Optimal fermentation time for Nigrospora-fermented tea rich in bostrycin.

BACKGROUND: Bostrycin has many biological functions, such as anticancer activity, and is becoming increasingly popular. Nigrospora sphaerica HCH285, which has the ability to produce high levels of bostrycin, can be used to ferment sun-dried green tea of Camellia sinensis through acclimation, resulting in the development of a Nigrospora-fermented tea. The effects of fermentation time on the production of bostrycin by the HCH285 strain were investigated. RESULTS: After 45 days of fermentation, the bostrycin content reached 3.18 g kg-1 , which is the highest level during the whole fermentation. At 50 days, the tea liquor was red, had a strong mushroom odour and a sweet taste, and presented optimal quality. The contents of free amino acids, tea polyphenols and soluble sugars in the fermented tea decreased generally during the fermentation, although the content of water-soluble substances increased. Additionally, the results of a 14-day acute oral toxicity test showed that Nigrospora-fermented tea was nontoxic. CONCLUSION: The optimum fermentation time of Nigrospora-fermented tea was concluded to be 45-50 days. These results provide insights with respect to the development of tea biotechnology and new tea products with active ingredients. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) as adjuvant treatment for pneumonia of phlegm-heat blocking lung type in children: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) as adjuvant treatment for pneumonia of phlegm-heat blocking lung type in children. METHODS: A total of 80 children with pneumonia of phlegm-heat blocking lung type were randomized into an observation group (40 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (40 cases). In the control group, routine anti-infection and symptomatic and supportive treatment were given. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, acupuncture was applied at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) in the observation group, once every 2 days, 4 times were required. Before and after treatment, the score of clinical symptoms and signs and level of serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were observed in the two groups. The antifebrile time, lung moist rale disappearance time, duration of antibacterial drugs and hospital stays were recorded, and the clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of clinical symptoms and signs and levels of serum hs-CRP were reduced in the two groups (P<0.01), and the changes of scores of fever, cough and lung moist rale, secondary symptom score, total score of clinical symptoms and signs and level of serum hs-CRP in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The antifebrile time, lung moist rale disappearance time, duration of antibacterial drugs and hospital stays in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 87.2% (34/39) in the observation group, which was superior to 65.0% (26/40) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) as adjuvant treatment can relieve clinical symptoms, shorten duration of antibacterial drugs and hospital stays for children with pneumonia of phlegm-heat blocking lung type.

Zhibitai and low-dose atorvastatin reduce blood lipids and inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Atorvastatin decreases blood lipids but is associated with side effects. Zhibitai is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat blood lipid disorders. The objective of this study is to evaluate the lipid-lowering effect, antiinflammatory effect, and adverse events of zhibitai combined to atorvastatin in patients with coronary heart diseases (CHDs). METHODS: Patients with CHD (n = 150) were randomized to: zhibitai 480 mg + atorvastatin 10 mg (ZA10 group), atorvastatin 20 mg (A20 group), and atorvastatin 40 mg (A40 group). Lipid profile, cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Self-reported side effects, liver function, kidney function, and creatine kinase levels were monitored. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100) levels were decreased in the ZA10 group (-64%, -37%, -46%, and -54%, respectively, compared with baseline), and these changes were similar to those of the A40 group (P > 0.05). CT-1 and high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were significantly decreased in the ZA10 group after 4 and 8 weeks (4 weeks: -73% and 96%; 8 weeks: -89% and -98%; all P < 0.01), without differences among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, adverse events (abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, and hunger) were found in 4, 5, and 7 patients in the ZA10, A20, and A40 groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: ZA10 significantly reduced triglycerides, TC, LDL-C, ApoB, CT-1, and hs-CRP levels in patients with CHD, similar to the effects of A40 and A20, but ZA10 lead to fewer adverse events.

[A comparative study of the efficacy and safety Zhibitai and atorvastatin].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the lipid lowing effect and the clinical safety between intensive therapy with Chinese medicine Zhibitai and atorvastatin in patients with moderate and high risk of atherosclerosis. METHODS: All the patients were randomly divided in to a Zhibitai group (n = 85) receiving 480 mg of Zhibitai orally twice a day or an atorvastatin group (n = 84) receiving 10 mg atorvastatin orally once daily. Blood lipoproteins, myocardial enzymes, liver and renal function were measured before treatment and at the fourth and eighth week after therapy, while high sensitive c reactive protein (hs-CRP), P-selectin, matrix-metall proteinase-9 (MMP-9) and soluble intercellular adhering molecule-1 (SICAM-1) were detected before treatment and eighth week after therapy in all patients. RESULTS: TC and LDL-C were significantly decreased while HDL-C was increased in both groups after 4 and 8 weeks treatment (P < 0.05). TG was decreased in Zhibitai group after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, but it was decreased in atorvastatin group only after 8 weeks of treatment. Inflammatory factors such as hs-CRP, P-selectin, MMP-9, SICAM-1 were decreased significantly (all P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups. There were no difference in liver and kidney function, myocardial enzymes and incidence of muscle-ache and digestive system side reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Besides the lipoprotein disorder, inflammatory factors in patients with moderate and high risk of atherosclerosis could be regulated with intensive therapy of Zhibitai. Most importantly, it is safe to use Zhibitai clinically.

Evaluation of the lipid lowering ability, anti-inflammatory effects and clinical safety of intensive therapy with Zhibitai, a Chinese traditional medicine.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the lipid lowering ability, anti-inflammatory effects and clinical safety of intensive therapy of the Chinese traditional medicine Zhibitai in subjects with moderate to high cardiovascular risk. METHODS: A total of 169 subjects (96 males and 73 females, aged 55-72) having moderate to high cardiovascular risk were recruited and randomly divided into Zhibitai group (n=85), which received 480 mg of Zhibitai orally twice daily, and atorvastatin group (n=84), which received 10 mg of atorvastatin orally once a day. Blood lipoproteins, myocardial enzymes, liver and renal functions were measured before treatment started, and after 4 and 8 weeks of the treatment. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), P-selectin, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were measured before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was increased in both groups, after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment (p<0.05 for all pairs). Interestingly, plasma triglycerides (TG) decreased in the Zhibitai group after 4 weeks of treatment but only decreased in the atorvastatin group after 8 weeks. Inflammatory factors such as hs-CRP, P-selectin, MMP-9 and sICAM-1 were significantly decreased in both groups after 8 weeks (p<0.01 for all pairs). Furthermore, there was no difference in myocardial enzymes, hepatic and renal function test parameters, incidence of myopathy or gastrointestinal tract symptoms in either group. CONCLUSION: Zhibitai therapy is a good alternative to statin therapy to reduce plasma cholesterol levels in subjects with moderate to high cardiovascular risk. Most importantly, Zhibitai is safe to use.