From religious manual to herbal pharmacopoeia:a textual study of the formation and transformation of Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica

The earliest Ben Cao Jing(Classics of Materia Medica;25 C.E.–220 C.E.)appeared during the reign of the Han Dynasty(202 B.C.E.–220 C.E.);their origins are traceable to the religious group called Fang Xian Dao.In addition to their use as a medical reference,the Ben Cao Jing works were also used for religious purposes.Tao Hongjing(456 C.E.–536 C.E.),a famous doctor and Daoist(one member of the Chinese local religion,Daoism)of the Liang Dynasty(502 C.E.–557 C.E.),compiled the Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu(Variorum of Classics of Materia Medica;456 C.E.–536 C.E.)based on the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing(Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica;25 C.E.–220 C.E.).During the compilation of this book,Tao made a radical medical revision to the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing,by reducing its religious contents while complementing its medical contents.After such revisions,the ancient Ben Cao Jing was transformed from a religious manual into an herbal pharmacopoeia.

Protective effects of kidney-tonifying Chinese herbal preparation on substantia nigra neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

The Chinese herbs Herba Epimedii, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Rhizoma Polygonati were injected into Parkinson＇s disease mice established via intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride. The selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitor selegiline was used as a positive control drug. After successive administration for 4 weeks, Herba Epimedii could downregulate the expression of caspase-3 and increase the brain-derived neurotrophic factor level, as well as increase tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the substantia nigra of Parkinson＇s disease mouse models. Rhizoma Polygonaticould downregulate the expression of caspase-3 and FasL, and increase neural growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Fructus Ligustn Lucidi could downregulate caspase-3 expression. Rhizoma Polygonati and Fructus Ligustn Lucidi did not produce obvious effects on tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi yielded similar effects on apoptosis-promoting factors to those elicited by selegiline. Herba Epimedii and Rhizoma Polygonati significantly increased the levels of neurotrophic factors compared with selegiline. Herba Epimedii significantly increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity compared with selegiline. It is indicated that the kidney-tonifying Chinese herbal preparation can downregulate the expression of apoptosis-promoting factors, increase neurotrophic factors levels in the substantia nigra and striatum, as well as increase tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the substantia nigra of Parkinson＇s disease mouse models, thereby exerting a stronger or similar neuroprotective effects compared with selegiline.

Regulating effect of Chinese herbal medicine on the peritoneal lymphatic stomata in enhancing ascites absorption of experimental hepatofibrotic mice

AIM: To observe the regulatory effect of Chinese herbal medicine on peritoneal lymphatic stomata and its significance in treating ascites in liver fibrosis model mice. METHODS: Two Chinese herbal composite prescriptions were used separately to treat the carbon tetrachloride-induced mouse model of liver fibrosis. The histo-pathologic changes of the liver sections (HE and VG stainings) were observed. The peritoneal lymphatic stomata was detected by scanning electron microscopy and computer image processing. The changes of urinary volume and sodium ion concentration were measured. RESULTS: In the model group, lots of fibrous tissue formed in liver and extended into the hepatic lobules to separate them incompletely. In the treated and prevention groups, the histo-pathologic changes of liver was rather milder, only showed much less fibrous tissue proliferation in the hepatic lobules. The peritoneal lymphatic stomata enlarged with increased density in the experimental groups (diameter: PA, 3.07 +/- 0.69 microm; PB, 2.82 +/- 0.37 microm; TA, 3.25 +/- 0.82 microm and TB, 2.82 +/- 0.56 microm; density: PA, 7.11 +/- 1.90 stomata.1000 microm(-2); PB, 8.76 +/- 1.45 stomata.1000 microm(-2); TA, 6.55 +/- 1.44 stomata.1000 microm(-2)and TB, 8.76+/-1.79 stomata.1000 microm(-2)), as compared with the model group (diameter: 2.00+/-0.52 microm density: 4.45+/-1.05 stomata.1000 microm(-2)). After treatment, the urinary volume and sodium ion excretion increased in the experimental groups (PA, 231.28+/-41.09 mmol.L(-1); PB, 171.69 +/- 27.48 mmol.L(-1) and TA, 231.44 +/- 34.12 mmol.L(-1)), which were significantly different with those in the model group (129.33 +/- 36.75 mmol.L(-1)). CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal medicine has marked effects in alleviating liver fibrosis, regulating peritoneal lymphatic stomata, improving the drainage of ascites from peritoneal cavity and causing increase of urinary volume and sodium ion excretion to reduce the water and sodium retention, and thus have favorable therapeutic effect in treating ascites.

Women’s Motivation and Associated Factors for Herbal Medicine Use during Pregnancy and Childbirth: A Systematic Review

Background: Herbal medicines use has prevailed over the past decades in both low-middle-income and high-income countries over the years. The use among women has increased with increased risks of ill-health. There is extensive literature on herbal medicine use among women in pre/pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum periods. Therefore, this study aimed to understand women’s purposes, experiences, and motivation for using herbal medicines during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, and the experiences associated with the use. Methods: Four critical databases were predetermined and searched: CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science, and EMBASE. These databases were chosen for their comprehensiveness and relevance to the review aims. We considered peer-reviewed published articles from January 2000 to December 2018. We chose these databases because we found that they are dominant in the medical and healthcare-related literature. All references were pooled to Endnote reference management software for screening. Quality appraisal of articles was conducted using the Mixed-Method Assessment Tool (MMAT). Content analysis approach was used to extra the data from the articles. Globally, twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria, and thus, formed the dataset for this review. Results: Most articles (n = 10, 47.6%) reported solely HM uses on only pregnancy whiles the rest evaluated HM uses in labour, pre-pregnancy, and the postpartum periods. The results have shown that the majority of women received information about HM from friends, family, the “black markets,” and drug outlets. Overall, the results were presented in seven broad themes: 1) sociodemographic characteristics of HM users, 2) perceived threat of health problem, 3) sources and quality of the information received, 4) susceptibility to health complications, 5) potential limitations to the use of HM, 6) the motivation for HM utilization, 7) concerns on the combined use of herbal and allopathic medicines. Conclusion: The study recommends the further research into the toxicity of herbal products, to ensure that accurate information can be provided to women before use.

Japanese herbal medicine, Saiko-keishi-to, prevents gut ischemia/reperfusion-induced liver injury in rats via nitric oxide

AIM:To determine whether Saiko-keishi-to(TJ-10),a Japanese herbal medicine,could protect liver injury induced by gut ischemia/reperfusion(I/R),and to investigate the role of NO. METHODS:Male Wistar rats were exposed to 30-min gut isohemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion.Intravital microscopy was used to monitor leukocyte recruitment.Plasma tumor necrosis factor(TNF)levels and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)activities were measured.TJ-10 1 g/(kg.d)was intragastrically administered to rats for 7 d.A NO synthase inhibitor was administered. RESULTS:In control rats,gut I/R elicited increases in the number of stationary leukocytes,and plasma TNF levels and ALT activities were mitigated by pretreatment with TJ-10.Pretreatment with the NO synthase inhibitor diminished the protective effects of TJ-10 on leukostasis in the liver,and the increase of plasma TNF levels and ALT activities.Pretreatment with TJ-10 increased plasma nitrite/nitrate levels. CONCLUSION:TJ-10 attenuates the gut I/R-induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction and sequential hepatocellular injury via enhancement of NO production.

Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Immunohistochemistry of Harder's Glands of Chickens

To investigate the mechanism of action of Chinese herbal medicine, the immunocells of Harder＇s glands were observed. The healthy Hy-Line Brown chickens of 12-day-old were divided into three groups randomly. The chickens in group 1 and 2 drank the water with 0.5% and 1% Chinese herbal medicine immunopromoter every day. The chickens in group 3 as control drank pure water. The Harder＇s glands of the chickens from 0.5% group, 1% group and control group at 24, 36 and 48 d after drinking medicine respectively were made into histological section. And then the histological sections were observed histologically. The results showed that Chinese herbal medicine could increase the quantity of the immunocells in glandular organs conspicuously. Immunopotentiator of Chinese herbal medicine could promote the amount and growth of secreted immunoglobuline and elevate the immune level of the orgamsm, and the effect of 1% group was higher than that of 0.5% group.

Efficacy of Chinese herbal compound GAPT for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease during mouse/rat studies:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of the Chinese herbal compound GAPT for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease(AD)and to provide current evidence for potential treatment mechanisms.Methods:A comprehensive search of PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,SinoMed,China Network Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang Data,and Chinese Scientific Journals Database was performed to identify GAPT mouse/rat studies published from inception to July 2019.The outcomes extracted were Morris water maze results and molecular biological quantifications.Results:A total of 19 studies were included in this analysis.The analysis indicated that GAPT was able to significantly improve learning and memory abilities compared with model mice/rats,as assessed by Morris water maze,and showed similar efficacy as donepezil.Subgroup analyses showed that low,medium,and high doses resulted in no obvious dose-dependent effects.Additionally,the GAPT group had significantly reduced expression levels of amyloid-beta peptide,presenilin 1,phosphorylated tau,acetylcholinesterase,and glycogen synthase kinase-3b,but increased expression levels of Shank1,and protein phosphatase-2A,and improved synapses structures compared with the model group,and subgroup analyses showed the medium dose of GAPT was superior to the low and high doses.Conclusions:Based on the pooled analysis,GAPT improved the learning and memory abilities and regulated the expression levels of related proteins during the progression of AD in mouse/rat studies.Notably,the medium dose of GAPT exhibited better performance than the other two doses,providing experimental evidence for further applications of GAPT during clinical practice.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPEUTICAGENTS IN COMBINATION WITH CHINESE HERBAL COMPOUNDS AS IMMUNOMODULATORS IN MOUSE S_(180)

The effect of the Chinese herbal compound (CHC) on solid sarcoma 180 (S180) in Swiss mice was studied either alone or in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5FU), cyclophosphamide (CYT) or mitomycin C (MMC). The preliminary results indicated that combination treatment seemed to possess better antitumor activity than chemotherapy alone. The treatment with CHC alone however had neither an obvious antitumor effect in tumor bearing mice nor toxicity in normal mice. These results show that CHC may stimulate organs of the immune system such as the spleen to be im-munomodulators and enhance the antitumor activity of some chemotherapeutic agents.

《神农本草经》与《中国药典》2020年版对中药四气五味表述异同分析

目的明确《神农本草经》与现代中药四气五味表述的差异,为进一步指导临床合理用药提供参考。方法以《神农本草经》收载的365种中药为来源进行统计,《中国药典》2020年版和《临床用药须知》(2015版)收录《神农本草经》记载的药物为研究对象,建立数据库,对比分析中药“四气”“五味”的表述差异。结果本研究共统计203种中药,其中中药四气表述完全不相同的有66种,占32.51%;中药五味表述完全不一致的有20种,占9.85%。结论通过对比《中国药典》《临床用药须知》与《神农本草经》中药“四气”“五味”,大部分中药表述一致,表述不一致的中药值得进一步深入研究。

柚皮苷及其与吴茱萸碱联合用药对APP^(swe)/PS^(ΔE9)转基因痴呆模型小鼠学习记忆能力的影响

目的探讨柚皮苷及柚皮苷与吴茱萸碱联合用药对APPswe/PSΔE9转基因痴呆模型小鼠学习记忆能力的影响,研究柚皮苷与吴茱萸碱联合使用是否具有协同或叠加作用。方法 APPswe/PSΔE9转基因痴呆模型小鼠随机分组,每组12只,雌雄各半,分别选择在3月龄和5月龄两个时间段开始进行治疗,各给药组按设定剂量分别单独或联合加入鼠粮中。3月龄给药16周、5月龄给药4周后进行水迷宫实验,以安理申作为阳性药对照,并与安慰剂组小鼠进行比较。Thioflavin-S荧光染色检测单独使用柚皮苷治疗转基因小鼠脑组织老年斑的形成。结果单独使用柚皮苷4周和16周,缩短寻找平台的潜伏期分别为22%、32%;单独使用吴茱萸碱4周和16周,缩短寻找平台的潜伏期分别为33%、10%。柚皮苷治疗16周减少海马老年斑26%。柚皮苷与吴茱萸碱联合应用能够显著缩短寻找平台的潜伏期47%。结论单独使用柚皮苷或吴茱萸碱均能改善痴呆模型小鼠的学习记忆能力,柚皮苷长期的使用优于短期的治疗效果,但是吴茱萸碱短期有效,长期作用反而下降;柚皮苷与吴茱萸碱联合应用能够显著改善APPswe/PSΔE9痴呆模型小鼠的学习记忆能力,但联合用药组并未表现出强于单独给药组的协同保护效应。

复方抗瘤合剂抑制小鼠S_(180)肉瘤生长及对p53表达的影响

目的 探讨复方抗瘤合剂对小鼠S1 80 肉瘤的作用及机制。方法 复方抗瘤合剂根据中医补气、活血、清热解毒的原理拟成 ,将带有S1 80 鼠分成 6组 ,给药 1 0天后 ,据瘤重计算抑瘤率 ,用免疫组化SP法计算p53阳性细胞数。结果 以对照组为基数 ,(2 )、(5)、(6)组有不同程度的抑瘤率 (P <0 0 5或P <0 0 1 )和不同程度的p53阳性细胞数低于 (1 )组 (P <0 0 1 )。结论 复方抗瘤合剂对小鼠S1 80 肉瘤的生长具有一定的抑制作用 。

《神农本草经》辛以止咳药在经方中的运用探析

《神农本草经》中辛味且明确具有止咳作用的药物有12味,在《伤寒杂病论》中用到8味。通过分析这12种药物的功效及配伍成的13首止咳逆经方的应用,并结合《黄帝内经》五味用药理论,总结出辛以止咳的机制及组方用药特点:1)辛以止咳药在“主咳逆”的基础上,尚以主温中、主风寒、主化湿及特殊功效,如款冬花“主喉痹”、桂枝“主补中益气”、芫花“主下水”达到止咳逆;2)辛以止咳配伍规律有辛散酸收,基础药对为干姜细辛-五味子,根据不同病因有所加减,如生姜-细辛-五味子、干姜-细辛-五味子-半夏和干姜-五味子;辛甘发散,药对为生姜-甘草或干姜-甘草;辛散苦降,药对为款冬花-紫菀、桂枝-麻黄、半夏-芍药或附子-芍药;3)辛以润之贯穿于辛以止咳的全过程,在此基础上当外邪袭表,辛以散之;阳虚津凝时,辛以温之;饮邪不化时,辛以和之。

基于改进YOLOv8的中药材图像识别

针对传统中药材检测任务中识别效率低、受主观因素影响较大的问题,文章选取77种中药材作为研究对象。采用自行拍摄图像和在互联网获取图像的方式,并结合旋转平移、高斯噪声等数据增强技术,最终构建了一个包含4万多张图像的数据集。在模型改进方面,对第八代只看一次目标检测算法(You Only Look Once version 8,YOLOv8)的Backbone部分进行了针对性的优化,引入了DSConv和Biformer注意力机制。DSConv能够自适应地关注细长和曲折的局部特征,而Biformer则通过双层路由机制,实现了内容感知的稀疏模式,提高了模型对图像细节和关键目标的识别能力。实验结果表明,改进后的YOLOv8模型的精确率、召回率和平均精度分别达到了96.4%、98.0%和97.7%,相较于原模型的精确率和平均精度分别增长了1.7百分点和1.0百分点。在中药材检测任务上取得了显著的性能提升效果。

平喘方对哮喘小鼠HMGB1/TLR4/NF⁃κB通路及IKKs、TGF-β1的影响

目的研究平喘方对哮喘小鼠高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)/Toll样受体4(TLR4)/核因子-κB(NF-κB)及气道重塑相关因子IκB激酶家族(IKK_(s))、转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)的影响。方法将32只雄性Balb/c小鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、地米组、平喘方组,每组8只。采用卵清白蛋白(OVA)联合氢氧化铝腹腔注射和5%OVA雾化吸入激发的方法建立哮喘模型,当日雾化结束1 h后灌胃给药14 d。各组于最后一次给药后收集小鼠血清、肺泡灌洗液(BALF)及肺组织。采用HE染色法观察小鼠肺组织病理改变,免疫组化染色法观察HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB表达,ELISA法检测BALF及外周血中HMGB1、TLR4、TGF-β1、IKK_(s)含量,RT-PCR检测肺组织中HMGB1、TLR4、NF⁃κB及IKK_(s) mRNA表达,Western blot法检测肺组织中HMGB1、TLR4蛋白表达。结果与空白组比较,模型组气道重塑严重,HMGB1、TLR4及NF-κB表达明显增强,HMGB1、TLR4、TGF-β1及IKK_(s)含量升高(P<0.05),HMGB1、TLR4、NF⁃κB及IKK_(s) mRNA表达升高(P<0.05),HMGB1、TLR4蛋白表达升高(P<0.05)。与模型组比较,平喘方组气道重塑减轻,HMGB1、TLR4、TGF-β1及IKK_(s)含量均明显降低(P<0.05),HMGB1、TLR4、NF⁃κB及IKK_(s) mRNA表达降低(P<0.05),HMGB1、TLR4蛋白表达减少(P<0.05)。结论平喘方能降低HMGB1、TLR4、NF⁃κB及IKK_(s) mRNA表达,降低IKK_(s)和TGF-β1分泌,减少HMGB1、TLR4蛋白表达,减轻哮喘模型小鼠肺组织炎症,改善肺组织病理改变。

《神农本草经》“血痹四药”及其在《伤寒杂病论》中的应用

《神农本草经》记载干地黄“逐血痹”,芍药“除血痹”,吴茱萸“除湿血痹”,厚朴主“气血痹”。血痹之病,病在血分,病机为痹,本质为不通。本文以“血痹”为视角解析上述4味治疗血痹的药物(简称“血痹四药”),并梳理其在《伤寒杂病论》中的应用,发现干地黄凉血逐瘀通痹,可治内伤久病血痹、妇产血痹及外伤所致血痹;白芍破阴调营通痹,除营分邪气,可治疗营气、营阴痹结所致血痹;吴茱萸散寒除湿通痹,可治肝家寒凝湿滞所致湿血痹;厚朴燮理阳明气血,可治阳明气血痹。秉承医药圆融理念,本文深化对“血痹”认识,拓展《神农本草经》“血痹四药”的实践价值及临床应用,以期持续丰富因痹致痿病机及通痹治痿法方药和理论内涵。

半夏法象药理考辨

半夏是临床上一味常用中药。从法象药理角度出发,结合半夏的形、色、气、味、质、所生之地、所成之时等特性,分析半夏的功效,为加深人们对半夏的理解,丰富半夏的临床应用提供新思路。

加味四君子汤对烫伤大鼠肠黏膜ATP酶活性及S-IgA含量的影响

目的:探讨早期管饲加味四君汤中药煎剂对烫伤大鼠肠黏膜ATPase活性及S-IgA含量的影响。方法:Wistar大鼠50只,随机分为烫伤治疗组(简称治疗组)管饲中药煎剂2ml,2次/d;烫伤对照组(简称对照组)和正常组管饲同量蒸馏水。于伤后不同时相点,分别处死大鼠,检测肠黏膜Na^+-K^+-ATP酶、Mg^(2+)-ATP酶、Ca^(2+)-ATP酶活性和肠黏液中S-IgA含量。结果:烫伤对照组肠黏膜Na^+-K^+-ATP酶、Mg^(2+)-ATP酶、Ca^(2+)-ATP酶活性和肠黏液中S-IgA含量均明显降低,而烫伤治疗组肠黏膜Na^+-K^+-ATP酶、Mg^(2+)-ATP酶、Ca^(2+)-ATP酶活性和肠黏液中S-IgA含量均明显高于烫伤对照组,且与正常对照组无明显差别。结论:提示早期口服中药四君子汤加味能有效维持肠黏膜Na^+-K^+-ATP酶、Mg^(2+)-ATP酶、Ca^(2+)-ATP酶活性和肠黏液细胞分泌S-IgA的功能,对防治烧伤后细菌或毒素移位有重要意义。

Effects of Yigan Decoction on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells

AIM:To investigate the effects of Chinese herb Yigan Decoction on proliferation and apoptosis of the hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro. METHODS: The study in vitro was carried out in the culture of HSC lines. Various concentrations of Yigan Decoction were added and incubated. Cell proliferation was detected with MTT colorimetric assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by electron microscopy, flow cytometry and TUNEL. RESULTS: The proliferation of HSC was inhibited by Yigan Decoction, which depending on dose and time significantly. The HSC proliferation rates of groups at the end concentrations 144 and 72(g.L(-1)) were 21.62% and 40.54% respectively, significantly lower than that of normal control group(P【0.01). The HSC proliferation rates of groups at the end concentrations 36, 18 and 9(g.L(-1)) were 54.05%, 45.95% and 51.35% respectively, lower than that of control group (P【0.05). When the end concentration was 4.5 g.L(-1), the proliferation rate was 83.78%, which appeared no significant differences compared with control group. At the same concentrations of 18 g.L(-1), the inhibitory effects of Yigan Decoction at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h time point were observed, the effects were time-dependent, and reached a peak at 72 h. Meanwhile, it was showed that the inducing effects of Yigan Decoction on HSC apoptosis were dose-dependent and time-dependent. The apoptosis index(AI) was detected by TUNEL. After Yigan Decoction had been incubated for 48 h at the end concentration of 18 g.L(-1), the AI (14.5+/-3.1)% was significantly higher than that of control group (4.3+/-1.3)% (P【0.01). When visualized under transmission electron microscopy, some apoptotic stellate cells were found, i.e. dilated endoplasmic reticulum, irregular nuclei, chromatin condensation and heterochromatin ranked along inside of nuclear membrane. By flow cytometry detection, after HSC was treated with Yigan Decoction at different concentrations of 36, 18 and 9(g.L(-1)) for 48 h, AI (%) were 13.3+/-3.2, 10.7+/-2.7 and 10.1+/-2.5 respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control group(4.1+/-1.9) (P【0.01). At the same concentration of 18 g. L(-1) for 24h, 48 h and 72 h, AI (%) were 9.3+/-1.8,10.7+/-2.7 and 14.6+/-4.3 respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control group (P【0.01). CONCLUSION: Yigan Decoction could significantly inhibit HSC proliferation and increase the apoptosis index of HSC dose-dependently and time-dependently, which may be related to its mechanism of antifibrosis.

Potential role of nutraceutical compounds in inflammatory bowel disease

Conventional therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD) involve combinations of pharmacologic agents such as aminosalicylates, azathioprine, and corticosteroids. Recently, the therapeutic scenario has been heavily increased by the introduction of agents including monoclonal antibodies targeted to specific proinflammatory cytokines, to adhesion molecules, and the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines and T-cell activation. However, the use of these drugs is accompanied by a certain number of side effects, with some of them being quite severe, rising concerns about the safety profile. Furthermore, the cost of these emerging therapeutic strategies is significant, considering the increasing incidence and the chronic trend of IBD. Nutraceuticals is a broad term used to describe any product derived from food sources claiming extra health benefits beyond the intrinsic nutritional value found in foods. The beneficial effects of nutraceutical compounds in human health have been emerging in the last decades. Although few clinical trials have been performed in IBD patients, nutraceuticals, such as herbal products or vitamins, are generally accepted as safer alternative/supplementation to conventional therapy. In vitro and IBD-animal models studies have shown their involvement in several biological processes, including antioxidant defenses, cell proliferation, gene expression, which could account for a role in the maintenance of the mucosal barrier integrity, the control of the inflammatory pathways and the modulation of the immune response. These data suggest a wide spectrum of positive effects exerted by nutraceuticals, with a high potential for a therapeutic use in humans. In the present review, the beneficial effects of the most investigated nutraceutical compounds in the setting of human IBD are discussed.

A Case of Alzheimer’s Disease Was Kept Relative Stable with Sequential Therapy for Eight Years

Background: Although Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been intensively investigated for many years, the effective treatments are largely missing. Commonly used conventional therapy, such as cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) and N-methyl D-asparate receptor antagonist, have been generally considered as having symptom-relieving rather than disease-modifying effects. Thus, how to improve cognitive function beyond such effect & time limitations has become a serious challenge. Aim: In order to solve this challenge, a sequential therapy with the integration of conventional therapy and herbal therapy was applied to AD patients. Careful clinical observation was conducted in our outpatient setting. Case Presentation: A case of probable AD received the sequential therapy has achieved relative stable cognition and overall status in eight years. Conclusion: During the treatment of this AD case in eight years, sequential therapy showed great potential in stabilizing and improving cognition and overall status. Well designed preclinical and clinical studies are needed to investigate the efficacy of sequential therapy for AD and other type of dementia.