Chemical and molecular characterization of Hong Dangshen,a unique medicinal material for diarrhea in Hong Kong

Aim To investigate the plant origin and the identity of the red substance on the surface of Hong Dangshen, a unique medicinal material for diarrhea in Hong Kong. Methods The HPLC fingerprints and 5S rRNA gene spacer sequences of Hong Dangshen were obtained and compared with those of genuine species of Radix Codonopsis. The X-ray diffraction spectrum of the red substance was analyzed and compared with that of Halloysitum fingerprints to the Codonopsis species and the highest similarity to Rubrum. Results Hong Dangshen showed very similar HPLC Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta in terms of 5S rRNA gene spacer sequences. The X-ray diffraction spectrum of the red substance was consistent with that of Halloysitum Rubrum. Conclusion The source plant of Hong Dangshen was suggested to be Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta, one of the genuine original plants of Radix Codonopsis （Dangshen） in the China Pharmacopoeia （2005 edition）. The red substance on the surface of Hong Dangshen was indicated to be Halloysitum Rubrum, a traditional medicinal mineral for chronic diarrhea. Our data suggest that Hong Dangshen is derived from the roots of Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta which has been processed with Halloysitum Rubrum, and the name is suggested to be Radix Codonopsis Praeparata Halloysita Rubra.

红党参多糖对免疫力低下模型小鼠免疫功能的影响

目的研究红党参多糖对免疫力低下模型小鼠免疫功能的调节作用。方法将50只SPF级昆明种小鼠采用随机数字表法分为空白组、模型组、阳性对照组、党参多糖组、红党参多糖组5组,每组10只。各组灌胃相应药物混悬液或蒸馏水,每天灌胃1次,连续灌胃10 d。给药第4天,除空白组外,其余各组小鼠均腹腔注射环磷酰胺50 mg/kg,连续注射3 d,复制免疫力低下小鼠模型。给药结束后,比较各组小鼠的碳粒廓清指数K值、吞噬指数α值、脾指数、胸腺指数、脾细胞增殖刺激指数。结果与空白组比较,模型组碳粒廓清指数K值、吞噬指数α值、脾指数、胸腺指数、脾细胞增殖刺激指数均明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);与模型组比较,阳性对照组、党参多糖组、红党参多糖组吞噬指数α值、脾指数、胸腺指数、脾细胞增殖刺激指数均明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01),阳性对照组、红党参多糖组碳粒廓清指数K值均明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);除脾指数外,红党参多糖组其余各项指标均明显高于党参多糖组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论红党参多糖能提高免疫力低下模型小鼠的免疫功能,且其作用优于党参多糖。