Research progress on role of traditional Chinese medicine in hepatic fibrosis based on miRNA-mediated activation of NLRP3 inflammasome / 中国中药杂志

In recent years, liver fibrosis has become a hotspot in the field of liver diseases. MicroRNA(miRNA)-mediated Nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) inflammasome activation is pivotal in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. The present study mainly discussed the role of miRNA-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Different miRNA molecules regulated liver fibrosis by mediating NLRP3 inflammasome activation, including miRNA-350-3 p(miR-350-3 p)/interleukin-6(IL-6)-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)/c-myc signaling pathway, miR-148 a-induced autophagy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells via hedgehog signaling pathway, miR-155-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome by the negative feedback of the suppressor of cytokine signaling-1(SOCS-1), miR-181 a-mediated downstream NLRP3 inflammatory pathway activation through mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase(MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)/nuclear transcription factor κB(NF-κB) inflammatory pathway, miR-21-promoted expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 of RAW264.7 cells in mice by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α inducible protein 3(A20), and miR-20 b-promoted expression of IL-1β and IL-18 by activating NLRP3 signaling pathway. Additionally, the anti-liver fibrosis mechanism of different active components in Chinese medicines(such as Curcumae Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Aurantii Fructus, Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix, Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Epimedii Folium, and Cinnamomi Cortex) was also explored based on the anti-liver fibrosis effect of miRNA-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

[Regulation and control of wenshen yangxue granule combined with clomifene citrate on INH-ACT-FS system in patients with follicular maldevelopment infertility].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical curative effect of Wenshen Yangxue Granule (WSYXG) combined with clomifene citrate (CC) in treating follicular maldevelopment (FM) infertility, and to explore its possible action channels. METHODS: Ninety patients with FM of Shen-deficiency blood stasis syndrome were randomly assigned to 3 groups, i.e., the Chinese medicine group (CMG, treated with WXYXG), the Western medicine group (WMG, treated with CC), and the combination group of Chinese medicine and Western medicine (CG, treated with both WSYXG and CC), 30 cases in each group. Three menstrual cycles were totally observed. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2 ), inhibin B (INHB), activin A (ACTA), and follistatin (FS) were tested before and after treatment, and the ovulation was monitored and their basic body temperature measured. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in clinical efficacy among the three groups (P> 0.05). Better effects on the Chinese medicine syndrome efficacy, the ovulation rate, and the endometrium thickness on the ovulation day were shown in CMG and CG than in WMG, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The E2 level increased on the third day of the first menstrual cycle in CG when compared with before treatment. On the 10th day of the 1st menstrual cycle, the INHB and FS increased and the ACTA decreased, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). On the 10th day of the 3rd menstrual cycle the serum LH level decreased more obviously in CG than in WMG, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). On the 3rd day of the 3rd menstrual cycle in CG, the INHB was negatively correlated with FSH (r = -0.492,P < 0.01), and INHB on the 10th day was positively correlated with E2 and FS (r = 0.682, 0.772, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with ACTA on the 10th day (r = -0.635, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: WSYXG combined with CC could improve Chinese medicine syndrome, regulate the expressions of FM patients' ovary local factors INHB, ACTA and FS, improve the condition of ovary functions, and control the follicle development.