Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Chaihu Jia Longgu Mulitang （CJLM） on hippocampal NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）inflammasome pathway in rats with depression. Method:Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group，a model group， a MCC950 （1 mg·kg^-1） group， and high- （13 g·kg^-1）， medium- （6.5 g·kg^-1）， and low-dose （3.25 g·kg^-1） Chaihu Jia Longgu Mulitang groups， with 10 rats in each group．The depression model was induced by isolation combined with chronic unpredictable mild stimulation（CUMS） in rats except for those in the normal group. Rats were treated correspondingly for 21 days by intraperitoneal injection in the MCC950 group and gavage in other groups. The normal group and the model group received an equal volume of normal saline. The depression-like behaviors of rats were observed by sucrose preference test （SPT） and novelty-suppressed feeding test. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-18 in the hippocampus of depressed rats. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain （ASC）， and Caspase-1. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased sucrose preference rate （P<0.01）， prolonged novelty-suppressed feeding time （P<0.01）， enhanced protein expression of NLRP3，ASC， and caspase-1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and elevated expression of IL-1β and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Conclusion:CJLM can alleviate depression-like behaviors in CUMS-induced model rats， and the underlying mechanism is related to the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway．

Objective:To observe the effect of Sinisan on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）/tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrKB）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）/5-HT1A receptor （5-HT1AR）， and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis in depressed rats， and explore the antidepressant mechanism of Sinisan based on BDNF/TrKB， 5-HT/5-HT1AR， and HPA axis. Method:A total of 120 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group， a model group， a fluoxetine （0.01 g·kg^-1） group， and low- （1.25 g·kg^-1）， medium- （2.5 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose （5 g·kg^-1） Sinisan groups， with 20 rats in each group. The depression model was induced by isolation combined with chronic unpredictable mild stimulation（CUMS） in rats except for those in the normal group for 21 days. Rats were then treated correspondingly once a day for 21 days by gavage. Those in the normal group and the model group received an equal volume of normal saline. During the intervention， the model rats were stimulated continuously. The depressive state of CUMS model rats was evaluated by sucrose preference test and open field test. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone （CRH）， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）， and corticosterone （CORT） in the plasma and BDNF and 5-HT levels in the hippocampal homogenate. The mRNA expression of hippocampal TrKB， 5-HT1AR， glucocorticoid receptor （GR）， and mineralocorticoid receptor （MR） was detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression of hippocampal TrKB， 5-HT1AR， GR， and MR was detected by Western blot. The histomorphological changes of the hippocampus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased sucrose preference rate （P<0.01）， reduced horizontal and vertical scores in the open field test （P<0.01）， increased plasma content of CRH， ACTH， and CORT （P<0.01）， declining content of BDNF and 5-HT in the hippocampus （P<0.01）， dwindled mRNA and protein expression levels of TrKB， 5-HT1AR， and GR （P<0.01）， elevated mRNA and protein expression of MR （P<0.01）， and damaged hippocampal neurons revealed by HE staining. Compared with the model group， the groups with drug intervention showed increased sucrose preference rate （P<0.01） and horizontal and vertical scores in the open field test （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased content of plasma CRH， ACTH， and CORT （P<0.05， P<0.01）， elevated content of hippocampal BDNF and 5-HT （P<0.05， P<0.01）， elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of hippocampal TrKB， 5-HT1AR， and GR （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced mRNA and protein expression levels of hippocampal MR （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and recovered hippocampal neurons as revealed by HE staining. Conclusion:Sinisan can exert a significant antidepressant effect by increasing hippocampal BDNF and 5-HT content， up-regulating TrKB， 5-HT1AR， and GR mRNA and protein expression， down-regulating MR mRNA and protein expression， inhibiting HPA axis hypertrophy， and enhancing the regeneration and repair of hippocampal neurons.

Objective:To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of Suanzaoren Tang combined with fluoxetine in the treatment of patients with depression of liver stagnation and blood deficiency accompanied by insomnia. Method:The patients with depression of liver stagnation and blood deficiency accompanied by insomnia （120 cases） were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group， with 60 cases in each group. The patients in the observation group received Suanzaoren Tang combined with fluoxetine， and those in the control group received fluoxetine. The course of treatment was eight weeks. The clinical efficacy was evaluated with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale （HAMD）， Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index（PSQI）， and Activities of Daily Living （ADL） score. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the plasma levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， norepinephrine （NE），brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor （GDNF）， neuron-specific enolase （NSE）， and S100β. Result:After eight weeks of treatment， the scores of HAMD and PSQI were reduced（P<0.01）， while the scores of ADL were elevated（P<0.01），and the levels of 5-HT， NE， GDNF and BDNF were up-regulated （P<0.01） in the plasma of patients in the observation group as compared with those before treatment. After treatment， compared with the control group， the observation group showed increased total effective rate（P<0.01）， decreased scores of HAMD and PSQI （P<0.01）， elevated score of ADL（P<0.01）， up-regulated levels of 5-HT， NE， GDNF and BDNF in plasma， and declining NSE and S100β（P<0.01）. Conclusion:Suanzaoren Tang combined with fluoxetine is superior to fluoxetine alone in treating the depression of liver stagnation and blood deficiency accompanied by insomnia. Its therapeutic effect is achieved by increasing the release of monoamine neurotransmitters and promoting the secretion of BDNF and GDNF in the brain.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the efficacy of oral Chinese herbal prescriptions combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） against primary hepatic carcinoma （PHC） and screen the basic Chinese herbs，in order to provide certain reference for clinical medication. Method:The randomized controlled trials concerning the treatment of PHC with oral Chinese herbal prescriptions plus TACE were retrieved from CBM，China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI），Chongqing Weipu Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals （VIP），and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform.The quality of the included trials was evaluated by Cochrane handbook，and the Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3.The enumeration data were expressed by odds ratio （OR），the measurement data by mean difference （MD） or standardized mean difference （SMD），and the effect size by 95% confidence interval （CI）.The data of oral Chinese herbal prescriptions involved in trials were sorted out and subjected to association rule analysis and frequency analysis based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System （TCMISS），for exploring the basic Chinese herbs and their dosages against PHC. Result:A total of 75 randomized controlled trials were included，involving 7 406 cases. As revealed by the Meta-analysis，oral Chinese herbal prescriptions combined with TACE was significantly better than TACE alone in improving the short-term curative effect ［OR=2.05，95%CI（1.83，2.29）］，decreasing alpha fetoprotein （AFP） ［MD=-59.02，95%CI（-79.03，-39.01）］，ameliorating liver function ［SMD=-1.23，95%CI（-1.58，-0.88）］，boosting immunity ［SMD=1.08，95%CI（0.84，1.32）］，adjusting Karnofsky Performance Status （KPS） scale score ［OR=2.7，95%CI（1.11，11.02）］，elevating survival rate ［OR=2.31，95%CI（1.96，2.71）］，and reducing adverse reactions ［OR=0.38，95%CI（0.34，0.43）］.Data mining results showed that the basic Chinese herbs against PHC were Bupleuri Radix，Paeoniae Alba Radix，Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma，Poria，and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma，with their clinical dosages listed as follows：6-15 g for Bupleuri Radix，10-15 g for Paeoniae Alba Radix，9-15 g for Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma，10-15 g for Poria，and 3-10 g for Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Conclusion:The oral Chinese herbal prescriptions combined with TACE produce better effects in treatment of PHC as compared with TACE alone.These five basic Chinese herbs have anti-cancer effect，and their dosages are within the ranges stipulated in 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.This Meta-analysis has provided certain reference for clinical medication.

Objective:To observe the effect of Zuoguiwan on bone metabolism and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats model， and to explore the molecular biological mechanism of Zuoguiwan in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Method:The rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis was established by bilateral ovariectomy， 60 female SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， positive group （estradiol valerate tablet 0.05 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） and low， middle and high dose groups of Zuoguiwan （5.5，11，22 g·kg^-1·d^-1）.After successful establishment of the model in the 13^th week， intragastric administration （ig） was given once a day for a total of 12 weeks. After administration， the histomorphological changes of femur in rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， the bone mineral density （BMD） and bone mineral content（BMC） of femur were measured by dual energy X-ray apparatus， and the biomechanical properties of bone were measured by MTS Acumen3 biomechanical testing system. The contents of bone alkaline phosphatase （BALP）， bone glaprotein（BGP），estradiol （E₂） ，and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase （TRAP）， type Ⅰ procollagen N-terminal propeptide （PINP） in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot was used to detect the protein level of Wnt2，β-catenin，low density lipoprotein related receptor protein 5 （LRP5） and the phosphorylation level of glycogen synthase kinase-3β（GSK-3β） in rat tibia. Result:Compared with sham operation group， the maximum load and stiffness of BMD，BMC， in the model group decreased significantly（P<0.01）， the contents of E₂ and PINP in serum decreased significantly（P<0.01）， the content of BALP，BGP，TRAP increased significantly（P<0.01）， the expression levels of Wnt2，p-GSK-3β Ser9，LRP5 and β-catenin protein in bone tissue decreased significantly（P<0.01）， the trabecula of femur became thinner and thinner， the number of bone trabeculae decreased. Compared with model group， the maximum load and stiffness of BMD，BMC， in estradiol group and Zuoguiwan group were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， the contents of serum E₂ and PINP were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， the content of BALP，BGP，TRAP was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the expression level of Wnt2，p-GSK-3β Ser9，LRP5， β-catenin protein in bone tissue was significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01） ， the trabeculae of femur became thicker， the number increased， the structure was basically clear. Conclusion:Zuoguiwan has a certain preventive and therapeutic effect on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats， and its mechanism may be related to increasing the level of estrogen， activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway， up-regulating the expression of Wnt2 and LRP5 protein， inhibiting the activity of GSK-3β， reducing the degradation of β-catenin， coordinating the dynamic coupling balance between bone formation and bone resorption， correcting the disorder of bone metabolism and improving bone morphology.

Animals ; Cardiomegaly ; Constriction ; Heart ; Mice

Data mining is an important method to obtain the key information from a large amount of data, and it is widely applied in the research on the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The compatibility law of herbs is a key issue in the research of TCM prescriptions. This reflects the flexibility and effectiveness of TCM prescriptions, and it is also a crucial link to the development of TCM modernization. Therefore, it is the core purpose of the research on TCM prescriptions to find the compatibility law of herbs and clarify the scientific connotation. Data mining, as an effective method and an important approach, has formed a standardized system in the research of compatibility law of herbs, which can reveal the relationship between different Chinese herbs and summarize the internal rules in compatibility. Two hundred and twenty two effective papers were sorted out and categorized in this article. The results showed that data mining was mainly applied in finding the core Chinese herb pairs, summarizing the utility and attributes of TCM prescriptions, revealing the relationship between prescriptions, Chinese herbs and syndromes, finding the optimal dose of Chinese herbs, and producing the new prescriptions. The problems of data mining in research of herbs compatibility rules were summarized, and its development and trend in current researches were discussed in this article to provide useful references for the in-depth study of data mining in the compatibility law of Chinese herbs.
Data Mining ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Prescriptions ; Syndrome

Objective:To study the effect of Chaihu Jia Longgu Mulitang on phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/glycogen synthase kinase 3β （GSK3β）/β-catenin signaling pathway of hippocampus in rats with depression. Method:A total of 120 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group，model group， and low， middle and high-dose Chaihu Jia Longgu Mulitang groups（3.25，6.5，13 g·kg^-1）， and fluoxetine group， with 20 rats in each group. Except normal group， the depression model was prepared through chronic unpredictable mild stimulation（CUMS）. The normal group and the model group were given normal saline with 6.5 g·kg^-1 by gavage. Chaihu Jia Longgu Mulitang groups were intragastrically given corresponding herbal drugs 3.75，6.5，13 g·kg^-1， while fluoxetine group was intragastrically given fluoxetine 10 mg·kg^-1 for 21 days， once a day. Then the depressive behaviors of rats were observed by sucrose preference test （SPT） and forced swimming test （FST）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of PI3K，Akt，GSK3β and phosphorylation level. Result:Compared with normal group，the sucrose preference index was decreased significantly，while the immobility time in FST was increased significantly（P<0.01）， the protein expressions of PI3K， p-PI3K p110， p-PI3K p85 were decreased significantly （P<0.01）， and expressions of Akt， p-Akt Thr308，p-Akt Ser473， p-GSK3β Ser9 and β-catenin were decreased significantly（P<0.01）， while the level of GSK3β， p-GSK3β Tyr216 were increased significantly in model group（P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with model group，Chaihu Jia Longgu Mulitang could increase sucrose preference index and decrease the immobility time in FST（P<0.01）， the protein expressions of PI3K p110 and PI3K p85 was increased significantly （P<0.01）， levels of Akt Thr308，Akt Ser473， p-GSK3β Ser9， β-catenin were increased significantly （P<0.01）， whereas levels of GSK3β， and GSK3β Tyr216 were decreased significantly. Conclusion:Chaihu Jia Longgu Mulitang could increase protein expression and activity of PI3K in rat hippocampus， activate Akt， inhibit GSK3β kinase activity and prevent β-catenin from degradation， so as to increase PI3K/Akt pathway activity in rat hippocampus， and protect hippocampal neurons.