OBJECTIVETo compare the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the different water extracts which were prepared by regular decoction time or removing volatie oil and ethanol extracts which were prepared in different concentration ethanol of Xixin (the roots and rhizomes of Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum), and then to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive mechanisms.

METHODXylene-induced ICR mouse ear edema and hot plate test were utilized to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Xixin at different dose level (water extracts of regular decoction time or removing volatie oil at the dose of 0.8 g x kg(-1) and 1.6 g x kg(-1); 95% ethanol extracts at the dose of 0.91 g x kg(-1) and 1.82 g x kg(-1); 50% ethanol extracts at the dose of 0.76 g x kg(-1) and 1.52 g x kg(-1)). Xylene-induced adrenalectomized mouse ear edema model was used to study the anti-inflammatory mechanisms. To reveal the anti-nociceptive mechanisms, mice were pretreated with naloxone in the hot plate test.

RESULTThe water extracts significantly reduced the weight of ear edema as compared with control group. Inhibition ratios were 43.20% and 63.69% at the higher dose, respectively. The ethanol extracts also significantly reduced the weight of ear edema and the inhibition ratios were 61.86% and 52. 56% at the higher dose, respectively. Mice administered water extracts delayed the latency times in the hot plate test. The anti-nociceptive effects of water extracts peaked at 2.0 h after i.g. administration. The hot plate latency times were increased by 51.27%, 62.78%, 60.08% and 68.00% at peak time, respectively. Regular decoction time group showed more significant effects in both models. The anti-inflammatory effect of 95% ethanol extracts was similar to 50% ethanol extracts. The water extracts were not effective in reducing xylene-induced adrenalectomized mouse ear edema. The anti-nociceptive effect of water extracts was blocked by naloxone.

CONCLUSIONBoth the water extracts and ethanol extracts of Xixin showed considerable anti-inflammatory potency against xylene induced inflammation. The water extracts produced anti-nociception in thermal model. The water extracts prepared in regular decoction time showed better anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. Both the 95% ethanol and 50% ethanol extracts showed similarly anti-inflammatory effects. The anti-inflammatory effect of water extracts related to adrenal gland. The anti-nociceptive effect of water extracts was involved in activating opioid receptor.

Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Asarum ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo assess the anti-nociception and anti-inflammation pharmacodynamics of Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum and A. sieboldii.

METHODBoth the writhing test and hot plate test were conducted to assess the anti-nociceptive effect of Asarum and Xylene-induced mouse ear edema was conducted to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of Asarum.

RESULTTwelve samples of A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum and A. sieboldii from different producing areas showed anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. Specifically, 27% to 61% of the seven samples of A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum showed anti-nociceptive effect and while 34% to 48% of A. sieboldi showed anti-nociceptive effect. The inflammatory inhibition rate of A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum produced in six producing areas (38%-57%) is higher than that of A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum produced in five producing areas (34%-48%). The same kind of Asarum produced in different areas showed significant differences. A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum produced in Jilin province (38%-57%) showed better anti-nociceptive effect than sample produced in Heilongjiang province (34%) in writhing test. A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum produced in Heilongjiang (43%) province showed a better anti-nociceptive effect than samples produced in Liaoning province (29%-36%) in hot plate test. A. sieboldii produced in Shaanxi province (47%-49%) showed a better anti-nociceptive effect than samples produced in Hubei province (40%) in writhing test. A. sieboldii produced in Shaanxi province (45%-59%) showed better anti-nociceptive effect than samples produced in Chongqing (40%) in hot plate test. A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum produced in Jilin province (51%-63%) showed better anti-inflammatory effect than samples produced in Heilongjiang province (50%). In totality, the results from analysis of geoherbalism showed that famous-region A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum and A. sieboldii had a better anti-nociception effect than Asarum produced in other producing areas, famous-region A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum had a better effect than those produced in other producing areas in anti-inflammation. But famous-region A. sieboldii showed no obvious difference from those produced in other producing areas in anti-inflammation.

CONCLUSIONAll samples of Asarum showed anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, but with significant differences among Asarum produced in different areas, indicating the eoherbalism to some extent.

Analgesics ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Asarum ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Objective:To evaluate the 3-year survival outcomes and late injury between the self-designed patent single-channel applicator, which was modified from the traditional tandem applicator and wrapped with a oval-shield alloy around the source channel and standard Fletcher-type applicator in the high-dose-rate brachytherapy for cervical cancer.Methods:Patients initially diagnosed with cervical cancer in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from December 2011 to April 2017 were enrolled and randomly assigned into the external beam radiotherapy (EBRT)+ single-channel intracavitary applicator group (the patent single-channel group) and EBRT+ the Fletcher applicator group. The whole pelvis irradiation was delivered with 6-MV photons via a four-field box variant or anterior and posterior parallel fields. Five to six fractions of intracavitary brachytherapy were performed at a dose of 7 Gy at point A once a week after 30 Gy (Equivalent Dose in 2 Gy at point A: 80-90 Gy). Chemotherapy was given with intravenous injection of cisplatin at a dose of 40 mg/m 2 once weekly during EBRT. Clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated after corresponding treatment. Results:In total, 150 eligible cases were assigned into the Fletcher applicator group and 149 cases into the patent single-channel group. Up to December 2020, all patients had been followed up for 3 years, and the median duration of follow-up was 61 months. In the Fletcher group, the 3-year overall survival, progression-free survival and locoregional failure-free survival was 76.3%, 78.1% and 75.4%, and 83.8%, 80.3% and 85.5% in the single-channel group, respectively. In the Fletcher group, the cumulative rate of grade 3-4 late rectal complications was 3.3% and 6.7% in the single-channel group ( P=0.122). The cumulative rate of grade 3-4 bladder complications was 1.3% in the Fletcher group and 0.7% in the single-channel group ( P=1.000). Conclusion:The self-designed patent single-channel intracavitary applicator yields equivalent long-term clinical efficacy and safety to the standard Fletcher-type three-channel applicator in the HDR brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer.

Objective: To evaluate whether the self-designed single-channel intracavitary applicator yields equivalent clinical efficacy and safety to the standard Fletcher-type three-channel applicator in the high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer. Methods: From December 2011 to April 2017, patients initially diagnosed with cervical cancer were randomly assigned into the external beam radiotherapy (EBRT)+ single-channel intracavitary applicator group (the patent single-channel group) and EBRT+ the Fletcher applicator group. Whole pelvis irradiation was delivered with 6-MV photons via a four-field box variant or anterior and posterior parallel fields. Five to six fractions of intracavitary brachytherapy were performed at a dose of 7 Gy at point A once a week after 30 Gy (BED at point A: 80-90 Gy). Chemotherapy was given with intravenous injection of cisplatin at a dose of 40 mg/m² once weekly during EBRT.Clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated after the treatment. Results: In total, 150 eligible cases were assigned into the Fletcher applicator group and 149 cases into the patent single-channel group. The short-term clinical efficacy and acute toxicity did not significantly differ between two groups. The response rate was 94.0% in the Fletcher group, and 94.7% in the patent single-channel group. In the Fletcher applicator group, 76(50.7%) patients developed ≥ grade 3 hematologic toxicity and 61(40.9%) in the patent group (P=0.195). Conclusions: The self-designed patent single-channel intracavitary applicator yields equivalent clinical efficacy and safety (acute toxicity) to the standard Fletcher-type three-channel applicator in the HDR brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer. Clincal Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-TRC-12002321).