Polyherbal formula SC-E3 inhibits rheumatoid arthritis activity in a mouse model of type-II collagen-induced arthritis / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#SC-E3 is a polyherbal formula that contains five medicinal herbs used frequently in traditional herbal medicine. In our previous study, we demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of SC-E3. The present study examined the effects of SC-E3 in a mouse model of type-II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).@*METHODS@#In vivo, male DBA/1J mice were immunized by intradermal injection of bovine type-II collagen and complete or incomplete Freund's adjuvant, to induce arthritis. SC-E3 was orally administered daily for 23 days. In vitro, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were treated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in the absence or presence of SC-E3.@*RESULTS@#Administrations of SC-E3 were found to have anti-arthritic effects in the joints of CIA mice, as evidenced by reduced paw swelling, bone erosion and deformation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and inflammation in synovial membrane. SC-E3 also reduced serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Furthermore, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclast numbers in the joints were significantly lower in SC-E3-treated CIA mice than in CIA mice. In addition, the differentiations of BMMs to multinucleated osteoclasts induced by M-CSF and RANKL stimulation were dose-dependently reduced by SC-E3.@*CONCLUSION@#These results suggest that SC-E3 possesses substantial anti-arthritic activity because it inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines and osteoclastogenesis, and that SC-E3 has potential therapeutic use for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Effect of methanol extract of Schisandrae Fructus on high fat diet induced hyperlipidemic mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and molecular targets of Schisandrae Fructus (SF) methanol extract (SFme) in mice with hyperlipidemia induced by high fat diet. METHODS: We observed changes in body weight, blood serum content of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and triglyceride. The extent of accumulation of lipid peroxide due to lipid metabolism disorder also evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) level. In addition, after getting gene expression in hepatic tissues, target protein of SFme was identified using a protein interaction database. RESULTS: SFme significantly decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels without alteration of body weight in mice, and the liver content of MDA was statistically decreased by SFme. And expression changes of cyclin- dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (Lrrk2) were restored by SFme. CONCLUSION: The effect of SFme on the high- fat-diet induced hyperlipidemia via decreasing total cholesterol and triglyceride levels may involve the expression of Cdk1 and Lrrk2 proteins.

Bilateral Cingulotomy for the Intractable Cancer Pain: Case Report

The authors report two cases of intractable cancer pain, which was managed by bilateral cingulotomy. The technique involved stereotaxis using magnetic resonance guidance and local anesthesia, with the introduction of a mechanical and chemical lesion(absolute alcohol). Postoperative pain relief was excellent that lasted relatively prolonged period of time until disease has far advanced. There were no complications related to procedure. Bilateral stereotactic cingulotomy is considered safe, feasible and most of all, effective in the severe, disabling pain from metastatic lesion. Also, a invasive surgery with general anesthesia can be avoided.