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Highlights: [•] JHL (Rhizoma Coptidis steamed with rice wine) is a traditional Chinese medicine on the treatment of diabetes. [•] JHL has antidiabetic effect and β-cell functional protective nature to STZ and high-glucose/high-fat diet induced diabetes. [•] JHL improved the oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance as well as glucose–lipid metabolism. [•] JHL reduced the serum lactic acid level, which would reduce the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis induced by hyperlactacidemia. [•] JHL attenuated oxidative stress and expression of caspase-3, and increased the antioxidant ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Pterocephalus hookeri(C. B. Clarke) Hock., a traditional Tibetan herbal medicine rich in glycosides, has been used to treat several diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. Objective:To evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of total glycosides fromP. hookeri, and its possible mechanisms of action. Materials and methods:Anti-arthritic activity of total glycosides fromP. hookeri(oral administration for 30 days at 14–56 mg/kg) was evaluated using paw swelling, arthritis scores and histopathological measurement in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) Sprague-Dawley rats. The NF-κB p65 expression in synovial tissues, and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels was measured in AA rats, respectively. Further assessment of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of these glycosides were carried out using inflammation and hyperalgesia models induced by xylene, carrageenan, agar and acetic acid, respectively. Results:Total glycosides (56 mg/kg) decreased the paw swelling (38.0%,p < 0.01), arthritis scores (25.3%,p < 0.01) and synovial inflammation in AA rats. The glycosides significantly (p < 0.05–0.01) attenuated the inflammation induced by xylene, carrageenan, acetic acid and agar, increased the pain threshold in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and mechanical stimuli-induced hyperalgia in AA rats. The glycosides (14, 28, 56 mg/kg) also suppressed the NF-κB p65 expression (33.1–78.2%,p < 0.05–0.01), reduced MDA (21.3–35.9%,p < 0.01) and NO (20.3–32.4%,p < 0.05–0.01) levels, respectively, enhanced the SOD activity (7.8%,p < 0.05) at 56 mg/kg in AA rats. Discussion and conclusion:Our findings confirmed the anti-arthritic property of the total glycosides fromP. hookeri, which may be attributed to its inhibition on NF-κB signalling and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Urban underground space (UUS) as a contributor to CBD development is analyzed. • Necessity of UUS regulatory detailed planning in Chinese CBDs is explained. • Framework of indicators and rules for UUS development regulation is set up. • Imperative measures taken to guarantee the planning implementation are summarized. • Implementation effects of UUS planning are quantitatively evaluated. The increasing latent demand for underground space has been adequately considered in the planning process of the central business district (CBD) in Chinese cities. However, underground space plans in most of the Chinese CBDs have yielded few results because they are rarely realized in practice as envisioned. The roots of the problem can be traced back to the lack of effective planning approaches and, more importantly, the administrative management for planning implementation. In a broader sense, this also mirrors deeper deficiencies in the planning and administrative system for urban underground space in China. In this context, Shanghai Hongqiao CBD offers an exemplary case for other Chinese cities with respect to underground space planning and implementation in CBDs or other key areas. This paper presents in detail the entire process of underground space development in terms of planning and the implementation dimensions in the Core Area Phase I in Shanghai Hongqiao CBD, which is also applicable to other Chinese cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]