Nootkatone Improves Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Depressive-Like Behaviors by Repressing NF-κB/NLRP3-Mediated Neuroinflammation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of nootkatone (NKT) on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive-like behaviors and the mechanism underlying NKT improving the depressive-like behaviors. METHODS: The CUMS-induced depression model was established in mice. Fifty mice were randomized into 5 groups (n=10) in accordance with a random number table: control group, CUMS group, CUMS + NKT (6 mg/kg) group, CUMS + NKT (12 mg/kg) group, and CUMS + ketamine group. From the 22th day, NKT (6 or 12 mg/kg) or ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) was given with intragastric administration every day for 21 days. Behavioral tests including forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), sucrose preference test (SPT) and open-field test (OFT) were carried out. The mRNA and protein expressions of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-18, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in hippocampus were assessed using quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot analysis, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway was analyzed using Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS: NKT treatment improved CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). NKT significantly decreased the mRNA and protein levels of IL-1ß, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-α in hippocampus of CUMS mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, NKT repressed CUMS-induced activation of NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome (P<0.01). More important, Nigericin, a NLRP3 activator, destroyed the effect of NKT on repressing neuroinflammation and improving depressive-like behaviors (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: NKT ameliorates the depressive-like symptoms, in part by repressing NF-κB/NLRP3-mediated neuroinflammation.

Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Efficacy of Simo Decoction and Acupuncture or Chewing Gum Alone on Postoperative Ileus in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Hepatectomy.

To compare the efficacy of simo decoction (SMD) combined with acupuncture at the tsusanli acupoint or chewing gum alone for treating postoperative ileus in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy.In postoperative ileus, a frequent complication following hepatectomy, bowel function recovery is delayed, which increases length of hospital stay. Studies suggest that chewing gum may reduce postoperative ileus; SMD and acupuncture at the tsusanli acupoint have long been used in China to promote bowel movement.Patients with primary HCC undergoing hepatectomy between January 2015 and August 2015 were randomized to receive SMD and acupuncture (n = 55) or chewing gum (n = 53) or no intervention (n = 54) starting on postoperative day 1 and continuing for 6 consecutive days or until flatus. Primary endpoints were occurrence of postoperative ileus and length of hospital stay; secondary endpoints were surgical complications.Groups treated with SMD and acupuncture or with chewing gum experienced significantly shorter time to first peristalsis, flatus, and defecation than the no-intervention group (all P < 0.05). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the combined SMD and acupuncture group (mean 14.0 d, SD 4.9) than in the no-intervention group (mean 16.5 d, SD 6.8; P = 0.014), while length of stay was similar between the chewing gum group (mean 14.7, SD 6.2) and the no-intervention group (P = 0.147). Incidence of grades I and II complications was slightly lower in both intervention groups than in the no-intervention group.The combination of SMD and acupuncture may reduce incidence of postoperative ileus and shorten hospital stay in HCC patients after hepatectomy. Chewing gum may also reduce incidence of ileus but does not appear to affect hospital stay. (Clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT02438436.).

Hypolipidemic effect of the polysaccharides extracted from pumpkin by cellulase-assisted method on mice.

The fruit of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) is one of the most important vegetables in the world. This study was conducted to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of the polysaccharide isolated from pumpkin (PP). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups and treated with diets containing either high fat, PP, or normal fat. Oral administration of PP could significantly decrease the levels of plasma triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increase the levels of fecal fat, cholesterol, and plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Therefore, results suggest that PP had a high hypolipidemic activity and could be explored as a possible agent for hyperlipidemia.