Background: Peperomia pellucida, locally known in the Philippines as pansit-pansitan, is an annual herb with many ethnomedicinal properties. Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the antihypercholesterolemic property of P. pellucida methanolic extract (PPME) through measurement of its effects on total blood cholesterol level and liver histology of hypercholesterolemic rats. Methodology: Thirty experimental male rats were divided into six groups: Group I was fed with standard diet; Group II was fed with High Cholesterol Diet (HCD) only; Groups III, IV and V were fed with HCD and treated with PPME at 200, 400 and 800 mg kg-1 bwt respectively; Group VI was fed with HCD and treated with atorvastatin; and, Group 7 was fed with 400mg/kg PPME. Total Blood Cholesterol (TBC) levels were monitored, liver histology was analysed, and results were compared with the control and atorvastatin-treated group. Results: Administration of different doses of PPME in hypercholesterolemic rats significantly reduced total blood cholesterol similar to Atorvastatin, a known anticholesterolemic drug. Furthermore, PPME particularly at a concentration of 400mg kg-1 bwt was effective in ameliorating liver damages induced by high cholesterol diet as shown by qualitative and quantitative histological assessment. Conclusion This investigation suggests that PPME at a concentration of 400 mg/kg bwt is a potential antihypercholesterolemic agent. Further studies have to be taken to better the understanding on the mechanisms of actions of PPME on how it modulates liver damage in hypercholesterolemic conditions.
Liver ; Histology

OBJECTIVETo provide theoretical evidences for the identification and selective breeding of different major varieties of Rehmannia glutinosa by comparing their leaf characters such as the shapes, non-glandular hairs and the size and density of stomata.

METHODThe length, width and the ratio of the length to the width of leaves were measured, and the density and length of the non-glandular hair, the density, size and density of the stomata in the epidermis were measured by scanning electron microscope.

RESULTThe results showed that there were obvious differences in length, width and the ratio of the length to the width of leaves, the density and length of the non-glandular hair, the density and size of the stomata in the epidermis.

CONCLUSIONThe morphological characters of the leaves mentioned above may serve as the identification standards of major varieties of R. glutinosa.

OBJECTIVETo compare morphological characteristics of pollen of Lonicera japonica in different cultivars cultivated in Shandong and provide a basis for distinguishing different cultivars and selecting fine breeding.

METHODThe scanning electron microscope (SEM) was applied to observe and compare the outside characteristics of pollen,and the data were analyzed by SAS 9.1 software.

RESULTSome difference was found among pollen size, aperture length and the density of spine. The biggest pollen size and aperture length is Dajizhao with 61.97 microm polar axis and 61.79 microm quarter major axis and 18.03 microm aperture length,and the smallest is Honggengzi with 57.46 microm polar axis and 57.29 microm quarter major axis and 18.03 microm aperture length.

CONCLUSIONThe morphological characteristics of pollen can provide a basis for distinguishing different cultivars of L. japonica.

Materials: leaves and flowers of Stephanie glabra (Roxb) collected from Ninh Binh and Ha Noi (sample plants) through 3 flowering seasons. Methods: observations by steric microscopy (Nikon-Japan). The botanical features of Stephanie glabra: creeping stem, leaf peduncle (5-10cm), leaf nervure (11), masculine inflorescence, inflorescence pedicle has 5-6 umbels, each umbel has 8 secondary umbels, each secondary umbel has 4 third umbels, the inflorescence ended by 3 flowers with short pedicles. Masculine flower has 6 separate calixes, which were arranged as 2 circles. Ovular calix. Ovular tepal (3), gamo staminate with 6 slight yellow microsporangiums. The microsporangium changed into pill.
anatomy & histology ; anatomy & histology ; Plant Leaves

Aconitum ; anatomy & histology

The market and literature were studied to understand the existing situation of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex goods, and the collected samples were analyzed, combined with the actual production, a new standard of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex commercial specification and grade was drafted. Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex goods was divided into two categories according to the source in the old standard. Then each category was divided into four kinds of specifications according to the site. Each kind of specification was divided into several grades according to the length and weight. To judge the quality of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex goods was mainly based on the appearance quality. In the new standard, the classification of commercial specification and grade is based on the thickness, magnolol and honokiol content. The goods of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex can be divided into three specifications: Tongpu, Genpu and Doupu. Tongpu is divided into three grades, the remaining two are not graded.
Magnolia ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry

Different doses of Hippocampus and Hippo campus - pinax ginseng were administrated orally in a 2 week course continuously did not make any change on the normal structure of seminal epithelial and testis interstitial gland of rat. There was no significant difference of seminal vesiles's average diameter in all rat' drug taken group. However this diameter was higher significantly than normal. The percentage of seminal vesicles, in which sperm reproduction was completed, was increased significantly in all drug taken groups compared to the control.
Panax ; Hippocampus ; anatomy & histology

Intestinal villi morphology in 2.5 to 6.5 month old fetus is studied with scanning electronic Microscopy (SEM). Results show that original form of intestinal villi is finger or cone shape without cross sulci on surface and tip sudden. The big finger forms are divided into small size or leaf shape. Cross sulci and tip sunder are appeared on appeared on intestinal villi in six month old fetus. After delivery, surface of intestinal villi is changed very little.
Microscopy ; Anatomy & histology ; Fetus

We report the results of morphologic study of 140 cases of colorectal cancer. Male/Female rate is of 0.9. The disease was increased with age and most commons at the age over 40 years. The high rates of tumors were found in rectum (33.5%) and sigmoid colon (14.3%). The great majority of colorectal cancers were carcinoma (96.4%). Five other cases are malignant lymphomas. Most common histological type was adenocarcinoma (85.7%)
Colorectal Neoplasms ; anatomy & histology

The authors report a histological study of chronic gastritis. Results are as follows: Chronic gastritis showed high rate of chronic atrophic gastritis (76.1%), among them mild atrophic gastritis is 60%, moderate and severe atrophic gastritis is 15% and 1.1%, respectively. The majority of gastritis is in active chronic gastritis patterns (75%); H. pylori infection rate is 52.1%. Intestinal metaplasia was detected in 31.8%. The rate of complete intestinal metaplasia is higher than that of incomplete intestinal metaplasia (63.3% vs. 36.3%). Dysplasia was revealed in 7.9% (low grade: 77.3%; high grade: 22.7%. There is a significant correlation between atrophic levels and the rate of metaplasia and dysplasia.
Gastritis ; Anatomy & histology