There are 250 species of Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) in the world. This genus distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Alkaloids are the major and representative ingredients in these plants including quinolines, isoquinolines, and amide alkaloids, with such biological activities as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-virus, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-bacteria and anti- oxidant. These species have been used for a long time to treat toothache, urinary and venereal diseases, lumbago and rheumatism. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities from the Z. sppplants, in an effort to the systematic research and application of the alkaloids of this genus.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

A comparable study were carried out by determination of trace elements on five marine-derived shell traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (Ostreae Concha, Haliotidis Concha, Margaritifera Concha, Meretricis Concha, and Arcae Concha), which were recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 version). Seven trace elements in 51 batches of this type of shell TCM were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), combined with principal component analysis (PCA) methods. The content of element Se, which exhibited significant differences among different drugs, could be used as a key element to distinguish this type of drugs. Meanwhile, the contents of elements Co, Cu, Mo, and Ba in Haliotidis Concha, Co and As in Margaritifera Concha, Mo and As in Meretricis Concha, Mo, As, and Ba in Arcae Concha, and Zn in Meretricis Concha were relatively stable. In the PCA plot, Arcae Concha and Meretricis Concha could be efficiently distinguished from Ostreae Concha together with Haliotidis Concha, and Margaritifera Concha. The results also showed a correlation with their medicinal function. In conclusion, trace elements in marine-derived shell TCM could not be neglected for their quality control.
Animal Shells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Aquatic Organisms ; chemistry ; Bivalvia ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Trace Elements ; analysis

With the development of imaging technology,the detection rate of gallbladder benign lesions has increased year by year.And part of the diseases may evolve into gallbladder cancer through a series of pathophysiologic processes.There are some misunderstandings in the understanding of gallbladder benign lesions for surgeons,so it is difficult for the clinical decision-making.The relationship between gallbladder benign lesions and gallbladder cancer should be correctly understood.Surgeons can neither exaggerate the risk of gallbladder cancer nor miss optimal timing of operation.The key point of the diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder benign lesions should be based on making full use of imaging data and strictly grasp pre-and intraoperative indications,and it is important to identify the malignant transformation of gallbladder benign lesions as soon as possible and carry out standardized treatment.

Objective To explore the relationship between reduction of regional cerebral blood flow in the normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and the extent of age-related white matter lesions (WML).Methods We used Fazekas scale to divide all participants into four groups (normal,mild,moderate,severe) according to the extent of the lesions showed on MRI.Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the area of WML and NAWM was measured by xenon contrast CT examination.Results A total of 56 cases were selected.The average rCBF (ml · 100 g-1 · min-1) in the lesions (WML) around ventricle,in right centrum ovale and in left centrum ovale respectively was 20.33 ± 2.52,21.27 ± 1.02,21.03 ± 1.83 for mild; 16.33 ±2.03,15.55 ±1.71,15.91 ±0.98 for moderate; 14.05 ±2.63,14.46 ±2.17,14.23 ± 1.95 for severe.The average rCBF (ml · 100 g-1 · min-1) in the NAWM around ventricle,in right centrum ovale and in left centrum ovale respectively was 20.79 ± 2.78,22.26 ± 1.9,22.15 ± 2.4 for normal; 21.12 ± 2.95,22.17 ± 1.50,22.25 ± 2.13 for mild,18.02 ± 2.41,19.45 ± 1.94,19.62 ± 1.54for moderate; 16.38 ± 3.22,18.18 ± 2.84,16.74 ± 2.97 for severe.The decrease of rCBF in the severe and moderate lesion areas was more serious than that in the mild lesion areas and reached statistic significance (P ＜ 0.05) ; The decrease of rCBF in the severe and moderate lesion areas was more serious than that in the area of NAWM in the same grade and reached statistic significance (P ＜ 0.05).The decrease of rCBF in the area of NAWM around severe and moderate lesion areas was more serious compared with that around mild lesion areas or normal areas (P ＜ 0.05) ; But the difference of rCBF in the area of NAWM around mild lesion areas and normal areas did not show any statistic significance.Conclusions Chronic ischemia was found to be existed not only in the lesions (WML) but also in the area of NAWM around the lesions,and was related to the extent of the lesions.Chronic ischemia may play a key role in the mechanism of aged-related WML.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of infrasonic field of minesweeper on psychology of minesweeper crews.

METHODSAn experimental ship was selected to conduct infrasonic minesweeping, a control ship of the same type was selected to operate likewise with the infrasound generator turned off, and another group of coast-servicemen was chosen as blank control. Attention-span test, digit memory test, two-digital numbers list and profile of mood states (POMS) were used to test the ship crews and coast-servicemen.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in psychological parameters between the two ship crews before the experiment. But the scores of two-digit figures list in ship crews were significant lower than that in coast-servicemen, (31.2 +/- 11.8, 36.4 +/- 14.5 respectively vs 45.8 +/- 13.9, P < 0.05). POMS showed that the scores of anger-hostility, fatigue-inertia, and confusion-bewilderment in both ship crew groups [(15.5 +/- 6.4, 18.3 +/- 6.8), (12.1 +/- 5.0,12.3 +/- 4.9), (11.6 +/- 4.4, 12.5 +/- 4.8), respectively] were higher than those in coast-servicemen (13.9 +/- 7.0, 7.6 +/- 4.1, 8.2 +/- 4.3, respectively, P < 0.05 or 0.01), while vigor-activity in experimental group (15.0 +/- 5.9) was lower than that in coast-servicemen (19.7 +/- 4.7). After the experiment, the scores of experimental crews in digit memory test (14.5 +/- 5.0), vigor-activity (12.2 +/- 5.8), fatigue-inertia (15.8 +/- 6.2) were significantly different from those of control crews (17.3 +/- 4.8, 16.5 +/- 4.6, 11.3 +/- 5.1).

CONCLUSIONSThe infrasonic field from minesweeper may injure the crew's psychological health and some neurobehavioral function.

Adult ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects ; Ships

OBJECTIVETo observe the impairing effects of triptolide on liver mitochondria in isolated rat-liver mitochondria and human normal liver HL7702 cell line.

METHODSRat-liver mitochondria were isolated from adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Liver mitochondria were incubated with 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L triptolide for detecting mitochondrial swelling and with 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L triptolide for mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) activity. Mitochondrial swelling was estimated by measuring the apparent absorbance change during 600 s in the mitochondrial suspensions at 520 nm with a mitochondrial swelling examining kit. The effect of triptolide on MPTP was determined with a fluorescence detection kit by detecting the fluorescence intensity at an excitation wavelength of 488 nm emitted at 527 nm. Human normal liver HL7702 cells were treated without or with 0.02, 0.1 and 0.5 μmol/L triptolide for 24 h for analyzing mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δψm) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Δψm was measured using the fluorescent probe 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). ROS was measured using fluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA). The cells were harvested and dyed with JC-1 and DCFH-DA, and analyzed by flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTSIncubation of isolated mitochondria with triptolide results in swollen mitochondria in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, triptolide significantly activated mitochondrial permeability transition at 5 and 10 μmol/L (P<0.05 and P<0.01). When HL7702 cells were exposed to a various concentration triptolide for 24 h, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and increase of ROS were caused by triptolide in a concentration-dependent manner. Triptolide significantly induced the mitochondrial membrane depolarization at 0.1 and 0.5 μmol/L (P<0.05 and P<0.01) and the increase of ROS at 0.1 and 0.5 μmol/L (P<0.05 and P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONTriptolide could induce mitochondrial impairment, which may be one of the mechanisms by which hepatotoxicity occurs.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Mitochondria, Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins ; metabolism ; Mitochondrial Swelling ; drug effects ; Phenanthrenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of low frequency on heroin-seeking behavior and FosB protein expression in relative brain regions so as to explore the mechanism of EA.

METHODSRat model of relapsing into heroin was established with progressive fixed ratio program, and model rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a "Sanyinjiao" needle-retention control group, a low frequency and weak EA group, and a low frequency and strong EA group. Heroin-seeking behavior was elicited by conditional clue and small dose of heroin; FosB protein expression was investigated with immunohistochemical technique.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the heroin-seeking behavior induced by conditional clue decreased in the needle-retention control group and the weak EA group, and the heroin-seeking behavior induced by small dose of heroin in the weak EA group significantly reduced as compared with the control group, and FosB protein expression in the nucleus accumbens septi, globus pallidus, basolateral amygdaloid nucleus significantly decreased in the weak EA group, and did not significantly change in the strong EA group; the activity induced by heroin increased as compared with those in the control group and the weak EA group.

CONCLUSIONEA of low frequency and low intensity can cure the heroin-seeking behavior, which is correlated with regulating nervous adaptation of nucleus accumbens septi, basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, etc..

Amygdala ; chemistry ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Globus Pallidus ; chemistry ; Heroin Dependence ; therapy ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nucleus Accumbens ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

This study is to observe the effect of N-(3-phenylallylidene)-6-fluoro-1, 8-(2, 1-propoxy)-7-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-quinolin-4(1H)-one-3-carbonyl hyarazine (FQ16) on apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro. With different concentrations of FQ16 at different times used to treat SMMC-7721 cells in vitro, the proliferation of the cells and the inhibition effect of FQ16 on the cell proliferation were examined by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33258/PI fluorescence staining, TUNEL and agarose gel electrophoresis method. The effect of FQ16 on topoisomerase II activity was measured by agarose gel electrophoresis using Plasmid pBR322 DNA as the substrate. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, delta psi m) was measured by high content screening image system. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression changes of Bcl-2 mRNA and Bax mRNA. The caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3, p53, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expressions were detected by Western blotting analysis. The results showed that the cell proliferation was inhibited by FQ16 at 0.625 - 10 micromol L(-1) in a time-dose dependent manner. Treatment of SMMC-7721 cells with different concentrations of FQ16 for 24 h increased the percentage of the apoptosis cells obviously (P<0.05), the typical ladder DNA in apoptotic cells and a concomitant dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Compared with control group, FQ16 influenced obviously DNA topoisomerase II activity, stimulated DNA cleavage and inhibited DNA reunion mediated by topoisomerase II. In addition, FQ16 (3 - 7.39 micromol L(-1)) increased mRNA expression of Bax and protein expression of p53, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3, separately, and induced cytosolic accumulation of activities caspase-9 and caspase-3, whereas the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 decreased with no change of caspase-8. Therefore it can be concluded that the effects of inhibited topoisomerase II and mitochondrial-dependent pathways were involved in FQ16 induction of apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells.
Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Molecular Structure ; Piperazines ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

This study is to investigate the cytoprotective role of NaNO2 preconditioning against ethanol induced damage in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells. The cells were preconditioned with NaNO2 (0.25 mmol x L(-1)) for 24 hours or 4 weeks, and then exposed to ethanol (200 mmol x L(-1)) for additional 12 h and untreated cells served as control. Both temporal and chronic NaNO2 preconditioning could prevent ethanol elicited cytotoxicity as evidenced by thiazolyl blue (MTT). NaNO2 preconditioning also could inhibit ethanol-induced apoptosis, which was confirmed by FITC-Annexin V/PI flow cytometer and Hoechst 33258 and PI staining. Further, simultaneous NaNO2 preconditioning treatment along with ethanol showed protection against ethanol mediated cellular damage as indicated by significantly decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Western blotting analysis revealed that in ethanol treated cells preconditioned with NaNO2, the HIF-1alpha and Bcl-2 increased obviously, while the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, including Bax, Caspase-9, Caspase-3 decreased. The results showed that low doses of NaNO2 preconditioning resistant to ethanol-induced human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells apoptosis, which mechanism may be related to increased expression of HIF-1alpha in the cells.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Ethanol ; toxicity ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Sodium Nitrite ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective method for controlling nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy.

METHODSEighty-eight cases of hepatic cancer with interventional therapy of Cisplatin were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 44 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with an antiemetic and electroacupuncture at Yongquan (KI 1), and the control group only with the antiementic. The controlling rates for nausea and vomiting were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe controlling rates for acute nausea, vomiting and delayed vomiting in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at Yongquan (KI 1) can better prevent and improve the symptoms of nausea and vomiting in the patient with chemotherapy of Cisplatin.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Cisplatin ; adverse effects ; Electroacupuncture ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; prevention & control ; Vomiting ; prevention & control