Chemical markers of a rare honey from the traditional spice plant Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarié, via integrated GC-MS and LC-MS approaches.

The precious medicinal plant, Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarié, is the nectariferous plant from which the rare Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarié honey (ATH) is produced. Presently, chemical markers for authentication of this honey are not available due to the lack of data on its chemical composition. Here, we analyzed the volatile components and their odor activity values (OAVs), which revealed that the unique aroma was mildly flowery and fruity, accompanied by subtle sweet and fresh undertones. Since non-volatile chemicals are more reliable markers for routine authentication, we used a metabolomic approach combined with NMR-based identification to find and confirm a suitable compound to unambiguously distinguish ATH from other honeys. Isorhamnetin 3-O-neohesperidoside ranged from 3.62 to 9.38 mg/kg in ATH and was absent in the other tested honeys. In sum, the study uncovered unique chemical characteristics of ATH that will be helpful to control its quality.

Extract of Unifloral Camellia sinensis L. Pollen Collected by Apis mellifera L. Honeybees Exerted Inhibitory Effects on Glucose Uptake and Transport by Interacting with Glucose Transporters in Human Intestinal Cells.

Bee pollen possesses potential hypoglycemic effects but its inhibitory mechanisms on glucose absorption and transportation in intestinal cells still need to be clarified. Here, we determined the inhibitory effects of bee pollen extract originating from Camellia sinensis L. (BP-Cs) as well as its representative phenolic compounds on glucose uptake and transport through a human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayer model. It showed that three representative phenolic compounds, including gallic acid (GA), 3-O-[6'-O-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl]kaempferol (K1), and 3-O-[2',6'-di-O-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl]kaempferol (K2), with contents of 27.7 ± 0.86, 9.88 ± 0.54, and 7.83 ± 0.46 µg/mg in BP-Cs extract, respectively, exerted mutual antagonistic actions interacting with glucose transporters to inhibit glucose uptake and transport based on their combination index (CI) and molecular docking analysis. K1, K2, and GA might compete with d-glucose to form hydrogen bonds with the same active residues including GLU-412, GLY-416, GLN-314, and TRP-420 in GLUT2. These findings provide us a deep understanding of the mechanisms underlying the anti-hyperglycemia by bee pollen, which provide a new sight on dietary intervention strategies against diabetes.

Structural characterization and hypoglycemic effect via stimulating glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion of two polysaccharides from Dendrobium officinale.

Two polysaccharides, named DOP-1 and DOP-2, with molecular weights of 6.8 kDa and 14.3 kDa, respectively, were isolated and purified from the stems of Dendrobium officinale. Monosaccharide composition, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, methylation, and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses indicated that DOP-1 and DOP-2 may have a backbone consisted of →4)-ß-d-Glcp-(1→, →4)-ß-d-Manp-(1→, →4)-2-O-acetyl-ß-d-Manp-(1→ and →4)-3-O-acetyl-ß-d-Manp-(1→. In vivo assays showed that D. officinale polysaccharides (DOPs) exerted significant hypoglycemic effects accompanying increased serum insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Further in vitro experiments showed that DOP-induced GLP-1 secretion was inhibited by an intracellular calcium chelator, a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) II inhibitor, a specific calcium-sensing receptor antagonist, and a p38-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) inhibitor. These results indicated that DOPs may decrease fasting blood sugar levels by stimulating GLP-1 secretion and that intracellular DOP-induced GLP-1 secretion involved the Ca2+/calmodulin/CaMKII and MAPK pathways.

MicroRNA-31 negatively regulates peripherally derived regulatory T-cell generation by repressing retinoic acid-inducible protein 3.

Peripherally derived regulatory T (pT(reg)) cell generation requires T-cell receptor (TCR) signalling and the cytokines TGF-ß1 and IL-2. Here we show that TCR signalling induces the microRNA miR-31, which negatively regulates pT(reg)-cell generation. miR-31 conditional deletion results in enhanced induction of pT(reg) cells, and decreased severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Unexpectedly, we identify Gprc5a as a direct target of miR-31. Gprc5a is known as retinoic acid-inducible protein 3, and its deficiency leads to impaired pT(reg-)cell induction and increased EAE severity. By generating miR-31 and Gprc5a double knockout mice, we show that miR-31 promotes the development of EAE through inhibiting Gprc5a. Thus, our data identify miR-31 and its target Gprc5a as critical regulators for pT(reg)-cell generation, suggesting a previously unrecognized epigenetic mechanism for dysfunctional T(reg) cells in autoimmune diseases.

Isolation and identification of a new anti-inflammatory cyathane diterpenoid from the medicinal fungus Cyathus hookeri Berk.

A new cyathane diterpene, named as cyathin I (1), as well as two known cyathane diterpenes (12R)-11a,14a-epoxy-13a,14b,15-trihydroxycyath-3-ene (2) and erinacine I (3), were isolated from the liquid culture of Cyathus hookeri Berk. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1-3 showed inhibition against nitric oxide production in macrophages with an IC50 value of 15.5, 52.3, and 16.8 µM, respectively.

Clinical Observation of Acupuncture, Stone Scraping plus Cupping Therapy for Neck-type Cervical Spondylosis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of a composite treatment with stone scraping, cupping, electroacupuncture and infrared irradiation for neck-type cervical spondylosis.Methods: Seventy subjects were randomly allocated into composite treatment group (35 cases) and control group (35 cases). The composite treatment group was treated by scraping along the Governor Meridian, the Gallbladder Meridian and the Bladder Meridian with Geng's multifunctional stone plate, quick cupping with subsequent retention of cups, routine electroacupuncture, and infrared irradiation. The control group was treated by routine electroacupuncture and infrared irradiation. Both groups were treated once very other day, 6 times as a course. The clinical curative effects and adverse responses were evaluated immediately after each treatment and at the completion of one course of treatment in both groups. Results: The total immediate effective rate was 88.6% in the composite treatment group and 80.0% in the control group. The immediate effect was significantly better in the composite treatment group than in the control group (P＜0.05). The total effective rate at the completion of one course of treatment was 97.1% in the composite treatment group and 94.3% in the control group. The curative effect after one course of treatment was also significantly better in the composite treatment group than in the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Composite treatment with acupuncture, stone scraping and cupping is safe and effective in treating neck-type cervical spondylosis

Thinking of importance of increasing clinical diagnostic level of acupuncture and moxibustion and the methods / 中国针灸

It is indicated that at the present, paying attention to treatment and underestimating diagnosis exit in acupuncture and moxibustion clinic, with the tendency of simplification in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. The importance of TCM diagnosis and combined diagnosis of TCM clinic and western medicine, and the methods for increasing clinically diagnostic level were studies. It is put forward that increasing clinical diagnostic level of acupuncture and moxibustion is very important, which directly influences development of acupuncture and moxibustion sciences and increase of the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion, so ought to pay great attention to and actively probe effective resolving methods.

Multi-central randomized controlled observation on clinical therapeutic effect of the new Bian-stone therapy on scapulohumeral periarthritis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical curative effect of the new Bian-stone therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to clinical trail principle of multi-centers, randomized grouping, parallel control and single-blind, the observation group (n=120) were treated by the new Bian-stone therapy, with multi-functional Bian-stone respectively dredging qi and blood of channels on the neck and shoulder, the shoulder and back, the limbs, and the control group (n=120) by electroacupuncture with Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (SJ 14), Jianzhen (SI 9), and other points selected. Their therapeutic effects were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The two therapies had effects of analgesia, improving functional activity and transient analgesia. The total effective rate of the analgesic effect was 86.8% in the observation group and 72.5% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), the observation group being better than the control group; the total effective rate of shoulder functional activity was 86.8% in the observation group and 79.8% in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The new Bian-stone therapy has obvious therapeutic effect on scapulohumeral periarthritis, with effects of analgesia, improving functional activity, and transient analgesia, and good long-term therapeutic effect.</p>

Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture at Tiaokou (ST 38) for treatment of periarthritis of shoulder / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the basic therapeutic function of Tiaokou (ST 38).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to clinically multi-central randomized controlled and single-blind test principle, 257 cases of periarthritis of shoulder were divided into two groups, a test group (n = 124) treated with oral anti-inflammatory analgesic medicine combined with acupuncture at Tiaokou (ST 38), and a control group (n = 133) treated with oral anti-inflammatory analgesic medicine. Their therapeutic effects were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate for stopping pain was 96.0% in the test group and 91.7% in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P< 0.01). And the total effective rate for improvement of shoulder activity was 86.3% in the test group and 59.4% in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oral anti-inflammatory analgesic medicine combined with acupuncture has obvious therapeutic effect on periarthritis of shoulder, which is better than that of simple oral anti-inflammatory analgesic medicine.</p>

General situation of electro-acupuncture in treating depressive disorders: Comparing the effect with that of drug therapy / 中国组织工程研究

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the general situation of the internal clinical studies about electro-acupuncture in treating depressive disorders during the recent 20 years so as to investigate further the effectiveness and safety of electro-acupuncture in treating depressive disorders.DATA SOURCES: A computer-based online search of Pubmed database and Chinese biomedical literature database (CBM) was undertaken to identify relevant articles published in Chinese between 1984 and 2004 with the keywords of "electro-acupuncture, depression".STUDY SELECTION: The data were checked firstly, and the full-texts of clinical trials were searched. Inclusion criteria: ① having definite diagnostic criteria; ② randomized control study or control trial; ③ the interventions in the treatment group should be electro-acupuncture or electroacupuncture combined with antidepressant drugs or electro-acupuncture combined with placebo, and those in the control group should be antidepressant drugs, antidepressant drugs combined with modeling electroacupuncture and only electro-acupuncture or without antidepressant measures. Exclusion criteria: ① non-control study; ② the interventions in the treatment group or control group did not accord with the inclusive criteria;③ mechanism study; ④ repetitive study.DATA EXTRACTION: In total 99 relevant articles were collected and 15 were selected according to the in clusive criteria and the others were excluded.DATA SYNTHESIS: Of the 15 articles, 12 were randomized control studies and 3 were control studies. The studies all lasted 1-1.5 months, all were completed in China, and the number of patients was 30-241. Six studies compared the effect and safety in treating depression between electro-acupuncture and traditional antidepressant drug therapy, 2 studies compared the effect of electro-acupuncture and new antidepressant drug, 4studies observed the effect of electro-acupuncture combined with drug and drug 9r electro-acupuncture only on depression, 1 study compared the effect of electro-acupuncture with that of western medicine in the treatment of depression, and 2 studies observed the role of electro-acupuncture in treating post-stroke depression.CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture has the similar effect of western antidepressant drug in treating depressive disorders; moreover, it has the advantages of fewer side effects, higher safety and easier acceptance of the patients, etc. There are fewer clinical studies of large samples and strictly following the randomized control and blinded principle, so clinical studies of high quality are still needed to provide more powerful evidences.