Therapeutic Effect of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimutang on Osteoporosis in Rats Based on RANKL/OPG / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimutang （GSZT） on the osteoporosis （OP） in SD female rats induced by ovariectomy （OVX） combined with glucocorticoid injection and its related mechanisms. Method:The rats were divided into a sham operation group and an experimental group for OVX. One week later， the experimental rats were divided into an OP model group， a calciferol （positive control， 0.1 mg·kg^-1） group， and low（0.8 g·kg^-1）， medium（1.6 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose （3.2 g·kg^-1） GSZT groups. Except for those in the sham operation group， the rats received an intramuscular injection of dexamethasone （1 mg·kg^-1） twice per week for six weeks. After the rats were treated correspondingly for eight weeks， the rats were sacrificed for thighbone sample collection. The computer microtomography （Micro CT） was used to analyze the parameters of bone mineral density （BMD）， bone volume （BV）， tissue volume （TV）， structure model index （SMI）， connectivity density （Conn.D）， trabecular number （Tb.N）， trabecular thickness （Tb.Th）， trabecular pattern factor （Tb.Pf）， and trabecular separation （Tb.Sp）. In addition， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson staining was used for the histopathological examination of the thighbone. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase （TRAP） staining was used to analyze osteoclasts in bone tissues. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9）， cathepsin K （CTSK）， and TRAP5b in bone tissues， and Western blot was carried out to determine receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand （RANKL）， osteoprotegerin （OPG）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP） in bone tissues. Result:Compared with normal group， the number of bone trabeculae in cancellous part of OP model rats decreased significantly， the spacing widened， the thickness became thinner， and the continuity was poor. Compared with model group， GZST medium and high-dose groups could improve the changes of femoral bone trabecular cancellous bone. Masson staining showed that compared with the normal group， the growth plate thickness of the distal femur epiphysis was thinner and the area of new bone was smaller in the OP model group， while the reduction of new bone was inhibited in the high dose group of calcitol and GZST. TRAP staining results showed that the number of osteoclasts in OP group was significantly increased compared with the normal group， and the number of osteoclasts in medium-high dose GZST group was reduced. Micro CT results showed that compared with normal group， BMD， BV， Tb.N， Tb.Th and Conn.D of OP rats were decreased， SMI and Tb.Sp were significantly increased（<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with model group， medium and high dose of GZST could improve the degree of osteoporosis in OP rats， BV， Tb.N were significantly increased， SMI， Tb.Sp were significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. ELISA results revealed that compared with the sham operation group， the OP model group showed decreased ALP content （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and increased MMP-9， TRAP5b， and CTSK （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the OP model group， the high-dose GSZT group showed increased ALP content （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and decreased MMP-9， TRAP5b， and CTSK （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Western blot results demonstrated that compared with the OP model group， the calciferol group and the high-dose GSZT group showed inhibited expression of the RANKL protein （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and increased OPG expression （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:The findings suggest that GZST has a potential therapeutic effect on OP caused by OVX combined with glucocorticoids in rats， and the underlying mechanism is associated with the regulation of RANKL/OPG in bone tissues. This study is expected to lay a preliminary foundation for its clinical application and modern preparation development.

Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful and promising alternative strategy for treatment of Sjogren's syndrome: A review / 中西医结合学报

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease involving exocrine glands. Current studies have found that the occurrence of the disease is closely related to genetic, environmental and neuroendocrine factors, as well as abnormal activation of T and B lymphocytes. The etiology and pathogenesis of pSS is complex, and there is a lack of specific targeted drugs. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been comprehensively investigated for their treatment effects on pSS. Through a systematic review of the literature, we summarized the TCMs used to treat pSS, and find that there are four major ways that TCMs are used, including upregulation of aquaporin proteins, suppression of cell apoptosis, suppression of the abnormal activation of B lymphocytes and suppression of the abnormal activation of T lymphocytes (balancing T helper type [Th]1/Th2 & Th17/Treg and suppressing follicular helper T [Tfh] cells). However, there are not enough data about the active constituents, quality control, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and modern preparations of these TCMs; therefore, more investigations are needed. This paper highlights the importance of TCMs for treating pSS and provides guidance for future investigations.

Mechanistic evaluation of gastro-protective effects of KangFuXinYe on indomethacin-induced gastric damage in rats / 中国天然药物

KangFuXinYe (KFX), the ethanol extract of the dried whole body of Periplaneta americana, is a well-known important Chinese medicine preparation that has been used to treat digestive diseases such as gastric ulcers for many years in China. However, its therapeutic effect and mechanism are not yet well understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the gastro-protective effects of KangFuXinYe (KFX) in indomethacin-induced gastric damage. Rats were randomly divided into six groups as follows: control, treated with indomethacin (35 mg·kg), different dosages of KFX (2.57, 5.14 and 10.28 mL·kg, respectively) plus indomethacin, and sucralfate (1.71 mL·kg) plus indomethacin. After treatment, rat serum, stomach and gastric homogenates were collected for biochemical tests and examination of histopathology firstly. Rat serum was further used for metabolomics analysis to research possible mechanisms. Our results showed that KFX treatment alleviated indomethacin-induced histopathologic damage in rat gastric mucosa. Meanwhile, its treatment significantly increased cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), prostaglandin E (PGE) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels in rat serum and gastric mucosa. Moreover, KFX decreased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Nine metabolites were identified which intensities significantly changed in gastric damage rats, including 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, indoxylsulfuric acid, indolelactic acid, 4-hydroxyindole, pantothenic acid, isobutyryl carnitine, 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, sphingosine 1-phosphate, and indometacin. These metabolic deviations came to closer to normal levels after KFX intervention. The results indicate that KFX (10.28 mL·kg) exerts protective effects on indomethacin-induced gastric damage by possible mechanisms of action (regulating tryptophan metabolism, protecting the mitochondria, and adjusting lipid metabolism, and reducing excessive indomethacin).

Effect of Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum Cum Alumine Polysaccharides on MUC5AC mRNA in Lung Tissues of Allergic Asthma Model Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To observe the effect of Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum Cum Alumine polysaccharides(PRPCAP)on airway mucus secretion in rats with allergic asthma, in order to study the material basis of the "macromolecule" component of the polysaccharides as the original medicinal materials. Method: The 60 SPF-grade Wistar rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of chicken ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminum-magnesium adjuvant, except for the normal control group. The OVA solution was aerosolized to establish a rat model of allergic asthma. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely allergic asthma model group, positive drug group (montalurast sodium,5 mg·kg-1), high-dose PRPCAP group (400 mg·kg-1), middle-dose PRPCAP group (200 mg·kg-1) and low-dose PRPCAP group (100 mg·kg-1). The contents of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the count of eosinophils (EOS) was detected by BALF sediment. The histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining in lung tissue. The mRNA expression of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) was detected by Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Result: Compared with the normal control group, serum IL-4 level in the allergic asthma model group was significantly increased (Pγ level was significantly decreased (PPPPPγ in serum (PPPPConclusion: The "macromolecule" component of polysaccharides in the Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum Cum Alumine may be the material basis for the efficacy of eliminating dampness and eliminating phlegm.

Spectrum-effect relationship between HPLC fingerprint and free radicals scavenging in Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction / 中国中药杂志

To establish the spectrum-effect relationship between HPLC fingerprint and free radicals activity scavenging in Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction( GSZD),and provide a basis for the quality evaluation and modernization of classical prescriptions. Shimadsu GL-science C18 column( 4. 6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) was used with acetonitrile-0. 1% formic acid solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The detective wave length was 254 nm; the column temperature was set at 32 ℃; the injection volume was 20 μL; and the flow rate was 1. 0 m L·min-1.10 batches of primary standard samples of GSZD were detected,and their HPLC fingerprint was established by using the similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine( TCM). The activity of scavenging free radicals was studied by 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine( DPPH) method,and the spectrum-effect relationship was studied by Pearson bivariate correlation analysis. The common mode of GSZD fingerprints was established,and 26 common peaks were marked,with similarities ranging from 0. 929 to 0. 998. Eight of the chromatographic peaks were identified by using the control comparison method: gallic acid,mangiferin,paeoniflorin,glycyrrhizin,asparagus,5-O-methylvisamicin,cinnamic acid,and ammonium glycyrrhetate. Among them,the content changes of No. 14( paeoniside),20,12( mangiferin),13 and 23( cinnamic acid) common peaks were negatively correlated with free radical scavenging activity. The fingerprint showed high precision,repeatability and stability,and the common peaks were well separated,so it can be used for the quality evaluation of GSZD,and could provide reference for further studies on the material basis of GSZD.

Stabilizing the bactericidal activity of hydrogen peroxide: a brand new function of certain Chinese herbs / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore natural herbs to maintain the bactericidal activity of hydrogen peroxide (H).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen extracts of Chinese herbs were prepared complying with the standard protocol. Each of the solutions was then mixed with 1% H2O2. The mixtures were handled with two approaches: autoclaved daily for one, two or three times; stored at room temperature from one through five years. Then the bactericidal activity were evaluated by assaying the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, ATCC25923) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli, ATCC12421) bacteria.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>While mixed with 1% H2O2, 10 out of 18 kinds of assessed Chinese herbs displayed MBC values at 1:12800 or higher after three times of autoclaving, and 8 of them preserved such level of MBC value after stored at room temperature for three years. Some Chinese herbs, i.e. R. Scutellariae, R. Coptidis, R. Bupleuri, H. Epimedii, C. Phelledendri and F. Chrysanthemi, can significantly maintain the bactericidal activity of diluted H2O2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Certain Chinese herbs can effectively stabilize the bactericidal activity of H2O2 undergoing autoclave or long-term storage. This paper reported a brandnew pharmaceutical function of Chinese herbs and provided experimental data for the potential enhancement of H2O2 usage while its stability level is promoted.</p>

Application of quantitative evaluation on multicomponent drug interaction in anti-HIV research / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To quantitatively evaluate mutual relations of 4 component drugs in anti-HIV action.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effect of TCM four components on cell growth was detected using MTT assay. The antiviral effects of 4 components were observed at the maximal nonvenomous dose. The combination index (CI) value of combined two or four components were calculated using median-effect principle. The mutual relations of two or four components for antiviral actions were assessed using CI.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Synergism was dominant in combination of A and B, and the effect was dose-dependent. Antagonism was dominant in combination of C and D, and the effect was dose-dependent. But the combination of A, B, C, and D was synergistic when the inhibition rate was over 10%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Median-effect principle can be used to quantitatively assess the anti-HIV effect of four components.</p>