Clinical effects of Lingguizhugan decoction in the treatment of hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lingguizhugan decoction is commonly used to treat metabolic syndrome; however, its curative effect on hypertension is still unclear. Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Lingguizhugan decoction combined with western medicine in the treatment of hypertension. METHODS: We searched 7 electronic databases for relevant studies and full-text articles involved in the evaluation of clinical effects difference between Lingguizhugan decoction combined with western medicine and western medicine alone. All included articles were quality assessed and data analysis was conducted with Review Manager (5.4). Sensitivity analysis was performed, and the results were visualized by means of forest and funnel plots. Results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD), together with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In total, 7 studies eventually met our inclusion criteria. The results showed that Lingguizhugan decoction combined with western medicine had a better improvement in decrease systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD =12.33 mmHg; 95% CI: 3.37 to 21.28; P=0.007) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (MD =7.42 mmHg; 95% CI: 1.89 to 12.95; P=0.009) than western medicine alone, it also had a higher effective ratio (RR =1.20; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.31; P<0.0001) and lower adverse reactions (RR =0.51; 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.86; P=0.01). The results were robust and no obvious publication bias was observed in this study. DISCUSSION: Our research supported that Lingguizhugan decoction combined with western medicine can effectively reduce patients' blood pressure and improve their clinical symptoms. Because of the limitation in the quantity and quality of the included studies, further large sample and multi center follow-up controlled trials should be carried out to validate our conclusions.

Biological evaluation of linalool on the function of blood vessels.

Long­term hypertension leads to alterations in the structure and function of blood vessels, and abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are important factors for these changes. Linalool is a natural compound extracted from plants. The present study aimed to explore the role and underlying mechanism of linalool in the physiological behavior of VSMCs. Angiotensin II (Ang II) was utilized to treat VSMCs, and MTT and western blotting assays were then employed to detect the effect of linalool on the induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs. The target gene of linalool was predicted by the SwissTargetPrediction website, and its expression level in VSMCs was determined using reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and western blotting. Next, the role of the target gene in the physiological behavior of VSMCs treated with linalool was examined, and the signaling pathway was explored. The results revealed that the proliferation and migration of VSMCs treated with Ang II were significantly promoted, and linalool could alleviate these effects in a dose­dependent manner. Cholinergic receptor muscarinic 3 (CHRM3), as a predicted target, was found to be highly expressed in Ang II­induced VSMCs, and CHRM3 overexpression could prevent the inhibitory effect of linalool on cell proliferation and migration. In addition, its overexpression caused an increase in the expression of proteins related to the MAPK signaling pathway. In conclusion, linalool inhibited the proliferation and migration of Ang II­induced VSMCs and blocked the MAPK signaling pathway by downregulating CHRM3.

Electroacupuncture for primary insomnia: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a highly widespread sleep disorder in the general population. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been widely received attention as a potential treatment for primary insomnia. However, few previous studies are available to report that EA is a beneficial therapeutic approach to primary insomnia. In addition, there is no critical systematic review or meta-analysis published regarding the effectiveness of this treatment. Here, we provide a protocol to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of EA for primary insomnia. METHODS: The reference lists of included studies for relevant randomized controlled trials and 8 electronic databases will be systematically searched by 2 review authors in January 2018, including 4 English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and 4 Chinese databases (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, VIP Database, and Wanfang Database). The primary outcomes will be assessed according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data synthesis will be computed with the use of RevManV5.3 software when a data-analysis is allowed. Methodological quality will be evaluated with the risk of bias according to Cochrane Handbook. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of current evidence of EA for primary insomnia. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether EA is an effective therapeutic intervention for patient with primary insomnia.

Wenxin Keli for atrial fibrillation: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice. In China, Wenxin Keli (WXKL) therapy is a common treatment for AF, but its effects and safety remain uncertain. This protocol is to provide the methods used to assess the effectiveness and safety of WXKL for the treatment of patients with AF. METHODS: We will search comprehensively the 4 English databases EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library), PubMed, and Medline and 3 Chinese databases China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical database (VIP) on computer on March 2018 for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding WXKL for AF. The therapeutic effects according to the sinus rhythm and p-wave dispersion (Pwd) will be accepted as the primary outcomes. We will use RevMan V.5.3 software as well to compute the data synthesis carefully when a meta-analysis is allowed. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of current evidence of WXKL for AF. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of our systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether WXKL is an effective intervention for patient with AF. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD 42018082045.

Tianma Gouteng decoction for essential hypertension: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases, as well as one of the leading risk factors for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Tianma Gouteng decoction has been commonly used in clinical practice for patients with essential hypertension. It is important to update the search and evaluation to provide the best available evidence for essential hypertension. Here, we provide a protocol to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tianma Gouteng decoction (TGD) for essential hypertension. METHODS: Retrieve literature on the TGD treatment for essential hypertension in the databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical database (VIP) on computer. The literature to be collected will be those published from the time when the respective databases were established to January 2018. The therapeutic effects according to the blood pressure (BP) will be accepted as the primary outcomes. We will use RevMan V.5.3 software as well to compute the data synthesis carefully when a meta-analysis is allowed. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of current evidence of TGD for essential hypertension from several aspects including BP, life quality, heart rate, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of our systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether TGD is an effective intervention for patient with essential hypertension. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD 42018082319.

[An instant pain-relief effect of balance acupuncture for relieving sore throat in acute pharyngitis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the instant effect of "Balance Acupuncture" in relieving sore throat in patients with acute pharyngitis. METHODS: A total of 74 acute pharyngitis patients with sore throat were randomly assigned to treatment group (Balance Acupuncture, n = 36) and placebo acupuncture group (sham acupoint, n = 38). Patients of the Balance Acupuncture group were treated by acupuncture stimulation of bilateral "Yantong" (sore throat) point (the mid-point of the second metacarpal bone on the radial side) and those of the sham acupoint group were treated by acupuncture stimulation of the sham point (the site 1 cm lateral to the mid-point between the ulnar endpoint of the cubic transverse striation and that of the wrist-palm transverse striation). After insertion, the acupuncture needle was manipulated repeatedly till "Deqi" for patients of the treatment group but not manipulated for patients of the placebo acupuncture group, then removed immediately. The VAS (Visual Analogue Scores) were assessed 1 min after the treatment in addition to safety index records. RESULTS: Before the treatment, the VAS values of the treatment group and sham acupoint group were (5.25 +/- 1.51) points and (4.83 +/- 1.59) points, respectively, which had no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). One minute after the treatment, VAS values of the treatment and sham acupoint groups were (2.11 +/- 1.88) points and (3.39 +/- 1.94) points, respectively, both decreasing significantly (P < 0.01). The effect of the former group was significantly superior to that of the sham acupoint group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both Balance Acupuncture and sham-acupoint acupuncture treatments can relieve sore throat in acute pharyngitis patients, and the therapeutic effect of Balance Acupuncture treatment is obviously better.