Sichen Formula Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury via Blocking the TLR4 Signaling Pathways.

Purpose: Sichen (SC) formula is a classic prescription of Tibetan medicine. Due to its potential anti-inflammatory effect, the SC formula has been clinically used to treat respiratory diseases for many years in the Chinese Tibet region. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of SC and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: SC formula was characterized by HPLC analysis. The acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model was induced by direct intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were collected. Meanwhile, RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated by LPS. The contents of inflammatory mediators in the culture medium were determined by ELISA. Protein levels were determined by immunohistochemical staining or Western blotting. Nuclear localization of NF-κB, AP-1, and IRF3 was performed using immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Results: In the LPS-induced ALI mouse model, SC treatment suppressed the secretion of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and RANTES) in BALF. SC treatment hindered the recruitment of macrophages. SC treatment also inhibited the expression of CD68, p-p65, and TLR4 in the lung tissue. In the LPS-exposed RAW264.7 cells, the cell viability was not changed up to 400 µg/mL of SC. SC concentration-dependently suppressed the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and RANTES in LPS-challenged RAW264.7 cells. The expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, p-p38, p-JNK, p-ERK, p-TBK1, p-IKKα/ß, p-IκB, p-p65, p-c-Jun, and p-IRF3 were decreased after SC treatment. Moreover, the nuclear translocation of p65, c-Jun, and IRF3 was also blocked by SC treatment. Conclusion: SC treatment inhibited the inflammatory responses in LPS-induced ALI mouse model/RAW264.7 macrophages. The underlying mechanism of this action may be closely associated with the suppression of TLR4 signaling pathways. These research findings provide further pharmacological justifications for the medicinal use of SC in the management of respiratory diseases.

Tibetan Medicine for Diabetes Mellitus: Overview of Pharmacological Perspectives.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications pose a major public health threat which is approaching epidemic proportions globally. Current drug options may not provide good efficacy and even cause serious adverse effects. Seeking safe and effective agents for DM treatment has been an area of intensive interest. As a healing system originating in Tibet, Traditional Tibetan Medicine (TTM) has been widely used by Tibetan people for the prevention and treatment of DM and its complications for hundreds of years. Tibetan Materia Medica (TMM) including the flower of Edgeworthia gardneri (Wall.) Meisn., Phyllanthi Fructus, Chebulae Fructus, Huidouba, and Berberidis Cortex are most frequently used and studied. These TMMs possess hypoglycemic, anti-insulin resistant, anti-glycation, lipid lowering, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects. The underlying mechanisms of these actions may be related to their α-glucosidase inhibitory, insulin signaling promoting, PPARs-activating, gut microbiota modulation, islet ß cell-preserving, and TNF-α signaling suppressive properties. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the mode and mechanisms of action of various active constituents, extracts, preparations, and formulas from TMM. The dynamic beneficial effects of the products prepared from TMM for the management of DM and its complications are summarized. These TMMs are valuable materia medica which have the potential to be developed as safe and effective anti-DM agents.

Observation on therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) and points of bladder meridian mainly for lumbar disc herniation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy differences between electroacupuncture and medication in lumbar disc herniation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-five cases of lumbar disc herniation were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group (45 cases) and a medication group (40 cases). The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2), Shenshu (BL 23), Qihaishu (BL 24), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), Dachangshu (BL 25) and Yangtlingquan (GB 34) etc., once a day; and the medication group was treated with oral administration of Fugui Gutong capsule (3 times a day, 4 capsule each time) and 0.3 g ibuprofen (once a day). The scores of clincial symptoms and therapeutic effect were observed before and after treatment. Results In the electroacupuncture group, the effective rate was 84.4% (38/45), which was superior to that of 65.0% (26/40) in the medication group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of symptoms significantly decreased in the two groups (both P < 0.01), and the reduction of scores in electroacupuncture group was superior to that in medication group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) and points of Bladder Meridian mainly has a better therapeutic effect on lumbar disc herniation, which is superior to oral administration of fugui gutong capsule and ibuprofen.</p>