Small-molecule antiviral treatments for COVID-19: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of small-molecule antivirals for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Seven databases were searched from their inception to 01 June 2023. The risk of bias in randomised controlled trials and retrospective studies was evaluated individually using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and Newcastle Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: In total, 160 studies involving 933 409 COVID-19 patients were evaluated. Compared with placebo or standard of care, proxalutamide demonstrated remarkable efficacy in reducing mortality rates, hospitalisation rates, serious adverse events, and the need for mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, it significantly enhanced both the rate of clinical improvement and expedited the duration of clinical recovery when compared with control groups. In patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, proxalutamide exhibited the above advantages, except for mortality reduction. Triazavirin was the most effective treatment for reducing the time required for viral clearance and improving the discharge rate. Leritrelvir and VV116 were ranked first in terms of enhancing the viral clearance rate on days 7 and 14, respectively. Molnupiravir was the most effective treatment for reducing the need for oxygen support. Overall, these findings remained consistent across the various subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: A thorough evaluation of effectiveness, applicable to both mild-to-moderate and unstratified populations, highlights the specific advantages of proxalutamide, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, triazavirin, azvudine, molnupiravir, and VV116 in combating COVID-19. Additional clinical data are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of simnotrelvir/ritonavir and leritrelvir. The safety profiles of these antivirals were deemed acceptable.

Impact of Pharmacist-Led PDCA Cycle in Reducing Prescription Abandonment: An Action Research from China.

Purpose: Taking medicine as prescribed in time plays an important role in the treatment of diseases. However, some prescriptions have not picked up in time for various reasons. To analyze the influencing factors in patients with prescription abandonment and the role of pharmacists in Plan-Do--Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, we conducted a study in our hospital of Hangzhou, China. Methods: Based on the prescription abandonment from October 1, 2021 to March 31 2022, we collected and analyzed the possible causes. According to the PDCA management method, we conducted improvement measures and supervised the implementation of measures from April 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022. The number, the proportion and the amount of prescription abandonment before and after establishment of the PDCA cycle were analyzed. Results: Three measures were proposed and applied to improve the prescription abandonment:(I) Enhancing the education and training to the staff. (II) Improving the medical environment for patients, especially the environment for taking medicine. (III) Updating the computer information software. After the implementation of PDCA, the number of prescription abandonment decreased from 2030 to 775, there was significant reduction in the proportion of prescription abandonment (4.75‰ vs 1.77‰, P<0.05), and the amount of prescription abandonment decreased from $36,161.11 to $17,041.59. The target compliance rate was 108.36%. Conclusion: The implementation of pharmacist-led PDCA can effectively reduce the number, the proportion and the amount of prescription abandonment, Moreover, Pharmacists play an important role in improving the management quality of outpatient pharmacy, and PDCA is a feasible and effective management tool for reducing prescription abandonment.

Is Azvudine Comparable to Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in Real-World Efficacy and Safety for Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Azvudine and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir are more extensively used to treat COVID-19 in China due to their earlier approval by the National Medical Products Administration. However, there has been a scarcity of research directly comparing the clinical outcomes between azvudine and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir till now. We aimed to make a head-to-head comparison of the efficacy and safety of azvudine or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in China. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected from Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province between December 2022 and January 2023. All-cause mortality, risk of progressing to a critical condition, proportion with nucleic-acid negative conversion (PNANC), time to first nucleic-acid negative conversion (TFNANC), length of hospital stay and incidence of adverse events were systematically assessed as outcomes. Multi-model regression analysis, propensity-score-matching analysis, subgroup analysis and several sensitivity analyses were applied to compare these outcomes. RESULTS: This study included a total of 1571 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, among whom 272 received nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and 156 received azvudine. We found no significant differences in all-cause mortality (HR 1.41; 95% CI 0.56-3.56; P = 0.471), risk of progressing to critical COVID-19 (HR 1.67; 95% CI 0.78-3.60; P = 0.189), PNANC (HR 0.87; 95% CI 0.69-1.09; P = 0.220), length of stay (ß - 0.82; 95% CI - 2.78 to 1.15; P = 0.414) and adverse event rate (3.21% vs. 4.41%, P = 0.538) between the two groups, although azvudine was slightly less effective than nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. Meanwhile, the azvudine group exhibited a significantly longer TFNANC (ß 2.53; 95% CI 0.76-4.29; P = 0.005) than the nirmatrelvir-ritonavir group. Results were similar for propensity-score matching and multiple sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Azvudine probably possessed comparable efficacy and safety to nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, although it was less effective than nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for some outcomes.

Prediction of allergic reaction risk of Shenmai injection based on real-world evidence coupled with UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

The allergic reaction (AR) of Chinese herbal injection (CHI) has become one of the most noticeable focuses of public health in China. However, it still remains a considerable controversy as to whether low-molecular-weight components in CHI have potential sensitization. In this study, the relationship between AR and low-molecular-weight component profile of Shenmai injection was explored by an interdisciplinary technology integrating real-world evidence and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The AR information of hospitalized patients was obtained by comprehensively analyzing real-world evidence from January 2015 to June 2019 at two Chinese hospitals. The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was exploited to systematically investigate the low-molecular-weight component profile with 50-1500 m/z mass range, and 3725 MS1 peaks were detected. The optimized partial least squares discriminant analysis model was established to map the influence of low-molecular-weight components on AR. The results of this study showed that high levels of organic acids administered intravenously might be a potential risk factor for inducing AR. By using this method, Shenmai injection with high AR risk could be recognized precisely with 100% accuracy before clinical use.

Xiaokeping-containing serum suppresses high-glucose-induced proliferation of mesangial cells involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Xiaokeping (XKP)-containing serum on the proliferation of high-glucose-induced mesangial cells (MCs) and the potential underlying mechanism. METHODS: XKP-containing serum was prepared by the intragastric administration of XKP in rats. HBZY-1 cells were cultured with normal glucose (NC group), high glucose (HG group), and high glucose with different XKP concentrations. Cell proliferation was assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and the cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathway components in MCs was detected by Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The MC proliferation level in the high-glucose group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group, and XKP suppressed the HG-induced proliferation of MCs dose dependently. Moreover, flow cytometry revealed that XKP blocked cell cycle progression by inducing cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and inhibiting S phase entry. XKP down-regulated the protein and mRNA expression of p38MAPK in MCs (P < 0.05 vs HG). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that XKP-containing serum inhibits high-glucoseinduced proliferation of MCs by causing cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and inhibiting S phase entry. The underlying mechanism involves the down-regulation of the p38MAPK signaling pathway, providing a theoretical basis for the use of XKP to treat diabetic kidney disease.

Alisma Shugan Decoction (ASD) Ameliorates Hepatotoxicity and Associated Liver Dysfunction by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and p65/Nrf2/JunD Signaling Dysregulation In Vivo.

BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis, defined as the aberrant accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen in the liver, is a common feature of chronic liver disease, and often culminates in portal hypertension, liver cirrhosis, and hepatic failure. Though therapeutically manageable, fibrosis is not always successfully treated by conventional antifibrotic agents. While the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Alisma Shugan Decoction (ASD) has several health benefits, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and limitation of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, it remains unclear if it has any hepato-protective potential. MATERIAL AND METHODS The present study examined the therapeutic effect of ASD in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury and fibrosis rat models. RESULTS We demonstrated that 50 mg/kg ASD significantly reversed TAA-induced elevation of alanine or aspartate transaminase levels, elicited no dyscrasia, and conferred a 40% (p<0.01) or 20% (p<0.05) survival advantage, compared to rats treated with TAA or TAA+ASD, respectively. Treatment with ASD reversed TAA-induced liver injury and fibrogenesis via repression of alpha-SMA protein and reduction of the collagen area and fibrosis score. Concurrently, ASD markedly suppressed the mRNA expression of fibrogenic procollagen, ICAM-1, MMP2, MMP9, and MMP13, and production of TIMP-1, ICAM-1, CXCL7, or CD62L cytokine in rat liver injury models. Interestingly, ASD-elicited reduction of liver injury and fibrogenesis was mediated by dysregulated p65/NrF-2/JunD signaling, with a resultant 3.18-fold (p<0.05) increase in GSH/GSSH ratio, and a 3.61-fold (p<0.01) or 1.51-fold (p<0.01) reduction in the 4-hydroxynonenal and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, respectively, indicating reduced oxidative stress in the ASD-treated rats, and suggesting an hepato-protective role for ASD. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the present study provides supplementary evidence of the therapeutic benefit of ASD as an efficient treatment option in cases of liver injury and fibrosis. Further large-cohort validation of these findings is warranted.

The Impact Of Pharmaceutical Interventions On The Use Of Carbapenems In A Chinese Hospital: A Pre-Post Study.

BACKGROUND: The challenge of drug resistance to carbapenems is of international concern with leading to increased hospital lengths of stay, costs, and mortality rates. How to get rid of the vicious cycle of drug resistance, new drugs, and re-resistance, and even the emergence of all-drug-resistant bacteria that humans cannot cope with, are the major challenges we face. To date, data about pharmaceutical interventions on the use of carbapenems are currently limited. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare pre- and post-intervention in Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province. Pharmaceutical interventions were performed in the post-intervention group, including real time monitoring of medication orders, educative group activities, and making interventions to physicians. Intervention acceptance and outcomes, including the length of hospital stay, readmission rates, 30-day mortality, and utilization of carbapenems, which was evaluated by the daily defined doses (DDDs), the days of therapy (DOTs), and the cost of carbapenems, were reviewed. RESULTS: During the study, 593 interventions were provided by clinical pharmacists with an average acceptance rate of 82.79%. Compared with the pre-intervention group, prescriptions of carbapenems for pathogen-directed therapy were improved significantly in the post-intervention group (59.27% vs 21.74%, p=0.022). The DDDs decreased from 281.96 to 174.28 and DOTs decreased from 9.19 to 5.18 after pharmaceutical intervention, and the pharmaceutical interventions had significantly lower mean total cost of carbapenems ($13,828.8 vs $8137.1, p=0.004) and length of hospital stay (9.3±1.5 vs 15.9±2.2, p=0.014). There was a significant reduction in 30-day mortality in the post-intervention group (9.46% vs 17.86%, p=0.013) while there were no differences found in the 30-day readmission (20.19% vs 20.66%, p=0.99). CONCLUSION: Implementation of pharmaceutical interventions in our hospital successfully improved the appropriateness of carbapenem prescribing overall, and reduced the DDDs, DOTs, length of hospital day, and cost of carbapenems.

Xiaokeping Mixture Attenuates Diabetic Kidney Disease by Modulating TGF-ß/Smad Pathway in db/db Mice.

Xiaokeping mixture (XKP), a traditional Chinese medicine compound preparation, has achieved widespread use for diabetes mellitus and its kidney damage in clinical practice. The current study was carried out to assess the protective effect of XKP in spontaneous diabetic db/db mice and the underlying mechanism whereby XKP regulates TGF-ß/Smad pathway. Male C57BLKS/J db/db mice, 12 weeks old, were randomly divided into 3 groups: the model group, 17.5 mg/kg irbesartan-treated group (IST group), and 8 g/kg XKP-treated group (XKP group), while age-matched db/m mice were selected as a control group. After 8 weeks of administration, serum and urea samples were collected from mice for biochemical tests, while the kidneys were removed for histological analysis. The expression of TGF-ß/Smad pathway-related mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Treatment with XKP significantly improved renal function and attenuated the pathological change of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in renal histopathology. Furthermore, the overexpression of TGF-ß1, Smad3, and p-Smad3 was inhibited, as well as the reduction of Smad7 and SIP1 was weakened by XKP. In conclusion, these results suggest that XKP could attenuate DKD by modulating TGF-ß/Smad pathway.

The impact of pharmaceutical interventions on the rational use of proton pump inhibitors in a Chinese hospital.

BACKGROUND: The prescriptions of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have raised concern due to both huge increase in medical expenditure and the possible long-term adverse events caused by them; therefore, an approach to taper off the irrational use of PPIs by patients is clinically warranted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical interventions on the rational use of PPIs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-center, pre- to post-intervention study (pharmaceutical interventions group and control group) was performed in a Chinese hospital. Pharmaceutical interventions were performed in the post-intervention group, including educative group activities, real-time monitoring of clinical records and making recommendations to doctors on PPI prescriptions based on the criteria set at the beginning of the study. The number of patients with rational indication, the accuracy rate of administration route, the duration of therapy and the changes in total PPI costs, mean PPI costs, mean total drug costs and mean hospitalization costs were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: A total of 285 patients were included in the study. After 6 months of interventions, significant improvements in the number of patients with rational indication were found (96.5% in the pharmaceutical interventions group vs 71.8% in the control group, P<0.01). The accuracy rate of administration route was increased (99.3% vs 73.2%, P<0.05), while the duration of therapy was decreased (7.9±0.5 vs 14.3±0.8, P<0.01). Pharmaceutical interventions led to significant reductions in mean PPIs costs, mean total drug costs and mean hospitalization costs (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides important evidence on the beneficial effect of pharmaceutical interventions on enhancing the rational use of PPIs and substantial cost saving by increasing the number of patients with rational indication and reducing the risk for long-term adverse events.

The impact of pharmacist-managed clinic on medication adherence and health-related quality of life in patients with COPD: a randomized controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: COPD is rapidly becoming one of the most challenging health problems worldwide, which is characterized by not fully reversible airflow limitation. Although a lot of treatment medications have been delivered, the treatment goals of COPD are often not achieved. Furthermore, few well-designed randomized controlled trials in the People's Republic of China have been reported to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-managed clinic (PMC) on medication adherence and health-related quality of life in patients with COPD. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study (on a PMC group and a control group) was conducted between January 2015 and December 2015. A structured education about COPD was provided by a clinical pharmacist to the PMC group. Primary outcomes were medication adherence (assessed by medication refill adherence scores) and health-related quality of life (assessed by St George's Respiratory Questionnaire). Secondary outcomes were exacerbation rate, hospitalization rate, and smoking behavior. RESULTS: A total of 244 patients were enrolled for our study. The PMC group showed a significantly greater improvement in medication adherence compared with the baseline (93.1±14.2 vs 78.8±12.3, P<0.01). When compared with the control group, there were more patients whose medication refill adherence score was ≥80 in the PMC group (83.3% vs 51.3%, P<0.01). The total St George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores was found to be improved significantly in the PMC group (42.7±3.2 vs 52.4±5.2, P<0.05). There was a lower hospitalization rate in the PMC group, and more patients in the PMC group quit smoking (71.0% vs 52.2%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The PMC may result in improvement of medication adherence and the health-related quality of life in patients with COPD. In the PMC group, a significant reduction in exacerbation rate, hospitalization rate, and smoking behavior was observed; therefore, our study provides support for a greater involvement of PMC in the care of patients with COPD.

Evaluation of pharmaceutical care in a diabetes ward from China: a pre-and post-intervention study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development and implementation of pharmaceutical care services in a diabetes ward, and to examine the effectiveness of pharmacist interventions. SETTING: Tongde hospital of Zhejiang province, a 1,200-bed South China teaching hospital, serving the local community. METHOD: A single-center, 2-phase (pre-/post-intervention phase) designs was performed in the diabetes ward of a general hospital. Patients in post-intervention phase (October 2012 to December 2012) received pharmaceutical care from a clinical pharmacist, while patients in the pre-intervention phase (January 2012 to March 2012) received routine medical care. The pre- and post-intervention phases were then compared to evaluate the outcomes of pharmacist interventions. Main outcome measure type and number of interventions, and medication errors assessed at the baseline and at the end of pharmaceutical care were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: During the 3-month study period, the clinical pharmacist made 240 interventions for 473 admitted patients; of these, 207 (86.3 %) were accepted by physicians or nurses, and dosage adjustment [n = 83, (34.6 %)] was the type of intervention implemented most often. In the group that received the participation of pharmacists, medication errors per patient decreased from 1.68 to 0.46 (p < 0.001); medication errors, of incorrect dose or dosing interval, were markedly improved (decreased from 0.87 to 0.14; p < 0.001), the drug cost per patient day decreased from $347.15 to $309.74 (p = 0.095), and the length of diabetes ward stay did not change significantly (16.14 vs. 15.93 days; p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: The presence of the pharmacist in the diabetes ward resulted in significant reduction in medication errors and had potential drug-cost-saving effects.

Xiaokeping mixture inhibits diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced rats through blocking TGF-ß1/Smad7 signaling.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of chronic kidney failure and characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Evidence have shown that transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) is a key mediator in the development of DN. However, treatment of DN by blocking the TGF-ß1/Smad7 pathway remains limited. Xiaokeping mixture (XKP), a traditional Chinese herbal compound, has been used for treatment in patients with DN for many years. METHODS: In the present study, TGF-ß1/Smad7 pathway analysis was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of XKP on DN rats induced by streptozotocin and to address the underlying molecular mechanism. Male rats were divided into four groups: normal control, untreated control group (fed with high fat), irbesartan-treated DN, and XKP-treated DN, respectively. Levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urine protein of 24 hours, and triacylglycerol were detected. Pathological changes of renal tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expressions of TGF-ß1 and Smad7. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that XKP can effectively reduce the levels of glucose, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urine protein of 24 hours, and triacylglycerol. Further studies indicated that inhibition of DN in XKP-treated DN rats was associated with inhibition of TGF-ß1/Smad7 signaling as demonstrated by downregulation of TGF-ß1 but upregulation of Smad7. CONCLUSION: The data obtained from the present study indicate that XKP may be a therapeutic agent for DN.

Effect of pharmaceutical care on medication adherence of patients newly prescribed insulin therapy: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to insulin medications leads to a high rate of hospital admissions and poor health-related quality of life in the patients with diabetes mellitus. However, few strategies are effective and acceptable in improving medication adherence. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmaceutical care by clinical pharmacists on medication adherence of patients newly prescribed insulin therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-center, prospective randomized controlled study (pharmaceutical care group and control group) was performed from January 1, 2014 to December 30, 2014. Medication adherence was measured at the baseline and up to 12 months with Morisky-Green test and computerized dispensed medication history. The absolute change in A1c vs baseline, the change of hospitalization between two groups, and the number of patients to achieve Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) goals at the baseline were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: A total of 322 patients were included in the study. After the 12-month interventions, significant improvements in the medication adherence were verified for the pharmaceutical care group according to the Morisky-Green test (50.8% of adherent patients at baseline vs 80.7% of adherent patients after 12-month interventions; P<0.01) and the computerized dispensed medication history (55.2% at baseline vs 83.3% after interventions; P<0.01), while no significant changes were verified in the control group. After follow-up, the pharmaceutical care group showed a greater percent change in A1c (2.2±0.4 vs 0.8±0.2, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study provides new evidence from a randomized controlled trial on the beneficial effect of pharmaceutical care to enhance adherence in patients newly prescribed insulin therapy. Intervention by the pharmacist might potentially improve clinical outcomes on reducing hemoglobin A1c and enhancing the number of patients fulfilling the Chinese Diabetes Society goal on hemoglobin A1c.

The impact of pharmaceutical care on improving outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from China: a pre- and postintervention study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of pharmaceutical care services in management teams by assessing the change in hemoglobin A1c (A1C), cholesterol, and blood pressure for patients with type 2 diabetes in a diabetes ward. SETTING: Tongde hospital of Zhejiang province, a 1,200 bed South China teaching hospital, serving the local community. METHOD: A single-center, 2-phase (pre-/postintervention phase) designs was performed. Patients in postintervention phase (July 2013 to December 2013) received pharmaceutical care from a clinical pharmacist, while patients in the preintervention phase (January 2013 to June 2013) received routine medical care. The pre- and postintervention phases were then compared to evaluate the outcomes of pharmaceutical care services. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary end point was the absolute change in A1C versus baseline, the change in cholesterol and blood pressure and the number of patients to achieve Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) goals at the baseline and at the end of pharmaceutical care were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: During the 6-month study period, the postintervention phase showed a greater percent change in A1C (-1.45 vs. -0.43 %, P = 0.03). Another end points for achieving CDS goals were statistically significantly different in low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides and blood pressure. In the phase that received the participation of pharmacists, the number of patients that improved in A1C increased from 327 to 406 (P = 0.02); the number of rehospitalization was 29 for the postintervention phase and 75 for the preintervention phase (P = 0.05).The drug cost per patient day decreased from 254.74 to 219.85 (P = 0.095), and the Length of stay (LOS) did not change significantly (16.35 vs. 15.91 days; P = 0.15). CONCLUSION: Including a pharmacist as a part of the diabetes management team may result in lower A1C, cholesterol and blood pressure in patients versus a health care.

PSY-1, a Taxus chinensis var. mairei extract, inhibits cancer cell metastasis by interfering with MMPs.

Cancer is the most common disease worldwide, with death often occurring as a result of metastasis. Thus, interfering with metastasis has been regarded as a promising strategy to improve the current cancer treatments. However, exploration and development of novel anti-metastatic agents remains a major challenge. Recent evidence indicated that a polysaccharide isolated from Taxus yunnanensis suppressed tumor cells proliferation. With the objective of seeking bioactive extracts, we had previously isolated, purified and characterized a complex, water-soluble polysaccharides, PSY-1, from the leaves of Taxus chinensis var. mairei, and identified its anti-neoplastic effects. In this study, we focused on the effects of PSY-1 on cancer metastasis and its mechanism(s). The results illustrated that PSY-1 effectively suppressed the migration and invasion ability of the melanoma cancer cell line B16-F10, caused down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and that the NF-kappaB pathway was involved in the anti-metastatic effects imposed by PSY-1.

Sceptridium ternatum extract exerts antiasthmatic effects by regulating Th1/Th2 balance and the expression levels of leukotriene receptors in a mouse asthma model.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Sceptridium ternatum Lyon (ST), a common Chinese herb, has been used in treatment of allergic asthma and whooping cough. In the present study, we investigated the Th1/Th2 ratio of peripheral blood and mRNA levels of leukotriene receptors after the treatment of ST in allergic asthma mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse asthma model was developed by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization followed by the inhalation of aerosol allergen. Montelukast (10mg/kg), as a positive control drug, and ST were administrated six days before the OVA sensitization for ten days. Airway responsiveness was evaluated by the Medlab 12.0 biological signal processing system. The ratio of Th1/Th2 cells was determined by flow cytometry. The expression level of Cyslt1 was measured by PCR. Pathological changes of lung tissues were examined by H&E staining. RESULTS: ST significantly reduced the airway responsiveness, elevated the ratio of Th1/Th2, and decreased Cyslt1 mRNA level in a dose-dependent manner. High-dose ST distinctly prevented the pathological changes of lung tissues. CONCLUSION: High-dose ST had the same efficacy as Montelukast in a mouse asthma model, and ST could be a potential anti-asthmatic agent.