Object To study the influence of crocetin on the activity of ATPase and the content of hydroxyproline in the myocardial hypertrophy rats induced by overload pressure. Methods Abdominal aortic ligation was used to establish the myocardial hypertrophy model in rats. The rats were divided into two groups: 1) The early term group which included five groups: sham-operation group, model group, Captopril groups, crocetin 100, 50 mg/kg groups. 2) The long term group which also included five groups as the same as the early term groups. Heart indexes were examined. The ATPase activity of heart and the content of hydroxyproline in heart were assayed by colorimetric analysis. Results Compared with the model group, crocetin can significantly reduce the cardiac indexes, increase the activities of Na +, K +-ATPase; Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ -ATPase and markedly decrease the content of hydroxyproline in heart. Conclusion Crocetin could prevent the remodeling of cardiac hypertrophy induced by overload pressure. The ATPase may play an important role in myocardial hypertrophy induced by overload pressure.

Object To study the cardio-protective effect of crocetin on primary culture cardiac myocyte injured by hydroxyl free radicals. Methods After adding crocetin, primary culture cardiac myocyte was injured by 0.5 mmol/L hydroxyl free radicals which were generated by Fenton systems. The activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and mitochondrion succinic dehydrogenase (MSD) was observed. Mitochondrion membrane potential (MMP) was detected by Rh123. The ratio of cardiac myocyte apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry and DNA ladder electrophoresis. Results Compared with the model group, crocetin significantly decreased the activity of LDH in culture supernatant and the ratio of cardiac myocyte apoptosis, markedly increased the activity of MSD and MMP. Conclusion Crocetin has the protective effect on the apoptosis of cardiac myocyte injured by hydroxyl free radical.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Kangguzhe Formula(KGZF) on promoting union of experimental rat fracture.Methods: The experimental rat fracture models were reproduced by cannon born injure,continually treated with KGZF 21d by oral administration.The X-ray,pathological histology and anti-fracture intension of fracture union tissue were detected to investigate the effects of KGZF.Results: KGZF can significantly improve the osteotylus rebuild,trabeculation of bone and concentrated osteoblasts of fracture tissue;X-ray detection also showed that it can increase the grade of X-ray and anti-fracture intension of fracture union tissue;Compared with model group,it had significant difference.Conclusion: KGZF can obviously improve the union of experimental rat fracture.

Metallothionein is a sulfhydryl-rich,and chelating a large number of metal ions,which is widely found in biological world.It is very highlighted that MT had the same physical and chemical features from different origins.Plenty of research data indicated that MTs contain 20 free sulfhydryl genes,as well as their sulfhydryl clusters,It is a multifunctional protein in health.Many experiments demonstrate that MTs may be a novel target of original new drugs because they play a role in regulating and controlling the organ fibrosis and tumor.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of bioactive extracts from Fructus Jujubae in attenuating the inflammation induced by Radix Kansui. Methods: Exoteric splenic lymphocyte ( SPL) of mouse and peritoneal macrophage ( PMψ) of rat were used as cell model to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of fractions from Fructus Jujubae. MTT method was used to assay SPL proliferation, and Griess method was used in NO release of PMψ. Firstly, Radix Kansui fraction was applied to induce inflammatory effects of the cells, and then, the anti-inflammatory effects of five extracts of Fructus Jujubae were investigated to determine the active fractions in Fructus Jujubae, which probably contribute to the attenuation of Radix Kansui. The effects of Fructus Jujubae extract in interfering the gastrointestinal acute damages caused by the extract of Radix Kansui were observed according to the pathological sections of mice. Results: The extract RK-3 ( diterpenes) exhibited the most significant pro-inflammatory effect. The bioactive extracts B (micromolecule saccharides and amino acids), D(flavonoid glycosides), and E (triterpenes) of Fructus Jujubae could attenuate the action of RK-3. The effective extract of Fructus Jujubae protected stomach and duodenum of mouse from acute damages caused by the extract of Radix Kansui. Conclusion: Fraction RK-3 (diterpenes) of Radix Kansui had pro-inflammatory effects, and some extracts of Fructus Jujubae could attenuate this effect of Radix Kansui. The results helped to clarify that Fructus Jujubae attenuates the toxic effect of Radix Kansui in certain cases, and the bioactive extracts of Fructus Jujubae discovered in the experiments offer the basis for further research to the active components of Fructus Jujubae.

Objective To investigate the effects of aspirin(aspi) on rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) proliferation induced by aldosterone(ald) and the underlying molecular mechanisms .Methods Primary CFs from 1-3 day neonatal rats were digested by 0.08%trypsin and then purified by differential adhesion .The rats were divided into four groups:control group, DMEM medium ( free calf serum ) , ald group [ DMEM medium ( free calf serum ) +ald 1 ×10 -8 mol/L ] , aspi group [DMEM medium (free calf serum)+ald 1 ×10 -8 mol/L+aspi 1.11 ×10 -6 mol/L] and spiro group [DMEM medium (free calf serum)+ald 1 ×10 -8 mol/L +spiro 1 ×10 -6 mol/L].The morphology of CFs was assayed by HE staining methods .MTT Methods were used to measure cell proliferation .Western blotting was used to determine protein expression of TGF-β-Smad 2,3,4.Results HE Staining results showed that compared with the control group , ald activated cell proliferation and increased the cell division phase significantly (P<0.01).Compared with ald group, aspi+ald as well as spiro+ald could reduce cell division significantly ( P<0 .05 ) .MTT assay showed that compared with control group , ald could significantly improve the metabolism of MTT in CF (P <0.01).Compared with ald group, aspi +ald as well as spiro+ald could reduce the metabolism of MTT (P<0.01).Western blotting revealed that the expression levels of TGF-β-Smad 2, 3, 4 in CF were significantly increased by the stimulation of ald but were significantly reduced in aspi +ald and spiro+ald groups compared with ald group (P<0.01).Conclusion Aspi can inhibit the proliferation of CFs induced by ald,possibly by down-regulating the expression of Smad 2, Smad3 and Smad4.

objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jianguguben capsule on osteoporosis induced by retinoic acid in rats.Methods:The rats were given retinoic acid 75mg(kg/d)for 2 weeks by intragastric administration,at the same time treated with different drugs according to various groups consecutive for 4 weeks.The bone mine density(BMD)and bone mine capacity(BMC)were assayed by double energy X-ray bone-densitometry equipment,the blood was collected to assay the activity of StrACP in serum,and the hydroxyproline(HOP)contents of femur by commercial kits,the bone’s biomechanics of femur were detected.Results:Jianguguben capsule could significantly improve the bone’s biomechanics,increase the BMD, BMC,index of dry femur’weight,the contents of HOP in femur significantly,and remarkable decrease the level of StrACP in serum of the osteoporotic rats induced by retinoic acid.Conclusion:Jiangguguben capsule has anti-osteoporotic effect on osteoporotic rats induced by retinoic acid.

AIM: To investigate the effects of radix pseudostellariae on cardiac function and matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) in rat chronic heart failure induced by coronary artery ligation.METHODS: Rat model of chronic heart failure was produced by ligating the coronary artery for 6 weeks.The cardiac functions were determined by observing the hemodynamics parameters.mRNA expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in left ventricular tissue were detected by RT-PCR and activities of MMPs were assayed by zemography.RESULTS: Cardiac function was remarkable turbulence after coronary artery ligation 6 weeks,according to the results of the hemodynamics.The mRNA contents and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in left ventricular tissue were significantly elevated.Radix pseudostellariae remarkable ameliorated the cardiac functions,inhibited the mRNA contents and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in left ventricular tissue of rat with chronic heart failure after continued 5 weeks treated with decoction of radix pseudostellariae.CONCLUSION: The decoction of radix pseudostellariae ameliorates cardiac functions of rat with chronic heart failure.The mechanism maybe involves in the inhibition of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression and activities in cardiac ventricles.

Objective To study the effects of marrow mesenchymal stem cells on heart functions and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in rats. Methods Myocardial infarction model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in adult SD rats. 4 and 8 weeks after MMSCs implantation, he-modynamic evaluations, left ventricular weight/body weight ratio and heart weight/body weight ratio were determined. HE staining was performed for counting microvasculars and Van Gieson staining was used for measurements and calculation of the myocardial fibrillar collagen. Then we investigated the migration and evolution of MSCs in vivo by fluorescent microscope. Results HR was significantly decreased in transplantation MMSCs group. Eight weeks after transplantation, body weight in transplantation MMSCs group reached that of control group. At the same time, SBP, DBP and MBP were significantly increased in transplantation MMSCs group. HR was significantly decreased in transplantation MMSCs group. Secondly, left ventricular weight/body weight ratio and heart weight/body weight ratio were significantly decreased 4 weeks after transplantation MMSCs. Then the ratio was significantly decreased 8 weeks after transplantation MMSCs. Thirdly density of microvasculars was increased at the boundary of infarction site in the animals transplanted MMSCs. Finally, total volume of the myocardial fibrillar collagen was reduced in the MMSCs treated groups after MI. Conclusion Transplanting MMSCs can improve the ventricular remodeling and heart functions in acute MI rat models.