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The purpose of this experiment is to observe the effects of Tongbi capsule on joint lesions in rabbit with rheumatoid arthritis induced by ovalbumin and explore the mechanism in order to provide reference for clinical application of Tongbi capsule. Rheumatoid arthritis in rabbits was induced by subcutaneous injection of emulsions of ovalbumin and Freund's complete adjuvant and intra articular injection of ovalbumin. After successful modeling, 30 New Zealand rabbits with arthritis were randomly divided into model control group, the high, medium and low dose groups of Tongbi capsule (90, 45, 22.5 mg·kg⁻¹) and prednisone group (5 mg·kg⁻¹). Another six normal rabbits were used as normal control group. After 24 hours of modeling, the rabbits in Tongbi capsule groups received intragastric (i.g.) administrations of Tongbi capsule at 90, 45, 22.5 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹, and the rabbits of prednisone group received i.g. administrations of prednisone at 5 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹ for 2 weeks. The rabbits in normal and model groups received the same volume of distilled water at the same time. The swelling degree of rabbit knee joint and local skin temperature were observed daily. After two weeks of administration, pathological changes of rabbit knee joint were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); the morphological changes of articular cartilage and synovial membrane were observed by microscope; and the contents of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The results showed that 24 h after modeling, the knee joints of the rabbits were swollen, with red or dark redlocal skin, and fever, elevated local skin temperature and increased diameters of knee joints. Two weeks after modeling, the swelling of rabbit knee joints was obvious in model group; the joint cavities were filled with purulent fluid; joint synovial membranes were obviously thickened, and even joint cavities were fibrotic and cartilage surfaces showed slight defect; the surface of articular cartilage was obvious fibrosis; synovial epithelial cell proliferation was obvious and accompanied by extensive inflammatory cell infiltration; the levels of IL-1 and TNF-α were significantly higher as compared with those seen in model rabbits ( P <0.05, P <0.01). After 1 and 2 weeks of administration, knee joint diameters and local skin temperatures were smaller or lower than thosein model group ( P <0.05, P <0.01); The lesions of joint cartilage and synovial of all rabbits in each group were less than those in model group; IL-1 and TNF-α levels in serum were also lower than those in model group ( P <0.05, P <0.01). The results reveal that high and medium doses of Tongbi capsule can suppress rheumatoid arthritis induced by ovalbumin in rabbits, reduce joint swelling, inhibit synovial epithelial and fiber hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration, and alleviate articular cartilage damage. The mechanism may be associated with decreasing IL-1 and TNF-α levels in serum., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

The study aims to explore the main differential characteristics of Phragmites Rhizoma and its counterfeits (rhizomes of Arundo donax, Triarrhena lutarioriparia and Miscanthus sinensis) and provide experimental basis for the reasonable applications of gramineous plants through system research and comparison of plant morphogenesis, character, transverse organization characteristics and powder microscopic characteristics., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

Based on the research of plant taxonomy and botanical investigation, microscopic characteristics of the root, stem, leaf transverse section and powder of Atropa belladonna were studied for identification of the herb. The research detailed and made clear to the description identification and microscopic characteristics of officinal parts of the herbs. The work provided reference for the identification of A. belladonna herbs and pieces of work in the future, as well as a theoretical basis for the further research, development, medicinal use and the upgrading of quality standards.

The RP-HPLC method was used to determinate the contents of forsythiaside B and poliumoside in different origin and parts from Callicarpa kwangtungensis. The linear ranges of forsythiaside B and poliumoside were 0. 106-3. 18 and 0. 105 2-3. 156 microg, respectively. The average recoveries of forythiaside B and poliumoside were 99. 01% ( RSD 1. 2%) and 100. 13% (RSD 0. 90% ), respectively. The contents of forsythiaside B and poliumoside were changed in different origin and parts from C. kwangtungensis. The sample from the area of Luxi, Pingxiang City, Jiangxi Province has the highest contents of forsythiaside B and poliumoside. The contents of forsythiaside B and poliumoside in different parts from C. kwangtungensis in Luxi are: leaf > stem > fruit. This result will provide a scientific basis for quality control and reasonable utilzation of C. kwangtungensis.

Objective: To study the thin layer chromatographic (TLC) fingerprint of flavonoid constituents from Polygonatum odoratum, to set up the identification protocol of the herbal and provide scientific information for its quality control., Method: The ethanol extracts were separated on silica gel G precoated plate with a mixture of toluene-ethylacetate-formic acid (5:4:1) as the mobile phase. The spots were visualized with ammonia vapor, then were examined under ultraviolet light (365 nm). The plate was scanned at wavelengths of lambdaR = 500 nm, lambdaS = 280 nm., Result: A fingerprint of flavonoids of P. odoratum, with 10 specific fluorescent spots while examined under ultraviolet light, was set up., Conclusion: The method can be used for quality control of P. odoratum.

Objective: To determine the content of imperatorin in the tetraploidy radix angelicae dahuricae, and compare it with the original diplontic varites., Method: The chromatographic method was carried out on Nova-pak (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microns) column with acetonitrile-water solution as a mobile phase. The flow rate was 1 ml.min-1. the detection wavelength was at 248 nm, and the column temperature was 25 degrees C., Result: The eontent of was imperatorin in the tetraploidy radix 0.460% and 0.225% imperatorin in the diplontic species., Conclusion: The content of the mainly active constituent in the tetraploid is double to what it is in the original diplontic species.