Based on starch-iodine agar plate, a novel screening method that can be used to screen for β-lactamase inhibitors from extracts of herbs is established. The extracts of 100 traditional Chinese medicines were screened for βlactamase inhibitors by this method. The inhibition rates of the Rheum palmatum L., Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., Hypericum japonicum Thunb., Paederia scandens (Lour.)...

Rosacea is a common cutaneous disorder affecting the face. It is more frequently encountered in fairskinned races and in females. The aetiology is unknown. The treatment of rosacea can be difficult and includes topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin and metronidazole as well as systemic treatments like retinoids. We present three cases of rosacea treated homeopathically. They all...

Lys-derived alkaloids, including piperidine, quinolizidine, indolizidine, and lycopodium alkaloids, are widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom. Several of these alkaloids have beneficial properties for humans and have been used in medicine. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of these alkaloids are not well understood. In the present article, we discuss recent...

Hyperuricemia plays a significant role in the development and pathogenesis of several metabolic systemic disorders including syndrome, hypertension, stroke, atherosclerosis. In stage asymptomatic hyperuricemia, people may not experience any symptoms is prior to first attack, but crystals get deposited around joint slowly. Pharmacologic treatment for hyperuricemia carries some risks considered b...

Lycopodium japonicum Thunb. has attracted great interests due to its rich alkaloids with significant anticancer activity. However, significant chemical differences often exist in a plant species from different geographic origins and affect its quality and bioactivities. Thus, it is urgent to reveal their chemical and biological distinctions at the molecular level. In this context, a comparative...