Efficacy and Safety of the Chinese Herbal Compound TJAOA101 in Treating Diminished Ovarian Reserve: A Protocol for Multicenter, Prospective, and Pre-Post Study

Objective Diminished ovarian reserve(DOR)can lead to early menopause,poor fecundity,and an increased risk of disorders such as osteoporosis,cardiovascular disease,and cognitive impairment,seriously affecting the physical and mental health of women.There is still no safe and effective strategy or method to combat DOR.We have developed a novel Chinese herbal formula,Tongji anti-ovarian aging 101(TJAOA101),to treat DOR.However,its safety and efficacy need to be further validated.Methods In this prospective and pre-post clinical trial,100 eligible patients aged 18–45 diagnosed with DOR will be recruited.All participants receive TJAOA101 twice a day for 3 months.Then,comparisons before and after treatment will be analyzed,and the outcomes,including anti-mullerian hormone(AMH)and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)levels and the antral follicle count(AFC),the recovery rate of menopause,and the Kupperman index(KMI),will be assessed at baseline,every month during medication(the intervention period),and 1,3 months after medication(the follow-up period).Assessments for adverse events will be performed during the intervention and follow-up periods.Conclusion A multicenter,prospective study will be conducted to further confirm the safety and efficacy of TJAOA101 in treating DOR and to provide new therapeutic strategies for improving the quality of life in DOR patients.

Topology and Semantic Information Fusion Classification Network Based on Hyperspectral Images of Chinese Herbs

Most methods for classifying hyperspectral data only consider the local spatial relation-ship among samples,ignoring the important non-local topological relationship.However,the non-local topological relationship is better at representing the structure of hyperspectral data.This paper proposes a deep learning model called Topology and semantic information fusion classification network(TSFnet)that incorporates a topology structure and semantic information transmis-sion network to accurately classify traditional Chinese medicine in hyperspectral images.TSFnet uses a convolutional neural network(CNN)to extract features and a graph convolution network(GCN)to capture potential topological relationships among different types of Chinese herbal medicines.The results show that TSFnet outperforms other state-of-the-art deep learning classification algorithms in two different scenarios of herbal medicine datasets.Additionally,the proposed TSFnet model is lightweight and can be easily deployed for mobile herbal medicine classification.

Cell-Based Biological Markers for Blood-Enriching Chinese Herbs: Erythropoietin Production in HepG2 Cells and Nitric Oxide Release in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs)

Chinese tonifying herbs, which are classified into four functional categories (namely, Yang, Qi, Yin, Blood) are commonly used for restoring normal body function and the prevention of diseases. To explore cell-based biological markers for Blood-enriching Chinese herbs, we investigate the effect of 11 commonly used Blood-enriching herbs on erythropoietin (EPO) production in HepG2 cells. Herbs for nourishing Yin were tested for determining the specificity of Blood-enriching herbs in inducing EPO production. In addition, the effects of Blood-enriching herbs on nitric oxide (NO) production in both HepG2 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were also investigated. The results indicated that methanolic extracts of Blood-enriching herbs (but not Yin-nourishing herbs) showed characteristic pharmacological activity in inducing EPO production in HepG2 cells and NO release in HUVECs. The experimental findings, therefore, support the use of cell-based EPO production and NO release as biological markers for Blood-enriching Chinese tonifying herbs.

DNA Molecular Identification of Botanical Origin in Chinese Herb Qingjiao

[Objective] The research aimed to distinguish Chinese herb Qingjiao from its botanical origin plants by comparing different DNA sequences,so as to provide a molecular basis for origin identification and quality evaluation.[Method] The cpDNA psbA-trnH and nrDNA ITS sequences of five Chinese herb Qingjiao plants,including Gentiana macrophylla pall.,Gentiana straminea Maxim.,Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk.,Gentiana dahurica Fisch and Gentiana officinalis H.Smith,were amplified with PCR,and then sequenced by direct PCR sequencing method for homologous analysis.[Results] The length of cpDNA psbA-trnH of five plants was 316-318 bp;there were seven different haplotypes and seven variable sites;the GC content of the sequence was 21.2%;the phylogenetic clustering showed the same result as haplotype analysis.The length of nrDNA ITS sequence of five plants was 624-625 bp,there were five different haplotypes and 13 variable sites;the GC content of the sequence was 59.3%.The result of phylogenetic clustering suggested that G.dahurica and G.straminea,G.macrophylla and G.officinalis clustered together as sister clades,respectively.[Conclusion] The nucleotide differences of nrDNA ITS regions could be used for distinguishing botanical origin in Chinese herb Qingjiao.

Test of Feeding Dairy Cows with Chinese Herbal Additive for Improving Production and Quality of Milk

At Baiyin dairy farm, the Chinese herbal additive was added into feed which was then fed to dairy cows from August to October, 2014, and the changes in milk production and quality were observed. The test showed that the additive added into the feed had obvious milk-increasing effect, the milk production was im- proved by 12.67%-17.26%, and the milk quality was improved. The additive has the effects of preventing miscarriage, expelling parasite and preventing diseases. The nutritional components in the feed additive were determined, and the results showed that the contents of protein, crude fat, Ca and P in the additive were 12.29%, 2.66%, 1.8% and 0.22%, respectively.

Sensitivities of Vibrio vulnificus to Chinese Herbs and Effect of Medicinal Bath on Vibrio vulnificus

Vibrio vulnificus can cause rotten-skin disease in marine fish aquaculture, resulting in a large number of deaths. The occurrence of rotten-skin disease is becoming severer and severer, leading to serious economic losses. In this study, the sensitivities of V. vulnificus to the 18 kinds of herbs, such as stone calamus and Chinese rhubarb, were determined using the agar diffusion method （susceptibility paper）. The results showed that Chinese gall, dark plum, sea buckthorn and eucalyptus leaves have bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects, while sappan wood, Chi- nese rhubarb, pomegranate bark, mentha and clove have strong bacteriostatic ef- fects. The Chinese medicinal herb bath showed good control effect on V. vulnificus.

Effects of Chinese Herb Extract on Performance of Local Chicken

[ Objective] The paper presents the effects of Chinese herbal extract on the performance of local chickens for its application in animal production. [Method] The herbal extract Ⅰ and Ⅱ were added to the basal diet of 10 day-old chickens at the ratio of 0.6%, respectively. Then the chickens was fasted and respectively weighed at 0, 17, 24 and 31 days old. And the feed consumption and mortality of each group were recorded to determine average weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio. Economic benefit was also analyzed. [ Result] There was no significant difference in average daily gain between the test groups and the control group as well as between the two test groups （P〉0.05） ; there was signifi- cant difference in feed conversion ratio between the test groups and the control group （ P 〈0.05）, but no significant difference between the two test groups （ P 〉 0.05） ; the survival rate and the economic benefits of the test groups were significantly higher than that of control （ P 〈 0.05）. [ Conclusion ] Chinese herbal extract Ⅰ and Ⅱ should improve chicken average daily gain, feed conversion ratio and survival rate, promote growth, and signifi- cantly improve economic benefit.

Effects of Integrated Chinese Herbs and Western Medicine on Swine Toxoplasmosis

[ Objective] To evaluate the efficacy of integrated Chinese herbs and western medicine on the treatment of swine toxoplasmosis, in order to increase cure rate and lower recurrence rate. [ Method] Pigs artificially infected by Toxoplasma gondii were treated with compound suffonamide and a self-designed Chinese herbs formula, and the quantities of toxoplasma in ascites were determined. Animal regression experiment was per- formed after mice were inoculated with pathological samples of the pigs infected with toxoplasma. After treatment with integrated Chinese herbs and western medicine, the clinical manifestations of pigs were observed and the level of circulating antigen （CAg） in sera was detected. Curative effect indexes of integrated Chinese herbs and western medicine-treated group were compared with that of Chinese herbs-treated group, western medi- cine-treated group and positive control group. [ Result] All the toxoplasma trophozoites were killed by integrated and westem medicine. Regression expedment results showed that toxoplasma appeared only in one mouse that was inoculated with brain of pig. The treated pigs had nonsignificant clinical symptoms; the peak of serum CAg was lower than that of the positive control group and CAg turned negative faster than that of Chinese herbs-treated group, westem medicine-treated group, and positive control group. [ Conclusion] The integrated Chinese herbs and western medicine has good effect on the treatment of swine toxoplasmosis.

ON THE DIFFERENCES OF THE NATURES OF AUPOINTS AND CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES

The acupoints and Chinese herbal medicines are quite different in their natures. In the present paper, the authors expound the differences of the natures between the acupoints and Chinese herbal medicines from a） substance carriers, b） the underlying mechanism in actions, and c） individual characteristics, etc..

Research on Anti-bacterial Effects of 5 Kinds of Chinese Herb Extracts on Ameromonas hydrophila in vitro

[Objective] The aim was to study the anti-bacterial effects of 5 kinds of Chinese herb extracts on Ameromonas hydrophila in vitro. [Method] in vitro anti-bacterial effects of 5 kinds of Chinese herb extracts like Galla Chinensis,Syzygium aromaticum,Salvia miltiorrhiza,Punica granatum L. and Terminalia chebula Retz on Ameromonas hydrophila were studied; furthermore,cure rates of the Chinese herb extracts with better anti-bacterial effects were determined to find out the optimal drug dosage. [Result] Under the same experimental conditions,Galla Chinensis,Punica granatum and Terminalia chebula Retz had relatively strong anti-bacterial effects on Ameromonas hydrophila,among them the anti-bacterial effect of Galla Chinensis was significantly higher than those of the others （P0.05）. The optimal treatment dose of Galla Chinensis treating bacterial septicemia caused by Aeromonas hydrophila was that they were treated with medicated bath for 40 min by 0.5 mg/ml Galla Chinensis extract,and the cure rate was 100%. [Conclusion] The research provides a scientific drug basis for the control and prevention of outbreak bacterial diseases of fish.

Utilization of Chinese Herbal Feed Additives in Animal Production

The experimental knowledge on efficacy,possible modes of action and aspects of application of Chinese herbs as feed additives for animal production are reviewed in this article.Chinese herbs commonly contain protein,carbohydrate,fat,vitamins,andmineral which are necessary nutrients to the growth of animal.Polysaccharide,organic acid,alkaloids,and essential oils involved in Chinese herbs can improve the immune function of livestock.Currently,numerous studies have demonstrated anti-oxidative and anti-microbial efficacy and the assumption that Chinese herbs may improve the flavor of meat,which has been confirmed by some observations,but the mode of this action is still unclear.Moreover,several observations support the hypothesis that herbal feed additives may favorably affect gut functions （e.g.,enzyme activity,microbial eubiosis） in vitro.Such effects may explain a considerable number of practical studies with livestock reporting improved production performance after providing herbal feed additives.In summary,available evidence indicates that herbal feed additives may have the potential to add to the set of non-antibiotic growth promoters for use in livestock,such as organic acids and probiotics.However,a systematic approach toward the efficacy,mode of action and safety of herbal compounds used as feed additives for animal production seems to be required in the future.

Effects of Chinese herbs on salivary fluid secretion by isolated and perfused rat submandibular glands

AIM： TO determine whether Chinese herbs （CHs） relieve xerostomia （dry mouth） by increasing salivary secretion. METHODS： The submandibular glands of Wistar rats were surgically isolated and perfused arterially with buffered salt solution. After control perfusion, recording started 5 min prior to the start of stimulation. After fluid secretion was induced by 0.2 μmol/L carbamylcholine （CCh） in the perfusate for 10 min, Chinese herb （CH） was added in the perfusion for 5 min. CCh was then overloaded at 0.2 μmol/L in the perfusion for 20 min. The volume of salivary fluid secretion was recorded by a computer-controlled balance system. RESULTS： Saliva secretion formed an initial ephemeral peak at 30 s followed by a gradual increase to a sustained level. CH alone induced no or little saliva in all types of CH selected. During perfusion with CH,overloading of CCh promoted fluid secretion in 1S of 20 CHs. This promotion was classified into four patterns, which were eventually related to the categories of CH： Overall sustained phase was continuously raised （Yin-nourishing, fluid production-promoting and heatclearing agents）; The sustained secretion rose to reach a maximum then decreased （Qi-enhancing agent）; Sustained secretion rose to reach the highest maximum and was then sustained with a slight decline （swelling-reducing, phlegm-resolving and pus-expelling agents）; Stimulation of salivary secretion without any added stimulants. Addition of CCh raised the fluid secretion to reach the highest maximum then sharply decreased to a lower sustained level （blood activating agent）. CONCLUSION： The present findings lead to the conclusion that various CHs have different promotional effects directly on the salivary gland.

EXPERIMENT STUDIES OF ANTITUMOR PROLIFERATION AND METASTASIS OF A NEW CHINESE HERB AT-1

Objective: To study the effects of a new Chinese herb AT-1 on the tumor cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro. Methods: Tumor cell proliferation activity was tested by MTT. The ability of tumor cell invasion and migration was assayed by counting the number of tumor cells going throw matrigel. The expression changes of CD44 genes in PG cells treated with AT-1 were tested by FACS. Results: Compared with the control, the proliferation activity of the cells treated with the At-1 was restrained. The invasion and migration ability of PG cells and the expression of the cell adherence related gene CD44 was decreased treatment with AT-1. Conclusion: AT-1 is a new antitumor proliferation and metastasis agent. Its antitumor metastasis effect might be achieved by decreasing the expression of the cell adherence-associate gene CD44.

Long-Term Chinese Herbs Decoction Administration for Management of Hot Flashes Associated with Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients

Objective：To evaluate the effect of Chinese herbs decoction Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue on endocrine therapy-associated hot flashes symptom in breast cancer patients.Methods：Sixty-six patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy were categorized to two groups,the control group received endocrine therapy alone,the other group is administered with Chinese herbs decoction Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue besides the endocrine therapy：Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction was administered above 6 months per year for more than 2 years.Frequency of hot flashes per day was recorded,and the effect of Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction on hot flashes symptom being assessed with Kupperman Scoring Index.Results：Sixty cases were analyzed,32 cases in endocrine therapy combining Chinese herbs decoction group,28 cases in mere endocrine therapy group.For hot flashes symptom,in Chinese herbs decoction administration group,7 cases（21.9%） reported symptom disappeared,22 cases（68.7%） reported symptom alleviated,3 cases（9.4%） reported symptom not changed;in endocrine therapy alone group,5 cases（17.9%） reported symptom disappeared,13 cases（46.4%） reported symptom alleviated,10 cases（10/28,35.7%） reported symptom not changed.The difference between two groups was statistically significant（P=0.013）.For sleeping disorder,in Chinese herbs decoction administration group,27 cases（84.4%） reported symptom improved,5 cases（15.6%） reported no change;in endocrine therapy alone group,16 cases（57.1%） symptom improved,12 cases（42.9%） reported no change in sleeping disorder（P=0.019）,the difference was also of significance statistically.Conclusion：Long-term Chinese herbs decoction administration remarkably improved hot flashes symptom and sleeping disorder associated with endocrine therapy,meanwhile without definite toxicity and influence on the risk of recurrence of tumor.

Effects of Chinese herbs on lactation of rat and performance of offspring

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of different Chinese herbs on lactation in the rat. Seventy-two Sprague Dawley female rats at gestation day 18 were assigned to 9 groups randomly, with 8 rats each. Control rats were offered basal diets until the end of the weaning period. Rats in the other 8 groups were administered diets supplemented with 1% Medulla tetmpanacis （MT）, Astragalus membranacens （AM）, Vaccaria segetalis （VS）, Leonurus heterophyllus sweet （LHS）, Radix rehmarmiae preparata （RRP）, Squama man/t/s （SM）, Schisandra chinensis （SC）, Ligustrum lucidum （LL）, respectively. After parturition, the litter size was culled to 8 pups per dam. Pup weight and milk yield were significantly higher in the VS, LHS, AM and SM groups than these in the control group during middle and late lactation （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. The weight and feed intake were not different in the dams fed either diet.

Microdilution inhibition test of Chinese herbs to assess their effect against clinical strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum in vitro

Objective：To explore the antibacterial effect of Chinese crude drugs against clinical strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum（UU）, including eight pure herbs and three compound herbs, and determine their minimal inhibitory concentrations（MICs）. Methods：Isolates were collected from clinical patients with UU infection, and cultured in UU broth. In order to test the different effects on clinical strains of UU, the assays were performed by microdilution inhibition tests, and MICs of the herbs against the clinical strains of UU were calculated. Results：The MICs of eight pure herbs against clinical strains of UU were as follows： Galla Chinensis：0.313-1.25 g/L; Fructus Forsythiae： 1.25-5.00 g/L; Cortex Phellodendri： 1.25-5.00 g/L; Radix Paeoniae Rubra： 1.25-2.50 g/L; Semen Plantaginis：2.50-10.00 g/L; Herba Lysimachiae： 5.00-20.00 g/L; Rhizoma Coptidis： 5.00-20.00g/L, Herba Houttuyniae： 10.00-20.00 g/L. The MICs of compound herbs were： Liuheji： 0.625-2.50 g/L; Bazhengsan： 5.00-20.00 g/L; Wulinsan：2.50-20.0 g/L.Conclusion：Galla Chinensis, Fructus Forsythiae, Cortex Phellodendrim, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, and Semen Plantaginis, exerted the stronger antibacterial effect against clinical strains of UU, whereas Herba Lysimachiae, Rhizoma Coptidis and Herba Houttuyniae, had relatively weaker activity against UU. Compound herbs, Bazhengsan and Wulinsan, and particularly Liuheji, also had antibacterial effects against UU. Further studies of the effects and mechanisms of action of Chinese crude drugs against UU infections are worthwhile.

A Review of Chinese Herb Medicine Additives on Chicken Growth Performance

Researches showed that many Chinese herb medicines can improve chicken growth performance not only by their pharmacological function, but also by the improvement of antioxidant function, immunity and disease resistance of chicken. The menace to human health and environment has occurred since too much antibiotics have been used as growth-promoting additives in long term in chicken industry. Therefore, research on replacement of antibiotics by Chinese herb medicines as additives for chicken growth is underway. This paper summarized some research results in the topic briefly to provide information for researchers and readers.

Preliminary Study of 12 Chinese Herbs as Feed Attractants on Turbot Juvenile(Scophthalmus maximus)

[Objective] The paper aims to study the attractive effects of 12 Chinese medicinal herbs on Scophthalmus maximus juvenile.[Method] We took 200 Scophthalmus maximus with the average body length of 3 cm,average weight of 1 g and 60 days of age as the research object,and 12 Chinese medicinal herbs as feed attractants were selected,including Cloves,Cinnamon,Star anise,Kaempferol,Mint,Coptis,Phellodendron,skullcap,Gardenia,Sophora flavescens,Mume,Myrobalan meat were selected.The amount added to the basic diet was 2‰..The times of turbot juveniles going into each inducing room and the times of turbot juveniles biting the feed ball were recorded by maze experiments.Inducing effects of the Chinese herbal medicines were analyzed.[Result] The results showed that the attractant effect of Mume,Gardenia,Scutellaria and kaempferol had the significantly inducing effect on Scophthalmus maximus juvenile.And 2‰ Gardenia,5‰ Matrine,5‰ Scutellaria and 2‰ Kaempferol have the best attractant effects.In compound experients,the attractive effect of mixture of 2‰ matrine and gardenia on Scophthalmus maximus was the best.[Conclusion] The attractive effect on Scophthalmus maximus has something to do with the kind and concentration of Chinese medicinal herbs.

CLINICAL APPLICATION OF CHINESE HERBS REMEDIES AS IMMUNOMODULATORS IN THE TREATMENT OF CANCER

IMMUNITY AND TUMOR Immune system has closely relation to the growth and development of tumor. One of its immune functions is to constantly recognize and kill malignant cells which develop from normal cells. The occurance of tumor indicates to some extent the failure of this "immune serveillance" function. Many studies have shown that the tumor cells of body have some tumor interrelative antigen that dose not exist in normal tissues. Tests in vitro

Chinese Herbs for Pharyngitis Including COVID-19-Related Sore Throat

Sore throatis one of the most prominentclinical manifestations seen among mild cases of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)modalities,especially Chinese herbs,have accumulated rich experience in successfully treating sore throats in both acute and chronic pharyngitis.By sharing a real-world case study of three patients suffering pharyngeal discomfort including sore throat that might be related to the new coronavirus infection and have similar manifestations to general viral-induced pharyngitis,the article systematically presents and summarizes key Chinese herbsfor acute and chronic pharyngitis based on TCM herbal prescriptions(principles of herbal formula writing)below:clearing heat and removing toxins,nourishing yin and the throat,loosening the stools and soothing the throat,along withTCM syndrome differentiation ordisease differentiation andtreatment.Moreover,a modern interpretation of these principles in terms of the relationship between Shanghuo and Fire Rising,which may often be characterized by local redness,swelling,fever,and pain in the mouth or throat along with possible inflammation,and the correspondence between the pharynx and the anus are proposed.Finally,the article will share their experience in applying specific herbs locally via various pharyngeal deliverymodalities to improve efficacy including recommended prescriptions fora variety of acute and chronic pharyngitis,as well as those that may be caused by the new coronavirus infection.