[Mechanism of Xinshubao Tablets in exerting anti-inflammatory, vasodilation, and cardioprotective effects based on network pharmacology].

This study aims to explore the anti-inflammatory, vasodilation, and cardioprotective effects of the intestinal absorption liquids containing Xinshubao Tablets or single herbs, and to elucidate the potential mechanism based on network pharmacology. Western blot was then conducted to validate the expression changes of core proteins. Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were used to observe the anti-inflammatory effect. The vasodilation activity was examined by the microvessel relaxation assay in vitro. Oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD)-induced H9c2 cells were used to investigate the cardioprotective effect. The chemical components were retrieved from Herb databases and composition of Xinshubao Tablets drug-containing intestinal absorption solution. Drug targets were retrieved from SwissTargetPrediction databases. GeneCards was searched for the targets associated with the anti-inflammatory, vasodilation, and cardioprotective effects. The common targets shared by the drug and the effects were used to establish the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network, from which the core targets were obtained. Finally, the core targets were imported into Cytoscape 3.9.1 for Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) analyses. The anti-inflammatory experiment showed that both Xinshubao Tablets and the single herbs constituting this formula had anti-inflammatory effects. Curcumae Radix had the strongest inhibitory effect on the production of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma had the strongest inhibitory effect on the generation of interleukin-6(IL-6). Xinshubao Tablets, Curcumae Radix, and Crataegi Fructus had vasodilation effect, and Crataegi Fructus had the strongest effect. Xinshubao Tablets, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis, and Paeoniae Radix Alba had cardioprotective effects, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma had the strongest cardioprotective effect. Network pharmacology results demonstrated that except the whole formula, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma had the most components with anti-inflammatory effect, and Curcumae Radix had the most components with vasodilation and cardioprotective effects, followed by Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The nitric oxide synthase 3(NOS3) was predicted as the core target for the anti-inflammatory, vasodilation, and cardioprotective effects. Western blot results showed that Xinshubao Tablets significantly up-regulated the expression of NOS3 in OGD-induced H9c2 cells. GO enrichment analysis showed that the effects were mainly related to lipid exported from cell, regulation of blood pressure, and inflammatory response. KEGG pathway enrichment predicted AGE-RAGE and HIF-1 signaling pathways as the key pathways.

Systems Pharmacology Strategy for the Investigation of Action Mechanisms of Qin Herb Libanotis Buchtormensis (Fisch.) DC. in Bone Diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Qin medicines are medicinal plants growing in habitat around the peak of Qinling Mountain. Their unique curative effects on bone metabolic diseases and pain diseases have been favoured by the local people in clinical trials for thousands of years. Libanotis buchtormensis (Fisch.) DC. (LBD), is one of the popular Qin herbs, which has been widely used for the treatment of various diseases, such as osteoporosis, rheumatic, and cardiovascular diseases. However, due to the multiple compounds in LBD, the underlying molecular mechanisms of LBD remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systemically investigate the underlying mechanisms of LBD against bone diseases. METHODS: In this study, a systems pharmacology platform included the potential active compound screening, target fishing, and network pharmacological analysis was employed to decipher the action mechanisms of LBD. RESULTS: As a result, 12 potential active compounds and 108 targets were obtained. Furthermore, compound-target network and target-pathway network analysis showed that multi-components interacted with multi-targets and multi-pathways, i.e., MARK signalling pathway, mTORC1 signalling pathway, etc., involved in the regulation of the immune system and circulatory system. These results suggested the mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of LBD on various diseases through most compounds targeted by multiple targets. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we successfully predicted the LBD bioactive compounds and potential targets, implying that LBD could be applied as a novel therapeutic herb in osteoporosis, rheumatic, and cardiovascular diseases. This work provides insight into the therapeutic mechanisms of LBD for treating various diseases.

Stool-softening effect and action mechanism of free anthraquinones extracted from Rheum palmatum L. on water deficit-induced constipation in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In traditional Chinese herbal medicine, rhubarb is said to remove accumulation with purgation, clearing heat, and discharging fire. Modern pharmacology has shown that rhubarb extract has a purgative effect when given to experimental animals in an appropriate dose. However, the active components and their mechanism of action are still not clearly defined. AIM OF THE STUDY: The current research aimed to evaluate the synergistic stool-softening effects and explore the action mechanism of rhubarb free anthraquinones (RhA) and their monomers on constipation in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rat model of water deficit-induced constipation was established to induce constipation, and these rats were treated with RhA and its monomers. ELISA, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, qPCR and Western blotting based on network pharmacology and molecular docking were conducted to explore the possible mechanism of action of RhA and its monomers. RESULTS: RhA, aloe-emodin, rhein, and chrysophanol showed stool-softening activity, and the combination of aloe-emodin and rhein had the strongest softening effect on faecal pellets. Aloe-emodin, rhein, and chrysophanol significantly increased the serum levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), motilin (MTL), and substance P (SP), upregulated the expression of VIP, cyclase-associated protein 1 (CAP1), protein kinase A (PKA), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), aquaporin 3 (AQP3), aquaporin 4 (AQP4), and aquaporin 8 (AQP8), decreased the expression of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3), and reduced the colonic tissue concentration of Na+-K+-ATPase in the constipated rats. Osmolality of colonic fluid in model rats treated by RhA, aloe-emodin, rhein, and chrysophanol was increased. CONCLUSION: Aloe-emodin, rhein, and chrysophanol were the stool-softening components of the RhA extract, and there were certain drug-interactions between the components. RhA upregulated VIP expression, activated the cyclic adenosine monophosphate protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) pathway, and further stimulated CFTR expression while inhibiting NHE3 and ENaC expression, resulting in a hypertonic state in the colonic lumen. Water transport could then be driven by an osmotic gradient, which in turn led to the upregulation of AQP3, AQP4, and AQP8 expression. In addition, RhA likely improved gastrointestinal motility by increasing serum VIP, SP, and MTL concentrations, thus promoting faecal excretion.

Calcium Homeostasis and Psychiatric Disorders: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Observational studies have investigated the impact of calcium homeostasis on psychiatric disorders; however, the causality of associations is yet to be established. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis of calcium homeostasis hormones was conducted on nine psychiatric disorders. Calcium, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25OHD), parathyroid hormone, and fibroblast growth factor 23 are the major calcium homeostasis hormones. The causality was evaluated by the inverse variance weighted method (IVW) and the MR Steiger test, while Cochran's Q test, the MR-Egger intercept test, funnel plot, and the leave-one-out method were used for sensitivity analyses. Bonferroni correction was used to determine the causative association features (p < 6.94 × 10-4). Schizophrenia (SCZ) was significantly associated with decreased 25OHD concentrations with an estimated effect of -0.0164 (Prandom-effect IVW = 2.39 × 10-7). In the Multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis adjusting for potentially confounding traits including body mass index, obesity, mineral supplements (calcium, fish oil, and vitamin D) and outdoor time (winter and summer), the relationship between SCZ and 25OHD remained. The genetically predicted autism spectrum disorder and bipolar disorder were also nominally associated with decreased 25OHD. This study provided evidence for a causal effect of psychiatric disorders on calcium homeostasis. The clinical monitoring of 25OHD levels in patients with psychiatric disorders is beneficial.

Clinical study of acupuncture combined with surface anesthesia using proparacaine in geriatric cataract phacoemulsification.

BACKGROUND: During anesthesia administration for cataract surgery, low pH of proparacaine may induce pain or complications such as corneal damage and poor wound healing, with the use of additional drops intraoperatively increasing the risk of complications. Accordingly, there is a clinical need for adjuncts to local anesthesia needs to improve the efficiency of anesthesia and reduce the required amount of intraoperative proparacaine. AIM: To identify a method of anesthesia for geriatric cataract phacoemulsification that provides more efficient analgesia and improves clinical efficacy. METHODS: A total of 130 geriatric patients with cataracts who attended Hebei Eye Hospital from December 2020 to December 2022 were included in the present study. Patients were divided into the proparacaine surface anesthesia (SA) group (65 cases) and the compound acupuncture-medicine anesthesia group (CAMA group, 65 cases). Patients in the CAMA group were provided acupuncture analgesia in addition to SA. Preoperative anxiety [Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score and state anxiety inventory (SAI) score], intraoperative stress, vital signs, analgesia, and cooperation, as well as postoperative adverse events, were compared between groups. RESULTS: More marked reductions in anxiety were observed among patients in the CAMA group, with corresponding reductions in SAS and SAI scores. During the operation, no change in the secretion of E, NE, or Cor group compared to the preoperative period was observed in the CAMA, which was markedly lower than that in the SA group. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate were more stable intraoperatively in the CAMA group. In addition, the incidence of intraoperative pain and the number of additional doses of anesthesia required in the CAMA group were markedly lower than in the SA group. Accordingly, patients in the CAMA group were able to avoid eye movements and eyelid closing leading to greater cooperation with surgeons during surgery. Furthermore, marked reductions in intraoperative adverse effects were observed in the CAMA group, indicating greater overall safety. CONCLUSION: Proparacaine SA combined with acupuncture as an analgesic provides improved analgesia with greater safety compared to surface anesthesia with proparacaine during geriatric cataract phacoemulsification.

Alashanines A-C, Three Quinone-Terpenoid Alkaloids from Syringa pinnatifolia with Cytotoxic Potential by Activation of ERK.

Three quinone-terpenoid alkaloids, alashanines A-C (1-3), possessing an unprecedented 6/6/6 tricyclic conjugated backbone and quinone-quinoline-fused characteristic, were isolated from the peeled stems of Syringa pinnatifolia. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of extensive spectroscopic data and quantum chemical calculations. A hypothesis of biosynthesis pathways for 1-3 was proposed on the basis of the potential precursor iridoid and benzoquinone. Compound 1 exhibited antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis and cytotoxicity against HepG2 and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines. The results of the cytotoxic mechanism revealed that compound 1 induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells through activation of ERK.

Intragastric administration of Pien Tze Huang enhanced wound healing in diabetes by inhibiting inflammation and improving energy generation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: As a complex and challenging complication for the patients with diabetes mellitus, diabetic ulcers are difficult to heal and current strategies cannot fulfill the patients' requirements. Pien Tze Huang (PZH) is a standardized medicine approved for various wounds treatments, and this study systematically investigated the effect and mechanism of intragastric administration of PZH (I-PZH) on diabetic wound healing. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect of I-PZH on the healing of full-thickness wounds in rats with diabetes mellitus which was induced by high fat diet followed by streptozotocin injection was evaluated, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and targeted central carbon metabolism metabolomics were combined to explore the underlying mechanism. I-PZH promoted wound healing, facilitated extracellular matrix synthesis, and maintained body weight of rats, but did not affect fasting blood glucose levels. Additionally, I-PZH significantly decreased 8-OHdG, cleaved caspase 3 and MMP9 levels, and increased TGF-ß1 expression. RNA-seq analysis showed that I-PZH inhibited inflammation and that the vital common targets were TLR2, IL-17A and IL-1ß; specifically affected "energy derivation by oxidation of organic compounds" with UQCRC1, NDUFS3 and SDHA as vital specific targets. Further experiments confirmed that I-PZH reduced TLR2, IL-17A and IL-1ß, increased UQCRC1, SDHA, NDUFS3, promoted ATP synthesis and restored activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and III in diabetic wounds. Metabolomics by HPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that I-PZH reversed multiple energy metabolism-related metabolites such as glucuronic acid, GMP, d-gluconic acid, cis-aconitic acid, ribose 5-phosphate and pantothenate. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the important role of inflammation and energy generation in diabetic wound healing, reveals wound repair mechanism of PZH and promotes its clinical application in diabetic wound treatment.

Qinbaohong Zhike Oral Liquid Attenuates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Immature Rats by Inhibiting OLFM4.

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a common public safety threat with high morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients worldwide. Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid (QBH), a marketed traditional Chinese medicine product, has been widely used to cure respiratory diseases. QBH is reported to have antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic properties. However, its treatment effect against ARIs is not elucidated. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic efficacy of QBH in the treatment of ARIs-induced pneumonia. Network pharmacology was used to predict the possible targets of QBH against ARIs. Next, the tracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS-)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) immature rat model was constructed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of QBH. Tandem mass tag (TMT-)-based quantitative proteomics was then used to screen the in-depth disease targets of QBH. QBH exerted a protective effect against LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting pulmonary pathological damage. QBH also reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the serum and IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF in the lung tissue. Based on proteomic data, olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) related to immunity and inflammation was selected as a potential target. Western blot analysis further confirmed the moderating effect of QBH downregulation on OLFM4 in the lung tissue. Our findings demonstrated that QBH alleviated lung tissue damage and inflammatory reaction via inhibiting OLFM4 expression in LPS-challenged immature rats. Our research indicates that QBH may have therapeutic potential for treating ARIs-related ALI in pediatric patients, which also serves as a candidate target for drug therapy of ALI by intervening OLFM-related signaling pathways.

Preventive Effects of Ilex Cornuta Aqueous Extract on High-Fat Diet-Induced Fatty Liver of Mice.

Objective: To investigate the preventive effects of Ilex cornuta aqueous extract (ICAE) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced fatty liver of mice and its mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six male KM (Kunming) mice were divided into 3 groups, including the control group (n = 9), fed with normal diet; HFD group (n = 9), fed with HFD; ICAE + HFD group (n = 8), fed with HFD and administered with ICAE (3 g·kg-1·d-1) at the same time for 10 weeks. Body weight, liver weight, intra-abdominal and subcutaneous fat weight, serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and blood glucose were determined to evaluate the preventive effects of ICAE on obesity. The average 24 h food consumption of the mice was monitored for 5 times in the 9th week of the experiment to investigate the effects of ICAE on food intake. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assayed to observe the influences of HFD and ICAE on liver function. HE staining was adopted to observe the influence of ICAE on the morphology of adipose tissue and liver tissue. Hepatic TG and TC content assay and oil red O staining were used to evaluate the influences of ICAE on HFD-induced fatty liver, and the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ (PPARγ) and adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP) in liver were examined by immunoblotting. Results: ICAE treatment significantly reduced the increase of body weight, intra-abdominal, and subcutaneous fat and liver weight induced by HFD (P < 0.001), but has no influence on food intake; ICAE treatment attenuated the elevation of serum TG, TC, and glucose, as well as serum ALT and AST (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.001) and dramatically decreased the content of TG in liver (P < 0.01), but has no influence on hepatic TC content. HE staining and oil red O staining showed that ICAE significantly reduced HFD-induced white adipocyte hypertrophy and significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in liver. Immunoblotting showed that the protein levels of PPARγ and ADRP were significantly increased by HFD induction, which can be dramatically reduced by ICAE treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: ICAE has preventive effects on HFD-induced obesity and fatty liver in mice, exerted beneficial effects upon HFD-induced hepatic injury. The preventive effects of ICAE on fatty liver are concerned with the downregulation of PPARγ and ADRP protein expression in liver.

[Study on mechanism of Qinbaohong Oral Liquid in anti-inflammation, stopping cough, eliminating phlegm and relieving asthma based on network pharmacology].

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antitussive, expectorant, and anti-asthmatic effects of Qinbaohong Oral Liquid in mouse experiments and explore its action mechanism based on network pharmacology. The mouse auricle swelling was induced by xylene for detecting the anti-inflammatory effect of Qinbaohong Oral Liquid, whose antitussive effect was then examined in mice with cough after exposure to ammonium hydroxide. The expectorant effect was determined based on the excretion of phenol red into the mouse trachea. The mouse model of asthma induced by histamine phosphate and acetylcholine chloride was used to observe the anti-asthmatic effect. The chemical components of Qinbaohong Oral Liquid were retrieved from TCMSP and literature, followed by target prediction based on BATMAN-TCM. The targets of inflammation, cough, expectoration, and asthma collected from GeneCards were intersected with drug targets for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis using Metascape. The results were imported into STRING for exploring protein-protein interactions and screening the key targets. As demonstrated by our findings, Qinbaohong Oral Liquid at 4.5 and 9.0 mL·kg~(-1) obviously decreased the weight(P<0.05) and thickness(P<0.01) of the right swelling ear and also the weight diffe-rence(swelling degree) between the two ears(P<0.05), prolonged the incubation period of cough(P<0.05), reduced the frequency of cough within 3 min(P<0.05), and increased the excretion of phenol red into the mouse trachea(P<0.01). Qinbaohong Oral Li-quid at 2.3, 4.5, and 9.0 mL·kg~(-1) dramatically prolonged the incubation period of asthma(P<0.05). A total of 324 chemical components and 1 245 targets were harvested for the Qinbaohong Oral Liquid, together with 10 272 inflammation targets, 4 400 cough targets, 192 expectoration targets, and 7 533 asthma targets. Their intersection revealed that the anti-inflammatory, antitussive, expectorant and anti-asthmatic effects of Qinbaohong Oral Liquid were correlated with such GO biological processes as the regulation of ion transport and blood circulation and such KEGG pathways as cancer-related signaling pathways and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. Qinbaohong Oral Liquid has been confirmed by both experiments and network pharmacology analysis to be efficient in anti-inflammation, stopping cough, eliminating phlegm, and relieving asthma.

Chinese herbal medicine Feiyanning cooperates with cisplatin to enhance cytotoxicity to non-small-cell lung cancer by inhibiting protective autophagy.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Feiyanning (FYN), the Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), has been used to manage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for the past 23 years. Chemotherapeutic drugs can induce autophagy in cancer cells to protect themselves from death. However, FYN can inhibit the protective autophagy in cancer cells. We investigated the biological mechanisms on the synergistic effects of FYN combined with chemotherapy in lung cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the effective chemical components for the quality control of FYN using the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.The cell proliferation ability was detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation. The cell apoptosis was determined with Flow cytometry. Expression of important differential proteins were detected by western blot. Autophagy structure was observed by TEM (Tansmission electron microscopy). Tandem mCherry-EGFP-LC3B immunofluorescence was used to measure autophagic flux. RESULTS: Both FYN and cisplatin significantly induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation in A549 cells. FYN reduced cell viability and increased apoptotic cell populations less effectively than cisplatin. FYN cooperated with cisplatin suppressed the cell viability, colony formation, as well as increased the cell apoptosis rate, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. FYN inhibited autophagy in A549 cells, which characterized by the decrease of autophagosome formation, lysosomal fusion, LC3B-II accumulation and SQSTM1 degradation, down-regulation of ATG5 and ATG7. Protective autophagy in A549 cells was induced by cisplatin. Suppression of the autophagic response using chloroquine (CQ) which is autophagy inhibitor improved the ability of cisplatin to kill cancer cells, as did FYN combined with cisplatin. CONCLUSION: In summary, we revealed that the synergistic mechanism of FYN and cisplatin is that FYN inhibited the protective autophagy induced by cisplatin in A549 cells.

[Preparation, characterization and dissolution characteristics of dragon's blood extract nanosuspensions].

The single-factor test was used to optimize the high-pressure homogenization method to prepare the phenolic extract nanosuspensions(DBNs). The physicochemical properties of the obtained nanosuspensions were characterized and the cumulative release in vitro was evaluated. The results showed that the drug concentration was 0.5 g·L~(-1), the mass concentrations of PVPK30 and SDS were 0.5 and 0.25 g·L~(-1), respectively, the probe ultrasonic time was 5 min, the homogenization pressure was 900 bar, and the number of homogenization was 2 times. The prepared DBNs had an average particle size of(168.80±0.36) nm, polydispersity index(PDI) of 0.09±0.04, stability index(SI) of 0.85, and DBNs were stable for storage within 30 days. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the particle size of the dragon's blood extract was reduced and the uniformity was improved in the obtained nanosuspensions. X-ray diffraction pattern and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the phenolic extract of dragon's blood was still in an amorphous state after being prepared into nanosuspensions. The results of saturated solubility measurement showed that the solubility of DBNs lyophilized powder reached 6.25 g·L~(-1), while the solubility of DB raw powder was only 28.67 mg·L~(-1). The in vitro dissolution experiments showed that DBNs lyophilized powder accumulated in gastrointestinal fluid for 8 h. The release amount was 90%,the cumulative release of the raw powder in the gastrointestinal fluid for 24 h was less than 1%, and the solubility and dissolution rate of the DBNs lyophilized powder were significantly higher than the DB raw powder. The method is simple in process and convenient in operation, and can successfully prepare uniform and stable nanosuspensions to improve its solubility, and provides a research basis for solving the application limitation of dragon's blood extract.

Phytochemical naphtho[1,2-b] furan-4,5­dione induced topoisomerase II-mediated DNA damage response in human non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Phytochemical naphtho[1,2-b] furan-4,5­dione (NFD) presenting in Avicennia marina exert anti-cancer effects, but little is known regarding about DNA damage-mediated apoptosis in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). PURPOSE: To examine whether NFD-induced apoptosis of NSCLC cells is correlated with the induction of DNA damage, and to investigate its underlying mechanism. STUDY DESIGN: The anti-proliferative effects of NFD were assessed by MTS Assay Kit FACS assay, and in vivo nude mice xenograft assay. The DNA damage related proteins, the Bcl-2 family and pro-apoptotic factors were examined by immunofluorescence assay, q-PCR, and western blotting. The activity of NF-κB p65 in nuclear extracts was detected using a colorimetric DNA-binding ELISA assay. The inhibitory activity of topoisomerase II (TOPO II) was evaluated by molecular docking and TOPO II catalytic assay. RESULTS: NFD exerted selective cytotoxicity against NSCLC H1299, H1437 and A549 cells rather than normal lung-embryonated cells MRC-5. Remarkably, we found that NFD activated the hull marker and modulator of DNA damage repairs such as γ-H2AX, ATM, ATR, CHK1, and CHK2 probably caused by the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibition of TOPO II activity. Furthermore, the suppression of transcription factor NF-κB by NFD resulted in significantly decreased levels of pro-survival proteins including Bcl-2 family Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 and the endogenous inhibitors of apoptosis XIAP and survivin in H1299 cells. Moreover, the nude mice xenograft assay further validated the suppression of H1299 growth by NFD, which is the first report for evaluating the anti-cancer effect of NFD in vivo. CONCLUSION: These findings provide a novel mechanism indicating the inhibition of TOPO II activity and NF-κB signaling by NFD, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis of NSCLC tumor cells.

Protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids against Alzheimer's disease in rat brain endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVES: Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known unsaturated fatty acids that are essential for growth and development in animals. They primarily participate in the development of intelligence, the nervous system, and vision, and the metabolism of neurotransmitters. Omega-3 fatty acids have been widely studied in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Omega-3 fatty acids are known to have neuroprotective effects due to their antioxidant capacity. Rotenone has been shown to induce neurotoxicity in vitro. METHODS: We investigated the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids against AD in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBMVECs) in vitro. Lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase levels were evaluated in RBMVECs. Flow cytometry was performed to assess apoptosis. RESULTS: Lipid peroxidation and ROS were reduced in RBMVECs following incubation with omega-3 fatty acids. Catalase, Gpx, and SOD were increased in RBMVECs following incubation with omega-3 fatty acids. Flow cytometry showed that incubation with omega-3 fatty acids reduced the amount of apoptotic RBMVECs. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that omega-3 fatty acids show potential as a therapeutic agent against AD.

Chrysophanol ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity and inflammation in neonatal rats.

Chrysophanol is a member of the anthraquinone family abundant in rhubarb, a widely used herb for obesity treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Though several studies have indicated numerous features of chrysophanol, no study has yet reported the effect of chrysophanol on juvenile obesity. In this study, we tried to identify the anti-obesity effects of chrysophanol by using high-fat diet (HFD)-induced rats as in vivo models. In HFD rats, chrysophanol treatment decreased body weight, blood glucose and the blood level of triglyceride (TG), and enhanced the level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). In addition, chrysophanol markedly reduced lipid accumulation in HFD rats-derived primary hepatocytes. Moreover, chrysophanol effectively relieved HFD-induced inflammation, as demonstrated by the reduction of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1ß and the elevation of IL-10. Furthermore, chrysophanol markedly increased the levels of lipolytic genes and decreased the expressions of lipogenic genes in HFD rats, which was probably benefited from the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/ Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Taken together our study has demonstrated that chrysophanol could improve the HFD-induced obesity and provided a molecular basis for chrysophanol potential applications in the treatment of juvenile obesity and other metabolic diseases.

Treatment of Advanced Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer with Qi-Nourishing Essence-Replenishing Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined with Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of qi-nourishing essence-replenishing Chinese herbal medicine combined with chemotherapy in survival of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients with essence and qi deficiency. METHODS: A prospective multi-centered randomized controlled study was conducted, and 266 advanced NSCLC patients were enrolled. 126 patients in control group received Vinorelbine plus cisplatin(NP) chemotherapy combined with symptom-oriented Chinese herbs medication(without qi-nourishing essence-replenishing herbs);140 patients in experimental group received NP chemotherapy combined with qi-nourishing essence-replenishing Chinese herbal medication(Kangliu Zengxiao Decoction and modified Feiyanning Decoction, during and after chemotherapy respectively). RESULTS: One patient in control and 2 in experimental group were excluded for failure to complete two cycles of chemotherapy. During follow-up, 17 and 7 patients in control and experimental group were excluded respectively(4 and 4 for taking Gefetinib after disease progression, 4 and 2 for receiving other chemotherapeutic regimens, 9 and 1 for lost to follow-up). 239 patients were included in the final analysis (131 in experimental group and 108 in control). Median overall survival in experimental group was significantly longer than control group (14.87vs.12.97 months,P = 0.027). In experimental and control group, 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 7-year, and 9-year survival rates were 57% vs. 53%, 17% vs. 8%, 10% vs. 2%, 6% vs. 0%, and 6% vs. 0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Qi-nourishing essence-replenishing Chinese herbal medicine combined with chemotherapy improves survival of advanced NSCLC patients with essence and qi deficiency.

[Research on preparation process of andrographolide-glycyrrhizic acid polymeric micelles].

This study aimed to prepare andrographolide (AP)-loaded glycyrrhizic acid (GA) micelles (AP-GA)-PMs to enhance the solubility and anti-tumor effect of andrographolide. Firstly, andrographolide (AP) was used as the model drug and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) as carriers to prepare (AP-GA)-PMs. Then the preparation methods and the ratios of drug and carrier were screened and optimized based on particle size, encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity of micelles. Finally, the pharmaceutical characters and the inhibition rate on HepG2 cells were evaluated on the (AP-GA)-PMs prepared by optimal process. The results showed that the prepared micelles under the optimal process had a nanosize of (127.11±1.38) nm, zeta potential of (-24.01±0.55) mV, the entrapment efficiency rate of (92.01±4.02)% , the drug loading rate of (51.44±1.24)% and high storage stability at 4 °C in 30 d, with slow but highly stable in vitro release. Moreover, (AP-GA)-PMs with the IC50 value of 19.25 mg·L⁻¹ had a more synergistic and better anti-tumor effect in comparison with AP (IC50=122.40 mg·L⁻¹) on HepG2 cells (P<0.01). In conclusion, the (AP-GA)-PMs prepared with glycyrrhizic acid as a carrier had a small particle size, large drug loading capacity, and high stability, and could significantly improve the anti-tumor effects of AP.

Tuning the Distance of Rattle-Shaped IONP@Shell-in-Shell Nanoparticles for Magnetically-Targeted Photothermal Therapy in the Second Near-Infrared Window.

Construction of multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) with near-infrared (NIR) plasmonic responses is considered a versatile and multifaceted platform for several biomedical applications. Herein, a double layer of Au/Ag alloy on the surface of truncated octahedral iron oxide NPs (IONPs) was prepared and the distance between the layers was controlled to exhibit broad and strong NIR absorption. The rattle-shaped IONP@shell-in-shell nanostructure showed light-response to the NIR biological window from 650 to 1300 nm for photothermal therapy (PTT) and magnetic guidance for hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis. Exposing the aqueous solution of IONP@shell-in-shell to a 1064 nm diode laser, its heat conversion efficiency was ∼28.3%. The in vitro cell viability at a gold concentration of 100 ppm was ∼85%, and decreased to ∼16% when the cells were treated with the NIR irradiation and magnetic attraction. T2-weighted MRI images showed a clear accumulation of IONP@shell-in-shell at the tumor site with magnetic attraction. In vivo luminescence tumor images explained that the IONP@shell-in-shell could reduce the U87MG-luc2 cancer cell proliferation in mice with the NIR irradiation and magnetic attraction. These results indicate the IONP@shell-in-shell as a promising nanomedicine for PTT, magnetic targeting, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The research of the possible mechanism and the treatment for capsaicin-induced cough.

Unexplained chronic cough (UCC) affects millions of patients worldwide. New therapeutic approaches to this condition are urgently needed, since current treatment options provide only symptomatic relief. Cough reflex hypersensitivity has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of UCC. The transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) is present on peripheral terminals of airway sensory nerves and modulation of its activity represents a potential target for the pharmacological treatment of UCC. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and the possible mechanism of SB705498, a TRPV1 antagonist, for cough in a capsaicin-induced cough animal model (i.e. guinea pigs). Induction of cough by capsaicin was successfully implemented in the guinea pigs, and the animals that met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into four treatment groups: (1) Saline inhalation group (NSInh group, N = 10, negative control group), (2) Codeine phosphate intraperitoneal injection group (CPInp group, N = 10, positive control group), (3) SB705498 inhalation group (SBInh group, N = 10), (4) SB705498 intragastric administration group (SBIng group, N = 10). After treatment with above compounds, the capsaicin-induced cough experiment was performed again. The cough numbers and the cough incubation periods were recorded to evaluate the antitussive effect of SB705498. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for substance P (SP), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and neurokinin A (NKA) expression in lung and brain tissues were performed as an indication of neurogenic inflammation. Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining was used to observe the pathology morphology of lung and brain tissues. When the CPInp, SBInh and SBIng groups were compared to the NSInh group, the cough numbers were significantly reduced (p < .001), while the cough incubation periods were significantly prolonged (P < .001). In addition, the expression of SP, CGRP and NKA in lung and brain tissue was reduced (P < .05). None of the animals in the four groups exhibited lung and brain parenchymal inflammation. The results from this study showed that SB705498 had a significant antitussive effect, could reduce the neurogenic inflammation by reducing the expression of SP, CGRP and NKA in a capsaicin-induced cough model of guinea pigs. The results further indicated that TRPV1 played an important role in UCC and SB705498 might be a promising therapeutic agent for UCC.

Clinical observation of Shuanghuang Shengbai Granule () on prevention and treatment of myelosuppression caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of Shuanghuang Shengbai Granule (, SSG), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on myelosuppression of cancer patients caused by chemotherapy. METHODS: A total of 330 patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (220 cases, analysed 209 cases) and the control group (110 cases, analysed 102 cases) with a 2:1 ratio by envelope method. The patients in the treatment group at the first day of chemotherapy started to take SSG for 14 days, while the patients in the control group took Leucogon Tablets. The changes of the blood routine, clinical symptoms and immune function in both groups were observed for safety and efficacy evaluation. RESULTS: At the 7th day of chemotherapy, the white blood cells (WBCs) level in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the WBCs rate in the normal range accounted for 50.2% in the treatment group, the myelosuppression of WBCs and neutrophil were mainly grade I, while 8.1% and 5.7% of patients emerged grade III and grade IV myelosuppression, respectively. The incidence of myelosuppression of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of Chinese medicine syndrome in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (84.2% vs. 72.5%, P<0.05). The immune cell levels in both groups were maintained in the normal range. Compared with that before treatment, the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ cells were significantly increased in the treatment group after treatment (P<0.05). The discrepancy of CD3+ and CD4+ cell activity before and after treatment in both groups were significantly different (P<0.05). No obvious adverse event occurred in both groups. CONCLUSION: SSG had a protection effect on bone marrow suppression, and alleviated the clinical symptoms together with clinical safety.