Research progress on effective components and mechanisms of anti-depressive Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Since the pathogenesis of depression is complicated, the therapeutic effects of western medicine are poor accompanied by severe side effects. Chinese medicine has unique advantages in the treatment based on syndrome differentiation and contains many effective components against depression, including flavonoids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, quinones, and alkaloids. These chemical components can delay the course of the disease, improve the curative effect, and reduce side effects of western medicine by regulating the biochemical abnormalities of monoamine neurotransmitters, brain tissue protein content, and internal environment as well as energy metabolism to make the treatment of Chinese medicine highlighted and recognized. This study systematically reviewed the effective components and mechanisms of anti-depressive Chinese medicine to inspire the rational development and utilization of new Chinese medicines against depression.

Exploration of anti-aging life behavior in middle-aged and elderly people based on PPSHAS scale / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To study the aging-related lifestyle and behaviors associated with the middle-aged and elderly so as to propose anti-aging strategies. Methods The aging degree of the elderly was measured by PPSHAS scale, which was certified by the national society. At the same time, the anti-aging factors were studied by questionnaire and logistic model. Results There were 836 effective PPSHAS scales and anti-aging questionnaires, 471 of which were significantly younger or older. Mann-Whitney U test showed that there was no significant difference in satiety and smoking between the two groups (Psatiety=0.295, Psmoking=0.294). By incorporating meaningful factors into logistic model, seven related anti-aging factors, such as dressing, drinking frequency and tea drinking habits, were obtained. Conclusions Aging can be delayed by paying attention to dressing, limiting alcohol, getting enough sleep, strengthening exercise, maintaining a harmonious family atmosphere, and drinking tea regularly.

Effects of As2O3 and all-trans retinoic acid on the growth of HeLa cell line and their relation with gene NDRG1 / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell line.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HeLa cells were treated with As2O3 and ATRA. The cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The expressions of NDRG-1 protein and mRNA were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MTT assay showed that As2O3 and ATRA inhibited the growth of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells in vitro in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Western blot and RT-PCR techniques showed that As2O3 and ATRA down-regulated the expressions of NDRG-1 protein and mRNA (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As2O3 and ATRA can significantly inhibit the growth and proliferation of HeLa cells. The reason of these changes may be related with the down-regulation of expression of NDRG-1.</p>

Exploration on the increased sensitivity to docetaxel and reversing mechanism of drug resistance of antisense survivin RNA in gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 cells / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of survivin antisense RNA on apoptosis and chemosensitivity to docetaxel in gastric cancer line SGC7901 cells, and its relation to mdr-1.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>survivin antisense eukaryotic vector anti-pcDNA3-svv was transfected into SGC7901 cells by electorporation and positive clone was screened out. survivin protein and mdr-1 mRNA were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR. Apoptosis-inducing effect was examined by electron microscopy. Sensitivity to docetaxel was examined by MTT. Expression of mdr-1 and survivin mRNA were detected in the SGC7901 cells after drug-resisitance induction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of survivin protein of SGC7901 cells after transfection reduced significantly than that of non-transfected cells. MDR indexes of transfection group and non-transfection group were 0.196 +/- 0.013 and 3.126 +/- 0.019, respectively. The IC50 of transfection group to docetaxel was (16.7 +/- 1.98) microg/L and non-transfection group was (55.7 +/- 1. 89) microg/L, with a statistically significant difference. Expression of survivin mRNA in drug-resistant cells decreased along with the decreasing of mdr-1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Antisense surivivin RNA can induce apoptosis in gastric cancer cells and increase sensitivity to docetaxel. The reversing mechanism of drug resistance is related with decreasing of mdr-1.</p>

Inhibiting effects of aspirin on the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effects of aspirin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human HCC cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of aspirin on the synthesis of DNA in SMMC-7721 HCC cells were determined by using (3)H-thymidine incorporation. Apoptosis of SMMC-7721 was studied by observation of morphologic changes, Tunnel method and flow cytometry after treatment with aspirin. We also assessed the effects of aspirin on the growth of HCC xenografts in nude mice in vivo.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A dose-dependent suppression (r=-0.918, P<0.01) of (3)H-TdR incorporation in HCC cell line treated with aspirin was observed in the concentration range of 1 10(-1)~10(-7)mol/L. The mean tumor volume and weight in nude mice treated with aspirin were significantly lower than those of the control group. The inhibiting rate for HCC xenografts was 71.62% in the aspirin group. After exposure to aspirin (31 10(-3)mol/L) for 48 hours, HCC cells presented some morphologic features of apoptosis. The apoptosis index was markedly higher in the aspirin group (8.90% 1.32%) than in the control group (0.50% 0.35%, P<0.01). A typical subdiploid peak before G0/G1 phase with an apoptosis rate as 12.79% was also observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Aspirin inhibits the proliferation and increases the apoptosis of human HCC cells not only in vitro but also in vivo.</p>