OBJECTIVETo investigate the total alkaloid content and find out the variation of total alkaloids content in Dendrobium officinale with different germplasms and harvesting ages with the aim of providing scientific basis for the authenticity identification and the breeding of D. officinale.

METHODForty one samples with 1-3 ages were collected from cultivated fields of Zhejiang and Yunnan provinces and 11 samples were collected from markets. The total alkaloid contents of samples were determined using acid-dye colorimetry method.

RESULTThe determined total alkaloid contents in D. officinale ranged 0.0190%-0.0430%. The averages of total alkaloid contents were 0.0253%, 0.0270% and 0.0326% in 1-year-old, 2-year-old and 3-year-old samples of Zhejiang province, respectively. The average of total alkaloid content was 0.034 3% in 1-year-old samples of Yunnan province.

CONCLUSIONThe total alkaloid content of D. officinale with different germplasms and physiological ages existed significant discrepancy, and it increased with the growth of ages. The total alkaloid content of cultivated D. officinale in Yunnan province was higher than that in samples from Zhejiang province. But the authentic D. officinale had certain range of total alkaloid content. Samples whose total alkaloids content divagates from this range must be counterfeit; Samples whose total alkaloid content is in this range still need to combines with other active chemical groups like polysaccharides content to identify the authenticity and quality of medicinal materials.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; metabolism ; China ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; metabolism

Amisulpride,a kind of the second generation antipsychotics,was marketed in China in 2010.A series of clinical research and experience before and after listed,especially the data based on Chinese population,provided evidence for the generalization and application of amisulpride.In order to optimize the clinical application of amisulpride,and improve the prognosis of patients,Expert Advice on the Practical Use of Amisulpride in the Treatment of Schizophrenia is presented here.This advice is based on the recent evidence and clinical experience,for guiding the clinical medication of amisulpride.

Objective:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a significant global public health issue.Modern medical treatments have both benefits and limitations,prompting increasing attention from scholars worldwide on traditional ethnic medicine,and the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture is a newly developed formula derived from the effective components of classical Tibetan medicine to treat chronic respiratory diseases.This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture combined with conventional treatment in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD). Methods:Sixty AECOPD patients admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from May 2021 to May 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups,with 30 patients in each group.The control group received conventional treatment,including bronchodilators,anti-infection agents,expectorants,and oxygen therapy.The experimental group received the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture in addition to conventional treatment.The treatment duration was 7 d for both groups.Baseline data such as gender,age,body mass index(BMI),smoking status,Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease(GOLD)classification,COPD course,and the number of COPD exacerbations in the past year were collected.The primary efficacy indicators were assessed using the modified Medical Research Council(mMRC)dyspnea scale and the modified Borg scale.Secondary indicators included arterial lactic acid(LAC)and serum tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)levels.Safety indicators included liver and kidney function[alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartate transaminase(AST),serum creatinine(SCr),serum uric acid(SUA)],coagulation function[activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),fibrinogen(FIB),and D-dimer].The generalized linear mixed model(GLMM)was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture. Results:Before treatment,there were no statistically significant differences in general baseline data,grading of mMRC dyspnea scale,score of modified Borg scale,arterial LAC,ALT,AST,SCr,SUA,APTT,FIB,and D-dimer between the 2 groups(all P＞0.05).However,serum TNF-α and PT levels in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(both P＜0.05).GLMM analysis showed that after adjusting for pre-and post-treatment,gender,age,BMI,smoking status,GOLD classification,COPD course,and the number of COPD exacerbations in the past year,the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower grading of mMRC dyspnea scale(coefficient=-0.329,P=0.036),score of modified Borg scale(coefficient=-1.077,P=0.001),serum TNF-α level(coefficient=-14.378,P＜0.001),and arterial LAC level(coefficient=-0.409,P=0.012)compared to the control group.The Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture had no significant effect on liver,kidney,or coagulation function indicators(all P＞0.05). Conclusion:The Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture combined with conventional treatment can improve clinical symptoms and promote homeostasis in AECOPD patients,demonstrating safety and reliability.Combining modem medicine with traditional ethnic medicine offers a feasible approach to treating chronic respiratory diseases in the future.