OBJECTIVE:To study the contents of the medicinal components in Artemisia annua from different habitats.METHODS:A total of 22 batches of Artemisia annua samples from different habitats throughout China were collected with artemisinic acid,arteannuin B,artemisinin and scopoletin determined by HPLC.The contents of the constituents were taken as indexes to conduct correlation analysis and cluster analysis.RESULTS:The results of correlation analysis and cluster analysis showed that there were marked differences in the contents of the above-mentioned 4 constituents in Artemisia annua from various habitats.CONCLUSION:Accumulation of active ingredients of Artemisia annua is correlated to the habitats to some degree.

Objective To optimize and establish the extractive technology of taxol from Taxus baccatal L.. Methods HPLC was applied to determine the content of taxol. The orthogonal test was adopted to examine the effects of the 4 factors consisting of ethanol concentration,ethanol volume,extractive times and extractive time. Results Ethanol concentration and ethanol volume were essential factors influencing the extraction of taxol. High concentration and amount of ethanol facilitated the extraction. Extractive times and extractive time were also important. By single-factorial effect,2 h and 2 times in each extraction of taxol were the best. Conclusion The optimum extractive condition is T9 (A3B3C2D1) and T8 (A3B2C1D3).

AIM: To establish a standard for quality control of Xinfang Biyan Capsule(Radix Saponikovae, Radix Angelicae Dahuricae, Radix Scutellariae, etc.). METHODS: TLC and HPLC were used. RESULTS: Flos Magnoliae, Radix Saponikovae, Flos Chrysanthemi, Radix Bupleuri in the capsule could be identified by TLC, and baicalin content in the capsule could be measured by RP-HPLC with a linear relatioship at a range of 0.243 ?g- 2.43 ?g(r= 0.999 8 ). The average recovery was 98.15% and RSD was 0.15% . CONCLUSION: The methods are accurate and can be used for the quality control of Xinfang Biyan Capsules.

Objective To examine the effects and mechanisms of simvastatin and fenofibrate, and combination of the two drugs on the expression of apolipoprotein M (apoM). Methods The male C57BL/6N mice ( n =32) were random divided into four groups, including control group (with no special treatment), statin group (with simvastatin [10mg/( kg · d) for 4 weeks], fibrate group (with fenofibrate [100mg/( kg · d) for 4 weeks] and combination group ( with simvastatin [10mg/( kg· d)] and fenofibrate [100mg/( kg · d) for 4 weeks]. The levels of apoMmRNA and protein, hepatic nuclear factor (HNF-1α)mRNA, liver X receptor-α (LXRα) mRNA in mouse liver were measured. Results Both of simvastatin and fenofibrate can increase the expression of apolipoprotein M ( 1.97 ± 0. 04,2. 02 ± 0. 02 ) and HNF-1αmRNA ( 1.74 ± 0. 05,1.71 ± 0. 04). Combination group obtained more effects than either single agent ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Simvastatin could decrease the expression of LXRα mRNA ( 1.00 ± 0. 02 ) ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Fenofibrate could increase the expression of LXRα mRNA(2. 80 ±0. 04) ( P ＜0. 05). No significant difference in LXRα expression was seen between combination( 1.56 ±0. 03 ) and control group( 1.53 ±0. 03 )( P ＞0. 05). Conclusions Simvastatin and fenofibrate can increase apoM expression. Treatment with combination of the two drugs is more effective, and the mechanism might be related to the regulation of HNF-1α and LXRα.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of fluvastatin sodium extended-release tablets (fluvastatin XL) 80 mg once daily compared to fluvastatin sodium immediate-release capsules (fluvastatin IR) 40 mg twice daily in Chinese hyperlipidemic patients with moderate or high cardiovascular risk.Methods In this multi-center,randomized,double-blind,double-dummy,active-controlled,parallel-group study,after 6-week open-label treatment with fluvastatin IR 40 mg once daily,patients who did not reach their lipid goals were randomized to 12-week double-blind treatment with fluvastatin XL 80 mg once daily or fluvastatin IR 40 mg twice daily.Results (1) There were 218 patients enrolled in each group.At the study endpoint,no statistical difference was found in the mean percent change from baseline for LDL-C with-8.69％ [from (3.504 ±0.060) mmol/L to (3.153 ±0.065) mmol/L] in the fluvastatin XL group and-7.89％ [from (3.491 ±0.050) mmol/L to (3.181 ±0.060) mmol/L] in the fluvastatin IR group (P ＞ 0.05).The 95％ CI for difference between the two groups in adjusted mean percent change from baseline was (-4.70％-3.09％),which was within the pre-specified non-inferiority margin.In the fluvastatin XL group,the proportion of patients with moderate cardiovascular(CV) risk and high CV risk achieving their LDL-C treatment goals at endpoint was 50.0％ and 31.5％ respectively,while the proportion was 42.5％ and 24.5％ respectively in the fluvastatin IR group.No significant difference was found between the two groups in the proportion of patients who reached their lipid goals and the changes from baseline with other lipid parameters.(2)Similar safety profiles were observed in the two treatment groups,with 21.1％ adverse event (AE) (8.3％ study-drug related AE) in the fluvastatin XL group and 17.0％ AE (6.3％ study-drug related AE) in the fluvastatin IR group.Conclusion The efficacy of fluvastatin XL 80 mg once daily is comparable to fluvastatin IR 40 mg twice daily in Chinese hyperlipidemic patients with moderate or high cardiovascular risk and both treatments are safe and well-tolerated.

OBJECTIVETo develop an HPLC-UV-ELSD method for the determination of aucubi, harpagide, harpagoside, angoroside C and cinnamic acid in Scrophularia ningpoensis.

METHODThe analytical column was SHIMADZU C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase was acetonirile-0.4% acetic acid in a gradient elution. Initial conditions was 5% A; 0-20 min, changed to 10% A; 20-50 min, to 55% A. The flow rate was 0.8 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was 30 degrees C. The UV detector wavelength was set at 280 nm for harpagoside, angoroside C and cinnamic acid, and the evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD) drift tube temperature was 105 degrees C, the flow rate of nebulizer gas was 1.2 L x min(-1) for aucubi and harpagide.

RESULTAucubi, harpagide, harpagoside, angoroside C and cinnamic acid was separated well. The linear calibration curves were obtained over of 0.752-13.536 microg for aucubi (r=0.9993, n=6), 0.8280-14.90 microg for harpagide (r=0.9994, n=6), 0.6360-11.45 microg for harpagoside (r=0.9997, n=6), 0.5440- 9.792 microg for angoroside C, (r=0.9997, n=6) and 0.0108-0.1939 microg for cinnamic acid (r=0.9999, n=6). The mean recovers of five compounds were 98.12%, 99.14%, 100.21%, 98.17% and 100.35% with RSD of 2.3%, 1.5%, 1.9%, 1.7% and 0.5%.

CONCLUSIONThis method could simultaneously determinate the content of the five compounds in the S. ningpoensis.

Objective To investigate the level of platelet activating factor (PAF) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in minipig model and patients, and to study the relationship between PAF and lethal arrhythmia referring to ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Method ( 1 ) The levels of PAF in minipig models ( n = 20) were measured by using ELISA before and 1h after occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery with balloon at the junction of 1/3 middle and distal portion. The lethal arrythmia was recorded by using electrocardiography. (2) In patients with AMI (n = 72), the levels of PAF were measured on arrival, and 24 h,48 h and 72 h later. The lethal arrythmia, acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock were documented. Results ( 1 ) In minipigs with occlusion of coronary artery for one hour, the mean level of PAF increased from (4.66± 2.89)ng/mL to (6.00±2.82) ng/mL,and thus the increment in PAF was (1 .34± 1.40) ng/mL (P ＜ 0.05). In 13 minipigs with lethal anythmia after occlusion of coronary artery for one hour, the increment in mean level of PAF was ( 1.92 ± 1 .34) ng/mL, whereas the increment in mean level of PAF in other 7 minipigs without lethal arrythmia after occlusion of coronary artery for one hour was as low as (0.28 ± 0. 74 ) ng/mL ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). ( 2 ) In patients, the mean levels of PAF on arrival, 24 h,48 h,and 72 hous after admission were (0.47 ± 0.05) ng/mL,(2.38±0.12) ng/mL,(3.65±0.15) ng/mL and (3.02±0.10) ng/mL, respectively. Of 72 ACI patients, 40 (55%) had complication of lethal arrythnia, heart failure or cardiogenic shock and their mean level of PAF 48 h after admission was (4.72 ± 0.16) ng/mL, whereas mean level of PAF in other 32 (44.44%) without complications was (2.31 ±0.03) ng/mL ( P ＜0.05). Conclusions The level of PAF increased after acute myocardial infarction, and the minipigs and AMI patients complicated with lethal arrythmia had higher levels of PAF.

Objective To explore the prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for 28-day mortality of elderly patients with non-cardiac critical ill in emergency intensive care unit (EICU). Methods A total of 70 elderly non-cardiac critically ill patients (age≥60 years) in EICU were enrolled, and the blood samples were collected to detect BNP level after the patients' admission to EICU. After 28 days, the mortality was assessed. Results Twenty-two patients (31.4 %) died during 28 days observation, whose BNP levels were significantly higher than that of the survivors [ln BNP: (6.4 ± 1.2) ng/L vs. ( 5. 1 ± 1.5 ) ng/L, P＜ 0. 05] ; BNP level had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0. 759 (95% CI: 0. 636-0. 882, P＜0.05) for predicting mortality,and the optimal cut point of BNP was 342 ng/L (sensitivity 77.3%, specificity 68.7%).Conclusions BNP level could be a predictor for 28-days mortality for elderly non-cardiac critically ill patients.

Objective To investigate effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI)and to analyze its therapeutic efficacy. Methods One hundred and eight patients with moderate or severe TBI were randomly divided into a control group (54 cases) and an HBO adjunctive therapy group (HBO group, 54 cases).Both groups received essential neurosurgical treatment and conventional drug treatment, and the HBO group was given one session of HBO therapy in addition. Serum CRP and TNF-α were detected, and the scores on the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) were measured before and after treatment. CRP was detected by turbidimetric immunoassay and TNF-α using ELISA. Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) scores were evaluated in a follow-up 6 months after injury. Results Average CRP, TNF-α and GCS measurements showed no statistically significant difference between the groups before treatment. After treatment, CRP and TNF-α were significantly lower and GCS scores significantly better in both groups, but patients in the HBO group were, on average, significantly better than the controls on all three measures.Six months later, GOS evaluation gave a significantly larger number of patients with a better prognosis in the HBO group compared with the controls. Conclusion HBO therapy can significantly decrease serum CRP and TNF-α after severe TBI, thus enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

Objective To study the effects of alpinetin on apoptosis of Hep3B cells and explore the related mechanism.Methods Hep3B cells were cultured in vitro,treated with alpinetin; RT-PCR and Western blot was used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2; MTT assay was used to detect the cellular growth inhibitory rate; Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was used to detect the apoptosis rate of cells; Mitochondrial membrane potential was analyzed by flow cytometry; Western blot was used to detect protein expression of Caspase-3,9 and Cytochrome C ; the experiment was carried out in four groups:control group,high dosage of alpinetin group,middle dosage of alpinetin group and low dosage of alpinetin group.Results The expression of Bcl-2 in Hep3B cells were decreased by alpinetin.After treated with different dosages of alpinetin (40,80,120 μmol/L),the apoptotic inhibitory rate detected by MTT were 6.38％ ± 1.32％,21.58％ ± 1.97％ and 43.18％ ± 3.89％,significantly higher than those in control group (tlowdose =13.01,tmiddle dose =15.12,thighdose =14.79,average P ＜ 0.01) ; the expression of mitochondrial membrane potential green fluorescence protein (GFP) were 18.93％ ± 2.3％,31.11％ ± 2.67％ and46.06％ ± 2.95％,significantly higher than those in control group (tlow dose =16.70,tmiddle dose =31.38,thigh dose =48.15,average P ＜ 0.01).Western blot analysis showed that the expression of Caspase-3,9 andCytochrome C in cytoplasm significantly was higher than those in control group(Caspase-3:llow dose =11.94,tmiddle dose =10.18,thigh dose =18.82,average P ＜0.01; Caspase-9:tlow dose =15.11,tmiddle dose =20.41,thish dose =21.25,average P ＜0.01; Cytochrome C:tlow dose =15.11,tmiddle dose =28.47,thigh dose =16.01,average P ＜ 0.01).while that Cytochrome C in mitochondria significantly lower than those in control group (tlow dose =16.70,tmiddle dose =12.00,thighdose =27.61,average P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Alpinetin promotes apoptosis of human hepatic cancer cells Hep3B by down-regulating Bcl-2,probably through mitochondrial pathway.