-dose TSTA group was significantly lower than that of 3TC group. Furthermore, significant histological improvement was noted in ducklings of TSTA treatment group 7 days after the withdrawal. The study results demonstrate that TSTA possesses potent anti-HBV activity.
Animals ; Antigens, Surface ; blood ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hepadnaviridae Infections ; drug therapy ; virology ; Hepatitis B Virus, Duck ; drug effects ; immunology ; Hepatitis, Viral, Animal ; drug therapy ; virology ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of huge pancreatic pseudocysts and to evaluate the effect of different surgical treatments. Method We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 27 patients with huge pancreatic pseudocyst managed from Feb 1991 to Feb 2008. Result Among a total of 129 patients with pancreatic pseudocyst treated during this period of time,27 (20.9% ) patients were diagnosed as with huge pancreatic pseudocyst (diameter > 10cm). As to the etiology, 51.9% of the psudoeyst was caused by acute pancreatitis, 33.3% by pancreatic trauma and previous surgery, 11.1% by chronic pancreatitis. Pseudoeysts in the majority of cases(21/27)had a history less than 6 weeks. Upper GI obstruction complicated 30% cases (8/27). Imaging showed that all huge pancreatic pseudocysts were single. ERCP showed communication with the main pancreatic duct in 9 out of 11 cases. Nine cases underwent catheter drainage, 10 cases underwent cystogastrostomy,2 cases underwent endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst via ERCP, 17 cases underwent Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomy including 11 cases in which other previous procedures failed. All 27 cases were finally cured. Conclusions Huge pancreatic pseudocyst might have unique clinical characteristics. Anatomical changes of main pancreatic duct were found in most cases under ERCP. The proper time and indication for surgical intervention might be different from minor pancreatic pseudocyst.