OBJECTIVETo establish an HPLC fingerprint to evaluate the quality of Polygalae Radix, root xylem, and those collected in different growth ages or harvest time.

METHODSeparation was performed at 30 °C on a Kromasil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm); the mobile phases was acetonitrile and 0.05% H3PO4 water in the gradient elution; the flow rate was set at 1.0 mL · min(-1) and the detection wavelength at 314 nm; the quality discriminant analyses were accomplished by means of similarity analysis, cluster analysis, principal component analysis and neural network model.

RESULTIn 26 batches of Polygalae Radix, 24 batches fingerprint similarities were above 0.8. In 5 different growth or harvest time batches, 4 batches were above 0.8; in 8 batches root xylem samples, the similarities were all above 0.875. The similarity analysis was in accord with the quality discriminant analysis of cluster analysis, principal component analysis and neural network model.

CONCLUSIONFingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition technique can effectively evaluate the quality of Polygalae Radix. The active substance species are all similar in cultivated, wild, different growth or harvest time Polygalae Radix and polygala root xylem, but the chromatography peak areas are different. The effective material contents are similar between wild and cultivated Polygalae Radix, but each chromatographic peak area of the root xylem is much smaller than that of Polygalae Radix. The chemical substance accumulation mainly depends on harvest month, but little growth time in Polygalae Radix.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; classification ; Polygala ; chemistry ; classification ; Quality Control

A comprehensive analysis was conducted on resources composition of Chinese Herbs Sang (Morus sp.) in Sichuan using survey data and related literature. The original plants, germplasm collections, cultivation areas, main cultivated varieties and production sale of crude drugs of Sang in Sichuan were clearly expounded. Strategies for development and utilization of Sichuan mulberry resources were suggested.
Biotechnology ; China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; methods ; Gardening ; methods ; Morus ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Telbivudine (LDT) Tablet combined with Jianpi Bushen Recipe (JBR) on serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSTotally 90 HBeAg-positive and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive CHB patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 45 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group took LDT Tablet (600 mg, once per day) combined with JBR granule (twice per day), while those in the control group took LDT Tablet alone. The therapeutic course for all was one year. HBV DNA negative conversion rate, HBeAg seroconversion rate, and level of HBV specific CTL were compared after 1 year treatment; liver function, drug resistance mutations, and adverse reactions were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 1 year treatment, HBV DNA negative conversion rate and HBeAg seroconversion rate were 88.89% (40/45) and 40.00% (18/45) in the treatment group, higher than those of the control group [68.89% (31/45) and 20.00% (9/45)], with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Level of HBV specific CTL in the treatment group was 0.78% +/- 0.09% after treatment, higher than that of the control group after 1 year treatment (0.54% +/- 0.11%) and that before treatment (0.36% +/- 0.07%), with statistical difference (P < 0.01). Level of HBV specific CTL in 27 patients with HBeAg seroconversion was 0.81% 0.10%, higher than that of 63 patients without HBeAg seroconversion (0.60% +/- 0.09%), with statistical difference (P < 0.01). ALT returned to normal in 44 cases of the treatment group (97.78%), while it was 42 cases (93.33%) of the control group, with no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Total bilirubin (TBil) in the two groups all turned to normal. rtM204I variation occurred in 1 case (2.22%) of the treatment group and 2 cases (4.44%) in the control group. No obvious adverse reaction occurred in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONLDT Tablet combined with JBR could elevate levels of HBV specific CTL and HBeAg seroconversion in CHB patients.

Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Seroconversion ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Tablets ; Thymidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

Objective To compare the different effects of 1% diatrizoate meglumine,2.5% mannitol and water as oral contrasts in PET/CT scan in gastrointestinal tract delineation and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake. Methods Sixty-one patients referred for PET/CT scan without gastrointestinal diseases were divided into three groups randomly ( random number method). One liter of 1% diatrizoate meglumine,2.5% mannitol,or water was orally taken by groups 1 (25 cases),2 (20 cases) and 3 ( 16 cases),respectively before scan. The scan was performed with GE Discovery LS PET/CT scanner in two-dimensional (2D) mode 50 min after 18F-FDG (5.55 MBq/kg) injection. Patients with abdominal lesions were excluded from this study. The degree of gastrointestinal filling and 18F-FDG uptake was evaluated by 3 nuclear medicine physicians using visual analysis according to a 4-grade classification method:none,mild,moderate,and high. Statistically analysis was performed by Kruskal-Wallis,Mann-Whitney and paired t tests.Results Both the differences of serum glucose and insulin levels were not significant before and after contrast taken in group 2. Group 2 had better gastrointestinal filling than that of group 1 and also better than group 3 except in rectum. The stomach,jejunum,ascending,and transverse colon were better filled in group 1 than in group 3. The degree of 18F-FDG uptake of group 3 was significantly higher than that of group 2 in stomach,jejunum and ileum (z= -3. 192,-3.290,-3.290,all P＜0.05),and was also significantly higher than that of group 1 (z = - 3. 603,P ＜ 0.05) in jejunum. The degree of 18 F-FDG uptake of group 3 was significantly lower than that of group 1 in ascending colon (z = - 2. 706,P ＜ 0. 05 ) and was significantly lower than that of group 1 and 2 in transverse and descending colon (z= - 3. 503,- 2.403,- 4.225,-4. 027,all P ＜0.05),and was also significantly lower than that of group 2 in rectum (z = -4. 128,P ＜0. 01 ). The maximum CT values in stomach,jejunum,ileum and ascending colon in group 1 were ( 132 ±23),(191 ±31),(313 ±47) and (374±53) HU,respectively,whose difference was significant (t = -7.088--1.781,all P ＜0. 01 ). Conclusion Oral iso-osmotic mannitol intake has better gastrointestinal filling and less physiological 18F-FDG uptake compared to diatrizoate meglumine and water.

OBJECTIVETo clarify the commercial original species of hippocampus in the market.

METHODField survey and interview were applied to the investigation.

RESULTPresent study identified the main commercial hippocampus of 13 species, including Pharmacopoeia contained four kinds of hippocampus (without Hippocampus japonicus) listed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and the identification method for the 13 kinds of commercially hippocampus was established.

CONCLUSIONThe further research on hippocampus should be strengthened for the establishment of hippocampal quality control standard.

Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; standards ; Quality Control ; Smegmamorpha ; anatomy & histology ; classification

Mantidis Oötheca is commonly used Chinese medicine. Because of the used medicinal part is oötheca and many mantis species can yield ootheca, it is not possible to identify its original animal accurately. There is no unanimous conclusion about the corresponding relationship between Mantis and Mantidis Oötheca (Sangpiaoxiao). This relationship is the basis of the Mantidis Oötheca research. Our study combined the methods of artificial incubation oötheca and capture the living mantis to identify the species of Mantis and Mantidis Oötheca. The results showed that the origin insects of Mantidis Oötheca was Tenodera, Hierodula and Statilia genus insects. This has laid a foundation for further study of Mantidis Oötheca.
Animals ; Mantodea ; chemistry ; classification ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo study the phamacokinetics and relative bioavailability of combination Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Cortex Cinnamomi.

METHODThe content of ferulic acid in plasma was determined directly by HPLC after oral administration of Cortex Cinnamomi in combination individually with Radix Angelicae Sinensis. The plasma concentration-time curve were plotted. The main pharmacokinetic parameters and relative bioavailability were obtained.

RESULTThe plasma concentration-time curve of fenalic aclid conformed to one-compartment model. The relative bioavailability of Cortex Cinnamomi combined with Radix Angelicae Sinensis were 226.75%.

CONCLUSIONBy the statistical analysis, Cortex Cinnamomi combined with Radix Angelicae Sinensis can increase the relative bioavailability of ferulic acid.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Biological Availability ; Cinnamomum aromaticum ; chemistry ; Coumaric Acids ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo establish the HPLC fingerprint of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati (Polygonum cuspidatum).

METHODThe HPLC separation was carried with Diamonsil C18 column and eluted with a gradient from methanol and 0.1% phosphoric acid, the detection wavelength was at 230 nm and recording 70 min. The similarity of chromatograms was compared by mean of the software from Zhongnan University.

RESULTThe constituents of P. cuspidatum were well separated by HPLC, and the similarity was above 0.80.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be used for the study of fingerprints of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Emodin ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Fallopia japonica ; chemistry ; classification ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Stilbenes ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo discuss the diagnosis and therapy of chylous ascites.

METHODSTo diagnose 40 patients of chylous ascite with regular test and quantitative analysis of chyle, direct lymphangiography, CT (immediately after direct lymphangiography), lymphangioscintigraphy, MRI. Twenty-two patients received conservative therapy, 18 patients received retroperitoneal lymphangiectomy and (or) lymph-vein shunting.

RESULTSLymphatic dysplasia and chylous reflux were found in almost every patient, total parenteral nutrition showed good results. Followed up from 1 month to 5 years, in conservative therapy group, 9 patients were controlled well clinically, the condition of 6 patients was improved better. Seven patients showed no effect. In operation group, 11 patients were controlled well clinically. Four patients got mitigated. Total 7 patients died, although 4 of them ameliorated temporarily.

CONCLUSIONSDirect lymphangiography, CT (immediately after direct lymphangiography) are the most important diagnosis methods. The influence of the therapy to the malformed lymphatic system of patients should be well considered. Lymph-vein shunting, such as thoracic duct-left external jugular vein anastomosis, gastroenteral or retroperitoneal lymphatics-testicular or ovarian vein anastomosis, could improve the circulation of lymph and chyle of patients. Lymphatic microsurgery will play more and more important roles in the treatment of chylous diseases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Chylous Ascites ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymphatic Vessels ; surgery ; Lymphography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between entophytic fungal community, habitations and varieties of Ligusticum.

METHODThe solidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) of plates was applied for the isolation of the endophytic fungi, and the identification was completed by spot-planting method.

RESULTFifty strains of the entophytic fungi were isolated from the rhizome of L. chuanxiong collected from 6 habitations. They were morphologically identified as belonging to 13 genera, 4 families, 3 orders and 1 class.

CONCLUSIONThere were some differences at quantity, species and distributing of the entophytic fungi in different habitats and varieties of Ligusticum, which was suggested that entophytic fungal community is related with specific habitat.

Fungi ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Ligusticum ; microbiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; microbiology