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.

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.

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.

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

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical significance of waist soft tissue tension detection in treating chronic nonspecific low back pain.

METHODSFrom August 2011 to March 2012,60 patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain were divided into two groups (sliver needle group and TCM fumigation group) according to propotion of 1:1. In sliver needle group, there were 17 males and 13 females aged from 28 to 55 years old with an average age of (45.70 +/- 4.15), treated with sliver needle; In TCM fumigation group,there were 19 males and 11 females aged from 27 to 55 years old with an average age of (43.03 +/- 5.86), treated with TCM fumigation. Changes of force-displacement distance (FDD), specific absorption rate (S) of two groups were observed before treatment, 1 week and 3 months after treatment respectively, VAS scoring and Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ) were used to access clinical effects.

RESULTS(1) VAS score of silver needle group was 4.77 +/- 0.78, 1.99 +/- 1.08 and 2.55 +/- 0.94, respectively before treatment, at 1 week and 3 months after treatment,while VAS score in TCM fumigation group were 4.43 +/- 0.61, 2.48 +/- 0.71 and 3.05 +/- 0.86, respectively. VAS score of two groups after treatment were sigificant decrease than that of before treatment (P < 0.05). There was no sigificant differences between two groups before treatment, but sliver needle group performed well in analgesia than TCM fumigation group, and had obvious differences (P < 0.05). RMDQ score of silver needle group was 13.63 +/- 1.96, 5.87 +/- 2.33 and 6.53 +/- 2.89, respectively before treatment, at 1 week and 3 months after treatment, while RMDQ score in TCM fumigation group were 13.40 +/- 2.01, 6.90 +/- 2.31, 9.23 +/- 2.87, respectively. There was no significant differences between two groups before treatment and 1 week after treatment (P > 0.05), and had obvious differences between two groups at 3 months after treatment (P < 0.01). Both groups could obvious improve dysfunction caused by chronic low back pain, and curative effect of sliver needle groups was more endurable. (2) Following-up at 3 months after treatment, FDD of multifidus, erector spinae of effected side and multifidus of healthy in sliver needle group were obvious increased (P < 0.05); In TCM fumigation group, FDD of multifidus and erector spinae on both side were increased at 1 week after treatment (P < 0.05), but had no significant meaning at 3 months after treatment on health side (P>0.05). There was no significant meaning before treatment (P > 0.05), FDD of multifidus, erector spinae of effected side in sliver needle group were obvious increased at 1 week after treatment (P < 0.05); but no obvious meaning on health side. FDD of both side in sliver needle group were obvious increased at 3 months after treatment. (3) There was correlation among differences of FDD in multifidus and erector spinae, VAS score and differences of RMDQ, and Spearman correlation coefficient R was 0.517, 0.811, 0.746 and 0.625; There was correlation between items of soft tissue tension and sympotoms, function and life quality. Conclusion:Soft tissue tension detection can effectively manifest degree of pain and dysfunction of low back, and improve objectivity of therapeutic evaluation for chronic low back pain.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Tonus ; drug effects ; Needles ; Paraspinal Muscles ; drug effects ; physiopathology

Total aerobic plate counts for bacterial colonies in the Bullacta exarata ranged from 7. 3?10 5 to 2. 8?10 6 cells per gram. 217 strains of bacteria were isolated from the Bullacta exarata and 88. 5% of them were Gram-negative rod . The predominant genera were composed of Enterobacteriaceae (61 strains), Aeromonas (58), Vibrio (27), Pseudomonas (21). The results indicate that total bacteria numbers exceeds state standard by 1～2 quantity level in every samples. The coliform bacteria numbers exceeds health standard in sample of seven and nine month. It should be brought to attention. The microflora were composed of ten genus , predominant Bacillus of rearing shoal were few in the Bullacta exarata that may play a special role for regulating and controlling the microbial community .

A 2,4 -dichlorophenol degrading Pseudomonas strain GI241-1 was isolated from a soil sample. The dienelactone hydrolase gene, designated as dcpD which encodes dienelactone hydrolase involved in transforming cis-2-chloro-dienelactone into 2-chloromaleylacetic acid, was cloned from this bacterium strain. The gene cloning strategy was to construct genomic library after location of its neighbouring gene by Southem blot and to screen the aim transformant by dot blotting. Sequencing results showed that length of dcpD is 702bp. The sequence of dcpD and the deduced amino acid are different from the relative sequences registered in the GenBank.