Revealing the mechanisms of Arisaema cum Bile on allergic asthma with systematic pharmacology approach-experimental validation.

Arisaema cum Bile (Dan Nanxing in Chinese, DNX) have been employed to treat allergic asthma. However, the active components and its mechanisms remain unknown. Therefore, the systematic pharmacology approach-experimental validation was performed in this study. Each 5, 6, and 10 compounds of DNX were obtained by HPLC analysis, TCMSP, and literature report, respectively. A total of 379 targets on all these compounds were acquired from Swiss Target Prediction, and 1973 targets on allergic asthma were predicated. The KEGG enrichment analysis was performed. Furthermore, a rat model of allergic asthma was established and DNX (450 mg/kg, p.o.) was given for 2 weeks. DNX treatment prevented OVA-induced pathological changes in lung cell of irregular arrange and necrotic bronchial epithelial. It also decreased inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 of serum and BALF, and increased IL-12 and IFN-γ. The main MAPK signaling pathway predicted by KEGG enrichment was verified, as indicated by the decreased protein expression of JNK (p < 0.05 & p < 0.01), ERK (p < 0.05), and p38 MAPK (p < 0.01) in lung tissue. These findings indicated that DNX attenuated OVA-induced allergic asthma mainly by decreasing the MAPK signaling pathway.

Botanical, Traditional Use, Phytochemical, and Toxicological of Arisaematis rhizoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review is a collection of all possible studies on AR, published in scientific journals, papers, and books. Using the papers related to Arisaematis, such as ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, Springer Link, Web of Science, CNKI, and WanFang Database. In this paper, the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of AR were reviewed. Finally, the existing problems and research directions of the research on AR are discussed. RESULTS: Ninety-eight chemical constituents were isolated from AR. AR has a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as the effects on the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. It also has anti-tumor, sedative, analgesic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiarrhythmic, anticoagulant, and other effects. It is also considered an effective drug for in vitro and in vivo validation. CONCLUSIONS: AR is an excellent traditional medicinal plant in China. Pharmacological studies support the traditional use of AR and may verify the folk use of AR in the treatment of different diseases. The anti-tumor effect of AR has been widely concerned by scholars at home and abroad. It has become a hot spot in recent years and has made great contributions to the survival and development of human beings. Although it has a high value of comprehensive utilization, its development and utilization are far from enough. Therefore, the comprehensive development of AR is worthy of further analysis.

Botanical and Traditional Uses and Phytochemical, Pharmacological, Pharmacokinetic, and Toxicological Characteristics of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen: A Review.

Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZS, the seeds of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H. F. Chou) is used as a traditional Chinese medicine referred to as Suan zao ren (). This paper aims to provide a systematic review of its traditional uses and its botanical, phytochemical, pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological characteristics. The future development and research prospects for ZS have also been discussed in detail. To date, over 150 compounds have been identified in this plant, including terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, fatty acids, volatile oils, polysaccharides, and others. Both extracts and purified compounds have excellent biological activities, especially sedative and hypnotic effects. Other effects include ameliorating effect of learning and memory, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, blood pressure and lipid lowering, antiaging, and antitumor effects. Thus, this traditional Chinese medicine can be used to treat many diseases such as insomnia, forgetfulness, headaches, and dizziness. Although many of the traditional uses of ZS are well established, the relationship between structure and function still needs to be further studied. In order to better pave the way for research and the establishment of quality control standards for ZS, it will be very important to elucidate its pharmacological mechanisms of action and explore new clinical effects.

Serum S100A12 and 30-day mortality after acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: S100A12 is implicated in inflammatory reactions. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between serum S100A12 concentrations and 30-day mortality in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: We prospectively included 182 healthy controls and 182 ICH patients within 24h after stroke onset. Serum samples were collected for the measurement of S100A12 concentrations. Multivariable analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between serum S100A12 concentrations and mortality of ICH patients within 30days. RESULTS: Serum S100A12 concentrations were significantly increased compared to control subjects. S100A12 concentrations were positively correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, ICH volume, blood glucose concentrations, blood white blood cell count and plasma C-reactive protein concentrations. 36 (19.8%) patients were deceased within 30days after stroke onset. Non-survivors had significantly higher concentrations of serum S100A12 than survivors. Additionally, Serum S100A12 concentrations significantly discriminated patients at risk of 30-day mortality and its predictive value was equivalent to those of NIHSS score and hematoma volume. Moreover, higher serum S100A12 concentrations showed a significantly higher risk for 30-day mortality and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Higher S100A12 concentrations are positively associated with inflammation, hemorrhagic severity and short-term mortality among ICH patients, indicating S100A12 may represent a biomarker for predicting poor outcome after hemorrhagic stroke.

Prognostic value of serum thioredoxin concentrations after intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Thioredoxin (TRX) is a potent anti-oxidant and its circulating concentration is increased in some critical illnesses. We measured the serum TRX concentrations and further investigated the relationship between serum TRX concentrations and hemorrhagic severity and outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: A total of 218 ICH patients and 218 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective, observatory study. Serum TRX concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hemorrhagic severity was assessed with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and hematoma volume. Clinical endpoint was 6-month mortality. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the patients had elevation of serum TRX concentrations (24.4±11.5 ng/ml vs. 8.4±3.3 ng/ml, P<0.001). Serum TRX concentrations were highly related to NIHSS score (r=0.532, P<0.001) and hematoma volume (r=0.486, P<0.001). Serum TRX concentrations higher than 29.6 ng/ml was an independent predictor of 6-month mortality (odds ratio, 3.978; 95% confidence interval, 1.486-10.649) and 6-month overall survival (hazard ratio, 3.511; 95% confidence interval, 1.827-6.746). TRX concentrations improved the predictive value of NIHSS score and hematoma volume for 6-month mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum TRX concentration, related closely to hemorrhagic severity and long-term mortality, has the potential to be a novel prognostic predictive biomarker after ICH.