Objective To investigate the effects of montelukast(MK),a selective cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 antagonist on interleukin(IL)-5 and eotaxin expression as well as serum total immunoglobulin E(IgE) production during MK treatment of mouse acute asthma airway inflammation.Methods Sensitized Balb/c mice were challenged by ovabumin(OVA)to establish the acute asthmatic mo-(del).Twenty-five mg/kg of MK(MK group) or Saline(Saline group)were given by intravenously for 3 days.Cellular infiltration of bronchoalveolar larvage fluid(BALF) were assessed by Wright staining.Production of IL-5 and eotaxin in the lung or BALF and serum IgE were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expression of IL-5 and eotaxin mRNA were measured by semi-quantified reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Plasma MK level was determined by liquid chromatography.Results After 24 h OVA challenge,the numbers of total white blood cells,neutrophils and eosinophils(EOS)of BALF were(26.0?18.9)?10~7/L,(5.92?8.09)?10~7/L and(0.74?0.88)?10~7/L in MK treatment group.They were significantly reduced compared with those in Saline group,respectively(P80%.The level of IL-5 in BALF and lung tissue were(48.52?14.45) ng/L and(27.40?9.62) ng/g protein in MK group,which significantly declined compared with that in saline group;BALF eotaxin level declined too.Serum IL-5 and total IgE level were also significantly reduced;IL-5 mRNA expression in lung significantly decreased.Eotaxin and its mRNA expression in lung were not decreased significantly.Conclusion MK(exerts) its anti-inflammatory effect mainly through the suppression of IL-5 and IgE production.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction on Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression.

METHODThirty-two NOD mice were randomly divided into the model group, the traditional Chinese medicine group (TCM group, orally given 0.4 mL nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction as per 100 g x kg(-1) everyday), the hydroxychloroquine group (given 0.4 mL hydroxychloroquine as per 60 mg x kg(-1) everyday), the traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group (TCM WM group, given nourishing Yin, Strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction 50 g x kg(-1) and hydroxychloroquine 60 mg x kg(-1), 0.4 mL everyday), with eight mice in each group. Eight Balb/C mice were selected as the normal control group (normal group). All of mice were killed after eight weeks, and their submaxillary glands were dissected. The expression levels of Fas/FasL were examined by immunohistochemical method, and the FasL mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTThe expression levels of Fas/FasL in salivary glands of the model group were higher than that of other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of FasL of the normal group was much lower than that in the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05). The relative expression level of Fas mRNA in salivary glands of the model group was higher than that in other groups, but the control group was notably lower than other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of FasL mRNA in salivary glands of the model group was higher than that in TCM and TCM WM groups (P < 0.05). But the expression level in TCM WM group was notably lower than the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction could down-regulate the expression level of Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression, and had a better efficacy after being combined with hydroxychloroquine. The nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction might treat the Sjogren's Syndrome by reducing apoptosis which is regulated by Fas/FasL

Animals ; Fas Ligand Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Qi ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Salivary Glands ; metabolism ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; genetics ; therapy ; Yin-Yang ; fas Receptor ; genetics

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

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

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

It is crucial to improve the health care quality during the progress of constructing the new health care system in both urban and rural area.On the condition of increasing government commonweal investment for the basic health care,the standardized training program for the district medical practitioners will become the pivotal step to improve district health care in urban and rural area,standardize medical service,reduce the medical cost and optimize the accessibility to medical care for the mass.Taking the consideration on the personal resource of district medical service in the urban and rural area in China,certain strategic proposals related to the standardized training program for the fundamental medical practitioners are discussed.

Objective To explore the relationship between the genesis of dyskinesia and the degree of substantia nigra lesion in Parkinson disease(PD).Methods The hemi-parkinsonian rat model was established by injecting 6-OHDA stereotaxically to right medial forebrain bundle(MFB). Then the hemi-parkinsonian rat was injected intraperitoneally with levodopa methylester(25 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),twice a day)for 21 days,the abnormal involuntary movements were estimated.After being sacrificed,the midbrain was removed,and the injured degree of dopaminergic neurons at substantia nigra was observed by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry staining.The relationship between the abnormal involuntary movement scores and dopaminergic neurons loss at substantia nigra was evaluated by sigmoid equation analysis by using Excel software.Results The apomorphine-induced rotation rate above 7 r/min was found in 10 of 25 rats,those rats were regarded as successful hemi-parkinsonian model rats.After the treatment with levodopa methylester,8 of 10 rats displayed abnormal involuntary movements,including stereotype and contralateral rotation,the types of movements varied.Abnormal involuntary movements were appeared in the rats with dopaminergic neurons loss above 90%.The positive relationship was observed between the degree of lesion in substantia nigra and the severity of abnormal involuntary movements.Conclusions The severe loss of dopaminergic neurons at substantia nigra probably plays a role in the development of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in patient with Parkinson disease.

Objective To investigate cellular and behavioural effects of 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8- OH-DPAT in a rat model of levodopa-induced motor complications.Methods The hemi-parkinsonian rat model was produced by stereotaxically injecting 6-OHDA to right medial forebrain bundle(MFB).Two sets of experiments were performed.First,rats were intrapefitoneally treated with levodopa 50 mg/kg plus benserazide 12.5 mg/kg twice a day for 22 days.On day 23,rats intraperitoneally received either 8-OH- DPAT(1 mg/kg)or 8-OH-DPAT plus WAY-100635(0.1 mg/kg)or dissolvent with each levodopa dose as controls.In the second set,rats were intraperitoneally treated either with levodopa(50 mg/kg)plus 8-OH- DPAT(1 mg/kg)or levodopa 50 mg/kg plus dissolvent,administered twice daily for 22 consecutive days. Rotational duration and frequency of off period were estimated.After sacrificed,subcellualr distribution of GluR1 and GluR1Ser845 phosphorylation was observed by Western blot.Results 8-OH-DPAT,reversing the shortened rotational duration induced by levodopa,prolonged the rotational duration by 27.8%?6.1% and reduced the frequency of failures to levodopa by 7.2%?1.7%.Co-administration of WAY-100635,a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist,with 8-OH-DPAT eliminated the effect of 8-OH-DPAT on motor complications, indicating that the observed 8-OH-DPAT responses were probably mediated via the 5-HT1A autoreceptor. Moreover,8-OH-DPAT could regulate subcellular distribution of GluR1 and reduce hyperphosphorylation of GluR1 Ser845 by 22.1%?3.5%,which was closely associated with levodopa-induced motor complications. Conclusions These results suggest that pharmaceuticals stimulating 5-HT1A receptors could be useful in the treatment and prevention of the motor complications in parkinsonian patients.

To ascertain current situation of wild Marsdenia tenacissima resources in Honghe, Yunnan province, the distribution, habitat characteristic and resources reserves of M. tenacissima were surveyed based on interviews and investigation. The results showed that M. tenacissima was found in 7 counties such as Jinping, Mengzi etc, and distributed mainly on the mountainsides from 800 m to 1 200 m. And distribution was affected by many factors, such as light, heat, topography, soil, and vegetation. M. tenacissima grew well in distribution areas. M. tenacissima had averagely a weight of 2.8 kg per plant. Resources reserve of M. tenacissima in Honghe was estimated to 1 300 tons by now but it reduced rapidly in resent years, the wild resources reserve may not meet demand of market. Resources protection and wildlife tending would be conducted to deal with increasing medication requirements.
China ; Ecosystem ; Marsdenia ; classification ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; growth & development ; Soil ; chemistry

Acupuncture Therapy ; Altitude ; Animals ; Brain Edema ; prevention & control ; Female ; Hypoxia, Brain ; therapy ; Male ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Adenosine A1 ; metabolism