Optical coherence tomography angiography quantitative analysis of the effect of modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction on blood flow to the optic disc in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction in treating non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)of qi and yin deficiency and stagnation of collaterals, and to quantitatively analyze the changes in peripapillary vessel density before and after treatment using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS:A randomized controlled trial was used to collect a total of 58 patients(99 eyes)with qi and yin deficiency and stagnation of collaterals NPDR who visited our hospital from June 2022 to November 2022, and patients were randomly divided into an observation group(n=29, 51 eyes)and a control group(n=29, 48 eyes). The control group received basic treatment according to the recommendations for DR published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2019(blood glucose control, diabetes health education, and regular follow-up for patients with mild NPDR; and add local/grid-like laser photocoagulation if necessary for patients with moderate NPDR), while the observation group received modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction in addition to the basic treatment for 1mo. The best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)efficacy, peripapillary telangiectasia vessel density(ppVD), and changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer(pRNFL)thickness were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.RESULTS:The BCVA(LogMAR)of the observation group was 0.20(0.10, 0.30)after 1mo of treatment, which was significantly improved compared with that of the control group of 0.30(0.20, 0.40; P<0.05). The TCM efficacy in the observation group after 1mo of treatment was better than that in the control group(P<0.05). The ppVD in all quadrants of the observation group showed a significant improvement at 1mo after treatment, and the ppVD in all quadrants of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). The pRNFL thickness in the superior, temporal, and average peripapillary areas of the observation group increased after 1mo of treatment, and the pRNFL thickness in the superior, temporal, inferior quadrants, and average peripapillary area of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction can improve visual acuity and enhance TCM efficacy in patients with NPDR of qi and yin deficiency and stagnation of collaterals. It may be related to its ability to improve ppVD and reduce damage to the pRNFL.

Research progress in appropriate technologies of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of bedridden patients with urinary retention in traumatic orthopedics / 中华创伤杂志

Urinary retention is a common complication of bedridden patients in traumatic orthopedics. The severe condition can even cause permanent bladder injury and renal failure, which brings great pain and psychological pressure to patients and seriously hinders their rehabilitation. The traditional Chinese medicine appropriate technologies have the characteristics of safety, effectiveness, low cost, simplicity and easy learning and achieve good clinical effects in the prevention and treatment of bedridden patients with urinary retention in traumatic orthopaedics, including Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion, massage, etc. The authors summarize the research progress in appropriate technologies of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of bedridden patients with urinary retention in traumatic orthopedics from aspects of action principles, operation methods and effects of acupuncture points, moxibustion therapy, manipulation therapy, external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and acupoint injection, so as to provide a reference for further nursing research and clinical application.

Using a consensus acupoints regimen to explore the relationship between acupuncture sensation and lumbar spinal postoperative analgesia: A retrospective analysis of prospective clinical cooperation / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#This study evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment on postoperative pain in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease, and explored the relationship between the postoperative analgesic effect of acupuncture and the sensation of acupuncture experienced by the patients.@*METHODS@#This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 97 patients who had undergone an operation by the same surgeon due to degenerative lumbar disease. These patients were divided into acupuncture group (n = 32), patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) group (n = 27), and oral analgesia group (n = 38) according to the different postoperative analgesic methods. During their hospitalization, patients completed daily evaluations of their pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and injection times of supplemental meperidine were recorded. Also, the Chinese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (C-MASS) was used in the acupuncture group.@*RESULTS@#Each of the three treatment groups showed significant reductions in postoperative pain, as shown by reduced VAS scores. The acupuncture group, however, had less rebound pain (P < 0.05) than the other two groups. Both the acupuncture and PCA groups experienced acute analgesic effects that were superior to those in the oral analgesia group. In addition, the higher the C-MASS index on the second day after surgery, the lower the VAS score on the fourth day after surgery. There was also a significant difference in the "dull pain" in the acupuncture sensation.@*CONCLUSION@#The results demonstrated that acupuncture was beneficial for postoperative pain and discomfort after simple surgery for degenerative spinal disease. It is worth noting that there was a disproportionate relevance between the patient's acupuncture sensation and the improvement of pain VAS score.

Data Mining Study on Prescription Patterns of Different Dosage Forms of Chinese Herbal Medicines for Treating and Improving Immune-Inflammatory Indices in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the prescription patterns of different dosage forms of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their effects on immune-inflammatory indices.@*METHODS@#Clinical data were collected from patients with RA in 4 hospitals (3 Class A comprehensive hospitals and 1 Class B comprehensive hospital) in Anhui Province, China, from August 2012 to June 2018 via the electronic medical record gathering system. Following extraction of prescription information, each prescribed herb was quantified and standardized according to the knowledge base to establish a database of RA treatment formulae. The medical records were divided into the granules group and decoction pieces group. Core herbs and their combination patterns were obtained from the two groups of cases using Liquorice software. Changes in immune-inflammatory and hepatic and renal function indices were compared between the two groups using SPSS 23.0 software. The Aprior module of SPSS Clementine 11.1 software was applied to analyse the correlation between CHMs and improvement in indices. Finally, the ORACLE 10 g tool was used to evaluate the random walk model of the immune-inflammatory indices between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#(1) We retrospectively analysed 35,898 prescriptions for 6,829 patients with RA who received CHM treatment. There were 3,816 patients in the granules group and 3,013 in the decoction pieces group. (2) The core herbs were Pi (Spleen)-strengthening and dampness-resolving drugs, blood-activating and stasis-resolving drugs, wind/dampness-dispelling drugs and heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs. (3) Both dosage forms could improve immune-inflammatory indices in RA patients, with similar efficacy and no influence on hepatic or renal function. (4) Herba Siegesbeckiae and Oldenlandia had a stronger association with immune-inflammatory indices in the two groups. (5) The immune-inflammatory indices showed obvious improvement after treatment with granules and decoction pieces of CHMs, and there were long range correlations between the comprehensive evaluation indices and interventions.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The principal CHM treatment methods for RA in four hospitals in Anhui Province are strengthening Pi and resolving dampness, activating blood and resolving stasis, dispelling wind/dampness and clearing heat. Granules and decoction pieces of CHMs have similar efficacy in improving immune-inflammatory indices in RA patients and could be used as treatment options for RA.

Comparative metabolomics analysis of different sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) tissues reveals a tissue-specific accumulation of metabolites.

BACKGROUND: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) leaves, flowers, especially seeds are used in traditional medicine to prevent or cure various diseases. Its seed's market is expanding. However, the other tissues are still underexploited due to the lack of information related to metabolites distribution and variability in the plant. Herein, the metabolite profiles of five sesame tissues (leaves, fresh seeds, white and purple flowers, and fresh carpels) have been investigated using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)-based widely targeted metabolomics analysis platform. RESULTS: In total, 776 metabolites belonging to diverse classes were qualitatively and quantitatively identified. The different tissues exhibited obvious differences in metabolites composition. The majority of flavonoids predominantly accumulated in flowers. Amino acids and derivatives, and lipids were identified predominantly in fresh seeds followed by flowers. Many metabolites, including quinones, coumarins, tannins, vitamins, terpenoids and some bioactive phenolic acids (acteoside, isoacteoside, verbascoside, plantamajoside, etc.) accumulated mostly in leaves. Lignans were principally detected in seeds. 238 key significantly differential metabolites were filtered out. KEGG annotation and enrichment analyses of the differential metabolites revealed that flavonoid biosynthesis, amino acids biosynthesis, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were the main differently regulated pathways. In addition to the tissue-specific accumulation of metabolites, we noticed a cooperative relationship between leaves, fresh carpels, and developing seeds in terms of metabolites transfer. Delphinidin-3-O-(6"-O-p-coumaroyl)glucoside and most of the flavonols were up-regulated in the purple flowers indicating they might be responsible for the purple coloration. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the metabolic processes in the sesame tissues are differently regulated. It offers valuable resources for investigating gene-metabolites interactions in sesame tissues and examining metabolic transports during seed development in sesame. Furthermore, our findings provide crucial knowledge that will facilitate sesame biomass valorization.

Genome-Wide Analysis of nsLTP Gene Family and Identification of SiLTPs Contributing to High Oil Accumulation in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.).

The biosynthesis and storage of lipids in oil crop seeds involve many gene families, such as nonspecific lipid-transfer proteins (nsLTPs). nsLTPs are cysteine-rich small basic proteins essential for plant development and survival. However, in sesame, information related to nsLTPs was limited. Thus, the objectives of this study were to identify the Sesamum indicum nsLTPs (SiLTPs) and reveal their potential role in oil accumulation in sesame seeds. Genome-wide analysis revealed 52 SiLTPs, nonrandomly distributed on 10 chromosomes in the sesame variety Zhongzhi 13. Following recent classification methods, the SiLTPs were divided into nine types, among which types I and XI were the dominants. We found that the SiLTPs could interact with several transcription factors, including APETALA2 (AP2), DNA binding with one finger (Dof), etc. Transcriptome analysis showed a tissue-specific expression of some SiLTP genes. By integrating the SiLTPs expression profiles and the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) results of two contrasting oil content sesame varieties, we identified SiLTPI.23 and SiLTPI.28 as the candidate genes for high oil content in sesame seeds. The presumed functions of the candidate gene were validated through overexpression of SiLTPI.23 in Arabidopsis thaliana. These findings expand our knowledge on nsLTPs in sesame and provide resources for functional studies and genetic improvement of oil content in sesame seeds.

Traveling waves for a three-component reaction-diffusion model of farmers and hunter-gatherers in the Neolithic transition.

The Neolithic transition began the spread of early agriculture throughout Europe through interactions between farmers and hunter-gatherers about 10,000 years ago. Archeological evidences indicate that the expanding velocity of farming into a region occupied by hunter-gatherers is roughly constant all over Europe. In the late twentieth century, from the contribution of the radiocarbon dating, it could be found that there are two types of farmers: one is the original farmer and the other is the converted farmer which is genetically hunter-gatherers but learned agriculture from neighbouring farmers. Then this raises the following questions: Which farming populations play a key role in the expansion of farmer populations in Europe? and what is the fate of hunter-gatherers (e.g., become extinct, or live in lower density, or live in agricultural life-style)? We consider a three-component reaction-diffusion system proposed by Aoki, Shida and Shigesada, which describes the interactions among the original farmers, the converted farmers, and the hunter-gatherers. In order to resolve these two questions, we discuss traveling wave solutions which give the information of the expanding velocity of farmer populations. The main result is that two types of traveling wave solutions exist, depending on the growth rate of the original farmer population and the conversion rate of the hunter-gatherer population to the converted farmer population. The profiles of traveling wave solutions indicate that the expansion of farmer populations is determined by the growth rate of the original farmer and the (maximal) carrying capacity of the converted farmer, and the fate of hunter-gatherers is determined by the growth rate of the hunter-gatherer and the conversion rate of the hunter-gatherer to the converted farmer. Thus, our results provide a partial answer to the above two questions.

Effective components of Shengxian Decoction and its mechanism of action in treating chronic heart failure based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS integrated with network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to elucidate the effective components of Shengxian Decoction and its mechanism of action in treating chronic heart failure. Firstly, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS was established to identify the main chemical constituents in the rat serum after intragastric administration with Shengxian Decoction. Secondly, the absorbed components in serum were then used for the network pharmacology analysis to infer the mechanism and effective components. Targets for constituents in serum were predicted at TCMSP and Swiss-TargetPrediction database. An association network map was drawn by network visualization software Cytoscape 3.6.1. Finally, GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out for the core target genes. By UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS, 18 prototype compounds were definitely identified, including five compounds from Astragali Radix, four compounds from Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, four compounds from Bupleuri Radix, four compounds from Cimicifugae Rhizoma, and one compound from Platycodonis Radix. Those components of Shengxian Decoction were closely associated with 13 key protein targets, including inflammatory factors, like IL6, IL1 B, TNF, PTGS2, IL10; redox enzymes CAT, HMOX1, and MPO; cardiovascular targets, like VEGFA, NOS3, and NOS2; and transmememial proteins CAV1 and INS. Network pharmacology analysis showed that the 18 compounds could be responsible for the treatment of chronic heart failure by regulating HIF-1 signaling pathways, PI3 K-Akt signaling pathways, cGMP-PKG signaling pathways, cAMP signaling pathways and TNF signaling pathways. This study provided a scientific basis for mechanism and effective ingredients of Shengxian Decoction.

Research progress on active components and mechanism of Isatidis Radix for influenza virus / 中国中药杂志

Isatidis Radix is the dried root of the Isatis indigotica, with pharmacological effects such as heat-clearing and detoxification, cooling blood and pharyngeal relief, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It is often used clinically to prevent and treat influenza and other diseases. In this paper, relevant domestic and foreign literatures in recent years were summarized, and it was found that Isatidis Radix lignans, indole alkaloids, polysaccharides, etc. were the main active components against influenza virus. Then its pharmacological effects and the mechanism of action were reviewed, providing a basis for in-depth research on the antiviral effect of Isatidis Radix.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Allergic Rhinitis Treatment with Acupuncture / 中国结合医学杂志

With reference to international guidelines for the development of tools-Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system approach and reasoning, this practice guideline has been drafted reflecting the characteristics of acupuncture to improve effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for allergic rhinitis. This guideline includes outlining the acupuncture diagnosis and treatment principles for allergic rhinitis, suggesting recommendations and related evidence for the acupuncture treatment of allergic rhinitis, and defining operating methods and precautions for the acupuncture treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Molecular genetics of medicinal plants, past achievement, and new era / 中国中药杂志

Unraveling the genetic basis of medicinal plant metabolism and developmental traits is a long-standing goal for pharmacologists and plant biologists. This paper discusses the definition of molecular genetics of medicinal plants, which is an integrative discipline with medicinal plants as the research object. This discipline focuses on the heredity and variation of medicinal plants, and elucidates the relationship between the key traits of medicinal plants(active compounds, yield, resistance, etc.) and genotype, studies the structure and function, heredity and variation of medicinal plant genes mainly at molecular level, so as to reveal the molecular mechanisms of transmission, expression and regulation of genetic information of medicinal plants. Specifically, we emphasize on three major aspects of this discipline.(1)Individual and population genetics of medicinal plants, this part mainly highlights the genetic mechanism of the domestication, the individual genomics at the species level, and the formation of genetic diversity of medicinal plants.(2)Elucidation of biosynthetic pathways of active compounds and their evolutionary significance. This part summarizes the biosynthesis, diversity and molecular evolution of active compounds in medicinal plants.(3) Molecular mechanisms that shaping the key agronomic traits by internal and external factors. This part focuses on the accumulation and distribution of active compounds within plants and the regulation of metabolic network by environmental factors. Finally, we prospect the future direction of molecular genetics of medicinal plants based on the rapid development of multi-omics technology, as well as the application of molecular genetics in the future strategies to achieve conservation and breeding of medicinal plants and efficient biosynthesis of active compounds.

Clinical observation of herb-separated moxibustion combining western medication on allergic rhinitis of kidney- deficiency type and correlation with infrared thermal imagining / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the therapeutic effect of herb-separated moxibustion combined with budesonide nasal spray (rhinocort) on moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis (AR) of kidney- deficiency type, and to explore the correlation between nasal temperature and condition of allergic rhinitis.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 patients with moderate to severe persistent AR were randomized into an observation group (35 cases) and a control group (35 cases, 3 cases dropped off). Both groups were treated with rhinocort, one spray on each side of the nostril (approximately 64 μg each spray), once in the morning and once in the evening, for 4 weeks. On the basis of the above treatment, the observation group was treated with herb-separated moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Feishu (BL 13), Zhiyang (GV 9), Dazhui (GV 14), 3 moxibustions per acupoint, a single treatment lasting about 30 min. This treatment was given once every other day, 3 times every week, and totally continuous 4 weeks. The changes of AR symptom visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were observed before and after treatment and at 3 months follow-up after treatment. The heat variation (temperature, range) on projection areas of the nose, lungs, large intestine and kidneys of the two groups' patients before and after treatment were detected by the infrared thermal imaging diagnostic system, and the correlation between the VAS scores and nasal temperature before and after treatment was analyzed. The clinical effects of both groups were evaluated according to the VAS score.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate in the observation group after treatment was 85.7% (30/35), which was higher than 71.9% in the control group (23/32, <0.05). After treatment and at follow-up, the VAS scores of both groups were lower than those before treatment (<0.05), and the VAS score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group at follow-up (<0.05). After treatment, the nasal temperature, pulmonary range, large intestinal range and renal range of the observation group were all lower than those before treatment (<0.05), the nasal temperature and nasal range of the control group were lower than before treatment (<0.05), and the reduction of nasal temperature, nasal range and renal range in the observation group was greater than that of the control group (<0.05). Before and after treatment, there was a correlation between VAS score and nasal temperature (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The herb-separated moxibustion combining western medication has a better effect and long-term effect than western medication alone for moderate to severe persistent AR, which can improve heat variation on projected areas of the nose, lung, large intestine and kidney of patients. In addition, nasal temperature can reflect the severity of the symptoms of patients with moderate to severe persistent AR, or it can be used as a secondary indicator to evaluate condition of AR.

: development and characteristics / 中国针灸

- () is clarified from three aspects: the development method, contents and clinical application, which could provide clinical practical strategies suitable for most patients for clinicians. Based on comprehensive literature search and summary of acupuncture practice, the best clinical research evidence is obtained according to the evidence-based method, the evidence-quality evaluation and recommendation grading are introduced. With ancient literature, famous experts' experience and expert consensus, the recommendations of acupuncture-moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea are developed, which are safe, effective and applicable for clinical treatment. The could standardize the acupuncture treatment plan for primary dysmenorrhea.

Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Promotes Apoptosis via Mitochondrial Pathways in the Livers of Broilers with Selenium Deficiency Exudative Diathesis Disease.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenous gasotransmitter, plays an important role in apoptosis. Exudative diathesis (ED) disease is associated with dietary selenium (Se) deficiency in broilers. The liver is one of the target organs of Se deficiency; however, little is known about the effect of H2S on apoptosis via mitochondrial pathways in the livers of broilers with ED disease. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between endogenous H2S and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in the livers of broilers with ED disease, as induced by Se deficiency. One hundred twenty healthy, 1-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to one of two groups (60 each) based on diet: Basal diet (control group, 0.2 mg/kg Se) or a low-Se diet (-Se group, 0.033 mg/kg Se). At day 20, 15 broilers of a similar weight were sacrificed from the control group, while the same number of broilers were euthanatized from the -Se group when displaying typical symptoms of ED between days 18 and 25. The livers were collected, and apoptosis was measured using a TUNEL assay. Additionally, H2S concentration, the expression of H2S synthases of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST), as well as mitochondrial apoptosis-related genes of Bcl-2, Bax, Bak, Cyt-C, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and p53, were examined in livers. The results indicated that Se deficiency could induce apoptosis in the livers of broilers. Swelling, fractures, and vacuolization were visible in the mitochondrial cristae in the livers of the -Se group. The expression of H2S synthase-related genes and H2S concentration was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) in the livers of the -Se group compared to controls. Moreover, a low-Se diet downregulated (P < 0.05) the level of Bcl-2 and upregulated (P < 0.05) the levels of Bax, Bak, Cyt-C, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and p53. These results suggest that an H2S increase in the livers of ED broilers, which was induced by Se deficiency, is related to apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial pathways.

Protective effects of Bushen Tiansui decoction on hippocampal synapses in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

Bushen Tiansui decoction is composed of six traditional Chinese medicines: Herba Epimedii, Radix Polygoni multiflori, Plastrum testudinis, Fossilia Ossis Mastodi, Radix Polygalae, and Rhizoma Acorus tatarinowii. Because Bushen Tiansui decoction is effective against amyloid beta (Aß) toxicity, we hypothesized that it would reduce hippocampal synaptic damage and improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease. To test this hypothesis, we used a previously established animal model of Alzheimer's disease, that is, microinjection of aggregated Aß25-35 into the bilateral brain ventricles of Sprague-Dawley rats. We found that long-term (28 days) oral administration of Bushen Tiansui decoction (0.563, 1.688, and 3.375 g/mL; 4 mL/day) prevented synaptic loss in the hippocampus and increased the expression levels of synaptic proteins, including postsynaptic density protein 95, the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit, and Shank1. These results suggested that Bushen Tiansui decoction can protect synapses by maintaining the expression of these synaptic proteins. Bushen Tiansui decoction also ameliorated measures reflecting spatial learning and memory deficits that were observed in the Morris water maze (i.e., increased the number of platform crossings and the amount of time spent in the target quadrant and decreased escape latency) following intraventricular injections of aggregated Aß25-35 compared with those measures in untreated Aß25-35-injected rats. Overall, these results provided evidence that further studies on the prevention and treatment of dementia with this traditional Chinese medicine are warranted.

Is the Chinese medicinal formula Guipi Decoction () effective as an adjunctive treatment for depression? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Guipi Decoction (, GPD) as an adjunctive in the treatment of depression. METHODS: A review of all relevant studies retrieved from a search of the following databases were conducted without any language restriction: Excerpt Medica Database (EMBASE), PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Information, Wanfang Data, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Papers published until February 2013 were taken into consideration. The analysis was performed using the Cochrane software Revman 5.1. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials involving 620 patients with depression were included in this review. The meta-analysis revealed that compared with antidepressant therapy alone, treatment with a combination of GPD and an antidepressant drug signifificantly improved the symptoms of depression [weighted mean difference (WMD):-3.09; 95% confifidence interval (CI):-4.11 to-2.07] and increased the rates of effectiveness (OR: 4.75; 95% CI: 2.66-8.51) as well as recovery (OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.17-2.56). The adverse effects of GPD were not found to be signifificant in these studies. CONCLUSIONS: The fifindings of this meta-analysis were in keeping with the notion that GPD formulations were effective in the treatment of depression without causing any serious adverse effects. However, currently available evidence was of low quality and therefore inadequate to justify a strong recommendation of using GPD formulations in the management of depression.

Discussion on quantum entanglement theory and acupuncture / 中国针灸

The quantum entanglement is a new discovery of modern physics and has drawn a widely attention in the world. After learning the quantum entanglement, the authors have found that many characteristics of quantum are reflected in TCM, acupuncture theory and clinical practice. For example, the quantum entanglement phenomenon is mutually verified with the holism,doctrine, the theory of primary, secondary, root and knot in TCM, etc. It can be applied to interpret the clinical situations which is difficult to be explained in clinical practice, such as the instant effect of acupuncture, multi-point stimulation in one disorder and the points with specific effects. On the basis of the discovery above, the quantum entanglement theory achieved the mutual treatment among the relatives in acupuncture clinical practice and the therapeutic effects were significant. The results suggest that the coupling relationship in quantum entanglement presents between the diseases and the acupoints in the direct relative. The authors believe that the discovery in this study contributes to the exploration on the approaches to the acupuncture treatment in clinical practice and enrich the ideas on the disease prevention.

Herbal-partitioned moxibustion for moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis with spleen-deficiency syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical efficacy of herbal-partitioned moxibustion on moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis (AR) with spleen-deficiency syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With prospective case series study method, forty-seven patients of moderate and severe persistent AR with spleen-deficiency syndrome were treated with herbal-partitioned moxibustion at Yintang (GV 29), Shenque (CV 8), Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36), once every two days, three treatments a week, continuously for 8 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) and scores of spleen-deficiency syndrome were recorded before treatment, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment as well as 4 weeks after treatment; in addition, the improvement rate of each index was compared before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared before treatment, the VAS, RQLQ and scores of spleen-deficiency syndrome were significantly reduced 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment as well as 4 weeks after treatment (<0.05,<0.01). The efficacy was gradually increased 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment (all<0.01). On the 8 weeks into treatment, the improved and markedly effective rate was 59.6% (28/47) for VAS, 19.1% (9/47) for RQLQ and 14.9% (7/47) for scores of spleen-deficiency syndrome; the total effective rate was all 85.1% (40/47). Compared with 4 weeks after treatment, there was no significant difference (all>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The herbal-partitioned moxibustion has superior efficacy for moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis with spleen-deficiency syndrome.</p>

Anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory actions of vaticaffinol isolated from Dipterocarpus alatus in hyperuricemic mice / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to examine the anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects and possible mechanisms of vaticaffinol, a resveratrol tetramer isolated from ethanol extracts of Dipterocarpus alatus, in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. At 1 h after 250 mg·kg potassium oxonate was given, vaticaffinol at 20, 40, and 60 mg·kg was intragastrically administered to hyperuricemic mice once daily for seven consecutive days. Vaticaffinol significantly decreased serum uric acid levels and improved kidney function in hyperuricemic mice. It inhibited hepatic activity of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XOD), regulated renal mRNA and protein levels of urate transporter 1 (URAT1), glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1), organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1), OCT2, organic cation/carnitine transporter 1 (OCTN1), and OCTN2 in hyperuricemic mice. Moreover, vaticaffinol markedly down-regulated renal protein levels of NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like (ASC), and Caspase-1, resulting in the reduction of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in this animal model. Additionally, HPLC and LC-MS analyses clearly testified the presence of vaticaffinol in the crude extract. These results suggest that vaticaffinol may be useful for the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia with kidney inflammation.

HPPR encodes the hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase required for the biosynthesis of hydrophilic phenolic acids in Salvia miltiorrhiza / 中国天然药物

Salvia miltiorrhiza is a medicinal plant widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Hydrophilic phenolic acids, including rosmarinic acid (RA) and lithospermic acid B (LAB), are its primary medicinal ingredients. However, the biosynthetic pathway of RA and LAB in S. miltiorrhiza is still poorly understood. In the present study, we accomplished the isolation and characterization of a novel S. miltiorrhiza Hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase (HPPR) gene, SmHPPR, which plays an important role in the biosynthesis of RA. SmHPPR contained a putative catalytic domain and a NAD(P)H-binding motif. The recombinant SmHPPR enzyme exhibited high HPPR activity, converting 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (pHPP) to 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid (pHPL), and exhibited the highest affinity for substrate 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate. SmHPPR expression could be induced by various treatments, including SA, GA, MeJA and Ag, and the changes in SmHPPR activity were correlated well with hydrophilic phenolic acid accumulation. SmHPPR was localized in cytoplasm, most likely close to the cytosolic NADPH-dependent hydroxypyruvate reductase active in photorespiration. In addition, the transgenic S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots overexpressing SmHPPR exhibited up to 10-fold increases in the products of hydrophilic phenolic acid pathway. In conclusion, our findings provide a new insight into the synthesis of active pharmaceutical compounds at molecular level.