Abstract Context: Fagopyrum cymosum (Trey.) Meisn (Polygonaceae) (EFC) has long been used as a folk medicine to treat various ailments of the lung, dysentery and rheumatism in China. Objective: The present study evaluated the anti-arthritic effect of 95% ethanol extract of EFC (extract of Fagopyrum cymosum). Materials and methods: The anti-arthritic activity was investigated by adjuvant arthritic (AA) rat model induced by Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA). The AA rats were randomly separated into different groups and then treated with EFC (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg) from day 7 to day 28 after immunization. Arthritis was evaluated by hind paw swelling, polyarthritis index, body weight and index of immune organs. In addition, the severity of arthritis in the knee joints was evaluated by histopathological and hemorheological examination. The levels of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the serum were assessed by ELISA. Results: The high dose level of EFC (160 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the swelling of hind paw of AA rats (p < 0.01) and inhibited their body weight loss (p < 0.01). Based on histopathological examination, all EFC groups showed great amelioration compared with the model group. EFC (80 and 160 mg/kg) also decreased the plasma viscosity in different shear rates (p < 0.01). Moreover, EFC significantly reduced the production of IL-1 and TNF-α in the serum of AA (p < 0.01). Discussion and conclusion: This study provides a scientific basis for the claims that F. cymosum is effective in preventing and suppressing the development and progression of experimental arthritis, with reductions in inflammatory response.

Objective To establish a high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method for determination of berberine hydrochloride in zuning granules.Methods The HPLC method was employed to determine berberine hydrochloride.The separation was achieved on a Dionex C18 column(4.6 mm × 250 mm,5 μm) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1.The mobile phase is acetonitrile-0.1% H3PO4(50:50).The detection wavelength was 265 nm,and the column temperature was set at room temperature.Results The linear range of berberine hydrochloride was within 5-50 μg(r=0.999 9).The average recovery was 100.201% and RSD was 0.49%.Conclusion The method is simple,accurate and repeatable.It is proved to be suitable for the quality control of zuning granules.

人参是临床上的一味常用补虚药物.围绕人参药性孰寒孰温,历代医家提出了不同的见解.对人参药性的寒温之争从文献上进行了梳理,并从人参品种的变迁和医家的学术思想两个方面对人参药性寒温之争的原因进行了探讨.在学习前人经验的时候,应取其精华,去其糟粕,有助于为我们临床遣方用药拓展新的思路.