Primary processing of traditional Chinese medicinal materials (TCMM) is an important link which closely relates to the quality of products in TCMM. The traditional primary processing method and technology systems were derived from the long-term practices and experiences, which are distinctive, colorful, diverse, and scientific. The method of "sweating" is a critical step for processing the rhizome, root, cortex, and sclerotium and helpful for distributing moisture from inside to outside of TCMM in drying process, regulating and promoting the enzymatic reaction and chemical conversion by enzyme and germs, and starting or accelerating the biotransformation and chemical conversion of primary/secondary metabolites, which could directly affect the quality of TCMM. In this paper, the authors discuss the origins and development, purpose, and significance of "sweating" processing and the mechanisms of enzymatic reaction and chemical conversion of chemical compositions during the primary processing of "sweating". These data may provide the foundation and support for processing in normalization and standardization and formulating the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of primary processing of TCMM.

The harvest time of traditional Chinese medicinal materials (TCMM) is a very essential part for production of TCMM, and affects their quality and yield. The research on the best harvest time of TCMM has been a key problem taken into account more and more with practicing GAP of TCMM. Based on thoughts and methods of resource chemistry, this paper established an evaluated mode to objectively determine the best harvest time of Angelica sinensis through system investigating from different producing areas and harvest times, and characterize the phenology and multi-index components comprehensive criteria. The author firstly proposed the suitable methods of the best harvest time of TCMM, which was a basis of theory and methods of resource chemistry of TCMM, and including the time-space relationships and laws of substances dynamic accumulation. These data could provide the guidance for standardized production and guaranteed quality and yield of TCMM.

In general,the students in Chinese medical universities have technophobia in nuclear medicine experiment,which gives reduction to the cognition and learning of the students.Based on the analysis of the students' psychology and learning,special countermeasures in teaching,therefore,should be used in the conquest of the students' psychological obstacle in order to improve teaching quality of nuclear medicine experiment.

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanisms of main active ingredients of Siwu decoction analogous formulae for treating primary dysmenorrhea of gynecology blood stasis syndrome by network pharmacology study, and to investigate the correlations between multi-compounds, multi targets and multi pathways.

METHODMajor active compounds from Siwu decoction analogous formulae, including ligustilide, butylidene phthalide, senkyunolide, ferulic acid, gallic acid, peoniflorin, jioglutin A, catalpol, transanethole, zingiberone, commiphoric acid, eugenol, isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, wulingzhic acid, alpha-cyperone, cyperene, costunolide, costic acid, tetrahydropalmatine, protopine, amygdalin, 24-methylene cycloartanol, oleic acid, linoleic acid, 3-p-coumaroylquinic acid, hydroxysafflor yellow A, coptisine, berberine, jatrorrhizine, baicalein, baicalin, wogonin were collected to build component-protein networks based on PharmMapper database. The targets information access was used to construct and visualize components-targets-pathways network model using the kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway database and Cytoscape software.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONSerine threonine protein kinases play an important role in the process of cells. They were potential targets in the effect of Siwu decoction analogous formulae. The effect of main active ingredients involved 51 the pathway. Besides the same ones, Shaofu Zhuyu decoction had more effect on lipid metabolism, Xiangfu Siwu decoction on amino acid metabolism pathways, Taohong Siwu decoction on carbohydrate metabolism, while, Qinlian Siwu decoction on ErbB, VEGF signal transduction pathway. Siwu decoction and its derived formulae not only had common targets and pathways, but also had their own emphasis. This reflected the formulae effect mode of multi-ingredients, multi-targets and multi-pathways. It may provide clues to deeper study of molecular mechanism of Siwu decoction analogous formulae action.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dysmenorrhea ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; genetics

Objective To investigate the phenotype,number and distribution of inflammatory cells in early and late stages of spontaneous regression of halo nevi,and to elucidate the immunological mechanisms for spontaneous regression of these nevi.Methods Halo nevi,their surrounding non-lesional skin,and normal control skin were examined by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies to CD3,CD4,CD8,CD20,CD1a,CD56 and CD68.Staining results were observed and analyzed by the computer image analysis system,image-pro plus 6.0.Results The number of CD4+,CD8+,CD20+,CD1a+cells,along with the diameter of CD1a+and CD68+ cells was significantly increased in the lesions of early and late stage of spontaneous regression of halo nevi than in non-lesional skin and normal control skin(both P＜0.01).The ratio of CD8+/CD4+ cells in the lesions of late stage of spontaneous regression was also higher than that in the lesions of early stage (2.05∶1 VS 1.82∶1).A massive infiltrate of CD8+ cells was observed in the nests of nevus cells.ConclusionsCD4,CD8,CD20,CD1a,CD56 and CD68 positive cells are all involved in the spontaneous regression of halo nevi,and CD8+ cells may play a predominant role in this process.

Abstract: A new selaginellin derivative named as selaginellin S (1) was isolated from the whole plants of Selaginella pulvinata (Hook. et Grev.) Maxim. (Selaginellaceae), together with a known one (selaginellin M, 2). Compounds 1 and 2 were separated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis including IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as ECD calculations. Compound 1 is a key intermidiant in the biosynthesis pathway of selaginellins. Compound 2 is first reported in this plant.
Biphenyl Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Cyclohexanones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Selaginellaceae ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the protective effects of left ventricular myocardial perfusion after delivery of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) by using ultrasound‐targeted microbubble destruction ( UTMD ) with real‐time myocardial contrast echocardiography( RT‐MCE) . Methods Among 64 male SD rats ,52 rats were randomly selected and were induced DCM by streptozotocin through intraperitoneal injecting ,the other rats as normal control group . DCM rats were randomly divided into the DCM model group ,aFGF only group ,SonoVue‐aFGF group and the SonoVue‐aFGF+ UTMD group in this study . The aFGF only group rats were injected with aFGF solution through tail vein ,the SonoVue‐aFGF group were injected with SonoVue‐aFGF solution through tail vein and SonoVue‐aFGF+ UTMD group rats were injected with SonoVue‐aFGF solution through tail vein and using UTMD simultaneously . All rats underwent conventional echocardiography and RT‐MCE exams before and 4 weeks after intervention . Left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening( LVFS ) were measured by conventional echocardiography . The plateau intensity ( A ) ,initial slope of the curve (β) and myocardial blood flow ( A ×β) of left ventricular anterior wall at the papillary muscle level were measured in left ventricular short‐axis view by RT‐MCE . Results Before intervention , LVEF and LVFS in the DCM model group ,aFGF only group ,SonoVue‐aFGF group and the SonoVue‐aFGF+UTMD group were significantly lower than in the normal control group ( P <0 .01) .During 4 weeks after intervention ,LVEF and LVFS in the aFGF only group ,SonoVue‐aFGF group and the SonoVue‐aFGF+UTMD group were slightly increased than those in the DCM model group ,but no statistically significant differences were found ( P > 0 .05) ,however A and A × β in the SonoVue‐aFGF+ UTMD group were significantly increased than those in the DCM model group( P < 0 .01) . Compared with the same group before intervention ,A and A ×βin the SonoVue‐aFGF+UTMD group were higher ( P <0 .05) and these in the DCM model group were lower during four weeks after intervention ( P < 0 .05) . Conclusions Acidic fibroblast growth factor delivered by using UTMD can improve the left ventricular myocardial perfusion in diabetic cardiomyopathy rats .

ObjectiveTo investigate the treatment efficacy of traumatic proximal interphalangeal (PIP)joint defects with prosthetic replacement.MethodsFrom September 2007 to November 2010, ten patients with joint defect injuries were treated by joint prosthetic replacement (5 index fingers,4 middle fingers,and 1 ring finger),including a reconstructed middle finger.Joint motion range and postoperative pain of all cases were measured to evaluate the treatment.ResultsAll cases went through a smooth operation with primary wound healing,and with neither intraoperative nor postoperative complications happened.The follow-up period was range from 8 months to 2 years.The active motion arcs of PIP joints ranged from 50° to 80°,and satisfactory appearances as well. According to assessment standard of upper extremity described by Chinese Hand Surgery Association,the treatment outcome were excellent in 6 fingers,good in 3 fingers,general in 1 finger.ConclusionJoint prosthetic replacement is a new effective method to treat traumatic proximal interphalangeal joint defect,which is a simple operation with advantages of little trauma and rapid recovery.

Objective To observe the mechanisms that Xiaoyao powder influences the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of chronic-stress rats. Methods Chronic stress rats were as researching object,and RU-38486 acted as tool drugs. The serum-GC density of rats were tested with ELISA,and the glucocortcoid(GR) in hippocampus neuron were tested with immunofluorescence,the CRH mRNA in hypothalamus were tested by in situ hybridization (ISH). Results Compared with normal group ( 1.09 ± 0.11 ;0.57 ± 0.10), the expression of GR in hippocampus of model group decreased(0.65 ± 0. 10; P ＜ 0. 01 ), and the expression of CRH mRNA in hypothalamus of model group increased ( 1.12 ±0. 11; P＜0. 0l ) ,the GR in hippocampus of RU-38486 group increased ( 1.59 ± 0. 11; P ＜ 0. 01 ), and the expression of CRH mRNA in hypothalamus of RU-38486 group reduced (0.48±0.10; P＜0.05) ,but both the expression of GR in hippocampus and the CRH mRNA in hypothalamus of Xiaoyao powder group were no change (0.62 ±0.08;0.97 ±0.13; P＞0.05). Compared with model group,both the expression of GR in hippocampus of RU-38486 and Xiaoyao powder group increased (P＜0. 01) ,and both the expression of CRH mRNA in hypothalamus of RU-38486 and Xiaoyao powder group reduced (P＜0.01). Conclusion Multi-stress can result in the expression of GR in hippocampus of rats decreasing and the expression of CRH mRNA in hypothalamus increasing, but those changes can be restrained by Xiaoyao powder, and it is the maybe mechanism of Xiaoyao Powder resisting chronic stress in HPA axis.

Euphorbia kansui (EK) is a toxic herbal drug, and often used after vinegar-processing to reduce its toxicity. In present study, a 1H-NMR based metabonomic approach was used to evaluate the detoxification effect of vinegar-processed EK. The water extracts of EK and VEK were administered orally to male SD rats at doses of 9 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) for 1 week, respectively, and one more week observation was further conducted. The control group was orally given with saline. Histopathological studies of liver samples on the 8th and 15th day were conducted, and the metabolites of rat urine and liver were analysed by 1H-NMR. Histopathological studies of liver samples from EK and VEK treated rats showed no negative impacts. In metabonomic analyses of urines, changes of metabolites indicated liver damages, kidney lesions and imbalance of gut microbes in the second week. VEK-treated rats showed a quite lower toxicity compared with EK-treated ones. The present study revealed that the metabonomic approach might be helpful for the evaluation of toxicity of EK and detoxic effect of VEK.
Acetic Acid ; chemistry ; Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Euphorbia ; chemistry ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Metabolomics ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urinalysis