Shenqi Fuzheng injection facilitates skeletal muscle mitophagy mediated by the ubiquitination of HIF-1α to ameliorate cancer-associated fatigue.

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) significantly impacts the quality of life of cancer patients. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Shenqi Fuzheng injection (SFI) in managing CRF, focusing on its mechanistic action in skeletal muscle. We utilized a CRF mouse model to examine the effects of SFI on physical endurance, monitoring activity levels, swimming times and rest periods. Proteomic analysis of the gastrocnemius muscle was performed using isobaric tags and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to map the muscle proteome changes post-SFI treatment. Mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle was assessed via ATP bioluminescence assay. Furthermore, the regulatory role of the hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF-1α) signalling pathway in mediating SFI's effects was explored through western blotting. In CRF-induced C2C12 myoblasts, we evaluated cell viability (CCK-8 assay), apoptosis (flow cytometry) and mitophagy (electron microscopy). The study also employed pulldown, luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying SFI's action, particularly focusing on the transcriptional regulation of PINK1 through HIF-1α binding at the PINK1 promoter region. Our findings reveal that SFI enhances physical mobility, reduces fatigue symptoms and exerts protective effects on skeletal muscles by mitigating mitochondrial damage and augmenting antioxidative responses. SFI promotes cell viability and induces mitophagy while decreasing apoptosis, primarily through the modulation of HIF-1α, PINK1 and p62 proteins. These results underscore SFI's efficacy in enhancing mitochondrial autophagy, thereby offering a promising approach for ameliorating CRF. The study not only provides insight into SFI's potential therapeutic mechanisms but also establishes a foundation for further exploration of SFI interventions in CRF management.

Efficacy and mechanism of Shenqi Compound in inhibiting diabetic vascular calcification.

BACKGROUND: Shenqi Compound (SQC) has been used in clinic for several decades in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications. But this is merely a heritage of experience. The primary aim of this study is to scientifically validate the therapeutic effects of SQC on diabetic vascular calcification (DVC) in an animal model and, simultaneously, uncover its potential underlying mechanisms. METHOD: Spontaneous diabetic rat- Goto Kakizaki (GK) rats were selected for rat modeling. We meticulously designed three distinct groups: a control group, a model group, and an SQC treatment group to rigorously evaluate the influence of SQC. Utilizing a comprehensive approach that encompassed methods such as pathological staining, western blot analysis, qRT-PCR, and RNA sequencing, we thoroughly investigated the therapeutic advantages and the underlying mechanistic pathways associated with SQC in the treatment of DVC. RESULT: The findings from this investigation have unveiled the extraordinary efficacy of SQC treatment in significantly mitigating DVC. The underlying mechanisms driving this effect encompass multifaceted facets, including the restoration of aberrant glucose and lipid metabolism, the prevention of phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) into osteogenic-like states, the subsequent inhibition of cell apoptosis, the modulation of inflammation responses, the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and the activation of the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway. Collectively, these mechanisms lead to the dissolution of deposited calcium salts, ultimately achieving the desired inhibition of DVC. CONCLUSION: Our study has provided compelling and robust evidence of the remarkable efficacy of SQC treatment in significantly reducing DVC. This reduction is attributed to a multifaceted interplay of mechanisms, each playing a crucial role in the observed therapeutic effects. Notably, our findings illuminate prospective directions for further research and potential clinical applications in the field of cardiovascular health.

[Connotation of Shenqi Pills based on severe cases in cardiovascular care unit and modern pathophysiological mechanism and application of Shenqi Pills for heart failure, renal failure, cardiorenal syndrome, and diuretic resistance in critical care medicine].

Shenqi Pills, first recorded in Essentials from the Golden Cabinet(Jin Kui Yao Lue) from ZHANG Zhong-jing in Han dynasty, have the effect of warming and tonifying the kidney Qi and are mainly used for the treatment of insufficiency of kidney Qi and kidney Yang. According to modern medicine, kidney Qi involves heart function, kidney function, immune function, and so on. The clinical indications of Shenqi Pills include kidney deficiency, abnormal fluid, and abnormal urination, and the last one is classified into little urine, much urine, and dysuria. In clinical settings, Shenqi Pills can be applied for the treatment of heart failure, renal failure, cardiorenal syndrome, and diuretic resistance, as well as endocrine, urological, orthopedic, and other chronic degenerative diseases. Shenqi Pills are ideal prescriptions for the weak constitution and emergency treatment. It is of great value and significance to carry out in-depth research on the connotation of the classic articles by integrating TCM and western medicine based on "pathogenesis combined with pathology and drug properties combined with pharmacology".

[Shenqi Dihuang Decoction inhibits high-glucose induced ferroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells via Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway].

This study aims to explore the effects of Shenqi Dihuang Decoction on high-glucose induced ferroptosis and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) axis in human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2) and to clarify the underlying mechanism. The cell injury model was established by exposing HK-2 to high glucose, and the Shenqi Dihuang Decoction-medicated serum was prepared. The optimal concentration and intervention time of Shenqi Dihuang Decoction were determined. HK-2 were divided into normal, high glucose, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Shenqi Dihuang Decoction groups. After interventions, the cell proliferation rate in each group was determined and the cell morphology and mitochondrial ultrastructure were observed. Then, the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS), ferrous ion(Fe~(2+)), glutathione(GSH), and malondialdehyde(MDA) and the protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, GPX4, and xCT were measured. The optimal concentration and intervention time of Shenqi Dihuang Decoction-medicated serum were determined to be 10% and 24 h, respectively. Compared with the high glucose group, high-dose Shenqi Dihuang Decoction promoted the proliferation of HK-2. The cells in the low-, medium-, and high-dose Shenqi Dihuang Decoction groups presented tight arrangement, an increased cell count, improved morphology from a spindle-fiber shape to a cobblestone shape, and improved morphology and structure of mitochondrial membrane and cristae, compared with those in the high glucose group. Meanwhile, all the doses of Shenqi Dihuang Decoction inhibited ROS elevation to mitigate the peroxidation damage, lowered the Fe~(2+) and MDA levels and elevated the GSH level to inhibit lipid peroxidation, and activated the antioxidant pathway to upregulate the protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, xCT, and GPX4. In conclusion, Shenqi Dihuang Decoction-medicated serum can inhibit high-glucose induced ferroptosis of HK-2 in vitro, which involves the antioxidant effect and the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway.

Authentication of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection via UPLC-Coupled Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry and Chemometrics with Kendrick Mass Defect Filter Data Mining.

Nearly 5% of the Shenqi Fuzheng Injection's dry weight comes from the secondary metabolites of Radix codonopsis and Radix astragali. However, the chemical composition of these metabolites is still vague, which hinders the authentication of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI). Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with a charged aerosol detector was used to achieve the profiling of these secondary metabolites in SFI in a single chromatogram. The chemical information in the chromatographic profile was characterized by ion mobility and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Polygonal mass defect filtering (PMDF) combined with Kendrick mass defect filtering (KMDF) was performed to screen potential secondary metabolites. A total of 223 secondary metabolites were characterized from the SFI fingerprints, including 58 flavonoids, 71 saponins, 50 alkaloids, 30 polyene and polycynes, and 14 other compounds. Among them, 106 components, mainly flavonoids and saponins, are contributed by Radix astragali, while 54 components, mainly alkaloids and polyene and polycynes, are contributed by Radix codonopsis, with 33 components coming from both herbs. There were 64 components characterized using the KMDF method, which increased the number of characterized components in SFI by 28.70%. This study provides a solid foundation for the authentification of SFIs and the analysis of its chemical composition.

[Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction acts on hormone-sensitive prostate cancer by inhibiting glycolysis through the PI3K/Akt /mTOR signaling pathway].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (MSDD) on human hormone-sensitive LNCaP prostate cancer cells and its action mechanism. METHODS: LNCaP prostate cancer cells were treated with MSDD, followed by detection of the proliferation and apoptosis of the cells by MTT assay and flow cytometry respectively and measurement of glucose uptake and lactate production by glucose uptake assay and colorimetry respectively. The expressions of the apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved-caspase-3, glycolysis-related proteins HK2, GLUT1, PKM2 and LDHA, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway-related proteins in the LNCaP cells were determined by Western blot. The effect of MSDD on the LNCaP cells was observed with the glycolysis inducer oligomycin and the PI3K activator 740 Y-P. RESULTS: MSDD inhibited the proliferation, induced the apoptosis, increased the levels of Bax and cleaved-caspase 3 and decreased the level of Bcl-2 in the LNCaP cells in a dose-dependent manner. After MSDD intervention, the glucose uptake and lactate production in the LNCaP cells were significantly reduced, the expressions of HK2, GLUT1, PKM2 and LDHA and the phosphorylation levels of Akt, PI3K and mTOR were markedly suppressed. Oligomycin and 740 Y-P reversed the inhibitory effect of MSDD on the proliferation of the LNCaP cells, and 740 Y-P reversed that on glucose uptake, lactic acid production and the expressions of the glycolysis-related proteins HK2, GLUT1, PKM2 and LDHA in the LNCaP cells. CONCLUSIONS: Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction inhibits the proliferation of LNCaP prostate cancer cells by suppressing glycolysis and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

[Comparative proteomic profiling of hippocampi in mice treated with Jingui Shenqi Pills and Liuwei Dihuang Pills].

The effects of Jingui Shenqi Pills(Jingui) and Liuwei Dihuang Pills(Liuwei) which respectively tonify kidney Yang and kidney Yin on brain function have attracted great attention, while the differences of protein expression regulated by Jingui and Liuwei remain to be studied. This study explored the difference of protein expression profiles in the hippocampi of mice orally administrated with the two drugs for 7 days. The protein expression was quantified using LC-MS/MS. The results showed that among the 5 860 proteins tested, 151, 282 and 75 proteins responded to Jingui alone, Liuwei alone, and both drugs, respectively. The ratio of up-regulated proteins to down-regulated proteins was 1.627 in Jingui group while only 0.56 in Liuwei group. The proteins up-regulated by Jingui were mainly involved in membrane transport, synaptic vesicle cycle, serotonergic synapse, dopaminergic synapse and so on, suggesting that Jingui may play a role in promoting the transport of neurotransmitter in the nervous system. The proteins down-regulated by Liuwei were mainly involved in membrane transport, synapse, ion transport(potassium and sodium transport), neurotransmitter transport, innate and acquired immune responses, complement activation, inflammatory response, etc. In particular, Liuwei showed obvious down-regulation effect on the members of solute carrier(SLC) superfamily, which suggested that Liuwei had potential inhibitory effect on membrane excitation and transport. Finally, consistent results were obtained in the normal mouse and the mouse model with corticosterone-induced depressive-like behavior. This study provides an experimental basis for understanding the effect of Jingui and Liuwei on brain function from protein network.

[Meta-analysis of Shenqi Jiangtang Granules combined with western medicine on adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus].

The present study evaluated the effect of Shenqi Jiangtang Granules(SJG) combined with western medicine on the adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM). PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were searched for clinical randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of SJG combined with western medicine against GDM. The included RCTs were assessed for risks using the assessment criteria recommended by the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 12.0 and RevMan 5.3. Nineteen RCTs were included, with 1 647 patients involved, including 824 cases treated with western medicine alone, and 823 cases treated with SJG combined with western medicine. The course of treatment ranged from 2 to 12 weeks. As revealed by Meta-analysis results, compared with western medicine treatment alone, SJG combined with western medicine could reduce the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage(OR=0.23, 95%CI[0.10, 0.53], P=0.000 6), gestational hypertension(OR=0.24, 95%CI[0.13, 0.45], P<0.000 01), polyhydramnios(OR=0.24, 95%CI[0.12, 0.45], P<0.000 1), premature rupture of membranes(OR=0.20, 95%CI[0.09, 0.45], P<0.000 1), cesarean section(OR=0.40, 95%CI[0.29, 0.55], P<0.000 01), macrosomia(OR=0.19, 95%CI[0.08, 0.47], P<0.000 3), neonatal asphyxia(OR=0.22, 95%CI[0.12, 0.40], P<0.000 01), premature delivery(OR=0.19, 95%CI[0.12, 0.30], P<0.000 01), proteinuria(OR=0.19, 95%CI[0.06, 0.58], P=0.004) and hypoglycemia(OR=0.28, 95%CI[0.16, 0.50], P<0.000 1). The funnel plots and Egger's test showed that except macrosomia, there was no significant publication bias in the results of other indicators. Therefore, as indicated by the findings, SJG combined with western medicine can reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in GDM patients. However, due to the uneven quality of the included trials, the clinical application of this protocol requires caution.

Study on the mechanism of treating COVID-19 with Shenqi Wan based on network pharmacology.

PURPOSE: Through the method of network pharmacology, the active components and targets of Shenqi Wan (SQW) were excavated, the relationship with novel Coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) was discussed, and the possible mechanism of SQW in the treatment of COVID-19 was revealed from the aspects of multicomponents, multitargets, and multipathways. METHODS: Firstly, the active components of SQW were screened from traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform and the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopeia, and the related targets of the components were obtained. Then the disease targets related to COVID-19 were screened from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Venny was used to map the relationship between component-target and disease-target, and String was used to analyze the interaction of common targets. The network was constructed and analyzed by Cytoscape, the function of Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) genes was enriched by Metascape, and the molecular docking was verified by CB-Dock. RESULTS: Finally, 45 active components of SQW were obtained, and 72 potential targets were related to COVID-19, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), interleukin (IL)-6, nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) and, C-reactive protein (CRP),may be the key targets. GO enrichment of 1715 projects, such as lipopolysaccharide stress response, active oxygen metabolism, positive regulation of cell migration, and other GO enrichment. About 136 KEGG pathways, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α signaling pathway were obtained. Molecular docking showed that kaempferol, quercetin, luteolin, astragaloside, calyx isoflavone glucoside, matrine, and other COVID-19-related targets such as ACE2, chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), papain-like protease (PLpro), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) have good binding ability. CONCLUSION: According to the above results, it is suggested that SQW may play a role in the treatment of COVID-19 by directly or indirectly combining kaempferol, quercetin, and luteolin with ACE2, 3CLpro, PLpro, and PTGS2 to regulate multiple biological functions and signaling pathways.

[Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction for bone metastasis of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer after castration].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (MSDD) on bone metastasis of hormone-sensitive PCa after castration. METHODS: Seventy-six hormone-sensitive PCa patients with bone metastasis were randomly divided into a control and an MSDD group of an equal number, the former treated by maximal androgen blockade (MAB) and the latter with MSDD in addition to MAB, both for 6 months. Comparisons were made between the two groups of patients in their TCM symptom scores, quality of life (QOL) scores and the incidence rates of castration resistance, bone metastasis and adverse events. RESULTS: Totally, 64 of the patients were included in the statistical analysis. Compared with the controls, the MSDD group showed significantly lower rates of castration resistance (71.87% vs 28.12%, P < 0.05) and new bone and visceral metastases (40.63% vs 18.75%, P < 0.05) and level of serum alkaline phosphatase after treatment (ï¼»328.5 ± 170.6ï¼½ vs ï¼»318.5 ± 165.8ï¼½ U/L, P < 0.05), as well as lower scores in the TCM symptoms of frequent micturition (2.05 ± 0.51 vs 1.64 ± 0.66, P < 0.05), loss of appetite (1.95 ± 0.48 vs 1.41 ± 0.39, P < 0.05), fatigue (2.59 ± 0.68 vs 1.39 ± 0.58, P < 0.05), back pain (1.76 ± 0.41 vs 1.26 ± 0.38, P < 0.05), weight loss (1.88 ± 0.75 vs 1.26 ± 0.80, P < 0.05) and self-evaluation (1.89 ± 0.58 vs 1.54 ± 0.63, P < 0.05), but a higher score in the physical status (Karnofsky Performance Scale) (70.45 ± 12.16 vs 79.87 ± 11.23, P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain score and the incidence of adverse events between the two groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction can effectively improve the QOL and TCM symptom scores of the patients with hormone-sensitive PCa after androgen castration, enhance the efficacy of modern drugs in the treatment of hormone-sensitive PCa, decrease the incidence of metastasis, improve the patient's serum indicators, reduce the pain associated with bone metastasis, and improve the patient's quality of life.

[Regulatory effect of Jinkui Shenqi Pills on the gene expression of the Nrf2 signaling pathway in cyclophosphamide-induced testis injury in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of Jinkui Shenqi Pills (JSP) against cyclophosphamide-induced testis injury (TI) and its anti-oxidation mechanism in mice. METHODS: Thirty male mice were equally divided into a blank control, a TI model control and a JSP treatment group. The mice in the JSP treatment group were treated intragastrically with JSP and the blank controls with normal saline at 1.2 g/kg qd for 7 days, and then the animals in both the TI model control and JSP treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with cyclophosphamide at 50 mg/kg, once a week, for 35 days, to induce testis injury. After modeling, all the mice were weighed and sacrificed, followed by detection of the serum T content, measurement of the testis weight, examination of semen parameters in the caudad epididymis, and determination of the levels of super oxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the testis tissue and the expressions of relevant genes by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The mice of the TI model control group, compared with the blank controls, showed significant decreases in the body weight (ï¼»34.63 ± 1.92ï¼½ vs ï¼»48.32 ± 1.64ï¼½ g, P<0.05), testis weight (ï¼»80.00 ± 3.90ï¼½ vs ï¼»140.00 ± 6.10ï¼½ mg, P<0.05), testicular organ coefficient (ï¼»0.22 ± 0.01ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.31 ±0.03ï¼½%, P<0.05), sperm motility (ï¼»48.66 ± 8.08ï¼½% vs ï¼»89.33 ± 4.04ï¼½%, P<0.05), sperm concentration (ï¼»28.42 ± 5.26ï¼½ vs ï¼»77.67 ± 8.73ï¼½ ×106/ml, P<0.05), and levels of serum T (ï¼»8.75 ± 0.96ï¼½ vs ï¼»21.75 ± 1.71ï¼½ pg/ml, P<0.05) and SOD (ï¼»140.82 ± 10.08ï¼½ vs ï¼»358.52 ± 40.41ï¼½ U/mg prot, P<0.05), but remarkable increases in the sperm deformity rate (ï¼»37.33 ± 2.08ï¼½ vs ï¼»15.33±1.53ï¼½%, P<0.05) and MDA level (ï¼»54.89±6.09ï¼½ vs ï¼»30.21±2.17ï¼½ nmol/ng prot, P<0.05). The mice of the JSP treatment group, in comparison with the TI model controls, exhibited markedly increased body weight (ï¼»39.80±2.89ï¼½ vs ï¼»34.63±1.92ï¼½g, P<0.05), testis weight (ï¼»130.00 ± 11.00ï¼½ vs ï¼»80.00 ± 3.90ï¼½ mg, P<0.05), testicular organ coefficient (ï¼»0.28 ± 0.01ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.22 ± 0.01ï¼½%, P<0.05), sperm motility (ï¼»76.00 ± 5.29ï¼½% vs ï¼»48.66 ± 8.08ï¼½%, P<0.05), sperm concentration (ï¼»56.08 ± 4.29ï¼½ vs ï¼»28.42 ± 5.26ï¼½ ×106/ml, P<0.05), and levels of serum T (ï¼»15.50 ± 1.29ï¼½ vs ï¼»8.75 ± 0.96ï¼½ pg/ml, P<0.05) and SOD (ï¼»206.59 ± 16.38ï¼½ vs ï¼»140.82 ± 10.08ï¼½ U/mg prot, P<0.05), but decreased sperm deformity rate (ï¼»25.01 ± 2.99ï¼½% vs ï¼»37.33 ± 2.08ï¼½%, P<0.05) and MDA level (ï¼»35.84 ± 3.61ï¼½ vs ï¼»54.89 ± 6.09ï¼½ nmol/ng prot, P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of NOQ-1, Nrf2 and HO-1 in the testis tissue were significantly lower and that of Caspase-3 remarkably higher in the TI model control than in the blank control group (P<0.05), while those of Nrf2 and HO-1 significantly higher and that of Caspase-3 markedly lower in the JSP treatment group than in the TI model controls (P<0.05). Histopathological images displayed reduced layers of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules, complete exfoliation of the spermatogenic cells in some of the tubules and decreased number of sperm cells in the TI model controls, which were all found normal in the JSP treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Jinkui Shenqi Pills can effectively inhibit cyclophosphamide-induced testis injury, which may be related to its effect of regulating the gene expression of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

ShenQi FuZheng injection as an adjunctive treatment to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: a meta-analysis.

Context: Shenqi FuZheng injection (SFI) has been suggested as a complementary treatment of chemotherapy in China. However, little is known about it in western countries. Objective: This study assesses the clinical effect of SFI combined with chemotherapy for breast cancer patients. Materials and methods: Both English and Chinese databases were searched covering the time period of 1999- 2018 for relevant studies comparing the effect of SFI plus chemotherapy treatment with chemotherapy alone in patients with breast cancer. Target outcomes concerning treatment effect, performance status, immune system and toxic effects were extracted and combined using Stata version 15.0 software. Quality assessment was performed using the Jadad scale. Results: Forty-nine trials were included based on certain selection criteria. Only seven studies were rated as high-quality publications. Results of meta-analysis showed that SFI intervention can significantly improve objective tumour response, performance status, NK, CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio and reduce occurrence of leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, haemoglobin reduction, liver dysfunction, gastrointestinal reaction, nausea and vomiting, bone marrow suppression and ECG changes. However, no significant difference was found between SFI and the control group regarding CD8+ levels, and renal disorders. Discussion and conclusions: SFI intervention appeared to be effective in improving clinical efficacy, immune function and reducing toxicity when combined with chemotherapy for breast cancer. However, our findings still need verification by high-quality trials.

[Transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate combined with Jisheng Shenqi Decoction for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical effects of transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) combined with Jisheng Shenqi Decoction (HoLEP + JSSD) on BPH. METHODS: This study included 110 BPH patients treated in our hospital from August 2017 to April 2018, who were randomly assigned to receive HoLEP (n = 55) or HoLEP + JSSD (n = 55). We compared the pre- and post-operative IPSS, quality of life (QOL) score, prostate volume, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), average urinary flow rate (Qavg) and levels of serum T, E2 and T/E2 as well as postoperative complications between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: After treatment, both IPSS and QOL score were significantly lower in the HoLEP + JSSD than in the HoLEP group (P < 0.05), and so were the prostate volume and PVR (P < 0.05). The Qmax, Qavg and serum T level were significantly higher (P < 0.05) while T/E2 markedly lower in the former than in the latter group (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the HoLEP + JSSD and HoLEP groups in the E2 level (P > 0.05) or the total incidence rate of complications postoperatively (21.82% vs 29.09%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HoLEP + JSSD can significantly alleviate the lower urinary tract symptoms as well as improve the QOL and bladder and urinary tract functions of BPH patients.

[Systematic review of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection combined with chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer].

Databases including China Biological Medicine database(CBM), Chinese scientific journals full-text database(VIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure database(CNKI), WanFang Data, PubMed, and EMbase were searched from inception to March 2018 to collect the randomized controlled trials(RCTs) on Shenqi Fuzheng Injection combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer. All included studies were critically appraised by two independent reviewers by following the cochrane systematic review method and using Revman 5.3 software and State 12.0 for data analysis. After screening, 20 RCTs involving 2 095 patients were included in the study. Meta-analysis showed that as compared with control group of chemotherapy alone, Shenqi Fuzheng Injection combined with chemotherapy could improve the clinical curative efficiency, the KPS score, and immune function indexes such as total T cells, Th cells and Ts cells; inhibit the decline of white blood cells(WBC), platelets in blood system, T-lymphocyte subsets such as CD3~+, CD4~+, CD4~+/CD8~+, alleviate myelosuppression and reduce the incidence of side effects such as gastrointestinal adverse reaction, liver and kidney dysfunction and abnormal electrocardiogram. The results revealed that for clinical breast cancer patients, Shenqi Fuzheng Injection combined with chemotherapy could significantly improve its clinical efficacy and reduce adverse reactions. However, the conclusions still need to be verified by high-quality, multi-center, large-sample, prospective, randomized and double-blind clinical trials. In conclusion, this study has systemically evaluated the efficacy and safety of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection combined with chemotherapy in treatment of breast cancer and provided the reference of evidence-based medicine for safe and effective clinical application of medicines.

[Effect of Shenqi Dihuang decoction on inflammatory factor, renal function and microcirculation in patients with early diabetic nephropathy].

To study the effect of Shenqi Dihuang decoction on inflammatory factor, renal function and microcirculation in patients with early diabetic nephropathy. A total of 205 cases of patient with early diabetic nephropathy treated in our hospital from March 2014 to April 2016 were selected and divided into two groups according to the admitted order, with 103 cases in clinical group and 102 in control group. Patients in control group were treated with melbine and captopril, which may be adjusted according to the clinical symptom. The clinical group was given Shenqi Dihuang decoction. Then the clinical efficady, inflammatory factors, renal function, endothelial function and hemorheology index were compared. Compared with 77.45% in the control group, the total effective rate of the clinical group was 92.23%. There was a significant increase (P<0.05). The comparison of the values of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and CRP between the two groups before and after treatment showed significant differences. The values of inflammatory factors in treatment group were lower than in control group (P<0.05). The comparison of the values of ß2-MG, Cys-C and urine m-ALB between the two groups before and after treatment showed significant differences. The values of renal function in treatment group were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, ET-1 of the two groups after treatment decreased, while NO increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the value of ET-1 in patients of the experimental group was lower after treatment, while NO was higher (P<0.05). The comparison of the values of whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, whole blood reduction viscosity, platelet aggregation rate and fibrinogen between the two groups before and after treatment showed significant differences. The value of hemorheology index in treatment group was lower than that in control group (P<0.05). Shenqi Dihuang decoction has a better effect on patients with early diabetic nephropathy. It can significantly intervene with inflammatory response, reduce proteinuria, protect the renal function of patients, and improve the patient's vascular endothelial function and blood rheology, so as to make microcirculation to recover to the normal level.

The Anti-Allergic Rhinitis Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shenqi by Regulating Mast Cell Degranulation and Th1/Th2 Cytokine Balance.

Shenqi is a traditional Chinese polyherbal medicine has been widely used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-allergic rhinitis activity of Shenqi and explore its underlying molecular mechanism. Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis rat model was used to evaluate the anti-allergic rhinitis effect of Shenqi. The effect of Shenqi on IgE-mediated degranulation was measured using rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. Primary spleen lymphocytes were isolated to investigate the anti-allergic mechanism of Shenqi by detecting the expression of transcription factors via Western blot and the level of cytokines (IL-4 and IFN-γ) via ELISA. In OVA-induced AR rat models, Shenqi relieved the allergic rhinitis symptoms, inhibited the histopathological changes of nasal mucosa, and reduced the levels of IL-4 and IgE. The results from the in vitro study certified that Shenqi inhibited mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, the results of GATA3, T-bet, p-STAT6, and SOCS1 expression and production of IFN-γ and IL-4 demonstrated that Shenqi balanced the ratio of Th1/Th2 (IFN-γ/IL-4) in OVA-stimulated spleen lymphocytes. In conclusion, these results suggest that Shenqi exhibits an obvious anti-allergic effect by suppressing the mast cell-mediated allergic response and by improving the imbalance of Th1/Th2 ratio in allergic rhinitis.

Global and Targeted Metabolomics Evidence of the Protective Effect of Chinese Patent Medicine Jinkui Shenqi Pill on Adrenal Insufficiency after Acute Glucocorticoid Withdrawal in Rats.

Glucocorticoids are commonly used in anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory therapies, but glucocorticoid withdrawal can result in life-threatening risk of adrenal insufficiency. Chinese patented pharmaceutical product Jinkui Shenqi pill (JKSQ) has potent efficacy on clinical adrenal insufficiency resulting from glucocorticoid withdrawal. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. We used an animal model to study JKSQ-induced metabolic changes under adrenal insufficiency and healthy conditions. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with hydrocortisone for 7 days with or without 15 days of JKSQ pretreatment. Sera were collected after 72 h hydrocortisone withdrawal and used for global and free fatty acids (FFAs)-targeted metabolomics analyses using gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry and ultraperformance liquid chromatography/quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Rats without hydrocortisone treatment were used as controls. JKSQ pretreatment normalized the significant changes of 13 serum metabolites in hydrocortisone-withdrawal rats, involving carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids. The most prominent effect of JKSQ was on the changes of FFAs and some [product FFA]/[precursor FFA] ratios, which represent estimated desaturase and elongase activities. The opposite metabolic responses of JKSQ in adrenal insufficiency rats and normal rats highlighted the "Bian Zheng Lun Zhi" (treatment based on ZHENG differentiation) guideline of TCM and suggested that altered fatty acid metabolism was associated with adrenal insufficiency after glucocorticoid withdrawal and the protective effects of JKSQ.

Comprehensive Quantitative Analysis of SQ Injection Using Multiple Chromatographic Technologies.

Quality control of Chinese medicine injections remains a challenge due to our poor knowledge of their complex chemical profile. This study aims to investigate the chemical composition of one of the best-selling injections, Shenqi Fuzheng (SQ) injection (SQI), via a full component quantitative analysis. A total of 15 representative small molecular components of SQI were simultaneously determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with quadrupole tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS); saccharide composition of SQI was also quantitatively determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) on an amino column before and after acid hydrolysis. The existence of polysaccharides was also examined on a gel permeation chromatography column. The method was well validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy and stability, and was successfully applied to analyze 13 SQI samples. The results demonstrate that up to 94.69% (w/w) of this injection product are quantitatively determined, in which small molecules and monosaccharide/sucrose account for 0.18%-0.21%, and 53.49%-58.2%, respectively. The quantitative information contributes to accumulating scientific evidence to better understand the therapy efficacy and safety of complex Chinese medicine injections.

[Registration of 30 026 cases of Shenqi Fuzheng injection combined with other drugs in real world].

Prospective, multi-center, large-sample and registered design was used to analyze the drug combination features of Shenqi Fuzheng injection in the real world clinical application, and comprehend the drug combination in the real world. A total of 30 026 patients with the use of Shenqi Fuzheng injection were registered, where the chemical drugs were used for 57 436 times (accounting for 82.76%), and the Chinese patent medicines were used for 11 962 times (accounting for 17.24%), mainly including anti-acid drugs and anti-ulcer drugs, nutritional agent, immune enhancement agent, etc. According to the association rules, drug combinations of 2 drugs were closely related to inhibiting gastric acid secretion and anti-tumor; drug combinations of 3 drugs were closely related to inhibiting gastric acid secretion, antiemetic and anti tumor; drug combinations of 4 drugs were closely related to inhibiting gastric acid secretion, antiemetic, anti-tumor, and immune enhancement. The above results were consistent with the Instruction, providing clues for accurate treatment, and laying the foundation for clinical rational drug use.

A new phenylpropanoid and a new isoflavone glycoside from Shenqi Fuzheng Injection.

A new phenylpropanoid and a new isoflavone glycoside were isolated from Shenqi Fuzheng Injection. Their structures were elucidated as (αS)-α-ethenyl-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzenemethanol (1) and calycosin 7-O-[α-d-glucopyranosyl (1 â†’ 4)]-ß-d-glucopyranoside (2) by means of spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were confirmed by quantum chemical calculation and acid hydrolysis.