This study aims to comprehensively analyze the material basis of toad visceral oil(hereafter referred to as toad oil), and explore the pharmacological effect of toad oil on atopic dermatitis(AD). Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) were employed to comprehensively identify the chemical components in toad oil. The animal model of AD was prepared by the hapten stimulation method. The modeled animals were respectively administrated with positive drug(0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate cream) and low-and high-doses(1%, 10%) of toad oil by gavage. The effect of toad oil on AD was evaluated with the AD score, ear swelling rate, spleen index, and pathological section results as indicators. A total of 99 components were identified by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, including 14 bufadienolides, 7 fatty acids, 6 alkaloids, 10 ketones, 18 amides, and other compounds. After methylation of toad oil samples, a total of 20 compounds were identified by GC-MS. Compared with the model group, the low-and high-dose toad oil groups showed declined AD score, ear swelling rate, and spleen index, alleviated skin lesions, and reduced infiltrating mast cells. This study comprehensively analyzes the chemical composition and clarifies the material basis of toad oil. Meanwhile, this study proves that toad oil has a good therapeutic effect on AD and is a reserve resource of traditional Chinese medicine for external use in the treatment of AD.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Male ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Humans ; Bufonidae ; Oils/administration & dosage* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect and adverse reactions of dapoxetine hydrochloride versus paroxetine in the treatment of primary premature ejaculation by cross-comparison. METHODS: Based on the clinic-visit time, we equally randomized 148 patients with primary premature ejaculation into groups A and B for a cross-comparison test, the former treated with paroxetine at 20 mg once nightly and the latter with dapoxetine hydrochloride at 30 mg on demand, both for 6 successive weeks, during which we observed the therapeutic effects and adverse reactions. Following 4 weeks of drug discontinuance, we administered dapoxetine hydrochloride at 30 mg on demand for group A and paroxetine at 20 mg once nightly for group B, both for another 6 successive weeks, followed by observation and comparison of the therapeutic effects and adverse reactions. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the initial characteristics of the two groups of patients (P > 0.05). Compared with the baseline, the mean intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) was dramatically improved after treatment in both groups A (4.43 min) and B (7.12 min), increased by 3.99% and 6.72%, respectively (P<0.001). The patients treated with paroxetine showed significantly longer IELT than those taking dapoxetine hydrochloride in both groups (P<0.001). Findings of the Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP) and spouses' conditions indicated significant improvement after treatment in the average scores of the four indicators of PEP, that is, perceived control over ejaculation, ejaculation-related personal distress, satisfaction with sexual intercourse and ejaculation-related interpersonal difficulty, as well as in the overall experience and partner's satisfaction and orgasm frequency. Adverse reactions to medication were found in 20.8% of the cases in group A and 9.7% in group B, but none was serious. Preference survey following drug withdrawal revealed a preference for paroxetine (61.9%) over dapoxetine (26.8%), and that only a few of the patients thought of the two drugs as comparable or both ineffective. CONCLUSION In term of overall effectiveness, paroxetine was superior to dapoxetine in the treatment of primary premature ejaculation. And the patients obviously preferred the former to the latter, which might be partly attributed to the higher price of dapoxetine.
Humans ; Benzylamines/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Premature Ejaculation/drug therapy* ; Naphthalenes/therapeutic use* ; Paroxetine/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on acute lung injury (ALI) and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The chemical constituents of BBP were analyzed by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). After 7 days of adaptive feeding, 50 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups by a random number table (n=10): normal control (NC), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), dexamethasone (Dex), low-, and high-dose BBP groups. The dosing cycle was 9 days. On the 12th and 14th days, 20 µL of Staphylococcus aureus solution (bacterial concentration of 1 × 10^-7 CFU/mL) was given by nasal drip after 1 h of intragastric administration, and the mice in the NC group was given the same dose of phosphated buffered saline (PBS) solution. On the 16th day, after 1 h intragastric administration, 100 µL of LPS solution (1 mg/mL) was given by tracheal intubation, and the same dose of PBS solution was given to the NC group. Lung tissue was obtained to measure the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the lung wet/dry weight ratio and expressions of CD14 and other related proteins. The lower lobe of the right lung was obtained for pathological examination. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α ) and IL-1β in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and the number of neutrophils was counted. The colonic contents of the mice were analyzed by 16 sRNA technique and the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). RESULTS: UPLC-MS revealed that the chemical components of BBP samples were mainly tauroursodeoxycholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid sodium salt. BBP reduced the activity of MPO, concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the expression of CD14 protein, thus suppressing the activation of NF-κB pathway (P<0.05). The lung histopathological results indicated that BBP significantly reduced the degree of neutrophil infiltration, cell shedding, necrosis, and alveolar cavity depression. Moreover, BBP effectively regulated the composition of the intestinal microflora and increased the production of SCFAs, which contributed to its treatment effect (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS BBP alleviates lung injury in ALI mouse through inhibiting activation of NF-κB pathway and decreasing expression of CD14 protein. BBP may promote recovery of ALI by improving the structure of intestinal flora and enhancing metabolic function of intestinal flora.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/pathology* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Ursidae ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Bile/chemistry* ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/metabolism* ; Powders ; Male ; Lung/drug effects* ; Mice ; Peroxidase/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cytokines/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To explore the underlying pharmacological mechanisms and its potential effects of Chinese medicine herbal formula Sini Powder (SNP) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The active components of SNP and their in vivo distribution were identified using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Construction of component-target-disease networks, protein-protein interaction network, Gene Ontology function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, and molecular docking were employed to analyze the active components and anti-HCC mechanisms of SNP. Cell viability assay and wound healing assay were utilized to confirm the effect of SNP-containing serum (2.5%, 5.0%, 10%, 20%, and 40%), isoprenaline or propranolol (both 10, 100, and 1,000 µ mol/L) on proliferation and migration of HepG 2 or Huh7 cells. Meanwhile, the effect of isoprenaline or propranolol on the β 2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) mRNA expression on HepG2 cells were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription (RT-qPCR). Mice with subcutaneous tumors were either subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS) followed by SNP administration (364 mg/mL) or directly treated with SNP (364 mg/mL). These two parallel experiments were performed to validate the effects of SNP on stress responses. Stress-related proteins and hormones were quantified using RT-qPCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. Metagenomic sequencing was performed to confirm the influence of SNP on the gut microbiota in the tumor-bearing CRS mice. RESULTS: The distribution of the 12 active components of SNP was confirmed in various tissues and feces. Network pharmacology analysis confirmed the anti-HCC effects of the 5 active components. The potential anti-HCC mechanisms of SNP may involve the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways. SNP-containing serum inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 and Huh7 cells at concentrations of 2.5% and 5.0%, respectively, after 24 h of treatment. Furthermore, SNP suppressed tumor progression in tumor-bearing mice exposed to CRS. SNP treatment also downregulated the expressions of stress-related proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines, primarily by modulating the gut microbiota. Specifically, the abundance of Alistipes and Prevotella, which belong to the phylum Bacteroidetes, increased in the SNP-treated group, whereas Lachnospira, in the phylum Firmicutes, decreased. CONCLUSION SNP can combat HCC by alleviating stress responses through the regulation of gut microbiota.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Liver Neoplasms/microbiology* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/microbiology* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Powders ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Hep G2 Cells ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/genetics* ; Stress, Physiological/drug effects* ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Male ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Mas

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

OBJECTIVE: Data on homocysteine (Hcy) status and its determinants are limited among women during pregnancy and postpartum. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate Hcy levels during pregnancy and postpartum, and to explore the determinants like geographic factor. METHODS: This study was conducted in women at mid-pregnancy, late-pregnancy and postpartum from southern, central and northern China. Approximately 132 women were included in each stratum by the three phases and regions. Plasma Hcy concentrations were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with hyperhomocysteinemia defined as > 10.0 µmol/L. Quantile regression was to estimate medians and interquartile ranges ( IQRs), and logistic regression to examine the determinants of hyperhomocysteinemia. RESULTS: For 1,190 women included, the median (IQR) Hcy concentration was 5.66 (4.62, 7.37) μmol/L. The adjusted median in mid-pregnancy, late-pregnancy and postpartum women was 4.75 (4.13, 5.54), 5.72 (4.81, 6.85) and 7.09 (5.65, 8.75) μmol/L, respectively, showing an increasing trend ( P < 0.001). This increasing trend persisted across the three regions. Higher Hcy concentrations were observed in women residing in northern region and those with younger age or lower economic status. A total of 106 (8.9%) women had hyperhomocysteinemia, with a higher prevalence in those residing in northern region (16.0%), or in postpartum women (16.5%). CONCLUSION Hcy levels, varying with geographic region, maternal age and economic status, are increased from mid-pregnancy to late-pregnancy and postpartum, indicating a need to monitor Hcy levels in pregnant and postpartum women to control potential risks related to elevated Hcy levels.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Homocysteine/blood* ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Postpartum Period/blood* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Hyperhomocysteinemia/blood* ; Young Adult ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third/blood* ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; East Asian People

Objective:To investigate the preparation of sustained-release microspheres of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its repairing effects on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage as well as the regulation of the tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) pathway in rats.Methods:BDNF sustained-release microspheres were prepared by emulsification-solvent evaporation method and polymer alloying method. The morphology of the microspheres was observed by a transmission electron microscope. The particle size and Zeta potential of the microspheres were measured by a Malvern ZS90 particle size analyzer, and the encapsulation rate and plasmid loading of the BDNF sustained-release microspheres were determined. The sustained release of the microspheres in vitro was also detected. A total of 45 SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, and the treatment group, with 15 rats in each group. Except for the sham-operation group, ischemic-hypoxic brain injury models were established in the other two groups by ligating the right common carotid artery and in a hypoxia environment. The rats in the treatment group were injected with 100 mg/kg of BNDF sustained-release microsphere solution via the tail vein once a day for 4 weeks, while the rats in the sham-operation group and the model group were injected with an equal amount of blank microsphere solution via the tail vein. At the end of the intervention, the neurological function scores, brain tissue water content, cerebral infarction area, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expressions of BDNF, TrkB, and phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) were detected by Western Blot. Results:The appearance of BDNF sustained-release microspheres was round or oval, with a smooth surface and uniform size distribution. No interfused microspheres were observed. The size of microspheres was (221.49 ± 5.75) nm, the Zeta potential was (?27.03 ± 4.22) mV, and the encapsulation rate was (80 ± 2) %. The microspheres (1 mg) could carry (1.55 ± 0.04) μg of BDNF plasmid, and the sustained release of the drug stabilized at day 28. Compared with the model group, the neurological function score, brain tissue water content, cerebral infarction area, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were decreased, and the SOD level and the protein expression of BDNF, TrkB, and p-CREB were increased in the treatment group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:BDNF sustained-release microspheres can promote the repair of neurological damage caused by cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, reduce inflammation response and oxidative stress, and alleviate cerebral edema and cerebral infarction, which may play a role by activating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway.

Objective To explore the correlation between serum lipid levels of total cholesterol(TC)and triglyceride(TG)and the survival prognosis in postoperative patients with early lung cancer,and to observe the effect of Fuzheng Quxie Prescription on serum lipid levels in postoperative patients with early lung cancer,so as to explore the mechanism of Fuzheng Quxie Prescription in improving the survival prognosis of postoperative patients with early lung cancer.Methods The correlation of serum TC and TG levels with survival prognosis of 257 postoperative patients with early lung cancer admitted in Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2010 to December 2015 was retrospectively analyzed.The changes of serum TC and TG levels in postoperative patients with early lung cancer before and after treatment with Fuzheng Quxie Prescription were statistically analyzed.From January 2017 to April 2021,a prospective analysis of the one-year,two-year,three-year and four-year disease-free survival rates and serum TC and TG levels was carried out in 281 postoperative patients with early lung cancer treated with Fuzheng Quxie Prescription orally in Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine(treatment group)and in 287 postoperative patients with early lung cancer who were followed up in clinic while had no medciation in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital(control group).Results(1)The retrospective study showed that pre-treatment TC level was correlated with progression-free survival(PFS)in postoperative patients with early lung cancer,and the patients with high TC level had longer PFS.There was no significant correlation between pre-treatment TG level and PFS in postoperative patients with early lung cancer.The patients with high TG level had higher short-term survival rate while the patients with low TG level had higher long-term survival rate.(2)The prospective study showed that there were nine cases of recurrence in the treatment group and 24 cases of recurrence in the control group till the last follow-up time on April 1,2021.The one-year,two-year,three-year and four-year disease-free survival rates in the treatment group were 99.3％,96.8％,95.7％and 95.7％,respectively,which were superior to 97.6％,92.3％,89.2％and 87.1％in the control group(P＜0.05),indicating that the recurrence and metastasis in the postoperative patients with early lung cancer treated by Fuzheng Quxie Prescription were significantly reduced when compared with the control group,and the disease-free survival rate was significantly improved.After treatment,the serum levels of TC and TG in the treatment group were increased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05)while the control group showed no obvious changes(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the increase of serum TC and TG levels in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05),indicating that Fuzheng Quxie Prescription had regulatory effect on the blood lipid level of patients to a certain extent.Conclusion The analysis of the correlation between pre-treatment blood lipids and PFS prognosis in postoperative patients with early lung cancer indicated that lung cancer patients with high TC level had longer PFS;Fuzheng Quxie Prescription can regulate the blood lipid level of postoperative patients with early lung adenocarcinoma.It is speculated that Fuzheng Quxie Prescription may improve the survival prognosis of postoperative patients with early lung cancer probably by regulating the blood lipid level of the patients.

This study explores the effects and possible mechanisms of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (NRF2) on ovarian granulosa cells, providing a scientific basis to prevent premature ovarian failure. An ovarian cell injury model was constructed by treating human ovarian granulosa cell (KGN cell) with 4-Vinylcyclohexene dioxide (VCD). Firstly, KGN cells were treated with different concentrations of VCD, and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) was used to detect ovarian cell proliferation. After determining IC 50 by CCK8, the levels of estradiol and progesterone in the cell supernatant were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay kit was used to detect the content of ROS in ovarian cells, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression level of NRF2, and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression level of NRF2. Further, NRF2 silence (siNRF2) and overexpression (NRF2-OE) cell models were constructed through lentivirus transfection, and the effects of regulating NRF2 on VCD treated cell models were investigated by detecting hormone levels, oxidative stress indicators (ROS, SOD, GSH-Px), and autophagy (LC3B level). The results showed that VCD intervention inhibited the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner ( F>100, P<0.05), with an IC 50 of 1.2 mmol/L at 24 hours. After VCD treatment, the level of estradiol in the cell supernatant decreased from (56.32±10.18) ng/ml to (24.59±8.75) ng/ml ( t=5.78, P<0.05). Progesterone decreased from (50.25±7.03) ng/ml to (25.13±6.67) ng/ml ( t=6.54, P<0.05). After VCD treatment, the SOD of cells decreased from (44.47±7.71) ng/ml to (30.92±4.97) ng/ml ( t=3.61, P<0.05). GSH-Px decreased from (68.51±10.17) ng/ml to (35.19±6.59) ng/ml ( t=5.73, P<0.05). Simultaneously accompanied by an increase in autophagy and a decrease in NRF2. This study successfully constructed KGN cell models that silenced NRF2 and overexpressed NRF2. Subsequently, this study treated each group of cells with VCD and found that the cell proliferation activity of the siNRF2 group was significantly reduced ( t=8.37, P<0.05), while NRF2-OE could reverse the cell activity damage caused by VCD ( t=3.37, P<0.05). The siNRF2 group had the lowest level of estradiol ( t=5.78, P<0.05), while NRF2-OE could reverse the decrease in cellular estradiol levels caused by VCD ( t=5.58, P<0.05). The siNRF2 group had the lowest progesterone levels ( t=3.02, P<0.05), while NRF2-OE could reverse the decrease in cellular progesterone levels caused by VCD ( t=2.41, P<0.05). The ROS level in the siNRF2 group was the highest ( t=2.86, P<0.05), NRF2-OE could reverse the increase in ROS caused by VCD ( t=3.14, P<0.05), the SOD enzyme content in the siNRF2 group was the lowest ( t=2.98, P<0.05), and NRF2-OE could reverse the decrease in SOD enzyme content caused by VCD ( t=4.72, P<0.05). The GSH-Px enzyme content in the siNRF2 group was the lowest ( t=3.67, P<0.05), and NRF2-OE could reverse the decrease in antioxidant enzyme content caused by VCD ( t=2.71, P<0.05). The LC3B level was highest in the siNRF2 group ( t=2.45, P<0.05), and NRF2-OE was able to reverse the LC3B elevation caused by VCD ( t=9.64, P<0.05). In conclusion, NRF2 inhibits ROS induced autophagy, thereby playing a role in reducing ovarian granulosa cell damage, which may be a potential target for premature ovarian failure.