Blaps rynchopetera affects proliferation, migration, and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer: a study based on network pharmacology and in vivo and in vitro experiments / 中国中药杂志

Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo and in vitro experiments were employed to study the molecular mechanism of Blaps rynchopetera Fairmaire in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). The components of B. rynchopetera were collected by literature review, and the active components were screened out through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). PharmMapper was used to obtain the targets of the active components. The targets of NSCLC were obtained from DrugBank, GeneCards, OMIM, TTD, and PharmGKB. The Venn diagram was drawn to identify the common targets shared by the active components of B. rynchopetera and NSCLC. The "drug component-target" network and protein-protein interaction(PPI) network were constructed by Cytoscape, and the key targets were screened by Centiscape. Gene Ontology(GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment of the above key targets were performed by DAVID. AutoDock and PyMOL were used for the molecular docking between the key targets and corresponding active components. A total of 31 active components, 72 potential targets, and 11 key targets of B. rynchopetera against NSCLC were obtained. The active components of B. rynchopetera had good binding activity with key targets. Further, the serum containing B. rynchopetera was prepared and used to culture human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. The CCK-8 assay was employed to determine the inhibition rates on the growth of A549 cells in blank control group and those exposed to different concentrations of B. rynchopetera-containing serum, cisplatin, and drug combination(B. rynchopetera-containing serum+cisplatin) for different time periods. The cell migration and invasion of A549 cells were detected by cell scratch assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X(Bax), caspase-3, cell division cycle 42(CDC42), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase SRC, and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in A549 cells. C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with Lewis cells and randomly assigned into a model control group, a B. rynchopetera group, a cisplatin group, and a drug combination(B. rynchopetera+cisplatin) group, with 12 mice per group. The body weight and the long diameter(a) and short diameter(b) of the tumor were monitored every other day during treatment, and the tumor volume(mm~3) was calculated as 0.52ab~2. After 14 days of continuous medication, the mice were sacrificed for the collection of tumor, spleen, and thymus, and the tumor inhibition rate and immune organ indexes were calculated. The tissue morphology of tumors was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the positive expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, CDC42, SRC, and VEGF in the tumor tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. The results indicated that B. rynchopetera and the drug combination regulated the expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, CDC42, SRC, and VEGF to inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells and Lewis cells, thus playing a role in the treatment of NSCLC via multiple ways.

Mechanism of Baihe Dihuangtang in Treatment of Depression with Yin Deficiency and Internal Heat / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo establish a traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome model with yin deficiency and internal heat， discuss the rationality of model evaluation， and analyze differentially expressed genes in multiple dimensions to explore the molecular mechanism-signaling pathways as well as key targets of Baihe Dihuangtang （BHDH） in treating depression with Yin deficiency and internal heat. MethodForty male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group，a model group，a fluoxetine group （positive drug），a BHDH group， and a Zhibai Dihuangtang group （positive drug for Yin deficiency and internal heat）. The depression model with Yin deficiency and internal heat was induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）combined with Chinese herbal drugs with warm and heat nature. The model established was comprehensively evaluated by the detection of the basic condition， behavioral performance， and biochemical indicators of rats in each group. The differentially expressed genes were screened out by mRNA sequencing and underwent Gene Ontology（GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses. The protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was plotted and key genes were analyzed to explore the underlying mechanism of BHDH in treating depression with Yin deficiency and internal heat. ResultThe comparison of basic conditions， behavioral assays， energy metabolism， endocrine hormones， cytokines， and neurotransmitters showed that the model was properly induced. BHDH could significantly improve depression with Yin deficiency and internal heat by regulating the pathways related to the nervous system， endocrine system， and inflammatory and immune system. The key genes of the PPI network were Fos， Epha8， Npy2r， Htr2c， and Nr4a1. ConclusionUnder the guidance of TCM theories of treatment based on syndrome differentiation and etiology and pathogenesis，this study established a depression model with yin deficiency and internal heat in animals and evaluation system in accordance with the symptoms and signs of emotional diseases， and further confirmed the scientificity of the modeling method and the underlying mechanism of BHDH in interfering with depression with Yin deficiency and internal heat based on the results of mRNA sequencing.

Analysis on academic characteristics and medication rules of traditional Chinese medical master Liu Zu-yi for treating insomnia / 中国中药杂志

To analyze the academic characteristics and medication rules of traditional Chinese medical master Liu Zu-yi for treating insomnia. Totally 178 cases of insomnia treated by Professor Liu were collected,and the treatment data were input into traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system( TCMISS) by using data mining methods,such as essential information,frequency statistics of symptoms,syndrome type statistics,extraction of syndrome elements,frequency statistics of drugs; and four properties and five tastes of drugs,distribution of meridians,regularity of prescriptions,new prescription analysis were mined. It was found that the most commonly used drugs( over 100 times) were Albiziae Cortex,Longgu,Polygoni Multiflori Caulis,Ostreae Concha,Ziziphi Spinosae Semen,Crataegi Fructus; the commonly used couplet medicines were Longgu-Ostreae Concha,Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Polygoni Multiflori Caulis,Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Albiziae Cortex-Polygoni Multiflori Caulis; and seven new prescriptions in treating insomnia were explored,such as prescriptions containing Hordei Fructus Germinatus,Ziziphi Spinosae Semen,Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum,Rehmanniae Radix,Lilii Bulbus. Based on the introduction and discussion of Professor Liu's academic views and characteristics on insomnia treatment and the illustrative evidences added to the typical case list,this paper combines the academic characteristics,data support and typical medical records to verify each other,and objectively summarizes his academic experience for treating insomnia. Treatment shall focus on the primary cause of disease in three aspects; syndrome differentiation shall distinguish between excessive disease and deficient disease; therapy shall reinforce deficiency and reduce diarrhea,regulate the five internal organs,and emphasizes the heart and liver,particularly the liver; medication shall focus on the drugs for calming the mind and protecting the stomach and spleen,which are commonly combined with three types of traditional Chinese medicine with effect in introducing Yangqi( Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum,Prunellae Spica,Polygoni Multiflori Caulis) and restraining Yangqi( Longgu,Ostreae Concha,Ziziphi Spinosae Semen); nursing care focuses on preserving the body and tranquilizing the mind by means of three methods for tranquilizing the mind and three methods for preserving the body.

An insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of Poria cocos improves hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice via modulation of gut microbiota / 中国天然药物

Metabolic syndrome characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia and liver steatosis is becoming prevalent all over the world. Herein, a water insoluble polysaccharide (WIP) was isolated and identified from the sclerotium of Poria cocos, a widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine. WIP was confirmed to be a (1-3)-β-D-glucan with an average Mw of 4.486 × 10 Da by NMR and SEC-RI-MALLS analyses. Furthermore, oral treatment with WIP from P. cocos significantly improved glucose and lipid metabolism and alleviated hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. 16S DNA sequencing analysis of cecum content from WIP-treated mice indicated the increase of butyrate-producing bacteria Lachnospiracea, Clostridium. It was also observed that WIP treatment elevated the level of butyrate in gut, improved the gut mucosal integrity and activated the intestinal PPAR-γ pathway. Fecal transplantation experiments definitely confirmed the causative role of gut microbiota in mediating the benefits of WIP. It is the first report that the water insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of P. cocos modulates gut microbiota to improve hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Thereby, WIP from P. cocos, as a prebiotic, has the potential for the prevention or cure of metabolic diseases and may elucidate new mechanism for the efficacies of this traditional herbal medicine on the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.

Neuroprotective effects of tianmagouteng decoction on retinal ganglion cells in optic nerve crush model / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect and antioxidation mechanism of tianmagouteng decoction on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in optic nerve crush model.Methods Optic nerve crush models were established using optic nerve clamping method in the right eyes of 50 SPF male Wistar rats.The rats were randomized into model group (17 rats),1.2 g/ml tianmagouteng decoction group (16 rats) and 2.4 g/ml tianmagouteng decoction group (17 rats).Ttianmagouteng decoction at the dose of 1.2 g/(ml· d) or 2.4 g/(ml · d) was intragastrically administered 2 hours after onset of optic nerve damage (10 ml/kg),respectively,based on grouping for consecutive 28 days,and equal volume of distilled water was used in the same way in the model group.Fluoro-gold (FG,3 μl,3％) was bilaterally injected into superior colliculus to retrogradely label RGCs 23 days following modeling.The rats were sacrificed at day 28 and retinal flatmounts were prepared to count RGCs.Retinal glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in rat retinas was detected by chemical colorimetric analysis.Results The survival rate of RGCs was (59.67 ± 9.85) ％,(71.33 ± 9.14) ％ and (73.63 ± 8.33) ％ in the model group,1.2 g/ml tianmagouteng decoction group and 2.4 g/ml tianmagouteng decoction group,respectively,showing a significant difference among the three groups (F =5.322,P =0.014),and the survival rate of RGCs was evidently higher in the 1.2 g/ml tianmagouteng decoction group and 2.4 g/ml tianmagouteng decoction group than that in the model group (P =0.023,0.006).The GSH-Px activity was (222.20±76.67),(311.30 ±46.93) and (473.65 ± 117.73)μmol/(s · mg) in the model group,1.2 g/ml tianmagouteng decoction group and 2.4 g/ml tianmagouteng decoction group,respectively,with a significant difference among the three groups (F =20.005,P ＜ 0.001),and the GSH-Px activity in the 2.4 g/ml tianmagouteng decoction group is considerably increased as compared to the model group and 1.2 g/ml tianmagouteng decoction group (P ＜ 0.001;P =0.001).Conclusions Tianmagouteng decoction plays a neuroprotective effect on RGCs after optic nerve damage in rat,which may be achieved by improving the activity of the GSH-Px in retina,suggesting that antioxidation probably be one of the neuroprotective mechanisms of tianmagouteng decoction.

Clinical observation on combination of compound xuanju capsule and clomiphene citrate in treating ovulatory dysfunctional infertility patients of Shen-yang deficiency / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic efficacy of combination of Compound Xuanju Capsule (CXC) and clomiphene citrate (CC) for ovulatory dysfunctional infertility (001) patients of Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 87 001 patients of SYDS were randomly assigned to 2 groups, the treatment group (44 cases, treated with CXC and CC) and the control group (43 cases, treated with CC alone). The post-treatment clinical symptoms, the cervical mucus, the endometrial thickness, the quality of follicles, the ovulation, and the pregnancy rate, and so on were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In aspect of improving the patients' SYDS, the effective rate was 86.4% (38/44) in the treatment group and 25.6% (11/43) in the control group. It was better in the treatment group (P < 0.01). After treatment better effects on the cervical mucus, the endometrial thickness, and the pregnancy rate were obtained in the treatment group, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the rate of ovulation and mature follicular numbers between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CXC combined CC could ameliorate hypoestrinemia-like effects on the endometrium, increase the endometrial thickness, and be favorable to the pregnancy in treating ODI patients of SYDS.</p>