Active compounds of Caodoukou () inhibit the migration, invasion and metastasis of human pancreatic cancer cells by targeting phosphoinosmde-3-kinase/ protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the effects of active compounds of Caodoukou () (ACAK) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer, and explain the possible molecular mechanism of ACAK interacting with these processes. METHODS: Cell counting kit-8 method, cell scratch repair experiment, Transwell migration and invasion experiment, immunohistochemistry, western blot assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction experiment were used to evaluate the effect of ACAK on the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. The levels of active molecules involved in the phosphoinosmde-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal transduction were detected by Western blot assay. In addition, the function of ACAK was evaluated by xenotransplantation tumor model in nude mice. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of ACAK on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells showed certain time-dose dependence. The results of scratch repair test, Transwell test, Western blotting and real time polymerase chain reaction assay showed that ACAK could inhibit the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells . In addition, the regulatory effect of ACAK on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is partly attributed to PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The experimental results showed that ACAK regulated the development of pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: ACAK can partly inhibit the activity of EMT and matrix metallopeptidases by down-regulating the downstream proteins of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway, thus inhibiting the ability of migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer.

Transcriptome and metabolome profiling in different stages of infestation of Eucalyptus urophylla clones by Ralstonia solanacearum.

Eucalyptus urophylla is an economically important tree species that widely planted in tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world, which suffers significant losses due to Ralstonia solanacearum. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism of pathogen-response of Eucalyptus. We collected the vascular tissues of a E. urophylla clone infected by R. solanacearum in the laboratory, and combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis to investigate the defense responses of Eucalyptus. A total of 11 flavonoids that differentially accumulated at the first stage or a later stage after infection. The phenylpropanoid of p-coumaraldehyde, the two alkaloids trigonelline and DL-ephedrine, two types of traditional Chinese medicine with patchouli alcohol and 3-dihydrocadambine, and the amino acid phenylalanine were differentially accumulated after infection, which could be biomarkers indicating a response to R. solanacearum. Differentially expressed genes involved in plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and amino acid metabolism were activated at the first stage of infection or a later stage, indicating that they may participate in the defense against infection. This study is expected to deliver several insights into the molecular mechanism in response to pathogens in E. urophylla, and the findings have far-reaching implications in the control of E. urophylla pathogens.

TLR/NF-κB independent signaling pathway in TNF-α suppression of diabetic MyD88-knockout mice after polysaccharides administration / 浙江大学学报·医学版

OBJECTIVE@#: To investigate the effect of polysaccharides (LBPs) on TLR/NF-κB independent pathway and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) level in diabetic MyD88-knockout mice.@*METHODS@#: Diabetes was induced by feeding high-fat/high-sugar diet and injection of low-dose streptozotocin in MyD88-knockout mice. The diabetic mice were randomly divided into model group, positive control group and LBPs group. The expressions of TRAM, TRIF, TRAF6, RIP1 and TNF-α mRNA and proteins in mouse peritoneal macrophages were detected by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting after LBPs treatment for 3 month. Serum TNF-α was determined with ELISA kit.@*RESULTS@#: Real time RT-PCR showed that compared with model group, the relative expressions of and mRNA in macrophages of LBPs group were significantly decreased and expression of was significantly increased (all 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#: LBPs may not inhibit serum TNF-α level through TLR/NF-κB independent pathway.

Therapeutic Observation of Fire-needle Acupuncture for Myofascial Pain Syndrome / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of fire-needle acupuncture in treating myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Method Seventy-two patients with MPS were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 36 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by fire-needle acupuncture, while the control group was by ordinary acupuncture. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) was observed before and after the intervention, and the clinical efficacy was compared. Result The total effective rate and markedly-effective rate were respectively 94.4% and 77.8% in the treatment group versus 80.6% and 30.6%in the control group. There was a significant difference in comparing the markedly-effective rate between the two groups (P<0.01). The MPQ item scores [pain rating index (PRI), present pain intensity (PPI), and visual analogue scale (VAS)] were significantly changed after intervention in both groups (P<0.05). After intervention, the MPQ item scores of the treatment group were significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Fire-needle acupuncture is an effective method in treating MPS.

Retrospective study on Xiaohe tablet-related liver damage and discussion on risk control / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of liver damage cases related to Xiaohe tablet so as to propose risk control measures. We search literatures on cases and group cases reports of Xiaohe tablet-related liver damage published domestically from 1978 to 2009, and then conduct a statistical analysis on the data. The 194 reports (9 cases reports and 185 group cases) of Xiaohe tablet-related liver damage are involved, the main clinical manifestations are gastrointestinal symptoms, skin stained yellow, icteric sclera, abnormal hepatic function and even hepatic failure. Most liver damage cases are reversible and can be cured by timely treatment after stopping use of this drug. There is a certain correlation between Xiaohe tablet and liver damage. Therefore, the following measures may be effective for risk control of Xiaohe tablet: to use drug under the guidance of physician, according to the recommended dose and indications in drug specification; to closely monitor liver function during the clinical treatment; to strengthen safety-related basic study.

Evaluation and consideration on safety information abroad of Polygonum multiflorum and its preparations / 中国中药杂志

This article retrospectively analyzed the safety reports published abroad regarding Polygonum multiflorum and its preparations in terms of drug use and liver damage. The authors found that the foreign drug regulatory authorities are lack of in-depth analysis and investigation on the safety information of P. multiflorum and its preparations in the process of reporting and warning. Therefore, the authors consider the following factors are significant for scientific evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) safety: follow-up and investigation of the information based on literature study, establishment of the safety-related information communication and feedback mechanism with foreign drug regulatory authorities and drafting of the guidelines for rational use of TCM.

Retrospective study of adverse events of Polygonum multiflorum and risk control / 中国中药杂志

To provide a reference for rational clinical medication and review the irrational use and factors relating the adverse events of Polygonum multiflorum. The literatures on P. multiflorum published between 1978 and 2008 were reviewed and the reports on clinical use were analyzed. A total of 26 literatures were retrieved. 38 cases of adverse drug event were reported, 10 cases of allergy, 24 cases of liver damage, and 4 cases presented with other adverse events. Irrational use is common in both self-medication and doctor prescription. It is one of the main factors of adverse events. Improving clinical rational use is the most important way to control its risk.

Evaluation and rational use of Chinese patent medicines for diabetes / 中华中医药杂志

Chinese patent medicines have unique advantages in treatment of diabetes. This article provides a comprehensive review of the classification, analysis and evaluation of the post-marketed Chinese patent medicines for diabetes and proposes that pure TCM preparations and Chinese/western compound preparations should be considered differently in regards to their clinical uses. TCM symptom-complex differentiation is the common guideline for rational use of both pure TCM preparations Chinese/western compound preparations. Moreover, the Chinese/western compound preparations should be used in accordance to the indications of the western medicine contained and strictly under the physician's instruction. Education and training of rational medication usage, basic and clinical study on post-marketed medicines are important measures to control and reduce medication risk.

Effects of Baogan Jiedu Granule on lipid peroxidation of free radicals in acute liver injury mice induced by tripterygium glycosides / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the effects of Baogan Jiedu Granule on lipid peroxidation of free radicals in acute liver injury mice induced by tripterygium glycosides.Methods Totally 60 mice were randomly divided into tripterygium glycosides model group,large-dose,medium-dose and small-dose groups of Baogan Jiedu Granule,Ganlixin group and control group.Each group was respectively perfused with the corresponding drug for 5 days and tripterygium glycosides were perfused once to make the model.The serum levels of ALT,AST,SOD,MDA and GSH-Px were measured.Results The serum levels of SOD and GSH-Px in model group decreased and MDA rose obviously.Compared with model group,Baogan Jiedu Granule of all doses could effectively decrease ALT,AST and MDA level and obviously improve GSH-Px level in each group.In addition,in the large-dose group SOD level was markedly improved(P