Enhanced acupuncture therapy for radiotherapy-related neuropathic pain in patients with gynecologic cancer: a report of two cases and brief review.

As radiation therapy is increasingly utilized in the treatment of cancer, neuropathic pain (NP) is a common radiotherapy-related adverse effect and has a significant impact on clinical outcomes negatively. However, despite an improved understanding of neuropathic pain management, pain is often undertreated in patients with cancer. Herein, we reported two cases with radiotherapy-related neuropathic pain (RRNP) who presented a positive reaction to acupuncture. Patient 1 (a 73-year-old woman) with gynecologic cancer complained of burning and electric shock-like pain in the lower limb after radiotherapy. With the accepted combination of acupuncture and drugs, the pain was alleviated completely in 8 weeks. Patient 2 (a 64-year-old woman) accepted acupuncture in the absence of medication because of her inability to tolerate the adverse events of anticonvulsant drugs. She achieved remission of pain 4 weeks later. The results of this study showed that acupuncture might be promising for controlling the RRNP in patients with cancer, especially who were intolerant or unresponsive to medications.

Acupuncture point selection for prevention and treatment of generalized anxiety disorder from the perspective of Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis / 国际中医中药杂志

Disorders of the gut flora (GF) affect the level of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the brain of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and influence the development of the disease. Most of the acupuncture points selected for GAD are based on the principles of local acupuncture points and acupuncture points following the distant channels of the meridians, regarding Baihui (DU 20), Fengchi (GB 20), and Yintang (GV 29) as the main acupuncture points, and the acupuncture points selected for the regulation of GF are Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), and Guanyuan (RN 4) and Zusanli (ST 36). Recently, many studies have been conducted on the mechanism of action of acupuncture in the treatment of GAD from the perspective of GF, but few have investigated the theoretical of acupuncture points used to prevent and treat GAD. This paper discusses the theoretical basis of acupuncture to regulate the "microbiota-gut-brain axis" (MGBA) for the prevention and treatment of GAD, and proposes the method of "regulating the internal organs and calming the mind and relieving anxiety" through analyzing the researches on the regulation of GF and GAD.

Analysis on "the essence of tuina, arrival of qi ensuring curative effect" / 中国针灸

In reference with the systematic review of the thought of deqi (arrival of qi) put forward in Huangdi Neijing (Internal Classic of Yellow Emperor) and other classic books of traditional Chinese medicine, in view of detecting qi and identifying qi before treatment, as well as the prerequisites of deqi in tuina, meaning the accurate syndrome differentiation and manipulations, the importance of deqi in treatment with tuina is expounded. In association with clinical experience, the specific manifestations of deqi in patients during tuina are summarized, e.g. soreness, distention, pain, numbness, warm feeling and slight sweating, local changes in intestinal sound and skin color, as well as mind regulation. It is anticipated that deqi of tuina may be drawn the attention in clinical practice, and the relevant study be expanded.

Metabolomics-Based Clinical Efficacy of Compound Shenlu Granule, a Chinese Patent Medicine, in the Supportive Management of Aplastic Anemia Patients: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of compound Shenlu granule (SLG) treatment in patients with aplastic anemia (AA). METHODS: A total of 89 AA patients were randomly divided into an SLG supportive group (group A, n = 44) and a control group (group B, n = 45) while continuing Western medical management. After 6 months, hemograms, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, and overall clinical efficacy rate were assessed. Serum metabolomics characteristics were observed using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after SLG intervention. RESULTS: The levels of red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet (PLT) were increased in both groups after treatment for 6 months (P < 0.05), and in group A, the elevation of PLT became much more significant (P < 0.01). The TCM syndrome score was lower in group A than in group B after treatment (P < 0.05). Metabolomics data showed a significant difference in the patients using SLG after 6 months, and 14 biomarkers were identified. CONCLUSION: SLG supportive treatment showed positive results in patients with AA, and metabolomics data indicated that SLG influenced aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism to gradually return to normal.

Iron overload in the motor cortex induces neuronal ferroptosis following spinal cord injury.

Motor neuron death is supposed to result in primary motor cortex atrophy after spinal cord injury (SCI), which is relevant to poorer motor recovery for patients with SCI. However, the exact mechanisms of motor neuron death remain elusive. Here, we demonstrated that iron deposition in the motor cortex was significantly increased in both SCI patients and rats, which triggered the accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) and resulted in motor neuronal ferroptosis ultimately. While iron chelator, ROS inhibitor and ferroptosis inhibitor reduced iron overload-induced motor neuron death and promoted motor functional recovery. Further, we found that activated microglia in the motor cortex following SCI secreted abundant nitric oxide (NO), which regulated cellular iron homeostasis-related proteins to induce iron overload in motor neurons. Thus, we conclude that microglial activation induced iron overload in the motor cortex after SCI triggered motor neuronal ferroptosis and impeded motor functional recovery. These findings might provide novel therapeutic strategies for SCI.

Study on time-toxicity relationship and mechanism of Gardeniae Fructus extract on hepatoxicity in rats based on proteomics / 中国中药杂志

To study the time-toxicity relationship and mechanism of Gardeniae Fructus extract on the hepatoxicity in rats. Rats were randomly divided into C group(0 day), D5 group(5 days), D12 group(12 days), D19 group(19 days), and D26 group(7 days recovery after 19 days of administration). The rats in normal group received normal saline through intragastric administration, and the rats in other groups received 10 g·kg~(-1 )Gardeniae Fructus extract through intragastric administration. After the final administration, the livers were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the liver tissue. Total liver proteins were extracted for proteomic analysis, detected by the Nano-ESI liquid-mass spectrometry system and identified by Protein Disco-very software. SIEVE software was used for relative quantitative and qualitative analysis of proteins. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed based on STRING. Cytoscape software was used for cluster analysis of differential proteins. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) database was used to perform enrichment signal pathway analysis. Pearson correlation analysis was performed for the screened differential protein expression and liver pathology degree score. The results showed that the severity of liver injury in D5, D12 and D19 groups was significantly higher than that in group C. The degree of liver damage in D5 group was slightly higher than that in D12 and D19 groups, with no significant difference between group D26 and group C. Totally 147 key differential proteins have been screened out by proteomics and mainly formed 6 clusters, involving in drug metabolism pathways, retinol metabolism pathways, proteasomes, amino acid biosynthesis pathways, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. The results of Pearson correlation analysis indicated that differential protein expressions had a certain temporal relationship with the change of liver pathological degree. The above results indicated that the severity of liver damage caused by Gardeniae Fructus extract did not increase with time and would recover after drug with drawal. The above pathways may be related to the mechanism of liver injury induced by Gardeniae Fructus extract.

Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Xiao Qinglongtang in Treating Chronic Heart Failure with Cold Phlegm in Lung / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Xiao Qinglongtang on chronic heart failure with cold phlegm in lung， and explore its mechanism of action. Method:A total of 87 patients with definite chronic heart failure were divided into observation group and control group by random number table method．The two groups received routine western medicine at the same time. Forty-two cases in observation group were treated with Xiao Qinglongtang based on western medicine， and 45 cases in control group received the same dose of placebo. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks， and then their cardiac function， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score and efficacy were compared before and after treatment. Left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） were measured in both groups before and after treatment. The changes of standard deviation of NN intervals （SDNN）， square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals （RMSSD）， high frequency （HF） and low frequency （LF） that reflect autonomic nerve function indexes in heart rate variability （HRV） after treatment were compared between two groups. The changes of inflammatory indicators such as interleukin-6 （IL-6） and highly sensitive C reaction protein （hs-CRP） were detected. Result:After treatment， the total effective rate for cardiac function in observation group was higher than that in control group （P<0.05）. The TCM symptom scores were improved after treatment in both groups （P<0.05）， and the total effective rate in observation group was higher than that in control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， LVEF levels significantly increased （P<0.01） and NT-proBNP levels significantly decreased （P<0.01） in both groups， and the effect in observation group was more obvious （P<0.01）. After treatment， SDNN， RMSD， HF and LF indicators in HRV were all higher than those before treatment in both groups （P<0.01）， and the improvement in observation group was more significant than that in control group （P<0.01）. The levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP decreased after treatment in both groups （P<0.01）， and the level of observation group was significantly lower than that of control group （P<0.01）. Conclusion:Xiao Qinglongtang has certain clinical efficacy in treating chronic heart failure with cold phlegm in lung as it can improve the clinical symptoms of patients， regulate autonomic nervous balance， and inhibit inflammatory factors， providing new clinical ideas to treat chronic heart failure in TCM.

Post-stroke constipation treated with acupoint embedding therapy: a multi-center randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To verify the clinical effect of acupoint embedding therapy on post-stroke constipation.@*METHODS@#The multi-central randomized controlled trial was adopted. 210 patients of post-stroke constipation were divided into an acupoint embedding group (105 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a sham-embedding group (105 cases, 6 cases dropped off). In the acupoint embedding group, the acupoint embedding therapy was used at Tianshu (ST 25), Daheng (SP 15), Xiawan (CV 10), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Daju (ST 27). In the sham-embedding group, the sham-embedding therapy was given, in which, the acupoint selection, needle devices and manipulation were the same as the acupoint embedding group. But, no absorbable surgical suture was used in the needle tube. The treatment was given once every two weeks and 4 treatments were required in either group. It was to compare the weekly average complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) during treatment (from the 3rd to the 8th week) between the two groups, the weekly average spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), Bristol stool form score (BSFS), the score of the patient assessment of constipation quality of life questionnaire (PAC-QOL) and the score of defecation difficulty before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#The percentage of the cases with weekly average CSBMs ≥ 3 times in the patients of the acupoint embedding group was higher markedly than the sham-embedding group [91.1% (92/101) vs 43.4% (43/99), <0.01]. Compared with the values before treatment, the weekly average SBMs and BSFS scores after treatment were all increased obviously in the two groups (<0.01), and PAC-QOL score and the score of defecation difficulty were reduced remarkably (<0.01). After treatment, the increase range of SBMs and BSFS scores, as well as the decrease range of PAC-QOL score and the defecation difficulty score in the acupoint embedding group were all higher than the sham-embedding group respectively (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The acupoint embedding therapy remarkably increases the spontaneous bowel movements, improves in feces form and defecation difficulty and strengthens the quality of life in the patients of post-stroke constipation.

Exploring an Integrative Therapy for Treating COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To develop a new Chinese medicine (CM)-based drug and to evaluate its safety and effect for suppressing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients.@*METHODS@#A putative ARDS-suppressing drug Keguan-1 was first developed and then evaluated by a randomized, controlled two-arm trial. The two arms of the trial consist of a control therapy (alpha interferon inhalation, 50 µg twice daily; and lopinavir/ritonavir, 400 and 100 mg twice daily, respectively) and a testing therapy (control therapy plus Keguan-1 19.4 g twice daily) by random number table at 1:1 ratio with 24 cases each group. After 2-week treatment, adverse events, time to fever resolution, ARDS development, and lung injury on newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients were assessed.@*RESULTS@#An analysis of the data from the first 30 participants showed that the control arm and the testing arm did not exhibit any significant differences in terms of adverse events. Based on this result, the study was expanded to include a total of 48 participants (24 cases each arm). The results show that compared with the control arm, the testing arm exhibited a significant improvement in time to fever resolution (P=0.035), and a significant reduction in the development of ARDS (P=0.048).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Keguan-1-based integrative therapy was safe and superior to the standard therapy in suppressing the development of ARDS in COVID-19 patients. (Trial registration No. NCT04251871 at www.clinicaltrials.gov ).

Exploring an Integrative Therapy for Treating COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To develop a new Chinese medicine (CM)-based drug and to evaluate its safety and effect for suppressing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients.@*METHODS@#A putative ARDS-suppressing drug Keguan-1 was first developed and then evaluated by a randomized, controlled two-arm trial. The two arms of the trial consist of a control therapy (alpha interferon inhalation, 50 µg twice daily; and lopinavir/ritonavir, 400 and 100 mg twice daily, respectively) and a testing therapy (control therapy plus Keguan-1 19.4 g twice daily) by random number table at 1:1 ratio with 24 cases each group. After 2-week treatment, adverse events, time to fever resolution, ARDS development, and lung injury on newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients were assessed.@*RESULTS@#An analysis of the data from the first 30 participants showed that the control arm and the testing arm did not exhibit any significant differences in terms of adverse events. Based on this result, the study was expanded to include a total of 48 participants (24 cases each arm). The results show that compared with the control arm, the testing arm exhibited a significant improvement in time to fever resolution (P=0.035), and a significant reduction in the development of ARDS (P=0.048).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Keguan-1-based integrative therapy was safe and superior to the standard therapy in suppressing the development of ARDS in COVID-19 patients. (Trial registration No. NCT04251871 at www.clinicaltrials.gov ).

Construction and application of effect-related near-infrared spectroscopy for traditional Chinese medicines — Exemplification by rhubarb dispensing granules / 药学学报

Consistency in quality of traditional Chinese medicine granules is an important factor to ensure reproducible clinical efficacy. In this study rhubarb dispensing granules were utilized to construct an efficacious near-infrared spectroscopy (eNIRS) assay by combining NIRS and biopotency. A NIR method for assaying rhubarb dispensing particles was established, and information on different batches was collected. The diarrhea-inducing biopotency of rhubarb dispensing granules was determined based on a constipation model induced by diphenoxylate in mice. The animal protocol was approved by the Animal Ethic Committee​ of 302 Hospital of Chinese PLA People's Liberation Army (ID: IACUC-2019-0010). Ten anthraquinones were determined in rhubarb dispensing granules by UPLC. The correlation between NIR and biopotency was analyzed and five characteristic bands that correlated highly with bioactivity were identified, including 4 011-4 390, 4 859-5 461, 7 012-7 493, 10 992-11 312 and 11 871-12 489 cm-1. There were some differences in the main bands of different chemical constituents. In summary, five active bands based on NIRS were identified and found to be able to achieve rapid on-line detection of rhubarb dispensing granule quality. This research model may also provide reference for quality control of other Chinese medicine dispensing granules.

Application of an effect-constituents index for the quality evaluation of the traditional Chinese medicine rhubarb / 药学学报

To explore the application of an effect-constituents index (ECI) for the quality evaluation of rhubarb, we carried out the simultaneous determination of 12 chemical components by ultra-performance liquid chromatography and used the ICR mouse constipation model to determine the diarrhea biopotency of these 12 components. With the diarrhea biopotency of sennoside A as a reference, the diarrhea biopotency weight coefficient of each chemical component was obtained. A multi-component chemical quantitative analysis combined with the biopotency weight coefficients for rhubarb was developed, named the diarrhea ECI. Animal experiment ethics requirements were approved by the Animal Experimental Ethics Committee of the 302 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army (Grant Number: IACUC-2015-012). The results showed that there were significant differences in the content of the 12 chemical components in different batches of processed products of rhubarb. Especially worthy of attention was the content of aloe-emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside in sample Rh03, nearly 40-fold higher than that in Rh07 (4.79 vs 0.12 mg·g-1), and the content of rhein-8-O-β-D-glucoside in sample Rh03, nearly 45 times higher than that in Rh07 (3.56 vs 0.08 mg·g-1). The actual measured diarrhea biopotencies of the 12 chemical components ranged from 61.65 ± 4.28 to 233.84 ± 5.58 U·mg-1. The calculated diarrhea effect-constituents indices of 16 rhubarb samples ranged from 1.07 (Rh15) to 19.38 (Rh03), and the actual measured diarrhea biopotencies of 16 rhubarb samples based the ICR mouse constipation model ranged from 23.84 U·g-1 (Rh16) to 310.94 U·g-1 (Rh05). The correlation between the diarrhea ECIs and the actual measured diarrhea biopotencies of 16 rhubarb samples was good (r = 0.969 5), suggesting that the diarrhea effect-constituents indices may be the most suitable for evaluating the quality of different rhubarbs with regard to diarrhea.

Relationship Between Rotavirus and TLRs and Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Rotavirus (RV) infection of human body is mainly colonized in human intestinal epithelial cells, which results in small intestinal epithelial cell damage, and then induces diarrhea, fever and other symptoms. It is one of the most common causes of infantile diarrhea. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), as a kind of pattern recognition receptors, play an important role in the host immune system after virus infection. After different viruses infect human body, various pathogens trigger the host immune response through TLRs, induce the release of various cytokines, and stimulate a series of inflammatory reactions, such as fever, cough and diarrhea, which may further lead to more serious adverse consequences. According to the findings, the anti-inflammatory and anti-viral mechanisms of various effective drugs developed for different pathogens may be closely related to the intervention of TLRs signaling pathway and the regulation of immune response. A large number of studies have shown that rotavirus infection can induce inflammation by affecting the expressions of related proteins and genes in Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signal transduction pathways, stimulating the release of inflammatory cytokines and inducing inflammatory response. Some studies on the mechanism of drug treatment for rotavirus diarrhea also started with TLRs, but only a few clinical and experimental studies on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and rotavirus diarrhea involve TLRs signaling pathway. Therefore, this article will focus on the relationship between TLRs signaling pathway and different viral infections, especially with rotavirus infection, in three aspects:viral infection and TLRs signaling pathway, RV infection and TLRs signaling pathway, and the research of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of rotavirus diarrhea, in order to guide the clinical and experimental studies on the treatment of rotavirus diarrhea with TCM based on TLR3 and TLR4 signaling pathways.

Paeoniflorin Promotes Angiogenesis in A Vascular Insufficiency Model of Zebrafish in vivo and in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells in vitro / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pro-angiogenic effects of paeoniflorin (PF) in a vascular insufficiency model of zebrafish and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vivo, the pro-angiogenic effects of PF were tested in a vascular insufficiency model in the Tg(fli-1:EGFP)y1 transgenic zebrafish. The 24 h post fertilization (hpf) embryos were pretreated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor II (VRI) for 3 h to establish the vascular insufficiency model and then post-treated with PF for 24 h. The formation of intersegmental vessels (ISVs) was observed with a fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expression of fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (flt-1), kinase insert domain receptor (kdr), kinase insert domain receptor like (kdrl) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In vitro, the pro-angiogenic effects of PF were observed in HUVECs in which cell proliferation, migration and tube formation were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PF (6.25-100 μmol/L) could rescue VRI-induced blood vessel loss in zebrafish and PF (25-100 μmol/L), thereby restoring the mRNA expressions of flt-1, kdr, kdrl and vWF, which were down-regulated by VRI treatment. In addition, PF (0.001-0.03 μmol/L) could promote the proliferation of HUVECs while PF stimulated HUVECs migration at 1.0-10 μmol/L and tube formation at 0.3 μmol/L.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PF could promote angiogenesis in a vascular insufficiency model of zebrafish in vivo and in HUVECs in vitro.</p>

Luhong formula inhibits myocardial fibrosis in a paracrine manner by activating the gp130/JAK2/STAT3 pathway in cardiomyocytes.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Luhong formula (LHF)-a traditional Chinese medicine containing Cervus nippon Temminck, Carthamus tinctorius L., Cinnamomum cassia Presl, Codonopisis pilosula( Franch.) Nannf., Astragalus membranaceus ( Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus ( Bge.) Hsiao, Lepidium apetalum Willd-is used in the treatment of heart failure. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the antifibrotic efficacy of LHF in a myocardial infarction-induced rat model of heart failure and to determine its mechanism of action. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Myocardial infarction was induced in rats by coronary artery ligation, and cardiac fibroblasts were isolated. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were isolated from 2 to 3-day-old Sprague-Dawley male rats, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was induced by isoprenaline. Histological examination was carried out to estimate the degree of myocardial fibrosis. Expression of gp130/JAK2/STAT3 pathway proteins was measured by western blot. The mRNA levels of downstream genes of gp130/JAK2/STAT3 pathway (i.e., CTGF, TSP-1, and TIMP1) were determined by RT-PCR; while CTGF, TSP-1, and TIMP1 protein levels were measured by ELISA. To investigate paracrine effects, cell proliferation and collagen synthesis was measured after treating cardiac fibroblasts with the conditioned media from isoprenaline-treated NRCMs. RESULTS: Histopathological changes showed that LHF inhibited myocardial fibrosis in heart failure rats. Treatment with LHF up-regulated gp130, JAK2, and STAT3 protein expression in heart tissue, and down-regulated CTGF, TSP-1, and TIMP1 gene expression. Isoprenaline-treated NRCMs displayed lower expression of the gp130, JAK2, and STAT3 pathway proteins and higher secretion of its downstream signaling molecules (CTGF, TSP-1, TIMP1). LHF inhibited cardiac fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis after treatment with the conditioned media from isoprenaline-treated NRCMs. CONCLUSION: LHF treatment attenuates myocardial fibrosis in vivo. LHF inhibits cardiac fibroblasts proliferation and collagen synthesis in a paracrine manner by activating the gp130/JAK2/STAT3 pathway in cardiomyocytes, thereby inhibiting the secretion of downstream profibrogenic cytokines.

Dictamni Cortex powder-induced liver injury based on integrated evidence chain / 中国中药杂志

A typical clinical case of taking Dictamni Cortex(Baixianpi) powder was analyzed to study liver damage caused by Dictamni Cortex. Liver damage was diagnosed according to the integrated evidence chain method recommended by the Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Herb-Induced Liver Injury. By analyzing clinical history and biochemistry and imaging examinations, underlying diseases, such as viral hepatitis, autoimmune liver disease and alcoholic liver disease, were excluded. Through the investigation of medication history, we made it clear that the patient only took Dictamni Cortex powder during the period, and thus suspected that the liver injury was induced by Dictamni Cortex. Furthermore, the quality of the drug was tested, and the results showed it was consistent with the quality standard of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. DNA barcoding showed that the drug was 100% similar with Dictamnus dasycarpus. Moreover, exogenous harmful substances and chemical drug additions were tested, and the results showed that the content of heavy metal, pesticide residues and microbial toxin were consistent with the required standards, and no chemical drug additions were found in Agilent Fake TCM-Drugs database. In summary, we confirmed that the clinical case of drug-induced liver injury was induced by D. dasycarpus with the dose of 15 g•d⁻¹, which exceeded the prescribed amount of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. According to the Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Herb-Induced Liver Injury, the case of drug-induced liver injury induced by D. dasycarpus was confirmed, which provided a direct and reliable evidence for the study of risk of liver injury induced by D. dasycarpus and its relevant preparations.

Screening and evaluation of commonly-used anti-influenza Chinese herbal medicines based on anti-neuraminidase activity / 中国天然药物

Anti-influenza Chinese herbal medicines (anti-flu CHMs) have advantages in preventing and treating influenza virus infection. Despite various data on antiviral activities of some anti-flu CHMs have been reported, most of them could not be compared using the standard evaluation methods for antiviral activity. This situation poses an obstacle to a wide application of anti-flu CHMs. Thus, it was necessary to develop an evaluation method to estimate antiviral activities of anti-flu CHMs. In the present study, we searched for anti-flu CHMs, based on clinic usage, to select study objects from commonly-used patented anti-flu Chinese medicines. Then, a neuraminidase-based bioassay, optimized and verified by HPLC method by our research group, was adopted to detect antiviral activities of selected 26 anti-flu CHMs. Finally, eight of these herbs, including Coptidis Rhizoma, Isatidis Folium, Lonicerae Flos, Scutellaria Radix, Cyrtomium Rhizome, Houttuynia Cordata, Gardeniae Fructus, and Chrysanthemi Indici Flos, were shown to have strong antiviral activities with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) values being 2.02 to 6.78 mg·mL (expressed as raw materials). In contrast, the IC value of positive control peramivir was 0.38 mg·mL. Considering the extract yields of CHMs, the active component in these herbs may have a stronger antiviral activity than peramivir, suggesting that these herbs could be further researched for active compounds. Moreover, the proposed neuraminidase-based bioassay was high-throughput and simple and could be used for evaluation and screening of anti-flu CHMs as well as for their quality control.

Induction of substantial myocardial regeneration by an active fraction of the Chinese herb Rosa laevigata Michx.

BACKGROUND: The replacement of lost cardiac tissues by regenerated myocardium would be a therapeutic ideal for myocardial infarction. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the ability of an active fraction that was isolated from Rosa laevigata Michx in therapeutic cardiomyogenesis in a myocardial infarction rat model. METHODS: The myocardial infarction animal model was induced by the permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. The active fraction, which improves the survival rate and prevents ischemic reperfusion damage, was used to test the therapeutic effect of this fraction on myocardial infarction. RESULTS: The oral administration of the active fraction for 4 weeks could progressively restore the decreased cardiac function due to myocardial infarction. The significantly improved cardiac function was probably attributed to the active fraction-induced myocardial regeneration, which replaced the lost cardiac tissues in the myocardial infarction animals. CONCLUSIONS: The property of this active fraction appears to be entirely novel and may provide a potential therapeutic alternative for myocardial infarction.

Plants and their bioactive compounds with the potential to enhance mechanisms of inherited cardiac regeneration.

This article reviews the current progress and research indications in the application of natural plant compounds with the potential for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Our understanding of how to apply natural plant compounds to enhance mechanisms of inherited cardiac regeneration, which is physiologically pertinent to myocyte turnover or minor cardiac repair, for substantial cardiac regeneration to repair pathological heart injuries is discussed. Although significant progress has been made in the application of natural plant compounds for therapy of heart diseases, the understanding or the application of these compounds specifically for enhancing mechanisms of inherited cardiac regeneration for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is little. Recent recognition of some natural plant compounds that can repair damaged myocardial tissues through enhancing mechanisms of inherited cardiac regeneration has offered an alternative for clinical translation. Application of natural plant compounds, which show the activity of manipulating gene expressions in such a way to enhance mechanisms of inherited cardiac regeneration for cardiac repair, may provide a promising strategy for the reconstruction of damaged cardiac tissues due to cardiovascular diseases.

Development of Fuzi precision decoction pieces (PDP) (I): Specification and quality uniformity / 中国中药杂志

The specification of decoction pieces and quality uniformity are the important factors to influence the efficacy of clinical medicine. Considering the deficiency of diversity, poor quality uniformity and confusion of decoction pieces specifications, we first propose a new idea of precision decoction pieces (PDP) based on clinical demands and fresh-processed technology. In order to explain the idea, a study case of aconite SUP is provided, including the optimized specification design, processing technology, extraction effects, quality uniformity, and toxic and efficacy variation and so on. The results showed that preparing 5 mm PDP by fresh-cutting is rather simple and practicable, with high efficiency and large yield; then, this technology could significantly decrease the ingredients loss and increase the efficacy components; moreover, it was helpful for achieving the quality uniformity and best extraction effects. This work revealed the quality superiority of PDP, and provided a good strategy and example for the standard of decoction pieces specification and modernization of processing technology.