This study was conducted to investigate the chemical constituents in the root of Dysosma versipellis (Hance) M. Cheng. The constituents were isolated by silica gel, lichroprep RP-C₁₈ and pharmadex LH-20 column chromatography and the IR, MS, NMR, 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis were employed for the structural elucidation. Ten compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of Dysosma versipellis, their structures were elucidated as dysoverine D (1), dysoverine F (2), dysoverine A (3), podoverine A (4), α-peltatin (5), rutin (6), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), kaempferol (9) and quercetin (10). Compound 2 is a new compound, and compounds 1 and 3-6 were isolated from this plant fo r the first time.

Objective To optimize and assess the formulation of self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) for artemether(ARM). Methods The optimized formulation of ARM-SMEDDS was screened by solubility, ternary phase diagram and central composite design-response surface methodology, with the particle size, Zeta potential and solubility as parameters. The physicochemical property and dissolution characters of ARM-SMEDDS were also determined. Results The optimized SMEDDS was composed of Cremophor RH40 (39.29%), Transcutol HP (35.71%) and MCT(25%). The average particle size after the emulsification was 24.52 nm, the Zeta potential was-10.10 mV, and the drug loading of self-microemulsifying exceeded 88 mg/g. Conclusion The optimized formulation of ARM-SMEDDS using the star point design-response surface methodology has significantly enhanced the solubility and in vitro dissolution of ARM.

Objective To analyze the genetic diversity of Aconitum brachypodum, an endangered medicinal plants. Methods Three pair primers were used to evaluate the relevant genetic parameters and clustering pattern for four natural populations containing 105 individuals by using POPGENE32, MEGA4, NTSYS and other biometric softwares. Results For A. brachypodum, the Nei’s genetic diversity index (He), Shannon’s information index (I), percentage of polymorphic loci (PPB) were 0.322 9 ± 0.179 8, 0.472 0 ± 0.251 7, and 80.57%, respectively; and the population level were 0.115 4 ± 0.044, 0.168 0 ± 0.065 3, and 12%, respectively. The genetic differentiation index (Gst) was 0.864 2. The clustering results showed that, Luquan and Dongchuan populations are grouped together, Lijiang and Huize populations are clustered together. Conclusion A.brachypodum possesses the relatively high level of genetic diversity at the species level, however, low within populations. This study should provide an initial insights for A.brachypodum germplasm conservation

Belonging to Panax L. species, the roots of Panacis Majoris Rhizoma have been widely used for a long history in China. The species has a variety of chemical constituents, which mainly concludes triterpenes and triterpenoids, essential oil, steroid and steroidal saponins, flavonoids and trace elements. The writer makes a systematic summary about research on the chemical constituents of Panacis Majoris Rhizoma in China and abroad for 30 years, especially on the classification of triterpenes and triterpenoids, and provides the references for further studies.

Dipyridamole,a widely used drug in clinics that inhibits platelet agregation,also shows great potential for anti-vi- ral and anti-tumor effect in recent years. However,with its poor and pH-dependent solubility as well as the narrow absorption window in the gastrointestinal tract,the conventional oral dosage forms have problems of low bioavailability,high inter-subject variability and insufficient drug efficacy. The novel drug delivery systems based on solid dispersion,gastro-floating,microenvironmental pH-modifica- tion,drug-protein complex and nanoparticle technologies are the effective methods to enhance oral drug absorption. In this paper we re- view the recent advances in novel dosage form and preparation technology of dipyridamole,to provide references for development of novel preparation with good safety,therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance.

ObjectiveTo investigate the preventive effect and mechanism of Dendrobium officinale （DO） on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） by network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsDO components in blood after administration were identified and analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-QE-HF-MS/MS）. Network pharmacology and molecular docking methods were employed to obtain active ingredients and potential targets of DO for NAFLD control. High-fat feeds were used to replicate the NAFLD rat model. Biochemical kits were used for detecting the expression levels of blood lipids， hepatic lipids， and liver functions of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were employed to observe pathological changes in rat liver， and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） assay was performed to validate potential targets obtained from the network pharmacology analysis. ResultsA total of 13 DO components were identified in blood， including berberine， dihydrosanguinarine， and oxypeucedanin. A total of 14 potential targets were screened through network pharmacology， including Forkhead box protein O1 （FoxO1）， epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）， and insulin-like growth factor 1 （IGF-1R）， involving pathways such as the advanced glycation end product （AGE）/receptor for AGE （RAGE） signaling pathway， blood lipids and atherosclerosis， insulin resistance， and FoxO signaling. The results of animal experiments showed that the NAFLD rat model was successfully replicated. After the preventive treatment with DO for NAFLD rats， the indexes of blood lipids， hepatic lipids， and liver function were normalized； lipid deposition and lesions in the liver were significantly improved； the expression level of FoxO1 mRNA in the liver was significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and the mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， EGFR， and IGF-1R were significantly increased （P<0.05）. ConclusionDO has a preventive effect on NAFLD rats， and the mechanism of action may be related to the modulation of IGF1R and EGFR targets and activation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway.

Child, Preschool ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; beta-Thalassemia ; genetics

AIM: To assess the protective effect of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells(ADSCs)exosomes on injured retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)by establishing an in vitro rat RGC pressure injury model.METHODS: ADSCs were cultured, and exosomes were extracted from the supernatant and identified. Rat RGCs were divided into a control group, pressure model groups(40, 80, 120 mmHg), and exosome-treated groups under different pressures. Cell proliferation activity was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. The mRNA expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and Caspase-3 in RGCs were detected by qPCR, and protein levels were measured by Western Blot.RESULTS: The CCK-8 assay showed that cell proliferation activity in the control group increased significantly at 48 h compared to 24 h(P<0.05). At 48 h, cell viability in the exosome-treated groups increased significantly compared to the 40, 80, and 120 mmHg pressure model groups(all P<0.05). qPCR results indicated that BDNF mRNA expression decreased in the 40 mmHg pressure model group without statistical significance(P>0.05), and significantly decreased in the 80 and 120 mmHg pressure model groups(all P<0.05). BDNF mRNA expression significantly increased in the 40 and 80 mmHg pressure model groups after exosome treatment(both P<0.05), and increased in the 120 mmHg pressure model group without statistical significance(P>0.05). Caspase-3 mRNA expression increased in the 40 mmHg pressure model group without statistical significance(P>0.05), and significantly increased in the 80 and 120 mmHg pressure model groups(all P<0.05). Caspase-3 mRNA expression significantly decreased in the 40 and 80 mmHg pressure model groups after exosome treatment(P<0.05), and decreased in the 120 mmHg pressure model group without statistical significance(P>0.05). Western Blot analysis showed that BDNF protein expression decreased in the 40 mmHg pressure model group without statistical significance(P>0.05), and significantly decreased in the 80 and 120 mmHg pressure model groups(all P<0.001). After exosome treatment, BDNF protein expression significantly increased compared to the pressure model groups(all P<0.05). Caspase-3 protein expression increased significantly in all pressure model groups compared to the control group(all P<0.05), and significantly decreased in all exosome-treated groups compared to the model groups(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: ADSCs-derived exosomes enhance cell proliferation and viability in cultured rat RGCs in vitro under different pressure-induced injuries, enhance BDNF mRNA and protein expression levels, and reduce Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression levels, suggesting that ADSCs-derived exosomes have a protective effect on pressure-injured in cultured rat RGCs in vitro.

Age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)is a main cause of irreversible visual impairment in the elderly. The major pathological features are drusen formation, macular pigment disorder, geographic atrophy and abnormal neovascularization. Retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)function is impaired in ARMD. Endoplasmic reticulum(ER)is an organelle in eukaryotes responsible for protein synthesis, modification, integration and quality control. ER also participates in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis and lipid biosynthesis. Stimuli from the external and internal environment may trigger ER stress and therefore activate the intracellular signal transduction pathway-the unfolded protein response(UPR), to restore cell homeostasis. However, prolonged ER stress may lead to apoptosis. The pathogenesis of ARMD has not been fully elucidated, nevertheless, compelling evidence demonstrates that ER stress is involved. In this article, we summarize recent advances in UPR pathways, as well as the role of ER stress in the physiological function of RPE and in the pathogenesis of ARMD.

Aged-related macular degeneration(ARMD)is prone to occur in the people who aged 50a or older. The disease can lead to partial or even complete loss of sight in single or both eyes progressively. The pathogenesis of ARMD is still unclear, but the previous studies have shown that oxidative stress plays an important role. The mechanism of antioxidants on ARMD has gradually become a hotspot in recent years. In this paper, we briefly reviewed the mechanism of ARMD caused by oxidative stress and the application of antioxidants on ARMD.