Effects of total peony glucoside on cerebral Notch signaling pathway in focal cerebral infarction rats / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To investigate the effects of total paeony glucoside on brain Notch signaling pathway in focal cerebral infarction rats. Methods: Stroke rats were prepared and divided into 5 groups: model group, low dosetotal peony glucoside group, medium dosetotal peony glucoside group, and high dosetotal paeony glucoside group, with 20 rats in each group. All groups received the medication for 20 days. The body weight, brain water content, cerebral infarction size, brain tissue NICD, Hes1 and Hes5 proteins and Hes1 and Hes5 mRNA expressions were measured in each group. Results: There was no significant difference in body weight before administration within these groups (P>0.05). After treatment, compared with those in the control group, the body weight significantly decreased (P<0.05); NICD, Hes1 and Hes5 significantly increased; Hes1 and Hes5mRNA significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with those in the model group, the body weight significantly increased (P<0.05); the NICD, Hes1 and Hes5 significantly decreased; Hes1 and Hes5mRNA significantly decreased (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Total peony glucoside can treat focal cerebral infarction by inhibiting Notch signaling pathway in rat brain tissue.

Is sham acupuncture as effective as traditional Chinese acupuncture? It's too early to say / 中国结合医学杂志

Many clinical trials and experimental studies claim that sham acupuncture is as effective as traditional Chinese acupuncture. However, these studies have no standard sham acupuncture control and many other factors can affect the clinical effect. These factors include needle retention time, treatment frequency, and the total number of treatments needed for satisfactory results, and all can change the clinical effect. The majority of existing acupuncture treatment studies do not consider these factors and lack standard dosage criteria. Therefore, it is still too early to conclude that sham acupuncture is as effective as traditional Chinese acupuncture. This article investigates the factors that influence the curative effect of acupuncture as to help set a standard for acupuncture studies in the future.