Gincosan (A Combination of Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng ): The Effects on Mood and Cognition of 6 and 12 Weeks' Treatment in Post-menopausal Women

Abstract

As memory and concentration impairments are a frequent complaint in post-menopausal women, this well-defined population was selected to investigate the effect on mood and cognition of chronic treatment with Gincosan. In a double-blind placebo controlled study, post-menopausal women aged 51-66 were randomly assigned to 12 weeks' treatment with Gincosan (320 mg/day), containing 120 mg Ginkgo biloba , and 200 mg Panax ginseng ( n =30), or matched placebo ( n =27). They were given measurements of mood, somatic anxiety, sleepiness, and menopausal symptoms and a battery of cognitive tests before treatment and after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment. There were no significant effects of Gincosan treatment on ratings of mood, bodily symptoms of somatic anxiety, menopausal symptoms, or sleepiness or on any of the cognitive measures of attention, memory or frontal lobe function. Thus, after chronic administration, Gincosan appeared to have no beneficial effects in post-menopausal women.     

Roles and mechanisms of ginseng in protecting heart

Ginseng,the root of Panax ginseng C.A.Mayer,has long been used clinically in China to treat various diseases.Multiple effects of ginseng,such as antitumor,antiinflammatory,antiallergic,antioxidative, antidiabetic and antihypertensive have been confirmed by modern medicine.Recently,the clinical utilization of ginseng to treat heart diseases has increased dramatically.The roles of ginseng in protecting heart are foci for research in modern medical science and have been partially demonstrated,and the mechanisms of protection against coronary artery disease,cardiac hypertrophy,heart failure,cardiac energy metabolism,cardiac contractility,and arrhythmia are being uncovered progressively.However,more studies are needed to elucidate the complex mechanisms by which ginseng protects heart.All such studies will provide evidence of ginseng’s clinical application,international promotion,and new drug development.     

Smashing Tissue Extraction and HPLC Determination of Active Saponins from Different Parts of Panax notoginseng

Objective To optimize the extraction technology used for extracting active saponins from the roots,fibrous roots,basal part of stems,root verrucae,fruits,flowers,stems,and leaves of Panax notoginseng based on the contents of ginsengsides Rg1,Rb1,and notoginsengside R1 as evaluation indexes.Methods Different parts of P.notoginseng were extracted by smashing tissue extraction(STE),ultrasound extraction,and reflux extraction.The contents of ginsengsides Rg1,Rb1,and notoginsengside R1 in 24 kinds of extracts were determined by HPLC-UV.Hypersil C18 column(200 mm × 4.6 mm,5 μm) and acetonitrile-warter(20:80 for 30 min→45:55 for 18 min→70:30 for 2 min→80:20 for 10 min→100:0) were used;UV detector was set at 203 nm;The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL/min.Results STE was the most efficient technology with the highest yield of active saponins among the three tested extraction technologies.Conclusion STE is a fast,effective,and economical method to extract the active saponins from different parts of P.notoginseng.It could significantly shorten the extraction time and simplify the determination of the pre-processing work on identifying P.notoginseng.Such quick and effective extraction provides a powerful tool for analyzing P.notoginseng in the future.     

三七粉致荨麻疹合并过敏性紫癜1例

三七粉致荨麻疹合并过敏性紫癜1例。     

三七总皂苷促进腱骨愈合的实验研究

目的：研究三七总皂苷对腱骨愈合的影响。方法：取20只成年新西兰大白兔,随机分为PNS组及空白对照组,每组10只。两组动物均切断双侧膝关节前交叉韧带,以趾长伸肌腱重建前交叉韧带,制作腱骨愈合模型。PNS组骨隧道内注射三七总皂苷注射液,干预腱骨愈合。空白对照组不予干预措施。术后4周及8周每组各处死5只新西兰大白兔,获取腱骨愈合标本。通过肉眼、组织学切片观察两组腱骨愈合的变化及差异。结果：顺利完成所有手术,20只大白兔无死亡及关节感染。大体观察,两组动物4周时腱骨界面为纤维连接,8周时腱骨间隙已不容易辨认。组织学观察,PNS组腱骨界面细胞成熟度更高,sharphy纤维生长更加密集,间质钙化程度更高,新骨形成量更多。8周时界面组织形态分类,两组分布差异有统计学意义。结论：三七总皂苷能够促进腱骨界面细胞成熟,促进腱骨界面胶原生长,促进新骨形成,加快腱骨愈合速度,提高腱骨愈合质量。但本研究尚未对各项指标进行定量测量,三七总皂苷促进腱骨愈合的详细机制尚未完全明确。     

Antihyperalgesic effects of ginseng total saponins in a rat model of incisional pain

Background

The aim of this study was to assess whether intraperitoneal administration of ginseng total saponins (GTS) has antihyperalgesic effects in a rat model of incisional pain. The proinflammatory responses and reversal of the antihyperalgesic effect of GTS by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) or naloxone were also evaluated.

Materials and methods

Rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.9% saline vehicle or various doses of GTS before or after a plantar incision. Paw withdrawal in response to application of the von Frey filament with the lowest bending force marked the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT). Blood samples were collected for the assessment of serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 levels. The IL levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with NMDA or naloxone before the GTS injection to assess the reversal of the antihyperalgesic effect of GTS.

Results

The MWT measured 2 h after the plantar incision increased significantly after the postincision administration of 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg of GTS compared with the MWT at 2 h after plantar incision. The MWT also increased significantly after the preincision injection of 100 or 200 mg/kg of GTS compared with the MWT of the vehicle control. Administration of GTS suppressed the postincision rise in serum IL-1β levels and NMDA inhibited the increase in the MWT compared with GTS alone.

Conclusions

Intraperitoneal administration of GTS before or after surgery induces antihyperalgesic effects in a rat model of incisional pain. The effects on mechanical hyperalgesia may be associated with anti-inflammatory cytokines and NMDA signaling.     

人参糖肽的结构及其对Aβ25-35处理PC12细胞的抗凋亡作用

目的：研究人参糖肽的结构,探讨其对β淀粉样蛋白_25-35（Aβ_25-35）处理PC12细胞凋亡的保护作用,为开发人参抗阿尔茨海默病（AD）药物奠定理论基础。方法：采用反相高效液相色谱法（RP-HPLC）与Q ExactiveOrbitrap质谱联用分析人参糖肽结构。将鼠嗜铬细胞瘤PC12细胞分为6组,加入含不同浓度（0、6.25、12.50、25.00、50.00和100.00 μmol·L^-1） Aβ_25-35的培养基,采用细胞计数试剂盒8（CCK-8）法测定PC12细胞的存活率。将PC12细胞分为空白对照组、模型组和给药组,模型组加入含有50.00 μmol·L^-1Aβ_25-35的培养基,给药组加入不同浓度（0.03、0.10、0.30和1.00 g·L^-1）人参糖肽和含有50.00 μmol·L^-1Aβ_25-35的培养基。采用CCK-8法测定PC12细胞的存活率,采用Annexin Ⅴ-FITC/PI法测定人参糖肽和Aβ_25-35处理后PC12细胞的凋亡率。将PC12细胞分为空白对照组、模型组和人参糖肽给药组,模型组加入含有50.00 μmol·L^-1Aβ_25-35的培养基,给药组加入不同浓度（0.10和0.30 g·L^-1）人参糖肽和含有50.00 μmol·L^-1Aβ_25-35的培养基,采用流式细胞术测定不同细胞周期PC12细胞的百分比。结果：人参糖肽结构分析得到肽链为NLSHYHSGSS、糖基为N1-HexNAc,肽链为SGSSSSSSSEDDGMGR、糖基为S6-HexNAc等20多个人参糖肽结构。当Aβ_25-35浓度为50 μmol·L^-1时,PC12细胞存活率为（55.45±2.34）%;与空白对照组比较,不同浓度Aβ_25-35处理组PC12细胞存活率明显降低（P<0.01）。与空白对照组比较,模型组PC12细胞存活率明显降低（P<0.01）;与模型组比较,给药组细胞存活率明显升高（P<0.05）。与空白对照组比较,模型组PC12细胞凋亡率升高（P<0.01）;与模型组比较,给药组细胞凋亡率降低（P<0.05）。与空白对照组比较,模型组S期PC12细胞百分比升高（P<0.05）;与模型组比较,给药组S期PC12细胞百分比降低（P<0.05）。结论：利用质谱法分析得到人参糖肽结构。人参糖肽可有效抑制Aβ_25-35处理PC12细胞的凋亡,具有神经细胞保护作用,其抗凋亡活性作用可能与抑制细胞S期阻滞有关。     

三七总皂甙对大鼠肝脏低温保存再灌注期间肝细胞凋亡的影响

目的　研究三七总皂甙 (PNGS)对大鼠肝脏低温保存再灌注期间肝细胞凋亡的影响及其机制。方法　采用大鼠离体肝脏再灌注模型 (IPRL) ,用Fura 2法测定低温保存 2h后肝细胞内钙离子浓度 ;经乳酸林格氏液 (LR)低温保存 2 4h的肝脏再灌注 30min后进行肝脏功能检测、氧自由基代谢产物、肝细胞凋亡、Bcl 2蛋白表达及形态学观察。LR和DMEM液中加入不同浓度PNGS。结果　大鼠肝细胞内钙离子浓度、MDA、SOD、肝细胞凋亡及Bcl 2蛋白表达阳性率等项指标各实验组明显好于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,PNGS对大鼠肝细胞凋亡的保护作用显示出剂量依赖性 ,在 2 0 0～ 6 0 0mg范围内随剂量增加保护作用随之增强 (P <0 0 1) ,在 80 0～ 10 0 0mg范围内虽有增强 ,但无明显差别 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　PNGS减轻了大鼠肝脏在低温保存再灌注期间肝细胞凋亡 ,可能与通过抑制钙超载、抗氧自由基损伤、提高Bcl 2蛋白表达作用有关。     

Chinese preparation Xuesaitong promotes the mobilization of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rats with cerebral infarction

After cerebral ischemia, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are mobilized and travel from the bone marrow through peripheral circulation to the focal point of ischemia to initiate tissue regeneration. However, the number of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells mobilized into peripheral circulation is not enough to exert therapeutic effects, and the method by which blood circulation is promoted to remove blood stasis influences stem cell homing. The main ingredient of Xuesaitong capsules is Panax notoginseng saponins, and Xuesaitong is one of the main drugs used for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. We established rat models of cerebral infarction by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and then intragastrically administered Xuesaitong capsules(20, 40 and 60 mg/kg per day) for 28 successive days. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that in rats with cerebral infarction, middle- and high-dose Xuesaitong significantly increased the level of stem cell factors and the number of CD117-positive cells in plasma and bone marrow and significantly decreased the number of CD54-and CD106-positive cells in plasma and bone marrow. The effect of low-dose Xuesaitong on these factors was not obvious. These findings demonstrate that middle- and high-dose Xuesaitong and hence Panax notoginseng saponins promote and increase the level and mobilization of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in peripheral blood.     

三七总苷注射液辅助治疗早期糖尿病肾病患者的疗效观察

目的观察三七总苷注射液辅助治疗早期糖尿病肾病患者的疗效。方法选择早期糖尿病肾病患者66例,随机分为治疗组和对照组,均给予饮食控制、降血脂治疗及控制血糖;治疗组则增加三七总苷注射液,15d为1疗程,共2个疗程,每个疗程间隔2d。同时观察比较治疗前后患者血、尿β2-微球蛋白(β2-MG),尿微量蛋白(Alb),尿蛋白(PRO)定量定性等指标的变化。结果治疗组总有效率(84.8%)优于对照组(63.6%)(P<0.05);此外,治疗组患者血β2-MG及尿β2-MG、Alb、PRO定量定性治疗前后均有明显下降且优于对照组;治疗过程中尚未发现副作用及严重的不良反应。结论三七总苷注射液可有效改善糖尿病肾病患者的肾功能。