Evidence for the medicinal value of Squama Manitis (pangolin scale): A systematic review

Xinyao Jin,Hui Zi Chua,Keyi Wang,Nan Li,Wenke Zheng,Wentai Pang,Fengwen Yang,Bo Pang,Mingyan Zhang,Junhua Zhang 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.1

Background: Squama Manitis (pangolin scale) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. However, its efficacy has not been systematically reviewed. This review aims to fill the gap. Methods: We searched six electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), WanFang Database and SinoMed from inception to May 1, 2020. Search terms included “pangolin”, “Squama Manitis”, “Manis crassicaudata”, “Manis javanica”, “Malayan pangolins”, “Manis pentadactyla”, “Ling Li”, “Chuan Shan Jia”, “Shan Jia”, “Pao Jia Zhu”, “Jia Pian” and “Pao Shan Jia”. The Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) assessment tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) were used to evaluate the risk of bias of the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case control studies (CCSs). Results: After screening, 15 articles that met the inclusion criteria were finally included. There were 4 randomized controlled trials, 1 case control study, 3 case series and 7 case reports. A total of 15 different diseases were reported in these studies, thus the data could not be merged to generate powerful results. Two RCTs suggested that Squama Manitis combined with herbal decoction or antibiotics could bring additional benifit for treating postpartum hypogalactia and mesenteric lymphadenitis. However, this result was not reliable due to low methodological quality and irrational outcomes. The other two RCTs generated negative results. All the non-RCTs did not add any valuable evidence to the efficacy of Squama Manitis beacause of small samples, incomplete records, non-standardized outcome detection. In general, currently available evidence cannot support the clinical use of Squama Manitis. Conclusion: There is no reliable evidence that Squama Manitis has special medicinal value. The removal of Squama Manitis from Pharmacopoeia is rational.

Acoustic Power Measurement for a Cylindrical Concave Transducer by using the Self-Reciprocity Method

Junhua Li,Lili Yu 한국물리학회 2018 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.73 No.1

A novel solution of measuring the acoustic power for a convergent cylindrical wave is proposed based on the self-reciprocity method, which turns the acoustic-power measurement to an electrical-parameters measurement. The formula for estimating the acoustic power was derived for a cylindrical concave transducer. The diffraction and the reflection corrections were also investigated for the precise measurement of the acoustic power. The performance of this method was compared with that of the radiation force balance (RFB) method. The experimental results showed good agreement. Moreover, the self-reciprocity method is more robust to the environment than the traditional RFB method and in practice can be extended to low-level acoustic power measurements.

A Novel Electrochemical Method for Sensitive Detection of Melamine in Infant Formula and Milk using Ascorbic Acid as Recognition Element

Junhua Li,Daizhi Kuang,Yonglan Feng,Fuxing Zhang,Zhifeng Xu,Mengqin Liu 대한화학회 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.8

A novel and convenient electrochemical method has been developed for sensitive determination of melamine (MEL) using ascorbic acid (AA) as the recognition element. The working electrode employed in this method was modified with the nanocomposite of hydroxyapatite/carbon nanotubes to enhance the current signal of recognition element. The interaction between MEL and AA was investigated by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, and the experimental results indicated that hydrogen bonding was formed between MEL and AA. Because of the existing hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction, the anodic peak current of AA was decreased obviously while the non-electroactive MEL added in. It illustrated that the MEL acted as an inhibitor to the oxidation of AA and the decreasing signals can be used to detect MEL. Under the optimal conditions, the decrease in anodic peak current of AA was proportional to the MEL concentrations ranging from 10 to 350 nM, with a detection limit of 1.5 nM. Finally this newly-proposed method was successfully employed to detect MEL in infant formula and milk, and good recovery was achieved.

Acute and repeated dose 26-week oral toxicity study of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 in Kunming mice and Sprague-Dawley rats

Li, Chunmei,Wang, Zhezhe,Li, Guisheng,Wang, Zhenhua,Yang, Jianrong,Li, Yanshen,Wang, Hongtao,Jin, Haizhu,Qiao, Junhua,Wang, Hongbo,Tian, Jingwei,Lee, Albert W.,Gao, Yonglin The Korean Society of Ginseng 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.2

Background: 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 (C₄₂H₇₂O₁₃), a natural triterpenoid saponin, is extracted from red ginseng. The increasing use of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 has raised product safety concerns. Methods: In acute toxicity, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 was singly and orally administrated to Kunming mice and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at the maximum doses of 1600 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, respectively. In the 26-week toxicity study, we used repeated oral administration of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 in SD rats over 26 weeks at doses of 0, 20, 60, or 180 mg/kg. Moreover, a 4-week recovery period was scheduled to observe the persistence, delayed occurrence, and reversibility of toxic effects. Results: The result of acute toxicity shows that oral administration of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 to mice and rats did not induce mortality or toxicity up to 1600 and 800 mg/kg, respectively. During a 26-week administration period and a 4-week withdrawal period (recovery period), there were no significant differences in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, urinalysis parameters, biochemical and hematological values, or histopathological findings. Conclusion: The mean oral lethal dose (LD₅₀) of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3, in acute toxicity, is above 1600 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg in mice and rats, respectively. In a repeated-dose 26-week oral toxicity study, the no-observed-adverse-effect level for female and male SD rats was 180 mg/kg.

A Novel Electrochemical Method for Sensitive Detection of Melamine in Infant Formula and Milk using Ascorbic Acid as Recognition Element

Li, Junhua,Kuang, Daizhi,Feng, Yonglan,Zhang, Fuxing,Xu, Zhifeng,Liu, Mengqin Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.8

A novel and convenient electrochemical method has been developed for sensitive determination of melamine (MEL) using ascorbic acid (AA) as the recognition element. The working electrode employed in this method was modified with the nanocomposite of hydroxyapatite/carbon nanotubes to enhance the current signal of recognition element. The interaction between MEL and AA was investigated by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, and the experimental results indicated that hydrogen bonding was formed between MEL and AA. Because of the existing hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction, the anodic peak current of AA was decreased obviously while the non-electroactive MEL added in. It illustrated that the MEL acted as an inhibitor to the oxidation of AA and the decreasing signals can be used to detect MEL. Under the optimal conditions, the decrease in anodic peak current of AA was proportional to the MEL concentrations ranging from 10 to 350 nM, with a detection limit of 1.5 nM. Finally this newly-proposed method was successfully employed to detect MEL in infant formula and milk, and good recovery was achieved.

Acute and repeated dose 26-week oral toxicity study of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 in Kunming mice and Sprague – Dawley rats

Chunmei Li,ZhezheWang,Guisheng Li,ZhenhuaWang,Jianrong Yang,Yanshen Li,Hongtao Wang,Haizhu Jin,Junhua Qiao,Hongbo Wang,Jingwei Tian,Albert W. Lee,Yonglin Gao 고려인삼학회 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.2

Background: 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 (C42H72O13), a natural triterpenoid saponin, is extracted from redginseng. The increasing use of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 has raised product safety concerns. Methods: In acute toxicity, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 was singly and orally administrated to Kunming miceand SpragueeDawley (SD) rats at the maximum doses of 1600 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, respectively. In the26-week toxicity study, we used repeated oral administration of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 in SD rats over 26weeks at doses of 0, 20, 60, or 180 mg/kg. Moreover, a 4-week recovery period was scheduled to observethe persistence, delayed occurrence, and reversibility of toxic effects. Results: The result of acute toxicity shows that oral administration of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 to mice andrats did not induce mortality or toxicity up to 1600 and 800 mg/kg, respectively. During a 26-weekadministration period and a 4-week withdrawal period (recovery period), there were no significantdifferences in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, urinalysis parameters, biochemical andhematological values, or histopathological findings. Conclusion: The mean oral lethal dose (LD50) of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3, in acute toxicity, is above 1600mg/kg and 800 mg/kg in mice and rats, respectively. In a repeated-dose 26-week oral toxicity study, theno-observed-adverse-effect level for female and male SD rats was 180 mg/kg.

Neurotoxicity of acrylonitrile evaluated by manganese enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Ying Li,Lihong Mei,Jinwei Qiang,Chi-Shing Zee,Xiuju Li,Junhua Liu 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2015 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.11 No.3

Acrylonitrile (ACN), a chemical compound commonly used to manufacture plastics, has been found in drin king water and as a pollutant in the air. Exposure to high levels of ACN leads to brain lesions via oxidative stress-induced injury. To date, there is no non-invasive method of examining brain lesions. We determined if manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) can be used to detect brain lesions in ACN-treated rats by exploiting the binding properties of manganese to the enzymes manganesesuperoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and glutamine synthetase (GS). Rats exposed to low, mid, and high doses of ACN over 7 days were subjected to MEMRI on the eighth day. Contrast enhancement of the brain decreased in ACN-treated rats, along with marked decreases in Mn-SOD and GS activities, particularly in mid- and high-ACN treated rats. Our study indicates that MEMRI may be a potential non-invasive method of detecting ACN-induced oxidative damage.

Preparation and electrochemical capacitive properties of C–MnO2 composite with foam-like structure based on modified rubber

Li Peng,Ma Xiaoxiao,Liang Yurong,Tan Junhua,Wang Liyong 한국탄소학회 2019 Carbon Letters Vol.29 No.6

Nanoporous carbon/MnO2 (C–MnO2) composites with foam-like structure based on modified nitrile butadiene rubber were achieved by thermal treatment, followed by alkaline solution etching and dipping method. The XRD, nitrogen adsorption and desorption, and SEM and TEM were used to characterize the microstructure of the obtained C–SiO2, C and C–MnO2. Finally, all the obtained samples have been used in three-electrode system to study the electrochemical properties including cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and AC impedance for supercapacitor. The study found that the specific capacity of C–MnO2 electrode material for supercapacitor could reach as high as 109 F/g under the current density of 0.5 A/g, which is much higher than those of the other two. These superior electrochemical properties are attributed to the synergistic effect MnO2 particles with the C matrix which functions as a conductive support.

Conserved Sequences of Replicase Gene-Mediated Resistance to Potyvirus through RNA Silencing

Li Xu,YunZhi Song,JunHua Zhu,XingQi Guo,ChangXiang Zhu,FuJiang Wen 한국식물학회 2009 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.52 No.6

Nuclear inclusion protein b (NIb) genes of three Potato virus Y isolates PVY-SD1 (O strain), PVY-SD4 (N strain), PVY-SD5 (NTN strain), and Tobacco etch virus isolate TEV-SD1 in Shandong Province were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that the sequence homology of the entire NIb gene among the four viruses ranged from 65% to 95%. Hairpin RNA (hpRNA) constructs were designed based on five conserved regions derived from PVY-SD1 and introduced into tobacco plants. After asexual propagation, the transgenic plants were analyzed for resistance to PVY-SD1, PVY-SD4, PVY-SD5, and TEV-SD1. We obtained resistance ratios of 26.2%, 22.7%, 36.4%, 20.3%, and 21.7% to PVY-SD1. When inoculated with the PVY-SD5 virus, the transgenic plants had resistance ratios ranging from 2.4% to 15.9%, but no resistance at all to the other viruses, PVY-SD4 and TEV-SD1. No correlation was found between resistance of transgenic plants and the transgene copy numbers. Northern blot and small interfering RNA (siRNA) analysis demonstrated that the resistance was attributable to RNA silencing. Genetic analysis demonstrated that virus resistance was stably inherited in progeny T1 and T2. These results indicate that the siRNA molecules against conserved regions can confer virus resistance but are restricted to viruses with more than 90% sequence homology.

Application of Computer-Aided Approaches to the PUMC Classification of Scoliosis

Junhua Zhang,Hongjian Li,Yufeng Zhang 대한의용생체공학회 2017 Biomedical Engineering Letters (BMEL) Vol.7 No.3

Surgical planning for scoliosis relies on theclassification of the spinal curve pattern. To improve thereliability of the Peking Union Medical College (PUMC)classification system for scoliotic spinal curves, a computer-aided system is proposed and its reliability is evaluated. First, the reliability of curve measurements wasimproved by the computer-aided Cobb measurementapproach. Second, judgmental errors were reduced by thecomputer program through the automation of the PUMCclassification procedure. Four observers divided into anexpert group and a resident group participated in theexperiments. The kappa statistic was used to evaluate thevariability. Classifications of 65 scoliotic cases by the fourobservers showed that with the computer’s aid, the averageintraobserver and interobserver kappa values wereimproved from 0.86 to 0.93 and from 0.75 to 0.86,respectively. The results indicate that the proposed computerizedsystem can assist a surgeon in the PUMC classificationof scoliosis and is especially useful forinexperienced surgeons.