Latest Issue

    2016 Year 22 Vol. 10 Issue

      OriginalPaper

    • Sunoh Kwon,Byung-Kwan Seo,Seungtae Kim
      2016, 22(10): 723-727. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2525-y
      Abstract:Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a well-known neurodegenerative disease caused by dopaminergic cell death in the nigrostriatal pathway. Recent studies have shown that acupuncture can be a potential therapy for the treatment of PD, but it is not clear which acupuncture points (acupoints) play major roles in reliving symptoms of PD. Yanglingquan (GB 34), Zusanli (ST 36), Fengfu (GV 16), Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20) and Dazhui (GV 14) acupoints have frequently been to investigate the effectiveness and action mechanism of acupuncture for treating PD, but it is not clear why they were selected. This review summarizes the current understanding of the acupoints for PD treatment based on Oriental medicine theories and on the accumulated findings from previous animal studies. The results of this study will be useful to development of a strategy for future research in this field.  
      Keywords:acupuncture;acupoint;Parkinson’s disease;dopaminergic neuron;animal model   
      862
      |
      0
      |
      9
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16257386 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Chit Moy Ley,Qing Ni,Xing Liao,Huai-lin Gao,Nicola Robinson
      2016, 22(10): 728-737. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2521-2
      Abstract:To assess whether the dietary supplement (bromelain) has the potential to reduce plasma fibrinogen and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in patients with diabetes. This randomized placebo controlled, double blind, parallel design, efficacy study was carried out in China and investigated the effect of 12 weeks of bromelain (1,050 mg/day) on plasma fibrinogen. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) recruited 68 Chinese diabetic patients [32 males and 36 females; Han origin, mean age of 61.26 years (standard deviation (SD), 12.62 years)] with at least one CVD risk factor. Patients were randomized into either bromelain or placebo group. While bromelain group received bromelain capsule, the placebo group received placebo capsule which consisted inert ingredient and has no treatment effect. Subjects were required to take 1,050 mg (3×350 mg) of either bromelain or starch-filled placebo capsules, two to be taken (2×350 mg) after breakfast and another (350 mg) after dinner, daily for 12 weeks. Plasma fibrinogen, CVD risk factors and anthropometric indicators were determined at baseline and at 12 weeks. The change in the fibrinogen level in the bromelain group at the end of the study showed a mean reduction of 0.13 g/L (standard deviation (SD) 0.86g/L) compared with the mean reduction of 0.36 g/L (SD 0.96 g/L) for the placebo group. However, there was no significant difference in the mean change in fibrinogen between the placebo and bromelain groups (mean difference=0.23g/L (SD 0.22 g/L), =0.291). Similarly, the difference in mean change in other CVD risk factors (blood lipids, blood pressure), blood glucose, C-reactive protein and anthropometric measures between the bromelain and placebo groups was also not statistically significant. Statistical differences in fibrinogen between bromelain and placebo groups before the trial despite randomization may have influenced the results of this study. This RCT failed to show a beneficial effect in reducing fibrinogen or influencing other selected CVD risk factors but suggests other avenues for subsequent research on bromelain.  
      Keywords:cardiovascular disease;Fibrinogen;diabetes;bromelain;Randomized Control Trial   
      898
      |
      0
      |
      3
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16257301 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Xiao-qian Li,Jian-cheng He,Pin-xian Huang,Xue-bin Cao
      2016, 22(10): 738-744. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-2085-6
      Abstract:To discuss the characteristics of Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome factors and distribution of congestive heart failure (CHF), and provide a basis for the diagnosis criteria of essential syndromes. Based on databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, 1980–2012) and Chinese Journal of Chongqing VIP Database (1989–2012), the eligible studies in CHF and extracted factors associated with compound syndromes were analyzed. All the syndromes were classified into deficiency, excess, and deficiency-excess in complexity syndrome were classified. Compound syndromes were separated into syndrome factors including single, double, three or four factors, along with the frequency of occurrence. The relation of CHF syndromes with age, gender, primary disease, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac functional grade was studied in 1,451 CHF cases (between December 2010 and September 2012), and the clinical distribution of common CHF syndromes was summarized. The literature study involved 6,799 CHF cases in 66 literatures after screening. Of the different factors affecting CHF, qi deficiency was the most important one. In deficiency syndrome, Xin (Heart)-qi-deficiency was the most common single factor, and deficiency of both qi and yin was the most common double factor. The retrospective analysis involved 1,451 CHF cases (431 cases with test results of BNP). The xin blood stasis and obstruction and deficiency of both qi and yin syndrome were mostly seen in female patients, and phlegm-blocking-Xin-vessel and qi-deficiency-blood-stasis syndrome mostly in males. Xin-qi-deficiency and qi-deficiency-blood-stasis syndrome were mostly seen in patients aged 50–60 years. Patients aged over 60 years likely manifest deficiency of both qi and yin and Xin blood stasis and obstruction syndrome. The severity of syndrome is aggravated with increased BNP and cardiac functional grade. The essential syndromes of CHF include qi-deficiency-blood-stasis and deficiency of both qi and yin. The clinical distribution is linked to patients’ age and gender. BNP and cardiac functional grade is closely related to CHF syndromes, which may indicate the severity of CM syndromes of CHF.  
      Keywords:congestive heart failure;literature study;retrospective analysis of clinical cases;Chinese Medicine;syndrome discipline   
      814
      |
      0
      |
      1
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16257252 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Wei Zhu,Qing Lu,Lei Wan,Jun Feng,Hua-wen Chen
      2016, 22(10): 745-751. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-2083-8
      Abstract:To examine whether sodium tanshinone II A sulfonate (STS), the main effective component of Salvia miltiorrhiza is effective in relieving the microcirculatory disturbance of small intestine by suppressing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rats with sepsis. A rat model of sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Rats (n =40) were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operated group (sham, n =10), sepsis group (CLP, n =10), STS treatment group (STS, n =10) and ROS scavenger dimethylthiourea (DMTU, n =10) group. Animals in the STS group were injected with STS (1 mg/kg) for 10 min through the right external jugular vein after the CLP operation, and animals in the CLP group were given the same volume of normal saline after the CLP operation. Animals in the DMTU group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mL/kg of 20% DMTU 1 h before CLP. The histopathologic changes in the intestinal tissues and changes of mesenteric microcirculation were observed. The levels of ROS in intestinal tissues from each group were qualitatively evaluated using a fluorescent microscope. The expressions of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK1), phosphorylated ASK1 (phospho-ASK1), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK), phosphorylated p38 MAPK (phospho-p38 MAPK) and tissue factor (TF) were determined by Western blotting. It was shown that there were obvious microcirculatory disturbance (P <0.05) and tissue injuries in intestinal tissues after CLP operation. The levels of ROS production, phospho-ASK1, phospho-p38 MAPK and TF were increased. Both STS and DMTU suppressed ROS, phospho-ASK1, phospho-p38 MAPK and TF production, and ameliorated the microcirculatory disturbance and tissues injury (P <0.01). STS can ameliorate the microcirculatory disturbance of the small intestine by attenuating the production of ROS in rats with sepsis.  
      Keywords:tanshinone II A;sepsis;microcirculation;reactive oxygen species;Chinese Medicine   
      732
      |
      0
      |
      5
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16257210 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Xu-ming Ji,Zhi-chun Wu,Guo-wei Liu,Hua-yun Yu,Heng Liu,Zheng-tao Wang,Xiao-hui Wei,Bing Ouyang
      2016, 22(10): 752-758. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-2087-4
      Abstract:To explore the apoptosis mechanism of Wenxia Changfu Formula (温下肠腑方, WCF) in reversing drug resistance of lung cancer in vivo. Thirty model mice were randomly assigned to three groups: control group, cisplatin (CDDP) group, and WCF group. A transplanted tumor model of lung adenocarcinoma was established in all groups. Mice in the WCF group received intragastric administration of WCF (0.2 mL/10 g body weight) everyday in addition to CDDP intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg body weight) twice a week. The mice in the CDDP group received CDDP intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg body weight) twice a week, while the control group received normal saline intraperitoneally (0.2 mL/10 g body weight) everyday. The weight of the nude mice and respective tumors, tumor volume and tumor-inhibiting rate were measured. Electron microscopy was used to observe the existence of apoptosis body. Apoptosis index (AI) was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining. The expression of Fas and FasL mRNA was investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, while immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the protein expression of Fas and FasL, caspase-3 and caspase-activated DNase (CAD), respectively. Compared with CDDP group and control group, WCF could significantly reduce the tumor volume from the 19th day and alleviate the tumor weight (P <0.05), and the apoptosis body was found in tumor cells in the WCF group. WCF could also enhance the level of AI, up-regulate the expression of caspase apoptosis pathway related protein caspase-3 and CAD, as well as the expression of Fas, FasL mRNA and protein (P <0.05). WCF could improve the sensitivity of tumor cells to CDDP and reverse the drug resistance by inducing the apoptosis.  
      Keywords:Wenxia Changfu Formula;animal model;drug resistance;apoptosis;in vivo   
      685
      |
      0
      |
      3
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16257148 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Kah-Hui Wong,Gowri Kanagasabapathy,Murali Naidu,Pamela David,Vikineswary Sabaratnam
      2016, 22(10): 759-767. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1624-2
      Abstract:To study the ability of aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus mushroom in the treatment of nerve injury following peroneal nerve crush in Sprague-Dawley rats. Aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus was given by daily oral administration following peroneal nerve crush injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. The expression of protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways; and c-Jun and c-Fos genes were studied in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) whereas the activity of protein synthesis was assessed in peroneal nerves by immunohistochemical method. Peripheral nerve injury leads to changes at the axonal site of injury and remotely located DRG containing cell bodies of sensory afferent neurons. Immunofluorescence studies showed that DRG neurons ipsilateral to the crush injury in rats of treated groups expressed higher immunoreactivities for Akt, MAPK, c-Jun and c-Fos as compared with negative control group (P <0.05). The intensity of nuclear ribonucleoprotein in the distal segments of crushed nerves of treated groups was significantly higher than in the negative control group (P <0.05). H. erinaceus is capable of promoting peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. Potential signaling pathways include Akt, MAPK, c-Jun, and c-Fos, and protein synthesis have been shown to be involved in its action.  
      Keywords:Hericium erinaceus;dorsal root ganglia;signaling pathways;gene expression;protein synthesis machinery;peripheral nerve regeneration   
      974
      |
      0
      |
      7
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16257070 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Huan-huan Luo,Feng-xue Zhang,Wei Wu,Xin-hua Wang
      2016, 22(10): 768-773. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2097-2
      Abstract:To evaluate the effect of Chinese medicine Haoqin Qingdan Decoction (蒿芩清胆汤, HQD) for febrile disease dampness-heat syndrome (FDDHS). Forty mice were divided into four groups, including normal control, FDDHS (induced by Radix et Rhizoma Rhei recipe and influenza virus A1 FM1 model), HQD, and the ribavirin groups (10 in each). The normal control and FDDHS groups were administered normal saline. HQD and the ribavirin groups were administered HQD and ribavirin intragastrically once daily at a dose of 64 g/(kg d) and 0.07 g/(kg d), respectively for 7 days. Lethargy, rough hair, diarrhea, tongue color and sole color were evaluated for pathological changes in morphology. The tongue and lung tissues were collected for histology. The CD14 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression levels were measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. More than 80% of the FDDHS mice showed hypokinesia and lethargy, and pathological changes associated with rough hair, diarrhea, tongue color and sole color. With advanced treatment for 7 days, the thick greasy tongue fur of the HQD and ribavirin groups were thinner than that of the FDDHS group (P<0.05), and it was the thinnest in the ribavirin group as compared with that in other groups (P<0.05). The CD14 and TLR4 expression levels in the lung tissues of HQD and ribavirin groups significantly delined compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CD14 was down-regulated more remarkably in the HQD group compared with the ribavirin group (P<0.05), whereas the converse was true with TLR4 (P<0.05). We established a FDDHS mouse model showing systemic clinical symptoms. Both HQD and ribavirin can inhibit the expression of CD14 and TLR4 in FDDHS mice, while the effect of ribavirin might be much more violent. The expression changes of CD14 and TLR4 consistently refers to lipopolysaccharide, the commonly and hotly inducing factor in FDDHS.  
      Keywords:CD14;toll-like receptor 4;febrile disease dampness-heat syndrome;Haoqin Qingdan Decoction;ribavirin;Chinese Medicine   
      638
      |
      0
      |
      1
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16257014 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Yan-qing Tong,Min Sun,Ying Chi
      2016, 22(10): 774-777. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2601-3
      Abstract:To study the preventive effect of herbal formulation on experimental murine urinary tract infection (UTI) induced by Dr Escherichia coli 11128. E. coli 11128 carrying Dr fimbriae was isolated from patients with chronic pyelonephritis. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of herbal solution for E. coli 11128 was determined for further studies. Forty C3H/HeJ mice were divided into the herb-treated group (n=20, given Chinese herbs by gavage at an average dose of 20 g/kg body weight daily 3 days before inoculation), and control group (n=20, given the same amount of distilled water by gavage). Three and 6 days after infection, bacteria were counted in the urine and the kidneys of the mice. Kidney histopathologic changes were evaluated. Neutrophils infiltration and accumulation were detected. The MIC value of herbal solution was 0.1 g/mL for the E. coli 11128. In herb-treated mice, there was a significant reduction in bacterial counts in urine and colonization densities of kidneys. Microscopic studies revealed signs of inflammation in kidneys. In herb-treated mice, herbal administration resulted in significantly reduced neutrophilic infiltrates (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative scores for renal lesions were significantly lower (P<0.05). Prophylactic administration of herbal formulation potentiated the effect in partially preventing experimental murine ascending UTI.  
      Keywords:ascending urinary tract infection;Chinese Medicine;Dr fimbriae   
      731
      |
      0
      |
      1
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16256973 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Ze-jun Huo,Dong Li,Jia Guo,Sai Li,Ning Ding,Zhi-xin Li
      2016, 22(10): 778-782. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2522-1
      Abstract:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation on the expressions of angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), endothelin-1 (ET1), and endothelin A receptor (ETAR) mRNA in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) aorta. Eighteen male SHRs were randomly divided into three groups, an SHR group, an SHR Baihui (DU 20) and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoint (SHR-AP) group, and an SHR non-acupoint (SHR-NAP) group, with 6 rats in each group. Six Wistar rats were used as a control. Rats in the SHR-AP group were stimulated by DU 20 and ST 36 acupoints, both of which were connected with EA. EA was handled one time every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for total 24 times (8 weeks). SHRNAP rats were acupointed at a 15°angle flat into 0.5 cm to two points, which were 1 and 2 cm from rail tip separately. EA parameters were the same as the SHR-AP rats. SHR control rats and Wistar rats were fixed without EA. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to measure AGT, AT1R, ET1, and ETAR mRNA expression in rat aorta. EA stimulation significantly reduced rat aorta vascular AGT, ET1, ETAR and AT1R mRNA expressions in the SHR-AP and SHR-NAP groups (P <0.01). Among these four genes, AT1R mRNA expression was significantly lower in the SHR-AP than in the SHR-NAP group (P <0.01). EA could reduce the AT1R mRNA expression in SHR-AP rat aorta, indicating a potential mechanism for the hypotensive effects of EA.  
      Keywords:electricacupunture;angiotensinogen;angiotensin II type 1 receptor;endothelin-1;endothelin-1 A receptor   
      678
      |
      0
      |
      2
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16256915 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Vaibhav Darvhekar,Alok Shiomurti Tripathi,Shriramji G. Jyotishi,Papiya Mitra Mazumder,Pradeep G. Shelke
      2016, 22(10): 783-788. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2520-3
      Abstract:To investigate the effect of Musa sapientum L. (MS) bark juice in diabetic gastroparesis and its effect on pharmacokinetic of metformin (MET). Diabetes was induced in rats by administering alloxan (120 mg/kg) saline solution and maintained for 8 week. All the 18 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n =6 in each group): normal control, diabetic control and MS bark juice. Assessment of diabetes was done by glucose oxidase-peroxidase method on the 3rd day of alloxan administration. The effects of MS bark juice (100 mL/kg) on gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, contractility of fundus and pylorus as well as gastric acid secretion in chronic diabetic rats were observed after 8 weeks of alloxan administration. The effect of MS bark juice on the pharmacokinetic of orally administered single dose of MET (350 mg/kg) was evaluated on the 57th day of protocol. Any drugs that may reduce the blood glucose level or influence the fibrinolytic system were not used in this study. The MS bark juice significantly reduced the blood glucose level in the diabetic rats (P<0.01). There was significant decrease in the pylorus motility and increase in the gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, contractility of fundus, gastric acid secretion in the MS bark juice treated group (P<0.01). There was significant decrease in the time at which drug at a maximum concentration, half life of drug and increase in the maximum concentration of drug in the plasma of MET in MS bark juice treated group as compared to diabetic control group (P<0.01). MS bark juice effectively manages diabetic gastroparesis and thereby improves the bioavailabilty of MET when administered with MS bark juice.  
      Keywords:Gastroparesis;Metformin;Musa sapientum L.;gastric emptying time;intestinal transit time   
      714
      |
      0
      |
      1
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16256837 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Xue-gang Sun,Xiao-chang Lin,Jian-xin Diao,Zhi-ling Yu,Kun Li
      2016, 22(10): 789-794. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-2086-5
      Abstract:Cancer immunoediting consists of three sequential phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape. For colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence, the adenoma dysplastic progression may represent an equilibrium phase and the cancer stage as escape phase. Immune system eliminates transformed enterocytes by destroying them at first, sculpts them at the same time and selects the variants subsequently that are no longer recognized and insensitive to immune effectors, and finally induces immunosuppressive state within the tumor microenvironment that facilitates immune escape and tumor outgrowth. Immunosuppression and inflammation are the two crucial features of Pi (Spleen)-deficiency. Classic quotations, immune evidence and clinical observations suggest that Spleen (but not other organs) deficiency is the key pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) microenvironment. Weakness of old age, immunosuppressive cytokines from chronic inflammation, tumor-derived immunosuppressive factors and surrendered immune cells—regulatory T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) constitutes CRC microenvironment of Pi-deficiency. Furthermore, excess in superficiality, such as phlegm stagnation, blood stasis and toxin accumulation are induced by chronic inflammation on the basis of asthenia in origin, an immunosuppressive state. Great masters of Chinese medicine emphasize that strengthen Pi is the chief therapeutic principle for CRC which receives good therapeutic effects. So, Pi-deficiency based syndrome is the pivotal pathogenesis of tumor microenvironment. The immunosuppressive microenvironment facilitates immune escape which play an important role in the transition from adenoma to adenocarcinoma. There are some signs that strengthen Pi based treatment has potential capacity to ameliorate tumor environment. It might be a novel starting point to explore the mechanism of strengthen Pi based therapy in the prevention and treatment of CRC through regulation of tumor environment and immunoediting.  
      Keywords:immunoediting;Spleen (Pi)-deficiency;tumor microenvironment;colorectal cancer;inflammation;Chinese medicine syndrome   
      755
      |
      0
      |
      7
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16256759 false
      Published:2021-08-27

      ReviewPaper

    • Li Tao,Sheng Wang,Yang Zhao,Ai-yun Wang,Lei Zhang,Jun-shan Ruan,Fang-tian Fan,Yu-ping Liu,Yao Li,Zhi-qiang Yue,Wen-hui Qian,Wen-xing Chen,Yin Lu
      2016, 22(10): 795-800. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-2405-x
      Abstract:Accumulative evidences have underpinned the nature candidates from Chinese medicine (CM), particularly CM served as blood activating and stasis resolving (BASR, Huoxue Huayu in Chinese) by targeting tumor-associated angiogenesis. However, recent experiment research on the therapeutic angiogenesis by BASR-CM attracts wide attention and discussion. This opinion review focused on the underlying link between two indications and anticipated that (1) BASR-CM might emphasize on a balanced multi-cytokines network interaction; (2) BASR-CM might address on the nature of diseases prior to differently affecting physiological and pathological angiogenesis; (3) BASR-CM might mainly act on perivascular cells, either promotes arteriogenesis by increasing arteriogenic factors in ischemic diseases, or simultaneously keep a quiescent vasculature to impede angiogenesis in tumor context.  
      Keywords:blood activating and stasis resolving;Chinese Medicine;pro-angiogenesis;anti-angiogenesis;physiological angiogenesis;pathological angiogenesis;arteriogenesis   
      719
      |
      0
      |
      2
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16256656 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    0