An optimal medicinal and edible Chinese herbal formula attenuates particulate matter-induced lung injury through its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis activities.

Objective: Identifying novel strategies to prevent particulate matter (PM)-induced lung injury is crucial for the reduction of the morbidity of chronic respiratory diseases. The combined intervention represented by herbal formulae for simultaneously targeting multiple pathological processes can provide a more beneficial effect than the single intervention. The aim of this paper is therefore to design a safe and effective medicinal and edible Chinese herbs (MECHs) formula against PM-induced lung injury. Methods: PM-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis A549 cell model were used to screen anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic MECHs, respectively. A network pharmacology method was utilized to rationally design a novel herbal formula. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer was utilized to assess the quality control of MECHs formula. The excretion of magnetic iron oxide nanospheres of the MECHs formula was estimated in zebrafish. The MECH formula against PM-induced lung injury was investigated with mice experiments. Results: Five selected herbs were rationally designed to form a new MECH formula, including Citri Exocarpium Rubrum (Juhong), Lablab Semen Album (Baibiandou), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Mori Folium (Sangye) and Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma (Yuzhu). The formula effectively promoted the magnetic iron oxide nanospheres excretion in zebrafish. The mid/high dose formula significantly prevented PM-induced lung damage in mice by enhancing the activity of SOD and GSH-Px, reducing the MDA and ROS level and attenuating the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-8, IL-1ß and TNF-α), down regulating the protein expression of NF-κB, STAT3 and Caspase-3. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the effective MECHs formula will become a novel strategy for preventing PM-induced lung injury and provide a paradigm for the development of functional foods using MECHs.

Effect of Electroacupuncture Added to Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a first-line conservative therapy for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used to treat SUI recently. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of PFMT + EA versus PFMT + sham EA for SUI in women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted at four hospitals in China involving 304 women with SUI from May 20, 2014 to November 21, 2017. Data were analyzed from April 20 to December 21, 2018. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to receive 8 wk of PFMT+ EA (n = 154) or PFMT + sham EA (n = 150). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary outcome was the change in the amount of urine leakage measured on a 1-hr pad test. Student's t test, the χ2 test, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used for data analysis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Among the 304 participants randomized, 286 completed the study. The mean age was 57.6 yr (standard deviation [SD] 8.9) for the PFMT + sham EA group and 57.2 yr (SD 9.1) for the PFMT + EA group. The mean urine leakage at baseline was 13.6 g for the PFMT + sham EA group and 13.9 g for the PFMT + EA group. After the 8-wk intervention, the PFMT + EA group had a greater decrease in mean urine leakage (-9.8 g) than the PFMT + sham EA group (-5.8 g) with a mean difference of 4.0 g (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8-7.2). Significantly more patients experienced a ≥50% reduction in urine leakage and the mean number of incontinence episodes in 24 h in the PFMT + EA group than in the PFMT + sham EA group (26.3%, 95%CI 15.8-36.8%). The PFMT + EA group experienced better improvement in participant-reported SUI severity at 6 wk (p < 0.001) and 8 wk (p < 0.001) and self-evaluated therapeutic effects at 2-32 wk (p < 0.001) after the intervention. Lack of measurement of the amount of urine leakage during follow-up is a limitation. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized clinical trial, 8-wk combined treatment with PFMT + EA led to a greater improvement in SUI symptoms and better outcomes than with PFMT + sham EA. PATIENT SUMMARY: We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of pelvic floor muscle training combined with electroacupuncture for stress urinary incontinence in women, Our results show that this is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its Active Ingredients on Drug-Resistant Bacteria.

The increasing and widespread application of antibacterial drugs makes antibiotic resistance a prominent and growing concern in clinical practice. The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria presents a global threat. However, the development and use of novel antibacterial agents involves time-consuming and costly challenges that may lead to yet further drug resistance. More recently, researchers have turned to traditional Chinese medicine to stem the rise of antibiotic resistance in pathogens. Many studies have shown traditional Chinese medicines to have significant bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects, with the advantage of low drug resistance. Some of which when combined with antibiotics, have also demonstrated antibacterial activity by synergistic effect. Traditional Chinese medicine has a variety of active components, including flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, and quinones, which can inhibit the growth of drug-resistant bacteria and be used in combination with a variety of antibiotics to treat various drug-resistant bacterial infections. We reviewed the interaction between the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. At present, flavonoids and alkaloids are the active ingredients that have been most widely studied, with significant synergistic activity demonstrated when used in combination with antibiotics against drug-resistant bacteria. The reviewed studies show that traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients have antimicrobial activity on antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which may enhance the susceptibility of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially reduce the required dosage of antibacterial agents and the rate of drug resistance. Our results provide direction for finding and developing alternative methods to counteract drug-resistant bacteria, offering a new therapeutic strategy for tackling antibiotic resistance.

Biological Response Profiling Reveals the Functional Differences of Main Alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis.

Rhizoma Coptidis (RC) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. Although modern research has found that some alkaloids from RC are the pharmacologically active constituents, the differences in their biological effects are not completely clear. This study analyzed the differences in the typical alkaloids in RC at a systematic level and provided comprehensive information on the pharmaceutical mechanisms of the different alkaloids. The ethanol RC extract (RCE) was characterized using HPLC assay. HepG2, 3T3-L1, and RAW264.7 cells were used to detect the cytotoxicity of alkaloids. Transcriptome analyses were performed to elucidate the cellular pathways affected by RCE and alkaloids. HPLC analysis revealed that the typical alkaloids of RCE were berberine, coptisine, and palmatine. Coptisine and berberine displayed a stronger inhibitory effect on cell proliferation than palmatine. The overlapping ratios of differentially expressed genes between RCE and berberine, coptisine, and palmatine were 70.8%, 52.6%, and 42.1%, respectively. Pathway clustering analysis indicated that berberine and coptisine possessed a certain similarity to RCE, and both compounds affected the cell cycle pathway; moreover, some pathways were uniquely enriched by berberine or coptisine. Berberine and coptisine had different regulatory effects on genes involved in lipid metabolism. These results provide comprehensive information on the pharmaceutical mechanisms of the different RC alkaloids and insights into their better combinatory use for the treatment of diseases.

Near-Null Magnetic Field Suppresses Fruit Growth in Arabidopsis.

We previously found that a near-null magnetic field affected reproductive growth in Arabidopsis under white light. To test whether the effect of a near-null magnetic field on fruit growth of Arabidopsis is related to cryptochrome, we grew wild-type Arabidopsis and cryptochrome double mutant, cry1/cry2, in a near-null magnetic field under blue light. We found that fruit growth of wild-type Arabidopsis instead of the cry1/cry2 mutant was suppressed by the near-null magnetic field. Furthermore, gibberellin (GA) levels of GA4 , GA9 , GA34 , and GA51 in fruits of wild-type plants in the near-null magnetic fields were significantly lower than local geomagnetic field controls. However, in cry1/cry2 mutants, levels of the four detected GAs in fruits in the near-null magnetic fields did not differ significantly from controls. Expressions of GA20-oxidase (GA20ox) genes (GA20ox1 and GA20ox2) and GA3-oxidase (GA3ox) genes (GA3ox1 and GA3ox3) in fruits of wild-type plants rather than cry1/cry2 mutants were downregulated by the near-null magnetic field. In contrast, expressions of GA2-oxidase (GA2ox) genes and GA signaling genes were not affected by the near-null magnetic field. These results indicate that suppression of fruit growth by the near-null magnetic field is mediated by cryptochrome and that GAs are involved in the regulation of fruit growth by the near-null magnetic field. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

[Effect of acupuncture at Renying (ST 9) on blood pressure in patients with ischemic stroke complicated with essential hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at Renying (ST 9) on morning blood pressure, daytime peak blood pressure and 24-hour blood pressure load in patients with ischemic stroke complicated with essential hypertension. METHODS: A total of 80 patients (3 cases dropped off) were randomized into an observation group (39 cases) and a control group (38 cases). Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture and nifedipine were given in the control group. On the basis of treatment in the control group, acupuncture at Renying (ST 9) was applied in the observation group, once a day, 6 times a week for 4 weeks. The changes of morning blood pressure, daytime peak blood pressure and blood pressure load were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, morning blood pressure, daytime peak blood pressure and blood pressure load after treatment were reduced in the two groups (all P<0.05). The change of morning systolic pressure in the observation group was not significant as compared with that in the control group (P>0.05); the changes of morning diastolic pressure, daytime peak blood pressure and blood pressure load in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: On the basis of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture and nifedipine, acupuncture at Renying (ST 9) can effectively reduce morning blood pressure, daytime peak blood pressure and blood pressure load in patients with ischemic stroke complicated with essential hypertension.

Mesenchymal stem cells-curcumin loaded chitosan nanoparticles hybrid vectors for tumor-tropic therapy.

The combination of controlled release technology and targeted drug delivery has become a promising strategy for cancer therapy. In this study, cell-nanoparticle hybrid vector was constructed using mesenchymal stem cells as the targeting cellular carrier and biotinylated chitosan polymer nanoparticles as the drug depot. Drug-loaded nanoparticles (hydrodynamic size =377.0 ±â€¯14.6 nm and zeta potential = 9.6 ±â€¯1.9 mV) were prepared by encapsulating hydrophobic model drug curcumin into biotinylated chitosan polymer. The biotin-modified nanoparticles were anchored on biotinylated mesenchymal stem cells surface by biotin-avidin binding, achieving an upload of 54.73 ±â€¯3.95 pg/cell. The anchorage of nanoparticles on mesenchymal stem cells had no effect on their viability and homing property. Biotin-avidin binding lasted over 48 h, which could be sufficient for cell-directed tumor-tropic delivery. The in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor results advocate that cell-nanoparticle hybrid vector could prove beneficial in pulmonary melanoma metastasis therapy.

Magnesium sulfate in combination with nimodipine for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage: a randomized controlled clinical study.

Objective Cerebral vasospasm(CVS) after Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can cause delayed cerebral ischemia,secondary cerebral infarction, and rehemorrhage, which are the leading causes of mutilation and death. Nimodipine has been shown to prevent CVS. Magnesium ion (Mg2+) can competitively inhibit the influx of calcium (Ca2+) and prevent vasospasm. There is evidence that magnesium sulfate can prevent CVS and reduce infarct volume after SAH. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of intravenous magnesium sulfate combined with oral nimodipine on CVS, delayed cerebral ischemia, secondary cerebral infarction, and rehemorrhage after SAH. Methods This is a prospective randomized, double-blind trial of 120 patients with SAH who were recruited between January 2003 and January 2009. These patients were assigned to two groups and received the same basic treatment and symptomatic treatment. In group A, patients received 14 days of intravenous administration of 1400 mL 0.9% normal saline + 40 mL 25% magnesium sulfate, 1 mL/min, once per day, followed 7 days of intravenous administration of 500 mL 0.9% normal saline + 15 mL 25% magnesium sulfate, 1 mL/min, once per day and oral nimodipine, 20 mg once, four times a day, for 21 days. Patients in group B received identical treatment to that in group A, except that 25% magnesium sulfate was replaced by placebo. On day 22 of treatment, incidences of intracranial CVS, delayed cerebral ischemia, secondary cerebral infarction, rehemorrhage, neurologic deficits, and death were assessed and adverse events were monitored. Results CVS occurred in 4, 12 patients, lasting for 11.09 ± 5.38, 13.73 ± 6.24 hours, mean velocity (Vm) of 143.2 ± 12.7, 149.6 ± 18.9 cm/s in group A, B; Delayed cerebral ischemia occurred in 3, 10 patients, lasting for 13.16 ± 4.82, 15.57 ± 5.35 hours in group A, B; Secondary cerebral infarction occurred in 2 and 8 patients in groups A and B; Neurologic deficits occurred in3 and 11 patients in groups A and B, All P < 0.05; Rehemorrhage occurred in 4 and 5 patients; Death occurred in 5 and 8 patients in groups A and B, respectively, P >0.05. No obvious adverse events were found in both groups. Conclusion Intravenous magnesium sulfate in combination with oral nimodipine for the treatment of SAH can help reduce the incidences of CVS, delayed cerebral ischemia, secondary cerebral infarction, and neurologic deficits with good safety, but it does not reduce the incidences of rehemorrhage and death.

The association and significance of H3K27me3 and a folate metabolic gene ACat2 in neural tube defects.

AIM: To study the association between the expression of H3K27me3 and ACat2 (a folate metabolic protein), in order to elucidate the protective mechanism of folic acid (FA) in neural tube defects (NTDs). METHODS: Eighteen female SD rats were randomly divided into normal, NTD and FA group. NTD group was induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) at E10d. FA group was fed with FA supplementation since 2 weeks before pregnancy, followed by ATRA induction. At E15d, FA level in the embryonic neural tube was determined by ELISA. Neural stem cells (NSCs) were isolated. Cell proliferation was compared by CCK-8 assay. The differentiation potency was assessed by immunocytochemical staining. H3K27me3 expression was measured by immunofluorescence method and Western blot. ACat2 mRNA expression was detected by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Cultured NSCs formed numerous Nestin-positive neurospheres. After 5 days, they differentiated into NSE-positive neurons and GFAP-positive astrocytes. When compared with controls, the FA level in NTD group was significantly lower, the ability of cell proliferation and differentiation was significantly reduced, H3K27me3 expression was increased, and ACat2 mRNA expression was decreased (P <0.05). The intervention of FA notably reversed these changes (P <0.05). H3K27me3 expression was negatively correlated with the FA level (rs = -0.908, P <0.01) and ACat2 level (rs = -0.879, P <0.01) in the neural tube. CONCLUSION: The increased H3K27me3 expression might cause a disorder of folate metabolic pathway by silencing ACat2 expression, leading to reduced proliferation and differentiation of NSCs, and ultimately the occurrence of NTD. FA supplementation may reverse this process.

Prussian Blue Modified PLA Microcapsules Containing R6G for Ultrasonic/Fluorescent Bimodal Imaging Guided Photothermal Tumor Therapy.

A theranostic agent has been successfully constructed for fluorescence/ultrasound dual-modal imaging guided photothermal therapy by loading the fluorescent dye R6G into polylactide microcapsules (PLA MCs) followed by deposition of Prussian blue nanoparticles (PB NPs) into the surface of PLA MCs. It was proved that the obtained microcapsules of R6G@PLA/PB MCs could serve as an efficient probe to simultaneously enhance fluorescence imaging and ultrasound imaging greatly in vivo. R6G@PLA/PB MCs exhibited significant photothermal cytotoxicity. Cancer cells could be killed efficiently through photothermal effects of R6G@PLA/PB MCs due to the strong absorption of PB NPs in the near infrared region under laser irradiation. In a word, R6G@PLA/PB MCs integrate multiple capabilities for effective tumor imaging and therapy. Such a single agent provides us a possibility to interpret accurately the obtained images, identify the size and location of the tumor, as well as guide and monitor the photothermal therapy.

[Identification of radix et rhizoma clematidis and its adulterants using DNA barcoding].

This study provides the candidate sequences in the identification of Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis and its adulterants using DNA barcoding. We amplified and sequenced the region psbA-trnH, with the data of 284 sequences from GenBank, the differential intra- and inter-specific divergences, genetic distance, barcoding gap were used to evaluate five barcodes, and the identification efficiency was assessed using BLAST1 and Nearest Distance methods. The results showed that psbA-trnH barcodes performed high identification efficiency and inter-specific divergences among the five different DNA barcodes. Analysis of the barcoding gap and NJ tree showed psbA-trnH was superior to other barcodes. Based on the identification and PCR amplification efficiency, psbA-trnH can be the ideal barcode to identify Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis and its adulterants accurately.

Prussian blue coated gold nanoparticles for simultaneous photoacoustic/CT bimodal imaging and photothermal ablation of cancer.

The combination of CT imaging and photoacoustic (PA) imaging represents not only high resolution and ease of forming 3D visual image for locating tissues of interest, but also good soft tissue contrast and excellent high sensitivity, which is very beneficial to the precise guidance for photothermal therapy (PTT). The near infrared (NIR) absorbing Au nanostructures take advantages to operate as a CT contrast agent due to high absorption coefficient of X-ray and outstanding biocompatibility, but show obvious deficiency for PA imaging and PTT because of low photostability. Attacking this problem head on, the Au nanoparticles (NPs) were coated with Prussian blue (PB) which is a typical FDA-approved drug in clinic for safe and effective treatment of radioactive exposure. The obtained core/shell NPs of Au@PB NPs of 17.8 ± 2.3 nm were found to be an excellent photoabsorbing agent for both PTT and PA imaging due to high photostability and high molar extinction coefficient in NIR region. Their gold core of 9.1 ± 0.64 nm ensured a remarkable contrast enhancement for CT imaging. Through a one-time treatment of NIR laser irradiation after intravenous injection of Au@PB NPs, 100 mm(3) sized tumors in nude mice could be completely ablated without recurrence. Such versatile nanoparticles integrating effective cancer diagnosis with noninvasive therapy might bring opportunities to future cancer therapy.