[Objective] To observe the effect of combination of Rhizoma Coptidis (RC) and Fructus Evodiae (FE) in various proportions on rat models with heat syndrome. [Methods] Rat models with heat syndrome were set up by gastric infusion of Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae and Radix Astragali seu Hedysari. Fifty rats were allocated to five groups: normal control group (Group A), model group (Group B), model rats treated with RC and FE at the proportion of 6∶1 (Group C), model rats treated with RC and FE at the proportion of 2∶1 (Group D) and model rats treated with RC and FE at the proportion of 1∶1 (Group E). [Results] Ultrastructure of hepatic cells were improved in Group C, Group D and Group E. Indexes of heat syndrome such as temperature, serum corticosteroid (Cor) level and 17 - hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) content in homogenate of adrenal glands were decreased in Group C and Group D but stayed unchanged in Group E as compared with Group B ( P

AIM: To investigate Jianwei Yuyang Granule(Radix Bupleuri,Radix codonopsis,Radix paeoniae alba,Rhizoma corydalis,etc.) the effects of on curative effect and quality of life of Helicobacter pylori(Hp)-positive peptic ulcer(PU) patients. METHODS: 46 Hp-positive PU patients whose differentiation of symptoms and signs of the traditional Chinese medicine was the stagnation of liver-QI with deficiency of the spleen type were divided randomly into Jianwei Yuyang Granule group and western medicine control group(Metronidazole,amoxycillin and ondansetron).Eradicative rate of Hp、curative effect under gastroscope、clinical curative effect in Chinese medicine syndrome were observed and quality of life were evaluated by McMaster questionnaire. RESULTS: Compared with western medicine control group,Hp eradicative rates was lower(P0.05),Jianwei Yuyang Granule gained an advantage against western medicine with regard to effect on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and quality of life(P

OBJECTIVE: To compare 3 commonly used methods for drug delivery via the lumbar spinal subarachnoid space in rats. METHODS: We compared the effects of 3 methods for drug delivery via the lumbar spinal subarachnoid space in Sprague Dawley rats, namely acute needle puncture, chronic catheterization via laminectomy, and non-laminectomized catheterization. Body weight changes of the rats were measured, and their general and neurological conditions were assessed after the surgeries. The motor function of the rats was examined using rota rod test both before and after the surgeries. Nociceptive tests were performed to assess nociception of the rats. HE staining was used to examine local inflammation caused by the surgeries in the lumbar spinal cord tissue, and lidocaine paralysis detection and toluidine blue dye assay were used to confirm the precision of drug delivery using the 3 methods. RESULTS: Both needle puncture and catheterization via laminectomy resulted in a relatively low success rate of surgery and caused neurological abnormalities, severe motor dysfunction, hyperalgesia, allodynia and local inflammation. Catheterization without laminectomy had the highest success rate of surgery, and induced only mild agitation, slight cerebral spinal fluid leakage, mild sensory and motor abnormalities, and minimum pathology in the lumbar spinal cord. Catheterization without laminectomy produced less detectable effects on the behaviors in the rats and was well tolerated compared to the other two methods with also higher precision of drug delivery. CONCLUSIONS Catheterization without laminectomy is a safe, accurate and effective approach to lumbar drug delivery in rats.