Effectiveness and safety of tripterygium glycosides tablet for lupus nephritis: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of tripterygium glycosides (TG) tablet for the treatment of Lupus nephritis (LN). METHODS: Several databases were systematically searched including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Wiley, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, SinoMed and Wanfang Library till June 20, 2020. Revman5.3 was utilized to analyze the data according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement. RESULTS: In total, 8 randomized controlled trials involving 583 participants were identified. Meta-analyses showed that, compared with glucocorticoids (GC) alone, the combination with TG tablet provided a statistically significant improvement in total remission (TR) ( = 1.27, 95% : 1.08-1.50, = 0.004), complete remission (CR) ( = 1.61, 95% : 1.05-2.47, = 0.03) and C3 levels ( = 0.27, 95% : 0.14-0.39, < 0.000 1), C4 levels ( = 0.12, 95% : 0.07-0.17, < 0.000 01). No significant differences were seen in TR, CR, proteinuria, serum creatinine, C3 and C4 (TR: = 1.00, 95% : 0.87-1.16, = 0.95; CR: = 1.10, 95% : 0.78-1.56, = 0.58; proteinuria levels: = -0.06, 95% : -0.13 to 0.01, = 0.10; serum creatinine levels: = -0.01, 95%: -7.36 to 7.35, = 1.00; C3 levels: = 0.01, 95%: -0.06 to 0.07, = 0.84; C4 levels: = -0.01, 95%: -0.03 to 0.01, = 0.49) between azathioprine (AZA) / leflomit (LEF) + GC and TG tablet + GC. Adverse events (hepatic dysfunction, nausea, vomitting) showed no statistical differences between the TG tablet + GC group and the GC group. There were more new onset of irregular menstruation in the TG tablet + GC group than those in the AZA + GC ( = 3.57, 95% : 1.40-9.11, = 0.008) /LEF+ GC ( = 6.69, 95% : 2.42-18.46, = 0.000 2) group, but leucopenia lower than those in AZA + GC group ( = 0.38, 95% : 0.17-0.85, = 0.02) and alopecia ( = 0.14, 95% : 0.03-0.77, = 0.02) and rash ( = 0.09, 95% : 0.01-0.69, = 0.02) lower than those in LEF + GC group. CONCLUSIONS: This review indicates that TG tablet maybe effective in LN treatment. Nevertheless, adverse events cannot be ignored. Large sample, multi-center, high-quality clinical studies are needed to verify the exact effects and safety of TG tablet in treatment of LN.

Clinical evaluation of Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel for postoperative hypospadias in children / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel for postoperative hypospadias in children.@*METHODS@#From January to December 2020, we treated 116 children with distal hypospadias in the Department of Urology, Department of Pediatrics and the Seventh Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, 58 by primary Snodgrass urethroplasty only (the control group) and the other 58 with Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel smeared on the penis postoperatively in addition (the trial group). We compared the operation time and postoperative pain score, edema regression and incidence of infection between the two groups, followed by statistical analysis using T test and Chi-square test.@*RESULTS@#All the operations were successfully completed by the same surgeon under general anesthesia. There were no statistically significant differences between the trial and control groups in age (［2.5 ± 0.8］ vs ［2.4 ± 0.6］ yr, P > 0.05) or operation time (［95.6 ± 14.5］ vs ［97.1 ± 15.2］ min, P > 0.05). No incision infection occurred in any of the cases. The pain scores at dressing removal were remarkably lower in the trial than in the control group at 2 hours (1.4 ± 1.0 vs 2.6 ± 1.3, P < 0.05), 24 hours (2.2 ± 1.3 vs 3.9 ± 1.6, P < 0.05), 48 hours (1.2 ± 0.7 vs 1.6 ± 0.9, P < 0.05) and 72 hours after surgery (2.5 ± 0.8 vs 3.7 ± 1.8, P < 0.05). Significantly more cases of edema regression were achieved in the trial than in the control group at 2 weeks postoperatively (35 vs 19, P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel can effectively relieve pain, reduce edema and accelerate edema regression after surgery in children with hypospadias, and therefore deserves wide clinical application.、.

[An in vitro study on metabolic interaction between main active components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and tacrolimus].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of the main active components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma on the metabolism of tacrolimus mediated by CYP3 A4/5 enzyme, so as to predict the potential drug-drug interaction(DDI) in clinical use. First, the reversible inhibitory activities of five active components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(tanshinone Ⅰ, tanshinone Ⅱ_A, cryptotanshinone, salvianolic acid B, dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ) on the metabolism of tacrolimus was investigated by using human liver microsomes(HLM) and recombinant human CYP3 A4/5 enzyme in vitro, then the dose-dependent inhibition of CYP3 A4/5 activity was calculated in HLM. Finally, the time-dependent inhibition(TDI) activities of five active components were studied in HLM through the robust single point inhibition test. In addition, a simple and rapid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method(HPLC-MS/MS) for the determination of tacrolimus was established in this study. The results showed that dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ had a strong inhibitory effect on the metabolism of tacrolimus in both HLM and rCYP3 A4/5 enzyme systems, and the inhibitory potential IC_(50) in HLM was 6.0 µmol·L~(-1), while the other four active components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma exhibited relatively weak inhibition on CYP3 A4/5 activity with inhibition rate less than 30% at 10 µmol·L~(-1). Furthermore, the TDI activity of five active components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma at 50 µmol·L~(-1) was 5.5%-15.9%. The above results suggested that clinical DDI between tacrolimus and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma may occur when the active components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma achieved a relative high concentration in human. In conclusion, this study provided a data reference for the research on drug interaction of tacrolimus and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma as well as rational drug use in clinical practice.

Effects of dietary isomaltooligosaccharide and Bacillus spp. supplementation during perinatal period on lactational performance, blood metabolites, and milk composition of sows.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluated the effects of isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) and Bacillus spp. in perinatal diets on lactational performance, blood metabolites, and milk composition of sows. Multiparous gestating sows (N = 130) with similar body conditions were fed diets without containing IMO (control, CON group), IMO (IMO group), IMO and Bacillus subtilis (IMO + S group), IMO and Bacillus licheniformis (IMO + L group), and IMO and both B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (IMO + S + L group). RESULTS: The average daily feed intake of lactating sows in the IMO + S group (P < 0.05) and the average litter gain and total milk yield in the IMO + S + L group (P < 0.01) were significantly higher than those of the sows in the other treatment groups. In addition, the serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations in all treatment groups were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the highest proportion of fat in colostrum (0.05 < P < 0.1) and lowest proportion of lactose in milk were observed in the IMO + L group (P < 0.05). The concentrations of growth hormone and immunoglobulins A and G in milk were higher in sows supplemented with IMO, IMO + S, IMO + L, or IMO + S + L (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IMO and Bacillus spp. supplementation during the perinatal period improved the sows' lactational performance by affecting their metabolism and milk quality. Sows in the IMO + S and IMO + S + L treatment groups exhibited the best performance. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on antioxidant capacity in brains of rats after acute carbon monoxide poisoning].

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to observe the antioxidant effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on brains of rats after acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. METHODS: Sixty-six Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into three groups including control group, CO group and HBO group.Morris water maze experiments were used for monitoring cognitive function.Antioxidant capacities were evaluated by detecting T-AOC, GSH-PX, GR and CAT activities in the brain. RESULTS: Compared with the control group (45±17, 43±14, 35±12, 34±11, 29±13) s and the HBO group (40±10, 39±6, 35±9, 31±11, 21±10) s, the CO group (57±5, 54±8, 52±8, 52±10, 46±8) s had the longer escape latency (P<0.05). Compared with the control group (51±6) s and the HBO group(40±10) s, the CO group (8±5) s had the shorter swimming time in I quadrant (P<0.05). Compared with the control group (1.25±0.40) U/mg and the HBO group(0.97±0.31, 0.97±0.39, 1.45±0.15, 1.40±0.25, 1.20±0.20) U/mg, the CO group (0.68±0.09, 0.45±0.17, 0.71±0.18, 0.69±0.29, 0.48±0.29) U/mg had the lower T-AOC activity of brain tissue.The GSH-PX activity (42±13, 106±46, 197±49, 173±42, 429±58) U/mg in the CO group decreased compared with the control group (182±53) U/mg and the HBO group (203±63, 325±86, 389±29, 385±100, 453±32) U/mg.GR activity (4.3±0.7, 2.6±0.5, 3.0±1.2, 1.8±0.8, 3.2±1.9) U/mg in the CO group decreased compared with the control group(14.5±3.0) U/mg and the HBO group (13.9±3.3, 4.3±1.0, 3.9±0.7, 4.8±0.9, 4.6±0.9) U/mg.CAT activity (1.6±0.8, 4.3±1.6, 3.9±1.0, 8.5±2.6, 5.4±1.7) U/mg in the CO group decreased compared with the control group(5.2±1.3) U/mg and the HBO group (5.2±2.2, 8.8±2.8, 5.3±1.0, 9.2±2.1, 14.1±3.8) U/mg. CONCLUSIONS: HBO can improve the behavior of rats after acute CO poisoning.The antioxidant capacity in rat brain tissue after acute CO poisoning decreases, while after the HBO therapy, the antioxidant capacity in rat brain tissue can increase.

Zhi-Long-Huo-Xue-Tong-Yu modulates mitochondrial fission through the ROCK1 pathway in mitochondrial dysfunction caused by streptozotocin-induced diabetic kidney injury.

Zhi-Long-Huo-Xue-Tong-Yu (ZLHXTY) is a defined mixture of 5 herbs developed by Professor S.J. Yang according to the Buyang Huanwu decoction method, which has been recorded in the Yilingaicuo. This study investigated the renoprotective effects of ZLHXTY on mitochondrial dysfunction induced by diabetic kidney injury in a diabetic rat model. Diabetes was induced by a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin. Rats were daily fed either ZLHXTY or vehicle beginning in the 1st week after injection. Levels of mitofusin 2 (mfn2), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), caspase-9, and rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) were detected using Western blotting. Levels of intracellular calcium and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were examined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An electron microscopic examination of kidney tissue was performed. The levels of mfn2 and ATP in the diabetes and ZLHXTY groups decreased from the 4th week after modeling. The expression levels of Drp1, ROCK1, and caspase-9 increased in the diabetes group but decreased in the ZLHXTY group from the 4th week after modeling. Compared with the diabetes group, ZLHXTY treatment decreased the mesangial expansion index and proteinuria levels, and improved the pathological changes typical of diabetic kidney injury. Furthermore, ZLHXTY treatment inhibited the activation of ROCK1 and expression of Drp1 and caspase-9, but did not affect the expression of mfn2. This study indicates that ZLHXTY treatment could protect kidney tissue from diabetic injury through the ROCK1 pathway response to mitochondrial dysfunction induced by diabetes.

Catalase suppression-mediated H(2)O(2) accumulation in cancer cells by wogonin effectively blocks tumor necrosis factor-induced NF-κB activation and sensitizes apoptosis.

Tremendous effort has been made to improve the anticancer value of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). In this study, we show that wogonin, a flavonoid isolated from Huang-Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis), synergistically sensitizes cancer cells derived from the cervix, ovary and lung to TNF-induced apoptosis, which was associated with inhibition of catalase activity and an increase of cellular hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Wogonin-induced reactive oxygen species block TNF-induced NF-κB activation through inhibiting phosphorylation on the NF-κB p65 subunit and consequently the DNA binding of NF-κB. In addition, wogonin suppressed the expression of the antiapoptotic factor c-FLIP, which is accompanied with potentiation of TNF-induced caspase 8 activation that initiates apoptosis. Importantly, wogonin did not sensitize normal bronchial epithelial cells to TNF-induced cell death, which was associated with the defect in induction of H(2)O(2). Thus, wogonin specifically sensitizes cancer cells to TNF-induced cytotoxicity through H(2)O(2)-mediated NF-κB suppression and apoptosis activation. Our data provide important insights into the molecular mechanism underlying wogonin's anticancer activity, and suggest this common flavonoid could be used as a TNF adjuvant for cancer therapy.

Calmodulin-binding protein BP-10, a probable new member of plant nonspecific lipid transfer protein superfamily.

CaMBP-10 is a novel plant endogenous calmodulin-binding protein with important physiological functions. The partial cDNA sequence of this protein was cloned using RT-PCR. The deduced peptide (designated PCBP10) is composed of 74 amino acid residues containing a basic amphiphilic alpha-helix typical for calmodulin-binding proteins. PCBP10 shows very high amino acid sequence homology with plant nonspecific lipid-transfer proteins (nsLTPs). Sequence analysis also reveals that PCBP10 has similar amino acid composition to plant nsLTPs, and seven of the eight conserved cysteine residues are found in PCBP10. Furthermore, the secondary structure features of PCBP10 are very similar to those of plant nsLTPs. In addition, there are striking resemblances between CaMBP-10 and plant nsLTPs in their biochemical and physical properties. Our results suggest that CaMBP-10 is a novel member of the plant and nsLTP gene family, and the Ca(2+)/CaM regulative system may also play roles in lipid metabolism, defense reactions, and the adaptation of plants to natural environment.

Mini-fingerprints detect similar activity of receptor ligands previously recognized only by three-dimensional pharmacophore-based methods.

Mini-fingerprints (MFPs) are short binary bit string representations of molecular structure and properties, composed of few selected two-dimensional (2D) descriptors and a number of structural keys. MFPs were specifically designed to recognize compounds with similar activity. Here we report that MFPs are capable of detecting similar activities of some druglike molecules, including endothelin A antagonists and alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor ligands, the recognition of which was previously thought to depend on the use of multiple point three-dimensional (3D) pharmacophore methods. Thus, in these cases, MFPs and pharmacophore fingerprints produce similar results, although they define, in terms of their complexity, opposite ends of the spectrum of methods currently used to study molecular similarity or diversity. For each of the studied compound classes, comparison of MFP bit settings identified a consensus or signature pattern. Scaling factors can be applied to these bits in order to increase the probability of finding compounds with similar activity by virtual screening.

Molecular descriptors in chemoinformatics, computational combinatorial chemistry, and virtual screening.

Many contemporary applications in computer-aided drug discovery and chemoinformatics depend on representations of molecules by descriptors that capture their structural characteristics and properties. Such applications include, among others, diversity analysis, library design, and virtual screening. Hundreds of molecular descriptors have been reported in the literature, ranging from simple bulk properties to elaborate three-dimensional formulations and complex molecular fingerprints, which sometimes consist of thousands of bit positions. Knowledge-based selection of descriptors that are suitable for specific applications is an important task in chemoinformatics research. If descriptors are to be selected on rational grounds, rather than guesses or chemical intuition, detailed evaluation of their performance is required. A number of studies have been reported that investigate the performance of molecular descriptors in specific applications and/or introduce novel types of descriptors. Progress made in this area is reviewed here in the context of other computational developments in combinatorial chemistry and compound screening.

Searching for molecules with similar biological activity: analysis by fingerprint profiling.

We have recently developed a mini-fingerprint (MFP) representation for small molecules that performs well in database searches for compounds with similar biological activity. The MFP consists of only 54 bit positions that account for numerical ranges of three two-dimensional (2D) descriptors or the presence or absence of defined structural fragments. Here we present an analysis method, termed fingerprint profiling, to systematically compare bit patterns of compounds belonging to different biological activity classes. Some but not all bit positions were variably occupied in seven different activity classes and responsible for the detection of structure-activity differences. The analysis has made it possible to rank bit positions and encoded molecular descriptors according to their importance for our similarity search calculations. Fingerprint profiling can be applied to any keyed bit string representation and should be helpful, for example, to analyze descriptor distributions in large compound databases.

[Effect of chuanwu and baishao used separately or in combination on adjuvant arthritis in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Chuanwu(Aconitum carmichaeli) and Baishao(Paeonia lactiflora) used separately or in combination on the adjuvant arthritis in rats. METHOD: Chuanwu-Baishao decoctions of different proportions were orally administered to three different rat models with adjuvant arthritis to observe the preventing and curing actions on the primary and secondary adjuvant arthritis in rats. RESULT: The curing action on the primary adjuvant arthritis appeared the same whether the two ingredients were used separately or in combination, while on the secondary adjuvant arthritis the combination, produced significant preventing effect. Chuanwu was proved weaker in action when used alone Chuanwu and Baishao were very efficacious in curing adjuvant arthritics when used in combination other than separately. CONCLUSION: In preventing and curing the secondary adjuvant arthritis in rats Chuanwu and Baishao work better in combination.

[Detection of DNA variation after space flight in Datura innoxia by random amplified polymorphic DNA markers].

OBJECTIVE: To substantiate the effect of space environment on medicinal plants, the seeds of Datura innoxia were set up in retrievable satellites. METHODS: After returning to earth, the DNA variation of different groups was detected by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. RESULTS: From a pre-screening of 65 primers with 20 oligonucleotide lengths, 15 primers that produced distinct profiles for each DNA sample were selected. In contrast with the earth controlled group, 39 polymorphic bands were produced in weightless group, and its degree of gene polymorphism was 23.1%; 45 polymophic bands were produced in hit group, and its degree of gene polymorphism was 24.4%. The polymorphic bands ranged approximately from 200 to 1990 bp. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that weightlessness induce DNA variation to some extents in Datura innoxia, while the compound effect of weightlessness and high energy heavy ions is more notable than the effect of single weightlessness.

[Effects of space flight on medicinal plant Agastache rugosa (Fisch. et Mey.) O. Ktze].

OBJECTIVE: To substantiate the effect of space conditions on medicinal plants. METHODS: The seeds of Agastache rugosa were set up in retrievable satellites. After returning to earth, the changes of isozymes of peroxidases, esterase and soluble proteins were studied. RESULTS: The peroxidase activity and protein content of the weightless group were a little lower than those of the earth controlled group, while these two items of the hit group were higher than those of the earth controlled group. The electrophoresis patterns of isoperoxidases and isoeasterase of these three groups, as well as the protein patterns of the weightless group and the earth controlled group were found alike. But the protein patterns of the hit group were different from those of the other two groups. CONCLUSION: The effect of weightlessness is smaller than that of the high energy heavy ions on Agastache rugosa. Different plants have different susceptibility to space conditions.

[Effect of space flight on ultrastructure of chloroplast in Agastache rugosa].

OBJECTIVE: To substantiate the effects of space condition on medicinal plants, the seeds of Agastache rugosa were set up in retrievable satellites. METHODS: After returning to earth, the ultrastructural changes of chloroplasts were examined by means of electron microscope. RESULTS: Vesicles could be seen in the chloroplasts in the cells of earth controlled group, it was few and could not be found in the chloroplasts in the cells of weightless group and hit group. Some chloroplasts were degrading in the cells of weightless group, but this phenomenon was not observed in the cells of the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that space environment had some effect on the ultrastructure of chloroplasts in Agastache rugosa.

[Ultrastructural changes after space flight in Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) DC].

OBJECTIVE: To substantiate the effect of space conditions on medicinal plants. METHOD: The seeds of platycodon grandiflorumg were set up in retrievable satellites. After returning to earth, the ultrastructural changes of leaves were studied. RESULT: Under light microscope, the leaf tissue structure of the flight group and the earth controlled group were alike and under electron microscope, some differences could be found in the nucleus and choloroplasts between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Space environment has some effect on Platycodon grandiflorum, and the effect needs to be further explored.

[Studies on the effects of space flight on Carthamus tinctorius L].

OBJECTIVE: To substantiate the effects of space condition of medicinal plants. METHODS: The seeds of Carthamus tinctorius were sent to space in retrievable satellites. After returning to earth, the seeds were stored at 0-4 degrees C, and cultured in the test field in the spring of next year. The peroxidases, soluble proteins and ultrastructure of leaves were studied in flowering stage. RESULTS: The peroxidase activity of the flight group was lower than that of the earth controlled group, and the protein content of the flight group was higher than that of the earth controlled group. The main bands in electrophoresis patterns of peroxidases and proteins were alike, and some bands were different. Some changes could be observed in the ultrastructure of chloroplast between the flight group and the earth controlled group. CONCLUSION: Space environments have some effect on Carthamus tinctorius. The results of this experiment are consistent with those of the previous experiment.

[Effect of space flight on ultrastructure in medicinal plant Datura innoxia Mill].

OBJECTIVE: To substantiate the effect of space environment on medicinal plants. METHOD: The seeds of Datura innoxia were set up in retrievable satellites. After returning to earth, the ultrastructural changes were observed by means of electron microscope. RESULTS: In cells of weightless group and hit group, some changes were found in chloroplast grana, starch grains and vesicles in chloroplasts. No obvious changes were observed in nuclei. CONCLUSION: Space environment has some effect on the ultrastructure in D. innoxia, and chloroplast is more sensitive to space environment than other organs.

[The effects of space flight on medicinal plant Datura innoxia].

OBJECTIVE: To probe the effects of space condition on medicinal plants. METHODS: The seeds of Datura innoxia Mill were put in a retrievable satellite. After returning earth, the isozymes of peroxidases, esterase and soluble proteins were studied. RESULTS: The peroxidase activity and the protein content of weightless group were lower than that of the earth controlled group, but these items of the hit group were higher than that of the earth controlled group. The electrophoresis patterns of isozymes and proteins of these three groups were similar. CONCLUSION: The effects of weightlessness and the high energy heavy ions were different on Datura innoxia, and the effects of space conditions were not enough to produce idiovariation in Datura innoxia.