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Aim To discover the potential active compounds and possible mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment with Zhi-Huang-Zhi-Tong powder (ZHZTP) by using network pharmacology and in vitro study. Methods The active ingredient targets and disease targets of Zhihuang Zhitong Powder were searched and screened by database; they intersected to get a common target; and the "drug-component-target" relationship network diagram was constructed for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of the overlapping genes; then the core components were docked with the core targets. Finally, based on the inflammation model of HUVECs in vitro, the efficacy and mechanism of Zhihuang Zhitong powder were verified by MTT method, plate scratch test and Western blot. Results Active compounds involved in RA treatment were screened in the present study, and the top two were ursolic acid and emodin, all playing crucial roles in RA treatment with ZHZTP. Additionally, the key target was AKTA, TNF and IL-6. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that ZHZTP regulated BP, MF and CC, and also focused on regulating AKTA, TNF and IL-6 signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that interactions between key active compounds and key targets were stable. In vitro ZHZTP significantly inhibited cell viability and migration of TNF-a-stimulated HUVECs, and the involved mechanism may be associated with PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signaling. Conclusions The present study reveals that the potential active compounds of ZHZTP are ursolic acid and emodin, and moreover, the involved mechanisms of ZHZTP for RA treatment are associated with PI3 K/AKT/m-TOR signaling.
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To investigate the effect of cantharidin ( CTD) on platelet function and the mechanism of anti-platelet aggregation. Methods Washed platelets were collected from the venous blood of healthy volunteers. The effect of CTD on platelet aggregation and release was determined by aggregometer. The CTD concentration was 2.5 ,5 ,10 μmol • L
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the curative effect of Wuling pill (WLP), a traditional Chinese patent medicine, in treating gestation period intrahepatic cholestasis (GPI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In the clinical study, 90 GPI patients were divided into the treated group treated by conventional therapy plus WLP and the control group treated by conventional therapy plus compound Yiganling (YGL) with a ratio of 2:1. Clinical symptoms and accouchement condition were observed. Levels of cholyglycine acid (CGA), total and direct bilirubin (TB and DB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were detected before and after treatment. For the experimental study, GPI rat model was induced by injecting estradiol benzoate to pregnant Wistar rats. The model rats in the treated group were administrated with WLP by gastro-perfusion and those in the control group, were administrated with YGL. Levels of CGA,TB,DB, ALT, AST and ALP in the mother and fetal rats, as well as in the amnionic fluid were determined. Besides, the volume of bile excreted by the mother rats was observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In clinical trials, the markedly effective rate in the treated group (47 cases, 78.3% ) was higher than that in the control group (15 cases, 50%, chi2 = 7.17286, P < 0.01). Levels of blood CGA, TB, ALT and AST were all decreased in both groups after treatment, but WLP showed a better efficacy than YGL (P < 0.05) in lowering CGA, ALT and AST. Moreover, the occurrence of meconium contaminated amnionic fluid and premature delivery were lower, while weight and Apgar grade of newborn babies were higher in the treated group than those in the control group. In animal experiment, WLP showed significant effects in decreasing CGA level in amniotic fluid, and in blood of the mother and fetal rats. In addition, it could also decrease the levels of bilirubin, ALT and AST, and promote the bile excretion to reduce CGA concentration in bile. All the above effects showed a dose-dependent pattern.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WLP could effectively lower the serum bile acid, improve the hepatic function and better the pregnant outcome in treating GPI.</p>