Effects of in vitro cultivated Calculus Bovis compound on pulmonary lesions in rabbits with schistosomiasis

AIM:To explore the interventional effects and mechanism of in vitro cultivated Calculus Bovis compound preparation(ICCBco) on pulmonary lesions in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis. METHODS:The experimental group included 20 portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis treated by ICCBco.The control group included 20 portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis treated by praziquantel. The morphological changes of the pulmonary tissues were observed under light and electron microscopy.The expression of fibronectin(FN) and laminin(LN) in the lung tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:Under light microscope,the alveolar exudation in the lung tissue was more frequently observed in the control group,while the alveolar space was fairly dry in the lung tissue of ICCBco group.Under electron microscope,more alveolar exudation in the lung tissue,and moremacrophages,alveolar angiotelectasis and the blurred three-tier structure of alveolar-capillary barrier could be seen in the control group.In ICCBco group,fibers within the alveolar interspace slightly increased in some lung regions,and the structure of typeⅠepithelium,basement membrane and endodermis was complete,and no obvious exudation from the alveolar space,and novascular congestion could be observed.There was a positive or strong positive expression of FN and LN in the lung tissue of the control group,while there was a negative or weak positive expression of FN and LN in ICCBco group. CONCLUSION:ICCBco can effectively prevent pulmonary complications in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis by means of improving lung microcirculation and lowering the content of extracellular matrix.

The Protective Effects of In Vitro Cultivated Calculus Bovis on the Cerebral and Myocardial Cells in Hypoxic Mice

The protective effects of in vitro cultivated calculus bovis （ICCB） on the cerebral and myocardial cells in hypoxic mice and the mechanism were examined. In one group, mice were intragastrically （i.g.） given ICCB for 15 days and then they were subjected to acute cerebral ischemia by decapitation, and then the panting time was recorded. In the other group, 12 min after exposure to hypoxia, mice was administered the ICCB i.g. for 5 days, and then the blood serum and tissues of brain, heart, liver were harvested and examined for SOD, GSH-px and T-AOC activity and content of MDA. The tissues of brain and heart were observed electron-microscopically for ultrastructural changes. The corpus striatum and hippocampus of brain were collected and examined for content of dopamine （DA） and norepinephrine （NE）. The ultrastrural examination showed that the pathological change in brain and heart in the ICCB group was very slight, while abnormal changes in the control group were obviously more serious. ICCB significantly prolonged the panting time of the hypoxic mice （P〈0.001）, increased the activity of SOD, GSH-px, T-AOC in serum and tissues of brain, liver, heart and elevated the content of DA and NE. ICCB also pronouncedly reduced content of MDA in serum and tissues of brain, heart and liver. Significant differences in these parameters were noted between ICCB group and controls. It is concluded that ICCB can exert protective effect on the cells of brain and myocardium by enhancing the tolerance of the tissues to hypoxia and the body＇s ability to remove free radicals and regulating the neurotransmitters.

A Rapid and Effective HPLC Method for Identification of Bovis Calculus in Chinese Patent Medicines

Objective Due to the limited resource and the large demand,many kinds of Bovis Calculus(BC) including artificial Bovis Calculus(ABC),in vivo cultured Bovis Calculus(in vivo CBC),and in vitro cultured Bovis Calculus(in vitro CBC)were used in Chinese patent medicines(CPMs).Previous studies have shown that the chemical constituents of ABC and their properties were different from other BC.The two types of CBC with much higher price than ABC were approximately equivalent with natural Bovis Calculus in quality and clinical effect.The aim of the study is to establish a rapid and effective method for the identification of BC in CPMs.Methods An HPLC method with the higher specificity for analyzing bilirubin was established to distinguish ABC from other three kinds of BC by comparing the change of bilirubin content with the addition of EDTA-2Na as the extraction solvent and stabilizer.Results The bilirubin content in CPMs containing ABC was basically unchanged,while that in CPMs containing other kinds of BC showed significant difference.The proposed method was employed to analyze a variety of CPMs containing Bovis Calculus(CPMBCs) and proven to be universal.Conclusion An effective analytical method is established for the quality control of CPMBCs and further ensures the safety and efficacy of these drugs in clinical practice.

Calculus Bovis Sativus up-regulates hepatic protein 2(Mrp2) and Mrp4 in 17α-ethynylestradiol-induced cholestasis via a regulatory effect on ER signaling

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the pathway through which Calculus Bovis Sativus (CBS) up-regulates hepatic multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) and Mrp4 in 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE)-induced cholestasis.METHODS:Five groups of rats were designed:control group,EE+ICI182780 group,EE group,EE+CBS 50 mg/kg group and EE + CBS 150 mg/kg group.CBS (50 and 150 mg.kg-1· d-1) was orally given to rats by gavage for five consecutive days in coadministration with EE.The levels of cholestasis biomarkers,alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were determined by biochemical methods.The bile flow was measured.The histopathology of the liver tissue was evaluated.The expression of Mrp2,Mrp3,Mrp4,estrogen receptor α(ERα) and ERβ was determined by Western blotting.RESULTS:CBS markedly improved EE-induced cholestasis.EE exposure significantly reduced hepatic Mrp2 and Mrp4 expression compared with the control group.EE also dramatically up-regulated the expression of Mrp3.Compared to the EE group,CBS notably up-regulated hepatic Mrp2 and Mrp4 but failed to influence the Mrp3 level significantly.ICI182780,an ER antagonist,showed similar beneficial effects as CBS.Decreased expression of Mrp2 and Mrp4 caused by EE was also restored by IC1182780.Additionally,EE significantly induced hepatic ERα expression,which was reversed by ICI182780 or CBS (150 mg/kg) treatment,suggesting that CB5 exerted a moderate regulatory effect on ER signaling.CONCLUSION:CBS up-regulated hepatic Mrp2 and Mrp4 expression in EE-induced cholestasis,which might be associated with its regulation of ER signaling.

新仿牛黄的抗惊厥作用

牛黄为脊椎动物哺乳纲牛科牛BostaursdomesticusGmelin的胆结石。由于天然牛黄极为短缺,价格昂贵,因而许多学者都在进行人工牛黄的研究。五十年代,唐德煊首先进行了人工合成牛黄的研究并获得成功。后经朱颜进行的药理实验表明,人工牛黄对古柯碱和咖啡碱引起的小鼠惊厥有对抗作用,此点与天然牛黄的药理作用是一致的。1971年,卫生部组织了人工牛黄药理实验协作小组进行了实验,观察到人工牛黄对戊四氮引起的小鼠惊厥也有较好的对抗作用。同年年底。