Drying is the critical link during pharmaceutical process of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is directly related to the quality of drugs. The key to technology upgrading of pharmaceutical equipment in Chinese materia medica enterprise is the development of new drying techniques, which concerns the modernization of TCM. The study provides new ideas for the drying technology and equipment by means of reviewing the research status of drying process for the traditional Chinese medicinal materials and preparations, and analyzing the traditional and modern drying methods and equipment, as well as their existing problems and corresponding measures for the drying processes and equipment. In addition, this paper expounds the development trend of traditional Chinese medicinal materials and preparations of drying process and equipment.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; instrumentation ; standards ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

AIMTo explore the effect of central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) on gastric motility in rabbit and to analysis its mechanism.

METHODSIntracerebroventricular (icv) microinjection of drugs were used. The frequency and the amplitude of contractions of gastric motility were recorded.

RESULTS(1) Injection (icv) of 25 microg 5-HT increased the amplitude of contractions and decreased the frequency of gastric motility. (2) The effects of 5-HT were inhibited by injection (icv) of atropine, but intravenous(iv) injection of atropine could only block the increase effect of 5-HT on intragastric pressure. After injection (icv or iv) of phentolamine or propranolol, the effects of 5-HT on gastric motility were not changed markedly. (3) Microinjection (icv) of naloxone or diphenhydramine inhibited the inhibitory effect of 5-HT on the frequency of gastric contractions, and the diphenhydramine reversed the increase effect of 5-HT on intragastric pressure. (4) Vagotomy abolished the effects of 5-HT completely.

CONCLUSIONThere may be different nerve mechanisms in regulation of central 5-HT on the frequency and amplitude of contractions of gastric motility. The increase effect of 5-HT on intragastric pressure is medicated by the cholinergic system in brain, and histamine may be one of the important element on the effect of 5-HT. The cholinergic fibers in vagus nerve transmit the effect. The inhibitory effect of 5-HT on the frequency of contractions is also medicated by activating the cholinergic system in brain, enkephalin and histamine are also involved, and it is transmitted via noncholinergic and nonadrenergic fibers in vagus nerve.

Animals ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; physiology ; Lateral Ventricles ; Rabbits ; Serotonin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Xingnao-Kaiqiao acupuncture("醒脑开窍"针法) on patients with cerebral infarction.Methods: Sixty-three patients with the disease were randomly divided into treatment group(n=32) treated with Xingnao-Kaiqiao acupuncture and control group(n=31) with(traditional) acupuncture.In addition,routine medicine therapies were given to the two groups(including(dehydration),(decrease) of intracranial pressure,enhancement of nerve nutrition and supportive treatment).(Xingnao-)(Kaiqiao acupuncture) was used and adjusted the number of points with different syndromes in the treatment group,main points were as follows: Neiguan(内关PC6),(Rengzhong)(人中GV26),Sanyinjiao((三阴交)SP6) and vice points were Jiquan(极泉HT1),Chize ((尺泽LU5)),Weizhong(委中BL40),Fengchi(风池GB20),Yintang (印堂EX-HN3),Shangxing((上星DU23)-through-Baihui)(百会GV20).Traditional acupuncture was used in the control group.Points at the upper limbs were Jianjing(肩井GB 21),Quchi(曲池LI 11),Waiguan(外关(S)51),Hegu(合谷LI 4) and at the lower limbs were Zusanli(足三里ST36),Yanglingquan(阳陵泉GB34),Huantiao(环跳GB30),Fenglong(丰隆ST40),Kunlun(昆仑BL60) etc..Acupuncture was given twice a day for 15 days in both groups.Before and after therapy,the hemorrheology,blood lipid,blood,urine,stool and biochemical routine examinations,white blood cell (WBC) count in(peripheral) blood and neurological deficit score(NDS) were(determined).Curative effects of two groups after treatment were observed.Results: After treatment,the total effective power was 93.75% in the treatment group,while it was 67.74% in the control group,the difference being significant (?~2=4.85,P

Objective To assess the effectiveness of absorbable screws and metallic devices for treating tibial plateau fractures.Methods Fifty-seven cases of tibial plateau fractures were treated with internal fixation using absorbable screws(Group A),cannulated screws(Group B)and condylar buttress plates(Group C)in our hospital.According to Schatzker classification,there were 15 cases with typeⅠfractures,21 with typeⅡ,nine with typeⅢand 12 with typeⅣ,who were followed up for 6-51 months. Statistical analysis was performed to compare bone union and functional restoration of the knee between three groups.Results Bone union was achieved in all cases.Based on Merchant scale for knee func- tion,excellence rate was 84%(16/19)for Group A,92%(11/12)for Group B and 85%(22/26) for Group C,with no significant statistical difference.Conclusion Absorbable screws is as effective as metallic devices for treating tibial plateau fractures and has advantages of minimal invasion,few complica- tions and avoiding secondary operation.

Objective To investigate the clinical value , the motive regularity, the temporal and spatial correlation between myocardium and adjacent pericardium of left ventricular short -axis in normal adsults by using dual pulse wave Doppler echocardiography .Methods Tissue dual pulse spectral Doppler images about segmental myocardium and adjacent pericardial of three complete cardiac cycles in 99 normal adults were collected synchronously by using dual pulse wave Doppler techenology ,6 segments were enrolled in this study, including the anterior and posterior wall at mitral valve , papillary muscles, and apex level of left ventricular short-axis view.The motive regularity of myocardium and adjacent pericardium at different levels and segments were observed .Peak speed, onset time and peak time between myocardium and adjacent pericardium in anterior and posterior wall of three valves were measured online in systolic , early diastolic, and late diastolic, and the correlation between segmental myocardium and adjacent pericardium in speed and time were analyzed.Results Dual pulse wave Doppler echocardiography showed that in left ventricular short-axis view, motion between myocardium and adjacent pericardium in the same segment had consistent direction, motions between myocardium and adjacent pericardium in anterior and posterior wall at the same level had opposite directions .Comparison of peak velocity, in anterior wall, the peak velocities of myocardium in systolic and late diastolic at mitral valve level , and the peak velocity of myocardium in systolic at papillary muscle level were lower than that of adjacent pericardium .In posterior wall, the peak velocities of myocardium in early diastolic and late diastolic at mitral valve level , the peak velocities of myocardium in systolic and early diastolic at papillary muscle level , and the peak velocity of myocardium in early diastolic at apex level were higher than that of adjacent pericardium , with statistical significance (t=-4.207, -2.078, 4.575, -2.277, -2.440, -2.292, 5.980, 2.604, all P<0.05).Comparison of onset time, the onset time of myocardium in systolic at papillary muscle level in anterior wall , and the onset time of myocardium in early diastolic at mitral valve level in posterior wall were lower than that of adjacent pericardium, with statistical significance (t =-2.447, -2.020, both P<0.05).Comparison of peak time, except the peak time of myocardium in systolic and early diastolic at mitral valve level in posterior wall was lower than that of adjacent pericardium , the remaining differences were statistically significant ( t =-3.530, -2.411, both P<0.05).Peak velocity, onset times and peak times of each segment measured between myocardium and adjacent pericardium were well correlated (r =0.407 -0.933, all P <0.01). Conclusions Dual pulse wave Doppler echocardiography can provide relativity and accordance between motive velocity and direction of left ventricular myocardium and adjacent pericardium in normal adults .It is a promising new method for the clinical diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis and differentiation with restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Background Studies showed that macophenolic acid (MPA)down-regulates and inhibits the expression and secretion of tissue growth factor and inflammatory factor,and further impacts the proliferation and inflammation process.Pterygium is an inflammatory and proliferative lesion.Whether MPA has an inhibitory effect on pterygium is unclear.Objective This study was to investigate the antifibrotic effects of macophenolic acid on pterygium fibroblasts(PFBs) in vitro and discuss its mechanism.Methods Pterygium tissue was obtained from pterygium patient during the surgery.PFBs were cultured using explants and identified with vimentin immunohistochemisty.0,0.125,0.250,0.500,1.000 μmol/L MPA were added into the culture medium,respectively,and the cells were cultured in the medium without MPA as the control group.MTT colorimetry was used to find the optimization effective concentration of MPA and evaluate their inhibitory effect on PFBs,and BrdU fluorescence staining was used to assess the growth statue of PFBs.Expressions of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),p65 and inhibitor of NF-κB-α(IκB-α) in the cells were detected by Western blot.Results The cells was spindle in shape 3 days after cultured and showed the vortex and radial arrangement with the positive response to vimentin.With the increase of MPA,the proliferative value of PFBs (A560)showed gradually decline,with a significant difference among the five groups (F =42.874,P＜0.01).In addition,the proliferative value of PFBs (A560) significantly lowed as the prolong of MPA active time(F=26.038,P＜0.01).BrdU fluorescence staining showed a significant decrease of DNA synthesis of PFBs with the elevation of MPA dose among the five groups(F=175.279,P＜0.05),and the A560of PFBs DNA synthesis in different concentrations of MPA groups was lower than that of the control group (all at P＜0.05).No apoptotic and necrotic cell was found after MPA action by DAPI staining.The expression level of p65 in the PFBs was 0.886±0.072 and 1.542±0.124 in the MPA group and the control group,indicating a declined value in the MPA group(P＜0.05).However,the expression value of IκB-α in the cytoplasm PFBs was significantly higher in the MPA group compared with the control group(2.141 ±0.305 vs.1.559±0.267) (P＜0.05).Conclusions MPA has an inhibitory effect on the growth of PFBs,which probably is related to the arresting of NF-κB pathway.

BackgroundChoriodal neovascularization is an important ocular manifestation of angiogenesis in eyes,which derives from the choroid capillaries.Recent studies have found that complement activation is playing a key role in the laser-induced CNV.Because of the key position of CFB in the alternative pathway,bytargeting CFB and blocking the alternative pathway may provide an approach to observe the role of this alternative pathway in the generation of CNV.Objective This study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of reconstructed complement factor B (CFB)-small interfering ribonucleicacid(siRNA)on choroidal neovascularization (CNV)and its mechanism. Methods Experimental CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation in 96 eyes of 48 clean Brown Norway rats.The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups.25,50 and 75 μg B factor siRNA were injected via caudal vein on 1 day,3,5 days after photocoagulation in different dose groups,and normal saline solution was injected at the same way in experimental control group.Other 12 normal rats were used as blank control group.Fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA) was performed on 3,7,14,21,28 days after injection of CFB-siRNA and CNV was scored.The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and factor Ⅷ in choroid were detected by immunochemistry.The expressions of CFB-siRNA,VEGF,transforming growth factor β2( TGF-β2 )proteins in choroid were determined using immunochemistry in 7,14,21,28 days,and the expressions of mRNA of CFB-siRNA,VEGF,TGF-β2 were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). ResultsFFA revealed that the CNV rates in various doses of CFB-siRNA groups were significant lower than those of experimental control group in various time points(P＜0.05),and those in 75 μg B factor siRNA were decreased in comparison with 25 μg B factor siRNA (P＜0.05).Immunochemistry showed that the intensities of the VEGF and factor Ⅶ expression in various doses of CFB-siRNA groups were weaker than the blank control group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Compared with the control group,the expression of CFB reduced in 7 days,and then approached to the level near the control group.Fourteen to twenty-one days after injection of CFB-siRNA,VEGF and TGF-β2 depressions in different doses of CFB-siRNA groups were lower than blank control group( P＜0.05 ).CFB expression in choroid showed the lower levels in CFB-siRNA injection group compared with blank control group in from 7 through 21 days (P＜0.05).RT-PCR displayed the gradual increase of CFB mRNA and curve-like changes of VEGF and TGF-β2 with time prolong. Conclusions Recombinated CFB-siRNA can effectively inhibit laser-induced CNV by down-regulating the expression of VEGF and factor Ⅷ.Alternative pathway of complement plays an important role in the production of CNV.

OBJECTIVETo observe the temperature change of traditional silver needle in the human body during the burning of moxa ball.

METHODSThirty-six healthy volunteers were randomly divided into a single-needle group and a multi-needle group, 18 cases in each group. For both groups, one silver needle (18 cm in length, 1.1 mm in diameter), which was adopted in this research to measure the temperature change, was punctured in the insertion point of the volunteer (inside the top of the left buttock, 7 cm under the edge of the highest point of the iliac crest, 7 cm lateral to the dorsomedian line), then another four silver needles were punctured 2 cm respectively anterior, posterior and lateral to the insertion point in the multi-needle group, and all the silver needles were inserted with 6 cm depth. Afterigniting the 1.3 g moxa ball on the needle tail, the temperature of the measuring points that were 3 mm, 33 mm, and 63 mm above the silver needle tip were recorded separately by digital temperature measuring instrument.

RESULTSThe peak temperature of the three measuring points in the single-needle group was all around 41 degrees C, while those in the multi-needle group were around 43 degrees C, which had significant differences (all P < 0.05), but no significant differences among the highest temperature of the measuring points in the same group could be found (all P > 0.05). The highest temperature of moxa ball in the single needle group was (611.16 +/- 6.91) degrees C, while that of the central moxa ball in the multi-needle group was (628.94 +/- 8.99) degrees C, the difference of which was significant difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe temperature conductivity of the silver needle is very well, so the heat of the moxa ball could pass from the tail of needle to the tip during the warming treatment. The peak temperature on the body, tip of the silver needle in the multi-needle group is higher than those in the single needle group. Also, the peak temperature of multi-moxa ball is higher than that of single moxa ball.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of total flavonoid extract of Epimedium sagittatum (TFE) on the proliferation and differentiation of newborn rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROB).

METHODTFE was supplemented into the culture medium of ROB at 0. 1, 1, 10 and 100 microg x mL(-1) respectively. The serum of rats administered TFES (SRAT) was also added into the medium in a parallel treatment at 2.5%, 5% and 10% respectively. Their effects on cell proliferation and differentiation was studied by MTT and the analysis of osteogenic differentiation marks.

RESULTTFE had no appreciable and on cell proliferation and differentiation at any concentration. However, 2.5% and 5% SRAT stimulated cell proliferation strongly and, 5% SRAT significantly promoted the maturation and function of osteoblast by improving the alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin secretion, calcium deposition and the number of mineralized nodular structures.

CONCLUSIONThe metabolites of TFE should be the anti-osteoporosis constitutes of Epimedium sagittatum.

Animals ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; blood ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose(18 FDG) positron emission tomography and computer tomography (PET/CT) in the qualitative diagnosis and localization of Cushing's disease.

METHODSTotally 12 patients underwent transsphenoidal adenomectomy and were histopathologically proven to be with Cushing's disease. 18FDG PET/CT whole-body and brain scannings were performed preoperatively; meanwhile, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 99mTc-octreotide examination were done in all 12 cases, and inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) were done in 6 patients.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of 18FDG in diagnosing Cushing's disease was 91.6% (11/12), but MRI was 66.7%(8/12). For the 6 patients who performed IPSS, 5 of them was diagnosed to be with Cushing's disease, and only 50% (3/6) were localized correctly in the pituitary gland.

CONCLUSIONS18FDG PET/CT whole-body scan can exclude ectopic adrenocorticotropin-secreting tumors and localize the pituitary lesions with higher accuracy than MRI. Therefore, it is useful for suspected Cushing's disease, especially for patients their MRI and IPSS have negative or paradoxical results.

Adult ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multimodal Imaging ; methods ; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion ; diagnostic imaging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult