Caries prevention mechanism of the Xinjiang Mori Cortex based on network pharmacology and its effect on the main cariogenic bacteria / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To investigate the potential caries prevention mechanism of the Xinjiang Mori cortex and to analyze its effect on the main cariogenic bacteria.@*Methods@#The active components of the Xinjiang Mori cortex and the main targets were predicted and screened using the TCMSP database. The GeneCards, DisGENET and TTD databases were used to obtain caries-related targets. The common targets were derived, and core genes were screened. The enrichment analysis was performed using the DAVID data platform. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock software. In in vitro antibacterial experiments, first, the 50% minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the Xinjiang Mori Cortex extract against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and Actinomyces viscosus were determined and the growth curves were measured. The effects of the Xinjiang Mori Cortex extract on acid production, polysaccharide production and adhesion ability of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and Actinomyces viscosus in the planktonic state were determined. The 50% minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC50) and 50% minimum biofilm reduction concentration (MBRC50) were determined by crystal violet staining, and biofilm morphology was visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).@*Results@#The main active components of the Xinjiang Mori cortex included quercetin, kaempferol, and β-sitosterol. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) could be the most important targets of the Xinjiang Mori cortex for the prevention of dental caries. The enrichment analysis results showed that Mori cortex extract may have effects on the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway. The antibacterial experiment results showed that the MIC50 values of Xinjiang Mori Cortex extract against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and Actinomyces viscosus were 0.5, 0.5 and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively, and the MBCs were 4.0, 2.0 and 1.0 mg/mL, respectively. The inhibitory effect of Xinjiang Mori Cortex extract on the acid production, polysaccharide production and adhesion ability of three major cariogenic bacteria in the planktonic state was stronger than that of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The MBIC50 was 1.0, 1.0, and 0.5 mg/mL, and the MBRC50 was 4.0, 4.0, and 2.0 mg/mL. SEM observation showed that the amount of biofilm formation decreased with the drug concentration compared with the control group.@*Conclusion@#Xinjiang Mori cortex extract can prevent caries through quercetin, kaempferol, and β-sitosterol active ingredients, TNF、IL-6、IL-1β key targets and multiple pathways and inhibit the growth, acid production, polysaccharide production, and adhesion ability of three major cariogenic bacteria in the planktonic state and has some inhibitory effect on corticogenic biofilm formation.

Cultivo e uso racional de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos / Cultivation and rational use of medicinal and herbal plants / Cultivo y uso racional de plantas medicinales y herbáceas

A utilização de plantas medicinais como alternativa terapêutica vem atingindo um público cada vez maior. Assim, os fitoterápicos podem atuar como forma opcional de terapêutica levando em consideração o menor custo, e cujos benefícios se somam aos da terapia convencional. Com isso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi enfatizar a importância do cultivo e do uso racional de medicamentos fitoterápicos e plantas medicinais. Para tanto, foram incluídos artigos em português e inglês inseridos no banco de dados: Scielo, Google acadêmico, além de revistas eletrônicas, livros com embasamento científico de referência e base de dados do Ministério da Saúde entre os anos de 2018 a 2022. As plantas medicinais e os medicamentos fitoterápicos podem provocar efeitos adversos, interferir no efeito de medicamentos utilizados concomitantemente, além da possibilidade de causar intoxicações pela presença de contaminantes em produtos de baixa qualidade. Para a produção de bioativos, em níveis quali e quantitativamente adequados, o cultivo das plantas medicinais deve ser cuidadosamente realizado, através de técnicas adequadas para preservação do solo e plantio são essenciais, como a utilização de adubos verdes e a cobertura vegetal, que além de protegerem o solo da radiação solar, prevenir a evaporação excessiva da água e melhorar as características físicas, químicas e biológicas do sol. Esses critérios influenciam a qualidade do fitoterápico, portanto a fim de garantir a eficácia terapêutica, as plantas devem ser corretamente cultivadas, coletadas, identificadas e conservadas. Sendo assim, conclui-se que a utilização de plantas medicinais para tratamentos tem sido cada vez mais indicada pelos profissionais da saúde, ressaltando a importância do uso seguro e racional, com alerta para as suas consequências.

The use of medicinal plants as a therapeutic alternative has been reaching a growing public. Thus, herbal medicines can act as an optional form of therapy taking into account the lowest cost, and whose benefits are added to those of conventional therapy. Thus, the objective of this work was to emphasize the importance of the cultivation and rational use of herbal medicines and medicinal plants. To this end, articles in Portuguese and English inserted in the database: Scielo, Google academic, in addition to electronic journals, books with scientific reference base and database of the Ministry of Health between the years 2018 to 2022 were included. herbal medicines can cause adverse effects, interfere with the effect of medicines used concomitantly, in addition to the possibility of causing poisoning due to the presence of contaminants in low-quality products. For the production of bioactives, at qualitatively and quantitatively appropriate levels, the cultivation of medicinal plants must be carefully carried out, through techniques cultivated for soil preservation and planting are essential, such as the use of green manures and vegetation cover, which in addition to protect the soil from solar radiation, prevent excessive water evaporation and improve the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the sun. These criteria influence the quality of the herbal medicine, therefore, in order to guarantee therapeutic efficacy, as the plants must be correctly cultivated, collected, identified and conserved. Therefore, it is concluded that the use of medicinal plants for treatments has been increasingly indicated by health professionals, emphasizing the importance of safe and rational use, with an alert to its consequences.

El uso de plantas medicinales como alternativa terapéutica ha ido alcanzando un público cada vez más amplio. Así, las plantas medicinales pueden actuar como una forma opcional de terapia teniendo en cuenta el menor coste, y cuyos beneficios se suman a los de la terapia convencional. Así, el objetivo de este trabajo fue destacar la importancia del cultivo y uso racional de las hierbas medicinales y plantas medicinales. Para ello, los artículos en portugués e Inglés insertados en la base de datos: Scielo, Google académico, además de revistas electrónicas, libros con base de referencia científica y base de datos del Ministerio de Salud entre los años 2018 a 2022 fueron incluidos. medicamentos a base de hierbas pueden causar efectos adversos, interferir con el efecto de los medicamentos utilizados concomitantemente, además de la posibilidad de causar intoxicación debido a la presencia de contaminantes en productos de baja calidad. Para la producción de bioactivos, en niveles cualitativa y cuantitativamente adecuados, el cultivo de plantas medicinales debe ser realizado cuidadosamente, siendo esenciales técnicas de preservación del suelo y de plantación, como el uso de abonos verdes y cobertura vegetal, que además de proteger el suelo de la radiación solar, evitan la evaporación excesiva del agua y mejoran las características físicas, químicas y biológicas del sol. Estos criterios influyen en la calidad de la fitoterapia, por lo que, para garantizar la eficacia terapéutica, las plantas deben cultivarse, recolectarse, identificarse y conservarse correctamente. Por lo tanto, se concluye que el uso de plantas medicinales para tratamientos ha sido cada vez más indicado por los profesionales de la salud, enfatizando la importancia del uso seguro y racional, con alerta a sus consecuencias.

Natural Medicinal Components Mediating Pyroptosis by GSDMs in Anti-tumor Therapy： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Pyroptosis， an atypical new cell death mode other than apoptosis and necrosis， has been discovered in recent years. Pyroptosis depends on the cleavage of gasdermins （GSDMs） by Caspases. The activated GSDMs act on the plasma membrane to form a perforation， which results in cell lysis and triggers inflammation and immune response. Pyroptosis can be induced by four distinct signaling pathways， including canonical and non-canonical inflammasome pathways， apoptosis-associated Caspases-mediated pathway， and granzyme pathway. In these signaling pathways， GSDMs are the executors of pyroptosis. Pyroptosis is associated with the death of tumor cells and the inflammatory damage of normal tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated that moderate pyroptosis can lead to tumor cell death to exert an anti-tumor effect， and meanwhile stimulate the tumor immune microenvironment， while it can promote tumor development. Despite the good performance， drug-based anti-tumor therapies such as tumor immunotherapy， chemotherapy， and targeted therapy have some shortcomings such as drug resistance， recurrence， and damage to normal tissues. The latest research shows that a variety of natural compounds have anti-tumor effects in the auxiliary treatment of tumors by mediating the pyroptosis pathways in a multi-target and multi-pathway manner， which provide new ideas for the study of anti-tumor therapy. We reviewed the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis and the regulatory role of pyroptosis in tumors and tumor immune microenvironment， and summarized the recent research progress in the natural medicinal components regulating pyroptosis in anti-tumor therapy， with a view to providing ideas for the research on the anti-tumor therapy based on pyroptosis.

Uso de la medicina natural por profesionales en el primer nivel de atención de salud

Introducción: La medicina natural surge como la alternativa más eficaz y por su evidente resultado en la calidad de vida de las personas. Objetivo: Describir el nivel de utilización de la Medicina Natural por parte de los profesionales de la salud. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo retrospectivo. El universo estuvo constituido por 44 profesionales de la salud de varias categorías, durante el período de estudio, los cuales cumplían con los criterios de inclusión. Se utilizaron variables cualitativas y cuantitativas. Resultados: El 64 % de los profesionales declararon utilizar la Medicina Natural y Tradicional en todo momento del tratamiento, la modalidad más utilizada fue la fitoterapia con el 51 % por parte de los estomatólogos, el 75 % de los profesionales utilizaron los fitofármacos como única opción terapéutica para el tratamiento de las diferentes enfermedades; reconocieron plantas como: la caña santa, naranja agria, ajo y caléndula en enfermedades como: la hipertensión arterial, infecciones respiratorias, trastornos circulatorios y estomatitis. El 84 % de los profesionales de las categorías médicos, estomatólogos, enfermeras y licenciados obtuvieron los conocimientos durante su formación profesional. Conclusiones: Existe poco aprovechamiento de las diferentes modalidades terapéuticas y sus propiedades como tratamiento médico.

Introduction: Natural medicine is an effective alternative in the medical treatment of various diseases. Objective: To describe the level of use of natural medicine by health professionals. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive and observational study was carried out. The study universe consisted of 44 health professionals of various categories, who met the inclusion criteria. Qualitative and quantitative variables were used. Results: 64 % of the professionals reported using natural medicine at all times of treatment. The most used modality was phytotherapy, accounting for 51 % for the dental doctors. 75 % of the professionals used phytopharmaceuticals as the only therapeutic option for treating different diseases. They recognized the use of plants such as lemon grass, bitter orange, garlic and marigold for treating arterial hypertension, respiratory infections, circulatory disorders and stomatitis. 84 % of the professionals in the categories of physicians, dental doctors, nurses and graduates obtained the knowledge during their professional training. Conclusions: There is little use of the different therapeutic modalities and properties of natural medicine as medical treatment.

Medio de enseñanza virtual sobre acupuntura con anatomía regional para internado vertical de Medicina Natural y Tradicional / Virtual teaching aid on acupuncture with regional anatomy for vertical internship of Natural and Traditional Medicine

RESUMEN Introducción: el uso de tecnologías de la información y la comunicación se ha generalizado en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje para facilitar la continuidad de estudios en educandos universitarios, debido a la situación epidemiológica mundial. La medicina natural y tradicional constituye un pilar fundamental para el ejercicio de la práctica clínica, de ahí la necesidad del desarrollo de su internado vertical. Objetivo: diseñar un medio de enseñanza para el aprendizaje de la acupuntura y digitopuntura por los estudiantes del internado vertical. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal, de desarrollo tecnológico, en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas, entre septiembre de 2021 y febrero de 2022. Se llevó a cabo el diseño y validación sobre una propuesta de medio de enseñanza digital para el internado vertical. Resultados: se trabajó de manera conjunta con áreas básicas clínicas, para dar salida al módulo de Acupuntura en el internado vertical de Medicina Natural y Tradicional, con el empleo de la anatomía humana. Se diseñó un medio de enseñanza al utilizar gráficos e información virtual, que fueron calificados de muy adecuados, tanto en pertinencia como en utilidad. Conclusiones: se confeccionó un medio de enseñanza que permite al estudiante del internado vertical de la carrera de Medicina, interactuar con los contenidos de Anatomía Humana y la Medicina Natural y Tradicional.

ABSTRACT Introduction: the use of information and communication technologies has become widespread in the teaching-learning process to facilitate the continuity of studies in university students, due to the global epidemiological situation. Natural and traditional medicine is a fundamental pillar for the exercise of clinical practice, hence the need for the development of its vertical internship. Objective: to design a teaching aid for the students of the vertical internship to learn acupuncture and digitopuncture. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study of technological development was conducted at the Medical Sciences University of Matanzas, between September 2021 and February 2022. The design and validation on a proposal of digital teaching aid for the vertical internship was carried out. Results: the Acupuncture module was elaborated together with basic clinical areas for the vertical internship of Natural and Traditional Medicine, with the use of human anatomy. A teaching aid was designed using graphics and virtual information, which were qualified as very adequate, both in relevance and usefulness. Conclusions: a teaching aid was created that allows the student of the vertical internship of the Medicine studies to interact with the contents of Human Anatomy and Natural and Traditional Medicine.

A study on causes of chronic kidney disease in patients withoutdiabetes mellitus and systemic hypertension in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Chronic kidney diseaseis an increasing health problem worldwide Thus apart from the well-established risk factors for CKD such as diabetes and systemic hypertension, the possibility that environmental, demographic, and various other risk factors an influence in developing chronic kidney disease has been assessed in several studies. Hence, the present study aimed to study the clinical and laboratory profile of chronic kidney disease in non-diabetic and non-hypertensive patients Methods: The study was enrolled 100 patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease without diabetes and systemic hypertension in the department of general medicine and department of nephrology in a tertiary care hospital, Pondicherry for 1 year. The baseline data such as socioeconomic status, history of self-consumption of natural medicine and NSAIDs, their occupations, location of their living place, and routine laboratory parameters were collected and analysed. Results: The socioeconomic status of the present study revealed that upper lower class was thepredominant status and the majority of the patients were housewives and farmers. 38% of the patients were exposed to insecticides that were associated with CKD (p=0.0327). 40% of the study population was victims of NSAID consumers (p=0.0236). 42% was consumed natural medication on their own for their illness 46 without any consultation (p=0.0324). The patients came from Cuddalore predominantly (22%). Conclusions: Insecticide exposure, self-consumption of NSAIDs, and natural medicine are the main causes that progress to CKD in the present study.

In vitro study of the effects of honeysuckle on Streptococcus mutans UA159 / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@# To investigate the inhibitory effect of honeysuckle on Streptococcus mutans UA159 in vitro.@*Methods@# We used a double-dilution method to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of honeysuckle against Streptococcus mutans UA159. Lonicerae lonicerae powder was dissolved in the solvent DMSO, different concentrations of liquid medicine were prepared, and bacterial liquid was added. The solution control group and bacterial liquid control group were set at the same time. The growth and acid production of UA159 were determined using antibacterial experiments. A growth curve and acid production curves were drawn, and the adhesion rate and adhesion inhibition rate were calculated. The effect of honeysuckle on the formation of Streptococcus mutans UA159 was determined by crystal violet quantification, and a microscope and a scanning electron microscope were used to observe biofilm formation and structural changes.@* Results @# The MIC of honeysuckle against Streptococcus mutans UA159 was 12.5 mg/mL. The bacteriostatic experiments showed a difference in the growth, acid production and adhesion of UA159 after honeysuckle treatment (P<0.05) compared with the controls, and the inhibitory effect increased as the drug liquid concentration increased. Crystal violet quantification showed a significant difference in biofilm formation between the pharmaceutical liquid group and the control group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the forward microscope showed a significant decrease in biofilm formation. Under SEM, the number of bacteria decreased significantly at 0, 6 and 12 h after honeysuckle addition. @*Conclusion @# Honeysuckle inhibits the growth and acid production of UA159 and inhibits adhesion and the formation of biofilms.

Desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry in the analysis of natural medicines / 药学学报

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) is a newly emerging in-situ ionization mass spectrometry analysis technology. The ionization process occurs in an open ambient environment at atmospheric pressure, and has the characteristics of simple sample pretreatment, quick and sensitive analysis, and is widely used in biomedicine, pharmaceutical analysis, food safety, environmental monitoring, and material characterization. Natural medicines, such as Chinese herbal medicines, contain a variety of chemical components. Extraction, separation, identification, and in vitro and in vivo efficacy evaluation of natural medicines, especially research on active ingredients with significant efficacy, have received long-term attention. The development of DESI-MS technology provides many new opportunities for direct and rapid analysis of active ingredients in natural medicines. This article briefly introduces the principles, characteristics, influencing factors, and technical progress of DESI-MS technology, and systematically summarizes progress in the research and application of this technology to natural medicines such as Chinese herbal medicines and other plant samples with pharmacological activity. The future application prospects in this field are further presented.

Metabolism characteristics and pharmacological insights of flavonoids based on the intestinal bacteria / 药学学报

The gut microbiota takes part in many in vivo important physiological activities of host, such as the substance metabolism and energy exchange, etc. The interaction between the host and the intestinal microorganisms has attracted scholars' attention. Flavonoids are a group of polyphenol compounds widely found in natural plants, with the bioactive effect of regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, anti-inflammation. However, their low bioavailability cause difficulty to clarify the effective substances and the mechanism of flavonoids. Apart from the metabolic effects of liver on flavonoids, recent studies have shown that the gut microbiota can interact with flavonoids. On the one hand, flavonoids can be metabolized by gut microbiota and subsequent metabolites can produce pharmacological activities different from the parent components. On the other hand, flavonoids and their metabolites can in turn regulate the composition and physiological activities of the intestinal flora, which seems to provide a new insight for the research on the effective substances of flavonoids. In this review, we introduced the metabolic characteristics of flavonoids under the actions of intestinal bacteria, and the regulation effects of flavonoids on gut microbiota was also summarized. Meanwhile, the therapeutic effect of flavonoids under the action of intestinal bacteria was discussed.

Therapeutic prospect of tetrandrine against SARS-CoV-2 based on its pulmonary pharmacology and exposure character / 药学学报

As the main active compound of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore, tetrandrine (TET) has been used to treat silicosis for nearly 50 years. TET has clear therapeutic effect on pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. A recent study suggests that TET may inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 by blocking the two-pore channel 2 (TPC2), revealing its potential as a natural medicine to treat COVID-19. To explore the material basis of TET targeting lung efficacy and its potential toxicity, available literatures related to the pharmacological activity on pulmonary, dosage, toxicity and pharmacokinetics of TET are systemically reviewed. The prospect and current problems of TET to be a therapeutic agent for COVID-19 are further investigated on this basis.

Inhibitory effect of baicalin on Streptococcus mutans UA159 in vitro / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @# To investigate the inhibitory effect of baicalin on Streptococcus mutans UA159 in vitro.@*Methods @#The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of baicalin on Streptococcus mutans UA159 was determined by the liquid multiple dilution method combined with the OD600 value measured by microplate. The OD600 value of Streptococcus mutans UA159 in different concentrations of baicalin was measured by an enzyme mapping instrument. A growth curve was drawn, and the adhesion rate and adhesion inhibition rate were calculated. The effect of baicalin on the formation of Streptococcus mutans UA159 biofilms was observed by the crystal violet quantitative method and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of baicalin on the total number of Streptococcus mutans UA159 bacteria was observed by scanning electron microscopy.@*Results@#The MIC of baicalin on Streptococcus mutans UA159 was 12 mg/mL. With increasing baicalin concentration, the growth rate of Streptococcus mutans UA159 was slowed, the adhesion rate of Streptococcus mutans UA159 decreased and the adhesion inhibition rate increased（P < 0.05）. The results of crystal violet quantitative method showed that compared with the bacterial control group, the biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans UA159 was significantly reduced after adding baicalin at 0 h, 6 h and 12 h (P < 0.001). Under a scanning electron microscope, the total number of bacteria decreased significantly after adding baicalin at 0 h, 6 h and 12 h.@*Conclusion@# baicalin ; natural medicine ; Streptococcus mutans UA159 ; caries ; minimum inhibitory concentration ; growth curve ; adhesion rate ; adhesion inhibition rate ; biofilm formation ; in vitro study

Natural medicinal ingredients induce tumor ferroptosis and related mechanisms / 浙江大学学报·医学版

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent programmed cell death characterized by reactive oxygen species-induced lipid peroxide accumulation, which is different from cell apoptosis, pyroptosis, necrosis or autophagy. Ferroptosis plays an important role in the regulation of tumorigenesis and tumor development. Recent studies have shown that natural medicinal ingredients can induce ferroptosis in tumor cells through glutathione (GSH)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) pathway, iron metabolism, lipid metabolism or other mechanisms. It has been reported that more than 30 natural medicinal ingredients can induce ferroptosis in tumor cells with multiple pathways and multiple targets. This article reviews the current research progress on the antitumor effects of natural medicinal ingredients through inducing cell ferroptosis.

Research progress on protective effect of traditional Chinese medicine and natural medicine on methotrexate-induced liver toxicity / 中国中药杂志

Methotrexate(MTX) is a commonly used antimetabolite, which can be used in the treatment of a variety of diseases. However, hepatotoxicity in the use of MTX severely limits its clinical use. Therefore, how to prevent and treat hepatotoxicity of MTX has become an urgent clinical problem. This paper summarizes and analyzes relevant literatures on the prevention and treatment of hepa-totoxicity caused by MTX with traditional Chinese medicines and natural medicines in recent years. MTX-induced hepatotoxicity mechanisms include folate pathway, oxidative stress damage and adenosine pathway, of which oxidative stress theory is the main research direction. A total of 14 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine and natural medicine extracts including white peony root, and 21 kinds of natural monomer compounds, including berberine, play an anti-MTX-induced hepatotoxic effect by resisting oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation and regulating signal pathways. According to current studies on the prevention and treatment of hepatotoxicity induced by MTX with traditional Chinese medicines and natural medicines, there are insufficiencies, such as partial and superficial mechanism studies, inadequate combination of experimental research and clinical practice, non-standard experimental design and lack of application of advanced technologies and methods. This paper systematically reviewed the effects and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines and natural medicines against hepatotoxicity induced by MTX and defined current studies and deficiencies, in the expectation of proposing new study strategies and directions and providing scientific basis for rational clinical use of MTX and development of new drugs against MTX hepatotoxicity.

Pathogenesis of NASH and Promising Natural Products / 中国天然药物

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common clinical condition that can lead to advanced liver diseases. The mechanism of the diaease progression, which is lacking effective therapy, remains obsure. Therefore, there is a need to understand the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for disease development and progression in order to develop innovative therapies. To accomplish this goal, experimental animal models that recapitulate the human disease are necessary. Currently, an increasing number of studies have focused on natural constituents from medicinal plants which have been emerged as a new hope for NASH. This review summarized the pathogenesis of NASH, animal models commonly used, and the promising targets for therapeutics. We also reviewed the natural constituents as potential NASH therapeutic agents.

Effects of Citrullus colocynthis L. in a rat model of diabetic neuropathy / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#This study investigated the biochemical, histopathological and physiological effects of Citrullus colocynthis on peripheral neuropathy in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes.@*METHODS@#Seventy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were included in the present study. Diabetes was induced in 60 rats, with a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (65 mg/kg). After 4 weeks, the diabetic rats were assessed for neuropathy. Then, the diabetic rats with neuropathy were randomly divided into 6 groups for a 4-week treatment with gabapentin, oral administration of C. colocynthis fruit pulp powder (100 and 300 mg/kg per day), topical preparations as oil-based solution and ointment, or placebo. Changes in metabolic, physiological, biochemical and histological parameters were considered as treatment outcomes.@*RESULTS@#Metabolic outcomes (body weight and blood glucose level) were improved in the C. colocynthis-treated groups as compared to placebo. Tail-flick and hot-plate tests also had lower latency in the C. colocynthis-treated groups. Measurement of oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and catalase) showed the antioxidant effect of C. colocynthis. Histological evaluation of the sciatic nerve showed that C. colocynthis decreased the number of demyelinated and degenerated nerve fibers. Among the C. colocynthis-treated groups, the one receiving 100 mg/kg power per day orally had the best treatment outcomes.@*CONCLUSION@#The present study showed that C. colocynthis fruit, through its antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities, has a positive effect in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

Research progress on epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the prevention and treatment of oral cancer / 口腔疾病防治

@#Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and other functions. EGCG and its anticancer mechanism are hot research topics in the prevention and treatment of oral cancer. In this paper, the prevention and treatment effects of EGCG on oral cancer and its anticancer mechanism are reviewed. The results show that EGCG can regulate multiple cell metabolic signaling pathways, such as the G protein coupled receptor signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the Wnt signaling pathway, and it can regulate DNA methylation and act on RNA of oral cancer cells directly or indirectly through the oral cancer cell signal transduction network to inhibit the development of oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer. EGCG combined with 5-fluorouracil can enhance the curative effect and reduce adverse effects and is expected to be a new drug for the prevention and treatment of oral cancer.

Uso de la medicina natural en el tratamiento de la artritis reumatoide / Use of natural medicine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Introducción: la artritis reumatoide es una enfermedad inflamatoria, sistémica y crónica que afecta fundamentalmente el sistema osteomioarticular. Clinicamente se caracterizan por la presencia de dolor, inflamación, rigidez y deformidad. Estos elementos inciden en la aparición de la discapacidad funcional y en la disminución de la percepción de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Objetivo: dar a conocer las ventajas del uso de la medicina natural en el tratamiento de la artritis reumatoide. Método: se realizó un estudio no experimental, descriptivo y retrospectivo en 115 pacientes a los cuales se les adicionó medicamentos naturales para el control de su enfermedad. Resultados: promedio de edad de 56,58 años con predominio de pacientes femeninas (69.60 por ciento), de color de la piel blanca (55.20 por ciento) y entre 50 y 59 años de edad (29.60 por ciento). La combinación de esteroides y methotrexate fue la más utilizad (55.20por ciento). La MNT se utilizó en el 62.4 por ciento de los pacientes con destaque para el servicio de hospitalización con una utilización del 79.19 por ciento. Los fitofármacos y la acupuntura fueron las modalidades más representadas. Conclusiones: existe un elevado por ciento de aplicación de la MNT en los esquemas terapéuticos de los pacientes con AR. Los fitofármacos y la acupuntura son las modalidades de mayor indicación. Los usuarios y prestadores mostraron elevados porcientos de aceptación al uso de la MNT en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas(AU)

Introduction: rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, systemic and chronic disease that mainly affects the osteomyoarticular system. Clinically they are characterized by the presence of pain, inflammation, stiffness and deformity. These elements affect the appearance of functional disability and the reduction of the perception of the quality of life related to health. Objective: to present the advantages of the use of natural medicine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Method: a not experimental, descriptive, retrospective study was conducted in 115 patients to whom natural medicines were added to control their disease. Results: average age of 56.58 years with predominance of female patients (69.60 percent), white skin color (55.20 percent) and between 50 and 59 years of age (29.60 percent). The combination of steroids and methotrexate was the most used (55.20 percent). The NTM was used in 62.4 percent of the patients with a highlight for the hospitalization service with a utilization of 79.19 percent. The phytopharmaceuticals and acupuncture were the most represented modalities. Conclusions: there is a high percentage of application of NTM in the therapeutic schemes of patients with RA. The phytopharmaceuticals and acupuncture are the most indicated modalities. The users and providers showed high percentages of acceptance to the use of MNT in patients with chronic diseases(AU)

Study on active components of volatile oil from Ocimum basilicum L. in Xinjiang / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the active ingredients of essential oil in Xinjiang Ocimum basilicum L. based on system network pharmacology. Methods Information on the active ingredients of essential oil in Ocimum basilicum L. was collected from different open source databases. The functional targets together with their signaling pathway were predicted and screened. The ingredients, target proteins and their signaling pathways were established to illustrate the functional mechanism of active ingredients of essential oil in Ocimum basilicum L. against the diseases. Results Six active com-ponents of basil volatile oil were identified by analyzing the network of ingredient, target and pathway. Twenty-five main functional targets with five major pathways were also recognized. Conclusions The active components of basil essential oil mainly exert their effects on skin diseases, cancer and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases through five signaling pathways.

A new research mode of drug PK-PD mediated by the gut microbiota:insights into the pharmacokinetics of berberine / 药学学报

Berberine is one of the most studied original natural drugs in China in recent years. It is a new lipid-lowering drug with completely different mechanism from statins, which has been used in the multi-center clinical trials. However, berberine is poorly absorbed in the intestinal tract after oral administration leading a significant pharmacokinetic characteristic of low blood concentration (1%) and bioavailability (in vivo by the current pharmacokinetic results. In fact, this phenomenon also exists in a number of clinically effective natural drugs. This review introduces the pharmacokinetic characteristic of berberine by focusing on the gut microbiota to mediate the metabolic process of berberine in vivo. Meanwhile, taking berberine as an example, we emphasized the important role of intestinal bacteria on the pharmacokinetic study on the oral chemical drugs, and put forward a new research mode of drug PK-PD mediated by the gut microbiota.

Aislamiento de componentes y efecto hipoglicemiante del extracto metanólico de albahaca (Ocium basilicum), en ratas C57bl/6 con hiperglicemia experimental / Isolation of components and hypoglycemic effect of methanolic basil extract (ocium basilicum) in C57bl/6 rats with experimental hyperglycemia

ResumenAntecedentes:la albahaca (Ocium basilicum) es una hierba perteneciente a la familia laminaceae, caracterizada por sus bondades medicinales. Se ha referido su uso en la terapéutica del cáncer, vitíiigo, hipercolesterolemia y la diabetes mellitus.Objetivo:evaluar el efecto hipoglicemiante del extracto metanólico de la albahaca, su aislamiento y purificación de sus principales compuestos.Métodos:las hojas y tallos fueron colectadas en el sector la Hechicera, estado Mérida, Venezuela.Las muestras se maceraron en 20L de metanol al 70% v/v, dosificándose a dosis crecientes entre 1,0 y 2,0 g/kg, usando como modelo experimental, ratas macho de la cepa C57BL/6, con hiperglicemia inducida con aloxano monohidratado. Se incluyó un control positivo usando como agente hipoglucemiante la sitagliptina (400μg/kg). El extracto se sometió a fraccionamiento mediante cromatografía de columna abierta, cuyas fracciones (175 ml cada una) se asociaron por similitud estructural y fueron dosificadas a la población en estudio. Se obtuvieron muestras sanguíneas seriadas de la vena de la base de la cola y se procesaron siguiendo el método de la glucosa oxidasa-peroxidasa.Resultados:se demostró una disminución de la concentración de glucosa sanguínea a la dosis de 2,0 g/kg (<120 mg/dL). Los análisis estructurales se realizaron mediante pruebas cromatográficas, espectroscópicas, espectrométricas y químicas. Del estudio se aislaron e identificaron los siguientes compuestos: nandecilato de metilo (C20O2H40); behenato de metilo (C23O2H46) hexacosanoato de metilo(C27O2H54), así como 18-metoxicarbonil-3,4-didehidroibogamina, el flavonoides 5,7,3´-trihydroxi-3,6,4´-trimetoxiflavona, los cuales son reportados por primera vez en los análisis fitoquímicos para O. basilicum.Conclusión:estos hallazgos sustentan el potencial uso de la albahaca como alternativa considerable en el tratamiento hipoglucemiante.

AbstractBackground:Basil (Ocium basilicum) is an herb belonging to the family laminaceae, characterized by its medicinal benefits. Its use has been referred for the treatment of cancer, vitiligo, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus.Objective:to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of the methanol extract of basil, isolation and purification of its main compounds.Methods:The leaves and stems were collected in the sector La Hechicera, Mérida, Venezuela State. Samples were macerated in 20L of methanol to 70% v/v, dosing to increaseddoses between 1.0 and2.0 g/kg, using as experimental model, male rats of the C57BL/6 strain with hyperglycemia induced with alloxan monohydrate. A positivecontrol was included using as a hypoglycemic agent sitagliptin (400μg/kg). The extract was submitted to fractionation by open column chromatography,, whose fractions (175 ml each) were partnered by structural similarity and were dosed to the population under study. Serial blood samples from the base of the tail vein were obtained and were processed using the method of the glucose oxidase-peroxidase.Results:they showed a decrease of the concentration of blood glucose at a dose of 2.0 g/kg (< 120 mg/dL). Structural analyses were conducted using chromatographic, spectroscopic, spectrometric and chemical tests. They were isolated from the study and the following compounds were identified: nandecilato of methyl (C20O2H40); methyl behenate (C23O2H46), methyl hexacosanoate (C27O2H54) as well as 18-methoxycarbonyl-3, 4-didehidroibogamina, 5,7,3´-trihydroxi-3,6,4´- trimetoxiflavona flavonoid, which are reported for the first time in the phytochemical analysis for O. basilicum.Conclusion:These findings support the potential use of Basil as a weed of traditional medicine in the hypoglycemic treatment.