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

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicine Weifuchun (WFC, ) on gastric fundic gland polyps (FGPs).

Methods: FGPs organoids were constructed with patients-derived samples. The morphology and size of FGPs organoids were detected using bright-field imaging. Effective components and corresponding potential targets of WFC were screened using multiple open-source databases and research on Traditional Chinese Medicine or compound formulas. Core genes were identified through protein-protein interaction networks. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses of the core genes were conducted. The interactions between main components and core targets were analyzed through the FerrDb database. The expressions of core targets were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results: After WFC treatment, the number and size of FGPs organoids were significantly reduced. Twenty nine active drug components and 162 candidate targets of WFC for treating FGPs were identified, including 37 targets related to ferroptosis. Quercetin, Glaucocalyxin B, Melissoidesin U, Melissoidesin O, Hesperetin, Glaucocalyxin A, Angustifolin, Melissoidesin M, Di-n-octyl phthalate, and beta-sitosterol were identified as the main active compounds. SRC proto-oncogene, non-receptor tyrosine kinase, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit beta, phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, and AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 were identified as the primary targets. KEGG pathways related to carcinogenesis, cell proliferation and metabolism, and oxidative stress. WFC promoted FGPs organoids' death and could be reversed by ferroptosis inhibitor of Erastin. The qRT-PCR results showed that WFC treatment could regulate the mRNA expression levels of solute carrier family 7 member 11, acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4, and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase, type B.

Conclusion: WFC may exert its therapeutic effects by inducing ferroptosis in FGPs cells.

Objective: To observe the effect of different acupuncture frequencies on the abstinence rate which could be used as a reference for optimizing acupuncture cessation programs.

Methods: From July 2018 to June 2022, a total of 220 smokers were recruited based on inclusion criteria and randomly divided into the high-frequency acupuncture group (HF group, n = 110): 5 times a week from the 1st to the 4th week, from weeks 5 to 8, three times a week and the low-frequency acupuncture group (LF group, n = 110): 3 times a week from the 1st to the 4th week, from weeks 5 to 8, twice a week, then treated for 8 weeks and follow-up at 1 month in Beijing.

Results: In total, 162 subjects completed the whole study with a drop-out rate of 20.45%. The expiratory CO point abstinence rate was HF group 53/110 (48.18%) vs LF group 41/110 (37.27%) in Week 8 (P = 0.102) and HF group 46/110 (41.82%) vs LF group 45/110 (40.91%) in Week 12 (P = 0.891) and the HF acupuncture and LF acupuncture were nearly equal in the 8-week abstinence rate. In addition, both HF and LF acupuncture significantly reduced Fagerstrőm test for nicotine dependence scale (FTND) scores (P < 0.05), Minnesota nicotine withdrawal scale (MNWS) scores (P < 0.05), and Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges scale (QSU-Brief) scores (P < 0.05), but HF acupuncture showed some superiority over LF acupuncture in relieving patients' smoking cravings (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The study initially showed that both high-frequency acupuncture and low-frequency acupuncture treatment were safe and effective on smoking cessation for 8 weeks, but high-frequency acupuncture was advantageous in reducing smoking cravings. More accurate acupuncture frequency needs to be validated through larger clinical studies to optimize acupuncture smoking cessation programs.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of Bushen Tongluo recipe (BSTLR, ) on rats with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and to explore the underlying mechanism of action.

Methods: The rat model of DKD was established, and rats were treated with different doses of BSTLR. Body weight and the levels of urinary protein, α1-microglobulin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, Cystatin C, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and catalase were analyzed biochemically or by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pathological damage to renal tissues was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out to detect the expression levels of fibronectin, E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin, laminin, vimentin, collagen type Ⅳ in kidney tissues. Western blot analysis was conducted to analyze the expression levels of Nephrin, Desmin, Podocin, transforming growth factor-β1, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3), Notch1, jagged, hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) in kidney tissues, and the expression levels of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and miR-145 were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify the binding of miR-145 to MEG3.

Results: BSTLR increased the body weight of DKD rats, effectively ameliorated the renal function and pathological injury in DKD, regulated the balance of renal oxidative stress, inhibited the TGF/Notch signaling pathway, and affected the variations in the lncRNA MEG3/miR-145 axis.

Conclusion: BSTLR improved oxidative stress homeostasis, inhibited the TGF/Notch signaling pathway, and regulated the lncRNA MEG3/miR-145 axis, effectively delaying the progression of DKD.

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of the Chinese medicine, Neibu Huangqi Youhua formula combined with Kangfuxin solution for the nursing of patients after anal fistula surgery.

Methods: A total of 160 cases with anal fistula who underwent surgical treatment were recruited, and divided into control group (treated with external application of Kangfuxin liquid gauze) and experimental group (receiving the Neibu Huangqi Youhua formula combined with Kangfuxin liquid gauze) based on a random numbering table. The wound recovery, postoperative pain and inflammation were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

Results: At 3, 7, and 14 d after the operation, the wound healing rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group at any time point. The visual analogue scale scores of the two groups gradually decreased in a time-dependent manner after surgery, while the experimental group showed a more significant downward trend in comparison with the control group. At 14 d after the operation, the experimental group had high levels of epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-1, secretory IgA, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, 5-hydroxytryptamine, prostaglandin E-2, substances P and neuropeptide Y compared with control group, but low levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and serum amyloid A protein.

Conclusions: The Neibu Huangqi Youhua formula can reduce the levels of inflammatory factors and pain mediators in patients after anal fistula surgery, thereby accelerating the process of wound healing and alleviating the pain of patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of external application of warm meridian medicated wine and polarized light therapy combined with acupuncture on pain management following vertebroplasty.

Methods: A total of 120 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by vertebroplasty at our hospital were divided into four groups. The control group received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the Treatment Group Ⅰ received acupuncture alone, Treatment Group Ⅱ was treated with medicated wine for warming meridians alongside polarized light physiotherapy, and Treatment Group Ⅲ received a combination of medicated wine for warming meridians, polarized light therapy, and acupuncture. The clinical efficacy, pain thresholds at various time points, temperature pain threshold, electric pain threshold, quality of life, sleep quality index, lumbar dysfunction index, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and incidence of adverse reactions were compared and analyzed across the four groups.

Results: The total clinical effective rate in Treatment Group Ⅲ was significantly higher than that in the control group, Treatment Group Ⅰ, and Treatment Group Ⅱ (P < 0.05). At 24 and 72 h post-treatment, the VAS scores, temperature pain thresholds, and electric pain thresholds in Treatment Group Ⅲ were significantly lower than those in the control group, Treatment Group Ⅰ, and Treatment Group Ⅱ (P < 0.05). Additionally, quality-of-life scores in Treatment Group Ⅲ were markedly higher compared to the control group, Treatment Group Ⅰ, and Treatment Group Ⅱ, while the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, Oswestry Disability Index scores, and incidence of adverse reactions in Treatment Group Ⅲ were significantly lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The external application of warm meridian medicated wine and polarized light therapy combined with acupuncture significantly reduces postoperative pain following vertebroplasty, enhances lumbar function, and improves both sleep quality and overall quality of life for patients. This approach is recommended for clinical application.

Objective: To investigate the impact of Shenhua tablet (, SHT) on renal macrophage polarization and renal injury in mice with diabetic kidney disease (DKD)and to explore the potential mechanism involving the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) signaling pathway, along with the glycolysis metabolism pathway.

Methods: The animals were divided into the following groups: Model, Control, dapagliflozin, SHT low-dose, SHT medium-dose, and SHT high-dose. We assessed 24-hour urine protein (24 h-UTP) levels, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and regularly monitored fasting blood glucose during the treatment period. After treatment, we examined renal tissue structure, renal function (urea nitrogen, uric acid, creatinine, cystatin C, β2-microglobulin), and glycolysis in renal macrophages. Additionally, we observed macrophage polarization in renal tissue and measured inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) to assess the immunoinflammatory status of the renal tissue. Finally, we investigated the expression of the HIF-1α/ PKM2 signaling pathway in macrophages to explore its role in the glycolysis process.

Results: SHT shows a beneficial effect in treating DKD by reducing 24 h-UTP, regulating blood glucose levels, improving renal tissue structure, protecting renal function, inhibiting macrophage glycolysis, reducing macrophage transformation to the M1 state, and suppressing the expression of the HIF-1α/PKM2 signaling pathway.

Conclusion: SHT may exert renoprotective effects by inhibiting macrophage glycolysis via the HIF-1α/PKM2 signaling pathway. This inhibition decreases macrophage M1 polarization and reduces immunoinflammatory injury in the renal tissue of DKD mice.

Objective: To establish and evaluate a prognostic model of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) based on integrated Chinese and Western Medicine.

Methods: Retrospective analysis from 1/1/2013 to 12/31/2015 was performed on 735 patients who were diagnosed with IgAN. In addition, 105 external data sets from 1/1/2016 to 12/31/2018 were used to verify the constructed model. The end point was entry into end-stage renal disease or a doubling of serum creatinine (Scr) level from baseline. Kaplan-Meier curve survival analysis and multivariable Cox regression analysis were used to find independent prognostic factors. MATLAB 2018b and artificial neural network (ANN) were used to construct prognostic risk factor prediction models each for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Western Medicine, and integrated TCM and Western Medicine. The ANN model incorporated WANG Yongjun's new five-type syndrome differentiation for IgAN. The prediction efficiencies of the three models were compared using the confusion matrix and the area under thecurve (AUC).

Results: Patients from 1/1/2013 to 12/31/2015 were followed for a mean of (46 ± 19) months. The 5-year median overall renal survival time was 58.6 months, and a total of 40 patients (5.4%) entered the endpoint. Ratio of males to females was 1.48:1. Median age of patients undergoing renal puncture was 35 years. Median 24-hour urinary protein was 0.55 g and 37 patients (5.0%) had pronounced proteinuria (24-hour urine protein ≥ 3.5 g). Median serum creatinine was 76 μmol/L and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was (90 ± 33) mL/min per 1.73 m². Oxford classification of renal pathology suggested a high rate of focal segmental glomeru-losclerosis (80.3%). Use of immunosuppressants was the most common (71.3%) treatment after renal puncture and improved clinical outcomes of IgAN. TCM differentiation of kidney deficiency was the most common syndrome (69.5%). Independent risk factors for the endpoint were male, anemia, high urinary protein, and an Oxford classification of segmental sclerosis (S). AUCs of the Western Medicine, TCM, and integrated Chinese and Western Medicine models were 0.89, 0.87, and 0.92, respectively. In external data (1/1/2016 to 12/31/2018), the performance of the three models was 0.88, 0.80, and 0.94, respectively.

Conclusions: ANN can be used to successfully construct a 5-year prediction model of IgAN after renal puncture. The efficiency of this model, which combines TCM and Western Medicine factors based on Wang's new five-type syndrome differentiation, exceeds that of Western Medicine factors or TCM factors alone in data from this single-center retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of a self-formulated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shugan Jieyu San, on improvement of liver function and depression alleviation in the patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Methods: A total of 60 patients diagnosed with TNBC and depression were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the control group (receiving routine tumor treatment and duloxetine) or the treatment group (receiving the TCM in addition to routine treatment).

Results: Both treatment and control groups showed a reduction in depressive symptoms and improved daily living abilities after treatment. However, the treatment group demonstrated significantly better outcomes compared to the control group. Furthermore, the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the serum increased in both groups after 8 weeks of treatment, while the treatment group exhibited superior results.

Conclusions: This TCM showed promising results in reducing depressive symptoms and improving daily abilities in patients with TNBC and comorbid depression, which was verified by the increase in serum levels of dopamine and serotonin, suggesting the potential involvement of these neurotransmitters in the therapeutic effects of this TCM.

Objective: In the present study, we investigated the effects of jatropholone B from Jatropha curcas (J. curcas) on melanin synthesis in Mel-Ab cells.

Methods: Mel-Ab cells were cultured to measure melanin content and tyrosinase activities. Western blotting was performed to investigate jatropholone B-induced signal transduction and measure the expression of melanogenic proteins.

Results: Jatropholone B decreased melanin synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner but did not directly inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, a melanogenic enzyme. Instead, jatropholone B downregulated microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase protein levels. Therefore, we investigated jatropholone B-induced signal transduction related to MITF and tyrosinase expression. However, jatropholone B had no significant effect on Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3β phosphorylation as well as β-catenin change. In contrast, jatropholone B was observed to phosphorylate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) for the first time. To clarify the involvement of ERK activation in jatropholone B-induced hypopigmentation, we pretreated cells with PD98059, a specific ERK pathway inhibitor, and measured MITF and tyrosinase levels as well as melanin content. PD98059 pretreatment abrogated jatropholone B-induced downregulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression as well as reduction in melanin production.

Conclusions: Based on these results, we suggest that ERK activation by jatropholone B inhibits melanogenesis via the downregulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression. Therefore, jatropholone B from J. curcas can be a candidate for developing a new skin-whitening agent.

Objective: To compare the changes in gait parameters before and after the treatment of lateral ankle sprain using the rotating-pulling-poking manipulation, and explore the potential bio-mechanical mechanism of this manipulation.

Methods: Forty patients with lateral ankle sprains were randomly divided into two groups in a 1:1 ratio using a random number table. The experimental group were treated by rotating-pulling-poking manipulation and elastic bandage external fixation, while the control group were treated by ice compress and elastic bandage external fixation. The treatment courses of the two groups were both 2 weeks. We used a three-dimensional motion capture system for kinematic measurements and a Bertec gait analysis force measurement system for mechanical measurements, and compared the changes in gait parameters between the two groups of patients before and after treatment.

Results: Intragroup comparison showed that the support time, swing time, peak of back extension, peak of plantar flexion, peak of toe pedal force, and peak of heel landing force of the affected feet in the experimental group were significantly improved compared to those before treatment (P < 0.05). The swing time of the affected feet in the control group was significantly improved compared to that before treatment (P < 0.05). The inter group comparison showed that the gait speed, stride length, peak of back extension, peak of plantar flexion, peak of toe pedal force, and peak of heel landing force of the affected feet in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The rotating-pulling-poking manipulation can effectively improve the patient's gait and range of motion of the affected ankle joint, and enhance the negative gravity in the vertical direction of the affected foot, and the braking and driving forces in the front and back directions. This may be the potential biomechanical mechanism of the rotating-pulling-poking manipulation for treating lateral ankle sprain.