Sanhuang Xiexin Tang Ameliorates Type 2 Diabetic Rats via Modulation of the Metabolic Profiles and NF-κB/PI-3K/Akt Signaling Pathways

Sanhuang Xiexin Tang (SXT), a classic prescription, has been clinically used to cure diabetes for thousands of years, but its mechanism remains unclear. Here, a systematic in-depth research was performed to unravel how it worked by the signaling pathway and metabonomics analysis. Our studies were conducted using high-fat diets (HFD) and streptozocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. The blood glucose was measured by a glucose-meter. Protein contents were determined by western blotting or ELISA and mRNA expression was identified by RT-PCR analysis. The pathological status of pancreas was assessed by histopathological analysis. Furthermore, Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time of Flight/Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) coupled with multivariate statistical analysis was performed to discover potential biomarkers and the associated pathways. Hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and inflammation in T2DM rats were significantly ameliorated after 7-week oral administration of SXT. The expressions of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3K), protein kinase B (Akt), glucose transporters-4 (GLUT4) Mrna, and p-PI-3K, p-Akt, GLUT4 protein involved in the PI-3K/Akt signaling pathway of T2DM were markedly up-regulated. Further investigation indicated that the perturbance of metabolic profiling in T2DM rats was obviously reversed by SXT and 38 potential biomarkers were screened and identified. Our study might help clarify the mechanism of SXT and provide some evidences for its clinical application in the future

A “pulpitumic” school: The place to project architecture into the consciousness of the public

Architectural pedagogy is distinctive from the traditional classroom learning due to its studio-based system. The majority of student time is spent in studios on tasks of developing and refining their designs. It is a direct reflection of passion and dedication towards architectural learning. But this passion is rarely exposed to the public, and the public seldom realized the hard work needed to create the built environment they live in. A place is needed to project the importance of architecture into the consciousness of the public audience. At the present time, the building for the Unitec School of Architecture is causing seclusion from public and constraints on its spatial organisation. It does not advertise its education to the public and the architecture was never designed for its current programme. This has presented an opportunity to design a new building as an exploration of a typological architectural expression for architectural education. It could also become a place to publicise architecture, so it becomes a ‘pulpitumic’ school. The passion and dedication of students will no longer be hidden; their skill and artistry will be showcased to a wider audience. This project is an architectural dialogue between the public realm and the school realm. The merge of both realms is essential to give ‘pulpitumic’ qualities to this new school of architecture

UPLC-QTOF-MS with chemical profiling approach for rapidly evaluating chemical consistency between traditional and dispensing granule decoctions of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction

Abstract Background In the present study, chemical consistency between traditional and dispensing granule decoctions of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction was rapidly evaluated by UPLC-QTOF-MS coupled with the MarkerLynx software. Two different kinds of decoctions, namely traditional decoction: water extract of mixed six constituent herbs of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction, and dispensing granules decoction: mixed water extract of each individual herbs of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction, were prepared. Results Chemical difference was found between traditional and dispensing granule decoctions, and albiflorin, paeoniflorin, gallic acid, amygdalin, and hydroxysafflor yellow A were identified as the significantly changed components during decocting Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction. All the peaks of mass spectrum from Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction and each herb were extracted and integration by using QuanLynx™. And the optimized data was used for linear regression analysis. The contribution of each herb in Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction, and the optimal compatibility proportion of dispensing granule decoction were derived from the linear regression equation. Conclusions The optimal dosage proportionality of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu dispensing granule decoction was obtained as 2.5:0.2:1:0.5:0.6:0.1 (DG : CX : BS : SD : TR : HH), which guided better clinic application of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction as dispensing granule decoctions usage, and it also provided some experimental data to reveal the compatibility rule of the relative TCM formulae.</p

UPLC-QTOF-MS with chemical profiling approach for rapidly evaluating chemical consistency between traditional and dispensing granule decoctions of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction

BACKGROUND: In the present study, chemical consistency between traditional and dispensing granule decoctions of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction was rapidly evaluated by UPLC-QTOF-MS coupled with the MarkerLynx software. Two different kinds of decoctions, namely traditional decoction: water extract of mixed six constituent herbs of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction, and dispensing granules decoction: mixed water extract of each individual herbs of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction, were prepared. RESULTS: Chemical difference was found between traditional and dispensing granule decoctions, and albiflorin, paeoniflorin, gallic acid, amygdalin, and hydroxysafflor yellow A were identified as the significantly changed components during decocting Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction. All the peaks of mass spectrum from Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction and each herb were extracted and integration by using QuanLynx™. And the optimized data was used for linear regression analysis. The contribution of each herb in Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction, and the optimal compatibility proportion of dispensing granule decoction were derived from the linear regression equation. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal dosage proportionality of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu dispensing granule decoction was obtained as 2.5:0.2:1:0.5:0.6:0.1 (DG : CX : BS : SD : TR : HH), which guided better clinic application of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction as dispensing granule decoctions usage, and it also provided some experimental data to reveal the compatibility rule of the relative TCM formulae

Comparative Characterization of Total Flavonol Glycosides and Terpene Lactones at Different Ages, from Different Cultivation Sources and Genders of Ginkgo biloba Leaves

The extract from Ginkgo biloba leaves has become a very popular plant medicine and herbal supplement for its potential benefit in alleviating symptoms associated with peripheral vascular disease, dementia, asthma and tinnitus. Most research on G. biloba leaves focus on the leaves collected in July and August from four to seven year-old trees, however a large number of leaves from fruit cultivars (trees older than 10 years) are ignored and become obsolete after fruit harvest season (November). In this paper, we expand the tree age range (from one to 300 years) and first comparatively analyze the total flavonol glycosides and terpene lactones at different ages, from different cultivation sources and genders of G. biloba leaves collected in November by using the validated HPLC-ELSD and HPLC-PDA methods. The results show that the contents of total terpene lactones and flavonol glycosides in the leaves of young ginkgo trees are higher than those in old trees, and they are higher in male trees than in female trees. Geographical factors appear to have a significant influence on the contents as well. These results will provide a good basis for the comprehensive utilization of G. biloba leaves, especially the leaves from fruit cultivars

Exploratory Cortex Metabolic Profiling Revealed the Sedative Effect of Amber in Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Epilepsy-Like Mice

Epilepsy is a common clinical syndrome characterized by sudden and recurrent attacks and temporary central nervous system dysfunction caused by excessive discharge of neurons in the brain. Amber, a fossilized organic substance formed by the resins of conifers and leguminous plants, was prescribed to tranquilize the mind in China. In this paper, the antiepileptic effect of amber was evaluated by a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epileptic model. An untargeted metabolomics approach was applied to investigate metabolic changes in the epileptic model, which was based on HILIC-UHPLC-MS/MS multivariate statistical analysis and metabolism network analysis. The outcome of this study suggested that 35 endogenous metabolites showed marked perturbations. Moreover, four metabolism pathways were mainly involved in epilepsy. After treatment by amber, the endogenous metabolites had a marked tendency to revert back to the situation of the control group which was consistent with phenobarbital. This study characterized the pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptic model and provided new evidence for the sedative effect of amber