Extraction, structure, pharmacological activity, and structural modification of Lilium polysaccharides.

Polysaccharides primarily composed of glucose, arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, and galactose are pharmacologically active ingredients in Lilium. The pharmacological activities shown by polysaccharides from Lilium include antioxidant, anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, bacteriostatic, and radiation protection effects. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the distribution of Lilium medicinal resources in China, current extraction and purification methods of Lilium polysaccharide (LP), the strategies used for analyzing the polysaccharide structure and monosaccharide composition in LP, and the pharmacological activities and structural modification of LP. This review provides a basis for the development and clinical application of LP along with the conservation and utilization of Lilium resources.

Long-term follow-up for pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction patients in China.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction (PIPO) is a heterogeneous and severe group of disorders with a high mortality rate. Patients with PIPO often develop malnutrition and need long-term nutrition support. This study aimed to determine the nutrition status, particularly micronutrients, during the long-term follow-up of patients with PIPO. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with PIPO were followed up for at least 6 months between January 2008 and December 2020 in our hospital. PIPO was diagnosed based on the European society for pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition consensus. Data on clinical characteristics, medical and surgical management, nutrition support, serum vitamins, and mineral concentrations were collected. The patients were divided into the early-onset PIPO (EO-PIPO; neonatal-onset) and late-onset PIPO (LO-PIPO; infant- or child-onset) groups. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 29.5 months (6-153 months). The overall survival rate was 63.8% (37 out of 58 participants) (EO-PIPO, 48.6% [17 out of 35 participants]; LO-PIPO, 87.0% [20 out of 23 participants]). Mortality in the EO-PIPO group was higher than in the LO-PIPO group (P = 0.002). Twenty-one patients died, of which 18 (85.7%) patients had EO-PIPO and 14 (66.7%) patients died under 1 year of age. Infection was the major cause of death. Severe malnutrition was observed at baseline and during follow-up in 25 (43.1%) and 6 (16.2%) patients, respectively. At baseline and during follow-up, the zinc deficiency rates were 29.6% and 26.3%, and those of vitamin D were 26.9% and 52.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc and vitamin D deficiencies are common in patients with PIPO during follow-up. Therefore, additional supplements should be recommended.

A moderate dosage of coffee causes acute retinal capillary perfusion decrease in healthy young individuals.

AIM: Caffeinated beverages are very popular across populations and cultures, but quantitative evidence of the acute effects of moderate coffee doses on retinal perfusion is sparse and contradicting. Thus, the aim of this randomized, cross-over and parallel-group design study was to investigate whether moderate consumption of coffee alters macular retinal capillary perfusion in young healthy individuals. METHODS: Twenty-seven young healthy individuals were recruited for this study. Acute changes in retinal microvasculature were assessed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography (SD-OCTA) at baseline, 0.5 h, and 2 h after intake of coffee, or water. Meanwhile, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and retina-choroid blood flow were evaluated in a parallel-group design (4 participants each in coffee or water group) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling sequences. RESULTS: Two hours after coffee intake, blood caffeine concentration increased from 0 to 5.05 ± 1.36 µg/mL. Coffee caused a significant decrease in retinal vessel diameter index (VDI) (19.05 ± 0.24 versus [vs] 19.13 ± 0.26; p < 0.001) and CBF in the frontal lobe (77.47 ± 15.21 mL/100 mL/min vs. 84.13 ± 15.55 mL/100 mL/min; p < 0.05) 2 h after intake. However, it significantly increased retina-choroid blood flow after 0.5 and 2 h (163.18 ± 61.07 mL/100 mL/min vs. 132.68 ± 70.47 mL/100 mL/min, p < 0.001, and 161.21 ± 47.95 vs. 132.68 ± 70.47; p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to demonstrate the acute effects of daily dose coffee consumption on retinal capillary perfusion using SD-OCTA combinate with blood flow MRI. The findings imply that although moderate coffee intake caused a significant increase in retina-choroid blood flow, there was a significant acute decrease both in macular retinal capillary perfusion and CBF.

Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia in children: Twelve years of experience in the diagnosis and management.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary Intestinal Lymphangiectasia (PIL) is a rare congenital and digestive disease, which could present through a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, diagnostic and treatment management. The aim of this study was to introduce the diagnosis and nutrition treatment of children with PIL through the twelve years of experience. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The patients diagnosed with PIL admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition in Xinhua Hospital from June 2006 to September 2017 were included in the study. RESULTS: Ten patients were found to have PIL, and 5 of them were male. The mean age was 66 months at the time of diagnosis and 11 months at onset. The main clinical manifestations were diarrhea, edemas and abdominal distention. Marked dilatation of the intestinal lymphatic vessels was the characteristic of the endoscopic. All the patients presented with hypoproteinemia and hypoimmunoglobulinia. Six of them were treated with parenteral nutrition, and 9 of them were treated with a low-long-chain triglycerides (LCT), high-protein diet supplemented with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). The clinical symptoms of the patients have improved after the MCT diet therapy. CONCLUSIONS: PIL should be considered first when there are clinical manifestations of chronic diarrhea, edema and abdominal distention, and biochemical results indicated the hypoproteinemia and hypoimmunoglobulinia, and the general treatment is invalid. Gastroscopy and E-colonoscopy with biopsies are the preferred method of diagnosis. Diet intervention (MCT diet) is the cornerstone and longtime medical treatment, which can improve the nutritional status and promote the survival quality of patients with PIL.

De Novo Biosynthesis of Polydatin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Polydatin, with better structural stability and biological activities than resveratrol, is mainly extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Polygonum cuspidatum. In this study, based on the transcriptome analysis of P. cuspidatum, we identified the key glycosyltransferase of resveratrol and achieved the biosynthesis of polydatin from glucose by incorporation with the resveratrol biosynthesis module, UDP-glucose supply module, and glycosyltransferase expression module. Through metabolic engineering and fermentation optimization, the production of polydatin reached 545 mg/L, and the dry cell weight was 27.83 mg/g DCW, which was about twice that of extracted from the P. cuspidatum root (11.404 mg/g DCW). Therefore, it is possible to replace the production mode of polydatin from plant extraction to microbial chassis in the future.

Micronutrient deficiencies in pediatric short bowel syndrome: a 10-year review from an intestinal rehabilitation center in China.

PURPOSE: Vitamins and trace elements are essential nutrients for growth and intestinal adaptation in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS). This study aimed to assess micronutrients' status during and after weaning off PN in pediatric SBS. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the follow-up of 31 children with SBS between Jan 2010 and Sep 2019. Clinical data were reviewed from the patients' electric medical record. Serum electrolytes, trace elements, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and folate concentrations were collected before and after enteral autonomy. RESULTS: Thirty-one SBS cases were reviewed (median onset age 11 days after birth, 51.6% boys, mean PN duration 4 months, and mean residual small intestine length 58.2 cm). Median duration of follow-up was 10 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 4, 19). The common micronutrient deficiencies were zinc (51.6%), copper (38.7%), vitamin D (32.3%), and phosphorus (25.8%) after the transition to EN. The proportion of patients deficient in vitamin D decreased dramatically from 93.5% to 32.3% (P < 0.001), and serum concentrations of vitamin D increased significantly (27.4 ± 12.3 vs. 60.3 ± 32.9 nmol/l, P = 0.03) after achieving full enteral feeding more than 1 month. Additionally, serum magnesium levels significantly increased (0.76 ± 0.17 vs. 0.88 ± 0.14 mmol/l, P = 0.03). Hemoglobin levels elevated significantly after weaning off PN (104.3 ± 10.7 vs. 117.8 ± 13.7 g/l, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Micronutrient deficiencies remain a common problem in pediatric SBS through intestinal rehabilitation. Therefore, we strongly recommend supplementation of more vitamin D and trace elements (zinc, copper, and phosphorus) under regular monitoring during long-term intestinal rehabilitation.

[Clinical observation on electroacupuncture combined with moxibustion for treatment of urinary incontinence after stroke due to deficiency of kidney-yang].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture combined with moxibustion in the treatment of urinary incontinence after stroke due to deficiency of kidney-yang. METHODS: Sixty patients with urinary incontinence after stroke due to kidney-yang deficiency were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group，with 30 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given oral administration of Jingui Shenqi pills and Suoquan capsules. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the patients in the observation group were given electroacupuncture treatment at the Foot Motor sensory Area on the head, Shenshu(BL23) and Huiyang(BL35), together with moxibustion at Guanyuan(CV4) and Qihai(CV6) once daily. The treatment was conducted 6 times per week and for 2 successive weeks. The average number of daily urinary incontinence and night urinary incontinence, maximum bladder volume, residual bladder urine volume, degree of urinary incontinence and clinical symptoms score of the two groups before and after treatment were observed. And the clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: After the treatment, compared with those before the treatment, the average numbers of daily and night urinary incontinence of the two groups were significantly reduced (P<0.01), the maximum bladder volume was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the residual urine volume of the bladder was significantly reduced (P<0.05). The number of cases with urinary incontinence degree Ⅰ and Ⅱ increased (P<0.05), and the score of clinical symptoms of urinary incontinence was significantly reduced (P<0.05). After the treatment, compared with the control group, the number of daily and night urinary incontinence in the observation group decreased (P<0.05), the maximum bladder volume increased (P<0.05), the residual bladder urine volume decreased (P<0.05), and the number of cases with urinary incontinence degree Ⅰ and Ⅱ increased (P<0.05), the clinical symptom score of urinary incontinence was significantly reduced (P<0.05). The total effective rates of the control group and the observation group were 73.3% (22/30) and 93.3% (28/30) respectively, and the effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of electroacupuncture, moxibustion and traditional Chinese medicine is effective in treating urinary incontinence after stroke due to deficiency of kidney-yang.

Simultaneous identification of the three active constituents in Lung-Ventilating-Regulating Oral Liquid by RP-HPLC.

The study aimed to develop a HPLC method for ephedrine, hesperidin, and baicalin in Lung-Ventilating-Regulating Oral Liquid. The three active constituents were identified in an Agilent TC-C18 (2) chromatographic column (250mm × 4.6mm, 5µm), with 0.2% phosphoric acid solution - methyl cyanides as mobile phase, which was performed at a gradient elution column temperature of 25oC and a flow rate of 0.8 mL•min-1. Then the eluate was detected at detection wavelengths of 207 nm (for ephedrine) and 278 nm (for hesperidin and baicalin). Under the chromatographic conditions, ephedrine, hesperidin, and baicalin were well separated, which showed good linear relationships at 0.158-2.370, 0.164-4.100 and 0.160-4.000µg, respectively. The coefficients of recovery of these three kinds of samples showed 100.2%, 98.7% and 97.8%, respectively. The developed method is convenient, accurate and well repeatable, and consequently can be applied for the quality control of Lung-Ventilating-Regulating Oral Liquid.

Effect of a fish oil-based lipid emulsion on intestinal failure-associated liver disease in children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a fish oil-based lipid emulsion on intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) in children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: From January 2014 through June 2017, we enrolled 32 children with IF on long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). When the levels of any three of seven liver indicators (TBA, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), total bilirubin (TB), or direct bilirubin (DB)) were two times higher than normal levels, we switched a 50:50 mix of soybean oil and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) lipid emulsion (with an average dose of 1.30 g/kg/day) to a fish oil-based lipid emulsion (1 g/kg/day) and measured liver function in the children. Meanwhile, inflammation and oxidative stress-related markers were also measured. RESULTS: The average fish oil therapy duration was 26 ± 21 days, and the median duration of PN support was 84 days. With fish oil therapy, levels of TBA, ALT, AST, γ-GT, TB, and DB all significantly decreased. Enteral nutrition was introduced following fish oil resulting in higher energy intake (99.88 ± 31.06 kcal/kg/day) compared with before fish oil (67.90 ± 27.31 kcal/kg/day, P = 0.001). No significant difference was found in average PN energy (P = 0.147). In addition, levels of inflammatory indicators like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Fish oil therapy alleviates IFALD in children.

Three new sesquiterpenes from Pterocarpus santalinus.

Three new sesquiterpenes of canusesnol K (1), canusesnol L (2) and 12, 15-dihydroxycurcumene (3), along with five known ones (4-8), were isolated from the heartwood extract of Pterocarpus santalinus. Their structures were established by extensive analyses of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY, and HRESI-MS. The absolute configurations of the new compounds were established with Modified Mosher's method. The cytotoxic activities of all these compounds against HepG2 (human liver cancer), MCF-7 (human breast cancer), MDA-MB-231 (human breast cancer), and Hela (human cervical carcinoma) cancer cell lines were evaluated. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity toward MDA-MB-231 cell lines.

[Intestinal absorption and metabolism of Puerariae Lobatae Radix decoction by in situ closed-loop method].

Biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica (CMMBCS) emphasizes characteristic of the multi-component environment based on the drug solubility and permeability. In this study, the in situ closed-loop method combined with LC-MS technique was utilized to study the intestinal absorption and metabolism of Puerariae Lobatae Radix decoction (PLRD), providing selection basis for intestinal permeability components in CMMBCS. A total of 36 components were identified from PLRD. Among them, 17 components could be detected in the plasma sample, indicating that 17 components could be absorbed into blood, so these 17 components could be used as intestinal permeability evaluation components in CMMBCS. The other 19 components were not detected in the plasma sample, suggesting that they may not be absorbed or metabolized by the gut wall enzymes.

Alternative Response Criteria and Clinical Risk Factors for Assessing Tumor Response in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Who Are Receiving Salvage Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare the prognostic value of various solid tumor response criteria as well as the additive value of clinical risk factors in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two sets of CT scans (pretreatment scans and scans obtained 1-3.5 months after treatment) were reviewed for 57 patients with metastatic RCC treated with pazopanib in the salvage setting. Tumor response on the posttherapy scan was evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and Choi, modified Choi (mChoi), MASS (Morphology, Attenuation, Size, and Structure), and 10% threshold criteria. In addition, combined Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) risk factors plus imaging criteria were used to define response groups. Response evaluations using these criteria were correlated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), with use of the log-rank test. RESULTS: Patients classified as having progressive disease (PD) on the basis of RECIST, mChoi, and MASS criteria had a significantly worse OS than patients with stable disease (SD) and partial response (PR). With the addition of MSKCC risk factors, all groups with PD defined by combined criteria had significantly worse OS. For 37 patients with no or one MSKCC risk factor, response groups defined by Choi, mChoi, MASS, and 10% threshold criteria did not differ in PFS or OS. However, among 20 patients with two to three MSKCC risk factors, those classified as having PR had longer PFS than did those with SD and had longer OS than did those with PD. CONCLUSION: For patients with advanced RCC for which prior therapies have failed, the prognostic value of various imaging-based tumor response criteria differs on the basis of the MSKCC clinical risk status.

Identification of the Major Components of Buddleja officinalis Extract and Their Metabolites in Rat Urine by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap.

Buddleja officinalis Maxim, one of the most popular herbal medicines in China, is widely prescribed for curing eye diseases for centuries. In this study, the major components of B. officinalis extract (BOE) and their metabolites in rat urine were detected and identified by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap). A total of 19 compounds, including 8 flavonoids and 11 phenylethanoid glycosides, were confirmed or tentatively identified from BOE. In vivo, 33 components, including 3 prototypes and 30 metabolies, were confirmed or tentatively identified in rat urine samples. The metabolic pathways of different types of compounds were also proposed. This study would effectively narrow the range of potentially bioactive constituents of BOE and shed light to its action mechanism.

Analysis of Chuanxiong Rhizoma and its active components by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy combined with two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy.

As complicated mixture systems, active components of Chuanxiong Rhizoma are very difficult to identify and discriminate. In this paper, the macroscopic IR fingerprint method including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), the second derivative infrared spectroscopy (SD-IR) and two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy (2DCOS-IR), was applied to study and identify Chuanxiong raw materials and its different segmented production of HPD-100 macroporous resin. Chuanxiong Rhizoma is rich in sucrose. In the FT-IR spectra, water eluate is more similar to sucrose than the powder and the decoction. Their second derivative spectra amplified the differences and revealed the potentially characteristic IR absorption bands and combined with the correlation coefficient, concluding that 50% ethanol eluate had more ligustilide than other eluates. Finally, it can be found from 2DCOS-IR spectra that proteins were extracted by ethanol from Chuanxiong decoction by HPD-100 macroporous resin. It was demonstrated that the above three-step infrared spectroscopy could be applicable for quick, non-destructive and effective analysis and identification of very complicated and similar mixture systems of traditional Chinese medicines.

Effect of an Olive Oil-Based Lipid Emulsion Compared With a Soybean Oil-Based Lipid Emulsion on Liver Chemistry and Bile Acid Composition in Preterm Infants Receiving Parenteral Nutrition: A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of parenteral nutrition (PN)-associated liver dysfunction is multifactorial. Lipid emulsions may be one of the putative mechanisms. Our aim was to comparatively assess the effect of parenteral olive oil- and soybean oil-based lipid emulsions on liver chemistry and bile acid composition in preterm infants. METHODS: We performed a double-blind, randomized clinical study in which 103 preterm infants were randomly assigned to PN using either soybean oil-based lipid emulsion (SO; n = 51) or olive oil (OO)-based lipid emulsion (OO; n = 52). The primary end point was liver chemistry. The secondary end point was the plasma bile acid composition. RESULTS: One hundred infants completed this study. In the SO group, the serum direct bilirubin was significantly higher after PN for 7 days compared with the OO group. Bile acids increased over time in both treatment groups. However, specific differences in the change in bile acid composition over time were noted between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in direct bilirubin and bile acid composition were observed over time between the 2 groups. Considering the long-term use of lipid emulsions in higher risk babies, these findings might be useful for understanding the pathogenesis of PN-associated liver dysfunction.

The effects of different lipid emulsions on the lipid profile, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant capacity of preterm infants: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Olive oil (OO), medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)/long-chain triglycerides (LCT) mixture and soybean oil (SO) lipid emulsions are currently used for preterm infants in China. The aim of our study was to compare the lipid profile, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant capacity of preterm infants administered OO, MCT/LCT, or SO lipid emulsions. METHODS: In this study, 156 preterm infants (birth weight < 2000 g and gestational age < 37 weeks) received parenteral nutrition (PN) containing OO, MCT/LCT, or SO lipid emulsions for a minimum of 14 d. On days 0, 7, and 14, the lipid profile, fatty acid composition and antioxidant capacity were analyzed. RESULTS: On day 7, HDL levels in the MCT/LCT group were significantly lower than in the OO (1.06 ± 0.40 mmol/L) or SO groups. LDL levels were higher in the OO group than in the MCT/LCT or SO groups on day 7. A-I/B was higher in MCT/LCT than in OO or SO groups. Myristic acid (C14:0) levels on days 7 and 14 increased in MCT/LCT compared to the OO and SO groups. The OO group had higher oleic acid (C18:1n9) levels than the two other groups. Linoleic acid (C18:2n6), linolenic acid (C18:3n3), and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3) were significantly lower in the OO group than in MCT/LCT or SO groups. Monounsaturated fatty acid levels decreased, and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid and essential fatty acids levels increased in MCT/LCT and SO groups. No significant differences were obtained in SOD, MDA, GSH-Px, and T-AOC among the groups. CONCLUSION: The three lipid emulsions were safe and well tolerated in preterm infants. Oleic acid (C18:1n9) levels increased and LA (C18:2n6), ALA (C18:3n3), and EPA (C20:5n23) levels decreased in OO compared to MCT/LCT or SO. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01683162, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/.

Reducing iron in the brain: a novel pharmacologic mechanism of huperzine A in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Huperzine A (HupA), a natural inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase derived from a plant, is a licensed anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) drug in China and a nutraceutical in the United States. In addition to acting as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, HupA possesses neuroprotective properties. However, the relevant mechanism is unknown. Here, we showed that the neuroprotective effect of HupA was derived from a novel action on brain iron regulation. HupA treatment reduced insoluble and soluble beta amyloid levels, ameliorated amyloid plaques formation, and hyperphosphorylated tau in the cortex and hippocampus of APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic AD mice. Also, HupA decreased beta amyloid oligomers and amyloid precursor protein levels, and increased A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease Domain 10 (ADAM10) expression in these treated AD mice. However, these beneficial effects of HupA were largely abolished by feeding the animals with a high iron diet. In parallel, we found that HupA decreased iron content in the brain and demonstrated that HupA also has a role to reduce the expression of transferrin-receptor 1 as well as the transferrin-bound iron uptake in cultured neurons. The findings implied that reducing iron in the brain is a novel mechanism of HupA in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Metabolic Signatures of Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome and Protective Effects of Two Herbal Extracts in Rats Using GC/TOF MS.

Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome (KDS-Yang), a typical condition in Chinese medicine, shares similar clinical signs of the glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome. To date, the underlying mechanism of KDS-Yang has been remained unclear, especially at the metabolic level. In this study, we report a metabolomic profiling study on a classical model of KDS-Yang in rats induced by hydrocortisone injection to characterize the metabolic transformation using gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. WKY1, a polysaccharide extract from Astragalus membranaceus and Lycium barbarum, and WKY2, an aqueous extract from a similar formula containing Astragalus membranaceus, Lycium barbarum, Morinda officinalis, Taraxacum mongolicum, and Cinnamomum cassia presl, were used separately for protective treatments of KDS-Yang. The changes of serum metabolic profiles indicated that significant alterations of key metabolic pathways in response to abrupt hydrocortisone perturbation, including decreased energy metabolism (lactic acid, acetylcarnitine), lipid metabolism (free fatty acids, 1-monolinoleoylglycerol, and cholesterol), gut microbiota metabolism (indole-3-propionic acid), biosynthesis of catecholamine (norepinephrine), and elevated alanine metabolism, were attenuated or normalized with different degrees by the pretreatment of WKY1 or WKY2, which is consistent with the observations in which the two herbal agents could ameliorate biochemical markers of serum cortisone, adrenocorticotropic (ACTH), and urine 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS).

[Therapeutic effects of Fuzhenghuayu decoction in a CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis rat model and on hepatic stellate cell activation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of Fuzhenghuayu decoction on fibrotic liver tissue and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) using a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver cirrhosis rat model system. METHODS: Sixty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following groups: normal (non-model, non-drug intervention), CCl4 liver fibrosis model, and CCl4 liver fibrosis model Fuzhenghuayu drug intervention at low dose (0.75 g/kg/d) and high dose (1.5 g/kg/d). The drug intervention was administered via oral-gastric irrigation once daily for 6 times per week over a 6-week period. Four rats from each group were sacrificed at the end of week 2, 4, and 6 for serum and liver tissue collection. Liver fibrosis was evaluated by histology, and expression of a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) was determined by immunohistochemistry. Liver function was assessed by measuring levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBil). Between-group comparisons were made by completely random design and ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: At the end of weeks 2, 4 and 6, all four groups showed significantly different levels of ALT, AST, and TBil; in addition, the model group and drug intervention groups had significantly higher levels of ALT, AST, and TBil than the control group, the drug intervention groups showed significantly lower levels of ALT, AST, and TBil than the model group (P less than 0.01 or less than 0.05), and the differences between the low dose and high dose groups reached statistical significance (P less than 0.01 or less than 0.05). At the end of weeks 2, 4 and 6, the model group and drug intervention groups had significantly higher area ratio of liver fibrosis than the normal group (F = model: 18.68, low dose: 49.95, high dose: 82.44, P less than 0.01), but the two drug intervention groups had significantly less area ratio of liver fibrosis than the model group (P less than 0.05) and the high dose group showed the most robust decrease. In addition, the model group and drug intervention groups showed higher expression of a-SMA than the normal group (F = model: 18.68, low dose: 49.95, high dose: 82.44, P less than 0.01), but two drug intervention groups had significantly less a-SMA than the model group (F = model: 46.32, low dose: 40.30, high dose: 58.42, P less than 0.05) and the high dose group showed the most robust decrease. CONCLUSION: The Fuzhenghuayu decoction reduces the numbers of activated HSCs, thereby leading to down-regulated a-SMA expression and reduced degree of liver fibrosis; these effects may represent the mechanism by which this drug suppresses hepatic fibrosis.

Metabonomic strategy to the evaluation of chinese medicine compound danshen dripping pills interfering myocardial ischemia in rats.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the highest mortality diseases in the world. Traditional Chinese medicine compound Danshen dripping pills (CDDPs) have currently made a great achievement in treating CHD. However, the therapeutic mechanism of CDDP is often poorly interpreted. In this study, a GC-MS-based metabonomic study was conducted to assess the holistic efficacy of CDDP for myocardial infarction in male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into the control group, the sham group, the model group, the control + CDDP group, and the model + CDDP, with CDDP at a dose of 107 mg/kg·d (equal to 1.8 mL/kg·d). The metabonomic findings demonstrated great differences of metabolic pattern among sham, model, and the model + CDDP in the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models, which coordinated well with the assessment of plasma biochemistry and histopathological assay. Differentially expressed metabolites suggested that energy metabolism, glycolysis, and lipid metabolism might be disrupted by myocardial infarction. Both the potential metabolic biomarkers and the biochemical histopathological indices were regulated effectively by CDDP.