Objective To investigate the effect of Pingfei Oral Liquid (POL) on the distribution of mast cells (MCs) and the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the lung tissue of radiation pneumonia rats. MethodsForty-five SD rats were randomized into 3 groups : normal control,model group and POL group. The rat model of radiation lung fibro-sis was set up by a single X-ray dose of 20Gy irradiation over the whole chest of the rats. POL (20 g·kg-1·d-1,once a day, five times a week) was given orally one week before irradiation and the treatment lasted 5 weeks. MCs in the lung tissue were stained with toluidine blue firstly and then were counted 2, 4 and 8 weeks after irradiation. IL-6 protein expression of lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemical assay 8 weeks after irradiation, and mRNA ex-pression was determined with RT-PCR 4 weeks after irradiation. ResultsIt's showed the aggregation of large amount of pulmonary mast cells and increase of IL-6 protein expression 8 weeks after irradiation (P < 0.01).IL-6 mRNA expression in the irradiated lung of rats increased 4 weeks after irradiation (P < 0. 01). POL could reduce the aggrega- tion of MCs (P < 0. 01) and the expression of IL-6 protein (P < 0. 01) and mRNA (P < 0. 05) in the lung tissue. ConclusionPOL can prevent radiation pneumonia in rats by reducing the aggregation of mast cells and inhibiting IL-6 expression in the lung tissue.

Objective To study the effect of the extract of Chrysanthemum Indicum(CI)on the expression of tumor necro-sis factor-α (TNF-α) and neutrophil function in chronic bronchitis (CB)rats and to explore the therapeutic mechanism for chronic bronchitis. Methods The extract of CI was prepared. Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, Chuanxiling group, and low-, middle-and high-dose CI extract groups. Rat model of CB was established by intratracheal injection with low-dose lipopolysaccharide. After drug intervention, the expression of TNF-α in rat serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was detected by ELISA method. Phagocytic function of the neu-trophil and respiratory burst of the rats were measured by flow cytometry (FCM). Results Compared with the blank con-trol group, the phagocytic function of the neutrophil, respiratory burst of the rats, and the expression of TNF-α in rat serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the model group were increased significantly. CI extract significantly decreased the abnormal rising of the above indexes. Conclusion Down-Regulation of TNF-α expression, and decrease of the neutrophil phagocytic function and rat respiratory burst may be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of Chrysanthemum In-dicum extract for the treatment of CB.

Objective To study the effects and mechanism of berberine in combination with magnolol and honokiol on the formation of THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells. Methods THP-1 macrophages were induced into foam cells by ox-LDL, and intracellular cholesterol in foam cells was determined by HPLC-MS; the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α in the supernate of THP-1 macrophages was tested by ELISA and cell-surface CD36 level was assessed byflow cytometry. Results Combined treatment of berberine, magnolol and honokiol significantly reduced cholesterol con-tent in foam cells, also inhibited expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and CD36 in THP-1 macrophage. Conclusion Co-administration of berberine, magnolol and honokiol can inhibit the formation of foam cells probably through, down-regulating the level of tumor necrosis factor-α and CD36.

Objective To test the content of menthol in Chuanbei Pipa Syrup(CPS)by GC, and to evaluate its quality. Meth-ods The content of menthol in CPS was determined by capillary gas chromatography. DB-WAX capillary column (30 m ×0. 319 mm × 0. 50μm) was used with nitrogen as carrier gas. The precolumn pressure was 500 kPa and the column temperature was at 110 ℃ with split ratio of 25 : 1. The temperature was set at 250℃ for sample injection and for the detector. Results The content of menthol in CPS produced by Henan Pharmaceutical Co. , Ltd. , Zhengzhou Pharmaceutical Co. , Ltd. and Yunan Pharmaceutical Co. , Ltd. was 0. 154 mg/mL, 0. 203 mg/mL and 0. 109 mg/mL, respectively. Of them, the men-thol content in CPS produced by Zhengzhou Pharmaceutical Co. , Ltd. met the requirements of Pharmacopoeia(2005 edition), and that of the other two species was slightly lower. Conclusion The methods are convenient, reliable and accurate for the de-termination of menthol content in Chuanbei Pipa Syrup.

Objective To discuss the influence of drug compatibility on the components of the volatile oil in Flos Lonicerae and Fructus Forsythiae. Methods GC-MS system was used to analyze the volatile oil in Flos Lonicerae, Fructas Forsythiae and their combination. The effect of compatibility on the components and content of volatile oil was evaluated. Results The results of GC-MS showed that gerani]o, tetradecanoic acid methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester, fluoranthene, 9, 12, 15-Octadeeatrienoic acid ethyl ester and linoleic acid was detectable in Flos Lonicerae but was undetectable in the drug pair; camphene, alpha-terpinene, perillaalcohol, 2-beta-pinene, beta-hexadecanal, phellandrene was de-tectable in Fructus Forsythiae but was undetectable in the drug pair; limonene, isolongifolene, nonadecane was detectable in the drug pair but was undetectable in the two single drugs. Conclusion The compatibility of the drug pair has an effect on components and contents in the volatile oil of Flos Lonicerae and Fructus Forsythiae.

Objective To establish a method for the determination of gastrodin in Tianyuan Granula. Methods The sample was refluxed with methanol, then eluted with 80 % ethanol through the alumina column(neutral). The chromato-graphic conditions were as follows: Diamonsil Cts chromatographic column(250 mm ×4.6 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0. 15 % phosphoric acid (1 : 99), the detection wavelength being at 220 nm and the flow rate be-good (r=0.9999 95, n=7).The average recovery was 99.09 % and RSD=1. 50 % (n=6). Conclusion The method for determination of gastrodin in Tianyuan Granula is accurate, and with a good reproducibility.

Objective A headspace-gas chromatography method was established for determination of methanol in Huox-iang Zhengqi Tincture. Methods Headspace-gas chromatography was performed on a HP-INNOWAX capillary col-umn, with nitrogen as carrier gas and FID as detector. The injector temperature was at 150℃ and the detector tempera-ture was at 200℃ , and temperature programming and split stream sampling were used. Results A good linearity was obtained within the designed range, the average recovery was 98.89 % with the RSD of 1.36 %, which met the correla-tive criterion of China Pharmacopoeia. Conclusion This method is proved to be accurate, and it has a good reproducibil-ity and can be used to determinate the residual methanol in Huoxiang Zhengqi Tincture.

Objective To establish a HPLC method for the determination of baicalin and berberine hydrochloride in Com-pound Qinbo Granules. Methods The gradient elution was performed on a Diamonsil C18 column using method-water (0. 05 % phosphate acid and 0. 1% trithylamine) as mobile phase, and the detection wavelength was 276 nm. Results The linear calibration curve of baicalin was obtained in the range of 10. 08～201.6 mg·L-1 with an average recovery of 98. 1% (RSD=1.11%). The linear calibration curve of berberine hydrochloride was in the range of 4. 08～81.6 mg·L-1 with an average re-covery of 97.9 % (RSD=1.24 %). Conclusion The method is simple and reproducible. It can be used for the quality con-trol of Compound Qinbo Granules.

Objective To establish a HPLC method for determining of the content of palmatine hydrochloride in Fuke Qianjin Tablets. Methods HPLC was performed on Shimadzu-C18 column. The mobile phase consisted of 0.05 mol·L-1 sodium acid phosphate (pH=3, adjusted by phosphoric acid)-acetonitrile (72 : 28). The detection wavelength was at 265 nm. Results The linear correlation was in the range of 0. 051 μg～0. 255 μg(r=0. 999 9). The average recovery was 100. 04 %, and RSD=1.03 % (n=5). Conclusion The method is accurate and specific.

Objective To establish a HPLC-ESI-MS method for simultaneous analysis and determination of flavonoids in Semen Hoveniae. Methods The separation was performed on Acquity UPLCTM BEH C18 column (50 mm× 2. 1 mm,1.7 μm) with a mobile phase of formic acid aqueous solution (B) and MeOH (A). The flow rate was at 1.0 mL/min and detection wavelength was at 290 nm. Samples were analyzed in positive-ion detection model. Results Five kinds of flavonoids in Semen Hoveniae were separated well and were tentatively identified by ESI-MS and by reference to litera-ture data. Conclusion The method is accurate and rapid, and can be used for the identification of flavonoids in Semen Hoveniae.