Effect of Houpu Mahuangtang on Airway Inflammation and Expression of TRPA1, TRPV1 mRNA and Protein in Asthmatic Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

<b>Objective::To investigate the effect of Houpu Mahuangtang on airway inflammation and expressions of gene and proteins of Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1, vanilloid 1 (TRPA1, TRPV1) in asthmatic mice. <b>Method::Sixty female Balb/c mice were randomly divided into six groups: control group, model group, low, medium and high-dose Houpu Mahuangtang groups (7, 14, 28 g·kg^-1) and dexamethasone group (0.002 4 g·kg^-1), with 10 mice in each group. A mouse model of asthma was replicated by sensitizing and challenging with ovalbumin. The changes of enhanced pause (Penh) following acetylcholine chloride (ACh) inhalation were detected. The pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed. The number of eosinophils (EOS) in peripheral blood and the percentage of EOS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected. Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, prostaglandin D₂ (PGD₂) and substance P (SP) were detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of TRPA1 and TRPV1 gene and protein in lung tissues were detected by Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot. <b>Result::Compared with control group, mice of model group showed significantly increased in Penh following ACh inhalation (<italic>P</italic><0.05, <italic>P</italic><0.01), EOS in blood and the percentage of EOS in BALF (<italic>P</italic><0.01). Histopathological changes in lungs showed inflammatory cell infiltration and bronchial mucosa damage. The levels of IL-4, IL-13, PGD₂ and SP in BALF and the expressions of TRPA1, TRPV1 mRNA and protein in lung tissues significantly increased (<italic>P</italic><0.05, <italic>P</italic><0.01). Compared with model group, treatment groups had significant effects in decreasing Penh, relieving lung injury, reducing EOS count in blood and the percentage of EOS in BALF (<italic>P</italic><0.05, <italic>P</italic><0.01), reducing IL-4, IL-13, PGD₂ and SP levels in BALF (<italic>P</italic><0.05, <italic>P</italic><0.01), as well as down-regulating TRPA1 and TRPV1 mRNA and protein expressions in lung tissues (<italic>P</italic><0.05, <italic>P</italic><0.01). <b>Conclusion::Houpu Mahuangtang could reduce airway inflammation, airway responsiveness. In addition to the reduction of levels of Th2 related cytokines, the mechanism of Houpu Mahuangtang might be related to the regulation of TRPA1, TRPV1 mRNA and protein expressions, and the decrease of associated neurofactor levels.

Effect of San'ao Decoction on ovalbum induced asthmatic mice and expression of TRPV2 in lung / 中国中药杂志

To observe the efficacy of San'ao Decoction(SAD) in diffusing the lung and relieving asthma, and its intervention effect on the expression of transient receptor potential V2(TRPV2) during alleviating asthma, this study replicated an ovalbumin(OVA)-induced asthmatic mice model, and investigated the intervention effect of SAD on the airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. The regulatory mechanisms of SAD on the mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV2 in lung tissues and the levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),-10(IL-10), nerve growth factor(NGF), prostaglandin D_2(PGD_2) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were discussed. Compared with the control group, the model group showed typical asthmatic phenotype, the level of eosinophils(EOS) in peripheral blood and BALF as well as the airway hyperresponsiveness were increased(P<0.01), and pathological damage in lung tissue was serious. The mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV2 in lung tissue were increased significantly, while the levels of IL-4, IL-10, NGF and PGD_2 in BALF were elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01). SAD could relieve bronchial asthma manifested as repaired lung patholo-gical changes(P<0.05), reduce the level of EOS in blood and BALF(P<0.05, P<0.01), and improve pulmonary resistance and lung compliance(P<0.05, P<0.01). SAD could also regulate the inflammatory cytokine levels of IL-4, IL-10, NGF, PGD_2 in BALF, and reduce the gene and protein expression of TRPV2 in the lung tissue(P<0.05, P<0.01). It is verified that SAD could reduce the lung inflammation, and improve lung function in asthmatic mice. The regulatory mechanism of SAD on asthma induced by OVA might be related to the regulation of TRPV2 expression and the induced decrease of Th2-related cytokines and neuropeptides, which provides the evidences for the treatment of asthma with SAD.

Research on compatibility of prescriptions including Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Trogopterus Dung based on complex network analysis / 中国中药杂志

The applications of prescriptions including Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Trogopterus Dung in contemporary literatures from 1949 to 2016 are compiled and the data mining techniques containing scale-free complex network method are utilized to explore its practical characteristics, with comparison between modern and ancient ones. The results indicate that malignant neoplasms, coronary heart disease which present Qi deficiency and blood stasis type are the main diseases treated by prescriptions including Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Trogopterus Dung according to the reports during 1949 to 2016. The complex network connection shows that Glycyrrhizae Radixet Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Astragali Radix, Typhae Pollen, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are the primary drugs related to Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Trogopterus Dung. The next are Paeoniae Radix Alba, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Persicae Semen, Foria, et al. Carthami Flos, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizoma, Bupleuri Radix are the peripheral ones. Also, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Glycyrrhizae Radixet Rhizoma, Trogopterus Dung-Glycyrrhizae Radixet Rhizoma, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Trogopterus Dung-Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Astragali Radix, Trogopterus Dung-Astragali Radix are the main paired drugs. The paired drugs including Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Trogopterus Dung-Glycyrrhizae Radixet Rhizoma, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Trogopterus Dung-Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Trogopterus Dung-Astragali Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Trogopterus Dung-Typhae Pollen have a higher support degree. The main compatible drugs are different in ancient and modern prescriptions including Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Trogopterus Dung. Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Typhae Pollen, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Astragali Radix are utilized frequently in modern prescriptions while less used in ancient ones. It is also shown that more attentions are paid to the drugs contributing to invigorating Qi and promoting blood circulation in modern times with comparative results between modern and ancient prescriptions.

Compatible principles of Xiebai decoction family based on complex network analysis / 中国中药杂志

In order to explore the compatible principles of Xiebai decoction family, formulae from ancient and modern Xiebai decoction family were collected and sorted in this study. The compatible characteristics, core herbs, as well as the relativity of herbs nature in Xiebai decoction family were analyzed based on scale free network and other data-mining methods such as association rules, clustering analysis and correspondence analysis. The scale free network results showed that in Xiebai decoction family, Mori Cortex-Lycii Cortex-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was used as the core compatible group and formed the complicated compatible network with other additional herbs; association rules results showed that the core herbs in such formulae included Mori Cortex, Lycii Cortex, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, scutellaria root, Platycodon root, Anemarrhena, and almond, which formed corresponding herbal pairs and compatibility; clustering analysis showed that Mori Cortex was the core herb in Xiebai decoction family, and Mori Cortex-Lycii Cortex-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was its main combination unit, which was always compatible with herbs of clearing heat, reducing phlegm, supplementing Qi and nourishing Yin to form the series prescriptions. The results indicated that the core compatibility features of Xiebai decoction family were clearing heat in lung and relieving cough and asthma, providing a basis for the clinical application of Xiebai decoction family.

Research on application status of Chinese herbal decoction pieces based on clinical survey / 中国中药杂志

Chinese herbal decoction pieces are the basic approaches for clinical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), reflecting the features and advantages of TCM. In order to investigate the clinical application status and features of Chinese herbal decoction pieces, the questionnaire on application of commonly used Chinese herbal decoction pieces was designed in this study for analysis of the application situations of Chinese herbal decoction pieces from 56 medical institutions in 10 provinces. The results showed 549 varieties of Chinese herbs and 801 varieties of decoction pieces were used on clinic. They can be classified into 19 categories according to their effects. The varieties of Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizima), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinenses Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) were most common ones; the application of Chinese herbal decoction pieces from different medical institutions was differentiated from areas to areas. The survey results reflected the general situation about application of decoction pieces, providing the basic data for recording and completing Chinese herbal decoction pieces in essential drug system, with certain reference significance for the production of Chinese medicinal materials and the allocation of the varieties of Chinese herbal decoction pieces.

Clinical study on aconite prescriptions with incompatible herbs in different areas based on association rules and analysis on compatibility features / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the current application and features of Aconite prescriptions with incompatible herbs in grade A class three hospitals in east China and central China through a clinical study and comparative analysis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Clinical prescriptions containing Aconite with incompatible herbs were collected. Association rules were utilized to analyze the compatible features of these herbs.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>This analysis found that the frequently used incompatible herba; pairs are Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma, with the support rate of 44.45%, occupying nearly half of the surveyed prescriptions; Pinelliae Rhizoma is the most frequently used herb in the two areas, with support rate up to 76.24%. Among the top 10 herbal pairs in the support rate, except for Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Pinelliae Rhizoma, the top 10 herbs in Central China were mostly for warming the middle jiao and tonifying qi, such as Zingiberis Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Codonopsis Radix; Whereas those in east China were mostly for activating and nourishing blood, such as Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Among the top 10 herbal pairs in the support rate, except for Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma, the core herbal pairs applied in central China were mainly for resolving phlegm and warming the middle jiao, such as Pinelliae Rhizoma-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Pinelliae Rhizoma-Zingiberis Rhizoma; Whereas those in east China were principally for activating blood and tonifying qi, like Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Pinelliae Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Pinelliae Rhizoma. Among the core herbal groups in the two areas, the most frequently used herbal groups in the two areas are Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Pinelliae Rhizoma with the support rate of 59.73%, accounting for the highest proportion among all of herbal groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There are the combined clinical application of Aconite with incompatible herbs, mostly with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma, but with differences in the combined application in east China and central China.</p>

Effect of Xianxiong decoction on acute lung injury mice induced by lipopolysaccharide / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Xianxiong decoction on the mice with acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Eighty female ICR mice were randomly divided into 8 groups: model group, Xianxiong decoction group, Daxianxiong decoction group, Xianxiong decoction group without Kansui Radix group, Xianxiong decoction group without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Kansui Radix group, normal group and control group. Animals of each group, except normal group, were undertaken intraperitoneal injection and intranasal inhalation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on day 1, 2, 3 to establish acute lung injury (ALI) model. 30 min after modeling, 0.2 mL corresponding drugs were administrated to each mice, dexam ethasone and normal saline were given to the mice of control group and normal group respectively. White blood cell in blood, neutrophil percentage of blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatant, the ratio of wet and dry lung tissue ( W/D), histopathological changes of lung tissue were estimated. Sixty ICR mice were randomly divided into normal, model, control, high, middle and low dose Xianxiong decoction groups and were modeled in the same way. ELISA was applied to detect the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF, PCR for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha mRNA in lung tissue, and Western blot for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha. Half of 20 ICR mice were administrated with Xianxiong decoction of its maximum tolerant normal saline.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with model group, the number of WBC in blood of Xianxiong decoction group mice decreased (P < 0.01), percentage of neutrophils in both blood and BALF decreased as well (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); it also significantly reduced the ratio of W/D (P < 0.01); and found the alveolar wall, the number of inflammatory cells infiltrating improved, compared with model group. Xianxiong decoction reduced the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05); its high and low dose groups only found TNF-alpha level declined. Five mice died 24 h after administration of Xianxiong decoction which indicated its toxicity when other influential factors were considered.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Xianxiong decoction is effective on the ALI mice induced by LPS, but it is of toxicity at 3 g x mL(-1).</p>

On the Commonness of San'ao Decoction and Its Analogous Formulas in Facilitating Fei / 中国中西医结合杂志

San'ao Decoction (SD) and its analogous formulas derived in the following generations are common used prescriptions for treating pulmonary diseases with principal symptoms such as cough and asthma. They are usually compatible with Chinese herbs for facilitating Fei, dispelling wind, resolving phlegm and fluid retention. Material bases in these formulas are mainly derived from Chinese drugs, but dissolution contents of active components are changed and new components are produced after compatibility. By multilevel effect evaluation, these analogous formulas all have commonness in ventilating Fei and superiorities of evidence-based derivation. The effect pathway of commonness was involved in cell structure protection, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and immunoregulation.

Study on incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines / 中国中药杂志

The incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines is related to the clinical medication safety, so has attracted wide attentions from the public. With the deepening of studies on the incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines represented by 18 incompatible herbs, the incompatibility of theory traditional Chinese medicines has raised to new heights. From the origin of incompatibility theory of traditional Chinese medicines, relationship of herbs, harms of incompatible herbs and principle of prevention to toxic effects of specific incompatible medicines, the innovation and development of the traditional Chinese medicine incompatibility theory was explored. Structurally, the incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines refers to the opposition of two herbs based on seven emotions and clinical experience. The combination of incompatible herbs may lead to human harms, especially latent harm and inefficacy of intervention medicines. The avoidance of the combination of incompatible herbs and the consideration of both symptoms and drug efficacy are the basic method to prevent adverse reactions. The recent studies have revealed five characteristics of incompatible herbs. Toxicity potentiation, toxication, efficacy reduction and inefficacy are the four manifestations of the incompatible relations. The material changes can reflect the effects of toxicity potentiation and toxication of opposite herbs. The accumulation of toxicity and metabolic changes are the basis for latent harms. The antagonistic effect of main efficacies and the coexistence of positive and negative effects are the distinctive part of the incompatibility. The connotation of incompatible herbs plays an important role in the innovation of the traditional Chinese medicine incompatibility theory.

The effect of Qi'ao Decoction on ovalbumin induced and lipopolysaccharide enhanced severe asthma mice and its mechanism / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To evaluate the effect of Qi'ao Deocoction (QAD) on the inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of asthma mice.@*METHODS@#120 Balb/C mice were randomly divided into six groups: normal group, model group, dexamethasone group, high dose QAD group, medium dose QAD group and low dose QAD group. The asthma model was reproduced in Balb/C mice sensitized by ovalbumin, challenged by OVA and LPS. The mice of the normal group were sensitized, challenged and intranasally instilled by PBS. On day 28-34, 6.7, 13.4 and 26.8 g · kg(-1) Qi'ao Decoction were administrated; 0.002 4 g · kg(-1) dexamethasone solution was given to the dexamethasone group; normal and model groups were given the same amount of normal saline. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, airway hyperresponsiveness, lung histopathology and cytokines were then collected and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Compared with normal group, total cellular score, the number of macrophages, lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils of model group significantly increased (P 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#QAD can significantly inhibit airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness of mice with severe asthma induced by ovalumin and lipopolysaccharide, adjust the balance of cytokines, and improve lung histopathological condition. So, it exhibits great effect on severe asthma.

Research on Chinese medicine pairs (I)--Their formation and development / 中国中药杂志

Chinese medicine pair (CMP) was frequently applied in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic, and its significance was shown in long-term clinical practices and many accumulated experiences. It is the unique combination of two relatively fixed Chinese medicines in TCM clinic with the basic feature and principle of TCM compatibility, is the most fundamental and the simplest form of TCM formulae with certain theory basis and combinatory reason, which is proven effective. And the unique combination is frequently used for achieving mutual reinforcement or detoxication. CMP is an intermediate point between single herb and many TCM formulae, reflecting the regularity of TCM formulae compatibility and connotation of differential treatment. This paper analyzed and summarized the basic characteristics, development process and research significance of CMP, which aims to lead the modern basic and applied research on compatibility theory of CMP.

Research on Chinese medicine pairs (II)--Their data mining / 中国中药杂志

Data mining technology has become a powerful tool in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. In this paper, based on the principle and basic requirements of data mining, the mining methods and procedures were described. And then the application of data mining technology in Chinese medicine pair research was classified and summarized, such as the compatibility characters, characteristic pairs, dosage-effect relationship and property compatibility, which provide the direction and data base for modern research of Chinese medicine pair.

Study on evaluation system for gynecological disease model characterized by Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome with female SD rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an evaluation system for animal model with gynecological disease characterized by Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, in order to disprove syndrome characteristics of the model by classic clinical prescriptions, and evaluate the specificity and reliability of the model with macroscopic biological signs and symptoms.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The model characterized by Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome was established by injecting adrenaline into female SD rats and conducting unpredictable chronic stimulus such as reversal of day and night, swimming in cold water, thermal stimulation in oven, noise and tail suspension for two weeks. They were also orally administered with Xiangfu Siwu Tang, Shaofu Zhuyu Tang and positive control drug aspirin in groups. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted for the model on the basis of haemorheology, four blood coagulation indexes, four diagnostic information (digital imaging of tongue, paw and tail, temperature, weight, ingestion, electrocardiograph, and open filed test), and syndrome rating.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the normal group, the model group showed obvious changes in haemorheology, four blood coagulation indexes, animal behavior, weight, ingestion, syndrome rating and heart rate. Their tongue and paw pictures were analyzed with Photoshop 7.0, showing significant difference in red, green and blue percentage composition from the normal group. Groups given aspirin and Xiangfu Siwu Tang showed notable changes in haemorheology, four blood coagulation indexes, animal behavior, weight, ingestion, heart rate, syndrome rating, and red, green and blue percentage composition in tongue and paw pictures, whereas the group given Shaofu Zhuyu Tang showed no remarkable improvement.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The evaluation system for the animal model with gynecological disease characterized by Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome is established to provide reference for studies on the evaluation system for qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome models.</p>

Effect of San'ao Decoction on the airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide-enhanced asthma / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>San'ao Decoction (, SAD), as a representative Chinese medicine (CM) formula, was chosen to evaluate the effect of airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhanced asthma model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The asthma model was reproduced in the Balb/C mice sensitized by ovalbumin (OVA), challenged by OVA and LPS. After Balb/C mice's administration of a dose (0.0024 g/kg) of dexamethasone acetate, and three doses (2.2 g/kg, 4.4 g/kg and 8.8 g/kg) of SAD, airway inflammation and responsiveness were observed. The airway inflammation was detected by counting bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells and lung histopathology. Also, differential expressions of interferon-r (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-5 in the supernatants of BALF were examined. The changes in airway responsiveness indicated by lung resistance (R(L)) and stimulated by acetylcholine (Ach) were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Small-dose SAD hardly inhibit airway inflammation or hyperresponsiveness in the LPS-enhanced asthma, while medium-dose and high-dose SAD significantly inhibited the airway hyperresponsiveness, and to some extent, reduced airway inflammation. Meanwhile, the small-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose SAD promoted Th1-type cytokines (IFN-γ) and reduced Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-5) to different extents, which led to a Th1/Th2 balance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SAD has a good therapeutic effect on airway hyperresponsiveness in the LPS-enhanced asthma model, but its definite influence on airway inflammation is not remarkable.</p>

Four issues of basic research on categorized formulae of Chinese medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

Basic research of categorized formulae (CF) is one of the approaches to understand the scientific basis of formula assembling and syndrome differentiation in Chinese medicine. In this paper, the common features of CF researches were discussed. The authors held that the four issues, namely, the links between CF-syndrome-diseases, the compatibility of herbs in the core of CF, the comparison of similarities and differences in various kinds of CF, and the identification of effectual substantial basis of CF, are the kernel problems should be solved in CF research, also the scientific intension for elucidating the complex series of Chinese medicine prescriptions, revealing the rules of formula assembling and developing new drugs.