The family of apelin peptides is derived from a single gene and activates the 7-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptor,namely APJ.Apelins have been shown to be involved in the regulation of cardiovascular functions,fluid homeostasis,central nervous system functions,insulin sensitivity,food and water intake.The properties of this system may make it a novel drug target of therapeutic applications in the cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart failure,and related diseases like obesity.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of purified effective component group in extract from Xiaoshuan Tongluo(CGXT)formula on chronic brain ischemia in rats.Methods CGXT 75,150,and 300 mg/kg or vehicle were ig administered daily for four weeks to rats with bilateral common carotid arteries ligation(BCCAL).From the day 24 to 28 after BCCAL,Morris water maze was performed to assess the learning and memory impairment of rats.Four weeks after BCCAL,brain gray and white matter damage were assessed.Results In Morris test,the mean escape latency of rats in the CGXT(150 and 300 mg/kg)groups was significantly shorter than that in the vehicle group.CGXT also attenuated the neuronal damage in hippocampus and cortex and reduced the pathological damage in the optic tract and corpus callosum.Conclusion CGXT could improve learning and memory impairment resulted from BCCAL in rats.These results provide the experimental basis for the clinical use of CGXT in stroke treatment and may help in investigation of multimodal therapy strategies in ischemic cerebrovascular diseases including stroke.

Objective To elucidate potential activities of phthalides and terpenoids from Angelica sinensis by theoreticaldocking calculation.Methods Eleven components of phthalides and terpenoids were selected as ligand.Thecrystalline structures of targets related to common diseases were used as the receptors for calculation.Thecalculations were conducted with Schr(o)dinger software package.The grading standard of selectivity was developedaccording to G-score between ligands and receptors.Results Selective targets of phthalides and terpenoids wererelated to nevous system diseases,cancer,pain,diabetes,cardiovascular disease,liver cirrhosis,nephrotic syndrome,inflammatory diseases,rheumatoid arthritis,dermatosis,leukemia,microbial inflections,immune diseases,andhypercholesterolemia.In addition to the medical treatments reported in the literature,our research also indicated thatthese two classes of compounds may be used for tumor,diabetes,rheumatoid arthritis,dermatosis,leukemia,livercirrhosis,and nephrotic syndrome.According to our research,the effects of phthalides and terpenoids may be not sostrong.Conclusion The effects of phthalides and terpenoids on diseases founded through virtual evaluation accord greatly with those reported in experiment and clinic.The combination of computer-aided drug evaluation technique and experiment is definitely an important and fast way to investigate the effects and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine.