EPs® 7630 Stimulates Tissue Repair Mechanisms and Modifies Tight Junction Protein Expression in Human Airway Epithelial Cells.

Airway epithelium repair after infection consists of wound repair, re-synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and tight junction proteins. In humans, EPs® 7630 obtained from Pelargonium sidoides roots reduces the severity and duration of acute respiratory tract infections. The effect of EPs® 7630 on tissue repair of rhinovirus-16 (RV-16) infected and control human airway epithelial cells was assessed for: (i) epithelial cell proliferation by manual cell counts, (ii) epithelial wound repair by "scratch assay", (iii) ECM composition by Western-blotting and cell-based ELISA, and (iv) epithelial tight junction proteins by Western-blotting. EPs® 7630 stimulated cell proliferation through cAMP, CREB, and p38 MAPK. EPs® 7630 significantly improved wound repair. Pro-inflammatory collagen type-I expression was reduced by EPs® 7630, while fibronectin was increased. Virus-binding tight junction proteins desmoglein2, desmocollin2, ZO-1, claudin1, and claudin4 were downregulated by EPs® 7630. The RV16-induced shift of the ECM towards the pro-inflammatory type was prevented by EPs® 7630. Most of the effects of EPs® 7630 on tissue repair and regeneration were sensitive to inhibition of cAMP-induced signaling. The data suggest that EPs® 7630-dependent modification of epithelial cell metabolism and function might underlie the faster recovery time from viral infections, as reported by others in clinical studies.

World Health Organization survey on the level of integration of traditional Chinese medicine in Chinese health system rehabilitation services.

Background: To meet the growing global demand for rehabilitation services, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched Rehabilitation 2030. This study was commissioned by the WHO to investigate the integration degree of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Chinese health system rehabilitation services and the demand for TCM rehabilitation in China. Methods: Twenty TCM rehabilitation experts and relevant government administrators were invited to complete the questionnaire between September 2019 and January 2022. The development of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCI) rehabilitation in China was assessed primarily based on six different health system components. Results: 26 policies, regulations, and national strategic plans related to TCI rehabilitation were issued by relevant government departments since 2002; notably, 14 policies related to TCI rehabilitation development were intensively introduced from 2016 to 2021. These policies cover the three main areas of financing, infrastructure development, and service delivery. The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine's investment in TCM clinical capacity infrastructure and scientific research in 2019-2021 increased by 66% compared to 2010-2012, and the average number of TCM hospitals with rehabilitation departments in 2020 increased by 6.5% compared to 2018. The proportion of community health service centers providing TCM services in primary medical and health institutions has increased by 30.8% over the past 10 years. Conclusion: Long-term continuous policies, substantial financial investment, and expansion of the scope of TCI rehabilitation services in primary care institutions have effectively contributed to the rapid development of TCI rehabilitation. However, human resources and financing mechanisms for TCI rehabilitation need further improvement.

Transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal the changes induced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Panax quinquefolius L.

BACKGROUND: Panax quinquefolius L. is one of the most important foods and herbs because of its high nutritional value and medicinal potential. In our previous study we found that the ginsenoside content in P. quinquefolius was improved by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs). However, little research has been conducted on the molecular mechanisms in P. quinquefolius roots induced by AMFs colonization. To identify the metabolomic and transcriptomic mechanisms of P. quinquefolius induced by AMFs, non-mycorrhized (control) and mycorrhized (AMF) P. quinquefolius were used as experimental materials for comparative analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome. RESULTS: Compared with the control, 182 metabolites and 545 genes were significantly changed at the metabolic and transcriptional levels in AMFs treatment. The metabolic pattern of AMFs was changed, and the contents of ginsenosides (Rb1, Rg2), threonine, and glutaric acid were significantly increased. There were significant differences in the expression of genes involved in plant hormone signal transduction, glutathione metabolism, and the plant-pathogen interaction pathway. In addition, several transcription factors from the NAC, WRKY, and basic helix-loop-helix families were identified in AMFs versus the control. Furthermore, the combined analysis of 'transcriptomics-metabolomics' analysis showed that 'Plant hormone signal transduction', 'Amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism' and 'Glutathione metabolism' pathways were the important enriched pathways in response to AMFs colonization. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results provide new insights into P. quinquefolius response to AMFs, which improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of P. quinquefolius induced by AMFs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Atractylodes lancea and Magnolia officinalis combination protects against high fructose-impaired insulin signaling in glomerular podocytes through upregulating Sirt1 to inhibit p53-driven miR-221.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In traditional Chinese medicine, a long term of improper diet causes the Dampness and disturbs Zang-Fu's functions including Kidney deficiency. Atractylodes lancea (Atr) and Magnolia officinalis (Mag) as a famous herb pair are commonly used to transform Dampness, with kidney protection. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore how Atr and Mag protected against insulin signaling impairment in glomerular podocytes induced by high dietary fructose feeding, a major contributor for insulin resistance in glomerular podocyte dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyze constituents of Atr and Mag. Rat model was induced by 10% fructose drinking water in vivo, and heat-sensitive human podocyte cells (HPCs) were exposed to 5 mM fructose in vitro. Animal or cultured podocyte models were treated with different doses of Atr, Mag or Atr and Mag combination. Western blot, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence assays as well as other experiments were performed to detect adiponectin receptor protein 1 (AdipoR1), protein kinase B (AKT), Sirt1, p53 and miR-221 levels in rat glomeruli or HPCs, respectively. RESULTS: Fifty-five components were identified in Atr and Mag combination. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that Atr and Mag combination might affect insulin signaling pathway. This combination significantly improved systemic insulin resistance and prevented glomerulus morphological damage in high fructose-fed rats. Of note, high fructose decreased IRS1, AKT and AdipoR1 in rat glomeruli and cultured podocytes. Further data from cultured podocytes with Sirt1 inhibitor/agonist, p53 agonist/inhibitor, or miR-221 mimic/inhibitor showed that high fructose downregulated Sirt1 to stimulate p53-driven miR-221, resulting in insulin signaling impairment. Atr and Mag combination effectively increased Sirt1, and decreased p53 and miR-221 in in vivo and in vitro models. CONCLUSIONS: Atr and Mag combination improved insulin signaling in high fructose-stimulated glomerular podocytes possibly through upregulating Sirt1 to inhibit p53-driven miR-221. Thus, the regulation of Sirt1/p53/miR-221 by this combination may be a potential therapeutic approach in podocyte insulin signaling impairment.

Multidisciplinary Team Led by Joint Surgeons to Rapidly Identify Spondyloarthritis.

Context: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of chronic, inflammatory, rheumatic diseases of which axial SpA and peripheral SpA are the two main types. Patients that predominantly have manifestations of axSpA may have additional peripheral-arthritis symptoms, and vice versa. For these hard-to-diagnose SpA patients, symptoms can be nonspecific and difficult to identify, making it easy to miss a diagnosis or misdiagnosis patients, resulting in disability. Objective: The study intended to evaluate the value of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) led by the joint surgeons to rapidly identify spondyloarthritis (SpA). Design: The research team designed a controlled study that analyzed the clinical data of patients with spondyloarthritis. Setting: The study was conducted in the Department of Joint Surgery at Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital in Jinan, China. Participants: Participants were 113 SpA patients at the hospital between January 2019 and January 2020. Intervention: he research team divided participants into an intervention group, the MDT group that used that model to diagnose 83 participants and the control group with 30 participants, for whom diagnoses occurred using the conventional diagnostic model. Outcome Measures: The research team collected data on participants' number of visits and number of departments visited as well as determined the amount of time that elapsed before a diagnosis occurred. The team also measured C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the scores on the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) at baseline and after 3 months and 6 months treatment. Results: In the MDT group, diagnoses included: (1) axial SpA (axSpA)-73 participants, and (2) peripheral SpA-10 participants, including three with reactive arthritis, two with uveitis, and five with psoriatic arthritis. Eight participants in that group were HLA-B27 positive, and 14 had complications from a latent tuberculosis infection. In the control group, diagnoses included: (1) axSpA-25 participants; and (2) peripheral SpA-5 participants, including three with psoriatic arthritis and two with reactive arthritis. Six participants in that group were HLA-B27 positive and four had complications from a latent tuberculosis infection. The number of visits, number of departments visited, and time to diagnosis in the MDT group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < .001). After three and six months of treatment, the MDT group's CRP, ESR, BASDAI, and BASFI were significantly lower than those at baseline (P < .001). Conclusions: The MDT model of spondyloarthritis led by joint surgeons was accurate and efficient, allowing the medical personnel to quickly identify and intervene in SpA and provide effective treatment for patients. It's a diagnosis and treatment model worthy of promotion.

Identification of candidate genes in cotton associated with specific seed traits and their initial functional characterization in Arabidopsis.

Oilseed crops are used to produce vegetable oil to satisfy the requirements of humans and livestock. Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is of great economic value because it is used as both an important textile commodity and a nutrient-rich resource. Cottonseed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and does not contain trans fatty acids; hence, it is considered a healthy vegetable oil. However, research on the genetic basis for cottonseed protein content, oil production, and fatty acid composition is lacking. Here, we investigated the protein content, oil content, and fatty acid composition in terms of oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) in mature cottonseeds from 318 Gossypium hirsutum accessions. Moreover, we examined the dynamic change of protein content and lipid composition including palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and linolenic acid (C18:3) in developing seeds from 258 accessions at 10 and 20 days post-anthesis. Then, we conducted a genome-wide association study and identified 152 trait-associated loci and 64 candidate genes responsible for protein and oil-related contents in mature cottonseeds and ovules. Finally, six candidate genes were experimentally validated to be involved in the regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis through heterologous expression in Arabidopsis. These results comprise a solid foundation for expanding our understanding of lipid biosynthesis in cotton, which will help breeders manipulate protein and oil contents to make it a fully developed 'fiber, food, and oil crop'.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review.

Sarcopenia has become a key challenge for healthy aging in older adults. However, it remains unclear whether traditional Chinese medicine can effectively treat sarcopenia. This systematic review analyzes the current evidence for the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on sarcopenia. We searched for articles regarding sarcopenia treated by TCM in Cochrane library, PubMed, SinoMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (from inception until 10 December 2021). Two researchers independently screened the literature in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria designed by PICOS principles. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB) tool. The quality of evidence was assessed by the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE). Participants' characteristics, interventions, and the relevant results of the included studies were extracted and synthesized in a narrative way. The total number of participants in the 21 included studies was 1,330. Most of the studies evaluated physical function (n = 20) and muscle strength (n = 18), and a small number of studies (n = 6) assessed muscle mass. Overall, it was found that TCM had a positive impact on muscle strength (grip strength, chair stand test) and physical function (6-m walking speed, timed up and go test, sit and reach) in patients with sarcopenia, inconsistent evidence of effects on muscle mass. However, the small sample size of the included studies led to imprecision in the results, and the presence of blinding of the studies, allocation concealment, and unreasonable problems with the control group design made the results low grade. Among these results, the quality of evidence for grip strength (n = 10) was of medium grade, and the quality of evidence related to the remaining indicators was of low grade. This systematic review showed that traditional Chinese Qigong exercises and Chinese herbal medicine have a positive and important effect on physical performance and muscle strength in older adults with sarcopenia. Future high-quality multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with large samples are needed to determinate whether acupuncture and other therapies are effective in treating sarcopenia.

Exercise for Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Expert Consensus.

Background: Neuropathic pain (NP), a severe and disruptive symptom following many diseases, normally restricts patients' physical functions and leads to anxiety and depression. As an economical and effective therapy, exercise may be helpful in NP management. However, few guidelines and reviews focused on exercise therapy for NP associated with specific diseases. The study aimed to summarize the effectiveness and efficacy of exercise for various diseases with NP supported by evidence, describe expert recommendations for NP from different causes, and inform policymakers of the guidelines. Design: A systematic review and expert consensus. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed. We included systematic review and meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which assessed patients with NP. Studies involved exercise intervention and outcome included pain intensity at least. Physiotherapy Evidence Database and the Assessment of Multiple Systematic reviews tool were used to grade the quality assessment of the included RCTs and systematic reviews, respectively. The final grades of recommendation were based on strength of evidence and a consensus discussion of results of Delphi rounds by the Delphi consensus panel including 21 experts from the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine. Results: Eight systematic reviews and 21 RCTs fulfilled all of the inclusion criteria and were included, which were used to create the 10 evidence-based consensus statements. The 10 expert recommendations regarding exercise for NP symptoms were relevant to the following 10 different diseases: spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, cervical radiculopathy, sciatica, diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, HIV/AIDS, and surgery, respectively. The exercise recommended in the expert consensus involved but was not limited to muscle stretching, strengthening/resistance exercise, aerobic exercise, motor control/stabilization training and mind-body exercise (Tai Chi and yoga). Conclusions: Based on the available evidence, exercise is helpful to alleviate NP intensity. Therefore, these expert consensuses recommend that proper exercise programs can be considered as an effective alternative treatment or complementary therapy for most patients with NP. The expert consensus provided medical staff and policymakers with applicable recommendations for the formulation of exercise prescription for NP. This consensus statement will require regular updates after five-ten years.

[A review of clinical specifications of Scutellariae Radix pieces in ancient and modern literature].

Scutellariae Radix is a commonly used Chinese medicinal first recorded in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica. In the ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), Scutellariae Radix is used in two specifications, solid one(Ziqin) and hollow one(Kuqin). In the current rules and regulations of Chinese medicine, Scutellariae Radix is used without the specific requirements for the specifications applied. To clarify the evolution of Scutellariae Radix specifications and analyze the current specifications of Scutellariae Radix pieces, the present study reviews the Scutellariae Radix from ancient literature, modern rules and regulations, and differences between Ziqin and Kuqin in composition, efficacy, and transformation mechanism. According to the research on ancient books, Kuqin is effective in clearing the fire of the upper energizer, and Ziqin in purging the heat of the lower energizer. Modern studies have revealed that Kuqin and Ziqin are significantly different in chemical components, and Ziqin and Kuqin target the colon and lung, respectively, which are consistent with the relevant records in ancient books. The review study suggests that the two specifications of Scutellariae Radix are reasonable since they can facilitate the precise treatment of Scutellariae Radix.

Effect of qigong exercise and acupressure rehabilitation program on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There are several effective complementary and integrative therapies for patients with severe COVID-19. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and advantages of the qigong exercise and acupressure rehabilitation program (QARP) for treating patients with severe COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 128 patients with COVID-19 aged 20 to 80 years were recruited and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive QARP plus standard therapies or standard therapies alone. QARP consisted of acupressure therapy and qigong exercise (Liu Zi Jue). The primary outcome was measured with the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, and the secondary outcomes included the modified Borg dyspnea scale (MBS), fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14), patient health questionnaire-9 scale (PHQ-9), duration of respiratory symptoms, and vital signs. RESULTS: In total, 128 patients completed the clinical trial. The QARP group and standard therapies group showed significant improvements in vital signs (except blood pressure) and clinical scales compared with baseline (p<0.05). The QARP group also showed more significant improvement in the mMRC dyspnea scale (-1.8 [-2.1, -1.6], p=0.018) and modified Borg dyspnea scale (-3.7 [95% confidence intervals (CI) -4.3, -3.1], p=0.045). The duration of cough was 14.3 days (95% CI 12.6, 16.1, p=0.046), and the length of hospital stay was 18.5 days (95% CI 17.0, 20.0, p=0.042) in the QARP group, both of which were significantly reduced compared with the standard therapies group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: QARP plus standard therapies improved lung function and symptoms such as dyspnea and cough in patients with severe COVID-19 and shortened the length of hospital stay. Therefore, QARP may be considered an effective treatment option for patients with severe COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: ChiCTR2000029994.

Protection function of 18ß-glycyrrhetinic acid on rats with high-altitude pulmonary hypertension based on 1H NMR metabonomics technology.

18ß-Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is the triterpenoid aglycone component of glycyrrhizic acid, a natural product of traditional Chinese medicine, and has been proven to possess a variety of pharmacological effects. The protection function and the mechanism of GA on rats with high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH) are studied using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) metabonomics technology and biochemical analysis. An HAPH model is established, and 60 male rats are randomly divided into the following groups: Control(normal saline, 0.4 mL/100 g), model (normal saline, 0.4 mL/100 g), Nifedipine (nifedipine, 2.7 mg/kg), and high-, medium-, and low-dose GA groups (100, 50, and 25 mg/kg GA designated as GA.H, GA.M, and GA.L, respectively). Serum biochemical indicators of rats in each group are measured, and pathological changes in the pulmonary artery are observed. 1H NMR metabonomics technology is used for serum analysis. Results show that GA can significantly reduce pulmonary arterial pressure and malondialdehyde levels and increase the glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in HAPH rats. Pathological results show that GA can alleviate pulmonary artery injuries of HAPH rats. Metabolomics analytical findings show that GA can alleviate the metabolic disorder of HAPH rats through anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects, improve their bodies' ability to resist hypoxia, and restore various metabolic pathways (energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism). GA has potential therapeutic effects on HAPH rats, but its target needs to be further studied.

Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Exercises on Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The number of patients with musculoskeletal pain, which seriously affects people's quality of life, has increased. Traditional Chinese exercises are accepted and practiced to strengthen the body. Objective: This study aims to explore the efficacy of traditional Chinese exercises for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Methods: A comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to traditional Chinese exercises on patients with musculoskeletal pain was completed using PubMed, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Med Online databases. All RCTs published until February 2021 were considered. Two researchers independently screened the literature according to the predesigned inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data was extracted and assessed for their risk of bias via the Cochrane collaboration tool. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.2 and Rx64 4.0.2 software. Results: A total of 45 RCT studies with 3178 patients were included. Traditional Chinese exercises were able to effectively alleviate patients with musculoskeletal pain (MD = -1.54, 95% confidence interval (-1.88, -1.19), P < 0.01). Among them, the Yi Jin Jing exercise was superior to other exercises, while Wu Qin Xi showed no significant effects. Besides, traditional Chinese exercises had significant positive effects on the dysfunction and stiffness of the waist and knee joints. Traditional Chinese exercises could effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of patients with musculoskeletal pain. Particularly, the Yi Jin Jing exercise presented the most significant positive effect on pain reduction.

Tectochrysin ameliorates murine allergic airway inflammation by suppressing Th2 response and oxidative stress.

Tectochrysin, a flavonoid compound, can be isolated from propolis, Alpinia oxyphylla Miq, and Lychnophora markgravii. This study evaluated the efficacy of tectochrysin in the treatment of shrimp tropomyosin (ST)-induced mouse asthma. Mice were sensitized with intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of ST together with aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant to establish a mouse model of asthma. Mice were i.p.-treated daily with tectochrysin. IgE levels in plasma, Th2 cytokines from both bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and splenocytes, and CD200R on basophils in peripheral blood were measured. Histological analyses of lung tissues and accumulation of leukocytes in BAL fluid were performed. Lung eosinophil peroxidase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were examined. ST was found to markedly increase eosinophilic inflammation and Th2 response in mice. Tectochrysin treatment reduced the level of IgE in plasma, the percentage of eosinophils in total white blood cells in peripheral blood, the total number of cells in BAL fluid, and eosinophil peroxidase activity in lung tissues. Tectochrysin attenuated ST-induced infiltration of eosinophils and epithelial mucus secretion in lung tissues and suppressed the overproduction of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) in BAL fluid. Tectochrysin also attenuated Th2 cytokine (IL-4 and IL-5) production from antigen-stimulated murine splenocytes in vitro, decreased the expression of CD200R on basophils in peripheral blood of asthmatic mice and inhibited IL-4 secretion from IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. In addition, tectochrysin enhanced catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in lung tissues. Our findings demonstrate that TEC ameliorates allergic airway inflammation by suppressing Th2 response and oxidative stress.

Huangkui Capsule Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury and Macrophage Activation by Suppressing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Mice.

Background: Huangkui capsule (HKC) comprises the total flavonoid extract of flowers of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medicus. This study aimed to explore the effects of HKC on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, histopathology, spectrophotometry, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used for the assessments. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance. Results: LPS significantly increased lung inflammation, neutrophil infiltration, and oxidative stress and downregulated lung miR-451 expression. Treatment with HKC dramatically, reduced the total cell count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and inhibited myeloperoxidase activity in the lung tissues 24 h after LPS challenge. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that HKC attenuated LPS-induced tissue oedema and neutrophil infiltration in the lung tissues. Additionally, the concentrations of tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) α and interleukin- (IL-) 6 in BALF and IL-6 in the plasma reduced after HKC administration. Moreover, HKC could enhance glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities and upregulate the expression of miR-451 in the lung tissues. In vitro experiments revealed that HKC inhibited the production of nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and mouse primary peritoneal macrophages. Additionally, HKC downregulated LPS-induced transcription of TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions: These findings suggest that HKC has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects that may protect mice against LPS-induced ALI and macrophage activation.

A new anti-inflammatory lignan from Lonicerae Japonicae flos.

One new lignan, loniceralanside A (1), together with three known compounds (2-4), were purified from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. Their structures were determined by HR-ESI-MS, 1 D and 2 D NMR data. Compounds 2-4 were separated from the plant for the first time. The biological test showed that compound 1 had significant anti-inflammatory activity with inhibiting the release of ß-glucuronidase induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF) in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) (IC50 = 3.05 µM).

Investigation of acupuncture in improving sleep, cognitive and emotion based on attenuation of oxidative stress in prefrontal cortex in sleep-deprived rats / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To explore whether acupuncture can improve sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment and emotional disorders caused by sleep deprivation, and its association with the attenuation of oxidative stress injury in prefrontal cortex. Methods: Fifty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10), a model group (n=14), a manual acupuncture (MA) group (n=14), and a sham-MA group (n=14). All the groups were established as sleep deprivation models via the modified multiple platform method, except for the control group. Rats in both the MA group and the sham-MA group received corresponding intervention, respectively. After modeling and intervention, the four groups received three behavioral tests, namely sleep monitoring, by comprehensive lab animal monitoring system (CLAMS), Morris water maze (MWM) test and open-field test (OFT), followed by oxygen free radical level test and Western blot (WB) detection for the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2. Results: The MA group derived more sleep time within 24 h than either the model group or the sham-MA group (both P<0.05). On MWM orientation navigation test day 1, there were no significant differences in escape latency among the control, MA and sham-MA groups (P>0.05), and the escape latency was significantly shorter in these three groups than that in the model group (all P<0.05). On test day 4, the escape latency was markedly shorter in the MA group than that in either the model group or the sham-MA group (both P<0.05); meanwhile, the MA group showed significantly better performance compared with these two groups in space probe test (both P<0.05). In OFT, compared with the control group, there was a significant decline in the horizontal movement score in the other three groups (all P<0.05), and the decrease was more significant in the model group and the sham-MA group than that in the MA group (both P<0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) content was markedly higher and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was markedly lower in the MA group than those in the model group and the sham-MA group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group and the sham-MA group, the expression of Bax was significantly lower and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly higher in the MA group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: MA therapy can lengthen the sleep time in sleep-deprived rats and improve learning and memory impairments induced by sleep deprivation, and the underlying mechanism may be associated with the enhancement of antioxidant capacity in the prefrontal cortex and the inhibition of hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.

Research progress and thinking on improving physicochemical properties and efficacy of the active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine based on crystal structure / 药学学报

The active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine have been reported to possess significant pharmacological activity and played an important role in clinical treatments. However, lots of the active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine suffer from disadvantages such as low solubility, high melting point and low stability that results in low bioavailability and limit its clinical application. Crystal structure plays an important role in improving physicochemical properties and efficacy of the active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine. This review concludes the research advances of several crystal forms used in the active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine in terms of polymorph, cocrystal, amorphous/coamorphous and nanocrystal. And the effects of crystal forms on the physicochemical properties and efficacy of the active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine were reviewed. This research may be useful for the formulation preparation and development of the active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine.

A review of clinical specifications of Scutellariae Radix pieces in ancient and modern literature / 中国中药杂志

Scutellariae Radix is a commonly used Chinese medicinal first recorded in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica. In the ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), Scutellariae Radix is used in two specifications, solid one(Ziqin) and hollow one(Kuqin). In the current rules and regulations of Chinese medicine, Scutellariae Radix is used without the specific requirements for the specifications applied. To clarify the evolution of Scutellariae Radix specifications and analyze the current specifications of Scutellariae Radix pieces, the present study reviews the Scutellariae Radix from ancient literature, modern rules and regulations, and differences between Ziqin and Kuqin in composition, efficacy, and transformation mechanism. According to the research on ancient books, Kuqin is effective in clearing the fire of the upper energizer, and Ziqin in purging the heat of the lower energizer. Modern studies have revealed that Kuqin and Ziqin are significantly different in chemical components, and Ziqin and Kuqin target the colon and lung, respectively, which are consistent with the relevant records in ancient books. The review study suggests that the two specifications of Scutellariae Radix are reasonable since they can facilitate the precise treatment of Scutellariae Radix.

Effects of Wuqinxi in the Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the major concerns of the current health care. The guidelines for chronic LBP recommend traditional Chinese exercise as an effective treatment. As one of the representatives of traditional Chinese exercise, Wuqinxi has been famous in China for its effects on improving health and treating chronic diseases for thousands of years. The objectives of the study were to assess the effects of Wuqinxi in the patients with chronic LBP on pain intensity, trunk muscle strength, and quality of life. The primary outcome measure was assessed by the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) as the subtables. The effects of Wuqinxi on the quality of life were also assessed by the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) from physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS), and sleep quality. Besides, the electrical activities of the rectus abdominis (RA), obliquus externus abdominis (OEA), lumbar erector spinae (ES), and multifidus (MF) were assessed by integrated electromyogram (iEMG) after the end of the intervention. Both the groups showed statistically significant improvement in SF-MPQ, SF-36, PSQI, and iEMG at 12 weeks and 24 weeks when compared with baseline (P < 0.05). However, Wuqinxi demonstrated better effects in SF-MPQ and MCS after 24 weeks of intervention compared with the general exercise (P < 0.05). The patients in the Wuqinxi group (WQXG) also showed a significantly higher iEMG on OEA than the general exercise group (GEG) in 30°/s and 90°/s (P < 0.05). Our results showed that Wuqinxi had better effects on chronic LBP for a long time compared with general exercise, including pain intensity and quality of life. Thus, Wuqinxi should be recognized as a possible standalone therapy and self-management skill in chronic LBP, which is suitable for long-term practice.

Acupressure therapy and Liu Zi Jue Qigong for pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with severe novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In December 2019, pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China. The number of cases has increased rapidly. Patients with severe disease have a poor prognosis, and there are no effective therapies for COVID-19. Only rapid advice guidelines for symptomatic supportive care have been used. A traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation (TCMR) program consisting of acupressure therapy and Liu Zi Jue Qigong can be used as a complementary therapy for COVID-19. Hence, we designed a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy and advantages of TCMR for treating patients with severe COVID-19. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a parallel-design, two-arm, analyst assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A total of 128 patients with COVID-19 aged from 20 to 80 years will be recruited and assigned randomly into a guideline therapy group and a guideline therapy plus TCMR group at a 1:1 ratio. Patients in both groups will receive guideline therapy. The patients in the intervention group will perform acupressure therapy and Liu Zi Jue Qigong exercises in addition to conventional treatments twice a day and will be persistent from admission to discharge. The primary outcome will be measured with the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, and the secondary outcomes will include the Activities of Daily Living Barthel Index Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Scale, and the Respiratory Symptoms Scale. The assessments of the clinical scales will be performed at three points (before treatment, the 7th day during hospitalization, and the discharge day). Adverse events will be noted and recorded for the safety evaluation. DISCUSSION: This trial will provide high-quality evidence of the value of TCMR, which consists of acupressure therapy and Liu Zi Jue Qigong exercises, for treating patients with severe COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000029994 . Registered on 18 February 2020.