Determination of Benzoylaconitine Compounds in the Decoctions of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(Heishun Pieces),Trichosanthis Fructus and Their Combination

[Objectives]This study was conducted to determine the contents of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylaconitine and benzoylhypacoitine in the decoctions of Heishun pieces,Trichosanthis Fructus and their combination.[Methods]Heishun pieces,Trichosanthis Fructus and their combination were extracted for different time periods,and then grouped.HPLC was performed using an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C 18 chromatographic column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5μm)and acetonitrile-0.02 mol/L sodium dihydrogen phosphate as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and a column temperature of 30℃,and the sample volume was 20μL.The detection wavelength was 230 nm.[Results]The total amounts of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylaconitine and benzoylhypacoitine in the single decoction group of Heishun pieces were all significantly different from those in the combined decoction group at corresponding time.[Conclusions]The total content of the benzoylaconitine type increased significantly after the combined decoction of Heishun pieces and Fructus Trichosanthis,which proves the scientificity of"eighteen incompatible medicaments,19 counteraction"in traditional Chinese medicine to some extent.

Independent and Combined Associations of Sleep Duration, Bedtime, and Polygenic Risk Score with the Risk of Hearing Loss among Middle-Aged and Old Chinese: The Dongfeng–Tongji Cohort Study

Evidence available on the independent and combined associations of sleep duration,bedtime,and genetic predisposition with hearing loss was lacking.The present study included 15,827 participants from the Dongfeng–Tongji cohort study.Genetic risk was characterized by polygenic risk score(PRS)based on 37 genetic loci related to hearing loss.We conducted multivariate logistic regression models to assess the odds ratio(OR)for hearing loss with sleep duration and bedtime,as well as the joint association and interaction with PRS.Results showed that hearing loss was independently associated with sleeping≥9 h/night compared to the recommended 7 to<8 h/night,and with bedtime≤9:00 p.m.and>9:00 p.m.to 10:00 p.m.compared to those with bedtime>10:00 p.m.to 11:00 p.m.,with estimated ORs of 1.25,1.27,and 1.16,respectively.

Experimental Study on the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ficus pumila L.

[Objectives]To study the anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from different parts of Ficus pumila L.[Methods]Inflammatory models of xylene-induced ear swelling,glacial acetic acid-induced celiac capillary permeability and carrageenan-induced toe swelling were established to evaluate the effects of extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.on inflammation.The inflammatory model of ear swelling in mice with bilateral adrenalectomy induced by xylene was established to determine whether its anti-inflammatory effect depends on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPAA)system.[Results]Compared with the blank control group,except that there was no statistical significance in the low dose group(P>0.05),the high and middle dose groups of extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.had significant inhibitory effects on xylene-induced ear swelling in mice.The high,middle and low dose groups of F.pumila L.extract could significantly increase the celiac capillary permeability of mice induced by glacial acetic acid,and significantly inhibit the toe swelling induced by carrageenan.Compared with the blank control group,the high and middle dose groups of extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.could significantly inhibit xylene-induced ear swelling and carrageenan-induced toe swelling in bilateral adrenalectomy mice.[Conclusions]The extracts from different parts of F.pumila L.had anti-inflammatory activity,and its anti-inflammatory effect was independent of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPAA)system.

Key elements that determine the efficacy of cupping therapy:A bibliometric analysis and review of clinical studies

Objective:The aim of this review was to identify the possible mechanisms behind cupping therapy by employing an evidence-based approach,and to explore its possible regional and systemic effects in the human body.Methods:We searched six electronic databases and four online trial registries for articles published up to January 1,2020.Clinical studies on the mechanisms of retained cupping,flashing cupping,moving cupping,and vacuum cupping were considered for this review.The methodological qualities of controlled studies were assessed using the National Institute for Clinical Excellence methodology checklist,the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale,and the Cochrane risk of bias tool.Characteristic statistical description and qualitative summary of results were used for data analysis.Results:Thirty-eight studies(37 full texts and one abstract)were included in this study.Due to the clinical heterogeneity among the studies,we could not conduct a meta-analysis.The results showed that the key factors that contribute to the efficacy of cupping therapy are negative pressure and temperature.Cupping therapy mainly causes local and systemic changes in hemodynamics,immune regulation,metabolism,and pain relief.Conclusion:We identified negative pressure as the key element behind cupping therapy.Cupping therapy may cause redistribution of oxygen at the cupping site and in neighboring tissues,thereby inducing a therapeutic effect by increasing regional blood flow.It may also induce metabolic change,immunomodulation,and neuromodulation.However,additional rigorous clinical research needs to be conducted to further clarify the mechanism behind cupping therapy.

Determination of Total Anthraquinone and Free Anthraquinone in Different Processed Products of Rhubarb

[Objectives]The content of total anthraquinone and 5 free anthraquinones in different processed products of rhubarb were determined.[Methods]Using emodin as the reference,the concentration of 1%magnesium acetate methanol solution was used for color development,and the absorbance was measured at 516 nm wavelength;the mobile phase was methanol-0.1%phosphoric acid(76∶24)aqueous solution,the detection wavelength was set at 256 nm,the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min,the column temperature was 30℃,and the sample size was 10μL.[Results]The content of total anthraquinones in rhubarb was determined by UV spectrophotometry.The linear range was 0.98-23.52μg/mL,R2=0.9993,the average recoveries were 100.12%,99.66%and 99.15%,with RSDs of 1.58%,0.94%and 1.41%,respectively.The linear ranges of emodin,emodin,emodin,chrysophanol and emodin methyl ether were 0.0207-0.414(R2=0.9999),0.1721-3.442(R2=0.9996),0.0203-0.406(R2=0.9999),0.148-2.96(R2=0.9998)and 0.164-3.28(R2=0.9993),respectively.[Conclusions]The contents of total anthraquinones and free anthraquinones in different processed products of rhubarb were determined by UV spectrophotometry and HPLC.The method can be used for quality control of rhubarb and its different processed products.