OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of toosendanin in inducing apoptosis of human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 and Hep3B, and its influence on the related genes, Bcl-2, Bax and Fas.

METHODSThe inhibitory rate of cell proliferation and cell growth curve were detected by MTT assay; morphological changes of cells were observed by inverted microscope; early stage apoptosis rate were detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI assay; relative activities of Caspase-3,-8 and-9 were analyzed by spectrophotometry; and the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and Fas were detected using immunohistochemistry assay.

RESULTSToosendanin presented significant inhibitory effect on proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After toosendanin treatment, the amount of cells was significantly reduced, shrunk in size and rounded in shape, with decreased adhesion ability. The apoptosis rates of SMMC-7721 cells and Hep3B cells treated with 0.5 micromol/L toosendanin for 72 h were 21.55% and 18.35% respectively, which were reduced after z-VAD-fmk (inhibitor of Caspase) treatment. The activities of Caspase-3,-8 and -9 all markedly enhanced after treatment in SMMC-7721 cells, while in Hep3B cells, activities of Caspase-3 and -9 enhanced, but that of Caspase-8 unchanged. As compared with the control group, after toosendanin treatment, expression of Bcl-2 decreased, and that of Bax and Fas increased in SMMC-7721 cells; but in Hep3B cells the expression of Bcl-2 decreased, that of Bax increased, and expression of Fas unchanged.

CONCLUSIONSToosendanin could inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of both P53 and P53 human hepatocarcinoma cells, which involved the participation of mitochondria-dependent pathway. So it may be a kind of natural anti-cancer drug, playing its effect through P53 independent pathway.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe comparatively the effects of Bushen Jianpi Decoction (BJD) and its disassemble recipes on tumor growth in mice with transplanted primary hepatic carcinoma (PCH).

METHODSFifty mice with transplanted PCH were randomly and equally divided into 5 groups. The blank control group consisted of untreated model mice, and 4 treated groups consisted of model mice treated with 5-FU (q. o. d, intraperitoneal injection, x 5), BJD and it disassemble recipes (Bushen portion and Jianpi portion, abbreviated as BSP and JPP hereafter) q. d. by gastrogavage for 10 successive days. The body mass, tumor size, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level, tumor cell apoptosis and percentage of cells, cell cycle as well as the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were observed.

RESULTSAmong the 4 treated groups, the heaviest body mass and the de-tumor body mass of mice, and the lowest tumor index were presented in the BJD treated group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05); ADC in the BJD treated group and the 5-FU treated group was lower than that in the BSP treated group and JPP treated group (P < 0.05); the lowest VEGF level and tumor mass presented in the 5-FU group, and the highest presented in the JPP group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Tumor inhibition rate and cell apoptosis rate in the 5-FU group was highest and in BJD group the secondary. As for cells of different cell cycles, comparisons between the 4 groups showed that S phase cell in 5-FU group < BJD group < BSP and JPP groups (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05); G0-G1 phase cell in BJD and BSP group < JPP group < 5-FU group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). No significant difference of G2-M phase cell was shown among them.

CONCLUSIONSThe acting mechanism of BJD and its disassembled recipes on transplanted PCH may be inhibiting VEGF expression and accelerating tumor cell apoptosis. Change of MRI's ADC value was keeping in step with changing of VEGF and cell apoptosis. Thereby, it could objectively reflect the metabolism of tumor cells, being a new means for assessing the effect of Chinese materia medica.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Mice, Nude

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Zuojin Pill and Fanzuojin Pill (ZJP and FZJP) on the growth metabolism of enterobacteria from the biothermodynamic viewpoint, and to objectively validate the difference between the two drugs for investigating a new way in congener Chinese drugs research.

METHODSThe growth metabolism power-time curves of enterobacteria affected by ZJP and FZJP in different concentrations were obtained by microcalorimetry. And the activities of the two drugs were assessed depending some related characteristic parameters, including growth rate constant (k), maximum output power (P(max)), peak time (T(p)) , maximum heat-output (Q1), and bacteria inhibition rate (I).

RESULTSWith the drugs' concentration increasing, T(p) was prolonged, k value reduced in enterobacteria, i.e. , the two drugs both inhibited the growth of enterobacteria in different extents. Comparison of inhibiting rates showed that the bacteriostasis activity of ZJP was greater than that of FZJP.

CONCLUSIONSThere was objective difference in activities of inhibiting enterobacteria between ZJP and FZJP. Microcalorimetry could express the features at real-time, on-line and sensitively. It was able to determine the activity of drugs accurately and quickly in appraising congener Chinese drugs, like ZJP and FZJP, by microcalorimetry.

Animals ; Calorimetry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enterobacteriaceae ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains

OBJECTIVETo observe the mechanism of Xiaotan Sanjie Recipe (XSR) in inhibiting lymphatic metastasis of gastric carcinoma by observing its effects on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and its receptor VEGFR-3 in nude mice with transplanted human gastric adenocarcinoma cell MKN-45.

METHODSThirty mice were made into MKN-45 tumor model and randomly divided into three groups treated with saline, 5-Fu, and XSR, respectively. Gene and protein expressions of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in the tumor tissue were detected by RT-PCR, and the lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) in tumor was measured with immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSCompared with the group treated with saline, the mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 as well as LMVD level were significantly lower (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in the group treated with XSR. There was no significantly statistic difference between the group of XSR and 5-Fu on the indices mentioned above (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBy down-regulating the mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 might be one of possible mechanisms for XSR in preventing and curing the lymphatic metastasis of gastric carcinoma.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of modified Qianyang Pellet (MQYP) on extravascular lung water and its correlated factors at the early fluid resuscitation stage of septic shock.

METHODSForty-eight patients with septic shock were randomly assigned to the treatment group (26 patients) and the control group (22 patients). They were treated with basic treatment combined with fluid resuscitation until the central venous pressure (CVP) reached > or = 8 mm Hg. Besides, patients in the treatment group received MQYP additionally. The haemodynamic indices, including CVP, cardiac index (CI), extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI), and oxygenation index (PaO2/ FiO2) were monitored at 8 (T8), 16 (T16) and 24 h (T24) after ending fluid resuscitation, and the 28-day mortality was observed.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, CI, GEDVI and PaO2/FiO2 increased significantly at T8, T16 and T24, while EVLWI and 28-day mortality lowered in the treatment group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). But the difference in terms of CVP and SVRI between the two groups at corresponding time points was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of the fluid resuscitation and basic treatment, MQYP could further improve CI, GEDVI and PaO2/FiO2, decrease EVLWI and 28-day mortality, but showed no effect on CVP or SVRI at the early fluid resuscitation stage of septic shock.

Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Extravascular Lung Water ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Shock, Septic ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of integrative medical therapy on the prognosis of patients suffering from yin syndrome type acute ischemic stroke (YS-AIS).

METHODSA multi-center, prospective, random and parallel controlled clinical trial was carried on 606 patients of YS-AIS. Excepting the 15 patients being excluded and dropped out in the trial period, all patients were assigned to the treatment group (274 patients) treated with integrated medical protocol (i. e. Chinese medical therapy plus conventional Western medical treatment), and the control group (263 patients) treated with conventional Western medical treatment plus placebo. Patients' quality of life (QOL) and their disability level were assessed by scoring based on SS-QOL and modified Rankin scale (mRS) respectively at the terminal of the 21-day treatment (T1) and at the ends of 60-day (T2) and 90-day (T3) following-ups.

RESULTSPatients' disability level, showed by mRS scores, was not significantly different between the two groups at T1 and T2 (P > 0.05), but with significant difference at T3 (P < 0.05). The recovery in the treatment group were more significant. Although the SS-QOL scores showed no statistical significant difference between groups (P > 0.05), improvement of QOL could be seen in the treatment group and the difference between groups was more significant as the time went by.

CONCLUSIONIntegrative medical therapy could reduce the severe disability rate in patients after YS-AIS, and showed an improving trend on patients' QOL at T3.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Ischemia ; therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects and safety of Xiongshao Capsule (XSC) in treating patients with coronary heart disease angina of Xin-blood stasis syndrome.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty patients were randomized equally into two groups, the treatment group and control group. They were treated with XSC and Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule respectively for 4 weeks. The therapeutic effect on angina pectoris, the dosage of nitroglycerin used and its withdrawal rate were observed, and changes in Chinese medical syndrome, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood lipids, and hemorrheologic figure were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe favorable effects on angina pectoris, ECG, Chinese medical syndromes, and clinical symptoms were observed in the treatment groups, showing significant statistical difference in improving angina pectoris and ECG to the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONXSC was effective and safe in treating coronary heart disease angina of Xin-blood stasis syndrome.

Adult ; Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Capsules ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the protective effect of ligustrazine on T-lymphocyte immunity of patients undergoing autologous blood transfusion (ABT).

METHODSForty American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) I - II patients scheduled for receiving selective lumbar surgery, with pre-operational anticipatory blood loss > 400 mL and without any diseases of blood or endocrinal system were enrolled. They were equally randomized into two groups, the trial group and the control group. Ligustrazine was given to patients in the trial group by intravenous dripping at the dose of 2 mg/kg, 30 min before auto-blood collection, also by mixed in the washing saline and heparinized saline solution to make the final concentration of ligustrazine 0.005%. No ligustrazine was given to patients in the control group. The amount of blood loss and autotransfused were measured and recorded; and patients' venous blood samples for T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8) determination and CD4/CD8 ratio calculation were collected at different time points, i. e. before surgery (T0) and at 1 h (T1), 1st day (T2) and 5th day (T3) after ABT.

RESULTSCD3 decreased obviously at T1 and T2 in both groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while at T3, it restored to baseline in the trial group, but remained at the low level in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, levels of CD3 at T1-T3 were lower in the control group than those in the trial group respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CD4 decreased obviously at T1 (P < 0.01) in both groups, it recovered at T2 in the trial group, but the recovering in the control group was T3, so comparison of CD4 level between groups showed significant difference at T1 and T2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). As for CD4/CD8 ratio, it decreased obviously at T2 and T3 in the control group (P < 0.05), but unchanged in the trial group, showing statistical difference between groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine had definite protective effect on T-lymphocyte immunity in patients undergoing ABT, which was presented by the milder inhibition and quicker recovery of immunity.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of integrative medical therapy on lower limb post-angioplasty arterial restenosis in diabetes patients.

METHODSThirty-six patients with lower limb diabetic arterial disease of Fontaine III/IV stage after successful balloon angioplasty were assigned randomly and equally to two groups, the control group and the treatment group, both were treated with basic therapy for 3 months, but Chinese drugs were given to the treatment group additionally. Level of acroesthesia was determined before and after treatment with simplified McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) scoring, ankle brachial index (ABI), toe brachial index (TBI), mean flow velocity of dorsal artery (MDA) and tibial artery (MTA) were measured by ultrasound Doppler meter, and blood preparation was determined. Moreover, the ulcer remission rate, ulcer cure rate, restenosis rate, and amputation rate were determined in the 6-month and 12-month follow-up studies.

RESULTSSignificant improvements of ABI, TBI, MDA and MTA, as well as on blood levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fibrinogen (FIB) were shown in the treatment group after treatment, showing significant difference in comparing with those before treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), also in comparing with the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) respectively, while in the control group, although a trend of improvement was seen, these indices were insignificantly changed statistically (P > 0.05). Comparisons between groups after 3-month treatment showed significant difference in ischemia remission rate and pain relief rate (P < 0.05). Outcomes of 6-month follow-up displayed that the differences between groups were insignificant in terms of the ulcer cure rate the and amputation rate (P > 0.05), but did show significance in the ulcer remission rate and the restenosis rate (P < 0.05), while all the 4 parameters were insignificantly different between groups after 12-month follow-up (P > 0.05). Overall incidence of adverse event was somewhat higher in the treatment group, but there was no significant statistically difference.

CONCLUSIONIntegrative medical therapy could improve the hemodynamic indices and pain symptoms, raise the ulcer cure rate and reduce the incidence of restenosis in patients with diabetic arterial disease after balloon angioplasty.

Angioplasty, Balloon ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Lower Extremity ; blood supply ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Diseases ; complications ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of Chinese medical syndrome identification in patients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis (PHC) by soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA).

METHODSAfter variants were normalized, SIMCA was used to analyze clinical symptoms, physical signs, and biological parameters in 268 PHC patients, and the obtained distance of SIMCA was used to identify the syndromes of PHC. Some incorrect reasons were then tested by Mann-Whitney test.

RESULTSThe recognition rates of 5 Chinese medical syndromes (Gan depression and Pi deficiency syndrome, Gan-Shen yin-deficiency syndrome, Pi-Shen yang-deficiency syndrome, inner accumulation of dampness-heat syndrome, and stasis-heat accumulation syndrome) were 72.9% in the nearest class, and 17.91% in the sub-near class, as well as the total recognition rate was 90.3%. The highest recognition rate (95.24%) presented in the recognition on Gan-Shen yin-deficiency syndrome. Among some vital symptom variants of nearest class, significant difference could be found between identified and un-identified syndromes (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIdentification of Chinese medical syndromes by SIMCA has rather higher goodness-of-fit with clinical practice, to set up a SIMCA depended syndrome identifying system could offer a useful reference for Chinese medical syndrome identification.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hepatitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Models, Statistical ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Yang Deficiency ; diagnosis ; Yin Deficiency ; diagnosis ; Young Adult