Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Phlebopus portentosus polysaccharide and their antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green synthesis from fungi polysaccharides are attracting increasing attention owing to their distinctive features and special applications in numerous fields. In this study, a cost-effective and environmentally friendly biosynthesizing AgNPs method with no toxic chemicals involved from the fruiting body polysaccharide of Phlebopus portentosus (PPP) was established and optimized by single factor experiment and response surface methodology. The optimum synthesis conditions of polysaccharide-AgNPs (PPP-AgNPs) were identified to be the reaction time of 140 min, reaction temperature of 94 °C, and the PPP: AgNO3 ratio of 1:11.5. Formation of PPP-AgNPs was indicated by visual detection of colour change from yellowish to yellowish brown. PPP-AgNPs were characterized by different methods and further evaluated for biological activities. That the Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis.) spectroscopy displayed a sharp absorption peak at 420 nm confirmed the formation of AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis detected the presence of various functional groups. The lattice indices of (111), (200), (220), and (331), which indicated a faced-centered-cubic of the Ag crystal structure of PPP-AgNPs, was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the particles were found to be spherical through high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) determined the presence of silver in PPP-AgNPs. The percentage relative composition of elements was determined as silver (Ag) 82.5 % and oxygen (O) 17.5 % for PPP-AgNPs, and did not exhibit any nitrogen peaks. The specific surface area of PPP-AgNPs was calculated to be 0.5750 m2/g with an average pore size of 24.33 nm by BET analysis. The zeta potential was -4.32 mV, which confirmed the stability and an average particle size of 64.5 nm was calculated through dynamic light scattering (DLS). PPP-AgNPs exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity against DPPH with an IC50 value of 0.1082 mg/mL. The MIC values of PPP-AgNPs for E. coli, S. aureus, C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis are 0.05 mg/mL. The IC50 value of the inhibition of PPP-AgNPs against α-glucosidase was 11.1 µg/mL, while the IC50 values of PPP-AgNPs against HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were calculated to be 14.36 ± 0.43 µg/mL and 40.05 ± 2.71 µg/mL, respectively. According to the evaluation, it can be concluded that these green-synthesized and eco-friendly PPP-AgNPs are helpful to improve therapeutics because of significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties to provide new possibilities for clinic applications.

[Mechanism of albiflorin in improvement of Alzheimer's disease based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments].

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of albiflorin in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease(AD) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments. Network pharmacology was used to predict the potential targets and pathways of albiflorin against AD, and molecular docking technology was used to verify the binding affinity of albiflorin to key target proteins. Finally, the AD cell model was induced by Aß_(25-35) in rat pheochromocytoma(PC12) cells and intervened by albiflorin to validate core targets and pathways. The results of network pharmacological analysis showed that albiflorin acted on key targets such as mitogen-activated protein kinase-1(MAPK1 or ERK2), albumin(ALB), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), caspase-3(CASP3), and sodium-dependent serotonin transporter(SLC6A4), and signaling pathways such as MAPK, cAMP, and cGMP-PKG. The results of molecular docking showed that albiflorin had strong binding affinity to MAPK1(ERK2). In vitro experiments showed that compared with the blank group, the model group showed decreased cell viability, decreased expression level of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), increased Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and reduced phosphorylation level of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) and the relative expression ratio of p-ERK1/2 to ERK1/2. Compared with the model group, the albiflorin group showed potentiated cell viability, up-regulated expression of Bcl-2, down-regulated Bax, and increased phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 and the relative expression ratio of p-ERK1/2 to ERK1/2. These results suggest that the mechanism of albiflorin against AD may be related to its activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway and its inhibition of neuronal apoptosis.

Integrating Network Pharmacology and Component Analysis to Study the Potential Mechanisms of Qi-Fu-Yin Decoction in Treating Alzheimer's Disease.

Purpose: To elucidate the potential mechanisms of QFY for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and explore the effective substances of QFY. Materials and Methods: UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was used to identify the chemical constituents of the serum samples and the cerebrospinal fluid samples of rats after QFY administration. Network pharmacology was used to predict potential targets and pathways of QFY against AD. The AD mice model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-gal for 8 consecutive weeks. New object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze test (MWM) were used to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of mice. Moreover, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-18 in the brain hippocampus of mice were determined by ELISA. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-1, PSD95, SYP, ICAM-1 and MCP-1 proteins in the hippocampus was detected by Western blotting. Furthermore, qRT-PCR was used to detect the gene expressions of PSD95, SYP, M1 and M2 polarization markers of microglia, including iNOS, CD16, ARG-1, and IL-10 in the hippocampus. Results: A total of 51 prototype compounds were detected in rat serum and 15 prototype components were identified in rat cerebrospinal fluid. Behavioral experiments revealed that QFY significantly increased the recognition index, decreased the escape latency, increased the platform crossing times and increased the residence time in the target quadrant. QFY also could alleviate the ultrastructural pathological changes in the hippocampus of AD mice. Meanwhile, QFY treatment suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-18. QFY improved the synaptic plasticity of the hippocampus in D-gal model mice by significantly increasing the expression of proteins and mRNAs of PSD95 and SYP. Conclusion: QFY could effectively improve the learning and memory impairment of D-gal-induced AD mice by inhibiting the excessive activation of microglia, enhancing the expression of M2 microglia, inhibiting the increase of inflammatory factors, cell adhesion factors and chemokines, anti-apoptosis, and improving synaptic plasticity.

Plum-blossom needle tapping enhances the efficacy of ALA photodynamic therapy for facial actinic keratosis in Chinese population: a randomized, multicenter, prospective, and observer-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a reliable treatment for actinic keratosis (AK), but its effect needs to be enhanced in thick lesions. Plum-blossom needle is a traditional Chinese cost-effective instrument for enhancing the transdermal delivery of ALA. However, whether it could improve the efficacy of AK treatment has not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of plum-blossom needle-assisted PDT in facial AK in the Chinese population. METHODS: In this multicenter, prospective study, a total of 142 patients with AKs (grades I-III) were randomized into the plum-blossom needle-assisted PDT group (P-PDT) and control PDT group (C-PDT). In the P-PDT group, each AK lesion was tapped vertically by a plum-blossom needle before the application of 10% ALA cream. In the C-PDT group, each lesion was only wiped with regular saline before ALA cream incubation. Then, 3 hours later, all the lesions were irradiated with light-emitting diode (LED) at a wavelength of 630 nm. PDT was performed once every 2 weeks until all lesion patients achieved complete remission or completed six sessions. The efficacy (lesion response) and safety (pain scale and adverse events) in both groups were evaluated before each treatment and at every follow-up visit at 3-month intervals until 12 months. RESULTS: In the P-PDT and C-PDT groups, the clearance rates for all AK lesions after the first treatment were 57.9% and 48.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). For grade I AK lesions, the clearance rates were 56.5% and 50.4%, respectively (P = 0.34). For grade II AK lesions, the clearance rates were 58.0% and 48.9%, respectively (P = 0.1). For grade III AK lesions, the clearance rates were 59.0% and 44.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). Moreover, grade III AK lesions in the P-PDT group required fewer treatment sessions (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the pain score between the two groups (P = 0.752). CONCLUSION: Plum-blossom needle tapping may enhance the efficacy of ALA-PDT by facilitating ALA delivery in the treatment of AK.

Glycolysis, a new mechanism of oleuropein against liver tumor.

BACKGROUND: Benign and malignant liver tumors are prevalent worldwide. However, there is no effective and comprehensive treatment option for many patients with malignant tumors. Thus, it is critical to prevent benign tumors from worsening, increasing the number of treatment options and effective medications against malignant liver tumors. Oleuropein is a natural and non-toxic product and inhibits tumor growth in various ways. METHODS: We employed bioinformatics analysis and molecular docking to identify potential targets of oleuropein. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used to determine the direct binding strength of the target and compounds. Essential functionalities of the targets were analyzed using gene interference approaches. Transcriptomic studies were performed to observe the global genomic alterations occurring inside cells. Changes in glycolytic metabolites and gene and protein expressions were also detected. The anti-tumor benefits of oleuropein in vivo were determined using a tumor-bearing mouse model. RESULTS: Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) was found to be a direct target of oleuropein. GPI discontinuation in liver tumor cells altered the expression of many genes, causing glycogenolysis. GPI interference was associated with PYGM and PFKFB4 inhibitors to inhibit glycolysis in liver tumors. Oleuropein inhibited glycolysis and showed good anti-tumor activity in vivo without adverse side effects. CONCLUSIONS: GPI is a crucial enzyme in glycolysis and the immediate target of oleuropein. GPI expression inside tumor cells affects different physiological functions and signal transduction. Oleuropein has depicted anti-tumor action in vivo without harmful side effects. Moreover, it can control tumor glycolysis through GPI.

Naringin Protects against Tau Hyperphosphorylation in Aß 25-35-Injured PC12 Cells through Modulation of ER, PI3K/AKT, and GSK-3ß Signaling Pathways.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and a significant social and economic burden. Estrogens can exert neuroprotective effects and may contribute to the prevention, attenuation, or even delay in the onset of AD; however, long-term estrogen therapy is associated with harmful side effects. Thus, estrogen alternatives are of interest for countering AD. Naringin, a phytoestrogen, is a key active ingredient in the traditional Chinese medicine Drynaria. Naringin is known to protect against nerve injury induced by amyloid beta-protein (Aß) 25-35, but the underlying mechanisms of this protection are unclear. To investigate the mechanisms of naringin neuroprotection, we observed the protective effect on Aß 25-35-injured C57BL/6J mice's learning and memory ability and hippocampal neurons. Then, an Aß 25-35 injury model was established with adrenal phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells. We examined the effect of naringin treatment on Aß 25-35-injured PC12 cells and its relationship with estrogen receptor (ER), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3ß signaling pathways. Estradiol (E2) was used as a positive control for neuroprotection. Naringin treatment resulted in improved learning and memory ability, the morphology of hippocampal neurons, increased cell viability, and reduced apoptosis. We next examined the expression of ERß, p-AKT (Ser473, Thr308), AKT, p-GSK-3ß (Ser9), GSK-3ß, p-Tau (Thr231, Ser396), and Tau in PC12 cells treated with Aß 25-35 and either naringin or E2, with and without inhibitors of the ER, PI3K/AKT, and GSK-3ß pathways. Our results demonstrated that naringin inhibits Aß 25-35-induced Tau hyperphosphorylation by modulating the ER, PI3K/AKT, and GSK-3ß signaling pathways. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of naringin were comparable to those of E2 in all treatment groups. Thus, our results have furthered our understanding of naringin's neuroprotective mechanisms and indicate that naringin may comprise a viable alternative to estrogen therapy.

A Famous Chinese Medicine Formula: Yinhuo Decoction Antagonizes the Damage of Corticosterone to PC12 Cells and Improves Depression by Regulating the SIRT1/PGC-1α Pathway.

The study aimed to explore the antidepressant effect of Yinhuo Decoction and further to explore its underlying molecular mechanism acting on depressant. Here, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to the composition analysis. Postmenopausal depression (PMD) model and corticosterone (CORT)-induced cell model were constructed. Adrenal coefficient and hematoxylin and eosin staining were applied to assess changes in the adrenal glands. MTT staining, Hoechst 33342 staining, and JC-1 fluorescence staining were used to detect the PC12 activity and apoptosis. CORT and oxidative stress indicators were measured using commercial kits. Western blot and immunohistochemical were used to detect the protein expression of GCR. In addition, genes related to SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway were also tested. In PMD model mice, Yinhuo Decoction evidently increased adrenal coefficient and relieved adrenal lesions. Meanwhile, we observed that Yinhuo Decoction reduced the CORT and GCR levels. In CORT-treated PC12 cells, Yinhuo Decoction remarkably reduced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Besides, Yinhuo Decoction attenuated the oxidative stress response. Mechanically, we confirmed that Yinhuo Decoction reduced CORT-induced PC12 damage by regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway. Thus, we concluded that Yinhuo Decoction antagonized CORT-induced injury in PC12 cells and improved depression in PMD mice. This provided a new direction for the treatment of depression.

Tissue Distribution of Total Flavonoids Extracts of Drynariae Rhizoma in Young and Old Rats by UPLC-MS/MS Determination.

Drynariae Rhizoma (Kunze ex Mett.) J. Sm. has been extensively used in China, Japan, and Korea to treat osteoporosis and tonify kidneys. A rapid and validated UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of the seven analytes including neoeriocitrin, luteolin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside, astragalin, naringin, eriodictyol, naringenin, and kaempferol in rats' various tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, brain, uterus, ovary, and small intestine) using quercetin as the internal standard (IS) was developed after oral administration of TFDR to rats. Tissues samples were retreated by protein precipitation with methanol. The chromatographic separation was performed using an ACQUITY UPLC™ BEH C18 column (2.1 × 50 mm; 1.7 µm) at 35°C. The mobile phase consisted of 1% acetic acid in water as the aqueous phase (A) and 100% acetonitrile as the organic phase (B). All analytes and IS were quantified through electrospray ionization in positive ion multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. MS transitions were m/z 597.5 ⟶ 289.2 for neoeriocitrin, m/z 449.1 ⟶ 287.1 for luteolin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside, m/z 449.1 ⟶ 287.1 for astragalin, m/z 581.5 ⟶ 273.2 for naringin, m/z 289.2 ⟶ 153.1 for eriodictyol, m/z 273.2 ⟶ 153.1 for naringenin, m/z 287.1 ⟶ 153.1 for kaempferol, and m/z 303.2 ⟶ 153.1 for quercetin (IS). The mean extraction recovery of the seven analytes and IS in tissue samples at three levels of quality control (QC) samples ranged from 82.72% to 118.57%, and the RSD was ≤14.98%. The intraday and interday precision (RSD) were all less than 14.98%, and the accuracy (RE) ranged from -13.96% to 14.96%, which indicated that the present method was not an issue. Tissues distribution showed neoeriocitrin, luteolin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside, astragalin, naringin, and naringenin could transfer across the blood-brain barrier, which may form the basis of TFDR entering the brain to play an anti-AD role. Compared with the 8-month-old rats, a higher concentration of naringin was found in the ovaries of the 18-month-old rats; this result indicated that it may regulate the autonomic nervous dysfunction of the cerebrospinal system through the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis, thus playing an anti-AD role, but further research is needed. Naringenin, eriodictyol, and kaempferol have a higher concentration in the liver and kidney; this phenomenon may be related to the traditional Chinese medicine theory that there is a definite relationship between the liver and kidney meridian. These results provide reliable data support for further study of the pharmacological mechanism of TFDR, formulation of drug delivery schemes, and development of new Chinese medicines in the treatment of AD.

Danggui Buxuetang in Malignant Tumor： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The occurrence and development of malignant tumors seriously affect the survival time and quality of life of people all over the world， and finding proper treatment methods has been a focus for doctors. Especially in recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has developed and attracted the attention of doctors and patients. From the perspective of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment， deficiency and stasis are the most fundamental causes of malignant tumors， and supplementing deficiency and removing stasis can be regarded as the basic criteria of TCM treatment of malignant tumors. TCM prescriptions can treat diseases by means of multiple components and multiple targets， with the characteristics of slight side effect and high efficacy， safety and cost performance， as well as easiness to be accepted and taken. As a classic recipe for invigorating Qi and generating blood， Danggui Buxuetang consists of Astragali Radix -Angelicae Sinensis Radix 5∶1. It has excellent effects in anti-tumor， bone marrow suppression after chemotherapy， immune function decline， anemia， heart and cerebral vessels protection， blood deficiency-led fever， diabetes， anti-atherosclerosis， anti-fatigue， anti-radiation， myocardial ischemia alleviation， inhibition of platelet aggregation， liver damage， etc. In addition， with many active anti-tumor ingredients， Danggui Buxuetang can exert anti-tumor effects via acting on multiple targets in different binding sites. However， there has been a lack of reviews on the role of Danggui Buxuetang in malignant tumors so far. Therefore， in this paper， the functions of Danggui Buxuetang in malignant tumors were reviewed. Besides， molecular docking technology was used to analyze the main active anti-tumor ingredients and action targets of Danggui Buxuetang.

Anti-tumor Effect and Mechanisms of Hederin： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Hederin is a natural active component of triterpenoid saponins extracted from many medicinal herbs， such as Lithospermum erythrorhizon， Pulsatilla chinensis， and Clematis florida. It has attracted much attention from doctors for its anti-inflammatory， anti-convulsive， anti-oxidation and anti-leishmaniasis activities. Hederin has significant anti-tumor bioactivity and is expected to be a potential drug for the treatment of malignant tumors. The available studies have demonstrated that hederin can promote the apoptosis， inhibit the proliferation， metastasis， and invasion， and induce the autophagy of tumor cells， exhibiting a promising prospect in the treatment of breast cancer， lung cancer， liver cancer， and pancreatic cancer. Specifically， hederin can regulate the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） pathway， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and microRNA （miRNA） to trigger tumor cell apoptosis. Its anti-proliferation activity is mainly reflected in the regulation of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase （CDK）. Hederin inhibits the metastasis and invasion of tumor cells by blocking epithelial-mesenchymal transformation （EMT）. In addition， hederin can influence metabolic reprogramming to induce tumor cell autophagy. Hederin is involved in a variety of pathways to exert its anti-tumor activity and may become a novel anti-tumor drug in the future， which give new sights into the study of hederin in the anti-tumor field. There are few studies about hederin and no systematic review of its anti-tumor mechanisms. Therefore， this study reviewed the studies about the anti-tumor mechanism of hederin， aiming to provide reference and information for researchers and clinical staff.

[Total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma regulates ER-p38 MAPK signaling pathway to improve scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in model mice].

This study intended to explore the effect and mechanism of total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma in improving scopola-mine-induced learning and memory impairments in model mice. Ninety four-month-old Kunming(KM) mice were randomly divided into six groups. The ones in the model group and blank group were treated with intragastric administration of normal saline, while those in the medication groups separately received the total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma, Kangnaoshuai Capsules, donepezil, as well as total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae plus estrogen receptor(ER) blocker by gavage. The mouse model of learning and memory impairments was established via intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine. Following the measurement of mouse learning and memory abilities in Morris water maze test, the hippocampal ERß expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression levels of ERß and phosphorylated p38(p-p38) in the hippocampus and B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated death promoter(Bad), and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3(caspase-3) in the apoptotic system were assayed by Western blot. The contents of malondia-ldehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and nitric oxide(NO) in the hippocampus were then determined using corresponding kits. Compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly prolonged incubation period, reduced frequency of cros-sing the platform, shortened residence time in the target quadrant, lowered ERß, Bcl-2 and SOD activity in the hippocampus, and increased p-p38/p38, Bad, caspase-3, MDA, and NO. Compared with the model group, the total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae increased the expression of ERß and SOD in the hippocampus, down-regulated the expression of neuronal pro-apoptotic proteins, up-re-gulated the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, and reduced p-p38/p38, MDA, and NO. The effects of total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma on the above indexes were reversed by ER blocker. It has been proved that the total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma obviously alleviate scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in mice, which may be achieved by regulating the neuronal apoptotic system and oxidative stress via the ER-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(ER-p38 MAPK) signaling pathway.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Versus Intratympanic Steroid for Salvage Treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and intratympanic steroids (ITS) as salvage treatment for patients with refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). DATA SOURCES: Electronic search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wan Fang databases to June 1, 2020. METHODS: For each outcome measure, a forest plot was generated and a pooled relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) was calculated. Potential publication bias in the meta-analysis was assessed using funnel plot. RESULTS: The numbers of cases with hearing improvements and pure tone averages (PTA) changes after salvage treatment were entered into the R software to calculate the pooled effect of HBOT compared with ITS. When pooling the results of the studies reporting the proportion of patients with hearing improvement, a fixed-effects model was used. We calculated the RR and found no significant difference when HBOT compared with ITS (RR = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83-1.42, p = 0.55). With respect to the PTA changes, a fixed-effects model was used. The improvement in the PTA (in dB) was calculated in MD and no significant difference was found between the two groups (MD = 0.55, 95% CI: -1.76-2.86, p = 0.64). CONCLUSION: Both HBOT and ITS offer some benefits for refractory SSNHL patients, and there were no significant differences in hearing outcomes between the two modalities. Future RCTs that include large samples are needed to demonstrate superiority of one of the treatments.

Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Taohong Siwu Decoction () for Patients with Angina Pectoris: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the efficacy and safety of Taohong Siwu Decoction (, TSD), a Chinese herbal compound prescription, in patients with angina pectoris (AP).@*METHODS@#Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing TSD plus conventional treatment (CT) with CT plus placebo or CT only in the patients with AP were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and International Clinical Trial Registry from their inception to March 2017. The primary outcomes include a composite event of death, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and target vessel revascularization. The secondary outcomes include angina symptom, electrocardiogram (ECG) improvement and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The methodological quality of included studies and extracted available data were assessed. RevMan 5.3 software was used to conduct statistical analysis. The relative risk (RR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. A funnel plot was used to evaluate the publication bias.@*RESULTS@#Among 204 studies identified in the literature search, 12 trials including 959 patients with AP met the inclusion criteria. No studies reported the primary outcome including death, AMI and target vessel revascularization. TSD combined with CT showed significant improvement in relieving angina symptom [RR=3.70, 95% CI (2.42, 5.67)] and ECG [RR=3.20, 95% CI (2.20, 4.65)] compared with CT alone. TSD combined with CT reduced the serum hs-CRP, TG, TC and LDL-C levels compared with CT alone. No serious adverse events were reported in TSD combined with CT.@*CONCLUSIONS@#TSD combined with CT has a potential benefit on relieving AP without significant adverse events. However, the efficacy on the cardiovascular events needs to be assessed by more rigorously-designed, largescale, and multi-center RCTs in future.

Clinical application and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of lung cancer.

ABSTRACT: Lung cancer is a malignant tumor characterized by a rapid proliferation rate, less survivability, high mortality, and metastatic potential. This review focuses on updated research about the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an adjuvant therapy to lung cancer treatment and the mechanisms of TCM effect on lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. We summarized the recent 5 years of different research progress on clinical applications and antitumor mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of lung cancer. As a potent adjuvant therapy, TCM could enhance conventional treatments (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and epidermal growth factor receptors [EGFRs] tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs]) effects as well as provide synergistic effects, enhance chemotherapy drugs chemosensitivity, reverse drug resistance, reduce adverse reactions and toxicity, relieve patients' pain and improve quality of life (QOL). After treating with TCM, lung cancer cells will induce apoptosis and/or autophagy, suppress metastasis, impact immune reaction, and therapeutic effect of EGFR-TKIs. Therefore, TCM is a promisingly potent adjuvant therapy in the treatment of lung cancer and its multiple mechanisms are worthy of an in-depth study.

Salidroside Decreases Atherosclerosis Plaque Formation via Inhibiting Endothelial Cell Pyroptosis.

Pyroptosis, a new pro-inflammatory programmed cell death, is linked to atherosclerosis (AS). Our previous studies suggested that salidroside (SAL) can alleviate AS and exert anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of SAL on atherosclerosis-related pyroptosis has not been studied. Here, we investigated the effect of SAL on pyroptosis to explain the underlying mechanisms of SAL on atherosclerosis-related inflammation. We established an atherosclerosis mouse model via western diet (HFD) to explore the protective effect of SAL. According to our results, administration of SAL for 12 weeks markedly reduced the atherosclerotic plaque in aorta. Meanwhile, SAL also alleviated the pyroptosis, as evidenced by inhibiting caspase-1 activation, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) release, and TUNEL-positive staining, and decreasing the expression of Gasdermin D (GSDMD). Furthermore, SAL also decreased the activation of caspase-1 and inhibited the release of IL-1ß induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs). Our data indicate that SAL inhibit NLRP3-related pyroptosis, which might be the underlying mechanism of SAL anti-inflammatory in atherosclerosis.

Mechnism research progress of the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine compound on gastric cancer / 国际中医中药杂志

This article reviewed the research on the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine compound on gastric cancer. And to discover the traditional Chinese medicine with anti-tumor effect and traditional Chinese medicine ingredients have an effect on the development of tumor, such as influencing the precancerous lesions, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, by inhibiting tumor blood vessels to grow. It will influence tumor cell apoptosis pathway and inflammatory response. TCM compound intervention can improve human immunity, so as to prevent and treat gastric cancer.

Mechnism research progress of the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine compound on gastric cancer / 国际中医中药杂志

This article reviewed the research on the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine compound on gastric cancer. And to discover the traditional Chinese medicine with anti-tumor effect and traditional Chinese medicine ingredients have an effect on the development of tumor, such as influencing the precancerous lesions, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, by inhibiting tumor blood vessels to grow. It will influence tumor cell apoptosis pathway and inflammatory response. TCM compound intervention can improve human immunity, so as to prevent and treat gastric cancer.

Overview of mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine treating ovarian cancer / 国际中医中药杂志

The literature review on the treatment mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to ovarian cancer reveals that TCM can not only induce the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cell by three ways, namely mitochondrial pathway, death-receptor pathway, ER stress pathway, but also regulate body immunity and drug-tolerance of chemotherapeutics. The advantages of TCM treatment on tumor include relatively more therapeutic targets, less treating resistance, better medicine effect, less side effects, and lower cost. Through the elaborately designed experimental and assessment criteria, the TCM treatment mechanism can be recognized by in vivo and in vitro study.

Protective Effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on Neurovascular Unit in Alzheimer's Disease Cell Model via Inflammation and RAGE/LRP1 Pathway.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the protective mechanism of neurovascular unit of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) cell model via RAGE/LRP1 pathway and find a reliable target for Alzheimer's disease treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Rat brain microvessel endothelial cells (BMECs) were cultured in 10% FBS and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. The AD model was established by administration of 24 µmol/L amyloid-ß peptides 25~35. Different concentrations of BYHWD (0.1 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, and 10 mg/mL) were added as the drug intervention. The morphology of the cells was observed by light microscopy and the ultrastructure of the cells was observed by microscopy. The inflammatory factors IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and Aß25-35 were detected by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to assess the apoptosis rate. The expressions of RAGE, LRP1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, Apo J, Apo E, and NF-kappaBp65 were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS The structure of cells in BYHWDM and BYHWDH gradually recovered with increasing dose. BYHWD decreased the apoptotic rate of BMECs induced by Aß25-35. The cells treated with different concentrations of BYHWD had significant difference in terms of anti-apoptotic effect. The therapeutic effect of BYHWD on AD was via the RAGE/LRP1 and NF-kappaBp65 pathways. CONCLUSIONS BYHWD regulates Aß metabolism via the RAGE/LRP1 pathway, inhibits vascular endothelial inflammation induced by ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 via the NF-kappaBP65 pathway, and promotes morphological changes induced by Aß-induced brain microvascular endothelial cell damage.

High-throughput metabolomics and ingenuity pathway approach reveals the pharmacological effect and targets of Ginsenoside Rg1 in Alzheimer's disease mice.

Ginsenoside Rg1, a natural triterpenoid saponins compound isolated from the Panax species, has been found to possess neuroprotective properties in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its pharmacological mechanism on AD has not been studied. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) based non-targeted metabolomics strategy was performed to explore the mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg1 protecting against AD mice by characterizing metabolic biomarkers and regulation pathways changes. A total of nineteen potential metabolites in serum were discovered and identified to manifest the difference between wild-type mice and triple transgenic mice in control and model group, respectively. Fourteen potential metabolites involved in ten metabolic pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism were affected by Rg1. From the ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) platform, the relationship between gene, protein, metabolites alteration and protective activity of ginsenoside Rg1 in AD mice are deeply resolved, which refers to increased level of albumin, amino acid metabolism and molecular transport. In addition, quantitative analysis of key enzymes in the disturbed pathways by proteomics parallel reaction was employed to verify changed metabolic pathway under Ginsenoside Rg1. The UPLC-Q/TOF-MS based serum metabolomics method brings about new insights into the pharmacodynamic studies of Ginsenoside Rg1 on AD mice.