Early bone mineral density decrease is associated with FSH and LH, not estrogen.

Background: It remains unclear whether gonadotropins or estrogen is responsible for early bone mineral density (BMD) decrease in Chinese women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 368 healthy adult women, aged 35-60 years. We measured BMD, calculated BMD decrease rates (BDRs) and assessed serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E(2)) levels.

Control of hypertension in rats using volatile components of leaves of Taxus chinensis var. mairei.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The leaves of Taxus chinensis var. mairei (Taxaceae) is used traditionally to fill pillows in some rural areas of China. Its volatile substances have been speculated to be capable of improving sleep quality, making blood pressure stable, and having diuretic capacity as recorded in Ancient Chinese Materia Medica.