Chinese herbal medicines for treating ulcerative colitis via regulating gut microbiota-intestinal immunity axis / 中草药·英文版

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of types of inflammatory bowel disease with high recurrence. Recent studies have highlighted that microbial dysbiosis as well as abnormal gut immunity are crucial factors that initiate a series of inflammatory responses in the UC. Modulating the gut microbiota-intestinal immunity loop has been suggested as one of key strategies for relieving UC. Many Chinese herbal medicines including some of single herb, herbal formulas and the derived constituents have been reported with protective effect against UC through modulating gut microbiome and intestinal immunity. Some clinical trials have shown promising results. This review thus focused on the current knowledge on using Chinese herbal medicines for treating UC from the mechanism aspects of regulating intestinal homeostasis involving microbiota and gut immunity. The existing clinical trials are also summarized.

Rabdosia serra alleviates dextran sulfate sodium salt-induced colitis in mice through anti-inflammation,regulating Th17/Treg balance,maintaining intestinal barrier integrity,and modulating gut microbiota / 药物分析学报

Rabdosia serra(R.serra),an important component of Chinese herbal tea,has traditionally been used to treat hepatitis,jaundice,cholecystitis,and colitis.However,the chemical composition of R.serra and its effect against colitis remain unclear.In this study,the chemical composition of the water extract of R.serra was analyzed using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid linear ion trap quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer(UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS).A total of 46 compounds,comprising ent-kaurane diterpenoids,flavonoids,phenolic acids,and steroids,were identified in the water extract of R.serra,and the extract could significantly alleviate dextran sulfate sodium salt-induced colitis by improving colon length,upregulating anti-inflammatory factors,downregulating proinflammatory fac-tors,and restoring the balance of T helper 17/T regulatory cells.R.serra also preserved intestinal barrier function by increasing the level of tight junction proteins(zonula occludens 1 and occludin)in mouse colonic tissue.In addition,R.serra modulated the gut microbiota composition by increasing bacterial richness and diversity,increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria(Muribaculaceae,Bacteroides,Lactobacillus,and Prevotellaceae_UCG-O01),and decreasing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria(Turi-cibacter,Eubacterium_fissicatena_group,and Eubacterium_xylanophilum_group).Gut microbiota depletion by antibiotics further confirmed that R.serra alleviated colitis in a microbiota-dependent manner.Overall,our findings provide chemical and biological evidence for the potential application of R.serra in the management of colitis.

Clinical efficacy of Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder in the treatment of post-stroke depression: A protocol for randomized, double-blind clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common complication after stroke and is closely related to the poor prognosis of stroke. Antidepressants are the priority drug in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD), but there are dependence and adverse reactions. Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder has a good effect on depression without obvious adverse reactions. At present, there is a lack of rigorous randomized controlled trials to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder in the treatment of PSD. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel controlled trial to explore the efficacy and safety of Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder in the treatment of PSD. The participants were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The treatment group used Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder combined with escitalopram oxalate, and the control group used Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder simulant combined with citalopram oxalate. The two groups were both treated for 8 weeks and followed up for 3 months. Observational index includes: Total response rate, Hamilton depression scale, Barthel index, national institutes of health stroke scale, the modified Edinburgh-Scandinavian stroke scale, Incidence of adverse reactions. Finally, SPASS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the data. DISCUSSION: This study will evaluate the clinical efficacy of Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder in the treatment of PSD. The results of this study will provide reliable evidence for the clinical use of Xiaoyao Powder in the treatment of PSD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework Registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/5V926.

-'s diagnosis and treatment characteristics of acupuncture-moxibustion for facial diseases / 中国针灸

Based on the three books of - (1931), - (1940) and - (1955) written by Mr. -, the classification of facial diseases as well as the records and evolution process of Chinese and western disease names are summarized and analyzed to discuss Mr. -'s understanding of facial diseases in different periods. Through the systematic analysis and comparison in the trilogy of acupuncture and moxibustion, the characteristics of syndrome differentiation and diagnosis-treatment of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for facial diseases by Mr. - are summarized, including clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment, which is adjusted with syndrome changes; simplified selection of acupoints, with attention on empirical acupoints; the strength of acupuncture is based on efficacy; acupuncture and moxibustion has specific indication; combination of acupuncture and medication could bring out the best in each other.

Clinical Efficacy of Wumeiwan Combined with Bazhentang in Treatment of Obese of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Qi and Yin Deficiencies, Phlegm and Stasis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Wumeiwan combined with Bazhentang in the treatment of obesity type 2 diabetes with Qi and Yin deficiencies, phlegm and stasis. Method: Totally 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 30 cases in each group. Observation group was given Wumeiwan combined with modified Bazhentang in addition to Western medicine (metformin hydrochloride). The control group was treated with traditional Western medicine (metformin hydrochloride). The course of treatment is eight weeks. Fasting blood sugar (FPG),2 hPG (2 hPG),glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c),total cholesterol (TC),triglycerin (TG),body mass index (BMI),safety indicators (three major routine,liver and kidney functions) and clinical symptoms before and after treatment between two groups were compared. The clinical efficacy of two groups was evaluated. Result: The observation group had an effective rate of 93.3% (28/30),which was significantly higher than 73.3% (22/30) of the control group,with statistically significant differences (PPPPConclusion: Modified Wumeiwan combined with Bazhentang is safe and effective in treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with Qi and Yin deficiencies, phlegm and stasis,and can reduce blood sugar,blood lipid,BMI level and relieve clinical symptoms of patients, and so worth promotion.

Repurposing vitamin D for treatment of human malignancies targeting tumor microenvironment

Tumor cells along with a small proportion of cancer stem cells exist in a stromal microenvironment consisting of vasculature, cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune cells and extracellular components. Recent epidemiological and clinical studies strongly support that vitamin D supplementation is associated with reduced cancer risk and favorable prognosis. Experimental results suggest that vitamin D not only suppresses cancer cells, but also regulates tumor microenvironment to facilitate tumor repression. In this review, we have outlined the current knowledge on epidemiological studies and clinical trials of vitamin D. Notably, we summarized and discussed the anticancer action of vitamin D in cancer cells, cancer stem cells and stroma cells in tumor microenvironment, providing a better understanding of the role of vitamin D in cancer. We presently re-propose vitamin D to be a novel and economical anticancer agent.

Effects of Yinchenhao decoction on self-regulation of renin-angiotensin system by targeting angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in bile duct-ligated rat liver / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to investigate whether Yinchenhao decoction (YCHD) attenuates hepatic fibrogenesis in the bile duct ligation (BDL) model via recovering and restoring the self-regulation and balance of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), 33 specific-pathogen-free (SPF) male Sprague-Dawley rats with common BDL and scission were randomly divided into five groups as follows: G1, the sham group (n=4); G2, BDL 7-day group (n=5); G3, BDL+YCHD 430 mg/mL (n=8); G4, BDL+losartan 0.65 mg/mL (ARB group, n=8); G5, model group (BDL without any treatment, n=8). YCHD and losartan (10 mL·kg(-1)·day(-1)) were given by gastric gavage for 16 days following BDL in G3 and G4 groups, respectively. The effect of YCHD on liver fibrosis and the detailed molecular mechanisms were assessed by liver function including total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IDBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Histological changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Masson trichrome staining. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression level of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), ACE2, angiotensin II (AngII) as well as transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1). The experimental data were analyzed by principle component analytical method of pattern recognition. The results showed that biochemically, serum TBIL, DBIL, IDBIL, ALT and AST levels were markedly increased following BDL as compared with the sham group (P<0.05). Serum TBIL, IDBIL and DBIL levels in G3 group were dramatically decreased as compared with G5 and G4 groups (P<0.05). Serum AST level in G3 was significantly lowered than in G5 group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in ALT among G3, G4 and G5 groups (P>0.05). Histologically, livers in G3 group showed less hepatocytes necrosis, less bile duct hyperplasia and less collagen formation than in G4 and G5 groups. The protein expression levels of ACE2, ACE, AngII, AT1R and TGFβ1 in G2, G3 and G4 groups were significantly higher than in sham group (P<0.05), and lower than in G5 group (P<0.05). However, the differences among G2, G3 and G4 groups were not significant (P>0.05). ACE2 protein expression in G3 group was significantly higher than in G2 group (P<0.05) and there was no significant difference in comparison with G4 group (P>0.05). Moreover, the protein expression of TGFβ1 in G3 group was significantly lower than in G5 and G4 groups (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that the antifibrotic effects of YCHD may be associated with the decreased classical RAS pathway components and TGFβ1 downexpression so as to recover and rebuild self-regulation of the RAS by elevating the protein expression of ACE2.

[Vertical distribution patterns of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in Chinese pine forest soils developed from different parent materials in Songshan Mountain Nature Reserve, Beijing of China].

Taking the soils developed from two kinds of parent materials (granite and limestone) under Pinus tabulaeformis forest at the same altitude in Songshan Mountain Nature Reserve of Beijing as test objects, this paper studied the vertical distribution patterns of soil total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium. The soil developed from granite had the total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium contents being 1.61-2. 35 g kg-1, 5. 84-10.74 mg kg- 1, and 39.33-93.66 mg kg-1, while that developed from limestone had the total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium contents being 1. 69 -2. 36 g kg-1, 4.45-8.57 mg . kg-1, and 60.66-124.00 mg kg-1, respectively. The total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium contents in the two soils were the highest in 0-10 cm layer, decreased with increasing depth, and had significant differences between different layers, showing that the soil total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium had a strong tendency to accumulate in surface layer. Such a tendency was more obvious for the soil developed from limestone. The paired t-test for the two soils indicated that the total nitrogen content in different layers had no significant difference, whereas the available phosphorus content in 0-10 cm layer and the available potassium content in 10-20 cm layer differed significantly.

In vitro anti-proliferation effect of peptides from cinobufacini injection / 药学学报

Cinobufacini is an aqueous extract of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor dried skin, which has been widely used for cancer therapy in China. So far, its active components are still not very clear. In previous reports, bufadienolides with low-concentration were usually studied because of their anticancer effects. However, the high polarity constituents in cinobufacini are less investigated. The present study found that more than 50% contents of cinobufacini were water-soluble peptides. Then, in vitro anticancer experiments were carried out, including human stomach cancer cell lines BGC823 and MCG803, human colon cancer cell lines DLD-1 and HT-29, and human pancreatic cancer cell line MIAPACA-2. The IC50 for these cell lines model were ranged from 25-123 microgmL(-1). The results indicated that these peptides showed similar activity with cinobufacini injection. As a conclusion, this study provides a new and further understanding of anticancer components in cinobufacini injection.

[Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against excitotoxicity induced by NMDA receptors and mechanism thereof].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) excitotoxicity and focal cerebral ischemia, and further explore the neuroprotective mechanisms of GBE. METHODS: Neonatal SD rat hippocampus was taken out to make into cell suspension. immunohistochemistry with neuron nucleoprotein monoclonal antibody (NeuN) was used to calculate the percentage of NeuN positive cells. Twelve days after incubation the suspension of neurons were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group (exposed to normal saline for 15 min and then to DMEM without NMDA and glycine for 24 h), NMDA group (exposed to culture fluid with NMDA of the terminal concentration of 100 micromol/L and glycine of the terminal concentration of 10 micromol/L for 15 min and then to DMEM without NMDA and glycine for 24 h), MK-801 group (exposed to MK-801, an NMDAR antagonist, for 2 min, to culture fluid with NMDA for 15 min, and then to DMEM without NMDA and glycine for 24 h), and GBE pretreatment group (exposed to GBE of the terminal concentration of 150 microg/ml for 3 d, culture fluid with NMDS for 15 min, and then to DMEM without NMDA and glycine foe 24 h). Trypan blue staining was used to calculate the survival rate of the neurons. The lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level in the supernatant of cultured cell suspension was detected. Whole-cell patch clamp recording was carried out to evaluate the modulatory effects of GBE on NMDA-activated currents in the rat hippocampal neurons. 108 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham operation group (n = 12), standard middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group (n = 24, undergoing MCAO and then reperfusion), MK-801 acute administration group (n = 24, undergoing MCAO and immediate peritoneal administration of MK-801 1 mg/kg), GBE acute administration group (n = 24, undergoing peritoneal injection of GBE 100 mg/kg immediately after the MCAO), and GBE pretreatment group (n = 24, undergoing peritoneal administration of GBE every day for 7 days before the MCAO). The 4 groups were re-divided into 4 subgroups with 3 approximately 4 rats: 0.5 h ischemia, and 3 h, 1 d, and 7 d ischemia-reperfusion (IR) subgroups. The neurological symptoms were evaluated by Longa's scoring after the rats became conscious. The rats were killed at different time-points, their brains were taken out to undergo 2, 3, 5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride staining, the areas of cerebral infarction were calculated, and immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the contents of NeuN and microtubule-associated protein (MAP-2). RESULTS: The cell viability of the GBE group was 85% +/- 5%, significantly higher than that of the NMDA group (39.8% +/- 2.1%, P < 0.01), and significantly lower than that of the MK-801 group (93.8% +/- 2.7%, P < 0.05). The LDH efflux of the GBE group was 87 U/L +/- 8 U/L, significantly lower than that of the NMDA group (138 U/L +/- 12 U/L, P < 0.01) and significantly higher than that of the MK-801 group (47 U/L +/- 7 U/L, P < 0.05). The inward current (I(NMDA)) of the NMDA group was significantly activated, The inhibitory rate of the NMDA-activated I(NMDA) of the GBE group was 40% +/- 17%, significantly lower than that of the MK-801 group (78% +/- 18%, P < 0.05); After washing out with standard extracellular solution, the I(NMDA) could recover to 91% +/- 8% in the GBE group, but not in the MK-801 group (P < 0.05), which indicated that GBE had lower affinity to NMDA receptor than MK-801. The Longa's scores of the 3 h and 24 h IR subgroups of the GBS pretreatment group were all significantly lower than those of the corresponding subgroups of the standard MCAO and GBE acute administration groups. The symptoms of the MK-801 were the most severe. Cerebral infarction began to appear in the 1-day subgroups. The cerebral infarction areas of the 1 d subgroups of the GBF pretreatment and MK-801 groups were 11.5% +/- 1.3% and 6.5% +/- 0.9% respectively, both significantly smaller than those of the MCAO and GBE acute administration groups (24.5% +/- % and 22.9% +/- 1.3% respectively, both P < 0.01), however, there was no significant difference in the cerebral infarction area between the GBE acute administration and MCAO group. It was true too for the cerebral infarction areas of the 7 d subgroups. Except in the control group, loss of NeuN positive neuron was seen in all groups, especially the MCAO and GBE acute administration groups. Except in the control group, the MAP-2 positive neurons were decreased in all groups, especially the MCAO and GBE acute administration groups, and 1 day and 7 days after the IR MAP-2 positive neurons were almost unseen in the MCAO and GBE acute administration groups, however, could be seen in small amounts in the GBE and MK-801 groups (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: GBE pretreatment protects the neurons from excitotoxicity induced by over-activated NMDA receptor and focal cerebral ischemia, which can be explained by the mild blocking effect of GBE on NMDA receptor with low affinity, comparing with MK-801, and GBE is expected to interfere in excitotoxicity in clinic without neurotoxic behaviors.