Pityriasis Rosea-Like Eruption following anti-fatigue traditional herbs: Aconitum carmichaelii Debx and Panax Ginseng suspected.

Traditional herbs have a history of clinical use in anti-fatigue. However, several adverse effects of herbs have been identified. Pityriasis rosea-like eruption (PR-LE) is a rare cutaneous complication of herbs. To the best of our knowledge, there have been few reports of PR-LE following herbs. Here, we described a case of PR-LE that developed 6 days after taking anti-fatigue herbs. After the 17 days of stopping Aconitum carmichaelii Debx and Panax Ginseng, it notably faded. So, when anti-fatigue herbs being authorized for fatigue use, monitoring for potential adverse effects is necessary.

Combined use of total glucosides of paeony and hydroxychloroquine in primary Sjögren's syndrome: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of the total glucosides of paeony (TGP) combined with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) by conducting a meta-analysis. METHODS: Eight databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the use of TGP combined with HCQ for pSS, which are before May 10, 2022. Meta-analyses were performed on disappeared clinical symptoms (dry mouth and dry eyes), Schirmer's test, saliva flow test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), index of immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and adverse events (AEs). The Revman 5.4 software was used for this meta-analysis. RESULTS: Seven RCTs which included 632 participants were identified. The pooled results showed significant differences in clinical symptoms disappear (dry mouth and dry eyes) (p = .0004), IgM (p < .00001), IgA (p < .00001), salivary flow rate (p < .00001) and Schirmer's test (p = .02) in the comparison of TGP combined with HCQ and HCQ alone. For the IgG and ESR, both pooled and subgroup analyses showed that TGP + HCQ was superior to HCQ alone. For the safety analysis, no significant differences in AEs (p = .39) was revealed. The more frequently seen adverse reactions were diarrhea, vomit and there was no severe adverse events were reported in TGP + HCQ group. CONCLUSION: Therefore, TGP + HCQ can be considered to be a potentially valid and safe combination for the treatment of pSS in the clinic.

[Changes of lung, spleen and kidney aquaporin-1 in rats with Kidney Yang Deficiency: the "water metabolism theory" in traditional Chinese medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experimental basis of the "water metabolism theory" in traditional Chinese medicine by observing the changes of aquaporin-1 in the lung, spleen and kidney. METHODS: Rat models of Kidney Yang Deficiency induced by gavage with 2% adenine suspension for 4 weeks were treated with cistanches decoction for 6 weeks. Urinary 17-hydroxy cortisol, urine creatinine, urine osmolality value content, and aquaporin-1 mRNA and protein expressions in the lung, spleen and kidney tissues were detected after the treatment. RESULTS: Treatment with adenine induced Kidney Yang Deficiency in rats by causing a reduction in urinary 17-hydroxy cortisol, urine creatinine and urine osmolality. Aquaporin-1 mRNA expression in the spleen and kidney were down-regulated after adenine treatment. Compared with the rat models, intervention with cistanche significantly increased aquaporin-1 mRNA expression in the lung and kidney tissues. Adenine resulted in increased aquaporin-1 protein expression in the lung, spleen and kidney of the rats, while cistanche intervention lowered its expression in lung and kidney tissues. CONCLUSION: The lung, spleen, kidneys are involved in water metabolism, and aquaporin-1 is one of its molecular basis. Cistanche can increase aquaporin-1 expressions, which is also regulated by other factors.

[Effects of mesangial cell on proliferation and function of osteoblast in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects and mechanism of mesangial cell (MC) on proliferation and function of osteoblast in vitro from growth factors. METHODS: Osteoblast cultured in vitro were divided into normal blood serum group and MC group and cultured supernatant fluid by 10% serum culture medium and 20% MC culture medium. MTF was used to checked the proliferation of osteoblast at the end of 24, 48, 72, 120 h; Expression of BGP and OPN were tested 72 h and 144 h after culture; Expression of IGF-alpha and TGF-beta were tested 144 h after culture. RESULTS: The proliferation of osteoblast in MC group was obviously higher than normal blood serum group in different times (P < 0.05); The level of BGP and OPN of osteoblast was obviously higher than normal blood serum group (11.3%, 16.4%, 55.0% and 39.6%); and the level of IGF-alpha and TGF-beta of osteoblast was obviously higher than normal blood serum group (10.1% and 47.7%). CONCLUSION: MC can directly act on osteoblast, promote the proliferation and function of osteoblast by promoting secretion of TGF-beta.

[GTW-induced abnormal expressions of testicular reproduction-related genes and intervention with kidney-tonifying Chinese herbs].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the abnormal expressions of testicular reproduction-related genes induced by glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) and the intervention with kidney-tonifying Chinese herbs. METHODS: Adult Balb/C male mice were fed on GTW at 30 mg per kg per d for 3 weeks to establish a model of reproductive dysfunction. The model mice were divided into different groups to receive intragastrical administration of saline (0.25 ml/d), GTW (30 mg per kg per d), Cistanche (10 g per kg per d), Rehmannia (10 g per kg per d), and Rehmannia + Cistanche (20 g per kg per d), respectively, once a day for 3 weeks. And a Cistanches pretreatment group was treated with GTW (30 mg per kg per d) and Cistanche (10 g per kg per d) for the same length of time. Then we detected the changed expressions of testicular reproduction-related genes Dzip1, Fas, c-jun and Wnt4 in each group. RESULTS: The model mice showed an obviously down-regulated expression of the Y chromosome microdeletion-related gene Dzip1, and up-regulated expressions of the germ cell apoptosis-related gene Fas, proto-oncogene c-jun, and signal transduction-related gene Wnt4. Intervention with Chinese herbs achieved different degrees of improvement of the mice's reproductivity, and the most obvious efficacy was observed with the combined use of kidney-yang tonifying Cistanche and kidney-yin nourishing Rehmannia. CONCLUSION: GTW exerts significant impact on reproduction-related genes. Both the kidney-yang tonifying drug Cistanche and kidney-yin nourishing drug Rehmannia can counteract some of the reproductive toxicity of GTW, while the combination of the two can further enhance the effect.