Utilizing network pharmacology and experimental validation to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of raw Pinellia ternate in treating esophageal cancer.

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is a highly lethal malignancy with a grim prognosis and high mortality rates, primarily treated through surgery and radiotherapy. Herbal remedies are emerging as complementary approaches in cancer therapy. Here, we explore the potential therapeutic benefits of Chinese medicine raw Pinellia ternata (RP) in EC using web-based pharmacological methods and cellular experiments. Methods: The chemical components of RP were obtained by data mining via searches of the systematic pharmacology database, analysis platform, and literature on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The properties of the main components of RP were calculated using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The potential targets of the components were mined and collected through multiple databases, and the relevant potential targets of efficacy were imported into Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database to obtain protein interactions. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the potential targets were performed through Metascape. A target-pathway network was established using Cytoscape, and topological analysis was performed on the network so as to obtain the relevant targets and pathways of RP in the treatment of EC. The inhibitory effect of RP on human EC cells was verified by cell experiments. Results: Thirteen bioactive components of RP were screened, 87 related targets were obtained by construction, and 68 co-targets were obtained after taking intersection with EC related genes. The results of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of the targets showed that the pharmacodynamic targets of hemicellulose might be closely related to the signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt, FOS/JUN, and HIF-1. Meanwhile, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that PI3K-Akt was also significantly enriched. The in vitro cellular experiments further indicated that raw hemicrania could inhibit EC through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Conclusions: The pharmacodynamic mechanism of RP in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma was preliminarily revealed, which provided ideas and the basis for further experimental study of RP in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma.

Efeitos da acupuntura e fitoterapia chinesa na qualidade de vida e nos marcadores inflamatórios de pacientes asmáticos: estudo piloto / Effects of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine on quality of life and inflammatory markers in asthmatic patients: a pilot study.

Objetivo: Verificar os efeitos da acupuntura e fitoterapia chinesa na qualidade de vida e nos marcadores inflamatórios de pacientes asmáticos, registrando possíveis efeitos adversos durante o tratamento. Design: Aleatoriamente 30 indivíduos foram alocados em 3 grupos: controle, acupuntura e fitoterapia chinesa sham (Placebo) e acupuntura e fitoterapia chinesa intervenção. Métodos: Os indivíduos receberam 4 sessões de igual duração com avaliação pré e pós-tratamento da qualidade de vida e marcadores inflamatórios. O uso de medicamentos também foi registrado. Resultados: Encontrou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa no questionário de qualidade de vida, indicador de Vitalidade (RSVIT) apresentou um p < 0,005 e o indicador de Aspectos Sociais (RSAS) apresentou um p < 0,004, em comparação ao momento pré (p < 0,05) nos grupos controle, sham e intervenção; os Aspectos Emocionais (RSEM) com p < 0,003 e a Saúde Mental (RSSM) com p < 0,01 obtiveram diferença estatística apenas nos grupos Sham e Intervenção. Utilizou-se ANOVA de duas vias de medidas repetidas. Os demais não apresentaram diferenças e não houve efeitos adversos. Conclusão: A acupuntura e a fitoterapia chinesa são intervenções seguras, mas produziram efeito apenas na qualidade de vida ao longo de 4 semanas. São necessários mais estudos, verificando o efeito nos marcadores inflamatórios e na avaliação do tempo de intervenção.

Neonatal fluoxetine exposure modulates serotonergic neurotransmission and disturb inhibitory action of serotonin on food intake.

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) acts as an important regulator of the critical neurodevelopmental processes and thus alterations in 5-HT signaling early promotes permanent structural and functional changes in brain. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as fluoxetine and citalopram, blocking serotonin transporter (SERT) at the presynaptic neuron, which regulates extracellular 5-HT levels. Evidence suggests that the exposure to SSRIs in the neurodevelopmental period may alters 5-HT signaling sensitivity on food intake control. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of neonatal exposure to fluoxetine on molecular and cellular components of the serotonergic system and food intake control in young animals. Methods: The animals were divided according to experimental manipulation, Fluoxetine Group (FG): male pups received application of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, 10 µL/g) and Saline Group (SG): male pups received saline application (0.9% NaCl, 10 µL/g), both throughout lactation (PND1-PND21). They evaluated body weight, food intake, SERT gene and protein expression, serotonin content in the hypothalamus. The neonatal exposure to fluoxetine promoted reduction in body weight, disturb the serotonin hypophagic response, and increase the serotonin and SERT hypothalamic in young animals. We conclude that the changes of components of the serotonergic system by neonatal exposure to fluoxetine may be responsible for disturb the inhibitory action of serotonin on food intake.

Effect of fluoxetine treatment on mitochondrial bioenergetics in central and peripheral rat tissues.

Recent investigations have focused on the mitochondrion as a direct drug target in the treatment of metabolic diseases (obesity, metabolic syndrome). Relatively few studies, however, have explicitly investigated whether drug therapies aimed at changing behavior by altering central nervous system (CNS) function affect mitochondrial bioenergetics, and none has explored their effect during early neonatal development. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of chronic treatment of newborn male rats with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine on the mitochondrial bioenergetics of the hypothalamus and skeletal muscle during the critical nursing period of development. Male Wistar rat pups received either fluoxetine (Fx group) or vehicle solution (Ct group) from the day of birth until 21 days of age. At 60 days of age, mitochondrial bioenergetics were evaluated. The Fx group showed increased oxygen consumption in several different respiratory states and reduced production of reactive oxygen species, but there was no change in mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening or oxidative stress in either the hypothalamus or skeletal muscle. We observed an increase in glutathione S-transferase activity only in the hypothalamus of the Fx group. Taken together, our results suggest that chronic exposure to fluoxetine during the nursing phase of early rat development results in a positive modulation of mitochondrial respiration in the hypothalamus and skeletal muscle that persists into adulthood. Such long-lasting alterations in mitochondrial activity in the CNS, especially in areas regulating appetite, may contribute to permanent changes in energy balance in treated animals.

Periodontia e o câncer de mama: uma abordagem terapêutica com enfoque na medicina tradicional chinesa e relato de caso / Periodontics and breast cancer: therapeutic approach with focus on traditional chinese medicine and case report

Por meio de vivência clínica com uma paciente, em tratamento de câncer de mama e periodontal, relatando de secura na boca e nariz como queixa principal, o trabalho propõe reflexão sobre bases conceituais do processo saúde X doença com vieses orientais e ocidentais, traçando um fio condutor entre ciência, espiritualidade, ética e crenças culturais. Condução clínica com abordagem da Medicina Tradicional Chinesa.

Through the clinical experience with a patient, in treatment for breast cancer and periodontitis, with reports of dry mouth and nose as the principal complaints, this work proposes a reflection on the conceptual bases of the health care processes versus disease with oriental and occidental biases, drawing a link between science, spirituality, ethics and cultural beliefs, combining clinical conduct with the approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Nuclear medicine methods in the assessment of acupuncture effects: a short review

The mechanisms of acupuncture are poorly understood. In consequence, numerous investigators have conducted clinical trials to test the efficacy of acupuncture in various conditions. We have used PubMed database system to evaluate the number of publications in acupuncture and nuclear medicine procedures in the period from 1964 to 2007, using the keywords: "nuclear medicine and acupuncture", "SPECT and acupuncture", "PET and acupuncture", "scintigraphy and acupuncture", "radionuclide and acupuncture", "radiopharmaceutical and acupuncture", "radioisotope and acupuncture" and "99mTc and acupuncture". Some papers published in English language were selected and a short review is presented The analysis of the number of publications shows that when a method is well accepted by the scientific community, as the methods used in nuclear medicine, the interest in the development of research increases. Moreover, important findings are presented when the nuclear medicine image is used to evaluate the effect of the acupuncture.

Os mecanismos de ação da acupuntura ainda não são completamente esclarecidos. Em conseqüência, diversos pesquisadores têm conduzido testes clínicos para verificar a eficiência da acupuntura em condições diversas. Nós utilizamos o sistema de base de dados PubMed para avaliar o número de publicações em acupuntura e procedimentos em medicina nuclear no período de 1964 até 2007, usando as palavras-chaves: "medicina nuclear e acupuntura", "SPECT e acupuntura", "PET e acupuntura", "cintilografia e acupuntura", "radionuclídeo e acupuntura", "radiofármaco e acupuntura", "radioisótopo e acupuntura" e "99mTc e acupuntura". Alguns artigos publicados em inglês foram selecionados e uma pequena revisão é apresentada. A análise do número de publicações mostra que quando um método é bem aceito pela comunidade científica, como os métodos utilizados em medicina nuclear, o interesse em desenvolver novos estudos aumenta. Além disso, importantes achados são apresentados quando a imagem da medicina nuclear é utilizada para avaliar o efeito da acupuntura.