Gentianine alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis via inhibition of TLR4/NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis.

OBJECTIVES: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common inflammatory bowel disorder. Gentiana scabra Bunge is a traditional medicinal plant that is used to treat a variety of diseases. Studies have shown that gentianine (GTN) from Gentiana scabra inhibits the development of inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and possible mechanism of action of GTN on UC in mice. METHODS: An animal model of UC was established using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Mice were administered intraperitoneally with GTN (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day) for seven days. Body weight and disease activity index (DAI) were monitored daily during GTN administration. Colon length, pathological changes, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured following GTN administration. The signalling pathways regulated by GTN were analysed using machine learning. HT-29 cells were used to verify the effect and mechanism of action of GTN on UC in vitro. RESULTS: GTN suppressed weight loss, shortened colon length, alleviated colon injury, and reduced the DAI score and MPO activity of mice with UC in a dose-dependent manner. Further analysis showed that GTN inhibited the NOD-like receptor (NLR) signalling pathway. GTN markedly decreased the levels of NLR signalling pathway-related proteins. Moreover, GTN decreased the levels of pyroptosis-related proteins, IL-1ß and IL-18. The in vitro data were consistent with those of animal experiments. Furthermore, TLR4 and NLRP3 overexpression eliminated the protective effects of GTN in HT-29 cells. CONCLUSION: Gentianine alleviated DSS-induced UC by inhibiting TLR4/NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis.

[Effect of warm-needle moxibustion intervention on immune function and intestinal flora in patients after colorectal cancer radical operation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of warm-needle moxibustion (WNM) on the levels of T cell subgroups and serum inflammatory factors, intestinal microecological balance and postoperative adverse reactions in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: Eighty-four patients who underwent elective radical resection of colorectal cancer were randomly and equally divided into control (medication) group (23 men and 19 women) and WNM group (24 men and 18 women). Patients of the control group received conventional medication treatment (such as postoperative anti-infection and fluid supplementation), and those of the WNM group received conventional medication plus WNM stimulation (the acupuncture needle handle warmed by ignited moxa stick) of bilateral Zusanli(ST36), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Yinlingquan(SP9), Shangjuxu(ST37), and Zhaohai(KI6). The acupuncture needles were retained for 45 minutes every time, starting on the first day after surgery, once a day for 15 days. The number of T cell subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) positive cells was counted under fluorescence microscope, and the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by using ELISA, and the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) was detected by using immunoturbidimetry. The levels (logarithm of colony-forming units per gram of wet fecal weight) of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus were determined. The adverse reactions (leukocyte decline, nausea and vomiting, peripheral phlebitis, cold stimulation sensitivity) were recorded after surgery. RESULTS: Before treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the number of T cell subgroups, TNF-α and IL-6 contents, and intestinal flora numbers (P>0.05). After the treatment, self-comparison showed that the numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ positive cells, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ and the intestinal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus levels in the WNM group were significantly increased (P<0.05), whereas the number of CD8+positive cells, intestinal Escherichia coli and Enterococcus levels in the WNM group, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP in both groups were obviously decreased in comparison with their own pretreatment (P<0.05), but no significant changes were found in the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ positive cells, CD4+/CD8+ and intestinal Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus in the control group (P>0.05). Comparison between two groups displayed that after the treatment, the numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ positive cells, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+, as well as the levels of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were significantly higher in the WNM group than in the control group (P<0.05), whereas the number of CD8+ positive cells， TNF-a, IL-6 and CRP, and the levels of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus were obviously lower in the WNM group than in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions including leukopenia, nausea and vomiting, peripheral phlebitis, and sensitivity to cold stimulation in the WNM group were markedly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: WNM intervention can significantly improve the immune function, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, regulate the level of beneficial intestinal flora, and also reduce the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions in patients experiencing radical resection of colorectal cancer.

[Effect on Postoperative Complications of Mixed Hemorrhoids Treated with Electroacupuncture at Chengshan(BL 57), Dachangshu(BL 25)and Erbai(EX-UE 2)].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on postoperative complications of mixed hemorrhoids treated with electroacupuncture(EA) at Chengshan(BL 57)，Dachangshu(BL 25)and Erbai(EX-UE 2). METHODS: A total of 60 patients with mixed hemorrhoids were randomly divided into control and EA groups，30 cases in each group. In addition to basic treatment, EA was applied at BL 57, BL 25 and EX-UE 2 for 30 min (2 Hz/15 Hz，0.5－2 mA) each day for 3 days after surgery in the EA group, while the control group received basic treatment after surgery. Postoperative complications after treatment were evaluated each day. RESULTS: Following surgery, anal pain, anal pendant expansion and hematochezia were observed in both the EA group and control group. On the first day after surgery, symptom improvement was not statistically significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05)．On the 2nd and 3rd days after surgery, anal pain, anal pendant expansion and hematochezia were markedly improved in the EA group compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Electroacupuncture can reduce anal pain, anal pendant expansion and hematochezia after surgery in patients with mixed hemorrhoids.

Aqueous Extracts of Herba Cistanche Promoted Intestinal Motility in Loperamide-Induced Constipation Rats by Ameliorating the Interstitial Cells of Cajal.

Traditional Chinese medicine was reported to have good effects in treating functional constipation. This work attempted to prove the effects of aqueous extracts of Herba Cistanche (AEHC) on STC treatment and to determine the possible mechanisms by a loperamide-induced slow transit constipation (STC) model. HPLC was performed for identification and confirmation of the bioactive components in the AEHC. It was found that AEHC attenuated STC responses based on increased fecal quantity, moisture content, and intestinal transit rate, as well as serum levels of GAS, MTL, SS, and CGRP. The protein and mRNA levels of c-kit, a labeling of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), also increased. Meanwhile, only the protein level of SCF, a ligand of c-kit, increased. The analysis of our data suggested that AEHC could obviously improve the function of ICC via a signaling pathway involving PI3K, SCF, and c-kit and enhance colonic motility indices such as GAS, MTL, SS, and CGRP. It is interesting to note that AEHC appeared to be effective on constipation, so further experiments are necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms involved.

[Clinical observation on the effect of acupuncture-assisted anesthesia for 40 cases of mixed hemorrhoids surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of comined administration of acupuncture and anesthetics for mixed hemorrhoids surgery and its postoperative complications. METHODS: A total of 40 cases of mixed hemorrhoid patients were randomized into acupuncture-assisted anesthesia (AAA) group and narcotic drug group (control), with 20 cases in each. For patients of AAA group, electroacupuncture (EA, 2 Hz/100 Hz, 9 mA) was applied to Changqiang (GV 1) and Yaoshu (GV 2) for 20 min, and 1% lidocaine (5 mL) was injected into GV 1. For patients of control group, 20 mL and 10 mL of 1% lidocaine were injected into GV 2 and GV 1, separately. The patients' pain response, anus muscular relaxion state, and postoperative complications were observed to evaluate their clinical efficacy. RESULTS: Of the 20 cases in AAA and control groups, 16 and 18 cases had a striking analgesic effect, 4 and 2 were effective, respectively. No significant difference was found between two groups in the analgesic efficacy for surgery (P>0.05). Postoperative urinary retention, pain severity I and II and the cases with intoxic response in AAA and control groups were 1 and 8, 16 and 6, 4 and 14, and 1 and 9, separately. The effects of AAA group were significantly superior to those of control group in lessening urinary retention and toxication, and in inducing analgesia (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with narcotic drugs is superior to simple anesthetics for mixed hemorrhoids surgery in reducing postoperative complications.