OBJECTIVE To compare the liver toxicity of matrine and oxymatrine ,and to explore their toxic mechanism. METHODS Thirty ICR mice were randomly divided into normal control ,matrine 200 mg · kg-1 and oxymatrine 200 mg · kg-1 groups,10 mice per group. After single ig administration of corresponding drugs or water, animal mortality was calculated at the 15th day. The content of glutamic-pyruvic transami?nase(GPT),glutamic-oxalacetic transamin(GOT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and lactate dehydroge?nase (LDH) in serum were detected. Histopathological changes of the liver were examined by HE stain. The content of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione(GSH)in liver homogenates were detected by ELISA. Hepatocyte apoptosis was detected by Tunel stain. RESULTS The mortality rate of mice in two groups was 80% and 0,respectively. GPT,GOT and ALP contents of dead mice in matrine group were significantly higher than that in normal control group(P<0.05). In oxymatrine group,only the content of ALP was increased(P<0.05). Four of the eight dead mice in matrine group exhibited liver cell necrosis(P<0.05),while only 1/10 mice in oxymatrine group had a mild liver cell necrosis(P>0.05). The content of SOD and GSH of dead mice in matrine group was lower than that in control group(P<0.05,P<0.01). The content of GSH in oxymatrine group was also decreased(P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of liver cells in dead mice in matrine group was increased(P<0.05). CONCLUSION A large dose of matrine and oxymatrine can produce liver toxicity. At an equal dosage,the liver toxicity of matrine is significantly higher than that of oxymatrine. The toxic mechanism is related to oxidative stress and apoptosis.

During ischemia, the intracellular acidosis stimulates the Na +/H + exchanger. The increase in intracellular sodium secondary to increased Na +/H + exchange is reversed through exchange for calcium, resulting in calcium overload of the cells and producing cell injury and necrosis. NHE1 inhibitors exert a protective effect on myocardium subject to ischemia and reperfusion via reduction of Na +/H + exchange, attenuation of intracellular calcium accumulation and other mechanisms.

AIM:To establish the chromatography fingerprint of the constituents of Melia toosendan Sieb from different areas in order to provide a base for the identification of its quality. METHODS: A gradient separated method was applied. Column:Inertsil ODS-3 C_ 18 ,mobile phase:acetonitrile-water,detection wavelength:270 nm,flow rate:1.0 mL/min,column temperature:25 ℃. RESULTS: To establish the chromatography fingerprint of the constituents of Melia toosendan Sieb., make the technical parameters for its quality controlling,and mark 39 main peaks as its characteristic fingerprint. CONCLUSION: The distribution of constituents of Melia toosendan Sieb differ a little from different areas, but the propotion of the constituents differ greatly, with the Melia toosendan Sieb.from the same area , the distribution and propotion differ a little. This method is reproducible, simple and easy, and can be use to provide a base for the quality control of Melia toosendan Sieb.

Na +/H + exchanger 1 (NHE1) is a major contributor to ischemic and reperfusion injury. It is emerging that NHE 1 also contributes to myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure due to chronic maladaptive stimulation. It appears that NHE 1 may represent a common downstream mediator for various hypertrophic factor, such as angiotensinⅡ,beta (1) and alpha (1) adrenergic receptor activation. NHE 1 inhibition may be a effective new therapeutic approach for prevention and treatment of heart failure.-

Objective To study anaphylactoid reactions induced by traditional Chinese medicine injections (TCMI) of Qingkailing (QKL) and Xuesaitong (XST) with RBL-2H3 cells;To provide some reference for improving the screening system of TCMI induced anaphylactoid reactions.Methods The IC50 induced by QKL and XST injections was determined by MTT assay. RBL-2H3 cells were stimulated with TCMI at different concentrations or with C48/80 or culture medium. Thirty minutes later, the supernatant was collected to determine the release of histamine andβ-hexosaminidase. The cell degranulation rate and the ultrastructure changes were observed. The ICR mice were given single injection of TCMI containing Evans Blue through tail vein. The number of the animal with blue ear, the total number of blue ears and the quantity of Evans Blue of extravasation were determined 30 minutes later.Results The IC50 of both QKL injection and XST injection was 12.5μL/mL. These two injections promoted RBL-2H3 cells to release histamine andβ-hexosaminidase at higher concentrations (P<0.05,P<0.01) in a dose dependent manner. Cell morphology showed a decrease of villous on the cell surface and an increase of the internal vacuolated structure. Both injections caused the blue ears of all animal with a rate of 100%. The quantity of Evans Blue of the extravasation was significantly increased (P<0.01). The results in vitro study were in close agreement with that in vivo.Conclusion Both QKL injection and XST injection may potentially cause anaphylactoid reactions. The RBL-2H3 cell model may be valuable to evaluate the anaphylactoid reactions induced by TCMI.

AIM: To investigate the effect of Gengnianle Granule on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian(HPO) axis in climacteric rats.METHODS: 12-15 months SD female rats were randomized into climacteric group and young control group was selected additionally.After being administrated for thirty days,the level of E_2、P、Te、FSH、LH in serum were examined by the radio-immunity method,the expression of GnRH in hypothalame,the expression of ER in hypothalame and pituitary appendage were examined by the immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: Compared with climacteric group,Gengnianle Granule could increase the level of E_2、P in serum(P

AIM: To study the effect of peppermint oil on GSH、ATPase in rat liver-tissues and primary cultured rat hepatocyte. METHODS: The rat liver tissues were obtained to detect content of GSH and level of Na~+-K~+-ATPase、Ca~(2+)-Mg~(2+)-ATPase after being administered peppermint oil orally at 24 % concentration of peppermint oil in 36 and 48 hours.Primary rat hepatocyte was separated and cultured,then peppermint oil and the serum containing that were respectively added level of LDH,ALT,AST in the supernatant fluid was respectively determined after incubating for 12,24 and 48 hours. RESULTS: The content of GSH and level of Na~+-K~+-ATPase and Ca~(2+)-Mg~(2+)ATPase in liver tissues was low remarkably(P

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of herbal application along meridians for treatment and prevention of asthma by using serum pharmacological test to observe the effects of serum containing herbs against the constriction of tracheal spiral strips induced by acetylcholine chloride (Ach). METHODS: Guinea pigs were randomly divided into normal control group, normal saline (NS) application group, aminophylline application group, aminophylline injection group, 1-day herb application group, 7-day herb application group and 14-day herb application group. Asthma was induced by Hutson's method in guinea pigs except the normal control group. Guinea pigs in herb application groups were treated by external application of a compound herbal medicine 60 min once every day. Guinea pigs in NS application group were treated by external application of NS. Guinea pigs in the two aminophylline-treated groups were treated by external application and intraperitoneal injection of aminophylline at a dose of 400 mg/kg, respectively. The guinea pigs were killed and the sera were obtained after 1-day, 7-day and 14-day treatment in the three herb application groups, 7-day treatment in the NS application group, the aminophylline application and injection groups, respectively. Serum pharmacological method was used to do the experiment, the effects of different sera on the constriction of tracheal strips were observed, and the constriction rates were calculated. RESULT: The serum containing herbs had an effect in reducing the constriction of tracheal spiral strips induced by Ach, and the effect was similar to that of the serum obtained from the aminophylline injection group. The constriction rate of the tracheal spiral strips was decreased when herbal application treatment was prolonged within a period of time, and it became stable when herbal application treatment was between 7-14 days. The constriction of tracheal spiral strips induced by Ach could be reduced remarkably when it was previously treated by serum containing herbs. CONCLUSION: The anti-acetylcholine function with a time-dependent effect is one of the mechanisms of herbal application treatment along meridians for asthma, and furthermore, herbal application treatment along meridians might be useful for preventing asthma.

OBJECTIVE Dynamics of serum and urine metabolites in hepatic injury rats induced by ethanolic extract from Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae(RDB)was investigated by 1H-NMR-based metabo?nomic methods in order to discover early biomarkers of liver toxicity induced by RDB. METHODS Rats were ig adminisetred with RDB at a dose of 5 g·kg-1 for 28 d. Rats were sacrificed 3,7,14 and 28 d af?ter RDB administration,as well as after a recovery period,respectively. Blood was taken for routine bio?chemical analysis by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Liver/body mass indexes were calculated ,and liver pathological changes were observed with hematoxylin-eosin staining. Urine samples were collected before and 3,7,14 and 28 d after RDB administration,respectively,as well as after withdrawal. Metabo?nomic analysis was carried out for serum and urine samples. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were used for screening and identifiying early biomarkers. RESULTS Compared with the control group,total bilirubin (TB) and total cholesterol (TC) values were increased in 3-28 d in RDB group(P<0.05,P<0.01). Total bile acid(TBA)was elevated in 7-28 d (P<0.05,P<0.01). TB,TC and TBA became normal after discontinuation with RDB. There was no significant difference between RBD-treated group and control group in the activity of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase,and the content of glucose also was not different between the two groups. The ratio of liver/body mass was elevated at 3-28 d(P<0.01)but returned to normal after withdraval of RDB. The enlargement and necrosis of hepatocytes were observed 7 d after RDB administration,and lesion degree was aggravated with the extension of RDB delivery time. Meta?bonomic analysis showed that the serum lipids (low density lipoprotein/very low density lipoprotein (LDL/VLDL),glutamic acid,choline phosphate and glycerolphosphatecholine were increased in the early stage. Pyruvate and N-acetylglutamate were decreased in urine. These metabolites became normal 7 d after discontinuation with RDB. CONCLUSION The serum lipids (LDL/VLDL),glutamic acid,glycerol phosphate choline,as well as urine pyruvic acid salt and N-acetyl glutamate may be used as the early biomarkers for liver toxicity induced by RDB.

Objective To investigate the effect of Gout Gra nule(GG)for gout.Methods Gout -relieving effect of GG was observed in rats with adjuvant arthritis induced by sodium urate and i n mice with hyperuricemia induced by hypoxan-thine.Anti -inflammation of GG was i nvestigated in mice with xylene -ind uced auricular swelling and in rats with edema of hind paw induced by injection of carrageenin.WBC migratory response c aused by carboxymethylcellulose(CMC)in mice was also observed.Results GG could reduce the blood level of uric acid and inhibit acute inflammatio n in model ani-mals and also tended to promote the elimination of uric acid.Conclusion GG had a remarkable effect on the acut e attack of gout.