[Hunyuan moxibustion for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome of spleen and kidney yang deficiency: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect between Hunyuan moxibustion and oral western medication on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome（IBS-D）of spleen and kidney yang deficiency. METHODS: Sixty patients with IBS-D of spleen and kidney yang deficiency were randomly divided into a Hunyuan moxibustion group and a western medication group, 30 cases each group. The Hunyuan moxibustion group was treated with Hunyuan moxibustion at Guanyuan（CV 4），40 min each time, once a day; in the western medication group，loperamide hydrochloride capsules (2 mg each time, 3 times a day) and bacillus licheniformis live capsules (0.5 g each time, 3 times a day) were given orally.Both groups were treated for 20 days. The scores of irritable bowel syndrome（IBS）symptom severity scale（IBS-SSS）, IBS quality of life scale (IBS-QOL) and TCM symptom grading quantitative were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment，each item scores and total scores of IBS-SSS in the two groups were lower than those before treatment（P<0.05）, and the total scores of IBS-QOL were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05)；each item score and total score of IBS-SSS in the Hunyuan moxibustion group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.05), and the total score of IBS-QOL in the Hunyuan moxibustion group was higher than that in the western medication group (P<0.05).After treatment, each item score and total score of TCM symptom grading quantitative in the Hunyuan moxibustion group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), the abdominal pain, diarrhea, lack of appetite scores and total score in the western medication group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05)；and the abdominal pain, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, fear to cold and cold limbs scores and total score in the Hunyuan moxibustion group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.05).The total effective rate was 90.0%（27/30）in the Hunyuan moxibustion group, which was higher than 73.3%（22/30）in the western medication group (P<0.05). No adverse reactions occurred in both groups during treatment. CONCLUSION: Hunyuan moxibustion can effectively improve the symptom severity and quality of life in patients with IBS-D of spleen and kidney yang deficiency, especially in improving the symptoms of abdominal pain, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, fear to cold and cold limbs.Its therapeutic effect is superior to western medication.

Marein reduces lipid levels via modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to induce lipophagy.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The capitulum of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (CT, Xue-Ju in Chinese) is a precious medicine in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region of China. The Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. is used to prevent and treat dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, etc. Recent studies have shown that its extract has a pharmacological effect on hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aimed to systematically evaluate the lipid-lowering activity of CT through a mice model of hyperlipidemia and a human hepatoma G2 (HepG2) cells model of lipid accumulation, and to investigate its main active components and mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biochemical analysis of blood/liver lipids and liver histopathology were used to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (AECT) on hyperlipidemia mice. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to identify the main components in the AECT. Oil red O staining, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and determination of the total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were used to further study the effect and potential mechanism of the AECT main components on sodium oleate-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. RESULTS: We confirmed the lipid-lowering activity of the aqueous extract and further identified flavonoids as its main components. Among them, five Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. flavonoids mixture (FM) significantly reduced lipid droplet area, lipid content, TC, TG, and LDL-C levels, and elevated HDL-C levels in HepG2 cells induced by sodium oleate. Furthermore, they increased lipophagy in HepG2 lipid-accumulating cells, while decreasing the ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR. Most importantly, marein may be a key component. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that AECT, with flavonoids as the main component, can improve diet-induced hyperlipidemia in obese mice. Among the main five flavonoids, marein plays a key role in promoting lipophagy by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, resulting in a lipid-lowering effect.

[Precise application of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu in classical formulas].

To maintain the precision and stability of the efficacy of classical formulas, this study compared the origins and specifications of Bupleuri Radix and revealed the precise application regularity of Bupleurum chinense(Beichaihu) and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium(Nanchaihu) in classical formulas. The efficacy and indications of formulas with Bupleuri Radix as the sovereign drug in the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases(Shang Han Za Bing Lun) were investigated. The difference in the efficacy of Bupleuri Radix as well as the differences in the chemical composition, and liver-protecting and lipid-lowering effects of the decoctions of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu were analyzed with LC-MS technology based on the CCl_4-induced liver injury model in mice and sodium oleate-induced HepG2 hyperlipidemia cell model. The results showed that seven classical formulas with Bupleuri Radix as the sovereign drug in the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases were mainly used in the treatment of digestive, metabolic, immune, circulatory, and other diseases. Bupleuri Radix mainly played the functions of protecting the liver, benefiting the gallbladder, and lowering the lipid, and had different focuses in different formulas. There were 14 differential components in the decoctions of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu, and the chemical structures of 11 components were identified, including 10 saponins and one flavonoid. The results of the liver-protecting efficacy experiment showed that compared with the Nanchaihu decoction, Beichaihu decoction could reduce the serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activity in liver injury model mice(P<0.01). The results of the lipid-lowering efficacy experiment proved that Beichaihu and Nanchaihu decoctions both showed highly significant differences in lowering the total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG) content in HepG2 cells(P<0.01), and Nanchaihu decoction was superior to Beichaihu decoction in lowering the lipid. The results of this study preliminarily proved that there were differences in chemical composition, and liver-protecting and lipid-lowering effects of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu decoctions, indicating that it was necessary to determine the precise origin of Bupleuri Radix in the clinical formulation of traditional Chinese medicine. The study provides a scientific basis for both precise clinical medication and purpose-based accurate quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical application.

[Huayu Tongluo moxibustion combined with intradermal needling in patients with mild to moderate depression after cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Huayu Tongluo (resolving stasis and promoting collateral circulation) moxibustion combined with intradermal needling on depressive symptoms, quality of life and cognitive impairment in patients with mild to moderate depression after cerebral infarction on the basis of western medicine treatment. METHODS: Fifty patients with mild to moderate depression after cerebral infarction were randomly divided into an acupuncture combined with western medication group (group A, 25 cases) and a western medication group (group B, 25 cases). In the group B, paroxetine hydrochloride tablets were taken orally, 20 mg after breakfast, once a day, and the dose could be adjusted to the maximum 40 mg/d according to the patients' condition, for 4 weeks totally. On the basis of the treatment in the group B, the group A was treated with Huayu Tongluo moxibustion, namely aconite cake-separated moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20) and suspended moxibustion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenting (GV 24), combined with intradermal needling at Shenmen (HT 7), Jianshi (PC 5), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Huayu Tongluo moxibustion was performed 6 times a week, and intradermal needling was performed 3 times a week，for 4 weeks totally. In the two groups, the scores of Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), stroke specific quality of life scale (SS-QOL) and mini mental state examination (MMSE) were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy and safety were compared. RESULTS: After treatment, the HAMD score in the each group was decreased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05), and that in the group A was lower than the group B (P<0.05); after treatment, the SS-QOL score in the group A and MMSE score in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and the SS-QOL score in the group A was higher than the group B (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 88.0% (22/25) in the group A, which was higher than 60.0% (15/25) in the group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (4.0% [1/25] vs 16.0%[4/25], P>0.05). CONCLUSION: On the basis of the treatment of western medication paroxetine hydrochloride tablets, Huayu Tongluo moxibustion combined with intradermal needling therapy can effectively improve the depressive symptoms, quality of life and cognitive impairment of patients with mild to moderate depression after cerebral infarction.

[Design and application of a new type of long snake moxibustion box].

Long snake moxibustion, a kind of indirect moxibustion therapy for stimulating the midline part of the back of the patient's body after playing a layer of ginger or garlic mud, is frequently used to treat spine disorders and deficiency-cold type syndromes. In the present paper, we introduced our newly made moxibustion box for applying long snake moxibustion which is safe and easy to operate and can be freely moved at any time in the treatment of vertebral diseases, and conveniently makes the ignited-moxa close to the locus. This newly-designed moxibustion box is made of two lines of paralleled flexible connection side plates hinged ends to ends and two U-like connection plates at the opposite two ends to construct a rectangular frame device. The hinged design makes the long snake moxibustion box conform to the physiological curvature of human body and its length can be adjusted according to the height of patients. When used in clinical practice, it can enhance the patients' safety and reduce the operator's working intensity, and may be helpful to the popularization and development of long snake moxibustion therapy.

[A correlation study of moxibustion time and moxibustion effect of long snake moxibustion in intervention of recurrent exopathogenic diseases in patients with yang-deficiency constitution].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the time-effect relationship of long snake moxibustion in intervening recurrent exopathogenic diseases of patients with yang-deficiency constitution in different moxibustion periods and provide a scientific basis for the selection of long snake moxibustion in preventing and treating recurrent exopathogenic diseases of patients with yang-deficiency constitution. METHODS: Ninety patients with yang-deficiency constitution who met the inclusion criteria of recurrent exopathogenic diseases were randomly divided into a 30 min group, a 60 min group, and a 90 min group, with 30 cases in each group. Long snake moxibustion was applied once a week from Dazhui (GV14) to Yaoshu (GV2) for different periods (30, 60, and 90 min), 12 times (12 weeks) in total. The scores of yang-deficiency constitution quality scale and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) before treatment, after treatment, and six months after treatment, as well as attack times of exopathogenic diseases within one year before treatment and after treatment in the three groups, were observed and recorded. RESULTS: After treatment and 6 months after treatment, the yang-deficiency quality scale scores and FSS scores of the three groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01), which decreased in the sequence of the 30 min group, the 90 min group, and the 60 min group (P<0.05). Within one year after treatment, the attack times of exopathogenic diseases in the three groups was lower than that within one year before treatment (P<0.01), which decreased in the sequence of the 30 min group, the 90 min group, and the 60 min group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The optimal moxibustion time of long snake moxibustion on the recurrent exopathogenic diseases of patients with yang-deficiency constitution is 60 min.

The antiviral mechanism of the crude extract from the flowers of Trollius chinensis based on TLR 3 signaling pathway.

The effects of crude extract from the flowers of Trollius chinensis on expressions of mRNA and proteins related to vital genes (TLR 3, TBK 1, IRF 3 and IFN ß) in TLR 3 signaling pathway were investigated in the presence/absence of Polyinosinic acid-polycytidylic acid (PolyI: C) to ascertain the antiviral mechanism of these flowers. Real-time PCR and western blot were applied to determine the expressions of mRNA and proteins, respectively, and immunofluorescence assay was employed to study the effect on IRF 3 distribution between nuclei and cytoplasma. In the absence of PolyI:C, the crude extract reduced the mRNA expression of TLR 3, IRF 3 and IFN ß and the protein expression of TLR 3, and increased the protein expression of IRF 3 and the distribution of IRF 3 in nuclei. In the presence of PolyI:C, the extract reduced the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR 3 and the mRNA expression of IFN ß, meanwhile inhibited the translocation of IRF 3 into nuclei. The antiviral mechanism of the crude extract from the flowers of T. chinensis is to protect the host from inflammatory damage through intervening the TLR 3 signaling pathway and reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors.

Effects of Eight Methods and Five Steps of Tai Chi Practice on Balance Control Among Older Adults.

The team developed the newly compiled eight methods and five steps of Tai Chi (EMFSTC), which includes introductory routines to Tai Chi characterized by simple structures. This study examined the effectiveness of EMFSTC practice on balance control. A total of 31 participants were randomly assigned to EMFSTC (n = 15, age = 66.4 ± 1.7 years, received 16-week EMFSTC practice) or control (n = 16, age = 66.7 ± 1.8 years, received no practice) groups. Significant group by training interactions were observed. After EMFSTC practice, balance control improved, as indicated by decreased root mean square and mean velocity of center of pressure, proprioception threshold during knee extension, and plantar tactile sensitivity threshold at the arch. EMFSCT can be an effective rehabilitation modality to improve balance control among older adults.

[Effect of long-snake moxibustion on nonspecific low back pain with symptom of cold and dampness].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect of long-snake moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion at ashi point on nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) with symptom of cold and dampness. METHODS: A total of 120 patients were randomized into a long-snake moxibustion group, an ashi point group and a waiting for treatment group, 40 cases in each one. Ginger-partitioned moxibustion was applied from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2) of governor vessel in the long-snake moxibustion group, and was applied at ashi point of affected area in the ashi point group, 40 min each time, once every other day and totally 8 times were required. No intervention was adopted in the waiting for treatment group, and after the trial, long-snake moxibustion was applied. Before and after treatment, the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of rest and activity, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and the score of cold and dampness symptom were observed in the 3 groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS scores of rest and activity, the ODI scores and the scores of cold and dampness symptom after treatment were decreased in the long-snake moxibustion group and the ashi point group (P<0.05). After treatment, the variations of the above indexes in the long-snake moxibustion group and the ashi point group were larger than those in the waiting for treatment group (P<0.05), and the variations of the above indexes in the long-snake moxibustion group were larger than those in the ashi point group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Long-snake moxibustion can effectively improve the pain, dysfunction and the symptom of cold and dampness in patients with nonspecific low back pain, and the improvement is superior to the ginger-partitioned moxibustion at ashi point.

Radix pseudostellariae of Danzhi Jiangtang capsule relieves oxidative stress of vascular endothelium in diabetic macroangiopathy.

AIM: Medicinal plants act as an alternative source of anti-diabetic agents. Recently, Danzhi Jiangtang capsule (DJC) has been clinically used for treatment of diabetes, but the effect of DJC on diabetic macroangiopathy remained unclear. The present study investigates the therapeutic role of DJC in diabetic macroangiopathy and elucidates the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Diabetes patients were treated with DJC for 20 weeks. Blood glucose and serum parameters (insulin, FFA, SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, NO) were determined before and after treatment. Streptozotocin -induced diabetic rat model and human HUVECs cells were applied to assess the anti-oxidative capacity of DJC and its bioactive constituents. The expression levels of eNOS, JNK, GRP78, CHOP, Bcl2, and BAX were measured by qPCR and/or immunoblotting. RESULTS: Diabetic macroangiopathy were ameliorated by DJC administration. Radix pseudostellariae (RP) mediated the anti-oxidative stress capacity of DJC, which improved insulin resistance (p < 0.01) and relieved oxidative stress (p < 0.01) of vascular endothelium through oxidative stress signaling and apoptosis pathway. The ability of DJC to ameliorate diabetic macroangiopathy and relieve oxidative stress was mainly mediated by its bioactive constituent RP. CONCLUSION: This study would provide experimental evidence for DJC in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and diabetic macroangiopathy.

[Clinical effect of long-snake moxibustion on lumbago of cold-dampness type].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of long-snake moxibustion on pain, functional disorder and body constitution in the patients with lumbago of cold-dampness type. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with lumbago of cold-dampness type were randomized into long-snake moxibustion, acupuncture and medication groups, 30 cases in each group. In the long-snake moxibustion group, long-snake moxibustion was exerted on the spinal (between Dazhui[GV14] and Yaoshu[GV2]) with the self-prepared moxa powder formula combined with fresh ginger and moxa wool, once a week, for 4 weeks. Regular acupuncture was given to the acupuncture group, 30 min each time, once a day, 8 times as a treatment course, at the interval of 2 days between the courses. The duration of treatment was 1 month. In the medication group, Diclofenac Sodium was prescribed for oral administration, 25 mg each time, three times a day, and Mecobalamine tablets, 0.5 mg each time, 3 times a day. The duration of medication was 1 month. Before and after treatment, the differences were evaluated in the scores of visual analog scale (VAS), the present pain intensity(PPI), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution among the 3 groups. RESULTS: After the treatment, VAS and PPI score and ODI were significantly reduced in the patients of the 3 groups as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with the medication group, ODI score was significantly reduced in the long-snake moxibustion group and the acupuncture group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the scores of the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution were significantly reduced in the long-snake moxibustion group and the acupuncture group (P<0.05) as compared with those before the treatment, but not statistically significant in the medication group in comparison before and after the treatment (P>0.05). The score of the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution in the long-snake moxibustion group was significantly lower than that in the acupuncture group and the medication group (P<0.05). Regarding the clinical effect, the effective rate was 93.33% (28/30) in the long-snake moxibustion group and it was 86.67% (26/30) in the acupuncture group and 73.33% (22/30) in the medication group after the treatment. The effective rate in the long-snake moxibustion group was significantly higher than those in the acupuncture group and the medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The long-snake moxibustion therapy can achieve significant effect on lumbago of cold-dampness type. This therapy can alleviate pain, relieve the functional disorders and improve the conditions of body constitution in the patients. Hence, it is applicable for the clinical promotion.

A natural anthraquinone derivative shikonin synergizes with AZD9291 against wtEGFR NSCLC cells through reactive oxygen species-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress.

BACKGROUND: NSCLC is the major type of lung cancer and the survival rates of NSCLC patients remain low. AZD9291 is a third-generation EGFR-TKI and approved to treat NSCLC patients harboring EGFR T790M mutation and common targetable activating EGFR mutations, but it has a limited effect for wtEGFR NSCLC. PURPOSE: The current study investigated whether shikonin could enhance the antitumor effect of AZD9291 in wtEGFR NSCLC cells. METHODS: SRB and colony formation assay were used to detect the proliferation of NSCLC cells, propidium iodide staining was performed to detect the apoptosis, ROS was analyzed using DCFH-DA staining, and western blot was used to detect the expression of indicated proteins. RESULTS: We demonstrated that shikonin, a natural ROS inducer, could enhance the antitumor effect of AZD9291 in wtEGFR NSCLC cells. In addition, shikonin increased AZD9291-induced apoptosis accompanying with the generation of ROS and activation of ER stress. Furthermore, ROS inhibition by NAC or GSH reversed the apoptosis induced by shikonin plus AZD9291, and recovered the ER stress activated by combination treatment, indicating that ROS mediated ER stress played a vital role in this combination therapy. Moreover, shikonin increased the anticancer activity of AZD9291 in primary wtEGFR NSCLC cells through ROS-mediated ER stress. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that combining shikonin with AZD9291 is a promising therapeutic strategy for treating wtEGFR NSCLC patients.

[Clinical effectiveness of "long snake moxibustion" for cold-dampness type chronic non-specific low back pain patients with negative emotions].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of long snake moxibustion and Ashi-point moxibustion in the treatment of cold-dampness type chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) patients. METHODS: A total of 120 cold-dampness type CNLBP patients who signed the informed consent were randomly and equally divided into control, long snake moxibustion and Ashi-point moxibustion groups. Ginger-separated moxibustion was applied to the region between Dazhui (GV14) and Yaoshu (GV2) for patients of the long-snake moxibustion group, or to the tenderness spot of the waist for patients of the Ashi-point moxibustion group. The treatment was conducted for 40 min each time, once every other day for a total of 8 sessions. Patients of the control group did not receive any intervention. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess low back pain severity. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was employed to assess ten aspects of patients' daily-life activities (pain intensity, personal care, lif-ting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, sex life, social life, and traveling). The cold-damp syndrome scores (pain property, symptoms, ranges of motion, waist palpation, tongue and pulse condition) were achieved by consulting the textbook "Differential Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes". The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, a self-made assessment instrument) was used to assess the patients' severity of emotional disorder.The plasma cortisol level was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Before treatment, there were no significant differences among the three groups in the levels of all the indexes (P>0.05). After moxibustion, the VAS scores during rest and movement, ODI score, cold-damp syndrome score and anxiety score in both long snake moxibustion and Ashi-point moxibustion groups, and the HADS depression score and plasma cortisol content in the long snake moxibustion group were significantly reduced compared with their own pre-treatment (P<0.05). The difference values between pre and post-treatment of VAS scores during rest and movement, ODI score, cold-damp syndrome score, anxiety score, depression score and cortisol content were obviously higher in the long snake moxibustion and Ashi-point moxibustion groups than those in the control group. The difference values between pre- and post-treatment of VAS scores during rest and movement, ODI score, cold-damp syndrome score, anxiety score, depression score and cortisol content were obviously higher in the long snake moxibustion group than in the Ashi-point group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both ginger-separated long snake moxibustion and Ashi-point moxibustion can relieve low back pain, daily-life activities, cold-damp syndrome, negative emotions, and reducing cortisol level in cold-dampness type CNLBP patients，and the therapeutic efficacy of long snake moxibustion is obviously better.

Effectiveness of Huai Qi Huang Granules on Juvenile Collagen-induced Arthritis and Its Influence on Pyroptosis Pathway in Synovial Tissue.

Huai Qi Huang (HQH) exerts great effects in clinic, such as anti-inflammation, immune-regulation, anti-cancer, and so on. However, the mechanism by which HQH protects juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is obscure. Thus, we explored deeply the protective mechanisms in juvenile collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. Pyroptosis is Gasdermin D (GSDMD)-dependent programmed cell death, involved in many diseases, such as sepsis. We investigated whether GSDMD-induced pyroptosis take part in mechanisms of juvenile CIA arthritis. Juvenile Wistar rats (3-4 weeks) were injected intradermally with fully emulsified bovine type II collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant to establish CIA rat models. Later, the CIA rats received oral administration of HQH (4.16 g/kg) once a day from the day 21 of modeling, with the treatment lasting for 28 days. Varieties of indicators were measured for evaluation of anti-inflammation effect of HQH, including hind paw swelling, arthritis scores, micro CT, and histopathological changes and the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-±) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). The expression of GSDMD and caspase-1 in the joint synovial tissues was detected. The results demonstrated that the expression of the pyroptotic protein GSDMD and its upstream caspase-1 was significantly increased in the synovial tissues of CIA rats. The treatment of HQH ameliorated the symptoms in CIA rats, reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and hind paw swelling, down-regulated the expression of GDSMD and caspase-1. GSDMD-induced pyroptosis participated in the pathogenesis of CIA rats. The study supported that HQH can effectively improve joints inflammation of juvenile collagen-induced arthritis rats by inhibiting pyroptosis pathway in the joint synovial tissues.

Genome Sequence Resource for Ilyonectria mors-panacis, Causing Rusty Root Rot of Panax notoginseng.

Ilyonectria mors-panacis is the cause of a serious disease hampering the production of Panax notoginseng, an important Chinese medicinal herb, widely used for its anti-inflammatory, antifatigue, hepato-protective, and coronary heart disease prevention effects. Here, we report the first Illumina-Pacbio hybrid sequenced draft genome assembly of I. mors-panacis strain G3B and its annotation. The availability of this genome sequence not only represents an important tool toward understanding the genetics behind the infection mechanism of I. mors-panacis strain G3B but also will help illuminate the complexities of the taxonomy of this species.

[Ginger-separated Snake Moxibustion Improves Yang Deficiency Constitution by Up-regulating Serum Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and Cortisol Levels in Yang Deficiency Constitution Volunteers].

OBJECTIVE: Yang deficiency constitution may bring with different types of illnesses in many people. The present study was designed to observe the effect of ginger-separated snake moxibustion on yang deficiency symptom, and serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (CORT) contents in yang deficiency constitution subjects, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of yang deficiency constitution. METHODS: Ninety subjects with yang deficiency type constitution were equally and randomly assigned to control A group (19 men and 26 women, 18－60 years in age) and moxibustion group (16 men and 29 women, 18－60 years in age) and 45 normal subjects with mild constitution (18 men and 27 women, 18－60 years in age) were assigned to control B group. An snake-like moxa-cone was placed at a moxa-holder covering the middle back of human body from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2) after paving a layer (about 1 cm thick) of fresh ginger in the holder, and then ignited, followed by the next moxa-cone, 3 cones altogether every time for each participant. The treatment was conducted once a week, 12 times in total. The subjects' constitution was scored according to the "Classification and Evaluation of Constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine" formulated by China Association of Chinese Medicine. The serum ACTH and CORT contents were measured by radioimmunoassay before and at the end of the treatment and 6 months after the treatment. RESULTS: The constitation scores of the moxibustion group and control A group were significantly higher than that of the control B group before treatment (P<0.01). At the end of the treatment, the constitution score was significantly decreased in the moxibustion group (P<0.01) rather than in the control A group relevant to its own pre-treatment (P>0.05). The serum CORT and ACTH contents were significantly decreased in both the moxibustion and control A groups in comparison to the control B group before treatment (P<0.01), and obviously increased at the end of treatment in the moxibustion group compared with its own pre-treatment (P<0.01). No significant differences were found among the three groups in the constitution score, and serum CORT and ACTH levels at the 6th month after the treatment compared with their own post-treatment (P>0.05)．. CONCLUSION: The ginger-separated snake moxibustion treatment may improve the constitution of yang deficiency participants by increasing the levels of serum ACTH and CORT, which may be helpful in resisting diseases.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the compounds from the flowers of Trollius chinensis.

In order to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids from the flowers of Trollius chinensis, some representative compounds, namely, orientin, 2"-O-ß-L-galactopyranosylorientin, vitexin, quercetin, isoquercetin, luteolin, veratric acid, proglobeflowery acid, trollioside, and trolline were selected to study their inhibitory effects against LPS-induced NO, IL-6, and TNF-ß release in RAW264.7 cells. At the higher concentration, both phenolic acids and flavonoids inhibited the production of NO, whereas only phenolic acids showed this effect at the lower concentration. Although trolline had stronger cytotoxicity, it exhibited a potential effect of decreasing NO production induced by LPS in the non-toxic concentration range. In addition, all tested compounds decreased the production of IL-6 and TNF-a by almost 50% at both the higher and lower concentrations. It is concluded that the anti-inflammatory activity of the phenolic acids is stronger than that of the flavonoids.

Shikonin sensitizes wild­type EGFR NSCLC cells to erlotinib and gefitinib therapy.

As patients with non­small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and wild­type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are resistant to treatment with erlotinib or gefitinib, potential chemosensitizers are required to potentiate wild­type EGFR NSCLC cells to erlotinib/gefitinib treatment. The present study reported that shikonin could sensitize the anticancer activity of erlotinib/gefitinib in wild­type EGFR NSCLC cells. Furthermore, shikonin could potentiate mitochondrial­mediated apoptosis induced by erlotinib/gefitinib in wild­type EGFR NSCLC cells. In addition, the present study demonstrated that shikonin could induce apoptosis by activating reactive oxygen species (ROS)­mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and that erlotinib/gefitinib may also induce ER stress in wild­type EGFR NSCLC cells; however, shikonin plus erlotinib/gefitinib was more effective in activating ER stress than either agent alone. This indicated that ROS­mediated ER stress may be associated with enhanced mitochondrial apoptosis induced by shikonin plus erlotinib/gefitinib. In addition, shikonin may promote the transition of cytoprotective ER stress­inducing EGFR­tyrosine kinase inhibitor tolerance to apoptosis­promoting ER stress. Furthermore, shikonin may enhance the anti­NSCLC activity of erlotinib/gefitinib in vivo. The data of the present study indicated that shikonin may be a potential sensitizer to enhance the anti­cancer efficacy of erlotinib/gefitinib in wild­type EGFR NSCLC cells resistant to erlotinib/gefitinib treatment.

[High performance preparation and structural confirmation of lignans from Schisandrae chinensis fructus by using HSCCC combined with ESI-MSn method].

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was used to high performance separate and prepare lignans from Schisandrae chinensis fructus. The solvent system is composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (9 : 1 : 5 : 5) and n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (9 : 1 : 9 : 5), speed is at 900 r.min-1, and flow rate is at 2.0 mL.min-1. Five fractions from Schisandrae chinensis fructus extract were separated and prepared with one HSCCC process. They were identified as schisandrin, gomisin J, schisandrol B, schisantherin A and deoxyschizandrin by electrospray ionization-multiple tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn), respectively. Their contents were obtained in 98.74%, 94.32%, 99.53%, 94.23% and 98.68% by ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), separately. The rapid and simple method can be applied for the preparation of lignans from Schisandrae chinensis fructus.

Plasticity of L-type Ca2+ channels after cocaine withdrawal.

Increased reactivity of certain frontal cortical brain regions to cocaine re-exposure or drug-associated cues in cocaine-abstinent human addicts is linked to drug craving. Similarly, in rats tested after withdrawal from repeated cocaine exposure, cocaine or other strong excitatory stimuli produce greater activation of pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Our recent findings indicate that the increased mPFC neuronal activation depends primarily upon enhanced voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) influx, most likely through high-voltage activated (HVA) L-type Ca(2+) channels, but the mechanism underlying the enhanced Ca(2+) currents is unknown. In this study, we used a protein crosslinking assay to show that repeated cocaine injections, resulting in behavioral sensitization, increased total protein levels and cell surface expression of HVA-Ca(v)1.2 L-type channels in pyramidal neurons in deep layers of the mPFC. These changes in Ca(v)1.2 L-channels were time dependent and subtype specific (i.e., differed from those observed for Ca(v)1.3 L-channels). Furthermore, we found enhanced PKA activity in the mPFC of cocaine-sensitized rats that persisted for 21 days after withdrawal. PKA phosphorylation of L-channels increases their activity, so Ca(2+) currents after cocaine withdrawal could be enhanced as a result of both increased activity and number of HVA-Ca(v)1.2 L-channels on the cell surface. By increasing the suprafiring threshold excitability of mPFC pyramidal neurons, excessive upregulation of HVA L-channel activity and number may contribute to the cortical hyper-responsiveness that enhances vulnerability to cocaine craving and relapse. More generally, our results are the first to demonstrate that repeated cocaine exposure alters the membrane trafficking of a voltage-sensitive ion channel.