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This study presents an efficient strategy based on liquid-liquid extraction, high-speed counter-current chromatography, and preparative HPLC for the rapid enrichment, separation, and purification of four anthraquinones from Rheum tanguticum. A new solvent system composed of petroleum ether/ethyl acetate/water (4:2:1, v/v/v) was developed for the liquid-liquid extraction of the crude extract from R. tanguticum. As a result, emodin, aloe-emodin, physcion, and chrysophanol were greatly enriched in the organic layer. In addition, an efficient method was successfully established to separate and purify the above anthraquinones by high-speed counter-current chromatography and preparative HPLC. This study supplies a new alternative method for the rapid enrichment, separation, and purification of emodin, aloe-emodin, physcione, and chrysophanol.
In this paper, an efficient method was successfully established by the combination of macroporous resin (MR) and high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) for rapid enrichment and separation of aloe-emodin 8-O-β-D-glucoside, emodin 1-O-β-D-glucoside, emodin 8-O-β-D-glucoside and piceatannol 4'-O-β-D-(6″-O-gallate)-glucoside. Six kinds of macroporous resins were investigated in the first step and X-5 macroporous resin was selected for the enrichment of the target compounds. The recoveries of the target compounds reached 89.0, 85.9, 82.3 and 84.9% respectively after 40% ethanol elution. In the second step, the target compounds were separated by HSCCC with a two-phase solvent system composed of chloroform/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (8:1:6:5, v/v). The established method will be helpful for further characterization and utilization of Rheum tanguticum. The results demonstrate that MR coupled with HSCCC is a powerful technique for separation of bioactive compounds from natural products.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:Mindfulness-based intervention has received more clinical interest and empirical support for individuals with ADHD especially to improve attention. However, no systematic review has been done to analyze and compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention on individuals with ADHD in different age groups. This review examined its effectiveness for individuals (children, adolescents and adults) with ADHD to improve attention.
METHODS:
In 7 databases, totally of 152 studies were identified; 9 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were reviewed. Five of the studies recruited adults as the participants, two recruited adolescents as the participants, one recruited both adults and adolescents as the participants and one recruited children as the participants.
RESULTS:
It was found that mindfulness-based intervention was comparatively more popularly used in adults with ADHD to improve attention, and the improvement was significant.
CONCLUSION:
It is still unclear whether mindfulness-based intervention is effective for children and adolescence with ADHD due to limited studies available and the limitations of the study design in the reviewed studies. Therefore, more research in the future is required to answer the question.
Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) as an accurate, noninvasive measure of the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) can reflect mental health (e.g., stress, depression, or anxiety). Tai Chi and Yoga (Tai Chi/Yoga), as the most widely practiced mind-body exercises, have shown positive outcomes of mental health. To date, no systematic review regarding the long-lasting effects of Tai Chi/Yoga on HRV parameters and perceived stress has been conducted. Objective: To critically evaluate the existing literature on this topic. Methods: Five electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus and Cochrane Library) were searched from the start of the research project to July 2018. Study selection, data extraction, and study quality assessment were independently carried out by two reviewers. The potentially identified randomized controlled trials (RCT) reported the useful quantitative data that were included only for meta-analysis. Results: meta-analysis of 17 medium-to-high quality RCTs showed significantly beneficial effects on HRV parameters (normalized low-frequency, Hedge's g = -0.39, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.56, p < 0.001, I2 = 11.62%; normalized high-frequency, Hedge's g = 0.37, 95% CI 0.22 to -0.52, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%; low-frequency to high-frequency ratio, Hedge's g = -0.58, 95% CI -0.81 to -0.35, p < 0.001, I2 = 53.78%) and stress level (Hedge's g = -0.80, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.44, p < 0.001, I2 = 68.54%). Conclusions: Stress reduction may be attributed to sympathetic-vagal balance modulated by mind-body exercises. Tai Chi/Yoga could be an alternative method for stress reduction for people who live under high stress or negative emotions.
Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) as an accurate, noninvasive measure of the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) can reflect mental health (e.g., stress, depression, or anxiety). Tai Chi and Yoga (Tai Chi/Yoga), as the most widely practiced mind-body exercises, have shown positive outcomes of mental health. To date, no systematic review regarding the long-lasting effects of Tai Chi/Yoga on HRV parameters and perceived stress has been conducted. Objective: To critically evaluate the existing literature on this topic. Methods: Five electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus and Cochrane Library) were searched from the start of the research project to July 2018. Study selection, data extraction, and study quality assessment were independently carried out by two reviewers. The potentially identified randomized controlled trials (RCT) reported the useful quantitative data that were included only for meta-analysis. Results: meta-analysis of 17 medium-to-high quality RCTs showed significantly beneficial effects on HRV parameters (normalized low-frequency, Hedge's g = -0.39, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.56, p < 0.001, I2 = 11.62%; normalized high-frequency, Hedge's g = 0.37, 95% CI 0.22 to -0.52, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%; low-frequency to high-frequency ratio, Hedge's g = -0.58, 95% CI -0.81 to -0.35, p < 0.001, I2 = 53.78%) and stress level (Hedge's g = -0.80, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.44, p < 0.001, I2 = 68.54%). Conclusions: Stress reduction may be attributed to sympathetic-vagal balance modulated by mind-body exercises. Tai Chi/Yoga could be an alternative method for stress reduction for people who live under high stress or negative emotions.
Zuotai is a drug containing mercury considered to be the king of Tibetan medicine. The biosafety of Zuotai led people's attention and so far little is known about the toxicity of Zuotai to mast cells. RBL-2H3 cells which used as an alternative model of mast cells were treated with Zuotai, β-HgS and positive drug Compound 48/80 respectively. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the toxicity of drugs to RBL-2H3 cells. The degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells was studied from β-hexosaminidase, histamine, interleukin (IL)-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The result showed that Zuotai can affect the cytotoxicity and degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells and the results can provide reference for the toxicity evaluations of Tibetan medicine Zuotai.
Zuotai is a drug containing mercury considered to be the king of Tibetan medicine. The biosafety of Zuotai led people's attention and so far little is known about the toxicity of Zuotai to mast cells. RBL-2H3 cells which used as an alternative model of mast cells were treated with Zuotai, β-HgS and positive drug Compound 48/80 respectively. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the toxicity of drugs to RBL-2H3 cells. The degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells was studied from β-hexosaminidase, histamine, interleukin (IL)-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The result showed that Zuotai can affect the cytotoxicity and degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells and the results can provide reference for the toxicity evaluations of Tibetan medicine Zuotai.
In this article, macroporous resin column chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography were applied for preparation of gallic acid from Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. In the first step, six kinds of resins were investigated by adsorption and desorption tests and AB-8 macroporous resin was selected for the enrichment of gallic acid. As a result, 20 g of gallic acid at a purity of 71% could be separated from 100 g of crude extract in which the content of gallic acid was 16.7% and the recovery of gallic acid reached 85.0%. In the second step, preparative high-performance liquid chromatography was selected to purify gallic acid. As a result, 640 mg of gallic acid at a purity of 99.1% was obtained from 1 g of sample in 35 min. The results demonstrated that macroporous resin coupled with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography was suitable for preparation of gallic acid from T. bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.
Barley seedlings are rich in flavones that can have positive effects on people with antihypoxia and antifatigue. Lutonarin and saponarin are two major flavonoid glycosides that have unique structures in barley seedlings. This study presents a new approach for the preparation of lutonarin and saponarin from barely seedlings by membrane separation technology and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Preparative conditions of these two flavonoid glycosides by membrane separation technology were studied using response surface methodology. Under the optimized conditions, the total contents of these two flavonoid glycosides amounts to 17.0%.
Qigong and Tai-Chi are traditional self-healing, self-cultivation exercises originating in ancient China. These exercises are characterized by coordinated body posture and movements, deep rhythmic breathing, meditation, and mental focus based on traditional Chinese medicine theories. Although the exact mechanisms of Qigong’s and Tai-Chi’s effects on physical and mental well-being are unknown, these practices may be viewed as meditative movements and share many of the healing elements observed in mindfulness meditation. Clinical studies including randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have shown that both Qigong and Tai-Chi have beneficial effects on psychological well-being and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Qigong and Tai-Chi frequently involve anchoring attention to interoceptive sensations related to breath or other parts of the body, which has been shown to enhance nonreactivity to aversive thoughts and impulses. Preliminary studies suggest that the slow movements in Qigong and Tai-Chi with slowing of breath frequency could alter the autonomic system and restore homeostasis, attenuating stress related to hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity and modulating the balance of the autonomic nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance. Qigong’s and Tai-Chi’s effects on emotion regulation could occur through changes in multiple prefrontal regions, the limbic system, and the striatum or in the expression of genes linked to inflammatory responses and stress-related pathways.
BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is concomitant with acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity, which has been highlighted as therapeutic targets for such diseases. The berries of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) have been traditionally used in Tibetan medicine for thousands of years. The effect of Seabuckthorn berry polysaccharide on drug- induced liver injury (DILI) has not yet been elucidated.PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Seabuckthorn polysaccharide (SP) against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.
STUDY DESIGN: Sixty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10 per group), namely the control group (Ctrl), APAP-induced-liver injury group (APAP), NAC pretreated group (NAC), 100 mg/kg SP pretreated group (APAP/SP100), 200 mg/kg SP pretreated group (APAP/SP200) and 200 mg/kg SP pretreated group without APAP challenge (SP200). SP was given orally to mice for 30 consecutive days prior to APAP exposure (300 mg/kg). NAC (150 mg/kg) was administrated 1 h before APAP challenge.
METHODS: ALT and AST were detected 16 h after APAP treatment; Hepatic expression of GSH, SOD, NO, iNOS and GSH-Px were examined. The expression of p-JNK, Bcl-2/Bax, p62, Keap-1 and SOD-2 was detected by Western blotting. The expression of Nrf-2 and its target genes HO-1, GCLC and NQO-1 were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting.
RESULTS: Pretreatment with SP led to decreased levels of ALT and AST in APAP mice, without affecting APAP metabolism. This was accompanied by diminished liver injuries, increased levels of GSH and GSH-Px, reduced NO and iNOS expression. SP increased the activity of SOD as well as SOD-2 expression in APAP mice. SP suppressed APAP-induced JNK phosphorylation and increased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. Furthermore, SP decreased the expression of Keap-1 and increased the nuclear expression of Nrf-2. The expression of Nrf-2 target gene HO-1 was increased by SP pretreatment in APAP mice.
CONCLUSION: SP alleviates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The protective effects of SP are associated with the activation of the Nrf-2/HO-1-SOD-2 signaling pathway.
BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is concomitant with acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity, which has been highlighted as therapeutic targets for such diseases. The berries of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) have been traditionally used in Tibetan medicine for thousands of years. The effect of Seabuckthorn berry polysaccharide on drug- induced liver injury (DILI) has not yet been elucidated. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Seabuckthorn polysaccharide (SP) against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10 per group), namely the control group (Ctrl), APAP-induced-liver injury group (APAP), NAC pretreated group (NAC), 100 mg/kg SP pretreated group (APAP/SP100), 200 mg/kg SP pretreated group (APAP/SP200) and 200 mg/kg SP pretreated group without APAP challenge (SP200). SP was given orally to mice for 30 consecutive days prior to APAP exposure (300 mg/kg). NAC (150 mg/kg) was administrated 1 h before APAP challenge. METHODS: ALT and AST were detected 16 h after APAP treatment; Hepatic expression of GSH, SOD, NO, iNOS and GSH-Px were examined. The expression of p-JNK, Bcl-2/Bax, p62, Keap-1 and SOD-2 was detected by Western blotting. The expression of Nrf-2 and its target genes HO-1, GCLC and NQO-1 were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Pretreatment with SP led to decreased levels of ALT and AST in APAP mice, without affecting APAP metabolism. This was accompanied by diminished liver injuries, increased levels of GSH and GSH-Px, reduced NO and iNOS expression. SP increased the activity of SOD as well as SOD-2 expression in APAP mice. SP suppressed APAP-induced JNK phosphorylation and increased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. Furthermore, SP decreased the expression of Keap-1 and increased the nuclear expression of Nrf-2. The expression of Nrf-2 target gene HO-1 was increased by SP pretreatment in APAP mice. CONCLUSION: SP alleviates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The protective effects of SP are associated with the activation of the Nrf-2/HO-1-SOD-2 signaling pathway.
Anthraquinone glycosides, such as chrysophanol 1-O-β-d-glucoside, chrysophanol 8-O-β-d-glucoside, and physion 8-O-β-d-glucoside, are the accepted important active components of Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf. due to their pharmacological properties: antifungal, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities. However, an effective method for the separation of the above-mentioned anthraquinone glycosides from this herb is not currently available. Especially, greater difficulty existed in the separation of the two isomers chrysophanol 1-O-β-d-glucoside and chrysophanol 8-O-β-d-glucoside. This study demonstrated an efficient strategy based on preparative high-performance liquid chromatography and high-speed countercurrent chromatography for the separation of the above-mentioned anthraquinone glycosides from Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf.
This study presents an efficient strategy for separation of three phenolic compounds with high molecular weight from the crude extract of Terminalia chebula Retz. by ultrasound-assisted extraction and high-speed counter-current chromatography. The ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions were optimized by response surface methodology and the results showed the target compounds could be well enriched under the optimized extraction conditions. Then the crude extract was directly separated by high-speed counter-current chromatography without any pretreatment using n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:7:0.5:3, v/v/v/v) as the solvent system. In 180 min, 13 mg of A, 18 mg of B, and 9 mg of C were obtained from 200 mg of crude sample. Their structures were identified as Chebulagic acid (A, 954 Da), Chebulinic acid (B, 956 Da), and Ellagic acid (C) by (1) H NMR spectroscopy.
This study is to develop an UPLC-PDA method for determination of 10 major components in Pterocephalus. The UPLC-PDA assay was performed on a Waters Acquity UPLCR BEH C₁₈（2.1 mm ×100 mm,1.7 μm）, and the column temperature was at 30 ℃. The mobile phase consists of water containing 0.2% phosphoric acid (A) and acetonitrile (B) in gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 mL•min⁻¹. The detection wave length was set at 237 and 325 nm, and the injection volume was 1 μL in the UPLC system. The linear range of 10 detected compounds were good (r≥0.999 7), and the overall recoveries ranged from 96.30% to 103.0%, with the RSD ranging from 0.72% to 2.9%. The method was simple, accurate and reproducible, which can be used for the simultaneous determination of the content of ten major components in P. hookeri.
Swertia mussotii (Gentianaceae) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant grown in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Three fractions from S. mussotii extract, named SWF50, SWF 70 and SWF100, were screened for in vitro anti-proliferative activity on two gastric cancer cell lines, MGC-803 and BGC-823 cells using MTT assay. Our results demonstrated that SMF70 showed an anti-proliferative effect in MGC-803 cells and SMF100 showed an anti-proliferative effect in BGC-823 cells in vitro. Moreover, both two fractions induced apoptosis via depolymerization of cytoskeletal filaments, increased cytoplasmic levels of ROS and Ca2+ and disrupted mitochondrial transmembrane potential. In addition, flow cytometry analysis indicated that both two fractions could induce cell apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle at S phase. Our results indicate that SMF70 induces apoptosis of MGC-803 cells and SMF100 induces apoptosis of BGC-823 cells via a mitochondrial-dependent pathway. Meanwhile, we also investigated antitumor effect of SMF70 in vivo, and exhibited effective tumor growth inhibition. Our findings demonstrate that S. mussotii extracts could be a potential new alternative therapeutic agent gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE: we performed the first systematic review with meta-analyses of the existing studies that examined mindfulness-based Baduanjin exercise for its therapeutic effects for individuals with musculoskeletal pain or insomnia.METHODS: Both English- (PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, and Google Scholar) and Chinese-language (CNKI and Wangfang) electronic databases were used to search relevant articles. We used a modified PEDro scale to evaluate risk of bias across studies selected. All eligible RCTS were considered for meta-analysis. The standardized mean difference was calculated for the pooled effects to determine the magnitude of the Baduanjin intervention effect. For the moderator analysis, we performed subgroup meta-analysis for categorical variables and meta-regression for continuous variables.
RESULTS: The aggregated result has shown a significant benefit in favour of Baduanjin at alleviating musculoskeletal pain (SMD = -0.88, 95% CI -1.02 to -0.74, p < 0.001, I² = 10.29%) and improving overall sleep quality (SMD = -0.48, 95% CI -0.95 to -0.01, p = 004, I² = 84.42%).
CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness-based Baduanjin exercise may be effective for alleviating musculoskeletal pain and improving overall sleep quality in people with chronic illness. Large, well-designed RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.
OBJECTIVE: To critically evaluate the rehabilitative effects of mindful exercises for poststroke patients. DATA SOURCES: Six databases (PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure) and reference lists of relevant articles were searched. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials on the effects of mindful exercises on rehabilitative outcomes such as sensorimotor function, gait speed, leg strength, aerobic endurance, cognitive function, and overall motor function. DATA EXTRACTION: Two investigators independently screened eligible studies according to the eligible criteria, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 20 studies that satisfied the eligibility criteria were finally included. The sum scores of 5-9 points in the adapted Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale indicates low-to-medium risk of bias. The study results of meta-analysis indicate that mindful exercise intervention was significantly associated with improved sensorimotor function on both lower limb (standardized mean difference=0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-1.15; P<.001; I(2)=62.67%) and upper limb (standardized mean difference=0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-1.01; P<.001; I(2)=32.36%). CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that mindful exercises are effective in improving sensorimotor function of lower and upper limbs in poststroke patients. The effects on gait speed, leg strength, aerobic endurance, overall motor function, and other outcomes (eg, cognitive function, gait parameters) require further investigation for allowing evidence-based conclusions.
Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Tibetan medicine has been practiced for 3800 years. Anzhijinhua San (AZJHS), which is a traditional Tibetan medicine, has been effective in the treatment of indigestion, anorexia and cold diarrhea. However, the effects of AZJHS on allergic diarrhea have not been reported. Aim of the study The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of AZJHS on experimental ovalbumin-induced diarrhea and elucidate its possible mechanism. Materials and methods Female BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection with 50 μg ovalbumin (OVA) and 1 mg alum in saline twice during a 2-week period. From day 28, mice were orally challenged with OVA (50 mg) every other day for a total of ten times. AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) was orally administered every other day from day 0–46. Food allergy symptoms were evaluated. OVA- specific IgE, 5-HT and its metabolites in serum were determined. Immunohistochemical and histopathology were performed in gastrointestinal tract tissues. 5-HT-related gene expression was assayed in the colon. Results Severe symptoms of allergic diarrhea were observed in the model group (diarrhea, anaphylactic response, and rectal temperature). AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) significantly reduced mouse diarrhea and significantly prevented the increases in OVA-specific IgE levels (P < 0.05), which challenge with OVA. AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) significantly prevented the increases in 5-HT-positive cells. The nuclei of EC cells in the AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) group increased in size and the secretory granules were fewer in number compared with those in the model group. AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) significantly increased the relative fold changes of 5-HTP and 5-HT compared with the model group. The mRNA expression of the serotonin transporter (Sert) and serotonin receptor 3A (Htr3a) was significantly decreased after the 10th challenge with OVA, and AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) significantly increased these levels. Conclusions We demonstrated that the administration of AZJHS attenuated OVA-induced diarrhea by regulating the serotonin pathway. These results indicated that AZJHS may be a potential candidate as an anti-allergic diarrhea agent. Graphical abstract fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]