Research progress of the regulation effect of traditional Chinese medicine monomer of flavonoids on the pulmonary fibrosis signaling pathway / 中国药房

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic， progressive and irreversible interstitial lung disease. At present， there is no specific drug for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis， and many TCM monomers have potential therapeutic value for pulmonary fibrosis， among which flavonoids are the main representative. For example， total flavones of Astragalus memeranaceus and scutellarin can reduce inflammatory cell infiltration， lung injury and extracellular matrix （ECM） deposition by interfering with transforming growth factor-β1/drosophila MAD protein signaling pathway. Total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge and salidroside can inhibit lung inflammation by mediating JAK/signal transduction and transcriptional activator signaling pathway， and prevent the epithelial interstitial transition （EMT） process. Quercetin and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract can reduce the apoptosis of macrophages by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway and play an anti-pulmonary fibrosis role. Urushetin and proanthocyanidins can promote the morphological recovery of myofibroblasts and reduce ECM deposition through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target protein of rapamycin signaling pathway. Naringin and luteolin can inhibit scorch death of macrophage and inflammation response， and improve lung function and lung tissue injury through NOD-like receptor heat protein domain related protein 3 signaling pathway. The ethanol extract of Phyllanthus emblica and calycosin can improve the inflammatory injury and fibrosis of lung tissue by activating the signaling pathway of nuclear transcription factor erythro2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element. Isogliquiritin can inhibit the phenotypic transformation of epithelial cells and reverse EMT progression by inhibiting extracellular signal-regulating kinase signaling pathway. In the future， scholars should consider developing appropriate drug carriers to improve their bioavailability and further study drug targets and pathways， to provide evidence for the development of traditional Chinese medicine monomers of flavonoids into clinical practice.

[Research progress on antitumor activity of quercetin derivatives].

Quercetin is a kind of typical flavonoid, mainly found in various vegetables, fruits and Chinese herbs that are consumed daily, with the functions of anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Quercetin is a natural compound with defined anti-tumor activity. Due to its low bioavailability and poor water solubility, quercetin has limitations in clinical application. The quercetin derivatives with good solubility, high bioavailability, metabolic stability, and low toxicity have been obtained through modification of quercetin structure. In recent years, a large number of quercetin ethers, esters, complexes, C-4 carbonyloxy substituted derivatives, A,B-ring modified compounds and other derivatives have been synthesized and tested for in vitro anticancer activity. The quercetin derivatives with anti-tumor activity synthesized in the last 5 years were reviewed in this paper.

Effect of acupuncture on the expressions of TNF-α and IFN-γ in patients with premature ovarian failure / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical effect of acupuncture and the potential effect mechanism in patients with premature ovarian failure.@*METHODS@#A total of 104 patients with premature ovarian failure were randomized into an acupuncture group and a western medication group, 52 cases in each one. In the western medication group, the conjugated estrogens tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 0.625 mg each time, once a day, consecutively for 21 days. On the 16th day of medication with conjugated estrogens tablets, the oral administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets were supplemented, 10 mg each time, once a day, consecutively for 5 days, and then, these two kinds of western medication were discontinued for 1 week. A total of 3 cycles were required in treatment with 28 days as an artificial cycle. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied. Two groups of acupoints were selected. The first group of acupoints were stimulated before ovulation and the acupoints were Guanyuan (CV 4), Guilai (ST 29), Taichong (LR 3), Taixi (KI 3), Xuehai (SP 10), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Shuidao (ST 28), Dahe (KI 12) and Tianshu (ST 25). The second group of acupoints were stimulated after ovulation and the acupoints included Ciliao (BL 32), Shiqizhui (EX-B 8), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Geshu (BL 17) and Pishu (BL 20). The therapeutic effect was observed and compared in the patients between the two groups, as well as the expressions of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicule stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E) before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate was 90.4% (47/52) in the acupuncture group, higher than 67.3% (35/62) in the western medication group (<0.05). After treatment, the expressions of IFN-γ and TNF-α in the acupuncture group were obviously lower than the western medication group (<0.05). Except for serum LH after treatment, at the end of treatment and in 30 days and 90 days after treatment, the levels of serum E in the acupuncture group were higher obviously than the western medication group and the levels of serum LH and FSH were lower obviously than the western medication group (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture promotes the regular menstruation, effectively regulates the levels of serum LH, FSH and E and improves the pituitary gland and the ovary endocrine in the patients with premature ovarian failure. Such effect may be related to the the improvements in the expressions of IFN-γ and TNF-α, the inhibition of the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells, the recovery of ovarian function and the enhancement of reserve capacity.

Effects of electroacupuncture on expression of calmodulin in the hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on injured neurons and the signal transduction mechanism of calmodulin (CaM) in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 25 SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, an EA. group, a TFP group and an EA+TFP group. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established by the modified Longa thread occlusion method. The EA group was treated with EA at "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Baihui" (GV 20) for 30 minutes. The TFP group was treated with lumbar intrathecal injection of Trinuoperazine (TFP) at a dose of 40 microL/kg, the inhibitor of CaM. The EA + TFP group was treated with EA combined with TFP, and the sham-operation group and the model group without any treatment. The neurology deficit score was evaluated by the Julio's neuroethology score methods in all rats, and the expression of CaM in cerebral hippocampus tissue was detected with immunohistochemical method in different intervention condition.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) In comparison with the model group of 6.90 +/- 1.66, the neuroethology score in the EA group of 14.50 +/- 1.08, the TFP group of 11.70 +/- 1.06 and the EA + TFP group of 14.30 +/- 1.06 were all significantly increased (all P < 0.01), while those still were all lower than the sham group of 17.60 +/- 0.52 (all P < 0.01), and the EA group was better than the TFP group (P < 0.01). (2) In comparison with the sham group of 0.080 +/- 0.045, the immune positive expression score of CaM protein in hippocampus in the model group of 1.680 +/- 0.268 was sig nificantly increased (P < 0.01). In comparison with the model group, the expression score of CaM protein in the EA group of 0.880 +/- 0.179, the TFP group of 0.720 +/- 0.179 and the EA + TFP group of 0.420 +/- 0.249 were all significantly reduced (all P < 0.01), and the expression score of CaM in the EA + TFP group was lower than that in the TFP group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA can reduce the injury of cerebral neurons induced by CIRI in rats and promote the recovery, which may be related to its effect in regulating CaM signaling pathway after the ischemia-reperfusion injury.</p>

Effects of zhiling capsule on the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction in human small cell lung cancer cell line NCI-H446 / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Zhiling Capsule (ZLC) on the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction in human small cell lung cancer cell line NCI-H446.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the different components of ZLC, NCI-H446 cells were treated with traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine and ZLC compound groups. The rates of cell viability and colony formation were observed by MTT assay and colony formation assay respectively. Cell cycle assay, Bcl-2 protein expression, chondrial transmembrane potential and Caspase-3 activity were detected by flow cytometer. Apoptotic cells were detected by DNA fragmentation assay, Annexin-V FITC staining and TUNEL labeling methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After NCI-H446 cells were treated with various concentrations of drug groups, cell growth was significantly inhibited in a dose dependent manner. Cell colony formation was obviously lowered in the same way. The levels of chondrial transmembrane potential and Bcl-2 protein expression were decreased, while the levels of Caspase-3 activity were increased after the treatment. Typical DNA ladder were seen from gel electrophoresis, and apparent apoptotic peaks were observed by flow cytometer. Apoptosis occured in the early and late stage was identified by Annexin-V FITC staining and TUNEL labeling methods respectively. The ZLC compound group has stronger apoptosis induction than the other groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ZLC could efficiently inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in NCI-H446 cells, which may be related with the down-regulation of chondrial transmembrane potential and Bcl-2 protein expression and the up-regulation of Caspase-3 activity.</p>

Observation on effects of Zhiling Capsule in treating 400 patients with various types of cancer in mid-ad-vanced stage / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of Zhiling Capsule (ZLC) in improving symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in patients with various types of cancer in mid-advanced stage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A multi-centre randomized and controlled trial was conducted. Four hundred patients with mid-advanced cancer were assigned to two groups: the treatment group (300 cases) treated with ZLC and the control group (100 cases) with Pingxiao Capsule (PXC), both were given orally for two weeks. Clinical symptoms, QOL, weight and adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Improving rate of symptom, increasing rates of QOL and weight in the treatment group were all higher than those in the control group (P<0.05); and no obvious adverse reaction was observed in the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ZLC could alleviate the qi-yin deficiency syndrome and pain syndrome and improve QOL in patients with various types of cancer in mid-advanced stage.</p>

Observation on the effect of zhiling capsule in treating patients with lung cancer of middle/advanced stage / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect and safety of Zhiling Capsule (ZC) in treating lung cancer of middle/advanced stage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With the multi-center, randomized, double-blinded and parallel controlled method, the patients were divided into 4 groups, the 104 patients in the group A were treated with the whole recipe of ZC, the 52 in the group B with the disassembled recipe 1 (Western medicines) of ZC, the 46 in the group C with the disassembled recipe 2 (Chinese medicines) of ZC, and the 48 in the control group with Pingxiao Capsule, all the drugs were administered orally for 2 weeks. The changes of syndrome of qi-yin deficiency, symptoms, quality of life (QOL), body weight and adverse reactions occurred in patients were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate in alleviating syndrome in the groups A-D was 91.3%, 80.8%, 37.0% and 14.6% respectively; in remitting stuffiness and chest pain 86.9% , 60.5%, 20.0% and 10.0%; in improving appetite was 80.4%, 47.9%, 23.7% and 10.3%. QOL in the groups A-C was significantly elevated after treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the improvement of group A was superior to that of other treatments (P < 0.01). Body weight in the group A was significantly increased and superior to that of others (P < 0.05). The whole recipe of ZC showed the therapeutic effect superior to that of the other treatments (P < 0.05). No obvious adverse reaction was found in all the 4 groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ZC can improve the symptoms and QOL in patients with lung cancer of middle/advanced stage.</p>

Detection of Insoluble Particles in 6 Traditional Chinese Medicine Injections / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To detect the insoluble particles in six kinds of traditional Chinese medicine injections. METHODS: The insoluble particles in six kinds of traditional Chinese medicine injections were detected by light blockage method specified in China Pharmacopeia (2005 edition). RESULTS: Insoluble particles of different size and number were noted in all the 6 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine injections. CONCLUSION:It is necessary to tighten control on the quality of traditional Chinese medicine injections and attach great importance to the monitoring of insoluble particles in drug use.

Reproduction of a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis with anemia and the effect of thalidomide on hemoglobin of these rats / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To reproduce a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis with anemia,and to probe the effects of thalidomide on hemoglobin of these rats.Methods 128 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:Ⅰ(normal control group,n=24),Ⅱ(model group,n=26),Ⅲ(model group with high dosage of thalidomide,n=26,200mg?kg-1?d-1),Ⅳ(model group with low dosage of thalidomide,n=26,100 mg?kg-1?d-1)andⅤ(model group with methotrexate(MTX),n=26,2.7mg?kg-1?w-1).Every group was divided into 6 sub-groups(14,21,28,35,42 and 60d)according to different time points.The rat models with collagen-induced arthritis and anemia were reproduced by multiple subcutaneous injections at intervals of emulsion of collagen Ⅱ and Freund's complete adjuvant.Different kinds of treatment were given to the rats of different groups beginning on the 12th day after the first injection.The levels of hemoglobin in rats of group Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ and Ⅴ were determined,and serological characteristics,morphologic changes,and serum iron content,total iron binding capacity,and pathological changes in bone marrow in rats of group Ⅰ and Ⅱ were observed.Results On the 28th day after the first injection,anemia appeared in rats of group Ⅱ,in which the hemoglobin level was lower significantly compared with that of group Ⅰ(P