Research Progress in Astragalus Membranaceus and Its Active Components on Immune Responses in Liver Fibrosis / 中国结合医学杂志

The interaction between immune cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) can modulate the development of hepatic fibrosis. It can also regulate hepatic fibrosis and liver cirrhosis caused by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). This article reviews the action mechanism of immune cells on liver fibrosis and the effect of Astragalus membranaeus and its active components on immune cells. In-depth study of interaction between immune cells and HSCs on the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, and the regulatory effect of Astragalus membranaeus and its active components on immune mechanism will provide new insights in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture and moxibustion for post-stroke constipation: a meta analysis / 中国针灸

The clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion for post-stroke constipation was systematically reviewed. By computerized and manual retrieval of clinical research literature regarding acupuncture and moxibustion for post-stroke constipation, the randomized control trials (RCTs) that met the inclusive criteria were collected. Cochrane systematic review method was used and Revmen 5.2 software was adopted to perform this Meta analysis. Totally 8 articles were included, involving 610 cases of post-stroke constipation. As a result, the total effective rate and cured rate of acupuncture and moxibustion for post-stroke constipation were significantly superior to those of the control group [total effective rate: OR = 2.10, 95% CI (1.25, 3.54), Z = 2.78, P = 0.005; cured rate: OR = 2.37, 95% CI (1.57, 3.58), Z = 4.10, P < 0.0001]. This result indicated that acupuncture was effective for post-stroke constipation and had some advantages compared with other therapies. But the quality of included RCTs was low, and high-quality, large-sample and multi-center RCTs were needed to perform further verification.

Advances in studies on effect superiorities of traditional Chinese medicine on chronic hepatitis B / 中国中药杂志

Determination of treatment based in pathogenesis obtained through differentiation of symptoms and signs is the characteristic of traditional Chinese medicines' treatment on chronic hepatitis B. There are important effects and special superiorities for traditional Chinese medicines on resisting hepatic fibrosis, improving liver function, protecting liver cells and relieveing the symptoms. The therapeutic effects about the only traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Chinese medicine added western medicine compared with the only western medicine was reviewed in order to explain the traditional Chinese medicine' s therapeutic superiorities.