Analysis of target organs of Houttuynia cordata: A study on the anti-inflammatory effect of upper respiratory system.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HC) is a traditional anti-pyretic herb that is classified as the lung meridian in traditional Chinese medicine. However, no articles have explored the main organs responsible for the anti-inflammatory activities of HC. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to investigate the meridian tropism theory of HC in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pyretic mice, as well as to identify the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transgenic mice carrying the luciferase gene driven by nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were intraperitoneally injected with LPS and orally administered standardized concentrated HC aqueous extract. The phytochemicals present in the HC extract were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. In vivo and ex vivo luminescent imaging from transgenic mice was used to investigate the meridian tropism theory and anti-inflammatory effects of HC. Microarray analysis of gene expression patterns was used to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms of HC. RESULTS: HC extract was found to contain phenolic acids, such as protocatechuic acid (4.52%) and chlorogenic acid (8.12%), as well as flavonoids like rutin (2.05%) and quercitrin (7.73%). The bioluminescent intensities induced by LPS in the heart, liver, respiratory system, and kidney were significantly suppressed by HC, while the maximal decrease (about 90% reduction) of induced luminescent intensity was observed in the upper respiratory tract. These data suggested that upper respiratory system might be the target for HC anti-inflammatory abilities. HC affected the processes involved in innate immunity, such as chemokine-mediated signaling pathway, inflammatory response, chemotaxis, neutrophil chemotaxis, and cellular response to interleukin-1 (IL-1). Moreover, HC significantly reduced the proportions of p65-stained cells and the amount of IL-1ß in trachea tissues. CONCLUSION: Bioluminescent imaging coupled with gene expression profile was used to demonstrate the organ selectivity, anti-inflammatory effects, and therapeutic mechanisms of HC. Our data demonstrated for the first time that HC displayed lung meridian-guiding effects and exhibited great anti-inflammatory potential in the upper respiratory tract. The NF-κB and IL-1ß pathways were associated with the anti-inflammatory mechanism of HC against LPS-provoked airway inflammation. Moreover, chlorogenic acid and quercitrin might be involved in the anti-inflammatory properties of HC.

[Professor GUAN Ling's clinical experience in treating knee osteoarthritis with structure-based medical acupuncture].

This paper summarizes professor GUAN Ling's clinical experience in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with structure-based medical acupuncture (SMA). Based on anatomy and biomechanics and through accurate physical examination, SMA adjusts the mechanical imbalance of muscles to relieve KOA dysfunction, and releases nerve compression to attenuate pain symptoms of KOA. In reference to traditional acupoint selection, and in association with painful areas and mechanical deduction, ashi points located at the rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles, etc. are specially stimulated with acupuncture; and the rehabilitation training and health education are the adjuvant treatment for the patients.

[Effect of acupotomy on the fat infiltration degree of lumbar multifidus muscle in patients with lumbar disc herniation after percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupotomy on the fat infiltration degree of lumbar multifidus muscle (LMM) in patients with lumbar disc herniation after percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED). METHODS: A total of 104 patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with PTED were randomly divided into an observation group (52 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (52 cases, 4 cases dropped off). Patients of both groups received rehabilitation training of two weeks 48 h after PTED treatment. The observation group was treated with acupotomy (L3-L5 Jiaji [EX-B 2]) once within 24 h after PTED. In the two groups, the fat infiltration cross sectional area (CSA) of LMM was compared before and 6 months after PTED, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score were observed before and 1, 6 months after PTED. The correlation between fat infiltration CSA of LMM in each segment and VAS score was analyzed. RESULTS: Six months after PTED, the fat infiltration CSA of LMM in L4/L5 and the total L3-S1 segments of the observation group was lower than that before PTED (P<0.05), and the fat infiltration CSA of LMM in L4/L5 of the observation group was lower than the control group (P<0.01). One month after PTED, the ODI and VAS scores of the two groups were lower than those before PTED (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). Six months after PTED, the ODI and VAS scores of the two groups were lower than those before PTED and 1 month after PTED (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between the fat infiltration CSA of LMM in the total L3-S1 segments and VAS scores in the two groups before PTED (r = 0.64, P<0.01). Six months after PTED, there was no correlation between the fat infiltration CSA of LMM in each segment and VAS scores in the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupotomy can improve the fat infiltration degree of LMM, pain symptoms and activities of daily living in patients with lumbar disc herniation after PTED.

Bavachin induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells through Gadd45a via the MAPK signaling pathway.

Bavachin is a dihydroflavonoid compound isolated from Psoralea corylifolia, and exhibits anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and lipid-lowering activities. Recent attention has gradually drawn on bavachin-induced apoptosis in many human cancer cell lines. However, the anti-cancer effects and related mechanisms in colorectal cancer remain unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of bavachin on colorectal cancer in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that bavachin inhibited the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells and induce apoptosis. These changes were mediated by activating the MAPK signaling pathway, which significantly up-regulated the expression of Gadd45a. Furthermore, Gadd45a silencing obviously attenuated bavachin-mediated cell apoptosis. Inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway by JNK/ERK/p38 inhibitors also weakened the up-regulation of Gadd45a by bavachin. The anticancer effect of bavachin was also validated using a mouse xenograft model of human colorectal cancer. In conclusion, these findings suggest that bavachin induces the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells through activating the MAPK signaling pathway.

An audit of structure-based medical acupuncture by a single provider in patients with musculoskeletal pain using PROMIS scores as the outcome.

BACKGROUND: To assess whether structure-based medical acupuncture (SMA) can improve Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores in patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: An audit was conducted of all patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain treated by a single provider with SMA in 2017. Inclusion criteria included a pre-treatment and at least one post-treatment PROMIS score. Patient demographics and previous treatments tried were recorded. Documented events other than acupuncture that were thought to interfere with PROMIS scores were recorded, and no further scores were used after these events. A maximum of nine visits after the initial visit were used. The PROMIS domains assessed included anxiety, depression, pain interference and physical function. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients who had been treated with SMA met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-five of the patients (90%) had chronic pain. For their presenting complaint, 59 (82%) had previously sought treatment from another non-operative provider, 60 (83%) had tried physical therapy, and 20 (28%) had even had surgery. Despite this, SMA appeared to be able to significantly improve PROMIS anxiety at visits 1-3 and PROMIS depression at visit 3. After just one treatment, minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were reached in 32%-44% of patients for PROMIS anxiety, 17%-36% for PROMIS depression, 28%-29% for PROMIS physical function, and 21%-36% for PROMIS pain interference, based on low and high cut-offs of a range of quoted MCID values. CONCLUSION: In a difficult patient population with musculoskeletal pain, SMA is a technique that can likely be used to improve PROMIS anxiety and depression, although no firm conclusions can be drawn from this uncontrolled clinical audit. Of note, MCIDs were sometimes obtained even after just one treatment.

The Surface Amine Group of Ultrasmall Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Produce Analgesia in the Spinal Cord and Decrease Long-Term Potentiation.

Our previous studies have revealed the ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide in the amine group USPIO-101 has an analgesic effect on inflammatory pain. Here, we further investigated its effect on the spinal cord and brain via electrophysiological and molecular methods. We used a mouse inflammatory pain model, induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), and measured pain thresholds via von Frey methods. We also investigated the effects of USPIO-101 via an extracellular electrophysiological recording at the spinal dorsal horn synapses and hippocampal Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses, respectively. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Our results showed intrathecal USPIO-101 produces similar analgesic behavior in mice with chronic inflammatory pain via intrathecal or intraplantar administration. The potentiated low-frequency stimulation-induced spinal cord long-term potentiation (LTP) at the spinal cord superficial dorsal horn synapses could decrease via USPIO-101 in mice with chronic inflammatory pain. However, the mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2 was enhanced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in microglial cells, and we also found USPIO-101 at 30 µg/mL could decrease the magnitude of hippocampal LTP. These findings revealed that intrathecal USPIO-101 presented an analgesia effect at the spinal cord level, but had neurotoxicity risk at higher doses.

New paraconic acids from the endophytic fungus Xylariaceae sp. J4.

Three new paraconic acids, xylariacinics A-C (1-3), were isolated from the endophyte Xylariaceae sp. J4 harbored in the medicinal plant Blumea balsamifera. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data including HRMS, and NMR. The antibacterial efficacies of compounds 1-3 were evaluated against a panel of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Their antifungal activities were also tested against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Unfortunately, all of them were inactive.

Effects of Ejiao peptide-iron chelates on intestinal inflammation and gut microbiota in iron deficiency anemic mice.

Iron deficiency is a global nutritional problem that adversely affects the functional regulation of the immune system. In the process of treatment through iron supplementation, the problem of excessive iron intake often occurs, which increases the level of inflammation in the body. Excessive iron can also lead to an increase in intestinal iron-requiring pathogenic bacteria and an imbalance of intestinal flora. In this study, we aim to explore the effect of Ejiao peptide-iron (EPI) chelates on the intestinal flora and inflammation of ICR mice having iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). The mice were given low, medium, and high doses of EPI and FeSO4 (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg Fe per kg weight, respectively) daily for 4 weeks by intragastric administration. IDA mice showed increased inflammation levels and decreased sIgA secretion, which were restored after intervention with EPI at different doses. Intestinal mucosal ulcers, inflammatory cell infiltration, and oxidative stress in the colon tissue were reduced, and intestinal permeability was improved. Furthermore, 16S rDNA gene sequencing revealed that EPI increased microbial diversity and richness, changing the community structure, therefore, alleviating microbiota dysbiosis caused by IDA (e.g. the proportion of Firmicutes/Bacteroides). Different from the traditional iron supplement FeSO4, when the pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Helicobacter and Erysipelatoclostridium) increase and the beneficial bacteria (e.g. Bifidobacterium and Blautia) decrease at high doses, EPI shows higher safety at a high dose, thereby maintaining a healthier intestinal homeostasis.

[Effect of auricular point sticking therapy on perioperative pain in patients with partial lung resection].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the analgesic effect of auricular point sticking therapy during the perioperative stage in the patients with partial lung resection. METHODS: A total of 92 patients with partial lung resection were randomized into an auricular point group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off), the sham-auricular point group (30 cases) and a medication group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off). The routine medication for analgesia was provided in all of the three groups. In the auricular point group, 1 day before operation, the auricular point sticking therapy was applied at shenmen (TF4), sympathetic (AH6a), subcortex (AT4), brain stem (AT3,4i), anterior ear lobe (LO4), chest (AH10) and lung (CO14), retained till the third day after operation. In the sham-auricular point group, the auricular adhesive tape without semen vaccariae was used at the same points as the auricular point group. Separately, the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) in 8, 16, 24, 48 h and 72 h after operation, the time for obtaining the mean of the postoperative VAS score<3 points, the scores of hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) in 8, 72 h after operation and the plasma concentration of ß-endorphin in 24, 48 h after operation, as well as the adverse reactions after operation were recorded in the patients of each group. RESULTS: In 8, 16, 24, 48 h and 72 h after operation, VAS scores in the auricular point group were lower than those in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group separately (P<0.05). In the auricular point group, 16 h after operation the mean of VAS score was less than 3 points, but in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group, 48 h after operation, such a mean score of VAS was obtained. In 8, 72 h after operation, HAD score in the auricular point group was lower than that in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group respectively. In 24, 48 h after operation, the concentration of plasmaß-endorphin was all higher than that in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group respectively (P<0.05). In 24 h after operation, the plasma concentration ofß-endorphin in the sham-auricular point group was higher than the medication group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction in the auricular point group was lower than that in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Auricular point sticking therapy relieves perioperative pain, shortens analgesic time, releases anxious and depressive emotions and reduces postoperative adverse reaction in the patients with partial lung resection. The analgesic mechanism is probably related to the increase of plasma concentration of ß-endorphin.

Safety evaluation of water extract of Gastrodia elata Blume: Genotoxicity and 28-day oral toxicity studies.

Water extract of Gastrodia elata Blume (WGE) has great potential as an anti-depressant and could be developed as a functional food. This study aims to assess the safety of WGE using in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assays and a 28-day oral toxicity study. Results from a bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test) using five Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535, and TA1537) with or without metabolic activation (S9 system) showed that WGE did not induce mutagenicity. Nor did it induce clastogenic effects in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells with or without S9 activation. Moreover, WGE did not affect the proportion of immature to total erythrocytes or the number of micronuclei in immature erythrocytes of ICR mice. Finally, a dose-dependent 28-day repeated dose toxicity assessment of WGE (2040, 4080, and 8065 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) in mice revealed no adverse effects on behavior, mortality, body weight, haematology, clinical biochemistry, or organ weight. No toxicopathologic lesions were detected following administration of high-dose WGE compared to controls. In conclusion, WGE has no significant mutagenic or toxic properties, and the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of WGE can be defined as at least 8065 mg/kg/day orally for 28 days for male and female mice.

Anti-tumor activity and linear-diarylheptanoids of herbal couple Curcumae Rhizoma-Sparganii Rhizoma and the single herbs.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Curcumae Rhizoma and Sparganii Rhizoma (CR-SR) are the classical herbal couple for activating blood circulation and treating tumor in clinics. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the anti-tumor activity and to clarify the bioactive ingredients of herbal couple CR-SR and the single herbs Curcumae Rhizoma (CR) and Sparganii Rhizoma (SR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active fractions of CR-SR decoction were fractioned by column chromatography. And isolated compounds were characterized by IR, ESI-MS, 1D and 2D-NMR techniques. Detecting linear-diarylheptanoids in CR-SR, CR and SR was realized through UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MSn, based on the fragmentation pathways established in this study, comparison with MS data of isolated compounds and references. The anti-tumor activities of different solvent fractions from CR-SR, CR and SR, as well as isolated ingredients were tested by CCK-8 method. RESULTS: Ultimately, a new compound (1), having a sulfonic acid group at C-3, named demethoxyshogasulfonic acid, along with another structurally similar 17 known linear-diarylheptanoids were isolated. These linear-diarylheptanoids (1-18) were divided into 12 categories based on the differences of substituents at C-3 and C-5 on the straight chain of seven carbons. Six fragmentation pathways were established by summarizing MS data of the 18 isolated compounds collected from UPLC-MS. Based on that, and retention times and MS fragmentation ions, 47 linear-diarylheptanoids were identified in CR-SR and CR, in which 12 linear-diarylheptanoids were also detected in SR. Most importantly, 5 sulfonated linear-diarylheptanoids were new compounds detected in CR and CR-SR. And the biological assay indicated that compounds 1-4 and 12-15 significantly reduced the proliferation and inhibited colony formation of MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION: The new compound (1) exhibited good anti-cancer activity, which suggests that a great effort has to be paid to investigate the bioactivity of sulfonated compounds. The fractions of CR-SR decoction exhibited stronger anti-tumor activities than that of CR and SR against 5 different cancer cells. As for chemical composition, it is the first time to report that diarylheptanoids are in Sparganiaceae and the sulfonated compounds in Zingiberaceae. Moreover, the linear-diarylheptanoids found in SR which being tested to possess good anti-tumor activity, plus those compounds in CR enhance the capacity of CR-SR. It shows importance of TCM compatibility.

Phenols and Organic Acids Constituents in Water Decoction of Curcumae Rhizoma-Sparganii Rhizoma Herbal Pair and Single Herb / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate constituents containing phenolic hydroxyl or carboxylic acid （excluding diarylheptanoids） from Curcumae Rhizoma and Sparganii Rhizoma herbal pair and single herb. Method:Multiple chromatographic separation techniques， including silica gel，MCI gel and Sephadex LH-20 gel， were employed to isolate and purify the compounds. Their structures were identified by means of the nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR），mass spectrometry （MS） and physicochemical properties. Constituents were quickly analyzed by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MSn，and scanned in positive and negative ion modes. Result:These compounds were determined as trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid（1），vanillic acid（2），protocatechuic acid（3），fumalic acid（4），succinic acid（5），succinic acid monomethyl ester（6），docosanoic acid（7），azelaic acid（8） and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde（9）. Forty compounds were speculated by comparing mass spectrometry data，retention times of some compounds and reference materials，including 14 phenols and 26 organic acids. Among the compounds of herbal pair，8 phenols and 22 organic acids in Sparganii Rhizoma as well as 11 phenols and 13 organic acids in Curcumae Rhizoma were identified. Cleavage pathways of main compounds were described. Conclusion:There are abundant phenols and organic acids in Curcumae Rhizoma and Sparganii Rhizoma herbal pair and single herb. The results enrich pharmacodynamic material basis of Curcumae Rhizoma and Sparganii Rhizoma herbal pair.

[Effect of grain-moxibustion on neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and quality of life in patients with advanced gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of grain-moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Weishu (BL 21) on neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and quality of life (QOL) in patients with advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: Sixty patients with advanced gastric cancer were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, conventional chemotherapy regimen combined with symptomatic treatment，such as antiemetic, acid-suppressive, liver-protecting drugs. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, grain-moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36) and Weishu (BL 21) in the observation group, 9 cones for each acupoint, once a day for a total of 90 days. The levels of NLR were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy and quality of life were evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the value of NLR in the observation group was significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.05), there was no significant difference before and after treatment in the control group (P>0.05), and the descend range of observation group was larger than the control group (P<0.05). The effective rates (RR) were 33.3% (10/30) in the observation group and 36.7% (11/30) in the control group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the QOL in the observation group was improved in diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, general health states (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the control group before and after treatment in varions scores (P>0.05), and the observation group was superior to the control group in fatigue, sleep disorder, loss of appetite, diarrhea and general health states after treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Grain-moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Weishu (BL 21) can decrease NLR and improve QOL of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Effect of scar-producing moxibustion at the acupoints Zusanli (ST 36) and Feishu (BL 13) on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and quality of life in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: A randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of heat stimulation via scar-producing moxibustion at the acupoints Zusanli (ST 36) and Feishu (BL 13) on the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and quality of life in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Seventy patients with NSCLC were randomly assigned into two groups: group A received scar-producing moxibustion at the acupoints Zusanli (ST 36) and Feishu (BL 13) every day for 6 weeks, while group B received no intervention (control group). Outcome measures were the NLR and the scores from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). The NLR and the EORTC QLQ-C30 were assessed at baseline and at the end of 6 weeks. RESULTS: Five participants dropped out, leaving a final total of 65 participants who completed the trial. Groups A and B had a similar mean NLR at baseline. After the treatment course, the NLR in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (P < 0.001). Compared with group B, the EORTC QLQ-C30 scores in group A were significantly greater in terms of global health status or quality of life (P < 0.001) and function (P < 0.05), and significantly lower in terms of symptoms (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that performing scar-producing moxibustion by heat-stimulating the acupoints Zusanli (ST 36) and Feishu (BL 13) effectively decreases the NLR and improves the quality of life in patients with NSCLC.

Grape Seed Procyanidin Extract Reduces Arsenic-Induced Renal Inflammatory Injury in Male Mice.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the ability and mechanism by which grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) relieves arsenic trioxide (As2O3)-induced renal inflammatory injury. Therefore, male Kunming mice were treated with As2O3 and/or GSPE by gavage for 5 weeks. Mice were then sacrificed and inflammatory cytokines of kidneys were examined by ELISA, whereas the expression levels of molecules involved in the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway were evaluated by both qRT-PCR and Western blot. Our results indicate that GSPE prevents As2O3-mediated renal inflammatory injury by inhibiting activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammatory cytokine production, while promoting expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Grape Seed Procyanidin Extract Reduces Arsenic-Induced Renal Inflammatory Injury in Male Mice / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the ability and mechanism by which grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) relieves arsenic trioxide (As2O3)-induced renal inflammatory injury. Therefore, male Kunming mice were treated with As2O3 and/or GSPE by gavage for 5 weeks. Mice were then sacrificed and inflammatory cytokines of kidneys were examined by ELISA, whereas the expression levels of molecules involved in the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway were evaluated by both qRT-PCR and Western blot. Our results indicate that GSPE prevents As2O3-mediated renal inflammatory injury by inhibiting activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammatory cytokine production, while promoting expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

[Impact on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and quality of life in the patients of non-small-cell lung cancer treated with grain-size moxibustion: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the quality of life (QOL) in the patients of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with wheat-size moxibustion therapy. METHODS: Seventy patients of NSCLC were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each one. Finally, 33 cases were participated in the observation group and 32 cases in the control group for statistical analysis. In the observation group, Zusanli (ST 36) and Feishu (BL 13) were selected for grain-size moxibustion, 9 moxa cones on each acupoint, once a day. There was the follow-up visit without any treatment applied in the control group. The trial lasted for 6 weeks. The changes in NLR and the QOL score before and after treatment were observed in the patients of the two groups and the differences were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the condition before treatment, in the observation group, NLR was reduced apparently (P< 0.05), the general health state/life quality field, physical functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, fatigue, pain, short breath, insomnia and anorexia were improved apparently (all P < 0.05). In the control group, the differences were not significant in NLR, the general health states/life quality field, physical functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, role functioning, social functioning, fatigue, pain, short breath, insomnia and anorexia before and after treatment (all P > 0.05). In comparison of the two groups, NLR was reduced apparently in the observation group as compared with that in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The scores of the general health state/life quality field, physical functioning, emotional functioning and cognitive functioning were increased apparently as compared with those in the control group after treatment (all P < 0.05). The scores of fatigue, pain, short breath, insomnia and anorexia in the observation group were reduced apparently as compared with those in the control group after treatment (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The wheat-size moxibustion therapy reduces NLR and improves the immune function and quality of life in the patients of NSCLC.

[Effects of bloodletting pricking, cupping and surrounding acupuncture on inflammation-related indices in peripheral and local blood in patients with acute herpes zoster].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of bloodletting pricking, cupping and surrounding acupuncture on blood inflammation-related indices in patients with acute herpes zoster (HZ), and to explore the mechanism of pain control and treatment. METHODS: A total of 60 patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the observation group, the patients were treated with bloodletting pricking at herpes, followed by cupping treatment; also the surrounding acupuncture was performed at injured skin. The treatment was given once a day and once every other day after the first 3 days; totally one-week treatment was given. In the control group, the patients were treated with intravenous drip of acyclovir and oral administration of vitamin B1 and B12, once a day for total one week. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and percentages of neutrophil, lymphocyte in peripheral and local blood were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the score of VAS was significantly reduced in both groups (both P < 0.05); compared with the control group, the score of VAS and the time of pain relieve were significantly improved in the observation group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared before treatment, the percentages of lymphocyte in peripheral and local blood were reduced after treatment (both P < 0.05) and the percentages of neutrophil in local blood were increased (both P < 0.05). The lymphocyte in local blood was also reduced after treatment in the control group (P < 0.05); compared with peripheral blood in the observation group and local blood in the control group, the percentages of lymphocyte in local blood were reduced (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The efficacy of bloodletting pricking, cupping and surrounding acupuncture on acute herpes zoster is positive, and it can significantly lower the number of lymphocytes in the local blood and increase the number of neutrophil, which is likely to be one of the anti-virus mechanisms.

[Metabolic pathway of flavonoids in Blumea balsamifera].

To better understand the biosynthetic pathway of flavonoids in Blumea balsamifera, and to increase the biosynthesis of flavone and flavonol amount, we carried out this research. Basing on transcriptome information, B. balsamifera flavonoids metabolic pathway was analyzed in KEGG data base. The result demonstrated that two metabolic pathways of flavonoids were found in KEGG data base. They were flavonoid biosynthesis pathway (No.ko00941) that contained 32 genes and flavone and flavonol biosynthesis pathway (No.ko00944) that contained 12 genes. Metabolic pathway of flavonoids in B. balsamifera was similar to that in other plants. Chalcone synthase (CHS) and Chalconeisomerase were much likely to be key enzymes on metabolic pathway of flavonoids in B. balsamifera. HCT was much relevant to biosynthesis of favones.

[Analysis of metabolic pathway of terpenoids in Blumea balsamifera].

In order to provide a theoretical basis for the regulation of active ingredient, the terpenoids metabolic pathway and specific enzymes in Blumea balsamifera are investigated. Basing on transcriptome information, B. balsamifera terpenoids metabolic pathway was analyzed in KEGG data base. Four metabolic pathway of terpenoids were found in KEGG data base. They were terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, monoterpenoid biosynthesis, diterpenoid biosynthesis, sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis, contained 103, 10, 29,59 genes, respectively. Through the analysis of the enzyme and product in the pathway, the result showed that there were 8 kinds of monoterpenes, 3 kinds of diterpenes, 3 kinds of triterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The mainly key enzymes were deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate synthase, HMG-CoA reductase and allyl transferase system. In B. balsamifera, there were relatively few monoterpenes synthetic enzymes, while the type of products was much more than other terpenes. This may be relate to the non-specific catalytic characteristic of monoterpene synthase. It is expected to improve the yield of terpenoids in B. balsamifera by analysis the pathways and regulation the key enzymes.