The blood concentrations of the pharmacodynamic substances of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are usually very low. How can they exert pharmacological actions, in which forms (original form, metabolite or the both) do they exert the actions. To answer these questions, we proposed a new concept ofEffective Formsof pharmacodynamic substances of TCMs and a hypothesis of additive effect of multiple constituents of TCMs. The hypothesis includes that the aggregate or summation of Effective Forms of pharmacodynamic substances of TCMs is the core material base of the effi-cacy of TCMs, and the additive effect of the blood concentrations of different Effective Forms is one part of the action mechanism. The additive effect of the different Effective Forms of a TCMs means an additive effect of numerous con-stituents or/and metabolites on a same target, and therefore the efficacy brought by the addition of the concentrations of all these compounds, which different from the synergy effect of multi-constituents on multi-targets. Studies on the disposition of TCMs showed that a constituent can be biotransformed to many metabolites (up to more than 50 metabolites);different constituents can produce the same metabolites;many metabolites (up to 10 compounds for each metabolite) are isomers or homologues; some constituents can be converted to each other in vivo; and some metabolites are bioactive. These com-pounds having the similar structure are likely to have the same pharmacological effects on the same target, which could provide experimental evidences for the concept ofEffective Formsand the hypothesis ofAdditive Effect. We suggest that the Effective Forms and Additive Effects of the pharmacodynamic substances of TCMs should be extensively investi-gated in the future, and the results of such researches will help us further understand the pharmacodynamic substances and action mechanism of TCMs, and give a new explanation 'Toxicities Scattering Effect' for 'Why the toxicities of TCMs are low', and propose a new strategy for quality control of TCMs.

Object To study the antitumor effects of extracts from the fruits, roots and rhizomes of Sinopodophyllum emodi (Wall.) Ying, the roots and rhizomes of Dysosma furfuracea S.Y. Bao and the podophyllotoxin, deoxypodophyllotoxin of Guijiu plants in mice. Methods Tumor borne mice with transplanted HepA and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) were used to observe the antitumor and the liver protective effects of the above five samples, which were given orally. Results Extracts of roots and rhizomes of S. emodi, and D. furfuracea showed the significant antitumor effects. Conclusion All the five samples have antitumor activity.

Objective To explore the prognostic value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( NT-pro-BNP) levels in critically ill infants. Methods Eighty-one critically ill infants were enrolled from January 2013 to January 2014 in pediatric intensive care unit. The minimum of pediatric critical illness score ( PCIS) and the number of dysfunction organs were calculated within 24 hour after admission. According to PCIS,the critically ill infants were divided into extremely critical group(PCIS≤70,n=25),critical group (PCIS 71-80,n=30)and non-critical group(PCIS>80,n=26). According to the prognosis,the critically ill infants were divided into survival group (n=68)and death group(n=13). The serum NT-pro-BNP levels were determined on the first day,third day and convalescent phase. The relationships of serum NT-pro-BNP levels with PCIS and the number of dysfunction organs and prognosis were observed. Results The study showed statistical significances of serum NT-pro-BNP levels among the extremely critical group, critical group and non-critical group,whether on the first day,or on the third day and convalescent phase(P<0. 01). There were statistical significances of serum NT-pro-BNP levels among different stages of the disease in each group(P<0. 01). Compared with survival group,PCIS was significantly lower and the serum NT-pro-BNP levels and the number of dysfunction organs were significantly higher in death group. The serum NT-pro-BNP level on the third day was higher than that on the first day in death group ( P<0. 01 ) , while no significant difference was found in survival group. The serum NT-pro-BNP levels on the first day and the third day and PCIS were negatively correlated(r= -0. 59,P<0. 01;r= -0. 66,P<0. 01). The serum NT-pro-BNP levels on the first day and the third day and the number of dysfunction organs were positively correlated(r=0. 40,P<0. 05;r=0. 57,P<0. 01). Conclusion The serum NT-pro-BNP levels of the critically ill infants are correlated with disease severity,and can be useful for assessing the severity of critical illness.

OBJECTIVE:To establish the HPLC characteristic chromatogram of pheretima,and compare the differences of the main ingredient contents of Guangdong pheretima and Shanghai pheretima and the chromatogram differences among pheretima and 3 other animal drugs. METHODS:Pheretima HPLC characteristic chromatogram method was adopted to determine the characteris-tic chromatograms of 16 Guangdong pheretima,8 Shanghai pheretima,3 eupolyphaga,3 hirudo and 3 catharsius. Similarity evalua-tion and t test were used to analyze the differences of chromatogram data of 5 animal drugs. RESULTS:The established HPLC char-acteristic chromatogram method firstly identified 11 common characteristic peaks,including 6 nucleosides,4 nucleobase and 1 ami-no acid;and it could be used for the identification of pheretima from eupolyphaga,hirudo and catharsius;the differences of main ingredient contents in the characteristic chromatogram of Guangdong pheretima and Shanghai pheretima were firstly studied. The contents of xanthine and adenosine in Guangdong pheretima were higher than Shanghai pheretima,while the contents of uridine, guanosine and 2′-deoxy guanosine in Shanghai pheretima were higher than Guangdong pheretima. A new index S,calculated by these 5 constituents,was successfully applied to distinguish the 2 kinds of pheretima. CONCLUSIONS:The characteristic chro-matogram can be used for the identification of pheretima,and can provide reference for the pharmacodynamic differences study of Guangdong pheretima and Shanghai pheretima.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method of simultaneous determination of inulicin and deacetylinulicin in Inulae Flos. METHODS:HPLC was performed on the column of Zorbax SB-C18 with mobile phase of acetonitrile-water(gradient elution)at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min,the column temperature was 25 ℃,the detection wavelength was 210 nm,and the injection volume was 10 μl. RESULTS:The linear range was 0.000 2-0.005 μg/ml(r=0.999 8)for inulicin and 0.000 1-0.001 7 μg/ml(r=0.999 4)for deacetylinulicin;RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were lower than 2.0%;recoveries were 99.63%-103.56%(RSD=1.26%,n=9)and 95.98%-101.21%(RSD=1.84%,n=9),respectively. CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,accurate and reliable,and can be used for the quality evaluation of Inulae Flos.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the contents determination of 9 components in Guizhi decoction,and com-pare the effects of traditional decoction method and the extracting machine decoction method on these contents in Guizhi decoction. METHODS:HPLC was performed on the column of Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 with mobile phaseof acetonitrile- 0.1% phosphoric ac-id(gradient elution)at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min,the detection wavelength was 230 nm,254 nm and 280 nm,the column tempera-ture was 25℃,and the injection volume was 10μl. RESULTS:The linear range was 0.410 2-210.0μg/ml for gallic acid(r=0.999 9), 0.994 0-254.5μg/ml for albiflorin(r=0.999 9),1.636 0-1 675.0μg/ml for paeoniflorin(r=0.999 9),0.988 3-506.0μg/ml for liquiri-tin(r=0.999 6),0.987 3-31.59 μg/ml for coumarin(r=0.999 5),0.486 8-124.6 μg/ml for cinnamic acid(r=0.999 5),2.458 0-314.6μg/ml for cinnamaldehyde(r=0.999 5),0.034 3-1.096 μg/ml for 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde(r=0.999 8),and 1.711 0-219.0 μg/ml for glycyrrdhizic acid (r=0.999 7);RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were lower than 5%,recoveries were 93.56%-103.19%(RSD=4.00%,n=9)、101.51%-107.32%(RSD=2.21%,n=9)、95.08%-103.76%(RSD=2.87%,n=9)、100.82%-105.73%(RSD=1.85%,n=9)、85.08%-89.12%(RSD=1.40%,n=9)、92.31%-99.12%(RSD=2.71%,n=9)、99.17%-102.32%(RSD=1.24%,n=9)、100.15%-103.98%(RSD=1.18%,n=9)、99.93%-102.61%(RSD=1.03%,n=9). The content of total effective components from the extracting machine decoction method was 4 565μg/g,that from the traditional decoc-tion method was 2 742 μg/g.CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,stable and reproducible,and can be used for the simultaneous determination of 9 componentsin Guizhi decoction. The contents of gallic acid,albiflorin and 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde are first re-ported. The total effective components from the extracting machine decoction method are higher than that from the traditional decoc-tion method.

Objective To investigate the change of plasma vitamin D, A and E levels in infant with infantile hepatitis syndrome (IHS) and to provide reliable basis for clinical treatment. Methods Seventy-three infant with IHS (IHS group) from January 2015 to May 2016 and 82 cases of physical examination infant (control group) were enrolled in this study.The levels of plasma vitamin D, A and E were tested and compared between two groups. Results The levels of vitamin D, A and E in IHS group were significantly lower than those in control group:(37.871 ± 20.111) nmol/L vs. (97.708 ± 28.827) nmol/L, (1.082 ± 0.657)μmol/L vs. (1.810 ± 0.517)μmol/L, (21.252 ± 7.596)μmol/L vs. (26.647 ± 6.495)μmol/L, P<0.01 or <0.05. The nutritional status of vitamin D, A and E in two groups had significant differences (P<0.01). Conclusions There have obvious deficiency in fat-soluble vitamin D, A and E in infant with HIS , and vitamin D deficiency is the most obvious. The levels of vitamin D, A and E are the dynamic monitoring indicators of treatment, nutritional status evaluation and long-term complications development.

OBJECTIVE:To study the metabolites,distribution,metabolic type and the possible activity of harpagide which is the active component from Scrophularia ningpoensis in rats in vivo. METHODS:4 SD rats were divided into blank group (ul-tra-pure water) and administration group (harpagide reference solution),2 in each group,ig,160 mg/kg,twice a day,for 3 d. Urine and feces were collected every 12 h before administration and the first administration;sample blood 8 mL was taken after 0.5,1 h of last administration;heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney,stomach and small intestine were taken. The blood,urine,fe-ces and other tissue solutions were prepared,HPLC-MS was conducted to detect and identify the harpagide metabolites in rats in vi-vo and presume metabolic pathways,and PharmMapper software was used to predict metabolites activity. RESULTS:12 harpagide metabolites were identified in rats in vivo,the form of prototypes and metabolites were distributed in heart,liver,spleen,lung, kidney,stomach and small intestine. The metabolic type mainly included hydrolysis,dehydration,reduction,methylation,sul-fation,glucuronic acid binding,grade A coumaric acid binding,etc. The 12 compounds may have activities in the treatment of epi-lepsy,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,diabetes,stroke,etc. CONCLUSIONS:Harpagide may be effective in the form of prototypes and metabolites. The study has provided basis for attributing the origins of metabolite,studying the effective form of S. ningpoensis clarifying its pharmacological mechanism and processing mechanism.

Objective: To investigate vitamin D levels among primary and middle school students in Xicheng District, Beijing Municipality, and to examine the association of vitamin D levels with hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin (SF) levels, so as to provide insights into the prevention of anemia among primary and middle school students. Methods: The first, third and fifth grade primary school students and the first grade junior high school students were sampled from Xicheng District in 2019, using the multistage stratified cluster sampling method, and students' gender, age, height, weight and Hb levels were collected. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-( OH )D] was measured using electrochemiluminescence assay, and SF was detected using immunoturbidimetry. The vitamin D deficiency was determined according to the American College of Endocrinology guidelines. The associations of 25-( OH) D levels with Hb and SF levels were examined using Pearson correlation analysis and Spearman rank correlation analysis. Results: Totally 403 primary and junior high school students were investigated, including 196 boys ( 48.64% ) and 207 girls ( 51.36% ). There were 179, 114 and 110 students at ages of 6 to 8 years ( 44.41% ), 9 to 11 years ( 28.29% ) and 12 to 13 years ( 27.30% ), respectively. The mean 25-( OH )D level was ( 14.80±5.96 ) ng/mL among the study students, and there were 90 students ( 22.33% ) with severe vitamin D deficiency, 243 students ( 60.30% ) with vitamin D deficiency, 63 students ( 15.63% ) with vitamin D inadequacy and 7 students ( 1.74% ) with vitamin D sufficiency. The mean Hb level was ( 136.28±8.33 ) g/L and the median SF level (interquartile range) was 56.80 (14.36) ng/mL among the study students, respectively. The 25-( OH )D level positively correlated with Hb ( r=0.364, P<0.001 ) and SF levels ( rs=0.374, P<0.001 ), and after adjustment for age and body mass index, the 25-( OH )D still correlated positively with Hb ( r=0.157, P=0.048 ) and SF levels ( rs=0.174, P=0.022 ) . Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among primary and middle school students in Xicheng District, and the 25-(OH)-D levels correlate positively with Hb and SF levels. 25-( OH )-D deficiency may contribute to the development of anemia.
vitamin D ; hemoglobin ; serum ferritin ; primary and middle school student

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the fruit of Aristolochia contorta.

METHODThe compounds were isolated by chromatographic techniques and crystalization, the structures were elucidated by spectrum analysis.

RESULTFifteen compounds were isolated from the dry fruit of A. contorta, which were six aristolochic acids: aristolochic acid I, aristolochic acid III a, aristolochic acid IVa, aristolochic acid II, aristolochic acid III and aristolochic acid VIIa. Three aristolactams: aristololactam I, aristololactam II and aristololactam IIIa. Three phenolic acids syringic acid, vanillic acid and p-coumaric acid. Three other type compounds: pentacosane acid, beta-sitosterol and daucossterol.

CONCLUSIONAristolochic acid III, aristolochic acid VIIa, aristololactam IIIa, and penfacosane acid were isolated from A. contorta for the first time, and compounds 4-13 were isolated from the furit of A. contorta for the first time.