ABSTRACT
Shengxiantang， one of the classical traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） prescriptions， was developed by ZHANG Xi-chun， a well-known doctor in the Republic of China， to treat the syndrome of pectoral Qi sinking. Due to the unique herbal composition， this prescription has yielded remarkable outcomes， and it is still widely used for dealing with diseases of various systems. This paper reviewed the clinical research concerning Shengxiantang in order to provide reference for its clinical application. Following the retrieval of related articles published in the past ten years from China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform， Chongqing Weipu Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals （VIP）， and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System （SinoMed） with the Chinese key words of “Shengxiantang （升陷汤）”， “sinking of pectoral Qi （大气下陷）”， “replenishing Qi and raising the sinking （益气升陷）”， and“pectoral Qi theory （大气理论）”， this paper collated the clinical application experience of Shengxiantang. To be specific， the corresponding etiology and pathogenesis， interpretations of Shengxiantang， as well as its indications， application experience and precautions were summarized to provide a basis for its further research and application. Based on the collected more than 50 representative articles， it was found that Shengxiantang has been extensively utilized for treating complex and critical diseases of various systems， especially the circulatory and respiratory diseases and organ prolapse. The research on the clinical application of Shengxiantang has deepened， exhibiting a promising development trend， which will provide new ideas for its clinical application.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the protective effect of Tongjingling (TJL) against sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress in the rat model of experimental varicocele (EVC).@*METHODS@#We randomly divided 75 Wistar male rats into five groups of equal number: sham operation, EVC model, high-dose TJL, mid-dose TJL, and low-dose TJL. The EVC model was established in the rats by partial ligation of the left renal vein, followed by 8 weeks of medication from the 4th week after modeling. Then we observed the general status of the rats, detected the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in the epididymis by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), and measured the content of hydroperoxide (H2O2) and the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the testis by colorimetry.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the sham operation group, the EVC models showed significantly increased sperm DFI in the epididymis (P <0.01) and elevated level of H2O2 and activities of CAT and SOD in the testis (P <0.01). In comparison with the EVC models, the rats of the TJL groups exhibited remarkably reduced sperm DFI and H2O2 content, but increased activities of SOD and CAT.@*CONCLUSIONS@#TJL can improve sperm DNA integrity by increasing the activities of SOD and CAT and reducing the H2O2 level and hence oxidative stress in the testis tissue.