Identification of the antidepressant fraction and its major chemical constituents of Radix Paeoniae Alba / 药学学报

The goal of this work was to investigate the antidepressant fraction from Radix Paeoniae Alba and identify its major chemical constituents. Corticosterone injured rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells and behavioral despair depression models of mice were used to evaluate the antidepressant effects of Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai-Shao) ethanol extract (BS-E) and its three fractions (BS-10E, BS-60E, BS-95E) isolated by macroporous resin column chromatography. Animal experimental procedures were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (approval No.: SLXD-20210618051). The results showed that BS-E, BS-10E and BS-60E had protective effects against PC12 cells injury induced by corticosterone, among which BS-60E had the strongest protective effect. BS-60E could significantly shorten the time of forced swimming and tail suspension in despair depression models of mice, and was identified as the antidepressant fraction of Radix Paeoniae Alba. The major chemical constituents in the antidepressant fraction were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS), and their proposed fragmentation pathways in MS spectra were deduced. A total of 79 chemical constituents were identified from BS-60E, including 36 monoterpenes, 34 polyphenols, 6 oligosaccharides, and 3 other constituents, and monoterpenes and polyphenols may be major effective constituents of BS-60E.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates Functional Constipation in Mice by Activating Enteric Glial Cell Autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate autophagy-related mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) action in improving gastrointestinal motility in mice with functional constipation (FC).@*METHODS@#According to a random number table, the Kunming mice were divided into the normal control, FC and EA groups in Experiment I. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was used to observe whether it antagonized the effects of EA in Experiment II. An FC model was established by diphenoxylate gavage. Then the mice were treated with EA stimulation at Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) acupoints. The first black stool defecation time, the number, weight, and water content of 8-h feces, and intestinal transit rate were used to assess intestinal transit. Colonic tissues underwent histopathological assessment, and the expressions of autophagy markers microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The expressions of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway members were investigated by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The relationship between enteric glial cells (EGCs) and autophagy was observed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, localization analysis, and electron microscopy.@*RESULTS@#EA treatment shortened the first black stool defecation time, increased the number, weight, and water content of 8-h feces, and improved the intestinal transit rate in FC mice (P<0.01). In terms of a putative autophagy mechanism, EA treatment promoted the expressions of LC3 and Beclin-1 proteins in the colonic tissue of FC mice (P<0.05), with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and LC3 significantly colocalized. Furthermore, EA promoted colonic autophagy in FC mice by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The positive effect of EA on intestinal motility in FC mice was blocked by 3-MA.@*CONCLUSION@#EA treatment can inhibit PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in the colonic tissues of FC mice, thereby promoting EGCs autophagy to improve intestinal motility.

Anemoside B4 protects against chronic relapsing colitis in mice by modulating inflammatory response, colonic transcriptome and the gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Anemoside B4 (AB4) is reported to prevent acute colitis when given via intraperitoneal injection by two recent studies. However, whether oral AB4 protects against chronic colitis which resembles the clinical phenotype of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its mechanism of action are largely unknown. PURPOSE: To systemically investigate the effects of oral AB4 against chronic colitis and illustrate the underlying mechanism of action. METHODS: The preventive, therapeutic, and dose-dependent effects of AB4 against UC were examined in mice with acute or chronic relapsing colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The inflammatory responses, colonic transcriptome, and 16S rDNA sequencing of the intestinal content of mice were analyzed. RESULTS: Oral administration of AB4 alleviated disease severity and colon shortening in mice with chronic relapsing colitis in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of AB4 were comparable to those of two positive-control compounds: tofacitinib and berberine. Unlike tofacitinib, AB4 did not have a deleterious effect on DSS-induced splenic swelling and anemia. Furthermore, AB4 inhibited the inflammatory responses of colitis, as evidenced by in-vivo, ex-vivo, and in-vitro studies. Transcriptomics revealed that AB4 treatment reversed the DSS-mediated decrease in the expression of colonic Pelo, B3gat2 and Mir8010. In addition, AB4 reversed DSS-induced alterations in the intestinal microbiome in mice. Through fecal microbiota transplantation, we proved that AB4 partially exerted its anti-colitis effects by modulating the gut microbiota. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated for the first time that AB4 has dose-dependent therapeutic effects against chronic relapsing colitis by modulating the inflammatory response, colonic gene expression, and intestinal microbiota.

Hemiepiphytic figs kill their host trees: acquiring phosphorus is a driving factor.

Hemiepiphytic figs killing their host trees is an ecological process unique to the tropics. Yet the benefits and adaptive strategies of their special life history remain poorly understood. We compared leaf phosphorus (P) content data of figs and palms worldwide, and functional traits and substrate P content of hemiepiphytic figs (Ficus tinctoria), their host palm and nonhemiepiphytic conspecifics at different growth stages in a common garden. We found that leaf P content of hemiepiphytic figs and their host palms significantly decreased when they were competing for soil resources, but that of hemiepiphytic figs recovered after host death. P availability in the canopy humus and soil decreased significantly with the growth of hemiepiphytic figs. Functional trait trade-offs of hemiepiphytic figs enabled them to adapt to the P shortage while competing with their hosts. From the common garden to a global scale, the P competition caused by high P demand of figs may be a general phenomenon. Our results suggest that P competition is an important factor causing host death, except for mechanically damaging and shading hosts. Killing hosts benefits hemiepiphytic figs by reducing interspecific P competition and better acquiring P resources in the P-deficient tropics, thereby linking the life history strategy of hemiepiphytic figs to the widespread P shortage in tropical soils.

Anti-inflammatory Efficacy of Combined Natural Alkaloid Berberine and S1PR Modulator Fingolimod at Low Doses in Ulcerative Colitis Preclinical Models.

The natural alkaloid berberine is being studied as a drug candidate for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Fingolimod is an immunomodulator approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Whether fingolimod use can be extended to UC and how it interacts with berberine remain unclear. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory efficacies of berberine, fingolimod, and a combination of half-doses of them was examined in mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. In mice with subchronic colitis, 14-day oral administration of fingolimod had greater efficacy than berberine in ameliorating the disease clinical severity and colon shortening. However, in mice with chronic colitis, 30-day oral administration of berberine was more effective than fingolimod except on splenic swelling. Notably, the combination of half-doses of each drug was equally effective as the superior single drugs for two models and resulted in reduced splenic swelling in the chronic colitis model. The inhibition of cytokine expression and STAT3 activation, as well as binding to the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor by both drugs, contributed to the combination efficacy. Our findings suggest that fingolimod in combination with berberine at reduced doses represents a novel therapy for UC that attains satisfactory efficacy with reduced potentials for adverse effects.

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Vine Flavone Ameliorates Glutamic Acid-Induced Neurotoxicity via MAPK Pathways.

Glutamic acid (Glu) is a worldwide flavor enhancer with various positive effects. However, Glu-induced neurotoxicity has been reported less. Tetrastigma hemsleyanum (TH), a rare herbal plant in China, possesses high medicinal value. More studies paid attention to tuber of TH whereas vine part (THV) attracts fewer focus. In this study, we extracted and purified flavones from THV (THVF), and UPLC-TOF/MS showed THVF was consisted of 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside. In vitro, Glu caused severe cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative damage to rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Conversely, THVF attenuated Glu-induced toxicity via MAPK pathways. In vivo, the neurotoxicity triggered by Glu restrained the athletic ability in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The treatment of THVF reversed the situation induced by Glu. In a word, Glu could cause neurotoxicity and THVF owns potential neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo via MAPK pathways.

Cupping therapy for patients with chronic urticaria: A systematic review and meta-analysis / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common skin disease, which has a negative effect on quality of life. Current treatments do not fully control the symptoms of urticaria for many CU patients, thus effective and safe treatments for CU are still needed.@*OBJECTIVE@#This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cupping therapy in patients with CU.@*SEARCH STRATEGY@#The search strategy looked for the presence of related keywords, such as "chronic urticaria" and "cupping therapy," in the title and abstract of research articles indexed in major databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected after querying nine electronic databases from their inception to May 2019 with the above search terms.@*INCLUSION CRITERIA@#RCTs were included if they recruited patients with CU who were intervened with dry or wet cupping. Publications could be written in Chinese or English.@*DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS@#Data were extracted, and the studies were assessed for the quality of their methodological design and risk of bias. Meta-analyses of the RCT data were conducted to assess the total effective rate of the treatment as the primary outcome. Skin disease quality of life index score, recurrence rate, and adverse events were assessed as secondary outcomes. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on different interventions.@*RESULTS@#Thirteen comparisons from 12 RCTs involving 842 participants were included. There were no significant differences between wet cupping and medications in total effective rate (n = 372; risk ratio [RR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97 to 1.25; P = 0.14) or recurrence rate (n = 240; RR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.36; P = 0.20). Cupping therapy, in combination with antihistamine treatment was more efficacious than antihistamines alone, with a greater total effective rate (n = 342; RR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.39; P = 0.03) and lower recurrence rate (n = 342; RR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.84; P = 0.007). Cupping therapy combined with acupuncture was more effective than acupuncture alone (n = 156; RR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.46; P = 0.006). No serious adverse events were reported.@*CONCLUSION@#Wet cupping may be as effective as treatment with antihistamines. When cupping therapy is used as an adjuvant therapy to antihistamines or acupuncture, it may enhance the efficacy. Results drawn from these studies should be interpreted with caution and applied with care to clinical practice, because of the poor quality among the studies that were reviewed.@*SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION@#PROSPERO, CRD42019137451.

Effect of early intervention of electroacupuncture on learning-memory ability and level of hippocampal phosphorylated Tau protein in SAMP8 mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of early intervention electroacupuncture (EA) at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) on the learning-memory ability and the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice, so as to provide reference for the intervening period of EA for Alzheimer's disease (AD).@*METHODS@#A total of 36 3-month old SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into a model group, a 3-month-old EA group and a 9-month-old EA group, 12 mice in each group. Twelve normal SAMR1 mice with the same age were taken as the control group. The mice in the 3-month-old EA group and 9-month-old EA group were treated with EA at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) separately 3 months old and 9 months old (continuous wave, 2 Hz, 1.5-2 mA), 20 min each time, once a day, 8 days as a course of treatment, with an interval of 2 days between courses, totally 3 courses of treatment were given. The mice sample in each group was collected at the age of 10 months after the learning-memory ability tested by Morris water maze. The expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in the hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, and the expression of Tau mRNA was detected by real-time PCR.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, in the model group, the escape latency was significantly increased (<0.01), the time of stay in the original platform quadrant and the number of crossing the platform quadrant were reduced (<0.01), and the expressions of phosphorylated Tau protein and Tau mRNA in hippocampus were increased (<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the 3-month-old EA group and 9-month-old EA group, the escape latency was significantly reduced (<0.05), the time of stay in the original platform quadrant and the number of crossing the platform quadrant were increased (<0.05), and the expressions of phosphorylated Tau protein and Tau mRNA in hippocampus were reduced (<0.05). Compared with the 9-month-old EA group, in the 3-month-old EA group, the escape latency was significantly reduced (<0.05), the time of stay in the original platform quadrant and the number of crossing the platform quadrant were increased (<0.05), and the expressions of phosphorylated Tau protein and Tau mRNA were reduced (<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The early EA intervention could more effectively improve the learning-memory ability and inhibit phosphorylation of Tau protein in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice.

Advance in Physical Activity for Brain Plasticity (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Brain plasticity is adaptability of brain to environment and experience in neural structure and function. Physical activity, such as aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, balance, and Taiji Quan, etc., can improve brain plasticity, involved various brain regions, and the mechanisms of neuronal and molecular pathways.

Apios americana Medik flowers polysaccharide (AFP-2) attenuates H2O2 induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells.

Oxidative stress is a critical cause for the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, indicating that screening natural antioxidant and pharmacological targeting of mechanism need more attention. Natural plant polysaccharides are the primary group of natural antioxidants showing mighty antioxidant activity. Therefore, a polysaccharide (AFP-2) from flowers of Apios americana Medik was isolated, purified and characterized. Then, a H2O2-induced PC12 cells oxidative stress model was established to investigate the neuroprotective role of AFP-2 and to clarify the potential mechanism of action against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity. It was found that AFP-2 reduced ROS production and mitochondrial damage caused by hydrogen peroxide in PC12 cells. In addition, data from transmission electron microscope and western blot displayed that AFP-2 significantly activated autophagy in PC12 cells via Akt-mTOR pathway. These results together qualify AFP-2 as an interesting natural polysaccharide worth further investigation as a neuroprotective agent.

Elucidating functional microorganisms and metabolic mechanisms in a novel engineered ecosystem integrating C, N, P and S biotransformation by metagenomics.

Denitrifying sulfur conversion-associated enhanced biological phosphorous removal (DS-EBPR) system is not only a novel wastewater treatment process, but also an ideal model for microbial ecology in a community context. However, it exists the knowledge gap on the roles and interactions of functional microorganisms in the DS-EBPR system for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) bioconversions. We use genome-resolved metagenomics to build up an ecological model of microbial communities in a lab-scale DS-EBPR system with stable operation for more than 400 days. Our results yield 11 near-complete draft genomes that represent a substantial portion of the microbial community (39.4%). Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) promote complex metabolic processes and interactions for C, N, P and S conversions. Bins 1-4 and 10 are considered as new potential polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs), in which Bins 1-4 can be considered as S-related PAOs (S-PAOs) with no previously cultivated or reported members. Our findings give an insight into a new ecological system with C, N, P and S simultaneous bioconversions and improve the understanding of interactions among SRB, SOB, denitrifiers and PAOs within a community context.

Apios americana Medik flowers extract protects PC12 cells against H2O2 induced neurotoxicity via regulating autophagy.

Since flavonoids are antioxidant compounds, they could beneficially affect neurodegenerative diseases where reactive oxygen species are involved. In this study, we firstly isolated and identified fourteen compounds from the flowers of Apios americana Medik. Then, we tested whether Apios americana Medik flowers water extract (AFWE) exerts a protective effect on H2O2 induced PC12 cells injure. As expected, pretreatment with AFWE inhibited cytotoxicity and DNA condensation in H2O2induced PC12 cells. Exposure of PC12 cells to H2O2 resulted in reactive oxygen species accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction, while AFWE alleviated these damages. AFWE obviously reversed the alternations as H2O2 increased Caspase-3 and decreased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax expressions. Furthermore, autophagy in PC12 cells was further activated by AFWE, which was beneficial to resisting adversity. These results manifest that AFWE prevents H2O2 induced damage via regulating autophagy.

Effect of Tai Chi on Cardiac and Static Pulmonary Function in Older Community-Dwelling Adults at Risk of Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of tai chi exercise on cardiac and static lung function for older community-dwelling adults at risk of ischemic stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 170 older community-dwelling adults (aged 55-75 years old) at risk of ischemic stroke were allocated to either tai chi training group (85 cases, five 60-min sessions of tai chi training per week for 12 weeks) or control group (85 cases, usual pbysical activity for 12 weeks) using a computer-generated randomization. The echocardiographic parameters of cardiac structure, cardiac function and static lung function were measured at baseline, after 12 weeks of intervention and additional 12-week follow-up period by a blinded professional staffmember using a color Doppler ultrasound imaging device or a cardiopulmonary function instrument. The t test and linear mixed model based on the intentionto-treat analysis principle was used to calculate the effect. The adverse effect was observed.@*RESULTS@#Most of echocardiographic parameters on the cardiac structure, cardiac function and static lung function between the tai chi group and control group did not have a significant difference either post 12-week intervention or additional 12-week follow-up period. Only three parameters involving in right ventricular diameter (P=0.024), main pulmonary artery diameter (P=0.002) and vital capacity maximum (P=0.036) were beneficial to be improved in the tai chi group compared to the control group by the analysis of mixed linear model. No adverse effects were found during the intervention period.@*CONCLUSION@#The 12-week tai chi exercise did not have an obvious beneficial effect on cardiac structure, cardiac function and static lung function in older community-dwelling adults at risk of ischemic stroke. The study with a longer duration of intervention should be necessary. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR-TRC-13003601).

Efficacy of acupuncture combined with hydro-acupuncture for transverse processes syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy differences between acupuncture combined with hydro-acupuncture and acupuncture alone for transverse processes syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra.@*METHODS@#One hundred patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were treated with regular acupuncture at Weizhong (BL 40), points, Jiaji (L～L) and Shenshu (BL 23); the acupuncture was given once a day, six treatments per week for consecutive 2 weeks. Based on the acupuncture treatment in the control group, in the observation group the No.5 injection needle was applied to relieve the tenderness points on the transverse process and articular process of the third lumbar vertebra, followed by hydro-acupuncture with injection (1 mL per point, 7 days per injection for 2 weeks). The visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were observed before treatment, after treatment and during six-month follow-up visit in the two groups. In addition, the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Forty-eight patients completed treatment and 2 patients dropped off in the observation group, while 47 patients completed treatment and 3 patients dropped off in the control group. The total effective rate was 91.7% (44/48) in the observation group, which was significantly superior to 76.6% (36/47) in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the VAS and ODI in the two groups were reduced after treatment and during six-month follow-up visit, while the JOA was increased (all <0.05); the VAS and ODI in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, while JOA in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture combined with hydro-acupuncture are effective for transverse processes syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra, and could significantly improve lumbar function and relieve the pain symptoms, which is superior to regular acupuncture.

Identification and determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium by UPLC-DAD-MS / 中国中药杂志

The study aims to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze phenolic acids and flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium cultivated in Qichun(Qiai) for the quality control of this genuine regional herbs. UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was used for rapid separation and structural identification of the constituents. Samples were separated on an UPLC column(2. 1 mm×100 mm,1. 8 μm) by gradient elution using 0. 1% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phases at a flow rate of 0. 4 m L·min-1. By UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS,16 compounds including phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified by comparison with reference standards or literature data. For quantitative analysis,12 identified compounds were simultaneously determined by UPLC-DAD at wavelengths of 330 nm. The method was validated with respect to linearity,precision,repeatability,stability and recovery. The contents of these compounds were found to differ significantly between the samples from Qichun and other areas. This strategy was novel,effective and straightforward,which provided a potential approach for holistic quality control of Qiai.

Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of core functional bacteria and their synergetic and competitive interactions in denitrifying sulfur conversion-assisted enhanced biological phosphorus removal.

Denitrifying sulfur conversion-assisted enhanced biological phosphorus removal (DS-EBPR) has recently been developed for simultaneously removing nitrogen and phosphorus from saline sewage with minimal sludge production. This novel process could potentially enable sustainable wastewater treatment. Yet, the core functional bacteria and their roles are unknown. Here, we used high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing coupled with principal coordinates analysis and ANOVA with Tukey's test to unravel the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of functional bacteria and their synergetic and competitive interactions. We did not find any obvious spatial heterogeneity within the bacterial population in different size-fractionated sludge samples, but the main functional bacteria varied significantly with operation time. Thauera was enriched (9.26~13.63%) as become the core functional genus in the DS-EBPR reactors and links denitrifying phosphorus removal to sulfide oxidation. The other two functional genera were sulfate-reducing Desulfobacter (4.31~12.85%) and nitrate-reducing and sulfide-oxidizing Thiobacillus (4.79~9.92%). These bacteria cooperated in the DS-EBPR process: Desulfobacter reduced sulfate to sulfide for utilization by Thiobacillus, while Thauera and Thiobacillus competed for nitrate and sulfide as well as Thauera and Desulfobacter competed for acetate. This study is the first to unravel the interactions among core functional bacteria in DS-EBPR, thus improving our understanding of how this removal process works.

Analysis of the effects of atorvastatin and clopidogrel on coronary artery disease / 药物评价研究

Objective To investigate the effects of atorvastatin and clopidogrel on coronary artery disease.Methods From August 2013 to January 2017,122 patients of acute coronary syndrome in our hospital for diagnosis and treatment were selected as the research object,all the patients were divided into observation group and control group of 61 case accorded to the random lottery envelopes randomly,two groups were treated with percutaneous coronary artery interventional therapy,the control group was given clopidogrel bisulfate adjuvant therapy,the observation group was given atorvastatin atorvastatin calcium and clopidogrel adjuvant therapy,all patients were observed for 4 weeks.Results The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The LVEDD and LVESD values of the observation group and the control group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (P ＜ 0.05),while the LVEDD and LVESD values in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The platelet membrane glycoprotein GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa values in the observation group and the control group atter treatment were (10.22 ± 3.12)％ and (14.32 ± 2.98)％ that were significantly lower than those before treatment of (20.98 ± 3.30)％ and (21.22 ± 2.98)％,the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).All patients were followed up for 6 months,the incidence of arrhythmia,bleeding and death in the observation group was 3.3％,so that was 19.7％ in the control group,and the observation group was less than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Atorvastatin atorvastatin calcium and clopidogrel adjuvant in patients with acute coronary syndrome therapy can improve heart function,reduce the expression ofplatelet membrane glycoprotein GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa,so as to improve the short-term and long-term efficacy.

Projection of potential geographic distribution of Apocynum venetum under climate change in northern China / 中国中药杂志

Apocynum venetum belongs to apocynaceae and is a perennial medicinal plant, its stem is an important textile raw materials. The projection of potential geographic distribution of A. venetum has an important significance for the protection and sustainable utilization of the plant. This study was conducted to determine the potential geographic distribution of A. venetum and to project how climate change would affect its geographic distribution. The projection geographic distribution of A. venetum under current bioclimatic conditions in northern China was simulated using MaxEnt software based on species presence data at 44 locations and 19 bioclimatic parameters. The future distributions of A. venetum were also projected in 2050 and 2070 under the climate change scenarios of RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 described in 5th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The result showed that min air temperature of the coldest month, annual mean air temperature, precipitation of the coldest quarter and mean air temperature of the wettest quarter dominated the geographic distribution of A. venetum. Under current climate, the suitable habitats of A. venetum is 11.94% in China, the suitable habitats are mainly located in the middle of Xinjiang, in the northern part of Gansu, in the southern part of Neimeng, in the northern part of Ningxia, in the middle and northern part of Shaanxi, in the southern part of Shanxi, in the middle and northern part of Henan, in the middle and southern part of Hebei, Shandong, Tianjin, in the southern part of Liaoning and part of Beijing. From 2050 to 2070, the model outputs indicated that the suitable habitats of A. venetum would decrease under the climate change scenarios of RCP2.6 and RCP8.5.

Kinsenoside screening with a microfluidic chip attenuates gouty arthritis through inactivating NF-κB signaling in macrophages and protecting endothelial cells.

Gouty arthritis is a rheumatic disease that is characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) in synovial joints cause by the increased serum hyperuricemia. This study used a three-dimensional (3D) flowing microfluidic chip to screen the effective candidate against MSU-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) damage, and found kinsenoside (Kin) to be the leading active component of Anoectochilus roxburghi, one of the Chinese medicinal plant widely used in the treatment of gouty arthritis clinically. Cell viability and apoptosis of HUVECs were evaluated, indicating that direct Kin stimulation and conditioned medium (CM) from Kin-treated macrophages both negatively modulated with MSU crystals. Additionally, Kin was capable of attenuating MSU-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB/mitogen-activated protein kinase (NF-κB/MAPK) signaling, targeting IκB kinase-α (IKKα) and IKKß kinases of macrophages and influencing the expressions of NF-κB downstream cytokines and subsequent HUVEC bioactivity. Inflammasome NLR pyrin domain-containing 3 (NALP3) and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) were also inhibited after Kin treatment. Also, Kin downregulated CD14-mediated MSU crystals uptake in macrophages. In vivo study with MSU-injected ankle joints further revealed the significant suppression of inflammatory infiltration and endothelia impairment coupled with alleviation of ankle swelling and nociceptive response via Kin treatments. Taken together, these data implicated that Kin was the most effective candidate from Anoectochilus roxburghi to treat gouty arthritis clinically.

¹H-NMR based metabonomic approach to evaluate anti-coagulant effect of Danggui Sini decoction / 中国中药杂志

To study the anti-coagulant effect and influence of danggui Sini decoction (DSD) on rat's plasma endogenous metabolites by animal experiment and ¹H-NMR based metabolomics method. After intragastric administration of Danggui Sini Decoction for 7 days, Plasma thrombin time (TT) was measured. Rat plasma metabolic fingerprint in two groups was analyzed using ¹H-NMR, based on which the principal component analysis( PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) models for metabonomic analysis. Potential biomarkers were screened by using variable importance in the projection (VIP) and T test. DSD could prolong TT of the rat significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, six kinds of endogenous metabolites in DSD group change significantly (P < 0.05), among which isobutyrate, carnitine and phenylalanine content had an upward trend (P < 0.01) and lysine, Histidine and cholesterol content had a downward trend (P < 0.05). It is likely that carnitine, phenylalanine, Histidine and cholesterol are the potential metabolic markers in the anti-coagulant process and DSD affects the platelet aggregation and the expression of tissue factor and fiber protease by regulating the energy, amino acid and lipid metabolism.