Research summary of chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Panax notoginseng and predictive analysis on its Q-markers / 中国中药杂志

Panax notoginseng contains triterpene saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, polysaccharides, volatile oil and other active components, which have the effects of promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, removing blood stasis, etc. This study summarized the herbal research, chemical constituents and main pharmacological activities of P. notoginseng, and based on the theory of Q-markers of traditional Chinese medicine, predicted and analyzed the Q-markers of P. notoginseng from the aspects of plant kinship, efficacy, drug properties, measurability of chemical components, etc. It was found that ginsenosides Rg_1, Re, and Rb_1 with specific content ratio, ginsenosides Rb_2, Rb_3, Rc, Rd, Rh_2, and Rg_3, notoginseng R_1, dencichine and quercetin could be used as potential Q-markers of P. notoginseng, which facilitated the formulation of quality standards reflecting the efficacy of P. notoginseng.

Traditional Chinese medicine microbiomics and its research strategies / 中国中药杂志

The tight relationships between microbiome and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)have been widely recognized. New technologies, results, and theories are emerging in the field of microbiomics in recent years with the advances in high-throughput sequencing and multi-omics technologies. Based on the previous research, the present study has proposed the concept of TCM microbiomics(TCMM), which is an interdisciplinary subject aiming at elucidating the functions and applications of microbiome in the areas of herb resources, herb processing, herb storage, and clinical effects by using modern technology of biology, ecology, and informatics. This subject essentially contains the structures, functions, interactions, molecular mechanisms, and application strategies of the microbiome associated with the quality, safety, and efficacy of TCM. Firstly, the development of the TCMM concept was summarized, with the profound understanding of TCMM on the complexity and entirety of microbiome being emphasized. Then, the research contents and applications of TCMM in promoting the sustainable development of herb resources, improving the standardization and diversification of herb fermentation, strengthening the safety of herb storage, and resolving the scientific connotation of theories and clinical efficacy of TCM are reviewed. Finally, the research strategies and methods of TCM microbiomics were elaborated from basic research, application research, and system research. TCMM is expected to promote the integrative development of TCM with frontier science and technology, thereby expanding the depth and scope of TCM study and facilitating TCM modernization.

Progress of fMRI-based research in recent 10 years / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The research regarding the central mechanism of acupuncture (arrival of ) based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in recent 10 years was analyzed to summarize existing research achievements and experience.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The literature regarding fMRI-based research published from January of 2007 through December of 2016 in CNKI and PubMed databases was collected. The research content and methods, including research design, inclusion criteria, acupoint selection and evaluation, were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 18 articles regarding the central mechanism of acupuncture based on fMRI was included. According to research content, the literature was divided into two categories: research and sensation research. In research, the differences of and not on brain functional activity were compared to summarize the central response pattern of ; in sensation research, the differences of different sensations and intensities of on central response were compared to explore the effects of different sensations and intensities of on brain functional activity. In recent 10 years, the number of research gradually increased, and the type of design was various, mainly RCT and paired design. The majority of participants was healthy people, and single acupoint was the focus of researches, including Zusanli (ST 36), Waiguan (TE 5), Hegu (LI 4), etc. The evaluation of was based on visual analogue scale (VAS). The research contents were mainly the effects of and not and different sensations on brain function activities. The present studies confirmed that and not as well as different sensations had different impacts on brain functional effects, and different acupoints had specific activated brain areas. There was a positive correlation between the degree of and the intensity of the activation of brain regions. Furthermore, tingling sensation was not included to sensations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The number and quality of fMRI-based research need to be improved; the research content is simple, and research method is in exploratory stage. The results obtained in the literature are the phenomena of in the central level, and it is imperative to summarize the essential link between and the central effect through these phenomena to reveal the mechanism of . The specific impact of for brain function needs more clinical exploration.</p>

Network-assisted mechanism investigation of Yaobitong Capsules on lumbar intervertebral discs / 中成药

AIM To explore analgesic mechanism of Yaobitong Capsules (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Corydalis Rhizoma,etc.) on lumbar intervertebral discs.METHODS An array of data mining,molecular docking and network analysis were employed to investigate the active compounds and key target protein.RESULTS Among the forty-six active hits identified by virtual screening,most compounds displayed good oral bioavailability and might confer an optimal CNS exposure.And eleven molecules (coptisine,diligustilide,corypalmine,chuanxiongterpene,etc.) were further confirmed to alleviate lumbar intervertebral discs through their targeting at nineteen proteins (such as p38,CGRP,MMPs,TNFα) to inhibit the inflammatory response and the infiltration of microvasculature,to reduce the nociceptors sensitivity,and to modulate the balance of Collagen and proteoglycans in catabolic and anabolic responses.CONCLUSION Yaobitong Capsules' clear molecular working mechanism and the key active compounds are revealed by this network-assisted investigation highlight the subsequent experiments on targets and active compounds.

Mechanism of Tongsaimai tablet for atherosclerosis based on network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

Network pharmacology method was adopted in this study to explore the active compounds and mechanism of Tongsaimai tablets for atherosclerosis. In molecular docking and molecular-target protein network analysis, 97 molecules in Tongsaimai tablets showed good interaction with the atherosclerosis-related target protein (docking score ≥ 7), and 37 molecules of them could act on more than 2 targets (≥ 2) with higher betweenness, suggesting that these 37 molecules might be the main active compounds group in Tongsaimai tablets for atherosclerosis treatment. Furthermore, the predicted active compounds contained more flavonoids and saponins, reminding more attention should be paid on flavonoids and saponins in study of effective compounds and quality standards of Tongsaimai tablets. Targets network analysis showed that, the active compounds of Tongsaimai tablets could regulate inflammation, stabilize plaque, protect vascular endothelial cell, regulate blood lipid and inhibit blood coagulation through acting on the main 22 target proteins, such as Toll-like receptors (TLR1, TLR2), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4-H), 5-lipoxidase (5-LOX), peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPARα, PPARγ). These active compounds can participate in regulating different pathologic stages of atherosclerosis and thus treat atherosclerosis finally. This study revealed the main active compounds and possible mechanism of Tongsaimai tablets for treatment of atherosclerosis and meanwhile, verified the characteristics of multi-components, multi-targets and integral regulation for Tongsaimai tablets, providing theoretical references for the following systematic laboratory experiments on effective compounds and action mechanism of Tongsaimai Tablet.

Study on effective substance basis and molecular mechanism of Qigui Tongfeng tablet using network pharmacology method / 中国中药杂志

Qigui Tongfeng tablet (QLTFT) is a traditional Chinese medicine with good effect for treating gout. Here, network pharmacology method and molecular similarity analysis were utilized to study the effective substance basis and molecular mechanism of the QLTFT on the gout. The similarity to the medicinal compounds is reflected in the Tanimoto coefficient that gives the structural similarity of two compounds. Operationally, similar modifiers were described as pairs of concepts with a similarity score of 0. 500. The results of the molecular similarity analysis suggested that the flavonoids in QLTFT could be new leads for gout. Furthermore, complex biological systems may be represented and analyzed as computable networks. Two important properties of a network were degree and betweenness. Nodes with high degree or high betweenness may play important roles in the overall composition of a network. And the results of network analysis showed that dongbeinine, verticinone-N-oxide, verticine N-oxide, peimine, peiminine, isobaimonidine, dongbeirine, peimisine and simi-arenol which with high degree acted on xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase, matrix metalloproteinase-9, an arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein, tyrosine-protein kinase and etc. Inhibition of these targets can prevent the formation of uric acid, reduce inflammation by uric acid and regulate the body's immune response. Thus, these compounds may be the main effective substance basis. The research results not only reveals its molecular mechanism, but also provide a theoretical basis for the quality control of drugs and clinical application.

Study of effective components and molecular mechanism for Guizhi Fuling formula treatment of dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease and uterine fibroids / 中国中药杂志

In this study, the active components and potential molecular .mechanism of Guizhi Fuling formula in treatment on dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, and hysteromyoma were investigated using network pharmacological methods. Sterols and pentacyclic triterpenes, with high moleculal network degree, revealed promising effects on anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tumor, and immune-regulation, according to D-T network analysis. On the other hand, the targets with high degree were involved in inflammatory, coagulation, angiopoiesis, smooth muscle contraction, and cell reproduction, which showed the novel function in anti-dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, and hysteromyoma. Furthermore, the formula was indicated to play a key role in smooth muscle proliferation, inhibition of new vessels, circulation improvement, reduction of hormone secretion, alleviation of smooth muscle, block of arachidonic acid metabolism, and inflammation in uterus. Thus, the main mechanism of Guizhi Fuling formula was summarized. In conclusion, Guizhi Fuling formula was proven to alleviated dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, and hysteromyoma by acting on multiple targets through several bioactive compounds, regulating 21 biological pathways.

Study on anti-inflammation effect and involved mechanism of Guizhi Fuling capsule and its active complex / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Guizhi Fuling capsule and its active complex (consistent of 15 active compounds) on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The effect of Guizhi Fuling capsule and its active complex on cell viability in RAW264. 7 cells were determined by MTT assay. The inhibitory effect of Guizhi Fuling capsule and active complex on the releasing of IL-1β, TNF-α and PGE2 induced by LPS in RAW264. 7 cells was detected by ELISA assay. The expression of IL-1β and mPGES-1 in Guizhi Fuling capsule or active complex treated RAW264. 7 cells was examined by Western blot assay. Guizhi Fuling capsule and active complex showed no significant effect on the cell viability in RAW264. 7 cells at doses range from 12.5 to 400 mg x L(-1). Compared with LPS treated group, Guizhi Fuling capsule and active complex dose dependently reduced the releasing of IL-1β, TNF-α and PGE2 induced by LPS in RAW264. 7 cells. Moreover, the expression of IL-1β and mPGES-1 was decreased after Guizhi Fuling capsule and active complex treatment, which might contribute to the inhibitory effect of Guizhi Fuling capsule in the releasing of IL-1β, TNF-α and PGE2. This study provided the evidence that Guizhi Fuling capsule and active complex remarkably inhibited the releasing of IL-1β, TNF-α and PGE2induced by LPS in RAW264. 7 cells by reducing the expression IL-1β and mPGES-1. This study provided an experimental basis of Guizhi Fuling capsule for the treatment of inflammation and a theoretical basis for the development of effective compounds of Guizhi Fuling capsule.

Study on cardiac gene expression microarray and recipe for activating blood circulation and supplementing qi on heart of rats with post-infarction heart failure / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of recipe for activating blood circulation and supplementing Qi (RAS) on cardiac functional structure in rats with post-infarction heart failure (PIHF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat model of PIHF was established by left coronary artery ligation. Left ventricular samples of model rats from infarcted or peri-infarcted area were obtained at PIHF formation stage and stable stage (10 days and 8 weeks respectively after operation), the total RNA extracted and detected using 6 pieces of rat's 40s gene microarray (4096 genes/microarray), the data were analyzed using software as Genespring, Treeview, Clustering and SOM. Besides, RAS was used to treat the model rats beginning from 4 weeks after modeling and lasted for 4 weeks, changes of heart function and cardiac coefficient before and after treatment were observed by impedance method with Captopril as positive control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Genespring analysis showed thousands of genes differential expression (upper or down regulated), including 13 kinds of gene involving energy metabolism, myocardial cytoskeleton, fibrosis, etc. which, in the infarcted area at heart formation stage were 1086 genes and at the stable stage, 724 genes, while in the peri-infarcted area, formation stage 196 genes and stable stage 97 genes. (2) After RAS or Captopril treatment, the heart function improved significantly, with the stroke volume, cardiac output and cardiac index increased significantly (P < 0.01). RAS could also improve the cardiac coefficient of model rats, as compared with that in untreated model, P < 0.01, compared with that in the sham-operated rats, P < 0.05.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PIHF is a kind of overload heart disease with multiple genes abnormality. RAS could improve the heart function and histologic indexes, so as to treat the heart failure.</p>

Study on the anti-apopotosis induced by hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation of panax notoginseng saponins in cultured rat hippocampal neurons / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the inhibitory effects of Panax Notoginseng Saponins(PNS) on apoptosis induced by hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry, intracellular free calcium concentration([Ca2+]i) was measured with confocal laser scanning microscopy, morphological changes and neuronal necrosis were observed with fluorescence microscope, and meanwhile the leakage of lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) was measured.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Hypoxia/hypoglycemia cultures for 5 hours and reoxygenation induced neuronal apoptosis and necrosis, and significantly increased neuronal [Ca2+]i and the leakage of LDH. The effects were increased with the extending time of reoxygenation. PNS has could significantly decrease the percentage of neuronal apoptosis and necrosis, and reduce neuronal [Ca2+]i and the leakage of LDH.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PNS has inhibitory effect on neuronal apoptosis. This effect might be related to its effect of decreasing intracellular free calcium concentration.</p>

Effect of different drug dosage to activate blood circulation and to nourish qi on cardiac function and structure of congestive heart failure rats after acute myocardial infarction / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of different drug dosage to activate blood circulation and to nourish Qi on cardiac function and structure of heart failure rats after acute myocardial infarction.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The congestive heart failure post cardiac infarction rats models subjected to left coronary occlusion were made and given different dosage of drug of Huoxue Yiqi and captopril (positive control) from 4 weeks to 8 weeks after operation. The cardiac function before and after using drugs were observed by impedance methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Treated by different dosage of drug of Huoxue Yiqi and captopil, cardiac function of heart failure rats after acute myocardial infarction improved, SV, CO, CI(P < 0.01); at the same time, prescription of Huoxue Yiqi and Qixue could improve the model rats' heart coefficient, VS SHAM(P > 0.05), but prescription of Yiqi Huoxue and captopril could not improve it.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Drug to activate blood circulation and to increase qi can treat heart failure rats after acute myocardial infarction, through improving their function and structure. At the same time, more dosage of drug to activate blood circulation and to increase qi(Huoxue/Yiqi drug) may improve the model rats' heart coefficient.</p>

Effect of Jiunaoning Injection on apoptosis and changes in cytosolic calcium induced by hypoxia / hypoglycemia in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To study the effect of Jiunaoning Injection on apoptosis and the changes in cytosolic calcium induced by hypoxia/hypoglycemia in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. METHODS: The apoptosis and the changes in cytosolic calcium were induced by hypoxia and hypoglycemia .Apoptosis was measured via flow cytometry(FCM), and cytosolic calcium was determined by Fluo-3 fluorometry. RESULTS: The hypoxia/hypoglycemia induced apoptosis and increased the cytosolic calcium in SH-SY5Y cells. Jiunaoning Injection inhibited the apoptosis of the SH-SY5Y cells and decreased the concentration of cytosolic free calcium. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia/hypoglycemia induced apoptosis and increase in cytosolic free calcium in SH-SY5Y cells, which were significantly inhibited by Jiunaoning Injection.