OBJECTIVE: To establish Caco-2 (a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line) cell monolayer model and the standard operation procedure for studying and assessing intestinal absorption of chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS: Caco-2 cell monolayer model was established and evaluated by morphology feature using scanning electron microscope, inverted microscope and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay. Additionally, the model was further tested for the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the apparent permeability (Papp) of standard compounds, i.e. propranolol and atenolol, which were the control substances for high and poor transcellular transport marker, respectively. RESULTS: The integrality of cell monolayer, cell differentiation (reflected by expression of alkaline phosphatase and cell monolayer morphology), and the Papp value of standard compounds in the established Caco-2 cell model were satisfactory. All parameters tested were in good agreement with those reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: The established Caco-2 cell model can be used to study the intestinal absorption of orally administrated chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine and their absorption mechanism.

Cinnabar has been an important traditional Chinese medicine as a sedative and soporific agent for more than 2000 years. It is a naturally occurring mercuric sulfide and containing more than 96% mercuric sulfide (HgS). There are about 10% -30% Chinese patent medicines containing cinnabar according to the Pharmacopoeia of China (2005). It's hard to deny that cinnabar has therapeutic effect in clinic practice. However, cinnabar's extraordinary high containing mercury makes people hesitate to use. Furthermore, the abuse of cinnabar, which caused intoxication cases, has been reported occasionally. The safety and toxicity of cinnabar has been debated for centuries. The exact mechanism of cinnabar is still largely unknown. The present review focused on researches about cinnabar's mechanisms of pharmacological and toxicological effects since 2000.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Humans ; Mercury Compounds ; pharmacology ; toxicity

Objective To analyze the effect of cyclosporin A(CsA), rapamycin(RPM) and macophenolic acid(MPA) on the co-stimulated lymphocytes, CD28 and CD40, and their production of Th1/Th2 cytokine, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12. Methods The experimental groups were divided into ①mono-stimulating and co-stimulating groups: CD3 mAb mono-stimulating (group a),CD3 mAb+CD28 mAb co-stimulating (group b), CD3 mAb+CD28 mAb+CD40 L mAb co-stimulating(group c), CD3 mAb+CD28 mAb+CTLA4 mAb co-stimulating (group d). ②CsA groups: 300 ng/ml of CsA was added to group a, b, c and d. ③RPM groups: 300 ng/ml of RPM was added to group a,b, c and d. ④MPA groups:300 ng/ml of MPA was added to group a, b, c and d. The cytokine production was measured by ELISA.Results The co-stimulated CD28 and CD40 Th1/Th2 cytokines production of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased. Compared with group a, IFN-γ increased from (248.91±11.20)ng/ml to (555.08±24.42)ng/ml and (548.19±33.06)ng/ml, IL-2 increased from (29.48±8.61)ng/ml to (1100.82±99.29)ng/ml and (842.23±29.31)ng/ml, IL-4 increased from (32.29±6.76)ng/ml to (116.02±15.03)ng/ml and (147.28±18.07)ng/ml, IL-10 increased from (147.01±10.47)ng/ml to (291.79±12.47)ng/ml and (302.52±35.18)ng/ml,respectively, P＜0. 01. Compared group b with group c, the Th1 cytokines production was decreased.IL-2 and IL-12 decreased (P＜0.05). The Th2 cytokine IL-4 production was increased (P＜0. 05).CTLA4 mAb and three other immunosuppressants, CsA, RPM and MPA, inhibited co-stimulated lymphocyte's both cytokines Th1 and Th2 production. The inhibitory effect of CsA on Th1/Th2 cytokine production was more significant than RPM and MPA did. The co-inhibitory effect of CTLA4 mAb and CsA was observed as well. The increased co-stimulated CD28 and CD40 IL-12 production could be suppressed by MPA. CsA and RPM had no inhibitory effect on the IL-12 production.Conclusions CD28/CD40 co-stimulatory pathway plays the key role in lymphocyte activation and Th1/Th2 cytokine production. CsA, RPM and MPA can inhibit co-stimulated lymphocyte's Th1 and Th2 cytokine production. CsA and CTLA4 mAb have co-inhibitory effect on co-stimulated lymphocyte's Th1/Th2 cytokines production. CD40 L mAb decreases the Th1 cytokines production(including IL-12) and increases the Th2 (mainly IL-4) production, which may be the mechanism of its longevity effect on allograft.

OBJECTIVETo develop a new quality control method for cinnabar, in order to ensure the safety application of cinnabar.

METHODThree inorganic mercury compounds (HgS, HgO, and HgCl2) and cinnabar samples were analyzed by laser Raman spectroscopy. The cinnabar samples were identified by comparing the Raman band in the Raman spectrum with pure HgS.

RESULTDifferent Raman bands were observed among three inorganic mercury compounds. The Raman spectroscopic results indicated that cinnabar samples showed the same Raman band as pure HgS, consisting with the HgS contents by XRF analysis.

CONCLUSIONThe Raman spectroscopic method is simple, rapid, and reliable. It can be applied as an alternative quality control method for cinnabar.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Mercury Compounds ; chemistry ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; methods