Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Heart and Spleen / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Autism spectrum disorder （ASD） is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood， whereas there is no specific medicine at present. There are more and more researches on the treatment of ASD with traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） which the curative effect is reliable. The heart and spleen are the main viscera for the treatment of ASD， but there is still a lack of in-depth analysis of the mechanism of TCM. In order to explore the relationship between the core symptoms of ASD and the heart and spleen， this article specifically explores the theoretical origins of the heart and the spleen in the formation of the core symptoms of ASD， and to clarify the role of the heart and spleen in the occurrence and development of the two core symptoms of ASD from the perspective of TCM. In view of social communication and communication obstacles， the author puts forward and explains the language problems of children with ASD based on the functions of the heart and spleen， the theory of the viscera， the ascription of the meridians， and the classics. The mechanism of the heart and spleen in TCM about the failure of the spleen， the loss of the heart， and the endogenous phlegm. Aiming at the mechanism of the stereotyped symptoms of abnormal behaviors in children with ASD， this paper proposes and explains the TCM mechanism of constant deficiency of the spleen and dereliction of duty， leading to loss of mind， heart and spleen injury， and finally a series of stereotypes and strange syndromes due to lack of spirit. Through the analysis and excavation of TCM theory， it explores theoretical basis for ASD from the theory of heart and spleen， with a view to preliminarily constructing the theoretical framework of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment of the deficiency of both the heart and spleen， and provide theoretical reference for TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment of ASD. The treatment of ASD from the differentiation of symptoms and signs of the heart and spleen is supported by a strong theoretical basis of TCM， and the rationale， law and prescriptions are complete， which may be the direction of screening effective TCM prescriptions for the treatment of ASD in the future.

Effect of baicalin on growth state of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder animal model and its regulation on Ca MKⅡ and ERK1/2 / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of baicalin on the growth state of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder animal model and its regulation on Ca MKⅡand ERK1/2.In the present study,a total of 40 SHR rats were randomly divided into model group,methylphenidate hydrochloride group,and low,medium,and high dose baicalin groups,with 8 rats in each group.Eight WKYrats were selected as a normal control group.The methylphenidate hydrochloride group(0.07 g·L~(-1))and the low(3.33 g·L~(-1)),medium(6.67 g·L~(-1)),and high dose(10 g·L~(-1))baicalin groups received corresponding drugs by gavage administration according to the body weight(0.015 m L·g~(-1)),while the normal group and the model group received the same volume of normal saline by gavage.Thegavage administration lasted for 4 weeks,twice a day.The body weight of the rats and the amount of remaining feed were weighed daily,and the growth state of the rats was statistically evaluated weekly.Percoll density gradient centrifugation was used to prepare brain synaptosomes and an electron microscope was used to observe their structures.The Ca MKⅡand ERK1/2 protein and mRNA expression levels were detected with Western blot and Real-time PCR methods,respectively.RESULTS: showed that baicalin did not affect the normal eating and weight gain of rats,and the weight gain of rats was even more significant than that in the normal group(P<0.05).In the study of its effects on Ca MKⅡand ERK1/2 protein expression in rat synaptosomes,the expression of both proteins in each drug-administered group was higher than that in the model group(P<0.05);besides,the expression levels of Ca MKⅡand ERK1/2 protein were significantly increased in both baicalin high dose group and the methylphenidate hydrochloride group(P<0.05).The relative expression of Ca MKⅡand ERK1/2 mRNA in synaptosome was detected by PCR.The results showed that medium and high doses of baicalin and methylphenidate hydrochloride significantly increased the relative expression of Ca MKⅡand ERK1/2 mRNA in synaptosomes of SHR rats(P<0.05).In conclusion,baicalin does not affect the normal growth and development of SHR rats,so it is safe for administration.Both baicalin and methylphenidate hydrochloride could up-regulate the relative expression of Ca MKⅡand ERK1/2 in mRNA and protein,and the pharmacodynamic stability of baicalin is in a dose-dependent manner to certain extent.

Effect of baicalin on ATPase and LDH and its regulatory effect on the AC/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of baicalin on synaptosomal adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its regulatory effect on the adenylate cyclase (AC)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 40 SHR rats were randomly divided into five groups: ADHD model, methylphenidate hydrochloride treatment (0.07 mg/mL), and low-dose (3.33 mg/mL), medium-dose (6.67 mg/mL), and high-dose (10 mg/mL) baicalin treatment (n=8 each). Eight WKY rats were selected as normal control group. Percoll density gradient centrifugation was used to prepare brain synaptosomes and an electron microscope was used to observe their structure. Colorimetry was used to measure the activities of ATPase and LDH in synaptosomes. ELISA was used to measure the content of AC, cAMP, and PKA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, the ADHD model group had a significant reduction in the ATPase activity, a significant increase in the LDH activity, and significant reductions in the content of AC, cAMP, and PKA (P<0.05). Compared with the ADHD model group, the methylphenidate hydrochloride group and the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups had a significant increase in the ATPase activity (P<0.05), a significant reduction in the LDH activity (P<0.05), and significant increases in the content of AC, cAMP, and PKA (P<0.05). Compared with the methylphenidate hydrochloride group, the high-dose baicalin group had significantly greater changes in these indices (P<0.05). Compared with the low-dose baicalin group, the high-dose baicalin group had a significant increase in the ATPase activity (P<0.05); the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups had a significant reduction in the LDH activity (P<0.05) and significant increases in the content of AC, cAMP, and PKA (P<0.05). Compared with the medium-dose baicalin group, the high-dose baicalin group had a significant increase in the ATPase activity (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both methylphenidate hydrochloride and baicalin can improve synaptosomal ATPase and LDH activities in rats with ADHD. The effect of baicalin is dose-dependent, and high-dose baicalin has a significantly greater effect than methylphenidate hydrochloride. Baicalin exerts its therapeutic effect possibly by upregulating the AC/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.</p>

Effect of baicalin on behavioral characteristics of rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of baicalin on the behavioral characteristics of rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and to provide a basis for further research on baicalin in the treatment of ADHD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 40 SHR rats were randomly divided into model group, methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose baicalin groups, with 8 rats in each group. Eight WKY rats were selected as normal control group. The rats in the MPH group (0.07 mg/mL) and the low- (3.33 mg/mL), medium- (6.67 mg/mL), and high-dose (10 mg/mL) baicalin groups were given the corresponding drugs (1.5 mL/100 g) by gavage twice a day, and those in the normal control group and the model group were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage twice a day. The course of treatment was 4 weeks for all groups. The open field test was performed to observe total moving distance and average moving speed on day 0 of experiment and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after gavage and to evaluate the control effects of drugs on hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. The Morris water maze test was used to observe the latency, time spent in the target quadrant, and number of platform crossings and to evaluate the effects of drugs on attention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The open field test showed that the model group and the drug treatment groups had a significantly longer total moving distance and a significantly higher average moving speed than the normal control group on day 0 (P<0.05). On day 7, the MPH group had significant reductions in total moving distance and average moving speed compared with the model group (P<0.05). On day 14, the MPH group and the high-dose baicalin group had significant reductions in total moving distance and average moving speed compared with the model group (P<0.05). The data on days 21 and 28 showed that compared with the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose baicalin groups had gradual reductions in total moving distance and average moving speed (P<0.05). The water maze test showed that compared with the model group, the MPH group and the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups had a significantly longer time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.05), and the MPH group and the high-dose baicalin group had a significantly higher proportion of the moving distance in the target quadrant in total moving distance (P<0.05). The high-dose baicalin group had the highest number of platform crossings among all groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both baicalin and MPH can regulate the motor ability and learning and memory abilities of SHR rats with ADHD and thus control the core symptoms of ADHD, i.e., hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and inattention. Baicalin exerts its effect in a dose-dependent manner, and high-dose baicalin has the most significant effect, but compared with MPH, it needs a longer time to play its therapeutic effect.</p>