Objective To establish the HPLC fingerprints of Radix Glycyrrhizae. Methods The RP-HPLC method was used, Zorbax SB C_ 18 column (250 mm?4.6 mm, 5 ?m) was employed; the acetonitrile-1.2% acetic acid (gradient elution) was used as mobile phase, analytic time was 70 min, and detective wavelength was at 254 nm. Results The HPLC fingerprints of Radix Glycyrrhizae were set up. The result showed that 38 peaks were common in different sources. The results of method validation met technical standard of fingerprints. Conclusion The method is stable and reliable with a good reproducibility and provides a reference standard for the quality control of Radix Glycyrrhizae.

OBJECTIVETo prepare pravastatin sodium-loaded chitosan microspheres to allow sustained drug release.

METHODSThe drug-loaded chitosan microspheres were prepared by using genipin as the cross-linker. The influences of molecular weight of chitosan, volume ratio of oil and water, reaction temperature, and stirring speed on the formation of chitosan microspheres were investigated. The morphology of the microspheres was observed using scanning electron microscopy. The encapsulation efficiency, swelling ratio under different pH conditions, and in vitro drug release were measured.

RESULTSThe in vitro release of pravastatin sodium could last for at least 31 days. The drug release rate varied with the reaction condition. The drug entrapment efficiency of the microsphere was 54.7%. The optimal processing conditions were as follows: chitosan viscosity of 200-400 mPa·s, oil-water proportion of 10:1, stirring speed of 850 r/min, and reaction temperature at 40 degrees celsius;.

CONCLUSIONThe pravastatin sodium-loaded microspheres show good sustained drug release property, and the drug release rate can be modified by controlling the cross-linking time.

Chitosan ; Cross-Linking Reagents ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Iridoids ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microspheres ; Pravastatin ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo prepare a pH fluorescence probe based on styrylcyanine dyes for live cell imaging.

METHODSThe Probe 1 was prepared by reaction of 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde with 1,1,2-trimethylbenz[e]indole. The influence of pH on the fluorescent properties was examined, and the cell viability was examined using cell counting kit-8. The Probe 1 was used as a pH fluorescence probe in living cell.

RESULTSProbe 1 emitted green fluorescence under neutral and basic conditions but orange fluorescence under acid condition. Probe 1 selectively stained the cytoplasmic regions of living cells without significantly affecting the cell viability.

CONCLUSIONThe pH-sensitive fluorescent probe prepared based on styrylcyanine possesses good ability of cell membrane permeation for live cell fluorescent imaging.

Cells, Cultured ; Fluorescence ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Optical Imaging

Objective:To investigate the effects of of anti tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in adjuvant treatment of strangulated intestinal obstruction combined with ischemic intestinal necrosis.Methods:From February 2011 to August 2016 in Huadu District People′s Hospital Affiliated with Southern Medical University, 122 patients with strangulated intestinal obstruction combined with ischemic intestinal necrosis were selected and were equally divided into the experimental group and control group with 61 cases in each group according to the random draw envelope principle. Conventional surgical resection and anastomosis was used in control group, the postoperative anti TNF-α therapy was given for 2 weeks based on the treatment in control group.Results:All patients completed surgery and there were no serious complications during operation.The postoperative anal exhaust time and symptom remission time in experimental group were significantly lower than those in control group: (2.14 ± 0.41) d vs. (6.24 ± 1.28) d and (3.54 ± 0.77) d vs. (6.99 ± 0.91) d ( P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative 14 d complications such as anastomotic leakage, wound infection, anastomotic stenosis and pulmonary infection in the experimental group was 4.9%(3/61), and that of the control group was 18%(11/61), and the incidence of postoperative complications in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). The postoperative 1d and 7 d serum TNF-α content in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). The postoperative 14 d anal function in the experimental group was significantly better than that in the control group ( P<0.05). MRASP and MSP of postoperative 14 d in experimental group were all significantly higher than those in the control group: (80.24 ± 11.39) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (76.24 ± 12.11) mmHg, (231.98 ± 45.29) mmHg vs. (226.39 ± 41.87) mmHg ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The anti TNF-α in adjuvant treatment of strangulated intestinal obstruction combined with ischemic intestinal necrosis can promote the recovery of clinical symptoms and inhibit the release of TNF-α. It also can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and improve gastrointestinal motility of patients.