[Systematic review and Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of Shumian Capsules in treatment of insomnia].

This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of Shumian Capsules in the treatment of insomnia. Randomized controlled trial(RCT) about Shumian Capsules for insomnia were retrieved from databases. RevMan 5.4 was used for statistical analysis. A total of 23 articles were included, involving 2 621 patients. Meta-analysis showed that Shumian Capsules had advantages in the treatment of insomnia(RR=1.07, 95%CI[1.03, 1.10], P=0.000 2) and insomnia with depression(RR=1.13, 95%CI[1.02, 1.25], P=0.02) in terms of total response rate. Shumian Capsules had advantages in the treatment of insomnia(MD=-0.75, 95%CI[-1.33,-0.17], P=0.01) and insomnia with depression(MD=-2.51, 95%CI[-2.96,-2.06], P<0.000 01) in terms of PSQI score. The incidence of adverse events in the Shumian Capsules(RR=0.33, 95%CI[0.24, 0.46], P<0.000 01) and Shumian Capsules + conventional western medicine(RR=0.71, 95%CI[0.54, 0.95], P=0.02) was lower than that in the conventional wes-tern medicine alone. In addition, Shumian Capsules had an advantage in treating insomnia complicated with depression in terms of HAMD score(P<0.000 1) and reducing the serum levels of 5-HT, TSH, T3, and T4 in insomnia patients(P<0.05). The quality of evidence was mostly medium or low. The studies demonstrate that Shumian Capsules is effective and safe for treating insomnia, which may be related to the mechanism of lowering the levels of 5-HT, TSH, T3, and T4 in the serum. In view of the quality of evidence, the application of Shumian Capsules should be considered after comprehensive evaluation in clinical practice.

[Effect of astragaloside â £ on angiotensin â ¡-induced inflammatory response of vascular endothelial cells and mechanism].

This study was designed to determine the inhibitory effect of astragaloside Ⅳ(AS-Ⅳ), a principal bioactive component extracted from the Chinese medicinal Astragali Radix, on the inflammatory response of vascular endothelial cells induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ), the most major pathogenic factor for cardiovascular diseases, and to clarify the role of calcium(Ca~(2+))/phosphatidylinosi-tol-3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)/nitric oxide(NO) pathway in the process. To be specific, human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) were cultured in the presence of AS-Ⅳ with or without the specific inhibitor of NO synthase(NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, L-NMMA), inhibitor of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway(LY294002), or Ca~(2+)-chelating agent(ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid, EGTA) prior to Ang Ⅱ stimulation. The inhibitory effect of AS-Ⅳ on Ang Ⅱ-induced inflammatory response and the involved mechanism was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), cell-based ELISA assay, Western blot, and monocyte adhesion assay which determined the fluorescently labeled human monocytic cell line(THP-1) adhered to Ang Ⅱ-stimulated endothelial cells. AS-Ⅳ increased the production of NO by HUVECs in a dose-and time-dependent manner(P<0.05) and raised the level of phosphorylated eNOS(P<0.05). The above AS-Ⅳ-induced changes were abolished by pretreatment with L-NMMA, LY294002, or EGTA. Compared with the control group, Ang Ⅱ obviously enhanced the production and release of cytokines(tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6), chemokines(monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and adhesion molecules(intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1), and the number of monocytes adhered to HUVECs(P<0.05), which were accompanied by the enhanced levels of phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor-κBα protein and activities of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)(P<0.05). This study also demonstrated that Ang Ⅱ-induced inflammatory response was inhibited by pretreatment with AS-Ⅳ(P<0.05). In addition, the inhibitory effect of AS-Ⅳ was abrogated by pretreatment with L-NMMA, LY294002, or EGTA(P<0.05). This study provides a direct link between AS-Ⅳ and Ca~(2+)/PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO pathway in AS-Ⅳ-mediated anti-inflammatory actions in endothelial cells exposed to Ang Ⅱ. The results indicate that AS-Ⅳ attenuates endothelial cell-mediated inflammatory response induced by Ang Ⅱ via the activation of Ca~(2+)/PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO signaling pathway.

Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen decoction inhibits mitochondria-dependent granulosa cell apoptosis in a rat model of POF.

As a widely applied traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen (JPYS) decoction maybe applied in curing premature ovarian failure (POF) besides chronic kidney disease (CKD). In vivo experiments, 40 female SD (8-week-old) rats were randomized into four groups, namely, control group (negative control), POF model group, JPYS treatment group, and triptorelin treatment group (positive control). JPYS group was treated with JPYS decoction (oral, 11 g/kg) for 60 days, and the triptorelin group was treated with triptorelin (injection, 1.5 mg/kg) for 10 days before the administration of cyclophosphamide (CTX) (50 mg/kg body weight) to establish POF model. We examined apoptosis, mitochondrial function, and target gene (ASK1/JNK pathway and mitochondrial fusion/fission) expression. In vitro experiments, the KGN human granulosa cell line was used. Cells were pretreated with CTX (20, 40, and 60 µg/mL) for 24 h, followed by JPYS-containing serum (2, 4, and 8 %) for 24 h. Thereafter, these cells were employed to assess apoptosis, mitochondrial function, and target gene levels of protein and mRNA. In vivo, JPYS alleviated injury and suppressed apoptosis in POF rats. In addition, JPYS improved ovarian function. JPYS inhibit apoptosis of granulosa cells through improving mitochondrial function by activating ASK1/JNK pathway. In vitro, JPYS inhibited KGN cell apoptosis through inhibited ASK1/JNK pathway and improved mitochondrial function. The effects of GS-49977 were similar to those of JPYS. During POF, mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in the ovary and leads to granulosa cell apoptosis. JPYS decoction improves mitochondrial function and alleviates apoptosis through ASK1/JNK pathway.

Unusual sesquilignans with anti-inflammatory activities from the resin of Ferula sinkiangensis.

Sinkianlignans A - D (1-4), four new sesquilignans with an unusual architectures was characterized with a rarely α-γ', ß-γ', and γ-γ' linkage pattern, and sinkianlignans E - F (5 and 6), two lignans, were isolated from the Ferula sinkiangensis. Hypothetic biosynthetic pathway of compound 3 contain a newly formed six-membered C-ring by Diels-Alder cycloaddition. The structures of isolates were established by spectroscopic techniques and computational methods. Biological evaluation of all the isolated compounds revealed that compounds 2a and 2b could inhibit IL-6 and TNF-α production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Comparing motor imagery and verbal rehearsal strategies in children's ability to follow spoken instructions.

The ability to follow spoken instructions is critical for children's learning in school and relies on the storage and processing of information in working memory. This study compared the effects of two encoding strategies (motor imagery and verbal rehearsal) on children's ability to follow spoken instructions in a working memory paradigm. A total of 146 children aged 7-12 years completed an instruction span task. In this task, children listened to a series of action-object commands and encoded them by either motor imagery or verbal rehearsal. They then attempted to recall the sequence in serial order by either enacted recall or verbal recall. Overall, children's ability to follow spoken instructions increased with age. In all age groups, children showed superior recall of instructions when they imagined the actions compared with verbal rehearsal of the actions during encoding, and this benefit of motor imagery was similar for verbal recall and enacted recall. Younger children reported motor imagery as more helpful than verbal rehearsal for remembering instructions, whereas older children considered verbal rehearsal as more useful. The study provides novel evidence for motor imagery as a superior strategy (relative to verbal rehearsal) for remembering spoken instructions in school-age children.

Functional coix seed protein hydrolysates as a novel agent with potential hepatoprotective effect.

The aim of this study is to explore the hepatoprotective potential of coix seed protein hydrolysates (CPP) against alcohol-induced liver injury, and investigate the underlying mechanisms. The hepatoprotective activity of CPP at 0, 10, 30, 50 mg per kg BW was demonstrated in vivo by using ICR male mice fed with 40% v/v alcohol (5 ml per kg body weight) daily to induce alcoholic liver injury. CPP could significantly improve the alcohol metabolism in liver as evidenced by the enhanced activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The overexpression of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-ß (IL-ß) by alcohol induced injury was altered by CPP administration. The lipid peroxidation was also retarded by CPP by suppressing malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increasing the activity of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD). The findings from the present study suggested that CPP produced significant hepatoprotection and showed potential to be used as a dietary supplement or the ingredient of functional food.

Preparation of coix seed oil bioactive delivery systems based on homologous polysaccharides and proteins.

Natural products belonging to a class of generally-recognized-as-safe biomaterials have exceptional biocompatibility and biodegradability and can be used as delivery vehicles for a variety of functional foods. Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi), is a nutritious food, rich in various bioactive ingredients. Coix seed oil extract (CSO) is also bioactive but it is sensitive to oxidation. In this study, a bioactive delivery system based on homologous polysaccharides and proteins was developed to deliver coix seed oil. The results show that the CSO nanoparticles have high encapsulation efficiency, narrow particle size distribution, and good stability. Moreover, the fusion of the nanoparticles with the membrane enabled the transport of CSO through the Caco-2 cell monolayer and improved the intestinal permeability. These findings could provide useful information for designing homologous polysaccharide and protein-based delivery systems to increase the bioavailability of lipophilic nutraceuticals in the food industry.

Preparation, characterization and anti-diabetic activity of polysaccharides from adlay seed.

Coix (Coix lachryma-jobi L.), commonly known as adlay, is a traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. A new water-soluble polysaccharide with anti-diabetic activity was extracted and purified from the adlay seed (PAS). The structure and physicochemical properties of PAS were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Structural analysis indicated that PAS had a porous surface and relatively loose distribution. After intragastric administered PAS for 4 weeks, biochemical analysis demonstrated dose dependent anti-diabetic activity. These results showed that PAS decreased blood glucose and insulin levels. In addition, mice fed the PAS showed significantly reduced the plasma levels of amyloid ß42 and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), while the expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) was markedly increased. Our study introduced a new polysaccharide PAS with unique anti-diabetic activity, which can be used as a potential dietary supplement or functional food.