Objective To develop a quality standard for Dongfengju oral liq ui d (DOL). Methods Atalantia buxjfolia, Radix Scrophulariae, Fructus Aurantii in DOL was identified by TLC. Results The obtained TLC spots of Atalantia buxj folia, Radix Scrophulariae, Fructus Aurantii in DOL occurred at the correspond ing positions compared to the controls. Conclusion The method is proved to be simple, sensitive, precise and reproducible and can be used for the quality con trol of DOL.

AIM: To determine the low content of Ophiopogon japonicus saponin metabolite in vivo. METHODS: HPLC-MS method of determining rat's metabolite diosgenin in vivo was established after single-dose oral Ophiopogon japonicus saponin enteric microsphere. RESULTS: The detection limit was about 50 ng/mL,Linearity,precision of intra and inter-day and reproducibility of the method were good. CONCLUSION: This method accords with the analysis requirement.It can give an effective measure and foundation for studying TCM saponin bioavailability.

OBJECTIVETo study the in-vitro inducing apoptosis mechanism of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells by 2',4'-di- hydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC), a chalcone compound from Cleistocalyx operculatus.

METHODQuantitative DNA fragmentation assay was carried out to detect the effect of DMC of different concentrations on SMMC-7721 cells, according to the method of Sellins and Cohen with some modifications. Telomerase activities of the cells were determined by PCR-ELISA methods. The expression quantity of c-myc and hTERT mRNA were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR The effect of DMC on expression levels of cmyc and hTERT protein were measured by western blot.

RESULTThe percentage of DNA fragmentation increased with notable concen- tration dependence, after treatment with DMC for 48 h. Compared with that of control group, the telomerase activity of the cells de- creased by (66.2 ± 2.1)% after 48 h treatment with 20 μmol x L(-1) DMC, the mRNA expression of c-myc and hTERT decreased by (67.3 ± 2.1)% and (64.4 ± 2.3)%, respectively, and the protein expression of c-myc and hTERT decreased by (69.6 ± 1.9)% and (71.3 ± 2.4)%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONDMC can induce SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis and the apoptosis mechanism may be related to the decreased mRNA and protein expression of c-myc and hTERT.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chalcones ; pharmacology ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Syzygium ; chemistry ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism

Withanolide A is a biologically active secondary metabolite occuring in roots and leaves of Withania somnifera. In the present study, adventitious roots from leaf explants of W. somnifera were induced for the production of withanolide-A by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58C1 to obtain hair roots. Hair roots induction rate reached 30%. The withanolide A was determined by HPLC in different hair roots lines and different parts of W. somnifera. The average content of withanolide A in all hair roots lines were 1.96 times as high as that in wild-plant, the concentration of withanolide A in hair roots (1.783 mg x g(-1) dry weight) were 1.51 times as high as the roots of wild W. somnifera (1.180 mg x g(-1) dry weight), respectively. It is possible to obtain withanolide A from hair roots culture of W. somnifera.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; physiology ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Withania ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Withanolides ; analysis ; metabolism

Objective To study the relative bioavailability after ig rats with Ophiopogon japonicus saponin enteric microsphere in single-dose so as to give directly preparation quality evaluation. Methods(Establishing the) analysis method of HPLC-MS and dealing with the blood sample by solid phase extraction. Determining the diosgenin concentration in plasma after ig Ophiopogon japonicas saponin enteric microsphere and the suspension as comparison in single-dose, and calculating pharmacokinetic parameters and relative bioavailability. Results C_(max), t_(max), and AUC_(0-72) were (637.81?17.23) ng/mL, (4.0?0.0) h, and 7 840.01?412.03, respectively. Conclusion The characteristics of absorption, distribution, and elimination are resembled in rats between two preparations by ig in single-dose. The pharmacokinetic parameters are also identical. The relative bioavailability is (91.10?3.44)%.

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

METHODSEighty-five cases of CFS were treated with massage and pressing of Back-shu points, combined with pressing acupoints on the head. The therapeutic effect was observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment of 3 courses, 26 cases were markedly effective, 52 cases were effective, and 7 cases were ineffective, with a total effective rate of 91.8% and a markedly effective rate of 30.6%.

CONCLUSIONPressing acupoints and massage can effectively improve clinical symptoms of the patient with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Acupressure ; methods ; Adult ; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective: To investigate the applied feasibility of scaffold with modified PLA (Polymer of lactic acid) in tissue engineering. Methods:First, we adopted salting-in method to prepare porous foam scaffold. Then, we reconstructed tissue engineering skin by epidermal cells and fibroblasts combined with modified PLA. On the 14th day of cell culturing in vitro, we was a control. Results:The arfificial skin is composed of epidermis and dermis and similar to natural skin in appearance. The skin consists of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, which are in various proliferation and differentiation stages. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes distribute on the surface of polymer of lactic acid (PLA) and the number of fibroblast and keratinocyte increase. Conclusion:Dialdehyde starches (DAS) not only improve the function of PLA but also have good effects on cells. Moreover, it does not affect the growth and the metabolism of the cells. So it is feasible to use modified scaffold to construct tissue engineering skin.

Objective To repair segmental mandibular defects with autogenous bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs)and?-triealcium phosphate.Methods Isolated BMSCs were in vitro expand- ed.A 3 cm-long segmental mandibular defect was created at right mandible in 12 canines,of which de- fects in six canines were repaired with BMSCs and?-tricalcium phosphate(?-TCP)and that in other six cases repaired with?-TCP,which was used as control.The engineered bone was evaluated by X-ray, CT,DXA,gross and histological examination,immunohistochemistry and biomechanical test 4,12,26,32 weeks after operation respectively.Results In induced BMSCs,histochemistry showed AKP activity. Oral X-ray showed obvious callus formation 4-26 weeks after operation in experimental group but minimal bone formation in control group.At 32 weeks after operation,gross observation,X-ray and CT demonstra- ted well bony-union in experimental group but bony-nonunion in control group.DXA indicated that the bone density of experimental group was significantly higher than that of control group.Biomechanical test revealed no statistical difference upon mechanical strength of mandibula between experimental group and normal group.Conclusions Canine segmental mandibular defects can be well repaired with the tissue- engineered bone generated by autogenous osteogenic BMSCs and?-TCP scaffold.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of three categorized formulas for tonifying Shen yang, i.e. Shenqi Pill (SP), Yougui Pill (YP), and Yougui Drink (YD) based on rough set, thus exploring the law of compatibility between the core herbs and the edge herbs as well as the law of compatibility between the yang-tonifying herbs and the yin-tonifying herbs in the core herbs.

METHODSThe rats were divided into the normal group, the Shen-yang deficiency model group, and the original prescription group, the core herbs group, and the edge herbs group of this three categorized formulas for tonifying Shen yang, 11 groups altogether. Thyroxine (T4), cortisol (CORT), and testosterone (T) were detected respectively. The decision rules model based on rough set was set up, the interactions between various herbs were analyzed according to the decision rules.

RESULTSThere were synergies between yam and cinnamon, yam and aconite, as well as yam and wolfberry. Poria alisma, Cortex Moutan, and oriental waterplantain tuber had no effect themselves, but they had synergistic effects with the core herbs in SP. Angelica had a certain effect itself, but its functions were different to different core herbs in YP. Licorice had no effect itself, and it was antagonistic with the core herbs in YD.

CONCLUSIONSThe compatibility of core herbs of categorized formula for tonifying Shen yang should focus on benefiting both yin and yang, as well as mutual rooting of yin-yang. Appropriate edge herbs should be chosen for compatibility according to different core herbs. The decision rules model based on rough set has a good prospect in exploring the law of compatibility of the categorized formulas.

Animals ; Drug Incompatibility ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the association of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha gene polymorphism and environment factors with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCLP) in Han nationality.

METHODSData related to infection, drug intake and folic acid supplement during pregnancy were gained through investigation of mothers. Polymerase chain reaction combined with restrict enzyme digestion was used to detect the target gene variation in 199 patients with NSCL/P and 203 healthy controls. Analysis was carried on the genotype and infection,drug intake and folic acid supplement.

RESULTSThe C2 allele frequency in patients with NSCL/P was significantly higher than that in healthy controls. There was a significant increase of patients with NSCL/P in pregnant women exposed to infection, drug intake and folic acid deficiency. There was an interaction between C1C2 genetype and infection, drug intake and folic acid supplement.

CONCLUSIONTGF-alpha gene polymorphism is associated with NSCL/P. Infection, drug intake and folic acid supplement during pregnancy were associated with the occurrence of NSCL/P. Individuals containing C2 allele were more sensitive to infection, drug intake and folic acid deficiency.

Alleles ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Transforming Growth Factors