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Aim To investigate the effect of curcumin against high-fat-diet induced C57BL/6J mice bone changes and the correlation between the expression of cathepsin K and curcumin.Methods Curcumin treated C57BL/6J mice had been on high fat diet for 12 weeks.The HE, Alizarin red S staining and Safranin O/fast green staining of femur were employed to evaluate bone microstructure, bone metabolism and bone development.The expressions of cathepsin K were assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining.Results Histopathological results showed that curcumin could improve the destruction of trabecular bone structure, cartilage development and bone calcification.Biomechanical results proved that curcumin could improve the bone strength of the type 2 diabetic mice induced by high fat.The results of immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay indicated that curcumin could significantly inhibit the expression of cathepsin K in bone tissues of mice.Conclusion Curcumin can increase bone strength, improve bone microstructure, and enhance the degree of bone calcification, which may be achieved by inhibiting the expression of cathepsin K.
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ObjectiveTo study the effects of tanshinoneⅡA on proliferation of cervical squamous cancer Siha cells; To discuss its possible molecular mechanism.Methods Cervical squamous cancer Siha cells were treated with different doses of tanshinoneⅡA. The effects of tanshinoneⅡA on proliferation of Siha cells were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. The effects of tanshinoneⅡA on expression levels of phospho-extracellular regulate kinase (p-ERK) and Cyclin D in Siha cells were measured by Western blot.Results 1×10-5, 5×10-6, 1×10-6, 5×10-7 mol/L tanshinoneⅡA significantly inhibited Siha cell proliferation and such effect could be enhanced by ERα antagonist MPP and attenuated by ERβ antagonist PHTPP. 1×10-5, 5×10-6, 1×10-6 tanshinoneⅡA could significantly decrease the proliferation index of Siha cells. 1×10-5, 5×10-6, 1×10-6, 5×10-7 mol/L tanshinoneⅡA could significantly reduce the protein expression levels of p-ERK and Cyclin D of Siha cells.ConclusionTanshinoneⅡA can inhibit cervical squamous cancer Siha cell proliferation and such effect is realized via estrogen receptor pathway. TanshinoneⅡA plays anti-proliferation roles by reducing the expression levels of p-ERK and Cyclin D.
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Aim To explore the effects of tanshinone IIA on cell proliferation via G protein-coupled estrogen receptor inductive and regulative pathway in typical es-trogen receptor and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor positive T47D breast cancer cells. Methods The pro-liferation rate of T47 D cells influenced by tanshinone IIA was analyzed by MTT assay. G protein-coupled es-trogen receptor agonist G1 and GPER antagonist G15 were employed as tools. GPER SiRNA was applied to build GPER gene silence T47D cells. GPER expres-sion influenced by tanshinone IIA was measured by Western blot. Results The proliferation rates of T47D cells treated with 1 × 10 -5 mol·L-1 - 1 × 10 -7 mol· L-1 of tanshinone IIA were decreased significantly. Such effects could be attenuated by G1 or enhanced by G15 . Growth of GPER SiRNA transfected T47 D cells were significantly inhibited by 1 × 10 -5 mol·L-1 - 1 × 10 -7 mol·L-1 of tanshinone IIA treating. Result of Western blot showed that tanshinone IIA at 1 × 10 -5 mol· L-1 and 1 × 10 -6 mol · L-1 could induce de-crease of GPER protein expression in T47D cells. Conclusions Tanshinone IIA shows inhibitory effects on proliferation rate of T47 D breast cancer cells via GPER pathway. Tanshinone IIA could perform regula-tive function on GPER expression level in target cells.
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This study was aimed to compare the antioxidant activity of puerarin and 3 other flavonoid compounds, and to investigate their structure-activity relationship. The intragastric administration of 4 kinds of typical flavonoids compounds (soybean element, puerarin, quercetin and rutin) were given to mice, respectively. The model mice of acute hepatic injury were established with intraperitoneal injection of 0.1% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) after 7 days. After 18 h fasting, liver tissues were removed. The histomorphology was observed after paraffin sectioning and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum were detected with automatic biochemical analyzer. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in liver tissues were detected with homogenization. The pathological results of liver tissues showed that hepatic damages were decreased in all 4 medicine treatment groups compared with the model group, but there were no significant differences among these treatment groups. The results of blood serum bio-chemical analysis showed that compared with the model group, puerarin and quercetin could decrease the activities of ALT, AST and GGT in serum significantly (P < 0.05, orP < 0.01). There were no content changes of ALP. In the soybean element group, only the activities of ALT and AST decreased obviously (P < 0.05, orP < 0.01). There was no obvious change in the serum of mice in the rutin treatment group. The homogenate detection results of liver tissues showed that compared with the model group, quercetin and rutin significantly lowered MDA (P < 0.05), increased SOD and GSH-Px (P < 0.05, orP < 0.01); while soybean element and puerarin only improved GSH-Px levels (P < 0.05, orP < 0.01). It was concluded that the antioxidant capacity of quercetin was better than that of soybean element, puerarin and rutin, which may be related to its structure. Compared with 3 other chemical compounds, quercetin had more polyhydroxies and its polyhydroxies were not glycosylated, which suggested that the structure of quercetin may be closely related to its antioxidation activity.
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Osteoporosis is a progressive metabolic disease. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), deficiency of the liver, spleen and kidney and blood stasis can induce osteoporosis. The main etiology was kidney deficiency which harmed the liver and spleen and causeqi-blood deficiency and blood stasis. The insufficiency of natural endowment and postnatal malnutrition caused poor nutrition of tendons and vessels, which induced debility of bone. This article discussed the etiology and pathogenesis of TCM understanding on osteoporosis in details. Opportunities and challenges of TCM in osteoporosis treatment were explored. The homology of Chinese medicine and food as well as the long-term of osteoporosis showed that TCM had incomparable superiority in osteoporosis treatment. While, the scientific research methods and reasonable evaluation of TCM safety were important to display its advantages in osteoporosis treatment.
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This study was aimed to observe the influence of β-sitosterol (BSS) on estrogen receptor (ER) positive the human breast cancer cell line T47D and to study its mechanisms. ER antagonist ICI182 780 was employed to observe the influence on the proliferation. Proliferations of T47D cells influenced by different concentrations of BSS were analyzed by MTT assay. Cell cycle analyses were examined by flow cytometry. The protein expression of cyclin D1 was measured by western blot analysis and cyclin D1 mRNA was quantified by real-time PCR assay. The results showed that BSS in high dose exhibited significant inhibitory effects that were partly antagonized by ICI182 780 and decreased the proliferative index on T47D cells. However, BSS in low dose obviously promoted the proliferation that was completely inhibited by ICI182 780 and increased the proliferative index on T47D cells. The mRNA and protein levels of cyclin D1 were increased in low-dose BSS. The effect was blocked by ICI182 780. It was concluded that BSS in low concentration had phytoestrogenic effect by up-regulating the expression of cyclin D1 via ER pathway.
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Aim To isolate and characterize the human circulating fibrocytes from human peripheral blood and explore the effects of curcumin on human circulating fi-brocytes.Methods The cells were isolated and puri-fied by density gradient centrifugation,and identified by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry .Then , CCK-8 and flow cytometry were used to study the effect of curcumin on the proliferation as well as COL I ex-pression of human circulating fibrocytes,respectively. Results After being isolated the cells expressed CD34,CD45 and COLⅠ,among which 79.7% were both CD45 and collagen I positive,typical of human circulating fibrocytes.Curcumin could exert regulatory effects on proliferation of human circulating fibrocytes. Exposure of the cells to curcumin for as short as 24 hours promoted their growth,while prolonged treatment (72 h ) significantly inhibited cell propagation and downregulated the COLⅠ levels,best manifested at a concentration as high as 20 μmol · L-1 .Conclusion The proliferation of cells and COLⅠexpressions can be effectively inhibited by curcumin with the prolonged action period and high concentrations.
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Objective To determine the efficacy of berberine in the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis ( NASH) , and to investigate the regulating effect on macrophage phenotype transformation in hepatic tissue on methionine -choline deficiency (MCD) diet induced NASH mice.Methods Fourty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (10 mice per group): the normal group (fed with normal diet), the NASH model group (fed with MCD diet), rosiglitazone treatment group (30mg/kg) and berberine treatment group (150mg/kg).Drugs were adopted in the preventive intervention method for 2 weeks.The hepatic histopathological method was adopted to evaluate the drug therapeutic effect.The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-6, and IL-10 were examined with ELISA method.M1 and M2 phenotype were detected by flow cytometry .Results The results showed berberine improved the degree of hepatic histopathology .Berberine not only reduced the level of TNF-α, but also increased the level of IL-10 in serum on NASH mice significantly ( P <0.05 ) . Flow cytometry data indicated that berberine decreased M 1 type macrophages and increased M 2 type macrophages in liver tissue .The ratio of M1/M2 was significantly decreased in berberine and rosiglitazone treated group ( P <0.01 ) .Conclusion Berberine may improve the hepatic pathological process in MCD diet induced NASH model possibly through modulating macrophage phenotype transformation , i.e.The ratio of M2 type is more than M1 type in hepatic tissue , and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines .
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This study was aimed to observe the pharmacodynamics of genistein combined with tripterygium gly-cosides ( GTW ) in the rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) treatment of ovariectomized rats . SD rats were randomly divid-ed into four groups , which were the sham-operation group , model group , Methotrexate ( MTX ) treatment group ( 2.7 mg/kg ) , and genistein ( 30 mg/kg ) combined with GTW ( 70 mg/kg ) treatment group . There were ten rats in each group . Except the sham-operation group , rats in other groups were ovariectomized and immunized by collagen type II to prepare collagen induced arthritis ( CIA ) model . The intragastric administration of drugs was given once a day for two weeks . The arthritis index , joints swelling degree , and levels of anti-Col II , IL-6 and IL-10 in serum were tested . The results showed that the arthritis index , joints swelling degree , and levels of anti-Col II , IL-6 and IL-10 in serum were all significantly increased in the model group ( P < 0 . 05 or P< 0 . 01 ) . Compared with the model group , the arthritis index and joints swelling degree of both MTX and genistein combined with GTW were significantly decreased . The level of anti-Col II in serum of the MTX treatment group was significantly decreased ( P < 0 . 05 ) . However , there were no significant changes on levels of IL-6 and IL-10 . The levels of anti-Col II and IL-6 in serum of the genistein combined with GTW were significantly decreased ( P < 0 . 05 ) . The level of IL-10 was significantly increased ( P < 0 . 01 ) . It was conclud-ed that genistein combined with GTW can significantly inhibit the pathological progress of CIA on ovariec-tomized rats . Compared with MTX , the genistein combined with GTW received a better regulating effect on the expression of IL-6 and IL-10 . The results suggested that phytoestrogen combined with GTW played a good therapeutic effect on gonadal dysfunction type of RA . It provided novel strategies and experimental evidences on postmenopausal RA treatment in the clinical practice .
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Postmenopausal osteoporosis is one of the commonest systemic bone metabolism diseases among menopausal women, mainly caused by lowering internal estrogen. Although Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is an effective method in clinical practice for years, it shows side-effect in increasing gynecological carcinoma. It has already been proved by clinical tests that multiple traditional Chinese medicine formulas and their monomer ingredients and phytoestrogen-like active constituents contained in traditional Chinese medicines are effective on treating osteoporosis with relatively less side-effects comparing with HRT. They show protective and therapeutic effects by acting on estrogen receptors of targeted tissues and targeted cells and then affecting expressions of bone metabolism-related regulatory proteins and factors in downstream signal conduct paths. Recent studies on estrogen related receptor (ERR) provide new possibilities and pathways for mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine and their active constituents in osteoporosis.
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Humans , Chemistry, Pharmaceutical , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Methods , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal , Drug Therapy , Receptors, Estrogen , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the Zedoary oil on A549 cell line of collagen deposition cat D and cat K expression.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The A549 cell line were treat by Zedoary oil on four different concentrations (0, 40, 80, 120 mg x L(-1)) in different time. Dynamic changes of collagen in A549 cell using Picric-sirius red method. Cat D and Cat K expression of level were detected by using western blot.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The collagen content showed that Zedoary oil had an inhibitory effect on the deposition of A549 cells. The results of western blot showed that the expression of cat D and cat K were up-regulated significangly in A549 cells of Zedoary oil groups compared with that in controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A549 cell of collagen deposition were reduced by Zedoary oil. The effects may due to the up-regulation of cat D and cat K.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Blotting, Western , Cathepsin D , Metabolism , Cathepsin K , Metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Collagen , Metabolism , Curcuma , Chemistry , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Plant Oils , Pharmacology , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate phytoestrogenic effects of ferulic acid in ER-positive T47D and ER-negative MDA-MB231 cells in culture.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>T47D and MDA-MB231 human breast cancer cells were treated with ferulic acid and examined cell proliferation by means of MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution, ERalpha and ERbeta expression were treated by flow cytometer. The pS2 mRNA expressions were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The proliferations were enhanced significantly by treatment with ferulic acid on T47D cells and the proliferation effects were inhibited by adding Faslodex (1 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1)). However, there was no significant difference on the proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cells compared with solvent control group by both treatment with ferulic acid and co-treatment with Faslodex (1 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1)). Ferulic acid stimulated the amount of T47D cells in phase S and proliferation index increased significantly. The effects were inhibited by treatment with Faslodex (1 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1)), and the amount of cells in phase S and proliferation index decreased, the amount of cells in G0/G1 phase increased, cell cycle of T47D was arrested in G0/G1 phase. Ferulic acid up-regulated pS2 mRNA expressions and increased the level of ERalpha protein expression in T47D cells. Ferulic acid did not show remarkable effect to the level of ERbeta protein expression in T47D cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ferulic acid possessed phytoestrogenic effect by up-regulating pS2 gene expression and the receptor subtype of ERalpha.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Chemistry , Pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Coumaric Acids , Pharmacology , Estrogen Receptor alpha , Estrogen Receptor beta , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , RNA, Messenger , Trefoil Factor-1 , Tumor Suppressor Proteins , GeneticsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the protective effects of siwuheji on cisplatin-induced ovarian impairing and explore its possible mechanisms in mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The mice received cisplatin ip (7 mg kg(-1)) for 7 days, while fed with siwuheji for 14 days. The changes of estrous cycle, ovary and uterus coefficient, levels of estrogen in serum and morphology of ovary were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>From the third day of cisplatin injection, the estrous cycle of the model group stagnated in interphase. On the thirteenth day, part of the mice fed with siquheji started with change of estrous cycle. The ovary coefficient of the model group was less than the control group, the experimental groups were no differences compared with the control group and had significant differences with the model group. The levels of E2 and P of model group were lower than the control group, but no statistical significance. The level of E2 with high-dose Siwuheji group was higher than model group, and the level of P of the low-dose group was higher than model group, but both no statistical significances. The FSH/LH ratio of model group was significantly higher than the control group, low-dose group and medium-dose group of siwuheji resumed to normal levels, and had a significantly change compared with the model group. Ovarian biopsy of model group showed the decrease in the number of developing follicle at all levels, and increase in the number of Atresia of ovarian. There were more growing follicte in the large, medium-dose group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cisplatin can induce mice ovarian injury and functional decline, on the other hand, siwuheji can improve cisplatin-induced ovarian dysfunction.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Cisplatin , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Mice, Inbred ICR , Ovarian Diseases , Drug Therapy , Ovary , Random Allocation , UterusABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the total glucosides of Radix Paeoniae Rubra induced K562 tumor cell apoptosis of signaling pathways and related gene changes.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>By MTT and flow cytometric, real-time quantitatie polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot methods researched the level of genes and proteins.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The total glucosides of Radix Paeoniae Rubra could inhibit K562 cell growth by MTT method, there was the relationship of concentration-time between them, TGC prompted K562 cell translocation of phosphatidylserine, may be apoptosis through non-receptor-dependent pathways because caspase-3 mRNA, caspase-9 mRNA and cytochrome C increased, caspase-8 mRNA had no significant change. The expression of Bcl-2 protein and Bcl-X1 protein could decreased, the expression of Bax protein could increased by regulating gene expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TGC induced K562 cell apoptosis that might be through the mitochondria pathway, when cell apoptosis occured, Bcl-2 or Bcl-XI proteins combination of Bax protein would be displacement, then the mitochondrial membrane became permeable to release a series of material, then lead to cell death.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Antineoplastic Agents , Pharmacology , Apoptosis , Genetics , Caspases , Genetics , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Glucosides , Pharmacology , K562 Cells , Paeonia , Chemistry , Signal Transduction , Time FactorsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Research on the phytoestrogenic effect and its possible mechanism of formononetin.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>To evaluate the estrogenic effect and mechanisms of formononetin through the test of its influence on proliferation and ER subtype expression of T47D cells.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The proliferation rates of T47D cells treated with 1 x 10(-7) -1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) formononetin were not increased. On the influence of ICI182, 780, the proliferation rates of T47D cells treated with 1 x 10(-7) 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) formononetin were decreased. Formonenetin could induce the augment of ERalpha expression significantly of T47D.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Formonenetin has phytoestrogenic effect Formonenetin can not accelerate ER(+) T47D cell proliferation. But the expression level of ERalpha subtype in T47D cells change significantly with certain concentrations of formonenetin.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Drug Therapy , Genetics , Metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Isoflavones , Pharmacology , Phytoestrogens , Pharmacology , Receptors, Estrogen , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the phytoestrogenic-like effects of four kinds of Chinese medicine including Radix rehmanniae preparata, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Rhizoma Chuanxiong.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Sixty immature female SD rats weighting (70 +/- 5) g were randomly divided into six groups: normal control group, positive control group and 4 Chinese medicine groups. The rats in different groups were treated for 4 days. On the fifth day, animals were sacrificed and uteri were separated solely and weighed. The blood was collected, and serum was separated. The effect of the pharmacological serum on proliferation assay with human breast cancer cell line (MCF7) by MTT method. Cell-cycle analyses were carried out with propidium iodide staining by flow cytometer. The expressions of subtypes-estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) were detected by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Radix Angelicae Sinensis could increase the immature rat's uterus wet weight and the ratio of uterus to body weight (P < 0.05). The pharmacological serum of the four kinds of Chinese medicine stimulated proliferation of MCF7 cell respectively compared with normal control group (P < 0.01). The cell cycle was impulsed from G1 to S, DNA synthesizing was inhanced, and PI was also increased. The pharmacological serum of Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Rhizoma Chuanxiong could increase the expressions of (ERalpha) (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Radix Angelicae sinensis have phytoestrogenic effects. But the data werent consistent with in vitro and in vivo assay of Rhizoma Chuanxiong.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Rats , Cell Cycle , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Estrogen Receptor alpha , Genetics , Metabolism , Phytoestrogens , Random Allocation , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Uterus , Cell Biology , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the phytoestrogenic effects and their possible mechanisms of Jiaoai tang and Shenqi Jiaoai tang through the tests in mice and ER (+) MCF7 cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Sixty kunming mice weighing 9-12 g were randomly divided into 6 groups: solvent control group (administrated equal dose of diswater), diethylstilbestrol control group (administrated diethylstilbestrol at a dose of 0.35 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and 4 Chinese medicine treated groups (administrated low or high doses of Jiaoai tang and Shenqi Jiaoai tang at 2.5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) or 5.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) respectively). After administration for 4 days, the mice were sacrificed; uterus was removed and weighed, uterus rate was calculated. The blood serum was also separated. The proliferation rate of MCF7 cells influenced by Jiaoai tang and Shenqi Jiaoai tang was determined by MIT assay. PS2, ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA expression was quantified by Real-time PCR assay. Estrogen receptor antagonist ICI182, 780 was employed as a tool.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Administration of Jiaoai tang and Shenqi Jiaoai tang at high dose significantly increased uterus rate in mice (P < 0. 05). The pharmacological serum from two high-dosage groups of Chinese herbal medicine decoction significantly enhanced proliferation rate of MCF7 cells (P < 0.05 or 0.01), while their effects were blocked by ICI182, 780 (P < 0.05 or 0.01). The pharmacological serum could cause elevation of pS2 level (P < 0.01) which would be obviously inhibited by ICI182, 780 (P < 0.01). ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA levels were also elevated significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Jiaoai tang and Shenqi Jiaoai tang have phytoestrogenic effects, which were attained via ER pathway. They can also increase the mRNA levels of estrogen receptor subtypes, especially ERbeta.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Estrogen Receptor alpha , Genetics , Metabolism , Estrogen Receptor beta , Genetics , Metabolism , Gene Expression , Phytoestrogens , Pharmacology , Random Allocation , Signal Transduction , Uterus , MetabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was mainly two-fold: first, to get an understanding of current researches conducted on Alzheimer disease in China; second, to systematically evaluate and compare Alzheimer's treatment delivered by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. METHODS: Two steps were employed in this research. They were data collection and cleaning, followed by systemic review and qualitative analysis. The data were selected from the following two databases: CNKI (http://www.cnki.net) and Wanfang Data (http://www.wanfangdata.com.cn). Inclusion criteria were: (1) Chinese literature; (2) Published between year 1994 and year 2004; (3) Using TCM as treatment and Western medicine as control; (4) Similar research purposes and methodology; (5) Subjects were diagnosed as Alzheimer disease. Descriptive analysis, homogeneity test, meta analysis, sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were performed in the second step. RESULTS: Supposing all qualified studies were of high quality, we got the following conclusion: the advantage of TCM was losing because of the newly-developed acetylcholinesterase inhibitors came in market. Moreover, the studies conducted after year 2002 were more homogeneous in comparison with those conducted in early years. Those studies using mini-mental status examination (MMSE) as outcome measurement were also more homogeneous than non-MMSE measurement groups. Combined odds ratio in comparative studies was 1.5 fold higher than that in experimental studies. Regarding to different outcome measurement, those studies using TCM assessment profile were 2.58(4.79/1.86) fold higher than those using MMSE as outcome measurement. CONCLUSIONS: After systemic literature search, we found that only 40 out of 2,403 studies met our inclusion criteria. Moreover, those qualified studies were of low quality. Therefore, the external validity of this study would be compromised. The solution to this would be to improve study quality by strengthening study design and carefully select more homogeneous subjects in terms of syndrome differentiation, by so doing, the results of meta analysis will be more convincing and easily recognized by international society.
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Objective To explore the possible functional mechanism of Er-xian Decoction and its component herbs on the expression of extrogen receptor(ER) in adrenal development rats.Methods Fifty-four development female SD rats were randomly divided into nine groups:normal control group(A),positive control group(B),Er-xian Decoction group(C),Herba Epimedii group(D),Rhizoma Curculiginis group(E),Radix Morindae Officinalis group(F),Radix Angelicae Sinensis group(G),Cortex Phellodendri group(H),Rhizoma Anemarrhenae group(I).After the rats were administrated for six days,serum were got to measure testosterone(T).Bilateral adrenal gland was weighed and embedded by paraffin.Mean optical density(MOD) were studied by the immunohistochemical method and image analyzing system.Results The adrenal coefficient was increased in group B and C,and the level of T was decreased in group C,D,E and I.ER? was mainly observed in the cytoplasm of zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculate.MOD in group C was increased while declined in group B.ER? was mainly observed in nucleus of zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculate.MOD in group C,D,E and I was less than group B.Conclusion Er-xian Decoction and its component herbs of warming Shen(Herba Epimedii,Rhizoma Curculiginis) and nourishing Yin(Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) play a phytoestrogen role by influencing the expression of ER? and ER ? in the adrenal cortex.
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Objective To investigate the effect of puerarin on proliferation of human embro fibroblast and extracelluar matrix. Method Human embro fibroblasts were incubated with 0～400 ?g/mL puerarin for 24～96 h. The MTT method was used to assay the biological activities and extracelluar matrix formation in different time and different dose of pueratin. The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometric analysis. Result Incubation cells in presence of puerarin of 40～400 ?g/mL for 24～72 h could significant inhibit cell proliferation and restrain the collagen synthesis in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P