Effect of fire needling on imiquimod induced psoriasis-like lesion and STAT3 pathway in mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of fire needling on psoriasis-like lesion and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway in mice and compare the therapeutic effect between different interventions of fire needling therapy (surrounding technique of fire needling, fire needling at "Dazhui" [GV 14] and "Zusanli" [ST 36]).@*METHODS@#Thirty male BALB/c mice were randomized into a blank group, a model group, a dexamthasone group, a surrounding technique group and an acupoint group, 6 mice in each one. Except the blank group, the mice in the rest groups were established as psoriasis-like lesion model by topical application with imiquimod cream, once daily, consecutively for 8 days. From day 4 to day 8, in the dexamthasone group, gastric infusion with 0.2 mL dexamthasone was administered, once daily. On day 4, 6 and 8, in the surrounding technique group, fire needling was exerted around the skin lesion; and fire needling was applied to "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the acupoint group, once a day. The changes in skin lesion on the dorsal parts of mice were observed in each group to score the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Using HE staining, the dermal morphological changes and epidermal thickness were observed in the mice of each group. The positive expression of proliferating cell-associated antigen Ki-67 was determined by immunofluorescence. Immunohistochemistry method was used to determine the expressions of , and T cells of skin tissue in each group. Using real-time PCR, the expressions of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-22, tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) mRNA were determined. Western blot method was adopted to determine the protein expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 in skin tissue in each group.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank group, the scores of each item and the total scores of PASI, as well as the epidermal thickness were all increased in the mice of the model group (P<0.01). Except for the erythema scores of the dexamethasone group and the surrounding technique group, the scores of each item and the total scores of PASI, as well as the epidermal thickness were all decreased in each intervention group as compared with the model group (P<0.01). The infiltration scores and the total scores in the dexamethasone group and the acupoint group were lower than those in the surrounding technique group respectively (P<0.01, P<0.05). In comparison with the blank group, Ki-67 positive cell numbers and the numbers of , and T cells in skin tissue were increased in the mice of the model group (P<0.01). Ki-67 positive cell numbers and the numbers of , and T cells were reduced in each intervention group as compared with the model group (P<0.01), and the numbers of and T cells in the acupoint group were less than the surrounding technique group (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the mRNA expressions of IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α and the ratio of p-STAT3 to STAT3 were all increased in the model group (P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α and the ratio of p-STAT3 to STAT3 were all decreased in each intervention group as compared with the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α in the acupoint group, as well as mRNA expression of IL-17 in the surrounding technique group were all lower than the dexamethasone group (P<0.01), while, the mRNA expression of IL-22 in the acupoint group was lower than the surrounding technique group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Fire needling therapy improves skin lesion severity in imiquimod induced psoriasis-like lesion of the mice, which is probably related to the inhibition of STAT3 pathway activation and the decrease of Th17 inflammatory factors expression. The systemic regulation of fire needling at "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) is superior to the local treatment.

Effect of moxibustion on skin lesions and immune inflammatory response in psoriasis mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of moxibustion on skin lesions and immune inflammatory response in psoriasis mice, and to explore the possible mechanism of moxibustion for psoriasis.@*METHODS@#A total of 32 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group and a medication group, 8 mice in each group. Psoriasis model was induced by applying 5% imiquimod cream on the back for 7 days in the model group, the moxibustion group and the medication group. At the same time of model establishment, the moxibustion group was treated with suspension moxibustion on skin lesions on the back, 20 min each time, once a day; the medication group was treated with 1 mg/kg methotrexate tablet solution by gavage, once a day. Both groups were intervened for 7 days. The daily changes of skin lesions were observed, and the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was evaluated; the histopathological changes of skin lesions were observed by HE staining; the positive expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and T lymphocyte surface marker CD3 were detected by immunohistochemistry; the expression level of serum interleukin (IL) -17A was detected by ELISA, and the relative expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in skin lesions were detected by real-time PCR.@*RESULTS@#The increased and hypertrophy scale, dry skin, red and swollen epidermis and obvious infiltration were observed in the model group, and each score and total score of PASI were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01). The scale score, infiltration score, and total score of PASI in the moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.01); the infiltration score and total score of PASI in the medication group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group was obvious, and the thickness of epidermal layer was increased compared with that in the normal group (P<0.01); the inflammatory cell infiltration and Munro micro abscess were decreased in the moxibustion group and the medication group, and the thickness of epidermal layer was decreased compared with that in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the positive cell number of PCNA and T was increased (P<0.01), and the body mass was decreased, and the spleen index was increased (P<0.01), and the expression of serum IL-17A and the relative expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the skin lesions was increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the positive cell number of PCNA and T was reduced (P<0.01), and the spleen index and the relative expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA were reduced (P<0.01) in the moxibustion group and the medication group; the body mass of mice in the moxibustion group was higher than that in the model group (P<0.01); the content of serum IL-17A in the medication group was lower than that in the model group (P<0.01); the relative expression of TNF-α, IL-1β mRNA in the moxibustion group was higher than that in the medication group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion could effectively improve the scale and infiltration of skin lesions in psoriasis mice. Its mechanism may be related to inhibiting inflammatory response and regulating immunity.

Moxibustion on plaque psoriasis of blood stasis: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the short-term and long-term effects of moxibustion on plaque psoriasis of blood stasis, and to compare the curative effect between moxibustion and calcipotriol ointment.@*METHODS@#A total of 80 patients with plaque psoriasis of blood stasis were randomly divided into an observation group (40 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (40 cases, 4 cases dropped off). Both groups were given routine medical vaseline topical emollient basic treatment. In the observation group, moxibustion was applied to @*RESULTS@#After treatment, the PASI scores in the both groups were lower than before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Both moxibustion and calcipotriol ointment have good short-term effects on plaque psoriasis of blood stasis. Moxibustion has more advantages in reducing the recurrence rate of psoriasis, improving the main clinical symptoms of TCM and quality of life.

Regulatory Effect of Yangxue Jiedu Decoction on Tight Junction of Keratinocytes in Psoriasis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To observe the expressions of tight junction proteins (claduin-1, claudin-7 occludin)of psoriasis-like lesions in mice, and clarify the effect of Yangxue Jiedu decoction on the epidermal barrier of psoriasis, so as to provide scientific basis for the treatment of psoriasis with Yangxue Jiedu decoction. Method::C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, methotrexate group and Yangxue Jiedu decoction.Methotrexate solution and water decoction of Yangxue Jiedu decoction were prepared, and the mice were given imiquimot to induce psoriasis-skin lesions after the hair was shaved.Daily photos were taken to record the forms of skin lesions and psoriasis area and severity index(PASI) scores.Water and oil test pens were used to detect skin moisture content. The pathological changes were observed by htoxylin eosin (HE) staining, and the epidermal thickness was measured.Ki67 was detected by immunofluorescence. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of loricrin, CD3+ T lymphocyte infiltration and claduin-1, claudin-7, occludin.In addition, the expressions of claudin-7 and occludin in skin lesions were detected by Western blot.Meanwhile, interleukin-17(IL-17) (1 mg·L-1) was used to simulate the microenvironment of psoriasis skin lesions, and the intervention was conducted by making Yangxue component, Jiedu component and Yangxue Jiedu dry powder.The toxicity of the drug on Hacat cells was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method.The effect of the drugs on the expressions of claudin-1, claudin-7, occludin in Hacat was detected by immunofluorescence assay. Result::Yangxue Jiedu decoction could significantly reduce the psoriasis skin lesions in mice, and reduce the PASI score and skin thickness (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the skin moisture content in the lesion was increased (P<0.01). Abnormal expressions of ki67 and loricrin in epidermis and infiltration of CD3+ T cells were reduced (P<0.01). In addition, the expressions of claudin-1, claudin-7, occludin proteins (P<0.05), and the integrity of the tight junction structure were increased.In vitro studies, compared with the model group, the expressions of claudin-1, claudin-7, and occludin in the Yangxue Jiedu group and Yangxue group were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, there was no statistically significant difference in protein expression in the Jiedu group. Conclusion::By regulating the expressions of tight junction proteins between keratinocytes, Yangxue Jiedu decoction can inhibit the abnormal proliferation and differentiation, and further restore the broken epidermal barrier.Yangxue Jiedu decoction plays a role in regulating tight junction mainly through Yangxue component.

Investigation of Molecular Mechanism of Yangxue Antai Fang in Improving Prethrombolic State of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion Based on Integrated Pharmacology Techniques / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To predict the potential molecular mechanism of Yangxue Antai Fang in treating prethrombolic state of recurrent spontaneous abortion （RSA-PTS）. Method:The chemical constituents and drug targets of Yangxue Antai Fang were collected by Integrated Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCMIP V2.0）. RSA-PTS disease target information was collected by TCMIP V2.0 and improved by Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM） database. The interaction of these targets was analyzed and key target network was constructed. Gene ontology （GO） function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis were further performed. Finally， Cytoscape 3.5.1 was used to build up a multidimensional network of TCM-ingredient-target-pathway. The levels of absorption， distribution， metabolism， excretion and toxicity （ADMET） of the main components in the network were analyzed. Result:A total of 310 chemical constituents and 975 targets were collected from 8 TCMs in Yangxue Antai Fang. A total of 143 targets of RSA-PTS were obtained. A total of 243 core targets were obtained by the interrelationship analysis of drug and disease targets. The analysis of the top 100 core targets showed that these targets might participate in treating RSA-PTS by affecting biological processes related to thrombosis， such as blood coagulation， platelet activation， positive regulation of angiogenesis and so on. Pathway analysis showed that these targets were mainly concentrated in complement and coagulation cascades， platelet activation， estrogen signaling pathway， thyroid hormone signaling pathway， etc. Multidimensional network analysis in combination with ADMET level showed that 14 components （leonurine， paeonol， vanillin， and so on） may play a therapeutic role in RSA-PTS by affecting coagulation factors Ⅱ （F2）， plasminogen （PLG） and estrogen receptor 1 （ESR1） proteins involved in complement and coagulation cascades， platelet activation， thyroid hormone signaling pathway and others. Conclusion:The main chemical constituents in Yangxue Antai Fang may improve RSA-PTS by regulating complement and coagulation cascades， blood coagulation， platelet activation and other biological processes.

Arsenic trioxide regulates the production and activities of matrix metalloproteinases-1, -2, and -9 in fibroblasts and THP-1 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The elevated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity is an important cause of chronic wound healing failure. Arsenolite, whose main component is arsenic trioxide (As2O3), is a common traditional Chinese medicine wildly used in treating chronic wounds; it can remove necrotic tissue and promote tissue regeneration. This research was designed to evaluate the effects of As2O3 on production and activities of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9, and on regulation of its signal transduction pathway in human skin fibroblasts (HSFb) and human monocyte line (THP-1 cells) that were in an inflammatory state.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We established three cell models; HSFb activated by TNF-α, THP-1 cells activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and an HSFb-THP-1 co-culture system. Three cell models was cultured with As2O3 for 24 hours. The levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TNF-α and IL-1β in the cell culture supernatants were assayed by ELISA. The mRNA expressions of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were determined by RT-PCR. The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were tested by Gelatin zymography assays. The phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and p38MAPK were assayed by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As2O3 inhibited the expression of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA, the secretion and activity of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in HSFb and THP-1 cells in the inflammatory state (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). It also inhibited the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β in THP-1 cells and in the co-culture system (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). It also decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in HSFb and THP-1 cells (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>As2O3, as a main component of arsenolite, can inhibit the production of MMPs by HSFb and THP-1 cells in an inflammatory state through inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors and the activation of the MAPK cascade pathway. This may be a possible mechanism for arsenolite healing chronic wounds.</p>

Effects of cinnamyl aldehyde on cell cycle and relafeol proteins expression in NIH3T3 cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Cinnamyl aldehyde (CA) on NIH3T3 cell cycle and explore the possible mechanism further.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Flowcytometry was used for observing cell cycle distribution. Expressions of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Cyclin D1 protein in NIH3T3 cells were assessed by immunocytochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After culture with CA for 24 hours, the percentage of populations of S phase was enhanced by 3% (P < 0.05) and cell proliferation index (PrI, S + G2/M) was increased by 3.5% (P < 0.01) , but G2/M phase had no obvious changes. The expressions of Cyclin D1 and PCNA proteins were improved markly by CA compared with controlgroup (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CA could promote more cells in G0/G1 phase into S phase, which may be related to the regulation of the expressions of PCNA and Cyclin D1.</p>

Effects of shenmai injection on lipid peroxidation in the lung following with ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R) injury of limb / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the effects of shenmai (Chinese transitional medicine) injection on lipid peroxidation in the lung following with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of limb.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The models of I/R injury of limb were constructed in rabbits. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in into and out-flowing pulmonary blood (IPB, OPB) and lung tissue were measured, as well as the effects of shenmai injection were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with sham group, the activity of SOD in IPB, OPB and lung tissue were decreased, and the content of MDA was increased after 4 h ischemia followed by 4 h reperfusion. SOD increased and MDA decreased significantly by icy shenmai injection 30 min before reperfusion. The correlation analysis indicated that MDA was negatively correlated with SOD .</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oxygen free radicals metabolic confusion of lung occurred in the course of I/R, shenmai injection can alleviate lipid peroxidation, get rid of free radicals and inhibit the damage of lung.</p>