The contents of coumarins in the sulfur fumigated Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi, ADR) were reduced significantly. To achieve the quality control of ADR, the qualitative identification of sulfur fumigated ADR and quantitative model of imperatorin content should be established. The near-infrared (NIR) spectrograms of non-sulfur and sulfur fumigated ADR were collected by NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy technology and pretreated by the method of first derivative derivation and vector normalization. The Ward's Algorithm method was used for the cluster analysis. The non-sulfur and sulfur fumigated ADR can be quickly identified in the range of 8,806. 0-3 811.0 cm(-1) based on the cluster analysis. The NIR quantitative model of imperatorin was established by the contents of imperatorin determined by HPLC in combination with partial least squares regression analysis. According to the calibration model established in this study, correlation coefficients (R2), the root-mean-square error of cross-validation (RMSECV), and the root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP) for imperatorin were 0.982 8, 0.006 8, 0.011 8, respectively. The quantitative model of imperatorin can be applied to determine the content of imperatorin in ADR accurately.
Angelica ; chemistry ; classification ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods ; Sulfur ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-inflammatory effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophages.

METHODThe effect of total saponins of P. japonicus of different concentrations on RAW264. 7 cell viability was determined with the MTT method. The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release of total saponins of P. japonicus to LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta). The reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ,TNF-alpha,IL-1beta. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) was tested by Western blot.

RESULTThe safe medication range of total saponins of P. japonicus was less than 80 mg x L(-1). Compared with the LPS model group, total saponins of P. japonicus high, middle and low dose groups (0.1, 1, 10, 40 mg x L(-1)) could significantly reduce the secretion of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and inhibit the expressions of iNOS, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA and the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily proves the protective effect of total saponins of P. japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Its action mechanism may be related to NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; immunology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology

Aim The relative bioavalability of hydrochloride eperisone granule in 10 healthy volunteers was studied. Methods The time-plasma concentrations of hydrochloride eperisone granule, as test drug, and myonal, as reference drug, were determined by GC-MS, with tolperisone senuing as internal standard.The pharmacokinetic parameters of both reference and test drug were calculated and analyzed with two-one side test and confidential interval test. Results The results showed that the AUC0-8, AUC0-∞, Cmax, Tpeak, t1/2(?) and t1/2(?) were (17.9?1.3)ng?h?ml-1 and(18.6?1.6)ng?h?ml-1, (19.1?1.2)ng?h?ml-1 and (20.2?1.6)ng?h?ml-1, (5.2?0.5)ng?ml-1 and (5.4?0.5) ng?ml-1, (1.05?0.18)h and (1.08?0.23)h, (0.78? 0.13)h and ( 0.82?0.14)h,( 1.8?0.3)h and (1.8?0.3)h, respectively. The relative bioavalability of test drug was (105? 5)%. Conclusion It can be concluded that the test and reference are bioequivalented between individuals, preparations and periods.

Bacillus subtilis B6-1 was used as an original strain for mutagenic treatment and a defined medium was used as the selective medium. A mutant named B. subtilis W003 was isolated after three serial ultraviolet (UV) irradiations and one diethyl sulfate (DES) treatment. The ?-PGA yield on a rotary shaker was enhanced from 10.9 g/L in parental strain to 20.5 g/L in the mutant. It was illustrated by single factor experiments that the optimal carbon and nitrogen sources were glucose and (NH4)2SO4 respectively. The optimal fermentation medium was achieved by orthogonal test. In the optimal medium, a ?-PGA yield of 45.3 g/L was obtained after 36 h cultivation.

Objective To investigate the antimicrobial resistance of clinical isolates from a hospital in Chongqing during one year according to CHINET project.Methods Disc diffusion test (K-B method) was employed to study the antimicrobial resistance. WHONET5 was used for data analysis.Results In one year period from 2004 to 2005,690 non-duplicate isolates were collect- ed.Enterobacter isolates showed the lowest resistance rate to imipenem and meropenem.About 37.5% of E.coli and 31.4% of K.pneumoniae isolates produced ESBLs,respectively.All ESBLs-producing strains were susceptible to imipenem and mer- openem.About 37.2%,39.4% and 48.9% of P.aeruginosa isolates were resistant to imipenem,meropenem and ceftazidime, respectively.Pandrug-resistant (PDR) P.aeruginosa was isolated from our hospital.All strains of A.baumannii were sus- ceptible to imipenem and meropenem.About 37.7% of A.baumannii were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam.Twenty-nine strains showed the same resistant pattern among non-susceptible strains of A.baumannii,mainly derived from 2 clones by PFGE analysis.Conclusions The surveillance results suggest that prevalent strain resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam may pres- ent in some ICUs.Resistance rate to cefoperazone-sulbactam increased significantly.

Child ; Epiphyses ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Lower Extremity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of non-neuronal muscarinic receptors (NNMR) stimulation on atherosclerosis and endothelial cells activation.

METHODSAtherosclerosis model was established in ApoE-/- mice by a high fat diet for 7 weeks. During the experimental periods, animals were received a low (7 mg/kg/d) or a high (21 mg/kg/d) dose of arecoline by gavage. At the termination of the treatments, serum total cholesterol and NO levels were measured, and the aorta morphology was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The gene expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and adhesion molecules in the thoracic aortas was determined by RT-PCR, and the MCP-1 protein expression and NF-κB activity were detected by Western blot analysis. NO production, MCP-1 secretion in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs), and monocyte-endothelium adhesion assay were also performed after arecoline treatments.

RESULTSArecoline efficiently decreased atherosclerotic plaque areas, increased serum nitric oxide (NO) content, suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of MCP-1, and modulated the IκB-α degradation and P65 phosphorylation in the aortae of ApoE-/- mice. Furthermore, arecoline promoted NO production and suppressed MCP-1 secretion in cultured RAECs after ox-LDL exposure, and either atropine or NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester could abrogate these effects. Arecoline also significantly inhibited the adherence of U937 monocytes to the ox-LDL injured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which could be abolished by atropine.

CONCLUSIONOur results indicate that arecoline attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis and inhibits endothelial cells activation and adherence by stimulating endothelial NNMR. These effects, at least in part, are due to its modulation on NF-κB activity.

Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Apolipoproteins E ; Arecoline ; pharmacology ; Atherosclerosis ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Disease Progression ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Monocytes ; cytology ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitroarginine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; physiology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish a HPLC method for determining orientin and vitexin in Trollius chinesis preparation.

METHODThe separation was carried out on Hypersil ODS column with a mixture of acetonitrile-1% acetic acid solution (15:85) as the mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was set 340 nm.

RESULTOrientin showed a good linear relationship in the range of 8.42-84.2 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.9999) and the average recovery is 98.3%, RSD is 0.8%. Vitexin showed a good linear relationship in the range of 8.07-80.7 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.9999) and the average recovery is 102.4%. RSD is 1.7%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is sensitive, specific, and accurate with a good repeatability and can be used for the quality control of Trollius chinesis preparation.

Apigenin ; analysis ; Capsules ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Ranunculaceae ; chemistry ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between germ cell apoptosis and expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchid rats.

METHODSTwenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (namely cryptorchid group and control group), with 10 rats in each group. Cryptorchid animal model was established, and contralateral testes were captured 90 days later. The evidence of germ cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSIn the contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism, apoptosis index of germ cell and Bax expression significantly increased compared with those in the control group, respectively (P < 0.01), while Bcl-2 expression and testis weight obviously decreased (P <0.01). The apoptotic cells were mostly pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids.

CONCLUSIONThe germ cell apoptosis is highly correlated with expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism. Bcl-2/Bax plays an important role in germ cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cryptorchidism ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression ; Germ Cells ; pathology ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents from the branch of Broussonetia papyrifera.

METHODColumn chromatographic methods were used to isolate the chemical constituents. ESI-MS and NMR methods were employed for their structural elucidation.

RESULTSix compounds were isolated and identified as (2S)-7, 3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavan (1), ergosterol peroxide (2), D-galacitol (3), sulfuretin (4), liriodendrin (5), graveolone (6), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-6 were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Benzofurans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Broussonetia ; chemistry ; Ergosterol ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Furans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry