Traditional Chinese herbal extracts inducing autophagy as a novel approach in therapy of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver diseases around the world due to the modern sedentary and food-abundant lifestyle, which is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver related with causes other than alcohol abuse. It is widely acknowledged that insulin resistance, dysfunctional lipid metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis/necrosis may all contribute to NAFLD. Autophagy is a protective self-digestion of intracellular organelles, including lipid droplets(lipophagy), in response to stress to maintain homeostasis. Lipophagy is another pathway for lipid degradation besides lipolysis. It is reported that impaired autophagy also contributes to NAFLD. Some studies have suggested that the histological characteristics of NAFLD(steatosis, lobular inflammation, and peri-sinusoid fibrosis) might be improved by treatment with traditional Chinese herbal extracts, while autophagy may be induced. This review will provide insights into the characteristics of autophagy in NAFLD and the related role/mechanisms of autophagy induced by traditional Chinese herbal extracts such as resveratrol, Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, dioscin, bergamot polyphenol fraction, capsaicin, and garlic-derived S-allylmercaptocysteine, which may inhibit the progression of NAFLD. Regulation of autophagy/lipophagy with traditional Chinese herbal extracts may be a novel approach for treating NAFLD, and the molecular mechanisms should be elucidated further in the near future.

Herbal extracts as hepatoprotectants against acetaminophen hepatotoxicity

Many plant-derived natural products have the potential to be hepatoprotective and therefore can be used to treat acute and chronic liver diseases. The challenge is to identify the most promising compounds and evaluate their protective mechanism. In a recently published article, Wang et al evaluated extracts of the plant Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa (GM) in a model of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. The authors concluded that GM is hepatoprotective against acetaminopheninduced liver injury due to its antioxidant properties and anti-apoptotic capacity. We would like to discuss the limitations of this experimental approach and question the conclusion based on the data presented in this manuscript and the published literature.

Analysis of active patents to investigate the frequency and patterns of Chinese herbal extract combinations claiming to treat heart disease

Objective:Using Chinese patents in force to investigate the frequency and patterns of Chinese herbal extract combinations claiming to treat heart disease.Methods:Patent documents were retrieved from the official website of the State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic China.Cluster,frequency,and fuzzy cluster analyses were applied.Results:A high number of patents in force included high-frequency herbs such as Salvia miltiorrhiza,Panax ginseng,and Panax notoginseng,as well as high-frequency herbal families such as Araliaceae,Leguminosae,Labiatae,and Umbelliferae.Herb pairs such as P.ginsengþOphiopogon japonicus,S.miltiorrhizaþDalbergia odorifera,and P.ginsengþSchisandra chinensis are also commonly used,as well as herbal family pairs such as AraliaceaeþLiliaceae,LauraceaeþLeguminosae,and AraliaceaeþSchisandraceae.Traditional treatment principles for preventing and treating heart diseases was most-commonly based on simultaneously treating the liver and heart and treating the lung and spleen secondarily for choosing herbal combinations.Conclusion:Most of the high-frequency Chinese herbs in the patents investigated belong to the high-frequency herbal families,and herb pairs were commonly selected to coincide with the commonly-used herbal family pairs.Low-frequency Chinese herbs were also used,but generally belonged to the high-frequency herbal families,and were therefore similar to the highfrequency herbs in terms of traditional categories of taste and channel entered.The results reflect the use of traditional principles of formula composition,and suggest that these principles may indeed be an effective guide for further research and development of Chinese herbal extract combinations to prevent and treat heart diseases.

Novel drug designing rationale against Brugia malayi microfilariae using herbal extracts

Objective:To explore the effect of herbal polyphenolics on filariasis in vitro.Methods:Two herbal extracts,methanolic extracts of roots of Vitex negundo Linn.（Nirgundi） and leaves of Aegle marmelos Juss.（Beal） in different concentrations ranging from 40-80 ng/mL were tested for their antifilarial activity either alone or in combination with diethyl carbonate（DEC）（300μg/mL） and/or H2O2（0.5 mM）.Results:Combination of DEC and each extract had significant anti-filarial effect.And fractions of both extracts were not effective as crude herbal extract.Conclusions: Such unique pharmacodynamics reported in this study might provide new drug development stratagem against filariasis.

Comparative Study of Herbal Extracted Gel and 1% Hydrocortisone Gel in the Treatment of Mosquito Bite Reaction

Background: Mosquito bite reaction is a common skin disease. Topical steroids and oral antihistamines are the conventional treatment. However, the side effects from prolonged use of topical steroids are the limitation of the treatment. Recently, herbal extracts are emerging interest for an alternative anti-inflammatory dermatoses therapy. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of herbal extracted gel containing, Perilla frutescens, Portulaca oleracea, Ipomoea pescaprae, Aloe vera, Centella asiatica and Broussonetia papyrifera in comparing with 1% hydrocortisone (HC) gel. Material and Methods: An experimental study was conducted on 50 mosquito bite hypersensitive volunteers (15 - 19 years old) with double-blinded split randomized control method. After the volunteers were exposed for one bite on their arms by a non-infectious mosquito, Aedes albopictus, the drugs were applied twice daily. The diameter of lesion, pruritus analog score, erythema and melanin index were measured at 2, 6, 24 hours and 2, 3, 4 weeks. The volunteers “self-satisfaction” and side effects were recorded. Results: The mean age was 17.42 ± 1.14 years old. The diameter of lesion, pruritus analog score, erythema and melanin index were decreased on both sides at each visit with significant difference (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between two agents of all parameters and the satisfaction of the volunteers (p > 0.05). The post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation rate of 1% HC and herbal gel was 64% and 54% respectively without significant difference (p = 0.267). Conclusion: The herbal gel was as effective as 1% HC for the treatment of acute and late reaction of mosquito bite reaction in adolescent. It may be used as the alternative treatment for mosquito bite reaction.

Inhibitory effect of eleven herbal extracts on advanced glycation end-products formation and aldose reductase activity

The formation of advanced glycation end-products （AGEs） and aldose reductase （AR） activity have been implicated in the development of diabetic complications. Our study sought to characterize the capacities of eleven herbal extracts against the formation of AGEs and the AR activity. An ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS） method was used for the detection of AR activity and the screening of AR inhibitors in this research. The amount of sorbitol from each analyte was directly detected using the multiple reaction monitoring mode and the sorbitol level could be reduced via the addition of an inhibitor. Moreover, the BSA/glucose （fructose） system was applied to investigate their inhibitory activities of AGEs formation in glycation model reactions. Compared with other screened herbs used in our study, Flos Sophorae lrnrnaturus and Radix Scutellariae seemed to be more effective on inhibiting the formation of AGEs and AR activity. The inhibiting capacities of herbal extracts against AR activity and AGEs formation may be correlated with the bioactive components of the herbal extracts. The differences were correlated with the amount of polyphenol and flavonoid components. In the study, we have investigated the potential anti-hyperglycemic bioactivity of eleven herbal extracts in vitro, which could provide a reference for further in vivo research in the prevention and treatment of diabetic complications.

Comparative Effect of Propolis of Honey Bee and Some Herbal Extracts on Candida Albicans

Objective： To determine the effect of propolis on Candida albicans and to compare it with the effects of some other herbal extracts and antibiotics on this pathogenic fungi. Methods： The extracts of propolis, Thymus vulgaris, Caryophillium aromaticus, Echinophora platyloba, Allium cepa and Cinnamomum zeylanicumwere prepared and the antifungi effects of the extracts were examined on Candida albicans ATCC10231 using disc-diffusion assay and micro-broth dilution. The minimum fungicidal concentration（MFC） and minimum inhibitory concentrations（MIC） as well as inhibition zone were evaluated and the anti fungi effects of herbal extracts were compared with amphotricin B and nystatin at the times of 24, 48 and 72 h. Data analysis was performed using t test. Results： Obtained results showed that propolis extract with MIC90 and MFC equal to 39 and 65 μg/mL, respectively, possess the highest antifungal activity when compared with other studied extracts. The extracts of Allium cepa and Thymus vulgaris, with MFC of 169 and 137 μg/mL, respectively, showed the lowest effects on the fungi. Also nystatin and amphotricin B yielded better effects on the tested fungi compared with the effects of all studied extracts on Candida albicans. Conclusions： Propolis extract is effective in controlling Candida albicans. However, the issue requires further investigation on samples in animals and performing toxicological examinations.

Interventional mechanisms of herbs or herbal extracts on renal interstitial fibrosis

Renal interstitial fibrosis（RIF） is a common development in chronic renal diseases that can lead to uremia and be life-threatening. The RIF pathology has complicated extracellular and intercellular mechanisms, involving many cells and cytokines, resulting in an incomplete mechanistic understanding of the disease. Finding effective herbs or herbal extracts for prevention and treatment of RIF is crucial because current medical approaches do not reliably slow or reverse RIF. In recent years, many experts have worked to identify herbs or herbal extracts to combat RIF both in vivo and in vitro, with some success. This review attempts to summarize the possible interventional mechanisms of herbs or herbal extracts involved in protecting and reversing RIF. The authors found some herbs and their extracts that may ameliorate renal impairments through anti-inflammation, anti-fibrogenesis and stabilization of extra cellular matrix. Among them, tetramethylpyrazine/ligustrazine, curcumin and polyglucoside of Tripterygium have experimentally shown good potential for improving RIF. However, conclusive evidence is still needed, especially in randomized controlled clinical trials. We expect that herbs or herbal extracts will play an important role in RIF treatment and reversal in the future.

Toxicological study of the hepatotherapeutic herbal formula,Chunggan extract,in beagle dogs

AIM: To evaluate the pharmaceutical safety of a Chinese herbal formula, Chunggan extract (CGX), traditionally prescribed as a hepatotherapeutic drug via systemic acute and subacute toxicological study. METHODS: Twenty male dogs and 20 female dogs were fed doses 50 times and 4 times greater than the clinically-recommended drug dosages in an acute and a subacute toxicological study, respectively. Adverse effects were examined by comparing the differences between normal and drug-administered groups using clinical signs, necropsies, histopathologic findings, haematology, urinalysis, and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: In the acute study no change in the body weight, diarrhoea, apetite, mortality rate and histopa- thology of major organs was observed in male or female dogs with a single administration of CGX at 5 g/kg. No drug-induced abnormalities at analysis of histopathology, haematology, urinalysis, and biochemistry were found with any dose of this drug. CONCLUSION: CGX is supposed to be very safe when used in a clinical application with a wide therapeutic index.

Clinical evaluation of herbal extract niaoduqing in the treatmentofearly stage chronic renal failure

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Beijing Tong Ren Tang Herbal Medicines Extract Factory

The Beijing Tong Ren Tang Herbal Medicines Extract Factory, a specialized producer of traditional Chinese medicines in tablet form, was set up in 1952 by Le Songsheng, vice mayor of Beijing and manager of Tong Ren Tang, with the aim of producing traditional Chinese medicines in Western form and by scientific means. The factory produced the

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Herbal Mixture Extracts in Mice

Herbal mixture extracts (HME) comprised of Semen Sojae Nigrum, Fructus Cnidii, Radix Glycyrrhizae, and Cornu Cervi. Herein, we employed three mouse models, including hot-plate test, acetic acid (AA)-induced writhing test and AA-induced vascular permeability test, to determine analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of HME. Results revealed that HME exhibited analgesic effects in hot-plate test and in AA-induced writhing test, as evidenced by increasing the latency to lick paws and decreasing AA-induced writhing counts, respectively. HME also significantly and dose-dependently decreased AA-induced vascular permeability, indicating HME exhibited anti-inflammatory effects. Similar improvement can be observed in aspirin treatment that used as positive control in this study. Most of medicinal effects of Fructus Cnidii are considered to attribute to coumarins, such as osthol (OST) and imperatorin (IMP) with several pharmacological activities. We then used OST and IMP as bioactive components in HME. The content of OST and IMP in HME was 3.57 ± 0.10 mg/g and 1.20 ± 0.02 mg/g, respectively, from three independent batches. Only OST possessed inhibitory effects in three mouse models, suggesting that OST may partially involve in protective effects of HME. These results demonstrated that HME has a potential on anti-analgesic effects and anti-inflammatory actions.

The Prospect of Application of Extractive Reference Substance of Chinese Herbal Medicines

The emerging development of Extractive Reference Substance (ERS) is a methodology that meets the needs for quality control for Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHM) and respects the holistic viewpoint of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and its clinical use of multiple ingredients with synergistic effects. The convention of using just a selected few Chemical Reference Substances (CRS) cannot adequately assess the quality of intact CHM. A validated chemical spectrum of an ERS provides the global characteristics in order to more specifically identify and assess targeted CHM. This paper describes the fundamental concepts, potential significance, and basic criteria of ERS, along with methods of preparation and calibration. Given the diversity of CHM, the various problems that will occur in establishing the proper process of ERS will need to be solved in a step by step manner. The ERSs of Ziziphi spinosae semen and ERS of Fritillaria thunbergii bulbus are given as examples of the development of ERS and demonstrate why we are optimistic about the utility of this approach.

Grape Seed Extract and the Fetal Ductus Arteriosus: A Potential Danger of a Common Herbal Supplement

A female at 28 weeks gestation was referred to pediatric cardiology for a fetal arrhythmia. The echocardiogram revealed premature constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Her work up was unremarkable except for her use of an herbal supplement, grape seed extract, which is advertised as a potent anti-inflammatory medication, and has biochemical properties similar to other medications that have been shown to cause premature ductal constriction. The use of herbal remedies increases each year. Although the public is inundated with radio, television, and internet advertisements for these products, little unbiased information regarding the possible dangers of toxicity or adverse reactions exists. As physicians, we need to be aware of these products, and counsel our patients accordingly.

中医药治疗卵巢癌的机制研究进展

卵巢癌具有难检测、难治疗、复发率高等临床特点,是致死率最高的妇科恶性肿瘤之一。早期症状隐匿,发现时多已进展至晚期,手术后铂类药物化疗是目前的主要治疗手段,但长期使用会产生耐药性,且不良反应极多。近年来,随着中医学的不断进步和发展,中药已成为目前抗卵巢癌研究的热点。笔者在国内外数据库中检索相关研究论文,发现中药具有抑制卵巢癌细胞增殖、促进细胞凋亡、逆转耐药性等作用机制,主要作用在PI3K/Akt/mTOR、Wnt/β-catenin、Notch、NF-κB、MAPK信号通路。

白及根腐病病原菌的鉴定及抑制效应研究

为明确鉴定白及块茎腐烂病(根腐病)的病原菌,并筛选能够抑制病原菌的中药材提取物。该研究利用常规组织分离法对病原菌进行分离,通过形态学和分子生物学技术对致病菌株进行鉴定,同时观察了7种中药材提取物对病原菌的抑菌效果。结果表明:(1)从感病叶片、叶鞘及块茎中共分离得到14株真菌和4株细菌,病原菌室内和室外回接表明菌株GF-1致病症状与田间一致,致病率均达到100%。(2)经形态学鉴定,菌株GF-1为附球菌属(Epicoccum)病原菌,菌落白色绒絮状,圆形;菌丝匍匐向外、向上生长,气生,无色,有隔膜,有分枝,具有分生孢子和厚垣孢子。(3)菌株GF-1的ITS序列(全长522 bp)与GenBank中已登录的甘蔗的高粱附球菌(E.sorghinum,MN493119.1)序列一致性最高,达99.62%,与已报道的白及叶斑病致病菌高粱附球菌(E.sorghinum,MF948994.1)的一致性为98.88%。(4)培养基中含有0.1~0.2 g·mL^(-1)的青钱柳等7种中药材提取物,能够完全抑制GF-1菌落的生长;当培养基中含有0.05 g·mL^(-1)的提取物时,肉桂和丁香提取物仍然能够完全抑制菌落的生长。综上认为,引起白及根腐病的致病菌为附球菌属高粱附球菌(E.sorghinum),培养基中分别含有0.1~0.2 g·mL^(-1)的青钱柳、白及、厚朴、八角、肉桂、蛇床子和丁香7种中药材提取物且均能完全抑制致病菌的生长。该研究结果为白及根腐病的防治提供了理论指导。

中药提取物的生物学功能及其在断奶仔猪中的试验性研究进展

中药提取物具有抗炎、抗菌、抗氧化、调节机体免疫等生物学功能,在改善断奶仔猪采食量减少、生长发育迟缓、腹泻等问题上具有良好的效果。本文综述了中药提取物的生物学功能及其在断奶仔猪中的试验性研究,为开发利用兽用中药提取物及其制剂提供参考。

7种中药提取物体外抑制金黄色葡萄球菌的效果及机制研究

本研究旨在探究黄芩苷、小檗碱、杜鹃花、虎儿草、唐古特青蓝、诃子、沙棘果7种中药对金黄色葡萄球菌的体外抑菌效果以及其作用机制。通过微量肉汤稀释法测定7种不同中药材水或醇提取物对金黄色葡萄球菌的最小抑菌浓度,并测定不同药物提取物浓度下金黄色葡萄球菌的生长曲线,研究中药对金黄色葡萄球菌的体外抑菌效果;然后测定中药材对金黄色葡萄球菌生物被膜生成的影响、生物被膜通透性的影响和胞内三磷酸腺苷(ATP)含量的影响来研究其抑菌机制。结果表明,所有中草药提取物对金黄色葡萄球菌均有抑制作用,其中小檗碱和黄芩苷2种中药抑菌作用优于其他中药提取物。中药处理组的金黄色葡萄球菌生长缓慢,小檗碱对金黄色葡萄球菌的生长抑制作用最强。小檗碱、黄芩苷、唐古特青蓝、杜鹃花、沙棘果、虎儿草水提取物以及唐古特青蓝、杜鹃花、诃子、沙棘果、虎儿草的醇提取物能明显抑制金黄色葡萄球菌生物膜的形成。经过黄芩苷和小檗碱处理后,金黄色葡萄球菌胞外总蛋白和核酸含量与药物提取物浓度呈正相关增加。经过小檗碱作用后的金黄色葡萄球菌胞内的ATP含量显著下降。综上,7种中药对金黄色葡萄球菌有体外抑菌效果,能够抑制细菌的生长,其机制与影响金黄色葡萄球菌的生物被膜通透性以及细胞能量代谢相关。

6种中草药提取物对火腿切片典型腐败菌的抑制研究

低温肉制品贮藏期间的微生物腐败现象引起了人们的广泛关注,针对典型腐败菌的控制研究越来越受到重视。本研究中,笔者在火腿切片贮藏期间分离纯化得到了3株典型腐败菌,选取6种中草药提取物以筛选对典型腐败菌抑菌能力较强的单味中草药,并对其进行复配,评估其抑菌效果。结果表明:6种中草药提取物中,石榴皮提取物对绿色魏斯氏菌和清酒乳杆菌的抑菌效果最好,抑菌圈直径分别为10.63和12.73 mm,最小抑菌质量浓度均为15.63~31.25 mg/mL;甘草提取物对肠膜明串珠菌的抑制效果最优,抑菌圈直径为14.68 mm,最小抑菌质量浓度为3.91~7.81 mg/mL;复配提取物中,甘草+乌梅+石榴皮的抑菌性能显著提高,对3株受试菌株均有不错的抑制效果,抑菌圈直径分别为18.17、11.55和12.74 mm。本研究可为低温肉制品中绿色健康的天然防腐剂开发提供参考。

中医药防治冠心病的蛋白质组学研究进展

冠心病是临床常见的心血管疾病,危险因素多,发病率高,病死率高,其症状反复发作,严重影响患者的身心健康。中医药可通过“双心治疗”缓解冠心病患者的症状及焦虑情绪。冠心病属中医“胸痹心痛”范围,其发病机制复杂,临床证型多,包括心脉瘀阻证、痰浊闭阻证、气滞心胸证、寒凝心脉证、痰瘀互结证、气阴两虚证、心肾阴虚证及心肾阳虚证。针对不同证型,治疗方剂众多,但作用机制尚不明确。蛋白质组学技术是一种识别蛋白质和研究蛋白质表征的技术,能够全面认识疾病的发生发展,可用于探究具有诊断价值的生物标志物、研究不同中医证候的蛋白质差异、推断中医药治疗冠心病的作用机制。