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

Objective: To investigate the synergistic effects of polyphyllin I (PPI) combined with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) on the growth of osteosarcoma cells through downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Methods: Cell viability, apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were examined using cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry assays. The morphology of cancer cells was observed with inverted phase contrast microscope. The migration and invasion abilities were examined by xCELLigence real time cell analysis DP system and transwell assays. The expressions of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase, C-Myc, Cyclin B1, cyclin-dependent kinases 1, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Active-β-catenin, β-catenin, p-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) and GSK-3β were determined by Western blotting assay.

Results: PPI sensitized TRAIL-induced decrease of viability, migration and invasion, as well as increase of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of MG-63 and U-2 OS osteosarcoma cells. The synergistic effect of PPI with TRAIL in inhibiting the growth of osteosarcoma cells was at least partially realized through the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Conclusion: The combination of PPI and TRAIL is potentially a novel treatment strategy of osteosarcoma.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) combined with sodium hyaluronate (HA) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and SinoMed were searched from inception to July 2020. The quality of the randomized controlled trials was evaluated independently by two reviewers according to the criteria in the Cochrane Collaboration for Systematic Reviews. The identified articles were then screened individually using EndnoteX9 for eligibility in this Meta-analysis. The heterogeneity among the articles was evaluated using I2.

Results: A total of 17 studies, comprising 2000 individuals, were included in this Meta-analysis. The results showed that a significant improvement was observed in knee pain and function based on the clinical efficacy of ESWT combined with HA. Statistical analysis of clinical efficacy showed that [relative risk (RR) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.12, 1.30), P < 0.01]. Statistical analysis of visual analog scale showed that [standardized mean difference (SMD) = －2.84, 95%CI (－4.01, －1.66), P < 0.01]. Western Ontario and McMaster University osteoarthritis index statistical analysis showed that [SMD = －1.57, 95% CI (－2.52, －0.61), P < 0.01]. Lysholm score statistical analysis showed that [SMD = 1.71, 95% CI (0.98, 2.44), P < 0.01]. In addition, only minor side effects, such as redness and swelling of the skin, were observed.

Conclusions: Medium to low quality evidence showed that ESWT combined with HA offers an inexpensive, well-tolerated, safe, and effective method to improve pain and functionality in patients with KOA. However, tightly controlled, randomized, large multicenter trials are warranted to validate the current findings.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism by which Sini decoction (, SND) improves renal fibrosis (Rf) in rats based on transforming growth factor β1/Smad (TGF-β1/Smad) signaling pathway.

Methods: Network pharmacology was applied to obtain potentially involved signaling pathways in SND's improving effects on Rf. The targets of SND drug components and the targets of Rf were obtained by searching databases, such as the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCSMP) and GeenCard. The intersection targets of two searches were obtained and underwent signaling pathway analysis using a Venn diagram. Then experimental pharmacology was utilized to prove and investigate the effects of SND on target proteins in the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. The Rf rat model was established by unilateral ureteral occlusion (UUO). The expression levels of transforming growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), matrix metal protease-2 (MMP-2), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were determined by Masson staining of rat renal tissue, and immunohistochemical methods. The expression levels of Smad3, Smad2, and Smad7 in renal tissue were determined by Western blotting (WB). The mechanism of the improving effects of SND on Rf was investigated based on TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Results: A total of 12 drug components of Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata), 5 drug components of Ganjiang (Rhizoma Zingiber), and 9 drug components of Gancao (Radix Glycy et Rhizoma) were obtained from the database search, and 207 shared targets were found. A total of 1063 Rf targets were found in the database search. According to the Venn diagram, in total, 96 intersection targets were found in two database searches. The metabolic pathways involved included TGF-β signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/serine-threonine protein kinase signaling (PI3K/Akt) pathway, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway. Masson staining analysis showed that compared with the model group, the renal interstitial collagen deposition levels in the SSN and SND groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis, compared with the control group, the positive cell area expression levels of MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-1 in the kidney tissue of the model group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the positive cell area expression levels of CTGF and TGF-β1 were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the positive cell area expression levels of MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-1 in the kidney tissue of the SSN and SND groups were significantly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the positive cell area expression levels of CTGF and TGF-β1 in the kidney tissue were significantly decreased (P < 0.05

Objective: To observe the effects of Buzhong Yiqi granule on thyroid function and ovarian function in rats with experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT).

Methods: EAT model was replicate by using the method of mixing and injecting porcine thyroglobulin with Freund's adjuvant and high iodine. Rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group, EAT model (EAT) group, selenium yeast (PC) group, low dose Buzhong Yiqi (BZYQ-L) group, medium dose Buzhong Yiqi (BZYQ-M) group and high dose Buzhong Yiqi (BZYQ-H) group. After two months of drug intervention according to dosage, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) in peripheral blood of rats. The pathological changes of rat thyroid tissues were observed under light microscope with HE staining; ELISA was used to determine estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), and the pathological changes of rat ovarian tissues were observed under light microscope with hematoxylin and eosin staining.

Results: Compared with the NC group, BZYQ granule improved the thyroid and ovarian tissue morphology, and the levels of TPOAb, TGAb and TSH in the model group rats significantly increased (P < 0.05), the thyroid tissue was severely destroyed, the levels of E2, FSH, LH, T, AMH significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the ovary exhibited polycystic changes; Compared with the model group, TSH level in the BZYQ-L group rats decreased (P < 0.05), FSH, T, AMH levels decreased (P < 0.05), in the BZYQ-M group TPOAb, TSH levels decreased (P < 0.05), FSH, LH, T, AMH levels significantly decreased (P < 0.05), BZYQ-H group TPOAb, TGAb, TSH levels significantly decreased (P < 0.05), FSH, LH, T, AMH levels significantly decreased (P < 0.05), with the greatest improvement and significantly better than selenium yeast group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: BZYQ granule could regulate the thyroid function of EAT rats, reduce thyroid antibody titers, then act on the ovarian function, regulate hormone disorders, and alleviate the pathological damage of rat's ovarian tissues. The effect of high dose Buzhong Yiqi granule is the best.

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a common manifestation of sepsis, ranging from mild confusion and delirium to severe cognitive impairment and deep coma. SAE is associated with higher mortality and long-term outcomes, particularly substantial declines in cognitive function. The mechanisms of SAE probably include neuroinflammation that is mediated by systemic inflammation and ischemic lesions in the brain, a disrupted blood-brain barrier, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter dysfunction, and severe microglial activation. Increasing evidence suggests that complementary and alternative medicine, especially Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is favorable in alleviating cognitive decline after sepsis. Here, we summarized the studies of traditional herbal remedies, TCM formulas and acupuncture therapy in animal models of neurological dysfunctions after sepsis in recent decades and reviewed their potential mechanisms.

Herbal medicine is safe and effective in treating various diseases. Traditional herbal medicine plays a tremendous role in treatment of various diseases and accompanying complications, hence herbal medicine requires remarkable attention in further research for the development of numerous active formulations for treatment of health troubles. The plant needs special consideration for development and research of unidentified compound and characterization of novel active molecules that overcome multiple pathological abnormalities. The genus Manilkara contains 135 plants around the world. This overview discusses all the virtues of most important and commonly used plant Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen (M. zapota), also known as Sapodilla. M. zapota has various traditional beneficial effects in treatment of various diseases and disorders dating back to prehistoric times and used in ancient traditional system of herbal medicine.

Objective: To discuss the influence of Sailuotong (, SLT) on the Neurovascular Unit (NVUs) of amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin-1(PS1) mice and evaluate the role of gas supplementation in activating blood circulation during the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: The mice were allocated into the following nine groups: (a) the C57 Black (C57BL) sham-operated group (control group), (b) ischaemic treatment in C57BL mice (the C57 ischaemic group), (c) the APP/PS1 sham surgery group (APP/PS1 model group), (d) ischaemic treatment in APP/PS1 mice (APP/PS1 ischaemic group), (e) C57BL mice treated with aspirin following ischaemic treatment (C57BL ischaemic + aspirin group), (f) C57BL mice treated with SLT following ischaemic treatment (C57BL ischaemic + SLT group), (g) APP/PS1 mice treated with SLT (APP/PS1 + SLT group), (h) APP/PS1 mice treated with donepezil hydrochloride following ischaemic treatment (APP/PS1 ischaemic + donepezil hydrochloride group) and (i) APP/PS1 mice treated with SLT following ischaemic treatment (APP/PS1 ischaemic + SLT group). The ischaemic model was established by operating on the bilateral common carotid arteries and creating a microembolism. The Morris water maze and step-down tests were used to detect the spatial behaviour and memory ability of mice. The hippocampus of each mouse was observed by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Congo red staining. The ultrastructure of NVUs in each group was observed by electron microscopy, and various biochemical indicators were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expression level was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results: The results of the Morris water maze and step-down tests showed that ischemia reduced learning and memory in the mice, which were restored by SLT. The results of HE staining showed that SLT restored the pathological changes of the NVUs. The Congo red staining results revealed that SLT also improved the scattered orange-red sediments in the upper cortex and hippocampus of the APP/PS1 and APP/PS1 ischaemic mice. Furthermore, SLT significantly reduced the content of Aβ, improved the vascular endothelium and repaired the mitochondrial structures. The ELISA detection, western blot detection and qRT-PCR showed that SLT significantly increased the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin and basic fibroblast growth factor, as well as the levels of gene and protein expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP-1) and VEGF in brain tissue.

Conclusions: By increasing the expression of VEGF, SLT can promote vascular proliferation, up-regulate the expression of LRP-1, promote the clearance of Aβ and improve the cognitive impairment of APP/PS1 mice. These results confirm that SLT can improve AD by promoting vascular

Objective: To investigate the impact of Yemazhui (Herba Eupatorii Lindleyani, HEL) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and explore its underlying mechanism in vivo.

Methods: The chemical constituents of HEL were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method. Then, HEL was found to suppress LPS-induced ALI in vivo. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, LPS, Dexamethasone (Dex), HEL low dose 6 g/kg (HEL-L), HEL medium dose 18 g/kg (HEL-M) and HEL high dose 54 g/kg (HEL-H) groups. The model rats were intratracheally injected with 3 mg/kg LPS to establish an ALI model. Leukocyte counts, lung wet/dry weight ratio, as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were determined followed by the detection with hematoxylin and eosin staining, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Besides, to explore the effect of HEL on ALI-mediated intestinal flora, we performed 16s rRNA sequencing analysis of intestinal contents.

Results: HEL attenuated LPS-induced inflammation in lung tissue and intestinal flora disturbance. Mechanism study indicated that HEL suppressed the lung coefficient and wet/dry weight ratio of LPS-induced ALI in rats, inhibited leukocytes exudation and MPO activity, and improved the pathological injury of lung tissue. In addition, HEL reduced the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum, and inhibited nuclear displacement of nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κBp65). And 18 g/kg HEL also reduced the expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88, NF-κBp65, phosphorylated inhibitor kappa B alpha (phospho-IκBα), nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 protein (NLRP3), IL-1β, and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in lung tissue, and regulated intestinal flora disturbance.

Conclusions: In summary, our findings revealed that HEL has a protective effect on LPS-induced ALI in rats, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting TLR4/ NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway and improving intestinal flora disturbance.

Objective: To explore the effect of acupuncture treatment on cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) and reveal the underlying mechanism of the effect based on nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) mediated ferritinophagy.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into four groups: the sham group, model group, acupuncture group, and sham acupuncture group. After 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), reperfusion was performed for 24 h to induce CIRI. The rats were treated with acupuncture at the Neiguan (PC6) and Shuigou (GV26) acupoints. Their neurological function was evaluated by taking their Bederson scores at 2 h after ischaemia and 24 h after reperfusion. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was applied to assess the cerebral infarct volume at 24 h after reperfusion. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) levels were observed after 24 h of reperfusion using an assay kit. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of NCOA4 and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) at 24 h after reperfusion. Moreover, the colocalization of ferritin with neurons, NCOA4 with microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and NCOA4 with ferritin was visualized using immunofluorescence staining.

Results: Acupuncture significantly improved neurological function and decreased cerebral infarct volume in the acupuncture group. Following CIRI, the expression of NCOA4, LC3 and FTH1 was increased, which enhanced ferritinophagy and induced an inappropriate accumulation of Fe²⁺ and MDA in the ischaemic brain. However, acupuncture dramatically downregulated the expression of NCOA4, LC3 and FTH1, inhibited the overactivation of ferritinophagy, and decreased the levels of MDA and Fe²⁺.

Conclusions: Acupuncture can inhibit NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy and protect neurons against CIRI in a rat model.

Objective: To examine the nephroprotective mechanism of modified Huangqi Chifeng decoction (, MHCD) in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) rats.

Methods: To establish the IgAN rat model, the bovine serum albumin, lipopolysaccharide, and carbon tetrachloride 4 method was employed. The rats were then randomly assigned to the control, model, telmisartan, and high-, medium-, and low-dose MHCD groups, and were administered the respective treatments via intragastric administration for 8 weeks. The levels of 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine (CRE), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured in each group. Pathological alterations were detected. IgA deposition was visualized through the use of immunofluorescence staining. The ultrastructure of the kidney was observed using a transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were examined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) P65, were examined by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The 24-h urine protein level in each group increased significantly at week 6, and worsen from then on. But this process can be reversed by treatments of telmisartan, and high-, medium-, and low-dose of MHCD, and these treatments did not affect renal function. Telmisartan, and high-, and medium-dose of MHCD reduced IgA deposition. Renal histopathology demonstrated the protective effect of high-, medium-, and low-dose of MHCD against kidney injury. The expression levels of MCP-1, IL-6, and TGF-β1 in kidney tissues were downregulated by low, medium and high doses of MHCD treatment. Additionally, treatment of low, medium and high doses of MHCD decreased the protein and mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB.

Conclusions: MHCD exerted nephroprotective effects on IgAN rats, and MHCD regulated the expressions of key targets in TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby alleviating renal inflammation by inhibiting MCP-1, IL-6 expressions, and ameliorating renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1 expression.