Scutellaria baicalensis in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Network Pharmacology Analysis and Experimental Validation.

Objective: The aim of the study was to use a network pharmacological method and experimental validation to examine the mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and GeneCards were used for screening of targets of SB for the treatment of HCC. Cytoscape (3.7.2) software was used to construct the "drug-compound-intersection target interaction" interaction network. The STING database was used to analyze the interactions of the previous intersecting targets. The results were visualized and processed by performing GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) signaling pathway enrichment analysis at the target sites. The core targets were docked with the active components by AutoDockTools-1.5.6 software. We used cellular experiments to validate the bioinformatics predictions. Results: A total of 92 chemical components and 3258 disease targets including 53 intersecting targets were discovered. The results showed that wogonin and baicalein, the main chemical components of SB, could inhibit the viability and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, promote apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and effectively act on AKT1, RELA, and JUN targets. Conclusion: SB has multiple components and targets in the treatment of HCC, providing possible potential targets for the treatment of HCC and providing a basis for further research.

Fu-Huang ointment ameliorates impaired wound healing associated with diabetes through PI3K-AKT signalling pathway activation.

A diabetic ulcer (DU) is a dreaded and resistant complication of diabetes mellitus with high morbidity. Fu-Huang ointment (FH ointment) is a proven recipe for treating chronic refractory wounds; however, its molecular mechanisms of action are unclear. In this study, we identified 154 bioactive ingredients and their 1127 target genes in FH ointment through the public database. The intersection of these target genes with 151 disease-related targets in DUs resulted in 64 overlapping genes. Overlapping genes were identified in the PPI network and enrichment analyses. The PPI network identified 12 core target genes, whereas Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that upregulation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway was involved in the role of FH ointment in treating diabetic wounds. Molecular docking showed that 22 active compounds in FH ointment could enter the active pocket of PIK3CA. Molecular dynamics was used to prove the binding stability of the active ingredients and protein targets. We found that PIK3CA/Isobutyryl shikonin and PIK3CA/Isovaleryl shikonin combinations had strong binding energies. An in vivo experiment was conducted on PIK3CA, which was the most significant gene.This study comprehensively elucidated the active compounds, potential targets, and molecular mechanism of FH ointment application in treating DUs, and believed that PIK3CA is a promising target for accelerated healing.

A comparative study on the clinical effect of the treatment of pathological scars in young and middle-aged women with the combination of Chinese and western medicine.

INTRODUCTION: Pathological scar is the abnormal manifestation of skin fiber hyperplasia caused by the failure of normal healing after skin damage. At present, there are many clinical treatments for pathological scars. However, there is no cure for clinically effective pathological scars with high recurrence rate. In this study, we will use a combination of Chinese and western medicine treatment methods to evaluate the clinical efficacy and related indicators of young and middle-aged female patients who meet pathological scars, looking for an objective and effective treatment method for pathological scars. METHODS/DESIGN: In this study, we will use our own front-to-back clinical research method. We plan to include 120 young and middle-aged female patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for pathological scars. The untreated pathological scars of the enrolled patients will be used as blank controls. The intervention group will be given conventional western medicine treatment and combined Chinese and western medicine treatment. The assessment of scar area, color, hardness, thickness, itching, and pain was recorded for 8 weeks of treatment. DISCUSSION: This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine for patients with pathological scars. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR2000032187, Registered on April 22, 2020.

Clinical observation for acupuncture treatment of a small area of hyperplastic scars in young and middle-aged women.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertrophic scars are a common disease in plastic surgery, which is the reaction of skin connective tissue to trauma beyond the normal range. Although scholars around the world have explored the tissue structure and formation mechanism of HS for decades, they are not satisfactory the result of. No effective treatment has been found. Therefore, the search for safe and effective treatments for HS has always been the focus of medical attention and research. Acupuncture therapy has a definite effect on HS and has unique advantages. METHODS/DESIGN: In this study, we will use our own front-to-back clinical research method. We plan to include 120 young and middle-aged female patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for HS. The untreated HS of the enrolled patients will be used as blank controls. The intervention group will be given acupuncture treatment. The assessment of scar area, color, hardness, thickness, itching and pain will be recorded for 30 days of treatment. DISCUSSION: This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of Acupuncture for patients with HS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR2000032624, Registered on 04 May 2020.

The clinical effect of traditional chinese medicine on middle-aged women with Interstitial Cystitis: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Interstitial cystitis (IC), as a common disease in urology, is prolonged and repeated. IC has caused great harm to the patient's physical and psychological. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by overall concepts and dialectical treatment. It provides clinicians with safer and more reliable alternatives in terms of clinical prescriptions and prepared medicines, and also improves the quality of life of patients with IC. Therefore, in this study, we will use the research method of randomized controlled trials to explore the effects of TCM combined with western medicine on renal function and urine metabolism on middle-aged women with IC. METHODS/DESIGN: Use randomized controlled trials. According to the proposed diagnostic, inclusion, and exclusion criteria. Sixty patients with interstitial bladder inflammation that met the criteria were randomized into a treatment group and a control group of 30 cases each. The intervention group was treated with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine. The control group was given conventional Western medicine treatment. The course of treatment is 8 weeks. Interstitial bladder inflammation symptoms score (ICS worker), problem score (worker CPI), pelvic pain and urinary urgency symptoms, and urodynamics were used as the evaluation criteria. DISCUSSION: This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of TCM for patients with IC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR2000029971, Registered on 17 February 2020.

CO2 co-gasification of lower sulphur petroleum coke and sugar cane bagasse via TG-FTIR analysis technique.

This study investigates the non-isothermal mechanism and kinetic behaviour of gasification of a lower sulphur petroleum coke, sugar cane bagasse and blends under carbon dioxide atmosphere conditions using the thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). The gas products were measured online with coupled Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The achieved results explored that the sugar cane bagasse and blend gasification happened in two steps: at (<500 °C) the volatiles are released, and at (>700 °C) char gasification occurred, whereas the lower sulphur petroleum coke presented only one char gasification stage at (>800 °C). Significant interactions were observed in the whole process. Some solid-state mechanisms were studied by the Coats-Redfern method in order to observe the mechanisms responsible for the gasification of samples. The results show that the chemical first order reaction is the best responsible mechanism for whole process. The main released gases are CO2, CO, CH4, HCOOH, C6H5OH and CH3COOH.