[Medicated serum prepared with Chinese herbal medicine Zhizhen Recipe down-regulates activity of nuclear factor-κB and expression of P-glycoprotein in human colorectal cancer multidrug-resistant cell line HCT-8/VCR].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of medicated serum prepared with Chinese herbal medicine Zhizhen Recipe (ZZR) on activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and expression and function of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in human colorectal cancer multidrug-resistant cell line HCT-8/VCR. METHODS: The multidrug resistance of HCT-8/VCR cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 method, and the experimental concentrations of ZZR-medicated serum were determined by the same way. HCT-8 and HCT-8/VCR cells were treated with ZZR-medicated serum of medium dose for 24 h. The activity of NF-κB was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The intracellular distribution of P-gp was detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy, and the mean fluorescence intensity of rhodamine 123 was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: ZZR-medicated sera with volume fraction of 8%, 16% and 32% of medium dose were confirmed as the experimental sera. Compared with the untreated group, NF-κB activities of the ZZR-medicated serum groups (ZZR-medicated serum with volume fraction of 8%, 16% and 32% of medium dose) were obviously down-regulated (P<0.01), which had a negative correlation with the concentrations. After interfering HCT-8/VCR with ZZR-medicated serum of different concentrations for 24 h, P-gp in HCT-8/VCR transmitted gradually from cell membrane to cytoplasm and nuclei. Nuclei became pyknotic and cracking. Compared with the untreated group, the mean fluorescence intensities of ZZR-medicated serum groups declined with concentration gradients (P<0.01). The efflux of intracellular rhodamine 123 decreased, the wave crest shifted to right, and the intracellular fluorescence intensity strengthened (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: ZZR-medicated sera of experimental concentrations down-regulate activity of NF-κB and expression and function of P-gp in human colorectal cancer multidrug-resistant cell line HCT-8/VCR and the effect is related to the concentrations.

[Clinical study of wind-warm and pulmonary heat syndrome treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of Toubiao Qingfei (expelling exterior evil and clearing lung) Decoction (TBQFD) on wind-warm and pulmonary heat syndrome. METHODS: Forty-six subjects were randomized into treatment group and control group. Patients in the control group were treated with Western medicines, while patients in the treatment group were treated with Western medicines and TBQFD. The therapeutic effects and improvement of symptoms in both groups were observed. RESULTS: The durations of fever, cough and absorption of pulmonary inflammatory focus in the treatment group were 1.52, 3.52 and 6.25 days respectively, which were significantly shorter than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: TBQFD can improve the symptoms, such as fever and cough, and can promote the absorption of infection and shorten the clinical course of wind-warm and pulmonary heat syndrome.

[A study on relationship of purple tongue and its regional blood flow].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of purple tongue and its regional blood flow. METHODS: Laser-Doppler flow meter was employed to test the volume and velocity of blood flow at different sites of purple tongue (56 cases) and normal tongue (54 cases), and the test results were analyzed. RESULTS: The volume of blood flow of purple tongue was significantly lower than that of the normal tongue (P<0.01), while the velocity was significantly higher (P<0.01). The volume and velocity of blood flow at different sites of the tongue were similar without significant difference. CONCLUSION: The volume of blood flow of purple tongue is decreased and the velocity increased. Purple tongue may be caused by dysfunction of the microcirculation of the tongue.