Clinical efficacy of weight loss herbal intervention therapy and lifestyle modifications on obesity and its association with distinct gut microbiome: A randomized double-blind phase 2 study.

Goals: To assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese Medicine Prescription "W-LHIT" in subjects with simple obesity, and to explore its potential mechanism of action. Methods: Thirty-seven patients aged 18 to 60 from Wei-En hospital (Weifang City, Shandong, China), participated in a double blinded, placebo-controlled study. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups, 18 in treatment and 19 in placebo group. The treatment group took the "W-LHIT" capsules for two months, while the control group received placebo capsules. Both groups accepted healthy lifestyle education materials. After a 2-month treatment, the placebo group transferred to open-label treatment after unblinding. Results: 72.22% participants in the treatment group lost more than 5% of their body weight, compared with 36.84% in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Body weight loss and body mass index reduction of the treatment group were also significantly higher than those of the placebo group (p < 0.05). These changes were accompanied by increased abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Enterococcus faecium, and decreased abundance of Proteobacteria in gut microbiota. Furthermore, the treatment group also showed improvement in obesity-related comorbidities such as hypertension and elevation of liver enzymes. No serious adverse reactions were found during the study period. Weight did not rebound at a follow-up visit 2 months after treatment. Conclusion: W-LHIT significantly improved body weight and comorbid conditions without obvious adverse reaction or rebound weight gain. These effects were associated with increased abundance of probiotics in gut microbiota. W-LHIT may have a potential for treating obesity in conjunction with healthy lifestyle modifications.

Corilagin Attenuates Radiation-Induced Brain Injury in Mice.

Cranial irradiation-induced inflammation plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI). Anti-inflammation treatment may provide therapeutic benefits. Corilagin (beta-1-O-galloyl-3, 6-(R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-D-glucose, C27H22O18) was a novel member of the tannin family with anti-inflammatory properties and is isolated from some medicinal plants, such as Phyllanthus amarus and Caesalpinia coriaria. In this study, the effect of Corilagin on RIBI was investigated and the underlying mechanisms were explored. Spatial learning and memory ability of mice were investigated by the Morris water maze test. Evans blue leakage and electron microscopy were used to assess the integrity of blood-brain barrier (BBB). The mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1ß, were measured by using real-time PCR and Western blotting. The activation of microglial cells and expression of TNF-α were examined by immunofluorescence staining. Phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) and IκBα, and the translocation of p65 from cytoplasm to nucleus were detected by using Western blotting. Morris water maze test showed that Corilagin ameliorated the neurocognitive deficits in RIBI mice. Evans blue leakage and electron microscopy exhibited that Corilagin partially protected the BBB integrity from cranial irradiation-caused damage; immunofluorescence staining showed that Corilagin could inhibit microglial activation and TNF-α expression. Real-time PCR and Western blotting revealed that Corilagin downregulated the expression of TNF-α and IL-1ß and inhibited the irradiation-induced activation of NF-κB pathways by upregulating p-STAT3 expression. In conclusion, Corilagin could attenuate RIBI through inhibiting microglial activation and the expressions of inflammatory cytokines. Corilagin might inhibit the activation of NF-κB pathway in a STAT3-associated manner, thereby downregulating the inflammatory cytokine expressions.

[Study on ecological suitability of Gardenia jasminoides based on ArcGIS and Maxent model].

The application of ArcGIS and Maxent modelto analyze the ecological suitability of Gardenia jasminoides.Taking 85 batches of Gardenia as the basis of analysis, the selection of ecological factors for the growth of Gardenia. The results showed that the average precipitation in April, the average precipitation in November and the average precipitation in August were the most important factors affecting the growth of Gardenia. The relative concentration of Gardenia suitable growth region,north to the south of Shaanxi province, south of Henan, central Anhui, south to the north of Hainan province, west to central Sichuan province, east of Zhejiang coastal area, northeast of Taiwan.

The I2 resistance gene homologues in Solanum have complex evolutionary patterns and are targeted by miRNAs.

BACKGROUND: Several resistance traits, including the I2 resistance against tomato fusarium wilt, were mapped to the long arm of chromosome 11 of Solanum. However, the structure and evolution of this locus remain poorly understood. RESULTS: Comparative analysis showed that the structure and evolutionary patterns of the I2 locus vary considerably between potato and tomato. The I2 homologues from different Solanaceae species usually do not have orthologous relationship, due to duplication, deletion and frequent sequence exchanges. At least 154 sequence exchanges were detected among 76 tomato I2 homologues, but sequence exchanges between I2 homologues in potato is less frequent. Previous study showed that I2 homologues in potato were targeted by miR482. However, our data showed that I2 homologues in tomato were targeted by miR6024 rather than miR482. Furthermore, miR6024 triggers phasiRNAs from I2 homologues in tomato. Sequence analysis showed that miR6024 was originated after the divergence of Solanaceae. We hypothesized that miR6024 and miR482 might have facilitated the expansion of the I2 family in Solanaceae species, since they can minimize their potential toxic effects by down-regulating their expression. CONCLUSIONS: The I2 locus represents a most divergent resistance gene cluster in Solanum. Its high divergence was partly due to frequent sequence exchanges between homologues. We propose that the successful expansion of I2 homologues in Solanum was at least partially attributed to miRNA mediated regulation.

[Clinical effect of chaipo granule combined with routine treatment on refractory asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Chaipo Granule (CPG) combined with routine treatment on refractory asthma. METHODS: Sixty patient with refractory asthma were assigned equally in a double-blind, randomized way to the treatment group and the control group. Routine treatment (including regular inhalation of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate 50/250 microg, and if necessary, inhalation of salbutamol + ipratropium bromide) were given to all patients. CPG (3 pouches every time, twice a day) were administered to the treatment group in addition, while to the control group, placebo with similar appearance in equal volume was given. The therapeutic course for all was 24 weeks. Asthma control test (ACT) scoring and lung function tests (FEV1 and PEF) were performed before treatment and at the end of the 4th, 12th and 24th week; daily records of asthma, dose of hormone used, withdrawal reaction and adverse reaction occurred were monitored, and serum levels of cortisol, total IgE and cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-gamma) were measured before treatment and at terminating the 24-week treatment. RESULTS: Symptoms and lung function were significantly improved after treatment in both groups, but the improvements were better in the treatment group than the control group at all time points, the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Levels of IL-5, IL-13, total IgE decreased, IFN-gamma and Cor increased in all patients after 24-week treatment, but the improvements in the treatment group was more significant, with statistical difference between groups (P < 0.05); the mean hormone withdrawal time in the treatment group was (14.6 +/- 5.1) days, with the incidence of systemic withdrawal reactions of 20%, while those in the control group was (22.1 +/- 6.8) days and 36.7% correspondingly, the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, one patient in the treatment group quit the trial due to a severe seizure of asthma. No obvious treatment-related side effects appeared in the treatment group, except that 3 patients suffered from slight abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: CPG could improve the clinical symptoms and lung function, facilitate to Th1/Th2 balance and enhance the secretion of adrenal cortex. It is an effective and safe Chinese herbal remedy for treatment of refractory asthma.

Efficacy and tolerability of anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention in adult patients with moderate-severe allergic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Chinese herbal medicine has a long history of human use. A novel herbal formula, anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention (ASHMI), has been shown to be an effective therapy in a murine model of allergic asthma. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy, safety, and immunomodulatory effects of ASHMI treatment in patients with moderate-severe, persistent asthma with prednisone therapy. METHODS: In a double-blind trial, 91 subjects underwent randomization. Forty-five subjects received oral ASHMI capsules and prednisone placebo tablets (ASHMI group) and 46 subjects received oral prednisone tablets and ASHMI placebo capsules (prednisone group) for 4 weeks. Spirometry measurements; symptom scores; side effects; and serum cortisol, cytokine, and IgE levels were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS: Posttreatment lung function was significantly improved in both groups as shown by increased FEV(1) and peak expiratory flow findings (P<.001). The improvement was slightly but significantly greater in the prednisone group (P<.05). Clinical symptom scores, use of beta(2)-bronchodilators, and serum IgE levels were reduced significantly, and to a similar degree in both groups (P<.001). T(H)2 cytokine levels were significantly reduced in both treated groups (P<.001) and were lower in the prednisone-treated group (P<.05). Serum IFN-gamma and cortisol levels were significantly decreased in the prednisone group (P<.001) but significantly increased in the ASHMI group (P<.001). No severe side effects were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: Anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention appears to be a safe and effective alternative medicine for treating asthma. In contrast with prednisone, ASHMI had no adverse effect on adrenal function and had a beneficial effect on T(H)1 and T(H)2 balance.