The Mechanism of Ginseng and Astragalus Decoction in the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Effusion Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technology.

Introduction: The objective of our study is to explore the potential active ingredients and activity of Ginseng and Astragalus decoction (GAD) in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) by using network pharmacology and molecular docking technologies. Methods: The active ingredients and corresponding targets of Ginseng and Astragalus were extracted from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. The relevant targets of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) were searched in the disease databases. Overlapping targets of Ginseng and Astragalus and the corresponding targets of MPE were obtained to define the effective target of GAD for the treatment of MPE. The STRING database was applied to construct a predicted protein-protein interaction network for intersected targets. The Cytoscape software was used to screen key targets with a therapeutic potential. Using the Metascape database, we performed Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analysis on the targets identified in the study. PyMOL and AutoDock Vina were used to molecularly dock the selected key components to their respective key targets for MPE treatment. Results: The core target network revealed 22 main active ingredients, 26 main targets, and 16 signaling pathways in GAD. Molecular docking revealed 6 targets (AKT serine/threonine kinase 1, intercellular adhesion molecule, Jun proto-oncogene, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, and tumor necrosis factor) that could partially dock with kaempferol, frutinone A, ginsenoside RH2, formononetin, and quercetin. Conclusions: Several components, targets, and signaling pathways of GAD contribute to the treatment of MPE, which suggests a rationale for further investigation on GAD's active molecule and mechanism of action in the clinical application of MPE.

Experimental biological research on stem cells in fascia tissue.

The fascia tissue, derived from the mesoderm, is distributed in all parts of the human body. It consists of connective tissues and stem cells. The fascia tissue is also believed to be a functional system, like the digestive system, in the human body, controlling self-inspection, self-maintenance, support, and storage. In addition, much of the research relevant to fascia tissue has focused on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which mainly exist in adipose tissues. The aim of this review is to summarize the current research on ADSCs, including a brief introduction of their biological characteristics, the isolation and expansion methods, a conclusion on their multidifferentiation potential, new clinical applications, and the therapeutic strategies for treating tumors.

Correlations between fasciology and yin yang doctrine.

The aim of this study is to explore the correlations between fasciology and yin yang doctrine. Professor Yuan developed fasciology by three-dimensional reconstruction of connective tissue (fascia) in the trunk and limbs of the human body and tracing back to tissue origins in light of biological evolution and developmental biology. Fasciology states that the human body can be divided into two systems: the supporting-storing system and the functional system. This article elaborates on the roles of the two systems and their mutual relationship. The two systems are used to analyze the yin, the yang, and their relationship. The two systems are promoted but also restricted in different contexts. The supporting-storing system is formed by undifferentiated connective tissue and provides undifferentiated cells and nutrients for differentiated cells of the functional system. Thus, the supporting-storing system could be classified as quiet, similar to yin. The functional system continuously maintains the various functional activities of the human body. Thus, the functional system could be classified as active, similar to yang. In interpreting the yin yang doctrine from the point of view of fasciology, yin can be compared with the supporting-storing system and yang can be compared with the functional system.

Putative primo-vascular system in mesentery of rats.

Primo-vessels have been observed in the rat abdominal cavity as floating thread like structures on and not adhering to fascia-wrapped internal organs. To date their presence, locations, and lengths have been irregular and unpredictable, and their identification not regularly repeatable, thus they have remained a nagging enigma in primo-vascular system research for several years. In this work, locations were found where primo-vessels were regularly present and observed repeatedly. These vessels were not floating or freely movable but lay in a regular position in the mesentery in the abdominal cavity of the rat, being observed between the cecum and small intestine and between the colon and mesentery root. The difference between a lymph vessel and a primo-vessel is described in anatomical and histological aspects. In addition, trypan blue was found to enter primo-vessels through the surrounding membranes and filled spaces between fibers comprising the primo-vessels. It is conjectured that the previously observed floating primo-vessels had anomalously and irregularly emerged, for some unknown physiological reasons, from primo-vessels normally located in the fascia-like mesentery.

[Gene expression profiles of K562 cells treated with total saponin of Panax ginseng].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the total saponin of Panax ginseng (TSPG) on gene expression profile of K562 cells using microarray technique. METHODS: The total RNA were extracted and purified from K562 cells treated by 200 microg/ml TSPG for 3 days, and untreated K562 cells cultured in parallel served as the control. cRNAs were synthesized and labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 respectively. The labeled cRNA fragments were hybridized with Agilent human 1B 60 mer oligonucleotide microarray, which was then scanned to reveal the changes of gene expression profile in relation to TSPG treatment. RESULTS: Totally 362 differentially expressed genes were identified in TSPG-treated K562 cells, including 20 up-regulated ones (consisting of metabolism-associated genes, signal transduction-associated genes and cell receptor-associated genes etc) and 342 down-regulated ones (consisting of immunity and defense-associated genes, DNA-binding and transcription genes, metabolism-associated genes and cell cycle-associated genes etc). Changes in expressions of FOSL1, E2F2, CCNE2 and ODZ1 were confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: TSPG may induce changes in the gene expression profile in k562 cells possibly relevant to the anti-tumor mechanism of TSPG.