Objective To discuss the effects of different drying methods on composition and antioxidative activities of the volatile oil fromCymbopogon citrates; To optimize the best drying method for Cymbopogon citrates. MethodsCymbopogon citrates was dried by drying in the sun, drying in the shade and oven drying at 40℃. Volatile oil was extracted by steam distillation. Chemical constituents in the volatile oil were analyzed by GC-MS and the antioxidative activities were determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP method).Results Extraction rate of the volatile oil fromCymbopogon citratesunder the environment of freshness, sun drying, shade drying and oven drying at 40℃ were 0.25%, 1.21%, 1.19% and 1.17%, respectively; after dried by different methods, main constituents and antioxidative activities of the volatile oil fromCymbopogon citrates were basically same. Conclusion Different drying methods have little influence on composition and antioxidative activities of the volatile oil fromCymbopogon citrates. Oven drying at 40℃ was the best way to dryCymbopogon citrates.

Objective To establish quality standards for stem leaf ofAstragali Radix.Methods A method of TLC identification was used for qualitative discrimination. The moisture, total ash and extracts contents of the stem leaf of Astragali Radix were determined by pharmacopoeia method. Total contents of astragaloside and astragalus polysaccharide were measured by colorimetry. The astragalosideⅣ and calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside contents were detected by HPLC.Results The spots of TLC were round and clear with good repeatability. The moisture contents of the stem leaf ofAstragali Radix were between 6.24%–12.24%; the total ash was between 8.21%–10.55%; the water- solubility extracts were between 12.12%–27.30%; alcohol-solubility extracts were between 6.89%–10.28%; the total contents of astragaloside were between 23.74–26.52 mg/g; astragalus polysaccharide were between 23.31–45.70 mg/g; the astragalosideⅣ contents were between 0.047%–0.18%; the calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside were 0.21%–0.26%. Conclusion The method is convenient, fast and repeatable, and the results are accurate and reliable, which can be used to control the quality of the stem leaf ofAstragali Radix effectively, and as the main index of the quality standard.

Objective To establish a capillary electrophoresis method to separate ephedrine and psedudoephedrine. Methods RM-β-CD and HP-β-CD were set as additives. A capillary electrophoresis method was set up. The effects of types and concentrations of additives, the concentrations and pH values of buffered solution, running voltage and organic solvent on the separation of ephedrine and psedudoephedrine were investigated.Results Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine could be successfully separated by using either RM-β-CD or HP-β-CD as additives. When RM-β-CD was used as additive, the best separation conditions were as follows: separation voltage 10 kV, 25 mmol/L Tris-H3PO4 (pH 2.42), 20 mg/mL of RM-β-CD. Under the conditions, the resolution of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine was 1.56 and they were separated successfully within 13 min. When HP-β-CD was used as additive, the best separation conditions were as follows: separation voltage 10 kV, 25 mmol/L Tris-H3PO4 (pH 3.00), 50 mg/mL of HP-β-CD. Under the conditions, the resolution of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine was 2.73 and they were separated successfully within 15 min.ConclusionThis method is reliable, rapid and repeatable. It can be used as separation determination method for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

Objective To optimize the preparation technology ofCangai volatile oil dextrin inclusion compound/ in situ nasal thermosensitive gel by the central composite design-response surface method.Methods In the design, the investigation factors were the amounts of poloxamer 407 and poloxamer 188, and the evaluation index was the gel temperature. Quadratic models were used to evaluate the mathematic relation between the evaluation index and two investigation indexes to identify the optimum prescription, and then the optimum prescription was verified. Results According to the quadratic models, it was found that there was reliable quantitative relation between the evaluation index and two investigation indexes, among which the optimum dosage was 19.37% for poloxamer 407 and 2.73% for poloxamer 188.Conclusion The optimum model ofCangai volatile oil dextrin inclusion compound/ nasal thermosensitive gel can be obtained from central composite design-response surface method based on quadratic models. This method is reliable and feasible, which can realize the prescription optimization of the in situ gel.

Objective To establish QAMS method to determine the contents of three alkaloids in bile processed Coptidis Rhizoma; To compare the results of QAMS with those from external standard method; To prove the feasibility of QAMS.Methods An HPLC method was developed. Berberine hydrochloride was selected as the internal reference substance. 2 relative correction factors (RCF) of berberine hydrochloride to palmatine hydrochloride and to jatrorrhizine hydrochloride were established. Obtained RCFs were used to conduct content calculation (calculated value) to complete QAMS method. At the same time, the contents (measured value) of the three components were also determined by external standard method. Calculated value and measured value were compared.Results The analysis results showed that there was no significant difference between the calculated values and the measured values of the three alkaloids in 10 batches of bile processed Coptidis Rhizoma.Conclusion The QAMS method can be applied in the determination of alkaloids in bile processed Coptidis Rhizoma.

Objective To observe the effects of volatile oil of Angelicae Sinensis Radix on blood pressure and related inflammatory cytokines of hypertensive rat models; To investigate the action mechanism of regulating the blood pressure.Methods Wistar male rats were fed withL-NNA to establish hypertensive rat models. Hypertensive rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, positive medicine group, volatile oil of Angelicae Sinensis Radix high- and low-dose groups, with 5 rats in each group. Each medication group was given relative medicine for gavage for 8 weeks. Non-invasive blood pressure measurement system was used to observe the systolic pressure of tail artery of rats before and after medication; the levels of ET-1, CRP, and VCAM-1 in serum were detected by the method of ELISA; RT-PCR was used to measure CRP mRNA of heart.Results The levels of systolic blood pressure, ET-1, VCAM-1, CRP and CRP mRNA in model group were significantly higher than those of normal group (P<0.05,P<0.01); Compared with model group, the levels of ET-1, VCAM-1, CRP and CRP mRNA in model group significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01).Conclusion Volatile oil of Angelicae Sinensis Radix can inhibit vascular inflammatory response and then realize the effects of regulating blood pressure.

Objective To observe the effects ofXiangsha Liujunzi Decoction (XSLJZ) on levels and mRNA of IL-6, IL-10 and protein expression of HSP70 of gastric mucosa in chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) rats with spleen-stomach deficiency; To discuss its mechanism.Methods Rats were divided into 2 groups through random number table: normal group and model group. The model of CAG rat with spleen-stomach deficiency type was induced by synthetic methods. After successful modeling, rats were divided into model group, positive control group, XSLJZ high-, medium-, low-dose group. Rats in normal and model group received distilled water 10 mL/(kg?d) for gavage; XSLJZ high-, medium-, low-dose group received XSLJZ 24, 12, 6 g/(kg?d), respectively; positive control group received mycin 0.30 g/(kg?d) for gavage for 120 consecutive days. Generally living conditions, levels and mRNA of IL-6, IL-10 and protein expression of HSP70 in gastric mucosa tissue were detected by protein immunoblotting.Results Compared with the normal group, generally living conditions of rats in the model group were poor; mRNA and the content of IL-6 increased significantly, and mRNA and the content of IL-10 decreased significantly (P<0.05,P<0.01); mRNA and protein expression of HSP70 in gastric tissues was much lower than that of normal group (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with model group, generally living conditions of rats in the XSLJZ high-dose groups were improved significantly; mRNA and the content of IL-6 decreased significantly, and mRNA and the content of IL-10 increased significantly (P<0.05); XSLJZ high-, medium-dose groups mRNA and protein expression of HSP70 in gastric tissues increased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion XSLJZ has protective effects on gastric mucosa of CAG rats with spleen-stomach deficiency.

Objective To explore the effects ofDanshen Tongluo Detoxication Decoction on the inflammatory response of rats with bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) transplantation in acute myocardial infarction (AMI); To discuss its mechanism of action.Methods The whole bone marrow adherent method was adopted for BMSCs separation and culture. The AMI model was established by closing the left anterior descending coronary artery of SD rats. After the modeling, SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model group and BMSCs group (BMSCs transplantation group),Danshen Tongluo Detoxication Decoction group, Danshen Tongluo Detoxication Decoction + BMSCs group, 10 rats in each group. BMSCs cell suspension was injected directly into the edge of the myocardial tissue infarction area; Chinese medicine or normal saline were administered for gavage. 4 weeks later, the contents of MCP-1 and sICAM-1 in each group were detected by ELISA. TLR-4 expression was measured by Western blot method, and HE staining was used to observe the myocardial tissue pathological changes.Results Compared with the model group, the contents of MCP-1 and sICAM-1 and the protein expression of TLR-4 in BMSCs group,Danshen Tongluo Detoxication Decoction group, andDanshen Tongluo Detoxication Decoction + BMSCs group decreased, Danshen Tongluo Detoxication Decoction group was better than BMSCs group (P<0.05,P<0.01), andDanshen Tongluo Detoxication Decoction + BMSCs group was better than BMSCs group andDanshen Tongluo Detoxication Decoction group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion BMSCs transplantation combined withDanshen Tongluo Detoxication Decoction can restrain the inflammatory response of AMI model rats and repair ischemic myocardium issue, which mechanism may be related to regulating TLR-4 induced inflammatory response.

Objective To use metabonomics method to study the change of the basic materials of month rhythm of wei qi deficiency syndrome; To find the potential markers so as to provides a new way for the essence of the wei qi deficiency syndrome research.Methods Based on the autumnal equinox in lunar calendar month, the beginning of a month (the first day of lunar August), the middle of a month (the 15th day of lunar August), and the end of a month (the 30th day of lunar August) were set as the three days to draw experimental materials. Two weeks before drawing materials, 20 rats were randomly divided into control group and model group, 10 rats in each group. The model rats were modeled by the stimulus of fatigue combined with coldness and hotness. Control group rats received conventional breeding. The rats in the both groups during the three experiments received decollation and the blood was taken at the 12 o’clock at noon. HPLC-MS was used to detect plasma metabolites, and partial least squares were used to make statistical analysis on the data for comparing plasma metabonomics original data of control group and model group. Possible metabolic markers of wei qi deficiency syndrome were explored, and the potential makers of month rhythm change of wei qi deficiency syndrome were deduced.Results Oleamide, phosphatidyl glycerol, cortisol, proline, dimethyl fumarate, and eicosapentaenoic acid may be potential markers of wei qi deficiency syndrome in the beginning of a month. Sphingosine-1-phosphate, malic acid, cortisol, oleamide, carnitine, eicosapentaenoic acid and dimethyl fumarate may be potential markers of wei qi deficiency syndrome in the middle of a month. Cholesteryl acetate, threonine, cortisol, dimethyl fumarate, oleamide, eicosapentaenoic acid and pyroglutamate may be potential markers of wei qi deficiency syndrome in the end of a month.Conclusion Month rhythm change of wei qi deficiency syndrome may be influenced by oleamide, cortisol, eicosapentaenoic acid, dimethyl fumarate, and aconitic acid, and may be closely related to energy metabolism, meanwhile accompanied by regulation of cell, hormone and nerves.

ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical efficacy ofYupingfeng Granules combined with western medicine for children with recurrent respiratory tract infection (RRTI).Methods CNKI, VIP, WANFANG DATA, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the clinical and immune effects ofYupingfeng Granules in children with RRTI from inception to October 2015. Two researchers independently screened studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and evaluated the methodological quality of included studies. Then Meta analysis was performed through the software RevMan 5.3.Results A total of 8 articles involving 550 patients were included. The results of Meta analysis showed effective rate ofYupingfeng Granules combined with western medicine for children with RRTI [OR=4.16, 95%CI (2.49, 6.95),P<0.000 01], IgA level [MD=0.52, 95%CI (0.26, 0.78),P<0.000 1], IgG level [MD=2.75, 95%CI (1.25, 4.25),P=0.000 3], CD4+ level [MD=6.15, 95%CI (4.76, 7.54),P<0.000 01], CD4+/CD8+ level [MD=0.36, 95%CI (0.25, 0.47),P<0.000 01]. All of the above were superior to single western medicine treatment. There was no statistical significance in levels of IgM and CD8+(P>0.05). ConclusionYupingfeng Granules combined with western medicine can improve effective rate, antibody level and T-cell level in the treatment of children with RRTI. The overall clinical efficacy is better than single western medicine treatment. However, RCTs with large samples, multiple centers and high quality are needed for further verification.