Objective To investigate the chemical constituents of Rannunculus chinensis Bunge..Methods The chemical constituents of R.chinensis were isolated by chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. The structures of compounds were identified by phytochemical properties and spectral analysis(MS and NMR).Results Ten compounds were isolated and identified as quercetin(1),kaempferol(2),luteolin(3),quercitrin(4), protocatechuic acid(5),gallic acid(6),ellagic acid(7),kaempferol-3-O-β-rutinoside (8),β-sitosterol (9) and 7-ketologanin (10). Conclusion Compound 10 is isolated from R.chinensis for the first time. Compounds 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 are obtained from the title plant for the first time.

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents of the 60% alcohol extract of Solanum lyratum Thunb..Method The compounds were isolated by column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 and preparative TLC.Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical property and spectral data.Resulut Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as:ononin(1), genistin(2), 5-hydroxyl ononin(3), formononetin(4), daidzein(5), daidzin(6), 4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde(7),vanillic acid(8), protocatechuic acid(9),ethyl-α-D-arabinofuranoside(10) and ursolic acid(11).Conclusion Compounds 1,2,3,10 and 11 are isolated from S.lyratum for the first time.

The shape and structure of granules are controlled by the granulation process, which is one of the main factors to determine the nature of the solid dosage forms. In this article, three kinds of granules of a traditional Chinese medicine for improving appetite and promoting digestion, namely, Jianwei Granules, were prepared using granulation technologies as pendular granulation, high speed stirring granulation, and fluidized bed granulation and the powder properties of them were investigated. Meanwhile, synchrotron radiation X-ray computed micro tomography (SR-µCT) was applied to quantitatively determine the irregular internal structures of the granules. The three-dimensional (3D) structure models were obtained by 3D reconstruction, which were more accurately to characterize the three-dimensional structures of the particles through the quantitative data. The models were also used to quantitatively compare the structural differences of granules prepared by different granulation processes with the same formula, so as to characterize how the production process plays a role in the pharmaceutical behaviors of the granules. To focus on the irregularity of the particle structure, the box counting method was used to calculate the fractal dimensions of the granules. The results showed that the fractal dimension is more sensitive to reflect the minor differences in the structure features than the conventional parameters, and capable to specifically distinct granules in structure. It is proved that the fractal dimension could quantitatively characterize the structural information of irregular granules. It is the first time suggested by our research that the fractal dimension difference (Df,c) between two fractal dimension parameters, namely, the volume matrix fractal dimension and the surface matrix fractal dimension, is a new index to characterize granules with irregular structures and evaluate the effects of production processes on the structures of granules as a new indicator for the granulating process control and optimization.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Fractals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Powders ; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship ; Synchrotrons ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE To understand the synaptic remodel in inner ear after hearing injury by investigating growth associated protein 43(GAP-43) expression in the inner ear hair cells after exposed Kangmin mice to neural injury noise stimulation to induce permanent threshold shift(PTS) or temporary threshold shift(TTS).METHODS To compare the expressions of GAP-43 of NMDAR signal pathway during neural injury stimulation by immunocytochemistry.RESULTS The sustained GAP-43 increase occurs after 7d and 14d of PTS group,and there is not remarkable difference between them.Compared with normal control,the change is not significant in TTS group.CONCLUSION The increase of GAP-43 in spiral ganglion after 7d trauma reveals the synaptic remodel in inner ear.

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of Chinese herbal monomers such as baicalin, berberine, and matrine on the androgen receptor (AR) mRNA expression in SZ95 sebocytes in vitro and to explore the possible mechanism of using traditional Chinese medicines to treat acne.

METHODSSZ95 sebocytes were cultured and then treated with berberine, baicalin, matrine, and 13-cis-retinoic acid for 24 hours. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect the changes of AR.

RESULTAR mRNA was downregulated by 13-cis-retinoic acid of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L and 1 x 10(-6) mol/L, and by baicalin of 1 x 10(-4) mol/L (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION13-cis-retinoic acid and baicalin may exert antiandrogenitic action by inhibiting AR mRNA expression in human sebocytes.

Androgen Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Androgen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Skin ; cytology

OBJECTIVESTo prove the protective effect of Edaravone to neurons and to study the particular mechanism.

METHODSNeurons were collected from 18-day fetal rat brains and a culture of almost pure neurons was obtained after 14-day culture, then the cells were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: control group, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-treated group, and Edaravone-treated group. In H₂O₂-treated group, 300 µmol/L H₂O₂ was added to the medium, followed by returning to the normal culture for the presupposition of time. In Edaravone-treated group, 500 µmol/L Edaravone was prophylactically added to the medium for 30 minutes before the insult. Morphology of mitochondria was visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The rate of apoptotic cells was detected by flow cytometry analysis. The relationships between the proteins and the key proteins expressions were observed by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting.

RESULTSCompared to the Edaravone-treated group, mitochondria in H₂O₂-treated group displayed more vesicular matrix compartments at the same time. Percentage of apoptotic cells in H₂O₂-treated group after 0.5, 2, 6 and 12 h were 14.40% ± 1.23%, 45.50% ± 2.81%, 56.40% ± 3.53%, 62.50% ± 4.23%, which were higher than control group (F = 274.8, P < 0.01). Edaravone-treated group were 0.90% ± 0.07%, 1.10% ± 0.08%, 3.50% ± 1.90%, 12.60% ± 1.10%, which were lower than H₂O₂-treated group (F = 362.7, P < 0.01). After H₂O₂ stimulation for 0.5 h in H₂O₂-treated group, the levels of p-JNK (Thr183/Tyr185) and cytochrome c in cytosol and BAX in heavy membrane were increased significantly at 0.5 h, reaching a peak at 12 h after stimulation, In addition, the expressions of p-BAD, BAX, BAD and 14-3-3 of cytoplasm decreased, however, these changes were inhibited in the Edaravone-treated group.

CONCLUSIONSAs a free radical scavenger, the Edaravone could protect neurons by inhibiting the activity of JNK, the disassociation of BAD from 14-3-3 and the translocation of BAX from the cytosol to mitochondria.

14-3-3 Proteins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antipyrine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Primary Cell Culture ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism ; bcl-Associated Death Protein ; metabolism

To illustrate the compability rule of Jinlingizi powder, by investigating the effects of Jinlingzi Powder with different compatibility on the enzymatic activity of cytochrome P1 A2 (CYP1A2) from rat liver microsome. The different compability of Jinlingizi powder is designed, based on the orthogonal array L9 (3(4)). In vitro test, rat liver microsomes incubation system is applied to detect the 50% inhibitory concentraton of Jinlingzi powder with different compatibility to cytochrome P1A2 (CYP1A2) enzyme. In vivo experiments, rats is treated orally with the different compability of Jinlingizi powder for 5 days, then be injected with probe drug phenacetin. The biosample from liver tissue is obtained by microdialysis probe, then analysisd by HPLC. The concentration-time data are modulated by software WinNonlin. IC50 data show no significant inhibitory activty to cytochrome P1 A2. Acetaminophen and phenacetin PK parameters indicate that the different compability of Jinlingizi powder can modulate the CYP 1A2 mediated metabolism, which is associate with the compatibility of Jinlingzi powder.
Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inhibitors ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Microsomes, Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Powders ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of endothelia progenitor cells conditioned medium (EPC-CM) on the migration, adhesion and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

METHODSMononuclear cells were isolated from rat bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation,plated on dishes precoated with 5% fibronectin, and then cultured with complete M199 medium (including 15% fetal calf serum, 10 microg/L VEGF and 5 microg/L bFGF). EPC-CM was collected and used to incubate VSMCs isolated from rat arteriae aorta. After 24 h, VSMCs proliferation, adhesion and migration were assayed with CCK-8, adhesion test and modified Boyden chamber assay, respectively.

RESULTSThe proliferation, adhesion and migration of VSMCs were obviously decreased when the cells were cultured with EPC-CM.

CONCLUSIONEPC-CM could inhibit VSMC functions, which would be one of the mechanisms against atherosclerosis by EPCs.

Animals ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; chemistry ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; cytology

AIMTo investigate the role of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) cascade on cerebral ischemia and ischemic preconditioning in hippocampal neuron.

METHODSMale gerbils were randomly divided into sham group (SH), ischemia/reperfusion group (I/ R), ischemia preconditioning group (IP), specific antagonist of ERK-PD98059 (PD), solvent control groups (VE group), PD98059 combined with IP group (PIP). Forebrain ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries and confirmed by isoelectricity of EEG. Observations were carried out in each group 15 min, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, 5 d and 7 d after ischemia. Open field test was used to examine the spontaneous motor activity, the survival and apoptotic neurons, Fos and NF-kappaB masculine neurons in hippocampal CA1 region were counted, the expression of HSP70 in hippocampal CA1 region and p-ERK in hippocampal CA3/DG regions were detected by SABC immunocytochemical technique.

RESULTSThe spontaneous motor activity, the number of apoptotic neurons and NF-kappaB masculine neurons at 1 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d in CA1 region were much less in IP group than in I/R group (P < 0.01). The number of Fos masculine neurons at 15 min, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 1 d in CA1 region were significant more in IP group than in I/R group (P < 0.01). The expressions of p-ERK and HSP70 were significantly higher in IP group than in I/R group. The number of Fos masculine neurons at each point were more and apoptotic neurons at 1 d, 3 d were less in PD group than in I/R group. Results of observation in PIP group were within IP group and I/R group.

CONCLUSIONActivation of ERK in CA3/DG regions were related to ischemic tolerance. Induction of the expression of Fos and HSP70, decreasing of the product of NF-kB which might be one of the molecule mechanisms playing an important role in neural protection of ischemic preconditioning.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Gerbillinae ; Hippocampus ; blood supply ; cytology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo compare and evaluate the clinical value among transperitoneal, retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy and open adrenalectomy for the treatment of adrenal tumours.

METHODSFrom January 1996 to June 2002, transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (TLA) was performed for 19 cases, 17 cases were successful (Group A), retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RLA) for 21 cases, 19 cases were successful (Group B), during the same period 41 patients with adrenal tumours under 6 cm in diameter underwent open adrenalectomy (Group C). The procedure was evaluated and compared in the respects of tumors weight, operation time, blood loss, recovery time of GI function, hospital stay, complications transferable rate and indications among three groups.

RESULTSAverage tumors weight was (13.86) g in group A, (15.66) g in group B and (18.03) g in group C; mean operating time: group A was 17.21 min longer than group B, group A. B was 48.53 min longer and 31.32 min longer han group C respectively, mean blood loss in group A. B was less diminished by 121.55 ml and 137.05 ml than group C, and the blood loss in group B was less diminished by 15.50 ml than group A; mean recovery of Gl function, group A and B was 1.87 day and 2.17 day earlier than group C respectively, group B was 0.3 day earlier than group A, mean hospital stay was 2.60 day and 3.87 day shorter than group C, group B was 1.27 day shorter, than group A; transferable rate of operation was 10.5% (group A) and 9.5% (group B). Postoperative complication rate was 10.5%, 14.3% and 9.7% in group A. B and C respectively.

CONCLUSIONSTLA and RLA were better than open method. On the hand of approach to adrenal gland disturbs to abdominal organ and postoperative recovery on RLA have some slight advantage.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; surgery ; Adrenalectomy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome