AIM: To detect the total amount of heavy metals and the content of Pb,Cd,Hg in Yuanhuzhitong Tablets (Rhizoua Corydalis. Radix Angelicae Dahuricae). METHODS:The method of detecting the total amount of heavy metals in Volume 1 of 2000 China Pharmacopoeia and the methods of analyzing the content of Pb,Cd,Hg in Import and Export Agriculture Standard of Medical Plants and Pharmacentical issued by Economic Cooperation Department of Import and Export Bureau were discussed. RESULTS : The total amount of heavy metals is in the limit of the standard and amount of Pb、Cd、Hg is overproof to varying degrees. CONCLUSION :Because the standard of total heavy metals can not quarantee the quality of Chinese drugs,so we should establish available method to limit the amount of poisonous elements Pb、Cd、Hg.

AIM: To study the quality standard of Compound Shencha Granuls (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae, Radix Rehmanniae, etc.). METHODS: Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae and Rhizoma et Radix Polygoni Cuspidati in Compound Shencha Granule were distinguished by TLC. Ursolic acid was determinated by TLCS. RESULTS: The methods of TLC to distinguish Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae and Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati were feasible without negative inference. Ursolic acid content in three groups of samples was 1.24 - 1.58 mg?g -1 . CONCLUSION: The method is accurate and reproducible. It can be used for the quality control of Compound Shencha Granule.

Decoction is one of the most commonly used dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicine. The stability of chemical constituents in decoction is closely related to the clinical efficacy and safety. There were few reports about the influence of metal ions in the stability of chemical constituents in traditional Chinese medicine. However, there is no evidence that metal ions in decoction water need to be controlled. In this study, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG), one of the main constituents in Polygoni Multiflori Radix was studied. Ordinary tap water, deionized water, and water containing different metal ions were used to investigate and compare the influence on THSG. The results showed that after storage in a dark place at the room temperature for 10 days, the degradation of THSG was 7% in deionized water, while undetectable in tap water. The content of THSG could be decreased by different kinds of metal ions, and the effect was concentration-dependent. Moreover, Fe3+ and Fe2+ showed the greatest influence at the same concentration; and our study has shown that THSG decreased more than 98% in Fe and Fe2+ solutions at 500 ppm concentration. In the same time we found out p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (molecular weight: 122.036 7) and 2,3,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde-2-O-glycoside (molecular weight: 316.079 4) were the main degradation products of THSG in tap water and water containing Cu2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Mg2+ and Al3+. The product of THSG dimer with a water molecule was found in water containing Fe3+ and Fe2+. The above results showed that the metal ions in water could significantly influence the stability of THSG in water, indicating that the clinical efficacy and safety of decoction would be affected if the metal ions in water were not under control. It's suggested that deionized water should be used in the preparation of decoction containing Polygoni Multiflori Radix in the clinic to avoid degradation of THSG. Meanwhile, decoction prepared by tap water should be taken by patients in a short time. Our investigation provides important information and reference about the influence of metal ions on the stability of decoctions in other traditional Chinese medicine that have unstable groups such as hydroxyls and unsaturated bonds, etc.

OBJECTIVETo research the effects of moschus, borneol, styrax and benzoinum on the structure and function of blood brain barrier in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model rats.

METHODFocal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was introduced as an in vivo ischemic model in rats. After 2 h MCAO, nylon suture was pulled up 1 cm to give blood reperfusion. After 22 h reperfusion, all animals were decapitated. The ultramicrostructure of blood brain barrier of ischemia hemisphere side in fronto-parietal cortex region by transmission electron microscope, and the content of VEGF and MMP-9 in ischemia side brain tissue were measured by ELISA.

RESULTIn model and solvent group rats, the capillary endothelium cells, astro-glial cells and nerve cells in ischemia hemisphere side in fronto-parietal region were emerged in different degree compared with sham-operated groups, which exhibited tight junction between endothelial cells being opened, basal lamina being dissolved, and permeability increasing, and cellularedema. In borneol (0.2 g x kg(-1)) group rats, the structure of three kinds of cells were nearly normal, which tight junction structure was clear, rough endoplasmic reticulum and polyribosome could be found in cytoplasm. In moschus (66.6 mg x kg(-1)) group rats, the structure of capillary endothelium cells and astrocytes were nearly normal as well as the basal lamina, but the electrons in neurons was maldistribution. In styrax (1.332 g x kg(-1)) group rats, astrocytes were nearly normal, while capillary endothelial cells and neurons exhibited oedema in different degrees. And the basal lamina was discontinuous, augmentation of cell spaces in endothelial cells increased the permeability, some endoplasmic reticulum broadened and ribosome ablated. In benzoinum (1.0 g x kg(-1)) group rats, oedema of capillary endothelial cells and astrocytes was significant, basal lamina broke. Meanwhile endoplasmic reticulum broadened as vacuole, the number of ribosome in rough endoplasmic reticulum decreased, crista mitochondriales in some neurons disappeared as vacuole which hint oedema happened. Results also showed that borneol decrease the level of VEGF in ischemia side brain tissue significantly, while has little influence on the level of MMP-9. Moschus showed the tendency to decrease the level of VEGF and MMP-9 in ischemia side brain tissue.

CONCLUSIONAromatic resuscitation drugs showed the protection effect on blood brain barrier in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rats, which the protection effect of moschus and borneol were better than that of styrax and benzoinum. The mechanism of protection effect maybe related to decrease the level of VEGF and MMP-9.

Animals ; Benzoin ; pharmacology ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Bornanes ; pharmacology ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; pharmacology ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Styrax ; chemistry ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; drug effects ; metabolism