Biomedical subjects

Xiong Cai

Publications and source records attributed to Xiong Cai.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Suppression of the onset and progression of collagen-induced arthritis in rats by QFGJS, a preparation from an anti-arthritic Chinese herbal formula.

QFGJS is an herbal preparation, and its pronounced effectiveness in treating adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) has been previously demonstrated. We herein aimed to confirm its anti-arthritic effect on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. CIA was established in female Wistar rats with intradermal injection of type II bovine collagen at the base of the tail of animals. CIA rats were treated daily with oral administration of different doses of QFGJS beginning on the day of the induction of arthritis (day 0, the prophylactic treatment) or on the day after the onset of arthritis (day 13, the therapeutic treatment) until day 30. The results showed that prophylactic treatment with QFGJS significantly suppressed the onset of arthritis, and therapeutic treatment with QFGJS markedly reduced paw swelling and ESR levels even in the established CIA. Radiologic and histopathologic changes in the arthritic joints were also significantly reduced in the QFGJS-treated versus vehicle-treated rats. Moreover, the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 were markedly lowered in the QFGJS-treated rats. Hence, our studies demonstrate the quality, safety, and effectiveness of QFGJS as an anti-arthritic agent, which makes QFGJS a strong candidate for further clinical trials on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Combinative method using HPLC quantitative and qualitative analyses for quality consistency assessment of a herbal medicinal preparation.

A selective and efficient quality consistency assessment system was developed for monitoring the manufacturing processes of a Chinese herbal preparation, qingfu guanjieshu (QFGJS) capsule, and for assessing its stability over time. This system is based on quantitative determination of four marker compounds, i.e., sinomenine, paeoniflorin, paeonol, and curcumin, and on qualitative fingerprinting analysis of QFGJS using high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method. The separation was performed on a Phenomenex ODS column by gradient elution with acetonitrile and aqueous phase (containing 0.1% phosphoric acid, adjusted with triethylamine to pH 3.5+/-0.2) at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min. In fingerprinting analysis, the chemical characteristics of four herbs present in QFGJS (excluding radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) were present in the HPLC chromatographic file. In addition, quantitative determination of hypaconitine was carried out with our published HPLC method as a supplement for quality control of the radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata in QFGJS. The results showed that the contents of these five marker compounds and HPLC fingerprint profiles of three batches of QFGJS products collected at 3 months after production in the stability testing were relatively consistent. This well-developed method could be used for quality assessment of the complex preparations of herbal medicine.

Aconitine↗

PubMed2006

Suppressive effects of JCICM-6, the extract of an anti-arthritic herbal formula, on the experimental inflammatory and nociceptive models in rodents.

JCICM-6, the extract of an anti-arthritic herbal formula composed of medicinal herbs of Sinomenium acutum, Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX., Curcuma Longa L., Paeonia lactiflora PALL., and Paeonia suffruticosa ANDR., was examined in the effectiveness and mechanism in reducing experimentally-induced inflammation and nociception using nine animal models. JCICM-6 was extracted from herbs and purified with Amberlite XAD-7HP adsorbent resin and analyzed with HPLC-fingerprint for quality consistency. In acute inflammatory models, the paw edema of rats was induced by subcutaneous injection of carrageenan or pro-inflammatory mediators, including histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) into the right hind paws of animals; while the ear edema of mice was induced by applying arachidonic acid or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) on the ear surface. In nociceptive models, the tail-flick response induced by radiant heat stimulation was measured and the numbers of abdominal writhing episodes of mice induced by intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid were recorded. JCICM-6 orally administered in a range of dosages from 0.438 g to 1.75 g/kg significantly and dose-dependently suppressed the paw edema of rats induced by carrageenan or various pro-inflammatory mediators and the ear edema of mice induced by arachidonic acid or TPA. JCICM-6 also significantly prolonged the reaction time of rats to radiant heat stimulation and reduced the numbers of writhing episodes of mice. These results indicated that JCICM-6 possesses significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which implies that it would be a potential candidate for further investigation as a new anti-arthritic botanical drug for humans.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Suppressive effects of QFGJS, a preparation from an anti-arthritic herbal formula, on rat experimental adjuvant-induced arthritis.

To analyze the anti-arthritic effects of QFGJS (a pharmaceutical preparation from herbs) on rheumatoid arthritis, adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) was established in male SD rats, and two administration protocols, i.e., oral treatment with different doses of QFGJS on the day of arthritis induction or on the day when visible clinical signs of arthritis occurred, were initiated and continued until day 30. Treatments with QFGJS using both administration protocols significantly suppressed the incidence and severity of arthritis in a dose-dependent manner, showing dramatic reduction of paw swelling and ESR throughout the disease progression of AIA. Radiological and histopathological examinations showed markedly decreased tissue and bone destruction of ankle joints in the QFGJS-treated rats. The serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 were significantly decreased in the QFGJS-treated rats. QFGJS demonstrates pronounced anti-arthritic effects on AIA, indicating that this herbal preparation would be a potent candidate as a novel botanical drug for further investigation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Multicenter clinical study on Fuzhenghuayu capsule against liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B.

AIM: To study the efficacy and safety of Fuzhenghuayu capsule (FZHY capsule, a capsule for strengthening body resistance to remove blood stasis) against liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Multicenter, randomized, double blinded and parallel control experiment was conducted in patients (aged from 18 to 65 years) with liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B. Hepatic histologic changes and HBV markers were examined at wk 0 and 24 during treatment. Serologic parameters (HA, LM, P-III-P, IV-C) were determined and B ultrasound examination of the spleen and liver was performed at wk 0, 12 and 24. Liver function (liver function and serologic parameters for liver fibrosis) was observed at wk 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24. Blood and urine routine test, renal function and ECG were examined before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between experimental group (110 cases) and control group (106 cases) in demographic features, vital signs, course of illness, history for drug anaphylaxis and previous therapy, liver function, serologic parameters for liver fibrosis, liver histologic examination (99 cases in experimental group, 96 cases in control group), HBV markers, and renal function. According to the criteria for liver fibrosis staging, mean score of fibrotic stage(s) in experimental group after treatment (1.80) decreased significantly compared to the previous treatment (2.33, P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in mean score of fibrotic stage(s) (2.11 and 2.14 respectively). There was a significant difference in reverse rate between experimental group (52%) and control group (23.3%) in liver biopsy. With marked effect on decreasing the mean value of inflammatory activity and score of inflammation (P<0.05), Fuzhenghuayu capsule had rather good effects on inhibiting inflammatory activity and was superior to that of Heluoshugan capsule. Compared to that of pretreatment, there was a significant decrease in HA, LM, P-III-P and IV-C content in experimental group after 12 and 24 wk of treatment. The difference in HA, LM, P-III-P and IV-C content between 12 and 24 wk of treatment and pretreatment in experimental group was significantly greater than that in control group (P<0.01-0.05). The effect, defined as two of four parameters lowering more than 30% of the baseline, was 72.7% in experimental group and 27.4% in control group (P<0.01). Obvious improvement in serum Alb, ALT, AST and GGT was seen in two groups. Compared to that of control group, marked improvement in GGT and Alb was seen in experimental group (P<0.05). The effective rate of improvement in serum ALT was 72.7% in experimental group and 59.4% in control group. No significant difference was seen in blood and urine routine and ECG before and after treatment. There was also no significant difference in stable rate in ALT and serologic parameters for liver fibrosis between experimental group and control group after 12 wk of withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Fuzhenghuayu capsule has good therapeutic effects on alleviating liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B without any adverse effect and is superior to that of Heluoshugan capsule.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Influence of co-administrated sinomenine on pharmacokinetic fate of paeoniflorin in unrestrained conscious rats.

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Ranunculaceae) root and Sinomenium acutum Rehder and Wilson (Menispermaceae) stem are two herbs widely used in Chinese medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis. While, in theory, either herb could be used alone, in practice, Chinese medicine practitioners prescribe them together. Studies on pharmacokinetic interaction between the active constituents of these two herbs (paeoniflorin and sinomenine, respectively) provide empirical evidence to support their clinical practice. A single dose of paeoniflorin (150 mg/kg) alone and with sinomenine hydrochloride (90 mg/kg) was administered by gastric gavage to unrestrained conscious male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=5 or 6, 240-270 [corrected] g). Blood samples were collected periodically via a jugular vein before and after dosing from 10 min to 12 h. A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay was developed to determine the plasma concentrations of paeoniflorin. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic profiles were constructed by using the software PK Solutions 2.0. The pharmacokinetic parameters were compared using unpaired Student t-test. After co-administration of sinomenine, the peak plasma concentration of paeoniflorin was elevated (P<0.01), the peak time was delayed (P<0.01), the AUC(0-t) was increased (P<0.001), the mean residence time (MRT) was prolonged (P<0.01), the C(L) was decreased (P<0.01) and the V(d) was reduced (P<0.05). These results indicate that sinomenine hydrochloride at 90 mg/kg significantly improved the bioavailability of paeoniflorin in rats.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Prediction of significant fibrosis in HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B by a noninvasive model.

A model was constructed consisting of clinical and serum variables to discriminate between hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with and without significant fibrosis (stages 2-4 vs. stages 0-1). Consecutive treatment-naive CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy were divided into 2 sequential groups: a training group (n = 200) and a validation group (n = 172). Multivariate analysis identified alpha2-macroglobulin, age, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, and hyaluronic acid as independent predictors of fibrosis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.84 for the training group and 0.77 for the validation group. Using a cutoff score of <3.0, the presence of significant fibrosis (F2 to F4) could be excluded with high accuracy (86.1% negative predictive value [NPV], 70.1% positive predictive value [PPV], and 94.8% sensitivity) in 43 (21.5%) of 200 patients in the training group, and with the same certainty (90.9% NPV, 64.7% PPV, and 98.0% sensitivity) in 22 (12.8%) of 172 patients in the validation group. Similarly, applying a cutoff score of >8.7, the presence of significant fibrosis could be correctly identified with high accuracy (91.1% PPV, 51.6% NPV, and 95.2% specificity) in 41 (20.5%) of 200 patients in the training group, and with the same certainty (84.8% PPV, 52.4% NPV, and 90.4% specificity) in 39 (22.7%) of 172 patients of the validation group. In conclusion, a predictive model with a combination of easily accessible variables identified HBeAg-positive CHB patients with and without significant fibrosis with a high degree of accuracy. Application of this model may decrease the need for liver biopsy in staging of 35.5% CHB.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Cetirizine and loratadine-based antihistamines with 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity.

A series of compounds possessing both H(1) histamine receptor antagonist and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitory activities was synthesized. The H(1)-binding scaffolds of cetirizine, efletirizine, and loratadine were linked to a lipophilic N-hydroxyurea, the 5-LO inhibiting moiety of zileuton. Both activities were observed in vivo, as was increased CYP3A4 inhibition compared to their respective single-function drugs. Selected analogs in the series were shown to be orally active in guinea pig models.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Capsule oxymatrine in treatment of hepatic fibrosis due to chronic viral hepatitis: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical study.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxymatrine capsule in treatment of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. METHODS: It was a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical study. One hundred and forty-four patients were divided into oxymatrine capsule group(group A) and placebo group (group B). The course was 52 wk. Patients were visited once every 12 wk and the last visit was at 12 wk after cessation of the treatment. All patients had liver biopsy before treatment. part of them had a second biopsy at the end of therapy. Clinical symptoms, liver function test, serum markers of hepatic fibrosis were tested. Ultrasound evaluation was performed before, during and at the end of therapy. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-four patients enrolled in the study. Of them 132 patients completed the study according to the protocol,49 patients had liver biopsy twice (25 patients in group A and 24 in group B). At the end of therapy, significant improvements in hepatic fibrosis and inflammatory activity based on Semi-quantitative scoring system (SSS) were achieved in group A. The total effective rate of the treatment was 48.00%, much higher than that of 4.17% in group B (P<0.05). Significant improvement in serum markers of hepatic fibrosis such as hyaluronic acid (HA) and type III procollagenic peptide (P III P) in group A was seen (P<0.05). The total effective rate of serum markers at the end of therapy in group A was 68.19%, much higher than that of 34.85% in group B (P<0.05). The total effective rate of noninvasive markers at the end of therapy in group A was 66.67%, much higher than that of 30.30% in group B (P<0.05). The rate of adverse events was similar in two groups. CONCLUSION: Oxymatrine capsule is effective and safe in treatment of hepatic fibrosis due to chronic viral hepatitis.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2004

[Oxymatrine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B for one year: a multicenter random double-blind placebo-controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxymatrine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: A multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 144 patients with chronic hepatitis B entered the study for 52 weeks; of them 72 received oxymatrine, and 72 received a placebo. Before and after the treatment, clinical symptoms, liver function, serum hepatitis B virus markers, and adverse drug reactions were observed. RESULTS: In 144 patients, 14 were dropped and excluded due to inconsistencies in the included standard. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of 130 patients were analyzed. After being treated for 52 weeks, 70.77% of the patients in the study group had a normal ALT level, and in 43.08% and 33.33% their HBV DNA and HBeAg became negative. In the placebo group, 39.68% had normal ALT level, and 12.31% and 3.33% had their HBV DNA and HBeAg become negative. The rates of complete response and partial response in the oxymatrine group were 23.08% and 58.46%, and in the placebo group they were 3.08% and 44.62%. They were significantly higher in the oxymatrine group than in the placebo group. In the oxymatrine treated patients, 12 weeks after its withdrawal, 60.00% had a normal ALT level, 41.54% and 23.33% had both HBV DNA and HBeAg negative. In the placebo group, 31.75% had a normal ALT level, 3.08% and 1.67% had both HBV DNA and HBeAg negative. The rates of complete response and partial response in the oxymatrine group were 21.54% and 47.69%, and in the placebo group they were 0 and 41.54%. They were significantly higher in the study group than in the placebo group. The adverse reaction rates of oxymatrine in the study and the placebo group were 7.69% and 6.15%, respectively, but there was no statistical significant difference between them. CONCLUSION: Oxymatrine is an effective and safe agent for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Multicenter clinical study about the action of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule against liver fibrosis with chronic hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FZHY Capsule) against liver fibrosis with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Multicentric, randomized, double blinded and paralleled control led trial was conducted on patients (aged between 18 and 65) with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B Indexes observed: (1) hepatic histological changes and HBV markers were observed at 0 and 24th week during the treatment; serological indexes (HA, LN, P-III-P, IV-C) were determined and B ultrasound examination of spleen and liver was taken at 0, 12th, 24th week; liver function (during the period of follow-up, liver function and serological indexes for liver fibrosis were evaluated) were observed at 0, 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th week; (2) indexes for safety: blood and urine routine tests, renal function and ECG were examined. RESULTS: (1) Enrollment and demographic data: There was no significant difference between the trial (110 cases) and control group (106 cases) in demographic feature, vital signs, course of illness, history for drug anaphylaxis, history of previous therapy, liver function, serological indexes for liver fibrosis, liver histological examination (99 cases for test group, 96 cases for control group), HBV markers, and renal function, etc. (2) Histological pathological examination: 93 cases of liver histological examination were taken, of these 50 cases for the trial group and 43 cases for control group which turned out to be at S mean value of 2.33 and 2.11 respectively pretreatment according to criteria for liver fibrosis staging. Post-treatment, the trial showed a significant decrease with S value of 1.80 compared to that of pretreatment; however, there was no significant improvement in control group before and after the treatment with S mean value of 2.14. There was significant difference in reversing rate (decrease at least 1 stage according to criteria for liver fibrosis staging) between the trial (52%) and control (23.3%) after liver biopsy. The trial had a rather good effect on improving inflammatory activity and was superior to control group with a marked decrease of mean value of inflammatory activity and score of inflammation (P<0.05). (3)Serological indexes for liver fibrosis: There was a significant decrease in HA, LN, P-III-P, IV-C content in test group after 12 and 24 weeks' treatment compared to that of pretreatment; the differences of HA, LN, P-III-P, IV-C between 12, 24 weeks' treatment and pretreatment were significantly greater than control group (P<0.01 or 0.05); the effectual was defined as 2 of 4 indexes lowered more than 30% of the baseline, according to this criteria, the trial was 72.7%, while control group 27.4% (P<0.01). (4)Liver function: Obvious improvement of serum Alb, ALT, AST, GGT was seen in 2 groups; compared with control group, marked improvement of GGT and Alb in the trial (P<0.05); the effective rate of serum ALT in the trial group was 72.7%, while control 59.4%. (5)No changes of significant difference between pre- and post-treatment in routine tests for blood and urine, renal function and ECG, etc. There was also no difference in the stable rate of ALT and serological indexes for liver fibrosis between the trial and control group 12 weeks after withdrawal (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fuzheng Huayu Capsule has good effect on alleviating liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B without any adverse effect and is superior to Heluo Shugan Capsule. Fuzheng Huayu Capsule is a safe and effective medicine for the treatment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Oxymatrine therapy for chronic hepatitis B: a randomized double-blind and placebo-controlled multi-center trial.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of capsule oxymatrine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: A randomised double-blind and placebo-controlled multicenter trial was conducted. Injection of oxymatrine was used as positive-control drug. A total of 216 patients with chronic hepatitis B entered the study for 24 weeks, of them 108 received capsule oxymatrine, 36 received injection of oxymatrine, and 72 received placebo. After and before the treatment, clinical symptoms, liver function, serum hepatitis B virus markers, and adverse drug reaction were observed. RESULTS: Among the 216 patients, six were dropped off, and 11 inconsistent with the standard were excluded. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of oxymatrine in patients were analysed. In the capsule treated patients, 76.47% became normal in ALT level, 38.61% and 31.91% became negative both in HBV DNA and in HBeAg. In the injection treated patients, 83.33% became normal in ALT level, 43.33% and 39.29% became negative both in HBV DNA and in HBeAg. In the placebo treated patients, 40.00% became normal in ALT level, 7.46% and 6.45% became negative both in HBV DNA and in HBeAg. The rates of complete response and partial response were 24.51% and 57.84% in the capsule treated patients, and 33.33% and 50.00% in the injection treated patients, and 2.99% and 41.79% in the placebo treated patients, respectively. There was no significance between the two groups of patients, but both were significantly higher than the placebo. The adverse drug reaction rates of the capsule, injection and placebo were 7.77%, 6.67% and 8.82%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference among them. CONCLUSION: Oxymatrine is an effective and safe agent for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2003

Grading and staging of hepatic fibrosis, and its relationship with noninvasive diagnostic parameters.

AIM: To explore the grade and stage of pathology and the relationship between grading and staging of hepatic fibrosis and noninvasive diagnostic parameters. METHODS: Inflammatory activity and fibrosis of consecutive liver biopsies from 200 patients with chronic liver disease were determined according to the Diagnostic Criteria of Chronic Hepatitis in China, 1995. A comparative analysis was made in these patients comparing serum markers, Doppler ultrasonography, CT and/or MR imaging with the findings of liver biopsy. RESULTS: With increase of inflammatory activity, the degree of fibrosis also rose. There was a close correlation between liver fibrosis and inflammatory activity. AST, GGT, albumin, albumin/globulin, ALP, AFP, hyaluronic acid, N-terminal procollagen III(P III NP), collagen type IV(Col IV), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), alpha-2-macroglobulin, natural killer cells(NK), some parameters of Doppler ultrasonography, CT and/or MR imaging were all related to the degree of inflammatory activity. GGT, albumin, albumin/globulin, ALP, AFP, hyaluronic acid, Col IV, TIMP-1, alpha-2- macroglobulin, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFbeta1), NK, some parameters of Doppler ultrasonography, CT and/or MR imaging were all related to the staging of fibrosis. By regression analysis, the parameters used in combination to differentiate the presence or absence of fibrosis were age, GGT, the parameter of blood flow of portal vein per minute, the maximum oblique diameter of right liver by B ultrasound, the wavy hepatic surface contour by CT and/or MR. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the above parameters were 80.36%, 86.67%, and 81.10%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is close correlation between liver fibrosis and inflammatory activity. The grading and staging of liver fibrosis are related to serum markers, Doppler ultrasonography, CT and/or MR imaging. The combination of the above mentioned noninvasive parameters are quite sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Relationship between clinical and pathologic findings in patients with chronic liver diseases.

AIM: To explore the relationship between clinical findings of patients with chronic liver diseases and the pathologic grading and staging of liver tissues. METHODS: The inflammatory activity and fibrosis of consecutive liver biopsies from 200 patients were determined according to the diagnosis criteria of chronic hepatitis in China established in 1995. A comparative analysis was carried out for 200 patients with chronic liver diseases by comparing their clinical manifestations, serum biochemical markers with the grading and staging of liver tissues. RESULTS: It was revealed that age, index of clinical symptoms and physical signs were obviously relevant to the pathologic grading and staging of liver tissues (P<0.05). Blood platelet, red blood cells, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), N-terminal procollagen III (PIII NP) were apparently correlated with the degree of inflammation. PGA (prothrombin time, GGT, apoprotein A1) index, PGAA (PGA+delta2-macroglobulin) index, albumin and albumin/globulin were relevant to both inflammation and fibrosis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was an accurate variable for the severity of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. The combination of serum markers for fibrosis could increase the diagnostic accuracy. It was notable that viral replication markers were not relevant to the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. CONCLUSION: There is a good correlation between clinical findings and the pathologic grading and staging of liver tissues, which may give aid to the noninvasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed2002

Effect of oxymatrine on murine fulminant hepatitis and hepatocyte apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effects and mechanism of action of oxymatrine (OM) on the experimental fulminant hepatitis (FH) and early hepatocyte apoptosis in murine liver tissue. METHODS: Fulminant hepatitis mice were induced by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneally (ip) in galactosamine (GalN) sensitized mice. Two separate experiments were designed, including saline control group, fulminant hepatitis group and oxymatrine pretreated group (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, bid x 3 days). The levels of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) in mice from two experiments were determined at 5-hour and 7.5-hour after injecting galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide. Mouse liver samples at 5-hour time point were obtained for in situ end labeling (ISEL) staining and ultrastructural observation of apoptotic cells under transmission electron microscope (TEM). Liver samples at 7.5-hour time point were taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical staining of Fas and its ligand (FasL). RESULTS: As compared with the fulminant hepatitis group, the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha in mice from the OM pretreated group at 5-hour and 7.5-hour time point were all significantly decreased (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). Hepatocyte apoptosis in mice at 5-hour time point was significantly inhibited (P < 0.01). Both the degree of liver injury and the degree of Fas and Fas ligand expression in the OM pretreated group were reduced remarkably (P < 0.01 and 0.05 respectively) when compared with the saline control group. CONCLUSIONS: Oxymatrine protects mice from fulminant hepatitis induced by GalN/LPS and may block hepatocyte apoptosis and subsequent necrosis through downregulating the production of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha and the expression of Fas and Fas ligand in liver tissue.

Alkaloids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Quantification of Aconitum alkaloids in aconite roots by a modified RP-HPLC method.

The three Aconitum alkaloids, aconitine (1), mesaconitine (2) and hypaconitine (3), are pharmacologically active but also highly toxic. A standardised method is needed for assessing the levels of these alkaloids in aconite roots in order to ensure the safe use of these plant materials as medicinal herbs. By optimising extraction, separation and measurement conditions, a reliable, reproducible and accurate method for the quantitative determination of all three Aconitum alkaloids in unprocessed and processed aconite roots has been developed. This method should be appropriate for use in the quality control of Aconitum products. The three Aconitum alkaloids were separated by a modified HPLC method employing a C18 column gradient eluted with acetonitrile and ammonium bicarbonate buffer. Quantification of Aconitum alkaloids, detected at 240 nm, in different batches of samples showed that the content of 1, 2 and 3 varied significantly. In general, the alkaloid content of unprocessed roots was higher than that of processed roots. These variations were considered to be the result of differences in species, processing methods and places of origin of the samples.

Aconitine↗