There are 250 species of Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) in the world. This genus distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Alkaloids are the major and representative ingredients in these plants including quinolines, isoquinolines, and amide alkaloids, with such biological activities as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-virus, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-bacteria and anti- oxidant. These species have been used for a long time to treat toothache, urinary and venereal diseases, lumbago and rheumatism. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities from the Z. sppplants, in an effort to the systematic research and application of the alkaloids of this genus.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of histamine on the neurotoxicity induced by beta-amyloid(1-42)(Abeta42) in rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells.

METHODSThe in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease was constructed with A beta42-treated PC12 cells. Cell morphology and MTT assay were used to evaluate the cell toxicity and histamine effects. The different histamine antagonists were applied to investigate the involvement of receptor subtypes.

RESULTThe neurotoxicity was induced by A beta42 in a concentration-dependent manner, which was reversed by histamine at concentration of 10(-7), 10(-6) mol/L. The effect was reversed by H(2) antagonist zolantidine and H(3)antagonist clobenpropit, but not by H(1) antagonist diphenhydramine.

CONCLUSIONHistamine reduces neurotoxicity induced by beta-amyloid(1-42), which may be mediated by H(2) and H(3)receptors.

Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Benzothiazoles ; pharmacology ; Diphenhydramine ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Histamine ; pharmacology ; Histamine H2 Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Histamine H3 Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; PC12 Cells ; Phenoxypropanolamines ; pharmacology ; Piperidines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Receptors, Histamine H2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Histamine H3 ; metabolism ; Thiourea ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

Objective To understand the risk behavioral networks of newly reported HIV infections in Taizhou prefecture, Zhejiang province. Methods Newly reported HIV infections from May 2008 through March 2010 in Taizhou prefecture were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey which requested numbers and contact information of individuals with whom they had had high risk contacts as well as risk behavioral acts with them. Persons having had risky contacts with HIV-infected cases were thereof approached to participate in this survey and to receive HIV testing.Those who tested positive for HIV were subject to further round of the surveys. Results A total of 267 HIV cases were newly reported during this study period. Among them, 191 participated in the survey and served as 'index cases', including 158 cases identified from routine HIV surveillance programs and 33 cases identified from the present survey. Heterosexual transmission was the primary transmission route (74.9%, or 143/191 ), followed by homosexual transmission ( 19.4%, or 37/191 )and injection drug use (5.8%, or 11/191 ). These 191 HIV cases reported a total of 1152 individuals with whom they had had risky contacts. They were able to provide contact information of 461 risk contacts. Of them, 129 received HIV testing and 61 (47.3%) tested positive for HIV. HIV prevalence was the highest among spouses or long-term sex partners of HIV cases (45.6%, or 47/103) and malesex partners of HIV-infected men having sex with men (MSM) (60.0%, or 12/20). Condom use wasvery low among them, with only 33.9% consistently using condoms for sex. Conclusion Newlyreported HIV infections in Taizhou prefecture reported a large and complicated risk behavioral networks and low condom use, suggesting a potential risk of HIV among these connected people,especially among MSM. Much efforts are needed to intervene these high risk subgroups and high risk behavioral networks.

Objective To screen the antibacterial activity of Chinese traditional medicines against Yersinia pestis.Methods Six Chinese traditional medicines(Coptis Chinesis etc)were selected and extracted with pure water to make a concentration of 1 mg/L.Yersinia pestis strain 201 and EV 76 were used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MIC)of these selected medicines in vitro with liquid dilution method.Results Three herbs had inhibition effects on the strain 201 and EV76 in different extents,among which Rheum palmatum had the strongest effect and MIC was 0.025 00 mg/L.Furthermore,the Chinese traditional medicine had the same MIC on both strain 201 and EV76.Conclusions Chinese traditional medicines commonly used have inhibiting effect on Yersinia pesti.

Objective To study the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus(Hiv),sexually transmitted infection(Sti),risk behavior and the sexual neworks among men who have sex with men (MSM)in Taizhou city，Zhejiang province.Methods cross-sectional Astudy was applied with venue-based sampling in 2 MSM gathering sites in Taizhou.'Informed Consent'principle was applied and MSM were studied through a structured questionnaire．Blood samples were collected from thee who accepted free and confidential HIV/STI counseling and then tested for HIV,syphilis,HCV and HsV-2 antibodies with ELISA.HIV positive sera were certified with western blot．Results 106 MSM were investigated and 97 qualified questionnaires were collected.25.0％(23/92)of these MSM have ever had l female sex partner while 47.8％(44/92)had 2 or more.14.3％(13/91)of them reported having had 1 male partner who had engaged in anal sex and 80.2％(73/91)had 2 or more.22.1％(19／86)of therh had partieipated in group sex but 62.5％(55／88)of them did not always use condom when having analintercourse.15.1％(14／93) of them had l orfll sex partner while 75.3％(70／93)having 2 or more.38.9％(37／95)of them had sex with female sex worker,and 35.5％(33／93)had sex with male-to-male sex worker.15.3％(13/85)0f them had once been male-to-male sex worker themselves.3.9％(3/77)of them were found HIV positive in blood tests,with 24.7％(18/73)positive of syphilis,15.1％(11/73)positive ofHSV-2 but HCV appeared to be negative.46 csses reported their egocentric recognition networks,with mean degree of 5.91(ranging0-10),and mesa density of 0.548(ranging 0．000-1.000).43 sexual networks were identified,with mean degree of 2.70(ranging 0-10),and mean density of 0.246(ranging 0.000-1.000).Conclusion Risk behaviors,such as multiple sex partners，IOW proportion of condom use and commercial sex engagement both with heterosexuals and homosexuals,were extensively existed among MSM in Taizhou,and the prevalence of HIV/STI was relatively high.Their sexual networks seemed complicated but there might be in place of some sukstantiaUy isolated MSM groups with high risk of Hlv/sTl infection.More study should be applied to identify the relationship between scxual networks and HIV/STI transmigsion.

BACKGROUNDOn May 12, 2008, a major earthquake hit Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province of China. The number of cases of crush injury following this event was high. Ultrasonic appearance of rhabdomyolysis (RM) caused by crush injury in the Wenchuan earthquake was observed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound for detection of rhabdomyolysis.

METHODSWe analyzed clinical and ultrasonic manifestations of 50 cases of RM and 18 cases of RM with osteofascial compartment syndrome (OCS). All cases were caused by crush injury in the Wenchuan earthquake. For these RM patients, we also evaluated the correlations between creatine kinase (CK) and the scope of the muscle lesions as observed by ultrasound.

RESULTSThere were differences in clinical symptoms, physical signs and ultrasonic appearance between the two groups of patients. The ultrasonic characteristics of the RM were as follows: the striated muscle in the lesions thickened with good overall continuity, and the muscle texture was vague; the strength of the echo was uneven and the echo was cloudy or ground glass-like. Liquid dark zones appeared between muscles and were spindle-like or irregular in shape. There were no blood flow signals in the liquid dark areas. The volume of the striated muscle increased in patients with OCS; the fascia wrapping the muscle showed arched protrusions and significant displacement. The flow velocity of the distal arteries decreased and the spectrum was abnormal. The muscle lesion scope of RM group and RM and OCS group was (7.8 +/- 2.0) cm and (13.6 +/- 3.1) cm, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) between the muscle lesion scope and the CK was 0.681 for the RM group (P < 0.05) and 0.516 for the RM and OCS group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe ultrasonogram of RM has characteristic manifestations and can provide important information for clinical diagnosis and treatment of rhabdomyolysis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Compartment Syndromes ; diagnostic imaging ; Crush Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Rhabdomyolysis ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

Anemarrhena asphodeloides processed by salt and raw product was compared including both chemical composition and laxative function in order to find the possible active substance to cure constipation. Processed and raw Anemarrhenae laxative effect on experimental constipation models was observed as well as chemical composition using UPLC-MS technology and the total sugar content was determined by phenol sulfuric acid method. Processed Anemarrhenae water extract improved excrement more than raw which has significant difference compared with the blank group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the total ion flow spectrum showed no significant difference in most substance, but the total sugar content was significantly higher than raw product. Anemarrhenae ancient be recognized benefitting for draining body water in traditional Chinese medicine which has been lost in modern books because it is manifested as excellent laxative effect not diuretic effect. Saccharides carbohydrate may have closely relationship with this magically effect.
Anemarrhena ; chemistry ; Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Constipation ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Defecation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Humans ; Laxatives ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Male ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of histamine on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) induced neuron death and to elucidate its mechanism.

METHODSThe primary cortical cell culture was adopted. Neuron morphology and MTT assay were used to evaluate the drugs effects.

RESULTHistamine at doses of 10(-4) 10(-6) 10(-7) 10(-8) mol/L reversed the neuron death induced by NMDA (50 micromol/L) for 3 h. The protection of histamine peaked at doses of 10(-4) mol/L and 10(-7)mol/L. The effect of histamine of 10(-7) mol/L was reversed only by cimetidine an H(2)receptor antagonist. However, the effect of histamine of 10(-4) mol/L was reversed only by pyrilamine but not cimetidine.

CONCLUSIONHistamine could reduce neuron death induced by NMDA; its protection at a low dose might be mediated by H(2)receptor, and at a high dose by H(1)receptor.

Animals ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Histamine ; pharmacology ; N-Methylaspartate ; toxicity ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Histamine H1 ; physiology ; Receptors, Histamine H2 ; physiology

High-Frequency Ventilation ; methods ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antiangiogenesis effect of linomide in treatment of transplanted human squamous cell carcinoma of tongue in BALB/C nude mice and to study its relations to regulation on cytokine secretion of macrophages. METHODS: An animal model was established by inoculating the human squamous cell carcinoma cell line Tca8113 into the BALB/c nu/nu nude mice. The mice were randomly divided into three groups and received linomide therapy. The microvessel density (MVD) in the tumor tissue was investigated by immunohistochemistry The productions of TNFalphaand GM-CSF of peritoneal macrophages derived from the tumor -bearing nude mice and cultured murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 after linomide treatment were detected by ELISA assay. RESULTS: It showed that the tumor weight of mice injected intraperitoneally with 100 mg/kg d-(1), 50 mg/kg d-(1) linomide and mice of control group were 0.47+/-0.25g, 0.92+/-0.30g and 1.75+/-0.38g, respectively. The microvessel density (MVD) in tumor tissue from mice treated with linomide 100 mg/kg d-(1), 50 mg/kg d-(1) decreased 38.2%, 57.8% respectively when compared with that in mice of control group. After linomide treatment, the function of TNFalpha secretion of peritoneal macrophages from tumor-bearing nude mice was significantly inhibi ted when compared with macrophages from untreated mice. And linomide inhibited the release of TNFalpha of RAW264.7 cells in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION: It indicats that linomide can effectively inhibit the growth of human squamous carcinoma of tongue in nude mice and decrease the microvessel density in the tumor tissue. The affection of release of antiangiogenic factor TNFalpha of macrophage may be an important mechanism of antitumor activity of linomide.