OBJECTIVE: To investigate the arsenic speciation of Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets (traditional Chinese medicines) in water and gastrointestinal fluids by HPLC-ICP-MS, so as to quantitatively evaluate the arsenical toxicity of Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets. METHODS: An HPLC-ICP-MS method for the determination of AsIII, AsV, MMA, DMA and the identification of AsB and AsC was established, and the arsenic speciation of Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets in water, gastric fluid, and intestinal fluid was determined and analyzed. RESULTS: The method validation indicated that the correlation coefficients (r) for As, As, MMA, and DMA were all over 0.9994, the limits of quantitation (LOQ) were between 0.66 and 1.19 μg · L-1, the precisions and stabilities were satisfactory with all RS-Ds less than 5%, and the spiked recoveries ranged from 92.78% to 100.2%. The results of samples analysis showed that only inorganic arsenic (As and As) and trace amount of unknown arsenic speciation were detected, while MMA, DMA, AsB, and AsC were not found in any cases; highly toxic inorganic arsenic (As and As) were dominating arsenic speciation of Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets in water and gastrointestinal fluids. CONCLUSION: This method could be used for the arsenic speciation analysis of Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets in water and gastrointestinal fluids.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for rapid determination of chromium (Cr) in medicinal capsules by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). METHODS: With 45Sc as internal st andard element, Cr in medicinal capsules was directly analyzed by ICP-MS after microwave digestion, and this method was compared with the ChP 2010 method (GFAAS method). RESULTS: The correlative coefficient (r) for Cr was 1.000 O, the limit of detection was 0.079 μg · L-1, the precision and stability were satisfactory with all RSDs less than 4%, the spiked recoveries of high, middle and low level ranged from 96.77% to 101.5%, the determined values of tea reference material (GBW 07605) and tomato leaves reference material (SRM 1573a) met well with those certified. Method comparison indicated good accordance between this method and the ChP method. CONCLUSION: This method is simple and accurate, and could be used as an alternative method to the ChP method.

OBJECTIVE: To establish an HPLC-DAD method for the detection of midazolam, phenobarbital, estazolam, oxazepam, nitrazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam and diazepam illegally adulterated into traditional Chinese medicines and health foods. METHODS: An Alltima C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) was used for the separation with 10 mmol · L-1 ammonium dihydro-gen phosphate (adjusted pH to 2.7 with H3PO4) - acetonitrile (65:35) or 10 mmol · L-1 ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (adjusted pH to 2.7 with H3PO4) - methanol (40:60) as the mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.5 mL · min-1. The detection wavelength was 220 nm. RESULTS: The method showed good linearity and sensitivity for the 8 compounds with all correlation coefficients (r) greater than 0.9997 and all LODs between 4.3 - 13.0 ng · mL-1; the spiked recoveries of low, middle and high levels ranged from 98.08% to 102.1%; the precisions were satisfactory with all RSDs lower than 1.58%; the stability within 12 h was acceptable with the RSDs of peak areas and retention times no more than 1.05% and 0.54%. In the test of 19 samples of different dosage forms, nitrazepam was found in two health foods. CONCLUSION: This method is fast, sensitive and propagable for the detection of 8 sedative hypnotics illegally adulterated into traditional Chinese medicines and health foods. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

With polyethylene glycol vitamin E succinate (TPGS) as the carrier materials, and berberine hydrochloride ( BER) as model drug, we formed berberine hydrochloride (BER) -loaded TPGS nanomicells (BER-PMs) using filming-rehydration method to improve its solubility and in vitro anti-tumor effect. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe the particle appearance; particle detector was used to detect the diameter and Zeta potential; and ultracentrifugation was utilized to determine the encapsulation efficiency (EE) and drug-loading (DD); dynamic dialysis method was used to study the in vitro release behavior of BER-PMs, and the anti-tumor activity against MCF-7 cells was determined by MTT method. Results showed that the average particle size of BER-PMs was (12.45 ± 1.46) nm; particle size was uniform and spherical; drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were (5.7 ± 0.22)% and (95.67 ± 5.35)%, respectively. Zeta potential was (-1.12 ± 0.23) mV; release rate within 24 h was 37.20% and 41.14% respectively in pH 7.4 and pH 6.5 phosphate buffer in vitro; compared with BER, BER-PMs can significantly inhibit MCF-7 cell proliferation (P < 0.05), promote cell apoptosis and improve the anti-tumor activity of BER in vitro. Therefore, the formed berberine hydrochloride micelle can more effectively promote the apoptosis of MCF-7 cell, and improve the drug's in vitro anti-tumor effect.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Particle Size ; Polymers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Solubility

OBJECTIVE: To provide references for the development of hospital preparation. METHODS: Current situations for hospital preparation were analyzed, and development advises were provided accordingly. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hospital preparation was facing many difficulties, and the resolutions could involve enforcing policy support, establishing preparation center, optimizing preparation sort, developing traditional Chinese medicine preparation, widening cooperation channel and changing work function.

The objective of the present study was to establish a method based on principal component analysis (PCA) for the study of transdermal delivery of Chinese medicinal formulae, and to choose the best penetration enhancers for Qingfei Xiaocuo gel depend on this method. Using improved Franz type diffusion cell and excised rat skin in vitro as transdermal barrier, the receptive solution fingerprint was established by HPLC, harvesting the areas of the common peaks in the fingerprint, then the total factor scores of the concentrations at different times were calculated using PCA and were employed instead of the concentrations to compute the cumulative amounts (Q12) and enhancement ratio (ER), the latter of which were considered as the indexes for optimizing penetration enhancers. Compare to the control group, the ER of the other groups increased significantly and furthermore, 2.5% azone with 2.5% menthol manifested the best effect. PCA represent most information in the receptive solution, the method above could choose the best penetration enhancers, it could be a reference for the study of transdermal delivery of Chinese medicinal formulae.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Gels ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Principal Component Analysis ; Skin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the mechanism of the permeability change in the blood brain barrier(BBB)at early stage of infectious brain edema which was pretreated with LPS.Methods PMNs were isolated and purified.The concentration of Glu was measured in the supernatant without cells.The rat BMECs were primarily isolated and cultured.The permeability of BMECs waB evaluated by measuring the passing rate of 125 I-BSA via γ ray counter.The expression of NMDAR1 on BMECs was evaluated.Results The concentration of Glu in the LPS preconditioning PMNs subgroup at 5 rain time point was highest.In each group conditioned for 240 min,the permeability index of Bake average of the LPS preconditioning PMNs extract group was highest(P＜0.01).The expression of NMDARI increased in the LPS preconditioning PMNs extract group was more than that in other groups.Conclusions The research showed for the first time that the concentration of Glu increased after LPS preconditioning and the Glu excreted by PMNs can promote the permeability of BMECs and change the function of BBB,which possibly may be related the mechanism of NMDAR1 expression increased in BMECs.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of zoledronic acid in the treatment of senile unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures with anatomical locking plate. Methods 67 patients were randomly divided into two groups. Five days after the operation, group A received one intravenous injection of 5 mg zoledronic acid, while patients in group B did not receive the injection. The two groups were compared in terms of hospitalization time, complications, limb weight-bearing time, fracture healing time, hip function score after operation, preoperative and postoperative serum calcium and serum ALP, bone mineral density of proximal femur before operation and 1 year after operation. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, type of fracture, hospital stay, partial weight-bearing time, fracture healing time, hip function at 1 month and 1 year after operation, preoperative bone mineral density and blood calcium. But the differences were statistically different in hip function at 3 months after operation , averaged bone mineral density of proximal femur and serum ALP 1 year after operation. Moreover, 5 patients in group A developed muscle pain or fever after intravenous injection of zoledronic acid. Conclusion The locking plate combined with zoledronic acid injection in treatment of elderly patients with unstable femoral intertrochanteric fracture could inhibit bone loss, increase bone mineral density, and accelerate limb function recovery after operation. On the other hand, Zoledronic acid has a high incidence of adverse reaction.

Objective To summarize and analyze the pathological characteristics of solid pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas (SPTs).Methods The clinical data of 51 cases of SPTs were retrospectively analyzed.The immunohistochemical localizations of different markers (HSE,SYN,CD_(56),CD_(10),Nestin,Vim,a1-ACT,EMA,AE1/AE3 and CK19) on 39 SPTs were studied.Results Pathological features included a combination of solid and cystic components with pseudopapillae formation and degenerative regions without glands.Among the 39 cases of SPTs,the expression rate of NSE was 97.4%,the expression rate of CD_(56),CD_(10) was 84.6%,the expression rate of Nestin and Vim was 64% and 87%,the expression rate of S100 was 79.5%,the expression rate of a1-ACT and a1-AT was 82.1% and 79.5%,while the expression rate of SYN was 12.8%;however there was low expression and weak positive reaction of EMA,AE1/AE3 and CK19.Conclusions The typical pathological characteristics of SPTs may result from gradual degenerative changes induced anoxemia in some SPT's areas.The heterogeneity of SPTs on different antibody markers showed that the SPTs may be originated from pancreatic embryonic stem cells,and result from immature differentiation of the pluripotential stem cells during pancreatic genesis.

OBJECTIVETo identify potential mutation responsible for synpolydactyly (SPD) in a large Chinese kindred and to offer genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the members of the family.

METHODSAll family members were examined clinically, and blood samples were obtained for linkage analysis and mutation screening. Ultrasound examinations were conducted at 16-21 weeks. Amniotic fluid sample was obtained by ultrasound-guided amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation.

RESULTSA large kindred affected with SPD was identified and characterized. With two short tandem repeat (STR) markers (D2S1238 and D2S1245) flanking the HOXD13 gene, the disease was mapped to 2q31. A heterozygous 27 bp expansion within the imperfect GCN triplet-repeat of exon 1, c. 184_210dup, was identified. The mutation resulted in a gain of 9 alanine residues between the 14th and 15th alanine of the normal 15-amino-acid-long polyalanine tract. On ultrasound examination, all fingers and toes of the fetus appeared to be normal. Linkage analysis and mutation detection confirmed that the fetus did not inherit the mutant allele from his affected mother.

CONCLUSIONHOXD13 gene mutation was responsible for the SPD phenotype in this family. Accurate prenatal diagnosis of SPD was achieved with combined ultrasound and molecular analysis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Fingers ; abnormalities ; Genetic Linkage ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Syndactyly ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Toes ; abnormalities ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Young Adult