The Volatile Oil of Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma Induces Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity in HUVEC Cells

Nardostahyos Radix et Rhizoma (NRR; the root and rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) is a widely used medicinal herb. Historically, NRR is being used for the treatment of cardiovascular and neurological diseases. To search for active ingredients of NRR, we investigated the vascular benefit of NRR volatile oil in (i) the vasodilation in rat aorta ring, and (ii) the release of nitric oxide (NO) and the phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). By measuring the fluorescence signal in cultures, application of NRR volatile oil resulted in a rapid activation of NO release as well as the phosphorylation of eNOS: both inductions were markedly reduced by L-NAME. In parallel, the phosphorylation level of Akt kinase was markedly increased by the oil treatment, which was partially attenuated by PI3K/Akt inhibitor {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002. This inhibitor also blocked the NRR-induced NO production and eNOS phosphorylation. In HUVECs, application of NRR volatile oil elevated the intracellular Ca²⁺ level, and BAPTA-AM, a Ca²⁺ chelator, reduced the Ca²⁺ surge: the blockage were also applied to NRR-induced eNOS phosphorylation and NO production. These findings suggested the volatile oil of NRR was the major ingredient in triggering the vascular dilatation, and which was mediated via the NO production.     

Comparison of Modic Changes in the Lumbar and Cervical Spine,in 3167 Patients with and without Spinal Pain

Background Context

There are few comparisons of Modic changes (MCs) in the lumbar and cervical spine.

Purpose

Compare the prevalence of MCs in the lumbar and cervical spine, and determine how MC prevalence depends on spinal pain, age, disc degeneration, spinal level, and the presence or absence of kyphosis.

Study Design

Retrospective clinical survey.

Materials and Methods

Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were compared from five patient groups: 1. 1223 patients with low-back pain/radiculopathy only; 2. 1023 patients with neck pain/radiculopathy only; 3. 497 patients with concurrent low-back and neck symptoms; 4. 304 asymptomatic subjects with lumbar MRIs; and 5. 120 asymptomatic subjects with cervical MRIs.

Results

The prevalence of MCs was higher in those with spinal pain than in those without, both in the lumbar spine (21.0% vs 10.5%) and cervical spine (8.8% vs 3.3%). Type II MCs were most common and Type III were least common in all groups. The prevalence of lumbar MCs in people with back pain was little affected by the presence of concurrent neck pain, and the same was true for the prevalence of cervical MCs in people with neck pain with or without concurrent back pain. When symptomatic patients were reclassified into two groups (back pain, neck pain), the prevalence of lumbar MCs in people with back pain was greater than that of cervical MCs in people with neck pain. The prevalence of lumbar and cervical MCs increased with age, disc degeneration, (descending) spinal level, and increased kyphosis.

Conclusions

There is a significantly higher prevalence of MCs in patients with back and neck pain. The reported association with increased kyphosis (flat back) is novel.     

Separation and Qualitative Study of Mentha asiatica Boriss. Essential Oil Components by prep-GC,GC-QTOF-MS,NMR and Prediction of Bioactive Compounds

In order to understand the material basis of wild Mentha asiatica Boris. in Xinjiang, the chemical constituents of essential oil extracted from aerial parts of this plant were studied. A total 52 components were detected and 45 compounds were identified. First of all, the essential oil was separated by silica gel column chromatography, and divided into several parts according to the results of thin layer chromatography. Eight fractions were obtained, and then each fragment was preliminarily screened for antibacterial activity. It was found that all eight fragments had certain antibacterial activity in different level. Then the fractions were subjected to preparative gas chromatography (prep-GC) for further isolation. Ten compounds were identified by ¹³C-NMR, ¹H-NMR and gas chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-Mass spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS). They are sabinene, limonene and β-caryophyllene, (1R*,3S*,5R*)-sabinyl acetate, piperitone oxide, rotundifolone, thymol, piperitone, 4-hydroxypiperiditone, cedrol. After screened by bioautography, 4-hydroxypiperone and thymol were showed best antibacterial activity. The inhibitory effects of the two isolated compounds on Candida albicans and their related mechanisms were studied. The results showed that, 4-hydroxypiperone and thymol significantly reduced ergosterol content on the surface of Candida albicans cell membrane in a dose-dependent manner. This work has accumulated experience for the development and utilization of Xinjiang characteristic medicinal plant resources and new drug research and development, and provided scientific basis and support for the later research and development of Mentha asiatica Boris.