Effects of Huzhang Qingmai decoction on cognitive function and intestinal flora in mice with chronic cerebral ischemia / 药学实践杂志

Objective To investigate the mechanism of action of Huzhang Qingmai decoction (HZQMY) on the improvement of cognitive function in mice with chronic cerebral ischemia from the perspective of intestinal flora. Methods A mouse model of chronic cerebral ischemia was established by placing microcoils around the bilateral common carotid arteries to induce bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS). After 12 weeks of intragastric administration, the cognitive function of the mice was measured by the Morris water maze; the myelin damage was analyzed by LFB staining; The contents of the cecum of the mice in each group were extracted and analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results The results of the water maze experiment showed that the mice in the HZQMY group had a significantly shorter escape latency, increased the number of crossings platform and the percentage of target quadrants. LFB staining showed that the white matter damage in the model group was severe; the white matter damage in the HZQMY group was milder. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that compared with the model group, the abundance of Verrucomicrobiota, Akkermansia, and ErysiPelatoclostridium capsulatum in the intestinal flora in HZQMY group was significantly reduced (P<0.05), while the abundances of Eubacterium_xylanoPhilum and Allobaculum were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion The protective effect of HZQMY, which has the effect of improving cognitive function in mice with chronic cerebral ischemia, may be related to the regulation of intestinal flora in mice with chronic cerebral ischemia.

A cell model for high-throughput screening lead compounds targeting HIF-1α for atherosclerosis treatment / 药学实践杂志

Objective To establish a high-throughput in-vitro screening cell model for anti-atherosclerosis leading compounds.Methods Hypoxia response element (HRE) was cloned into a luciferase reporter vector, pGL3-Enhancer, to construct pGL3-HIF-1α-HRE.The THP-1human monocyte cell line was infected with the pGL3-HIF-1α-HRE and a stable cell line, THP-1-HIF-1α-HRE, was screened.Results Real-time PCR assay showed that HIF-1αexpression and luciferase activity in THP-1-HIF-1α-HRE cells was effectively upregulated by hypoxia.The increase of HIF-1αexpression and luciferase activity induced by hypoxia was significantly inhibited by lovastatin or curcumin.Conclusion THP1-HIF-1α-HRE, an in-vitro cell model for high-throughput screening lead compounds for anti-atherosclerosis (AS) was successfully established.

Clinical efficacy of Scrophularia ningpoensis granules combined with fosinopril for congestive heart failure / 药学实践杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Scrophularia ningpoensis granules combined with fosinopril in treatment of congestive heart failure.Methods 60 congestive heart failure patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, 30 patients in the treatment group and 30 patients in the control group.Besides the conventional therapy, the control group was treated with fosinopril and the treatment group received Scrophularia ningpoensis granules plus fosinopril for 90 days.Left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and serum B-type brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured before and after treatment.Results The total effective rate in the treatment group and the control group were 90%, but significantly effective number in the treatment group was higher than the control group.The levels of BNP, LVEDD and LVESD in both groups were decreased, while LVEF was increased after the treatment.The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01).The degree of improvement of heart function in the treatment group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion The combination therapy of Scrophularia ningpoensis granules and fosinopril is efficacious in treating CHF.