The present study aims to predict the action targets of antidepressant active ingredients of Xiaoyaosan to understand the "multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways" mechanism. Using network pharmacology, the reported antidepressant active ingredients in Xiaoyaosan (saikosaponin A, saikosaponin C, saikosaponin D, ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, atractylenolide I, atractylenolide II, atractylenolide III, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid and pachymic acid), were used to predict the targets of main active ingredients of Xiaoyaosan according to reversed pharmacophore matching method. The prediction was made via screening of the antidepressive drug targets approved by FDA in the DrugBank database and annotating the information of targets with the aid of MAS 3.0 biological molecular function software. The Cytoscape software was used to construct the Xiaoyaosan ingredients-targets-pathways network. The network analysis indicates that the active ingredients in Xiaoyaosan involve 25 targets in the energy metabolism-immune-signal transmutation relevant biological processes. The antidepressant effect of Xiaoyaosan reflects the features of traditional Chinese medicine in multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways. This research provides a scientific basis for elucidation of the antidepressant pharmacological mechanism of Xiaoyaosan.
Antidepressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Benzoates ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; Coumaric Acids ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavanones ; Glucosides ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; Lactones ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Monoterpenes ; Sesquiterpenes ; Software

The purpose of this study is to explore depression metabolic markers in rat hippocampus and to investigate the anti-depressant effect of genipin and its mechanisms using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabonomics. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was conducted to establish the depressive rat model. At the beginning of the third week, genipin low dose (25 mg x kg(-1)), middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)), high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)), and venlafaxine (50 mg x kg(-1)) were given to the CUMS rats separately once daily for two weeks except control and model groups. Rat hippocampus was analyzed by 1H NMR based metabonomics after drug administration for 2 weeks. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of rat hippocampus of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed with metabolic effects of CUMS including decreasing in glycine and N-acetylaspartate, increasing in inositol, glutamate, lactate, glutamine, taurine and alanine. Genipin showed ideal antidepressive effects at a dose of 50 mg x kg(-1) in rats, decrease of inositol, glutamate, lactate, alanine were observed, while glycine and N-acetylaspartate were increased. Important influence has been found on normal nervous system function of these significant changed metabolites, which suggests that the antidepressant effect of genipin may be played by enhancing the activity of neurons in hippocampus, repairing and improving the function of the neuron. The metabonomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the anti-depressant effect and pharmacologic mechanisms of genipin.
Alanine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Aspartic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Glycine ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Inositol ; metabolism ; Iridoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Adult ; Arthritis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Radiography ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

Objective To explore the effect of ectopic overexpression of Smac/DIABLO on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990,and the sensitization to TRAIL and Gemcitabine induced apoptosis.Methods The Smac/DIABLO gene was transfected into the pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 with the participation of Lipofectamine 2000 (SW1990/Smac).The cell line transfected with empty vector served as controls (SW1990/neo).The SW1990/neo and SW1990/Smac cells were assigned into the following treatment groups:TRAIL group,Gemcitabine group,TRAIL plus Gemcitabine group,and the control group.The SW1990 cells were treated with TRAIL and Gemcitabine in different concentrations and time.The cell growth inhibition rate (CGIR) was detected by MTT,the rate of apoptosis was measured by flow eytometry,the apoptosis morphous was observed by Heochst 33342 staining.The expressions of apoptosis-associated proteins such as Smas/DIABLO,XIAP,cytochrome C and caspase-3 were detected by Western blot.Results The cell growth of SW1990/Smac was significantly lower than growth of SW1990/ neo.The concentration of TRAIL were 200,500,1000 and 2500 ng/ml respectively.After 24 hours,the CGIR of SW1990/neo and SW1990/Smac were 11.11％,46.03％,67.08％,76.19％ and 22.11％,42.67％,56.63％,67.6％ respectively (P ＜ 0.05).The concentration of Gemcitabine were 10,20,40 and 60 μmol/L respectively.After 24 hours,the CGIR of SW1990/neo and SW1990/Smac were 15.2％,34.6％,55.16％,76.4％ and 22.65％,36.85％,55.11％,79.99％ respectively (P＜0.05).The cells of SW1990/neo and SW1990/Smac were treated by TRAIL(500 ng/ml),Gemcitabine (20 μmol/L) and combination group.The apoptosis rate were 5.64％,15.30％,27.27％ and 20.37％,23.27％,67.30％ (P ＜ 0.05) respectively.In combination group,the expressions of activators of caspase such as Smas/DIABLO,cytochrome C and caspase-3 increased significantly,while the expressions of inhibitor of apoptosis protein XIAP decreased.Conclusions Ectopic expression of Smac/DIABLO could induce the apoptosis of SW1990 cell,inhibit the cell proliferation,and enhence the sensitivity of SW1990 cell to TRAIL and Gemcitabine.The mechanism of apoptosis sensitization effect by Smac/DIABLO was associated with significant up-regulation of Smac/DIABLO,cytochrome C,down-regulation of XIAP,and the activation of caspase-3.

To further explore the clinical effect of massage therapy on navel,the related ancient literatures were arranged and analyzed,and several methods in ancient clinical were introduced, including stroking navel, rubbing navel, pushing navel, tapping navel and puffing navel. In addition, the theoretical basis of massage therapy on navel were discussed. The results revealed ancient literatures offered abundant theoretical basis to modern clinical practice, and there were evidences of treating gastroenteric and gynecological diseases with this therapy. Comprehensively, through the study of ancient literatures and modern research, therapy of massage on navel is believed to be promising and will gain popularity in the future.
China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Massage ; history ; Medicine in Literature ; Umbilicus ; physiopathology

To elucidate the anti-depressive effect of Fufang Chaigui prescription and its mechanism and investigate its effect on neuroendocrine hormone, rats were included into a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model for 28 d, and drugs were administered at the same time. During the period, rats' behaviors were observed and the blood was collected by using ELISA to determine representative hormone concentrations of HPAA, HPTA and HPGA. The changes in endogenous metabolites were analyzed by using H NMR metabolomics to seek the potential biomarkers. Results showed Fufang Chaigui prescription could improve the behaviors of CUMS rats obviously, increase contents of ACTH, CORT, T₃and decrease contents of TSH and TESTO and regulate the levels of lactate, α-glucose, choline, N-acetylglycoprotein, trimethylamine oxide and leucine to get closer to the contents of control group. The results of correlation analysis indicated that HPTA was associated with glycometabolism, amino acid metabolism and choline metabolism. And HPAA was related to glycometabolism and amino acid metabolism. However, HPGA was only correlated with glycometabolism. In conclusion, Fufang Chaigui prescription could show an obvious anti-depressive effect and its underlying mechanism might involve regulations of neuroendocrine function and pathways of glycometabolism, amino acid metabolism and choline metabolism.
Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Behavior, Animal ; Depression ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Hormones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Neurosecretory Systems ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum ; chemistry ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combined therapy with leflunomide and methotrexate in the patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).

METHODSForty patients with active polyarthritis JRA were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 21) received leflunomide tablet (1 mg/(kg x day) on days 1 - 3; then [(0.2 - 0.4) mg/kg per day] plus methotrexate (0.3 mg/kg i.v. every two weeks till clinical remission, then oral tablet 0.2 mg/kg weekly). Group 2 received the same doses of methotrexate in the same way. Permitted concomitant drugs included stable doses of NSAIDs and a low dose of prednisone during the course of treatments. The clinical assessments included the number of tender and swollen joints, tender articular index, swollen articular index, general articular function score, parents and physician's evaluation score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor. Drug safety was assessed by observing the reaction of mucous membrane, skin, gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, hematologic changes, liver and renal function. Statistical comparison between two groups was performed by using analysis of variance, t test and chi(2) test.

RESULTSEfficacy and safety was assessed at 12th and 26th week. Average improvement rate of leflunomide plus methotrexate group at 12th week and 26th week was respectively 39.6% and 71.9%; while that of control group was 27.5% and 49.5%, i.e., there was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). Average remission rate of leflunomide plus methotrexate group at 12th week and 26th week was respectively 4.76% and 38.10%; while that of control group (methotrexate only) was respectively 0, 0. The clinical improvement in the group treated with leflunomide plus methotrexate was significantly greater than control group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference (9.5% v 5.3%) in occurrence rate of side effects between the two groups. Side effects included leucocytopenia and raised aminotransferase. They were mostly mild and tolerable.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of the leflunomide and methotrexate therapy in patients with active JRA was better than methotrexate alone. The combination therapy with leflunomide and methotrexate was safe and well tolerated.

Adolescent ; Arthritis, Juvenile ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Infant ; Isoxazoles ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Methotrexate ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

The tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model were used to evaluate the anti-depressant effect of supercritical CO2 extract from Compound Chaigui Fang (FFCGF). A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomics combined with multivariate statistical analysis was performed to explore the mechanism of FFCGF. Rats were conducted by CUMS procedure for 28 days and drugs were administrated at the same time. The body weight, sucrose preference, crossings and rearings in open-field tests were evaluated and the urine was collected simultaneously. The metabonomic profiles of rats' urine were analyzed by NMR and potential biomarkers were searched by multivariate statistical analysis. The results showed that administration of FFCGF significantly decreasing the immobility time in FST and TST and improving rats' body weight, sucrose preference, crossings and rearings in CUMS, which were indication that the anti-depressant effect of FFCGF was abvious. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed, which were consistent with the results of behavioral tests. Decreased levels of acetic acid, succinic acid, 2-oxidation glutaric acid and citric acid and increased glycine and pyruvic acid in urine were significantly affected by the CUMS procedure and the 6 biomarkers were reversed evidently after administration of FFCGF. These changes were suggestion that the anti-depressant mechanism of FFCGF was associated with energy metabolism, lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism.
Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Body Weight ; Carbon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Depression ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice

To determine the optimum conditions of supercritical CO2 extraction of Xiaoyaosan, and establish its fingerprint by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the yield of extract were investigated, an orthogonal test was used to quantify the effects of extraction temperature, pressure, CO2 flow rate and time, and fingerprint analysis of different batches of extracts were by GC-MS. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: extraction pressure 20 MPa, extraction temperature 50 degrees C, CO2 flow rate 25 kg x h(-1), extraction time 3 h, and average yield 2.2%. The GC-MS fingerprint was established and 27 common peaks were found, whose contents add up to 81.89% of the total peak area. Among them, 21 compounds were identified, accounting for 53.20% of the total extract. The extraction process is reasonable and favorable for industrial production. The GC-MS method is accurate, reliable, reproducible, and can be used for quality control of supercritical CO2 extract from Xiaoyaosan.
Carbon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To study the STR genetic structure of an Ewenki Ethnic minority Group of Inner Mongolia, and analyze the genetic relationship among Ewenki and other 14 groups. METHODS: Genetic distribution for 9 STR loci (D3S1358, vWA, FGA, TH01, TPOX, CSF1PO, D5S818, D13S317, and D7S820) were determined based on gene scan marked by fluorescence. Principle component analysis was performed using SPSS. RESULTS: Sixty-four alleles and 158 genotypes were observed in 90 unrelated Ewenki individuals. The corresponding gene frequency and genotype frequency was 0.0056 to 0.4722 and 0.0111 to 0.3, respectively. The expected and observed genotype frequency of the 9 STR loci were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). The principle component analysis showed that Ewenki clustered with groups of Mongolian and Tujue language branch. CONCLUSION Nine of the STR genetic structure of an Ewenki Ethnic minority Group of Inner Mongolia were obtained. Those ethnic groups in subfamilies of Altaic language family clustered as their geographical location and those with close genetic relationships use similar language.
Alleles ; China ; ethnology ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Principal Component Analysis