Anti-inflammatory effects of the extract of Gnaphalium affine D. Don in vivo and in vitro.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Gnaphalium affine D. Don (GA) has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb in China for the treatment of many ailments including rheumatoid arthritis. However, the anti-arthritic mechanism of GA has still not been demonstrated.

Evaluation of hypoglycemic effects of polyphenols and extracts from Penthorum chinense.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Penthorum chinense Pursh has a long history of use as a health food and folk medicine to alleviate "heat"-associated disorders, promote circulation and diuresis, and to treat liver problems, and to protect the spleen. In this study we provide experimental evidence for the clinical use of Penthorum chinense in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study was to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of extracts and active constituents from Penthorum chinense.

Polyphenols with anti-proliferative activities from Penthorum chinense Pursh.

Two new polyphenols, penthorumin C (1) and 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone-4-O- [4',6'-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl]-β-D-glucose (2), along with four known polyphenolic acids, pinocembrin-7-O-[4",6"-hexahydroxydiphenoyl]-β-D-glucose(3), pinocembrin-7-O-[3"-O- galloyl- 4",6"-hexahydroxydiphenoyl]-β-D-glucose (4), thonningianin A (5), and thonningianin B (6) were isolated from Penthourm chinense. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity in HSC-T6 cells, and 2 and 5 showed significant activity, with IC50 values of 12.7 and 19.

[Epidemiological effects of the A (H1N1) influenza vaccine immunization program on students].

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological effects of vaccine immunization program related to A (H1N1) influenza in the middle school students.

Methods: Non-randomized clinical trial was designed to assess the A (H1N1) influenza vaccine on its efficacy. 14 883 students from 8 middle schools in Zhejiang province were recruited and classified into vaccinated or control groups, based on the status of immunization with A (H1N1) influenza vaccine.