Prevention from PICC-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs of malignant tumor patients with moxibustion combined with plucking at Jiquan (HT 1): a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of moxibustion combined with plucking technique at Jiquan (HT 1) for preventing peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs of malignant tumor patients.@*METHODS@#A total of 80 malignant tumor patients undergoing PICC were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine care for PICC was exerted. In the observation group, besides the routine care, moxibustion combined with plucking technique at Jiquan (HT 1) was added. Mild moxibustion was exerted along the venous distribution of PICC (avoiding the entry site) for 10 to 15 min, and then, the circling moxibustion was applied to Quchi (LI 11), Xuehai (SP 10) and Tianfu (LU 3), 3 to 5 min at each acupoint. Finally, plucking technique was given at Jiquan (HT 1) for 5 to 10 min. This combined therapy was intervened since the 2nd day of PICC placement, once daily, 5 times a week, for 3 weeks totally. The incidence of the PICC-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs was compared between the two groups on day 42 of placement. On day 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 of PICC placement, the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and the end-diastolic velocity (EDV) of the subclavicular vein on the placement side were observed separately in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The incidence of the PICC-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (2.5% [1/40] vs 17.5% [7/40], P<0.05). From day 7 to 35 of PICC placement, PSV of the subclavicular vein on the placement side was higher than that on the day 2 of PICC placement in the observation group (P<0.05). On day 28 and 42 of PICC placement, PSV of the subclavicular vein on the placement side was lower than that on the day 2 of PICC placement in the control group (P<0.05). In the observation group, EDV of the subclavicular vein on the placement side was higher than that on the day 2 of PICC placement from day 7 to 28 of PICC placement (P<0.05). In the control group, EDV of the subclavicular vein on the placement side from day 28 to 42 of PICC placement was lower than that on the day 2 of PICC placement (P<0.05). From day 7 to 42 of PICC placement, PSV and EDV of the subclavicular vein on the placement side in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment of moxibustion with plucking technique at Jiquan (HT 1) can effectively prevent PICC-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs and improve venous blood flow velocity in malignant tumor patients.

Professor / 中国针灸

To summarize professor

Research progress on anti-tumor effect of Chinese dragon's blood / 中国中药杂志

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese dragon's blood has multiple effects, such as activating blood to remove blood stasis, softening and dispelling stagnation, astringent and hemostasis, clearing swelling and relieving pain, regulating menstruation and rectifying the blood, so it is called "an effective medicine of promoting blood circulation". It has been widely used clinically to treat a variety of diseases. With the further research on Chinese dragon's blood, its anti-tumor medicinal value is gradually emerging. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Chinese dragon's blood exerts anti-tumor effects mainly by inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inducing DNA damage and cell cycle arrest, inducing senescence and autophagy of tumor cells, inhibiting metastasis and angiogenesis, as well as reversing multidrug resistance. This article focuses on the research progress on anti-tumor effects of Chinese dragon's blood extract and its chemical components, with a view to provide new references for the in-depth research and reasonable utilization of Chinese dragon's blood.

Improved stability and oral bioavailability of Ganneng dropping pills following transforming lignans of herpetospermum caudigerum into nanosuspensions / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to improve storage stability and oral bioavailability of Ganneng dropping pills (GNDP) by transforming lignans of Herpetospermum caudigerum (HL) composed of herpetrione (HPE) and herpetin (HPN) into nanosuspension (HL-NS), the main active ingredient of GNDP, HL-NS was prepared by high pressure homogenization and lyophilized to transform into solid nanoparticles (HL nanoparticles), and then the formulated HL nanoparticles were perfused into matrix to obtain NS-GNDP by melting method. For a period of 3 months, the content uniformity, storage stability and pharmacokinetics test in vivo of NS-GNDP were evaluated and compared with regular GNDP at room temperature. The results demonstrated that uniformity of dosage units of NS-GNDP was acceptable according to the criteria of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015J. Physical stability of NS-GNDP was investigated systemically using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), zeta potential measurement, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There was a slight increase in particles and PI of HL-NS re-dispersed from NS-GNDP after storage for 3 months, compared with new formulated NS-GNDP, which indicated a good redispersibility of the NS-GNDP containing HL-NS after storage. Besides, chemical stability of NS-GNDP was studied and the results revealed that HPE and HPN degradation was less when compared with that of GNDP, providing more than 99% of drug residue after storage for 3 months. In the dissolution test in vitro, NS-GNDP remarkably exhibited an increased dissolution velocity compared with GNDP and no distinct dissolution difference existed within 3 months. The pharmacokinetic study showed that HPE and HPN in NS-GNDP exhibited a significant increase in AUC, C and decrease in T when compared with regular GNDP. These results indicated that NS-GNDP possessed superiority with improved storage stability and increased dissolution rate and oral bioavailability.

Improved stability and oral bioavailability of Ganneng dropping pills following transforming lignans of herpetospermum caudigerum into nanosuspensions / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to improve storage stability and oral bioavailability of Ganneng dropping pills (GNDP) by transforming lignans of Herpetospermum caudigerum (HL) composed of herpetrione (HPE) and herpetin (HPN) into nanosuspension (HL-NS), the main active ingredient of GNDP, HL-NS was prepared by high pressure homogenization and lyophilized to transform into solid nanoparticles (HL nanoparticles), and then the formulated HL nanoparticles were perfused into matrix to obtain NS-GNDP by melting method. For a period of 3 months, the content uniformity, storage stability and pharmacokinetics test in vivo of NS-GNDP were evaluated and compared with regular GNDP at room temperature. The results demonstrated that uniformity of dosage units of NS-GNDP was acceptable according to the criteria of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015J. Physical stability of NS-GNDP was investigated systemically using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), zeta potential measurement, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There was a slight increase in particles and PI of HL-NS re-dispersed from NS-GNDP after storage for 3 months, compared with new formulated NS-GNDP, which indicated a good redispersibility of the NS-GNDP containing HL-NS after storage. Besides, chemical stability of NS-GNDP was studied and the results revealed that HPE and HPN degradation was less when compared with that of GNDP, providing more than 99% of drug residue after storage for 3 months. In the dissolution test in vitro, NS-GNDP remarkably exhibited an increased dissolution velocity compared with GNDP and no distinct dissolution difference existed within 3 months. The pharmacokinetic study showed that HPE and HPN in NS-GNDP exhibited a significant increase in AUC, C and decrease in T when compared with regular GNDP. These results indicated that NS-GNDP possessed superiority with improved storage stability and increased dissolution rate and oral bioavailability.

Honokiol ameliorates endothelial dysfunction through suppression of PTX3 expression, a key mediator of IKK/IkappaB/NF-kappaB, in atherosclerotic cell model

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) was identified as a marker of the inflammatory response and overexpressed in various tissues and cells related to cardiovascular disease. Honokiol, an active component isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Magnolia officinalis, was shown to have a variety of pharmacological activities. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of honokiol on palmitic acid (PA)-induced dysfunction of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to elucidate potential regulatory mechanisms in this atherosclerotic cell model. Our results showed that PA significantly accelerated the expression of PTX3 in HUVECs through the IkappaB kinase (IKK)/IkappaB/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway, reduced cell viability, induced cell apoptosis and triggered the inflammatory response. Knockdown of PTX3 supported cell growth and prevented apoptosis by blocking PA-inducted nitric oxide (NO) overproduction. Honokiol significantly suppressed the overexpression of PTX3 in PA-inducted HUVECs by inhibiting IkappaB phosphorylation and the expression of two NF-kappaB subunits (p50 and p65) in the IKK/IkappaB/NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Furthermore, honokiol reduced endothelial cell injury and apoptosis by regulating the expression of inducible NO synthase and endothelial NO synthase, as well as the generation of NO. Honokiol showed an anti-inflammatory effect in PA-inducted HUVECs by significantly inhibiting the generation of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. In summary, honokiol repaired endothelial dysfunction by suppressing PTX3 overexpression in an atherosclerotic cell model. PTX3 may be a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

In vitro dissolution rate of Liuwei Wuling tablet based on biological potency and integrated dissolution / 中国中药杂志

To explore the feasibility of chemical and biological method in evaluation of the in vitro dissolution rate of Liuwei Wuling tablet (LWT), this experiment investigated the inhibitory effect of LWT dissolving solutions on LX-2 hepatic stellate cells in 0.1% SDS dissolution medium in different dissolving periods. From these results, the cumulative dissolution rate of LWT was obtained based on the cell inhibitory rate. The dissolution rates of deoxyschizandrin, phillyrin, and Specnuezhenide were determined by HPLC method. A novel approach of self-defined weighting coefficient had been created to establish the integrated dissolution rate model. Then f2 similar factor method was used to evaluate the relevance of these two methods. The results showed that f2 values for deoxyschizandrin, phillyrin, Specnuezhenide, and the integrated dissolution were 61, 43, 61 and 75 respectively, indicating that the dissolution of multi-component integration could fully reflect the biological potency of the whole recipe. The dissolution evaluation method for multicomponent integration based on biological activity is expected to be one of the effective means for in vitro dissolution test of LWT.

Cognitive impairment in earthquake brain injury treated with comprehensive program of acupuncture and rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the comprehensive program of integrated Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of cognitive impairment in earthquake brain injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The multi-central randomized controlled trial was adopted. The qualified subjects were randomized into an acupuncture + rehabilitation group (38 cases) and a rehabilitation group (35 cases). In the acupuncture + rehabilitation group, acupuncture, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and cognitive rehabilitation training were combined as the comprehensive program of integrated Chinese and western medicine in the treatment. In the rehabilitation group, HBO and cognitive rehabilitation training were adopted. The efficacy and safety were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) After treatment of 2 months, the intelligent state, cognitive function and activity of daily life of patients were improved in the both groups (all P < 0.01). (2) After treatment of 2 months, the score of MMSE and the score of activity of daily life were (24.11 +/- 4.08) and (75.45 +/- 13.95) in the acupuncture + rehabilitation group, which were more significant as compared with (17.05 +/- 43.84), (66.06 +/- 12.75) in the rehabilitation group, respectively (both P < 0.01). In 6-month follow-up visit after treatment, the cognitive function and activity of daily life were improved continuously in the acupuncture + rehabilitation group, which was more significant as compared with the rehabilitation group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The integrated Chinese and western medicine of acupuncture, HBO and cognitive rehabilitation training is safe and effective in the treatment of cognitive impairment in earthquake brain injury. The therapeutic effect is more advantageous as compared with the simple rehabilitation program of western medicine.</p>

Observation on the long-term efficacy of knee osteoarthritis treated with warm needling and rehabilitation training / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the long-term efficacy and safety of warm needling therapy combined with rehabilitation training in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) for the patients living in simple room after earthquake.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-eight cases of KOA were randomized into a warm needling group and an acupuncture group, 44 cases in each one. In the warm needling group, the warm needling therapy was applied at Neixiyan (EX LE 4) and Dubi (ST 35), in combination with rehabilitation training. In the acupuncture group, the same rehabilitation training was received, and the same acupoints were selected as the warm needling group, but only stimulated with acupuncture without moxibustion applied. The clinical efficacy was observed after 20 treatments and in 1-2 months of follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 100.0% (41/41) in the warm needling group, which was apparently superior to 85.4% (35/41) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The symptom integral, pain and knee joint function score were all improved significantly after 20 treatments in both groups (all P < 0.05). The improvements in symptoms and pain in the warm needling group were superior apparently to the acupuncture group (all P < 0.05). The efficacy remained well within 2 months follow-up (all P < 0.05). But the difference in knee joint function score was not statistically significant between the two groups (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of warm needling and rehabilitation training achieves the superior efficacy and good safety in the treatment of KOA as compared with the combined therapy of simple acupuncture and rehabilitation training for the patients living in simple room after earthquake.</p>

Screening based on response surface methodology of multi-fractions traditional Chinese medicine with anti-influenza virus neuraminidase activity: take shuanghuanglian injection as an example / 药学学报

This study aimed to establish a novel method to screen out the combined components of multi-fractions traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), so that the internal relationship between multi-ingredients could be objectively assessed and the proportioning ratio could be optimized. Taking antiviral effect on neuraminidase activity of influenza virus as the evaluating indicator and using Box-Behnken response surface methodology, the main effective ingredients of Shuanghuanglian injection (SHL) were screened. Meanwhile, the relationship between active ingredients was discussed. Taking SHL as a comparison, the optimum proportioning ratio was predicted. The results indicated that chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and baicalin have comparatively strong antiviral activity against influenza virus. Moreover, antagonistic action existed between chlorogenic acid and cryptochlorogenic acid, whereas synergistic action between caffeic acid and other components. The optimum proportioning ratio resulted from fitted model is: chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and baicalin (107 microg x mL(-1) : 279 microg x mL(-1) : 7.99 microg x mL(-1) : 92 microg x mL(-1)). The antiviral activity of the recombined components is stronger than that of SHL, which was consistent with the experiment results (P < 0.05). Box-Behnken response surface methodology has the advantages of general-screening, high-performance and accurate-prediction etc, which is appropriate for screening the combined components of multi-fractions TCM and the optimization of the proportioning ratio. The proposed method can serve as a technological support for the development of modern multi-fractions TCM.

Combination of acupuncture, cupping and medicine for treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome: a multi-central randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical effect of combination of acupuncture, cupping and medicine for treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using multi-central randomized controlled method, 186 cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture combined with cupping and western medicine group (group A), an acupuncture combined with cupping group (group B) and a western medicine group (group C) and treated continuously for 4 weeks. The treatment of acupuncture combined with cupping was produced by acupuncture at five mental points and moving cupping on the Hechelu of the back, once evrey other day, thrice each week, and the western medicine therapy by oral administration of Amitriptyline, once each day. The scores of McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), the amount of tenderness point and the time of producing effect were compared and the therapeutic effects were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured and markedly effective rate was 65.0% (39/60) in the group A, which was superior to 15.9% (10/63) in the group B and 16.1% (9/56) in the group C (both P < 0.001). After treatment, the scores of MPQ and HAMD and the amount of tenderness point all decreased in the three groups, group A being significantly better than group B and group C, and the time of producing effect in the group A was more earlier than those in the group B and the group C.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture, cupping and medicine on fibromyalgia syndrome is superior to that of the simple acupuncture combined with cupping or the simple medicine.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of surround needling plus surround moxibustion on herpes zoster / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for a better therapy for herpes zoster.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-two cases of herpes zoster were randomly divided into a treatment group of 38 cases treated with surround needling plus surround moxibustion (direct moxibustion at the area of surround needling), and a control group of 34 cases treated with surround needling the margin of the herpes zoster from "the head" to "the tail" of the herpes zoster respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 38 cases in the treatment group were cured within 3 days with an effective rate of 97.4%, which was better than 85.3% in the control group (P<0.05), with the herpes stopping and scab time shorten, and incidence of residual neuralgia reduced.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Surround needling plus surround moxibustion has obvious therapeutic effect on herpes zoster.</p>

Comparative study on therapeutic effects of acupuncture, Chinese herbs and Western medicine on nervous tinnitus / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2), Chinese herbs and western medicine on nervous tinnitus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety cases were randomly divided into 3 groups, 30 cases in each group. The acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2), 20 min each session, once a day, 10 sessions constituting one course; the Chinese herbs group with modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (decocted in water), one dose each day, 10 doses constituting one course; the western medicine group with bandazol, Dextran 40, Danshen tablet, and vitamin B12, 10 days constituting one course. After 3 courses, the therapeutic effects were evaluated with criteria of assessment for therapeutic effects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rates in the 3 groups were 73.3%, 40.0% and 33.3%, respectively, with significant differences among the 3 groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture has obvious therapeutic effect on nervous tinnitus, and acupuncture at cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) is an effective therapy for nervous tinnitus, and its therapeutic effect is better than those of Chinese herbs and western medicine.</p>

[RP-HPLC determination of mangiferin in the leafs of Folium mangiferae sampled in different months and regions].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new method for determination of Mangiferin in the leafs of Folium mangiferae. By this new method, Mangiferin in F. mangiferae sampled in different months and in different regions was determinated. METHOD: A RP-HPLC method was set up, using Shim pack CLC-ODS column, methanol-0.05 mol.L-1 H3PO4(65:134, pH 3.5) as mobile phase, with 258 nm of detection wave, at room temperature, 1 mL.min-1. F. mangiferae sampled in Nanning, Qinzhou and Tianyang, Guangxi province and sampled respectively in January to December were determinated. RESULT: The average recovery of the RP-HPLC was 99.2%, RSD = 1.05% (n = 5). The content of Mangiferin in F. mangiferae was statistically different due to different sample-regions or sample-time. CONCLUSION: This RP-HPLC method is simple, specific and exact. The contents of Mangiferin in the leafs of F. mangiferae sample in Nanning and Tinayang were statistically similar, but higher than that in Qinzhou. The contents of Mangiferin in the leafs of F. mangiferae sampled in July to October were higher than that in the other months. The content in September was the highest, the content in February was the lowest.