摘要:ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Huangqintang on mouse models of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC) and explore the mechanism of Huangqintang in regulating immune function and inflammatory response, inhibiting abnormal cell proliferation, and delaying or inhibiting CAC formation in CAC.MethodC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group, model group, mesalazine group, and high- and low-dose Huangqintang groups according to body weight, with 12 mice in each group. Except for the normal group, the rest of the mice were given two intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg·kg-1 azomethane (AOM) and allowed to drink 1.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) freely for seven days and water normally for two weeks. Then, two cycles of ''DSS-drinking water'' were repeated. During the administration of DSS, mice in the normal group and model group were given gavage in equal doses of pure water. Mice in the mesalazine group were given 150 mg·kg-1·d-1 mesalamine suspension for gavage, and mice in the high- and low-dose Huangqintang groups were given 18 and 9 g·kg-1·d-1 Huangqintang for gavage, respectively. Each group was given one dose daily until the end of three cycles. After the intervention, the body weight, colon length, and number of colon tumors in each group were measured, and disease activity index (DAI) scores were performed. The serum contents of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and gastrointestinal tumor marker carbohydrate antigen-199 (CA199) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The colonic lesions were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of proliferative cell-associated antigen (Ki67) was observed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD49b+) in mouse plasma was detected by flow cytometry. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-D (FITC-D) content in mouse serum was detected by fluorescent labeling method. The Western blot method was used to detect the expression of Cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and tightly junction-related Occludin and Claudin-1.ResultCompared with the normal group, the body weight of mice in the model group decreased. DAI score increased significantly, and the colon became shorter. Pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β increased, and IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased (P<0.05). The inflammatory factor IL-4 (P<0.05) and IL-10 were significantly reduced, and the tumor marker CA199 was significantly increased (P<0.01). HE staining showed that colon lesions, intestinal mucosal epithelial defects with a large number of inflammatory infiltrates, serious crypt structure damage, and glandular arrangement disorder were observed in the model group. Ki67 positive granules were expressed in large areas of colonic tissue. The serum CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ of mice in the model group decreased significantly (P<0.05), and CD8+ increased significantly (P<0.05). The plasma content of FITC-D in the model group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDK4 proteins in colon tissue was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the expression of Occludin and Claudin-1 was significantly decreased. Compared with the model group, the body weight of mice in the mesalazine group and the high- and low-dose Huangqintang groups increased. DAI score decreased, and the colon became longer. IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β expression decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), but there was no significant change in IL-4 and IL-10. The content of CA199 was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the colomatoid lesions and inflammatory infiltrates were reduced in the mesalazine group and the Huangqintang group. The crypt structure damage was lighter, and the positive expression of Ki67 was reduced. CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, and CD49b+ increased, and the difference was not statistically significant. FITC-D content decreased (P<0.05). The expression of Cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDK4 decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and Claudin-1 and Occludin protein expression increased in the high-dose Huangqintang group (P<0.05).ConclusionHuangqintang has a certain delay and inhibitory effect on AOM/DSS-induced inflammatory cancer transformation, and its mechanism of action may be related to regulating immune function and inflammatory response, inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory factors, repairing damaged intestinal barriers, inhibiting abnormal proliferation of colon cells, and intervening in the formation and development of CAC colon tumors.
摘要:ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Buyang Huanwutang (BYWHT) on reducing inflammatory injury and improving neurological function after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats via activating the adiponectin (APN) pathway.MethodMale SD rats were randomized into sham, model, BYHWT (16 g·kg-1, twice a day), and BYHWT + APN inhibitor (GW9662) groups. In the sham group, blood vessels were isolated. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established. The rats in the BYHWT+GW9662 group was treated with subcutaneous injection of GW9662 at 4 m·kg-1 30 min before MCAO surgery and BYHWT at 16 g·kg-1 by gavage after MCAO surgery, once in the morning and once in the evening. The immunofluorescence (IF) assay was employed to observe the expression of adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) and the colocalization of AdipoR1 with neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) in the brain. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect the expression of APN in the serum and brain. The balance beam test was carried out to examine the balance ability, and the grasping test to assess the recovery of limb strength. The immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO). Western blot was employed to determine the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 and in the brain.ResultCompared with the sham group, the modeling promoted the expression of AdipoR1 (P<0.01), lowered the APN levels in the serum and brain (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the score in the balance beam test (P<0.01), and decreased the grasping strength of forepaw (P<0.01), which were accompanied with increased MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels (P<0.01) and decreased IL-10 level (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, BYHWT promoted the expression of AdipoR1 (P<0.01), elevated APN levels in the serum and brain (P<0.05, P<0.01), and increased the grasping strength of forepaw (P<0.01), which were accompanied with lowered MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels (P<0.01) and elevated IL-10 level (P<0.01). All the above effects were partially blocked by GW9662.ConclusionBYHWT can reduce inflammatory injury and improve neurological function in the rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by activating the APN pathway.
摘要:ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of using the polysaccharides from two Chinese medicine compound prescriptions as the carbon source on the growth of Bacteroides fragilis and to decipher the mechanism from the perspective of differential expression of polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) based on transcriptomics.MethodThe media with different carbon sources [20% polysaccharides of Lizhongtang, polysaccharides of Shenling Baizhusan, glucose, and brain heart infusion (BHI) Broth] were used for the anaerobic culture of B. fragile ATCC25285. The effects of different carbon sources on the growth of B. fragilis ATCC25285 were determined by continuous sampling and spectrophotometry. Then, transcriptome sequencing was performed for the cultures obtained with different carbon sources to study the mechanism of different carbon sources in regulating bacterial growth.ResultThe concentration of bacteria with the polysaccharide of Lizhongtang, polysaccharide of Shenling Baizhusan, BHI Broth, and glucose as the carbon sources peaked at 26, 32, 26, 38 h, respectively, and the bacteria in all the four groups achieved robust growth. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment indicated that the differentially expressed genes in the Lizhongtang polysaccharide group and Shenling Baizhusan polysaccharide group were concentrated in the transport and transmembrane transport of dicarboxylic acid. The Shenling Baizhusan polysaccharide and BHI Broth groups showed high expression of PUL 4 and 27, glycoside hydrolase 13 (GH13), and glycosyl transferases 5 (GT5). PUL9 was highly expressed in Shenling Baizhusan polysaccharide group, and PUL 17, 19, and 20, GH3, and GH144 in the BHI Broth group. PUL27 and GT5 were highly expressed in Shenling Baizhusan polysaccharide and glucose groups. PUL 4 and 9 and GH13 were only highly expressed in Shenling Baizhusan polysaccharide group, and PUL 2, 17, and 19 and GH2 in the glucose group. Both Lizhongtang polysaccharide group and BHI group highly expressed PUL 4, 17, 19, 20, and 27, GH3, and GH144. PUL 2, 8, 23, and 27, GH2, and GH57 were highly expressed in Lizhongtang polysaccharide group, while GH13 showed high expression in the BHI group. Both the glucose and Lizhongtang polysacharride groups showed high expression of PUL 4 and 27 and GH2. PUL 4, 8, 20, and 23, GH3, and GH144 were highly expressed in Lizhongtang polysaccharide group, while PUL30 was highly expressed in the glucose group.ConclusionThe in vitro experiments and transcriptome sequencing results confirmed that the expression of PULs and GH may provide benefits or costs to the adaptive growth of Bacteroides fragilis ATCC25285 cultured with different carbon sources, which may be one of the mechanisms by which polysaccharides from Chinese medicine compound prescriptions regulate the growth of B. fragilis ATCC25285. The findings can provide a reference for further research on the relationship between B. fragilis metabolic pathway and polysaccharides of Chinese medicine compound prescriptions.
关键词:Lizhongtang;Shenling Baizhusan;carbon source;Bacteroides fragilis ATCC25285;transcriptome;polysaccharide utilization loci
摘要:ObjectiveTo explore the inhibitory effect of water extract of Broussonetiae Fructus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) in mice based on homologous phosphatase and tensin homolog/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PTEN/PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway.MethodThe primary HCC mouse model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of DEN solution, and the HCC mice were randomly divided into model group, sorafenib group (0.01 g·kg-1·d-1), low-dose Broussonetiae Fructus water extract group (0.9 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose Broussonetiae Fructus water extract group (1.8 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose Broussonetiae Fructus water extract group (3.6 g·kg-1·d-1), with 10 mice in each group. Another 10 C57BL/6 mice were selected as a control group and intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline. Mice were treated with different concentrations of Broussonetiae Fructus water extract when liver cancer-like white nodules appeared. sorafenib group was treated with sorafenib. The control group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline. The activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) in the serum of mice were detected by the biochemical analyzer. The expression levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The degree of hepatocyte canceration and hepatocyte injury were observed by Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining. The proliferation of HCC cells was observed by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis of HCC cells in mice was observed by erminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labelling (TUNEL) staining. The expression levels of PTEN, PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt proteins related to the PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were detected by Western blot.ResultCompared with the control group, the activities of ALP, AST, ALT, and γ-GT, as well as the expression levels of AFP and CEA in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01). Carcinogenesis and inflammatory cell infiltration were obvious in liver tissue of mice, and a large number of blue collagen fiber hyperplasia was found. The number of Ki67 positive cells was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression level of PTEN protein was significantly decreased, while PI3K and p-Akt protein expression was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the activities of ALP, AST, ALT, and γ-GT, as well as the expression levels of AFP and CEA in the medium-dose and high-dose Broussonetiae Fructus water extract groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The degree of carcinogenesis and inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissue were reduced, and the collagen fiber hyperplasia was significantly reduced. The number of Ki67 positive cells was significantly decreased, and the number of TUNEL positive apoptotic cells was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). PTEN protein expression was increased, while p-Akt protein expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01).ConclusionThe water extract of Broussonetiae Fructus has a significant inhibitory effect on DEN-induced primary HCC in mice, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of key protein expressions in the PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
关键词:Broussonetiae Fructus;hepatocellular carcinoma;proliferation;diethyl nitrosamine;phosphatase and tensin homolog/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PTEN/PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway
摘要:ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Dahuang Zhechongwan (DHZCW) on adenine-induced renal fibrosis in rats from the perspective of intestinal flora.MethodThirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, and high-, medium- and low-dose DHZCW groups (0.168, 0.084, 0.042 g·kg-1), and a pirfenidone group (200 mg·kg-1), with 6 rats in each group. Except for those in the blank group, rats in other groups were treated with adenine suspension (250 mg·kg-1) by gavage for 28 days for renal fibrosis model induction. Subsequently, they received drug intervention for 4 weeks. Urine samples were collected from rats in metabolic cages, and renal function indicators including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea, creatinine (Crea), cystatin C (Cys C), and 24-hour urine protein (24 h TP) were measured. Kidney samples were collected and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining to observe the pathological changes in rat renal tissues. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of key effector proteins α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type Ⅰ collagen (ColⅠ), and type Ⅲ collagen (ColⅢ) in the kidneys. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rDNA was used to analyze the species diversity of rat intestinal flora.ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed increased BUN, urea, Crea, Cys C, and 24 h TP levels (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-, medium-, and low-dose DHZCW groups, as well as the pirfenidone group, showed significant reductions in BUN, urea, Crea, Cys C, and 24 h TP levels (P<0.01), indicating that DHZCW intervention significantly improved renal function. In the model group, renal tissues exhibited significant fibrotic changes, and the protein levels of α-SMA, ColⅠ, and ColⅢ were significantly increased (P<0.01) compared to those in the blank group. Compared with the model group, the high-dose DHZCW group and the pirfenidone group had relatively normal tissue structure, with no significant pathological damage observed. However, fibrotic changes were observed in the medium- and low-dose DHZCW groups, with the changes being more significant in the low-dose group. The protein levels of α-SMA, ColⅠ, and ColⅢ were significantly decreased in the high-, medium-, and low-dose DHZCW groups, as well as the pirfenidone group (P<0.01), indicating that DHZCW effectively reduced abnormal collagen deposition and inhibited renal fibrosis. From the perspective of intestinal flora, at the phylum level, compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant increase in the abundance of Firmicutes and a decrease in Bacteroidetes, leading to a significant imbalance in their ratio. At the family level, the model group decreased the abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Prevotellaceae, and Bacteroidota_unclassified, and increased the abundance of Ruminococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Oscillospiraceae. At the genus level, the model group showed significantly reduced abundance of Firmicutes_unclassified, Bacteroidota_unclassified, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, etc., and increased abundance of UCG-005, Clostridia_UCG-014_unclassified, etc. Compared with the model group, DHZCW effectively reduced the abundance of potential pathogenic bacteria and increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, regulating the intestinal flora.ConclusionDHZCW can effectively improve renal function and inhibit renal fibrosis, and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of intestinal flora.
摘要:ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of icariin in ameliorating efferocytosis dysfunction and inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages induced by cigarette smoke extract via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) signaling pathway.MethodThe untreated rat alveolar macrophages (NR8383) were taken as the blank group. The NR8383 cells treated with 10% cigarette smoke extract were divided into model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (10, 20, 40 μmol·L-1) icariin, PPARγ inhibitor, and PPARγ inhibitor + low-, medium-, and high-dose icariin groups. Alamar blue colorimetry was employed to examine the proliferation and toxicity of icariin on NR8383 cells. The efferocytosis rate of NR8383 cells was detected by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8). Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of PPARγ, CD36, and RAS-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1).ResultThe efferocytosis dysfunction model of NR8383 was established with the cigarette smoke extract. Compared with the blank control group, the model group showed decreased efferocytosis rate (P<0.05), elevated TNF-α level (P<0.05), lowered TGF-β1 and MFG-E8 levels (P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PPARγ, CD36, and Rac1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the treatment with icariin increased the efferocytosis rate (P<0.05, P<0.01), lowered the TNF-α level (P<0.01), elevated TGF-β1 and MFG-E8 levels (P<0.05), and up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of PPARγ, CD36, and Rac1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with icariin alone, PPARγ inhibitor + icariin decreased the efferocytosis rate (P<0.05) and down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of PPARγ (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, PPARγ inhibitor + low-dose icariin down-regulated the protein level of CD36 (P<0.01) and PPARγ inhibitor + low-/medium-dose icariin up-regulated the protein level of Rac1 (P<0.05).ConclusionIcariin ameliorates the cigarette smoke extract-induced efferocytosis dysfunction of alveolar macrophage by regulating the PPARγ signaling pathway and cytoskeletal structure rearrangement.
摘要:ObjectiveTo observe the effect of shikonin (SKN) on synovitis in DBA/1 mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).MethodThirty-six DBA/1 mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a CIA group, low-, medium-, and high-dose SKN groups (1, 2, and 4 mg·kg-1), and a methotrexate (MTX, 0.5 mg·kg-1) group, with 6 mice in each group. Mice in the CIA group, the SKN groups, and the MTX group were immunized with an equal volume of bovine type Ⅱ collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant on day 1. On day 21, those mice received a second immunization with an equal volume of bovine type Ⅱ collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant to establish the CIA model. On the day of the second immunization, mice were treated with drugs by gavage. Mice in the MTX group received oral administration three times a week, while others received once per day, for 28 days. On day 22, the symptoms of arthritis, such as redness and swelling of joints, in CIA mice were observed, and arthritis scores were recorded. On day 49 after sample collation, histopathological examination of synovial inflammation in CIA mice was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence (IF) double labeling was used to detect the expression of vimentin and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) in the synovium of CIA mice. Network pharmacology predicted that the target of SKN in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was MAPK1, which was verified by molecular docking. Western blot was used to detect the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, phosphorylated (p)-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 proteins in the synovial membrane of mice.ResultCompared with the normal group, the CIA group showed significantly higher arthritis scores, morbidity, and synovial inflammation, severely disrupted joint structure, evident articular cartilage and bone destruction, severe bone erosion (P<0.01), increased expression of vimentin and MAPK1 in the synovium of mice, and increased protein expression of p-ERK/ERK, p-JNK/JNK, and p-p38/p38 in the synovium of mice (P<0.01). Compared with the CIA group, the SKN groups and the MTX group showed relatively normal joint structure, with milder bone erosion and bone destruction, and smoother articular surfaces. Molecular docking results confirmed that the target of SKN was MAPK1. In the SKN groups and the MTX group, the expression of vimentin and MAPK1 in the synovial membrane was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the protein expression of p-ERK/ERK, p-JNK/JNK, and p-p38/p38 in the synovium of mice was significantly reduced (P<0.01).ConclusionSKN can target MAPK1 to inhibit the protein expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 in CIA mice, thereby treating RA.
关键词:shikonin;collagen-induced arthritis;synovitis;mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)
摘要:ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism of modified Sanpiantang in the treatment of nitroglycerin-induced migraine in rats.MethodSeventy-two Wistar rats were randomized into the control, model (nitroglycerin, 10 mg·kg-1), positive control (rizatriptan, 0.89 mg·kg-1), and high- (12.96 g·kg-1), medium- (6.48 g·kg-1), and low-dose (3.24 g·kg-1) modified Sanpiantang groups. The rat model of migraine was established by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg·kg-1 nitroglycerin. The behavioral test was carried out to measure the mechanical pain thresholds (MPT) of the periorbital region and hindpaw after successful modeling. The serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in rats were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of iNOS and phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK) in the TNC. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA levels of iNOS, p38 MAPK, and IL-1β in the TNC.ResultCompared with the control group, the model group showed decreased MPT (P<0.01), elevated serum levels of NO, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β (P<0.01), and up-regulated expression levels of p38 MAPK, iNOS, and IL-1β in the TNC (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, modified Sanpiantang increased the MPT (P<0.05), and the medium-dose group showed the most significant effect (P<0.01). In addition, modified Sanpiantang down-regulated the mRNA levels of iNOS, p38 MAPK, and IL-1β and the protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and iNOS in the TNC of migraine rats (P<0.05, P<0.01) and lowered the serum levels of NO, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01).ConclusionModified Sanpiantang may treat migraine by down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors such as NO, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β in the p38 MAPK/iNOS signaling pathway to reduce the neurogenic inflammation.
摘要:ObjectiveTo study the effect and underlying mechanism of Stemona tuberosa alkaloids on the proliferation and apoptosis of human non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells.MethodNon-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells were divided into a blank group and S. tuberosa alkaloids groups (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg·L-1). The effect of S. tuberosa alkaloids on the proliferation of human NCI-H460 cells was observed by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and colony formation assay. Cell apoptosis was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry. Real-time fluorescence-based polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the effect of S. tuberosa alkaloids on the mRNA expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The protein expression levels of Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated (p-)Akt, EGFR, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p-JNK, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and p-p38 MAPK were measured by Western blot.ResultCompared with the blank group, the S. tuberosa alkaloids groups showed increased inhibition rate on cell proliferation (P<0.01), reduced number of cell clones formed and the rate of cell clonal formation (P<0.05, P<0.01), and increased karyopyknosis, cytoplasmic aggregation, and cell apoptosis rate (P<0.01). The S. tuberosa alkaloids groups at 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg·L-1 showed increased Caspase-3 mRNA expression (P<0.05), decreased EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated protein expression of Caspase-3 and p-JNK (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein expression of EGFR and p-Akt (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, compared with the blank group, the S. tuberosa alkaloids groups showed increased expression of Bax mRNA (P<0.01), decreased expression of Bcl-2 mRNA (P<0.01), up-regulated protein expression of Bax and p-p38 MAPK (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein expression of Bcl-2 (P<0.01).ConclusionsS. tuberosa alkaloids can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of human non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of EGFR protein expression and phosphorylation of Akt protein, as well as the activation of the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
摘要:ObjectiveTo explore the hub genes of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) using bioinformatics methods, predict the potential traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) against ACLF, and verify the treatment mechanism based on experiments.MethodPerl and R were used to analyze the GSE142255 dataset to obtain the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), from which the hub genes in the protein-protein interaction of DEGs were identified by five algorithms of the CytoHubba plug-in. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and GSE168048 dataset were then used to verify the hub genes. Coremine Medical was employed to map the TCMs corresponding to the hub genes and then the natures, tastes, and meridian tropism of the TCMs were analyzed. The TCM systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and DEGs were used to obtain the common targets shared by high-frequency TCMs and ACLF, and Cytoscape was used to establish the "hub gene-high-frequency TCM-active ingredient-common target" network. Furthermore, gene ontology (GO) annotation, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and in vitro experiments were performed.ResultA total of 388 DEGs were obtained, in which the 7 hub genes encoded CD4 integrin subunit alpha M (ITGAM), CD2, lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) proto-oncogene, C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), and Fc epsilon receptor IG (FCER1G). The TCM candidates for treating ACLF were mainly cold, bitter, and had tropism to the liver meridian, among which the high-frequency TCMs (Hedyotis Diffusae Herba, Ganoderma, and Astragali Radix) and the active ingredients (quercetin, kaempferol, and beta-sitosterol) had significant therapeutic potential. The enrichment analysis results showed that TCMs acted on multiple targets and pathways such as autophagy, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines in addition to regulating hub genes. L02 cell experiments showed that the quercetin group had lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and malondialdehyde (MDA), lower protein levels of ubiquitin-binding protein p62 and MMP-9, and higher levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ (LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ) than the D-galactosamine (D-GaLN) group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the pretreatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) inhibited the activating effect of quercetin on the autophagy of L02 cells.ConclusionThe potential TCMs and active ingredients predicted based on the hub genes of ACLF have a great research value. Quercetin has the potential to treat ACLF by inhibiting the D-GaLN-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response in L02 cells and regulating the expression of MMP-9, which may be associated with the activation of autophagy.
关键词:acute-on-chronic liver failure;hub genes;bioinformatics;traditional Chinese medicine prediction;autophagy
摘要:ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of matrine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) based on the zebrafish model and network pharmacology.MethodThe IBD model of zebrafish was established using 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonicacid (TNBS), and the intestinal phagocytic function, goblet cell secretion, and neutrophil aggregation were evaluated using neutral red staining, alcian blue staining, and neutrophil number changes. Changes in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cholecystokinin (CCK) content in zebrafish were determined by using relevant reagent kits. Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to predict the potential mechanism of matrine in the treatment of IBD. Gene expression of relevant targets was verified through Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR).ResultCompared with the model group, the matrine administration group can increase the neutral red staining area in a dose-dependent manner and improve intestinal phagocytic function(P<0.05,P<0.01). It can reduce the staining area of alcian blue and affect the secretion of intestinal goblet cells(P<0.01). It can reduce the number of neutrophil granulocytes, relieve its aggregation, significantly reduce TNF-α content(P<0.01), and increase the CCK content. Network pharmacology analysis identifies 28 potential targets for matrine in the treatment of IBD. The top five targets by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis are CHRNA7, DRD1, CHRNA4, SLC6A3, and GRM5. The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) results show that the treatment of IBD with matrine may be related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cholinergic synapse, and neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Real-time PCR results show that matrine can affect the expression level of related target genes.Conclusionmatrine has a certain therapeutic effect on IBD and can affect the inflammatory response of IBD. Its therapeutic effect may be related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and other pathways.
摘要:ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Mingjing granules (MJKL) on the fibrovascular membrane of experimental wet age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) based on macrophages and glial cells and further explain the mechanism of MJKL in the treatment of nAMD.MethodThe experimental nAMD fibrovascular membrane model was established by two-stage laser photocoagulation. BN rats were randomly divided into three groups: model group, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) group, and MJKL + anti-VEGF group. The model group was given distilled water for intragastric administration. Anti-VEGF group was injected with leizumab injection in the vitreous cavity. MJKL + anti-VEGF group was injected with leizumab injection in the vitreous cavity, and MJKL was intragastrically administered. Ten normal BN rats were not modeled and fed as controls. After 40 days of model making, fundus lesion morphology, lesion exudation area, and MD value were observed by fundus photography (FP), fundus angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid-sclera film. The changes in retinal structure were observed by histopathology, and the expression and distribution of F4/80, Iba-1, and GFAP were detected by immunofluorescence. The relative expression levels of F4/80, Iba-1, and GFAP mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR).ResultThe fibrovascular membrane model was established 40d after two-stage laser modeling. The lesion exudation area, MD value, lesion height, and lesion area in the anti-VEGF group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05), and the retinal structural damage degree was significantly improved. Compared with the anti-VEGF group, the MJKL + anti-VEGF group significantly decreased the MD value, lesion height, and lesion area (P<0.05), and lesion area and retinal structural damage degree were significantly improved. The fluorescence intensity of F4/80 and Iba-1 in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05), and that in the anti-VEGF group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity in the MJKL + anti-VEGF group was significantly lower than that in the anti-VEGF group (P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of GFAP in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05), and that in the anti-VEGF group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of F4/80, Iba-1, and GFAP mRNA in the model group were significantly increased compared with the normal group (P<0.05), and the anti-VEGF group was significantly decreased compared with the model group (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of F4/80, Iba-1, and GFAP mRNA in the MJKL + anti-VEGF group were significantly decreased compared with those in the anti-VEGF group (P<0.05).ConclusionMJKL combined with anti-VEGF drugs can inhibit the growth of experimental nAMD fibrovascular membrane better than anti-VEGF drugs alone, and the mechanism may be related to inhibiting the participation of macrophages and glial cells in the formation of fibrovascular membrane.
摘要:ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen granules in the treatment of cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodA total of 62 SLE patients with cardiac involvement treated in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from June 2021 to December 2022 were randomized into control and observation groups (n=31). The control group was treated with methylprednisolone tablets and hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets, and the observation group with Qihuang Jianpi Zishen granules on the basis of the therapy in the control group. After 12 weeks of treatment, the two groups were compared in terms of the therapeutic effect, cardiac function indicators [left atrial end-diastolic diameter (LADd), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWTd), peak blood flow velocity in early diastolic period (peak E), peak blood flow velocity in late diastolic period (peak A), E/A ratio, stroke volume (SV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular short axis shortening rate (LVFS), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)], vascular damage indicators [nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and homocysteine (Hcy)], inflammation indicators [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP)], anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, disease activity index (SLEDAI) score, mitigation of symptoms and signs, and occurrence of adverse reactions.ResultThe total response rate in the observation group was 87.09%, which was higher than that (67.74%) in the control group (P<0.01), and the incidence of adverse reactions had no significant difference between the two groups. After treatment, the control group showed lowered LVDd, LVPWTd, BNP, ET-1, VEGF, and Hcy (P<0.05) and increased E peak, E/A ratio, SV, LVEF, and LVFS (P<0.05). In the observation group, LADd, LVDd, LVPWTd, peak A, BNP, NO, ET-1, VEGF, and Hcy decreased (P<0.05), while peak E, E/A ratio, SV, LVEF and LVFS increased (P<0.05) after treatment. The treatment in both groups decreased the scores of palpitation, chest tightness, dyspnea, and edema (P<0.05), reduced ESR, Hs-CRP, ds-DNA, and SLEDAI (P<0.05). After treatment, the observation group had lower LADd, LVDd, LVPWTd, peak A, BNP, and scores of palpation, chest tightness, dyspnea, and edema (P<0.05) and higher peak E, E/A ratio, SV, LVEF, and LVFS (P<0.05) than the control group. In addition, the observation group had lower NO, ET-1, VEGF, Hcy, ESR, Hs-CRP, ds-DNA, and SLEDAI than the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionQihuang Jianpi Zishen granules combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate and methylprednisolone can improve multiple indicators and mitigate the symptoms and signs of SLE patients with cardiac involvement, demonstrating a clinical application value.
关键词:systemic lupus erythematosus;impaired cardiac function;Qihuang Jianpi Zishen granules;clinical study
摘要:ObjectiveTo explore the regulatory effect of polysaccharides and n-butanol fractions of Atractylodis Rhizoma stir-fried with bran on the plasma metabolites of spleen-deficient rats, and then to elucidate their mechanisms of spleen-enhancing effects.MethodForty male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, polysaccharide group (FD group, 0.075 6 g·mL-1·d-1), n-butanol fractions group (FZ group, 0.012 1 g·mL-1·d-1), with 10 rats in each group. Except the blank group, the other three groups used the compound factors of overwork, dietary disorders and intragastric administration of Sennae Folium decoction to replicate the rat model of spleen deficiency. After the end of modeling, the FD group and FZ group were given the corresponding medicinal solution by gavage for 7 d, meanwhile, the blank group and model group were given an equal volume of saline. The plasma samples from rats in the blank, model, FZ and FD groups were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), multivariate statistical methods were used to process the data and screen differential metabolites, and metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the screened differential metabolites was performed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG))database and MetaboAnalyst 5.0.ResultThe results of multivariate statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences in plasma metabolites between the model group and blank group, FZ group and model group, FD group and model group. There were 380 differential metabolites between the blank group and the model group, of which 78 and 57 were called back by polysaccharides and n-butanol fractions of Atractylodis Rhizoma stir-fried with bran, respectively. Metabolic pathway enrichment results showed that the n-butanol fractions mainly affected glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, D-arginine and D-ornithine metabolism, which were summarized as amino acid metabolism, while the polysaccharides mainly affected glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, biotin metabolism and thiamine metabolism.ConclusionBoth of polysaccharides and n-butanol fractions of Atractylodis Rhizoma stir-fried with bran have significant regulating effects on the metabolic abnormalities in spleen-deficient rats, in which the n-butanol fractions is mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, and the polysaccharides are involved in energy metabolism and cofactor and vitamin metabolism in addition to regulating amino acid metabolism.
摘要:ObjectiveHigh performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to establish the specific chromatograms of Aurantii Fructus from different origins, and the quality variability of Aurantii Fructus from Sichuan was analyzed and evaluated by combining entropy weighting method and grey correlation method.MethodHPLC was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) with a gradient elution of methanol (A)-0.1% phosphoric acid aqueous solution as the mobile phase (0-12 min, 25%-33%A; 12-21 min, 33%-41%A; 21-30 min, 41%-42%A; 30-40 min, 42%-59%A; 40-53 min, 59%-72%A; 53-60 min, 72%A; 60-65 min, 72%-100%A; 65-70 min, 100%A; 70~71 min, 100%-25%A; 71-80 min, 25% A) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1, the injection volume was 10 μL and the detection wavelength was 330 nm. Fifty batches of Aurantii Fructus samples from different origins (Sichuan, Chongqing, Jiangxi and Hunan) were tested, and the similarity evaluation software is used to generate characteristic profiles and compare them with control profile for peak identification, and then to evaluate the similarity of the samples. IBM SPSS 19.0 and SIMCA 14.1 were used to perform multivariate statistical analysis on the results of the samples, and then the entropy weighting method and grey correlation were used to calculate the overall quality score of samples from Sichuan.ResultHPLC specific chromatogram of Aurantii Fructus was established, and 14 common peaks were identified as eriocitrin, neoeriocitrin, narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, meranzin hydrate, poncirin, meranzin, marmin, nobiletin, 3,3′,4′,5,6,7,8-heptamethoxyflavone, tangeretin and auraptene. And the similarities between the samples from Sichuan and the control chromatogram were all above 0.980. The samples could be classified into four categories according to their main origins by chemical pattern recognition, and the results of cluster analysis, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were all able to discriminate the samples of different main origins effectively. The comprehensive evaluation results of entropy weighting method combined with grey correlation showed that the quality of Aurantii Fructus from Sichuan varied greatly among different origins, and the quality of Aurantii Fructus from Sichuan was ranked as Bazhong>Luzhou>Chongqing>Neijiang.ConclusionIn this study, the characteristic mapping of Aurantii Fructus from Sichuan is established, and combined with the analytical methods of chemometrics and grey correlation, the quality of samples from different origins can be effectively differentiated, which can provide a reference for the comprehensive evaluation and control of the quality of Aurantii Fructus from Sichuan.
摘要:ObjectiveTo screen the preparation technology of Baoyuan chewable tablets and to preliminarily elucidate its anti-fatigue effect and mechanism.MethodTaking encapsulation rate of volatile oil, extract rate and extraction rate of active ingredients as indexes, single factor test and orthogonal test were used to optimize the volatile oil inclusion, aqueous decoction and formulation molding processes of Baoyuan chewable tablets. ICR rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, Gaoshan Hongjingtian oral liquids group(6.01 mL·kg-1) and and Baoyuan chewable tablets low, medium, and high dose groups(2.1, 4.2, 8.4 g·kg-1), 8 mice in each group, and were administered by gastric gavage at the corresponding dose once a day, the blank and model groups were given equal volume of saline for 15 d. After the last administration for 30 min, the mice were loaded with 5% of the body mass of lead at the tail and swam until exhaustion to establish the fatigue model, and the weighted swimming time of the mice in each group was recorded, meanwhile, the muscle tissues of the mice were sliced, stained by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and subjected to pathological observation, and the levels of blood urea nitrogen(BUN), lactic acid(LA), liver glycogen(LG), activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and creatine kinase(CK) in the serum were determined.ResultThe optimal inclusion process of cinnamon oil in Baoyuan chewable tablets was 10∶1 for β-cyclodextrin-volatile oil, and inclusion at 50 ℃ for 2 h with saturated aqueous solution method. The optimal water extraction process was to extract twice, adding 10 times of water to extract for 50 min for the first time, and adding 9 times of water to extract for 40 min for the second time. The ratio of the extract of Baoyuan chewable tablets with microcrystalline cellulose, maltodextrin, mannitol, citric acid, magnesium stearate was 63∶13∶8∶17∶17∶1∶1, the tablets were pressed by wet granulation, the each tablet weight was 1.2 g, and the hardness was 60-80 N. Compared with the model group, Baoyuan chewable tablets low, medium, and high dose groups could significantly prolong the exhaustion time of mice in weight bearing swimming(P<0.05, P<0.01), and improve the exercise endurance of the body, and the results of HE staining showed that all dose groups of Baoyuan chewable tablets could significantly improve the muscle tissue damage caused by exercise, significantly reduce the levels of BUN, LA and the activities of LDH and CK in serum(P<0.01), and significantly increase the content of LG(P<0.05, P<0.01).ConclusionThe optimized preparation process of Baoyuan chewable tablets is stable and feasible, and the preparation can improve exercise endurance by increasing the LG level in liver tissue, and relieve muscle soreness by accelerating the removal of LA from the body, and reduce CK and LDH activities to exert anti-fatigue effects.
摘要:ObjectiveThis study analyzed the outcome indicators in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment of vertigo, aiming to provide a reference for clinical trial protocol design and the establishment of core indicator sets for vertigo treatment.MethodCNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for the RCTs on TCM treatment of vertigo, and data extraction was conducted.ResultA total of 375 RCTs involving 33 593 patients were included, from which 482 outcome indicators were extracted, with a frequency of 2 715 and an average of seven outcome indicators used for each RCT. In addition, there were some differences in outcome indicators reported by different study groups. According to the functional properties, the reported outcome indicators were classified into nine domains: clinical symptoms and signs, TCM symptom efficacy, physical and chemical examinations, quality of life, mental health, safety events, patients’ satisfaction degree, long-term prognosis, and economic evaluation. The outcome indicators with higher frequency were clinical total effective rate, total TCM symptom score, occurrence of adverse reactions, dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) score, average flow velocity of the basilar artery, incidence of adverse reactions, average flow velocity of the left vertebral artery, average flow velocity of the right vertebral artery, plasma viscosity, and vertigo score.ConclusionThe outcome indicators reported by RCTs of TCM treatment of vertigo mainly have two problems: lack of unified standards and norms and insufficient attention to outcome indicators that can reflect the characteristics of TCM. The construction of the core indicator set for TCM treatment of vertigo should fully highlight the characteristic advantages of TCM and unify the standards and norms for the outcome indicators on this basis, so as to improve the quality of clinical research and the value of secondary research.
关键词:traditional Chinese medicine;vertigo;randomized controlled trial;outcome indicator
摘要:Cathartic colon (CC) is a common and refractory digestive system disease, with the pathogenesis not fully clarified. The effective therapies other than laxatives and surgery remain to be developed for CC. Therefore, establishing the CC animal models that fit the disease characteristics of western medicine and syndrome characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an important link to promote the research on this disease. The fitting degree of animal models with the latest Chinese and western medical diagnostic criteria is an indicator to assess the effectiveness of the animal models in simulating the disease characteristics of western medicine and syndrome characteristics of TCM. The literature review showed that the model animals, drugs and their dosage forms, doses, administration methods, and modeling period of CC varied in different studies, and the available CC animal models presented different fitting degrees with the disease characteristics of western medicine and syndrome characteristics of TCM. Rats were the preferred animals for the modeling of CC. Rhei Radix et Rhizoma preparations were commonly used for model inducing, which, however, may cause water electrolyte disorders, decreased immunity, and even death of animals at the late stage of modeling. The animals were modeled by gradually increasing the starting dose, while the starting dose and increasing dose varied. The maintenance dose was determined based on 50% of the animals having loose stools, and the end for a cycle was determined as the time when loose stools disappeared in 80% of animals. The modeling always lasted for 2-3 cycles, approximately 2-4 months. The CC models established with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma granules and rhein had high fitting degrees with the disease and syndrome characteristics. In addition, the CC animal models of TCM syndromes were still in the exploration stage. There were only the animal models of four TCM syndromes: liver depression and spleen deficiency, both Qi and Yin deficiency, Qi stagnation and blood stasis, and spleen and kidney deficiency. Efforts should be made to establish the animal models that meet the characteristics of disease of western medicine and syndromes of TCM, so as to facilitate the research on CC mechanism and drug development.
关键词:cathartic colon;laxative-dependent constipation;animal model;fitting degree with clinical characteristics;characteristics of diseases of western medicine and syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine
摘要:ObjectiveTo summarize the thinking of treatment of headache based on syndrome differentiation by reviewing the literature of materia medica in the past dynasties, so as to guide the clinical practice.MethodAll the literature of materia medica in the Chinese Medical Dictionary, involving 76 works from Han to Qing Dynasties, were searched, and the information of the herbs for treating headache was extracted. According to Chinese Materia Medica (11th Edition) and Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2020 Edition), the nature, taste, and meridian tropism of the selected herbs were statistically analyzed, and the syndrome elements of headache were classified and counted. In addition, the contents of syndrome differentiation and treatment of headache by different herbs were extracted.ResultFrom the 76 monographs of materia medica in the past dynasties, 114 herbs for treating headache were selected. The herbs mainly had cold or warm nature, pungent or bitter taste, and tropism to the lung and live meridians. The syndrome elements of headache treated by the herbs mainly included wind attack, fire disturbance, turbid obstruction, stagnation, cold coagulation, and healthy Qi deficiency.ConclusionHeadache is mainly treated with the herbs with the effects of dispelling pathogenic wind, clearing heat and purging fire, eliminating phlegm and resolving dampness, regulating Qi movement and activating blood, warming Yang and dispelling cold, and tonifying deficiency and reinforcing healthy Qi, and the herbs are often used in combinations. Headache is treated following the principles of dispelling wind and pathogen, regulating Qi and blood, and tonifying deficiency and purging excess, which is in line with the laws of obstruction and nutrient deficiency causing pain.
关键词:headache;materia medica;literature;obstruction causing pain;nutrient deficiency causing pain;Chinese medical therapy;clinical application
摘要:ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic effects of oral Chinese medicines (including Chinese patent medicines) on coronary artery disease (CAD) by the Bayesian network Meta-analysis.MethodThe randomized controlled trials of treating CAD with oral Chinese medicines were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library from the inception to December 1, 2022. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included articles. The direct meta-analysis was performed to compare the performance of oral Chinese medicines alone and in combination with Western medicine in the treatment of CAD in terms of intima-media thickness (IMT), vascular endothelial function, plaque score, hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and total response rate. Furthermore, the Bayesian network Meta-analysis was performed to compare the therapeutic effects of different Chinese medicines.ResultA total of 41 articles were included. The direct meta-analysis results showed that Chinese medicines combined with Western medicine outperformed Western medicine alone in recovering all the indicators of CAD. The Bayesian network meta-analysis yielded the following results. In terms of the total response rate, modified Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang and Sanqi Huayu pills had obvious advantages over other Chinese medicines. In terms of IMT and plaque score, Xiaoban Huazhuo decoction, Yiqi Tongluo formula, Ruangan Jiangzhi capsules, and Guanxin Shutong capsules had obvious advantages over other Chinese medicines. In terms of blood lipid indicators, Shenqi Roumai mixture, Ruangan Jiangzhi capsules, Xiaoban Huazhuo decoction, Qiwei Sanxiong decoction, and Sanqi Huayu pills were superior to other Chinese medicines. The Chinese medicines above mainly had the functions of activating blood, resolving stasis, resolving phlegm, and dredging vessels.ConclusionThe combination of oral Chinese medicines and Western medicine is effective in treating CAD. Clinicians can use the drugs targeting abnormal indicators according to the results of this Bayesian network meta-analysis combined with the actual situation of patients to achieve better therapeutic effects.
关键词:Chinese medicine;coronary artery disease;carotid atherosclerosis;Bayesian network meta-analysis;advantages;evidence-based medicine
摘要:Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex are three commonly used Chinese herbal medicines, and their application in classic famous prescriptions cannot be fully explained by the triple energizer classification method. This study reviewed the ancient materia medica works and elaborated on the functions of the three herbal medicines before the Song dynasty and after the Jin dynasty. The works before the Song dynasty mainly introduced the diseases treated by the three herbal medicines according to the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica(《神农本草经》), and the works after the Jin dynasty mainly expounded the indications of the three medicines in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica according to the new medical theory. Although all the three herbal medicines can treat heat syndrome, digestive system diseases, skin and mucosa diseases, they act on different targets. Scutellariae Radix can regulate Qi stagnation and reverse caused by the fire syndrome. Coptidis Rhizoma can treat excess fire and purulent bloody stool caused by the deficiency of Zang-fu organs. Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex mainly treats the diseases of the intestine and reproductive system and can kill parasites. In addition, this paper summarized the descriptions about the functions of Scutellariae Radix in eliminating blood blockage, Coptidis Rhizoma in protecting the intestine, and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in clearing the liver in ancient books. According to the sentences in the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases(《伤寒杂病论》), the application of Scutellariae Radix in Chaihu prescriptions, Coptidis Rhizoma in Baitouweng Decoction, and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in Zhizi Baipi Decoction confirms to the indications of the three medicines in the materia medica works before the Song Dynasty. The existing clinical and pharmacological research results confirm the indications of the three herbal medicines in the ancient works. The clinical application of the three medicines should refer to the materia medicia works before the Song dynasty, so as to achieve precise medication.
关键词:Scutellariae Radix;Coptidis Rhizoma;Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex;ancient materia medica works;Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases;herb properties
摘要:Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease with unknown etiology and poor prognosis. At present, there are few antifibrotic drugs, which have limited efficacy and cause diverse side effects in the treatment of IPF, failing to meet the clinical needs. Therefore, it is urgent to develop more safe and effective drugs to treat IPF. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered increasing attention in recent years in the treatment of IPF due to its unique advantages. Increasing studies have shown that Chinese medicines have remarkable therapeutic effects on IPF and broad application prospects. However, the unclear material basis and mechanism in treating IPF hinders the modernization, internationalization, and clinical application of Chinese medicines. Therefore, it is essential to decipher the mechanism of the active components in Chinese medicines in treating IPF, which has gradually become a hot spot in the research on IPF. Increasing research results have demonstrated that anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition are involved in the treatment of IPF with these active components, whereas the systematic research and summary remain to be carried out. By reviewing the articles about the treatment of IPF with the active components in Chinese medicines in recent years, this paper summarizes the mechanism and experimental studies and puts forward the existing problems in the research on the mechanism, aiming to provide references for the further basic research on IPF and the development of targerted drugs.
关键词:Chinese medicine;active component;idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis;treatment;mechanism of action
摘要:The prevalence of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and intervertebral disc degeneration is increasing year by year with the growing number of elderly people, and the common clinical manifestations of these diseases include severe pain in different areas, which seriously affects the daily life of the patients. Therefore, how to relieve the pain and reduce the prevalence of bone and joint diseases and improve the quality of life of the patients is a hot spot in the medical field. Studies have confirmed that NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, as pattern recognition receptors, are involved in the inflammation, chondrocyte proliferation, osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation, intervertebral disc cell inflammation and scorching, extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and reactive oxygen species damage, demonstrating close link with the development of bone and joint diseases. Chinese medicine has a long history and demonstrates remarkable therapeutic effects in the treatment of bone and joint diseases. It can mitigate the pathological changes of bone and joint diseases by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes to alleviate the pain, playing a role in preventing and treating these diseases. Therefore, this paper briefly describes the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasomes and the development of bone and joint diseases by reviewing the latest research progress at home and abroad. We summarize the latest studies about the active components, extracts, and compound prescriptions of Chinese medicines in the treatment of bone and joint diseases via regulating NLRP3 inflammasomes. This review is expected to offer new insights into the in-depth research on the pathogenesis and drug treatment of bone and joint diseases and provide a basis for the clinical application of Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of such diseases.
摘要:Zuojinwan is a classic Chinese medicine prescription recorded in the Danxi's Experiential Therapy, with Coptidis Rhizoma and Euodiae Fructus in a ratio of 6 ∶ 1. It can treat symptoms such as liver fire hypochondriac pain, stomach duct pain, vomiting, and acid swallowing. There are many pharmacological studies on Zuojinwan in modern times, especially in the digestive tract, but the prescription also has its unique effect on digestive tract cancer, and its anti-tumor studies mainly focus on colorectal cancer and gastric cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the world and the second deadliest malignancy. At present, a number of studies have shown that the basic pharmacological studies of anti-colorectal cancer by Zuojinwan include the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, energy metabolism, epigenetics, and drug resistance of colorectal cancer. Alkaloids are the main active ingredients of Zuojinwan, such as berberine, evodiamine, coptisine, palmatine, and rutaecarpine. Compared with the effect of Zuojinwan on colorectal cancer, studies on the effect of berberine and evodiamine on tumor angiogenesis, tumor-promoting inflammation, and intestinal flora are carried out, except the studies on the resistance of berberine and the effect of evodiamine on energy metabolism. In addition, coptisine, palmatine, and rutaecarpine can regulate the proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells, the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells, tumor-promoting inflammatory response, and the proliferation, migration, and invasion of colorectal cancer cells, respectively. Moreover, other studies have shown that the combination of berberine and evodiamine can have a synergistic effect on the growth, migration, and invasion of colorectal cancer cells and can reduce the cardiac toxicity induced by evodiamine. Therefore, this paper summarizes the studies on the anti-colorectal cancer mechanism of Zuojinwan and its main monomer components in recent years, so as to provide a theoretical basis for future clinical research and development of new high-efficiency and low-toxicity anti-colorectal cancer drugs and lay a solid foundation for clinical practice.
摘要:Chronic kidney disease is characterized by renal structural damage and dysfunction (for over three months) caused by various factors. In traditional Chinese medicine, chronic kidney disease can be classified as edema, ischuria, consumptive disease, and anuria and vomiting. The pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease is frequently attributed to the deficiency of lung, spleen and kidney, dampness combined with stasis, and accumulation of turbid toxin. Huaiqihuang granules are a Chinese patent medicine composed of Vanderbylia robiniophila, Lycii Fructus, and Polygonati Rhizoma, with diverse pharmacological effects such as improving immunity and protecting kidney function. It is widely used in the treatment of cancer, chronic kidney disease, and respiratory system diseases. The available studies have demonstrated that Huaiqihuang granules can intervene in the progression of chronic kidney disease via various ways, such as protecting glomerular podocytes, inhibiting the proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells, resisting renal interstitial fibrosis, alleviating renal inflammation and oxidative stress, and regulating renal cell apoptosis and the immune system function. The clinical application of Huaiqihuang granules is based on conventional treatment and has achieved remarkable effects in the treatment of children's nephrotic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy, nephritis of Schonlein-Henoch purpura, IgA nephropathy, and chronic renal failure. Scholars have achieved great progress in the research on the mechanism and the clinical application of Huaiqihuang granules in the treatment of chronic kidney disease. However, the detailed summary of the progress in recent years remains to be carried out. Therefore, this paper reviewed the available studies in this field, aiming to provide a reference for the comprehensive and extensive clinical application of Huaiqihuang granules in the treatment of chronic kidney disease.
摘要:Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a chronic kidney disease with unique pathological structural and functional alterations in the kidney, is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). The majority of researchers believe that the occurrence of this disease is associated with glucose metabolism disorders, oxidative stress, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, and disorders of lipid metabolism and exosome release. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, which can maintain glomerular podocyte homeostasis and participate in autophagy, renal fibrosis, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism disorders, and inflammatory response in DKD, has been discovered to play a key role in DKD. Therefore, it has emerged as a novel target for the treatment of DKD. Studies have demonstrated that traditional Chinese medicine can prevent the renal damage in DKD by regulating the mTOR signaling pathway to delay the disease progression and improve the prognosis and the quality of life of the patients. This article summarizes the structure and role of the mTOR signaling pathway in DKD and briefs the research progress in the prevention and treatment of DKD via this signaling pathway by the active components, extracts, and compound prescriptions of Chinese medicines, aiming to present new ideas and approaches for the clinical treatment of DKD with traditional Chinese medicine.
关键词:diabetic kidney disease;mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR);Chinese medicine;signaling pathway;review
摘要:As the research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is progressing, researchers have discovered that a variety of Chinese medicines can delay the progress of KOA by regulating signaling pathways at the molecular level. The Chinese medicines and their active ingredients mentioned in this article are associated with the signaling pathways in KOA. They can regulate the levels of targeted molecules via different signaling pathways to inhibit cartilage inflammatory cytokine, apoptosis, and cartilage matrix degradation and promote chondrocyte autophagy, so as to reduce the synovial inflammatory edema and delay cartilage degeneration. This paper systematically reviews the studies about the TCM intervention of KOA. Baicalein can reduce the inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis and promote the autophagy of chondrocytes by blocking the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway. Cornuside I can decrease the phosphorylation activity of Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway to reduce synovial inflammation and delay cartilage matrix degeneration. Salvianolic acid A can reduce inflammation and cartilage matrix degradation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. Emodin can reduce the activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway to inhibit the decomposition of collagen and proteoglycan. Myristicoside can inhibit apoptosis by blocking the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway. Akebia saponin D can enhance the activity of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1(Nrf2/HO-1) pathway to inhibit oxidative stress in chondrocytes. The saponins in Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix reduce cartilage matrix degradation by enhancing the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway. Crocin inhibits the cartilage inflammation and apoptosis factor increase by stimulating the activity of hippo-Yes-associated protein (Hippo-YAP). Ligustrazine blocks the Notch pathway to improve the morphology and abnormality of chondrocytes. Oleanolic acid reduces the destruction and degeneration of cartilage matrix via the estrogen signaling pathway. The above summary aims to provide references for future clinical and experimental research on KOA.
摘要:Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI), one of the common complications caused by radiotherapy, encompasses two phases: an early phase known as radiation pneumonitis (RP) and a late phase called radiation fibrosis (RF), threatening the life and life quality of patients, with poor prognosis. Accumulating evidence has shown that the occurrence of RILI is related to a variety of cytokines and signaling pathways. This paper summarized the research on the effects of Chinese medicine on RILI from the perspective of cytokines and signaling pathways. Cytokines include transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukins (ILs), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1). Related signaling pathways are phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, Notch1/Jagged1 signaling pathway, and nuclear factor-E2-related factor2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) signaling pathway. Cytokines may interfere with RILI progression by initiating various downstream signaling pathways, such as TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, TGF-β1/VEGF signaling pathway, TNF-α/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and HMGB1/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway. In recent years, many scholars have attempted to delay RILI progression by down-regulating the expression of cytokines, antagonizing the effect of cytokines or regulating signaling pathways. It has been verified that many Chinese medicines, Chinese medicine monomers, and compound Chinese medicine prescriptions can inhibit the release of some cytokines or regulate some signaling pathways to reduce the incidence/severity of RILI, with satisfactory therapeutic effects, which have attracted the interest of scholars.
关键词:radiation-induced lung injury;cytokines;signal transduction pathway;Chinese medicine intervention
摘要:Paridis Rhizoma, a traditional valuable Chinese herbal medicine, has the functions of clearing heat and removing toxin, relieving edema and pain, cooling liver and calming convulsion, which can be used to treat various diseases such as mumps, abscess, burn, bleeding, and tumor. It has been used in folk medicine for a long time and is the main raw material of various Chinese patent medicines such as Gongxuening Capsules and Yunnan Baiyao. Polyphyllin Ⅰ, an isospirostanol saponin and one of the main active components in Paridis Rhizoma, is distributed in the rhizome, pericarp, and leaves of Paris polyphylla. With high polarity, polyphyllin Ⅰ is mainly extracted by n-butanol extraction and macroporous adsorption resin chromatography, separated by silica gel column chromatography and preparative high performance liquid chromatography, and purified with the combination of methods. With anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-virus effects, it is generally employed to treat liver cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer and other cancers as well as arthritis, influenza, sore toxin, and bacterial infection. However, polyphyllin Ⅰ may cause stomach irritation, hemolysis, liver damage, kidney damage, heart damage, and other adverse reactions. Pharmacokinetic studies show that it has problems such as low bioavailability and poor intestinal absorption and permeability, which affect the clinical application of polyphyllin Ⅰ. This paper summarizes the research on the plant sources, extraction and separation methods, pharmacological effects, adverse reactions, and pharmacokinetics of polyphyllin Ⅰ in recent years, which is expected to provide a reference for the rational clinical application and other in-depth research work of polyphyllin Ⅰ.
关键词:polyphyllin Ⅰ;extraction and separation methods;pharmacology;adverse reaction;pharmacokinetics
摘要:Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common chronic microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus. It has a high rate of blindness, and the age of onset is gradually getting younger, which seriously affects the physical and mental health and quality of life of patients. The disease is retinal damage induced by diabetes mellitus, which is a kind of fundus disease with the main manifestations of fundus hemorrhage, hard exudation, microhemangioma, cotton-wool spots, neovascularization, etc. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is classified into the category of "diabetic cataracts" and other diseases. At present, there is no effective method to prevent the progress of the disease in modern medicine, so it is particularly important to choose a reasonable and effective intervention to prevent and treat DR. Studies have confirmed that TCM has unique advantages in the treatment of DR. It can use its advantages of multiple bioactive components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways to intervene in the development process of DR from various aspects. By searching for the relevant literature on the progress of the intervention of DR with TCM monomers and compounds, this paper mainly reviews the relevant research results of the treatment of DR with multiple signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2)/hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), Hippo, advanced glycation end products (AGEs)/receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), so as to provide more ideas and directions for the clinical prevention and treatment of DR.
关键词:traditional Chinese medicine;diabetic retinopathy;signaling pathways;research progress
摘要:Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent intracellular degradation process,and it is a key mechanism of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Autophagy has dual regulatory effects on DCM. Under physiological conditions,normal autophagy can promote the decomposition of damaged cardiomyocytes and metabolites,so as to reduce the damage of harmful substances to the body and provide energy for cardiomyocytes. Under pathological conditions,the inhibited autophagy of cardiomyocytes will cause the accumulation of damaged cells and metabolites,which will cause damage to cardiomyocytes and eventually aggravate cardiac dysfunction in the patients with DCM. However,the over autophagy of cardiomyocytes will lead to autophagic death of a large number of cardiomyocytes and result in pathological myocardial remodeling and cardiac dysfunction,thus promoting the progression of DCM. Therefore,the restoration of a normal autophagy level is the key means to protect cardiomyocytes and improve the prognosis of DCM. Chinese medicine can regulate autophagy to treat DCM. Specifically,it can promote autophagy (making up for deficiency) or inhibit autophagy (removing excess) to restore the balance of autophagy,thereby alleviating DCM.