Dual-Fuel Propelled Nanomotors with Two-Stage Permeation for Deep Bacterial Infection in the Treatment of Pulpitis.

Bacterial infection-induced inflammatory response could cause irreversible death of pulp tissue in the absence of timely and effective therapy. Given that, the narrow structure of root canal limits the therapeutic effects of passive diffusion-drugs, considerable attention has been drawn to the development of nanomotors, which have high tissue penetration abilities but generally face the problem of insufficient fuel concentration. To address this drawback, dual-fuel propelled nanomotors (DPNMs) by encapsulating L-arginine (L-Arg), calcium peroxide (CaO2 ) in metal-organic framework is developed. Under pathological environment, L-Arg could release nitric oxide (NO) by reacting with reactive oxygen species (ROS) to provide the driving force for movement. Remarkably, the depleted ROS could be supplemented through the reaction between CaO2 with acids abundant in the inflammatory microenvironment. Owing to high diffusivity, NO achieves further tissue penetration based on the first-stage propulsion of nanomotors, thereby removing deep-seated bacterial infection. Results indicate that the nanomotors effectively eliminate bacterial infection based on antibacterial activity of NO, thereby blocking inflammatory response and oxidative damage, forming reparative dentine layer to avoid further exposure and infection. Thus, this work provides a propagable strategy to overcome fuel shortage and facilitates the therapy of deep lesions.

Traditional Chinese medicine for smoking cessation: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may have special advantages in facilitating smoking cessation, but consensus on effectiveness is lacking. We aim to comprehensively review, update, and refine current evidence on TCM effectiveness and safety. METHODS: Nine databases were searched from their inception up to 28 February 2023. Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analysis of TCM for smoking cessation were identified and retrieved. Additional databases and hand searches of RCTs from included SRs were performed for data pooling. Cochrane ROB tools and AMSTAR-2 were used to evaluate the methodological quality of RCTs and SRs, respectively. RCT data are presented as relative risks (RR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using RevMan 5.4. RESULTS: Thirteen SRs involving 265 studies with 33081 participants were included. Among these 265 studies, 157 were duplicates (58.36%) and 52 were non-RCTs (19.62%). Combined with the remaining 56 RCTs identified through hand searches, 88 RCTs involving 12434 participants were finally included for data synthesis. All the SRs focused on acupoint stimulation, and the majority were of low or very low quality. The methodological quality of RCTs was either unclear or high risk. For continuous abstinence rate, TCM external interventions were better than placebo in 6 months to 1 year (RR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.14-2.25; I2=27%; n=5533 participants). Compared with placebo, TCM external application was effective in reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and the effect was gradually stable and obvious in the fourth week (MD= -4.46; 95% CI: -5.43 - -3.49; n=165 participants). Twelve RCTs reported adverse events as outcome indicators for safety evaluation, and no serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the methodological limitations of the original studies, our review suggests that TCM intervention shows potential effectiveness on the continuous abstinence rate. Extending the intervention time can enhance the effect of TCM on nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Referred to adverse events, more data for safety evaluation are required.

Efficacy and safety of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglucoside for idiopathic membranous nephropathy: a systematic review with bayesian meta-analysis.

Background: Currently, the optimal therapy plan for idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) remains controversial as there has been no comprehensive and systematic comparison of therapy plans for IMN. Therefore, in this study, a Bayesian meta-analysis was used to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of various intervention plans involving traditional Chinese medicine TWM in the treatment of IMN. Methods: An electronic search in 7 databases was conducted from their inception to August 2022 for all published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of various intervention plans for IMN. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed by using software R, and the surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) probability curve was plotted for each outcome indicator to rank the efficacy and safety of different intervention plans. Results: A total of 30 RCTs were included, involving 13 interventions. The results showed that (1) in terms of total remission (TR), ① GC + CNI + TWM was the best effective among all plans, and the addition and subtraction plan of CNI + TWM was the best effective for IMN; ② All plans involving TWM were more effective than GG; ③ Among monotherapy plans for IMN, TWM was more effective distinctly than GC, while TWM and CNI were similarly effective; ④ Among multidrug therapy plans for IMN, the addition of TWM to previously established therapy plans made the original plans more effective; ⑤The efficacy of combining TWM with other plans was superior to that of TWM alone. (2) In terms of lowering 24 h-UTP, GC + TWM was the best effective and more effective than TWM. (3) In terms of safety, there was no statistically significant difference between all groups. However, CNI + TWM was the safest. No serious adverse events (AEs) occurred in all the included studies. Conclusion: The addition of TWM may be beneficial to patients with IMN. It may enhance the efficacy of previously established treatment protocols without leading to additional safety risks. In particular, GC + CNI + TWM, GC + TWM, and CNI + TWM with better efficacy and higher safety can be preferred in clinical decision-making as the therapy plans for IMN.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac accelerates the emergence of antibiotic resistance via mutagenesis.

Overuse of antimicrobial agents are generally considered to be a key factor in the occurrence of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB). Nevertheless, it is unclear whether ARB can be induced by non-antibiotic chemicals such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate whether NSAID diclofenac (DCF) promote the emergence of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli K12 MG1655. Our results suggested that DCF induced the occurrence of ARB which showed hereditary stability of resistance. Meanwhile, gene variation was identified on chromosome of the ARB, and DCF can cause bacterial oxidative stress and SOS response. Subsequently, transcriptional levels of antioxidant (soxS, sodA, sodC, gor, katG, ahpF) and SOS (recA, lexA, uvrA, uvrB, ruvA, ruvB, dinB, umuC, polB) system-related genes were enhanced. However, the expression of related genes cannot be increased in high-dosage treatment compared with low-dosage samples because of cytotoxicity and cellular damage. Simultaneously, high-dosage DCF decreased the mutation frequency but enhanced the resistance of mutants. Our findings expand our knowledge of the promoting effect on the emergence of ARB caused by DCF. More attention and regulations should be given to these potential ecological and health risks for widespread DCF.

Risk factors for the postoperative bladder neck contracture in patients with small-volume prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to explore the risk factors for postoperative bladder neck contracture (BNC) after transurethral operation of prostate in patients with small-volume prostatic obstruction. METHODS: Clinicopathologic data at our center from February 2016 to January 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Clinicopathological characteristics between patients with and without BNC were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for postoperative BNC. RESULTS: There were a total of 39 patients (8.53%) with postoperative BNC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that preoperative bladder neck diameter (BND), intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP), surgical methods (transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)/anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (AEEP)), and postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) were independent risk factors for postoperative BNC in patients with small-volume prostatic obstruction (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative BNC in patients undergoing AEEP was significantly decreased compared with those undergoing TURP. The optimal cut-off value of preoperative IPP was 6.10 mm while the optimal cut-off value of preoperative BND was 2.52 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Larger preoperative bladder neck and higher preoperative IPP lead to decreased incidence of postoperative BNC in patients with small-volume prostatic obstruction. Active management of postoperative UTI could effectively prevent the occurrence of postoperative BNC. Compared with TURP, complete AEEP would contribute to reduce BNC in patients with small-volume prostatic obstruction.

Traditional Chinese medicine for the COVID-19 pandemic: An online cross-sectional survey among health care workers.

Background: : During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) have faced a heightened risk of infection. Preventative measures are critical to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect HCWs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been recommended to prevent and treat COVID-19 in China. We conducted this survey to investigate the use of infection control behaviors, preventative and therapeutic interventions, and outcomes among HCWs during the surge of Omicron variant infections to explore the association of preventative measures with outcomes and to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of TCM as a preventative measure. Methods: : The questionnaire consisted of 23 sections with 154 questions intended for HCWs. The targeted respondents comprised all HCWs from Xiamen Hospital Affiliated of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The recruitment process was open between March 17 and June 1, 2022. Chi-square test was used to estimate the relationship between prevention and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors influencing the use of TCM as a preventative measure. Results: : Among the 1122 participants who completed the questionnaire, 79.71% took preventative measures, including TCM (56.21%), physical activities (52.37%) and food supplements (26.99%). Xiamen preventative formula (a government-approved fixed prescription) (45.22%) and Lianhua Qingwen preparations (18.95%) were the most commonly used Chinese medicines. Thirty-six participants reported flu-like symptoms and three were diagnosed with COVID-19. Flu-like symptoms were not associated with prevention, vaccination, or TCM. Frontline working experience (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.46-0.80), good knowledge of post-COVID-19 syndrome (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39-0.84), Western medicine qualifications (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.51-3.86), nurses (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.21-2.40), and medical technicians (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.25-4.10) were associated with the willingness of using TCM as a preventative measure. Conclusion: : Complementary medicine, especially TCM, could be used for COVID-19 prevention. Knowledge of COVID-19 may prompt people to use TCM to prevent COVID-19. Multicenter studies and prospective cohort follow-up studies are needed to provide further insights into the use of TCM for COVID-19 management.

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-guided dynamic assembly for disease imaging and therapy.

The phenomenon of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is inseparable from molecular aggregation and self-assembly. Therefore, the combination of AIE and supramolecular self-assembly is well-matched. AIE-guided dynamic assembly (AGDA) could effectively respond to the endogenous stimuli (such as pH, enzymes, redox molecules) and exogenous stimuli (temperature, light, ultrasound) in the disease microenvironment, so as to achieve specific imaging and diagnosis of the disease lesions. Moreover, AGDA also dynamically adjust the intramolecular motions of AIE molecules, thereby adjusting the energy dissipation pathways and realizing the switch between photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy for superior therapeutic effects. In this review, we aim to give an overview of the constructing strategies, stimuli-responsive imaging, regulation of intramolecular motion of AGDA in recent years, which is expected to grasp the research status and striving directions of AGDA for imaging and therapy.

Chinese patent herbal medicine Huaiqihuang for Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis in children: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) is listed as the most common secondary glomerular diseases among children. Approximately 15 to 20% of children eventually could develop into chronic renal failure. Chinese patent herbal medicine Huaiqihuang (HQH) has been widely used in children with HSPN. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of HQH for HSPN in children, so as to provide evidence for clinical use. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on HQH for HSPN in children were searched in eight Chinese and English databases from their inception to December 2020. We included children with HSPN received HQH combined with conventional medicine. Cochrane "Risk of bias" tool was used to assess methodological quality, and "Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach" to summarize the certainty of evidence for main findings. Effect estimates were presented as risk ratio (RR), mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) in meta-analyses using RevMan 5.3. Data not suitable for statistical pooling were synthesized qualitatively. RESULTS: In total seven RCTs were identified. Compared with conventional medicine alone, HQH plus conventional medicine showed the better effect in improving clinical cure rate (RR 1.58; 95%CI 1.17 to 2.14; n = 6) and total effective rate (RR 1.34; 1.16 to 1.54; n = 6); reducing urine sediment erythrocyte count (MD -9.23; - 10.76 to - 7.69; n = 3) and urine ß2 micro-globulin level (MD -0.09; - 0.12 to - 0.06; n = 2). No serious adverse event was recorded in all included trials. CONCLUSIONS: Limited evidence showed HQH combined with conventional medicine had a beneficial effect for children with HSPN, and the side effects were mild. HQH may be a promising complementary therapy. However, long term follow-up, high quality and multicenter RCTs are required to confirm the findings.

Traditional Chinese medicine for COVID-19 pandemic and emerging challenges: An online cross-sectional survey in China.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate use of infection control behaviours, preventative and therapeutic interventions, and outcomes among respondents to an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. METHODS: The survey was designed by an international team, translated and adapted to simplified Chinese, including 132 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation recommended by guidelines. It was distributed and collected from February to May 2021, with data analysed by WPS spreadsheet and wjx.cn. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographics and clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatments, preventative behaviours and interventions, and their associated outcomes. RESULTS: The survey was accessed 503 times with 341 (67.8%) completions covering 23 provinces and four municipalities in China. Most (282/341, 82.7%) respondents reported no symptoms during the pandemic and the majority (290/341, 85.0%) reported having a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test at some point. Forty-five (13.2%) reported having a respiratory infection, among which 19 (42.2%) took one or more categories of modern medicine, e.g. painkillers, antibiotics; 16 (35.6%) used TCM interventions(s); while seven respondents combined TCM with modern medicine. All respondents reported using at least one behavioural or medical approach to prevention, with 22.3% taking TCM and 5.3% taking modern medicines. No respondents reported having a critical condition related to COVID-19. CONCLUSION: We found evidence of widespread use of infection control behaviours, modern medicines and TCM for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 and other respiratory symptoms. Larger scale studies are warranted, including a more representative sample exploring TCM preparations recommended in clinical guidelines.

[An integrative metabolomics and network pharmacology method for exploring bioactive components and preliminary pharmacodynamics in medicinal parts of Harrisonia perforata].

In this paper,metabolomics and network pharmacology were used to investigate the bioactive components of Harrisonia perforata and their possible mechanisms of action. Metabolites in the flowers,fruits,branches,leaves and stalks of H. perforata were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Meanwhile,multiple statistical analysis methods including principal component analysis( PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis( OPLS-DA)were applied to screen and identify differential compounds. With metabolomics method,9 differential compounds were preliminarily identified from leaves and other non-traditional medicinal parts. Subsequently,these compounds were explored by using network pharmacology. With gastrointestinal absorption and drug-likeness as limiting conditions,they were imported into the Swiss ADME,from which 7 compounds with potential medicinal activity were obtained. Then,their targets were predicted by PharmMapper,with Human Protein Targets Only and Normalized Fit Score>0. 9 set as limiting conditions,and 60 standardized potential targets were identified with Uniprot. KEGG( Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) pathway data was obtained using metascape and the " potential active ingredients-target-pathway" network was constructed with Cytoscape 3. 7. 2. The enrichment analysis of KEGG demonstrated that the 60 targets were enriched in 78 signaling pathways( min overlap: 3,P value cutoff: 0. 01,min enrichment: 1. 5),many of which are related to anti-bacteria,anti-inflammation and anti-virus,such as IL-17 signaling pathway,RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Finally,depending on the clinical activity of H. perforata,the relevant signaling pathways were analyzed through experimental data and literature. Dehydroconiferyl alcohol was reported to have the anti-inflammatory effect and perforamone D to possess the antimycobacterial activity. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that dehydroconiferyl alcohol could act on the Alzheimer's disease( AD) signaling pathway by targeting CDK5 R1 and BACE1. ACh E inhibitor is the most promising drug to treat AD,while dehydroconiferyl alcohol has been proved to inhibit ACh E according to literature. The experimental results revealed that the extract of leaves of H. perforata can effectively inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. These are consistent with the enrichment analysis results of KEGG. This study explored the bioactive components and pharmacodynamics of the leaves of the H. perforata,laying a theoretical foundation for its in-depth development and rational application.

Targeting of anti-microbial proteins to the hyphal surface amplifies protection of crop plants against Phytophthora pathogens.

Phytophthora pathogens are a persistent threat to the world's commercially important agricultural crops, including potato and soybean. Current strategies aim at reducing crop losses rely mostly on disease-resistance breeding and chemical pesticides, which can be frequently overcome by the rapid adaptive evolution of pathogens. Transgenic crops with intrinsic disease resistance offer a promising alternative and continue to be developed. Here, we explored Phytophthora-derived PI3P (phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate) as a novel control target, using proteins that bind this lipid to direct secreted anti-microbial peptides and proteins (AMPs) to the surface of Phytophthora pathogens. In transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana, soybean, and potato plants, significantly enhanced resistance to different pathogen isolates was achieved by expression of two AMPs (GAFP1 or GAFP3 from the Chinese medicinal herb Gastrodia elata) fused with a PI3P-specific binding domain (FYVE). Using the soybean pathogen P. sojae as an example, we demonstrated that the FYVE domain could boost the activities of GAFPs in multiple independent assays, including those performed in vitro, in vivo, and in planta. Mutational analysis of P. sojae PI3K1 and PI3K2 genes of this pathogen confirmed that the enhanced activities of the targeted GAFPs were correlated with PI3P levels in the pathogen. Collectively, our study provides a new strategy that could be used to confer resistance not only to Phytophthora pathogens in many plants but also potentially to many other kinds of plant pathogens with unique targets.

Multidisciplinary team management of 46,XY 17α-hydroxylase deficiency: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: We report here a case study of 17α-hydroxylase deficiency in a phenotypic girl with male karyotype (46,XY). We also review the relevant literature to deepen our understanding of the disease, reduce the rate of missed diagnosis, and emphasize that holistic management of this disease requires collaborative multidisciplinary teamwork. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old patient with a female phenotype visited the endocrinology department because of hypertension. The patient had primary amenorrhea and lacked secondary sexual characteristics. Initial laboratory evaluation revealed normal levels of electrolytes, a hypergonadotropic hypogonadal state with high progesterone and low testosterone levels, and a 46,XY karyotype. She was referred to the urology department for gonadectomy and transferred to the gynecological endocrine clinic. On the basis of the patient's medical history and genetic testing results, a diagnosis of 46,XY 17α-hydroxylase deficiency was made. The patient was provided with glucocorticoids, estrogens, metformin, and psychological support. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with 17α-hydroxylase deficiency, a rare cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, should be treated by a multidisciplinary team. Relevant experts from different disciplines should set up a systematic and comprehensive individualized management plan to optimize the physical and mental health and quality of life of affected patients.

An integrative metabolomics and network pharmacology method for exploring bioactive components and preliminary pharmacodynamics in medicinal parts of Harrisonia perforata / 中国中药杂志

In this paper,metabolomics and network pharmacology were used to investigate the bioactive components of Harrisonia perforata and their possible mechanisms of action. Metabolites in the flowers,fruits,branches,leaves and stalks of H. perforata were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Meanwhile,multiple statistical analysis methods including principal component analysis( PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis( OPLS-DA)were applied to screen and identify differential compounds. With metabolomics method,9 differential compounds were preliminarily identified from leaves and other non-traditional medicinal parts. Subsequently,these compounds were explored by using network pharmacology. With gastrointestinal absorption and drug-likeness as limiting conditions,they were imported into the Swiss ADME,from which 7 compounds with potential medicinal activity were obtained. Then,their targets were predicted by PharmMapper,with Human Protein Targets Only and Normalized Fit Score>0. 9 set as limiting conditions,and 60 standardized potential targets were identified with Uniprot. KEGG( Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) pathway data was obtained using metascape and the " potential active ingredients-target-pathway" network was constructed with Cytoscape 3. 7. 2. The enrichment analysis of KEGG demonstrated that the 60 targets were enriched in 78 signaling pathways( min overlap: 3,P value cutoff: 0. 01,min enrichment: 1. 5),many of which are related to anti-bacteria,anti-inflammation and anti-virus,such as IL-17 signaling pathway,RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Finally,depending on the clinical activity of H. perforata,the relevant signaling pathways were analyzed through experimental data and literature. Dehydroconiferyl alcohol was reported to have the anti-inflammatory effect and perforamone D to possess the antimycobacterial activity. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that dehydroconiferyl alcohol could act on the Alzheimer's disease( AD) signaling pathway by targeting CDK5 R1 and BACE1. ACh E inhibitor is the most promising drug to treat AD,while dehydroconiferyl alcohol has been proved to inhibit ACh E according to literature. The experimental results revealed that the extract of leaves of H. perforata can effectively inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. These are consistent with the enrichment analysis results of KEGG. This study explored the bioactive components and pharmacodynamics of the leaves of the H. perforata,laying a theoretical foundation for its in-depth development and rational application.

Clinical evaluation of Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel for postoperative hypospadias in children / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel for postoperative hypospadias in children.@*METHODS@#From January to December 2020, we treated 116 children with distal hypospadias in the Department of Urology, Department of Pediatrics and the Seventh Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, 58 by primary Snodgrass urethroplasty only (the control group) and the other 58 with Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel smeared on the penis postoperatively in addition (the trial group). We compared the operation time and postoperative pain score, edema regression and incidence of infection between the two groups, followed by statistical analysis using T test and Chi-square test.@*RESULTS@#All the operations were successfully completed by the same surgeon under general anesthesia. There were no statistically significant differences between the trial and control groups in age (［2.5 ± 0.8］ vs ［2.4 ± 0.6］ yr, P > 0.05) or operation time (［95.6 ± 14.5］ vs ［97.1 ± 15.2］ min, P > 0.05). No incision infection occurred in any of the cases. The pain scores at dressing removal were remarkably lower in the trial than in the control group at 2 hours (1.4 ± 1.0 vs 2.6 ± 1.3, P < 0.05), 24 hours (2.2 ± 1.3 vs 3.9 ± 1.6, P < 0.05), 48 hours (1.2 ± 0.7 vs 1.6 ± 0.9, P < 0.05) and 72 hours after surgery (2.5 ± 0.8 vs 3.7 ± 1.8, P < 0.05). Significantly more cases of edema regression were achieved in the trial than in the control group at 2 weeks postoperatively (35 vs 19, P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel can effectively relieve pain, reduce edema and accelerate edema regression after surgery in children with hypospadias, and therefore deserves wide clinical application.、.

[Research progress on anti-alcoholic gastric injury active components and mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine].

Alcohol is considered to be one of the main causes for gastric injury, and alcoholic gastric injury has been becoming one of the global health problems, which seriously affects the quality of human life. Many studies suggest that the active components extracted from Chinese herbal medicine can effectively reduce the degree of alcohol-induced gastric injury. The active components and its mechanism of anti-alcoholic gastric injury of Chinese herbal medicine reported in recent five years were preliminarily summarized according to the classification of terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, volatile oils, phenylpropanoids and alkaloids in this paper. The terpenoids could improve oxidative stress and inflammatory response by regulating relevant signaling pathways. The flavonoids are mainly related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The polyphenols mainly regulate the level of relevant factors involved in inflammatory pathway, oxidative stress and apoptosis pathway. The polysaccharides could enhance the ability of gastric mucosal defense factor by inhibiting oxidative stress injury and inflammatory response. Phenylpropanoids could enhance the gastric mucosal defense factor. The volatile oils mainly inhibit H~+/K~+-ATPase activity or inflammatory reaction. Alkaloids are closely related to the inhibition of inflammatory response and the improvement of antioxidant system. This paper aims to provide reference for further research and development of Chinese herbal medicine against alcoholic gastric injury.

Huoxuezhitong capsule ameliorates MIA-induced osteoarthritis of rats through suppressing PI3K/ Akt/ NF-κB pathway.

Huoxuezhitong capsule (HXZT, activating blood circulation and relieving pain capsule), has been applied for osteoarthritis since 1974. It consists of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen ex C. H., Boswellia sacra, Borneol, Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker, Pyritum. However, the direct effects of HXZT on osteoarthritis and the underlying mechanisms were poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the analgesia effect of HXZT on MIA-induced osteoarthritis rat and the underlying mechanisms. The analgesia and anti-inflammatory effect of HXZT on osteoarthritis in vivo were tested by the arthritis model rats induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA).. Mechanistic studies confirmed that HXZT could inhibit the activation of NF-κB and down-regulate the mRNA expression of related inflammatory factors in LPS-induced RAW264.7 and ATDC5 cells. Furtherly, in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, HXZT could suppress NF-κB via inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathway. Taken together, HXZT capsule could ameliorate MIA-induced osteoarthritis of rats through suppressing PI3K/ Akt/ NF-κB pathway.

[Study advance of depressive animal models and its application in traditional Chinese medicines].

Depression is a kind of mental disease with main symptoms of low mood and lack of pleasure, which seriously endangers human health. An appropriate depressive animal model is of great significance for the study of depression and new antidepressant drugs, while the suitable selection and matching of experimental animals, modeling methods and evaluation indexes are critical to eva-luate the scientificity and effectiveness of the depressive animal model. The study advance of depressive animal models in the aspects of experimental animal selection, modeling principle and method, characteristics, evaluation indexes and their application in traditional Chinese medicine are summarized through the systematic review of relevant literatures in PubMed, CNKI and other databases. The depressive animal modeling methods utilized in recent studies include stress, glucocorticoid induction, reserpine induction, lipopolysaccharide induction, surgical modeling, gene knockout, joint application modeling methods. Stress method is better to simulate the depressive symptoms of clinical patients, whereas there are some deficiencies, such as long modeling time and large cost. The depressive animal models induced by glucocorticoid, reserpine and lipopolysaccharide have the advantages of short modeling time and good controllability, but with a poor reliability. The pathogenesis of surgical modeling is highly matched with that of clinical depressive patients, whereas it has the defect of long postoperative recovery period. Gene knockout models can be used to study the precise role of specific genes in depression. However, its applicability may be restricted in studies on depression. The joint application modeling method can improve its reliability and accuracy, and attracts more and more attention. This paper provides a reference for the selection of animal models in future studies of pathological mechanism of depression, and screening and evaluation of antidepressant drugs.

Complications of anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains the 'gold standard' for surgical treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). Recently, anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (AEEP) using holmium laser, thulium laser and plasma, etc., is extensively applied in clinical practice. However, perioperative complications of AEEP are inevitable in spite of lower incidence compared with TURP. This study reviewed the literature related to the aetiology, prevention and treatment of common complications of AEEP, which would contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of BPO.

Flavonoids from Epimedium pubescens: extraction and mechanism, antioxidant capacity and effects on CAT and GSH-Px of Drosophila melanogaster.

BACKGROUND: Epimedium is a famous medicinal plant in China, Southeast Asian and some other regions. Flavonoids are regarded as its supremely important active constituents used in phytomedicines and/or functional foods. It is of theoretical and applied significance to optimize the procedure for extraction of flavonoids with high bioactivity from Epimedium, to unveil extraction mechanism, to identify chemical composition of flavonoids, to analyze free radical-scavenging ability of flavonoids, and to investigate their effects on the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. METHODS: Box-Behnken design was applied to optimization of extraction procedure. Laser diffraction particle size analysis was used to clarify extraction mechanism. Chemical composition of flavonoids was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Antiradical capacities of flavonoids were determined by chemical-based assay. Then, effects of flavonoids on catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in D. melanogaster were investigated for the first time. RESULTS: The optimal condition for ultrasonic extraction of antioxidant flavonoids from Epimedium pubescens was achieved and extraction mechanism was discussed. Epimedium flavonoids contained icariin, epimedin A, epimedin B and epimedin C. Epimedium flavonoids exhibited the ability to scavenge ABTS+ and DPPH⋅ radicals with EC50 values of 55.8 and 52.1 µg/ml, respectively. Moreover, Epimedium flavonoids were able to increase activities of CAT and GSH-Px in D. melanogaster. For females, oral administration of flavonoids improved CAT and GSH-Px activities by 13.58% and 5.18%, respectively. For males, oral administration of flavonoids increased CAT and GSH-Px activities by 13.90% and 5.65%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Flavonoids ultrasonically extracted from E. pubescens considerably affected antioxidant defense system in D. melanogaster. Flavonoids of E. pubescens showed great potential for becoming a natural antioxidant because of their antiradical ability and effects on CAT and GSH-Px of the model organism.

UPLC-HDMS-based on serum metabolomics reveals the toxicity of arecae semen.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Arecae semen has been used as vermifuge and digestant in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for more than one thousand years. However, the toxicity effect of areca semen and its underlying mechanism are still unclear. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was aimed to investigate the toxicity of arecae semen and to explore its mechanisms by serum metabolomics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The male Wistar rats were divided into the control group and treated group (n = 6 in each group), which were given by gavage with distill water or arecae semen aqueous extract (ASAE) once a day for 30 days, respectively. Serum samples were collected from all the rats after treatment of 7-day, 14-day and 30-day for metabolomics analysis. Moreover, biochemistry analysis and histopathological examination were performed at the end of study. RESULTS: The phenomenon of diarrhea, less physical activity, tremors and body curl up were observed in the treated group. Additionally, the body weights of treated rats were significantly decreased compared with control rats from the 8th day after oral administration. Except the level of creatinekinase (CK) in the treated group significantly increased compared with the control group, there were no differences on biochemistry parameters and histopathological test in the two groups. Combined with the methods of principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal projection to latent structure-discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) and available databases, the treated and control rats were clearly distinguished from each other and 19 metabolites were identified as the potential biomarkers in the arecae semen treated rats. The identified biomarkers indicated that there were perturbations of the phospholipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and fat acid metabolism in the treated group. CONCLUSIONS: This indicated that arecae semen possessed certain cardiotoxicity and inhibited the normal growth in Wistar male rats. In addition, the metabolomics approach is a useful tool to study the toxicity in TCM.