Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan最新文献

Objective: To learn the mechanisms between gut microbiome and the autoimmunity benefits on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in central nervous system (CNS), we investigated the neuro-protection effects and gut mircobiota changes of Heshouwu () on experimental autoimmune encepha-lomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Mice were randomly divided into four groups: EAE mice (control phosphate-buffered saline group), 50 mg·kg·d Heshouwu ()-treated EAE mice, 100 mg·kg·d Heshouwu ()-treated EAE mice, and 200 mg·kg·d Heshouwu ()-treated EAE mice. The spinal cords were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and luxol fast blue for evaluating inflammatory infiltration and demyelination. The percentages of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)+CD4+, interleukin 17 (IL-17)+CD4+, Foxp3 CD4+, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)+CD4+ T cells in the inguinal lymph nodes (LNs) and brain were determined by flow cytometry analysis. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was employed to analyze the changes in gut microbiota.

Results: We found that Heshouwu () alleviated the disease severity and neuropathology of EAE as evaluated by clinical and histopathologyical scores. Heshouwu () increased the diversity and abundance of the gut microbiota, and decreased / ratio (F/B ratio). Heshouwu () also decreased the concentrations of IL-10, and IL-21 and increase the levels of GM-CSF, IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-22 in serum of EAE mice. Moreover, Heshouwu () modulated the T cell responses by inhibiting Th17 cells and restoring Treg cells in the small intestine lymphoid tissues and inguinal lymph nodes. Microbiota-depleted mice receiving Heshouwu ()-treated fecal microbiota trans-plantation had lower disease severity, neuropathology scores and alleviation of Th17/Treg imbalance compared to ad libitum group.

Conclusions: Our findings suggested that the vital neuro-protection role of Heshouwu () (TCM) in immunomodulation effects partly by regulations of gut microbiome.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine prescriptions for resolving phlegm in the treatment of angina pectoris of phlegm-stasis coronary heart disease by a network Meta-analysis.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on clinical efficacy of CHD angina pectoris with interaction of phlegm and blood stasis were searched in PubMed, Springer, the Cochrane Library and Chinese-language databases China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Wanfang Data from their inception to December 2021. Literature was screened and literature bias risk was assessed by RevMan5.4 software. The overall response rate, the duration of angina attack, the levels of serum lipids such as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and expression of hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were selected as outcome indicators for network Meta-analysis and mapped using Stata15.1 software.

Results: Totally, 26 RCTs were included, involving 2098 participants. There were 6 TCM formulas with the effects of dispelling phlegm and removing blood stasis. Taking conventional Western Medicine as the common intervention measures, the results showed that the overall response improvement rate from high to low was displayed as modified Xiaoxianxiong decoction (, MXD), Danlou tablet (, DT), modified Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction (, MGXBD), modified Wendan decoction (, MWD), modified Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi decoction (, MZXGD), and modified Erchen decoction (, MED). The sequence of angina attack duration improvement from high to low was MZXGD, MGXBD, DT, MWD, MXD. The sequence of TC improvement from high to low was MZXGD, MED, DT, and MGXBD. Sequence of improving TG from high to low was MED, MZXGD, MGXBD, and DT. For LDL-C improvement, the effect from good to poor was MZXGD, MGXBD, DT, and MED. With regard to HDL-C improvement, the effect was ranked as MED, MZXGD, MGXBD, and DT from good to poor. hs-CRP expression from high to low was MZXGD, MXD, MED, MWD, and MGXBD.

Conclusion: TCM formula with the effects of dispelling phlegm and removing blood stasis combined with conventional Western Medicine has obvious advantages in treating CHD angina pectoris with interaction of phlegm and blood stasis. MZXGD has great potential in increasing the overall response rate, reducing Duration of angina attack improving blood lipids, and reducing inflammatory factors. However, due to the limitations of extant studies, the conclusions of this study need to be confirmed by numerous reasonably-designed RCTs.

Objective: To investiage the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at a single acupoint of Shenmen (HT7), Baihui (GV20), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and at combined acupoints of Shenmen (HT7) and Baihui (GV20) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) on the PKA/CREB and BDNF/TrkB signaling, as well as neuroapoptosis and neurogenesis in hippocampus and elucidate the underlying mechanism of single and combined acupoints on ameliorating spatial learning and memory deficits in a rat model of primary insomnia.

Methods: Primary insomnia was modeled by intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) once daily for 2 d. EA was applied at Shenmen (HT7), Baihui (GV20), Sanyinjiao (SP6), or Shenmen (HT7) + Baihui (GV20) + Sanyinjiao (SP6) (combined) for 30 min daily for 4 d. Spatial learning and memory function was evaluated by the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Protein expressions of hippocampal cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-Cβ, phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (p-CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) were evaluated by Western blotting. Neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus was detected with the transferase-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling assay. Endogenous neurogenesis was examined with bromodeoxyuridine staining. The MWM test and hippocampal p-CREB, BDNF, and TrkB protein levels in the combined acupoints group were evaluated after the administration of a PKA-selective inhibitor (H89).

Results: Spatial learning and memory were significantly impaired in rats with insomnia. The spatial learning deficits were ameliorated in the Shenmen (HT7), Baihui (GV20), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and combined groups; this improvement was significantly greater in the combined group than the single acupoint groups. The spatial memory impairment was improved in the combined, Baihui (GV20), and Shenmen (HT7) groups, but not the Sanyinjiao (SP6) group. The expressions of PKA-Cβ, p-CREB, BDNF, and TrkB were decreased in rats with insomnia. All these proteins were significantly upregulated in the combined group. PKA/p-CREB protein levels were elevated in the Baihui (GV20) and Shenmen (HT7) groups, whereas BDNF/TrkB expression was upregulated in the Sanyinjiao (SP6) group. The staining results showed significant attenuation of hippocampal cell apoptosis and increased numbers of proliferating cells in the combined group, whereas the single acupoint groups only showed decreased numbers of apoptotic cells. In the combined group, the PKA inhibitor reversed the improvement of spatial memory and upregulation of p-CREB expression caused by EA, but did not affect its activation of BDNF/TrkB signaling.

Conclusions: EA at the single acupoints Baihui (GV20), Shenmen (HT7), or Sanyinjiao (SP6) had an ameliorating effect on the spatial learning and memory deficits induced by insomnia. EA at combined acupoints exerted a synergistic effect on the improvements i

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of bee venom acupuncture in humeroscapularis (PHS) patients.

Methods: One hundred and twenty patients diagnosed with PHS were assigned into four groups: BV1 (0.01 mg/kg), BV2 (0.005 mg/kg), BV3 (0.0025 mg/kg), and control group (vitamin B1 plus novocain 3% injection) with 15 d of treatment. The outcomes of the study including visual analogue scale (VAS) score and β-endorphin, inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and shoulder function score were assessed at baseline, after 10 and 15 d of treatment.

Results: All four groups reported statistically significant improvement in VAS score, motion range, and shoulder function score ( < 0.01), only the BV3 group showed significant increase of anti-inflammatory (IL-10) and decrease of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, TNF-α) cytokines after treatment ( < 0.05). The BV3 group presented a significant difference between all outcomes compared to the control and other groups.

Conclusion: BV3 groups showed better recovery including reduced pain, improved motor function and normalized inflammatory cytokines than current therapy used in Vietnam and other groups.

Objective: To investigate the effects of acupotomy on the subchondral bone absorption and mechanical properties in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: The rabbits were divided into blank control, model, acupotomy and electroacupuncture (EA) groups, with 12 rabbits in each. Modified Videman's method was used to prepare KOA model. The acupotomy and EA group were given indicated intervention for 3 weeks. The behavior of rabbits in each group was recorded. Subsequently, cartilage-subchondral bone units were obtained and morphological changes were observed by optical microscope and micro computed tomography. Compression test was used to detect the mechanical properties of subchondral bone, Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were applied to detect the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2-Smad1 (BMP2-Smad1) pathway in subchondral bone.

Results: Compared with the control group, rabbits in the KOA group showed lameness, knee pain, and cartilage degradation; the subchondral bone showed active resorption, the mechanical properties decreased significantly and the BMP2-Smad1 pathway downregulated significantly. Both acupotomy and EA intervention could increase the thickness of trabecular bone (Tb. Th), the bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and the thickness of subchondral bone plate, reduce the separation of trabecular bone (Tb. Sp), improve the maximum load and elastic modulus of subchondral bone, and effectively delay cartilage degeneration in KOA rabbits. This process may be achieved through upregulation the related proteins of BMP2-Smad1 pathway. The maximum load and elastic modulus of subchondral bone in the acupotomy group were slightly better than those in the EA group.

Conclusions: Acupotomy could effectively protect cartilage by inhibiting abnormal bone resorption and improving mechanical properties of subchondral bone thorough the related proteins of BMP2-Smad1 pathway in KOA rabbits.

Objective: To investigate whether the Chinese massage system, Tuina, exerts analgesic effects in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) by remodeling the synaptic structure in the spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH).

Methods: Sixty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and evenly divided into the normal group, sham group, CCI group, CCI + Tuina group, CCI + MK-801 [an -methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B (NR2B) antagonist] group, and CCI + MK-801 + Tuina group. The neuropathic pain model was established using CCI with right sciatic nerve ligation. Tuina was administered 4 d after CCI surgery, using pressing manipulation for 10 min, once daily. Motor function was observed with the inclined plate test, and pain behaviors were observed by the Von Frey test and acetone spray test. At 19 d after surgery, the L3-L5 spinal cord segments were removed. Glutamate, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein expression levels of NR2B and postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) were detected by Western blot, and the synaptic structure was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results: CCI reduced motor function and caused mechanical and cold allodynia in rats, increased glutamate concentration and TNF-α and IL-1β levels, and increased expression of synapse-related proteins NR2B and PSD-95 in the SCDH. TEM revealed that the synaptic structure of SCDH neurons was altered. Most of these disease-induced changes were reversed by Tuina and intrathecal injection of MK-801 ( < 0.05 or < 0.01). For the majority of experiments, no significant differences were found between the CCI + MK-801 and CCI + MK-801 + Tuina groups.

Conclusions: Chinese Tuina can alleviate pain by remodeling the synaptic structure, and NR2B and PSD-95 receptors in the SCDH may be among its targets.

Objective: To explore the difference of catgut embedding effect between acupoints and non-acupoints in patients with abdominal obesity (AO).

Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, all subjects were randomly assigned into the acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) group and control group (catgut embedding at non-acupoints). With a 12-week actual intervention period and a 4-week period of follow-up. Waist circumference (WC), body weight, body mass index (BMI), hip circumference (HC) and appetite were applied and assessed at baseline and after 6, 12 and 16 weeks.

Results: After the total intervention phase (12 weeks), the WC, body weight, BMI, HC and visual analogue scale scores of appetite, decreased significantly in the two groups as compared to the baseline (0.001). Meanwhile, after the 4-week follow-up, the indicators still decreased significantly in the ACE group (0.001). At 12 and 16 weeks, catgut embedding at acupoints showed significantly advantages to non-acupoints in WC and appetite (0.05). No serious adverse events were observed in ACE group and control group.

Conclusions: Catgut embedding at acupoints and non-acupoints are all effective and safe for AO. ACE can effectively treat AO as expected and deliver lasting results.

Objective: To provide the evidence for the efficacy of acupoint application (AA) for patients with diarrhea in a real-world setting.

Methods: This study is a national multicenter retrospective cohort study. Our study consecutively collected outpatient medical records of patients with diarrhea from hundreds of primary hospitals nationwide registered in Chun Bo Wan Xiang cloud platform from 22nd August, 2020 to 5th November, 2020. The patients were divided into the treatment group and the control group according to patient's condition and willingness. The control group was treated with Western Medicine, oral Chinese Medicine decoction, or both. The treatment group was added with AA based on the control group. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent efficacy of AA in diarrheal recovery on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 28th day. As a next step, we also performed stratified analysis and likelihood ratio test (LRT). Sensitivity analyses included propensity score matching (PSM), four PSM-related analyses and E-value.

Results: The treatment group showed better efficacy than the control group on the 14th and 28th day [the 14th day: = 1.58, 95% (1.15, 2.19), 0.005; the 28th day: = 2.03, 95% (1.43, 2.88), < 0.001]. No difference was observed in efficacy of AA for the treatment of diarrhea among the subgroups ( > 0.05). PSM-related analyses confirmed the efficacy of AA in diarrheal recovery. The findings are unlikely to be nullified by an unmeasured confounding variable according to the results of E-values.

Conclusions: The efficacy in the treatment group was significantly more improved than that in the control group on the 14th and 28th day.

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism underlying the effect of the Lushi Runzao decoction on Sjogren's syndrome using network pharmacology and to verify the mechanismsanimal experiments.

Methods: Available biological data on each drug in the Lushi Runzao decoction were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, and the target proteins of Sjogren's syndrome were retrieved from the GeneCards database. Information regarding Sjogren's syndrome and the targets of the drugs were compared to obtain overlapping elements. This information was imported into the STRING platform to obtain a protein-protein interaction network diagram, following which a "component-target" network diagram was constructed using screened drug components and target informationCytoscape software. The database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery was used for Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways analyses. Pathway information predicted by network pharmacology was verified using animal experiments.

Results: The Lushi Runzao decoction ameliorated Sjogren's syndrome mainly by influencing tumor necrosis factor as well as certain cytokines and chemokines. The decoction also influenced the interleukin-17 and advanced glycosylation end products (AGE)-receptor for AGE signaling pathways.

Conclusion: The Lushi Runzao decoction ameliorates Sjogren's syndromemultiple targets and multiple signaling pathways. Network pharmacology is useful for making a comprehensive prediction regarding the efficacy of the Lushi Runzao decoction, and this information may be helpful in clinical research.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a female reproductive system disease caused by many factors and systems, which has seriously affected the quality of life of women of childbearing age. Clinically, the disease is difficult to treat while its incidence rate shows an increasing trend. In recent years, natural products used as multi-pathway, multi-target and efficient drugs, have become the focus of many research and clinical studies in China and abroad, and the effect of phytochemicals derived from edible plants and Chinese medicine herbs on POF were investigated in several papers. Using "premature ovarian failure" or "ovary" and related natural products as keywords, we retrieved and reviewed research articles from China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science and other literature databases. Up to October, 2021, natural compounds with prophylactic or interference inhibition effects on POF mainly included flavonoids, polysaccharides, saponins, and polyphenols. Their effect on POF and ovarian function was closely related to their antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antiaging, immunoregulatory and estrogen-like activities.