Could hyperbaric oxygen be an effective therapy option for pathological scars? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy involves breathing pure oxygen or a high oxygen concentration above atmospheric (ATM) pressure in an enclosed chamber. Studies on pathological scars have demonstrated that HBO can inhibit the formation of pathological scars. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of HBO in the treatment of pathological scars via meta-analysis. METHODS: Searches were run on various databases, including the Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases. A comparative study was conducted on patients with pathological scars treated with or without HBO. We used RevMan 5.4 software to determine the recurrence rate, treatment satisfaction, and Vancouver Scar Scale(VSS) score in the pathological scar. RESULTS: A total of 543 publications were identified; after screening, four were selected for review, including one randomized controlled trial (RCT), one controlled clinical trial (CCT), and two retrospective cohort studies. Meta-analysis results showed that HBO treatment reduced the pathological scar recurrence rate after surgery and radiotherapy (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.13-0.52, p = 0.0001). Patients had higher satisfaction after HBO therapy (OR = 4.45, 95% CI: 1.49-13.30, p = 0.007). The Vancouver scar scale (VSS) score of patients with pathological scars was significantly improved in the HBO group (SMD: -3.82, 95% CI: -6.07to -0.49, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: HBO treatment decreased the recurrence rate of pathological scars after surgery and radiotherapy, increased patient satisfaction, and reduced the VSS score, thus providing a new way to treat pathological scar hyperplasia. However, evaluation of the longer-term effects of HBO treatment requires further comprehensive studies, including more RCTs.

Effects of electroacupuncture on functional indices and pS6 expression following acute sciatic nerve crush injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on recovery from acute sciatic nerve crush injury and the expression of pS6 in rats. METHODS: A total of 108 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, model, EA and EA+rapamycin (EA+Rapa) groups. 28 rats were allocated to undergo measurement of sciatic functional index (SFI); one rat in the EA+Rapa group was unsuccessfully modelled and excluded because of an anaesthetic problem. The remaining 80 rats were allocated to undergo Western blot detection of S6 ribosomal protein (pS6, ser240/244). The model was created by mechanical clamping of the sciatic nerve stem. EA stimulation at GB30 and ST36 for 15 min separately was applied once daily for rats in the EA and EA+Rapa groups. For rats in the EA+Rapa group, rapamycin, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) pathway inhibitor, was injected intramuscularly (1 mg/kg/day) near the site of crush injury in the sciatic nerve and an equivalent amount of dimethyl sulfoxide was injected in the other three groups every other day. After treatment for 7, 14, 28 and 42 days post-operation, the SFI of 27 rats was obtained to evaluate recovery of motor function and five rats from each group per stage were used for Western blot detection of pS6. RESULTS: The SFI values showed that EA could significantly promote recovery of the injured sciatic nerve but rapamycin hindered the therapeutic effect of EA. Moreover, immunoblotting indicated that EA improved the expression of pS6 in the area of the sciatic nerve crush injury and local injection of rapamycin near the injured sciatic nerve decreased its expression. The pS6 level correlated with the extent of recovery of the injury. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that EA may activate the mTOR signalling pathway to enhance expression of pS6 and facilitate recovery following sciatic nerve crush injury.

Effects and safety of triamcinolone acetonide-controlled common therapy in keloid treatment: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) is used frequently in the treatment of keloid scars, but has presented controversial results. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of TAC compared with other common therapies used in keloid treatment. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases were searched until January 2018. Key data were extracted from eligible randomized controlled trials. Both pairwise and network meta-analyses were conducted for synthesizing data from eligible studies. RESULTS: Ten randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. The relative risk of keloids associated with seven adjuvants was analyzed, including placebo, pulsed dye laser (PDL), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), silicone, verapamil, TAC+5-FU and TAC+5-FU+PDL. Patients treated with the following adjuvants appeared to not have significantly reduced risk of keloid in relation to those treated with TAC: placebo (OR=1.86, 95% CI 1.12-2.61), PDL (OR=1.32, 95% CI 0.53-3.30), 5-FU (OR=1.13, 95% CI 0.48-2.68), silicone (OR=1.28, 95% CI 0.59-2.78), verapamil (OR=1.86, 95% CI 0.67-5.14), TAC+5-FU (OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.38-1.58) and TAC+5-FU+PDL (OR=0.80, 95% CI 0.16-4.03). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve values for each adjuvant were as follows: TAC, 59.9%; placebo, 17.4%; PDL, 46.3%; 5-FU, 48.9%; silicone, 56.2%; verapamil, 84.7%; TAC+5-FU, 68.5% and TAC+5-FU+PDL, 18.1%. CONCLUSION: There were no differences between the efficacy of TAC and other common therapies in keloid treatment. TAC also acts as an effective alternative modality in the prevention and treatment of keloids. Incorporating adjuvants particularly verapamil appeared to be significantly associated with a decreased risk of keloids.

Nodulisporisteriods A and B, the first 3,4-seco-4-methyl-progesteroids from Nodulisporium sp.

Two new 4-methyl-progesteroids, nodulisporisteriod A (1) and nodulisporisteriod B (2), were isolated from the extract of an endolichenic fungal strain Nodulisporium sp. (No. 65-17-2-1), along with two related metabolites, demethoxyviridin (3) and inoterpene B (4). Their structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analyses, X-ray crystallographic analysis and comparison of the NMR data with those of the closely related compounds previously reported. Nodulisporisteriod A (1) and nodulisporisteriod B (2) possess new carbon skeletons, which are the first cases of fission at C-3,4 in 4-methyl-progesteroids. A hypothetical biosynthetic pathway for 1 and 2 was proposed. Moreover, the Aß42 aggregation inhibitory activities of 1-4 were evaluated using standard thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as positive control. Demethoxyviridin (3) displayed anti-Aß42 aggregation activity with IC50 value of 13.4µM.

New azaphilones and chlorinated phenolic glycosides from Chaetomium elatum with caspase-3 inhibitory activity.

Three new azaphilones, chaetomugilin S (1), 7,5'-bis-epi-chaetoviridin A (2), and 7-epi-chaetoviridin E (3), and two new chlorinated phenolic glycosides, globosumoside A (4) and globosumoside B (5), were isolated from the crude extract of the fungal strain Chaetomium elatum No. 89-1-3-1. Their structures were determined by detailed NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of C-7 in chaetomugilin S (1), 7,5'-bis-epi-chaetoviridin A (2), and 7-epi-chaetoviridin E (3) were assigned by CD experiments, and the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were established by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1-3 are the first examples of 7R-configurated azaphilones with a chlorinated isochromen from Chaetomium spp. In addition, compounds 1-3 showed inhibitory activity in the cysteine aspartyl-specific protease-3 (caspase-3) enzymatic assay, with IC50 values of 20.6, 10.9, and 7.9 µM, respectively.

[Chemical constituents of Berchemia lineate].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of the roots of Berchemia lineate as a medicinal plant of Yao nationality in China. METHODS: Compounds were isolated by various column chromatography and elucidated by physicochemical and spectral analysis. RESULTS: Nine compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the roots of Berchemia lineate and their structures were identified as palmitic acid (1), octadecanoic acid (2), beta-sitosterol (3), stigmasterol (4), fernenol (5), chrysophanol (6), physcion (7), floribundiquinone D (8), 2-acetylphyscion(9) respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-4,7-9 are isolated from this plant for the first time,and compounds land 2 are firstly isolated from this genus.

Two new diterpenoids from Croton crassifolius.

Two new clerodane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the roots of Croton crassifolius Geisel. The structures of these compounds were elucidated as 9-[2-(2(5H)-furanone-4-yl)ethyl]-4,8,9-trimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalene-4-carboxylic acid (1) and methyl 9-[2-(2(5H)-furanone-4-yl)ethyl]-4,8,9-trimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalene-4-carboxylic ester (2) by spectroscopic methods.

A new pregnane glycoside and oligosaccharide from Parabarium huaitingii.

Two new compounds, along with two known compounds, were isolated from the barks of Parabarium huaitingii, and their structures were determined as 5α-pregn-6-ene-3ß,17α,20(S)-triol-20-O-ß-d-digitoxopyranoside (1), cymaropyranurolactone 4-O-ß-d-digitalopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-O-ß-d-cymaropyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-O-ß-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-O-ß-d-cymaropyranoside (2), 3ß,17α,20(S)-trihydroxy-5α-pregn-6-ene (3), and 5α-pregn-6-ene-3ß,17α,20(S)-triol-3-O-ß-d-digitalopyranoside (4) by spectroscopic methods.

[Studies on the triterpenoids constituents from Phyllodium elegans].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Phyllodium elegans. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by extraction, chromatography on silica gel and recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectra analysis. RESULTS: Three triterpenoids were isolated and identified as lupenone (1), lupeol (2), betulin (3). CONCLUSION: Compound 2 is obtained from the genus for the first time, Compounds 1-3 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the polysaccharides of golden needle mushroom in burned rats.

The present study was to investigate chemical components of polysaccharides isolated from Golden needle (GNP) mushroom using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Then, anti-inflammatory effect of the polysaccharides was also evaluated. Results indicated that GNP was composed of the three monosaccharides (glucose, mannose and xylose) with a molar ratio of 3.5:0.8:1.4. GNP could significantly decreased CD4+ CD8+, ICAM-1, and MPO in serum and colon of normal and burned rats. It could be concluded that GNP possessed strong anti-inflammatory activity in burned rats.

[Studies on the chemical constituents from Cissus pteroclada].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Yao Medicine Cissus pteroclada. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel, TLC and recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectra analysis. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated and identified as beta-sitosterol (I), bergenin (II), 11-O-galloylbergenin (III), 11-O-(4-hydroxy benzoyl) bergenin (IV), gallic acid (V), daucosterol (VI). CONCLUSION: Compounds III and NIV are obtained from the genus for the first time. All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time except the compound II.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Blumea laciniata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Blumea laciniata. METHODS: The chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract from Blumea laciniata were isolated with column chromatographic techniques. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with their published datas. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated and identified as: protocatechuic acid (1), chrysoeriol (2), apigenin (3), 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxbenzoic acid (4), scopolet (5). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 5 are isolated from this plant for the first time, and also obtained from this genus for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical comstituents of Pithecellobium clypearia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Pithecellobium clypearia. METHODS: The compounds were isolated from Pithecellobium clypearia with column chromatography. Their structures were characterized on the basis of their physical and chemical preperties, as well as chromatographic and spectroscopic evidences. RESULTS: A pair of isomeric flavans consisting of 7, 3'-O-di-gallyoltricetiflavan (I) and 7,4'-O-di-gallyoltricetiflavan (II), along with a catechin compound (-)-epigallocatechin-7-O-gallate (III) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Pithecellobium clypearia. CONCLUSION: Compound I is a new flavan. Compound III is isolated from Pithecellobium genus for the first time, and its 13C-NMR data is firstly given in the present study.

Chemical composition and antiproliferative activity of essential oil from the leaves of a medicinal herb, Schefflera heptaphylla.

Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) Frodin is a medicinal herb widely used as a main ingredient of the popular health tea formulation against infections in Southern China. Twenty-seven volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis from the essential oil obtained from the leaves of S. heptaphylla, and 17 of them belonged to monoterpenes or sesquiterpenes. The main volatile constituent in S. heptaphylla was found to be a monoterpene, beta-pinene, comprising about 22% of the total volatile components. The essential oil showed significant antiproliferative activity against three cancer cell lines, MCF-7, A375 and HepG2 cells, with IC50 values of 7.3 microg/mL, 7.5 microg/mL and 6.9 microg/mL, respectively. The result of the cytotoxicity assay indicates that (-)-beta-pinene and (+)-beta-pinene (commercially available from Sigma) also possessed antiproliferative activity against the cancer cells MCF-7, A375 and HepG2 with IC50 values ranging from 147.1 to 264.7 microm.

[Studies on antiproliferative effect of flavones compounds isolated from Yao herb medicines].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the cytotoxicity and in vitro antiproliferative effects of the flavones compounds isolated from some Yao herbal medicines, and analyze the basic structure-activity relationship. METHODS: The cytotoxicity on normal cells and antiproliferative effect on tumor cells were tested by MTT reduction assay respectively. RESULTS: Among the 6 flavones, the Eriodictyol-7-O-a-D-glucoside, Naringenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin and quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside showed very low cytotoxicity to the two normal cells, Vero and MC cells, while the naringenin was high toxic to both of them. The eriodictyol was no toxic to Vero Cell but could affect MC cell at low concentration. The naringenin exhibited a wide-spectrum antiproliferative effect on all of the 7 tested cancer cell lines especially on the MCF-7 with low IC50 about 50 microg/ml. Among these cancer cells, the MCF-7 and HepG2 were more sensitive to the flavones compounds than the others. Both of them were inhibited by eriodictyol, quercetin and naringenin even at low test concentration. Furthermore, the antiproliferative effects of these compounds were concentration-related. CONCLUSION: Some of flavones compounds isolated from some Yao herb medicines showed high antiproliferative effect on cancer cells with low cytotoxicity on normal cells.

[Studies on chemical constituents from Serissa serissoides].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Serissa serissoides. METHOD: Chemical constituents were isolated with the column chromatographic methods including silica gel and sephadex LH -20, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of their spectral and chemical evidences. RESULT: Eight compounds were obtained and were identified as: palmitic acid (1), corosolic acid (2), daucosterol (3), urs-12-en-28-ol (4), oleanolic acid (5), uroslic acid (6), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (7), and 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone (8). CONCLUSION: Except compound 5, other seven compounds were found from the genus Serissa for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Adina pilulifera].

The chemical constituents of Adina pilulifera, which were traditionlly used in the area of Yao minority in Southern China, were isolated and characterized. Two compounds were obtained from the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of Adina pilulifera, and one compound was obtained from the n-butanol fraction of ethanol extract of Adina pilulifera. Their structure were characterized by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with published data to be sarracenin (1), 2-methyl-5, 7-dihydroxychromone (2) and morroniside (3). Except compound 2, other two compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time, and they were also obtained from the Adina genus for the first time.

[Study on the chemical constituents of Ardisia chinensis].

The chemical constituents of Ardisia chinensis, which traditionally used in the area of Yao minority in Southern China, were analyzed and characterized. Seven compounds were obtained from the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of Ardisia chinensis. These 7 compounds were characterized by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with published data to be salicylic acid (1), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzoic acid (2), gallic acid ethyl ester (3), 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy benzoic acid methyl ester (4), protocatechuic acid (5), gallic acid (6) and catechin (7). All of them were isolated from this plant for the first time, and compound 7 was obtained from this genus for the first time.

[Analysis of curative result for keloid with integrated methods].

OBJECTIVE: To study the curative effects of keloid by operation combined with postoperative beta radiation and silicone gel sheeting. METHODS: From 1996 to 2002, 598 patients with keloid (243 males, 355 females, aging 15-55 years with an average of 28.6 years) were treated by integrated therapy. Their disease courses were from 6 months to 6 years. The keloid area ranged from 1.0 cm x 1.5 cm-8.0 cm x 15 cm. First, keloid was removed by operation, and then the wounds were sutured directly (group suture) or covered with skin graft (group graft). In group suture, the operational sites were managed by beta ray radiotherapy 24-48 hours after operation. The total doses of radiation were 12-15 Gy, 5 times 1 week (group suture A) and 10 times 2 weeks (group suture B). Radiotherapy was not taken until stitches were taken out in group graft, and then the same methods were adopted as group suture B. After radiotherapy, silicone gel sheeting was used in 325 cases for 3-6 months. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12-18 months. (1) The overall efficacy was 91.3% in group suture A (n = 196), and 95.8% in group suture B (n = 383), respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). (2) Radiotherapy was of no effect in 6 cases of group graft (n = 19). (3) Silicone gel sheeting had effectiveness in 185 cases. Silicone gel sheeting had no obvious effect on the overall efficacy, but it could improve the quality of texture and color of skin. CONCLUSION: By use of integrated methods to treat keloid, if the wound can be sutured directly, skin grafting should not be adopted. The results in group suture B are better than those in group suture A; silicone gel sheeting should be used as possible.