Electroacupuncture Improves Blood-Brain Barrier and Hippocampal Neuroinflammation in SAMP8 Mice by Inhibiting HMGB1/TLR4 and RAGE/NADPH Signaling Pathways / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in vivo.@*METHODS@#Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice were used as AD models and received EA at Yingxiang (LI 20, bilateral) and Yintang (GV 29) points for 20 days. For certain experiments, SAMP8 mice were injected intravenously with human fibrin (2 mg). The Morris water maze test was used to assess cognitive and memory abilities. The changes of tight junctions of blood-brain barrier (BBB) in mice were observed by transmission electron microscope. The expressions of fibrin, amyloid- β (Aβ), and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBa-1) in mouse hippocampus (CA1/CA3) were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot or immunohistochemical staining. The expression of fibrin in mouse plasma was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 and claudin-5 in hippocampus were detected by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. Apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.@*RESULTS@#Fibrin was time-dependently deposited in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice and this was inhibited by EA treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, EA treatment suppressed the accumulation of Aβ in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice (P<0.01), which was reversed by fibrin injection (P<0.05 or P<0.01). EA improved SAMP8 mice cognitive impairment and BBB permeability (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, EA decreased reactive oxygen species levels and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice, which was reversed by fibrin injection (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistically, EA inhibited the promoting effect of fibrin on the high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) signaling pathways (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#EA may potentially improve cognitive impairment in AD via inhibition of fibrin/A β deposition and deactivation of the HMGB1/TLR4 and RAGE/NADPH signaling pathways.

[Processing evolution,chemical components and pharmacological effects of Bufonis Venenum].

Bufonis Venenum,the dried secretion of Bufo bufo gargarizans or B. melanostictus,is toxic and hard with the efficacy of removing toxicity for detumescence and relieving pain. The processing of Bufonis Venenum dates back to the Song dynasty. In addition to the wine-processing,milk-processing and talcum powder-processing,there were some other kinds of processing methods in ancient times,such as baking,calcining,water-soaking and vinegar-processing. Modern studies have shown that the Bufonis Venenum has the main chemical components of bufadienolides,indole alkaloids sterols,and other compounds. It has the pharmacological effects of antitumor,cardiac,antibacterial,and analgesic activities,local anesthesia,and so on. This paper reviews the processing evolution,chemical components and pharmacological effects of Bufonis Venenum,providing references for its special processing and modern research as well as the theoretical basis for the research on its processing mechanism and quality control.

[Adjuvant treatment of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel for persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and action mechanism of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel for persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome. METHODS: Ninety patients with persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 45) and a control group (n = 45). The patients in the control group were treated with momethasone furoate nasal spray, 2 sprays per side per time, once a day. On the basis of treatment in the control group, the patients in the observation group were additionally treated with penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel, 2 h per treatment, once a week. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The TCM symptom score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score were observed in the two groups before and after treatment. The serum level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and complete blood count of eosinophil (EOS) were measured before and after treatment, and the clinical effects were compared. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the TCM symptom scores, VAS scores, RQLQ scores, serum levels of IgE and complete blood count of EOS in the two groups were all reduced after treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 95.6% (43/45), which was higher than 82.2% (37/45) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the momethasone furoate nasal spray, the adjuvant treatment of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel could significantly improve the clinical symptoms in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of immune disorder.

[Research advances in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Pueraria genus].

Kudzu plants in the subfamily sphenoideae of Leguminosae are commonly used herbs in China, Japan, Korea, India and Thailand, with a long history of medicinal use. They are recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Japanese Pharmacopeia, Korea Pharmacopeia, Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia of India and Flora of Thailand. There are 15-20 species of Pueraria in the world, including 7 species and 2 varieties in China. At present, there are 6 species with medicinal value, such as Pueraria lobata and P. thomsonii. The main chemical components of the genus are isoflavones, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, coumarins, puerarin glycosides and benzopyrans. A total of 240 compounds have been isolated and identified from this genus, and their pharmacological effects mainly include improvement of the cardiovascular system, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-alcoholic and estrogen-like effects. In this study, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Pueraria at home and abroad were systematically summarized, in order to provide references for the material basis, quality control and further development of Pueraria genus.

Adjuvant treatment of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel for persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the efficacy and action mechanism of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel for persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome.@*METHODS@#Ninety patients with persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group (@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the TCM symptom scores, VAS scores, RQLQ scores, serum levels of IgE and complete blood count of EOS in the two groups were all reduced after treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Based on the momethasone furoate nasal spray, the adjuvant treatment of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel could significantly improve the clinical symptoms in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of immune disorder.

Progress of Historical Evolution of Processing, Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Effect of Platycodonis Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Platycodonis Radix, which was first recorded in the Agriculture God's Canon of Materia Medica. It is a multi-functional drug with a wide range of applications. The processing of Platycodonis Radix has been recorded as early as in the Jin dynasty, and has a long history of processing. Today, in addition to the washing, cutting and stir-frying with honey, there have also been more than 20 kinds of processing methods, such as stir-frying with wine, stir-frying with bran, stir-frying with Lilii Bulbus juice and so on. The ancients believed that Platycodonis Radix could enhance the effect of diffusing the lung, promoting pharynx and relieving cough by processing. In terms of the chemical compositions in Platycodonis Radix, more than 100 compositions, like triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, phenols, sterols, polysaccharides and polyacetylenes, have been isolated and identified from it. Among them, triterpenoid saponins are the essential compositions. In addition, Platycodonis Radix has the pharmacological effects of expectorant, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, etc. The medicinal ingredients of Platycodonis Radix are mainly triterpenoid saponins and polysaccharides. Among them, triterpenoid saponins have diverse biological activities, which lead it to be one of the hotspots of current researches. Platycodonis Radix has a good role in promoting lung and removing phlegm. After being processed, its medicinal effects are enhanced. It is complex and diverse in compositions of Platycodonis Radix so that has rich pharmacological activities. On the basis of sorting out the literature, this paper discusses the processing history, chemical composition and pharmacological effect of Platycodonis Radix, in order to provide reference for the special processing and modern research of Platycodonis Radix. Furtherly, it provides a theoretical basis for the research of its processing mechanism and quality control.

[Study on neoflavonoids from heartwood of Dalbergia latifolia].

Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum is derived from heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera,which is national Ⅱ level of rare and endangered protective plants in China. Its resources are scarce and its price is high. In order to find substitutes of D. odorifera,the chemical constituents of 70% ethanol extract of heartwood of D. catifolia were systematically studied by using silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography,and semi-preparative HPLC. Sixteen neoflavanoids were isolated and identified as eight dalbergiphenols( 1-8),three dalbergiones( 9-11),two dalbergins( 12,13),two benzophenones( 14,15) and one other type neoflavanoids( 16) based on spectroscopic data analyses and/or comparing the spectroscopic data with those in literature. Among them,compounds 3,7 and 11 were isolated from the genus Dalbergia for the first time,and compounds 2,4-6,8,14 and 15 were isolated from the D. latifolia for the first time. Ten neoflavonoids were both discovered from D. latifolia and D. odorifera.

Study on neoflavonoids from heartwood of Dalbergia latifolia / 中国中药杂志

Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum is derived from heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera,which is national Ⅱ level of rare and endangered protective plants in China. Its resources are scarce and its price is high. In order to find substitutes of D. odorifera,the chemical constituents of 70% ethanol extract of heartwood of D. catifolia were systematically studied by using silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography,and semi-preparative HPLC. Sixteen neoflavanoids were isolated and identified as eight dalbergiphenols( 1-8),three dalbergiones( 9-11),two dalbergins( 12,13),two benzophenones( 14,15) and one other type neoflavanoids( 16) based on spectroscopic data analyses and/or comparing the spectroscopic data with those in literature. Among them,compounds 3,7 and 11 were isolated from the genus Dalbergia for the first time,and compounds 2,4-6,8,14 and 15 were isolated from the D. latifolia for the first time. Ten neoflavonoids were both discovered from D. latifolia and D. odorifera.

A new pyridine alkaloid from Zingiberis rhizoma.

A new alkaloid, named 2-methoxy-4-(2-(2-pyridine)-ethyl) phenol (1), together with two known compounds, was isolated from Zingiberis rhizoma. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and MS spectra. Compound 1 exhibited substantial bioactivity against Canidia albicans ATCC 10231 with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.0 mg/mL.

[Neoflavonoids and their pharmacological activities in Dalbergia genus].

Neoflavonoids are a kind of characteristic components in the Dalbergia genus. Based on the previous researches, 59 neoflavonoids have been obtained from the Dalbergia genus. According to their molecular skeleton, the neoflavonoids can be divided intodalbergiphenols, dalbergiones, dalbergins, benzophenones and other types. Modern research shows that neoflavonoids displayed a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-androgen, anti-allergic, antioxidation etc. This paper reviewed neoflavonoids and their pharmacological functions, which could provide the valuable reference for comprehensive utilization and new drug development in the Dalbergia genus.

Clinical therapy of Zisheng decoction recipe for chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia / 中国中药杂志

To explore the therapeutic effect and security of Zisheng decoction recipein treatment of the chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with intestinal metaplasia(IM). A total of 147 eligible cases were randomly divided into the traditional Chinese medicine group, Western medicine group and the combined group,47 cases in each group. Zisheng decoction recipe, famotidine, as well as Zisheng decoction recipe + famotidine were respectively given in the above three groups, with a treatment course of 30 d. The symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine, pathological score of gastric mucosa and the negative rate of Helicobacter pylori before and after treatment were observed in each group.The changes in pepsinogen Ⅰ (PGⅠ), pepsinogen Ⅱ (PGⅡ), gastrin-17 (GAS-17) and endothelin-1 (ET-1)were also detected to compare the efficient and safety indexes in the three groups. The combined group was better than the traditional Chinese medicine groupand the Western medicine group in total effective rate (P<0.05), pathological score of gastric mucosa and the negative rate of Helicobacter pylori, and serum indexes improvement (P<0.05). The improvement in TCM symptom score was more obvious in traditional Chinese medicine group and combined group than the Western medicine group (P<0.05). In the comparison ofincidence of complications,heart, liver and renal dysfunction, the traditional Chinese medicine group (2 case,4.8%)< the combined group (7 case,15.2%) <the Western medicine group (20 case,41.3%) (P<0.05). In the comparison of the blood and urine routine: the traditional Chinese medicine group (7 case,16.7%)< the combined group (14 case,30.4%) < the Western medicine group (24 case,52.2%) (P<0.05).The results showed that there was no significant difference in total effective rate between Zisheng decoction recipe and Western medicine in the treatment of CAG with IM, indicating Zisheng decoction recipe was effective; meanwhile, it had higher safety than famotidine. Zisheng decoction recipe combined with famotidine showed synergistic effect in the treatment of CAG with IM, can reverse the pathological changes of gastric mucosa in a certain extent, and the effect was better than that of Zisheng decoction recipe alone and famotidine alone.

Two new alkaloids from Melodinus hemsleyanus Diels.

Two new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, named 14,15-dihydro-14ß,15ß-epoxy-10-hydroxyscandine (1) and 15α-hydroxy-meloscandonine (2), together with 12 known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Melodinus hemsleyanus Diels. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the bases of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and MS. Two new compounds were evaluated for their PTP1B and Drak2 inhibitory effects, and inactivity.

Novel stilbenes from Artocarpus nanchuanensis.

Four new stilbene derivatives, hypargystilbenes B-E (1-4), together with seven known compounds (5-11), were isolated from the stems of Artocarpus nanchuanensis S.S. Chang. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data. Hypargystilbene B, hypargystilbene D, and hypargystilbene E exhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory effects with corresponding IC50 values of 3.23, 37.31, and 2.53 nM.

[Lignans from Stem Bark of Styrax perkinsiae].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the stem bark of Styrax perkinsiae. METHODS: The chemical constituents were separated and purified by chromatographic methods after solvent extraction and identified by spectroscopic analyses. RESULTS: Ten lignans were isolated from the stem bark of Styrax perkinsiae and identified as following: pinoresinol 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), matairesinoside (2), styraxlignolide B (3), 3- (ß-D-glucopyranosyloxymethyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl )-7-methoxy-(2R , 3S) -dihydrobenzofuran (4), burselignan (5), (+) -neo-olivil (6), threo-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl )-2-[ 4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-1, 3-propanediol (7), erythro-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl )-2-[ 4-(3-hydroxypropyl )-2-methoxyphenoxy ] -1 ,3-propanediol (8), isolariciresinol(9) and (+) -lariciresinol (10). CONCLUSION: Compounds 5 - 10 are isolated from the plants of Styrax genus for the first time.

[Chemical Constituents from Dalbergia cochinchinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents from the heartwood of Dalbergia cochinchinensis. METHODS: Isolate and purify compounds by various column chromatographic methods. Spectral analysis were taken to identify the structures. RESULTS: Elev- en compounds were isolated and identified as dibutyl terephthalate (1), medicarpin (2), pterostilbene (3), 6-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-4- methoxyphenyl)-benzofuran (4), pterocarpol (5), butyl isobutyl phthalate (6), pterolinus B (7), methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (8), ethyl 4- hydroxybenzoate (9),2-(2'-methoxy-4'-hydroxy)-aryl-3-methyl-6-hydroxy-benzofuran (10) and 6α-hydroxycyclonerolidol (11). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 and 6~10 are isolated from Dalbergia genus for the first time, and compounds 2, 4 and 11 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Investigation of the Material Basis Underlying the Correlation between Presbycusis and Kidney Deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine via GC/MS Metabolomics.

Objective. To investigate the correlation between presbycusis and kidney deficiency as defined by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its material basis from the perspective of metabolism. Methods. Pure-tone audiometry was used to test auditory function. A kidney deficiency symptom scoring table was used to measure the kidney deficiency accumulated scores of the research subjects. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to measure the metabolites in the urine samples from 11 presbycusis patients and 9 elderly people with normal hearing. Results. Hearing loss in the elderly was positively correlated with kidney deficiency score in TCM. There were significant differences in urine metabolite profile between the presbycusis patients and the controls. A total of 23 differentially expressed metabolites were found. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that these metabolites were related to glutathione metabolism, amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor pathway, and the γ -aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor pathway. Conclusion. Glutathione metabolism, amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, NMDA receptors, and GABA receptors may be related to the pathogenesis of presbycusis and may be the material basis underlying the correlation between presbycusis and kidney deficiency in TCM.

Pregnane alkaloids from Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna.

Fourteen pregnane-type steroidal alkaloids were isolated from the ethanolic extracts of whole Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna plants. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data. Three of them were identified as new steroidal alkaloids: (S)-20-(N,N-dimethylamino)-16α,17α-epoxy-3ß-methoxy-pregn-5-ene (1), (20S)-20-(N,N-dimethylamino)-3ß-tigloylamino-5α-pregn-11ß-ol (2), and (20S)-2α,4ß-bis(acetoxy)-20-(N,N-dimethylamino)-3ß-tigloylamino-5α-pregnane (3). Some of the isolated compounds showed estrogen biosynthesis-promoting effects in human ovarian granulosa-like KGN cells. The EC50 values for the most effective compounds, vagnine B (6) and funtumafrine C (12), were 71 µM and 67 µM, respectively.

[Study on the flavonoids from Mosla chinensis 'jiangxiangru'].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Mosla chinensis 'jiangxiangru'. METHODS: The chemical components were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physic chemical properties and spectral data. RESULTS: Five compounds have been isolated from Mosla chinensis 'jiangxiangru'. On the basis of spectral analysis and physicochemical properties, the compounds were identified as negletein (I), luteolin (II), quercetin (III), chrysoeriol (IV) and apigenin (V). CONCLUSION: Compounds I-V are obtained from the genus for the first time.