Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Traditional Chinese Exercise and Osteoarthritis.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease in geriatric rehabilitation medicine caused by the progressive destruction of articular cartilage. Traditional Chinese exercise (TCE) is an important component of traditional sports in China and aims to stretch the musculoskeletal tract and relieve joint pain. Bibliometrics can help researchers find suitable partners and understand the research hotspots and trends in a certain field. However, there is still a lack of bibliometric analysis in the field of TCE and OA. Methods: All the literature was obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The last search was performed on July 28, 2023. The bibliometric indicators, such as publications, citations, and H-index, were recorded. Bibliometrix and CiteSpace were used for visualization analysis. In addition, randomized controlled trials were included to summarize the exercise prescription of TCE for OA. Results: A total of 170 articles were included. The field of OA with TCE had great development potential and was in the rising period. The countries, institutions, and authors with the most publications were the United States, Tufts Medical Center, and Harvey WF, respectively. The most popular journal was Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. The recent burst keywords in this field were mainly "hip", "pilot", and "risk". Tai Chi was the most studied TCE with the most detailed content of exercise prescription, followed by Baduanjin and Wuqinxi. Conclusion: Our study provides a basis for researchers in this field to choose appropriate partner and academic journals. Moreover, pain, muscle strength, and quality of life management of elderly OA patients are research hotspots in this field. The intervention of hip OA risk through TCE is expected to become a research direction for emerging teams. The TCE prescription we summarized can better provide researchers with more treatment details.

Field-of-view optimized and constrained undistorted single-shot study of intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion-weighted imaging of the uterus during the menstrual cycle: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the variability of the uterus during the menses phase (MP), follicular phase (FP), and luteal phase (LP) of the menstrual cycle using intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI). METHODS: This prospective study was conducted at the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2022 and January 2023. Women of childbearing age (18-45 years) with appropriate progesterone levels were included in this study. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging and IVIM-DWI scans were performed during the MP, FP, and LP. The differences in IVIM-DWI-derived parameters between these phases were then compared, and the overlap was quantitatively described. RESULTS: The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and pure molecular diffusion coefficient (D) values from the endometrium, uterine junctional zone (UJZ), and myometrium indicated statistical differences between the MP and FP and the MP and LP (ADC: endometrium, both P < 0.001; UJZ, P = 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively; myometrium, P = 0.033 and P = 0.006, respectively; D: endometrium, both P < 0.001; UJZ, P = 0.008 and P = 0.006, respectively; myometrium, P = 0.041 and P = 0.045, respectively). The perfusion-related diffusion coefficient (D*) values from the myometrium indicated statistical differences between the FP and MP and the FP and LP (D*: myometrium, P = 0.049 and P = 0.009, respectively). The overlapping endometrium ratios between the MP and FP or LP were lower than 50% in the ADC and D values (ADC: overlapping of MP and FP: 33.33%, overlapping of MP and LP: 23.33%; D: overlapping of MP and FP: 40.00%, overlapping of MP and LP: 43.33%). CONCLUSION: The ADC and IVIM-derived parameters indicated differences in the uterus in diverse phases of the menstrual cycle, especially in the endometrium in relation to ADC and D values.

Protective effects of Fagopyrum dibotrys on oxidized oil-induced oxidative stress, intestinal barrier impairment, and altered cecal microbiota in broiler chickens.

The objective of this study was to evaluate protective effects of Fagopyrum dibotrys on antioxidant ability, intestinal barrier functions, and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens fed oxidized soybean oil. A total of 640 male Tiejiaoma broilers were randomly assigned to 8 treatments with 8 cages (10 birds per cage), as follows: birds fed basal diets containing fresh soybean oil and 0, 0.5, 1, or 2% F. dibotrys (FSCON, FSFAL, FSFAM, and FSFAH, respectively), and birds fed basal diets containing oxidized oil and 0, 0.5, 1, or 2% F. dibotrys (OSCON, OSFAL, OSFAM, and OSFAH). Oxidized oil significantly decreased transcription of Nrf2 and its downstream genes, including CAT and SOD1 in the jejunal mucosa, increased jejunal mucosa IL-6 mRNA expression, and decreased jejunal mucosa IL-22 mRNA expression and downregulated Claudin-1 and ZO-1; however, all these effects were reversed by F. dibotrys. Either 1 or 2% F. dibotrys alleviated the decreased liver SOD induced by oxidized oil on d 42. The decreased SOD and GPX, and increased MDA induced by oxidized oil were reversed by adding 1 or 2% F. dibotrys in jejunal mucosa. In addition, based on 16S rDNA, 2% F. dibotrys promoted the Firmicutes phylum and Candidatus_Arthromitus genera, but suppressed the Proteobacteria phylum and Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Escherichia genera. In summary, oxidative stress induced by oxidized oil was ameliorated by F. dibotrys upregulating transcription of Nrf2 and its downstream genes to restore redox balance, reinforcing the intestinal barrier via higher expression of Claudin-1/ZO-1, ameliorating the inflammatory response by regulating expression of IL-6 and IL-22, and facilitating growth of Candidatus_arthromitus in the cecum. Therefore, F. dibotrys has potential as a feed additive for poultry by ameliorating oxidative stress caused by oxidized oil, enhancing barrier function, and improving gut microbiome composition.

Weibo Users' Emotion and Sentiment Orientation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore Chinese people's attitudes to the official application of TCM in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment. METHODS: We collected data referring to TCM on Weibo from 0:00 on January 24, 2020, to 23:59:59 on March 31, 2020 (Beijing time). In addition, this study used DLUT-Emotion ontology to analyze the sentiment orientation and emotions of selected data and then conducted a text analysis. RESULTS: According to DLUT-Emotion ontology, we examined 3 sentiment orientations of 215,565 valid Weibo posts. Among them, 25,025 posts were judged as positive emotions, accounting for approximately 12%; 22,362 were regarded as negative emotions, accounting for approximately 10%; and 168,178 were judged as neutral emotions, accounting for approximately 78%. Results indicate that the words judged as "Good" have the highest frequency, and words marked as "Happy" have increased over time. The word frequency of "Fear" and "Sadness" showed a significant downward trend. CONCLUSION: Weibo users have a relatively positive attitude to the TCM in the COVID-19 treatment in general. Results of text analysis show that data with negative emotions is essentially an expression of public opinions to supporting TCM or not. Texts of "Fear" and "Sadness" do not reflect users' negative attitudes to TCM.

Combination of Geniposide and Eleutheroside B Exerts Antidepressant-like Effect on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depression Mice Model.

OBJECTIVE: To study the antidepressant-like effect and action mechanism of geniposide and eleutheroside B combination treatment on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression mice model. METHODS: Depression mice model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Totally 48 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (8 rats per group) according to a random number table, including normal, model, fluoxetine (20 mg/kg), geniposide (100 mg/kg) + eleutheroside B (100 mg/kg), geniposide + eleutheroside B + WAY 100635 (0.03 mg/kg), geniposide + eleutheroside B+ N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDA, 75 mg/kg) groups, respectively. After continuous administration for 10 days, autonomic activity tests after 30 min of administration were performed on the 10th day. On the 11th day, except for the normal group, the mice in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (1 mg/kg), and the behavioral tests were performed 4 h later. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) and interleukin-1 ß (IL-1 ß) levels in mice serum. The mRNA expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and nuclear transcription factor (NF- κB) were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Western-blot analysis was used to detect IDO and NF- κB protein expressions in hippocampus tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, a single administration of LPS increased the immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST, P<0.01), without affecting autonomous activity. Compared with the model group, fluoxetine and geniposide + eleutheroside B administration significantly improved the immobility time of depressed mice in the FST and TST, decreased serum IL-1 ß content, inhibited the expression levels of NF- κ B gene and protein in hippocampus tissues (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, geniposide + eleutheroside B treatment significantly reduced serum TNF-α content and inhibited IDO mRNA and protein expressions in hippocampus (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, NMDA partly prevented the inhibition of IDO mRNA expression by geniposide + eleutheroside B; NMDA and WAY-100635 also partly prevented the reduction of IL-1 ß content induced by geniposide + eleutheroside B treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of geniposide and eleutheroside B showed a certain antidepression-like effect. Its main mechanism of action may be contributed to inhibiting the activation of NF- κB, decreasing the proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1 ß, and inhibiting in the neuroinflammatory reaction. Additionally, it also affects tryptophan metabolism, reduces the expression of a key enzyme of tryptophan metabolism, IDO. And this antidepressant-like effect may be mediated by 5-hydroxytryptamine and glutamate systems.

Novel fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots derived from Panax notoginseng for bioimaging and high selectivity detection of Cr6.

Carbon dots (CDs) and photoluminescent carbon dots (Pn-CDs) are promising nanomaterials due to their bioimaging applications and have attracted considerable attention because of their excellent stability, good biocompatibility, and low biotoxicity. Here, the Pn-CDs and highly fluorescent nitrogen-doped CDs (Pn N-CDs) derived from Panax notoginseng were successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. Pn N-CDs exhibit optical properties and stability superior to those of Pn-CDs and can be better used as fluorescent dyes and probes in biological imaging. The obtained Pn N-CDs can be effectively applied to the imaging of bacteria, fungi, plant cells, and protozoa. In addition, Pn N-CDs can perform specific staining on the membranes of all tested cells. The in vivo imaging of mice revealed that Pn N-CDs exhibit nontoxicity and good biocompatibility and biodistribution. Furthermore, Pn N-CDs can be utilized as fluorescent probes for the rapid and highly selective detection of Cr6+. Hence, a simple, cost-effective, scalable, and green synthetic approach based on traditional Chinese medicine-derived CDs can be used to develop biolabeling, membrane targeting, and optical sensing probes.

Antidepressant-like mechanism of honokiol in a rodent model of corticosterone-induced depression.

Depression is closely linked to hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity. Honokiol, a biphenolic lignan compound obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine Magnolia officinalis, can reduce the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and improve depression-like behavior caused by hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity. The current study investigated the specific mechanism of action of this effect. A depression model was established by repeated injections of corticosterone to study the antidepressant-like effect of honokiol and its potential mechanism. Honokiol prevented the elevated activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the depression-like behavior induced by corticosterone. Treatment with honokiol resulted in greater glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression, greater glucocorticoid receptor-positive expression, and a greater ratio of glucocorticoid receptor to the mineralocorticoid receptor in the hippocampus. Moreover, honokiol treatment led to lower levels of interleukin-1ß in serum and the positive expression of the interleukin-1ß receptor in the hippocampus. These results demonstrate that the antidepressant-like mechanism of honokiol, which has effects on inflammatory factors, may act through restoring the typical activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis by regulating the glucocorticoid receptor-mediated negative feedback mechanism and the balance between glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors.

Antidepressant-Like Effect and Mechanism of Action of Honokiol on the Mouse Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Depression Model.

There is growing evidence that neuroinflammation is closely linked to depression. Honokiol, a biologically active substance extracted from Magnolia officinalis, which is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to exert significant anti-inflammatory effects and improve depression-like behavior caused by inflammation. However, the specific mechanism of action of this activity is still unclear. In this study, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mouse model was used to study the effect of honokiol on depression-like behavior induced by LPS in mice and its potential mechanism. A single administration of LPS (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) increased the immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), without affecting autonomous activity. Pretreatment with honokiol (10 mg/kg, oral administration) for 11 consecutive days significantly improved the immobility time of depressed mice in the FST and TST experiments. Moreover, honokiol ameliorated LPS-induced NF-κB activation in the hippocampus and significantly reduced the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines; tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and interferon γ (IFN-γ). In addition, honokiol inhibited LPS-induced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activation and quinolinic acid (a toxic product) increase and reduced the level of free calcium in brain tissue, thereby inhibiting calcium overload. In summary, our results indicate that the anti-depressant-like effects of honokiol are mediated by its anti-inflammatory effects. Honokiol may inhibit the LPS-induced neuroinflammatory response through the NF-κB signaling pathway, reducing the levels of related pro-inflammatory cytokines, and furthermore, this may affect tryptophan metabolism and increase neuroprotective metabolites.

[Review of comprehensive intervention by hand rehabilitation robot after stroke].

Using intelligent rehabilitation robot to intervene hand function after stroke is an important physical treatment. With the development of biomedical engineering and the improvement of clinical demand, the comprehensive intervention of hand-function rehabilitation robot combined with new technologies is gradually emerging. This article summarizes the hand rehabilitation robots based on electromyogram (EMG), the brain-computer interface (BCI) hand rehabilitation robots, the somatosensory hand rehabilitation robots and the hand rehabilitation robots with functional electrostimulation. The advantages and disadvantages of various intervention methods are discussed, and the research trend about comprehensive intervention of hand rehabilitation robot is analyzed.

Fe3O4@ Astragalus Polysaccharide Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Iron Deficiency Anemia Therapy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Vivo.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common nutritional disease suffered by 1 billion people. To develop a new drug which avoids the side effects of traditional oral iron supplementation for IDA treatment, we have designed Fe3O4@ Astragalus polysaccharide core-shell nanoparticles (Fe3O4@APS NPs) and demonstrated them to be an efficient therapeutic drug for IDA treatment in vivo. The Fe3O4@APS NPs have been successfully synthesized with good water solubility and stability, especially in imitated digestion. Cytotoxicity assessment in cells and pathological tests in mice justify their good biocompatibility and low toxicity. The IDA treatment in rats shows that they have efficient therapeutic effect, which is contributed to both the iron element supplement from Fe3O4 and the APS-stimulated hematopoietic cell generation. Moreover, the superparamagnetic Fe3O4@APS NPs are capable for use as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent. This study presents the possibility of nanocomposites involving purified natural products from Chinese herb medicine for biomedical applications.

Melatonin improves cardiac function in a mouse model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Melatonin has been shown to inhibit myocardial infarction-induced apoptosis, its function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate whether melatonin attenuates obesity-related HFpEF. Male mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) from weaning to 6 months of age to induce HFpEF. The mice were orally administered melatonin (50 mg/kg) by 3 weeks. Diastolic function was significantly improved by melatonin supplementation in mice fed an HFD. Melatonin attenuated obesity-induced myocardial oxidative stress and apoptosis and promoted the secretion of C1q/tumour necrosis factor-related protein 3 (CTRP3) by adipose tissue. And depletion of circulating CTRP3 largely abolished melatonin-mediated cardio-protection. Melatonin-mediated secretion of adipocyte-derived CTRP3 activated NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which were largely abrogated by knocking down CTRP3 in adipocytes or Nrf2 in cardiomyocytes. Nrf2 activation was mediated by miR-200a, and a miR-200a antagomir offset the effects of melatonin-conditioned medium on Nrf2 expression. Our results indicate that melatonin can be used to treat and prevent obesity-related HFpEF.

Enhanced iron(III) reduction following amendment of paddy soils with biochar and glucose modified biochar.

Although biochar application to paddy fields has been widely studied, its effects on Fe(III) reduction have not yet been investigated. Paddy soil slurry and soil microbial inoculation incubation were conducted with unmodified biochar (UMB) or glucose-modified biochar (GMB) additions at different particle sizes. The Fe(II) concentration and pH value were determined regularly, and Fe(III) reducing capacity (FeRC) was evaluated by modeling. Fe(III) reduction potential (a) was increased by 0-1.96 mg g-1 in response to UMBs addition, and a more remarkable increase in a was related to the decrease of particle size. The dissolved organic carbon of UMBs was responsible for the majority of the biochar reducing capacity. UMBs addition increased the contribution of free Fe and nitrate nitrogen to FeRC, while it decreased that of available phosphorus. Moreover, GMBs led to greater promotion of FeRC than the corresponding UMBs, with an increase in a of 2.9-16% in soil slurry and reduction rate of 13-35% in microbial inoculation incubation. The maximum Fe(III) reduction rate (V max) with GMBs addition was faster or invariable than UMBs, while the time to V max (T Vmax) was shorter or stable. The effect of GMBs on Fe(III) reduction was less sensitive as GMB particle size increased. Compared with UMBs addition, pH declined remarkably in response to GMBs. These findings suggest that GMBs can effectively stimulate Fe(III) reduction in paddy fields, while simultaneously alleviating the pH increase usually caused by pristine biochar application.

Astragalus Granule Prevents Ca2+ Current Remodeling in Heart Failure by the Downregulation of CaMKII.

BACKGROUND: Astragalus was broadly used for treating heart failure (HF) and arrhythmias in East Asia for thousands of years. Astragalus granule (AG), extracted from Astragalus, shows beneficial effect on the treatment of HF in clinical research. We hypothesized that administration of AG prevents the remodeling of L-type Ca2+ current (ICa-L) in HF mice by the downregulation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). METHODS: HF mice were induced by thoracic aortic constriction (TAC). After 4 weeks of AG treatment, cardiac function and QT interval were evaluated. Single cardiac ventricular myocyte was then isolated and whole-cell patch clamp was used to record action potential (AP) and ICa-L. The expressions of L-type calcium channel alpha 1C subunit (Cav1.2), CaMKII, and phosphorylated protein kinase A (p-PKA) were examined by western blot. RESULTS: The failing heart manifested distinct electrical remodeling including prolonged repolarization time and altered ICa-L kinetics. AG treatment attenuated this electrical remodeling, supported by AG-related shortened repolarization time, decreased peak ICa-L, accelerated ICa-L inactivation, and positive frequency-dependent ICa-L facilitation. In addition, AG treatment suppressed the overexpression of CaMKII, but not p-PKA, in the failing heart. CONCLUSION: AG treatment protected the failing heart against electrical remodeling and ICa-L remodeling by downregulating CaMKII.

Excessive input of phosphorus significantly affects microbial Fe(III) reduction in flooded paddy soils by changing the abundances and community structures of Clostridium and Geobacteraceae.

Microbial Fe(III) reduction can make an excellent contribution to the bioremediation of contaminated environments and potentially reduce methanogenesis. Excessive input of phosphorus (P) by P fertilizer application and eutrophied irrigation water might have a substantial influence on the process of microbial Fe(III) reduction in flooded paddy soils. To evaluate the effect of P application on microbial Fe(III) reduction, the responses of Clostridium and Geobacteraceae communities to different concentrations of P addition (CK: 0mmolPkg-1 soil; P1: 3.3mmolPkg-1 soil; P2: 20mmolPkg-1 soil) were investigated in anaerobically incubated paddy slurries. P addition significantly inhibited Fe(III) reduction during the early stage of incubation (from days 0 to 20). Compared with the CK treatment, the maximum Fe(III) reduction rate (Vmax) in treatments P1 and P2 remarkably decreased by 0.281 and 0.439mg·g-1·d-1, respectively. However, the addition of P had no significant effect on Fe(III) reduction during the later stage of incubation (after 20days). The abundances of Clostridium and Geobacteraceae were suppressed by P addition, and the suppression effect was more obvious with higher P concentration. P addition significantly changed the community structures of Clostridium and Geobacteraceae during the entire incubation. The communities of Clostridium and Geobacteraceae were closely correlated with the process of Fe(III) reduction. In conclusion, P addition could inhibit the microbial reduction of Fe(III) during the early stage of incubation by reducing the abundances and altering the community structures of Clostridium and Geobacteraceae, however, the inhibition could be eliminated with increased incubation time. This study demonstrates that soil microbial communities are sensitive to excessive P application, which can jointly impact relevant biogeochemical processes in flooded paddy soils.

cDNA isolation and functional characterization of squalene synthase gene from Ornithogalum caudatum.

As the first step of ongoing efforts to investigate the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of steroidal saponins in the medicinal plant Ornithogalum caudatum, this investigation reported the cDNA isolation, prokaryotic expression and functional characterization of squalene synthase (SQS) gene from O. caudatum for the first time. Specifically, two unigenes showing high sequence identity to SQS were retrieved from RNA-Taq data, and then a full-length OcSQS1 corresponding to the two unigenes was isolated from O. caudatum genome by a nested PCR assay. The open reading frame of OcSQS1 was 1230 bp and encoded a polypeptide of 409 aa. OcSQS1 was predicted to be a membrane-bound protein with at least four conserved motifs associated with binding, regulatory and catalytic activities of OcSQS1 and two transmembrane domains. Next, many attempts to generate soluble OcSQS1 in heterologous Escherichia coli were made, including optimization of expression conditions, application of varied expression plasmids with different tags, secretory peptides and molecular chaperones, and truncated mutation of OcSQS1. Finally, the successful availability of a soluble, truncated OcSQS1 mutant was achieved by combinational use of the utensils from the vast genetic toolbook. Moreover, this truncated OcSQS1 mutant retained the folding capability as well as its catalytic activity, converting FPP to form squalene. Importantly, the present research tentatively verified the involvement of the second transmembrane domain in the proper folding of the recombinant OcSQS1 protein.

The Renal Protective Effect of Jiangya Tongluo Formula, through Regulation of Adrenomedullin and Angiotensin II, in Rats with Hypertensive Nephrosclerosis.

We investigated the effect of Jiangya Tongluo (JYTL) formula on renal function in rats with hypertensive nephrosclerosis. A total of 21 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were randomized into 3 groups: valsartan (10 mg/kg/d valsartan), JYTL (14.2 g/kg/d JYTL), and a model group (5 mL/kg/d distilled water); Wistar Kyoto rats comprised the control group (n = 7, 5 mL/kg/d distilled water). Treatments were administered by gavage every day for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, 24-h urine protein, pathological changes in the kidney, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were estimated. The contents of adrenomedullin (ADM) and angiotensin II (Ang II) in both the kidney and plasma were evaluated. JYTL lowered BP, 24-h urine protein, serum creatinine, and BUN. ADM content in kidneys increased and negatively correlated with BP, while Ang II decreased and negatively correlated with ADM, but there was no statistically significant difference of plasma ADM between the model and the treatment groups. Possibly, activated intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in hypertensive nephrosclerosis and the protective function of ADM via local paracrine. JYTL may upregulate endogenous ADM level in the kidneys and antagonize Ang II during vascular injury by dilating renal blood vessels.

[Lycopene attenuates angiotensin II induced oxidative stress in H9c2 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Lycopene (Lyc) on Ang II induced oxidative stress in H9c2 cell line derived from rat cardiac tissue,and to explore related mechanisms. METHODS: H9c2 cells were divided into 6 groups: control group, Ang II group (1 µmol/L), Ang II (1 µmol/L) + low dose Lyc (3.125 nmol/L) group, Ang II (1 µmol/L) + moderate dose Lyc (6.25 nmol/L) group and Ang II (1 µmol/L) + high dose Lyc (12.5 nmol/L) group and Lyc group (12.5 nnmol/L). Cell growth was determined by CCK8 assay, ROS generation was detected using a Microplate reader and Fluorescence microscopy, the expression of NOX2 was determined by Western blot, mRNA expression of p47(phox), SOD1 and SOD2 were determined by Real Time-PCR, MDA was detected by ELISA kit. RESULTS: Compared to control group,cell survival was significantly reduced and ROS generation was significantly increased post Ang II stimulation,cotreatment with Lyc significantly improved cell survival and reduced ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner (all P < 0.01). mRNA expression of SOD1 and SOD2 was significantly downregulated while MDA concentration was significantly increased in Ang II treated cells, which could be significantly reversed by cotreatment with Lyc in a dose dependent manner (all P < 0.01). Protein expression of NOX2 and mRNA expression of p47(phox) were significantly upregulated post Ang II and which could be significantly downregulated by cotreatment with Lyc in a dose-dependent manner (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Lyc could attenuate Ang II induced oxidative stress and this effect is linked with its capacity of reducing ROS generation and enhancing cellular ROS scavenging ability in H9c2 cells.

[Effect of electroacupuncture stimulation of "Baihui" (GV 20) and " Yongquan" (KI 1) on expression of hippocampal amyloid-ß and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 in APP/PS 1 transgenic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on the level of hippocampal amyloid-beta peptide (Aß) and its key transport receptor low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP 1) in APP/PS 1 transgenic mice so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Twenty-four male APP/PS 1 transgenic mice were equally and randomly divided into model group and EA treatment group, and 12 C 57 BL/6 mice were used as the normal control group. EA (1 Hz/50 Hz, 0.3 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Yongquan" (KI 1) for 15 min, once every other day for 6 weeks. The learning-memory ability was detected by using Morris water maze testing, left hippocampal Aß 1-40 and Aß 1-42 contents were assayed by ELISA, and right hippocampal LRP 1 expression was detected using Western blot (WB). RESULTS: Results of Morris water maze test showed no significant differences among the three groups in the escape latency, the times of the platform-site crossovers, the time spent in the target platform quadrant (P>0.05). Compared with the model group, the moderately increased escape latency had a decreasing tendency in the EA treatment group. ELISA assaying showed that hippocampal Aß 1-42, Aß 1-40, and ratio of Aß 1-42/Aß 1-40 of the model group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group (P<0.01). After EA intervention, the increased Aß 1-42 , Aß 1-40, and ratio of Aß 1-42/Aß 1-40 were remarkably down-regulated in the EA treatment group (P<0.01). WB detection displayed that the right hippocampal LRP 1 expression level of the model group was markedly lower than that of the normal control group (P<0.05). After EA treatment, LRP 1 expression level was moderately up-regulated but without significant difference between the model and EA treatment groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA intervention can lower the level of hippocampal Aß in APP/PS 1 transgenic mice, but its effects on Aß transport receptor LRP 1 expression and learning-memory ability need being confirmed further.

Phaeophytin analogues from Ligularia knorringiana.

A new phaeophytin, ligulariaphytin A, together with five known phaeophytins, were isolated from the aerial parts of Ligularia knorringiana. The structure of ligulariaphytin A was elucidated as 13¹-hydroxy-13¹,13²-peroxyphaeophorbide A ethyl ester, and the five known compounds were identified as 13²-hydroxyphaeophorbide A ethyl ester, 17³-ethoxyphaeophorbide A, phaeophytin B, phaeophytin A, and phaeophorbide B ethyl ester, respectively, based on spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of their spectral data with those reported previously in the literature. All compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against cultured Hela cell, and were found to show only very weak cytotoxicity.