OBJECTIVEAn UPLC method was developed to evaluate the quality of Paeoniae Radix by simultaneously determining four components, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol in Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces.

METHODThe UPLC chromatographic column was ACQUITY UPLC® HSS T3. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid water with gradient elution. The column temperature was 30 °C and detection wavelength was 230 nm with a flow rate of 0.4 mL · min(-1). A linear model was obtained through principal component analysis (PCA), and PCA scores were used to evaluate the quality of Radix Paeoniae Alba decoction pieces comprehensively.

RESULTPaeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol could be well separated from other components, and the results of specificity, precision, repeatability, linearity, recovery rate and stability reached the standards, respectively. The content of paeoniflorin in 9 batches of Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces was below the standard given by Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition). Using the comprehensive scoring method with principal component analysis, the results showed that the samples from Zhejiang province have better quality than those from Anhui and Shandong provinces.

CONCLUSIONThe method established in this study can effectively determine the content of paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol, which could be used for quality control of Paeoniae Radix Alba.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis

After studying the discipline of chemical components distribution in peony root, it was found that the content distribution of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol was inhomogeneous in different parts of peony root, as same as in different roots belonging to a same plant. Therefore, in order to minimize the effects of different qualities of materials on experimental result, the content changing percentages of four chemical components was chosen as indicators to study processing method of Paeoniae Radix Alba. The processing technique of Paeoniae Radix Alba was put peony roots in the boiled water for at most ten minutes, and cut them into 2-3 mm slices after peeling the root bark, finally dry them in a oven under 55 degrees C, which was similar to the traditional processing method used in Bozhou. And the peeling, boiling and drying methods would affect the contents of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol on several levels.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

To ensure the stability of chemistry components and the convenience of operation, ultrasound method was chosen to study in this investigation. As the total common peaks area in chromatograms was set to be evaluation index, the influence on the technology caused by extraction time, ethanol concentration and liquid-to-solid ratio was studied by using single factor methodology, and the extraction technology of Paeoniae Radix Alba was optimized by using response surface methodology. The results showed that the extracting results were most affected by ethanol concentration; liquid-to-solid ratio came the second and extraction time thirdly. The optimum ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were as follow: the ultrasonic extraction time was 20.06 min, the ethanol concentration in solvent was 72.04%, and the liquid-to-solid ratio was 53.38 mL · g(-1), the predicted value of total common peaks area was 2.1608 x 10(8). Under the extraction conditions after optimization, the total common peaks area was 2.1422 x 10(8), and the relative deviation between the measured and predicted value was 0.86%, so the optimized extraction technology for Paeoniae Radix Alba is suitable and feasible. Besides, for the purpose of extracting more sufficiently and completely, the optimized extraction technology had more advantages than the extraction method recorded in the monogragh of Paeoniae Radix Alba in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which will come true the assessment and utilization comprehensively.
Paeonia ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukins/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/therapy* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr

Data mining technology has become a powerful tool in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. In this paper, based on the principle and basic requirements of data mining, the mining methods and procedures were described. And then the application of data mining technology in Chinese medicine pair research was classified and summarized, such as the compatibility characters, characteristic pairs, dosage-effect relationship and property compatibility, which provide the direction and data base for modern research of Chinese medicine pair.
Cluster Analysis ; Data Mining ; methods ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Prescriptions ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

Objective To evaluate the overall effect of transsphenoidal microsuegery for 23 patients with non-adenomas disease intrasellar region.Methods A toal of 23 patients with non-adenomas disease in- trasellar region,7 cases of Rathke's cleft cyst,3 cases of craniopharyngiomas,2 cases of meningiomas,2 ca- ses of pituitary tuberculous granuloma,5 cases of pituitary abscess,2 cases of empty sella,2 cases of chord- mas,were treated via sublabio-septo-sphenoidal microsurgery.Results There were among the 23 patients, groos total removal of the disease were achieved in 14 cases,subtotal removal in 7 cases,and partial removal in remain 2 cases.Diminished visual activity and visual field defects were improved in 13 cases.Menstrual disorder in all female cases and sexual disturbance in male were improved.There was no death in group. Conclusion Microsurgical technique via transsphenoidal approach is a safe and effective one for the treatment of patients with non-adenomas disease intrasellar region.

Animals ; Disease Progression ; Kidney Diseases ; physiopathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Renal Agents ; pharmacology ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects ; Sclerosis

By using whole blood selenium, 24 hr urinary selenium and hair selenium contents as the indices of assessing human selenium status, it was found that the populations in the endemic areas of Keshan disease were practically in a selenium poor status. The selenium contents in locally grown staple grains and daily diets in the endemic areas were also lower than those in the non-endemic areas. In an area covering a cross section of Keshan disease geographic belt in our country, the hair selenium contents of agricultural populations were measured. The results indicated that all the hair selenium contents in the endemic sites were always at a lower level, whereas those in the non-endemic sites distant from the endemic areas were generally at a higher level; they decreased gradually until the endemic areas were reached; and finally, along the contiguous region of the endemic and non-endemic areas they were insignificantly different.The hair selenium contents among the agricultural populations were significantly lower than those among the non-agricultural ones in the same endemic areas. However, no regular correlation had been observed between the seasonal prevalence of Keshan disease and the variation of hair selenium contents in the same populations living in the same endemic sites.It is considered that the endemic areas of the disease seem to be a Se-deficiency belt, and Se-deficiency probably might be a pathogenic geo-gen in the prevalence of Keshan disease.

Adolescent ; Brain Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial ; diagnostic imaging ; Hernia ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Plasmacytoma ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta1) mRNA in immunity-induced liver fibrosis rats and the effect of HanDanGanLe on them.

METHODSMale wistar rats were given intraperitoneal injection of porcine serum twice a week. At the beginning, the rats in HanDanGanLe-treatment group were feed with HanDanGanLe for precaution. The rats were killed after twelve weeks, then CTGF mRNA and TGFbeta1 mRNA were detected in liver samples with in situ hybridization, and the formation of liver fibrosis was observed with HE stain. The semi-quantitative

RESULTSof the two genes expression were analysed along with the stages of hepatic fibrosis.

RESULTSTypical liver fibrosis developed in the model group rats, and the positive stain of CTGF mRNA and TGFbeta1 mRNA increased, which was distributed in the areas where fibrosis occurred. There was obvious correlation between the expression strength of CTGF mRNA and TGFbeta1 mRNA (r = 0.799, P < 0.05). In the rats receiving HanDanGanLe, CTGF mRNA expression index decreased markedly (12.5+/-2.3 vs 28.8+/-1.4, t = 5.208, P < 0.01), so did TGFbeta1 mRNA expression index (25.4+/-3.2 vs 37.3+/-5.4, t = 5.655, P < 0.01). There was also significant correlation between the scores of CTGF mRNA expression and the stages of hepatic fibrosis (rs = 0.822, 0.808 in the model group and HanDanGanLe-treatment group, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of CTGF mRNA and TGFbeta1 mRNA is correlated closely with hepatic fibrosis degree. HanDanGanLe can effectively prevent the expression of CTGF and TGFbeta1. One of the mechanisms of the intervention may be its blocking the intracellular signalling pathways involved in liver fibrogenesis.

Animals ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1