Baicalin promotes antiviral IFNs production and alleviates type I IFN-induced neutrophil inflammation.

Type I and III interferons (IFNs) both serve as pivotal components of the host antiviral innate immune system. Although they exert similar antiviral effects, type I IFNs can also activate neutrophil inflammation, a function not born by type III IFNs. Baicalin, the main bioactive component of Scutellariae radix, has been shown to exert therapeutic effects on viral diseases due to its anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and immunomulatory activities. There is uncertainty, however, on the association between the antiviral effects of baicalin and the modulation of anti-viral IFNs production and the immunological effects of type I IFNs. Here, a Poly (I:C)-stimulated A549 cell line was established to mimic a viral infection model. Our results demonstrated that baicalin could elevate the expression of type I and III IFNs and their receptors in Poly (I:C)-stimulated A549 cells. Moreover, the potential regulation effects of baicalin for type I IFN-induced neutrophil inflammation was further explored. Results showed that baicalin diminished the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α), ROS, and neutrophil extracellular traps and suppressed chemotaxis. Collectively, all these data indicated that baicalin had a dual role on IFNs production and effects: (1) Baicalin was able to elevate the expression of type I and III IFNs and their receptors, (2) and it alleviated type I IFN-mediated neutrophil inflammatory response. This meant that baicalin has the potential to act as an eximious immunomodulator, exerting antiviral effects and reducing inflammation.

Magnesium Lithospermate B Protects Against Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via Alleviating Mitochondrial Dysfunction.

Purpose: Apoptosis plays a critical role in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and is related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Magnesium lithospermate B (Mlb), one of the most important components of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is mainly used to treat cardiovascular diseases because of its anti-apoptotic effects. The mechanism underlying the protective effect of Mlb against cisplatin-induced AKI remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of Mlb on mitochondrial function against apoptosis caused by cisplatin-induced renal injury. Methods: Renal injury induced by cisplatin in mouse renal tubular epithelial cells (mTECs) was measured by quantifying serum creatinine levels, mitochondrial morphology, cell viability, apoptosis, Dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1) expression, etc. The cells were then administered Mlb to determine its protective effects against cisplatin-induced AKI. Results: Mlb treatment significantly reduced serum creatinine levels and pathological injury of renal, inhibited the production of malondialdehyde, and reduced the depletion of superoxide dismutase. In addition, Mlb reduced Bax/Bcl2, cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3, and maintained mitochondrial integrity after AKI. Mlb administration also improved cell viability and reduced the percentage of apoptotic cells in vitro. Furthermore, Mlb reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, improved mitochondrial membrane potential, and ameliorated mitochondrial morphological abnormalities by downregulating Drp1 expression. Conclusion: These results indicated that Mlb could protect the kidneys against cisplatin-induced apoptosis by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction.

Ononin ameliorates inflammation and cartilage degradation in rat chondrocytes with IL-1ß-induced osteoarthritis by downregulating the MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) treatment aims to improve inflammation and delay cartilage degeneration. However, there is no effective strategy presently available. Ononin, a representative isoflavone glycoside component extracted from natural Chinese herbs, exerts anti-inflammatory and proliferative effects. However, the therapeutic effect of ononin on chondrocyte inflammation remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, we explored the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of ononin in OA by establishing an interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß)-induced chondrocyte inflammation model. RESULTS: Our results verified that ononin alleviated the IL-1ß-induced decrease in chondrocyte viability, attenuated the overexpression of the inflammatory factors tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and simultaneously inhibited the expression of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13). Furthermore, the decomposition of Collagen II protein could be alleviated in the OA model by ononin. Finally, ononin improved chondrocyte inflammation by downregulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signalling pathways. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that ononin could inhibit the IL-1ß-induced proinflammatory response and ECM degradation in chondrocytes by interfering with the abnormal activation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways, indicating its protective effect against OA.

Omega-3 fatty acids and blood-based biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Increased serum levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers are consistently associated with cognitive decline. The omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) had been linked to slowing cognitive decline due to their potential anti-inflammatory effects. To our knowledge, the different regiments of pure DHA, pure EPA, and their combination on various associated symptoms of dementia, including a mild form of cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), have never been studied. METHODS: This multisite, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at two veteran's retirement centers and one medical center in central Taiwan between 2013 and 2015. 163 MCI or AD patients were randomly assigned to placebo (n = 40), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 0.7 g/day, n = 41), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 1.6 g/day, n = 40), or EPA (0.8 g/day) + DHA (0.35 g/day) (n = 42) group for 24 months. The results were measured as the cognitive and functional abilities, biochemical, and inflammatory cytokines profiles. Chi-square tests, two-sample t-test, ANOVA, and linear mixedeffects models were conducted with p < 0.05. RESULTS: 131 (80%) participants had completed the trial with all cognitive, functional, and mood status assessments. The statistically significant difference between the placebo and treatment groups was not determined, concerning the changes in cognitive, functional, and mood status scores, the biochemical profiles, and inflammatory cytokines levels. However, EPA was found to reduce the C-C motif ligands 4 (CCL4) level (p < 0.001). Additionally, EPA could reduce the constructional praxis (p < 0.05) and spoken language ability scores (p < 0.01), and DHA also reduced the spoken language ability score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, n-3 PUFAs supplements did not reduce cognitive, functional, and depressive symptom outcomes, but spoken language ability and constructional praxis subitems of ADAS-cog. These findings show that attention to clinical heterogeneity in dementia is crucial when studying nutrients interventions, such as n-3 PUFAs. In addition, with small effect size CCL4 is a better indicator than other inflammatory cytokines for EPA treatment response.

Fraxetin Inhibits the Proliferation and Metastasis of Glioma Cells by Inactivating JAK2/STAT3 Signaling.

Glioma is the most common brain tumor and is characterized by high mortality rates, high recurrence rates, and short survival time. Migration and invasion are the basic features of gliomas. Thus, inhibition of migration and invasion may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with glioma. Due to its antitumor activity and chemical reactivity, fraxetin has attracted extensive interest and has been proven to be an effective antitumor agent in various cancer types. However, currently, the potential effects of fraxetin on glioma have not been investigated. Here, we demonstrate that fraxetin can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of glioma and induce apoptosis of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, these findings establish fraxetin as a drug candidate for glioma treatment. Furthermore, fraxetin was able to effectively inhibit the JAK2/STAT3 signaling in glioma. In summary, our results show that fraxetin inhibits proliferation, invasion, and migration of glioma by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling and inducing apoptosis of glioma cells. The present study provides a solid basis for the development of new glioma therapies.

Salvianolate ameliorates oxidative stress and podocyte injury through modulation of NOX4 activity in db/db mice.

Podocyte injury is associated with albuminuria and the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) is the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the kidney and NOX4 is up-regulated in podocytes in response to high glucose. In the present study, the effects of Salvianolate on DN and its underlying mechanisms were investigated in diabetic db/db mice and human podocytes. We confirmed that the Salvianolate administration exhibited similar beneficial effects as the NOX1/NOX4 inhibitor GKT137831 treated diabetic mice, as reflected by attenuated albuminuria, reduced podocyte loss and mesangial matrix accumulation. We further observed that Salvianolate attenuated the increase of Nox4 protein, NOX4-based NADPH oxidase activity and restored podocyte loss in the diabetic kidney. In human podocytes, NOX4 was predominantly localized to mitochondria and Sal B treatment blocked HG-induced mitochondrial NOX4 derived superoxide generation and thereby ameliorating podocyte apoptosis, which can be abrogated by AMPK knockdown. Therefore, our results suggest that Sal B possesses the reno-protective capabilities in part through AMPK-mediated control of NOX4 expression. Taken together, our results identify that Salvianolate could prevent glucose-induced oxidative podocyte injury through modulation of NOX4 activity in DN and have a novel therapeutic potential for DN.

[Study on drug properties and syndrome-symptom-formula-herb network of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of effort angina pectoris based on data visualization].

This article aims to explore drug properties and syndrome-symptom-formula-herb network of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the treatment of effort angina pectoris based on data visualization, and provide useful references for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Literatures about TCM formula for effort angina pectoris from databases of CNKI, WanFang, VIP, and CBM were retrieved from the database-building to August 31, 2019. The name of syndromes, symptoms, formulas, and herbs were standardized, and the corresponding databases were established. Frequency, four properties, five flavors, and meridian were analyzed. Visualized syndrome-symptom-formula-herb network relationships were constructed by bioinformatic analysis. A total of 202 formulas were included, and 218 kinds of TCM were involved. There were 56 herbs with the use frequency of more than 10, involving 78 syndromes and 162 symptoms. TCM formulas in the treatment of effort angina pectoris mainly included herbs with effects in invigorating blood circulation and eliminating stasis, tonifying deficiency, Qi-regulating, resolving phlegm and relieving cough and asthma, relieving exterior disorder, and heat-clearing. The main properties were warm, cold and mild(accounting for 95%); the main flavors were sweet, bitter and pungent(accounting for 89%); and meridians were mainly spleen, heart, liver, lung, stomach, and kidney(accounting for 89%). Syndrome-symptom-formula-herb network of TCM in the treatment of effort angina pectoris were successfully constructed. The high-frequency syndromes of this disease were Qi deficiency and blood stasis, Qi stagnation and blood stasis, heart blood stasis, and turbid phlegm and blood stasis, and its high-frequency symptoms were chest tightness, chest pain, palpitation, shortness of breath, fatigue, dark purple tongue, spontaneous sweating, and abundant phlegm. High-frequency core formulas of this disease included Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction, Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction, Danshen Decoction, Taohong Siwu Decoction, Shengmai Powder, Buyang Huanwu Decoction and Zhigancao Decoction, and their core herbs included Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Trichosanthis Fructus, Allium Macrostemonis Bulbus, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Persicae Semen, Carthami Flos, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Poria, Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum. Drug properties and syndrome-symptom-formula-herb networks of TCM in the treatment of effort angina pectoris can realize data visualization, objectively reflect the clinical syndrome differentiation and rule of medication, and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Content Determination of 10 Kinds of Active Componets in Tibetan Medicine Siwei Jianghuang Prescription and Its Decoction Technology Optim ization / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To e stablish the method for simultaneous determination of 10 kinds of active components in Tibetan medicine Siwei jianghuang prescription ，and to optimize its decoction technology. METHODS ：HPLC method was adopted. Using soaking time ，the amount of added water ，decoction time and decoction times as factors ，comprehensive score of the contents of 10 kinds of components and solid extracts rate as response values ，one the basis of single factor test ，Box-Behnken response surface method was used to optimize its decoction technology. RESULTS ：The linear range of gallic acid ，corilagin，magnoflorine， ellagic acid ， hydrochloric jatrorrhizine ， hydrochloride palmatine ， hydrochloride berberine ， bisdemethoxycurcumin， demethoxycurcumin and curcumin were 0.280 6-1.683 6，0.289 6-1.737 6，0.320 8-1.924 8，0.116 0-0.696 0，0.018 9-0.113 5， 0.013 3-0.079 9，0.092 3-0.553 8，0.025 5-0.153 0，0.036 1-0.216 3，0.041 0-0.245 7 µg（all r were 0.999 9），respectively. The limits of quantitation were 0.28，14.48，3.21，11.60，1.89，4.44，0.46，0.26，0.36，0.41 ng，respectively. The limits of detection were 0.11，4.14，1.24，3.32，0.58，1.33，0.13，0.09，0.14，0.12 ng，respectively. RSDs of precision ，stability and reproducibility tests were all lower than 3％. The recoveries were 92.56％-103.69％（RSDs were 0.90％-3.81％，n＝6）. The optimal decoction technology included soaking 60 min，adding 8-fold（mL/g）water，decoction for twice ，lasting for 65 min each time. In 6 validation tests ，comprehensive scores were 3.323 2-3.422 4，and the absolute value of the relative error with the predicted value （3.437 4）was less than 2％.CONCLUSIONS：Established method is simple and repeatable ，and can be used for simultaneous determination of 10 kinds of active components in Siwei jianghuang prescription. Optimized decoction technology is stable and feasible.

Impaired Hypothalamic Regulation of Sympathetic Outflow in Primary Hypertension / 神经科学通报·英文版

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is a crucial region involved in maintaining homeostasis through the regulation of cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and other functions. The PVN provides a dominant source of excitatory drive to the sympathetic outflow through innervation of the brainstem and spinal cord in hypertension. We discuss current findings on the role of the PVN in the regulation of sympathetic output in both normotensive and hypertensive conditions. The PVN seems to play a major role in generating the elevated sympathetic vasomotor activity that is characteristic of multiple forms of hypertension, including primary hypertension in humans. Recent studies in the spontaneously hypertensive rat model have revealed an imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs to PVN pre-sympathetic neurons as indicated by impaired inhibitory and enhanced excitatory synaptic inputs in hypertension. This imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs in the PVN forms the basis for elevated sympathetic outflow in hypertension. In this review, we discuss the disruption of balance between glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs and the associated cellular and molecular alterations as mechanisms underlying the hyperactivity of PVN pre-sympathetic neurons in hypertension.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory markers in major depressive episodes during pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Prenatal depression (PND) is a common psychiatric disorder in pregnant women and leads to psychosocial dysfunction, high suicidal rate, and adverse childcare. Patients with PND have omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3 or n-3 PUFAs) deficits, which might link to chronic low-grade inflammatory process and the pathophysiological mechanisms of depression. In this case-control study, we examined the levels of PUFAs and inflammatory cytokines in PND. METHOD: Blood samples were obtained and analyzed from 16 healthy controls and 17 depressed cases (PND group) diagnosed with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Independent sample t-test and correlation analysis were performed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) logistics correlation analysis. RESULTS: PND group had significantly lower levels of total n-3 (p=0.026), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (p=0.020) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) (p=0.019) but a higher omega-6 (n-6)/n-3 PUFAs ratio (p=0.007) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (p=0.016) level. Moreover, the duration of current PND episodes were also significantly correlated with DHA, EPA, n-3 PUFAs, n-6/n-3 ratio and TNF-α. In terms of PUFAs and cytokine levels, only DHA was inversely correlated with TNF-α. CONCLUSION: PND is significantly associated with lower DHA, EPA, and total n-3 PUFAs levels and an increased n-6/n-3 PUFAs ratio, while the duration of PND is associated with lower levels of n-3 PUFAs, including DHA and EPA. The correlation of PUFAs levels with depression and TNF-α level grant further investigation into the inflammatory process underlying PND, mediated by PUFAs.

Evaluation on safety of puerarin injection in clinical use / 中国中药杂志

Puerarin injection is commonly used in clinical treatment of coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, retinal artery, vein occlusion, sudden deafness and so on. This paper is aimed to evaluate the safety of puerarin injection in clinical use and explore the related factors that may cause its adverse reactions (ADRs), so as to find the warning signal of safety medication in time, put forward early warning, make early judgment and treatment, and ensure the safety of drug use. By strengthening surveillance, the best medication plan was established to prevent the occurrence of adverse reactions of puerarin injection and enhance people's awareness on the safety of puerarin injection. Database were searched to collect literature related to ADRs of puerarin injection. The data were extracted and analyzed by decision tree with treeage software and ² test was used to verify the data. A total of 62 papers involving 129 cases were included. The results showed that ADRs occurred mostly in patients aged 50-79 years, with the immune system and blood system accounting for the majority (88.3%), and ADRs occurred mostly 48 h after drug administration (61.1%). The severity of ADRs was not related to the dosage of puerarin, but it was related to the choice of the infusion solvent. In puerarin injection, most of the ADRs were moderate or severe (64.3%), 13 out of 129 cases were of death. Therefore, the indications and methods of use should be strictly controlled, and the allergic history of patients should be carefully questioned before medication to strengthen the monitoring of drug use.

Proventive effects of astaxanthin on metabolic cataract and its mechanism in type 1 diabetic rats / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background The pathogenesis mechanism of diabetic cataract has not been fully elucidated.Researches showed that multiple biological pathways participate in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract,including oxidative stress.Astaxanthin can inhibit oxidative stress-mediated injury and lipid peroxidation.However,whether astaxanthin has the preventive effects on diabetic cataract is unclear.Objective This study was to investigate the preventive effects of astaxanthin on metabolic cataract in type 1 diabetic rats.Methods Thirty-eight 6-week-old SPF male SD rats were used in this study,and 1％ streptozocin was intraperitoneally injected to establish type 1 diabetic models in 30 rats,and 24 successful models were assigned to diabetic model group,low-dose astaxanthin group and high-dose astaxanthin group.Equal volume of normal saline solution was injected in the same way in 8 rats as the normal control group.Mixture foods containing 50 mg/(kg · day) or 100 mg/(kg · day) astaxanthin with olive oil and fodder were used continuously for 3 months in the rats of low-dose astaxanthin group and high-dose astaxanthin group,respectively,and mixture food of olive oil with fodder was used in the diabetic model group.Only fodder was used in the same way in the rats of the normal control group.The opacification of lens was examined by slit lamp section radiography system and graded on a scale of 1-5.The specimen of lens were prepared for the hematoxylin & eosin stain.The expression and lation of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) in the lens was examined using immunochemistry.The contents of oxidative stress-related indicators in the lens,such as AGEs,malonydialdehyde (MDA),catalase (CAT),superoxide dismutase (SOD) and mass fraction of glutathione (GSH),were assayed by ELISA.The experimental process complied with the national standard (Laboratory Animal Requirements of Environment and Housing Facilities [GB14925-2001]).Results The blood glucose levels of the rats were significantly higher in the diabetic model group,low-dose astaxanthin group and high-dose astaxanthin group than those in the normal control group at 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks after modeling (all at P＜0.05),while the blood glucose levels of rats were not evidently different between low-dose astaxanthin group and high-dose astaxanthin group at various time points(all at P＞0.05).The rat lenses were transparent in the normal control group with scale of grade 1,and serious lens opacification was seen in the rats of the diabatic model group,with the scale of grade 5,while the rat lenses in the low-dose astaxanthin group and high-dose astaxanthin group were in grade 3-4.The contents of AGEs in the lenses were (7.23 ±0.50) μg/ml and (7.01 ±0.37) μg/ml,and M DA contents were (1.43 ± 0.22) mmol/L and (1.35±0.16)mmol/L in the low-dose astaxanthin group and high-dose astaxanthin group respectively,which were significantly lower than (7.61± 0.45) μg/ml and (1.62 ±0.42) mmol/L in the normal control group (all at P＜0.05).GSH contents in rat lenes were (272.70±12.53) ng/L and (283.52±16.17) ng/L,and SOD coneents were (55.45± 6.47) μmol/(min · L) and (56.73±5.12) μmol/(min · L),and CAT concents were (2.91 ±0.41) μmol/(min · L)and (3.02±0.13)μmol/ (min · L) in the low-dose astaxanthin group and high-dose astaxanthin group respectively,which were significantly higher than (241.52 ± 15.13) ng/L,(51.67 ± 5.45) μmol/(min · L) and (2.72 ± 0.27)μmol/(min · L) in the normal control group (all at P＜0.05).The GSH concent and SOD concent in rat lens were lower in the low-dose astaxanthin group than that in the high-dose astaxanthin group (both at P＜0.05).Conclusions Astaxanthin can postpone the pathogenesis and development of diabetic cataract in type 1 diabetic rats by antioxydative stress.

Effect of Shengjiang Xiexin Decoction on the Repair of Damaged Rat Intestinal Mucosa after Irinotecan Chemotherapy / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Shengjiang Xiexin Decoction (SXD) on the intestinal mucosal and functional cells of rats after irinotecan (CPT-11) chemotherapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 24 healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into three groups, the normal control group, the CPT-11 group, the SXD combined CPT-11 group according to random digit table, 8 in each group. CPT-11 was injected at the daily dose of 150 mg/kg to rats in the CPT-11 group and the SXD combined CPT-11 group from the caudal vein on the 4th day, once daily for 2 successive days to duplicate delayed diarrhea model. Equal volume of normal saline was injected to rats in the normal control group from the caudal vein. SXD at 2 g/mL (10 g/kg body weight) was administered to rats in the SXD combined CPT-11 group by gastrogavage for 9 successive days. Deionized water was administered to rats in the CPT-11 group and the normal control group. Diarrhea was observed at 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, and 108 h to calculate the incidence rate of diarrhea. Meanwhile, scoring for diarrhea was performed by referring methods of Akinobu Kurita. Rats were killed on day 10, ileum, cecum, and colon tissues were collected and fixed in 10% formalin solution. HE staining was performed. Intestinal mucosa injuries were graded under light microscope according to the criterion of Chiu's score. The expressions of goblet cells and Paneth cells were observed by PAS stain. Enteroendocrine cells were observed by immunohistochemical CgA staining. Positive cells were counted and cumulative optical density (IOD) analyzed by Image-Pro-Plus 6.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No diarrhea occurred in rats of the normal control group at each time point. The incidence rate of diarrhea was 75.0% (6/8) at 48 h, 100.0% (8/8) at 60 h, 100.0% (8/8) at 72 h, 87.5% (7/8) at 84 h, 75.0% (6/8) at 96 h, and 75.0% (6/8) at 108 h in the CPT-11 group. The incidence rate of diarrhea was 25.0% (2/8) at 48 h, 50.0% (4/8) at 60 h, 12.5% (1/8) at 72 h, 0.0% (0/8) at 84 h in the SXD combined CPT-11 group. Compared with the same group at 60 h, scores for diarrhea at 48, 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the CPT-11 group, and scores for diarrhea at 48, 72, 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the SXD combined CPT-11 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the same group at 72 h, scores for diarrhea at 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the CPT-11 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the normal control group, scores for diarrhea increased in the CPT-11 group at each time point (P < 0.01); grading of ileum, cecum, and colon mucosal tissues increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); expressions of ileum and cecum mucosal epithelial goblet cells obviously decreased (P < 0.05); the number and expressions of ileum and cecum mucosal epithelial Paneth cells increased (P < 0.01). Expressions of ilium endocrine cells increased, while those of cecum and colon endocrine cells decreased in the CPT-11 group (P < 0.01). Compared with the CPT-11 group, scores for diarrhea were obviously lowered (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), grading of ileum, and cecum mucosal tissues decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); expressions of ileum, cecum, and colon mucosal epithelial goblet cells obviously increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the number and expressions of ileum cecum mucosal epithelial Paneth cells increased (P < 0.05); expressions of cecum and colon endocrine cells increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the SXD combined CPT-11 group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SXD played roles in preventing and treating CPT-11 induced delayed diarrhea by improving CPT-11 chemotherapy induced apoptosis and necrosis of intestinal mucosal and functional cells.</p>

Qingre quyu granule stabilizes plaques through inhibiting the expression of tenascin-C in patients with severe carotid stenosis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic effects of Qingre Quyu Granule (QQG) on the patients with severe carotid stenosis, and to explore the mechanism of it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six patients with severe carotid stenosis were enrolled in the study and were classified into a QQG group (n=48) and a control group (n=48) randomly using consecutively numbered envelopes. The patients in the QQG group were given QQG and Western medicine, those in the control group were given Western medicine merely, the course of treatment was 16 weeks. All patients went through endarterectomy after treatment. Plaques were subjected to the analysis of CD3, CD68, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9), CD40L, tenascin-C, and collagen content lipid content by immunohistochemistry or polarized light analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>By the end of experiment, the expressions of CD3, CD68, ICAM-1, MMP9, CD40L and tenascin-C on the plaques were statistically significant lower in the QQG group compared with the control group(P<0.01). The lipid content of the plaque was also significantly lower in the QQG group compared with the control group (P<0.01). The interstitial collagen in the tissue sections of the plaques was also significantly higher in the QQG group in comparison with the control group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QQG could stabilize carotid artery plaques through inhibiting pro-inflammation factors and restraining the tenascin-C and MMP9 pathway.</p>

Effect of two Chinese medicinal compounds, blood-activating and water-draining medicine, on tumor necrosis factor α and nuclear factor κ B expressions in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of blood-activating Chinese medicinal compounds and water-draining Chinese medicinal compounds on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κ B) expressions in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at the acute stage, and to monitor their therapeutic effect and mechanism of action on inflammation and cerebral edema.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A rat model of cerebral hemorrhage was achieved by injecting autologous arterial blood into the caudate nucleus. A total of 168 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: blood-activating medicine group (n=42), water-draining medicine group (n=42), sham operated group (n=42), and the model group (n=42). A series of brain samples were obtained at days 1, 3 and 5 after ICH from rats in all groups. Protein expression levels of TNF-α and NF-κ B were measured by immunohistochemical staining and gene expression levels of TNF-α and NF-κ B were measured by real-time fluorescent PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the sham operated group, protein expression levels of TNF-α and NF-κ B in the model group significantly increased (P<0.01). Protein and gene expressions of TNF-α from the blood-activating medicine group and water-draining medicine group significantly decreased when compared to those in the model group P<0.05). Meanwhile, compared to the model group, the expression of NF-κ B in the blood-activating medicine group significantly decreased (P<0.05), while expression of NF-κ B in the water-draining medicine group did not differ (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Blood-activating Chinese medicinal compounds and water-draining Chinese medicinal compounds can alleviate inflammation of peripheral tissue and cerebral edema. However, the blood-activating Chinese medicinal compounds were more effective than the water-draining Chinese medicinal compounds. The possible effective mechanism may be by means of inhibiting the activation of NF-κ B so as to suppress the transcription of target genes including gene expression of TNF-α.</p>

Effect and mechanisms of wenyang yiqi huoxue recipe on the apoptosis of photoreceptor cells in retinal degeneration slow mice / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Wenyang Yiqi Huoxue Recipe (WYHR) on the apoptosis of photoreceptor cells in retinal degeneration slow (RDS) mice, and to investigate its molecular mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RDS mice were randomly divided into the model group and the Chinese medicine group,and C57BL/6J mice were selected as the normal control group. Each group consisted of 4 female mice and 2 male mice. Mice in the Chinese medicine group were administered with WYHR (10 mg/g) by gastrogavage since mating. Baby mice drunk WYHR decoction instead of drinking water once they were born. The offspring were administrated with low dose WYHR decoction by gastrogavage from the 7th postnatal day, and the dose was increased to that for adult mice from the 21st postnatal day. Physiological saline was administrated to mice in the model group and the normal control group by gastrogavage. At 18, 28 and 48 postnatal days, electroretinogram (ERG) was used to evaluate the retina functional variation, and the apoptotic rate of photoreceptor cells was determined by TUNEL staining. HE staining was performed. The number of photoreceptor cells of the outer nuclear layer was calculated. Furthermore, effect of WYHR on Rhodopsin and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression was examined using immunochemical assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, a- and b-wave latency and amplitude, as well as the bFGF expression sharply increased in the Max-ERG of the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) at 18 postnatal days. At 28 and 48 postnatal days, a- and b-wave latency and amplitude sharply increased, photoreceptor cell layer numbers of the outer nuclear layer obviously increased, the apoptosis rate of retinal photoreceptor cells obviously decreased, expressions of Rhodopsin and bFGF in the Chinese medicine group significantly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WYHR could effectively inhibit the apoptosis of photoreceptor cells in RDS mice, which might be attributed to up-regulating bFGF expression.</p>

Study on function and mechanism of analgesic effects of herbal medicine extraction on bone cancer pain / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To evaluate the analgesic effects of herbal medicine extraction on bone cancer pain of rat models. Methods Rat models of cancer-induced bone pain was established by using the MRMT-1 cell line injected into the tibia. Changes of behavioral signs indicative of pain including 50% paw withdrawal threshold (von Frey tactile sensitivity test)and thermal withdrawal latency were observed. The cellular reorganization of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was measured by histological analysis. Results In the behavioural tests, herbal medicine treatment attenuated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Histological examination showed that herbal medicine inhibited DRG neuronal nuclear and somatic size reduction with nucleolar segregation. Conclusion The herbal medicine extraction was an anti-nociceptive agent in rat models of bone cancer pain.

Effects of Jiannaoan on glucocorticoid receptor in hippocampus neurons of rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The previous experiments have conformed the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Jiannaaan, with the effects of tonifying kidney, promoting blood circulation and resolving phlegm, can inhibit the increased content of glucocorticoid (GC) in 2-24 hours after cerebral ischemic reperfusion (CIR), and reduce toxic effects of promoting nervous cell apoptosis induced by high GC. However, it is unclear whether this effect exists in GC receptor (GR).OBJECTIVE: To observe the intervention of TCM Jiannaoan on GR,further study protective mechanism of Jiannaoan power to hippocampal neurons after CIR, and perform positive control with compound almitrine.DESIGN: A randomized and controlled trial taken animals as subjects.SETTING: Center Laboratory of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted at the Center Laboratory of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between July 2002 and March 2003. Eighty male SD rats were randomized into 5 groups with 16 in each: Sham group, model group, treatment group, positive control group and antagonist group. And each group was divided into 4 subgroups: 2, 6,12 and 24 hours after CIR, with 4 rats at every time point.METHODS:①Administration: Except model group, rats in other 4 groups were administrated by intragastric infusion since 7 days before model establishment, once per day, with dose of 7 μL/g per day distilled water in sham group, 7.39 mg/kg per day compound almitrine in positive control group, 6.7 g/kg per day Jiannaoan crude drug (consisted of desertliving cistanche herb, tatarinowii sweetflag rhizome and rhubarb, etc) in treatment group and 10 g/kg per day GR antagonist mifepristone in antagonist group.② After 7-day administration, the CIR models were prepared on the experimental rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) filament method, while the rats in sham group were sutured after common carotid artery detachment at anesthesia, without filament.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All the rats were executed to take out brains at different time points of reperfusion, and the change of GR protein expression was observed with immunohistochemical method then the amount of positive cells were calculated in 3×200 sight of CA2 region.RESULTS: Totally 80 rats were entered into the result analysis. Compared with uninjured side, the protein expression of GR in model group,treatment group, positive control group and antagonist group were significantly lower than that of sham group (P ＜ 0.05), in which GR expression of injured side was equal to that of uninjured side without significant difference. No obvious change was found in the protein expression of GR among treatment group, positive group and antagonist group at different time points of reperfusion, and no significant difference was found between above groups and model group (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Jiannaoan power is selective for adjusting GR and content of GC: Jiannaoan can not adjust expression of GR, identical as compound almitrine; But Jiannaoan can protect the neurons through decreasing the content of GC in plasm and brain tissues after CIR.

Effects of Sangu Decoction on OPG-RANKL-RANK pPathway in rat model of metastatic carcinoma / 中华中医药杂志

Objective:To evaluate the anti-metastatic and bone preserving therapeutic effects of herbal medicine extraction on rat model of bone metastatic carcinoma.Methods:A rat model of cancer-induced bone pain using the MRMT-1 cell line injected into the tibia was established to investigate the efficacy of the herbal medicine extraction,on osteoclast activity and bone mineral density.The development of the bone tumor and structural damage to the bone was monitored by radiological analysis.Specimens of the tibial bone were processed for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)stain to observe the bone pathological changes and count TRAP stained osteoclasts.OPG and RANKL expression was evaluated by immunohistological methord.Results:Histological and radiological examination showed that the herbal medicine extraction significantly inhibited tumor proliferation and preserved the cortical and trabecular bone structure.In addition,a dramatic reduction of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase-positive polykaryocytes(osteoclasts)and increase of OPG expression were observed.Conclusions:The herbal medicine extraction was an anti-metastatic and bone preserving therapeutic effects in a rat model of metastatic cancer pain.

Effect of Kaiyuqingwei Decoction on Expression of Insulin Receptor and Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 in Islets of Type 2 Diabetic Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine compound (Kaiyuqingwei Decoction) improving islet cells function of type 2 diabetes. Methods The models of type 2 diabetic rats were established by feeding with high-fat-diet and injecting low dosage of streptozotocin (15 mg/kg BW). Rats were randomly divided into model group, Kaiyuqingwei group, and Rosiglitazone group and normal control was established, at the same time, fasting and post-glucose loading 2 hours blood glucose, serum fructosamine and basal insulin were determined. Euglycemic hyperinsulin clamp technique was adopted to evaluate insulin sensitivity of periphery tissues, and intravenous glucose tolerance test to evaluate islets function. Adopting immunohistochemistry stain (EnVision) and computer image analysis technique to determine the expression of insulin, insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 in islets. Results There were insulin resistance, dysfunction of islet cells and obvious increase of blood glusose in model rats. All these could be improved by Kaiyuqingwei Decoction and Rosiglitazone. Meanwhile, immunohistochemistry stain of islets demonstrated that Kaiyuqingwei Decoction could increase expression of IRc and IRS-1. Conclusion Kaiyuqingwei Decoction have a certain positive role in improving glucose metabolism of type 2 diabetic rats. The mechanism include two aspects, one is elevation of insulin sensitivity, another is amelioration of dysfunction of islet cells. One of the important mechanisms of amelioration of dysfunction in islet cells is amelioration of insulin signal transduction in pancreatic islets.