Evaluating the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Selected Active Compounds in Houttuynia cordata Thunb. in Pulmonary Fibrosis via Network Pharmacology Analysis.

Pulmonary fibrosis, a common outcome of pulmonary interstitial disease of various different etiologies, is one of the most important causes of respiratory failure. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (family: Saururaceae) (H. cordata), as has been reported, is a Chinese herbal medicine commonly used to treat upper respiratory tract infection and bronchitis. Our previous study has proven that sodium houttuyfonate (an additional compound from sodium bisulfite and houttuynin) had beneficial effects in the prevention of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) induced by bleomycin (BLM) in mice. In the present study, network pharmacology was used to investigate the efficiency and potential mechanisms of H. cordata in PF treatment. Upon manual collection from the literature and databases such as TCMSP and TCM-ID, 10 known representative ingredients of H. cordata species were screened. Then, the prediction of the potential active ingredients, action targets, and signaling pathways were conducted through the Gene Ontology (GO), protein-protein interaction (PPI),and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The results of network pharmacology prediction suggested that H. cordata may act through multiple signaling pathways to alleviate PF, including the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathways, and interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathways. Molecular docking experiments showed that the chemical constituents of H. cordata had good affinity with TNF, MAPK1, and AKT1, and using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced A549 cells, a model was established to verify the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects and related mechanisms of H. cordata-relevant constituents. Finally, these evidences collectively suggest H. cordata may alleviate PF progression via PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and TNF signaling pathways and provide novel insights to verify the mechanism of H. cordata in the treatment of PF.

Metabolic Insight Into the Neuroprotective Effect of Tao-He-Cheng-Qi (THCQ) Decoction on ICH Rats Using Untargeted Metabolomics.

Tao-He-Cheng-Qi decoction (THCQ) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine used to treat intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study was performed to investigate the possible neuroprotective effect of THCQ decoction on secondary brain damage in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage and to elucidate the potential mechanism based on a metabolomics approach. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: the sham group, collagenase-induced ICH model group, THCQ low-dose (THCQ-L)-treated group, THCQ moderate-dose (THCQ-M)-treated group and THCQ high-dose (THCQ-H)-treated group. Following 3 days of treatment, behavioral changes and histopathological lesions in the brain were estimated. Untargeted metabolomics analysis with multivariate statistics was performed by using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS). THCQ treatment at two dosages (5.64 and 11.27 g/kg·d) remarkably improved behavior (p < 0.05), brain water content (BMC) and hemorheology (p < 0.05) and improved brain nerve tissue pathology and inflammatory infiltration in ICH rats. Moreover, a metabolomic analysis demonstrated that the serum metabolic profiles of ICH patients were significantly different between the sham group and the ICH-induced model group. Twenty-seven biomarkers were identified that potentially predict the clinical benefits of THCQ decoction. Of these, 4 biomarkers were found to be THCQ-H group-specific, while others were shared between two clusters. These metabolites are mainly involved in amino acid metabolism and glutamate-mediated cell excitotoxicity, lipid metabolism-mediated oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by energy metabolism disorders. In addition, a correlation analysis showed that the behavioral scores, brain water content and hemorheology were correlated with levels of serum metabolites derived from amino acid and lipid metabolism. In conclusion, the results indicate that THCQ decoction significantly attenuates ICH-induced secondary brain injury, which could be mediated by improving metabolic disorders in cerebral hemorrhage rats.

Genetic dissection of an allotetraploid interspecific CSSLs guides interspecific genetics and breeding in cotton.

BACKGROUND: The low genetic diversity of Upland cotton limits the potential for genetic improvement. Making full use of the genetic resources of Sea-island cotton will facilitate genetic improvement of widely cultivated Upland cotton varieties. The chromosome segments substitution lines (CSSLs) provide an ideal strategy for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in interspecific hybridization. RESULTS: In this study, a CSSL population was developed by PCR-based markers assisted selection (MAS), derived from the crossing and backcrossing of Gossypium hirsutum (Gh) and G. barbadense (Gb), firstly. Then, by whole genome re-sequencing, 11,653,661 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified which ultimately constructed 1211 recombination chromosome introgression segments from Gb. The sequencing-based physical map provided more accurate introgressions than the PCR-based markers. By exploiting CSSLs with mutant morphological traits, the genes responding for leaf shape and fuzz-less mutation in the Gb were identified. Based on a high-resolution recombination bin map to uncover genetic loci determining the phenotypic variance between Gh and Gb, 64 QTLs were identified for 14 agronomic traits with an interval length of 158 kb to 27 Mb. Surprisingly, multiple alleles of Gb showed extremely high value in enhancing cottonseed oil content (SOC). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides guidance for studying interspecific inheritance, especially breeding researchers, for future studies using the traditional PCR-based molecular markers and high-throughput re-sequencing technology in the study of CSSLs. Available resources include candidate position for controlling cotton quality and quantitative traits, and excellent breeding materials. Collectively, our results provide insights into the genetic effects of Gb alleles on the Gh, and provide guidance for the utilization of Gb alleles in interspecific breeding.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis induces neuroinflammation and emotional alterations in euthyroid mice.

BACKGROUND: Although studies have reported an increased risk for mood disorders in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) patients even in the euthyroid state, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Neuroinflammation may play a key role in the etiology of mood disorders in humans and behavioral disturbances in rodents. Therefore, this study established a euthyroid HT model in mice and investigated whether HT itself was capable of triggering neuroinflammation accompanied by emotional alterations. METHODS: Experimental HT was induced by immunizing NOD mice with thyroglobulin and adjuvant twice. Four weeks after the last challenge, mice were tested for anxiety-like behavior in the open field and elevated plus maze tests and depression-like behavior in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Then, animals were sacrificed for thyroid-related parameter measure as well as detection of cellular and molecular events associated with neuroinflammation. The changes in components of central serotonin signaling were also investigated. RESULTS: HT mice showed intrathyroidal monocyte infiltration and rising serum thyroid autoantibody levels accompanied by normal thyroid function, which defines euthyroid HT in humans. These mice displayed more anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors than controls. HT mice further showed microglia and astrocyte activation in the frontal cortex detected by immunohistochemistry, real-time RT-PCR, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These observations were also accompanied by enhanced gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α in the frontal cortex. Despite this inflammatory response, no signs of neuronal apoptosis were visible by the TUNEL staining and TEM in the frontal cortex of HT mice. Additionally, IDO1 and SERT, key serotonin-system-related genes activated by proinflammatory cytokines, were upregulated in HT mice, accompanied by reduced frontal cortex serotonin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are the first to suggest that HT induces neuroinflammation and alters related serotonin signaling in the euthyroid state, which may underlie the deleterious effects of HT itself on emotional function.

Impaired imprinted X chromosome inactivation is responsible for the skewed sex ratio following in vitro fertilization.

Dynamic epigenetic reprogramming occurs during normal embryonic development at the preimplantation stage. Erroneous epigenetic modifications due to environmental perturbations such as manipulation and culture of embryos during in vitro fertilization (IVF) are linked to various short- or long-term consequences. Among these, the skewed sex ratio, an indicator of reproductive hazards, was reported in bovine and porcine embryos and even human IVF newborns. However, since the first case of sex skewing reported in 1991, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We reported herein that sex ratio is skewed in mouse IVF offspring, and this was a result of female-biased peri-implantation developmental defects that were originated from impaired imprinted X chromosome inactivation (iXCI) through reduced ring finger protein 12 (Rnf12)/X-inactive specific transcript (Xist) expression. Compensation of impaired iXCI by overexpression of Rnf12 to up-regulate Xist significantly rescued female-biased developmental defects and corrected sex ratio in IVF offspring. Moreover, supplementation of an epigenetic modulator retinoic acid in embryo culture medium up-regulated Rnf12/Xist expression, improved iXCI, and successfully redeemed the skewed sex ratio to nearly 50% in mouse IVF offspring. Thus, our data show that iXCI is one of the major epigenetic barriers for the developmental competence of female embryos during preimplantation stage, and targeting erroneous epigenetic modifications may provide a potential approach for preventing IVF-associated complications.

[Effects of low temperature on formation of spikelets and grain filling of indica inbred rice during panicle initiation in early-season].

A pot experiment in phytotron with controlled temperature was conducted to examine the effects of low temperature (LT) on differentiation and retrogression of branches and spikelets and grain filling of rice during panicle initiation (PI). In this study, indica inbred rice called Zhong-jiazaol7 was planted and treated at 17 and 20 °C of LT during primary branches anlage differentiation (II) and pollen mother cell meiosis stage (VI) of PI. The results showed that the numbers of differentiated and survived branches per panicle were significantly reduced under LT treatment compared with control, and the number of survived spikelets was significantly decreased by 7.2% - 12.4%, but the numbers of retrograded branches and spikelets were increased. Moreover, LT affected significantly the development of floral organ such as pollen activity and anther dehiscence, and caused harmful grain filling, particularly at 17 °C. The numbers of total differentiated and survived branches and spikelets were lower during VI (PI) than during II (PI) under LT stress, but more retrograded secondary branches and spikelets (increased by 11.6%) were found during V (PI) compared with II (PI). Meanwhile, in contrast to II (PI), the seed setting rate was significantly lowered by 3.7% during VI (PI), which was attributed to reductions in pollen activity, pollen grains on stigma, anther dehiscence coefficient and grain filling rate. LT stress impact on rice panicles was higher at 17 °C than at 20 °C during II and VI (PI). The cultivation measure could be correspondingly strengthened and improved in practice.

[Chinese medicinal culture in Tianmu Mountain before 1949].

According to the Annals of Western Tianmu Mountain, the medicinal plants in Tianmu Mountain reached as many as 1 200 types, with diversified species and excellent qualities, hence, the titles of "valuable thesaurus of Tianmu Mountain." The rich medicinal resources promotes the flourishing of local trading of crude medicines. From 1931 to 1940, based on the survey of the rural economy in Lin'an, Yuqian, and Changhua counties, there were 97 drugstores. Moreover, there are lots of folk stories and poems about medical herbs in Tianmu Mountain. Therefore, Tianmu Mountain is world-renowned because of its abundant resources of medical herbs, and the prosperous medicinal trading offered rich source materials for literature writings.

[Effects of ursolic acid on c-Cbl-associated protein expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin resistance].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on insulin resistance and cell differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and to explore the mechanisms. METHODS: 3T3-L1 adipocytes were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with glucose (25 mmol/L) and insulin (10(-6) mol/L) to induce insulin resistance. After culture, glucose consumption of the adipocytes was detected by glucose oxidase method and glucose uptake was detected by using tritium-marked glucose. Drug concentration for following test was determined through detecting the effects of different concentrations of UA on the activity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin resistance by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) staining. 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin resistance were cultured with DMEM, rosiglitazone, and low- and high-dose UA, and then, glucose uptake and differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes were detected. Finally, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot methods were used to detect the effects of UA on expressions of adipocyte lipid binding protein (aP2), c-Cbl-associated protein (CAP) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in 3T3-L1 cells with insulin resistance. RESULTS: After dealing with high glucose/hyperinsulin for 24 h, insulin resistance was induced successfully in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The concentrations of UA were defined to be 4 to 20 µmol/L. Compared with the model group, the glucose uptake was significantly increased in the rosiglitazone group and groups treated with low- and high-dose UA (P<0.01). The differentiation levels of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in the UA groups were lower than those in the control group and the rosiglitazone group. Effects of UA on the expressions of aP2 and MMP-1 were not obvious, but UA could up-regulate expression of CAP both in mRNA and protein levels (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Low- and high-dose UA can improve the glycometabolism and differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin resistance by up-regulating the expression of CAP.

[Effects of ursolic acid in ameliorating insulin resistance in liver of KKAy mice via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects and mechanism of ursolic acid in improving hepatic insulin resistance in KKAy mice with spontaneous type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Thirty-five KKAy mice were divided into five groups according to the randomized block design, namely, control, rosiglitazone, fenofibrate, and high- and low-dose ursolic acid groups with seven mice in each group. C57BL/6J mice were used as the normal control group. At the end of the 4th week, free fatty acid (FFA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and adiponectin contents in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the protein expressions of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) and glucose transport factor-2 (GLUT-2) were detected by Western blot method; the mRNA expressions of PEPCK, IRS-2 and GLUT-2 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction; the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: After four weeks of intervention, the contents of FFA, TNF-α and adiponectin in serum of the high-dose ursolic acid group had changed, showing statistically significant difference compared to those of the control group (P<0.01); high dose of ursolic acid had depressant effect on the expressions of PEPCK protein and PEPCK mRNA (P<0.01); low dose of ursolic acid depressed the expression of PEPCK mRNA and induced phosphorylation of IRS-2 in the liver (P<0.05); both high and low dose of ursolic acid improved the expression of PPARα in the liver (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The effects of ursolic acid in improving hepatic insulin resistance in KKAy mice with spontaneous type 2 diabetes may be closely related to affecting the contents of FFA, TNF-α and adiponectin, improving the expression of PPARα protein, regulating transcription of PEPCK protein and inducing phosphorylation of IRS-2.

Treatment of cholecystitis with Chinese herbal medicines: a systematic review of the literature.

AIM: To analyze the literature on the use of Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of cholecystitis. METHODS: The literature on treatment of cholecystitis with traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) was analyzed based on the principles and methods described by evidence-based medicine (EBM). Eight databases including MEDLINE, EMbase, Cochrane Central (CCTR), four Chinese databases (China Biological Medicine Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Database of Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals, Database of Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology) and Chinese Clinical Registry Center, were searched. Full text articles or abstracts concerning TCM treatment of cholecystitis were selected, categorized according to study design, the strength of evidence, the first author's hospital type, and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: A search of the literature published from 1977 through 2009 yielded 1468 articles in Chinese and 9 in other languages; and 93.92% of the articles focused on clinical studies. No article was of level I evidence, and 9.26% were of level II evidence. The literature cited by Science Citation Index (SCI), MEDLINE and core Chinese medical journals accounted for 0.41%, 0.68% and 7.29%, respectively. Typically, the articles featured in case reports of illness, examined from the perspective of EBM, were weak in both quality and evidence level, which inconsistently conflicted with the fact that most of the papers were by authors from Level-3 hospitals, the highest possible level evaluated based on their comprehensive quality and academic authenticity in China. CONCLUSION: The published literature on TCM treatment of cholecystitis is of low quality and based on low evidence, and cognitive medicine may functions as a useful supplementary framework for the evaluation.

[Effect of compound Chinese sour taste herbs on advanced glycation end products content and gene expression of their receptors in aorta of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible mechanism of compound Chinese sour taste herbs (CS) in preventing and ameliorating diabetic macroangiopathy by analyzing the effects of CS on the deposition of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and gene expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in the aorta tissue of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Rat model of T2DM was established by peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and high caloric diet feeding. Experimental SD rats were divided into the normal group, the model group, the aminoguanidine (AG) group, and the CS group. At the end of the 8th and 12th week, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured by glucose oxidase method; content of AGEs and collagen in aorta detected by fluorescent method and gene expression of RAGE in aorta determined by Real-time PCR method. RESULTS: FBG, AGEs and collagen contents and RAGE expression in aorta of model rats were all higher than those in the normal control group (P <0.05), while all these indices were lower in the CS group than in the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CS could realize the goal for preventing and ameliorating diabetic macroangiopathy by way of suppressing the production of AGEs and down-regulating the gene expression of RAGE in aorta of T2DM rats.

Prognostic analysis of transarterial chemoembolization combined with a traditional Chinese herbal medicine formula for treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the most widely used primary treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to its survival benefit, though its clinical effect is still far from satisfactory. Jiedufang (JDF) granule preparation is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine formula for HCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined therapy with TACE and JDF granule preparation in treatment of unresectable HCC on survival. METHODS: A retrospective study of TACE was performed in 165 patients with unresectable HCC who were admitted between January 2002 and December 2007 in Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China. Of the 165 patients, 80 patients (study group) received combined therapy consisting of TACE and a long-term maintenance treatment with oral JDF granule preparation, and the remaining 85 patients (control group) received TACE alone. The survival rates of both groups were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors possibly affecting survival were assessed by multivariate analysis in the Cox proportional hazard model, such as maximum tumor size, number of lesions, portal vein invasion, and etc. RESULTS: The median overall survival was 9.2 months (95% CI: 6.94 - 11.46) in the study group versus 5.87 months (95% CI: 4.21 - 7.52) in the control group. In the study group,survival rates of the 1-, 2- and 3-year follow-up were 41.2%, 18.4%, and 9.6%, respectively. Significant independent prognostic factors identified by the Cox regression analysis were as follows: serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (P = 0.014), maximum tumor size (P = 0.027), number of lesions (P < 0.001), portal vein invasion (P < 0.001), and the therapy model (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Combination therapy of TACE and JDF granule preparation may significantly prolong survival of patients with unresectable HCC.

Acid phosphatase activity may affect the tuber swelling by partially regulating sucrose-mediated sugar resorption in potato.

APase activity is involved in regulating many physiological and developmental events by affecting the resorption process. In this study, we investigate the role of APase activity in tuber development in potato. APase activities were mainly localized in cytoplasm, gaps among cells and stroma of amyloplasts of parenchyma cells at the stage of tuber swelling. AP1, encoding a putative APase, was also highly expressed in swelling tubers and a low level of expression was observed in elongated stolons and matured tubers. Inhibition of APase activity by applying Brefeldin A, an inhibitor of APase production and secretion, significantly suppressed the tuber swelling and moderately affected the stolon elongation and the tuberization frequency. During tuber development, sucrose serves as the main soluble sugar for long-distance transportation and resorption. Moreover, inhibition of APase activity by Brefeldin A markedly reduced the sucrose content in tubers and further decreased the starch accumulation, suggesting that the function of APase in regulating the tuber swelling might be at least partially mediated by the sugar resorption. Exogenous sucrose treatments further indicate the important role of sucrose-mediated sugar resorption in tuber swelling. These results suggest that the APase activity might affect the tuber swelling by partially regulating the sucrose-mediated sugar resorption.

[Red peony root decoction in treatment of severe acute pancreatitis: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of red peony root decoction, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and rhubarb in treating severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: A total of 96 consecutive patients with objectively-graded SAP were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. There were 48 cases in each group. The patients in the treatment and control groups were assigned to receive red peony root decoction and rhubarb treatment 1-2 times a day via a gastric tube respectively. Comparisons in the time needed for the disappearance of abdominal tenderness, fever and abdominal distension were made between the two groups. The total days of using antibiotics, enzyme inhibitor, protease inhibitor, and nasojejunal feeding start, nasojejunal feeding, gastrointestinal decompression, fasting diet were also compared. And comparison also included hospital stays and hospitalization costs. RESULTS: The durations of abdominal tenderness, fever and abdominal distension in the treatment group were less than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the time length for antibiotics (including anti-bacteria drug and antifungal agent) use, nasojejunal feeding start, nasojejunal feeding, gastrointestinal decompression, fasting diet, hospital stays and hospitalization costs were decreased in the treatment group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in enzyme inhibitor and protease inhibitor requirement, mortality and adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Red peony root decoction is more effective than rhubarb alone for SAP patients.

[Factional disputes on the retention or abolition of traditional Chinese medicine within the National Government].

The disputes between Western and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) started at the turn of late Qing Dynasty to early Republican China, intensified in the period of construction of National Government at Nanking, lasting for several years. The scope of dispute also extended from the initial medical area to the mass media, and even to the government interior factions. The form of the combat also changed from the debates of original scientific theory to the confrontation of political ideology. It was the government interior factional disputes which caused "the case of abolition of the traditional Chinese medicine" to abort objectively, with the difficult advent of the regulations which saved TCM, to certain degree, from vanishing.

[Study on the quantitative evaluation on the degree of TCM basic syndromes often encountered in patients with primary liver cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a quantitative model for evaluating the degree of the TCM basic syndromes often encountered in patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). METHODS: Medical literatures concerning the clinical investigation and TCM syndrome of PLC were collected and analyzed adopting expert-composed symposium method, and the 100 millimeter scaling was applied in combining with scoring on degree of symptoms to establish a quantitative criterion for symptoms and signs degree classification in patients with PLC. Two models, i.e. the additive model and the additive-multiplicative model, were established by using comprehensive analytic hierarchy process (AHP) as the mathematical tool to estimate the weight of the criterion for evaluating basic syndromes in various layers by specialists. Then the two models were verified in clinical practice and the outcomes were compared with that fuzzy evaluated by specialists. RESULTS: Verification on 459 times/case of PLC showed that the coincidence rate between the outcomes derived from specialists with that from the additive model was 84.53 %, and with that from the additive-multificative model was 62.75 %, the difference between the two showed statistical significance (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It could be decided that the additive model is the principle model suitable for quantitative evaluation on the degree of TCM basic syndromes in patients with PLC.

[Construction of a therapeutic effect evaluation system for patients with primary liver cancer based on syndrome differentiation in traditional Chinese medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a system of therapeutic effect evaluation for patients with primary liver cancer according to the theory of syndrome differentiation in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and to examine its reliability. METHODS: Analytic hierarchy process and 100 mm surveyor's rod method were applied to obtain bottom layer and top level syndromes, which were used to construct the method of therapeutic effect evaluation, and its reliability was verified in clinical practice by comparing with some evaluation criteria in Western medicine, such as cancer severity scale; Karnofsky performance scale; Child-Pugh classification, cancer staging classification, and quality of life scale, etc. RESULTS: A system of therapeutic effect evaluation was constructed, and it could reflect the progress of tumor, changes of hepatic function and constitution. The evaluation scores acquired from the system were highly associated with the quality of life of the patients. CONCLUSION: The system of therapeutic effect evaluation can reflect the severity of disease and the characteristics of TCM treatment.

[Sustainable utilization of Radix Glycyrrhizae for protection of ecology environment and herbal resources].

Radix Glycyrrhizae is a commonly used herbal drug for traditional Chinese medicine in China, and it is also an important material for drug, food, chemical industry, and dye industry. Furthermore, in Northwest China, Radix Glycyrrhizae acts as a key plant for preventing desertification, which currently is the most serious environmental problem in China. This report concentrated on discussing the great potential value of Glycyrrhiza on ecosystem, introducing the principles of protection and sustainable utilization of Glycyrrhiza resource, offering the suitable methods of utilization, and suggesting how to carry out the research on the substitute drugs. To protect the ecosystem and herbal resource of Radix Glycyrrhizae, we should use this herb in a more reasonable way.

[Study of a qualitative diagnostic criterion for basic syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with primary liver cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To work out a qualitative diagnostic criterion for basic syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with primary liver cancer. METHODS: Based on the collection and analysis of related medical literature, clinical investigation, and experts' discussion, a preliminary qualitative diagnostic criterion for basic syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with primary liver cancer was formulated. Then it was used in clinic to be verified and revised repeatedly till it was improved to be a satisfied formal criterion. RESULTS: The basic syndromes listed in the qualitative diagnostic criterion for basic syndromes in patients with primary liver cancer consisted of two parts: excessive syndromes, including the syndromes of stagnation of qi, blood stasis, excess-heat and dampness, and deficient syndromes, including the syndromes of deficiency of qi, deficiency of blood, deficiency of yin and deficiency of yang. Each of the above syndromes could be diagnosed according to specific combination of its corresponding symptoms or signs. The clinical verification results showed that the total matching ratio was 73.92% between the diagnoses made according to the criterion and the diagnoses acquired from the experts' experience. CONCLUSIONS: The qualitative diagnostic criterion for basic syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with primary liver cancer is coincident with the experts' clinical practice. However, it needs to be further studied.

[Ginsenosides combined with dexamethasone in preventing and treating postembolization syndrome following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: a randomized, controlled and double-blinded prospective trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of ginsenosides (GS) and low dose glucocorticoid in preventing and treating the postembolization syndrome following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: Eighty patients with primary liver carcinoma were randomly divided into 4 double-blinded groups, with 20 patients in each group. Patients in groups A, B, C, D were treated with placebo, dexamethasone (Dex), GS, Dex and GS, respectively. The changes of clinical symptoms and laboratory tests after TACE were observed. RESULTS: Dex combined with GS markedly decreased the occurrence ratio and lasting time of the symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever and pain, and protected the function of liver as compared with the placebo (P<0.05). Single use of Dex or GS improved some symptoms as compared with the placebo, but it was not as good as the combination of Dex and GS. CONCLUSION: Dex combined with GS can effectively prevent and treat the postembolization syndrome following TACE.