Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine最新文献

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia are a common complaint among elderly men worldwide. Our previous study reported alleviative efficacy of Thai traditional massage (TTM) on LUTS patients. However, underlying mechanism at cellular level remained elusive. Herein, we investigated the effect of TTM on urinary monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and associative inflammatory biomarkers. Forty-three patients were randomized into two groups: Tamsulosin (n = 23) and TTM (n = 20). The urinary MCP-1 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels as well as gene expression levels of MCP-1, Chemotactic protein receptor 2b (CCR2b), IFN-γ, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) were evaluated before and after a four-week treatment. The urinary MCP-1 and IFN-γ levels as well as gene expression levels of MCP-1, CCR2b, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and TGF-β1 were evaluated before and after treatment with Tamsulosin or TTM group. Urinary MCP-1 and IFN-γ levels and the expression levels of five genes from sedimented urine samples were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction, respectively. We observed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the ratio of urinary MCP-1 and creatinine (Cr); MCP-1/Cr levels in subjects given only TTM. There were no significant differences (p < 0.05) in IFN-γ/Cr levels in both groups. TTM group down-regulated the expression of IFN-γ whereas up-regulated IL-1β and TGF-β1 mRNA. Our findings suggested TTM had alleviative effects in LUTS patients, which were partially mediated by a reduction of urinary inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory gene expression.

Background and aim

In Taiwan, Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana (VTT) is used in traditional medicine and as a local tea. VTT rich in resveratrol and resveratrol oligomers have been reported to exhibit anti-obesity and anti-hypertensive activities in animal models; however, no studies have investigated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatments. This study aimed to investigate the anti-T2DM effects of resveratrol tetramers isolated from the VTT in nicotinamide/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice.

Experimental procedure

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to imitate postprandial blood glucose (BG) regulations in mice by pre-treatment with VTT extracts, resveratrol tetramers of vitisin A, vitisin B, and hopeaphenol 30 min before glucose loads. Vitisin B (50 mg/kg) was administered to treat T2DM-ICR mice once daily for 28 days to investigate its hypoglycemic activity.

Results and conclusion

Mice pre-treated with VTT-S-95EE, or vitisin B (100 mg/kg) 30-min before glucose loading showed significant reductions (P < 0.001) in the area under the curve at 120-min (BG-AUC_0-120) than those without pre-treatment with VTT-S-95 E E or vitisin B. Vitisin B-treated T2DM mice showed hypoglycemic activities via a reduction in plasma dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV activities to maintain insulin actions and differed significantly than those of untreated T2DM mice (P < 0.05), and also reduced BG-AUC_0-120 and insulin-AUC_0-120 in the OGTT.

These in vivo results showed that VTT containing vitisin B would be beneficial for developing nutraceuticals and/or functional foods for glycemic control in patients with T2DM, which should be investigated further.

Background and aim

Phytoformulation therapy is a pioneering strategy for the treatment of metabolic disorders and related diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of a phytoformulation consisting of hydroxycitric acid and capsaicin against obesity-related cardiomyopathy.

Experimental procedure

Sprague-Dawley rats were fed HFD for 21 weeks, and phytoformulation (100 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally for 45 days starting at week 16.

Results and conclusion

We found that HFD supplementation resulted in significant hyperglycemia and caused an increase in cardiac lipid deposition, inflammation and apoptosis in the heart. Phytoformulation therapy not only significantly decreased blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and inflammatory cytokines in obese rats, but also protected cardiac tissue, as shown by histological analysis. Conversely, phytoformulation therapy decreased mRNA levels for sterol regulatory element-binding factor 1, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid binding protein 1 genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and absorption in obese rats. It increased the levels of lysosomal acid lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase, and lipoprotein lipase genes involved in fatty acid degradation in the heart. In addition, the phytoformulation improved cardiac inflammation and apoptosis by downregulating the genes nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB), tumour necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), BCL2-associated X and caspase-3. In conclusion, our results show that the phytoformulation improved insulin sensitivity and attenuated myocardial lipid accumulation, inflammation, and apoptosis in the heart of HFD-induced obese rats by regulating fatty acid metabolism genes and downregulating NF-kB/TLR-4/caspase-3.

Background and aim

The purpose of the study was to investigate the anti-hyperglycemic effect of extra virgin sacha inchi oil (EVSIO) and its possible mechanisms and actions against pancreatic β-cell death and dysfunction in type 2 diabetic (T2D) rats.

Experimental procedure

T2D rats were induced with a high-fat diet and low-dose of streptozotocin. The rats were then treated for 5 weeks with EVSIO (0.5, 1, and 2 ml/kg), or pioglitazone. Biochemical and histopathological studies, oxidative and inflammatory markers, and expression of apoptotic-related proteins were then evaluated.

Results

EVSIO treatment exhibited a dose-dependent reduction of fasting blood glucose, area under the curve of glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the diabetic rats, while improved pancreatic β-function was demonstrated by increasing pancreatic and serum insulin levels. EVSIO treatment effectively lowered atrophic pancreatic islets and reduced the level of serum and pancreatic MDA in the diabetic rats. In addition to serum and pancreatic GPx activities in the diabetic rats, EVSIO also augmented serum SOD. Increased levels of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 present in the diabetic rats were greatly reduced by EVSIO treatment. Furthermore, EVSIO revealed an anti-apoptotic effect on the diabetic rat pancreas by upregulating Bcl-2, and downregulating Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression.

Conclusion

The overall study results demonstrated the potential anti-hyperglycemic effect of EVSIO in the diabetic rats. The beneficial effects of EVSIO may be attributed to its ability to improve pancreatic β-cell function and ameliorate β-cell apoptosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines.

Background and Aim

Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XZD), a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, was firstly recorded in the Qing dynasty of ancient China and previously demonstrated to ameliorate hepatic steatosis. In the present study, the effects of XZD on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by high-fat diet (HFD) were evaluated in mice and the hepatic transcriptome was detected to disclose the potential mechanisms of XZD.

Experimental procedure

The effects of XZD (low- and high-dosage) on NAFLD induced by HFD for 16 weeks were evaluated. Obeticholic acid was used as control drug. Body weight, food intake and index of homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were analyzed. Hepatic histology were observed in haematoxylin and eosin stained sections and quantified with NAFLD activity score (NAS). Lipid in hepatocytes was visualized by Oil red staining. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hepatic triglyceride (TG) was measured. The hepatic transcriptom was detected with RNA-sequencing and validated with real-time polymerase chain reaction, western-blotting and hepatic quantitative metabolomics.

Results

XZD ameliorated hepatic histology of NAFLD mice, accompanied with decreasing fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, NAS, ALT and hepatic TG. The hepatic transcriptom of NAFLD was significantly reversed by XZD treatment, especially the genes enriched in the pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism, fatty acid degradation, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and extracellular matrix (ECM) -receptor interaction. The hepatic quantitative metabolomics analysis confirmed fatty acid degradation as the key targeting pathway of XZD.

Conclusions

XZD ameliorated NAFLD induced by HFD, which probably correlated closely to the pathways of fatty acid degradation.

Background and aim

Skin is one barrier protecting from environmental risk factors that can make skin cells cancerous through DNA damage and oxidative stress. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway is an anti-stress defense system that can be regulated by DNA methylation and histone modification. Dietary phytochemicals have chemopreventive properties that can inhibit or delay carcinogenesis. The lotus leaf is a traditional medicinal plant containing many polyphenols whose extracts show many biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-cancer. This study aim to investigate the effect of lotus leaves on neoplastic transformation in murine skin JB6 P+ cells.

Experimental procedure

Lotus leaves were extracted with water (LL-WE) and ethanol (LL-EE), and the LL-WE residues were further extracted with ethanol (LL-WREE). JB6 P+ cells were treated with different extracts. The chemoprotective effect would be evaluated by heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), and UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1 member A1 (UGT1A1) expression.

Results and conclusion

LL-EE contained higher total phenolics and quercetin among extracts. In mouse skin JB6 P+ cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate treatment, LL-EE showed the greatest potential to suppress skin carcinogenesis. LL-EE activated the NRF2 pathway by upregulating antioxidant and detoxification enzymes upregulates antioxidant and detoxification enzymes, including HO-1, NQO1, and UGT1A1, and downregulates DNA methylation, which might be caused by lower DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase levels. Therefore, our results show that LL-EE reduces the neoplastic transformation of skin JB6 P+ cells, potentially by activating the NRF2 pathway and regulating epigenetic DNA methylation and histone acetylation.

Experimental autism in rodents can be caused by prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure. Some diseases, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia, opiate withdrawal, and generalized anxiety disorder can be treated by consuming Passiflora incarnata, due to the possession of bioactive compounds like alkaloids, phenols, and flavonoids.

The present study aims to investigate the role of the hydroalcoholic extract of Passiflora incarnata in behavioral and oxidative stress aberrations induced by VPA.

On the gestational day (GD), 12.5, pregnant Wistar rats received VPA (600 mg/kg subcutaneously). Male pups were treated with the extract (30,100, and 300 mg/kg) from postnatal day 35 to the end of the experiment, and underwent behavioral testing to evaluate locomotion, repetitive, and stereotyped movements, anxiety, and social and cognitive behaviors. After behavioral testing, the blood sample was taken from the left ventricle to determine serum catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Then the animals were euthanized and their brains were taken out for histological assays of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and CA1 hippocampus with hematoxylin/eosin. The total phenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of the extract were also measured. A significant improvement was observed in behavioral disturbances, particularly with 300 mg/kg of Passiflora. Moreover, the formation of oxidative stress markers significantly decreased at this dose. The extract also reduced the percentage of damaged cells in the CA1 and PFC. The results indicated that Passiflora extract could ameliorate VPA-induced behavioral aberrations possibly due to the antioxidant actions of its bioactive compounds.

Background and aim

Traditional Chinese medicine Yinchenhao Tang (YCHT) demonstrated benefits when treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the dose effects and potential targets are still ambiguous. In this study, different concentrations of YCHT were employed to treat NAFLD and the underlying therapeutic targets were investigated.

Experimental procedure

Kunming mice were fed with high fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks to induce NAFLD, then treated with 3 different concentrations of YCHT. Hepatic pathological changes and serum lipid levels were examined. Network pharmacology was applied to screen the potential targets of YCHT for NAFLD modulation. NR1H4 and APOA1 expression was evaluated by QPCR and western blotting. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was conducted to visualize the localization pattern of NR1H4 and APOA1 in the liver.

Results

YCHT significantly reduced liver lipid storage and improved the liver pathological status of NAFLD mice. The serum lipid levels, as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, were remarkably reduced by the middle and high dose YCHT. There are 35 potential targets for YCHT to regulate NAFLD. HFD suppressed both RNA and protein expression of NR1H4 and APOA1, while YCHT elevated NR1H4 and APOA1 expression. IHC staining indicated that NR1H4 was mainly located in the cell nucleus and the APOA1 signal was observed at the liver sinusoid or cytoplasm.

Conclusion

YCHT can effectively ameliorate HFD induced NAFLD by modulating the promising targets of NR1H4 and APOA1.

Background and aim

A better understanding of irreversible prognoses in palliative care is crucial for improving patients’ quality of life and their sense of dignity. We examined whether measurements of meridian electrical conductance can noninvasively and objectively predict survival time in a hospice patient population.

Experimental procedure

This was a single-center cohort study. Between 2019 and 2020, we measured skin conductance from 24 representative acupoints of 12 meridians on both sides of the body in 181 advanced cancer patients within 48 h of hospitalization and monitored their survival time. The Palliative Prognostic Score (PaP Score) was calculated for each patient, classifying them into one of three prognosis groups: Group A, B, or C. Factors associated with short-term and long-term survival were identified using multivariate regression analysis. Statistical differences in survival times were analyzed between the meridian electrical conductance measurements and PaP Scores.

Results and conclusion

Analyses of the clinicopathological data from terminal cancer patients revealed that male sex, mean meridian electrical conductance measurements of ≤8.8 μA, and PaP Scores in Group C were independent predictors of short-term survival. Mean meridian electrical conductance measurements of ≤8.8 μA demonstrated good sensitivity (85.1%) and adequate specificity (60.6%) for short-term survival. A survival curve analysis revealed a mortality rate of 90.6% at 30 days among patients with meridian electrical conductance measurements of ≤8.8 μA. A mean meridian electrical conductance measurement of ≤8.8 μA can objectively assess short-term survival with advanced cancer and reduce nonbeneficial medical treatment.

Background and aims

Brown algae (Dictyopteris polypodioides) extract (DP) presented high inhibitory potential against α-amylase. The present study aims to isolate, purify and evaluate the antihyperglycemic and anti-type 2 diabetic activities of marine hydroquinone from DP.

Methods

Marine hydroquinones were isolated using silica gel, HPLC, and NMR spectroscopy was used to identify compound 1 and compound 2 as zonarol and isozonarol, respectively. The anti-hyperglycemic and anti-type 2 diabetic activities of zonarol were investigated by in vitro assay (α-amylase, α-glucosidase), Lineweaver–Burk plot and Type 2 diabetes mellitus model (T2DM) mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ).

Result

Zonarol had the highest content and the strongest inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ value of 6.03 mg L⁻¹) and α-amylase (IC₅₀ value of 19.29 mg L⁻¹) in a competitive inhibition and mix-type manner, respectively. The maltose and starch loading tests revealed that zonarol significantly reduced postprandial glycemia after 30 min loading (9.12 and 8.12 mg/dL, respectively), compared to normal (11.37 and 12.37 mg/dL, respectively). Zonarol exhibited pancreatic islet cell rejuvenation, as evidenced by increased pancreatic islet mass, and hence helps in the restoration of insulin levels and therefore improves the glucose metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Zonarol treatment in T2DM elevated abundant levels of main SCFAs (propionate, butyrate, and valeric acid), which are closely related to glucose metabolism homeostasis.

Conclusion

Our finding indicates that zonarol could be used as a food supplement to treat hyperglycemia and diabetes.