Clinical Observation of the Hot and Humid Compress Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Type of Lumbar Disc Herniation

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.

Clinical and experimental study of effect of Raondix Salviae Militiorrhiza and other blood activating and stasis eliminating Chinese herbs on hemodynamics of portal hypertension

AIM To study the effects of Radix Salviae Militiorrhiza (RSM), other blood-activating and stasis-eliminating Chinese herbs on hemodynamics of portal hypertension.METHODS Portal pressure of cirrhotic dogs after chronic common bile duct ligation was measured directly; portal blood flow in patients with liver cirrhosis were detected by ultrasound Doppler.RESULTS After administration of RSM and Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RAS) by intravenous infusion in cirrhosis dogs, the portal venous pressure (Ppv), wedge hepatic venous pressure (WHVP), hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), were significantly decreased (P＜0.05-0.01), but the mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the heart rate (HR) remained unchanged. When nifedipine was used, Ppv, WHVP, MAP and HR were significantly decreased (P＜0.05), and the MVPG unchanged (P＞0.05). After administration of RSM, RSM+nifedipine and RSM+Hirudin+Nifedpin for 10-12 weeks, the diameter of portal vein (Dpv), spleen vein (Dsv), the portal venous flow (Qpv) and splenic venous flow (Qsv) in patients with hepatic cirrhosis were significantly lowered (P＜0.05-0.01), and the effect of RAS was weaker.CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of decreasing Ppv by Chinese herbs-RSM, RAS, etc. as compared with nifedipine, demonstrated that the Chinese herbs were slower in action than that of nifedipine, but more long-lasting and without side effects. Hence, long-term administration of Chinese herbs, would be more beneficial.

Clinical Observation on Influence of Chinese Medicines for Promoting Blood Circulation to Remove Blood Stasis on FIB and DD in Plasma of Patients with Cerebral Thrombosis

to study the influence of Chinese medicines for promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis on fibrinogen(FIB)and D-dimer(DD)in plasma of patients with cerebral thrombosis. Method:73 inpatients with acute cerebral thrombosis were randomly divided into a control group of 34 cases and a treatment group of 39 cases.The content of FIB and DD in plasma was detected before treatment and on the 7th and 14th days after treatment.Result:FIB content in plasma after treatment was lower than that before treatment in the control group(P<0.01)and more remarkable in the treatment group(P<0.001).There was an obvious difference in DD content before and after treatment in both groups.DD content on the 7th and 14th days after treatment in the treatment group was obviously higher than that in the control group(P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively). Conclusion:Chinese medicines for promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis can reduce the FIB content in plasma of patients with cerebral thrombosis,raise the DD content in plasma, cause the peak of DD content appear earlier and obviously improve hypercoagulability of blood in patients with cerebral thrombosis.

Novel technologies and models for studying pharmacological activities of traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis

OBJECTIVE Our previous studies demonstrated that various ingredients from the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis,as exemplified by cryptotanshinone and salvianolic acid B,exerted striking effects on modulating angiogenesis and vascular permeability,which suggests that they may be effective in treating vascular leak-driven diseases(e.g.tumor,cerebral cavernous malformation and diabetic retinopathy).However,the lack of reliable and advanced technologies and models sets up difficult hurdles for better understanding the role of TCM for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.To this end,this study is to outline numerous cutting-edge platforms that can be utilized for exploring the function of TCM for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis in vascular leak-driven diseases.METHODS Two-photon laser scanning fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the interactions between neutrophils and blood vessels in a real-time manner.Dynamic flow system was employed to mimic the in vivo behaviors of neutrophils.RIP1-Tag5 spontaneous pancreatic cancer model was used to study the function of tumor blood vessels.CCM2ECKO(deletion of CCM2 in endothelial cells)mice were employed to establish the cerebral cavernous malformation(CCM)animal model.Micro-computed tomography(micro-CT)was utilized to assess the CCM lesion.Müller cell-knockout mouse model was used to study the progression of diabetic retinopathy.Vascular permeability in this model was assessed by fluorescein angiography.RESULTS The interactions between neutrophils and endothelial cells involve a series of complicated processes,including rolling,adhesion,intraluminal crawling and transmigration,which were all monitored in vivo by two-photon laser scanning fluorescence microscopy in a real-time manner.Dynamic flow system was capable of recapitulating the biological behaviors of neutrophils in vitro.Tumor vascular function in particular vascular perfusion could be assessed in the RIP1-Tag5 spontaneous pancreatic cancer model.In terms of CCM studies,specific deletion of CCM2 in endothelial cells resulted in the initiation of CCM lesion.The size and number of CCM lesions could be visualized and quantified by micro-CT.Furthermore,the Müller cell-knockout mouse model was able to precisely reflect the clinical symptoms of diabetic retinopathy.Vascular leak could be monitored at different time points using fluorescein angiography.CONCLUSION An array of high technologies and animal models can be used in investigating the occurrence and progression of multiple vascular leak-driven diseases.The pre-clinical and clinical studies of TCM for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis provide fundamental support for the application of the above-mentioned platforms,with the purpose of uncovering the scientific basis of TCM for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.

Traditional Chinese medicine for activating blood circulation and detoxifying in unstable angina pectoris:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine for activating blood circulation and detoxifying(ABCD)in patients with unstable angina pectoris.Methods:We performed an electronic literature search of six medical databases for relevant articles published up to December 2014.Randomized controlled trials that compared ABCD Chinese medicine(alone or alongside conventional drugs)with conventional drugs or other Chinese medicines alone were included.A meta-analysis was performed for the following outcome measures:reduction of angina symptoms,electrocardiogram improvement,blood lipid levels,inflammatory factor levels,and plasma fibrinogen levels.Results:In total,11 moderate-to low-quality studies involving 686 patients were included.The evidence indicated that ABCD Chinese medicine exhibited superior effectiveness in relieving angina symptoms compared with conventional drugs[relative risk,1.23;95%confidence interval,1.05e1.44];however,electrocardiogram improvement was not very significant(relative risk,1.21;95%confidence interval,0.91e1.62).Moreover,ABCD Chinese medicine exhibited superior anti-inflammatory,anticoagulant,and lipid-lowering effects compared with other medicines.Conclusions:Within the methodological limitations of the included studies,our results suggest that ABCD Chinese medicine is beneficial for the treatment of unstable angina pectoris.

A summary of research on benefiting Qi and activating blood to regulate mitophagy to prevent and treat ischemic heart disease

Ischemic heart disease has the characteristics of high morbidity and high mortality, which seriously endangers people's health. Mitophagy can selectively remove damaged organelles, and has a role in maintaining the homeostasis of myocardial cells and protecting ischemic myocardium. Significance. More and more studies have found that traditional Chinese medicine can improve ischemic damage of cardiomyocytes by regulating mitochondrial function and autophagy. Using mitochondria as the target of traditional Chinese medicine in cardiomyocytes to explore the treatment of ischemic Effective measures for heart disease have become a hotspot for related Chinese medicine workers. Based on the above background, this article outlines the main regulatory pathways of mitochondrial autophagy, and reviews related researches on traditional Chinese medicine of benefiting qi and activating blood and mitophagy in this field.

Efficacy and safety of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis of Traditional Chinese Medicine for managing renal fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease:a systematic review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) for managing renal fibrosis(RF) in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).METHODS:We searched randomized controlled trials(RCTs) from eight databases.RESULTS:Sixteen eligible studies with 1,356 participants were included in this study.Compared to treatment with Western Medicine(WM) alone,the combined treatment with activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis in terms of TCM(ARTCM) and WM to manage RF in patients with CKD significantly ameliorated type Ⅳ collagen(C-Ⅳ)(SMD:-2.17,95% CI:3.01 to-1.34),type Ⅲ procollagen(PC-Ⅲ)(SMD:-1.08,95% CI:-1.64 to-0.53),laminin(LN)(SMD:-1.28,95% CI:-1.65 to-0.90),transforming growth factor β 1(TGF-β1)(SMD:-0.65,95% CI:-1.18 to-0.12),serum creatinine(Scr)(SMD:-1.36,95% CI:-1.85 to-0.87),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)(MD:-1.51,95% CI:-2.59 to-0.43),and 24 h urine protein(24h Upro)(SMD:-1.23;95% CI:-1.96 to-0.50).The level of hyaluronic acid(HA) was similar in both types of treatment(SMD:-0.74,95% CI:-1.91 to 0.44).The subgroup analysis showed that the duration of 8 weeks might affect the concentration of C-Ⅳ,PC-Ⅲ,and LN(P < 0.05).The effectiveness of the longer duration to C-Ⅳ,PC-Ⅲ,and LN was not certain.However,the result should be interpreted in care.The safety of the treatment using ARTCM and WM could not be evaluated because a few studies had reported adverse effects.The results of the Meta-analysis were not stable enough.There was publication bias for the reports on Scr(P = 0.001),C-Ⅳ(P = 0.001),PC-Ⅲ(P = 0.026),and LN(P = 0.030) and no publication bias for the reports on BUN(P = 0.293).The quality of evidence varied from low to very low.CONCLUSIONS:The combined treatment using ARTCM and WM to manage RF in patients with CKD has some advantages over treatment with WM alone.High-quality RCTs need to be conducted for the strong support.

Meta-analysis about Western Medicine combined with activating blood drugs on modulating blood glucose and lipids in diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE： To assess the effect of activating blood drugs （AB drugs） on blood glucose and lipid levels of diabetic patients METHODS： Systematic searches were conducted on 6 electronic databases and the search time was cut off in May 2016. Randomized controlled trials （RCTs） were included if they investigated diabetic patients who received Western medicine combined withAB drugs in the experimental groups and solitary usage of corresponding Western medicine or placebo in the control groups. 6 outcome measures, which were considered as inclusion, were changes in fasting blood glucose （FBG）, glycosylated haemoglobin A1 c （HbA 1 c）, total triglyceride （TG）, total cholesterol （TC）, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-c） and high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-c）. The literature quality was assessed by Cochrane score for risk of bias in Review Manager 5.2, as well as meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS： 7 RCTs comprising 999 patients met all inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed beneficial effects of Western medicine combined with AB drugs on modulating FBG, TC, LDL-c and HDL-c compared with Western medicine or placebo （P〈0.05）, while no difference was observed in HbAlc, and TG （P〉0.05）. To some extent, the therapeutic effects of Western medicine combined with AB drugs were better than that of solitary usage of Western medicine or placebo. Besides, AB drugs were safe and reliable with little toxic and side-effects. CONCLUSIONS： The meta-analysis suggests beneficial effects of Western medicine combined with AB drugs on modulating blood glucose and lipids in diabetic patients.

Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine combined with Western Medicine on blood lipid levels and inflammatory factors in patients with angina pectoris in coronary heart disease identified as intermingled phlegm and blood stasis syndrome:a network Meta-anal

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine prescriptions for resolving phlegm in the treatment of angina pectoris of phlegmstasis coronary heart disease by a network Meta-analysis.METHODS:Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)on clinical efficacy of CHD angina pectoris with interaction of phlegm and blood stasis were searched in PubMed,Springer,the Cochrane Library and Chinese-language databases China National Knowledge Infrastructure,China Science and Technology Journal Database,and Wanfang Data from their inception to December 2021.Literature was screened and literature bias risk was assessed by RevMan5.4 software.The overall response rate,the duration of angina attack,the levels of serum lipids such as total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and expression of hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)were selected as outcome indicators for network Meta-analysis and mapped using Stata15.1 software.RESULTS:Totally,26 RCTs were included,involving 2098 participants.There were 6 TCM formulas with the effects of dispelling phlegm and removing blood stasis.Taking conventional Western Medicine as the common intervention measures,the results showed that the overall response improvement rate from high to low was displayed as modified Xiaoxianxiong decoction(小陷胸汤,MXD),Danlou tablet(丹蒌片,DT),modified Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction(瓜蒌薤白半夏汤,MGXBD),modified Wendan decoction(温胆汤,MWD),modified Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi decoction(枳实薤白桂枝汤,MZXGD),and modified Erchen decoction(二陈汤,MED).The sequence of angina attack duration improvement from high to low was MZXGD,MGXBD,DT,MWD,MXD.The sequence of TC improvement from high to low was MZXGD,MED,DT,and MGXBD.Sequence of improving TG from high to low was MED,MZXGD,MGXBD,and DT.For LDL-C improvement,the effect from good to poor was MZXGD,MGXBD,DT,and MED.With regard to HDL-C improvement,the effect was ranked as MED,MZXGD,MGXBD,and DT from good to poor.hs-CRP expression from high to low was MZXGD,MXD,MED,MWD,and MGXBD.CONCLUSION:TCM formula with the effects of dispelling phlegm and removing blood stasis combined with conventional Western Medicine has obvious advantages in treating CHD angina pectoris with interaction of phlegm and blood stasis.MZXGD has great potential in increasing the overall response rate,reducing Duration of angina attack improving blood lipids,and reducing inflammatory factors.However,due to the limitations of extant studies,the conclusions of this study need to be confirmed by numerous reasonably-designed RCTs.

Pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese syndrome and recipe:a hypothesis and its verification(Ⅰ)

AIM To propose a hypothesis defining theabsorption,distribution,metabolism andelimination of traditional Chinese recipe（TCR）-component in blood of healthy subjects andpatients,and estimate its correctness.METHODS The pharmacokinetics（PK）of samedose of drug was studied in the animal model oftraditional Chinese syndrome（S）and healthyanimals.The classification,terminology,concept and significance of the hypothesis wereset forth with evidence provided in the presentstudy.The hypotheses consisted of traditionalChinese syndrome PK（S-PK）and traditionalChinese recipe PK（R-PK）.Firstly,the observedtetramethylpyrazine（TMP）PK in healthy,chronically reserpinized rats（rat model ofspleen deficiency syndrome,RMSDS）andRMSDS treated with Sijunzi decoction（SJZD）forconfirmation were used to verify S-PK; secondly,the ferulic acid（FA）PK in healthy andhigh molecular weight dextran（HMWD）-inducedrabbit model with blood stasis syndrome（RDBSS）was also used to verify S-PK;andlastly,TMP PK parameters in serum of healthyrats after orally taken Ligusticum wallichii（LW）,LW and Salvia miltiorrhiza（LW&SM）decoctions were compared to verify R-PK.RESULTS The apparent first-order absorption[Ka,（13.61±2.56）h-1,area under the blooddrug concentration-time curve[AUC,（24.88±9.76）μg.h-1mL-1],maximum drug concentration[Cmax,（4.82±1.23）μg·mL-1]of serum TMP inRMSDS were increased markedly（P【0.05）compared with those[Ka=（5.41±1.91）h-1,AUC=（5.20±2.57）μg·h-1·mL-1,Cmax=（2.33±1.77）μg·mL-1]of healthy rats（HR）.Theapparent first-order rate constant for α and βdistribution phase[α=（0.38±0.09）h-1,β=（0.06±0.03）h-1,the apparent first-orderintercompartmental transfer rate constants[K10=（0.24±0.07）h-1,K12=（0.11±0.02）h-1,K21=（0.11±0.02）h-1]of serum TMP in RMSDS weredecreased significantly（P【0.01）comparedwith those[K10=（0.88±0.20）h-1,K12=（1.45±0.47）h-1,K21=（0.72±0.22）h-1]of HR.However,no apparent differences occurredbetween HR and RMSDS treated with SJZD.Theserum FA concentration and its AUC[（5.6690±2.3541）μg·h-1·mL-1] in RMBSS were also higherthan those[AUC=（2.7566±0.8232）μg·h-1·mL-1]of healthy rabbits（P【0.05）.The Ka（11.51±2.82）h-1,AUC（0.84±0.17）μg·h-1·mL-1of LW & SM-derived TMP in serum weremuch lower（P【0.05）than those[Ka=（19.58±4.14）h-1,AUC=（1.27±0.26）μg·h-1·mL-1]ofLW-derived TMP in serum after oral decoctions.CONCLUSION The SDS and blood stasissyndrome state could affect significantly thepharmacokinetic parameters of drugs and theabnormal SDS pharmacokinetic parameters couldbe normalized by SJZD.The combination ofChinese medicine in TCR could reciprocallyaffect the pharmacokinetic parameters of othercomponents absorbed into the systemiccirculation.These results support the S-and R-PK hypothesis.

Evaluation of Chinese medicine on heart failure based on NMR metabolomics

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese herbs on heart failure(HF)using nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)metabolomics.Methods:Plasma metabolomics was conducted on both patients with HF and healthy controls.The partial least squares model was applied to determine potential metabolic markers and related metabolic pathways of the disease.HF patients with the traditional Chinese syndrome pattern of qi deficiency and blood stasis were divided into two groups,and treated,respectively,with conventional medicine and a combination of conventional and Chinese herbs,aimed at tonifying qi and activating blood.Healthy participants served as a control group for comparison.Results and conclusion:Both conventional and herbal treatments appear to regulate disorders of amino acid and glucose metabolism.Combined treatment appears to be more comprehensive,indicating that herbal and conventional medicines exert their effects through different mechanisms in treating HF.It can be further inferred that herbs that tonify qi and activate blood may regulate different essential metabolites.

Analysis on the rules of prescriptions for ischemic stroke based on the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance auxiliary system

In China,traditional Chinese medicine is widely used in the treatment of ischemic stroke,but its prescription rules needs to be further studied.This paper uses the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance auxiliary system(a software)to analyze the composition rules of a large number of prescriptions for the treatment of ischemic stroke,and discusses the clinical rationality of the new prescriptions.We found that the prescriptions for the treatment of ischemic stroke are mainly composed by herbs for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis,dredging collaterals and tonifying deficiency,and some of the new prescriptions are also in line with this characteristic.This paper can provide reference for clinical prescription in the treatment of ischemic stroke and the development of related new drugs.

Study on the Protective Effects of Compound Blood-activating Soup on Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Cells in Acute Radiation Injured Mice

After irradiation with 8 Gy 60Coγ-ray,mice were immediaterly given intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg 100 % compound blood-activating soup twice a day. On the 3rd and 7th day, the P53 gene expression of bone marrow hematopoietic cells in Chinese drug group was found to be higher than that in normal group, and it was also significantly higher than that in control group. The expression level of GADD153 gene which was not expressed in normal group was much lower in Chinese drug group than that in control group. On the 7th day after irradiation, the P53 and GADD153 gene expression levels of splenic mononuclear cells were consistent with those of bone marrow hematopoietic cells both in Chinese drug group and control group. On the 3rd and 7th day, the bone marrow hematopoietic tissue volume in Chinese drug group was higher than that in control group, with no difference found between the two groups. While on the 14th day, the difference became significant (P＜0. 01). The results showed that commonly used blood-activating and stasis-eliminating drugs may strengthen .the viability of hematopoietic cells and promote the rehabilitation of hematopoiesis by inducing wt-P53 expression to block the bone marrow hematopoietic cells in G1 phase, during which DNA could be repaired.

Intra-set correlation analysis of medical records of thyroid cancer treated by traditional Chinese medicine Master ZHOU Zhongying

Objective Based on intra-set correlation analysis, this paper deconstructs the clinical medical records of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) Master ZHOU Zhongying in treating thyroid cancer, and analyzes the experience in “mechanism-syndrome-medicine-prescription” for thyroid cancer.Methods Through Medcase data processing platform, based on Frequent Pattern(FP)-Growth enhanced correlation analysis algorithm, the medical records of Professor ZHOU Zhongying for the treatment of thyroid cancer from June 1, 2001 to February 28, 2015 were analyzed within the set.Results This study involved 43 medical records, 43 patients, and 167 visits. After processing intra-set correlations, 28 groups of highly correlated symptoms, 21 groups of highly correlated tongue images, 10 groups of highly correlated pulse conditions, 28 groups of highly correlated pathogenesis, 34 groups of highly correlated herbs, and 26 groups of highly correlated western medicine diagnosis were selected. Professor ZHOU Zhongying treats thyroid cancer according to syndrome differentiation. Symptoms with more association rules included neck swelling, neck pain, cough, and dry mouth;tongue images with more association rules included dark purple tongue, dark red tongue, and fissured tongue;pulse conditions with more association rules were wiry pulse, thready pulse, small pulse, and slippery pulse;the pathogenesis with more association rules was phlegm and blood stasis, damp-heat accumulation,and impairment of both Qi and Yin;herbs with more association rules were Chaihu(Bupleuri Radix), Zeqi(Sun Euphoribiae Herb), and Tiandong(Asparagi Radix);western medicine diagnosis with more association rules included thyroid cancer, insomnia, and chronic gastritis.Conclusion Thyroid cancer mostly presents as deficiency in origin and excess in manifestations. The basic pathogenesis is phlegm and blood stasis, damp-heat accumulation, and impairment of both Qi and Yin, which are closely related to liver, kidney, and spleen. Professor ZHOU Zhongying adopts both attack and supplement approaches as the general treatment principle, with a strong emphasis on regulating Qi and relieving depression, eliminating phlegm and resolving stagnation, eliminating dampness and turbidity, clearing fire and destroying poison, moistening dryness and softening hard mass, invigorating Qi and nourishing Yin, and paying attention to nourishing liver and kidney, invigorating spleen and stomach,while protecting the heart and lungs.

Effect on platelet aggregation activity: extracts from 31 Traditional Chinese Medicines with the property of activating blood and resolving stasis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-platelet aggregation effects of extracts from 31 Traditional Chinese Medicines(TCM) with the property of activating blood and resolving stasis in terms of TCM theory.METHODS: The 31 TCMs extracts were prepared using water, 90% ethanol and ethyl acetate., and the effects on anti-platelet aggregation were tested on a platelet aggregation analyzer in vitro with adenosine 5'-diphosphate, bovine thrombin and arachi-donic acid(AA) as aggregation inducers, respectively. Aspirin was the positive control.RESULTS: Lots of the tested TCMs had inhibitory effects with concentration-dependent manner on platelet aggregations induced by various agonists.Especially, some of the TCMs such as Chuanxiong(Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Yanhusuo(Rhizoma Corydalis Yanhusuo) and Danshen(Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) showed good anti-platelet aggregation effect similar or higher than that in positive control group.CONCLUSION: The study provided scientific references that several TCMs such as Chuanxiong(Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Yanhusuo(Rhizoma Corydalis Yanhusuo) and Danshen(Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae),possess the property of anti-platelet aggregation.

Effect of Yang-activating and stasis-eliminating decoction from Traditional Chinese Medicine on intestinal mucosal permeability in rats with ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of decoction prepared with Yang-activating and stasis-eliminating medicinals from Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) on the intestinal mucosal permeability in rats with ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).METHODS: Totally 55 male Wistar rats(body weight of 170-190 g) were randomly divided into the blank group(n = 10) and the model duplication group(n = 45). The blank group was not intervened, while the other was modeled with 5% dextran sulfate sodium by gavaging in a dosage of4 m L per day to induce ulcerative colitis, a total of7 days. Then, the model rats were divided into model blank group, mesalazine group and TCM group,and each group was consisted of 15 rats. They were given retention enema 10 min with normal saline,mesalazine enema(0.036 g/m L), and Yang-activating and stasis-eliminating decoction [0.54 g/m L of a decoction boiled by Puhuang(Pollen Typhae), Xiebai(Bulbus Allii Macrostemonis) and Wulingzhi(Faeces Trogopteri)] for 10 days respectively. Afterwards,all of the rats were evaluated by disease activity index(DAI), histological changes of distal colon, expression of occludin protein and ultrastructure of intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, ratio of lactulose to mannitol(L/M) discharged in urine was evaluated.RESULTS: Comparing the results between TCM and model control groups, scores of DAI and histological lesions decreased significantly(P = 0.000 <0.01), ultrastructures of intestinal epithelial cells and tight junctions were more complete. The expression of occludin protein(P = 0.001 < 0.01) increased while the L/M value decreased significantly(P = 0.000 < 0.01) in TCM group. There was no statistical difference between the TCM and mesalazine groups in results of each item(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: The decoction prepared with Yang-activating and stasis-eliminating TCM medicianls can restore intestinal mucosal epithelial cells and tight junctions the model rats with ulcerative colitis; it can reduce histological lesions and protect the permeability of intestinal mucosa barrier in the rats as well.

Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Nourishing Yin,Supplementing Qi,and Activating Blood on the Th1/Th2 Immune Balance in Peripheral Blood in Patients with Primary Sjogren's Syndrome

Objective： To observe the effect of Chinese herbal medicine for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood on the expression of interferen- γ （IFN-γ,）/interleukin-4 （IL-4） in peripheral blood and disease activity in primary Sjogren＇s syndrome （pSS） patients, and to study the relationship between the immune balance of Th1/Th2 and the disease activity. Methods： A total of 66 pSS patients were randomized with tossing coins method into two groups： the integrative therapy group （34 cases） and the control group （32 cases）; and 28 healthy subjects were taken as the normal group. The integrative therapy group was treated by Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets and the control group was treated with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets. The treatment course was 3 months for both groups. The levels of serum immunoglobulin G （IgG）, erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）, IFN-γand IL-4 in peripheral blood were measured before and after treatment. Results： Compared with the normal group, the levels of IgG, ESR, IFN- γ and IL-4 were significantly increased in pSS patients （P〈0.05）. Remarkably, after 3 months of treatment, these levels were dramatically decreased in both the integrative therapy group and the control group, although still higher than the normal group. The levels of IgG, ESR, IFN- and IL-4 in the integrative therapy group were lower than the control group and the same group before treatment （P〈0.05）. The ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 also significantly decreased after treatment. Moreover, the level of IFN- γ, and the ratio of IFN- γ/IL-4 in the integrative theraphy group were significantly lower than the control group （P〈0.05）. For all patients the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 before and after treatment was positive correlated with the levels of IgG and ESR. Conclusion： Chinese herbal medicine for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood can alleviate the disease activity of pSS by regulating the immune balance of Th1/Th2.

Platelet proteomics and its advanced application for research of blood stasis syndrome and activated blood circulation herbs of Chinese medicine

The development of novel and efficient antiplatelet agents that have few adverse effects and methods that improve antiplatelet resistance has long been the focus of international research on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.Recent advances in platelet proteomics have provided a technology platform for high-quality research of platelet pathophysiology and the development of new antiplatelet drugs.The study of blood stasis syndrome(BSS)and activated blood circulation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is one of the most active fields where the integration of TCM and western medicine in China has been successful.Activated blood circulation herbs(ABC herbs)of Chinese medicine are often used in the treatment of BSS.Most ABC herbs have antiplatelet and anti-atherosclerosis activity,but knowledge about their targets is lacking.Coronary heart disease(CHD),BSS,and platelet activation are closely related.By screening and identifying activated platelet proteins that are differentially expressed in BSS of CHD,platelet proteomics has helped researchers interpret the antiplatelet mechanism of action of ABC herbs and provided many potential biomarkers for BSS that could be used to evaluate the clinical curative effect of new antiplatelet drugs.In this article the progress of platelet proteomics and its advanced application for research of BSS and ABC herbs of Chinese medicine are reviewed.

Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicines for Nourishing Yin,Supplementing Qi,and Activating Blood on Reproductive Endocrine Activity and Immune Functions in Patients with Primary Sjogren's Syndrome

ABSTRACT Objective： To investigate the effect of Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood on the reproductive endocrine-immune network and its mechanisms in patients with primary Sjogren＇s syndrome （pSS）. Methods： Seventy pSS patients were randomly assigned to two groups using a randomized digital table： the integrative therapy group （36 cases） and the control group （34 cases）. Thirty healthy subjects were taken as a normal group. The control group was treated with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets alone, and the integrative therapy group was treated by Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets. The treatment course was 6 months for both groups. Before and after treatment, serum estradiol （E2）, testosterone （T）, luteinizing hormone （LH）, prolactin （PRL） by radioimmunoassay and immunoglobulin （IgG） by immunodiffusion, erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） by Westergren, interferon-γ （IFN-γ） and interleukin-4 （IL-4） by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were determined. Results： E2 and T levels in all patients were lower than those of normal subjects before treatment （P〈0.05） and were increased significantly after 6-month treatment （P〈0.05）. ESR, FSH, LH, IgG, IFN - γ, IL - 4 and ratios of E2/T, and IFN --γ/IL in the patients were higher than those of normal subjects before the treatments （P〈0.05）, and were reduced significantly after the treatments （P〈0.05）. The T and IFN -γ levels and E2/T ratio in the patients treated with integrative therapy were reduced significantly compared with the control group （P〈0.05）. However, the PRL levels before and after treatment were not significantly changed in the two groups （P〉0.05）. The ratios of E2/T and IFN -γ/IL-4, and levels of IgG and ESR were positively correlated before and after treatment （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： The ratios of E2/T and IFN - γ/ IL-4 might be used as indicators of pSS activity. Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood combined with Western medicine could improve the therapeutic effect by regulating the reproductive endocrine-immune network in pSS patients.

Association of Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor Gene rs5938(G/T) and rs313152(T/C) Polymorphisms with Coronary Heart Disease and Blood Stasis Syndrome in A Chinese Han Population

Objective: To explore the association of the platelet-activating factor receptor(PAFR) gene rs5938, rs313152 and rs76744145 polymorphisms with coronary heart disease(CHD) and blood stasis syndrome(BSS) of CHD in Chinese Han population. Methods: A total of 570 CHD patients(299 with BSS and 271 with non-BSS) and 317 controls were enrolled. The PAFR gene rs5938, rs313152 and rs76744145 polymorphisms were genotyped using the multiplex SNaP shot technology. The statistical analysis was conducted using a multiple variable logistic regression model. Results: Significant differences were detected in the genotypes frequency distributions of the rs5938(P<0.01), but not the rs313152(P>0.05), between the controls and CHD patients. Individuals with an rs5938 or rs313152 mutated allele had a low risk for CHD [adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=0.35, 95% confidence interval(CI): 0.23 to 0.56, P<0.01; aOR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.91, P<0.05, respectively]. After the CHD patients were stratified as BSS or non-BSS according to their Chinese medicine patterns, the rs5938 polymorphism mutated alleles had a significant association with a low risk for BSS of CHD(aOR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.57, P<0.01) and non-BSS of CHD(aOR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.55, P<0.01). The rs313152 polymorphism was associated with a low risk for BSS(aOR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.79, P<0.01), but not for non-BSS(aOR=1.22, 95% CI: 0.81 to 1.85, P>0.05). Furthermore, the interaction effect of the rs5938 and rs313152 polymorphisms for BSS of CHD was significantly based on an aOR value associated with the combination of the rs5938 GT genotype with the rs313152 TC genotype of 0.27(95% CI: 0.1 to 0.7, P<0.01). Conclusion: The PAFR gene rs5938 or rs313152 polymorphisms might be a potential biomarker for susceptibility to CHD, especially to BSS of CHD in Chinese Han population.