Vitexin, a fenugreek glycoside, ameliorated obesity-induced diabetic nephropathy via modulation of NF-κB/IkBα and AMPK/ACC pathways in mice.

Obesity is one of the most critical risk factors for diabetes mellitus and plays a significant role in diabetic nephropathy (DN). The present investigation aimed to evaluate the possible mechanism of action of vitexin on obesity-induced DN in a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed experimental C57BL/6 mice model. Obesity was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by chronic administration of HFD, and mice were concomitantly treated with vitexin (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg, p.o.). HFD-induced increased renal oxido-nitrosative stress and proinflammatory cytokine levels were significantly inhibited by vitexin. The Western blot analysis suggested that alteration in renal NF-κB, IκBα, nephrin, AMPK, and ACC phosphorylation levels was effectively restored by vitexin treatment. Histological aberration induced in renal tissue after chronic administration of HFD was also reduced by vitexin. In conclusion, vitexin suppressed the progression of obesity-induced DN via modulation of NF-κB/IkBα and AMPK/ACC pathways in an experimental model of HFD-induced DN in C57BL/6J mice.

Acupuncture for chronic constipation in patients with diabetes mellitus: A protocol for systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for chronic constipation in patients with diabetes mellitus is the main purpose of this systematic review protocol. METHODS: The following electronic databases will be searched from their respective inception dates to December 1st 2020: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, World Science Net, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, the Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database and the Wanfang Database. All published randomized controlled trials in English or Chinese related to acupuncture for constipation in patient with diabetes mellitus will be included. The Bristol stool scale, spontaneous complete bowel movements, and observing symptoms (yes/no) including defecation feeling, defecation weakness, feeling of incomplete evacuation, bloating, and flatulence were considered as primary measures. The treatment efficiency consideration according to Bristol stool scale was considered as secondary measure. Two reviewers will conduct the study selection, data extraction and assessment independently. The assessment of risk of bias and data synthesis will be conducted with Review Manager Software (RevMan) V.5.2. RESULTS: The results will provide a high-quality synthesis of current evidence for researchers in this subject area. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of our study will provide an evidence to judge whether.Acupuncture is an effective intervention for chronic constipation in patients with diabetes mellitus. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Formal ethical approval is not necessary as the data cannot be individualized. The results of this protocol will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal or presented at relevant conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202110079.

[Effect of serum containing Xihuang pill on proliferation of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435 and MCF-7 Cells].

To study the effect of serum containing Xihuang pill on the proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-435 and MCF-7 and the gene and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, TP53, in order to explore the effect and mechanism of Xihuang pill in resisting breast cancer. The serum of the rats was prepared by the method of MTT assay. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by RT-PCR. The serum levels of Bcl-2 and Bax and the mRNA expression of TP53 were detected by immunofluorescence. The rats with serum containing Xihuang pill could inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-435 cells and MCF-7 cells (P<0.05). The serum containing Xihuang pill increased TP53 and Bax in MDA-MB-435 cells (P<0.05), and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was decreased (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the serum containing Xihuang pill could up-regulate the mRNA expression of Bax in MCF-7 cells and decrease the expression of Bcl (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the expression of TP53mRNA and Bax protein expressions after the treatment of MCF-7 cells with Xihuang pill serum. Serum containing Xihuang pill can induce the apoptosis of human breast cancer cells, and the mechanism of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer cell apoptosis may be induced by up-regulating the mRNA expression of TP53, which can induce the expression of Bax and promote the metastasis of Bax to mitochondria, and ultimately play the role of inducing apoptosis.

BDNF-GSK-3ß-ß-Catenin Pathway in the mPFC Is Involved in Antidepressant-Like Effects of Morinda officinalis Oligosaccharides in Rats.

Background: Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides have been reported to exert neuroprotective and antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test in mice. However, the mechanisms that underlie the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides are unclear. Methods: Chronic unpredictable stress and forced swim test were used to explore the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides and resilience to stress in rats. The phosphoinositide-3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 was microinjected in the medial prefrontal cortex to explore the role of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß in the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, phosphorylated-Ser9-glycogen synthase kinase 3ß, ß-catenin, and synaptic proteins was determined in the medial prefrontal cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex by western blot. Results: We found that Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides effectively ameliorated chronic unpredictable stress-induced depression-like behaviors in the sucrose preference test and forced swim test. The Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides also significantly rescued chronic unpredictable stress-induced abnormalities in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-glycogen synthase kinase-3ß-ß-catenin pathway and synaptic protein deficits in the medial prefrontal cortex but not orbitofrontal cortex. The activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß by the phosphoinositide-3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 abolished the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the forced swim test. Naïve rats that were treated with Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides exhibited resilience to chronic unpredictable stress, accompanied by increases in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, phosphorylated-Ser9-glycogen synthase kinase-3ß, and ß-catenin in the medial prefrontal cortex. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-glycogen synthase kinase-3ß-ß-catenin pathway in the medial prefrontal cortex may underlie the antidepressant-like effect of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides and resilience to stress.

Analysis of Chemical Constituents in Wuzi-Yanzong-Wan by UPLC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS.

Wuzi-Yanzong-Wan (WZYZW), a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription containing Fructus Lych, Semen Cuscutae (fried), Fructus Rubi, Fructus Schisandrae chinensis (steamed) and Semen Plantaginis (fried with salt), is widely used to treat impotence, sterility, spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, lumbago and post-micturation dribble. However, the chemical profile of WZYZW has not been established yet. In this work, a rapid and sensitive method for systematically screening and identifying the chemical constituents of WZYZW in both positive and negative ion modes using Ultra-Performance LC coupled with ESI-linear ion trap-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) has been developed. Based on the chromatographic and spectrometric data, and referring to the literature, we could tentatively identify 106 compounds, including organic acids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids and terpenoids. Fourteen ingredients from Fructus Lych were identified, while 10 ingredients were from Semen Cuscutae (fried), 33 ingredients were from Fructus Rubi, 37 ingredients were from Fructus Schisandrae chinensis (steamed), and 20 ingredients were from Semen Plantaginis (fried with salt). The results may provide essential data for further quality control, pharmacological research and clinical evaluation of WZYZW. Furthermore, this study indicates the developed approach based on UPLC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS is suitable for characterizing the chemical profiles of TCM prescriptions. This is the first report to provide a comprehensive analysis of the chemical constituents of WZYZW.

Authentication of animal signatures in traditional Chinese medicine of Lingyang Qingfei Wan using routine molecular diagnostic assays.

Lingyang Qingfei Wan produced by Beijing TongRenTang is a long-standing and popular medicine in China and international pharmaceutical markets. Concerns continue to be raised about the legality of usage of saiga antelope, which was defined as endangered species by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora legislation and internal legislation in China. Therefore, the alternative pill in which substitutes saiga antelope with goat in the formula of Lingyang Qingfei Wan was developed. In order to authenticate the origin of animal contents in Lingyang Qingfei Wan and its alternative pill, molecular diagnostic assay was utilized by mtDNA polymorphism analysis. Four universal primer pairs containing mtDNA 12SrRNA, 16SrRNA, cytochrome b gene and cytochrome oxidase I were employed to obtain species-specific sequences of saiga antelope and goat, and multiple species-specific primer pairs for saiga antelope and goat were used to identify the animal origin in patent pills according to nucleotide polymorphisms between the two species. In additions, alternative techniques were attempted surrounding dilemmas of low concentration of target DNAs and presence of PCR-inhibitory substances in organic ingredients within complex pill. Results revealed that all species-specific primers could be successfully used for authentication of animal origin within complex pill, and sample preprocessing was critical during experimental manipulation. Internal positive control was an efficient and cost-effective way to assist in monitoring the potential interference from inhibitory substances which existed in the highly processed pills.

[Detoxication experimental study on different compatibility proportion of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma].

OBJECTIVE: Through the paired comparison on the toxicity effect of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata of different compatibility proportion of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, to observe the detoxication effect of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. METHOD: Paired comparison on the mouse acute toxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata with different compatibility proportion of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, to assay the LD50. Paired comparison on the rat heart toxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata with different compatibility proportion of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, to assay the TD50. We dilute medicated serum of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata plus Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (3:1), Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata plus Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (1: 1) into 5%, 10%, 20% solution with serum free DMEM, to survey the effect of different concentration of medicated serum to the pulsing rhythm of myocardial cell of original generation newborn rat, cell surviva rate and content of LDH in myocardial cells. RESULT: LD50 and TD50 of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata can be increased after adding Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Compared to the blank serum, medicated serum with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata can obviously increased the pulse rhythm of myocardial cell and the content of LDH (P < 0.05). The medicated serum with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata added different proportion of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma can reduce the acceleration of myocardial cell's rhythm, which is induced by Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, and can reduce the content of LDH. With the increased ratio of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the effect is stronger. But for the serum with different concerntration of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata or Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata added Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, there is no obvious effect to the cell survival. CONCLUSION: Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma has the detoxication effect through increasing the ultimatetotaldosage of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. The detoxication effect of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata is through restraining the increased rhythm of myocardial cell and protecting the myocardial cell.

[Experimental study on combination attenuation of mutual-detoxication and mutual restraint about Aconiti Carmichaeli Radix].

OBJECTIVE: According to the record of mutual-detoxication and mutual restraint in ancient Chinese materia medica, to research the influence to the toxicity of Aconiti Carmichaeli Radix added the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which is mutual-detoxication and mutual restraint to it. METHOD: ICR mouse, 0.4 microL x g(-1), to pour the fluid into stomach, paired comparison of acute toxicity of Aconiti Carmichaeli Radix seperately added different ratio of Sileris Radix, Astragali Radix and Polygalae Radix, and ad-measure the dose for LD50. SD rats, administration by injection through duodenum, 20 microL x g(-1), paired comparison of heart toxicity of Aconiti Carmichaeli Radix seperately added different ratio of Sileris Radix, Astragali Radix and Polygalae Radix, and admeasure the dose for TD50. RESULT: LD50, and heart toxicity of TD50 were increased after Aconiti Carmichaeli Radix added separately, its toxicity attenuation is related to the ratio. CONCLUSION: Mutual-detoxication and mutual restraint are the summary drawed when China ancient people is in the process of using toxic TCM and it is scientific.

[Experimental study on in vitro transdermal absorption of Shangshi Zhitong cataplasm].

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an experimental study on in vitro transdermal absorption of prepared Shangshi Zhitong cataplasm. METHOD: Franz diffusing cells and mice were adopted for the percutaneous penetration study. The accumulative percutaneous permeation of total alkaloids, strychnine and atropine in certain time was determined by acid dye colorimetry and HPLC. RESULT: The accumulative permeation of alkaloids (Q) increased with time (t), with a linear relation between them. CONCLUSION: The in vitro percutaneous penetration of Shangshi Zhitong cataplasm complies with the zero-order kinetics.

Antihypertensive effect of total flavone extracts from Puerariae Radix.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the antihypertensive effect of total flavone extracts from Puerariae Radix (FEPR). To explore the hemodynamic profiles and pertinent mechanism of the extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute and chronic antihypertensive effects of FEPR were examined in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) and reno-hypertensive rats (two kidneys one clip model, 2K1C). Anesthetized dogs were used to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of FEPR. The determination of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity in vitro and plasma renin activity (PRA) and endothelin (ET) in vivo were used to study the pilot mechanism of FEPR. Moreover, the toxicity study of FEPR was evaluated. RESULTS: FEPR (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, i.v.) notably reduced the blood pressure of SHRs in a short time period. A two-week administration of FEPR (45, 90 and 180 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased the blood pressure of both 2K1C rats and SHRs. The results of hemodynamic study in anesthetized dogs showed that, left ventricular end systolic pressure and left ventricular dP/dt(max) had shown no significant difference between FEPR-treated dogs and those from the control group, while the cerebral blood flow increased significantly in FEPR-treated groups. FEPR significantly inhibited the ACE activities in vitro dose dependently, and inhibited the PRA in vivo, while the content of ET showed no difference in the FEPR treated group comparing with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: FEPR shows significantly blood pressure lowering and cerebral vascular resistance (CVR) decreasing effect, which can partly be explained by the involvement of the Renin-Angiotensin-System (RAS).