Objective To observe the damage effect of borneol on rabbit corneal epithelial cells. Methods After the treatment with borneol at 100, 200, 400 μg·mL-1 respectively, the viability of rabbit corneal epithelial cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT) assay, cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry with Annexin V- fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide ( FITC/PI) staining, and Caspase-3 mRNA expression was detected with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) . Results Borneol at the concentrations of 100, 200, 400 μg·mL-1 inhibited the activity of rabbit corneal epithelial cells. Compared with the normal control group, borneol increased the rate of apoptosis, and enhanced the Caspase-3 mRNA expression in rabbit corneal epithelial cells ( P<0.05 or P<0.01) . Conclusion Borneol can inhibit the proliferation of rabbit corneal epithelial cells, induce cell apoptosis through enhancing the expression of apoptosis-related gene Caspase-3 mRNA.

Objective To observe the effect of Jingui Shenqi Wan (JSW) on the content of calcium channel protein CaV1.3 of guinea pigs with ototoxic deafness induced by gentamicin (GM). Methods Forty healthy guinea pigs were randomly divided into normal group, model group and high-, middle-, and low-dose JSW treatment groups. The model group was given intramuscular injection of GM ( 120 mg/kg) per day for 10 continuous days. The high-, middle-, and low-dose JSW treatment groups were given intramuscular injection of GM (120 mg/kg) and intragastric administration of JSW in the dosage of 20.3, 13.5, 6.08 g·kg-1·d-1 respectively per day for 10 days. Immuno histochemistry was used to detect the mean optical density value of CaV1.3 expression in cochlear hair cells. Results There were significant differences of the optical density value of CaV1.3 in cochlear hair cells between the model group and normal group (P<0.01), and between the model group and high-dose JSW treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusion JSW has certain effect on preventing and treating guinea pig with ototoxic deafness induced by GM, thus to protect the hearing function.

Objective To observe the effect of tanshinone ⅡA on renal transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 mRNA and protein expression in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats, thus to evaluate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of tanshinone ⅡA. Methods SD rats were used as the experimental animal. DN rat model was induced with 40 mg/kg of streptozocin ( STZ) . The rats were randomized into normal group, model group, and tanshinone ⅡA ( 10 mg·kg -1·d -1, im) group. On the experimental day 30, we examined the body weight, water in-take volume, 24-hour urine protein, fasting glucose ( Glu) , serum creatinine ( Cr) , blood urea nitrogen ( BUN) , total protein ( TP) and albumin ( Alb). Renal slices after periodic acid Schiff staining ( PAS) were used for the observation of renal pathology. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) was used for the detection of renal TGF-β1 and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression, and Western blotting method was used for the measurement of TGF-β1 and NF-κB p65 protein expression in rats of different groups. Results Compared with the normal group, body weight was decreased, water in-take volume and 24-hour urine protein were increased, serum Glu, Cr, and BUN levels were elevated, TP and Alb levels were decreased, renal pathological damage occurred, and renal TGF-β1 and NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expressin were promoted in the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Tanshinone ⅡA group had an effect on decreasing water in-take volume, 24-hour urine protein, serum levels of Glu, Cr and Bun, increasing TP and Alb levels, relieving renal pathological damage, and reducing the protein and mRNA expression of renal TGF-β1 and NF-κB p65 ( P<0.05 or P<0.01 compared with the model group). Conclusion Tanshinone ⅡA has protective effect on kidney probably through inhibiting renal TGF-β1 and NF-κB p65 expression in DN rats.

Objective To observe the effect of Sanqi Oral Liquid on the podocytes and the expression of slit diaphragm-associated molecules (including Nephrin, Podocin and CD2AP proteins) of diabetes mellitus (DM) rats after unilateral nephrectomy, so as to explore its mechanism for protecting renal function. Methods SD male rats were randomized into sham operation group, model group and Chinese medicine group. The experimental diabetes mellitus ( DM) model was given unilateral nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg of streptozocin (STZ). And then the model rats were given intragastric administration of Sanqi Oral Liquid (2.5 g· kg-1·d-1) and the same volume distilled water respectively for 8 weeks. After treatment, the density of podocytes and the podocytic foot process width of different groups were measured. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the changes of the expression of Nephrin, Podocin and CD2AP in renal tissues of different groups. Results After treatment with Sanqi Oral Liquid, the density of podocytes was increased, the foot process lesion was relieved, and the expression levels of Nephrin, Podocin and CD2AP proteins were increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01 as compared with those in the model group). Conclusion The protective mechanism of Sanqi Oral Liquid for renal function of unilateral nephrectomy DM rats is possibly related with the alleviation of podocyte injury and with the regulation of the expression of Nephrin, Podocin and CD2AP proteins in podocytes.

Objective To observe the effect of scalp needling at different time points on focal cerebral microcirculation in rats with focal ischemia and reperfusion ( I-R). Methods One hundred SD rats were randomized into normal group, sham operation group, model group and scalp needling group. The model group and scalp needling group were divided I-R 12, 24, 48 and 72 h subgroups according to the time of ischemia and reperfusion, 10 rats in each subgroup. The normal group had no oper ation, sham operation only had the operation for vessel isolation, and model group and scalp needling group received middle cerebral artery occlusion with thread. Scalp needling group also had electro-acupuncture on scalp points along vertex and temple anterior linea oblique and posterior linea oblique. And then we observed the neurological severity scores (NSS) and detected the cerebral blood flow ( CBF) in the focal ischemic brain with laser Doppler blood stream meter before I-R and 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after I-R. Immunofluorescence method was used for counting the focal ischemic cerebral microvascular endothelial cells, and then the correlation of cerebral microvascular endothelial cells count with the cerebral blood flow volume was evaluated with Pearson correlation analysis. Results NSS in scalp needling group was lower than that in the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Before I-R, the difference of CBF among the three groups was insignificant ( P>0.05). Except for reperfusion for 24 hours, CBF in scalp needling group was higher than that in the model group at different time points ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Microvascular endothelial cells count in scalp needling group was higher than that in the model group after reperfusion for 24, 48 and 72 hours ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). In the model group and scalp needling group, cerebral blood flow volume was positively correlated with microvascular endothelial cells count. Conclusion Scalp needling shows obvious effect on improving the microcirculation, increasing CBF and cerebral microvascular endothelial cells count, and promoting the recovery of ischemic tissues of rats after I-R.

Objective To study the effect of Qige San ethyl acetate extract on the proliferation of human esophageal carcinoma Eca109 cells and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods Inhibitory effects of Qige San ethyl acetate extract on the proliferation of esophageal carcinoma Eca109 cells were detected by MTT assay, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometer, and the expression of protein STAT3, Bcl-2 and Caspase 9 was detected by Western blotting method. Results In the range of 10~100 μg/mL, Qige San ethyl acetate extract inhibited the proliferation of Eca109 cells effectively (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, Qige San ethyl acetate extract in the concentrations of 1.47, 33.26, 75.52 μg/mL significantly increased the apoptotic rate of Eca109 cells within 48h ( P<0.01). And Western blotting results showed that the ex pression levels of STAT3 and Bcl-2 were reduced, and Caspase 9 was increased with the increase of drug concentration. Conclusion Qige San ethyl acetate extract could significantly inhibit the proliferation of Eca109 cells and induce cell apoptosis, and its mechanism is probably associated with the inhibition of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the growth inhibition effect of evodiamine (Evo) on renal carcinoma 786-0 cells and to explore its molecular mechanism. Methods After treated with Evo, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT) assay was used to detect the vitality of 786-0 cells, flow cytometry was employed to examine the cell cycle distribution in 786-0 cells, and immunoblotting was utilized to determine the expression levels of target proteins related to cell cycle progression. Results Evo remarkably inhibited 786-0 cells vitality in dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis indicated that 786-0 cells were arrested in G2/M phase followed by Evo treatment. Furthermore, the results of immunoblotting showed that Evo up-regulated the protein expression levels of P53, P21 and its downstream target gene CyclinB1 in 786-0 cells. Conclusion Evo treatment can induce 786-0 cell cycle G2/M arrest, and its underlying mechanism might be dependent on the P53/P21 signal pathway.

Objective To systematically review the clinical effectiveness of Chinese medicine in treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with radioactive xerostomia. Methods The randomized or semi-randomized controlled trials of the Chinese medicine for nasopharyngeal carcinoam patients with radioactive xerostomia were screened out by online retrieving and manual retrieving of domestic and oversea databases such as Cochrane Library, JBI Library, PubMed, OVID, EMBase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, CBM Database. The data extract and quality assessment were performed by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis was conducted for the included trials. Results Eight trials were included. The results of Meta-analysis showed that Chinese medicine can effectively delay the progress of oral mucous membrane ulcer in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy, and decrease the incidence of grade 3-4 oral mucous membrane ulcer ( Z=4.86, P<0.00001) . Conclusion Chinese medicine has certain effect in treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with radioactive xerostomia.

Objective To compare the effect of kidney-tonifying blood-activating recipe (KBR) and Aescuven Forte Tablets ( AFT) in improving the sperm quality of varicocele-induced male sterility, thus to optimize the therapeutic therapy for varicocele-induced male sterility. Methods A total of 102 varicocele-induced male sterility with abnormal sperm parameters after conservative treatment were randomized into KBR group (N=53) and AFT group ( N=49) . KBR group was given KBR plus natural vitamin E and AFT group was given AFT plus natural vitamin E, and the treatment lasted for 8 continuous weeks. Before and after treatment, the quality of seminal fluid was analyzed, sperm quantization parameters such as total number of sperm (TNS) , total number of progressive motility sperm ( TNPS) , total number of normal form sperm ( TNNS) and total number of nor mal form and progressive motility sperm ( TNNPS) were observed, and the improvement rate of sperm quantization parameter was compared. Results (1) Before treatment, the differences of TNS, TNPS, TNNS and TNNPS were insignificant between the two groups ( P>0.05) . After treatment, TNNS was not improved in AFT group ( P>0.05) , but TNS, TNPS, TNNPS were much improved in both groups ( P<0.01 compared with those before treatment) . The improvement of KBR group was superior to that of AFT group ( P<0.05) . ( 2) The improvement rate for TNS, TNPS, TNNS, TNNPS was 90.57%, 79.25%, 67.92%, 77.36%in KBR group, and was 75.51%, 73.47%, 28.57%, 61.22% in AFT group respectively. The improvement rate for TNS and TNNS in KBR group was superior to that in AFT group ( P<0.05 or P<0.01) . Conclusion Varicocele-induced male sterility patients usually have the syndrome of kidney deficiency and blood stasis, so KBR, which has the function of tonifying kidney and activating blood, has synergistic action on the effect of AFT in improving sperm quality of varicocele-induced male sterility patients.

Objective To observe the effect of modified Bazhen Decoction ( MBD) on bone marrow fibroblast growth factor-1 ( FGF-1) in chronic aplastic anemia ( CAA) patients. Methods Sixty cases of CAA were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, 30 cases in each group. Both groups were given conventional western medicine such as oral use of Stanozolol and Ciclosporin, and additionally, the treatment group received oral use of MBD. Six months constituted one treatment course for both groups. After treatment, the clinical efficiency in western medicine field and on Chinese medical syndromes was evaluated in both groups. The changes of peripheral hemogram, adverse reaction, and FGF-1 in the bone marrow of both groups were also monitored. Results ( 1) Clinical efficacy in western medicine field was 80.0% in the treatment group, and was 66.7%in the control group (P<0.05). (2) The total effective rate on Chinese medical syndromes was 100.0% in the treatment group, and was 83.3%in the control group (P<0.05). (3) After treatment, the scores of symptoms were decreased in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01 compared with those before treatment), and the decrease in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). (4) Peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (HGB) content and platelet (PLT) count as well as bone marrow FGF-1 were increased in both groups after treatment (P<0.01 compared with those before treatment), and the increase of WBC, HGB, PLT and FGF-1 in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). (5) In the aspect of the adverse reaction, the treatment group had 2 cases of hepatic fucntion injury, and one case of acne and hairiness; the control group had 2 cases of gum hypertrophy, 5 cases of hepatic function injury, and 4 cases of acne and hairiness. The control group had higher incidence of adverse reaction ( P<0.05). Conclusion MBD exerts certain therapeutic effect for CAA, and one of the possible mechanisms is related with the regulation of FGF-1 level.