OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of Dendrobium officinale protocorni/protocorm-like bodies according to relevant references at home and abroad in recent len years, and to explore its development prospect. METHODS: Based on the searched literatures, the research progress in the aspects of culture techniques, chemical constituents and pharmacological effects were summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There had been a lot of researches on D. officinale protocorm/PLBs culture techniques, and D. officinale protocorm/PLBs could be used for resource regeneration and production of active polysaccharides, but its material basis and pharmacological activity still need to be further studied.

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Dendrobium devonianum. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by means of column chromatography with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and prep- HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical parameters and spectroscopic data comparison with standard literature data. RESULTS: Twenty-five compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of D. devonianum, and identified as 3-hydroxy-4', 5-dimethoxybibenzyl(1), tristin(2), 3, 4', 5-trihydroxybibenzyl(3), N-trans-coumaroyltyramine(4), N-trans- caffeoyltyramine(5), p-hydroxyphenylpropionyltyramine(6), N-cis-coumaroyltyramine(7), 2, 5-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene(8), 2, 4, 7-trihydroxy-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene(9), 4', 5, 7-trihydroxy-flavonol(10), dihydroconifery acetate(11), ethyl 4-hydroxycinnamate(12), p-hydroxycinnamic acid(13), p-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid(14), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid(15), protocatechuic acid(16), erigeside II(17), citrusin C(18), dihydrosyringin(19), leonuriside A(20), adenosine(21), β-sitosterol(22), daucosterol(23), (+)-syringgaresinol-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(24) and sucrose(25). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-21 and 24-25 are obtained from this plant for the first time. Compound 1 is isolated from the Dendrobium genus for the first time. Compounds 5, 7, 11, 12 and 18 are obtained from Orchidaceae for the first time.

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Dendrobium officinale protocorm. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by means of column chromatography, and their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data and comparison with standard literature data. RESULTS: Eight compounds were isolated from the(CH3)2CO, CHCl3 and 95% EtOH fractions of the EtOH extract, and identified as 1-O-p-feruloyl-β-D-glucopyranoside(I), arillatose B(II),4-β-D-glucopyranosy-loxy)benzyl alcohol(III), 4-hydroxymethyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside(IV), n-hexatriacontanoic acid(V), n-heptaco-sanol(VI), β-sitosterol(VII), and cycloart-23-ene-3β,25-diol(VIII). CONCLUSION: All these compounds were isolated from the protocorms of D. officinale for the first time. Compounds I, II, III, IV, and VIII were obtained from Dendrobium genus for the first time.

Human herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes facial,ocular,and encephalitic disease and is associated with latent infection and cancer.Here,we developed a means of studying the pathogenesis of HSV-1 infection at the protein level by using the SELDI Protein Chip to detect changes of protein expression in Vero cells cultured in vitro.After infection with HSV-1 and culture for 12,24 or 48 h,cells were harvested and lysed.IMAC3 arrays were applied to SELDI-TOF-MS to detect proteomic differences before and after infection.The chip detected a series of differentially expressed protein peaks.Interestingly,both peaks at 16 912 Da and 17 581 Da corresponded precisely with the molecular mass of ISG 15,which may participate in antiviral activity during the process of infection.Thus,the results we obtained can serve as a basis to study the pathogenesis of HSV-1 and the interaction between the virus and its host.In addition,they can help in the discovery of new therapeutic targets for treatment of HSV-1 infection.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Qingfei Peiyuan Micro-pill (QPM) on HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection of phlegm heat obstructing lung syndrome (PHOLS).

METHODSTotally 141 HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection of PHOLS were randomly assigned to the treatment group (94 cases) and the control group (47cases). On the basis of Western medicine, patients in the treatment group took QPM. The therapeutic course for all was 28 days. The improvement of symptoms and signs was observed. The body temperature (BT), chest X ray, and white blood cells (WBCs) were detected.

RESULTSThe Chinese medical syndrome score was lower in the treatment group than in the control group at the 7th, 21st, and 28th day of treatment, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The efficacy was better in the treatment group than in the control group at the 7th, 21st, and 28th day of treatment, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The BT was lower in the treatment group than in the control group on the 7th day. There was no statistical difference in the patient number with normal WBCs on the 7th day (P > 0.05). But there was statistical difference in the patient number with normal WBCs on the 14th, 21st, and 28th day of treatment (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the patient number with normal chest X ray on the 7th and 28th day of treatment (P > 0.05). But there was statistical difference in the patient number with normal chest X ray on the 14th and 21 st day of treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQPM had certain complementary effect on HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection of PHOLS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

This paper is to report the study of the metabolism of forscolin in plasma and liver microsomes for guiding clinical therapy. Forscolin was quantified by HPLC-MS/MS. The metabolic stability of forscolin in rat, Beagle dog, monkey and human plasma and liver microsomes, mediated enzymes of forscolin and its inhibition on cytochrome P450 isoforms in human liver microsomes were studied. Results showed that forscolin was not metabolized in plasma of the four species but metabolized in liver microsomes of the four species. The t1/2 of forscolin in rat, Beagle dog, monkey and human liver microsomes were (52.0 +/- 15.0), (51.2 +/- 5.9), (6.0 +/- 0.2) and (11.9 +/- 1.8) min; CL(int) were (75.6 +/- 18.7), (60.9 +/- 6.8), (513.8 +/- 14.3) and (176.2 +/- 25.6) mL x min(-1) x kg(-1); CL were (34.8 +/- 4.5), (23.3 +/- 1.0), (40.3 +/- 0.5) and (17.9 +/- 0.3) mL x min(-1) x kg(-1), respectively. Forscolin was metabolized by CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes. There was definite inhibition on CYP3A4 at the concentrations of forscolin between 0.1 ng x mL(-1) and 5 microg x mL(-1). Therefore, forscolin is rapidly excreted from liver microsomes. Attention should be paid to the drug interaction when forscolin was used along with other drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 in clinics.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coleus ; chemistry ; Colforsin ; blood ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; metabolism ; Dogs ; Humans ; Macaca ; Metabolic Clearance Rate ; Microsomes, Liver ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) on isolated rat heart subject to ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury and the mechanisms.

METHODSThe isolated perfused rat hearts on a Langendorff apparatus were subjected to global ischemia for 30 min and followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Hemodynamic index, the production of formazan and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the coronary effluent were determined. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in myocardial homogenates were measured.

RESULTSCompared with I/R group, the hemodynamics were greatly improved, the production of formazan was increased, and LDH level in effluent was reduced in SAC group. SAC improved the SOD activity and significantly decreased the level of ROS. In addition, threonine (Thr) attenuated the protective effect of SAC significantly.

CONCLUSIONSAC has protective effect against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury on rats. The possible mechanism is that SAC be transported into the cell through alanine-serine-cysteine-transporter 1 (ASCT-1) improves SOD activity and reduces the level of ROS.

Animals ; Cysteine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the precision of rat bone mineral density (BMD) measurements by Norland Excellplus dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and to investigate the BMD changes in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats in vitro.

METHODS(1) The coefficients of variation (CV) for BMD measurements at various skeletal regions were repeatedly determined by DXA in 10 Wistar rats in vitro. (2) BMD in lumbar vertebra (L5) and both sides of femurs was measured in total 90 rats. And (3) changes in BMD between Ovx and sham rats were compared.

RESULTS(1) The short-term CVs of BMD measurements in different regions by DXA were as follows, 1.58% for lumbar vertebra (L5), 0.90% for left femur, and 0.86% for right femur, respectively. The long-term CVs were 2.22% for lumbar vertebra (L5), 1.09% for left femur, and 1.20% for right femur. (2) The BMD values in 90 Wistar rats were (127.5 +/- 12.3) in lumbar vertebra (L5), (82.6 +/- 11.3) in corpus vertebra (L5'), (150.7 +/- 10.6) in left femur and (149.9 +/- 10.6) mg/cm2 in right femur, respectively. The correlation coefficient of BMD measurements between left and right femurs was 0.792 (P < 0.001). (3) In Ovx group, the BMD values of corpus vertebra (L5') and distal femurs were significantly decreased, that was 10.0%-17.5% lower in comparison with sham group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSMeasurement of rat BMD in vitro by Norland Excellplus DXA is a useful method, and it can reflect the changes in rat bone masses with good precision.

Absorptiometry, Photon ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Female ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDMultiple epiphysis dysplasia (MED) is a common skeletal dysplasia with a significant locus heterogeneity. In the majority of clinically defined cases, mutations have been identified in the gene encoding cartilage algometric matrix protein (COMP).

METHODSFive patients were included in the study. Linkage analysis and mutation analysis of the COMP gene were conducted in the patients and their family members.

RESULTSWe have identified a novel mutation in axon 14 of COMP gene in the family.

CONCLUSIONSThis mutation produced a severe MED phenotype with marked short stature, early onset osteoarthritis, and remarkable radiographic changes. Our results extended the range of disease-causing mutations in COMP gene and contributed more information about relationship between mutations and phenotype.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteochondrodysplasias ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo describe the clinical features, treatments and prognosis of very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) requring mechanical ventilation, to assess the risk factors associated with the mortality of VLBWIs, and to evaluate the significance of the scoring system based on clinical risk index for babies (CRIB) and the score for neonatal acute physiology-perinatal extension II (SNAPPE-II) for predicting mortality risk for premature infants in China.

METHODSPerinatal data were collected from 127 VLBWIs requring mechanical ventilation who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from January 2010 to October 2011.

RESULTSThe enrolled infants had a mean gestational age of 31±2 weeks, a mean birth weight of 1290±170 g, a male/female ratio of 1.23∶1, and extremely low birth weight infant accounting for 6.3%. Of the 127 cases, 48.0% were administered with pulmonary surfactant (PS), and 49.6% received endotracheal intubation ventilation. The overall in-hospital mortality was 41.7%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following independent risk factors for mortality: low birth weight, multiple birth, cesarean section, and low PaO2/FiO2 ratio (OR = 1.611, 7.572, 4.062, and 0.133 respectively; P<0.05). SNAPPE-II and CRIB showed good performance in predicting prognosis, with areas under the ROC curve of 0.806 and 0.777 respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe overall mortality rate of VLBWIs is still relatively high. The high-risk factors for VLBWI mortality include low birth weight, multiple birth, cesarean section, and low PaO2/FiO2 ratio. The neonatal illness severity scoring system (using SNAPPE-II and CRIB) can be used to quantify illness severity in premature infants.

Adult ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Respiration, Artificial ; Risk Factors