Latest Issue

    2018 Year 24 Vol. 5 Issue

      OriginalPaper

    • Chang-zhen Gong,Wei Liu
      2018, 24(5): 323-327. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2989-z
      Abstract:The opioid epidemic has become a signifificant public health crisis in the United States of America. This crisis has elicited a response at high levels of governmental and health care organizations including the American College of Physicians, the Food and Drug Administration, the Joint Commission, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, the National Association of Attorneys General, and the White House. In various ways, these organizations have recognized that acupuncture can play an important role in dealing with the opioid epidemic. This paper presents and analyzes the scientifific evidence supporting the effificacy of acupuncture in regard to opioid addiction.  
      Keywords:acupuncture;opioid addiction;Public Health   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Ji-meng Zhao,Jin-hua Lu,Xiao-jun Yin,Lu-yi Wu,Chun-hui Bao,Xing-kui Chen,Yue-hua Chen,Wei-jun Tang,Xiao-ming Jin,Huan-gan Wu,Yin Shi
      2018, 24(5): 328-335. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2838-0
      Abstract:To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and mild-warm moxibustion (Mox) therapies for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS) patients. Sixty C-IBS patients were assigned to 2 groups by simple randomized method, i.e. EA group (30 cases) and Mox group (30 cases). Both EA and Mox treatments were performed on bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) for 30 min each time, 6 times per week, for 4 consecutive weeks. The gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological symptoms of the two groups were scored before and after treatment. The effects on the corresponding functional brain areas, namely the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insular cortex (IC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after treatment. Compared with the Mox group, greater improvements in abdominal distension, defecation frequency, diffificulty in defecation and stool features were observed in the EA group (all P<0.01), both Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores were signifificantly decreased in the EA group (all P<0.01). Finally, decreased activated voxel values were observed in the ACC, right IC and PFC brain regions of EA group with 150 mL colorectal distension stimulation (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Both EA and Mox could signifificantly improve some of the most intrusive symptoms of C-IBS patients, and EA was more effective than Mox. The therapeutic effect of these two therapies might through modulating of the brain-gut axis function. (Registration No. ChiCTRTRC-11001349).  
      Keywords:Irritable Bowel Syndrome;Constipation;electroacupuncture;moxibustion;randomized controlled trial   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Qiao-ning Yang,Rui-na Bai,Guo-ju Dong,Chang-jiang Ge,Jing-min Zhou,Li Huang,Yan He,Jun Wang,Ai-hua Ren,Zhan-quan Huang,Guang-li Zhu,Shu Lu,Shang-quan Xiong,Shao-xiang Xian,Zhi-jun Zhu,Da-zhuo Shi,Shu-zheng Lu,Li-zhi Li,Ke-ji Chen
      2018, 24(5): 336-342. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2833-5
      Abstract:To evaluate the effect and safety of Kuanxiong Aerosol (宽胸气雾剂, KA) on patients with angina pectoris. Block randomization was performed to randomly allocate 750 patients into KA (376 cases) and control groups (374 cases). During an angina attack, the KA group received 3 consecutive sublingual sprays of KA (0.6 mL per spray). The control group received 1 sublingual nitroglycerin tablet (NT, 0.5 mg/tablet). Log-rank tests and Kaplan-Meier estimations were used to estimate the angina remission rates at 6 time-points after treatment (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and >5 min). Logistic regression analysis was performed to observe the factors inflfluencing the rate of effective angina remission, and the remission rates and incidences of adverse reactions were compared for different Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) classes of angina. The 5-min remission rates in the KA and control groups were not signifificantly different (94.41% vs. 90.64%, P>0.05). The angina CCS class signifificantly inflfluenced the rate of remission (95% confidence interval = 0.483–0.740, P<0.01). In the CCS subgroup analysis, the 3-and 5-min remission rates for KA and NT were similar in the CCSII and III subgroups (P>0.05), while they were signifificantly better for KA in the CCSI and II subgroups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, the incidence of adverse reactions was signifificantly lower in the KA group than in the control group for the CCSII and III subgroups (9.29% vs. 26.22%, 10.13% vs. 20.88%, P<0.05 or P<0.01). KA is not inferior to NT in the remission of angina. Furthermore, in CCSII and III patients, KA is superior to NT, with a lower incidence of adverse reactions. (Registration No. ChiCTRIPR-15007204)  
      Keywords:Kuanxiong Aerosol;angina pectoris;Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification of angina;randomized controlled trial;Chinese Medicine   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Juan Liao,Yu Wu,Yang Zhao,Yuan-chen Zhao,Xu Zhang,Nan Zhao,Chun-ging Lee,Yu-fei Yang
      2018, 24(5): 343-347. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2956-0
      Abstract:To evaluate the effects of progressive muscle relaxation training (PMRT) combined with fifive elements music therapy of Chinese medicine (CM) for improving anxiety and depression of cancer patients. From June 2015 to March 2016, 60 cancer patients were included into the study. The patients were randomly assigned to a control group and a treatment group by envelope randomization, receiving PMRT and PMRT plus CM five elements music therapy, respectively, for 8 weeks. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Benefit Finding Scales (BFS), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual (FACIT-Sp), and Intervention Expectations Questionnaire (IEQU) were adopted to assess the depression of the two groups before and after the treatment. Four cases dropped out during the study, and 29 cases in the treatment group and 27 in the control group were included in the fifinal analysis. Prior to the treatments, the baselines of the 4 questionnaires in the two groups showed no difference. After the 8-week treatment, the treatment group presented better levels of HADS, BFS and FACIT-Sp scores compared with the control group (P<0.05). Among the single items of HADS, 4 items involving vexation, feeling fifidgeted, pleasure and prospecting the future in the treatment group were improved compared with the control group (P<0.05). As a simple and reliable and effective intervention, PMRT combined with fifive elements music therapy mitigated anxiety and depression of cancer patients. Cancer patients have been found to respond well to psychological intervention in areas regarding stabilisation of emotions, disease awareness, and therapeutic compliance. This brings about a great difference in improving their quality of life and psychological state, offers an effective approach to better self-management in cancer treatment.  
      Keywords:progressive muscle relaxation training;five elements music of Chinese medicine;anxiety;depression;randomized controlled trial   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Jing Sun,Tie-juan Shao,Dong-yu Zhang,Xue-qin Huang,Zhi-jun Xie,Cheng-ping Wen
      2018, 24(5): 348-352. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2804-2
      Abstract:To investigate the effect of Lang-chuang-ding Decoction (狼疮定汤, LCD) on the expression of DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of females with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PBMCs isolated from female patients with SLE or healthy donors were cultured and treated with LCD medicated serum or normal serum for 24 or 48 h. The mRNA expressions of CD70 gene in PBMCs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the DNA methylation of the CD70 gene promoter region was detected by methylation-specific PCR. After treated with medicated serum for 48 h, the mRNA expression levels of CD70 in PBMCs of SLE patients were signifificantly higher than those of healthy donors (P<0.05); the DNA methylation levels of CD70 promoter region in PBMCs of SLE patients treated with medicated serum for 48 h were signifificantly higher than those treated with fetal bovine serum (P<0.01). LCD could inhibit CD70 gene expression in PBMCs of SLE patients by promoting the DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter.  
      Keywords:systemic lupus erythematosus;Lang-Chuang-Ding Decoction;Chinese Medicine;DNA methylation;CD70;patient   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Xiao-ming Liu,Yong-bin Wang,Qian Wu,Zhong-rui Bian,Xiao-wen Che
      2018, 24(5): 353-358. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2830-0
      Abstract:To investigate the effects of ligustrazine (LTZ) on airway inflammation in a mouse model of neutrophilic asthma (NA). Forty healthy C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table, including the normal control, NA, LTZ and dexamethasone (DXM) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The NA mice model was established by the method of ovalbumin combined with lipopolysaccharide sensitization. At 0.5 h before each challenge, LTZ and DXM groups were intraperitoneally injected with LTZ (80 mg/kg) or DXM (0.5 mg/kg) for 14 d, respectively, while the other two groups were given the equal volume of normal saline. After last challenge for 24 h, the aerosol inhalation of methacholine was performed and the airway reactivity was measured. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected. The Wright-Giemsa staining was used for total white blood cells and differential counts. The levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-10 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pathological change of lung tissue was observed by hematoxylin eosin staining. The airway responsiveness of the NA group was signifificantly higher than the normal control group (P<0.05), while those in the LTZ and DXM groups were signifificantly lower than the NA group (P<0.05). The neutrophil and eosinophil counts in the LTZ and DXM groups were signifificantly lower than the NA group (P<0.05), and those in the LTZ group were signifificantly lower than the DXM group (P<0.05). There were a large number of peribronchiolar and perivascular inflammatory cells in fifiltration in the NA group. The airway inflflammation in the LTZ and DXM groups were signifificantly alleviated than the NA group. The infifiltration in the LTZ group was signifificantly reduced than the DXM group. Compared with the normal control group, the IL-17 level in BALF was signifificantly increased and the IL-10 level in BALF was signifificantly decreased in the NA group (P<0.05). LTZ and DXM treatment signifificantly decreased IL-17 levels and increased IL-10 levels compared with the NA group (P<0.05), and the changes in the above indices were more signifificant in the LTZ group (P<0.05). LTZ could alleviate the airway inflflammation in the NA mice model through increasing the IL-10 level and decreasing the IL-17 level.  
      Keywords:Ligustrazine;neutrophilic asthma;airway inflflammation;cytokine   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Na He,Qi-hai Gong,Feng Zhang,Jing-yi Zhang,Shu-xian Lin,Hua-hua Hou,Qin Wu,An-sheng Sun
      2018, 24(5): 359-365. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2818-9
      Abstract:To investigate the effects of evodiamine (Evo), a component of Evodiaminedia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth, on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) and further explore the potential mechanisms. Cardiomyocytes from neonatal Sprague Dawley rats were isolated and characterized, and then the cadiomyocyte cultures were randomly divided into control, model (Ang II 0.1 μmol/L), and Evo (0.03, 0.3, 3 μmol/L) groups. The cardiomyocyte surface area, protein level, intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) concentration, activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and content of nitric oxide (NO) were measured, respectively. The mRNA expressions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), calcineurin (CaN), extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 (ERK-2), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) of cardiomyocytes were analyzed by real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction. The protein expressions of calcineurin catalytic subunit (CnA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) were detected by Western blot analysis. Compared with the control group, Ang II induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy, as evidenced by increased cardiomyocyte surface area, protein content, and ANF mRNA expression; increased intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) concentration and expressions of CaN mRNA, CnA protein, and ERK-2 mRNA, but decreased MKP-1 protein expression (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with Ang II, Evo (0.3, 3 μmol/L) significantly attenuated Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, decreased the [Ca2+]i concentration and expressions of CaN mRNA, CnA protein, and ERK-2 mRNA, but increased MKP-1 protein expression (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Most interestingly, Evo increased the NOS activity and NO production, and upregulated the eNOS mRNA expression (P<0.05). Evo signifificantly attenuated Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and this effect was partly due to promotion of NO production, reduction of [Ca2+]i concentration, and inhibition of CaN and ERK-2 signal transduction pathways.  
      Keywords:evodiamine;cardiomyocyte;hypertrophy;angiotensin II;calcineurin;extracellular signalregulated kinase-2;Nitric Oxide   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Zi-gang Zhang,Xin Wang,Jin-hai Zai,Cai-hua Sun,Bing-chun Yan
      2018, 24(5): 366-371. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2823-z
      Abstract:To examine the effect of icariin (ICA) on the cognitive impairment induced by traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice and the underlying mechanisms related to changes in hippocampal acetylation level. The modifified free-fall method was used to establish the TBI mouse model. Mice with post-TBI cognitive impairment were randomly divided into 3 groups using the randomised block method (n=7): TBI (vehicle-treated), low-dose (75 mg/kg) and high-dose (150 mg/kg) of ICA groups. An additional sham-operated group (vehicle-treated) was employed. The vehicle or ICA was administrated by gavage for 28 consecutive days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was conducted. Acetylcholine (ACh) content, mRNA and protein levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and protein levels of acetylated H3 (Ac-H3) and Ac-H4 were detected in the hippocampus. Compared with the sham-operated group, the MWM performance, hippocampal ACh content, mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, and protein levels of Ac-H3 and Ac-H4 were signifificantly decreased in the TBI group (P<0.05). High-dose of ICA signifificantly ameliorated the TBI-induced weak MWM performance, increased hippocampal ACh content, and mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, as well as Ac-H3 protein level compared with the TBI group (P<0.05). ICA improved post-TBI cognitive impairment in mice by enhancing hippocampal acetylation, which improved hippocampal cholinergic function and ultimately improved cognition.  
      Keywords:icariin;traumatic brain injury;cognitive impairment;acetylation;hippocampus   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Hu-qing Wang,Meng Zhang,Jia-xin Zhao,Hai-qin Wu,Zhen Gao,Gui-lian Zhang,Ru Zhang
      2018, 24(5): 372-377. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2822-0
      Abstract:To observe the effect of puerarin on methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) phosphorylation (pMeCP2) in the hippocampus of a rat model of vascular dementia (VD). Thirty-six healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the sham-operated group, dementia group and puerarintreated group using a random number table (n=12 per group). The modifified permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion method was used to establish the VD model. The sham-operated and dementia groups were given 2 mL/d of saline, while the puerarin-treated group was given 100 mg/(kg•d) of puerarin for 17 days. The learning and memory abilities were evaluated by the Morris water maze test. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and Western blot analysis were carried out to observe changes in neuron morphology and in level of pMeCP2 in the hippocampus, respectively. The morphologies of rat hippocampal neurons in the puerarintreated group were markedly improved compared with the dementia group. The escape latency of the dementia group was significantly longer than the sham-operated group (P<0.05), while the puerarin-treated group was obviously shorter than the dementia group (P<0.05). Cross-platform times of the dementia group were signifificantly decreased compared with the sham-operated group (P<0.05), while the puerarin-treated group was obviously increased compared with the dementia group (P<0.05). IHC staining showed no significant difference in the number of MeCP2 positive cells among 3 groups (P>0.05). The number of pMeCP2 positive cells in the CA1 region of hippocampus in the dementia group was signifificantly increased compared with the sham-operated group, and the puerarin-treated group was signifificantly increased compared with the dementia group (both P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed no signifificant difference of MeCP2 expression among 3 groups (P>0.05). The expression of pMeCP2 in the dementia group was signifificantly increased compared with the sham-operated group, while it in the puerarin-treated group was signifificantly increased compared with the dementia group (P<0.05). Puerarin could play a role in the protection of nerve cells through up-regulating pMeCP2 in the hippocampus, improving neuron morphologies, and enhancing learning and memory ablities in a rat model of VD.  
      Keywords:Vascular Dementia;Puerarin;methyl-CpG binding protein 2;phosphorylation   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Minji Choi,Younghyurk Lee,Seung-Hun Cho
      2018, 24(5): 378-384. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2812-2
      Abstract:To research Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN) for use in novel Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutics. The effect of a 30% ethanol extract of ATN (KH032) on AD-like cognitive impairment and neuropathological and neuroinflammatory changes induced by bilateral intracerebroventricular injections of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide (Aβ1-42) was investigated. Male C57Bl/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, 10 in each group. KH032-treated groups were administrated with a low or high dose of KH032 (50 and 200 mg/kg, respectively), intragastrically for 16 days; distilled water was applied in the sham and negative groups. Open fifield test, Y maze and Morris water maze test were used for behavior test and cognitive ability. In addition, the neuroprotective effects of KH032 in Aβ1-42-infused mice on the histopathological markers [neuronspecific nuclear protein (NeuN), Aβ1-42] of neurodegeneration were examined. The levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), NeuN, phosphorylation extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/ERK, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphorylation cAMP response element-binding (CREB)/CREB protein expression were measured by Western blot. KH032 treatment ameliorated cognitive impairments, reduced the overexpression of Aβ1-42, and inhibited neuronal loss and neuroinflammatory response in the Aβ1-42-infused mice. Moreover, KH032 treatment enhanced BDNF expression levels in the hippocampus. Finally, KH032 treatment increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and CREB, vital for ERK-CREB signaling. KH032 attenuated cognitive defificits in the Aβ1-42-infused mice by increasing BDNF expression and ERK1/2 and CREB phosphorylation and inhibiting neuronal loss and neuroinflflammatory response, suggesting that KH032 has therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.  
      Keywords:Alzheimer’s disease;Angelica tenuissima Nakai;beta amyloid;cognitive impairment;neurogenesis   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Pan-feng Weng,En-chang Li,Xing-zhong Zhuang
      2018, 24(5): 385-389. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2841-5
        
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Hong-ying Kuang,Yan Li,He-ping Zhang,Richard S. Legro,Elisabet Stener-Victorin
      2018, 24(5): 399-400. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2842-4
        
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      Published:2021-08-27

      ReviewPaper

    • Lu Liu,Lin-peng Wang,Shan He,Yan Ma
      2018, 24(5): 390-398. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2836-2
      Abstract:Allergic asthma is thought to arise from an imbalance of immune regulation, which is characterized by the production of large quantities of IgE antibodies by B cells and a decrease of the interferon-γ/interleukin-4 (Th1/Th2) ratio. Certain immunomodulatory components and Chinese herbal formulae have been used in traditional herbal medicine for thousands of years. However, there are few studies performing evidence-based Chinese medicine (CM) research on the mechanisms and effificacy of these drugs in allergic asthma. This review aims to explore the roles of Chinese herbal formulae and herb-derived compounds in experimental research models of allergic asthma. We screened published modern CM research results on the experimental effects of Chinese herbal formulae and herb-derived bioactive compounds for allergic asthma and their possible underlying mechanisms in English language articles from the PubMed and the Google Scholar databases with the keywords allergic asthma, experimental model and Chinese herbal medicine. We found 22 Chinese herb species and 31 herb-derived anti-asthmatic compounds as well as 12 Chinese herbal formulae which showed a reduction of airway hyperresponsiveness, allergen-specifific immunoglobulin E, inflflammatory cell infifiltration and a regulation of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo, respectively. Chinese herbal formulae and herbderived bioactive compounds exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-inflflammatory and anti-asthma activities in different experimental models and their various mechanisms of action are being investigated in modern CM research with genomics, proteomics and metabolomics technologies, which will lead to a new era in the development of new drug discovery for allergic asthma in CM.  
      Keywords:immune homeostasis;Chinese Herbal Medicine;allergic asthma;experimental model;database   
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      Published:2021-08-27
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