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

OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic expression changes of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), nucler facter kappa B (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in myocardial tissue after an exhausted exercise and study the impact of p38MAPK, NF-κB and COX-2 on its myocardial damage.

METHODSSixty Wister male rats were randomly divided into the control group (n = 10) and the exhausted exercise group (n = 50). Then the exhausted exercise group was further divided into 5 subgroups, namely 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h after an exhausted exercise (n = 10). The myocardial injury animal model was set up by using an exhausted swimming exercise and the expression of p-p38MAPK, NF-κB and COX-2 were examined by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the expression of p-p38MAPK were increased significantly (P < 0.01) in all the groups and the 3 h group was the highest( P < 0.01); The expression of NF-κB were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in all the groups but 0 h P > 0.05) and the 6h group was increased significantly compared with the other groups( P < 0.05); The expression of COX-2 were increased significantly( P < 0.05) in all the groups but 0 h and the 24 h groups was increased significantly compared with the other groups(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONp38MAPK was activated in an acute exhausted exercise, p-p38MAPK may play an important role in modulating NF-κB and COX-2 expression and mediating the exhausted exercise induced myocardial damage.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Fatigue ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Swimming ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Traditional mineral Chinese medicine is a characteristic part of Chinese medicine, in the development of traditional Chinese medicine has its unique role. With the development of science and technology and the increase of the medical level, traditional mineral medicine research is gradually thorough and wide-ranging. In recent years, traditional mineral Chinese medicine research mainly includes the physical properties of mineral medicine, structure, chemical composition, pharmacology and treatment mechanism research. The above several aspects of research in the mineral medicine has important practical and theoretical significance. The above several aspects of research status and the problems existing in the research were briefly summarized and reviewed in this paper, and its development were discussed, to provide reference for further studies in the future.
Animals ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Minerals ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Physical Phenomena

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Animals ; Brucellosis ; transmission ; Cattle ; blood ; Female ; Food Handling ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; etiology ; Sheep ; blood

Apoptosis of PK-15 cells induced by Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) in vitro was reported in this paper. Typical cell apoptosis was detected by use of Hoechst 33258 fluorescence probe, agarose gel electrophoresis and in situ end-labeling (TUNEL). After PK-15 cells were infected by titration of 4.8 lg TCID50/mL FMDV for 32 h, apoptosis characteristics of nuclear condensation, fragmentation, accompanied by apoptotic bodies formation (Hoechst 33258 staining), 180-200 integer-fold sized pieces DNA Ladders (agarose gel electrophoresis) and strong green fluorescence dots (TUNEL) were all exhibited, and cell apoptosis was approximately 20%. In addition, the quantitative analysis of apoptosis in PK-15 cells induced by FMDV showed that apoptosis was correlated with infection of virus, and it was also time-dependent. Results indicate that FMDV can induce apoptosis of host cells and apoptosis plays an important role in the cytopathogencity effect of FMDV.

The SRY gene from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) genome was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) with primers based on the sequence of Hostein SRY gene. The amplified fragment was 2005 bp include 5UTR ( 1 - 504bp) and 3'UTR(1196 - 2005bp). And the amplified fragment was cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that the coding region of SRY gene (505 - 1195bp) from buffalo was highly homologous with those of other bovine counterpart genes (96% homology) , especially in the HMG box region (99%homology). It was found that there were only signal on male buffalo genome on Southern blot,which indicate SRY gene are highly conservative on evolves.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in the proliferation, growth, invasion, and metastasis of human cancers. Moreover, β-catenin/T-cell factor 4 (TCF4) interaction regulates the transcription of the key oncogenes in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, β-catenin/TCF4 interaction would be a promising therapeutic target for the development of highly selective anticancer agents. At present, most ongoing small-molecule inhibitors targeting β-catenin/TCF4 interaction, including PKF222-815, iCRT3/5/14, LF3, and sanguinarine, have been developed in preclinical studies for human cancer therapeutics. In this review, we summarized the research advances of up-to date inhibitors targeting β-catenin/TCF4 interaction, including the molecular structure and cellular functions of β-catenin in canonical Wnt signaling pathway. This review holds a hopeful avenue for the development of novel and highly selective Wnt inhibitors targeting β-catenin/TCF4 interaction for future anticancer strategy.

Adult ; Aged ; Coal Mining ; Health Promotion ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the lipid lowering effects of Zhikang Granule (ZKG) and simvastatin.

METHODSForty-five out-patients with hyperlipemia who met the entry criteria were enrolled and randomized into two groups in the ratio of 2: 1, 30 patients in the ZKG group and 15 patients in the simvastatin group. The lipid lowering effects and safety of treatment during the 24-week therapeutic period, as well as the influence of treatment on plasma high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) level in patients were observed.

RESULTSNo significant difference between the two groups was observed in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) at the 4th, 8th, 12th and 24th week (P > 0.05). However, as compared with baseline, significant reduction of TC and LDL-C in both groups was shown at all the observing time points (P < 0.01), while the changes in TG and HDL-C were insignificant (P > 0.05). The control rates of LDL-C and TC in the ZKG group and the simvastatin group were 86.7% (26/30) versus 100% (15/15) at the 4th week, 80.0% (24/30) versus 100% (15/15) at the 8th week, 53.3% (16/30) versus 60.0% (9/15) at the 12th week, and 90.0% (27/30) versus 93.3% (14/15) at the 24th week, respectively, all showed insignificant difference between groups. No statistical differences were found between groups in levels of plasma transaminase, creatinine, uric acid and hs-CRP (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONZKG has a definite effect in lowering LDL-C and TC, and it is safe in long-term administration.

Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Simvastatin ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEStudy on the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy of cervical lymph nodes and to discuss the reasons of making a misdiagnosis.

METHODSFive hundred and eighty cases of cervical lymph node fine needle aspiration biopsy were reviewed retrospectively. Among them, histologic findings were available in 161 cases. The cytologic and histologic diagnoses were compared.

RESULTSThere were altogether 226 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, 202 cases of specific inflammation, 45 cases of malignant lymphoma and 107 cases of metastatic carcinoma. The concordance rate between the cytologic and corresponding histologic diagnoses was 94.4%. The primary foci of most cases with metastatic carcinoma could be delineated by reviewing the clinical and pathologic finding. Inadequate cellularity was the main reason of making misdiagnosis and useful diagnostic clues might be obtained by careful study of the clinical findings.

CONCLUSIONSFine needle aspiration biopsy of cervical lymph node carries a high diagnostic accuracy. It provides important clues in guiding subsequent clinical management. However, for detailed subtyping of certain disease entities such as malignant lymphoma, surgical biopsy for histologic and immunohistochemical studies are required.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; methods ; Biopsy, Needle ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult