Effect of Mitochondrial Function on Cell Senescence and Anti-ging Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Moxibustion： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Since ancient times， delaying aging， health， and longevity have been the universal wish of people. Nowadays， China gives top strategic priority to the development of people's health. How to maintain a healthy life and slow down the aging of the human body is a problem worthy of our attention. Human aging can be shown as cell senescence from the microscopic level. Cell senescence is a process in which cell proliferation and differentiation and physiological function gradually decline. It is a normal physiological function responsible for the removal of damaged cells and is the regeneration and recovery of tissues after injury or acute stress. Aging is an irresistible natural law. Although it is inevitable， it is possible to delay aging. Energy metabolism is an important basis of cell function， in which cells use nutrients such as sugar and fat to produce adenosine triphosphate （ATP）. Mitochondria serve as the cell's power stations， where sugars， fats， and amino acids are eventually oxidized to release energy. Mitochondrial function decreases with age. Changes in mitochondrial dynamics， reactive oxygen species content， autophagy， and metabolites can cause dysfunction of electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation， and induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the internal causes of many aging-related diseases， such as neurodegenerative diseases， Alzheimer′s disease， and atherosclerosis. Chinese medicine with few side effects and rich ingredients and health care moxibustion with safety and efficacy have been widely applied to the field of anti-aging. This study reviewed the effect of mitochondrial function on cell senescence， and retrieved， analyzed， and summarized research papers on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and moxibustion in delaying aging by affecting mitochondrial function， which is expected to provide new insights for further research in this field.

Protective effect of ginsenoside Rg_1 aganist diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome in type 2 diabetic mice / 中国中药杂志

Ginsenoside Rg_1, one of the main active components of precious traditional Chinese medicine Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, has the anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, anti-aging, neuroprotection, and other pharmacological effects. Diabetic retinopathy(DR), the most common complication of diabetes, is also the main cause of impaired vision and blindness in the middle-aged and the elderly. The latest research shows that ginsenoside Rg_1 can protect patients against DR, but the protection and the mechanism are rarely studied. This study mainly explored the protective effect of ginsenoside Rg_1 against DR in type 2 diabetic mice and the mechanism. High fat diet(HFD) and streptozotocin(STZ) were used to induce type 2 diabetes in mice, and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was employed to observe pathological changes in the retina of mice. The immunohistochemistry was applied to study the localization and expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors 3(NLRP3) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in retina, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), p-NF-κB, NLRP3, caspase-1, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), transient receptor potential channel protein 6(TRPC6), nuclear factor of activated T-cell 2(NFAT2), and VEGF in retina. The results showed that ginsenoside Rg_1 significantly alleviated the pathological injury of retina in type 2 diabetic mice. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg_1 significantly decreased the expression of NLRP3 and VEGF in retinal ganglion cells, middle plexiform layer, and outer plexiform layer in type 2 diabetic mice. According to the Western blot results, ginsenoside Rg_1 significantly lowered the expression of p-NF-κB, NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, TRPC6, NFAT2, and VEGF in retina of type 2 diabetic mice. These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rg_1 can significantly alleviate DR in type 2 diabetic mice, which may be related to inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and VEGF. This study provides experimental evidence for the clinical application of ginsenoside Rg_1 in the treatment of DR.

Mechanism and experimental verification of Dachengqi Decoction in treatment of sepsis based on network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to predict the material basis and mechanism of Dachengqi Decoction in the treatment of sepsis based on network pharmacology. The chemical constituents and targets of Dachengqi Decoction were retrieved from TCMSP, UniPot and DrugBank and the targets for the treatment of sepsis from OMIM and GeneCards. The potential targets of Dachengqi Decoction for the treatment of sepsis were screened by OmicShare. STRING database and Cytoscape 3.7.2 were used to construct the Chinese medicinal-active component-target-disease, active component-key target-key pathway, and protein-protein interaction(PPT) networks. The gene ontology(GO) term enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed by DAVID(P<0.05). Finally, the animal experiment was conducted to verify some targets and pathways. A total of 40 active components and 157 targets of the Dachengqi Decoction, 2 407 targets for the treatment of sepsis, and 91 common targets of the prescription and the disease were also obtained. The key targets were prostaglandin G/H synthase 2(PTGS2), prostaglandin G/H synthase 1(PTGS1), protein kinase cAMP-dependent catalytic-α(PRKACA), coagulation factor 2 receptor(F2 R), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic gamma subunit(PIK3 CG), dipeptidyl peptidase 4(DPP4), etc. A total of 533 terms and 125 pathways were obtained for the 91 targets. The main terms were the response to drug, negative regulation of apoptotic process, positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthetic process and lipopolysaccharide-mediated signaling pathway, and the pathways included pathways in cancer, hepatitis B, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B(PI3 K/Akt) signaling pathway. The animal experiment confirmed that Dachengqi Decoction can down-regulate inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)(P<0.01). It could also reduce the wet/dry weight ratio of lung tissue, the level of myeloperoxidase(MPO) and the phosphorylation of PI3 K and Akt(P<0.01). These results indicated that Dchengqi Decoction could act on inflammation-related targets and improve sepsis by inhibiting PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway. The animal experiment supported the predictions of network pharmacology. Dachengqi Decoction intervenes sepsis via multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways. The result lays a foundation for further research on the mechanism of Dachengqi Decoction in the treatment of sepsis.

Synergistic Activities of Abdominal Muscles Are Required for Efficient Micturition in Anesthetized Female Mice / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: To characterize the electromyographic activity of abdominal striated muscles during micturition in urethane-anesthetized female mice, and to quantitatively evaluate the contribution of abdominal responses to efficient voiding. METHODS: Cystometric and multichannel electromyographic recordings were integrated to enable a comprehensive evaluation during micturition in urethane-anesthetized female mice. Four major abdominal muscle domains were evaluated: the external oblique, internal oblique, and superior and inferior rectus abdominis. To further characterize the functionality of the abdominal muscles, pancuronium bromide (25 μg/mL or 50 μg/mL, abdominal surface) was applied as a blocking agent of neuromuscular junctions. RESULTS: We observed a robust activation of the abdominal muscles during voiding, with a consistent onset/offset concomitant with the bladder pressure threshold. Pancuronium was effective, in a dose-dependent fashion, for partial and complete blockage of abdominal activity. Electromyographic discharges during voiding were significantly inhibited by applying pancuronium. Decreased cystometric parameters were recorded, including the peak pressure, pressure threshold, intercontractile interval, and voiding duration, suggesting that the voiding efficiency was significantly compromised by abdominal muscle relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: The relevance of the abdominal striated musculature for micturition has remained a topic of debate in human physiology. Although the study was performed on anesthetized mice, these results support the existence of synergistic abdominal electromyographic activity facilitating voiding in anesthetized mice. Further, our study presents a rodent model that can be used for future investigations into micturition-related abdominal activity.

Clinical study on compound prescription with Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix in treatment of generalized anxiety disorder / 中国中药杂志

This study was aimed to observe the clinical efficacy of anxiolytic compound prescription with Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix (ACPV) in treating liver Qi stagnation and feel ill at ease type generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Sixty-seven patients diagnosed as GAD with stagnation of liver Qi and feel ill at ease were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. Patients in treatment group (n=34) was treated with ACPV decoction, and patients in control group (n=33) were treated with deanxit. Both groups were treated with respective drugs for 4 weeks. HAMA scale, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scale (liver Qi stagnation and feel ill at ease type) and salivary cortisol levels were measured before and 2 weeks and 4 weeks after drug treatment. The life events scale (LES) and drug safety evaluation were performed before and after 4 weeks treatment. Two patients were excluded according to LES, and 5 patients were discontinued. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study finally (30 cases in each group). As compared with baseline, HAMA scores in both groups were significantly decreased at 2 weeks and 4 weeks (P<0.05, P<0.01). After 2 weeks and 4 weeks treatment, the TCM syndrome score in both group was also significantly improved (P<0.01). Moreover, the salivary cortisol levels in both groups were also decreased at 2 weeks and 4 weeks (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total efficiency between two groups had no statistically significant difference after 2 weeks treatment and 4 weeks treatment; moreover, no statistically significant differences were observed between two groups in HAMA scores, TCM syndrome scale scores and salivary cortisol levels between two groups. The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01), and there were no obvious side effects in general physical examination during the period of treatment. Thus, anxiolytic compound prescription with Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix is effective for GAD (stagnation of liver Qi and feel ill at ease type).

Oridonin solid lipid nanoparticles inhibit proliferation of esophageal cancer cells / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Increasing studies have shown that solid lipid nanoparticles made from traditional Chinese medicine can inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms of oridonin solid lipid nanoparticles (ORI-SLN) by the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on the proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. METHODS: After 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 μmol/L ORI-SLN treated human esophageal cancer cell lines Eca-109 for 24, 48, 72 hours, the cell inhibition rate was detected by cell counting kit-8, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. After 0, 14 μmol/L ORI-SLN treated Eca-109 cells for 48 hours, the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of Cleaved caspase3, β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1 proteins was detected by western blot assay. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activator LiCl and LiCl+ORI-SLN were used to treat Eca-109 cells for 48 hours, and then the relevant indicators were reexamined. Eca-109 cells without any treatment were used as controls. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The cell inhibition rate of Eca-109 cells treated with different concentrations of ORI-SLN for 24, 48 and 72 hours was significantly higher than that at 0 hour, and the cell inhibition rate was found to increase with the prolongation of time and the increase of the concentration (P < 0.01). 14 μmol/L ORI-SLN was confirmed to result in the higher cell apoptosis and Cleaved caspase3 expression compared with the 0 μmol/L group, while the expression of β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1 proteins were significantly lower than the 0 μmol/L group (P < 0.01). Cell inhibition rate, apoptosis rate and Cleaved caspase3 protein expression in the activator group and ORI-SLN+activator group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the expression of β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1 protein was significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The cell inhibition rate, apoptosis rate and expression of Cleaved caspase3 in ORI-SLN+activator group was significantly lower than those in the activator group, and the β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1 protein expression was significantly higher than that in the activator group (P < 0.01). To conclude, ORI-SLNs can inhibit the proliferation and apoptosis of human esophageal carcinoma cell line Eca-109, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Identification of chemical constituents in Qiling Wenshen Xiaonang Formula by UPLC-ESI-IT-TOF/MS / 中草药

Objective: To establish a method for the content identification of chemical constituents in Qiling Wenshen Xiaonang Formula by using UPLC-ESI-IT-TOF/MS, which can infer the potential active ingredients in the formula, combining with literature. Methods: The chromatography separation was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid in water by gradient elution. Electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated in both positive and negative ion mode. Results: A total of 36 chemical constituents were identified by ESI/MS through comparison on chemical standards and literature data, including 19 flavonoids, 11 phenolic acids, four triterpenoid saponins, one sesquiterpene glycoside, and one alkaloid. Conclusion: This study introduces a comprehensive analysis method for chemical ingredients in Qiling Wenshen Xiaonang Formula, and lays a foundation for the further analysis on the substance basis research. The results provide a significant guidance for the substance basis research and quality control of compound Chinese materia medica.

A clinical study on integrated traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and western medicine in treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined with respiratory failure,TCM syndromes of spleen-kidney-yang deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of integrated traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and western medicine in treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)combined with respiratory failure,TCM syndromes of spleen-kidney-yang deficiency and phlegm-dampness by comparison between the integrated therapy and simple western therapy in treatment of the disease. Methods 160 patients with AECOPD combined with respiratory failure,spleen-kidney-yang deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome in the intensive care units(ICU)of Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM and other four hospitals were randomly allocated into two groups in this double-blinded,multicenter,prospective,randomized,controlled trial. In the control group (78 cases),western medicine and placebo were given to the patients,and in the treatment group(82 cases), conventional western medicine plus fei-shuai mistura 25 mL were administered,four times per day,the therapeutic course lasting for 2 weeks in both groups. The all-cause mortality,respiratory failure-cause mortality,improvement of modified Medical Research Council(mMRC)Dyspnea Scale grades,6 minutes walk distance(6MWD),the forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity(FEV1/FVC)were observed in the 28 days after the end of treatment. Results In the comparisons between the control and treatment groups,there were no statistical significant differences in the all-cause mortality〔54.87%(45/82)vs. 64.10%(50/78)〕and the cases of FEV1/FVC(both P>0.05)in the 28 days after the end of treatment;the 28 day respiratory failure-cause mortality was significantly decreased〔19.51%(16/82)vs. 33.33%(26/78),P<0.05〕,the number of patients with mMRC Dyspnea Scale grades (1-2)was obviously increased(22 cases vs. 7 cases,P<0.05),and the number of patients with 6 MWD grades (4-6)was markedly enhanced in the treatment group(21 cases vs. 8 cases,P<0.05). Conclusions The integrated TCM and western medicine has better therapeutic results in improvement of the patients' degree of dyspnea, 6 MWD and respiratory failure mortality than simple treatment with western therapy for treatment of patients with AECOPD combined with respiratory failure, spleen-kidney-yang deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome. However,in regard to the effect on pulmonary function and all cause mortality,the integrated therapy for treatment of such patients in short term has no significant effect.

Lumbar disc herniation treated with Shu-needle therapy and ozone injection of low concentration / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To verify the efficacy on lumbar disc herniation treated with Shu-needle therapy in combination with ozone injection of low concentration.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty cases of lumbar disc herniation were randomized into a Shu-needle therapy group and an acupotomy group, 65 cases in each one. In the Shu-needle therapy group, Shu-needle therapy was used in combination with ozone injection of low concentration. In the acupotomy group, the conventional acupotomy therapy was applied in combination with ozone injection of low concentration. The treatment was given once every 10 days, 3 treatments made one session. After one session treatment, the clinical efficacy of two groups was observed, scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were counted before and after treatment. The long-term efficacy was followed up in half a year.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical curative rate was 69.2% (45/65) and the total effective rate was 96.9% (63/65) in the Shu-needle therapy group. The curative rate was 43.1% (28/65) and the total effective rate was 84.6% (55/65) in the acupotomy group. In comparison, the efficacy of the Shu-needle therapy group was superior to that of the acupotomy group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The scores of VAS and ODI were reduced obviously after treatment as compared with those before treatment in two groups (all P < 0.05). The improvements in the Shu-needle therapy group were superior to those in the acupotomy group (both P < 0.05). In the follow-up observation, the recurrence rate in the Shu-needle therapy group was lower than that in the acupotomy group [17.8% (8/45) vs 46.4% (13/28), P < 0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Shu-needle therapy in combination with ozone injection of low concentration achieves the superior efficacy on lumbar disc herniation as compared with the acupotomy group.</p>

Studies on chemical constituents from root of Cynanchum atratum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents from the roots and rhizome of Cynanchum atratum.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified by silica gel chromatography and the structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physicochemical properties.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Twelve compounds were obtained and nine of them were identified as 2, 4-dihyroxyacetophe none (1), 2, 6-dihyroxyacetophenone (2), 4-hydroxybenzenemethanol (3), benzoic acid (4), beta-amyrin acetate (5), palmitic acid (6), beta-sitosterol (7), beta-daucosterol (8), glaucogenin C-3-O-alpha-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl-(1 -->4)-alpha-D-oleandropyranoside (9).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Seven compounds were obtained from C. atratum for the first time.</p>

Chemical constituents in root of Zanthoxylum nitidum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of Zanthoxylum nitidum.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Column chromatography on Silica gel and Sephadex LH - 20, and recrystallization were applied for the isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis, chemical evidences and by comparison with the data reported in literature.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>From the CHCl3 fraction and n-butanol fraction of the EtOH extract of the roots of Z. nitidum, 10 compounds were isolated and identified as 2, 4-dihydroxypyrimidine (1), syringic acid (2) , 2, 6-dimethoxy-1, 4-benzoquinone (3) , 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), ethylparaben (5), (Z)-3-(2, 3, 4-trimethoxyphenyl) acrylic acid (6), 5, 6, 7-trimethoxycoumarin (7), stigmast-9 (11) -en-3-ol (8), daucosterol (9), beta-sitosterol (10).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1-9 were isolated and identified from the roots of Z. nitidum for the first time. Furthermore, we note here the first isolation of compound 6 as a natural product.</p>

Studies on the chemical constituents in roots of Daphne odora var. atrocaulis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents from Daphne odora var. atrocaulis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified by silica gel column chromatography and the structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physicochemical properties.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Sixteen compounds were obtained and nine of them were identified as beta-sitosterol, 4-hydroxy ethylbenzoate, (2E),-2-propenoic acid,3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-decosylester, genkwanin, 2,4-dihydroxypyrimidine, daphnetin, daphnoretin, 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone-3ol, daucosterol.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Seven compounds were obtained from D. odora var. atrocaulis. for the first time.</p>