Effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine combined with conventional medicine on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:a systematic review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE:To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine(CHM) combined with conventional Western Medicine(CWM) on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD) based on high-quality randomized placebocontrolled trials.METHODS:We searched PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database,China Science and Technology Journal Database,and Wanfang databases for randomized placebo-controlled trials of CHM treatment for AECOPD from inception to June 4,2021.The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and the Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Development and Evaluation were used to assess the risk of bias and the evidence quality of the included studies.Revman 5.3 software was used for Meta-analysis.RESULTS:A total of 9 trials involving 1591 patients were included.The Meta-analysis showed that based on CWM treatment,CHM group had significant advantages over the placebo group in ameliorating clinical total effective rate [RR = 1.29,95% CI(1.07,1.56),P = 0.007,low quality] and TCM symptom scores [MD =-2.99,95% CI(-4.46,-1.53),P < 0.0001,moderate quality],improving arterial blood gas results [PaO_(2):MD = 4.51,95% CI(1.97,7.04),P = 0.0005,moderate quality;PaCO_(2):MD =-2.87,95% CI(-4.28,-1.46),P < 0.0001,moderate quality],reducing CAT scores [MD =-2.08,95% CI(-2.85,-1.31),P < 0.000 01,moderate quality],length of hospitalization [MD =-1.87,95% CI(-3.33,-0.42),P = 0.01,moderate quality],and acute exacerbation rate [RR = 0.60,95% CI(0.43,0.83),P = 0.002,moderate quality].No serious CHM-related adverse events were reported.CONCLUSIONS:The current evidence indicates that CHM is an effective and well-tolerated adjunct therapy for AECOPD patients receiving CWM.However,considering the high heterogeneity,this conclusion requires confirmation.

Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin Nanoemulsions on Prostate Cancer

The therapeutic potential of curcumin(Cur) is hampered by its poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. The aim of this study was to determine whether Cur nanoemulsions enhance the efficacy of Cur against prostate cancer cells and increase the oral absorption of Cur. Cur nanoemulsions were developed using the self-microemulsifying method and characterized by their morphology, droplet size and zeta potential. The results showed that the cytotoxicity and cell uptake were considerably increased with Cur nanoemulsions compared to free Cur. Cur nanoemulsions exhibited a significantly prolonged biological activity and demonstrated better therapeutic efficacy than free Cur, as assessed by apoptosis and cell cycle studies. In situ single-pass perfusion studies demonstrated higher effective permeability coefficient and absorption rate constant for Cur nanoemulsions than for free Cur. Our study suggested that Cur nanoemulsions can be used as an effective drug delivery system to enhance the anticancer effect and oral bioavailability of Cur.

Effect of chrysanthemum extract on myocardial fibrosis in rats with renovascular hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of chrysanthemum extract on myocardial fibrosis in rats with renovascular hypertension, and explore the possible mechanism underlying this effect.METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham operation, model, positive control, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Huai chrysanthemum extract groups(ten rats per group). With the exception of the sham operation group, a renal hypertensive model was established in rats using the 'two-kidney, one clip' method. After 6 weeks, low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were intragastrically administered chrysanthemum extract at 1, 2, or 4 g/kg, respectively, once daily for 4 weeks. The positive control group was administered Kato Pury at 50 mg/kg once daily for 4 weeks,while sham operation and model groups received an equal volume of distilled water once daily for 4 weeks. Blood pressure changes were examined before modeling, 6 weeks after modeling, and after 4 weeks of treatment administration. Ventricular remodeling indexes were measured by high frequency echocardiography after 4 weeks of treatment administration. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson’s trichrome staining methods. Collagen type sion were eⅠxa(Col minedⅠ) and type Ⅲ(Col Ⅲ) expres by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), sma mad 3(Smad3),Smad7, Ras homolog gene family, member A(RhoA), and Rho-associated protein kinase 1(ROCK1) protein expression were detected by Western blot.RESULTS: Compared with the model group, chrysanthemum-administered groups and the positive control group showed significant improvement of arterial blood pressure, echocardiography indicators, and degree of myocardial fibrosis(P < 0.05). In addition, these groups exhibited decreased expression of Col Ⅰ, Col Smad3, and increaseⅢ, RhoA, ROCK1, TGF-β1, and d Smad7 expression. Such improvements were most obvious in the high-dose chrysanthemum extract group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Chrysanthemum extract could effectively reduce myocardial fibrosis in rats with renovascular hypertension by a mechanism that potentially involves inhibition of RhoA/ROCK1 and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathways.

Three Tiaobu Feishen therapies protect human alveolar epithelial cells against cigarette smoking and tumor necrosis factor-mlear factor-kappa B pathwayα-induced inflamation by nuc

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Tiaobu Feishen formulae(TBFS), including Bufei Jianpi formula(BJF), Bufei Yishen formula(BYF), and Yiqi Zishen formula(YZF), on inflammatory response, protease-anti-protease imbalance and collagen deposition in rats.METHODS: In present work, we used an in vitro model of cigarette smoking extract(CSE)-and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-induced A549 cellsto examine the efficacy of BJF, BYF and YZF on the production of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and interleukin(IL)-8, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinases(MMP)-9, and IL-10 in CSE or TNF-ls. And their related transcripα-induced A549 celtion factors and signaling pathway were also analyzed.RESULTS: The results showed that BJF, BYF and YZF could significantly decrease the expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by CSE or TNF-α. Furthermore, BJF, BYF and YZF could suppress CSE-or TNF-α-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) transcription factors and its corresponding pathways. Taken together, these data implied that BJF, BYF and YZF effectively inhibited CSE-or TNF-α-induced inflammatory response in alveolar epithelial cell, which was due to their inhibition effect on NF-κB pathways.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the Tiaobu Feishen therapies may protect human alveolar epithelial cells against cigarette smoking and TNF-α-induced inflammation. NF-κB pathway may involve in the actions.

Three Tiaobu Feishen formulae reduces cigarette smoke-induced inflammation in human airway epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Tiaobu Feishen formulae(TBFS) on cigarette smoke-induced inflammation in vitro using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced and cigarette smoke extract(CSE)-induced NCI-H292 cells.METHODS: We evaluated the inhibitory effects of Bufei Jianpi formula(BJF), Bufei Yishen formula(BYF), and Yiqi Zishen formula(YZF) on the expressions of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-8, matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloprotease(TIMP)-1, and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in H292 cells stimulated with LPS or CSE. Their related transcription factors and signaling pathways were also analyzed.RESULTS: BJF, BYF, and YZF significantly inhibited the LPS-or CSE-induced expressions of TNF-α, IL-8,MMP-9, TIMP-1, and SOD in H292 cells, and suppressed the activation of transcription factors including nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB, activator protein(AP)-1, and signal transducers and activators of transcription(STAT) 3 and their corresponding pathways, including NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), STAT3, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR).CONCLUSION: BJF, BYF, and YZF effectively suppressed inflammatory responses, protease-antiprotease imbalance, and oxidative stress induced by LPS and CSE, an effect that was closely associated with the inhibition of the NF-κB, MAPK, STAT3, and PPAR pathways.

Simultaneous Determination of 10 Anthraquinones in Rhubarb Based on HPLC-Q-HR/MS

Objective To develop a simple, sensitive, and precise method for simultaneous determination of 10 anthraquinones in Rhubarb. Methods HPLC-Q-HR/MS was employed for simultaneous quantification of free anthraquinones（aloe-emodin, emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, and rhein） and their glycosides. Chromatographic analysis was performed on an XBridge^（TM） C_（18） column（2.1 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm） with mobile phases consisting of 3 mmol/L ammonium acetate（A） and methanol（B） at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Results All calibration curves exhibited good linear relationship（R^2 〉 0.999）. The limits of detection（LOD） and quantification（LOQ） were in the range of0.39-2.97 ng/mL and 0.56-8.90 ng/mL, respectively. The overall intra-and inter-day precisions of analytes presented as relative standard deviations（RSDs） were less than 2.79%. Relative recoveries varied between 97.83% and 104.28%. The validated method was applied to assess the quality of Rhubarb collected from different regions of China. Results showed that chrysophanol and rhein-8-O-β-D-glucoside was the largest portion of free anthraquinones and anthraquinone glycosides in Rhubarb, respectively. The total content of anthraquinones was higher in Rhubarbs from Sichuan, Qinghai, Yunnan, and Gansu provinces than that in those from Shandong and Henan provinces, while no significant variability existed in different regions of the same province.Conclusion HPLC-Q-HR/MS method is accurate and reliable for simultaneous quantification of above free anthraquinones and their glycosides in Rhubarb and can be applied to standardize the quality of Rhubarb and its quality control in different regions.

Leigongteng(Radix et Rhizoma Tripterygii) via compatibility with Jinqiancao(Herba Lysimachiae): its toxicity-reduced efficacy in H22-bearing mice

OBJECTIVE: To observe toxicity-reduced effects of Leigongteng(Radix et Rhizoma Tripterygii)(LGT) via compatibility with Jinqiancao(Herba Lysimachiae)(JQC) in H22-bearing mice and investigate the possible underlying mechanism, and further explore whether JQC can enhance LGT-evoked anti-tumor effect.METHODS: H22-bearing mice were orally administered with LGT alone and its compatibility with JQC, and tumors, serum, livers and kidneys were collected to evaluate the toxicity-reduced efficacy and the possible mechanism.RESULTS: LGT evoked significantly elevated biochemical indicators including serum alanine/aspartate transaminase(ALT/AST), creatinine(Cr) and urea nitrogen(BUN) as well as pathological damage in mice, which were all obviously reversed by JQC via compatibility at the ratios from 4/1 to 1/4.Further analysis indicated that pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels significantly decreased, while anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin(IL)-10, and glutathione(GSH), GSH-s transferase(GST), GSH peroxidase(GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) levels all increased in livers and kidneys of mice. Besides, after compatibility with JQC at the ratios of 4/1, 2/1, 1/1,1/2 and 1/4, LGT-decreased tumor weight was further decreased by 48.4%, 57.3%, 54.0%, 49.3% and52.9%, respectively(all P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: JQC could reduce LGT-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, and enhance the antitumor efficacy via compatibility with JQC, and the toxicity-reduced mechanism could involve inhibiting hepatic and kidney oxidative stress and inflammation.