Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of endocrine metabolic diseases in 2023

This study aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the research progress in Chinese medicine in the treatment of endocrine metabolic diseases in 2023,covering traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)monomers,TCM extracts,and TCM combinations,including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications,obesity,hyperuricaemia,and thyroid disorders.After systematic sorting and summary,we found that in 2023,the research focusing on the application of TCM for endocrine metabolic diseases was still on the mechanism of action at the cellular and molecular levels,which not only influenced the classical pathways of lipid metabolism,but also delved into the key mechanisms of anti-inflammation,anti-oxidation,anti-insulin resistance,and so on.Additionally,TCM has shown remarkable results in the treatment of endocrine metabolic diseases by improving intestinal flora disorders and abnormal cellular iron death.These research results provide valuable ideas,methods,and tools for TCM in the prevention and treatment of endocrine metabolic diseases,and provide important references and guidance for future research and practice.

Traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of coronavirus disease 2019:a review

prevalence.A number of clinical workers and researchers have made great efforts to understand the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics and develop effective drugs for treatment.However,no effective drugs with antiviral effects on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 have been discovered currently.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has gained abundant experience in the treatment of infectious diseases for thousands of years.In this review,the authors summarized the clinical outcome,pathogensis and current application of TCM on coronavirus disease 2019.Further,we discussed the potential mechanisms and the future research directions of TCM against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Cinobufagin, a bufadienolide from traditional Chinese medicine Bufo bufo gargarizans CANTOR, inhibits PC3 cell growth in vitro and in vivo

Objective:To explore the effects of cinobufagin (CBF),an active component of toad venom (Bufo bufo gargarizans CANTOR),on the proliferation and apoptosis of PC3 human prostate cancer cells in vitro and preliminarily investigate the mechanism of CBF in suppressing tumor cell growth in vivo.Methods:The effect of CBF on PC3 cells proliferation was detected using MTT assay.The morphological changes of PC3 cells were observed under an optical microscope.Colony formation assays were used to observe the CBF effect on colony formation by PC3 cells.PC3 cell apoptosis after treatment with CBF for 48 hours was monitored using flow cytometry.Furthermore,the effect of CBF on the expression of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) and related apoptotic proteins was examined using western blotting.A xenograft model was established in BALB/c nude mice to evaluate the effect of CBF on prostate cancer in vivo.Results:The MT-T assay results illustrated that PC3 cell proliferation was inhibited in vitro by CBF in a concentration-and time-dependent manner.Compared with the control group findings,CBF significantly inhibited the formation of PC3 cells (P =.005).Flow cytometry revealed that after treatment with 50 nM CBF for 48 hours,the apoptotic rate of PC3 cells was 41.97 (5.16)%,indicating that CBF could significantly induce its apoptosis (P =.003).In addition,optical and fluorescence microscopy uncovered remarkable inhibition of cell proliferation accompanied by morphologic changes.The western blotting result indicated that CBF obviously downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1.Most importantly,ClBF reduced the carcinogenicity of PC3 xenografts in nude mice.Conclusion:CBF can inhibit the growth of PC3 cells both in vitro and in vivo and induce apoptosis of tumor cells.The corresponding mechanism may be correlated with the activation of caspase family proteins via MCL-1.

The law of Chinese herbal medicine decoction for AIDS based on data mining

Objective:To explore the regularity and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine decoction for the treatment of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome(AIDS)Methods:CNKI,VIP,CBM,Wanfang database and Pubmed were searched to identify potentially eligible studies on clinical observation of Chinese medicine for AIDS.Association rules and hierarchical cluster analysis were conducted.Results:It found that the high-frequency drugs were licorice,ginseng,astragalus and Scutellaria baicalensis,which accounted for more than 56.17%of the total frequency,and the most common combination of drugs was found based on association rules between high-frequency drugs.According to the meridian,the drugs associated with the spleen meridian were used most,followed by the drugs associated with lung,heart,stomach,liver and kidney meridian,which accounted for 61.12%of the total frequency of drugs associated with meridian.Conclusion:The etiology and pathogenesis of AIDS mainly include deficiency of lung and spleen qi,deficiency of liver and kidney,and yin deficiency.It has an important value for the treatment of AIDS with traditional Chinese medicine.

Inhibiting the formation of neutrophil extracellular trapping: a potential mechanism of Chinese medicine in the treatment of ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke(IS)is the main killer that endangers the health and life of middle-aged and elderly people worldwide.Inflammatory response plays a key regulatory role in the pathogenesis of IS.After cerebral ischemia,leukocytes rapidly accumulate,penetrate blood vessels and infiltrate brain tissue,thereby activating pro-inflammatory factors in the infarct area to exacerbate nerve damage.Neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)are fibrous mesh structures released by activated neutrophils outside the cell,which can clear pathogens and cell debris,induce inflammatory responses and exacerbate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(CI/R)injury.Various traditional Chinese medicines and their main components can improve neurological function defects after IS,and inhibit the formation of NETs,which opens up a new direction for the study of traditional Chinese medicines in the prevention and treatment of IS.

The Clinical Characteristics and Incidence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis of 7632 HIV Patients in Yunnan Province from 2005 to 2017

Objective:To analyze the age and gender distribution characteristics of 7,632 HIV/AIDS patients at the onset of HIV infection-related high-risk intravenous drug abuse and sexual contact in Yunnan province.Methods:Data were collected from the database of Chinese Medicine Treatment of AIDS Pilot Project in Yunnan province.Gender,age and demographics of HIV/AIDS patients were analyzed.Results:The patients were almost in relatively high educational background.The number of male intravenous drug users(12.90%)was more than female,and the earliest average age was 10-14 years.The percentages of men in 10-19 years and 35-59 years were more than that of women.No obvious difference was found in heterosexual sexual contact in both men(48.11%)and women(51.89%),and the earliest ages was 15-19 years in males and 10-14 years in females.The percentage of males at 10-34 years old was less than that of females,just opposite to the age of 35-85 years.Homosexual contact was more in males(92.73%)than that in females(7.27%).The earliest homosexual sexual contact associated with HIV infection was 15-19 years in males and 25-29 years in females.Among 128 AIDS patients with pulmonary tuberculosis infection,intravenous drug abuse accounted for the highest proportion(76.56%)of the three high-risk behaviors related to HIV infection.Conclusions:Reducing risk behaviors and preventing intravenous drug abuse could be effective in preventing AIDS.Compared with other high-risk behaviors,patients with intravenous drug use and AIDS are at greater risk of contracting tuberculosis.

Analysis of the Ideological and Political Concepts and Teaching Strategies for Quality Improvement in Physical Education Courses in Colleges and Universities

In today’s higher education system,the physical education program is not only for teaching sports skills and exercising physical fitness but also an important position for cultivating students’character,emotions,and values.With the in-depth development of the concept of ideological education,the ideology of college physical education courses has become an important direction of educational reform.In this paper,we will discuss the connotation of the concept of ideology and politics in college physical education courses,analyze the methods to effectively integrate the ideology and politics elements while guaranteeing the quality of teaching,and put forward the corresponding strategies to improve the quality,with a view to providing new ideas and methods for the construction of ideology and politics in college physical education courses.

Network pharmacology studies on the effect of Chai-Ling decoction incoronavirus disease 2019

Background:Chai-Ling decoction(CLD),derived from a modification of Xiao-Chai-Hu(XCH)decoction and Wu-Ling-San(WLS)decoction,has been used to treat the early-stage of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).However,the mechanisms of CLD in COVID-19 remain unknown.In this study,the potential mechanisms of CLD in COVID-19 were preliminarily investigated based on network pharmacology and molecular docking method.Methods:Initially,the active components and targets of CLD were screened based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and PharmMapper database.The targets of COVID-19 were obtained from GeneCards database.The protein-protein interaction network was established using STRING database to analyze the key targets.Gene Oncology(GO)analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis were also conducted to evaluate the pathways related to the targets of CLD on COVID-19.Moreover,the compound-target-pathway network was established using Cytoscape 3.2.7.Subsequently,the molecular docking method was performed to select the active compounds with high binding affinity on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2),which is the key target of SARS-CoV-2 in entering target cells.The possible binding sites were also visualized by a three-dimensional graph.Results:Network pharmacology analysis showed that there were 106 active components and 160 targets of CLD.Additionally,251 targets related to COVID-19 were identified,and 24 candidates of CLD on COVID-19 were selected.A total of 283 GO terms of CLD on COVID-19 were identified,and 181 pathways were screened based on GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses.CLD might alleviate the inflammatory response and improve lung injury to treat COVID-19 through interleukin 17 signaling,T helper cell 17 differentiation,tumor necrosis factor signaling,and hypoxia inducible factor-1 signaling.Besides,molecular docking indicated that beta-sitosterol,kaempferol,and stigmasterol were the top three candidates in CLD with the highest affinity to SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2.Conclusion:Our study identifies the potential mechanisms of CLD on COVID-19 and beta-sitosterol,kaempferol,and stigmasterol may be the key compounds that exert antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy with syringomyelia presenting as hip Charcot neuroarthropathy:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Charcot neuroarthropathy(CN)is a systemic disease characterized by progressive bone loss and destruction,which is usually closely related to diabetes,HIV,etc.However,CN caused by syringomyelia accounts for only 5%of CN cases;the shoulder and elbow are most often involved,and the hip joint is rarely affected.As a rare factor,cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM)can be associated with syringomyelia,which is scarcely reported in the literature.Here,we present the first case report to date of CN of the hip caused by syringomyelia secondary to CSM.CASE SUMMARY We describe a 76-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with CSM due to neck pain and weakness of limbs 16 years ago.Four years ago,he noticed recurrent swelling of the right hip with pain and was diagnosed with degenerative arthritis.Recently,however,his symptoms gradually worsened,and because of progressive pain,destabilization and weakness of the right hip,he was admitted to our hospital.Through systematic physical,radiographic and laboratory examinations,we finally reached a diagnosis:CN of the right hip associated with syringomyelia secondary to CSM.After comprehensive evaluation of the patient's condition,we performed right total hip arthroplasty.During the follow-up,the patient felt well clinically and could walk independently with a knee brace.CONCLUSION We suggest a possible etiological association between CSM and syringomyelia,which may reflect a potential pathogenesis of CN.We encourage clinicians to actively carry out a detailed medical history and comprehensive physical and imaging examinations in patients with joint lesions,especially chronic shoulder neck pain,to rule out the possibility of this association,which plays a crucial role in the early diagnosis of CN.Arthroplasty may no longer be an absolute contraindication to surgical treatment of CN.Reasonable selection of the surgical strategy can markedly improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life of patients.

Metabolomic characteristics of spontaneously hypertensive rats under chronic stress and the treatment effect of Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder, a traditional Chinese medicine formula

Objective: Numerous studies have demonstrated the close relationship between chronic stress and blood pressure(BP). Hypertensive subjects exhibit exaggerated reactions to stress, especially higher BP. The mechanisms by which stress affects pre-existing hypertension still need to be explored. Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder(DP), a historical traditional Chinese medicine formula, is a promising treatment for BP control in hypertensive patients under stress. The present study investigated the metabolomic disruption caused by chronic stress and the treatment effect and mechanism of DP.Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs) were subjected to chronic restraint stress(CRS) for 4 weeks. BP was measured via the tail-cuff method, and anxiety-like behavior was quantified using the elevated-plus-maze test. Meanwhile, DP was administered intragastrically, and its effects were observed. Global metabolomic analysis was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, followed by multivariate statistical analysis to detect differential metabolites and pathways.Results: DP alleviated the CRS-induced increase in BP and anxiety-like behavior. Systematic metabolic differences were found among the three study groups. A total of 29 differential plasma metabolites were identified in both positive-and negative-ion modes. These metabolites were involved in triglyceride metabolism, amino acid(phenylalanine, tryptophan, and glycine) metabolism, and steroid hormone pathways.Conclusion: These findings expose the metabolomic disturbances induced by chronic stress in SHRs and suggest an innovative treatment for this disorder.

The prediction antidepressant effects of Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li decoction by Arrowsmith tool

Background:To explore the modern pharmacological mechanism of classic ancient prescription of Chinese medicine Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li decoction and single drug in classic ancient prescription of Chinese medicine Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li decoction on antidepressant from the theoretical level.Methods:The literature related search tool Arrowsmith was used with the help of Cytoscape drawing software,the relationship between classic ancient prescription of Chinese medicine Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li decoction and the antidepressant mechanism was analyzed.Results:Different single drugs in classic ancient prescription of Chinese medicine Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li decoction may play an antidepressant effect by regulatingβ-catenin,toll-like receptor 4,brain-derived neurotrophic factor,caspase-3,γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor,MAPK,Akt,ERK,AMPK,Wnt,STAT3,CREB,NMDA,iNOS,PKA,matrix metalloproteinase-9,IL-10,ApoE,P38 MAPK,MMP-2,AMPA,PPARγ,TNFα,NF-κB,TGF,CaMKII and EPO.The key antidepressant site is in the hippocampus.Conclusion:The antidepressant effect of classic ancient prescription of Chinese medicine Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li decoction reflects the action characteristics of multi-components,multi-targets,and multi-pathways of traditional Chinese medicine.Through the search and analysis by Arrowsmith tools,it provides a scientific basis for in-depth interpretation of the antidepressant mechanism and provides research direction and ideas for the research of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription.

Expert Consensus on the Clinical Application of Tianma Xingnao Capsule in the Treatment of Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neuropathic Headache

The prescription of Tianma Xingnao Capsule is composed of Gastrodiae Rhizoma,Pheretima,Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma,Polygalae Radix,Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata,and Cistanches Herba.It has effects of nourishing liver and kidney,dredging collaterals and relieving pain.More than 20 years of clinical application and evidence-based medical research have shown that Tianma Xingnao Capsule has a significant therapeutic effect on vascular cognitive impairment and neuropathic headache.In order to further guide the proper clinical use of this prescription,the consensus expert group conducted a comprehensive analysis of the prescription of Tianma Xingnao Capsule.Combining the existing evidence-based medicine evidence and the experience of clinical experts,this consensus report standardized the usage,dosage,duration and safety of Tianma Xingnao Capsule in the treatment of vascular cognitive impairment and neuropathic headache.It is expected to provide a theoretical basis for clinically reasonable and safe use of Tianma Xingnao Capsule.

Electroacupuncture Intervention Combined with Rat Nerve Growth Factor on Expression of Nestin and NeuN in MCAO Rats

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the expression of Nestin and Neuron specific nuclear protein antigen(neuron-specific protein,NeuN) at different time points after cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.Methods:One hundred and fifty SD male rats were used to generate a one-side middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) model using thread embolism method,then randomly divided them into the sham operation group,MCAO group,EA group,Nerve Growth Factor(NGF) group and EA+NGF group.The three benzene chloride tetrazolium(TTC) staining was used to detect the volume of cerebral infarction in the rats.Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression of immune positive cell markers such as endogenous neural stem cell(NSC) marker protein Nestin,bromodeoxyuridine(Brdu) and NeuN on 1,7 and 14 days after cerebral ischemia in rats,and compared with the sham operation group.Results:TTC detection of the cerebral infarction volume showed that the nerve function injury score of the EA+ NGF group was significantly lower than MCAO group(P < 0.01).Ischemia led to severe loss of brain function,and EA+ NGF helped in the recovery of cerebral ischemia.Immunohistochemical results showed almost no expression of Nestin in the sham operation group;positive cells was expressed significantly higher Nestin on the 7th day(P < 0.05);then was peaked on the 14 th day.Nestin/BrdU labeled cells in the sham operation group showed minor expression,which was increased on the 7th day(P < 0.05) and was peaked on the 14 th day after ischemia.The differences were statistically significant on the 7th and 14 th day among the EA group,NGF group,EA+NGF group and MCAO group(P< 0.05).NeuN expression was higher in the sham operation group,and was increased on the 7th day after ischemia.NeuN/BrdU labeled cells showed higher expression in the sham operation group,the most obvious improvement was in the EA group,and the NGF and EA+NGF groups also showed significantly increased expression,while MCAO group showed the least.Conclusion:Protective effect of EA combined with NGF on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury may induce nerve cell regeneration,accelerate proliferation of newborn cells,and promote differentiation of newborn cells,which is important for the recovery of nerve function.

Research progress of epigenetic modification in autophagy regulation

Autophagy can maintain the homeostasis of cells by removing the accumulated proteins,damaged organelles and pathogens.Studies have shown that autophagy is closely related to a variety of life activities,and its dysfunction often leads to tumor,degenerative diseases and other diseases.Epigenetic modification is widely involved in autophagy and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of many diseases.In order to further understand the mechanism of autophagy,we review the related signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications of autophagy.

Efficacy of Pidan Jianqing decoction in treatment of type 2 diabetes with spleen deficiency and damp-heat syndrome

Introduction:This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of Pidan Jianqing decoction in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Methods:A total of 72 patients with type 2 diabetes differentiated as spleen deficiency with damp-heat syndrome were randomly assigned to a treatment group(n=35)or control group(n=32).Patients in the control group received diet and exercise guidance and medication in the form of 0.5 g metformin hydrochloride tablets,while patients in the treatment group received Pidan Jianqing decoction in addition to the treatment given to the control group.Efficacy was evaluated after 8 weeks of treatment.Results:Efficacy was 91.4%in the treatment group versus 68.8%in the control group,which was a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).Significant group differences were also noted in the number of patients with improvement in symptoms such as dry mouth and polydipsia,frequency of urination and polyuria,abdominal distention and loss of appetite,fatigue and weakness,and sticky stools(all P<0.05),with greater improvement in the treatment group compared to the control group.The fasting blood glucose(FBG)and 2 h postprandial blood glucose levels significantly improved in both groups after treatment(P<0.05);however,there was no significant difference in glycated hemoglobin levels before and after treatment in both groups.Conclusion:Pidan Jianqing decoction can lower blood glucose levels and improve symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Discussion on the application principle of tuina manipulations for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in Chinese literatures in recent 30 years

Objective: To discuss the application principle in tuina manipulation for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH) in Chinese literatures published in recent 30 years. Methods: The three major Chinese databases, Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were searched to collect the studies of tuina man ipulati ons in treatment of LIDH published in rece nt 30 years. Clusteri ng an alysis was applied to an a lyze the top 20 tuina manipulati ons for LIDH. Results: The top 20 most frequently used manipulations for LIDH were Gun-rolling, Rou-kneading, Dian-digital pressing, oblique Ban-pulli ng, An-pressi ng, Tan bo-plucki ng,*Bashe rvpulli ng and exte nding, horiz on tai Tui-pushi ng, Na-graspi ng, Anrou-pressing and kneading, Dou-shaking, Yao-rocking, Ca-scrubbing, Pai-patting, post-extension Ban-pulling, Mo-rubbing, Zhen-vibrating, Nie-pinching, fist-back Ji-tapping, and dorsal Shen-extending methods. The involved manipulations can be divided into two categories by the treated body areas. One category is applied to the soft tissues, including Gun-rolling, Rou-k neading, Dian-digital pressi ng, An-pressi ng, Tan bo-plucking, horiz ontal Tui-pushi ng, Na-graspi ng, An rou-pressi ng and kneading, Ca-scrubbing, Pai-patting, Mo-rubbing, Zhervvibrating, Nie-pinching, and fist-back Ji-tapping methods. The other category is applied to bones and joints, including oblique Ban-pulling, Bashen-pulling and extending, Dou-shaking, Yao-rocking, post-extension Ban-pulling, and dorsal Shen-extending methods. Conclusion: Based on the treated body area, the tuina manipulations applied to treat LIDH are predominated by the ones performed on soft tissues, assisted by those on bones and joints. From the way of force exertion, the involved manipulations are majorly the swinging methods, followed by squeezing and pressing ones. The manipulations applied to bones and joints are predominated by the Ban-pulling ones, followed by the Bashepulling and extending ones.

Jian-Gan-Xiao-Zhi decoction ameliorates high-fat high-carbohydrate diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance by regulating the AMPK/JNK pathway

Background:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)can cause insulin resistance(IR)and diabetes.Our previous studies have demonstrated that Jian-Gan-Xiao-Zhi decoction(JGXZ)could be effective for the treatment of NAFLD and IR.However,the possible mechanism underlying the effects of JGXZ on NAFLD and IR remains unknown.Methods:Fifty rats received a high-fat high-carbohydrate(HFHC)diet for 12 weeks to induce NAFLD.After 4 weeks of HFHC treatment,rats were orally treated with JGXZ(8,16,and 32 g/kg weight)for 8 weeks.Ten rats in the control group received standard chow.In the positive control group,rats were orally treated with metformin(90 mg/kg weight)for 8 weeks.After JGXZ and metformin treatment,H&E staining was conducted on rat livers and serum biochemical markers,including alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),triglyceride(TG),and total cholesterol(TC),were measured using test kits.Moreover,a fasting blood glucose test and an oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)were conducted.Serum levels of insulin were determined using ELISA kit,and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)was calculated.The levels of total insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS1),AMP-activated protein kinase-α(AMPKα)and c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)as well as the levels of phosphorylation of IRS1(p-IRS1),phosphorylation of AMPK(p-AMPK)and phosphorylation of JNK(p-JNK)were measured using western blotting.Results:The body weights in JGXZ low-,middle-,and high-dose groups were lower than those in the model group(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.01,respectively).The serum levels of AST(P<0.05 in JGXZ middle-and high-dose groups),ALT(P<0.01 in JGXZ middle-dose group and P<0.05 in JGXZ high-dose group),TG(P<0.01 in JGXZ middle-and high-dose groups),and TC(P<0.01)upon JGXZ treatment were lower those than in NAFLD model rats.H&E staining showed that JGXZ treatment reduced steatosis of the hepatocytes in NAFLD model rats.JGXZ decreased the levels of fasting blood glucose(P<0.01),HOMA-IR(P<0.01),AUC(area under the curve)of the OGTT(P<0.05)and p-IRS1(P<0.01 in JGXZ middle-and high-dose groups,P<0.05 in JGXZ low-dose groups).Moreover,JGXZ regulated the hepatic AMPKα/JNK pathway in NAFLD model rats,which reflected the induction of p-AMPKαand inhibition of p-JNK.Conclusion:This study showed that JGXZ improved liver function and reduced steatosis of the hepatocytes in NAFLD model rats.Moreover,JGXZ improved IR in NAFLD model rats.The possible mechanism underlying the effects of JGXZ on NAFLD and IR involves the modulation of the AMPK/JNK pathway.

Hua-Zhuo-Kai-Yu decoction inhibits apoptosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background:Hua-Zhuo-Kai-Yu decoction(HZKY)is an empirical formula in traditional Chinese medicine that is derived from the classic ancient prescription Da-Chai-Hu decoction.It has been demonstrated to have good clinical effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).However,the mechanism by which HZKY acts on NAFLD remains unclear.In this study,network pharmacology was used to predict the potential targets of HZKY in NAFLD.Additionally,in vivo studies were conducted to validate the crucial pathways determined using network pharmacology.Methods:Active compounds in HZKY were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and Analysis Platform and Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database,and the potential targets of compounds in HZKY were predicted using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and Analysis Platform,Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database,Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and PUBCHEM.In addition,targets involved in NAFLD were obtained from the GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man databases,and the potential targets of HZKY in NAFLD were identified based on the common potential targets between HZKY and NAFLD.Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to visualize crosstalk and identify the key genes from the potential targets of HZKY in NAFLD.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis was conducted to predict the pathways by which HZKY acts on NAFLD.Rats were fed with a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce NAFLD and were then orally administered HZKY.Serum lipid levels and hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O staining results were assessed to determine the effects of HZKY in NALFD.Furthermore,the mechanisms of action of HZKY in NAFLD,as determined using network pharmacology,were validated based on the inhibition of apoptosis in the liver using Western blotting.Results:A total of 269 potential targets of 130 active compounds in HZKY were identified(oral bioavailability≥30%and drug-like≥0.18),and 62 targets were selected after being compared with the targets of NAFLD.Bcl-2-associated X protein(BAX),caspase3(CASP3),and caspase9(CASP9)were the key genes with the highest values of network connectivity.In addition,45 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways,including apoptosis,fatty acid synthesis,and estrogen signaling,were enriched according to the selected genes of HZKY.In vivo studies showed that the serum levels of total cholesterol,triglyceride,and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly elevated and the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was decreased in the model group compared with those in the control group(P<0.01 for all).The expressions of BAX,CASP9,and CASP3 were upregulated in the model group compared with those in the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01,and P<0.01,respectively),while HZKY treatment decreased the body weights and serum levels of total cholesterol,triglyceride,and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in NAFLD model rats(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.05,and P<0.05,respectively).Hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O staining indicated that HZKY treatment reduced steatosis in the hepatocytes.Moreover,HZKY treatment inhibited apoptosis in the liver by downregulating the expressions of BAX,CASP3,and CASP9(P<0.05,P<0.01,and P<0.05,respectively).Conclusion:Our study demonstrates that HZKY improves NAFLD by inhibiting apoptosis in the liver by reducing the levels of BAX,CASP3,and CASP9.

Acupoint selection rules for acupoint application in lung diseases in the post-epidemic era

Objective:To summarize the rules of acupoint selection of acupoint application to prevent and treat lung diseases under the background the post-epidemic era using data-mining technology.Method:The CNKI,Wanfang database,and VIP database were searched for clinical study articles on lung diseases treated by acupoint application published in the past 5 years.Data-eligible papers were extracted to establish a database of acupoint application for lung disease using Microsoft Excel 2019,with the goal of analyzing the frequency of acupoints,acupoint-meridian association,acupoint-location association,specific acupoint frequency,and cluster analysis.Association rules,consisting of acupoints with an application frequency of≥10,were devised by the Apriori algorithm to explore the correlation between acupoint groups and to analyze the rules of the compatibility of acupoint prescriptions.Results:A total of 229 eligible papers met our inclusion criteria.Forty-seven acupoints were applied,for a total frequency of acupoints of 1,035 times.Among these,acupoints for lung diseases were primarily distributed in the back-and-waist and chest-and-abdomen areas.From the analysis of the association rules,we obtained four groups of acupoint association rules based on acupoint clusters with a frequency≥10 and found that Feishu(BL 13),Tiantu(CV 22),Dazhui(GV 14),Dingchuan(EX-B1),and Danzhong(CV 17)constitute the core acupoints of prescriptions for clinical acupoint application to prevent and treat lung diseases.Conclusion:It is clearly shown that the core acupoints are relatively concentrated and that the selected acupoints were mainly locally selected,which could be a matching reference for the long-term prevention and treatment of lung diseases,including COVID-19.

Double-blinded,randomized clinical trial of Gegen Qinlian decoction pinpoints Faecalibacterium as key gut bacteria in alleviating hyperglycemia

Background:Accumulating evidence suggests that metabolic disorders,including type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine formulas,such as the Gegen Qinlian decoction(GQD).This study elucidates the mechanisms by which gut microbes mediate the anti-diabetic effects of GQD.Methods:We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial involving 120 untreated participants with T2DM.During the 12-week intervention,anthropometric measurements and diabetic traits were recorded every 4 weeks.Fecal microbiota and serum metabolites were measured before and after the intervention using 16S rDNA sequencing,liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry,and Bio-Plex panels.Results:Anti-diabetic effects were observed in the GQD group in the human trial.Specifically,glycated hemoglobin,fasting plasma glucose,and two-hour postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the GQD group than in the placebo group.Additionally,Faecalibacterium was significantly enriched in the GQD group,and the short-chain fatty acid levels were higher and the serum inflammation-associated marker levels were lower in the GQD group compared to the placebo group.Moreover,Faecalibacterium abundance negatively correlated with the levels of serum hemoglobin,fasting plasma glucose,and pro-inflammatory cytokines.Finally,the diabetes-alleviating effect of Faecalibacterium was confirmed by oral administration of Faecalibacterium prausnitzi(DSMZ 17677)in T2DMmousemodel.Conclusions:GQD improved type 2 diabetes primarily by modulating the abundance of Faecalibacterium in the gut microbiota,alleviating metabolic disorders and the inflammatory state.