Objective: To investigate the effect with its possible mechanisms of zacopride on vasodilatation of isolated coronary arterial rings in experimental rats.
Methods: The tension of vasodilatation of isolated coronary arterial rings of male SD rats was recorded by Powerlab and DMT system. The rats were divided into 4 groups: +Endo (vehicle) group, +Endo (zacopride) group and -Endo (vehicle) group, –Endo (zacopride) group.n=6 in each group. The vasodilatation effects of zacopride on KCl (60 mmol/L) and U46619 (10-6 mol/L) pre-constricted arterial ring were recorded; the effects of different agents on zacopride caused vasodilatation were studied.
Results: In both +Endo (zacopride) and –Endo (zacopride) groups, zacopride showed a dose dependent vasodilatation effect on coronary ring pre-constricted by KCl and U46619. The maximum vasodilatation effect of zacopride in KCl treated+Endo (zacopride) group was (90.15 ± 6.38) %, in U46619 treated-Endo (zacopride) group was (81.67 ± 4.97 ) %; the maximum vasodilatation effect of zacopride in KCl treated-Endo (zacopride) group was (85.48±5.04) %, in U46619 treated–Endo (zacopride) group was (79.65 ± 3.51) %, compared to each corresponding vehicle group, allP<0.05. The inhibitor of IK1 channel, BaCl2 could signiifcantly reduce the vasodilatation effect of zacopride in KCl and U46619 pre-constricted coronary ring,P<0.05. However, the inhibitor of eNOS (L-NAME), the blocker of KCa channel (TEA), blocker of Kv channel (4-AP) and blocker of KATP channel (Glib) had no such signiifcant effects, allP>0.05.
Conclusion: Zacopride had vasodilatation effect on coronary arterial ring which was pre-constricted by KCl and U46619, which might be related to the channel of IK1.

OBJECTIVETo reveal the variation content of polysaccharides in cultivated Dendrobium candidum and the relationship between germplasms, harvesting and polysaccharides content for the breeding of quality of D. candidium.

METHODThe morphological characteristics were recorded when 33 samples were collected. The content of polysaccharides was determined by phenol-sulphuric acid method.

RESULTThe average content of polysaccharides in 2-year-old samples was 34.47% (25.63%-41.65%). The polysaccharides content of samples were significantly different among germplasms and physiological ages.

CONCLUSIONThe polysaccharides content of cultivated D. candidum is higher than that of wild materials. Germplasms and physiological age impact on the polysaccharides content significantly. D. candidum breeding and the control of harvesting can increase polysaccharides content.

Breeding ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; genetics ; growth & development ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Polysaccharides ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo find out the variation of 11 mental element contents in Dendrobium officinale with different germplasms and harvesting ages, the results can provide scientific basis for the quality evaluation and the breeding of D. officinale.

METHOD32 samples with 1-3 ages were collected from cultivated fields of Zhejiang and 11 samples were collected from markets. The 11 mental element contents of samples were determined by ICP-MS or AAS.

RESULTThe average contents of K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cr, and Cu were 1,205.23, 766.82, 158.25, 31.06, 4.28, 8.28, and 0.97 mg x kg(-1), the contents of As, Hg, Pb, and Cd were all in limits except Cd content of one sample exceeded the standard limit 0.07 mg x kg(-1); germplasms and physiological ages impacted mental elements contents accumulation significantly.

CONCLUSIONThere were rich essential mental elements in D. officinale. D. officinale from Zhejiang province and medical materials from market were all safe; the breeding of D. officinale can increase the contents of essential mental elements and reduce contents of heavy mental elements; the effect of physiological age on metal elements contents was related to each element's physiological and biochemical function.

Dendrobium ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Metals ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the total alkaloid content and find out the variation of total alkaloids content in Dendrobium officinale with different germplasms and harvesting ages with the aim of providing scientific basis for the authenticity identification and the breeding of D. officinale.

METHODForty one samples with 1-3 ages were collected from cultivated fields of Zhejiang and Yunnan provinces and 11 samples were collected from markets. The total alkaloid contents of samples were determined using acid-dye colorimetry method.

RESULTThe determined total alkaloid contents in D. officinale ranged 0.0190%-0.0430%. The averages of total alkaloid contents were 0.0253%, 0.0270% and 0.0326% in 1-year-old, 2-year-old and 3-year-old samples of Zhejiang province, respectively. The average of total alkaloid content was 0.034 3% in 1-year-old samples of Yunnan province.

CONCLUSIONThe total alkaloid content of D. officinale with different germplasms and physiological ages existed significant discrepancy, and it increased with the growth of ages. The total alkaloid content of cultivated D. officinale in Yunnan province was higher than that in samples from Zhejiang province. But the authentic D. officinale had certain range of total alkaloid content. Samples whose total alkaloids content divagates from this range must be counterfeit; Samples whose total alkaloid content is in this range still need to combines with other active chemical groups like polysaccharides content to identify the authenticity and quality of medicinal materials.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; metabolism ; China ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; metabolism