The draft genome and multi-omics analyses reveal new insights into geo-herbalism properties of Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa'.

Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa' (CGT) (Huajuhong, HJH) is a widely used medicinal plant, which is mainly produced in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces of South China. Particularly, HJH from Huazhou (HZ) county of Guangdong province has been well-regarded as the best national product for geo-herbalism. But the reasons for geo-herbalism property in HJH from HZ county remains a mystery. Therefore, a multi-omics approach was applied to identify the nature of the geo-herbalism in CGT from three different regions. The comprehensive screening of differential metabolites revealed that the Nobiletin content was significantly different in HZ region compared to other regions, and could be employed as a key indicator to determine the geo-herbalism. Furthermore, the high-quality genome (N50 of 9.12 Mb), coupled with genomics and transcriptomics analyses indicated that CGT and Citrus grandis are closely related, with a predicted divergence time of 19.1 million years ago (MYA), and no recent WGD occurred in the CGT, and the bioactive ingredients of CGT were more abundant than that of Citrus grandis. Interestingly, Nobiletin (Polymethoxyflavones) content was identified as a potential indicator of geo-herbalism, and O-methyltransferase (OMT) genes are involved in the synthesis of Polymethoxyflavones. Further multi-omics analysis led to the identification of a novel OMT gene (CtgOMT1) whose transient overexpression displayed significantly higher Nobiletin content, suggesting that CtgOMT1 was involved in the synthesis of Nobiletin. Overall, our findings provide new data resources for geo-herbalism evaluation, germplasm conservation and insights into Nobiletin biosynthesis pathways for the medicinal plant C. grandis 'Tomentosa'.

Facile fabrication of surface vulcanized Co-Fe spinel oxide nanoparticles toward efficient 4-nitrophenol destruction.

Developing efficient modulation strategies to boost the degradation efficiencies of non-noble metal catalysts for toxic phenolic compounds involving peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based oxidation processes is essential but remains an arduous challenge. This study reports the one-pot construction of in-situ surface vulcanized CoFe2O4 @carbon (Sx-CF@C) to boost the PMS activation for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) destruction. The direct pyrolysis of an aerogel precursor consisted of cobalt nitrate, ferric nitrate, melamine, and thiourea enables the as-formed Sx-CF@C with hierarchical structure, rich oxygen vacancies, and electron/mass transfer, thereby considerably promoting PMS activation performance of Sx-CF@C toward 4-NP degradation. Specifically, the optimal S0.2-CF@C can achieve a removal efficiency of 99% for 4-NP destruction (20 mg/L) through PMS activation. Meanwhile, the catalyst also has generality to degrade a variety of antibiotic and dye organic pollutants. The radical quenching and electron paramagnetic resonance tests reveal the radical and non-radical activation mechanism in the S0.2-CF@C/PMS system. The degradation pathway for 4-NP destruction over the S0.2-CF@C/PMS system is proposed. This study provides an efficient approach to modulate the PMS activation performance of ferrite spinel materials toward the degradation of acute phenolic compounds.

Effect of Sheng-Jiang Powder on Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Induced NAFLD.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an alarming global health problem that is predicted to be the major cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation by next decade. Gut microbiota have been revealed playing an important role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Sheng-Jiang Powder (SJP), an empirical Chinese medicine formula to treat NAFLD, showed great hepatoprotective properties, but the impact on gut microbiota has never been identified. Therefore, we performed this study to investigate the effect of SJP on gut microbiota in NAFLD mice. METHODS: NAFLD was induced by 12 weeks' high-fat diet (HFD) feeding. Mice were treated with SJP/normal saline daily for 6 weeks. Blood samples were obtained for serum biochemical indices and inflammatory cytokines measurement. Liver tissues were obtained for pathological evaluation and oil red O staining. The expression of lipid metabolism-related genes was quantified by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Changes in gut microbiota composition were analyzed by the 16s rDNA sequencing technique. RESULTS: HFD feeding induced significant increase in bodyweight and serum levels of TG, TC, ALT, and AST. The pathological examination revealed obvious hepatic steatosis in HFD feeding mice. Coadministration of SJP effectively protected against bodyweight increase and lipid accumulation in blood and liver. Increased expression of PPARγ mRNA was observed in HFD feeding mice, but a steady elevation of PPARγ protein level was only found in SJP-treated mice. Meanwhile, the expression of FASN was much higher in HFD feeding mice. Microbiome analysis revealed obvious changes in gut microbiota composition among diverse groups. SJP treatment modulated the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producing bacteria, including norank-f-Erysipelotrichaceae and Roseburia. CONCLUSIONS: SJP is efficient in attenuating HFD-induced NAFLD, and it might be partly attributed to the regulation of gut microbiota.

Enhanced (R)-2-(4-Hydroxyphenoxy)Propionic Acid Production by Beauveria bassiana: Optimization of Culture Medium and H2O2 Supplement Under Static Cultivation.

(R)-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)propionic acid (HPOPA) is a key intermediate for the preparation of aryloxyphenoxypropionic acid herbicides (R-isomer). In order to improve the HPOPA production from the substrate (R)-2-phenoxypropionic acid (POPA) with Beauveria bassiana CCN-A7, static cultivation and H2O2 addition were attempted and found to be conducive to the task at hand. This is the first report on HPOPA production under static cultivation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction. On this premise, the cultivation conditions and fermentation medium compositions were optimized. As a result, the optimal carbon source, organic nitrogen source, and inorganic nitrogen source were determined to be glucose, peptone, and ammonium sulfate, respectively. The optimal inoculum size and fermentation temperature were 13.3% and 28°C, respectively. The significant factors including glucose, peptone, and H2O2, identified based on Plackett-Burman design, were further optimized through Central Composite Design (CCD). The optimal concentrations/amounts were as follows: glucose 38.81 g/l, peptone 7.28 g/l, and H2O2 1.08 ml/100 ml. Under the optimized conditions, HPOPA titer was improved from 9.60 g/l to 19.53 g/l, representing an increase of 2.03- fold. The results obtained in this work will provide novel strategies for improving the biosynthesis of hydroxy aromatics.

Effect of Different-Volume Fluid Resuscitation on Organ Functions in Severe Acute Pancreatitis and Therapeutic Effect of Poria cocos.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of different-volume fluid resuscitation (FR) on organ functions in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and to elucidate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Poria cocos on organ injuries caused by high-volume FR. METHODS: 1. Clinical study: retrospective analysis of thirty-one patients about the effect of titrated fluid resuscitation protocol (TFR) on the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to SAP. 2. Experimental study: rats (N = 30) were randomly divided into five groups: sham, model, low-volume FR (1.5 ml/kg/h), high-volume FR (10 ml/kg/h), and Poria cocos combined with high-volume FR (10 ml/kg/h + intraintestinal administration Poria cocos 5 g/kg); serum or plasma indicators and histopathologic scores were compared to explore the effect and mechanism of different fluid volumes and Poria cocos on organ function in SAP. RESULTS: The occurrence of AKI, fluid volume, and fluid velocity in TFR group was lower than that in the control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased Marshall scores and fluid velocity were risk factors for predicting occurrence of AKI in SAP. Low-volume FR decreased the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and pathologic scores of the pancreas and kidney. High-volume FR increased ascites, MMPs, and kidney pathologic scores. Poria cocos decreased the levels of BUN, Cr, MMPs, and pathologic scores of the pancreas and kidney and increased the arterial oxygen saturation. CONCLUSION: TFR-associated lower fluid volume and velocity reduced the occurrence of AKI secondary to SAP. High volume might aggravate AKI via increased MMP release leading to endothelial glycocalyx damage and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Poria cocos reduced MMP release, relieved glycocalyx damage, and alleviated the pancreas and kidney injury aggravated by high fluid volume in SAP. Therefore, endothelial glycocalyx protection might be a new strategy in the treatment of SAP.

A near-infrared light-controlled smart nanocarrier with reversible polypeptide-engineered valve for targeted fluorescence-photoacoustic bimodal imaging-guided chemo-photothermal therapy.

Despite burgeoning development of nanoplatform made in the past few years, it remains a challenge to produce drug nanocarrier that enables requested on/off drug release. Thus, this study aimed to develop an ideal near-infrared light-triggered smart nanocarrier for targeted imaging-guided treatment of cancer that tactfully integrated photothermal therapy with chemotherapy to accurately control drug release time and dosage. Methods: This delivery system was composed of Ag2S QD coating with dendritic mesoporous silica (DMSN), which acted as nanocarrier of doxorubicin localized inside pores. To provide the nanocarrier with controlled release capability, a polypeptide-engineered that structure was reversible to photothermal effect of Ag2S QD, was covalently grafted to the external surface of drug-loaded DMSN. Results: This nanocarrier with the size of 40~60 nm had satisfactory biocompatibility and photothermal conversion efficiency up to 28.35%. Due to acidity-triggered charge reversal of polypeptide, which significantly extended circulation time and improved targeting ability, fluorescence and photoacoustic signals were still obvious at tumor site post-24 h by tail vein injection and chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy obviously enhanced antitumor efficacy. Mild PTT with multiple short-term exposures not only reduced the side effect of overdose drug but also avoided skin damage caused by long-term irradiation. Conclusion: By adjusting irradiation time and on/off cycle, multiple small amount local drug release reduced the side effect of overdose drug and skin damage. This novel approach provided an ideal near-infrared light-triggered nanocarrier with accurate control of area, time, and especially dosage.

Dihydrosanguinarine suppresses pancreatic cancer cells via regulation of mut-p53/WT-p53 and the Ras/Raf/Mek/Erk pathway.

BACKGROUND: There have been some reports implicating the pharmacologic action of Dihydrosanguinarine (DHSA), but little research including the effects of it on cancer cells. PANC-1 cells have mutations in K-Ras and TP53, which respectively express mutant K-Ras and p53 protein, and the mutations in Ras/p53 have been believed with closely relationship to the occurrence of various tumors. PURPOSE: To reveal the inhibition of Dihydrosanguinarine on pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1 and SW1990) proliferation by inducing G0/G1 and G2/M phase arrest via the downregulation of mut-p53 protein, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting invasiveness through the Ras/Mek/Erk signaling pathway. METHODS: Human pancreatic cancer cell lines were cultured with cisplatin and DHSA. Then, cell proliferation, the cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8 and flow cytometry. The migratory and invasive abilities of pancreatic cancer cells were evaluated by transwell assay. The expression levels of mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and western blotting. RESULTS: The results showed that DHSA treatment inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in a time- and dose-dependent manner and led to induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. G0/G1 and G2/M phase arrest inhibited the viability of PANC-1 cells by downregulating the expression of mut-p53 protein. Decreased levels of C-Raf and Erk phosphorylation in DHSA-treated PANC-1 and SW1990 cells were observed in a time- and dose-dependent manner. However, the total expression of p53 and Ras proteins had a different change in PANC-1 and SW1990 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings offer the novel perspective that DHSA inhibits pancreatic cancer cells through a bidirectional regulation between mut-p53/-Ras and WT-p53/-Ras to restore the dynamic balance by Ras and p53 proteins.

In situ aqueous synthesis of genetically engineered polypeptide-capped Ag2S quantum dots for second near-infrared fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy.

Ag2S quantum dots have received extensive attention as theranostic agents for second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence and photoacoustic dual-mode imaging, and photothermal therapy. However, it is still greatly challenging to synthesize Ag2S quantum dots using aqueous synthesis. In this study, genetically engineered polypeptide-capped Ag2S quantum dots were successfully synthesized. Three cysteines were integrated to the C-terminal and N-terminal of RGDPC10A to enhance the stability and brightness of the synthesized Ag2S quantum dots. The RGDPC10A-capped Ag2S quantum dots exhibited excellent stability, outstanding resistance to photobleaching, and a superior quantum yield of up to 3.78% in the NIR-II biological window. The in vitro and in vivo results showed that the RGDPC10A-capped Ag2S quantum dots possessed typical NIR-II fluorescence, photoacoustic imaging, and photothermal therapeutic effectiveness against tumors. Moreover, the results of toxicity assays suggested that the RGDPC10A-capped Ag2S quantum dots have negligible long-term toxicity. These findings open up the possibility for synthesizing theranostic agents by using this aqueous method.

Analysis on traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions treating cancerous fever based on grey screening method combined with multivariate analysis method and discovery of new prescriptions / 中国中药杂志

Cancerous fever is one of the common symptoms of advanced malignant tumors,which seriously affects the quality of life and survival of patients. At present,the clinical research on the treatment of cancerous fever by traditional Chinese medicine is limited,and there is a lack of research on the medication rules from multiple dimensions of disease-symptom-syndrome. The treatment of cancerous fever has not made substantial progress. In this study,we collected the literature on treatment of cancerous fever in Chinese medicine,and concluded that common syndrome types include Yin deficiency type,Qi deficiency type,Yang deficiency type,blood stasis type,damp-heat accumulation type,toxic heat flourishing type and liver meridian stagnated heat type. Two hundreds and fifty-seven prescriptions for Chinese medicine and 249 flavors for single medicine were extracted. The analysis of the drug composition of the drug found that the cancerous fever treatment was mainly based on heat-clearing drugs and deficiency-nourishing drugs. Apriori association analysis of the drug found that the second and third related drugs were mainly Rehmanniae Radix,Moutan Cortex,Artemisiae Annuae Herba,Trionycis Carapax and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma. The top five gray correlation degrees were Psoraleae Fructus,Bupleuri Radix,Hordei Fructus Germinatus,Scutellariae Radix and Massa Medicata Fermentata. And seven new prescriptions were evolved. The results showed that the treatment of cancerous fever can be started from the disease-symptom-syndrome,nourishing Yin and clearing heat is an important method for " disease differentiation and treatment". The combination of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix is the embodiment of " symptom differentiation and treatment". The new prescriptions conform to the idea of " syndrome differentiation and treatment" of traditional Chinese medicine can provide reference for clinical medication. The grey screening method combined with multivariate analysis method was used to analyze the prescription rules of Chinese medicine in the treatment of cancer fever,which followed the black box structure of traditional Chinese medicine,made the potential rule of prescriptions explicit,broadened its thinking of Chinese medicine treatment,and made up for the deficiency of traditional analysis methods.

A multifunctional targeting probe with dual-mode imaging and photothermal therapy used in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Ag2S has the characteristics of conventional quantum dot such as broad excitation spectrum, narrow emission spectrum, long fluorescence lifetime, strong anti-bleaching ability, and other optical properties. Moreover, since its fluorescence emission is located in the NIR-II region, has stronger penetrating ability for tissue. Ag2S quantum dot has strong absorption during the visible and NIR regions, it has good photothermal and photoacoustic response under certain wavelength excitation. RESULTS: 200 nm aqueous probe Ag2S@DSPE-PEG2000-FA (Ag2S@DP-FA) with good dispersibility and stability was prepared by coating hydrophobic Ag2S with the mixture of folic acid (FA) modified DSPE-PEG2000 (DP) and other polymers, it was found the probe had good fluorescent, photoacoustic and photothermal responses, and a low cell cytotoxicity at 50 µg/mL Ag concentration. Blood biochemical analysis, liver enzyme and tissue histopathological test showed that no significant influence was observed on blood and organs within 15 days after injection of the probe. In vivo and in vitro fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging of the probe further demonstrated that the Ag2S@DP-FA probe had good active targeting ability for tumor. In vivo and in vitro photothermal therapy experiments confirmed that the probe also had good ability of killing tumor by photothermal. CONCLUSIONS: Ag2S@DP-FA was a safe, integrated diagnosis and treatment probe with multi-mode imaging, photothermal therapy and active targeting ability, which had a great application prospect in the early diagnosis and treatment of tumor.

Optimal timing for the oral administration of Da-Cheng-Qi decoction based on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic targeting of the pancreas in rats with acute pancreatitis.

AIM: To identify the optimal oral dosing time of Da-Cheng-Qi decoction (DCQD) in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP) based on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters. METHODS: First, 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a sham-operated group [NG(a)] and three model groups [4hG(a), 12hG(a) and 24hG(a)]. The NG(a) and model groups were administered DCQD (10 g/kg.BW) intragastrically at 4 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h, respectively, after AP models induced by 3% sodium taurocholate. Plasma samples were collected from the tails at 10 min, 20 min, 40 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h and 24 h after a single dosing with DCQD. Plasma and pancreatic tissue concentrations of the major components of DCQD were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy. The pharmacokinetic parameters and serum amylase were detected and compared. Second, rats were divided into a sham-operated group [NG(b)] and three treatment groups [4hG(b), 12hG(b) and 24hG(b)] with three corresponding control groups [MG(b)s]. Blood and pancreatic tissues were collected 24 h after a single dosing with DCQD. Serum amylase, inflammatory cytokines and pathological scores of pancreatic tissues were detected and compared. RESULTS: The concentrations of emodin, naringin, honokiol, naringenin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol and rheochrysidin in the 12hG(a) group were higher than those in the 4hG(a) group in the pancreatic tissues (P < 0.05). The area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to the time of the last measurable concentration values (AUC0→t) for rhein, chrysophanol, magnolol and naringin in the 12hG(a) group were larger than those in the 4hG(a) or 24hG(a) groups. The 12hG(a) group had a higher Cmax than the other two model groups. The IL-10 levels in the 12hG(b) and 24hG(b) groups were higher than in the MG(b)s (96.55 ± 7.84 vs 77.46 ± 7.42, 251.22 ± 16.15 vs 99.72 ± 4.7 respectively, P < 0.05), while in the 24hG(b) group, the IL-10 level was higher than in the other two treatment groups (251.22 ± 16.15 vs 154.41 ± 12.09/96.55 ± 7.84, P < 0.05). The IL-6 levels displayed a decrease in the 4hG(b) and 12hG(b) groups compared to the MG(b)s (89.99 ± 4.61 vs 147.91 ± 4.36, 90.82 ± 5.34 vs 171.44 ± 13.43, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Late-time dosing may have higher concentrations of the most major components of DCQD, with better pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti-inflammation than early-time dosing, which showed the late time to be the optimal dosing time of DCQD for AP.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Da-Cheng-Qi decoction in the liver of rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

AIM: To explore the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Da-Cheng-Qi decoction (DCQD) in the liver of rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) based on an herbal recipe tissue pharmacology hypothesis. METHODS: Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group (SOG); a model group (MG); and low-, median- and high-dose treatment groups (LDG, MDG, and HDG, respectively). Different dosages (6, 12 and 24 g/kg for the LDG, MDG, and HDG, respectively) of DCQD were administered to the rats with SAP. The tissue concentrations of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, honokiol, rheo chrysophanol, magnolol, hesperidin, naringenin and naringin in the liver of the treated rats were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in serum, inflammatory mediators in the liver and pathological scores were evaluated. RESULTS: The major components of DCQD were detected in the liver, and their concentrations increased dose-dependently. The high dose of DCQD showed a maximal effect in ameliorating the pathological damages, decreasing the pro-inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-6 and increasing anti-inflammatory mediators IL-4 and IL-10 in the liver. The pathological scores in the pancreas for the MG were significantly higher than those for the SOG (P < 0.05). DCQD could reduce the pathological scores in the pancreas and liver of the rats with SAP, especially in the HDG. Compared to the SOG, the ALT and AST levels in serum were higher in the MG (P < 0.05), while there was no statistical difference in the MG and HDG. CONCLUSION: DCQD could alleviate liver damage by altering the inflammatory response in rats with SAP based on the liver distribution of its components.

Study on the Role of Dendritic Cells in Immune Regulation in Blistering Moxibustion / 上海针灸杂志

As a classical external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, blistering moxibustion has significant curative effect on asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and other immune disorders, which suggests that it has certain immunoregulation effect. When stimulated, skin immune system evokes innate immune or acquired immune systems, including dendritic cells (DC), a type of crucial cell related to acquired immunity. From the classification and function of DC, especially the differentiation, migration and maturation of DC in local skin after blistering moxibustion. This article was to discuss the possible ways of immunoregulation of DC in local skin after blistering moxibustion, so as to provide reference for the study on immunoregulatory mechanism of blistering moxibustion.

Clinical Study on Mind-regulating Acupuncture in Treating Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of mind-regulating acupuncture in treating primary trigeminal neuralgia.Method Sixty-one patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia were randomized into a treatment group of 31 cases and a control group of 30 cases by using random number table method. The control group was intervened by oral administration of Carbamazepine, while the treatment group was additionally given mind-regulating acupuncture. The pain intensity, pain flare-up frequency and quality of life in the two groups were evaluated before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared.Result The total effective rate was 90.3％ in the treatment group, versus 70.0％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The pain score, pain flare-up frequency and quality of life score after the treatment were significantly different from those before the treatment in both groups (P<0.05); there were no significant between-group differences in comparing the pain score and flare-up frequency after the treatment (P>0.05); there was significant between-group difference in comparing the quality of life score after the treatment(P<0.05). The pain score, pain flare-up frequency and quality of life score at the 6-month follow-up were significantly different from those before and after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05); there were significant between-group differences in comparing the pain score, flare-up frequency and the quality of life score at the 6-month follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusion Mind-regulating acupuncture can produce a significant efficacy in treating primary trigeminal neuralgia and obviously enhance the quality of life.

Clinical Study on Mind-regulating Acupuncture in Treating Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of mind-regulating acupuncture in treating primary trigeminal neuralgia.Method Sixty-one patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia were randomized into a treatment group of 31 cases and a control group of 30 cases by using random number table method. The control group was intervened by oral administration of Carbamazepine, while the treatment group was additionally given mind-regulating acupuncture. The pain intensity, pain flare-up frequency and quality of life in the two groups were evaluated before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared.Result The total effective rate was 90.3％ in the treatment group, versus 70.0％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The pain score, pain flare-up frequency and quality of life score after the treatment were significantly different from those before the treatment in both groups (P<0.05); there were no significant between-group differences in comparing the pain score and flare-up frequency after the treatment (P>0.05); there was significant between-group difference in comparing the quality of life score after the treatment(P<0.05). The pain score, pain flare-up frequency and quality of life score at the 6-month follow-up were significantly different from those before and after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05); there were significant between-group differences in comparing the pain score, flare-up frequency and the quality of life score at the 6-month follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusion Mind-regulating acupuncture can produce a significant efficacy in treating primary trigeminal neuralgia and obviously enhance the quality of life.

Protective Effect of Tetrandrine on Sodium Taurocholate-Induced Severe Acute Pancreatitis.

Tet is a type of alkaloid extracted from Stephania tetrandra, and it has recently been demonstrated that Tet can protect against inflammation and free radical injury and inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators. The present study was designed to observe the protective effect of Tet on sodium taurocholate-induced severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The rat model of SAP was induced by retrograde bile duct injection of sodium taurocholate and then treated with Verapamil and Tet. The results showed that Tet can reduce NF-κB activation in pancreas issue, inhibit the SAP cascade, and improve SAP through inducing pancreas acinar cell apoptosis and stabilizing intracellular calcium in the pancreas, thus mitigating the damage to the pancreas. Our study revealed that Tet may reduce systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS) to protect against damage, and these roles may be mediated through the NF-κB pathway to improve the proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory imbalance.

Effect of acute pancreatitis on the pharmacokinetics of Chinese herbal micron Liuhe Pill ointment in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of acute pancreatitis (AP) on the pharmacokinetics of herbal ointment micron Liuhe Pill, MLHP) components in anesthetized rats. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into a AP model group (n=6) and a normal group as a control (n=6). The rat model of AP was induced by intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine in rats (15 mg/kg, twice, interval 1 h). Chinese herbal ointment MLHP was used externally on the belly after the 2nd injection for 48 h in both groups. Emodin, rhein, aloe emodin, physcion, chrysophanol from MLHP were detected and quantified in rat serum and pancreas (at 48 h) by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Among the five components, only emodin, aloe emodin and physcion from MLHP were detected in all rat serum and most of the rats' pancreas. Rhein and chrysophanol were not detected in both serum and pancreas. T1/2α of emodin and physcion in MLHP were obviously shorter in the AP model group than those in the normal group (P<0.05), while there was no difference for T1/2α of aloe emodin. The peak concentration and area under curve of all three components were much higher in the AP group than those in the normal group with MLHP in external application for 48 h (P<0.05). Furthermore, the mean residence time (MRT) and maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) of emodin and aloe emodin were obviously longer in the AP model group than those in the normal control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference for Ka of all components between the two groups. Emodin could be detected in all rats' pancreas at 48 h in both groups, while its mean pancreatic concentration was higher in the AP model group than in the normal group (0.61±0.54 ng/mL, 0.42±0.37 ng/mL, respectively,P<0.05). Aloe emodin could be detected in all rats' pancreas at 48 h in both groups and their mean pancreatic concentration were similar (0.31±0.24 ng/mL, 0.33±0.17 ng/mL, respectively,P>0.05). Physcion could be detected in pancreas of most rats in the AP model while only two rats in the normal group. CONCLUSION: AP could significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of absorbed components of Chinese herbal MLHP ointment in rats.

Metabolomic profiles illuminate the efficacy of Chinese herbal Da-Cheng-Qi decoction on acute pancreatitis in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chinese herbal drug Da-Cheng-Qi decoction (DCQD) has been widely used for decades to treat acute pancreatitis (AP). Previous trials are mostly designed to state the potential mechanisms of the therapeutic effects rather than to detect its whole effect on metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of DCQD on metabolism in AP. METHODS: Twenty-two male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups. AP was induced by retrograde ductal infusion of 3.5% sodium taurocholate solution in DCQD and AP group, while 0.9% saline solution was used in sham operation (SO) group. Blood samples were obtained 12 h after drug administration and a 600 MHz superconducting Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer was used to detected plasma metabolites. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis after Orthogonal Signal Correction (OSC-PLS-DA) were applied to analyze the Longitudinal Eddy-delay (LED) and Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) spectra. RESULTS: Differences in concentrations of metabolites among the three groups were detected by OSC-PLS-DA of 1HNMR spectra (both LED and CPMG). Compared with SO group, DCQD group had higher levels of plasma glycerol, glutamic acid, low density lipoprotein (LDL), saturated fatty acid (FA) and lower levels of alanine and glutamine, while the metabolic changes were reversed in the AP group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that DCQD was capable of altering the changed concentrations of metabolites in rats with AP and 1HNMR-based metabolomic approach provided a new methodological cue for systematically investigating the efficacies and mechanisms of DCQD in treating AP.

Effect of electroacupuncture on the inflammatory response in patients with acute pancreatitis: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on inflammatory responses in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). METHODS: Eighty patients with mild or severe AP were randomly allocated to a control group or an EA group. All patients were managed conservatively. In addition, the EA group received acupuncture for 30 min per day for 7 days at bilateral points ST36, LI4, TE6, ST37 and LR3. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured on admission and on day 7. The time to re-feeding and length of stay in hospital were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients provided complete data. The characteristics of the patients in the EA and control groups were similar. After 7 days the serum concentrations of IL-10 were higher in the EA group than in the control group (mild AP: 6.2±1.2 vs 5.2±0.9 pg/mL, p<0.05; severe AP: 14.9±7.8 vs 7.9±6.3 pg/mL, p<0.05). For patients with severe AP, the CRP level in the EA group was lower than in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EA may reduce the severity of AP by inducing anti-inflammatory effects and reducing the time to re-feeding; however, it did not reduce the length of hospital stay. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-TRC-13003572.