Network pharmacology analysis and clinical efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi. Part 2: Modulation of hypoxia, redox status, and mitochondrial protection in a neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mitochondrial protective effects of icariin, naringenin, kaempferol, and formononetin, potentially active agents in Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi formula (BSJP) identified using network pharmacology analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mitochondrial protection activity was determined using a hypoxia-reoxygenation in vitro model based on the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y and measurements of anti-ferroptotic activity. RESULTS: Icariin, naringenin, kaempferol, and formononetin showed mitochondrial protective activity involving diverse signaling pathways. The cytoprotective effects of formononetin depended on the inhibition of ferroptosis. Hypoxia-reoxygenation stimulation induced ferroptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. DISCUSSION: Ferroptosis is a key mechanism in nervous system diseases and is associated with hypoxia-reoxygenation injury. Naringenin and kaempferol were devoid of anti-ferroptotic activity. CONCLUSION: Evidence has been obtained showing that the core components: icariin, naringenin, kaempferol, and formononetin in BSJP formula have anti-hypoxic and mitochondrial protective activity of potential clinical importance in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and patients with symptoms of hypoxia.

Network pharmacology analysis and clinical efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi. Part 1: Biogenic components and identification of targets and signaling pathways in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that Bu-Shen-Jian-Pi (BSJP), a traditional Chinese medicine, has curative effects in patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and potentially fatal hypoxic condition. OBJECTIVE: To identify biogenic components in BSJP extracts having potential pharmacological efficacy in ALS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biogenic components in BSJP and their potential pharmacological targets and signaling pathways in ALS were identified and assessed using network pharmacology/hub node analysis. RESULTS: Network pharmacology analysis identified icariin, naringenin, kaempferol, quercetin, and formononetin as core components in BSJP with potential activity involving mitochondrial protection in patients with ALS. CONCLUSION: Network pharmacology analysis proved to be a successful screening tool for obtaining information from scientific databases on the pharmacology of biogenic components in BSJP showing potential therapeutic activity in ALS.

[Electroacupuncture intervention combined with general anesthesia for craniocerebral operations].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention combined with general anesthesia (GA) for craniocerebral tumor-removal surgery involving cerebral eloquent areas. METHODS: A total of 20 patients with cerebral tumors (durosarcoma, neurogliocytoma, metastatic tumor) involving the cerebral eloquent areas were recruited in the present summary. They were equally divided into general anesthesia (GA) group and EA + GA group. Patients of the EA + GA group were treated with EA stimulation (2 Hz/100 Hz) of the bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Shuaigu (GB 8) and acupuncture stimulation of Quanliao (SI 18), Zulinqi (GB 41) and Taichong (LR 3), and not given intubation during surgery. Patients of the GA group were treated with intravenous administration of Propofol, Fentanyl, Midazolam, Isopropanol, etc. In addition, all the patients were given with controlled hypotension by intravenous injection of Propofol and Fentanyl. Dosages of Propofol and Sulfentanyl used were recorded. Karnofsky performance status scale was used to assess the patient's general well-being and activities of daily life. RESULTS: The craniocerebral tumor-removal surgery was successful in all the 20 patients. Compared with the GA group, the dosages of Sulfentanyl and Propofol of the EA+ GA group were significantly lower (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the GA and EA+ GA groups in Karnofsky performance scores (P > 0.05). Patients of the EA+GA group experienced successful tumour-removal surgery without trachea cannula, were awake and could make a good cooperation with the operator during surgery. They had no aggravation of neurofunctional disturbance following the operation. CONCLUSION: EA combined with general anesthesia is safe and effective for patients with craniocerebral tumor-removal operations involving cerebral eloquent areas.