The aim of this study was to investigate the improvement effect of Wenpi Pills(WPP) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). The experiment was divided into two parts, using C57BL/6 mouse models induced by a high-fat diet(HFD) and a methionine and choline deficiency diet(MCD). The HFD-induced experiment lasted for 16 weeks, while the MCD-induced experiment lasted for 6 weeks. Mice in both parts were divided into four groups: control group, model group, low-dose WPP group(3.875 g·kg~(-1), WPP＿L), and high-dose WPP group(15.5 g·kg~(-1), WPP＿H). After sample collection from the HFD-induced mice, lipid content in the serum and liver, liver function indexes in the serum, and hepatic pathology were examined. Real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR(qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of lipid-related genes. After sample collection from the MCD-induced mice, serum liver function indexes and inflammatory factors were measured, and hepatic pathology and lipid changes were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and widely targeted lipidomic profiling, respectively. The results from the HFD-induced experiment showed that, compared with the HFD group, WPP administration significantly reduced the levels of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), triglyceride(TG), and total cholesterol(TC) in the serum, with the WPP＿H group showing the most significant improvement. HE staining results indicated that, compared with the HFD group, WPP treatment improved the morphology of white adipocytes, reducing their size, and alleviated hepatic steatosis and lipid droplet accumulation. The qRT-PCR results suggested that WPP might increase the mRNA expression of liver cholesterol-converting genes, such as liver X receptor α(LXRα) and cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A member 1(CYP27A1), as well as lipid consumption genes like peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α(PPARα) and adenosine mono-phosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK). Meanwhile, WPP decreased the mRNA expression of lipid synthesis genes, including fatty acid synthetase(FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(SCD1), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c(SREBP-1c), thereby reducing liver lipid accumulation. The results from the MCD-induced experiment showed that, compared with the MCD group, WPP administration reduced the levels of ALT, AST, and inflammatory factors in the serum, thereby alleviating liver injury and the inflammatory response. HE staining of liver tissue indicated that WPP effectively improved hepatic steatosis. Non-targeted lipidomics analysis showed that WPP improved lipid metabolism disorders in the liver, mainly by affecting the metabolism of TG and cholesterol esters. In conclusion, WPP can improve hepatic lipid accumulation in NAFLD mice induced by both HFD and MCD. This beneficial effect is primarily achieved by alleviating liver injury and inflammation, as well as regulating lipid metabolism.
Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics* ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Liver/drug effects* ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Methionine

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Humans ; Consensus ; Hypersensitivity ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Immunotherapy/adverse effects* ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Allergens

To systemically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Gingko Ketone Ester Dropping Pills in treating angina pectoris and co-ronary heart disease. CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMbase databases were retrieved on computer, and the randomized clinical trial(RCT) on Gingko Ketone Ester Dropping Pills in treating angina pectoris and coronary heart disease, which were published from the database establishment to December 31, 2019, were comprehensively collected. Literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation were conducted independently by two researchers according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Literature methodology quality evaluation was conducted with use of the Cochrane Handbook 5.3.0(bias risk assessment tool). Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3.0 software. A total of 10 RCTs were included. The results of the Meta-analysis showed that as compared with conventional Western medicine alone, the application of Gingko Ketone Ester Dropping Pills combined with conventional Western medicine treatment further improved the total effective rate and electrocardiogram effect(RR=1.43,95%CI[1.20,1.71],P<0.000 1). There were statistically significant differences in the number of angina attacks, the duration of angina and the amount of nitroglycerin used. In terms of safety indicators, four studies reported adverse reactions in the experimental group, including facial flu-shing, tachycardia, dizziness, dyspnea, nausea and other symptoms. Based on the existing findings, in the treatment of angina pectoris and coronary heart disease, Gingko Ketone Ester Dropping Pills combined with conventional Western medicine can improve the clinical total effective rate, electrocardiogram effect, number of angina attacks, duration of angina and the amount of nitroglycerin used. However, in the included studies, due to some methodological quality problems which would impact the reliability of literature results more high-quality randomized controlled trials are still needed for further verification.
Angina Pectoris/drug therapy* ; Coronary Disease/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Esters ; Ginkgo biloba ; Humans ; Ketones/adverse effects* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Reproducibility of Results

Objective:To explore the blood pressure levels and the influencing factors of hypertension among Hainan centenarians, and provide basic data for the further blood pressure related studies of the centenarian population.Methods:The baseline data were from China Hainan Centenarian Cohort Study (CHCCS). This cross-sectional data, based on the community population, was a complete sample study of centenarians, including questionnaire survey, physical examination and physiological index detection. A total of 1 002 centenarians were recruited to describe the blood pressure level. According to the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of hypertension in Chinese adults in 2018, the prevalence of hypertension was analyzed.Results:The median levels of systolic blood pressure, diastolic pressure and pulse pressure were 152.0, 76.0 and 76.5 mmHg, respectively. Blood pressure level was higher in females than in males. The prevalence of hypertension was 71.9%, mainly in isolated systolic hypertension with the prevalence of 60.1%. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the risk of hypertension in women was higher than that in men ( OR=1.624, 95% CI: 1.155-2.283), and the risk of hypertension in the northern ( OR=0.625, 95% CI: 0.434-0.901) and central areas ( OR=0.586, 95% CI: 0.346-0.993) was lower than that of the Eastern. Conclusion:The prevalence of hypertension, mainly in isolated systolic hypertension, showing gender and regional distribution differences.

To analyze the registered clinical trial protocols of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), in order to provide information for improving the quality of research design. The website of the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(www.chictr.org.cn) and the American Clinical Trial Registry(clinicaltrials.gov) were searched to collect protocols of TCM for COVID-19. Documents were screened following the inclusion criteria, and data were extracted in regard to registration date, study objective, type of design, sponsor, patient, sample size, intervention, and evaluation index. Descriptive analysis was conducted. A total of 49 clinical trial protocols of TCM for COVID-19 were included. Primary sponsors were mainly hospitals or universities in places like Hubei, Beijing, Zhejiang and other regions. The implementation units are mainly in Hubei, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Henan and other regional hospitals. The types of study design were mainly experimental studies(40), including 30 randomized parallel controlled trials, 7 non-randomized controlled trials, 2 single arm trials and 1 consecutively recruited trial; besides, there were also 6 observational studies, 2 health service studies and 1 preventive study. The sample size reached a total of 30 562 cases, with a maximum of 20 000 for a single study and a minimum of 30. The 49 trials subjects included healthy people(3), isolation and observation cases(1), suspected cases(10),confirmed COVID-19 patients(31) and COVID-19 recovery patients(4). Of the 31 trials planned to include confirmed COVID-19 patients, 16 protocols no definite disease classification, 3 with a clear exclusion of severe subjects, 4 with common subjects, 2 with light, common or severe subjects, 1 with light and common subjects, 1 with common or severe subjects, 3 with severe subjects, and 1 with severe or critical subjects. The experimental interventions included Chinese patent medicine(Lianhua Qingwen Capsules/Granules, Huoxiang Zhengqi Dropping Pills/Oral Liquid, Babao Dan, Gubiao Jiedu Ling, Jinhao Jiere Granules, Compound Yu-xingcao Mixture, Jinye Baidu Granules, Shufeng Jiedu Capsuless, Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, Tanreqing Injection, Xuebijing Injection, Reduning Injection, Xiyanping Injection), Chinese medicinal decoction and taichi. The primary evaluation outcomes mainly included antipyretic time, clinical symptom relief, novel coronavirus nucleic acid turning to negative, conversion rate of severe cases and chest CT. There was a quick response of clinical research on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 with TCM, with the current registered protocols covers the whole process of disease prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. However, issues need to be concerned, including unclear definition of patient's condition, unclear research objectives, unclear intervention process and inappropriate outcomes, etc. In addition, researchers should consider the actual difficulties and workload of doctors in epidemic response environment, and make effort to optimize the process and improve the operability of research protocols under the principle of medical ethics.
Betacoronavirus ; COVID-19 ; China ; Clinical Trial Protocols as Topic ; Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Research Design ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment

To investigate the regularity of prescription and clinical syndromes by analyzing the diagnosis and treatment protocols of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), so as to provide references for syndrome differentiation and relevant researches. The diagnosis and treatment protocols of COVID-19 published by national and regional health authorities were searched, and information was extracted in regard to disease stages, type of syndromes, and prescriptions, etc. Frequency statistics and relative analysis were used to analyze the rule of syndrome differentiation and prescription with TCM, and further discussion on the pathogenesis and progress of the disease. A total of 26 diagnosis and treatment protocols of TCM for COVID-19 were retrieved after screening(including 1 national scheme and 25 regional ones), among which 16 contained aspects of both prevention and treatment, 7 only involved treatment contents and 3 were prevention schemes. The courses of COVID-19 can be divided into early stage, middle stage, severe stage and recovery stage. The pathogeny of COVID-19 in TCM is damp-toxin, with the core pathogenesis of damp-toxin retention in lung and Qi repression. Its pathological features can be summarized as "damp, toxin, obstruction, deficiency". The location of the disease is lung, always involving spleen and stomach, and may further affect heart and kidney in severe cases. The major treatments for each course are Fanghua Shizuo, Xuanfei Touxie(early stage); Qingre Jiedu, Xuanxie Feire(middle stage); Kaibi Gutuo, Huiyang Jiuni(severe stage); Qingjie Yure, Yiqi Yangyin(recovery stage). There were many diagnosis and treatment protocols for COVID-19 have been published, which generally followed the national edition, through with certain personalities in different regional protocols. There were common features with respect to the disease stage, syndrome differentiation, therapeutic principles and methods, as well as prescriptions; the treatment were generally carried out against the core pathogenesis and progress of the disease. Along with the deepening recognition of COVID-19, the diagnosis and treatment protocols are still need further concretization and standardization. We hope researchers and decision-makers can pay more attention to the treatment of Huayu Tongluo in severe and recovery period.
Betacoronavirus ; COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Testing ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pandemics/prevention & control* ; Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment

The present study is to establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) for determining contents of seven compositions in Alismatis Rhizoma, alismoxide, alisol C 23-acetate, alisol A, alismol, alisol B, alisol B 23-acetate and 11-deoxy-alisol B. Six relative correction factors(RCFs) of alismoxide, alisol C 23-acetate, alisol A, alismol, alisol B and 11-deoxy-alisol B were established in the UPLC method with alisol B 23-acetate as the internal standard, which was to calculate the mass fraction of each. The mass fraction of seven effective constituents in Alismatis Rhizoma was calculated by the external standard method(ESM) at the same time. Compared with the content results determined by the ESM and QAMS, the feasibility and accuracy of QAMS method were verified. Within the linear range, the RCFs of alismoxide, alisol C 23-acetate, alisol A, alismol, alisol B, 11-deoxy-alisol B were 0.946, 4.183, 0.915, 1.039, 0.923 and 1.244, respectively, with good repeatability in different experimental conditions. There was no significant difference between the QAMS method and ESM method. Then, QAMS method was applied to determination of the different degree Alismatis Rhizoma from different areas. As a result, the concentrations of 7 components have differences in different areas, but no significant differences in different grades. The QAMS method is feasible and accurate for the determination of the seven chemical compositions, and which can be used for quality control of Alismatis Rhizoma.
Alismatales ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Phytochemicals ; analysis ; Rhizome ; chemistry

To assess the clinical efficacy of Yiqi Huoxue Chinese patent medicine for coronary heart disease with angina pectoris by using network Meta-analysis method. The relative randomized controlled trials( RCTs) of Yiqi Huoxue Chinese patent medicine for coronary heart disease with angina pectoris were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure( CNKI),Wan Fang,VIP and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database( CBM) in July 2018. Two researchers independently completed the literature screening,data extraction and quality evaluation according to the pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria,and the results were cross-checked.The data were analyzed by Win Bugs,and STATA software was used for plotting. Finally,114 RCTs were included,involving 7 Yiqi Huoxue Chinese patent medicines and 11 775 patients. Network Meta-analysis showed that the total effective rate for improvement in AP symptoms had 7 direct comparisons and 21 indirect comparisons,8 of which were statistically significant. The ECG improvement had 7 direct comparisons and 21 indirect comparisons,7 of which were statistically significant. In terms of the total effective rate of improvement in AP symptoms,the order of efficacy was as follows: Shensong Yangxin Capsules > Shexiang Baoxin Pills > Qishen Yiqi Dropping Pills > Tongxinluo Capsules > Wenxin Granules > Qishen Capsules > Naoxintong Capsules. In terms of ECG improvement,the order of efficacy was as follows: Shexiang Baoxin Pills > Tongxinluo Capsules > Naoxintong Capsules > Qishen Yiqi Dropping Pills> Wenxin Granules > Shensong Yangxin Capsules > Qishen Capsules. The results showed that Shensong Yangxin Capsules and Shexiang Baoxin Pills had certain advantages in the treatment of coronary heart disease with angina pectoris. Due to the small sample size,more studies were required to further verify the evidences.
Angina Pectoris ; drug therapy ; China ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Network Meta-Analysis ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

In the present study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effect of Cardamine komarovii flower (CKF) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). We determined the effect of CKF methanolic extracts on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6), and related protein expression levels of MyD88/TRIF signaling pathways in peritoneal macrophages (PMs). Nuclear translocation of NF-κB-p65 was analyzed by immunofluorescence. For the in vivo experiments, an ALI model was established to detect the number of inflammatory cells and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice. The pathological damage in lung tissues was evaluated through H&E staining. Our results showed that CKF can decrease the production of inflammatory mediators, such as NO and PGE2, by inhibiting their synthesis-related enzymes iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-induced PMs. In addition, CKF can downregulate the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 to inhibit the production of inflammatory factors. Mechanism studies indicated that CKF possesses a fine anti-inflammatory effect by regulating MyD88/TRIF dependent signaling pathways. Immunocytochemistry staining showed that the CKF extract attenuates the LPS-induced translocation of NF-kB p65 subunit in the nucleus from the cytoplasm. In vivo experiments revealed that the number of inflammatory cells and IL-1β in BALF of mice decrease after CKF treatment. Histopathological observation of lung tissues showed that CKF can remarkably improve alveolar clearance and infiltration of interstitial and alveolar cells after LPS stimulation. In conclusion, our results suggest that CKF inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response by inhibiting the MyD88/TRIF signaling pathways, thereby protecting mice from LPS-induced ALI.
Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Cardamine ; chemistry ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Male ; Mice ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; genetics ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism