Aim To investigate the roles of intracellu-lar reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) and Nrf2 pathway in shikonin-induced A549 cell apoptosis. Methods The cytotoxicity was analyzed by MTT assay. The ap-optosis of A549 cells was analyzed by both cellular morphological and biochemical methods. The relative changes of the redox marks ( ROS/GSH) were studied by fluorescence assay in the shikonin-treated A549 cells in accompany with the changes of the intracellular redox homeostasis by GSH/GSSG ratio. ROS inhibitor was also employed in the treatment to find the role of ROS in shikonin-induced A549 cell apoptosis. Real-time PCR analysis and ELISA assay were performed as well to determine the role of Nrf2 pathway in the shiko-nin-induced A549 cell apoptosis. Results The IC50 of shikonin on A549 cells was 3. 2 mg·L-1 . The cellu-lar redox homeostasis shifted toward oxidation signifi-cantly in shikonin treatment in a time-dependent man-ner. The expression of the Nrf2 pathway related genes was up-regulated by shikonin ( 3 . 2 mg · L-1 , 8 h ) . The expression of the anti-apoptotic genes was down-regulated , and proapoptotic genes were up-regulated by shikonin (3. 2 mg·L-1, 24h). Futhermore, the inhi-bition of intracellular ROS alleviated the cytotoxicity of shikonin in A549 cells. Conclusion The critical role of shikonin-induced redox imblance in A549 cell, coped with the secondary produced ROS and Nrf2 path-way antioxidants, result in A549 cell apoptosis.

A rapid, sensitive and convenient LC-MS/MS method was developed for the determination of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in human plasma. d2-γ-Aminobutyric acid (d2-GABA) was synthesized as internal standard (IS). After extraction from human plasma by protein precipitation with acetonitrile, all analytes were separated on a Luna HILIC column (100 mm x 3.0 mm, 3 μm) using an isocratic mobile phase of water: acetonitrile: formic acid (20 : 80 : 0.12) with a flow rate of 0.5 mL x min(-1). Acquisition of mass spectrometric data was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) in positive electrospray ionization using the transitions of m/z 104 --> 69 for GABA and m/z 106 --> 71 for d2-GABA. The method was linear in the concentration range of 5.00 to 1 000 ng x mL(-1). The intra- and inter-day precisions were within 9.9%, and accuracy ranged from 99.1% to 104%, within the acceptable limit across all concentrations. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of GABA tablets in healthy Chinese volunteers.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Humans ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; blood

Objective To study the molecular biology of rifampin-depending M. Tuberculosis. Methods The seguence (a 319-bp DNA fragment) of rpoB gene were analyzed by automated DNA sequencing machine. (2) The fingerprints of genomic DNA were obtained by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting. (3)The protein electrophoresis of bacterium by SDS-polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAG).(4) The cases of pulmonary tuberculosis by rifampin-depending strains were retrospectively analyzed. Results (1) rpoB gene sequenced: The point mutationrate of rifampin-depending strainswas 96.7%(29/30) and that of rifampin-residtant strains 81.1%(30/37), P

Objective To study the effect of schistosomiasis transmission interruption model based on intensive agriculture in hilly endemic areas,so as to provide the reference for the similar endemic areas. Methods Based on the development of in-tensive agriculture in Guanghan City,a comprehensive demonstration area of schistosomiasis control with measures such as new rural construction,hardening ditches,the adjustment of industrial structure and water remediation measures was constructed. Ji-nhua,Shiguan and Hongyan villages were chosen as the evaluation sites to comparatively analyze the indexes of intensive agri-culture and schistosomiasis control effects. Results Compared with the demonstration area before construction,in 2014,the harden rates of ditches and village roads were increased by 49.57％and 39.33％respectively;and the proportion of agricultural machinery increased by 25％. The positive rate of serological tests of schistosomiasis was decreased by 81.74％. The Oncomela-nia hupensis snail area was decreased from 2.44 hm2(2007)to 0(2014). The awareness rate of schistosomiasis control knowl-edge and correct behavior rate of the residents were increased from 51.28％ and 90.85％ to 91.29％ and 97.69％ respectively. The experience of the demonstration area ensured the entire Guanghan District achieved the schistosomiasis transmission inter-ruption criterion at the end of 2014. Conclusions The schistosomiasis control model of intensive agriculture combined with oth-er comprehensive measures has a good effect on interrupting the endemic of schistosomiasis,and it can realize the sustainable development of the agricultural economy and schistosomiasis control.

Objective To study the effectiveness of comprehensive control measures based on systematic ecological system construction to interrupt the transmission of schistosomiasis in hilly endemic regions in Sichuan Province ,so as to provide the ev?idence for adjustment of schistosomiasis prevention and control strategies. Methods A high endemic area of schistosomiasis, Panao Township of Dongpo District in Meishan City,was selected as a demonstration area. The comprehensive measures for schistosomiasis control with focus on systematic ecological management were implemented,and the income of residents,index?es of schistosomiasis control effect and so on were investigated before and after the intervention and the results were compared. Results The project based on systematic ecological system construction started in 2009 and 317.351 million Yuan was put into the construction. The construction included economic forest plant base(1 866.68 hm2,72.66%of the total farmland areas),eco?logical protection gardens(585.35 hm2)and so on. Totally 97.04% of historical areas with Oncomelania hupensis snails were comprehensively improved. In 2015,the peasants' pure income per capita increased 4 938 Yuan,with the average annual growth rate of 14.69%. All the farm cattle were replaced by the machine. The benefit rate of water improvement was increased by 52.84%and the coverage rate of harmless toilets increased by 18.30%. The positive rate of serological tests for schistosomiasis decreased from 7.69%to 3.50%,and the positive rate of parasitological tests decreased from 1.18%to 0. The area with snails was decreased from 23.33 hm2 to 0. The awareness rate of schistosomiasis control knowledge and correct behavior rate of the resi? dents increased from 85.50%and 82.60%to 95.70%and 93.90%respectively. Conclusions The comprehensive schistosomia?sis control measures based on systematic ecological management are conform to the currently actual schistosomiasis prevention and control work in hilly endemic regions,and have good ecological economic benefit and schistosomiasis control effectiveness, which provide an effectively new model of prevention and control for advancing process,consolidating the effect,finally realiz?ing goal of interruption and elimination of schistosomiasis in hilly endemic regions.

Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Kidney ; pathology ; Liver ; pathology ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Paraquat ; metabolism ; poisoning ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Object To study the growth speed and dynamic spore production of CY-8202, which is an asexual strain of entomopathogenic fungi isloated from Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc., to explore the method of artificial culture of CY-8208 strain, to assay its antibiotic activity and spectrem and to provide the experimental basis for studies of its active components. Methods Variations in colony diameter of the cordyceps hypha cultured on the fungi media were measured. The spore-count was used to determine the dynamic colony spore outputs of the hypha on several fungi media and water agar. The agar-piece method was used to test its antibiotic activity.Results There were linear relationships between the colony extensions and the culture times on common fungi media such as PDA medium, etc.. The amounts of spore produced by the single colony of the fungi were more than 10 7 and gradually increased, but the rates of increase tended to be gentle after 200 h. Antimicrobial tests against 22 microbial strains showed strong inhibition of gram positve bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus tetragenus and Staphylococcus albus, and to gram negative bacteria, including Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, Aerobacter aerogenes and Salmonella sp., as well as weak inhibition of three mold strains and one actinomycetes strain, but no inhibition was observed in four yeast tested.Conclusion The growth activity and the spore-production ability of Cordyceps hypha are two important factors to infect validly its insect-host. For the growth activity, its strong penetration seems more important than its fast growth. The ability to product numerous spores of Cordyceps hypha may be an important mark of its strong infectivity to insect-host. The antimicrobial tests show that CY-8202 may secrete some metabolites which have a more broad-spectrum antibacterial activity than cordycepin isolated initially from Cordyceps militaris.

Objective To investigate the neuroprotection of delayed treatment of thoracic acute spinal cord injury with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in rat model of compressive injury. Methods Sixteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (compressive injury group) and experimental group (rhEPO group), In the compressive injury group,the animals recived 0.9% saline treatment at 2 h, day 1 and day 3 after the injury, while in the rhEPO group, rhEPO (3 000 U/kg) was given to rats at 2 h, day 1 and day 3 after the injury. All the rats were observed in 4 days after the injury. The primary outcomes were evaluated by BBB scale, apoptotic index, inflammatory index and electron microscopy. Results Delayed treatment of thoracic acute spinal cord injury with rhEPO could reduce apoptosis, regulate inflammation, improve motor function and promote regeneration of the spinal cord. Conclusion Our study suggests that delayed treatment of thoracic spinal cord compressive injury with rhEPO could exert neuroprotection.

A non spore fungal strain designated as CR 9512 was isolated from a species of Cordyceps , found in Northern Guangdong of China The growth characteristics and the morphology of the organism were studied It was initially identified as Rhizoctonia sp ,Agonomycetales Its antimicrobial tests, against 26 strains of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, actinomycetes, filamentous fungi and yeast, showed strong inhibition to some yeast of Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Pichia and Cryptococcus , and weak inhibition to yeast of Candida The speciality on a limited spectrum anti yeast of the organism will show an enormous value for researches and applications

The effects of ultrafine grinding on the dissolution rates of the effective components in Sanjie Zhentong capsule (SZC) were studied in this experiment. Fine and ultrafine powder of SZC intermediates were made by ordinary grinding and ultrafine grinding technology, and then granulated by wet granulation. SZC were prepared by fine powder, ultrafine powder and ultrafine granules, respectively. With resveratrol and loureirin B as investigated indexes, dissolution rates of the four intermediates in SZC were determined by cup method and HPLC. The dissolution rates of resveratrol in SZC prepared by fine powder, ultrafine powder and ultrafine granules were 26.11%, 63.27%, 67.49%, respectively; and the dissolution rates of loureirin B were 7.160%, 20.29%, 23.05%, respectively. The dissolution rate of resveratrol and loureirin B in SZC prepared by ultrafine granules was the best. D90 size of ultrafine grinding was 13.221 μm and could improve the dissolution rates of resveratrol and loureirin B in SZC.
Capsules ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Silicones ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods