The underlying mechanisms of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and its therapeutic intervention using natural compounds.

Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic drug widely used for the treatment of various solid tumors; however, its clinical use and efficacy are limited by its inherent nephrotoxicity. The pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is complex and has not been fully elucidated. Cellular uptake and transport, DNA damage, apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and autophagy are involved in the development of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Currently, despite some deficiencies, hydration regimens remain the major protective measures against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, effective drugs must be explored and developed to prevent and treat cisplatin-induced kidney injury. In recent years, many natural compounds with high efficiency and low toxicity have been identified for the treatment of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, including quercetin, saikosaponin D, berberine, resveratrol, and curcumin. These natural agents have multiple targets, multiple effects, and low drug resistance; therefore, they can be safely used as a supplementary regimen or combination therapy for cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. This review aimed to comprehensively describe the molecular mechanisms underlying cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and summarize natural kidney-protecting compounds to provide new ideas for the development of better therapeutic agents.

[Investigation on Qiantang medical school].

Qiantang medical school came into being during the late Ming Dynasty and the early Qing Dynasty, and lasted for 200 years until Guang Xu Reign in the late Qing Dynasty. Lu Zhiyi and Zhang Suichen were the early representative figures; Zhang Zhicong, Zhang Xiju and Gao Shizong were the mid-period representative figures; and Zhong Xuelu was the late representative figure. They respected consistently the classics and the ancients, cultivated new talents, studied medical literature with a trinity of teaching, studying the classics and practising medicine as its characteristic. Eventually, it developed under the specific background of time and geographical environment as the only academic medical school enbodying teaching, studying the classics, and medical practice as a whole with distinguished achievements.

[A discussion on influence of philosophical idea of Guan Zi on TCM].

Guan Zi has substantial content and deep idea, being paid great attention among the various ancient schools of thought. After discussing the influence of its philosophical idea on TCM, it can be concluded that Guan Zi raised Yin Yan concept to a natural law earlier after Lao Zi first philosophized it. Meanwhile discussed the relationship between Yin and Yang systematically such as respecting Yang, Yang can control Yin, and relativity of Yin and Yang. It first setup Jing -Qi Theory, discussing materiality of the Nature and life from the sense of ontology. But it confused Jing Shen and Jing Qi, and could not weep the primitive color of Xing-Shen Monism. It emphasized on self-cultivation and embodied Xu (voidness), Yi (unity), Jing (tranquility) and Yin (cause) on preserving health.

[The conception of healthcare in Confucianism].

As the founder of Confucianism, Confucius lead a life of frustration and experienced all difficulties. Interestingly, he enjoyed a long life of over seventy years old. Naturally, his viewpoint on healthcare aroused the interests of late-comers He first emphasized the morality, claiming that those kind people can live long, advocated the doctrine of the mean, open-minded and optimism, exercise of the body and mind, dietary hygiene, avoidance of ghost, and taking care of medication. As the important integral part of Chinese traditional culture, Confucianism also yields profound influence on the development of healthcare in China.