Hawk tea is a rich and edible resource, traditionally used as a beverage in South China. This drink has many pharmacologic effects, such as acting as an antioxidant and reducing blood sugar and lipids. The objective of this work was to explore the active compound contents, bioactivities and their monthly changes, and optimize the harvest time. In the present study, Hawk tea from each month in 2017 was collected and extracted with 70% (v/v) ethanol. The contents of the total flavonoids and total phenols were determined using the colorimetric method. We determined the contents of seven characteristic active substances—hyperin, isoquercitrin, trifolin, quercitrin, astragalin, quercetin, and kaempferol—using high-performance liquid chromatography. The crude extract was tested for its antioxidant and inhibitory properties on enzymes involved in metabolic syndrome. Specifically, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), ferric-reducing power assay, and the inhibition capacity test on α-glucosidase and lipase were conducted to determine the antioxidant effect in vitro, as well as the reduction of blood sugar and lipids. Monthly variations in activities and components were determined by numeric analysis and comparison. Correlation analysis revealed that antioxidant effects are significantly correlated with the total flavonoids. The hierarchical cluster analysis of bioactivities and their contents indicates that October and November are the best harvesting months, which differs with the habitual collection of Hawk tea.

Background: This study sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel (PTD) regimen and a trastuzumab and docetaxel (TD) regimen in the first-line treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in the context of the Chinese health system.Methods: A 3 health-state Markov model was established to simulate the disease process of patients.Transition probability and adverse reactions data were derived from the CLEOPATRA trial. The utility value of the disease status was derived from the relevant literature, and the costs were based on the China Drug Database and other local charges. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the uncertainty of the results caused by parameter variability.Results: Compared to the TD regimen, the PTD regimen afforded an additional 0.64 quality-adjusted lifeyears (QALYs) at an incremental cost of 44,828 USD. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was 69,702 USD/QALY. The results of the sensitivity analysis suggest that the results are reliable. Conclusions:The PTD regimen can prolong the life of patients and improve their quality of life with HER2-positive MBC, but the medical costs also increase accordingly. Based on the current payment threshold in China, the PTD regimen has no economic advantage over the TD regimen in the first-line treatment of HER2-positive MBC patients.

Scope: Hawk tea, a non-camellia tea, is an ancient tea drink from southwest China and has been proven to exhibit significant hypoglycaemic and lipid-lowering effects. The aim of this study...

This study purified two polysaccharides (LBMPs) from Lagotis brevituba Maxim in several steps. The chemical structure of LBMP-2 was determined by HPGPC, FT-IR, IC, 1H and 13C NMR, AFM, SEM, and TEM. The results show that LBMP-2 was mainly composed of GalA, and the Mw of LBMP-2 is 23.799 kDa. In addition, the antioxidant activity, and the antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo were studied. LBMP-2 has excellent antioxidant and antitumor capacity. The inhibition of tumor cell proliferation in vitro may result in the inhibition of aerobic respiration and glycolysis. Tumor growth inhibition in vivo may inhibit the expression of AMPK in tumors and enhance spleen function. Compared with conventional chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide, LBMP-2 is less harmful to the body and safer. Therefore, LBMP-2 provides a potential source of antitumor drugs.

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