Latest Issue
      2019 Year 25 Vol. 2 Issue

        Perspective

      • Wen-ming YU
        2019, 25(2): 83-86. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-3026-y
          
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      • Jiang-hua ZHANG,Mi-shan WU,Yue-fen WANG,Ying-min JIA,En LI
        2019, 25(2): 87-90. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-3029-8
        Abstract：The history of medical development shows that oriental medicine, or traditional medicine, was born through medical practice during the times when science and technology were immature and underdeveloped, whereas with the development of science and technology, Western medicine, or modern medicine, was born through experimental analysis and research. With the development of medicine, the pros and cons of both medical systems become increasingly evident. How to integrate them and learn from each other will be the direction of future development of medicine. The formation and development of integrated medicine will, inevitably, usher in a new era for medicine.  
        Keywords：Chinese medicine;Western medicine;integrated Chinese and Western medicine;advantage;thinking of model   
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        Original Article

      • Jian YING,Min-jie ZHOU,Hai-yong CHEN,Lei CHEN,Wei ZHANG,Jun JI,Chao YU,Zhang-jin ZHANG
        2019, 25(2): 91-95. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2797-5
        Abstract：Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of essential oil treatment for type Ⅲ chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted from December 2014 to October 2015. Seventy type Ⅲ CP/CPPS patients were assigned to the essential oil group (35 cases) or almond placebo oil control group (35 cases) by a random number table. The oil was smeared by self-massage on the suprapubic and sacral region once a day for 4 weeks. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Syndrome Index (NIH-CPSI) and expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) were examined. The primary outcome was NIH-CPSI pain domain. The secondary outcomes included other NIH-CPSI domains and laboratory examinations of EPS. Adverse events were also observed.Results:Sixty-six subjects completed the full 4-week treatment. There was no significant difference between almond oil control and essential oil groups in terms of the total score of NIH-CPSI, pain, quality of life and urination domain scores of NIH-CPSI and EPS examinations (P>0.05). In the essential oil group, pain between rectum and testicles (perineum) in the domain of pain or discomfort was significantly reduced at week 2 and week 4 compared with almond oil control group (P<0.01). No serious adverse events occurred.Conclusion:The essential oil may reduce the pain or discomfort in the perineum region in patients with CP/CPPS. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-14005448)  
        Keywords：essential oil;chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome;randomized controlled trial   
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        Published：2021-08-27
      • Shuai MAO,Dan-ping XU,Xiao-jing DANG,Winny LI,Huan-lin WU
        2019, 25(2): 96-102. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-3017-z
        Abstract：Background:Many patients with chronic angina experience anginal episodes despite successful recanalization, antianginal and antiischemic medications. Empirical observations suggested that Shenzhu Guanxin Recipe Granules (参术冠心方颗粒, SGR), a Chinese herbal compound, exerted potential impacts on increased treadmill exercise performance and angina relieve. However, there has been no systematic study to clarify the impact of SGR on exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina. The SERIES (ShEnzhu guanxin Recipe for Improving Exercise tolerance in patients with Stable angina) trial is designed to determine the effects of SGR on exercise duration, electrocardiographic (ECG) evidence of myocardial ischemia, and incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in stable anginal patients.Methods:A total of 184 eligible patients with stable angina will be randomly assigned to receive placebo or SGR (10 g/day for 12 weeks) in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome will be the change from baseline in total exercise tolerance duration, time to onset of angina and ECG ischemia during exercise treadmill testing performed over a 12-week study period. The secondary outcome will include ECG measures, the occurrence and composite of MACE and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire score. Moreover, the coronary microcirculation will be evaluated to explore the possible effects in response to treatment of SGR. After the procedure, all participants will be followed up by interview at 3 and 6 months, enquiring about any cardiac events, hospitalizations, cardiac functional level and medication usage. Additionally, the occurrence of adverse events will be evaluated at each follow-up.Discussion:This study may provide novel evidence on the efficacy of SGR in improving exercise tolerance and potentially reducing clinical adverse events. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR-TRC-14004504)  
        Keywords：exercise tolerance;stable angina;Shenzhu Guanxin Recipe;coronary microcirculation;trial protocol;randomized controlled trial   
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      • Ji CUI,Li-ping TU,Jian-feng ZHANG,Shao-liang ZHANG,Zhi-feng ZHANG,Jia-tuo XU
        2019, 25(2): 103-107. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2776-y
        Abstract：Objective:To collect and analyze multi-dimensional pulse diagram features with the array sensor of a pressure profile system (PPS) and study the characteristic parameters of the new multi-dimensional pulse diagram by pulse diagram analysis technology.Methods:The pulse signals at the Guan position of left wrist were acquired from 105 volunteers at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We obtained the pulse data using an array sensor with 3×4 channels. Three dimensional pulse diagrams were constructed for the validated pulse data, and the array pulse volume (APV) parameter was computed by a linear interpolation algorithm. The APV differences among normal pulse (NP), wiry pulse (WP) and slippery pulse (SP) were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. The coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated for WP, SP and NP.Results:The APV difference between WP and NP in the 105 volunteers was statistically significant (6.26±0.28 vs. 6.04±0.36, P=0.048), as well as the difference between WP and SP (6.26±0.28 vs. 6.07±0.46,P=0.049). However, no statistically significant difference was found between NP and SP (P=0.75). WP showed a similar CV (4.47%) to those of NP (5.96%) and SP (7.58%).Conclusion:The new parameter APV could differentiate between NP or SP and WP. Accordingly, APV could be considered an useful parameter for the analysis of array pulse diagrams in Chinese medicine.  
        Keywords：pulse signal;array pulse volume;pulse sensor;Chinese medicine   
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        Published：2021-08-27
      • Song-zi WANG,Min WU,Ke-ji CHEN,Yue LIU,Jing SUN,Zhuo SUN,He MA,Long-tao LIU
        2019, 25(2): 108-115. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-3020-4
        Abstract：Objective:To determine the effects of hawthorn extract on serum lipid levels, pathological changes in aortic atherosclerosis plaque, inflammatory factors, and apoptosis-related protein and mRNA expression in apolipoprotein E gene knockout (ApoE-/-) mice.Methods:Thirty-six ApoE-/- mice were fed with a high-fat diet starting at the age of 8 weeks. Mice were randomly divided into 3 groups by a random number table including model group, hawthorn extract group, and simvastatin group, 12 mice in each group. Twelve 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice were fed a basic diet and served as control. The mice in the control and model groups were administered 0.2 mL saline daily, the mice in the hawthorn extract and simvastatin groups were administered with 50 mg/kg hawthorn extract or 5 mg/kg simvastatin daily for 16 weeks. After 16 weeks, plasma lipids including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined by an enzymatic assay. Aortic atherosclerotic lesions were observed by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), adiponectin (APN), and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein and mRNA expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in the aorta were assessed by Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively.Results:Compared to the control group, the plasma levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly increased and HDL-C were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, treatment with hawthorn extract significantly decreased the plasma levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C and increased the plasma level of HDL-C in ApoE-/- mice (P<0.01). The levels of MCP-1, IL-1β, and hs-CRP in the model group were significantly increased and APN was significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, treatment with hawthorn extract decreased the levels of MCP-1, IL-1β, and hs-CRP and increased the APN level (P<0.01). Compared to the control group, the protein and mRNA expression of Bax in the model group were significantly increased and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Hawthorn extract also reduced the protein and mRNA expression of Bax and increased the Bcl-2 expression in the aorta (P<0.01).Conclusion:Hawthorn extract has anti-atherosclerosis and stabilizing unstable plaque effects. The mechanism may be related to the inflammation and apoptosis signaling pathways.  
        Keywords：hawthorn extract;atherosclerosis;unstable plaque;inflammation factors;apoptosis-related protein   
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        Published：2021-08-27
      • Si-zhou HUANG,Wang-yu LIU,Yue HUANG,A-ling SHEN,Li-ya LIU,Jun PENG
        2019, 25(2): 116-121. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-3002-6
        Abstract：Objective:To investigate the effects of ethanol extract of Patrinia scabiosaefolia (EEPS) on chemo-resistance of colorectal cancer cells (CRC) and explore the possible molecular mechanisms.Methods:5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-resistant human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT-8/5-FU) and its parental cells HCT-8 were treated with EEPS (0, 0.25, 0.50, 1 or 2 mg/mL), or 5-FU (0, 100, 200, 400, 800 or 1600 μmol/L). The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to evaluate the cell viability. Cell density was observed by phase-contrast microscope, cell counting and colony formation assay were used to determine the cell proliferation of HCT-8/5-FU cells treated with 0, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg/mL EEPS. Cell apoptosis was determined by Hoechst staining. Western-blot was performed to detect the phosphorylation of AKT as well as the protein expression level of B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax).Results:Compared with HCT-8 cells, MTT assay results indicated that HCT-8/5-FU cells were resistant to 5-FU treatment (P<0.05), and sensitive to EEPS treatment (P>0.05). Moreover, compared with untreated HCT-8/5-FU cells, 1 and 2 mg/mL of EEPS treatment significantly reduced cell density, cell number, inhibited cell survival (P<0.05), and induced apoptosis in HCT-8/5-FU cells. Furthermore, 1 and 2 mg/mL of EEPS significantly decreased the phosphorylation level of p-AKT and Bcl-2 protein expression, and increased the expression of Bax protein (P<0.05).Conclusion:EEPS is a promising therapeutic agent that may overcome chemo-resistance in cancer cells, likely through suppression of the AKT pathway and promotion of cancer cell apoptosis.  
        Keywords：AKT pathway;colorectal cancer;5-fluorouracil resistance;Patrinia scabiosaefolia;Chinese medicine   
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      • Yu-yan LI,Guang ZHENG,Liang LIU
        2019, 25(2): 122-130. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2796-6
        Abstract：Objective:To decipher the possible mechanisms of Sinomenium Acutum (SA) in treating diseases by a bioinformatics method.Methods:SA ingredients were searched according to Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Chinese Medicine Dictionary and Traditional Chinese Medicines Database (TCMD). Active compounds and target proteins of SA were acquired through the Pubchem platform. Pathway, network and function analyses of SA were performed with ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA), a bioinformatics analysis platform. Disease, biofunction-target networks were established with Cytoscape.Results:Eighteen ingredients from SA were obtained. Seven active ingredients with 31 active target proteins were acquired according to PubChem Bioassay test. By IPA analysis, 277 canonical pathways belonging to 17 function categories were collected, 23 kinds of diseases, 21 categories bio-functions were obtained. Based on P value, calculated by IPA, the top 5 significant pathway of SA targets include phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signaling, prostate cancer signaling, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) regulation of innate immunity, Guanosine-binding protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, and ataxia telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM) signaling. Disease and bio-function network analysis indicated that mitogen activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), MAPK3, p65 nuclear factor κB (RELA), nuclear factor of κB inhibitor alpha (NFκBIA), interleukin 1β(IL-1β), prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2) and tumor protein 53 (TP53) were the critical targets in various diseases treated by SA.Conclusions:In the different view of target, pathway, disease and bio-function, inflammation was found to be a central theme in many chronic conditions. SA could be used not only as an anti-inflammatory agent, but also for the treatment of cancers, neurological diseases, psychological disorders and metabolic diseases.  
        Keywords：Sinomenium Acutum;bioinformatics analysis;ingenuity pathway analysis;network pharmacology   
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      • Fang-jiao SONG,Ke-wu ZENG,Jin-feng CHEN,Yuan LI,Xiao-min SONG,Peng-fei TU,Xue-mei WANG
        2019, 25(2): 131-138. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-3001-7
        Abstract：Objective:To investigate the anti-neuroinflammation effect of extract of Fructus Schisandrae chinensis (EFSC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 cells and the possible involved mechanisms.Methods:Primary cortical neurons were isolated from embryonic (E17-18) cortices of Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mouse fetuses. Primary microglia and astroglia were isolated from the frontal cortices of newborn ICR mouse. Different cells were cultured in specific culture medium. Cells were divided into 5 groups: control group, LPS group (treated with 1 μg/mL LPS only) and EFSC groups (treated with 1 μg/mL LPS and 100, 200 or 400 mg/mL EFSC, respectively). The effect of EFSC on cells viability was tested by methylthiazolyldiphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. EFSC-mediated inhibition of LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as nitrite oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were quantified and neuron-protection effect against microglia-mediated inflammation injury was tested by hoechst 33258 apoptosis assay and crystal violet staining assay. The expression of pro-inflammatory marker proteins was evaluated by Western blot analysis or immunofluorescence.Results:EFSC (200 and 400 mg/mL) reduced NO, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression in LPS-induced BV-2 cells (P<0.01 or P<0.05). EFSC (200 and 400 mg/mL) reduced the expression of NO in LPS-induced primary microglia and astroglia (P<0.01). In addition, EFSC alleviated cell apoptosis and inflammation injury in neurons exposed to microglia-conditioned medium (P<0.01). The mechanistic studies indicated EFSC could suppress nuclear factor (NF)-κB phosphorylation and its nuclear translocation (P<0.01). The anti-inflammatory effect of EFSC occurred through suppressed activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway (P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:EFSC acted as an anti-inflammatory agent in LPS-induced glia cells. These effects might be realized through blocking of NF-κB activity and inhibition of MAPK signaling pathways.  
        Keywords：neuroinflammation;microglia;Fructus Schisandrae chinensis;nuclear factor-κB;mitogenactivated protein kinase   
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        Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine

      • Xing-jiang XIONG,Peng-qian WANG,Sheng-jie LI
        2019, 25(2): 139-146. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-3009-2
        Abstract：Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of blood-letting therapy (BLT) in treatment of hypertension.Methods:A comprehensive electronic and manual bibliographic searches were performed in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Excerpt Medica Database (EMBASE), PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang Database to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which hypertensive patients were treated with BLT or BLT plus antihypertensive drugs (BPAD) against placebo, no treatment or antihypertensive drugs. The Cochrane Risk Assessment Tool was used to assess the methodological quality of trials. The Review Manager 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.Results:A total of 7 RCTs with 637 hypertensive patients from 1989 to 2017 were identified. Compared with antihypertensive drugs, blood pressure was significantly reduced by BLT (RR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.44, P=0.03; heterogeneity: P=0.06, I2=60%) and BPAD (RR=1.25, 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.53, P=0.03; heterogeneity: P=0.01, I2=71%). Moreover, a significant improvement in Chinese medicine syndrome by BLT (RR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.53, P=0.0002; heterogeneity: P=0.53, I2=0%) and BPAD (RR=1.47; 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.04, P=0.02; heterogeneity: P=0.13, I2=56%) was identified. The reported adverse effects were well tolerated.Conclusions:Although some positive findings were identified, no definite conclusions regarding the efficacy and safety of BLT as complementary and alternative approach for treatment of hypertension could be drew due to the generally poor methodological design, significant heterogeneity, and insufficient clinical data. Further rigorously designed trials are warranted to confirm the results.  
        Keywords：blood-letting therapy;phlebotomy;blood pressure;Chinese medicine;complementary and alternative medicine;systematic review;meta-analysis;randomized controlled trials   
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        Literature Research

      • Sang-Hoon Yoon,Yoon-Sik Kim,Hee-Guen Jo,Chan-Young Kwon
        2019, 25(2): 147-150. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-3015-1
        Abstract：Objective:To investigate the current usage of terminologies related to acupotomy through systematic search and analyze the pros and cons of each for proposing a standard terminology.Methods:Seven medical journal databases were searched including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, KoreaMed, and Korean studies Information Service System using 10 candidate terminologies as searching terms. All studies published from their inception to July 26, 2017 were collected. Articles were included if the title stated one of the 10 candidate terminologies consistent with the definition of acupotomy. Priorly established frequency and consistency of each candidate terminology from medical databases were calculated and evaluated. Moreover, the pros and cons of each were analyzed to propose a standard terminology.Results:A total of 112 studies in English databases, 1,129 studies in Chinese database, and 44 studies in Korean databases were included. The most frequently used terminologies were needle knife (35.71%), acupotomy (48.54%) and acupotomy (90.90%) in English, Chinese and Korean database, respectively. Overall, acupotomy and needle knife were the most frequently used. Others like acupotomology, needle scalpel, miniscalpel acupuncture and miniscalpel needle were used within 10% of the total searched literature. Acupotome, stiletto needle, sword like needle, and Xiaozhendao were rarely used. Acupotomy had the advantages of high frequency and consistency but lacked representativeness. Needle knife also showed a high frequency, but the consistency was poor. Though miniscalpel acupuncture and miniscule needle were used less frequently, they had advantages of inclusiveness and clarity.Conclusions:A debate for standardization of the terminology is necessary. This preliminary research can provide a basic outline for the standardization consensus process, and we believe it is noteworthy to discuss miniscalpel needle and miniscalpel acupuncture along with acupotomy and needle knife on the subject.  
        Keywords：acupuncture;Chinese medicine;acupotomy;terminology   
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        Review

      • Mao-qiang MAN,Li-zhi HU,Peter M. Elias
        2019, 25(2): 151-160. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-2438-1
        Abstract：Atopic dermatitis (AD) is among the most common skin disorders in humans. Although a variety of regimens are available for the treatment of AD, preventive approaches are limited. Recent studies have demonstrated that certain naturally-occurring herbal medicines are effective in preventing the development of AD via divergent mechanisms, such as inhibiting cytokine and chemokine expression, IgE production, inflammatory cell infiltration, histamine release, and/or enhancement of epidermal permeability barrier function. Yet, they exhibit few adverse effects. Since herbal medicines are widely available, inexpensive and generally safe, they could represent an ideal approach for preventing the development of AD, in both highly developed and developing countries.  
        Keywords：herbal medicines;T cells;cytokines;permeability barrier;dermatitis   
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