Rosmarinic acid reverses non-small cell lung cancer cisplatin resistance by activating the MAPK signaling pathway.

Cisplatin (DDP) is one of the first-line chemotherapeutic agents for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, repeated use of cisplatin in clinical practice often induces chemoresistance. The aims of this study were to investigate whether rosmarinic acid (RA) could reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in NSCLC and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Our data demonstrated that RA significantly inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation and cell colony formation in a dose-dependent manner, induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and increased the sensitivity of cell lines resistant to DDP. Mechanistically, RA inhibited NSCLC cell growth, arrested cell cycle, and induced apoptosis by activating MAPK and inhibiting the expression of P-gp and MDR1, which correspondingly enhanced p21 and p53 expression. We observed that the growth of xenograft tumors derived from NSCLC cell lines in nude mice was significantly inhibited by combination therapy. We demonstrate that RA is a potentially effective MDR reversal agent for NSCLC, based on downregulation of MDR1 mRNA expression and P-gp. Together, these results emphasize the putative role of RA as a resistance reversal agent in NSCLC.

Brucea javanica oil emulsion suppresses tumor growth in human cervical cancer cells through inhibition of the E6 oncogene and induction of apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Brucea javanica oil emulsion (BJOE) is a traditional Chinese medicine with recognized antitumor effects in various cancers, but the effects and mechanisms of action of BJOE against cervical cancer need to be further studied. Herein, we investigated the effects of BJOE on the human papillomavirus (HPV)16-expressing human cervical cancer line SiHa and explored the possible underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Cell viability and apoptosis of SiHa cells treated with BJOE were assessed by the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (annexin V-FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) staining assays, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were performed to assess the expression levels of the E6 oncogene and key signaling molecules involved in apoptosis. A subcutaneous xenograft nude mouse model bearing SiHa cells was established and treated with BJOE through intraperitoneal injection. Tumor growth was monitored, and immunohistochemical analysis was performed. RESULTS: BJOE exhibited substantial cytotoxic effects in SiHa cells and significantly suppressed tumor growth in SiHa cell xenografts. BJOE inhibited E6 expression and induced apoptosis in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. BJOE-induced apoptosis was characterized by activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Moreover, BJOE induced phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) and inhibited the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). CONCLUSIONS: BJOE exerts a strong tumor-suppressive effect in SiHa cells in vitro and in vivo, likely caused by E6 inhibition and apoptosis induction achieved through the ERK/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-κB signaling pathways, supporting potential use of BJOE in cervical cancer treatment.

Efficacy of sifalimumab for treatment of skin injury caused by systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to provide the best possible evidence-based information on the efficacy and safety of sifalimumab for treatment of skin injury (SI) caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: In this study, electronic databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, Global Health, WHO Global Index Medicus, Virtual Health Library, Social Care Online, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure will be searched comprehensively from inceptions to June 30, 2019 without language restrictions. We will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on evaluating the efficacy and safety of sifalimumab for SI caused by SLE. Two investigators will conduct study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment independently. We will use RevMan 5.3 Software to perform statistical analysis. RESULTS: This study will lie in the exhaustive and systematic nature of the literature search and its methods for evaluating quality and analyzing RCTs data. Considering the controversial efficacy of the treatment for sifalimumab, this study is responsible for improving the existing evidence on the efficacy and safety of sifalimumab for SI caused by SLE. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will provide latest evidence for judging whether sifalimumab is an effective intervention for patients with SI caused by SLE or not. STUDY REGISTRATION: CRD42019148225.

Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for chronic gastritis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: To systematically evaluate efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating chronic gastritis (CG). METHODS: Data sources from PubMed, Embase, Springer Link, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, Chinese Biomedicine Database, and Wan-fang database were searched up to July 5, 2018. Review Manager software version 5.3, the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation profiler software were conducted for this meta-analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen studies involving 1673 participants (906 vs 767) were included in this study. Pooled data showed significant statistical differences between TCM groups and current routine pharmacotherapy (RP) groups in overall clinical efficacy (odds ratio [OR] 4.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.29, 6.56; P < .00001), efficacy under endoscopy (OR 2.46; 95% CI 1.12, 5.43; P = .03), stomach distension (mean difference [MD] -0.37; 95% CI -0.56, -0.19; P < .0001), stomachache (standardized MD [SMD] -0.80; 95% CI -1.45, -0.14; P = .02), and belching (SMD -2.00; 95% CI -3.80, -0.20; P = .03). However, acid regurgitation (SMD -0.71; 95% CI -1.69, 0.28; P = .16) and anorexia (SMD -0.75; 95% CI -2.30, 0.80; P = .35) showed no significant statistical differences between 2 groups. In addition, incidence of adverse reactions of TCM groups was lower than that of RP groups. CONCLUSION: Evidence from this meta-analysis suggests that TCM could be more efficacious than current RP in treating CG. But further standardized research of rigorous design should be needed to further validate its efficacy.

Hospital-based integrated diabetes care management: an overview.

To provide continuous, accessible, and quality care, a diabetes share-care program has been in place in Taiwan for several years. Lukang Christian Hospital, a member of the diabetes share-care network, endeavors to provide "patient-centered" care aimed at increasing care quality and reducing diabetic complications. Information technology has been employed by the hospital for monitoring care quality and analyzing cost-effectiveness. Structured health-care programs have also been developed to ensure the completeness of diabetes care and to encourage self-management of individuals at high risk for diabetes. The implementation of these strategies has led to progressive improvement in quality measures and spawned novel and creative ways to deliver care services.

Treatment of thirty primary hypothyroidism patients by fuzheng fujia mixture / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy of treating primary hypothyroidism by Fuzheng Fujia Mixture (FFM) with formula composing principles of warming and tonifying Pi and Shen, and eliminating blood stasis and removing turbid substances.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 60 patients with primary hypothyroidism were randomly assigned to the treated group and the control group, 30 in each group. All were treated by Levothyroxine Sodium Tablet (LST) as routines. Those in the treated group took FFM additionally, 3 times daily, one month as 1 therapeutic course. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed after three therapeutic courses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment the symptom scores were significantly reduced in the two groups (P < 0.05). The decrement was larger in the treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The dose of LST was significantly lower in the treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The blood lipids levels were significantly reduced in the two groups after treatment (P < 0.05). The decrement was significantly larger in the treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FFM could obviously improve the symptoms of hypothyroidism patients, reduce the replacement dose of thyroid hormone, and lower the blood lipids levels.</p>

Effect of gingerol on substance P and NK1 receptor expression in a vomiting model of mink.

BACKGROUND: Gingerol is the generic term for pungent constituents in ginger, which has been reported to be effective for inhibiting vomiting. We attempted to investigate the antiemetic effect of gingerol and its effective mechanism on substance P and NK(1) receptors in minks. METHODS: The antiemetic effect of gingerol was investigated during a 6-hour observation on a vomiting model in minks induced by cisplatin, (7.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). The distribution of substance P and NK(1) receptors in the area postrema and ileum were measured by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of NK(1) receptor in the area postrema and ileum were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: The frequency of cisplatin induced retching and vomiting was significantly reduced by pretreatment with gingerol in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Substance P-immunoreactive was mainly situated in the mucosa and submucosa of the ileum as well as in the neurons of the area postrema. The immunoreactive production of NK(1) receptor was mainly situated in the muscular and submucosa of ileum and the neurons of area postrema, gingerol markedly suppressed the increased immunoreactivity of substance P and NK(1)1 receptor induced by cisplatin in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05), and exhibited effective inhibition on the increased expression levels of NK(1) receptor in both the ileum and area postrema dose-dependently (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gingerol has good activity against cisplatin-induced emesis in minks possibly by inhibiting central or peripheral increase of substance P and NK(1) receptors.

[Advances of combined treatment for chronic hepatitis B with lamivudine].

This paper summarized the effects of the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) by lamivudine combined with traditional Chinese medicine or western medicine in the past few years. Combined treatment of lamivudine and the other medicine had higher efficiency than lamvudine alone in the treatment of CHB. The Combined treatment should be a tendency of the treatment for chronic hepatitis B. The focal point is that the traditional Chinese recipe produces a multitarget effect in the treatment of CHB. The combined treatment of lamivudine and traditional Chinese recipe can reduce the treatment course and the recurrence rate. Combined treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine has notable superiority and broad developing prospect in the treatment of CHB.