Exploration of the Mechanism of Shengxian Decoction Against Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification.

Shengxian decoction (SXT) is clinically used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. This study aimed to explore the mechanism and target genes of SXT acting on COPD. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between COPD and controls were identified and then performed enrichment analysis. The effective active compounds and corresponding target genes were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database. We also compiled COPD related genes from the GeneCards database. Through the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was performed to identify key genes. Molecular docking was used for docking of key genes and compounds. The expression of key genes was detected by quantitative real-time PCR in COPD patients and bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with cigarette stroke extract (CSE). We identified 1,458 intersected DEGs from GSE47460 and GSE57148 datasets. Compared with intersected DEGs, we obtained 33 SXT target COPD-related genes. PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and focal adhesion were enriched by these 33 genes, as well as intersected DEGs. According to LASSO regression, there were 12 genes considered as signature genes. Then we constructed active compounds and corresponding six target genes. Finally, HIF1A and IL1B were selected as key genes by combining PPI network. HIF1A and IL1B were all upregulated expression in COPD and CSE stimulated cells and recovered in SXT treated CSE stimulated cells. This study provides a scientific basis for the identification of active compounds and target genes of SXT in the treatment of COPD.

Effects of Tai Chi on working memory in older adults: evidence from combined fNIRS and ERP.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi exercise intervention on working memory in older adults using ERP-fNIRS. Method: Fifty older adults were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving a 12-week Tai Chi exercise intervention or a control group receiving regular daily activities. Working memory was assessed using the n-back task before and after the intervention, and spatial and temporal components of neural function underlying the n-back task were measured using ERP-fNIRS. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in reaction time and accuracy on the 2-back task and showed higher activation levels in the R-DLPFC. Additionally, the Tai Chi group displayed significant increases in P3 amplitude in the overall n-back task. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Tai Chi interventions can enhance working memory in older adults, as evidenced by increasing neural activity and improving HbO in the R-DLPFC during the 2-back task.

Determining Whether Tai Chi Chuan Is Related to the Updating Function in Older Adults: Differences Between Practitioners and Controls.

Background: Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is an effective method for delaying cognitive decline in older adults. However, in older adults, the association between long-term TCC practice and working memory updating has not been extensively studied. Objective: This cross-sectional study investigated how updating function operationalized via Reaction Times (RTs) and Accuracy Rates (ARs) of N-Back tasks being measured in a laboratory setting is related to long term practice of TCC. Methods: Twenty-six healthy elderly people participated in this experiment. According to the duration of time TCC was practiced, 13 subjects in the TCC group had more than 5 years of experience with TCC exercise, and 13 elderly subjects who had not been systematically exposed to mind-body exercise were assigned to the control group. The N-back task was administered to every participant to evaluate the updating function. Results: The TCC group had faster RTs than the control group (p < 0.05). For the 1-back task, the TCC group showed faster RTs than the control group; for the 2-back task, the TCC group exhibited faster RTs than the control group. The TCC group had higher ARs than the control group (p < 0.05). For the 1-back task, the TCC group showed higher ARs than the control group; for the 2-back task, the TCC group exhibited higher ARs than the control group. Conclusions: Long-term TCC practitioners exhibit a better updating function as compared to controls who did not practice TCC. Thus, our findings suggest that long-term TCC positively influences the updating function of older adults, making it, in turn, an effective mind-body exercise to maintain specific aspects of cognitive functioning.