Maternal folic acid supplementation during pregnancy in association with childhood overweight or obesity.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine associations of maternal folic acid supplementation (FAS) during pregnancy with childhood overweight or obesity (OWO) or adiposity. METHODS: In a population-based cohort of 1479 children, maternal FAS during pregnancy was assessed retrospectively by questionnaires. BMI and body fat percentages were measured at a mean age of 6.4 years. Pertinent factors were accounted for in data analyses. RESULTS: Maternal FAS during pregnancy was negatively associated with OWO (adjusted odds ratio: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.50 to 0.99). There were inverse associations of maternal FAS during pregnancy with BMI z score (ß: -0.22; 95% CI: -0.39 to -0.05), whole body fat percentage (ß: -1.28; 95% CI: -2.27 to -0.30), trunk fat percentage (ß: -1.41; 95% CI: -2.78 to -0.04), and limb fat percentage (ß: -1.31; 95% CI: -2.32 to -0.30). Stratified analyses found inverse associations of FAS during pregnancy with OWO, BMI z score, and body fat percentages predominantly among children without breastfeeding and whose parents had a below-tertiary educational level. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides novel evidence that maternal FAS during pregnancy was significantly associated with a decreased risk of childhood OWO and adiposity, particularly among children with no breastfeeding and lower parental educational level.

Four new diterpenoids from the aerial parts of Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br.

Four new undescribed halimane- and labdane-type diterpenoids, named zeylleucapenoids E-H (1-4), along with four known analogues (5-8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br. Their structures were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and computational calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 are the highly modified halimane diterpenoids featuring a 6/6/6-fused tricyclic system with an unusual six-membered 6,11-ether ring. Compound 8 exhibits nontoxic effects for zebrafish embryo, while it displays efficient reduction against NO production in a dose-dependent manner and strongly suppresses the secretion of LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages. In addition, marked reductions of iNOS and COX-2 expression were observed. Molecular docking analysis indicated that 8 has high affinities with the target amino acid residues on protein-binding sites, which may be a possible mechanism contributing to the anti-inflammatory potential of this molecule.

Effect of multicomponent intervention on malnutrition in older adults: A multicenter randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Malnutrition is a significant geriatric syndrome (GS) prevalent in older adults and seriously affects patient prognosis and quality of life. We assessed the impact of the multicomponent intervention of health education, dietary advice, and exercise with oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) on nutritional status, body composition, physical functions, and quality of life. METHODS: This multicenter randomized clinical trial (RCT) was performed from April 2021 to April 2022. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks, and 99 older adults with malnutrition or at risk of malnutrition were enrolled in six nursing homes. All participants were randomly assigned to the control (health education plus standard diet plus exercise) or research (health education plus standard diet plus exercise plus ONS) group. The research group consumed ONS (244 kcal, 9.8g protein, and 9.6g fat per time) twice a day between meals. The primary outcomes were changes in the nutritional status and body composition from baseline to 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes were changes in physical function, quality of life and nutritional associated other blood markers. RESULTS: For primary outcomes, after 12 weeks, body weight increased similarly in both treatment arms (time × treatment effect, P > 0.05). There were no between-group differences in body mass index (BMI) or mini nutritional assessment tool-short form (MNA-SF) scores (time × treatment effects, P > 0.05). The MNA-SF score from 11.0 (10.5, 12.0) to 13.0 (11.0, 13.0) in the research group and from 11.0 (10.0, 12.0) to 12.0 (11.0, 13.0) in the control group (both P < 0.05). There were no between-group differences in the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), fat mass (FAT), or leg muscle mass (LMM) (time × treatment effects, P > 0.05). Both groups showed similar and highly significant increases in SMI, FFMI, and LMM after (P < 0.05). The research group showed an increase in fat-free mass (FFM) and ASMM and a decrease in the percent of body fat (PBF) and waist circumference (WC) (P < 0.05). For secondary outcomes, There were no between-group differences in grip strength, short physical performance battery (SPPB), 6-min walking distance (6MWD), activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), frailty status (FRAIL), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Tinetti, geriatric depression scale-15 (GDS-15), or 12-item short form survey (SF-12) (time × treatment effects, P > 0.05). Although there was no significant difference, the 6MWD changed differentially between the two treatment arms during the study period in favor of the research group. Although not significant, SF-12 scores improved after 12 weeks in both groups. No between-group differences were observed in prealbumin (PRE), c-reactive protein (CRP), vitamin D (VIT-D), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum creatinine (Scr), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), insulin, and adiponectin levels (time × treatment effects, P > 0.05). Insulin and adiponectin levels were significantly higher in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The twelve-week multicomponent intervention improved the nutritional status of older people in China at risk of malnutrition. ONS may enhance the effects of exercise on muscle mass. This clinical trial was registered (https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov). The trial number is ChiCTR2000040343.

Synthesis of Taxifolin-Loaded Polydopamine for Chemo-Photothermal-Synergistic Therapy of Ovarian Cancer.

Chemotherapy is a well-established method for treating cancer, but it has limited effectiveness due to its high dosage and harmful side effects. To address this issue, researchers have explored the use of photothermal agent nanoparticles as carriers for precise drug release in vivo. In this study, three different sizes of polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-1, PDA-2, and PDA-3) were synthesized and evaluated. PDA-2 was selected for its optimal size, encapsulation rate, and drug loading rate. The release of the drug from PDA-2@TAX was tested at different pH and NIR laser irradiation levels. The results showed that PDA-2@TAX released more readily in an acidic environment and exhibited a high photothermal conversion efficiency when exposed to an 808 nm laser. In vitro experiments on ovarian cancer cells demonstrated that PDA-2@TAX effectively inhibited cell proliferation, highlighting its potential for synergistic chemotherapy-photothermal treatment.

Effects of dietary supplementation of fish oil plus vitamin D3 on gut microbiota and fecal metabolites, and their correlation with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease risk factors: a randomized controlled trial.

We previously reported that fish oil plus vitamin D3 (FO + D) could ameliorate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, it is unclear whether the beneficial effects of FO + D on NAFLD are associated with gut microbiota and fecal metabolites. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of FO + D on gut microbiota and fecal metabolites and their correlation with NAFLD risk factors. Methods: A total of 61 subjects were randomly divided into three groups: FO + D group (2.34 g day-1 of eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + 1680 IU vitamin D3), FO group (2.34 g day-1 of EPA + DHA), and corn oil (CO) group (1.70 g d-1 linoleic acid). Blood and fecal samples were collected at the baseline and day 90. Gut microbiota were analyzed through 16S rRNA PCR analysis, and fecal co-metabolites were determined via untargeted ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Results: The relative abundance of Eubacterium (p = 0.03) and Lactobacillus (p = 0.05) increased, whereas that of Streptococcus (p = 0.02) and Dialister (p = 0.04) decreased in the FO + D group compared with the CO group. Besides, changes in tetracosahexaenoic acid (THA, C24:6 n-3) (p = 0.03) levels were significantly enhanced, whereas 8,9-DiHETrE levels (p < 0.05) were reduced in the FO + D group compared with the CO group. The changes in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels in the fecal samples were inversely associated with insulin resistance, which was determined using the homeostatic model assessment model (HOMA-IR, r = -0.29, p = 0.02), and changes in 8,9-DiHETrE levels were positively associated with adiponectin levels (r = -0.43, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present results indicate that the beneficial effects of FO + D on NAFLD may be partially attributed to the impact on gut microbiota and fecal metabolites.

Caffeine Impaired Acupuncture Analgesia in Inflammatory Pain by Blocking Adenosine A1 Receptor.

Caffeine consumption inhibits acupuncture analgesic effects by blocking adenosine signaling. However, existing evidence remains controversial. Hence, this study aimed to examine the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) role in moderate-dose caffeine-induced abolishing effect on acupuncture analgesia using A1R knockout mice (A1R-/-). We assessed the role of A1R in physiological sensory perception and its interaction with caffeine by measuring mechanical and thermal pain thresholds and administering A1R and adenosine 2A receptor antagonists in wild-type (WT) and A1R-/- mice. Formalin- and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain models were recruited to explore moderate-dose caffeine effect on pain perception and acupuncture analgesia in WT and A1R-/- mice. Moreover, a C-fiber reflex electromyogram in the biceps femoris was conducted to validate the role of A1R in the caffeine-induced blockade of acupuncture analgesia. We found that A1R was dispensable for physiological sensory perception and formalin- and CFA-induced hypersensitivity. However, genetic deletion of A1R impaired the antinociceptive effect of acupuncture in A1R-/- mice under physiological or inflammatory pain conditions. Acute moderate-dose caffeine administration induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia under physiological conditions but not in formalin- and CFA-induced inflammatory pain. Moreover, caffeine significantly inhibited electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia in physiological and inflammatory pain in WT mice, comparable to that of A1R antagonists. Conversely, A1R deletion impaired the EA analgesic effect and decreased the caffeine-induced inhibitory effect on EA analgesia in physiological conditions and inflammatory pain. Moderate-dose caffeine administration diminished the EA-induced antinociceptive effect by blocking A1R. Overall, our study suggested that caffeine consumption should be avoided during acupuncture treatment. PERSPECTIVE: Moderate-dose caffeine injection attenuated EA-induced antinociceptive effect in formalin- and CFA-induced inflammatory pain mice models by blocking A1R. This highlights the importance of monitoring caffeine intake during acupuncture treatment.

[Prediction analysis of quality markers and resource evaluation of Artemisiae Argyi Folium based on chemical composition and network pharmacology].

This study is based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS), and network pharmacology methods to analyze and predict potential quality markers(Q-markers) of Artemisiae Argyi Folium. First, UPLC and GC-MS techniques were used to analyze the content of 12 non-volatile components and 8 volatile components in the leaves of 33 Artemisia argyi germplasm resources as candidate Q-markers. Subsequently, network pharmacology was employed to construct a "component-target-pathway-efficacy" network to screen out core Q-markers, and the biological activity of the markers was validated using molecular docking. Finally, cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed on the content of Q-markers in the 33 A. argyi germplasm resources. The results showed that 18 candidate components, 60 targets, and 185 relationships were identified, which were associated with 72 pathways related to the treatment of 11 diseases and exhibited 5 other effects. Based on the combination of freedom and component specificity, six components, including eupatilin, cineole, ß-caryophyllene, dinatin, jaceosidin, and caryophyllene oxide were selected as potential Q-markers for Artemisiae Argyi Folium. According to the content of these six markers, cluster analysis divided the 33 A. argyi germplasm resources into three groups, and principal component analysis identified S14 as having the highest overall quality. This study provides a reference for exploring Q-markers of Artemisiae Argyi Folium, establishing a quality evaluation system, further studying its pharmacological mechanisms, and breeding new varieties.

[Protective effect of Liujing Toutong Tablets on rats with permanent cerebral ischemia via NF-κB signaling pathway].

This study investigated the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanism of Liujing Toutong Tablets(LJTT) on a rat model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion(pMCAO). The pMCAO model was established using the suture method. Eighty-four male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a nimodipine group(0.020 g·kg~(-1)), and high-, medium-, and low-dose LJTT groups(2.8, 1.4, and 0.7 g·kg~(-1)). The Longa score, adhesive removal test and laser speckle contrast imaging technique were used to evaluate the degree of neurological functional impairment and changes in local cerebral blood flow. The survival and mortality of rats in each group were recorded daily. After seven days of continuous administration following the model induction, the rats in each group were euthanized, and brain tissue and blood samples were collected for corresponding parameter measurements. Nissl staining was used to examine pathological changes in brain tissue neurons. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), IL-1ß, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP), beta-endorphin(ß-EP), and endogenous nitric oxide(NO) in rat serum were measured using specific assay kits. The entropy weight method was used to analyze the weights of various indicators. The protein expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB), inhibitor kappaB alpha(IκBα), phosphorylated IκBα(p-IκBα), and phosphorylated inhibitor of NF-κB kinase alpha(p-IKKα) in brain tissue were determined using Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of chemokine-like factor 1(CKLF1) and C-C chemokine receptor 5(CCR5) in rat brain tissue. Compared with the sham operation group, the model group showed significantly higher neurological functional impairment scores, prolonged adhesive removal time, decreased cerebral blood flow, increased neuronal damage, reduced survival rate, significantly increased levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, CGRP, and NO in serum, significantly decreased levels of VEGF and ß-EP, significantly increased expression levels of NF-κB p65, p-IκBα/IκBα, and p-IKKα in rat brain tissue, and significantly upregulated protein expression of CKLF1 and CCR5. Compared with the model group, the high-dose LJTT group significantly improved the neurological functional score of pMCAO rats after oral administration for 7 days. LJTT at all doses significantly reduced adhesive removal time and restored cerebral blood flow. The high-and medium-dose LJTT groups significantly improved neuronal damage. The LJTT groups at all doses showed reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, CGRP, and NO in rat serum, increased VEGF and ß-EP levels, and significantly decreased expression levels of NF-κB p65, p-IκBα/IκBα, p-IKKα, and CCR5 protein in rat brain tissue. The entropy weight analysis revealed that CGRP and ß-EP were significantly affected during the model induction, and LJTT exhibited a strong effect in reducing the release of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-1ß. LJTT may exert a neuroprotective effect on rats with permanent cerebral ischemia by reducing neuroinflammatory damage, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the regulation of the CKLF1/CCR5 axis. Additionally, LJTT may exert certain analgesic effects by reducing CGRP and NO levels and increasing ß-EP levels.

The economic burden of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in Australia.

Objective This study aimed to estimate costs of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) to patients, government and Australian society. Methods Australian ME/CFS patients and their carers were recruited using convenience sampling. Patients completed an online retrospective cost diary, providing ME/CFS-related direct medical, non-medical and indirect costs. Informal care costs were collected directly from carers. Data from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Medicare Benefits Schedule were linked to participant survey data. Annual per patient and total societal costs were estimated, broken down by category and presented in 2021 AUD. Factors associated with higher costs were investigated using generalised linear models. Results One hundred and seventy five patients (mean age 49 years s.d. 14, 79.4% female) completed the cost diary. Estimated total annual societal costs of ME/CFS in Australia ranged between $1.38 and $10.09 billion, with average annual total costs of $63 400/patient. Three-quarters of these costs were due to indirect costs ($46 731). Disability severity was the key factor associated with higher costs, particularly for indirect costs (being 2.27-fold higher for severe disability than no/mild disability). Conclusions ME/CFS poses a significant economic burden in Australia, owing mainly to high indirect and informal care costs.

Regulatory Effects of Quercetin on Bone Homeostasis: Research Updates and Future Perspectives.

The imbalance of bone homeostasis has become a major public medical problem amid the background of an aging population, which is closely related to the occurrence of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and fractures. Presently, most drugs used in the clinical treatment of bone homeostasis imbalance are bisphosphonates, calcitonin, estrogen receptor modulators, and biological agents that inhibit bone resorption or parathyroid hormone analogs that promote bone formation. However, there are many adverse reactions. Therefore, it is necessary to explore potential drugs. Quercetin, as a flavonol compound with various biological activities, is widely distributed in plants. Studies have found that quercetin can regulate bone homeostasis through multiple pathways and targets. An in-depth exploration of the pharmacological mechanism of quercetin is of great significance for the development of new drugs. This review discusses the therapeutic mechanisms of quercetin on bone homeostasis, such as regulating the expression of long non-coding RNA, signaling pathways of bone metabolism, various types of programmed cell death, bone nutrients supply pathways, anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, and activation of Sirtuins. We also summarize recent progress in improving quercetin bioavailability and propose some issues worth paying attention to, which may help guide future research efforts.

[Interactive scalp acupuncture for hemiplegic upper extremity motor dysfunction in patients with ischemic stroke: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the curative effect between interactive scalp acupuncture and traditional scalp acupuncture on hemiplegic upper extremity motor dysfunction in the patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: Seventy cases of hemiplegic upper extremity motor dysfunction of ischemic stroke were randomly divided into an interactive scalp acupuncture group (35 cases, 1 case breaked off) and a traditional scalp acupuncture group (35 cases, 1 case dropped off). The patients of the two groups received the secondary prevention medication and routine rehabilitation therapy. Besides, in the interactive scalp acupuncture group, the upper extremity occupational therapy was operated during the needle retaining of scalp acupuncture; and in the traditional scalp acupuncture group, the upper extremity occupational therapy was delivered after the completion of scalp acupuncture. The same points were selected in the two groups such as Fuxiang head area, Fuxiang upper-limb-shoulder point, Fuxiang upper-limb-elbow point and Fuxiang upper-limb-wrist point. The needles were inserted perpendicularly by flying-needle technique and manipulated by triple technique of gentle twisting, heavy pressure and vibrating. The needles were retained for 30 min. Based on the degree of the upper extremity motor impairment, the regimen of the upper extremity occupational therapy was formulated individually and one treatment took 30 min. In the two groups, the therapies were delivered once daily, 5 times a week, lasting 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper extremity (FMA-UE), Wolf motor function test (WMFT), the modified Barthel index (MBI) and the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) grade in the two groups were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of FMA-UE, WMFT and MBI were higher than those before treatment (P<0.01), and MAS grade was improved (P<0.05) in the two groups. The scores of FMA-UE, WMFT and MBI in the interactive scalp acupuncture group were higher than those in the traditional scalp acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and there was no statistical significance in the difference of MAS grade between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The interactive scalp acupuncture can effectively improve the motor function of the hemiplegic upper extremities and the activities of daily living in the patients with ischemic stroke and its efficacy is better than traditional scalp acupuncture. But these two types of scalp acupuncture obtain the similar effect on spasticity.

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy combined with conventional pharmacotherapy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the mainstream treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are based on glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, which are known to have considerable adverse effects. This meta-analysis is aimed at confirming the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy in combination with traditional medications in the treatment of SLE. METHODS: Multiple databases were searched for randomized controlled trials using acupuncture therapy in combination with conventional pharmacotherapy for the treatment of SLE, from the establishment of the database to March 2023. Study selection, data collection, as well as quality assessment were conducted by 2 reviewers independently. RevMan 5.4 and Stata 17 software were used for Meta-analysis. RESULTS: Seven eligible studies involving 514 patients with SLE were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated that in SLE patients, extra treatment with acupuncture was superior to drug therapy alone in improving the overall response rate (RR = 1.20, 95% confidence intervals [1.11, 1.29], P < .00001, heterogeneity P = .69, I2 = 0%) and regulating immunological indicators (C3, C4, IgG, T lymphocyte subpopulation, IL-6, ds-DNA, ESR) while reducing TCM symptom scores, the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and the incidence of adverse events on treatment (P ≤ 0.05). Additionally, it was able to reduce BUN, Scr and 24 hours urine protein, suggesting that acupuncture treatment had a protective effect on the kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture therapy combined with conventional pharmacotherapy is an efficient and safe way in the treatment of SLE. However, the conclusions drawn from this meta-analysis have some limitations due to the small number and uneven quality of the included studies, leading to heterogeneity and bias. Thus more relevant high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed for further evaluation in the future.

Pterostilbene participates in TLR4- mediated inflammatory response and autophagy-dependent Aß1-42 endocytosis in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, remains untreatable. One of the factors that contributes to its progression is microglia-mediated inflammation. Pterostilbene, a compound isolated from Chinese dragon's blood, can reduce inflammation caused by overactive microglia. However, its effects on AD transgenic animals and the possible underlying mechanism remain unknown. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of pterostilbene on learning and memory difficulties in transgenic APP/PS1 mice. We used immunofluorescence to detect microglial activation and Aß aggregation. We explored the cellular mechanism of pterostilbene by establishing LPS- stimulated BV2 cells and oAß1-42- exposed HEK 293T cells that overexpress TLR4 and/or MD2 via lentivirus. We applied flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation to examine how pterostilbene regulates TLR4 signaling. RESULTS: Pterostilbene enhanced the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 mice and reduced microglial activation and Aß aggregation in their hippocampus. Pterostilbene alleviated oAß1-42-induced inflammation, which required the involvement of MD2. Pterostilbene disrupted the binding between TLR4 and MD2, which may further prevent TLR4 dimerization and subsequent inflammatory response. Moreover, pterostilbene restored the impaired endocytosis of oAß1-42 through an autophagy-dependent mechanism. CONCLUSION: This is the first demonstration that pterostilbene can potentially treat AD by blocking the interaction of TLR4 and MD2, thereby suppressing TLR4-mediated inflammation.

Polysaccharide-based hydrogel promotes skin wound repair and research progress on its repair mechanism.

Polysaccharides, being a natural, active, and biodegradable polymer, have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional properties. These properties make them ideal for creating multifunctional hydrogels that can be used as wound dressings for skin injuries. Polysaccharide hydrogel has the ability to both simulate the natural extracellular matrix, promote cell proliferation, and provide a suitable environment for wound healing while protecting it from bacterial invasion. Polysaccharide hydrogels offer a promising solution for repairing damaged skin. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms involved in skin damage repair and emphasizes the potential of polysaccharide hydrogels in this regard. For different skin injuries, polysaccharide hydrogels can play a role in promoting wound healing. However, we still need to conduct more research on polysaccharide hydrogels to provide more possibilities for skin damage repair.

[Distinguishing between Artemisia stolonifera and A. argyi by specific PCR of leaves and non-glandular trichomes].

Artemisia stolonifera is a relative of A. argyi. The two species are difficult to be distinguished due to the similarity in leaf shape and have even less distinctive features after processing. This study aims to establish a method to quickly distinguish between them. At the same time, we examined the reasonability and applicability of the specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method. The C/T single nucleotide polymorphism was detected at the position 202 of the sequence, based on which specific primers were designed to identify these two species. The PCR with the specific primer JNC-F and the universal primer ITS3R produced a specific band at 218 bp for A. argyi and no band for A. stolonifera, which can be used to detect at least 3% of A. argyi samples mixed in A. stolonifera samples. The PCR with the specific primer KY-F and the universal primer ITS3R produced a specific band at 218 bp for A. stolonifera and no band for A. argyi, which can be used to detect at least 5% of A. stolonifera samples mixed with A. argyi. The limit of detection of the established method was 5 ng DNA. The established PCR method can accurately distinguish between A. stolonifera and A. argyi, which provides an experimental basis for the quality control of A. stolonifera and determines whether the herbs are adulterated.

Potential Therapeutic Mechanism of Radix Angelicae Biseratae and Dipsaci Radix Herb Pair against Osteoarthritis: Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

Background: A major contributor to older disability is osteoarthritis. Radix Angelicae Biseratae (known as Duhuo in China, DH, the dried rhizome of Angelica pubescens) and Dipsaci Radix (known as Xuduan in China, XD, the dried rhizome of Dipsacus asper Wall) herb pair (DXHP) is widely used to treat osteoarthritis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms still have not been revealed. This research aimed to illustrate the therapeutic mechanism of DXHP against osteoarthritis through the techniques of network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: Gene targets for osteoarthritis and active ingredients for DXHP were screened based on the pharmacology public database and the gene-disease target database. The software program Cytoscape was used to visualize the active chemical target-disease gene network. The STRING biological information website was used to investigate protein interactions. On the Metascape bioinformatics website, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were carried out. The molecular docking of the important chemicals and primary targets identified by the aforementioned screening was performed using Autodock software. Results: Twenty-six active substances from the DXHP that had strong connections to 138 osteoarthritis-related targets were screened out. According to network analysis, TNF, GAPDH, IL-6, AKT-1, IL-1B, and VEGFA are prospective therapeutic targets, while osthole, cauloside A, ammidin, angelicone, beta-sitosterol, and asperosaponin VI may be significant active components. 1705 biological processes (BP), 155 molecular functions (MF), and 89 cellular components (CC) were identified by GO analysis. KEGG analysis indicated that IL-17, NF-kappa B, HIF-1, MAPK, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways are potentially involved. Molecular docking showed that cauloside A, osthole, and ß-sitosterol have excellent binding activity with main targets. Conclusions: This study comprehensively illuminated the active ingredients, potential targets, primary pharmacological effects, and relevant mechanisms of the DXHP in the treatment of OA. These findings provide fresh thoughts into the therapeutic mechanisms of the main active ingredients of DXHP and provide a reference for further exploration and clinical applications of DXHP.

Marein reduces lipid levels via modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to induce lipophagy.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The capitulum of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (CT, Xue-Ju in Chinese) is a precious medicine in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region of China. The Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. is used to prevent and treat dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, etc. Recent studies have shown that its extract has a pharmacological effect on hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aimed to systematically evaluate the lipid-lowering activity of CT through a mice model of hyperlipidemia and a human hepatoma G2 (HepG2) cells model of lipid accumulation, and to investigate its main active components and mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biochemical analysis of blood/liver lipids and liver histopathology were used to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (AECT) on hyperlipidemia mice. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to identify the main components in the AECT. Oil red O staining, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and determination of the total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were used to further study the effect and potential mechanism of the AECT main components on sodium oleate-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. RESULTS: We confirmed the lipid-lowering activity of the aqueous extract and further identified flavonoids as its main components. Among them, five Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. flavonoids mixture (FM) significantly reduced lipid droplet area, lipid content, TC, TG, and LDL-C levels, and elevated HDL-C levels in HepG2 cells induced by sodium oleate. Furthermore, they increased lipophagy in HepG2 lipid-accumulating cells, while decreasing the ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR. Most importantly, marein may be a key component. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that AECT, with flavonoids as the main component, can improve diet-induced hyperlipidemia in obese mice. Among the main five flavonoids, marein plays a key role in promoting lipophagy by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, resulting in a lipid-lowering effect.

Beneficial herb-drug interaction of rhein in Jinhongtang and Imipenem/Cilastatin mediated by organic anion transporters.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jinhongtang as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been widely used as a clinical adjuvant in the treatment of acute abdominal diseases and sepsis. Clinical benefits of the concurrent use of Jinhongtang and antibiotics have been observed, however, the mechanism has not been fully understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to explore the effect of Jinhongtang on the antibacterial activity of Imipenem/Cilastatin and to clarify the underlying mechanism of herb-drug interaction (HDI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mouse model of sepsis induced by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was used to evaluate the pharmacodynamic interaction in vivo. In vitro antibacterial activity of Imipenem/Cilastatin was studied by determining minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). Pharmacokinetic interaction was investigated by pharmacokinetic studies in rats and uptake assays using OAT1/3-HEK293 cells. The main constituents ingested into blood of rats were qualitatively identified by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS. RESULTS: Mice treated by Imipenem/Cilastatin and Jinhongtang exhibited higher survival rate, lower bacteria load and less inflammation in blood and lung tissues, compared with those treated by Imipenem/Cilastatin alone after injection of S. aureus. However, MIC and MBC of Imipenem/Cilastatin against S. aureus in vitro were not significantly changed in the presence of Jinhongtang. On the contrary, Jinhongtang increased the plasma concentration of Imipenem and decreased its urinary excretion in rats. CLr of Imipenem was reduced by 58.5%, while its half-life (t1/2) was prolonged for approximate 1.2 times after coadministered Jinhongtang. Furthermore, the extracts of Jinhongtang, single herb in the prescription, and main absorbable constituents inhibited cellular uptake of probe substrates and Imipenem by OAT1/3-HEK293 cells to different extents. Among them, rhein exhibited the strongest inhibition capacity with IC50 values of 0.08 ± 0.01 µM (OAT1) and 2.86 ± 0.28 µM (OAT3). Moreover, coadministration of rhein also significantly enhanced the antibacterial activity of Imipenem/Cilastatin in sepsis mice. CONCLUSION: Concomitant administration of Jinhongtang enhanced antibacterial activity of Imipenem/Cilastatin in sepsis mice induced by S. aureus through reducing renal elimination of Imipenem via inhibition of OATs. Our investigation provided the insight of Jinhongtang as an effective supplement to enhance the antibacterial activity of Imipenem/Cilastatin and can be useful for future clinical studies.

[Precise application of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu in classical formulas].

To maintain the precision and stability of the efficacy of classical formulas, this study compared the origins and specifications of Bupleuri Radix and revealed the precise application regularity of Bupleurum chinense(Beichaihu) and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium(Nanchaihu) in classical formulas. The efficacy and indications of formulas with Bupleuri Radix as the sovereign drug in the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases(Shang Han Za Bing Lun) were investigated. The difference in the efficacy of Bupleuri Radix as well as the differences in the chemical composition, and liver-protecting and lipid-lowering effects of the decoctions of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu were analyzed with LC-MS technology based on the CCl_4-induced liver injury model in mice and sodium oleate-induced HepG2 hyperlipidemia cell model. The results showed that seven classical formulas with Bupleuri Radix as the sovereign drug in the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases were mainly used in the treatment of digestive, metabolic, immune, circulatory, and other diseases. Bupleuri Radix mainly played the functions of protecting the liver, benefiting the gallbladder, and lowering the lipid, and had different focuses in different formulas. There were 14 differential components in the decoctions of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu, and the chemical structures of 11 components were identified, including 10 saponins and one flavonoid. The results of the liver-protecting efficacy experiment showed that compared with the Nanchaihu decoction, Beichaihu decoction could reduce the serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activity in liver injury model mice(P<0.01). The results of the lipid-lowering efficacy experiment proved that Beichaihu and Nanchaihu decoctions both showed highly significant differences in lowering the total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG) content in HepG2 cells(P<0.01), and Nanchaihu decoction was superior to Beichaihu decoction in lowering the lipid. The results of this study preliminarily proved that there were differences in chemical composition, and liver-protecting and lipid-lowering effects of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu decoctions, indicating that it was necessary to determine the precise origin of Bupleuri Radix in the clinical formulation of traditional Chinese medicine. The study provides a scientific basis for both precise clinical medication and purpose-based accurate quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical application.

Moxibustion attenuates liver metastasis of colorectal cancer by regulating gut microbial dysbiosis.

The liver metastasis is the primary factor attributing to the poor prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Moxibustion has been used clinically against multiple malignancies. In this study, we explored the safety, efficacy, and the potential functional mechanisms of moxibustion in modulating the liver metastasis of CRC by using GFP-HCT116 cells-derived CRC liver metastasis model in Balb/c nude mice. The tumor bearing mice were randomly divided into model control and treatment groups. Moxibustion was applied to the BL18 and ST36 acupoints. CRC liver metastasis was measured by fluorescence imaging. Furthermore, feces from all mice were collected, and 16S rRNA analysis was used to assess their microbial diversity, which was analyzed for its correlation with liver metastasis. Our results indicated that the liver metastasis rate was decreased significantly by moxibustion treatment. Moxibustion treatment also caused statistically significant changes in the gut microbe population, suggesting that moxibustion reshaped the imbalanced gut microbiota in the CRC liver metastasis mice. Therefore, our findings provide new insights into the host-microbe crosstalk during CRC liver metastasis and suggest moxibustion could inhibit CRC liver metastasis by remolding the structure of destructed gut microbiota community. Moxibustion may serve as a complementary and alternative therapy for the treatment of patients with CRC liver metastasis.