Objective To investigate the best conditions of extraction techniques for compound Tianqi Yizhi granule and to establish its quality standards. Methods The best conditions of extraction techniques for compound Tianqi Yizhi granule were optimized by orthogonal experiments, with the yield of total saponins as the index. The qualitative analysis of Panax Notoginseng and Ginseng with Thin-Layer Chromatography and determination of total saponins with UV-spectrophotometry was made. Results The optimal condition of total saponins was that the microwave extraction for 3 times and extracting for 30 minutes, the material-water rate of 1∶10. In TLC procedure, the control material and the test sample showed the same colored spots, while the negative control sample showed no interference. Ginsenoside Re showed a good linear relationship at the range of 40～200 ?g, Y =250.83X -0.017, r =0.997 2. The accuracy and precision were accord to the standards. Conclusion The extraction techniques and the quality standards are feasible.

Mango leaves have been widely used in the clinical practice for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine.Mangiferin,an effective constituent in the mango leaves,has multiple pharmacological actions involved in some basic pathological processes,such as inflammation,oxidative injury,tumor growth,micro-organism infections,metabolic regulations,and immunological regulations.The pharmacological effects of mangiferin from some published data are reviewed in this article.

This study is to investigate the protective effect of mangiferin on NF-kappaB (P65) and IkappaBalpha expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) in rats with cigarette smoke induced chronic bronchitis. The rat model with chronic bronchitis was established by cigarette smoke. Real-time fluorescence RT-PCR was executed for evaluating the NF-kappaB (P65) and IKkappaBalpha gene expression in mononuclear cell, and flow cytometry for their protein expression. The serum hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive proteins) and TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The histopathological score was obtained from lung tissue HE staining slides of lung tissue. The results showed that mangiferin could markedly suppress the NF-kappaB (P65) mRNA and protein expression in mononuclear cell, while promote the IkappaBalpha mRNA and protein expression. Furthermore, mangiferin could lower serum hs-CRP and TNF-alpha level, and reduce the chronic inflammatory damage of bronchiole. These results suggested that mangiferin could notably ameliorate chronic bronchiole inflammation induced by cigarette smoke, and this protective effect might be linked to the regulation of NF-kappaB (P65) and IkappaBalpha expression in mononuclear cell.

This article was aimed to study the action of antigout effects of compoundWeifu. Through the acute gouty arthritis models of rabbits and rats induced by micro-crystal sodium urate (MSU). The histopathological changes of synovial tissues among rabbits were observed. And the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 in rabbit serum were determined. The swelling degree of the rats’ feet and the content of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from the inflammatory exudate foot induced by MSU were also determined. The antigout effects of compoundWeifu were observed. The results showed that the grade of the vascular congestion, swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration in synovial tissues in the high-dose and medium-dose CompoundWeifu group had significantly improved (P <0.05). And the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 in serum were significantly decreased (P< 0.05, orP < 0.01). It can obviously reduce the swelling degree induced by MSU, and the level of PGE2 in the inflammatory exudate foot (P< 0.05, orP < 0.01). It was concluded that CompoundWeifu had obvious antigout effects in the study.

Theory of Chinese materia medica (CMM) nature was an important part in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theoretical system. During the long term practice, based on TCM theories of yin and yang, five elements, zang-fu, meridian and treatment principle, herbal features and patients' reactions were highly summarized into recognition and understanding. Since ancient time, theory of CMM nature has always guided the accurate syndrome differentiation and medication in TCM clinical practice. It contributed to the healthcare and reproduction of Chinese people. Theory of CMM nature is the basic theoretical knowledge which must be mastered in the study and research. Its concepts contained four-qi, five tastes, channel tropism, ascending and descending, toxicity, tonification and reducing, moisture and dryness, smooth and astringent, softness and hardness, fixed and itinerant effect, strong and mild. Using fixed and itinerant effects in the summarization of CMM function is one of the components in CMM nature theories. Although discussions on this theory from practitioners during past dynasties were in disorder, the significant guidance in herbal interaction mechanism and prescription compatibility should not be ignored.

AIM: To establish the quality standard for Huanglongganzhixiao Granule(Resina Draconis, Radix Astragali, Herba Epimedii, etc.). METHODS: Radix Astragali, Resina Draconis, Herba Epimedii in Huanglongganzhixiao Granule were identified by TLC. The content of loureirin B in this Granule was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: Radix Astragali, Resina Draconis, Herba Epimedii could be identified by TLC. Loureirin B showed a good linear relationship at a range of 0.032～0.096?g, r =0.9997( n =5). The average recovery was 100.1% and RSD was 3.33%. CONCLUSION: The method is simple, accurate and with strong specificity and can be used for the quality control of Huanglongganzhixiao Granule.

Objective:To increase the critical relative humidity(CRH) of Qubi granule,thus to improve its humidity resistance. Methods:The best prescription of Qubi granule was optimized by comparative method,and to determine its critical relative humidity. Results:The old prescription of the Qubi granule's CRH was 50%.With new prescription,the Qubi granule’ s CRH was 61%. the latter has increased by 11% as compared with the former . Conclusion:Considering above result,there is a hope to improve the hygroscopicity of Qubi granule.

AIM To observe the protective effects of mangiferin on the inflammatory injury and expression of the inflammatory factor in the cerebral tissue of spontaneously hypertensive rats and on MCP-1/CCR2 signal pathway.METHODS Forty spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into model,benazepril [10 mg/(kg · d)] and mangiferin high,middle and low dose [40,20,10 mg/(kg · d)] groups and other eight rats of same week age served as control group.After consecutive intragastric administration for eight weeks,morphology of the rats' cerebral tissue was observed;their levels of ICAM-1,IL-6 and TNF-α in cerebral tissue were determined by ELISA;their expressions of MCP-1 and CCR2 protein in brain tissue of rats were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot and the detection of mRNA expressions of MCP-1 and CCR2 in cerebral tissue of rats were carried out by RT-PCR.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the blood pressure of mangiferin in each dosage group decreased slightly,but there was no significant statistical difference.In the control group and the model group,there was no obvious morphological change in the cerebral tissue.The morphology of rats in the benazepril group,each dose of mangiferin group were all normal.The contents of IL-6,TNF-α,ICAM-1 and MCP1,CCR2 protein and mRNA expression were significantly decreased in the cerebral tissues of spontaneously hypertensive rats.CONCLUSION Mangiferin has obvious anti-inflammatory effects on inflammatory reaction in spontaneously hypertensive rats,its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expression of MCP/CCR2 signaling pathway.

Aim To investigate the combined effect of mangiferin and ephedrine as well as explore its underlying mechanism in mouse model of allergic asthma.Methods The mouse model of asthma was sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin(OVA).The behaviors of mice during the challenging period were observed.Continuous autonomic activities of mice after 1 h of drug treatment were monitored with the autonomic activity recorder for 14 days.The total and differential cells in peripheral blood were counted.Histological study of lung sections on airway inflammation was carried out with haematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining.The levels of ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E(OVA-sIgE) and(Cyclic Adenosine monophosphate) cAMP in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The mRNA expression of cytokines mainly produced by Th1/Th2 lymphocytes such as IFN-γ and IL-4, IL-5 were semi-quantitatively analyzed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Combination treatment and mangiferin could reduce the aberrantly autonomic activity caused by ephedrine in mice.Compared with the model group, asthmatic symptoms in all treatment groups could be significantly relieved, the pathological changes of lung tissue were improved and airway inflammation was reduced.The effect of combined treatment was better than that of mangiferin treatment alone.Compared with the model group, the total number of white blood cells(WBC) and the eosinophils(EOS) ratio in peripheral blood in all treatment groups decreased, the level of OVA-sIgE declined and the level of cAMP increased in serum.Combination treatment could lower mRNA expressions of IL-4 and IL-5 from Th2 lymphocytes and increase the mRNA expressions of IFN-γ released by Th1 lymphocytes.Conclusions The effect of combined therapy of mangiferin and ephedrine is better than that of mangiferin treated alone, meanwhile it can reduce the side effects caused by ephedrine.The underlying mechanism is mainly associated with attenuating Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance and increasing the level of cAMP.