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Schisandrae lignans (SL) have been well proven to possess hepatoprotective effect against the hepatic dysfunction induced by various chemical hepatotoxins. Deoxyschisandrin (DA) and schisantherin A (SA) are both considered as the major active components in SL. The objective of the study was to prepare and evaluate Schisandra lignans (composed of DA and SA)-loaded enteric nanoparticles produced by a novel toxic solvent-free modified spontaneous emulsification solvent diffusion (SESD) method. An organic Schisandra lignans/Eudragit® S100 solution was injected into an aqueous poloxamer 188 solution under a agitation. The nanoparticles were characterized with respect to particle size distribution, morphology, encapsulation efficiency (EE) and physical stability of the drug, wettability, in vitro release and in vivo bioavailability. Nanoparticles with a smooth surface and dense structure were obtained with high EE (EEDA >90%; EESA >85%). The drug was in a noncrystalline state in the matrix and physically stable for 120 days at room temperature. In vitro drug release study, the drug dissolution rate from the nanoparticles was significantly enhanced compared to the physical mixture and to the pure drug; the release profile of the nanoparticles was stable after 120 days. The appropriate size of nanoparticles (~93 nm), the solubilization of the surfactant, the noncrystalline state of the drug in the matrix and the fast dissolution rate contributed to a significantly enhanced oral bioavailability from the nanoparticles when compared to pure drug suspension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the diagnostic mechanism of the lingual channel inspection (LCI) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Role of conventional inspection of the tongue on the proper treatment of TCM; Nature of lingual channel; Importance of the morphology of the lingual vessels on the development of LCI.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract defines the digestive system and is composed of the stomach, intestine and colon. Among the major cell types lining radially along the GI tract are the epithelium, mucosa, smooth muscles and enteric neurons. The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been implicated in directing various aspects of the developing GI tract, notably the mucosa and smooth muscle growth, and enteric neuron patterning, while the Ret signaling pathway is selectively required for enteric neuron migration, proliferation, and differentiation. The growth arrest specific gene 1 (Gas1) encodes a GPI-anchored membrane protein known to bind to Sonic Hh (Shh), Indian Hh (Ihh), and Ret. However, its role in the GI tract has not been examined. Here we show that the Gas1 mutant GI tract, compared to the control, is shorter, has thinner smooth muscles, and contains more enteric progenitors that are abnormally distributed. These phenotypes are similar to those of the Shh mutant, supporting that Gas1 mediates most of the Shh activity in the GI tract. Because Gas1 has been shown to inhibit Ret signaling elicited by Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf), we explored whether Gas1 mutant enteric neurons displayed any alteration of Ret signaling levels. Indeed, isolated mutant enteric progenitors not only showed increased levels of phospho-Ret and its downstream effectors, phospho-Akt and phospho-Erk, but also displayed altered responses to Gdnf and Shh. We therefore conclude that phenotypes observed in the Gas1 mutant are due to a combination of reduced Hh signaling and increased Ret signaling.

In the process of oocyte maturation, gonadotrophins are believed as main stimulators for oocyte meiosis resumption. However, which gonadotrophin (i.e. FSH or LH) is the key hormone in this process is still unknown. This study indicated a close relationship between LH and FSH on activating meiotic maturation of oocyte in vitro. FSH efficiently induced oocyte meiosis at concentration of 50 IU/L, while LH alone had no effect on oocyte meiotic initiation. Using RT-PCR and in situ hybridization, a tight corelationship between FSH-stimulated oocyte meiotic resumption and LHR mRNA expression in cumulus cells was found. LHR mRNA was present in cumulus cells of oocyte-cumulus cell complexes. Except the expression of LHRs was present in cumulus cells surrounding all maturing oocytes, low level expression was also detected in cells associated with oocytes that were still at GV stage. Its expression was enhanced by FSH stimulation before oocyte maturation. However, LHRs did not express in cumulus cells associated with oocytes that were completely arrested at GV stage by IBMX. Furthermore, increased progesterone concentration was found in the medium in which CEOs were cultured with FSH and LH, but not in those with FSH or LH alone. LHR expression in cumulus cells increases with time in culture, and the levels of expression are enhanced in the presence of FSH. Oocyte meiotic resumption may create conditions favorable for LHR expression. LHR expression may be considered as a potential marker for oocytes maturation initiation.