Evidence and Potential Antibacterial Mechanism of Chinese Traditional Medicine Compounds for the Development of E. coli

Astragalus membranaceus (huangqi), Allium sativum (garlic), Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon), and Dolichos lablab L. (white hyacinth bean) are the traditional Chinese herbs that were used in prescriptions in treating diarrhea caused by bacterial infection. These herbs are relatively safe for use and investigation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus, Allium sativum, Cinnamomum cassia, and Dolichos lablab L. on the metabolism of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The growth rate of E. coli was monitored under the influence of each herb, revealing that Astragalus membranaceus and Allium sativum exhibited significant antibacterial activity, whereas Cinnamomum cassia and Dolichos lablab L. demonstrated moderate inhibitory effects on E. coli growth. Further inhibition zone testing allowed for the evaluation of each herb’s potency and the number of generations required for E. coli to develop resistance. Additionally, the impact of the four herbs on the expression of outer membrane protein A (OmpA) in E. coli was examined by using qPCR. The findings revealed that Astragalus membranaceus acted as a sustainable bactericide by inhibiting the growth and metabolism of E. coli MG1655 through the suppression of OmpA expression. These results suggest that Astragalus membranaceus has potential as a natural antimicrobial agent for treating E. coli infections.

Research progress on the regulation of androgen receptor signaling pathway in the treatment of prostate cancer by traditional Chinese medicine monomers

The prevalence of prostate cancer in males worldwide is increasing every year.Androgen and androgen receptor drive the development of prostate cancer and are important targets for the treatment of prostate cancer.A growing number of reports indicate that the traditional Chinese medicine has a clear advantage in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.This article provides an overview of the in vitro and in vivo studies of different traditional Chinese medicine monomers acting on the androgen receptor-signaling pathway in prostate cancer.

Determination of vanadium in food and traditional Chinese medicine by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy

Various experimental conditions were described for the vanadium determinationby graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS). The experiments showed that whenatomization took place under the conditions where the combination of a pyrolytic coating graphitetube and fast raising temperature were used and the temperature was stable, the signal peak shapescould be improved, the sensitivity was enhanced, and the memory effect was removed. The vanadium infood and traditional Chinese medicinal herbs can be accurately determined using the standard curvemethod.

Wavy Distribution of Trace Elements in Phytolacca Samples from Different Areas

To study the distribution of 25 elements, i.e. Be, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cu, Dy, Er,Eu, Gd, Ge, Ho, La, Lu, Mo, Nd, Pb, Pr, Sm, Sr, Tb, Tl, Tm, Y, Yb and Zn in Phytolacca, atraditional Chinese medicinal herb, collected from nine areas of P. R. China. Methods Twenty-fiveelements in Phytolacca including essential elements, toxic elements and rare earth elements intraditional Chinese medicinal herbs from different areas were analyzed by ICP-MS. Results The 25elements in Phytolacca were determined by ICP-MS under optimized conditions. The detection limitswere 0.003 -0.71 ng·mL^(-1). The recoveries were 88% - 118% . The relative standard deviations ofthe measurements were 1.7% - 13.3%. Conclusion The determined concentrations of elements inPhytolacca acinosa Roxb vary from one area to another; however, the distribution tendency ofelements in all the samples is similar. The distribution tendency of rare earth elements inPhytolacca acinosa Roxb is consistent with that in nature.

Effect of Danshao Huaxian capsule on Gremlin and bone morphogenetic protein-7 expression in hepatic fibrosis in rats

AIM: To observe the effect of Danshao Huaxian capsule (DHC) on the expression of Gremlin and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in the liver of hepatic fibrosis rats.

Effects of Dan-Shao-Hua-Xian on the expression of collagen type I and III in rats with hepatic fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Hepatic fibrosis is the common patholo gical change in various chronic liver diseases,and its major cause is the imbalance between the production and degra dation of the extracellular matrix, which is mainly com posed of collagens. Dan-Shao-Hua-Xian ( DSHX) cap sule, a traditional Chinese herbal compound, has shown marked preventive effects on hepatic fibrosis in rats in our previous studies. The present study was designed to further investigate its therapeutic actions on hepatic fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divid- ed into normal control group, hepatic fibrosis group, non DSHX-treated group, low-dose-treated group, and high dose-treated group. The rat models of hepatic fibrosis were established by subcutaneous injecton of CC14 , drinking al- cohol , giving diet of hyperliprosis and hypoprotein for 8 weeks. The two DSHX-treated groups were treated respec- tively with low dose (0.5 g/kg) and high dose (1.0 g/kg) of DSHX capsule p. o. everyday for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, liver indexes were calculated in each group in addition to the levels of the serum hyaluronic acid and alanine aminotransferase. Their degree of hepatic fibrosis and urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and expression of collagen , were detected. RESULTS: Comparison of the indexes of the hepatic fibro- sis group and non-DSHX-treated group revealed that the liver indexes, levels of serum hyaluronic acid and alanine aminotransferase, and stage of hepatic fibrosis were all sig- nificantly reduced in the two DSHX treated groups. The urinary excretion of hydroxyproline was increased and the expression of collagen I and HI in liver tissue was lessened. These alterations were more obviously observed in the high-dose-treated group. CONCLUSION: DSHX capsule has certain therapeutic effect on hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Effect of Danshao Huaxian Capsule (丹芍化纤胶事囊) on the Expression of Collagen Ⅰ, Ⅲ, and Caspase-3 in Hepatic Fibrosis Rats

Objective: To study the effect of Danshao Huaxian capsule (丹芍化纤胶囊,DSHX), a traditional Chinese medical prescription, on the expression of collagen (Col) Ⅰ, Ⅲ and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteases-3 (caspase-3) in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. And also it is to explore the mechanism of DSHX in anti-fibrosis. Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (A), the model group (B), the un-treated model group (C), the low-dose-DSHX treated group (D) and the high-dose-DSHX treated group (E). Except those in Group A, all the other rats were made into hepatic fibrotic models by comprehensive processes including subcutaneous injecting of CCl4, and feeding them with alcoholic high-fat and low-protein diet for 8 weeks. Then the two DSHX-treated groups were treated respectively with low dose (0.5 g/kg) and high dose (1.0 g/kg) DSHX capsule by gastrogavage everyday for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the liver index, levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) and alanine amin-otransferase (ALT) in serum, degree of hepatic fibrosis, and urinary excretion of hydroxyproline (Hyp) were measured, and the expression of Col Ⅰ , Col Ⅲ and caspase-3 in liver tissues were detected respectively by immunohistochemistric technique. Results: Compared with those in Group B and C, the two DSHX treated groups showed that the liver index, levels of serum HA and ALT and severity of hepatic fibrosis were all significantly lower, the urinary excretion of Hyp was significantly higher; the Col Ⅰ and Col-Ⅲ expression was lower (Col Ⅰ :1. 23±1.14,1. 07±0. 96 vs 4.18±2. 26, 3. 22±1. 44, P<0. 01;Col Ⅲ : 1. 31±0. 69, , 1. 09± 0.58 vs 3.04±0.62,2.23±0.58, P<0.05). At the same time, the expression of caspase-3 in Group E was fewer than Group B and C in hepatocytes (3. 09±0. 65 vs 9. 60±2. 32, 8. 82 ±1. 45, P<0.01),but it was extensively expressed in fibrous septal cells(4.52±0.87 vs 1.69±0.23,2.98±0.36, P<0.01). Conclusion: DSHX capsule shows certain therapeutic effect on hepatic fibrosis in rats, and the mechanism might be related with reducing Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ deposition, inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis and promoting fibrous septal cells (mainly the activated hepatic stellate cells) apoptosis.

Antiviral effect of Chinese medicine jiaweisinisan in hepatitis B virus transgenic mice

AIM： To study the antiviral effect of Chinese medicine jiaweisinisan （JWSNS） on hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection in transgenic mice （TGM）. METHODS： Twenty two 6-8 wk old HBV TGM in the third generation were divided into TGM control group and TGM treated group randomly. The normal control group included ten normal BC 57L/6 mice at the same age. The mice in treated group were administrated with JWSNS at the concentration of 4 g/mL and the dosage of 50 g/kg per d for 30 d, while the mice in TGM control group and normal control group were administrated with normal saline at the same dosage and the same time. Polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was used to assess the contents of HBV DNA in serum of HBV TGM before and after treatments, whereas blot hybridization was utilized to measure the contents of HBV DNA in the liver of both HBV TGM and normal BC 57L/6 mice. RESULTS： The levels of serum HBV DNA in TGM treated group were remarkably decreased after the treatment of JWSNS （7.662±0.78 vs 5.22±3.14, P〈0.05）, while there was no obvious change after administration of normal saline in TGM control group （7.125±4.26 vs 8.932 ± 5.12, P〉 0.05）. The OD values of HBV DNA in the livers of the mice in TGM treated group were significantly lower than those of TGM control group （0.274±0.096 vs 0.432 ± 0.119, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： JWSNS exerts suppressive effects on HBV DNA in the serum and liver of TGM.

Research ideas and strategies on the dose-effect relationship of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions and herbs

We discuss here the complexity of the doses of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) prescriptions and herbs from different viewpoints,including the heterogeneity of drug quality,the flexibility of prescriptions,and the diversity of drug effects.Then,the corresponding research ideas and strategies are proposed.We can reveal the actual situation of clinical doses based on in-depth "real-world study" of the safety and effectiveness of TCM prescriptions,create an analytical method for dose-effect relationships in accordance with the features of TCM,and reveal the correlated regular nature of the effectiveness and dosage of TCM prescriptions and herbs.

Foundation and Clinical Research on the Effect of Traditional Chinese Herbs on Gastrointestinal Motility

Gastric dyskinesis functional dyspepsia is a commonly clinical condition characterized as epigastric discomfort,distension after meals,early satiety and belching,which are commonly associated with the dysfunction of gastrointestinal motility.

Yang-tonifying traditional Chinese medicinal plants and their potential phytoandrogenic activity

The concept of phytoandrogens, plants that contain androgens or those that stimulate androgenic activity in men, is relatively new. In traditional Chinese medicine a number of phytoandrogens are classified in medicinal plant restoratives for reinforcing yang, and they find their application in the treatment of the kidney yang deficiency diseases. In this review, the phytoandrogens used in traditional Chinese medicine are listed, and their proven applications in the treatment of kidney yang deficiency diseases, such as sexual disorders, cancer, and obesity and associated metabolic syndromes are presented. As a background, the mechanism of action of androgens, their synthesis and metabolism, the interrelations of androgens and estrogens, as well as the state of art methods to detect and analyze these hormonal activities in medicinal plants are discussed.

Multiple biological functions and pharmacological effects of lycorine

Lycorine is the major active component from the amaryllidaceae family plant Lycoris radiate,a represent traditional Chinese medicinal herb,and is one of the typical alkaloids with pyrrolophenanthridine nucleus core.Lycorine has drawn great interest in medicinal field due to its divergent chemical structures and multiple biological functions,as well as pharmacological effects on various diseases.Accumulated evidence shows that lycorine not only possesses strong pharmacological effects on many diseases,including anti-leukemia,anti-tumor,anti-angiogenesis,anti-virus,anti-bacteria,anti-inflammation,and anti-malaria,but also exerts many other biological functions,such as inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and topoisomerase,suppression of ascorbic acid biosynthesis,and control of circadian period length.Notably,lycorine exhibits its numerous pharmacological effects on various diseases with very low toxicity and mild side effects.The divergent chemical structures,multiple biological functions,and very low toxicity of lycorine imply that the agent is a potential drug candidate that warrants for further preclinical and clinic investigation.

Effect of Yiqi Huoxue Recipe(益气活血方)on Cardiac Function and Ultrastructure in Regression of Pressure Overload-induced Myocardial Hypertrophy in Rats

Objective： To investigate the effect of Yiqi Huoxue Recipe （YHR, 益气活血方） on the cardiac function and ultrastructure during the regression of myocardial hypertrophy induced by pressure overload in rats. Methods： The model of myocardial hypertrophy was established by abdominal aortic banding. Eighty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups, the normal control group Ⅰ （n=20）, the normal control group Ⅱ（n=12）, the hypertension model group Ⅰ （n=12）, the hypertension model group Ⅱ （n=12）, the YHR group （n=12） and the Captopril group （n=12）. The observation was carried out in the normal control group Ⅰ and the hypertension model groupⅠ after 4 weeks of modeling, and the other four groups were observed after 16 weeks of modeling （12 weeks of administration）. The cardiac function was measured with a multichannel biological signal analysis system, and the myocardium ultrastructure was observed by a transmission electron microscope. Results： （1） Compared with the normal control group Ⅰ, the systolic blood pressure and cardiac coefficient （left ventricular weight/body weight） in the model Ⅰ group was higher （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. （2） In the YHR group, cardiac coefficient and -dp/dtmax were lower, left ventricular systolic pressure and ＋dp/dtmin were higher when compared with the model group Ⅱ and the Captopril group （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. In the Captopril group, only cardiac coefficient was lower when compared with the mode group Ⅱ （P〈0.05）. （3） Compared with the normal control group Ⅱ, ＋dp/dtmax was higher （P〈0.01）, -dp/dtmax and isovolumetric contraction time （ICT） was lower （P〈0.05, P〈0.01） in both the YHR group and the Captopril group. （4） Results of the myocardium ultrastructure showed edema under myocardium plasmalemma, enlarged sarcoplasmic reticulum and T tube, and significantly enlarged intercalated disc of the cardiac muscle in the model groups. In the Captopril group, the extension of sarcoplasmic reticulum and T tube as well as the pathological changes of intercalated disc were lighter, with slight edema under the myocardium plasmalemma. In the YHR group, the expansion of the sarcoplasmic reticulum was less than in the Captopril group, part of the pathological changes of intercalated discs was slightly more severe than that in the Captopril group, the dissolution of nuclear chromatin was not found, which was similar to that of the Captopril group, and no injury of the nucleus was found, either. Conclusion： YHR could reverse myocardial hypertrophy in rats with abdominal aortic banding and improve the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle. The ultrastructure of the myocardium such as arcoplasmic reticulum, intercalated disc, and cell nucleus in abdominal aortic banding rats could be partly reversed by the recipe.