Object\ To provide a basis for the further development, proper utilization and formulation of a standard for the medicinal materials Methods\ By macro and microscopic studies in combination with physicochemical identification The possible therapeutic value of other parts of the plant was briefly discussed Results\ Four obvious distinctive features were observed: ① Stem tuber showed a curved kidney like shaped ② Parenchymatous cells were polygonal shaped and densely packed together with limited intercellular spaces ③ Rich in compound starch grains, and ④ Crystalline calcium oxalate Clusters can be seen. The tubers had an absorbance peak in UV specturm at ? 241 nm , but its adventitious root was devoid of such absorbance peak Conclusion\ The distinctive features are clear and can be mastered easily The adventitious roots must be discarded when the tubers were used as medicine

Huaier (Trametes robiniophila) has been widely used as an adjuvant drug for cancer treatment in China. The anti-cancer effect of Huaier extract has been confirmed in liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, and so on. The main mechanisms by which Huaier exerts an anti-neoplastic effect include inhibition of the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, induction of apoptosis of cancer cells, suppression of angiogenesis, inhibition of the invasion and migration of cancer cells, regulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes expression, improving immunity, and reversal of drug resistance in cancer cells. In order to provide references for further study and clinical application on anti-tumor effect of Huaier, the latest research progress on anti-tumor effect of Huaier in recent years is summarized in this paper.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Trametes

Objective To explore the acquired immunity against Schistosoma japonicum infections in the offspring of mother-mice infected with Trichinella spiralis.Methods The offspring of mother-mice infected with Trichinella spiralis and the mice after passively transferring the offspring's sera were sacrificed at day 42 post infection with S. japonicum cercariae. The percentage of reduction in worm burdens was calculated to determine the protective effects. Results Comparing with the control group, the reduction rates of the worm were 24.31% in the offspring, 18.65% and 20.77% in mice with passively transferring the offspring's sera by intravenous injection and muscular injection respectively. Conclusion The offspring of mother-mice infected with Trichinella spiralis and the mice with passively transferring the offspring's sera could acquire protective immunity against Schistosoma japonicum infections.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of trimebutine combined with mosapride on functional dyspepsia. Methods Patients with functional dyspepsia were randomly divided into three clinical groups. Group A (n=116) received 0.2 g trimebutine after meal,group the drug combination B (n=116) received 5 mg mosapride before meal,and the drug combination group (n=115) received 0. 2 g trimebutine after meal plus 5 mg mosapride before meal. All medications were taken orally three times daily for 4 weeks. Improvement in clinical symptoms and adverse reactions in each group were evaluated at the end of study. Results A total of 339 patients among 347 enrollees completed the treatment and follow-up. The clinical efficacy on postprandial fullness, early satiation, epigastric pain, epigastric burning, upper abdominal bloating and nausea were 88. 4%,76. 9%,72. 9%,61. 8%,86. 7% and 81. 7%,respectively in the drug combination group after 4-week treatment,which were superior to those in group A or B (P<0. 05) except for epigastric burning. The total effective rate of the drug combination group was 78. 8%,significantly higher than the other two groups (P<0. 05). The total incidence of side effects in the drug combination group was 1. 8%,similar to that of group A and B (1. 8% and 0. 9%,respectively, P =0. 776). Conclusion Trimebutine combined with mosapride is safe and effective for improving symptoms in functional dyspepsia.

Objective To study the role of low-dose glucocorticoids in improving prognosis and adjusting septic shock. Methods A total of 46 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of septic shock were retrospaetivley analyzed. 24 patients without glucocorticoids treatment were taken as control group; 22 patients with glucocorticoids as therapy group (n = 22). The two group received standard treatment for septic shock. Results The percentage of shock reversal on day 7 was higher in therapy group than that in control group (P <0.05). However,there were notstatistical significances in the duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of ICU stay, the incidence of multiple or-gan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and mortality between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Low-dose glucocorticoids can effectively accelerate refractory septic shock reversal and vasopreasor withdrawal. This seems to be related to the reduced production of CRP but the beneficial effects of low-dose steroids regimens on long-term outcome have not yet be determined.

Immunotherapy which has been in practice for more than 20 years proves effective for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Anti-angiogenesis-targeted therapy has recently been identified as a promising therapeutic strategy for mRCC. This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway-targeted therapy for mRCC by comparing its effectiveness with that of immunotherapy. The electronic databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on comparison of VEGF inhibiting drugs (sorafenib, sunitinib and bevacizumab) with interferon (IFN) or placebo for mRCC treatment were included. Data were pooled to meta-analyze. A total of 7 RCTs with 3451 patients were involved. The results showed that anti-VEGF agents improved progression-free survival (PFS) and offered substantial clinical benefits to patients with mRCC. Among them, sunitinib had a higher overall response rate (ORR) than IFN (47% versus 12%, P<0.000001). Bevacizumab plus IFN produced a superior PFS [risk ratio (RR): 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76-0.97; P=0.01] and ORR (RR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.72-2.78; P<0.00001) in patients with mRCC over IFN, but it yielded an increase by 31% in the risk of serious toxic effects (RR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.20-1.43; P<0.00001) as compared with IFN. The overall survival (OS) was extended by sorafenib (17.8 months) and sunitinib (26.4 months) as compared with IFN (13 months). It was concluded that compared with IFN therapy, VEGF pathway-targeted therapies improved PFS and achieved significant therapeutic benefits in mRCC. However, the risk to benefit ratio of these agents needs to be further evaluated.

Objective To understand the molluscicidal effects of Eomecon Chionantha Alkaloids (ECA) on Oncomelania hupensis.Methods By using immersion methods for different durations of time the molluscicidal effects of ECA and the rate of snails climbing-upward were observed. Results While the solution concentrations and temperatures of ECA were at 1.25 mg/L,30℃;2.5 mg/L,25℃;5 mg/L and 10 mg/L,25℃ respectively,and the snails were immersed for 72 hours,the mortality of Oncomelania snails were 100%. The hatching rates of Oncomelania eggs after immersed for 72 h in the solution of 5 mg/L were 0～10%. ECA showed an inhibiting effect on the snails' climbing-upward in the concentrations of 5 mg/L. Conclusion ECA has molluscicidal effect on Oncomelania and is one of the potential plant molluscicides.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Eomecon chionantha alkaloids (ECA) against Oncomelania hupensis by means of observing the effect of ECA on the genital system of O.hupensis. Methods O.hupensis was dissected after immersed in ECA for 48 hours; the testes and ovary were took out and made for electron microscopy samples by the conventional method. The change of structure was observed by Hitach H-600 Transmission Electron Microscope. Results After immersed in ECA, oocyte of O.hupensis was obviously atrophied and spermatogonium pyknosis occured. Conclusion ECA could damage the genital system of O.hupensis seriously.

Objective Cordycepin exhibits varieties of pharmacological effects including anti-pathogen, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, and anti-cancer activities.Recent studies indicate cordycepin may also have significant therapeutic potential in many diseases, such as metabolic disorders, oxidative injury and central nervous system diseases through different mechanisms , which are gradually clarified.The current progress and future prospects are reviewed in this paper.

Objective To study their chemical components of xianglingcao(Crotalaria ferruginea) and identify their chemical structures.Methods The compounds were isolated by chromatography and their structures were identified by spectral analysis and compared with the published data.Results Ten compounds were isolated and identified as vomifolilol(Ⅰ),genistein(Ⅱ),p-hydroxybenzoic acid(Ⅲ),5,7-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-flavone-7-O-?-D-glycopyranoside(Ⅳ),octadecoic acid(Ⅴ),octacosanol(Ⅵ),?-stitosterol(Ⅶ),?-daucosterol(Ⅷ),stigmasterol(Ⅸ),and ?5,22 stigmasterol-3-O-?-D-glycopyranoside(Ⅹ).Conclusion The ten compounds are obtained from xianglingcao for the first time.