Design,delivery and efficacy testing of therapeutic nucleic acids used to inhibit hepatitis C virus gene expression in vitro and in vivo

Despite major achievements in the treatment ofchronic hepatitis C with the combination ofinterferons and the nucleoside analog ribavirin themajority of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection cannot be treated effectively.Toimprove this response rate we used antisensetechnologies to inhibit HCV translation as possibleadditional option for experimental treatment.Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides(ODN) are

Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of <i>Aloe vera</i>: A Review

The plant Aloe vera is used in Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic and Allopathic streams of medicine, and not only tribal community but also most of the people for food and medicine. The plant leaves contains numerous vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, natural sugars and other bioactive compounds with emollient, purgative, anti-microbial, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-helmenthic, antifungal, antiseptic and cosmetic values for health care. This plant has potential to cure sunburns, burns and minor cuts, and even skin cancer. The external use in cosmetic primarily acts as skin healer and prevents injury of epithelial tissues, cures acne and gives a youthful glow to skin, also acts as extremely powerful laxative.

Continuous Wear of Hydrogel Contact Lenses for Therapeutic Use

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and complications of continuous wear of etafilcon A for therapeutic use. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 228 eyes of 219 outpatients prescribed contact lens (CL) for one week of continuous therapeutic wear during 10 years. The reason for prescription of CLs, the primary disease, the duration of CL wear and the complications were assessed retrospectively. Results: The predominant reason for prescription of CLs was relief of pain or a foreign-body sensation (62.3%) and protection of the corneal epithelium (20.6%). The primary disease was post-penetrating keratoplasty (36.8%), followed by corneal epithelial erosion (14.5%), post-lamellar keratoplasty (14.0%) and bullous keratopathy (12.2%). The average duration of wearing single lens was 6.5 ± 3.2 days. The average duration of wearing CLs in total was 9.2 ± 10.7 months. The most frequent problem associated with continuous wear of CLs was their dropping out of CLs (12.3%). The complications associated with CLs included conjunctivitis with papillary hyperplasia, corneal erosion and superficial punctate keratitis, but corneal ulcer and corneal infiltrates were not found. Conclusion: Serious complications were not shown changing the lenses every week to keep to the prescribed time limit for continuous therapeutic wear, even if corneal epithelial barrier function is impaired.

Comparison of long-lasting therapeutic effects between succimer and penicillamine on hepatolenticular degeneration

AIM To compare the long term effect of succimer (Suc) with that of penicillamine (Pen) in treating hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD). METHODS One hundred and twenty patients with HLD were divided into 2 groups. Group A ( n =60) received Suc 750mg , po. bid. Group B ( n =60) received Pen 250mg , po. qid. The period of maintenance treatment varied from 6 months to 3 years, averaging 1 5 years. Symptoms and therapeutic effects were evaluated by modified Goldstein scale. RESULTS The total effectiveness of group A in two different periods of treatment were 80% and 85% respectively, higher than those of group B (58% and 59% respectively) ( P <0 05). Suc also had obvious curative effects for the patients who failed in the use of Pen. There were fewer side effect in group A than in group B ( P <0 05). Suc and Pen could increase urinary copper excretion effectively and continually. CONCLUSION Suc is more effective and safer than Pen. Clinically, it can replace Pen as first choice drug for long term maintenance therapy of HLD.

Functional dyspepsia of ulcer-dysmotility type:clinical incidence and therapeutic strategy

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Therapeutic role of template-based lymphadenectomy in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

Lymphadenectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract has attracted the attention of physicians. The mapping study of lymphatic spread has shown that a relatively wide area should comprise the regional nodes for tumors of the right renal pelvis or the right upper two-thirds of the ureter. A prospective study showed that an anatomical templatebased lymphadenectomy significantly improved patient survival in tumors of the renal pelvis. This benefit was more evident for patients with p T2 stage tumors or higher. The risk of regional node recurrence is significant reduced by template-based lymphadenectomy,which is likely to be associated with improved patient survival. The removal of lymph node micrometastases is assumed to be the reason for therapeutic benefit following lymphadenectomy. The number of resected lymph nodes can be used to assess the quality of lymphadenectomy,but not to determine the extent of lymphadenectomy. The guidelines currently recommend lymphadenectomy for patients with muscle-invasive disease,even though the current recommendation grades are still low. The present limitation of lymphadenectomy is the lack of standardization of the extent of lymphadenectomy and the randomized trials. Further studies are warranted to collect the evidence to support lymphadenectomy.

Blastocystis hominis as a cause of chronic diarrhea in low-resource settings:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Blastocystis hominis(B.hominis),an anaerobic unicellular protist parasite,is known for its diverse clinical manifestations upon infecting the human gastrointestinal tract.Although globally distributed,it is particularly prevalent in developing nations.Examining the symptoms and treatment outcomes of B.hominis infection in low-resource settings holds immense significance,providing healthcare practi-tioners with valuable insights to enhance patient care.AIM To synthesize existing evidence on the symptomatology and treatment outcomes of B.hominis infection in low-resource settings.METHODS Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines,a systematic review was conducted.The search spanned electronic databases including PubMed,Scopus,and Google Scholar.After a comprehensive screening process,a thorough examination of the papers,adhering to inclusion and exclusion criteria,and data extraction from eligible studies was conducted.The findings underwent summarization through simple descriptive analysis.RESULTS The search yielded 1200 papers,with 17 meeting inclusion criteria.Chronic diarrhea due to B.hominis infection was reported in only two studies,while abdominal pain,diarrhea,flatulence,constipation,and nausea/vomiting emerged as the most commonly documented symptoms.Recovery rates after one week of treatment ranged from 71.8%to 100%,and after two weeks,from 60%to 100%.CONCLUSION In low-resource settings,chronic diarrhea resulting from B.hominis infection is infrequent.Common symptoms include abdominal pain,diarrhea,flatulence,constipation,and nausea/vomiting.Post-treatment,clinical outcomes are notably favorable,supporting the recommendation for treatment.Metronidazole is advocated as the first-line agent,with consideration for switching to a second-line option in cases of treatment failure or poor response.

Clinacanthus nutans:a review of the medicinal uses,pharmacology and phytochemistry

Clinacanthus nutans Lindau is known as snake grass belonging to the Acanlhaceae family.This plant has diverse and potential medicinal uses in traditional herbal medicine for treating skin rashes,insects and snake bites,lesions caused by herpes simplex virus,diabetes,and gout in Malaysia.Indonesia.Thailand and China.Phylochemieal investigations documented the varied contents of bioaclive compounds from litis plant namely flavonoids,glycosides,glycoglyeerolipids.cerebrosides and monoacylmonogalatosylglycerol.The pharmacological experiment proved that various types of extracts and pure compounds from this species exhibited a broad range of biological properties such as anti-inflammatory,antiviral,antioxidant,and anti-diabetic activities.The lindings of toxicity study showed that extracts from this plant did not show any toxicity thus it can be used as strong therapeutic agents for specific diseased conditions.However,further experiments on chemical components and their mode of action showing biological activities are required to elucidate the complete phytochemical profile and assess to confirm their suitability tor future drugs.This review summarizes the medicinal uses,phytochemistry and pharmacology of this plant in order to explore its therapeutic potential and gaps necessitating for prospected research work.

High-intensity focused ultrasound extracorporeal ablation of liver tissuesin rabbits

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Controversies regarding transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have tantalized regenerative medicine with their therapeutic potential,yet a cloud of controversies looms over their clinical tran-splantation.This comprehensive review navigates the intricate landscape of MSC controversies,drawing upon 15 years of clinical experience and research.We delve into the fundamental properties of MSCs,exploring their unique immuno-modulatory capabilities and surface markers.The heart of our inquiry lies in the controversial applications of MSC transplantation,including the perennial debate between autologous and allogeneic sources,concerns about efficacy,and lingering safety apprehensions.Moreover,we unravel the enigmatic mechanisms surro-unding MSC transplantation,such as homing,integration,and the delicate balance between differentiation and paracrine effects.We also assess the current status of clinical trials and the ever-evolving regulatory landscape.As we peer into the future,we examine emerging trends,envisioning personalized medicine and innovative delivery methods.Our review provides a balanced and informed perspective on the controversies,offering readers a clear understanding of the complexities,challenges,and potential solutions in MSC transplantation.

USE OF CELL-BASED BIOASSAY FOR THE QUALITY CONTROL OF BOTANICAL THERAPEUTICS

The single most important factor in modernization efforts of traditional oriental medicines is the limited understanding of active compounds responsible for claimed therapeutic effects.Indeed,the unknown identity of biologically active molecules generates major difficulties associated with botanical therapeutics in general.This includes management of raw materials,poor understanding of

柴胡提取物对人肝癌细胞BEL-7402细胞内游离钙离子浓度和细胞内VCR蓄积的影响

目的:测定中药柴胡(BupleurumChineseDC,BCDC)提取物对人肝癌BEL-7402细胞内游离钙离子浓度([Ca2+]i)和长春新碱(Vincristine,VCR)浓度的影响,探索柴胡提取物逆转BEL-7402细胞多药耐药的机制。方法:以Fura2/AM为细胞内钙离子的荧光指示剂,用双波长荧光分光光度计分别测定不同条件下的BEL7402细胞内[Ca2+]i。高效液相色谱法测定BCDC作用于BEL-7402后细胞内VCR蓄积情况的变化。结果:柴胡提取物可使人肝癌细胞BEL-7402细胞内游离钙离子浓度下降(P<0.001),可使细胞内VCR浓度升高(P<0.01)。结论:柴胡提取物可以增加VCR在BEL7402细胞内的积聚浓度,部分逆转BEL7402细胞的多药耐药(multidrugresistance,MDR)。钙离子通道阻滞作用可能为柴胡提取物逆转BEL7402细胞多药耐药的机制之一。

柴胡保护大鼠肝脏缺血性损伤

目的 探讨中药柴胡对急性肝脏缺血性损伤的保护作用。 方法 大鼠56只随机分为正常组(n=8)、普食组(n=24)和柴胡组(n=24),采用常温下肝门血流完全阻断60min制备大鼠肝脏缺血性损伤模型,动态检测术后血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、谷草氨酸转氨酶(AST)及肝组织5′-核苷酸酶(5′-NT)活性的变化。 结果 术后1d,各组大鼠血清ALT,AST(kU/L,(?)±s)均明显高于正常(ALT:普食组116±18或柴胡组105±18 vs 正常22±8;AST:192±25或175±23 vs 26±8,P<0.05);而5′-NT(U/g)活性明显低于正常(0.65±0.03或0.68±0.04 vs 1.65±0.09,P<0.05);术后4d,实验组上述指标虽部分恢复,但仍未达正常水平;其中普食组较柴胡组恢复慢,且有明显差异(普食组vs柴胡组,ALT 107±15 vs 62±12,AST 167±20 vs 71±14,5′-NT 0.82±0.04 vs 1.12±0.07,P<0.05);术后7d,柴胡组ALT,AST均恢复正常,而普食组尚未正常,柴胡组肝组织5′-NT(1.01±0.05 vs 1.50±0.08,P<0.05)明显高于普食组。 结论 柴胡对肝脏缺血性损伤有保护作用,能降低血清转氨酶、保护肝功能、抑制肝损害,为临床上应用柴胡治疗肝脏手术后肝功能损害,促进肝功能恢复奠定了实验基础。

柴胡煎剂治疗肝脏缺血性损伤的形态学观察

目的 研究大鼠肝脏缺血性损伤后肝组织的病理学改变,以及柴胡煎剂的治疗作用。 方法 建立大鼠肝门完全阻断的模型,观察肝脏缺血性损伤后柴胡组和普食组在不同的时间阶段光镜和电镜下肝组织的病理学改变。 结果 电镜观察发现,术后1d各组肝窦内皮细胞孔隙加大,内皮破坏,内皮之间可见孔道,内皮细胞核内染色质浓聚,核膜仍完整;肝细胞肿胀,线粒体明显肿胀,基质变化,粗面内质网肿胀,脱颗粒,粗面内质网增多,细胞内糖原减少,细胞内溶酶体增多。细胞膜特化部分如桥粒、毛细胆管区微绒毛有轻微破坏。术后4d普食组肝窦内皮细胞孔隙大,内皮细胞核内染色质浓集于核膜;肝细胞肿胀,线粒体肿胀,基质密度变淡,内嵴结构模糊;粗面内质网排列不规则,脱颗粒,细胞膜破裂,肿胀变性的细胞器游离于胞外。柴胡组肝细胞轻度肿胀,核形态规则,出现吞饮小泡,肝细胞线粒体轻度肿胀,结构模糊,部分粗面内质网轻度扩张,糖原颗粒减少,可见溶酶体及脂滴,内皮膜欠光滑,基底部与肝细胞膜联系欠紧密。术后7d普食组肝细胞仍见轻度肿胀,线粒体轻度肿胀,结构模糊,基质变化,其内嵴变短,膜结构欠清楚;粗面内质网排列欠规则,糖原颗粒较少,可见少量溶酶体及脂滴。内膜欠完整,基底部与肝细胞联系欠紧密,柴胡组肝细胞未见肿胀,基本恢复到正常形态与结构,?

复方当归柴胡提取液对二乙基亚硝胺诱发大鼠肝癌前病变的抑制作用

为探索肝癌的化学预防，应用抑制二乙基亚硝胺（ＤＥＮ）致大鼠肝癌前病变肝细胞增生酶异常灶（ＧＧＴ灶）发生的短期实验模型，研究对肝炎有一定疗效的逍遥散加减为基础组成的复方当归、柴胡提取液（９５４合剂）对ＤＥＮ致肝癌作用的影响，并与已知抑制物甘草甜素（ＧＬ）相比较。结果显示９５４合剂和ＧＬ对ＤＥＮ诱发肝癌前病变ＧＧＴ灶的数量及大小均有明显抑制作用，与单给ＤＥＮ的对照组相比，差异非常显著（Ｐ＜０．０５～Ｐ＜０．００５），提示对启动和促进阶段均有抑制效果。对肝癌预防，尤其对暴露于肝炎病毒和化学致癌物的高危人群，有应用价值。

Combination of "low-dose" ribavirin and interferon alfa-2a therapy followed by interferon alfa-2a monotherapy in chronic HCV-infected nonresponders and relapsers after interferon alfa-2a monotherapy

AIM To report on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of interferon alfa-2a combined with a "low dose" of ribavirin for relapsers and non responders to alpha interferon monotherapy.METHODS Thirty-four chronic hepatitis C virus-infected non-responders to interferon alfa2a monotherapy (a course of at least 3 months treatment) and 13 relapsers to interferon alfa 2a monotherapy (a dose of 3 to 6 million units three times per week for at least 20 weeks but not more than 18 months) were treated with the same dose of interferon alfa-2a used before (3 to 6 million units three times per week) and ribavirin (10 mg/ kg daily) for 6 months. In complete responders, interferon alfa-2a was administered for further 6 months at the same dose used before as monotherapy.RESULTS Seven (20.6%) of 34 non-responders stopped the combined therapy due to adverse events, including two patients with histological and clinical Child A cirrhosis. In 17/27 (63%)non-responders, the combined therapy was stopped after three months because of non-response. Ten of the 27 non-responders completed the 1;2-month treatment course. At a mean follow up of 28 months (16- 37 months)after the treatment, 4/10 (15%) previous non-responders still remained complete responders,All 13 previous relapsers completed the 12-month treatment course. At a mean follow up of 22months (9 - 36 months) after treatment, 6/13(46%) the previous relapsers were stillsustained complete responders.CONCLUSION Our treatment schedule of the combined therapy for 6 months of interferon alfa2a with a low dose of ribavirin (10 mg/kg/day)followed by 6 months of interferon alfa-2amonotherapy is able to induce a sustainedcomplete response rate in 15% of non-responders and 46% of relapsers with chronic hepatitis C virus-related liver diseases comparable to those obtained with the standarddoses of ribavirin 1000 - 1200 mg/day.Randomized prospective controlled trials using lower total amounts of ribavirin in combination with interferon should be performed.

柴胡加龙骨牡蛎汤治疗冠心病并焦虑状态疗效的Meta分析

目的系统评价柴胡加龙骨牡蛎汤(CHJLGMLT)治疗冠心病并焦虑状态的临床疗效。方法全面检索PubMed、EMbase、中国知网、VIP、WANFANG等数据库中CHJLGMLT治疗冠心病并焦虑状态的临床随机对照试验(randomized controlled trial,RCT),时限为建库至2020年5月,经过筛查、质量评估(Cochrane评价)将纳入文献的数据提取整理,利用RevMan5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果最终纳入8篇文献。Meta分析结果显示:CHJLGMLT联合西药(冠心病基础用药及抗焦虑药)可有效改善患者的焦虑状态,降低焦虑量表评分[HAMA评分MD=-4.06,95%CI(-4.94,-3.18),P<0.00001;SAS评分MD=-5.45,95%CI(-6.47,-4.43),P<0.00001];CHJLGMLT联合西药组心绞痛疗效明显高于西药组[OR=5.16,95%CI(2.68,9.94),P<0.00001]、躯体活动受限明显改善(西雅图心绞痛评分量表)[MD=11.54,95%CI(8.15,14.93),P<0.00001]、中医症状积分明显降低[MD=-2.29,95%CI(-2.57,-2.01),P<0.00001]。结论CHJLGMLT联合西药较单纯西药可更有效改善冠心病患者的焦虑状态、心绞痛症状、躯体活动受限程度及中医症状。

Probiotic mixture VSL#3:An overview of basic and clinical studies in chronic diseases

Probiotics are known as“live microorganisms”and have been proven to have a health effect on hosts at the proper dose.Recently,a kind of probiotic mixture including eight live bacterial strains,VSL#3,has attracted considerable attention for its combined effect.VSL#3 is the only probiotic considered as a kind of medical food;it mainly participates in the regulation of the intestinal barrier function,including improving tight junction protein function,balancing intestinal microbial composition,regulating immune-related cytokine expression and so on.The objective of this review is to discuss the treatment action and mechanism for the administration of VSL#3 in chronic diseases of animals and humans(including children).We found that VSL#3 has a therapeutic or preventive effect in various systemic diseases per a large number of studies,including digestive systemic diseases(gastrointestinal diseases and hepatic diseases),obesity and diabetes,allergic diseases,nervous systemic diseases,atherosclerosis,bone diseases,and female reproductive systemic diseases.

Medicinal plants with hepatoprotective activity in Iranian folk medicine

There are a number of medicinal combinations in the Iranian traditional medicine which are commonly used as tonic for liver.In this review,we have introduced some medicinal plants that are used mainly for the treatment of liver disorders in Iranian folk medicine,with focus on their hepatoprotective effects particularly against CCI_4 agent.In this study,online databases including Web of Science.PubMed.Scopus,and Science Direct were searched for papers published from January 1970 to December 2013.Search terms consisted of medicinal plants,traditional medicine,folk medicine,hepatoprotective.Iran,liver,therapeutic uses,compounds,antioxidant.CCI_4.anti-inflammatory,and antihepatotoxic,hepatitis,alone or in combination.Allium hirtifolium Boiss..Apium graveolens L..Cynara scolyinus.Berberis vulgaris L..,Calendula officinalis,Nigella sativa L..Taraxacum officinale.Tragopogon porrifolius.Prangos ferulacea L..Allium sativum,Marribium vulgare,Ammi majus L..Citrullus lanatus Thunb.Agrimonia eupatoria L.and Primus armeniaca L.are some of the medicinal plants that have been used for the treatment of liver disorders in Iranian folk medicine.Out of several leads obtained from plants containing potential hepatoprotective agents,silymarin,P-sitosterol,betalain,neoandrographolide.phyllanthin.andrographolide.curcumin.picroside.hypophyllanlhin.kutkoside,and glycyrrhizin have been demonstrated to have potent hepatoprotective properties.Despite encouraging data on possibility of new discoveries in the near future,the evidence on treating viral hepatitis or other chronic liver diseases by herbal medications is not adequate.

Treatment of rotaviral gastroenteritis with Qiwei Baizhu powder

AIM To observe the effects of Qiwei Baizhu Powder ( QWBZP) on rotaviral gastroenteritis in children and in animal models.``METHODS Enrolled patients were divided into two groups, and one group was treated with oral rehydration solution(ORS) and the other treated with oral liquid of QWBZP. Neonate mice were orally infected with 50 μLrotavirus suspension (4 × l0s PFU/mL) and treated with ORS or oral liquid of QWBZP, respectively.``RESULTS Eighty-three cases of rotaviral gastroenteritis treated with QWBZP revealed a better efficacy than that treated with ORS (x2 - 10.8T, P<0.05). The contents of sodium and glucose as well as number of patients with positive human rotavirus antigen in stool in QWBZP group were all less than that in ORS group. In animal models,QWBZP was found effective in treating rotavirus gastroenteritis in neonate NIH mice, as compared with control groups. In QWBZP group, the mortality of infected mice was decreased by 73.3%, the body weight of infected mice was increased, the contents of sodium and glucose as well as number of mice with positive rotavirus antigen in feces were significantly reduced, and the pathological changes such as damage of small intestinal mucosa and villi were also obviously alleviated.``CONCLUSION QWBZP has effects on improving the absorptive function of small intestine, shortening the duration of diarrhea and rotavirus shedding from stool and alleviating the pathological changes of small intestine induced by rotavirus.