To clarify the origin and development of the traditional Chinese medicine "Duhuo" and "Qianghuo" with medicinal literatures. Medical literatures of past dynasties were analysed and combined with the modern material. The "Duhuo" in Herbal writing Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing include traditional Chinese medicine "Duhuo" and "Qianghuo", "Qianghuo" was separated from "Duhuo" due to the distinguish of clinical application. The origin of "Qianghuo" is Notopterygium incisum and N. forbesii, However, The origin of "Duhuo" is very complex, Angelica pubescens f. biserrata as authentic "Duhuo" was used from Song Dynasty. "Qianghuo" was originated from "Duhuo".
Angelica ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Apiaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; Geography ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research ; Species Specificity

Objective: To investigate the somatotype characteristics of rural Tujia adults in Hu'nan. Methods: The Heath-Carter somatotyping method was used to study the somatotype of 976 adults (528 males and 448 females) of Tujia in the rural areas of Hu' nan. Results: The mean somatotype in males of Tujia was endomorphic mesomorph category (3.43-5.35-1.61) and was endomorph-mesomorph category (5.18-5.38-1.01) in females. With their age increasing, the values of endomorphy and mesomorphy increased at first and then gradually decreased both males and females, and the values of ectomorphy decreased at first and then increased. The values of endomorphy of males in all age groups were significantly lower than those of females with the same ages, the values of mesomorphy of males showed no significant difference compared with those of females, and the values of ectomorphy of males were significantly higher than those of females in most age groups with the same ages. Conclusion: Tujia adults have a strong physique and developed skeleton muscles, male body is relatively slender, and female subcutaneous fat is more developed and buxom. The somatotype of Tujia adults have a higher mesomorphy, a lower endomorphy and ectomorphy among 30 rural ethnic groups, which are close to those of Muya and Ersu.

To obtain the key genes for chlorogenic acid biosynthesis of Lonicera hypoglauca, four new genes ware obtained from the our dataset of L. hypoglauca. And we also predicted the structure and function of LHPAL4, LHHCT1 , LHHCT2 and LHHCT3 proteins. The phylogenetic tree showed that LHPAL4 was closely related with LHPAL1, LHHCT1 was closely related with LHHCT3, LHHCT2 clustered into a single group. By Real-time PCR to detect the gene expressed level in different organs of L. hypoglauca, we found that the transcripted level of LHPAL4, LHHCT1 and LHHCT3 was the highest in defeat flowers, and the transcripted level of LHHCT2 was the highest in leaves. These result provided a basis to further analysis the mechanism of active ingredients in different organs, as well as the element for in vitro biosynthesis of active ingredients.
Chlorogenic Acid ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; Computational Biology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Structure, Secondary

AIM:To investigate the differentiation-inducing effects of baicalin on HL-60 leukemia cells.METHODS:The effect of baicalin on differential induction in AML cell line HL-60 was evaluated by cellular morphology,clone formation assay,CD11b and CD33 expression and NBT assay.RESULTS:Baicalin inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells.It enhanced the expression of CD11b on HL-60 cells,also increased the expression of CD33.HL-60 cells showed differentiation morphology after the drug treatment examined by Wright-Gimesa staining and NBT assay.CONCLUSION:Baicalin possessed differentiation-inducing effects on HL-60 cells.

The survey of traditional knowledge related to Chinese materia medica resources is the important component and one of the innovative aspects of the fourth national survey of the Chinese materia medica resources. China has rich traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the comprehensive investigation of TCM traditional knowledge aims to promote conservation and sustainable use of Chinese materia medica resources. Building upon the field work of pilot investigations, this paper introduces the essential procedures and key methods for conducting the survey of traditional knowledge related to Chinese materia medica resources. The essential procedures are as follows. First is the preparation phrase. It is important to review all relevant literature and provide training to the survey teams so that they have clear understanding of the concept of traditional knowledge and master key survey methods. Second is the field investigation phrase. When conducting field investigations, survey teams should identify the traditional knowledge holders by using the 'snowball method', record the traditional knowledge after obtaining prior informed concerned from the traditional knowledge holders. Researchers should fill out the survey forms provided by the Technical Specification of the Fourth National Survey of Chinese Materia Medica Resources. Researchers should pay particular attention to the scope of traditional knowledge and the method of inheriting the knowledge, which are the key information for traditional knowledge holders and potential users to reach mutual agreed terms to achieve benefit sharing. Third is the data compilation and analysis phrase. Researchers should try to compile and edit the TCM traditional knowledge in accordance with intellectual property rights requirements so that the information collected through the national survey can serve as the basic data for the TCM traditional knowledge database. The key methods of the survey include regional division of Chinese materia medica resources, interview of key information holders and standardization of information.' In particular, using "snowball method" can effectively identify traditional knowledge holder in the targeted regions and ensuring traditional knowledge holders receiving prior informed concerned before sharing the information with researcher to make sure the rights of traditional knowledge holders are protected. Employing right survey methods is not only the key to obtain traditional knowledge related to Chinese materia medica resources, but also the pathway to fulfill the objectives of access and benefit sharing stipulated in Convention on Biological Resources. It will promote the legal protection of TCM traditional knowledge and conservation of TCM intangible, cultural heritage.
China ; Data Collection ; Databases, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

The study is to develop a method to determine 3 batches leaves of Nauclea officinalis and stems of N. officinalis by HPLC. The differences between strictosamide contents and fingerprints was compared, then chromatographic peak of fingerprints was validated with the assistance of LC-MS. The strictosamide contents in stems of N. officinalis were higher than leaves of N. officinalis. The main chemical composition in leaves of N. officinalis and stems of N. officinalis were alkaloid which revealed by LC-MS. There are 7 chemical compositions were same between them, but the chemical composition in leaves of N. officinalis is more than stems of N. officinalis. This provides a scientific basis for the development of the potential medicinal value of leaves of N. officinalis and the sustainable utilization of N. officinalis.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Rubiaceae ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of EPHA2 in regulating apoptosis, proliferation and vasculogenic mimicry of osteosarcoma cells, by gene silencing through RNA interference.

METHODSEPHA2-siRNA plasmids were achieved by gene cloning. The plasmids were transfected into human osteosarcoma cells (MG63). The expression level of EPHA2 protein was measured by Western blotting. The proliferation, apoptosis and vasculogenic mimicry features of osteosarcoma MG63cells were assessed by light microscopy, MTIP assay, flow cytometry, annexin V-FITC/PI and HE staining, respectively.

RESULTSThe EPHA2-siRNA plasmid was confirmed by DNA sequencing. After treatment with Sequence-specific siRNA targeted EPHA2, the protein level of the transfected group decreased significantly. As compared to non-siRNA transfected cells, the transfected group showed lower proliferation, higher and earlier apoptosis and less osteosarcoma-generated vasculogenic mimicry.

CONCLUSIONEPHA2 gene may be involoved in apoptosis and proliferation of osteosarcoma cells, and may be necessary for vasculogenic mimicry. Down-regulation of EPHA2 expression by sequence-specific siRNA may be considered as a new option in the treatment of EPHA2 over-expressing cancer including osteosarcoma in future.

Apoptosis ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptor, EphA2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate therapeutic effects of balance acupuncture on scapulohumeral periarthritis (SP)and the mechanisms.

METHODSThirty male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group (group B), a model group (group M) and a balance acupuncture group (group BA) with 10 rabbits in each group. SP model was established by using persistent mechanical strain and ice compress. Balance acupuncture at "Jiantong" point was applied in the animals in group BA, but not in the rabbits of the other two groups. Joint movement and pathological changes in tissues around the affected shoulder joint were observed, and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in plasma and the affected surrounding tissues, and DNA contents in tendon of supraspinatus muscle were measured.

RESULTSThe content of plasma 5-HT in group BA [(18.16 +/- 4.44) ng/mL] was significantly lower than that in group M [(23.28 +/- 5.89) ng/mL] (P < 0.05), but without obvious difference in IL-1beta content between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with group M, the contents of IL-1beta, 5-HT in affected surrounding tissues, and DNA expression in tendon of supraspinatus muscle were significantly lowered to va rious extent in group BA (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBalance acupuncture can effectively improve local and systemic pathological situation induced by SP by way of reducing pain-producing factors, inflammatory factors and DNA expression to alleviate local organization and adhesions in rabbits with experimental SP.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Male ; Periarthritis ; blood ; immunology ; therapy ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Serotonin ; blood ; Shoulder Pain ; blood ; immunology ; therapy

This study was aimed to explore the effects of expressing eukaryotic elongation factor 1A1 (eEF1A1) on proliferation and apoptosis in human acute T lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) cell line Jurkat with knocked down eEF1A1 gene and its mechanisms. eEF1A1-expressing lentivirus (LV) was constructed and used to transfect the Jurkat cells with knocked down eEF1A1 gene. Then, the expressions of eEF1A1 mRNA and protein were detected by real time PCR(RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively.Cell proliferation, apoptosis and cycle were detected by MTT method, Annexin V-APC labeling and DNA ploidy analysis respectively. The related protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. The results indicated that eEF1A1 mRNA and protein expressions of Jurkat cells with knocked down eEF1A1 gene were re-established by constructing eEF1A1-expression LV. Compared with negative control group (transfected with negative control LV and eEF1A1-shRNA LV), cell proliferation in eEF1A1 expression group was significantly enhanced, cell apoptosis was remarkably inhibited, percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was significantly reduced alone with increased percentage of cells in S and G2/M phase, and the expression levels of p-Akt (Ser 473), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), p-NF-κB (Ser 468), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR (Ser 2448) protein significantly increased. It is concluded that eEF1A1 may have a carcinogenic effect in T-ALL cells. eEF1A1 expression has noticeable effects on the proliferation enhancement and apoptosis inhibition of Jurkat cells, which may be mediated by the up-regulation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/ mTOR signaling pathway.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Peptide Elongation Factor 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Signal Transduction

The stem cell leukemia (SCL) gene is a new oncogene related with leukemogenesis. To explore the effects of antisense oligonucleotides of SCL on leukemic cells, SCL antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-PS-ODN) were used to treat K562 and CEM leukemic cell lines to observe the effects on proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and SCL mRNA expression in the cells. The results showed that incubation of K562 or CEM cells with AS-PS-ODN at different concentrations led to inhibition of cell proliferation, and the inhibitory effects varied with the incubation time. The positive rate of benzidine staining in K562 cells increased significantly after the inhibition with AS-PS-ODN, compared with S-PS-ODN treatment. The characteristics of apoptosis were observed in K562 cells treated with AS-PS-ODN, but not in CEM cells. Expression of SCL mRNA in K562 and CEM cells and SIL-SCL mRNA in CEM cells decreased after incubation of AS-PS-ODN. It is concluded that SCL AS-PS-ODN inhibits specifically the proliferation of K562 and CEM cells, also decreases the level of SCL and SIL-SCL mRNA expression. AS-PS-ODN enhances erythroid differentiation and induces premature apoptosis in K562 cells.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; T-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Protein 1 ; Transcription Factors ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology