[Comparative analysis of alkaloid components in cultured and planted Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit]

This article presents a study on the comparative analysis of alkaloid components in cultured and planted Pinellia ternata by TLC and TLCS. It was found that their absorption spectra were identical and their chromatograms were very similar to each other. The content of total alkaloid was 0.48% (cultured) and 0.137% (planted). The relative contents of other components in percentage (cultured/planted) were 116.14, 34.47, 83.82, 93.12, 101.79, and 121.73% respectively.

Triterpenoid Saponins from Anemone flaccida

From the rhizome of ANEMONE FLACCIDA Fr. Schmidt, used in Chinese folk medicine, four saponins of oleanolic acid-A,B,C,D were isolated. By means of spectroscopy and chemical transformation, saponins A, B, and D were identified as 3- O-[alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha- L-arabinopyrasyl]-oleanolic acid, 3- O-[alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- D-xylopyranosyl]-oleanolic acid, and 3- O-[alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- D-glucopyranosyl]-oleanolic acid. These three saponins are known compounds but isolated from ANEMONE plants for the first time. Saponin C was elucidated as 3- O-[beta- D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- D-xylopyranosy1]-oleanolic acid, which has not been reported in the literature before, and is named as flaccidoside I.

[Prevention of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension with "qi-xue" injection]

Effects of "Qi-Xue" injection (Panax ginseng, Astragalus monogholicus, Angelica sinensis), verapamil (Vp, calcium antagonist) and their combination on pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and heart function were studied in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia. Male Wistar rats were divided into sea level (n = 9), hypoxic (n = 8). Chinese herbs (n = 15), Vp (n = 20) and herbs + Vp (n = 18) groups. All the rats, except the SL group, were placed in a hypobaric chamber simulating an altitude of 5000 m above sea level for 15 days. During this time, the aforementioned drugs were given i.p. bid every day. It was found that apparent increase of PAP and decrease of IC-R (index of contractility of right ventricle) were induced by hypoxia without significant change of CAP, HR or left ventricular function. Both "Qi-Xue" injection and Vp minimized the increase in PAP due to hypoxia, with the former being more effective than the latter. "Qi-Xue" injection also attenuated IC-R decrease and kept it in the normal range. No appreciable differences were observed between the effect of "Qi-Xue" and its combination with Vp. It is suggested that "Qi-Xue" injection might prevent the development of severe hypoxic pulmonary hypertension by improving heart function.

[Pharmacologic studies on qiongjiang wine]

In this article, preliminary pharmacologic studies of Qiongjiang wine are reported a comparison of this wine with Guilingji wine is made. The results show that Qiongjiang wine has the action of roborant and sex hormones. It can improve the phagocytic function of macrophage in the abdominal cavity of mice. No toxic response has been found in acute toxicity test.

A familial chromosomal translocation t(6q;7q) with habitual abortions

A familial balanced translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 6 and 7 is described. The break points are localized to 6q27 and 7q23. No phenotypical abnormalities were found in any of the three carriers, but spontaneous abortions were frequent and might be associated with the translocation due to unbalanced segregation.

[Changes in blood zinc and copper and their clinical significance in patients undergoing open-heart surgery]

The levels of zinc and copper in the serum, plasma, erythrocyte and urine were determined in 17 cases undergoing open-heart surgery. Samples were taken daily before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass operations for 9 days. Mean plasma zinc dropped significantly 30 minutes after perfusion and reached its lowest level on the first postoperative day and remained lower than the preoperative level until the seventh postoperative day. Mean urinary zinc excretion was high on the day of operation and showed a peak value 2 hours after operation. A transient decrease of plasma copper occurred after 30 minutes of perfusion. However, it returned to the preoperative level by the first or second postoperative day followed by a persistent rise to a level significantly higher than preoperative levels from the third to the ninth day. Urinary copper excretion presented the same trend as urinary zinc excretion. The results suggest that a severe loss of zinc and copper occurs in the patients undergoing open-heart surgery and a rational supply of zinc and copper is necessary.