OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of Origanum vulgare L. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated by silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, as well as RP-HPLC column chromatographies. Their structures were elucidated based on their physicochemical properties and spectral data. RESULTS: Thirteen compounds were isolated from O. vulgare. Their structures were identified as 4-(O-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-hydroxy-7-(3', 4'-dihydroxy-benzoyl)-benzyl alcohol(1), 5, 7, 4'-trihy-droxy-8-C-p-hydroxybenzylflavone(2), 6, 7, 4'-trihydroxyflavone(3), 1, 2, 4-benzenetriol(4), methyl 3-(3', 4'-dihydroxyphenyl) lactate (5), (+)-(R)-butyl rosmarinate (6), didymin (7), apigenin (8), apigenin 7-O-β-D-glucoside (9), luteolin (10), ferulaic acid (11), caffeic acid (12) and β-sitosterol(13) Respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1~7 were isolated from O. vulgare for the first time. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB)in psoriasis. Methods Forty-two patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 20 healthy controls were enrolled into this study. All the patients received 20 sessions of NB-UVB radiation. Psoriasis area severity index (PASI)was used to evaluate the severity of psoriasis. Blood samples were collected from all the patients before and 15 cured patients after the treatment as well as from 20 healthy controls, and skin samples from 10 patients before and after the treatment as well as from 10 healthy controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)was performed to determine the serum levels of IL-17 and IL-22, and real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR to measure the mRNA expressions of IL-17 and IL-22 in skin specimens. Statistical analysis was carried out by using the two-sample t-test, paired t-test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results After 20 sessions of NB-UVB radiation, 15 out of the 42 patients were cured with a significant decrease in PASI. Compared with the healthy controls, the 15 cured patients showed a significant elevation in the levels of IL-17and IL-22 proteins(IL-17: 34.26 ± 10.05 ng/L vs. 16.34 ± 4.73 ng/L, t = 7.016, P < 0.01; IL-22: 13.72 ± 4.45 ng/L vs. 5.03 ± 1.84 ng/L, t = 8.282, P < 0.01)and mRNAs (IL-17: 13.43 ± 2.12 vs. 5.26 ± 0.87, t = 6.312, P < 0.01; IL-22:16.53 ± 2.65 vs. 7.72 ± 2.13, t = 6.823, P < 0.01)before the treatment. The PASI score was positively correlated with the levels of IL-17 and IL-22 proteins in sera (r = 0.76, 0.70, respectively, both P < 0.05)and their mRNAs in skin lesions (r = 0.65, 0.68, respectively, both P < 0.05)in these patients. The serum levels and mRNA expressions of IL-17 and IL-22 all significantly reduced in the cured patients after the treatment compared with those before the treatment(all P < 0.05). Conclusion NB-UVB may treat psoriasis by downregulating the levels of IL-17 and IL-22 in peripheral blood and skin lesions in patients with psoriasis.

A quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic ( qNMR) method was established for the simultaneous determination of resveratrol and polydatin in Polygonum Cuspidatum traditional Chinese herb cuts and granule. The 2_step ultrasonic extraction method using 80% alcohol and acetone was used for fully extracting these two components in samples before qNMR determination. The qNMR experimental conditions were investigated and deuterated dimethyl sulphoxide_deuterium oxide (10∶1, V/V) was selected as solvent, the pulse delay time was 5 s, the scan number was 32, 2,3,5_triiodobenzoate was used as internal standard which was calibrated with primary standard substance of potassium hydrogen phthalate. The 1 H_NMR peaks atδ6. 388-6. 391 ( d, 2H) of resveratrol and δ 6. 322-6. 330 ( t, 1H) of polydatin were chosen as the quantitative peaks. Method validation was performed in terms of precision ( RSD<0. 6%), linearity (correlative constants R2>0. 999), limit of detection (0. 23 g/L for resveratrol and 0. 24 g/L for polydatin) and limit of quantitation ( resveratrol 0. 69 g/L, polydatin 1. 57 g/L), recovery ( resveratrol 97. 7% -103 . 5%, RSD=2 . 4%, polydatin 94 . 5%-99 . 2%, RSD=1 . 6%, including the sample extraction and preparaton process) . The results showed the reliability of qNMR for traditional Chinese medicine assay. The resveratrol and polydatin in Polygonum Cuspidatum real cuts and granule samples were experimental determined as 3. 57-5. 69 mg/g and 12. 73-24. 07 mg/g, respectively.

Objective To determine the optimum dose of dexmedetomidine for lumbar plexus combined with sciatic nerve block when mixed with ropivacaine.Methods Eighty ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes,aged 18-63 yr,weighing 47-83 kg,scheduled for elective ankle joint surgery,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:ropivacaine group (group R) and different doses of dexmedetomidine mixed with ropivacaine groups (RD1-3 groups).Lumbar plexus block was performed by using psoas-compartment approach guided by a nerve stimulator.0.5％ ropivacaine 20 ml was injected in group R.0.5％ ropivacaine 20 ml containing dexmedetomidine 1.0,1.5 and 2.0 μg/kg was injected in RD1 3 groups,respectively.Labat's sciatic nerve block was performed,and 10 ml of the corresponding drug was injected in each group.The onset time and duration of sensory and motor blockade,and side effects such as cardiovascular events and excessive sedation were recorded.Results There was no significant difference in the onset time and duration of sensory and motor blockade between the four groups.The duration of sensory and motor blockade was significantly longer in RD1-3 groups than in group R,in RD2 and RD3 groups than in group RD1,and in RD3 group than in RD2 group.The incidence of over-sedation and bradycardia was significantly higher in RD3 group than in RD1.2 groups.Conclusion The optimum dose of dexmedetomidine is 1.5 μg/kg for lumbar plexus combined with sciatic nerve block when mixed with ropivacaine.

The astaxanthin synthesized by Phaffia rhodozyma is a commercially valuable carotenoid. Related advances in the biosynthetic pathway of astaxanthin and the regulatory mechanisms of biosynthesis in Phaffia rhodozyma in recent years were reviewed.The innovating research aspects in related fields in China were also proposed.

Objective To find methods to isolate and purify plasminogen activator (Pla) from artificial culture of Yersinia pestis. Methods Ultrasonication and urea extracting combined by ammonium sulfate salting-out were tried to extract Pla. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to purify Pla. The first step was ion exchange and the second was gel filtration, Preparative electrophoresis was used to purify Pla, too. The enzyme activity of the isolated or purificated Pla was detected. Results Both 50% - 60% saturated ammonium sulfate deposition of supernatant of plague bacilli ultrasonication and 0 - 10% saturated ammonium sulfate deposition of supernatant of plague bacilli powder soaked by urea had three bands(Mr about 31×103, 35×103 and 37×103) and lysis rings were 6.5 and 7.2 mm in diameter respectively when the enzyme activity was detected. Pla purified by HPLC was mainly composed of three bands(Mr about 31×103, 35×103 and 37×103), occupying more than 80% of total protein weight and lysis ring was 5.0 mm in diameter. Pla purified by preparative electrophoresis mainly consisted of three bands(Mr about 31×103, 35×103 and 37×103) with other proteins of low concentration nearby, no lysis ring was detected. Conclusions Pla is collected by the methods of ultrasonication and urea extracting. Priliminary purification of Pla can be achieved by HPLC and preparative electrophoresis.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the enantioselectivity of norgestrel (NG) transdermal permeation and the potential influence of linalool and lipids on the enantioselectivity. In vitro skin permeation studies of NG across the excised rat skins were performed with Valia-Chien diffusion cells, and the permeation samples were analyzed by enantioselective HPLC. The possible enantioselective permeation of NG across intact rat back skin and lipids extracted rat back skin and the influence of linalool were evaluated. The skin permeation rate of dl-NG was two times higher than that of l-NG when donor solutions (EtOH/H2O 2 : 8, v/v) containing l-NG or dl-NG. It may be mainly attributed to the solubility discrepancy between enantiomer and racemate. The enantioselective permeation of dl-NG across intact rat skin was observed when the donor solutions containing dl-linalool. The permeation flux of l-NG was 22% higher than that of d-NG. But interestingly, the enantioselective permeation of dl-NG disappeared under the same experimental condition except that the lipid extracted rat skin was used. Attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of stratum corneum showed that the wave number for asymmetric CH2 stretching vibrations of lipids treated with dl-linalool was greater than that of the control. The results indicated that the enantioselective permeation of NG may be contributed by the interaction between dl-linalool and lipids. More than half of lipids were composed of ceramides. The stereospecific interaction maybe existed among chiral enhancer (linalool), lipids (ceramides) and/or chiral drugs (NG).
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Lipids ; pharmacology ; Monoterpenes ; pharmacology ; Norgestrel ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Skin Absorption ; drug effects ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Stereoisomerism

Objective To analyze the effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC)on endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated HepG2 cells apoptosis and evaluate the role of NAC in the treatment of liver injury.Methods HepG2 cells were treated with thapsigargin(TG)to establish the model of oxidative endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated apoptosis,and NAC was used to intervene in apoptosis.To evaluate the apoptosis,various methods such as MTT assay,flow cytometry,DNA ladder and Western blot were performed.Results After treated with 2 μmol/L TG for 0,24,36 and 48 hours,the vitality of HepG2 cells decreased.The ratio of apoptotic cells increased along with the prolonged treatment duration of TG(0.7%±0.5%,27.6%±6.3%,29.7%±3.3%,47.9%±3.5% respectively,P<0.05),and the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS)also increased in time-dependent manner(14.0%±0.5%,36.1%±3.0%,38.2%±6.0%,48.3%±12.4%,P<0.05).The HepG2 cells showed typical morphologic change of endoplasmic retieulum stress induced by 2 μmol/L TG after 36 h and 48 h.DNA ladder was observed at the same concentration and time point correspondingly.Endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated-apoptosis was confirmed by Western blot.Both 10 mmol/L and 20 mmol/L NAC could protect ceils from apoptosis.The ratio of apoptotic cells decreased to 14.0%±1.3% and 11.0%±0.3%,respectively.The production of ROS decreased to 34.7%±0.8% and 31.5%±2.9%,respectively.The effect was related to the concentration of NAC.Conclusions As a Ca2+-adenosine triphoshatase inhibitor,TG may disrupt intracellular calcium homeostasis,which can induce endoplasmie reticulum stress and apoptosis.NAC,the precursor of the synthesis of-SH,can directly inhibit the ROS reaction and alleviate liver damage,which may play a role in the treatment of liver failure.

To investigate the effects of Xinji' erkang (XJEK), a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on isoproterenol-induced ventricular remodeling in mice.

0.05).2.There were significant differences in the levels of TNF-? after treated for 4 weeks(P0.05).4.There were no significances between the 2 groups before and after treated 6 weeks in the change of liver.Conclusions Matrine injection can inhibit HCMV DNA replication.It can also control the expression of TNF-? and regulate the function of the immune system.There fore matrine injection has an antivirus efficacy in HCMV infection.