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

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms of the effect of Shenji Guben (SJGB) decoction on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: A murine model of COPD was established through lipopolysaccharide (LPS) nasal drops and passive smoke exposure, followed by evaluation of SJGB decoction efficacy via lung function tests and histological analysis. Non-targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics was used to explore the mechanisms of SJGB decoction in COPD.

Results: We found that the SJGB decoction effectively reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the airways and lungs, and improved lung function in the COPD model mice. LC-MS-based metabolomics identified 86 biomarkers in COPD models. Compared to the model group, SJGB decoction significantly altered 34 metabolites. Prostaglandin E2 and DL-Citrulline were highlighted as two representative differential metabolites. MetaboAnalyst 5.0 highlighted glycerophospholipid and riboflavin metabolisms as key pathways affected by SJGB decoction.

Conclusion: This study evaluated the protective effect of SJGB decoction against COPD and provided insights into its potential mechanisms in COPD treatment.

Objective: To systematically assess the safety and effectiveness of Compound E'jiao Jiang (, CEJ) for treating leukopenia.

Methods: Four English and four Chinese databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on CEJ for treating leukopenia up to July 1, 2024. Two researchers independently screened the studies and extracted necessary data. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Articles eligible for Meta-analysis were analyzed using RevMan.

Results: A total of 28 RCTs involving 2041 participants were included, with 1034 in the experimental group and 1007 in the control group. The Meta-analysis showed a significant effect of CEJ in treating leukopenia caused by tumor and immune diseases (three RCTs) [risk ratio (RR) = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.08, 1.27), P= 0.0002, I 2 = 35%]. The combination of CEJ and Western Medicine showed superior results in terms of white blood cell (WBC) counts (fifteen RCTs) [mean difference (MD) = 1.12, 95% CI(0.83, 1.42), P< 0.000 01, I 2 = 88%], Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) levels (seven RCTs) [RR = 1.39, 95% CI(1.25, 1.55), P <0.000 01, I 2 = 36%], and mitigation of bone marrow toxicity (eleven RCTs) [RR = 0.61, 95% CI(0.54, 0.69), P < 0.00001, I 2 = 24%] compared to Western Medicine alone. Adverse events mainly included gastrointestinal and digestive reactions associated with chemotherapy drugs.

Conclusion: CEJ alone or in combination with Western Medicine for treating leukopenia caused by tumor and immune diseases improved WBC counts, clinical efficacy, and quality of life. It also reduced bone marrow toxicity-induced leukopenia, enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapy while reducing its toxicity, and alleviated symptoms. No significant adverse events were reported in the RCTs, indicating favorable efficacy and safety. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation assessment indicated a low level of evidence for CEJ in improving leukocyte elevation efficacy, KPS levels, and myelosuppressive toxicity. Therefore, large-scale, high-quality, rigorous multicenter double-blind controlled trials are recommended to strengthen the evidence level.

Objective: To examine the effects of the Jianpi Yifei Tongluo recipe (, JYTR) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) within an animal model and to elucidate its anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Methods: In this study, we utilized cigarette smoke (CS) exposure and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced models of COPD in rats to evaluate the effects of the JYTR on airway inflammation. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to various groups: control, model, budesonide, synbiotics, and low, medium, and high JYTR. Pulmonary function was gauged using an animal volumetric tracer. Pathological alterations in lung tissue were examined under a light microscope. To ascertain cytokine production, we conducted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests, and we employed Western blotting to measure the expression levels of interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), arginase 1(Arg1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (IKB-α), and P65.

Results: Compared to the control group, rats in the COPD model group exhibited significantly compromised pulmonary function and severe inflammatory pathology in the lungs. Treatment with budesonide, synbiotics, and the JYTR markedly improved pulmonary function and diminished the production of inflammatory cytokines transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These improvements were particularly notable in the budesonide group and the high-dose JYTR group. Additionally, the JYTR increased the expression of IRF4 and upregulated the protein expression of Arg1, while concurrently downregulating the protein expression of iNOS, phosphorylated IKB-α, and phosphorylated P65.

Conclusion: Our current study reveals that JYTR can mitigate inflammatory lung injury, enhance lung function, and lower levels of inflammatory cytokines induced by CS or LPS exposure in COPD model rats. The mechanism behind its anti-inflammatory effect likely involves the regulation of IRF4 expression and M2 polarization through the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling pathway.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the sequential therapy in treating infertility with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and luteal phase defects (LPD) by Yangxin Dianji decoction (, YXDJ-D) and Nuangong Tiaojing decoction (, NGTJ-D).

Methods: This study was undertaken in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine. Altogether 90 eligible patients with PCOS and LPD were assigned to exposed group A (Chinese Medicine therapy, YXDJ-D and NGTJ-D), exposed group B (Chinese Medicine plus Western Medicine therapy), control group (Western Medicine therapy). The exposed group A adopted the sequential therapy that YXDJ-D is taken in the postmenstrual period (follicular phase) and NGTJ-D is taken in premenstrual period (luteal phase). Control group took letrozole, dydrogesterone and was given intramuscular injection of human menopausal gonadotropin, human chorionic gonadotropin. The exposed group B was treated with the above-mentioned therapy project of integrated Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine. This study lasted for 2 courses for 6 months. The primary outcomes were pregnancy rate and early abortion rate. The secondary outcomes were the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, estrogen (E₂) and progesterone (P), endometrial volume (EV), vascularity index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI). These outcomes will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention.

Results: The pregnancy rates of the exposed group A and B were higher than the control group (60.00% vs 60.00% vs 53.33%), while early abortion rates of exposed groups A and B were lower than the control group (33.33% vs 16.67% vs 43.75%, P > 0.05). Total efficacy rates in exposed group A and B were better than the control group (93.30% vs 93.30% vs 53.30%, P < 0.01). TCM symptom scores and endometrial receptivity indexes (EV, FI, VFI) were significantly lower in exposed groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). P increase in exposed group B was superior to the other two groups (P < 0.01). No noticeable abnormalities in safety indicators in the three groups.

Conclusion: The sequential therapy of YXDJ-D and NGTJ-D can effectively increase pregnancy rate, reduce the early abortion rate and alleviate the clinical symptoms of infertility in patients with PCOS and LPD by improving luteal function and promoting the endometrial receptivity.

Objective: To elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) (APR) and Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) (GR) in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods: Based on the network pharmacology strategy, the therapeutic targets of APR-GR for MDD are predicted, differentially expressed genes from the Integrated Gene Expression database for MDD patients. Topological networks are constructed, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways are enriched, their pharmacological potential molecular mechanisms are discussed, and molecular docking analysis is performed to further motivate compositional and target interactions. Finally, the CUMS mouse model is used for validation.

Results: Based on the pharmacological network analysis, 17 candidate genes were identified, including muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1(CHRM1), muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2 (CHRM2), β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2), adrenergic α1A receptor (ADRA1A) and 5-hydroxytryptamine transfer protein (SLC6A4), etc. which are primarily involved in reactive oxygen species metabolism, neural response, oxidative stress response and other biological processes. Further analysis revealed that these targets are closely related to Ca²⁺, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, etc., and exhibit optimal binding sites after molecular docking. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed and it was found that APR-GR significantly improved depression-like behavior and hippocampal impairment in mouse models, increasing brain levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine and norepinephrine and decreasing serum levels of corticotropin releasing hormone, corticosterone and adreno cortico tropic hormone, while upregulating the expression of CHRM1, CHRM2 and ADRA1A in the hippocampus and downregulating the expression of SLC6A4 and ADRB2.

Cnclusion: This research sheds light on the potential molecular mechanism of APR-GR to improve MDD.

Objective: To confirm the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Jingui Shenqi pill (, JGSQP) on cardiorenal syndrome.

Methods: Doxorubicin was used to build heart-kidney coinjury rat model. After the modeling was completed, JGSQP gavage intervention was performed. The cardiac function of rats in each group was evaluated by ultrasound detection. Serum of rats was collected and examined for markers of heart and kidney damage. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay detected serum inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot detected the changes of related genes and proteins.

Results: JGSQP significantly increased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular shortening fraction (FS) values, decreased the heart and kidney damage markers and fibrosis levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, it can reduce IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α inflammatory expression (P < 0.05). Mechanistically, JGSQP significantly inhibited the expression of key genes and proteins of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Jingui Shenqi pill can exert therapeutic effects on cardiorenal syndrome by inhibiting the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and inflammatory responses.

Objective: To investigate whether Jiegeng (Radix Platycodi, RP) has a Yin-Jing potentiating effect on Jingjie (Herba Schizonepetae Tenuifoliae,ST). We investigated the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of pulegone, the active ingredient in ST volatile oil, in rats to verify the scientific validity of the Yin-Jing doctrine, the basic theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Methods: The volatile oil and aqueous extract of ST were extracted by hydrodistillation. RP's aqueous extract underwent aqueous extraction. After individual and co-administration, we conducted pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies on Sprague-Dawley male rats.

Results: Peak concentration (Cmax), mean retention time from 0 to ∞ (MRT0→∞), and area under the curve (AUC0→10), (AUC0→∞) were 1.51, 1.14, 2.34, and 3.86 times higher in the co-administration group than in the individual administration group, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, half-life (T1/2) was significantly prolonged in the co-administration group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the clearance and elimination rate constant (Ke) in the co-administration group were significantly lower than those in the individual administration group, just 50% of those in the individual administration group (P < 0.05). After co-administration of the drug, the pulegone content in all tissues of the rats was elevated to varying degrees, especially a significant increase in the drug content in lung tissues (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: After co-administration, the retention of pulegone in the body was prolonged, the elimination of pulegone from the body was delayed, and the accumulation of pulegone in the lungs was facilitated. Therefore, using RP as a Yin-Jing drug concoction has a significant cumulative effect of inducing upward mobilization and targeting lung tissues.

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Shaoyao Gancao granule (SGG, ) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and immune imbalance status in stressed alopecia areata (AA) mice, and to provide an objective experimental basis for the clinical application of SGG.

Methods: Seventy female C57BL/6J mice aged 5-7 weeks were randomly divided into two groups: 10 mice in the blank control group and 60 mice in the mock group. The moulding group received topical imiquimod cream in combination with chronic unpredictable mild stress. On day 10, the moulding group was further divided into six groups: Shaoyao Gancao granule low-dose (SGL), Shaoyao Gancao granule medium-dose (SGM), Shaoyao Gancao granule high-dose (SGH), Antalarmin, and compound glycyrrhizin (CG). On day 24, overall and trichoscopic photographs of mice were taken on day 24 of the experiment; behavioral tests were completed; serum corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; and T helper cell (Th)1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cell differentiation in peripheral blood T lymphocyte subpopulations was detected by flow cytometry.

Results: The dorsal skin lesions of mice in all SGG groups showed faster hair growth, less dilated skin capillaries, and scaly conditions compared with those in the model group. In the open field test, compared with those of the model group, the moving distance and number of uprights and entries into the central area of the mice in the SGM and SGH groups significantly increased (P < 0.05), while in the forced swimming test, compared with the model group, the rest time of the mice in the SGL, SGM, and SGH groups significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that, compared with the model group, the mice in the SGH group had significantly reduced CRH levels (P < 0.05), and the ACTH and cortisol levels in the SGM and SGH groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The flow cytometry results showed that, compared with those in the model group, Th2 levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05), Th17 levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05), the Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05), and the Th17/Treg ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the SGM and SGH groups. The Th1 and Treg cell ratios were reduced in all SGG groups, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: SGG may exert therapeutic effects in AA by modulating the HPA axis and regulating immune imbalance.

Objective: To examine the T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) immune balance in passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) rats with dampness syndrome (DS).

Methods: Rats were divided into four groups: normal control (NC), PHN model, PHN + DS model, and DS model. The DS model was created by administering lard, a 60% cold sucrose solution, and Chinese Baijiu viagavage. In contrast, PHN was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by injecting anti-Fx1A serum into the tail vein. The general condition of the rats was assessed, while the levels of urine protein, albumin, and serum creatinine were measured using commercially available kits. Pathological renal damage was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-schiff, and periodic acid-silver methenamine staining, while podocyte damage was assessed through immunohistochemistry. The proportions of Th17 cells and Treg cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were quantified by flow cytometry. Plasma cytokine levels of interleukin 17, transforming growth factor-β1, and interleukin 6 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: This study demonstrated a significant increase in proteinuria and total cholesterol levels in PHN rats with DS, along with more severe histopathological kidney damage. DS exacerbated podocyte damage in PHN rats. Additionally, the number of Treg cells was significantly reduced, while the ratio of Th17/Treg cells was significantly elevated in PHN rats with DS.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings of our study indicate that the presence of DS exacerbates renal injury in PHN, a rat model used to simulate experimental membranous nephropathy. This observation may be closely linked to the exacerbation of the Th17/Treg imbalance and podocyte injury in PHN rats induced by DS.

Objective: To determine the mechanism of electro-acupuncture (EA) effect by the wingless-related integration site (Wnt)/β-catenin pathway in the guinea pig myopia model.

Methods: Following myopia induction and EA, guinea pigs were treated with biometry to evaluate refraction and axial length. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe that the retina, choroid, and sclera had abnormal morphology. At 4, 6, and 8 weeks, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to identify the expression of matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2)/MMP-3/tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-2 (TIMP-2)/TIMP-3/Wnt family member 2B (WNT2B)/WNT3A/ WNT7B/beta-catenin 1 (CTNNB1), and dickkopf wnt signaling pathway inhibitor 1 (DKK-1) mRNAs in the retina, choroid, and sclera. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of WNT7B/2B/3A, CTNNB1 and DKK-1 in retina, choroid and sclera at 4 weeks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the protein expression of MMP-2/TIMP-2 and MMP-3/TIMP-3 in serum at 4 weeks. Moreover, a DKK-1 inhibitor was injected into the vitreous cavity, and the expression of the above molecules was detected.

Results: EA could reduce the optic axial length and diopter and ameliorate ocular pathology, inhibited the expression of MMP-2/MMP-3 and WNT2B/WNT3A/ WNT7B/CTNNB1, while increased the expression levels of TIMP-2/TIMP-3 and DKK-1. However, the expression levels of WNT2B/WNT3A/WNT7B/CTNNB1 and MMP-2/MMP-3 were significantly increased, and the TIMP-2/TIMP-3 and DKK-1 expression levels were decreased after injected DKK-1 inhibitor.

Conclusion: The mechanism of EA's effects on myopia may involve the downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and correct MMP-2/MMP-3/TIMP-2/TIMP-3 balance.