AIM: To observe the antifungal action of Huanglian Pikang tincture (HPT). METHODS: An anifungal experiment was performed in vitro. RESULTS: HPT had obvious antibacterial actions for the trichophyton rubrum, T. interdigital, epidermophyton floccosum, candida albicans and lessened the colonies (n=5, P

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize magnetic thermosensitive hydrogel and study its heat effect under alternating magnetic field in vitro. METHODS: PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymer was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of D, L-lactide and glycolide with PEG1500 in the presence of stannous iso caprylate. Magnetic thermosensitive hydrogel of different concentrations were prepared using different currents. The influences of the concentration of magnetic fluid and current of magnetic field on the heat effect were separately observed. RESULTS: The synthetized PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymer was excellently temperature sensitive. It retained the thermo-sensitivity of original hydrogel when the magnetic fluid was loaded. The 5, 10 and 20 min heating ability of magnetic fluid was positively linearly correlated with its concentration (r=0.9985, 0.9893 and 0.9711, respectively, n=3) and current of magnetic field (r=0.9948, 0.9977 and 0.9994, respectively, n=4). CONCLUSION: The magnetic thermosensitive hydrogel has excellent temperature sensitivity. When alternating magnetic field is applied, the temperature of the system can rise and reach above LCST of hydrogel. The temperature can be controlled by changing the concentration of magnetic fluid and the current of magnetic field. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Descending activation pathways in spinal cord are essential for inducing and modulating autokinesis, but whether the effects of general anesthetic agents on the descending pathways are involved in initiation of skeletal muscle relaxation or not, as well as the underlying mechanisms on excitatory amino acid receptors still remain unclear. In order to explore the mechanisms underlying etomidate's effects on descending activation of spinal cord motoneurons (MNs), the conventional intracellular recording techniques in MNs of spinal cord slices isolated from neonatal rats (7-14 days old) were performed to observe and analyze the actions of etomidate on excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) elicited by electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral ventrolateral funiculus (VLF), which was named VLF-EPSP. Etomidate at 0.3, 3.0 (correspond to clinical concentration) and 30.0 µmol/L were in turn perfused to MN with steadily recorded VLF-EPSPs. At low concentration (0.3 µmol/L), etomidate increased duration, area under curve and/or half-width of VLF-EPSP and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated VLF-EPSP component (all P < 0.05), as well as amplitude, area under curve and half-width of non-NMDA receptor-mediated VLF-EPSP component (all P < 0.05), or decreased amplitude and area under curve of VLF-EPSP, its NMDA receptor component, and non-NMDA receptor component (all P < 0.05). However, at 3.0 and 30.0 µmol/L, it was only observed that etomidate exerted inhibitory effects on amplitude and/or duration and/or area under curve of VLF-EPSP (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) with concentration- and time-dependent properties. Moreover, NMDA receptor-mediated VLF-EPSP component was more sensitive to etomidate at ≥ 3.0 µmol/L than non-NMDA receptor-mediated VLF-EPSP component did. As a conclusion, etomidate, at different concentrations, exerts differential effects on VLF-EPSP and glutamate receptors mediating the synaptic transmission of descending activation of MNs in neonatal rat spinal cord in vitro.
Anesthetics, Intravenous ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Efferent Pathways ; physiology ; Electric Stimulation ; Etomidate ; pharmacology ; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials ; drug effects ; physiology ; Female ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Motor Neurons ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; drug effects ; physiology ; Spinal Cord ; physiology

OBJECTIVE: To develop an UPLC method for simultaneous determination of seven components in Gardenia jasminoides, ie, gardoside, shanzhiside, deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester, gardenoside (RG), genipin-1-β-D-gentiobioside, chlorogenic acid, and gardenoside to evaluate the quality of Gardenia jasminoides. METHODS: ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column was used for the UPLC analysis. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid solution. Gradient elution was conducted at a flow rate of 0.2 mL·min-1. The column temperature was maitained at 30℃ and detection wavelength was set at 238 nm. A linear model was obtained through principal component analysis (PCA), and the scores of the principal components were used to evaluate the quality of Gardenia jasminoides Alba decoction pieces comprehensively. RESULTS: The seven components could be well separated from each other with good specificity, precision, repeatability, linearity, recovery rate and stability. The 25 Gardenia jasminoides Ellis samples and two Gardenia jasminoides Ellis var.grandiflora Nakai samples conformed to the quality requirements in the chapter of gardoside, shanzhiside, deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester, gardenoside(RG), genipin-1-β-D-gentiobioside, chlorogenic acid, gardenoside. As the comprehensive evaluation shown, the quality of wild Gardenia jasminoides samples from Jiangxi province was better; Gardenia jasminoides from inland provinces excelled those from coastal provinces; and Gardenia jasminoides across Jiangxi province were of stable and higher quality. CONCLUSION: The method established in this study can effectively assay geniposide, gardoside, shanzhiside, deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester, gardenoside and genipin gentiobioside in Gardenia jasminoides, thus it can be used for the quality control of Gardenia jasminoides.

Hepatic fibrosis models were induced by CCl4 in rats. To explore vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFβ1) mRNA expression and bcl-2, Bax protein expression levels of intervention and explore the mechanism of the Aralia chinesis anti-hepatic fibrosis. Sixty male Sprague-Dawlley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups: nomal group, model group, high-dose (10 mL x kg(-1)), medium-dose (7.5 mL x kg(-1)), low-dose (5.0 mL x kg(-1)) of A. chinesis treated group and colchicine treated group. The change of liver histopathology was observed by HE and Masson staining. The mRNA of VEGF, TGF-β1 were detected by RT-PCR. The protein of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blot. In the model group liver cell obvious degeneration, necrosis, a large number of collagen fibers of the cable hyperplasia, part visible pseudolobule formation. A. chinesis large, medium, low-dose group and colchicine group liver cell degeneration and necrosis reduced A. chinesis small, medium, and high-dose group was gradually reduced trend and A. chinesis large, middle dose group degree of reduction is particularly significant. Compared with model group, A. chinesis of large, medium and small dose group and colchicine group VEGF mRNA expression, A. chinesis of large, medium-dose group TGF-β1 mRNA expression reduce (P < 0.05); compared with colchicine group, A. chinesis of large, middle dose group of VEGF mRNA expression decreased (P < 0.05); A. chinesis of large, middle dose group of TGF-β1 mRNA expression decreased (P < 0.01), and compared with colchicine group, large dose group of of TGF-β1 mRNA expression decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with model group, A. chinesis of large, medium and small dose group and colchicine group Bcl-2 protein expression reduce (all is P < 0.05). But A. chinesis of large, medium and small dose group and colchicine group of Bax protein expression were increased (P < 0.05). A. chinesis regulation of VEGF, TGF-β1 may prevent the activation of hepatic stellate cells, liver tissue by up regulating the anti-apoptotic protein Bax and down pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression, thereby to improve the degree of liver fibrosis.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Aralia ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To observe the changes of cardiac function and carotid artery structure in elderly hypertensive patients with different left ventricular geometric patterns. Methods Seventy-eight elderly patients with essential hypertension were divided into 4 groups according to left ventricular geometric patterns by ultrasonography: normal ventricular geometry group(n=34),concentric remodeling group(n=18),concentric hypertrophy group(n=11)and eccentric hypertrophy group(n=15).The 24-h ambulatory blood pressure,left ventricular function,carotid artery intima-media thickness(IMT),hemodynamic parameters and incidence of plaque were measured and compared among groups.Results Patients in concentric hypertrophy group had higher 24-h average systolic blood pressure in comparison with those in normal ventricular geometry group and concentric remodeling group(P

0.05). ConclusionThe present study confirms that tiotropium 18 ug once daily compare with ipratropium can reduce lung hyperinflation,ease exertional dyspnea and improve symptom-limited exercise tolerance in COPD patients.

Objective To study the modulation effect of adrenomedullin (ADM) on hypoxia pulmonary hypertension in rats.Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group ( n =8), hypoxic group ( n =8), hypoxic with ADM group ( n =8). ADM was subcutaneously administered into rats of hypoxic with ADM group by mini-osmotic pump (300 ng/h). After two weeks hypoxic challenge, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) were evaluated by a right cardiac catheterization procedure. Mean systemic artery pressure (mSAP) was measured. The ratio of right ventricular mass to left ventricular plus septal mass [RV/(LV+S)] was detected.Results sPAP, mPAP and RV/(LV+S) significantly increased in hypoxic rats compared with controls ( P

The academic origin of homogeny of spleen and pancreas is explained from the aspect of Chinese medicine.The authors think spleen faihng to spread essence is the basic pathogenesis to diabetes mellitus.Spleen function of spreading essence is impaired.Thus essence of water and grain could not be spread in the whole body but amass sugar-turbidity,which manifests high blood sugar.Differentiating diabetes mellitus from the viewpoint of spleen,invigorating spleen and benefiting Qi could help spleen to ascend clear.Invigorating spleen-yin and clearing endogenous heat are used.The liver and kidney should be considered.The methods of dissipating phlegm and activating blood circulation could be combined.The treating idea of treating spleen is treating pancreas should be used in preventing and treating diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of SIRT6/NF-κB signal axis in delaying hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell senescence with ginsenoside Rg1, in order to provide theatrical and experimental basis for looking for methods for delaying HSC senescence.

METHODSca-1 + HSC/HPC was isolated by magnetic cell sorting (MACS) and divided into five groups: the normal control group, the aging group, the positive control group, the Rg1 anti-senescence group, and the Rg1-treated group. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining, cell cycle analysis and hemopoietic progenitor cell mix (CFU-Mix) were adopted to determine the effect Rg1 in delaying or treating Sca-1 + HSC/HPC senescence biology. The mRNA and protein of senescence regulation molecules SIRT6 and NF-KB were examined by realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) and western blotting.

RESULTCompared with the senescence group, the Rg1 anti-senescence group and the Rg1-treated group showed lower percentage in SA-β-Gal-stained positive cells, decreased cell proportion in G1 phase, increased number of CFU-Mix, up-regulated in SIRT6 mRNA and protein expression, down-regulation in NF-KB mRNA and protein expression. The Rg1 anti-senescence group showed more evident changes in indexes than the Rg1-treated group.

CONCLUSIONRg, may inhibit Sca-1 + HSC/HPC senescence induced by t-BHP by regulating SIRT6/NF-KB signal path.

Animals ; Antigens, Ly ; analysis ; Cellular Senescence ; drug effects ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NF-kappa B ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Sirtuins ; physiology