One of the causes of the high cost of pharmaceuticals and the major obstacles to rapidly assessing the bioavailability and risk of a chemical is the lack of experimental model systems. A new pre-treatment technology, in vitro bionic digestion was designed for metal analysis in Lianhua Qingwen capsule. The capsule was digested on 37 degrees C under the acidity of the stomach or intestine, and with the inorganic and organic compounds (including digestive enzymes) found in the stomach or intestine, and then the chyme was obtained. Being similar to the biomembrane between the gastrointestinal tract and blood vessels, monolayer liposome was used as biomembrane model Affinity-monolayer liposome metals (AMLMs) and water-soluble metals were used for metal speciation analysis in the capsule. Based on the concentration of AMLMs, the main absorption site of trace metals was proposed. The metal total contents or the concentration of AMLMs in the capsule were compared to the nutritional requirements, daily permissible dose and heavy metal total contents from the "import and export of medicinal plants and preparation of green industry state standards". The metal concentrations in the capsule were within the safety baseline levels for human consumption. After in vitro bionic digestion, most of trace metals were absorbed mainly in intestine. The concentration of As, Cd, Pb was 0.38, 0.07, 1.60 mg x kg(-1), respectively, far less than the permissible dose from the "import and export of medicinal plants and preparation of green industry state standards".
Biological Availability ; Capsules ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Digestion ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Metals, Heavy ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Models, Biological ; Stomach ; metabolism ; Trace Elements ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of different frequencies of electroacupuncture (EA) on post-operative cognitive function and the change in serum S-100beta protein under the compound anesthesia of acupuncture and drugs.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-four patients of abdominal operation at selective time were randomized into a routine drug anesthesia group (group A, 24 cases), a meridian point 2 Hz group (group B, 26 cases), a me ridian point 2 Hz/100 Hz group (group C, 25 cases), a meridian point 100 Hz group (group D, 24 cases) and a transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation 2 Hz/100 Hz group (group E, 25 cases). In group A, the endotrachea-lgeneral anesthesia was applied. In the rest groups, the acupuncture anesthesia was induced for 30 min before the endotracheal general anesthesia, at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29) and Neiguan (PC 6), with G6805-2 electric acupuncture apparatus used. In group B, the continuous wave and 2Hz in frequency were selected. In group C, the disperse-dense wave and 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency were selected. In group D, the continuous wave and 100 Hz in frequency were selected. In group E, the disperse-dense wave and 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency were selected, and the electrode pads were stick on the acupoints and connected with the electric stimulation till the end of operation. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was adopted to evaluate and record the changes in cognitive function 1 day before operation and on the 3rd day after operation. The conditions of post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in the patients and the changes in serum S-100beta protein were monitored before and at the end of operation.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of POCD on the 3rd day after operation was 41.7% (10/24) in group A. The incidence rates of POCD were 26.9% (7/26), 16.0% (4/25), 33.3% (8/24) and 16.0% (4/25) in group B, C, D and E separately. Compared with group A, the incidence rate of PCOD in group B, C, D and E were reduced (all P<0.05), the incidence rate in group C and E were lower than that in groups B and D (all P<0.05). At the end of operation, the level of serumS-100beta protein was (0.186 +/- 0.027) microg/L in group A, the levels were (0.165 +/- 0. 028) microg/L, (0.166 +/- 0.027) microg/L, (0.163 +/- 0.025) microg/L and (0.164 +/- 0.025) microg/L in group B, C, D and E separately. The levels of serum S-100beta protein in group B, C, D and E were lower than that in group A separately (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe general anesthesia assisted with EA at different frequencies reduces the incidence of cognitive dysfunctionand, decreases the level of serum S-100beta protein after intestinal cancer resection. The effects of the meridian point electric stimulation at 2 Hz/100 Hz and the transcutaneous electric stimulation at 2 Hz/100 Hz are the best. Hence, these two approaches of anesthesia deserve to be recommended practically.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Acupuncture Analgesia ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia, General ; Cognition ; drug effects ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Period

To ensure the stability of chemistry components and the convenience of operation, ultrasound method was chosen to study in this investigation. As the total common peaks area in chromatograms was set to be evaluation index, the influence on the technology caused by extraction time, ethanol concentration and liquid-to-solid ratio was studied by using single factor methodology, and the extraction technology of Paeoniae Radix Alba was optimized by using response surface methodology. The results showed that the extracting results were most affected by ethanol concentration; liquid-to-solid ratio came the second and extraction time thirdly. The optimum ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were as follow: the ultrasonic extraction time was 20.06 min, the ethanol concentration in solvent was 72.04%, and the liquid-to-solid ratio was 53.38 mL · g(-1), the predicted value of total common peaks area was 2.1608 x 10(8). Under the extraction conditions after optimization, the total common peaks area was 2.1422 x 10(8), and the relative deviation between the measured and predicted value was 0.86%, so the optimized extraction technology for Paeoniae Radix Alba is suitable and feasible. Besides, for the purpose of extracting more sufficiently and completely, the optimized extraction technology had more advantages than the extraction method recorded in the monogragh of Paeoniae Radix Alba in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which will come true the assessment and utilization comprehensively.
Paeonia ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of acupuncture-anesthetic composite anesthesia (AACA) on the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and changes of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 in elderly patients.

METHODSTotally 83 patients undergoing surgical resection of gastrointestinal tumor were randomly assigned to the simple anesthesia group (A group, 41 cases) and the AACA group (B group, 42 cases). Patients in Group A received endotracheal general anesthesia. Those in Group B were induced by acupuncture anesthesia for 30 min by needling at Baihui (DU20), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36). The electro-acupuncture (EA) apparatus was connected after arrival of qi, with the wave pattern of density 2/100 Hz. The stimulus intensity was set by patients' tolerance, with the peak current of 5 mA. Then the endotracheal general anesthesia was performed and the EA lasted till the end of the surgery. The cognitive function of all patients was assessed before operation and at day 3 after operation using mini-mental state examination (MMSE). POCD was confirmed if with one or more decreased stand- ard. The peripheral venous blood was collected before anesthesia induction (TO), immediately at the end of surgery (T1), 24 h after operation (T2), and 48 h after operation (T3), and serum concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha were correspondingly measured using ELISA.

RESULTSThe postoperative anesthesia awakening time was shorter in Group B than in Group A [(20.37 +/- 6.09) min vs (29.24 +/- 7.48) min, P < 0.05]. The remifentanil dose used during the operation was less in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.05). The incidence of POCD at day 3 was lower in Group B than in Group A [10/41 (23.8%) vs 15/42 (36.5%), P < 0.05]. The concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha at T1-T3 were higher than those at TO in the two groups (P < 0.05). The increment of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was less in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION AACA could reduce the incidence of POCD and inhibit postoperative release of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 in elderly patients undergoing colorectal cancer resection.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Aged ; Cognition Disorders ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVEAn UPLC method was developed to evaluate the quality of Paeoniae Radix by simultaneously determining four components, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol in Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces.

METHODThe UPLC chromatographic column was ACQUITY UPLC® HSS T3. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid water with gradient elution. The column temperature was 30 °C and detection wavelength was 230 nm with a flow rate of 0.4 mL · min(-1). A linear model was obtained through principal component analysis (PCA), and PCA scores were used to evaluate the quality of Radix Paeoniae Alba decoction pieces comprehensively.

RESULTPaeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol could be well separated from other components, and the results of specificity, precision, repeatability, linearity, recovery rate and stability reached the standards, respectively. The content of paeoniflorin in 9 batches of Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces was below the standard given by Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition). Using the comprehensive scoring method with principal component analysis, the results showed that the samples from Zhejiang province have better quality than those from Anhui and Shandong provinces.

CONCLUSIONThe method established in this study can effectively determine the content of paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol, which could be used for quality control of Paeoniae Radix Alba.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis

After studying the discipline of chemical components distribution in peony root, it was found that the content distribution of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol was inhomogeneous in different parts of peony root, as same as in different roots belonging to a same plant. Therefore, in order to minimize the effects of different qualities of materials on experimental result, the content changing percentages of four chemical components was chosen as indicators to study processing method of Paeoniae Radix Alba. The processing technique of Paeoniae Radix Alba was put peony roots in the boiled water for at most ten minutes, and cut them into 2-3 mm slices after peeling the root bark, finally dry them in a oven under 55 degrees C, which was similar to the traditional processing method used in Bozhou. And the peeling, boiling and drying methods would affect the contents of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol on several levels.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the effect of fixation of posterior malleolar fractures of Haraguchi type Ⅱ on ankle function in trimalleolar fractures.Methods A total of 118 patients with trimalleolar fractures accompanied with posterior malleolar fractures of Haraguchi type Ⅱ who treated by surgery were selected as the study subjects,and divided into the fixation group(57 cases)and the non-fixation group(61 cases)based on whether the posterior malleolus was fixed during the operation.The operation related indicators,American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)ankle-hindfoot score,and the excellent and good rate of ankle function recovery were compared between the two groups.Results There was no significant difference in the operation time,intraoperative blood loss,hospital stay,fracture healing time,complete weight-bearing time or postoperative joint flatness between the two groups(P<0.05).At the end of the follow-up,the pain score and total score of the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale in the fixation group were higher than those in the non-fixation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);and the excellent and good rate of ankle function recovery in the fixation group was higher than that in the non-fixation group,with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).Conclusion Surgical treatment for the trimalleolar fractures accompanied with posterior malleolar fractures of Haraguchi type Ⅱ can achieve satisfactory clinical outcome,and the fixation of posterior malleolar fractures of Haraguchi type Ⅱ can effectively reduce postoperative joint pain and improve ankle function.

A field trial was carried out to study the influence of different kinds of spring topdressing on growth, yield and quality of Ligusticum chuanxiong. The results showed that the spring topdressing had effects of improving root length, tiller numbers and plant height to some extent. At the same time the chlorophyll content and dry weight accumulation especially the dry weight of root increased significantly. It also showed that the yield increased and quality was improved significantly. The effect of different treatment with urea58.7 kg x hm(-2)(N 27 kg x hm(-2)) was the best and the treatment with N,P,K the second.
Alkaloids ; metabolism ; Coumaric Acids ; metabolism ; Fertilizers ; Ligusticum ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical presentation, pathologic characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma of the penis.

METHODSA 49-year-old man presented with painful swelling and inflammation of the foreskin, failed to respond to antibiotic treatment and dorsal incision, and was instead complicated by Fournier gangrene. Then he underwent debridement and pathological examination.

RESULTSPathological results indicated cutaneous T-cell lymphoma of the penis. Immunohistochemistry showed CD3 and CD45 RO to be positive, but CD30, CD79a, CD20 and HMB negative. The patient was treated by interferon alpha and ultraviolet B for 2 weeks, followed by total removal of the external genitalia because of necrosis of the corpus spongiosum, which involved the scrotum and right testis on pathological examination.

CONCLUSIONCutaneous T-cell lymphoma of the penis is a rare condition and easily mis diagnosed in the early phase. Definitive diagnosis depends on pathological study.

CD3 Complex ; analysis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fournier Gangrene ; etiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; analysis ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Neoplasms ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology

A simple and quick method is described for the determination of ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, senkyunolide A and ligustilide in rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong. The 5 active ingredients in the sample was extracted using 40% ethanol and analyzed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Chromatography separation was performed using Agilent 1100 series HPLC system with a Symmetry C18 column and gradient elution with a mixture of three solvents : solvent A, acetonitrile, solvent B, methanol and solvent C, 1% aqueous acetic acid, 0 min to 5 min A: B: C 20: 40: 40, 5 min to 30 min A: B: C 60 to 100 : 0 : 40 to 0. The effluent was monitored using a VWD detector set at 321 nm (0-4.3 min) and 275 nm (4.31-30 min). The flow rate was set at 1 mL x min(-1) and the injection volume was 10 microL. The column temperature was maintained at 35 degrees C. The calibration curve was linear (r > or = 0.99) over the tested ranges. The average recovery was 94.44%-103.1% (n = 6). The method has been successfully applied to the analysis in different harvest periods of L. chuanxiong samples. In this paper, single-factor randomized block design to study the 5 components content of L. chuanxiong on ten collecting stages. For the L. chuanxiong collected from April 15th to May 30rd, the content of 5 ingredients increased primarily, and then decreased. Determine the appropriate harvest time has important significance to the promotion of the quality of L. chuanxiong.
4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Acetic Acid ; chemistry ; Acetonitriles ; chemistry ; Benzofurans ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Coumaric Acids ; analysis ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; Methanol ; chemistry ; Solvents ; chemistry ; Time Factors