Latest Issue

    2018 Year 24 Vol. 7 Issue

      OriginalPaper

    • Jun Guo
      2018, 24(7): 483-486. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2555-8
      Abstract:Oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (OAT) which perplexes doctors and patients due to its complicated etiology, atypical symptoms and poor clinical efficacy, is a general term for the three pathological states of abnormal semen. OAT is the main factor of male infertility. It is also a hot and difficult point in present studies. Empiric drug is the most popular treatment of this disease in the modern medicine. Chinese medicine (CM) is one of the main methods for the treatment of this disease, and it has certain clinical effect. The author believes that the use of modern medical technology to make the diagnosis as clear as possible is the key to treat OAT. The combination of syndrome and disease differentiation is the main mode in the treatment of OAT. Microscopic syndrome differentiation and macroscopic evidence embodies the basic principle of “Si Wai Chuai Nei” and broadens the perspective of CM syndrome differentiation. Classification and treatment are basic methods for the treatment of OAT. The treatment should not be limited to the Shen (Kidney), instead it should focus on the whole body condition. At different stages, the treatment should also pay attention to strengthening the Pi (Spleen), nourishing the Gan (Liver) and promoting blood circulation. Complementing Chinese and Western medicine, and highlighting the characteristics and advantages of CM treatment, have a great guiding value for the treatment of OAT.  
      Keywords:Oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia;integrated Chinese and western medicine;dialectical treatment   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Ai-jun Sun,Ya-ping Wang,Bei Gu,Ting-ping Zheng,Shou-qing Lin,Wen-pei Bai,Yang Wei,Shao-fen Zhang,Ying Zhang
      2018, 24(7): 487-493. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2266-y
      Abstract:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Heyan Kuntai Capsule (和颜坤泰胶囊, HYKT) and hormone therapy (HT) on perimenopausal syndromes (PMSs). From 2005 to 2008, 390 women with PMSs were recruited from 4 clinic centers. The inclusion criteria included ages 40 to 60 years, estradiol (E2) below 30 ng/L, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) above 40 IU/L, etc. The patients were randomly assigned to HYKT group or HT group by random number table method, administrated HYKT or conjugated estrogen with/without medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets for 12 months. During treatment, the patients were interviewed quarterly, Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) scores, hot flush scores, insomnia scores, Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) scores and adverse effects were used for evaluating drug efficacy and safety respectively. The last interview was made at the end of 12-month treatment After treatment, KMI scores of HYKT group and HT group were both significantly decreased compared with baseline (P <0.01) and there was no significant difference between groups (P >0.05), except that KMI of HYKT group was higher after 3-month treatment (P <0.05). After treatment, hot flush and insomnia scores were both improved significantly in two groups (P <0.01); and HT had a better performance than HYKT in improving hot flush (P <0.05). MENQOL were significantly improved in both groups after treatment (P <0.01); but there was no significant difference between two groups (P >0.05). The incidence of adverse event in the HYKT group was much lower than that in the HT group (P <0.01). HYKT could effectively relieve PMSs and improve patients quality of life without severe adverse reactions. Although HYKT exerted curative effects more slowly than hormone, it possessed better safety profile than hormone.  
      Keywords:perimenopausal syndromes;Heyan Kuntai Capsule;hormone therapy;Kupperman Menopausal Index;Menopause-Specific Quality of Life;Chinese Medicine   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Qi-qi Xin,Bin-rui Yang,He-feng Zhou,Yan Wang,Bo-wen Yi,Wei-hong Cong,Simon Ming-Yuen Lee,Ke-ji Chen
      2018, 24(7): 494-501. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2262-2
      Abstract:To investigate the pro-angiogenic effects of paeoniflorin (PF) in a vascular insufficiency model of zebrafish and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In vivo, the pro-angiogenic effects of PF were tested in a vascular insufficiency model in the Tg(fli-1:EGFP)y1 transgenic zebrafish. The 24 h post fertilization (hpf) embryos were pretreated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor II (VRI) for 3 h to establish the vascular insufficiency model and then post-treated with PF for 24 h. The formation of intersegmental vessels (ISVs) was observed with a fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expression of fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (flt-1), kinase insert domain receptor (kdr), kinase insert domain receptor like (kdrl) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In vitro, the pro-angiogenic effects of PF were observed in HUVECs in which cell proliferation, migration and tube formation were assessed. PF (6.25–100 μmol/L) could rescue VRI-induced blood vessel loss in zebrafish and PF (25–100 μmol/L), thereby restoring the mRNA expressions of flt-1, kdr, kdrl and vWF, which were down-regulated by VRI treatment. In addition, PF (0.001–0.03 μmol/L) could promote the proliferation of HUVECs while PF stimulated HUVECs migration at 1.0–10 μmol/L and tube formation at 0.3 μmol/L. PF could promote angiogenesis in a vascular insufficiency model of zebrafish in vivo and in HUVECs in vitro.  
      Keywords:angiogenesis;paeoniflorin;zebrafish;Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Shi-zhang Wei,Sheng-qiang Luo,Jian Wang,Jia-bo Wang,Rui-sheng Li,Xiao-mei Zhang,Yan-lei Guo,Chang Chen,Xiao Ma,Zhe Chen,Hong-hong Liu,Zhi-rui Yang,Jian-yu Li,Rui-lin Wang,Ya-ming Zhang,Hui-yin Yang,Xiao-he Xiao,Yan-ling Zhao
      2018, 24(7): 502-511. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-2127-0
      Abstract:To investigate the possible mechanism of San-Cao Granule (SCG, 三草颗粒) mediating antiliver fibrosis. A total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, porcine serum-treated group, ursodesoxycholic acid (UDCA, 60 mg/kg), SCG (3.6 g/kg) group, SCG (1.8 g/kg) group and SCG (0.9 g/kg) group, with 10 rats in each group. Liver fibrosis was induced with porcine serum by intraperitoneal injection for 8 weeks, except for the normal control group. Then, the rats in the three SCG-treated groups and UDCA group were administered SCG and UDCA respectively for 4 weeks. The serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TBIL), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), and type IV collagen (IVC) were examined using commercial kits and hepatic histopathology was examined with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining. Moreover, the protein expression levels of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (p-Smad3), Smad7, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were determined by western blot, immunohistochemistry and real time quantitative-reverse transcription polymerase. Both SCG (3.6 and 1.8 g/kg) and UDCA significantly ameliorated the liver fibrosis induced by porcine serum as indicated by retarding the serum levels increasing of ALT, AST, TBIL, HA, LN and IVC and preventing the serum level reducing of ALB compared with the model group (all P<0.01). Meanwhile, the collagen deposition was attenuated by SCG and UDCA treatment. Furthermore, SCG markedly reduced the expressions of HMGB1, TGF-β1, p-Smad3, TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB and α-SMA, and enhanced the expression of the Smad7 compared with the model group (all P<0.01). SCG ameliorates hepatic fibrosis possibly through inhibiting HMGB1, TLR4/NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.  
      Keywords:San-Cao Granule;Liver Fibrosis;high mobility group box-1 protein;toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B;transforming growth factor β1/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Qing-bing Zhou,Li-qi Wu,Yin Zhang,Zhi-fang Zhang,Feng-qin Xu
      2018, 24(7): 512-517. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2561-x
      Abstract:To investigate the effects of Zhizi Chuanxiong Capsule (ZCC, 栀子川芎胶囊) on abnormal DNA methylation in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis (AS). After 1 week of adaptive feeding, 48 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: a control group (n=12) fed with normal diet for 22 weeks; a model group (n=12) fed with high fat diet for 14 weeks followed by 8 weeks of normal diet feeding; a low-dose ZCC group (n=12) fed with high fat diet and low-dose ZCC for 14 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of normal diet and low-dose drug; a high-dose ZCC group (n=12) fed with high fat diet and high-dose drug for 14 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of normal diet and high-dose drug. After 22 weeks of feeding, blood samples were taken from the rabbit ear vein, and the genomic DNA was extracted for methylation immunoprecipitation sequencing (Medip-seq). The aorta tissues were collected for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Eight rabbits died during the feeding process. HE staining showed that the size of the lipid deposition on vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaque formation were reduced in both low- and high-dose group. The Medip-seq results showed that there were 146 abnormally methylated genes (including both hypermethylated gene and hypomethylated genes) in the model group, compared with the control group. Gene Ontology (GO) and Pathway analysis showed that these abnormally methylated genes were found to be involved in multiple AS-related functions and pathways, such as protein kinase C activity, cholesterol transport, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, peroxisome proliferater-activated receptor signaling pathway, vascular smooth muscle contraction, inflammation and so on. The abnormal methylated genes in AS model group were altered in both low- and high-dose groups: low-dose ZCC could change 72 of the 146 abnormally methylated genes, high-dose ZCC could change 71. Through GO and Pathway analysis, these altered methylated genes were involved in protein kinase C activity, inflammatory pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, etc. ZCC could treat AS through regulating the abnormal hypermethylated and hypomethylated genes in AS rabbit model.  
      Keywords:detoxifying and activating blood circulation;atherosclerosis;methylation;stasis and toxin;Zhizi Chuanxiong capsule   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Ning Zhou,Shu-yan Han,Yan-zhi Chen,Fei Zhou,Wen-xian Zheng,Ping-ping Li
      2018, 24(7): 518-524. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-2123-4
      Abstract:To observe the effect of Shugan Liangxue Decoction (舒肝凉血方, SGLXD) on estrogen receptor α (ERα) in human breast cancer cells. The effect of SGLXD (0.85–5.10 mg/mL) on the proliferation of breast cancer cells were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The nuclear ERα protein levels in MCF-7, T47D and ZR-75-1 cells which treated by SGLXD for 24 h were examined by western blot and immunofluorescence assay. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated by 17β-estradiol (E2) with or without SGLXD, for 24 h, and the E2 targeted genes c-myc and bcl-2 protein product was evaluated by western blot. SGLXD showed dose-dependent inhibition on the proliferation of MCF-7, T47D and ZR-75-1 cells, but did not inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, the promotive effect on cell growth induced by E2 was also significantly inhibited by SGLXD treatment. With the treatment of 1.70, 3.40, 5.10 mg/mL SGLXD, the nuclear ERα protein level was reduced to 88.1%, 70.4% and 60.9% in MCF-7 cells, and was decreased to 43.0%, 38.4% and 5.9% in ZR-75-1 cells as compared with the control group. In T47D cells, the nuclear ERα protein was down-regulated to 51.3% and 4.3% by 3.40 and 5.10 mg/mL SGLXD treatment. The down-regulative effect of SGLXD on nuclear ERα was confirmed by immunofluorescence assay. SGLXD decreased the protein product of c-myc and bcl-2. SGLXD may exhibit selective inhibition effect on the proliferation of ER positive breast cancer cells. SGLXD reduced the nuclear ERα expression and the protein product of E2 target gene c-myc and bcl-2.  
      Keywords:Breast Cancer;estrogen receptor;Shugan Liangxue Decoction;estrogen receptor inhibitor   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Hui Kong,Xue-qian Wang,Qing-guo Wang,Yan Zhao,Ye Sun,Yue Zhang,Jie-kun Xu,Hui-hua Qu
      2018, 24(7): 525-530. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-1973-0
      Abstract:To study the pharmacokinetics of puerarin (PUE) in Gegen Qinlian Decoction (葛根芩连汤, GQD), and the effects of PUE dosage variations on the pharmacokinetics of baicalin (BAL) in mice. GQD is composed of the concentrated granules of four Chinese herbs. Three dosages with different levels of PUE, including GQD, GQD co-administered with PUE, and GQD co-administration with two times the amount of PUE, were used to research the pharmacokinetics of PUE and BAL in mice. The indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA) methods based on an anti PUE-monoclonal antibody (MAb)and BAL-MAb were employed to determine the concentration of PUE and BAL in mice blood. After the co-administration of GQD with PUE, the area under the curves (AUC0–14h) of PUE increased 2.8 times compared with GQD. At the dose of GQD co-administration at two times that of PUE, the (AUC0–14h) of PUE was almost equal to that of GQD co-administration of PUE, showing non-linear pharmacokinetics. The (AUC0–48h) of BAL showed a good dose-related increase of PUE (r=0.993) in the range from 100 to 300 mg/kg, indicating that PUE dramatically affects the absorption of BAL in mice. There was no significant difference in the other pharmacokinetic parameters, such as the first time of maximum concentration (Tmax), the second Tmax, or the mean residence time. The icELISA methods were successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of PUE and BAL in GQD in mice. The dosage variability of PUE of the main ingredient in GQD affects its own pharmacokinetic characteristics and the absorption characteristics of BAL.  
      Keywords:pharmacokinetics;Gegen Qinlian Decoction;indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;Puerarin;Baicalin;Chinese Medicine   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Lei Fang,Min Fang,Min-min Guo
      2018, 24(7): 531-536. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2275-x
      Abstract:To reveal the force mechanism for therapeutic effect of pushing manipulation with one-finger meditation. A total of 15 participants were recruited in this study and assigned to an expert group, a skilled group and a novice group, with 5 participants in each group. Mechanical signals were collected from a biomechanical testing platform, and these data were further observed via similarity analysis and cluster analysis. Comparing the force waveforms of manipulation revealed that the manipulation forces were similar between the expert group and the skilled group (P>0.05). The mean value of vertical force was 9.8 N, and 95% CI rang from 6.37 to 14.70 N, but there were significant differences compared with the novice group (P<0.05). The result of overall similarity coefficient cluster analysis showed that two kinds of manipulation forces curves were existed between the expert group and the skilled group. Pushing manipulation with one-finger meditation is a kind of light stimulation manipulation on the acupoint, and force characteristics of double waveforms continuously alternated during manual operation.  
      Keywords:pushing manipulation with one-finger meditation;Tuina;biomechanics;force characteristics;waveform   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Yi-min Zhang,Sheng-xin Chen,Qiu-fu Dai,Shu-ting Jiang,Ai-lian Chen,Chun-zhi Tang,Yu-qing Zhang
      2018, 24(7): 537-544. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-1969-9
      Abstract:To observe the effect of acupuncture on the Notch signaling pathway in rats with traumatic brain injury and to explore the pathogenesis of acupuncture intervention on traumatic brain injury. Feeney’s freefall epidural impact method was used to establish a traumatic brain injury model in rats; the rats were randomly divided into a normal group, sham operation group, model group and acupuncture group. Acupuncture was performed in the Baihui (DU 20), Shuigou (DU 26), Fengfu (DU 16), Yamen (DU 15) and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints in the rat, and Yamen was punctured via Fengfu. Then, the rats in each group were randomly divided into three subgroups, namely the day 3 subgroup, day 7 subgroup and day 14 subgroup according to treatment duration. The modified neurological severity scores (mNss) method was used to perform neurobehavioral scoring for evaluating the degree of injury in the rats. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method was used to observe the pathological change in the brain tissue of rats in each group. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) technology was used to detect changes in the Notch1, Hes1 and Hes5 gene expression levels in the cortex on the injured side. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression changes. One day after modeling, the mNss scores in the model group and in the acupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the normal and sham operation groups (P<0.01) ; there was no statistically significant difference between the normal group and the sham operation group. The scores decreased with increased treatment time, and the scores in the acupuncture group decreased more significantly than those in the model group (P<0.01). The pathological examination by the HE staining method demonstrated that the brain tissue of the rats in the acupuncture and model groups relatively significantly changed. The Notch1 gene expression level in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than the level in all of the other groups (P<0.01) ; the Hes1 and Hes5 gene expression levels were also higher in the acupuncture group. The expression changes of the Notch1 and Hes1 protein were consistent with that of mRNA. In each experimental group, the mNss score and the pathological results by the HE staining method were consistent with the mRNA results. Acupuncture could significantly promote high expression levels of Notch1, Hes1 and Hes5 in the brain tissue of traumatic brain injury rats. Therefore, acupuncture might be an important intervention for inducing endogenous stem cell proliferation and for promoting nerve repair.  
      Keywords:brain injury;Notch;Hes1;Hes5;acupuncture   
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      Published:2021-08-27

      ReviewPaper

    • Ya Yuwen,Xue-jie Han,Wei-liang Weng,Xue-yao Zhao,Yu-qi Liu,Wei-qiang Li,Da-sheng Liu,Yan-ping Wang,Ai-ping Lu
      2018, 24(7): 545-550. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2277-8
      Abstract:To evaluate the quality and consistency of recommendations in the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for hypertension in Chinese medicine (CM). CM CPGs were identified from 5 electronic databases and hand searches through related handbooks published from January 1990 to December 2013. Three reviewers independently appraised the CPGs based on the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument, and compared the CPGs’ recommendations on CM syndrome pattern classification and treatment. Five CM CPGs for hypertension were included. The quality score of the evidence-based (EB) guideline was higher than those of the consensus-based with no explicit consideration of evidence-based (CB-EB) and the consensus-based (CB) guidelines. Three out of five patterns in the CPGs were recommended by the EB guideline. Tianma Gouteng Formula (天麻钩藤复方) in the EB guideline was recommended mostly for hypertension patients with pattern of ascendant hyperactivity of Gan (Liver)-yang and pattern of yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity in the CPGs. Acupuncture and massage were recommended for Grade I and Grade II hypertension with severe symptoms weakening the quality of life in the EB guideline. For Grade I and Grade II hypertension, CM could be used alone, while for Grade III hypertension, they should be used in combination with Western medicines. The quality of EB guideline was higher than those of CB and CB-EB CPGs in CM for hypertension and CM should be prescribed alone or combined with Western medicines based on the grade of hypertension.  
      Keywords:hypertension;Chinese Medicine;clinical practice guideline;systematic review;syndrome pattern   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Kanika Patel,Gireesh Kumar Singh,Dinesh Kumar Patel
      2018, 24(7): 551-560. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1960-x
      Abstract:Flavonoids are a widely distributed group of phytochemicals having benzo-pyrone nucleus, and more than 4,000 different flavonoids have been described and categorized into flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, catechins and anthocyanidins. Flavonoids occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beverages such as coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as in medical herbs. Flavonoids are responsible for the different colors of plant parts and are important constituents of the human diet. Flavanoids have different pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-allergic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anticancer activity. Naringenin belongs to the flavanones and is mainly found in fruits (grapefruit and oranges) and vegetables. Pharmacologically, it has anticancer, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative and antiatherogenic activities. Naringenin is used for the treatments of osteoporosis, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and showed lipid-lowering and insulin-like properties. In the present review, detailed pharmacological and analytical aspects of naringenin have been presented, which revealed the impressive pharmacological profile and the possible usefulness in the treatment of different types of diseases in the future. The information provided in this communication will act as an important source for development of effective medicines for the treatment of various disorders.  
      Keywords:analytical techniques;flavonoids;Naringenin;pharmacological activity;phytoconstituents   
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