Comparative analysis of medicinal plants Scutellaria baicalensis and common adulterants based on chloroplast genome sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi has been extensively used as a medicinal herb in China for over 2000 years. They may be intentionally or inadvertently substituted or blended with comparable species in the local market, threatening clinical medication safety. Molecular markers are effective tools to prevent misidentification and eliminate doping and falsification among Scutellaria plants. This study screened four highly variable regions to identify Scutellaria and its adulterants. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis was performed using the complete cp genome combined with published Scutellaria species samples. Moreover, a comparative analysis of the cp genomes was conducted to investigate the cp genome evolution of S. baicalensis. RESULTS: The complete cp genome of five species of Scutellaria was sequenced for the first time, and four previously published Scutellaria species were re-sequenced. They all exhibited a conserved quadripartite structure in their cp genomes, including two distinct regions, namely a small and large single copy region, respectively, and two inverted repeats encompassing the majority of ribosomal RNA genes. Furthermore, the nine species exhibited high conservation from aspects of the genome structure, codon usage, repeat sequences, and gene content. Four highly variable regions (matK-rps16, ndhC-trnV-UAC, psbE-petL, and rps16-trnQ-UUG) may function as potential molecular markers for differentiating S. baicalensis from its adulterants. Additionally, the monophyly of Scutellaria was ascertained and could be reclassified into two subgenera, subgenus Anaspis and subgenus Scutellaria, as evidenced by the phylogenetic analyses on sequences of cp genome and shared protein-coding sequences. According to the molecular clock analysis, it has been inferred that the divergence of Scutellaria occurred at approximately 4.0 Mya during the Pliocene Epoch. CONCLUSION: Our study provides an invaluable theoretical basis for further Scutellaria species identification, phylogenetics, and evolution analysis.

Discovery of Cyclic Diarylheptanoids as Inhibitors against Influenza A Virus from the Roots of Casuarina equisetifolia.

Four new cyclic diarylheptanoids, casuarinols A-C (1-3) and casuarinolide A (4), together with six known ones (5-10), were isolated from the roots of Casuarina equisetifolia. Structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, theoretical conformational, and electronic circular dichroism analyses. Casuarinol C (3) is a novel cyclic diarylheptanoid-aldehyde adduct. Casuarinolide A (4) represents the first structure of a seco-cyclic diarylheptanoid. Compounds 1-9 were evaluated for their anti-influenza A virus (IAV) activity against A/WSN/33 (H1N1). (-)-(M)-11-Oxo-3,12R,17-trihydroxy-9-ene-[7,0]-metacyclophane (5) displayed significant anti-IAV activity with an IC50 value of 8.64 ± 2.49 µM and a CC50 higher than 100 µM.

Electroacupuncture vs Prucalopride for Severe Chronic Constipation: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled, Noninferiority Trial.

INTRODUCTION: This multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial compared electroacupuncture with prucalopride for the treatment of severe chronic constipation (SCC). METHODS: Participants with SCC (≤ 2 mean weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements [CSBMs]) were randomly assigned to receive either 28-session electroacupuncture over 8 weeks with follow-up without treatment over 24 weeks or prucalopride (2 mg/d before breakfast) over 32 weeks. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with ≥3 mean weekly CSBMs over weeks 3-8, based on the modified intention-to-treat population, with -10% as the noninferior margin. RESULTS: Five hundred sixty participants were randomized, 280 in each group. Electroacupuncture was noninferior to prucalopride for the primary outcome (36.2% vs 37.8%, with a difference of -1.6% [95% confidence interval, -8% to 4.7%], P < 0.001 for noninferiority); almost the same results were found in the per-protocol population. The proportions of overall CSBM responders through weeks 1-8 were similar in the electroacupuncture and prucalopride groups (24.91% vs 25.54%, with a difference of -0.63% [95% confidence interval, -7.86% to 6.60%, P = 0.864]). Except during the first 2-week treatment, no between-group differences were found in outcomes of excessive straining, stool consistency, and quality of life. Adverse events occurred in 49 (17.69%) participants in the electroacupuncture group and 123 (44.24%) in the prucalopride group. One non-treatment-related serious adverse event was recorded in the electroacupuncture group. DISCUSSION: Electroacupuncture was noninferior to prucalopride in relieving SCC with a good safety profile. The effects of 8-week electroacupuncture could sustain for 24 weeks after treatment. Electroacupuncture is a promising noninferior alternative for SCC (see Visual Abstract, http://links.lww.com/AJG/B776).

Kalshiolin A, new lignan from Kalimeris shimadai.

The Asian plant Kalimeris shimadai has been used as food and ethnologic medicine for over a thousand years. In this study, we isolated and identified one new lignan, kalshiolin A (1), and 12 known lignans (2-13). The structures were characterized by the comprehensive analyses of spectroscopic data (HR-ESI-MS, IR, 1D, and 2D-NMR) and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined from ECD calculations. The new compound 1 was also screened for cytotoxic activity but did not show significant potency (IC50 35.9-43.3 µM) against A549, MDA-MB-231, MCF7, KB, and KB-VIN cell lines.

Kalshinoids A-F, Anti-inflammatory Sesquiterpenes from Kalimeris shimadae.

In a study of the potential anti-inflammatory constituents from Kalimeris shimadae, six new sesquiterpenes, kalshinoids A-F (1-6), together with 21 known compounds (7-27), were isolated. The structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were discerned from extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations of kalshinoids A, B, E, and F were established by ECD calculations. Furthermore, the identified compounds were tested for anti-inflammatory activity as assessed by inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in THP-1 cells. Three sesquiterpenes [kalshinoid F, 4(15)-eudesmen-1ß,7,11-triol, and 4α,10α,11-trihydroxy-1ßH,5ßH-guai-7(8)-ene] reduced levels of TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and were more potent than dexamethasone. These natural sesquiterpenes merit further investigation as possible anti-inflammatory agents.

Acupuncture for symptoms in menopause transition: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has been used for women during menopause transition, but evidence is limited. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture on relieving symptoms of women during menopause transition. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, randomized, participant-blinded trial in China mainland. Subjects were randomized to receive 24 treatment sessions of electroacupuncture at traditional acupoints or sham electroacupuncture at nonacupoints over 8 weeks with 24 weeks' follow-up. Primary outcome was the change from baseline in the total score of Menopause Rating Scale at week 8. Secondary outcomes included the changes from baseline in the average 24-hour hot flash score, the Menopause Rating Scale subscale scores, the total score of Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire and its subscales, and serum female hormones. All analyses were performed with a 2-sided P value of < .05 considered significant based on the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: A total of 360 women (180 in each group) with menopause-related symptoms during menopause transition were enrolled from June 9, 2013, through Dec 28, 2015. At week 8, the reduction from baseline in the Menopause Rating Scale total score was 6.3 (95% confidence interval, 5.0-7.7) in the electroacupuncture group and 4.5 (95% confidence interval, 3.2-5.8) in the sham electroacupuncture group with a between-group difference of 1.8 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-2.8; P = .0002), less than the minimal clinically important difference of 5 points' reduction. For secondary outcomes, the between-group differences for the decrease in the mean 24-hour hot flash score were significant at weeks 8, 20, and 32, but all were less than the minimal clinically important difference in previous reports. Interestingly, the between-group differences for the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire total score reduction were 5.7 at week 8, 7.1 at week 20, and 8.4 at week 32, greater than the minimal clinically important difference of 4 points. Changes from baseline in follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol levels at weeks 8 and 20 (P > .05 for all), with the exception of follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone ratios (P = .0024 at week 8 and .0499 at week 20), did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Among women during menopause transition, 8 weeks' electroacupuncture treatment did not seem to relieve menopausal symptoms, even though it appeared to improve their quality of life. Generalizability of the trial results may be limited by mild baseline menopausal symptoms in the included participants.

Jasmonate-Elicited Stress Induces Metabolic Change in the Leaves of Leucaena leucocephala.

The plant Leucaena leucocephala was exposed to four jasmonate elicitors, i.e., jasmonic acid (JA), methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA), jasmonoyl-l-isoleucine (JA-Ile) and 6-ethyl indanoyl glycine conjugate (2-[(6-ethyl-1-oxo-indane-4-carbonyl)-amino]-acetic acid methyl ester) (CGM). The treatment was to mimic the herbivores and wounding stresses. By using NMR spectroscopy along with chemometric analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the changes of metabolites in the leaves of L. leucocephala were determined under the stress as induced by the four elicitors. The challenge of JA-Ile caused an accumulation of lactic acid (6), ß-glucose (10), alanine (12), threonine (13), steroids (18), 3,4-dihydroxypyridine (19) and an unidentified compound 20. The chemometric analysis of the PCA and PLS-DA models indicated that the alternation of metabolites triggered by JA, MeJA, and CGM treatments were very minimum. In contrast, the treatment by JA-Ile could induce the most significant metabolic changes in the leaves. Moreover, there was very minimal new metabolite being detected in responding to the jasmonate-induced stresses. The results showed some metabolite concentrations changed after application of the elicitors, which may be related to a high level of tolerance to stress conditions as well as the strong ecological suitability of L. leucocephala.

Acupuncture for Chronic Severe Functional Constipation: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has been used for chronic constipation, but evidence for its effectiveness remains scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) for chronic severe functional constipation (CSFC). DESIGN: Randomized, parallel, sham-controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01726504). SETTING: 15 hospitals in China. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with CSFC and no serious underlying pathologic cause for constipation. INTERVENTION: 28 sessions of EA at traditional acupoints or sham EA (SA) at nonacupoints over 8 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was the change from baseline in mean weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) during weeks 1 to 8. Participants were followed until week 20. RESULTS: 1075 patients (536 and 539 in the EA and SA groups, respectively) were enrolled. The increase from baseline in mean weekly CSBMs during weeks 1 to 8 was 1.76 (95% CI, 1.61 to 1.89) in the EA group and 0.87 (CI, 0.73 to 0.97) in the SA group (between-group difference, 0.90 [CI, 0.74 to 1.10]; P < 0.001). The change from baseline in mean weekly CSBMs during weeks 9 to 20 was 1.96 (CI, 1.78 to 2.11) in the EA group and 0.89 (CI, 0.69 to 0.95) in the SA group (between-group difference, 1.09 [CI, 0.94 to 1.31]; P < 0.001). The proportion of patients having 3 or more mean weekly CSBMs in the EA group was 31.3% and 37.7% over the treatment and follow-up periods, respectively, compared with 12.1% and 14.1% in the SA group (P < 0.001). Acupuncture-related adverse events during treatment were infrequent in both groups, and all were mild or transient. LIMITATIONS: Longer-term follow-up was not assessed. Acupuncturists could not be blinded. CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of EA increases CSBMs and is safe for the treatment of CSFC. Additional study is warranted to evaluate a longer-term treatment and follow-up. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China through the Twelfth Five-Year National Science and Technology Pillar Program.

Nuclear Factor kB and Inhibitor of kB: Acupuncture Protection Against Acute Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rodents.

Context • Acute, focal, cerebral ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Acupuncture is an emerging alternative therapy for treatment of acute brain ischemia. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture has not been elucidated. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and nuclear factor of κ light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cell inhibitor alpha (IκB-α) are involved in cerebral inflammation. However, the involvement of NF-κB and IκB-α in the protective effects of acupuncture on ischemic tolerance remains unknown. Objective • The study evaluated the hypothesis that acupuncture can exert a neuroprotective action in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Design • The rats were randomly divided into a normal group (N), a sham model group (SM), an MCAO model group (M), a sham acupuncture group (SA), and an acupuncture group (A). Setting • All of processes of this study were conducted at Hubei University of Chinese Medicine (Hubei Shang, China). Animals • The animals were 100 Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 3 mo. Intervention • Craniotomy and electrocoagulation of the middle cerebral artery were conducted to generate acute, focal, cerebral ischemic models in 3 groups, excluding the N and SM groups. The SM group received a surgical fenestration similar to the M group, but the procedure did not include the coagulation of the exposed artery. In the A group, acupuncture was administered at the acupoints Baihui (GV-20) and Renzhong (GV-26). In the SA group, sham acupuncture was performed at a depth of 5 mm at a position close to the left side of the GV-20 and GV-26 points. The N, M, and SM groups received neither the acupuncture nor the sham acupuncture treatment. Outcome Measures • The study (1) evaluated neurological function using the modified neurological severity score; (2) examined the ultrastructure; (3) assessed the infarct volume; (4) determined levels of serum inflammatory cytokines; and (5) measured protein expression in the hippocampus 24 h after MCAO using a Western blot analysis. Results • Acupuncture significantly decreased infarct size and improved neurological function. The levels of the target protein NF-κB and of serum inflammatory cytokines significantly decreased in group A compared with those in groups M and SM. The IκB-α level was generally higher in group A than in groups M and SM. Conclusions • Acupuncture can significantly enhance the expression of IκB-α, which is the inhibitory protein of NF-κB, and it can inhibit the expression of various inflammatory cytokines induced by NF-κB, thereby alleviating acute, focal, cerebral ischemic injury.

Comparative Study of Different Acorus Species in Potentiating Neuronal Differentiation in Cultured PC12 Cells.

Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (ATR), the rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, is a common traditional Chinese medicine being used clinically for mental disorder. However, other Acorus species herbs are all having the same Chinese name 'Chang Pu', making the confusion in herbal market. Acori Graminei Rhizoma (AGR) and Acori Calami Rhizoma (ACR) are common adulterants of ATR. Here, we aim to provide a comparative analysis between ATR, AGR, and ACR in potentiating neuronal differentiation. Volatile oil, derived from Acorus species, was applied onto cultured PC12 cells, and various parameters were determined: (i) transcriptional activation of neurofilament promoters was determined by the promoter-driven luciferase activity assay; (ii) the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells was captured and measured; and (iii) the neurofilament expression and its underlying mechanism were analyzed by western blotting. The co-treatment of ATR, AGR, or ACR volatile oil with low concentration of nerve growth factor (NGF) could potentiate the NGF-induced neuronal differentiation in cultured PC12 cells. In addition, application of protein kinase A inhibitor H89 in cultures blocked the induction of neurofilament. Among these three Acorus species, ATR volatile oil showed the highest NGF-induced induction in neurite outgrowth and neurofilament expression, as compared with that of AGR and ACR. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Urinary Leakage Among Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Electroacupuncture involving the lumbosacral region may be effective for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), but evidence is limited. Objective: To assess the effect of electroacupuncture vs sham electroacupuncture for women with SUI. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter, randomized clinical trial conducted at 12 hospitals in China and enrolling 504 women with SUI between October 2013 and May 2015, with data collection completed in December 2015. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 18 sessions (over 6 weeks) of electroacupuncture involving the lumbosacral region (n = 252) or sham electroacupuncture (n = 252) with no skin penetration on sham acupoints. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was change from baseline to week 6 in the amount of urine leakage, measured by the 1-hour pad test. Secondary outcomes included mean 72-hour urinary incontinence episodes measured by a 72-hour bladder diary (72-hour incontinence episodes). Results: Among the 504 randomized participants (mean [SD] age, 55.3 [8.4] years), 482 completed the study. Mean urine leakage at baseline was 18.4 g for the electroacupuncture group and 19.1 g for the sham electroacupuncture group. Mean 72-hour incontinence episodes were 7.9 for the electroacupuncture group and 7.7 for the sham electroacupuncture group. At week 6, the electroacupuncture group had greater decrease in mean urine leakage (-9.9 g) than the sham electroacupuncture group (-2.6 g) with a mean difference of 7.4 g (95% CI, 4.8 to 10.0; P < .001). During some time periods, the change in the mean 72-hour incontinence episodes from baseline was greater with electroacupuncture than sham electroacupuncture with between-group differences of 1.0 episode in weeks 1 to 6 (95% CI, 0.2-1.7; P = .01), 2.0 episodes in weeks 15 to 18 (95% CI, 1.3-2.7; P < .001), and 2.1 episodes in weeks 27 to 30 (95% CI, 1.3-2.8; P < .001). The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 1.6% in the electroacupuncture group and 2.0% in the sham electroacupuncture group, and all events were classified as mild. Conclusions and Relevance: Among women with stress urinary incontinence, treatment with electroacupuncture involving the lumbosacral region, compared with sham electroacupuncture, resulted in less urine leakage after 6 weeks. Further research is needed to understand long-term efficacy and the mechanism of action of this intervention. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01784172.

[Chemical Constituents from Sphagneticola trilobata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the whole plant of Sphagneticola trilobata. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography and their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques. RESULTS: Three lignans, two indolics and two phenolic glycosides were isolated from the whole plant of Sphagneticola trilobata and identified as syringaresinol-4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside(1), pinoresinol-4-sulfate(2), pinoresinol-4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside(3), 1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid (4), 1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde(5), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenol-1-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (6), and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenol-1-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 7 are isolated from the genus Wedelia for the first time. Compound 4 demonstrates significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase.

Bioactive 30-noroleanane triterpenes from the pericarps of Akebia trifoliata.

Two new 30-noroleanane triterpenes, 2α,3ß,20α-trihydroxy-30-norolean-12-en-28-oic acid (1), 2α,3ß-dihydroxy-23-oxo-30-norolean-12,20(29)-dien-28-oic acid (2), were isolated from the pericarps of Akebia trifoliata, together with four known ones, 3ß-akebonoic acid (3), 2α,3ß-dihydroxy-30-noroleana-12,20(29)-dien-28-oic acid (4), 3α-akebonoic acid (5) and quinatic acid (6). Their structures were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, and they were all isolated from the pericarps of A. trifoliata for the first time. Compounds 3-6 showed in vitro bacteriostatic activity against four assayed Gram-positive bacterial strains. In particular 3 showed antibacterial activity toward MRSA with a MIC value 25 µg/mL, which was more potent than kanamycin (MIC 125 µg/mL). No compounds showed antibacterial activity toward the three Gram-negative bacteria tested. Compounds 4 and 5 showed interesting in vitro growth inhibitory activity against human tumor A549 and HeLa cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 8.8 and 5.6 µM, respectively. Compounds 1, 2, 5 and 6 were further revealed to show significant in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values from 0.035 to 0.367 mM, which were more potent than the reference compound acarbose (IC50 0.409 mM).

[Caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from stems of Akebia trifoliata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from Akebia trifoliata stems. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography, and their structures were determined through spectroscopic techniques and physicochemical properties. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated from the stems of Akebia trifolita and identified as cryptochlorogenic acid methyl ester (1), neochlorogenic acid methyl ester (2), chlorogenic acid methyl ester (3), methyl 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (4), methyl 3,4-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (5) and methyl 4,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (6). CONCLUSION: All compounds are isolated from Akebia genus for the first time. Compounds 1,5 and 6 demonstrate obvious inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase.

Effects of moxibustion on intestinal barrier function and TLR4/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway in obese rats. / è‰¾ç¸å¯¹è‚¥èƒ–å¤§é¼ è‚ é“å±éšœåŠŸèƒ½åŠTLR4/NF-κB p65信号通路的影响.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of moxibustion on intestinal barrier function and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) signaling pathway in obese rats and explore the mechanism of moxibustion in the intervention of obesity. METHODS: Fifty-five Wistar rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a normal group (10 rats) and a modeling group (45 rats). In the modeling group, the obesity model was established by feeding high-fat diet. Thirty successfully-modeled rats were randomized into a model group, a moxibustion group, and a placebo-control group, with 10 rats in each one. In the moxibustion group, moxibustion was applied at the site 3 cm to 5 cm far from the surface of "Zhongwan" (CV 12), with the temperature maintained at (46±1 ) ℃. In the placebo-control group, moxibustion was applied at the site 8 cm to 10 cm far from "Zhongwan" (CV 12), with the temperature maintained at (38±1) ℃. The intervention was delivered once daily for 8 weeks in the above two groups. The body mass and food intake of the rats were observed before and after intervention in each group. Using ELISA methool, the levels of serum triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were detected and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colon tissue. The mRNA expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, Claudin-1, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the colon tissue was detected by quantitative real-time PCR; and the protein expression of ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 was detected by Western blot in the rats of each group. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the body mass, food intake, the level of HOMA-IR, and the serum levels of TC, TG and LPS were increased in the rats of the model group (P<0.01); those indexes in the moxibustion group were all reduced when compared with the model group and the placebo-control group respectively (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, a large number of epithelial cells in the mucosa of colon tissue was damaged, shed, and the inflammatory cells were infiltrated obviously in the interstitium in the rats of the model group. When compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group, the damage of the colon tissue was recovered to various degrees and there were few infiltrated inflammatory cells in the interstitium, while, the epithelial injury of the colon tissue was slightly recovered and the infiltrated inflammatory cells in the interstitium were still seen in the placebo-control group. The mRNA and protein expressions of ZO-1, Occludin and Caudin-1 were decreased in the model group compared with those in the normal group (P<0.01). When compared with the model group and the placebo-control group, the mRNA and protein expressions of these indexes were increased in the moxibustion group (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the model group, the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were increased when compared with those in the normal group (P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of these indexes were reduced in the moxibustion group when compared with those in the model group and the placebo-control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Moxibustion can reduce the body mass and food intake, regulate the blood lipid and improve insulin resistance in the rats of obesity. It may be related to alleviating inflammatory response through improving intestinal barrier function and modulating the intestinal TLR4/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway.

Efficacy of acupuncture therapy on cancer-related insomnia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Objectives: Cancer-related insomnia (CRI) takes a toll on many cancer survivors, causing distressing symptoms and deteriorating the quality of life. Acupuncture therapy has been used for CRI already. However, it is still uncertain which acupuncture regime is best for CRI. The primary objective of this review is to conduct a comparative evaluation and ranking of the effectiveness of different acupuncture therapies for CRI. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were published up to July 31, 2023, from 8 databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and China Biology Medicine disc) were integrated in this study. Trials that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated the risk of bias. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to assess the efficacy of different acupuncture therapies as the primary outcome. Then, STATA 15, R, and OpenBUGS were applied to perform the network meta-analysis. PRISMA statements were followed in this network meta-analysis. Results: A total of 37 studies were included in this review, involving 16 interventions with 3,246 CRI participants. Auriculotherapy + moxibustion [surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) 98.98%] and auriculotherapy (SUCRA 77.47%) came out top of the ranking, which were more effective than control, medicine, usual care and sham acupuncture. Conclusion: Auriculotherapy + moxibustion and auriculotherapy + acupuncture emerged as the top two acupuncture regimes for CRI and future studies should pay more attention to CRI. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier INPLASY202210095.

Bioactive quinic acid derivatives from Ageratina adenophora.

A novel quinic acid derivative, 5-O-trans-o-coumaroylquinic acid methyl ester (1), together with three known ones, chlorogenic acid methyl ester (2), macranthoin F (3) and macranthoin G (4), were isolated from the aerial parts of the invasive plant Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.). The structure of new compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 2-4 were isolated from plant A. adenophora for the first time. All the compounds showed in vitro antibacterial activity toward five assayed bacterial strains, especially 3 and 4, which showed in vitro antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica with MIC values of 7.4 and 14.7 µM, respectively. Compound 1 was further found to display in vitro anti-fungal activity against spore germination of Magnaporthe grisea with an IC50 value 542.3 µM. These four compounds were also tested for their antioxidant activity against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical.

Tracking interface position of a high-speed imploding composite liner based on magnetic diffusion difference.

A technique for tracking the interface position of non-metal-metal composite liners during high-speed implosion is proposed in this paper. Based on the magnetic diffusion difference between metal and non-metal, the interface position information is obtained by measuring magnetic fields in the cavity of the liner. An efficient magnetic flux estimation algorithm based on iterative magnetic diffusion simulation is also proposed to estimate the magnetic flux loss of the liner. Numerical experiments show that the estimation algorithm can reduce the relative error to less than 0.5%. The composite solid liner experimental results show that the maximum error is about 2% under imperfect experimental conditions. Detailed analysis suggests that this method can be widely applied to non-metallic sample materials (electrical conductivity is less than 103 ∼ 104 S/m). The technique provides a useful supplement to the existing interface diagnosis methods for high-speed implosion liners.

Temperature prediction of solar greenhouse based on NARX regression neural network.

Temperature has an important influence on plant growth and development. In protected agriculture production, accurate prediction of temperature environment is of great significance. However, due to the time series, nonlinear and multi coupling characteristics of temperature, it is difficult to achieve accurate prediction. We proposed a method for building a solar greenhouse temperature prediction model based on a timeseries analysis, that considers the time series characteristics and dynamic temperature changes in the greenhouse system. The method would predict the temperature of greenhouse, and provide reference for the temperature change law in protected agriculture. A parameter analysis was performed on the nonlinear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) neural network, and a solar greenhouse temperature time series prediction model was established using the NARX regression neural network. The results showed that the proposed model depicted a maximum absolute error of 0.67 °C, and model correlation coefficient of 0.9996. Compared with the wavelet and BP neural networks, the NARX regression neural network accurately predicted and significantly outperformed in the solar greenhouse temperature prediction model. Moreover, the prediction model can accurately predict temperature trends within the solar greenhouse and is pivotal to obtaining precise control of solar greenhouse temperature.

Micropyrones A and B, two new α-pyrones from the actinomycete Microbacterium sp. GJ312 isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.

Two new α-pyrones, micropyrones A (1) and B (2), along with four known γ-pyrones, nocapyrone D (3), nocapyrone A (4), marinactinone A (5), and nocapyrone H (6), were isolated from the culture extract of actinomycete Microbacterium sp. GJ312, which was isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis. The structures of these compounds were identified by analysis of spectral data. They are the first α- and γ-pyrones reported from the genus Microbacterium. The antibacterial activity of all compounds against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus was evaluated. However, none of them showed significant activity. This study represents the first phytochemical example of a Glycyrrhiza-derived actinomycete.