Ten compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography over silica gel, preparative TLC, and Sephadex LH-20 from the whole plant of Solanum lyratum. The structures were elucidated on the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectral data as 1beta-hydroxy-1 ,2-dihydro-alpha-santonin (1) , boscialin (2) , blumenol C (3), 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(4), dehydrovomifoliol(5) , blumenol A(6), (1'S,2R,5S, 10R) -2-(1', 2'-dihydroxy-l1'-methylethyl) -6,10-dimethylspiro[4,5] dec-6-en-8-one(7) , (1'R,2R,5S,10R)-2-( 1',2'-dihydroxy-l '-methylethyl) -6,1 l0-dimethylspiro[4,5]dec-6-en-8-one( 8) , 2-(1',2'-dihydroxy-1 '-methylethyl) -6,1 0-dimethyl-9-hydroxyspiro [4,5] dec-6-en-8-one (9) , and grasshopper ketone (10). Compounds 1-10 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Solanum ; chemistry ; Terpenes ; analysis ; isolation & purification

By means of preparative HPTLC and column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, nine diterpenoids were isolated and purified from the whole plants of Scutellaria strigillosa. Based on the physico-chemical properties and spectral data, their structures were elucidated as: 6-O-acetyl-7-O-nicotinoylscutebarbatine G(1), 6-O-nicotinoyl-7-O-acetylscutebarbatine G(2), 6,7-di-O-nicotinoylscutebarbatine G(3), scutebarbatine K(4), scutebarbatine B(5), 6-O-acetylscutehenanine A(6), 6-O-nicotinoylbarba- tin A(7), 6,7-di-O-acetoxylbarbatin A(8), scutebarbatine F(9). Compound 1 is a new diterpenoid, and compounds 2-9 were isolated from Scutellaria strigillosa for the first time.
Diterpenes ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Scutellaria ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical efficacy of Huazhuo Jiedu Recipe (HJR) on chronic atrophic gastritic precancerosis (CAGP), and its effect on contents of lactic acid, total acid, free acid, and nitrite in the gastric juice, as well as tumor markers in gastric juice and blood.

METHODSTwo hundred and twenty-nine patients with CAGP were randomly assigned to two groups, the 119 patients in the treated group orally took HJR and the 110 patients in the control group orally took Weifuchun Tablet. The therapeutic course for all was three months, two courses in total. The therapeutic efficacy, changes of gastric acid contents before and after treatment were observed, and the tumor markers in the gastric juice and blood were detected using electrochemical luminescence immunoassay.

RESULTSThe pathological effective rate was 83.2% (99/119) in the treated group and 60.9% (67/110) in the control group, showing significant difference between the two groups (P <0.05). The total acids and free acids in the gastric juice were significantly improved, contents of lactic acid and nitrite were significantly lowered in the two groups. Both contents of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen19-9 (CA19-9), carbohydrate antigen72-4 (CA72-4), and carbohydrate antigen125 (CA125) in the gastric juice and serum were significantly lowered after treatment in the treated group (P<0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the therapeutic effect was more obvious in the treated group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHJR could stimulate the gastric membranous secretion, enhance contents of total acids and free acids. It could prevent the further progress of CAGP by decreasing contents of lactic acid and nitrite in the gastric juice, and lowering contents of CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4, and CA125 in the gastric juice and serum.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastric Juice ; chemistry ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; blood ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Precancerous Conditions ; blood ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Chinese herbs (CH) for cool-moistening and freeing collaterals on gastro-dynamic disturbance in patients of diabetes mellitus type 2 with gastroparesis (DM-GP).

METHODSFifty-three patients of DM-GP were enrolled and treated with CH (n = 28) and Cisapride (n = 25) respectively for 4 weeks, the changes of gastrin and electro-gastrogram (EGG) before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the EGG improved significantly, showing the rhythm significantly improved, and level of serum gastrin lowered significantly, as compared with those before treatment, the difference was significant (P<0.01), but insignificant difference was found between the two groups. Fifteen patients in each group were followed-up afar stopping medication for 3 months, recurrence occurred in 1 patient of CH treated group, and 2 patients of Cisapride treated group. No adverse reaction was found in the rest patients.

CONCLUSIONCH could obviously improve the gastro-intestinal motility and hormones abnormality.

Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Electromyography ; Electrophysiology ; Female ; Gastric Emptying ; drug effects ; Gastrins ; blood ; Gastrointestinal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Gastroparesis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

AIM: To study caspase-9 expression on rat retina in the process of chronic elevation of IOP and the changes with the application of amino guanidine (AG), thus to investigate potential protective function of AG to rat retina with chronic elevation of IOP.METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot were used to observe retinal morphology and expression of caspase-9 at different time points of rat with chronic IOP elevation, both affected or not affected by the application of AG.RESULTS: Compared with control group, as time passed retina of experimental group gradually had detectable morphological changes. On 21st day of chronic IOP elevation, retinas became thinner and the quantity of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) decreased; caspase-9 expression increased, consistent with the morphological changes. The group using AG presented relatively smaller morphology changes and less expression of caspase-9.CONCLUSION: Apoptosis-related gene caspase-9 played a part in the process of chronic IOP elevation; AG protects retina by down-regulating expression of caspase-9.

OBJECTIVETo establish the dose-effect curve between TCR MF and ionizing radiation.

METHODSPeripheral lymphocytes were collected from 8 healthy adults (4 males and 4 females) and cultured in vitro with 12 well culture plates. They were stimulated by PHA-P and IL-2 after exposed to different doses of irradiation (0.00 - 8.00 Gy) and cultured for 7 d. The dose-effect curve was established after measuring TCR MF using flow cytometry. Also, using the same method, we separated and cultured the peripheral lymphocytes collected from 16 radiotherapy cancer patients, whose radiation styles and doses were different, and then measured TCR MF to estimate the whole equivalent dose of radiotherapy patients through the dose-effect curve. Peripheral blood was collected and cultured, chromosome aberration (dicentric and ring) was determined under microscope to estimate irradiation dose.

RESULTSThe relationship of dose-effect between the TCR MF and ionizing radiation (0.00 - 8.00 Gy) was well, the curve of large dose group (2.00 - 8.00 Gy), low dose group (0.00 - 1.00 Gy) and 0.00 - 8.00 Gy dose group were met with the quadratic polynomial model, the equation was TCR MF = -32.8579 + 20.5436D + 0.6341D(2), TCR MF = 1.796 + 0.017D + 5.155D(2) and TCR MF = -0.6229 + 6.305D + 0.6919D(2), respectively. D was the radiation dose (Gy). Using the established curve and the chromosome aberration method to estimate the systemic exposure dosage, the average relative deviation was 16.8%.

CONCLUSIONThe curve established by the TCR gene mutation analysis technology can be applied to exposure dose estimation of victims in ionization radiation accidents.

Case-Control Studies ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Female ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation Rate ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell ; genetics ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical curative effect of the combination between medicine and acupoint flow on SOD, NO in patients with ulcerative colitis.

METHODTwo hundred sixty two patients with ulcerative colitis were randomly divided into four groups: the patients in traditional Chinese medicine group were fed with changpikang, the patients in ear acupoint group were pasted and pressed spleen, large intestine, sympathesis, subcortex; the patients in medicine and acupoint group were taken with Changpikang and ear acupoint; the patients in treatment group were treated by taking sulfasalazine, with a treatment course of four weeks. The changes of SOD, NO before and after treatments were recored.

RESULTThere was a significant difference between four groups before and after treatment (P < 0.05), medicine and acupoint group was superior to that others (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe method of combination between medicine and acupoint could increase the contents of SOD, decrease the level of NO, elevate the potential of organism to resist oxygen free radical and promote intestinal tract ulcer concrescence.

Acupuncture, Ear ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Sulfasalazine ; therapeutic use ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences of expressions of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE) in ejaculated spermatozoa between healthy volunteers and the patients with asthenospermia.

METHODSEjaculated spermatozoa were collected from healthy volunteers and the patients with asthenospermia. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of AC and PDE subtypes in human spermatozoa. The concentrations of cAMP and cGMP in the samples were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSCompared with healthy volunteers, expression of sAC mRNA and concentration of cAMP were significantly decreased in the patients with asthenospermia (P < 0.01) , while the expression of PDE4C mRNA was significantly increased at the same time (P <0.01). There were no marked differences in the expression of ACIII mRNA and concentration of cGMP between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe sAC down-regulation and PDE4C up-regulation are possible reasons for asthenospermia.

Adenylyl Cyclases ; biosynthesis ; Asthenozoospermia ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases ; biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein.

METHODSNine hundred and forty-five (945) cases of DLBCL (including 177 consultation cases) diagnosed according to the 2001 World Health Organization classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues were enrolled into the study. Immunohistochemical study for anti-ALK-11 was performed using LSAB technique. The ALK-positive cases were further confirmed by immunohistochemical study using EnVision technique. Only ALK-positive cases by EnVision technique were further analyzed by immunostaining for antigens including CD20, CD3, CD30, EMA, granzyme-B, TIA-1 and PC. Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement study was also performed and follow-up data collected.

RESULTSThere were altogether 5 (4 males and 1 female) cases of DLBCL showing expression of ALK protein. The age of the patients ranged from 34 to 72 years. All were primary nodal DLBCL. One case belonged to clinical stage I, 2 in stage II and 2 in stage III. The duration of follow up ranged from 4 to 32 months. Three patients subsequently died and the longest survival was 32 months. Morphologic subtypes included centroblastic 2, anaplastic 1, immunoblastic with plasmacytoid differentiation 1 and plasmablastic 1. Immunohistochemically, 4 cases were CD20 positive (including 2 centroblastic, 1 anaplastic and 1 immunoblastic cases). The plasmablastic case expressed kappa light chain and was negative for CD20. Rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene was demonstrated in all 5 cases studied. As for ALK protein staining, a mixed membranous and cytoplasmic (1 immunoblastic case), granular cytoplasmic (2 centroblastic and 1 anaplastic cases) and mixed nuclear and cytoplasmic (1 plasmablastic case) patterns were observed.

CONCLUSIONSExpression of ALK protein is a rare phenomenon in DLBCL and can be seen in centroblastic, anaplastic, immunoblastic and plasmablastic subtypes. It is often associated with aggressive clinical behavior and worse prognosis. A new pattern of ALK protein expression, mixed membranous and cytoplasmic, is reported.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and the phosphorylation status of AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) and their interrelationships and clinical pathological significance in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) patients.

METHODSImmunohistochemical and EnVision methods were used to detect the expression of ALK, p-AKT, p-mTOR, p-4E-BP1 and p-p70S6K.

RESULTSAmong the 81 ALCL patients, 51 (63.0%) expressed ALK, whereas the other 30 (37.0%) did not. Patients with ALK(+) ALCL had a better prognosis than those with ALK-ALCL (P < 0.05). Out of the 71 ALCL samples studied, p-AKT was detected in 54 (76.1%) samples and its phosphorylation was correlated with ALK expression (P < 0.05); p-mTOR was detected in 57 (80.3%) samples and its expression was correlated with both ALK and p-AKT (P < 0.05); p-4E-BP1 and p-p70S6K were detected in 64 (90.1%) and 66 (93.0%) samples respectively, and their expressions were related with p-mTOR (P < 0.05), but not with ALK or p-AKT (P > 0.05). COX Proportional Hazard Model analysis showed that both the expression of ALK and the B symptoms affected the prognosis (P < 0.05), moreover, the former had greater impact than the later.

CONCLUSIONExpressions of p-AKT, p-mTOR, p-4E-BP1 and p-p70S6K are detected in ALCL, while ALK(+) cases have higher incidence than those with ALK(-) cases. Phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR is correlated with ALK expression, suggesting that there is an activated pathway of AKT/mTOR in patients with ALK(+) ALCL, but the activation have no obvious prognostic significance.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Young Adult