Traditional Tibetan medicine: therapeutic potential in lung diseases.

Lung diseases have become a major threat to human health worldwide. Despite advances in treatment and intervention in recent years, effective drugs are still lacking for many lung diseases. As a traditional natural medicine, Tibetan medicine has had a long history of medicinal use in ethnic minority areas, and from ancient times to the present, it has a good effect on the treatment of lung diseases and has attracted more and more attention. In this review, a total of 586 Tibetan medicines were compiled through literature research of 25 classical works on Tibetan medicine, drug standards, and some Chinese and English databases. Among them, 33 Tibetan medicines have been studied to show their effectiveness in treating lung diseases. To investigate the uses of these Tibetan medicines in greater depth, we have reviewed the ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the four commonly used Tibetan medicines for lung diseases (rhodiola, gentian, sea buckthorn, liexiang dujuan) and the five most frequently used Tibetan medicines (safflower, licorice, sandalwood, costus, myrobalan). It is expected to provide some reference for the development of new drugs of lung diseases in the future.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides Sieb. et. Zucc (Rutaceae): an important medicinal plant.

Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is a deciduous tree, with important medicinal and economic values. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Z. ailanthoides was assembled and the phylogenetic relationship to other species was inferred in this study. The chloroplast genome is 157,209 bp in length, including two inverted repeats of 26,408 bp, a large single-copy of 86,099 bp and a small single copy of 18,294 bp. Moreover, the chloroplast genome contains 129 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome is 38.4%. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that Z. ailanthoides was grouped with a clade containing the species of Z. multijugum, Z. calcicola, Z. oxyphyllum, Z. stenophyllum, and the genus was closely related to Phellodendron. This study contributes to a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships among Zanthoxylum species.

Mind shift I: Fructus Aurantii - Rhizoma Chuanxiong synergistically anchors stress-induced depression-like behaviours and gastrointestinal dysmotility cluster by regulating psycho-immune-neuroendocrine network.

BACKGROUND: Researchers have not studied the integrity, orderly correlation, and dynamic openness of complex organisms and explored the laws of systems from a global perspective. In the context of reductionism, antidepressant development formerly focused on advanced technology and molecular details, clear targets and mechanisms, but the clinical results were often unsatisfactory. PURPOSE: MDD represents an aggregate of different and highly diverse disease subtypes. The co-occurrence of stress-induced nonrandom multimorbidity is widespread, whereas only a fraction of the potential clusters are well known, such as the MDD-FGID cluster. Mapping these clusters, and determining which are nonrandom, is vital for discovering new mechanisms, developing treatments, and reconfiguring services to better meet patient needs. STUDY DESIGN: Acute stress 15-minute forced swimming (AFS) or CUMS protocols can induce the nonrandom MDD-FGID cluster. Multiple biological processes of rats with depression-like behaviours and gastrointestinal dysmobility will be captured under conditions of stress, and the Fructus Aurantii-Rhizoma Chuanxiong (ZQCX) decoction will be utilized to dock the MDD-FGID cluster. METHODS/RESULTS: Here, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, one of the seven components of Chaihu-shugan-San, elicited the best antidepressant effect on CUMS rats, followed by Fructus Aurantii. ZQCX reversed AFS-induced depression-like behaviours and gastrointestinal dysmobility by regulating the glutamatergic system, AMPAR/BDNF/mTOR/synapsin I pathway, ghrelin signalling and gastrointestinal nitric oxide synthase. Based on the bioethnopharmacological analysis strategy, the determined meranzin hydrate (MH) and senkyunolide I (SI) by UPLC-PDA, simultaneously absorbed by the jejunum and hippocampus of rats, have been considered major absorbed bioactive compounds acting on behalf of ZQCX. Cotreatment with MH and SI at an equivalent dose in ZQCX synergistically replicated over 50.33 % efficacy of the parent formula in terms of antidepressant and prokinetic actions by modulating neuroinflammation and ghrelin signalling. CONCLUSION: Brain-centric mind shifts require the integration of multiple central and peripheral systems and the elucidation of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that ultimately contribute to novel therapeutic options. Ghrelin signalling and the immune system may partially underlie multimorbidity vulnerability, and ZQCX anchors stress-induced MDD-FGID clusters by docking them. Combining the results of micro details with the laws of the macro world may be more effective in finding treatments for MDD.

Alleviating Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Stress: A Chinese Medicine Approach in Neonatal Rats.

Background: Premature infants are exposed to numerous stressors in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during a crucial period for brain development; this period exerts long-term influences on cognitive and behavioral development. Aims: To evaluate the effect of NICU-related stress on neonatal rat pups and explore the effect of Chinese medicine treatment (CMT). Methods: Sixty male rat pups were randomly assigned to three groups: the control group, the NICU group (NICU-related stress), and the CMT group (NICU-related stress plus CMT). All stressors and interventions were administered from 0 to 7 days after birth. Body weight, serum corticosterone levels, and behavior in the open field (OF) test, elevated plus maze (EPM) test, sucrose preference test, and Morris water maze (MWM) test were recorded, and blood samples were collected at five different time points (T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4). Results: The body weights of rats in the CMT and control groups were heavier than those in the NICU group in both early life and adulthood (P < 0.05). Serum corticosterone levels significantly differed with time (except T0 vs. T1 and T3 vs. T4) but did not significantly differ among the three groups (F = 0.441, P = 0.894). Regardless of age, spatial memory and anxiety-like and depression-like behavior did not differ among the three groups. Conclusion: NICU-related stress exerted a long-term effect on rat growth and development but did not affect spatial memory, anxiety-like behavior, depression-like behavior, or serum corticosterone levels. CMT alleviated the impact of NICU-related stress on rats and promoted the growth and development of neonatal rats.

Improving Wear Resistance and Corrosive Resistance of Cemented Carbide for Mud Pulser Rotor by Deep Cryogenic Treatment.

Cemented carbide used in the rotor of a mud pulser is subjected to the scouring action of solid particles and corrosive mud media for a long time, which causes abrasive wear and electrochemical corrosion. To improve the wear and corrosive resistance of cemented carbide, samples with different cobalt content (WC-5Co, WC-8Co, and WC-10Co) receive deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) at -196 °C for 2.5 h. An optical metalloscope (OM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) are used to observe the phase changes of cemented carbides, and the XRD is also used to observe the change in residual stress on the cemented carbide's surface. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to characterize the wear and electrochemical corrosion surface microstructure of cemented carbides (untreated and DCT). The results show that the DCT promotes the precipitation of the η phase, and the diffraction peak of ε-Co tends to intensify. Compared with the untreated, the wear rates of WC-5Co, WC-8Co, and WC-10Co can be reduced by 14.71%, 37.25%, and 41.01% by DCT, respectively. The wear form of the cemented carbides is mainly the extrusion deformation of Co and WC shedding. The precipitation of the η phase and the increase in WC residual compressive stress by DCT are the main reasons for the improvement of wear resistance. The electrochemical corrosion characteristic is the dissolution of the Co phase. DCT causes the corrosion potential of cemented carbide to shift forward and the corrosion current density to decrease. The enhancement of the corrosion resistance of cemented carbide caused by DCT is due to the Co phase transition, η phase precipitation, and the increase in the compressive stress of cemented carbide.

Absorbed Bioactive Compounds Replicate Guanxin II-Induced Endothelium-Associated in/ex vivo Vasodilation.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an interference-free and rapid method to elucidate Guanxin II (GX II)'s representative vasodilator absorbed bioactive compounds (ABCs) among enormous phytochemicals. METHODS: The contents of ferulic acid, tanshinol, and hydroxysafflor yellow A (FTA) in GX II/rat serum after the oral administration of GX II (30 g/kg) were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Totally 18 rats were randomly assigned to the control group (0.9% normal saline), GX II (30 g/kg) and FTA (5, 28 and 77 mg/kg) by random number table method. Diastolic coronary flow velocity-time integral (VTI), i.e., coronary flow or coronary flow-mediated dilation (CFMD), and endothelium-intact vascular tension of isolated aortic rings were measured. After 12 h of exposure to blank medium or 0.5 mmol/L H2O2, endothelial cells (ECs) were treated with post-dose GX II of supernatant from deproteinized serum (PGSDS, 300 µL PGSDS per 1 mL of culture medium) or FTA (237, 1539, and 1510 mg/mL) for 10 min as control, H2O2, PGSDS and FTA groups. Nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3 kinase (p-PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (p-eNOS) were analyzed. PGSDS was developed as a GX II proxy of ex vivo herbal crude extracts. RESULTS: PGSDS effectively eliminates false responses caused by crude GX II preparations. When doses equaled the contents in GX II/its post-dose serum, FTA accounted for 98.17% of GX II -added CFMD and 92.99% of PGSDS-reduced vascular tension. In ECs, FTA/PGSDS was found to have significant antioxidant (lower MDA and higher SOD, P<0.01) and endothelial function-protective (lower VEGF, ET-1, P<0.01) effects. The increases in aortic relaxation, endothelial NO levels and phosphorylated PI3K/Akt/eNOS protein induced by FTA/PGSDS were markedly abolished by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NA, eNOS inhibitor) and wortmannin (PI3K/AKT inhibitor), respectively, indicating an endothelium-dependent vasodilation via the PI3K/AKT-eNOS pathway (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study provides a strategy for rapidly and precisely elucidating GX II's representative in/ex vivo cardioprotective absorbed bioactive compounds (ABCs)-FTA, suggesting its potential in advancing precision ethnomedicine.

Phytomedicine Fructus Aurantii-derived two absorbed compounds unlock antidepressant and prokinetic multi-functions via modulating 5-HT3/GHSR.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Fructus Aurantii (FA), a well-known phytomedicine, has been employed to evoke antidepressant and prokinetic multi-functions. Therein, systematically identifying bioactive components and the referred mechanism is essential for FA. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was planned to answer "2 W" (What and Why), such as which components and pathways contribute to FA's multi-functions. We aimed to identify bioactive compounds as the key for opening the lock of FA's multi-functions, and the molecule mechanisms are their naturally matched lock cylinder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The phytochemical content of FA extract was determined, and the compounds were identified in rats pretreated with FA using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The contribution strategy was used to assess bioactive compounds' efficacy (doses = their content in FA) in model rats with the mechanism. The changes in functional brain regions were determined via 7.0 T functional magnetic resonance imaging-blood oxygen level-dependent (fMRI-BOLD). RESULT: Eight phytochemicals' content was detected, and merely six components were identified in rats in vivo. Meranzin hydrate + hesperidin (MH), as the primary contributor of FA, exerted antidepressant and prokinetic effects (improvement of indexes for immobility time, gastric emptying, intestinal transit, CRH, ghrelin, ACTH, DA, NA, 5-HT, CORT, and 5-HT3) by regulating 5-HT3/Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) pathway. These results were validated by 5-HT2A, 5-HT3, and GHSR receptor antagonists combined with molecule docking. MH restored the excessive BOLD activation of the left accumbens nucleus, left corpus callosum and hypothalamus preoptic region. CONCLUSION: Absorbed MH accounts for FA's anti-depressant and prokinetic efficacy in acutely-stressed rats, primarily via 5-HT3/GHSR shared regulation.

Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen formula alleviates renal fibrosis by restoring NAD+ biosynthesis in vivo and in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) lack efficacious treatment. Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen formula (JPYSF) has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in treating CKD for decades. However, its renoprotective mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to determine whether JPYSF could delay renal fibrosis progression in CKD by restoring nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biosynthesis. METHODS: Adenine-diet feeding was used to model CKD in C57BL/6 mice. JPYSF was orally administered for 4 weeks. Human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) cells were stimulated with transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) with or without JPYSF treatment. Renal function of mice was assessed by serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Renal histopathological changes were assessed using Periodic acid-Schiff and Masson's trichrome staining. Cell viability was assessed using a cell counting kit-8 assay. NAD+ concentrations were detected by a NAD+/NADH assay kit. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were employed to examine fibrosis-related proteins and key NAD+ biosynthesis enzymes expression in the CKD kidney and TGF-ß1-induced HK-2 cells. RESULTS: JPYSF treatment could not only improve renal function and pathological injury but also inhibit renal fibrosis in CKD mice. Additionally, JPYSF reversed fibrotic response in TGF-ß1-induced HK-2 cells. Moreover, JPYSF rescued the decreased NAD+ content in CKD mice and TGF-ß1-induced HK-2 cells through restoring expression of key enzymes in NAD+ biosynthesis, including quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase, nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1, and nicotinamide riboside kinase 1. CONCLUSIONS: JPYSF alleviated renal fibrosis in CKD mice and reversed fibrotic response in TGF-ß1-induced HK-2 cells, which may be related to the restoration of NAD+ biosynthesis.

Spectrum-Effect Relationship in Chinese Herbal Medicine: Current Status and Future Perspectives.

The quality of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) directly impacts clinical efficacy and safety. Fingerprint technology is an internationally recognized method for evaluating the quality of CHM. However, the existing quality evaluation models based on fingerprint technology have blocked the ability to assess the internal quality of CHM and cannot comprehensively reflect the correlation between pharmacodynamic information and active constituents. Through mathematical methods, a connection between the "Spectrum" (fingerprint) and the "Effect" (pharmacodynamic data) was established to conduct a spectrum-effect relationship (SER) of CHM to unravel the active component information associated with the pharmacodynamic activity. Consequently, SER can efficiently address the limitations of the segmentation of chemical components and pharmacodynamic effect in CHM and further improve the quality evaluation of CHM. This review focuses on the recent research progress of SER in the field of CHM, including the establishment of fingerprint, the selection of data analysis methods, and their recent applications in the field of CHM. Various advanced fingerprint techniques are introduced, followed by the data analysis methods used in recent years are summarized. Finally, the applications of SER based on different research subjects are described in detail. In addition, the advantages of combining SER with other data are discussed through practical applications, and the research on SER is summarized and prospected. This review proves the validity and development potential of the SER and provides a reference for the development and application of quality evaluation methods for CHM.

Huangqi-Danshen decoction protects against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in mice.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by cisplatin remains a major impediment to the clinical application of cisplatin, necessitating urgent exploration for promising solutions. Huangqi-Danshen decoction (HDD), a Chinese herbal preparation, has been shown by our group to have a reno-protective effect in adenine-induced chronic kidney disease mice and diabetic db/db mice. However, the effect of HDD on cisplatin-induced AKI and its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Methods: The AKI model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (20 mg/kg) in C57BL/6 mice. The mice in the treatment group were administrated with HDD (6.8 g/kg/d) for 5 consecutive days before cisplatin challenge. After 72 h cisplatin injection, blood and kidney tissue were subsequently collected for biochemical detection, histopathological evaluation, Western blot analysis, immunohistochemical staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to detect changes in renal metabolites. Results: The results showed that HDD significantly reduced serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels and alleviated renal histopathological injury in cisplatin-induced AKI mice. And HDD treatment demonstrated a significant inhibition in apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in AKI mice. Moreover, non-target metabolomics revealed that HDD significantly restored 165 altered metabolites in AKI mice. Subsequent enrichment analysis and pathway analysis of these metabolites indicated that nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism was the primary pathway affected by HDD intervention. Further investigation showed that HDD could upregulate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biosynthesis-related enzymes quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase, nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1, and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase to replenish NAD+ content in the kidney of AKI mice. Conclusion: In summary, HDD exerted a protective effect against cisplatin-induced AKI and suppressed apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the kidney of AKI mice, which may be attributed to the modulation of NAD+ biosynthesis.

Tyrosine catabolism enhances genotoxic chemotherapy by suppressing translesion DNA synthesis in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Amino acid metabolism has been actively investigated as a potential target for antitumor therapy, but how it may alter the response to genotoxic chemotherapy remains largely unknown. Here, we report that the depletion of fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH), an enzyme that catalyzes the final step of tyrosine catabolism, reduced chemosensitivity in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The expression level of FAH correlated significantly with chemotherapy efficacy in patients with EOC. Mechanistically, under genotoxic chemotherapy, FAH is oxidized at Met308 and translocates to the nucleus, where FAH-mediated tyrosine catabolism predominantly supplies fumarate. FAH-produced fumarate binds directly to REV1, resulting in the suppression of translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) and improved chemosensitivity. Furthermore, in vivo tyrosine supplementation improves sensitivity to genotoxic chemotherapeutics and reduces the occurrence of therapy resistance. Our findings reveal a unique role for tyrosine-derived fumarate in the regulation of TLS and may be exploited to improve genotoxic chemotherapy through dietary tyrosine supplementation.

Antitumor effects of polysaccharides from medicinal lower plants: A review.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, yet the drugs currently approved for cancer treatment are associated with significant side effects, making it urgent to develop alternative drugs with low side effects. Polysaccharides are natural polymers with ketone or aldehyde groups, which are widely found in plants and have various biological activities such as immunomodulation, antitumor and hypolipidemic. The lower plants have attracted much attention for their outstanding anticancer effects, and many studies have shown that medicinal lower plant polysaccharides (MLPPs) have antitumor activity against various cancers and are promising alternatives with potential development in the food and pharmaceutical fields. Therefore, this review describes the structure and mechanism of action of MLPPs with antitumor activity. In addition, the application of MLPPs in cancer treatment is discussed, and the future development of MLPPs is explored.

TMT-based quantitative proteomics revealed protective efficacy of Icariside II against airway inflammation and remodeling via inhibiting LAMP2, CTSD and CTSS expression in OVA-induced chronic asthma mice.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder in airways with typical pathologic features of airflow limitation, airway inflammation and remodeling. Icariside II (IS), derived from herbal medicine Herba Epimedii, exerts an anti-inflammatory property. However, underlying mechanisms with specifically targeted molecular expression by IS in asthma have not been fully understood, and whether IS could inhibit remodeling and EMT still remains unclear. PURPOSE: The study aimed to clarify therapeutic efficacy of IS for attenuating airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma, and illustrate IS-regulated specific pathway and target proteins through TMT-based quantitative proteomics. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Murine model of chronic asthma was constructed with ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and then challenge for 8 weeks. Pulmonary function, leukocyte count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung histopathology, inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines, and markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were evaluated. TMT-based quantitative proteomics were performed on lung tissues to explore IS-regulated proteins. RESULTS: IS contributed to alleviative airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) evidenced by declined RL and increased Cdyn. After IS treatment, we observed a remarked down-regulation of leukocyte count, inflammatory cytokines in BALF, and peribronchial inflammation infiltration. Goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus secretion and peribronchial collagen deposition were attenuated, with the level of TGF-ß and MMP-9 in BALF declined. Furthermore, IS induced a rise of Occludin and E-cadherin and a decline of N-cadherin and α-SMA in lung tissues. These results proved the protective property of IS against airway inflammation, remodeling and EMT. To further investigate underlying mechanisms of IS in asthma treatment, TMT-based quantitative proteomics were performed and 102 overlapped DEPs regulated by IS were identified. KEGG enrichment exhibited these DEPs were enriched in lysosome, phagosome and autophagy, in which LAMP2, CTSD and CTSS were common DEPs. WB, q-PCR and IHC results proofed expressional alteration of these proteins. Besides, IS could decrease Beclin-1 and LC3B expression with increasing p62 expression thus inhibiting autophagy. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated IS could ameliorate AHR, airway inflammation, remodeling and EMT in OVA-induced chronic asthma mice. Our research was the first to reveal that inhibition of LAMP2, CTSD and CTSS expression in autophagy contributed to the therapeutic efficacy of IS to asthma.

Huangqi-Danshen decoction reshapes renal glucose metabolism profiles that delays chronic kidney disease progression.

Huangqi-Danshen decoction (HDD), a Chinese herbal preparation, is effective in clinical treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the underlying mechanism remains to be clarified. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of HDD in the regulation of renal glucose metabolism in a CKD mouse model. The 0.2% adenine-induced CKD mouse model was administered HDD extract at a dose of 6.8 g/kg/day for 4 weeks. Detection of renal glucose metabolites was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The expression of renal fibrosis and glucose metabolism-related proteins was tested by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. The results showed that HDD treatment could significantly reduce serum creatinine (0.36 ± 0.10 mg/dL vs. 0.51 ± 0.07 mg/dL, P < 0.05) and blood urea nitrogen (40.02 ± 3.73 mg/dL vs. 62.91 ± 10 mg/dL, P < 0.001) levels, and improve renal pathological injury and fibrosis. Aberrant glucose metabolism was found in the kidneys of CKD mice, manifested by enhanced glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway, and tricarboxylic acid cycle inhibition, which could be partially restored by HDD treatment. Furthermore, HDD regulated the expression of hexokinase 2, phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase M2, pyruvate dehydrogenase E1, oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in CKD mice. In conclusion, HDD protected against adenine-induced CKD, reshaped glucose metabolism profiles, and restored the expression of key enzymes of glucose metabolism in the kidneys of CKD mice. This study sheds light on targeting glucose metabolism for the treatment of CKD and screening small molecule compounds from herbal medicine to slow CKD progression.

Efficacy and safety of tenapanor in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The effects of tenapanor in reducing serum phosphorus in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia are uncertain and no relevant meta-analysis has been conducted. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tenapanor. METHODS: All randomized controlled trials of tenapanor were searched up to 1 August 2022. The primary endpoint was the change in serum phosphorus level from baseline with tenapanor and placebo. Data on drug-related adverse events (AEs), gastrointestinal AEs and diarrhea were collected to determine the safety of tenapanor. RESULTS: There were 533 patients throughout five trials that were eligible. Tenapanor significantly lowered blood phosphorus level by 1.79 mg/dl in the mean difference than the placebo. Diarrhea, gastrointestinal AEs, and drug-related AEs were more severe than placebo. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that although drug side effects were common, tenapanor significantly reduced serum phosphorus level in hemodialysis patients.

Transcriptomics reveals apigenin alleviates airway inflammation and epithelial cell apoptosis in allergic asthma via MAPK pathway.

Persistent chronic inflammation of the lungs and airway remodeling are important pathological features that cannot be ignored in patients with chronic asthma. Apigenin (API) is a natural small molecule compound with good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity that has been widely reported in recent years, but its role in chronic asthma is not well defined. Our study began with oral gavage intervention using API (10, 20 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (DEX, 2 mg/kg) in a BALB/c mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. Different doses of API intervention effectively reduced airway resistance in the administered group. Additionally, inflammation was downregulated, mucus secretion was reduced, and airway remodeling was inhibited in the API intervention group compared with the model group. Asthma-related inflammatory cytokines, such as IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17, were downregulated in alveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, the apoptosis level of the administered group was found to be lower than that of the model group in the Tunel staining experiment. By analyzing transcriptome sequencing results, we found that API may exert anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting the MAPK pathway. Our subsequent results supported this conclusion, showing that the phosphorylation levels of ERKs, JNKs, and p38 MAPKs were inhibited in the administered group relative to the model group. Downstream expression of the apoptosis-related protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was upregulated, and the expression of Bcl-2-associated × protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 was downregulated. To further investigate the specific mechanism by which API acted, we established an in vitro model with house dust mite (HDM) stimulation, using API (10, 20 µM) for administration intervention. The results showed that API was able to improve cell viability, inhibit ROS production, and reverse HDM-induced decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and apoptosis in airway epithelial cells via the MAPK pathway.

Efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba dropping pills in the treatment of coronary heart disease with stable angina pectoris and depression: study protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blind and multicentre clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease(CHD) with stable angina pectoris is a common cardiovascular disease. It has been reported that 10%-81.4% of these patients suffer from psychological conditions,such as depression, which has been associated with more frequent angina, lower treatment satisfaction and lower perceived quality of life. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), the raw material of Ginkgo biloba dropping pills (GBDPs), is widely used to treat various conditions, including cardiovascular disease, ischaemic cerebrovascular disease, and depression. This clinical trial aimed to examine the efficacy and safety of GBDPs in improving the frequency of angina pectoris and the life quality of patients with stable angina pectoris and depression symptoms. METHODS: This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group and multicentre clinical trial will be conducted in four medical centres in China. We aim to recruit approximately 72 participants aged 18-75 years with depression and coronary heart disease with stable angina pectoris. Based on conventional drug treatment, participants will be randomly assignedto the treatment group (GBDPs group; n=36) or the control group (placebo group; n=36) at a 1:1 allocation ratio. After randomisation,follow-up will be done at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks (±3 days). Additionally, 30 healthy individuals will be enrolled to investigate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms of the effects of GBE. The primary outcomes will be the Seattle Angina Questionnaire score and the frequency of angina pectoris-related symptoms each week. The secondary outcomes will include the 36-item Short Form Health Survey quality-of-life scale, Hamilton Depression Scale and composite endpoint incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, China (approval number: ZYYECK [2020]030). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The results of this trial will be publicly shared through academic conferences and peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04529148 and ChiCTR2200066908.

Network pharmacology and experiments in vivo and in vitro reveal that the Jia-Wei-Bu-Shen-Yi-Qi formula (JWBSYQF) and its active ingredient baicalein ameliorate BLM-induced lung fibrosis in mice via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jia-Wei-Bu-Shen-Yi-Qi formula (JWBSYQF), a classical traditional Chinese herbal formula consisting of five herbs, is used clinically in China to treat inflammatory lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Its mechanism for treating asthma and COPD has been reported, however, how it works against IPF remains unclear. RESEARCH PURPOSE: Our study aims to observe the therapeutic effect of JWBSYQF on pulmonary fibrosis and further identify the potential active ingredients and molecular pathways. RESEARCH METHODS: In this study, we used a bleomycin-induced mouse model to investigate the therapeutic effect of JWBSYQF on pulmonary fibrosis. To further explore the potential effective ingredients and molecular pathways, we used the network pharmacology approach to construct a drug-ingredient-target network of JWBSYQF. Then, the common target set was established for JWBSYQF, fibroblast, and lung fibrosis. Analyses of the KEGG pathway, GO enrichment, and network topology were performed to identify key biological processes and molecular pathways for the common targets. Finally, a TGF-ß-induced NIH/3T3 proliferation and activation model was used to validate the possible active ingredients and signaling pathways. RESEARCH RESULTS: JWBSYQF reversed BLM-induced balf leukocyte levels, pulmonary inflammatory lesions and fibrotic collagen deposition in mice and reduced the levels of a-SMA, Col1a1 and TGF-ß. A total of 86 active ingredients were identified, 12 of which were considered as potential effective ingredients, while only baicalein effectively improved TGF-ß-induced proliferation and activation of NIH/3T3. KEGG results showed that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be the potential action mechanism, and Western Blot demonstrated that both JWBSYQF and baicalein downregulated the protein levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt. The molecular docking results suggest that baicalein may have a direct effect on the catalytic and regulatory subunits of P13K, which is stronger than direct binding to Aktl. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that baicalein may be the material basis for JWBSYQF in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be a common pathway of action for JWBSYQF and baicalein.

Efficacy of laser therapy for temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of laser therapy in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in regard to this issue were searched in electronic databases. Three investigators independently screened the eligible studies, and the quality of the included studies was assessed according to the risk of bias tool recommended by the Cochrane handbook. The primary outcome measure was the degree of pain, reported on a visual analog scale (VAS), and the secondary outcome measures were TMJ function, including maximum active vertical opening (MAVO), maximum passive vertical opening (MPVO), left and right lateral movement (LLE, RLE). Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random effects models and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: A total of 28 randomized controlled trials were included. Laser therapy had a more significant effect in terms of VAS (SMD=ï¹£1.88; 95% CI=ï¹£2.46 toï¹£1.30; P < 0.00001; I2 =93%), MAVO (MD = 4.90; 95% CI= 3.29-6.50; P < 0.00001; I2 =72%), MPVO (MD=5.82; 95% CI= 4.62-7.01; P < 0.00001; I2 =40%) and RLE (MD = 0.73; 95% CI= 0.23-1.22; P = 0.004; I2 = 0%) as compared to placebo group. However, there was no significant difference in LLE between two groups (MD= 0.35; 95% CI=ï¹£0.31-1.01; P = 0.30; I2 =0%). CONCLUSIONS: Laser therapy can effectively reduce pain but have small effect on improving mandibular movement of TMD patients. More well-designed RCTs with large sample sizes are needed for further validation. And these studies should report detailed laser parameters and provide complete outcome measure data.

Apigenin ameliorates non-eosinophilic inflammation, dysregulated immune homeostasis and mitochondria-mediated airway epithelial cell apoptosis in chronic obese asthma via the ROS-ASK1-MAPK pathway.

BACKGROUND: Obese asthma is one of the important asthma phenotypes that have received wide attention in recent years. Excessive oxidative stress and different inflammatory endotypes may be important reasons for the complex symptoms, frequent aggravation, and resistance to traditional treatments of obese asthma. Apigenin (API), is a flavonoid natural small molecule compound with good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in various diseases and proved to have the potential efficacy to combat obese asthma. METHODS: In vivo, this study fed C57BL/6 J mice with high-fat diets(HFD)for 12 weeks and then stimulated them with OVA for 6 weeks to establish a model of chronic obese asthma, while different doses of oral API or dexamethasone were used for therapeutic interventions. In vitro, this study used HDM to stimulate human bronchial cells (HBEs) to establish the model and intervened with API or Selonsertib (SEL). RESULTS: This study clarified that OVAinduced a type of mixed granulocytic asthma with elevated neutrophils and eosinophils in obese male mice fed with long-term HFD, which also exhibited mixed TH17/TH1/TH2 inflammation. Apigenin effectively suppressed this complex inflammation and acted as a regulator of immune homeostasis. Meanwhile, apigenin reduced AHR, inflammatory cell infiltration, airway epithelial cell apoptosis, airway collagen deposition, and lung oxidative stress via the ROS-ASK1-MAPK pathway in an obese asthma mouse model. In vitro, this study found that apigenin altered the binding status of TRAF6 to ASK1, inhibited ASK1 phosphorylation, and protected against ubiquitin-dependent degradation of ASK1, suggesting that ROS-activated ASK1 may be an important target for apigenin to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. To further verify the intervention mechanism, this study clarified that apigenin improved cell viability and mitochondrial function and inhibited apoptosis by interfering with the ROS-ASK1-MAPK pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates for the first time the therapeutic effect of apigenin in chronic obese asthma and further clarifies its potential therapeutic targets. In addition, this study clarifies the specificity of chronic obese asthma and provides new options for its treatment.