Isolation and identification of active ingredients and biological activity of Dioscorea nipponica Makino.

This study reported the isolation and identification of bioactive compounds from Dioscorea nipponica Makino, a plant used in traditional medicine for various ailments. Nine compounds were isolated, including a new compound named as diosniposide E, which was elucidated by analyzing its 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMBC and MS data and comparing them with data available in literature. The other eight compounds were identified as known compounds. Theoretical calculations of energy and the generation of a molecular electrostatic potential surface map were employed to assess the antioxidant capacity of nine compounds, the calculation results exhibited that compounds 5 and 6 had strong antioxidant capacities. To further evaluate the antioxidant activities of the investigated compounds, the DPPH and ABTS assays were conducted. The results from the DPPH scavenging activity test revealed that compounds 4-6 exhibited enhanced scavenging activities compared to L-ascorbic acid, while displaying similar efficacy to trolox. Moreover, the ABTS scavenging activities of compounds 4-6 were found to surpass those of L-ascorbic acid and trolox. In terms of α-glucosidase inhibition, compounds 3 and 4 displayed remarkable inhibitory activities that surpassed the effects of acarbose. Additionally, compound 2 exhibited potent anticholinesterase activities, outperforming donepezil. This research provides insights into the potential bioactive compounds present in Dioscorea nipponica Makino and may contribute to its use in traditional medicine.

Comparative transcriptomics provides insights into the pathogenic immune response of brown leaf spots in weeping forsythia.

Weeping forsythia is an important ornamental, ecological and medicinal plant. Brown leaf spots limit the large-scale production of weeping forsythia as a medicinal crop. Alternaria alternata is a pathogen causing brown leaf spots in weeping forsythia; however, its pathogenesis and the immune response mechanisms of weeping forsythia remain unclear. In this study, we identified two mechanisms based on morphological anatomy, physiological indexes and gene expression analyses. Our results showed that A. alternata induced leaf stomata to open, invaded the mesophyll, dissolved the cell wall, destroyed the cell membrane and decreased the number of chloroplasts by up-regulating the expression of auxin-activated signaling pathway genes. Alternaria alternata also down-regulated iron-ion homeostasis and binding-related genes, which caused an increase in the levels of iron ions and reactive oxygen species in leaves. These processes eventually led to programmed cell death, destroying palisade and spongy tissues and causing the formation of iron rust spots. Alternaria alternata also caused defense and hypersensitive responses in weeping forsythia through signaling pathways mediated by flg22-like and elf18-like polypeptides, ethylene, H2O2 and bacterial secretion systems. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the control of brown leaf spots in weeping forsythia.

Acupuncture treatment of hypertension with insomnia: A protocol for randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial research.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension patients often suffered from insomnia problems which lowered the quality of life. Studies have shown that acupuncture is effective to treat perimenopausal and cancer-related insomnia. However, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials to support the effectiveness of acupuncture on insomnia of hypertension patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a randomized, double-blind (patients and evaluators), and placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the effect of acupuncture in hypertension patients' insomnia management. We will recruit 158 hypertension patients suffering from insomnia in Bao'an People's Hospital, Shenzhen and randomly assign them into treatment group (antihypertensive drugs + acupuncture) and control group (antihypertensive drugs + sham acupuncture) in a 1:1 ratio. The patients will receive acupuncture 3 times a week for 12 weeks, and then a 6-months follow-up will be conducted after the treatment. The primary outcome is the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The secondary outcomes include sleep parameters, blood pressure dropping, sleeping pill dosage, Rating Depression Scale score, and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score. The primary outcome will be evaluated at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and 1, 3, and 6 months following the end of treatment. The secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline and 12 weeks of the treatment period.

Comparison of rivaroxaban and parnaparin for preventing venous thromboembolism after lumbar spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after lumbar spine surgery. METHODS: In this randomized, controlled study, 665 patients who underwent lumbar surgery were randomly assigned to receive either rivaroxaban or parnaparin. Rivaroxaban and parnaparin were used for preventing postoperative venous thrombosis. The occurrence of postoperative efficacy endpoint events (venous thrombosis) and safety endpoint events (hemorrhage) was compared for each group. RESULTS: Efficacy endpoint results: in the rivaroxaban group, there were 6 thrombotic events (1.7%), 2 cases with severe VTE (0.6%), and 3 cases with symptomatic VTE (0.9%). In the parnaparin group, there were 10 thrombotic events (3.1%), 4 cases with severe VTE (1.2%), and 6 cases with symptomatic VTE (1.9%). Safety endpoint results: in the rivaroxaban group, there were 21 cases with bleeding events (6.2%), 2 cases with severe bleeding (0.6%), and 19 cases with non-severe bleeding (5.6%). In the parnaparin group, there were 21 bleeding events (6.2%), 1 case with severe bleeding (0.3%), and 16 cases with non-severe bleeding (4.9%). The incidences of thromboembolic events, including severe and symptomatic VTE, were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Bleeding event rates, including severe and non-severe bleeding, were also not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Rivaroxaban proved to be equally effective as parnaparin for anticoagulation therapy, with both drugs exhibiting a similar prevention effect against postoperative VTE after lumbar spine surgery, without increasing the risk of postoperative bleeding.

Zn(II)-curcumin protects against hemorheological alterations, oxidative stress and liver injury in a rat model of acute alcoholism.

Curcumin can chelate metal ions, forming metallocomplexes. We compared the effects of Zn(II)-curcumin with curcumin against hemorheological alterations, oxidative stress and liver injury in a rat model of acute alcoholism. Oral administration of Zn(II)-curcumin dose-dependently prevented the ethanol-induced elevation of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reductions in glutathione level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Zn(II)-curcumin also inhibited ethanol-induced liver injury. Additionally, Zn(II)-curcumin dose-dependently inhibited hemorheological abnormalities, including the ethanol-induced elevation of whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, blood viscosity at corrected hematocrit (45%), erythrocyte aggregation index, erythrocyte rigidity index and hematocrit. Compared to curcumin at the same dose, Zn(II)-curcumin more effectively elevated SOD activity, ameliorated liver injury and improved hemorheological variables. These results suggest that Zn(II)-curcumin protected the rats from ethanol-induced liver injury and hemorheological abnormalities via the synergistic effect of curcumin and zinc.

Effect of a comprehensive therapy plus gushenyutai plaster administered at guanyuan (CV 4) on male infertility associated with semen non-liquefaction.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Gushenyutai plaster administered at the Guanyuan (CV 4) acupoint on male infertility associated with semen non-liquefaction. METHODS: Sixty-two male patients with infertility caused by semen non-liquefaction were randomized into a treatment and control group. The control group received comprehensive therapy, which included oral administration of clarithromycin sustained release tablets, hip bath with Zhongyaoxiaoyan granules, prostate massage, and transurethral microwave treatment. The treatment group was administered Gushenyutai plaster in addition to the comprehensive therapy. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. After treatment, the clinical effect and pregnancy rate were assessed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (96.77% vs 70.97%, P < 0.05) and the pregnancy rates of the treatment group and control groups were 38.71% and 16.13%, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of Gushenyutai plaster plus comprehensive therapy was better than that of the comprehensive therapy alone on male infertility induced by semen non-liquefaction.

Novel role of Zn(II)-curcumin in enhancing cell proliferation and adjusting proinflammatory cytokine-mediated oxidative damage of ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcers.

Alcohol consumption can induce gastric ulcers and zinc deficiency. Zinc complexes were reported to have anti-ulcer activity as it acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Zn(II)-curcumin complex and its solid dispersions (SDs) were synthesized and evaluated for its gastroprotective activity and mechanism against ethanol-induced ulcer. The Swiss murine fibroblast cell line (3T3) was used as an alternative in vitro model to evaluate the effects of Zn(II)-curcumin on cell proliferation. Zn(II)-curcumin were administered orally for seven consecutive days prior to induction of ulcers using ethanol. Gross and microscopic lesions, immunological and biochemical parameters were taken into consideration. The results showed that solid dispersions (SDs) of Zn(II)-curcumin (2.5-20 µM) enhanced the proliferation of 3T3 cells more significantly than curcumin at the same concentrations (P<0.01). Oral administration of Zn(II)-curcumin (12, 24 and 48 mg/kg) SDs dose-dependently prevented formation of ulcer lesions induced by ethanol. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and oxidative stress superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX-Px), malonaldehyde (MDA) and H(+)-K(+)-ATPase were in the rats exposed to ethanol in ulceration have been altered. Zn(II)-curcumin prevented formation of ulcer lesions, significantly inhibited TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression, increased the activity of SOD and GSH-Px, reduced MDA levels and H(+)-K(+)-ATPase in mucosa of rats compared to controls (P<0.05). These findings suggest that the gastroprotective activity of Zn(II)-curcumin complex might contribute in stimulating cell proliferation and adjusting the proinflammatory cytokine-mediated oxidative damage to the gastric mucosa.

Potential anti-cancer activities of Furanodiene, a Sesquiterpene from Curcuma wenyujin.

Furanodiene is a sesquiterpene extracted from the essential oil of the rhizome of Curcuma wenyujin Y.H. Chen et C. Ling (Wen Ezhu). Furanodiene is the primary component in Wen Ezhu's essential oil, accounting for more than 20% by weight. In vitro, MTT assay was used to compare the inhibitory effects of furanodiene and Wen Ezhu's essential oil on 11 human cancer cell lines. Compared to the essential oil, furanodiene showed stronger growth inhibitions on Hela, Hep-2, HL-60, PC3, SGC-7901 and HT-1080 cells with IC(50) between 0.6-4.8 microg/ml. In vivo, furanodiene was also found to exhibit inhibitory effects on the growth of uterine cervical (U14) and sarcoma 180 (Sl80) tumors in mice. Our data suggests that furanodiene, an active component from the essential oil of Wen Ezhu, possesses efficacy against uterine cervical cancer.

Gastroprotective effects of a new zinc(II)-curcumin complex against pylorus-ligature-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

Zn(II)-curcumin, a mononuclear (1:1) zinc complex of curcumin was synthesized and examined for its antiulcer activities against pylorus-ligature-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The structure of Zn(II)-curcumin was identified by elemental analysis, NMR and TG-DTA analysis. It was found that a zinc atom was coordinated through the keto-enol group of curcumin along with one acetate group and one water molecule. Zn(II)-curcumin (12, 24 and 48 mg/kg) dose-dependently blocked gastric lesions, significantly reduced gastric volume, free acidity, total acidity and pepsin, compared with control group (P<0.001) and curcumin alone (24 mg/kg, P<0.05). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that Zn(II)-curcumin markedly inhibited the induction of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), compared with control group (P<0.05). These findings suggested that Zn(II)-curcumin prevented pylorus-ligation-induced lesions in rat by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation and the subsequent production of proinflammatory cytokines, indicating a synergistic effect between curcumin and zinc. An acute toxicity study showed that mice treated with SDs of Zn(II)-curcumin (2 g/kg) manifested no abnormal signs.

[Effects of Chinese herbs for cool-moistening and freeing collaterals on serum gastrin and surface electrogastrogram in patients of diabetes mellitus with gastroparesis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Chinese herbs (CH) for cool-moistening and freeing collaterals on gastro-dynamic disturbance in patients of diabetes mellitus type 2 with gastroparesis (DM-GP). METHODS: Fifty-three patients of DM-GP were enrolled and treated with CH (n = 28) and Cisapride (n = 25) respectively for 4 weeks, the changes of gastrin and electro-gastrogram (EGG) before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: After treatment, the EGG improved significantly, showing the rhythm significantly improved, and level of serum gastrin lowered significantly, as compared with those before treatment, the difference was significant (P<0.01), but insignificant difference was found between the two groups. Fifteen patients in each group were followed-up afar stopping medication for 3 months, recurrence occurred in 1 patient of CH treated group, and 2 patients of Cisapride treated group. No adverse reaction was found in the rest patients. CONCLUSION: CH could obviously improve the gastro-intestinal motility and hormones abnormality.