OBJECTIVETo examine the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GbE) on learning and memory deficit induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)), and explore its mechanisms.

METHODSThe rat models with learning and memory deficit were induced by administering via gastrogavage and drinking of AlCl(3) solution. And the model rats were treated with GbE at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg every day for 2 months accompanied with drinking of AlCl(3) solution, respectively. Their abilities of spatial learning and memory were tested by Morris water maze, and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in serum was assayed with chemical method, the AChE expression in hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and then quantitative analysis was done by BI 2000 image analysis system.

RESULTSLearning and memory deficit of rats could be induced by AlCl(3) solution (P < 0.01), and AChE expressions in rats hippocampus were increased (P < 0.01); GbE ameliorated learning and memory deficit and reduced AChE expression in rats hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner, while GbE significantly increased serum AChE activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg each day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGbE can ameliorate learning and memory deficit induced by AlCl(3), which may be due to its inhibition of the AChE expression in hippocampus.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Structures ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reaction Time

Advocating green, nature, environmental protection, safety and the pursuit of efficacy are the trends of cosmetics in the world. In recent years, more and more Chinese herbal extracts with mild, high safety and small irritation are applied to cosmetics as the natural additives. This has become a new hot spot. The recent application advances of Chinese medicine raw materials in cosmetics are overviewed according to their main functions. This review will provide useful references for the future development and application of Chinese medicinal herbs cosmetics.
Animals ; Biomedical Research ; trends ; Consumer Product Safety ; Cosmetics ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Humans

The theory of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and methods of fluorescence detection in fluorescent-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) are introduced in this article. Applications of FRET in fluorescence detection of PCR are emphatically discussed, and FRET research progress and future trends are pointed out too.
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer ; methods ; trends ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

As an important part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), mineral medicine plays an irreplaceable role. However, little has been reported on its species and valence state of heavy metals and deleterious elements, and also the relevance to pharmacological effect and toxicology. The present paper, in a new perspective, summarized the determination of the species and valence state of heavy metals and deleterious elements in recent years, discussed the progress of the pharmacological effect and toxicology, and prospected for future study which might provide reference for mineral medicine.
Animals ; Drug Contamination ; statistics & numerical data ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; toxicity ; Minerals ; analysis ; pharmacology

Itraconazole has been used to treat superficial candidal infections in China for 12 years with promising efficacy and safety. This article retrospectively reviewed literatures published in the mainstream journals in China with an attempt to find a reasonable therapy for Chinese populations.
Antifungal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Candidiasis ; drug therapy ; Dermatomycoses ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Itraconazole ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomatitis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Vaginitis ; drug therapy ; microbiology

Aim To study the effect of Tryptanthrin(Try) on proliferation and apoptosis of erythroleukemia K562 cells.Methods The cell proliferation effect of Try(1.56～50 mg?L-1) on K562 cells was assessed by MTT assay.The morphologic change was observed by Hoechst 33258 fluore-scent stain.The flow cytometer was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle.Results MTT showed that in the range of 3.12～50 mg?L-1 Try obviously inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner.Typical apoptosis changes were observed in K562 cells treated with Try for 48 h by flourescence inverted microscope.With Annexin V-FITC and PI double staining,folw cytometer result showed that the apoptosis state was obvious in K562 cells treated with 25,50 mg?L-1 Try for 48 h.The cell cycle distribution of K562 was changed.The G0/G1 phase was blocked and the DNA synthesis was inhibited,accompanied with subdiploid apoptotic peak.Conclusion Try has an effect on inhibiting the cell proliferation and inducing the apoptosis of K562.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of the ethanol extract isolated from Weiqi Decoction (WQD-EE) on AGS cell proliferation and apoptosis.

METHODSBy using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detectors (HPLC-UV) assay and MTT method, the main compounds in WQD-EE and cell viability were detected. And cell cycle distributions were determined by flow cytometry with propidium iodine (PI) staining while apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with annexin V/PI double staining. Finally, caspase-3 activities were measured by colorimetric method and protein expression was determined by Western blotting.

RESULTSHPLC analysis showed that naringin (35.92 μg/mg), nobiletin (21.98 μg/mg), neohesperidin (17.98 μg/mg) and tangeretin (0.756 μg/mg) may be the main compounds in WQD-EE. WQD-EE not only inhibited AGS and MCF 7 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, but also blocked cell cycle progression at G2/M stage as well as inducing cell apoptosis at concentrations triggering significant inhibition of proliferation and cell cycle arrest in AGS cells. While at 0.5 mg/mL, WQD-EE significantly increased caspase-3 activity by 2.75 and 7.47 times at 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Moreover, WQD-EE in one hand reduced protein expressions of p53 and cyclin B1, and in other hand enhanced protein expressions of cytochrome c and Bax. Protein levels of Bcl-2, Fas L and Fas were not significantly affected by WQD-EE.

CONCLUSIONSWQD-EE inhibits AGS cell proliferation through G2/M arrest due to down-regulation of cyclin B1 protein expression, and promotes apoptosis by caspase-3 and mitochondria-dependent pathways, but not by p53-dependent pathway.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Humans ; M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo establish systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) -like murine model by immunizing BALB/C mice with Sm mimotope.

METHODSSm mimotope was identified by screening a 12-mer random peptide library with monoclonal anti-Smith antibody. Sm mimotope was initially defined with sandwich ELISA, DNA sequencing, and deduced amino acid sequence; and BALB/C mice were subcutaneously injected with mixture phages clones. Sera Sm antibody, anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody, and antinuclear antibody (ANA) of mice were detected using direct immunofluorescence; kidney histological changes were examined by HE staining.

RESULTSFive randomly selected peptides were sequenced and the amino acid sequences IR, SQ, and PP were detected in a higher frequency. High-titer IgG autoantibodies of dsDNA, Sm, and ANA in the sera of experiment group were detected by ELISA 28 days after having been immunized by Sm mimotope. Proteinuria was detected 33 days later; immune complex and nephritis were observed in kidney specimens.

CONCLUSIONSLE-like murine model can be successfully induced by Sm phage mimotope.

Animals ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; blood ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Epitopes ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Mimicry ; Oligopeptides ; immunology ; Peptide Library

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study is to study the sealing ability and the furcal appearance of repairing subpulpal wall perforation with resinous inlay.

METHODSFifty newly extracted human molars were randomly divided into three experiment groups (group A, group B, group C, 15 teeth each) and one control group (5 teeth). In experiment groups, perforations were made perpendicularly to the center of the pulp chamber floor. Perforations of group A and B were repaired with resinous inlay and sealed by AH Plus sealer and luting glass-ionomer, respectively. Perforations of group C were directly repaired using light-cure composite resin. Perforations were not made in five teeth of control group. The furcal appearances were evaluated under stereomicroscope after repairing. Microleakage was measured by glucose oxidase detection.

RESULTSThe fineness rate of furcal appearances with resinous inlay repairing were 83.3%, while the fineness rate of furcal appearances with light-cure composite resin directly repairing were 46.7%. There were statistics difference between resinous inlay repairing and light-cure composite resin directly repairing (P<0.05). There were statistics difference among the daily microleakage of three experiment groups, group A

CONCLUSIONUsing resinous inlay to repair the subpulpal wall perforation can improve the sealing effect and avoid material overextension. AH Plus can be used as perforation sealant because of its better sealing ability.

Bicuspid ; Composite Resins ; Dental Leakage ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Glass Ionomer Cements ; Humans ; Inlays ; Molar

OBJECTIVETo discuss the present status and progress of clinical research on the cognitive effects caused by different types of brain tumors and common treatments.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were mainly from PubMed articles published in English from 1990 to Febuary 2012. Research terms were "cognitive deficits" or "cognitive dysfunction".

STUDY SELECTIONArticals including any information about brain tumor related cognitive deficits were selected.

RESULTSIt is widely accepted that brain tumors and related treatments can impair cognitive function across many domains, and can impact on patients' quality of life. Tumor localization, lateralization, surgery, drugs, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are all thought to be important factors in this process. However, some conflicting findings regarding brain tumor-related cognitive deficits have been reported. It can be difficult to determine the mechanism of these treatments, such as chemotherapy, antibiotics, antiepileptics, and steroids. Future research is needed to clarify these potential treatment effects.

CONCLUSIONSCognitive function is important for patients with brain tumor. Much more focus has been paid on this field. It should be regarded as an important prognostic index for the patients with brain tumor, and neuropsychological tests should be used in regular examinations.

Brain Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; Cognition ; physiology ; Cognition Disorders ; physiopathology ; Glioma ; physiopathology ; Humans