Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine最新文献

Objective

Qu's formula 3 (QUF3) is a patented Chinese herbal medicine used to alleviate anxiety disorders during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). This study aimed to identify the potential active constituents and molecular mechanisms of action of QUF3 in alleviating anxiety disorders during IVF-ET.

Methods

The active constituents of QUF3 were identified from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and literatures. Potential targets of anxiety disorder and IVF-ET were identified using GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, and the UniProt Database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, gene ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed to identify the potential mechanisms. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to visualize and verify the results.

Results

Quercetin, sophoranol, luteolin, kaempferol, and neurotoxin inhibitors were identified as the TOP 5 active constituents of QUF3. Forty common targets were shared among QUF3, anxiety disorders, and IVF-ET. Tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-6, vascular endothelial growth factor A, epidermal growth factor, interleukin-1B, cellular tumour antigen p53, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and oestrogen receptor were identified as the TOP 8 potential targets through PPI analysis. A total of 697 biological processes, 20 cellular components, and 54 molecular functions were identified. Further, 91 KEGG pathways were revealed to be enriched. The TOP 5 active constituents were verified to have good binding activity with the TOP 8 potential targets using molecular docking and MD simulations.

Conclusions

The mechanism of QUF3 in alleviating anxiety disorders in patients undergoing IVF-ET may be related to the interleukin-17 and tumour necrosis factor signalling pathways, inhibiting inflammatory responses and antioxidants, which may provide a solid foundation for the clinical application and further study of QUF3.

Background

Leishmaniasis is endemic in more than 60 countries with a large number of mortality cases. The current chemotherapy approaches employed for managing the leishmaniasis is associated with severe side effects. Therefore there is a need to develop effective, safe, and cost affordable antileishmanial drug candidates.

Purpose of the study

This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antileishmanial activity of a Prosopis juliflora leaves extract (PJLME) towards the Leishmania donovani parasites.

Material and methods

PJLME was evaluated for its cytotoxicity against the L. donovani parasites and the mouse macrophage cells. Further, various in vitro experiments like ROS assay, mitochondrial membrane potential assay, annexin v assay, cell cycle assay, and caspase 3/7 assay were performed to understand the mechanism of cell death. Phytochemical profiling of P. juliflorawas performed by utilizing HPTLC and GC-MS analysis.

Results

PJLME demonstrated antileishmanial activity at a remarkably lower concentration of IC₅₀ 6.5 μg/mL. Of note, interestingly PJLME IC₅₀ concentration has not demonstrated cytotoxicity against the mouse macrophage cell line. Performed experiments confirmed ROS inducing potential of PJLME which adversely affected the mitochondrial membrane potential and caused loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and thereby ATP levels. PJLME also arrested the cell cycle and induced apoptotic-like cell death in PJLME treated L. donovani promastigotes.

Conclusion

The results clearly established the significance of Prosopis juliflora as an effective and safe natural resource for managing visceral leishmaniasis. The findings can be used as a baseline reference for developing novel leads/formulations for effective management of visceral leishmaniasis.

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Introduction

Sepsis is now a global medical burden with high morbility and mortality. The focus of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ziqi Dihuang (ZQDH) decoction on inflammatory and thrombosis-related parameters in septic rats.

Mothods

A rat model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Sham group, CLP group, ZQDH-1ow group (0.735 g/kg) and ZQDH-high group (1.47 g/kg). Rats in ZQDH groups were given ZQDH decoction by gavage for 7 days before CLP. White blood cells (WBC), inflammatory cell infiltration of liver, kidney and lung, as well as serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were used to assess systemic inflammatory response. Coagulation and fibrinolytic indexes included platelet count, coagulation function, fibrin deposition, and levels of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in serum, liver, kidney and lung.

Results

LPS rats showed significant changes in inflammatory and thrombosis-related parameters such as increased WBC and inflammatory factors, decreased platelet counts, and increased tPA and PAI-1 concentrations in serum and organs. ZQDH decoction pretreatment can significantly inhibit the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung, and inhibit the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and ROS in a dose-dependent manner. ZQDH decoction also ameliorated thrombocytopenia, renal fibrin deposition, and tPA and PAI-1 levels in serum and organs.

Conclusion

These results suggest that ZQDH decoction can dose-dependently relieve systemic inflammatory injury and regulate fibrinolysis system in septic rats, which may be mediated by PAI-1.

Background and aim

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly invasive type of breast cancer with a poor prognosis. Currently, there are no effective management strategies for TNBC. Earlier, our lab reported the percolation of Spatholobus suberectus for the treatment of breast cancer. Lipid metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. However, the anti-TNBC efficiency of S. suberectus extract and its causal mechanism for preventing lipogenesis have not been fully recognized. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory role of S. suberectus extract on lipogenesis and tumorigenesis in TNBC in vitro and in vivo by activating AMPK-ACC and K-Ras-ERK signaling pathways using lipidomic and metabolomic techniques.

Experimental procedure

Dried stems of S. suberectus extract inhibited lipogenesis and tumorigenesis and promoted fatty acid oxidation as demonstrated by the identification of the metabolites and fatty acid markers using proteomic and metabolomic analysis, qPCR, and Western blot.

Results and conclusion

The results indicated that S. suberectus extract promotes fatty acid oxidation and suppresses lipogenic metabolites and biomarkers, thereby preventing tumorigenesis via the AMPK-ACC and K-Ras-ERK signaling pathways. On the basis of this preclinical evidence, we suggest that this study represents a milestone and complements Chinese medicine. Further studies remain underway in our laboratory to elucidate the active principles of S. suberectus extract. This study suggests that S. suberectus extract could be a promising therapy for TNBC.

Objective

Baicalin, which is a key bioactive constituent obtained from Scutellaria baicalensis, has been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for many centuries. Although it has been reported that Baicalin (BA) can inhibit the replication of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), the exact mechanism behind this process remains unclear. Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) are crucial in the process of antiviral defense. We aim to investigate whether BA can regulate the expression of ISGs, and thereby potentially modulate the replication of HBV.

Methods

The study involved the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology to perform knockout experiments on TRIM25 and IFIT3 genes. The expression of these genes was confirmed through techniques such as immunoblotting or Q-PCR. The levels of HBsAg and HBeAg were measured using ELISA, and the expression of interferon-stimulated genes was detected using a luciferase assay.

Results

It is interesting to note that several ISGs belonging to the TRIM family, including TRIM5, TRIM25, and TRIM14, were induced after BA treatment. On the other hand, members of the IFIT family were reduced by BA stimulation. Additionally, BA-mediated HBV inhibition was found to be significantly restored in HepG2 cells where TRIM25 was knocked out. Additional research into the mechanism of action of BA found that prolonged treatment with BA activated the JAK/STAT signaling pathway while simultaneously inhibiting the NF-kB pathway.

Conclusion

The findings of our study indicate that TRIM25 has a significant impact on the regulation of HBV replication following BA treatment, providing additional insight into the mechanisms by which BA exerts its antiviral effects.

Background and aim

This study investigated the effect of the electrode configuration on EA treating ischemic stroke.

Experimental procedure

An ischemic stroke rat model was established. In the EA-P group, the anodes of EA were placed on the BL7 and BL8 acupoints of the lesioned, and the cathodes were placed on the BL7 and BL8 acupoints of the nonlesioned hemispheres; by contrast, in the EA-N group.

Results

The difference in neurological deficit scores between the first and fourth days and the difference in Rotarod test time between the fourth and first days after reperfusion were greater in the EA-P and EA-N groups than in the sham group (all p < 0.001). In the lesioned hemisphere, neuronal nuclei (NeuN), γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA)-A, postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), and astrocyte glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) expression and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2)/glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH) ratios were greater and the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)/GADPH ratios were smaller in the EA-P than in the sham group (all p < 0.05), but these ratios in the EA-N group were similar to those in the sham group (all p > 0.05); serum adrenaline and serotonin levels in the sham group were lower than those in the normal and EA-P groups (both p < 0.05), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glutamate levels were higher in the EA-P group than in the sham group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

EA improved neurological function through multiple pathways. However, placing the anode on the lesioned hemisphere can provide more neuroprotection.

Background and aim

Acupuncture has been criticized as a theatrical placebo for the sham effect. Unfortunately, sham tests used in control groups in acupuncture studies have always ignored the underlying biophysical factors, including resonance involved in acupuncture points and meridians.

Experimental procedure

In this study, the effects of sham acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36) were examined by analyzing noninvasive 30-sec. recordings of the radial arterial pulses for 3 groups of patients treated with different probes (blunt, sharp, and patch) on the superficial skin of the acupuncture point. The 3 groups were then treated with the sharp probe for 3 different periods (16, 30, and 50 s). Then we compared the harmonics of the radial arterial pulse after Fourier transformation before and after the treatment.

Results

Our results indicated that different probes have effects similar to needle insertion at Tsu San Li. Meanwhile, the harmonic effect of the sharp probe strengthened as time increased.

Conclusions

This study revealed that the meridian effect of sham testing from mechanical stimulation, even from simple touch, on an acupuncture point, should not be overlooked. Thus, even simple touch can be added to electrical or laser acupuncture.