Ameliorative effects of Qingganjiuwei powder, a traditional Mongolian medicine, against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Qingganjiuwei powder (QGJWS) is a well-known traditional drug containing nine kinds of medicinal materials. This drug is commonly used in the Inner Mongolia region and exerts remarkable clinical effects on hepatic protection. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate whether QGJWS inhibits liver fibrosis in rats and to reveal its potential mechanisms. METHODS: Liver fibrosis model was induced by CCl4 for 8 weeks in SD rats. Next, rats were intragastrically administered quantum satis doses of QGJWS (0.525, 1.575, 4.725 g/kg per day) or Silymarin (SIL; 120 mg/kg per day) for 8 weeks. Afterwards, the rats were sacrificed, and serum aminotransferase (ALT and AST) levels, histopathological changes as well as the mRNA and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase1 (TIMP1), collagen type Ⅰ(COL1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), combined with phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), C-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNKs) and stress-activated protein kinase-2 (p38) protein in liver tissues were measured in each groups, respectively. RESULTS: The symptoms and signs of the model rats were consistent with the diagnostic criteria of liver fibrosis. By contrast, treatment with QGJWS clearly improved the general condition of rats. Also, the morphology and structure of liver can be ameliorated, there are fewer hepatocyte necrosis and lymphocytic infiltration and pseudolobuli in QGJWS treatment groups as demonstrated by histopathological analysis, thus helping bring about lower METAVIR scores. QGJWS administration also dramatically decreased serum ALT and AST levels. Further immunohistochemistry, western blotting and Real-Time PCR analysis revealed that QGJWS significantly enhanced the mRNA and protein expression of MMP2, MMP9, and downregulated the expression levels of COL1, TIMP1 and α-SMA. Furthermore, QGJWS reduced the activities of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway in liver by inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK, JNKs and p38 proteins. CONCLUSIONS: QGJWS offers notable protection against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats, which may be due to its ability to inhibited the MAPKs signaling pathway.

iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis on insomnia rats treated with Mongolian medical warm acupuncture.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the proteomic changes in the hypothalamus of rats treated with Mongolian medical warm acupuncture for insomnia therapy based proteomics. METHOD: We used an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic approach to identify proteins that potential molecular mechanisms involved in the treatment of insomnia by Mongolian medical warm acupuncture. RESULT: In total, 7477 proteins were identified, of which 36 proteins showed increased levels and 45 proteins showed decreased levels in insomnia model group (M) compared with healthy control group (C), 72 proteins showed increased levels and 44 proteins showed decreased levels from the warm acupuncture treated insomnia group (W) compared with healthy controls (C), 28 proteins showed increased levels and 17 proteins showed decreased levels from the warm acupuncture-treated insomnia group (W) compared with insomnia model group (M). Compared with healthy control groups, warm acupuncture-treated insomnia group showed obvious recovered. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that up-regulation of neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and oxytocin signaling was the most significantly elevated regulate process of Mongolian medical warm acupuncture treatment for insomnia. Proteins showed that increased/decreased expression in the warm acupuncture-treated insomnia group included Prolargin (PRELP), NMDA receptor synaptonuclear-signaling and neuronal migration factor (NSMF), Transmembrane protein 41B (TMEM41B) and Microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) to adjust insomnia. CONCLUSION: A combination of findings in the present study suggest that warm acupuncture treatment is efficacious in improving sleep by regulating the protein expression process in an experimental rat model and may be of potential benefit in treating insomnia patients with the added advantage with no adverse effects.

Quality consistency evaluation of Kudiezi Injection based on multivariate statistical analysis of the multidimensional chromatographic fingerprint.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Injection (TCMI) was restricted due to the batch-to-batch variability caused by the variable compositions of botanical raw materials and complexities of the current manufacturing process. To evaluate and control the quality of Kudiezi Injection (KDZI), a comprehensive and practical method based on multidimensional chromatographic fingerprint associated with multivariate statistical analysis was proposed. The multidimensional chromatographic fingerprint was established by integrating three kinds of chromatographic fingerprints, including High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Ultraviolet spectrum (HPLC-UV), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) and High performance ion-exchange chromatography (HPIEC), which were used to detect flavones, nucleosides, organic acids, amino acids and saccharides in KDZI. In addition, four main multivariate statistical analyses were compared to assess the batch-to-batch consistency of samples. Results showed that the cosine method, which has been widely used in the quality evaluation of TCM, failed to distinguish the differences among batches based on neither chromatographic peaks' area nor contents information. t-test and Bayes' theorem could reveal the content difference among batches, while hierarchical clustering analysis could differentiate KDZI batches, and Luteolin-7-O-ß-D-glucuronopyranoside, Tau, Ser, guanine and allose were the main indicators. In conclusion, multidimensional chromatographic fingerprints could reflect the quality information of KDZI comprehensively and hierarchical clustering analysis was suitable to identify the differences among batches. This could provide an integrated method for consistency evaluation of TCMI, process improvement of TCMI and solving similar problems in TCMI.

FBP2 and Talin-1 are potential protein markers for Mongolian medicine symptom evaluation in viral infectious diseases.

BACKGROUND: Influenza, measles, and mumps are common viral infectious diseases in Mongolia. The traditional Mongolian medicine (TMM) classified them as warm disease, and still plays a major role in the diagnoses and treatments. METHODS: To interpret the connotation of the complex theoretical system in TMM with scientific technique, in this study, a high throughput mass spectrometry was used to identify potential protein markers of TMM symptom types. Fifty venous blood samples were drawn from influenza, measles and mumps patients. Differential proteins between samples of patients diagnosed as immature and mature heat in TMM were detected by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: After proteomics analysis, 1500 proteins and 7619 polypeptides were identified and 1323 in total showed differential expression between those 2 symptom types; then enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed proteins revealed the significant biological functions related to the differentially expressed proteins, including cardiomyopathy, several bacterial and parasitic infections, bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, insulin signaling pathway, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton. The network analysis showed that FBP2 and Talin-1 were critical points and might determine the evolution directions of TMM warm disease symptom. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the identified core differential proteins may be regarded as potential biomarkers, and benefit to evaluate the evolutionary tendency of TMM warm disease symptoms.

New Method for Insomnia Mongolian Mind-Body Interactive Psychotherapy in the Assessment of Chronic Insomnia: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Insomnia is a common clinical complaint, and if not addressed it can increase the risk of developing other underlying diseases such as hypertension, depression and anxiety. The use of Mongolian mind-body interactive therapy as a comprehensive psychotherapeutic approach in chronic insomnia has been shown in this retrospective study. METHODS: Subjects who had suffered insomnia for more than 1 month participated in the Mongolian mind-body interactive psychotherapy program between June 2012 and February 2014. They were interviewed by telephone at least 10 months before participating in the program. Their sleep was assessed using the Athens insomnia scale. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and regression analysis were used for data analysis by SPSS software. RESULTS: Mongolian mind-body interactive psychotherapy significantly improved sleeping conditions. In ANOVA analysis, both short- and long-term outcomes were significantly affected by the treatment period. Patients who previously took medication and pre-treatment sleeping condition (ASI score) had a significant influence on long-term outcomes, as well as treatment time related to the duration of insomnia. CONCLUSION: Mongolian mind-body interactive psychotherapy is a new method for insomnia, and narrative therapy and hypnotic methods together improve the sleeping condition, However, a further controlled randomized clinical study is needed to understand the efficacy.

Mongolian Medicine echinops prevented postmenopausal osteoporosis and induced ER/AKT/ERK pathway in BMSCs.

Hormone replacement medicine such as traditional Chinese medicine has proven to be effective in decreasing the risk of osteoporosis. Mongolian medicine echinops prevents osteoporosis, but its mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we explored the mechanism underlying echinops prevents and treats postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporosis model was established by ovariectomy in rats. Rats were treated to Echinops (16.26, 32.5, or 65 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage for 3 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was detected by micro-CT detection of left proximal medial metaphyseal tibia. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and toluidine blue O staining were also performed. Serum levels of E2, ALP and testosterone were examined. Bone marrow-derived bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated and treated with echinops-containing serum. Estrogen receptors (ER) including ERα and ERß in bone specimens and BMSCs were detected by qRT-PCR. Cell viability and colon formation of BMSCs were detected. Expressions of ERα, ERß, AKT, p-AKT, ERK, and p-ERK in BMSCs were detected by western blot. Results showed that echinops significantly increased trabecular interconnectivity, thickness of trabeculae, and connection of trabecula. Echinops significantly increased BMD and E2, but significantly reduced ALP and testosterone in dose-dependent manners. Echinops induced ERα and ERß in both bone specimens and BMSCs. Echinops enhanced cell viability and ability of colony formation of BMSCs, and increased ERα, ERß, p-AKT, and p-ERK. Thus, Mongolian echinops reduced bone loss and delayed the occurrence and development of osteoporosis, and increased ERα, ERß, p-AKT, and P-ERK in BMSCs. These results provide experimental basis for clinical prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis by echniops.

GRGM-13 comprising 13 plant and animal products, inhibited oxidative stress induced apoptosis in retinal ganglion cells by inhibiting P2RX7/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of GRGM-13 on oxidative stress induced apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and revealed its possible mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Caspase-3 activity, MDA level, and glutathione peroxidase level were detected by Caspase-3 assay kit, Lipid Peroxidation MDA Assay Kit, and Total Glutathione Peroxidase Assay Kit, respectively. Protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, p-p38 and p38 were observed by Western Blot. Reactive oxygen species assay kit was used to determine intracellular ROS level. Apoptotic cells were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: GRGM-13 inhibited apoptosis of RGCs and ROS level in rat retinal tissue and RGC-5 cells, and the decrease degree strengthened with the increase of GRGM-13 concentration. In addition, ROS upregulated p-p38 expression, while GRGM-13 reversed this effect. We also found that p38 inhibitor SB202190 did not change L-glutamate (Glu) or H2O2-induced ROS level, while SB202190 inhibited apoptosis of RGC-5 cells. Finally, we observed that P2 × 7R agonist BzATP reversed the inhibition effect of GRGM-13 on RGC-5 cell apoptosis, ROS level and p-p38 expression, while si-P2 × 7R inhibited oxidative stress-induced phosphorylation of p38. CONCLUSION: GRGM-13 could inhibit oxidative stress-induced RGCs apoptosis via inhibiting P2RX7/p38 MAPK pathway, which revealed the possible mechanism of GRGM-13 on stress-induced RGCs apoptosis and provided new Chinese medicine for the treatment of glaucoma.

Zhenbao Pill reduces the percentage of Treg cells by inducing HSP27 expression.

CONTEXT: Zhenbao pill containing Nacre, Safflower, Musk and Cornu Bubahas has been proved to have a good therapeutic effect on the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, its complex mechanism of repairing SCI is not yet known. OBJECTIVE: This study attempts to investigate the role of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the mechanism of the action of Zhenbao pill, and further explore the relationship between Tregs and HSP27 expression in repair mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Treatment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 2.5, 5, 10mg/mL) of Zhenbao pill, flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of the specific factors CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ in Tregs, and detection of Tregs related regulatory factor TGF-ß content was performed with ELISA assay. The relationship between miR-214 and HSP27 was assessed by Luciferase assay, and the level of miR-214 was detected by qPCR. The expression of HSP27 was examined with qPCR and western blotting. RNA interference technology and gene recombination were used to inhibit and up-regulate the expression of HSP27. RESULTS: Zhenbao pill with 11.61mg/mL of IC50 for Tregs can significantly inhibit the differentiation into Tregs in human PBMCs and up-regulate by more than 1-fold of HSP27 expression. Essentially, it enhanced the expression of HSP27 by inhibiting miR-214 expression (50%). Inhibition of HSP27 expression, followed by the differentiation into Tregs, was promoted in human PBMCs. When the HSP27 expression was up-regulated, the differentiation into Tregs was decreased by 30%. It indicated that the expression of HSP27 regulated the differentiation into Tregs. Inhibition of HSP27 expression and Zhenbao pill treatment, the differentiation into Tregs was decreased but remained at a higher level than that of the group was only treated with pill. Under the action of Zhenbao pill, the expression of HSP27 was not completely interfered, and its expression level was still increased. CONCLUSIONS: In the process of repairing the SCI, Zhenbao pill inhibits reduces numbers of Treg lymphocytes as well as TGF-ß levels by inducing HSP27 expression.

Ideas, properties, and standards of fracture repositioning with osteopathy in traditional Mongolian medicine in China.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the unique ideas, properties, and standards of fracture repositioning with osteopathy in traditional Mongolian medicine in China. METHODS: Based on the natural life concept of "integration of universe and man", osteopathy in traditional Mongolian medicine in China uses the modern principles and methods of physiology, psychology, and biomechanics. Against this background, we explored the unique ideas, properties, and stan- dards of fracture repositioning in traditional Mongolian medicine. RESULTS: Fracture treatment with osteopathy in traditional Mongolian medicine in China is based on (a) the ideas of natural, sealed, self and dynamic repositioning of fractures; (b) the properties of structural continuity and functional completeness; (c) the standards of "integration of movement and stillness" and "force to force". CONCLUSION: The unique ideas, properties, and standards of fracture repositioning with osteopathy in traditional Mongolian medicine in China have resulted in the widespread use of such techniques and represents the future direction of the development of fracture repositioning.

Comparative Study of Three Traditional Mongolian Medicines on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats.

3 kinds of prescription of Traditional Mongolian (Chinese) Medicine (TMM) have been used in treating diabetic nephropathy (DN). We aimed to investigate: first, which prescription was more effective; second, whether it was more effective when combined with the 3 prescriptions. The DN model was prepared by a single dose of Streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg, i.p.) in rats and treated 3 times every day with P-1 (Sugmul-10), P-2 (Narenmandul-11), P-3 (Xieriga-4) respectively, and combined group was treated with P-1 in the morning, P-2 and P-3 in the evening. The results showed combining with 3 prescriptions in one day was much more effective than each single prescription. The mechanism of renal protection maybe related to MMP-2 and TGF-ß1, the conclusion could be useful and beneficial for clinical medicine.

[Present situation of processing of traditional Mongolian medicine and its normalized suggestion].

The processing technology of traditional Mongolian medicine materials is distinctive, and it is one of the main characteristics of Mongolian pharmacy. Most of Mongolian medicines were used in the raw, but a quarter of medicinal materials need to be produced. Since ancient times, the processing of Mongolian medicine have cooperated with the Mongolian medicine clinical, which plays an important role in improving curative effect of Mongolian medicine and ensuring the safety of the drug. At present, the Mongolian medicines are processed still according to the traditional methods of the ancient literature method which has a lot of problems such as lag in technology, method of diversification, ambiguous indicators and unclear mechanism. Standardization of Mongolian medicine processing was based on traditional Mongolian medicine basic theory, which both projecting the characteristic, inheriting the traditional colleagues and reference to modern medicine, pharmacology, toxicology and other disciplines of knowledge. In this article, the processing situation, existing problem and standardization research of Mongolian medicine were described that providing a reference for the modernization and standardization of Mongolian medicine.

Fracture healing with osteopathy in traditional Mongolian medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the concept and norm of fracture healing with osteopathy in traditional Mongolian medicine (TMM). METHODS: Based on the correspondence between man and the universe (including psychosomatic integration) in fracture healing with osteopathy in TMM, we used modern physio-psychological and biomechanical principles and methods to probe the integrated, dynamic and functional characteristics of fracture healing. RESULTS: Based on the integration of limbs and the body, unification of the body and function and harmony of man and nature (including psychosomatic integration), fracture healing with osteopathy in TMM comprises the concept of natural functional healing of fractures, and follows the norm of considering physiological healing and psychological function as well as limb healing and motor function. CONCLUSION: Fracture healing with osteopathy in TMM is characterized by a lack of trauma without future complications. This therapy makes the concept of fracture healing develop in the direction of humanity, behaviorism and integration.

[Research progress of Mongolian medicine digeda].

Traditional Mongolian medicine Digeda processes a significant importance in clinical therapy with notably actions of heat-clear and detoxication effects. This paper intends to provide comprehensive insight into the species textual research, chemical constituents, qualitative identification, pharmacology and clinical application of Mongolian medicine Digeda to provide valuable data for further studies and the development of clinical applications of these medicinal plants.