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 study was aimed to observe the intervention effect of oxidation/antioxidation at different time point among mice induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and bleomycin. It provided experimental basis for the establishment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) animal model with qi-deficiency and phlegm-obstructing pattern with inducers mentioned above. A total of 96 mice were randomly divided into the normal control group, bleomycin group, and LPS group, with 32 mice in each group. In the bleomycin group and LPS group, 40 μL of nasal drops were given with bleomycin at the concentration of 3.75 μg/μL or LPS at the concentration of 5 μg/μL, respectively to establish the COPD animal model with qi-deficiency and phlegm-obstructing pattern. On the 1st day, 7th day, 14th day and 28th day after the model establishment, the general status and activities of mice were recorded. And traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) signs such as skin color of the four limbs, skin color under the tongue and color of the tail were also collected when the animal model was sacrificed. At each time point, 8 mice were sacrificed. The lung tissues were removed. And the contents of GSH, MDA, SOD and T-AOC were detected in the homogenate of lung tissues. The results showed that compared with the normal control group, mice in the bleomycin group had slightly dull eyes, dry hair without burnish, upright and fluffy hair, dark purple skin color of the auricle and four claws, tiredness, inactivity, occasional cough, asthma or rapid breathing. The GSH content of lung tissues on the 7th day, 14th day and 28th day was obviously reduced (P< 0.05, or P< 0.01). The MDA, SOD and T-AOC contents on the 1st day, 7th day, 14th day and 28th day were obviously reduced (P< 0.05, or P< 0.01). Compared with the normal control group, mice in the LPS group had slightly dull eyes, soft hair with slight burnish, pale red skin color of the auricle and four claws, tiredness; some mice preferred to gather. Contents of GSH and SOD in lung tissues on the 1st day and 7th day were obviously reduced (P< 0.05, or P< 0.01). Contents of MDA and T-AOC on the 1st day, 7th day and 14th day were obviously reduced (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01). It was concluded that obvious oxidation/antioxidation imbalance started on the 7th day in lung tissues of mice in the bleomycin group. It reduced later on. And the oxidation/antioxidation imbalance continued until the end of the model establishment. Obvious oxidation/antioxidation imbalance started on the 1st day in lung tissues of mice in the LPS group. However, this oxidation/antioxidation imbalance was adjusted back to normal level through time.

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.

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 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.

Objective To study anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of extract from the roots and leaves of Citrulluslanatus and assess their acute toxicity in animals.Methods The mouse model with ear edema induced by xyleneand the rat model with paw edema or granuloma by carrageenin or cotton pellet were used for anti-inflammatoryeffects of the extract.Effects of the extract on analgesia was tested respectively by measuring the latency of micelicking hind foot from hot plates and by counting the times of body twisting in response to acetic acid.The acutetoxicity of the extract was determined with the method of Bliss.Results The extract significantly inhibited the earedema,granuloma hyperplasia,and paw edema.It significantly lifted the pain threshold on mouse hot-plateresponses and reduced their writhing times.During the 7 d observation period in its acute toxicity assay,no apparenttoxic reaction was shown and all mice survived at a dose of 87 g extract per kg body weight.Conclusion Theextract could protecte mice/rates from inflammation and analgesia,and may be safe as an orally administered naturalproduct for humans.