Research trends and hotspots of polyphyllin in high-incidence cancers: A bibliometric analysis.

Background: Polyphyllin, a natural compound derived primarily from the Paris genus, manifests its anticancer properties. Extensive research on its therapeutic potential in cancers has been reported. However, there is no systematical analysis of the general aspects of research on polyphyllin by bibliometric analysis. The aim of this study is to visualize emerging trends and hotspots and predict potential research directions in this field. Methods: In this study, we collected relevant research articles from the Web of Science Core Collection Bibliometrics. Using R-bibliometrix, we analyzed the research status, hotspots, frontiers, and development trends of polyphyllin in high-incidence cancers. To conduct a comprehensive visual analysis, CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used for visual analysis of authors, countries, institutions, keywords, and co-cited references within the published articles. Results: A total of 257 articles focusing on the research of polyphyllin in high-incidence cancers were retrieved from the WOSCC database, covering the period from 2005 to 2023. The analysis revealed a consistent increasing trend in annual publications during this timeframe. Notably, China emerged as the most productive country, with Tianjin University leading the institutions. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology stood out as the most prominent journal in this field, while Gao WY emerged as the most prolific author. Polyphyllin VI, polyphyllin II, and polyphyllin VII have emerged as the latest research hotspots. Additionally, the investigation of autophagy and its associated mechanisms has gained significant attention as a novel research direction. Conclusion: This study presents a novel visualization of the research on polyphyllin saponins in the field of highly prevalent cancers using bibliometric analysis. The investigation of polyphyllin D has emerged as a primary focus in this field, with lung cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer being the key areas of current research. Lastly, polyphyllin saponins show potential application in the field of cancer.

Evolutionary roles of polyploidization-derived structural variations in the phenotypic diversification of Panax species.

Genomic structural variations (SVs) are widespread in plant and animal genomes and play important roles in phenotypic novelty and species adaptation. Frequent whole genome duplications followed by (re)diploidizations have resulted in high diversity of genome architecture among extant species. In this study, we identified abundant genomic SVs in the Panax genus that are hypothesized to have occurred through during the repeated polyploidizations/(re)diploidizations. Our genome-wide comparisons demonstrated that although these polyploidization-derived SVs have evolved at distinct evolutionary stages, a large number of SV-intersecting genes showed enrichment in functionally important pathways related to secondary metabolites, photosynthesis and basic cellular activities. In line with these observations, our metabolic analyses of these Panax species revealed high diversity of primary and secondary metabolites both at the tissue and interspecific levels. In particular, genomic SVs identified at ginsenoside biosynthesis genes, including copy number variation and large fragment deletion, appear to have played important roles in the evolution and diversification of ginsenosides. A further herbivore deterrence experiment demonstrated that, as major triterpenoidal saponins found exclusively in Panax, ginsenosides provide protection against insect herbivores. Our study provides new insights on how polyploidization-derived SVs have contributed to phenotypic novelty and plant adaptation.

Metabolic phenotype analysis of Trichophyton rubrum after laser irradiation.

BACKGROUND: Biological phenotypes are important characteristics of microorganisms, and often reflect their genotype and genotype changes. Traditionally, Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) phenotypes were detected using carbon source assimilation tests, during which the types of tested substances are limited. In addition, the operation is complicated, and only one substance can be tested at once. To observe the changes of the metabolic phenotype of T. rubrum after laser irradiation, a high-throughput phenotype microarray system was used to analyze the metabolism of different carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur source substrates in a Biolog metabolic phenotyping system. RESULTS: The strain of T. rubrum used in this study can effectively utilize 33 carbon, 20 nitrogen, 16 phosphorus, and 13 sulfur source substrates prior to laser irradiation. After laser irradiation, the strain was able to utilize 10 carbon, 12 nitrogen, 12 phosphorus, and 8 sulfur source substrates. The degree of utilization was significantly decreased compared with the control. Both groups efficiently utilized saccharides and organic acids as carbon sources as well as some amino acids as nitrogen sources for growth. The number of substrates utilized by T. rubrum after laser irradiation were significantly reduced, especially carbon substrates. Some substrates utilization degree in the laser treated group was higher than control, such as D-glucosamine, L-glutamine, D-2-Phospho-Glyceric Acid, D-glucosamine-6-phosphate, and D-methionine. CONCLUSION: Laser irradiation of T. rubrum may lead to changes in the metabolic substrate and metabolic pathway, thus weakening the activity of the strain.

Phenotypic and transcriptomic responses of the shade-grown species Panax ginseng to variable light conditions.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Elucidating how plant species respond to variable light conditions is important to understand the ecological adaptation to heterogeneous natural habitats. Plant performance and its underlying gene regulatory network have been well documented in sun-grown plants. However, the phenotypic and molecular responses of shade-grown plants under variable light conditions have remained largely unclear. METHODS: We assessed the differences in phenotypic performance between Panax ginseng (shade-grown) and Arabidopsis thaliana (sun-grown) under sunlight, shade and deep-shade conditions. To further address the molecular bases underpinning the phenotypic responses, we compared time-course transcriptomic expression profiling and candidate gene structures between the two species. KEY RESULTS: Our results show that, compared with arabidopsis, ginseng plants not only possess a lower degree of phenotypic plasticity among the three light conditions, but also exhibit higher photosynthetic efficiency under shade and deep-shade conditions. Further comparisons of the gene expression and structure reveal that differential transcriptional regulation together with increased copy number of photosynthesis-related genes (e.g. electron transfer and carbon fixation) may improve the photosynthetic efficiency of ginseng plants under the two shade conditions. In contrast, the inactivation of phytochrome-interacting factors (i.e. absent and no upregulation of the PIF genes) are potentially associated with the observed low degree of phenotypic plasticity of ginseng plants under variable light conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides new insights into how shade-grown plants respond to variable light conditions. Candidate genes related to shade adaptation in ginseng provide valuable genetic resources for future molecular breeding of high-density planting crops.

Zinc-Loaded Black Phosphorus Multifunctional Nanodelivery System Combined With Photothermal Therapy Have the Potential to Treat Prostate Cancer Patients Infected With COVID-19.

Since 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has swept the world and become a new virus threatening the health of all mankind. The survey found that prostate cancer accounts for one in three male cancer patients infected with COVID-19. This undoubtedly makes prostate cancer patients face a more difficult situation. Prostate cancer is the second most harmful malignant tumor in men because of its insidious onset, easy metastasis, and easy development into castration-resistant prostate cancer even after treatment. Due to its high immunogenicity and a small number of specific infiltrating T cells with tumor-associated antigens in the tissue, it is difficult to obtain a good therapeutic effect with immune checkpoint blocking therapy alone. Therefore, in the current study, we developed a platform carrying Doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded black phosphate nanometer combined with photothermal therapy (PTT) and found this drug combination stimulated the immungentic cell death (ICD) process in PC-3 cells and DC maturation. More importantly, zinc ions have a good immunomodulatory function against infectious diseases, and can improve the killing ability of the nanosystem against prostate cancer cells. The introduction of Aptamer (Apt) enhances the targeting of the entire nanomedicine. We hope that this excellent combination will lead to effective treatment strategies for prostate cancer patients infected with COVID-19.

Reshuffling of the ancestral core-eudicot genome shaped chromatin topology and epigenetic modification in Panax.

All extant core-eudicot plants share a common ancestral genome that has experienced cyclic polyploidizations and (re)diploidizations. Reshuffling of the ancestral core-eudicot genome generates abundant genomic diversity, but the role of this diversity in shaping the hierarchical genome architecture, such as chromatin topology and gene expression, remains poorly understood. Here, we assemble chromosome-level genomes of one diploid and three tetraploid Panax species and conduct in-depth comparative genomic and epigenomic analyses. We show that chromosomal interactions within each duplicated ancestral chromosome largely maintain in extant Panax species, albeit experiencing ca. 100-150 million years of evolution from a shared ancestor. Biased genetic fractionation and epigenetic regulation divergence during polyploidization/(re)diploidization processes generate remarkable biochemical diversity of secondary metabolites in the Panax genus. Our study provides a paleo-polyploidization perspective of how reshuffling of the ancestral core-eudicot genome leads to a highly dynamic genome and to the metabolic diversification of extant eudicot plants.

Symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema/baboon syndrome induced by traditional Chinese medicine.

BACKGROUND: Symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) refers to an uncommon cutaneous adverse reaction that symmetrically involves the buttock and intertriginous areas after systemic exposure to the offending drug and is previously known as baboon syndrome. SDRIFE related with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: We presented a case of SDRIFE /baboon syndrome induced by TCM, Xi-Huang capsule. METHODS: A 57-years-old man presented with macular erythematous rash mainly on his intergluteal, inguinal, axillary, popliteal regions for a duration of 5 days. The lesions appeared a day after an oral Chinese patent medicine Xi-Huang capsule for arthralgia. Drug eruption was diagnosed. The rash disappeared completely within a week with immediate discontinuation of Xi-Huang capsule and a short term of systemic therapy with glucocorticosteroids. Patch testing was performed on the patient 1 month after complete resolution. He was patch tested with Xi-Huang capsule (5% and 10% in petroleum) using Finn Chambers on Scanpor tape and T.R.U.E. test system. Five heathy volunteers were also patch tested with the same Xi-Huang capsule. RESULTS: Patch testing to 20 common contact allergens including nickel and fragrance were negative. TCM patch test was positive. No positive results were found in five volunteers. Months later, the patient relapsed after an oral herbal Chinese medicine challenge for arthralgia. To avoid the rash recurrence, he stopped taking any Chinese herbal medicine and had complete resolution of disease. CONCLUSION: The Chinese patent drugs for external and oral have unique advantages and have been widely used in many diseases. It is important that dermatologists monitor for clinically significant manifestations of TCM, such as baboon syndrome. Patch testing could help make a definitive diagnosis.

Efficacy and Safety of Qingpeng Ointment for Subacute and Chronic Eczema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qingpeng ointment for the treatment of subacute and chronic eczema. METHOD: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on Qingpeng ointment for subacute and chronic eczema were searched on PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Journal from their inception to 30 November 2020. Quality assessment and data analysis were performed by Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: A total of 26 RCTs were included. Qingpeng ointment could significantly improve the total efficacy rate (TER) (RR = 2.60, 95% CI: 2.11 to 3.21, P < 0.00001), reduce the total symptom score (TSS) (SMD = -2.35, 95% CI: -3.74 to -0.97, P = 0.0009), and decrease visual analogue scale (VAS) for pruritus (MD = -3.86, 95% CI: -4.41 to -3.31, P < 0.00001) compared with the placebo. The TER of Qingpeng ointment was similar to that of topical corticosteroid (TCS) (RR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.88 to 1.03, P = 0.25), and the TSSs between Qingpeng ointment and medium or low potency TCS were not significantly different (SMD = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.22 to 0.12, P = 0.54). However, Qingpeng ointment was not superior to TCS in reducing VAS score (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.96, P = 0.05). In addition, Qingpeng ointment combined with TCS performed better than TCS alone in all three outcomes. For safety, nothing but skin irritative reactions occurred in the Qingpeng ointment group, and its incidence of skin irritative reactions was similar to those of the placebo (RR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.61 to 3.55, P = 0.40) and TCS (RR = 1.82, 95% CI: 0.79 to 4.22, P = 0.16). The combined therapy did not increase the risk of skin irritative reactions (RR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.27 to 1.78, P = 0.44). CONCLUSION: Qingpeng ointment is an effective and safe treatment for subacute and chronic eczema. It is also an add-on treatment to TCS for eczema. However, due to the suboptimal quality of the included studies, more large-sample and high-quality RCTs are needed to improve the evidence quality.

Efficacy and Safety of Runzao Zhiyang Capsule as an Add-On Therapy for Chronic Eczema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Runzao Zhiyang capsule (RZC), an oral Chinese herbal medicine, has been widely used for chronic eczema in China for many years. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RZC as an add-on therapy to conventional treatment for chronic eczema. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy and safety of RZC as an add-on therapy for chronic eczema were retrieved from eight literature databases from their inception to 31 August, 2020, including CNKI, WanFang, VIP, Sinomed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. The data were analyzed by RevMan5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 18 RCTs involving 1896 patients with chronic eczema were included. Compared with no oral treatment, RZC was superior on the total efficacy rate (TER) (RR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.23 to 1.72, P < 0.0001), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) (MD = -0.73, 95% CI: -0.90 to -0.56, P < 0.00001), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pruritus (MD = -2.76, 95%CI: -4.53 to -0.99, P=0.002). Similar results were also seen in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Compared with the antihistamine (AH) group, TER in the RZC combined with AH group was significantly higher (RR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.43, P < 0.00001), and the EASI score (MD = -0.29, 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.20, P < 0.001), the VAS score (MD = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.23 to -0.15, P < 0.00001), and the level of serum total IgE (MD = -9.83 ng/ml, 95% CI: -11.66 to -8.00 ng/ml, P < 0.00001) decreased more significantly in the RZC combined with AH group. In terms of safety, mild gastrointestinal diseases occurred more frequently in the RZC group, and no serious adverse effect was reported. CONCLUSIONS: RZC as an add-on therapy to conventional treatment shows good effects on chronic eczema, and there is no severe side effect from short-term use of RZC. However, due to suboptimal quality of the included studies, more large-sample and high-quality RCTs are needed to improve the evidence quality.

High Chromosomal Stability and Immortalized Totipotency Characterize Long-Term Tissue Cultures of Chinese Ginseng (Panax Ginseng).

Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) is a highly cherished traditional Chinese medicine, with several confirmed medical effects and many more asserted health-boosting functions. Somatic chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of many types of human cancers and also related to other pathogenic conditions such as miscarriages and intellectual disabilities, hence, the study of this phenomenon is of wide scientific and translational medical significance. CIN also ubiquitously occurs in cultured plant cells, and is implicated as a major cause of the rapid decline/loss of totipotency with culture duration, which represents a major hindrance to the application of transgenic technologies in crop improvement. Here, we report two salient features of long-term cultured callus cells of ginseng, i.e., high chromosomal stability and virtually immortalized totipotency. Specifically, we document that our callus of ginseng, which has been subcultured for 12 consecutive years, remained highly stable at the chromosomal level and showed little decline in totipotency. We show that these remarkable features of cultured ginseng cells are likely relevant to the robust homeostasis of the transcriptional expression of specific genes (i.e., genes related to tissue totipotency and chromosomal stability) implicated in the manifestation of these two complex phenotypes. To our knowledge, these two properties of ginseng have not been observed in any animals (with respect to somatic chromosomal stability) and other plants. We posit that further exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying these unique properties of ginseng, especially somatic chromosomal stability in protracted culture duration, may provide novel clues to the mechanistic understanding of the occurrence of CIN in human disease.

Efficacy and Safety of Giant Condyloma Acuminatum with Monotherapy of Topical Traditional Chinese Medicine: Report of Eight Cases.

BACKGROUND: Giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA), also called Buschke-Löwenstein tumor, presents as a verrucous infiltrating lesion and is caused by sexual transmission of human papilloma virus. The optimal treatment is controversial and there are no standard guidelines because of its rarity and frequent recurrence. It has a relatively high local recurrence rate. OBJECTIVE: We here report eight patients (six men and two women) with GCA whose lesions were successfully treated topically with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations, paiteling. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We administered topical TCM preparations to eight patients diagnosed with GCA who had refused surgery. The treatment process included three stages, their durations depending on the speed of resolution of the lesions and the results of visual inspection with acetic acid. RESULTS: No significant complications occurred in any patient. The functional and esthetic outcomes were satisfactory. No recurrences were detected during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Topical treatment with TCM preparations may be a good alternative to surgery or other traditional methods for the treatment of GCA. This treatment has the advantages of being non-invasive, painless, and having a low risk of recurrence, and may be a useful adjunct to mainstream medical treatments.

Evolutionary Contribution of Duplicated Genes to Genome Evolution in the Ginseng Species Complex.

Genes duplicated by whole genome duplication (WGD) and small-scale duplication (SSD) have played important roles in adaptive evolution of all flowering plants. However, it still remains underinvestigated how the distinct models of duplication events and their contending evolutionary patterns have shaped the genome and epigenomes of extant plant species. In this study, we investigated the contribution of the WGD- and SSD-derived duplicate genes to the genome evolution of one diploid and three closely related allotetraploid Panax species based on genome, methylome, and proteome data sets. Our genome-wide comparative analyses revealed that although the ginseng species complex was recently diverged, they have evolved distinct overall patterns of nucleotide variation, cytosine methylation, and protein-level expression. In particular, genetic and epigenetic asymmetries observed in the recent WGD-derived genes are largely consistent across the ginseng species complex. In addition, our results revealed that gene duplicates generated by ancient WGD and SSD mechanisms exhibited distinct evolutionary patterns. We found the ancient WGD-derived genes (i.e., ancient collinear gene) are genetically more conserved and hypomethylated at the cytosine sites. In contrast, some of the SSD-derived genes (i.e., dispersal duplicated gene) showed hypermethylation and high variance in nucleotide variation pattern. Functional enrichment analyses of the duplicated genes indicated that adaptation-related traits (i.e., photosynthesis) created during the distant ancient WGDs are further strengthened by both the more recent WGD and SSD. Together, our findings suggest that different types of duplicated genes may have played distinct but relaying evolutionary roles in the polyploidization and speciation processes in the ginseng species complex.

Reporting Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials for the Treatment of Eczema with Chinese Patent Medicine Based on the CONSORT-CHM Formulas 2017.

OBJECTIVE: Chinese patent medicine (CPM) has been widely used to treat eczema in mainland China for decades. This study aims to investigate circulating CPM for eczema in mainland China and to evaluate the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of them by using the CONSORT-CHM formulas 2017 (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials for Chinese herbal medicine formulas 2017). METHODS: Circulating CPM with the indication for eczema was selected by searching three drug databases and confirmed by contacting the manufacturers. RCTs for the treatment of eczema with CPM were selected in four Chinese literature databases and four English literature databases from their inception to August 31, 2019. The reporting quality of included RCTs was assessed based on the CONSORT-CHM formulas 2017. A univariate analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with the reporting quality. RESULTS: A total of 70 circulating CPMs had the indication for eczema. Among them, 21 CPMs with 144 RCTs reached the eligible criteria. The mean overall quality score (OQS) of 144 RCTs was 19.85 ± 2.73, which was much less than the maximum score of 38. Of the 38 items, 12 items were reported in over 70% of the trials, 6 items were reported in 50%-70% of the trials, and 16 items were reported in less than 50% of the trials. Publication after 2015 (P < 0.001) and the first author from a university hospital (P=0.010) were associated with the better reporting quality. CONCLUSION: There are a lot of circulating CPMs with the indication for eczema in mainland China, but both the quantity and the reporting quality of RCTs regarding those CPMs are suboptimal. It is necessary that authors and journal editors learn and adhere to the CONSORT-CHM formulas 2017 to enhance the reporting quality of RCTs for the treatment of eczema with CPM.

Morphological and Transcriptome Analyses Provide Insights into Growth Inhibition of Trichophyton rubrum Caused by Laser Irradiation.

Trichophyton rubrum is one of the most common types of dermatophyte, causing superficial skin mycosis in human populations. Although laser treatment of onychomycosis has been proven to be effective in the clinic, the underlying mechanism of the effect of the laser on fungal growth is not clear. The objective of the present study was to observe the ultrastructural changes of Trichophyton rubrum following laser irradiation and compare the transcriptome differences between the laser irradiation group and control group. In the present study, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the ultrastructural changes following the laser irradiation of Trichophyton rubrum. We also performed RNA-seq to investigate the effects of laser irradiation on Trichophyton rubrum by comparing the transcriptome pattern with the control. Morphological observation with electron microscopy indicated that laser irradiation resulted in the destruction of the cell membrane system. A significant induction of apoptosis was noted compared with the control group, which was confirmed by the formation of the myeloid body and protein aggregates in the cytoplasm. RNA-seq demonstrated that the expression levels of Acyl-CoA N-acyltransferase and S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferase were increased in the laser irradiation group. This result indicated that laser irradiation triggered the initiation of the damage repair pathway. In conclusion, the present study suggested that laser irradiation caused physiological injury and therefore inhibited the growth of Trichophyton rubrum.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Compound Glycyrrhizin Capsules Combined with a Topical Corticosteroid in Adults with Chronic Eczema.

BACKGROUND: Glycyrrhizin is widely used in skin disorders, such as psoriasis, alopecia areata, and allergic diseases, but has not been extensively studied in patients with chronic eczema. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral compound glycyrrhizin (OCG) plus topical corticosteroid (TCS) in adults with chronic eczema. METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with chronic eczema (n = 199). Randomized participants from 6 centers in China received either 75 mg OCG capsules or placebo capsules three times a day and TCS (i.e., 0.1% mometasone furoate ointment) once a day for 28 days. Efficacy was determined by analyzing the mean change from the baseline using standardized measures including the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), and the visual analogue scale score (VAS) of itching. RESULTS: Decreases in absolute EASI were significantly greater in the OCG-treated group versus placebo on day 14 (-3.41 ± 1.41 vs. -2.71 ± 1.25, P < 0.001) and day 28 (-7.39 ± 1.71 vs. -6.64 ± 1.75, P=0.003). OCG-treated patients also saw greater benefit in other EASI metrics including EASI-50 (96.8% vs. 87.9%, P=0.021) and EASI-75 (47.9% vs. 21.2%, P < 0.001) on day 28 compared with placebo. The absolute IGA score reductions were also significantly greater in the OCG group than the placebo (all P < 0.05). In addition, proportions of patients who achieve clear (0) IGA scores or almost clear (1) IGA scores were significantly higher in the treated group than placebo on day 14 (22.8% vs. 6.2%, P=0.001) and day 28 (93.5% vs. 79.4%, P=0.005). Moreover, the proportions of patients with reduced pruritus were significantly greater in the treated group than placebo on day 28 (94.7% vs. 83.8%, P=0.016) and eczema recurrence was notably less in the OCG group versus placebo (3.19% vs. 12.12%, P=0.021). Eleven patients experienced adverse events, but there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients affected (3.0% vs. 8.5%, P > 0.05). The most common adverse events were edema of both lower limbs. CONCLUSION: For adults with chronic eczema, OCG capsules combined with TCS is an effective and well-tolerated treatment, suggesting that OCG may be a useful nonsteroidal agent with an additional effect for the treatment of chronic eczema by TCS.

Efficacy and safety of Run Zao Zhi Yang capsule on chronic eczema: a multiple-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.

Background: Run Zao Zhi Yang capsule (RZZYC) has been widely applied for eczema treatment as a traditional Chinese medicine, while its efficacy has not been scientifically investigated. Objective: We conducted this multiple-centers, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effectiveness and safety of RZZYC on the treatment of patients with mild to moderate chronic eczema. Methods: 240 patients were randomly assigned into the experimental group and the placebo group. The primary efficacy indicator was the Eczama Area and Severity Index (EASI) score at week 4. The patient with an EASI score that decreases more than 95% from baseline (EASI 95) was judged as cured. The cured patients were followed up for another 8 weeks. The differences on EASI, Visual Analogue Score (VAS), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score were compared. Results: The proportions of EASI 95 and EASI 60 in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group at week4 (p = .002 and p < .001, respectively), the VAS score decreased more significantly in the experimental group at week 4. After 8 weeks follow-up, no difference on recurrence rate and adverse event rate between the two groups was observed. Conclusion: RZZYC provides a good effect on the treatment of mild-to-moderate chronic eczema with a low recurrence and tolerable adverse events, and is a potential treatment that may be implemented in clinical practice.

Antipruritic Effect of Qingpeng Ointment on the Localized Nonexudative Eczema.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Qingpeng ointment on eczema-associated pruritus. TRIAL DESIGN AND METHOD: This single center randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial enrolled 60 patients with nonexudative eczema, who were randomized at 1:1 ratio to the Qingpeng ointment and placebo control groups (n=30 in each group). The investigational and control ointment were applied on lesions twice daily for two weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and pruritus symptom scores were used to assess pruritus severity, frequency, and duration. Eczema lesions were evaluated by eczema area and severity index (EASI) and lesion morphology scores. Subjects were evaluated after the first treatment and at the end of the first and second week. RESULTS: The average age and disease duration were 50.1±13.5 years and 30.9±16.0 weeks, respectively. Baseline EASI and VAS scores were similar between the two groups. VAS scores of the Qingpeng ointment group were significantly lower than those of the placebo control group at 10 minutes and 30 minutes after the first treatment and the first and second week follow-up (all P < 0.05). The scores of pruritus severity, frequency, and duration were significantly lower in the Qingpeng ointment group than in the control group at the end of week 1 and week 2 of the study (all P < 0.05). The scores of lesion morphology at the end of week 1 of the study were not significantly different between the two groups, but the Qingpeng ointment group showed significantly lower score than the placebo control group at the end of week 2 of the study. No adverse event was observed in the study. CONCLUSION: Qingpeng ointment can effectively alleviate pruritus and reduce skin lesions in patients with nonexudative eczema. The antipruritic effects occurred early and at a greater magnitude than the effects on lesion attenuation.

Skin Biophysical Parameters and Patch Test Results in People Predisposing to Xiaotong Tiegao Induced Irritant Contact Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Xiaotong Tiegao (XTT) is an ancient topical Tibetan medicine plaster which is widely used in China. Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) caused by XTT is very common. It is still unclear why some people are more prone to develop ICD. The aim of this study is to study the baseline skin biophysical parameters and patch test results in individuals predisposing to XTT induced ICD. METHODS: During a four-month period, 149 healthy volunteers with ICD and 50 volunteers without ICD after applying XTT were recruited. The skin biophysical parameters were measured, and contact allergy to 20 common allergens was patch tested, at two weeks after the ICD was recovered. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age and sex between ICD and control groups. It was found that skin median melanin value (176.50 vs 189.50, P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test) and erythema value (319.90 ± 70.49 vs 347.93 ± 84.55, P < 0.05, Independent-Samples T test) were much lower in ICD than control group. Overall patch test results were not different, but the positivity rate of nickel sulfate (15.44% vs 4.00%, P < 0.05, Fisher's exact test) was significantly higher in ICD group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, people with nickel allergy, lower values of skin melanin, and erythema are predisposing to develop ICD.

Positive Selection Driving Cytoplasmic Genome Evolution of the Medicinally Important Ginseng Plant Genus Panax.

Panax L. (the ginseng genus) is a shade-demanding group within the family Araliaceae and all of its species are of crucial significance in traditional Chinese medicine. Phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses demonstrated that two rounds of whole genome duplications accompanying with geographic and ecological isolations promoted the diversification of Panax species. However, contributions of the cytoplasmic genomes to the adaptive evolution of Panax species remained largely uninvestigated. In this study, we sequenced the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of 11 accessions belonging to seven Panax species. Our results show that heterogeneity in nucleotide substitution rate is abundant in both of the two cytoplasmic genomes, with the mitochondrial genome possessing more variants at the total level but the chloroplast showing higher sequence polymorphisms at the genic regions. Genome-wide scanning of positive selection identified five and 12 genes from the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes, respectively. Functional analyses further revealed that these selected genes play important roles in plant development, cellular metabolism and adaptation. We therefore conclude that positive selection might be one of the potential evolutionary forces that shaped nucleotide variation pattern of these Panax species. In particular, the mitochondrial genes evolved under stronger selective pressure compared to the chloroplast genes.

Genome-Wide Variation Patterns Uncover the Origin and Selection in Cultivated Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer).

Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a medicinally important herb and plays crucial roles in traditional Chinese medicine. Pharmacological analyses identified diverse bioactive components from Chinese ginseng. However, basic biological attributes including domestication and selection of the ginseng plant remain under-investigated. Here, we presented a genome-wide view of the domestication and selection of cultivated ginseng based on the whole genome data. A total of 8,660 protein-coding genes were selected for genome-wide scanning of the 30 wild and cultivated ginseng accessions. In complement, the 45s rDNA, chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes were included to perform phylogenetic and population genetic analyses. The observed spatial genetic structure between northern cultivated ginseng (NCG) and southern cultivated ginseng (SCG) accessions suggested multiple independent origins of cultivated ginseng. Genome-wide scanning further demonstrated that NCG and SCG have undergone distinct selection pressures during the domestication process, with more genes identified in the NCG (97 genes) than in the SCG group (5 genes). Functional analyses revealed that these genes are involved in diverse pathways, including DNA methylation, lignin biosynthesis, and cell differentiation. These findings suggested that the SCG and NCG groups have distinct demographic histories. Candidate genes identified are useful for future molecular breeding of cultivated ginseng.