[Exploring the application of "Fen Xiao Zou Xie" method based on clearing upward and draining downward in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, as a common disease in the male urinary system, has traditionally been considered to have the basic pathogenesis of kidney deficiency and blood stasis. However, this disease involves many pathological factors such as "damp-heat", leading to confusion and difficulty in resolving the condition. "Fen Xiao Zou Xie" is an important treatment method used by Ye Tianshi to address damp-heat patterns and is now widely applied in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary system diseases. "Fen Xiao" refers to the removal of pathogenic factors through different pathways, while "Zou Xie" means using medications that promote excretion and do not stay, allowing the elimination of pathogenic factors from the body. The concept of "Clearing Up and Draining Down" is derived from the theory of "clearing and turbidity" in the Huang Di Nei Jing, suggesting that Qi, blood, water, and damp toxins blockages in the body are difficult to clear, leading to disorder in the ascending and descending of Triple Energizer Qi, causing obstruction or poor flow in the channels, and consequently resulting in abnormal urination. Exploring the application of the "Clearing Upward and Draining Downward" perspective in the use of "Fen Xiao Zou Xie" in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia provides new insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of BPH.

Exploring the mechanism of action of the combination of cinnamon and motherwort in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A network pharmacology study.

Cinnamon and motherwort are traditional Chinese medicines and are often combined to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia; however, the specific therapeutic mechanisms involved remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we applied a network pharmacology approach to investigate the potential mechanisms of action of the drug pair cinnamon and motherwort (PCM) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Relevant targets for the use of PCM to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia were obtained through databases. Protein-protein interactions were then identified by the STRING database and core targets were screened. Enrichment analysis was conducted through the Metascape platform. Finally, molecular docking experiments were carried out to evaluate the affinity between the target proteins and ligands of PCM. We identified 22 active ingredients in PCM, 315 corresponding targets and 130 effective targets of PCM for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. These targets were related to the PI3K-Akt, MAPK, FoxO, TNF, and IL-17 signaling pathways. Network pharmacology was used to identify the effective components and action targets of PCM. We also identified potential mechanisms of action for PCM in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Our results provide a foundation for expanding the clinical application of PCM and provide new ideas and directions for further research on the mechanisms of action of PCM and its components for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

A comparative study of the hypolipidemic effects and mechanisms of action of Laminaria japonica- and Ascophyllum nodosum-derived fucoidans in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

The structural characteristics of fucoidans exhibit species and regional diversity. Previous studies have demonstrated that Laminaria japonica- and Ascophyllum nodosum-derived fucoidans have type I and type II fucosyl chains, respectively. These chemical differences may contribute to distinct hypolipidemic effects and mechanisms of action. Chemical analysis demonstrated that the percentage contents of sulfate, glucuronic acid, and galactose were higher in L. japonica-derived fucoidans than those of A. nodosum-derived fucoidans. In hyperlipidemic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, both A. nodosum- and L. japonica-derived fucoidans significantly decreased the plasma and hepatic levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride, leading to the reduction of atherosclerotic plaques. Western blotting experiments demonstrated that these fucoidans significantly enhanced the expression and levels of scavenger receptor B type 1, cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase A1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α, contributing to circulating lipoprotein clearance and fatty acid degradation, respectively. Differentially, L. japonica-derived fucoidan significantly increased the LXR/ATP-binding cassette G8 signaling pathway in the small intestine, as revealed by real-time quantitative PCR, which may lead to further cholesterol and other lipid excretion. Collectively, these data are useful for understanding the hypolipidemic mechanisms of action of seaweed-derived fucoidans, and their potential application for the prevention and/or treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Current Progress of Ferroptosis Study in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Ferroptosis, an emerging type of programmed cell death, is initiated by iron-dependent and excessive ROS-mediated lipid peroxidation, which eventually leads to plasma membrane rupture and cell death. Many canonical signalling pathways and biological processes are involved in ferroptosis. Furthermore, cancer cells are more susceptible to ferroptosis due to the high load of ROS and unique metabolic characteristics, including iron requirements. Recent investigations have revealed that ferroptosis plays a crucial role in the progression of tumours, especially HCC. Specifically, the induction of ferroptosis can not only inhibit the growth of hepatoma cells, thereby reversing tumorigenesis, but also improves the efficacy of immunotherapy and enhances the antitumour immune response. Therefore, triggering ferroptosis has become a new therapeutic strategy for cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of ferroptosis based on its underlying mechanism and role in HCC and provide possible therapeutic applications.

Efficacy of acupuncture for psychogenic erectile dysfunction: a randomized, sham-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED) is a common sexual dysfunction often accompanied by psychosomatic factors. Its treatment includes oral medications, psychotherapy, and behavioral therapy. Acupuncture's effect on erectile function in pED patients remains to be investigated. This randomized study evaluated the effects of acupuncture and sham acupuncture in pED patients. Altogether, 66 men with pED were randomized to the acupuncture (n = 33) or sham acupuncture group (n = 33). Both groups have a 6-week treatment with 18 sessions. Primary outcome was the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes were IIEF-5 (weeks 2, 4, and 10), erection hardness score (EHS), sexual encounter profile-2 (SEP-2), SEP-3, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS). RESULTS: Among the 66 participants, 64 completed the outcome measurements at week 10. Both acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups had improved IIEF-5 and EHS and decreased SAS and SDS post-treatment (p < 0.05). The acupuncture group had significantly better improvement in IIEF-5, EHS, and SEP-3 and significantly reduced SAS and SDS than the sham acupuncture group (p < 0.05). The improvement in SEP-2 post-treatment was not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). There were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The 6-week acupuncture treatment significantly improved the erectile capacity and psychosomatic status of pED patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2200064345 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry) ( https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=174873 ).

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: La dysfonction érectile psychogène (DEp) est une dysfonction sexuelle courante, souvent accompagnée de facteurs psychosomatiques. Son traitement comprend des médicaments par voie orale, une psychothérapie, et une thérapie comportementale. L'effet de l'acupuncture sur la fonction érectile chez les patients atteints de DEp reste à étudier. Cette étude randomisée a évalué les effets de l'acupuncture et de l'acupuncture simulée chez les patients atteints de DEp. Au total, 66 hommes atteints de DEp ont été répartis par randomisation dans le groupe d'acupuncture (n = 33) ou d'acupuncture simulée (n = 33). Les deux groupes ont eu un traitement de 6 semaines avec 18 séances. Le critère de jugement principal était l'indice international de la fonction érectile-5 (IIEF-5) à six semaines. Les critères de jugement secondaires étaient l'IIEF-5 (semaines 2, 4 et 10), le score dedureté de l'érection (EHS), le profil de rencontre sexuelle-2 (SEP-2), le SEP-3, l'échelle d'auto-évaluation de l'anxiété (SAS) et l'échelle d'auto-évaluation de la dépression (SDS). RéSULTATS: Parmi les 66 participants, 64 ont complété les mesures souhaitées à la semaine 10. Les groupes d'acupuncture et d'acupuncture simulée présentaient une amélioration de l'IIEF-5 et de l'EHS et une diminution du SAS et du SDS après le traitement (p < 0,05). Le groupe d'acupuncture a eu une amélioration significativement meilleure de l'IIEF-5, de l'EHS et du SEP-3 et une réduction significative de la SAS et de la SDS par rapport au groupe d'acupuncture simulée (p < 0,05). L'amélioration post-traitement du SEP-2 n'était pas significativement différente entre les deux groupes (p > 0,05). Il n'y a pas eu d'effets indésirables graves. CONCLUSIONS: Le traitement par acupuncture de six semaines a significativement amélioré la capacité érectile et l'état psychosomatique des patients atteints de dysfonction érectile psychogène (DEp). NUMéRO D'ENREGISTREMENT DE L'ESSAI: ChiCTR2200064345 (Registre chinois des essais cliniques) ( https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=174873 ) Date d'inscription : 3 octobre 2022. MOTS-CLéS: Acupuncture; psychogène; Dysfonction érectile; Acupuncture simulée; Dysfonction sexuelle.