The revelant literatures about chemical constituents from the plant Bacopa monnieri and their pharmacological activities were consulted and summarized. The plant contains major chemical compounds including triterpenoids and their glycosides, flavonoids, phenylethanoid glycosides and sterols. It has the impact on central nervous system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, respiratory system and endocrine system, in addition to anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidation, hypoglycemic, antitumor, anti-microbial and liver and kidney protection and other pharmacological activities. This paper reviewed the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities, and provided a scientific basis for further research and development of the plant.

Objective To investigate the water soluble chemical constituents in the root of Valeriana officinalis Linn. var. latio folia Miq. and to identify their structures. Methods The water soluble chemical constituents were isolated and purified by macroporous resin Diaion HP-20, silica gel and Sephadex LH-20; the chemical structures of the components were determined by MS, 1D NMRand 2D NMR spectral analysis. Results and conclusion Thirteen constituents were isolated and identified from the root o f Valeriana officinalis Linn. var. latio folia, including Ganxinoside A (1), (-)-angelicoideno 1-2-0-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (-)-angelicoidenol-2-0-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), 6-hydroxy-7-(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylenehexahydrocyclopenta [c] pyran-1 (3H)-one (4), kanokoside A (5), prinsepiol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), (+)-pinoresinol-4-0-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), sinenoside I (8), lanicepsides A (9), (+)-1-hydroxypinoresinol-1-O-β-D-glucoside (10), (+)-pinoresinol-4, 4′-0-bisglucopyranoside (11), (+)-cycloolivil 6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (12), and coniferin (13). All the 13 compounds are isolated from the root o f Valeriana officinalis Linn. var. latio folia Miq. for the first time.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the stress shielding after mini-plate internal fixation for mandibular fractures.

METHODSEighteen patients with mandibular fractures were selected.X-rays were taken before operation and 3, 4, 6 months after operation when the plates were removed. The bone density of the mini plate area was examined and compared among different time interval groups.

RESULTSThe bone density before operation (125.41 ± 2.47) and 3 months after operation (120.19 ± 3.52) was not significantly different, but became lower 4 and 6 months after operation than before operation.

CONCLUSIONSThere appeared stress shielding after internal fixation for 4 and 6 months in mandibular fracture, and the mini plate should be removed at those times.

Bone Density ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Mandibular Fractures ; surgery

BACKGROUNDSmall noncoding microRNAs regulate gene expression in cardiac development and disease and have been implicated in the aging process and in the regulation of extracellular matrix proteins. However, their role in age-related cardiac remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF) was not well understood. The present study was designed to decipher molecular mechanisms underlying age-related atrial structural remodeling and AF.

METHODSThree groups of dogs were studied: adult and aged dogs in sinus rhythm and with persistent AF induced by rapid atrial pacing. The expressions of microRNAs were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Pathohistological and ultrastructural changes were tested by light and electron microscopy. Apoptosis index of myocytes was detected by TUNEL.

RESULTSSamples of atrial tissue showed the abnormal pathohistological and ultrastructural changes, the accelerated fibrosis, and apoptosis with aging and/or in AF dogs. Compared to the adult group, the expressions of microRNAs-21 and -29 were significantly increased, whereas the expressions of microRNAs-1 and -133 showed obvious downregulation tendency in the aged group. Compared to the aged group, the expressions of microRNAs-1, -21, and -29 was significantly increased in the old group in AF; contrastingly, the expressions of microRNA-133 showed obvious downregulation tendency.

CONCLUSIONThese multiple aberrantly expressed microRNAs may be responsible for modulating the transition from adaptation to pathological atrial remodeling with aging and/or in AF.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Atrial Fibrillation ; etiology ; Atrial Remodeling ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; physiology ; Dogs ; Electrocardiography ; Fibrosis ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; MicroRNAs ; analysis ; physiology ; Myocardium ; pathology ; ultrastructure

Chinese medicine processing is a procedure to process medicinal materials under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theories by using unique methods in China. The medicinal materials can only be used clinically after proper processing. With the development of the modernization of TCM, it is difficult to solve the problems in the inheritance, development, and internationalization of Chinese medicine processing. Metabonomics, a new omics technology developed at the end of the last century, is used to infer the physiological or pathological conditions of the organism with the methods such as NMR and LC-MS via investigating the changes in endogenous small molecule metabolic network after the organism is stimulated by external environment. Metabonomics coincides with the holistic view of TCM because it displays the characteristics of integrity, comprehensiveness, and dynamics, and it has been widely applied in the field of Chinese medicine processing in recent years. This study summarized the application of metabonomics in the processing mechanism and quality control of Chinese medicine processing and prospected the development of this technology in the field of Chinese medicine processing.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Mass Spectrometry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolomics/methods* ; Quality Control

Syndrome is a nonlinear "internal-excess external-deficiency", "dynamic spatial-temporal" and "multi-dimensional" complex system and thus only by using a versatile method can the connotation be expounded. Metabonomics, which is dynamic, holistic, and systematic, is consistent with the overall mode of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)(holistic view and syndrome differentiation and treatment). Therefore, metabonomics is very important for the research on the differentiation, material basis, and metabolic pathways of syndromes, and efficacy on syndromes. This study reviewed the application of metabonomics in the study of TCM syndromes in recent years, which is expected to objectify the research on TCM syndromes.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolomics ; Syndrome

Dengzhan Shengmai Capsules( DZSMC),a well-known traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) formula,is comprised of the main drug of Erigeron breviscapus,and supplemented with Panax ginseng,Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis,with functions of supplementing Qi and nourishing Yin,promoting blood circulation and strengthening brain. DZSMC is the only Chinese patent drug with A-level evidence-based medicine in secondary prevention for stroke and ranks first among TCMs for neurological treatment. Modern studies indicate that the chemical constituents of DZSMC mainly include flavonoids,phenolic acids,lignans,saponins and so on. Pharmacological experimental studies have shown that DZSMC has such pharmacological effects as anti-oxidation,anti-inflammatory and anti-myocardial ischemia. DZSMC is mainly used in the convalescent care of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,and is often used in combination with various conventional therapeutic drugs to exert clinical efficacy through brain protection,neuroprotection,etc.,and improve clinical symptoms in patients. In this review,according to domestic and international related literature combined with research results obtained by our project,the research advances in the chemical constituents,pharmacological effects and clinical application of DZSMC have been systematically reviewed and summarized,providing reference and support for further study and secondary development of the formula.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Erigeron/chemistry* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Ophiopogon ; Panax ; Phytochemicals/pharmacology* ; Phytotherapy ; Schisandra

A large number and wide varieties of microorganisms colonize in the human gastrointestinal tract. They construct an intestinal microecological system in the intestinal environment. The intestinal symbiotic flora regulates a series of life actions, including digestion and absorption of nutrient, immune response, biological antagonism, and is closely associated with the occurrence and development of many diseases. Therefore, it is greatly essential for the host's health status to maintain the equilibrium of intestinal microecological environment. After effective compositions of traditional Chinese medicines are metabolized or biotransformed by human intestinal bacteria, their metabolites can be absorbed more easily, and can even decrease or increase toxicity and then exhibit significant different biological effects. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicines can also regulate the composition of the intestinal flora and protect the function of intestinal mucosal barrier to restore the homeostasis of intestinal microecology. The relevant literatures in recent 15 years about the interactive relationship between traditional Chinese medicines and gut microbiota have been collected in this review, in order to study the classification of gut microflora, the relationship between intestinal dysbacteriosis and diseases, the important roles of gut microflora in intestinal bacterial metabolism in effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines and bioactivities, as well as the modulation effects of Chinese medicine on intestinal dysbacteriosis. In addition, it also makes a future prospect for the research strategies to study the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicines based on multi-omics techniques.

The international cooperated research projects of the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) and Metagenomics of The Human Intestinal Tract (MetaHIT) were officially launched in 2007, which indicated the era of metagenomics research of microorganisms in human gastrointestinal tract had been coming. Each human body is a superorganism which is composed of 90% commensal microorganisms, especially the intestinal microorganisms. The intestinal microorganisms play an important role on health maintenance since they are involved in the absorption and metabolism of nutrients in the human bodies. Herein, we review the research progress in the mechanism of intestinal microorganisms in human diseases. Our purpose is to provide novel ideas on human health and therapeutic targets of diseases.

Dolomiaea plants are perennial herbs in the Asteraceae family with a long medicinal history. They are rich in chemical constituents, mainly including sesquiterpenes, phenylpropanoids, triterpenes, and steroids. The extracts and chemical constituents of Dolomiaea plants have various pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, anti-gastric ulcer, hepatoprotective and choleretic effects. However, there are few reports on Dolomiaea plants. This study systematically reviewed the research progress on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Dolomiaea plants to provide references for the further development and research of Dolomiaea plants.
Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Asteraceae ; Triterpenes ; Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Phytochemicals/pharmacology*