The role of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in inhibiting axonal regeneration in the central nervous system

The Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase（Rho/ROCK） pathway is a major signaling pathway in the central nervous system, transducing inhibitory signals to block regeneration. After central nervous system damage, the main cause of impaired regeneration is the presence of factors that strongly inhibit regeneration in the surrounding microenvironment. These factors signal through the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway to inhibit regeneration. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway is crucial for advancing studies on regeneration and repair of the injured central nervous system.

Efficacy and Safety Investigation of Kuntai Capsule for the Add-back Therapy of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist Administration to Endometriosis Patients： A Randomized,Double-blind, Blank-and Tibolone-controlled Study

Background：As a Chinese Traditional Medicine product,Kuntai capsule could improve the peri-menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.But it is still not clear whether Kuntai capsule has a good effect on alleviating peri-menopausal symptoms induced by gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist （GnRH-a） treatment.The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Kuntai capsule,on peri-menopausal symptoms in endometriosis （EMS） patients,with postoperative GnRH-a treatment.Methods：Ninety EMS ovarian cyst women with postoperative GnRH-a administration were enrolled in the study,and were randomly divided into Kuntai group,Tibolone group,or blank Control group.The therapeutic strategy in Kuntai group was 4 Kuntai capsules tid,po for 12 weeks after the first GnRH-a injection,while Tibolone 2.5 mg qd,po for 12 weeks in Tibolone group.There was no drug addition in Control group.Climacteric complaints were evaluated by Kupperman menopausal index （KMI） and hot flash/sweating score.Liver and renal functions,lipid profile,serum sex hormone levels and endometrial thickness were measured,and the frequency of adverse events in Kuntai and Tibolone groups was recorded.Results：（l） Before GnRH-a therapy,the baseline parameter results were comparable in the three groups （P ＞ 0.05）.（2） After GnRH-a therapy,KMI and hot flash/sweating scores in all the three groups increased significantly （P ＜ 0.05）.At the 4th week after GnRH-a therapy,KMI and hot flash/sweating score results were as follows：Control group ＞ Kuntai group ＞ Tibolone group （P ＜ 0.05）; at the 8th and 12th week after GnRH-a therapy,KMI and hot flash/sweating score in Control group were significantly higher than the other two groups （P ＜ 0.05）,and no significant difference was identified between Kuntai and Tibolone group （P ＞ 0.05）.（3） No statistical change took place in the liver and renal functions and lipid profile in all the three groups after the treatment （P ＞ 0.05）.（4） The posttherapeutic serum follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）,luteinizing hormone （LH） and estradiol （E2） level and endometrial thickness decreased significantly in all the three groups （P ＜ 0.05）.After therapy,serum E2 level in Tibolone group was obviously higher than the other two groups （P ＜ 0.05）,while FSH and LH levels were obviously lower （P ＜ 0.05）.（5） The incidence of vaginal bleeding,breast distending pain in Tibolne group was obviously higher than Kuntai group （P ＜ 0.05）.Conclusions：Kuntai capsule is effective on the peri-menopausal symptoms induced by postoperative GnRH-a administration to EMS patients,although its clinical effect might be a few weeks later than Tibolone.Kuntai capsule might be a little safer than Tibolone tablet.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities and mechanisms of 70% ethanol extract of Zygophyllum macropodum in animals

Objective： To screen the preliminary phytochemical components, to investigate the acute oral toxicity, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and to analyze inflammatory factors on mice or rats of 70% ethanol extract of Zygopgyllurn macropodum aerial parts （ZME）. Methods： Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out by color reaction. Acute oral toxicity was investigated by body weight, relative organ weight and other toxic signs. Acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate test were used to determine analgesic effect. Acetic acid induced vascular permeability and carrageenan induced paw edema were used to confirm anti-inflammation. Protein in pleural effu- sion, prostaglandin E2 （PGE2） and tumor necrosis factor alpha （TNF-a） in serum of pleuritic rats induced by carrageenan were analyzed to explore the action mechanisms. The test groups received ZME with 100, 300, 600 mg/kg, the positive control with aspirin （ASP） 200 mg/kg for mice, and ZME with 70, 210, 420 mg/kg and ASP 150 mg/kg for rats orally. The control （C） or negative control （NC） groups received 2% Tween 80 of 10 mL/kg orally. Results： ZME contain flavonoids, saponins, phenols and tannins, steroids, terpenoids, fats and oils, glycosides, carbohydrates, and reducing sugar, but no alkaloids. The lethal dose 50% （LD50） of ZME was greater than 2000 mg/kg and no toxic or deleterious effects and death during 14 d. Oral administration 300 and 600 mgJkg of ZME produced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects significantly （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.001） vs NC. It can reduce the writhing number, prolong the heat resisting time, suppress the permeability of the capillary wall increasing, mitigate the paw edema, reduce the content of protein in pleural effusion, and reduce PGE2 and TNF-α in blood. Conclusions： ZME possessed analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities which related to inhibit the production of protein, PGE2 and TNF-α. The LD50 of ZME treated orally to mice was greater than 2000 mg/kg.