A Multilayer Network Constructed for Herb and Prescription Efficacy Analysis

Chinese Medicine(CM)has been widely used as an important avenue for disease prevention and treatment in China especially in the form of CM prescriptions combining sets of herbs to address patients’symptoms and syndromes.However,the selection and compatibility of herbs are complex and abstract due to intrinsic relationships between herbal properties and their overall functions.Network analysis is applied to demonstrate the complex relationships between individual herbal efficacy and the overall function of CM prescriptions.To illustrate their connections and correlations,prescription function(PF),prescription herb(PH),and herbal efficacy(HE)intranetworks are proposed based on CM theory to identify relationships between herbs and prescriptions.These three networks are then connected by PF-PH and PH-HE interlayer networks adopting herb dosage to form a multidimensional heterogeneous network,a Prescription-Herb-Function Network(PHFN).The network is applied to 112 classic prescriptions from Treatise on Exogenous Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases to illustrate the application of PHFN.The PHFN is constructed including 146 functions in PF intra network,89 herbs in the PH intra network,and 163 herbal efficacies in the HE intra network.The results show that herb pairs with synergistic actions have stronger relevance,such as licorice-cassia twig,licorice-Chinese date,fresh ginger-Chinese date,etc.The integration of dosage to the network helps to indicate the main herbs for cluster analysis and automatic formulation.PHFN also reveals the internal relationships between the functions of prescriptions and composed herbal efficacies.

Chinese herbal medicine decreases incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in diabetes mellitus patients with regular insulin management

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM)is an independent risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),while insulin is a potent mitogen.Identifying a new therapeutic modality for preventing insulin users from developing HCC is a critical goal for researchers.AIM To investigate whether regular herbal medicine use can decrease HCC risk in DM patients with regular insulin control.METHODS We used data acquired from the Taiwan,Chinaese National Health Insurance research database between 2000 and 2017.We identified patients with DM who were prescribed insulin for>3 months.The herb user group was further defined as patients prescribed herbal medication for DM for>3 months per annum during RESULTS We initially enrolled 657144 DM patients with regular insulin use from 2000 to 2017.Among these,46849 patients had used a herbal treatment for DM,and 140547 patients were included as the matched control group.The baseline variables were similar between the herb users and nonusers.DM patients with regular herb use had a 12%decreased risk of HCC compared with the control group[adjusted hazard ratio(aHR)=0.88,95%CI=0.80–0.97].The cumulative incidence of HCC in the herb users was significantly lower than that of the nonusers.Patients with a herb use of>5 years cumulatively exhibited a protective effect against development of HCC(aHR=0.82,P<0.05).Of patients who developed HCC,herb users exhibited a longer survival time than nonusers(aHR=0.78,P=0.0001).Additionally,we report the top 10 herbs and formulas in prescriptions and summarize the potential pharmacological effects of the constituents.Our analysis indicated that Astragalus propinquus(Huang Qi)plus Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge(Dan Shen),and Astragalus propinquus(Huang Qi)plus Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.(Tian Hua Fen)were the most frequent combination of single herbs.Meanwhile,Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan plus Dan Shen was the most frequent combination of herbs and formulas.CONCLUSION This large-scale retrospective cohort study reveals that herbal medicine may decrease HCC risk by 12%in DM patients with regular insulin use.

Exploring the mechanism of action of herb pair Pinellia Ternata-Magnolia Officinalis in the treatment of liver cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Background:Explore the anti-tumor mechanism of herb pair Pinellia ternate-Magnolia officinalis(BX-HP)in liver cancer through network pharmacology using molecular docking methods.Method:The active ingredients and corresponding targets of the herb pair Pinellia ternate-Magnolia officinalis were obtained from the HERB database.The relevant targets for liver cancer were obtained from GeneCards,DisGeNET,TTD,and Drugbank databases.Obtain common targets between herb pair Pinellia ternate-Magnolia officinalis and liver cancer through the Bioinformatics platform,establish a PPI network diagram using STRING software,and perform GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on the DAVID platform.AutoDockTools 1.5.7 software and molecular dynamics simulation analysis are used to evaluate the binding of components to target proteins.HERB database,SwissTargetPrediction database,SwissADME database,UniProt database,GeneCards database,TTD database,DRUGBANK database,DisGeNET database,String,DAVID.Bioinformatics platform,PDB database,PubChem and TCMSP database.Result:A total of 22 active ingredients with a Probability>0.1 targets in Magnolia officinalis were screened,26 active ingredients with a Probability>0.1 targets in Pinellia ternata,ten vital active ingredients,corresponding to 979 and 803 targets with a Probability>0.1 targets,2536 liver cancer-related targets,and 279 targets in the herb pair Pinellia ternata-Magnolia officinalis.The GO functional enrichment analysis resulted in 1297 entries,namely 971 biological process entries,118 cell localization entries,and 208 molecular function entries.Three signaling pathways were annotated through the KEGG pathway.Based on molecular docking,ten vital active ingredients and five target proteins were validated to exhibit an excellent binding affinity.The above data indicates that combining the herb pair Pinellia ternata-Magnolia officinalis may treat liver cancer through specific targets and signaling pathways.Conclusion:Herb pair Pinellia ternata-Magnolia officinalis has a synergistic effect on treating liver cancer through multicomponent,multitarget,and multi-pathway approaches.This study provides a sufficient theoretical basis for subsequent research.

A Survey of the Pteridophyte Herbs of Hainan Island

There are almost 400 species(containing 8 varieties)of pteridophytes on Hainan Island,belonging to 43 families and 114 genera,one third of which are officinal.To understand the distribution of pteridophytes resources of Hainan Island,we conducted this survey mainly by photographing the habitat,plant morphology,sorus and specific traits of some pteridophytes.The results showed that nearly 32 families and 94 species were recorded.These pteridophyte herb resources play important roles in medical treatment of native Li nationality people.

Study on the Effects of Chinese Herb Additive on Milk Yield and Anti-heat Stress Ability of Holstein Cow

[Objective] The research aimed to explore the effects of Chinese herb additive on milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein cow.[Method] 36 Holstein cows with similar birth order and milk yield were equally and randomly divided into 3 groups which were control group, Chinese medicine Ⅰ group and Chinese medicine Ⅱ group. In control group, cows were fed with basic feed, while in Chinese medicine Ⅰ group, cows were fed with basic feed containing 4% compound Chinese herb additive and in Chinese medicine Ⅱ group, cows were fed with basic feed containing 3% compound Chinese herb additive.All cows in the 3 groups were analyzed comparatively.[Result] Adding some compound Chinese herb additive into basic feed would increase milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein cow,besides,it also could decrease cow diseases such as cow mastitis.Chinese medicine Ⅰ would generate the highest economic benefit of practical production.[Conclusion] Adding Chinese herb additive into basic feed is an effective way for reliefing heat stress and increasing milk yield.

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.

Herbs祛斑系列治疗黄褐斑31例临床验证报告

目的 :研究中药植物萃取液加基质复配而成的系列产品 ,对治疗黄褐斑的疗效。 方法 :将 Herbs祛斑系列产品以不同剂型种类作用于体外。 结果 :治疗组治愈 6例 ,达 19.4% ;显效 14例 ,达 45 .2 % ,有效 5例 ,达 16 .1% ;总有效率为 80 .6 %。对照组治愈 4例 ,达 13.3% ;显效 10例 ,达 33.3% ;有效 10例 ,达 33.3% ;总有效率为 79.9%。 结论 :Herbs祛斑系列在体表能明显抑制酪氨酸酶活性 ,清除氧自由基 。

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.

Growth and Competition of Fourteen Herb Species in Experimental Microcoenosiums

Growth and competition of 14 herb species were investigated in the experimental microcoenosiums in laboratory under the following environmental factors and treatment levels: high and low fertility, clipping and un-clipping, and with and without microbial infusion. The most intense competition and the biggest difference in biomass among the species were detected in the high fertility microcoenosiums subjected to no clipping disturbance. Clippings or low fertility reduced the growth of the competitors and resulted in more even biomass distribution among the species. Successive clippings reduced the total accumulative biomass of the microcoenosiums. Microbial infusion significantly increased the growth of legume species Lotus corniculatus L. and Trifolium pratense L. The growth of Alopecurus pratensis L. was also raised by microbial infusion, whereas Dactylis glomerata L. had more biomass in without-microbial-infusion microcoenosiums than in microbial infusion ones. Most of the 14 species were not obviously affected. The positive effect of microbial infusion was more marked in the low fertility microcoenosiums.

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.

Ideas and Ways of Designing Multi-functional Garden Landscapes—— with the Eco-function Planning of South Chinese Herb Garden in Hainan as an Example

The planning of Hainan Branch Institute of Medicinal Plant, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (hereinafter referred to as "South Chinese Herb Garden") requires the integrated functions of scientific research, education, science popularization and propaganda, tourism sceneries, demonstration of production activities, thus the whole design should target at constructing multi-functional garden landscapes, utilize South Chinese herb resources, so as to build a knowledge-based tourism garden with dominant functions of scientific research, science popularization and sightseeing. The authors always insist that ecological thoughts should be borne to construct multi-functional sceneries with proper layout, elegant and honest landscapes, the construction of infrastructures and service system should be attached more importance in garden planning, functional division should be done according to actual landforms, constructions and functional demands, to form a healthy, environment-friendly and modern landscape system that can meet the demands for scientific research, education, science popularization and propaganda, and sightseeing. Through elaborating the design thoughts and principles of South Chinese Herb Garden, its design process, basis of regional planning and functional division, garden beautification means as well as road landscape designs, this study shows the ideas and ways of designing multi-functional garden landscapes.

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.

Research on Stoichiometry of Early-spring Herbs Functional Group in the Subtropical Artificial Wetland

[Objective]The aim was to carry out stoichiometry on the early-spring herbs functional group in subtropical artificial wetland.[Method]UV-Vis spectrophotometer was used for the determination of nitrate-nitrogen,ammonium nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations.Potassium persulfate absorptiometry was used for the measurement of total N content,while the flame photometer was used to detect the potassium and sodium concentration in plants.All the nutrient determination of plant samples were repeated for four times.[Result]The four nutrient concentrations in almost all samples were in the normal range of natural plant nutrition concentrations;in early-spring herbs functional groups,different species showed diversity on the nutrient concentrations;plant height had no significant effect on the nutrient concentrations in plants;the nutrient concentrations of non-grass group plants were higher than that of grass group plants;the nutrient concentrations of the annual herb were higher than that of perennial herbs.[Conclusion]The study had provided basis for the understanding of the effects of changes in nutritional conditions on species diversity,community structure and succession of the system.

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.

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.

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..

Determination of the Content of Total Alkaloids in Different Solvent Extracts from Climbing Groundsel Herb Produced in Guizhou Province and Their Antibacterial Activity

[Objective] This study aimed to compare the contents of total alkaloids in different solvent extracts from climbing groundsel herb produced in Guizhou Province and their antibacterial activity. [Method] The content of total alkaloids was measured by UV spectrophotometry, and Oxford cups were used to investigate the antibacterial activity of each solvent extract. [Result] There was a good linear correlation between the absorbance measured by the UV spectrophotometer and the content of total al- kaloids within the concentration of 0.011 0-0.054 8 mg/ml at 207 nm, and the re- gression equation was Y=23.654X＋0.021, R=0. 999 7 and the average recovery rate was 99.2%. The contents of total alkaloids in 60% ethanol extract, 95% ethanol and water ethanol were 38.71, 52.25 and 60.50 mg/g, respectively. The 60% ethanol ex- tract had strong antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylo- coccus aureus and Escherichia coil; the water extractive had stronger antibacterial activity against Escherichia colr, 95% ethanol extract had weak antibacterial activity, with no inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [Conclusion] This method is accurate, simple, with good repeatability, which can be used for the determination of alkaloids content of the climbing groundsel herb; there is no positive correlation between the content of total alkaloids in different solvent extracts of climbing groundsel herb and their antibacterial activity.

Advances in treatment of ulcerative colitis with herbs: From bench to bedside

Ulcerative colitis(UC), an idiopathic inflammatory disorder in the colon, has become a clinical challenge, owing to the increasing incidence and poor prognosis. The conventional treatments for UC including aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants, induce remission in only half of patients. Meanwhile, the treatments often come with serious side effects which can be life-threatening. Herbal medicine, one of the most common traditional Chinese medicine modalities, has been introduced for centuries into clinical treatment of many human diseases such as infections and functional disorders. Recently, the potential effectiveness of herbs has been suggested as the treatment of UC, as shown by a variety of clinical trials and experimental studies. The herbs reported in the literature include aloe vera gel, butyrate, tormentil extracts, wheat grass juice, and curcumin. In the review, bioactivity of the herbs and their involvement in UC treatment are discussed.

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.