Panax notoginseng (PN) is one of the commonly used clinical medicines for cardiovascular diseases and possesses a variety of pharmacological effects. P. notoginseng saponins (PNS) are the most important bioactive components in PN. The purpose of this study was to explain the mechanism of PNS on molecular network level. 18 targets of the main medicinal ingredients of PNS were gained by virtual screening based on pharmacophores and data mining. A protein interaction network of PNS was constructed with 189 nodes and 721 interactions. By a graph theoretic clustering algorithm Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE), 14 modules were detected. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of the modules demonstrated that the roles of PNS played in cardiovascular disease related to multiple biological processes, which could represent the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a whole to regulate the disease. The results showed that the blood circulation and hemostasis efficacy of PN related with the biological processes such as positive regulation of cAMP metabolic and biosynthetic process, platelet activation and regulation of blood vessel size, regulation of T cell proliferation and differentiation and so on. Therefore, the module-based network analysis will be an effective method for better understanding TCM.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Humans ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Protein Interaction Maps ; drug effects ; Proteins ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry

Background Researches demonstrated that ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) can enhance survival and promote differentiation of neutron.Meanwhile,CNTF also is thought to play an important role in the development of visual pathway.But,less studies are reported in the relationship of CNTF and form deprivation amblyopia.Objective This study was to investigate the expressions of CNTF in visual cortex area 17 in form deprivation amblyopia model.Methods Twelve 4-week-old cats were randomized into normal group and form deprivation amblyopia group.Monocular form deprivation amblyopic models were established in 6 cats by eyelids suture method.Pattern visual evoked potential(P-VEP) was recorded to evaluate the amblyopic models 16 weeks later following the eyelids suturing.Then,bilateral visual cortex tissue was incised at a vertical in sagittal axis fashion to prepare the section.Nissl staining was used to detect the morphologies of neurons.Expression of CNTF in Ⅰ-Ⅵ layers of visual cortex area 17 was located and quantified by immunochemistry.The positive cell number and gray scale for CNTF were calculated and compared between two groups.The use of the animals complied with Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Coucerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results Compared with the normal group,P-VEP amplitude was significantly reduced (6.11 ±1.56 μV vs.11.42±t.92 μV) and latency was significantly prolonged(75.77±9.83 ms vs.58.56±7.17 ms) in the form deprivation amblyopia group (t=5.272,3.464,P＜0.05).Nissl staining showed that the number of neurons in the form deprivation amblyopia group was less than that in the normal group.In the form deprivation amblyopia group,neurons became shrinkage and turned round,cytoplasmic processes get shortened,and the nucleus became small.The number of Nissl bodies was decreased.lmmunochemistry showed the positive neutrons for CNTF in Ⅰ-Ⅵ layers of visual cortex area 17 in hoth normal cats and model cats with the more positive cells in Ⅱ-Ⅳ layers.Compared with the normal group,the positive cell number for CNTF was significantly reduced in Ⅱ-Ⅳ layers of visual cortex area 17 in the form deprivation amblyopia group (Ⅱ layer:95.93±8.24 vs.116.25±6.52;I layer:102.65±7.45 vs.125.23±8.21;Ⅳ layer:l10.65±6.85 vs.139.54±4.26) (t=4.737,4.989,8.773,P＜0.05).In addition,the gray scale of CNTF positive cells was significantly lower in Ⅱ-Ⅳ layers of visual cortex area 17 in the form deprivation amblyopia group than that the normal group (Ⅱ layer:106.98 ± 8.86 vs.138.65 ± 6.38 ; Ⅲ layer:109.56 ± 8.69 vs.149.59 ±8.55;Ⅳ layer:l16.65 ±9.52 vs.155.76±9.87) (t=7.105,8.043,6.986,P＜0.05).Both CNTF positive cell number and gray scale in Ⅰ,Ⅴ,Ⅵ layers of visual cortex area 17 had no significant differences between two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions Form deprivation in critical period of a new born animal may lead to distributing abnormality of CNTF in visual cortex,which maybe play a role in the development of form deprived amblyopia.

In order to provide a scientific basis for the establishment of a Daphnes Cortex medicinal material fungus library and the screening of endophytic fungi that promote the growth of Daphnes Cortex and increase the content of daphnetin, we used Illumina high-throughput testing technology to analyze 9 Daphnes Cortex samples from Gansu and Shanxi provinces. A total of 632 766 valid sequences were obtained, including 348 OTUs, 4 phyla, 20 classes, 48 orders, 108 families, 154 genera, and 208 species. The sum of the first 3 fungal genera account for more than 65% of the total abundance, with the highest reaching 98.4%. Alternaria and Phoma are the main genuses of Daphne giraldii Nitsche, and Altemaria is the dominant genus. The endophytic fungi community of Daphnes Cortex is rich in diversity, and the order of fungal diversity in different producing areas is: Gangu County > Wutai County > Tanchang County.

OBJECTIVETo explore the method for obtaining olfactory ensheathing cells from human fetal olfactory mucosa by cell culture for selective adhesion in the presence of neurotrophin-3 (NT3) and low-concentration serum.

METHODSThe olfactory ensheathing cells were cultured alternatively in DMEM/F12 culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and the medium containing NT3 and 2.5% FBS every 72 h. The cells were observed for morphological changes and identified using immunocytochemistry with P75NTR and GFAP, and the cell purity was estimated.

RESULTSThe olfactory ensheathing cells from human fetal olfactory mucosa were positive for P75(NTR) and GFAP, and in in vitro culture, the cells exhibited dipolar or tripolar appearance with long thin neurites. On the 9th day of cell culture, the purity of the olfactory ensheathing cells reached about 83%.

CONCLUSIONThe olfactory ensheathing cells can be obtained by in vitro culture for selective adhesion in the presence of NT3 and low-concentration serum.

Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Fetus ; Humans ; Neurotrophin 3 ; pharmacology ; Olfactory Bulb ; cytology ; Olfactory Mucosa ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of portaazygous disconnection (PAD), portacaval shunt (PCS) and distal splenocaval shunt (DSCS) on the portosytemic shunting (PSS), hepatic function (HF), hepatic mitochondrial respiratory function (HMRF), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and arterial ketone body ratio (KBR) in order to provide a sound basis for selecting suitable operations for patients.

METHODSUsing a cirrhotic portal hypertensive model induced by CCl4/ethanol in Wistar rats, the PSS, HF, HMRF, OGTT and KBR were determined three weeks after PCS, DSCS and PAD.

RESULTSIt was revealed that: (1) In the cirrhotic portal hypertension rats, the PSS increased significantly, HMRF and hepatic reserve function (HRF) decreased significantly when compared with the control rats. (2) At the time of first postoperative week, the mean blood glucose value in the 120-minute OGTT in each PAD, PCS and DSCS groups had significant differences compared with the cirrhotic control group. But during the second and third postoperative weeks, the mean blood glucose values in the 120-minute OGTT in both PAD and DSCS groups had no significant differences compared with the cirrhotic control group except for the PCS group. The values of KBR in the three operative groups decreased significantly compared with the cirrhotic control group during the two postoperative weeks. In the third postoperative week, only the values of KBR in the PCS group had a significant difference compared with the cirrhotic control group. (3) After PCS, the PSS was further increased; HF and HMRF were significantly decreased. Little improvement was found in the third postoperative week. (4) After DSCS and PAD, the above mentioned indices were less influenced, and they were restored more quickly than those in the PCS group.

CONCLUSIONWe found that PAD and DSCS are more desirable than PCS.

Animals ; Hypertension, Portal ; etiology ; surgery ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; complications ; surgery ; Portacaval Shunt, Surgical ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo develop an HPLC method for determination of two polyacetylenes, lobetyolin and lobetyolinin, in Herba Lobeliae Chinensis.

METHODC18 column was used with the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water. Linear gradient elution from 10% to 40% acetonitrile in 25 min was applied, at the flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1), the detection wavelength was at 267 nm.

RESULTLower contents of lobetyolin and lobtyolinin were found in collected samples of Herba Lobeliae Chinensis. The highest amounts of lobetyolin and lobetyolinin were found to be 0.461 and 0.436 mg x g(-1) in a sample procured from Hong Kong. However, there were no lobetyolin and lobetyolinin in some of the samples.

CONCLUSIONA simple and effective HPLC method to analyze the two polyacetylenes in Herba Lobeliae Chinensis was established. It could be applied for the quality control of this herb.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Lobelia ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polyacetylenes ; analysis ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effects to block the TGF-beta1 (transforming growth factor beta1) signal transduction by antisense Smad4 gene on experimental fibrotic liver.

METHODSUsing the rat model of liver fibrosis induced by Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)/ethanol, we transfected antisense Smad4 gene mediated by adenovirus via portal vein infusion into the liver, and observed the expression of Smad4 by Retro-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western Blot. We also investigated the pathologic features and collagen expression.

RESULTSIn the non-therapeutic cirrhotic liver, the expression of Smad4 mRNA was significantly increased than normal liver, and so was the collagen I. After antisense Smad4 gene being transfected, the expression of Smad4 mRNA and that of collagen I in the therapeutic liver was significantly decreased, compared with the non-therapeutic cirrhotic liver. The fibrous degree of therapeutic liver was also reduced compared with the non-therapeutic fibrous liver.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that because antisense Smad4 gene could block TGF-beta1 signal transduction by reducing the expression of Smad4, so it could inhibit the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) and improve hepatic fibrosis.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Antisense Elements (Genetics) ; therapeutic use ; Collagen Type I ; analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Smad4 Protein ; Trans-Activators ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Objective To explore the clinical skills and curative efficacy of endovascular embolization on dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). Methods A total of 50 patients with DAVF,admitted to our hospital from 2000 to 2009, underwent endovascular embolization with different materials through a microcatheter under DSA. After embolization, imaging examination was applied and clinical manifestations were noted during the clinical follow-up to evaluate the clinical efficacies.Results Immediate postoperative angiography indicated that the fistulas were totally occluded in 43patients, occluded evidently in 6 and occluded partially in 1. The 6-84 months follow-up found that clinical symptoms of 34 patients disappeared, 6 alleviated evidently, 7 relapsed, and 3 worsened; no complications were noted. Conclusion The endovascular embolization for DAVF is effective; and choosing the right embolic approach and material and improving the technology are the keys of successful treatment.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of environmental enrichment(EE)on radiation induced cognitive dysfunction in mice.Methods A total of 45 female Kunming mice(2-month old)were randomly divided into control group,irradiation group and irradiation plus EE group with 15 in each group.Irradiation group and irradiation plus EE group were treated with a single dose of 4 Gy whole body irradiation,irradiation plus EE group were housed in EE condition for 35 d after irradiation.The object recognition task was used to evaluate the cognitive function of mice.The expression of microglial marker IBA-1 in hippocampus was determined by immunohistochemical staining.The expressions of CD68 and synaptophysin(SYP)proteins in hippocampus were assayed by Western blot.Results Compared with control group,the irradiation group had a low discrimination ratio in object recognition task and had a remarkable low level of SYP expression in hippocampus(t＝3.66,6.84,P＜0.05).In addition,radiation activated microglia in hippocampus by increasing the number of IBA-1-positive cells and enhancing the expression of CD 68(t ＝6.83,5.79,P ＜0.05).Compared with irradiation group,irradiation plus EE group increased the discrimination ratio and the expression of SYP in hippocampus(t＝3.56,4.06,P＜0.05),while the number of IBA-1-positive cells and the expression of CD68 were significantly reduced(t＝7.69,4.59,P＜0.05).Conclusions A single dose of 4 Gy whole body irradiation leads to cognitive dysfunction in mice,while EE could effectively improve the animals′cognitive behavior possibly by inhibiting microglial activation and preventing synapse loss in hippocampus.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of short-term forest bathing on human health.

METHODSTwenty healthy male university students participated as subjects and were randomly divided into two groups of 10. One group was sent on a two-night trip to a broad-leaved evergreen forest, and the other was sent to a city area. Serum cytokine levels reflecting inflammatory and stress response, indicators reflecting oxidative stress, the distribution of leukocyte subsets, and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations were measured before and after the experiment to evaluate the positive health effects of forest environments. A profile of mood states (POMS) evaluation was used to assess changes in mood states.

RESULTSNo significant differences in the baseline values of the indicators were observed between the two groups before the experiment. Subjects exposed to the forest environment showed reduced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory level, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor a levels compared with the urban group. Serum cortisol levels were also lower than in the urban group. Notably, the concentration of plasma ET-1 was much lower in subjects exposed to the forest environment. The POMS evaluation showed that after exposure to the forest environment, subjects had lower scores in the negative subscales, and the score for vigor was increased.

CONCLUSIONForest bathing is beneficial to human health, perhaps through preventive effects related to several pathological factors.

Baths ; China ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Life Style ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Male ; Nature ; Recreation ; Stress, Physiological ; Testosterone ; blood ; Trees ; Young Adult