Effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on GABA. and mGluR1 expressions in brain stem of rats with spasticity after stroke

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on the expressions of γ-amino butyric acid B receptor（GABAB ） and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1（mGluR1） in the brain stem of rats with spasticity after stroke.METHODS： In total, 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups： a sham group（n=10）, a model group（n=25） and a treatment group（n=25）. The rats in both the model group and the treatment group were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion to establish a model of focal cerebral ischemia. Rats with limb-spasm met the inclusion criteria. Only the left carotid artery was isolated in sham group rats. Three days after modeling, the treatment group was subjected to catgut implantation at Dazhui（GV 14）, Guanyuan（CV 4）, and Zhongwan（CV 12）. Neurological deficit symptoms were assessed with the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score. The Modified Ashworth Scale（MAS）, and isolated muscle tone were used to evaluate spasticity before and after treatment. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the expression of GABAB and mGluR1 in the rat brain stem after treatment.RESULTS： After treatment, neural impairment symptoms had significantly improved in the treatment group when compared to the model group（P〈0.05）. Both MAS and isolated muscle tone in the treatment group were significantly decreased when compared with the model group（P〈0.05）,and were also lower than before treatment. GABAB expression was significantly higher and mGluR1 was lower in the treatment group when compared with the model group（P〈0.01 and P〈0.05, respectively）.CONCLUSION： Catgut implantation at Dazhui（GV 14）, Guanyuan（CV 4）, and Zhongwan（CV 12）, can relieve limb spasticity by increasing the expression of GABAB and reducing the expression of mGluR1 in the brain stem of rats after stroke.     

Effects of Electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu （ST 37） on lnterleukin-1β and Interleukin-4 in the Ulcerative Colitis Model Rats

Objective： To probe into the mechanisms of electroacupuncture （EA） at Shangjuxu （ST 37） for treatment of the ulcerative colitis （UC）. Methods： Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups： a normal group, a model group, a Shangjuxu group and a non-acupoint group, 10 rats in each group. The UC rat model was made with enema of trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid （TNBSA）, and the changes of interleuldn-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-4 （IL-4） contents after EA at Shangjuxu （ST 37） were observed. Results： EA at Shangjuxu （ST 37） could significantly decrease the IL-1β content and increase the IL-4 content in the colic tissues of the UC rats with significant differences as compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Conclusion： The mechanisms of EA at Shangjuxu （ST 37） for treatment of the UC rats is possibly related with the decrease of IL-1β, a inflammation-promoting cytokine, and the increase of IL-4, a anti-inflammatory cytokine.     

Regulatory Action of Charred Gossamer Urocteae on the Functions of Mouse Oral Fibroblasts

Objective： To explore the influence of charred Gossamer urocteae （CGU） on the functions of primary cultured mouse oral fibroblasts and reveal its mechanism in wound healing. Methods： CGU was extracted with different solvents and ethanol extract （EE）, ethyl acetate fraction （EF）, n-butanol fraction （BF） and aqueous fraction （AF） were obtained. The effects of different fractions on the proliferation, matrix metaUoproteinase-2,9 （MMP-2,9） activities, synthesis of collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 （TIMP-1） in the mouse oral fibroblasts were determined by MTT, gelatin zymography, chloramine-T method, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） respectively. Results： EE, EF and BF at high concentrations could significantly inhibit proliferation of fibroblasts （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）, and at low concentrations EF and BF could promote proliferation of fibroblasts, and BF and AF could significantly inhibit collagen synthesis （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. EE, EF and AF at high concentrations could significantly increase the MMP-9 activity, and BF and AF could significantly inhibit synthesis of TIMP-1. Conclusion： CGU at high concentrations can inhibit the proliferations of fibroblasts and synthesis of collagen, and in healing of wound, CGU at high concentrations possibly has the functions of anti-fibrosis and anti-scar, and the mechanism to promote degradation of collagen is possibly related to the increase in MMP-9 activity and the inhibition of TIMP-1 synthesis.     

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant potentials of an ethanolic extract of Ganoderma lucidum in rat mammary carcinogenesis

AIM： Considering the importance of diet in the prevention of cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species which has been implicated for several diseases, this present study was undertaken to evaluvate the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential of the ethanolic extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum on 7, 12-dimethylbenz（a）anthracene （DMBA）-induced mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague Dawley rats. METHODS： Ganoderrna lucidum extract was tested for in vitro antioxidant and radical scav- enging assays, such as （ABTS^-1） radical cation decolorization assay, DPPH radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide radical scavenging assays. The in vivo antioxidant potentials were analyzed by SOD, CAT, and GPx in plasma, mammary, and liver tissues. RESULTS： In all the in vitro antioxidant and radical scavenging assays the extract exhibited good scavenging activity. In vivo enzy- matic antioxidant levels, such as SOD, CAT, and GPx were decreased in DMBA-induced animals. Moreover, pretreatment with G. lucidum （500 mg.kg-1 bw） to DMBA-induced animals significantly （P 〈 0.05） increased the levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx in plasma, mammary, and liver tissues compared to DMBA induced animals. CONCLUSIONS： From these findings, it is suggested that G. lu- cidum extract could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants and can be used as an effective chemopreventive agent against mammary cancer.     

针刺“三气穴”治疗妇科疾病验案4则

“三气穴”既气海、气穴、气门,分别属于任脉穴、肾经穴及经外奇穴,此三穴均位于脐下小腹部,具有调补冲任、壮元益肾、滋阴养血之功。笔者在临床中,将“三气穴”应用于妇科疾病的治疗,疗效颇佳。现举例如下。     

Pyrolysisi Characteristics of Radix Rhizoma Rhei,Cortex Moudan Radicis,and Radix San-guisorbac and correlations with the carbonizing process of Chinese herbs简

AIM： The aim of the work is to study the pyrolysis characteristics of Radix Rhizoma Rhei, Cortex Moudan Radicis, and Radix Sanguisorbae in an inert atmosphere of argon （Ar）, and to investigate the mechanism of the carbonizing process of the three traditional Chinese herbs. METHODS： The pyrolysis characteristics of the crude materials and their extracts were studied by thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry （TG-MS） in a carrier gas of argon, coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry （FTIR） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） methods. Correlation of the pyrolysis behaviors with the carbonizing process by stir-frying of traditional Chinese medicines was made. RESULTS： Within the temperature range of 200-300 ℃, which is the testing range for the study of the carbonizing process of Chinese herbs, the temperatures indicated by the maximum weight loss rate peak of the above three extracts were taken as the upper-limit temperatures of the carbonizing process of the herbs, and which were 200, 240 and 247 ℃ for Radix Rhizoma Rhei, Cortex Moudan Radicis, and Radix Sanguisorbae, respectively. The ion monitoring signal peaks detected by the TG-MS method corresponded with reports that the level of chemical components of traditional Chinese medicinal materials would decrease after the carbonizing process. It was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry （FTIR） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） methods that better results of ＂medicinal property preservation＂ could be obtained by heating at 200 ℃ for Radix Rhizoma Rhei, at about 250 ℃ for Cortex Moudan Radicis, and Radix Sanguisorbae, as the relative intensity values of the common peaks were among the middle of their three carbonized samples by programmed heating. CONCLUSION： The upper-limit temperatures of the carbonizing process for Radix Rhizoma Rhei, Cortex Moudan Radicis and Radix Sanguisorbae were 200, 240 and 247 ℃ respectively. It is feasible to research the mechanism and technology of the carbonizing process of traditional Chinese medicinal materials using thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy methods.     

Electroacupuncture at Qiuxu （GB 40） for Treatment of Migraine --A Clinical Multicentral Random Controlled Study

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture （EA） at Qiuxu （GB 40） for treatment of migraine so as to provide clinical evidence for compilation of the Acupoints＇ Dictionary of the People＇s Republic of China. Methods： 275 migraine patients admitted in 3 hospitals were randomly divided into a treatment group treated by EA at Qiuxu （GB 40）, and a control group treated by EA at Tianshu （ST 25）. The indexes of the migraine symptoms and the 5-HT level were observed in both the groups before and after treatment. Results： There was an significant difference in VAS score between the two groups of the 3 clinical centers （P〈0.01）. The therapeutic effects of a 4-week treatment were much better in the treatment group than that of the control group. The 3-month follow-up survey showed that the long-term effects were in favor of the treatment group of the first and third clinical centers, though no significant difference was found in the treatment group of the second clinical center as compared with the control group. The results from the 6-month follow-up survey showed better effects in the treatment group of all the 3 clinical centers. Conclusion： EA at Oiuxu （GB 40） may show effect for migraine.     

Clinical curative effect of fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion for pre- venting dysuria after operation for lower limb fracture

OBJECTIVE： To assess the clinical curative effect of fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion at Zhongji（CV 3）and Guanyuan（CV 4） for preventing dysuria after internal fixation of lower limb fractures.METHODS： Sixty patients conforming to the inclusion standards were randomly divided into a treatment group（n=30） and a control group（n=30）.Fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion was performed at Guanyuan（CV 4） and Zhongji（CV 3）, 20 min at a time, twice a day, for 3 days before operation in the treatment group. No fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion was performed in the control group. After treatment, the score for symptoms of first urination, urinary time, urinary volume, 24 h remaining urinary volume, incidence of uroschesis, and rate of controlling dysuria were compared to evaluate the curative effect of preventing post-operative dysuria.RESULTS： The score for symptoms of first urination,24 h remaining urinary volume（maximum 120 m L vs 250 m L, and less than 10 m L in 24 cases vs 15 cases）, and the rate of controlling dysuria（83.34% vs30%） were significantly better（P〈0.05, P〈0.05, and P〈0.001, respectively） in the treatment compared with the control group. There was no statistical difference（P〉0.05） between the two groups in first post-operative urinary time, urinary volume, or incidence of 24 h uroschesis.CONCLUSION： Fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion at Zhongji（CV 3） and Guanyuan（CV 4） can better prevent post-operative dysuria, effectively promote the functional restoration of the urinary bladder,and control the incidence of post-operative dysuria.     

Effect of Runing II on the Growth and Metastasis of Transplanted Tumor in Mammary Cancer-bearing Mice and Its Mechanism

Objective： To study the effect of Runing II （a Chinese herbal preparation for mammary cancer） on the growth and metastasis of transplanted tumor of mammary cancer MA-891-bearing TA2 mice and its mechanism. Methods： The model of mammary cancer MA-891 cell strain transplanted tumor of TA2 mice with lung metastasis were developed to observe the effect of Runing II on the growth and metastasis of the transplanted tumor. The immunohistochemical method and image analysis were adopted to detect the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor （VEGFR）, and micro-vessel count （MVC） and micro-vessel area （MVA）. Results： In the Runing II group, the tumor weight inhibition rate and the lung metastasis inhibition rate were 37.3% and 65.4% respectively, the tumor growth and lung metastasis were obviously inhibited; And the levels of VEGF and VEGFR, MVC and MVA were significantly decreased as compared with those in the tumor-bearing control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The Chinese herbal preparation Running II can inhibit the metastasis of tumor through inhibiting the angiogenesis, and the mechanism is possibly related with down-regulation of VEGF and VEGFR expression.     

Effect of acupuncture anesthesia on acne vulgaris of pricking-blood- letting cupping： a single-blind randomized clinical trail

OBJECTIVE： To evaluate the effect on acne vul- garis of pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） under acupuncture anesthesia, and estab- lish whether providing anesthesia to the treat- ment area by manipulating Hegu （LI 4） and Quchi （LI 11） might have an additional therapeutic bene- fit. METHODS： Thirty-eight patients were recruited and randomized into a control group and an inter- vention group with a single-blind （observer-blind） method. The control group was treated by prick- ing-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） and the studied group by pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） under acupuncture anesthesia at Hegu （LI 4） and Quchi （LI 11）. Both groups were treated twice weekly for 6 weeks. The analgesic and therapeutic effects of acupuncture were evaluated on a visual analog scale （VAS） and global acne grad- ing system （GAGS）, respectively.RESULTS： There were differences in the VAS scores of pain on pricking and in the pricked area, and the duration of pain between the groups. After 12 treat- ments, there was a significant reduction in GAGS scores from baseline in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION： Acupuncture anesthesia at Hegu （LI 4） and Quchi （LI 11） is an effective means of alleviat- ing the pain of pricking-bloodletting cupping and reducing the duration of pain in the treatment ar- ea. Pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） improves the skin lesions of patients with moder- ate acne vulgaris, but acupuncture anesthesia does not appear to have an additional therapeutic effect.     

Effects of Bushenyiqihexue formula on the endometrial gland apoptosis in mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction

Objective: To observe the effects of Bushenyiqihexue Formula (补肾益气和血方 Formula for Tonifying the Kidney, Replenishing qi and Harmonizing Blood, FTKRQHB) on the endometrial gland apoptosis in the mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction. Methods: The mice with the first-day pregnancy were divided into the control, model and treatment groups, with 30 in each group, and blastocyst implantation dysfunction was induced by subcutaneous injection of mifepristone in the mice of the model and treatment groups. The pregnancy rate and implantation number of blastocysts were measured and the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, and activated caspase-3 were detected in all the three groups. Results: The model group had significantly depressed pregnancy rate, implantation number of blastocysts and apoptosis index, and elevated proliferation index of endometrial gland as compared with the control group (P0.05 or P0.01). Administration of FTKRQHB (the treatment group) resulted in significant increases in pregnancy rate, implantation number of blastocysts and apoptosis index of the endometrial gland, and a significant decrease in the proliferation index of the endometrial gland as compared with the model group (P0.05 or P0.01). The differences in the four indexes between the treatment group and control group were not significant statistically. The Bax and activated caspase-3 expressions in endometrial gland in the model group became significantly lower than that of the control group (P0.01), whereas those in the treatment group were significant higher than that of the model group (P0.01). However, the Bax and activated caspase-3 expressions in endometrial gland were similar in both treatment and control groups. Conclusion: Promoting the increases in Bax and activated caspase-3 expressions in the endometrial gland and bringing into balance between apoptosis and proliferation of the glandular cells at the implantation window phase by FTKRQHB may contribute to the effects of promoting the establishment of endometrial receptivity and improving blastocyst implantation dysfunction.     

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of essential oils from five parts of Chaihu （Radix Bupleuri Chinensis）

OBJECTIVE： To analyze the essential oils from flowers, leaves, stems, roots, and fruits of Chaihu（Radix Bupleuri Chinensis）.METHODS： We extracted essential oils from different parts of Chaihu（Radix Bupleuri Chinensis） using a steam distillation method. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（GC-MS）. Data were collected in full scan mode（m/z 60-600）. Volatile components were identified based on their retention indices and by comparing their mass spectra with those in the National Institute of Standards and Technology 2005 database assisted by tandem mass spectrometry information. The relative content of each constituent wasdetermined by area normalization.RESULTS： We identified 111 components, of which12 were common to all 5 parts, 30 were found only in roots, 14 were found only in flowers, 6 were found only in leaves, 4 were found only in stems,and 17 were found only in fruits.CONCLUSION： Our results show that the stems,flowers, leaves, and fruits of Chaihu（Radix Bupleuri Chinensis）contain a high concentration of essential oils, and that the exact composition of the essential oils differs among the plant parts. To develop new medicines and make full use of the Chaihu（Radix Bupleuri Chinensis）resource, it is important to characterize the essential oils from different parts of the plant. In future research, it will be important to determine the pharmacological effects of the various components and the essential oil mixtures.     

Treatment of 56 Cases of Pain of Supra-orbital Bone by Puncturing Siguan Acupoints

Pain of supra-orbital bone is very common in clinic The author achieved significant effect in treating 56 cases of pain of supra-orbital bone by puncturing Siguan （four gates） points. The report is as follows.     

Effect of Zusanli（ST 36） moxibustion on rat mesenteric microvascular system

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effect of moxibustion on Zusanli（ST 36） on visceral-mesenteric vesselsbyobservingcirculation.METHODS： Forty-five SD rats were randomly assigned to a moxibustion, electroacupuncture（EA）,and blank group. In the moxibustion group, heat stimulation of moxibustion to the Zusanli（ST36）area of normal rats was performed for 15 min. In the EA group, needles were inserted into the Zusanli（ST36）and later alpoint[0.5 cm lateral from Zusanli（ST 36）] for 15 min. The blank group was not given any treatment. We continuously monitored mesenteric microvascular changes with invivo microscopicvideo.RESULTS：Moxibustion and EA to Zusanli（ST 36） increase the diameter of mesenteric arterioles and venules（P〈0.05）. There were no obvious changes in the blank group. Fine arterial diameter peaked at12 min in the moxibustion group, while it peaked at15 min in the EA group.CONCLUSION：The stimulation of moxibustion and acupuncture to Zusanli（ST 36） has immediate effects on expanding the microvasculature. This dilation may be the mechanism of the gastrointestinal effect of Zusanli（ST36）.     

Potent anti-angiogenicactivity of B19—a mono-carbonyl analogue of curcumin简

AIM： The compound B19 （C21H22O5） is a newly synthesized, mono-carbonyl analog of curcumin that has exhibited potentialantitumor effects. This present study was performed to identify the anti-angiogenic activity of this compound. METHODS AND RESULTS： B19 inhibited migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and arrested microvessel outgrowth from rat aortic rings.ln addition, B19 suppressed the neovascularization of chicken chorioallantoic membrane. Mechanistic studies revealed that B19 suppressed the downstream protein kinase activation of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） by decreasing phosphorylated forms of serine/threonine kinase Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, with or without stimulating vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）. CONCLUSIONS： B 19 exerted anti-angiogenic activity in vitro and ex vivo, which suggests that it merits further investigation as a promising anticancer angiogenesis compound.     

Postmarketing safety evaluation： depside salt injection made from Danshen （Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae）

OBJECTIVE： To systematically examine the postmarketing safety of depside salt injection made from Danshen（Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae）,identifythe potential risk factors, and ensure its clinical safety.METHODS： We examined a comprehensive series of studies on the production process, quality standards, pharmacology, population pharmacokinetics, and safety evaluation of depside salt injection made from Danshen（Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae）. Data from Ⅰ-Ⅳ clinical drug trials, hospital information systems（HIS）, and spontaneous reporting systems（SRS） were also analyzed.RESULTS： The effective components of salvianolic acid salt content reached almost 100%, and the magnesium lithospermate B content reached morethan 80%. The median lethal dose（LD50） calculated by the Bliss method was 1.49 g/kg, with 95%confidence intervals of 1.29-1.72 g/kg. Long-term tests on Beagle dogs indicated that doses of less than 80 mg/kg were safe and doses of 320 mg/kg were toxic. Adverse drug reactions（ADRs） included digestive disorders; drug-induced erythrocyte deformation in lung, liver, spleen, kidney, bone marrow, intestinal mucosa, lymph nodes, and other tissues; megakaryocytes in lung, liver, and spleen resulting from mild hemolysis; and mild hyperplasia in bone marrow hematopoietic tissue. Other studies indicated no irritative effect of the injection on local tissues and blood vessels, and no allergic reactions, erythrocyte coagulation, or hemolysis. SRS data showed that the most common ADRs were headache, head distention, dizziness, facial flushing, skin itching, thrombocytopenia, and the reversibility of elevated Aspartate transaminase. HIS data indicated no damage to renal function from using depside salt injection made from Danshen（Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae） at a dosage higher than the recommended dose.CONCLUSION： This study analyzes the clinical characteristics of ADRs from depside salt injection made from Danshen（Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae）,and discusses the factors influencing such     

Clinical Observation on the Effects of Bo＇s Abdominal Acupuncture in 40 Cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Objective： To observe the curative effect of Bo＇s abdominal acupuncture on chronic fatigue syndrome （CFS） Methods： Forty cases with CFS were treated by Bo＇s abdominal acupuncture at the points for conducting qi back to its origin and 4 points on the abdomen once a day for 2 weeks. Scores for symptoms and scores for fatigue questionnaires were compared before and after treatment. Results： After treatment, the clinical symptoms of patients were differently alleviated, and scores for symptoms, mental condition and neural feeling in questionnaires on fatigue were obviously reduced （P〈0.01-0.05）. Conclusion： Bo＇s abdominal acupuncture has a good curative effect on general disease with complex symptoms, especially on lassitude, anorexia, insomnia, amnesia, diarrhea, and general pain.     

Effect of volatile oil from Blumea Balsamifera （L.） DC. leaves on wound healing in mice

OBJECTIVE： To assess the effectiveness of violateoil from Blumea Balsamifera（L.） DC. leaves（BB oil）on wound healing in mice.METHODS： Undiluted BB oil and its diluted solutions with olive oil to 1/5 and 1/10 to yield BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 were applied to the wounded skin before wound healing conditions were assessed by healing rate, histopathology, and contents of collagen, hydroxyproline, and Neuropeptide Substance P（SP）. All above results were compared with the efficacies of the control, pure olive oil, basic fibroblast growth factor（BFGF）, and cream of Jing Wan Hong（JWH）.RESULTS： BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 improved wound contraction and closure. Histopathology study further confirmed a desirable histological organization of wound tissues. BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 reduced the number of inflammatory cells, increased wound-healing rates, and significantly increased the hydroxyproline content. Both BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 improved formation of collagen, and reduced the frequency of fibroblasts. Moreover, BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 markedly promoted SP expression. However, undiluted BB oil may induce skin thickening and hardening, inhibite collagen synthesis and delay complete skin wound healing.CONCLUSION： The BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 promoted capillary regeneration, blood circulation, collagen deposition, granular tissue formation, epithelial deposition, and wound contraction. The mechanism underlying the action might be related to induction of SP secretion, and the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal cells.     

玉屏风散加味治疗儿童反复发作分泌性中耳炎验案1则

<正>分泌性中耳炎是以鼓室积液及听力下降为主要特征的中耳非化脓性炎性疾病,由于小儿咽鼓管较成人宽而短、腺样体多处于增殖期等因素使儿童发病率高[1]。约有30%~40%的患儿可反复发作,甚至持续1年或更长时间[2]。病情反复发作,迁延不愈,可造成严重听力障碍,影响儿童的语言和智力发育[3]。目前国内外对反复发作分泌性中耳炎没有理想的治疗方法,西药不能久用、手术难以实施是儿童反复发作分泌