[Decursin affects proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of colorectal cancer cells through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway].

We investigated the effects of decursin on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of colorectal cancer HT29 and HCT116 cells through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase(Akt) pathway. Decursin(10, 30, 60, and 90 µmol·L~(-1)) was used to treat HT29 and HCT116 cells. The survival, colony formation ability, proliferation, apoptosis, wound hea-ling area, and migration of the HT29 and HCT116 cells exposed to decursin were examined by cell counting kit-8(CCK8), cloning formation experiments, Ki67 immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay, respectively. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of epithelial cadherin(E-cadherin), neural cadherin(N-cadherin), vimentin, B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), tumor suppressor protein p53, PI3K, and Akt. Compared with the control group, decursin significantly inhibited the proliferation and colony number and promoted the apoptosis of HT29 and HCT116 cells, and it significantly down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulated the expression of Bax. Decursin inhibited the wound healing and migration of the cells, significantly down-regulated the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin, and up-regulated the expression of E-cadherin. In addition, it significantly down-regulated the expression of PI3K and Akt and up-regulated that of p53. In summary, decursin may regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby affecting the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of colorectal cancer cells.

[Thoughts of treatment of tumor diseases based on toxic pathogen theory].

The toxic pathogen theory, an important part of the theories of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), began in the Qin and Han dynasties, formed in the Jin, Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties, developed rapidly in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and conti-nued to develop in contemporary times based on the achievements of its predecessors. The continuous exploration, practice, and inheri-tance of many medical practitioners over the generations have facilitated the enrichment of its connotation. The toxic pathogen is violent, fierce, dangerous, prolonged, rapid in transmission, easy to hurt the internal organs, hidden, and latent, with many changes, and it is closely related to the development of tumor diseases. TCM has a history of thousands of years in the prevention and treatment of tumor diseases. It is gradually realized that the etiology of tumor is mainly attributed to the deficiency of healthy Qi and excess of to-xic pathogen, and the struggle between healthy Qi and toxic pathogen runs through the whole course of tumor, with the deficiency of healthy Qi as the prerequisite and the invasion of toxic pathogen as the root of the occurrence. The toxic pathogen has a strong carcinogenic effect and is involved in the whole process of tumor development, which is closely related to the malignant behaviors of tumors, including proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. This study discussed the historical origin and modern interpretation of the toxic pathogen theory in the prevention and treatment of tumors, with aims of sorting out the theoretical system based on the toxic pathogen theory in the treatment of tumor diseases, and illustrating the importance of the toxic pathogen theory in the treatment of tumors in the context of modern research on pharmacological mechanisms and the development and marketing of relevant anti-tumor Chinese medicinal preparations.

Traditional Chinese medicine for Helicobacter pylori infection: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is the only bacterium in the stomach. It is characterized by its ability to adhere to gastric mucosa and cause a series of pathological changes in the gastric mucosa. Modern research shows that Hp is an important pathogenic factor for chronic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, and gastric cancer. Triple, quadruple, and triple combinations of antibacterial drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and bismuth aluminate preparations have been developed in modern medical research. Sequential therapy is used to treat Hp, but antibiotic resistance and repeated infections still exist. A large number of clinical trials have proved that traditional Chinese medicine has a good therapeutic effect on Hp. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of Hp. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search for publications from Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Wan Fang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and EMBASE, which should be published from inception to December 2020. Two researchers will independently perform the selection of the studies, data extraction, and synthesis. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool will be used to evaluate the risk of bias in the randomized controlled trials. Statistical analysis will be performed by using the Cochrane Review Manager (RevMan 5.3) software. The I2 test will be used to identify the extent of heterogeneity. We will use the Egger funnel chart to evaluate possible publication biases, in addition, when possible we will perform a subgroup/meta-regression analysis. The strength of the evidence will be assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This study will systematically evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of Hp infection, and provide evidence for the clinical application of this treatment. The results of the research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. ETHICS: This systematic review will evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for Hp infection. Because all data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis have been published, this review does not require ethical approval. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020120057.

Efficacy and safety evaluation of acupuncture therapy for patients with salpingitis in IVF-ET: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: As an alternative for salpingitis in IVF-ET, acupuncture has gradually attracted the attention of clinicians based on the theory of syndrome differentiation and treatment of Chinese traditional medicine. However, due to the lack of evidence-based medical evidence, the author designed the program to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture. METHODS: From the beginning to August 2020, 7 electronic databases will be searched. Two of our researchers will independently conduct research selection, data extraction, and risk assessment of bias. We will use Review Manager 5.3 software for meta-analysis and heterogeneity assessment. In addition, we will use the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation to evaluate the evidence quality. RESULTS: This study will demonstrate an evidence-based review of acupuncture for salpingitis in IVF-ET. CONCLUSION: The study will provide clear evidence to assess the effectiveness and side effects of acupuncture for salpingitis in IVF-ET. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020110125.

The efficacy of Tuina for asthma: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, with ∼100 million asthma patients worldwide. China has become one of the countries with the highest asthma death rate in the world. Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease. Patients with this disease may have symptoms such as cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. For many years, Western medicine has mainly used anti-inflammatory, anti-bronchial spasm, asthma, cough, and oxygen to treat this disease, but the effect is not good. Tuina is a common treatment for asthma in China. But at present, there is no systematic evaluation report on its therapeutic effectiveness and safety. This protocol aims to reveal the efficacy and safety of Tuina for treating asthma. METHODS: The following databases will be searched by electronic methods: PubMed, EBASE, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Embase, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Wan-fang Data (WANFANG), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and other sources from inception to November 2020. Bias risk, subgroup analysis, data synthesis, and meta-analyses will be assessed with RevMan V.5.3 software if the data is met inclusion conditions. RESULTS: This study will present a quality evidence of Tuina for the treatment of astma patients. CONCLUSION: The systematic review will present reliable evidence to judge whether or not Tuina is a safe and effective intervention for asthma patients. International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (INPLASY) registration number: INPLASY2020110100.

Chinese herbal medicine for previous cesarean scar defect: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous cesarean scar defect (PCSD) is a gynecological disease that can cause bleeding after intercourse, prolonging menstrual period, intermenstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and even lead to infertility. Chinese herbal medicine plays an important role in the treatment of gynecological diseases in China and East Asia. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for PCSD. METHODS: We search the following databases: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CB), Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database (VIP), EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), and the Wanfang Database. Other sources will also be searched like Google Scholar and gray literature. All databases mentioned above are searched from the start date to the latest version. Randomized controlled trials will be included which recruiting PCSD participants to assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines against controls (placebo or other therapeutic agents). Primary outcomes will include the size of PCSD, menstrual cycle, menstrual phase, menstrual volume, duration of disease, security index. Two authors will independently scan the searched articles, extract the data from attached articles, and import them into Endnote X8 and use Microsoft Excel 2013 to manage data and information. We will assess the risk of bias by Cochrane tool of risk of bias. Disagreements will be resolved by consensus or the participation of a third party. All analysis will be performed based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The meta-analysis in this review will use RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment that Chinese herbal medicine for PCSD. CONCLUSION: This study of the meta-analysis could provide evidence for clinicians and help patients to make a better choice. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202090080.

Preliminary structure and bioactivities of polysaccharide SMWP-U&E isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge Residue.

The fractional polysaccharide SMWP-U&E was isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza residue. SMWP-U&E consists of 91.40% carbohydrates and has an average molecular weight of 5.07 × 105 Da. The polysaccharides are mainly composed of arabinose (Ara), fructose (Fru), mannose (Man), glucose (Glc), and galactose (Gal), and their mole percentages are 3.72%, 4.11%, 6.18%, 32.08% and 53.91%, respectively. When effected on weaned piglets, 1.5 g/kg SMWP-U&E supplementation significantly increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio in ileum. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and qRT-PCR results indicated that SMWP-U&E supplementation could change the density of intestinal microbiota and the populations of Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli in jejunum, ileum, caecum, and colon. The supplementation also increased contents of IgA, IgG, IgM, IL-2, IFN-γ, and IL-10; promoted T-AOC and SOD activities; and reduced MDA level in the serum. These findings suggest that SMWP-U&E improves digestion and nutrient absorption in weaned piglets, exerts beneficial effects on intestinal morphology and microflora, and enhances the immune and antioxidant capabilities in mode of weaned piglets. Thus, SMWP-U&E exhibits potential as a new type of plant-derived additive and novel prebiotics.