5-min mindfulness audio induction alleviates psychological distress and sleep disorders in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness meditation is beneficial to mitigate the negative effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the general population, but no study examined such meditation in the COVID-19 patients themselves. AIM: To explore the short-term efficacy of mindfulness meditation in alleviating psychological distress and sleep disorders in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled patients with mild COVID-19 treated at Wuhan Fangcang Hospital in February 2020. The patients were voluntarily divided into either a mindfulness or a conventional intervention group. The patients were evaluated before/after the intervention using the Short Inventory of Mindfulness Capability (SMI-C), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: Seventy-five participants were enrolled in this study, with 43 and 32 in the mindfulness and conventional groups, respectively. Before the intervention, there were no differences in SMI-C, HADS, or PSQI scores between the two groups. After the 2-wk intervention, the mindfulness level (from 30.16 ± 5.58 to 35.23 ± 5.95, P < 0.001) and sleep quality (from 12.85 ± 3.06 to 9.44 ± 3.86, P < 0.001) were significantly increased in the mindfulness group. There were no differences in the conventional group. After the intervention, the mindfulness level (35.23 ± 5.95 vs 31.17 ± 6.50, P = 0.006) and sleep quality (9.44 ± 3.86 vs 11.87 ± 4.06, P = 0.011) were significantly higher in the mindfulness group than in the conventional group. Depression decreased in the mindfulness group (from 14.15 ± 3.21 to 12.50 ± 4.01, P = 0.038), but there was no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Short-term mindfulness meditation can increase the mindfulness level, improve the sleep quality, and decrease the depression of patients with COVID-19.

In vitro assays suggest Shenqi Fuzheng Injection has the potential to alter melanoma immune microenvironment.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A modern agent Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI), prepared from Codonopsis Radix and Astragali Radix, has been commonly used as a supplementary therapy for cancers including melanoma. This agent was derived from a formula documented in the "National Collection of Chinese Medicine Prescriptions". The formula has long been used as a remedy for Qi deficiency that is closely associated with cancer-related fatigue and poor quality of life. However, the antimelanoma mechanisms of SFI remain unclear. Here we tested if SFI exerted antimelanoma effects by reprograming the tumour immune microenvironment using in vitro assays. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytotoxic activities of Jurkat T cells when co-cultured with A375 cells were determined in the presence or absence of SFI. The migratory activities of Jurkat T cells were examined in the transwell assay system. The mRNA expression and production of cytokines (IL-10, TGF ß and VEGF) in A375 cells in the presence or absence of SFI were determined by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: When A375 cells were co-cultured with Jurkat T cells in the presence of SFI (220µg/mL), a potent cytotoxicity effect against A375 cells was observed. Supernatants from A375 cells that were treated with SFI (110 and 220µg/mL) significantly increased the migratory capacity of Jurkat T cells in transwell assays. SFI also markedly reduced the mRNA expression levels and the release of immunosuppressive cytokines IL-10, TGF-ß and VEGF in A375 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: SFI enhanced the cytotoxic and migratory activities of Jurkat T cells towards A375 melanoma cells. The effects were associated with SFI's suppression on immunosuppressive cytokines for their release from and gene expressions in A375 melanoma cells. These in vitro findings suggested that SFI might reprogramme the immunosuppressive melanoma microenvironment in vivo to enhance the cytotoxicity of tumour-infiltrating immune cells. This study provides a pharmacological basis for the adjunctive use of SFI in melanoma treatment.

[Effects of Electroaupuncture Stimulation of "Xiajuxu" (ST 39), etc. on Duodenal Mucosal Injury, Serum Pro-inflammatory Factors Levels and Duodenal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor alpha 7 Expression in Duodenal Ulcer Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the relatively specific effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Xiajuxu" (ST 39, the lower hesea paint of the small intestine), etc. on the level of serum TNF-alpha, lnterleukin-1 P (IL-1 P) and high mobility group protein B 1 (HMGB 1) contents, and duodenum a7 nicotinic acetyicholine receptor (nAchR) expression in duodenal ulcer rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improving duodenal ulcer. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control, model, Xiajuxu (ST 39), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Yanglingquan (GB 34). The duodenal ulcer model was established by subcutaneous injection of 10% Cysteamine Hydrochloride (300 mg/kg), following by giving the rats with access to water containing Cysteamine. EA (10 Hz/50 Hz, 1- 3 mA) was applied to bilateral ST 39, ST 36, ST 37 and GB 34 for 30 min, once daily for 10 days. The ulcer scores (0-5 points) of the duodenal mucosa were assessed according to modified Moraes' methods. Serum TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and HMGB 1 levels were assayed by ELISA and the expression of neuronal a7 nAchR in the duodenal tissue was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: After modeling, the ulcer score, serum TNF-alpha, IL-i p and HMGB 1 contents were significantly increased (P<0.01) and the expression level of a7 nAchR in the duodenal tissue was significantly down- regulated in comparison with the normal control group (P<0.01). Following EA intervention, the serum TNF-alpha and HMGB 1 con- tents in the Xiajuxu(ST 39), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) groups, and the ulcer scores and IL-1 beta content of the Xiajuxu(ST 39), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) groups were considerably reduced, and the expression of alpha7 nAchR in both Xiajuxu (ST 39) and Zusanli (ST 36) groups was evidently increased (P<0.05, P<0.0.1). No significant changes were found in the ulcer score, serum IL-1 beta content, and a7 nAchR expression in the Yanglingquan (GB 34) group and a 7 nAchR expression in the Shangjuxu (ST 37) group in comparison with the model group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA stimulation of ST 36, ST 37 and ST 39 can reduce ulcer injury in duodenal ulcer model rats, which may be associated with their effects in down-regulating serum TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and HMGB 1 contents and up-regulating alpha7 nAchR expression of the duodenal tissue, possibly by suppressing immune and inflammatory reactions and regulating nicotinic activity.

[Rapid identification of chemical components in Congrong Zonggan capsule by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS].

This study was aimed to qualitatively analyze the chemical components in Congrong Zonggan capsule by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). An Agilent SB-C18 Rapid Resolution HD (3.0 mm×100 mm,1.8 µm) was used with acetonitrile (A) - 0.1% formic acid solution (B) as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.2 mL•min⁻¹; the detection wavelength was set at 330 nm and the column temperature was maintained at 30 ℃. Electrospray ion (ESI) source was applied for the qualitative analysis under the negative ion mode. Finally, based on comparison with standard samples, database matching analysis and reviewing relevant literature, 41 compounds were identified from Congrong Zonggan capsule. This method could be used to rapidly detect the chemical components in Congrong Zonggan capsule, providing reference for the quality control of Congrong Zonggan capsule and laying a foundation for the further study on active components mechanism.

[Tea polyphenols reduces the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in rats with experimental varicocele].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of tea polyphenols (TP) on the apoptosis of germ cells in rats with experimental varicocele. METHODS: Thirty-two adolescent male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into groups A (sham-operation), B (high-dose TP), C (low-dose TP), and D (experimental left varicocele). Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in the latter three groups of rats. The animals in groups A and D were fed with normal saline, while those in B and C with TP at 40 and 10 mg per kg per d, respectively, all for 4 weeks. Then, all the rats were sacrificed and the left testes harvested for determination of the expression of HIF-1, Bcl-2, Bax, CytC, and caspase-3 by immunohistochemistry and measurement of the apoptosis index (AI) of spermatogenic cells. RESULTS: The expression of Bcl-2 was higher in groups B and C than in D but lower than in A (P < 0.05), and lower in C than in B (P < 0.05). However, the expressions of HIF-1, Bax, CytC, and caspase-3 were lower in groups B and C than in D but higher than in A (P < 0.05), and higher in C than in B (P < 0.05). The AI of spermatogenic cells was the lowest in group A, higher in D than in the other groups but lower in B than in C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TP can reduce the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in a dose-dependent manner in varicocele rats.

[Measurement of mass fraction of Sanjie Zhentong capsules with near infrared reflectance spectroscopy].

Sanjie Zhentong capsules were scanned by using a near infrared spectra probe with different drug mass fraction and the spectral information of capsule shells and contents in it were obtained. Then partial least squares (PLS) models were developed for the prediction of mass fraction of Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus and Resine draconis in Sanjie Zhentong capsules. The correlation coefficient (r9c)) and root mean standard error( RMSEC) of 0.949 5, 0.958 2 and 4.742 4, 4.135 7. The models obtained correlation coefficient (r(v)) of 0.919 2, 0.936 7 and root mean square error (RMSECV) of 6.158 9, 5.037 3 respectively in the training set. The paired T test analysis of statistics showed that there were no significant difference between predictive values and measure values. The established models reflected a strong prediction performance and can meet the needs of the production.

Flavonoid components in Scutellaria baicalensis inhibit nicotine-induced proliferation, metastasis and lung cancer-associated inflammation in vitro.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of flavonoid components in Scutellaria baicalensis on proliferation, metastasis and lung cancer-associated inflammation during nicotine induction in the A549 and H1299 lung cancer cell lines. After experimental period, augmentation of proliferation was observed, accompanied by marked decrease in apoptotic cells in nicotine-induced lung cancer cells; additionally, nicotine-exposed cells exhibited increased invasive and migratory abilities based on invasion and wound-healing assay. Flavones in Scutellaria, baicalin, baicalein and wogonin significantly counteracted the above deleterious changes. Moreover, assessment of tumor apoptotic and metastatic factors on mRNA levels by quantitative PCR and protein levels by western blotting revealed that these phytochemical treatments effectively negated nicotine-induced upregulated expression of bcl-2, bcl-2/bax ratio, caspase-3, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 as well as downregulated expression of bax. Further analysis of inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 in cell culture supernatant and mRNA and protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and I kappa B-alpha (IκB-α) was carried out to substantiate the anti-inflammatory effect of flavones in Scutellaria in nicotine-exposed lung cancer cells. The therapeutic effects observed in the present study are attributed to the potent potential against proliferation, metastasis and inflammatory microenvironment by flavonoid components in Scutellaria in nicotine-induced lung cancer cells.

[An animal model establishment of social stress and its effect evaluation].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a social defeat stress model for simulating the human mental disease, thus laying a foundation for in-depth laboratory research on depression. METHODS: Eight C57BL/6J mice (abbreviated as C57 mice) were recruited as the stress group. They were subject to psychological stress of social defeat for 10 successive days. Besides, another 8 C57 mice were selected as the normal control group (receiving no stress). The Noldus Ethovision was used to evaluate the depressive behavior of mice. The date was acquired in the case of with or without aggressive CD-1 mice in the social defeat open field (SDOF), and it included the two groups of mice's trajectory in the SDOF and the first time of the two groups of mice's entry into the interactive area of the SDOF, the residence time of the two groups of mice in the interactive area of the SDOF, the first time of the two groups of mice's entry into the corner areas of the SDOF and the residence time of the two groups of mice in the corner areas of the SDOF. All data were used to analyze the changes in the behavior of the C57, mice, thus inferring the psychological changes of C57 mice. RESULTS: The mice in the social stress group showed significant behavioral differences when compared with the normal control group. Their trajectories in the interactive area of the SDOF were significantly reduced. The trajectories of the mice in the social stress group were mainly distributed in the corner areas of the SDOF and its surrounding area within the smaller range. The residence time of mice in the social stress group in the interactive area of the SDOF was shortened (P < 0.05). The first time for the mice in the social stress group to enter the interactive area of the SDOF was extended (P < 0.05). Their residence time in the corner areas of the SDOF was shortened (P < 0.05). The first time for mice in the social stress group to enter the corner areas of the SDOF was extended (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: An animal model of depressive behavior can be established by social defeat stress, which was consistent with human depression.

[Analysis of 'treating different diseases by the same method' from aspect of theoretical research and clinical application of 'replenishing Qi and strengthening Shen'].

Treating different diseases by the same method is one of the most important characteristics in Chinese medicine, and as the main principle of treatment it has been widely applied in Chinese clinics. Its clinical effect is clear. The integration of 'differentiation of diseases' and 'differentiation of syndrome' should be the prerequisite and basis of 'treating different diseases by the same method'. Only if different diseases have the same syndrome, the same treatment can be used on them. Replenishing qi and strengthening Shen is a widely used method that carries out 'treating different diseases by the same method'. It is indicated that the method of 'replenishing qi and strengthening Shen' has preferable effects on many diseases. Part of its mechanism is associated with the improvement of function of neuro-endocrine-immune network, and therefore, it has the clinical effect of 'adjustment of the whole and improvement of the part' on partial disorders. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), uterine bleeding in puberty, anovulatory infertility, Kidney syndrome and aging, although they are attributed to different diseases and states, only if they have the syndrome of Shen deficiency, the principle of 'treating different diseases by the same method' and the method of 'replenishing qi 'and strengthening Shen' can be used effectively.

Curcumin attenuates lipolysis stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-α or isoproterenol in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Curcumin, an active component derived from dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been demonstrated antihyperglycemic, antiinflammatory and hypocholesterolemic activities in obesity and diabetes. These effects are associated with decreased level of circulating free fatty acids (FFA), however the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. The flux of FFA and glycerol from adipose tissue to the blood stream primarily depends on the lipolysis of triacylglycerols in the adipocytes. Adipocyte lipolysis is physiologically stimulated by catecholamine hormones. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) stimulates chronic lipolysis in obesity and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we examined the role of curcumin in inhibiting lipolytic action upon various stimulations in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. METHODS: Glycerol release from TNFα or isoproterenol-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes in the absence or presence of curcumin was determined using a colorimetric assay (GPO-Trinder). Western blotting was used to investigate the TNFα-induced phosphorylation of MAPK and perilipin expression. Fatcake and cytosolic fractions were prepared to examine the isoproterenol-stimulated hormone-sensitive lipase translocation. RESULTS: Treatment with curcumin attenuated TNFα-mediated lipolysis by suppressing phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and reversing the downregulation of perilipin protein in TNFα-stimulated adipocytes (p<0.05). The acute lipolytic response to adrenergic stimulation of isoproterenol was also restricted by curcumin (10-20 µM, p<0.05), which was compatible with reduced perilipin phosphorylation(29%, p<0.05) and hormone-sensitive lipase translocation(20%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that curcumin acts on adipocytes to suppress the lipolysis response to TNFα and catecholamines. The antilipolytic effect could be a cellular basis for curcumin decreasing plasma FFA levels and improving insulin sensitivity.

[Effects of icariin on inflammation model stimulated by lipopolysaccharide in vitro and in vivo].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of icariin, from aspects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules. METHODS: Mouse inflammation model in vitro was established by stimulating macrophage cell line RAW264. 7 with lipopolysaccharide (LPS); and the inflammation model in vivo was established by stimulating C57BL/6J mouse with LPS. Taking dexamethasone as the positive control, both models were treated with icariin, and the cell viability in model mice was detected with CCK-8 kit; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in cell culture medium and serum were detected by ELISA; nitric oxide (NO) in cell culture medium by Griess Reagent method; CD11b expression on the surface of neutrophil in mice by flow cytometry, and pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration in mice by pathological section as well. RESULTS: in vitro studies showed that icariin at the doses of 1 microg/mL, 10 microg/mL and 100 microg/mL, all displayed no cytotoxicity (P < 0.01); 10 microg/mL and 100 microg/mL icariin effectively lowered the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 (P < 0.01) in medium; and 100 microg/mL icariin significantly reduced level of NO (P < 0.01) in medium. in vivo studies showed that icariin at the dose of 20 mg/kg significantly lowered serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels (P < 0.01), reduced the average fluorescence intensity of adhesion molecules CD11b (P < 0.01), and alleviated pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration. CONCLUSION: Icariin is a safe and effective natural anti-inflammatory drug, its partial mechanism is possible the multiple links intervention on pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6), inflammatory mediators (NO) and adhesion molecules (CD11b).

[Survey of study on therapeutic mechanism of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated by traditional Chinese medicine].

This paper reviewed the reports, published in recent years in China, concerning the mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicines in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), trying to find out its preponderant targets and links, for elevating the level of TCM for prevention and treatment of COPD.