Effect of Traditional Chinese Non-Pharmacological Therapies on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review of Clinical Application and Mechanism.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) stands as a degenerative ailment with a substantial and escalating prevalence. The practice of traditional Chinese non-pharmacological therapy has become a prevalent complementary and adjunctive approach. A mounting body of evidence suggests its efficacy in addressing KOA. Recent investigations have delved into its underlying mechanism, yielding some headway. Consequently, this comprehensive analysis seeks to encapsulate the clinical application and molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese non-pharmacological therapy in KOA treatment. The review reveals that various therapies, such as acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needle acupuncture, tuina, and acupotomy, primarily target localized knee components like cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovium. Moreover, their impact extends to the central nervous system and intestinal flora. More perfect experimental design and more comprehensive research remain a promising avenue in the future.

[Network Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicines in treatment of insomnia].

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of insomnia by frequency network Meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials of Chinese patent medicines for insomnia were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane Library databases from the time of database establishment to October 2020. The quality of the included RCTs was evaluated according to the Cochrane bias risk standard, and the data was analyzed by RevMan 5.3 and Stata/MP 15.1. A total of 11 kinds of Chinese patent medicines in 27 RCTs were included. According to Meta-analysis, in term of the effective rate, Tianmeng Liquid, Zaoren Anshen Capsules, Shumian Capsules, Shensong Yangxin Capsules, Shenqi Wuweizi Tablets, Shugan Jieyu Capsules, Anshen Bunao Liquid and Qiye Anshen Tablets combined with nonbenzodiazepine drugs(NBZDs) were superior to NBZDs alone. In term of the improvement of Pittsburg sleeping quality index(PSQI) score, Tianmeng Liquid, Shumian Capsules, Shensong Yangxin Capsules, Bailemian Capsules, Shenqi Wuweizi Tablets, Shugan Jieyu Capsules, Yangxue Qingnao Granules and Yindan Xinnaotong Capsules combined with NBZDs were superior to NBZDs alone. In terms of the safety, Shumian Capsules, Shensong Yangxin Capsules, Shenqi Wuweizi Tablets and Qiye Anshen Tablets combined with NBZDs were superior to NBZDs alone. In terms of the avoidance of dizziness and headache, Qiye Anshen Tablets combined with NBZDs were superior to NBZDs alone. The results of Network Meta-analysis indicated that in term of the effective rate, top three optimal medication regimens were NBZDs combined with Shugan Jieyu Capsules, combined with Zaoren Anshen Capsules and combined with Shensong Yangxin Capsules in the order from high to low. With the respect of improvement of PSQI score, top three optimal medication regimens were NBZDs combined with Yangxue Qingnao Granules, combined with Tianmeng Liquid and combined with Yindan Xinnaotong Capsules in the order from high to low. In terms of the safety, top three optimal medication regimens were NBZDs combined with Qiye Anshen Tablets, combined with Shensong Yangxin Capsules and combined with Shenqi Wuweizi Tablets in the order from high to low. In terms of the avoidance of dizziness and headache, top three optimal medication regimens were NBZDs combined with Qiye Anshen Tablets, combined with Zaoren Anshen Capsules and combined with Shumian Capsules in the order from high to low. In terms of the avoidance of fatigue, top three optimal medication regimens were NBZDs combined with Shensong Yangxin Capsules, combined with Shumian Capsules and combined with Qiye Anshen Tablets in the order from high to low. In conclusion, Chinese patent medicines combined with NBZDs can effectively alleviate the symptoms of insomnia with a high safety. However, the conclusion of this study needs to be verified by more high-quality studies because of the low methodological quality of the included studies.

Graphene Oxide Nanoparticle-Loaded Ginsenoside Rg3 Improves Photodynamic Therapy in Inhibiting Malignant Progression and Stemness of Osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma serves as a prevalent bone cancer with a high metastasis and common drug resistance, resulting in poor prognosis and high mortality. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a patient-specific and non-invasive tumor therapy. Nanoparticles, like graphene oxide have been widely used in drug delivery and PDT. Ginsenoside Rg3 is a principal ginseng component and has presented significant anti-cancer activities. Here, we constructed the nanoparticles using GO linked with photosensitizer (PS) indocyanine green (ICG), folic acid, and polyethylene glycol (PEG), and loaded with Rg3 (PEG-GO-FA/ICG-Rg3). We aimed to explore the effect of PEG-GO-FA/ICG-Rg3 combined with PDT for the treatment of osteosarcoma. Significantly, we found that Rg3 repressed proliferation, invasion, and migration, and enhanced apoptosis and autophagy of osteosarcoma cells, while the PEG-GO-FA/ICG-Rg3 presented a higher activity, in which NIR laser co-treatment could remarkably increase the effect of PEG-GO-FA/ICG-Rg3. Meanwhile, stemness of osteosarcoma cell-derived cancer stem cells was inhibited by Rg3 and PEG-GO-FA/ICG-Rg3, and the combination of PEG-GO-FA/ICG-Rg3 with NIR laser further significantly attenuated this phenotype in the system. Moreover, NIR laser notably improved the inhibitor effect of PEG-GO-FA/ICG-Rg3 on the tumor growth of osteosarcoma cells in vivo. Consequently, we concluded that PEG-GO-FA/ICG-Rg3 improved PDT in inhibiting malignant progression and stemness of osteosarcoma cell. Our finding provides a promising and practical therapeutic strategy for the combined treatment of osteosarcoma.

[Study on oral absorption mechanisms of puerarin in nanocrystals self-stabilized pickering emulsion].

Nanocrystals self-stabilized Pickering emulsion(NSSPE) is a new kind of emulsion where only nanocrystals of poorly soluble drugs are used as stabilizers. Our previous study showed that NSSPE with Ligusticum chuanxiong oil as the main oil phase can significantly promote oral absorption of puerarin. The present study aimed to explore its absorption mechanism in oral administration. The in vitro dissolution test was carried out to study the effect of NSSPE on release of puerarin. The effects and mechanism of NSSPE on uptake and transport of puerarin across Caco-2 cell were investigated. The results showed that the drug release rate of NSSPE was similar to that of nanocrystals, with their cumulative dissolution of puerarin not affected by pH of releasing mediums, both significantly higher than that of crude material. The uptake of puerarin in NSSPE was concentration-dependent and significantly higher than that of solution or surfactant stabilized emulsion. Genistein and indomethacin, inhibitors of lipid rafts/caveolin, could significantly reduce the uptake of puerarin in NSSPE. Compared with solution, NSSPE and surfactants stabilized emulsion obviously increased transport rate K_a and apparent permeability coefficient P_(app) of puerarin in AP → BL direction, but there was no significant difference in BL → AP direction. It could be inferred that there were both passive and active transport mechanisms, as well as lipid raft/caveolin mediated endocytosis for absorption of NSSPE. The promoted oral absorption of puerarin in NSSPE was mainly related to the existing nanocrystal form which could promote dissolution, puerarin as well as Ligusticum chuanxiong oil which could promote drug transmembrane transport and inhibit drug efflux. It is the unique structure and composition of the compound NSSPE that promoted the oral absorption of puerarin.

[Effect of modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction on hemorrhagic transformation after rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis in patients with super early cerebral infarction].

To study the effect of modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction on the hemorrhagic transformation after intravenous thrombolysis of recombinant tissue type plasminogen activator(rt-PA) in patients with super early(onset time<4. 5 h) cerebral infarction. From March 2016 to July 2018,at the brain disease zone of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,212 cases of super early cerebral infarction were selected and divided into two group according to the randomized complete blocks designs: control group(106 cases) and traditional Chinese medicine group(106 cases). The control group was treated with rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis,while the traditional Chinese medicine group was treated with modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction in addition to the therapy of the control group. Both groups were treated for 14 days. Neurological deficit score,serum matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),neuron specific enolase(NSE),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and plasma cellular fibronectin(c-FN) levels,the incidence of hemorrhagic transformation,clinical efficacy and adverse drug reactions before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. According to the findings,at the 14 thday after treatment,the rank sum test of the grade data showed that the clinical efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine group was better than that of the control group(Z =-2. 033,P = 0. 042); on the basis of χ2 test,the total efficiency of the traditional Chinese medicine group was higher than that of the control group(χ2= 4. 895,P =0. 027); the hemorrhagic transformation rate of the traditional Chinese medicine group was lower than that of the control group within14 days of treatment(χ2= 3. 962,P = 0. 047). MMP-9 levels in the traditional Chinese medicine group were lower than those in the control group at the 3 rd,5 th,7 th,10 th,14 thd after treatment(t =-2. 474,-3. 022,-5. 163,-6. 998,-9. 821; P = 0. 014,0. 003,0,0,0). The improvement of c-FN,NSE,VEGF and NIHSS scores in the traditional Chinese medicine group was superior to that of the control group after 14 days of treatment(t =-2. 343,-3. 187,-2. 129,-3. 105; P = 0. 020,0. 002,0. 034,0. 002). No obvious adverse reactions of modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction were observed during 14 days of treatment. Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction could reduce the expressions of MMP-9,c-FN,NSE and VEGF after rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis in patients with super early cerebral infarction,and decrease the hemorrhagic transformation rate after thrombolysis,with high safety.

[Research on chemical compositions in different processed products of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum].

To investigate the chemical compositions of "antler powder" and "antler slice", two types of processed products of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum (CCP) documented in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. With polysaccharides, crude protein, amino acids, fatty acids, mineral elements, biogenic amines, nucleosides and nucleobases as the evaluating indicators, the antler powder and antler slice processed with methods documented in Chinese Pharmacopoeia were compared in this study. The results showed that as compared with the antler powder by directly "chopping into pieces, and grinding into fine powder", the crude protein, amino acids, biogenic amines, nucleosides and nucleobases contents were reduced by 5.01%, 4.35%, 5.90%, 27.62% respectively in antler slices processed with 40% ethanol; the polysaccharides and nucleosides contents were reduced by 24.53% and 21.07% respectively in antler slices processed with 50% ethanol; and the crude protein and nucleosides contents were reduced by 1.65% and 20.52% in antler slices processed with 60% ethanol. While the contents of fatty acids and mineral elements were not decreased in these three methods. Polysaccharide, crude protein, amino acids, and nucleosides contents in "antler slices" were less than those in "antler powder", most notably in polysaccharides and nucleosides. According to the comprehensive scores of principal component analysis (PCA), the decrease of active ingredient determined in this study was lowest in antler slice processed with 50% ethanol.

[Analysis of chondroitin sulfate content of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum with different processing methods and different parts].

The differences and the variations of chondroitin sulfate content in different parts of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum(CCP) with different processing methods were investigated. The chondroitin sulfate from velvet was extracted by dilute alkali-concentrated salt method. Next， the chondroitin sulfate was digested by chondroitinase ABC.The contents of total chondroitin sulfate and chondroitin sulfate A， B and C in the samples were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The content of chondroitin sulfate in wax，powder，gauze，bone slices of CCP with freeze-drying processing is 14.13，11.99，1.74，0.32 g·kg⁻¹ï¼Œ respectively. The content of chondroitin sulfate in wax，powder，gauze，bone slices of CCP with boiling processing is 10.71，8.97，2.21，1.40 g·kg⁻¹ï¼Œ respectively. The content of chondroitin sulfate in wax，powder，gauze，bone slices of CCP without blood is 12.47，9.47，2.64，0.07 g·kg⁻¹ï¼Œ respectively. And the content of chondroitin sulfate in wax，powder，gauze，bone slices of CCP with blood is 8.22，4.39，0.87，0.28 g·kg⁻¹ respectively. The results indicated that the chondroitin sulfate content in different processing methods was significantly different.The content of chondroitin sulfate in CCP with freeze-drying is higher than that in CCP with boiling processing.The content of chondroitin sulfate in CCP without blood is higher than that in CCP with blood. The chondroitin sulfate content in differerent paris of the velvet with the same processing methods was arranged from high to low as： wax slices， powder， gauze slices， bone slices.

Effects and Mechanism of Combination of Rhein and Danshensu in the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a systemic role in disease treatment, targeting multiple etiological factors simultaneously. Based on clinical experience, rhubarb and Salvia miltiorrhiza are commonly prescribed together for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and have been proven to be very effective. However, the rationale of the combination remains unclear. The major active ingredients of these two herbs are rhein (RH) and danshensu (DSS), respectively. The aim of this paper is to investigate the renoprotective effects of RH and DSS in vitro and in vivo, and the underlying mechanism. A total of 5/6 nephrectomy rats and HK-2 cells were subjected to chronic renal injury. The combination of RH and DSS conferred a protective effect, as shown by a significant improvement in the renal function, blood supply, and fibrotic degree. Proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules were suppressed by RH and DSS through NK-κB signaling. The combination also inhibited apoptosis by up-regulating Bcl-2 and down-regulating Bax. Inhibiting the TGF-ß/Smad3 pathway was at least in part involved in the antifibrotic mechanism of the combination treatment of RH and DSS. This study demonstrates for the first time the renoprotective effect and the mechanism of RH and DSS combination on chronic renal injury. It could provide experimental evidence to support the rationality of the combinatorial use of TCM in clinical practices.

Generation and characterization of Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis - B. oleracea var. capitata monosomic and disomic alien addition lines.

Five monosomic alien addition lines (MAALs) of Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis - B. oleracea var. capitata were obtained by hybridization and backcrossing between B. rapa ssp. pekinensis (female parent) and B. oleracea var. capitata. The alien linkage groups were identified using 42 B. oleracea var. capitata linkage group-specific markers as B. oleracea linkage groups C2, C3, C6, C7 and C8. Based on the chromosomal karyotype of root tip cells, these five MAALs added individual chromosomes from B. oleracea var. capitata: chr 1 (the longest), chr 2 or 3, chr 5 (small locus of 25S rDNA), chr 7 (satellite-carrying) and chr 9 (the shortest). Five disomic alien addition lines were then generated by selfing their corresponding MAALs.

Effects of trehalose supplementation on cell viability and oxidative stress variables in frozen-thawed bovine calf testicular tissue.

Trehalose is widely used for cryopreservation of various cells and tissues. Until now, the effect of trehalose supplementation on cell viability and antioxidant enzyme activity in frozen-thawed bovine calf testicular tissue remains unexplored. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of varying doses of trehalose in cryomedia on cell viability and key antioxidant enzymes activities in frozen-thawed bovine calf testicular tissue. Bovine calf testicular tissue samples were collected and cryopreserved in the cryomedias containing varying doses (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%; v/v) of trehalose, respectively. Cell viability, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione (GSH) content and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured and analyzed. The results showed that cell viability, T-AOC activity, SOD activity, CAT activity and GSH content of frozen-thawed bovine calf testicular tissue was decreased compared with that of fresh group (P<0.05). MDA content in frozen-thawed bovine calf testicular tissue was significantly increased compared with that of fresh group (P<0.05). The cryomedia added 15% trehalose exhibited the greatest percentage of cell viability and antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and CAT) among frozen-thawed groups (P<0.05). Meanwhile, GSH content was the lowest among frozen-thawed groups (P<0.05). However, there were no significance differences in MDA content among the groups added 10, 15 and 20% trehalose (P>0.05). In conclusion, the cryomedia added 15% trehalose reduced the oxidative stress and improved the cryoprotective effect of bovine calf testicular tissue. Further studies are required to obtain more concrete results on the determination of antioxidant capacity of trehalose in frozen-thawed bovine calf testicular tissue.

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among schoolchildren: a cohort study from Xinxiang, China.

AIM: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in children is widespread. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of VDD in schoolchildren from Henan Province, China. METHODS: The study was conducted on school students from areas of Xinxiang, one of the largest cities of Henan Province in China, in the winter of 2013. A questionnaire on demographic data, socioeconomic status, sun exposure, and times of acute respiratory infections (RTI) in the past 12 months were completed for each student. Blood samples were taken to assess serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. RESULTS: In our study, 606 schoolchildren completed the questionnaire. The median serum level of 25(OH)D was 20.5 ng/mL (interquartile range: 15.9-25.1). The prevalence of VDD and insufficiency was 46.9% (284/606) and 85.8% (520/606), respectively. VDD was more associated with female gender, high body mass index, lower socio-professional status, residence in urban areas, and less time spent outdoors. There was an inverse correlation between levels of 25(OH) and times of RTI (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: VDD and insufficiency are common among schoolchildren in Xinxiang. Supplementation with food fortification or vitamin D for Chinese children is warranted.

Antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of total saponins extracted from Aralia taibaiensis in experimental type 2 diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: As a well-known traditional Chinese medicine the root bark of Aralia taibaiensis has multiple pharmacological activities, including relieving rheumatism, promoting blood circulation to arrest pain, inducing diuresis to reduce edema, and antidiabetic action. It has long been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of traumatic injury, rheumatic arthralgia, nephritis, edema, hepatitis and diabetes mellitus in China. AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of total saponins extracted from Aralia taibaiensis (SAT) in experimental type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute toxicity was studied in rats to determine the safe oral dose of SAT. Then, SAT was given orally to normal and streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced T2DM rats at 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg doses for a series of 28 days to determine the antihyperglycemic activity. Glibenclamide (600 µg/kg), a standard antidiabetic drug, was used as a positive control drug. At the end of treatment, biochemical parameters and antioxidant levels were measured to evaluate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of SAT. RESULTS: Oral administration of SAT did not exhibit toxicity and death at a dose not more than 2000 mg/kg. SAT dose-dependently improved the symptoms of polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia and weight loss in diabetic rats. Compared with diabetic control group, administration of 320 mg/kg SAT resulted in significant (P<0.05) fall in the levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, creatinine, urea, alanine transarninase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and malondialdehyde, but significant (P<0.05) increase in the levels of serum insulin, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione. However, SAT did not have any effect on the normal rats. CONCLUSIONS: SAT had excellent antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities in T2DM rats and might be a promising drug in the therapy of diabetes mellitus and its complications.

[Extraction of fatty constituents from Tabanus bivittatus and their analysis by GC-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the extracting condition of fatty constituents from Tabanus bivittatus and analyse by GC-MS. METHODS: Taking fatty yield as index, the extraction technology parameters of fatty constituents of Tabanus bivittatus ere optimized by single factor test and orthogonal test. RESULTS: The optimum extraction parameters were as follows: the ratio of acetone to petroleum ether 1: 2, extraction time 2 h, solid-liquid ratio 1: 50. Twenty-one fatty acids were identified by GC-MS. CONCLUSION: The process is reasonable and with good reproducibility. The main components of fatty acids in Tabanus bivittatus are palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid.

Dissection of mechanisms of a chinese medicinal formula: danhong injection therapy for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo and in vitro.

Traditional Chinese medicine uses a systemic treatment approach, targeting multiple etiological factors simultaneously. Danhong injection (DHI), a very popular Chinese medicine injection, is reported to be effective for many cardiovascular conditions. The primary active ingredients of DHI, and their systemic and interrelated mechanism have not been evaluated in an established myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) model. We identified the main active constituents in DHI, including hydroxysafflor yellow A (A), salvianolic acid B (B), and danshensu (C), by HPLC fingerprint analysis and assessed their effect on MI/R rats and cardiomyocytes. These 3 compounds and DHI all decreased the levels of IL-1, TNF- α , and MDA, increased those of IL-10 and SOD activity in vivo and in vitro, and had antiapoptotic effects, as shown by flow cytometric analysis and TUNEL assay. Moreover, these compounds increased phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, we found compound A exerted a more prominent anti-inflammatory effect than B and C, by decreasing NF- κ B levels; compound B had more powerful antioxidative capacity than A and C, by increasing Nrf2 expression; compound C had stronger antiapoptotic ability than A and B, by lowering caspase-3 activity. Our results elucidate the mechanisms by which DHI protects against MI/R induced injury.

Generation and identification of Brassica alboglabra-Brassica campestris monosomic alien addition lines.

Four monosomic alien addition lines (MAALs) for Brassica alboglabra-Brassica campestris were developed through digenomic triploid (ACC) backcrossing with the recurrent parent B. alboglabra (CC). The objectives of this study were to compare morphological traits, microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeats), chromosomal karyotypes, and meiotic behaviors. Based on the new chromosome nomenclature system established for Brassica, we preliminarily identified these MAALs as CC+A1, CC+A3, CC+A6, and CC+A7. Their alien chromosomes were transmittable through both female and male gametes at rates of 11.46%-26.53% and 4.88%-12.90%, respectively.

Inhibition of PRAME expression causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemic cells.

The preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) is known as a tumor-associated antigen, but its function in leukemia remains unclear. We investigated the function with small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced knockdown of PRAME in a K562 cell line. After PRAME siRNA transfection, proliferation was suppressed and cell cycle analysis showed G(0)/G(1) arrest, followed by apoptosis. PRAME siRNA-treated cells also showed changes in the genes affecting erythroid differentiation. We examined the PRAME expression levels and the S phase population of 32 acute leukemia patients at the time of diagnosis and relapse. An increase of the S phase population was accompanied by an increase of PRAME expression at relapse. Our results suggest that PRAME plays an important role in disease progression in acute leukemia.