Clinical efficacy in one-year treatment with Artemisia annua-SLIT drops in monosensitized and polysensitized individuals.

PURPOSE: Seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SARC) caused by Artemisia seriously affects patients' quality of life in northern China. This study aimed to estimate further the efficacy and safety of a one-year course of Artemisia annua-sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) on SARC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an open-label, randomized, controlled, single-centre study involving 150 SARC patients induced by Artemisia, randomized to SLIT group (n = 75, SLIT along with pharmacotherapy) or control group (n = 75, pharmacotherapy only). According to the skin prick test (SPT) results, the SLIT group was divided into monosensitized and polysensitized groups to analyze the influence of sensitization status on the efficacy of Artemisia annua-SLIT. The clinical indicators of this study were total rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score (TRSS), total medication score (TMS), combined scores of medication and rhinoconjunctivitis symptom (CSMRS), and score of visual analog scale (VAS). Safety was evaluated by the occurrence of adverse events (AEs). Daily administration of the drops was recorded in diaries by the patients. RESULTS: After nearly one year of treatment and follow-ups, there was a significant decline in TRSS, TMS, CSMRS, and VAS from the baseline scores in the SLIT group (p < 0.001). However, as pollen counts increased in 2022, indicators above in the control group increased significantly during the peak pollen phase (PPP) in 2022 grass pollen season (GPS) compared to the baseline. Meanwhile, we found no significant difference in TRSS, TMS, CSMRS, and VAS between the monosensitized and polysensitized groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, the result indicated that the clinical improvement in TRSS, TMS, CSMRS, and VAS was still observed in polysensitized patients who were allergic to Artemisia pollen and sensitized to house dust mite (HDM) (n = 15) in PPP of 2022, compared to the baseline value (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Artemisia annua-SLIT was proven effective, tolerable and safe in patients with SARC after nearly one year of treatment, whether monosensitization or polysensitization.

Efficacy and safety of Artemisia annua sublingual immunotherapy in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis over two pollen seasons.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with A. annua allergens in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis over two pollen seasons. METHODS: Seventy patients with moderate-severe seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were divided evenly into the SLIT and control groups. The SLIT last from 3 months before the summer-autumn pollen season in 2021 till the end of the summer-autumn pollen season in 2022. The daily individual symptom score, total rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score (dTRSS), total medication score (dTMS), combined score of medication and rhinoconjunctivitis symptom (dCSMRS), visual analog scale (VAS) score, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated. RESULTS: The average pollen concentration in 2022 was twice that previous two-year during the pollen season. Fifty-six patients completed treatments (SLIT group: 29, control group: 27). Compared with baseline, the individual symptoms, dTRSS, dTMS, dCSMRS, and VAS scores of SLIT group declined in 2021. After 16 months of SLIT, all efficacy indexes in 2022 were still lower than baseline and equivalent to those in 2021. In control group, the efficacy indexes in 2022 were higher than that in 2020 and 2021. The efficacy indexes of SLIT group were lower than those of control group in 2021 and 2022. SLIT is effective for both mono- and poly-sensitized patients. AEs incidence in SLIT group was 82.7% without severe AEs. CONCLUSIONS: The A. annua-SLIT can obtain efficacy and safety over two pollen seasons for patients with moderate-severe seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Transcriptional profiling and network pharmacology analysis identify the potential biomarkers from Chinese herbal formula Huosu Yangwei Formula treated gastric cancer in vivo / 中国天然药物

Huosu Yangwei (HSYW) Formula is a traditioanl Chinese herbal medicine that has been extensively used to treat chronic atrophic gastritis, precancerous lesions of gastric cancer and advanced gastric cancer. However, the effective compounds of HSYW and its related anti-tumor mechanisms are not completely understood. In the current study, 160 ingredients of HSYW were identified and 64 effective compounds were screened by the ADMET evaluation. Furthermore, 64 effective compounds and 2579 potential targets were mapped based on public databases. Animal experiments demonstrated that HSYW significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Transcriptional profiles revealed that 81 mRNAs were differentially expressed in HSYW-treated N87-bearing Balb/c mice. Network pharmacology and PPI network showed that 12 core genes acted as potential markers to evaluate the curative effects of HSYW. Bioinformatics and qRT-PCR results suggested that HSYW might regulate the mRNA expression of DNAJB4, CALD, AKR1C1, CST1, CASP1, PREX1, SOCS3 and PRDM1 against tumor growth in N87-bearing Balb/c mice.

Effective fraction of Bletilla striata reduces the inflammatory cytokine production induced by water and organic extracts of airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Bletilla striata is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat hemorrhage, scald, gastric ulcer, pulmonary diseases and inflammations. In this study, we investigated bioactivity of the effective fraction of B. striata (EFB) in reducing the inflammatory cytokine production induced by water or organic extracts of PM2.5. METHODS: PM2.5 extracts were collected and analyzed by chromatographic system and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Cell viability was measured using MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay, and cell supernatant was analyzed by flow cytometry, ELISA, and qRT-PCR in cultured mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 treated with EFB and PM2.5 extracts. Expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway were measured by Western blot. RESULTS: PM2.5 composition is complex and the toxicity of PM2.5 extracts were not noticeable. The treatment of EFB at a wide dose-range of 0-40 µg/mL did not cause significant change of RAW264.7 cell proliferation. EFB pretreatment decreased the inflammatory cytokines in the macrophage. Further analysis showed that EFB significantly attenuated PM2.5-induced proinflammatory protein expression and downregulated the levels of phosphorylated NF-κBp65, inhibitor of kappa B (IκB)-α, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the potential effectiveness of B. striata extracts for treating PM2.5-triggered pulmonary inflammation.

[A real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method for source identification of Crocus sativus and Carthamus tinctorius].

The specific PCR primer was designed base on ITS2 sequence in GenBank, and we developed a SYBRGreen real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR system for identification of Crocus sativus and Carthamus tinctorius source. Compared with Chinese herbal medicine DNA barcode technique, this method showed characteristics of shorter time, higher specificity and sensitivity. Using this method to detect 15 samples, 4 were C. sativus, 8 were C. tinctorius, and the other 3 samples were none of them. The result was in accordance with Chinese herbal medicine DNA barcode. This study lays the foundation for identification of related Chinese medical materials.

A real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method for source identification of Crocus sativus and Carthamus tinctorius / 中国中药杂志

The specific PCR primer was designed base on ITS2 sequence in GenBank, and we developed a SYBRGreen real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR system for identification of Crocus sativus and Carthamus tinctorius source. Compared with Chinese herbal medicine DNA barcode technique, this method showed characteristics of shorter time, higher specificity and sensitivity. Using this method to detect 15 samples, 4 were C. sativus, 8 were C. tinctorius, and the other 3 samples were none of them. The result was in accordance with Chinese herbal medicine DNA barcode. This study lays the foundation for identification of related Chinese medical materials.

Predictors of warfarin persistence in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients with high risk of stroke in anticoagulation clinic / 中国介入心脏病学杂志

Objective To identify predictors of prescription initiation and persistence of warfarin in non-valvular atrial fibrillation ( NVAF ) patients with high risk of stroke ( CHA2 DS2-VASc≥2 ) . Methods NVAF patients consulted in our hospital from Aug , 2011 to Apr, 2015 were enrolled.Patients who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation were excluded . Patients were divided into two groups (warfarin group and non-warfarin group).Logistic regression was used to estimate the predictors of initiation warfarin prescription.Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazards model was performed to determine rate of warfarin persistence and its associated factors .Results A total of 622 AF patients were enrolled and 490 patients with CHA2DS2-VASc≥2.Ten patients lost follow up and 480 patients were followed up with a mean follow-up period of ( 40.0 ±11.55 ) months.Of which 245 NVAF patients ( 51%) had a warfarin prescription.Patients with ischemic stroke ( OR 2.447 , 95%CI 1.435-4.171 , P=0.001 ) , heart failure ( OR 2.009 , 95%CI 1.084-3.724 , P=0.027 ) and persistent AF ( OR 2.231 , 95%CI 1.448-3.437 , P=0.0001 ) had a higher likelihood of warfarin prescription .Anemia ( OR 0.479 , 95%CI 0.238-0.964 , P=0.039), concommitant Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) use (OR 0.638, 95%CI 0.456-0.891, P=0.008 ) and longer distance to hospital ( OR 0.759 , 95%CI 0.610-0.945 , P=0.014 ) decreased the likelihood of warfarin prescription . One hundred and seventy-six ( 71.8%) warfarin users continued persistent therapy and the overall proportion of warfarin persistence was 78.3% for one year , 71.0% for 3 years.Seventy-six existing warfarin users continued the warfarin therapy (80%, 76/95),one hundred new users showed persistence to therapy ( 66.7%, 100/150 ) .Warfarin use before enrollment significantly increased warfarin persistence than new prescription ( P =0.008 ) .Variables associated with higher discontinuation were new prescription ( HR 1.786 , 95% CI 1.029-3.100 , P=0.039 ) , TCM use ( HR 1.687 , 95%CI 1.201-2.37 , P=0.003 ) and longer distance to hospital ( HR 1.446 , 95% CI 1.121-1.865, P=0.005).Conclusions In anticoagulation clinic, concommitant TCM use, distance to hospital and other factors were associated with warfarin initiation prescription and persistence .Identifying factors associated with warfarin treatment could help in developing adherence of patients .

[Protective effect of asiatic acid from Potentilla chinensis on alcohol hepatic injury in rats].

To study the protective effect and the mechanism of asiatic acid (AA) from Potentilla chinensis on alcohol hepatic injury in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group, the AA control group (8 mg · kg(-1) AA), the model group (5.0-9.0 g · kg(-1) alcohol) and high, medium and low-dose AA-treated groups (alcohol + 8, 4, 2 mg · kg(-1) AA). Each group was orally administered with the corresponding drugs once a day for 24 weeks. Approximately 1. 5 hours after the final administration, all rats were killed, and their blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected. The AST and ALT in rat serum and the contents of MPO, TNF-α, IL-1ß, SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MDA in hepatic tissues were detected. The expressions of NF-κB, TLR4, CD14, MyD88, TRIF and protein expression in hepatic tissues were measured by western blot. The pathological changes in liver tissues were observed by histological examination. The results showed that compared with the model group, the AA-treated groups showed significant decreases in serum ALT, AST and MDA and increases in the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MPO. Moreover, AA markedly inhibited the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1ß, TLR4, CD14, MyD88 and NF-κB. The histological examination showed alleviated hepatic issue ijury to varying degrees. In short, asiatic acid (AA) from P. chinensis could protect alcohol-induced hepatic injury in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB inactivation and the reduction of inflammatory response.

[The Radiosensitizing Effect of Resveratrol on Hopypharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Line FADU and its Effect on the Cell Cycle].

OBJECTIVE: To study the radiosensitizing effect of resveratrol on hypopharyngeal carcinoma cell line FADU in vitro. METHODS: Hypopharyngeal carcinoma cell line FADU was cultured in in vitro DMEM. Its inhibition on cell proliferation was detected using cytotoxicity test (MTT assay). The cell survival curve was drawn using clone formation to obtain sensitive enhancement ratio (SER). Changes of the cell cycle and cell apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: Results of MTT showed the inhibition of resveratrol on FADU cells increased along with its concentrations (P < 0.05). Results of clone formation indicated the surviving fraction at 2 Gy (SF2) was 0.717 ± 0.062 in the irradiation group, and 0.426 ± 0.035 in the resveratrol plus irradiation group (with SER ranged 1.684 ± 0.178) with statistical difference (P = 0.007). Results of FCM showed that after radiation of 4 Gy radiation, cells at G2/M phase arrest increased, but cells at G1 decreased. After radiation of resveratrol for 24 h, cells at G1 decreased, but cells at G2/M phase and S phase arrest increased. When 4 Gy radiation combined resveratrol was used, cells at G2/M phase arrest significantly increased, but cells at G1 significantly decreased. The apoptosis rate was 1.94% ± 1.65% in the control group, 4.56% ± 0.92% in the irradiation group, 2.03% ± 1.46% in the resveratrol group, and 23.11% ± 7.22% in the resveratrol plus irradiation group. There was statistical difference between the resveratrol plus irradiation group and the rest 3 groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Resveratrol could enhance the radiosensitivity of hypopharyngeal carcinoma FADU cells in vitro possibly by inducing cell apoptosis and causing changes in the cell cycle distribution.

Efficiency of anisodamine for organophosphorus-poisoned patients when atropinization cannot be achieved with high doses of atropine.

Poisoning by organophosphorus insecticides is a major global public health problem. Although atropine has been widely used to treat organophosphate (OP) poisoning, sometimes atropinization cannot be achieved, even with high doses of atropine. Hence, we aimed to assess the effect of anisodamine for organophosphorus poisoned patients for whom atropinization could not be achieved through high doses of atropine. In this study, sixty-four OP-poisoning patients, all of whom accepted routine treatments but who did not attain atropinization after high doses of atropine for 12 h, were enrolled. The result showed that the time to atropinization was 24.3±4.3 h in the anisodamine group, significantly shorter than in the atropine group (29.2±7.0 h, p<0.05); the hospital stay in the anisodamine group was 5.3±2.5 days, significantly shorter than the 6.9±2.3 days needed by the atropine group (p<0.05). We draw a conclusion that anisodamine can shorten the process of atropinization and hospital stay in organophosphorus poisoned patients for whom atropinization cannot be achieved with high doses of atropine.

[Protective effect of isoorientin on alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and mechanism of isoorientin from Gypsophila elegans on alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. METHOD: ninety healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group, the model control group, the colchicines group (positive control, 1.0 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), the high, middle and low-dose isoorientin groups (20, 50, 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). The normal control group received normal saline, while other groups received alcohol to cause hepatic fibrosis. After 24-weeks treatment, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type III precollagen (PCIII), hydroxyproline (Hyp), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were assayed according to the manufacturer's instructions, the alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1 were detected by western blotting, and the histopathological changes was observed by H&E staining. RESULT: Isoorientin could improve the liver function by decreasing the activity of ALT, AST, IL-6, TNF-alpha, MDA, MPO, HA, LN, PCIII and Hyp (P < 0.05), increasing the activity of SOD and GSH-Px (P < 0.05), and reducing the expression of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1 (P < 0.05). In addition, the high and middle-dose isoorientin groups showed more remarkable effect CONCLUSION: Isoorientin from G. elegans can protect hepatic fibrosis induced by alcohol.

Protective effect of isoorientin on alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect and mechanism of isoorientin from Gypsophila elegans on alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>ninety healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group, the model control group, the colchicines group (positive control, 1.0 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), the high, middle and low-dose isoorientin groups (20, 50, 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). The normal control group received normal saline, while other groups received alcohol to cause hepatic fibrosis. After 24-weeks treatment, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type III precollagen (PCIII), hydroxyproline (Hyp), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were assayed according to the manufacturer's instructions, the alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1 were detected by western blotting, and the histopathological changes was observed by H&E staining.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Isoorientin could improve the liver function by decreasing the activity of ALT, AST, IL-6, TNF-alpha, MDA, MPO, HA, LN, PCIII and Hyp (P < 0.05), increasing the activity of SOD and GSH-Px (P < 0.05), and reducing the expression of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1 (P < 0.05). In addition, the high and middle-dose isoorientin groups showed more remarkable effect</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Isoorientin from G. elegans can protect hepatic fibrosis induced by alcohol.</p>

[Resveratrol increases sensitivity of CNE2 cells to chemotherapeutic drugs under hypoxia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the sensitization effects of resveratrol on CNE2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line with hypoxia-induced chemotherapy resistance and the potential mechanism. METHODS: Human CNE2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line was cultured under hypoxic conditions (37 degrees centigrade, 5% CO(2), 2% O(2)) in vitro. The cultured cells were treated with different concentrations of resveratrol for 48 h. Reversal fold (RF) of reseratrol to chemotherapeutic drugs in CNE2 cells was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Apoptotic rate of CNE2 cells was observed by flow cytometry. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method and Western blotting were used to investigate the expressions of multidrug resistance gene 1 (mdr1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) and hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in CNE2 cells. RESULTS: Resveratrol combined with chemotherapeutics produced a synergistic effect. The RF of 200 micromol/L resveratrol to paclitaxel was 2.58. Combined with paclitaxel, 25, 50, 100 and 200 micromol/L of resveratrol increased the apoptotic rate of CNE2 cells from (22.14+/-1.09)% to (23.24+/-1.37)%, (27.57+/-2.01)%, and (30.36+/-2.31)%, respectively. Resveratrol could down-regulate the expressions of HIF-1alpha, mdr1 and MRP1 significantly. After being treated with resveratrol at different concentrations separately, the expressions of HIF-1alpha, mdr1 and MRP1 in CNE2 cells decreased significantly as compared with paclitaxel alone or paclitaxel plus verapamil (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Resveratrol can enhance the sensitivity of CNE2 cells to chemotherapeutic drugs under hypoxia. The potential mechanism is partly attributed to inhibiting the gene expressions of HIF-1alpha, mdr1 and MRP1.

[In situ preservation of parathyroid glands in total or near total thyroidectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preservation of parathyroid glands and its function during total or near-total thyroidectomy. METHOD: One hundred and thirty one patients underwent total thyroidectomy, near total thyroidectomy, hemithyroidectomy and isthmectomy. In operation, the parathyroid glands were exposed, or were identified under microscope when necessary. The third rank of inferior thyroid arteries was ligated to preserve parathyroid glands in situ, and the parathyroid function was observed after thyroidectomy. RESULT: Four patients (3%) had a transient hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy, 26 patients (20%) had a obviously biochemical hypocalcemia with no symptoms, 73 patients (56%) had a lower calcium level in the first 3 days after surgery compared with preoperative level, 28 (21%) patients who underwent ipsilateral total and contralateral subtotal isthmectomy were all normocalcemic after surgery. There were no permanent hypoparathyroidism and death in our study population. CONCLUSION: In total or near-total thyroidectomy, parathyroid glands and its artery blood-supply should be exposed and preserved. Vasodilator and calcium supplementation should be given to patients with obviously lower serum calcium level after surgery to prevent permanent hypoparathyroidism.

[Pharmacognostic studies on mangrove Acanthus ilicifolius].

OBJECTIVE: In order to prove a basis for rational exploitation and utilization of the herb, the charaeteristic feature for Acanthus iliciflius was studied. METHOD: The botanical and pharmacognostic features of the collected original plant were stadied. RESULT: A. ilicifolius showed obvious pharmacognostic characters. The aerate cells of the root were upgrowth. and four vascular bundles were found in leaf venation. CONCLUSION: The distinct characteristic features revealed in this studies can serve as evidence for the identification of A. ilicifolius.

Pharmacognostic studies on mangrove Acanthus ilicifolius / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to prove a basis for rational exploitation and utilization of the herb, the charaeteristic feature for Acanthus iliciflius was studied.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The botanical and pharmacognostic features of the collected original plant were stadied.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A. ilicifolius showed obvious pharmacognostic characters. The aerate cells of the root were upgrowth. and four vascular bundles were found in leaf venation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The distinct characteristic features revealed in this studies can serve as evidence for the identification of A. ilicifolius.</p>