Elucidating the anti-hypertensive mechanisms of Uncaria rhynchophylla-Alisma plantago-aquatica L: an integrated network pharmacology, cluster analysis, and molecular docking approach.

Background: With the increasing global prevalence of hypertension, a condition that can severely affect multiple organs, there is a growing need for effective treatment options. Uncaria rhynchophylla-Alisma plantago-aquatica L. (UR-AP) is a traditional drug pair used for treating hypertension based on the liver-kidney synergy concept. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying its efficacy remain unclear. Methods: This study utilized an integrative approach combining network pharmacology, cluster analysis, and molecular docking to uncover the bioactive components and targets of UR-AP in the treatment of hypertension. Initially, we extracted data from public databases to identify these components and targets. A Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed, followed by enrichment analysis to pinpoint the bioactive components, core targets, and pivotal pathways. Cluster analysis helped in identifying key sub-networks and hypothesizing primary targets. Furthermore, molecular docking was conducted to validate the interaction between the core targets and major bioactive components, thus confirming their potential efficacy in hypertension treatment. Results: Network pharmacological analysis identified 58 bioactive compounds in UR-AP, notably quercetin, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol (from Uncaria rhynchophylla), and Alisol B, alisol B 23-acetate (from Alisma plantago-aquatica L.), as pivotal bioactives. We pinpointed 143 targets common to both UR-AP and hypertension, highlighting MAPK1, IL6, AKT1, VEGFA, EGFR, and TP53 as central targets involved in key pathways like diastolic and endothelial function, anti-atherosclerosis, AGE-RAGE signaling, and calcium signaling. Cluster analysis emphasized IL6, TNF, AKT1, and VEGFA's roles in atherosclerosis and inflammation. Molecular docking confirmed strong interactions between these targets and UR-AP's main bioactives, underscoring their therapeutic potential. Conclusion: This research delineates UR-AP's pharmacological profile in hypertension treatment, linking traditional medicine with modern pharmacology. It highlights key bioactive components and their interactions with principal targets, suggesting UR-AP's potential as a novel therapeutic option for hypertension. The evidence from molecular docking studies supports these interactions, indicating the relevance of these components in affecting hypertension pathways. However, the study acknowledges its limitations, including the reliance on in silico analyses and the need for in vivo validation. These findings pave the way for future clinical research, aiming to integrate traditional medicine insights with contemporary scientific approaches for developing innovative hypertension therapies.

Salidroside alleviates cognitive impairment by inhibiting ferroptosis via activation of the Nrf2/GPX4 axis in SAMP8 mice.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurogenerative disease and remains no effective method for stopping its progress. Ferroptosis and adaptive immunity have been proven to contribute to AD pathogenesis. Salidroside exhibits neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects. However, the underlying mechanisms linking salidroside, ferroptosis, and adaptive immunity in AD remain uncertain. PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to explore the neuroprotective effects and the potential molecular mechanisms of salidroside against neuronal ferroptosis and CD8+ T cell infiltration in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: SAMP8 mice were employed as an AD model and were treated with salidroside for 12 weeks. Behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, HE and Nissl staining, immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, quantitative proteomics, bioinformatic analysis, flow cytometry, iron staining, western blotting, and molecular docking were performed. RESULTS: Treatment with salidroside dose-dependently attenuated cognitive impairment, reduced the accumulation of Aß plaques and restored neuronal damage. Salidroside also suppressed the infiltration of CD8+T cells, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines, and improved mitochondrial metabolism, iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, and redox in the SAMP8 mice brain. The administration of salidroside decreased iron deposition, reduced TFR1, and ACSL4 protein expression, upregulated SLC7A11, and GPX4 protein expression, and promoted the Nrf2/GPX4 axis activation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, neuronal ferroptosis and CD8+T cells are involved in the process of cognitive impairment in SAMP8 mice. Salidroside alleviates cognitive impairment and inhibits neuronal ferroptosis. The underlying mechanisms may involve the Nrf2/GPX4 axis activation and reduction in CD8+T cells infiltration. This study provides some evidence for the roles of salidroside in adaptive immunity and neuronal ferroptosis in SAMP8 mice.

Decoding the Mechanism of CheReCunJin Formula in Treating Sjögren's Syndrome Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive oral and ocular dryness that correlates poorly with autoimmune damage to the glands. CheReCunJin (CRCJ) formula is a prescription formulated according to the Chinese medicine theory for SS treatment. Objective: This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of CRCJ against SS. Methods: The databases, including Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology, Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for the molecular mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Databases, obtained the active ingredients and predicted targets of CRCJ. Then, DrugBank, Therapeutic Target Database, Genecards, Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, and DisGeNET disease databases were used to screen the predicted targets of SS. Intersected targets of CRCJ and SS were visualized by using Venn diagrams. The overlapping targets were uploaded to the protein-protein interaction network analysis search tool. Cytoscape 3.8.2 software constructed a "compound-targets-disease" network. Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses characterized potential targets' biological functions and pathways. AutoDock Vina 1.1.2 software was used to research and verify chemical effective drug components and critical targets. Results: From the database, we identified 878 active components and 2578 targets of CRCJ, and 827 SS-related targets. 246 SS-related genes in CRCJ were identified by intersection analysis, and then ten hub genes were identified as crucial potential targets from PPI, including ALB, IL-6, TNF, INS, AKT1, IL1B, VEGFA, TP53, JUN, and TLR4. The process of CRCJ action against SS was mainly involved in human cytomegalovirus infection and Th17 cell differentiation, as well as the toll-like receptor signaling and p53 signaling pathways. Molecular docking showed that the bioactive compounds of CRCJ had a good binding affinity with hub targets. Conclusions: The results showed that CRCJ could activate multiple pathways and treat SS through multiple compounds and targets. This study lays a foundation for better elucidation of the molecular mechanism of CRCJ in the treatment of SS, and also provides basic guidance for future research on Chinese herbal compounds.

The Combination of Salidroside and Hedysari Radix Polysaccharide Inhibits Mitochondrial Damage and Apoptosis via the PKC/ERK Pathway.

Background: Beta-amyloid (Aß) peptide is a widely recognized pathological marker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Salidroside and Hedysari Radix polysaccharide (HRP) were extracted from Chinese herb medicine Rhodiola rosea L and Hedysarum polybotrys Hand-Mazz, respectively. The neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of the combination of salidroside and Hedysari Radix polysaccharide (CSH) against Aß 25-35 induced neurotoxicity remain unclear. Objective: This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects and pharmacological mechanisms of CSH on Aß 25-35-induced HT22 cells. Materials and Methods: HT22 cells were pretreated with various concentrations of salidroside or HRP for 24 h, followed by exposed to 20 µm Aß 25-35 in the presence of salidroside or RHP for another 24 h. In a CSH protective assay, HT22 cells were pretreated with 40 µm salidroside and 20 µg/mL HRP for 24 h. The cell viability assay, cell morphology observation, determination of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cell apoptosis rate were performed. The mRNA expression of protein kinase C-beta (PKCß), Bax, and Bcl-2 were measured by qRT-PCR. The protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-3, Cyt-C, PKCß, phospho-ERK1/2, Bax, and Bcl-2 were measured by Western blot. Results: CSH treatment increased cell viability, MMP, and decreased ROS generation in Aß 25-35-induced HT22 cells. PKCß and Bcl-2 mRNA expression were elevated by CSH while Bax was decreased. CSH increased the protein expression levels of PKCß, Bcl-2, and phospho-ERK1/2, and decreased those of Bax, Cyt-C, and cleaved caspase-3. Conclusions: CSH treatment have protective effects against Aß 25-35-induced cytotoxicity through decreasing ROS levels, increasing MMP, inhibiting early apoptosis, and regulating PKC/ERK pathway in HT22 cells. CSH may be a potential therapeutic agent for treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking-Based Strategy to Investigate the Multitarget Mechanisms of Shenqi Yizhi Granule on Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Traditional Chinese herbal medicine draws more attention to explore an effective therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Shenqi Yizhi granule (SQYG), a Chinese herbal recipe, has been applied to ameliorate cognitive impairment in mild-to-moderate AD patients. However, the overall molecular mechanism of SQYG in treating AD has not been clarified. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of SQYG on AD using an integration strategy of network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: The active compounds of SQYG and common targets between SQYG and AD were screened from databases. The herb-compound network, compound-target network, and protein-protein interaction network were constructed. The enrichment analysis of common targets and molecular docking were performed. Results: 816 compounds and 307 common targets between SQYG and AD were screened. KEGG analysis revealed that common targets were mainly enriched in lipid metabolism, metal ion metabolism, IL-17 signaling pathway, GABA receptor signaling, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. Molecular docking analysis showed high binding affinity between ginsenoside Rg1 and Aß 1-42, tanshinone IIA and BACE1, baicalin, and AchE. Conclusions: The therapeutic mechanisms of SQYG on AD were associated with regulating lipid metabolism, metal ion metabolism, IL-17 signaling pathway, and GABA receptor signaling. Ginsenoside Rg1, tanshinone IIA, baicalin, astragaloside IV, and folic acid may play an important role in AD treatment.

Dengzhanxixin Injection Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment Through a Neuroprotective Mechanism Based on Mitochondrial Preservation in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a global health burden and cognitive impairment is one of its most serious complication. Adequate interventions for AIS may have the potential to improve cognitive outcomes. In the present study, we selected Erigeron breviscapus (Vaniot) Hand.-Mazz. injection (Dengzhanxixin injection, DZXI), a widely used Chinese herbal injection, in contrast to edaravone as the positive control drug to test its potential to ameliorates neurological and cognitive impairments caused by AIS. We performed a 2-week randomized trial with these two drugs in AIS patients presenting mild to moderate cognitive impairments. Neuropsychological tests and MRI examinations showed that DZXI attenuated the neurological and cognitive impairments of patients and protected the grey matter in specific regions from ischemic damage. Notably, DZXI exerted better effects than edaravone in some neuropsychological tests, probably due to the protective effect of DZXI on grey matter. To explore the therapeutic mechanisms, we carried out an experiment with a middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model. We found that DZXI decreased the infarct volume and increased the survival of neuronal cells in the ischemic penumbra; furthermore, DZXI modulated the mitochondrial respiratory chain process and preserved the mitochondrial structure in the brain tissue. Overall, our data suggested that the administration of DZXI is effective at ameliorating neurological and cognitive impairments in AIS, and the underlying mechanisms are related to the protective effects of DZXI on cerebral neurons and neuronal mitochondria.

Traditional Chinese Medicine guidelines for coronavirus disease 2019.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the evidence from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and provide timely clinical practice guidance. METHODS: The guidelines were developed in accordance with the World Health Organization rapid guideline process. The evidence on TCM for COVID-19 from published guidelines, direct and indirect published clinical evidence, first hand clinical data, and expert experience and consensus were collected. The grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) method was used to grade the evidence and make the recommendations. RESULTS: Based on the available evidence, the guidelines recommended 17 Chinese medicines for COVID-19: 2 Chinese herbal granules, 7 Chinese patent medicines, and 8 Chinese herbal injections. CONCLUSION: As the literature search was conducted on March, any subsequent versions of these guidelines require an up-to-date literature review. We hope that the evidence summary in these will be helpful in global efforts to address COVID-19.

Shenqi Yizhi granules protect hippocampus of AD transgenic mice by modulating on multiple pathological processes.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) draws more attention to explore effective therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). CHM usually uses combinations of herbs or herbal ingredients to treat diseases, with the components targeting different disease processes. CHM might improve cognition in AD and MCI patients by optimizing network activity, promoting neural plasticity and repairing damaged neurons. Shenqi Yizhi granules (SQYG), a CHM prescription, are mainly consists of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey, Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and have been used to ameliorate cognitive impairment in mild-to-moderate dementia patients. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the neuroprotection effect and pharmacological mechanism of SQYG in the hippocampus of 5XFAD transgenic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immunofluorescence detection, 2DE-gels, mass spectrum identification, biological information analysis and Western blot were performed after SQYG treatment. RESULTS: SQYG treatment significantly decreased the fluorescence intensities of anti-GFAP and anti-Iba1 in the hippocampus of 5XFAD mice. The expression levels of 31 proteins in the hippocampus were significantly influenced by SQYG, approximately 65% of these proteins are related to energy metabolism, stress response and cytoskeleton, whereas others are related to synaptic transmission, signal transduction, antioxidation, amino acid metabolism, and DNA repair. The expression of these proteins were increased. The changes in the expression levels of malate dehydrogenase (cytoplasmic) and pyruvate kinase M were confirmed by Western blot. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacological mechanism of SQYG on the hippocampus may be related to modulation of multiple pathological processes, including energy metabolism, stress response, cytoskeleton, synaptic transmission, signal transduction, and amino acid metabolism in 5XFAD mice.

Network topology and machine learning analyses reveal microstructural white matter changes underlying Chinese medicine Dengzhan Shengmai treatment on patients with vascular cognitive impairment.

With the increasing incidence of cerebrovascular diseases and dementia, considerable efforts have been made to develop effective treatments on vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), among which accumulating practice-based evidence has shown great potential of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Current randomized double-blind controlled trial has been designed to evaluate the 6-month treatment effects of Dengzhan Shengmai (DZSM) capsules, one TCM herbal preparations on VCI, and to explore the underlying neural mechanisms with graph theory-based analysis and machine learning method based on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. A total of 82 VCI patients were recruited and randomly assigned to drug (45 with DZSM) and placebo (37 with placebo) groups, and neuropsychological and neuroimaging data were acquired at baseline and after 6-month treatment. After treatment, compared to the placebo group, the drug groups showed significantly improved performance in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) score (p < 0.001) and the other cognitive domains. And with the reconstruction of white matter structural network, there were more streamlines connecting the left thalamus and right hippocampus in the drug groups (p < 0.001 uncorrected), with decreasing nodal efficiency of the right olfactory associated with slower decline in the general cognition (r = -0.364, p = 0.048). Moreover, support vector machine classification analyses revealed significant white matter network alterations after treatment in the drug groups (accuracy of baseline vs. 6-month later, 68.18 %). Taking together, the present study showed significant efficacy of DZSM treatment on VCI, which might result from white matter microstructure alterations and the topological changes in brain structural network.

Dengzhan Shengmai capsules and their active component scutellarin prevent cognitive decline in APP/PS1 mice by accelerating Aß aggregation and reducing oligomers formation.

There is currently no effective treatment to prevent the progress of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The traditional Chinese herbs Dengzhan Shengmai (DZSM) capsules and their active component scutellarin possess multiple effects and are clinically used for the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. Scutellarin has been reported to affect Aß aggregation. However, the effects of DZSM capsules on AD remain unknown. Through in vivo experiments, our study proved that the alleviating effects of DZSM capsules on cognitive deficits of AD mice were due to the role of scutellarin, which up-regulated low toxic amyloid plaques and down-regulated highly toxic soluble Aß42 and Aß40 levels in cortex. In vitro, we confirmed scutellarin's role in accelerating transforming Aß42 monomers into high-molecular-mass aggregates by biochemical assays, which supported the results observed in drug-treated APP/PS1 mice. In detail, the 1:10 ratio of scutellarin/Aß42 mixtures promoted production of large ß-sheet-rich fibrils whereas the 1:1 ratio promoted production of protofibrils. In addition, the binding between scutellarin and Aß monomers was quantified by microscale thermophoresis test and the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) was 1284.4 ±â€¯238.8 µM. What's more, binding regions between scutellarin and Aß fibrils were predicted by computational docking models and scutellarin might bind parallel to the long axis of Aß42 fibrils targeting hydrophobic grooves at residues 35-36 or 39. In conclusion, DZSM capsules protected against cognitive defects of AD through scutellarin-mediated acceleration of Aß aggregation into fibrils or protofibrils and reduction of soluble Aß oligomers, thus suggesting potential clinical applications of DZSM capsules and scutellarin in the treatment of AD.

Long-term efficacy of Chinese medicine Bushen Capsule on cognition and brain activity in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), regarded as the prodromal stage before the clinical phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been considered for early intervention. Unfortunately, many trials in this stage with drugs with single-target turned out to be little or no effect. Multi-targeting in nature based on the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers another prospect for intervention. Together with advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique for more sensitive and objective evaluation, we investigated the long-term therapeutic effects of a TCM compound on cognition and task-related neuronal activity. Sixty amnestic MCI (aMCI) participants from randomly divided into drug (30 with Bushen capsules (BSC)) and placebo (30 with placebo capsules) groups for this 2-years trial. Neuropsychological and N-back task-fMRI data were acquired at baseline and two follow-ups to assess, via linear mixed effect models, the changes of cognitive ability and brain activation over treatments. The drug group, compared with placebo group, exhibited improvement or stabilization in memory measures over time. Analyses of fMRI revealed that the placebo group exhibited higher activation magnitude and spatial extents at left superior parietal lobule; importantly, the greater activation identified in placebo group was related to more decline in the digit span. BSC showed long-term ameliorative effects on cognitive performances in aMCI patients, which might result from the regulation of abnormal brain activities. Our study provided evidence for the potential of TCM in early prevention of AD, as well as the feasibility of neuroimaging biomarkers in clinical trials.

SQYZ granules, a traditional Chinese herbal, attenuate cognitive deficits in AD transgenic mice by modulating on multiple pathogenesis processes.

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves multiple contributing factors, including amyloid ß (Aß) peptide aggregation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and others. Effective therapeutic drugs for treating AD are urgently needed. SQYZ granules (SQYZ), a Chinese herbal preparation, are mainly composed of the ginsenoside Rg1, astragaloside A and baicalin, and have been widely used to treat dementias for decades in China. In this study, we found the therapeutic effects of SQYZ on the cognitive impairments in an AD mouse model, the ß-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin-1 (PS1) double-transgenic mouse, which co-expresses five familial AD mutations (5XFAD); next, we further explored the underlying mechanism and observed that after SQYZ treatment, the Aß burden and inflammatory reactions in the brain were significantly attenuated. Through a proteomic approach, we found that SQYZ regulated the expression of 27 proteins, mainly those related to neuroinflammation, stress responses and energy metabolism. These results suggested that SQYZ has the ability to improve the cognitive impairment and ameliorate the neural pathological changes in AD, and the therapeutic mechanism may be related to the modulation of multiple processes related to AD pathogenesis, especially anti-neuroinflammation, promotion of stress recovery and improvement of energy metabolism.

[Clinical application evaluation of Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine].

This study aims to evaluate the adaptability and applicability of Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The assessment methods included adaptability assessment and applicability assessment. The adaptability assessment was based on the questionnaire survey to evaluate the familiarity, utilization, quality, and clinical application of the Guidelines; applicability assessment was based on the prospective observation of 853 clinical cases to investigate the applicability and effect of the Guidelines, including effectiveness, economy and safety. Statistical analysis for basic description, construction of different comparison groups for cross or hierarchical statistical test, multi-factor analysis, and confounding factors were used in the study. Adaptability assessment results showed that 63.03% of TCM doctors considered guidelines as good or very good applicability and 4.24% of TCM doctors considered guidelines with very poor applicability in clinical practice. For the applicability evaluation, TCM doctors considered that the "overall efficacy and technology level", "satisfactory degree" and "adaptability in clinical practice" of the guideline were 85.46%, 80.43% and 69.40% respectively. The results showed that guideline was well known among TCM doctors, especially junior TCM doctors. Adaptability and applicability of Guidelines were totally good but the quality and adaptability of the intervention schemes were still week, so the quality of Guidelines should be improved by revision.

The positive effects of Xueshuan Xinmai tablets on brain functional connectivity in acute ischemic stroke: a placebo controlled randomized trial.

Through a placebo controlled randomized study, the purpose of this report was to investigate the effects of Xueshuan Xinmai tablets (XXMT) on neurologic deficits, quality of life and brain functional connectivity in acute ischemic stroke patients and to explore the mechanism of action of XXMT. In total, 44 acute ischemic stroke patients were randomly divided to the XXMT treatment group (n = 22) or the placebo group (n = 22) in a 2-week trial. Before and after the treatment, the neurological assessment and functional magnetic resonance imaging examinations were carried out. Compared to the placebo group, the scores of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL) significantly improved in the treatment group. In addition, XXMT-treated patients demonstrated significantly enhanced functional connectivity within the default mode, frontal-parietal, and motor control networks. Furthermore, the changed connectivity in the left precuneus was positively correlated to the improvement of NIHSS and SSQOL scores. The present study indicated that XXMT treatment significantly improved the neurologic deficit and quality of life of acute ischemic stroke patients and that the therapeutic effect may be based on the modulation of XXMT on the functional connectivity of brain networks.

Synthesis, characterization, antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects of selenium polysaccharide from Radix hedysari.

Beta-amyloid (Aß) peptide, the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, invokes oxidative damage to neurons and eventually leads to neuronal death. Selenylation modification of polysaccharide obtained from Radix hedysari (RHP) was studied to access antioxidant activities and neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by Aß25-35 in vitro. A series of the selenylation derivatives of RHP (Se-RHP) was synthesized using nitric acid-sodium selenite (HNO3-Na2SeO3) method. The organic selenium content of Se-RHP increased from 1.04 to 3.29 mg/g. However, compared with the weight-average molecular mass (Mw) of RHP, Mw of Se-RHP showed a significant decrease, and varied from 27.7 kDa to 62.7 kDa. FT-IR spectra and (13)C NMR spectra indicated the selenite groups had been introduced mainly at the C-6 positions of RHP. Compared with RHP, Se-RHP showed greater antioxidant activities in vitro. Furthermore, both RHP and Se-RHP3 had neuroprotective effects against Aß25-35-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, which might be a potential therapeutic agent for preventing or treating neurodegenerative diseases.

The Effects of Bushen Capsule on Episodic Memory in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients: A Pilot Placebo Controlled fMRI Study.

BACKGROUND: Observing the effects of a drug on episodic memory and the underlying brain function has extreme significance in evaluating its therapeutic value in treating amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Bushen capsule (BSC), a Chinese herbal medicine, on episodic memory in aMCI and further explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: 44 aMCI patients from hospitals and local communities in Beijing were randomly divided into the BSC treatment group (22 patients orally treated with BSC) and the placebo group (22 patients treated with placebo). The duration of intervention lasted for 3 months. Before and after the 3 months treatment, neuropsychological tests and fMRI examinations were carried out to assess cognitive ability and brain activation changes, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to the placebo group, the BSC group presented a significant increase in the AVLT(N5) (p = 0.003) and Stroop (C-B) time (p = 0.002). fMRI results showed a reduction of brain negative activation in the right middle temporal gyrus and a positive activation enhancement in the right putamen among the BSC group after treatment. Meanwhile, the variation in activation values in the right middle temporal gyrus was significantly correlated with the improvement in test values of AVLT(N5), and the variation in deactivation values in the right putamen was significantly correlated with the improvement in test values of Stroop (C-B) time. CONCLUSIONS: BSC can improve the behavioral performances of episodic memory in aMCI; this effect may be related to its modulation on the activations of the temporal lobe and the putamen under episodic memory encoding task.

[Comparative study of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative classic tonification prescriptions on humoral immunity in immunosuppressed mice].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the regulating effects of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative classic tonification prescriptions on humoral immunity in immunosuppressed mice. METHODS: The immunosuppressed mouse model was induced by cyclophosphamide. The mice were administered intragastically with same dose of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative Buzhong Yiqi Yiqi Yangxue,Yupingfeng oral liquid and Fuqi Zhihan granules for antagonistic experiments in vivo. And spleen index, HC50, CD19+B lymphocyte subgroup and content of serum IL-4 were determined after treatment. RESULTS: Both groups of Hedyseri Radix and Astragali Radix could antagonize immunosuppressive action caused by cyclophosphamide. They both could significantly raise spleen index, HC50, CD19+ B lymphocyte subgroup and content of serum IL4 in different degree. And Yupingfeng aqueous extract of Hedysari Radix substitute Astragali Radix was better than Yupingfeng oral liquid in raising spleen index. There were no significant differences among the rest Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative groups. CONCLUSION: Hedysari Radix compatibility with other drugs compared with original prescription has similar role in humoral immunity regulation.

Proteomic analysis of the effect of triterpenes from Patrinia heterophylla on leukemia K562 cells.

For centuries, Patrinia heterophylla had been used in China to treat many diseases including tumor. Triterpenes has been identified as the major active constituents in Patrinia heterophylla. To elucidate the antitumor mechanism of triterpenes from Patrinia heterophylla1 (TPH), a proteomic analysis is carried out with TPH treatment in K562 cells. The total proteins extracted from TPH treated K562 cells are analyzed by two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and compared with those untreated K562 cells. Mass spectrometry is applied to identify the differentially expressed proteins. Twenty-three differentially expressed significant proteins are discovered. Eight proteins are later identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and Mascot software. Among them, four proteins are up-regulated (Aldolase A, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Flavin reductase and Hemoglobin subunit) and four proteins were down-regulated (Heat-shock protein 90 〈Alpha〉 (HSP90-〈Alpha〉), Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A, Moesin, tublin) by TPH treatment in K562 cells. The identified proteins are associated with energy metabolism, oxidative stress, apoptosis, signal transduction, differential induction, and protein biosynthesis. These findings might provide valuable insights into the antitumor mechanism of TPH in K562 cells.

[Comparative study of Radix Hedyseri as sulstitute for Radix Astragali of yupingfeng oral liquid on cellular immunity in immunosuppressed mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study on Radix Hedyseri as substitute for Radix Astragali of Yupingfeng oral liquid on cellular immunity in immunosuppressed mice. METHODS: The model of immunosuppression mice were induced by Cyclophosphamide. And the same dose of Radix Hedyseri and Radix Astragali alternative Yupingfeng oral liquid was intragastric administrated into mice; Antagonistic experiments were observed in vivo. Determined the thymus gland index, spleen index, phagocytosis of the macrophage, proliferation index of T lymphocyte, kill and wound activity, T lymphocyte subgroup, and content of IL-13 of serum. RESULTS: Yupingfeng oral liquid and Yuping-feng aqueous extract of Radix Hedyseri substitute Radix Astragali both could significant raise thymus gland index and spleen index, and clearly increase the phagocytosis of the macrophage. They both could antagonize immunosuppressive action caused by Cyclophosphamide, which could promote T lymphocyte proliferation, kill and wound activity, quantity of T lymphocyte subgroup, and production of IL-1beta with different degree. And Yupingfeng aqueous extract of Radix Hedyseri substitute Radix Astragali increased spleen index and T lymphocyte proliferation was better than those of Yupingfeng oral liquid. CONCLUSION: Radix Hedyseri and Radix Saposhnikoviae, compatible with Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae compared with Yupingfeng oral liquid in cell immunity regulation has a similar role, and better in the recovery of spleen weight and T cell proliferation.