Dimeric ent-kauranoids isolated from Isodon japonica var. Glaucocalyx and their anti-inflammatory activities.

The phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Isodon japonica var. glaucocalyx afforded four undescribed (glaucocalyxin O-R, 1-4) and six known ent-kauranoids (5-10). Their structures were established using NMR and MS measurements. Compounds 1 and 2 are dimeric ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids. Moreover, the plausible biogenetic pathways for compounds 1 and 2 were proposed as Michael addition between two monomers. Eight compounds were assayed for their anti-inflammatory activity by evaluating NO production in LPS-induced RAW 267.4 cells, and compounds 7, 8 and 9 exhibited relatively remarkable anti-inflammatory activities at 10 µM.

Eighteen iridoids from the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana jatamansi and their protective effects against α-hemolysin.

Thirteen previously undescribed iridoids (1-13), together with five known iridoids (14-18) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana jatamansi Jones. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by analysis of MS, NMR, optical rotation and their experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. All of the isolated compounds were tested for their protective effects against α-hemolysin-induced cell death in A549 cells. Compounds 14, 16 and 17 showed moderate protective effects, and compounds 15 and 18 showed weak protective effects.

Five undescribed abietane-type diterpenes of Callicarpa macrophylla.

A phytochemical investigation of the medicinal plant Callicarpa macrophylla resulted in the characterization of two rare rearrangement abietane-type diterpenoids, macrophypene F-G (1-2), and three abietane diterpenoids, named macrophypene H-J (3-5). Additionally, five known diterpenoids (6-10) were identified. The structures of the newly discovered compounds were fully established through extensive analysis of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR data. The absolute configurations of the isolated compounds were determined using CD comparison, chemical methods, and X-ray crystal diffraction experiments. Subsequently, all isolated diterpenoids were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on extracellular PCSK9 protein levels by PCSK9 AlphaLISA screening. Jiadfenoic acid B (6, 56.80% inhibition at 20 µM) and holophyllin F (10, 43.18% inhibition at 20 µM) significantly decreased PCSK9 protein levels in medium of HepG2 cells.

Five undescribed guanidine alkaloids from Plumbago zeylanica.

Five undescribed guanidine alkaloids, plumbagines HK (1-4) and plumbagoside E (5), as well as five known analogues (6-10) were isolated from the roots of Plumbago zeylanica. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. In addition, 1-10 were accessed their anti-inflammatory activities by measuring nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. However, all compounds especially 1 and 3-5 could not inhibit the secretion of NO but significant increase the secretion of NO. The result reminded us that 1-10 may become potential novel immune potentiators.

Research progress of active ingredients of Scutellaria baicalensis in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Diabetes mellitus is a common disorder of endocrine and metabolic disorders. Long term hyperglycemia can lead to a variety of serious chronic complications, such as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetes cardiovascular disease, and so on, threatening human life, health and safety. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. Flavonoids are the main effective components of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. The flavonoids are mainly baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside and wogonin. The four have the effects of improving the renal function, insulin resistance and retinopathy of type 2 diabetic patients. The aim of this review is to summarize the pathogenesis and clinical research progress of baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside and wogonin in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Safety and efficacy of ultrafiltration on heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction and diuretic resistance: results from a single-center randomized controlled trial / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of ultrafiltration on diuretic sensitivity in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction and diuretic resistance. Methods: This was a single-center randomized controlled trial. A total of 148 heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction admitted to the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from June 2010 to June 2020 were enrolled in this study, and these patients were randomly divided (ratio 1:1) into the ultrafiltration group (n=74) and the control group (n=74). All patients were treated with diuretics, cardiotonic, vasodilator and other comprehensive drugs according to relevant guidelines. After grouping, the patients in the control group were treated with standard treatment plan, while patients in the ultrafiltration group were treated with ultrafiltration on top of standard therapy. Diuretic drugs were discontinued during ultrafiltration, and intravenously furosemide (40 mg) was given immediately and 24 hours after the end of ultrafiltration. Clinical data including gender, age, complicated diseases, New York Heart Association (NYHA) function classification, etc. were collected. Effectiveness indicators include urine volume (the first 12-hour and 24-hour urine volume and the second 24-hour urine volume after using diuretic), body weight and dyspnea severity score. Safety indicators include systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, serum Na+ concentration, blood K+ concentration and the number of deaths before and after intervention. Results: Two patients in the control group died due to worsening heart failure after randomization and were excluded in this study, 146 patients were finally analyzed (72 patients in the control group and 74 patients in the ultrafiltration group). There were 93 males, and the age was (68.3±11.2) years. There was no significant difference between patients in the ultrafiltration group and the control group in gender, age, body weight, course of disease, dyspnea severity score, NYHA function classification Ⅲ/Ⅳ, the proportion of patients with severe edema of both lower limbs, the proportion of patients with complicated diseases, and basic medication (all P>0.05). After using diuretics, the urine volume of the first 12-hour and 24-hour and the second 24-hour were significantly higher in the ultrafiltration group than in the control group (all P<0.05). Body weight decreased significantly after ultrafiltration treatment as compared with that before intervention in the ultrafiltration group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the dyspnea severity score was significantly improved in the ultrafiltration group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, serum Na+ concentration, blood K+ concentration of patients between ultrafiltration group and control group before and after intervention (all P>0.05). During the clinical diagnosis and treatment, 2 male patients in the control group died, and the cause of death was aggravation of basic diseases complicated with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock. There was no death in the ultrafiltration group, and there were no obvious clinical adverse events during and after ultrafiltration. Conclusion: Ultrafiltration therapy is safe and can improve diuretic sensitivity in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction and diuretic resistance.

[Effect of Polygonum multiflorum-Andrographis paniculata intercropping system on rhizosphere soil actinomycetes community structure and diversity of P. multiflorum].

To investigate the effect of Polygonum multiflorum-Andrographis paniculata intercropping system on rhizosphere soil actinomycetes of P. multiflorum, the community structure and diversity of soil actinomycetes were studied by using the original soil as the control group and the rhizosphere soil actinomycetes communities of P. multiflorum under monoculture and intercropping systems as the experimental group. In this study 655 221 effective sequences were obtained with an average length of 408 bp. OTU coverage and rarefaction curve showed that the sequencing could represent the real situation of soil actinomycetes. According to the results of alpha diversity analysis, the diversity soil actinomycetes varied as follows: original soil>intercropping soil>monoculture soil. The soil actinomycetes community structure and the relative abundance of dominant genera were significantly changed by both monoculture and intercropping, especially monoculture. OTU clustering and PCA analysis of soil samples showed that all the soil samples were divided into three distinct groups and the original soil was more similar to intercropping soil. In addition, intercropping increased the relative abundance of some beneficial actinomyces, such as Kitasatospora and Mycobacterium, which was beneficial to maintain soil health and reduce the occurrence of soil-borne diseases. The results show that, P. multiflorum-A. paniculata intercropping reduced the change of community structure and the decrease of diversity of soil actinomycetes caused by P. multiflorum monoculture, and made the actinomycete community in rhizosphere soil of P. multiflorum close to the original soil.

Trace water activity could improve the formation of 1,3-oleic-2-medium chain-rich triacylglycerols by promoting acyl migration in the lipase RM IM catalyzed interesterification.

New structured lipids with 1,3-oleic-2-medium chain (OMO) triacylglycerols were synthesized by promoting acyl migration in Lipozyme RM IM catalyzed interesterification between coconut oil (CO) and high oleic rapeseed oil (HORO). Results from an orthogonal design L25(55) showed that the maximal yield of OMO-structured triacylglycerols was 45.65% under the following conditions: the molar ratio of CO to HORO, 50:50; enzyme dosage, 12 wt%; reaction temperature, 60 °C; reaction time, 2 h; water activity, 0.07. Low water activity showed a high rate of acyl migration (10.86% vs 5.07% no water system), which promoted OMO synthesis due to medium-chain fatty acid migration to the sn-2 position. In a low water content (5%) system of the molecular dynamics simulation, water molecules stabilized the whole structure of RM IM through hydrogen bonding, which helped fix lipase-catalyzed active sites, making substrates more easily inserted into active sites, resulting in increased enzyme activity.

Research on construction of Chinese medicinal materials supply chain collaborative management system from perspective of industrial clusters / 中草药

From the perspective of industrial clusters, the rapid development of the Chinese medicinal materials industry faces the challenges of improving quality and efficiency and transforming and upgrading. The core problem is how to improve the anti-risk ability, resilience, and competition of the Chinese medicinal material supply chain through collaborative management of the supply chain. The particularity of Chinese medicinal materials determines the formation of Chinese medicinal materials industrial clusters with specific natural, social, and industrial conditions. From the perspective of industrial clusters, the supply chain of Chinese medicinal materials also presents unique structural characteristics. Based on the analysis of the formation conditions of the traditional Chinese medicine industry cluster and the structural characteristics of the traditional Chinese medicine supply chain, on the basis of clarifying the connotation of collaborative management of the traditional Chinese medicine supply chain from the perspective of the industrial cluster, it is proposed to establish a supply chain collaborative management mechanism at the macro level, the meso level reconstructs the supply chain business process system and optimizes the supply chain function coordination mode at the micro level to build a collaborative management system for the supply chain of Chinese medicinal materials.

A Significant Association Between Rhein and Diabetic Nephropathy in Animals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Rhein is considered to have beneficial influence on diabetic nephropathy. Animal experiments suggested that the mechanisms of rhein against diabetic nephropathy may involve many processes, but the credibility of the evidence is unclear. Therefore, we conducted systematic review and meta-analysis of pre-clinical animal data to assess the current evidence for rhein effects and mechanisms in treating diabetic nephropathy. Methods: The databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP information database, Wanfang Data Information Site, and Chinese Biomedical Literature were searched for this review. SYRCLE's risk of bias tool for animal studies was applied to assess the methodological quality of studies. A meta-analysis was performed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions by using RevMan 5.3 and STATA/SE 12.0 software. This study was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018105220. Results: Twenty-five studies involving 537 animals were included. There was significant association of rhein with levels of blood glucose (P < 0.05), serum creatinine (Scr) (P < 0.05), urine protein (P < 0.05), kidney tubules injury index (P < 0.05), relative area of kidney collagen (P < 0.05), transforming growth factor-ß1 (P < 0.05), malondialdehyde (P < 0.05), and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05) compared with that in the control group. No significant association between rhein and endothelin (P > 0.05) was found. Subgroup analysis showed that the hypoglycemic effect of rhein on type 2 diabetic nephropathy was better than on type 1 diabetic nephropathy (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggested that rhein has beneficial effects on animal models of diabetic nephropathy, and that the mechanisms are mostly involved with ameliorating levels of TGF-ß1, renal fibrosis, metabolism, and oxidative stress status. However, some factors such as possible publication bias, methodological quality, and sample size may affect the accuracy of positive findings. These limitations suggested that a cautious interpretation of the positive results of this systematic review and meta-analysis is necessary. Therefore, high methodological quality and well-reported animal experiments are needed in future research.

Research progress of traditional Chinese external therapy for the patients with diabetic foot ulcer / 国际中医中药杂志

Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus, which leads to a very high rate of amputation. How to deal with diabetic foot ulcer becomes a difficult issue for the clinical wound treatment. We reviewed the related literatures in recent years and summarized the experience of traditional Chinese external therapies such as debridement, fumigating and washing therapy, wet dressing therapy, hoop around therapy, thread-drawing therapy and plaster-covering therapy.

Observation on the Efficacy of Acupuncture plus Intradermal Needle in Treating Mild-to-moderate Post-stroke Depression / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus intradermal needle in treating mild-to-moderate post-stroke depression (PSD). Method Ninty patients with mild-to-moderate PSD were randomized into group A, B and C, with 30 cases in each group. All the groups were intervened by selecting Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24) and Yintang (GV29). Group A received acupuncture plus intradermal needle; group B, intradermal needle alone; group C, acupuncture plus sham acupuncture. Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) score and Barthel index (BI) score in the three groups were observed before and at the end of the treatment, and the clinical efficacies of the three groups were compared. Result The HDRS score and BI score showed a significant change after the treatment in the three groups (P<0.01). After the treatment, the HDRS score and BI score in the group A and group B was significantly different from those in group C (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 90.0％ in group A versus 86.7％in group B, and 73.3％ in group C; there was a statistically significant difference between group C and group A or B (P<0.01, P<0.05). Conclusion Both acupuncture plus intradermal needle and intradermal needle alone are effective approaches in treating mild-to-moderate PSD. The treatment efficacy of these two methods is similar.

Effects of ultrasound combined with microbubbles on intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis in carboplatin-treated microenvironment of A549 cell line / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of ultrasound combined with microbubbles on intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in carboplatin ( CBP )-treated A549 cell and its possible mechanisms of inhibiting A549 cell line activity . Methods According to whether SonoVue was used or not ,and the different dose of CBP ,the groups A-F were arranged as the ultrasound(US) group(group A) ,the ultrasound combined with microbubbles ( USMB) group( group B) ,the low dose CBP ( 100 μg/ml) + US group( group C) ,the low dose CBP+USMB group( group D) ,the high dose CBP ( 200 μg/ml)+ US group ( group E) and the high dose CBP+USMB group( group F) .A549 cells were bathed and washed by a calcium-free buffer , loaded with Ca2+ indicator fluo-4 AM . Real-time images were acquired using laser confocal microscopy .The fluorescence intensity of intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+ ]i) in individual living cell was observed and the calcium overload was analyzed . Results After ultrasound irradiation ,the normalized fluorescence intensity of [Ca2+ ]i increased rapidly ,then returned to a new homeostasis (selected cells in groups A ,B ,E ,F) or experienced a second calcium oscillation ( some cells in group C and D) . All the selected cells in group B and some cells in group C and D exhibited superimposed oscillations . The calcium overloading time in group D was longer than those of any other groups . Four cells in group A experienced delayed calcium oscillations . Compared with group A ,the selected cells in other groups exhibited a larger amplitude of calcium oscillation( all P < 0 .05) and the selected cells in group B and D exhibited calcium oscillation for a longer period of time( all P <0 .05) . Conclusions In the calcium-free buffer ,US ,USMB , CBP+ US ,CBP + USMB are direct stimuli of calcium overload in A 549 cells . SonoVue ,CBP ,CBP +SonoVue are all synergistic stimuli of calcium overload in A 549 cells irradiated by ultrasound .US ,USMB and CBP may synergistically induce calcium release from intracellular store sites in A 549 cells . Calcium overload is a possible mechanism of ultrasound combined with microbubbles in assisting CBP chemotherapy .

Effects of ultrasound combined with microbubbles on intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis in carboplatin‐treated microenvironment of A549 cell line / 中华超声影像学杂志

To investigate the effects of ultrasound combined with microbubbles on intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in carboplatin ( CBP )‐treated A549 cell and its possible mechanisms of inhibiting A549 cell line activity . Methods According to whether SonoVue was used or not ,and the different dose of CBP ,the groups A‐F were arranged as the ultrasound( US) group( group A ) ,the ultrasound combined with microbubbles ( USMB) group( group B) ,the low dose CBP ( 100 μg/ml) + US group( group C) ,the low dose CBP+USMB group( group D) ,the high dose CBP ( 200 μg/ml)+ US group ( group E) and the high dose CBP+USMB group( group F) .A549 cells were bathed and washed by a calcium‐free buffer , loaded with Ca2+ indicator fluo‐4 AM . Real‐time images were acquired using laser confocal microscopy . T he fluorescence intensity of intracellular calcium ion concentration ( [ Ca 2+ ] i ) in individual living cell was observed and the calcium overload was analyzed . Results After ultrasound irradiation ,the normalized fluorescence intensity of [ Ca2+ ] i increased rapidly ,then returned to a new homeostasis ( selected cells in groups A ,B ,E ,F ) or experienced a second calcium oscillation ( some cells in group C and D ) . All the selected cells in group B and some cells in group C and D exhibited superimposed oscillations . T he calcium overloading time in group D was longer than those of any other groups . Four cells in group A experienced delayed calcium oscillations . Compared with group A ,the selected cells in other groups exhibited a larger amplitude of calcium oscillation ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) and the selected cells in group B and D exhibited calcium oscillation for a longer period of time( all P ＜0 .05) . Conclusions In the calcium‐free buffer ,US ,USMB , CBP+ US ,CBP + USMB are direct stimuli of calcium overload in A 549 cells . SonoVue ,CBP ,CBP +SonoVue are all synergistic stimuli of calcium overload in A 549 cells irradiated by ultrasound .US ,USMB and CBP may synergistically induce calcium release from intracellular store sites in A 549 cells . Calcium overload is a possible mechanism of ultrasound combined with microbubbles in assisting CBP chemotherapy .

Dilemma and breakthrough: Innovation and development of Chinese herbal medicine supply chain / 中草药

Chinese herbal medicine supply chain as the core link of construction of Chinese herbal medicine circulation system, is currently facing the diversification of sales formats, the flow of channel reconstruction, the rapid development of electronic commerce and Chinese herbal medicine quality and safety awareness of the impact of increasing. The supply chain of Chinese herbal medicine is based on the theory of supply chain of agricultural products, but the diversity of Chinese herbal medicines, the complexity of the source and the particularity of the production and processing and maintenance processes determine that the supply chain of Chinese herbal medicine cannot simply apply the agricultural product logistics theory. By analyzing the basic connotation and current model of the supply chain of Chinese herbal medicine, this paper analyzes the theoretical difficulties and practical dilemma faced by the supply chain of Chinese herbal medicine, and puts forward the basic framework of the theory research of supply chain theory of Chinese herbal medicine, as well as supply chain operation mechanism, supply chain logistics management and supply Chain financial innovation strategy, aimed at promoting the Chinese herbal medicine supply chain theory and industrial development breakthrough.

Effects of taurine and housing density on renal function in laying hens.

This study investigated the putative protective effects of supplemental 2-aminoethane sulfonic acid (taurine) and reduced housing density on renal function in laying hens. We randomly assigned fifteen thousand green-shell laying hens into three groups: a free range group, a low-density caged group, and a high-density caged group. Each group was further divided equally into a control group (C) and a taurine treatment group (T). After 15 d, we analyzed histological changes in kidney cells, inflammatory mediator levels, oxidation and anti-oxidation levels. Experimental data revealed taurine supplementation, and rearing free range or in low-density housing can lessen morphological renal damage, inflammatory mediator levels, and oxidation levels and increase anti-oxidation levels. Our data demonstrate that taurine supplementation and a reduction in housing density can ameliorate renal impairment, increase productivity, enhance health, and promote welfare in laying hens.

Influence of dietary taurine and housing density on oviduct function in laying hens.

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of dietary taurine and housing density on oviduct function in laying hens. Green-shell laying hens were randomly assigned to a free range group and two caged groups, one with low-density and the other with high-density housing. Each group was further divided into control (C) and taurine treatment (T) groups. All hens were fed the same basic diet except that the T groups' diet was supplemented with 0.1% taurine. The experiment lasted 15 d. Survival rates, laying rates, daily feed consumption, and daily weight gain were recorded. Histological changes, inflammatory mediator levels, and oxidation and anti-oxidation levels were determined. The results show that dietary taurine supplementation and reduced housing density significantly attenuated pathophysiological changes in the oviduct. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) DNA binding activity increased significantly in the high-density housing group compared with the two other housing groups and was reduced by taurine supplementation. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA expression in the high-density and low-density C and T groups increased significantly. In the free range and low-density groups, dietary taurine significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α mRNA. Supplementation with taurine decreased interferon-γ (IFN-γ) mRNA expression significantly in the low-density groups. Interleukin 4 (IL-4) mRNA expression was significantly higher in caged hens. IL-10 mRNA expression was higher in the high-density C group than in the free range and low-density C groups. Supplementation with taurine decreased IL-10 mRNA expression significantly in the high-density group and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the free range hens. We conclude that taurine has important protective effects against oviduct damage. Reducing housing density also results in less oxidative stress, less inflammatory cell infiltration, and lower levels of inflammatory mediators in the oviduct. Therefore, both dietary taurine and reduced housing density can ameliorate oviduct injury, enhance oviduct health, and promote egg production in laying hens.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of five saponins after intravenous administration of TSFS injection and TSFS injection plus TFFG in rats under different physiological states / 药物分析学报

Sanqi is a popular traditional Chinese medicine and commonly used for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1 and Rd are the major active constituents of Sanqi. The purpose of the study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic behavior of the five active constituents from total saponin from Sanqi when it was used in the blood stasis animals or in combination with Gegen. The concentrations of the five active constituents in rat plasma were determined by an ultra-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and statistically analyzed using the unpaired student's t-test. It was found that the pharmacokinetic parameters of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 represented a statistically significant difference (Po0.05) between the normal rats and the blood stasis rats after administration of total saponin from Sanqi (TSFS). And there were statistically significant differences (Po0.05) in the pharmacokinetic parameters of all the five constituents between administration of TSFS alone and combined with total flavonoid from Gegen (TFFG) in blood stasis rats. It suggested that the pharmacokinetic behavior of the active constituents from TSFS could be changed when it was used in blood stasis animals or in combination with TFFG.

Myofascial pain syndrome treated with sparrow-pecking moxibustion at trigger points: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy difference in treatment of myofasical pain syndrome between sparrow-pecking moxibustion and acupuncture at trigger points so as to provide the reference of the effective therapeutic method for myofascial pain syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety patients were randomized into a sparrow-pecking moxibustion group and an acupuncture group, 45 cases in each one. The trigger points were selected in pain areas in the two groups. In the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group, the sparrow-pecking moxibustion was applied, 30 min in each time. In the acupuncture group, the filiform needles were inserted obliquely at 45 degrees and retained for 40 min in each treatment. The treatment was given once a day and 10 treatments made one session in the two groups. The short-form McGill pain questionnaire was used as the observation index, and the changes in pain rating index (PRI), present pain intensity (PPI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after treatment were used for efficacy assessment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results of PRI, PPI and VAS after treatment were reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment in the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group and the acupuncture group (all P<0.001). The differences in PRI, PPI and VAS after treatment were not significant in comparison of the two groups (both P>0.05). The curative and remarkably effective rate was 80.0% (36/45) in the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group, which was better than 40.0% (18/45, P<0.001) in the acupuncture group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sparrow-pecking moxibustion at trigger points achieves the superior efficacy on myofascial pain syndrome as compared with acupuncture at trigger points. This therapy is simpler in operation additionally.</p>

The theory of homogeny of liver and kidney in the treatment of kidney and liver fibrosis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic liver disease are both very harmful to human health almost all over the world, which lead to the fibrosis of the two organs ultimately. Currently, there are few satisfactory therapeutic methods in treating the two diseases. Some research works from Chinese medicine and Western medicine were done in the area recently, the results showed that kidney and liver fibrosis shared similar biological signals and events such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and transforming growth factor ß 1, the same herbal mesenchymal medicine exhibited significantly improving effects on both liver fibrosis and kidney fibrosis by involving similar mechanism. This coincides with the theory of homogeny of Liver (Gan) and Kidney (Shen) of Chinese medicine. It would provides new clues in exploring the treatment of liver fibrosis and kidney fibrosis.