[Influence of early bolting on anatomical structure and coumarins of Peucedanum praeruptorum].

To explore the effects of early bolting on the quality of Peucedanum praeruptorum, the anatomical structures of P. praeruptorum root between bolting and no-bolting were investigated by paraffin section method, and contents of praeruptorin A, praeruptorin B, praeruptorin E, bergapten were determined by HPLC, then the differences and inter-relations were studied by comparative analysis method. The results showed that there existed great influences of early bolting on the root anatomical structures and coumarins content of P. praeruptorum.(1)The area of pericyclic parenchyma tissue and secondary phloem in P. praeruptorum without bolting are large, and have higher content of coumarins.(2) The areas of secondary phloem in bolting P. praeruptorum are large, and have lot of vessels and wood fiber, and the content of coumarins is low.(3)There are significant different of coumarins contents in P. praeruptorum with and without bolting, in their main root(MR),outside the vascular cambium(PP), inside the vascular cambium(PX), and the leaf(LF) parts, and the total content of coumarins was PP>MR>LF>PX. Accordingly, the root anatomical structure and active component of P. praeruptorum were changed after early bolting, which have an important influence on the quality of Peucedani Radix.

Shen-Jing as a Chinese Medicine Concept Might Be a Counterpart of Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine / 中国结合医学杂志

As the epitome of the modern regenerative medicine, stem cells were proposed in the basic sense no more than 200 years ago. However, the concept of "stem cells" existed long before the modern medical description. The hypothesis that all things, including our sentient body, were generated from a small origin was shared between Western and Chinese people. The ancient Chinese philosophers considered Jing (also known as essence) as the origin of life. In Chinese medicine (CM), Jing is mainly stored in Kidney (Shen) and the so-called Shen-Jing (Kidney essence). Here, we propose that Shen-Jing is the CM term used to express the meaning of "origin and regeneration". This theoretical discovery has at least two applications. First, the actions underlying causing Shen-Jing deficiency, such as excess sexual intercourse, chronic diseases, and aging, might damage the function of stem cells. Second, a large number of Chinese herbs with Shen-Jing-nourishing efficacy had been proven to affect stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, if Shen-Jing in CM is equivalent with stem cells in regenerative medicine, higher effective modulators for regulating stem-cell behaviors from Kidney-tonifying herbs would be expected.

Molecular mechanism of polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) exhibits anti-osteoporosis effect, but its therapeutic effect in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats and the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of administration of PSP on the bone microstructure, bone mineral density as well as osteoblast- and osteoclast-related gene expression in rats. METHODS: Twenty-five infertile female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 3 months were randomly allotted into five groups (n=5 per group): sham operation (same volume normal saline), model, zoledronate (0.2 mg/kg?d), high-dose PSP (800 mg/kg?d) and medium-dose PSP (400 mg/kg?d) groups. All rats were subjected to ovariectomy except sham operation group. The administration was intragastrically given every 2 days beginning at 7 days after modeling and lasted 12 weeks. Then, the rats were sacrificed, and the uterus was weighed. The bilateral tibias were removed, one side for histomorphometric analysis by micro-CT, and the other one for RNA detection by qualified PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the sham operation group, the rat body mass in the model group was significantly increased and the weight of uterus was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, zoledronate and high-dose PSP could significantly alleviate the excessive increase in body mass (P < 0.05). The bone mineral density in the model group was decreased by 63% compared with the sham operation group (P < 0.01), Compared with the model group, after 12-week high-dose PSP and zoledronate administration, the bone mineral density was increased by 44% and 38%, respectively (P < 0.01); the trabecular bone volume fraction and trabecular number rose significantly(P<0.05),while the trabecular separation decreased significantly(P<0.05).In vivo,PSP could significantly promote the expression levels of osteoblast-related genes (alkaline phosphatase, RUNX2, Col1a1 and osteocalcin), and significantly inhibit the expression levels of osteoblast-related genes (ACP5 and CTSK) (P < 0.05). These results imply that high-dose PSP can reduce bone loss and decrease of bone mineral density, improve the destruction of bone microstructure, as well as promote osteoblast-related genes but inhibit osteoclast-related gene mRNA expression in the ovariectomized rats.

Effective Components of three kinds of shen-supplementing Chinese medicine on self-renewal and neuron-like differentiation of NSCs in AD mouse embryos: an experimental research / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the regulatory effects of psoralen, oleanolic acid, and stilbene glucoside, three active components of psoralea fruit, glossy privet fruit and tuber fleeceflower root respectively, on Aβ25-35induced self-renewal and neuron-like differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Embryonic NSCs werein vitro isolated and cultured from Kunming mice of 14-day pregnancy, and randomly divided into the control group, the Aβ25-35 group, the Aβ25-35 +psoralen group, the Aβ25-35 +oleanolic acid group, and the Aβ25-35 + stilbene glucoside group. The intervention concentration of Aβ25-35 was 25 µmol/L, and the intervention concentration of three active components of Chinese medicine was 10(-7)mol/L. The effect of three active components of Chinese medicine on the proliferation of NSCs was observed by counting method. The protein expression of Tubulin was observed by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The ratio of Tubulin+/DAPI was caculated. Results Compared with the control group, the sperical morphology of NSCs was destroyed in the Aβ25-35 group, the counting of NSCs, the expression of Tubulin protein, and the ratio of Tubulin /DAPI all decreased (P <0.01, P <0.05). Compared with the Aβ25-35 group, the counting of NSCs, the expression of Tubulin protein, and the ratio of Tubulin + /DAPI all increased in the three Chinese medicine treated groups (P <0. 01, P <0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>25 µmol/L Aβ25-35 could inhibit self-renewal and neuron-like differentiating of NSCs. But psoralen, oleanolic acid, and stilbene glucoside could promote self-renewal of NSCs and neuron-like differentiation.</p>

Effects of Naoxintong on atherosclerosis and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in atherosclerotic rabbit / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>High levels of nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) have been associated with atherosclerosis processes. Naoxintong is a traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to detect and quantify changes of iNOS mRNA and NO levels in the vessel wall after the administration of Naoxintong in an atherosclerotic rabbit model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8). Rabbits were fed a standard diet (group A), an atherogenic diet consisting of 79% standard feed + 1% cholesterol + 5% lard + 15% egg yolk powder (group B), an atherogenic diet with Naoxintong 0.25 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (group C), an atherogenic diet with Naoxintong 0.5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (group D), or atherogenic diet with Naoxintong 1.0 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (group E) for 12 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Supplemented administration of Naoxintong led to a down-regulation of cholesterol (CHOL) (P < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P < 0.001). The trend became more notable as the dose of Naoxintong increased; group C vs. group B (CHOL, P = 0.568; LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), P = 0.119), group D vs. group B (CHOL, P = 0.264; LDL-C, P = 0.027), group E vs. group B (CHOL, P = 0.028; LDL-C, P = 0.002). Atherosclerotic lesions in aorta were reduced in Naoxintong groups (groups C, D, E) compared to group B. Group B had higher iNOS mRNA (P = 0.001) and NO level (P < 0.001) than group A. Compared with the atherogenic diet fed-rabbits, Naoxintong supplements decreased the expression of iNOS mRNA (P < 0.001) and the NO level (P < 0.001) in the vessel wall. Groups given a higher Naoxintong dose exhibited greater benefits. iNOS mRNA and NO levels seemed to be reduced in group C, although the difference did not quite reach statistical significance (iNOS mRNA, P = 0.130; NO, P = 0.038). iNOS mRNA and NO levels significantly decreased in group D (iNOS mRNA, P = 0.019; NO, P = 0.018) and group E (iNOS mRNA, P = 0.004; NO, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Naoxintong has beneficial effects on atherosclerosis treatment by reducing expression of iNOS mRNA and the NO level in the vessel wall.</p>

The reliance and significance of stability as a new way to reveal the essence of syndrome in Chinese medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

Stability is the important feature of the control system. Stability exists extensively in the biological systems such as different cell types during the process of individual development, new biological properties formed under the environment and/or diet factors, drug addition, long-term memory formation, and so on. The underlying mechanisms generally include epigenetically modification, the emergence of certain substance with long half life, the formation of positive feedback loop, and the activation of stem cells. Introduction of stability into researches of Chinese medicine syndrome is essentially to explore the mechanisms of quantitative changes into the qualitative alternation. It is also helpful for us to choose an appropriate time window of animal models for Chinese syndrome and to consider what are the core effects of Chinese materia medica in improving syndrome. The stability not only meets the features of Chinese medicine theories, but also agrees with the progress of modern systems theory and biology. We hope it could promote studies on Chinese medicine syndrome.

Observation on relations between onset seasons of peripheral facial paralysis and therapeutic courses and effect of acupuncture / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influences of seasonal factors on peripheral facial paralysis by acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four hundred cases of facial paralysis were divided into spring, summer, autumn and winter groups, 100 cases in each group. All these cases were treated by routine puncture. Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Qianzheng (Extra), Jiache (ST 6), and Dicang (ST 4), etc. were applied at affect side, once a day. 2 months observation was carried on to compare the clinical therapeutic effects and average courses. The facial symptoms, physical sign and functional activities were taken as observation indexes of therapeutic effect.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effect rate was 78.0% (78/100) in spring group, 82.0% (82/100) in summer group, 89.0% (89/100) in autumn group and 92.0% (92/100) in winter group; the effect rate in summer or autumn group was superior to those in spring group and in summer group (all P < 0.05); the average course was (47.6 +/- 22.3) days in spring group, (43.7 +/- 18.4) days in summer group, (31.5 +/- 11.3) days in autumn group and (22.6 +/-9.2) days in winter group, indicating the significant differences between groups except that between spring and summer group (all P < 0.01). The cured and markedly effective rate was 80.1% (161/201) for wind cold type, 53.5% (61/114) for wind heat type, and 36.5% (31/85) for damp heat type, indicating that it of wind cold type was superior to that of wind heat type or damp heat type (P < 0.001, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The syndrome distribution and courses of peripheral facial paralysis are different in different seasons, hence, the diseases should be treated according to attack time and syndromes.</p>

Activating effect and mechanism of epimedium on endogenous stem cells / 中国中西医结合杂志

Stem cells are the cells with capacities of self-renovation, multiplication and differentiation. By activating endogenous stem cells to promote regeneration response has provided a new thinking for the treatment of degenerative diseases. The authors found that epimedium flavonoids (EF) can promote the proliferation and migration of adrenocortical stem cells in corticosterone-treated rats (as a model of Shen-yang deficiency); and through gene-chip test it was showed that EF could significantly up-regulate the growth hormone (GH), growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and other growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the model rats. In natural aging rats (as model for Shen deficiency), EF could make the gene expression of multiple tissues youthening, and up-regulate the lowered expressions of GH, GHRH, IGFBP and NGF, etc. Further study on the in vitro isolated and cultivated neuro-stem cells proved that EF and its components have direct promoting actions on stem cell proliferation. All the above-mentioned outcomes indicated that the actions of EF and its extracts on stem cells are possibly the cytological basis for their effects on counteracting the suppression of glucocorticoids on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and retarding aging; also illustrated that TCM could treat diseases by a way of activating endogenous stem cells through mobilizing and elevating hormones and cytokines levels, and bringing the reserved potential of organism into full play.

Transition of studying on Shen deficiency syndrome and aging from holistic concept to systematic biologic viewpoint / 中国中西医结合杂志

Holistic concept is a characteristic contribution of Chinese medicine to medical science. Based on holistic concept, we investigated the correlation of Shenyang deficiency syndrome with the hypothalamus-pituitary-target gland axis; and revealed by gene chip technique the molecular network regulatory rule of intervention with Chinese drugs on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-thymus axis in aged rats as a model for Shen deficiency syndrome; also the two major gene regulation pathways, namely, the neuro-endocrine-immune pathway and the neuro-endocrine-bone metabolic pathway, in hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, lymphocytes, kidney, liver, bone of aged rats, so as to advance the holistic research on Chinese medicine syndromes. Recently, based on the dynamic, intervention and multi-layer integration requirement of systematic biology, the common rule of aging was found at three different levels, the whole genomic transcription level, the metabolic level and the single ageing signaling pathway level. Meanwhile, it was demonstrated that the temporal and spatial association of genes will be weakened gradually along with aging. And Epimedium Flavonoids (EF), an extracts from Epimedium have been proved to be capable of effectively reversing both of these systemic changes. Thus, the transition of study from holistic concept to systematic biologic viewpoint could surely promote the progression of Chinese medicine to modern life science.

Effect and mechanism of Epimedium flavanoids for aging retardation from viewpoint of transcriptomics and metabonomics / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect and its mechanism of Epimedium flavanoids (EF) in retarding aging with different systematic viewpoints.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal and lymphocytes taken from 4-, 10-, 18-, 24-month old rats and from EF treated 24-month old rats were used to measure whole genome mRNA expression by gene array. Serum samples were used for metabonomic assay with high performance liquid chromatography. Using specific gene chip for NF-kappaB signaling pathway to detect the gene expression of the molecule related to that pathway in lymphocytes. Then, a neural network (NN) model was established upon the data obtained to quantitatively evaluate the degree of aging and the efficacy of drug intervention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gene expression of 199 genes showedan age-dependent pattern, most of which were reversed by EF, and the output of NN model showed that EF made the transcriptomics of 24-month old rats to 8-13 months. Seventeen metabolites among the 1,885 peaks detected were identified to have significant age-depending changes, and EF intervention reset the level of metabolites to a younger (18-month) level. The integral level of gene expression for NF-kappaB signaling pathway decreased significantly along with the increasing of age, and was significantly elevated by EF, NN model showed it approached to 10.5-month old.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Phenotype of aging at different levels demonstrates a common age-dependent trend; EF can reverse this age-dependent change at different levels in a synchronous manner.</p>

Study on treatment of flaccidity from the Governor Vessel / 中国针灸

The relationship of affected regions, cause of disease, pathogenesis of flaccidity with physiological functions of the Governor Vessel is expounded, indicating that "skin, muscle, tendon, vessel and joint" are basic structures of performing motor function of the organism, which depend on nourishing of qi, blood, body fluid, essence and marrow; "insufficiency of essence and marrow" and "deficiency of qi and blood" are keys of pathogenensis of flaccidity; "deficiency or obstruction of the Governor Vessel" and "yang of the Governor Vessel unable to function" are the basis of channels and collaterals for flaccidity attack. Clinically, regulation of the Governor Vessel can promote repair of morphosis and functions of the Governor Vessel (brain and spinal cord), and rebuilding of the regulative system of the brain-the Governor Vessel (spinal cord)-viscera-channels, qi and blood functional activities, so as to restore the normal distribution and transduction of qi, blood, body liquid, essence and marrow to nourish skin, muscle, tendon, vessel and joint.

Comparison of gene expression profiles between rats of Shen deficiency syndrome and Shen-yang deficiency syndrome differentiated according to therapeutic efficacy of drugs used / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore similarity and difference of connotation between Shen deficiency syndrome (SDS) and Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS) on the molecular level.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The senescent SD rats and corticosterone-treated rats were adopted for models of SDS and SYDS respectively, their syndrome was differentiated according to the therapeutic efficacy of treatment with epimedium flavonoids (EF). The gene expression profiles of hypothalamas, pituitary, adrenal gland and lymphocytes (HPAT axis) were detected before and after EF treatment using gene chip provided by Affymetrix company.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As compared with the young rats, the ageing rats and corticosterone-treated rats showed a significant down-regulation in highly consistent pattern, of various neurotransmitters of HPAT axis firstly, followed with that of growth and sex hormone related genes. EF could reverse the above genes expression in both models, and for SYDS model rats, it could also significantly up-regulate the gene expressions of heat shock protein, cytochrome P450 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both SDS and SYDS model rats show connotation of Shen deficiency, and the substantial base of Shen-yang deficiency syndrome resides in the process of oxidative phosphorylation of energy metabolism accelerated by thyroid hormone.</p>

Observation on the therapeutic effect of warming needle moxibustion on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of warming needle moxibustion on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-eight cases were randomly divided into a test group and a control group, 39 cases in each group. The control group were treated with acupuncture at Shenshu (BIL 23), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and Weizhong (BL, 40), etc. , and the test group with acupuncture at the same acupoints as in the control group plus warming needle moxibustion at Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and Weizhong (BL 40).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate of 94.9% in the test group was significantly better than 71.8% in the control group (P < 0.01). The incidence rate of needling sensation propagating along the channel (84.6%) in the test group was significantly higher than 56.4% in the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The warming needle moxibustion stimulating the needling sensation propagating along the channel has a better therapeutic effect on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc.</p>

Syndrome differentiation through drug effects in mapping the two regulatory pathways of gene networks in Shen deficiency syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the regulatory pathways and rules of the gene networks in Shen deficiency syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Tissues of hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, lymphocyte, bone, liver and kidney were taken as samples from 4 months' and 24 months' old SD rats and rats after treatment with Epimedium flavonoids (EF), differences of gene expression profile in Shen deficiency syndrome were studied repeatedly with gene chip rat expression set U230 2.0 array from Affymetrix Co.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gene expressions in the aged rats all decreased including neurotransmitter of gamma-aminobutyric acid (gammaGABA), gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and binding proteins (IGFBP) in hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal (HPA axis), cell growth-related gene, growth factor related protein, and immune regulatory genes such as interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in lymphocytes, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, procollagen, collagen, connective tissue growth factor in bone, and oxidative phosphorylation genes such as cytochrome P450 and NADH dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase related with protein metabolism, and glucose-6-phosphatase related with glucose metabolism in liver, most of which were up-regulated after treatment with EF as well as genes related with ageing and cell cycle, such as cyclin B, metabolism related genes and proteins of sodium and chloride channel in kidney.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dysfunction of the two regulatory pathways of gene networks as nerve-endocrine-immunity and nerve-endocrine-bone metabolism exists in Shen deficiency syndrome differentiated by effects of drugs, which could be improved by strengthening Shen therapy.</p>

Exploration on molecular mechanism of Epimediun flavonoids in regulating adrenocortical regeneration in rats with inhibited hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis using oligonucleotide microarrays / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>UNLABELLED</b>To investigate the regulatory effects of epimedium flavonoids (EF) on adrenocortical regeneration in rats with inhibited hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cell distribution in cell cycle and cell apoptotic rate were measured with PI stain and flow-cytometry; apoptosis cells were showed by in situ terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-uridine triphosphate-fluorescene nick end labeling assay (TUNEL), and the genome-wide gene mRNA expression was detected by oligonucleotide microarrays.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the normal control, adrenal cells isolated from the HPA axis inhibited model group were arrested in Go/GI phase, and showed a higher apoptotic rate (P < 0.05). After treated with EF, cells in G0/G1 phase decreased and those in G2/M phase increased (P < 0.01), and the elevated apoptotic rate reduced significantly (P < 0.05). TUNEL assay showed the number of apoptotic cells per section was 4.67 1.53 in the normal control group, 70.67 +/- 9.29 in the model group, and 18.67 +/- 7.64 in the EF-treated group respectively (n=3). Gene expressions in adrenal were mostly restrained in the model group, including 7 cytocycle promoting genes, including V-ras, V-jun, etc., while after treatment with EF, 6 cytocycle promoting genes, 1 anti-apoptotic gene, and genes that closely related with adrenocortical regeneration as IGF-II and FGF7 and their receptors, as well as 7 steroid biosynthesis participated genes were all up-regulated. Conclusion EF can accelerate adrenocortical cell proliferation, inhibit its apoptosis, and promote steroid biosynthesis so as to enhance adrenocortical regeneration in HPA axis inhibited rats, which may contribute to the beneficial effects of EF in protecting adrenocortical function during glucocorticoid withdrawal.</p>

Clinical observation on moxibustion and acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) for treatment of refractory facial paralysis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe clinical therapeutic effect of moxibustion and acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) on refractory facial paralysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomly divided into a test group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The control group were treated with acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Touwei (ST 8), etc. , and the test group with acupuncture at the same points as those in the control group plus moxibustion and acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) with a warm-heat sense transmitting into the depth of the point along the needle body for the patient.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate of 93.3% in the test group was significantly better than 76.7 in the control group (P < 0.05); in the test group, the total effective rate for the patients with needling sensation propagating along the channel was 100%, which was significantly superior to 80.00% in the patients with no needling sensation propagating along the channel (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion and acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) activating sensation propagating along channel as main way has a better therapeutic effect on refractory facial paralysis.</p>