The effect of pterostilbene and its active ingredients on experimental pulmonary fibrosis in asthma: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease caused by a variety of factors. Aim: To systematically evaluate the therapeutic effect of pterostilbene (PTE) on experimental PF in asthma and other oxidative damage pathway-related diseases, and to provide evidence for clinical treatment. Material and methods: Chinese and English databases such as CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CBM were searched by computer. The Chinese literature on pterostilbene for the treatment of asthma by evaluating experimental pulmonary fibrosis, diabetes, and myocardial infarction was collected from the establishment of a randomized controlled trial until May 2021.Outcome indicators include related physical and chemical indicators such as MDA and SOD. Data were analysed using Review Manager 5.4 software after screening by 2 researchers. Results: Seven randomized controlled animal experiments were included, with a total sample size of 62 cases. Meta-analysis results showed the following: 1) compared with pulmonary fibrosis, diabetes and other model groups, the pterostilbene intervention group were able to up-regulate SOD, and the effect was better than that of the model group (MD = 20.87, 95% CI: 19.41-22.33; n = 7, I 2 = 96%); the pterostilbene intervention group could also up-regulate the expression of GSH, and its effect was better than that of the model group (MD = 9.37, 95% CI: 8.67-10.07; n = 2, I 2 = 98%). The MDA level of the intervention group was significantly down regulated, and the intervention group was also better than the model group. Pterostilbene can prevent experimental PF by lowering the level of MDA. Conclusions: Pterostilbene can effectively improve experimental pulmonary fibrosis, diabetes, myocardial infarction, and other oxidative damage pathway-related diseases have certain guiding significance for clinical trials on asthma.

Compound Opening Arrow Mixture exerts anti-tumor effects in a mouse model of breast cancer.

Compound Opening Arrow Mixture (COAM) has demonstrated therapeutic effects in patients with breast cancer. We explored the underlying molecular mechanisms of COAM using a mouse model of breast cancer. Luciferase-labeled 4T1-Luc2 cells were inoculated into the breast pad of BALB/c-nu mice, which were divided into model group (saline), COAM (6 g/ml high-dose, 3 g/ml medium-dose, and 1.5 g/ml low-dose) groups, and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH, 1500 U/Kg) group. The number and distribution of 4T1-luc2 tumors were measured by an in vivo imaging system. Tumor cell apoptosis was measured through TUNEL and quantitating the expression of Caspase-3 mRNA and protein. Compared with the model group, in vivo tumor growth was lower in the LMWH- and COAM-treated groups. Tumor apoptosis was time-dependent and dose-dependent, as shown by a higher TUNEL apoptotic index and higher Caspase-3 mRNA and Caspase-3/cleaved-Caspase-3 proteins levels on the 14th day than the 7th day. The COAM high-dose group had the highest apoptotic index and the most activation of Caspase-3. Collectively, COAM significantly inhibits the growth of 4T1-luc2 breast cancer in mice and induces tumor apoptosis by activating Caspase-3, which provides a preliminary explanation of therapeutic effects of COAM.

A rapid advice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infected pneumonia (standard version).

In December 2019, a new type viral pneumonia cases occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province; and then named "2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)" by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 12 January 2020. For it is a never been experienced respiratory disease before and with infection ability widely and quickly, it attracted the world's attention but without treatment and control manual. For the request from frontline clinicians and public health professionals of 2019-nCoV infected pneumonia management, an evidence-based guideline urgently needs to be developed. Therefore, we drafted this guideline according to the rapid advice guidelines methodology and general rules of WHO guideline development; we also added the first-hand management data of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University. This guideline includes the guideline methodology, epidemiological characteristics, disease screening and population prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control (including traditional Chinese Medicine), nosocomial infection prevention and control, and disease nursing of the 2019-nCoV. Moreover, we also provide a whole process of a successful treatment case of the severe 2019-nCoV infected pneumonia and experience and lessons of hospital rescue for 2019-nCoV infections. This rapid advice guideline is suitable for the first frontline doctors and nurses, managers of hospitals and healthcare sections, community residents, public health persons, relevant researchers, and all person who are interested in the 2019-nCoV.

Saponin from Tupistra chinensis Bak Inhibits NF-κB Signaling in Sarcoma S-180 Cell Mouse Xenografts.

This study examined the effect of saponins from Tupistra chinensis Bak (STCB) on the growth of sarcoma S-180 cells in vitro and in mouse xenografts as well as the underlying mechanisms. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. Sarcoma S-180 tumor-bearing mice were treated with different doses of STCB with 10 µg/mL 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) as a positive control. The activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB was detected by gel mobility shift assay. The mRNA level of NF-κB was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that in vitro STCB inhibited the growth of S-180 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was accompanied by cell cycle arrest at S-phase. In vivo STCB significantly inhibited the growth of S-180 tumor mouse xenografts in a dose-dependent manner with apparent induction of cell apoptosis. Moreover, STCB inhibited the activity of NF-κB p65 and reduced the expression of NF-κB p65 mRNA in mouse xenografts. It was concluded that STCB inhibits the proliferation and cell cycle progression of S-180 cells by suppressing NF-κB signaling in mouse xenografts. Our findings suggest STCB is a promising agent for the treatment of sarcoma.

Niu-Huang-Shen suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and metastasis by regulating Yap1 expression.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers types. Niu-Huang-Shen (NHS), a Chinese medicine, has been reported to exert antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and vasodilatation effects. However, whether NHS has inhibitory effects on HCC cell phenotypes has remained elusive. In the present study, Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and Transwell assays were used to evaluate the effect of NHS on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The results indicated that NHS suppressed cell proliferation and invasion, inhibited cell apoptosis, and induced cell cycle arrest. In addition, NHS significantly suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of Yes-associated protein (YAP). It was concluded that NHS downregulated YAP expression and inhibited the Hippo signaling pathway as well as HCC cell growth and invasion. NHS may be a novel potential therapeutic for HCC patients.

Protective effects of Danggui Buxue Tang on renal function, renal glomerular mesangium and heparanase expression in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a simple combination of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelica sinensis (5:1), with a variety pharmacological activities. In the present study, a single intravenous injection of 30 mg/kg streptozotocin and subsequent six weeks of high glucose diet in Sprague Dawley rats were used to induce diabetic nephropathy. Rats with diabetes mellitus showed increased levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), serum and urine ß2-microglobulins (ß2-MG), and type IV collagen (all P<0.05). DBT treatment significantly decreased the levels of FBG, BUN, Scr, serum and urine ß2-MG, and type IV collagen. Furthermore, DBT treatment significantly and dose-dependently restored the ultrastructural injury, and reduced the expression of heparanase, compared with the vehicle (P<0.05). Therefore, DBT may be a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephrology.