Effects of mindfulness in patients with mild cognitive impairment with insomnia: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Current research on the effects of mindfulness therapy on MCI and insomnia has been inconsistent. It is still a hot topic of research and discussion. This study aimed to improve the sleep quality, cognition, and mental state of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with insomnia. METHODS: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Seventy-five patients who met the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to the mindfulness (n = 38) or health education (n = 37) treatment group. The primary outcomes were sleep, measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory, and cognition, measured by The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination. Secondary outcomes included insomnia, measured by the Insomnia Severity Index, depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. EEG signals were collected at rest with eyes closed in the mindfulness state. The power spectrum was analyzed from these data. RESULTS: Cognitive function and sleep quality were significantly improved in the mindfulness group (95% confidence interval 0.04 - 0.05, 0.03 - 0.04, -5.58 - -1.55, respectively). Anxiety and perceived stress scores were significantly lower than those in the control group (95% confidence interval 0.002 - 0.004, 0.009 - 0.013, respectively). The power spectrum differences in δ, θ, ß, and γ bands were significant between the rest and mindfulness states (P < .05). Good safety was achieved in both groups with no deaths or serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: Mindfulness improved sleep quality, cognitive function, and mentality of patients. Mindfulness practice caused deep relaxation in the brain and changes in electrical frequency bands associated with attention and cognitive tasks. Mindfulness learning can be performed successfully for individuals with MCI. Additionally, it is suitable for adoption in nursing homes.

Effects of expressive arts therapy in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A pilot study.

Expressive arts therapy (EAT) can potentially improve cognition and mental health in patients with dementia. However, limited studies have been conducted for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of EAT in older adults with MCI. A total of 48 participants with MCI were assigned to the EAT intervention (n = 24) or waiting list control (n = 24) group. The former received 60-90 min of EAT twice a week for 6 weeks. The findings showed that the EAT program had a high retention and attendance rate and a high level of general satisfaction. Moreover, the intervention group showed significant improvements in general cognitive function, language function, anxiety, depression, and the psychological and social relationship domains of quality of life. The results provide preliminary evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of EAT intervention in older adults with MCI.

Methanol extract of semen Ziziphi Spinosae attenuates ethanol withdrawal anxiety by improving neuropeptide signaling in the central amygdala.

BACKGROUND: Ethanol withdrawal (EtOHW) anxiety is a crucial risk factor for alcoholic relapse. The neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) acts upon its receptor (NOP) to antagonize corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and elicit anxiolytic actions. Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS), a prototypical hypnotic-sedative herb in Oriental medicine, exhibits anxiolytic effects during nicotine withdrawal by improving amygdaloid CRF/CRF1 receptor (CRFR1) signaling. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of SZS on EtOHW anxiety and the involvement of amygdaloid CRF/CRFR1 and N/OFQ/NOP pathways. METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats received intraperitoneal injections of 2 g/kg EtOH (20% v/v) once daily for 28 d followed by a 3-d withdrawal. During EtOHW, the rats were given once-daily intragastric treatments of a methanol extract of SZS (MESZS, 60 or 180 mg/kg/d). Anxiety-like behaviors were measured with the open field (OF) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests, and plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. mRNA and protein expression levels of the neuropeptides and their receptors were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays. RESULTS: MESZS increased the distance traveled in the center zone of the OF and dose-dependently elongated the duration of staying in the center zone in EtOHW rats. MESZS increased both the number of entries into and the time spent in the open arms of the EPM by EtOHW rats. And, MESZS inhibited the over secretion of plasma CORT during EtOHW. EtOHW enhanced CRF and CRFR1 gene and protein expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), which were inhibited by 180 mg/kg/d MESZS. EtOHW increased amygdaloid NOP mRNA and protein expression but spared N/OFQ mRNA expression, and 180 mg/kg/d MESZS further promoted these increases. Additionally, a post-MESZS intra-CeA infusion of either CRF or the selective NOP antagonist UFP-101 abolished the expected anxiolytic effect of 180 mg/kg/d MESZS. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MESZS ameliorates EtOHW anxiety by improving both CRF/CRFR1 and N/OFQ/NOP transmissions in the CeA.

[Study on hydrolysis of baicalin into baicalein by immobilized beta-glucosidase in a two-phase system].

The optimum conditions of baicalin hydrolysis into baicalein by immobilized beta-glucosidase in a two-phase system was studied and the yield was observed. A two-phase system comprising of sodium acetate buffer and chloroform was determined by comparing the solubleness of baicalein in different solvents and partition coefficient of baicalein in related aqueous-organic two-phase system. beta-Glucosidase was immobilized by the crosslinking-embedding method using sodium alginate as the carrier The optimum reaction temperature, pH value, Michaelis constant, the thermal stability and pH stability were assayed. By comparing the yield of baicalin hydrolysis into baicalein by immobilized beta-glucosidase in two-phase system, the optimum reaction conditions were determined-the optimum reaction temperature, pH value and time were 50 degrees C, 5.0 and 10 h, respectively. The yield of baicalein was 85.28%. Compare with one-phase system, two-phase system had an advantage in reaction rate and yield.

Quantification of conjugated metabolites of drugs in biological matrices after the hydrolysis with ß-glucuronidase and sufatase: a review of bio-analytical methods.

Glucuronidation and sulfation represent two major pathways in phase II drug metabolism in humans and other mammalian species. The great majority of drugs, for example, polyphenols, flavonoids and anthraquinones, could be transformed into sulfated and glucuronidated conjugates simultaneously and extensively in vivo. The pharmacological activities of drug conjugations are normally decreased compared with those of their free forms. However, some drug conjugates may either bear biological activities themselves or serve as excellent sources of biologically active compounds. As the bioactivities of drugs are thought to be relevant to the kinetics of their conjugates, it is essential to study the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the conjugates in more detail. Unfortunately, the free forms of drugs cannot be detected directly in most cases if their glucuronides and sulfates are the predominant forms in biological samples. Nevertheless, an initial enzymatic hydrolysis step using ß-glucuronidase and/or sulfatase is usually performed to convert the glucuronidated and/or sulfated conjugates to their free forms prior to the extraction, purification and other subsequent analysis steps in the literature. This review provides fundamental information on drug metabolism pathways, the bio-analytical strategies for the quantification of various drug conjugates, and the applications of the analytical methods to pharmacokinetic studies.

[Study on the extraction process and macroporous resin for purification of Timosaponin B II].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the extraction process and macroporous resin for purification of Timosaponin B II from Anemarrhena asphodeloides. METHODS: Orthogonal design L9 (34) was employed to optimize the circumfluence extraction conditions by taking the extraction yield of Timosaponin B II as index. The absorption-desorption characteristics of eight kinds of macroporous resins were evaluated, then the best resin was chosen to optimize the purification process conditions. RESULTS: The optimum extraction conditions were as follows: the herb was extracted for 2 times (2 hours each time) with 8.5-fold 50% ethanol at the first time and 6-fold 50% ethanol at the second time. HPD100 resin showed a good property for the absorption-desorption of Timosaponin B II. The optimum technological conditions of HPD100 resin were as follows:the solution concentration was 0.23 mg/mL, the amount of saturated adsorption at 4/5 body volumn (BV) resin, the HPD100 resin was washed with 3 BV water and 6 BV 20% ethanol solution to remove the impurity, then the Timosaponin B II was desorbed by 5 BV ethanol solution. The purity of Timosaponin B II was about 50%. CONCLUSION: The optimized extraction process and purification is stable, efficient and suitable for industrial production.

[Research on the preparative method of Arctigenin].

OBJECTIVE: To research on the preparation of Arctigenin in vitro. METHODS: Took enzyme concentration, time course and substrate concentration as investigation factors, used Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology to optimize the enzyme hydrolysis path of Arctigenin. RESULTS: The best operational path for Arctigenin was as follows: the temperature was 50 degrees C, pH was 4.8, enzyme concentration was 0.44 U/mL, time course was 46.81 min, substrate concentration was 0.29 mg/mL, the conversion rate was 90.94%. CONCLUSION: This research can be regarded as a referencein preparing Arctigenin in vitro.

Effects of Creative Expressive Arts-based Storytelling (CrEAS) programme on older adults with mild cognitive impairment: protocol for a randomised, controlled three-arm trial.

INTRODUCTION: Early non-pharmacological interventions can prevent cognitive decline in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Creative expression (CrExp) can potentially mitigate cognitive decline and enhance the physical and mental health of older people. However, it is unclear whether activities involving CrExp can improve cognitive function and other health-related outcomes in older adults with MCI. The aim of the present study is to develop a Creative Expressive Arts-based Storytelling (CrEAS) programme that integrates verbal and non-verbal expressive activities and evaluate its effectiveness in improving cognitive function and other outcome indicators so as to explore its possible mechanism from the perspective of neuroimaging. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This parallel randomised controlled trial with three arms (one intervention and two control arms) will be conducted over a 24-week period. A total of 111 participants will be enrolled and randomised to the CrEAS, recreation and usual activity groups. The CrEAS programme combines visual arts therapy and storytelling (TimeSlips) under the Expressive Therapy Continuum theoretical framework and provides an opportunity for people with MCI to actively engage in activities to improve cognitive function through verbal and nonverbal CrExp. Global cognitive function, specific domains of cognition (memory, executive function, language and attention) and other health-related outcomes (anxiety, depression and quality of life) will be measured at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at the 24-week follow-up. Structural/functional brain MRI data will be collected at baseline and immediately after the intervention. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Fujian Provincial Hospital (K2018-03-061). The study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and at academic conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR1900021526.

Effects of krill oil on serum lipids of hyperlipidemic rats and human SW480 cells.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colon cancer incidence are known to be closely related to dietary factors. This article evaluated effects of krill oil (KO) on serum lipids of hyperlipidemia rats and human colon cancer cells (SW480). Serum lipids of rats fed with high fat diet (HFD) and different doses of KO were measured by automatic analyzer. Effect of KO on viability of cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. RESULTS: Except for higher dose group, body weights decreased significantly. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) of all dose groups, Triglycerides (TG) of low and mid dose groups descended significantly, while there were no significant differences of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), compared with control group. Treatment of colon cancer cells with KO also resulted in time-dependent inhibition of cell growth. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that the consumption of KO may provide benefits to control serum lipid levels in certain diseases and inhibit growth of colon cancer cells. Therefore, KO may be a good candidate for development as a functional food and nutraceutical.

Yinchenhao Decoction Ameliorates Alpha-Naphthylisothiocyanate Induced Intrahepatic Cholestasis in Rats by Regulating Phase II Metabolic Enzymes and Transporters.

Yinchenhao Decoction (YCHD), a famous traditional Chinese formula, has been used for treating cholestasis for 1000s of years. The cholagogic effect of YCHD has been widely reported, but its pharmacodynamic material and underlying therapeutic mechanism remain unclear. By using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, 11 original active components and eight phase II metabolites were detected in rats after oral administration of YCHD, including three new phase II metabolites. And it indicated that phase II metabolism was one of the major metabolic pathway for most active components in YCHD, which was similar to the metabolism process of bilirubin. It arouses our curiosity that whether the metabolism process of YCHD has any relationship with its cholagogic effects. So, a new method for simultaneous quantitation of eight active components and four phase II metabolites of rhein, emodin, genipin, and capillarisin has been developed and applied for their pharmacokinetic study in both normal and alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced intrahepatic cholestasis rats. The results indicated the pharmacokinetic behaviors of most components of YCHD were inhibited, which was hypothesized to be related to different levels of metabolic enzymes and transporters in rat liver. So dynamic changes of intrahepatic enzyme expression in cholestasis and YCHD treated rats have been monitored by an UHPLC-tandem mass spectrometry method. The results showed expression levels of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1-1 (UGT1A1), organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1A4 (OATP1A4), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2), multidrug resistance protein 1, sodium-dependent taurocholate cotransporter, and organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1A2 were significantly inhibited in cholestasis rats, which would account for reducing the drug absorption and the metabolic process of YCHD in cholestatic rats. A high dose (12 g/kg) of YCHD remarkably increased the expression of UGT1A1, bile salt export pump, MRP2, OATP1A4 in cholestasis rats presented it exhibited the greatest ameliorative effect on cholestasis, also particularly in histopathological examination and reducing levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and total bile acid. Considering the metabolic process of bilirubin in vivo, the choleretic effect of YCHD is proven to be related to its regulatory action on expression of metabolic enzymes and transporters in cholestatic liver.