Mechanism of Valeriana Jatamansi Jones for the treatment of spinal cord injury based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by high rates of disability and death. Valeriana jatamansi Jones (VJJ), a Chinese herbal medicine, has been identified to improve motor function recovery in rats with SCI. The study aimed to analyze the potential molecular mechanisms of action of VJJ in the treatment of SCI. The main ingredients of VJJ were obtained from the literature and the SwissADME platform was used to screen the active ingredients. The Swiss TargetPrediction platform was used to predict the targets of VJJ, and the targets of SCI were obtained from the GeneCards and OMIM databases. The intersecting genes were considered potential targets of VJJ in SCI. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database and the hub genes of VJJ for SCI treatment were screened according to their degree values. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape database. Cytoscape software was used to construct the "herb-ingredient-target-pathway" network. Preliminary validation was performed using molecular docking via Auto Dock Vina software. A total of 56 active ingredients of VJJ, mainly iridoids, were identified. There were 1493 GO items (P < .01) and 173 signaling pathways (P < .01) obtained from GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment, including the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway, and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. Molecular docking revealed that 12 hub genes enriched in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway had a high binding affinity for the active ingredient of VJJ. VJJ may exert its therapeutic effects on SCI through the iridoid fraction, acting on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, CASP3, AKT1, tumor necrosis factor, mammalian target of rapamycin, interleukin 6, and other hub genes, which may be related to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

The effect of Iridoids effective fraction of Valeriana jatamansi Jones on movement function in rats after acute cord injury and the related mechanism.

OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disastrous central nervous system (CNS) disorder, which was intimately associated with oxidative stress. Studies have confirmed that Iridoids Effective Fraction of Valeriana jatamansi Jones (IEFV) can scavenge reactive oxygen species. This study aimed to confirm the efficacy of IEFV in ameliorating SCI. METHODS: For establish the SCI model, the Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a T10 laminectomy with transient violent oppression by aneurysm clip. Then, the rats received IEFV intragastrically for 8 consecutive weeks to evaluate the protective effect of IEFV on motor function, oxidative stress, inflammation and neurotrophic factors in SCI rats. RESULTS: Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and transmission electron microscopy experiments found IEFV protected motor function and alleviated neuron damage. Meanwhile, IEFV treatment decreased the release of malondialdehyde, interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Moreover, IEFV treatment elevated the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor of SCI rats. Finally, administration of IEFV significantly inhibited the expression of p-p65 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that IEFV could attenuate the oxidative stress and inflammatory response of the spinal cord after SCI, which was associated with inhibition of the TLR4/nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway.

Scalp acupuncture for patients with vascular dementia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trails.

BACKGROUND: Vascular dementia (VD) is a kind of acquired intelligence impairment syndrome caused by a series of cerebrovascular factors leading to brain tissue damage. Scalp acupuncture is widely used to treating VD. However, there is no a systematic review has been used to assess the efficacy and safety of scalp acupuncture therapy for VD. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to systematically evaluate the effects of scalp acupuncture on VD. METHODS: We will search the following databases from their inception to July 2020: PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Database, Embase, Medline, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), EBSCO, Web of Science, Technology Periodical Database (VIP), the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Cochrane Library. At the same time, we will retrieve other resources including conference articles, and gray literature. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English or Chinese associated with scalp acupuncture for VD will be included. Our study data collection and analysis will be conducted independently by 2 reviewers, and Rev Man V.5.3.5 statistical software will be used to performing meta-analysis. RESULTS: This review research will provide a high-quality synthesis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of scalp acupuncture for patients with VD. CONCLUSION: This study will provide available evidence to judge whether scalp acupuncture is an effective and safe intervention for patients with VD. It also will provide reliable evidence for its widespread application. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This systematic review will provide convincing evidence for both patients and clinicians. It does not require ethical approval and the results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/7CYZR.

Acupoint catgut embedding for patients with migraine: A protocol for systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, acupoint catgut embedding is being used widely in the treatment of migraine. So far, there is no a systematic review has been conducted. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupoint catgut embedding on migraine. METHODS: We will search the following databases from their inception to May 2020: PubMed, Embase, Medline, EBSCO, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wan Fang Database, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Cochrane Library. In addition, we will manually retrieve other resources including conference articles, and gray literature. The randomized controlled trials in English or Chinese associated with acupoint catgut embedding for migraines will be included. The data collection and analysis will be conducted independently by 2 reviewers. Meta-analysis will be performed using Rev Man V.5.3.5 statistical software. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupoint catgut embedding for patients with migraine. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether acupoint catgut embedding is an effective and safe intervention for patients with migraines. It will provide reliable evidence for its extensive application. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/RP9NW.

[The effect of "paraplegic triple needling" combined with rehabilitation training on psychological and daily living ability of patients with spinal cord injury].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of "paraplegic triple needling" and conventional needling on psychological and daily living ability of patients with spinal cord injury. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with spinal cord injury were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 25 cases in each one. Rehabilitation training was applied in the two groups. In the observation group, on the basis of rehabilitation training, "paraplegic triple needling" was added, namely, puncturing the governor vessel (GV) and back-shu points respectively in the upper and lower segments of the injury plane and locating the key muscle movement points of the lower extremities by the peripheral nerve electrical stimulation device. Electroacupuncture (EA) was given at the points up and down the two sections of the GV points, back-shu points, the key muscle movement points. In the control group, conventional needling was applied at the points of GV, back-shu points, Huantiao (GB 30), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Yanglingquan (GB 34). The treatment was given once a day, the treatment for a month as one course and a total of 2 course were required. In addition, 25 health checkers were selected at the physical examination center of General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region as a normal control group. The content of peripheral serum 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT) was tested before treatment, 1 course and 2 courses of treatment, The modified Barthel index (MBI) was used to observe the daily living activities, the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) were used to evaluate the psychological status. RESULTS: In the two groups, the content of serum 5-HT was lower than that in the normal control group before treatment (both P<0.05). After one course of treatment, the MBI score and content of serum 5-HT were all increase in the two groups; the HAMA score and HAMD score were all reduced (all P<0.05); the results in the observation were better than those in the control group (all P<0.05). After 2 courses of treatment, the MBI score and content of serum 5-HT were all increased in the two groups, and the HAMA score and HAMD score were all reduced (all P<0.05), but the difference was not significant statistically between the two groups (all P>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the content of serum 5-HT in patients with spinal cord injury was negatively correlated with disease course, HAMA and HAMD score (all P<0.05), and positively correlated with MBI score (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There are differences in the content of serum 5-HT between the normal person and the patients with pinal cord injury. The content of serum 5-HT can early predict the depression and anxiety in patients with spinal cord injury. Compared with the conventional needling, "paraplegic triple needling" can improve depression and anxiety in the early stage and improve the daily living ability of patients with spinal cord injury.

[Cognitive impairment in earthquake brain injury treated with comprehensive program of acupuncture and rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the comprehensive program of integrated Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of cognitive impairment in earthquake brain injury. METHODS: The multi-central randomized controlled trial was adopted. The qualified subjects were randomized into an acupuncture + rehabilitation group (38 cases) and a rehabilitation group (35 cases). In the acupuncture + rehabilitation group, acupuncture, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and cognitive rehabilitation training were combined as the comprehensive program of integrated Chinese and western medicine in the treatment. In the rehabilitation group, HBO and cognitive rehabilitation training were adopted. The efficacy and safety were assessed. RESULTS: (1) After treatment of 2 months, the intelligent state, cognitive function and activity of daily life of patients were improved in the both groups (all P < 0.01). (2) After treatment of 2 months, the score of MMSE and the score of activity of daily life were (24.11 +/- 4.08) and (75.45 +/- 13.95) in the acupuncture + rehabilitation group, which were more significant as compared with (17.05 +/- 43.84), (66.06 +/- 12.75) in the rehabilitation group, respectively (both P < 0.01). In 6-month follow-up visit after treatment, the cognitive function and activity of daily life were improved continuously in the acupuncture + rehabilitation group, which was more significant as compared with the rehabilitation group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The integrated Chinese and western medicine of acupuncture, HBO and cognitive rehabilitation training is safe and effective in the treatment of cognitive impairment in earthquake brain injury. The therapeutic effect is more advantageous as compared with the simple rehabilitation program of western medicine.

[Effect on the activities of daily life of the patients with traumatic spinal cord injury treated by the paraplegia-triple-needling method].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences in the efficacy on traumatic spinal cord injury(SCI) in the thoracic and lumbar vertebra between the paraplegia-triple-needling method and the conventional acupuncture therapy. METHODS: The perspectively randomized controlled trial was adopted. Forty-eight cases of traumatic SCI in the thoracic and lumbar vertebra were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 24 cases in each one. The conventional rehabilitation training was applied in both groups. In addition, the paraplegia-triple-needling method was used in the observation group. In the treatment, acupuncture was applied to the points of the Governor Vessel and the Back-shu which, located two segments above and below the spinal injury plane separately. Acupuncture with the electric pulsing stimulation was applied to the motor points of the key muscles of the lower extremities. In the control group, the conventional acupuncture was applied to Huantiao (GB 30), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). In each group, the treatment was given once a day, one month treatment made 1 session. Totally, 3 sessions of treatment were required. Before and after treatment, as well as in 1-month follow-up visit after treatment, the modified Barthel index (MBI) and the function comprehensive assessment (FCA) were adopted to assess the activities of daily life (ADL) and the comprehensive function of the patients. The score of MBI and FCA were taken as the double response variables to imitate the multilevel model. The changing tendency of MBI and FCA along with the time was observed in two groups. RESULTS: In the follow-up visit, MBI and FCA score were all improved as compared with those before treatment in two groups (all P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in MBI and FCA score at any time point between two groups (all P > 0.05). In 4-month observation, there was a rising tendency with time in MBI and FAC scoe in both groups, which was roughly linear. As time went on, the increasing amplitude in the observation group was much bigger. It was explained that there was no difference in the short-term efficacy between two groups. However, the long-term efficacy in the observation group was much better. CONCLUSION: Both the paraplegia-triple-needling method and the conventional acupuncture therapy can improve the ADL and the comprehensive function of the patients with traumatic SCI of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra. Concerning the long-term efficacy, the paraplegia-triple-needling combined with the rehabilitation training achieves better result. This therapeutic program is safe and effective.

Clinical studies on treatment of earthquake-caused posttraumatic stress disorder using electroacupuncture.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in 138 patients with earthquake-caused PTSD using Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). 138 cases enrolled were randomly assigned to an electro-acupuncture group and a paroxetine group. The electro-acupuncture group was treated by scalp electro-acupuncture on Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenting (GV 24), and Fengchi (GB 20), and the paroxetine group was treated with simple oral administration of paroxetine. The efficacy and safety of the electro-acupuncture on treatment of 69 PTSD patients were evaluated using Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) according to clinical data. The total scores of CAPS, HAMD, and HAMA in the two groups after treatment showed significant efficacy compared to those before treatment. The comparison of reduction in the scores of CAPS, HAMD, and HAMA between the two groups suggested that the efficacy in the treated group was better than that in the paroxetine group. The present study suggested that the electro-acupuncture and paroxetine groups have significant changes in test PTSD, but the electro-acupuncture 2 group was more significant.