1.Effects of moxibustion at Huantiao (GB30) acupoint on nerve regeneration in rats with sciatic nerve injury
Pinxi Zhou ; Ruhan Zhang ; Mailan Liu ; Mi Liu
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(3):389-399
Objective:
To observe the effects of moxibustion at Huantiao (GB30) acupoint on nerve repair, regeneration, and function in rats with sciatic nerve injury (SNI), and explore the possible mechanism of SNI improvement via moxibustion.
Methods:
A total of 70 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to control group (n = 10) and model group (n = 60). Following replication of SNI to model group rats, 60 SNI model rats were randomly allocated to SNI groups of 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d and moxibustion groups of 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d with 10 rats in each group. Moxibustion groups were given moxibustion at the Huantiao (GB30) acupoint on the affected side with a 5 cm distance from the skin under isoflurane respiratory anesthesia and treated once a day for 20 min for 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d, respectively. Control and SNI groups were anesthetized with isoflurane daily for 20 min. Open field tests and thermal pain threshold tests were conducted, and the general condition of rats was observed in each group pre-modeling and on treatment day 1, 3, and 7. At the end of the treatment, immunofluorescence was used to detect the axonal growth rate, axonal growth density, and Schwann cells (SCs) proliferation in the middle 1-mm cross-section of the crush injury segment in rats. The gastrocnemius muscles on both sides of the rats were taken and weighed to calculate the wet weight ratio of the gastrocnemius muscles on both sides to observe the muscle atrophy of the rats, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathomorphological changes of the gastrocnemius muscles on the affected side. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), interferon (IFN), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), interleukin (IL)-4, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in the sciatic nerve tissue of the rats.
Results:
After modeling, rats in both moxibustion and SNI groups showed typical signs of pain behaviors (bending and curling of the hind soles of the affected side, licking claws, and lameness) and decreased activity compared with control group. The main benefits of moxibustion were evident from day 3: compared with SNI group, rats in moxibustion group had marked relief of pain behavior, increased activity levels and movement, and a lower response to thermal pain. At the same time, moxibustion significantly promoted the repair of SNI, as evidenced by the significantly better axonal growth rate, growth density, and SCs proliferation density in the crush injury segment compared with SNI group (P < 0.01). Moxibustion also regulated the local microenvironment of the injury, up-regulated the pro-nerve repair factors NGF, IL-4, and TGF-β (P < 0.05), and down-regulated the pro-inflammatory factors IFN-γ (P < 0.01) and MIF (P < 0.05). By day 7, the histomorphology of the gastrocnemius muscle in moxibustion group was improved, as indicated by enlarged muscle fibers, elevated regular myocyte morphology and wet weight ratio of the affected and unaffected sides (P < 0.05), as well as a sustained high expression levels of NGF, IL-4, and TGF-β (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, and P < 0.01, respectively), and a maintenance of low level of IFN-γ (P < 0.01). Concurrently, the MIF level was not significantly different from SNI group (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
Moxibustion at the Huantiao (GB30) acupoint effectively improves motor function and promotes recovery of sensory function and nerve regeneration in SNI rats, which may be related to the regulation of local inflammatory response, the promotion of nerve growth factor expression, the improvement of regenerative microenvironment, and the acceleration of SCs proliferation and axonal growth rate in damaged nerves.
2.Clinical trial of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of adults with mild and moderate depression
Shu-Zhe ZHOU ; Zu-Cheng HAN ; Xiu-Zhen WANG ; Yan-Qing CHEN ; Ya-Ling HU ; Xue-Qin YU ; Bin-Hong WANG ; Guo-Zhen FAN ; Hong SANG ; Ying HAI ; Zhi-Jie JIA ; Zhan-Min WANG ; Yan WEI ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Xue-Qin SONG ; Zhi-Dong LIU ; Li KUANG ; Hong-Ming WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Yu-Xin LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Hai LIN ; Bin WU ; Chao-Ying WANG ; Chang LIU ; Jia-Fan SUN ; Shao-Xiao YAN ; Jun LIU ; Shou-Fu XIE ; Mao-Sheng FANG ; Wei-Feng MI ; Hong-Yan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):815-819
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P<0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59%(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49%(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35%(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.
3.Study on the Material Basis of Guiqi Baizhu Prescription Inhibiting the Proliferation of Uveal Melanoma Cells Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Chemical Bioinformatics
WANG Ruifeng ; JIN Xiaojie ; LIU Hao ; LI Chenghao ; ZHANG Min ; Li Mi ; LI Haotian ; ZHANG Yu ; MA Huanhuan ; ZHANG Yuemei
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(14):1900-1912
ABATRACT
OBJECTIVE To utilize the pharmacophore model-molecular docking combined with the virtual screening strategy of free energy calculation and the chemical bioinformatics method of traditional Chinese medicine in cell biology experiments to investigate the components of Guiqi Baizhu prescription that target phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) and inhibit the proliferation of uveal melanoma(UM) cells.
METHODS The pharmacophore model of PI3K inhibitor was constructed, and the compounds of Guiqi Baizhu prescription were virtual screened. The components that fit the pharmacophore model were calculated by molecular docking and binding free energy, and the potential inhibitory components were selected for biological experimental evaluation. The effects of potential inhibitory components on UM cell proliferation were detected by CCK-8 and clonal formation assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis of UM cells. The mitochondrial membrane potential of UM cells was detected using JC-10 staining. The expressions of PI3K and downstream pathway proteins were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS The pharmacophore model included 2 hydrogen bond receptors, 2 aromatic ring centers, and exclusion volumes. The results of the CCK-8 experiment showed that quercetin, tangerine, and nobiletin at concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 80 μmol·L−1, and cyrtin at concentrations of 20, 40, 80 μmol·L−1, were able to inhibit the proliferation of UM cells. The clonal formation experiment showed that quercetin, tangerine, nobiletin, and morusin, at different concentrations, could significantly inhibit the clonal proliferation of UM cells. Flow cytometry showed that UM cells were arrested in the G0/G1 phase by tangeretin and quercetin, while UM cells were arrested in the G2/M phase by nobiletin and morusin. The results of JC-10 staining showed that quercetin, nobiletin, tangeretin, and morusin could reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential of UM cells. Western blotting results showed that 4 compounds could target PI3K, but their downstream pathways were different.CONCLUSION Based on the method of chemical bioinformatics in traditional Chinese medicine, this study explores the material basis for the inhibition of UM cell proliferation by the Guiqi Baizhu prescription. It also provides insights for the modern development of traditional Chinese medicine prescription.
4.Changes of laboratory biochemical indicators in HIV / AIDS patients treated with different antiviral regimens
Mengxue LI ; Jiafa LIU ; Rui ZHANG ; Zhixing WU ; Jianjian LI ; Xuemei DENG ; Kailin YANG ; Xingqi DONG ; Mi ZHANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(4):49-52
Objective To analyze the changes of liver and kidney function, blood glucose and lipid metabolism at different follow-up time points of different treatment regimens, and to provide reference for clinical optimization and adjustment of medication in HIV/AIDS patients. Methods The changes of liver and kidney function, blood glucose and lipid metabolism at seven follow-up time points were analyzed retrospectively. The baseline blood collection time of HIV /AIDS patients was set as the starting point, and the final follow-up time was set as the end point. The seven follow-up points were 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months respectively. Results There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of sex, age, education, marital status, WHO staging, infection route, and baseline CD4+T lymphocyte count among 605 enrolled patients based on different treatment regimens. Liver function: The level of T-Bil in group E was higher than that of baseline at 9M, 12M, 18M and 24M after treatment (P<0.01); In group F, the level of T-Bil was higher than that of baseline at 9M after treatment (P=0.001); The levels of ALT in group C at the six follow-up points after treatment were higher than the baseline (P<0.001); The level of AST in group C was higher than that of baseline after 3M and 6M treatment (P<0.05). Renal function: The level of UREA in group C was higher than that in baseline after 6M treatment (P=0.007); The level of UREA in group F was higher than that in the baseline after 12M treatment (P<0.001); The level of UA in group F was higher than that of baseline after 3M, 6M and 12M treatment (P<0.05). Blood lipid and blood glucose: The levels of Glu at some follow-up points after ART treatment in group A and group C were higher than that at baseline (P<0.05); The levels of TG at some follow-up points in group A, group E and group F after ART treatment were higher than those at baseline (P<0.05); The levels of TC at some follow-up points in group A, group B, group C, group E and group F after ART treatment were all higher than the baseline (P<0.05). Conclusion Regular monitoring of changes in laboratory indicators of different treatment regimens during ART is of great importance to the prognosis of patients. Different laboratory indicators should be monitored according to different treatment regimens to effectively prevent adverse reactions caused by different treatment regimens.
5.Research Progress on Ventricular Arrhythmia Ablation Therapy via Coronary Venous System
Lijie MI ; Hongda ZHANG ; Min TANG
Chinese Circulation Journal 2024;39(2):204-208
Ablation of ventricular arrhythmia originating from the epicardial and intramural sites tends to be challenging in clinical practice.As the reflux system of cardiac blood flow,tributaries of the coronary venous system widely covers the surface and the myocardium tissue of the heart,which could serve as alternative access route for auxiliary mapping and ablation.This review updated the research progress on the novel ablation methods via the coronary venous system.
6.Overseas imported cystic echinococcosis misdiagnosed as pulmonary and hepatic cysts: a case report
Zhenyu HUANG ; Yuan LI ; Shitong GAO ; Lisha ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Lixiang MI
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(4):435-438
Cystic echinococcosis, a zoonotic disease that poses a significant threat to human health and animal husbandry development, is prevalent across the world and predominantly occurs in agricultural and pastoral regions. However, cystic echinococcosis cases are rare in non-endemic areas, which is likely to cause misdiagnosis or missing diagnosis, resulting in delay in treatment. This report presents an overseas imported cystic echinococcosis case misdiagnosed as pulmonary and hepatic cysts, so as to provide insights into diagnosis and treatment of cystic echinococcosis in non-endemic areas.
7.Real-World Study on the Clinical Efficacy of Different Medication Regimens of Wangbi Tablet (尪痹片) in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Kuayue ZHANG ; Chao LI ; Zhuoyun WU ; Yawei DONG ; Zelu ZHENG ; Yuzhi LIU ; Jun ZHOU ; Jiaming LIN ; Yuefeng CHEN ; Baohong MI ; Weiheng CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(22):2316-2325
ObjectiveTo investigate the differences in clinical efficacy of different medication regimens of Wangbi Tablets (尪痹片) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in a real-world setting, providing a basis for rational clinical use of Wangbi Tablets. MethodsA prospective registry study was conducted, involving 2,999 KOA patients registered in 30 hospitals nationwide from January 26th, 2019, to December 17th, 2021. Based on the use of Wangbi Tablets during the observation period, patients were divided into a monotherapy group (1,507 cases) and a combination therapy group (1,492 cases), and the combination group can be further divided into Wangbi Tablets plus Chinese medicine (CM), Wangbi Tablets plus western medicine (WM), and Wangbi Tablets plus Chinese and western medicine (CM+WM) subgroups. The baseline data of patients in the monotherapy group and the combination group were compared, including age, gender, body weight, medication time, clinical stage, K-L grade, and others. Efficacy indicators included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, and EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D) health index, which were evaluated before and after 4-, 8- and 12-week treatment, and the difference before and after treatment was calculated after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. The difference between the baseline and 12 weeks of treatment of all the above indicators was used as the dependent variables, and gender, age, body mass index (BMI), course of disease, K-L grade, and clinical stage were used as independent variables, when multiple linear regression was taken to explore the influencing factors of the efficacy. At the same time, the occurrence of major symptoms (including morning stiffness, joint swelling, soreness of waist and knees, fear of wind, and fear of cold) was counted, and the disappearance of symptoms at each time point was counted after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. ResultsAt baseline, there were no statistically significant differences in gender and age distribution between the monotherapy and combination therapy groups (P>0.05); the proportion of patients in the acute stage and recovery stage was higher in the monotherapy group than in the combination therapy group, while the proportion in the remission stage was lower (P<0.05); the VAS score was higher in the monotherapy group, and the EQ-5D index was lower (P<0.01), with no statistically significant difference in total WOMAC score between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared to those measured before treatment and at previous timepoint, the VAS score and WOMAC total score significantly decreased in both groups, while EQ-5D value increased (P<0.05). The difference in VAS score between baseline and after 12-week treatment was higher in the monotherapy group than the combination group, while the differences in WOMAC total score and EQ-5D value between baseline and after 4-, 8- and 12-week treatment were higher in the combination group (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that VAS score before treatment had greatest impact on pain improvement (P<0.01), and compared to Wangbi Tablets monotherapy, the combination of Wangbi tablets with WM or CM had larger associations with pain improvement (P<0.05); and Wangbi Tablets had better efficacy when the course of treatment was >28 days (P<0.01). Wangbi Tablets plus WM had a better effect on improving the overall function of the knee joint than Wangbi Tablets alone (P<0.01); and the efficacy of Wangbi Tablets with a course of treatment >28 days was better (P<0.05). The improvement of quality of life of patients in the attack and remission stages was more obvious than that in the recovery stage (P<0.01); Wangbi Tablets plus WM or CM had a better effect on improving quality of life than Wangbi Tablets alone (P<0.05). Before treatment, the proportion of patients with morning stiffness, soreness of waist and knees, fear of wind and chills in the monotherapy group was higher than that in the combination group (P<0.01). The proportion of main symptoms in both groups decreased after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the disappearance rate of each main symptom in the combination group was higher than that in the monotherapy group, and after 12 weeks of treatment, the disappearance rate of fear of wind in the monotherapy group was higher than that in the combination group, while the disappearance rate of joint swelling and soreness of waist and knees was lower (P<0.05). ConclusionWangbi Tablets, whether used alone or in combination with other medications, is effective throughout the course of KOA, with greater benefits in improving joint function and quality of life during the acute and remission stages compared to the recovery stage. Combination therapy had a faster onset of effect, but began to converge with monotherapy after 8 weeks. The best efficacy was observed with the combination of Wangbi Tablets with WM, followed by combination with CM.
8.Full-length transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of Polygonatum kingianum
Qi MI ; Yan-li ZHAO ; Ping XU ; Meng-wen YU ; Xuan ZHANG ; Zhen-hua TU ; Chun-hua LI ; Guo-wei ZHENG ; Jia CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(6):1864-1872
The purpose of this study was to enrich the genomic information and provide a basis for further development and utilization of
9.The neuroprotective effect of W1302 on acute ischemic stroke in rats
Shao-feng XU ; Jiang LI ; Jie CAI ; Nan FENG ; Mi ZHANG ; Ling WANG ; Wei-ping WANG ; Hai-hong HUANG ; Yan WANG ; Xiao-liang WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(9):2539-2544
2-(4-Methylthiazol-5-yl) ethyl nitrate hydrochloride (W1302) is a nitro containing derivative of clomethiazole, which is a novel neuroprotective agent with both carbon monoxide (NO) donor and weak
10.Discussion on the Optimal Dose of Aspirin in the Treatment of Acute Stage of Kawasaki’s Disease
Jie MI ; Zhuo LIU ; Yuan LI ; Yang LI ; Ziyun DUAN ; Wenwen ZHANG ; Jiahua LIU
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(3):386-390
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of different doses of aspirin on clinical efficacy in acute stage of Kawasaki’s disease, and to explore the optimal dose of aspirin.
METHODS
A total of 150 patients suffered from Kawasaki’s disease were randomly selected by hospital information system from March to May 2022 for retrospective analysis. According to different doses of aspirin, they were divided into three groups: high dose group(>50 mg·kg−1·d−1), medium dose group(30−50 mg·kg−1·d−1) and low dose group(<30 mg·kg−1·d−1). The antipyretic time, the incidence of non-response to intravenous human immunoglobulin, the improvement of laboratory indexes and prevalence of adverse drug reaction were compared among the three groups.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in body temperature recovery among the three groups under different doses of aspirin. There was no significant difference in patients with non-response to intravenous human immunoglobulin among the three groups. Before treatment, there were no significant differences in white blood cell(WBC) count, blood platelet(PLT) count and C-reactive protein(CRP) concentration among the three groups. After treatment, the count of WBC, PLT and CRP in the three groups was significantly improved compared with that before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the above indexes among the three groups after treatment. There was a higher incidence of adverse reactions in children treated with medium or high dose aspirin.
CONCLUSION
Different doses of aspirin combined with intravenous human immunoglobulin have good therapeutic effect on Kawasaki’s disease, but considering the safety and economy of aspirin, low dose administration is recommended.


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