Potential activity of Traditional Chinese Medicine against Ulcerative colitis: A review.

ETHNIC PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Plant materials are used as complementary and alternative therapies all over the world for the treatment of various diseases. Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease listed as one of the modern refractory diseases by the World Health Organization, has a long course, is challenging to cure, and is prone to cause cancer. Recent years have witnessed a growing trend of applying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to UC. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review presents an overview of the pathogenesis of UC and reports the therapeutic effect of TCM on UC (including TCM prescriptions, single TCM, and treatments using TCM ingredients) to provide a theoretical basis for the use of TCM in treating UC. METHODS: We performed a collection and collation of relevant scientific articles from different scientific databases regarding TCM and its usefulness in treating UC. In this paper, the therapeutic effect of TCM is summarized and analyzed according to the existing experimental and clinical research. RESULTS: There are positive signs that TCM primarily regulates inflammatory cytokines, intestinal flora, and the immune system, and also protects the intestinal mucosa. Hence, it can play a role in treating UC. CONCLUSION: TCM has a definite curative effect in the treatment of UC. It can alleviate and treat UC in a variety of ways. We should take syndrome differentiation and treatment differentiation as the basis. With the help of modern medicine, TCM's clinical curative effects can be enhanced for the treatment of UC.

Using a new plateau hyperbaric chamber to alleviate high altitude hypoxia: Rabbit and human studies.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the effects of the new plateau hyperbaric chamber on alleviating high altitude hypoxia on Mount Kun Lun. METHODS: A prospective, controlled study of rabbits and adult volunteers was conducted at altitudes of 355, 2880 and 4532m. We obtained arterial blood samples from rabbits and volunteers before and after hyperbaric treatment. The respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure (BP) of adult volunteers were monitored during hyperbaric treatment. RESULTS: The mean PaO2 levels of experimental group rabbits and volunteers increased significantly after 60min of hyperbaric treatment at 350, 2880 and 4532m. The mean PaCO2 and pH levels of rabbits were not significant different before and after hyperbaric treatment at each altitude. The mean PaCO2 and pH levels were not significant different at 355m in the human study. However, at 2880 and 4532m, pH fell with increasing PaCO2 levels in humans before and after hyperbaric treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The new multiplace plateau hyperbaric chamber may be used to alleviate plateau hypoxia by increasing patient PaO2. However, its value in treating AMS must be confirmed in field conditions.

[Establishment of a novel cell model targeted on FGF-21 receptor for screening anti-diabetic drug candidates].

The aim of this project is to establish a fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) signaling pathway targeted cell model, for screening a class of FGF-21 receptor agonists as anti-diabetic candidates. FGF-21 requires beta klotho transmembrane proteins as co-receptor for the activation of tyrosine kinase FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling, thereby activating a series of intracellular signaling pathways and regulating gene transcription for glucose metabolism. Firstly a recombinant plasmid expressing co-receptor beta klotho and EGFP reporter genes was constructed. After introducing the recombinant plasmid into package cells, the cell culture supernatant was used to infect 3T3-L1 cells, which were then screened for stably expressing beta klotho gene. Administration of FGF-21 increased the expression of GLUT1 and stimulated GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake. This novel cell model can be conveniently used in high-throughput drug screening of FGF-21 or FGF-21 analogues.

[Effect of potassium level on output and diosgenin content of Dioscorea zingiberensisg].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of potassium level on physiological characteristics and diosgenin content of Dioscorea zingiberensisg and provide experimental basis for proper use of potassium fertilizer. METHODS: Field experiment including four potassium levels was carried out. The physiological characteristics of leaves were determined at different growth stages and the diosgenin content in bulk root was assayed after harvest. RESULTS: Within the arrange of 0-180 kg K2SO4/hm2, the content of chlorophyll and amino acid, Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, and phiPs II were increased with the increase in potassium level. Meanwhile, the ability to defense the damage caused by active oxygen was obviously enhanced. Further increase in potassium level resulted in the decrease in efficiency of potassium fertilizer. CONCLUSION: It indicats that higher yield and diosgenin content can be obtained when the potassium level is 180 kg K2/hm2.

[Clinical observation on treatment of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome with auxiliary treatment of Shennong No.33].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of Shennong No. 33 (SN33) in treating multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) by APACHE II and APACHE II scoring. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-nine patients of MODS were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 72) and the control group (n = 57), they were treated with comprehensive therapy and to the treated group, SN33 was given additionally. The changes of APACHE II and APACHE III scores and blood endotoxin level were observed at the time points of within 24 hrs after hospitalization, and the 3rd, 5th and 7th day. RESULTS: In the treated group, 50 patients survived and 22 died, while in the control group, 25 survived and 32 died. The APACHE II and APACHE III scores of the survivors were higher than those of the decedent (P<0.05), which in the treated group was lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The blood level of endotoxin in the treated group was also lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: SN33 in treating MODS could improve patients' condition, lead to the lowering of APACHE scores. APACHE scoring system could be applied as the criteria for evaluating the condition and prognosis of critical patients, and the APACHE III scoring is more accurate.