Ruan Jian Qing Mai's Formula Promotes Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Migration and Proliferation.

Objective: To investigate the response of (BM-MSCs) to the Ruan Jian Qing Mai formula (RJQM) in the treatment of atherosclerotic occlusion (ASO), and consequently promoting the development of collateral circulation and angiogenesis. Method: 35 male rats were randomly assigned to 6 experimental groups and A control group. 0.9% NaCl solution and 2.7, 5.4, 10.8, 16.2, 21.6, and 27 g × kg-1 × d-1 of RJQM formula were gavaged to the experimental groups twice a day for 8 days. After the last administration, medicated serum was prepared from the blood collected from the abdominal aorta. The human BM-MSCs were divided into an experimental group and a control group. A blank group of cells was added with a complete medium without rat serum; an experimental group of cells was added with the prepared drug-containing serum. Under hypoxic conditions, the drug-containing serum was used to treat BM-MSCs and/or endothelial cells of human umbilical vein (HUVECs). A Cell counting kit (CCK8) was used to detect cell proliferation. Western blot (WB) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to identify related genes expression. Results: The results of this study showed that the purity of the BM-MSCs was >95%. The drug-containing serum significantly rise in CCND1 expression (encoding cyclin D1) and MYC, especially when the concentration of medicated serum was 10.8 g × kg-1 × d-1. Treatment of either BM-MSCs or HUVECs alone or both with medicated serum aids in the spread of mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow to HUVECs. qPCR results showed that the mRNA expression of CCL2, CCL3, CCL25, IL8, IGF1, and PDGFB increased dramatically after treatment with medicated serum. The expression of the corresponding receptors for these up-regulated chemokines was detected in BM-MSCs, and it was found that CXCR1, CXCR4, CXCR7, and PDGFRB were up-regulated. Conclusion: This study provides a preliminary understanding of the mechanism of RJQM in the treatment of ASO.

A novel dendritic mesoporous silica based sustained hydrogen sulfide donor for the alleviation of adjuvant-induced inflammation in rats.

PURPOSE: S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC), an excellent endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, could elevate H2S levels via the cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE)/H2S pathway both in vitro and in vivo. However, the immediate release of H2S in vivo and daily administration of SPRC potentially limited its clinical use. METHODS: To solve the fore-mentioned problem, in this study, the dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSN) was firstly prepared, and a sustained H2S delivery system consisted of SPRC and DMSN (SPRC@DMSN) was then constructed. Their release profiles, both in vitro and in vivo, were investigated, and their therapeutical effect toward adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats was also studied. RESULTS: The spherical morphology of DMSN could be observed under scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and the transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed a central-radiational pore channel structure of DMSN. DMSN showed excellent SPRC loading capacity and attaining a sustained releasing ability than SPRC both in vitro and in vivo, and the prolonged SPRC releasing could further promote the release of H2S in a sustained manner through CSE/H2S pathway both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, the SPRC@DMSN showed promising anti-inflammation effect against AIA in rats was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: A sustained H2S releasing donor consisting of SPRC and DMSN was constructed in this study, and this sustained H2S releasing donor might be of good use for the treatment of AIA.

[Expert consensus on Tongsaimai Tablets/Capsules in treatment of peripheral vascular diseases in clinical practice].

Tongsaimai Tablets/Capsules are composed of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Codonopsis Radix, Dendrobii Caulis, Astragali Radix, Scrophulariae Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and are effective in promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, supplementing Qi, and nourishing Yin. It is widely used in the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases. With 40 years of clinical application, it has accumulated substantial research data and application experience. Its good clinical efficacy and pharmacoeconomic benefits in improving the clinical symptoms of peripheral vascular diseases have been confirmed by relevant research. Meanwhile, this drug has also been recommended by many expert consensus, guidelines, and teaching materials, serving as one of the most commonly used Chinese patent medicines in clinical practice. To further improve the understanding of the drug among clinicians and properly guide its clinical medication, the China Association of Chinese Medicine took the lead and organized experts to jointly formulate this expert consensus. Based on the questionnaire survey of clinicians and the systematic review of research literature on Tongsaimai Tablets/Capsules with clinical problems in the PICO framework, the consensus, combined with expert experience, concludes recommendations or consensus suggestions by GRADE system with the optimal evidence available through the nominal group technique. This consensus defines the indications, usage, dosage, course of treatment, medication time, combined medication, and precautions of Tongsaimai Tablets/Capsules in the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases, and explains the safety of its clinical application. It is recommended for clinicians and pharmacists in the peripheral vascular department(vascular surgery), traditional Chinese medicine surgery(general surgery), and endocrinology department of hospitals at all levels in China.