Chang'an II Decoction ( II )-Containing Serum Ameliorates Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction via MLCK-MLC Signaling Pathway in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Chang'an II Decoction ( II ))-containing serum on intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in rats. METHODS: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced injury of Caco-2 monolayers were established as an inflammatory model of human intestinal epithelium. Caco-2 monolayers were treated with blank serum and Chang'an II Decoction-containing serum that obtained from the rats which were treated with distilled water and Chang'an II Decoction intragastrically at doses of 0.49, 0.98, 1.96 g/(kg·d) for 1 week, respectively. After preparation of containing serum, cells were divided into the normal group, the model group, the Chang'an II-H, M, and L groups (treated with 30 ng/mL TNF-α and medium plus 10% high, middle-, and low-doses Chang'an II serum, respectively). Epithelial barrier function was assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and permeability of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of tight junctions (TJs). Immunofluorescence of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-1 and nuclear transcription factor-kappa p65 (NF-κ Bp65) were measured to determine the protein distribution. The mRNA expression of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of MLCK, myosin light chain (MLC) and p-MLC were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Chang'an II Decoction-containing serum significantly attenuated the TER and paracellular permeability induced by TNF-α. It alleviated TNF-α-induced morphological alterations in TJ proteins. The increases in MLCK mRNA and MLCK, MLC and p-MLC protein expressions induced by TNF-α were significantly inhibited in the Chang'an II-H group. Additionally, Chang'an II Decoction significantly attenuated translocation of NF-κ Bp65 into the nucleus. CONCLUSION: High-dose Chang'an II-containing serum attenuates TNF-α-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction. The underlying mechanism may be involved in inhibiting the MLCK-MLC phosphorylation signaling pathway mediated by NF-κ Bp65.

Efficacy and safety of Xiangsha Liujunzi granules for functional dyspepsia: A multi-center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study.

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of a Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), Xiangsha Liujunzi granules, in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). METHODS: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with patients from three centers. Two hundred and sixteen subjects diagnosed with FD according to ROME III criteria and confirmed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and spleen-deficiency and Qi-stagnation syndrome were selected to receive Xiangsha Liujunzi granules or placebo for 4 wk in a 2:1 ratio by blocked randomization. The subjects also received follow-up after the 4-wk intervention. Herbal or placebo granules were dissolved in 300 mL of water. Participants in both groups were administered 130 mL (45 °C) three times a day. Participants were evaluated prior to and following 4 wk of the intervention in terms of changes in the postprandial discomfort severity scale (PDSS) score, clinical global impression (CGI) scale score, hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) score, traditional Chinese medicine symptoms score (SS), scores of various domains of the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), gastric emptying (GE) and any observed adverse effects. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, patients in the CHM group showed significant improvements in the scores of PDSS, HADS, SS, SF-36 and CGI scale (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). They also showed the amelioration in the GE rates of the proximal stomach and distal stomach (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Xiangsha Liujunzi granules offered significant symptomatic improvement in patients with FD.

[Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome by Chinese medicine and pharmacy: an analysis of data mining on experiences of experts].

OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder, is poorly understood. Treatment by Chinese medicine and pharmacy (CMP) is superior to treatment by Western medicine (WM). Therefore, we aimed to analyze Chinese medical experts' experiences in treating IBS by data mining. METHODS: By retrieving related literatures from 1994 to 2012 from CNKI, we chose proved cases and screened effective medical records to establish a database using structural electronic medical case collecting system and data mining. The thinking ways of modern physicians in diagnosis and treatment of IBS were analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 116 medical cases from 46 Chinese medical experts were recruited and analyzed. Results showed that Gan depression and Pi deficiency were most basic syndrome elements. In addition, cold dampness, damp heat, yang deficiency, and Shen deficiency were main elements for the development of diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D). Qi stagnation, yin deficiency, qi deficiency, and blood stasis were main elements for the development of constipation predominant IBS (IBS-C). Soothing Gan-qi and strengthening Pi was the most important treatment method. White peony root, prepared atractylodes, prepared licorice, tangerine peel, poria, bupleurum, Radix sileris, lanceolata, and Radix aucklandiae were the most common Chinese herbs used in treating IBS. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Gan depression and Pi deficiency was the main pathogenesis for IBS. Diagnosis and treatment of IBS should be performed clinically according to its development. Tongxie Yao-fang should be used as the basic prescription with modification according to syndrome differentiation. (2) Data mining will have a wide application prospect in studying medical cases.