Screening of Codonopsis radix Polysaccharides with Different Molecular Weights and Evaluation of Their Immunomodulatory Activity In Vitro and In Vivo.

Polysaccharide is one of the main components of Codonopsis radix (CR) and has good immune activity. However, the immune activity of CR polysaccharides with different molecular weights has not been systematically screened. In this study, the polysaccharides of CR from Pingshun of Shanxi Province (PSDSs) were first divided into two groups using ultrafiltration: 3.3 kDa (PSDSs-1) and more than 2000 kDa (PSDSs-2). The immunomodulatory effects of PSDSs with different molecular weights were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro experimental results showed that compared with Lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages, PSDSs-1 increased TNF-α and IL-6 levels and decreased IL-10. Meanwhile, PSDSs-2 showed the opposite effect, indicating the difference in pro- and anti-inflammatory activities of PSDSs with different molecular weights. The immunosuppressive model of cyclophosphamide proved that PSDSs have immune-promoting function, with PSDSs-1 exhibiting a better effect than PSDSs-2. In vitro and in vivo experiments illustrated the complexity of PSDS immunomodulation. Further research on the functions of PSDs with different molecular weights is needed to lay a foundation for their classification and application.

The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in Sleep Disorder and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Caregivers of Stroke Inpatients: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis.

PURPOSE: Caregivers of stroke inpatients are at high risk of sleep disorder, which may lead to depressive symptoms. Self-efficacy has always been regarded as a protective factor against psychological disorders such as depressive symptoms. This study aims to investigate the sleep disorder and depressive symptoms of caregivers of stroke inpatients in China and explore the mediating effect of self-efficacy between sleep disorder and depressive symptoms among Chinese caregivers of stroke inpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 305 caregivers who were hospitalized with stroke patients completed the PROMIS Sleep Disorder Short Form Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in two general public hospitals in northeast and southeast China. A structural equation model with bootstrap method was performed to determine the mediation of self-efficacy between sleep disorder and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Among the participants, 55.4% of caregivers reported depressive symptoms. Sleep disorder and self-efficacy were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. The direct impact of sleep disorder on depressive symptoms was positive, and the path coefficient of sleep disorder with depressive symptoms was decreased from 0.45 to 0.38 (P < 0.01) after addition of self-efficacy in the model. This indicated that self-efficacy played as mediator. CONCLUSION: The caregivers of stroke inpatients were in poor physical and psychological health, and more than half of the caregivers (55.4%) suffered from depressive symptoms. Our research revealed the mediation of self-efficacy between sleep disorder and depressive symptoms, and emphasized the importance of enhancing self-efficacy to reduce depressive symptoms among caregivers of stroke inpatients. These results demonstrate that focusing on self-efficacy interventions can enhance mental health and reduce depressive symptoms effectively.

Studies on the compatibility mechanism and material basis of Danggui Buxue Decoction against anemia mice using metabonomics and network pharmacology.

OBJECTIVES: To reveal the compatibility mechanism and material basis of Danggui Buxue decoction (DBD) against anaemia. METHODS: UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS based serum metabonomics was applied to decipher the compatibility of DBD against anaemia mice. Meanwhile, network pharmacology was used to reveal the material basis of DBD based on the obtained differential metabolites. KEY FINDINGS: Metabonomic results indicated that 17 serum differential metabolites were closely related to anaemia. DBD, Huangqi (HQ) and Danggui (DG) could significantly ameliorate 13, 6 and 4 serum metabolites in anaemia mice, respectively. 17 serum differential metabolites were linked 140 corresponding targeted genes obtained by Metscape. In addition, 6649 targets genes related anaemia were obtained by network pharmacology. At last, six important targets genes were screened as hopeful targets for the treatment of anaemia through integrating them. Molecular docking further illustrated that eight active components of DBD including mairin, hederagenin, etc. played important roles in treating anaemia. CONCLUSIONS: DBD produced the best effect by compatibility with HQ and DG in treating anaemia. The approach provided the insights into the compatibility mechanism and material basis of TCM in treating anaemia coupling network pharmacology.