AIM: To evaluate the antioxidant properties in vitro of Longxuejie Capsule (Sanguis draconis) (LC). METHODS: The antioxidant activities of Longxuejie Capsules were investigated by employing several external assay systems, including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH?)/peroxide anion/hydroxyl radical-scavenging, reducing power assay system, peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid from yolk lipoprotein induced by Fe~ 2+ method, and ?-carotene/linoleic acid assay system. RESULTS: The LC showed scavenging activity against free radicals, such as DPPH?, peroxide anion and hydroxyl radicals. LC also exhibited effective reducing power and powerful inhibitory effects on peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid from yolk lipoprotein induced by Fe~ 2+ . Furthermore, LC showed markedly inhibitory effect on ?-carotene/linoleic acid assay system. CONCLUSION: Longxuejie Capsule has obvious antioxidant activities in vitro

Corn meal was hydrolyzed in HCI ,and pH adjusted to 6.8 with (NH_4)OH. The substrate was inoculated with Cadida trapicalis ,then cultivated in a shaker at 30℃ and in 200r/min for 2 days. The Results indicated that the protein content in corn meal grew from 8.4 to 27.4%the lysine in the protein increased from 32.1 to 73.48/kg,the tryptophan from 6.8 to to 14.8g/kg. This shows that the nutritional value of corn meal can be improved with this method.

Objective To observe the preventive and therapeutic effects of Sagittara Sagittifolia L. Xiao-Zhi Pills on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in rats. Methods Rat NASH models were established and the rats were divided randomly into five groups: the normal group, model group, high-dosage group and low-dosage groups of the treatment, and Dongbao Gantai positive drug group. Histopathological changes of the liver were observed. The levels of MDA, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and NO (nitric oxide) in the liver homogenate were determined. Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the liver were determined with immunohistochemical technique. Results In model group, extensive adipose degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration were found in the liver. Compared with those in normal group, SOD activities in model group were obviously decreased (P<0.01), the contents of MDA and NO were obviously increased (P<0.01), and the expressions of cox-2 and iNOS proteins were obviously increased (P<0.01). Compared with those in model group, the activities of SOD in treatment groups were obviously increased (P<0.01), the contents of MDA and NO were obviously decreased (P<0.01), and the expressions of COX-2 and iNOS proteins were obviously decreased (P<0.01). The effect of high-dosage group was more obvious than that of Dongbao Gantai group (P<0.05). Conclusion Sagittara Sagittifolia L. Xiao-Zhi Pills can effectively prevent and treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in rats, and its mechanism may be associated with ameliorating hepatocellular steatosis, removing the free radicals and enhancing the anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation capability.

Peripheral nerve injury is very common in clinics. It has brought the patients with high rate of disability and huge economic burden and become one of serious health problems in the world. Nowadays, with the development of nerve tissue engineering, it provides new method for surgical procedures of nerve defects repair.The nerve scaffold plays a vital role in repairing nerve defects. It can provide temporary support for nerve cells to grow,adhere and to form structures. This review aims at introducing classification, properties and the applications of the nerve scaffolds for tissue engineering. Future development of the nerve scaffolds and remaining problems are discussed as well.

To study effects of arachidonic acid (AA) on the growth and differentiation of rat adipocytes, a cells culture system of rat primary preadipocytes was established. The cells treated by different concentration of AA supplemented based on DMEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Cell proliferation was measured by trypan blue exclusion and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay method. Hoechst33342 fluorescence staining observed AA induced morphological changes. Oil Red O staining extraction assay assess the degree of adipogenesis and differentiation, and cyclooxygenases-2(COX-2) mRNA were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that rat preadipocytes treated with 120 μmol/L AA for 24-72 hours remarkably promoted the cells proliferation compared with control, 160 μmol/L AA treated for 48 hours could induce apoptosis of preadipocytes. 40, 80 μmol/L AA decreased the fat content in cells at 72 hours, and 40 μmol/L AA significantly up-regulated the expression of COX-2 mRNA at 24 hours. This results indicate that AA regulate adipocytes proliferation and differentiation depended on treatment time and concentration. 40-80 μmol/L AA maybe useful to control body fat, which may be associated with the increase of COX-2 mRNA.

Objective To observe the preventive and therapeutic effects of Sagittara Sagittifolia L.Xiao-Zhi Pills on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) in rats.Methods Rat NASH models were established and the rats were divided randomly into five groups: the normal group,model group,high-dosage group and low-dosage groups of the treatment,and Dongbao Gantai positive drug group.Histopathological changes of the liver were observed.The levels of MDA,superoxide dismutase(SOD),and NO(nitric oxide) in the liver homogenate were determined.Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2(cox-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) in the liver were determined with immunohistochemical technique.Results In model group,extensive adipose degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration were found in the liver.Compared with those in normal group,SOD activities in model group were obviously decreased(P

Object To set up a determination method for aucubin in three medicinal plants of Pedicularis L Methods The medicinal herbs were defatted by Et 2O, then extracted by MeOH and determined by HPLC method. Varian C 18 column, mobile phase: MeOH H 2O (15∶85); detection wavelength: 204 nm, flow rate: 0.5 mL/min. Results The content of aucubin and its recovery in three medicinal plants were as follows: aucubin in P. decora, in P. davidii and P. artselaeri were 0.90%, 1.94%, 0.95%; recovery rates were 102.3%, 98.2%, 97.6% in P. artelaeri. Conclusion Medicinal plants of Pedicularis Linn. has a good exploiting prospect, the research can provide the reference for evaluating of these medicinal herbs

Objective: To study the anti oxidative effects of PLF. Methods: The ?OH scavenging effect was measured by salicylic acid method, the content of MDA in liver mitochondria and microsome was measured by TBA assay; hemolysis of RBC and the swelling of mitochondria were detected by spectrophotometric methods. Results: PLF can scavenge ?OH, inhibit production of MDA, swelling of mitochondria and hemolysis of RBC. Conclusion: PLF has anti oxidation effects invitro.