This article mainly summarise the results of the chemical compositions and their pharmacological activities of Arnebiae Radix since 1966. The chemistry components isolated from Arnebiae Radix are mainly naphthoquinone, monoterpene phenol and quinone, phenolic acids and their salts, alkaloids, aliphatic and esters. Pharmacological results showed that the chemical compositions and the extracts of Arnebiae Radix have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, hepatoprotection, antioxidant, anti-tumor and immune function and other activities. This article hopefully to provide a reference for further research, development and utilization of Arnebiae Radix.
Animals ; Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

ObjectiveTo explore the normal range of the volume of internal capsules in Chinese adults of the Han nationality and its relationship with age,body habitus,and craniocerebral volume.Methods One thousand healthy volunteers (age range =18 to 80 years) were divided into 5 groups according to their age;Group A ( 18 to 30 years old),group B (31 to 40 years),group C (41 to 50 years),group D (51 to 60 years),and group E (61 to 80 years).Each group consisted of 100 males and 100 females.MR imaging was performed in all of the volunteers using T1 weighted three-dimensional nagnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence. After three dimension data reconstruction,the volumes of bilateral internal capsules were manually measured. The volumes of bilateral internal capsules were compared by paired sample t test.The internal capsule volumes were compared between male and female by independent sample t test,and the differences among 5 age groups were compared by one-way ANOVA.The relationship between the volumes of internal capsule and age,body habitus or cerebral volume were analyzed using bivariate correlation.ResultsThe left and right internal capsule volumes were (2809 ± 393) and (2677 ± 343 ) mm3 respectively.The left internal capsule volumes were significantly larger than that of right (t =12.078,P ＜ 0.05 ).The left and right side of internal capsule volumes in male were (2863 ± 396) and (2744 ±358) mm3 respectively,and (2754 ±385) and (2609 ±314) mm3 in female.The left and right internal capsule volumes were larger in males than in female (t =1.982,2.851 ;P ＜ 0.05 ).The left internal capsule volume of the 5 age groups were ( 3273 ± 361 ),( 2943 ± 299 ),( 2777 ± 255 ),( 2607 ± 199 ),(2444 ±213) mm3,and the right were (2993 ± 361 ),(2814 ± 270),(2682 ± 239),(2543 ± 219),(2351 ±210) mm3.There were significant differences among 5 age groups between left and right internal capsule volume ( F =55.244,34.493 ; P ＜ 0.05 ).There was significant negative correlation between the volume of left and right internal capsule and age ( r =- 0.718,- 0.637 ; P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions1.5 T MR scanner can be used to accurately measure the internal capsule volumes.There is a significant negative correlation between age and internal capsule volumes.

OBJECTIVETo explore the proliferation-promoting effect of sensory neuropeptide substance P (SP) on the cultured granulation tissue fibroblasts in vitro and its regulative effect on the gene expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mRNA.

METHODSThe proliferation-promoting effect of cultured granulation tissue fibroblasts was observed by means of MTT; the regulative effect of SP on gene expression of fibroblast bFGF by RT-PCR. The time and dose-efficiency relations were also observed.

RESULTSThere was a significant proliferation-promoting effect of SP on the cultured granulation tissue fibroblasts in vitro in a remarkable dose-dependent fashion. However, bFGF antibody only partly exerted its inhibitive effect. SP could induce the bFGF mRNA expression of the fibroblasts at the 3rd and 6th hour (P < 0.01). SP could promote the bFGF mRNA expression of the fibroblasts in the concentration of 10(-9) - 10(-5) mol/L and peaked in the concentration of 10(-7) mol/L.

CONCLUSIONSSP has a significant proliferation-promoting effect on the granulation tissue fibroblasts, which is correlated with SP inducing bFGF mRNA expression of fibroblasts.

Animals ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; genetics ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Granulation Tissue ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Substance P ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of sensory neuropeptide substance P (SP) on the differentiation of cultured epidermal stem cells (ESC) in vitro,with in vitro cultured ESC as the platform.

METHODSESC from newborn Wistar rats were isolated, purified by repeated passages in culture. SP was added for stimulation when ESC clone grew. Immunohistochemistry staining with K14 antibody, and flow cytometry (FCM) was performed at 0, 24th, 48th, 72nd, 96th, 144th, 192nd, 240th, 288th, 336th, 384th, 432nd post differentiation hours (PDH) to identify the cell groups and to detect if there were transient amplifying cells (TAC) among the cells.

RESULTSESC in culture formed large colonies after SP treatment with positive staining for K14, indicating that they were TACs. The results of FCM indicated that when ESC were stimulated by SP, TAC colony formation occurred and the cell number increased in a constant speed.

CONCLUSIONESC could differentiate into TAC by neuropeptide SP induction, and the number of ESC kept on a certain level during the process.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; chemistry ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Substance P ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning on ischemic reperfusion injury of rat liver graft and to investigate the possible mechanism.

METHODSMale Sprague Dawley rats were used as donors and recipients of orthotopic liver transplantation, and the period of cold preservation and anhepatic phase were 100 min and 18 min, respectively. Sixty rats were randomly divided into three groups, twelve rats in control group, twenty-four rats in ischemic reperfusion injury group and ischemic postconditioning group respectively. Control group is sham operation group, only the ligaments around liver were cut off; donor livers in ischemic reperfusion injury group were infused through portal vein with heparinized saline before harvested; ischemic postconditioning group: at very onset of reperfusion after donor liver was implanted, several brief reperfusion-ischemia were given before persistent reperfusion of portal vein. Half recipients of ischemic reperfusion injury group and ischemic postconditioning group were taken blood samples and hepatic tissue samples after 2 hours of reperfusion of liver graft. Rest recipients were taken samples of hepatic tissue after 6 hours of reperfusion. Recipients of control group were taken blood and hepatic tissue samples at corresponding time after abdomen was sutured.

RESULTSCompared with ischemic reperfusion injury group, liver functional parameters, cytokines and peroxidized products contents were lower in ischemic postconditioning group (P < 0.05); meanwhile, the antioxidases contents of hepatic tissue were higher in ischemic postconditioning group than those in ischemic reperfusion injury group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIschemic postconditioning could relieve the ischemic reperfusion injury of rat liver graft. Through improving antioxidation capability and cutting down cytokines contents, ischemic postconditioning could apply its protective effect.

Animals ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Leukocyte Elastase ; blood ; Liver ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of substance P (SP) on gene expression of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta-1), transforming growth factor receptor-1 (TGFR-1) and transforming growth factor receptor-2 (TGFR-2) in fibroblasts cultured in vitro from rat's granulation tissues.

METHODSThe fibroblasts from the granulation tissues in the skeletal muscle of rat's hind limbs injured by formaldehyde were cultured in vitro. When different concentrations (10(-9)-10(-5) mol/L) of SP were added into the culture medium, the changes of gene expression of TGFbeta-1, TGFR-1 and TGFR-2 in the cultured fibroblasts were observed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction at different intervals (0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after incubation).

RESULTSThe gene expression of TGFbeta-1, TGFR-1 and TGFR-2 in the fibroblasts cultured from rat's granulation tissues was up-regulated by SP. The peak level of the mRNA expression was found at 10(-8) mol/L SP and the up-regulation effect was not found at 10(-5) mol/L and 10(-6) mol/L. The peak levels of gene expression of TGFbeta-1, TGFR-1 and TGFR-2 in the fibroblasts treated with SP were achieved at 6 and 12 hours, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSP has up-regulation effect on the gene expression of TGFbeta-1, TGFR-1 and TGFR-2 in fibroblasts from rat's granulation tissues in vitro, and the effect is related to different stimulating concentrations of SP. It may be concerned with proliferation and differentiation of fibroblasts and formation of scar tissues during wound healing.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Probability ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; drug effects ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Substance P ; pharmacology ; Wound Healing ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the accumulation of fluoride in rat hippocampus and its effect on cholinesterase activity.

METHODSRats were subchronically exposed to NaF, and fluoride concentration and cholinesterase activity in rat hippocampus were determined.

RESULTSFluoride concentration in rat hippocampus was significantly correlated with the dosage of fluoride, and there were significant differences among high dosage group [(13.03 +/- 1.79) micro g/g], low dosage group [(9.83 +/- 0.92) micro g/g] and control [(8.27 +/- 1.11) micro g/g], P < 0.01. Acetylcholinesterase activities among three groups [(0.111 +/- 0.031) micro mol/mg, (0.143 +/- 0.025) micro mol/mg, (0.183 +/- 0.027) micro mol/mg] were also significantly different (P < 0.01), which was negatively correlated with fluoride concentration in rat hippocampus (r = -0.700, P < 0.01). The activity of butylcholinesterase in high dosage group [(0.041 +/- 0.010) micro mol/mg] was different from that of control [(0.067 +/- 0.025) micro mol/mg, P < 0.05], but the activity was not significantly related with fluoride concentration in rat hippocampus (r = -0.317, P = 0.094).

CONCLUSIONFluoride may go through the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in rat hippocampus, and inhibit the activity of cholinesterase.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Butyrylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Fluoride Poisoning ; metabolism ; Fluorides ; pharmacokinetics ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Organ Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment of herpes zoster.

METHODSAccording to the requirement of evidence-based medicine, acupuncture, body acupuncture, electroacupuncture, head acupuncture, three edged needle, plum-blossom needle, fire needle, elongated needle, encircling needling, herpes zoster, etc. were selected as subject words to retrieve the relative medical database at home, and clinically randomized controlled trials were used as enrolled criteria, the treatment group were treated with acupuncture or acupuncture plus other therapies, and the control group with medicine, the cured rate and the time of killing pain for herpes zoster were used as assessment indexes. Altogether 43 papers were enrolled. Among them 10 papers were conducted for Meta-analysis by RevMan 4.2.9.

RESULTSThe total OR was 4.27 with 95% CI [2.90, 6.29] of the clinically cured rate in the 10 studies, and the total OR was -7.64 with 95% CI [-8.12, -7.15] of the time of killing pain in the 4 studies. The therapeutic effect in the treatment group on herpes zoster was superior to that of the western medicine (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture therapy for herpes zoster is effective, but more high-quality studies are required to prove this view point.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Herpes Zoster ; therapy ; Humans

OBJECTIVEIn order to fully understand hepatitis c virus (HCV) genotype 3b, 1a, 2b and 6a infection in China, We built HCV 5'-noncoding region (5'-NCR) of different genotypes and subtypes.

METHODSThe classification HCV into variable genotypes (subtypes) was carried on by programs A, B and C A. Using a combination of three restriction endonuclease BHH' (BsrB I, Hae II, Hinf I) digestions at the same time. The distinct genotypes were classified into 5 groups: genotype 1 (1a, 1b), 6a, 2 (2a, 2b), genotype 3 (3a, 3b), genotype4 (4a). B. With regard to genotype 1, we could distinguish subtype 1a from 1b using BstU I digestion. C. Using restriction endonuclease Hae III, genotype 2a, 2b, 3b, 4a, 6a are differentiated respectively.

RESULTS(1) HCV genotype 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 6a are fully discriminated by comparison with the genotypes regular samples. (2) Of the 93 patients, HCV genotype distribution in China was 66.67% for 1b, 18.28% for 2a, 3.23% for 1b/2b, 3b, 2b respectively. 2.15% for 2a/2b, 1b/2a respectively. 1.08% for 1a.

CONCLUSIONThis research indicated that adoption of HCV 5'-NCR A B C restriction endonuclease digestions techniques, might be sensitive and efficient to detect HCV and discriminate HCV genotype (subtypes) 1a to 6a.

5' Untranslated Regions ; chemistry ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; classification ; genetics ; RNA, Viral ; analysis

ObjectiveTo measure the volume of thalamus in 1000 healthy Chinese Han nationality adults,and to analyze the relationship between thalamic volume and age,sex,weight and cerebral volume,to provide reliable data for the construction of database of Chinese adults' digital standard brain.Methods Totally 1000 healthy Chinese adults of Han nationality aged from 18 to 80 years were recruited.They were divided into 5 groups by age:18-30,31-40,41-50,51-60 and 61-80 years.Each group included 100 males and 100 females.Brain images were obtained on a 1.5 T MR,and the outline of thalami was drawn with Aquariusws software.Then the thalamic volume was calculated automatically.The volumes of left and right thalamus were compared by paired sample t-test.Thalamic volumes of the same side were compared between males and females by independent sample t-test.And thalamic volumes of different age groups were compared by one-way ANOVA.The relationships between thalamic volume and age,sex,weight and cerebral volume were analyzed respectively.ResultsThe males' standardized volumes of left and right thalamus of healthy Chinese Han nationality adults were (5776 ± 780),(5655 ± 759) mm3,and they were (5464 ±573 ),(5360 ± 542) mm3 for female.The males' thalamic volume was more than the females' on the same side ( t =2.245,2.200,P ＜ 0.01 ).The left thalamic volumes of various age groups were ( 6180 ± 534 ),(6047 ± 562 ),( 5426 ± 471 ),( 5552 ± 526 ),( 4866 ± 552 ) mm3,respectively,while the right thalamic volumes of the 5 groups were ( 6069 ± 532 ),( 5895 ± 539 ),( 5357 ± 480 ),( 5396 ± 445 ),( 4791 ± 558)mm3,respectively.There were statistically significant difference among the 5 groups( F =165.686,165.235,P ＜ 0.01 ).The left and right thalamic volume were all negatively correlated with age ( r =- 0.633,-0.645,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionsWith high resolution 1.5 T MR scanner,grey matter and white matter can be depicted clearly and the outline of thalamic can be discriminated specifically.It is useful for the measurement of thalamic volume and scientific data to build Chinese adults' digital standard brain.