Tibetan medicine Asteris Flos is the flowers of Aster souliei, A. flaccidus, and A. asteroides, with the function of clearing away heat and toxic matter, relieving cough, and removing phlegm. In order to control the quality of Asteris Flos, the morphological and chemical methods were established for identification of three origins. The morphological features of three species were described and photographed, and the microscopic characteristics of three drug powders were also described in detail and pictured. The results showed that three origins of Asteris Flos could be easily distinguished by their macro- and micro-morphologic features, and a key for distinguishing the three origins was given. Moreover, a TLC method, with apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucurono pyranoside and chlorogenic acid as chemical references, was also established for the identification of three origins. The results showed that the TLC chromatograms of the flowers of A. souliei and A. flaccidus were very similar, but different from that of A. asteroides. The established macroscopic, powder microscopic and TLC methods for identification of three origins of AF were simple, accurate, and reproducible, and also effective and easy to operate.
Aster Plant ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; Chlorogenic Acid ; analysis ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Flowers ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional

Adult ; Aged ; Coal Mining ; Health Promotion ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe enlarged prostate leads to obstruction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which comprise frequency, urgency, weak stream, straining and nocturia. This study was conducted in a large series of patients to evaluate the relationship between LUTS as stipulated in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the objective parameters related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe enrolled 1295 BPH patients from seven centers. The patients were either at first diagnosis of BPH or had discontinued medical treatment for at least 3 months. Those with several other diseases that may be potential risk factors affecting urinary symptoms were excluded from the study. Age, IPSS, prostate volume, peak flow rate, urine volume and post-voiding residual urine volume were measured. The relationship between IPSS and objective parameters were quantified by means of Spearman correlation coefficients. The differences in these parameters between the groups with mild, moderate or severe symptoms were also evaluated.

RESULTSStatistically significant correlations were found between IPSS and objective parameters by means of Spearman correlation coefficients. When the patients were divided into three groups with different severities of symptoms, there were significant differences in peak flow rate, urine volume, prostate volume, residue urine volume and quality of life, whereas average age and prostate-specific antigen levels were similar. However, there was evident overlap of these parameters between the groups. The same results were found when the irritative or obstructive subscore of IPSS was considered.

CONCLUSIONSThe correlation between objective parameters of BPH and LUTS is significant. However, it is hard to predict the severity of symptoms by these parameters.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnosis ; psychology ; Quality of Life ; Urination Disorders ; etiology