糖复康宁提取物对2型糖尿病大鼠的降糖作用研究

目的 研究中药复方糖复康宁提取物2糖尿病模型大鼠的降血糖作用。方法 分别以遗传性ZDF模型大鼠和链脲佐菌素（STZ）联合高糖高脂饲料诱导的SD大鼠为此次研究的2型糖尿病模型动物,ig给予低、高剂量（5.0、10.0 g生药/kg）的糖复康宁提取物,金芪降糖片（455 mg/kg）作为阳性药,连续给药42 d,每周测定空腹血糖、给药第38天测定葡萄糖耐量。结果 ZDF模型结果显示,模型组大鼠血糖值波动幅度保持在10%以内,显著高于对照组（P<0.01）;给药42 d后,与模型组比较,各给药组血糖均显著下降（P<0.01）,金芪降糖片及糖复康宁提取物低、高剂量组血糖下降率分别为（35.9±8.4）%、（22.1±11.1）%、（50.0±9.1）%;STZ模型结果显示,模型组大鼠血糖一直维持在较高水平（21.1~21.6 mmol/L）,变化幅度相对稳定,显著高于对照组（P<0.01）;给药42 d后,与模型组比较,各给药组血糖均下降,其中糖复康宁提取物低、高剂量组差异显著（P<0.01）;金芪降糖片及糖复康宁提取物低、高剂量组血糖下降率分别为（18.6±5.7）%、（21.6±7.2）%、（51.7±20.2）%。糖复康宁提取物低、高2个剂量组血糖曲线下面积（AUC）与模型组比较均显著下降（P<0.05、0.01）。结论 中药复方糖复康宁对2种2型糖尿病模型均发挥显著降糖效果。     

虎杖苷及其衍生物抑制SGLT2降血糖活性研究

目的 揭示虎杖苷及其衍生物抑制钠-葡萄糖协同转运体2（sodium-glucose cotransporter 2,SGLT2）活性的构效关系。方法 以虎杖苷为起始物,经S_N2取代反应、催化氢化获得5个衍生物,以¹H-NMR和HR-ESI-MS进行结构表征。采用荧光标记的1-脱氧葡萄糖{1-[N-（7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl）amino]-1-deoxy-D-glucose,1-NBDG}作为底物对虎杖苷及其衍生物进行体外抑制SGLT2活性测试,对衍生物1b进行体内活性测试,大鼠口服糖耐量实验及促尿糖实验。结果 获得5个虎杖苷衍生物,¹H-NMR和HR-ESI-MS表征结构正确,体外实验显示虎杖苷及其衍生物能较好地抑制SGLT2活性,且化合物1b在10^-5 mol·L^-1时对SGLT2的抑制率达98.6%,但是大鼠体内实验显示1b在120 mg·kg^-1时抑糖率只有11%,尿糖量只有122 mg每200 g,其活性远远低于阳性对照药达格列净。结论 虎杖苷及其衍生物作为O-芳基糖苷化合物具有较弱的抑制SGLT2降血糖活性,其分子结构对后续设计新的C-芳基糖苷SGLT2抑制剂具有一定的指导意义。     

葛根素抑制钠-葡萄糖协同转运蛋白2活性发挥促尿糖作用研究

目的 研究葛根素通过抑制钠-葡萄糖协同转运蛋白2（SGLT2）发挥促尿糖、降血糖作用。方法 同源模建获得SGLT2蛋白虚拟结构,以达格列净为阳性药,与葛根素进行分子对接,考察其分子结合强弱;采用能稳定表达人SGLT2（hSGLT2）蛋白的中国仓鼠卵巢（CHO）细胞、以^14C-甲基葡萄糖苷（[^14C]-AMG）为底物,评价葛根素体外抑制SGLT2的活性;以达格列净为阳性药,采用大鼠体内口服糖耐量试验（OGTT）和尿排泄糖试验（UGE）观察葛根素直接降血糖和促尿糖活性。结果 分子对接得分显示,葛根素是SGLT2的底物,总体作用强度不及达格列净;体外实验显示,葛根素可较强抑制hSGLT2,最大效应为84%左右,半数抑制浓度（IC₅₀）为0.40 μmol/L;OGTT结果显示,葛根素10、30、60和120 mg/kg剂量的抑糖率分别为5.1%、6.5%、16%和22%,呈剂量相关性;在UGE实验中,随着葛根素剂量的增大,尿糖量增加,与模型组比较,30、60和120 mg/kg剂量组差异显著（P<0.05、0.01）。结论 葛根素具有抑制hSGLT2、促尿糖降低血糖的药理活性,有可能作为一类新型结构的SGLT2抑制剂的先导化合物。     

瑞舒伐他汀对格列喹酮在2型糖尿病大鼠体内药动学参数的影响

目的 探究瑞舒伐他汀对格列喹酮在2型糖尿病大鼠体内药动学参数的影响。方法 采用高糖高脂饲料喂养与ip低剂量链脲佐菌素（40 mg/kg）相结合的方法制备SD大鼠2型糖尿病模型。2型糖尿病大鼠先ig瑞舒伐他汀（10 mg/kg）,0.5 h后再ig格列喹酮（15 mg/kg）,于给药后0.5、1.5、2、2.5、4、6、8 h颈动脉取血。采用高效液相色谱法测定大鼠血浆中格列喹酮的浓度,绘制血药浓度–时间曲线,计算药动学参数。结果 在2型糖尿病大鼠中,与格列喹酮单用相比,与瑞舒伐他汀联用之后,格列喹酮的t_1/2明显延长（P＜0.01）,血浆清除率（CL）明显降低（P＜0.01）,达峰浓度（C_max）、药–时曲线下面积（AUC）明显增加（P＜0.01）。结论 瑞舒伐他汀和格列喹酮联用后,可明显改变格列喹酮在2型糖尿病大鼠体内的药动学参数,提高其血药浓度。因此,当两药联用时,应特别注意潜在的药物相互作用和格列喹酮的使用剂量。     

高原低氧环境下盐酸二甲双胍在2型糖尿病及正常大鼠体内的药动学差异

目的 建立LC-MS/MS方法研究高原低氧环境下盐酸二甲双胍在2型糖尿病（T2DM）大鼠体内的药动学特征,并与正常大鼠体内的药动学特征进行差异分析。方法 高糖高脂饲料喂养合并ip链脲佐菌素（STZ）制备T2DM大鼠模型;采用Gemini C18（75 mm×3 mm,3μm）色谱柱分离,乙腈-水-甲酸（85：15：0.1）为流动相等度洗脱,质谱正离子多反应模式下定性定量分析;T2DM大鼠与正常大鼠分别单次ig给予二甲双胍后,采集血样,测定血浆药物浓度,采用DAS2.0药动学软件计算药动学参数。结果 二甲双胍质量浓度在25~16 000 ng·mL^-1内线性关系良好（r=0.999 2）,定量下限为25 ng·mL^-1;大鼠单次ig二甲双胍后,与正常大鼠组相比,T2DM大鼠二甲双胍药时曲线下面积（AUC）增加了25.15%,峰浓度（C_max）增加了28.28%,清除率（CL_z/F）减小了20.00%（P<0.05）。结论 高原低氧环境下,与正常大鼠相比,二甲双胍在T2DM模型大鼠体内的AUC、C_max、CL_z/F变化具有显著性差异。     

千金黄连片对高脂高糖致糖耐量异常模型大鼠的治疗作用

目的 观察千金黄连片对高脂高糖致糖耐量异常模型大鼠的治疗作用。方法 选用4～6周龄的雄性SD大鼠90只,随机选取10只作为对照组,剩余大鼠喂饲高脂高糖饲料,连续喂饲5个月,测定对照组及模型组大鼠糖负荷（2.5 g·kg^-1）后0.5 h血糖值,挑选糖耐量异常的大鼠［0.5 h血糖值＞8.5 mmol·L^-1及0.5 h血糖值、血糖曲线下面积（AUC）均显著大于对照组］70只随机分为7组：模型组、盐酸二甲双胍片（125 mg·kg^-1）组、金芪降糖片（2.1 g·kg^-1）组、辛伐他汀组（0.8 mg·kg^-1）和千金黄连片高、中、低剂量（生药6.50、3.25、1.60 g·kg^-1）组,ig给药,给药体积10 mL·kg^-1,每天给药1次,连续给药28 d,对照组与模型组给予等量去离子水。观察千金黄连片给药1次对糖耐量的影响及给药多次对糖耐量、胰岛素耐量、淀粉耐量、血脂的影响：①糖耐量：禁食但不禁水12 h后,各组ig给予2.5 g·kg^-1的葡萄糖,分别测定给予葡萄糖前、给予葡萄糖后30、60、120 min各组大鼠血糖水平并计算AUC;②胰岛素耐量：动物不禁食,测定给胰岛素前血糖,各组sc给予5 U·kg^-1的胰岛素溶液,测定给予胰岛素后45、90、180 min各组大鼠的血糖水平并计算AUC;③淀粉耐量：禁食但不禁水16 h后,各组ig给予2.5 g·kg^-1的淀粉糊,分别测定给淀粉前、给予淀粉后30、60、120 min各组大鼠血糖水平。于连续给药4周后检测大鼠血清三酰甘油（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（LDL-C）水平。结果 与模型组比较,千金黄连片给药1次、给药1周、给药3周能显著降低高脂高糖致糖耐量异常大鼠糖负荷后血糖水平及AUC（P＜0.05、0.01、0.001） ;给药3周能使胰岛素降血糖作用显著增强（P＜0.05、0.01）;给药4周能显著降低淀粉负荷后血糖（P＜0.05、0.01）,显著降低血清TG、LDL-C水平（P＜0.01、0.001）。结论 千金黄连片能显著地改善糖耐量异常;增强胰岛素敏感性,改善胰岛素抵抗;显著降低血清TG、LDL-C水平,改善脂质代谢异常。其降血糖作用与盐酸二甲双胍片相当,强于金芪降糖片,其改善胰岛素抵抗、增加胰岛素敏感性的作用强于盐酸二甲双胍片和金芪降糖片,调节血脂的作用与盐酸二甲双胍片、辛伐他汀相当。     

淫羊藿苷元对临床重要药物转运体抑制作用研究

目的 研究淫羊藿苷元对临床重要转运体OAT1、OAT3、OATP1B1、OATP1B3、OCT1、OCT2、BCRP、BSEP和P-gp转运蛋白的抑制作用。方法 应用过表达各转运体的细胞株,检测淫羊藿苷元（0、0.03、0.10、0.30、1.00、3.00、10.00 μmol/L）对hOAT1介导的放射性同位素标记底物¹⁴C-对氨基马尿酸（¹⁴C-PAH）、hOAT3介导的³H-硫酸雌酮铵（³H-ES）、hOATP1B1介导的³H-ES、hOATP1B3介导的³H-雌二醇葡糖苷酸（³H-EG）、hOCT1介导的¹⁴C-溴化四乙胺（¹⁴C-TEA）、hOCT2介导的¹⁴C-TEA、hBCRP介导的³H-ES、MDR1介导的³H-地高辛（³H-Digoxin）、以及hBSEP介导的³H-牛黄胆酸盐（³H-TCA）转运活性的影响,计算淫羊藿苷元对不同转运蛋白的抑制作用的半数抑制浓度（IC₅₀）。结果 与对照组比较,淫羊藿苷元0.3～10 μmol/L浓度对OAT3转运活性发挥显著抑制作用（P<0.05）,0.1～10 μmol/L对P-gp有显著抑制作用;1～10 μmol/L浓度对OATP1B3和BCRP转运活性有显著抑制作用（P<0.05）;3～10 μmol/L浓度对和OATP1B1转运活性有显著抑制作用（P<0.05）;对OAT3和BCRP转运活性的IC₅₀分别为4.97和8.15 μmol/L;对OAT1B1、OATP1B3、OCT2和P-gp的IC₅₀均大于10 μmol/L,对OAT1、OCT1和BSEP转运活性无明显影响。结论 淫羊藿苷元对药物转运体OAT3和BCRP的抑制作用相对较强,对OAT1B1、OATP1B3、OCT2和P-gp也具有一定的抑制作用,对OAT1、OCT1和BSEP无显著抑制作用。     

伸筋草提取物中玉柏碱在大鼠体内的药动学研究

目的 通过给予大鼠伸筋草提取物,探讨其中主要活性成分玉柏碱的药动学特征。方法 利用RP-HPLC法,以Centurysil C₁₈ EPS为色谱柱,甲醇-水（61∶39）为流动相;紫外检测器测定大鼠ig伸筋草提取物后血浆中玉柏碱的血药浓度,计算药动学参数。结果 玉柏碱在大鼠体内呈二室模型分布,线性范围为0.354～14.16 μg/mL,r＝0.999 8。日内和日间精密度均小于5%。玉柏碱口服给药后在大鼠体内的主要药动学参数为：t_1/2为2.681 h,t_max为0.75 h,C_max为6.309 mg/L,AUC_(0→t) 为16.626 mg/L,AUC_(0→∞) 为18.798 mg/L。结论 本方法适用于大鼠血浆中玉柏碱的检测及其体内药动学研究。     

阿托伐他汀的肝毒性机制研究

目的 研究阿托伐他汀肝毒性损伤作用及机制。方法 将24只Wistar han雄鼠分为对照组和阿托伐他汀低（68.5mg/kg）、高剂量组（205.5 mg/kg）,按照10 mL/kg的药液体积给药,溶媒对照组ig等体积5% CMC-Na,连续ig 28 d。检测血清中天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、尿素氮（BUN）和血肌酐（CRE）的含量,HE染色观察肝组织病理。在体外,HepG2细胞经传代培养后,给予阿托伐他汀干预24 h,检测细胞存活率,丙二醛（MDA）水平、Na⁺-K⁺-ATP酶和Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATP酶活性及线粒体膜电位。结果 与对照组比较,阿托伐他汀高剂量组大鼠肝细胞弥漫性肿胀,核分裂多见,部分肝细胞极性消失,排列紊乱（P<0.05）。与对照组比较,阿托伐他汀高剂量组给药后血清中ALT和AST显著升高（P<0.05、0.01）。在体外,与对照组比较,阿托伐他汀125、250、500 μmol/L能明显抑制细胞存活率（P<0.05、0.001）。与对照组比较,阿托伐他汀500 μmol/L HepG2细胞MDA含量明显升高（P<0.01）。与对照组比较,阿托伐他汀125 μmol/L能使Na⁺-K⁺-ATP酶活性增强,500 μmol/L使Na⁺-K⁺-ATP酶活性降低（P<0.001）。与对照组比较,阿托伐他汀125、250、500 μmol/L均能使能使Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATP酶活性降低（P<0.01,0.001）。与对照组比较,阿托伐他汀125、250、500 μmol/L均能降低线粒体膜电位（P<0.001）。结论 阿托伐他汀高剂量可导致肝组织损伤,其毒性作用通过破坏细胞的线粒体膜电位,抑制Na⁺-K⁺-ATP酶、Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATP酶活性,细胞膜脂质过氧化,从而破坏细胞内微环境的平衡,导致细胞凋亡和坏死。     

注射用益气复脉（冻干）不同给药途径对心力衰竭大鼠的药效作用对比研究

目的 探讨注射用益气复脉（冻干）（YQFM）不同给药途径对心力衰竭大鼠的药效。方法 将70只经腹主动脉结扎造成心力衰竭模型的SD大鼠随机分为7组：模型组（ig＋尾iv 0.9%氯化钠注射液），YQFM尾iv低、高剂量组（ig 0.9%氯化钠注射液＋尾iv YQFM 464.3、928.6 mg·kg^-1，低剂量为临床等效剂量），益气复脉胶囊组（ig益气复脉胶囊246.3 mg·kg^-1＋尾iv 0.9%氯化钠注射液），YQFM ig组（ig YQFM 464.3 mg·kg^-1＋尾iv 0.9%氯化钠注射液），卡托普利片组（ig卡托普利片3.35 mg·kg^-1＋尾iv 0.9%氯化钠注射液），联合给药组（ig卡托普利片3.35 mg·kg^-1＋尾iv YQFM 464.3 mg·kg^-1），另取10只进行切口不进行结扎SD大鼠为假手术组（ig＋尾iv 0.9%氯化钠注射液）。分别于给药后1 h的第1、3、5、7、14天眼内眦取血，酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）法检测大鼠血清中心钠肽（ANP）、脑钠肽（BNP）、内皮素（ET）水平；连续给药14 d，给药结束后对各组大鼠进行心脏超声检测；取出心脏，HE染色后观察病理变化。结果 与模型组相比，给药后1 d，YQFM尾iv低、高剂量组及卡托普利片组和联合给药组血清ANP水平显著降低（P＜0.05、0.01），YQFM尾iv低、高剂量组和联合给药组血清BNP、ET水平显著降低（P＜ 0.05）；给药后7、14 d，各给药组血清ANP、BNP、ET水平显著降低（P＜0.05、0.001）；各给药组的左室短轴缩短率（LVFS）、左室射血分数（LVEF）、E峰与A峰的比值（E/A）均显著上升（P＜0.001）；各给药组心肌细胞病理变化有明显好转。与YQFM ig组相比，给药后1 d YQFM尾iv低、高剂量组和给药后14 dYQFM尾iv低剂量组血清ANP水平显著降低（P＜0.05）；给药后1、7 d YQFM尾iv低、高剂量组和给药后14 d YQFM尾iv低剂量组血清BNP水平显著降低（P＜0.05、0.01、0.001）；给药1 d YQFM尾iv低、高剂量组和给药7、14 d YQFM尾iv低剂量组血清ET水平显著降低（P＜0.05、0.001）； YQFM尾iv低、高剂量组的E/A均显著升高（P＜0.05、0.001）。结论 不同给药途径的YQFM均可以对心力衰竭大鼠发挥治疗作用，尾iv途径比ig途径治疗效果更好，也能更早发挥药效。     

Efficacy of gut lavage,hemodialysis, and hemoperfusion in the therapy of paraquat or diquat intoxication

Clinical and in vitro investigations were carried out to test the efficacy of gut lavage, hemodialysis, and hemoperfusion in the treatment of poisoning with paraquat or diquat. In a patient suffering from diquat intoxication 130 times more diquat was removed by gut lavage 30 h after ingestion than was removed by complete aspiration of the gastric contents.Determination of in vitro clearances for paraquat and diquat by hemodialysis showed that, at serum concentrations of 1–2 ppm, such as are frequently encountered in poisoning in man, toxicologically relevant quantities of herbicide cannot be removed from the body. At a concentration of 20 ppm, on the other hand, hemodialysis proved to be effective, the clearance being 70 ml/min at a blood flow rate of 100 ml/min. The efficacy of hemoperfusion with coated activated charcoal was on the whole better. Especially at concentrations around 1–2 ppm, the clearance values for hemoperfusion were some 5–7 times higher than those for hemodialysis.In a patient suffering from paraquat poisoning, both hemodialysis as well as hemoperfusion were carried out. The in vitro results could be confirmed: At serum concentrations of paraquat less than 1 ppm no clearance could be obtained by hemodialysis while by hemoperfusion with activated charcoal quite high clearance values were measured and the serum level dropped down to zero.

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Zusammenfassung Klinische Untersuchungen und Laboratoriumsversuche wurden durchgeführt, um die Wirksamkeit von Darmspülung, Hämodialyse und Hämoperfusion bei Paraquat- und Deiquat-Vergiftungen zu prüfen.Bei einem Patienten wurde 30 Std nach Deiquat-Aufnahme durch Darmspülung 130mal mehr Deiquat entfernt als durch vollständige Aspiration des Mageninhaltes. In vitro-Versuche ergaben, daß bei Blutserumkonzentrationen von 1–2 ppm, die bei Vergiftungen oft gemessen werden, durch Hämodialyse keine toxikologisch relevanten Paraquat- oder Deiquat-Mengen entfernt werden können. Dagegen erwies sich die Hämodialyse bei 20 ppm und einer Blutumlaufgeschwindigkeit von 100 ml/min mit einer Clearance von 70 ml/min als wirksam. Die Hämoperfusion mit beschicheter Aktivkohle war in diesen Versuchen aber eindeutig überlegen, denn insbesondere bei Konzentrationen um 1–2 ppm waren die Clearance-Werte 5–7mal höher als bei der Hämodialyse.Die in vitro-Ergebnisse wurden bei einem Patienten mit einer Paraquat-Vergiftung bestätigt: Bei Konzentrationen unter 1 ppm war die Hämodialyse wirkungslos, während durch Hämoperfusion relativ hohe Clearance-Werte erreicht wurden, so daß der Serumspiegel rasch unter die Nachweisgrenze abfiel.

     

In vitro studies on sterically stabilized liposomes (SL) as enzyme carriers in organophosphorus (OP) antagonism

This study describes a new approach for organophosphorous (OP) antidotal treatment by encapsulating an OP hydrolyzing enzyme, OPA anhydrolase (OPAA), within sterically stabilized liposomes. The recombinant OPAA enzyme was derived from Alteromonas strain JD6. It has broad substrate specificity to a wide range of OP compounds: DFP and the nerve agents, soman and sarin. Liposomes encapsulating OPAA (SL)* were made by mechanical dispersion method. Hydrolysis of DFP by (SL)* was measured by following an increase of fluoride ion concentration using a fluoride ion selective electrode. OPAA entrapped in the carrier liposomes rapidly hydrolyze DFP, with the rate of DFP hydrolysis directly proportional to the amount of (SL)* added to the solution. Liposomal carriers containing no enzyme did not hydrolyze DFP. The reaction was linear and the rate of hydrolysis was first order in the substrate. This enzyme carrier system serves as a biodegradable protective environment for the recombinant OP-metabolizing enzyme, OPAA, resulting in prolongation of enzymatic concentration in the body. These studies suggest that the protection of OP intoxication can be strikingly enhanced by adding OPAA encapsulated within (SL)* to pralidoxime and atropine.     

Aquatic Insects and Trace Metals: Bioavailability,Bioaccumulation, and Toxicity

Abstract

The uptake of metals from food and water sources by insects is thought to be additive. For a given metal, the proportions taken up from water and food will depend both on the bioavailable concentration of the metal associated with each source and the mechanism and rate by which the metal enters the insect. Attempts to correlate insect trace metal concentrations with the trophic level of insects should be made with a knowledge of the feeding relationships of the individual taxa concerned. Pathways for the uptake of essential metals, such as copper and zinc, exist at the cellular level, and other nonessential metals, such as cadmium, also appear to enter via these routes. Within cells, trace metals can be bound to proteins or stored in granules. The internal distribution of metals among body tissues is very heterogeneous, and distribution patterns tend to be both metal and taxon specific. Trace metals associated with insects can be both bound on the surface of their chitinous exoskeleton and incorporated into body tissues. The quantities of trace meals accumulated by an individual reflect the net balance between the rate of metal influx from both dissolved and particulate sources and the rate of metal efflux from the organism. The toxicity of metals has been demonstrated at all levels of biological organization: cell, tissue, individual, population, and community. Much of the literature pertaining to the toxic effects of metals on aquatic insects is based on laboratory observations and, as such, it is difficult to extrapolate the data to insects in nature. The few experimental studies in nature suggest that trace metal contaminants can affect both the distribution and the abundance of aquatic insects. Insects have a largely unexploited potential as biomonitors of metal contamination in nature. A better understanding of the physico-chemical and biological mechanisms mediating trace metal bioavailability and exchange will facilitate the development of general predictive models relating trace metal concentrations in insects to those in their environment. Such models will facilitate the use of insects as contaminant biomonitors.     

Pharmacological treatment of COVID-19: an opinion paper

The precocity and efficacy of the vaccines developed so far against COVID-19 has been the most significant and saving advance against the pandemic. The development of vaccines has not prevented, during the whole period of the pandemic, the constant search for therapeutic medicines, both among existing drugs with different indications and in the development of new drugs. The Scientific Committee of the COVID-19 of the Illustrious College of Physicians of Madrid wanted to offer an early, simplified and critical approach to these new drugs, to new developments in immunotherapy and to what has been learned from the immune response modulators already known and which have proven effective against the virus, in order to help understand the current situation.     

Alzheimer’s disease – current trends in basic and clinical research. Highlights from the 16th ECNP

Advances in the molecular biological knowledge of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have led to a growing interest by the pharmaceutical industry in the development of novel compounds that selectively modulate nAChR function. The ability of (-)-nicotine, an activator of nAChRs, to enhance attentional aspects of cognition in animals and humans, to exert neuroprotective and anxiolytic-like effects, and presumably to mediate the negative correlation between smoking and Alzheimer's (and Parkinson's) Disease, has focused interest on the potential therapeutic utility of modulators of nAChR function for treatment of some of the deficits associated with these progressive, neurodegenerative conditions. Numerous compounds are known which activate nAChRs and which might serve as lead compounds toward the development of such agents. The pharmacologic diversity of neuronal nAChR subtypes suggests the possibility of developing selective compounds which would have more favourable side-effect profiles than existing agents. This broader class of agents, collectively called cholinergic channel modulators (ChCMs), is anticipated to encompass compounds which would have more favourable side-effect profiles than existing agents, which generally exhibit low selectivity. This selectivity may be achieved by preferentially activating some subtypes of nAChRs (i.e., Cholinergic Channel Activators, ChCAs) or inhibiting the function of other subtypes (Cholinergic Channel Inhibitors, ChCIs). An overview of the biology of nAChRs and the rationale for the use of ChCMs for the treatment of dementia related to neurodegenerative diseases are presented, followed by a discussion of lead compounds and compounds under consideration for clinical evaluation.     

Steroidal sapogenin contents in some domestic plants

In order to find out the values of the steroid resources for the future use. the compositions and contents of steroidal sapogenins from 13 domestic plants have been investigated. As a result,Dioscorea nipponica, D. quinqueloba andSmilax china were found to have large amount of diosgenin. And pennogenin inTrillium kamtschaticum andParis verticillata, yuccagenin inAllium fistulosum, hecogenin inAgave americana and neochlorogenin inSolanum nigum were appeared to be major steroidal sapogenins.