Smilax macrophylla is a type of Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of gouty arthritis. Study on its quality evaluation method was very necessary. Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), its generally acknowl-edged major compound with definite therapeutic effect, was detected in the root of S. macrophylla. HPLC was used with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (25:75). The detection wavelength was 320 nm. The results showed that the method can be used in content determination of resveratrol in S. macrophylla. It was concluded that the study was able to establish content determination method of resveratrol in S. macrophylla in order to lay the foundation of the establishment of quality standard of this Chinese herbal medicine.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of tensile stress on human heel skin fibroblast proliferation in vitro, providing a theoretical basis for preventing the wound edge skin necrosis and nonunion after calcaneal fracture surgery.

METHODSFibroblast cells were taken from lateral heel skin of a 40 year-old-man, then cultured and subcultured in vitro. After that, they were divided into three groups: 0 hours group, 6 hours group and 24 hours group and were tested by tensile stress testing. The levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 in nutrient fluid were measured. Transmission electron microscope and light microscope was applied for observe mitochondria and nucleus.

RESULTSUnder 10% of the tensile stress, mitochondria decreased, the levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 in nutrient fluid were decreased and cell proliferation was inhibited gradually with time increasing.

CONCLUSIONThe human lateral heel skin in a long-time tensile stress state is an important cause of wound edge skin necrosis and nonunion after calcaneus fracture surgery.

Adult ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; chemistry ; cytology ; Heel ; physiology ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Skin ; chemistry ; cytology ; metabolism ; Tensile Strength ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To compare the different effects of 1% diatrizoate meglumine,2.5% mannitol and water as oral contrasts in PET/CT scan in gastrointestinal tract delineation and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake. Methods Sixty-one patients referred for PET/CT scan without gastrointestinal diseases were divided into three groups randomly ( random number method). One liter of 1% diatrizoate meglumine,2.5% mannitol,or water was orally taken by groups 1 (25 cases),2 (20 cases) and 3 ( 16 cases),respectively before scan. The scan was performed with GE Discovery LS PET/CT scanner in two-dimensional (2D) mode 50 min after 18F-FDG (5.55 MBq/kg) injection. Patients with abdominal lesions were excluded from this study. The degree of gastrointestinal filling and 18F-FDG uptake was evaluated by 3 nuclear medicine physicians using visual analysis according to a 4-grade classification method:none,mild,moderate,and high. Statistically analysis was performed by Kruskal-Wallis,Mann-Whitney and paired t tests.Results Both the differences of serum glucose and insulin levels were not significant before and after contrast taken in group 2. Group 2 had better gastrointestinal filling than that of group 1 and also better than group 3 except in rectum. The stomach,jejunum,ascending,and transverse colon were better filled in group 1 than in group 3. The degree of 18F-FDG uptake of group 3 was significantly higher than that of group 2 in stomach,jejunum and ileum (z= -3. 192,-3.290,-3.290,all P＜0.05),and was also significantly higher than that of group 1 (z = - 3. 603,P ＜ 0.05) in jejunum. The degree of 18 F-FDG uptake of group 3 was significantly lower than that of group 1 in ascending colon (z = - 2. 706,P ＜ 0. 05 ) and was significantly lower than that of group 1 and 2 in transverse and descending colon (z= - 3. 503,- 2.403,- 4.225,-4. 027,all P ＜0.05),and was also significantly lower than that of group 2 in rectum (z = -4. 128,P ＜0. 01 ). The maximum CT values in stomach,jejunum,ileum and ascending colon in group 1 were ( 132 ±23),(191 ±31),(313 ±47) and (374±53) HU,respectively,whose difference was significant (t = -7.088--1.781,all P ＜0. 01 ). Conclusion Oral iso-osmotic mannitol intake has better gastrointestinal filling and less physiological 18F-FDG uptake compared to diatrizoate meglumine and water.

OBJECTIVETo explore the intervention of baicalin on signal transduction and activating transcription factor expression of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

METHODSRecruited were UC patients at Outpatient Department of Digestive Disease, Inpatient Department of Digestive Disease, Center for Digestive Endoscopy of College City Branch, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Southern Hospital affiliated to Southern Medical University from June 2010 to January 2011. They were assigned to the UC group (33 cases) and the diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) group (30 cases). Another 30 healthy subjects were recruited as a healthy control group. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro intervened by different concentrations baicalin were taken from UC patients. IL23R gene expressions in vitro intervened by different concentrations baicalin were detected using Q-PCR. Expressions of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) , STAT6, phosphorylated-STAT4 (p-STAT4), and p-STAT6 were detected using Western blot. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Effects of different concentrations baicalin on expressions of PBMCs, and levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 of UC patients were also detected.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group, 40 µmol baicalin obviously decreased IL23R gene expression of UC patients (P <0. 01). Compared with the healthy control group and the IBS-D group, p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios increased, p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios decreased, levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 all increased in the US group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the negative control, 5 and 10 µmol baicalin groups, 20 and 40 moL baicalin obviously decreased p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios (all P <0. 05); 20 and 40 µmoL baicalin obviously increased p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios (all P <0. 05); 20 and 40 µmoL baicalin obviously lowered levels of IFN-γ and IL-4, and elevated IL-10 levels (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSION40 µmoL baicalin could in vitro inhibit p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios, adjust p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios and related cytokines, thereby balancing the immunity and relieving inflammatory reactions of UC.

Activating Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Blotting, Western ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phosphorylation ; STAT6 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Adult ; China ; Humans ; Male ; Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification

This study was purposed to investigate the expression of RPL36A (ribosomal protein 36a) in the newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and its mechanism at the molecular level. The RPL36A mRNA expression in the newly diagnosed AML cells, U937 cells and normal MNCs was determined by RT-PCR. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting to RPL36A was transfected into U937 cells by Lipofectamine 2000 system. Proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis of U937 were observed through MTT assay, flow cytometry, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining, TUNEL and Annexin V/FITC respectively. RPL36A mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis respectively. The results showed that RPL36A expression in the newly diagnosed AML cells and U937 cells was significantly upregulated. The average OD value of U937 cells transfected with RPL36A siRNA was significantly lower as compared with 3 control groups. The cell percentage in G2-and S-phase increased, which indicated the inhibition effect of RPL36A siRNA on cell proliferation. Remarkable cell apoptosis in U937 cells treated with RPL36A siRNA was observed by AO/EB, TUNEL analysis and Annexin V/FITC assay; RPL36A mRNA and protein expression level of U937 cells treated with siRNA were significantly declined in a time-dependent manner (r=0.9813 and 0.9537). It is concluded that the RPL36A expression in the AML cells is significantly enhanced and the RPL36A gene may be involved in regulation of cell cycle and cell apoptosis of AML, which promotes proliferation of AML cells and inhibits apoptosis of cells.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Ribosomal Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the uptake of 99Tcm-hydrazinonicotinamide-D-alanine-D-alanine-alanine-proline-arginine-proline-glycine (HYNIC-A(D) A(D) APRPG) in rabbit models of inflammation and VX2 tumor xenografted, so as to evaluate its use as a new tracer for tumor angiogenesis. Methods Ten rabbit models of xenoplanted VX2 tumor and inflammation were randomly divided into two groups which were injected with different injected tracers, 99Tcm-HYNIC-A(D) A (D)APRPG 99Tcm-RGD, followed by serial Gamma images at various time points. The first group underwent 18F-FDG PET ahead of 99Tcm-HYNICA(D)A (D) APRPG SPECT. Analysis of variance and t-test were performed with SPSS 10.0. Results 99TcmHYNIC-A(D) A (D)APRPG scan showed negative uptake at inflammation focus but positive uptake at tumor. Pathological examination confirmed high 99Tcm-HYNIC-A(D)A(D) APRPG accumulation in tumor cells, with the highest tumor/inflammation ratio (3.25 ±0. 171) at 2 h post-injection, which was significantly higher than that of 99Tcm-RGD (2.37 ± 0.076) (F = 15. 63, P<0. 01). The tumor/inflammation ratios of 99Tcm-HYNIC-A(D)A(D)APRPG, 99Tcm-RGD, 18F-FDG were significantly different at 0.5, 1,2,3, 6 h (F = 13. 83～26. 41; t = 23.84, 12.75; all P<0. 01). Conclusion 99Tcm-HYNIC-A (D) A (D)APRPG can be used as a potential tracer for tumor angiogenesis.

This work was mainly studied the effects of the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro and preliminarily discussed the regulating mechanisms. The effect of alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the vitality of macrophages was measured by the MTT assay. The effect of alkaloids on the phagocytosis of macrophages was determined by neutral red trial and respiratory burst activity was tested by NBT. The expressions of respiratory-burst-associated genes influenced by alkaloids were detected by qRT-PCR. The conformation change of membrane protein in macrophages by the impact of alkaloids was studied by fluorospectro-photometer. Results showed that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could increase the phagocytosis of macrophages in different level and berberine had the best effect. Berberine, coptisine and palmatine had up-regulation effects on respiratory burst activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated by PMA and regulatory activity on the mRNA expression of PKC, p40phox or p47phox, whereas the epiberberine had no significant influence on respiratory burst. Moreover, alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could change the conformation of membrane protein and the berberine showed the strongest activity. The results suggested that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma might activate macrophages through changing the conformation of membrane protein of macrophages and then enhanced the phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of macrophages. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanism of alkaloids on the respiratory burst activity of macrophages may be also related to the expression level of PKC, p40phox and p47phox.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; Mice ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rhizome ; chemistry

The study is to develop a method to determine 3 batches leaves of Nauclea officinalis and stems of N. officinalis by HPLC. The differences between strictosamide contents and fingerprints was compared, then chromatographic peak of fingerprints was validated with the assistance of LC-MS. The strictosamide contents in stems of N. officinalis were higher than leaves of N. officinalis. The main chemical composition in leaves of N. officinalis and stems of N. officinalis were alkaloid which revealed by LC-MS. There are 7 chemical compositions were same between them, but the chemical composition in leaves of N. officinalis is more than stems of N. officinalis. This provides a scientific basis for the development of the potential medicinal value of leaves of N. officinalis and the sustainable utilization of N. officinalis.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Rubiaceae ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

To study the chemical constituents of the 95% ethanol extract of Psidium guajava. Compounds were separated by using a combination of various chromatographic methods including silica gel, D101 macroporous resin, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by physicochemical properties and spectral data Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as (+) -globulol (1), clovane-2beta, 9alpha-diol (2), 2beta-acetoxyclovan-9alpha-ol (3), (+) -caryolane-1 ,9beta-diol (4), ent-T-muurolol (5), clov-2-ene-9alpha-ol (6), isophytol (7), tamarixetin (8), gossypetin (9), quercetin (10), kaempferol (11), guajaverin (12), avicularin (13), chrysin 6-C-glucoside (14), 3'-O-methyl-3, 4-methylenedioxyellagic acid 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (15), p-hydroxy-benzoic acid (16), guavinoside A (17) and guavinoside B (18). Compounds 2-9 and 14-16 were isolated from this plant for the first time. The ethanol extract showed 61.3% inhibition against the proliferation of colon cancer cell line SW480.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Psidium ; chemistry