Differential metabolite analysis of the pharmacodynamic differences between different ratios of Dahuang(Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei Palmati)-Taoren(Semen Persicae) herb pair

OBJECTIVE: To explore the material basis of the difference of efficacy of Dahuang(Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei Palmati)-Taoren(Semen Persicae)(DT) drugs with different proportions. METHODS: Samples of different ratios of Dahuang(Radix et Rhizoma Rhei Palnati, DH) to Taoren(Semen Persicae, TR)(Group A 1∶1, B 2∶3, C 3∶2) were analyzed based on gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry untargeted metabolomics technique. RESULTS: A total of 240 primary metabolites were detected. Forty-one differential metabolites involved nine differential metabolic pathways, of which four were closely related to the efficacy of DT in the treatment of heat and blood stasis syndrome. These pathways included the biosynthesis of amino acid(phenylalanine tyrosine and tryptophan), flavonoids, unsaturated fatty acids, and the glycolysis/glycogenesis pathway. CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in the efficacy of different ratios of DT drugs, and their optimal ratio for the treatment of heat and blood stasis syndrome should be 1∶1.

Effect of Semen Persicae Extract Combined with Cultured Cordyceps on Reversing Capillarization of Sinusidsin patients with Hepato-Cirrhosis

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Semen Persicae combined with cultured Cordyceps on Reversing Capillarization of Sinusoids in patients with hepato-cirrhosis. Methods: Forty-four patients were treated for 3 months, the clinical and pathological effects were observed. Results: Patients were improved clinically.Pathological examination on liver biopsy of 6 patients also showed improvement in of capillarization of sinusoid,which mainly manifested by reduction of enlarged interhepatocellular spaces and collagen fiber in it, increase of lipid droplets within fat-storing cells (FSC), and decrease of proliferation of Kupffer cells. Conclusion: The combined treatment used could reverse the capillarization of sinusoid, and the mechanism might be related with its inhibition on activity and function of FSC.

Coronary Heart Disease Complicating With Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Constipation:A Case Report Cured by Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine

Complications are more frequent in elderly patients with coronary heart disease （CHD）, such as impaired glucose tolerance and constipations. It is always difficult to cure these complications in clinical practice. In this case we had successfully cured an eighty-three years old man with CHD complicating impaired glucose tolerance and constipation by integrated Chinese-Western medicine.

Investigation on the Mode of Action of the Traditional Chinese Medical Prescription-Yiqihuoxue Formula, an Effective Extravasation Treatment for Cerebral Vascular Microemboli in ApoE-/- mice

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying anti-embolism and extravasational effects of traditional Chinese medical prescription YiqiHuoxue(YQHX) formula in ApoE-/-mice with cerebral vascular microemboli. Materials and Methods: An ApoE-/-mice model with microemboli was developed by infusing fluorescently labeled heterologous fibrin-rich microparticles into the internal carotid artery of ApoE -/-gene knockout male mice through the common carotid artery. Before microemboli injection, the animals were randomly divided into four groups of 10 animals, treated daily for 6 weeks by intragastric administration: The ApoE-/-control group(physiological saline, 0.2 mL/10 g/d), YQHX group(0.2 ml/10 g/d), clopidogrel group(3 mg/kg/d), and atorvastatin group(3 mg/kg/d);a further group was constituted of normal male C57 BL/6 J mice(with the same genetic background as ApoE-/-mice;normal control group;no treatment;microemboli injection). The mice in each microemboli group were divided into three subgroups, the 2-h, 24-h, and 72-h subgroups, corresponding to the time after microemboli injection. Two hours(or 24 h or 72 h) after microemboli injection, the changes in aortic intima and brain tissue were analyzed by histopathology, the amounts of fluorescent emboli being measured by fluorescence microscopy image analysis. Comparison points included the microemboli induced loss of aorta functions and pathological changes, atherosclerotic plaque, brain ultrastructure and functions, and embolus extravasation. Results: Loss of aorta functions and adverse pathological changes, atherosclerotic plaque, serious damage in brain ultrastructure and functions, and reduced thrombus elimination were obviously serious in microemboli injected ApoE-/-mice. These symptoms were significantly relieved by the YQHX pretreatment:(i) the ratio of thrombus accumulation was increased with a significant decrease in thrombus extravasation in ApoE-/-mice, while YQHX induced an increased thrombus extravasation;(ii) the degree of aortic intimal thickening and brain tissue structural disorders were significantly increased in ApoE-/-mice, but overtly inhibited in the YQHX group;(iii) YQHX restored cell viability and homeostasis in the brain;(iv) YQHX regulated the expression of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the aorta;and(v) YQHX reduced cortical nerve nuclei pyknosis, edema, liquefaction, and necrosis induced by brain hypoxia, especially in the 24 h and 72 h groups. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the protective effects of YQHX on the brain against microemboli-induced injury may be attributed to the activation of extravasation mechanisms, which are involved in the cerebrovascular injury pathway and constitutively important in the progression of ischemic stroke.