Effects and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines on functional dyspepsia: A review.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common and frequently occurring disease in clinic. With the influence of environmental factors, social factors and dietary factors, the incidence rate of FD in the general population is yearly increasing. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history and far-reaching influence in the treatment of FD. It can prevent and treat FD in the form of multiple-components, targets and channels, with obvious effect and prominent advantages. This article starts with the common syndrome types of FD, and discusses the research progress of single Chinese medicine, effective ingredients and the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines in treating FD, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of FD with traditional Chinese medicines.

Network pharmacology and experimental validation to elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms of Bushen Huashi decoction against kidney stones.

Introduction: Kidney stone disease (KS) is a complicated disease with an increasing global incidence. It was shown that Bushen Huashi decoction (BSHS) is a classic Chinese medicine formula that has therapeutic benefits for patients with KS. However, its pharmacological profile and mechanism of action are yet to be elucidated. Methods: The present study used a network pharmacology approach to characterize the mechanism by which BSHS affects KS. Compounds were retrieved from corresponding databases, and active compounds were selected based on their oral bioavailability (≥30) and drug-likeness index (≥0.18). BSHS potential proteins were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, whereas KS potential genes were obtained from GeneCards and OMIM, TTD, and DisGeNET. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were used to determine potential pathways associated with genes. The ingredients of BSHS extract were identified by the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap MS). The network pharmacology analyses predicted the potential underlying action mechanisms of BSHS on KS, which were further validated experimentally in the rat model of calcium oxalate kidney stones. Results: Our study found that BSHS reduced renal crystal deposition and improved renal function in ethylene glycol(EG)+ammonium chloride(AC)-induced rats, and also reversed oxidative stress levels and inhibited renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis in rats. BSHS upregulated protein and mRNA expression of E2, ESR1, ESR2, BCL2, NRF2, and HO-1 in EG+AC-induced rat kidney while downregulating BAX protein and mRNA expression, consistent with the network pharmacology results. Discussion: This study provides evidence that BSHS plays a critical role in anti-KS via regulation of E2/ESR1/2, NRF2/HO-1, and BCL2/BAX signaling pathways, indicating that BSHS is a candidate herbal drug for further investigation in treating KS.

Inhibitory effects of Dulcitol on rat C6 glioma by regulating autophagy pathway.

In the study, we treated C6 rat glioma cells with 25 mg/ml Dulcitol for 24 h. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were used to detect cellular growth. The measurements of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) were used to assess oxidative stress level. Western was performed to detect the autophagy and apoptosis expression. The data showed that Dulcitol significantly decreased the cell viability, upregulated the Bax level in mitochondria and the Cytochrome C level in cytoplasm, and downregulated anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xl. Moreover, it enhanced MDA level, reduced CAT and SOD activities, decreased LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, and increased P62 expression. However, rapamycin increased autophagy level and cell viability, and decreased ROS in Dulcitol treated C6 cells. Moreover, Dulcitol inhibited the glioma growth and enhanced survival in vivo. These results suggest that Dulcitol evidently increase cellular ROS levels and apoptosis in glioma cells, which can be significantly regulated by autophagy.

Dulcitol suppresses proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating SIRT1/p53 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) spreads further with continuance and increasing incidence due to its high-grade malignancy and metastasis. More effectual strategies on blocking proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells should be studied in HCC. Dulcitol, a natural product extracted from euonymus alatus, was reported that it could induce apoptosis of C6 glioma cells. However, the underlying mechanism of Dulcitol on HCC remains unclea. PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to reveal the effect and potential mechanisms of Dulcitol on hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Study design and methods The cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT, Ki-67 and Hoechst 33258/PI double staining. The migratory and invasive abilities of HepG2 cells were measured by wound-healing and transwell assays. Pathological changes of tumor tissue were observed by HE staining and IHC methods. The expression levels of protein were detected using Western Blot analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that Dulcitol inhibited HepG2 cells proliferation by down-regulating the protein expression of SIRT1, Bcl-2, along with up-regulating p53, acetylated-p53 (K382), cleaved-caspase9, cleaved-caspase3, Bax, and cytochrome c in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, Dulcitol surpressed the migration and invasion of HepG2 cells through decreasing the levels of MMP-2, uPA and MMP-9 and increasing E-cadherin associated with tumor invasion. In vivo, Dulcitol distinctly inhibited the growth of HepG2 cancer xenograft tumors via inhibiting SIRT1/p53 pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that Dulcitol acted as a SIRT1 inhibitor, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells and its modulatory mechanism seemed to be associated with regulation of MMPs, SIRT1/p53 pathways.

[Analysis on prescription rules of Chen Baogui's prescriptions for treating epigastric fullness based on data mining].

To summary and analyze the prescription rules of Professor Chen Baogui, a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor, for treating epigastric fullness. Professor Chen Baogui's prescriptions for treating epigastric fullness were collected and the treatment data were input into traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TCMISS) to analyze the rules of the prescriptions by using data mining methods. Based on the screened 214 cases, the treatment experience of Professor Chen Baogui for treating epigastric fullness was summarized and analyzed. It was found that Professor Chen gave priority to recuperation of Qi activity. The results of four properties and five tastes showed Professor Chen's medication compatibility rules: one was simultaneous use of cold and warm drugs, and the other was simultaneous use of pungent drugs for dispersion and bitter drugs for purgation. In drug use, the basic prescriptions had the efficacy of promoting Qi circulation and regulating viscera function, additionally with the drugs with functions of eliminating digestion and inducing stagnation, activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis, replenishing Qi and nourishing Yin, tranquilizing mind, strengthening muscles and bones according to the TCM syndrome type. The clinical experience of Professor Chen for treating epigastric fullness was objectively summarized with the help of TCMISS, which was significant for analyzing and inheriting academic thinking and medication experience from famous TCM doctors.

[Effect of Chinese medicine Huishen granule on cognitive outcome following diffuse axonal injury: experiment with rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of Chinese medicine Huishen granule (HG) containing ginseng, grassleaved sweet flag rhizome, pilose deer antler, etc, on learning and memory functions in diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and the mechanisms thereof. METHODS: Impact acceleration method was used to establish DAI Wistar rat models. Twenty model rats were randomly divided into 2 equal groups, the DAI+HG group treated with gastric perfusion of HG 3 times a day since 24 h after the establishment of model for 14 days, and the DAI group without treatment. Ten rats underwent sham operation as controls. Fourteen days after the injury, Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to detect the rat's abilities of learning and memory for continuous 5 days. The changes of escape latency in acquisition of the task, the percentage of time spent in target quadrant, and the number of crossing the point of original platform in probe test were recorded. At day 20 after the-operation, the rats were subjected to long-term potentiation (LTP) recording in hippocampus to measure the percentage of slope and baseline of excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP). Two rats from each group were killed 24 h, 14 d, and 20 d after the operation with their brains taken out, HE and immunohistochemical staining were employed to exam the brain lesion at 24 h, day 14 and 20 post-injury. RESULTS: The escape latency of the DAI group was (32.8+/-4.6) s, significantly longer than those of the DAI+HG and sham operation groups [(20.3+/-0.7) and (16.8+/-0.8) s respectively, both P<0.05]. The target quadrant staying time percentage and number of platform location crossings of the DAI group were (36.4+/-3.2)% and 4.5+/-0.6 respectively, both significantly less than those of the DAI+HG and sham operation groups [(46.0+/-2.4)% and 6.8+/-0.8, and (46.9+/-2.1)% and 8.1+/-0.8 respectively, all P<0.05]. The LTP level of the DAI group was (101.4+/-3.3)%, significantly lower than those of the DAI+HG and sham operation groups [(116.3+/-6.7)% and (117.9+/-2.8)% respectively, both P<0.05]. No significant differences in the parameters were found between the DAI+HG and sham operation groups (all P>0.05). Classical pathological changes of DAI occurred in the brains of the DAI and DAI+HG groups at the time point of 24 h, and mitigated partly at the time points of day 14 and 20. CONCLUSION: The learning and memory impairment of DAI was ameliorated significantly with the treatment of Chinese medicine HG, owing to the recuperation of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal area.