[Effect and mechanism of leonurine on pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats].

To investigate the effects of leonurine(Leo) on abdominal aortic constriction(AAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats and its mechanism. A rat model of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy was established by AAC method. After 27-d intervention with high-dose(30 mg·kg~(-1)) and low-dose(15 mg·kg~(-1)) Leo or positive control drug losartan(5 mg·kg~(-1)), the cardiac function was evaluated by hemodynamic method, followed by the recording of left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVESP), as well as the maximum rate of increase and decrease in left ventricular pressure(±dp/dt_(max)).

Scubatines A-F, new cytotoxic neo-clerodane diterpenoids from Scutellaria barbata D. Don.

Phytochemical investigation of the 70% acetone extract of the whole plant of Scutellaria barbata D. Don afforded six new neo-clerodane diterpenoids, scubatines A-F (1-6), and four known analogues (7-10). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses.

Crassins A-H, Diterpenoids from the Roots of Croton crassifolius.

Phytochemical investigation of the 70% acetone extract of Croton crassifolius roots afforded eight new diterpenoids, crassins A-H (1-8), and 19 known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were determined by electronic circular dichroism, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, comparison with literature data, and biogenetic considerations. Crassins A (1) and B (2) are new ring B-rearranged diterpenoids, whereas crassin C (3) is a new ring A-rearranged diterpenoid.

A new patchoulane-type sesquiterpenoid glycoside from the roots of Croton crassifolius.

A new patchoulane-type sesquiterpenoid glycoside (1), together with five known sesquiterpenoids (2-6), was isolated from the roots of Croton crassifolius. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. This is the first report about the sesquiterpenoid glycoside from C.

[Isolation, culture, and identification of human spermatogonial stem cells].

Objective: To isolate, identify and culture human spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) and then obtain purified and enriched human SSCs for research and application.

Methods: We detected the expression of CD90 in the human testis using the immunofluorescence technique and isolated human testicular spermatogenic cells by two-step enzymatic digestion, followed by differential plating and magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) with CD90 as an SSC marker. Then we identified the isolated CD90-positive spermatogenic cells by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry, and meanwhile cocultured them with Sertoli cells in SG medium in vitro.