OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the roots and rhizomes of Gerbera piloselloides.

METHODThe compounds were isolated by silica gel column chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by means of spectral analysis.

RESULTSeven compounds were identified as bothrioclinin (I), hydroquinone (II), marmesin (III), succinic acid (IV), umbelliferone (V), isoarborinol (VI) and beta-sitosterol (VII).

CONCLUSIONCompound I, V and VI were isolated from Gerbera genus for the first time.

Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Coumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Umbelliferones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on depressive neurosis.

METHODSWith a multi-center randomized controlled study, 440 cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture group, a prozac group, a non-acupoint needling group. In the acupuncture group, Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3) were selected, and the Prozac group were treated with administration of 20 mg/d and the non-acupoint needling group were treated with needling the points deviating from the acupoints. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by HAMD score reduction rate, and Asberg's anti-depressant side-effect rating scale (SERS) and severe adverse reaction were used for safety evaluation, and the data were analyzed with ITT.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 86. 4% in the acupuncture group, which was better than 59.1% in the non-acupoint needling group and 72.7% in the prozac group; HAMD score in the acupuncture group was similar to that in the Prozac group, which was better than that in the non-acupoint needling group; the SERS scores in the acupuncture group and the non-acupoint needling group were significantly lower than that in the Prozac group, with no severe side-effects found for acupuncture.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture is an effective and safe therapy for depressive neurosis; therapeutic effect of acupuncture on depressive neurosis possibly is better than or similar to that of Prozac, but with less side-effects.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Depressive Disorder ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged