Latest Issue

    2018 Year 24 Vol. 6 Issue

      OriginalPaper

    • Chuan Guo,Xiang-rong Rao
      2018, 24(6): 403-405. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2926-6
      Abstract:Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major disease that threatens human health. With the progression of CKD, the risk of cardiovascular death increases, which is associated with the elevated levels of uremic toxins (UTs). Representative toxins such as indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate are involed in CKD progression and cardiovascular events inseparable from the key role of endothelial dysfunction. The therapeutic strategies of UTs are aimed at signaling pathways that target the levels and damage of toxins in modern medicine. There is a certain relevance between toxins and "turbid toxin" in the theory of Chinese medicine (CM). CM treatments have been demonstrated to reduce the damage of gut-derived toxins to the heart, kidney and blood vessels. Modern medicine still lacks evidence-based therapies, so it is necessary to explore the treatments of CM.  
      Keywords:chronic kidney disease;uremic toxins;therapeutic strategies;Chinese Medicine   
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    • Ao Xie,Jie Sheng,Feng Zheng
      2018, 24(6): 406-408. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2927-5
      Abstract:Kidney diseases are common and the incidence rate is increasing. Gut microbiota is involved in metabolic and immune regulation of the host. Genetic, alimentary and environmental disease factors may change gut flora and increase opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria, contributing to immune or non-immune mediated kidney diseases including IgA nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy. Additionally, bacterial metabolites may be a source of uremic toxins. Thus, identification of diversity, composition, and metabolic and immunologic features of gut bacteria in chronic kidney diseases may help understand pathogenetic mechanism and develop therapy for diseases.  
      Keywords:microbiota;IgA nephropathy;chronic kidney disease;uremia   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Hong-wei Liu,Yi-huai Zou,Ke-gang Cao,Li-hua Yu,Yong Zhang,Cai-hong Fu,Da-yong Ma
      2018, 24(6): 409-414. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2547-5
      Abstract:To study the efficacy of modified Wuzhuyu Decoction Granule (加减吴茱萸汤颗粒, MWDG) in the treatment of migraine patients with cold and stasis obstructing meridian syndrome. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 78 migraine patients with cold and stasis obstructing meridian syndrome were recruited and randomly assigned by a ratio of 2:1 into a treatment group (51 cases) and a placebo group (27 cases). Patients in the treatment group were treated with MWDG while placebo granules were applied in the control group. The treatment course lasted for 12 weeks with a follow-up of 4 weeks. The primary outcome measures included frequency and days of migraine attacks and the secondary outcome measures were analgesics consumption and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. All outcome assessments were conducted respectively at baseline, the 4th, 8th and 12th week, and the end of follow-up. In the treatment group, significant decrease in frequency of migraine attacks were observed since the 4th week and that of analgesics consumption since the 8th week (both P<0.05). While, in the placebo group, significant decrease in frequency of migraine attacks were observed since the 8th week and that of analgesics consumption since the 12th week (both P<0.05). No significant decrease in days of migraine attacks and VAS scores of migraine pain were observed in both groups. Between the two groups, there were significant differences in VAS scores and intensity of pain appeared in the 8th week (P<0.05). However, no significant differences were found in days and frequency of migraine attacks and analgesics consumption (P>0.05). MWDG was probably effective in the treatment of migraine especially for alleviating pain intensity. Furthermore, MWDG could reduce the frequency of migraine attacks and analgesics consumption sooner than the placebo.  
      Keywords:modified Wuzhuyu Decoction Granule;Migraine;cold and stasis obstructing meridian syndrome;randomized controlled trial;Chinese Medicine   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Ji-rong Ge,Li-hua Xie,Juan Chen,Sheng-qiang Li,Hui-juan Xu,Yu-lian Lai,Long-long Qiu,Chen-bo Ni
      2018, 24(6): 415-422. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2744-2
      Abstract:To investigate the mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang Pill (六味地黄丸, LDP) in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) with Shen (Kidney) yin deficiency. In this study, 205 cases of PMOP were divided into the PMOP Shen-yin deficiency group (Group A), PMOP Shen-yang deficiency group (Group B), PMOP without Shen deficiency group (Group C), and control group (Group N). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot techniques were used to observe the effects of LDP treatment on the cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF1), ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing 1 (ASB1), and prokineticin 2 (PROK2) genes and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. The mRNA (P<0.05) and protein (P<0.01) expression levels of the CLCF1 gene in Group A were significantly lower than the corresponding levels in Group N. After LDP treatment for 3 months, the mRNA expression levels of the CLCF1 gene were obviously up-regulated (P<0.01). After 6-month treatment, the expression levels of CLCF1 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated (both P<0.01), and the average bone density of the top femur had significantly increased (P<0.05). In vitro, CLCF1 overexpression resulted in a significant increase in the total protein and phosphorylated protein levels of JAK2 and STAT3. The CLCF1 gene is an important gene associated with PMOP Shen-yin deficiency and the therapeutic effects of LDP may be mediated by up-regulation of CLCF1 gene expression and activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.  
      Keywords:postmenopausal osteoporosis;Chinese Medicine;Shen (Kidney) yin deficiency;cardiotrophinlike cytokine factor 1 gene;Liuwei Dihuang Pill;Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Feng-xia Liang,Ze-bin Chen,Song Wu,Jian-min Liu,Jing-zhi Wang,Ji-dong Lu,Lu-shan Wang,Li Chen,Qing Shu,Litscher Daniela,Lu Wang,Hua Wang,Litscher Gerhard
      2018, 24(6): 423-428. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2548-4
      Abstract:Acupuncture can not only be used for well-known diseases, but also for so-called modern lifestyle-related diseases. Using innovative methods like e.g. new analyses of heart rate variability (HRV), it is also possible to investigate diseases like burnout syndrome, ie., qi deficiency in Chinese medicine (CM). The main object of this research protocol is to perform research on the relationship of burnout syndrome and heart rate (HR) and HRV. A total of 175 patients with burnout syndrome (qi deficiency syndrome) in five groups and 35 healthy volunteers will be investigated. Based on random numbers generated by computer and concealed in opaque envelops, the patients will be assigned to four acupuncture groups using Zusanli (ST 36) acupuncture stimulation, Guanyuan (CV4) acupuncture stimulation, both points, and both points with Streitberger device respectively, and a moxibustion group using both points mentioned above, with 35 cases in each group. Altogether four different experiments are planned. Experiment 1 includes 70 subjects and is a comparison between a burnout group and a control group (healthy volunteers). The evaluation parameters are different scores and indices of HR and HRV. Experiment 2 includes 140 subjects and compares the efficacy of different acupuncture points. In experiment 3 (105 subjects), acupuncture and moxibustion should be compared to healthy volunteers. Experiment 4 (70 subjects) investigates the long-term therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on the scores of qi deficiency and HR/HRV in qi deficiency patients. In both the acupuncture and moxibustion groups, a total of 10 treatments will be performed. The joint research aims at the scientific evaluation of CM, mainly in the field of HRV. This parameter could be a very good indicator of the state of health and can be inflfluenced by different acupuncture methods, as shown in the past.  
      Keywords:Heart Rate Variability;burnout syndrome;qi deficiency;acupuncture;moxibustion   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Yang Xu,Xiu-ping Chen,Feng Zhang,Hua-hua Hou,Jing-yi Zhang,Shu-xian Lin,An-sheng Sun
      2018, 24(6): 429-435. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2900-3
      Abstract:To investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of rutaecarpine (Rut) in a rat artery balloon-injury model. The intimal hyperplasia model was established by rubbing the endothelia with a balloon catheter in the common carotid artery (CCA) of rats. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups, ie. sham, model, Rut (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) with 10 rats of each group. The rats were treated with or without Rut (25, 50, 75 mg/kg) by intragastric administration for 14 consecutive days following injury. The morphological changes of the intima were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and smooth muscle (SM) α-actin in the ateries were assayed by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expressions of c-myc, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were determined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The protein expressions of MKP-1 and phosphorylated ERK2 (p-ERK2) were examined by Western blotting. The plasma contents of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) were also determined. Compared with the model group, Rut treatment significantly decreased intimal thickening and ameliorated endothelial injury (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The positive expression rate of PCNA was decreased, while the expression rate of SM α-actin obviously increased in the vascular wall after Rut (50 and 75 mg/kg) administration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of c-myc, ERK2 and PCNA were downregulated while the expressions of eNOS and MKP-1 were upregulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The protein expressions of MKP-1 and the phosphorylation of ERK2 were upregulated and downregulated after Rut (50 and 75 mg/kg) administration (P<0.05 or P<0.01), respectively. In addition, Rut dramatically reversed balloon injury-induced decrease of NO and cGMP in the plasma (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Rut could inhibit the balloon injury-induced carotid intimal hyperplasia in rats, possibly mediated by promotion of NO production and inhibiting ERK2 signal transduction pathways.  
      Keywords:rutaecarpine;balloon-injury;Intimal Hyperplasia;extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2;Nitric Oxide   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Ha-Rim Kim,Guem-San Lee,Mi-Seong Kim,Do-Gon Ryu,Hong-Seob So,Hyoung-Chul Moon,Young-Rae Lee,Sei-Hoon Yang,Kang-Beom Kwon
      2018, 24(6): 436-441. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2922-x
      Abstract:To examinie the synergistic effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (半夏泻心汤, Known as Banhasasim-tang in Korean) extract (BXDE) on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in the A549 human lung cancer cell lines. A549 cells were treated with varying concentrations (50–200 μg/mL) of cisplatin and BXDE alone or in combination for 96 h. We used 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan assay and flow cytometry to analyze cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. The exposure of cells to cisplatin and BXDE alone or in combination decreased cell viability dose- and time-dependently (P<0.05), which was found to be mediated by the apoptotic pathway as confirmed by the increase in the annexin V+/propidium iodide- stained cell population and a ladder pattern of discontinuous DNA fragments. Furthermore, the apoptosis was inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe) fluoromethylketone (z-VAD-FMK). BXDE significantly potentiated apoptotic effects of cisplatin in A549 cells. Moreover, apoptosis induced by BXDE might be the pivotal mechanism mediating its chemopreventative action against cancer.  
      Keywords:Banxia Xiexin Decoction;cisplatin;A549 cells;apoptosis;anticancer;synergism;Chinese Medicine   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Li-na Liang,Yu-yang Bai,You-zhi Tang,Qiang Chen,Xue-li Li,Qun-ying Ma,Jie Liang,Jiao Li
      2018, 24(6): 442-447. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2584-0
      Abstract:To observe the contribution of Borneolum syntheticum to the intervention effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pill (六味地黄丸, LDP) on experimental retinal degeneration, and initially investigate the mechanism of Borneolum syntheticum as meridian-lead-in drug. A total of 180 sodium iodateinduced retinital degeneration rats were randomly divided into three groups, including distilled water group, LDP group, and LDP+Borneolum syntheticum (LDP+BS) group. Twenty normal rats were fed regularly without any treatment as normal control. On day 7 and 14 after treatment, histopathological study and transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) test were performed to evaluate the retinopathy. Claudin-5 expression at blood-retina barrier (BRB) was detected by Western blot at different time points from 0.5 to 8 h after gavage. On day 7 and 14 after treatment, the retinal lesion grades were significantly different among the three groups (P<0.05). The grade in the LDP+BS group was significantly less than the LDP and distilled water groups (both P<0.05), no significant difference was observed between the LDP and distilled water groups (P>0.05). The apoptosis rates in the LDP+BS group was significantly less than the distilled water and LDP groups (both P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between LDP and distilled water groups (P>0.05). Expression of claudin-5 in LDP+BS group was significantly less than the other two groups at 0.5, 1 and 2 h after gavage (P<0.05). There was no apparent difference among the three groups at 4 and 8 h after gavage (P>0.05). Borneolum syntheticum could strengthen the effect of LDP on experimental retinal degeneration, indicated that Borneolum syntheticum might play the role of meridian-lead-in drug in the formula. The mechanism may be due to Borneolum syntheticum could promote the physiologically openness of bloodretina barrier through transiently affecting the expression of claudin-5.  
      Keywords:meridian-lead-in drug;Borneolum syntheticum;Liuwei Dihuang Pill;Retinal Degeneration   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Rui Tan,Yun Jung Lee,Kyung Woo Cho,Dae Gill Kang,Ho Sub Lee
      2018, 24(6): 448-454. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2920-z
      Abstract:To investigate whether the methanol extract of Berberis amurensis Rupr. (BAR) augments penile erection using in vitro and in vivo experiments. The ex vivo study used corpus cavernosum strips prepared from adult male New Zealand White rabbits. In in vivo studies for intracavernous pressure (ICP), blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and increase of peak ICP were continuously monitored during electrical stimulation of Sprague-Dawley rats. Preconstricted with phenylephrine (PE) in isolated endotheliumintact rabbit corus cavernosum, BAR relaxed penile smooth muscle in a dose-dependent manner, which was inhibited by pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-α]-quinoxalin-1-one, a soluble guanylyl cclase inhibitor. BAR significantly relaxed penile smooth muscles dose-dependently in ex vivo, and this was inhibited by pretreatment with L-NAME 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-α]-quinoxalin-1-one. BAR-induced relaxation was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with tetraethylammonium (TEA, P<0.01), a nonselective K+ channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, P<0.01), a voltage-dependent K+ channel blocker, and charybdotoxin (P<0.01), a large and intermediate conductance Ca2+ sensitive-K+ channel blocker, respectively. BAR induced an increase in peak ICP, ICP/MAP ratio and area under the curve dose dependently. BAR augments penile erection via the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate system and Ca2+ sensitive-K+ (BKCa and IKCa) channels in the corpus cavernosum.  
      Keywords:penile erection;Berberis amurensis Rupr.;Nitric Oxide;cyclic guanosine monophosphate;K+ channel   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Wen-liang Lu,Juan-mei Li,Jiao Yang,Chen-guang Xu,Sha-sha Zhang,Jie Yan,Ting-ting Zhang,Hui-hui Zhao
      2018, 24(6): 455-459. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2964-0
      Abstract:To study the effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), the primary effective component of the Chinese herb medicine Astragalus membranaceus (frequently used for its anti-hepatic fibrosis effects), on nanoscale mechanical properties of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs). Using endothelial cell medium as the control, 5 experimental groups were established utilizing different concentrations of APS, i.e. 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL. By using atomic force microscopy along with a microcantilever modified with a silicon dioxide microsphere as powerful tools, the value of Young's modulus in each group was calculated. SAS 9.1 software was applied to analyze the values of Young's modulus at the pressed depth of 300 nm. Environmental scanning electron microscopy was performed to observe the surface microtopography of the SECs. The value of Young's modulus in each APS experimental group was significantly greater than that of the control group: as APS concentration increased, the value of Young's modulus presented as an increasing trend. The difference between the low-concentration (12.5 and 25 μg/mL) and high-concentration (200 μg/mL) groups was statistically significant (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed between moderateconcentration (50 and 100 μg/mL) groups versus low- or high-concentration groups (P>0.05). Surface topography demonstrated that APS was capable of increasing the total area of fenestrae. The values of Young's modulus increased along with increasing concentrations of APS, suggesting that the stiffness of SECs increases gradually as a function of APS concentration. The observed changes in SEC mechanical properties may provide a new avenue for mechanistic research of anti-hepatic fibrosis treatments in Chinese medicine.  
      Keywords:liver sinusoidal endothelial cell;atomic force microscope;Astragalus polysaccharide;Young's modulus;nanoscale;Chinese Medicine   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Kwon-Yeon Weon,Min Gi Kim,Soyoung Shin,Tae Hwan Kim,Sang Hoon Joo,Eunsook Ma,Seok Won Jeong,Sun Dong Yoo,Yu Seok Youn,Beom Soo Shin
      2018, 24(6): 460-466. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2907-9
      Abstract:To evaluate the potential pharmacokinetic interactions of the anticancer agent gefitinib (Iressa®) and the oriental medications Guipi Decoction (归脾汤, GPD, Guibi-tang in Korean) and Bawu Decoction (八物汤, BWD, Palmul-tang in Korean). Methylcellulose (MC, control), GPD (1,200 mg/kg), or BWD (6,000 mg/kg) was orally administered to rats either as a single dose or multiple doses prior to gefitinib administration. To examine the effects of a single dose of the herbal medicines, gefitinib (10 mg/kg) was orally administered after 5 min or 1 h of MC or the herbal medicine pretreatments. To examine the effects of the multiple doses of the herbal medicines, gefitinib (10 mg/kg) was orally administered following 7 consecutive days of the administration of MC or each herbal medicine. The plasma concentrations of gefitinib were determined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay. The plasma concentration-time profiles of gefitinib were analyzed with a noncompartmental analysis. Gefitinib was rapidly absorbed and showed a monoexponential decline with an elimination half-life of 3.7–4.1 h. The pharmacokinetics of gefitinib was not affected by GPD pretreatment. However, a significantly lower maximum plasma concentration (Cmax, P<0.05) and area under the curve (P<0.05), and a delayed time to reach Cmax (Tmax, P<0.01) were observed in both single- and multipledose BWD-pretreated rats compared with the control rats. BWD and not GPD might delay and interfere with gefitinib absorption. Further evaluations of the clinical significance of these findings are needed.  
      Keywords:herb-drug interaction;pharmacokinetics;gefitinib;Guipi Decoction;Bawu Decoction   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Byung-Wook Lee,Hyeon-Yeop Lee,Kwang-Ho Heo,Hyun-Woo Cho,Man-Suk Hwang,In Heo,Byung-Cheul Shin,Eui-Hyoung Hwang
      2018, 24(6): 467-473. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2903-0
      Abstract:To obtain fundamental information for the standardization of herbal medicine in Korea. We analyzed the herbal medicine prescription data of patients at the Pusan National University Korean Medicine Hospital from March 2010 to February 2013. We used the Dongui-Bogam (Dong Yi Bao Jian) to classify prescribed herbal medicines. The study revealed that the most frequently prescribed herbal medicine was 'Liuwei Dihuang Pill (LWDHP, 六味地黄丸)' which was used for invigorating 'Shen (Kidndy)-yin'. 'LWDHP' was most frequently prescribed to male patients aged 50–59, 60–69, 70–79 and 80–89 years, and 'Xionggui Tiaoxue Decoction (XGTXD, 芎归调血饮)' was most frequently prescribed to female patients aged 30–39 and 40–49 years. According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes, 'Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue' showed the highest prevalence. 'LWDHP' and 'XGTXD' was the most frequently prescribed in categories 5 and 3, respectively. Based on the percentage of prescriptions for each sex, 'Ziyin Jianghuo Decoction (滋阴降火汤)' was prescribed to mainly male patients, and 'XGTXD' with 'Guima Geban Decoction (桂麻各半汤)' were prescribed to mainly female patients. This study analysis successfully determined the frequency of a variety of herbal medicines, and many restorative herbal medicines were identified and frequently administered.  
      Keywords:herbal medicine;herbal medicine prescription;traditional Korean medicine;Chinese Medicine;electronic medical record;Dongui-Bogam   
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      Published:2021-08-27

      ReviewPaper

    • Huan-dong Zhao,Hong-juan Xie,Jian Li,Cai-ping Ren,Yu-xiang Chen
      2018, 24(6): 474-480. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2910-1
      Abstract:Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major cause of cancer chemotherapy failure, and it is important to develop suitable reversal agents to overcome MDR. A majority of chemical reversal agents have acceptable reversal effects. However, the toxicity and adverse reactions associated with these agents restricts their clinical use. Chinese medicines (CMs) have lower toxicities and adverse reactions and are associated with multiple components, multiple targets and reduced toxicity. CMs have several advantages and could reverse MDR, decrease drug dosage, enhance patient compliance and increase efficacy. This review summarizes the current progress of CM reversal agents..  
      Keywords:tumor;multidrug resistance;reversal agents;Chinese Medicine   
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