Secretin-dependent signals in the ventromedial hypothalamus regulate energy metabolism and bone homeostasis in mice.

Secretin, though originally discovered as a gut-derived hormone, is recently found to be abundantly expressed in the ventromedial hypothalamus, from which the central neural system controls satiety, energy metabolism, and bone homeostasis. However, the functional significance of secretin in the ventromedial hypothalamus remains unclear. Here we show that the loss of ventromedial hypothalamus-derived secretin leads to osteopenia in male and female mice, which is primarily induced by diminished cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation and upregulation in peripheral sympathetic activity. Moreover, the ventromedial hypothalamus-secretin inhibition also contributes to hyperphagia, dysregulated lipogenesis, and impaired thermogenesis, resulting in obesity in male and female mice. Conversely, overexpression of secretin in the ventromedial hypothalamus promotes bone mass accrual in mice of both sexes. Collectively, our findings identify an unappreciated secretin signaling in the central neural system for the regulation of energy and bone metabolism, which may serve as a new target for the clinical management of obesity and osteoporosis.

A gut-brain axis mediates sodium appetite via gastrointestinal peptide regulation on a medulla-hypothalamic circuit.

Salt homeostasis is orchestrated by both neural circuits and peripheral endocrine factors. The colon is one of the primary sites for electrolyte absorption, while its potential role in modulating sodium intake remains unclear. Here, we revealed that a gastrointestinal hormone, secretin, is released from colon endocrine cells under body sodium deficiency and is indispensable for inducing salt appetite. As the neural substrate, circulating secretin activates specific receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tracts, which further activates the downstream paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, resulting in enhanced sodium intake. These results demonstrated a previously unrecognized gut-brain pathway for the timely regulation of sodium homeostasis.

Metabonomics Study on the Infertility Treated With Zishen Yutai Pills Combined With In Vitro Fertilization-embryo Transfer.

Zishen Yutai Pills (ZYP) is a safe and well quality-controlled TCM preparation with promising effects in many fields of reproduction, including prevention of miscarriage, increase of pregnancy rate during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The plasma of patients was collected from a clinical trial, namely, "Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine vs placebo on live births among women undergoing in vitro fertilization, a multi-center randomized controlled trial." Plasma samples were analyzed with metabonomics method. UPLC-MS technology was used to establish the plasma metabolic fingerprint. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied for comparing the differences of plasma metabolites between ZYP group and placebo group, 44 potential metabolites were screen out and identified. Pathway analysis was conducted with database mining. Compared with placebo, chemicals were found to be significantly down-regulated on HCG trigger day and 14 days after embryo transplantation, including trihexosylceramide (d18:1/26:1), glucosylceramide(d18:1/26:0), TG(22:6/15:0/22:6), TG(22:4/20:4/18:4). Compared with placebo, some chemicals were found to be significantly up-regulated on HCG trigger day and 14 days after embryo transplantation, i.e., PIP3(16:0/16:1), PIP2(18:1/18:1), tauroursodeoxycholic acid, L-asparagine, L-glutamic acid, kynurenic acid, 11-deoxycorticosterone, melatonin glucuronide, hydroxytyrosol. These metabolites were highly enriched in pathways including sphingolipid metabolism, alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid metabolism, aminoacyl tRNA biosynthesis, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. This study revealed metabolic differences between subjects administered with ZYP and placebo. Relating metabolites were identified and pathways were enriched, providing basis on the exploration on the underlying mechanisms of ZYP combined with IVF-ET in the treatment of infertility.

Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to reveal chicken meat improvements by medium-chain monoglycerides supplementation: Taste, fresh meat quality, and composition.

This study was conducted to reveal the differences of chicken fresh meat quality, composition and taste induced by medium-chain monoglycerides (MG) supplementation. Results demonstrated that both chicken broth and meat taste were improved by MG supplementation. The up-regulated l-carnosine, sarcosine, uridine and nicotinamide in the chicken broth of the MG group contributed to the umami and meaty taste. Dietary MG increased the total superoxide dismutase activity and amino acid content in the muscle of chicken breast and reduced the malondialdehyde content and drip loss. Moreover, meat metabolome revealed that creatine, betaine, l-anserine, inosine 5'-monophosphate, hypoxanthine, inosine and phospholipid, as well as amino acid and purine metabolism pathway connected to the improvements of meat quality, composition and taste of broilers by MG addition. In conclusion, these findings provide convincing evidence regarding the improvements of fresh meat quality, composition and taste of broilers by MG supplementation.

Electroacupuncture activates inhibitory neural circuits in the somatosensory cortex to relieve neuropathic pain.

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been accepted to effectively relieve neuropathic pain. Current knowledge of its neural modulation mainly covers the spinal cord and subcortical nuclei, with little evidence from the cortical regions. Using in vivo two-photon imaging in mice with chronic constriction injury, we found that EA treatment systemically modulated the Ca2+ activity of neural circuits in the primary somatosensory cortex, including the suppression of excitatory pyramidal neurons, potentiation of GABAergic somatostatin-positive interneurons, and suppression of vasoactive intestinal peptide-positive interneurons. Furthermore, EA-mediated alleviation of pain hypersensitivity and cortical modulation were dependent on the activation of endocannabinoid receptor 1. These findings collectively reveal a cortical circuit involved in relieving mechanical or thermal hypersensitivity under neuropathic pain and identify one molecular pathway directing analgesic effects of EA.

Metabonomics Study on Serum Characteristic Metabolites of Psoriasis Vulgaris Patients With Blood-Stasis Syndrome.

Psoriasis is a chronic, refractory, systemic inflammatory skin disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows unique advantage in the treatment of psoriasis based on syndrome differentiation. An untargeted high-throughput metabonomics method based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was applied to study the serum metabolic characteristics in different TCM syndrome types in patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV), and to discover potential serum biomarkers for its pathogenesis on the endogenous metabolite differentiation basis. The serum metabolic profiles of 45 healthy controls and 124 patients with PV (50 in the blood-stasis group, 30 in the blood-heat group, and 44 in the blood-dryness group) were acquired. The raw spectrometric data were processed using multivariate statistical analysis, and 14 biomarkers related to TCM syndrome differentiation and psoriasis types were screened and identified. The blood-stasis syndrome group showed abnormal lipid metabolism, which was characterized by a low level of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and a high level of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). We propose that platelet-activating factor can be applied as a potential biomarker in clinical diagnosis and differentiation of PV with blood-stasis syndrome. The difference in the serum metabolites among PV types with different TCM syndromes and healthy control group illustrated the objective material basis in TCM syndrome differentiation and classification of psoriasis.

Total polysaccharides of the Sijunzi decoction attenuate tumor necrosis factor-α-induced damage to the barrier function of a Caco-2 cell monolayer via the nuclear factor-κB-myosin light chain kinase-myosin light chain pathway.

AIM: To explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of total polysaccharides of the Sijunzi decoction (TPSJ) on the epithelial barriers in vitro. METHODS: Caco-2 cell monolayers were treated with or without TPSJ in the presence or absence of TNF-α, and paracellular permeability and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) were measured to evaluate the epithelial barrier function. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were respectively used to evaluate the distribution and expression of the tight junction proteins claudin 1, claudin 2, zo3, and occludin in Caco-2 cells. Western blotting was also used to evaluate the cellular expression of myosin light chain (MLC), phosphorylated MLC (pMLC), MLC kinase (MLCK), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65. RESULTS: TPSJ promoted the proliferation of Caco-2 cells and inhibited TNF-α-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, TPSJ significantly ameliorated both the reduction of TEER and the increased paracellular permeability observed in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-damaged Caco-2 monolayers. Furthermore, TPSJ remarkably attenuated TNF-α-induced morphological changes, downregulated the expression of claudin 1, claudin 2, zo3, and occludin, and markedly suppressed TNF-α-mediated upregulation of p-MLC and MLCK expression. Finally, TPSJ inhibited the activation and expression of NF-κB p65. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that TPSJ alleviates the TNF-α-induced impairment of the intestinal epithelial cell barrier function by suppressing NF-κB p65-mediated phosphorylation of MLCK and MLC.

Formula PSORI-CM01 inhibits the inflammatory cytokine and chemokine release in keratinocytes via NF-κB expression.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease in which T-helper 1(Th1) and T-helper 17(Th17) cells play an important role in its pathology. Formula PSORI-CM01 was a novel formulated Chinese medicine used for psoriasis therapy. It had been demonstrated previously that PSORI-CM01 and serum contained Formula PSORI-CM01 (PCM01CS) could improve psoriasis by inhibiting the epithelial hyperplasia, how PSORI-CM01 affects inflammatory cytokine and chemokine in dermis is still unknown. In this study we found PSORI-CM01 pre-treated 3days before IMQ painting could ameliorated IMQ-induced mice skin lesion as PASI score was apparently reduced. Th1 related cytokine IFN-γ and Th17 related cytokine IL-17/IL-22 was used to induce inflammatory models on human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT in vitro, respectively. PCM01CS significantly reduced IFN-γ induced mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-12 and CXCL-10, reduced IL-6 and CXCL-10 release into HaCaT supernatant. 20ng/ml IL-17/IL-22 co-stimulation significantly upregulated expression of IL-6, IL-8 and CCL20 mRNA expression in HaCaT cells, PCM01CS significantly inhibit these cytokines expression both in mRNA and in protein levels. Finally, PCM01CS could obviously inhibit nuclear NF-κB p65 expression which activated by IFN-γ and IL-17/IL-22 stimulation. Thus, our new findings reveal that Formula PSORI-CM01 may possess therapeutic action on psoriasis by inhibiting inflammatory within skin environments.

Formula PSORI-CM01 eliminates psoriasis by inhibiting the expression of keratinocyte cyclin B2.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronically recurrent inflammatory skin disease, modern medicine could achieve good therapeutic effect, but these treatments led to recurrence of the psoriasis, more severe symptoms due to damaging skin barrier. Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful alternative therapies. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of PSORI-CM01, a Chinese medicine formula for psoriasis therapy, in eliminating psoriasis by studying its effects on inhibiting epidermal hyperplasia. METHODS: Imiquimod induced psoriasis-form mice model was used to determine the efficacy of PSORICM-01 by assessing the improvement of hyperplasia in epidermal and dermal skin, cyclin B2 expression in skin was detected by immunochemistry. Human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT stimulated by LPS or not was used to research molecular mechanisms of PSORIMCM-01 as in vitro model. The inhibition of proliferation of HaCaT was determined by MTT assay, BrdU assay and real-time cell analysis (RTCA). Cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry. Real-Time PCR and western blot analysis was performed to quantify the mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. The ability of PSORICM-01 to inhibit proliferation of cyclin B2 overexpressed HaCaT cell were also investigated. RESULTS: PSORI-CM01 significantly inhibited epidermal hyperplasia in IMQ mice lesion skin, and reduced expression of epidermis cyclin B2. Serum containing PSORI-CM01 dramatically inhibited keratinocyte HaCaT cell proliferation, no matter stimulated by LPS or not. FACS analysis showed ability of PSORICM-01 to arrest cell cycle in the G2/M phase. Additionally, PSORI-CM01 significant downregulated mRNA and protein expression of cyclin B2, and over-expression of cyclin B2 antagonized the anti-proliferative effect of PSORI-CM01 on HaCaT cells. CONCLUSIONS: PSORI-CM01 inhibits epidermal hyperplasia in imiquimod-induced mouse psoriasis-form model and reduces keratinocyte proliferation in vitro. Our results indicate that PSORI-CM01 may possess therapeutic potential for psoriasis by inhibiting keratinocyte proliferation through downregulation of cyclin B2.

[Regulation effects of liuwei dihuang pill, jingui shenqi pill, jiangu erxian pill containing serums on adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation-related genes expressions in the differentiation process of preadipocytes to osteoblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Chinese medical recipes for invigorating Shen on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-derived preadipocytes' differentiation to osteoblasts. METHODS: The BMSCs were cultured using whole bone marrow adherence wall method. The BMSCs were induced to preadipocytes by classic chemical method. The osteogenic differentiation process of preadipocytes was intervened by Liuwei Dihuang Pill (LDP), Jingui Shenqi Pill (JSP), or Jiangu Erxian Pill (JEP)-containing serums (with the concentRation of 10%, on behalf of tonifying Shen yin, tonifying Shen yang, and tonifying Shen essence). Reverse transcription-real time fluorescent quantitative-PCR (RT real time qPCR) was used to detect RUNX2, ALP, BGP, BMP2, BMP4, SPP1, and IGF1 mRNA expressions of osteogenic differentiation-related genes, mRNA expressions of LPL, FABP4, and PPARgamma of adipogenic differentiation-related genes on the 6th, the 12th, and the 18th day. RESULTS: As for the osteogenic differentiation-related gene, when compared with the control group, there was no statistical difference in the gene expression level in the experimental groups on the 6th day (2.0 > Ratio > 0.5). On the 12th day, the mRNA expressions of IGF1 and Runx2 increased more significantly in the JSP group, with their relative quantification (Ratio) being 2.97 and 1.81 respectively. On the 18th day the IGF1 mRNA expression significantly increased, being the Ratio value of 3.74, 12.60, and 8.35, respectively, in the LDP group, the JSP group, and the JEP group. The SPP1 mRNA expression also significantly increased, with the Ratio value of 2.94, 3.18, and 2.62, respectively, in the LDP group, the JSP group, and the JEP group. As for adipogenic differentiation-related genes, on the 6th day, when compared with the control group, FABP4 mRNA expression significantly decreased in the LDP group and the JSP group (with the Ratio value of 0.47 and 0.40 respectively). The expression levels of other genes were all down-regulated, but not significantly. On the 12th day and 18th day, there was no statistical change in the adipogenic differentiation-related genes expressions (2.0 > Ratio > 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Up-regulation of osteogenic differentiation-related genes expression occurred in later time, while down-regulation of adipogenic differentiation-related genes expression occurred in earlier time after treatment by Chinese medical recipes for invigorating Shen. In general, above data indicated that tonifying Shen yang was more effective in promoting osteogenic differentiation and inhibiting adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

HuR-mediated posttranscriptional regulation of p21 is involved in the effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis licorice aqueous extract on polyamine-depleted intestinal crypt cells proliferation.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis licorice has long been used worldwide as a food additive and herbal medicine. It possesses a remarkable healing action on gastrointestinal ulcers. The present study was carried out to assess the effect of licorice on intestinal crypt cell proliferation and to investigate the corresponding molecular mechanism. Considering the role of crypt stem cells in intestinal mucosa repair, a well-established cytostatic cellular model, polyamine-depleted IEC-6 cells, was utilized to evaluate the effect of aqueous licorice on the proliferation of intestinal crypt cells. The growth inhibition of IEC-6 cells caused by alpha-difluoromethylornithine could be significantly reversed by concomitant treatment with 40 µg/ml and 80 µg/ml licorice aqueous extract. In particular, the restoration of cell cycle progression was accompanied by a decrease in p21 mRNA level and cytoplasmic accumulation of the RNA-binding protein HuR, which was shown to be involved in the destabilization of p21 mRNA. Using a biotin pull-down assay and a luciferase assay, it was found that licorice-modulated p21 mRNA expression was achieved by HuR-targeted AU-rich and U-rich elements that resided in the 3' untranslated region of p21 mRNA. These results demonstrate that licorice can exert its action on stimulating the growth of intestinal crypt cells by regulating p21 mRNA level at the posttranscriptional level by HuR.

The regulatory effects of polyporus polysaccharide on the nuclear factor kappa B signal pathway of bladder cancer cells stimulated by Bacillus Calmette-Guerin.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the effects of Polyporus polysaccharide (PPS), Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and their combination on the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway associated-gene expression and investigate the molecular mechanisms of the toxic-reducing effect of PPS in coordination with BCG against bladder cancer. METHODS: After T739 cells were treated with PPS, BCG and their combination, the changes in mRNA and protein expression of inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta (IKKß), NF-κB subunit p65 (NF-κB p65), intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) and chemokine (C-c motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in bladder cancer cell line T739 were determined by relative quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and flow cytometry (FCM). NF-κB p65 DNA-binding activity in T739 cell was detected by biotinylated probe-ELISA, and NF-κB p65 nuclear expression in T739 cell was observed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the T739 control group, the mRNA expression of IKBKB (IKKß), Rel A (NF-κB p65), ICAM1 and CCL2 in T739 cells treated with BCG were increased obviously (Ratio>2.0), as well as the expression of IKKß, CCL2 and ICAM1 proteins. Meanwhile, NF-κB p65 DNA-binding activity and NF-κB p65 nuclear expression in T739 cells treated with BCG were up-regulated significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the control, the increased expression in T739 cells were simultaneously down-regulated after PPS treatment, except for ICAM1 protein expression. With cells treated with a combination of BCG and PPS, the expression of genes associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway, such as IKBKB, ICAM1 and CCL2, were all down-regulated compared to the BCG group, as well as Rel A mRNA expression, NF-κB p65 DNA-binding activity and NF-κB p65 nuclear expression. CONCLUSIONS: PPS could inhibit the over-activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway induced by BCG in bladder cancer cells and accordingly attenuate the adverse reactions to BCG therapy.

[Comparative study of enhancing effect on mRNA expression of hematopoietic growth factors in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by ginseng polysaccharide and ginsenoside].

OBJECTIVE: To study mRNA expression levels of main hematopoietic growth factors in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC), and to compare effect on mRNA expression levels treated by ginseng polysaccharide and ginsenoside. METHODS: Relative quantification real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to observe mRNA expression levels of IL4, Csf2, Kitlg, Csf1, IL6, Lif, Csf3, IL11, Epo, and IL3, etc. in rat BM-MSC treated with ginseng polysaccharide (20 microg/mL) or ginsenoside (20 microg/mL) at 12, 24, and 36 h. RESULTS: IL4 and Csf2 mRNA expressions were not detected. Relative expression of Kitlg, Csf1, IL6, Lif, Csf3, IL11, Epo and IL3 mRNA ranked in an attenuating order when compared with Gapdh mRNA. mRNA expression of Epo and IL3 was not significantly changed at any time point by treatment of ginseng polysaccharide or ginsenoside in rat BM-MSC (P > 0.05). mRNA expression of Csf1, IL6, Lif, Csf3 and IL11 were significantly enhanced at 12 and 36 h by treatment of ginseng polysaccharide (P < 0.05) and that of Csf1, IL6, Lif, Csf3, and Kitlg were significantly enhanced at 24 h in rat BM-MSC (P < 0.05). The enhanced mRNA expression was Csf3 at 12 h, Csf3, IL6 and Lif at 24 h, and Csf3, IL6, Lif, IL11, and Kitlg, respectively at 36 h by treatment of ginsenoside in rat BM-MSC. CONCLUSIONS: The enhancement of ginseng polysaccharide was stronger than that of ginsenoside on mRNA expression of hematopoietic growth factors in the initial stage. As time went by, the enhancement of ginsenoside gradually increased and exceeded that of ginseng polysaccharide.

Inhibition of urinary bladder carcinogenesis by aqueous extract of sclerotia of Polyporus umbellatus fries and polyporus polysaccharide.

The study aimed to evaluate inhibition effect of sclerotia of Polyporus umbellatus Fries aqueous extract (SPUE) and polyporus polysaccharide (PPS) on bladder cancer, then to measure their effect on mRNA expression of glutathione S-transferase π (GSTPi) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in female Fischer-344 rats model. The model rats were induced by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN) for a period of 8 weeks and saccharin for 12 weeks. SPUE (50 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg) and PPS (28 mg/kg) were orally administrated to the model rats during the whole study. Compared to the control group, a more preventive effect of SPUE and PPS treatment on bladder cancer was discovered, higher mRNA upregulation of GSTpi and NQO1 was seen in the treatment group. Furthermore, the GSTPi and NQO1 mRNA upregulated level in the low-dose group (SPUE 50 mg/kg) was at maximum. In brief, SPUE and PPS are highly effective in inhibiting bladder carcinogenesis in rats, which may be associated with upregulation of GSTPi and NQO1 in the bladder.

Diuretic activity and kidney medulla AQP1, AQP2, AQP3, V2R expression of the aqueous extract of sclerotia of Polyporus umbellatus FRIES in normal rats.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Zhuling, sclerotia of Polyporus umbellatus FRIES, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has long been used as a diuretic. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diuretic effect on the urinary electrolyte concentration (Na(+), K(+), and Cl(-)) and regulation of the relative mRNA expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP1), aquaporin-2 (AQP2), aquaporin-3 (AQP3) and vasopressin V(2) receptor (V(2)R) post-oral administration of sclerotia of Polyporus umbellata aqueous extract in normal rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous extract of sclerotia of Polyporus umbellatus (50 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg) or the reference drug, furosemide (10mg/kg) were administrated orally to male SD rats and their urine output was quantified and collected 24h and 8 days after the treatment. The kidney medulla AQP1, AQP2, AQP3 and V(2)R mRNA relative expressions were measured with RT-PCR. RESULTS: After single dose of the exact of sclerotia of Polyporus umbellata, urine output was found to be significantly increased, which began at 4h, and at 24h after the treatment, the sclerotia of Polyporus umbellatus extract and furosemide treatment produced the similar total volume of urine excreted. The extract increases urinary levels of Na(+), K(+), and Cl(-), to about the same extent, while furosemide increased urinary levels of Na(+) and Cl(-). After the 8-day doses, all two substances induced significant diuresis, natriuresis and chloriuresis. These two substances do not regulate the AQP1 and AQP3 mRNA level in normal rat kidney medulla. The AQP2 mRNA level of sclerotia of Polyporus umbellata extract was down-regulated significantly, the V(2)R mRNA level of sclerotia of Polyporus umbellata extract 50mg/kg dose group and 250 mg/kg dose group were down-regulated significantly too. Interestingly, the low-dose group had higher effect on regulation of AQP2 and V(2)R mRNA level. CONCLUSION: Aqueous extract of sclerotia of Polyporus umbellatus has conspicuous diuretic effect confirming its ethnopharmacological use. From the pattern of excretion of water, sodium, potassium, chlorine, AQP2 and V2R mRNA level, it may be logically concluded that it has effect from down-regulating AQP2, and down-regulate AQP2 by down-regulating V(2)R.

[Effects of Ailing Granule on immuno-reconstruction in HIV/AIDS patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible mechanism of Ailing Granule (AG, a Chinese herbal preparation for nourishing Qi and activating blood circulation) in intervening HIV/AIDS. METHODS: Twenty-one HIV/AIDS patients were orally administered with AG (mainly composed of Fructus Ligustri lucidi, Radix Scutellariae, Radix Astragalus and Eupolyphaga et polyphage) by 20g, twice a day for 4 months. Their symptoms and signs were scored, T cell subgroup (CD3, CD4, CD8) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were detected with flow-cytometry, and viral load determined with RT-PCR, as well as some indexes for safety evaluation, including ALT, Cr and BW were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the symptom and sign score of patients lowered, among them the scores of fatigue, anorexia, spontaneous sweating and skin rash reduced with difference statistically (P < 0.05); the total effective rate was 61.9%; CD4 count and IL-2 level increased from 308.29 +/- 150.66/microl and 13.19 +/- 5.93 ng/L to 336.50 +/- 148.94/micro1 and 15.14 +/- 5.14 ng/L respectively( P < 0.05); while the viral load lowered but showed no significant difference. All the indexes of safety measured kept unwavering during treatment(P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: AG could significantly alleviate the symptoms of HIV/AIDS patients, improve their immune function, inhibit HIV reproduction to a certain extent or keep it stable. No obvious toxic or adverse reaction was seen.