Mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, network pharmacology, and cell experiment / 中国中药杂志

In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/electrostatic field orbit trap combined-type mass spectrometry(UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) was used to analyze the main active components of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction(HQGZ). A total of 50 active components were identified from HQGZ and 108 potential targets of the components related to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were retrieved based on network pharmacology, including 87 key targets, followed by Gene Ontology(GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment of the targets. The result indicated that HQGZ may exert therapeutic effects mainly through the sphingolipid signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor(TNF) signaling pathway, as well as the positive regulation of ribonucleic acid(RNA) polymerase Ⅱ promoter transcription, inflammatory response and other biological processes. At the same time, cell experiment was performed to verify the key proteins in the TNF signaling pathway. The results demonstrated that HQGZ significantly reduced the expression of caspase-3(CASP3), TNF, relaxed(RELA) protein, and IkappaB kinase beta(IKBKB) in fibroblast-like synoviocytes induced by TNF-α. The results of UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, network pharmacology and cell experiment showed that the active components in HQGZ may inhibit inflammatory response and regulate immune function and cell apoptosis by modulating key proteins in TNF signaling pathway to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Evidence synthesis of effects of physical exercise on fall prevention in community-dwelling elderly people / 中华护理杂志

Objective To evaluate and summarize the best available evidence of effects of physical exercise on fall prevention in community-dwelling elderly people.Methods We searched Cochrane Library,JBI Library,Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO),National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC),PubMed,EMbase,Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline (SIGN),British Medical Journal Best Practice,British Medical Journal Best Practice,CBM,Wanfang Database and CNKI,to collect literatures including guideline,evidence summary(ES),best practice information sheet (BPIS),recommend practice (RP),system review(SR) and original research.Three authors independently evaluated quality of literatures and extracted data.Results Ten articles were enrolled,including four guidelines,two SRs,one RP,one ES,and two randomized controlled trials.Best evidence included:exercises should aim to provide moderate or high balance function training.Tai Chi and yoga were effective in fall prevention.Multifactorial assessment,group-based or home-based exercises were able to prevent falls.Conclusion Community should provide physical exercise recommendations for the elderly and satisfy the corresponding conditions.Available best evidence is recommended to use according to individual situation of the elderly.

Evidence synthesis of effects of physical exercise on fall prevention in community-dwelling elderly people / 中华护理杂志

Objective To evaluate and summarize the best available evidence of effects of physical exercise on fall prevention in community-dwelling elderly people.Methods We searched Cochrane Library,JBI Library,Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO),National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC),PubMed,EMbase,Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline (SIGN),British Medical Journal Best Practice,British Medical Journal Best Practice,CBM,Wanfang Database and CNKI,to collect literatures including guideline,evidence summary(ES),best practice information sheet (BPIS),recommend practice (RP),system review(SR) and original research.Three authors independently evaluated quality of literatures and extracted data.Results Ten articles were enrolled,including four guidelines,two SRs,one RP,one ES,and two randomized controlled trials.Best evidence included:exercises should aim to provide moderate or high balance function training.Tai Chi and yoga were effective in fall prevention.Multifactorial assessment,group-based or home-based exercises were able to prevent falls.Conclusion Community should provide physical exercise recommendations for the elderly and satisfy the corresponding conditions.Available best evidence is recommended to use according to individual situation of the elderly.

Research status on regulation of Chinese herbal compound on intestinal microecology / 中国中药杂志

The ralationship between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and intestinal microecology is increasingly being given more and more attention. Combined with the devolopment of intestinal microecology disciplines, effects of TCM on regulation of intestinal microecology have been gradually explained. Both clinical studies and animal experiments have confirmed that TCM can maintain the balance of intestinal microecology and regulate the intestinal flora. The author arrangemented the documents related to Chinese herbal compound adjusting intestinal flora in the recent ten years, summarized that the Chinese herbal compound which can strength spleen and replenish Qi, relax bowels and regulate Qi, dissipate dampness and check diarrhea, clear away heat and toxic materials, promote digestion and relieve stasis had certain regulation effects on intestinal microecology, providing basis for revealing the TCM essence of intestinal microecology.

Effect of Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood on reproductive endocrine activity and immune functions in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood on the reproductive endocrine-immune network and its mechanisms in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy pSS patients were randomly assigned to two groups using a randomized digital table: the integrative therapy group (36 cases) and the control group (34 cases). Thirty healthy subjects were taken as a normal group. The control group was treated with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets alone, and the integrative therapy group was treated by Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets. The treatment course was 6 months for both groups. Before and after treatment, serum estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL) by radioimmunoassay and immunoglobulin (IgG) by immunodiffusion, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by Westergren, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>E2 and T levels in all patients were lower than those of normal subjects before treatment (P<0.05) and were increased significantly after 6-month treatment (P<0.05). ESR, FSH, LH, IgG, IFN - γ, IL - 4 and ratios of E2/T, and IFN -γ/IL in the patients were higher than those of normal subjects before the treatments (P<0.05), and were reduced significantly after the treatments (P<0.05). The T and IFN - γ levels and E2/T ratio in the patients treated with integrative therapy were reduced significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05). However, the PRL levels before and after treatment were not significantly changed in the two groups (P>0.05). The ratios of E2/T and IFN -γ/IL-4, and levels of IgG and ESR were positively correlated before and after treatment (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The ratios of E2/T and IFN -γ/IL-4 might be used as indicators of pSS activity. Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood combined with Western medicine could improve the therapeutic effect by regulating the reproductive endocrine-immune network in pSS patients.</p>

Effect of nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction on Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction on Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Thirty-two NOD mice were randomly divided into the model group, the traditional Chinese medicine group (TCM group, orally given 0.4 mL nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction as per 100 g x kg(-1) everyday), the hydroxychloroquine group (given 0.4 mL hydroxychloroquine as per 60 mg x kg(-1) everyday), the traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group (TCM WM group, given nourishing Yin, Strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction 50 g x kg(-1) and hydroxychloroquine 60 mg x kg(-1), 0.4 mL everyday), with eight mice in each group. Eight Balb/C mice were selected as the normal control group (normal group). All of mice were killed after eight weeks, and their submaxillary glands were dissected. The expression levels of Fas/FasL were examined by immunohistochemical method, and the FasL mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The expression levels of Fas/FasL in salivary glands of the model group were higher than that of other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of FasL of the normal group was much lower than that in the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05). The relative expression level of Fas mRNA in salivary glands of the model group was higher than that in other groups, but the control group was notably lower than other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of FasL mRNA in salivary glands of the model group was higher than that in TCM and TCM WM groups (P < 0.05). But the expression level in TCM WM group was notably lower than the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction could down-regulate the expression level of Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression, and had a better efficacy after being combined with hydroxychloroquine. The nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction might treat the Sjogren's Syndrome by reducing apoptosis which is regulated by Fas/FasL</p>

Effect of yangyin yiqi huoxue recipe on immune balance of Th1/Th2 in serum and submaxillary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Yangyin Yiqi Huoxue Recipe (YYHR) on expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and immune balance of Th1/Th2 in serum and submaxillary glands of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with Sjogren's syndrome (SS), and to explore its mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 32 NOD mice were randomly into 4 groups, i.e., the model group, the Chinese medicine group [CM, administered with YYHR at the dose of 0.4 mL by gavage (100 g/kg)], the Western medicine group [WM group, administered with hydroxychloroquine 0.4 mL by gavage (60 mg/kg)], and the combined group [administered with YYHR (50 g/kg) and hydroxychloroquine (60 mg/kg) 0.4 mL by gavage], 8 mice in each group. Eight Balb/C mice were recruited as the normal control group. Mice were sacrificed to withdraw blood after 8 weeks. The submaxillary gland was excised. Serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. Protein expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 in submaxillary glands was detected by SP method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal group, levels of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 in serum and submaxillary glands all increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 in serum in the CM group and the combined group were lower than those of the WM group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 in submaxillary glands in combined group were lower than those of the WM group (P < 0.05). The ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 in serum and submaxillary glands in the model group were higher than that of the rest groups (P < 0.05). Besides, it was the nearest to that of the normal group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>YYHR could decrease the levels of Th1 and Th2 related cytokines and the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 in serum and submaxillary glands of NOD mice with SS. It could achieve therapeutic effects through adjusting immune balance of Th1/Th2 in SS mice.</p>

Effect of Xuezhikang Capsule on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hyperlipidemia / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of Xuezhikang Capsule on the serum levels of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hyperlipidemia, and to explore whether it has anti-inflammatory effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 84 patients were randomly assigned to two groups with stratified block randomization, the treatment group (42 cases) and the control group (42 cases). They were treated with Xuezhikang Capsule and polyene phosphatidylcholine capsule for twenty-four weeks, respectively. The changes in serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay before treatment and at the 12th and 24th week.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those before treatment, the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 significantly decreased in both groups after treatment (P<0.01). There was no significant change between the two groups for the treatments at different time points (P>0.05) and between the two groups for treatments at the same time points (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Xuezhikang Capsule can inhibit the serum inflammatory factor in patients with NAFLD and hyperlipidemia.</p>

Effect of puerarin on levels of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA in rats with alcoholic injury liver / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the regulatory effects of puerarin on the levels of transforming growth beta1 (TGF-beta1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in rats with alcoholic injury liver, and to probe into the prevention and cure mechanism of puerarin on alcoholic liver injury.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Seventy five SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal group 10 rats. model group 20 rats (alcohol etc mixed liquor twice per day), control group 15 rats (alcohol etc mixed liquor + complex biejia ruangan pian 1 g kg(-1) d(-1)), puerarin high dose group 15 rats (alcohol etc mixed liquor + puerarin tablet 1.5 g kg(-1) d(-1)), puerarin low dose group 15 rats (alcohol etc mixed liquor + puerarin pill 0.75 g kg(-1) d(-1)). After 8 weeks. femoral vein blood of the rats were taken out in all rats and then rats were sacrificed to obtain liver samples. Samples were collected to observe pathological change and to detect expression of TGF-beta1, and alpha-SMA in liver tissue.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Pathological change and hepatic fibrosis integration of liver tissue in model group were significantly changed compared with other group (P<0.05). Meanwhile the level of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA in both high and low dose puerarin groups were significantly decreased compared with model group (P<0.01). Furthermore the level of alpha-SMA of puerarin high dose group were significantly decreased compared with control group (P<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between puerarin low dose group and model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There was an ascend in the level of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA expression in rats with alcoholic injury liver, and puerarin has regulatory effects on the expression of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA.</p>