The concept of Zheng Qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) refers to the vital energy produced by the interaction of Yin and Yang forces in the body. Zheng Qi performs two main functions: Wei Qi (defensive Qi), whi...The concept of Zheng Qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) refers to the vital energy produced by the interaction of Yin and Yang forces in the body. Zheng Qi performs two main functions: Wei Qi (defensive Qi), which shields the body from external pathogens, and Ying Qi (nutritive Qi), which sustains the internal organs and enhances their functionality. In TCM, Chinese tonifying herbs can help restore the balance of Yin/Yang and Qi/Blood function in visceral organs (i.e., optimal physiological functions), thereby fostering the efficient production of Zheng Qi and enhancing health. To ensure the quality of Chinese herbal products, functional assays to measure Yin/Yang, Qi/Blood functions, and Zheng Qi production should be implemented. The efficacy of Yang and Qi herbs can be evaluated by their ability to increase mitochondrial ATP in cultured mouse cardiomyocytes, while Yin and Blood herbs are tested through their immunostimulatory effects on antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation in mouse splenocytes and the production of erythropoietin/nitric oxide in hepatocytes/vascular endothelial cells, respectively. Additionally, Zheng Qi’s effect can be gauged by examining natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation in mice ex vivo. These assays act as biomarkers for assessing the quality and effectiveness of herbal health products within TCM theory.展开更多
Human metabolism is intricately linked to an individual’s health status. Regardless of living habits, it will be reflected in the metabolic characteristics of urine. The utilization of the 1H NMR-based metabolomics m...Human metabolism is intricately linked to an individual’s health status. Regardless of living habits, it will be reflected in the metabolic characteristics of urine. The utilization of the 1H NMR-based metabolomics method has enabled examine the metabolomic changes in urine under various physiology conditions, providing valuable insights into metabolites. In this particular study, volunteers were divided into two groups based on the strength of their spleen pulses, using the pulse diagnosis method employed in traditional Chinese medicine. Subsequently, their urine samples were analyzed, revealing notable variances in urea, creatinine, citric acid, succinic acid, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), alanine, hippuric acid, and glycine between the two groups. Interestingly, individuals with weak spleen pulses showed significant improvements after consuming herbal tea. Furthermore, we conducted LC-MS analysis on herbal tea and performed adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activity tests on the C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cell line. The results indicated that within a reasonable concentration range, exposure to herbal tea led to an increase in the mitochondrial ATP production capacity of C2C12 cells. These findings shed light on the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis and urine metabolites, highlighting their potential as non-invasive and straightforward health assessment indicators. They can aid in the preliminary determination of necessary dietary and lifestyle changes to enhance overall bodily health.展开更多
Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory ha...Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory has shown that the Qi-invigorating action of Chinese tonifying herbs is linked to increased mitochondrial ATP generation and an enhancement in mitochondrial glutathione redox status. To explore whether Sch B can exert Qi-invigorating actions across various tissues, we investigated the effects of Sch B treatment on mitochondrial ATP generation and glutathione redox status in multiple mouse tissues ex vivo. In line with TCM theory, which posits that Zheng Qi generation relies on the Qi function of the visceral organs, we also examined Sch B’s impact on natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, both serving as indirect measures of Zheng Qi. Our findings revealed that Sch B treatment consistently enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and improved mitochondrial glutathione redox status in mouse tissues. This boost in mitochondrial function was associated with stimulated innate and adaptive immune responses, marked by increased natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation, potentially through the increased generation of Zheng Qi.展开更多
Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis,...Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis, clinical evidence is limited. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide high-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of the traditional Chinese hot and humid compress in the treatment of LDH with qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods: From October 2021 to November 2023, 86 patients with LDH of qi stagnation and blood stasis type were recruited in our hospital and divided into a control (n = 43) and an observation group (n = 43) according to the random number table method. The control group was given routine clinical treatment, and the observation group was treated with the hot and humid compress therapy for two weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, TCM syndrome score, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score, TCM symptom score, and serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels decreased in both groups (P P P P P Conclusions: The hot and humid compress of traditional Chinese medicine can effectively relieve pain, restore lumbar function, improve TCM syndromes, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, and have a curative effect in treating LDH.展开更多
[目的]中药复方醒脑治瘫胶囊在临床上被广泛用于治疗各种气虚血瘀型中风,但其整体药理学的作用机制研究相对较少。本文通过网络药理学、分子对接以及实验验证手段探索醒脑治瘫胶囊的整体药理作用机制。[方法]检索中药系统药理学(TCMSP)...[目的]中药复方醒脑治瘫胶囊在临床上被广泛用于治疗各种气虚血瘀型中风,但其整体药理学的作用机制研究相对较少。本文通过网络药理学、分子对接以及实验验证手段探索醒脑治瘫胶囊的整体药理作用机制。[方法]检索中药系统药理学(TCMSP)数据库和中医药信息数据库(TCM-ID)中醒脑治瘫胶囊各味中药口服生物利用度大于30%,类药性大于0.18的有效化学成分及其对应的作用靶点;在DrugBank、GeneCards、OMIM、TTD等数据库中检索气虚血瘀型中风对应的靶点;使用Cytoscape软件构建醒脑治瘫胶囊中药-活性成分-气虚血瘀型中风潜在靶点网络;使用STRING软件构建蛋白-蛋白相互作用网络;使用DAVID软件进行靶点基因本体(GO)功能富集分析和京都基因与基因组百科全书(KEGG)通路富集分析;使用AutoDock Vina和Discovery Studio Visualizer软件进行分子对接和作用模式分析;评价醒脑治瘫胶囊提取物对氧糖剥夺/复糖复氧(OGD/R)诱导人源性神经母细胞瘤细胞(SH-SY5Y)生存率、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放率和网络药理学分析出的部分相关基因的影响。[结果]网络药理学分析显示PTGS2、PTGS1、HSP90AA1、NCOA2、ADRB2、CHRM1等靶点是醒脑治瘫胶囊发挥药效的潜在主要靶点;槲皮素、山柰酚、木犀草素等化合物是醒脑治瘫胶囊发挥药理作用的潜在有效成分。分子对接显示木犀草素与β2-肾上腺素能受体(ADRB2)、槲皮素与环氧合酶-2(PTGS2)、黄芩素与M1受体(CHRM1)、隐丹参酮与环氧合酶-1(PTGS1)具有潜在的结合可能。醒脑治瘫胶囊提取物可剂量依赖性地修复OGD/R对SH-SY5Y细胞的损伤,提高细胞生存率,降低LDH释放率,并能下调OGD/R引起的细胞PTGS2/PTGS1/HSP90AA1基因的mRNA和蛋白的高表达。[结论]网络药理学研究结果、分子对接技术结合实验验证为阐明醒脑治瘫胶囊药效物质基础和整体药理机制提供了新的研究方向。展开更多
文摘The concept of Zheng Qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) refers to the vital energy produced by the interaction of Yin and Yang forces in the body. Zheng Qi performs two main functions: Wei Qi (defensive Qi), which shields the body from external pathogens, and Ying Qi (nutritive Qi), which sustains the internal organs and enhances their functionality. In TCM, Chinese tonifying herbs can help restore the balance of Yin/Yang and Qi/Blood function in visceral organs (i.e., optimal physiological functions), thereby fostering the efficient production of Zheng Qi and enhancing health. To ensure the quality of Chinese herbal products, functional assays to measure Yin/Yang, Qi/Blood functions, and Zheng Qi production should be implemented. The efficacy of Yang and Qi herbs can be evaluated by their ability to increase mitochondrial ATP in cultured mouse cardiomyocytes, while Yin and Blood herbs are tested through their immunostimulatory effects on antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation in mouse splenocytes and the production of erythropoietin/nitric oxide in hepatocytes/vascular endothelial cells, respectively. Additionally, Zheng Qi’s effect can be gauged by examining natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation in mice ex vivo. These assays act as biomarkers for assessing the quality and effectiveness of herbal health products within TCM theory.
文摘Human metabolism is intricately linked to an individual’s health status. Regardless of living habits, it will be reflected in the metabolic characteristics of urine. The utilization of the 1H NMR-based metabolomics method has enabled examine the metabolomic changes in urine under various physiology conditions, providing valuable insights into metabolites. In this particular study, volunteers were divided into two groups based on the strength of their spleen pulses, using the pulse diagnosis method employed in traditional Chinese medicine. Subsequently, their urine samples were analyzed, revealing notable variances in urea, creatinine, citric acid, succinic acid, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), alanine, hippuric acid, and glycine between the two groups. Interestingly, individuals with weak spleen pulses showed significant improvements after consuming herbal tea. Furthermore, we conducted LC-MS analysis on herbal tea and performed adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activity tests on the C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cell line. The results indicated that within a reasonable concentration range, exposure to herbal tea led to an increase in the mitochondrial ATP production capacity of C2C12 cells. These findings shed light on the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis and urine metabolites, highlighting their potential as non-invasive and straightforward health assessment indicators. They can aid in the preliminary determination of necessary dietary and lifestyle changes to enhance overall bodily health.
文摘Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory has shown that the Qi-invigorating action of Chinese tonifying herbs is linked to increased mitochondrial ATP generation and an enhancement in mitochondrial glutathione redox status. To explore whether Sch B can exert Qi-invigorating actions across various tissues, we investigated the effects of Sch B treatment on mitochondrial ATP generation and glutathione redox status in multiple mouse tissues ex vivo. In line with TCM theory, which posits that Zheng Qi generation relies on the Qi function of the visceral organs, we also examined Sch B’s impact on natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, both serving as indirect measures of Zheng Qi. Our findings revealed that Sch B treatment consistently enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and improved mitochondrial glutathione redox status in mouse tissues. This boost in mitochondrial function was associated with stimulated innate and adaptive immune responses, marked by increased natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation, potentially through the increased generation of Zheng Qi.
文摘Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis, clinical evidence is limited. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide high-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of the traditional Chinese hot and humid compress in the treatment of LDH with qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods: From October 2021 to November 2023, 86 patients with LDH of qi stagnation and blood stasis type were recruited in our hospital and divided into a control (n = 43) and an observation group (n = 43) according to the random number table method. The control group was given routine clinical treatment, and the observation group was treated with the hot and humid compress therapy for two weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, TCM syndrome score, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score, TCM symptom score, and serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels decreased in both groups (P P P P P Conclusions: The hot and humid compress of traditional Chinese medicine can effectively relieve pain, restore lumbar function, improve TCM syndromes, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, and have a curative effect in treating LDH.
文摘[目的]中药复方醒脑治瘫胶囊在临床上被广泛用于治疗各种气虚血瘀型中风,但其整体药理学的作用机制研究相对较少。本文通过网络药理学、分子对接以及实验验证手段探索醒脑治瘫胶囊的整体药理作用机制。[方法]检索中药系统药理学(TCMSP)数据库和中医药信息数据库(TCM-ID)中醒脑治瘫胶囊各味中药口服生物利用度大于30%,类药性大于0.18的有效化学成分及其对应的作用靶点;在DrugBank、GeneCards、OMIM、TTD等数据库中检索气虚血瘀型中风对应的靶点;使用Cytoscape软件构建醒脑治瘫胶囊中药-活性成分-气虚血瘀型中风潜在靶点网络;使用STRING软件构建蛋白-蛋白相互作用网络;使用DAVID软件进行靶点基因本体(GO)功能富集分析和京都基因与基因组百科全书(KEGG)通路富集分析;使用AutoDock Vina和Discovery Studio Visualizer软件进行分子对接和作用模式分析;评价醒脑治瘫胶囊提取物对氧糖剥夺/复糖复氧(OGD/R)诱导人源性神经母细胞瘤细胞(SH-SY5Y)生存率、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放率和网络药理学分析出的部分相关基因的影响。[结果]网络药理学分析显示PTGS2、PTGS1、HSP90AA1、NCOA2、ADRB2、CHRM1等靶点是醒脑治瘫胶囊发挥药效的潜在主要靶点;槲皮素、山柰酚、木犀草素等化合物是醒脑治瘫胶囊发挥药理作用的潜在有效成分。分子对接显示木犀草素与β2-肾上腺素能受体(ADRB2)、槲皮素与环氧合酶-2(PTGS2)、黄芩素与M1受体(CHRM1)、隐丹参酮与环氧合酶-1(PTGS1)具有潜在的结合可能。醒脑治瘫胶囊提取物可剂量依赖性地修复OGD/R对SH-SY5Y细胞的损伤,提高细胞生存率,降低LDH释放率,并能下调OGD/R引起的细胞PTGS2/PTGS1/HSP90AA1基因的mRNA和蛋白的高表达。[结论]网络药理学研究结果、分子对接技术结合实验验证为阐明醒脑治瘫胶囊药效物质基础和整体药理机制提供了新的研究方向。