We extracted six Hong Kong brown seaweed species with hot water for their antiviral properties. The cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of these extracts were tested by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenlyte...We extracted six Hong Kong brown seaweed species with hot water for their antiviral properties. The cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of these extracts were tested by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenlytetrezolium bromide] method, cytopathic effect reduction assay, and plaque reduction assay. The antiviral effect was further determined by flow cytometric analysis. The results showed that most of these extracts inhibited the propagation of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) standard strains with very low cytotoxicity to the host cells. The extracts of Hydroclathrus clathratus and Lobophora variegata showed more potential anti-HSV activities than the extracts of the other four seaweeds. They also had moderate anti- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activities but could not inhibit influenza A virus. Hydroclathrus clathratus was further extracted by diluted acid and alkali and the antiviral effects of the extracts were also detected. The result showed that the hot water extract contained the main carbohydrate components that exhibited the antiviral activities against various strains of HSV, including the acyclovir-resistant strain. HI-3, a compound fractionated from this hot water extract, showed a dose-dependent anti-HSV activity in flow cytometric analysis and plaque reduction assay.展开更多
Objectives. To compare the effects of losartan, enalapril and their combination in the prevention ofleft ventricular remodeling (LVRM) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the rat. Methods. AMI model was induced...Objectives. To compare the effects of losartan, enalapril and their combination in the prevention ofleft ventricular remodeling (LVRM) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the rat. Methods. AMI model was induced in female SD rats by ligating left coronary artery. Forty-eight hours after the procedure, 83 surviving rats were randomized into one of the following 4 groups: 1 ) AMI control group (n =19), 2) losartan group (n= 22, 3 mg @ kg - 1 @ d - 1 ), 3 ) enalapril group (n = 20, 1 mg @ kg - 1 @ d - 1 ), 4) losartan - enalapril combinative group (n = 22, 3 and 1 mg @ kg- 1 @ d - 1 respectively). 5 ) sham-operated group ( n =10) and 6) normal rats group (n = 10) were selected randomly to serve as non-infarction controls. Losartan and enalapril were delivered by direct gastric gavage. After 4 weeks of medical therapy, hemodynamic studies were performed in each group, then the rat hearts were fixed with 10% formalin and pathologic analysis on them was performed. Complete experimental data was obtained in 56 rats, comprising 1 ) AMI controls (n = 11 ), 2) losartan group (n = 10), 3 ) enalapril group (n = 10), 4) the combination of losartan and enalapril group (n = 11 ),5) sham - operated group (n = 6) and 6) normal controls (n=8). Results. There were no significant differences among the 4 AMI groups in MI size (41.7% ～ 43.4%, all P＞ 0.05). Compared with sham group, the left ventricular (LV) end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), volume (LVV), long and short axis length (L and D), as well as LV absolute and relative weight (LVAW and LVRW)in AMI group were all significantly increased ( P ＜0.05 ～ 0. 001 ); whereas the maximum left ventricular pressure rising and droping rates ( + dp/dt) and their corrected values by LV systolic pressure ( + dp/dt/LVSP)were significantly reduced (all P ＜0.001 ), indicating LVRM occurred and LV systolic and diastolic function impaired after AMI. Compared with AMI group , LVEDP, LVV, LVAW and LVRW were all significantly decreased (P ＜0.05～0.001 ); while + dp/dt/LVSP were significantly enhanced in all 3 treatment groups (P ＜0.05～0.001 ) except -dp/dt/LVSP in losartan group (P＞ 0. 05 ). There were no significant differences in the above indices among the 3 treatment groups (all P＞ 0.05). Conclusion. Both losartan and enalapril can prevent from LVRM after AMI in the rat and improve LV function with equivalent effects. There seems no additive effect when the 2 drugs are used in combination.展开更多
The emerging resistance to schistosoma has been paid much attention and is in urgent need for a novel strategy to control the prevalent parasitic zoonosis. In this study, the efficiency of hyperthermia therapy was inv...The emerging resistance to schistosoma has been paid much attention and is in urgent need for a novel strategy to control the prevalent parasitic zoonosis. In this study, the efficiency of hyperthermia therapy was investigated by the skin hyperthermia device. The survival rate of cercariae decreased from 68.15 % （37 ℃, 5 min） to 0 （49℃, 10 min） with the thermal dosages increased, which proved the preventing effect of hyperthermia therapy （P 〈 0.05）. Therapeutic effects were assessed in Schistosoma japonicum-infected BALB/c mice. When the cercarial contact region of the skin was treated at 45-49℃ for 5 min within 8 h of infection, worm reduction rate （WRR） reached 74 %-83 % （P 〈 0.01）. The sensitivity of adult schistosoma to heat was also investigated using microwave intraperitoneal hyperthermia （thermal dosages 42-43℃, 20 min）. The WRR, hepatic shift rates and egg reduction rates were 23.7 %, 40 % and 30 %, respectively, comparing with 80.2 %, 59.6 % and 53.9 % of praziquantel （PZQ）-treated group. Encouraging results have been obtained that hyperthermia can effectively kill schistosomula, especially with the appearance of cercarial dermatitis, while PZQ lacks efficacy against the cercariae. Thus, hyperthermia therapy would show significant benefit in preventing and treatment of schistosoma, especially in the early stage.展开更多
Objective:To observe the clinical effects of the combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine for treatment of chloasma.Methods:Totally 60 patients were randomly divided into a treatment group of 30 cases,treated b...Objective:To observe the clinical effects of the combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine for treatment of chloasma.Methods:Totally 60 patients were randomly divided into a treatment group of 30 cases,treated by acupuncture and herbal medicine,and a control group of 30 cases,administered Vitamin C and Vitamin E.The clinical effects were observed.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group is 93.3%better than that of the control group(76.7%) ,the difference was significant(P<0.01) .Conclusion:Combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine may yield definite therapeutic effects in treating chloasma patients.展开更多
基金(No. CUHK4367/01M) supported by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong SAR, China
文摘We extracted six Hong Kong brown seaweed species with hot water for their antiviral properties. The cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of these extracts were tested by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenlytetrezolium bromide] method, cytopathic effect reduction assay, and plaque reduction assay. The antiviral effect was further determined by flow cytometric analysis. The results showed that most of these extracts inhibited the propagation of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) standard strains with very low cytotoxicity to the host cells. The extracts of Hydroclathrus clathratus and Lobophora variegata showed more potential anti-HSV activities than the extracts of the other four seaweeds. They also had moderate anti- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activities but could not inhibit influenza A virus. Hydroclathrus clathratus was further extracted by diluted acid and alkali and the antiviral effects of the extracts were also detected. The result showed that the hot water extract contained the main carbohydrate components that exhibited the antiviral activities against various strains of HSV, including the acyclovir-resistant strain. HI-3, a compound fractionated from this hot water extract, showed a dose-dependent anti-HSV activity in flow cytometric analysis and plaque reduction assay.
文摘Objectives. To compare the effects of losartan, enalapril and their combination in the prevention ofleft ventricular remodeling (LVRM) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the rat. Methods. AMI model was induced in female SD rats by ligating left coronary artery. Forty-eight hours after the procedure, 83 surviving rats were randomized into one of the following 4 groups: 1 ) AMI control group (n =19), 2) losartan group (n= 22, 3 mg @ kg - 1 @ d - 1 ), 3 ) enalapril group (n = 20, 1 mg @ kg - 1 @ d - 1 ), 4) losartan - enalapril combinative group (n = 22, 3 and 1 mg @ kg- 1 @ d - 1 respectively). 5 ) sham-operated group ( n =10) and 6) normal rats group (n = 10) were selected randomly to serve as non-infarction controls. Losartan and enalapril were delivered by direct gastric gavage. After 4 weeks of medical therapy, hemodynamic studies were performed in each group, then the rat hearts were fixed with 10% formalin and pathologic analysis on them was performed. Complete experimental data was obtained in 56 rats, comprising 1 ) AMI controls (n = 11 ), 2) losartan group (n = 10), 3 ) enalapril group (n = 10), 4) the combination of losartan and enalapril group (n = 11 ),5) sham - operated group (n = 6) and 6) normal controls (n=8). Results. There were no significant differences among the 4 AMI groups in MI size (41.7% ～ 43.4%, all P＞ 0.05). Compared with sham group, the left ventricular (LV) end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), volume (LVV), long and short axis length (L and D), as well as LV absolute and relative weight (LVAW and LVRW)in AMI group were all significantly increased ( P ＜0.05 ～ 0. 001 ); whereas the maximum left ventricular pressure rising and droping rates ( + dp/dt) and their corrected values by LV systolic pressure ( + dp/dt/LVSP)were significantly reduced (all P ＜0.001 ), indicating LVRM occurred and LV systolic and diastolic function impaired after AMI. Compared with AMI group , LVEDP, LVV, LVAW and LVRW were all significantly decreased (P ＜0.05～0.001 ); while + dp/dt/LVSP were significantly enhanced in all 3 treatment groups (P ＜0.05～0.001 ) except -dp/dt/LVSP in losartan group (P＞ 0. 05 ). There were no significant differences in the above indices among the 3 treatment groups (all P＞ 0.05). Conclusion. Both losartan and enalapril can prevent from LVRM after AMI in the rat and improve LV function with equivalent effects. There seems no additive effect when the 2 drugs are used in combination.
基金supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation(Grant No.1024516)
文摘The emerging resistance to schistosoma has been paid much attention and is in urgent need for a novel strategy to control the prevalent parasitic zoonosis. In this study, the efficiency of hyperthermia therapy was investigated by the skin hyperthermia device. The survival rate of cercariae decreased from 68.15 % （37 ℃, 5 min） to 0 （49℃, 10 min） with the thermal dosages increased, which proved the preventing effect of hyperthermia therapy （P 〈 0.05）. Therapeutic effects were assessed in Schistosoma japonicum-infected BALB/c mice. When the cercarial contact region of the skin was treated at 45-49℃ for 5 min within 8 h of infection, worm reduction rate （WRR） reached 74 %-83 % （P 〈 0.01）. The sensitivity of adult schistosoma to heat was also investigated using microwave intraperitoneal hyperthermia （thermal dosages 42-43℃, 20 min）. The WRR, hepatic shift rates and egg reduction rates were 23.7 %, 40 % and 30 %, respectively, comparing with 80.2 %, 59.6 % and 53.9 % of praziquantel （PZQ）-treated group. Encouraging results have been obtained that hyperthermia can effectively kill schistosomula, especially with the appearance of cercarial dermatitis, while PZQ lacks efficacy against the cercariae. Thus, hyperthermia therapy would show significant benefit in preventing and treatment of schistosoma, especially in the early stage.
文摘Objective:To observe the clinical effects of the combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine for treatment of chloasma.Methods:Totally 60 patients were randomly divided into a treatment group of 30 cases,treated by acupuncture and herbal medicine,and a control group of 30 cases,administered Vitamin C and Vitamin E.The clinical effects were observed.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group is 93.3%better than that of the control group(76.7%) ,the difference was significant(P<0.01) .Conclusion:Combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine may yield definite therapeutic effects in treating chloasma patients.
