The aim of this study is to investigate the protection effect of tanshinone IIA (Tan) against triptolide (TP)-induced liver injury and the mechanisms involved. Acute liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of TP (1 mg x kg(-1)) in mice. The activities of AST, ALT and LDH in serum and the levels of GSH, GST, GSH-PX, SOD, CAT and MDA in liver tissue were detected. The histopathological changes of liver tissues were observed after HE staining. Nrf2 translocation in liver tissue was detected by Western blotting, and real-time PCR was used to measure the expression levels of GCLC, NQO1 and HO-1 mRNA. The results showed that pretreatment with Tan significantly prevented the TP induced liver injury as indicated by reducing the activities of AST, ALT and LDH (P < 0.01). Tan pretreatment also prevented TP-induced oxidative stress in the mice liver by inhibiting MDA and restoring the levels of GSH, GST, SOD and CAT (P < 0.05). Parallel to these changes, pretreatment with Tan could attenuate histopathologic changes induced by TP. Furthermore, the results indicated that Tan pretreatment caused nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 as well as induction of mRNA expression of antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven genes such as GCLC, NQO1 and HO-1. These results indicated that Tan could protect against TP-induced acute liver injury via the activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway.

Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technology combined with cluster analysis method was used to classify 75 batches of crystalline ceftriaxone sodium into subtypes, the crystalline characteristics of each subtype were measured with scanning electron microscope (SEM). By comparing some parameters of these subtypes correlated to crystallization process of ceftriaxone sodium, such as salification rate, water content in different subtypes, as well as by studying different lattice stabilities, different compatibilities with rubber closures during accelerated stability tests, the key point to improve the quality of domestic ceftriaxone sodium was disclosed. The results of this paper indicated that the fine structure of the products could be controlled well by improving the salification and crystallization process. As a result, the subtype II of ceftriaxone sodium with high stability can be produced.

OBJECTIVEChinese herbal medicine has been extensively used in the treatment of vascular dementia (VaD), but lacked systematic review on its efficacy and safety. So we conducted a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine in treating VaD.

METHODSCNKI, CBM, PubMed, and Wiley Online Library were retrieved for randomized trials (RCTs) on Chinese herbal medicine treating VaD patients. Randomized parallel control trials by taking Chinese herbal medicine as one treatment method and placebos/cholinesterase inhibitors/Memantine hydrochloride as the control were included. Quality rating and data extraction were performed. RevMan5.2.0 Software was used for meta-analysis. Standardized mean difference (SMD) at 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to indicate effect indicators of results.

RESULTSSeven RCTs met the inclusive criteria. Totally 677 VaD patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group. Descriptive analyses were performed in inclusive trials. The cognitive function was assessed in all trials. Results showed Mini-Mental state examination (MMSE) score was better in the Chinese herbal medicine group than in the placebo group, but with no significant difference when compared with the donepezil group (P > 0.05). Adverse reactions were mainly manifested as gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain in the Chinese herbal medicine group. But they occurred more in the donepezil group than in the Chinese herbal medicine group.

CONCLUSIONSThe methodological quality of included trials was poor with less samples. Results of different trials were lack of consistency. Present evidence is not sufficient to prove or disapprove the role of Chinese herbal medicine in improving clinical symptoms and outcome indicators of VaD patients. Their clinical efficacy and safety need to be supported by more higher quality RCTs.

Complementary Therapies ; Dementia, Vascular ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Indans ; therapeutic use ; Piperidines ; therapeutic use ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of measurement of SARP2 methylation in peripheral blood for detection of pancreatic cancer in human. Methods Peripheral vein blood of 12 patients with primary pancreatic cancers, 10 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 6 health volunteers were collected. Serum free DNA were extracted from blood samples, and were modified with bisulfate, and SARP2 gene extron 1 were amplified through BSP and sequencing of the production. Results There were 12 patients (83 %) with pancreatic cancer and 10 patients (40%) with chronic pancreatitis had obvious methylation in SARP2 gene in peripheral blood. The rate of CpG methylation in SARP2 gene extron 1 of pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis and health volunteers was 16. 8% , 10. 4% and 2. 2% respectively. There was statistically significant difference among the three groups (P<0.01 or P< 0.05). Conclusions Aberrant methylation of SARP2 gene could be detected in peripheral blood in patients with pancreatic cancer, the detection of SARP2 gene methylation may have potential clinical implication for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Based on the transcriptome data, we cloned the open reading frame of IiHCT gene from Isatis indigotica, and then performed bioinformatic analysis of the sequence. Further, we detected expression pattern in specific organs and hairy roots treated methyl jasmonate( MeJA) by RT-PCR. The IiHCT gene contains a 1 290 bp open reading frame( ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 430 amino acids. The predicted isoelectric point( pI) was 5.7, a calculated molecular weight was about 47.68 kDa. IiHCT was mainly expressed in stem and undetectable in young root, leaf and flower bud. After the treatment of MeJA, the relative expression level of IiHCT increased rapidly. The expression level of IiHCT was the highest at 4 h and maintained two fold to control during 24 h. In this study, cloning of IiHCT laid the foundation for illustrating the biosynthesis mechanism of phenylpropanoids in I. indigotica.
Acyltransferases ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Isatis ; chemistry ; classification ; enzymology ; genetics ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Quinic Acid ; metabolism ; Sequence Alignment ; Shikimic Acid ; metabolism

Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technology combined with cluster analysis method was used to classify 75 batches of crystalline ceftriaxone sodium into subtypes, the crystalline characteristics of each subtype were measured with scanning electron microscope (SEM). By comparing some parameters of these subtypes correlated to crystallization process of ceftriaxone sodium, such as salification rate, water content in different subtypes, as well as by studying different lattice stabilities, different compatibilities with rubber closures during accelerated stability tests, the key point to improve the quality of domestic ceftriaxone sodium was disclosed. The results of this paper indicated that the fine structure of the products could be controlled well by improving the salification and crystallization process. As a result, the subtype II of ceftriaxone sodium with high stability can be produced.
Ceftriaxone ; chemistry ; classification ; Crystallization ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Powders ; Water ; X-Ray Diffraction

The core-crosslinked polymeric micelles were used as a new drug delivery system, which can decrease the premature drug release in blood circulation, improve the stability of the micelles, and effectively transport the drug into the therapy sites. Then the drug bioavailability increased further, while the side effect reduced. Most drugs were physically entrapped or chemically covalent with the polymer in the internals of micelles. Based on the various constitutions and properties of polymeric micelles as well as the special characteristics of body microenvironment, the environment-responsive or active targeting core-crosslinked micelles were designed and prepared. As a result, the drug controlled release behavior was obtained. In the present paper, the research progress of all kinds of core-crosslinked micelles which were published in recent years is introduced. Moreover, the characteristic and application prospect of these micelles in drug delivery system are analyzed and summarized.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Cross-Linking Reagents ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Micelles ; Molecular Structure ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Particle Size ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; administration & dosage ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Polymers ; chemistry ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of Pingfei Oral Liquid (POL) on the distribution of mast cells (MCs) and the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the lung tissue of radiation pneumonia rats. MethodsForty-five SD rats were randomized into 3 groups : normal control,model group and POL group. The rat model of radiation lung fibro-sis was set up by a single X-ray dose of 20Gy irradiation over the whole chest of the rats. POL (20 g·kg-1·d-1,once a day, five times a week) was given orally one week before irradiation and the treatment lasted 5 weeks. MCs in the lung tissue were stained with toluidine blue firstly and then were counted 2, 4 and 8 weeks after irradiation. IL-6 protein expression of lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemical assay 8 weeks after irradiation, and mRNA ex-pression was determined with RT-PCR 4 weeks after irradiation. ResultsIt's showed the aggregation of large amount of pulmonary mast cells and increase of IL-6 protein expression 8 weeks after irradiation (P < 0.01).IL-6 mRNA expression in the irradiated lung of rats increased 4 weeks after irradiation (P < 0. 01). POL could reduce the aggrega- tion of MCs (P < 0. 01) and the expression of IL-6 protein (P < 0. 01) and mRNA (P < 0. 05) in the lung tissue. ConclusionPOL can prevent radiation pneumonia in rats by reducing the aggregation of mast cells and inhibiting IL-6 expression in the lung tissue.

Adolescent ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; abnormalities ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; etiology ; Humans ; Male

To solve the problem that mostly gait analysis is independent from the treatment, this work proposes a system that integrates the functions of gait training and assessment for foot drop treatment. The system uses a set of sensors to collect gait parameters and designes multi-mode functional electrical stimulators as actuator. Body area network technology is introduced to coordinate the data communication and execution of the sensors and stimulators, synchronize the gait analysis and foot drop treatment. Bluetooth 4.0 is applied to low the power consumption of the system. The system realizes the synchronization of treatment and gait analysis. It is able to acquire and analyze the dynamic parameters of ankle, knee and hip in real-time, and treat patients by guiding functional electrical stimulation delivery to the specific body locations of patients.
Electric Stimulation ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Gait ; Humans ; Wireless Technology