OBJECTIVE

Inflammatory factors have been known to induce nerve cells apoptosis and decrease learning capacity of diabetics. The aim of this study is to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Gastrodine on the expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in culturing for gitter cells (BV-2 cells) induced by high concentration of glucose.

METHODS

The BV-2 cells incubated in vitro with different concentrations of glucose and gastrodine were divided into five groups: control group (glucose: 25 mmol x L(-1)), high concetration of glucose (glucose: 45 mmol x L(-1) HCG) group and Gastrodine groups (glucose 45 mmol x L(-1) with gastrodine 25 mg x L(-1) (LG), 50 mg x L(-1) (MG), 100 mg x L(-1) (HG). After culturing for 24 h, morphological changes of cells were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope. The supernatant protein of IL-1 beta and IL-6 was detected by ELISA. The mRNA expression of IL-1 beta and IL-6 was assessed by Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

The cells were proned to aggregate, some of them with hypertrophy, distinct nucleoli and branch-shaped hyperplasy in HCG group, while less change in Gastrodine groups. The supernatant protein of IL-1 beta is higher in HCG group than control group (119.53 +/- 15.91) ng x L(-1) vs (25.74 +/- 15.72) ng x L(-1) (P < 0.01), but lower in the gastrodine groups than HCG LG (99.32 +/- 19.66) ng x L(-1), MG (76.94 +/- 17.16) ng x L(-1), HG (88.35 +/- 18.72) ng x L(-1) vs (119.53 +/-15.91) ng x L(-1) (P < 0.05). The supernatant protein of IL-6 protein also higher in HCG than control group (393.7 +/- 17.51) ng x L(-1) vs (125.85 +/- 36.62) ng x L(-1) (P < 0.01), and lower in the gastrodine groups than HCG (LG 327.06 +/- 23.53) ng x L(-1), MG (217.36 +/- 28.81) ng x L(-1), HG (263.17 +/- 22.32) ng x L(-1) vs (393.7 +/- 17.51) ng x L(-1), P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of IL-1 beta was increased significantly higher in HCG than control group (2.77 +/- 0.29) vs (1.13 +/- 0.27) (P < 0.05), but decreased significantly in gastrodine groups than HCG LGA (2.66 +/- 0.31), MGA (2.1 +/- 0.41), HGA (2.4 +/- 0.28) vs (2.77 +/- 0.29) (P < 0.05). The mRNA Expression of IL-6 was higher in HCG than control group (3.97 +/- 0.33) vs (1.05 +/- 0.13) (P < 0.05, but lower in gastrodine groups than HCG LG (3.28 +/- 0.3), MG (2.65 +/- 0.33), HG (3.04 +/- 0.26), vs (3.97 +/- 0.33) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Gastrodine can inhibit the expression of IL-1 beta, IL-6 in cultured BV-2 cells induced by high concentration of glucose.

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Pleione bulbocodioides.

METHODS

The compounds were isolated by repeated column chromatography with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and ODS-HPLC. The structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR).

RESULTS

Nine compounds were isolated from the EtOAc extract in the rhizoma of Pleione bulbocodioides. Their structures were identified as amentoflavone(I), kayaflavone(II), gymconopin D(III), methyl(4-OH) phenylacetate (IV), p-hydroxy benzaldehyde(V), p-hydroxybenzcic acid (VI), 4-oxopentanoic acid (VII), p-dihydroxy benzene (VIII), gastrodine (IX).

CONCLUSIONS

Compounds I - IX are isolated from this plant for the first time.

OBJECTIVE

To study the processing conditions that influenced the contents of gastrodine in dried processing of fresh Gastrodia elata.

METHODS

The optimized processing condition were established by using single-factor and orthogonal experimental design, which was guided by the contents of gastrodine. Fresh Gastrodia elata were harvested in the day, cleaned sediment, cooked in atmospheric pressure for 25 min, cut into 0.5 - 1.0 cm thick slices and dried in 105 degrees C. The gastrodine content was measured by HPLC.

RESULTS

The gastrodine content was 0.532%, which was higher than that of traditional processing method.

CONCLUSIONS

Dried processing condition can influence the content of gastrodine in Gastrodia elata significantly.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of Xiaoyu Tablet (XYT) on blood flow parameters and morphology of carotid artery in atherosclerotic patients.

METHODS

Using color Doppler ultrasonographic technique to examine the blood flow parameters and intimal thickness of carotid artery in 20 patients of carotid atherosclerosis after 24 weeks treatment of XYT, and compared with those in 10 patients treated with gastrodine lipid-lowering tablet.

RESULTS

After 24 weeks treatment, blood flow parameters of carotid artery were obviously improved and intimal thickness of common carotid arteries in both side was markedly decreased. XYT showed an effect better than that of gastrodine lipid-lowering tablet.

CONCLUSIONS

XYT is effective in increasing blood flow of cervical and cerebral arteries.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of gastrodine on the expression of NR1 mRNA of NMDA receptor in cultured rat cerebral cortical neurons injury induced by hypoxia.

METHODS

The injury models of cultured rat cerebral cortical neurons was made by hypoxia and hypoglucose. The concentration of 13, 26, 52 mg x L(-1) of gastrodine was respectively added to the injured cells. The R-PCR technique was used to study the expression of NR1 mRNA of NMDA receptor.

RESULTS

The expression of NR1 mRNA increased markedly in hypoxia and hypoglucose injured cells, the increased expression can be weakened by gastrodine, more significant effect was found in the concentration of 26 mg x L(-1) 52 mg x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONS

Gastrodine may act as a neuro - protector by weakening the expression of NR1 mRNA in cultured rat cerebral cortical neurons injury induced by hypoxia and hypoglucose.

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Cremastra appendiculata.

METHODS

The compounds were isolated by repeated column chromatography with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and ODS-HPLC. The structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data(1H-NMR and 13C-NMR).

RESULTS

Ten compounds were isolated from the EtOAc extract in the tuber of Cremastra appendiculata. Their structures were identified as shancigusin I (I), 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl cinnamate (II), bulbocodin D (III), blestriarene A (IV), 7-hydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy phenanthrene (V), coelonin (VI), militarine (VII), gastrodine (VIII), 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (IX) and cinnamic acid (X).

CONCLUSIONS

Compounds I-III, IX and X are isolated from Cremastra appendiculata for the first time.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the the effect of gastrodine on hepatitic cell line L02 injury induced by ethanol.

METHODS

The growing L02 cells were treated with different concentrations of alcohol. For screening the proper concentration of alcohol, the proliferation of the cells were measured by MTT colorimetry. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and change of mitochondrial membrane potential in cells were tested by flow cytometry. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was applied to assay ATP content in cells.

RESULTS

The cells were injured when treated with 25 mL/L alcohol for 36 h. Compared with the control group , the ROS level in cells markedly increased while mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content in cells significantly decreased (P<0.01). Gastrodine obviously inhibited cell damage, reduced ROS level, and increased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content in cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Above results suggest that gastrodine may suppress cellular injury and lipid peroxidation induced by ethanol, improve mitochondrial function and raise ATP level, which play an important role in protecting hepatocytes.

Gastrodia elata Bl. is a famous and costful traditional Chinese medicine. Their genomic DNA fingerprints were investigated using a modified Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA method. DNA fragments common to all or to fine populations were identified and recovered. Five DNA fragments were proven not to be reported through DNA cloning, PCR identifying, nucleotide sequencing and bioinformatics analyses and were received in and recorded by NCBI GenBank. Gastrodine contents of the Gastrodia tuber samples were determined using high performance liquid chromatography technique. The distribution of the five DNA fragments in 9 Gastrodia elata Blue populations and the correlation with gastromedicine content were studied. The results show the distribution of these DNA sequences varied greatly among the populations whereby DNA Sequence 1 was the common and distinguishing molecular marker for all the populations studied and DNA Sequence 2 may relate to higher gastrodine content. In conclusion, these DNA marker sequences can be employed to identify genuine gastrodia tubers, better varieties and optimize their selection and cultivating.

To explore the characteristics and influenced factors associated with the onset of vertigo disease, analysis of 3 719 cases of hospitalized patients with vertigo disease from the real world. Analysis the date of patients diagnosed with vertigo disease from the hospital information system of 19 grade-III class-A hospital from 2004 to 2011, include general information, the doctor's advice, other diseases combined, diagnostic information and the relationship with the onset of 24 solar terms, and the treatment drugs. The median age of hospitalized patients with vertigo disease was 59, the number of women (65.91%) was more than men (34.09%), manual workers (85.32%) were the majority career, most patients (81.63%) condition were general by the time they were hospital admission, patients more like admitted to neurologist (70.34%) when they first time to outpatient serves, hospitalization days were in 8-14 days (46.65%), 46.04% of the patients in the hospital total cost is in 5 000 RMB to 10 000 RMB, 73.86% of patients paid by National Health Medical Insurance. Hypertension (20.79%) was the most common underlying health problems, The most common syndromes was deficiency of liver-Yin and kidney-Yin(44. 21%) , followed by hyperactivity of liver-yang, disease of phlegm turbidity in mongolia and deficiency of Qi and blood. There were more deficiency syndrome and less excess syndrome. The highest rate of hospital admission solar terms in 2009 was the insects awaken throttle (5.21%), In 2010, the highest rate solar terms of hospital admission was the rain throttle (6.14%). The most frequently used traditional Chinese medicine was gastrodine injection (20.55%), the most frequently used western medicine for betahistine (10.19%), gastrodine injection was the most traditional Chinese medicine that combination with other western medicine. Hypertension was the most underlying health problems in the patients with vertigo disease in the real world, although the mental factors should also be attention. Liver was the most closely internal organs with vertigo, and solar terms in spring was the highest-frequency time. Gastrodine injection was the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicin in clinical to treat vertigo diserse, the therapeutic regimen combining with traditional Chinese and western medicine has more advantages. We should pay more attention to the guidance of Chinese medicine "syncretism between heaven and man", to keep up with the rhythm of change, adapt to the changes in the human body growth and decline of the Yin and Yang, by adopting the method of syndrome differentiation in traditional Chinese medicine to prevention and treatment vertigo disease.