Based on the theories of I-Ching and umbilicus-hologram, the navel acupuncture is considered as a new acupuncture therapy that only acupuncture at Shenque (CV 8). It has a good effect on the treatment of syndrome and provides a new treatment idea for syndrome. This article presents the definition, etiology and treatment of syndrome, and introduces the application of umbilical-holographic, the principle and method of positioning and needle-inserting, the adjustment of therapies and the analysis of cases, in order to introduce the idea of treating syndrome by I-Ching navel acupuncture.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Needles ; Umbilicus

Six compounds were isolated from the aerial part of cultivated Clerodendranthus spicatus in Hainan with various chromatographic techniques,and their structures were determined as:1-dehydroxy-1-oxo-rupestrinol(1),N-trans-feruloyltyramine(2),methyl 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactate(3),caffein acid(4),methyl caffeate(5) and ethyl caffeate(6),via analysis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic evidence.Compound 1 was a new compound,while compounds 2 and 3 were isolated from C.spicatus for the first time.Biological activity results showed that compounds 2-4 exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with different inhibition ratio.
China ; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Phytochemicals ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Sesquiterpenes, Eudesmane ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

The quality constant evaluation method was applied in the grade evaluation of Scrophulariae Radix pieces. Nineteen batches of Scrophulariae Radix were measured for the appearance index. Harpagide and harpagoside were taken as index components for the content determination. The traditional grading standard and the modern quality control index were combined to calculate the quality constant and grade Scrophulariae Radix pieces. The results showed that the quality constants ranged between 156. 75 and 491. 65; according to the percentage mass constants,more than 80% were graded as first-class pieces,50%-80% were graded as second-class pieces,and the rest were graded as third-class pieces. The quality constants of first-class Scrophulariae Radix were >393. 32,that of second-class Scrophulariae Radix was between 245. 83 and 393. 32,and that of third-class Scrophulariae Radix was < 245. 83. The study shows that this method can objectively,reasonably and effectively classify Scrophulariae Radix pieces,and further promote and apply the evaluation method of slice model quality constant to prove the rationality,scientificity and practicability.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; standards ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Scrophularia ; chemistry

Metformin (MET), an antidiabetic agent, also has antioxidative effects in metabolic-related hypertension. This study was designed to determine whether MET has anti-hypertensive effects in salt-sensitive hypertensive rats by inhibiting oxidative stress in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Salt-sensitive rats received a high-salt (HS) diet to induce hypertension, or a normal-salt (NS) diet as control. At the same time, they received intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of MET or vehicle for 6 weeks. We found that HS rats had higher oxidative stress levels and mean arterial pressure (MAP) than NS rats. ICV infusion of MET attenuated MAP and reduced plasma norepinephrine levels in HS rats. It also decreased reactive oxygen species and the expression of subunits of NAD(P)H oxidase, improved the superoxide dismutase activity, reduced components of the renin-angiotensin system, and altered neurotransmitters in the PVN. Our findings suggest that central MET administration lowers MAP in salt-sensitive hypertension via attenuating oxidative stress, inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system, and restoring the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the PVN.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Arterial Pressure ; drug effects ; Hypertension ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Infusions, Intraventricular ; Male ; Metformin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; drug effects ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the involvement of different CD4 T cell subtypes in the anti-asthmatic effects of acupuncture in asthmatic mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were challenged by ovalbumin (OVA) for the establishment of experimental asthma model. Mice were divided into 4 groups by a random number table including the normal control, asthma model, acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups (14 per group). Acupoints Dazhui (GV 14), bilateral Fengmen (BL 12) and Feishu (BL 13) were selected for manual acupuncture treatment every other day for 4 weeks and Huantiao (GB 30) was selected for sham acupuncture. Airway hyperresponsiveness was examined by Buxco Pulmonary System. Pulmonary histopathology analysis was performed for inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion by haematoxylin eosin staining and periodic acid-Schiffstaining. Inflammatory mediators assays of serum were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Bio-Plex. CD4 T cell subpopulations including the expression levels of important factors in T lymphocyte polarization in lung tissue were examined by flow cytometric and Western blot analyses. Related pathways were detected by Western blot assay. RESULTS: Compared with the OVA-induced asthma model group, acupuncture could attenuate airway hyperresponsiveness, inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, acupuncture increased the expressions of T-bet and Foxp3, the cell numbers of CD4 interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and CD4 Foxp3 in lung tissue and the level of Treg type cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 in serum (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile, acupuncture reduced the RAR-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) level, the cell numbers of CD4 IL-17A as well as the levels of IL-5, IL-13 and IL-17A in serum (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, both acupuncture and sham acupuncture could inhibit the phosphorylation of p38 and p44/42 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Acupuncture could alleviate allergic airway inflammation by strengthening the activities of Th1 and Treg, thus regulating the balance of CD4 T cell subtypes in experimental asthmatic mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of salvianolate in elderly patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP). METHODS: A prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trial in elderly patients with UAP from 13 third-grade class-A hospitals in China was performed. A total of 318 patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to an experimental group (160 patients) and a control group (158 patients). The experimental group was treated with salvianolate for 14 days on the basis of conventional medicine, and the control group was given a placebo for 14 days with the same criteria. Follow-up was lasted 28 days in both groups. The primary endpoint was biweekly frequency of angina pectoris attacks. The secondary endpoints included biweekly dosage of nitroglycerin, the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, angina pectoris severity and duration, myocardial injury markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), as well as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Safety was assessed according to adverse events and serious adverse events. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. Compared with those in the control group, the frequency of biweekly angina attacks (2.92 vs . 4.08, P=0.025), the biweekly dosage of nitroglycerin, as well as the severity and duration of angina attacks (P<0.01) were reduced by salvianolate. The Seattle Angina Questionnaire score was also significantly improved in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to the incidence of MACEs. Salvianolate was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Salvianolate appear to have efficacy and well tolerated for elderly patients with UAP. [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03037047].

Objective To analyze the relationship between socioeconomic position and prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and multi-morbidity among older adults in rural Yunnan Province. Methods A total of 4 833 older adults aged 60 years and over were selected by multi-stage stratified random sampling method in rural Yunnan Province. Information was acquired from questionnaire and health examination. Principal component analysis was used to construct the socioeconomic comprehensive score. Results The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease, COPD and multi-morbidity in target persons was 50.6%, 10.2%, 6.4%, 5.5%, 5.4% and 16.1% respectively. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was much higher in female compared with male (both P<0.05), in contrast the prevalence of COPD was much higher in male than female( 2=5.499, P=0.019)The prevalence of hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease, COPD and multi-morbidity was increased with age(all P<0.05);Minority ethnic were more likely to develop hypertension, coronary heart disease, COPD and multi-morbidity than Han ethnic(all P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older adults with lower socioeconomic position had higher probability of suffering from hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, COPD and multi-morbidity (all P<0.05). Conclusions There are significant socioeconomic differences between socioeconomic position and prevalence of five major chronic diseases and multi-morbidity among older adults in rural Yunnan province. Older adults with low socioeconomic position should be key population for future prevention and control of chronic diseases.

Objective :To explore correlation between serum vitamin D level and cardiac diastolic function in patients with essential hypertension (EH) and normal left ventricular systolic function .Methods :A total of 177 EH patients with normal left ventricular systolic function in our department were divided into vitamin D no deficiency group (≥20ng／ml ,n＝62) and vitamin D deficiency group (＜20ng／ml ,n＝115) ,according to serum vitamin D level .The relationship between serum vitamin D level and cardiac diastolic function was analyzed .Results :(1) Compared with vitamin D no deficiency group , there were significant reductions in blood calcium level [ (2.38 ± 0.12) mmol／L vs.(2.32 ± 0.15) mmol／L] ,mitral early diastolic peak flow velocity [E ,(0.73 ± 0.15) m／s vs.(0.66 ± 0.14) m／s] ,ratio of E to late diastolic peak flow velocity (A) [E／A ,(0.86 ± 0.26) vs.(0.76 ± 0.20)] in vitamin D deficiency group , P＜0.05 or ＜0.01 ;(2) Among the total 177 patients ,serum vitamin D level was significant positively correlated with E and E／A ( r＝0.200 ,0.193 , P＝0.008 , 0.01) ;according to age stratification ,serum vitamin D level was significant positively correlated with E and E／A in ≥60 years patients (r＝0.175 ,0.223 ,P＝0.037 ,0.007) ;according to gender stratification ,serum vitamin D level was signifi‐cant positively correlated with E and E／A in male patients ( r＝0.268 ,0.221 , P＝0.003 ,0.014) ;(3) After correcting age and gender ,Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum vitamin D level was significant positively correlated with E and E／A (β＝3.418 ,1.738 , P＝0.002 ,0.023).Conclusion :Serum vitamin D level is significant positively correlated with cardiac diastolic function in EH patients with normal left ventricular systolic function .

Objective:To establish the quality control method of the wine-processing Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma standard decoction,in order to provide reference for the quality evaluation of the wine-processing Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma formula granules and other related products. Method:Totally 15 batches of representative wine-processing Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma pieces were collected to prepare the standard decoction, establish the HPLC fingerprint and determine the content of five components(sodium danshensu,caffeic acid,rosmarinic acid,lithospermic acid,salvianolic acid B). The main common peaks in fingerprint were identified to define the main chemical constituents in the standard decoction, the parameters,such as dry extract rate,transfer rate of index components and pH of the standard decoction were calculated, and the comprehensive evaluation index was established to evaluate the stability of the preparation process. Result:The main component standard decoction was phenolic acids. The concentrations of five components(sodium danshensu,caffeic acid,rosmarinic acid,lithospermic acid,salvianolic acid B)in the standard decoction were 0.21%-0.37%,0.03%-0.10%,0.08%-0.18%,0.07%-0.13%,2.68%-4.34%, the dry extract rates of standard decoction were 71.8%-85.4%,50.0%-71.4%,68.2%-81.0%,66.7%-84.6%,67.5%-79.6%,the transfer rates were between 45.1%-55.3%,and pH value was between 5.91-6.05. The fingerprint similarities of the 15 batches of standard decoction with reference fingerprints were>0.98,the fingerprint showed 12 common peaks,7 of which were considered to be sodium danshensu,protocatechuic aldehyde,caffeic acid,ferulic acid,rosmarinic acid,lithosperic acid and salvianolic acid B. Conclusion:The established systematic evaluation for the quality of wine-processing Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma standard decoction is stable and feasible,and provides a reference for the quality control of relevant preparations of wine-processing Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma decoction.

In this study, a method for rapid identification of three kinds of honey and four kinds of syrup by microwave plasma torch mass spectrometry ( MPT-MS) without sample pretreatment was established. Under the positive ion mode, honey and syrup were ionized by MPT-MS and analyzed by quadrupole mass spectrometry ( QMS). The MS data were analyzed with chemometrics methods. Consequently, principal component analysis ( PCA) showed that PC1, PC2 and PC3 had a total contribution rate of 91. 2％ , and cluster analysis (CA) indicated when the critical value was 7, this method could distinguish honey and syrup in addition to clover honey and inulin syrup. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis ( PLS-DA) also manifested that honey and syrup could be effectively distinguished. Discriminant analysis (DA) demonstrated that the discriminant accuracy of honey and syrup was 100％ . Accordingly, all the results showed that the method of MPT-MS combined with chemometrics could identify honey and syrup rapidly. In brief, this method has the advantages such as fast analysis speed, accurate information extraction, high recognition accuracy and without sample pretreatment, and can be used for the identification of honey and main adulterated syrup.